Hopi Tribal Councilmember Cliff Balenquah says the Hopi Tribe has a lot of potential for economic development, but it has to overcome obstacles to reach that goal. Balenquah, who has served on the council on and off for the past 12 years, said the recent purchase of a hotel in Clarkdale was a positive step forward. He said other economic development opportunities include developing land between Flagstaff and Winslow just off I-40, which the tribe owns, and maybe purchasing Hank’s Trading Post, … [Read more...] about Hopi Councilmember Cliff Balenquah Sees Economic Potential, Pushes for Smart Growth
Community Profile
From Sleep Struggles to Superfoods: Nutrition Coach Helps Sedona Thrive
If you are wondering if chocolate eaten late in the day is keeping you up at night or looking for a supplement to support healthy sleep, Sedona Natural Grocers Nutrition Health Coach Nicolette “Nickie” Severa is your resource. Severa loves to educate customers about nutrition, and she takes her job seriously. “I’m motivated to learn all I can about the different foods and supplements that we sell so I can be a nutrition resource for our customers.” Severa says she can’t promise that any diet … [Read more...] about From Sleep Struggles to Superfoods: Nutrition Coach Helps Sedona Thrive
Andy Auteri Promotes Quality of Life at The Bluffs
Landing your dream job in one of your favorite cities is something many wish for. And, for Andy Auteri, the executive director at The Bluffs of Flagstaff Senior Living, that wish has come true. For 15 years, Auteri and his wife, Tess, lived in Phoenix and would visit Flagstaff often to get out of the heat. “My wife and I are mountain people and really enjoy it here, but there were no job opportunities at the time, so I accepted a job in Cleveland to open a senior living community for another … [Read more...] about Andy Auteri Promotes Quality of Life at The Bluffs
Arizona Wine Country Visionary Takes Guests Behind the Scenesv
A painting of a viticulturist’s life goes far beyond the picturesque rows of groomed vines and trellises that eventually produce an alluring glass of fine wine. Behind the surface is a palette of backbreaking labor, stress and long hours. Just like any farmer, or in this case, winegrower, the elements of nature determine your workday. From locating the best rootstock to planting, to pruning, to bottling, other factors such as weather, viruses, fungal diseases, rodents and pests factor … [Read more...] about Arizona Wine Country Visionary Takes Guests Behind the Scenesv
Cutting Edge: Mikal Antunez Blends Style, Humor and Heritage at D-Luxe Barbershop
Mikal Antunez mixes modern haircuts, fun conversation and his Yavapai Apache culture to come up with a successful business blend at D-luxe Barbershop in downtown Flagstaff. Antunez is known for his “modern fades,” which means keeping the hair longer on the top and having a smooth transition with the rest of the hair. He said this is the most popular trend, along with more men growing beards. “Cutting hair has been my passion since I was a freshman in high school,” he said. Antunez, 27, said … [Read more...] about Cutting Edge: Mikal Antunez Blends Style, Humor and Heritage at D-Luxe Barbershop
A Passion for the Outdoors, Adventure, Travel
From the base camp of Mt. Everest to the floor of the Grand Canyon, Helen Ranney is doing everything she can to have fun working, traveling and spending time with her husband, world-renowned geologist and author Wayne Ranney. In addition to her many roles as wife, mother of three adult children, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother, Helen has worked for Arizona Highways as sales manager and the Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) as director of marketing and associate director of philanthropy. … [Read more...] about A Passion for the Outdoors, Adventure, Travel
Raising a Glass to Verde Valley Wine Promoter Paula Woolsey
For her decades of work in the Verde Valley wine industry and helping to elevate Arizona wines to the global stage, Paula Woolsey has received the 2024 Tourism Hall of Fame Award. “We raise our glasses to toast Paula as this year’s Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame Award honoree, as her vision and hard work have been instrumental in making Arizona a rising star in the world of wine,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Director Lisa Urias. As owner of the Cellar Door Unhinged, a sales and marketing … [Read more...] about Raising a Glass to Verde Valley Wine Promoter Paula Woolsey
Andy Bertelsen Brings Experience, Perspective, Love for Parks and Open Space to Coconino County
It’s hard to believe that Coconino County is larger than Switzerland, but according to Coconino County Manager Andy Bertelsen, it is! Bertelsen recently stepped into this position with the retirement of long-time Coconino County Manager Steve Peru, to oversee county services across more than 18,600 square miles, from Grand Canyon to Sedona. “This is a dream in the making,” he said. Bertelsen is not new to Northern Arizona. He served as an intern for the Coconino County Board of Supervisors 25 … [Read more...] about Andy Bertelsen Brings Experience, Perspective, Love for Parks and Open Space to Coconino County
Northern Arizona Couple are Champion Riders and Talented Trainers
Although CR Mules owners Roddy and Connie Lara could talk for hours about their amazing mule CR Katie, who died recently at 36, in their humility they never seem to mention the multitude of horse championship trophies they have won across the country. Racking up stacks of belt buckle awards that adorn the shelves in their Mountain View Ranchos home, the Flagstaff couple met in 1975 at the former Cowboy Country Club (CCC). “I was just out of the service and was in a rodeo at CCC and got … [Read more...] about Northern Arizona Couple are Champion Riders and Talented Trainers
In Step with Greg Secatero
Greg Secatero is a quiet Navajo Nation lawman of extreme patience and perseverance who may well have covered more miles of the Four Corners Region on foot than any other human, past or present. With a reputation for knowing every location, every draw, every canyon where bad guys hide, hikers get lost or animals look for water, Secatero uses intuition, decades on the land and a natural understanding of people and animals to guide himself and others. Today, that combination of determination, heart … [Read more...] about In Step with Greg Secatero
