Once again, cows and astronauts shared the high desert landscape of Babbitt Ranches as NASA, assisted by geologists from USGS, tested equipment, conducted moonwalking drills and practiced geology in preparation for Artemis 3, a crewed mission to the dark lunar south pole region, anticipated for 2026. The cattle seemed untroubled by the slow-moving visitors in spacesuits, a recurring event throughout the last half century. “I smile when I think about my grandad, John Babbitt, a quiet, … [Read more...] about Promoting Space Travel with a Land-Use Ethic
Education
Go Nuts!
Participating in a demanding extracurricular FIRST robotics competition this year, 22 students at Coconino High School in Flagstaff labored to produce a unique product, “Euclid,” a sophisticated, high-tech robot that weighs just under 100 pounds. Beyond just the robot, all their efforts paid off this spring when the high school’s CocoNuts robotics team won the prestigious FIRST Championship Impact Award during the 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship event, from April 17-20 in Houston, … [Read more...] about Go Nuts!
Grand Canyon Conservancy Hears of Grand Adventure
Award-winning photographer, filmmaker and author Pete McBride served as the keynote speaker for the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s (GCC) Grand Gathering 2024. Held at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the event attracted members from around the country. They were treated to an informative and entertaining slide show by McBride, followed by a book-signing of his latest book, “The Colorado River: Chasing Water.” “It was an inspiring kick-off to the 2024 Grand Gathering … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Conservancy Hears of Grand Adventure
Grand Canyon School Competes in Odyssey of the Mind Project on World Stage
Hard work, determination and innovation have paid off for four Grand Canyon School students as they competed in the Odyssey of the Mind World competition in Iowa. With tornado warnings and a morning of taking shelter, Hunter Campbell, Everette Hartman, Eli Talley and Noah Talley placed 31st, beating the other team from Arizona that previously beat them at the state level. “It’s been really great to help coach and watch the kids come out of their shells and overcome fears of stage fright, … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon School Competes in Odyssey of the Mind Project on World Stage
‘Missions and Madness’ Team-Building Adventure Game Now Available
A new kind of outdoor adventure leaderhip and team-building game, created by a Flagstaff martial arts trainer, is now available to play at home, at school, on the job or in the park. Missions and Madness is part scavenger hunt, part role-playing game and part boot camp. Morgan Boatman invented it to offer people of all ages and abilities a fun way to get outside, hone leadership skills, build community and get fit. “High-level military and martial arts training is not for everyone, but the … [Read more...] about ‘Missions and Madness’ Team-Building Adventure Game Now Available
Grand Canyon Wrangler Moves Mule Trains through All Seasons
An encounter with mules on the Grand Canyon trails is like finding yourself in the middle of a Western movie. But for the wranglers, it’s the real deal and a job they wouldn’t trade for anything. Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) Animal Packer Matthew Joseph says, “I love it! I get to be in the Grand Canyon, and the mules are the best coworkers you could ever ask for.” A mule packer feeds and cares for the animals and carefully and strategically sorts out the cargo for transport in packs on … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Wrangler Moves Mule Trains through All Seasons
Exercising Your Freedom is Good for You
After witnessing a profoundly moving and meaningful naturalization ceremony in federal court recently, I realized we American citizens seem to get so bogged down in the challenges facing our country, including political disagreements and the cost of gas, that we forget how privileged we are to live in the United States. We forget about the opportunities and freedoms we have that give us the power to pursue a better life. Not taking advantage of our freedoms – like the right to vote, the right … [Read more...] about Exercising Your Freedom is Good for You
Major Expansions in Youth Program Unveiled at UWNA Event
The announcement of a $100,000 grant from The NARBHA Institute to expand youth programs and the promise that graduates of the popular KinderCamp program can earn a degree from Coconino Community College free of charge were the highlights of the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) Annual Campaign and Community Impact Luncheon. “As you know, United Way of Northern Arizona has big, bold goals for our youth and our community,” said UWNA President and CEO Liz Archuleta. “Today, I am proud to … [Read more...] about Major Expansions in Youth Program Unveiled at UWNA Event
Award-Winning Film Urges Community Action
Glory Girl Productions, in collaboration with BACK 2 BASICS & ONLIFE FOUNDATION will present a screening of the award-winning documentary, The Addict’s Wake, to the Flagstaff community on April 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Prochnow Auditorium on the NAU campus. Admission is free, so tickets are not necessary. In the wake of the opioid crisis and the emergence of deadly fentanyl pouring into the United States, the impact of drug addiction rages on, destroying communities and families. This … [Read more...] about Award-Winning Film Urges Community Action
NAU Names Brian Wright to Lead Lumberjack Football
Northern Arizona University’s President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Intercollegiate Athletics Vice President Mike Marlow have formally introduced Brian Wright as the school’s 31st head football coach. Wright joins NAU’s program after spending four years at Division II Pittsburg State University in Kansas. There, he led the Gorillas to a 23-3 record across two seasons, winning consecutive Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) titles. He also was named the 2022 MIAA Conference … [Read more...] about NAU Names Brian Wright to Lead Lumberjack Football
