Bright Side Bookshop co-owners Lisa Lamberson and Annette Avery are celebrating a long-time dream come true. With assistance from the Downtown Business Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic downtown, the duo secured a grant from the City of Flagstaff’s Beautification in Action Grants (BIA). The BIA is funded by the 2% bed, board and beverage tax revenue and provides mini-grants for streetscape art and beautification. “[The mural] really brings new energy to the … [Read more...] about Bright Side Bookshop Unveils Literary Mural
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Blending Two Worlds: Darold Joseph Champions Culture and Education for Native Students
Native American students should not feel that they live in an “either or” world, says Northern Arizona University educator Darold Joseph, Ph.D. Instead, he believes they can thrive by drawing from the best of two realms. “Native Americans face the challenge of using more modernity and more technology to sustain who we are,” he said. “Students can learn to meet state and federal educational requirements while still retaining and using their culture.” Joseph is the director of the Institute for … [Read more...] about Blending Two Worlds: Darold Joseph Champions Culture and Education for Native Students
Verde Valley Harvest Takes a Village
What is being celebrated as a hearty grape harvest in the Verde Valley, the 2025 yield is considered to be another promising vintage, putting smiles on winegrowers’ faces and assurance of some nice flavors for wine lovers’ palates. Claiming that this year’s harvest was fast and furious, Verde Valley Wine Consortium President Paula Woolsey said, “It was hot and not a lot of rain or the traditional monsoons, so brix [sugar] levels were high, producing a good vintage. All in all, it was a good … [Read more...] about Verde Valley Harvest Takes a Village
Celebration of the Night Brings Flagstaff Together Under the Stars
Flagstaff’s famous night skies are taking center stage this fall as the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) hosts its annual Celebration of the Night, Sept. 5 through Oct. 18, including the Flagstaff Star Party, Sept. 25-27, at Buffalo Park. This year’s festivities also mark the beginning of a year-long countdown to a milestone event: the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, coming in fall 2026. “As we pursue our vision of a world where … [Read more...] about Celebration of the Night Brings Flagstaff Together Under the Stars
North Rim in Flames: Region Reels from Loss and Heartbreak
With tired legs and cherished memories, Maraka Oltrogge, vice president of philanthropy at Northern Arizona Healthcare, spent the last night of her hiking trip with her dad and friends, basking in the beauty of the mixed conifer forest and camping just outside the National Park boundary on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. At 11:15 p.m., Thursday, July 10, she was awakened by a bright light and an urgent message. “A Game and Fish officer introduced himself and kindly explained that we needed … [Read more...] about North Rim in Flames: Region Reels from Loss and Heartbreak
The Creative Casita Brings a Pop of Personality to East Flagstaff
Behind white pillars at Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue in Flagstaff is The Creative Casita, a new boutique-style market filled with unique gifts, vintage finds and homemade goods. Owner Adriane Murphy, a longtime Flagstaff resident with 15 years of experience in craft fairs and outdoor markets, has created a shop that brings together local vendors offering handmade jewelry, home décor, fresh tortillas, scratch pastas, soap, candles and more. “The store is bright and cheery and so … [Read more...] about The Creative Casita Brings a Pop of Personality to East Flagstaff
Route 66 Goes On the Air
There will be a major pileup in the Flagstaff area in September. Fortunately, it won’t be on the highways, but rather on the airwaves. A unique international amateur radio event, “Route 66 On The Air,” sponsored by the local Northern Arizona DX Association (NADXA), will be coming to town Sept. 6-14, and will welcome more than 10,000 amateur radio operators to connect across continents to celebrate Route 66. Marking its 26th anniversary, this special … [Read more...] about Route 66 Goes On the Air
How to Fund Your Business: Lending Programs Available in Flagstaff
The City of Flagstaff Economic Development Department is committed to assisting our local small businesses grow and thrive. Better access to small business lending programs is one way to achieve that objective. Multiple resources are available to small businesses to finance their initial startup costs and future expansion. These include financial resources supported by the U.S. Treasury Department and Arizona Commerce Authority. The Small Business Development Center at Coconino Community … [Read more...] about How to Fund Your Business: Lending Programs Available in Flagstaff
Navajo Craft Soda: Pop Top, Fizz, Fizz
Refrigerators in modern convenience stores and travel centers have wall-to-wall beverage options. But few if any of them have their own craft sodas brewed in an on-site bottling room. That’s one of the things that makes the Navajo Blue Travel Plaza unique. It bottles eight flavors of Navajo Fizz Craft Soda. Pop the top on a refreshing Pinon Nut Root Beer, Sumac Strawberry or Cherry Lemongrass soda, the three most popular flavors, and enjoy the fizz. How about Peaches and Cream, Navajo … [Read more...] about Navajo Craft Soda: Pop Top, Fizz, Fizz
Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass Pumps $15.8 Million into Northern Arizona Economy
Clods of freshly broken ground and the steady beep-beep of trucks backing up signal progress on the Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass, now under construction on I-17, approximately 15 miles south of Flagstaff. The multi-million project, designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and restore habitat connectivity, is also injecting new energy – and dollars – into the Northern Arizona economy. “This project will pump $15.8 million into the Northern Arizona economy, between wages, material … [Read more...] about Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass Pumps $15.8 Million into Northern Arizona Economy
