Want to experience the definition of homegrown? Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria could be your answer. The restaurant, which opened in 2016, offers its customers an alluring experience, where everything from the pasta to the wine is made in the Verde Valley. The restaurant is located at 1001 N. Main Street, Cottonwood. Merkin Vineyards is a division of Caduceus Cellars, touted as a small, family-owned operation. Both the business and restaurant have sprouted nicely … [Read more...] about Wine Tasting Like a Rock Star
Feature
Warehouse of Dreams
It is hard to stop a good idea, even with obstacles such as months of coronavirus fears, a flagging economy and a wayward car in December that smashed into the corner of the warehouse that houses The Flagstaff Makerspace Coco-op on West Kaibab Lane. Opening in July of last year, the co-operative venture honors the makerspace ideal: Enter with an idea, learn to make it, make knowledgeable and curious friends. In recent years, makerspaces have cropped up across the country to provide places … [Read more...] about Warehouse of Dreams
Making a Business of Snow Play
Between bouts of laughter and the swish of snow tubes cruising down powder-packed slopes, comments such as “best day ever” can be heard at Flagstaff Snow Park. On the hills at Fort Tuthill, Flagstaff Snow Park is in its fifth season of winter fun, with snowmaking, food trucks, fire pits and a crew of friendly and helpful employees. “Last year was our first full season with snowmaking,” said Flagstaff Snow Park primary owner Jonathan Allen. “It was a great season, we had about 60,000 … [Read more...] about Making a Business of Snow Play
Computer Experts Warn of Increasing Security Threats
Two Prescott-based computer authorities are in absolute agreement about the need for exceptional caution about computer protections. One – Edward Fisher, owner of Fisher PC Help – said this: “Be absolutely paranoid about your computer security.” The second – Theo Soumilas, who owns Northern Arizona IT – put it this way: “We are at the point it’s no matter a question of ‘if’ but of ‘when’ your computer is hacked. It’s getting worse daily.” Both Fisher and Soumilas are adamant that … [Read more...] about Computer Experts Warn of Increasing Security Threats
Vaccine Providing Hope Despite Slow Rollout
Three messages from healthcare professionals and Coconino County officials are loud and clear: the rollout of vaccines is providing great hope for getting COVID-19 under control; frustration exists with a lack of available doses; and, masking, social distancing and hand washing are all still very important actions to maintain. “We now have an effective tool in our hands to combat against the spread of COVID-19,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Chief Quality Officer Dr. John Mougin. “We are … [Read more...] about Vaccine Providing Hope Despite Slow Rollout
The Shot Felt Round the World
Despite reporting its highest number of COVID-19 patients ever in the first week of the New Year, Northern Arizona Healthcare officials remain optimistic about battling the virus with the rollout of vaccines. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Arizona is the No. 1 hotspot in the country, with a seven-day average of 121.8 new cases per 100,000 people. In early January, 80 COVID-positive patients were admitted at Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC); 30 … [Read more...] about The Shot Felt Round the World
Real Estate Market Maintaining Momentum in the New Year
Staying strong since last June, the housing market on the local, state and national level has risen to a 14-year high, despite the pandemic, economic uncertainty and a difficult presidential election. Even during historically slow periods, like the holiday season, homebuyers are quickly purchasing the few homes listed for sale. The shortage of housing inventory and extremely low interest rates have driven the hyperactive real estate market, says long-time realtor Gary Nelson, who heads the … [Read more...] about Real Estate Market Maintaining Momentum in the New Year
CCC Beginning Automotive Program
The conversation is the same among auto dealerships locally and across the country: Where do we find trained technicians? “There’s a ridiculous shortage of technicians,” said Mimi Vessey, parts and service director for Findlay Honda of Flagstaff. Jacob Lundie, general manager for Findlay Honda, added, “We’re in meetings often, and we talk about, ‘where are we finding technicians?’” In order to fill a gap in trained automotive technicians locally and throughout the nation, Coconino … [Read more...] about CCC Beginning Automotive Program
Eyes on Night Skies
Babbitt Ranches is believed to have some of the darkest skies in Northern Arizona and soon, scientists expect to have the data to prove it. Astronomer and Northern Arizona University Campus Observatory Director Ed Anderson says preliminary measurements taken at four locations on the ranches – north of Wupatki National Monument, near SP Crater off Highway 89, north of Cedar Ranch camp and near Tin House ranch camp north of the San Francisco Peaks – all reveal extraordinary dark sky … [Read more...] about Eyes on Night Skies
Childhood Inequities, Neglect, Abuse Hidden in Pandemic
Virginia Watahomigie is worried about our families. As the executive director for the Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y), she knows that isolation, depression and anxiety – all conditions mental health experts say have been made worse by the pandemic – are increasingly having a negative effect on children in Arizona, particularly in rural areas where resources are less available than in larger cities and distances to travel for support are far greater. Watahomigie also is … [Read more...] about Childhood Inequities, Neglect, Abuse Hidden in Pandemic
