Ruth Ann Border, owner of Visible Difference, thinks of her Flagstaff art supply store as a ship. “I am the captain, the crew, the clean up and I’m fueling the boilers.” She stays busy. Visible Difference opened in the mid-70s. Border bought it in 2005. “I decided to keep the name,” she … [Read more...] about Ruth Ann Border Making a Visible Difference
Spotlight
Building Teams, Highways, Solutions
Lucinda Andreani is not your typical county public works director. First, she is a woman. Second, she is not an engineer. And third, she brings a more entrepreneurial edge to how she runs things. She does not adhere to the status quo. “I am someone who values diversity and a different … [Read more...] about Building Teams, Highways, Solutions
Drone Pilot Capturing Northland Adventures
Chad de Alva’s favorite people are those who are comfortable being uncomfortable – people who are out there in wind, rain, snow and sand – people like himself who are thankful to be out there knowing it is better than being in a cubicle somewhere. The video drone operator and photographer is … [Read more...] about Drone Pilot Capturing Northland Adventures
Lifestyle Change Reflected on the Menu
Late last month, the historic Grand Canyon Café was sold. Paul Moir, one of the buyers, said he hopes to take the restaurant to its 100th year. “I’m 48 now, so I’ll be 75 then. I can see that happening,” said Moir. “I think it will be realistic to take it there. The Grand Canyon Café has been … [Read more...] about Lifestyle Change Reflected on the Menu
Mule Team Boss Enjoying the Journey
In the last century, history has painted illustrious stories about mules and the Grand Canyon, and surprisingly, according to John Berry, livery manager for Xanterra’s South Rim mule operation, not a whole lot has changed. “That’s what I really like about my job,” said Berry. “Living in this … [Read more...] about Mule Team Boss Enjoying the Journey
Nurturing Children, Cultivating Skills, Growing a Business
When children get cranky, they might need a nap. When adults get cranky, it could be tax season. Wendy Thompson knows how to handle both. Wendy Thompson watched between 18 and 20 boys who lived in her neighborhood from the time they were seven or so, until they entered junior high school. At the … [Read more...] about Nurturing Children, Cultivating Skills, Growing a Business
Engineer Impacting Lives Behind the Scenes
With most of the work being done in an office on a computer, the life of a civil engineer is usually uneventful. But there were a few days in July 2010 when six engineering firms, including Turner Engineering, had a very short time to figure out a way to keep expected destructive flood waters … [Read more...] about Engineer Impacting Lives Behind the Scenes
Outdoorsman Makes Career of Protecting Forests
Williams resident Arthur Gonzales, head fire official on the Kaibab National Forest, said he was “surprised, proud and very humbled,” to be named Forest Fire Management Officer of the Year. “I don’t do this job for recognition. I do it because I love the work and the benefits I see that are … [Read more...] about Outdoorsman Makes Career of Protecting Forests
Attorney Leaves Law for Jiu Jitsu
How many of us have thought about chucking it all and doing what we love instead of what we think we must do? How many of us have actually done it? Meet Max Goldberg. He gave up a successful law career in Florida, moved to Flagstaff and began teaching jiu jitsu. “After practicing [law] for 10 … [Read more...] about Attorney Leaves Law for Jiu Jitsu
Grand Canyon Woman Teaches Backpacking Skills
Denise Traver lives in St. David near Tombstone. Her husband, Brad, is the superintendent of the Petrified Forest National Park. They moved to St. David in 2010 when they felt that the Verde Valley was becoming “too busy.” They enjoy the solitude of the area. She has been an avid backpacker for … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Woman Teaches Backpacking Skills