Issuu

BEST OF BUSINESS WINNERS p. 30

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE: Makerspace Nurtures Creativity p. 3 Hackers Getting More Aggressive p. 4 Going Solar Together p. 6

Saving for Education p. 8 Turning Rolls into Dough p. 10 Community Profile: Gabe Ontiveros Providing the Royal Treatment p. 19

Wine Tasting Like a Rock Star Tool front man and winemaker Maynard James Keenan invites guests to enjoy Verde Valley homegrown goodness By Brent Ruffner, FBN

ant 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 since the first grapevines were planted. Caduceus Cellars is owned by

winemaker Maynard James Keenan, a Grammy award-winning artist and the lead singer of three bands – Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. The Arizona brand has produced wines that have won national and international awards. The customers “get an immersive experience,” Keenan said, “one hundred percent Arizona wines paired with Arizona produce and housemade pastas, breads and gelato. Our ducks provide the eggs for our pastas and quiche. Our greenhouses, gardens and orchards provide a

significant amount of produce for our menu.” Keenan moved to Jerome in 1995, where he owns two tasting rooms and a record store. His other tasting room is located in Old Town Scottsdale. He and others help farm 110 acres in Willcox and the Verde Valley combined – a key factor in making the wine unique. “We grow our own fruit, which, in our opinion, makes a significant difference in the final result,” he said. National Sales Director Calvin Continued on page 35

Making a Business of Snow Play Flagstaff Snow Park marks five years at Fort Tuthill By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Flagstaff Snow Park’s Jonathan Allen says the business needed snowmaking capabilities to be sustainable. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney Fresh Focuses Photography

February 2021 | Issue 2 Volume 14

etween 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 people. This year, we’re dealing with COVID and running at a reduced capacity to limit contact and let people spread out better, but attendance is great.” Also in response to COVID-19, tickets are sold online and guests’ temperatures are taken before they can enter the park. “It is so much fun and my kids have a blast,” said local mom and Simply Country Boutique owner, Krista Randall, “especially in a dry winter when we have no snow. It’s great to get out and go tubing with the kids. Even my mother-in-law had a great time, and for the many hours you can spend out there, the price is great.” Open on holidays, weekends and some evenings, the snow park has six tubing runs and a

designated kiddie hill, as well as a “passive” area where visitors can sit and relax and view the action. Snow tubes are provided. “We don’t advertise, but we’re always at capacity,” said co-owner and Flagstaff Firefighter Josh Crane. “The first couple of years, we had mostly Phoenix visitors, but we’re now seeing more locals.” The staff at Flagstaff Snow Park tops off at 40. “On a daily basis, we employ about 20. We cycle through them,” said Allen. “We hire mostly high school and Northern Arizona University [NAU] students.” “Working here is super fun,” said NAU student Dana Parker. “Last year, we had a lot of crazy sold-out days. It’s a great job.” The inspiration for Flagstaff Snow Park was spurred by Allen Continued on page 33

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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Innovators share tools, space and ideas at Coco-op. Courtesy photo

Warehouse of Dreams A Flagstaff makerspace is providing a fertile stage for invention

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

t 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 where people with shared interests can gather to work on projects while exchanging ideas, equipment and knowledge. Graham Campbell, an outdoor adventure guide from Knoxville, Tennessee, moved to Flagstaff in 2019 and found work as a mountain biking, hiking and canyoneering guide. Long interested in different trades and tinkering with projects, he also brought with him a dream of starting a makerspace for adults, choosing Flagstaff as a fertile ground for innovation and invention. “Outdoor guiding is seasonal almost everywhere, so most guides have to completely uproot every four to six months to chase work, often in another state,” he said. “I had been seeking to put down roots and invest energy into a permanent community.” After researching makerspace-type organizations here, Campbell sought the help of Alice Christie, a veteran educator and founder of Tynkertopia, Flagstaff’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) community space that focuses on children and families and encourages creativity, inquiry and learning through hands-on activities. “Alice has become a wonderful friend and a super-helpful, giving resource,” he recalled. “I could tell that she had built a resource oriented around the same ethos that inspires makerspaces. The primary difference is that Tynkertopia serves school-aged youth. We saw that

adults in Flagstaff had no such resource.” The new non-profit exists to help local adults get their “creative side on,” he said, and to “interconnect locals of deep talent and expertise, and to foster the creation of new startups, products, and teams. In doing so, we hope to electrify Flagstaff’s economy.” He asked Christie, who is also a professor emeritus at Arizona State University, if she could help him find someone else who might be interested in creating a new makerspace. She gave him contact information for Ward Davis, a retired chemical engineer who was also passionate about recycling and refurbishing items that others throw away. Although more than 40 years apart in age, the two men found much in common when they met for coffee and began brainstorming a path for an adult makerspace. The two men started asking around and posting online to find other people who wanted such a space in town. The response was overwhelming, including from local entrepreneur Jay Wellman, who offered his facility at OVRLND, a company that makes custom pop-up camper tops, to host the first planning meeting. After that vibrant brainstorming session with a dozen attendees, the group of people who would become Coco-op began to assemble weekly in the pews at Cornish Pasty to plan and discuss options. Quickly stepping up to make the ideal concrete were early members Tina LaChance, Thorsten Frömming, Phil Scandura and Mark Byrnes, who became directors on the board of the new non-profit. For their new endeavor, they coined the name Coco-op, a blending of Coconino and co-op. The growing team began the hunt for an affordable warehouse space in the areas of town zoned for light industrial. After an exhaustive search, Coco-op member and woodworking hobbyist Rebecca Crawford spotted an opportunity in a warehouse for rent in west Flagstaff. At 5,000 square feet, the warehouse was spacious enough to actualize their dream of creating a community-oriented workspace Continued on page 32

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Computer Experts Warn of Increasing Security Threats

By Ray Newton, FBN

wo 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 computer passwords need to be carefully determined and multi-layered. They also emphasize that, regardless of how tempting incoming messages such as “You’ve won an award” or “Contact this site to claim your prize” are, NEVER open a message if you do not recognize the source. “Never respond to a pop-up,” said Fisher. “And if they keep coming up, turn off your system. Do not let them contaminate your files or get into your personal records.” He also advises to shut down your computer at night when it’s not used.

“That makes it less vulnerable.” Soumilas put it another way. “You need to make cybersecurity a priority. A password alone is not enough to protect you. Passwords are created by people and are easy to crack. Using the same password over and over is a data breach waiting to happen. You really need two-factor authentication.” He said multi-layered security approaches are even better, especially in business, and antivirus and antimalware software is needed for all computers.

HACKERS ARE AGGRESSIVE

Fisher said hackers are getting more and more aggressive and have everything to gain. They can make a lot of money if they successfully obtain access to personal files, especially financial ones, that people often keep in their computers. “They often live in Third World counties, so their native incomes are low. If they can hack into an account of someone here, they can make more in one successful incident than they could in a year at home. If you keep your bank records, bill payments or any other fiscal information that has your credit cards, bank or credit company accounts – any identifiable data that

Computer expert Edward Fisher wants to convince computer users to be more rigorous about their security.

will allow them to find your personal files – you need absolute security.” He also warned to be very cautious about Facebook, Twitter or any other social media formats. “That means the messages you receive and messages you send. They are open to almost anyone who wants to see them. That makes you a potential recipient of messages and pop-ups you do not want.” A recent study published by Princeton University Center for Informa-

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tion Technology Policy reported that clicking in on Facebook may seem easy, but it is not necessarily secure. A security breach could put other accounts at risk. “Do not disable your antivirus program – ever,” said Fisher. “Those programs are at work 24 hours a day to keep a virus and sometimes spam from inserting itself into your system. Once that happens, the risk is that it will cause you to waste time and overwhelm your mailbox.”

Photo by Ray Newton

Soumilas stated in an earlier QCBN column that spam filters scan email messages before they come to your computer. They not only repress spam emails but can also stop a virus from intruding. Beth Fisher and Soumilas have years of professional experience in computer and information technology. Fisher, a native of North Carolina, spent more than 12 years in the U.S. Continued on page 35

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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New Solar Co-Op Launches for Northern Arizona Residents

ith the support of the City of Flagstaff, City of Sedona and Coconino County, the non-profit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is launching the Northern Arizona Solar Co-op to help area residents go solar. “The co-op will enable Northern Arizona homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, Arizona program director for SUN. “Together, we’re building a movement to create a more sustainable electricity system that directly benefits households and small businesses in the community.” The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Flagstaff, Sedona, Coconino County and surrounding Northern Arizona communities. Together, coop members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a discounted group price. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate. After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. SUN provides guidance on the process but remains vendor neutral, empowering the co-op members to decide. The county and municipal governments are partnering with SUN on the co-op to help residents go solar and meet local climate and sustainability goals. “The City of Flagstaff is excited to partner

with and welcome Solar United Neighbors to our region,” said Mayor Paul Deasy. “We are confident that the Northern Arizona Solar Co-op will help make the process of owning a rooftop solar system more accessible and affordable for interested homeowners and businesses in our community.” “The city of Sedona is committed to both modeling sustainable practices and helping our residents to make sustainable choices in their homes and businesses,” said McKenzie Jones, sustainability coordinator for the City of Sedona. “By joining the solar co-op and installing solar panels, Sedona residents can help to reduce harmful emissions, increase energy security and save money.” “Coconino County is thrilled to be a partner in this effort,” said Amanda Acheson, sustainability manager for Coconino County. “The program supports our county’s commitment to being good stewards of the environment while also providing a resource for our community members.” SUN has hosted six solar co-ops in Arizona since 2019. According to the group’s estimates, the 102 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent 681 kW of solar power; $1.8 million in local solar spending; and more than 26 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets. SUN will host several free informational webinars to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions on the co-op webpage: https://coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/ northern-arizona-solar-co-op/. FBN

Beautifying Alleyways

he work of artist Roberta Rogers now adorns the alley next to the Sweet Shoppe Candy Store on Aspen Ave. in downtown Flagstaff. The installment of the colorful and whimsical scene, depicting snowy peaks, the town, Route 66 and classic cars is part of the City of Flagstaff Beautification Arts and Sciences Program. “This painting was used earlier for a Route 66 car show,” said Rogers. “Route 66 is so loved by everyone so I tried to squeeze one end of the town to the other in this painting. I think people connect with the historic buildings and the early pioneers that worked so hard to build the city. Flagstaff is so forward thinking to be protecting the history and giving shoppers a chance to pause and appreciate the artwork or sculpture while shopping.” Realtor David Stephens with Realty Executives of Flagstaff and one of the owners of the building came up with the idea for a Rogers vinyl wrap in the alley and applied for a grant in 2020 to fund it. Supported by the Bed, Board and Beverage (BBB) tax, the project is a part of a larger vision. “We’ve been working on this for a while,” said Beautification, Arts and Sciences Manager Eliza Kretzmann. “The idea started a few years back from groups like the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) as well as local artists.” FBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Stay Healthy. Return Smarter. Return Stronger.

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Since the start, the state of Arizona has worked hard to keep Arizonans safe and healthy while slowing the spread of COVID-19. By continuing to follow the data and recommendations of public health officials, we can safely move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery. And as our state’s businesses gradually reopen their operations, the Arizona Commerce Authority is here to continue offering tools and resources for families, workers and businesses to return stronger.

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Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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Arizona Encouraging Families to Invest in Education with Tax Deductible Contributions

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By Stacey Wittig, FBN

he State of Arizona is encouraging families to save for post-high school education expenses with tax-deductible donations. Arizona taxpayers can deposit into AZ529 educational savings plans set up for their children, grandchildren or friends and receive tax deductions. “My passion has been to help families across the entire state in every zip code. This is a wonderful opportunity to start saving early. When the student is ready to go off after high school, there is money for education,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. Kimberly Yee Saving for post-high school education has long been important to Yee. She started planning for her sons’ post-high school education when they were infants. “I created savings accounts for my children at birth,” she said in an exclusive Quad Cities Business News interview. However, she understands that not all Arizona families are focused on saving for education. “These plans are designed for the average family that is so busy that they haven’t thought of saving for post-high school,” she said. Brandon Montoya, of Montoya Wealth Management in Prescott, agrees that new families are not often paying attention to savings. “With all the trappings of being a brand-new parent, you are overwhelmed and can’t imagine that this little baby will be going to college soon,” said the financial advisor, who has children of his own and a niece who was born in December. “My sister lives in North Carolina, so I can’t go over there and help take care of her newborn. But, setting up a savings plan is

something that I can do from far away.” Montoya established a 529 savings plan for his niece and recommends that family members of busy parents do the same. “It’s a nice baby-warming gift that you can set up for them.” Section 529 of the IRS Code allows people to save for post-high school education in special brokerage accounts that earn tax-free interest when used for qualified educational expenses. Each state offers different 529 savings plans, with Arizona’s being one of the most flexible in the nation. “Section 529 of the IRS Code allows money to be deposited into a brokerage account that can be used for qualified costs for higher education,” explained John Burke, CPA, of Sedona. “You can contribute to the plan, whatever the plan allows, and take a deduction on Arizona taxes. The earnings are tax-free as long as they are pulled out for qualified costs.” Contributions to a 529 plan can be deducted from annual state taxes of up to $2,000 for those filing single and $4,000 for those filing jointly in Arizona. As long as the account is opened, any Arizona taxpayer can gift into the fund and receive the tax benefit. “Once the plan was brought to our office, we found that the average family didn’t even know that this was available,” said Yee. Until Oct. 1, 2020, the educational savings plan was run and administered by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE). State legislation transferred the program’s administration to the State Treasurer’s Office, similar to other states in the nation. “I knew we could do more,” she said. “I didn’t see that it was marketed across the state. My desire is Continued on page 33

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Vaccine Providing Hope Despite Slow Rollout By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

hampered by limited doses. Coconino County Interim Health and Human Services Director Kim Musselman hree messages from healthcare informed the board in late January professionals and Coconithat the county and medical partners no County officials are loud are able to administer about 1,300 and clear: the rollout of vaccines doses of vaccine a day but are giving is providing great hope for getting COVID-19 under control; frustration fewer than 400 because of the limited supply. exists with a lack of available doses; “Our county response team and and, masking, social distancing and hand washing are all still very import- partners have done a great job at building capacity to vaccinate our ant actions to maintain. community quickly. For all of us, “We now have an effective tool the biggest frustration is the lack in our hands to combat against the spread of COVID-19,” said Northern of vaccine supply which renders us unable to procure and administer Arizona Healthcare Chief Quality the number of doses demanded by Officer Dr. John Mougin. “We are our community. We cannot schedencouraging, but not requiring, the ule appointments and give people a vaccination for employees. We conshot until a dependable schedule of sider it a gift and we thank goodness we are able to vaccinate employees to vaccine delivery is made available to the county,” she said. keep everybody healthy.” Coconino County Health and Meanwhile, the Coconino County Human Services (CCHHS) leaders Board of Supervisors is hearing explained that the county learns reports that vaccination efforts are

// “We are encouraging, but not requiring, the vaccination for employees. We consider it a gift and we thank goodness we are able to vaccinate employees to keep everybody healthy.” //

weekly how many doses it will receive for the next week. The lack of predictability does not allow the county to anticipate how many appointments to make available. To date, any new shipments of vaccine that arrive have been small amounts, usually less than 1,500 total, to spread between all county operations and partners for that week. Board Chairman Matt Ryan says it will take weeks, if not months, to accelerate vaccine distribution. “The bottom line is that we do not have enough vaccine doses to meet the demand or the capacity in Coconino County. We want the public to know that we understand your frustration and we encourage people to call their federal and state representatives to intervene and assist us.” NAH Chief Administrative Officer Josh Tinkle says Northern Arizona Healthcare is anticipating that it should be able to administer a few thousand doses a week through Northern Arizona clinics. “We’ll get our vaccine allocation from the county, but it’s really in an effort to help the county to be able to deliver the amount of vaccine that we need to keep our population safe,” he said. So far, NAH has not seen any new variants of the disease, but officials

say the structure of the virus is the same and they are hopeful the same treatments will be effective against new strains. In response to the rollout of vaccinations, NAH President and CEO Flo Spyrow says NAH is doing everything it can to speed up the distribution. “Not everybody will be vaccinated by March. Not even close, said NAH Chief Medical Officer Derek Feuquay. “That’s why you have to continue to do all the same stuff you’ve been doing, like staying at home and wearing your mask and staying away from people. I know we’re all tired of it. There are people that are starting to go out and do more things. They really shouldn’t. We’re almost there, we just need to get across the finish line.” “It takes a while to get enough of the community vaccinated to create herd immunity. Herd immunity is reached when you get about 70% of the people immune either by natural immunity from having the disease or from immunizations,” said Mougin. “Secondly, the vaccines do not provide sufficient data to tell whether the vaccine prevents an individual from having asymptomatic COVID disease that they could spread to others. Lastly, the vaccines are very effective,

approaching 95% with both doses for both Moderna and Pfizer, but that’s not 100%, so even though you get the vaccine, you need to protect yourself until we really see the incidence of COVID-19 trailing off and reducing, which is a day I look forward to.” On another note, Spyrow announced that NAH is establishing a development office, being led by NAH Chief Systems Officer Ron Haase, to raise funds for healthcare needs within the region’s growing communities. “For instance, some of the first projects might be the NAH Cancer Center in Sedona; the hospital and ambulatory park that we’re still planning within the Fort Tuthill area; and, other programs and services that are needed by our community to keep them healthy and to heal them in the coming years,” she said. Information about the vaccine and availability can be found on the COVID-19 vaccine webpage at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine. At the same link, those eligible can check appointment availability and book a vaccine appointment. Those without internet access or who need help scheduling an appointment can contact the COVID Information line at 928-679-7300. FBN

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Business Woman FBN

of the Month

Momma Kneads Dough for Cinnamon Rolls Sara Clouse quit her job to bake and open her business out of a food truck

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

ara Clouse’s cinnamon rolls have made the rounds. They’ve been gifts for friends, neighbors and teachers. They’ve shown up at bake sales to support youth sports. And they’ve even brought in $1,500 at a local fundraiser. Now, everyone can enjoy them from Clouse’s business, Momma Kneads Dough. “Since I was a little girl, my mom and I would bake together. It was a tradition,” said Clouse. “Everyone loved her cinnamon rolls, but she never sold them.” Clouse carried on her mother’s love for baking and then got to thinking, “I could do this as a full-time job!” So she quit her job, amped up her oven, converted her kitchen and Momma Kneads Dough came to fruition. “I’ve known Sara since she was born and her mom and I were really good friends,” said local businesswoman Mary Freer. “Sara is a model of her

mother. They are hard workers, give a lot to charity and do a lot for people. I’m thrilled that her business has done so well. Her cinnamon rolls are the best, her secret ingredients shine through the love she has for baking. I buy them for friends, workers and myself.” Interestingly, Clouse does not use her mother’s recipe. “My grandfather was a beekeeper so my mom used honey in her cinnamon rolls. I took a recipe that my sister-in-law was using and combined that recipe with my mom’s. It took a lot of trial and error,” she said. Momma Kneads Dough currently is selling cinnamon rolls and other treats out of her food truck at Flagstaff Snow Park. “I knew the park was opening so I called them and asked if I could sell my cinnamon rolls. The owner said, ‘Yes, as long as you can mass-produce.’ At the time, I didn’t know how I could do it, but I knew I’d figure out a way to do something I love, which is baking.” Along with her husband, Josh, Clouse found a food truck in Casa Grande. “We did a lot of work to conform it to our needs and style. We painted it, rearranged the sink, and installed a bigger counter space for coffee

and hot water,” said Clouse. Along with cinnamon rolls, Momma Kneads Dough also sells regular and flavored hot chocolate, flavored sodas, chips, candy and what Clouse claims is her biggest seller, s’mores kits. Concurrently with the Snow Park, Clouse also sells her cinnamon rolls

Sara Clouse honors her mother and her love for baking through Momma Kneads Dough. Her signature cinnamon rolls can be found on Facebook and at her food truck at Flagstaff Snow Park. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney Fresh Focuses Photography

on her Facebook page, for weddings and corporate events, and recently participated in a Toys for Tots drive paid for by Shafor Realty and CNN Mortgage. “Anyone who donated a toy would get a cinnamon roll,” said Clouse. “Sara is doing great and she kills it,” said 3’s in the Trees owner Augie Herring. “Her cinnamon rolls are fantastic. My favorite is the frosting. My customers comment on her rolls all the time.” As a family affair, all of Clouse’s children, Madelyn, 18, Jacob, 16, Jackson, 11, and Austin, 10, help out. “It’s been a great family business, and when the

kids help, I pay them and it’s taught us how to work together,” she said. On holidays and special events, Momma Kneads Dough whips up 120 dozen or more a day. “I get a lot of people telling me that my cinnamon rolls are the best they’ve tasted. People love the frosting. It’s been suggested that I start shipping but haven’t gotten to that point yet.” Clouse says someday she hopes to open a retail storefront. FBN To contact Momma Kneads Dough, you can find Clouse on Facebook, or jsmj2005@ msn.com or call 928-853-9834.

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Regional Residents Discuss Protecting Dark Skies

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

he value of the dark skies resource and what can be done to make sure the region’s exceptional dark skies aren’t diluted by light pollution were topics addressed by local leaders and national dark sky experts in two visioning sessions hosted by the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) via Zoom and facilitated by Arizona Town Hall President and CEO Tara Jackson and volunteer Chair-elect Evelyn Casuga. Retired U.S. Naval Observatory astronomer and Coalition member Chris Luginbuhl noted the more than 60-year history of successful efforts by scientists and others to promote awareness, appreciation and protection of starry skies through educational efforts and lighting ordinances. “We feel there is so much more we can accomplish, beyond the traditionally understood interests of the observatories and professional astronomers,” he said. The group discussed many benefits of dark skies, including impacts on wildlife and human health, spiritual and cultural connections, and educational and scientific advances. “If you ever look at maps of sky pollution, you see this giant dark hole covering this whole four-corners

area,” said NAU Emeritus Associate Professor of Astronomy David Koerner. “The motivation for protecting the sky has to be for people to see its value. There’s a big interpretive element.” “When you look at the concept of awareness, impact and sustainability, when you talk about dark skies, it’s really about a sense of self and a sense of place – where we fit in the world and the fact that it’s not just all about us,” said former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans. “It creates wonder, entrepreneurship and exploration.” Evans suggested more involvement from other cultures and making dark sky celebrations more accessible to all people. Geologist Wayne Ranney proposed the creation of a dark sky park where events could occur. He also suggested a motto for the city or county that would appear on all official letterhead. “It could be something like ‘Our nation’s dark sky city,’ or ‘Our nation’s dark sky county,” and that would instill, with every piece of correspondence, that this is very important to us.” Marshall and Dr. Jane Whitmire are members of Camp Verde Dark Skies. The two have long been concerned about light pollution. “We are very interested in pursuing a regional emphasis on dark sky protection,” said Marshall. Village of Oak Creek Dark Skies

Chair Mike Ryan said an important component of protecting dark skies is what citizens, businesses and corporations are doing on the ground. “It seems that it would be good for the county or some other organization to provide rebates for people changing lighting fixtures and maybe for the corporate environment, tax credits because those are much larger projects.” City of Flagstaff Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen suggested working with home improvement stores to identify a section for lighting fixtures to make it easy on residents to participate in dark skies protection. “We can help direct them to the right Village of Oak Creek resident Mike Ryan attended one of the visioning sessions conducted via Zoom last month. “l think the level of awareness of what it takes from things to use in our community.” a community to protect [dark skies] is very, very low,” he said. Photo by Bonnie Stevens Both Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff have posted a list skies resource into learning opportuDrew Carhart, a founding member and examples of appropriate lighting nities at schools and in communities. of the Illinois Coalition for Responsioptions on their websites. “I think back to the anti-smoking ble Outdoor Lighting (ICROL), who “For many of the unincorporated campaigns and what an impact chilareas of Coconino County, having dark regularly visits Northern Arizona, participated in the discussion from his dren had on parents who smoked and skies is a way of life. It’s a value that home outside Chicago. “There’s prob- urging them to stop. I believe that if they have,” said County Supervisor ably 80% of the population around me that same sort of strategy were impleLiz Archuleta. “People are just amazed mented on an educational level with now who have never seen the Milky [with] the uniqueness that we have, various age groups, that it could also Way or seen a thousand stars in the the opportunity for it to be a draw be effective for home lighting, business economically, to preserve our scientific sky. If you live in an area where you lighting and simply appreciation for community and to see it also as preser- see that, you may not realize how it what a valuable gift it is to have a dark is to not have that over you and how vation of our environment, preserving sky where we see the stars.” easily you can lose it.” our skies. Think of how many people “We have such a legacy and history Jane Whitmire suggested incoracross the nation have never seen a sky porating information about the dark full of stars like we see.” Continued on page 32

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Gore Executive Named to Lead Statewide Bioscience Committee

medical-technology executive and a former state legislator have been named the new leaders of Arizona’s statewide committee overseeing the advancement of the state’s bioscience ecosystem. Eve Ross, a retired W. L. Gore & Associates executive, is serving as chair, and Heather Carter, executive vice president of Greater Phoenix Leadership, as vice chair of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, a body of more than 100 leaders from the private and public sectors in science, research, health care, business and industry, academia, policy and workforce development. The committee, which receives staffing support from the Flinn Foundation, works to pursue the goals of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, the long-term strategic plan to guide the growth and development of the state’s bioscience sector. “Eve Ross and Heather Carter are two of Arizona’s most dynamic leaders, with expertise in health, commercialization, education and public policy,” said Tammy McLeod, Flinn Foundation president and

CEO. “Their experience, enthusiasm and desire to partner and collaborate across our expanding ecosystem will lead to significant gains both for the committee and the biosciences in Arizona.” Ross has served as vice chair during the past two years and has been a steering committee member since 2003. Carter joined the committee in 2015 while serving in the Arizona Legislature. “Members of the steering committee are eager to deploy strategies to support bioscience entrepreneurs, attract risk capital, develop talent and advance public policy that will improve health outcomes and strengthen Arizona’s economy,” Ross said. “I am thrilled and honored to be chosen to lead this group for the next two years.” Ross, a retired global medical-technology executive and attorney, is experienced in the commercialization of new technologies, a public-policy advocate for the value of medical technology, and a statewide civic leader. She led public policy and strategic initiatives for the Flagstaff-based

medical-device division of W. L. Gore & Associates until her retirement from the company in 2017. The global company has a large presence in Flagstaff, where it first expanded in the Western United States more than a half-century ago, and a north Phoenix campus likewise dedicated to medical devices. Carter began her role as executive vice president of Greater Phoenix Leadership in October. She is a Eve Ross former Arizona state senator and representative from north Phoenix who held legislative leadership roles on health and human services, higher education and workforce development committees. She most recently served as associate director of the Arizona Center for Rural Health and assistant professor of practice in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public

Heather Carter

Health at the University of Arizona. Previously, she served as assistant dean of health and education policy at Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation and was a longtime clinical associate professor with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. In April, the Flinn Foundation will

host its annual Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap event highlighting the progress of Arizona’s bioscience sector. Data on key bioscience metrics, which the Flinn Foundation has tracked for nearly two decades, will next be released in spring 2022. FBN

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FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Eikenberry Returns to CCC District Governing Board

illiams resident Eric Eikenberry has been appointed to the Coconino Community College District Governing Board. “All of my adult life, I’ve been a huge advocate and supportive of the community college mission,” Eikenberry said. “And since I’ve been living here, I’ve supported the CCC mission in particular. I’m delighted to be appointed and can’t wait to serve our students and community.” “Eric Eikenberry brings a great deal of experience in community college education to his service on the Coconino Community College District Governing Board,” said CCC President Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D. “With his commitment to the mission of the college and his desire to serve the community, he will make a great addition to our board. We are looking forward to working with him and having his representation of Williams on our board.” Eikenberry will be representing District 3, which covers much of the western portion of Coconino County, including his hometown of Williams. He brings 20 years of experience as a community college administrator and has supervised distance learning, occu-

pational and vocational programs, academic programs and centers, non-credit education and a federal jobs grant. In the 40 years he has lived in Williams, Eikenberry has owned a construction company, a bed and breakfast, served as the Chamber of Commerce director, worked as an emergency medical technician, and “robbed” and entertained passengers on the Grand Canyon Railway. Prior to his recent retirement, he used his experience as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran to counsel other veterans and National Guard soldiers on employment and education. A product of the community college system, Eikenberry earned an associate’s degree from Mesa Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s in education from Northern Arizona University. He previously served on the CCC District Governing Board in 2007 and 2008. Eikenberry was sworn into the post on Jan. 14 by Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Tommy Lewis. He replaces Dr. Marie Peoples, who recently accepted the position of city manager in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Lowell Offers I Heart Pluto Festival

Eric Eikenberry

CCC provides affordable tuition and offers certificate programs and twoyear associate degrees in academic and career fields. CCC also has programs that ease student transition to any of the three state universities, including the award-winning CCC2NAU. CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the county and tribal lands. Instructional sites offer classes online, in-person and via Zoom video conferencing classes to meet the needs of students in rural and remote areas. Nearly 20 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners. FBN

owell Observatory is pleased to present a celebration 91 years in the making: the 2nd Annual I Heart Pluto Festival. Retired NASA astronauts Nicole Stott and Ron Garan and New Horizons scientists Dr. Alan Stern and Dr. Will Grundy headline the event. The free, all-virtual celebration is scheduled for Feb. 13-18 and features talks, tours, an art show and a ham radio event. The festival falls on the anniversary of Clyde Tombaugh’s Feb. 18, 1930, discovery of Pluto at Lowell Observatory. Stott twice flew to the International Space Station (ISS) and also worked aboard the Aquarius undersea habitat. Garan is a retired test pilot and fighter pilot who also twice flew to the ISS and lived on the Aquarius. Both are accomplished artists, and on Feb. 15, they will take part in an open discussion about how they combine the awe and wonder of their experiences to inspire people around the world. Stern, who led the groundbreaking mission to Pluto that revealed the true nature of that tiny world, kicks off the celebration on Saturday, Feb. 13, with his presentation “Why Pluto is a Planet, the Embarrassment of the IAU, and Why They Had it Coming.” Grundy is a planetary scientist at Lowell Observatory and will speak on Tuesday, Feb. 16, about our current understanding of Pluto and its system of moons. Lowell Observatory created the I Heart Pluto Festival in 2020 to celebrate its scientific and cultural heritage. The event will be held around the discovery day anniversary each year, culminating in the 2030 centennial of Tombaugh’s monumental find. FBN For complete program details, including how to join the events, visit https://iheartpluto.org/

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Navigating Small Business Lending Opportunities

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By Ian Cribbs

avigating as a small business owner can be daunting, especially during a pandemic. But with a little insight and planning, businesses can chart a smart course through uncertain times. Have lenders changed operations or lending procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic? Certainly, some lenders are stepping back and scrutinizing their practices right now. Typically, when you see a volatile market, commercial lenders are the first to step back so they can watch and see what happens with the economy. They’re constricting lending practices and waiting to see the results of economic changes. We see this with some national lenders. But, many local lenders aren’t pulling back. Rather, community-focused lenders are continuing to support the business community and help the local economy flourish. If a business checks the boxes on normal guidelines, local lenders are absolutely willing to lend to them. The pandemic has changed the way many local businesses operate. Are lenders requiring different financial information considering this? Many lenders are asking for insight into how the business has been maintaining through the pandemic. This includes year-to-date profit

& loss information that’s updated within at least 90 days from the application date (i.e. an application in November would require 2020 P&L info through at least August). We want to see what COVID-19 has done to the business and how the owner is coping with the changes. What should business owners look for in a potential lender right now? Business banking is all about finding a good partner. A business banker shouldn’t just help a business owner open their account or get a loan. They should communicate the business owner frequently to have a good idea of how they’re running. Plus, they should keep updated financial information from the business and review it regularly. They can then compare this information to industry benchmarks and help the business owner on how to operate with greater financial efficiency. Your relationship with your business banker can mean the difference between average performance or above average growth. FBN Ian Cribbs is VP of Business Banking and Services for OneAZ Credit Union. OneAZ offers a full suite of business banking solutions for Arizonans, from checking and savings to credit cards and loans. They work with over 7,000 Arizona businesses of all sizes and are committed to supporting the local economy. Learn more at OneAZcu.com/Business.

Boutique Air Connecting Prescott to Phoenix

outique Air and the City of Prescott are proud to announce flight service from Prescott to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Flights start Feb. 15, and feature two round-trip flights from Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Flights will take place Sunday through Friday. “We are very excited to offer service to Phoenix for Prescott and the surrounding communities,” said Boutique Air Vice President of Business Operations Brian Kondrad. “With limited flights on the major airlines during this time, people can fly into Phoenix and make their way to other flight connections and destinations. We’re also proud to have Prescott as a destination offering for our Phoenix and connecting passengers.” Passengers experience concierge-style services from check-in to landing and fly on executive configuration eight-seat Pilatus PC-12s. “They truly experience flying private for the cost of commercial,” Kondrad said. “This is a great day for Prescott,” said Mayor Greg Mengarelli. “Boutique Air service to Phoenix will add another great option for our regional travelers. This new service, combined with our state-of-the-art terminal coming online later this spring, makes flying out of Prescott even more attractive.” Airport Director Robin Sobotta agreed. “Boutique Air is a welcome addition at Prescott Regional Airport. We’ve received many calls from travelers interested in easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and its many connecting destinations. Boutique provides a highly desirable alternative to traversing the unpredictable I-17 corridor to Sky Harbor.” Boutique Air is a codeshare partner with United Airlines and has an interline agreement with American Airlines. This makes for seamless baggage transfers and singular itineraries. United MileagePlus members accrue miles for all flights booked through United Airlines. Flights can be booked online at boutiqueair.com, united.com, aa.com and all accredited online travel services. Boutique Air features a live-chat on its website to assist with questions and reservations. All flight and fare information can be found on boutiqueair.com. FBN

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY PAUL DEASY

Communicating to Discuss Issues, Solve Problems

am honored and excited to have taken office as Flagstaff’s next mayor. The world looks a bit different now than I expected when announcing my run for office, but the foundation of my campaign is now more important than ever – better communication, accountable government and transparency in decision-making. We have seen mass protests across the country and in Flagstaff, a sign that large swaths of the community

feel unheard and that their grievances seemingly are unrecognized by those in seats of power. Amidst the pandemic, we have experienced miscommunication, misinformation and misunderstanding around COVID-19 and why we must wear masks and physically distance to protect ourselves as well as each other. Faith in our public institutions has drastically diminished, but it does not have to be that way, especially here in Flagstaff, and it is my job to do

everything in my ability to dissuade the community of this sentiment. The people need to be included in the decision-making process. The public’s thoughts, ideas and concerns must be heard and recognized, and we can do that at the local level. There are several ways I am working to institutionalize broader communications from the mayor’s office. In the next month, residents will be able to sign up for a monthly e-newsletter from me, letting you know what

// Good communication does not just help in dissuading feelings of negativity, but can create hope for a new direction, one where people are engaged, new ideas are shared and different approaches are tried. It has been a difficult, confusing and sometimes frightening year for many of us. We faced, and continue to face, unprecedented challenges, but through every crisis arises the greatest opportunity for change, to adapt, to find new ways and try new things to solve current and long-standing problems. //

I have been doing, what council has decided in the last month and what is upcoming on the agenda. In addition, I will be setting up monthly virtual office hours, open to anyone from the public to speak directly to me. Yearly, I will be holding a State of the City Address to give a broad view of the challenges we face, how the city is addressing these challenges and what we have to look forward to in the future. Good communication does not just help in dissuading feelings of negativity, but can create hope for a new direction, one where people are engaged, new ideas are shared and different approaches are tried. It has been a difficult, confusing and sometimes frightening year for many of us. We faced, and continue to face, unprecedented challenges, but through every crisis arises the greatest opportunity for change, to adapt, to find new ways and try new things to solve current and long-standing problems.

I plan on considering all options for every situation that arises and hope you will help me on this venture. I want to know your concerns and how we can do better, Flagstaff. But also, I want your ideas. Old ways won’t open new doors and I want to hear your creative solutions for Flagstaff. As your mayor, I want to hear everything from the community, good, bad and everything in between. This is how we will continue to make Flagstaff a great place to live. Email me at Paul.Deasy@flagstaffaz.gov. I’m here to listen and, just as important, act. FBN Facebook: facebook.com/Deasy4Flagstaff Twitter: @Deasy4Flagstaff Instagram: instagram.com/mayordeasy Paul Deasy is the mayor of Flagstaff.

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Be Camera Ready, Like James Bond

he thing about Opportunity is she doesn’t necessarily arrive after you’ve lost five pounds, gotten out of your sweatpants, whitened your teeth and brushed your hair. Opportunity is quite stubborn about being on her own schedule. She’s kind of a brat that way. She shows up when she feels like it, whether it’s convenient for you or not. That’s why you have to be sneakier than Opportunity. I’ve found the best way to outwit Opportunity is to make a habit of being Camera Ready. Being Camera Ready means you are at your best. You stay in shape, you have a healthy diet, you’re sensible about sleep, you have an efficient morning routine and you know how to pull yourself together quickly. Being Camera Ready requires a haircut that works and is up-to-date, readyto-go clothes that fit your lifestyle and size and aren’t hiding behind a jungle of garment nostalgia. In her book “What Self-Made Millionaires Do That Most People Don’t,” Ann Marie Sabath says millionaires don’t waste time fussing over themselves too much – they stick to a look that works for them,

they maintain it, and they can count on it in a hurry. Being Camera Ready means you are in shape mentally, as well. You are excited to get out of bed, you pay attention to current events, you look forward to engaging with the world and you are anxious to jump into your day. You know who you are and why you do what you do. You have purpose, enthusiasm and intention about moving toward your goals, which you actually have. You are passionate about others and about life, and you show it. You are an eager participant in the world. Your glorious spark is contagious. And the world is delighted to catch your fire. You are ready for Opportunity! Take Marie Osmond, for instance. I met Marie in a television station lounge just before a noon news program was about to start. She was the featured guest. And, because it was lunchtime (and because I am a journalist), I was eating my usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The then22-year-old Marie was also eating – Kentucky Fried Chicken – with her fingers, over a flimsy paper napkin on her lap. I was horrified. Did Marie

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not understand that she would be on the air in a matter of moments and the Colonel’s special recipe could be a special recipe for disaster? Is there anything messier? I considered rushing to her side with some damp paper towels and a tiny mirror. What if she got grease on her face, in her hair, on her outfit? Before I could run to her aid, she got the call that we were in a commercial break and she was at the top of the next news segment. I was stressed out. Marie was not. She swallowed her bite, wiped her hands, discarded the napkin and calmly took her place in the studio with her big, brave Osmond smile. Did she even check her teeth? No! I don’t think she did! That’s because Marie knows she’s Camera Ready. And in that instant, I knew I wanted that same kind of self-assuredness – that sunny, sparkly KFC Confidence when you know you look great, you feel great and you are ready to greet the world, teeth first. Susan Hyatt knows what I’m saying. She’s all about empowering people to be at their best. As she explains in her book, “Bare,” she

brings on the hair extensions and fake eyelashes. She even invested in a pair of spectacular, more-permanent embellishments – I’ll let her tell you about those. Do these things make her a better person? I would argue, yes. Yes, they do! Much like a knight in days of yore going through his ritual to get his mind in the game, Susan has her own armor, breastplates and all, if you will. She does what makes her feel confident and at her best. I have no doubt Susan could take a bite out of a sticky, stringy, greasy-delicious KFC drumstick on her way to a podium to face a stadium full of people and deliver a rousing self-conscious-free motivational speech! She knows she looks great, which makes her feel great, which makes her super happy and excited about whatever is about to happen next. And when she smiles at us, we smile back at her. Are we looking for chicken in her teeth? No. No, we’re not! We’re taking in her whole perky being. Being Camera Ready takes preparation, practice and a sincere interest in other people. Why? Because being Camera Ready is all about your in-

volvement in the world around you. You’re curious and paying attention to your environment – the people, situation, scenery, details and yes, Opportunity, because she’s probably there, too. Being Camera Ready creates confidence and is a beautiful way to show respect for yourself and others. It means you have brought your best self to the party and you have shown up to interact. When you are in the habit of being Camera Ready, it doesn’t take a lot of planning, shopping or effort. And, I can tell you, if you are not Camera Ready, you will miss out. The worst part is you’ve taken yourself out of the action. As someone who interviews people almost daily, I can tell you it’s a pretty common occurrence that people freeze and back away when suddenly the spotlight is on them. Being Camera Ready means you have a response when Opportunity wants to engage. So, practice – with your thoughts, conversations, attitude, appearance, health and purpose. Volunteer when Opportunity invites participation. Step up, introduce yourself, “look Continued on page 34

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FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Hearing Versus Understanding

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

he most common concern of those with hearing loss is not being able to understand others. “I can hear them,” a patient will say. “I just don’t know what they said.” Considering the fact that verbal communication is how most people

interact with others, being able to do so is essential. However, people can often conflate hearing and understanding. While undoubtedly interconnected, they are two distinct functions. Understanding the difference can help to improve outcomes and satisfaction with hearing instruments.

AUDIBILITY VS. CLARITY

// If the auditory system can only provide 50% clarity, a person may still struggle to understand at times, even if they are still doing better overall with the hearing aids. //

Audibility refers to the ability to detect that a sound is present. The brain simply does or does not acknowledge that an auditory stimulus is present. A person with normal hearing would be able to hear a certain sound at a volume that would be imperceptible to one with hearing loss. Clarity refers to the ability to assign meaning to a sound. Even if a sound is audible to a person, their brain may not be able to understand what that sound is supposed to convey. Take a car radio, for instance. Driving through the city, the songs can easily be heard and understood. In a remote location, though, the transmission could still be heard, but the clarity would be fuzzy and distorted enough as to make it incomprehensible. Audibility and clarity are determined by two different mechanisms in the human auditory system.

When a soundwave reaches the ear, it is funneled down the ear canal to the eardrum. This sets off a chain reaction wherein the eardrum, middle ear bones and fluid inside the cochlea (organ of hearing) vibrate in a specific pattern based on the stimulus. These vibrations are coded as electrical signals which are sent to the brain. With hearing loss, impedance occurs within the middle or inner ear, causing the signal that reaches the nerve to be weakened. A weaker signal means that the stimulus has to have a much higher intensity (louder) for the brain to notice. Clarity is determined by filters within the auditory system. Imagine trying to create a personal budget for the year. The total sum of the prior year’s expenses is known, but that in itself is not too helpful. Budgeting requires knowing how that money was spent, meaning it needs to be categorized. Speech is categorized in the same way. Incoming soundwaves are filtered so that “s” is a separate category from “m,” and so on. When the cochlea sustains enough damage, those filters become broader and less specific, so that “m” and “s” could end up overlapping. Thus, the brain can hear the person talking, but cannot understand what is said as it

is receiving the equivalent of a fuzzy radio signal.

HEARING INSTRUMENTS

Hearing aids are recommended for hearing losses which have become significant enough to affect communication. Hearing aids increase audibility by magnifying frequencies the ears have trouble hearing on their own. How does this help communication? Many consonant sounds, which give words their meaning, are rather soft and high-pitched (e.g., “f” and “s”). Incidentally, the majority of people suffer the most hearing loss in the high-pitch range. This means that, given the context of the situation, many consonant sounds are not audible to that person, making it difficult to understand others. The increased audibility provided by the hearing aids improves their access to these sounds. The above scenario works well for an individual with good clarity. Unfortunately, other individuals may only have 50% clarity. In this situation, hearing aids are still a valuable resource in aiding communication. But they may not be enough in and of themselves. This is because while the hearing aids

can be programmed to provide as clear and audible a signal as possible, the brain is still required to interpret that signal correctly. If the auditory system can only provide 50% clarity, a person may still struggle to understand at times, even if they are still doing better overall with the hearing aids. In these cases, assistive accessories that work in conjunction with the hearing aids and the use of good communication strategies can greatly improve an individual’s outcomes. For more severe cases, the literature shows that a cochlear implant is a safe and effective solution for significantly increasing clarity and improving communication. There are many forms of managing hearing loss. A hearing care professional can help guide you to the best solution. Understanding the issue can help to properly address it. FBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net. Jeff Lane, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Growing Businesses in Flagstaff

By John Saltonstall

he Flagstaff City Council adopted a few new programs to help the businesses in Flagstaff during the summer of 2020. This is a celebration of two of the programs and the two Flagstaff businesses on their way to growing in Flagstaff, making the world a better place with a little encouragement from two new small business assistance programs from the City of Flagstaff. The programs are the Innovate Waste/Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Challenge and the Business Retention and Expansion Incentive. The Innovate Waste/PPE Challenge 2020 is the second year of the challenge that invited entrepreneurs to examine the materials going into the City of Flagstaff landfill, and to then divert some material by converting that material into a product or service that would also launch a new company. When the world got to know COVID-19, the challenge was expanded to invite entrepreneurs to consider a PPE element as well. A year ago, Bee Well did not exist. Alex Kaufman and Dan Dunn were friends working at a local coffee shop/ restaurant. They both had been in Flagstaff for years. Kaufman has been a

coach at Flag High, worked at OVRLND, and generally spent time helping people to be their best and to be outside. When Kaufman and Dunn were let go as the coffee shop, like so many other businesses in March and April of 2020, shut down or drastically reduced their employees, they wondered what to do next. As the tragic stories of death were heard every day and in growing numbers, particularly in the Navajo and Hopi populations, Kaufman and Dunn were driven to positively impact those who were without critical infrastructure like running water. As the world learned that washing hands should be done very regularly to stop the spread of COVID-19, what were those families without running water to do? With a background in biology and chemistry and having secured a barrel of isopropyl alcohol, the idea became clear: hand sanitizer. The Bee Well handmade hand sanitizer kills viruses by using 70% isopropyl alcohol by volume, purified water, and organic vegetable glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, organic geranium and eucalyptus oils, without the strong aroma of alcohol. Their hand sanitizer is great for use where access to soap and water is limited. Bee Well connected with Moonshot@NACET and moved into the facility in July and has been

growing ever since. In December, Kaufman and Dunn participated in Moonshot@NACET’s Makers & Shakers Week, which also included the competitive pitch event known as the Innovate Waste/PPE Challenge. Bee Well has been awarded $5,000 in business development funds, which will be used to purchase equipment such as a label machine to streamline the most time-consuming part of their operations: labeling bottles. A testament to its mission, Bee Well has donated more than 1,000 bottles of its products to schools, hospitals, frontlines workers and shelters, so people who don’t have running water can have hand sanitizer. Find Bee Well products around Flagstaff or go to the website https:// beewell.care/ today. The Business Retention and Expansion Incentive is a competitive grant that assists small businesses in staying and growing in Flagstaff. The first round accepted applications between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2020. CozyHome, operating in Flagstaff since 2012, is being awarded! CozyHome is a licensed contractor in Flagstaff that does energy audits to help homeowners and businesses lower their energy costs. As the landing page of the website states, “CozyHome’s $99 energy audit will show you why

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your energy bills are so high.” Auditors come to your home or business and identify ways to bring energy costs down. Growing up in Southern Arizona with a dad who was a general contractor, Eli Chamberlain has been around construction more than most, and after coming to Northern Arizona University to study forestry, he found construction calling him once again as he was drawn to the science of building and to design that helps the environment. In 2012, Chamberlain founded CozyHome. Energy audits are a big part of the business but even more so is converting homes and buildings into more efficient spaces. Many people think to replace windows, but Chamberlain has found that often, replacing windows does not provide the greatest return on those investment dollars for the homeowner. Addressing leaks in a home or replacing insulation give a greater return on investment, as homeowners like to see. One element of the business that sets Chamberlain apart is the incorporation of phase change materials, which serve as an energy bank of sorts to minimize large temperature swings in homes, with less external energy required. What is phase change material (PCM)? Any material that can go back and forth from a solid to a liquid and

// The Business Retention and Expansion Incentive is a competitive grant that assists small businesses in staying and growing in Flagstaff. The first round accepted applications between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2020. CozyHome, operating in Flagstaff since 2012, is being awarded! // back may be used as a phase change material. Waxes, for instance, have different melting points. When the temperature is relatively low, the wax is solid. When the temperature is high, the wax melts and changes phases from solid to liquid. The changes release a tremendous amount of energy, which can be stored and released, depending upon the temperature. Then, imagine a material that could store energy (heat) during the day but then could release Continued on page 33

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY V. RONNIE TIERNEY, FBN

Royal Plumbing Owner Chose Flagstaff for Family and Business Gabriel Ontiveros grew his company from one van to a fleet in two decades

wants to do,” said Granite Mountain Accounting co-owner, Tricia Baker. “I worked for Gabriel for almost eight years as his office manager. He is such a great person and he is always willing to help others. If they need a hand up, he oyal Plumbing & Rooter Services has his hand out to help them – a good quality. If they need work, he is willing owner Gabriel “Gabe” Ontito teach them the trade.” veros’s career successfully came Currently, Royal Plumbing and about when he took over his uncle’s Rooter Services has 18 employees. “We business 19 years ago. “When my family and I visited Flag- started with one van and we now have six,” said Ontiveros. staff in 1997, my uncle, Ruben, offered Jeff Taylor has worked for three me a job at his plumbing business,” years as a service technician. “I like the he said. “At the time, I was working at environment. It’s not what I’m used to Smith Pipe and Supply as an irrigain a normal corporate world. It’s very tion warehouse manager in Oxnard, laid back but professional; it’s like a California. My kids were young and I small family. The guys are pretty close thought Flagstaff would be a good city and the work is constant, so it keeps to raise them in. So, we moved here.” everybody busy. An awesome place to After working for his uncle’s work.” business for five years, Ontiveros took Ontiveros shares his “fish story” as ownership in 2002. His chromatic his funniest job. “I went to a resipurple, gold and white vans can be dent’s house for a clogged toilet,” he spotted throughout Flagstaff boasting recalled. “The tenant insisted he had no the tagline “meeting urgent needs.” idea why the toilet was clogged. When “They do the work no one else

Gabe Ontiveros and technicians with Royal Plumbing & Rooter Services can be spotted around Flagstaff in their purple, gold and white vans. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney Fresh Focuses Photography

I ran the auger, I pulled out a fish. I then noticed an empty fish tank. He confessed to trying to flush the fish down the toilet.” “Gabe has been our in-house plumber for a couple decades,” said Salsa Brava and Fat Olives Owner John Con-

ley. “He’s Johnny on the spot – quick to get out and does a stellar job.” Recently, his daughter, Amber, joined the team as bookkeeper and Ontiveros’s son, Joshua, has worked for the company for most of his life. Ontiveros’s brother-in-law, Renee, is also on

the Royal Plumbing team. “Dad would have me hold the flashlight when I was a kid,” said Joshua Ontiveros with a chuckle. “But I’ve worked here seriously since I was 18. I love it here, especially helping customContinued on page 23

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Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Programs Available Offering Financial Assistance

By Chris Pasterz

oconino County businesses want to know what is available to them now, as the news focuses on vaccination rollouts and new executive orders. This article shares some of the most discussed topics. New and second round PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans are being made now, with a portion set aside ($25 billion) for smaller businesses with under 10 employees, or for loans of $250,000 or less. This is good news for Coconino County

businesses. An eligibility prerequisite for these loans is showing a 25% or greater loans in revenue for any quarter in 2020 when compared to same quarter in 2019. Even if businesses were not able to access a PPP loan the first round, there are many community focused lenders (as opposed to your bank or credit union that may have refused your first application) that are taking, accepting and funding PPP loans with blazing speed and service. The best part about these zero-fee, 1% interest loans is that the funding spent on payroll, benefits,

// Unemployment insurance for those employees furloughed or laid off has received a boost of $300 per week, which is expected to expire March 13. Applying for unemployment can be difficult. Getting direct contact with Department of Economic Security staff is nearly impossible but the temporary boost to the weekly eligibility payments is worth the time for those not yet able to return to their jobs. //

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mortgage interest, rent, utilities, personal protective equipment, vandalism repair and certain supplier costs is forgivable. PPP loans are available to sole proprietors, independent contractors, the self-employed, small businesses and 501(c)3 non-profits. The PPP loan program is the closest thing to free money, and it certainly is the best money available now to your business. Look into it and apply before it is gone. Unemployment insurance for those employees furloughed or laid off has received a boost of $300 per week, which is expected to expire March 13. Applying for unemployment can be difficult. Getting direct contact with Department of Economic Security staff is nearly impossible but the temporary boost to the weekly eligibility payments is worth the time for those not yet able to return to their jobs. Unemployment Insurance is shaky and variable, and many prefer to find another job to replace lost family income. Arizona@Work has immediate job openings throughout Coconino County (117 are listed at the time of writing this article) that can be easily applied to by job seekers. Go to azjobconnection.gov to quickly search for available job vacancies. Addi-

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tionally, employers seeking workers can also post job openings there for free, to quickly connect with local job seekers who are also linked into the Unemployment Insurance system. Households that rent, or have federally-backed mortgages (USDA, FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA) now have a few more months to work through delinquent payment plans with mortgage holders and landlords. Households that can demonstrate an inability to pay rent/ mortgage because of COVID-19 related loss of income are supported, as the Eviction Moratorium from the CDC is now extended until March 31, by Presidential Executive Order. While housing payments are still due to landlords and mortgage holders, resources are available to renters and owners to help them navigate the stressful housing situation brought on by the virus. Most families do not openly share their housing instability issues with neighbors, but as friends and family members, when you become aware of an issue, openly share that help is out there. A great place to start looking for housing stability assistance is Coconino County’s Food and Housing Resources webpage: coconino.az.gov/2370/Food-Housing-and-Other-Resources, which has

links to hundreds of money-saving programs offered by community partners across Coconino County. This month’s article focuses on the top three programs and resources based on the requests for information that I received during the prior month. Dozens of additional programs, grant funding opportunities and business support networks are available now. Every week, I receive calls from local business owners and employees looking to know more. I am happy to spend the time sifting through the details of your situation to help identify the best opportunities and resources. Please feel free to connect by telephone or email. FBN Chris Pasterz is the economic development manager for Coconino County. Contact him: cpasterz@coconino.az.gov or 928-679-7134.

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FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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PAD: Your Feet Tell the Story

By Reisha Zang

he human body is an amazing machine. The more you use it, the better it works. But, it does require maintenance to keep it going strong and will send you warning signs when there is trouble ahead. “Your body is talking to you all of the time. The thing is, we often don’t hear what it’s saying,” said Dr. Kerry Zang of CiC Foot and Ankle in Flagstaff. It’s easy to turn a deaf ear, focusing on louder concerns like your children, your partner, or the reality that you’re just getting older. One of the conditions Dr. Zang is concerned about is peripheral artery disease (PAD), because it’s easy to overlook it as a consequence of aging. “If you find yourself needing to rest because your leg cramps when you walk even a short distance, or at night you need to stand up to relieve a cramp in your foot, that’s your legs and feet telling you they need help,” explained Zang. It’s not because you’ve reached a certain age and you need to slow down. Unfortunately, because people tend to think that way, PAD is often not diagnosed until it has progressed. PAD is a buildup of fatty material

inside the arteries, which limits the amount of blood that passes through them. This buildup occurs gradually over time and hardens into plaque inside the artery and is a condition known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes it’s called “hardening of the arteries.” No matter what you call it, this plaque causes a narrowing of the passageway, restricting the amount of blood that flows throughout the body. “Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your feet and toes, which they need to stay healthy,” said Zang. Without proper blood supply, the nerves and muscles in your feet are affected and become painful, resulting in burning, tingling, numbness or cramping. “When you ignore it, it can get worse. When you identify it and treat it, it’s possible to reverse it,” said Zang. Those with PAD are at a much higher risk of other circulation or cardiac issues and generally have a much higher rate of amputations and death from heart attack or stroke. But there are telltale signs related to poor blood flow to your legs and feet. You’ll have pain, cramping or wounds that won’t heal. If you ignore these signs, it may lead to an amputation. And, if you get an amputation

because you have PAD, your life expectancy is worse than if you had breast cancer or lymphoma. PAD is often called the silent killer because a lot of people don’t know they have it, and it’s a highly lethal condition if left untreated. Simply put, PAD is serious and should not be ignored. But, there is good news. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference. Symptoms of PAD often are felt in your feet first and they are an indication of what’s going on in the blood vessels throughout your body. “The earlier the condition is identified, the better your opportunity for preventing it from getting worse,” said Zang. He urges his patients to talk with their doctor about any changes they notice in their feet. Lifestyle changes, medication and treatment can help prevent PAD from progressing to dangerous consequences. “Without treatment, it will just get worse; there is no benefit to waiting,” said Zang. One of the most important outcomes of diagnosing PAD at the first sign is the ability to manage the disease and potentially reduce or prevent complications from occurring. In some cases, people have been diagnosed with, or think they have, neuropathy. This happens because

ROYAL PLUMBING continued from page 21

the symptoms of PAD are very similar to the symptoms of neuropathy and include burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. Medication is often prescribed, with mixed results. “When a patient has been taking medication and they are not finding relief, it’s time for them to start asking questions,” said Zang. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to diagnose the condition that’s causing the pain.” Often, with this particular set of symptoms, it’s PAD. “If your feet burn, tingle or feel numb, it’s your body telling you it needs help, and you should listen,” advised Zang. “In fact, if you are experiencing any type of discomfort or things just don’t seem right, tell your doctor. The only way we can help is if you let us know you need it.” FBN Reisha Zang is director of patient education at CIC Foot and Ankle. She can be reached at 480-860-6455 or reisha.zang@ciccenters.com.

ers. Some have been with us from the beginning. It’s been a blessing and a great business.” With three grown children and five grandchildren, Ontiveros keeps busy. His wife, Nora, is an executive assistant with Unisource Energy Services. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and traveling. Best advice I’ve ever received: Develop a healthy self-image and see yourself the way God sees you. That quote would be from my dad. The last time I was starstruck: My son, Josh, and I ran into Frankie Muniz, he’s the “Malcolm in The Middle” star. He lives in Phoenix, so we saw him at a basketball game. We ran into him going up the stairs and we were able to take a picture with him. He was very cordial and a down-to-earth person. What I would do with an extra day this week, no demands and unlimited funds: I would fly to see my mother in Oxnard as a surprise and spend a day with her and the family. Business tip I’d offer to a young entrepreneur: I would say, fail forward. Don’t give up. Learn from your failures, press forward and doors will open. The secret to a successful life: Just like baking a cake, there are many ingredients, but the ingredient I like the most is, “live to give.” FBN Royal Plumbing & Rooter Services can be contacted at 928-526-3659.

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

February: A Time to Focus on Health and Love with a Couple’s Massage

By Mark Love

ebruary is a great month to pay some attention to all matters of the heart – physical and emotional. Of course, we all know Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14. But, did you know that February is also National Heart Health Month? It is a reminder to make yourself and your loved one a priority; a time to focus on health and relationships. One of the best ways to do both is with a couple’s massage! A couple’s massage offers an hour or more of time that is centered around you and your loved one. A couple’s massage provides both health

and romantic benefits. The daily tolls on life can be tough on relationships. It is often difficult to find the time, energy and money for couples to do the things they need and want to do to keep their relationships strong. Lack of focused time together can lead to stress, arguing, dissatisfaction and strain on the relationship. No one can argue the fact that couples need to spend quality time together to maintain a strong bond and loving relationship. A recent study by the British Psychological Society looked at the effects of couple’s massage therapy. The research found that the couples in the

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// The daily tolls on life can be tough on relationships. It is often difficult to find the time, energy and money for couples to do the things they need and want to do to keep their relationships strong. Lack of focused time together can lead to stress, arguing, dissatisfaction and strain on the relationship. //

study experienced improved overall sense of well-being, while stress levels were decreased and coping abilities were boosted. The couples also stated that they felt closer to each other physically and emotionally. Of course, relaxation is an expected benefit of massage, as are other healthful results. But there are additional benefits to a couple’s massage that make the 60- or 90-minute session a real boost to the pair. Benefits of couple’s massage include: N Bonding: Massage causes the brain to release endorphins (such as oxytocin, also known as “the cuddle chemical”), which are hormones that stimulate positive feelings and promote affection. N (Re)connection: While counseling can provide valuable insight and increase communication, research shows massage therapy can help couples reconnect and even grow closer. N Less emotional tension: Strain between the partners, often the result of concerns about jobs, money, children, etc., can be decreased during a massage session. As each person relaxes, tensions dissipate,

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partners can put their problems into perspective and have more communication regarding these concerns. N Physical health: In addition to improved emotional health and a closer connection, each person often feels physically healthier after a session, which means more desire and energy for other activities. N An easy and affordable getaway: Busy schedules and the demands of work and home life can make getting away or going out for an evening nearly impossible, not to mention the costs of a getaway. But almost any couple can find 60 or 90 minutes for a massage. That makes massage one of the easiest ways to escape with your partner for some quality time. N Personalized time and couple time: One of the best things about a couple’s massage is the dual focus of the individual and the couple. Each massage is personalized to meet individual needs while the time together helps promote bonding and intimacy.

N Be present and in the moment: Massage has a unique way of helping people focus on the moment, allowing everything else to be put on hold for a period of time. Being fully present and in the moment with your partner means quality time with benefits that last long after the massage has ended. N Break out of the rut: Getting a couple’s massage can brighten a relationship in the same way that going to a different restaurant or trying a new activity does. You and your partner will feel closer just for having tried something new together. FBN

Mark Love is the Franchisee of Massage Envy Spa Flagstaff, located at 1235 S. Plaza Way in the University Plaza Shopping Center next to Safeway. For more information on the benefits of massage and to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist, visit MassageEnvy.com or call 928526-ENVY (3689) and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/ MEFlag. Schedule an appointment online – your time, your convenience, your massage.

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Short-Term Rental Properties Remain in Demand

By Amber Welsch

veryone is well aware of the explosion of short-term (vacation) rentals over the last five years, and our cozy mountain town of Flagstaff has been no exception. Despite local controversy over allowing and regulating short-term rentals , Flagstaff Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway properties have continued to expand. In fact, owners have seen consistent occupancy rates following the initial early COVID-19 March/ April lull and have expressed surprise at the robust market. A short search

of the vacation rental websites for the greater Flagstaff area shows upwards of 500+ units. One Airbnb superhost I spoke with said this past year (2020) was incredibly better than 2019. Feedback she received from guests indicated they didn’t want to stay in a hotel and were inquiring about the beefed-up cleaning and disinfecting protocols. She heard from guests that they were just so sick of being home. Blue Door Properties owner and manager Mary Jane Morse reports this past year was “the busiest year we’ve ever had.” Blue Door Properties manages short-term rentals for

// Wouldn’t it be ideal if more real estate investments stay local and create wealth for those community members? The teachers and childcare workers, emergency and healthcare workers, the food and service workers, etc.? The thought of that endeavor may be intimidating for some. But short-term rentals are a reality for Flagstaff and they are here to stay. //

local owners in Flagstaff, Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Telluride. Morse goes on to say that there are many reasons why people decide to rent their home in the short term, such as increasing their monthly income, wanting to share their second home with others, helping to pay a mortgage or trying to keep their home after losing a job. “Some people are just trying to make it work,” Morse said. According to Mashvisor, an analytics website for real estate investors, the post-COVID short-term rental market is as strong as ever. However, the guests have changed from pre-COVID times. Before March, guests came from other states and countries to explore Northern Arizona. Since COVID started, according to Airbnb superhost Eve Hansen, most guests are from Phoenix and surrounding valley locations. As people cancelled their summer vacations to far-away places, the closer, safer “mini” vacation has become a favorite thing to do. Some guests make last-minute reservations to come up to Flagstaff for a weekend to get out of the house and spend time in nature. Others book longer, sometimes six weeks or more, and work remotely from their vacation spot while the kids do school online.

And Flagstaff is an easy drive from Phoenix, yet offers the feeling of being a world away in the cool pines. Our outdoor enjoyment opportunities such as hiking, biking, disc golf, regular golf, rock climbing, geocaching, stargazing, skiing, four-wheeling, (I could go on but you get the idea) are endless. Flagstaff’s vibrant downtown offers quaint bookstores, local and native arts, delectable restaurants, breweries, outdoor equipment shops and scenic walkability. The magnificent Grand Canyon and the stunning red rocks of Sedona are only an hour away. It is the perfect getaway from the big city, the traffic, the heat and the crowded spaces. These qualities ensure that Flagstaff will alwaysbe a desirable place for vacationers to spend time. Growth of the Flagstaff vacation rental market has had impacts on the community. Within neighborhoods, complaints by residents include noise and light disturbances, trash, parking and over-occupancy. Some people miss having neighbors; some don’t. Some feel the saturation of vacation rentals in Flagstaff contributes to the high cost and low availability of permanent housing. Short-term rentals also

provide well-paying jobs to cleaning crews, maintenance workers and property managers. Guests contribute to the tourist industry that is so key to our economy. Restaurants, bars and retailers benefit, even with COVID restrictions. Undoubtedly the finest of Flagstaff’s attributes are its residents, the people who call it home and contribute to our rich and diverse community. Wouldn’t it be ideal if more real estate investments stay local and create wealth for those community members? The teachers and childcare workers, emergency and healthcare workers, the food and service workers, etc.? The thought of that endeavor may be intimidating for some. But short-term rentals are a reality for Flagstaff and they are here to stay. Look in FBN next month for details on how to purchase and operate your own vacation rental. Until then, stay healthy, Flagstaff! FBN Amber Welsch is a sales associate on The Mary Mendoza Team at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. She is a 20 year resident of Flagstaff and a native Arizonan. She can be reached at amber. welsch@russlyon.com or 928607-9566.

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Beginning Anew with Health, Home, Heart By Kären van der Veer, NMD

he new year began with a bang. As I write, our country is faced with the highest daily infection and mortality rates of the COVID pandemic and the greatest challenge to our democracy in more than two centuries. The trials and tribulations of 2020 clearly weren’t left at the threshold of 2021. A year from now, the world will look different to us, and most likely, it will look better. Begin afresh each day, focus on the present moment and look for ways to help. Resiliency is our birthright. It can be cultivated and even shared. Despite the chaos around us, we are largely in control of our health, our home and our hearts. That is where resiliency starts. Some simple reminders: Change is challenging, especially when faced alone. So, buddy up. Find support with friends or family and take on new ventures in partnership to help one another and hold each other accountable. Make smaller, reasonable and meaningful changes in succession instead of taking a big leap all at once. Incremental changes – one after another – add up. Be honest and kind with yourself. Strive for change, not perfection. Lastly, discern what’s in your realm of influence and drop what’s not.

ADOPTING HEALTHY HABITS

We may have committed ourselves to ambitious changes in our diet or lifestyle, and perhaps we are keeping pace with our plans. Sometimes, though, our ambition outruns our ability and collapses under the weight of high expectations and perceived failure. The most meaningful changes are often combinations of subtle shifts that, over time, add up to big ones. Committing any positive change, no matter how small, to our regular routine can lead to monumental success. N Drink a quart of water in the morning before any caffeine consumption: 16 oz. when you first wake up then another 16 oz. while you are getting dressed and making your bed. Add apple cider vinegar or a half a lemon or grapefruit to alkalinize the body, improve digestion and increase hydration. Beginning the day hydrated will generally encourage better hydration the remainder of the day. Proper hydration improves energy, mental clarity, sleep, healthy weight maintenance, detoxification and inflammation. N Stretch for 20 minutes a day. Listen to some music and to your body. Move accordingly. N Intermittently fast. Delay eating in the morning until after you’ve done a little exercise. This increases our

metabolism, sharpens our mind and improves brain, cardiovascular and immune function. N Stick with a waking and bedtime schedule. Establishing consistency in sleep, exercise and eating habits optimizes metabolism and our ability to handle stress. N Try one new healthy food or recipe each week and add it to your rotation of regular foods. Document it. By the end of the year, that’s a lot of new healthy food. N Detox once a week by consuming only vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and hydrating with herbal teas or bone broth.

MAKING YOUR HOME YOUR HAVEN

Our home should be our sanctuary and refuge. N Make your bed and make the effort to make it a beautiful and sensual delight. N Designate an area of your house as sacred space for creativity, contemplation and joy. Let no worry or unpleasurable work come into that space. Make it beautiful and keep it clean. N Purge. One drawer, shelf, closet and room at a time. Set goals for one room in the house each month. N Fill your home with scents and

sounds that help you feel happy and relaxed. N Bring the outdoors inside. Plants and flowers nourish our indoor spaces with oxygen and grace.

GUARDING YOUR HEART

We don’t have to participate in the mayhem of a world gone crazy. Guard your heart and mind as if your life and your sanity depend on it. Any of the following can change your outlook and resiliency. N Add in a 10-minute guided meditation before getting into the business of the day and before going to bed. There are apps out there, like CALM, that help with this. N Don’t check your email or engage with a screen for the first hour and the last two to three hours of your day. Make the first and last things you do meaningful and peaceful. N Limit your news consumption to the same amount of time each day and balance its intake with human connection or life-affirming activity. If you listen to or watch an hour of news, spend at least an hour talking with a trusted friend, reading an inspiring book or taking a walk in the woods. N Make something every day: a good meal, a

homemade card, an arrangement of flowers, music, a journal entry, a sketch of a tree, etc. N Keep a gratitude journal detailing three specific moments of the day for which you felt uplifting gratitude. Describe one positive experience in greater detail that changed your day for the better. This daily habit will become a treasure trove of positivity. N Every day, give to others in a way that is intentional and invisible. Nothing feels better. May we all remember that this too shall pass. The good and the bad. The painful and sublime. Living mindfully means we can experience both challenge and good fortune as equal opportunities for growth and transformation. May 2021 be the best year of your life and may you commit yourself to making it so. FBN Dr. Kären van der Veer has more than 20 years of experience as a physician, acupuncturist and educator. Her career has been defined by her passion for and devotion to serving others. She currently teaches at Northern Arizona University and sees patients at Aspen Integrative Medical Center, located at 323 N Leroux, Suite B, in Flagstaff. For more information, call 928-213-5828.

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FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Valuing People at Coconino Community College

By Colleen Smith

hat a difference a year makes. Last spring semester, when classes began at Coconino Community College, students were busily passing through the halls of our campuses on their way to classes. Their attention was on their studies and on achieving their educational goals. Then, just before Spring Break, the world started to take notice of the virus that was making its way across the globe – COVID-19. The world went on lockdown to try to halt the spread of the virus. Safety measures were put into place at CCC. Our halls and classrooms grew quiet. Faculty and staff, dedicated to delivering a quality, affordable education to students, worked long hours to offer classes online and through Zoom videoconferencing to keep the machinery of education moving so students could keep working toward their goals. Events were canceled, or they were held “virtually” in the digital world. A new kind of normal developed. Some of our students decided to wait until they could rejoin their fellow students and faculty in the classroom. Many of our students adapted to taking classes virtually, even if that was not what they preferred. This spring, as classes begin, our halls and classrooms are still most-

ly quiet. All classes, except for ones that absolutely require an in-person component, continue to be online and through Zoom. Big events like the Commencement and Nurses Pinning ceremonies will again be virtual this May. Our signature fundraising event for the CCC Foundation, Palette to Palate, which supports the Fine Arts Department at CCC, will reimagine itself as a virtual event this April. What a difference a year has made. The stress of the pandemic and world and national events have created a tumultuous time in all our lives. For me, during this time of unrest, it became important to see how our community college places such a great value on people from all different backgrounds

and with diverse points of view. Our new five-year Strategic Plan, “Students First Vision 2025: Planning for the Future,” includes a Diversity Statement created by the members of our Diversity Committee at CCC. It reads: “Coconino Community College recognizes and respects diversity and the value it brings to our communities. We appreciate and welcome cultures, identities, beliefs, experiences and all that makes us unique. CCC champions and takes action to build an inclusive work and learning environment. We are allies and advocates, navigating a respectful dialogue about our shared humanity.” To me, that is valuing people. I am also heartened that the Di-

// “Coconino Community College recognizes and respects diversity and the value it brings to our communities. We appreciate and welcome cultures, identities, beliefs, experiences and all that makes us unique. CCC champions and takes action to build an inclusive work and learning environment. We are allies and advocates, navigating a respectful dialogue about our shared humanity.” //

versity Committee, with considerable input from the Native American Club at CCC, crafted a Land Use Acknowledgement Statement to be included in collegewide ceremonies and celebrations. Each semester at CCC, about 20 percent of our students are Native American. The Land Use Acknowledgement Statement reads: “We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the sacred land on which this educational institution resides. The Zuni, Apache, Yavapai, Hualapai, Havasupai, Paiute, Diné, Hopi and many other Arizona tribal nations recognize the land that surrounds a sacred mountain, the San Francisco Peaks, as a significant spiritual place. This sacred land is enriched with indigenous history and culture that lives on to this day. We as a community with our CCC family and friends, are very fortunate to live, work, and share this unique location.” To me, that is valuing people. A vaccine for the virus is currently being delivered to people throughout the world, including those of us who live in Coconino County. The vaccine brings us all hope that we may be in for a different type of normal a year from now, perhaps earlier. All I know is the difference a year can make.

Soon, spring will give way to summer, which will give way to fall and the start of another academic year. It’s never too early to start planning and preparing for that new academic year. There are federal financial aid forms to fill out, and, currently, the CCC Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships to help qualified students afford their educational goals. The Foundation has been working hard in creating partnerships with new donors, businesses and organizations to increase the ability to assist students. For more information about the CCC Foundation, visit coconino.edu/foundation. I wish all of us a healthy and safe start to the spring semester, and I am hopeful the wait will soon be over so that I get to see and hear students roaming our campus halls and filling our classrooms again. Please take a look at an amazing video here, https://youtu. be/KrhnzVsnRaY, created by Larry Hendricks, senior manager of Marketing and Public Relations at the college, to share in our thoughts about “What a Difference a Year Makes,” and know that CCC is here for you in 2021. Onward! FBN Colleen Smith is the president of Coconino Community College.

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Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy

By Keelyn Riley, LCSW, C-IAYT

ack2Basics offers a holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of addiction and co-occurring issues. By nature, the program is designed to bring participants into the outdoors and learn to be more comfortable in their own skin. We also bring in components of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness to complement the therapeutic and recovery work. In addition, the practice of yoga is an important component for teaching young people in recovery to become more “grounded” in their bodies. The benefits of yoga are multifaceted, from the simple art of breath awareness to the inner explorations of Yoga Nidra (progressive relaxation/ journey work). Yoga in rehab does not look like the yoga that happens in trendy studios with bendy instructors. In fact, it can be kind of awkward and silly at times. We try to make it playful and attainable for those who may never be able to touch their toes or sit like a monk. We also create serious pauses to discover the inner challenges that serve as obstacles to sobriety and well-being. The first stage of practicing yoga begins with simple mindfulness. Mindfulness is the experience of “witnessing” the sensations, thoughts and feelings that we have without needing to judge, fix or change. Mindfulness is an expression of compassion and awareness of self and our surroundings. Addiction takes us out of connection to our body and spills over, creating chaos in our relationships. Mindfulness can bring us back “in” to ourselves as

a way to learn to reconnect to our self and develop healthier communications with others. The mindfulness component of yoga in recovery is essential and fundamental. We practice a variety of mindfulness tools from learning to use the senses in the kitchen to observing the waves of emotions that rise and fall during early recovery. Once mindfulness has been introduced, the practice of movement can begin to unfold. Participants in early recovery struggle with basic body awareness. Simply learning to be aware of how the toes are positioned in a standing posture brings attention to “placement in space.” Transitioning from posture to posture, with the breath as the guide, builds the concept of “staying aware in the changes.” This practice need not be fancy or complicated to be beneficial. In fact, “less is more” when it comes to integrating the benefits of the practices. Years ago, I learned a multitude of very involved Yoga Therapy techniques to implement into mental health treatment. After much trial and error, I learned that keeping the practices simple allow them to be more accessible. Participants may choose to advance the learning of yoga beyond treatment, but to learn a non-intimidating practice early on more easily allows them to experience the benefits. Once the experience of mindful movement has occurred, now the art of stillness feels less scary. Addicts struggle to sit with themselves, so it is no surprise that the more restorative and meditative practices can be somewhat uncomfortable and

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Back2Basics helps young men look inside while being outside. Courtesy photo

even triggering. As they get more comfortable in the body, settling into quiet spaces can be more easily received. Restorative practices then become a sought-out favorite as a time to “pause” and “reflect.” My favorite of all yoga tools is the practice of Yoga Nidra. This experience is usually a 35-minute experience that begins with guided mindfulness, progressive relaxation and then recovery-specific imagery work. The meditation is centralized around creating an intention that is relevant to the personal work that relates to peeling back the patterns of “addict consciousness.” This work can get very personal, as it invites incredibly honest reflection of the patterns that have contributed to addiction. Being in “theta state” (reduced brain waves) for this portion of the practice allows the opportunity for reflection in a calm space. Witnessing our challenges from the state of the parasympathetic nervous system (rest/digest) can help to rewire reactive responses and help to cultivate a better feeling of acceptance. What is most amazing to witness is the receptivity of these young men to do the practices. Even those who come in with a prior aversion to yoga find something that speaks to them. We get super creative with a variety of approaches so that there is something that resonates with everyone. For example, we may do a power/core yoga practice to hip bumping music that speaks to the guys who want more of a fiery experience. Or, we explore creative sequences to challenge the participants who appreciate (or need) unpredictability. Sometimes, we visit a labyrinth to experience silent, reflective walking. On a special occasion, as part of the mindful eating series, they get to practice consuming a cheeseburger with slow and conscious chewing. Yoga and mindfulness work because of how they change the patterns in the brain and the nervous system. Addiction activates an overly sensitive fight or flight pattern of survival and reactivity, causing a fog in the cortex of logic and ethics. As the regulation between the sympathetic to the parasympathetic responses become more harmonious, the hippocampus (memory/learning) can more effectively do a proper job while the center for emotional regulation (amygdala/ midbrain) becomes less reactive. This synergistic relationship allows us to work on “emotional sobriety” as part of the recovery journey. In addi-

tion, the sweet little section of the brain that allows us to be more compassionate (insula) is able to more effectively produce the chemicals (GABA) needed for empathetic reflection. As these changes start to slowly cultivate in the brain, we can use the benefits in therapy. For example, if someone gets triggered with anger toward another peer, the invitation of pausing to notice what is occurring with heart rate can be used to guide a slower response. Or, if talking about an old memory causes anxiety, the guidance of breath awareness can be used as a way to “anchor” back to the present moment. If someone is struggling with sleep, there are simple practices for releasing the “hot zones” of tension in the muscles to help support the relaxation response. For some of the residents, the practices can begin to create the “natural highs” as a gentle tool to move through cravings. And for others, they discover an inner space of wisdom and guidance. A goal of yoga is to experience the serenity that already exists inside the self. I feel very honored to be able to bring the practices of yoga into a therapeutic milieu. My journey with this began in 1994, when I was a baby social worker and new meditator. I got asked to teach a “stress management” class at a mental health clinic. I decided to open the class with a guided “centering” practice that involved just noticing the breath. Then, I was asked to not do that again, because it was not a “researched” form of treatment. A few years later (1997), I had the opportunity to use my fresh skills as a new yoga teacher as part of the Recreational Therapy department of the psych hospital where I worked. By 1999, I opened a private clinical practice offering an integrative approach using yoga, meditation and other somatic practices to treat anxiety-related disorders. I have spent the last two-and-a-half decades training in methods that have a mind-body approach to addressing mental health issues. In addition, I have been able to offer dozens of workshops and presentations to other professionals and yoga teachers. Up until the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching public classes virtually all seven days of the week was just part of my existence. Life has changed, and my vision of continuing to train other teachers/practitioners in this art has dramatically shifted. It is clear that I am more needed to provide this work to those who may never step into a studio. For that, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity the team has given me to develop this project at Back2Basics. FBN Keelyn Riley, LCSW, C-IAYT, is a licensed clinical social worker and a yoga teacher/therapist. Back2Basics is a Joint Commission nationally accredited treatment center offering up to six-months of daily programming, licensed in Arizona. Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery combines residential therapeutic counseling with experiential outdoor adventures to treat individuals with substance and alcohol addiction and lead them through rehab and recovery into long-term sober living. The program is highlighted by spending time in the beautifully serene wilderness where individuals are physically challenged, their minds are cleared and they learn ways to defeat old addictive thinking patterns through various outdoor adventures. Now accepting most medical insurance. For more information, visit back2basicsoutdooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@ b2badventures.com.

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Normal is Not Optimal for Hormones By Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc

ormones are constantly changing as we go through the journey of our life, and imbalances can occur at any age and stage of life in both men and women. Imbalances are often triggered by stressful events (environmental, dietary, emotional or physical). Life changes, like the death of a family member or friend, marriage, break up, birth of a child, surgery, accidents, loss of a job, moving or effects from COVID-19, can trigger increased stress hormones, which will affect other endocrine glands and body systems. Hormones are messengers of the endocrine system, and are triggered by a feedback system from the hypothalamus and pituitary parts of the brain. Endocrine glands release hormones. Hormones are derived in the liver and endocrine glands from cholesterol, proteins, amino acids and fatty acids. They often depend on one another to create the balance of hormones in the body. For example, cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in times of stress, which, in turn, speeds up the heart rate, dilates the pupils and pulls blood from the digestive organs to fuel

the muscles needed to help us run. Normally, we do not use this “fight or flight” system on a daily basis unless we are running away from a tiger or jumping out of a plane. But persistent stress results in adrenal exhaustion, leading to fatigue and lower immunity. This can affect how well the male or female hormones work and can make your thyroid sluggish, affecting your metabolism. The adrenals play a major role in hormone balance. Imagine them as the air-traffic controller of source energy to all endocrine glands. Testing your hormone levels is key for properly addressing and treating hormone imbalance and improving overall health.

NORMAL VS. OPTIMAL HORMONES

Patients experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance may feel like at times they are going out of their mind. They don’t know the cause of their issues and seek help from their current doctor. Some practitioners are not well versed in hormone optimization, so they don’t know how to help them. They may get bloodwork taken and all the results come back “normal.” That is fine and dandy. But the patient

is fatigued, has low libido, low mood, increased belly fat, mind fog and is not sleeping well. The next step is for the doctor to give such patients an antidepressant and send them on their way. The patient chalks it up as, “Well, this must be aging or I must be crazy.” Why does this happen so frequently? Many physicians do not understand hormone optimization and therefore often give the patient their opinions regarding hormones. They may also give the patient false information because they don’t know any better or were taught the old ways in medical school. Unfortunately, the patient suffers and often walks away feeling more confused about his or her overall health. With any luck, the patient gets frustrated and seeks the insight of a hormone specialist. Patients who have been through this experience feel such relief that they are not crazy and what they are experiencing is, in fact, hormone related and can be treated. Their hormones can be brought to optimal ranges. What I mean by optimal ranges is this: hormone levels in blood or saliva testing that are at the higher end of normal or even outside the normal range. Normal results are not optimal results.

WINNER

Blood hormone levels naturally decline as we age. Most people feel that they have to settle and accept that as part of aging. The truth is that this natural decline results in increased risk for cardiovascular disease and changes, insulin resistance/ diabetes, increased risk of osteoporosis, skin changes (wrinkles, sagging skin, vaginal dryness, etc.), cognitive decline, increased visceral fat (belly fat) and increased cancer risk. When hormones are optimized in patients who may or may not have symptoms of hormone imbalance, they often feel better. They feel more like their old selves, have more zest for life, improved energy, better sleep, better libidos and better mood. Optimal hormone balance saves lives, decreases disease progression and saves relationships. FBN Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004 and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.

// Imbalances are often triggered by stressful events (environmental, dietary, emotional or physical). Life changes, like the death of a family member or friend, marriage, break up, birth of a child, surgery, accidents, loss of a job, moving or effects from COVID-19, can trigger increased stress hormones, which will affect other endocrine glands and body systems. //

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

WHO’S THE BEST OF THE BEST?

CONGRATULATIONS

TO YOUR WINNERS!

Category

Winner

Category

Winner

Accounting Firm

Absolute Tax and Financial Serivces

Clothing Boutique

Basement Marketplace

Addiction Recovery

Back 2 Basics

Coffee Shop

Late For The Train

Advertising Agency

Overdrive Media

Commercial Contractor

Kinney Construction Services

Antique Store

Cedar Closet Thrift Shop

Commercial Landscaping Company

Agassiz Landscape Group

Archery Shop

Bull Basin Archery

Commercial Property Developer

Genterra Enterprises

Architectural Firm

Paul Moore Architects

Commercial Real Estate Agent

Colliers International

Apartments

Trailside Apartments

Computer Services Company

Flagstaff IT

Assisted Living Facility

The Peaks

Convenience Store

Speedi Car Wash & Fuel

Attractions

Arizona Snowbowl

Cosmetic Dentistry

Flagstaff Modern Dentistry

Auto Body Repair

Flagstaff Collision

Credit Union

OneAZ Credit Union

Auto Glass

Inspectors Auto Appearance

Custom Home Builder

JKC

Auto Repair & Maintenance

Auto Rehab

Custom Meats

Proper Meats & Provisions

Automotive Dealership/Service

Terry Marxen

Dental Services

Flagstaff Downtown Dental

Bank

Alliance Bank

Dermatology Services

Angela Wyatt Dermatology

Bar/Drinking Establishment

The Annex

Document Destruction

Elevated Shredding

Bath/Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen Tune-Up

Door Company

Loren Vickers Overhead Door, Inc.

Battery Store

Batteries Plus

Dry Cleaning Service

Ogden's Cleaners

Bike Shop

Absolute Bikes

Electrical Contractor

Darren Lance Electric

Brewery

Dark Sky Brewing

Endoscopy & Surgery Center

Forest Canyon Endoscopy and Surgery Center

Building Center

HomCo Lumber & Hardware

Engineering Services

Peak Engineering

Business Brokers

Colliers International

Event Rental Service

Total Grand Rental

Business Meeting/Conference/Events Little America Hotel

Exercise Facility

Flagstaff Athletic Club

Business School

Eye Care Center

The Eye and Laser Center

Butchering Services/Game Processing Bix's Butcher Shop

Family Medical Practice

Flagstaff Family Care Clinic

Car Wash

Speedi Car Wash & Fuel

Fast Food

Chick-Fil-A

Cardiology Center

Peak Heart & Vascular Center

Financial/Investment Services

Benefit & Financial Services

Carpet Cleaning

Premier Carpet Cleaning and Restoration

Flooring Company

Cunningham Flooring Direct

Casino

Cliff Castle Casino

Florist

Sutcliffe Floral

Catering

Satchmos

Furniture Store

The Lite Company

Chiropractic Care

Moseng Chiropractic

W.A. Franke College of Business

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Category

Winner

Category

Winner

Garden Center

Warner's Nursery and Landscaping

Pet Grooming

Dorothy's K-9

General Contractor

Loven Contracting

Photography

KDI Photography

Golf Course

Flagstaff Ranch

Physical Rehabilitation Services

Gun Sales/Accessories

Timberline Firearms

Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Arizona

Hair Salon

Headlines 2000

Place For an Event

Lowell Observatory

Hardware Store

HomCo Lumber & Hardware

Plant And Garden Nursery

Warner's Nursery and Landscaping

Health Care Insurance Provider

Crest Insurance Group

Plastic Surgery Center

Northern Arizona Plastic Surgeons

Health Food Store

Sprouts Farmers Market

Plumbing Contractor

Intermountain Plumbing and Mechanical

Hearing Center

Trinity Hearing Center

Printer

International Minute Press

Home Builder

Capstone Homes

Property Management

Sterling Real Estate Management

Home Health Care

Comfort Keepers

Public Relations Agency

Cindy May Marketing

Home Refurbishing/Renovations

Kitchen Tune-Up

Radio Station

KAFF Radio

Hospice

Northland Hospice

Radiology

Northern Arizona Radiology

Hotel/Lodging

Little America Hotel

Residential Contractor

Miramonte Homes

Hunting/Camping Equipment

The Sportsman

Residential Real Estate

Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Hypnotherapy

Don Berlin

Restaurant/Fine Dining

Brix

HVAC Contractor

Intermountain Plumbing and Mechanical

Restoration Services

Mammoth Restoration

In Home Senior Care

Comfort Keepers

Retirement Community

The Peaks

Insurance Firm

Dan Hakes - Farmer's Insurance

Roofing Company

Lion Heart Roofing

Interior Design

Kim Duncan Design

Second Hand Store

Hodgepodge Thrift Store

Internet Service Provider

Suddenlink Communications

Security Company

Diamondback Security

Jeweler

Jeff Karl Jewelers

Self Storage Facility

Woodlands Village Self Storage

Kennels

Kingsmark Kennels

Shoe Store

Run Flagstaff

Law Firm

Aspey, Watkins & Diesel PLLC

Shooting Range

Timberline Firearms

Local College

Coconino Community College

Signage

Express Yourself Signs

Martial Arts School

Sleeping Lion

Ski Store

Humphreys

Massage/Spa

Massage Envy

Sleep Center

Mountain Heart

Medical Devices/Equipment

All-Med Supplies

Smoke Shop

Rebel Smoke Shop

Medical Dispensary

Greenhouse

Solar Entergy Products/Services

E3 Energy

Mortgage Lender

Peoples Mortgage

Spa Sales and Service

Summit Spas and Billiards

Mortuary

Lozanos Flagstaff Mortuary

Staffing

Performance Staffing

Surgery Center

Flagstaff Surgical Associates

Motorcycle/ATV Service

Go AZ Motorcycles

Tax Preparation

Absolute Tax and Financial Serivces

Moving Company

Firemen Movers

Taxidermy

Signature Taxidermy

Music Store

Arizona Music Pro

Title Company

Clear Title

Naturopathic Health Care

Aspen Integrative Medical Center

Top Employer

Gore & Associates

Non-Profit/Charitable Organization

CASA

Tour Company

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours

Office Cleaning Service

Gemini Services

Travel Agency

Avenues Of The World

Office Supplies

QC Office

Upholstery Shop

A-1

Ophthalmologist

Flagstaff Eye Care Center

Veterinarian Services

Canyon Pet Hospital

Orthodontist

Northern Arizona Orthodontics - Caskey

Wellness Center

Root Natural Health

Orthopedic Center

Flagstaff Bone And Joint

Western Wear Store

CAL Ranch

Pain Management Services

Northern Arizona Pain Institute

Window Cleaning Service

Squeegee Squad

Painting Company

Major League Painting

Wine Store

Majestic Marketplace

Pet Food & Supplies

Olsen's Grain

Yoga Studio

ESenEM Yoga

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

COCO-OP continued from page 3

powered by a team of individuals who come together to donate equipment, money and time. The timing was perfect, as Blackpoint, formerly Teledigit Corp, a telephone equipment and systems business, would soon vacate the warehouse when its lease ended. Today, the creative space houses a myriad of equipment for welding, sewing, woodworking, sawing, pottery making, painting and drawing, textile and leatherworking, 3-D printing, as well as a computer lab and classroom. A garage door can open to provide space for troubleshooting vehicle problems. A survey of supplies in the building reads like an exotic list of ingredients in a complicated menu – cut-off saw, drill press, charcoal forge, pulse generator, loom, oxyacetylene torch, bench grinder, drafting table, basketball hoop, wood lathe, projector, hot laminator, tracing paper, welding helmets and even items for recreation like a dartboard and playing cards. “A big reason we exist is to grow our members’ sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem,” Campbell noted. “We strive to foster their locus of control, a term in psychology referring to the degree to which people believe that they, as opposed to external forces, have

DARK SKIES continued from page 11

control over the outcome of events in their lives.” An example of locus of control would be “learning how automobile electrical systems work, and then knowing what to do when your car breaks down as a result,” he explained. Central to the success of the non-profit are monthly memberships of $50 for individuals, $75 for families, as well as $25 memberships and scholarships available for students and those with lower incomes. Memberships include 24-hour access to the use of the space, equipment and attendance in classes offered by Coco-op experts. Ariel “Ari” Coffey became a member in February 2020, just as the search for a location was underway, and has “been supportive all throughout,” Campbell said. Currently, she is the acting shop captain for the growing clay studio. “The Coco makerspace is a wonderful place for collaboration and fosters creative energy,” Coffey said. “The space is welcoming and allows individuals to work on projects or explore new means of creativity and different equipment. The clay studio is growing and continues to welcome new members, allowing the commu-

nity a safe, open environment for exploration.” To keep the dream running, many members have donated equipment to the space that has been retrieved out of garages, basements and storage units, where they were gathering dust. “We have grown steadily from 12 or so dues-paying members on opening day in July, to 36 members actively paying dues this month,” Campbell said. “We seem to be accelerating and have started to benefit tremendously from word-of-mouth.” Campbell said there is also a roster of other founding members who each donated $300 to support start-up expenses: Rich Baca, Samuel Mayer, Thorsten Froemming, Alice Christie, Debbie and Phil Campbell, Shirley Johnson, Becky Holt Ulam, Lynn Bleeker and Clint and Gillian Bleeker, on behalf of Bleekers Boxes and The Landscape Connection. Campbell said they are anticipating increased operating costs through the winter, when increased heating is necessary. A potential setback event for the co-op occurred on Sunday, Dec. 27, when a driver on Kaibab Lane crashed his vehicle into the northwest corner of the building. The driver was taken to the hospital

and sustained no serious injuries, and no Coco-op members were injured. “The car accident damage is at most just a temporary inconvenience,” Campbell said in early January. “It affected a part of the building we haven’t yet been using much, and the structural integrity is intact such that the building remains safe to occupy. The building remains a wonderful facility to effectuate our mission.” The mood at the co-op has been optimistic and members have continued to use the space as before. Organizers at the co-op have been working with insurance companies, builders and utility providers to get the facility operating at full capacity as soon as possible. “If anything, the building damage has brought us [closer] together, with members volunteering time and effort to clean up the debris and such,” Campbell said. “Aside from this accident, Coco-op continues growing tremendously. We’re so grateful to the Flagstaff community for your involvement!” Coco-op is accepting donations of equipment and tools, as well as offering upcoming classes. To donate, sign up, become a member or to learn more, visit cocoop.org. FBN

with science and astronomy and really top-shelf, very sophisticated international science,” said Genterra Enterprises Senior Vice President Rich Bowen. “That is part of who we are as a community. And you see that reflected in the kind of people who want to be here and the values that we have. It concerns me that if we’re not diligent in this pursuit, we’ll harm that.” The Coalition has been seeking input from those interested in continuing and expanding efforts to support dark skies. “For decades, the Coalition set the stage to propel Northern Arizona as a dark skies leader worldwide,” said Casuga. “They recognize the power of dark skies to inspire and engulf our senses. In protecting dark skies, science, art, culture, heritage and the economy are intertwined to touch our hearts and minds for generations.” Jackson, who summarized the discussions, wrote, “Dark skies are bound up with the very identity of the region. For many, it is part of the regional legacy and way of life. Protection, preservation and promoting of dark skies supports the character of our region and gives us a unique regional selling point for visitors and businesses. The value we place on dark skies also supports our promotion of the region as one that fosters curiosity, cross-cultural understanding, exploration, creativity, critical thinking, and appreciation for science and the environment.” FBN For more information, visit FlagstaffDarkSkies.org.

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews SAVINGS continued from page 8

to provide opportunities for families that haven’t gone to college before. We love that it has opened up to tech schools, community colleges and apprenticeship programs.” Families can use savings to pay for various qualified student expenses at traditional colleges or universities, accredited technical training schools or U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship programs. That includes tuition, books, computers and other necessary supplies. Yee notes that new to the law, if you have to take the money out early, you can use withdrawals for K-12 expenses such as summer school and tuition-related fees. “Lots of flexibility has been added over the years,” she said. “Families can start saving with as little as $15, $25 or $150 a month, depending on the plan provider they select,” she said. “Families have three options and can pick what best fits their needs from a menu of choices.” The three options of the flexible Arizona plan include: College Savings Bank – families can choose from a high-yield savings account or one of three Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Representatives are available to help walk them through the enrollment process and answer questions by phone. Fidelity Investments – families enroll directly in their choice of a variety of mutual funds without going through financial advisors. Phone representatives are also available to help and answer questions. Waddell & Reed’s Ivy InvestEd 529 Plan – families can work through their financial advisors to select multiple investment options. Further, Fidelity offers a college gifting service that friends and families can use to send gifts directly to the 529 savings plan. Families can personalize gifting pages with photos, greetings and announcements about the child who will benefit from the education savings plan. Families can share links to the page on school graduations, birthdays or other gift-giving occasions. “Who knows what college costs will be in the future, so it’s better to start saving earlier than later. You’ll have earnings grow tax-free, and then when your child or grandchild is ready to go to college, it won’t come out of your current earnings,” said Burke. But Wendy Thompson of Absolute

SNOW PLAY continued from page 1

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Tax and Financial Solutions in Flagstaff warns taxpayers to check with their financial advisors before establishing an AZ529. “I don’t know that the 529 plan is right for my grandchildren,” Thompson said. “Distribution for a grandparent-owned AZ529 can reduce a student’s FAFSA financial package up to 50% of the value of the grandparent’s distribution.” FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid that students must complete to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school. “Weigh out your advantages with your financial advisor [to determine] which will provide you the better results in the end,” she advised. “Other savings plans such as a ROTH IRA also grow tax-free.” “529 plans and ROTH IRAs are very similar in a lot of ways,” said Montoya. “With ROTH, you have more flexibility – you can spend the distributions on anything once you reach the age retirement: 59 and a half. Yet, 529 plans tend to be superior vehicles when it comes to educational savings.” “529 plans are great tools – the Fidelity plans with the index funds is what I steer people towards,” said Montoya, who notes that his financial planning firm does not directly sell 529 plans, a commission-based fund product. Montoya Wealth Management is a fee-only financial planner and does not receive commissions. AZ529 plans must be filed by Dec. 31, 2021, to be eligible for deductions on next year’s taxes. More information about Arizona’s Education Savings Plan can be found at az529. gov. FBN

Flagstaff Snow Park at Fort Tuthill has reduced its capacity through the pandemic and is selling tickets online. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney Fresh Focuses Photography

in 2011. “I moved out to Highway 180 and the traffic was horrible in the wintertime. I’d see cars parked bumper to bumper and people sledding on the side of the road. The City of Flagstaff put out a bid for a snow play area on McMillan Mesa but it fell through. I was disappointed, which is part of why I responded to the 2016 Coconino County RFP [request for proposal] for snow play at Fort Tuthill. We wanted to make sure it came to fruition.” “Flagstaff Snow Park is a valued partner of Coconino County. They help people create wonderful experiences that are valued in a year such as this one,” said Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth. “Through consultation with the county’s Parks and Recreation and Health and Human Services departments, the Flagstaff Snow Park put together an operational plan that addresses COVID-19 protocols and includes online sales, social distanc-

ing, decreased capacity, required facemasks and increased cleaning of common-use areas.” “Our first season was really good. We did about 19,000 ticket sales using natural snowfall,” said Allen. “But, the following year was really dry, we only opened for five days.” Allen says at that point, they went back to the county board and explained that they needed snowmaking capabilities to make the operation viable. After going through the approval process, the owners put in a water line, which also will be used for the campground in the summer. Food trucks top off the Flagstaff Snow Park experience. “We looked at doing our own food,” said Crane. “But, honestly, we thought, ‘How can we involve people in our community?’ and we came up with the idea of food trucks. This was awesome because food trucks don’t typically do well in the winter.” Currently, food vendors

GROWTH continued from page 20

to use these PCM. With people trained and installing PCMs, Chamberlain will be able to grow the use of PCMs throughout the region, fighting climate change one house at a time. Learn more at http://cozyhomeaz. com/. Running a business is tough and not every business stands the test of time. Bee Well and CozyHome are the results of passion, opportunity and more work than most can imagine.

that energy at night, minimizing the temperature fluctuations in your home. This technology may be used in any structure and could be a valuable tool to fight climate change. The Business Retention and Expansion Incentive will allow Chamberlain to roll out a pilot program to retrofit homes and businesses with Phase Change Materials. The roll-out will also mean hiring and training people

include 3’s in the Trees, Square Root Burger, Momma Kneads Dough, Lou Dawgs and Single Speed Coffee Roasters. “Business has been great,” said Single Speed Coffee Owner Brad Richmann. “It’s been a huge blessing to work in the wintertime in the restaurant. Super appreciative of the ability to work there and those guys providing work for us and excited that people are still coming out without snow. They have invested money to enhance the park and make light in a dark situation.” According to a 2019 study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute at NAU’s W.A. Franke College of Business, the overall contribution of Flagstaff Snow Park’s operations is more than $5 million to the local economy. FBN For tickets and more information, visit flagstaffsnowpark.com.

Both businesses competed in small business assistance programs delivered by the Flagstaff City Council. Both businesses are being awarded for their innovation and perseverance to make the world a better place. Congratulations to Bee Well and to CozyHome! FBN John Saltonstall is the business retention and expansion manager for the City of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Business News // FEBRUARY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

RESILIENCY continued from page 16

alive,” as my mother would say. Bring on your KFC Confidence. If you don’t think you are interesting, adopt a hobby or an exotic pet, take classes, travel. I found myself surfing alongside a lifestyle model named Brianne in Maui one sunny morning. She makes money by living her life, her lifestyle, on camera. Wet or dry, she brings her Osmond smile and fearless composure. And, click. She’s in a magazine, enjoying her life, earning a living. Everything about her beams with the joy of who she is and what she’s doing. And, that’s attractive. She lives Camera Ready. Join me in this pre-COVID exercise. Let’s make you the surfer. You’re having a playdate with the Sea and the Sea wants to roughhouse. You’re getting “maytagged” – a term kayakers use when they’ve been thrashed around by a body of water as if they were in a washing machine. So, after hours of this, you may be a little scraped up from being rolled and dragged across the sandy, rocky ocean bottom and your eyes feel like they are floating in little buckets of saltwater. But, you have been living in the moment and are ecstatically happy. You switch out of your swimsuit and into whatever is in your car – which is probably the most beat-up pair of cut-offs you didn’t know you owned and a faded, stretched-out

shirt given to you at a Padres game when you were 16. Why do you keep these old clothes? No one knows. Did you bother combing your hair, or applying some lotion or even Chapstick? Nope. And now, you’re hungry. You are going into a lively restaurant where there are many humans and if you thought about it, you might realize you would not even chance taking out the garbage or walking to your mailbox looking like this. But here you are, dressed in rags, sunburned and surf-rashed with swollen eyes and wild hair. The place is soooo crowded. And you feel soooo fortunate to get one of the very last tables. As you walk all the way through the restaurant, past the stage with the ukulele player and his hula-dancing wife, you notice how everyone else actually did comb their hair and put on real clothes. You may begin to feel a little uncomfortable. Could you look worse? Probably not. Do you want to engage in a conversation with a stranger like this? Did you bring your outgoing self, ready to sing along in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and jump in with your own hula moves? I’m thinking not. So, you find your chair, avoid all eye contact and focus on a spot on the exit door to stare at. Yes. Good idea. Let’s take the food to go and exit. And that’s exactly when Oppor-

tunity shows up. Before you can say “Remington Steele,” the exit door opens and you lock eyes with – wait for it – Pierce Brosnan, in all his smiling, 6-foot-1, Irish movie-star handsomeness. And, guess what? He looks better in person than he does in “Mamma Mia!” He is the epitome of Camera Ready. You also notice, there is only one table left in this family restaurant and it’s within a scrunched-up arm’s reach of you. Yup. And that’s where the Tiki Man Pizza wait staff is delivering James Bond. Now, consider what you would give to be Camera Ready at this moment. If you think this cannot happen, I’m here to tell you it happened to me. In my fantasy world, Pierce and I shook hands as he squeezed his tall, dark self by me into his chair. His wife, Keely Shaye Smith – a journalist and film producer – and I hit it off immediately. We talked about our next projects. And she says, “I need a writer. Are you available?” We had a spirited conversation, huge laughs and made plans to meet up again soon at another local restaurant, with hula dancing. Sadly, this is not how it went. Instead, Pierce squeezed by me and I stood up to give him more room. That’s right. I tried to back away from Pierce Brosnan. He shook my hand

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and in his most charming booming Irish accent, said my name! “You’re a very Bonnie Bonnie!” Keely was kind and wonderfully approachable and James Bond was calling me pretty. I was struggling to look him in the eye. I was shaken and stirred. My posture was begging forgiveness for showing up anywhere looking like this. Pierce and Keely lingered and were thoroughly enjoying the neighborhood hangout. I wanted to bolt. And, you might say, “Bonnie, give yourself a break. You were surfing all day. Of course you weren’t at your best. So what if you’re scraped up and bruised with out-of-control frizzy hair, bloodshot eyes and draped in the worst possible clothes you own? You were simply caught off guard!” But then I would say, “That’s a great excuse, but it doesn’t change the outcome or the fact that my cutoffs were clinging to me by threads. And, by the way, I have no doubt Brianne back in Maui would have been Camera Ready. So what’s my problem?” The point is, I believe both Brianne and Marie could have been pummeled all day by waves, scarfed down KFC or Tiki Man Pizza and still have had an engaging, maybe even life-changing conversation with Pierce and Keely, because they understand the importance of being ready – Camera Ready.

This, I believe, is why some people seem lucky. Good things happen for them because they show up, ready for Opportunity. Truly, anything can happen in life because that’s the thing about Opportunity. She loves a surprise and she will bring it. But you have to bring it, too. Know what makes you feel Camera Ready and get to that place. You want to be out there showing off your best moves, you’re I’m-having-somuch-fun-you’ll-want-to-come-hula-with-me attitude and your sunny KFC Confidence. Trust me, because what’s not fun is slinking away and hiding behind a ukulele player and his hula-dancing wife in a tight space. Honestly, wouldn’t you rather be having a finger-licking good time with James Bond? FBN

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@ gmail.com.

121 E. Birch Avenue, Suite 408 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone 928.864.7440 Fax 928.226.0303 Email: troy@flagstaffbusinessnews.com www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com Publisher: Troy Bix Account Executives Ann Herrington | 520-420-5507 Ann@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Regina Salas | 928-699-4272 regina@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Deborah “DMK” Mainville-Knight 928-460-4330 dmk@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Editor Bonnie Stevens | 928-380-4349 bonnie.stevens@gmail.com Copy Editor Carolyn Wendell | cwendell@gmail.com Design & Production Rob Ghosh Design | rob@robghosh.com

Website Content Director Darren Choate admin@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Photography V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography, Aspen ProMedia, Betsey Bruner, Sue Marceau Contributing Writers Betsey Bruner, Sue Marceau, Patty McCormac, Ray Newton, Kevin Schindler, Bonnie Stevens, Veronica Tierney, Stacey Wittig Flagstaff Business News is a publication of Flagstaff Business News, LLC and is distributed free each month to residents of Flagstaff, Sedona, Williams and Winslow. Reproduction of any portion of the publication is strictly prohibited without expressed permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements submitted to the newspaper and is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

FEBRUARY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

WINE continued from page 1

Australia and New Zealand, along with 43 U.S. states. “Some guy called me and it was the middle of the night,” Arnold said. “I’m like, ‘Where are you?’ He said he was in Hobart, Tasmania.” A local bar was hosting a Caduceus Merkin wine tasting event and there was a line to get in. Arnold encourages Arizona residents to make a day trip out of visiting Cottonwood and Jerome. In Jerome, guests can sip wine and get a haircut at the in-house barber at Caduceus, or pick up a vinyl or two at the record store. Wine enthusiasts can experience tasting rooms by different businesses on both sides of the street. The area is a short drive to the Southwest Wine Center in Clarkdale. “We want people to experience Arizona,” Arnold said. “Whether you already live here or not, we’d like to show off our little corner.” FBN

Winemaker Maynard James Keenan is the owner of Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria. Courtesy photo

Arnold says the soil in a particular region plays a big role in the end product. “I have brought winemakers here and some of them will absolutely reach into the ground and pick up and taste a rock. That will tell them kind of the story of that place.” Arnold said the environment around the vineyard could also change the way the wine tastes. “I mean, you may have flowers growing right next to the vineyard,” Arnold said. “The bees and the pollen –

some of the characteristics and things like lavender can absolutely find their way into the soil. Just coming outside of Sedona, that’s ancient sea there. There are some times where you may be able to pick up saline because there is still saline and salt in that soil.” The wine growers stick to what works best with varieties of grapes that thrive in Arizona’s hot, dry conditions. Wines can range from $20 to more than $100 per bottle, depending on the type and brand.

Red wines found in the Spain and Portugal region, such as Tempranillo and Grenache, and a white wine, Alvarinho, are among those featured at the tasting room locations. “With us, it was a lot of trial and error,” Arnold said. “Ultimately, we are in Arizona. It’s an up-and-coming region. Even though we may have liked this particular grape, it didn’t want to be here.” But what did want to be here has found its market. The wine is sold in

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For more information, visit caduceus.org or merkinvineyards.org.

COMPUTER continued from page 4

Navy in both active and reserve duty, where he was involved in air security. He has a college and university background, and currently teaches at Yavapai College. He, his wife and two children currently live in Yarnell. “His computer knowledge is excellent,” said YC Dean John Morgan. “He has taken the program to new heights because of his computer knowledge of simulation.” Soumilas is from New Jersey but has been in Arizona most of his adult career. He had owned a high tech and computer company in Phoenix for 15 years but opted to move with his family to Prescott several years ago, where he started his current business. Soumilas earned a degree in computer sciences from the University of Phoenix. He serves almost 400 clients throughout the Quad Cities area and Central and Northern Arizona. FBN Fisher can be contacted at 928-8481849 or fisherpchelpl@gmail.com. Soumilas can be reached at 928-7197724 or northernazit.com.

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