Advent Concerts begin next Sunday at the Episcopal Church

The annual Advent Concerts begin Sunday, December 2nd at the Episcopal-Lutheran Church on 2nd and Grant in Williams. Each concert begins at 4 p.m. each Sunday with a reception following. The concerts are free and open to all, but a donation is gratefully appreciated.

The first concert features bluegrass music. Reverend Ann Johnson describes this concert as guitar-picking and a lot of fun.

The second concert December 9th features the twenty-voice Arizona Mountain Chorale of Flagstaff.

The third concert on December 16th will feature the principle harpist of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Elgin.

Finally on the 23rd the program features lessons in carols with special music.

Second street is closed because of the city Christmas tree. To reach the Episcopal Church take a right turn onto Third Street from Route 66 and a left turn on Grant. If you are traveling west on Railroad from Flagstaff, turn left on First Street. Go through Route 66 and turn right onto Grant at the post office.

Would legalizing marijuana actually increase problems?

With the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington and marijuana dispensaries being all the rage, YouTube video reporter Steven Crowder takes a humorous, but insightful, look into the legalization of the drug.

His report makes some interesting discoveries such as the fact that some people get a prescription for the drug to purchase from dispensaries and sell on the open market. He makes the point, as well, that pro-marijuana organizations claiming the drug is not that harmful may actually cause kids who would otherwise stray from the drug to try it.

While Crowder does not take either side of the cause, he does make some interesting points interviewing people concerned with various sides of the issue.

Marine Corps heroes in need of good home.

There is a story circulating—with this patriotic picture—that the Marine Corps is searching for homes for 400 improvised explosive device sniffing dogs. According to an email from Brian Miller of the IED Detector Dog program, this is not totally true. The Marine Corps is seeking to transfer these animals to law enforcement agencies in need of them.

Treeson In Williams!

WILLIAMS—After a day at Bearizona, a parade through the heart of downtown on Route 66, the City of Williams turned on its official Christmas tree blocking 2nd Street between Route 66 and Grant.

That is not the only tree that is on. Trees are decorated for visitors coming into town from each direction except South Road. Visitors can tour the city to find houses lit throughout the city. Beginning next Sunday at 4 pm, St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church will hold Advent concerts each Sunday leading up to their Christmas meeting. Visitors and residents are welcome to come and enjoy the music and song of the season.

Many people started Saturday with a trip to Bearizona; still open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bearizona is the wildlife drive-through park it Williams which houses American Bison, Arctic wolves, and, of course, bears. Kids were treated to a visit with Santa and all of the visitors were treated to watching the animals open their “presents.”

Bears dig into their presents full of goodies at Bearizona.

The Polar Express still runs twice an evening to visit Santa at the North Pole. Bearizona is remaining open and downtown shops are stocked up.

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Tree ready to light

Houses around Williams decorated and lit in anticipation for Saturday.

WILLIAMS—The Second Street tree is decorated and awaiting the festivities for Saturday which includes a parade, piñata, Bearizona, a matinee Polar Express and shopping.

Events start with the 9th Annual Holiday Craft show on Saturday to benefit the SAVE-Meant to Rescue organization which rescues animals in Williams. The event will run from 10 am to 5 pm at the Sultana Theater; 301 W. Route 66.

At 3 p.m. a Piñata de Navidad celebration will be held at the Babbit-Polson Community Stage by the Williams Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue. Three piñatas for kids of all ages.

Bearizona Wild Animal drive-through park will be open at 8 am with the last car being admitted at 4:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for kids to see animals roaming free. At the end of your journey you can stretch your legs and see some animals close-up. Plus raptor shows three times a day. Please obey all park rules for a safe journey.

This is also a great time to be part of the Polar Express departing each evening at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. There is a special matinee trip at 3:30.

Finally the Parade of Lights begins at 6:30 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the completion of the parade.

Look for the shopping mat and buy local.

Of course all shops will be open to purchase those unique Route 66 gifts for friends and family back home. The restaurants will be stocked and read to feed. Twister’s on the east end of Route 66 and the Red Raven right downtown have both been named Top Ten places to eat in Arizona in various years by Arizona Highways magazine.

Thanksgiving Fun

Twas the Night of Thanksgiving,

But I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned –
The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation
With all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
Gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
‘Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees….
Happy eating to all – pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ‘n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious.
May your pies take the prize,
May your thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all

And to all… pumpkin pie


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The Facts of the Attack in Benghazi Are Far Worse Than Reported

Matt Bruce, NMJ News

According to highly trusted sources, US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was targeted by al Qaeda of the Magreb, lured to Benghazi by al Qaeda operatives in the Libyan Security Forces, and kidnapped in the course of a diversionary attack on the consulate. He was missing for eight hours, during which time he was beaten and brutalized before he was murdered, not unlike the way that Muammar Ghadhaffi was murdered. Photographs are too graphic to reproduce here.

The Obama Administration was actually warned that “possible” attacks were looming on the 11th anniversary of September 11th as soon as September 4th during a White House Intel briefing run by National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon.

Extremely sensitive documents were taken from the Consulate in Benghazi, including lists of operatives and locations of safe houses in Libya. One of these so-called “safe house” in Benghazi, where the staff had retreated, came under sustained mortar fire during the attack. Other such refuges across the country are no longer considered to be “safe,” because of the capture of the documents. It is now assumed that a breach in security led to the attack, which was carried out on the eleventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States.

According to senior diplomatic sources, the US State Department received credible intelligence of the planned operation 48 hours before the attack on the Consulate in Benghazi, and the embassy in Cairo.They were warned that American missions might be targeted, but no warnings were given for diplomats to go on “high alert” and put their facilities and personnel in “lockdown,” under which movement is severely restricted. We now hear our US Marines in Cairo were armed with pepper gas and stun guns but no live ammunition to defend themselves in case of an armed attack per a US State Department directive.

Read more at The New Media Journal

SEE ALSO: WH Won’t Release Photos of Obama Team During Benghazi Attack

Leahy scuttles his warrantless e-mail surveillance bill

Sen. Patrick Leahy has abandoned his controversial proposal that would grant government agencies more surveillance power — including warrantless access to Americans’ e-mail accounts — than they possess under current law.

The Vermont Democrat said today on Twitter that he would “not support such an exception” for warrantless access. The remarks came a few hours after a CNET article was published this morning that disclosed the existence of the measure.

A vote on the proposal in the Senate Judiciary committee, which Leahy chairs, is scheduled for next Thursday. The amendments were due to be glued onto a substitute (PDF) to H.R. 2471, which the House of Representatives already has approved.

Leahy’s about-face comes in response to a deluge of criticism today, including the American Civil Liberties Union saying that warrants should be required, and the conservative group FreedomWorks launching a petition to Congress — with more than 2,300 messages sent so far — titled: “Tell Congress: Stay Out of My Email!”

Read more at CNET