Monthly Archives: June 2013

The Surprising Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

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By Pina LoGiudice

Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn’t true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart-healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in a few different ways.

What are the health benefits of coconut oil?

Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus and candida.

Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood-sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Can coconut oil reduce cholesterol?

Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.

How does coconut help keep weight balanced?

Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.

Read more at Dr. Oz

To there and back again.

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Zipline ride almost complete.

Zipline ride almost complete.

UPDATE: The Zipline began operation on Wednesday, June 12.

WILLIAMS—The Historic Route 66 Zipline across Grand Canyon Blvd appears near completion.

For fifteen twelve-dollars, one can now ride a seat up to the towers set up by the community stage. There they can travel the ten-seconds, or so, back down to the starting point.

The travel will give you the opportunity to take in the scenic view of Grand Canyon Blvd and the city dumpsters.

You might want to rethink parking in the city parking or the Visitor Center parking. If you do, remember that the car wash is only a couple of blocks down and on the left on Railroad Avenue.

Presidential Proclamation — Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2013

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729px-1885_History_of_US_flags_medFLAG DAY AND NATIONAL FLAG WEEK, 2013

– – – – – – –

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Each June, our Nation lifts its sights to the flag that has watched over us since the days of our founding. In those broad stripes and bright stars, we see the arc of the American story — from a handful of colonies to 50 States, united and free.

When proud patriots took up the fight for independence, they came together under a standard that showed their common cause. When the wounds of civil war were still fresh and our country walked the long road to reconstruction, our people found hope in a banner that testified to the strength of our Union. Wherever our American journey has taken us, whether on that unending path to the mountaintop or high above into the reaches of space, Old Glory has followed, reminding us of the rights and responsibilities we share as citizens.

This week, we celebrate that legacy, and we honor the brave men and women who have secured it through centuries of service at home and abroad. Let us raise our flags high, from small-town storefronts to duty stations stretched around the globe, and let us look to them once more as we press on in the march toward a more perfect Union.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day” and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as “National Flag Week” and call upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2013, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 9, 2013, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

Arizona Collectibles and Firearms gun show this weekend

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WILLIAMS—The Arizona Collectibles and Firearms gun show provides the perfect venue for fathers this weekend. The gun show will be held this Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th at the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds in Williams. The show times are from 9 am to 5 pm and 9am to 4 pm respectively. The cost to enter the show is $7 for one day and $10 for both days. Look for a $2 discount coupon. Gun show dealers and purchasers are reminded that they are obligated to follow all applicable laws.

Williams Authors Association meets in Williams

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ValJesse O'Feeny reads to the group from her autobiography.

ValJesse O’Feeny reads to the group from her autobiography.

WILLIAMS—It was a hot, sweaty Saturday morning in the little City of Williams. The shade of the taped, parchment colored tarp covering the dirt courtyard surrounded by the western town of the Wild West Junction.

Surrounding me, drug deals are looming. Political corruption reigns as money changes hands for power and favor. Murder is a way of life.

I’m covering the monthly meeting of the Northern Arizona Authors Association in Williams at the Wild West Junction.

The Northern Arizona Authors group meets in various locations once a month around 10 o’clock. The idea is to read portions of their latest works for critique and to encourage writers and potential writers. Anyone is welcome and there are no dues. If you are an author, you can bring a portion of your work to read.

If you have not started, perhaps this is the inspiration you will need to release that one book inside of you.

Hailey, Idaho holds rally in support of Sergent Bergdhal

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flierHAILEY, IDAHO—During the Run for the Wall motorcycle rally, the east coast group Rolling Thunder highlighted the plight of Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl who was captured by insurgents in Afghanistan. This month, a local group in plan a Bring Bowie Back rally in his home State of Idaho.

Sergeant Bergdahl was taken captive on June 30, 2009 as a private and promoted in abstentia. The administration has made attempts to rescue him, but all have failed. He is currently the only known, living prisoner of war.

Stefanie O’Neill, one of the organizers of the event, said that the event started as a tree dedication in a local park, “… but as people heard about the event, it started growing at a rapid rate and has evolved into a full blown rally with both locals and supporters from across the County attending. This will be largest rally for Bowe every held. I am completely overwhelmed by the support pouring in from around the Country for this event.”

Hailey Chief of Police Jeff M. Gunter will escort the rally to the capitol city of Boise

Hailey Chief of Police Jeff M. Gunter will escort the rally to the capitol city of Boise

This is the first year of the event, “…started as an effort to show the Bergdahl Family that their hometown and surrounding communities in the Wood River Valley have not forgotten Bowe,” Stefanie said.

Debbie O’Neill explained that 500 motorcycles are expected to meet in Jerome, Idaho at the Flying J. Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter will escort the rally participants 50 miles to Bellevue where they will meet with another motorcycle group from Boise. Chief Gunter will escort the entire group to the event in Boise scheduled for the 22nd of June.

While the event is centered in Idaho, any riders from any State are welcome to attend the event.

The event is supported by the POW Network, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Group and smaller motorcycle and military groups from the Northwest. The Northeast, Pocatello and Boise Chapters of the POW/MIA organization from Idaho will be attending. In addition, the Elko Nevada POW/MIA Organization are supporting the event. More will probably be added by the date of the event.

If you wish to learn more about the event, you visit the web site for more information.


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Business as usual for Sheriff’s deputies.

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FLAGSTAFF—Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies were busy Tuesday following a DUI and finding $23K of marijuana in a tire.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at about 6:30 pm Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a blue Chevy pickup driving recklessly on Silver Saddle Road in the Doney Park area. Upon their arrival Deputies found three vehicles had been struck by the suspect vehicle as it traveled on Silver Saddle Road. An off duty Flagstaff Police Officer witnessed the collisions and followed the vehicle to a residence on Stardust Trail. The off duty officer waited for deputies to arrive and assisted with pointing out the Chevy truck and the driver involved in the collisions. Deputies made contact with the driver at the residence, observed him and detected physical indicators of impairment.

Deputies arrested 39 year old Jimmy Curley, Jr. of Flagstaff, Arizona for DUI and transported him to the Coconino County Detention Facility for additional DUI testing. During the investigation deputies discovered Curley had been arrested for DUI on two previous occasions by the Sheriff’s Deputies since April 30, 2013. Those cases are still pending court appearances. Curley’s license also was determined to be suspended at the time of Tuesday’s arrest.

Jimmy Curley was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, Endangerment, and Leaving the scene of an accident. Curley is currently being held on a $45,000 bond for these charges.

Also on Tuesday, Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies seized 37 pounds of marijuana out of a tire at a vehicle salvage yard on Leupp Road. The marijuana was discovered after a customer of the U-Pick-It Salvage Yard removed the tire from a pile of scrap tires. While an employee attempted to remove the tire from the rim, they discovered the marijuana between the tire and rim. The employee called the Sheriff’s Office to report the suspicious packages. A total of 12 individually wrapped packages of marijuana were removed from the tire. Investigators are working with salvage yard employees in an attempt to determine which vehicle the tire and wheel were mounted on.

According to officers assigned to the Northern Arizona Metro Street Crimes Task Force, the current average street value for one pound of marijuana in this area is estimated to be about $625.00 which would value the entire load at about $23,125.

If you lost this merchandise, you can call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523 to claim it.

Lost 14 Year Old Hiker Located in Paria Canyon

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PAGE—Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter from Flagstaff and the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office located and rescued a lost 14 year old boy, who had become separated from his party while hiking Paria Canyon.

Around 11:00 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a lost hiker in the Paria Canyon in Northern Arizona, just off the Utah border. A church Boy Scout group from Mesa, AZ consisting of a scout leader and six scouts were on day two of a multi-day hike in the canyon. The group had entered the canyon at the Wire Pass Trailhead.

At some time Wednesday afternoon, the 14 year old boy became separated from his party. Due to a lack of communication from inside the canyon, the scout leader hiked the group out to Lee’s Ferry where they reported the lost subject.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit requested assistance from DPS Ranger Helicopter, while searchers from Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area to conduct ground searches.

The DPS Air Rescue Helicopter and crew flew into the canyon and located the missing boy around 3:30 am. The flight crew was able to land the helicopter in the canyon and transported the boy out to Lee’s Ferry.

The boy had become separated when he stopped due to a muscle cramp. He attempted to catch up to his party, but could not do so before nightfall. The boy walked back up the canyon to a wide area in the canyon, where he placed his sleeping bag out in the open to be visible for searchers. He was medically assessed on scene and suffered no injuries. Search and Rescue crews transported the boy to Flagstaff, where he was reunited with his parents.

The availability and response of the DPS Air Rescue Helicopter was invaluable in the quick location and recovery of the hiker.

Arizona Cowpunchers Rodeo returns to Williams

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Real Cowboys

Real Cowboys


WILLIAMS—It’s summer and rodeo season is here. The Arizona Cowpunchers rodeo returns to the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds in Williams this month. The Cowpunchers rodeo features real working cowboys much like the first rodeo in Prescott in 1888. While it has grown over the years, most of the cowboys in this rodeo are from central and northern Arizona.

Make plans to see the performances at 1 p.m. starting Friday, June 21st through the 23rd. There is a barn dance Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

If you are visiting from anywhere, but especially from a foreign land, this is the rodeo you must see if you are interested in western culture.

Pro wrestling comes to Williams

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WILLIAMS—Williams will have it’s first professional wrestling match tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Williams High School gym. The gym is located at 440 S. 7th street. It is just up the street from the Williams Medical Clinic.

The card includes:

1. Dexter Verity vs. Super Rich

2. Mercer vs. Parrallax

3. The Monstrous Mongo the Hobo vs. the Suburban Ninja

Intermission/Sell merchandise

4. Ram Rock vs. Alex Sage

5. R3 vs. Jay Garland

6. THE MAIN EVENT
Pete “the Heat” Petrocelli vs. Graves

These are the scheduled matches and there are other fun things planned in between matches to keep the crowd excited and wanting more.

The match is set up by former pro wrestler-turned-Pastor Andy McDaniel of the First Baptist Church of Williams. He has been offering pro wrestling training for the community for some time giving the youth another activity.