Bearizona Howly Growly Owly festival weekends

Howly-6970WILLIAMS – Howly Halloween, Batman! Bearizona is hosting Howly Growly Owly Festival weekends in October. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume and those that do will get a “beary” special treat.

Don’t forget to judge their scary bear scarecrow for the scarecrow contest being sponsored by the Williams Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce. Pick up an entry form at any participating merchant and judge at least nine scarecrows. You must get a sticker from the merchant. Drop off your entry at the Chamber of Commerce in the Williams-Kaibab National Forest Visitor Center by October 28th and you could win a gift basket.

Festivities Include:

Howl-O-Ween Express: Hop on the windowless bus that takes visitors through the drive-through animal exhibits. This is about as close as you are going to get to our animals, so you don’t want to miss out. Patrons can howl with the wolves in the Alaskan Tundra & Arctic Wolf enclosure and watch the bison interact with a special Howl-O-Ween enrichment treat. Bus rides depart from the Fort Bearizona parking lot at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Howly-012Growly Bear Cave: Those who dare can walk through our super scary Haunted Mine Shaft (PG-13 Rated)

Raptor Show: Guests should plan to catch an Owly Raptor Show at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m., after visiting Fort Bearizona’s baby and smaller animals.

Howly-4293Wandering Entertainers: Every Saturday and Sunday between 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. members from Circus Bacchus are here to entertain guests with juggling performances, balloon twisting and more.

Photo Ops: Several areas of the park are decorated in different themes so visitors can take photos with their families.


Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

I-17 southbound ramp to be closed at JW Powell Boulevard

FLAGSTAFF – Access to the I-17 southbound off-ramp at Exit 337 (JW Powell Boulevard) will be closed from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, to complete preparations for new ramp construction. This work is part of the intersection improvement project currently underway which includes a new roundabout and realignment of SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard.

The recommended detour for southbound I-17 connections to the Flagstaff Airport and to SR 89A is to continue southbound on I-17 past Exit 337, then exit at Kachina Trail/Mountainaire Road (Exit 333). Detour signage will be in place to assist travel in the area.

I-17 southbound ramp to be closed at JW Powell Boulevard

adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Access to the I-17 southbound off-ramp at Exit 337 (JW Powell Boulevard) will be closed on Monday, Oct. 20, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to install a temporary concrete barrier in preparation for new ramp construction. This work is part of the intersection improvement project currently underway which includes a new roundabout and realignment of SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard.

The recommended detour for southbound I-17 connections to the Flagstaff Airport and to SR 89A is to continue southbound on I-17 past Exit 337, then exit at Kachina Trail/Mountainaire Road (Exit 333). Detour signage will be in place to assist travel in the area.

Paving to occur at Route 66 and Switzer Canyon intersection in Flagstaff

adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Travelers heading east- and westbound through Flagstaff on Route 66 (Milton Ave.) can expect delays Monday and Tuesday Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., including work Tuesday night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. while maintenance crews mill and pave the intersection following repairs to the water main. Traffic northbound on Switzer Canyon Road will also experience restrictions during the repair and paving activity. Travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction at the intersection while construction is underway. Please exercise caution while driving in and around the construction zone.

Scottsdale BASIS Fifth-Grade Student Selected Winner Of Nationwide No Burn Day Video Contest


PHOENIX – Piper Sehman, a fifth-grade student at BASIS School in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills resident, has been selected winner of the nationwide No Burn Day Video Contest, sponsored by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Maricopa County Air Quality Department.

Piper’s 30-second video, which used animated Lego characters, was selected by a panel of judges as best overall and most creative. It delivered the message of why Phoenix metropolitan residents should not burn wood in fireplaces, outdoor fire pits and chimineas on high pollution advisory days during the winter, especially during the holiday season, because of the negative effects of soot on public health.

“Piper’s innovative video succinctly delivered a message about the benefits of cleaner air during our holiday season in a way that really engages the viewer,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Eric Massey.

Nick Sehman, Piper’s father, said she worked on the video for dozens of hours after learning the animation style from her brother, and “our whole family is very excited about this since this is the first time Piper has entered a contest.” Piper received a certificate of achievement from the central figure in the video contest part of this year’s campaign, the super hero No Burn Man, at a BASIS School assembly today.


Stephanie Zlateva of Mountain View, California, received an honorable mention from the judges for a video she created on her iPad using cut-away images to deliver a strong message about refraining from generating wood smoke on No Burn days.

Both of the videos will be used in this year’s “No Burn Day? Don’t Burn Wood!” winter outreach campaign. The campaign is intended to raise public awareness of the harmful health impacts of wood burning on wintertime No Burn Days in Maricopa County. The campaign asks county residents and businesses to refrain from burning wood on days when a stagnant air inversion traps smoke in the Valley, resulting in a high pollution advisory or health watch designation.

Maryland Firm Recalls Lamb Products Produced Without Import Inspection

WASHINGTON – – E.&B.’s Natural Way, a Frederick, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 27,948 pounds of raw lamb products because they were not presented at the border for USDA-FSIS Import Inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists.

The lamb products were packaged on October 21, 2013, September 2, 20, 21 and 22, 2014. The following products are subject to recall:

  • Lamb Packs
  • Lamb Bone-In Legs
  • Lamb Boneless Legs
  • Lamb Saddles
  • Lamb Racks
  • Lamb Loins
  • Lamb Shoulders
  • Lamb Shanks
  • Lamb Trim
  • Lamb for Stew

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “IS A022 EFTA” and include a label indicating “Product of Iceland.” These products were shipped to retail establishments in Washington and Oregon where the products would have been repackaged.

The problem was discovered during a routine review using the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) database. ACE is a web-based portal for the collection and use of international trade data maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The failure-to-present was the result of the importing establishment not following appropriate procedures.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS issues a Public Health Alert for an imported product when the country of origin recalls the product. FSIS issues a recall for imported product when the product is not presented for inspection at the U.S. border.

A failure-to-present (FTP) occurs when importers fail to present a shipment to FSIS for import inspection prior to the product entering U.S. commerce. Failure-to-present will result in the recall of the product.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Blair Gordon, Owner, at (301) 471-5615.

AMS Health Sciences, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex

101031Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — AMS Health Sciences, LLC is notifying the public that it is recalling 2014 bottles of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex due to possible contamination of Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. To date, no illness or complaints have been reported to AMS Health Sciences, LLC.

A single lot of Saba Shark Cartilage Complex is the subject of this public announcement and recall as a result of a sample from one bottle that tested positive for Salmonella. This product is packaged in black screw-top bottles with the brand name “saba” in red letters, the product name “shark cartilage complex” in white letters, and a net quantity statement of “500 mg 60 capsules” in small white letters. Product from the affected lot can be identified by the Lot Number 416349 and an expiration date of 08/16, both of which are printed in black letters inside a white rectangle that is adjacent to the products “Suggested Use” instructions.

Product from this lot was sold to consumers through the internet site www.sabaforlife.com during the period of February through August 2014. AMS is initiating this recall out of caution for consumer health, even though numerous samples from the same Lot No. have tested negative for Salmonella.

Any consumer who purchased product with the lot number and expiration date above should dispose of it immediately and may request a refund by calling (866) 758-7222, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Central). If you have consumed the product and are experiencing any unusual or severe symptoms such as those described above, go to an emergency room immediately or contact your physician for immediate advice.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

JFC International Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in “Hapi Pudding”

ucm419328JFC International Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is voluntarily recalling all lot codes of its 3-pack Hapi Pudding with a net weight of 8.46 ounces (UPC 11152 13417), because they may contain undeclared milk. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the products.

The recalled product, “Hapi Pudding” was distributed nationwide to retail stores.

The product comes in a pack of three, weighing a total of 8.46 ounces, in clear plastic containers, with an orange and white seal on the top. The seal has the words “Hapi Pudding” with an image of a pudding. The 3 pack of pudding is plastic wrapped, with the product information found at the bottom of the product.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the milk-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk to the consumer. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an inadvertent omission on the label by the producer during the revision of the packaging process.

JFC has immediately responded to this issue and have already taken action to stop sales and distribution of the affected product.

Consumers who have purchased the product “Hapi Pudding” are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-633-1004, Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5pm PST.
ucm419326

Massachusetts Firm Recalls Chicken Products Due to Possible Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON – Shop Packaging LLC, a New Bedford, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 115,505 pounds of chicken wing products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products were processed with a releasing agent containing soy lecithin, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label.

This is a Class II recall which is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.

The chicken wing products were produced on various dates between August 8 and October 10, 2014. The following product is subject to recall:

  1. 20-lb. bags containing “Chicken Mid-joint Wing.”

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “P-46946” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products produced were shipped to a distribution location in New York.

The problem was discovered by a FSIS inspector. The company sprayed a vegetable and canola oil, which contains soy lecithin, on their conveyor belt. FSIS has determined that the spray has been used since August 8th of this year.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Ron Sylvia, President, at (508) 961-7552.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

New Hope Mills Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix

FDA Photo. Click for larger view.

FDA Photo. Click for larger view.

WASHINGTON – New Hope Mills Manufacturing of Auburn, NY is recalling all Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix because it may contain undeclared soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix was distributed to distributors and retailers in NY, PA, NH, OK, and FL.

The affected product, New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix, can be identified as a 16 OZ bag in a boxboard box. The box itself is primarily red and white, and includes on the front of box, the New Hope Mills logo along with a picture of the Chia Pancakes. The UPC code on the box reads “07470353012”. The boxes affected will have one of the following “Best By Dates” on the bottom of the box: 11/13/2014, 11/14/2014, 2/26/2015, 7/29/2015, 10/4/2015, 12/13/2015

No illnesses have been reported to date.

New Hope Mills was contacted on 10/15/2014 by The Raymond-Hadley Corp., the Contract Manufacturer of New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix. The Raymond-Hadley Corp. notified New Hope Mills that they had discovered that New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix was made with an ingredient containing soy and was produced and distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of soy.

Consumers who have purchased New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake and Waffle Mix are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 315-252-2676. Monday – Friday, 8am-4pm, EST.