Monthly Archives: December 2015

State Route 67 to Grand Canyon’s North Rim closed for winter season

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has closed State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for the winter season effective Tuesday, Dec. 1.

ADOT doesn’t clear snow from SR 67 during the winter since North Rim visitor accommodations are closed. The highway reopens each spring, usually around mid-May. US 89A remains open during the winter.

In addition, State Route 473, a 10-mile-long highway that provides direct access to the Hawley Lake recreational area in the White Mountains region, is closed for the winter.

ADOT reminds motorists heading into snow country to drive with caution and follow this advice:

• Slow down. Drive defensively. Be patient and allow additional time for your trip. Never pass a snowplow.
• Pack an emergency kit, a fully charged cellphone, extra clothing, water and snacks.
• Leave sufficient space between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Give yourself plenty of room and time to stop or to avoid hazards.
• If stopped on the roadway, leave room for emergency vehicles to get around you.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.
• If you slide off the roadway, stay with your vehicle. The Department of Public Safety or ADOT will respond.
• Check weather and road conditions before you travel. Let someone know your route.
• Bring a small bag of sand (or cat litter) for wheel traction.

Additional information on winter driving is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 511 or visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features camera images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

Fire equipment vendors invited to information session

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The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region announces an information meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. MST via video teleconference at Forest Service offices throughout Arizona.

The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including:

  • How to become a government vendor
  • How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system
  • How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment

In fiscal year 2016, the Southwestern Region is seeking competitive quotations for Water Handling Equipment, which includes Engines, Support Water Tenders, and Tactical Water Tenders with trained operators to support wildfires during the course of a three-year agreement.

Interested vendors can obtain copies of the solicitations at https://www.fbo.gov. Type VIPR into the keyword search box and press Search to obtain a list of VIPR solicitations from all over the country. Look for the ones from the Southwestern Region, Region 3. You can also search on Solicitation No. AG-8371-S-16-7000.

Vendors can attend the meeting at any of the following Arizona locations:

Apache-Sitgreaves NFs — Supervisor’s Office
30 S. Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ

Coconino NF — Supervisor’s Office
1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ

North Kaibab Ranger District
430 South Main Street, Fredonia, AZ

Prescott Fire Center
2400 Melville Road, Prescott, AZ

Tonto NF — Supervisor’s Office
2324 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ

Tucson Fire Center
2646 E. Commerce Center Place, Tucson, AZ

For information about VIPR go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php or contact Anne Weiskircher, Region 3 Fire Contracting Officer, at aweiskircher@fs.fed.us.

St John’s Advent concerts great entertainment

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Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

WILLIAMS — The celebration of the lighting of the tree in Williams did not stop on Saturday. On Sunday at 4 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church began their annual series of Advent concerts.
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The series started with the choir from St. John’s led by George Albers. The choir consisted of Annie Albers, Gary Arend, Natalie Arend, Nancy Danyow, Julia Glaab, Dindy Harbeson-Geyman, Gloria Job, Ken Malpas and Kristine Vasquez.

George Albers gave a solo of Ave Maria and Pastor Marc McDonald sang I Wonder As I Wander. I was quite unprepared for the voice of Pastor McDonald.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

The concert was also a worship service with Biblical reading. They included Luke 2:1-6 and 13, John 3:1-17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:1-11, Exodus 19:3-7 and Luke 1:46-50.
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The Choir sang a series of holiday favorites on occasion getting the visitors to join in. The voices of the choir grew since last year and they made good use of the additions.

Afterward there was a reception hosted by the Director of Social Gatherings Sally Burcham.64015-11-29-22There are three more concerts scheduled on Sunday December 6, 13 and 20 beginning at 4 p.m. at St. John’s at 202 W. Grant next to the Christmas tree. The upcoming entertainment includes the Andrew Hamby Family, the Choirs of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church along with the choir from St. John’s, and flutist Anthony Flesch with guitarist Joel Rieck.

The concerts are free so they should make a welcome addition for your Polar Express, Bearizona Wild Wonderland or other holiday plans.

Bearizona lights up Wild Wonderland

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From Bearizona video

From Bearizona video

WILLIAMS — Bearizona is excited to announce that this winter, the park will be open on select nights for their own version of zoo lights called Wild Wonderland.

Enjoy the magic of Bearizona at night when 100,000 lights dance in tune to traditional Christmas music. The light show runs every half hour and gets better and better the darker it gets! Mrs. Claus visits from the North Pole for a special story time twice a night. Bearizona’s program animal room is open nightly where folks can get up-close and learn more about our adorable program critters. There are plenty of photo opportunities for families to take pictures, and coffee, cocoa and Christmas goodies are available for purchase in the new 12,000 square gift shop.

The event will run Friday/Saturday/Sunday Evenings (November 29 – December 13), then every evening (December 14- December 27). Wild Wonderland is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

The event hours are 5:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. in Fort Bearizona walk through area. The drive through portion of the park is closed during wild wonderland. Admission to this event is a separate charge from regular park admission and is $10 for anyone 4 years of age and older.

Schedule of Events:
3:30 p.m. drive through closes
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Program Animal Open House (Located in the back of the gift shop)
6:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Claus story time in the gift shop
5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Synchronized light show (every half hour)
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