Bearizona holds annual holiday special

800-141129-137WILLIAMS – Visitors to Bearizona on Saturday had a special treat. Not only did they have the opportunity to see the animals and see them get their Christmas meal, there was a special visit from Santa and Mrs. C.

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Bearzona recently broke ground on a new gift shop that will open in May just in time for the sixth anniversary of the park. The new gift shop will be located in the area where the raptor show used to take place.

New gift shop will be located behind where gift shop is now.

New gift shop will be located behind where gift shop is now.

The park keeps improving and recently completed a mountain setting for the Arctic wolves.
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More pictures on our Facebook page.

Spoiled Rotten pet boutique & supply opened today.

928-635-2172/517 E. Route 66, Williams

928-635-2172/517 E. Route 66, Williams

WILLIAMS – The new pet boutique and supply store, Spoiled Rotten, opened to an enthusiastic crowd today. The boutique is operated by partners Dan Jacoby and Traci Fulkerson of the Williams Veterinary Clinic on Third Street.

The current winter hours for the store are Thursday and Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store is located at 517 E. Route 66 in Williams not far from Many Tails pet grooming service.

The pet boutique is an extension of the service of the Veterinary clinic. Traci said that they are attempting to set us a store that will save people a trip to Flagstaff when it starts to snow. From what we saw the prices are comparable to Pet Smart, though they do not have the extensive stock. Like any other new business that will probably continue to grow with demand.

Bubba Rose Dog Biscuit.

Bubba Rose Dog Biscuit.


They offer Dog Speak greeting cards and treats from the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company. Both of which donate to animal causes. The treats come in a variety of shapes and are gluten, corn, wheat and soy-free. The frosting is made of yogurt.
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They carry Science Diet products as well as pet nutritional supplements. They have cat and dog toys and sweaters. They also carry “pee pads” and they have a few dog crates in stock. They also carry some fish food.
Maybe a good one for those who do not like solicitors.

Maybe a good one for those who do not like solicitors.

There are also t-shirts, hats and other items for the owners. There is a cat lady game and some interesting door mats.
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Council approves Dollar General liquor license

640-dollar-general-niteWILLIAMS – The City of Williams approved a Series #10 liquor license for the Dollar General store on Grand Canyon Boulevard. The license only allows the sale of beer and wine. City clerk Susan Kerley reported that the notice of the license application had been posted on the store for the required twenty-days and there were no comments filed. Clare Abel representing Dollar General said that they have liquor licenses in 20 States and are now applying for them in Arizona. The vote carried 4-0 after Councilman Fritsinger motioned to approve.

At the same meeting, Police Chief Herman Nixon welcomed Tim Magnuson and Anthony Ryan to the police force. Magnuson has twenty-years with Utah law enforcement while Ryan served in Flagstaff for nine-years. Chief Nixon said they are great fits for the Department. The council voted to approve the purchase of two vehicles for the police department 4-0.

Councilman Don Dent motioned to appoint Marci Freshour and Gil Hoffman to fill vacancies on the Golf Committee by the resignations of Brian James and Tom Hughes. The motion carried 4-0.

They also approved 4-0 an agreement with aircraft mechanic Jason Engelke of Grand Canyon Airlines to do maintenance work at the airport in exchange for the use of one hangar. City manager Brandon Buchanan said the city is on track to get ten-hangars in the spring.

(NOTE: Article based on final minutes from August 14 City Council meeting on City of Williams web site)

Jewelry store clerk saves store goods and maybe life with a firearm.

jim-andersonFLAGSTAFF – On June 24, 2014 at approximately 1115 hrs., two black male subjects entered the Jim Anderson’s Jewelry store at 2300 N. Fourth. The two subjects brandished handguns and attempted to rob the store.

The clerk was armed and responded by shooting towards the assailants. Neither of the assailants were injured and they left the store in a blue impala rental vehicle. The vehicle was located in the neighborhood area on Skyline. A ground search is being conducted at this time.

The two subjects were described as (1) B/M 6-2-6’3 wearing a white shirt and jeans, the second suspect (2) was described as a B/M 5’8-5’9. Both subjects should be considered armed and dangerous and if any observed or contact call the Flagstaff Police Department at 774-1414.

The Flagstaff Police Department is asking for public assistance in locating these two suspects and or any other information which will assist in the investigation of this crime. If you have any information regarding these two suspects or this crime please consider calling Silent Witness at 928 774 6111.

(Source: FLAGscanner.com)

Your car is a giant computer – and it can be hacked

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“Auto manufacturers are not up to speed,” said Ed Adams, a researcher at Security Innovation, a company that tests the safety of automobiles. “They’re just behind the times. Car software is not built to the same standards as, say, a bank application. Or software coming out of Microsoft.”

By Jose Pagliery, June 2, 2014: 3:33 PM ET

Imagine driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour, when suddenly the wheel turns hard right. You crash. And it was because someone hacked your car.

It’s not far-fetched science fiction. It’s the near-term future today’s hackers are warning about.

Most people aren’t aware their cars are already high-tech computers. And now we’re networking them by giving them wireless connectivity. Yet there’s a danger to turning your car into a smartphone on wheels: It makes them a powerful target for hackers.

Interviews with automakers, suppliers and security advisers reveal a major problem with the new wave of “connected” cars: The inside of your car has ancient technology that presents a security risk.

Read more at CNN Money

Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo well worth the visit

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The Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo at Tim’s Toyota Center. – Photo courtesy of Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo.

600px-aspe-logo-1PRESCOTT VALLEY – The word “survival” generally evokes images of toothless rednecks sitting in a hole atop cases of ammo clinging to their AR-15 assault rifle chewing on canned beef jerky while awaiting government troops to arrive. That is if you believe the image projected by the media and Southern Enriched-by-taxpayer-dollar Law Center.

While the scenario of government troops played out at the Bundy Ranch, recently, survival does not necessarily mean an encounter with government troops. We do not even have to use our imaginations to come up with alternate scenarios. The people affected by Katrina thought the government would take care of them. The people of Bellemont probably did not wake up expecting a tornado to rip through their town. The people of Oak Creek were probably not expecting a camper—or group of campers—to carelessly light a camp fire when we have had the driest season in recent memory. The list goes on. Survival preparedness is useful for any natural or man-made disaster or accidents in the home requiring medical attention.

On a more mundane level, many of these same products can be used for camping and fishing trips. Family picnics or gatherings in the home. Or just general everyday use, such as water filters and medical supplies.

Northern Arizona Gazette visited the Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo (Facebook) at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley on the 31st. After being passed through the efficient security personnel at Tim’s (who weren’t alerted to my coming), I got to get a look inside. The exposition run by Lance and his wife Lisa and a minimal staff feature not only the vendors, but guest speakers as well. Their mission is to provide vendors and information to assist citizens of Arizona in preparing for natural or man-made survival situations.

The booths at the exposition were not all about survival. A couple of politicians had booths as well as Arizona organizations. The Arizona Citizens Defense League which fights for Second Amendment rights had a table to provide information and sign up new members. The Prescott Valley chapter of the Young Marines also had a booth to sell excess supplies and raffle tickets for an M-14. Their efforts benefit their organization as well as Wounded Warriors and Toys-For-Tots. As an aside, one of the adult supervisors of the group stressed that the Young Marines is not a recruiting effort. It is an educational effort that teaches team work and discipline among other useful skills.

The recent Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan highlights the danger of living near a nuclear power plant. Many speculate not only that the dangers of the initial disaster were minimized in the media, but that the effects of the release of nuclear matter by the disaster could be felt for years to come. Owner Mike Peters, employee Allison Truong and Customer Liaison Ezra Child were on hand to display the Ultimate Bunker which can be built with protection against any such disaster in the United States. Ezra explained that the same capability can be used for people living in a forested area. Northern Arizona recently experienced the Slide Rock Fire. The air filtering system can be used to eliminate smoke in the bunkers.

The Ultimate Bunker can be used as a home as much as a bunker. Some have built homes underground simply because the temperature is a constant all year. Hydroponics or aquaponics systems may also be added.

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Tim Ralston of Gear Up in Scottsdale. Featured on National Geographic Doomsday Preppers. – Photo courtesy of Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo.

Tim Ralston of Gear Up has been featured on National Geographic Doomsday Preppers. We learned about him through an interview on Coast-to-Coast AM with George Noory. He was featuring his Crovel tool. Having seen one up close I can say that it is pretty impressive. Tonight I even saw one being used on the National Geographic show Diggers. They are solid tools built right here in Arizona. I would be glad to take a review model and put it through the paces here in the mountains of northern Arizona. Unfortunately time constraints did not permit an interview, but Tim is really a personable man and sat talking with people on a variety of topics. His counterpart at the booth was just as enjoyable to speak with.

There is also a local source of non-GMO seed in Chino Valley called Terroir Seed. As I understood it, they do not have a store, but you can order seed through their web site.

Another item which interested me was battlefield acupuncture. Dr. Michael Austin was at the expo from Tuscon to introduce the technique to northern Arizona. A variety of acupuncture techniques have been used by military physicians since 2001 to combat pain without drugs. The particular technique he is interested in teaching utilizes small needles in the ear which he considers safer than the traditional method with large needles in various parts of the body.

The bottom line is that if you want to see the latest in just about every survival possibility in one location, these expositions are well worth the $10 admission for the entire event. It is as much a learning experience as a buying one.

EPA’s Next Wave Of Job-Killing CO2 Regulations

June 3, 2014 by David Rothbard and Craig Rucker

Gina McCarthy, an unelected bureaucrat, signs a bill into law.

Gina McCarthy, an unelected bureaucrat, signs a bill into law.

Supported by nothing but assumptions, faulty computer models and outright falsifications of what is actually happening on our planet, President Obama, his Environmental Protection Agency and their allies have issued more economy-crushing rules that they say will prevent dangerous manmade climate change.

Under the latest EPA regulatory onslaught (645 pages of new rules, released June 2), by 2030 states must slash carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired electricity generating plants by 30% below 2005 levels.

The new rules supposedly give states “flexibility” in deciding how to meet the mandates. However, many will have little choice but to impose costly cap-tax-and-trade regimes like the ones Congress has wisely and repeatedly refused to enact. Others will be forced to close perfectly good, highly reliable coal-fueled power plants that currently provide affordable electricity for millions of families, factories, hospitals, schools and businesses. The adverse impacts will be enormous.

The rules will further hobble a U.S. economy that actually shrank by 1% during the first quarter of 2014, following a pathetic 1.9% total annual growth in 2013. They are on top of $1.9 trillion per year (one-eighth of our total economy) that businesses and families already pay to comply with federal rules.

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study calculates that the new regulations will cost our economy another $51 billion annually, result in 224,000 more lost jobs every year, and cost every American household $3,400 per year in higher prices for energy, food and other necessities. Poor, middle class and minority families – and those already dependent on unemployment and welfare – will be impacted worst. Those in a dozen states that depend on coal to generate 30-95% of their electricity will be hit especially hard.

Read more at CFact

The Results of a Seattle Suburb’s Minimum Wage Hike Deserve a Big Fat ‘We Told You So’

At the start of the year, the Seattle suburb of SeaTac raised the area’s minimum wage to $15, and the consequences are now starting to be felt. And it’s not just the unions who championed the effort, or those who still have jobs, that are feeling them.

Over the last few months, a few things have happened:

  • Managers have taken more responsibilities on themselves, instead of hiring more workers.
  • Businesses have laid off workers, or eliminated their plans to hire more.
  • Area parking now comes with an added “living-wage surcharge.”
  • Hotels have cut employee benefits, free food, and overtime.

Shocking: when bad ideas are put into place, there are consequences.

Read more at IJ Review

Arizona Survivalist and Prepper Expo coming to Prescott Valley.

arizona-survivalPRESCOTT VALLEY – A storm is coming and Lance and Lisa Baker want you to be ready. So much so that they began the Arizona Survivalist and Prepper Expos drawing together demonstrations of various emergency supplies in one location.

In an interview with Off The Grid News, Lance explained:

I used to host car shows and cruises here in Arizona, and grew tired of the hobby after 35 years. With the economy and everything else changing way too fast starting in 2007, I saw a need to get prepared, but was not sure where to get supplies, etc.Realizing that hosting a “survivalist / prepper” event would be no different than a car show, the idea was born. I have always had an excellent working relationship with the Commemorative Air Force Museum here in Mesa, Arizona—home of the famous WWII bomber Sentimental Journey. And since it is where I hosted many car shows, this was the perfect venue, and a great fund raising mechanism for the “all volunteer” museum. They have a huge hanger that we use and the back drop of the planes is phenomenal.

He started these expositions in May of 2012 and the show at Tim’s Toyota Center represents his seventh; the second in Prescott Valley.

His expos are among others featured in the episode Selling Survival of the National Geographic series Doomsday Preppers. Episode 8 at the link features a segment on the Prescott Valley expo.

Lance told us in an interview that the show actually brought many of the vendors to national prominence. It actually helped their businesses flourish to the point where they have actually hired people to assist. Particularly Gear Up in Scottsdale.

Lance is an unabashed survivalist and wants to be ready for any man-made or natural disaster—including civil unrest. He wants to bring that ability to other citizens of Arizona. “It is good that people are preparing for disaster,” he said. “But that does not necessarily mean that they know what to have or how to use the items. That is what our shows are about.”

In addition to the vendor displays, there will be lectures on the use of the items and survival techniques.

The expositions are not all about making money, though. The commitment of the Bakers to making Arizona families aware of disaster preparation is shown in the pricing. The cost of the expo is $10 with children under 12 free. While other shows charge the entry fee for each day, the $10 wrist band gets you in for both days. The low cost he charges his vendors has attracted about 174 potential vendors from the initial 58 that appeared at his original show. His shows have expanded to two days because at his initial one-day show, people were asking if they could get in with the wristband on the second-day. His site includes quite a few links including one to an interesting site called USA Emergency Broadcast network.

“These vendors are committed to the Arizona market and work to keep prices low,” Lance said. “While we have vendors from other States, such as Utah, California and Florida, about 98% of the 174 vendors I have are Arizona businesses.”

Much of the negative specter surrounding the word “survivalist” comes from government propaganda concerning conspiracies. Take into consideration, though, the many people who depended on the federal government in the Katrina disaster which was seen as an epic failure and waste of money. Even FEMA has a web site which covers basic supplies they feel might be necessary for you to have in a natural or man-made disaster.

What you store and how you do it, however, depends largely on your budget, abilities and personal needs. It also depends on what you feel might be a disaster looming in your area. In northern Arizona with the lack of snow this winter, a fire could be sparked by almost anything which might cause you to have to “bug out.”

Expositions such as this not only give you an idea of what is available to help you get through a disaster, but some of the items might be useful for simple camping, hunting, and even fishing trips—such as solar power panels and water filtration.

Bill Williams Mountain Men prepare for a trip to the State capitol.

WILLIAMS – The Williams Mountain Men have been a fixture in Williams, Arizona for a number of years. They make up the stuff of myth and legend. Today they are a popular addition to the parades in Williams, Arizona.

Goldie’s Route 66 Diner recently published an article and photos they found from photographer C.M. Whitaker who ran the photography studio in Williams for a number of years.

The City of Williams was named after William Sherley Williams—known commonly as Bill Williams or Old Bill. Some local historians contend that Bill Williams probably never visited the area of the City of Williams. Bill Williams mountain, they say, was probably named after him by a fellow trapper.

A statue of Bill Williams stands in the Williams Memorial Park on the west end of town across the street from Safeway along with the new Veteran’s Own memorial.

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BILL WILLIAMS MOUNTAIN MEN

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SHERLEY WILLIAMS, known as old Bill Williams spent nearly 25 years in the Rocky Mountain country. As a young man he had been for a time a preacher in backwood Missouri; in his old age he was famous even among the Mountain men themselves for his rugged individualism.

Old Bill and many of his colleagues liked to make their trapping camps together, it meant added protection against the Indians, help in case of injury or accident.

About all the worldly possessions that Old Bill had was his traps, rifle, knife, powder and lead and most of the time he had one horse and a mule to pack his beaver pelts and supplies.

Read more at Goldie’s Route 66 Diner