Three new bear cubs join Bearizona Wildlife Park

Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

WILLIAMS — Bearizona Wildlife Park is excited to announce the arrival of three un”bear”ably cute North American bear cubs, which were born in early January at the Williams, Arizona Wildlife Park. The bear cubs will be viewable in a special care area of the park until May, when they will then be big enough to go out into their own enclosure within the walk through portion of the park.

Black Bears commonly have two to four cubs per litter, and can nurse up to six cubs. Despite high birthrates, only four out of ten cubs will reach their first year of life. The sixty percent of cub mortality is a result of starvation and depredation by male bears are other large carnivores.

Arizona has a stable wild population of black bear in the wild, however the elusive animals are rarely seen. Visitors to Bearizona Wildlife Park are able to get a close encounter with captive black bears, while learning about their habits and history.

“The connections people make between our animal residents and the habitats in which they reside are key to understanding and conserving wildlife,” explains COO and Curator Vanessa Stoffel. “We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about what it means to live with and recreate among black bears, and these little ambassador cubs are where it all begins.”

Bearizona is a wildlife park in which guests experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle or coach witnessing North American animals in their natural environment.

Visitors can then leisurely stroll through the forest along winding walkways to get an up-close look at the antics of baby and smaller animals in Fort Bearizona. Guests are encouraged to catch their complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

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

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe move complete.

10885171_1523760897912641_5241229188847287756_nWILLIAMS – Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe has completed their move to 137 W. Railroad Avenue in the Red Garter. The new location has more room and more parking across the street at the visitor parking lot.

Owner Anna Pena-Dick, on her Facebook page, thanked everyone who assisted her in the move. The veterans of the Williams VFW and American Legion assisted in moving much of the heavy equipment and boxes. A brilliant technician, who wishes to remain anonymous, got the Wi-Fi up and running yesterday.

Employees of the Cafe have been busy cleaning, installing and getting things in order for the grand opening. The restaurant will open tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. closing in plenty of time to get home to watch television in the event there is something to watch.

The Cafe will continue to feature the same award-winning menu, gifts and souvenirs along with those of the Red Garter.
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Rain clears up. Fog possible tomorrow.

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Spoiled Rotten Photo

Spoiled Rotten Photo

WILLIAMS – The rain and clouds cleared up leaving a veil of fog in Williams this morning. Patchy fog is expected Sunday before noon.

The fog should clear giving way to a sunny day with temperatures about 53-degrees. Temperatures are expected to continue to rise to 60-degrees by next Saturday with lows of around 30 overnight.

One business, Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique & Supplies on Route 66, reported ceiling damage from the rain on their Facebook page.
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Somebody Waiting for Santa?

640-santa8WILLIAMS – Is someone waiting for Santa? He will return to the Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique and Supplies at 517 E. Route 66 in Williams on Sunday, December 14. Santa will be available for pet photos and to get their wishes for Christmas.

Santa will be at Spoiled Rotten from noon to 5 p.m. Printed photos are $10 or $7 to have photo emailed to you. Christmas tree ornaments will be available for $15.

While you are there you can poke around the toys, clothing, line of Science Diet food, treats and other pet supplies.

The proceeds from the event benefit the Animals in Needs fund at the Williams Veterinary Clinic. This fund is set up to take care of animal emergencies for those who cannot afford them.

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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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

Bear tries to check-in at Bearizona

Photo courtesy of Bearizona Wildlife Drive Through park.

Photo courtesy of Bearizona Wildlife Drive Through park.

WILLIAMS – Apparently word is getting around how good it is for the animals at Bearizona Wildlife drive through park in Williams. Bearizona staff and visitors were paid a visit by a wild bear Wednesday afternoon around 2:00 pm apparently trying to check-in. Bearizona immediately closed for the remainder of the day for the safety of visitors.

Visitors reported that a bear was “loose” a few feet off the sidewalk in Fort Bearizona. Bearizona staff responded by initiating their Escape and Recapture plan which included evacuating the walk thru area and moving all bears into lock down, while the Recapture Team maintained a visual presence with the bear and prepared for sedation. As visitors calmly left the area, Bearizona staff soon realized that all of the park’s bears were accounted for.

“Even before we began to lock down and count our bears, I took one look at that bear and knew it was not one of ours, ” reported Laura Leinaar, Animal Keeper. “We see our bears every day and can recognize who they are at a glance by their faces and how they walk. This bear didn’t look or walk like any of our bears.”

The bear was sedated while on the ground but immediately climbed a tree and became immobilized about 55 feet in the air nestled among several branches. A team from the Arizona Game and Fish Regional II office in Flagstaff was dispatched and safely removed the bear from the tree. Wildlife managers tagged the male bear and relocated it. “We have a great relationship with the Arizona Game and Fish and are grateful for their help and efficiency while handling this situation,” said Bearizona Chief Operating Officer, Vanessa Stoffel.

After inspecting perimeter fences Stoffel concluded that “The bear likely entered a service entrance gate from the parking lot that borders the Kaibab National forest.” She added, “There are several factors that could have resulted in his visit including the drought and the Slide Fire.”

Bearizona Wildlife Park Job Fair

bearizonaWILLIAMS – Bearizona Wildlife Drive Through park is holding a job fair on Saturday starting at 10 am and lasting until 2 pm. The fair will be held at Wild West Junction, 321 E Rte 66 in Williams.

They are interviewing for Buster the mascot, car attendant, maintenance, animal staff, and ambassadors. See website for applications and complete job description.

Bearizona also has volunteer opportunities for teenagers over 15 and adults to assist paid staff while developing skills for a full-time job.

Applications available on their website. They will not consider anyone for an interview with an incomplete application.

Bearizona is an equal opportunity employer and drug and alcohol free.

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.