​On November 7th, 2021 Prescott area Emergency responders from Prescott Fire Department, Prescott Police Department, and Life Line Ambulance partnered with Courageous Kids Climbing based out of Idaho and Gripstone Climbing located at 319 N. Lee Blvd in Prescott to give 17 special needs children the opportunity have a morning of rock climbing fun. Many of our personnel volunteered their time to give these children an opportunity they will never forget.
 
This event was organized by Courageous Kids Climbing’s Executive Director Jeff Riechmann who also organizes events in Idaho, Washington, Nevada, California as well as Arizona. This annual event is open to children with special developmental and physical needs.  
 
For more information on Courageous Kids Climbing, contact Jeff Riechmann via email at courageouskidsclimbing@gmail.com.

The Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center was awarded the Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) “Large Organization of the Year” by the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED).

The award was presented at the annual AAED Fall Forum in Flagstaff on Friday, October 29.

The EDDE Awards honor the best economic development practices for individuals, organizations and companies that have significantly contributed to the advancement of economic growth in the state. Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations made by members of AAED.

Yavapai College was one of nine award recipients on the night.
“We are honored to win this EDDE Award and be mentioned amongst some of the top economic development organizations in the state,” said Richard Hernandez, Executive Director for the Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center. “Kudos goes to our entire team for their hard work and dedication to helping Yavapai County grow.”
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The award for Economic Development Organization of the Year for a Large Community recognizes an organization of more than 100,000 people that has strengthened the efforts of AAED.

​The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and Large Animal Shelters & Emergency Readiness – LASER will officially dedicate the County property at 10445 County Fair Trail, Prescott Valley, as a Large Animal Evacuation Center to shelter barn animals of Yavapai County residents during emergency evacuations. The public is welcome to attend this ribbon cutting ceremony and to get familiar with the shelter site and the organization that runs the shelter during an emergency evacuation.

More details about LASER’s program can be found at www.laser-shelter.org. Chairman Craig Brown said, “When disaster strikes, our residents need a safe haven for their animals. Upon activation, LASER volunteers will run this facility, with over 150 stalls, providing shelter, feed and care for the animals and peace of mind for our residents who must leave their homes.” Yavapai County is proactive in emergency readiness. During the 2017 Goodwin Fire, 7,500 people were evacuated and over 200 barn animals needed shelter, demonstrating the need for an organized response program geared toward barn animals. LASER was created in 2019 with a proven program, and extensively trained volunteers, for the immediate response and care of barn animals.

​The program began to develop momentum when the LASER organization partnered with the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, Yavapai County Emergency Management and the Facilities Department. LASER now has an ideal facility, as its primary location, where the needs of the public can be met in an emergency. When faced with an evacuation, information about the shelter site will be broadcast by Yavapai County Emergency Management countywide.

The Prescott Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate a ribbon cutting ceremony for Bell Rock Gallery. Peter Medal, with My Home Group Realty presented the ribbon cutting at the Master of Cermonies. Dignitary Judy Sultrop spoke on behalf of US Senator Mark Kelly's office. Dignitary Jeff Timm spoke on behalf of US Congressman Paul Gosar's Office. Christina Binkley spoke on behalf of the City of Prescott. Tom Lukes, the Prescott Chamber Ambassador Chair presented Neil and Cathy with the first dollar certificate. Neil and Cathy Sinclair (the owners of Bell Rock Gallery) spoke to how the business started and was moved into Prescott.

Students at The Orme School, a college preparatory boarding school located in Mayer, AZ, finished the first quarter of the 2021-2022 school year strong this October. The quarter, which began on September 1st, offered a variety of Advanced Placement and experiential learning courses for the students in grades 8-12. Some of the highlights included a record number of students achieving Honors and High Honors status. In addition, two of Orme's Senior students, Nina Tran and Ruby Nguyen, were named as finalists in the prestigious Questbridge Program. This is a highly competitive national program in which students apply for the chance for full-ride academic scholarships to some of the top universities in the country.

In athletics, this semester students competed in the Canyon Athletic Association in Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Swimming. Swimming Team member, Ainas Jacyna, broke the state record in the 100 Yard Butterfly race. 
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Students in the Horsemanship Program competed in area barrel races and trail riding obstacle competitions. Senior Peyton Calmes, won the Youth Class at the Boots and Barrels barrelrace at Jackpot Ranch in Camp Verde.
The Orme School is home to close to 120 students from around the world and across the country. Applications are being accepted for immediate enrollment and scholarships are available on a limited basis for local students from the Prescott area. For more information, contact Jessica Calmes, Director of Admissions, at admissions@ormeschool.org or call 928-632-7601.

​This week we focus on Adult Care Services who run the The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center in Prescott Valley and he Margaret T. Morris Center here in Prescott that offer programs helping individuals with memory loss, illnesses and disabilities live with dignity and respect. Learn more at adultcareservices.org

​Christmas is alive and well aboard Verde Canyon Railroad. The wonder of the holiday season begins on Santa’s secret tracks to the heart of the North Pole. Everyone knows Santa’s main ride is a sleigh, but surprise! He rides a train too!

Conveniently located just outside of Sedona, Arizona, the Verde Canyon Railroad’s Magical Christmas Journey™ is a fresh, fun take on holiday trains, featuring an all-original storybook journey highlighting the railroad’s famed relationship with local wildlife.
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The trip to the North Pole is merely one brilliant facet of the festive evening experience. The story begins with the extensively illuminated depot and miniature Birds-Eye Village. Prior to boarding, children can strap on a pair of eagle wings and soar through an adorable village featuring 10 tiny houses on a town square. The kids can imagine what Flurry, our live bald eagle, sees when in flight. This unique aspect is inspired by Verde Canyon Railroad’s relationship with Liberty Wildlife of Arizona who provides an educational bald eagle that visits Verde Canyon Railroad regularly. Adults are not to be left out, as the details of this charming tiny town provide entertainment for everyone.

Further West Harvest Fest is a family-friendly street festival to celebrate the season through music and cultural experiences!  

When: October 16th from 2-7 p.m.

Where: We're shutting down North Cortez between Willis and Sheldon in downtown Prescott, Arizona. 
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This bash will have AMAZING music! Featuring live music from Tucson-based XIXA a guitar-slinging six-piece, uniquely attuned to the desert and their Latin roots. Combining gritty guitars, the bumping grind of chicha, and desert blues into a mesmerizing stew. They're also a band whose time had come to define what they call "The New Southwest"-intense, sun-bleached music shot through with an inky gothic horror that scans like the long-lost soundtrack to a cult, macabre B-movie Western (check them out on YouTube). We'll also have the flamenco- jazz band Summa Totius from Prescott, AZ!