Category Archives: Amusement

Amateur Radio Relay League sponsors National Parks on the Air

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NPOTABeginning on January 1 and running through December 31 of 2016, the Amateur Radio Relay League will sponsor the special event National Parks On the Air (Facebook). This event does not begin until January 1, so amateur radio operators have time to register.

Since the 100th anniversay of the ARRL ended in 2014, amateur radio operators have pushed for another year-long event . The ARRL responded to the requests with this year-long event coordinated with the National Parks Service to celebrate their 100th anniversary. There are several awards and certificates available for this event, but HAM operators must register through the ARRL special web site.

Ham operators conduct several events throughout the year to earn certificates and awards. One is called contesting where an operator attempts to contact as many other Ham radio operators around the world as they can in a specified time. Ham operators set up in remote locations and send special cards, called QSL cards, to Ham operators who contact them.

A recent example is the 2015 Route 66 On The Air event. They even made a stop and broadcast in Williams and Flagstaff.

Ham radio operators will “activate” radio units in various parks, such as the Grand Canyon. “Chasers” will try to contact these Activators all year long to collect certificates. Regular paper logs will not be accepted for the event. Amateur radio operators will have to register in the ARRL Log of the World

The history of amateur radio extends to the days when radio transmissions began. Most contacts were made through morse code (called CW or continous wave in Ham radio) transmissions. Today there are a plethora of different radios and contact methods. You are encouraged to learn and use CW, but it is no longer required to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

Those “activators” will also demonstrate the capablity of Ham radio for uninitiated visitors to the park. They will answer questions and advise people on how they can become licensed Ham radio operators.

If you are interested in learning more about the Amateur Radio Service, how to obtain a license and participate in this event, you can check out the ARRL web site.

Spooky happenings in Williams

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Friday 2015-10-30 012WILLIAMS — Even before the ghosts and goblins began appearing on the streets for trick-or-treat, the Grand Canyon Railway made a scary transformation.

They decorated for Christmas.Friday 2015-10-30 013
Williams has put on its Polar Express face with the standard sleigh in the park and lights along the railway. They were even playing Christmas tunes.

The Polar Express begins running this Friday, November 6 on the weekends with some special runs over the Thanksgiving period. They will have several runs through December ending with a run on January 2nd and 3rd. This is the big event for the winter, in Williams, and tickets usually go fast. Make sure that you get your reservations made now.

The Grand Canyon Railway also asks families to submit photos for their annual photo contest. See their web site for details or ask before you board the train.

Weather moves in this morning

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Weather will shut down Zipline until Thursday.

Weather will shut down Zipline until Thursday.

WILLIAMS — Clouds from the incoming storm front darkened Williams this morning pushed by cold, gusting wind. Wind could gust to 30-mph through Wednesday. Flagstaff can expect about the same forecast.

As we published this article, the rain began at 10:24 a.m.

Rain is likely today turning into snow showers overnight. Snow levels are expected to drop to 5500′ overnight and up to 2-inch could fall on Williams. Up to an inch more could fall on Wednesday. The overall expected snow fall is 1 to 3-inches above 6000-feet and 3 to 6-inches above 6800-feet.

The Weather Service has issued a wind advisory through tonight which could affect high-profile vehicles driving east-west routes. The Weather Service recommends securing loose objects on your property.

Northern Arizona Authors’ Association meeting for November

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The next meeting of the Northern Arizona Authors’ Association. will be on November 14. It will be held at The Wild West Junction in Williams. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.am. Bring something you’re working on or something you’ve written in the past to read.

The Northern Arizona Authors’ Association reports:

Interesting note to all our authors who have published books they wish to market: There’s a new independent book store in Flagstaff called Barefoot Cowgirl. It’s at 18 N. San Francisco St. That would be not far from the corner of SF St. and Rte. 66, I believe. It’s part of a larger store…a gift-y type establishment. The grand opening will be next Saturday, Oct. 31. The owner/manager’s name is Nancy Nelson. You can bring books that you’ve written that you hope to sell there….you don’t have to wait till Oct. 31.

Sedona Village Lodge pet friendly hotel

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800-OakCreek-15-10-22 047SEDONA — I do not get a chance to travel much. Because, well, Prince likes his comforts.
800-15-10-21 001So I have to find hotels with dog friendly rooms. I recently had the necessity to travel to the Village of Oak Creek where I stayed at the Sedona Village Lodge. My room was large enough for my purposes but the bathroom was large. John and the cleaning staff were friendly and took care of all of my cleaning needs. The room did have a cover missing on one of the outlets (which I forgot to report. Sorry John). But there are plenty of other outlets to use. The room has an older television, but plenty of channels in case you need to catch that football game. The purpose of my visit did not allot a lot of television time and I do not usually affix my gaze to a television when there is so much more to do in this area.

The room was great for my purposes and the big plus is the pet friendly atmosphere and clean, comfortable room. And the price. There are rooms upstairs which provide a great view of the red rocks. Mine did not have a great view, but I was out of the room most of the time.

The Lodge also provides free Wi-Fi which I needed. There was a little slowing from time-to-time, but that could be for a number of reasons. One of which is that the hotel had almost no vacancies while I was there so I was probably trying to log in when everyone else was.

The Sedona Village Lodge is located at 105 Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek about five-miles from Sedona proper. It is in a good location and much of your needs are within a couple of miles from the hotel.
800-Village of Oak Creek-15-10-24 008
There are a few restaurants in the plaza. I did not have a coffee pot, but right across the street is a Circle K where I usually go to buy coffee anyway. Right down the street is Bell Rock with a great trail system for biking or hiking. Or walking the dog.

Another reason for the great location is there are several other important facilities located in the Plaza. The Sedona library has a facility there which I had occasion to use. They have Internet-linked computers and I was able to print out some important documents I needed.

There is also a veterinary clinic located in the Plaza. I also had the pleasure of finding two thrift stores which are loaded with great, reasonably-priced new and used items for pets and people. The Red Rose Thriftique (Facebook) had a movie I have been looking for and it only cost me $2. They have another location in Cottonwood and their store supports animal rescue projects.

Located next to the Plaza is the Paw Prints Thrift Shop (Facebook) which supports the Humane Society. They are larger and had more in the way of electronics and furniture.

Overall this is a great place to stay and plenty to do. Remember if you need emergency pet services on the road, there is a veterinary clinic at this same location.

Pet Boutique has new games

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WILLIAMS — The Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique and Supplies in Williams keeps adding stock.

Recently they have added dog backpacks for large and medium dogs. These are great for hiking for the day so they can carry their water, bowls and some extra food. The packs are also good for carrying a dog, and/or human, first aid kit.
PetBoutique15-10-20-003
If you are looking for activities for the kids over the holiday season, they have added games and paint sets. We presume the Puppy Pursuit Games is for humans because if Prince ever got hold of one of the plush toys it would be game over.PetBoutique-15-10-20-001They also added some costumes for the season for pets and people.

In addition to their complete line of Science Diet foods and treats, they have stocked up on Bubba Rose Dog biscuits. They have added to their collars, beds and other items for the pet cat or dog.

Halloween in Williams

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800-15-10-24 008WILLIAMS — Halloween events have already started around Williams with the decorations. That, however, is not the end of it. You still have a chance to go to one of the businesses in Williams and pick up a contest form. Go to each business on the list and check out their scarecrow. While you are there, get a signature. Turn the form into the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

There are many other events that occur that visitors might want to know about. On Halloween, most of the businesses along Route 66 hand out candy.

On October 28 at 6:30 p.m., the Young Life Lost Canyon camp will host a bonfire, hot dog roast and movies for High School youth and middle school youth (6th – 8th Grade). You can call Bob 928-380-4346 or the First Baptist Church office 635-4692.

Speaking of the First Baptist Church, they will be hosting their annual Fall Festival on Halloween night. There are games and prizes and, of course, candy. This is a safe alternative to trick-or-treat. Across the street at the Family Harvest Church they also hold a Fall Festival.

Another great alternative is the Trunk-or-Treat at the United Methodist Church on South Second Street. Church members park their cars and hand out candy. There are also games and food for the adults.

Most of these events begin around 6:30 p.m.

Of course all of our restaurants will be open for those adults without kids. They probably would not mind if you dress up. Some may even offer a Fall fare to try out. For example the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe in the Red Garter Inn, which just happens to be open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, offers an Autumn Breakfast Sandwich. It consists of sausage and eggs in between two pumpkin spice pancakes.

300-PetBoutique15-10-20-005If you have not had a chance to get a costume, the Pet Boutique on the east end of Route 66 has pug masks, t-shirts and t-shirts you might enjoy. Plus some costume for your pets. If you are on a budget, you can check out the thrift stores at the Williams Senior Center by Safeway or the Camp Civitan Thrift store on Route 66. Of course they have other new and used products you can purchase. You will also be helping out a great cause.

Don’t be afraid to check out the fun and decorations at the Grand Canyon Railway and Bearizona just east of Williams. You might want to check out the Deer Farm petting zoo on Deer Farm Road. You can get directions to all of the events at the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the visitor center.

The key is to make Halloween a safe time for kids and parents. We have not had any reported incidents in Williams as far as candy and cookies that are handed out. However there is a lot of traffic. So make sure you carry a flashlight. You can purchase glow-lites and necklaces at Safeway, Family Dollar and Dollar General to light up your kids.

Another early morning pedestrian fatality in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — On October 20, 2015 at approximately 00:23 hrs., Officers were called to the area of the underpass, and Route 66 in regards to an intoxicated man walking in the middle of the roadway in the east bound lanes. While Officers were on their way to the area, another call came into dispatch indicating a collision had occurred with a driver and the same pedestrian at Leroux and Route 66.

When Officers arrived they located a subject wearing a gray sweater lying face up in the roadway, unresponsive. The pedestrian was approximately 15-20 feet behind the vehicle which struck him.

Several witnesses contacted at the scene described the pedestrian as walking in the east bound lanes, with his hands up from his sides. One witness stated he had been driving in the westbound lanes, and flashed his lights at the pedestrian and honked his horn at him, prior to the collision.

The driver of the vehicle indicated he never saw the pedestrian until he was directly in front of him. The driver of the vehicle cooperated completely with the investigation and no indications of impairment were noted at the time of contact. The Flagstaff Police Departments collision reconstruction team was called to the scene, to continue the investigation.

This investigation is pending identification and next of kin notification. Further information regarding the pedestrian’s identity will be forthcoming, as he did not have any ID on him and appears to be approximately 30 years old.

Trinity Tactical offers rifle course

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firearms-trainingPHOENIX — Trinity Tactical Applications is hosting a Tactical Carbine Fundamentals firearm course on November 11 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. The course will be held at the Game and Fish Ben Avery Shooting Facility located at 4044 W. Black Canyon Boulevard.

The $80 course requires no prerequisite training, but does, of course, require your own ammunition and weapon.

According to the flier:

This course will improve your proficiency utilizing your rifle in practical applications; whether it be on duty, in the general public, or defending your home. We will cover shooting fundamentals, threat engagement, firing from realistic positions one can expect to encounter, reloading, clearing malfunctions, and engaging while moving, along with other real-world considerations. Taught by certified rifle instructors with real world experience employing a carbine in hostile environments, this course will expose students to the realities of utilizing a rifle in a variety of situations.

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Rain possible through Columbus day(?)

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300-columbus-dayWILLIAMS — I see by the old calendar on the wall that it looks like we could have rain over Columbus day next week.

The long-range forecast shows a chance of rain moving in Wednesday night through Sunday. There will be a slight chance of rain for most of the later week except for the 30% chance Thursday. Flagstaff has a 40% chance on Thursday night.

The current long-range forecast runs through Sunday, so it is is unclear if rain will be a problem over Columbus Day next week, according to my calendar.

I must remember to wish the Canadians a Happy Thanksgiving next week.