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.

Snow on the peaks with mild weather ahead

640-sfp-141207-20WILLIAMS – The long range weather forecast starts of with patchy fog tomorrow after 11 a.m. Otherwise it will be mostly sunny with a high around 57.

Monday night temperatures are predicted to drop to 32-degrees and stay around that temperature at night through Thursday. Temperatures during the day are predicted to be just above 50-degrees through Thursday with light winds.

There is a chance that the riders of the Polar Express will enjoy snow starting Friday night. There is a prediction of a chance of rain Friday with a high near 47. There is a chance of snow through the weekend until Sunday.

Temperatures over the weekend are not predicted to break 50-degrees with a low of 30 Friday night and 25 Saturday night.

Ashton Carter as Secretary of Defense? Are you kidding me?

Wikipedia photo by David Shankbone.

Wikipedia photo by David Shankbone.

This has got to be some kind of “punk,” right? The guy from That ’70’s show as Secretary of Defense?

I mean I know appointees “retire” so quick on him that he has to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find people. But does he have to pick a guy whose closest military experience has been to watch Demi Moore in A Few Good Men and that debacle GI Jane.

I guess he did do some Texas Ranger movie a few years ago. Come on. This is a guy who gets himself in trouble “tweeting.” I mean….

Oh. Wait a minute. That’s Ashton Kutcher. Sorry, dude. Go back to whoever you were punking.

Who is Ashton Carter?

Williams gets a jolt

WILLIAMS – Williams experienced the effects of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake centered about 22 miles south-west of Flagstaff. The earthquake epicenter was 35.03 N ; 111.78 W at a depth of 2 km. The quake occurred on Sunday, November 30 at 10:57.

On the street level the quake was barely perceptible and did not cause concern. Residents in upper floors reported feeling their building sway slightly.

There is currently no report of damage or injury.

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.

Williams set up for Mountain Village Holiday festivities.

City of Williams Christmas tree set up on Second Street.

City of Williams Christmas tree set up on Second Street.

WILLIAMS – The tree is up and decorated for the 2014 Christmas on Route 66 celebration next weekend. The tree will be lit following the annual Parade of Lights. This year and Elf Costume Contest has been added.

300-141122-04Businesses lining Route 66, and beyond, have been decorated for a couple of weeks in preparation for the event.

The Polar Express will begin two nightly runs to the North Pole. Santa has also lent one of his late-model sleighs to the Zip Line located at the Williams Visitor Parking lot.

You can also take a tour around the city to see the decorations of the residents of the City of Williams.
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Other events include:

November 29th

Save-MTR 11th hold their 11th annual Holiday Craft Show at the Sultana Theater at 301 W. Route 66 in downtown Williams from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be over 35 vendors and you can have pictures of your pets, family and friends taken, as well. Benefits building animal shelter.

The Parade of Lights starting around 6:30 p.m.

Elf Costume Contest at the city tree after the parade. Open to young elves to age 13 and elder elves 14 and older.

Lighting of the Christmas tree will occur upon completion of the Parade of Lights.

November 30th

Santa will be at the Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 517 E. Route 66 from 12 to 5 p.m. for photos. The price of photos benefits the Animals in Need fund at the Williams Veterinary Clinic.

December 5

The American Legion Cordova Post #13 will host an Arts and Crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Table rental is $10 and all items must be original and home-made. You can get more details or reserve a table by contacting Carolyn Kleck at at 602-677-2561. Spaces are limited so reserve early.

December 6

Restaurants, gift shops and galleries will be offering specials and possibly special treats to

The Mountain Village Holiday continues through New Years Day so events will continue throughout the city.
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You can obtain more information for the time you plan to arrive at the Williams Visitor Center at 200 W. Railroad Avenue (Across from Circle K and the Zip Line) or by visiting the Williams Grand Canyon Chamber site.
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State Route 67 to North Rim of Grand Canyon closing for winter season

The Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park for the winter season beginning Monday, Dec. 1.

The road could be closed earlier if heavy snowfall occurs in the area prior to the closure date. ADOT does not clear snow from SR 67 during the winter since the visitor accommodations at the North Rim are closed. The highway reopens each spring, usually around mid-May. US 89A will remain open at the junction with SR 67.

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.

Be prepared for winter driving by checking for weather conditions prior to your travels on Arizona roadways.

Santa’s Memorandum of Understanding with Williams

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Photo of North Pole taken earlier this year.

WILLIAMS – While Phoenix is trying to promote something called the “North Pole Experience,” Santa’s Memorandum of Understanding with Williams signed over ten-years ago and re-newed yearly is still valid. Williams, Arizona is the only place where you can take the special train to visit the North Pole.

The MOU reads in part:

Whereas, the City of Williams, Arizona desires to run a train, hereafter known as The Polar Express, which shall desire to stop for fuel for a return to Williams, such fuel within the political and economic boundaries of the North Pole,

Therefore Santa Claus shall allow such The Polar Express to arrive nightly as they require with the following provisions:

1. No one may depart the train while refueling so as to

a) Not disturb the work being conducted by the employees of the North Pole, hereafter known as Elves,
b) Maintain security of the naughty/nice database, hereafter known as The List,
c) Not create any other disturbance which might cause a delay in the annual ride of Santa.

2. Santa may, at his option, depart on The Polar Express to ride to Williams to

a) Obtain necessary supplies, or
b) To distribute bells, or
c) To obtain intelligence on what persons who have and exemplary record during the prior year, hereafter known as The Nice, might want to obtain from Santa’s annual ride.

In recognition of this MOU, while in good standing, Santa also shall authorize the Mountain Village Holiday of Williams, Arizona as the official ceremony of The Polar Express.

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Hole made for annual City Tree earlier this week with lights decorate the City of Williams for Mountain Village Holiday.

So it is clear that the City of Williams has the only official means of visiting the North Pole.
Williams, as it has for years, has started setting up for the Mountain Village Holiday which begins in earnest next week with the annual Parade of Lights and lighting of the city Christmas Tree downtown on Second Street and Route 66.

The Polar Express will start running nightly with two trains to the North Pole. It is rumored that Santa will make several visits and be available for photos during that weekend, such as to Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique and Supplies.