Bearizona announces the grand opening of Canyonlands Restaurant

WILLIAMS – Bearizona has opened its much anticipated 6,000-square-foot restaurant, Canyonlands. This themed restaurant features soaring canyon walls and ancient ruins that allow diners to immerse themselves in the true spirit of the Southwest. The expansive two-story covered deck includes priceless views of the park’s spectacular jaguar exhibit, which features a 25 foot waterfall.

Canyonlands Restaurant will open its doors at 10:30 a.m. and will close 2 hours after the park’s posted closing time. This restaurant is only accessible to park guests and annual pass holders.
Bearizona is a wildlife park which invites guests to experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle, witnessing North American animals in their natural environment. In Fort Bearizona, visitors can leisurely stroll along winding walkways through the forest for an up-close view of even more animal antics. Finally, guests are encouraged to catch the complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show, where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

Counterfeit bills showing up in Williams

WILLIAMS – Counterfeit bills have been showing up recently in Williams. It is reported that they are in $20 and $100 denominations.

The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe is the latest business to get hit with one of the fake twenties. The persons passing the bill are known to them and they routinely travel through Williams and the Grand Canyon. It is possible that they received it not knowing it was counterfeit.This particular bill is not a particularly good replication. The watermark face on the back side is actually drawn on. Just holding it to the light would shows the face, but not very clearly. On the front, the seal is dull where on a real bill it is shiny. The “20” on the lower right corner of a real bill has little lines through it. On this fake bill is is printed without lines. Another clue is to feel the face on the bill. It should be rough. If it is smooth, you should suspect the bill. The actual paper of the bill may feel real, but most bills are printed on regular ink jet printers.Businesses, no matter how busy, should start to take time to check bills carefully. Citizens should check bills they receive in change. Another option is to purchase a counterfeit bill If you receive a fake bill, you are stuck with it.

The U.S. Secret Service has produced a PDF explaining how to spot counterfeit bills. The New York Post reported in November of 2016 about a counterfeit ring in Peru that produced excellent quality counterfeits of bills from around the world.

Hole in the wall on Railroad filled with Everything Arizona

WILLIAMS – The hole in the wall at 126 Railroad Avenue is filled with another business. Everything Arizona brings a new look to the business atmosphere. This business, brought to Williams by Joanne and Virgil is useful to tourists and residents alike.

Everything Arizona can manufacture custom cups, T-shirts and sweatshirts, vinyl window lettering, metal pictures and signs and more. They also carry stuffed TY toys and other trinkets and collectibles. Everything Arizona can use your design or help you make one. They can put your picture on cups and are adding temporary tattoo painting. Most of the work can be completed in a couple of hours. Some may take a little longer to adjust the photos, such as on cups, but it is generally same day service.

Joanne said that many customers have come in to ask for Route 66 T-shirts with Williams, Arizona on them. Something they cannot find in other businesses. Everything Arizona is happy to oblige.

Virgil said they can work with non-profits and groups for special events.

Everything Arizona is located at 126 Railroad Avenue in Williams across the street from the visitor parking lot. If you or your organization has a need for custom-made T-shirts, cups, vinyl lettering or whatever, Check out Everything Arizona and save the shipping.

ADOT begins updating goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun the process of updating its goal for the percentage value of federal-aid contract dollars won by firms certified for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

To do so, the agency has retained Keen Independent Research to develop a draft study on the availability of disadvantaged business enterprises in Arizona. This availability study will be completed in May and released for public review and comment along with ADOT’s proposed participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises.

Every three years, ADOT must submit to the Federal Highway Administration an overall annual participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises, expressed as a percentage of dollars going to certified firms from contracts using U.S. Department of Transportation funds.

Two public meetings on the proposed goal will be held in June, with public comments to be accepted through the end of June. The new goal, which must be submitted this summer, will go into effect on Oct. 1.

As part of this process, ADOT will seek comments on the proposed participation goal, the draft availability study, the conditions for minority- and women-owned firms in the Arizona transportation contracting marketplace, and other topics. All public comments will be reviewed before ADOT submits its final goal request to the Federal Highway Administration.

Through federal fiscal year 2017, ADOT has an overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal of 8.9 percent for contracts using Federal Highway Administration funds, setting contract-specific goals on some of its federally funded contracts to help meet the goal. During the past two fiscal years, ADOT has exceeded its goal.

ADOT will also use results of the availability study results to develop new overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals for its contracts funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

ADOT is briefing industry groups about the availability study and the goal-setting process and will provide regular updates on the process through the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance website, azdot.gov/BECO.

Economic forums on Navajo Nation

TUBA CITY – Coconino County District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) are hosting a series of economic outlook meetings on the Navajo Nation. The meetings will gather input from the public on ways to diversify the economy in northern Arizona due to the potential work reduction at Navajo Generating Station and possible impacts to mining.

All members of the public, especially those affected by the changing economy, are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussions. The meeting schedules are as follows:

  • Kaibeto Chapter—Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. – noon
  • LeChee Chapter— Jan. 25, from 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Gap/ Bodaway Chapter— Jan. 26, from 9 – 11 a.m.
  • Tuba City Chapter— Jan. 26, from 2 – 4 p.m.
  • Kayenta Township House— Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. – noon
  • Shonto Chapter— Jan. 27, from 3 – 5 p.m.
  • For more information, please call Supervisor Fowler’s office at 928-283-4518.

Bearizona jaguar gives blood to jaguar at Reid Park Zoo

Click on image to view video of Bagheera swimming.

WILLIAMS — This time of year is all about giving, and what better Christmas gift than to help a friend in need. Bearizona Wildlife Park’s resident jaguar Bagheera was able to give a blood transfusion to a Jaguar in dire need from the Reid Park Zoo.

Jaguars are a near threatened species and numbers are rapidly declining in their wild habitats which include the southern regions of the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. The last known wild Jaguars living in the United States were actually last seen in the Tucson Arizona, with the most recent sighting just last week.

Bearizona’s Owner stated “we received a call last week from Reid Park Zoo stating they had a Jaguar who was in need of help. We of course wanted to help, and after some discussions with our veterinary team we decided it was a great opportunity to help out a jaguar in need.

Bearizona’s male jaguar Bagheera is one of the most beloved critters to call Bearizona home and now he can add life saver to his list. They say a cat has nine lives and it looks like that very well may be the case for Reid Park Zoo’s jaguar Nakita, after the successful blood transfusion.

Casey also stated that “We are happy we were able to help and wish Nikita a speedy recovery.”

Bagheera can be seen frolicking in his home at Bearizona, an 11,000 square foot exhibit complete with a 30 foot waterfall.

Bearizona may be the missing link to the Chicago Cubs success during the regular season.

bearizona-cubs02WILLIAMS — Baseball has always been a sport filled with superstitions. One of the most longstanding and widely believed superstitions has to do with the Chicago Cubs and The Curse of the Billy Goat. Some believe this so called curse is the reason the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908, and haven’t qualified for a series since 1945.

Bearizona may be the missing link as to why the Cubs had such a successful season. Bearizona worked with Cubs manager Joe Maddon to surprise Cubs players in the pre-season with a visit from two bear cubs that were born at Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, Ariz. this past January. These two cubs, named Cubby and Rizzo, in honor of their famous pro-athlete buddies, could very well be the reason the cubs have made it this far in the playoffs.
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Bearizona’s owner Sean Casey stated “The Chicago Cubs clearly have the talent to make it happen, but the Bearizona luck that cubs Cubby and Rizzo bring can’t hurt their chances either.”

Stop and Buy on Route 66 in Ash Fork

stop-n-buy-01Ash Fork — If you are traveling west on Interstate 40, you might want to make a stop in Ash Fork and shop at the roadside emporium known as the Stop and Buy on Route 66.

Gary is a well-know purveyor of knives, stun guns, ladies bags and other specialized items in the Williams area. He has established his roadside business now in the Flagstone Capitol of the World, Ash Fork, right on historic Route 66.
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He has added some great metal signs and license plates made not just in the USA, but right here in Arizona. They are beautifully made.
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He has added some great knives to his line including the famous Ka-Bar. The advantage of his roadside lease is he can offer great prices. He also carries handbags and magnetic bracelets. He is getting ready to order flags which is another of his popular items.

Of course visiting Gary is a not the only reason to stop in Ash Fork. Lulu Belle’s BBQ restaurant which has been open for about a year is becoming a popular dining spot. The Ash Fork Route 66 museum offers a great view of the history of the area which includes photos and dioramas.

80% chance for up to 2″ of snow today

sno-16-01-12-043WILLIAMS — In the early morning hours only a sliver of blue sky remained as a backdrop to the Three Sisters. That was soon covered by an overcast sky.

According to the latest check, there is an 80% chance of snow today. It could drop as much as 2″ of new snow. Winds could rise to 17-mph this afternoon with gusts as high as 28-mph today and 30-mph tonight.

Saturday is predicted to be cold with wind chill down to zero. The sun and temperatures around the mid-40s are expected for Sunday through Martin Luther King day making the free entry day at the Grand Canyon a definite possibility.

The chance of rain and snow returns again on Tuesday.

While they may close temporarily depending on the weather, Bearizona and the Deer Farm east of Williams generally remain open for visitors to get up close and personal with the wild residents of Arizona.

Remember that, because of the expected low temperatures, ice is possible on the roadways and walkways.Winter-Bearizona16-01-13-010

Love’s can’t get any lower

800-20151223-loveWILLIAMS — Just when you thought they couldn’t get any lower, Love’s does. They dropped gas prices to $1.99 (and 9 tenths) at 9 a.m. this morning.

Actually I guess they could go lower if they want to. I won’t stop them.

This is welcome news for the Christmas season for visitors to the Grand Canyon, Bearizona, Polar Express and the city dwellers. As of now they appear to be the best price in town.

That’s one great Christmas present, Love’s.