Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Business

Business

Mentoring Through Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards

By Leave a Comment

Nominations being accepted for September High Tea.

The Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards not only celebrate, recognize and honor women for their leadership skills, career achievements, community service and mentorship, they also promote what leadership looks like. ATHENA recipients say this is powerful because younger or less experienced women in the workplace can identify local role models they can talk to, observe in action and learn from.

“Leaders become mentors for others and impact future growth,” said 2022 ATHENA recipient Teri Drew, executive director of NACOG’s Yavapai County Workforce Development, in a 2022 QCBN interview. “My parents and siblings were and continue to be my mentors. They taught me what to and not to do growing up, and those strong ethics pay off.”

On Sunday, Sept. 24, women from across the region will come together at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall for the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards High Tea, presented by Quad Cities Business News. They will hear stories of struggle and triumph, perseverance through fear and how to tap into their inner strength in times of adversity. They will also learn how women lean into their core values and their hopes for the future.

“I believe my life is a blessing and given as a blessing. Giving back is just what I believe I need to do. Mentoring others is one of my tenets and receiving the ATHENA award strengthened that,” said 2018 Flagstaff ATHENA recipient Theresa Bierer, an associate professor of practice in management in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University. “In our lives, everyone is so busy, but what really makes the fabric of a community is people who step outside of themselves and put others and community first. To me, that’s what the ATHENA Award embodies.”

This year, QCBN will recognize an individual with the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award and also will present the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. In addition, for the first time in Northern Arizona, the Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards will celebrate a business or organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to nominate extraordinary women leaders who are making a difference in their communities and pioneering a path for others to impact the future.

“My hope for young women entering the workplace is for them to do what they love and love what they do,” added Drew.

Nominations are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 4, at prescottathena.com. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Photos by Kay Lyons: QCBN women have been instrumental in bringing the ATHENA Leadership Awards to Prescott. Photographed here are QCBN Co-Owner Amy Bix, Editor Bonnie Stevens and Advertising Manager Ann Herrington. 

Party in the Pines to Benefit Local Education

By Leave a Comment

Come out and enjoy great beer, food and music while making a difference in the lives of students in our area.

The Prescott Area Young Professionals (PAYP) group is planning its annual charity beer festival, Party in the Pines, scheduled for 5 p.m., Saturday, June 3. The event will support the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) classrooms through PUSD Education Foundation grants that fund programs such as an engineering class at Prescott High School and the districtwide college and career preparation software program, Naviance.

“We’re excited to bring our community together to support education through Party in the Pines,” said PAYP President Stephanie Miller. “We believe that education is the foundation for a strong and prosperous community and we’re proud to be able to support our local schools through this event. Come out and enjoy great beer, food and music while making a difference in the lives of students in our area.”

The festival will have a VIP entry at 4 p.m., with access to a private musical performance, exclusive drink tastings, catering, private shade and luxury restrooms, sponsored by Lamb Chevrolet. Limited VIP tickets are available online at partyinthepinesprescott.com.

General admission opens at 5 p.m., with discounted pre-sale tickets available online at partyinthepinesprescott.com for $50, which includes eight drink tickets. Tickets also will be available at the gate for $55. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase. Designated drivers receive a discount of $10 at the gate.

Event sponsors include Quad Cities Business News, Lamb Chevrolet, Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos, Waste Management, ROX Media, The Prescott Times, Visit Prescott, Sparklight Advertising, Signals, Park Plaza Liquor and Deli, Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC, Verve Events & Tents, Skycity Productions LLC, Quad Cities Design, Makayla Chadwick State Farm Insurance, Sadie Sarti Design Co, Jameson Electric, Lawhorn Plumbing LLC, Prescott Culture Construction and Red Bull.

Party in the Pines is a 21-years-old-and-older and a cash-only event. For more information, please contact Stephanie Miller at 928-445-2000, ext. 114. QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Attendees at Party in the Pines gave a cheer to raising $25,000 for the PUSD Education Foundation in 2019, the last time the event was held because of the pandemic. 

Construction Underway on Babbitt Ranch Energy Center North of Flagstaff

By Leave a Comment

NextEra, SRP, Babbitt Ranches, Arizona State Land Department collaborating on wind power project for renewable energy future.

With a passion to move the state forward with renewable energy while protecting open space, creating jobs, boosting the Northern Arizona economy and planning for generations of Arizonans to come, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, SRP, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona State Land Department have announced that construction is underway for the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. The 161-megawatt (MW) wind project, featuring 50 wind turbines across 669 acres on the CO Bar Ranch about 25 miles north of Flagstaff, is scheduled to begin delivering clean energy to SRP customers by early 2024.

“In our efforts to support the delivery of renewable energy, we acknowledge the terrific and wonderful participation of so many businesses and government entities involved in the process to make this happen,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources will build, own and operate the project, expected to generate enough power to support nearly 40,000 average-sized homes annually during the next 30 years and bring about $9.5 million in tax revenue to the region. The construction phase will provide a significant economic boost to Coconino County and the state, creating up to 250 construction jobs and stimulating the purchase of regional goods and services from local vendors.

“This wind energy project will generate low-cost, homegrown energy and provide millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to Coconino County over the life of the project,” said JD Rulien, director of development at NextEra Energy Resources. “We are pleased to work with SRP, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona State Land Department on Arizona’s newest wind energy center.”

“SRP is proud of the diversity of our resource mix, especially among our growing portfolio of zero-carbon, clean energy resources,” said SRP Resource Planning Director Grant Smedley. “Utility-scale wind power at Babbitt Ranch Energy Center will complement solar resources by providing energy during evening and nighttime hours when solar energy is not available.”

Babbitt Ranches, one of the West’s longest running ranching operations, has been exploring renewable energy viability in Northern Arizona since 2005, measuring wind speeds and conducting solar power evaluations. In 2010, the land company signed agreements with NextEra, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage, to explore locations on the ranch. A decade of environmental studies followed. The project proved to be viable and operational in the timeframe needed to help meet SRP’s growing customer demand by 2024.

The Babbitt Ranch Energy Center will co-exist with current land uses, including conservation projects, ranching, scientific research and recreation.

“Our relatives believed in a land-use ethic from the beginning, a forged ethic that continues to be at the heart of the Babbitt family and the family business owners’ decisions regarding Babbitt Ranches operations,” said Cordasco, a fourth generation Babbitt. “We are thrilled to be combining forces with others who share a strong commitment to the land, the environment and the future as we work together to generate renewable energy for generations to come.”

SRP was the first utility in Arizona to add wind power to its energy resource mix and continues to receive all energy output from the 127-MW Dry Lake Wind Power Project in Northeastern Arizona, the first large-scale wind power facility in the state. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Photo courtesy of Chad de Alva of LightForce Media: Babbitt Ranches became part of Arizona’s agriculture industry with 860 head of cattle 137 years ago and remains one of the West’s longest-running ranching operations. It began exploring Northern Arizona’s renewable energy viability in 2005. Today, it is the site of diverse and co-existing efforts, including renewable energy generation, landscape-scale conservation, recreation and space exploration, along with ranching. 

Hilton Garden Standing Out Among Hotel Chain Properties

By Leave a Comment

Sam’s Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn overlooks the splash pad. Nachos, wings and small plates are offered there.

It’s only been open for a few years, but Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Prescott is already earning national attention. The property is one of seven hotels out of 800, and the only one in Arizona, to win the international 2022 Conrad Achievement Award from the renowned hotel chain.

“It is quite an honor to achieve this award,” said General Manager Marci Hurlbert, who oversees five hotels, with two in Flagstaff, two in Show Low and the Hilton Garden Inn.

She says the recognition came because of the team, including Assistant General Manager Jenniffer Mangus, Maintenance Supervisor Josh Hargan, Housekeeping Manager Margaret Strutz, Culinary Manager Rachel Agan, Banquet Manager Hillary Hofstetter and Front Desk Manager Alex Torget.

The award measures guest satisfaction and the overall guest experience. It is based on guest evaluations and inspections by a Hilton inspector once or twice a year. Hurlbert said these are random so that the hotels cannot prepare or in any way impact the scores. The ratings include many areas such as cleanliness, upkeep of the facility and friendliness of the staff.

“We’re still replacing things on an ongoing basis,” Hurlbert said about Hilton Garden Inn, which opened in 2020.

Hilton Garden Inn receives weekly score updates, which identify where they can improve. “We want to see how we can make it better for our guests,” Hurlbert said. “They might want better lighting or different types of pillows.”

Hilton hotels became pet-friendly this year. That means not only allowing pets in the hotel, but letting pet owners know where the nearest vet is located, where they can get supplies and where there’s a pet-friendly park. “We want to make their stay amazing,” she said, adding that one customer described the customer service as “perfection” and that is what they strive to do for each customer.

Hurlbert said people love to come to Prescott because of its small-town charm and pioneering history. On the hotel campus is The Event Center at Sam Hill Warehouse, a historic 4,800-square-foot building, popular for wedding receptions, corporate gatherings and banquets.

Triple Creek Kitchen and Spirit is the main restaurant, which offers American fare, comfort food and regional favorites like burritos. Fresh fruit and salads are also available. “It’s an independent concept restaurant,” she said. “It’s not like any other Hilton restaurant.”

Sam’s Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn overlooks the splash pad. Nachos, wings and small plates are offered there.

Hurlbert was hired to open the property in 2020 as she inspected the 101 rooms and overlooked the hiring, training and marketing aspects of the new hotel. She said all of the staff members live in Prescott, as the company focused on hiring locally.

Hurlbert has worked for Hilton for about 20 years. Her family moved here in the 1970s and she is a graduate of Prescott High School. “Prescott is a great place to be.” QCBN

By Ray Newton and Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Kay Lyons: Hilton Garden Inn General Manager Marci Hurlbert says she and her team are focused on the guest experience. 

Chino Valley Applauds Outstanding Individuals, Businesses, Organizations

By Leave a Comment

The Hall of Fame Award went to Essence Kitchen and Bar for their spirit of volunteerism in the school district and with people in need and veterans.

About 70 business owners and community members attended the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Recognition Awards ceremony Friday, March 31, at the Prescott Centennial Center.

The Business Recognition Award, also known as the BRA award, went to Tom Payne and Wendy McManigal of Tom’s Print and Sign. The Hall of Fame Award went to Julia Ammons of Essence Kitchen and Bar. The Community Service Award went to Sandy Jones of Chino Valley United Methodist Church, and the Business Excellence Award went to Tre Soria of Prescott Roots Landscaping and Design.

The event also honored outgoing Chino Valley Chamber CEO Lorette Stewart, who resigned to take another job.

Until a permanent replacement is hired, Sheri Heiney, president and CEO of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, has stepped in to offer not only her 20-plus years of personal expertise in chamber operations, but her team to assist CV Chamber of Commerce in managing membership files, financial analysis, short-term and long-term financial planning, bylaws adherence and board development.

In addition, John Courtis, the retired executive director of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, has offered to serve as interim volunteer director. Courtis will be the face of the Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce while they seek out Stewart’s replacement.

Heart Dance Records artist Darin Mahoney, a Chino Valley resident, performed live music with his guitar and vocals during the buffet dinner awards ceremony.

Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Max Bledsoe recognized community champion sponsors, including the town of Chino Valley. Vice Mayor Eric Granillo accepted the recognition for the town. Granillo thanked Stewart for her six years of work with the chamber. He also praised the overall business community. “This town has some of the best businesses,” he said.

Matt Santos, public information officer for the CV Chamber of Commerce, served as emcee. “There are so many businesses that do so much for our town,” he said, citing scholarships for students as one example. He urged everyone to shop local and join the chamber.

Jones said the CV United Methodist Church has been a member of the chamber for more than 30 years. CVUMC makes monthly donations to Chino Valley organizations. She highlighted the many good organizations in the community, including Horses with Heart and Yavapai Transit.

Soria with Prescott Roots Landscape received the Business Excellence Award for the company’s commitment to customer service and community involvement. Soria, who was born and raised in Chino Valley, praised his work crew for earning the award. He said the community inspired him to go into business.

Tom Payne and his sister, Wendy McManigal, with Tom’s Print and Sign are well known in the community after being here for 31 years. “Thank you for your years of commitment. Your work is remembered and appreciated,” Santos said when presenting them with the award. “You’re known for your years of outstanding work.”

The Hall of Fame Award went to Essence Kitchen and Bar for their spirit of volunteerism in the school district and with people in need and veterans. “This is a real big honor,” Ammons said as she accepted the honor with her 7-year-old grandson, Skyler, joining her at the podium.

Ammons said they have a great team that enables them to be involved in community causes. Essence Kitchen is known for having a lunch for veterans every other month. “It just takes a group of people with ideas,” Ammons said about the need for supporting good causes. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Stan Bindell: Sandy Jones shares the recognition for Chino Valley United Methodist Church with Kaleigh Stewart, the daughter of outgoing chamber CEO Lorette Stewart. 

Ruby Road Vintage Mall Offers Upcycled Treasures

By Leave a Comment

Pamela Bridgnell creates space for micro businesses.

Mondays can be quiet in small towns, but for Ruby Road Vintage Mall in Camp Verde, the start of the work week is bustling with business.

Packed with 60 vendor spaces, the store sells a mix of estate treasures, trendy home goods, repurposed furniture, new items and more. The staff at Ruby Road Vintage Mall totals about a dozen people who work part-time.

“Most everyone that works here also sells here and it’s a great advantage for them,” said Ruby Road Vintage Mall Owner Pamela Bridgnell. “They’re running their own little store or micro business without having to deal with the complexities of owning a business. I love the way the products they are selling often reflect their personality.”

Holiday items, greeting cards, jewelry, herbal products and hand-crafted candles also adorn the shelves at Ruby Road Vintage Mall. “One of our newest vendors is selling a cute brand of baby and toddler clothes. I heard a customer squealing with joy because she was so happy to find such an adorable assortment of baby apparel,” she said.

The largest space in the store is the furniture room, with hundreds of used pieces to choose from. “I think it might be the largest collection of furniture in one place in the area,” said Bridgnell.

“Pamela is honestly the superstar of the resale business. She’s always up to something innovative, new and exciting.  I love being a vendor here,” said Sandee Hedgcock.

The 8,000-square-foot store echoes the country character of Camp Verde and lures shoppers from all over Northern Arizona. The front parking lot is also a display area for outdoor furniture and vintage artifacts, serving as a colorful exhibition for passersby.

Insisting that she’s a stickler about quality, all products sold must meet Bridgnell’s standards. “We have Ruby Road values that must be met for every piece. Items sold must operate, drawers work, no holes. I hold our dealers to this commitment and there are times we do reject some items. I’m a tyrant because I want the best to be sold here.”

Pamela and her husband, Paul, came to Camp Verde from Phoenix in 2005, when they purchased a vacation home. “Once we got here, I fell in love with the area. I also had a desire to open a little thrift shop,” she said.

At first, she worked just a few days a week, but then she opened a larger store around the corner, which is where Ruby Road Vintage Mall was born, named after her granddaughter.

Bridgnell says it feels like the store became successful overnight. “I didn’t advertise, I just told people about it, word got out and vendors started renting spaces. Customers liked the concept, and we always seem to have a steady flow of business.”

“It’s really fun to look around, plus it’s clean, and it doesn’t have that musky odor that some resale shops have,” said local artist Sheri Morris. “They also stock a wide variety of items like appliances, household goods and lots of new inventory. We always find pieces of furniture that fit a certain niche in our home. Recently, we purchased a huge chest for our patio for $100. It holds everything that we use outside.”

Bridgnell travels weekly from her home in Phoenix to transport used furniture. “I bring up a 20-foot cargo trailer full of used furniture almost every week. It’s crazy how it sells and how hard it is to keep up with the demand.”

“The way the store has continuously evolved over time is all due to Pamela’s dedication and success,” said Ruby Road Vintage Mall Store Manager Nicole Sornprasitti. “She’s created a great environment and she’s a wonderful boss and a caring mentor who is always open to new ideas and strategies.”

Married for 41 years, the Bridgnells have two married children and five grandchildren. “We have a jeep and love four-wheeling, rock crawling in Sedona, and we also like to hike and travel.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Ruby Road Vintage Mall is located at 851 E. Howards Road in Camp Verde. For more information, call 928-567-5759 or visit www.rubyroadresale.com.

Bird Watching and Feeding from The Lookout

By Leave a Comment

Jay’s Bird Barn receives new name and more space.

The Lookout, formerly known as Jay’s Bird Barn, has opened a bigger store, offering more bird products, optics and Hallmark products.

“My name isn’t Jay. We don’t sell birds and we’re not in a barn,” said Eric Moore, joking about the reasons for the name change.

Moore owns The Lookout with his wife, Gay. He said the store has 11 workers, including his wife and himself. “We are family and knowledge-based, and emphasize customer service,” he said. His son, Jay, was working with the business when it opened 20 years ago, but is no longer involved.

“We get a ton of calls asking if we sell parrots,” Moore said. The Lookout does sell birdseed, birdhouses, bird books and bird baths, but not birds.

“Birdseed has been our bread and butter for 20 years,” Moore said about the store’s popularity. They have thousands of customers in their database, with many coming from all over the state.

Moore says the quality of their seed is what puts them on the map, as they make their own in Prescott through a partnership with Yavapai Exceptional Industries (YEI). It is habitat-specific, because one neighborhood in Prescott will attract different types of birds than another section of the city.

“We ask people where they live. The blends are the key to our success and the customers can see the difference,” he said.

The optics section is three times larger than the old store. The Lookout carries Vortex and Swarovski binoculars, spotting scopes and tripods. The Lookout is aptly named, as it has big windows with birdfeeders outside and a great view of Thumb Butte. Customers can try the binoculars and scopes out the window. “We have the nicest optics in Northern Arizona,” Moore said.

The Hallmark section has also been enlarged, offering cards and gifts for special occasions including anniversaries, weddings, newborns, new homes and retirement. The Lookout also has nature-based and faith-based gifts. “We are a one-stop destination for gifts,” he said.

Hallmark has a licensing agreement with Disney and Peanuts, so the Lookout also carries those gift items. The store also carries nature cards created by local artists. The book section covers a wide variety of topics, including hiking and geology. It also sells small, foldable Sibleys bird guidebooks that are easy to carry and list 73 backyard birds and 72 nature birds in the Prescott area.

After 20 years of renting, Moore said they decided to buy this new building. The new store is 7,300 square feet, compared to the old 3,000-square-foot store.

“We hire employees who know the subject matter,” he said. “We have thousands of dedicated customers because they know about our specialized knowledge. I also know all the customers by name because they’re also our friends.”

Moore’s interest in birds began when he was 5 years old. He earned a business degree and worked in the grocery business for 20 years before opening his family business. “It was our own invention and creation,” he said. “We didn’t buy a franchise. We built it from the ground up.” QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

The Lookout is on 1230 Willow Creek Road but cannot be accessed from Willow Creek Road. Customers must turn onto Black Drive to get to the driveway.

Photo by Stan Bindell: Owner Eric Moore says The Lookout’s is known for its knowledge about birds and careful blend of bird seed for specific locations. 

Renee Rosales is a Champion for Neurodiverse Learners

By Leave a Comment

Theara founder offers brain-training exercises, coaching.

Maintaining the vision that “anything is possible with the right amount of education and determination,” Theara Founder and CEO Renee Rosales has set out to build a better way for the neurodiverse (ND).

“Neurodiversity is the belief that neurological disabilities and differences are not the result of faulty biology but rather the result of natural neurological variation,” Rosales said. “Conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism, Tourette’s, giftedness and dyscalculia fall under the ND umbrella.”

As co-founder of two of the first virtual schools in Arizona, Marana Distance Learning K12 and Northern Arizona Distance Learning, and with a 25-year career in public education, Rosales has developed Theara, providing online training and coaching programs using simple brain-training exercises.

According to Rosales, about 15% to 22% of the global population could be considered neurodiverse.

Her passion for the Neurodiversity Movement is very personal, as she has ADHD. “I am determined to eradicate the negative stigma and wear my ADHD identity like a badge of honor.”

In addition, two of Rosales’ children are neuro-distinct, with ADHD and dyslexia. “My second son was diagnosed with a very complex ND profile. He had very few intelligible words until he was almost 4 years old. Our journey was very challenging and I decided to use my experience to light the way for others navigating the same journey.”

When contemplating the name for her business, Rosales said the word “Ara” kept coming to mind. “Turned out the name Ara meant ‘a table of offerings.’ I left a well-established career to bring all my best to the table to offer to others.”

Her support options for the neurodiverse include Cognitive Coaching, ND Advocacy, DEI Consulting and the Theara Academy. “Theara Academy provides online education options that provide individuals the roadmap I didn’t have: Know the Way at Home, which helps families just beginning their ND journey, Know the Way at School, for educators and parents, Know the Way at Work, for employers and employees and EMERGE ND for Neurodivergents seeking to better manage, embrace and share their ND identity,” she said.

Acronyms, including JOY, BRIDGE, RESET, CONNECT and REACH, are used as brain training tools to help ND people build connections and improve personal development.

Avondale Registered Nurse, wife and mother Lisa Diggs, who is ADHD, bi-polar and OCD, has been coached by Rosales for more than two years on a bi-weekly routine. “Renee has been an amazing resource and her tools have helped me maintain and stabilize my mind on everything I have going on,” she said.  “I learn very well with the Theara acronyms and especially like JOY. My husband noticed how this has helped me and he is now listening to our Zoom meetings as well.” Along with ND, Diggs is also battling cancer and going through chemotherapy.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Rosales met her husband, Flagstaff Foot Doctors owner, Dr. Anthony Rosales, D.P.M., in Cleveland, Ohio. “Anthony was placed for his residency in Tucson, so we moved out West. I started my master’s at University of Arizona (UA) and completed it in Flagstaff in 2005. I also worked at Flagstaff High School and established the Mesa Distance Learning program there, as well as teaching English.”

Leaving her career in education and developing Theara was a personal process for Rosales. When contemplating the name for her business, Rosales said the word “Ara” kept coming to mind. She discovered “Ara” meant a table of offerings. “I left a well-established career to bring all my best to the table to offer to others. I chose to leave the comfort of a secure career with the goal of helping people through the challenges of ND. Theara is the culmination of all I have learned along the way.”

Theara Chief Operating Officer Wanda Tompkins left a 30-plus year career in retail to join Rosales on the Theara team. “I’ve never worked with my best friend before and it’s been great. Learning the acronyms is not just for ND individuals. It really helps anyone with better communication, better awareness and helps to refocus on where we need to be. It’s a huge positive in my life. I like to think of it as learning a new language.”

“Wanda and I have done collaborative work together and she has incredible skills in management and business operation. I wanted a team member who could bring those pieces into the operation,” said Rosales.

Theara’s Masterclass is a monthly live online coaching session where members can speak directly with Renee and other ND parents. “Our Masterclass is a group of families across the world who connect and can help each other navigate their journey. They build lasting relationships and find practical advice on strategies, situational management techniques, learning how to effectively communicate and other valuable support,” said Rosales.

Ronin Media Network Chief Revenue Officer Jason Rhude has been involved with the Masterclass for more than a year. “I’ve been taking her classes to better understand how to interact with people with ND in order to make a more cohesive work environment and understand how to identify and utilize these skills so people can thrive,” said Rhude. QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: With ADHD herself and two neurodiverse children, Renee Rosales is passionate about eradicating the stigma associated with neurodiverse conditions. 

Roots and Boots Music Camp Inspired by Pickin’ in the Pines

By Leave a Comment

June event promotes jamming and harmonizing under the stars.

Bluegrass is on fire, says Flagstaff Roots and Boots Music Camp founder Julie Sullivan, and it’s lighting up the nation. “Everyone wants to know how to play it. It’s very accessible and people can identify with the music and the instruments. We’ll hear, ‘I have a banjo that was my dad’s.’ Or, they play guitar and plunk around at home. What I’ve found is almost everyone who has an instrument wants to play, sing and work out songs with other people to create that communal, tribal quality. That’s what I focus on.”

Sullivan is one of the founders of the hugely popular Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival that attracts about 3,500 people and rocks Fort Tuthill for three days every September. “What makes it different from a rock concert is that people want to camp and play their instruments here. Jamming after bluegrass festivals into the wee hours is unique to this genre, having fun, singing to the stars.”

And that’s her inspiration for the Flagstaff Roots and Boots Music Camp, a four-day event for adults devoted to the study and enjoyment of bluegrass, acoustic folk and blues, scheduled for June 7-11 at Camp Colton on the San Francisco Peaks. Besides immersion classes with seasoned musician instructors from around the region, participants learn “the etiquette of jamming,” she said. “People learn how to play with an ensemble. We emphasize singing harmonies, too, which is so prevalent in bluegrass and folk music.”

Sullivan learned to play guitar when she was 14. She also sings and plays lead and backup acoustic guitar in her Roots and Boots band. She teaches others to play by ear, which is how she learned and how she continues to play. “That’s how bluegrass is played. It’s an oral tradition. Songs are passed along among people.”

As a young adult, Sullivan moved to Berkeley, California, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after college as an art student and fledgling guitar player. “I was really embracing my own musicality. I started working at a famous coffeehouse, The Freight & Salvage, and I was exposed to so many great bluegrass and folk legends there: Doc Watson, David Grisman, Tony Rice, Kate Wolf, Maria Muldar, Laurie Lewis. They were so welcoming and it was really through this folk and bluegrass form of music that I went on to perform and play it with other people. I loved it. It really resonated with me. And I could go anywhere in the world and find people to play with. It’s a universal language.”

Sullivan calls the music and the way it brings people together “uplifting.” After observing what an impact Pickin’ in the Pines had on audiences, she felt compelled to start the Flagstaff Roots and Boots Music Camp. “You can see they just really want to learn the music. So, I started thinking about a camp. Why shouldn’t we have a premier camp for adults to learn to play bluegrass and acoustic folk music?’”

The music camp was started in 2019 at Arizona Nordic Village, but the pandemic and forest closures derailed the camp in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, threat of wildfire closed the Nordic Village so, with just a few days before the start date, Sullivan reached out to Camp Colton. “It was available and perfect!”

She expects to fill the camp with 40 participants this year with a mix of locals, Arizonans and musicians from neighboring states. Eleven accomplished instructors will teach guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin and singing.

“The camp offers daily immersion courses in many instruments and lots of fun electives, including sound craft, where students can practice performing and expand their knowledge of sound systems,” said Sullivan.

New this year, is an intensive vocal master class with Chris Sanders of The Hard Road Trio. “I’ll be helping people get the most out of their voices and bringing their music forward by singing and playing with the instrument that they like to be accompanied by,” said Sanders, a longtime Las Cruces, New Mexico musician, grounded in classical and choral music. “Every camp is its own community. We get to share this wonderful experience of making music with others in a safe and fun place to grow.”

The evenings, says Sullivan, are magical, with musicians playing, voices harmonizing and talent igniting around the campfire. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

To sign up or for more information, visit https://rootsandbootsmusiccamp.com/about/

Photo courtesy of Dawn Kish: Julie Sullivan, captured here playing the guitar, founded the Flagstaff Roots and Boots Music Camp. She is also an art director and graphic designer in Flagstaff, with her business Shine Creative Industries. 

A Lifeline to Recovery

By Leave a Comment

Onlife Foundation raises funds to treat addiction, support sober living.

Sometimes, life’s struggles can seem insurmountable. This is especially true when an individual is drowning in problems created by the ravages of addiction or mental illness.

Help might seem just out of reach as families struggle to afford effective treatment for loved ones who are suffering. However, a private non-profit, Onlife Foundation, was founded in Flagstaff about a year ago to help soften this dilemma by raising funds and creating a network of partnerships that can provide innovative and varied resources for those in need.

“The goal really is trying to meet an audience that’s stuck,” said Onlife President and co-founder Roy DuPrez. “There are so many treatment programs out there, including a lot of expensive programs with minimal results. Families don’t even know what they getting into. We often have scenarios where the potential family may have good private insurance but not enough to cover their out-of-pocket or insurance policy deductions. We’re trying to help them bridge that, so they can participate in better quality programs.”

The motto of Onlife Foundation is “Placing the Impossible Within Reach.” Critical to the non-profit’s success are its partnerships with effective programs that have proven to be successful in helping individuals recover from addiction and other mental health conditions and go on to maintain sober and enriching lives.

DuPrez also started two programs in the Flagstaff area that are affiliated with and benefit from the efforts of Onlife Foundation – Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery and Beyond the Basics. The Back2Basics program is for young adult males, ages 18 to 35, who have substance abuse issues and are looking for a positive and meaningful life. Its success lies in a combination of concentrated direct care therapy and life-skill building. The program maintains four residential facilities for clients in Flagstaff and is a hybrid residential and outdoor adventure recovery program.

“Young adults truly benefit from various activities that are satisfying and engaging,” DuPrez said. “There needs to be some sort of carrot, not just another relapse prevention lecture. That isn’t going to do it for most young people at that age. My vision is we need to broaden their experiences and offer them an opportunity to see what life can look like while being sober.”

Adventures include trips to places like Moab, Utah, Grand Canyon, the Superstition Mountains and Sedona. Activities may feature camping, backpacking, kayaking and river rafting, with cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter.

Beyond the Basics is an additional six-month transition program that follows the Back2Basics program. It is focused on giving clients the groundwork to gradually transition from rehabilitation and recovery into living in the “real world” with long-term sobriety goals.

The roots of the Onlife Foundation story, as well as the Back2Basics and Beyond the Basics stories, are grounded in the longtime friendship of DuPrez and Sean Orlando that began in high school in Scottsdale and continued on to college in Flagstaff.

“We’ve been best friends since we were teens,” DuPrez said. “Sean’s always had an altruistic background; my family, too. We have a background of being of service that’s always bound us together. We both moved up here in 1993 for higher learning at NAU.”

The two were college roommates. “Coming of age together and facing the many social challenges as teens and young adults allowed us to connect around a shared perspective and common purpose regarding life in general,” Orlando said.

DuPrez majored in Latin American studies and Spanish, and earned his master’s degree in academic administration. Orlando majored in Spanish and earned master’s degrees in sustainable communities and oriental medicine.

Between 2000 and 2006, their first collaboration in Flagstaff was the Indigo Movement, which met in the historic El Divino Redentor church on South San Francisco Street in downtown Flagstaff and sought to prevent youth violence and delinquency through self-empowerment initiatives.

After almost a decade of working together on projects, the two men took separate paths: DuPrez moving into the field of recovery and mental health, eventually starting Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery in 2010; Orlando went on to establish his own clinical practice.

The Onlife Foundation is closely allied with the Back2Basics program with a direct line of financial aid and program support to those on the path to sobriety and recovery. “It’s composed of alumni families and community members who have their own professional backgrounds and want to do something to support those trying to get help and hopefully get into treatment,” said DuPrez.

A key member of the Onlife leadership team is co-founder Laura LeVee, who serves as treasurer on the board of directors. She says her son was greatly helped by the Back2Basics program. “Connor became an alcoholic while in college, and he didn’t get good treatment for many years,” she said. “He tried various inpatient and outpatient solutions, but all were for 90 days or so, at which point, he would quickly relapse. In addition, the short-term centers did not specialize in mental health issues, which Connor desperately needed. Indeed, most addicts really need mental health support in order to sustain sobriety.”

Connor completed the Back2Basics program last summer and has returned to school to finish his undergraduate degree. He now works full-time for a gym in Flagstaff.

“I am enormously grateful to Roy and his program, and I hope that Onlife can send many addicts to Roy’s program, as well as others, that specialize in long-term solutions,” said LeVee.

Currently, Onlife is planning community-based fundraising events, as well as pursuing grant opportunities, in an effort to support more people suffering from addiction and help them maintain sober lives. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Onlife is designed to help support young men seeking recovery through Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery and Beyond the Basics, which include outdoor activities like river rafting in their programs.