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Bombas Gives Socks to Young Ones through Tennies for Tots

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“She saw a need and did what it took, almost single-handedly, to fill it. That kind of volunteerism is rare, but the reward fills you beyond measure.”

Paula Sedillo Wise and the volunteers for the non-profit she started, Tennies for Tots, were more than thrilled when they learned they would be partnering with Bombas, a sock and T-shirt company, and their One Purchased=One Donated program. They are sending her 3,000 pairs of children’s socks to add to the new shoes, books and book bags she provides to children 5 years old and younger who are part of families who live in poverty throughout Northern and Central Arizona. As she put it with a smile, “It knocked my socks off!”

Bombas donates one item of clothing for every item they sell. Currently, the company has more than 3,500 partners distributing those gifts throughout the United States. To date, Bombas has donated 75 million pieces of clothing to programs that serve those in need. Of the clothing they donate, socks, underwear and T-shirts are the top three most requested items at shelters. “We are honored to be a part of this amazing and one-of-a-kind program,” said Wise.

Paula started Tennies for Tots in 2018, after attending a back-to-school event in Prescott, where she learned that there where programs in place to help school-aged children with school clothes and supplies but they were not available for younger children. Although she works full time, she decided she was going to fill that need. She started with a couple of the Head Start Programs in Flagstaff. Slowly, she expanded, and now serves nearly 40 Head Start programs in four different counties in Arizona and more than 3,000 children every year, including those in Williams, Flagstaff, Page, the Navajo Nation, Winslow and the White Mountains. For many of these children, they are the first new shoes they have ever had.

Last year was a difficult year for Tennies for Tots, Wise reports. She and the volunteers had always shopped discount bins and store closings to buy shoes and socks that they gave away. This held the cost to under $10 per child. But with inflation and supply chain problems, her sources dried up. As a result, the cost per child rose by almost 50%. “But thanks to some new ideas and help from Bill and Barbara Packard and their ‘Going Full Circle’ books, we found a way to get everyone outfitted,” she said.

“Making a difference is all about a commitment to a cause,” said Bill. “She saw a need and did what it took, almost single-handedly, to fill it. That kind of volunteerism is rare, but the reward fills you beyond measure.”

Sara Presler, former mayor of Flagstaff, introduced Wise to the Packards about four years ago. They helped her create the non-profit and fill out grant applications. Hence, donations doubled from 2021 to 2022.

“We were amazed how this single mother who worked full-time had found the time and resources to help all these children,” said Bill. “We recognized the same drive in her that lead us to open Full Circle Trade and Thrift and our Pantry.”

As word has gotten out, Wise says requests for help from families have increased as well. “We are always looking for more help, so if you or a group you belong to would like to help financially or to volunteer, buying, sorting and distributing, we sure could use the help.”

For more information, visit www.tenniesfortots.org. The State of Arizona recognized Tennies for Tots as a Qualifying Tax Credit Organization in 2022. That means a single person may donate $400 or couples may donate $800 to deduct the full amount from their state income tax bill. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Paula Sedillo Wise is joyfully overwhelmed by the gift of 3,000 socks to support her non-profit, Tennies for Tots.

Quad Cities Solar Co-op Surpassing Membership Goal 

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“It’s thrilling to see so much immediate interest in local solar from the community,” said  SUN Arizona Program Director Adrian Keller.

The Quad Cities Solar Co-op launched on March 15, and has quickly blown past its membership goal of 50 residents. The solar co-op, a group formed to help residents go solar, just announced a new goal of 100 members.

The solar co-op, organized by non-profit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN), is free to join and open to homeowners and small business owners in the Quad Cities region. This includes residents in and around Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt.

On Wednesday, March 22, SUN Arizona Program Director Adrian Keller and local partners hosted a Solar 101 presentation at the Prescott Public Library to talk to residents about solar and explain how going through the co-op works. More than 60 residents from across Yavapai County attended the event.

“It’s thrilling to see so much immediate interest in local solar from the community,” said  SUN Arizona Program Director Adrian Keller. “We know that the process and considerations can be complicated, so it was great to see so many folks come out to the event and get their questions answered.”

Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality. Solar United Neighbors has run solar co-ops across the state, ranging from 50 to 200 members, but this is the first one for Quad Cities area residents.

With so much initial interest, SUN has already put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for solar installers to bid on the co-op. After collecting bids, SUN will facilitate a meeting for co-op members to select a single solar company to serve the group. Members are not obligated to purchase solar. Instead, they will have the option to individually purchase panels based on the selected installer’s group rate. SUN remains vendor-neutral through the selection process.

With the federal passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022, co-op members will also have the opportunity to use the solar tax credit for residential solar. The residential solar tax credit saves homeowners 30% on the full cost of a solar installation. A similar tax credit is also available to small businesses, who are invited to take part in the co-op.

The solar co-op will also help participants consider battery storage, which, paired with solar, helps bolster the grid during extreme weather events like last summer’s monsoons. Thanks to the IRA, homeowners can take a 30% tax credit for battery storage for the next 10 years. The new legislation also makes it possible to receive the tax credit for stand-alone storage, no solar needed.

Partnering on the solar co-op are: Yavapai Climate Change Coalition, Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, Sierra Club Yavapai Group and Interfaith Climate Action Team.

SUN has hosted 13 solar co-ops in Arizona since 2019. According to the group’s estimates, the 383 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent 3,070 kW of solar power, $9 million in local solar spending and more than 89 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets.

Individuals interested in going solar can learn more and sign up for the co-op at solarunitedneighbors.org/quadcities. QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Solar United Neighbors (SUN) hosts Solar 101 presentations for residents. 

Sheltering Animals in Disasters                                                             

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Volunteers practice drills, identify shelter locations.

A record-breaking winter of cold temperatures, snow, rain and flooding in Northern Arizona has provided much-needed precipitation but has also primed grasses and fuels that will burn quickly in a wildfire. The wildfire season is the most recurring threat in Yavapai County, but neighborhoods may also need to be evacuated quickly because of flooding, severe weather or hazardous waste spills.

Disasters never happen at a convenient time and strong emotions of fear and uncertainty can run high when emergencies force humans to evacuate their homes.

Statistics from FEMA show that in emergency evacuations, most people won’t leave home without their animals, but with a plan in place, they will be better prepared to evacuate quickly.

Such evacuations can also be frightening for others in the animal kingdom, including household pets such as cats and dogs. However, until recently, there has been a lack of safe havens for evacuated farm animals, such as horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, rabbits, llamas and alpacas.

Disasters have increased in size and frequency, and as communities grow, more animal owners are affected. Fortunately, Yavapai County is proactive in emergency preparedness. Serving the households of Yavapai County, two dedicated non-profit organizations partner with Emergency Management to provide animal shelter services at no cost to animal owners.

Animal Disaster Services (ADS) provides shelter to pets and small companion animals displaced by evacuations. Large Animal Shelters and Emergency Readiness (LASER) provides a safe haven for barn animals during evacuations, sheltering equines, goats, sheep, poultry, pigs, llamas, alpacas and emus. Both organizations are powered entirely by volunteers and donations; there are no paid positions and no government funding is provided.

This spring, the outreach resources of both LASER and ADS have been merged to create a stronger force in emergency situations to help animals, large and small, in both urban and rural communities.

“In 2023, it’s a kind of renewed partnership between LASER and ADS,” said Cathy Heath, LASER director and secretary. “We’ve always worked alongside each other, because we both deal with animals. This year, we thought it would be good to join our efforts and get the message out about emergency preparedness and about the resources available for animals and our offer to make presentations to communities to help inform them.”

The two non-profits are members of the Yavapai County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster), which is comprised of more than 20 organizations that may be activated to help people affected by disaster.

With similar missions, ADS and LASER address not only animal needs during a disaster, but also the safety of neighbors as well. They have teamed up to make community presentations about the resources they offer to individuals, families and households in the county.

Heath notes that LASER has been activated by Yavapai County officials seven times for local wildfires and has been on standby six times. “The April 2022 Crooks Fire struck early in the year and took everyone by surprise,” she said. “LASER sheltered 29 animals for the evacuated residents of Walker for an unprecedented 14 days. Our communities must always be prepared.”

Heath said the sheltered animals included chickens, turkeys, goats and horses. “There was plenty of food. Olsen’s Grain provides the hay. That’s one of our great community partners.”

It was challenging to prepare for the wildfire season during extreme winter conditions, she said, but efforts have been stepped up in the spring. “It’s been a very wet winter, so LASER held our first drill at the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management on March 29,” Heath said. “The entire intake process was simulated with areas for our greeters and stalls. Some volunteers did role playing as animal owners, arriving at the LASER shelter with virtual animals and a variety of situations. The process was then reviewed in a roundtable discussion with input from everyone who participated.”

There was another session in April, with two more scheduled for May and June.

Volunteers are at the heart of both organizations, and in LASER alone, there are currently about 60 volunteers.

“We’ve picked up a lot of new volunteers,” Heath noted. “It’s stayed pretty strong. We have a lot of compassionate people here. Everyone pulls together when they are needed.”

Shelters are available at various predetermined locations depending on the locale and movement of disasters. The primary LASER shelter is in Prescott Valley, off Highway 89A, near Arizona Down. There, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has dedicated a parcel with 190 stalls as a Large Animal Evacuation Shelter and, under a written agreement, LASER will supply and staff it during evacuations.

Also, fundraising events for animal shelters have been effective. “In 2020, in spite of the pandemic, our communities rallied to raise over $40,000 to build a LASER shelter at the Chino Valley Equestrian Park,” Heath said. “This community has recognized this need, and they have always rallied for us. We’ve had great community support.”

Heath is one of six members of the LASER Board of Directors. “We are all very dedicated. What’s great about our board, each of us brings a different experience to the table, so we have a great balance within our board.”

Founded in 1999, ADS has provided shelter to pets displaced by fires and flooding, as well as warming shelters in the winter and cooling shelters in the summers when residents have been impacted by major power outages.

“One of my goals has been to reach out to organizations and work together to inform as many people as possible about pet emergency preparedness,” said ADS President Nancy Stamile. “I’m very happy to say we are achieving this goal. Working with a variety of rescue groups has also given us a better understanding of all the different evacuation needs. We are so proud to be a part of helping families, pets and other organizations in emergencies.”

Most recently, ADS provided two shelters simultaneously, with one in Camp Verde and the other in Black Canyon City, as a result of recent flooding, which impacted multiple communities throughout Yavapai County.

Supply trailers make ADS services mobile, as they are ready to be deployed to predetermined shelter locations within Yavapai County. Shelter locations have been selected based upon availability, accessibility and proximity to potential American Red Cross shelters.

“We always have to be ready,” Heath said. “With the Crook Fire, no one expected a fire that early in the year. They’re saying there’s really no fire season anymore; it could happen anytime.” QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Large Animal Shelters and Emergency Readiness volunteers train for evacuations caused by wildfires, like the 2017 Goodwin Fire, and other disasters, such as recent flooding events. 

Bronze of Prescott Fighter Pilot Being Created for Airport

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“The statue will remind people of the history of Arizona and will promote the city at a nominal cost,” said Goode.

Prescott-based sculptor Bill Nebeker is working on an eight-foot statue of Prescott World War I fighter pilot hero Ernest A. Love, which will be placed at the entry of Prescott Regional Airport, Arizona’s third busiest airport.

The Prescott City Council voted unanimously March 28 to approve $125,000 for Nebeker’s creation. The statue is funded by the Arizona Community Foundation and Friends of the Airport. The statue is expected to be placed there by April 30, 2024.

Prescott Mayor Phil Goode said the statue will be a great addition to the airport, placed in front of the new terminal. The old terminal was built in the 1940s. Prescott Airport was built in 1928 and was the second in Arizona, with Tucson having the first in 1919.

“The statue will remind people of the history of Arizona and will promote the city at a nominal cost,” said Goode. “Bill is a world-renowned sculptor. It’s fortunate that we have someone of his caliber who combines Western art and aviation.”

Nebeker said he was honored that the Art in Public Places Committee selected him. The hardest part, he said, was researching Love so he knew how to authentically portray him in bronze. “Love was an amazing young man.”

Nebeker learned that Love excelled in athletics and academics at Prescott High School. He studied engineering at Stanford for three years and was at the top of his class. He quit during his third year because of his fascination with airplanes. He was sent to flight school in San Diego.

Nebeker also learned that Love wrote home to his parents every week. Nebeker read those letters for his research, which are stored at Sharlot Hall. A book about him, written by a second-generation cousin, is in the Prescott Library.

Love was severely wounded when his plane was shot down over France. He died a few days later. This happened two months before the war ended. Love was considered to be missing in action for several months. Later, his body was buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Nebeker is known nationally for his bronze statue creations. He sculpted the one by the roundabout near Phippen Museum. He has another one on Courthouse Plaza that pays tribute to fallen officers. His statue of early settlers is in Glendale and a statue of a territorial marshal is located at the Arizona Department of Public Safety headquarters in Phoenix. He also makes coffee-table sized bronze statues.

Nebeker started working in a bronze foundry in 1967 and remained there for eight years. He has been an independent artist since that time. His work can be found at Mountain Spirit Gallery on Whiskey Row. It is also online and in galleries throughout the country. QCBN

By Ray Newton and Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Stan Bindell: Bronze sculptor Bill Nebecker displays a lot of love with a miniature and larger-than-life statue of Presoctt World War I fighter pilot Ernest A. Love.

Superhosts Share Tips for Short-Term Rental Success

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  Airbnb designation attracts visitors, increases revenue.

Wendy Chavis designed and built her Prescott home to raise her teenaged daughters. But empty nest syndrome began to emerge when they left home after high school. “Airbnb took the empty nest right out of the house,” declared the Airbnb Superhost.

From her four-bedroom home, guests can see the mountains and are close to the Prescott National Forest. “The online description of my Airbnb talks about plenty of peace and quiet, so it brings in the kind of guest that fits right in,” said Chavis, a residential sales realtor with Weichert, Realtors – CLA. “I get many female solo travelers who are attracted to the description.”

And through their glowing reviews, they attract more visitors to her home. “It seems like a blessing for all who come, so it’s an honor to provide a welcoming space. I anticipate my guests’ needs, like bringing a cup of hot tea to a weary traveler arriving late.”

A Badge of Honor

Every quarter, Airbnb evaluates the hosting performance of the past 12 months for all listings on the host’s account. Hosting performance is measured on various criteria, including response rate, cancelation rate and overall rating. Hosts must maintain a 4.8 rating to earn the Superhost badge.

“The Superhost program was created in 2014 to celebrate and reward the top-rated and most experienced Airbnb hosts,” report Airbnb officials in a news release. “Regardless of what kind of space they list on the platform – from a simple spare room to a sprawling estate – any host can become a Superhost by consistently offering exceptional hospitality. And it pays off.”

Indeed, the typical Superhost earned 64% more than a regular host, according to the Airbnb report.

Airbnb identifies its Superhosts with a special badge in the online marketplace for vacation rentals, indicating to potential guests that their short-term homestays have been reviewed and rated positively by previous lodgers.

Providing Comfort

Superhost Beth Tucker of Flagstaff is an 11-year Airbnb veteran with many repeat guests. “I enjoy meeting the guests,” she said. “I meet them and help them have an experience. I want people to come back and dig the area. It gives me great pleasure to hear, ‘I didn’t know there was so much to do here!’”

Tucker worked and traveled in developing countries for her job before retiring. “I feel I gained insight from those travel experiences and can provide comforts. Everybody travels differently, but being able to anticipate the guest’s needs makes me successful.”

One way she makes guests feel at home is to turn the internet radio onto a station streaming from the guest’s home country. “I had people from the Netherlands come in, so I set the radio to an Amsterdam station. Turns out they were getting homesick, so the radio in their native language really helped. You need to think about what kind of situation your guest is in.”

Creating Experiences

Darryl Brown, who rents out two rooms in his Flagstaff home, also earned the Superhost designation. “I made a separate entrance and closed [the rooms] off from the rest of my home. I had a blast creating the space, furnishing and decorating,” he told Quad Cities Business News. “I tried to make each space beautiful, fun and a different experience from what people have in their own homes.”

Brown says Airbnb success comes from “tangible” and “intangible” elements. “Photography catches people’s eye, but before long, people are booking on your reviews, so reviews have to be high. The feedback I get on my place is that people love the interior design and attention to detail. I have unique furniture, art, quality linens, a comfy bed and a beautiful bathroom. I have good coffee, tea and hot cocoa,” said Brown, who has been an Airbnb host for the past five years.

“I have seen short-term rentals done irresponsibly where large homes are rented out and the guests are loud and disrespectful to the neighborhood,” he added. “An aspect of being a good businessperson means respecting the community you are a part of.”

While earning the Superhost designation can pay off with more bookings, Superhosts like Wendy Chavis say they just feel really good about welcoming and taking care of guests. “I like the idea of maintaining my home and yard for people who are appreciative,” she said. QCBN

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

Stacey Wittig is a travel journalist based near Flagstaff. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to her website at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.

Photo by Kay Lyons: Airbnb Superhost Wendy Chavis of Prescott enjoys anticipating guests’ needs, providing special touches and making their stay a memorable visit. 

Delayed Justice Center and Jail Near Completion

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Upon completion, Greene said, the public will have an opportunity to tour the new facilities.

The construction on the Yavapai County Justice Center and Jail should be completed this month and the sheriff should be given the key by early summer, according to county officials.

“We’re getting really close,” said David McAtee, public information officer for the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.

The project, which has been underway since late 2020, is located along Prescott Lake Parkway. After construction is completed, McAtee said they have to go through the punch list to make sure everything is ready. He said the punch list can take a long time because it involves many details.

Polara Health will be housed at the detention center to address inmates’ behavioral health needs. “They will get the attention right there that they need,” said McAtee, noting that the emphasis is to keep people out of jail.

The Yavapai Justice Center and Jail will have two courtrooms, so those arrested can be processed right there. There will be space for two judges and courtroom staff, along with a big kitchen. The jail will have 125 beds for short-term holding. The cafeteria will be able to feed nearly 400 people, with inmates charged $2.99 per meal.

The project is running about six months behind and $1 million over budget because of the construction delays during the pandemic and inflation. It was funded through a $60 million bond and $12 million from the county’s general fund.

Hensel Phelps, with its corporate office in Colorado, is the main contractor, while Kitchell Corp. from Phoenix is coordinating the work on the ground. “They are doing an amazing job considering that prices doubled during the pandemic,” said McAtee.

Kristin Greene, director of public affairs for Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department, said there are three main buildings in the complex.

  • The jail, where inmates are either released or held before being sent to prison.
  • A new courthouse, which replaces the one on Gurley St.
  • A connection center, also known as a reentry center, where community resources will be housed. Concerns such as housing, substance abuse and mental health will be addressed there.

The overall size is 105,524 square feet, with the 73,289-square-foot detention center, the 24,466-square-foot court and the 7,769-square-foot connection center.

Inmates will also be screened for mental health and other issues before they are booked. “Recidivism rates have a lot to do with mental health,” Greene said. “We’re going to look at ways to keep people from coming back to jail,” she said.

Greene said the only jail intake and booking in Prescott now is very small and the old jail is dilapidated. She said the new jail will save time and gas costs by not having to transfer inmates to elsewhere in the area. The new facilities also will move the courthouse out of the busy downtown.

“This will be a lot more efficient from top to bottom,” she said. “I’m extremely excited about the connection center being right there. This is the culmination of a long belief by Sheriff David Rhodes.

Upon completion, Greene said, the public will have an opportunity to tour the new facilities. QCBN

By Stan Bindell and Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo by Patty Newton: Officials say the Yavapai County Justice Center and Jail on Prescott Lake Parkway will save on time and money, with services on site aimed at reducing the number of people returning to jail.  

Cancer Support Community Arizona Offering Free Services Statewide

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“I’ve found lots of support, encouragement, education, hope and many friends,” said Gerda Bubestinger.

When Cancer Support Community Arizona opened its doors in 1999, it was with the goal that no one impacted by cancer – from the newly diagnosed to long-term survivors to caregivers and loved ones – would have to face the disease alone.

The always-free services, which include educational workshops, support groups, resources and referrals, social and healthy lifestyle programs, would help ease the cancer journey by empowering participants, increasing their feelings of hope and connection and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Because Cancer Support Community was based in Phoenix, however, the vast majority of people accessing the non-profit’s programs were in Maricopa County. That’s changed dramatically over the past three years. Part of it was because of the pandemic, which prompted Cancer Support Community Arizona to pivot to streaming all of its programs online.

“There was still a community; it was now meeting on Zoom,” said Cancer Support Community Arizona CEO Debbie DiCarlo. “In fact, we found that attendance grew quite a lot during the pandemic because people throughout the state could now easily take part.”

The online option was so popular that even after Cancer Support Community started hosting in-person events again last year, most programs continue to be offered on Zoom as well.

“I participate virtually so I don’t have to drive a long distance,” said participant Sandy Basse. “My sister, who is one of my caregivers, lives in Washington state and we can participate together virtually. It is such a blessing to have this resource available to us.”

Another part of the non-profit’s expansion to other parts of the state was the opening in October 2021 of Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. In addition to the types of programs offered in Phoenix, the Northern Arizona campus also features a wig salon, the state’s only source of free wigs for cancer patients north of Phoenix.

“The wig salon is for anyone impacted by cancer, they don’t have to be from Flagstaff, they can come in from anywhere to get a free wig,” said Executive Director Cindy Payne. Although the wig salon’s scheduled hours are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Payne said that out-of-towners visiting Flagstaff on other days can schedule an appointment to be fit for a wig any time the office is open.

In the 18 months that Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona has been open, it has reached out beyond the greater Flagstaff area. In-person support groups for patients and caregivers meet in Cottonwood and Sedona, while a Native American support group meets in Tuba City and on Zoom and men across Northern Arizona gather together weekly on Zoom for a Men’s Only support group.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to expand where we can provide these vital services throughout the state,” said Payne. “It’s a matter of having a relationship with an organization in a city or town that’s willing to host us in a central location where people can meet together.”

Whether in person or virtual, all Cancer Support Community programs are evidence-based and evaluated for efficacy in helping cancer patients or loved ones. In any given month, those programs can range from hypnotherapy for pain management, to exercise sessions that help prevent cancer-related fatigue, to workshops discussing how essential oils can help ease the side effects of cancer treatment.

Even the group’s fundraisers are a form of therapeutic support. Take, for example, the inaugural Paws-4-Hope celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at Bushmaster Park in Flagstaff. It was chosen not only because a dog-centered day at the park promises to be fun, said Payne, but because of the proven therapeutic benefits of dogs.

“National Institutes of Health studies show that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, the ‘cuddle chemical,’” she said. “Oxytocin increases feelings of relaxation and trust and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety. Who doesn’t need more of that?”

For some of the participants, the most important word in the organization’s name is “community” and the knowledge that they will not be alone in their cancer journey.

“I’ve found lots of support, encouragement, education, hope and many friends,” said Gerda Bubestinger. “I’ve attended classes like Strength and Balance, Yoga and Tai Chi on a regular basis since 2015. With the pandemic, Cancer Support Community Arizona generously offered virtual classes, which I’m really thankful for. Now I’m enjoying the classes in the convenience of my home. This saves the environment, and me time and money.” QCBN

By Cindy May, QCBN

To learn more about Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona and its wide range of in-person and virtual programs, visit cscaz.org or call 928-236-2333.

Courtesy Photo: The Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona wig salon is the only source of free wigs for cancer patients north of Phoenix.

Media Insider Teaches How to Be Your Best in an Interview

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With practice and coaching, she believes we can all improve our Media Darling potential.

With all the technology and audience reach available to us literally at our fingertips, we all have the opportunity to truly star in our own lives, be visible on any number of social media platforms, create our own podcasts and even shine through Zoom calls. Leadership experts tells us this kind of exposure could increase our marketability, boost sales, promote ideas and magnify our influence. The problem is, most of us haven’t taken the time to learn how to be polished on camera, how to use a microphone effectively and how to be our best, most interesting, capable and enthusiastic spokesperson for ourselves.

Media trainer, publicist, industry insider and former broadcaster Joanne McCall coaches high profile authors, professors, business leaders and speakers, and now readers, through her new book, “Media Darling: Shine Through Every Interview.”

She defines a Media Darling as someone who makes interviews seem effortless, creates great content for their own media channels, and delivers a great interview while also making the interviewee look good, among other key characteristics.

With practice and coaching, she believes we can all improve our Media Darling potential. “The first key element of the Media Darling would be: Attitude. Attitude really is everything,” she says. “It’s how you approach an interview; it’s how you approach a producer or whoever you might be working with and it’s also the attitude you take when surprises happen and things go wrong. Everyone wants to work with people who are easy to work with. And when you have a great attitude, handle difficulties with grace and with ease, it’s just going to go better. People will like you more, you’ll like them more.”

Some of what a Media Darling is not, she says, includes: acting like a prima donna, being late to interviews or caving under pressure. However, to master the ability to shine through an interview, presentation and the process, McCall says no one is born with these skills.

“If you are watching an interview and you see someone who makes it look really easy, you can bet they’ve been trained or they have a lot of experience – and often, it’s both. It’s similar to watching a fantastic dancer up on stage and thinking, ‘I could do that,’ because they make it look easy. And then you try, and it would not be so good. It takes some practice. All too often, I see people go out and say, ‘Oh yeah, I can do an interview,’ and they just wing it. And, it’s this disaster.”

In her book, she talks about knowing and practicing key messages and how to create “hooks and sound bites” that grab attention. “It’s a busy, noisy world out there. How are you going to break through all that noise? How are you going to stand out? How will you be unique? You must be able to answer that as well as the question on every media person’s mind: ‘Why you? Why now?’”

For challenging questions, nervousness and training out distracting quirks and habits, McCall recommends practicing mock interviews alone or with others.

She offers tips for podcasters and other program hosts as well. One, she says, “Get to the point of the interview right away, don’t waste the audience’s time.” Another is, “Don’t compete with your guests. Sometimes there’s competition as to who has the best answers. When you’re going to have guests on, you really want to shine the spotlight on them.”

The book, “Media Darling,” also addresses “the inner game of media.” McCall says the outer game involves coming up with ideas for interviews, pitching the media and the actual interview itself. The “inner game” she says is what you are doing before you even go out there. “It’s what you are telling yourself.”

As a coach, McCall uses her skills as a licensed Business Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and as a licensed Advanced Hypnotic Practitioner to address clients’ inner game.

“Are you saying things to yourself like, ‘I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m not educated enough, I’m not young enough, I’m not old enough, I’m not experienced enough?’ People have all kinds of things going on inside. If you say you want to do something such as, ‘I want to get out there and do a podcast,’ and you’re not doing anything to actively do it, that tells you there’s something going on in the inner game. There’s something in the way. It could be you’re scared. If you go in and can figure that out, then moving into the outer game is so much easier.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

McCall can be reached through her website, JoanneMcCall.com. Her book, “Media Darling: How to Shine Through Every Interview,” is a step-by-step guide and is available on Amazon.

For more, watch McCall’s interview on Zonie Living, “Gain Visibility, Become a Media Darling, Hear Tips from Publicist Joanne McCall, at StarWorldWideNetworks.com/shows/bonnie-stevens.

Developing, Acknowledging, Celebrating Women Leaders

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Save the date for Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards.

The 4th Annual Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards, sponsored by Quad Cities Business News, is expanding and increasing its impact with three award categories at this year’s High Tea celebration, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall. “Our goal is to showcase excellence demonstrated by women leaders in the Quad Cities and to inspire all to achieve their potential,” said QCBN Publisher Amy Bix.

The ATHENA Awards is an international program that honors outstanding leaders who shine in their professions, serve their communities and mentor women. For the first time in Northern Arizona, the 2023 Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards will recognize businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

In addition, QCBN will recognize an individual with the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award and also will present the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.

Citing statistics such as the fact that 10,000 baby boomers are retiring each day and that 83% of businesses report the need to develop leaders at all levels, ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa says there has never been a better opportunity for women to develop their skills and step into leadership roles. “Businesses that embrace women leadership have an advantage. Research shows they achieve greater success when they have a balance in leadership voices – people with different perspectives and different experiences.”

Founder Martha Mertz started the international ATHENA Awards program in 1982, thinking it would take 10 years to change attitudes about women as leaders. “We ordered 10 custom-made ATHENA sculptures and believed that the culture would change with the acknowledgement of all the incredible accomplishments women leaders have achieved individually and together. We thought ours was a short-term aspiration, that once enough women had achieved success, all qualified women would be eligible for leadership consideration. We didn’t know how many barriers we’d encounter before any kind of power would be shared. We’ve learned a lot along the way and discovered there are barriers today that we didn’t anticipate back then.”

In the past, Mertz said, those in leadership positions tended to hire and promote people like themselves. “What we are hearing from younger women now is that they aren’t seeing female role models and success isn’t happening fast enough. They are getting dispirited about it. However, we know how to build leadership skills and leaders. We know that we need to keep striving and we need to propel each other upward. Our leadership model has withstood the test of time. Leadership is not how you handle an army of people or necessarily how you motivate people. It’s not how to do, it’s how to be.”

The ATHENA Leadership Model includes eight principles: live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate. Costa says the principles have forever changed her life. “They have caused me to look at myself and ask if I’m living my truth and walking my path. They have caused me to have a stronger, more authentic relationship with myself so that I can be stronger for others.”

Mertz believes we are experiencing a transformational time. “In a slow-motion shift, the culture has evolved to the point where women aren’t clumped together in a single category, but are perceived and judged as individuals, with strengths and faults alike. This is a huge leap forward and will impact every place where women step into positions of power and influence. As the numbers of women in these posts of importance increase, so does the understanding of how much that matters.”

Bix says this year’s High Tea program will feature powerful women leaders from the region and their inspirational stories. “The bonding, the encouragement and the celebration of women making incredible strides despite adversity is powerful at the Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards. Women often tell us they feel uplifted and have a renewed sense of purpose through the experience. We are so proud to offer such a positive event for everyone.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Courtesy Photos: LEFT: In 1982, ATHENA founder Martha Mayhood Mertz set out to change the global culture of leadership. RIGHT: ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa says the program’s guiding principles changed her life.

New Camp Verde Economic Development Director is Committed to the Region

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Molly Spangler weaves historic charm with modern benefits.

Molly Spangler beams with excitement about embracing and enhancing the Town of Camp Verde as the new economic development director.

“We have a competitive advantage here in Camp Verde,” said Spangler, who served as economic development director in Sedona for six and a half years. “Camp Verde is one of the last communities that has agricultural rural character and a very cool historic downtown. There’s a lot of opportunity here and a great plan in place, alongside a coordinated effort and direction from the council, to move forward.”

Maintaining the persona of the Town of Camp Verde is one of Spangler’s top priorities. “Change is inevitable, like death and taxes, but I think our job is to make sure we’re balancing those community needs and values. We want Camp Verde to stay the way it is, but we also want the good stuff, like jobs. My role is not to copy what Sedona or Cottonwood or any other municipality is doing but to leverage what we want and define what our niche is.”

The Verde Valley encompasses Sedona, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Prescott, Cornville, Jerome and Lake Montezuma. “When you work in one municipality here in the Verde Valley, you work regionally.  It’s the only way to make changes happen, so I’ve been working with my counterpart, former Town of Camp Verde Economic Director Steve Ayers, for several years.” Ayers just recently retired.

“When it came time to start a succession plan, I knew my first choice would be Molly. She has the skill set Camp Verde will need over the coming years to move forward in a thoughtful and strategic way,” said Ayers.  I couldn’t be happier that she accepted the position, knowing she will be the person leading Camp Verde’s economic development efforts for the foreseeable future.”

Small-town living is familiar to Spangler, as she grew up in Bluffs, Illinois, where the population was about 800. After college, Spangler joined the Peace Corps and spent a lot of time doing economic development work because she wanted to focus on environmental studies, which was not popular at the time.

“I was told that nobody cared about environmental work, so that’s when I started working in community and economic development and got my master’s in economics. I worked in Illinois for a few years before moving to Wyoming, where I stepped into the position of their state’s economic development agency, the Wyoming Business Council. I was there eight-and-a-half years and ran their Investment Ready Communities division.”

“Molly and I haven’t worked together long, but so far I’m really impressed with what she brings to the table,” said Camp Verde Interim Town Manager Gayle Mabery. “She has literally jumped in with both feet and has engaged the business community, working collaboratively with all the departments. I look forward to great things to happen in Camp Verde as a result of her efforts.”

Spangler joked that her primary goal is to find the bathrooms and conference rooms and learn everyone’s name. “The goals here are not my goals but the goals of the Town Council,” said Spangler. “Everyone I’ve been working with has been pretty wonderful. Our primary objective is to make sure we are moving along in our five-year community and economic development strategic plan. Top on the list is Main Street development and revitalization. We just had our first meeting.”

Another primary objective is to construct a sewer line along Highway 260 to have adequate infrastructure for future development.

The team at Town of Camp Verde Economic Development consists of Economic Development Specialists Crisi Clark and Sean Brooks, as well as three ambassadors at the visitor’s center.

“I feel that Camp Verde is very fortunate to have Molly on board. With her experience in economic development and her love of the area, she will be a great leader for our team and community,” said Clark.

“I worked with Molly in Sedona for about a year when I was with AmeriCorps Vista, also serving as economic specialist,” said Brooks. “I couldn’t be happier that she’s my director again. The transition has been smooth and positive and she will do great things for this community. She’s a great boss and incredibly smart. She knows economic development inside and out and I’m looking forward to our accomplishments together. She will do great things for this community.”

Outside of work, Spangler spends time with her husband, Andy, an elementary school teacher, and their 9-year-old son.

From the economic development front, FrameTec, a manufacturer and framing services company, has announced its expansion to Camp Verde. The business plans to operate out of a 110,000-square-foot facility and is scheduled to be open by 2024. FrameTec expects to create more than 180 new jobs.

 Best Advice
“Smart people ask questions,” was the advice I’ve been given, and I routinely give the same advice. In an effort to not make assumptions and to better understand the issues, we have to ask questions. I now say this regularly to my son, my team and myself, for the only way we can learn and help is to ask questions.

My Role Models 
Nothing’s more inspiring than watching a professional live their values of creating change, being brave and doing what it takes to see their goals come true. It’s inspiring when people volunteer their time to serve on boards and run for elected office to make a positive impact on their community. Many of my role models balance motherhood, professional jobs and adversity and that’s what motivates me to keep doing the work I get to do!

What I Would Tell My Younger Self 
I would tell her to spend more time enjoying the process and journey. Some of my fondest professional moments have been working with great partners on difficult projects. Those projects often felt insurmountable, but it was a true pleasure working alongside great people.

My Ideal Vacation
My ideal vacation involves spending time with people I love and exploring beautiful scenery. I love seeing different parts of our country and the world, meeting new people, experiencing new things and culture, and partaking in their local foods and traditions.

On a Day Off  
I love to read, hike, cook new recipes, do art and painting with my son, volunteer, and help family and friends. QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Camp Verde Economic Development Director Molly Spangler loves the historic town’s character and possibilities.