Christmas

November is a Time to Honor and Celebrate as We Usher in the Holidays

October 28, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Please join me in these months of honor and celebration in our great City of Prescott.

One of the things I appreciate about Prescott is that our community truly enjoys celebrations and honoring those who serve. November is a time to do just that, as we celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, and then we usher in one of the most significant seasons with the events of Arizona’s Christmas City.

Veterans Day was originally named Armistice Day following the end of World War I, and then in the United States, it became a celebration honoring all of our military veterans. While Memorial Day is more of a remembrance of the veterans who sacrificed their lives for our great nation, I view Veterans Day as a celebration, giving us a chance to thank all veterans for their service to our country. We do so in grand style here in Prescott, with the annual Veterans Day Parade beginning at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, through the streets of historic downtown Prescott. I am proud of Prescott for hosting this important event. I believe that the Veterans Day Parade embodies the genuine appreciation our citizens show to veterans. Many thanks to Michelle Stacy-Schroeder, also a veteran, and her team of volunteers and city staff, who help make the parade a truly special event.

A few years back, Prescott was named one of the Most Patriotic Cities in the United States and is recognized as having one of the highest concentrations of veterans per capita, in any community, other than towns that host military bases. The Northern Arizona Veterans Administration Healthcare System works alongside numerous non-profits serving veterans, drawing these large numbers here. Prescott is truly one of the most veteran-friendly communities anywhere. Citizens genuinely support all veterans. As a Vietnam veteran who served in combat, I know how meaningful genuine expressions of appreciation are, since we did not receive a friendly reception when we returned from service many years ago.

Veterans Day is soon followed by another celebration with Thanksgiving, this year on Nov. 23. This is an exciting time for me, since just a few days later, we begin the official Arizona’s Christmas City events. The festivities start with the Holiday Light Parade, 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, in the downtown area. One week later, on Saturday Dec. 2, we celebrate with the annual Christmas Parade, then the magical lighting of the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. Of course, there are other great Christmas City events, including Acker Night and many others. To see the full calendar of Arizona’s Christmas City events, check out ArizonaChristmasCity.com.

Please join me in these months of honor and celebration in our great City of Prescott. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Christmas, New Year’s Holiday

December 19, 2020 By quadcities Leave a Comment

The City of Prescott will be closed on Friday, December 25^th, in observance of the Christmas Holiday and on Friday, January 1, 2021, in observance of the New Year’s Holiday. City offices will reopen on Monday, December 28^th and January 4^th at 8 a.m.

PRESCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Prescott Public Library’s Services will be closed on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25^th. Services will resume on Saturday, December 26^th at 10 a.m. Online resources, including eBooks, electronic magazines, and newspapers are always available 24/7 at www.prescottlibrary.info.

Schedule for Solid Waste Collection and Transfer Station

WEEK OF CHRISTMAS – December 21^ST to December 26^TH

Residential and Commercial trash and recycle routes for the week of Christmas will be: Monday normal collection, Tuesday normal collection, Both Wednesday and Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday, December 23^rd, Friday Routes will be collected on Thursday December 24^th. There will be no collection on Friday, December 25th.

WEEK OF NEW YEARS – December 28^TH to January 1^ST

Residential and Commercial trash and recycle routes for the week of New Years will be: Monday normal collection, Tuesday normal collection, Both Wednesday and Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday, December 30^th, Friday Routes will be collected on Thursday December 31^st. There will be no collection on Friday, January 1^st.

Please have your trash and recycling containers out by 6:00 a.m. for service on your scheduled collection day. Operators are unable to load additional material placed outside the containers. Residents may bring excess recyclables to the City’s Recycle Convenience Center at no charge located at the Transfer Station 2800 Sundog Ranch.

TRANSFER STATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Transfer Station will be closed on Christmas Day, Friday December 25^th and Saturday, December 26^th, New Years Day, Friday January 1^st and Saturday January 2^nd.

For further information, visit www.prescott-az.gov or call the Solid Waste Division at 928-777-1116.

Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

November 28, 2020 By quadcities Leave a Comment

To keep your pets safe through Christmas celebrations, check out these tips and have a happy holiday season for you and your pets!

Oh, Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.

Tree lights: The skinny cords on Christmas tree lights are not well insulated and are easy for a puppy to chew into. Electrocution can result, so safety is paramount.

Avoid Mistletoe and Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Tinsel-less Town: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery.

That Holiday Glow: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Skip the Sweets: By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Careful with Cocktails: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Selecting Special Treats: Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.

House Rules: If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away: Make sure all of your medications are locked up and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.

A Room of Their Own: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.

New Year’s Noise: Please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. And, remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches. QCBN

By Ann Herrington

Ann Herrington is the publisher and editor of The Tucson Dog Magazine.

Honoring Prescott’s Patriotic and Holiday Spirit

October 29, 2020 By quadcities Leave a Comment

As the difficult year of 2020 comes to an end, we look forward to welcoming the joy of the holiday season. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, our community has been strong – knowing we would weather the tough times. As we watch the leaves change, there is the feeling of better times ahead. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so many of our traditional events were either canceled or modified. Today, I am thrilled to announce the annual Veterans Day Parade will be held as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to honor our veterans and celebrate our freedoms.

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans and is a time to recognize members of the armed services who served their country honorably during war and peacetime. The patriotism of our residents is a hallmark of our community. In 2018, Prescott was named “Most Patriotic City in Arizona,” and that patriotism is showcased in our annual parade.

This year, the Veterans Day Parade opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the stage at the intersection of Cortez and Union streets. The parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us in honoring our veterans and celebrate the more than 50 entries for this year’s event. As always, our very own Recreation Services Manager Michelle Stacy-Schroeder, who is a veteran herself, has partnered with many Prescott area organizations to put this year’s parade together.

The Veterans Day Parade ushers in our festive holiday season. There is a reason that Prescott is called “Arizona’s Christmas City.” There will be no shortage of opportunities for everyone to safely celebrate the holiday season with the Holiday Light Parade, Christmas Courthouse Lighting and, of course, Acker Night Musical Showcase. Celebrating the season and taking in the wonder of the lights and sounds fills me with pride and reminds me just how important it is to take the time to enjoy the small things amidst what has been a trying and difficult year for my family and for many of you as well. I look forward to seeing the many faces of our community during this wonderful time of the year in Arizona’s Christmas City.

God bless each and every one of you, our wonderful community and our great country. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli, QCBN

Greg Mengarelli is the mayor of Prescott.

Christmas

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