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Understanding Labor Market Trends in Yavapai County

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It’s important to note that labor trends can change over time and the specific conditions in Yavapai County may evolve with industry needs.

Yavapai County has its own unique labor trends and characteristics. General information about labor trends in Yavapai County are based on historical information from September 2021 to the present.

Yavapai County has a diverse economy, with multiple sectors driving employment. Some of the significant industries in the region include health care, tourism, education, government, retail, construction and manufacturing.

The healthcare sector is a major employer in Yavapai County. The county has numerous healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and specialty care centers. Jobs in health care range from medical professionals to support staff and administration. The current average hourly rate of pay is $41.35 in the healthcare sector.

Yavapai County is known for its natural beauty, scenic landscapes and historical attractions. Popular tourist destinations in the county include Prescott, Sedona, Jerome and the Verde Valley. The tourism industry provides employment opportunities in hospitality, lodging, restaurants, outdoor recreation and retail. The current average hourly rate of pay is $17.31 in the tourism sector.

Yavapai County has several educational institutions, including colleges, community colleges, universities and school districts. These institutions offer employment opportunities for educators, administrators, support staff and other related roles. The current average hourly rate of pay is $25.05 in the education sector.

Government jobs, both at the county and local level, contribute significantly to the labor market in Yavapai County. These jobs include positions in administration, law enforcement, public safety, public works and social services. The current average hourly rate of pay is $21.88 in the government sector.

The construction industry plays a crucial role in Yavapai County’s economy, driven by residential and commercial development projects. Infrastructure development, such as road construction and improvement, also provides employment opportunities. The current average hourly rate of pay is $23.11 in the construction sector.

Yavapai County has a small but growing manufacturing sector. Manufacturing jobs can be found in industries such as aerospace, electronics, food processing and more. These jobs often require specialized skills and training. The current average hourly rate of pay is $20.62 in the manufacturing sector.

It’s important to note that labor trends can change over time and the specific conditions in Yavapai County may evolve with industry needs. It is always advisable to consult local employment agencies, economic development organizations and government sources that specialize in labor market data for the region. With Yavapai County’s unemployment rate at 2.9%, there are still many employment opportunities in each of the listed sectors. Visit Yavapai County | ARIZONA@WORK (arizonaatwork.com) to learn more about labor market trends, employment and training opportunities. QCBN

By Teri Drew

Teri Drew is the executive director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

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.

Jeweler Kari Rauch Designs with Nature

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“The organic shapes and textures are reflective of our beautiful landscape. Her jewelry is magnificent.”

Cactus skeletons, rattlesnake skin and shed lizard scales may seem unusual in the context of high-end jewelry, but for Sedona jeweler Kari Rauch of KD Steele Designs, they are the bedrock of her designs.   

Since moving to Sedona in 2005, Rauch has found her niche featuring one-of-a-kind pendants, rings, bracelets and beaded treasures. Her process both maintains and refreshes the spirit of the area, reflecting the contemporary Southwestern aesthetic.

“The patterns I come across on my daily hikes speak to the natural beauty of this desert paradise,” said Rauch.  “In the beginning, I made molds of interesting tree bark or patterns on rocks and then started incorporating feathers, leaves and any other objects of inspiration I found along the way.”

“When the paddle of a prickly pear drops, it deteriorates into this sort of beautifully intricate husk that can be cleaned up and prepared for casting.”

Thanks to her son, Steele, and his red bearded dragon, Petrie, Rauch has also been able to use naturally-shed lizard skin in her jewelry. “I call them ‘Serpent Scales,’” she said, pointing them out in pendants and cuffs.

From the Bisbee turquoise mine to the Carico Lake, Nevada mine, Rauch is very particular about her choice and source of gemstones. Many of her pieces include turquoise from the Number Eight (#8) mine in Nevada. “This gemstone is extremely rare; turquoise hasn’t been sourced from this site since the mine closed in 1976,” she explained.  In addition to Southwest turquoise, Rauch frequently uses Australian Boulder Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot and Blue Topaz.

Rauch also specializes in seed bead bracelets crafted on a loom using fire-polished faceted Swarovski crystal beads, glass and brass beads. “The clasps are sterling silver with bezel-set matching Southwest turquoise secured with a sterling silver locking pin,” she said.

Beading, for Rauch, is a meditative task, like a puzzle. “It is relaxing and honestly a lot of fun. I enjoy the patterns and some of my favorite designs are inspired by Native American rugs.  I like the challenge of recreating their bold geometric shapes through a different medium.”

Married for almost 40 years, Rauch’s interest in jewelry started through her husband’s career as an antique dealer. “He would take me to museums and auctions, and I always found myself admiring the estate jewelry. No two pieces were alike.”

Enrolling in her first jewelry course in 1981 at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey, Rauch learned about lost wax casting and wax carving.

It was nearly two decades before Rauch’s passion for design and budding talent for jewelry making came to fruition. “After raising both of my sons, I went back to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology,” she said.

While Rauch was always excited about the subject matter in an intellectual sense, she never pursued psychology professionally. “I couldn’t see myself sitting around and listening to people’s problems all day.  However going back to school and being exposed to new concepts, new ways of thinking, did inspire me to create.”

In 2001, Rauch began making her seed bead bracelets. Through the past 20 years, she has expanded her craft, turning raw metals and gemstones into art. “Susan Herman, co-owner of Kick N’ Cast in Sedona, liked my jewelry and suggested I contact Caravana Jewelry to see if they would represent my designs,” said Rauch.

“Kari’s bracelets are truly beautiful. Some of her jewelry is large, which is trending right now.  She’s done it on her own and she’s very talented,” said Herman.

“Kari’s attention to detail and love for the raw materials show in every one-of-kind piece that she creates,” said Caravana co-owner Melissa Iaquilino. “The organic shapes and textures are reflective of our beautiful landscape. Her jewelry is magnificent.”

The name KD Steel Designs incorporates her son’s names Kane and Dane Steele.

“If I’m not out hiking, I’m in my home studio creating jewelry,” said Rauch. “ I love what I do and it’s a blessed life.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

KD Steele Designs can be found at www.kdsteeledesigns.com or at Caravana Jewelry in Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village in  Sedona. Caravana Jewelry specializes in featuring local Arizona artists. Rauch can be contacted directly at 213-300-1875.

Sedona Honors Mariette Hartley with Lifetime Achievement Award

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Hartley and husband Jerry Sroka present their film, ‘Our Almost Completely True Story’.

Mariette Hartley and Jerry Sroka spent a sunny late-February day in the red rock country holding hands, quipping back and forth in their ongoing quick-witted banter and being nervous. The two veteran actors, married since 2005, were about to see their film, “Our Almost Completely True Story,” debut before a live audience at the Sedona International Film Festival.

The movie is an almost completely true love story, and a really funny one, as evidenced by the laughter in the Sedona Performing Arts Center. It brings the couple together in a Los Angeles bird store, not the true part of the story but a bird store seemed to fit, they said, because it is owned by one of their friends, Lloyd Bremseth, an actor from the original Broadway play “Godspell,” who let them shoot there for free and also played himself in the film.

As full as a sack of birdseed, “Our Almost Completely True Story” is packed with charming laugh-out-loud parts written by Hartley and Sroka for their famous friends like Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker from “The Love Boat”), Morgan Fairchild (Chandler’s mom on “Friends,” also a cast member of “Falcon Crest”) and Mindy Sterling (Dr. Evil’s assistant in the Austin Powers films).

Viewers need to be on their game to catch all the clever one-liners throughout the film and identify the many impersonations delivered by Sroka. Hint: Soupy Sales, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis and Woody Allen are among the 63 personalities that Sroka can channel spontaneously.

The story also is a really real one with scary dinner dates (Peter MacNicol), illness and loss. The challenges of aging are gently and humorously in the spotlight as the friends in their 70s, 80s and 90s navigate life from the tennis court to the audition stage to the operating room.

“Most of my best friends are as old as I am,” said Hartley, 82. “We really wanted a scene that showed what happens to older people who are still talented, still going out for auditions for crying out loud, and how they’re treated. Well, we got it.”

The audition scene features Hollywood royalty: Hartley, Fairchild and Tess Harper (“Tender Mercies,” “Crimes of the Heart”), all playing themselves as working actresses, sitting in a reception area waiting to be called for their turn by a young studio assistant who mispronounces their names.

But mostly, “Our Almost Completely True Story,” directed by actor Don Scardino (also from the original “Godspell”), features enduring friendship, love, compassion and depth both on film and behind the scenes.

“It was amazing. Our friends knocked us out!” said Hartley, of the cast she and Sroka assembled. “We don’t know how much power we have, soul power. The idea of who you are and how you live attracts amazing people.”

“We used everybody,” said Sroka, noting the roles that included their children and grandchildren. “Sweet, good people attract sweet, good people.”

Both Hartley and Sroka were childhood actors, starting at age 10. The two met at a Screen Actors Guild meeting following long marriages and painful divorces. In the film and in person, Hartley says the most important trait she was looking for in a relationship was a sense of humor. “I just don’t know how you can live without it. It’s always there with Jerry,” she says of Sroka. “And sometimes, I’m pretty funny.”

Fans know Hartley from roles such as Dr. Carolyn Fields in “The Incredible Hulk,” for which she received an Emmy, as Dr. Claire Morton in “Peyton Place” and from many other memorable roles in programs including “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “Star Trek” and “The Twilight Zone,” along with award-winning Polaroid commercials from the ‘80s with James Garner. She also is known for her work helping those who have a mental illness or who have survived a family member’s suicide.

At the showing, Hartley and Sroka held hands. “Neither one of us wanted to be great stars. We wanted to create an ensemble. That gave us the most joy. We realized we created this,” she said of “Our Almost Completely True Story.” “It was an ensemble. We just loved everybody in it. It gave us the most joy.”

The audience responded to the film with a standing ovation.

Sedona International Film Festival Executive Director Patrick Schweiss presented Hartley with the festival’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. “In honor of your passion and dedication to cinema and your commitment to the art of filmmaking; in recognition of your outstanding career of bringing memorable characters to life on stage and screen; in appreciation of your tireless advocacy on mental health issues and the countless lives you have touched and saved, thank you for sharing your passion with us and for making a difference in the world!” he said.

Again, the audience responded with a standing ovation. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Hear more from Hartley and Sroka on Zonie Living with Bonnie Stevens at
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Carrying On the Family Profession

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Alexandra Ewell is a third generation Sedona-based realtor.

Equipped with ambition and foresight in the late 1960s, John DePoe moved his family to Sedona and opened the first affiliate Coldwell Banker Residential office in the country.

That move not only paved the way for a career for him but for his wife and three daughters, who all obtained their real estate licenses. Though DePoe did not live to see his granddaughter, Alexandra Ewell, follow his lead, today, Ewell is a full-time realtor for Coldwell Banker Realty in Sedona, the same office he once owned.

As a third generation agent, Ewell covers the Sedona, Camp Verde and Cornville market and surrounding areas.

“A lot of my childhood was driving through Sedona neighborhoods with my grandparents and my mom and looking at houses and critiquing them,” said Ewell. “It was really fun and I have a lot of fond memories. I felt like I grew up as a realtor.”

Ewell worked with her mom for a long time and learned a great deal from her. “She’s really knowledgeable about real estate and it definitely helped me understand the terminology, technical terms, styles of construction, foundation, roofing and styles,” she said about her mother, Lauren DePoe.

DePoe is the association executive for the Sedona Verde Valley Association of Realtors. “My dad loved Alex and her daughter, Arya, very much,” she said. “He would be so happy to know she’s followed in his footsteps.”

Ewell says one challenge she had was establishing credibility, especially as a young agent. “At the time, I was only one of three realtors under 30 and other agents were older, tenured and very experienced, so I had to really work hard and try to appear as the good agent that I was.”

Coach counselor and artist Caitlin Flynn says Alex helped her with letting go of her emotional connection to her home when she wanted to sell. “Alex said something that gave me relief. She said that selling a house is like becoming a supernova. Pressure builds up and then you’re set free to a new life. Alex is a very deep person, savvy and very diplomatic. “

Explaining how each transaction is different, Ewell says her success is about guiding and protecting her clients. “Be it legal liability, purchasing a home that is a money pit or a home that might break their finances, it’s important to be that problem-solver. I have to be creative and it really gets my brain working.”

“Alexandra Ewell may be a little short on age but she is tall on knowledge and ability,” said Coldwell Banker Realty Associate Broker and Branch Manager for Village of Oak Creek and Sedona Ronald Volkman. “She is a natural problem solver who pulls solutions together time after time when others would give up.”

Integrity is very important to Ewell and she believes that having a driving force that is grounded in integrity is key. “You want to be compensated for the work you put forth but ultimately it’s not the goal. I like to have a connection with my clients and I always come out of a sale with a new best friend or somebody I can have dinner with.”

“I always enjoy working with Alex,” said Home Inspector General Ryan Palmer. “Not only is she very knowledgeable about real estate, but it’s clear that she cares for her clients and goes above and beyond to make sure they are taken care of.”

The accomplishments of John DePoe are still evident in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, where a street carries his name. “My grandfather helped to build and develop Junipine Resort, the Canyon Portal which is now Canyon Breeze Restaurant, along with several other properties in and around Sedona. There’s so many reminders of him. He even diversified and was into solar and wind power for a while.”

Another influential person in Ewell’s life is her grandmother, Mary Kay Depoe, who served as director of the Sedona Head Start Program for 41 years and retired in 2019. “She’s very inspiring and still involved in so many projects and serves on several boards. She has a lot of energy and I love the fact that we share the same birthday.”

Ewell obtained a degree in literature from Arizona State University with the intention of getting her master’s degree to teach at the college level. “I didn’t want to live in Phoenix anymore and real estate kept calling me. I love Sedona and the small town feel of familiarity, plus it’s so beautiful and there’s amazing food, hiking and, lately, so many fun events. Many of my school friends have stayed. It’s a hard place to leave.”

Alex is married to Izaak, a vacation sales agent with Diamond Resorts. The couple has an 8-year-old daughter named Arya. QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Seasonal Sipping

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Willcox, Verde Valley cultivate ripe conditions for winter wines.

Winter fog hovers over the deck outside. A fire is lit and stacked logs crackle and pop as the hostess puts out a cheese, fruit and cracker tray on a side table. Four wine glasses stand ready to receive intoxicating treats from the bottle she presents.

The hostess turns the distinctive gold label so her guests can read, “Carlson Creek, 2018 Rule of Three, Red Blend, Arizona,” a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes that defines the style of Cotes du Rhone wine.

Her hospitality sets the stage for the world of winter wines, a perfect pairing for the cooler temperatures of the holiday season.

Standing as a prime example of Arizona’s winter wine offerings, one of the state’s largest and family-owned vineyards, Carlson Creek Vineyard, has just introduced its newest winter wines, the 2018 Rule of Three, 2018 Malbec, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Odyssey.

All four winter wines are available for seasonal sipping and purchase at the Carlson Creek Vineyard tasting rooms in Cottonwood, Scottsdale and Willcox, where the Carlson family operates its 320-acre vineyard in the heart of Cochise County, in southeastern Arizona.

“Winter wine tends to reflect and pair well with winter cuisine,” said Robert Carlson III, the co-founder who spearheaded the creation of the family business in 2008. “They are richer, heartier and higher in alcohol, and go well with the heavy holiday meals we associate with winter. In the summer months, wine is meant to be refreshing; in the winter it is to be warming. It is an excellent time for Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or our Rule of Three blend.”

According to an October press release on the Carlson winter wines, the 2018 Rule of Three is an award-winning wine, which has a dark and mysterious nose and tastes of overripe blackberry, blueberry and crushed violets, as well as a touch of vanilla and sweet sage.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has an aroma of black cherry liqueur, uncut violets, and a subtle waft of cinnamon, followed by hints of Maraschino cherries and bright fresh raspberries on the palate.

The 2020 Odyssey is a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that was made especially for Carlson and his wife, Britney, for their wedding day in 2021, but a limited number of bottles are available for purchase at the three tasting rooms.

The Carlson extended family history includes farming in pre-war Poland and in the Midwestern fields of Illinois.

In 2008, Carlson, now 40, left his career as a stockbroker to pursue a less stressful life. He decided to reinvent the family dream of farming with vine planting on the original 40-acre plot of Carlson land in Willcox.

“We have always had a love of wine and viewed it as essential to a well-set table,” Carlson recalled. “But I was the one who brought the idea of starting a wine estate to my family just before the Great Recession. Our family had been farmers for generations in the United States and in Europe. Though our grandfather had mentioned some distant winemaking in the family’s past, we had no current experience. It was the burgeoning wine industry in Arizona that truly kindled our fascination. Once we saw the quality and the potential for growth, our love of wine grew into a passion for winemaking.”

Family roots in Arizona run deep, as most members have lived in the state “at one time or another,” Carlson said, “from my father’s parents time in Nogales, to my father’s time stationed at USMC Yuma, to all my siblings attending Arizona universities, and even as the location that my grandmother entered the United States.”

The Willcox area provides a favorable terroir, or complete natural environment for producing wines, which encompasses soil, topography and climate.

“It is an excellent area, as evidenced by the majority of Arizona wine grapes being grown there,” Carlson explained. “There are several factors that put it as the top wine-growing region. One is the elevation, which moderates temperature. The second is our sandy, loamy soil that is excellent for grapevines. Third is our unfettered access to water, for now. The last factor is often overlooked, and it is the agricultural community. The support network of this community from farm advisor, irrigation expertise, fertilizer production, ready at hand labor, to tractor mechanic and dealers, is essential to support an expanding growing region.”

Carlson encouraged other members of his family to join in the wine enterprise, including his younger brother, John, 33, who came on board as the head winemaker after studying winemaking and viticulture and interning at local wineries to gain experience.

Their father, Robert “Bob” Carlson, Jr., 70, longtime lawyer and a retired Marine fighter pilot, worked every step of the way with his sons, as a co-owner, financial advisor and even a day laborer in the vineyards.

Their mother, Elizabeth Carlson, handles everything from accounting and retail merchandise, to representing Carlson Creek at wine festivals throughout the state.

Their sister, Katherine Carlson, managed the development of the distinctive Carlson Creek logo, wine labels and other design needs and handles the company’s legal affairs.

The eldest Carlson son, Robert, who lives in Gilbert, now splits his time between Willcox, Scottsdale and Cottonwood, overseeing sales, retail operations, distribution and the vineyard’s three tasting rooms, in addition to managing the vineyards and production facility with his brother, John, who lives in Scottsdale.

“My brother, John, and I develop the wines together,” Carlson noted, “though we take full input from our cellar staff. Good ideas are always welcome, so we encourage a collaborative atmosphere.”

In addition to in the tasting rooms, Carlson wines are available for purchase in Sedona at Art of Wine, Made in Arizona Wine and Gift, and Bashas’, as well as Sedona, State Bar, Cottonwood, The Grand Canyon Wine Company, Williams and at Vino Zona, Jerome.

Another good terroir for vineyards is the Verde Valley, where the Carlson family opened their third tasting room in December 2018 in Cottonwood on North Main Street.

“The terroir of the Valley is also outstanding, though more expensive and challenging to farm,” Carlson said. “I have always enjoyed the difference of the two regions. Water rights tend to be more difficult and the ag community is not as large, a good spot on either the Verde River or Oak Creek produced excellent concentration.”

There are some challenges for growing grapes in the Verde Valley, such as frost along the riverbeds that can provide channels for cold air and insects in the riparian areas can act as vectors for disease for grapevines, he added.

Carlson’s previous experience in the Verde Valley led to expansion of the family business into that region.

“I chose the Verde Valley because it is where I got my start in the Arizona wine industry. I worked harvests on many of the vineyards in the area, interned in one of the top cellars in the state, and got to know the character of the pioneering industry there. Plus, I just like spending time in such a beautiful place.”

The Carlson family has felt welcomed and encouraged by Verde Valley residents and visitors.

“The response we received was overwhelmingly positive,” Carlson said. “We made our wine in Verde Valley for almost half the winery’s existence before consolidating production in on our vineyard in Willcox. You can still find bottles in our tasting room that say either Camp Verde or Cornville. So, it was less of us going there to expand and it was returning. All of our ‘new neighbors’ were really just our old friends.”

Carlson does not see other wineries as competitors. In fact, he says the more wineries in the area, the better, as they attract more visitors.

“It is about growing the pie, instead of arguing over the pieces. But that is the Arizona wine industry for you: positive, supportive and forward looking. That is why I love it — that, and the delicious wine.”

Plans for Carlson Creek Vineyard include tours in Willcox after the New Year.

“The grounds surrounding our winery are currently being redone and we are excited to share all the improvements with our guests in early 2022.” QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Healing, Calming Pets with Reiki, Tuning Forks, Massage

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“For dying animals, energy work and hands-on healing makes them more comfortable.”

Licensed massage therapist and energy healer Lori Lané says she has seen “miracles” happen when people come to her Raven’s Call Healing Center in Sedona. “One client couldn’t hear out of his left ear for three years. After one session, he could hear again.”

She tells the story of others who have found relief from the pain of migraines and fibromyalgia. Her husband, Denton, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and expected to have less than two years to live. “Now, he’s cancer free,” she said.

In addition to traditional cancer treatments, the couple changed his diet, gave him vitamins and rubbed essential oils on his skin. Lané, a licensed spiritual healer, certified vibrational sound master teacher and certified Reiki master, also performed energy work on him with tuning forks. “We see these kinds of results all the time.”

Lané finds that animals benefit from alternative treatments, too, whether a pet is in the room while its owner is getting a massage or if the focus is on it through practices such as acupressure or Reiki. Acupressure is about pressing on the body to release muscle tension and promote blood circulation. Reiki involves the transfer of “universal energy” through the practitioner to the patient. “I’ve been working on animals for years.”

Lané uses tools like tuning forks, drums, music and singing bowls. She says the sounds keep energy high and cause a shift, which removes blockages and helps the body heal itself. “Sound is powerful because everything has a frequency. The goal is to raise the frequency and release the stuck energy in the cells of the body. You can change the energy in a room by clapping your hands or snapping your fingers.”

Through the pandemic, she has treated cats, dogs and horses who she says have picked up on the anxiety that their owners are feeling. “Pets might cry or moan more, bark more or act out in other ways by doing things they normally don’t do. Alternative care comforts animals and calms them down. My cat, Max, craves it. He will rub his whiskers on the singing bowls.”

Results she sees in cats, horses and dogs include improved mood and behavior. They might become more playful, eat better or drink more water. For older animals, she says massage therapy helps arthritic joints. “For dying animals, energy work and hands-on healing makes them more comfortable.”

Currently, Lané is offering discounted 90-minute massage and sound healing sessions for humans and their pets. “Heal yourself and your animal,” says the promotional flyer. “We make house calls to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible.”

Raven’s Call’s service area includes all of Sedona, but therapists will travel outside the area for an additional fee. For more information, visit ravenscallinc.com. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Grounded in a Calling Received in a Bathtub

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Here’s how she describes it: “I was taking a bath and suddenly it came to me. I have to move.”

There’s an old Western romance novel, “Call of the Canyon,” by cowboy author Zane Grey. It is set in Arizona’s Northland in the 1920s, featuring Oak Creek Canyon and the high desert terrain surrounding Flagstaff and Sedona. Stunning, glamorous Carley Burch is the heroine who follows her fiancé from her high-society life back East to the rugged and wild Southwest.

By the way, it was a passage in the book about Carley warming her hands by the fire in Flagstaff’s Hotel Weatherford that inspired hotel owner Henry Taylor to go ripping through the drywall to find the original fireplaces and fueled his passion for renovating the historic Victorian building.

I thought of Grey’s book when I met beautiful, serene Karen Russell during a Saturday afternoon party at her home in Sedona. She had recently moved there, the result of a middle-of-the-night calling that brought her to Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rock Country. Here’s how she describes it: “I was taking a bath and suddenly it came to me. I have to move.”

Karen lived in a little town in Ohio at the time. She was a nutritionist and health coach at the local hospital and would teach, “you are what you eat,” but she had a difficult time setting the example. “I couldn’t find organic food. It was hard to eat out and find healthy meals,” she said.

Karen felt like a Martian in her circle of friends. “I don’t eat pizza and drink beer, so I’d feel like an outcast. The last vacation we took together, I was the only person in the group trying to buy healthier food. They laughed at me.”

Trying to fit in was making her sick. Literally. She endured painful flare ups from fibromyalgia. The auto-immune disease caused her to feel tired and achy. Her neck would become so stiff and sore that she needed a massage twice a month for years. She also was suffering from adrenal fatigue, which she says was caused by chronic insomnia that was weakening her immune system.

“I knew that inflammation was at the root of all disease, caused by gluten and processed sugar. Many people don’t connect the dots between how they are feeling and what they are eating. I knew I had to get rid of the chemicals and get moving.”

She says her gut was trying to tell her what to do. “I was afraid to leave. I had stuffed my feelings down so far, that after a while, you can’t even feel what your gut is telling you.”

And that was Karen less than a decade ago, her body and spirit sinking into her bathtub. And then she received her own Call of the Canyon. “I’d only been to Sedona once,” she said. But it didn’t matter. She got out of the tub and booked a flight. “As soon as I got here, I felt like I was home.”

For Karen, this was highly unusual behavior. She didn’t know if she could financially survive moving away from everyone and everything she knew, but she also knew, “I couldn’t stay there one minute longer.”

To strengthen herself, she drew on words she heard in the health coaching school she attended in New York. “Leap and the net will appear.” To punctuate this phrase, her instructor had taken the class to a flying trapeze gym. “We had to do it to get the point. It was about leaping and knowing you’ll be safe. But if you don’t take that leap, then you’re stuck.”

Her leap landed her “right in the middle of nature,” as she describes living in Sedona and the Red Rocks. She found that encouraging people and ideas began showing up right away, and so did dragonflies. “All these dragonflies were here, landing on me, on my arms, on my legs, they were everywhere. Coming from Ohio, I didn’t know anything about dragonflies.”

She did some research and learned that dragonflies symbolize change. “That was kind of my ‘Sedona Moment,’” she said, of the place that is often known for its vortexes, crystals and mystical energy.

With or without dragonflies, I believe when you start following your heart and your gut, doors open, opportunities appear and an undeniable creative force blows into your life like a desert dust storm. Karen’s might have been elevated to a haboob. That gritty wall of intention demanded that she start baking. And, boy, did she. “This recipe had to come out!” she explained.

She started making dozens and dozens of gluten-free, sugar-free chocolate chip cookies. She put them in baggies, tied a bow around them and added a Karen’s Gluten-Free Living label that included the ingredients for her Chocolate Chip D-Lites. She sold them at farmers markets and in local health food stores. She focused on health coaching and nutrition counseling and began conducting cooking classes in her home and at the community college. She hired a business coach and discovered good things began happening quickly.

“When you’re living your purpose, things go faster,” said Karen. “It could be the energy here, or the open-minded, like-minded people in Sedona. It could be the healthy living, the healthy eating, the hiking, the spirituality that I feel in nature and understanding that there is something out there bigger than us. Sedona helped me with that.”

Eight years since her bathtub revelation, she opened Karen’s Gluten Free Bakeshop in Sedona. “I’m still helping people get healthier, but I would never have known I’d be doing this. I would not be owning and operating a health-food bakery if I were still in that small town in Ohio.”

The baked goods she sells are often inspired by and named for land formations in the area, including the Chocolate Diablo Cookies, made with dark chocolate, cayenne pepper and ginger. “They are like happiness in your mouth,” she said. And Red Rock Energy Bites, a mix of almond flour, maple syrup and beet root. But her most important ingredient, she says, is love. “How you feel when you’re making the food goes into the food. If you’re calm and happy, that transfers over.”

And that’s exactly how I met Karen: calm, happy, introducing others to delicious – yes, delicious – gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, non-GMO food, and living a life surrounded by nature.

Her favorite hiking trail is Devil’s Bridge, a four-mile round-trip path that rewards the visitor with a spectacular sandstone arch – the largest in Sedona. Once you get to the bridge, It’s a great stopping point to find a shady spot and enjoy a snack. Karen recommends the Chocolate Chip Quinoa cookie. “When you’re hiking,” she said, “you want to keep higher protein in mind. This cookie is packed with protein – nuts, chia seeds, quinoa flour and almond flour. I would eat one of these and feel really good.”

Her Red Rock Energy Bites are a great choice, too. Plus, they come packaged in a little bag and are hardy enough to hold their shape, even in a backpack!

For perhaps the first time, Karen feels grounded, energized and healthy now that she’s found her “home” in Sedona. “If we love people and love what we’re doing and really try to live in integrity in our purpose, that is really what we’re here for.”

And, oh yeah, she hasn’t experienced any sign of fibromyalgia since she arrived. “To be in gratitude with where you’re at and what you’re doing and what you have, I think that’s the best way to stay grounded. You realize how lucky you are and how grateful you can be for what you have.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.

A Match Made for Hollywood

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Sedona filmmaker Margaret Knight says producing movies and commercials fits her lifestyle.

Making movies and commercials is not for the physically or mentally weak, says Sedona-based freelance production manager, producer and assistant director Margaret Knight.

“Every job is different,” said Knight. “The film business is a formula, and when the formula works, it flows – and it’s a great sensation to be a part of it. As in anything, when you feel the energy and synchronicity, it gives you a satisfying, rewarding, why-you-do-this-for-a-living kind of feeling.”

Once Knight is hired, she hits the ground running, procuring a production team and putting together plans, troubleshooting and anticipating challenges.

“Be it a commercial or major feature movie, as soon as I know the location, I begin working on logistics. I have to make sure everything comes together, renting equipment, lodging, meals, sometimes casting, working with local authorities and, most importantly, keeping on budget.”

Other masterminding includes parking, traffic control, permits, transportation, lodging and working with the police or fire department, Forest Service or National Park Service for impact statements. “Every job is different and I have to know the right approach for outfitting during the entire production. It’s also important to protect the land and be good stewards.”

Knight has lived in Sedona for 31 years and has done freelance production since she arrived. “I’ve made a good living and carved out a career based on what I’ve learned through the years.”

Appearing more like a movie than her biography, Knight was born in the rural town of Effingham, Illinois and earned a degree in radio and television broadcasting from Southern Illinois University (SIU). She waited tables for a few years then moved to Denver, where she explored scuba diving.

“I was then introduced to a marine institute in the Florida Keys where I worked for a summer and got hooked on boats and diving. I went to seamanship school and learned a lot about navigation and seamanship. I then moved to Louisiana and applied at 80 places and no one would hire me. Finally, a port captain hired me and I worked as a merchant marine for four years and finally garnered enough sea time to sit for my Captain’s license with the Coast Guard.”

Her seamanship skills came in handy for many jobs on Lake Powell. “I’ve done a lot of work on the water here and at times have worked on films as marine coordinator.” She says Arizona has more boats per capita than any state in the country.

“Margaret is a very highly organized production manager on whatever job she is doing,” said Locations Southwest Owner PJ Connolly. “She has seen it all, thinks it all out way in advance and she wears many hats. She has a great personality and she is very strong and takes charge of coordination on set, making sure safety and logistics run smoothly.”

Knight met her husband, Robin, on the set of a movie in Nashville, Tennessee. They have two grown children.

One of her favorite celebrities is Dolly Parton, whom she met on the set in Nashville. She says she “was fun to work with and has a charming personality.” Another favorite is William Shatner of Star Trek fame, with whom she worked on two projects. “He did all his own stunts, which was impressive, and he brought his own wardrobe. He was very refreshing and so delightful. I love working with folks that have a sense of commonality. Plus, he’s a great performer.”

For several years, Knight has produced a number of spots for the Oakland A’s baseball team, which travels to Phoenix for Spring Training. She has also produced several commercials in Flagstaff. “Because of the high altitude, a lot of sport companies like Nike and Adidas have selected this area. Automobile companies like Kia enjoy the terrain, as well as Asian and European companies.”

She says she loves working outdoors. “Since high school, I never wanted to work at a desk or indoors, so I’m blessed to have found something that fits my lifestyle and keeps my brain sharp.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Saying ‘I Do’ to Micro-Weddings

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With concerns about public health and travel, brides and grooms are choosing small, intimate celebrations

Event planners are busier than ever and, not surprisingly, smaller weddings have taken the lead, especially in Northern Arizona.

“We’ve had a lot of micro-weddings of 50 people or less since March this year,” said Prescott-based Luella House Weddings and soon-to-open historic Willow Creek Inn owner Nancy Bewley. “I think it’s because small weddings make sense to people right now. People can spread out and the couple can have those who are most dear and closest to them attend, plus the expense is lower and the event is more manageable.”

Rhonda Messal, of Fort Worth Texas, planned her micro-wedding at Moran Point at the Grand Canyon last May. A total of four guests attended.

“I thrive on simplicity. I chose to have a small wedding because I’m a simple girl who was raised in the mountains of Colorado and I prefer a more minimalist approach to things,” said Messal, a human resources executive. “Getting married on the rim of the Grand Canyon and taking in God’s beautiful creation was simply amazing, and keeping it small was so hassle-free.”

Choosing to have her wedding at the Grand Canyon in April, April Margulies, owner and founder of Trust Relations Agency in Williams, said, “With COVID, there was no telling when things would open up again and we didn’t really want to wait to find out. My parents would not have been comfortable traveling at the time, so asking anyone to attend seemed unfair. In the end, it was a great excuse to keep the moment intimate and just focus on each other rather than planning and executing some complicated event.”

According to Las Vegas-based Cactus Collective Weddings owner McKenzi Taylor, 2021 weddings have become much more intimate affairs and micro-weddings have gone from second-best to many couples’ first choice.

“Gone are the days of the 300 person guest list, the splashy banquet hall and multi-tiered wedding cakes, at least for most post-pandemic couples who are more conscious of the health of their guests as well as the health of their bank accounts.

Williams Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeem confirms the trend as well. “With COVID making many of our hopes, dreams and plans for the future come to a screeching halt, we have seen a definite increase in small, spontaneous courthouse weddings.”

In Flagstaff, Sutcliffe Floral Owner Kelly Tulloss says she has seen a lot of brides have their weddings at Airbnb’s, out in the woods, backyards and courthouse weddings. “I think Flagstaff provides the perfect setting for smaller, intimate outdoor weddings, and they are very popular here.”

Churches also are seeing the shift to smaller weddings. Flagstaff’s Mountain View Church Pastor Nathaniel Bradford is preparing to officiate a micro-wedding consisting of the bride, groom, maid of honor and best man.

“Pastor Nathaniel and I are honoring the couple and their wishes to have just their immediate family present,” said Bradford’s wife, Cindy, who is the wedding coordinator at MVC. “They decided to keep their wedding small and simple and believe their love for each other and their faith is more significant than any crowd.”

Weddings in Sedona owner and Senior Planner Susan Perry says small weddings have always been popular in the Red Rock Country and continue to be. “We have a healthy range, from small elopement, to micro, to large custom weddings. Because we are such a popular wedding market, couples come from around the world to get married here.”

Meanwhile, Viola’s Flower Garden Wedding Coordinator Jessie Bangle says smaller weddings are here to stay. “Since COVID, people are sticking to 50 people or less, mostly for regulations, but also because these weddings are more intimate and less expensive. Going forward to 2022, we’re not seeing big numbers and the trend is unique styles of decoration and scaled-down weddings where the bride and groom can spend more time visiting with their guests.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN