Summer with the Stars

School is back in session and summer is drawing to a close, but there's still time to catch the "Summer with the Stars" exhibit at the Lowell Observatory. The exhibit has been running since June and will conclude at the end of this month. Guests recommend the Lowell's 24" Alvan Clark refractors, and for those of you who want to come back in the future, by this time next year the observatory will have a new main attraction, the Discovery Channel Telescope a 4.2-meter telescope rising seven stories above the top of a cinder cone forty miles from Flagstaff. Hope you're not afraid of heights.


















Fitness

Bicycle Polo...
If you've never heard of this don't worry, you're not the first. This event takes place every night from 5:30 pm - 7pm at the NAU Sports Field. Students along with locals started the tradition and the participants have grown tremendously over the years. However, the sport is not at all a new phenomenon, in fact it has been around for quite some time now, with groups and teams playing all over the world. If you're interested in seeing or participating in the spectacle all you need to bring is a bicycle and a helmet, the polo sticks are provided. 



Art & Culture

As always downtown Flagstaff is full of great art, and this month is no different as the Museum of Northern Arizona will be featuring local Phoenix artist Ed Mell, whose paintings and sculptures have captivated audiences throughout the southwest. Mell often abstracts his images and uses contrasting tones of color to intensify a scene and capture ephemeral moments of nature to portray the majestic panoramas of the desert Southwest. His work has been featured in various publications throughout the country. 

Everyone has heard of the Grand Canyon, but even if you've been there, many people still do not appreciate the raw beauty and wonder of this natural spectacle. That's why Imax has teamed up with National Geographic to bring us a once in a lifetime experience; "Grand Canyon" an Imax movie.

The National Geographic Visitor Center, which is located at the south rim entrance of the Grand Canyon National Park, will be showing this 34 min film throughout the summer time. The film is a breathtaking experience that will engage, educate, and wow audiences. The goal is to give people a true understanding of just how majestic the Grand Canyon is.

If you want to take a look at the pictures and find out more information on the movie and the center then visit HERE. You can also visit any of the fine hotels in Flagstaff to see other local attractions while visting the Grand Canyon.

Marriott Fairfield Inn in Flagstaff, Arizona
(Taken from Examiner.com: Article Written By Elizabeth Rose)

I headed for the high country for 4th of July and found some new hotels to try. One of the hotels, was the Marriott Fairfield Inn.

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Name: Marriott Fairfield Inn Flagstaff
Address: 2005 South Milton Road, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 USA
Map
Phone: 1-928-773-1300, 1-800-574-6395
Website: Marriott Fairfield Inn Flagstaff
Area Information:
Flagstaff, Arizona is a historic Route 66 town in northern Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park is an easy drive. 
Flagstaff is known as a summer retreat for Phoenix residents wanting to beat the heat, as a ski destination when it snows in the mountains and as a university town. Flagstaff has great recreational activities, festivals, casual dining and entertainment. 
Area destinations include Sunset Crater National Monument, Wapatki Pueblo, Meteor Crater, Lowell Observatory, and Arizona Snowbowl.

For remainder of review click HERE

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Museum of Northern Arizona
(Review taken from Examiner.com Article Written by: Elizabeth Rose)

The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff hosts a series of cultural festivals each summer. Over Memorial Day weekend I thoroughly enjoyed the Zuni Cultural Festival and so I looked forward to the Hopi Cultural Festival this 4th of July weekend.

I attended on Saturday (the member-only opening is on Friday evening) and arrived when the event opened at 9am. Some artists were still setting up. It was an excellent time to be there. I was able to meet the artists and discuss their work with them. I looked over the jam-packed schedule of events and chose the lectures, music and dance events I wished to attend.

My first stop was in the Geology Gallery (artists are spread out all over the museum and courtyards) where I found basket weaver, Dorleen Gashweseoma Lalo. I was drawn to her natural peach basket, an award-winner. Darleen was very happy to explain her art and spend time teaching me about Hopi basket weaving.

Dorleen is from Hotevilla, on 3rd Mesa. She was there with her husband, who did traditional weaving, and her son, Raynard, who carved and painted traditional katsinem. His work was sold for $200 - $350. 

For Remainder of Review click HERE

More information:
Museum of Northern Arizona Website

 

Lynn Rovelstad of Flagstaff is the proud owner of Katie’s Cupcakes, named after one of her daughters.The business which is right in front of Furniture Barn is set in an aluminum trailer, with brightly colored Adirondack chairs spread out in the front. Katie’s Cupcakes sells cupcakes amongst other things, along with pastries, and coffee. The Mother of two girls says that her goal was to "leave the person feeling a little better than when they came." It appears she's doing just that! See the rest of the story HERE.

 

 

Despite it’s being in numerous commercials, movies, books, and photographs, Canyon De Chelly still remains somewhat of an unknown treasure to many people across the country. The Canyon De Chelly, pronounced Shea, was first established