Haunted Flagstaff 2008

Don't know how I missed this! The Visitor's Bureau is offering (has been all through October) walking tours of "Haunted Flagstaff. Two days left--tonight and tomorrow night, Halloween. Hopefully, you can still make reservations, although it isn't absolutely necessary to reserve a space.

Tours begin at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. from the Flagstaff Visitor Center at the train station downtown. Before you go, you might check out this spooky pdf.

Sounds like a terrific way to spend a Halloween night.

Get more details at the CVB or call 928-774-9541.

National Geographic, Flagstaff and Lowell

The November 2008 issue of National Geographic has a very welcome article, Our Vanishing Night, on light pollution and its effects on nature and on humans. In the third paragraph down on page 3 of the web version of the article, the writer, Verlyn Klinkenborg, writes about the mission to limit light pollution and protect the dark skies. He mentions Flagstaff and its pioneering civic efforts to control light and protect the viewing at Lowell Observatory. He also writes about the implementation of even more stringent lighting regulations in Flagstaff and its designation as the first International Dark Sky City.

Be sure to take a look at the beautiful photographs by Jim Richardson and read Glynnis McPhee's interview with him.

We do appreciate National Geographic publishing this story that highlights the ever-growing problem of light pollution and acknowledging the efforts of cities around the world to control that pollution.

Havasupai at Arizona Geology Blog

From Lee Allison's Arizona Geology Blog on October 22, 2008: "The Havasupai Tribe announced a $1 million donation that will allow them to build an early warning system for floods and repair damage from the August flood that devastated their Grand Canyon home."

Please read the rest of the post and play the videos of the the flood.

This donation should help to assure that the Havasupai have warning should this type of disaster threaten them again.

A New Perspective on Mars at Lowell

On Saturday evening, October 25, 2008, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Lowell Observatory will host the grand opening of an international exhibit created by the German Space Agency. "A New Perspective on Mars" is making its first stop in the western United States at Lowell and will be on display from October 22 through December 3, 2008.

This showcase of large-format images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft will be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda. The Rotunda is a great choice. It's a wonderful building, filled with history. Obviously one of my favorite places.

At 5:45 p.m., Dr. Ralf Jaumann, Head of DLR's Planetary Geology Section and Experiment Manager for the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express, will give a 15-minute presentation.

Be sure to put this on your weekend calendar. This is a great opportunity to hear Dr. Jaumann and see this exhibit that comes to Flagstaff after visiting Europe, Canada and the United Nations.

Thanks to Steele Wotkyns, Lowell Observatory Public Relations Manager for the advisory about this grand opening.

Homecoming at NAU

Make your plans for lot of fun in Flagstaff. Next weekend, actually Thursday, October 23, 2008 through Sunday, October 26, 2008, is Northern Arizona University's 84th Homecoming. Check out all the activities now because you'll need to make reservations.

Get tickets at the Central Ticket Office for Saturday's NAU Homecoming Game vs. Weber State at the Skydome.

Flagstaff Barnes and Noble

Take a little trip down to Barnes and Noble Bookstore and browse through the Arizona section. Lots of good reading is cropping up. Though I must say, they're not doing justice to our local writers. Many titles by local authors are missing from the shelves. Maybe we can all ask about that.

By the way, you can now have a wonderful light breakfast with your coffee. Their Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Strata is so good that you may want to try it at other times of the day. So yummy!

Theme Town by Thomas Wayne Paradis

Here's a very interesting thing to do around Flagstaff. It all revolves around Theme Town: A Geography of Landscape and community in Flagstaff, Arizona, written by Dr. Thomas Wayne Paradis. His book was written as a self-guided walking tour for NAU students in his world geography classes. But, it's an excellent resource for learning about Flagstaff.

You'll need to:

1. Purchase (or borrow from the library) a copy of Theme Town.
2. Read the book and make note of things you want to pay special attention to has you do the walking.
3. Go to the book's website, Theme Town and check out the supplemental materials.
4. Take Dr. Paradis' tour on foot. You may want to divide it into sections as noted in the book or walk the entire tour and then return to different sections.

You'll never view Flagstaff the same way again, after you read Theme Town and take the tour. It's a great trip.

Autumn Star Fest at Lowell Observatory

It's that time of year again. This Sunday, October 12, 2008, from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Lowell Observatory will host Autumn Star Fest, with indoor programs and telescope viewing. It looks like the weather will be great for stargazing. It is going to be a bit nippy though, so be sure to dress appropriately.

Just a hint of autumn on the way to the Snow Bowl 10-5-08

Looks like fall is here with lows dipping into the twenties over the next few days. Time to get out and see what's happening with the georgeous colors around Flagstaff and the Peaks.

Flagstaff's 15-Minute Makeover Reminder

Don't forget that on 10-15-08, at 10:15 a.m., we can all participate in Flagstaff's first annual 15-minute makeover.

Head outside and clean up the litter. If we all donate just fifteen minutes of our time, we can't make a huge impact on our city landscape. All we have to do is just pick up what does not belong. Be sure to toss it in an appropriate trash or recycle container.

The City of Flagstaff is asking everyone to register online. They're even going to offer prizes to randomly chosen participants. The sign-up form does not appear to be available yet, so check back on the City website.

Fall Begins in Flagstaff

Here's a leaf peek on October 5, 2008. Just a taste of things to come:

And, yes, that is snow on the San Francisco Peaks:

Trappings of the American West

In addition to all the Flagstaff Festival of Science activities this weekend, a new exhibit opens at the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA). During the 19th annual Trappings of the American West, October 4 through November 2, 2008, the Historic McMillan Homestead on the grounds of MNA, will be open to the public for the first time.

With the 1886 Homestead as its backdrop, Trappings will showcase contemporary art of the American West, but Flagstaff's history will also occupy part of this unique stage.

What an opportunity to enjoy the interpretation of the cowboy and the American West by these talented artists and learn about the fascinating people who built the foundation of our modern American town.

What a great fall weekend!