Emergency workers have reported that Timberline and Hutchison Acres residents are digging in County rights-of-way in the Schultz Flood areas and, in some instances, are dangerously digging up utilities in the process.  Coconino County issued a press release on August 19 reminding residents of the flood areas that the County and the Arizona All Hazards Incident Management Team have workers in the area on a daily basis digging out drainage areas and trenches and cleaning out culverts.  

Residents are advised to dig only on their own private property and to call Blue Stake prior to digging (1-800-782-5348).  Blue Stake officials will visit the property and identify all underground utilities.  To request a Blue Stake, or for more information on the Blue Stake process, visit www.azbluestake.com.

Residents are also reminded that Arizona Revised Statute 45-112 prohibits property owners from changing the natural water flow pattern on and around their properties.  To change the natural flow pattern could result in diverting water onto their neighbor’s property and creating problems downstream.

Source: Coconino County Press Release, August 19, 2010

This Dog Loves Living in Flagstaff!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of introducing some Washington transferees to Flagstaff. They came with their three dogs. I was happy to show them some homes and also to be able to show them that Flagstaff is a pet-friendly town!

The City of Flagstaff provides two off-leash “bark” parks – at the north end of Thorpe Park on the west side of town and in Bushmaster Park of the east side. All dog-friendly dogs are welcome to play in these double-gated areas of about 1.5 acres each.

There are plenty of hiking trails in and around Flagstaff and all dogs on leashes are welcome to run or walk with their people.

Flagstaff folks have created a not-for-profit shelter in addition to the Coconino County Humane Society. This is Second Chance Center for Animals, in north east rural Flagstaff. Second Chance provides this list of pet-friendly Flagstaff hotels.

Here’s my favorite Flagstaff boarding center for dogs (and cats): Cinder Hills Boarding Kennel. It’s a bit of a drive from central Flagstaff and there are in-town alternatives, but Cinder Hills has the most highly trained hosts and individual accommodations for each animal or family of animals. They have expertly provided medicine for one of my chronically ill pooches and happily taken others from hikes in the forest.

So, if you have any doubt about Flagstaff and pets – erase those thoughts right now!

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To buy or sell any Flagstaff home, please contact me: Ann Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties.

To search the Flagstaff MLS, click here!

Click here to see my featured Flagstaff home listings.

Tonight is Flagstaff's monthly (year-round) downtown street party, otherwise known as First Friday Artwalk. This week's event is likely to be packed because the Arizona Cardinals have brought huge crowds to town for their annual training camp at Northern Arizona University. (I had to take a back road to get home tonight because of Cardinals' traffic and I-40 ramp repair closures.)

This weekend, Theatrikos Community Theater opens its production of Laughing Stock, part of the Theatrikos comedy season. Enjoy it tonight, Saturday night or Sunday afternoon -- or one of the coming weeks on the schedule.

It'll be a fun, if somewhat rainy, weekend in Flagstaff. Enjoy!

Backyard in Timberline after 6th Flash Flood

Doney Park, Timberline and Fernwood community residents are invited to attend a special combined Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Cromer School, 7150 East Silver Saddle Road, Flagstaff, AZ. Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil and Supervisors Mandy Metzger and Liz Archuleta will be at the meeting to share information about the on-going flood emergency in these rural Flagstaff neighborhoods.

Tuesday’s meeting will be dedicated to updating community members on the progress that has been made on flood mitigation in the affected neighborhoods as well as plans for future work.  Presenters from the following organizations will speak:  Coconino County Public Works, Arizona State All Risks Incident Management Team, Burned Area Emergency Response Team, Summit Fire Department, U.S Forest Service-Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the National Weather Service-Flagstaff.

On Monday, Coconino County opened the Schultz Fire/Flood Assistance and Information Center (FAIC) at 7121 N. Highway 89 (just south of the Townsend/Winona Road intersection). FAIC will connect flood victims with social service and volunteer agencies and resources in a one-stop location.  These services range from assistance with home repairs, to financial advice, to counseling services to deal with the tragedy and loss they may have experienced.

The Coconino County Public Health Department has extended clinic days for tetanus and hepatitis A immunizations. The shots are free to residents of the flooded areas and to volunteers who have worked in these neighborhoods to assist in flood recovery and protection. Tuesday and Thursday late afternoon and evening at Cromer School; other days at King Street.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas, and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago.  It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly and to alleviate fear and isolation.  Residents will learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a crime victim. For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Flagstaff’s Continental Country Club is donating all of the greens fees and cart fees collected Monday August 2, 2010 to the Schultz Fire & Flood Relief Fund. This fund will benefit the more than 90 Flagstaff area families that have suffered losses due to the Schultz fire and subsequent tragic flooding in Northeast Rural Flagstaff.  This is not a tournament so no registration is required other than usual tee-time booking.

There will be contests on all par 3's, with the opportunity to win prizes, including rounds of golf from Continental and other golf courses. Continental will give away a 2011 season's golf pass to any hole in one at Continental on Monday! (An additional donation is required to participate in these contests.) Also, there will be silent auctions for foursome's at some of the finest courses in Arizona. 

In addition, Continental Country Club will donate 10% of all merchandise sales on Monday at the pro shop to the fund and an additional $20 dollar donation nets you a 20% discount on one item and a $30 donation nets a 30% discount on up to three items. (This offer excludes some golf clubs.)

Call the Pro Shop at 928.527.7997 to book your tee time, or if you can’t play Monday, stop by (until 7 p.m.) and shop in the Pro Shop! Take a break and help some Flagstaff neighbors victimized by fire and flood.

UPDATE: Silent auction runs through Friday at 5 p.m. Stop by the Pro Shop!