Page 37 - The NOISE December 2015

cold,
but never bored!
story by mike williams
it’s winter in Noraz! The chill in the air, the leaves dropping like confetti, the ability to go from relatively comfortable desert warmth to frigid mountain cold that bites at every shred of exposed skin like a rabid Chihuahua with icicle teeth — It’s a great place to be! However, for those of us unwilling to hunker down at the local bar until June, yet are far too uncoordinated for serious outdoor pursuits, hope still springs eternal here in beautiful Northern Arizona. Below, in no particular order, is a by-no-means comprehensive list of December’s special events and activities. We’ve even got multiple appearances from Santa Claus, who apparently enjoys a little time in some lesser cold place before heading back to the North Pole for his big Christmas run.
star of bethlehem Presentation at the lowell observatory!
Beyond their wildly well-researched daily tours, brand new archive exhibit, and sheer volume of history physically made on the grounds, there is an astrological interpretation of the story of the Star of Bethlehem. The presentation will look in depth at the winter-time constellations as well as expand on the story of the North Star. Kicker: it’s included in the regular admission price! One of the best things to experience this season here in the first International Dark Sky City!
riordan mansion holiday Party!
Flagstaff’s quintessential old-time house right off campus will be decorated to the hilt with turn-of-the-century wreaths, garlands, greenery and a giant fir tree. December 5 is the mansion’s annual holiday party, featuring the one and only Santa Claus giving gifts of candy, as well as Christmas stories read by Mrs. Claus! A must for the kiddos and the kiddo at heart.
Giant Pinecone droP at the weatherford hotel!
Flagstaff has long been designated Arizona’s Winter Wonderland and, with the way the Fall has already been going, hopes for a New Year’s snowstorm are high. The first pinecone, originally a painted trash can crudely covered in real cones and lights, was dropped from the roof of the historic Weatherford some 16 years ago and gave birth to one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions. Warm clothes are essential and parking downtown will be like trying to find Santa on December 26. The most fortunate will get a midnight smooch and the rest of us will sing that “Auld Acquaintances” song while weeping inwardly.
caduceus cellar tour!
Wine is so much more than just a preferred milk replacement in The Wine Monk’s breakfast cereal. It’s a beverage whose 8,000 year history has defined empires, given birth to science, math, literature and agriculture, and most recently, thrown the city of Jerome into the national spotlight as a hotbed of small-batch, craft vino. Any cellar tour is going to be equally eye- opening and intimate, but the Caduceus Cellar tour is a step above most with its emphasis on the detail and care that goes into each bottle. A great way to spend an afternoon in the gorgeous mountains of Jerome!
29th annual made-in-clarkdale art exhibit!
Running from December 3-6, this event will feature over 60 artists specializing in paint, photography, wood, ceramics, metal and more. The gala itself requests a modest $5 donation and has incredible daily artist demonstrations. Live music? Got it. Fine foods and wine? Of course!
hanukkah celebration courtesy of shabad of flaGstaff!
December is a month of celebration for people of all cultures. Starting with a Hanukkah Mega Bowl event with cosmic bowling at Starlite Lanes and culminating in a lighting ceremony of Northern Arizona’s largest Menorah at Flagstaff City Hall, Shabad is bringing latkes and other traditional Jewish treats to celebrate! Finally, on December 13 at the Shabad Committee Center, there’s a full-on festival with live music, dinner buffet, candle making and more.
victorian christmas at fort verde!
An architectural heritage site that stands as one of the best-preserved forts in the entire region, Fort Verde has decked the halls in classic Christmas decor. Everything is an obsessively period-correct representation of life in the late 1800s, from the china and silver to the homemade ornaments that hang on the estate’s massive Christmas trees. The park also features a comprehensive visitor’s center and museum stocked full of artifacts from life during the fort’s heyday.
the Polar exPress in williams!
Patterned after the beloved children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, the 38 • DECEMBER 2015 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us
Photo by omar victor
Grand Canyon Railway leaves Williams for a scenic Noraz cruise culminating in a visit to the “North Pole” complete with reindeer and a present-distributing Santa Claus. As dedicated members of the media, The Noise is privy to many a secret, including the fact that this is one of many official outposts The Man In Red himself uses as a pit stop on his worldwide trip. He’s even dispatched helpers to divvy out hot chocolate and cookies on these trips. This one sells
out quick, so make reservations as soon as possible!
hitchin’ Post sleiGh ride!
A sleigh ride is as classic a winter tradition as that final panicked gift run on Christmas Eve, and covertly sneaking bites of dinner before it makes it to the table. The one-hour ride through the snow-covered Coconino Forest, off of Lake Mary Road, is one of quiet serenity that comes complete with a stop at a roaring campfire for hot chocolate. The smell of the pines, the jingling of bells as the majestic horses clop through the woods, and the ever-running mental soundtrack of childhood songs about Grandmother’s house and dashing through the snow would make a perfect trip for the true romantic.
sedona Psychic readinG for new years!
We all want to know what’s in store for 2016 — why not ask a professional? Sedona is host to over 30 different psychics, all offering clairvoyant advice on love, life, career and pretty much anything else a person could ponder on. While it might not be wise to hit the racetrack with what you’ve learned, a psychic reading always makes for a good bit of fun!
homemade tamale hunt!
December is tamale season here in the Southwest, and while it may be tempting to grab the frozen eight pack from the local grocer, the true essence of these delicious corn-husk wrapped beauties is best found in the most unlikely of places. Just hop in the car and cruise until something pops out at you. More often than not, the most incredible expression of the tamale is found in roadside food trucks, and not surprisingly, being sold on FaceBook on the Flag Buy, Sell, and Barter page. If you want something that tastes like Grandma made it, it’s always smart to get it direct from a grandma. Remember, good seasonal Mexican food is a lot like a summer day — you don’t fully appreciate it until it’s gone!
find free sleddinG sPots!
For years, the best in-town sledding spot was the giant hill next to Kinsey Elementary School off Lonetree; however, the annual amount of grisly wipeouts, concussions, and Ronda Rousey- grade knockouts undoubtedly did it in. While we’ll always have the hazy recollection of flying off a four-foot ramp, flipping over midair, and landing with six other people on top of us — there are always new memories to be made. Folks these days seem to be enjoying the Crowley Pit off of Fort Valley Road, which was ranked #56 of 77 things to do in Flagstaff on Trip Advisor. Walker Lake also sounds great if you’re looking for some snowshoeing too!
mountain bikinG literally anywhere in sedona!
The trails in Sedona range in difficulty from novice to professional with scenery varying from breath-taking to more breath-taking. A bicyclist’s paradise of bucket list proportions, everybody loves it here. The weather is generally incredible this time of year and spectacles like Bell Rock and Submarine Rock are easily viewable from the interconnected system of trails that careen through the entire canyon. Erotically tight Spandex is optional, but standard bike smarts still apply. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, helmet, a pump and extra tubes. The only thing worse than derailing an entire day of biking with an immediate flat is getting six miles out before getting one without a spare.
volunteer!
Last and most importantly, this holiday tradition is, by far, the single one that we should make a habit out of all year round. The waves of people who flock to the aid of society’s most marginalized population during the holiday season is one of the most inspiring displays of the best part of ourselves as a species. And these essential safe places are always in need of all the help they can get. There are a multitude of homeless shelters for both men and women, as well as animals, in desperate need of volunteers and donations in every city — don’t stop at the end of the holidays. Given the rash of tragedies the world has experienced in 2015, the best resolution any of us can have is to be the best, kindest people we can be in 2016.
| Mike Williams is a volunteer to the Nth degree. mike@thenoise.us thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • december 2015 • 37