Chris and Nicole Pionke have figured out how to make a good thing even better. They’ve taken delicious treats like Oreo cookies, gingerbread and red velvet cake, mixed them with frosting, dipped them in chocolate, and voilà, they’ve got cakepops! Cakepops with sprinkles, cakepops with peanut butter, cakepops with pineapple...some 400 a day are moving through Cakepop Couture in the Prescott Gateway Mall. The cake shop opened Sept. 1 as a result of Nicole’s dream to “bake her heart out” and … [Read more...] about Cakepops Exploding During Holiday
Winter Trees as Holiday Decor
During my childhood years, evergreen trees were the living room centerpieces of holiday memories. Although a decorated tree still is part of our Christmas décor, I also like to use living evergreens at the front door. Because trees are not actively growing through the holidays, classic evergreens can stay in their growers’ pots for months before being planted. That is why they can provide a living presence when all other plants look dead or have died back to the ground. Especially inviting is … [Read more...] about Winter Trees as Holiday Decor
Contractors Building Community
Yavapai County Contractors Association, renamed in 1970, had its beginnings as the Home Builders Association in 1961, with Tony Schaffer as its first president. The association was started to represent the interests of the men in the building trades, and those first involved were Ted Noel Sr., A.G. Betts and C.J. Haley. These well-established contractors formed the organization for several reasons: to work with city and county officials in establishing and enforcing satisfactory contracting and … [Read more...] about Contractors Building Community
New Solar Fees in ’14
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted on Nov.14to add a fee to the bill of Arizona Public Service (APS) residential customers who add photovoltaic solar energy to their homes. The fee will be 70 cents per kilowatt per month. This new fee will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014, and will apply to solar systems installed after that date. Homeowners with solar systems installed before then will continue to be billed under the existing rules and rates. This fee is expected to range between $4.50 … [Read more...] about New Solar Fees in ’14
Gateway Mall Prepping for Black Friday
Merchants at Prescott's Gateway Mall are preparing for Black Friday, when doors open at 5:00a.m. This Friday, November 29th, is widely acknowledged as the official start of the holiday shopping season. Officials at Gateway Mall are announcing a $1500 gift card giveaway. Merchants are participating in festivities in many different ways: My Cup Runneth Over is offering free coffee for shoppers Friday, and most merchants are announcing significant sales and other shopping incentives, … [Read more...] about Gateway Mall Prepping for Black Friday
Chino Women Leaders Celebrating Business
The Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Team announces the group’s next luncheon, January 31st, at the Phippen Museum of Western Art. The team of women leaders was resurrected in 2012 to give women an opportunity to formally network. An article about the luncheons was featured in a recent Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. The article included quotes from Karen Otis of Drake Cement. “I love being a part of this Team,” says Otis, who has been part of the Women in … [Read more...] about Chino Women Leaders Celebrating Business
New Librarian for Teens
Teens in Prescott Valley may find they love going to the library once they meet Jolanta Feliciano, the town’s new teen librarian. Originally from Poland, Feliciano is a graduate of the University of Silesia in Katowice. She came to Prescott Valley from Valley High School in Albuquerque, N.M., where she worked as the school’s librarian for 13 years. She and her husband, Juan, often visited family in Prescott Valley and liked the community, so when the position of teen librarian came open at … [Read more...] about New Librarian for Teens
Planning Chino Valley’s Future
Chino Valley leaders invite area residents to participate in a discussion on economic development policy and planning. Town Planner Ruth Mayday will speak at the meeting facilitated by Alexandria Wright, director of the Regional Economic Development Center. The December 11th meeting will run from 11:30 to 1:00 at Gabby’s Banquet Hall in Chino valley. A Chamber Awards Presentation will also be included. Interested attendees need to register online by December 6th at … [Read more...] about Planning Chino Valley’s Future
Dick’s Sporting Goods Brings 50 Jobs to PV
With the opening of one of the country’s most popular sporting goods retail chains, Prescott Valley business leaders say the community has scored an economic home run. Dick's Sporting Goods, at the Crossroads Shopping Center next to Sam's Club, celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 11. Specializing in a comprehensive array of sporting goods, athletic apparel and shoes, fitness equipment and bicycles, the store is part of one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world, with more … [Read more...] about Dick’s Sporting Goods Brings 50 Jobs to PV
Aviation Facing Demographic Crisis
Throughout the past decade, America’s Aviation and Aerospace industry has consistently been atop the list of U.S. export sectors and trade surpluses. Yet, there is a looming shortage of qualified professionals on the horizon for this major driver of the U.S. economy. Much of this is demographically driven, as the Baby Boomer generation is fast approaching retirement age. However, some of the drivers are systemic as well and exacerbated by recent government regulations. Although affected … [Read more...] about Aviation Facing Demographic Crisis