Sometimes growing up with a little can yield a lot when it comes to learning valuable life lessons. For Culinary Concepts Southwest owner and chef Laura Chamberlin, who was born and raised in Tucson, living meagerly unlocked her culinarian future. “My mother had a wonderful way of transforming the simple food we had into delicious dinners.” “Of course, I didn’t appreciate it at the time. But my mom, who was single, was a really great cook. She was a scratch baker and made wonderful dishes … [Read more...] about Farm to Table, River to Flame: Chef Laura Chamberlin Caters in Town or in the Field
Business
Lending a Hand for Nature
In a happy case of synchronicity, on Saturday morning, April 19, a passionate community of volunteers showed up to make new friends and get some exercise outdoors, after checking in at the meeting area in Granite Creek Park. From there, individuals took off to designated locations to work for a common cause – the 2025 Granite Creek Cleanup – an annual event that champions Granite Creek and watershed improvement in the Prescott area. Several hundred eager volunteers formed teams of one to 20 … [Read more...] about Lending a Hand for Nature
Wine, Food, Festivities to Flow at Verde Valley Wine Festival
Wine lovers and festivalgoers will once again flock to Cottonwood’s Riverfront Park this spring as the Verde Valley Wine Festival makes its highly anticipated return 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 10. Now in its seventh year, the popular event will bring together more than 20 wineries from across the Verde Valley and beyond. Attendees can sip their way through some of Arizona’s finest wine selections while enjoying craft beer, spirits, food from local eateries, live music and artisan shopping … [Read more...] about Wine, Food, Festivities to Flow at Verde Valley Wine Festival
Yavapai-Apache Nation Marks Fifteen Years of Earth Day Awareness and Action
Fifteen years after launching the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s first Earth Day event, David Lewis says the annual gathering continues to grow in both participation and purpose. Lewis, manager of the tribe’s Environmental Protection Department, created the event to promote environmental awareness while strengthening tribal and community partnerships. This year’s celebration, held Saturday, April 5, welcomed representatives from the region, including the Town of Camp Verde, APS, Home Depot, the … [Read more...] about Yavapai-Apache Nation Marks Fifteen Years of Earth Day Awareness and Action
Lucy Leyva Builds Maid to Order Into Regional Powerhouse
As a single mom, Lucy Leyva began her residential cleaning business as its lone employee. Today, 20 years later, Prescott Maid to Order has more than 80 workers and Leyva is planning to expand into the Verde Valley. At the beginning, Leyva said, she knew that she wanted to create a business and she needed one that did not require a lot of investment money for startup. She also wanted to stay connected to people and the community. “I love people,” the former Prescott Valley Town councilmember … [Read more...] about Lucy Leyva Builds Maid to Order Into Regional Powerhouse
‘The Barn’ Blooms: Verde River Growers Unveils New Indoor Oasis
The new retail building at Verde River Growers (VRG) is not only a pleasant and spacious place to shop for exotic plants and flowers, the climate-controlled environment is a great respite from the weather outside. “We call it ‘The Barn,’ keeping with our farmer’s market theme,” said VRG Manager Lindsey Curé. “The Barn brings 3,600 feet of a modern farmhouse feel, sprouting with new product lines and energy. There was a lot of preparation, and the work was done in stages.” The project took 14 … [Read more...] about ‘The Barn’ Blooms: Verde River Growers Unveils New Indoor Oasis
Inventory is Up, Along with Expectations
A surge in available listings across Prescott, the Verde Valley and Flagstaff is reshaping the residential real estate conversation in Northern Arizona. While home prices remain relatively stable, the increased inventory is creating opportunities for buyers – and new challenges for sellers – in a market long known for its limited supply. Flagstaff is usually a seller’s market, but this year it is getting closer to a balanced market, said Gary Nelson, managing broker of Realty Executives of … [Read more...] about Inventory is Up, Along with Expectations
Prescott Commercial Real Estate Acquires Legacy Firm, Becomes Northern Arizona’s Largest Brokerage
Prescott Commercial Real Estate has acquired Arizona Commercial, a respected firm founded in 1976 and one of the longest-standing commercial real estate brokerages in the state. The acquisition establishes Prescott Commercial Real Estate as the largest commercial real estate brokerage in Northern Arizona. “We have the biggest team of commercial real estate professionals in Northern Arizona that are selling, buying, leasing, managing or developing commercial real estate,” said Designated Broker … [Read more...] about Prescott Commercial Real Estate Acquires Legacy Firm, Becomes Northern Arizona’s Largest Brokerage
Yavapai Firewise Receives Funding to Assist Homeowners
The Arizona Community Foundation and Greater Prescott Outdoors Fund presented Yavapai Firewise with $10,000 at a gathering April 1 at the Yavapai County Emergency Management Center. Yavapai Firewise Board Chairman Dave Soto said Firewise is a nationally recognized program that helps assist homeowners with reducing hazardous vegetation that could lead to the spread of fires threatening their homes and property. Yavapai County has the highest number of Firewise certified neighborhoods in the … [Read more...] about Yavapai Firewise Receives Funding to Assist Homeowners
Prescott Home Inventory Rises as Market Shifts Toward Buyers
Prescott’s housing market is seeing its highest inventory levels since 2016, with more than 1,000 homes currently on the market and expectations of that number climbing to 1,200 by August. “So far, the prices have remained static,” said Prescott realtor Josh Fitch. “It’s gone up and down a little each month, but it’s staying about the same. However, if the number of houses keeps going up, the prices will go down.” Fitch said the trend also holds true for manufactured homes, which have … [Read more...] about Prescott Home Inventory Rises as Market Shifts Toward Buyers