A brief stopover in Tuba City from New Hampshire provided just enough time for Miles Diaz to be born. Although there’s been much hardship in his life, Diaz has managed to clip through it all. Today, he owns Ray’s Barber Shop, opened by his grandfather, Lazaro Adame Diaz, in 1961. “My parents named me Miles, because I was born so many miles from home,” said Diaz, who became the barbershop owner about a year ago. “When I was 4 years old, I used to come in and sweep the floor for my … [Read more...] about Ray’s Barber Shop Serves as ‘Clubhouse’ for Men
Spotlight
Motivated to Excellence
Jamaal McCoy’s early years set the pattern for his future. The highly successful Prescott businessman began his life as an Army BRAT who traveled widely with his family. “I was born overseas in Germany, and we were stationed there again on two separate occasions,” McCoy said. “I have lived all over this great country, because home is where the Army sends you.” After high school and college in Colorado, he moved to Las Vegas, where he lived for nearly 20 years, and where his business life … [Read more...] about Motivated to Excellence
Sheila Polk Retires as County Attorney After More Than Two Decades of Service
Retired Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk said she had one thing at the top of her bucket list when she officially retired Dec. 31. “I’m going to learn how to sleep beyond 4:30 a.m.” Polk’s career in public service spans more than 40 years. Following graduation from law school at Arizona State University in 1982, she clerked for one year at the Arizona Supreme Court for Justice Jack D.H. Hayes. She then joined the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, where she worked for 11 more years. In … [Read more...] about Sheila Polk Retires as County Attorney After More Than Two Decades of Service
Understanding Natural Gas from the Ground Up
Off the top of his head, UniSource Energy Services Director Martin Anaya can easily quote the dates and positions of his 41-year career in gas utilities, which began in 1981. Working literally from the ground up, Anaya’s first position was installing gas lines. As he progressed, his work kept steel pipes from corroding underground. “I started with Southern Union Gas and moved into doing corrosion control, also known as cathodic protection. I stayed in that discipline for many years. It is my … [Read more...] about Understanding Natural Gas from the Ground Up
Straight-Shooting Gunsmithing Pastor Cares for Heirloom Firearms
When 8-year-old Eugene “Gene” Grimm first pulled the trigger on his grandfather’s Harrington & Richardson Model 999 in Ohio, little did he realize that 70 years later, the same weapon would remain a premier showpiece among many in a collection of what has become High Chaparral Gunsmithing. In fact, from that very first gun, Grimm’s collection has grown to dozens of his own, as well as many more that he has repaired, restored and customized for clients through his gunsmithing practice. … [Read more...] about Straight-Shooting Gunsmithing Pastor Cares for Heirloom Firearms
Moon Rover Continues to Gain Traction
While Neil Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s footsteps have been imprinted on the moon and in world history, the Moon Buggy they explored in left tracks on the lunar surface and also in the imaginations of the news media and fans. At 88, the Northern Arizona man who played a role in designing the buggy prototype continues to be tracked down by the news media and fans. GROVER, or Geology Rover, spends its days in retirement in the U.S. Geological Survey building in Flagstaff. Bill Tinnin, the … [Read more...] about Moon Rover Continues to Gain Traction
Camp Verde Bicycle Gearing Up for Growing Demand
Loving the abundance of water, greenery and long country bike rides, Camp Verde Bicycle Owner James Cornelius has found his happy place. “I’m from Ohio, and my wife, Lani, is from Hawaii, so we really love the climate here in Camp Verde. Plus, it’s unusual to have a verdant area mixed with desert climate.” Cornelius lived in Flagstaff for 25 years, went to Coconino High School for his senior year, worked at SCA Tissue North America as a maintenance lead for most of his career and, until … [Read more...] about Camp Verde Bicycle Gearing Up for Growing Demand
New Chef Helps Barley Hound Survive Pandemic
I had the opportunity to create a totally new and different culinary experience for diners and I think we’ve done it. But it was challenging.” That’s how Tony Burris described accepting the role of executive chef at The Barley Hound last October. The newly remodeled restaurant, located at 234 South Cortez, is in an eye-catching Victorian-style home with roots dating back to the early 1900s. Burris said owner Skyler Reeves recently had spent a “substantial amount of money” remodeling both … [Read more...] about New Chef Helps Barley Hound Survive Pandemic
Barber Joseph Bellone Keeps Clients Stylish
Through willpower and perseverance, Joseph Bellone survived a horrific car accident and has become one of the best known barbers in the Quad Cities area. The crash occurred on Nov. 7, 2016, in Paulden. Bellone was ejected from the vehicle and severely injured. He shattered bones, crushed his sciatic nerve and suffered head injuries. In the first week after the accident he had eight surgeries. “It took them six months to put me back into one piece, but I still couldn’t walk,” he … [Read more...] about Barber Joseph Bellone Keeps Clients Stylish
Sole Sister
Paula Sedillo Wise’s volunteer work with Tennies for Tots is a labor of love that has sprinted across Central and Northern Arizona. The program brings shoes to 3,000 children at 35 Headstart centers in Yavapai and Coconino counties as well as on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Some days, she delivers hundreds of pairs and “the kids are thrilled,” she says. Sedillo grew up in Flagstaff, where her parents instilled in her the importance of helping others. That was reinforced in her for the … [Read more...] about Sole Sister