38 JANUARY 2018 ARCAD A NEWS By Laura Cafiso With the holidays in the rearview mirror, what lies ahead in 2018? Adventurous memories! Break out of the rut of just doing the same old, same old. Discover new ways to experience and explore our extraordinary state with those who mean the most to you. As a family, group of friends or even a couple, brainstorm new venues to check out and spend time together in novel ways. TAKE A TRAIN RIDE See the high country by riding The Verde Valley Canyon Railroad , a four- hour train ride that harkens back to simpler times. This excursion train departs from Clarkdale at 1 p.m. and travels the two-hour ride to Perkinsville, a former station. At that point, the vintage FP7 locomotive stops, disconnects from the train’s front, drives parallel to the main train and reattaches to the end of the train. Then it’s another two hours back to Clarkdale. Don’t worry though – you’re not going to be sitting for four hours! The train’s open-air cars give riders the option to leave their seats and hang out in a different train car, safely open on the sides and top. Barely out of the station, passengers are soon singing along to “Last Train to Clarksville” and “The Gambler.” They also immediately hit the refreshment counter to buy beer, wine and snacks. The majority of riders then venture outside to the open-air cars, the true appeal of this experience. Open-air cars give folks the opportunity to admire the beautiful countryside, feel the wind on their faces and make new friends. Limited cell phone service turns out to be a blessing in disguise as everyone disconnects from their electronics and interacts. Valley resident Nikki Colletti has been catching the train in Clarkdale since 2002. “I love how relaxing the ride is. Everyone on the train is friendly and visits with each other,” Colletti said. Coach passenger Deborah recommends packing a picnic lunch to eat at the station before boarding. Get to the station early, before the train departs at 1 p.m., to sit outside and enjoy lunch. “Then make sure to line up at 12:40 when they suggest. Coach seating is not reserved seating, so if you wait until the last minute to board, you’ll get the last choice of seats.” First Class provides a buffet lunch and champagne toast, in a less crowded car. However, one repeat passenger says the extra cost may not be worth it, depending on where you like to spend your time. “We traveled by First Class last year. While the seating is more spacious, we spent the majority of our time in the open- air car, so this year we opted to buy coach seats instead,” the passenger said. Another insider tip? Bring a separate camera to take photos. Since cell service is spotty, don’t plan on using your cell phone to take pictures. Basic Coach Seating $64.95. First Class Seating $89.95. Caboose rental for party of six or less $700. verdecanyonrr.com Prefer a shorter train ride? A mere hour east of Phoenix lies Goldfield, Arizona, “The Gateway to the Legendary Superstition Mountains.” Former mining town, Goldfield Ghost Town features The Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad. A vintage Plymouth diesel train transports visitors on a 20-minute jaunt around town and departs every 35 minutes. Other attractions include Goldfield’s Mine Tour, Eagle Eye Shooting Gallery and Gold Panning at Prospector’s Palace. Train ride $8 Adults, $5 Children. goldfieldghosttown.com INDOOR SKY DIVING No jumping out of a plane just yet! Get warmed up at Sky Venture AZ in Eloy, about an hour south of Phoenix. Flying in the indoor skydiving wind tunnel gives newbies a chance to practice in the safety of an indoor setting. Packages for adults and children include flight training class, one-on-one with an instructor, two one- minute flights, all necessary gear and a souvenir T-shirt. $50 Adult Package. $40 Kids (12 and under) Package. skyventureaz.com SKY DIVING Once you’ve gotten your feet wet at Sky Venture , graduate to the real thing at Adventures in Skydiving at the same Eloy location. Jump out of a perfectly good plane at 13,000 feet strapped to a world class instructor. Plan on being there for about six hours, weather permitting. Must be 18 years of age or older.Other requirements as well. $199. adventuresinskydiving.com ZIP LINING Experience the thrill of flying through the Ponderosa Pines, suspended 15-80 feet off the ground, at Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course . Staff outfits you with all the necessary equipment – helmet, harness and gloves – and gives you a brief lesson on how to use it to control your speed as you zip. Everyone in the family will absolutely enjoy this exhilarating outdoor adventure. Book reservations online. Adults & Children 12 & up: $65. flagstaffextreme.com When reflecting on their life, people are rarely heard wishing they’d bought more things. Instead, they usually wish they’d taken more chances, spent more time with loved ones, traveled to that fantasy destination. What are you waiting for? Make it happen this year! Resolve to make Arizona memories in 2018 The Verde Valley Canyon Railroad Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course Sky Venture AZ Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          Like us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •    •    •         www.ingleside.com WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM KATIE CHILES, DVM • KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM • TALI TONCRAY, DVM HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 Grooming OPEN Tues - Sat

39 JANUARY 2018 ARCAD A NEWS By Kaylee Sumpter From Pixie Bubbles to paper pets, a variety of unique businesses were introduced to the Arcadia community last month during the Kids Business Fair. 4 to 7-year-olds: JayLeigh Lawson created a business called Best Pet Ever, where she draws and cuts out pets made of paper. All pets come with an accompanying paper bowl, food and leash also designed by JayLeigh. Leyla, Cameron, and Carter Blackwell created a business called Best Body Beautiful, where inspirational messages about valuing yourself and your body are written on items. Virginia Anderson also received an award for her business, Gigi’s Purses, which sells purses that have been refashioned from baby clothes. 8 to 10-year-olds: Gwen and Flora Carter created a business called Cookie Dough Carter, which sold edible cookie dough in both cups and cones. Karsen Serenity Moore-Countryman and Joy Skinner received an award for their business, K. Serenity, which sells natural body products. Ceridwen McElhinny won an award in the category for Pixie Bubbles, a business that sells “Pixie” bubble wand necklaces. 11 to 13-year-olds: Sam Espinosa introduced his business, P.O.E.M. Sam’s business provides custom poems, written by Sam, for any occasion. Abigail Lutz, Adalyn Endicott and Faithlyn Endicott won an award for Lovely Scents. Their business sells homemade bath and beauty products such as soaps, bath bombs and lotions. Sage Morganstern won for Sage Art. Sage Art provides custom art made from nails and string. This string art is made by wrapping colored string around nails on a board to create a specific image. For more: childrensbusinessfair.org/phoenix/. Inventive imaginations rule Arcadia Kids Business Fair (left) Virginia Anderson’s booth “Gigi’s Purses” won the booth with the most potential award. (middle) JayLeigh Lawson’s booth “Best Pet Ever” won most original award. (right) Leyla Blackwell’s booth “Best Body Beautiful” won the best presentation award. Join Us for One of Two Open Houses Highlighting Our Preschool - 5th Grade Programs! Register Online: www.staphxschool.org/RSVP or Call: (602) 954-9088 Parents Enjoy a Presentation, Tour and Q&A Session. Childcare Available with Storytime, Snacks & Crafts. Check-In Begins at 8:45AM / Program Begins at 9:00AM 4510 N 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016 www.staphxschool.org We Warmly Welcome You Gingerbread Open House December 5th Hot Cocoa Open House February 23rd Arizona Eye SPECIALISTS CATARACTS - PREMIUM IOL’S - LASIK - DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - GLAUCOMA OCULOPLASTICS & CORNEA - MACULAR DEGENERATION - ROUTINE EXAM WWW.ARIZONAEYES.NET CALL 480.994.5012 TO SCHEDULE 7245 East Osborn Rd., #4 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 (Optical Shop Available) 300 East Osborn Rd., Suite 100 Phoenix, Arizona 85012 (Optical Shop Available) 4915 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 114 Gilbert, Arizona 85234 5620 W. Thunderbird Rd., #H-3 Glendale, Arizona 85306 13555 W. McDowell Rd., Suite 102 Goodyear, Arizona 85395 9746 N. 90th Place, Suite 101 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 (Optical Shop Available) We’d like to welcome Anne M. Floyd, MD to our practice!