40 NOVEMBER 2021 W e should always give thanks for living in Arizona, but boy, are we ever grateful around this time of year! Sunny with a bit of a chill in the air, sweatshirts and sweaters, but still no gloves or galoshes. A glorious time to hike, and yet, we can also roast marshmallows around a fire. In addition, it’s the giddy anticipation of a holiday season and knowing you are just a few weeks away from spending time with friends and family and maybe even enjoying a Thanksgiving feast. If you stay close to home and host visitors, you can also check out how some of Arizona’s other towns are getting into the holiday spirit. Prescott was the first capital of Arizona and is known as the official Arizona Christmas city – the folks in this town know how to celebrate. Starting in November, there will be exhibits at the ‘Tis Art Gallery and an art walk on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Saturday after is when the festivities kick off, including a holiday light parade that will surely get a holiday tune or two stuck in your head. Drive a little further north to see those brilliant red rocks and feel the cooler temperatures. Sedona is impressive no matter the season, but if you are looking for a scenic way to burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories, you could participate in the annual Turkey Trot 5K race at the Posse Grounds Park in Sedona. This town starts its holiday season with several other events, holiday shows and no shortage of restaurants and resorts serving up holiday dishes. Not far from Sedona is the Grand Canyon National Park, which is another popular Thanksgiving destination. The North Rim closes in October, but the South Rim is open year-round. Some people head to Lake Havasu City in the summer, but it can also be a winter wonderland. The annual Festival of Lights event starts the day after Thanksgiving. Take a boat cruise through the Bridgewater Channel to see hundreds of thousands of lights shining over the lake. It is a gorgeous time of year to take in this spectacular natural wonder but dress in layers because not only can it get chilly, you might even see some snow. The annual Fountain Hills Thanksgiving parade is a little closer to the Valley and highlights Thanksgiving in Arizona (for the past 37 years!). People come from all over the state to watch the floats, classic cars, marching bands and dance routines. The city stays lit until late evening each night to keep folks in a festive spirit. There’s also a visitor making a trip from the North Pole to wave hello to all his fans. Turkey trots, scenic hikes, ZooLights and the ASU/UofA traditional Territorial Cup rivalry: Whether you are a Wildcat, a Sun Devil or just looking for holiday fun, there’s plenty of sunshine and tradition this month in Arizona. Oh, what fun: Holiday events this month Host and executive producer of Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL Robins Adventures Prescott Christmas Lights at the Capitol. PHOTO: MICHAEL WILSON By Cody Kennedy Recently, we discovered that the West Nile Virus has affected some of our neighbors. As cases grow, we want to share what people should know and how they can protect themselves and their families from getting infected. According to the CDC, the West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile, and most infected people do not show any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever, headache, body aches, joint pain and vomiting, with fatigue lasting anywhere from a week to months. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites. Places like Howard’s Ace Hardware offer bug spray and various mosquito repellents for outdoor and indoor areas. cdc.gov West Nile Virus in Arcadia At Xavier College Preparatory Young Women Always Take Center Stage. They learn there are no limits to their possibilities in life. In a girls’ school, their voices are always heard. All are Welcome! Xavier College Preparatory is a Catholic community that strives to prepare young women of faith with knowledge, skills, and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner celebrating unity. Xavier Entrance Exam Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 or Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 7:30 a.m. Registration for exam and application information at xcp.org. 9th Grade applications are due Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Affording a Xavier Education Financial Aid Workshops available to interested parents during the Entrance Exam Testing, Jan. 8, 2022 and Jan. 22, 2022. T H E XAVIER EFFECT Young Women Always Take Center Stage For More Information Visit xcp.org Evergr Help

Arcadia Troop 6 Scouts will deliver local purchases after December 5 Direct delivery (UPS/FedEx) available to Continental U.S. (see website) ORDER & PAY ONLINE: sherwoodfundraiser.com/arcadiatroop6 Contact Troop 6: arcadiatroop6@gmail.com Text: 602-319-5930 Evergreens are sustainably-harvested (no trees are cut down) from Sherwood Forest Farms in the Paci fi c Northwest. Help support Arcadia’s Boy Scout Troop 6 ARCADIA DON’T DELAY! Orders due November 7 22” mixed evergreen wreath $27. Enjoy the fresh smells of the season at home. All evergreens guaranteed fresh! Wreaths start at $25. Many other items available.