SANTA ANA, Calif. — When you’re from California, it’s easy to think that some of the world’s most beautiful and wild, rugged places are close to home.
But the reality is that while the Golden State has plenty of incredible scenery to offer, both back in those “Wild West” days as well as right here and now, the landscapes found leading to it across America’s Southwest are some of the most spectacular to be found anywhere on the planet.
And while pioneers probably didn’t stop and take an extended visit, these days a road trip is a perfect way to see our favorite special spots in the Southwest.
Figuring out what to see on a Wild West road trip takes a bit of planning.
Before you begin, consider purchasing an annual national parks pass at the first park you enter.
That $80 pass gets everyone in your car into every national park for a full year.
You don’t have to be an American citizen to buy the annual pass, either. and if you are an American citizen age 62-plus, buy your lifetime pass for $80 and never again pay to enter a U.S. national park.
Considering that Zion National Park’s entry fee is $35 per car, getting the annual pass is something of a no-brainer.
Ghosts, gold and Red Rock
While the lure of Sin City in Nevada is strong, there’s more to the Vegas environs than casinos and outlet malls.
So sleep in Las Vegas to start your adventure if you’d like, perhaps in the comfortable beds at the all-suite Venetian Hotel, have a world-class meal at their estiatorio Milos restaurant, take in a show and then let the real wild adventure begin as you exit that glitzy place.
Start with an easy ride to the Red Rock Canyon Park, where you will need a timed reservation to enter between October and May.
It’s just 15 minutes west of the Strip, but transports you to a completely different world, a land of massive striated red rocks, where easy walking trails lead to ancient Native American petroglyphs and perhaps even a glimpse of the protected (and endangered) desert tortoise, who calls this arid place home. This small park is a great start to seeing the incredible rock formations that await in Utah and Arizona.
Red Rock is lovely, but our favorite Nevada stop is Rhyolite, a gold-rush ghost town northwest of Vegas.
Founded in 1904, it grew to a city of 5,000…
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Dynamic Discs announced last week that longtime company events director, and current president, Doug Bjerkaas, will be leaving the iconic golf disc manufacturer.
Bjerkaas starts a director-level position with the Professional Disc Golf Association on April 1.
“First and foremost, there never would have been an opportunity to work for the PDGA at the highest level, overseeing the most important events in the sport, had I not spent the last seven plus years here at Emporia, Bjerkaas said, “I’ve known Jeremy (Rusco, founder of Dynamic Discs) for a while.”
Bjerkaas’ tenure with the company started in 2015 as a part-time events coordinator, climbing the ladder to president. His contributions to Emporia and disc golf while at Dynamic Discs, have left a significant mark.
“Doug has been an essential driving force behind the Dynamic Discs’ events in Emporia and has so much to be proud of,” said Rusco in an email sent to the Gazette. “He was responsible for making sure that Dynamic Discs and the City of Emporia were able to attract and host so many successful events.”
Under Bjerkaas’ direction, the disc maker developed the Glass Blown Open into the premier global disc golf event for several years. He also served as the tournament director for two PDGA Professional World Championships and three junior world championships.
“The Emporia community has rallied behind these events and should be proud of what we have accomplished under Doug’s leadership,” Rusco said.
Bjerkaas is well aware of the impact and importance these events have had on the sport and the region.
“I don’t think there’s another place on the planet where someone would have had the opportunity to host five different world championships in a seven-year stretch,” he said. “There are communities that are lucky if they get to host one world championship in a decade. And the PDGA has always put so much faith in what we can do here in Emporia for disc golf.”
Bjerkaas said his experience at Dynamic Discs opened the door for his new position at the sport’s Georgia-based governing body.
“And had everything not happened at Dynamic Discs the way it has over the last 18 years when Jeremy first started the company, I wouldn’t have this opportunity,” he said. “So I will forever be grateful to Dynamic Discs, to the city of Emporia, to all the…
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More changes are coming to Dynamic Discs, with the exit of longtime events coodinator Doug Bjerkaas.
Bjerkaas announced in a blog post to Dynamic Discs’ web site Wednesday that he will be taking a “director-level” position with the PDGA beginning April 1.
“It is with bittersweet emotions that I am announcing my run with Dynamic Discs is coming to an end,” he wrote. “On April 1st, I have the privilege and honor of working for the PDGA. Working for the sanctioning body of the sport I love is an exciting opportunity. The Director-level position I will be assuming will allow me to work with the outstanding team of PDGA employees, the PDGA Board of Directors, and many of my fellow PDGA members, to help shape the future of major PDGA events. This collaborative effort will further the growth of disc golf and continue to increase professionalism in our events. In addition, this new position provides me with the perfect platform to grow the sport of disc golf in an area I have been very close to; competitive disc golf.”
Bjerkaas said he first met Dynamic Discs founder Jeremy Rusco at the 23rd annual Frontier Open in Hays in Sept. 2007. He lauded their budding friendship and Rusco’s primary sponsorship of a small women’s event Bjerkaas started, which grew over time.
“In the fall of 2015, Jeremy sought someone to be the Tournament Director for the Dynamic Discs events hosted in Emporia,” he said. “Again, I was fortunate that he called me. After a few phone calls with Jeremy and the ability to continue my primary job remotely, my wife and I relocated to Emporia. I became the part-time Events Coordinator at Dynamic Discs in January 2016.”
Bjerkaas said his time with Dynamic Discs has been a “rollercoaster ride” where the “excitement never really slowed down.”
“From running the annual PDGA National Tour Glass Blown Opens, a few DGPT editions of the Dynamic Discs Open, three PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships, two PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, and countless other events, my experience as a tournament director grew,” he said. “Dynamic Discs also grew rapidly, creating an opportunity to add to my responsibilities. Over the last seven-plus years, my position evolved into a full-time role that included the duties of community relations, special projects, and human resources. In the fall of 2021, I was named the…
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Logansport residents running in city elections this year are gearing up for the May primary election with a candidate forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday at McHale Performing Arts Center.
The forum will feature candidates running for city council, clerk-treasurer, and mayor. The mayor race, which currently has seven candidates running between the Democrat and Republican parties, is of particular interest because of the number of people vying for the position. The Cass County League of Women Voters is working in conjunction with the Logansport Chamber of Commerce, Iron Horse Broadcasting, the Pharos-Tribune and Cass County Online to host the event.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 2.
Mayor’s race
The Republican candidates for mayor include James McKeever, Johnny Quinones, and incumbent Chris Martin. The Democrat candidates for mayor include Larry Hood, Dave Kitchell, Terry Doran, and Jacob LeDonne.
Chris Martin
Photo provided
Mayor Chris Martin
Martin said his team faced difficulties after he was sworn into office because some plans were delayed for nearly two years due to the pandemic, but he believes his administration was still able to accomplish a lot. During a second term, he hopes to continue building the industrial park, addressing environmental concerns on the west side of the city so it is ready for redevelopment, creating housing at places like Chase and Davis roads, and seeking federal grants for infrastructure improvements like those planned for city sidewalks around local elementary schools.
“We want to continue…
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Dynamic Discs announced the start of a new chapter this week, with news that it was recently bought out by an international venture capital firm.
And if you ask founder Jeremy Rusco, this could be a boon to Emporia.
House of Discs — created by Europe-based Vendis Capital last June — subsumed Latitude 64, Kastaplast and Westside Discs and has now added Dynamic Discs, Dynamic Distribution, Handeye Supply Company, and Spinoff Games to the HOD fold.
“House of Discs will invest in the growth of disc golf as a whole to ensure that each brand that is in the group receives the financial assets and professional expertise to grow to a level that elevates the sport, and the brands, to new heights,” said Rusco in a Mar. 8 press release.
Vendis Capital scales up consumer companies globally, implementing buy-and-build strategies that promote growth via select acquisitions.
Rusco will serve on the House of Discs board of directors, and Dynamic Discs’ new status could help leverage a disc golf-related production facility in Emporia.
“Ultimately, our hope and intention is that it only furthers disc golf in Emporia and only furthers the business in Emporia with the intent to bring a production facility over to the United States under this group,” Rusco told The Emporia Gazette.
The Dynamic Discs leader said if his company wasn’t now a part of the House of Discs, Emporia wouldn’t be considered for the production facility.
“But with us being a part of the larger organization, the way I see it is we’ve got the first opportunity to invest, an investment opportunity, to bring that production facility here and the world headquarters of House of Discs to Emporia,” Rusco said.
Rusco said the facility could create 100-plus jobs for Emporia and believes local leaders will be on board with it.
“I definitely know that our city, community leadership is going to work hard to put something together to make that be an attractive deal for the ultimate decision-makers at House of Discs,” he said. “And I guess I’m optimistic that will land in Emporia.”
Rusco further stated that he doesn’t feel like the community has tapped out its resources and financial capacity.
“They [House of Discs]know what we’ve established in Emporia,” he said. “They know how strong a foundation that we’ve built … and they know a lot of the…
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Because this section is free of charge, community events are subject to run based on available space. Religion items are published on the Saturday church page. Email events to [email protected].
TODAY, MARCH 16
ADULT ARTS AND CRAFTS: Let creativity shine to create a cute craft or inspiring art piece from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ruby B. Archie Library auditorium. Ages 18 and up. No fee. Registration is required by calling, 434-799-5195.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
FAMILY GAME NIGHTS: Relax with family and come out for a fun night of board games, sports and outdoor games at Coates Recreation Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. No fee. Registration required by calling, 434-799-5150. Sponsored by Parks and Recreation.
People are also reading…
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
CARS & COFFEE: Old Dominion Classic Sports Car Club will hold Cars & Coffee from 9 to 11 a.m. at Crema & Vine, 1009 Main St. For more information, call 434-548-9862.
JAPANESE CULTURAL EVENT: George Washington High School Japanese class and club will host the third annual Japan Day free event in the GW auditorium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be Kendo, Taiko Drumming, a tea ceremony, prizes and more. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/yse2tj2z.
CLASSIC MOVIE CLUB: Enjoy a classic movie with discussion following at the Ruby B. Archie Library auditorium from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. “The Adventure of Robin Hood” (1938) for ages 18 and up. Registration required by calling, 434-799-5195. No fee.
ARCHERY 101 WORKSHOP: Learn the basic safety, anchor points, draw and release, care of equipment and essential safety skills with a USA Archery certified instructor for ages 5 to 17 at Coates Recreation Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $12. Registration required by calling, 434-799-5150.
HOMESTEADING 101: Learn from local homesteaders Ben and Amber Martin at Glenwood Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. No fee. For ages 5 and up; registration is required a week prior.
MONDAY, MARCH 20
PRESSURE CANNER LID TESTING: Virginia Cooperative Extensive Office, 19783 U.S. 29 South, Suite C, Chatham, will check pressure cooker lid and gauge used for canning at no cost from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 434-432-7770.
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
THE WRITE…
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Continuing a long-standing commitment to furthering education and advancing diversity in our industries, The Toro Company is joining with the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) and its Dual Degree Engineering Program (DDEP) to expand opportunities for Black students to pursue careers in engineering.
The Toro Company announces five-year commitment to The Atlanta University Center Consortium’s Dual Degree Engineering Program. (Photo: Business Wire)
Over the next five years, The Toro Company has committed $375,000 to fund scholarships for engineering students from the member institutions. The grant includes financial assistance for tuition and indirect costs associated with student scholarships. In addition to scholarships, The Toro Company will provide paid internship opportunities for DDEP students to gain deeper experiences across its many businesses.
“As we seek to create new partnerships and opportunities to help shape the future of our workforce, we are very excited to partner with the AUCC and support students pursuing degrees in the engineering field,” said Dr. Carliss Miller, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Toro Company. “Students who are selected for the program will have many opportunities, such as learning from leadership and subject matter experts in the industry to support their academic and professional development.”
“We are very excited that The Toro Company has chosen to invest in the AUCC’s Dual Degree Engineering Program. Their commitment to diversifying their workforce aligns with our mission to diversify the engineering profession to help supply companies like Toro with high-quality engineers,” said Dr. Said Sewell, Chief Academic, Research, and Student Success Officer and Director The Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc. “For over 50 years, we, in partnership with our engineering schools, have been producing Black engineers who go on to lead lives of leadership and service. Our success in many ways is the result of industry partners like Toro choosing to support our students academically and professionally through scholarships and paid…
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A study released today estimated Arizona’s golf industry produced $6 billion in economic activity while using only 2% of daily statewide water to serve 16.6 million golf rounds in 2021. This economic output supported nearly 66,200 jobs, provided $2.3 billion in wages and generated $518 million in state and local tax revenues.
“The positive impact to our community provided by the golf industry is good for everyone, even for those who don’t play,” said Joe Foley, Arizona Golf Association Executive Director and Arizona Alliance for Golf (AAG) executive committee member. “It’s one of the most impactful ways we give back, with many community-support organizations hosting their own golf fundraisers every year, as well as direct support from events like the WM Phoenix Open. And using 2% of the state’s water in the process plainly shows that the golf industry efficiently manages the vital resources we all depend on.”
Conducted by Rounds Consulting Group in partnership with AAG, “ The Economic Contribution of Arizona’s Golf Industry,” gathered and quantified the economic and environmental impacts directly and indirectly attributed to Arizona’s golf industry in 2021.
Arizona’s golf industry also drives hundreds of millions of charitable fundraising dollars to local non-profits. For example, the WM Phoenix Open raised $10.2 million in 2022 alone. The game also funds youth golf programs, which provide opportunities for Arizona kids to maintain physical and mental health and develop life skills.
Among environmental benefits, the report also finds that golf courses are effective at mitigating the urban heat island effect due to abundant tree cover and green spaces.
“An affinity for this sport is not a prerequisite to benefit from its reach,” said Ron Price, President and CEO of Visit Phoenix and AAG board member. “Tourism is big business in Arizona. The quality and variety of golf courses here play a major role in helping the state attract millions of travelers each year. In 2021, the City of Phoenix welcomed more than 16 million who spent more than $3.2 billion. This impacts a broad range of businesses,…
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BrightView (NYSE: BV), the leading commercial landscaping services company in the United States, today published its 2023 ESG Report, highlighting progress toward achieving its environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG) goals and commitments. The report is available on the BrightView ESG website.
“Reflecting on fiscal year 2022, I am extremely proud of our team’s progress amid an increasingly challenging and dynamic environment. We’ve taken important steps on our journey to becoming carbon neutral by 2035, building a diverse and engaged workforce, and continuing to operate with integrity,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView President and Chief Executive Officer. “Supporting our team members, inspiring communities, and nurturing landscapes is at the heart of what we do every day at BrightView. I believe our purposeful ESG strategy positions us for continued success, while supporting our clients’ sustainability objectives.”
To further inform and focus the Company’s ESG strategy, BrightView commissioned a materiality assessment to identify ESG topics of the greatest importance to its customers, vendors, team members, and investors. Moving forward, the Company plans to use the study’s insights to proactively engage with all stakeholder groups.
“As a company dedicated to designing, developing, and maintaining the best landscapes on Earth, prioritizing sustainable solutions is core to who we are. We’re invested not only in making a difference in the communities where we work, live and play, but also in promoting a healthy planet,” said Masterman.
Highlights from the 2023 ESG Report
Environmental
Deployed ~1,000 battery powered, zero-emission handheld equipment units
Converted ~400 vehicles to hybrid or electric
Partnered with Arbor Day Foundation to plant nearly 300,000 trees
Social
Conducted BrightView’s first team member engagement survey
Continued to diversify our workforce by increasing the percentage of women and Hispanic/Latino team members in managerial roles
Sustained a total recordable injury rate below the landscaping services’ industry…
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