Around Williams: week of Jan. 22

Grant information workshop tomorrow

Local community organizations seeking grant money from the Greater Williams Community Fund (GWCF) are invited to attend an information workshop tomorrow.

The workshop takes place tomorrow from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Walker Hall at St. John's Episcopal-Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grant Ave. Refreshments will be provided.

Attendees will learn about the online organizational profile and grant application process.

The GWCF plans to award $7,500 in grants this year. Any organization with nonprofit 501(c)(3) status that serves the greater Williams community is eligible to apply.

Grant funding comes from the investment earnings of the GWCF's permanent endowment fund.

Application forms will be available starting March 4 and must be submitted by April 4.

More information and grant applications are available from Pat Shriver with the Flagstaff Community Foundation at (928) 526-1956 or Kristine Vasquez, Chair of the Greater Williams Community Fund Steering Committee at (928) 863-2467.

Customer relations webinar Jan. 27

Local business people can learn about improving customer relationships through a free webinar. The Williams Chamber of Commerce and the Williams Justice and City Courts are sponsoring the event, which takes place Jan. 27 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Williams Justice Center, 700 W. Railroad Ave.

Fred Pryor's Career Tracks' "What NOT to Say to Your Customers" will teach attendees about making first impressions, sharpening listening skills, taking responsibility, and reacting when the customer is really wrong.

Those interested may RSVP to Pimi Bennett at (928) 635-0273, ext. 203 or info@williamschamber.com.

Friday Chamber mixer to benefit Teacher's Supply Drive

The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce will put on its first mixer of the year Jan. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Open Studios, 106 S. Ninth St.

The mixer benefits the Teacher's Supply Drive. Attendees are encouraged to bring school supplies to help local teachers with the second half of the school year. The mixer will include appetizers and raffles. More information is available from the Chamber at (928) 635-0273.

Salvation Army update

Williams residents are still able to receive rent and utility assistance through the Salvation Army. Assistance is available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Appointments are available from Pat McShane at (928) 221-3577.

Essay contest open to Williams High School students

Williams High School students who want to know what it's like to be mayor for a day can enter an essay contest for the chance to find out.

The Mayor's Youth Advisory group is putting on the essay contest, which started Jan. 6. Entrants must be in grades 9-12 at Williams High School.

Interested students must write a three paragraph minimum essay on the prompt, "Why do we have a local government?"

Students should submit their essays in a sealed envelope to Mrs. McNelly in the school office by Jan. 20. The winner will spend the day with Mayor John Moore having lunch, learning about the community and attending a city council meeting.

More information is available from Courtney Fritsinger or Devin McNelly.

Special needs screenings available for WUSD preschoolers

Throughout the school year, Williams Unified School District will conduct screenings for 3-5-year-old children to identify those with special needs.

Any preschooler who is having difficulty with vision, hearing, communication, coordination and movement, adaptive living skills, social skills or learning is recommended for screening.

District special education staff will further evaluate children showing significant problems in any of these areas. Determining eligibility for special education begins with the Child Find screening and may be extended to include a developmental and psycho-educational evaluation.

Parents should bring a certified copy of their child's birth certificate and immunization records to the screening. More information and appointments are available from Ms. Ford at (928) 635-4428, ext. 316.

Sit and Fit class available at Bill Williams Senior Center

Coconino County Parks and Recreation will put on a Sit and Fit class through the end of January at the Bill Williams Senior Center, 850 W. Grant St.

Sit and Fit helps people stay active and healthy, even if they aren't as mobile as they used to be. Participants will use resistance bands to improve strength and mobility while also getting a cardio workout, all while remaining seated.

The class is from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Mondays until Jan. 27 (no class on Dec. 30). The cost is $5 for adults 18 and older and $2 for seniors 60 and older. Georgeanna Koenig teaches the class. Registration is not required for the drop in program.

More information is available at (928) 679-8000.

Williams Needs an Angel collecting towels

Williams Needs an Angel is collecting used towels for the Williams High School athletic department. Students need towels for swimming at the Williams Aquatic Center, showering after games, and the hiking club. More information is available from Glassburn at (928) 635-4503.

Bingo starts in Ash Fork

The American Legion, Post 57, Ash Fork is glad to announce that bingo will resume at the American Legion Post at 47006 N. Third Street, Ash Fork. Bingo will be on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, starting Jan. 26.

Doors open at noon and games begin at 1 p.m. Single game sheets are $1 and packet of 10 games are $10. More information is available from the American Legion Post at (928) 637-2254.

TOPS Chapter 0541 now meeting at health clinic

The Williams TOPS Chapter 0541 now meets in the conference room at North Country HealthCare Clinic, 301 S. Seventh St., at 5:30 p.m. every Thursday. More information is available from Patty Hukes at (928) 699-2122.

Williams Rec Center offers free programs

Basketball for high school age students and adults takes place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at the Williams-Elementary Middle School (WEMS) gym. The program will go until May 14.

Open Gym for eighth grade students and younger featuring basketball, dodgeball and volleyball takes place Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. at the WEMS gym. The program will go until May 15.

Free aerobics/group fitness classes are offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the WEMS cafeteria. This program goes through May 21.

The Williams Recreation Department sponsors these activities and Williams Unified School District hosts them.

Pet blessing and photo session Feb. 8

SAVE Meant-to-Rescue (SMTR), a local non-profit dog rescue organization, is putting on a pet blessing and photo session on Feb. 8. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Williams Youth Recreation Center, 300 W. Railroad Ave. Father Kilian McCaffrey of St. Joseph Catholic Church will bless all pets as their owners bring them to the center. Simply Angelic Photo will be on hand to take professional quality photos of pets and their owners. More details about the event will be posted at a later date.

SMTR and Many Tails Dog Grooming are also sponsoring two fundraising events on Feb. 14. SMTR is putting on its annual Valentine's Day Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Old Trails Hardware Store, 616 Airport Road. Those interested in donating baked goods to be sold may contact Lita Ebersole at (928) 635-9598.

Many Tails Pet Grooming, at 402 E. Route 66, will donate all proceeds from pet grooming appointments on Valentine's Day to SMTR's building fund. Appointments are available at (928) 635-8897. A limited number of appointments are available.

More information about SMTR is available at www.williamspetrescue.com or www.facebook.com/savemeanttorescue.