Annual Benefit for River Guides Not to be Missed

If you’re one of the thousands of people who have had a life-changing experience on a Grand Canyon river trip, the chances are high that the hard working commercial river guides were a big part of your positive experience. Anyone who befriends a guide finds out fairly quickly that behind this seemingly happy-go-lucky lifestyle can hide a reality of physical ailments, strained family relationships, and the financial challenges of seasonal work.

The non-profit Whale Foundation has been helping the river running community address these issues for more than a decade. One of their biggest sources of revenue is the annual Wing Ding, a night of great food, great music, and a lively auction of donated goods and services ranging from fine art sculpture to shiatsu massage. The next Wing Ding will take place at the Coconino Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 26.

Don’t miss this opportunity to give back to those passionate, knowledgeable and nutty individuals that have spent much of their adult lives sharing the wonders of Grand Canyon with others.

Follow this link for more information http://www.whalefoundation.org/whatyoucando3.htm

The "Wows" Are Back at Improved Mather Point

The park recently announced the re-opening of Mather Point, one of the South Rim's most popular scenic overlooks. Named after the Stephen Mather, first director of the National Park Service, Mather Point draws thousands of visitors each year. It was closed for months as part of a multi-phase construction project.

This fall the park opened a nearby amphitheater along the rim, and a landmark feature honoring the Native American tribes with ancestral and ongoing ties to the Grand Canyon. Mather Point proper was the last piece to open, and was well worth the wait. Among the upgrades are handicap accessibility, much more elbow room, and beautiful landscaping using indigenous plants. Be sure to check it all out during your next visit to the grandest of chasms!