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and Last Minute Items
(1)
DEADLINES
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Field Trip Registration Deadline was September 7, 1998 But some spaces are still available
Click on the PROGRAM above for More Information
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Banquet and Picnic reservations and fees need to be received by October 5, 1998.
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No refunds will be issued after September 10, 1998
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(2)
NAU's Graduate Students are offering to host Graduate Students attending the APCG meeting in their homes for free -- first come, first serve -- space is limited.
For further information contact: Hilari B Benson  at hbb@dana.ucc.nau.edu
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(3)
STUDENT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Free Registration - Undergraduates & Graduates from any school may apply
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(4)
Hoftra University Assistant Professor Position Interviewing at APCG meeting
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Welcome!

We look forward to your attendance at the sixty-first annual meeting of the APCG in Flagstaff, Arizona.  The meeting is hosted by the Department of Geography and Public Planning at Northern Arizona University.  The wine and cheese social, welcoming comments and opening session will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites due to its easy-to-find location near the junction of Interstates 17 and 40 on the southwestern side of Flagstaff. (Take Exit 341 from Interstate 17 or Forest Meadows St. from Milton.) Thursday's field trips will depart from the Southwest Forestry Science Complex that the College of Ecosystem Science and Management (Forestry and Geography) shares with U. S. Forestry and National Park Service Research Units. The final two days of activities will revolve around the du Bois Center on NAU's south end, an easy walk from the Hampton Inn.

Flagstaff is a gateway to the Grand Canyon and the many natural wonders of the Colorado Plateau.  There is great variety in scenery within a short distance ranging from forested volcanic landscapes to pinion-juniper woodlands, desert scrubland and redrock country.  October 14-17 should be an excellent time for autumn color.  Although Flagstaff lies in the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa pine in the world, the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona's highest mountains, offer a variety of forest and alpine vegetation.  Large areas of aspen cover much of the peaks' lower slopes, and, in October, turn yellow-gold.  Snowbowl ski area, located (after much controversy) on the peaks which are sacred to both Hopi and Navajo people, is considered one of the best small ski resorts in the United States.  Hopefully, you will not have an opportunity to ski in October!!!  Barring a blizzard, rain, or overcast skies, if you are from low elevations, get ready for the intensely blue sky you find in areas of pure air and elevations of 7000 feet. The mountain location and air quality provide a marvelous location for observatories such as Lowell Observatory.

Flagstaff is known for its LONG winter, moderate summer (cool for Arizona), and short spring and fall.  The winters, though cold, are great for outdoor, snow-oriented activities.  Usually, after three or four days of storm or clouds, the sky clears and the daytime temperatures soar into the high 30s or low 40s.  Olympic athletes take advantage of Flagstaff summers for high-altitude training -- as do the Phoenix Cardinals and Phoenix Suns. Although mid-October weather might be balmy (in the high 60s or low 70s during the day -- the October average high is 64 degrees F) nights are chilly (average low is 30 degrees F.).  Bring a variety of dress to be safe.  Include coats and sweaters.

Located in the second largest county in the United States, Flagstaff, with a population of 55,000 people is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Arizona.  (Are you impressed yet?)  Flagstaff is a major service center for northeastern Arizona.  The major employers are the university, USGS, Gore Industries, the government, and the medical industry.  Most of the economy of Flagstaff, however, is based on the service industry.

"A train runs through it" might be a good appellation for Flagstaff.  Located in the middle of both prehistoric and current cultures of Native Americans, the "white" history revolved around the railroad, timber, and ranching.  Old Route 66 runs along the Sante Fe Railroad tracks.  Although there are a few diners, they are not historic.  Downtown Flagstaff does have some interesting old Navajo sandstone buildings and has been "renovated" within the last few years.  The south side of the tracks show interesting floodplain development because the Rio de Flag was re-routed through the "poor" section, or "workers'" section, of town many years ago.

For those interested in academic pursuits, because of its natural amenities and location within the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff is an excellent venue for studying public-private land policy, urban-wildland interface, and rapid growth in small western towns.  Flagstaff vies with Sedona as the "cultural center" for this part of the state.  The Museum of Northern Arizona, renowned for its collection of Native American artifacts, NAU's music and theater departments as well as local theater groups and the Flagstaff Symphony provide numerous enjoyable cultural events throughout the year.  For those interested in outdoor activities, there are numerous hiking, camping, and climbing opportunities, and - hopefully not in October - cross country and downhill-skiing and snowboarding opportunities.  For indoor, drinking, dancing, or culinary activities you can always visit the Museum Club or Mountainaire Tavern for an "Old West" atmosphere, one of the brew-pubs for beer-tasting, or the regionally famous Macy's for fine coffee and vegetarian fare.

As Dan Turberville wrote last year, "Plan now to attend and bring the whole family -- it's a lot cheaper than Disneyland and it's probably tax-deductible."