Flying M Air has been based at Wickenburg airport since the company started business in 2001, when it began offering helicopter rides and tours in a two-seat Robinson R22 helicopter. In those days, most business was local, for aerial photography and survey work. The little helicopter also appeared at several outdoor events to offer inexpensive, short helicopter rides.

In 2005, the company took delivery of a four-seat Robinson R44 Raven II. Fresh from the Torrance, CA factory, the helicopter was outfitted to Flying M Air’s specifications and includes many features specifically for sightseeing and air charter work, such as “bubble” observation windows, GPS navigation, traffic information system, and voice-activated stereo intercom system. In February 2005, Flying M Air received a FAA Part 135 certificate, which enables the company to provide air taxi and charter services.

Flying M Air began offering multi-day excursions by helicopter in 2007. Its Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure, which is featured in the Arizona Highways article, is a six-day, five-night trip with overnight stops and tours at Sedona, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and Flagstaff. The company offers these excursions in the Spring and Autumn months only. Most flights are booked several months in advance.

The vast majority of Flying M Air’s business is in the Phoenix area. The company has relationships with several resorts in Phoenix and Scottsdale which promote the company’s tours and day trips.

Flying M Air also does a lot of aerial photography and aerial survey work for fine art photographers, videographers, engineers, Realtors, and other professionals who need an eye in the sky. The company has provided helicopter services during week-long photo excursions in the Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and Shiprock areas of the southwest. It has also worked at several boat and off-road race events with still and video photographers on board.

This isn’t the first time Flying M Air has been recognized in print. The company was also featured as one of about 15 Robinson helicopter operators worldwide in the Jon Davison coffee table book, Robbie: The Robinson Helicopter Experience. Published in December 2008, this book is available online and in pilot shops across the country.

Flying M Air flies out of Wickenburg from September through May. Summer months are spent on agricultural “cherry drying” contracts in Washington State.

You can learn more about Flying M Air on its Web site, www.FlyingMAir.com. The company does not maintain an office at Wickenburg airport, but can meet prospective clients and passengers there. Call for an appointment or to book a flight: 928/231-0196.

I should start off by saying that I don’t review every restaurant in town. I only review the ones I have a lot of positive things to say about. Ones that I recommend. Ones that I eat in.

And the folks in Wickenburg are very lucky to have a new restaurant in town: Nana’s Sandwich Saloon.

I heard about Nana’s late last month. It had moved into the space formerly occupied by the Cornerstone Bookstore on North Tegner Street, right downtown. While the Cornerstone also offered a limited menu of lunch items, its bookstore atmosphere wasn’t exactly conducive to a friendly dining experience.

Nana’s is a fresh start on that downtown space. Wide open, with all the crowding bookshelves gone, track lighting, upbeat western artwork, comfortable Starbucks-like seating areas. The atmosphere is clean and bright and cheerful. At lunchtime, when the tables are mostly filled, there’s a lively buzz of conversation unlike any I’ve heard in Wickenburg.

Nana’s menu is simple but not boring. They offer about a dozen sandwiches, each of which include an interesting mix of ingredients. My favorite is the Firehouse Club, a combination of ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, baby spinach, tomato, sprouts, avocado, and red onion. My husband’s favorite is the Cowboy, a combination of roast beef, swiss, zesty horsradish, lettuce, tomato, and onion. All sandwiches are available on a choice of four different breads: white, wheat, rye, or sourdough.

If you don’t feel like a sandwich, Nana’s offers other options, including soup, salad, and quiche. The quiche is fresh-made daily, and there are usually several choices. I tried the ham with three cheeses quiche the other day and it was great. Good flavor and baked just right.

Nana’s also offers a variety of coffees, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and mocha. There are blended iced coffee drinks, including decaf and reduced sugar options. There’s even Italian soda. And dessert’s covered, too, with a wide range of pies and pastries.

One of the things I like best about Nana’s location is that it also offers outdoor seating on a covered back patio. You can order your lunch and grab a seat outside. Nana’s staff will deliver your meal when it’s ready. Even though it isn’t full-blown table service, the staff is very attentive, taking away your empty plates and refilling coffee cups. Everyone is friendly and cheerful, making you feel really glad about your restaurant choice.

The next time you’re looking for a place to meet some friends for lunch or grab a cup of coffee, why not give Nana’s a try? I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Nana’s Sandwich Saloon
48 North Tegner Street
Wickenburg, AZ
928/684-5539

Hours:
M-F: 7 AM to 5 PM
S-S: 9 AM to 3 PM
7 AM to 5 PM and on weekends from 9 AM to 3 PM.

If your business isn’t in the Directory, you are missing on a cost-free, no-strings-attached way to make contact with potential customers or clients. Why would you pass up this opportunity? Get listed now and tell the other local business owners you know.

Together, we can make this a valuable resource for Wickenburg residents and visitors — and help your business grow in these troubled times.

To view the Business Directory, click the Business Directory link at the top of any page. You’ll see a listing of all businesses that have been added to the directory. You can use a search feature at the top of the page to search for businesses by name or keyword.

To add your business or organization to the Business Directory, click the “Add Your Organization” link at the bottom of the Business Directory’s main page. Then use the form that appears to enter information about your company. Provide all applicable information. Be careful — entries cannot be edited once entered; if you make a mistake, you’ll have to start over. Please limit your descriptions to 200 words or less.

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Both the Books and Music sections at the Old Livery have been expanded over the past several years. The book section includes works from local authors, including Dr. Martha Maxon, poet Carole Jarvis, and the late Dana Burden. Music ranges from traditional to modern Western music, and includes favorites from Arizona natives like Marty Robbins and Rex Allen.

The clothing selection at the Old Livery extends beyond souvenirs as well. Besides offering t-shirts and sweatshirts, the Old Livery sells vests, jackets, hats, and slippers. The clothing selection is augmented by a selection of leather wallets, purses, and key chains.

For Children, the Old Livery offers plush toys, youth Western apparel, books, and puzzles. The Old Livery offers an interesting variety of candies suitable for people of all ages, ranging from old-fashioned hard candies to unique prickly pear jelly candies. In the spirit of old time General Stores, the product mix is constantly evolving. Shipping and gift-wrapping are available upon request.

The Old Livery is open seven days a week throughout the year. Shopping is available online at oldlivery.com.

The Old Livery Mercantile
104 North Tegner Street
Wickenburg, AZ 85390-2443
(928) 684-3298