Summertime is a great opportunity to help kids prepare for their first day of kindergarten. Today’s schools expect 5-year-olds to arrive with basic academic and social skills so they are prepared on day one to start learning to read, write…
Author: AmigosNAZ.com
AmigosNAZ. Providing information for and about the vibrant Latino community in Northern Arizona — Bringing Cultures together by Sharing Information. Frank X. Moraga, editor / publisher of AmigosNAZ, a division of Shooting Star Communications LLC in Flagstaff, Arizona.
June cover story: Stopping the summer brain drain for students
While Hispanic students have been making gains in classrooms during the year, summer becomes a crucial time to maintain those educational achievements By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Summer vacation time is upon us. K-through-12 schools are busy completing their traditional…
Guest commentary: Powdered alcohol
By Candice Koenker / Coconino County Public Health Services District, Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention program manager Palcohol is a powder that creates an alcoholic drink when mixed with water or other liquid. Recently the United States Alcohol and Tobacco…
KSZN 101.5 FM — Radio Sunnyside now on the air
FLAGSTAFF — Community Radio station KSZN-Flagstaff 101.5 FM, Radio Sunnyside went on the air live with a short on-air ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30, organizers reported in a media release. KSZN is Flagstaff’s first listener-sponsored Community Radio station to acquire a FCC construction…
City of Flagstaff reports on traffic delays on Clay, Butler avenues
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff on Tuesday reported the city’s contractor is scheduled to start the chip seal portion of the contract on Wednesday, May 27. The work will start on Clay Ave. and Butler Ave. Parking restrictions will be enforced during…
Volunteers needed to help plan for 2015 ‘Grad Night’ on May 29
FLAGSTAFF — Calling all parents, family, guardians and friends of this year’s Flagstaff area high school grads! Be part of creating a FREE, safe and fun event called Grad Night, for our high school grads (FUSD, charter schools and homeschoolers)…
Market on the Move canceled for May 20
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Organizers report that the Market on the Move event scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 has been canceled. Market on the Move is a farmer’s market-style program where community members can get up to 60 pounds…
Fiesta de Mayo returns May 16-17 to Sunnyside, Flagstaff
Carnival opens Thursday, May 14 FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc. will present its 20th annual Fiesta de Mayo on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 at the Greenlaw Village Shopping Center, 2160 N. 4th St., Flagstaff.…
Community health, information events set for May 16
FLAGSTAFF — “Ahoy to Summer — Anchors Aweigh to Health,” a Children’s Health & Wellness Fair, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Flagstaff Aquaplex. Explore all of the fun summer activities and…
Arizona Board of Regents approve in-state tuition for some DREAMers
PHOENIX — The Associated Press, ABC15 and other media organizations are reporting that the Arizona Board of Regents voted Thursday to grant in-state tuition to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students. The decision comes one day after a Maricopa County judge ruled…
DREAMers, supporters celebrate judge’s decision on in-state tuition
Media conference and celebration to be held May 6 PHOENIX — An Arizona judge (on May 5) ruled in favor of the Maricopa County Community College Board and confirmed that DACA recipients have the basic right to in-state tuition, supporters…
Mercado de los Sueños getting ready for Mother’s Day
FLAGSTAFF — Children are invited to bring their piggy banks to the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños to buy a unique gift for mom, organizers reported in a media release. “There are many possible gifts at a variety…
KSZN, Radio Sunnyside begins volunteer selection process
FLAGSTAFF — Community Radio station KSZN-Flagstaff 101.5 FM, Radio Sunnyside is selecting and training program hosts, organizers reported in a media release. The station is tentatively scheduled to go on the air in late May, organizers reported in a Facebook post.…
Guest commentary: Cinco de Mayo — A battle for recognition
Editor’s note: AmigosNAZ welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of AmigosNAZ. By Dr. Lily Rivera / Guest contributor…
Students, other rally in support of tuition equality for DACA students
FLAGSTAFF — Students and community members rallied in front of the Flagstaff City Hall on April 30 in support of a cut in tuition for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) qualified students. The event was one of a number of rallies…
Next ‘Paint & Wine in the Pines’ to be held May 1 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center
FLAGSTAFF — The next ‘Paint & Wine in the Pines’ will be held at 6:15 p.m. Friday, May 1 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. Artist Vangie Rodriguez will lead you…
FUSD seeks to calm, inform parents at community meeting on school safety
FBI launches task force to investigate Flagstaff and other incidents nationwide By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ After a recent series of threatening telephone calls to a number of schools within the Flagstaff Unified School District, parents feared for the…
Rally in support of tuition equality for DACA qualified students to be held April 30 at Flagstaff City Hall
FLAGSTAFF — A peaceful rally in support of tuition equality for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) qualified students will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at the Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, organizers reported in a…
Bilingual report: Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona to conduct block observation in Sunnyside on April 25
FLAGSTAFF — Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona will conduct block observations in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Flagstaff on Saturday, April 25, the organization reported in a media release. “We will be taking notes solely on the physical aspects of each…
Northland Family Help Center to present ‘YouthFest’ and ‘Clothesline Project’ at Heritage Square on April 24
FLAGSTAFF — Northland Family Help Center will present “YouthFest,” the NFHC Runaway/Homeless Youth Awareness performance event from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 24 at Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff. The event is designed to raise awareness about “Runaway/Homeless Youth & Child…
Bilingual report: Fair Housing events to be held April 23, 27 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The Southwest Fair Housing Council, the City of Flagstaff and the Northern Arizona Council of Governments will present a free “Fair Housing Seminar” from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 23 at the Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W.…
Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Plan work session set for April 22
FLAGSTAFF — Neighborhood residents, businesses and interested members of the Flagstaff community are encouraged to attend a Planning and Zoning Commission work session at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 at City Hall, the City of Flagstaff reported in a media release.…
NAU to present ‘The Border: Words and Music by Peg Bowden and Natalia Serna’ on April 20
FLAGSTAFF — “The Border: Words and Music by Peg Bowden and Natalia Serna” will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday, April 20 in Liberal Arts 136, Building 19 at Northern Arizona University. The event is free and open to the public.…
NAU to present ‘An Evening with Ailyn Morera’ on April 16
FLAGSTAFF — “An Evening with Ailyn Morera” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16 at Liberal Arts 136, Building 18 at Northern Arizona University. The event is free and open to the public. Morera will be telling stories…
Market on the Move canceled for April 15
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Organizers report that the Market on the Move event scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 has been canceled. The event was canceled because the group was not able to secure enough produce. The May event are…
CHAC presents inaugural ‘César E. Chávez Community Recognition Awards’
Click on photo to see a slideshow from the event From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — With guest speakers and attendees remembering their personal connection to César E. Chávez and local Hispanic pioneers sharing their stories to inspire the next generation of…
NAU Immigration Awareness Series to present ‘An Evening with Margaret Regan’ on April 2
FLAGSTAFF — The NAU Immigration Awareness Series will present “An Evening with Margaret Regan” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2 in Liberal Arts 120, Building 18. Regan will read from her new book, Detained and Deported: Stories of Immigrant Families under…
NAU’s Immigration Awareness Series to present ‘Aquí y Allá’ on March 31
FLAGSTAFF — NAU’s Immigration Awareness Series will present “Aquí y Allá,” a film written and directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Liberal Arts 120. The feature film follows Pedro de los Santos Juarez, a Mexican…
Coconino County Public Health Services District expands vital records services to include birth certificates mail application requests
By Jeff Lee / Coconino County Public Health Services District Program Manager II The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) has expanded its Vital Records Services to include mail application requests for birth certificates. Introduced in 2006, the CCPHSD…
‘Cesar Chavez, a Servant Leader — An evening with Roberto Garcia’ to be held at NAU on March 27
FLAGSTAFF — MEChA and Inclusion and Multicultural Services at Northern Arizona University will celebrating Cesar Chavez with special guest speaker, Roberto Garcia, at 7 p.m. Friday March 27 in the University Union, Kaibab Room, organizers reported in a media release. Garcia…
Guest commentary: St. Patrick’s Day also a time to remember strong Irish-Mexican connection
Editor’s note: A timely re-posting of a 2013 column by Mona AlvaradoFrazier. Amigos publications wire report. By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor In my family we have a cousin born on St. Patrick’s Day and nieces of Irish and Mexican heritage, one who is…
CHAC to present inaugural ‘César E. Chávez Community Recognition Breakfast’ on March 27
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will present its inaugural “César E. Chávez Community Recognition Breakfast” from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 27 at Tacos Los Altos Westside, 2500 S. Woodlands Village Blvd., Flagstaff. The event will honor Hispanic…
Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños to hold official grand opening on March 28
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc.’s Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños will hold its official grand opening from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the Southwest corner of the Cal-Ranch…
Supporters of in-state tuition for DREAMers to attend Associated Students of Northern Arizona University Senate meeting on March 26
FLAGSTAFF — The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU) Senate will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26 to discuss and vote on a resolution in support of in-state tuition for DREAMers with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). The…
Market on the Move canceled for March 18
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Organizers report that the Market on the Move event scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 has been canceled. The event was canceled because the group was not able to secure enough produce. April and May…
Efforts to support in-state tuition for DREAMers set for March 10 at Flagstaff City Hall, March 11 at the Arizona Board of Regents meeting in Flagstaff
Community members also urged to sign petition supporting DREAMers AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council has signed a petition asking the Board of Regents to allow DREAMers to pay in-state tuition, the organization reported in a media…
Guest commentary: Discussion to approve sale of South Beaver School to NAU set for March 11
Editor’s note: AmigosNAZ welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of AmigosNAZ. By Ricardo Guthrie Dear All:…
NAU Latin American Studies to present ‘Planting for Future Generations: Enviromental Justice in Guatemala’ on March 10
FLAGSTAFF — NAU Latin American Studies will present “Planting for Future Generations: Enviromental Justice in Guatemala” at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at SBS Raul H. Castro (Bldg. 65, Room 107 at Northern Arizona University. Presented by Jorge Armando Lopez Pocol, the…
San Diego-based Chican@ comedy troupe Teatro Izcalli to present free performance at NAU on March 10
FLAGSTAFF — Teatro Izcalli, a San Diego-based Chican@ comedy troupe, to present a free performance at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at NAU’s Ashurst Hall, organizers reported in a media release. Teatro Izcalli’s actos (sketches) address issues such as racism, identity,…
Summer job hunting season is almost here
From AmigosNAZ staff reports With March upon us it’s time to start thinking about the St. Patrick Day (March 17), the beginning of spring (March 20) and … the start in earnest of the search by youth for summer jobs.…
Commentary: Hispanics more likely to believe humans causing climate change
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ It was an interesting bit of political theater presented in Congress last week. Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe wandered onto the Senate floor during a discussion questioning the science behind climate change. “Do you know what this…
Guest commentary: Babies and toddlers need more reading time
A recent national study shows there’s good news and challenges when it comes to families reading daily with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The good news is parents recognize that reading with young children is important in developing language and literacy skills. The challenge…
CANCELED — ‘Paint & Wine in the Pines’ to be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center on March 6
DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE MARCH 6 EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. DETAILS TO COME FOR THE NEXT EVENT ON MAY 1 From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present its monthly “Paint & Wine in the Pines”…
Tickets available for 2015 Child Abuse Prevention Kickoff Luncheon on March 26
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth (CCC&Y) will present the the 2015 Annual Child Abuse Prevention Kickoff Luncheon Fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at Little America, 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, in…
‘An Evening with Luis Alberto Urrea,’ finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, will be held at NAU on March 4
FLAGSTAFF — The Immigration Awareness Series program “rAn Evening with Luis Alberto Urrea” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at Northern Arizona University at Prochnow Auditorium, directly south across the street from the High Country Conference Center.…
Commentary: Arizona education legislation — Be heard with technology
(Hover over each photo to see a description) Request to Speak system allows public to comment on, follow bill status from home By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Ah yes, those rascals down in the state legislature in Phoenix have…
Festival of Dreams shows off new marketplace. Continues Feb. 22
Hover above for a larger image and description of the photo AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños reported a steady stream of visitors and customers during the opening weekend of the new…
Sunnyside neighborhood in Flagstaff celebrates ‘Festival of Dreams’
FLAGSTAFF —The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc.’s Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños will present the “Festival of Dreams” from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at…
Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños to open on Feb. 20
Hover over image above to see a caption of the photo AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF —The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc. will hold its monthly Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños marketplace from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20…
Bilingual report: CHAC to present College & Career Resource Fair on March 7
AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council will present its inaugural “College & Career Resource Fair” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. The fair is…
New location for Market On the Move to be announced for March
FLAGSTAFF — The Market On The Move event scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18 has been cancelled, organizers reported in a media release. A new location for March is scheduled to be announced soon. Previous Market On the Move events have…
NAU’s Immigration Awareness Series to present talk by Allegra Love on ‘Central American Refugees at Our Border…’ on Feb. 17
FLAGSTAFF —NAU’s Immigration Awareness Series to present talk by Allegra Love on “Central American Refugees at Our Border: The Crisis of Family Detention in the United States” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Martin-Springer Institute located on the 3rd floor…
CCC&Y to present information on the legislative process on Feb. 17
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present Geoffrey Esposito, government relations analyst with the Arizona School Boards Association during a training session on the legislative process from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the…
Guest commentary: Poor oral health takes a bite out of learning
When we think about getting kids ready for kindergarten, we talk about brain development and early literacy, but did you know that early oral health impacts early learning too? First Things First reminds communities that February is National Children’s Dental…
Nominations sought for the 2015 Caring for Children Award
Deadline is Feb. 13 From AmigosNAZ staff reports Outstanding individuals who work directly to make Coconino County a better place for the region’s youngest residents will be recognized at the annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon Fundraiser on March 26 in…
NAU Immigration Awareness Series to present ‘The Second Cooler’ on Feb. 5
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff premiere of “The Second Cooler” (2013) directed by Ellin Jimmerson and narrated by Martin Sheen at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 in Liberal Arts 120 at Northern Arizona University. Part of NAU’s ongoing “Immigration Awareness Series,” The Second…
Free movie screening of ‘Underwater Dreams’ to be held at Coconino High School on March 5
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The free movie screening of “Underwater Dreams” will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Coconino High School Main Auditorium, 2801 Izabel St., Flagstaff. Written and directed by Mary Mazzio, and narrated…
Series of free income tax preparation sessions scheduled for Northern Arizona
By Frank X. Moraga /AmigosNAZ A series of free income tax preparation programs are scheduled for Northern Arizona through April. The sessions are presented by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which generally offers free tax help to people who…
Commentary: Latino youth doing better in education, but are we?
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The news can be disconcerting for many of us who have been involved in one way or another in encouraging Latinos, and all young people, to succeed in education and life — high dropout rates in…
Health: Protect yourself, others from the flu
By Michelle McKay, RN, BSN / Coconino County Public Health Services District Immunization Program Manager Now that winter break has passed and students and parents are settling back into the normal routine, the Coconino County Public Health Services District is reminding the…