The Northern Arizona Anti-Hunger Summit (NAAHS) will explore human-food relationships and how northern Arizona’s systems impact this connection. The summit will explore the diversity in food system histories, challenges, diets, cultures, and food justice solutions.
This year has been one of change and progress for United Way of Northern Arizona.
Before we take a look at some of the biggest events that defined this year, I wanted to thank you not only for your support of UWNA, but also for the kindness you have shown me during my first year as the President & CEO of this superb nonprofit.
When I joined UWNA, I was thrilled to help lead a nonprofit known for its ability to address the big issues and be an agent for change. The Board of Directors and staff of UWNA are committed to amplifying UWNA’s role as a community convener in 2024 and beyond.
Thank you for your support of UWNA in the past year and for living United in Purpose.
COCONIO COUNTY —The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the implementation phase of the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Youth Behavioral Health Project (YBHP) at their December 12, 2023, regular meeting.
The YBHP, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will offer preemptive behavioral healthcare for youth utilizing a hub and spoke youth-based and youth–led model. YBHP facilities and services will provide emotional, physical, and social support services for youth aged 12-18.
As a result of the Board’s approval, CCHHS will move forward with the final planning and construction of an innovative, youth behavioral resource center facility in Flagstaff, and begin planning for services in outlying communities including Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Fredonia.
December is the time of year for charitable giving. And to become a member of Theatrikos. We hope you’ll become a member today so Theatrikos can keep bringing the best theatre to Northern Arizona.
We’ve only been able to reopen because pandemic relief grants and annual memberships have made it possible. But disaster relief is pretty much over. So annual memberships are all the more important. Your donation will make a difference.
In an effort to protect forest roads from damage, the Coconino National Forest has started closing forest roads in the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) for the winter and will continue closing roads over the course of the coming weeks across the forest in higher elevations.
While the FRD has closed forest roads north of Interstate 40 along U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 89, many forest roads currently remain open due to low levels of snow and precipitation.
Seasonal road closures on each district of the Coconino NF occur at different times each year and depend on weather forecasts and road conditions.
Forest visitors are encouraged to check forest road statuses prior to any excursion by visiting the Coconino NF’s Forest Roads Status web page.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is proud to provide a treecycling service during the month of January to assist with the proper recycling of Christmas trees. Collected trees will be mulched and used in City landscaping projects or as alternative daily cover at the Cinder Lake landfill.
Curbside pick-up will be provided by the City’s Solid Waste Collections program to single-family households located within City limits that regularly receive bulky waste collection service from Jan. 2 through Jan. 12 (pending weather conditions). Trees must be placed on the curb by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Closures and reopening schedules for other City facilities and services are listed below.
Taking Classes and Workshops on our campus in Uptown Sedona affords the opportunity not only to explore the arts, but also to meet new people and immerse yourself in the Sedona arts community. We also have a variety of online workshops as well.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
A recent survey of students from Holbrook and Joseph City High Schools illustrates some of the mental health concerns of teens in Navajo County.
According to the survey, which was administered by two students at the high schools, a majority of the teens interviewed indicated they frequently feel anxious and under pressure in school and work.
About half felt they had someone to talk to about their concerns. Most relied on music, exercise, sleeping, or time alone as ways of coping with the stress they feel.
FLAGSTAFF — More than 100 luminarias surrounded Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Chapel as traditional music could be heard coming from inside during the annual Celebration Our Lady of Guadalupe held Dec. 12, 2023 in Flagstaff.
Participants to the Celebration met the previous evening at the chapel to take part in a procession to San Francisco de Asis Church on Route 66. After a scheduled brief stop at the Flagstaff Fire Dept.Station 2 for coffee and other drinks and sweets, participants walked up to the church watch a dance by Las Matachines de San Francisco de Asis, the Rosary (led by teens), a play and consecration to Mary.
At the celebration on Dec. 12 at the chapel, participants were greeted by the glow luminaries surrounding the chapel. placed by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.
The celebration included a Rosary, lead by Las Guadalupanas, followed by the presentation of Las Mañanitas, the Mass in English, with coffee, Mexican chocolate and pan dulce served in the church’s basement.
FLAGSTAFF — CJ Crowley stands in the CCC Commons posing for his picture – his demeanor is calm, cool and collected. Crowley, a 29-year-old native of Loma Linda, California, is known on CCC’s campus as a man of many lived experiences. In his words, “Everyone has a story maybe mine will resonate with readers. I hope it does. I want others to know that you don’t have to let past mistakes define you.”
Crowley’s journey began with a childhood marked by constant change, as his father, a minister in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, led the family on a journey to various places. Eventually, CJ found himself in Arkansas, where he attended a Christian boarding school. It was there that he was invited to join the gymnastics team.
“I was a ground tumbler, and my favorite move was the full layout,” Crowley recalls, reflecting on his early days in gymnastics. He excelled in the sport, staying active and even playing basketball while gaining skills in gymnastics. His talents on the mat did not go unnoticed, and he was offered a gymnastics scholarship at Southwestern University in Texas. Crowley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, but he soon realized that the traditional 9-to-5 employment in his chosen career field was not fulfilling.
With a family background steeped in military service, including his father’s service during the Cold War and his brother’s tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was only natural that the military presented itself as a potential path.
Portions of the North Kaibab trail, between Manzanita and Supai Tunnel, will be closed beginning at sunrise on Monday, December 18 and ending at sunset on Sunday, December 24. Closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to allow for contractors to install seismic survey nodes in Roaring Springs Canyon.
Work crews will be installing survey nodes in highly technical terrain above the trail, which may result in inadvertent and unpredictable rock fall onto the North Kaibab Trail. These survey nodes are small, wireless sensors that will be able to detect and record seismic activity in the area.
For the latest trail updates, please visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wishes you a Happy and Joyful holiday season.
Change is coming in 2024 for our popular News website and our weekly e-newsletter.
Our News website is currently under construction and will merge with our main website next year.
As part of that transition, our regular weekly e-newsletter will also take a break during the next few weeks as we look to give it a fresh look in the coming year.
And we want your help!
Please CLICK HERE to submit your suggestions to help us better design a weekly e-newsletter that better meets your needs in 2024.
Thank you to everyone who has already provided some great suggestions for our newsletter so far. Very much appreciated.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Sedona Arts Center Artists of all levels, working in all mediums are invited to enter into our Annual Juried Exhibition & Sale. The exhibition will run from March 6-31, 2024
Monetary awards will be given for First Place/Best of Show Award ($500), Second ($250) and Third ($150) place.
Honorable mention awards will be awarded at the discretion of the jurors and no monetary amount attached.
People’s Choice Award is announced at the end of the show. No monetary attached.
DEADLINE for submission: January 20, 2024
How to Apply:
43rd JURIED ART EXHIBITION – Apply Online at Cafe – Click Here.
Observing the Winter Night Sky
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 23, 30, and Feb. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Locate and identify the sparkling gems of the winter night sky & learn how different telescopes work and how to use them.
Winter Sky – Learn more and register!
FLAGSTAFF — The traditional Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration will be held Dec. 11, 12, 2023 in Flagstaff.
Participants will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at San Francisco de Asis Church, 1600 E. Rt. 66 (Rt. 66 & Ponderosa Parkway), to ride a busy to the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the procession. Participants can also meet at the chapel at 224 S Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
The procession will begin from the chapel to San Francisco de Asis Church at 5:30 p.m.
Artist in Residence ‘Pop Up’ Event, Saturday, December 9
On Saturday, December 9, from 2-4 p.m. a pop-up exhibition will feature the work of GCC Artist in Residence, Annie McCone-Lopez and Grand Canyon Summer School children. The event will be held at the Park Headquarters building with an artist talk at 2:30 p.m.
Annie McCone-Lopez will be exhibiting an eight-foot hand painted Mayan codex that represents her take on the water crisis in the Southwest. During her time in residence over the summer at Grand Canyon, McCone-Lopez also worked with Grand Canyon Summer School to create codices based on the same theme. The student codices will be displayed alongside Annie’s.
More information can be found in the attached flyer here.
As 2023 draws to a close, we hope you will
make a donation in support of the work we
have done this year and will continue in 2024.
F3’s Community Impact!
*F3 brought citizens’ questions & concerns about the
hospital move to the City beginning in February. F3
joined the no campaign & is a big reason why Prop 480
was voted down by 72% of the voters!
*F3’s 2023 Voter Guide to the City’s Propositions
played a significant role in educating residents of the
meaning & impact of the 19 Charter amendments.
Theatrikos’ basic membership is $50. You can donate more or less or anything that is right for you. Thank you!
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth would love to wish you a happy and joyful holiday season.
During the next few weeks our regular weekly e-newsletter will be taking a break as we look to give it a fresh look in the coming year.
And we want your help!
Please CLICK HERE to submit your suggestions to help us better design a weekly e-newsletter that better meets your needs in 2024.
Read More
Discover the captivating intersection of science and storytelling in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona as local writer and educator, Nicole Walker, unravels the hidden secrets of the coastal redwoods. In a recent blog post, Nicole tells us about the intriguing exploration of resilience, shedding light on the ability of redwoods to utilize decades-old carbon for rejuvenation after wildfires, a topic inspired by her personal experiences with the annual fire concerns in Northern Arizona.
Visit our website to read the full article!
There are two ways to participate in the Flagstaff Regional Plan Scenario Choosing. Almost 200 people have participated so far and we are waiting to hear from you and people you know who make Flagstaff an amazing place.
Important: Please Attend Regional Plan 2045 Scenario Choosing Workshop Open House this Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:00-11:00 am at Flagstaff High School Commons
Stroll throughout Downtown Flagstaff to see and purchase paintings, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, and more! 6:30 p.m.
North Rim transitions to winter operations; Hwy. 67 closed at Jacob Lake
Beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 30, the North Rim was closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open on May 15th, 2024 (subject to change).
As in years past, the North Rim campground will be available for winter camping and is accessible via hiking inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing 45 miles from Jacob Lake. To camp at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained in advance through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center.
Several experts from NAU contributed to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, a report that synthesizes the research and expert opinions of hundreds of scientists from throughout the country. The report breaks down the research by region and topic and addresses land and resource managers, policymakers and the general public, with the goal of educating Americans about how they are experiencing the effects of climate change and the steps we must take to mitigate effects in the future. “It is imperative that our society and our various communities continue to learn and discuss the impacts of climate change on our regional and national communities,” said ITEP director Nikki Cooley, who co-authored a chapter on human health. “The report brings together a large group of people who work every day in their fields that are affected by increasingly disastrous events such fire, flooding, drought and more.”
We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
CCC&Y is building an inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities.
Through leadership, education and advocacy. By becoming a member you add your name to an expansive list of individuals, families, businesses and organizations who are igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Please visit Membership Options
Make an Online Donation
Remember, CCC&Y is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status-so your contributions are tax deductible eligible. Please consult your tax professional.
Measuring biodiversity across the U.S.—with space lasers
Diverse ecosystems support the web of life and in the process, provide food, water, medicine and materials for humanity. But the butterfly effect tells us all things are connected. So, when biodiversity loss threatens the foundation upon which we live, what does that mean for the future of Earth and humanity? NAU research professor Chris Hakkenberg is taking a necessary step to finding a solution to biodiversity loss: mapping and measuring biodiversity across the U.S. using NASA’s space-borne lidar.
Flagstaff College, Terra BIRDS, & Flagstaff Foodlink invite you to a special zoom presentation!
John Ikerd, Ph.D.
“Food as a Public Utility”
November 28th (Tuesday)
6 p.m. (AZ Time)
Join the Giving Tuesday global movement and support your local nonprofits!
Your end-of-year donation will go directly toward supporting F3’s on-going work as we continue to be fully integrated into the decision-making processes of our community, educating and advocating for a livable, sustainable, affordable, and climate resilient Flagstaff.
F3 attends all City Council meetings and we speak directly to Council about important policy and on-the-ground decisions that relate to our Focus Areas.* We seek accountability and transparency from our local local leaders through meeting with city staff and individual council members and we participate in local and regional planning efforts including the development of the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045, which will be a major focus of our work in 2024.
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Ranger District plans to conduct large pile burns tomorrow through Friday in two different areas about two miles north of Munds Park or 13 miles south of Flagstaff.
The Horse Park pile burn is comprised of approximately 1,200 acres of slash piles just north of Munds Park, near Forest Road 700.
The Willard Spring pile burn consists of four acres worth of forest debris and grass within Willard Spring pit just west of Interstate 17 near the Willard Springs exit.
Smoke may impact areas such as Mountainaire, Kachina Village and I-17 around the pile burns but is forecast to move toward the north/northeast through the day.
STEM is more important to our community – and our world – than ever before. Hardly a day goes by when STEM is not in the headlines: artificial intelligence, climate change, space exploration, breakthroughs in medicine, and much more.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are nearly 10 million workers in STEM occupations and this total is projected to grow by almost 11% by 2031, more than two times faster than the total for all other occupations.
(Nov. 28) is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. You don’t have to wait until tomorrow! Make a donation today to support Sedona Arts Center…
Your support is critical to growing and sustaining MNA’s work. In 2023, we:
Opened three new exhibitions;
Welcomed nearly 2,000 students on school visits;
Shared the MNA collections with hundreds of members of the public;
Provided over 200 researchers with in-depth access to collections;
Hosted numerous educational events that connect visitors with the art, science, and culture of the Colorado Plateau through authentic experiences;
And so much more!
On Giving Tuesday, we come together to support the causes that matter most to us.
This year, I’m asking you to join us and create more opportunities for our communities in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache County to step up for our youth by supporting not only our children, but those who take care of them as well.
An underlying aspect of many of the programs we manage or fund is about being a partner to the parents and guardians who are raising the next generation.
Holiday Sale in our Gallery!
10% OFF Any Purchase in our Gallery* November 24 Through December 31, 2023 *Get 10% off any purchase of $100 or more in our Uptown Art Gallery through December 31, 2023! Current SAC Members receive an additional 5% off.
*Excluding Bronze Sculptures and Special Exhibitions. Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax (an almost a 10% savings!)
Use coupon code HOLIDAY10 at checkout when shopping online.
(discount not available for workshops, classes or special exhibitions
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
CCC&Y partners are taking an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and programs throughout Northern Arizona by being part in the annual GivingTuesdaymovement on Nov. 28, 2023.
CCC&Y partners who are participating in our GivingTuesday promotional effort include:
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation — Donation link
Flagstaff Festival of Science — Science in the Park — Donation link
We believe GivingTuesday is a perfect fit for our mission: “We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”
Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and a fantastic GivingTuesday celebration.
We couldn’t do it without you.
We are United in Purpose 365 days a year, and together we are stepping up for youth and our community in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties. We are promoting early childhood education, positive youth development and the safety and security of our friends and neighbors in our local communities.
This Thanksgiving we are more grateful than ever for your friendship, partnership and support.
Warm wishes for a wonderful holiday,
Liz, Christine & Elaine
We have so much to be thankful for here in this beautiful land of the red rocks.
Mostly I am thankful for all of you who make it possible for us to do this amazing work on behalf of more than 1,000 artists throughout this state and nation. If not for you, Sedona Arts Center would not exist.
While we are working hard to bring workshops, classes, exhibits, programs and events to you throughout the year, we continue to need your support. Now more than ever.
As a thank you, we are offering a 10% discount in our Gallery Shop from November 24 through December 31.
And please be sure to check out our Contemporary Surrealism exhibit up now through November 30 (it’s received fantastic reviews) and stay tuned for Celebrate Sedona on December 6 – which will be a holiday dance party -and the opening of the Big Gay Art Show.
On behalf of all of us at Sedona Arts Center,
I’d like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving
and wonderful holiday season.
Again, thank you.
Warmly,
Julie A. Richard
CEO
SEDONA — Coconino National Forest is seeking public input and comments on proposed trail enhancements at specific locations within the Red Rock Ranger District that would add approximately 39 miles of non-motorized trails and re-route and naturalize other trails.
The proposed locations fall within and near the communities of Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and Cornville and would include 24.42 miles of non-motorized trails, adopting 14.8 miles of user-created routes, and naturalizing 10.14 miles of user-created trails. The specific locations include the Turkey Creek System, Bell Rock Area Bypasses, Cornville School Trail, Doe Mesa Loop, Hardline Trail, and Scheurman Trail Connector.
These proposals are the result of years of planning after a strong public demand for improved and enhanced trailhead access, options, and experiences.
FLAGSTAFF — Spanish language and English learning students at Coconino High School celebrated el Día de los Muertos with their second annual shoebox ofrenda competition. The winners were selected this week with students and others voting throughout the month.
“This contest is an innovative way for our students to express their creativity and learn about the cultural significance of Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead,” said teacher Francy Solarte. “As a school committed to fostering cultural awareness and artistic expression, we are enthusiastic about providing our students with such opportunities.
“The Day of the Dead Mini altar contest is a competition where students create beautiful and meaningful altars using a shoe box,” Solarte said. “They can pay tribute to a family member, pet, or person who has contributed to society. They also write an altar dedication in Spanish and their home language. This is an interdisciplinary project between Spanish classes and English Language Learners classes. We exhibited the mini altars at the library starting November 2nd and we closed with a parent night on November 8th. The school community and parents had the opportunity to visit the exhibition and vote for their favorites.”
FLAGSTAF — The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County invite residents to participate in Scenario Choosing Open Houses for the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045. These open houses are centered around how the region should approach growth to address uncertainties and opportunities that may lie ahead. This is a once-a-decade opportunity to shape the future of our community.
The open houses will be available in both an online and in-person format. To participate in the open house virtually, visit bit.ly/scenariochoosing from Nov. 16, 2023 to Jan. 19, 2024. Information on the in-person open houses is provided below. Attendees may sign up in advance for childcare at in-person events at flagstaff.az.gov/RegionalPlan2045.
The need for programs that encourage physical health have never been more essential for our region’s youth than now.
According to the United Health Foundation, only 16.8% of Arizona children between the ages of 6 and 17 are physically active for an hour a day. The latest report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation indicates that 31% of children 10 to 17 in the state are overweight or obese.
Part of stepping up for our youth includes ensuring our kids make healthy choices – from the foods they eat to putting down their devices for a while and getting active.
Theatrikos Presents A Crazy Interactive Musical for Christmas Based on the most popular form of theatre in the UK, done for the first time in Arizona, A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedyruns November 24—December 17 A Christmas Carol Tickets…
InterTribal Economic Summit recap
Last week, the park hosted the Emergence Summit, the second Grand Canyon InterTribal Economic Summit. More than 60 participants were in attendance including Tribal vendors, tour operators, entrepreneurs, partners, and park staff. The purpose of the summit was to discuss ways the park and its many partners can best work together to improve economic benefits for the park, private companies, Tribal partners, nonprofit partners, and the surrounding communities.
Keynote speaker Natasha Hale (Navajo and Saudi Arabian and pictured above), cofounder of Change Labs, offered lessons from her 15 years of experience supporting Native entrepreneurs and economic equity on the Colorado Plateau.
“To move past these wrongs, we still have to keep talking about them. But I think we’re all eager to move past it,” said Hale. “That’s what Emergence is about – we want to be able to co-manage these lands, but we also want to be able to have access to that economic power.”
You can learn more about the summit from Grand Canyon Trust’s website here.
Join us for the exhilarating kick-off to the winter season as Arizona Snowbowl unveils its slopes for Opening Day! 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17.
Honoring our elites
Two students in the Class of 2023 were awarded the President’s Prize, NAU’s highest honor for undergraduates, and more than 20 other students were recognized as Gold Axe winners or Distinguished Seniors at a ceremony Tuesday night. The awards, which recognize excellence in the classroom, in research and in life, are one of the highlights of the year for senior leadership; in a video presentation, President Cruz Rivera said he always appreciates the opportunity to brag about the students and experience the sense of joy and accomplishment felt by the award winners and their families, friends and mentors who have supported them throughout their collegiate career.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
CCC&Y partners have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and programs throughout Northern Arizona by taking part in the annual GivingTuesday movement on Nov. 28, 2023.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wants to support your effort by providing links to your organization and donation pages in our upcoming weekly e-newsletters.
CCC&Y partners who are participating in our GivingTuesday promotional effort include:
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation — Donation link
Flagstaff Festival of Science — Science in the Park — Donation link
Still time to join our GivingTuesday spotlight effort.
We believe GivingTuesday is a perfect fit for our mission: “We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”
FLAGSTAFF — Now through Dec. 18, the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Flagstaff Foodlink are surveying the greater Flagstaff region to better understand community members’ experiences with the local food system. Input from all community members is needed to improve food access and distribution, agricultural opportunities, and more. Flagstaff Foodlink is offering a gift card raffle to those who complete the survey!
(Paul) Long, who is from New Mexico, comes from a line of medicine men and is a medicine man himself. Growing up, his father taught him to be balanced—to know and practice the traditional beliefs and way of life but also to understand western life and education.
