Author: Community Contributor

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 10-14, 2024

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2024 • Comments Off

Last Call! Firewise Cleanup ends this Friday

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! Now through this Friday, June 14, the Firewise Cleanup is being held throughout the South Rim residential areas.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Clear dead woody debris from around your residence, up to 30 ft.
Rake pine needles and leaves (please minimize collection of dirt and rocks-this will inhibit effective pile burning in the future)
Move firewood away from contact with structures (more than 10 ft. is recommended)
Please do not collect industrial lumber; this material will be left.

Bright Angel Point Trail Closure to Begin June 21 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2024 • Comments Off

GRAND CANYON — Beginning Friday, June 21, the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim leading to Bright Angel Point will be closed for construction. This closure is necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive repair effort to the Bright Angel Point Trail.

The trail will be closed to all pedestrian traffic as National Park Service (NPS) personnel replace asphalt, move large rocks, and operate equipment in these areas. The NPS emphasizes the importance of always staying on designated trails, and visitors should never attempt to go over or around a closure.

Large prescribed burn project next to Timberline community planned for this fall

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers will begin preparing this summer for the upcoming Timberline prescribed burn project adjacent to the Timberline community northeast of Flagstaff, which burn will be conducted at later dates between mid-October and mid-November.

Residents will begin to see dozers and personnel working in the forest around the prescribed burn area throughout the summer as they prepare the landscape for a safe and successful burn.

This 1,730-acre project is important as it will remove forest fuels in strategic areas, helping mitigate and protect the Timberline-Fernwood and surrounding communities from future extreme wildfires.

Coconino County Supervisors Survey $60 Million of Post-Wildfire Flood Mitigation Progress in Pipeline Fire Area

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently toured the Pipeline Fire Flood Area to observe the progress of post-wildfire flood mitigation in the eight fire-impacted watersheds.

In the fifteen months since the receipt of federal funding, the Coconino County Flood Control District (District) has implemented over $60 million worth of mitigation, including over 240 acres of watershed restoration, over 250 erosion control structures, and nearly 5 miles of storm drain pipe and concrete channels.

“It’s monumental,” said District 4 Supervisor and Chair of the Board Judy Begay. “When I see the pace and scale of what has been accomplished to improve conditions for our people, I feel very proud of this team.”

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Start learning about Summer Food, Summer Reading Programs in Coconino County

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

As Summer rapidly approaches, it’s time for parents to start collecting resources for upcoming Summer Programs including food security, reading support and more throughout Coconino County.

Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.

The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you. (Updated June 11, 2024).

The NAU Review — How NAU is revolutionizing stroke care, a quilt that symbolizes belonging and getting to know Zane Jacobs

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Is 100% survival after stroke achievable?

One bioengineer says yes. Tim Becker and a team of NAU students are designing groundbreaking medical devices with the goal of increasing survival rates—currently at 30-60%—for stroke patients. With a focus on reducing racial and gender disparities in health outcomes for stroke patients and creating adaptable, functional medical devices that can go from the lab to the surgical suite, the students are getting hands-on experience that is turning into inventions and job offers.

Sedona Arts Center — AZ Action Alert

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

The first look at the latest budget proposal that could be passed by the Legislature is showing ZERO FUNDING for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Your legislators and Governor Hobbs NEED to hear from you TODAY. Click the link below.

Tell them why eliminating funding for the Commission is devastating. If you are connected to an arts organization or you are an artist, the most powerful message you can send will communicate the SPECIFIC impact this would have on your art, on your programs, on your community. If you would have to lay off staff, tell them. If you would need to cancel a program, give them the specifics. Legislators need to understand that these dollars are supporting THEIR communities, THEIR constituents, and zero funding is NOT acceptable.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Deadline Extended! Host an Event in the 2024 Festival of Science!

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Deadline extended to submit your event during the Flagstaff Festival of Science! Do you have an idea for a presentation, guided hike, hands-on workshop or more?

Northern Arizona, we are looking for you! Calling all science presenters, educators, demonstrators, and guides!

Submit your idea today before the June 24th final deadline!

Sedona Arts Center — New Art Workshops Just Added!

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Impressionistic Painting
with Gretchen Lopez
July 12 : Friday 10am – 4:30pm

I love the “Impressionists”! They had an incredible way with color and light. In this class, we will explore the color mixtures and brush work the Impressionists used, and work from the still life and the landscape! Let’s plan to learn more about the light, and discuss Artists such as Monet, Sorolla and Renoir!

June at the Museum of Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2024 • Comments Off

Dear Museum Friends,

I am thrilled to invite you, your family, and friends to our highlight event of the year – the Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture – June 22 & 23 at the Museum. The festival promises an immersive experience, connecting you with the rich and diverse traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the Colorado Plateau. Dozens of Native American artists will showcase their work, interspersed with dancers, musicians, demonstrators, and cultural experts sharing their knowledge and insights. My favorite part of this MNA annual festival is the opportunity to talk with artists directly and purchase unique handmade pieces reflecting the beauty and spirit of the Plateau. The painting above by Venaya Yazzie (Diné) gives you an idea of the talented artists who will be on hand. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, including activities for children, energizing music from Tha ‘Yoties, and tasty regional foods like frybread from Sacred Hogan.

The anticipation for summer is building! I can’t wait to see you at the Museum.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler June 2025 Quarterly Newsletter

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2024 • Comments Off

As we welcome the warmth of summer, I am pleased to reconnect with you. It’s always a remarkable time of the year when we celebrate the achievements of our graduates, welcome all the lambs, and feel accomplished with the completion of shearing the sheep. Within this dynamic, we find ourselves poised at an intersection of tradition and innovation, resilience and progress.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library 6/10/24

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

United Way of Northern Arizona — Reveal Your Inner Hero: Volunteer to Help in Emergencies

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2024 • Comments Off

With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were enacted today (June 6) in the City of Flagstaff, unincorporated parts of Coconino County, and the Coconino National Forest.

The precaution is to lessen the chance of a devastating wildfire like the ones we’ve had over the years, most recently the Tunnel and Pipeline Fires of 2022 and the Museum Fire in 2019.

United Way of Northern Arizona coordinates crisis response volunteers for both Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff during emergencies and disasters.

The best time to plan for an emergency is before one happens, which is why we’d like to ask you to consider adding your name to the list of volunteers we can call on if an emergency occurs.

City of Flagstaff — Nonstop service to LAX beginning this fall

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — American Airlines will add nonstop seasonal service between Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall. Starting on October 12, the service will operate on Saturdays using a CRJ700 aircraft.

“The addition of the LAX route offers more choices for travelers in northern Arizona,” said Airport Director Brian Gall. “This new route provides hundreds of one-stop destinations, making travel even more convenient for the Flagstaff region.”

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is actively working to attract a second air carrier and expand air service. Increased traveler use of FLG makes it easier for airlines to add more flights to various destinations. The best way to secure new services is by filling the seats currently available.

Comet’s Welcome 14 New Cross Country Recruits for Fall 2024 Season

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College (CCC) is thrilled to announce the addition of 13 talented recruits to the cross country team for the upcoming fall 2024 season. These new athletes, hailing from diverse backgrounds and bringing a wealth of experience, are poised to strengthen CCC’s already formidable cross country program.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome these outstanding runners to our team,” said Head Coach Craig Hunt. “Each of these athletes brings unique strengths and a dedication to excellence that will help us continue to build a competitive and cohesive team.”

Museum of Northern Arizona — Party on the Plateau Silent Auction closes soon!

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2024 • Comments Off

Dear Museum Friends,

The silent auction for this year’s Party on the Plateau will close tomorrow, June 8th at 7:00 pm! You do not have to be attending the Party on the Plateau to participate and bid on items in the silent auction. Bidding is heating up! With items ranging from artworks to experiences, there is something for everyone and all the proceeds benefit the museum.

You can bid online by clicking here. Note that if you view the auction on your desktop browser, keep your cursor in the middle of the screen as you scroll to ensure you see all auction items. Some of our great items are showcased below!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 3-7, 2024 — Star Party Continues through Saturday, June 8!, more news, events

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

The 34th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will conclude for the season on Saturday, June 8. South Rim events include a nightly slide show from a special guest speaker at 8 p.m. in the plaza of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

The list of speakers can be found on the Grand Canyon Star Party webpage and also in the NPS Mobile App. The talks are followed by free telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours will be offered nightly at 9, 9:30, and 10 p.m.

North Rim events include telescopes set up on the terrace of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening along with astronomers with green lasers to pointing out constellations. By day, look for solar telescopes on the terrace and surrounding the Grand Canyon Lodge. A flyer for the evening events on the North Rim can be found here.

Discover Flagstaff — Flagstaff Pro Rodeo, Fort Tuthill County Park Thursday through Saturday, June 6-8

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

Flagstaff Pro Rodeo, Fort Tuthill County Park

Get ready for thrilling rodeo action, live entertainment, and fun for the whole family in the cool pines of Flagstaff! 5 p.m.

Resources responding to 100-acre Bravo Fire located on Camp Navajo west of Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Resources are responding to a 100-acre wildfire on Camp Navajo located 9 miles west of Flagstaff.

The Bravo Fire was reported at 11 a.m. today and resources responding to the incident include the Arizona National Guard, one Hotshot crew, two hand crews and one engine.

Summer Safety: Avoid Hiking During Excessive Heat Warnings

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

GRAND CANYON — The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 7 for areas below 4,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens. Forecast temperatures in the shade range between 105 F/41 C and 111 F/44 C. Hotter than normal temperatures will also hit the rims, with highs of 92 F/33 C on the South Rim and 85 F/30 C on the North Rim.

Board of Supervisors Elects Judy Begay to Serve as Chair, Patrice Horstman as Vice-Chair

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — At their regular meeting on Tuesday June 4, 2024, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) elected District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay to serve as Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman to serve as Vice-Chair through the end of 2024.

This will be each Supervisor’s first time serving in each of these leadership positions. Chair Begay has served as Vice-Chair since August 2023, Vice-Chair Horstman previously served as Chair from February 2022 until August 2023.

Chair Begay was first elected to the Board in 2020, after serving over 14 years as a public-school Board Member in Tuba City, as well as several other non-profit organizations. She also has experience in management and supervision of health programs, school administration, facilities management, roads and infrastructure, and public housing.

City of Flagstaff to receive over $1M for water resource systems modeling and efficiency projects

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2024 • Comments Off

The four grants awarded to the City by WIFA include $750K to accelerate the replacement of water meters with ultrasonic meters, $136K to improve the tracking of non-revenue water, $60K for the development of a watershed model for the Upper Lake Mary Watershed, and $80K for the development of a computer model that will integrate the City’s existing surface water and groundwater models.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Executive director Virginia Watahomigie serves as vital link to support members, partners and community to benefit local children and families

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2024 • Comments Off

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

“We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”

That is the Mission Statement of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth. And with a county as large as Coconino (second largest in the nation); with an individual, non-profit and for-profit membership approaching 100; and a diverse, dedicated and talented board of directors — it takes a special individual to bring all these moving parts together to benefit families throughout Northern Arizona.

Virginia Watahomigie joined CCC&Y as executive director in September 2016. In a CCC&Y news posting at the time, she said: “The opportunity to work with CCC&Y is rewarding and very exciting as the work and reputation of the Coalition is impeccable. I have found the members to be genuinely dedicated to children’s issues. I feel privileged to further this mission, as well as, continue building relationships with the community” …

The NAU Review — NAU’s first Hispanic/Latine youth media workshop, more news

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2024 • Comments Off

For the first time, the School of Communication hosted a free two-day seminar for Hispanic and Latine high school students looking to explore film and visual communication.

Board of Supervisors Recognizes 100th Anniversary of Indian Citizenship Act

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2024 • Comments Off

“The right to vote and run for office is an American birthright and despite the efforts of the past to stifle the Native American voice, we are here, and our voice is strong,” said Lena Fowler, Coconino County District 5 Supervisor. “Every election is important, and I encourage all residents to register to vote, learn about candidates, research ballot questions and vote in the primary election on July 30 and presidential election on November 5.”

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to Begin Thursday in Coconino County

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, the Coconino National Forest will begin Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Per Coconino County Ordinance 2024-01, Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions in all unincorporated areas of the County at the same time.

Under the County’s Stage 1 restrictions igniting, building, or maintaining a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest and State lands.

City of Flagstaff to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on June 6

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions,

Permits for open burning within the City will not be issued.
The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.
Use of fire pits and other open flame devices without an on/off switch are prohibited on Red Flag Warning days, as issued by the National Weather Service.

Fire restrictions begin Thursday on Coconino National Forest

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Due to forest conditions and a number of key factors being met, Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions begin 8 a.m., Thursday, June 6, across the entire Coconino National Forest.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, wood stoves, and smudge pots are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or an official developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forests.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Reminder: Coffee with F3’s Executive Director Tomorrow June 5!

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Coffee With F3’s Director, Wednesday, June 5th 9:00-10:00 am at Campus Coffee Bean, 1800 S. Milton #24

F3 wants to engage with you one-on-one. We want to hear your concerns, questions, and ideas about Flagstaff issues that are important to you.

Do you want to know more about the proposed increases in our water and wastewater rates and the upcoming public hearing on June 18? Or what’s going on with the revision process for Flagstaff’s Regional Plan? What has the Community Engagement Coalition for Energy Retrofits been up to this year? We can talk about anything and everything in which F3 is involved!

Sedona Arts Center — Art classes and workshops to elevate your skills

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Junk Journal Deconstruction
with Nicole Austin
July 17 – 18 : Wednesday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 9am – 4pm

Some call us monsters for ripping up and altering books – I think of us more as creatives who can see potential in anything! Let’s gather together with kindred spirits and rip and alter to our hearts’ content! We’ll take an ordinary vintage book and turn it into something extraordinary using paint, embellishments, and reconstructive techniques. You bring the book, (BYOB!) and I’ll supply the rest!

Museum Fire/ Spruce Wash flood area siren testing scheduled for Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m.

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2024 • Comments Off

During the testing, residents in the area will hear an alarm sound, followed by a voice message repeated three times in English, Spanish and Navajo, concluding with a wind down siren sound signifying the end of that message. This process may repeat several times during the testing period. Testing may be postponed in the event of rain or smoke in the area. To hear the siren sounds that will be used or to read more about the Museum Fire flood area siren alerting system, please visit www.museumfloodprojects.com/sirensystem