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.

Commentary / Comentario: The season of nutritional health

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ While this is the season for cultural events, it is also the time to start thinking about proper nutrition as students return to school and we prepare for the dreaded sweet and fat-laden holiday season. The…

Local / Locales

The Hispanic / Latino population of Northern Arizona University grew by 10 percent during the fall of 2014 compared to a year ago, university officials reported in a media release. According to unofficial enrollment figures released during the last week of…

Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Survivors benefits

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Many people might not know that Social Security offers Survivors Benefits. These benefits, which function as a kind of life insurance, can provide family income after the breadwinner dies as…

Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014 to be held through Sept. 7

FLAGSTAFF — The Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014, featuring workshops and dance competitions, will be held Sept. 4-7 in Flagstaff. The event seeks to facilitate education, awareness, and mutual sharing and bring together dance talents from the local, national and…

Commentary / Comentario: Poore Clinic opens in Sunnyside

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Even with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, obtaining quality health care continues to be a challenge for many people. Whether it’s transportation issues due to a shortage of accessible neighborhood clinics, problems…

Local / Locales

Northern Arizona University has been awarded a three-year research grant to promote academic success among young Spanish-speaking English learners, university officials reported in a media release. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences, will…

Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Retirement benefits – Part 2

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona In this article I will continue our conversation regarding retirement benefits, describing retiring at full retirement age and delaying retirement to a later age. We have stated that full retirement age ranges…

‘Meet the Flagstaff City Council Candidates Forum’ draws upwards of 150 on July 24

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Someone said it was like speed-dating for candidates, with potential office holders rushing from one circle of chairs to another to spend about 10 minutes and meet with…

Participants brave long lines to gather school supplies, information at ‘Back to School Fair’ on July 19

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Long lines didn’t deter children and their parents who were already lined up for nearly a block in the alley between Second and Third streets as they awaited the…

Voter registration deadline is July 28 for primary election

Citizens older than 18 are encouraged to register to vote COCONINO COUNTY — The deadline for Coconino County residents to register to vote in the Aug. 26 Primary Election is Monday, July 28. To register, an individual must be a U.S.…

Bilingual report: Friends of Flagstaff’s Future to present 2014 City Council Campaign Forum on July 24

FLAGSTAFF — Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) will present a forum for City Council and Mayoral Candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Flagstaff High School, 400 W. Elm Ave., Flagstaff. The forum will give voters an opportunity to get to know…

Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff to perform July 25 at Heritage Square, Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Summer Nights on the Square presents Downtown Friday Nights featuring performances by Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff and Jimmy DeBlois from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff. Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff is a local group of people…

Bilingual report: Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace to be held on July 18

FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU will present the Mercado de los Sueños/Dream Marketplace with local artists, live music, local vendors and diverse multi-cultural artisans and crafters from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18.   Mercado de los Sueños is a…

Bilingual report: Flagstaff Back to School Fair to be held July 19 at Flagstaff Family Food Center

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Back to School Health and Safety Fair will be FROM 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, 1903 N. Second St., Flagstaff. Organizers report the event features: No cost backpacks, school…

July cover story / Portada: Education top issue for Hispanics

Higher tuition at NAU, CCC, cuts in programs at community college level pose challenges for first-generation students By Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ Immigration reform may lead in the headlines, but it’s not the top issue for Hispanics. According to Pew Research…

Student housing project at Arrowhead Village put on hold, for now

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — It was standing-room-only when the Flagstaff City Council held two days of public comment on the proposed student housing project on the current site of the Arrowhead Village Mobile…

Commentary / Comentario: Bringing excellence to education

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The ideas were almost bouncing off the walls, courtesy of giant Post-it notes and magic markers. • Convincing parents of the value of education from the minute their children make their first appearance in…

Local / Locales

The monsoon rains will soon be here and the City of Flagstaff Stormwater Management Section would like to make the public aware of precautions and services provided by the city. Streets flood quickly and a car can float in as…

Health / Salud: Public Health and you – Picnics, barbecues and food safety tips

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Marlene Gaither  / Coconino County Environmental Health Program manager Summer is the season for picnics and cookouts, but these outdoor activities can present food…

Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Retirement benefits – Part 1

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Social Security provides several benefits, including retirement, disability and survivor benefits, among others. Regarding beneficiaries, some relatives of the eligible person (spouses, former spouses, children and even parents) could also…

Inaugural ‘Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada and Oldies Car Show’ on June 28 draws larger than expected crowds

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Organizers of the inaugural “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada and Oldies Car Show” on June 28 were hoping all their hard advance work would pay off and bring in…

Literacy fair at Killip Elementary School helps youth, parents get right start on education

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Community leaders read to young people, parents and others spoke about the value of education, while youth took part in a variety of activities including exercise programs and…

Student housing project at Arrowhead Village fails to pass Zoning Commission. Issue heads to City Council on July 1, 2

FLAGSTAFF — A zoning change for a proposed 650-student housing project — known as “The Standard” — at the Arrowhead Village Mobile Home Park was unanimously rejected on June 25 by the Flagstaff Zoning and Planning Commission. The recommendation by…

Beloved NAU music alumnus dies tragically

FLAGSTAFF — Germán Andrés Aguilar, an exceptionally talented and much-loved music graduate of Northern Arizona University, collapsed and died on June 7, 2014, while performing in Florence, Italy, with California State University, Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir under the…

Discussion continues on ‘The Standard’ student housing. Next meeting on June 25

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Multiple meetings in early June raised as many questions as answers regarding a proposed student housing project on the site of the current Arrowhead Village Mobile Home Park in west Flagstaff. Residents of the Plaza Vieja neighborhood…

Bilingual report: Tardeada (June 28), Mariachi Mass (June 29) coming to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center will present the inaugural “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada and Oldies Car Show” from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, June 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe…

Bilingual report: Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace to hold grand opening on June 20

FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU announce the grand opening of the Mercado de los Sueños/Dream Marketplace with local artists, live music, local vendors and diverse multi-cultural artisans and crafters from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 20 Mercado de los…

Bilingual report: Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss ‘The Standard’ student housing development on June 11

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 to hold a public hearing on a zoning map change for the proposed “The Standard,” a controversial student housing development on the site of…

Commentary / Comentario: Thank you, Firefighters!!!

By Frank X. Moraga and Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ The banners near the freeway onramps at Kachina Boulevard seem to say it all. “THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS! From Coconino County & the Communities of Oak Creek, Kachina Village, Mountainaire, Forest Highlands…

Local / Locales

The City of Flagstaff has entered Stage 2 of Fire Restrictions, officials reported in a media release. As a result: No permits are issued for open burning within the City of Flagstaff; use of charcoal barbecue grills is prohibited throughout…

Health / Salud: Vaccinations: An important way to protect children

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Michelle McKay, RN, BSN  / Coconino County Public Health Services District Immunization Program manager Through advances in medicine and vaccinations, potentially deadly illnesses and…

Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: What is it?

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona The United States has two main retirement-related programs, namely Medicare and Social Security. The first provides access to medical care, while the second provides an economic benefit. This article will…

Sunnyside celebrates 19th annual Fiesta de Mayo

FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc. celebrated its 19th annual Fiesta de Mayo on May 17 and 18, 2014 in Flagstaff, AZ. The celebration this year was relocated from Ponderosa Park to the in the Greenlaw Village Shopping Center…

Flagstaff celebrates 2014 Armed Forces Day Parade

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaff, classic car owners and other supporters of active duty military and veterans  joined in supporting Armed Forces Day Parade, held Saturday, May 17, 2014 in downtown Flagstaff, AZ. The theme…

City of Flagstaff announces public review process for ‘The Standard’ student housing development

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff on May 14 announced the public review process for “The Standard,” a controversial student housing development on the site of the current Arrowhead Village Mobile Home Park in west Flagstaff. The multi-story, 650-student housing project proposed…

Market on the Move makes successful stop in Flagstaff

Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Market on the Move, a farmer’s market-style program where community members can get up to 60 pounds of fresh produce for a $15 donation, made a successful return…

Public turns out in mass — in red — for talk on resident displacement ordinance

Hover over each image above to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — In an effort to address future issues like the proposed multi-story student housing development at the current site of the Arrowhead Village Mobile Home Park, more than…

‘Market on the Move’ comes to Flagstaff on May 7

FLAGSTAFF — Market on the Move, a farmer’s market-style program where community members can get up to 60 pounds of fresh produce for a $15 donation, is coming to Flagstaff from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 at Killip…

Commentary / Comentario: A education in redevelopment

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Developers of a proposed student housing project near downtown Flagstaff most likely expected relatively smooth sailing when they first approached city staff with their proposal last summer as they sought to re-zone the seven-acre…

Local / Locales

Market on the Move, a program where community members can get up to 60 pounds of fresh produce for a $15 donation, is coming to Flagstaff on Wednesday, May 7 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Community…

Health / Salud: The Affordable Care Act: Closed door, opened door

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona After six months of opportunity to obtain health coverage through the new health insurance marketplace created by the Department of Health and Human Services, as part of the Patient Protection…

Bilingual report: First Friday Art Walk comes to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center on May 2

FLAGSTAFF — First Friday Art Walk comes to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 2 at 224 So. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. Visit the basement to see works by local artists…

Bilingual report: ‘Southside Celebration of History and Culture’ to be held May 2 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — The “Southside Celebration of History and Culture” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 2 at the South Beaver School Gym, 506 So. Beaver St. A collaboration of Northern Arizona University’s College of Social & Behavioral…

NAU concludes final week of Immigration Awareness Month

Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University concluded “Immigration Awareness Month” with a discussion on national security at the border, a court case against a journalist reporting on refugee migration from Central America and…