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.

Finance / Finanzas: Don’t let Christmas dinner be a budget-buster

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  Many people worry about the expenses of the holidays. Individuals who are already pinching pennies and putting as much toward gifts as possible may want to keep holiday entertaining costs low. It’s possible to do…

Food / Cocina: Host a merry, memorable holiday party

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  The holidays are the most festive time of the year, and no holiday season is complete without a party or two with family and friends. Be it to celebrate a religious holiday or to ring…

Bilingual report: ‘Health Care Information Night’ to be held Nov. 19 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — A health care information night, with information presented primarily in Spanish, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19  at Restauración en Cristo Congregation, 624 S. O’Leary St. (en Spring Hill Baptist Church), Flagstaff. Have you had trouble…

Arizona Speaks! gathering in Sedona on Nov. 21 to support immigration reform

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) will be participating in Arizona Speaks!, a statewide series of assemblies calling for federal immigration reform, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona. Simultaneous assemblies will…

Winslow gets into the spirit with Día de los Muertos celebration

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) returned to Winslow on Nov. 2 , 2013 when Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented the lively celebration of remembering the departed…

Día de los Muertos celebrated in Winslow

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Nov. 2 , 2013 at Snowdrift Art Space in downtown Winslow. Members…

Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…

Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the public…

Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum…

GED adult education classes to begin again at Killip Elementary School. Orientation meeting set for Nov. 7

FLAGSTAFF — GED adult education classes will begin again at Killip Elementary School, the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council Industrial Areas Foundation reported in a media release. “Thanks to the work of Killip staff, parents, and NAICL leaders, adult education is up…

Coconino County voters deny CCC’s request for override

Seven-year $4.5 million override would have helped maintain College’s core missions FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County voters on Tuesday, Nov. 5, denied Coconino Community College’s request to fund a seven-year $4.5 million override, the institution reported Wednesday in a media release. The…

Bilingual report: Coconino Community College officials await results of Nov. 5 election

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College held its final informational open house at Coconino High School on Oct. 30. The session was designed to answer questions about the college’s finances and the upcoming override initiative on the Nov. 5 election ballot.…

“2013 Coconino County Community and Family Vitality Survey” now available in Spanish

FLAGSTAFF — The Laboratory for Applied Social Research (LASR) at Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey to better understand the community’s “capacity to live, grow, and develop with a purposeful existence.” It was announced this week that the survey will…

Community enjoys opening night at 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct.…

November Cover Story / Portada: Families fighting to keep homes

Arrowhead Village residents battle to keep property from becoming student housing By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Timing is everything — in business, relationships and life. For the developers of a proposed student housing project in west Flagstaff, the day…

Bilingual commentary: Residents begin first of many battles

By Roxana Cardiel De Niz and Anamaria Velasco Ortiz The community at Arrowhead Village Trailer Park in the center of Flagstaff is on the verge of being destroyed over a student housing development. This project is one that Landmark Properties,…

Local / Locales

The Sunnyside Marketplace will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Dec. 18 in the gymnasium at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. The indoor marketplace is designed to incubate and support the economic growth…

Travel / Viajes: The charms Rancho de Chimayó

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Pale pink, lighter than the color of ballet slippers, is not a color that I expect to find in a Mexican restaurant. Yet I am sitting outdoors at a table dressed…

Home / Casa: How to get a home organized

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) When colder weather arrives, many people stay indoors and fight the harsh weather with hot chocolate and heating systems. It’s no surprise, then, that most homes accumulate quite the amount of clutter over the course…

Finance / Finanzas: Things to consider before buying auto insurance

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Auto insurance is necessary for anyone who drives. Though some places allow motorists to drive without insurance, doing so is an unnecessary risk, one that could prove costly should an accident occur. When purchasing auto…

Food / Cocina: Figuring the turkey-to-person ratio

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Thanksgiving holds different meanings for different people. Some feel it is a day for being generous or giving thanks through unselfish deeds. Others feel it is a time to sit around with family sharing stories…

Ethnic Studies ban discussion to be held Oct. 30 at NAU

FLAGSTAFF — Sean Arce, former director of the Mexican American Studies (MAS) Program at the Tucson Unified School District, will talk about his role in challenging the ban on Ethnic Studies in Arizona at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at…

Community meeting to discuss proposed Arrowhead Village development set for 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Killip

AmiogsNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — A community meeting to discuss the proposed Arrowhead Village development will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. A meeting previously scheduled with the developer at the…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gets ready for 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente starting Oct. 25

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will be busy late this week setting up their family altars / ofrendas, stringing papel picado and getting everything ready for the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, which will begin…

Katia Cardenal to perform in free concert on Oct. 24 at Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University

FLAGSTAFF — Katia Cardenal, formerly lead vocalist of the world-renowned Nicaraguan New Song group, Guardabarranco, will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Northern Arizona University, Ashurst Auditorium, Flagstaff, concert organizers reported in a media release. Cardenal,…

Border Songs / No More Deaths benefit concert, featuring Katia Cardenal, to be held Oct. 25

FLAGSTAFF — Artists associated with Border Songs — a double CD of music and spoken word, in English and Spanish — will give a benefit concert for the southern Arizona humanitarian group, No More Deaths / No Más Muertes at 7 p.m. Friday,…

Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival (Oct. 9-13) to feature some entries with Latino flavor

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival (Oct. 9-13) will feature some entries with a Latino flavor. The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival’s mission is to provide a cultural alternative to the mainstream commercial film experience and to celebrate, promote, nurture and…

Northern Arizona Interfaith Council to attend a comprehensive immigration reform resolution meeting in Sedona on Oct. 9

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council invites community members to attend a comprehensive immigration reform resolution meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at West Sedona Elementary School, 570 Posse Ground Road, Sedona. The meeting will provide an opportunity for…

Hojarasca entertains audience at NAU on Oct. 1

FLAGSTAFF — The audience was treated to a creative mixture of  contemporary Andean music by the Colombian musical trio Hojarasca, which performed on Oct. 1, 2013 at Gathering Room of the Native American Cultural Center at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. The…

Commentary / Comentario: County government in action

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The strangest thing Cynthia Seelhammer has seen so far in her brief tenure at Coconino County is the organization’s timesheets. They are churned out on a dot-matrix printer complete with those old-fashioned sprocket hole…

Local / Locales

The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) is helping young adults and teens to quit using tobacco products by utilizing “The CIGNAL,” Arizona’s latest effort to curb tobacco use, county officials reported in a media release. Modeled after the…

Commentary / Comentario: CCC plays a critical role in educating first-generation college students

By Patricia A. Garcia / CCC District Governing Board member As an elected official on the governing board of Coconino Community College, I believe it is critical for CCC to continue to be able to fulfill its core functions. As a…

Commentary / Comentario: Neighborhood groups strengthen area

By Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta / Coconino County District 2 Supervisor  There are many things that tie communities together. They can be the strings of family, friendship, or even just common interests between neighbors. Like the first domino falling that starts…

Education / Educacíon: Nov. 5 property tax vote critical to college

Coconino Community College seeking funding to maintain existing programs By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ When educators first started to talk about opening a community college in Flagstaff, they envisioned an overall enrollment of about 500 students the first year.…

Health / Salud: Q&A: Insurance Marketplace

An interview with Dr. Eric Henley, chief medical officer, North Country Health Care By Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ The next step of the Affordable Care Act ~ the Health Insurance Marketplace ~ became active Oct. 1, to the confusion of…

Food: Mexican bread for Hispanic Heritage Month

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Celebrating Hispanic heritage is a tradition for many families. One of the most anticipated aspects of those celebrations is the food. Hispanic cuisine is beloved by Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike, and Hispanic Heritage Month (through…

Food: Smoky salsa to celebrate Hispanic heritage

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) No celebration of Hispanic heritage is complete without a meal. Hispanic cuisine is as versatile as it is beloved, and people of all backgrounds list Hispanic cuisine among their favorite foods. Southern California chef Hugo…

Folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca perform locally courtesy of Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff, sponsors

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff presented a free performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, on Sept. 19, 2013 at Sinagua Middle School Auditorium…

Flagstaff City Council to vote Oct. 1 on resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council will vote on Tuesday, Oct. 1 on a resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. Nearly…

Bilingual report: Colombian musical trio Hojarasca to perform on Oct. 1 at NAU’s Native American Cultural Center

FLAGSTAFF — A concert of contemporary Andean music by the Colombian musical trio Hojarasca will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Gathering Room of the Native American Cultural Center (building #14), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. This trio,…

Sunnyside celebrates 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia

Click on the image to see a slideshow from the 2013 Fiesta de Independencia. Pause on photo to see a caption. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Sprinkers going off in the early afternoon almost watering the public address system and…

Bilingual report: ‘Deferred Action Application Drive’ to be held Sept. 28

FLAGSTAFF — NO DREAM DEFERRED will present a “Deferred Action Application Drive” on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Held in collaboration with Arizona DREAMers in Action. Contact 810-373-2691 if you have questions about…

Ballet Folklórico de Colores to present folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca on Sept. 19

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff will present a free* dance performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday,…

Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) to hold special meeting on Sept. 18

  FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will hold a special meeting to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the under renovation Our Lady of Guadalupe Cultural Center — “The Basement,” 224 So.…