The Coconino County Sustainable Building Program in partnership with Northern Arizona Association of Realtors will be providing a free virtual training on Tuesday, May 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the Green Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
What Happened This Week (05/13/21) recap video
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más de 11 de mayo, 2021
More videos and information available HERE
— AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection is a platform that educates on relevant issues, celebrates Latino accomplishments, and connects Hispanics of all generations.
The city of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Program’s Community Stewards will host a One a Day in May litter challenge. This event runs for the month of May. The top three litter pickers will win great prizes on June 1, 2021.
The Community Steward’s Program is utilizing the phone app Litterati to help participants easily pick up litter as they go about their day. The goal of using Litterati, is to take a photo of the litter through the app, tag it, pick it up and then upload the photo. Litterati will then store the location of the litter, with the type-tag on a map. This will allow Sustainability staff to better identify locations with litter problems and the types of litter out there.
As more travelers return to the skies, Groome Transportation will be resuming our Flagstaff to Phoenix and PHX airport route June 1st with enhanced policies and procedures similar to those implemented by major airlines. Learn how Groome is ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers and employees.
Additional Services Reopen on South Rim
Several facilities on the South Rim will be reopening or adding services this week:
Bright Angel Bicycles is now renting Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes and began taking reservations last week for May 14th and beyond.
On Saturday, May 15th, the Yavapai Coffee Shop will open an hour earlier at 6 a.m.to better accommodate guests. It will close daily at 1 p.m.
The Canyon Village Deli will reopen on Monday, May 17th daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Desert View Watchtower opened the ground floor this past Friday May 7th and is open from Friday through Monday. The Watchtower is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
Village interpretive staff will begin providing visitor information outside of the Visitor Center starting May 21st.
Now Featuring:
Featuring: Tamara Hastie, Sue Horine, Sharon McGinnis, Jeff Perkins, and Mark Troksa
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by nearly 100 local and regional artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.
Lowell Observatory. Celebration of National Astronomy Day and anniversary of Clark Telescope.Virtual event.
8:30 p.m.; free.
The city of Flagstaff will enter Stage One fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on May 14, 2021 in an effort to reduce the potential for unintentional human-caused wildfires within the city limits. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.
Coconino County will move to Stage One fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the County, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective Friday, May 14 at 8:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts breezy and dry conditions, necessitating the restrictions, and the decision was made in consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local Fire District officials to reduce the threat of wildfire. Stage One fire restrictions include a ban on fires including campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves, as well as a ban on fireworks.
The state-run Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site will open to anyone 12 years of age and over on Thursday, May 13, subject to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The site currently administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 16 and over. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 -15 on Monday. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC are expected to follow suit on Wednesday with a recommendation to vaccinate those 12 and older. The recommendation applies only to the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
The city of Sedona seeks professional artists for a major exterior public art competition to fill three roundabouts on State Route (SR) 179 with commissioned art.
More specifically, one artist or a team of artists, including artists from multiple disciplines, will be selected per roundabout, for this opportunity to receive a commission to create artwork for one of the three roundabouts.
The roundabouts are located on SR 179 at the intersections of Canyon Drive, Morgan Road and Chapel Road. Artists may design for a preferred roundabout location, but placement will ultimately be decided by an arts and culture work group. Art for the Canyon Drive roundabout should be designed to coexist with the existing tree at this location.
Please find attached the fourth edition of the Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix. We are encouraged by the growing number of business and political leaders from both sides of the border who have become subscribers.
#ChooseMexico has a variety of interesting articles that focus on current business topics relevant to both Mexico and Arizona. One in particular, from Consul Alejandro Martínez, who heads the Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales.
What Happened This Week (05/06/21) recap video
Actualizaciones sobre la vacunación, desempleo, pagos de estímulo económico y otros temas.
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más
More videos and information available HERE
There are only 9 DAYS LEFT to register for the 2021 Future Health Leaders Virtual Summer Camp! This year will be our second year of virtual summer camp and this year will be BIGGER and BETTER. We will be hosting giveaways, providing completion packages, and engaging in virtual social activities throughout the week. We have lined up some knowledgeable guest speakers in topics such as nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. We know this will be a great healthcare learning experience for all those in attendance.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, DES Services, and so much more.
The DES Office of Community Engagement would like to share with you information about this program. The EBB program opens on May 12, 2021 for eligible individuals and households to enroll. Below is additional information and the link to the Toolkit.
The city of Flagstaff will enter Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan on May 17. The move to Phase 3 was predicated on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and COVID related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, the increase in the number of residents vaccinated, the demonstrated ability to follow CDC guidelines, ability to care for the seriously ill and providing testing, monitoring and contact tracing. Under Phase 3, the city will begin a limited reopening of city facilities and amenities. Face coverings are required in city facilities.
This week, in multiple interviews with the press, Navajo Nation President Nez announced that the Navajo Nation will be donating PPE to India to help with the surge of cases in the nation: The president said, “We do have a stockpile of masks that were donated as well as what we’ve made. So what we’re doing is we’re going to package that up and send it to our brothers and sisters in India because they’re getting hit hard and we really know how it feels.” The Navajo Nation was once the hardest hit locations in the country. As the Navajo Nation reaches over 50% of individuals fully vaccinated, the nation is looking to give back to communities in need.
You are cordially invited to attend a special virtual celebration and networking event for business leaders, industry specialists and economic development professionals as we mark Economic Development Week on Tuesday, May 11.
The Collaborative Communities: Statewide Social Hour will be held via Zoom from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by several economic development organizations in Arizona, including ECONA.
Affordable, accessible and decent housing is of critical importance to a community’s health and viability. On December 1, 2020 the Flagstaff City Council declared a Housing Emergency in Flagstaff, prioritizing affordable housing within City operations to create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for all community members. The Housing Plan will define the housing emergency in Flagstaff and will provide policies and strategies to reduce it.
Thank you for choosing to attend a GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration presented by our GOLDEN Working Artists. The GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration will be presented in Zoom and will cover a variety of topics on acrylics and acrylic mediums. You will need to register in order to attend the Zoom presentation; please use the provided link to complete your registration. You will also need the *Virtual Lecture Demo Event Code provided below.
he gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date.
Services provided by the National Park Service, including the campground and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, will be available starting May 15 at 9 a.m. The Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, and the gas station, will also open May 15. There will be no shower or laundry service available this year. The North Rim Hiker Shuttle will also be unavailable.
Among the many consequences of COVID-19 are its effects on the criminal justice system, including the safety of participants who appear in court.
Flagstaff and Williams Justice Courts are piloting a procedure that allows criminal defendants the opportunity and choice to appear by remote online methods while still being aware of all their legal rights and protections along the way.
The Coconino County Adult Probation office moved from 222 E Birch Avenue Flagstaff, AZ to their new address at 420 N San Francisco Street Flagstaff, AZ.
“Adult Probation is happy to do our part in the County’s Space Reimagined Initiative which looks for solutions and cost savings as it relates to office space and remote work. By moving into a smaller office footprint, the Adult Probation Department is committed to reducing the financial burden of the criminal justice system on taxpayers. The last year provided us an opportunity to learn how to combine virtual and in-person work, thus reducing our need for physical space in an office setting.
In May 2021, the city of Flagstaff’s Building Safety Section will participate in the 41st annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save,” will be held virtually this year, raising awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn.
APS has launched a new initiative to help small businesses embrace environmental sustainability and win more customers along the way.
The Going Green and Going Smart program is a free, on-demand certificate program that identifies ways businesses can save money on their electric bills by leveraging industry knowledge and best businesses practices.
Designed with smaller brick-and-mortar locations in mind – such as restaurants, offices, stores or warehouses – it teaches businesses how to conduct an energy audit and develop a sustainability plan. Going beyond that, however, it also shows how businesses can use their new energy efficiency to attract new customers.
Navajo Nation Moves to Code Yellow
Navajo Nation is moving from Code Orange to Yellow. Changes include the following: restaurants with indoor dining can operate at 25% capacity; restaurants with outdoor seating can accommodate 50% capacity. Navajo Nation casinos are allowed to open at 50% of maximum occupancy but only for Navajo Nation residents, citizens and employees (no visitors and tourists).
The City of Flagstaff’s 10 Year Housing Plan is underway and the Housing Section is asking all members of the community to participate by taking the City of Flagstaff Housing Survey.
The goal of the survey is to garner the most responses and to gather statistically valid housing data from a fair sampling of people.
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
The city of Flagstaff will soon add a new well to their inventory. Drilling of a second groundwater well at Fort Tuthill County Park began February 22, 2021.
Drilling this well is part of the city’s mid-to-long term water policy and the subsequent ten-year capital plan initiated after the 2002 drought left Upper Lake Mary reservoir nearly dry, resulting in water shortages throughout the city. This is the first of five wells in the plan to add resiliency to the city’s water supply and serve as a safety net against climate change and resulting drought, forest fires or infrastructure failure. Groundwater wells are the core producers of city water, averaging 65% of the city’s potable water supply since 1950. They tap into the C-aquifer at an average depth of 1000 feet below land surface with the bottom of most wells exceeding 2000 feet.
Castro Felix is graduating with a bachelor’s of science in nursing from NAU-Yuma. During her undergraduate education, she received 18 scholarships and volunteered at various flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics in her community.
Workshops at Sedona Arts Center offer an experience that will provide inspiration and information to distill and practice for months and even years afterwards! A wide variety of disciplines and mediums are offered, including studio and plein air landscape painting, mixed media and abstraction, writing, photography, and so much more. Workshops are appropriate for all levels of students and are presented through demonstrations, individual instruction and group presentation. Instructors are experts in their field – experienced teachers with national recognition.
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years.
Earth Day Celebrations and National Park Week Continue
Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, check out one of our Grand Canyon Moments about Water at
https://youtu.be/OuP7vfsd-mk.
This Grand Canyon Moment features the sights and sounds of water and is a reminder of how essential and precious water is. Both the Earth and the human body are made up of about 70% water!
Everyone plays a role in protecting water, whether you are at Grand Canyon or at home. One way you can protect water is by being water wise! For example, where does your water come from and how much do you use daily? What is one way you use water?
Tall buildings like those recently built for student housing along Milton Road and W. Route 66 are currently allowed in places that would surprise most of us. They are allowed anywhere north (N. End) and south of downtown (Southside), even next to the public library. Five and six story buildings are also allowed anywhere in the Sunnyside Neighborhood bordered by 4thStreet, Cedar Avenue and McMillan Mesa. This is not the result of any recent comprehensive planning, but an historic artifact.
City staff is proposing to council on April 27th a new zone called the Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC).
Mayor Paul Deasy and Superintendent Michael Penca joined forces to improve the health, well-being and academic achievement of Flagstaff’s children. The two leaders committed to transforming Flagstaff’s school grounds into nature-filled greenspaces where children can connect to the natural world and enjoy healthy, active time outdoors.
Flagstaff was selected as one of 10 cities (out of 27 applicants) to receive training and technical assistance to add nature play and outdoor learning spaces to schoolyards through Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN), a joint initiative of the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network. Flagstaff joins a national movement of cities working to provide children with equitable access to the benefits of nature.
Public Works Fleet Services Division’s spring online surplus property auction is underway and will run until noon on Wednesday, April 28.
The 10-day auction is open to the public and features such items as used trucks and other surplus County property that has greatly exceeded its lifespan.
The wonderful scent – and sneezes – of spring blossoms have arrived in Flagstaff, and Coconino Community College is beginning the crunch to the end of another semester.
The excitement of Commencement, although it will be virtual again this year, fills the air with electricity. Student resilience, determination and sheer willpower to achieve those dreams of an education have borne fruit from the spring blossoms of hope. Let us all celebrate that achievement!
This summer, thanks to COVID relief funding, CCC will be offering free tuition to graduating high school seniors in Coconino County to help them gear up for a successful fall semester. All other students will also benefit from the relief funding.
Earth Day in Astronomy | Looking Up Helps Us Look Down, Lowell Observatory. Learn how astronomy has given us a deep appreciation for Earth. Virtual event. 1 p.m.; free.
Flagstaff Arts Council is happy to announce that we have begun talks with ArtWins Arizona to establish a major arts and cultural festival in Flagstaff to tentatively launch in 2023. FAC is seeking public input on the idea. To learn more and provide feedback, visit: flagartscouncil.org/festival
Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, International Arts & Ideas Festival in New Haven, Connecticut, Aspen Ideas Festival, and more, the festival is proposed to be anchored by both an art competition and a speaker series. The ArtWins Arizona competition is proposed to award more than $300,000 in prizes and grants including $50,000 grand prizes. Depending on funder interest, prize values could be even higher. The festival will provide a regional and national platform for local artists, creatives, and thinkers as well as attract global participation.
Sedona Arts Center is proud to be part of a major national research study to learn how arts, culture, and creativity fit into people’s lives during this difficult period — and how cultural organizations can become better for you in the future.
We know you get a lot of surveys, and that this one comes at a challenging time for many of us. We’re passing it on to you because it’s genuinely important to our community and our shared future. If you can spare a few minutes to give your views, we’d be very grateful.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
As part of the ongoing Fourth Street reconstruction project, Soliere Avenue will reopen at the Fourth Street intersection and Sparrow Avenue, (also at the Fourth Street intersection) will close starting April 23, 2021. Fourth Street will remain open and a Sparrow Avenue detour will be posted.
Thank you for choosing to attend a GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration presented by our GOLDEN Working Artists. The GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration will be presented in Zoom and will cover a variety of topics on acrylics and acrylic mediums. You will need to register in order to attend the Zoom presentation; please use the provided link to complete your registration. You will also need the *Virtual Lecture Demo Event Code provided below.
Regents’ professor is a recognition afforded to only 3 percent of all faculty and is truly an honor. Each was nominated by their peers for outstanding achievements and international recognition in their fields. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the promotions at their meeting Thursday.
The state Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site, a partnership with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Coconino County, Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Northern Arizona Healthcare, will open in Flagstaff on Monday, April 19, administering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 16 and older.
The vaccination site will be located at NAU’s University Union Fieldhouse, 1050 Knoles Drive and will serve the Flagstaff and northern Arizona communities. The indoor vaccination site will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Initially, the site will offer approximately 1,000 appointments per day, with capacity to administer more than 4,000 doses daily.
Beginning April 17, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over the next several weeks fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively.
Units targeted for spring burning are in areas south of Jacob Lake, Crazy Jug/Big Saddle area, and the North Rim Developed area. The North Rim and National Forest areas south of Jacob Lake remained closed until May 15, making this an opportune time to perform burns for infrastructure protection and hazardous fuel reduction as smoke impacts and disruption to visitor experiences would be minimized.
Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Kachina Village and Mountainaire areas are available for public review and comment.
The maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Kachina Village and Mountainaire are at risk for flooding. Used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements, the new flood maps replace maps that were based on studies more than 25 years old.
Navajo Nation reissued its stay at home order on April 9, 2021. This order has the same direction as previous orders and encourages Navajo Nation residents to stay safe at home. Daily curfews are in place from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. mountain daylight time.
As always, there are no restrictions upon staff or community members relative to travel to and from the park.
You can read NDOH Public Health Emergency Order 2021-008 here.
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
Yesterday, more than 300 leaders from around the state gathered virtually to discuss Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, the progress we’ve made in the last two decades, and how innovation zones and collaborative efforts will increase the pace of investment in this vital sector of our economy.
The agility of bioscience related businesses and organizations was put to the test by the pandemic, as hospitals and health care workers were pushed to the brink by soaring admission rates and lack of essential equipment. Meanwhile, many of our local entities quickly shifted gears to meet the moment:
Free admittance for Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.
Now Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by nearly 100 local and regional artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.
High school seniors in Coconino County (graduating class of 2021) will be able to attend summer classes at Coconino Community College for FREE!
Registration is now open for the summer semester at CCC.
Summer instruction begins Monday, June 7, 2021.
Coconino Community College will be hosting two (2) free virtual information sessions via ZOOM to answer your questions about this excellent opportunity.
Sedona Arts Center is proud to be part of a major national research study to learn how arts, culture, and creativity fit into people’s lives during this difficult period — and how cultural organizations can become better for you in the future.
We know you get a lot of surveys, and that this one comes at a challenging time for many of us. We’re passing it on to you because it’s genuinely important to our community and our shared future. If you can spare a few minutes to give your views, we’d be very grateful.
The Hispanic Student Convocation Committee is seeking nominations to recognize three outstanding Latino graduating seniors and one outstanding graduate student.
César Chávez Award: Recognizes students with strong leadership skills, a demonstrated care and concern for fellow students and a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Award: Recognizes students with demonstrated leadership abilities, strong attachments to their cultural heritage and demonstrated advocacy regarding women’s rights
Gabriela Mistral Award: Recognizes students with a strong commitment to education and to promoting multicultural understanding
Outstanding Hispanic Graduate Student: Recognizes a graduate student with strong leadership skills who serves as a positive role model for their undergraduate colleagues, demonstrates care and concern for fellow students and possesses a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community
* Special invitation! Join our virtual Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 12 (see attachment). Registration required: https://aarp.cvent.com/d/mjqdk3/
* SSI applications are considerably down. Our good friend Jack Burns from the Social Security Phoenix office shares the attached letter. Feel free to reach out to Jack with questions: 866-331-4359 / john.p.burns@ssa.gov.
* Our Long Term Care series has launched. Visit our FB page to watch our first show: Long Term Care in our Healthcare System. This topic will be addressed every other Saturday. Next topic: Acute Care vs Long Term Care (4/17).
I have some exciting, although bittersweet, news to share with you all. I have recently accepted a position at Coconino Community College as their Chief Development Officer. I will begin my new role at CCC on April 19th; however, I will remain at TLC through the end of June to assist with a smooth transition and to help with the completion of our Storybook Path. Although I am looking forward to my position at CCC, leaving TLC was a difficult decision for me to make. The relationships and the memories I have made with the TLC family are significant and I have absolutely treasured my time here.
East Entrance at Desert View Re-opens
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
