
Fun at the Fort Summer Camp
8 Weeks this Summer
Spots are filling quickly! Secure your child’s spot for an unforgettable summer now.
Several weeks still have availability and each week is a different theme.

FLAGSTAFF — Cedar Avenue will close to all traffic, from West Street to the Fourth/Lockett roundabout, from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, to allow crews to safely perform final roadway striping. Cedar Avenue and the Fourth/Lockett roundabout will reopen on Monday, June 1.
This closure will allow crews to safely perform final roadway striping along Cedar Avenue and within the Fourth/Lockett roundabout, as the striping that was completed last fall was temporary for the winter months. This striping effort will be the final work along Cedar Avenue as part of the Spruce Wash Suite of Projects.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County announce the opening of the third annual Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition Tuesday, May 19, at the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park in Flagstaff. A reception begins at 10 a.m. and includes a welcome by Vice-Mayor Miranda Sweet and remarks by City and County officials and participating artists. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s exhibition features large-scale sculptures by artists Pamela Ambrosio, Anjola Ayodele, Robert L. Barnum, Nathaniel Trygg Patterson and Joe Ray. Artworks reflect diverse cultural representation and explore themes of nature, history and inclusivity. Together, they infuse the park with an engaging visual experience that highlights storytelling and community, while inviting the public to experience the park in new ways as they explore its sculpture pathway.

The Regional Plan Special Election ballot asks voters in the City of Flagstaff to vote on whether to ratify or not ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.
Your ballot must be received by the Recorder’s Office no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday May 19, 2026. Postmarks do not apply when considering this deadline. There are no polling places on Election Day.
If you haven’t mailed your ballot already, please use one of the drop off locations listed below to ensure it is counted. Click here for additional election information.

May is a perfect time to step into something new.
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.
Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will launch a one-time sandbag clean up operation throughout the Sunnyside and Grandview Homes neighborhoods, in the areas shown on the map. Residents of Sunnyside and Grandview Homes are instructed to move their sandbags debris to the curb (within City Right-of-Way) in front of their property. City of Flagstaff crews will remove this sandbag debris between May 26 and June 8.
Residents who want to remove their sandbag debris early can bring them to the City’s Cinder Lake Landfill (6770 E Landfill Rd). The City will waive the landfill fee for all sandbag debris. A copy of the resident’s municipal water bill is required for address verification.

Get ready to fall in love and laugh until it hurts! The hilarious musical revue I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is coming to the Theatrikos stage this July. This crowd-pleasing production takes a deep dive into the modern jungle of dating and relationships, offering a fast-paced look at the trials and tribulations of the human heart. From the nail-biting awkwardness of a first date to the chaotic bliss of marriage and beyond, the show explores universal truths with wit, soul, and a necessary touch of insanity.

Dear Museum Friends,
May brings a sense of anticipation at the Museum of Northern Arizona as we prepare for a vibrant summer season of exhibitions, programs, and other opportunities to connect with the Colorado Plateau. Before the busy months ahead, we invite you to enjoy a special start to the season with a colorful new exhibition and a day dedicated to celebrating museums as places of discovery and community.
Artist Hopid Unveiled, opens May 16 in the Courtyard Gallery and highlights the groundbreaking collective formed in 1973 by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema. Drawn from MNA’s fine art collection, including recent acquisitions, the exhibition explores how these artists created bold contemporary visuals rooted in Hopi life, tradition, and storytelling. Presented in three thematic installations, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on modern identity and cultural continuity.
We also look forward to celebrating International Museum Day on May 16 with free admission and activities for all ages. From hands-on art and science experiences to touch tables, guided tours, and family-friendly exploration throughout the Museum, it’s a chance to experience MNA as a place of creativity, learning, and connection.
I hope you’ll join us at the Museum as we welcome the season ahead.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

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This month, we are excited to present a new exhibition, FORM and FACE: Abstract Bodies + Masked Identities, in our Special Exhibit Gallery. Featuring work by Zarco Guerrero, Mike Medow, and Kevin Titzer, this dynamic show runs through May 31. Exploring the intersections of abstraction, the human form, and identity, the exhibition uses sculptural masks, figurative assemblage, and evocative materials to examine how identity is constructed, concealed, and revealed. It’s a truly compelling experience—don’t miss it.

If you’ve been a part of the United Way of Northern Arizona community for a while, you are already familiar with what KinderCamp™means for scores of preschoolers.
You’ve heard how this targeted intervention program, provided free to families, helps prepare 4- and 5-year-olds with little to no preschool experience so they are ready for that first day of school.
It’s the difference between a child walking into kindergarten ready to learn – and one who feels overwhelmed.
KinderCamp returns this June in Flagstaff, Williams, Holbrook and Pinetop-Lakeside, but we’re coming up on a critical deadline.

FLAGSTAFF – – The City recognizes that data centers are a topic of significant interest for Flagstaff residents. City staff have been actively evaluating ways to safeguard the community by addressing possible impacts associated with data centers, including water use, energy demand, and other critical resources.
During the May 5 Public Hearing on data centers, staff provided the City Council with an update on a potential zoning code text amendment related to data centers. Given the importance of the issue, staff requested additional time to conduct broader public outreach and allow for more extensive community input. This additional time will also be used to further research available options. Staff will return to both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council at a future date to share community feedback and receive further direction.

Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
(This Friday)
Notification: May 15, 2026
Program Dates: June 1–25, 2026
Sedona Arts Center invites teens and college-age students (ages 15–22) to apply for Gallery 928, a paid summer art apprenticeship that pairs emerging artists with a master artist to design and create a public mural on the Sedona Arts Center campus.
Up to 12 apprentices will be selected for this immersive program. Each participant receives a $500 stipend and three free college credits through Yavapai College, along with hands-on experience in the full public art process — from concept to completion.
Gallery 928 also helps artists build essential professional skills, including teamwork, leadership, presentation, and résumé development, preparing them for future opportunities in the arts.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will begin a roof replacement project at the historic Milligan House, located at 323 W. Aspen Avenue, starting Monday, May 11. The project is expected to take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.
The Milligan House, built circa 1904, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of Interior. It is architecturally significant as a unique representation of Victorian residential architecture in Flagstaff and carries additional significance for its connection to James C. Milligan, a local brickmaker and building contractor who played a major role in shaping Flagstaff’s historic commercial and residential landscape.

Conscious Writing & Sharing
Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. The class will also focus on building trust and learning how to offer constructive feedback.
Writing – Learn more and register!

Do you have questions about the Regional Plan?
Click here to visit the Regional Plan FAQ page, which has been updated to include these topical questions:
What does the Regional Plan propose for the AZ State Land parcels known as Section 10 and Section 20?
Why is there an Employment District near Ft. Tuthill?
Does the Regional Plan 2045 require new homes to be all electric?

City of Flagstaff voters,
There’s a lot of misinformation being spread in our community, on social media and by word of mouth, about ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.
F3 would like to directly address this misinformation by providing direct answers to specific misinformation. The questions and answers below are taken directly from the City of Flagstaff’s Regional Plan 2045 website FAQs.
Does the Regional Plan 2045 require that all new homes must be electric?
No, there is no policy that directly states that all new homes should be all electric. There is an action item in Chapter 10 to “Update the City Sustainable Building Resolution and Sustainable Residential Building Incentives to further implement net-zero energy standards.” The incentives could include points or options for all electric homes.

(This) week is the 11th annual Economic Development Week, created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016 to increase awareness of local efforts to promote economic vitality and highlight programs that create jobs and opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Throughout the week there are opportunities locally and nationally to celebrate and access resources that help businesses – and communities – continue to prosper.

May is a perfect time to step into something new.
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.
Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

FLAGSTAFF — The American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present their annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring music by Ruben Hernandez, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
• Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. — $12
• Dance from 8 to 11 p.m.
• Tickets are $15 per person / $20 per couple.

Water Conservation Remains Critical Following New Pipeline Break
Grand Canyon continues to operate under water conservation measures. A new break in the Transcanyon Waterline was identified the evening of April 29 and as of Thursday afternoon, the break has been located along the North Kaibab Trail north of Phantom Ranch near the 4th footbridge. This latest development is a reminder that the system remains fragile and conditions can change quickly.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Beginning Oct. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., a section of the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park will close to all public access for critical pipeline rehabilitation work on the Transcanyon Waterline. The closure area will be between Redwall Bridge (2.5 miles north of Manzanita Rest Area) and the northern end of Cottonwood Campground.
This hard closure will remain in place through approximately February 2027. There are no alternative routes or detours available through this section of trail. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of both visitors and work crews operating in a narrow corridor with heavy equipment and active construction.

Warmer streams may weaken river food webs
Can you tell the difference when a stream gets warmer? The tiny living things that make that ecosystem their home can. In a new study, researchers from Ecoss found that microbes and aquatic insects are processing fallen leaves, twigs and bark more rapidly and releasing more carbon dioxide into the water and air. The findings could have implications for plants and animals in rivers across the western United States.

Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
May is a perfect time to step into something new.
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.
Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

The Scavenger Hunt is THIS WEEKEND!
REGISTER SOON! Don’t miss your opportunity to save your spot for one of Flagstaff’s most memorable spring events.
Join us May 2nd for the Science Scavenger Hunt—a city-wide adventure where teams build communication skills, creatively solve problems, think flexibly, and develop leadership strengths.

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! The 2026 Firewise Residential
Cleanup will occur April 18-May 3, 2026.
Please pile all pine needles and woody debris along your residential road in an
area accessible to vehicles for the crew to pick up. Park staff will begin hauling
debris the week of April 27.

Your guide to NAU Giving Day 2026
Not sure where to swing your Axe of Kindness this NAU Giving Day? Let us help! We’ve shared a few inspiring stories that illustrate the power your gift can wield, whether you donate to NAU’s general fund or choose a specific area of impact. Your Axe of Kindness will change lives and transform Arizona for the better, no matter how you give.

The Regional Plan provides a broad vision and guides future land use. The 2045 Plan improves significantly on the Regional Plan currently in place because its core priorities are housing attainability and climate action, two recognized emergencies in Flagstaff.
The 2045 Plan recognizes the need for diverse housing types including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and town homes in all neighborhoods throughout the city—options that will help expand opportunities for housing attainability. This reflects zoning changes required by Arizona’s Middle Housing Bill (HB 2721), and will result in incremental changes in existing neighborhoods.

This ballot asks voters in the City of Flagstaff to vote on whether to ratify or not ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. Return your ballot by 7pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The special election is a vote-by-mail only election. There are no polling places on election day.
Click here for ballot drop-box locations and additional election information.

FLAGSTAFF — Join us at Flagstaff City Hall as part of a nationwide day of action against the Trump administration’s expansion of ICE detention — and its assault on the due process rights of immigrants and all Americans from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.
Send a message to ICE that they are not welcome in Flagstaff
The Department of Homeland Security is moving to lock thousands of people in massive detention warehouses — cutting them off from their families, their lawyers, and any meaningful chance at due process. We’re taking to the streets because Flagstaff stands for something better: dignity, justice, and the rule of law.

NAU’s 2026 class of changemakers
At a ceremony on Tuesday, NAU celebrated the 2026 President’s Prize winners, Gold Axe winners and Distinguished Seniors who made enormous positive change as Lumberjacks. “Their impact reaches far beyond campus—into neighborhoods, organizations and communities that are better because of them,” said President José Luis Cruz Rivera. Meet the outstanding seniors.

The Greater Flagstaff Region is hosting a public meeting on April 23 from 5:00-8:00 p, at the Flagstaff Aquaplex for the community to learn about the current process to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Attendees will be able to visit with staff from local fire departments, talk with subject matter experts, and provide comments to inform the CWPP’s development, as well as learn about wildfire risk reduction recommendations for the forest and for homes.

There’s a moment that happens just before the lights go down, when the room settles, conversations fade, and a kind of quiet anticipation takes over. Lately, I’ve been sitting in that moment a little longer, taking it in.
Because this year, it feels different.
We opened our season with Clue, and from the very first performance, there was an electricity in the room, laughter that felt shared, immediate, and needed. Then came The Marvelous Wonderettes, and I found myself watching not just the stage, but the audience. People swaying in their seats. Smiling at each other. Singing under their breath. For a couple of hours, nothing else seemed to matter.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff has been informed that Arizona Public Service (APS) may initiate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in parts of the Flagstaff area tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22 as early as 9 a.m. Some areas on the east side of Flagstaff may lose power during this PSPS event. Customers who are impacted have been directly notified by APS. If your home is impacted, you should begin preparing for 12-24 hours without power.
To prepare for a PSPS:

Members of the public are invited to attend a series of meetings of the Public Safety Citizen Committee (see schedule below). This Committee is tasked with advising the Mayor and Council on potential ballot measures for the November 2026 election, including funding for Fire, Police, Aircraft Rescue, Wildland Firefighting, and Emergency Management.
The Public Safety Citizen Committee started meeting late last year. F3 is represented on the Committee by Michele James, Executive Director. The Committee has four meetings remaining before its scheduled to submit a recommendation to City Council. The Committee is exploring a potential sales tax increase and a city bond to provide a yet-to-be-determined amount of needed funding that cannot be covered by the City’s General Fund.

Please join United Way of Northern Arizona on Thursday, April 30th as we celebrate a year of impact and achievement and the many things we have done – together – to ensure that all can thrive in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
Our community breakfast will feature a panel discussion highlighting UWNA’s partnership with organizations that serve youth, including representatives from Homeless Youth Connection, Stuck Community Acupuncture, Boys and Girls Club, and the Flagstaff Unified School District.
We’ll also talk about the success of this year’s Annual Campaign and hold our annual meeting, including the installation of Kyla Garrison of Mission Driven Finance as the Chair of the UWNA Board of Directors.

Continued Water Conservation Remains Critical for South Rim Community
As announced in this morning’s news release, the park will begin gradually easing water conservation measures on the South Rim starting Friday, April 17 at 12 p.m., following progress in repairing the South Rim water pipeline and restoring pumping capacity. While this marks an important step forward, the park continues to operate on a constrained, aging, and vulnerable water system. Additional pipeline breaks remain possible, and water use must remain careful and intentional.

— Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Also see:
• Arizona Daily Sun (subscription) — Gallery: Northern Arizona University students protest outside ICE office in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — More than 100 Northern Arizona University students took part in a march and protest from the campus to the newly-leased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Plaza Way, just to the east of Home Depot.
The students, some of whom identified themselves as members of the new NAU Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organization, carried a variety of protest signs, shouted slogans and held a rally directly across the street from the new ICE office, who officials said may serve as a center for their Northern Arizona operation.
As the students protested, nearly a dozen police vehicles could be seen scattered on both sides of the street to monitor the situation. Most of the vehicles appeared to be Flagstaff Police Dept. units. More unidentified law enforcement units could also be seen directly behind the building at 1585 S. Plaza Way.

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! The 2026 Firewise Residential Cleanup will occur April 18-26, 2026.
Please pile all pine needles and woody debris along your residential road in an area accessible to vehicles for the crew to pick up. Park staff will begin hauling debris the week of April 27.

Last week, 11 graduate students stood in front of an audience and shared their research. That’s par for the course for any researcher. What was different this time? They had only three minutes and one slide to sum up months, or even years, of research. See what students have worked on during their careers at NAU and which students walked away with a cash prize.

Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
A perfect time to step into something new.
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our upcoming classes and workshops — from oil painting and wet concrete carving, to no solder chain making, alternative pottery finishing and iPhoneography — our classes are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.
Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites community members to join three signature events this spring: the Earth Day Celebration on April 18, Drop Off Day on April 25, and the Fix-It Clinic on May 2.
Earth Day Celebration
The annual Earth Day Celebration will be on Saturday, April 18 at Bushmaster Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Listen to live music, attend a free workshop, eat food from a local food truck, and discover dozens of sustainable-minded organizations and activities.

Registered voters living in the City of Flagstaff will decide in a special election in May 2026 whether to ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.
F3 is offering two workshops this month where you can learn more about the Regional Plan 2045, ask questions, discuss, and view future growth illustration maps. See dates and locations listed on the flyer above.
In preparation for the election or a workshop, start by reading the Regional Plan basics and Frequently Asked Questions found on this page. Visit the city’s Regional Plan Page to read the Plan itself and view policy maps.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff announced on Thursday, April 9 that it has received confirmation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) has signed a lease for office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way in Flagstaff. The property is near the former Suddenlink/Optimum customer service building.
Two City of Flagstaff Police Dept. patrol units could be seen parked in front of the location on Thursday evening.
Keep Flagstaff Together, a project of the Catch Fire Movement, has stated on its Facebook page to “Stay away from 1585 South Plaza Way, Suites 150 & 160. Call 928-395-6330 to request witnesses for support and to record a suspected encounter with immigration law enforcement.”
Please see:
• Arizona Daily Sun — City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Police Department announce ICE has signed lease for South Plaza Way office space
• Great Circle Media — ICE Enforcement And Removal Operations Signs Lease For Office Space In Flagstaff
• KNAU — Flagstaff activists claim ICE office to open on Plaza Way
• Coconino County Sheriff’s Office — U.S. Immigration and Customs Presence in Coconino County (March 26)

Save the Date—Town of Tusayan Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5
On Tuesday, May 5, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 4:30-9 p.m. at the Squire Resort in Tusayan. Mexican food and music will be featured as well as pinatas for kids, a face painter, balloon artist, a dive-in movie and indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a drone light show.
More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

This Week’s Highlights
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.

PROGRAMMING NOTE:
SATURDAY LECTURE CANCELLED
We wanted to share a quick update regarding this weekend’s programming.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Art History Talk: The Many Faces of Friendship with Brandelyn Andres (April 11) has been cancelled.
We appreciate your understanding — and we hope you’ll still join us for one of the upcoming classes and workshops below.

“Eilise Fisher’s combined experience as a small business owner and project manager for Arizona’s WIOA Rapid Response Program gives her a full-circle understanding of the workforce system from the perspective of both an employer and an administrator,” Coconino County Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman said. “She also has a fantastic track record working at the city, county and state level so we are excited to welcome her back to the Coconino County team.”

‘Honey, life is just a classroom’
English professor Kim Hensley Owens is meeting NAU students where they are with the class ENG 399: Taylor Swift and the Rhetoric of (Almost) Everything. By delving into Swift’s lyrics, persona and fame, students learn the art of persuasive language, gaining foundational skills that will serve them well in any career.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff has named Jennifer Stasinopoulos as the new Library Director for City and County Services. She will begin this role effective April 12, 2026.
Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen said “Jennifer has over a decade of library leadership experience and has had great success overseeing library city services since 2024. She is ready for this next step with directing both the city and county library district. She was selected from a pool of 27 qualified candidates and participated in a rigorous recruitment process, including a screening interview, an in-person panel interview, and a community meet and greet. I am excited to have Jennifer in this new role, I know she will do wonderful work.”

There are moments in the life of an organization when recognition feels larger than the award itself, when it reflects not just a single achievement, but an entire community’s belief in the power of the arts. We are deeply honored to share that Theatrikos Theatre Company has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Award, one of Arizona’s highest distinctions for arts and culture organizations.
Presented in partnership with Arizona Citizens for the Arts and the Arizona Commission on the Arts, this award recognizes cultural leadership, sustained community engagement, and a deep alignment with the values that strengthen Arizona’s creative landscape. To be chosen from across the state is both humbling and affirming.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park will implement additional water conservation measures on the South Rim starting Saturday, April 11, due to a series of significant breaks in the 12½ mile-long Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water from the inner canyon for use in the park. Since mid-March, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to the South Rim.
While the park remains open to visitors, the following measures will be enacted for the foreseeable future: