In 2016, the state legislature passed legislation that required local governments to allow short-term rentals in all residential zones. While additional legislation has since been passed that gives local governments limited ability to regulate STRs through requiring contact information for owners or requiring a license, local governments are still prohibited from regulating the number or location of short term rentals in their communities.
Thanks to the many organizations that made our first Literacy Fair on February 22nd at Killip Elementary School such an amazing success.
The fair brought together families, educators, and numerous community groups to foster a love for reading among young children.
Children enjoyed a morning of engaging literacy games and received free books, while parents participated in workshops designed to enhance youth reading skills. These workshops provided families with valuable tools and strategies to support literacy development at home.
The fair, made possible through a grant from Read On Arizona, is a vital part of United Way of Northern Arizona’s efforts to promote early childhood and youth development by fostering a culture of literacy.
Storytime sessions were a highlight of the fair, featuring Coco the Comet, Coconino Community College’s mascot, and a special visit from the Tooth Fairy.
At the Museum of Northern Arizona, we are constantly evolving—just like the world around us. Our latest exhibit, Collecting in a Changing World, showcases more recent MNA acquisitions that reflect the dynamic intersection of art, culture, and science across the Colorado Plateau. From powerful works by Indigenous artists to pandemic-era artifacts, creations inspired by popular culture, and specimens from the natural world, this exhibition reveals how change, creativity, and resilience shape communities.
We invite you to explore these incredible additions and see how MNA’s collections continue to grow with the times.
And for families looking for learning and fun this Spring Break, join us March 10–14 for hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and exploration. Whether engaging with science, art, or the wonders of nature, there’s something for every young mind to discover at the Museum!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum this month.
San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe to hold Spring into Health’ — health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 7 at the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, 67 NW Mable St., Tuba City, AZ.
The Superior Court in Coconino County will provide walk-in services and conduct hearings starting at 10 a.m. The Court will be able to assist with quashing outstanding warrants, applying for marriage licenses or passports, filing documents, reviewing court records and paying any outstanding Superior Court fines or fees. Please note, any payments would need to be made with cash, a money order, or a cashier’s check.
The Coconino County Attorney’s office will have applications available for marijuana conviction expungement.
An epic evening of musical adventure showcasing the clash of iconic heroes and villains. Featuring scores from battles like Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader, Batman vs. the Joker, and Superman vs. Lex Luthor, this program brings the essence of timeless conflicts to life, igniting your imagination.
Families: Take advantage of the Family Discount the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra has for you! Receive one free junior (12 & under) ticket for each adult ticket.
FLAGSTAFF — NAU Ethnic Studies Program will present “Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed” art exhibit with artist reception from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at SBS West Suite 100. The exhibit will be on view through April 28.
Featuring artwork by Ethnic Studies 160 and 100 classes, Ponderosa High School, Leupp Public Schools and T-schools.
Do You Know About Our Scholarships Program?
Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.
For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE
To kick things off, we are thrilled to welcome Mariah Gladstone, an expert in Indigenous food systems, as our featured keynote speaker. Gladstone, who is Piikuni (Blackfeet) and Tsalagi (Cherokee), holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from Columbia University and is a nationally recognized advocate for food sovereignty and sustainability.
Gladstone will deliver the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 19, at Northern Arizona University’s Audrey Auditorium. In her talk, “Indigenous Food Systems Science: Time-Tested Sustainability, Nutrition, and Ecology,” Gladstone will discuss centuries-old sustainability practices, nutrition and ecology.
Later this month, Winslow Economic Development Director Jack Fitchett and I will attend the annual conference of the Site Selector Guild, the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants.
The influence of site selectors is becoming more critical as companies navigate complex factors from local and state regulations, available talent pools, zoning considerations, and more in the decision-making process.
Stay Informed with NPS Everbridge Alerts
Grand Canyon NPS Everbridge alerts are a great way to receive real-time updates about power outages, road closures, weather-related events, and other emergency situations. This free service ensures that you will stay informed when it matters most.
You can decide how you would like to receive notifications, whether this is through text, email, or by phone call. Sign up by following this link.
Get ready for a weekend packed with live music, high-energy DJs, and non-stop fun across multiple lodges, each offering a unique sound and experience. 9 a.m.
Learn More
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
The meeting will include information on a Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead Early Childhood Fair in Flagstaff this Spring.
The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.
A different kind of book report
When words fail, how do you express your thoughts and feelings? That’s a question Carla Wilson, an assistant teaching professor of women’s and gender studies, set out to answer with the Radical Sketchbook Project. Inspired by a similar project founded 20 years ago in New York City, Wilson’s class asks students to take what they’re learning and experiencing and communicate it in a creative way. Wilson said sending messages via sketchbook, rather than words, is a unique way to start conversations on complex issues.
Over 2,000 comments were submitted during the 60-day public review, which occurred from October 20, 2024 to December 19, 2024. It was wonderful to see how many people dedicated their time to reading the plan and providing feedback. We have read every comment and we are working on revisions to the draft.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile — March 14 – 30
Theatrikos is pleased to present Picasso at the Lapin Agile. This historical fiction comedy, written by actor and comedian Steve Martin, is set in Paris in the early twentieth century. The play centers around Picasso and Einstein who meet in a bar in 1904 and discuss art, science and the future of the world. Throughout the play they meet a host of other characters including a man from the future, “the visitor.”
We are pleased to share the latest information from the Navajo Nation Broadband Office about the upcoming Navajo Nation Broadband Deployment and Implementation Meeting. This meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Tse Bonito, NM. In-person and virtual attendance options will be available to ensure full accessibility for all participants.
We at the Museum of Northern Arizona care deeply about creating a meaningful experience for you, our community, and our visitors.
But we need your help. We want to better understand our visitors’ different needs and values so we can best serve you. Museums (like ours!) strive to encourage and expand learning while also addressing the challenges facing our society, and we need to hear your thoughts.
To do this, we are participating in a national survey of museum-goers sponsored by the American Alliance of Museums. This survey provides data from our visitors and visitors to museums nationwide, helping us be more effective in the coming months and in the communities we serve.
Come join the lively ‘Coffee with the Executive Director’ gatherings on the first Wednesday of every month. Tell me about your concerns, ask me questions, and I’ll update you on the issues on which I’m working.
Join me tomorrow, March 5, from 9:00-10:00 am at Mayan Winds Coffee Emporium, 2144 N. 4th Street located in the Greenlaw Village Shopping Center behind Fratelli’s Pizza.
This month I have updates on the next steps for Regional Land Use Plan among other issues.
FLAGSTAFF — NAU Ethnic Studies Program will present “Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed” art exhibit with artist reception from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at SBS West Suite 100. The exhibit will be on view through April 28.
Featuring artwork by Ethnic Studies 160 and 100 classes, Ponderosa High School, Leupp Public Schools and T-schools.
NAU presentation “Guantanamo Bay Camps ‚ Specters and Futures” on March 5; Disappeared Opening Reception on March 7 — Click here to see more information
Navajo County students pose with United Way of Northern Arizona President and CEO Liz Archuleta after receiving awards from UWNA for their outstanding contributions.
High school students Bobbi Seaton and Tyra Dixon of Navajo County helped advance The Arizona We Want by envisioning a data-driven solution to improve teen mental health. Through a paid virtual internship with CFA’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity and the Work-Based Learning Alliance, they worked alongside a mentor from United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), gaining hands-on experience that resulted in much more than resume-building.
Coming Up in April
• Conscious Aging
Pysanky — Ukrainian Egg Decorating Workshop
Stained Glass Workshop
Wisdom Cards Mixed Media Workshop
Comet Talk: Hunting for a Healthy Food Source
…and More
NATIONAL — A variety of organizations are planning for a national “No Buy Day” to protest what they believe is corporate greed, along with efforts by corporations to scale back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (DEI), which they say is led by the Trump administration.
CBS News has reported the economic boycott has been spreading on social media (see link below).
In Arizona, the Arizona Republic reported the following “companies have rolled back DEI in the past year:”
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, proudly congratulates the exceptional educators selected as finalists for the prestigious Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year awards.
The winners will be unveiled at the highly anticipated 12th Annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAGE!
Welcome to a special edition of Page Happenings. This month we are celebrating a major milestone — Page’s 50th anniversary! For half a century, our city has been a gateway to breathtaking landscapes, a hub for adventure seekers, and a vibrant community that continues to grow and thrive. This month we’ll take a look back at Page’s history, highlight upcoming anniversary events, and showcase the people and places that make our city unique. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.
All of the proceeds raised at the Wing Ding fund the programs and services offered by the Whale Foundation to support the wellbeing of the Grand Canyon river guiding community. 4 p.m.
This summer, KinderCamp™ turns 20!
This signature program of United Way of Northern Arizona is poised to grow in 2025 – both geographically and in terms of long-term impact.
KinderCamp will launch in Holbrook and Joseph City this year, and we are putting the final touches on a new effort – called KinderCamp & Beyond – that will give our KinderCamp graduates the resources they need to succeed throughout their academic careers.
Learn more about how we are gearing up for KinderCamp 2025, and how you can play a role in helping the next generation get ready to take on the world.
Did you know that since 2010, Grand Canyon National Park’s fisheries program has been collaborating with tribes to repurpose invasive fish for uses like human consumption, animal feeding, and fertilizer?This initiative has become a vital part of fisheries operations, with regular fish donations made to the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, and Hualapai Tribes.
Children received free books and played fun literacy games, while parents attended a number of youth reading workshops and received resources from a variety of organizations including summer camp registration information at a Literacy Fair presented on Feb. 22 by the United Way of Northern Arizona and Read On Flagstaff.
The event, held at Killip Elementary School in Flagstaff, was moderated by Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta, president and CEO of the United Way of Northern Arizona, with a guest appearance by Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez. It also included several story time programs featureing Coco the Comet, the mascot for Coconino Community College and a visit from the Tooth Fairy.
Organizations sharing information at the event included Arizona State University’s PBS, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange in Flagstaff, Culture Connection AZ, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, First Things First, the Flagstaff Unified School District, Northern Arizona University, North County HealthCare and the University of Arizona Cooperative Exchange.
Transgender individuals are more visible than ever, yet they continue to face significant challenges, from discrimination to barriers in healthcare, employment, and housing. This training provides an essential foundation for understanding what it means to be transgender, debunking common misconceptions, and equipping participants with the tools to be strong advocates for transgender communities.
The Element of Sport
April 4-27, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
THIS FRIDAY – February 28, 2025
Celebrate the world of sports at Sedona Arts Center. The Element of Sport exhibit will run from April 4-27, 2025, and highlight the intersection of art and sport, welcoming diverse interpretations of sport and sport-inspired pieces across artistic styles.
The artwork will be a visually striking and durable installation that enhances the cultural and aesthetic landscape of the neighborhood and Flagstaff. This public art installation, known as the Spruce Wash Wedge Artwork, is a part of the Spruce Wash Watershed Improvements flood mitigation project. The site-specific piece will integrate with a reconfigured promontory, which includes a new retaining wall and expanded sidewalk landing. It will serve as a distinctive icon, engaging community members and passersby.
Right now, the most effective carbon sink in the world is dirt—specifically the permafrost in boreal and tundra ecosystems in the northern parts of the world, which store twice as much carbon as is currently in the atmosphere. As the climate warms and increasingly severe wildfires disrupt those soils, this carbon can be released into the atmosphere. Biologist Xanthe Walker received a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to determine just how serious this loss could be in the coming years.
View this email in your browser Share your Southside memories Are you a current or former Southside resident, or someone with a strong connection to the neighborhood? We want to hear from you! A new large-scale sculpture entitled Rustle, will…
FLAGSTAFF — United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), in partnership with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County, will open its 2025-2027 grant application process on March 3, 2025. Applications are due by March 31 at 11:59 pm.
This funding cycle includes UWNA’s Community Investment Fund, as well as grant opportunities from the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County. Grants will be awarded for one year, with a potential one- year extension, subject to fund availability and program performance.
COCONINO COUNTY — Looking for a way to get more involved in Coconino County? Consider applying to serve on the Commission on Trial Court Appointments (Commission) or to be part of the Nominating Committees.
These bodies are the first steps in the merit selection process of appointing new superior court judges. In 2018, Coconino County voters approved a measure to change from a partisan election of superior court judges to a merit selection process.
FLAGSTAFF — More than 500 people took part in a National Day of Protest event at the Flagstaff City Hall on Feb. 17. The protests were part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration and its ongoing efforts to close federal agencies and fire thousands of federal workers.
The event in Flagstaff also included a rally to Support Federal Works and Public Lands.
See more photos and related stories.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College students Dawson Hernandez and Noah Stone have been nominated for the All-Arizona Academic Team as part of the prestigious All-USA Scholarship competition, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa!
Dawson plans to transfer to NAU to study psychology and philosophy, paving his way to law school. Noah has been accepted into NAU’s 2025 Compressed Nursing Program, working toward his goal of becoming a flight nurse.
Join FlagShakes at our new Beaver Street Theatre in downtown Flagstaff this February for Shakespeare on Pluto, an uproarious sequel that will knock your socks off! Fri. 7p.m., Sat. 26p.m., Sun 2 p.m.
Learn More
Expect Longer Wait Times at Entrance Stations: Spring Operational Changes Take Effect March 1
As spring break approaches, visitors and park residents should be prepared for long lines and full parking lots. Traffic congestion is expected at all entrance stations, with the heaviest delays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will begin to fill by noon. The South Entrance webcam (updated every five minutes) is a great way to monitor park traffic. To help reduce congestion, we encourage visitors to purchase entrance passes in advance, use lane 1 at the South Entrance, explore alternative transportation options, and arrive early or visit later in the day.
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the entrance station staff for their continued hard work and dedication. We recognize long lines and heavy traffic can be challenging and your professionalism and commitment make an incredible difference in providing visitors with a positive experience. Thank you!
The 2025 Black History Month Theme is “African Americans and Labor.” This theme highlights the impact of Black people’s work and how it shapes the experiences of Black people and the societies in which they live.
This year, students will be asked to answer a prompt in a short essay that focuses on their own future job goals and a historical or modern figure from Black History who shares and has excelled in that profession. ADAC will provide a list of various jobs and figures from Black History who have served in those roles that students can choose from as the subject of their essay. A scoring rubric will be provided for teachers to assist them in helping students to write strong essays.
The original Cretaceous influencer
Just how much did dinosaurs 65 million years ago affect the Earth as we know it? A lot, and NAU researchers just discovered one more way. New research led by ecoinformatics professor Chris Doughty shows that the evolution of fruit—and the evolution of fruit-eating primates, the early ancestors of humans—was influenced by the “ecosystem engineering” of large sauropods.
Creative Aging, Drawing II, Pastels Crash Course, Glazes I and II, Big Effects Pastels & Mixed Media, Canyon Color for the Painter, Painting Luminous Watercolors, iPhoneography, Repousse Metal Working, and Jewelry Casting!
Maximize your impact by supporting us today with an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit-designated donation. You can give up to $470 as a single filer or $938 as a married couple filing jointly by April 15 and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for the 2024 tax year. (Use QCO Code 20726 on your AZ Form 321 when filing your state income taxes.)
When you give, you have the security of knowing that your donation is combined with others so that we can give meaningful support to proven programs that make an impact in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
LATEST ANALYSIS Sending Migrants to Guantánamo Bay Is a Costly, Optics-Driven Shift in Immigration DetentionPresident Trump ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security to expand immigration detention at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba to house up to 30,000 people. Since then, U.S. Immigration & and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has transferred at least two flights of migrants from the United States to its detention facility there. Breaking Down Trump’s Attempt to End Birthright CitizenshipOn his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for babies of undocumented immigrants and for people with temporary status in the U.S. Executive Order 14156: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship departs from over 125 years of precedent as it sought to abolish the United States’ longstanding policy of unrestricted birthplace-based citizenship. FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW Last week, people in states across the country held protests in support of immigrants. From California to Georgia and Illinois to Texas, thousands rallied to fight back against mass deportation, ICE arrests, and the use of Guantanamo Bay as a detention center.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will hold its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March. 5 at the Coconino County Health and Human Services Building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff, Ponderosa Conference Room.
The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom Link Below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85359174121
Meeting ID: 853 5917 4121 Phone: + 1(408) 638-0968
… CHAC, which is current seeking new members, serves as an official liaison and communications link between the Hispanic community and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, so please bring any concerns you may have about equal education opportunities, fair employment, juvenile justice, political representation and other issues.
Sedona Arts Center represents over 100 professional local and regional artists. The Art Gallery on campus is a dynamic, ever-changing display of local talent in all dimensions and forms. Part of that dynamic is the bi-monthly featured artists program where a section of the overall gallery allows for a special group exhibition of selected artists.
NO SALES TAX – FREE PARKING – UPTOWN SEDONA
Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax
SedonaArtsCenter.org
Cultural Demonstration 2025 Season Begins Tuesday, February 18
Grand Canyon National Park, in partnership with Grand Canyon Conservancy, is excited to announce the start of the 11th season of the Cultural Demonstration Program, beginning next week. Inaugurated in 2014 by the Grand Canyon Intertribal Working Group, the program began with just four demonstrators and has since expanded to include over 200 participants.
Starting February 18, cultural demonstrators will be returning to the Desert View Watchtower, providing demonstrations in the View Room Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2025 season will be launched by three talented Diné artists: Laverine Greyeyes, Diné weaver; Cristoff Keyonnie, Diné painter; and DeMaudrei Yazzie, Diné seamstress.
The lead arts agency will act as the coordinating body for arts, culture and science initiatives in Flagstaff. Responsibilities include long-term planning, sector leadership, and collaboration with local and external partners to address infrastructure needs and opportunities. The agency will also promote community engagement, enhance funding through grants and other means, and provide technical support and training to individuals and organizations. Additionally, it will contribute directly to the cultural landscape by producing exhibitions and events that foster community vitality, expand participation, and encourage both public and private investment. Programs and offerings will be reviewed annually to align with the community’s evolving needs.
The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly. This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County. The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.
View this email in a browser Feb. 12, 2025 Update CCC&Y Spotlight Parents gain information on upcoming summer camps By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth Parents had the opportunity to learn about programs for their children at the Summer 2025 Family Engagement…
Honors College student Lenin Salcedo has an unusual capstone project planned. Inspired by his childhood in the Caribbean and his love of physics, the project will take the form of a performance that explores how sounds tether us to each other and to the universe. Salcedo promises you won’t need to know anything about physics or music theory to understand and enjoy it. Read on to find out more about the project, Salcedo’s upbringing and his dreams for the future.
What brought you to NAU?
I was initially attracted to NAU’s strong physics department, but I fell in love with the intimate learning environment and vibrant community. Especially in Honors, the classroom has felt like a dynamic place where I can creatively think and connect with diverse people. Flagstaff has also become a second home, bringing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to explore.
Introduction to Silver Clay
with Joan Roberts
February 12 – 13: Wednesday–Thursday, 9am-1pm
Joan Roberts has been creating distinct wearable art pieces with metal clay for 2 decades. She will share techniques, methods and a few secrets to successful creation of jewelry pieces. Silver Clay is a mixture of microscopic particles of silver, distilled water and a non-toxic organic binder. When fired the silver sinters into a solid piece of “fine silver.” Participants do not need past experience in metal work or other clays to be very successful.
This class is divided into two mornings so pieces can be finished and loaded into a kiln at the end of the first day and finished and polished on the second. Participants will be provided with enough clay to create up to two pairs of earrings or a pendant.
I’m continuing the lively monthly ‘Coffee with the Executive Director’ gatherings in 2025! I very much enjoy talking with you about all things Flagstaff.
Join me tomorrow, Feb. 12, from 9:00-10:00 am at Campus Coffee Bean in the Green Tree shopping center at 1800 S Milton Rd, Unit 24.
We’ll continue to discuss the Draft Flagstaff Regional Plan tomorrow and I encourage you to read the comments F3 made to the city in late December. You can read our comments HERE in a downloadable PDF.
I look forward to talking with you tomorrow morning!
P.S. I’ll continue to hold these gatherings on the first Wednesday of the month starting in March, unless otherwise noted. If you can’t make tomorrow morning’s meeting, we’ll meet again on Wednesday, March 5 at a local coffee shop (to be announced).
Michele James
Executive Director
As February unfolds, I invite you to experience two extraordinary exhibitions at the Museum of Northern Arizona that showcase the power of art to connect us to place, time, and identity.
Poetry Maps reveals how art and words intertwine to create new perspectives. This unique project began with paintings of the Colorado Plateau from our fine art collection. We then invited members of our community to respond with poetry, layering personal voices onto these visual journeys. Visit before February 28, when the exhibit goes dark for the installation of new gallery lighting. The exhibit will return on March 28.
FLAGSTAFF — More than 200 immigration rights supporters took to the streets to protest against the Trump Administration’s mass deportation effort as part of a growing nationwide resistance movement.
Shouting “USA” and carrying American and Mexican flags along with a variety of protest signs, the march began after a short rally at a Fourth Street shopping center, moving west along Route 66 before gathering at the Flagstaff City Hall.
