Category: Cultural

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up for May 24-28, 2021

Navajo Nation Information

Wearing a mask in public is mandatory.
All Navajo Nation Tribal Parks remain closed to visitors. This includes: Antelope Canyon – Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Marble Canyon, Coal Mine Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Four Corners Monument, and Little Colorado River Gorge.
The Navajo Nation is currently in a Shelter in Place order, which includes daily curfew hours from 11:00 P.M. MDT to 5:00 A.M. MDT. 
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Flagstaff Art Scene Making a Comeback

After a very long pandemic year, the arts scene in Flagstaff is re-emerging, bringing music, performance and visual arts back to eager northern Arizona audiences.

Go to the calendar page of the historic Orpheum Theater and you’ll see there’s already half a dozen shows booked for next month, including two comedians, a mini blues festival (seven hours, five featured performers) and a Pride Party.

Meanwhile, June 4 will mark the formal return of the First Friday ArtWalk (now called ArtWalk FLG). The Viola Awards – Flagstaff’s answer to the Oscars for the arts and sciences community – will hold its ceremony on June 18. Then in July, Theatrikos will be back with an outdoor show at The Arboretum.

Viola Awards — More Tickets Available NOW

xAfter selling out in just 3 days, we have worked with Coconino County Parks & Recreation and Health & Human Services to safely add more tickets to the 13th Annual Viola Awards on Friday, June 18th at the Pepsi Amphitheater. 

Tickets for spots on the lawn are now being sold in pods. Each pod can have a maximum of 6 guests. You can purchase tickets now for a pod of 2-6 guests. 

Additionally, we have a limited number of fixed seat tickets and sponsorship tables available. All tickets for lawn pods, fixed seats, and sponsorships can be purchased here. 

If you have any questions about tickets or the Viola Awards, please email Sarah Downing or call 928-779-7159. 

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Lifts Mask Proclamation in Line with CDC Guidance

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors lifted its Face Covering Proclamation effective June 1, 2021.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors lifted its Face Covering Proclamation effective June 1, 2021. The rescission of the Proclamation results in masks no longer being required in indoor and outdoor settings in Coconino County. Private businesses still have the ability to require masks. Masks continue to be recommended for unvaccinated individuals in indoor settings. Although no longer required, Coconino County supports an individual’s decision to mask when already vaccinated based upon their own comfort level and preference. 

Summer Season Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon National Park

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this Memorial Day weekend and through the summer season can expect long lines, full parking lots and crowded conditions.

To make the most of a visit to the park during this time, park rangers recommend the following pro tips:

Pro Tip: Make sure you’re ready for your visit by checking the park website to begin planning your trip. Public health measures are in place including capacity limits, temporary closures and modified operations. As the NPS monitors and responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park is working closely with the NPS Office of Public Health to use the latest science to guide decision making. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Brings Internet Access to Rural Communities

In partnership with SpaceX, Coconino County is delivering reliable high-speed internet to 45 rural households with the launch of state-of-the-art satellites seen throughout Arizona’s night sky recently.

Coconino County began conversations with SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, when Vice-Chair Lena Fowler and Coconino County’s Chief Information Officer Matt Fowler both met with the company in 2019. This resulted in securing accounts for the County to utilize SpaceX beta technology, created to make internet accessible to rural areas of Northern Arizona. Coconino County successfully became an early customer, purchasing and launching Starlink internet in a 45-household trial on May 6, 2021.

Friends of Flagstaff Future — Action Alert: Your Support for Climate Neutrality Plan Needed!

F3 needs you to tell City Council that you support the draft Carbon Neutrality Plan. This plan has been written with much knowledge and passion by the Flagstaff Sustainability Program to address our Climate Emergency and outline our strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
 
Flagstaff needs to reignite the energy and support shown in January 2020 when 300 people and three hours of comments were provided in support of declaring a Climate Emergency. We need your voice! If you are able, comment at the meeting by doing the following:
At least one hour before the meeting on May 25, which begins at 3 pm, send an email to publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov with the following information.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 17-21, 2021

Coconino County Emergency Management has recently launched a ‘one-stop-shop’ fire restrictions website. This new resource includes links to the County Wildfire Defense Ordinance 2021-02, GIS Mapping specific to restrictions, prohibitions of each of the three Stages of Restrictions, and links to all authorities that issue fire restrictions.

Coconino County Emergency Management will maintain this page with appropriate real-time updates, usually following Monday afternoon fire restriction updates.

Grand Canyon National Park remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions at this time with fire danger on both the South and North Rims as ‘Very High.’ As a reminder, Stage 1 fire restrictions are implemented in the park year-round on both the South and North Rims (all campfires must be in designated fire rings and open flames are never allowed below the rim). For more information on Stage 1 fire restrictions and to view the most updated fire information for Grand Canyon visit the park’s Fire Information and Management Website.

Inquiries regarding fire information can also be directed to our public affairs office at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — ‘Say thank you to Arizona child care providers through #ShareTheCareAZ campaign’ and more news

The importance of child care providers to families, to communities and to Arizona’s economy came into clearer view over the past year.

The pandemic caused the abrupt shutdown of many child care and home-based centers. Now, despite drastically reduced enrollment and expensive increased health and safety measures, many centers are determined to serve families who need safe, trusted child care in order to continue working.

While it was challenging for everyone, the resilience and dedication of early educators renewed our deep appreciation for those who provide child care and the essential role it plays. Especially in uncertain times, early care and education providers offer families critical support when they need it most.

Throughout the month of May, First Things First invites Arizonans to show their gratitude for the state’s early care and education providers through the #ShareTheCareAZ campaign. Visit the Share the Care AZ page for simple ways to show support.

Online Learning at Sedona Arts Center!

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

Museum of Northern Arizona — Ready for a fun-filled summer at MNA

Things are looking brighter and it’s not just the sunshine filtering through the pine branches. After months making plans for the summer, while closely monitoring the increasing vaccination rate in our community and falling number of infections, we are now able to open up a bit more.

Starting June 1, the museum will be open six days a week, from Tuesday through Sunday, meaning you have more opportunities to visit this summer.
We’ve already opened registration for the Discovery Camps to museum members, and will soon open to nonmembers. We’re also accepting applications from artists for booths at our Heritage Festival, which will be held four weekends in July.

Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival brings Northern Arizona a taste and teaser event, Downtown Blues on June 12

Flagstaff Blues and Brews, the largest blues festival in Arizona, recently announced they were cancelling their annual two-day festival for a second year in a row, due to on-going Covid restrictions. After much deliberation, the team decided to pull off a smaller event at a local downtown venue, the historic Orpheum Theater.

Downtown Blues, presented generously by locally owned and operated Stackhouse Wealth Strategies, will be held June 12th from 3 pm to 10 pm. 18 and over only. Tickets will be limited to 250, as to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and cost $42 each. Owner and producer of the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, Jennifer Grogan, expects this show to sell out quickly and encourages blues fans to purchase tickets soon.

AARP Hispanic Connection — What Happened This Week (05/13/21) recap video and more information

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.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 10-14, 2021

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. 

Here’s what’s new at Sedona Arts Center!

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.

Grand Canyon National Park Urges Visitors to Hike Safely

Hikers and backpackers hiking in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit this spring and summer season. Hikers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon, must be self-reliant and understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders.

Rangers at Grand Canyon strongly urge visitors who plan to hike in the canyon to take extra precautions and hike safely. Hikers should hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., rest in shade whenever possible, and avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Important tips for a successful hike include the following: balancing real food, electrolyte, and water intake; drinking when thirsty; getting wet to stay cool; and stopping hiking if you start to feel ill.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — ‘CCC&Y heading into Summer with new look, strong focus’ and more news

As the region heads into summer, and the hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, this seems an appropriate time to reinvigorate ourselves with the promise of a new beginning.
As part of our effort during this nationwide Spring Cleaning, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth welcomes you to explore our new, revitalized website at www.Coconinokids.org
The website features our new logo and brand colors, more images and easier links to a variety of resources you have come to depend on, including:

Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site at NAU expected to Open to Age 12 and Over on Thursday

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.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler Weekly Update

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

Sedona Arts Center — City of Sedona seeks artists for three roundabouts

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. 

Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix — Consular Newsletter

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.

Announcing the 13th Annual Viola Awards Finalists & Legacy Award Recipients

The Flagstaff Arts Council is pleased to announce the Finalists and Legacy Award recipients for the 13th Annual Viola Awards. The Viola Awards honor excellence in the arts, sciences, and culture in Flagstaff. 2020 was an unprecedented year, but the finalists of the year’s Viola Awards prove the creativity and resiliency of our community.

This year’s awards will honor 36 finalists across 9 categories with some finalists being recognized in multiple categories. All finalists will be honored at the Viola Awards event on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

For the first time this year, the Flagstaff Arts Council has produced a digital magazine featuring all Finalists and Legacy Award recipients. The 2021 Finalist Magazine can be viewed and downloaded here.

Family Involvement Center — Parents Wanted for free program that provides 24 college credits

The Family Involvement Center offers an opportunity for anyone who might be interested in becoming a peer parent support partner. Participants will get 24 college credits, a monthly stipend,  a laptop and other supplies and help with job placement.  Applicants will need to complete a short application form. 

The deadline to apply is May 15. 

Flagstaff enters Phase 3 of COVID reopening

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.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 3-7, 2021

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.

Sedona Arts Center — FREE Online DEMO, New Workshops Added and More!

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.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — KinderCamp™ Returns This Summer and more news

On a recent Saturday morning, a group of about 20 educators from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside met in the gymnasium of Kinsey Elementary School for a special orientation and training session.
 
Typically, rising early to sacrifice your day off for mandatory training doesn’t generate a lot of enthusiasm, but in this case the excitement was palpable. Why?
 
Because KinderCamp™ is coming back.
 
“There was just a buzz in the room,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the program that helps preschoolers with the foundational, social and academic skills needed to successfully transition into kindergarten. “People are really looking forward to being part of this again – and having it in person.”

North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to Open May 15 for 2021 Season

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.

Annual NAU President’s Diversity Award recipients announced

The Northern Arizona University President’s Diversity Award recipients have been announced for the 2020-21 academic year. These awards are presented by the Center for University Access and Inclusion and the Office of the President.

The annual awards recognize the work of people and organizations who support and further diversity, equity and inclusion at the university. This year’s awards celebration will be postponed to the fall semester to anticipate the possibility of an in-person event.

We need your input to make Flagstaff more affordable

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.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Creativity Takes Courage. Next CCC&Y Youth Expression event on May 2

Adolescence is a complex and emotional transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time of establishing an identity and taking new (hopefully healthy) risks to expand your sense of self and capabilities. It’s a time when peers are of utmost importance, and we crave belonging.

Creativity Calling meets all of these critical needs from expression to connection! The arts are an opportunity to express yourself and interact with the world. Art expression allows us the chance to access our deepest and most authentic selves and reflect. The arts help us regulate our emotions. The arts can be a nurturing social experience. Most significantly, the arts can connect us with our sense of purpose.

Announcing the 2021 Festival of Science ‘Stories in Stone’ from Sept. 17-26

The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science will explore “Stories in Stone” on September 17-26 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Jaime Awe of Northern Arizona University, will kick off the free, 10-day adventure as he shares his passion and important research of the Belize River Valley. Dr. Awe will delight audiences with his vast knowledge of Mesoamerican Cave societies and the collapse of the Maya civilization.

“This year’s Festival of Science, whose theme is Stories in Stone, is a wonderful opportunity for me to share results of my long and ongoing research on Maya civilization, and on the significant information that is encoded in the monuments of the ancient Maya,” says Dr. Awe.  Maya monuments encode important information on how this fascinating civilization viewed their universe, and how they interacted socially, politically, and ritually with their gods and peers. 

Sedona Arts Center’s Online Learning

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

HECHO April Newsletter

We hope that you’re enjoying the spring weather and the blossom that often follows! From my vantage point, I can finally see our beloved backyard tree regaining its bright green leaves. It serves as a reminder to me that growth is possible with a little bit of sunshine, time, and patience.

At HECHO, we’re excited to share that a (virtual) seed we planted is also in bloom. We’ve worked hard over the past several months to revamp and reorganize our website, and it is LIVE! We hope that you’ll take the time to explore our new pages, and find the stories that inspire you to continue to advocate for the protection of our prized public lands. On our website, you’ll also be able to read about the recognition HECHO received this month in New Mexico and Colorado, honoring the work we do to ensure that Hispanic culture and perspectives are part of the conservation of our lands and waters.

Latino Outdoors — Yo Cuento: Mapping Migraciones

“Mapping Migraciones” es un proyecto narrativo único de un año de duración de Audubon California con la Sociedad Nacional Audubon y Latino Outdoors que celebra la latinidad, la migración y las historias que nos conectan en las Américas.

Mire nuestro mapa interactivo que utiliza datos de aves migratorias e historias de personas como usted para darnos una imagen completa de cómo las aves y las personas están conectadas a través de la geografía y la cultura. Durante el año, este mapa crecerá para incluir más aves, patrones de migración e historias en todo el continente americano.

NAU News for April 23, 2021 — ‘Graduate Yasmine Castro Felix: Real-life experiences prepare for her future’ and more news

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.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Getting Your Money Where It Needs to Go

At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.

Volunteers with the committee make a year-long commitment to review grant applications, evaluate programs and perform site visits.

“As a member of the Community Investment Team, I get to see first-hand how UWNA brings together community partners and leverages resources to support our local non-profit agencies,” said Tami Suchowiejko, who is with Coconino County and one of the three newest CI team members.

Also joining our force of almost 40 volunteers are Eve Ford of Eve Ford Consulting and Sue Hilgart of Navajo County. The volunteers are broken up into seven teams, five in Flagstaff and one each in Page and northeast Arizona.

Sedona Arts Center — In-Person Learning this fall at Sedona Arts Center

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.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 19-22, 2021

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?

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Neighborhood Community Commercial Zoning

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).

Ground Sloths, Cheetahs and Mountain Goats—Oh My! Thousands of Grand Canyon fossils revealed in largest park-specific paleontological inventory in NPS history

After a multi-year effort, the National Park Service and the Utah Geological Association have published Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Paleontological Resources Inventory: A Century of Fossil Discovery and Research, available for public download on the Utah Geological Association website.
The publication documents more than 1.2 billion years of paleontological history in Grand Canyon. The rich fossil record uncovered during the inventory showcases flora and fauna from ancient Precambrian microbial mats to Pleistocene megafauna–including Shasta ground sloths, Harrington’s mountain goats, and the American cheetah–which lived in Grand Canyon’s limestone caves during the most recent Ice Age.

City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Unified School District collaborate to bring green spaces to school grounds

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.

Coconino Community College — The Comet — A quick word from the President

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.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Getting Involved in Community

A variety of organizations took part in a discussion hosted by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth on the important role community members can play in the development of resilience of youth, caregivers and family by mentoring and supporting connections during a webinar presented by CCC&Y on April 14.

The free webinar, please click here, is designed to help those interested in the variety of mentorship programs in Coconino County. During the webinar, various speakers shared information about their organizations and the need for mentors.

Partners participating in the webinar included Arizona’s Children Association, AZ1.27, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).

Grant funding was provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.

Tutor Time at Coconino Community College

CCC students can receive tutoring support services via Zoom for free with no appointment necessary.

Drop-in tutoring is offered online through the links published in the Canvas course.

Getting started is easy –

Step 1: Log into Canvas with CCC Comet ID and password.

Step 2: Open the course on the dashboard titled “CCC Tutoring-Tutoring 101”.

Step 3: Click the drop-in tutoring Zoom link on the home page.

Additional online tutoring resources are available in Modules.

Pitch Night Arizona: Submit your concept to win a $15,000 grant

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 — Inviting you into a special survey about creativity, culture & community during these challenging times

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.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler Weekly Update

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

Sedona Arts Center — FREE Online DEMO, New Workshops Added and More!

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.

Arizona Launching COVID-19 Vaccination Site in Flagstaff on April 19

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. 

North Kaibab and North Rim Grand Canyon Fire Managers Begin Spring Prescribed Fire Operations

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.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Update: C.U.D.D.L.E. Teaching Life Skills to Teens

In school, in work and in life, teens don’t reach their goals all on their own; in order to move ahead, they need to know there’s a path to get to where they want to go.

C.U.D.D.L.E. Outreach has partnered with United Way of Northern Arizona to help adolescents in Page find that path. Through a program that identifies at-risk teens and provides them with essential life skills, they help ensure that this next generation is prepared for the realities of adulthood and ready to live up to their potential.

C.U.D.D.L.E. – the acronym stands for Children Under Duress Divinely Loved Everywhere – does this through a mix of programs and lessons that cover everything from how to open a savings account to making a grocery list to changing a tire on a car.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 12-16, 2021 — Navajo Nation Re-implements “Safer at Home” Executive Order and more news

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.