Are you a scientist, educator, or presenter at a scientific institution? Do you or your business want to share your research and programs with the community?
We are calling for submissions to host an event with this year’s Festival!
Workshops, talks, trips, and programs that highlight innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math are all welcome to participate in the 2021 Festival, scheduled to take place in September!
Submissions are due by April 31.
Are you concerned with the challenges facing our youth and families?
Have you felt called to learn more or maybe even get involved as a mentor?
All are invited to learn a bit about the importance community members can play in the development of resilience through connections with a virtual program from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2021.
Partners include Arizona’s Children Association, 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 provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Over the past 13 years we have gathered annually at the Viola Awards to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our creative community from the previous year. The Flagstaff Arts Council is asking our community to come together and reflect on 2020, the pandemic, and our community through a Year in Review video. This video will premiere at the Viola Awards on Friday, June 18th. We all know that 2020 was a year filled with lots of challenges, loss, emotion, and moments of resiliency. Please share your reflections on the year 2020 by participating in this project.
This video will reflect on 2020 and look toward the future. Participants will answer at least 3 of the following questions:
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
STEM City is now accepting nominations for the 2021 STEMmy awards, an annual award given to organizations and individuals who are STEAM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. The deadline is April 23, 2021 and nomination forms for each of the categories are available below.
Student Nomination Form
Teacher Nomination Form
Community Member Nomination Form
Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving. The event helps raise awareness about the critical role Arizona nonprofits play in our communities and inspires people to give generously creating a thriving and stronger Arizona for all.
Click the button below to donate today!
As I write this, Spring is in full bloom – and you can tell people have been cooped up for a while – because they are certainly out and about enjoying the beautiful weather we’ve been having.
I am now 2+ months on the job and am starting to feel like things are falling in to place. I have been able to meet more and more people (some actually in-person) and plans are beginning to shape up for the future.
The Easter celebrations in in Antigua Guatemala are a clear example of the important role that celebrations play in the community. They draw attention and reverence from all levels of society. Hundreds of residents volunteer to carry huge wooden floats through the city streets, the church goes to great lengths decorating and preparing for the tribute to the life and death of Jesus, and families go through a truly mesmerizing collaborative process of designing elaborate carpets of vibrant colors made of dyed sawdust, intricately arranged on the streets, to cover the path of the processions.
Northern Arizona University now meets U.S. Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) criteria and has earned recognition from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) as an HSI.
The designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution gives NAU greater access to grants, including Title V, which provides funds to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. This designation denotes that a college or university’s Hispanic enrollment makes up at least 25 percent of its total enrollment and is a recognition of the diversity of its student population.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) held its inaugural drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially safe alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration on Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
Nearly 500 pounds of food were collected, along with nearly $500 in cash donations.
All donations went to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Thank you to former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans for conducting Facebook Live interviews to spread the word about the event, and to supporting partners The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños and Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM.
The event was promoted in the Arizona Daily Sun and KAFF Country 92.9 FM
The AARP Hispanic Connection will launch a Long Term Care series at 9 a.m. April 3 on its Facebook Page (prerecorded).
Click here to hear the session.
— AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection is a platform that educates on relevant issues, celebrates Latino accomplishments, and connects Hispanics of all generations.
Coconino County continues to be a leader among all Arizona counties in vaccine administration, with nearly 39% of the population receiving at least one vaccine dose to date.
To maintain this status as a leader and to keep the residents of Coconino County safe, all eligible individuals are encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Coconino County residents ages 18 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and appointments remain available throughout the county, including at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff.
In addition to a roundtable discussion on anti-Asian violence, in which several NAU professors participated, the HAPA Hawaiian Club’s 15th annual lū’au will be held virtually 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 536, up from 479 on average per day last week.
As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 195. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
There are no new reported cases in the park this week.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local 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.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
High school seniors in Coconino County will be able to attend summer classes at Coconino Community College for free.
Thanks to COVID relief funding from the federal government, county high school seniors will be able to get a head start on a college education this summer.
“In keeping with our philosophy of ‘Students First,’ we are using as much of the federal funding as possible to help students get started in college right away,” said CCC President Dr. Colleen A. Smith. “There will also be funding to help students who have needed to take some time away from their college studies due to the many different impacts of the pandemic. Give us a call, or come see us so that you can gear up for summer and fall classes!”
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is currently accepting vendor applications for the 2021 Coconino County Fair, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3 – Sept. 6 at Fort Tuthill County Park. Vendors may submit applications in four categories including amusement, food, commercial businesses, and nonprofits.
Coconino County moved from a substantial to a moderate level of COVID-19 transmission this past week. Although the current trend is a positive sign, Coconino County health officials remind residents and tourists that continued mitigation efforts are needed to slow and mitigate the spread of the virus.
The County continues to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) guidance on mitigation efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance includes the strong recommendation and encouragement for all persons to continue wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance, avoiding large gatherings, thorough washing of hands, and seeking a vaccine appointment to slow the spread of the virus.
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
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Grand Canyon Unified School District #4.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
Northern Arizona University Office of Inclusion: Multicultural and LGBTQIA Student Services to hold virtual presentation ‘Honoring the Legacy of Cesar Chavez’ with guest speaker Andres P. Chavez from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.
Andres will discuss his role in the Chavez Foundation and legacy of his grandfather.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit families hard—emotionally and economically—locally and beyond.
Many hard-working people in Coconino County and across the nation are scraping by, sometimes with more than one job. Many others are out of work or working in jobs that aren’t making ends meet.
I am here to remind everyone we have a local resource that is ready to help—Coconino Community College. Community colleges are needed now more than ever, and we are here, proud to serve as your community college throughout Coconino County.
Statewide, your community colleges, including CCC, have been working tirelessly to gear up for providing fast, job-focused training for unemployed and underemployed residents of our wonderful state. In order for our residents to reskill and recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, CCC is responding quickly to new job trends that will help put people to work.
In addition to retaining the four-year Pledge tuition guarantee, NAU is not proposing any new mandatory fee increases for the 2021-2022 academic year and will continue to focus on eliminating class fees.
The deadline for one of our Art & Science Grant programs, funded by the City of Flagstaff’s Bed Board and Beverage Tax, is approaching fast!
Just a friendly reminder, Flagstaff Arts Council’s non-profit grant opportunity for General Operating Support closes Wednesday 31, 2021 at 11 pm. For more information please download the grant guidelines here.
Our Project Grant opportunity has changed dates. The Innovation & Capacity Project Grant opportunity for the funding period beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022 will be open for applications no later than August 2, 2021. The deadline for this grant application is August 31, 2021 at 11:30 pm. There will be a mandatory virtual workshop August 2, 2021 at 5:30 pm.
Americans for the Arts has been tracking the human and financial impacts of COVID-19 since March 2020. As the pandemic continues, so does its devastation of the nation’s arts sector. This report presents the live and ongoing (“real-time”) findings of Americans for the Arts’ COVID Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers collected from December 2020 onwards.
On Thursday, March 25, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order easing some COVID restrictions across the state.
However, the order continues to encourage following CDC and Department of Labor Guidelines for masking, physical distancing, and hand washing. It also allows businesses and organizations that serve the public to mandate COVID mitigation measures.
Federal mask requirements are still in place in federal facilities and on public lands. Please visit the Grand Canyon Superintendent’s Compendium Summary for a list of locations where masking is required.
We will have more information about the order in next week’s edition of the wrap-up.
If we were to say “4-H” to you, you’d immediately think pigs and goats on display at the County Fair, right? Animal husbandry has always been a core part of the 4-H experience.
In recent years, however, the Coconino County Cooperative Extension, which runs our local 4-H clubs, has expanded their youth education programs to include robotics, cake decorating and, now, blacksmithing.
In spite of the closures brought by Covid-19, interest in the practical metallurgy class being offered by the group, called “Evolution of the Tool,” has exceeded all expectation.
The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will conduct a drop-off Community Food Drive at a socially distanced alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
Community members are invited drop off donations as: peanut butter, canned vegetables, tuna, and other canned protein, pasta, cereal, and canned fruit. All donations go to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Supporting partners of the Community Food Drive include The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, and Radio Sunnyside, KSZN-LP 101.5 FM
By AzECA, Arizona Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, Expect More Arizona
Now a full year into the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, education at all levels has been impacted; in some ways, it’s forever changed. And the students who are most likely to face the longest-term effects are also the youngest.
In recently updated data, the Arizona Education Progress Meter showed a decline of 3% in Quality Early Learning over the past two years. Enrollment in quality early learning among Arizona 3- and 4-year-olds now stands at 19%, down from 22% two years ago. Arizona must take quick action to reverse this decrease and ensure all children have a strong start to their education, which is foundational to their future success and Arizona’s ability to meet the goals in the Education Progress Meter.
Thank you for taking the time to scroll through another edition of our newsletter. Although many county offices are closed to the public, we are still working for you. I am still working for you. I am excited to continue my work with, and for, the residents of Coconino County District 5.
I am please to share this weekly e-blast with you to provide you with a weekly update on my efforts, the latest COVID-19 information, and share resources from other community partners resources. We are in this together.
Sincerely,
Lena
ECoNA will debut a video about our local bioscience sector at the annual Bioscience Roadmap hosted by the Flinn Foundation. This virtual meeting will be held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14. To register for this free event, please click here.
In addition to updates from around the state, the event will feature keynote remarks from Thomas Osha, the board chair of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts. Osha is a global authority on leveraging research and technology into economic development.
Thursday-Wednesday Mar. 25-31
Serenade for Strings, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Performance by the string section of Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Virtual event. 1 a.m.
Happy Spring!! As the weather warms, vaccines become available, and schools reopen, we have so much exciting news to share with you all! Please read on for announcements regarding some staff changes, our reopening plan, and Arizona Gives Day.
Learn about Our Education Initiatives and Get Involved!
Through our educational intiatives, we have connected hundreds of youth with the joys of scientific discovery!
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will present a drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially distant alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
All donations go to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Supporting partners include:
The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños
Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM
Employees and nursing students staff the testing site at the Fieldhouse, answering questions, keeping the lines moving, ensuring public health rules are followed and offering a friendly face in NAU’s efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the appointment of John Romero as a Governing Board Member for the Williams USD #2.
Romero was appointed March 17, 2021 and his term will end on Dec. 31, 2022.
Grand Canyon National Park Key Messages – Week of March 15, 2021 COVID-19 Updates This week’s numbers at a glance: The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 893, down from 1,345 on average per day last week.…
Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
Our Tuba City office is physically closed to the public, but we are still working for you.
Remote 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
We are looking for volunteers for a virtual conversation.
WHO: Parents of school-age children
WHAT: A small group conversation about opportunities and challenges in education
WHEN: Tuesday, March 23 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: This will be a virtual conversation. participation will require access to wi-fi and a device that can connect to ZOOM.
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
Coconino County, is expanding vaccinations to include Phase 1c individuals and those aged 35 and older effective immediately. There are vaccine appointments available immediately.
“Coconino County is pleased with the positive demand for vaccines from our community. We encourage all persons eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Please help us battle the pandemic by encouraging your family and friends to schedule their vaccine appointment.” said Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Director Kim Musselman.
Coconino County applauded the Senate’s action to confirm Rep. Deb Haaland as the first Native American to serve as the Secretary of the Interior. Coconino County has significant interaction with the Interior Department in all corners of the County including the National Park Service, the Bureaus of Land Management, Reclamation, Indian Affairs, and Education and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
“We are overjoyed to have a Native American at the helm of the Interior Department, especially with Coconino County’s diverse population and landscape. The Interior Department has a significant footprint here in our County and every decision they make – from the WAVE on the Utah border to the Grand Canyon – impacts us all. We look forward to working with Secretary Haaland to move forward for greater funding and protection of our public lands and assets,” commented Vice-Chair Lena Fowler.
The Arizona Board of Regents (on March 10) voted to approve the appointment of Dr. José Luis Cruz as the 17th president of Northern Arizona University. With its vote, ABOR has authorized the board chair to execute a multiple-year contract with Dr. Cruz.
The move follows an extensive national search and the recent announcement of Dr. Cruz’s selection as finalist for the position. Dr. Cruz will begin his term on June 14, 2021.
“On behalf of the board, I am pleased to officially welcome and congratulate Northern Arizona University’s 17th President – Dr. José Luis Cruz,” said ABOR Chair Larry E. Penley. “Dr. Cruz has an outstanding record as a proven academic leader and innovator. His understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education – coupled with an unmatched commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students – will be invaluable assets to NAU and the state. We are grateful to have Dr. Cruz’s leadership and vision at the helm of NAU, and look forward to working with him as he works to help write the next chapter of this great university.”
Coconino Community College alum Jessica Dodson was the first generation in her family to attend college.
Living on the Navajo Nation, with no electricity or running water, she had to be creative in doing her homework, and the drive to the college in Page was long.
“It was difficult,” Dodson said. “But I focused on, ‘I’m doing it for myself.’”
If there had been student housing at CCC in Page when she was a student, her journey might have been easier. She’s certain it would help the educational journeys of students with experiences similar to hers.
This week’s numbers at a glance:
The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 1,345, similar to the number of 1,187 on average per day last week.
As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 193. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
There are no new reported cases in the park this week and one existing active case.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
We will begin accepting ramada reservations for the summer season on Monday, March 15. Visit the webpage Reserve a Ramada for more information and instructions.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the appointment of Marie B. Acothley as a Governing Board representative for the Northeast Arizona Technological Institute of Vocational Education (N.A.T.I.V.E.)
Acothley was appointed March 9, 2021 and her term will end on Dec. 31, 2022.
Students attending Coconino Community College for the spring semester will receive a new round of federal COVID relief funds to help them with the cost of college.
On Dec. 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief and Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was passed into law. CCC will be awarding at least $552,365 in financial aid grants to students. The awards will likely range from $100 to $500 depending on the number of applicants.
Coconino County (on March 10) applauded the passage of the America Rescue Plan (ARP) and praised the leadership of Representative Tom O’Halleran and Senators Krysten Sinema and Mark Kelly for fighting for rural northern Arizona priorities in the federal relief bill. The America Rescue Plan passed the Senate this past weekend and the House of Representatives today.
Yerberías (yer-beh-ree-ahs), also commonly known as botanicas, are usually small, somewhat hidden establishments that provide a wide variety of carefully wrapped medicinal herbs and teas, lotions, potions, amulets for good luck, spell-casting candles of all colors, crystals, fetishes, and a wide-ranging assortment of sacred and pagan articles for the practice of curanderismo, white magic, spiritualism, and Afro-Cuban Santería. They may offer additional services such as consultations, card readings, and “cleansings” to banish negative spirits. They are a vivacious combination of a spiritual resource hub, folk dispensary, and metaphysical outlet, servicing the physical, psychological, religious, and spiritual needs of the Latino population.
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Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity, Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown, and Lesley Aine McKeown
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local 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.
The Fine Art Gallery is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Sedona Arts Center is located at 15 Art Barn Road in Uptown Sedona.
Our new online gallery represents a full spectrum of the diversity of artists represented by the arts center. Visit us today!
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Steve Peru as its next County Manager, with his service to begin on April 5.
The Board interviewed Peru on Tuesday for the role. Peru also interviewed with the County Elected Officials and Department heads. In making the appointment, Supervisors cited Peru’s experience at the County and in the private sector and other community agencies. This experience is part of “an alignment of opportunity” for the County to fill its need for consistent and capable leadership in the coming months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and for the financial challenges the County faces due to the pandemic. Additionally, Peru knows the County well as a former County Manager with an eye toward the culture of the organization.
From providing professional development training to educators, to informing parents and education advocates about policy and legislative reforms, the political process, school improvement efforts, and local events around education — students, families and the community have benefited from the long term partnership between CCC&Y and the Coconino County Education Service Agency (CCESA).
The Coalition has provided a variety ongoing professional development in recent years including Trauma Informed Care training for educators at the Flagstaff Unified School District and other districts throughout Coconino County.
FUSD reported that more than 1,500 professionals were in attendance for virtual webinar presented in 2020 by CCC&Y.
“Through the support of CCC&Y we were able to provide the opportunity for all staff on our professional development day, August 10th to participate in viewing the webinar: “Understanding Adverse Child Experiences,” district officials reported.
