Officials seek to balance state budget cuts with creative options to improve education to meet state college, career and life-readiness standards By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ On what promised to be another toasty summer day in Flagstaff, children and…
Category: Cultural
Guest commentary: Summer ideal time to prepare for Kindergarten success
By First Things First / Guest contributor While most students think of summer as a break from learning, for young kids entering kindergarten, summer is the ideal time to instill the skills that will make the transition to school smoother.…
Participants brave long lines to gather school supplies, information at ‘Back to School Fair’ on July 19
[slideshow_deploy id=’3920′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Long lines didn’t deter children and their parents who were already lined up for nearly a block in the alley between Second and Third streets as they…
Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff to perform July 25 at Heritage Square, Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — Summer Nights on the Square presents Downtown Friday Nights featuring performances by Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff and Jimmy DeBlois from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff. Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff is a local group of people…
Bilingual report: Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace to be held on July 18
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU will present the Mercado de los Sueños/Dream Marketplace with local artists, live music, local vendors and diverse multi-cultural artisans and crafters from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18. Mercado de los Sueños is a…
Free ‘Concert in the Park’ presented by Hermosa Vida to be held July 9 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and Hermosa Vida will sponsor a free outdoor concert from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at Bushmaster Park, 3150 N. Alta Vista, Flagstaff. The event is part of a series of concerts on…
July cover story / Portada: Education top issue for Hispanics
Higher tuition at NAU, CCC, cuts in programs at community college level pose challenges for first-generation students By Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ Immigration reform may lead in the headlines, but it’s not the top issue for Hispanics. According to Pew Research…
Student housing project at Arrowhead Village put on hold, for now
[slideshow_deploy id=’3634′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — It was standing-room-only when the Flagstaff City Council held two days of public comment on the proposed student housing project on the current site of the Arrowhead…
Mariachi Mass brings community together at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
[slideshow_deploy id=’3559′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — With heavenly mariachi music coming from above, more than 150 people took part in a special Mariachi Mass held on Sunday, June 29 at Our Lady…
Inaugural ‘Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada and Oldies Car Show’ on June 28 draws larger than expected crowds
[slideshow_deploy id=’3551′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Organizers of the inaugural “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada and Oldies Car Show” on June 28 were hoping all their hard advance work would pay off and…
Mercado de Sueños celebrates its grand opening on June 20. Next event is July 18
[slideshow_deploy id=’3442′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Music, food and plenty of arts and crafts could be found at the inaugural Mercado de Sueños / Dream Marketplace, which celebrated its grand opening on…
First Friday Art Walk returns to Our Lady of Guadalupe Cultural Center
[slideshow_deploy id=’3381′] AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — From ceramic cups, bowls and crosses, to colorful watercolor works featuring horses, visitors had a chance to experience a variety of art during the second Flagstaff First Friday Art Walk celebration held at…
Bilingual report: Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace to hold grand opening on June 20
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU announce the grand opening of the Mercado de los Sueños/Dream Marketplace with local artists, live music, local vendors and diverse multi-cultural artisans and crafters from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 20 Mercado de los…
Bilingual report: No Dream Deferred Action application drive to be held June 14
FLAGSTAFF — The No Dream Deferred Action application drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff, organizers reported in a media release. Required documents include: Birth certificate…
June cover story / Portada: Artistic, cultural events coming to region
First Friday Art Walk, Spanish guitar, flamenco concerts and Tardeada celebrations filling out the calendar schedule By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The threat of frost is rapidly dwindling, the weather is warming up and everyone seems ready to enjoy…
Local / Locales
The City of Flagstaff has entered Stage 2 of Fire Restrictions, officials reported in a media release. As a result: No permits are issued for open burning within the City of Flagstaff; use of charcoal barbecue grills is prohibited throughout…
Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: What is it?
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona The United States has two main retirement-related programs, namely Medicare and Social Security. The first provides access to medical care, while the second provides an economic benefit. This article will…
Sunnyside celebrates 19th annual Fiesta de Mayo
[slideshow_deploy id=’3298′] FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc. celebrated its 19th annual Fiesta de Mayo on May 17 and 18, 2014 in Flagstaff, AZ. The celebration this year was relocated from Ponderosa Park to the in the Greenlaw Village…
Flagstaff celebrates 2014 Armed Forces Day Parade
[slideshow_deploy id=’3272′] FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaff, classic car owners and other supporters of active duty military and veterans joined in supporting Armed Forces Day Parade, held Saturday, May 17, 2014 in downtown Flagstaff, AZ.…
NAU students celebrate with 2014 Hispanic Convocation / Graduación Hispana
[slideshow_deploy id=’3058′] Hover over each image to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — Hundreds of students participated in the annual Hispanic Convocation / Graduación Hispana held on May 8, 2014 at Northern Arizona University. The event featured opening remarks by Mistress…
Market on the Move makes successful stop in Flagstaff
[slideshow_deploy id=’3104′] Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Market on the Move, a farmer’s market-style program where community members can get up to 60 pounds of fresh produce for a $15 donation, made a…
Our Lady of Guadalupe Cultural Center celebrates inaugural First Friday Art Walk
[slideshow_deploy id=’3038′] Hover over each image above to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF – Visitors had the opportunity to look over paintings and jewelry by local artists and tour the progress of renovation at Our Lady of Guadalupe…
Commentary / Comentario: A education in redevelopment
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Developers of a proposed student housing project near downtown Flagstaff most likely expected relatively smooth sailing when they first approached city staff with their proposal last summer as they sought to re-zone the seven-acre…
Bilingual report: First Friday Art Walk comes to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center on May 2
FLAGSTAFF — First Friday Art Walk comes to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 2 at 224 So. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. Visit the basement to see works by local artists…
Bilingual report: ‘Southside Celebration of History and Culture’ to be held May 2 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The “Southside Celebration of History and Culture” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 2 at the South Beaver School Gym, 506 So. Beaver St. A collaboration of Northern Arizona University’s College of Social & Behavioral…
NAU concludes final week of Immigration Awareness Month
[slideshow_deploy id=’2899′] Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University concluded “Immigration Awareness Month” with a discussion on national security at the border, a court case against a journalist reporting on refugee migration from Central…
NAU presents Week 3 of Immigration Awareness Month
[slideshow_deploy id=’2880′] Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — Week three of ‘Immigration Awareness Month’ began with the student presentation on ‘Experiences at the Border’ on April 14, 2014 at Northern Arizona University. Scheduled speakers included Sara Larsen,…
Arrowhead Village public meetings to be held April 21, 23
[slideshow_deploy id=’2804′] FLAGSTAFF — The first in a series of follow-up public meetings for the proposed student housing project at the Arrowhead Village trailer park in Flagstaff will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 1175…
Immigration Awareness Month concludes this week at NAU
FLAGSTAFF – Week four of Immigration Awareness Month at Northern Arizona University will open with a discussion by Linda Green, director for Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona, on “Liberalism, National Security and Migration: Notes from the Border-lands of the…
Week three of Immigration Awareness Month continues at NAU
FLAGSTAFF – Week three of Immigration Awareness Month at Northern Arizona University will open with “Environmental Consequences of Border Security,” will be presented by Latin American Studies and No More Deaths — NAU at noon Monday, April 14 at HLC 2403. The…
Tickets now on sale for 7th annual ‘Dancing Across Borders’ fundraiser on April 26
FLAGSTAFF — Advance purchase tickets ($15) for the 7th annual “Dancing Across Borders” fundraiser are now available at www.latindancecollective.com Tickets are $20 at the door. The event benefits No More Deaths / No Más Muertes, which provides families and individuals crossing the perilous…
Week 2 of Immigration Awareness Month presented at NAU
[slideshow_deploy id=’2736′] Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF – Week two of “Immigration Awareness Month” opened on April 8 with the presentation “Humanitarian Activism on the Border,” featuring a discussion by John Fife on “Getting in…
NAU launches Week 1 of Immigration Awareness Month
[slideshow_deploy id=’2709′] Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — Immigration Awareness Month began on Tuesday, April 1 with the return of West Cosgrove of the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, AZ as he discussed the causes…
NAU, students and community celebrate César Chávez Day of Service
[slideshow_deploy id=’2665′] Hover over each image above to see a description. FLAGSTAFF — A record of more than 100 people took part in the annual César Chávez March and Day of Service held on March 29, 2014 in Flagstaff, AZ. Activities…
Northern Arizona Institutions for Community Leadership to hold leaders meeting on April 10 at Killip Elementary School
FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Institutions for Community Leadership will hold a leaders meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E 6th Ave., Flagstaff. “We’ll be talking education, police, housing, and more, so please…
Week two of Immigration Awareness Month opens on April 8 at NAU
FLAGSTAFF – Week two of Immigration Awareness Month at Northern Arizona University will open with “Humanitarian Activism on the Border,” featuring a discussion by John Fife on “Getting in the Way: Resistance Movements to Death on the Border,” presented by Latin…
April cover story / Portada: Immigration awareness events return to NAU
Activities expand to entire month of April at the university By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ During an interview last year, Robert Neustadt said it would be up to the students to decide if they want to carry on “Immigration…
Commentary: ‘National Day of Action’ on April 5 — Calling for an end to deportations
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Saturday, April 5 could go down as one of the low-lights for the Obama Administration regarding its handling of immigration. On that day, the administration is expected to deport its 2 millionth person, according…
Local / Locales
A group of Northern Arizona University researchers focused on sustainable practices, geography and earth sciences found something unexpected during their work in Central America: the effects of drug trafficking are leaving deep scars on a sensitive landscape. They call the…
Bilingual report: NAU to present César Chávez Celebration March 28 through 31
FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona University College of Social & Behavioral Sciences’ Civic Service Institute presents a César Chávez Celebration starting with a “César Chávez Blood Drive” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 28 at the Du Bois —…
Bilingual report: NAU’s Theatre Department to present Federico Garcia Lorca’s ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ in Winslow from March 28 through April 6
WINSLOW — Northern Arizona University’s Theatre Department will perform Federico Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba” from March 28 through April 6 in a rare, site-specific performance on the grounds of the historic La Posada Hotel and Gardens, 303…
March cover story / Portada: Health-care enrollment deadline nears
March 31 is the deadline for signing up under the Affordable Care Act By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The days are counting down until the end of the open enrollment period on March 31 for the Health Insurance Marketplace…
Commentary / Comentario: Si se (something)!
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The first time I saw him was during a march for farmworkers rights in the early 1980s. I was a novice community college photojournalism student and we had decided to cover his protest march…
Local / Locales
The City of Flagstaff reports that the Army Corps of Engineers has allocated $1.6 million for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project. “We have worked tirelessly to secure funding for the Rio de Flag flood control project. Part of…
Health / Salud: Imagining a better health-care system
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Life is most enjoyable when you are healthy. A simple headache alters your mood, and a more serious illness can make life miserable for us and our families. Our health…
SB1070 policy meeting to be held Feb. 6 at Killip Elementary
FLAGSTAFF — A community meeting to discuss a change in the Flagstaff Police Department’s policy on SB1070 will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at W.F. Killip Elementary School in the Sunnyside Neighborhood of Flagstaff. The meeting will include…
Commentary / Comentario: An opportunity to talk
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ For community policing, it’s a fine balance between gathering information to investigate crimes and maintaining trust with a segment of society that previously viewed law enforcement in other places with suspicion, if not downright…
NAIC to present ‘Celebration of Community’ fundraiser on Jan. 26
FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council will present its “Celebration of Community” fundraiser from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. The event is designed to bring the community together…
January cover story / Portada: Politics, culture dominate 2013 regional scene
[slideshow_deploy id=’2308′] Hispanic community plays key role in celebrations, immigration reform effort By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The procession began with the lighting of more than 150 luminarias around Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel near downtown Flagstaff and ended…
Feast Day celebrated Dec. 11-12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will participate in a series of events in December to celebrate the progress of the renovation project in the basement of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The group will participate in the traditional Our Lady of…
Travel / Viajes: Deer or Los Matachines Dance at Taos Pueblo Festivities?
By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Speculation abounds among northern New Mexicans this time of year. Will the Deer Dance be performed at Taos Pueblo for the Christmas Day ceremonial dance? Or will it be Los Matachines…
Bilingual report: ‘Health Care Information Night’ to be held Nov. 19 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — A health care information night, with information presented primarily in Spanish, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Restauración en Cristo Congregation, 624 S. O’Leary St. (en Spring Hill Baptist Church), Flagstaff. Have you had trouble…
Bilingual report: ‘Health Care Information Night’ to be held Nov. 21 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — A bilingual health care information night will be presented from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Killip Elementary School Library, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Have you had trouble getting health insurance? How does the…
Arizona Speaks! gathering in Sedona on Nov. 21 to support immigration reform
SEDONA — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) will be participating in Arizona Speaks!, a statewide series of assemblies calling for federal immigration reform, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona. Simultaneous assemblies will…
Winslow gets into the spirit with Día de los Muertos celebration
[slideshow_deploy id=’2074′] From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) returned to Winslow on Nov. 2 , 2013 when Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented the lively celebration of remembering…
Día de los Muertos celebrated in Winslow
[slideshow_deploy id=’2027′] From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Nov. 2 , 2013 at Snowdrift Art Space in downtown…
Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente
From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…
Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente
[slideshow_deploy id=’1985′] From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and…
Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at the 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente
FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum of Northern Arizona and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.
“2013 Coconino County Community and Family Vitality Survey” now available in Spanish
FLAGSTAFF — The Laboratory for Applied Social Research (LASR) at Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey to better understand the community’s “capacity to live, grow, and develop with a purposeful existence.” It was announced this week that the survey will…