Category: Education

Deadline extended to Nov. 6 for discount breakfast at Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)’s inaugural Nuestra Comunidad Community Recognition event on Friday, Nov. 13

FLAGSTAFF— The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) inaugural Nuestra Comunidad Community Recognition Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff. Doors open at 6:45 a.m.

CCC President Dr. Eric Heiser will be the guest speaker.

The celebration includes community and veterans award presentations and a music performance by Mariachi Los Madereros de NAU.

Bring your handouts for our Community Information Table!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Nov. 2-6, 2026

Grand Canyon community members who are veterans gather for a group photo at Mather Amphitheater in recognition of Veterans Day. Grand Canyon National Park thanks them and all veterans for their service and sacrifice. Wednesday, Nov. 11, is also a fee-free day for U.S. citizens visiting all national park sites.  (NPS/M. Quinn)

Get the latest news updates from U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) including — ‘Gallego, Kelly announce $9.6 million in investment to improve railroad crossing safety across Arizona’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office of U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego

Get the latest news updates from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes including ‘Attorney General Mayes Announces Distribution of $1.2 Million in Restitution to Veterans Deceived by VetLink Solutions’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes

November at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

As we enter the season of giving thanks and gathering to spend time with friends and family, I want to share how grateful we are for your connection to MNA. It means the world to us to see you in the galleries and at our events sharing your favorite parts of the museum with your companions. November and December are times when we seek special connection with friends, family, or community. The Museum of Northern Arizona is the perfect place to visit at this time of year, whether it be with your friends, with family members, or seeking to connect with a community of people who enjoy shared interests. Our galleries and exhibitions offer special insights into the arts, culture, and science of the Colorado Plateau, and invite you to enjoy, reflect, and learn about this remarkable part of the world. In this newsletter you will see a range of special events that magnify that experience – come along and enjoy contemporary Native American art and performance; visit our gift shop to find a unique gift for that special someone; or enjoy a musical performance by the US Navy during Navy week. Above all, be sure to enjoy our newest seasonal experience, the Snowpine Model Railway, new for this year but set to become an annual seasonal favorite in Flagstaff.

Thank you for being part of the MNA community. I look forward to seeing you at the museum.

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council Zoom meeting on Nov. 5 to share your story

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.

The guest speaker for this month will be Arel Meister-Aldama of Sorena Health.

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.

READ MORE

Grand Canyon National Park updates — South Rim Fire restrictions, Desert View boil water noticed lifted

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has rescinded Stage 2 fire restrictions on the South Rim. The restrictions were originally implemented due to limited water resources available for fire suppression. With water hauling operations continuing to supplement the South Rim’s water supply, the park is able to lift the additional restrictions.

The NAU Review — How NAU is preserving Arizona’s natural resources

How NAU and SRP are reducing wildfire risk and water loss in Arizona

For almost a decade, NAU and SRP have partnered on research that protects and preserves Arizona’s natural resources. Learn more about the projects funded this year, which includes research into a threatened reptile and a new way to suck carbon dioxide from the air.

Challenging weather failed to deter organizers and participants of 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente

FLAGSTAFF — Neither rain, hail nor a little snow failed to dampen the spirit of the 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and 24 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The annual Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos remembrance was presented in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

The 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente featured headline performances by Mariachi Agave from Tucson and Flagstaff’s own Ballet Folklorico de Colores, which has performed at the annual event since Celebraciones was founded in 2003. The event also included a number of cultural lectures and the ever-popular sugar skull-decorating workshops.

Photos and videos courtesy of Ruth Eaton, members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the staff of the Museum of Northern Arizona show the vibrant festival continued despite the challenging weather conditions.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Oct. 26-30, 2026

The park remains on track to begin distributing treated water from the new South Rim Water Treatment Plant on Nov. 16, pending completion of required testing and startup activities. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has been on site this week to review water safety requirements, and there are no significant water quality concerns to report at this time. Routine water quality monitoring and monthly lead and copper testing in 30 housing units are also continuing.

The NAU Review — Reading between the crossed-out lines of history

Reviving a neglected Caribbean archive

Over the last year, Honors College student Daniella Ferrero worked alongside a faculty member to transcribe a Methodist missionary’s account of life in 1820s Jamaica. Her work doesn’t just shed light on the complexities of 19th-century slavery, colonialism and religion. It also reinforces a timeless lesson that’s important for every scholar and citizen to remember: History is rarely straightforward because people aren’t one-dimensional.

Guest commentary — Domestic Violence support in Northern Arizona: Knowing where to start

When someone is coping with the effects of domestic violence, knowing that support exists and knowing where to find it can be two very different things.

That can be especially true in Northern Arizona, where the nearest provider may be miles away, transportation may be difficult or unavailable and smaller communities can make privacy feel more challenging.

As a therapist at Denova Collaborative Health, I’ve worked with people who knew they needed support but weren’t sure what that support looked like for them, where to begin or whether they were “ready” to ask for help.

The good news is that there isn’t only one way to start.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Festival News: Engage with Science Beyond the 10-days!

Catch up on the excitement of the Flagstaff Festival of Science anytime! Livestream recordings of science presentations and events are now available on our YouTube channel, making it easy to revisit your favorite moments or experience programs you may have missed.

CCC Foundation — Support CCC: Cast Your Vote for Building Back America’s Trades

We’re excited to share that Building Back America’s Trades, the Lowe’s Foundation docuseries featuring Coconino Community College, has been named an Anthem Awards Finalist!

The Anthem Awards recognize purpose and mission-driven work making a positive social impact. As a finalist, Building Back America’s Trades is also eligible for the Community Voice Award, which is determined by public voting.

CCC is proud to be a part of a series that highlights building the next generation of skilled trades professionals, and we’d love your support!

The Literacy Center and the United Way of Northern Arizona are seeking vendors for its Nov. 7 Fall Literacy Fair

FLAGSTAFF — The Literacy Center and United Way of Northern Arizona are partnering to bring together community organizations for a fun morning focused on reading, learning, and connecting families with resources in our community. This event, open to the whole Flagstaff Community, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at Kinsey Elementary School, Flagstaff.

The NAU Review — Strengthening Arizona’s economy, one worker at a time

Building Arizona’s rural healthcare workforce

More than $6.35 million in funding will help NAU students pursue careers in healthcare while addressing a critical shortage of health workers in rural, tribal and medically vulnerable areas of Arizona. The two awards to the College of Health and Human Services will provide more than $1.27 million in scholarships each year for the next five years.

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) — Time Is Running Out to Register!

Northern Arizona is stronger when people and organizations work toward the same goal. That idea is at the heart of United Way of Northern Arizona’s 2026-2027 Campaign Breakfast, and time is running out to register.

Annual Campaign Breakfast

Thursday, October 29th • 8 am

High Country Conference Center

Select Inner Canyon Trails reopen in Grand Canyon National Park

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Hikers can once again explore several inner-canyon trails. These trails have reopened following repairs after trail damage caused by recent flooding.

The South Kaibab Trail below The Tipoff and the entire River Trail, connecting the South Kaibab to the Bright Angel Trail, has reopened to hikers. The Bright Angel Trail between Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens has reopened to hikers only. This section will remain closed to stock use as crews continue to repair additional trail damage.

Grand Canyon Community Update – Oct. 22, 2026

Bright Angel Trail Closure Extended

Due to recent rockfall and ongoing trail work, Bright Angel Trail remains temporarily closed to foot traffic between the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens. The closure will remain in place until further notice as crews continue clearing debris and stabilizing the area.

Stock traffic is expected to be delayed longer as trail work continues. Hikers should check the park’s Key Hiking Messages page for current trail status.

The NAU Review — From curse to cure

How did a curse transform into a cure?

A toxin once known mainly for making people dangerously ill is now used to treat migraines, muscle disorders and even wrinkles. By studying more than 1,000 strains of the bacterium that produces it, NAU Regents’ professor Paul Keim is shedding new light on the science behind Botox.

The NAU Review — A sea of blue and gold

From painting Flagstaff blue and gold to packed open houses, a community BBQ, the ASNAU carnival, an exciting Homecoming football game and more, campus was full of energy this weekend. Check out some pictures on Instagram.

Coconino County school facilities visits inform rural Arizona research initiative

COCONINO COUNTY — During late summer 2026, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget visited school facilities throughout the county with a civil engineer, a member of the Arizona School Facilities Oversight Board and liaisons from the Arizona School Facilities Division.

The visits included school sites within:

Grand Canyon Unified School District
Page Unified School District
Flagstaff Unified School District
Maine Consolidated School District
Williams Unified School District
Tuba City Unified School District

Sedona Arts Center — The 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival is underway.Exclusive Festival Artist Celebration on Oct. 21

Join us for an exclusive evening with our festival artists, featuring delicious food by Heartline Catering, wine, beer, and the first opportunity to purchase original paintings created especially for this event.

Enjoy time with the artists, celebrate their incredible work, and experience a special awards presentation with guest judge Betty Carr.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces’ ‘Celebraciones de la Gente,’ Flagstaff’s premier Día de los Muertos celebration, returns to the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct. 24-25, 2026

FLAGSTAFF — Mariachi music, folklorico dances and a central courtyard illuminated by hundreds of candles placed on nearly two dozen ofrendas/altars — visitors to the Museum of Northern Arizona will once again experience it all when Celebraciones de la Gente returns on Oct. 24-25, 2026 courtesy of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and its partnership with the Museum.

The 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente will feature headline performances by Mariachi Agave from Tucson and Flagstaff’s own Ballet Folklorico de Colores, which has performed at the annual event since Celebraciones was founded in 2003. It was at that time that Nuestras member and longtime historian Delia Munoz came up with the name which means Celebration of the People.

Discover Flagstaff — Route 66 Centennial Walking Tour, more events

Route 66 Centennial Walking Tour
Historic Downtown Flagstaff
Route 66 turns 100 this year, and in Flagstaff it’s still the road people take to work, school, and the grocery store. On Freaky Foot Tours’ Route 66 Centennial Walking Tour, a local guide takes you along both the original 1926 route and the 1934 reroute, past neon signs from the motel wars, a Green Book landmark, and a mural that packs a century of the Mother Road onto one wall. Along the way you’ll hear about a French priest, a Boston astronomer chasing Martians, and an unsolved double murder from 1916. It’s a 90-minute, 1.3-mile stroll from Heritage Square that is open to all ages.
Learn More

‘No Kings: Vote Early – Flagstaff’ rally to be held at Flagstaff City Hall on Oct. 17

FLAGSTAFF — A ‘No Kings: Vote Early – Flagstaff’ rally will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. MST, Saturday, Oct. 17 at 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

Join us to rally in celebration of exercising our superpower – voting!

We will provide non-partisan education for those who haven’t yet voted, including finding the closest ballot box or how to vote early in-person. We will also provide volunteer opportunities for our Election Protection program.

Bring signs with the theme of early voting en mass as the best way to thwart attempts to disrupt elections. Have fun with it! Superhero costume + voting is our superpower. Voting is as American as Apple Pie. Express yourself! The People Decide Our Elections,

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) other local community leaders celebrate NAU Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month Tailgate & Game

FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and other local community leaders and residents were honored during the Hispanic Heritage Month and Alumni Day special football game and tailgate event against Montana State at the Skydome on Oct. 10.

The event included performances by the NAU Mariachi and Folklorico entertainment groups.

Grand Canyon Community Update – Oct. 16, 2026

South Rim Water Treatment Plant Begins Testing with Bright Angel Creek Water

Big progress is happening on the South Rim. On October 15, we began bringing water from the Bright Angel Creek intake into the South Rim Water Treatment Plant for the first time. This is a major step toward a more reliable water supply for our community. 

They’re Here! Meet the 2026 Sedona Plein Air Festival Artists

The artists have arrived! Twenty-five accomplished artists from across the countryhave gathered in Red Rock Country for the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival, bringing nine extraordinary days of painting, creativity, and community to Sedona.

Throughout the festival, these talented artists will set up their easels across Sedona and the Verde Valley, capturing the changing light, brilliant colors, and breathtaking landscapes that make this place so inspiring.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools seeks applicants for Williams Unified School District Governing Board

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking qualified community members interested in serving on the Williams Unified School District #2 Governing Board for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and ending Dec. 31, 2028.

The NAU Review — Cleaning up post-fire at the Grand Canyon + a transfer student’s story

Grand Canyon Semester students lend a helping hand on the North Rim 

As the 2026-27 year kicked off, students in the unique Honors College program Grand Canyon Semester spent two full days at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon clearing barbed wire that had been burned by the Dragon Bravo Fire. Their work didn’t just benefit public lands and wildlife—it also gave them crucial hands-on experience that could serve them well in their outdoor-focused careers. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — The Work is Personal: Ten Years with the Coalition

By Virginia Watahomigie • Executive Director,

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth​​​​​​​

COCONINO COUNTY —  I have been trying to find a way to explain and honor this work since I celebrated my 10-year anniversary with CCC&Y in September. But I write, erase, re-write and let it sit….let me explain how all of this amazing work is also tied to my own lived experience. This is a story of both celebration and sorrow. It is a story about my why.

​​​​​​​

First, I want to celebrate all the amazing successes and work we have done together, from conferences, symposiums, early childhood fairs, workshops, prevention strategies, lot’s of writing and reports and so much more. I am honored to have been invited to speak and listen in so many amazing spaces

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign – Join Us on Oct. 29th!

I’m excited to share that United Way of Northern Arizona’s 2026-2027 Annual Campaign is officially underway.

This year, we’re working to raise $1.2 million to fund programs that increase youth opportunity, promote healthy communities, foster financial security, and strengthen community resiliency across Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

Our theme this year is Give Where You Live. United at Its Peak. It celebrates the power of local giving and what we can accomplish in northern Arizona when we come together.

Guest commentary — When life feels like too much: Finding mental health support in Northern Arizona

Daily stress doesn’t always look like a mental health crisis. It can look like lying awake thinking about bills, losing patience with the people you love after a long day or feeling tired no matter how much you sleep.

Maybe you’re juggling work and family responsibilities. Maybe groceries and gas cost more than you expected again this week. Maybe someone you care about is struggling, and you have quietly taken on the responsibility of helping them, too.

Over time, those pressures add up.

On Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us to check in with ourselves and the people around us when life starts to feel a little too heavy. But how can you tell when it may be time for more support?

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — ECoNA, City of Winslow Take Home Golden Prospector Honors

I am excited to report that the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona and our regional economic development professionals were honored at the recent Fall Forum of the Arizona Association for Economic Development.
The AAED presented 25 Golden Prospector Awards and Awards of Merit at its event in Flagstaff. Two awards of merit were earned by ECoNA, and a third by the City of Winslow, a member of our collaborative.

The NAU Review — A blue and gold Homecoming

Homecoming festivities start in two days, Jacks! Don your school colors and get ready for a weekend packed with pride, tradition and celebration, both on campus and throughout Flagstaff. There’s something for everyone, and new this year—campus open houses to learn more about campus spaces.

Celebrate NAU Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month Tailgate & Game on Oct. 10

FLAGSTAFF — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Alumni Day with a special football game and tailgate event against Montana at the Skydome. Tailgate for 150 people!

Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and other local community leaders and residents will be honored during the game.

Discover Flagstaff — Star Party at High Country Motor Lodge on Oct. 8; Route 66: The Main Street of America at the Orpheum Theater on Oct. 10-11, more events

Star Party

High Country Motor Lodge

Journey through the stars with cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams for an evening of celestial storytelling and telescope viewing under the night sky.

As twilight deepens, you’ll experience the night sky through the lens of cultural astronomy as Dr. Adams reveals the rich histories behind well-known star names and showcases Arabian star names. You can also enjoy close-up telescopic views of Saturn and other celestial objects as the Milky Way rises.

Grand Canyon Community Update – Oct. 9, 2026

A Message to Our Grand Canyon Community: Every Drop Counts 

This community has met every challenge the canyon has thrown at it with grit and generosity. These past weeks have tested us, and you have answered with patience, cooperation, and care for one another. Thank you. 

As the park scales back the temporary resident water services starting Friday, Oct. 9, we want to acknowledge what you’ve already accomplished. You have adapted your routines, supported your neighbors and worked together to conserve water during Stage 4 restrictions.  

The NAU Review — What’s a desert bestiary? + reviving a campus garden

Building a desert bestiary

Bobby Long, an associate teaching professor of visual communication, recently created more than 65 detailed illustrations for “Sonoran Desert Bestiary: A More-than-Natural History,” a book that explores small and underrepresented species through folklore and natural history. We asked Long a few quick Qs about the experience.

Sedona Arts Center — Sedona Plein Air Festival Begins October 16 — Reserve Your Place!, more events

For nine days this October, 26 artists from across the country will spread out across Sedona and the Verde Valley, painting the landscape as it changes around them—capturing the light, color and extraordinary beauty of Red Rock Country in real time.

And you don’t have to experience the festival from a distance.

This year, there are several special opportunities to join us where the painting is happening—from an evening among the vineyards at D.A. Ranch to an intimate private Sedona residence, or by picking up your own brushes and participating in the Community Paint Out.

Reserve your place now and be part of the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival!

Coconino Center for the Arts — Life Update & Recent Highlights!

These last couple of months have been busy, filled with community, events, art, and Flagstaff fun. Thank you for your involvement in everything we do and for your continued engagement in art, science, and culture! Here is what has been happening at Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts:

Public Involvement Period Opens on Long-Term North Rim Recovery and Redevelopment Concepts at Grand Canyon National Park

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The National Park Service invites the public to help shape the long-term recovery and future of the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park by participating in a 30-day public involvement period beginning Oct. 6, 2026. 

Following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire and significant recovery work over the past year, recent flash floods have underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure, reliable utilities, public safety, emergency preparedness, and thoughtful long-term planning in this remote and dynamic environment.

Find your creative inspiration This Fall at Sedona Arts Center

Explore Something New. Create Something Wonderful
 

There’s always something new to discover at Sedona Arts Center! Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time, developing your skills at the pottery wheel, or exploring a completely new medium, our upcoming classes and workshops offer opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow.

From painting and ceramics to stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more, you’ll find welcoming instruction, hands-on experiences, and a creative community ready to inspire you.

Find your next creative experience and join us in the heart of Sedona!

Coconino County Parks and Recreation Newsletter-October 2026

Our newsletter has a new design, but it still brings you the same great news from Parks & Recreation.
The air is getting cooler, and Fort Tuthill County Park is the place to be this fall! From hands-on culinary classes and archery clinics to live music at the Pepsi Amphitheater, there is something for everyone this October. See what’s coming up in programs, events, and everything happening at Coconino County Parks & Recreation.

Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council announces 2026 awards and opens community nominations

The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 CJCC Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations and partnerships making meaningful contributions to the criminal justice system and the communities it serves.

The awards will be presented at a joint Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y seeks to connect community with help through variety of resource guides

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
​​​​​​​
COCONINO COUNTY — Whether it’s connecting families to food and shelter resources, to helping foster care families learn about potential scholarship programs for their youth, resource guides provide a valuable assistance to residents throughout Coconino County and Northern Arizona.
​​​​​​​
To spread the word about these valuable information resources, CCC&Y has compiled a listing and links to a variety of additional resource guides throughout the region including CCC&Y’s own recently updated Fall/Winter 2026 Page/Fredonia and Tuba City/Navajo Nation resource guides.

READ MORE

The NAU Review — Mapping an ancient pueblo + celebrate Disability Pride Heritage Month!

Preserving the past for the future

From site to screen, a team from the Department of Anthropology is working to preserve history at Wukoki Pueblo, an ancient Indigenous dwelling 30 miles north of Flagstaff. Their work will not only create a detailed digital record of the site but will also create a three-dimensional model that’s accessible to people anywhere in the world

Coconino Center for the Arts — First Friday is Here! October ArtWalk Highlights

Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is a monthly celebration of creativity that brings downtown to life. Local galleries stay open late with special artist receptions and entertainment, so check out the gallery map to visit them all!

Join us for First Friday today, October 2, starting at 5pm! The 2026 ArtWalk season is generously underwritten by Dapper Dre, supporting Car-Free First Fridays with traffic closures on Aspen St. for art and performance activations.