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Highway 67…plowed?!
Last week, North and South Rim Road Crew staff successfully plowed 30 miles of Highway 67, from Jacob Lake to the North Rim boundary, for administrative use. A team of three including John Venn, Brandon Alberta, and John Root completed the operation over the course of one week.
The primary objective of road clearing was to provide for a diesel fuel supply for the back-up generators on the North Rim. After a series of powerful snow storms this winter that knocked out power service, this backup fuel source is critical to support the staff and continuity of operations. Additional objectives included the ability to provide emergency ingress/egress to and from the North Rim, as well as improving safety for residents by allowing administrative traffic in motor vehicles instead of snowmobiles.
Thank you to the North Rim staff who continue to weather repeated storms and impressive snow removal operations!
Cultural Demonstrator this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18, and 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by and meet Zuni fine art painter, Anthony Gchachu. He will discuss how he conceptualizes and executes his paintings.
Watch him work and learn how Zuni culture and art have influenced his unique painting style that uses layered acrylic paints to create texture, depth and movement to generate emotions.
This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.
The public is invited to comment on proposed Coconino County Fair admission fee changes until April 11, 2023.
The proposed recommended fees affect admission prices for adults, seniors, and active-duty military/veterans as well as the parking fee. Youth ticket prices would not change for the 2023 Fair but would change in 2024. Attendees ages 5 years and younger will not be affected by this change The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the fee changes at the regular meeting on February 6, 2023 and approved a 60-day public input process.
Art Classes & Workshops at Sedona Arts Center
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.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops
Emergency contact information may be crucial in case of a natural disaster and/or weather closure notification/event, or other crisis situations. The Grand Canyon Public Affairs Office in conjunction with Grand Canyon Dispatch are beginning to implement a solution towards the goal of enhancing information-sharing and keeping our NPS staff, partners, and residents connected and informed.
The Everbridge platform will help us achieve this goal by sending real-time texts, emails, and/or calls. The Department of Interior approved this platform in 2019 and many NPS units already use it for notifications.
Snow transformed the museum campus last month and each day the sculptural spires of ice hanging from the eaves drip, extend, and even bend in the wind. While nature paints the landscape white, within the museum we have art in a full spectrum of colors, from the rich abstract landscapes of Joella Mahoney to Baje Whitethorne’s rainbow-hued skies and cliffs.
Visiting the museum is a warm respite from the cold outside, and I encourage you to visit us to enjoy our galleries and exhibitions. Winter is my favorite time at the museum because the galleries are often quiet and can be experienced at whatever pace a visitor wishes. I love to spend time in front of favorite works of art or displays to really take them in, and sometimes see them from a new perspective.
This week, the National Park Service (NPS) released details on 2023 investments that will improve access and facilities across the country, enhance climate and fire resilience, and further connect people with their national parks.
In the coming years, NPS and federal partners will make investments that will support Grand Canyon’s Shuttle Bus Maintenance Facility, Bus Fleet Replacement and Charging Infrastructure project.
The project aligns with the sustainability and climate change goals of converting the federal fleet to zero emission vehicles. It consists of acquiring 10 new battery electric buses (BEB) and 20 new near-zero emission compressed natural gas buses (CNG) to replace the aging fleet; installing charging infrastructure to support the electric buses, including a solar parking canopy; and replacing an obsolete and undersized vehicle maintenance facility.
Do you know how Black history has shaped the history of Flagstaff and NAU? Through events, panel discussions and guest speakers, NAU commemorates the legacy, heritage and brilliance of our Black community. During Black History Month, learn about the significant contributions of Black Americans to our community and the United States and gain a greater understanding of how that legacy continues to evolve and affect Black and African Americans today.
Winter safety tips!
South Entrance Station
We have received multiple reports of park employees and/or residents driving through the south entrance station without stopping. As a reminder, when the bypass lane is closed or inaccessible due to snow, all vehicles are required to come to a full and complete stop when driving through any of the lanes of the entrance station. A failure to stop is not only hazardous but could result in a serious accident to employees who routinely move between booths.
Parking – Safety Concern
Please do not park vehicles on roadways.
Vehicles parked inappropriately compound already hazardous conditions and they impede the plowing of roadways.
Please use designated parking areas.
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
Winter storm recap; additional storm system will move through Thursday evening into Friday
Winter weather has yet again hit us hard on the South Rim, and even more so on the North Rim. As of Tuesday, the North Rim has received more than 72 inches of snow for the winter season. As of Thursday morning, State Route 64/Desert View Drive has reopened; Hermit Road remains closed. Please continue to check the Dispatch Roads Line at 928-638-7496 for the latest road conditions and closure updates.
As we continue to dig ourselves out of the accumulated snow, conditions will improve with another fast-moving storm system Thursday evening into Friday, likely bringing another 3-5 inches of additional accumulation.
This amount of snow removal requires all hands-on deck. Please help us acknowledge the continued hard work of NPS and concessionaire road and trail crews as they remove snow from roads, trails, and sidewalks throughout the park. Additionally, our interpretation and visitor and resource protection staff have assisted in snow removal and aiding stranded and unprepared visitors.
Thank you all for your continued efforts; your work has not gone unnoticed!
Winter Weather Returns; National Weather Service issues Travel Risk for impending weekend storm
According to the National Weather Service-Flagstaff, winter weather returns to the area this weekend, with periods of heavy snowfall likely beginning Saturday night across the high country. Snow levels will gradually fall from 6000–7000 feet Saturday evening to 4000–5000 feet Tuesday. One to two feet of snow is possible in the high country by the end of next week.
Prepare for an extended period of poor travel conditions next week!
REMEMBER – PLEASE KEEP ROADWAYS CLEAR OF VEHICLES; PARK IN YOUR DRIVEWAY AND FOR THOSE ON APACHE ST, PARK IN THE ALLEY. ALLEYS AND RESIDENTIAL ROADWAYS WILL BE PLOWED
COVID Updates
Masks Optional
As of January 5, Coconino County has remained in MEDIUM CDC Community Level. Masks are optional in all public buildings. We encourage individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to practice physical distancing from others while in indoor common areas.
Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of December 29-January 4 was 6,187 which is an increase from the week before at 4,973. There were three new COVID-19 cases reported in the park this week.
As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.
The City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts and Sciences team is calling artists to participate in its traffic cabinet art wrap initiative by creating designs for traffic signal cabinets around Flagstaff. This initiative is supported by the City’s Beautification and Public Art Commission and is an opportunity to enhance the visual landscape by using traffic signal cabinets as canvasses.
This call is open to all artists, graphic designers, and illustrators, who are 18 years of age or older and currently live or work within the United States. Submitted designs must be original artwork and can be created in any medium, so long as it can be represented in a high-resolution digital image without loss of integrity or quality. The application period ends on Feb. 1, 2023.
The annual Northern Arizona University Vocal Jazz Madrigal Festival will take place February 9 and 10. It is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States and features special guest clinicians and over 140 high school ensembles from Arizona and nearby states. The two-day festival includes a concert featuring the Accent, one of the premier popular vocal ensembles in the world, alongside NAU’s Shrine of the Ages Choir on February 9 and 10 @ 7:30 PM in Ardrey Auditorium.
Northern Arizona University will host Made Here, a juried student exhibition in the Beasley Gallery within the Performing and Fine Arts building, February 9 through February 24. The Beasley Gallery will host a free public opening of Made Here on February 9 at 5-7 p.m.
This exhibition is an annual competition open to all students enrolled in coursework in the School of Art. Jurors from outside the institution select the works for the exhibit and choose distinctive awards. Student artists and designers working in all media and art disciplines are included.
The Long Christmas Ride Home is written by Pulitzer-winning playwright Paula Vogel and directed by Kathleen M. McGeever. This play of contradictions uses puppets, yet it is not written for children; it is framed by a holiday trip home but is not meant as a Christmas story.
The play presents the family using human actors and puppets inspired by traditional Japanese bunraku puppetry, or as Vogel is quoted saying, “one Westerner’s misunderstanding of bunraku.” The puppets represent the children in some scenes, while the puppeteers themselves take over as the grown children in others.
The Northern Arizona Book Festival returns March 30 – April 2, 2023 with live and virtual programming for all ages, including readings from multiple local and regional authors, poetry slams, workshops, and a day of interactive activities and live performances for all ages in Heritage Square.
This year, we are proud to present a multitude of different authors as well as literary presses in a walkable downtown festival with many more in person events.
We will kick off the festival Thursday night, March 30 with Northern Arizona University’s Creative Writing Program MFA Reading Series, Cinder Skies. On Friday, March 31st we will resume events in the afternoon with both local and nationally renowned authors in several events, including an author meet and greet,featured readings, and an open mic
FREE EVENT
Celebrate Sedona!
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
4–6pm at Sedona Arts Center
Sponsored by: City of Sedona
Music by Guitarras Latinas
Food Truck, Artist Demonstrations, Beer and Wine for Sale
SAC Ceramics Department Demos & Sale
PLUS! A Special Exhibition: ¡Qué Hermoso!
This Celebrate Sedona takes place from 4 to 6pm, featuring music by Guitarras Latinas, and inlcudes a food truck, beer and wine for sale, and demonstrating artists. This free performance takes place along side a new Special Exhibition ¡Qué Hermoso! Celebrating Latinx cultural identity and traditions.
Celebrate Sedona takes place in Uptown Sedona at Sedona Arts Center.
FREE TO THE PUBLIC – Food & Beverage for Sale, FREE ADMISSION, 21 to Drink
NAU Choral Studies will present Spring Festival of Choirs & “Abya Yala — The Land in Its Fullness,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, Northern Arizona University.
With the support of the Kitt Fund for Musical Excellence and in collaboration with Latin American Studies, Chilean composer Freddy Vilches and his Matices Latin Ensemble will be in residence for a series of public performances.
MESA — NAU Choral Studies will present Spring Festival of Choirs & “Abya Yala — The Land in Its Fullness,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at First United Methodist Church Mesa, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa.
With the support of the Kitt Fund for Musical Excellence and in collaboration with Latin American Studies, Chilean composer Freddy Vilches and his Matices Latin Ensemble will be in residence for a series of public performances.
Tickets are now available for La Septima Banda and Freddy Vega Jr. with Decreto Norte concert on Saturday, June 17 at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthil County Park, Flagstaff.
Originally from Guamúchil Sinaloa, La Séptima Banda (formed in 1994), is made up of 19 talented, charismatic, simple and musically inspired members who manage a festive, happy and brave style to perfection. Today they have positioned themselves within the first places of the radial popularity lists and within the public taste in both Mexico and the United States.
Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park July 28 through July 30, 2023. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon area.
Throughout Heritage Days, members from Associated Tribes will offer special programming and demonstrations, ranging from music and dance performances to presentations on their connections to the Grand Canyon. For more information and a complete list of event activities, including times and locations, please inquire at the North Rim Visitor Center.
How the Home Tour works:
A self-driving tour of some of Flagstaff’s finest homes with live music by symphony musicians at each home. All proceeds support the concerts, education and community outreach programs of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.
You’ll walk through five beautiful homes, from historic Downtown Flagstaff to several of the exclusive golf and ranch communities. Each residence showcases unique features and captivating stories, creating an unforgettable journey through Flagstaff’s past and present.
Purchase advance tickets on the event website here. You’ll receive the Tour Program one day before the event at the email account you used to register. Need help? Reply to this email or call Stephanie Stallings at (928) 774-5107.
Sedona Arts Center (SAC) and the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) announce their collaboration to bring a series of panel discussions to the region on the topic of appropriation of Indigenous art and culture with funding provided by Arizona Humanities.
The three panel discussions are scheduled for:
September 17, 2 PM at the MNA; November 5, 2 PM at the MNA; and January 21, 2024, 2 PM at SAC.
This series of panel discussions complements the Arizona Humanities’ mission in several ways. The talks aim to expand the audience’s understanding of what constitutes authentic Indigenous art versus art that has appropriated aspects of Indigenous culture, and to create deeper connections between artist, culture, and community. By contextualizing the role of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, the boundaries of Indigenous artists’ intellectual property and agency over representation will be explored. By framing each discussion with questions that attendees can adopt in their evaluation of how to engage with Indigenous cultures and art, an enhanced knowledge will foster their ability to appreciate and differentiate authentic representation from appropriation. Panelists will be a diverse complement of Native and non-Native experts, representing a mix of traditional, contemporary, accepted, and challenged perspectives on Indigenous representation.
FLAGSTAFF — Award-winning Chilean singer-songwriter Nano Stern is coming to Northern Arizona University!
A Screening of the recently completed documentary of Chilean singer songwriter Nano Stern “We’ll be Singing by September (Cuando canta el Gallo),” (in Spanish with English subtitles) will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 Communications Room 119 at NAU.
This event is in conjunction with a performance on Friday, October 13 at 7:30 pm in Kitt Recital Hall.
Stern will be present on Zoom for the Q & A after the film. he Q & A will feature Stern in English
FLAGSTAFF — Chilean singer songwriter Nano Stern will play a free concert, “Nano Stern Sings Victor Jara” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct 13 at the Kite Recital Hall at Northern Arizona University.
Free and open to the public.
As the world commemorates 50 years since the coup d’état in Chile, Nano Stern revisits the songs of legendary folk singer Víctor Jara, who personifies the spirit of the day through his timeless music and poetry. With austere virtuosity, Stern gives new breath to this immortal repertoire.
Join us for a fundraising celebration of literacy filled with wine education, food, and fun! Tickets are $55 to enjoy 8 tastings from around the world! VIP tickets are available for an additional $10 and include 4 more tastings and two free raffle entries! Live music and refreshments will also be provided.
The event will take place this Sunday October 29th from 2 – 4 Pm at Serendipity.
New Year’s Eve fundraising event for 8th Grade Washington D.C. Field Trip
Grand Canyon Community Rec Center is hosting a New Year’s Eve Fundraiser Party to support the Grand Canyon Middle School D.C. Trip!
Live band, Juniper Hill, starts at 9:30 p.m. Pre-admission tickets and 50/50 raffle tickets available for purchase at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center. More information on the event can be found in the attached flyer here.
In This Issue
Greeting From Supervisor Horstman
City of Flagstaff Detention Basin Tour
Board Approve Applications for FEMA Grants for Flood Mitigation Projects
Coconino County Features Emergency Management (Video)
BOS Approves $5 Million of ARPA Funding for Community Projects
United Way of Northern Arizona, Thanks Our Community Volunteers
The Heart of Democracy: County Certifies Elections
Pathways To Communities Offers A Way Forward
Flagstaff Community Stuffed the Bus
Coconino Couty Celebrates the Holidays!
Winter Parking Ordinance
County Employee ” Dex” Honored
Welcome to Michael Jackiewicz Director of Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJJC)
Community Events and Resources
Contact Us
Weekly Call Updates
For the next two weeks, all employee calls as well as stakeholder/community calls will be canceled in observance of the holidays.
We will start the New Year with a new weekly call format beginning on January 11, 2023. There will be just one call each week, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for both NPS employees and community members.
Wednesday all employee and community call from the Superintendent’s Office:
TIME: 11 a.m. Arizona Time
CALL IN: 877-491-6221
PARTICIPANT CODE: 7074828#
If you would like a calendar invite sent by email with this information, please email the public affairs office at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
-Grand Canyon Office of Communications
Volunteer to support the Grand Canyon Community this holiday season!
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, Delaware North will be having a wrapping party to wrap the angel tree gifts from 1-5 p.m. in Yavapai Lodge atrium. All angels on the DNC Angel Tree have been adopted this year and donations should be dropped off before this Friday, Dec. 16 to the General Store. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, Delaware North will be making food boxes in the Canyon Village Market Deli starting at 3 p.m. The food boxes will accompany the angel tree gifts to each family. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.
Both events are open to the community and participation is highly encouraged!