Category: Family

Supervisor Patrice Horstman — October / November 2022 District One Newsletter

In This Issue

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Forest Restoration Update
West-Side Corridor Meeting – Flood Mitigation
East-Side Flood Mitigation Projects
Winter is Coming! 180 Corridor
Fort Valley Community Meeting
16th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau
2022 Western Interstate Region Business Meeting
Downtown Mile
Board Expands Pumphouse Wetlands Area
Habitat for Humanity Expands Housing
Wood For Life
Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth 50th Anniversary
NAU 123rd Homecoming
Welcome CCC President, Dr. Eric Heiser
Health Services Updates and Resources
Upcoming Events
District 1 Celebrating Halloween
Contact Us

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Your membership, donations needed as CCC&Y moves toward the next 50 years

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for attending our recent 50th anniversary celebration.

We have heard about so many excellent times, as well as, seen many fabulous pictures!! We greatly enjoyed seeing you — it was amazing!!

Thank you to all of you who became members that night and the following days (you can see the full list of our members and sponsors here https://coconinokids.org/supporters).

If you have not had the chance to become a member yet, please, please do so here https://coconinokids.org/contribute/. 

Your support is greatly needed to help ensure the success of the Coalition, our partners and help aid local families this holiday season and beyond.

As mentioned at the 50th anniversary celebration, it is just not just the funding — which is a tremendous help —it is also adding your name to the mission for change. Please make sure to do so today individual, family, and/or organization!!

To those who donate to CCC&Y instead of becoming members or in addition to becoming members-thank you so very much!!  

Your support is greatly noticed!!

Remember, CCC&Y is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status-so your contributions are tax deductible eligible. Please consult your tax professional.

The NAU Review — Homecoming photos, making STEM inclusive and women’s soccer champions!

View this email as a webpage. Nov. 8, 2022 LumberSNAPS: Homecoming 2022 From the student carnival and dedicatee banquet to the Saturday morning parade and a hard-fought football game, Lumberjacks from near and far celebrated a week of Homecoming at…

Local Partners Gearing Up to Stuff the Bus to Benefit Flagstaff Family Food Center

The annual Stuff the Bus event returns to Flagstaff on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, 2022. This collection event has long been a partnership between the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, and the Mountain Line Transit System.

“The Mountain Line team looks forward to this event each year, and we are honored to work with our partners to fill a bus with good to help our neighbors in need,” said Mountain Line CEO & General Manager Heather Dalmolin.

November at the Museum of Northern Arizona

November is Native American Heritage Month — a time to learn about, honor, and celebrate the people who have lived here since time immemorial. A great way to do that is with a visit to MNA, where the ten tribes of the Colorado Plateau have shared their cultures and art in their own words. We are proud to help tell their story not just for a day or a month, but all year round. This November we have the honor to welcome the Pueblo of Acoma Enchantment Dancers for a special presentation on November 26. They will share their buffalo dance and talk about aspects of their culture.

Community celebrates 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Mariachi performers strolling in the courtyard, stopping off to pay their respects to families attending the lighted ofrendas / altars, folkloric dancers with faces adorned with Día de los Muertos-styled make-up, traditional food and cultural lectures — all combined to 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los Muertos at the Museum of Northern Arizon.

Presented by the museum and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, the event drew hundreds of visitors on a cool but welcoming weekend in Flagstaff.

The museum’s Jaime Golightly Courtyard was transformed into a candle-lit setting, with intricately cut papel picado (pierced paper) and ofrendas (altars) to welcome past loved ones to the party.

United Way of Northern Arizona — President & CEO Search Update

The search for the next head of United Way of Northern Arizona is entering its final stage, with the Board of Directors opening up the application process to replace current President & CEO Carol Dykes.

The Board has spent the past few months meeting and surveying key community stakeholders to gain their insights about the future direction of UWNA and the qualities they would like to see in the next head of the organization.

“We felt that input was vital, because – let’s face it – Carol will not be easy to replace,” said Board Vice Chair Armando Ruiz (Coconino County).

Ruiz was appointed by Board Chair Mike Kelly (W.L. Gore & Associates) to head up the Search Committee.

There Is Still Time To Return Your Early Ballot for the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election

he Coconino County Recorder’s Office reminds early voters that voted early ballots must be received no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, November 8.  The recommended deadline to mail your voted early ballot has passed.  Instead, early voters should drop their ballots off in person.

As of Tuesday, November 1, only 38% of the early ballots issued for the General Election have been received by the Recorder’s Office.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Thank you for helping CCC&Y celebrate its 50th anniversary

Thank you supporters of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth who attended our 50th anniversary celebration on Oct. 27, 2022 at the High Country Conference Center. We had representation of more than 20 organizations, and of course, and more than 200 guests who came out for a gala date night. 

The event was highlighted by the presentation of a special “Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award” to local educator Julianne E. Hartzell.

“I just adore Julianne and I’m so excited to honor her in this way,” said Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of CCC&Y. “She has been so very giving with her time, not just to me personally but to the organization as a whole.

“The contributions Julianne has made, and continues to make, have had tremendous impact on the organization and the wider community. We are very fortunate to benefit from her knowledge and giving nature.”

The NAU Review Welcome to the space cam! + real-life CSI and an award for service to humanity

It’s a tight fit in the cleanroom, but the students wearing “bunny suits,” who move around each other and all the equipment, are too focused on the work to worry about personal space. They’re part of a new project called VISIONS—a mission to design, build and test a new dual wavelength camera system that could go into space. Planetary sciences professor Christopher Edwards is leading a team of 27 students on the project, which is being done to NASA’s exacting standards, with the dual goals of getting it onto a spacecraft in upcoming years and giving students unparalleled hands-on experience that will prepare them for graduate school or industry careers.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation November Update

Public Comment on Fort Tuthill Management Plan

November 14 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

November 17 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

Coconino County Parks and Recreation is asking for public comment on the Fort Tuthill Land Management Plan DRAFT. A copy of the draft plan is available here, where the public may leave comments. Public meetings will be held on November 14 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and November 17 at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall. There will also be a virtual option to join through Microsoft Teams. The link will be available at coconinocounty.konveio.com/fort-tuthill-county-park-management-plan-draft, under Fort Tuthill County Park Management Plan DRAFT. 

City of Flagstaff snow operations

With snow forecast for northern Arizona in the coming days, the City of Flagstaff would like to provide information regarding snow operations. The City’s Public Works Division will deploy all available equipment and operators during winter snow events, with operations running 24 hours a day during significant events. 

Coconino County Buildings to be Adorned in Green Lights to Honor Nation’s Veterans

By an official, unanimous proclamation of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, 15 buildings and facilities throughout Coconino County will be illuminated with green lights from November 7 through 13 as part of Operation Green Light. The buildings will include the County Courthouse Clock Tower and Administrative buildings in downtown Flagstaff, the Justice Center in Williams, the Public Library in Tuba City, the Justice Court in Fredonia, and many more.

County Plows Ready for Season’s First Snow

Coconino County Public Works crews are prepared to keep County roads open and passable during the first snowstorm of the 2022-2023 winter season, which is forecast to hit Northern Arizona this week. 

According to the National Weather Service, rain and snow showers are expected across northern Arizona starting Wednesday night and lasting into Friday, with the heaviest expected Thursday morning/afternoon. Minor accumulations are expected down to about 5000 feet with around 4 to 6 inches expected above 6500 feet. 

Short-Term Flood Mitigation Projects Move Forward

FLAGSTAFF — On October 25, the Coconino County Flood Control District (District) Directors approved investing up to $11.5 million in a set of smaller scale flood mitigation projects in the Schultz/Pipeline Flood area. These projects will restore the capacity of some of the existing flood mitigation measures in the area and reduce flood impacts to the Doney Park area through construction of a series of berms near Landfill Road. 

The District Directors received an in-depth presentation regarding the District’s short-term on-forest and neighborhood mitigation projects and staff requested a budget adjustment in the amount of $10.5 million to cover the costs. The funding will come through a loan from the County’s General Fund. After the presentation and clarifying questions from Board members, the budget adjustment was approved unanimously by those present. 

19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente to be held Oct. 29-30 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Click here for Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra/Museum of Northern Arizona/Flagstaff Nuestras Raíses’ “Celebraciones” concert on Oct. 28, 2022.

FLAGSTAFF — The Museum of Northern Arizona and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present the 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los Muertos celebration from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3101 N .Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.

The 19th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente Festival is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities in Northern Arizona. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this event is a celebration of life, music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Oct. 24-28, 2022

Tamale Sale-GRCA School
Fundraising efforts for 8th grade class underway

The fundraising for the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. has officially begun!

The vision of the Washington, D.C. field trip is to engage students as citizens in American Democracy. The mission is to provide 8th grade students at Grand Canyon School an opportunity to capstone their 8th grade civics curriculum by engaging with locations that exhibit how people of the past and present change the world through the processes in American Democracy.

For more information, please see the attached flyer here.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Your Gift Puts Roofs Over Heads

Homelessness – whether temporary or long-lasting – has become a more dire crisis in the past year.

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the number of unhoused Arizonans was nearly 11,000 in early 2020. As of December 2021, that number is estimated to have increased by nearly 30 percent.

A tragic trifecta has driven up the numbers of those without housing – rapidly rising housing costs, persistent inflation for basic necessities, and the end of pandemic-era protections to keep people from being evicted.

The NAU Review — Celebrating World OT and International Religious Freedom Day, scary movies and RaMPing up research

Opportunity + Choice = Justice
Arantxa Amaya always knew she wanted a career that allowed her to help underserved communities become healthier. This goal led her to NAU’s occupational therapy program at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, where she is working on her doctorate. For World Occupational Therapy Day, learn more about one of the NAU students preparing for a career in this critical field of health care: “In the future, I would like to continue my OT journey in the field of pediatrics. I know I want to serve my community, working with underrepresented populations and advocating for diversity within the profession.” 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents free webinars on understanding how emotions impact adult and child relationships

We are so excited to announce our newest offering.
Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.

First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.

Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One

Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two

These videos are meant to help support our community. Having the tools to take care of ourselves and respond to children, is a great resource.

Trainer
Bethany Camp, LCSW, Private Practice

Please share far and wide in our community- especially for those who parent, care give or work with children.

Willard Springs Green Waste Site to Close for Winter. Last day of Oct. 29

The last day of 2022 operations for the Willard Springs Green Waste Site will be Saturday, October 29, 2022. Willard Springs will be closed throughout the upcoming winter season, which runs each year between November 1 and March 31, so that Coconino County can reopen the station for green waste-only disposal on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Bilingual report — PreventT2 Lifestyle Change Class in Spanish

North Country HealthCare is hosting a program for individuals at risk of developing diabetes in order to assist you in improving your health as well as reducing the risk of developing diabetes. In the program you will learn methods of losing weight, be more physically active, and manage stress. These small changes in your lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

HECHO October Newsletter

It has been an incredible month for HECHO, celebrating public lands policy wins and elevating the voices and visibility of Hispanic leaders in public lands decision-making and advocacy. Our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council (HCLC) members continue to grow and make a difference in their communities.

On September 28th through 30th, HECHO brought Hispanic leaders from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah to Washington D.C. to advocate on conservation issues, including protecting the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining, saving Oak Flat from a copper mine, the resilience of the Colorado River, and making communities whole after the devastating Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire. They met with members of Congress and federal agencies. Read a recap of HECHO’s first advocacy trip.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap Up: Oct. 17-21, 2022

Successful vaccine event in Grand Canyon; Flu and COVID vaccines available October 25 in Tusayan

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team came to the park on Tuesday for a flu and COVID vaccine event. Thank you to the Grand Canyon Rec Center for hosting this event and the Mobile Vaccine Team who successfully vaccinated more than 100 individuals. The team will next be at the Tusayan Fire Department on October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to popular demand of these events, please arrive early to ensure you receive assistance.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Tusayan event here.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Final week to purchase tickets for CCC&Y’s 50th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 27

This is the final week to get tickets to our 50th anniversary celebration.  We have representation of more than 20 organizations so far, and of course, all the couples, friends and folks out for a date night. 

 Purchase tickets here!

Your ticket includes appetizers, drink ticket (cash bar), dinner and a full concert (w/ dance floor) from Flagstaff’s own Mother Road Trio.

Please help us celebrate the stars in our community who helped make this last 50 years such a success – and come help us get the next 50 years off to a great start!

The event is open to all – and we are thanking our members with special discounted rates

If you would like to become a member prior to your ticket purchase, please visit our website for more information 

The NAU Review — The dangers of a thawing Arctic, putting Homecoming 🎡 on your calendar and National Transfer Student Week

Mark your calendars! It’s time to celebrate the Lumberjack family.

This year, NAU is celebrating 123 years as an institution, and Lumberjacks from near and far are returning to their alma mater to help celebrate during Homecoming week. With a variety of activities scheduled for Nov. 1-5, Lumberjacks of all ages are encouraged to participate. VP of Alumni Engagement Stephanie Smith said, “We sure do have a lot to celebrate this year! If this is your first year at NAU or your 20th year in Flagstaff, Homecoming is a fun time for all. And don’t forget to bring your roommate, friends, neighbors and family to the parade before cheering on the Jacks against Montana State!”

Bilingual report — It’s that time of year again, time for your annual flu vaccination!

It’s that time of year again, time for your annual flu vaccination! Flu vaccination has many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illness, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death.

Getting a seasonal vaccine is especially important for young children because they are at increased risk of getting severe illness from flu.

Grand Canyon National Park — Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap Up: Oct.10-14, 2022

Flu and COVID vaccines available October 18 in Grand Canyon, October 25 in Tusayan

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here.

The NAU Review — One student’s story of war and survival, calling for donations and testing air quality at the Cocopah Head Start

Surviving refugee camps, abuse and losing loved ones to suicide
Personalized Learning student Aida Sibic grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There, she experienced firsthand the horrors of war, genocide and the trauma that followed. She recently sat down with The NAU Review to discuss her childhood, how she and her family escaped war, what brought her to NAU and her recently published memoir, Luck Follows the Brave.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Help Them Reach Their Potential

A teenage girl gains confidence by being a Girl Scout, and discovers deep wells of resourcefulness and flexibility when the pandemic throws a wrench in her plans.
A homeless boy receives life coaching at his shelter that enables him to successfully find and keep a job, breaking the cycle of poverty.
A cohort of 6th graders learn about the natural wonders of northern Arizona at Camp Colton, sparking a drive to be better stewards of the earth.
These stories are all the result of United Way of Northern Arizona’s commitment to positive youth development.

You can Step Up for our youth with your gift and help ensure our children reach their full potential and become competent, confident, and caring adults.

Just look at Emily’s story and how she adapted and persevered while trying to educate others about the importance of bees.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents free webinars on understanding how emotions impact adult and child relationships

We are so excited to announce our newest offering. 

Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.

First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.

Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One

Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two

These videos are meant to help support our community.  Having the tools to take care of ourselves and respond to children, is a great resource.

Read More

Join North Country Health Care weekly class at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the PreventT2 lifestyle change program offered by North Country HealthCare. The program is free and open to the public! Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. 

People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 5 years. 

“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Shannon Williams, diabetes program manager at North Country HealthCare. “The PreventT2 program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”

Bilingual report — New COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine now available

Coconino County Vaccination Locations

Coconino County Testing Locations

FLAGSTAFF — Here is some information on the location and times you can get the vaccine to help protect you against the Omicron variant.

Vaccines are available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff.

Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8:30 – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 15th Edition

Thank you for your patience as well as the community residents who have
been engaged within the efforts of Coconino County during this past
summer. We have, as a county, experienced historical amounts of floods—
totaling 45 floods. The pipeline fire as well as the tunnel fire have resulted
in the increase and impact of floods during our monsoon season. It has
been taxing for everyone in our community, especially those who have
been directly impacted by the fires and floods through property, emotional,
and physical damage. I want to acknowledge our resilience as a
community as well as the collective efforts that have taken place across
the board. I want to thank our first-responders, county staff, community
volunteers, vendors, and the nonprofit organizations who all came together
to help our community in our time of need.
The county moving forward wants to address two key issues: long-term
mitigation and government funding. We have made strides towards trying
to secure federal funding to best direct our actions towards re-building.
We want to focus on three components: forest restoration, channels, and
highway improvements. We are working very closely together during this
time with our community, and overall county. Please email me your
concerns with as much detail as possible.
Email: jvasquez@coconino.az.gov

Coconino County Parks & Recreation October Update — Halloween Haunted Hike on Oct. 28

Halloween Haunted Hike

Oct 28, 2022

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

This program will provide you with an opportunity to get outside at night in our beautiful parks and open spaces. Our instructors will tell ghost stories and we may encounter some spooky things along our hike! The trip will provide a unique prospective of our local flora and fauna while getting you active!

We will hike the Solders Trail around the Fort Tuthill County Park as the moon rises about the horizon and peaks through the trees. Hot cocoa will be provided partway along our hike! Headlamps will be provided. Register here!

United Way of Northern Arizona — How You Make KinderCamp™ Possible

For more than 15 years, KinderCamp™ has ensured that hundreds of preschoolers were ready for that vitally important first day of school. That they stepped into their kindergarten classrooms confident and eager to learn. That they were prepared – academically, socially, and emotionally – to make their first school year a phenomenal success.

This signature program, which takes place every June in schools across northern Arizona, is how United Way of Northern Arizona is supporting early childhood development. It’s also a great reason to donate to UWNAduring the annual campaign going on right now.

Take a look at the smiling faces in this video to see the love of learning in action.   

North Rim Day-Use Operations Begin on Oct. 16

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will transition to day-use operations on Sunday, October 16, 2022. At that time, the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim campground will close, and limited services will be available to visitors.

The entrance gate on State Route 67, which provides vehicle access to the North Rim, will be closed at 5 p.m. on November 30, 2022, or after the first major snowstorm if prior to that date.

Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16, should be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. The Cape Royal Road, leading to Cape Royal and Point Imperial, will be closed to the public from October 18-19 due to annual road maintenance.  

City of Flagstaff proposes stormwater rate adjustment

The City of Flagstaff is proposing amendments to the City Code to adopt new or increased fees related to stormwater service charges.

Several events since the most recent rate adjustment have combined to make the current stormwater rate insufficient to meet current and future community needs. These events include post-wildfire flood mitigation needs, critical infrastructure upsizing needs in multiple drainage areas, deferred Capital Improvement Projects identified in the 2010 Northeast Area Master Drainage Study, and rapidly increasing materials and construction costs worldwide. 

Coconino County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of events, programs

See links to more Coconino County and area upcoming events.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has announced that it is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of upcoming events and programs.

The Coconino County and the Board of Supervisors recognize cultural diversity as a core value of our organization; empowering the intersecting and overlapping social identities with a focus on equity, social justice, and actions and move our communities forward.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Join us for Sci Talks! on Friday

Come check out SciTalks at the Coconino Center for the Arts, featuring four TEDx style talks from local artists, scientists and educators. First, join us at 6 p.m. for “Um Actually: Science Edition”, a science trivia game show, followed by the talks at 6:30 p.m. FREE!

The talks include:

Understanding the Largest Earthquakes on Earth with Underwater Imaging by Donna Shillington

Finding the Humane in Digital Fabrication through Self-Portraits by David Van-Ness

Accelerating Carbon Dioxide Removal: Safely, Equitably and Economically by Dr. Jennifer Wade

Get Out! Or, Effectively Experiencing the Outdoors with Kids by Moran Henn

Latino Outdoors — Yo Cuento: Latinx Heritage Month

Latino Outdoors continues to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month 2022!

Known also as Latino Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, this month “traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.” Latinx Heritage Month starts on Sept. 15th and goes until Oct 15th. every year.

¿Por qué el 15?

This date is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.

LHM continues until October 15th and LO has numerous events already planned!

HECHO September Newsletter

This is an important time for HECHO – Hispanic Heritage Month. During the month, which spans September 15-October 15, we are celebrating and reflecting upon the longstanding Hispanic leadership and stewardship of our land and water. We are lifting up a way of life that puts relationships with nature and each other as a central part of the culture, and we are asking you to join our cause to work toward ensuring that these practices are reflected in future public land and water management policy and decision-making. To learn more, I hope you’ll read my blog post elaborating on HECHO’s vision of strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other. We also have some very exciting news to share with you:

Theatrikos October Newsletter: Heartwarming Comedy Cemetery Club, October 7-23

Theatrikos’ upcoming production is Cemetery Club. “Doris, Ida and Lucille may just be deciding on another glass of wine, but their choices reflect larger choices in their lives. How do they face the reality of growing old? Is it wonderful to be content, or should they stay ambitious and passionate and keep wanting more? Cemetery Club asks these questions and more. It’s a humorous, heartwarming reflection on life,” says Cemetery Club director Gina Byars.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — NAU Holds Master Plan Open House on Oct. 6

Northern Arizona University will hold a Community Open House on Thursday, October 6 to discuss the development of its Smart, Sustainable, Comprehensive Campus Master Plan, which will provide a framework for land use, open space and facility development at NAU.

NAU is asking that you register for the session, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the High Country Conference Center.

The master plan will emphasize “smart campus” capabilities to drive new efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions, and effectively manage resources. NAU is working with DLR Group, a nationally recognized design firm, in developing the master plan.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Sept. 26-30, 2022

The Weekly Wrap Up is getting a new look!

Beginning next week, the Grand Canyon Office of Communications will be transitioning to a new email distribution platform called GovDelivery. This transition is necessary for us to meet the Department of Interior’s new policies for email distribution.

The Wrap Up as well as news releases from our office will have a new layout and feel. If you are not receiving email communications from our office (through the Wrap Up or news releases), please check your junk email folder or email us directly at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Science Play Day at the Museum of Northern Arizona

With the change of season, we look forward to the traditions that mark the time of year. Two weekends ago the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival and Indigenous Farmers Market at Colton Garden brought lots of people to the MNA campus to celebrate the bounty of the summer and the fabulous work done in the museum gardens. Kudos to the many volunteers and staff involved, particularly our partners for the event, Flagstaff Foodlink.

Now we are in the midst of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science, another of MNA’s community partnerships. On Tuesday kids and parents came to the museum’s Discovery Village to learn about volcanoes within view of our most dramatic volcano – the San Francisco Peaks. Our biggest FFOS event will be this Saturday, when we will hold a Science Play Day at the museum exhibit building. This event includes hands-on science activities for kids, a series of short science talks, and some very special guests. Like all of the Festival of Science, the Science Play Day is completely free to the public, a gift from us to our community.

Another long-standing fall tradition comes at the end of October, when we partner with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices to put on Celebraciones de la Gente. That Day of the Dead Festival honors those we have lost while celebrating life.

Three great events and three great community partners – we often talk about MNA as a center of science, art, and culture, but we are also a place of food, fun, and family.

I hope to see you soon at the museum,

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

United Way of Northern Arizona — Providing Safety & Security

Why should you donate to United Way of Northern Arizona during our annual campaign?

Because when people struggle to meet basic needs – like food, shelter, and safety – everything else becomes more difficult.

Fueled by your financial support, UWNA and its network of partners work with families and individuals so they can move from day-to-day existence to planning for a positive future.