
Virtual tour of the Easton Collection Center. Virtual event. 2:30 p.m.; free.

What Happened This Week (05/13/21) recap video
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más de 11 de mayo, 2021
More videos and information available HERE
— AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection is a platform that educates on relevant issues, celebrates Latino accomplishments, and connects Hispanics of all generations.

The city of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Program’s Community Stewards will host a One a Day in May litter challenge. This event runs for the month of May. The top three litter pickers will win great prizes on June 1, 2021.
The Community Steward’s Program is utilizing the phone app Litterati to help participants easily pick up litter as they go about their day. The goal of using Litterati, is to take a photo of the litter through the app, tag it, pick it up and then upload the photo. Litterati will then store the location of the litter, with the type-tag on a map. This will allow Sustainability staff to better identify locations with litter problems and the types of litter out there.

Additional Services Reopen on South Rim
Several facilities on the South Rim will be reopening or adding services this week:
Bright Angel Bicycles is now renting Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes and began taking reservations last week for May 14th and beyond.
On Saturday, May 15th, the Yavapai Coffee Shop will open an hour earlier at 6 a.m.to better accommodate guests. It will close daily at 1 p.m.
The Canyon Village Deli will reopen on Monday, May 17th daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Desert View Watchtower opened the ground floor this past Friday May 7th and is open from Friday through Monday. The Watchtower is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
Village interpretive staff will begin providing visitor information outside of the Visitor Center starting May 21st.

The final day of operations for the Fort Tuthill COVID-19 Vaccination Site at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop in Flagstaff is Tuesday, May 18. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) vaccination operations will shift to special pop-up vaccination events.
First and second dose Moderna vaccine and Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine will continue to be available to those aged 18 and over without an appointment at the Fort Tuthill vaccination site from 8 am – 3 pm through Thursday, May 13 this week. The Fort Tuthill vaccination site will close at 1 pm on Friday, May 14. The site will be open on Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18 from 8 am – 3 pm.

Hikers and backpackers hiking in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit this spring and summer season. Hikers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon, must be self-reliant and understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders.
Rangers at Grand Canyon strongly urge visitors who plan to hike in the canyon to take extra precautions and hike safely. Hikers should hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., rest in shade whenever possible, and avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Important tips for a successful hike include the following: balancing real food, electrolyte, and water intake; drinking when thirsty; getting wet to stay cool; and stopping hiking if you start to feel ill.

As the region heads into summer, and the hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, this seems an appropriate time to reinvigorate ourselves with the promise of a new beginning.
As part of our effort during this nationwide Spring Cleaning, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth welcomes you to explore our new, revitalized website at www.Coconinokids.org
The website features our new logo and brand colors, more images and easier links to a variety of resources you have come to depend on, including:

The city of Flagstaff will enter Stage One fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on May 14, 2021 in an effort to reduce the potential for unintentional human-caused wildfires within the city limits. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.

Coconino County will move to Stage One fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the County, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective Friday, May 14 at 8:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts breezy and dry conditions, necessitating the restrictions, and the decision was made in consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local Fire District officials to reduce the threat of wildfire. Stage One fire restrictions include a ban on fires including campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves, as well as a ban on fireworks.

The state-run Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site will open to anyone 12 years of age and over on Thursday, May 13, subject to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The site currently administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 16 and over. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 -15 on Monday. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC are expected to follow suit on Wednesday with a recommendation to vaccinate those 12 and older. The recommendation applies only to the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older.

Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov

The city of Sedona seeks professional artists for a major exterior public art competition to fill three roundabouts on State Route (SR) 179 with commissioned art.
More specifically, one artist or a team of artists, including artists from multiple disciplines, will be selected per roundabout, for this opportunity to receive a commission to create artwork for one of the three roundabouts.
The roundabouts are located on SR 179 at the intersections of Canyon Drive, Morgan Road and Chapel Road. Artists may design for a preferred roundabout location, but placement will ultimately be decided by an arts and culture work group. Art for the Canyon Drive roundabout should be designed to coexist with the existing tree at this location.

Please find attached the fourth edition of the Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix. We are encouraged by the growing number of business and political leaders from both sides of the border who have become subscribers.
#ChooseMexico has a variety of interesting articles that focus on current business topics relevant to both Mexico and Arizona. One in particular, from Consul Alejandro Martínez, who heads the Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, DES Services, and so much more.
The DES Office of Community Engagement would like to share with you information about this program. The EBB program opens on May 12, 2021 for eligible individuals and households to enroll. Below is additional information and the link to the Toolkit.

The city of Flagstaff will enter Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan on May 17. The move to Phase 3 was predicated on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and COVID related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, the increase in the number of residents vaccinated, the demonstrated ability to follow CDC guidelines, ability to care for the seriously ill and providing testing, monitoring and contact tracing. Under Phase 3, the city will begin a limited reopening of city facilities and amenities. Face coverings are required in city facilities.

This week, in multiple interviews with the press, Navajo Nation President Nez announced that the Navajo Nation will be donating PPE to India to help with the surge of cases in the nation: The president said, “We do have a stockpile of masks that were donated as well as what we’ve made. So what we’re doing is we’re going to package that up and send it to our brothers and sisters in India because they’re getting hit hard and we really know how it feels.” The Navajo Nation was once the hardest hit locations in the country. As the Navajo Nation reaches over 50% of individuals fully vaccinated, the nation is looking to give back to communities in need.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation week, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget asks us all to take some time to thank the exemplary educators of Coconino County who have made a difference in the lives of our children. Think of an educator you know who connects with students, helps them experience and understand the world around them, introduces them to subjects in new ways, and inspires them to take agency over their future. We ask you to take the time to thank these exemplary educators for their work and service to our County’s schools and children.
During Teacher Appreciation Week the Coconino County Education Service Agency would like to congratulate and announce the 2021 Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year nominees.

You are cordially invited to attend a special virtual celebration and networking event for business leaders, industry specialists and economic development professionals as we mark Economic Development Week on Tuesday, May 11.
The Collaborative Communities: Statewide Social Hour will be held via Zoom from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by several economic development organizations in Arizona, including ECONA.

Affordable, accessible and decent housing is of critical importance to a community’s health and viability. On December 1, 2020 the Flagstaff City Council declared a Housing Emergency in Flagstaff, prioritizing affordable housing within City operations to create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for all community members. The Housing Plan will define the housing emergency in Flagstaff and will provide policies and strategies to reduce it.

he gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date.
Services provided by the National Park Service, including the campground and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, will be available starting May 15 at 9 a.m. The Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, and the gas station, will also open May 15. There will be no shower or laundry service available this year. The North Rim Hiker Shuttle will also be unavailable.

Among the many consequences of COVID-19 are its effects on the criminal justice system, including the safety of participants who appear in court.
Flagstaff and Williams Justice Courts are piloting a procedure that allows criminal defendants the opportunity and choice to appear by remote online methods while still being aware of all their legal rights and protections along the way.

The Coconino County Adult Probation office moved from 222 E Birch Avenue Flagstaff, AZ to their new address at 420 N San Francisco Street Flagstaff, AZ.
“Adult Probation is happy to do our part in the County’s Space Reimagined Initiative which looks for solutions and cost savings as it relates to office space and remote work. By moving into a smaller office footprint, the Adult Probation Department is committed to reducing the financial burden of the criminal justice system on taxpayers. The last year provided us an opportunity to learn how to combine virtual and in-person work, thus reducing our need for physical space in an office setting.

In May 2021, the city of Flagstaff’s Building Safety Section will participate in the 41st annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save,” will be held virtually this year, raising awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn.

APS has launched a new initiative to help small businesses embrace environmental sustainability and win more customers along the way.
The Going Green and Going Smart program is a free, on-demand certificate program that identifies ways businesses can save money on their electric bills by leveraging industry knowledge and best businesses practices.
Designed with smaller brick-and-mortar locations in mind – such as restaurants, offices, stores or warehouses – it teaches businesses how to conduct an energy audit and develop a sustainability plan. Going beyond that, however, it also shows how businesses can use their new energy efficiency to attract new customers.

The City of Flagstaff’s 10 Year Housing Plan is underway and the Housing Section is asking all members of the community to participate by taking the City of Flagstaff Housing Survey.
The goal of the survey is to garner the most responses and to gather statistically valid housing data from a fair sampling of people.

Adolescence is a complex and emotional transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time of establishing an identity and taking new (hopefully healthy) risks to expand your sense of self and capabilities. It’s a time when peers are of utmost importance, and we crave belonging.
Creativity Calling meets all of these critical needs from expression to connection! The arts are an opportunity to express yourself and interact with the world. Art expression allows us the chance to access our deepest and most authentic selves and reflect. The arts help us regulate our emotions. The arts can be a nurturing social experience. Most significantly, the arts can connect us with our sense of purpose.

Applicants sought for the Maine Consolidated School District #10, by Coconino County, for Governing Board Seats for Appointment
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Maine Consolidated School District #10.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) presented its 2020 Cesar E. Chavez Community Recognition Award to Vietnam veterans at the American Legion Post 3 in Flagstaff on April 10, 2021.
The award will now remain on display at the post.
The presentation was delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After previously having cancelled, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is pleased to announce the reinstatement of the 9th Annual Teacher of the Year and the 4th Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year Awards.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented multiple challenges for teachers and students over the last year. We have witnessed the strength and ingenuity of Coconino County teachers through these difficult times and would like to acknowledge those who have been exceptionally outstanding in developing inventive curriculum and strategies for supporting student learning during the 2020/2021 school year.

The city of Flagstaff will soon add a new well to their inventory. Drilling of a second groundwater well at Fort Tuthill County Park began February 22, 2021.
Drilling this well is part of the city’s mid-to-long term water policy and the subsequent ten-year capital plan initiated after the 2002 drought left Upper Lake Mary reservoir nearly dry, resulting in water shortages throughout the city. This is the first of five wells in the plan to add resiliency to the city’s water supply and serve as a safety net against climate change and resulting drought, forest fires or infrastructure failure. Groundwater wells are the core producers of city water, averaging 65% of the city’s potable water supply since 1950. They tap into the C-aquifer at an average depth of 1000 feet below land surface with the bottom of most wells exceeding 2000 feet.

Earth Day Celebrations and National Park Week Continue
Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, check out one of our Grand Canyon Moments about Water at
https://youtu.be/OuP7vfsd-mk.
This Grand Canyon Moment features the sights and sounds of water and is a reminder of how essential and precious water is. Both the Earth and the human body are made up of about 70% water!
Everyone plays a role in protecting water, whether you are at Grand Canyon or at home. One way you can protect water is by being water wise! For example, where does your water come from and how much do you use daily? What is one way you use water?

Tall buildings like those recently built for student housing along Milton Road and W. Route 66 are currently allowed in places that would surprise most of us. They are allowed anywhere north (N. End) and south of downtown (Southside), even next to the public library. Five and six story buildings are also allowed anywhere in the Sunnyside Neighborhood bordered by 4thStreet, Cedar Avenue and McMillan Mesa. This is not the result of any recent comprehensive planning, but an historic artifact.
City staff is proposing to council on April 27th a new zone called the Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC).

Applicants sought for the Fredonia Moccasin School District #6, by Coconino County, for Governing Board Seat for Appointment
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Fredonia Moccasin School District #6.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Grand Canyon Unified School District #4.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

A variety of organizations took part in a discussion hosted by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth on the important role community members can play in the development of resilience of youth, caregivers and family by mentoring and supporting connections during a webinar presented by CCC&Y on April 14.
The free webinar, please click here, is designed to help those interested in the variety of mentorship programs in Coconino County. During the webinar, various speakers shared information about their organizations and the need for mentors.
Partners participating in the webinar included Arizona’s Children Association, AZ1.27, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Grant funding was provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.

Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov

The state Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site, a partnership with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Coconino County, Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Northern Arizona Healthcare, will open in Flagstaff on Monday, April 19, administering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 16 and older.
The vaccination site will be located at NAU’s University Union Fieldhouse, 1050 Knoles Drive and will serve the Flagstaff and northern Arizona communities. The indoor vaccination site will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Initially, the site will offer approximately 1,000 appointments per day, with capacity to administer more than 4,000 doses daily.

Beginning April 17, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over the next several weeks fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively.
Units targeted for spring burning are in areas south of Jacob Lake, Crazy Jug/Big Saddle area, and the North Rim Developed area. The North Rim and National Forest areas south of Jacob Lake remained closed until May 15, making this an opportune time to perform burns for infrastructure protection and hazardous fuel reduction as smoke impacts and disruption to visitor experiences would be minimized.

Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Kachina Village and Mountainaire areas are available for public review and comment.
The maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Kachina Village and Mountainaire are at risk for flooding. Used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements, the new flood maps replace maps that were based on studies more than 25 years old.

Navajo Nation reissued its stay at home order on April 9, 2021. This order has the same direction as previous orders and encourages Navajo Nation residents to stay safe at home. Daily curfews are in place from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. mountain daylight time.
As always, there are no restrictions upon staff or community members relative to travel to and from the park.
You can read NDOH Public Health Emergency Order 2021-008 here.
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.

Coconino County health officials announced (on April 13), in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recommendation, the County is pausing use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The recommendation is based on six reported U.S. cases, out of 6.8 million doses administered nationally, of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In line with the current guidance, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has cancelled this week’s Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic located at the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff. Those with appointments at the NAH vaccination site for Johnson & Johnson, are encouraged to seek vaccination at other County vaccination sites where the Moderna vaccine is being administered. Registration information is available at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine

* Special invitation! Join our virtual Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 12 (see attachment). Registration required: https://aarp.cvent.com/d/mjqdk3/
* SSI applications are considerably down. Our good friend Jack Burns from the Social Security Phoenix office shares the attached letter. Feel free to reach out to Jack with questions: 866-331-4359 / john.p.burns@ssa.gov.
* Our Long Term Care series has launched. Visit our FB page to watch our first show: Long Term Care in our Healthcare System. This topic will be addressed every other Saturday. Next topic: Acute Care vs Long Term Care (4/17).

There’s no greater time to explore the outdoors. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, why not put into practice sustainable recreation and tourism? Did you know there are 7 principles of Leave No Trace? To learn more about how you can
leave no trace when exploring
Arizona’s outdoors, visit
AppreciateAZ.com.

East Entrance at Desert View Re-opens
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are you concerned with the challenges facing our youth and families?
Have you felt called to learn more or maybe even get involved as a mentor?
All are invited to learn a bit about the importance community members can play in the development of resilience through connections with a virtual program from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2021.
Partners include Arizona’s Children Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Grant funding provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.

On Wednesday, April 7, Coconino County will unveil a suffrage marker at the Coconino County courthouse to commemorate the centennial of Women’s Voting Rights in collaboration with the National Collaborative for Women’s History Site (NCWHS) and the Pomeroy Foundation.
The Arizona Women’s History Alliance (AWHA) identified the Coconino County courthouse as one of five historic sites in the state of Arizona as Anna Howard Shaw, a nation suffrage leader, gave a talk at the courthouse on October 18, 1912. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw is a significant figure in the national suffrage movement, campaigning across the country in the ultimately successful push for women’s right to vote.

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.

Step up for Youth and Families/Individuals During COVID Relief and Recovery
United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), in partnership with Coconino County is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021-2023 grant application cycle on April 1, 2021. Grants will be due on April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This is a two-year application cycle (based on availability of funds).
Any verifiable social services non-profit (501c3) organization in good standing with the IRS, and that meets the eligibility requirements set forth by UWNA is invited to attend a virtual required training session.

The city of Flagstaff recently implemented Priority Based Budgeting (PBB), a tool that allows the city to approach budgeting in a new way. This method takes the traditional line item budget information and converts it to showcase expenditures, revenues and other key sets of data at the program level, such as fire suppression, snowplow operations, and police dispatch. To learn more about this budgeting approach visit: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3258/Priority-Based-Budgeting.

STEM City is now accepting nominations for the 2021 STEMmy awards, an annual award given to organizations and individuals who are STEAM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. The deadline is April 23, 2021 and nomination forms for each of the categories are available below.
Student Nomination Form
Teacher Nomination Form
Community Member Nomination Form

The city of Flagstaff Sustainability Program will host four live Open Houses on the draft Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan. The Open Houses, hosted online via Zoom, will gather feedback on the Plan from residents and answer any questions the community may have. The events will take place on:
– Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.
– Friday, April 9 at 12 p.m.
– Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m.
– Saturday, April 17 at 10 a.m.

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) held its inaugural drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially safe alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration on Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
Nearly 500 pounds of food were collected, along with nearly $500 in cash donations.
All donations went to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Thank you to former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans for conducting Facebook Live interviews to spread the word about the event, and to supporting partners The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños and Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM.
The event was promoted in the Arizona Daily Sun and KAFF Country 92.9 FM