Category: Local

Different Starts, Common Goal: How Two Flagstaff Graduates are Transforming Their Passions into Nursing Careers

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College’s nursing program recently celebrated the achievements of two of its graduates, Jennifer Swomley and Joseph McIntire. Each brings a unique background and a personal story of dedication to the nursing field, reflecting both the diversity and the challenges of modern healthcare education.

Jennifer Swomley, 27, moved from Colorado to Flagstaff in 2021, drawn not only by personal relationships but also by the strong reputation of Coconino’s nursing program. Initially interested in becoming a firefighter, influenced by her friends in the emergency services, Swomley’s career path took a pivotal turn after her experiences on an ambulance crew. These experiences exposed her to the realities and complexities of medical care, sparking a new passion for nursing. “I was drawn to the depth of patient interaction and the broader scope of care I could provide as a nurse,” Swomley explained.

City of Flagstaff — ParkFlag implements new booting and towing policy in Downtown Parking District

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s parking management program, ParkFlag, will implement a new booting and towing policy effective June 1. This policy is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to enhancing parking enforcement and ensuring the fair and equitable use of parking spaces in the Downtown Parking District.

The primary goal of the new booting and towing policy is to discourage repeat parking offenders and promote adherence to parking regulations, improving overall traffic flow and accessibility.

CCC Community Education — July classes and workshops are now open!

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2024 • Comments Off

Intermediate Watercolor

Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9
12:15 – 5:30 p.m.

This class is for intermediate watercolorists. Learn techniques through demonstrations and guidance to help you plan and create successful compositions.

Watercolor – Learn more and register!

Sedona Arts Center — Workshops, Field Expeditions, Summer Camps, Oh My!

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2024 • Comments Off

FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Grand Canyon / Alaska
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library 5/27/24

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

Mount Elden Trailhead reopens and new mountain bike trail debuts as improvements continue in Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills area

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — An overhaul to Flagstaff’s busiest trailhead and a brand-new mountain biking trail are just two recent improvements in the Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) area.

The Mount Elden Trailhead reopened Thursday following eight weeks of construction with a new parking lot designed to accommodate 50 vehicles as well as additional visitor services.

“We’ve been working really diligently on improvements in the Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills area, and we hope that work is apparent,” said Patrick McGervey, Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) Recreation and Wilderness Staff Officer. “We’re excited for the upcoming projects we have planned in the area for the coming months.”

In Remembrance of Memorial Day

by AmigosNAZ.com • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Memorial Day honors U.S. military service members who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

In honor of this federal holiday, our office will be closed on Monday, March 27, 2024.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Wishing You a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

This weekend we will mark a somber tradition that dates back to 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War. Known then as Decoration Day, it was a time to honor those who perished in the conflict by adorning their graves with flowers. In 1971 the last Monday in May was established as Memorial Day.

We wish you a safe holiday weekend as we continue the tradition of honoring those who gave all so we could live in freedom.

Courtesy ‘The NAU Review — What Memorial Day means to me’ by Brandon Piestewa

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

Shí éí Brandon Piestewa yinishyé

Nakaii nishłį́
Naaneesht’ézhí Tachii’nii bashishchiin Shash dashicheii
Tábąąhí dashinalí

Hi, my name is Brandon Piestewa. My mother is from the Mexican clan. My father is born of the charcoal streak red running into the water people. My maternal father is Bear clan. And my paternal father is edge water people.

While some may perceive this day as a holiday, offering a break from work or school, I as a military dependent perceive Memorial Day not just as a holiday but also as a deeply personal day of remembrance and respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. From my personal perspective, I experience it as missing parental involvement during crucial life milestones, such as sporting events or graduation ceremonies. The Iraq War tragically claimed the lives of approximately 4,500 U.S. troops, leaving over 3,000 children bereft of a parent. Consequently, many of us have experienced a loss in some shape or form.

I became deeply entrenched in the military-connected community at a young age due to the sacrifice my mother made while serving.

Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School earns 2024 Chicano For La Causa ‘Esperanza’ Latino Teacher Award

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School has been named a 2024 “Esperanza” Latino Teacher Award winner by Chicano For La Causa (CPLC).

“(May 6), we honored four outstanding teachers at the 2024 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards,” CPLC stated on its Facebook page.

Congratulations to our honorees from across Arizona: Erika Acosta, Margaret Gallego, Gabriel Robles, and Lilian Williams

You are not just teachers— you are mentors, role models, and an inspiration to all. Your passion and hard work shapes the future of our community

As we celebrate your well-deserved recognition today, we also celebrate the countless lives you have touched

Gracias to our sponsors: Salt River Project, Cox, Amazon Fire TV, Southwest Airlines, and HUB International”

CCC Selects Dr. Sandra Hinski as Provost & Executive Vice President

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Upon conclusion of a national search with 60 applicants, Coconino Community College today announced the selection of Dr. Sandra Hinski as the next Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Hinski will oversee the college’s academic programs, faculty and academic support staff. She will join the college on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Hinski has over 14 years of experience in higher education and over 25 years in various roles in the health professions. Dr. Hinski most recently served as the interim Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), where she provided support and leadership to both instructional and occupational programs, as well as instructional support service areas.

Discover Flagstaff — ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona, Various Locations and more events

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona is a 10-day event, with art-centric activations across the city. May 23-26

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 20-24, 2024

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2024 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon Unified School District high schoolers spent last week on a four-day whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River. Facilitated in partnership with Grand Canyon Youth (GCY), 20 students participated in the Diamond Down Expedition that covers the last 50 miles of the river through Grand Canyon National Park into Lake Mead Recreational Area. This is their third year the school has provided this experience for students. Grand Canyon National Park rangers Monique Navarro and Catrina Whitton were able to attend the trip which was coordinated by high school science teacher Forrest Radarian.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Start learning about Summer Food, Summer Reading Programs in Coconino County

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2024 • Comments Off

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

As Summer rapidly approaches, it’s time for parents to start collecting resources for upcoming Summer Programs including food security, reading support and more throughout Coconino County.

Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.

The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you. (Updated May 21, 2024).

SEE LIST OF PROGRAMS

City of Flagstaff announces upcoming Memorial Day closures

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, May 27 in honor of Memorial Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 28 at 8 a.m.

The NAU Review — NAU wins: a hydropower competition, a research grant for studying desert birds and a fourth-straight track and field championship!

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2024 • Comments Off

NAU wins national hydropower competition

An interdisciplinary team of senior engineering students entered the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition to fulfill their capstone requirements—and won. The team, made up of three electrical engineering students and three mechanical engineering students, took first place in all three of the competition’s challenges—siting, design and community connections—earning first overall for the competition.

Sedona Arts Center — Summer Art Camp for Kids

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2024 • Comments Off

Summer Youth Clay Camp!
with Dennis Ott
Ages 8–12
June 24 – 28
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am – 12pm / Friday 1 – 4pm

Come Play in the Clay!

Come spend the week playing in the “mud” with two ceramicists who love sharing their clay talents with young folks. Each student will have the opportunity to learn throwing skills on the potter’s wheel as well as create several hand-built projects. You will also learn how your clay projects will be fired and glazed.

No experience is necessary – just your willingness to come and have fun creating in clay.

City of Flagstaff — Speed limit on portions of Butler Avenue reduced

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The speed limit on portions of Butler Ave has been reduced, effective immediately. The speed limit on Butler Ave from S Milton Rd/ Rte 66 to E Sawmill Rd was reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph and the speed limit from E Sawmill Rd to Ponderosa Pkwy was reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. Speed limit signs in the corridor have been updated.

Your Artistic Journey Begins at Sedona Arts Center

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2024 • Comments Off

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP! STARTS TOMORROW!

Creating the Abstract Landscape
with Amanda Hawkins
May 22 – 24 : Wednesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm Daily

There is a sweet spot of overlap between the traditions of abstraction and contemporary landscape painting where mark-making and the implications of planar structure combine with color and light to create a magical realm of newly discovered space.

This workshop will help you transform Sedona’s beautiful scenery into loose and expressive abstract landscape paintings.

Prescribed burns planned within Flagstaff city limits on May 21

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Fire Department is planning a prescribed burn on Tuesday, May 21 in the Observatory Mesa Natural Area off Forest Service Rd 515A and Westridge Rd. The burn area is approximately 123 acres. Sections of the Observatory Mesa Trail will be closed to the public during firing operations. The Mars Hill, Tunnel Springs, and Karen Cooper FUTS trails will remain open. There will be an increased firefighter presence in the area during the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Smoke is expected to drift to the northeast over the neighborhoods of Westridge, Anasazi Ridge and Ridge Crest. Fire managers will coordinate with neighboring national forests, national parks, fire departments, and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke impacts.

Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 committee to meet May 22

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2024 • Comments Off

The focus of the ninth Regional Plan Committee meeting will be to discuss the draft Future Growth Illustration and initial Land Use Framework for the plan.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Growth Concept Survey! Your feedback is crucial. We are excited to share the preliminary results at the meeting and how they will be used to inform the Regional Plan’s Future Growth Illustration.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library 5/20/24

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

Flagstaff High School celebrates its 2024 Hispanic Convocation

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Nearly 80 students were recognized at the 2024 Hispanic Convocation held at Flagstaff High School on May 8, 2024.

The event included the introduction by Principal Libby Miller, the welcoming address by Ruby Sanchez Ramirez and the keynote address by Daniela Tirado Barva.

The Presentation of Students ceremony included Miller, Assistant Principal Frank Alvillar, Assistant Principal Matt Barquin and Athletic Director Jeannine Brandel.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Deadline Extended to May 17 for KinderCamp™

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

A survey of parents indicated that children’s KinderCamp experience improved their knowledge of letters and sounds of the alphabet, made them better able to socialize with other children, and increased their ability to communicate with adults.

If you are interested in learning more about KinderCamp in Flagstaff or registering, please click here.

Alumni Spotlight: Coconino Community College Graduate Thrives in Bay Area

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Three years ago, Joshua Singer bid farewell to his hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona, to embark on a solo journey to San Francisco. Armed with not one but two degrees – a fine arts degree and a general studies degree from Coconino Community College – Singer ventured into the vibrant arts scene of the Bay Area. Singer, now a seasoned resident of San Francisco and a student at the Academy of Art University, reflects on his experience since leaving Flagstaff.

Prescribed burn projects continue around Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers will begin conducting the Mint West prescribed burn project this weekend to help protect communities from catastrophic wildfires and improve the health of the forest.

The Mint West project is slated to begin Saturday, May 18 and is located 25 miles south of Flagstaff. Smoke impacts may occur along Lake Mary Road and in the Mormon Lake Village area.

Plans for prescribed burns often change quickly since they are dependent upon weather conditions and wind predictions. Details and updates about all prescribed burns can be found at inciweb.wildfire.gov. Planned prescribed burn projects will always be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind and humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plan.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — Men on Boats opens tonight! No men. No boats. One river. ARTx starts today, too

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

“Men on Boats is a brilliant reimagining of the mapping of the Grand Canyon,” said actor Sunny Richardson, who plays John Wessley Powell. “The show has direct quotes from Powell’s field journals, adding another layer of authenticity to the play.”

Photos from last night’s preview performance.

“Men on Boats is said to be a ‘true-ish’ story, based on the journal writings and accounts of John Wesley Powell and the crew that survived. Audiences will learn many rafting terms and how to work together out in the wilderness and on the water as a team to get through challenging situations,” said Theatrikos Board Member Lisa Coe, who plays trapper/hunter William Dunn in the play. Dunn was one of those who tragically left the expedition just moments before the successful conclusion. “Men on Boats is based on local history with a connection to the Grand Canyon and river running.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — The News from the Northeast

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

We recently received a progress report from Northeast Arizona Representative Tempy Wessel about the region’s efforts to redefine its future.

Tempy joined United Way of Northern Arizona earlier this year at a pivotal time for Navajo and Apache counties.

Historically an economically challenged area, the region has faced additional pressures due to imminent power plant closures. Stakeholders are hoping to create new jobs, address workforce development, and increase the supply of workforce housing.

UWNA is focusing on positive youth development and building the capacity of community nonprofit organizations after receiving community input that substance abuse/mental health, affordable childcare, and afterschool programs are among the top priorities for Northeast Arizona. The creation of the Northeast Arizona Representative position is part of UWNA’s commitment to the region.

“It’s a huge effort to help support community vitality and positive youth development is critical to that effort,” Tempy said. “Youth are our future workforce and leaders.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 13-17, 2024

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Inner Canyon Water Status

The North Rim has reopened for the season and inner canyon temperatures are beginning to climb! Our water utilities staff are working diligently to turn on all remaining inner canyon water sources over the next week.

Projected “ON” dates for remaining inner canyon water sources:

Three Sisters prescribed fire project near City of Williams planned for next week

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2024 • Comments Off

WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to initiate prescribed fire treatments on Monday, May 20, on the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, east of Airport Road, west of Highway 64, and along the north shore of Kaibab Lake. The planned ignition date may change should conditions not prove conducive for safety and smoke impacts. Crews are targeting a total of 2,245 acres on four units and anticipate ignitions to take up to three days, conditions safely allowing.