Category: Seniors

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 8-12, 2026

As part of Grand Canyon National Park’s Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, wildlife staff are asking employees and residents to report any elk observed within designated wildlife exclusion zones.

The five designated exclusion zones are:
El Tovar Complex
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Maswik Lodge
Mather Campground Services Area
Grand Canyon School

National Park Service (NPS) — 2025 Grand Canyon Drinking Water Quality Report now available

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also called the annual drinking water quality report, is a document that community water systems are required to deliver to their customers each year under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It summarizes the quality of the water delivered over the previous calendar year, including the source of the water, the levels of any detected contaminants compared to federal standards, and any violations that occurred.

The report gives consumers clear, accessible information about what is in their tap water and how it measures up to EPA safety standards, so you can make informed decisions and understand any potential risks. It also holds water systems accountable by putting monitoring results and compliance status in front of the people they serve.

Theatrikos Theater Co. — Celebrate Culture, Community, and Local Theatre with Us This Month!

Festival season has officially arrived in Flagstaff! There is nothing quite like this time of year, when warm, sunny days are paired with a perfect cool mountain breeze and the refreshing, unmistakable scent of pine trees fills the air. The city is buzzing with energy, and Theatrikos is absolutely thrilled to be part of the celebration.

As you head out to enjoy the vibrant community atmosphere, we invite you to come say hello! Catch up with us, experience a taste of local theatre, and see what we have in store at two fantastic upcoming festivals.

Sedona Arts Center — Calling All Artists: Two exhibitions now accepting submissions

Application Deadline: July 3, 2026

Exhibit Dates: July 31 – October 10, 2026
Location: Tolleson Art Gallery, located inside Tolleson Public Library, Tolleson, AZ

Deadline to Apply: July 3, 2026

The Tolleson Art Gallery invites Arizona artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to submit work exploring the journey of artistic growth, transformation, and self-discovery.

My Evolution celebrates progression — the shift from where you began to where you stand today as an artist. This exhibition highlights personal development, changing perspectives, breakthroughs, experiments, reinventions, and the moments that shaped your creative voice.

Artists are encouraged to submit work that reflects changes in style, technique, identity, purpose, or pivotal moments in their artistic journey. All mediums are welcome, including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, textiles, and more.

Selected exhibiting artists will receive a stipend, with additional compensation available for artists presenting a workshop, artist talk, demonstration, or public engagement program.

June at the Museum of Northern Arizona

June at the Museum of Northern Arizona ushers in the start of an engaging season. Summer is truly special here! Our beautiful setting in the ponderosa pines comes alive with events, visitors, and community energy.

I invite you to kick off the summer at MNA’s Party on the Plateau fundraiser on Saturday, June 6. Reserve your tickets now. The accompanying online silent auction is open to all, featuring unique items and experiences to explore.

National Park Service approves plan to modernize water system serving the North Rim and Inner Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. –  The National Park Service (NPS) approved a plan today to upgrade the water system that supplies and delivers water between the North Rim developed area and Cottonwood Campground in Grand Canyon National Park. The current water system is old, often breaks down, and requires frequent repairs in difficult and sometimes hazardous conditions.  

NPS Intermountain Regional Director Bert Frost signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the North Rim and Roaring Springs Water System Improvements project. This work is part of a project to rehabilitate the North Rim and Roaring Springs Utility Systems funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.

Grand Canyon National Park launches Conservation K-9 pilot project to reduce human-wildlife conflicts

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park is welcoming a new, four-legged member to the park’s wildlife management team. “Blue,” a trained Conservation K-9, will work alongside park wildlife staff to help reduce human-wildlife conflicts in busy areas on the South Rim. 

The Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, now in its first year of a 3-year pilot, uses dogs to encourage animals who are habituated to humans, such as Grand Canyon’s elk and bighorn sheep, to avoid developed areas where interactions with visitors can be unsafe to both visitors and wildlife.  

Art for Life: Exploring Creative Aging in Flagstaff on June 11

FLAGSTAFF — Join the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Creative Flagstaff on Tuesday June 11, 2026 from 4-6pm for an interactive session about Creative Aging, an exciting national movement to advance understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging.

Creative engagement through the arts is fundamental to the human experience and deeply linked to enhanced health and well-being. Older adults who engage in the arts experience better overall health, enjoy a higher quality of life, and are more active in their communities. Together we will dive into the why and how of providing high quality creative programming for adults across the aging spectrum

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 25-29, 2026

A planned water outage is scheduled in the inner canyon from June 4–11 to support critical Transcanyon Waterline infrastructure work. Crews will tie in a new section of piping along the River Trail and complete additional work at the Havasupai Gardens pumphouse.

The outage will impact potable water service at Phantom Ranch, the Phantom Ranch Delta Restroom, Bright Angel Campground, Boat Beach, Cottonwood Campgrou`nd, Manzanita Rest Area, and Manzanita Day Use Area. Havasupai Gardens, as well as the 3-Mile and 1.5-Mile resthouses, will continue to have water available during this period.

Get the latest news updates from U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) including — ‘Gallego, Colleagues Call on HUD to Rescind Rule That Would Kick Americans Out of Housing, Add Administrative Burden’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office of U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego

Get the latest news updates from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes including ‘Attorney General Mayes Announces Conviction in Empowerment Scholarship Account Fraud Case’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes

Discover the Joy of Making at Sedona Arts Center

Sedona Arts Center offers year-round classes and workshops designed to inspire artists of all experience levels. From painting, ceramics, jewelry making, and photography to mixed media and more, our programs are welcoming, hands-on, and taught by working artists in a supportive creative environment.

Whether you’re discovering a new passion or continuing to grow your skills, you’ll find opportunities to explore, create, and connect in the heart of Sedona. New ceramics classes begin in June, alongside a wide variety of upcoming workshops and studio experiences for adults, teens, and families.

Celebration of 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel draws capacity crowd to cherished icon of local Hispanic community

Also see: 

Arizona Daily Sun — Gallery: Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel celebrates 100 years

FLAGSTAFF — In a scene that harkened back to a time when the few local Catholic Churches hosted capacity crowds during multiple Sunday services, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Chapel enjoyed a resurgence during a Mass held in honor of its 100th anniversary on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Parishioners and community members could be seen standing on either side of the chapel’s pews, while others crowded in the back of the chapel and even outside structure’s heavy wooden front doors.

It was an appropriate turnout for a place that has so much meaning for the local Hispanic community.

“Since its dedication on December 5, 1926, and the inaugural Mass on December 12, 1926, this sacred site has served as the spiritual and cultural heart of the Southside neighborhoods/Barrios. …” according to a portion of the official proclamation that was read at the event by members of the of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors on May 16.

Coconino Community College holds public forum on May 21 to discussed a proposed new building

Also see:

Arizona Daily Sun (Nov. 10, 2025) — CCC beginning planning process for construction on Flagstaff campuses following bond election
FLAGSTAFF — Members of the local community gathered on May 21, 2026 for a Coconino Community College public forum to discussed a proposed new building at the Fourth Street Campus.

This session, led by Dr. Eric Heiser, president and CEO of the college, was designed to introduce the project and gather feedback from community members, students, faculty, and staff.

College officials said the input will help inform the design and ensure the space reflects CCC’s mission, values, and long-term goals.

While the main campus today is located on Lone Tree, the college actually got its start on Fourth Street near the Sunnyside Neighborhood of Flagstaff.

Community comes out to celebrate 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel

FLAGSTAFF — From a moving standing-room-only service, to a variety of musical performances, food and inspiring stories, the Northern Arizona community came out in full force for the 100th anniversary of celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Flagstaff on Saturday, May 16. The event included:

Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions

COCONINO COUNTY — Areas of Coconino County within Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest have entered Stage 1 fire restrictions.

With the potential for continued warm, dry and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona, Coconino County will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions in alignment with area National Forest decisions. Locations and dates for restrictions are listed below.

County fire restriction stages are:

City of Flagstaff — Stage 1 Fire Restrictions begin on May 21

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. 

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions,

Permits for open burning within the City will not be issued.
The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.
Use of fire pits and other open flame devices without an on/off switch are prohibited on Red Flag Warning days, as issued by the National Weather Service. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 4-8, 2026

North Rim Reopens for 2026 Season

Grand Canyon National Park officially reopened the North Rim for the 2026 season on May 15. The park extends a heartfelt thank you to Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Arizona Trail Association, and Aramark and for their support and partnership in helping ensure reopening remained on schedule for the 2026 season.

Visitors hiking the upper portion of the North Kaibab Trail between Supai Tunnel and the Trailhead are advised to use increased caution while traveling through areas affected by the Dragon Bravo burn scar. Burned landscapes can increase the risk of flash flooding, debris flows, rock falls, erosion and falling trees, particularly during monsoon storms or periods of heavy rain. In cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, the park has expanded flash flood monitoring and emergency preparedness efforts throughout the Bright Angel Creek watershed, including the installation of new stream and precipitation gages and enhanced visitor notification systems. Hikers are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions and heed all posted warnings.

Flagstaff voters approve Regional Plan 2045

COCONINO COUNTY — Results for the May 19, 2026 Special Election indicate that a majority of Flagstaff voters chose “Yes” on Question 492, ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. This means that the Plan will be in effect in the City of Flagstaff following the official canvass of the election, which is expected to occur at the June 2 Flagstaff City Council meeting.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Annual Meeting Shows Community in Action

Every year, our Annual Meeting and Community Impact Celebration reminds me of why this work matters.

This year’s breakfast brought together so many of the business and community leaders who make northern Arizona the special place it is. We celebrated the close of a very successful annual campaign and reflected on the difference we can make when we work together.

Outgoing Board Chair Armando Ruiz said it beautifully: “I have been able to witness first-hand the power of partnership and collective impact. I am so proud of the work we are doing with youth.”

Sedona Arts Center — Take action to support arts funding in Arizona

Right now, Arizona lawmakers are making critical decisions about the 2027 State Budget — including the future of funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Sedona Arts Center is joining Arizona Citizens for the Arts in urging supporters across the state to speak up now in support of continued arts funding.

An investment in arts and culture is an investment in education, community health, tourism, local economies, and quality of life throughout Arizona. Arts organizations, teaching artists, students, and communities across the state benefit from this essential support.

We encourage you to take a moment today to contact your legislators and ask them to support at least $2 million in ongoing funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts in the 2027 budget.

Discover the Joy of Making at Sedona Arts Center

Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
Discover the Joy of Making

Sedona Arts Center offers year-round classes and workshops designed to inspire artists of all experience levels. From painting, ceramics, jewelry making, and photography to mixed media and more, our programs are welcoming, hands-on, and taught by working artists in a supportive creative environment.

City of Flagstaff Beautification – Arts& Sciences — News & Opportunities

View this email in your browser Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition Opens May 19 The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County announce the opening of the third annual Multicultural County Park Sculpture ExhibitionTuesday, May 19. This year’s exhibition features large-scale…

Explore Art Classes & Workshops at Sedona Art Center

May is a perfect time to step into something new.

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.

Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 4-8, 2026

T-minus 8 days until the North Rim reopens for the 2026 season! NPS staff from the Planning, Environment, and Projects Division assist with installing barrier fencing on Thursday, May 7, in preparation for reopening.

May at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

May brings a sense of anticipation at the Museum of Northern Arizona as we prepare for a vibrant summer season of exhibitions, programs, and other opportunities to connect with the Colorado Plateau. Before the busy months ahead, we invite you to enjoy a special start to the season with a colorful new exhibition and a day dedicated to celebrating museums as places of discovery and community.

Artist Hopid Unveiled, opens May 16 in the Courtyard Gallery and highlights the groundbreaking collective formed in 1973 by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema. Drawn from MNA’s fine art collection, including recent acquisitions, the exhibition explores how these artists created bold contemporary visuals rooted in Hopi life, tradition, and storytelling. Presented in three thematic installations, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on modern identity and cultural continuity.

We also look forward to celebrating International Museum Day on May 16 with free admission and activities for all ages. From hands-on art and science experiences to touch tables, guided tours, and family-friendly exploration throughout the Museum, it’s a chance to experience MNA as a place of creativity, learning, and connection.

I hope you’ll join us at the Museum as we welcome the season ahead.

Mary Kershaw

Executive Director & CEO

Museum of Northern Arizona

May News at Sedona Arts Center

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This month, we are excited to present a new exhibition, FORM and FACE: Abstract Bodies + Masked Identities, in our Special Exhibit Gallery. Featuring work by Zarco Guerrero, Mike Medow, and Kevin Titzer, this dynamic show runs through May 31. Exploring the intersections of abstraction, the human form, and identity, the exhibition uses sculptural masks, figurative assemblage, and evocative materials to examine how identity is constructed, concealed, and revealed. It’s a truly compelling experience—don’t miss it.

Sedona Arts Center — CALL TO ARTISTS — FRIDAY Deadline — 2026

Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
(This Friday)
Notification: May 15, 2026
Program Dates: June 1–25, 2026

Sedona Arts Center invites teens and college-age students (ages 15–22) to apply for Gallery 928, a paid summer art apprenticeship that pairs emerging artists with a master artist to design and create a public mural on the Sedona Arts Center campus.

Up to 12 apprentices will be selected for this immersive program. Each participant receives a $500 stipend and three free college credits through Yavapai College, along with hands-on experience in the full public art process — from concept to completion.

Gallery 928 also helps artists build essential professional skills, including teamwork, leadership, presentation, and résumé development, preparing them for future opportunities in the arts.

CCC Community Education — Sign up for summer fun!

Conscious Writing & Sharing

Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. The class will also focus on building trust and learning how to offer constructive feedback.

Writing – Learn more and register!

City of Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 — Have you received your ballot for the Regional Plan Election?

Do you have questions about the Regional Plan?

Click here to visit the Regional Plan FAQ page, which has been updated to include these topical questions:
What does the Regional Plan propose for the AZ State Land parcels known as Section 10 and Section 20?
Why is there an Employment District near Ft. Tuthill?
Does the Regional Plan 2045 require new homes to be all electric?

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Addressing Misinformation: Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045

City of Flagstaff voters,

There’s a lot of misinformation being spread in our community, on social media and by word of mouth, about ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.

F3 would like to directly address this misinformation by providing direct answers to specific misinformation. The questions and answers below are taken directly from the City of Flagstaff’s Regional Plan 2045 website FAQs.

Does the Regional Plan 2045 require that all new homes must be electric?

No, there is no policy that directly states that all new homes should be all electric. There is an action item in Chapter 10 to “Update the City Sustainable Building Resolution and Sustainable Residential Building Incentives to further implement net-zero energy standards.” The incentives could include points or options for all electric homes.

Explore May Classes & Workshops at the Sedona Arts Center

May is a perfect time to step into something new.

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.

Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

Annual Cinco de Mayo Dinner and Dance to be held at the American Legion on May 2 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — The American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present their annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring music by Ruben Hernandez, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.

• Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. — $12
• Dance from 8 to 11 p.m.
• Tickets are $15 per person / $20 per couple.

MAY Day Economic Boycott on May 1

By Indivisible Northern Arizona 

FLAGSTAFF — (The Boycott) lays the foundation for future economic disruption.

LET’S SHOW OUR COLLECTIVE POWER!

What to do instead? Celebrate collective bargaining.

And if you must shop, SHOP LOCAL!

Event details:

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 27-May 1, 2026

Water Conservation Remains Critical Following New Pipeline Break

Grand Canyon continues to operate under water conservation measures. A new break in the Transcanyon Waterline was identified the evening of April 29 and as of Thursday afternoon, the break has been located along the North Kaibab Trail north of Phantom Ranch near the 4th footbridge. This latest development is a reminder that the system remains fragile and conditions can change quickly.

North Kaibab Trail access changes begin Oct. 15 for Transcanyon Waterline Project Work

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Beginning Oct. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., a section of the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park will close to all public access for critical pipeline rehabilitation work on the Transcanyon Waterline. The closure area will be between Redwall Bridge (2.5 miles north of Manzanita Rest Area) and the northern end of Cottonwood Campground.

This hard closure will remain in place through approximately February 2027. There are no alternative routes or detours available through this section of trail. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of both visitors and work crews operating in a narrow corridor with heavy equipment and active construction.

Sedona Arts Center — Explore May Classes & Workshops at SAC

Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
May is a perfect time to step into something new.

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our May classes and workshops — from oil painting and jewelry making to iPhone photography — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.

Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

City of Flagstaff — Ballots sent out for upcoming Flagstaff Regional Plan Election

This ballot asks voters in the City of Flagstaff to vote on whether to ratify or not ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. Return your ballot by 7pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The special election is a vote-by-mail only election. There are no polling places on election day.

Click here for ballot drop-box locations and additional election information. 

Communities Not Cages: National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention/ICE Out of Flagstaff on April 25

FLAGSTAFF — Join us at Flagstaff City Hall as part of a nationwide day of action against the Trump administration’s expansion of ICE detention — and its assault on the due process rights of immigrants and all Americans from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

Send a message to ICE that they are not welcome in Flagstaff

The Department of Homeland Security is moving to lock thousands of people in massive detention warehouses — cutting them off from their families, their lawyers, and any meaningful chance at due process. We’re taking to the streets because Flagstaff stands for something better: dignity, justice, and the rule of law.

Discover Flagstaff — Celebrate Earth Day in Flagstaff! / 2026 STEM Celebration Fort Tuthill County Park (April 25) / 18th Annual Viola Awards The Orpheum Theater (April 25), more events

2026 STEM Celebration
Fort Tuthill County Park

The 2026 Annual Community STEM Celebration is an opportunity for all of Flagstaff to engage with the STEM community. 1 p.m. Free.

The Literacy Center — Grateful for a Community That Shows Up for Literacy

Our 29th Annual Adult Mountain Spelling Bee Bash was a celebration of literacy and community, and your support helped make this event a huge success! If you joined us, thank you to bringing your energy and making the night so much fun. If you didn’t make it this year, follow this link to watch the video with pictures from the event.We hope to see you there next year!

Beyond this event, your generosity allows us to support adults, families and students throughout the year. The letter below shares one parent’s experience and the powerful difference your support can make in a child’s life.

Creative Flagstaff — Celebrate With Us This Saturday!

The Viola Awards are this Saturday, April 25, 2026!

Grab your tickets and get ready to rally with friends, celebrate our incredible arts community, and dance the night away like it’s the ultimate homecoming game.

We can’t wait to see you there, let’s bring the spirit and celebrate together! 

Theatrikos Theater Co. — What I’ve Been Thinking About in the Dark of the Theatre

There’s a moment that happens just before the lights go down, when the room settles, conversations fade, and a kind of quiet anticipation takes over. Lately, I’ve been sitting in that moment a little longer, taking it in.

Because this year, it feels different.

We opened our season with Clue, and from the very first performance, there was an electricity in the room, laughter that felt shared, immediate, and needed. Then came The Marvelous Wonderettes, and I found myself watching not just the stage, but the audience. People swaying in their seats. Smiling at each other. Singing under their breath. For a couple of hours, nothing else seemed to matter.

‘Find Your Joy’ at Flagstaff Public Library during National Library Week through April 25

FLAGSTAFF — What brings you joy? Whether it’s cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, gathering with community or something else, you can find your joy at the Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library.

National Library Week, April 19–25, 2026, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities.