Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrates its 2022 Tardeada Festival, Mariachi Mass

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces honored the region’s Hispanic roots by celebrating the seventh annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church south of downtown Flagstaff

The free event drew more than 250 people with the entertainment stage featuring El Mariachi Tapatio de Tucson, dance music by La Banda Las Catrinas from Tucson, Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff.

The highlight of the event included the presentation of certificates honoring the service of all veterans who attended the celebration.

Police academy OK’d by CCC governing board

The Coconino Community College District Governing Board approved agreements to begin a police academy and to start working on a partnership among community colleges in northern Arizona to share resources in order to better serve students.

During the Aug. 17 meeting, CCC Provost Dr. Nate Southerland presented an Oct. 3, 2022, start date for the first police academy at the college after possible program approval by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. The police academy will start off as non-credit, but after curriculum approval, the program will give recruits credits to apply toward associate and higher degrees.

Southerland then shared information with the board on an agreement in the works with Northland Pioneer College, Mohave Community College and Yavapai College to share resources to better serve students in northern Arizona. Among the items discussed would be the sharing of courses and other services to extend a more robust level of service to students in the region. Talks are ongoing and intergovernmental agreements are planned for the near future.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these specially selected art workshops!

his one day class will incorporate beads and/or found objects to create two beautiful and unique pendants. Participants will learn how to utilize a non-toxic epoxy clay to embed objects and beads into a metal pendant tray. Proper placement of beads, design, and composition will be explored. Several examples of finished pendants and necklaces will be provided for reference.  This is a fun and inspirational class that can be used as a spring board for the creation of many types of jewelry and collage work. The class is appropriate for all skill levels.

Museum of Northern Arizona announces opening of new exhibit looking at history of MNA archaeologists working in Glen Canyon

This weekend we open a new exhibition looking at the long history of MNA archaeologists working in Glen Canyon. The artifacts and information from initial surveys of Glen Canyon in the late 1950s continue to reveal new information and MNA archaeologists recently returned to the same locations to see how the sites have changed. All this reinforces the importance of the museum as a place where artifacts are cared for and continue to be studied. MNA Archaeologists in Glen Canyon complements the photography show in the Lockett Gallery, The Great Unknown: Artists at Glen Canyon. 

MNA was started by community members who recognized how important it is to have a museum preserving and sharing information about the Colorado Plateau, and that community connection continues through our members and donors. You can help support the museum by participating in the virtual auction that is taking place right now. And if you aren’t yet a museum member, consider becoming one today in time to attend the upcoming Member Appreciation Day this Saturday.

The NAU Review — The year ahead, National Aviation Day and helping children see

At the inaugural University Convocation Monday, President Cruz Rivera discussed with faculty and staff the highlights of Academic Year 2021-2022 and shared NAU’s three overarching goals for the next academic year: defining the New NAU System, differentiating NAU Online and developing a strategic enrollment management plan that will expand the number of people to whom an NAU education is available.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 22-25, 2022

Special Evening Program at Desert View Thursday, September 1

On September 5, Desert View will have its last sunset talk for the summer season.

The sunset talk on September 1 at 5:45 p.m. will feature Cultural Demonstrators, Bennard and Frances Dallasvuyaoma from Hopi. Their program will highlight the Hopi connection to Grand Canyon and also their personal connection through past relatives who have worked in the park.

Frances and Bennard Dallasvuyaoma are a husband and wife team who both left successful careers to become full-time jewelers. Their innovative jewelry is a dramatic blend of both ancient and contemporary traditions, techniques and materials. Cut and polished by hand, the natural gems and stones are set in a modern version of the ancient mosaic style. “We design each piece of jewelry to signify balance and harmony,” said Bennard. “When we talk about balance and harmony, we mean that there is an order to everything and nothing is in disarray.”

Frances and Bennard will also be demonstrating as part of the Cultural Demonstrator’s Program on September 1 and 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Desert View. Both are amazing Hopi silversmiths and enjoy mixing traditional and contemporary styles into their work.

Grand Canyon National Park Ranger Della Yurcik Receives the 2022 Harry Yount Award

Della Yurcik, Backcountry Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected to receive the 2022 National Park Service (NPS) Harry Yount Award for excellence in the field of rangering. The Harry Yount Award annually honors a NPS Ranger who consistently excels in the performance of duties that serve park visitors and protect the natural, historical and cultural resources of parks. The award is named after the nation’s first park ranger and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today.

CCC Auto Tech program on hold in search of qualified faculty

The curriculum is set. The syllabi are prepared. Classroom space is ready, thanks to the generosity of a local auto dealership.

Unfortunately, the cost of living in Flagstaff has made the process of hiring a full-time faculty member for the Coconino Community College Automotive Technology program a challenge. As a result, CCC’s Automotive Technology program is being forced into a holding pattern until a full-time faculty member can be found.

“We know this program is critical to supplying the trained automotive technicians our community needs, and there has been strong interest from students, employers and community members,” said Dr. Nate Southerland, CCC Provost. “CCC remains committed to the success of our Automotive Technology program and is grateful for those who have made their facilities available to the College to help us deliver the program.”

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — How can you help families and children locally?

COCONINO COUNTY —
As CCC&Y celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we are committed to:
Our Mission: We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families
Our Vision: We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community
To help us continue and expand our mission in 2022, please consider supporting the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth through your individual, family, student or group membership
By becoming a member of CCC&Y your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.

Students studying trades at CCC get $15K boost from Desert Financial Foundation

During a recent tour, Coconino Community College students Nick Bartek and Erika Acuna showed employees of Desert Financial Credit Union and Foundation Board Members around the Fourth Street Campus. This location is where most of the college’s Career and Technical Education courses are taught, which gives students the skills needed to garner well-paying jobs quickly.

Bartek plans to continue his education at Arizona State University to study sustainable building practices. Acuna is working on her requirements to become a registered nurse.

“I learned so much here,” Bartek told the group. “I got the hands-on experience I needed, and I can’t thank CCC enough.”

“I’m the first generation in my family to go to college,” Acuna said, adding that she chose CCC because it was smaller, affordable, and offered her the space to excel in her studies.

First Monkeypox Cases Identified in Coconino County

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) announced the first confirmed cases of monkeypox in Coconino County. The two cases were tested in separate healthcare facilities and are unrelated. The individuals are recovering while following isolation guidance. As of August 22, 2022, 258 monkeypox cases have been reported in Arizona and more than 15,000 cases have been identified in the United States.

Monkeypox symptoms can be similar to the flu with a rash and usually resolve within 2 – 4 weeks. The illness can produce a rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face, the inside of the mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Infection typically starts with a fever and can be accompanied by chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. 

Coconino County Acquires Important Kachina Village Parcel, Protecting Wetland Habitat

Protecting, preserving, and caring for our environment is a core value of Coconino County’s Mission Statement, and the county’s Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the acquisition of six acres of open space wetland near Pumphouse Wash in Kachina Village. Because of their unique characteristics, wetlands are important features in the natural landscape that provide numerous benefits for people and wildlife which include protecting and improving water quality, providing wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters, and maintaining surface water flow during dry periods. 

This particular parcel is an important addition to the Pumphouse County Natural Area, which is a part of the Oak Creek watershed. Oak Creek has a special designation as a Federal “unique waterway,” and the acquisition will protect the land from development, which would have a negative impact to this sensitive and unique parcel and its biodiversity. 

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Action Alert: Flagstaff Regional Plan Visioning Starts This Week!

It’s time to start providing input into the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County’s Planning Process.

The Regional Plan is a policy guide and serves as the general plan for the City of Flagstaff and an amendment to the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan. It reflects the community’s vision for the future, and describes how the community wants to grow and change over the next 20+ years. The current Regional Plan was adopted in 2014 and this new update will guide future growth and development in our region.

Fee Proposal Changes for Coconino National Forest Recreation Areas

The Coconino National Forest is seeking public input on proposed fee implementation at six specific high-use recreation sites to provide consistent maintenance and keep these sites and trails at a level of quality visitors have come to expect. The deadline for comment is Aug. 31, 2022.

The following sites are under consideration for the fee implementation. Red Rock Passes and the Interagency America the Beautiful pass will continue to be honored at these sites.

Coconino County Flood Control District Briefs Federal Officials on Long-Term Flood Mitigation Plan

Coconino County Flood Control District hosted Congressman Tom O’Halleran and officials from the United States Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Federal Highway Administration, and the City of Flagstaff for a comprehensive briefing and tour of the Schultz/Pipeline Flood Area.

Flood Control District officials presented the District’s long-term plan for flood mitigation, briefing Congressman O’Halleran and federal officials about the new situation communities now face after nine critical watersheds were severely damaged by the recent Pipeline Fire. Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani, along with engineering partners, also presented a thorough long-term plan for flood mitigation on the east and west side of the San Francisco Peaks. 

Community celebrates renaming county park for former District Supervisor Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta

Under often Monsoon storming skies, more than 100 community members gathered at the now former Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park to rename the park for former District Supervisor Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta.

Sheltered under the large canopy, well-wishers gathered to hear speeches from members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, local officials, friends, and most movingly family members of Archuleta on Aug. 13.

The event also included live music, park tours, children’s activities, a book signing, and recognition of the new amenities at the park, including a new mural design.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to present 7th annual Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada on Aug. 20

Free event, which has drawn upwards of 400 guests, provides cultural education to community, honors all veterans in region. Mariachi Mass to be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Aug. 21.

FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present its 7th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography Images of the Month – August 2022

What is it about ice hockey that draws so much passion, commitment, and obsession? In cultural anthropology we could use the concepts of group culture, identity, and belonging to better understand the complexities of this sport: ice hockey involves social interaction and social processes, just as any other sport. However, ice hockey is much more than that: it is playing a game -on a sheet of ice! – that is regulated by players with specific physical specialized skills, mental training, and emotional readiness that must be learned and constantly cultivated in order to perform as competent team members.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 15-19, 2022

On Thursday, August 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Updates on local community levels for Coconino County will be posted and updated on the main nps.gov/grca webpage under the ‘Alerts’ section. This information will be updated weekly on Thursdays by the CDC.

We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available. For those wishing to post this signage outside of buildings and in workspaces, please see the attached signage.

Flagstaff and Coconino County to host public workshops on updating the Flagstaff Regional Plan

The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County will host a series of ten public workshops starting Aug. 22 and continuing through November to create a shared vision for the Flagstaff region through 2045 and beyond. These discussions are the first participatory workshops in this multi-year process.  

To chart a path for Flagstaff’s future, residents and staff need to reflect on its past, discuss its present, and dream about its future. These workshops will focus on visioning, which is a process that brings together diverse community members for conversations to guide the next version of the Regional Plan. A schedule of workshops can be found below.  

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Busy Summer for Volunteers

It’s been a non-stop summer for United Way of Northern Arizona volunteers as we worked together to help with post-fire recovery efforts, prepare for the increased possibility of flooding, and even help out at a couple of this year’s KinderCamp™ events.

Before we take a look at the work done – and a few upcoming events – we’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for their hard work so far this season.
The Numbers So Far: More than 1,500 Volunteer Hours

New Opioid Recovery Program Funded by Grant from Arizona Attorney General

In 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency and announced a strategy for law enforcement and health professionals across the country to combat the opioid crisis, with an emphasis on improving access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. 

This year, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has been awarded a grant from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for Local and Tribal Government Opioid Abatement in the amount of $2.5 million. At the August 9 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board took swift action to authorize the addition of the grant funds to the CCSO budget. With these funds, CCSO now commence a collaborative partnership with the Jail District and Coconino County Health and Human Services to provide a new service and support-oriented diversion program focusing on assisting those recovering from opioid addiction in their recovery and re-entry into the community. 

Grand Canyon National Park Crew Leader, Matthew Snider, Earns 2021 Director’s Award for Natural Resources

Matthew Snider, Compost Crew Leader at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance award. This award recognizes an employee for outstanding contributions in natural resource management by a Facilities Management employee. This award is given to one individual, once a year. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y provides variety of free training webinars for families, community organizations

COCONINO COUNTY —
Coconino County has endured a number of challenges in recent years, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting physical closures of schools, daycare centers and afterchool education programs and the switch to a more virtual world.
As we return to some semblance of normal, challenges still remain for families, youth, educators and organizations.
Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth wants to help. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary on Oct. 27, 2022 at the High Country Conference Center, we want to remind the community of our growing library of on-demand webinars, to help the public gain the tools they need to provide trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences, address issues such as bullying and the support to adults and youth through the use of mindfulness practices.

Check out these creative workshops at Sedona Arts Center!

Get ready to loosen up, challenge your skills, and have fun with Bold Brush Painting Advanced….

Feel the rhythm and movement of the strokes and how big brushes can say so much with so few strokes!  We’re going to approach more complex and challenging subjects, such as architecture, café and city scenes, plus the landscape.  Learn to paint the negative space into the positive shapes of your subject, the key is learning to observe more and paint more in less time!!!

So, hold onto your hats, as we approach Bold Brush Painting from a higher level!!!!

Prerequisite- you need have taken the first “Bold Brush Painting” workshop, and have painting experience.