CHAC partnering with @nauflagstaff during Cesar Chavez weeklong celebration

COCONINO COUNTY — Cesar Chavez Day was declared a federal holiday by President Obama on March 31, 2014 to honor Cesar Chavez, a Latino American leader in civil rights and the labor movement.

This year, the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) is partnering with @nauflagstaff to commemorate his legacy through community service.

Upcoming events include:

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27 — NAU Tennis Match & Food Drive
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 28 — COVID-19 Latina/o Research Team Panel
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 — Feature Film: Cesar Chavez (2014)
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 — Guest Speaker: Dr. Mike Amezcua – “Making Mexican Chicago: From Postwar Settlement to the Age of Gentrification”
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31 — Documentaty Film: Dolores (2018).

The NAU Review — Doctoral student honored, National Cocktail Day and Oscar predictions

Throughout her education and career, Melissa Wheeler was used to being the sole Indigenous person in a room, or one of a few. She’d never had a Native American professor. That’s no longer the case for Wheeler, a doctoral student in the counseling/school psychology education program, as she has helped open doors to others by bringing her work to them. In recognition of her commitment to culturally centered work, Wheeler was named to the second cohort of Rising Graduate Scholars from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. She was one of only 10 students nationwide to receive this honor.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 21-25, 2022

Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics    

As of March 17, Coconino County community transmission remains moderate, and the community level is low. In Arizona, 13 of the 15 counties have low community levels.  

Total cases for the week of March 10-16 is 5,153, which is an average of 736 cases per day for the seven-day rolling average for the week. No new cases have been reported this week within Grand Canyon National Park or in the 86023 zip code. 

Coconino County reports the Grand Canyon community is 73.1% fully vaccinated as of March 18.

March Updates from Coconino Center for the Arts

See Youth Arts: Progress & Potential before is closes on April 2nd!

Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday; 11 am – 5 pm

Coconino Center for the Arts’ 2022 Youth Art Exhibition celebrates the outstanding progress and unbounded potential of local youth artists in Flagstaff and the regional community. This year, the exhibition is open to and inclusive of all artwork submissions by youth artists (Pre-K to 12th grade, living in Coconino or Navajo counties) that reflect significant progress in the students’ artistic learning; risk-taking, trying new materials and techniques; and strong potential for continued artmaking.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Getting Your Donations Where They Are Needed Most

At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment (CI) Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.

There are currently 37 community volunteers participating in one of seven Community Investment Teams spread throughout northern Arizona.

This year, their review process is a little different.

Typically, UWNA disburses one-year grants to our partners, but in 2021, we chose to make two-year commitments to each of the the 42 programs supported through your donations, with an initial grant given last year and a “renewal” grant awarded this year.

That change gave our partners a little more stability and the opportunity to plan out beyond one year.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — ‘Is Your Team Speaking the Same Language?’ and more news

Youth recently talked to a CEO of a youth-serving organization who is onboarding several new employees. He was pleased to know that CCC&Y had resources to ensure all staff could be trained in trauma-informed practices. We shared our list of on-demand webinars, and our CEO partner is now ensuring they are incorporated into the onboarding protocol.

With Child Abuse Prevention Month approaching in April, CCC&Y would love to support you to ensure all staff have the tools they need to become trauma-informed. CCC&Y has on-demand webinars on our website www.coconinokids.org. In addition, training topics can be provided to your organization on a day and time that work for the staff. Training is conducted either virtually or in person and is tailored to meet the needs of specific groups within Coconino County.

Forest Restoration Initiative earns top honors at Arizona Forward’s Environmental Excellence Awards

The Coconino County Flood Control District’s Forest Restoration Initiative (FRI) won both the 2021 Governor’s and President’s awards at Arizona Forward’s 40th Annual Environmental Awards Gala on March 19 in Phoenix.

Arizona Forward has hosted the annual Environmental Awards Gala for over 40 years.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — A Changing of the Guard

It is the end of one era – and the beginning of a new one.

Chris Bavasi, who was instrumental in the formation of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona and served as the Chairman of its Executive Board since it began in 2010, stepped down from this post earlier this month. He will remain on the board, however, as a lifetime emeritus member.

Joshua Maher, Northern Arizona University’s Associate Vice President for Community Relations, has now stepped into the chairman’s role with Heidi Hansen, the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Vitality Director, serving as vice chair. Joe Barba, Director of Government Relations at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is our Secretary, while Steve Eiss, Vice President, Construction & Real Estate Development for Northern Arizona Healthcare is our Treasurer.

NAU — Reducing racial disparities in STEM

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 10 percent of all master’s degrees are awarded to Latinx students, and only 1 percent to Indigenous students. The situation for Ph.D. students is even more dire. To address these inequities on an institutional level, a multidisciplinary team of researchers will partner with Diné College and NAU-Yuma to launch two related projects, supported by nearly $1.3 million in funding. Their ultimate goal is to recruit, train and place students from historically excluded groups into STEM careers.

Construction work for Cedar to Dortha and Dortha Inlet Project to begin March 21

The City of Flagstaff will begin construction of drainage improvements in the Spruce Wash from Cedar Avenue to Dortha Avenue the week of March 21, 2022. The work includes improvements to the open drainage channel between Cedar and Dortha and reconstruction of the drainage inlet in Dortha to increase capacity. This project is part of the overall Spruce Wash improvements in response to the unprecedented Museum Fire flooding that the community experienced during the 2021 Monsoon season.

Coconino County Parks and Recreation — Recreation Program Catalog including Summer Camp is online

The Recreation Program catalog provides one easy place to view our upcoming programs such as Culinary Classes, Archery Clinics, Hikes, and the Outdoor Adventure Summer Camp. Program descriptions and clickable links direct to each program’s online registration page. Visit Coconino.az.gov/recprograms to view our digital catalog.

The Friends of Coconino County Parks (FCCP) have teamed up to offer Program Financial Assistance for certain CCPR recreation programs. Funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact Adam at asmath@coconino.az.gov.

Commentary — Supporters for a Thriving CCC — Coconino Communty College needs our support! Vote YES on May 17 on Prop. 438

“Supporters for a Thriving CCC” Political Action Committee are a group of volunteers working to support Coconino Community College and its long-term success for our region. Unfortunately, the college is critically underfunded and needs more revenue to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. 

The good news: there is a way to fix it. This May 17th, the college will be asking voters in the county for a sustainable, pragmatic, primary property tax rate reset. We recognize and value your community leadership and ask for your help in this effort both financially and verbally.

Passage of the ballot measure will reset the college’s primary property tax rate to a level that will still be the lowest in the state but will provide the necessary dependable revenues to sustain the college well into the future.

Patrice Horstman — March 2022 District One Newsletter

In This Issue
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Congratulations Board Chair Horstman and Vice Chair Vasquez
Call for Public Input on Redistricting Maps
Grand Canyon National Park Visit
Museum Flood Mitigation Status Update
Coconino Community College Tax Reset
Pending State Short-Term Rental Legislation
Library Seeking Volunteers
March COVID-19 Update
Contact Us

United Way of Northern Arizona — Page Regional Domestic Violence Services Providing ‘Another Way’ for Those Seeking Help

Over the years, Page Regional Domestic Violence Services (PRDVS) has evolved in its approach to breaking the cycle of physical and psychological trauma that often is a daily fact of life for American Indian women. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reports that almost 46% of American Indian women are physically abused by an intimate partner during their lifetime, rates significantly higher than for other ethnic groups.

When it opened in 1997, PRDVS was a five-bed shelter in a single-wide mobile home trailer donated by the City of Page. Now, operating under the name Another Way, it has 32 beds in four double-wide mobile homes that have been converted into duplexes.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Photos from Rim to Rim

This week we are taking a diversion from our regular communications on COVID-19 and park operations to highlight some of the amazing places (and people) here at Grand Canyon through photographs taken by NPS, GCC, and Xanterra staff over the last several months. From the North Rim, to the Colorado River, to the South Rim, take a moment and enjoy these awe-inspiring landscapes.

Interested in raising chickens or composting at home? Apply for the City’s new rebate program!

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office is providing rebates up to $100 to those who purchase prefabricated chicken coops, composters, or both after March 1 2022. At-home chicken keeping and composting methods work together to provide healthy soils while keeping food waste out of the landfill.  

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Registration now open for CCC&Y’s ‘Mindful Positioning’ workshop on April 27

Registration is now open for CCC&Y’s “Mindful Positioning — Seeking Change & Healing” virtual workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27.

International child welfare expert Kevin Campbell will host the event.

Register here.

More than ever- we need to unite with diverse community members in a process designed to gain answers and input. A step in our Self-Healing Communities work.

With funding support by Vitalyst Health Foundation and the Department of Child Safety Prevention Councils

City launches Community Bond Survey

The City of Flagstaff is conducting a Community Bond Survey to gather feedback from Flagstaff residents on which potential bond packages are most important to them for the 2022 election. The survey will be available online from March 17 through March 31. If members of the public need help accessing the internet to complete the online survey, they can visit the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Downtown location (300 West Aspen Ave.) or East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N 4th Street, Ste 5). Paper copies are available at City Hall and both libraries.

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 10th Edition

Springtime is about renewal a time for life to re-emerge and start the cycle of life all over again. It is the calm after the storm, the dawn of light after prolonged darkness. It is a time to fortify ourselves, and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming year. We have lots of work to do moving forward. We must be prepared for the new monsoon season. Make the tough decisions around local county Redistricting. Make the financial decisions for the county budget for FY 2023. There is a midterm election where our citizens have some decisions to make about their elected officials and different bonds to support programs for our county. As the Board of Supervisors, we have the duty to listen to our constituents and lead our county through these trying times. After severing as supervisor for a year, I am honored to now serve the county as Vice Chair. It is my responsibility to provide leadership to our county staff and the citizen of our county. I am committed to growing into my new role and advocating for all Coconino County.

Sedona Arts Center — SAC HOMESHOW: Birdy Style – GALA TICKETS now on sale!

Let’s celebrate together to raise funds and bring arts and education to our community!

Thursday, April 14th, 2022
6pm-8pm
5pm – 6pm VIP Reception & Pre-Sale
Sedona Arts Center Parking Lot & Art Barn

Silent Auction begins Monday, April 4th, 2022
Door Prizes include three $1000 Gift cards (one each) to Rowe Gallery, Goldenstein Gallery, and Exposures International Gallery (you must be present to win)

Tickets are $50 per person or
$75 per person for VIP Reception & Pre-Sale Prior to the Event
Purchase original artwork to benefit SAC
Mingle with friends and meet the artists
Enjoy wine and light hors d’oeuvres
Registration required

2022 STEMmy Nominations Now Being Accepted

STEM City is now accepting nominations for the 2022 STEMmy awards!

This annual award is given to organizations and individuals who are STEM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. The deadline is April 10, 2022.

Nomination forms for each of the categories are available below:

High School Student Nomination Form

Teacher Nomination Form

Community Member/Business Nomination Form

Winners will be announced during the STEM Celebration Event
at Ft. Tuthill Saturday, April 30th.