Sedona Arts Center — Last Call for Artists

18th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival
October 22 – 29, 2022
LAST CALL
– Application Deadline TOMORROW:
March 15, 2022
About the Festival:

Sedona Arts Center invites you along to be inspired and experience master artists painting in the Shangri-La of the Southwest! Sedona is a sublime and stunningly beautiful environment steeped in art history. Sedona Arts Center dates back 64 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an ‘art colony.’ Our community’s iconic and wonderfully creative event—Sedona Plein Air Festival—is a week-long celebration of extraordinary landscapes, world-renowned artists, unique workshops, and wonderful free events from October 22 through 29, 2022!

Housing Solutions’ Rental Attainability Report Shows Cost of Flagstaff Rental Housing Increasing and Prohibitive for Moderate-Income Households

Housing costs in Flagstaff continue to increase, making housing affordability a greater challenge for households in our community. According to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona’s annual Rental Attainability Report, the average cost of a 2-bedroom apartment in our community is now $1,758/mo. In order to afford the average 2-bedroom apartment without paying more than 30% of gross income on housing, a household must earn approximately $5,837 a month or $70,040 annually. That is a 13.7% increase from the average cost of a 2-bedroom apartment when HSNA did its survey in 2020-2021. 

For low-income households, the challenge of affordable housing is more severe. A full-time, minimum-wage earner, making $15.50/hr. would need to work more than two full-time jobs (86.9 hours per week), to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the average rental rate. 

March Updates from Creative Flagstaff

General Operating Support Grants
Creative Flagstaff’s flagship grant program is now open for applications. This grant program supports nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups who have missions dedicated to producing, presenting, teaching, or serving the arts, cultural equity, preservation, or awareness, and/or presenting science programming to the public. Last year, $305,000 was awarded to 31 Flagstaff nonprofits.

Applications are due Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

Funding for nonprofit organizations is available through the Art & Science Fund at Creative Flagstaff. The Art & Science Fund is made possible with funding from the City of Flagstaff BBB Revenues

Supporters for a Thriving CCC — Coconino Communty College needs our support!

Coconino Community College (CCC) improves the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education, and the community wants the college to continue preparing our residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow. But if we don’t fix a dire funding situation before it’s too late, CCC won’t be able to provide the programs vital to the success of our region.

The NAU Review — An award-winning educator, practicing self-care and studying abroad as an Indigenous student

Presidential pedagogy

Education is a second career for three-time Lumberjack Robyn Yewell. But it didn’t stop her from jumping in when she made the move to teaching elementary school science. After a decade of teaching in Tucson schools, two master’s degrees from NAU (and working on a third!), in February she was announced as a winner of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, K-6, for 2020. She is one of only two

United Way of Northern Arizona — W.L. Gore’s Commitment to UWNA

Janet Leung, who retired from W.L. Gore & Associates in 2013, said one of the defining characteristics of her former workplace is its strong spirit of community.

“Everyone has a sense of ownership, of looking out for each other and the company as well,” she said recently.

That attitude extends to its commitment to the community. W.L. Gore not only encourages its employees to support local nonprofits, it matches their donations dollar-for-dollar, even after its associates have retired from the company.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 7-11, 2022

March is Women’s History Month 

March is Women’s History Month and a time for us to honor and celebrate the many women who have helped to shape our nation and the National Park Service. The national theme for Women’s History Month in 2022 explores the role of women of all cultures in providing both healing and hope throughout history. 

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, we would like to highlight the great feat of accomplishing goals and dreams, specifically one woman’s journey of doing it by herself. 

Mather Campground road improvement project to continue this summer within Grand Canyon National Park

A project to repave roads and parking areas within Mather Campground at Grand Canyon National Park will restart in early June and will continue through October 2022. Periodic closures will occur within Mather Campground throughout the summer and a fixed number of sites will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

The repaving will take place one loop at a time and campers booking reservations through www.recreation.gov will notice the following loop closures in effect beginning June 1, 2022 (closures subject to change): 

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

As CCC&Y celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we are committed to:

Our Mission: Igniting collective action to cultivate, honor & empower resilient, thriving communities.  
Our Vision: We envision a holistic community where all children of Coconino County are increasingly free from trauma experience and all have equitable opportunities that build resiliency.  
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. 

Creative Flagstaff — Dom Flemons THIS SATURDAY at CCA

Enjoy an evening with Dom Flemmons this Saturday, March 12. GRAMMY Award Winner, Two-Time EMMY Nominee, 2020 U.S. Artists Fellow Dom Flemons is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and currently lives in the Chicago area with his family. He has branded the moniker The American Songster® since his repertoire of music covers over 100 years of early American popular music. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, slam poet, music scholar, historian, and record collector. He is considered an expert player on the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife and rhythm bones. Flemons was selected for the prestigious 2020 United States Artists Fellowship Award for the Traditional Arts category which was generously supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The NAU Review — International Women’s Day, how community health workers improve their communities, mental health support and helicopters

NAU’s Department of Women’s and Gender Studies has crowd-sourced a list of outstanding historical and contemporary figures who advocated for women’s rights and human rights across all conceivable fields of intellectual, political, medical and artistic endeavors from different geographical locations. From artists to authors to protestors, these women are recognized for their contribution to human history.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Seeking Two Candidates for Vacant Seats on Coconino Community College District Board

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget  is seeking candidates for vacant seats for Coconino Community College District #2 and Coconino Community College District #3. 

Both Coconino Community College District #2 and Coconino Community College District #3 serve a term of six (6) years.

Virtual Public Input Sessions to discuss Draft Maps for Redistricting to be held March 12, 17, 23 and 29

County residents encouraged to attended Virtual Public Input Sessions March 12, 17, 23, 29

COCONINO COUNTY — Every ten years, state law requires county boards of supervisors to reapportion districts based on population according to the U.S. Census. The districts must be reapportioned so each district is substantially equal in population.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors will meet in a Special Session to consider six draft maps for redistricting Coconino County’s supervisory districts. Following consideration and discussion of the draft maps on March 2, a public input period will begin. 

All-Arizona Team scholarship recipient to focus on public mental health

He was tired of chasing after a big paycheck and wanted to do something more for his community.

That’s why Coconino Community College student Frank Stucjus decided to return to school a bit later in life.

“I really like the idea of helping people get the tools to solve their problems,” Stucjus said, adding that he’s had a tumultuous life and would like to help navigate through the tough spots in their own lives as a counselor or a teacher. “I wanted to do something that gives back to the people around me.”

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y March 4, 2022 Special Alert — CCC&Y Opposes HB 2808

CCC&Y has opposed this bill and encourages your participation as well.  

CCC&Y’s Position

HB 2808- Bill is aimed at addressing D and F graded schools. However, it is not addressing the root cause of issues children and families face such as poverty, access to nutrition and technology.  There has been no community input, and there has not been public debate.  Decisions will be made based on testing that many describe as flawed. These measures do not account for the societal variables schools face.  This bill would open the door to school take over from groups- including national ones- with little transparency and accountability.  At a minimum, this should be slowed down to allow for input and discussion.  Further, we have not resourced schools facing the most challenges appropriately. We continue to operate under a punitive system that punishes schools for the societal hardships they are facing rather than offering the necessary support. 

Updated — Prescribed fire planned along Colorado River near Lees Ferry may begin March 8

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as Tuesday downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park. 

On Tuesday, March 8, ignitions may occur on the Paria Beach Riparian Restoration project. The project is not expected to last for more than one day and targets 5 acres of riparian vegetation and tamarisk along the banks of the Colorado River, approximately 1.25 miles downriver from the Lees Ferry boat ramp. 

NAU Latin American Studies to screen ‘Fandango at the Wall!’ on March 9

On Wednesday March 9 at 4 pm in LA 136 Latin American Studies will screen the film Fandango at the Wall. This beautiful and thought-provoking film features a journey through Mexico to explore a 300 year-old Mexican folk tradition–son jarocho—a binational fandango festival on both sides of the US/Mexico border, the conditions of life in Mexico, and the politics of migration. The ultimate message of the film is the triumph of unity through music over division.

You can see a trailer for the film at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skMcKWbF3Jg

All-Arizona Team scholarship recipient builds future

What started out as a desire to build a home she could call her own has turned into a career path.

Now that Coconino Community College student Andrea Clayton has received the All-Arizona Academic Scholarship, she will continue her journey toward a bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology Management and, maybe, owning her own business.

“There’s a certain satisfaction in building with my own hands,” Clayton said, adding that she hopes to gain some experience managing projects for a local contractor before trying to strike out owning her own business.

United Way of Northern Arizona — More Than Just School Readiness

When Elevate PreK launched its year-round early childhood education program at Kinsey Elementary School last August, expectations were high. 

The three-year pilot program was designed not only to fill the gaps in accessing high-quality preschool education in Flagstaff for lower- and middle-income families; it was a chance to showcase best practices and spur more professional development for all early childhood learning professionals.

In just a few months, however, the program has also become a force for good in the lives of the families of the 18 children who attend Elevate PreK.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Feb. 28-March 4, 2022

Outdoor mask zones now lifted throughout the park; masks still required in government buildings and transportation

More updates will be provided soon following DOI and NPS all employee emails this afternoon (Thursday, March 3)

This week, Superintendent Keable has made the decision to remove the outdoor mask zones in the park. This week, the outdoor sandwich board signs have been removed from Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza to Mather Point and Hopi Point. The remaining signs in historic district, Desert View Watchtower area, all shuttle bus stops, and entrance stations will be pulled beginning today, March 3. We will be modifying the Superintendent’s Compendium in the coming days to reflect these changes.

STEM Celebration 2022 set for April 30

Share your expertise at the 2022 STEM Celebration!

Saturday, April 30, 2022

1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Ft. Tuthill Fairgrounds

I am writing to invite your organization to participate in the 2022 Community STEM Celebration.

This is the 9th year STEM City and its partners have worked to create this unique opportunity for all of Flagstaff to engage with the STEM community (K-12 schools, college and university educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and others).

Hands-on activities, demonstrations and conversations excite participants, expose the community to STEM educational and career opportunities in Flagstaff and celebrate Flagstaff’s designation as “America’s First STEM Community.”

We hope you will be able to participate in this once-a-year celebration of STEM in Flagstaff.

School Superintendent to Interview Candidates for School Governing Board and Seeks Input — Maine Consolidated School District #10

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the scheduling of interviews for two Governing School Board Member open seats at Maine Consolidated School District #10.

An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, chapter official, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.

Sedona Arts Center — 41st Annual Juried Members Show Winners Announced!

Sedona Arts Center’s 41st Annual Juried Members’ Show, our community’s largest and longest-running group exhibition of visual art is now showing through March 31 in our Special Exhibitions Gallery in Uptown Sedona. And it’s free to the public!

Visitors will find everything from painting and watercolor to metal, wood, jewelry, and fiber art. A focus is also placed on drawing, mixed-media, photography and digital art. The Members’ Show is steeped in tradition and remains open to all current Arts Center members, whether seasoned professionals or new and emerging artists.

The show will be open 10AM – 5PM Monday through Saturday, and noon – 5PM on Sunday in our newly renovated Special Exhibit Gallery and Theater.

School Superintendent to Interview Candidates for School Governing Board and Seeks Input — Grand Canyon Unified School District #4

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the scheduling of interviews for a Governing School Board Member open seat at Grand Canyon Unified School District #4.

An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district  teacher, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.