City of Flagstaff to provide public comment opportunities for final 10-year Housing Plan on Jan. 27, Feb. 15, 2022

The City of Flagstaff will provide public comment opportunities for final 10-year Housing Plan on Jan. 27 at the City Housing Commission Meeting and Feb. 15, 2022 at the City Council Meeting.

The Draft 10-Year Housing Plan’s public comment period has officially closed. The community forum garnered 327 responses. Coupling these with the comments received through the presentations and community outreach, there are more than 600 written comments. Housing and Comprehensive Planners are working to review and categorize the comments.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography Images of the Month – December 2021

I have spent quite a bit of time and funds wandering to faraway lands. I have admired infinite oceans of impossible blue and have climbed majestic mountains. Up until now, however, I hadn’t contemplated from my bedroom window those tiny dewdrops on the multi-hued green leaves of my mom’s papaya tree.

Slowly the window became my own inner self and I started pondering about the purpose of my life. I found the answer in the twinkle of those dewdrops dancing on the surface of those leaves, also of an impossible green.

Life is jam-packed with enjoyment and magnificence. Muse on the small, often overlooked details: a gentle wind, a summer downpour, a dewdrop on a green leaf in the morning sun… Touch the wind, smell the rain, feel the joy. Live your life with happiness and delight, for you are very fortunate to be who you are.

Peace and love to all this Holiday Season. Namasté

Feb. 3 — NAU History Department presenting virtual program ‘The Sovereign Trickster — Dean and Laughter in the Age of Duterte’

The NAU History Department will present the virtual program “The Sovereign Trickster — Dean and Laughter in the Age of Duterte” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. 

University of Washington Prof. Vicente Rafael will discuss President Duterte of the Philippines within the context of the global rise in nationalist-populism and authoritarianism. 

Feb. 9 — Coconino County to Host Utility Scale Renewable Energy Ordinance Open House

The public is invited to attend a virtual open house on the Utility Scale Renewable Energy Ordinance (REO) Draft on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The draft ordinance will be available for review and comment on the open house site beginning February 9 through February 16, 2022.

Feb. 17 — NAU Latino American Studies presents ‘José Luis Sotero — Painting across the Border’

Latin American studies would like to invite you to an extraordinary event!

On Thursday February 17 at 7 pm, Nogales (Sonora)-based artist José Luis Sotero will present “Painting across the Border.”  Sotero was detained in 2015 when trying to cross the border, spent a year in detention, and was then deported to Mexico. He is a self-taught painter who is using his art to paint the stories of migrants who seek to escape violence and poverty in the hope of a decent life. He would not be permitted to cross the border to join us, but through Zoom José Luis will share his experiences as well as his striking art.

Through March 8 — Registration is now open for Winter Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) Training

Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom-based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week running through March 8th. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available.  This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.

To enroll in BBE please reply attaching a completed application and other documentation.

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

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.

Feb. 23 — NAU Latin American Studies to present ‘Black Women, Citizenship, and the Making of Modern Cuba’

NAU Latin American Studies will present Takkara Brunson and her  recently-published book “Black Women, Citizenship, and the Making of Modern Cuba” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 on Zoom.

Brunson traces how women of African descent were essential participants in the political processes that defined Cuba well before the 1959 Revolution.

March 29 — NAU to present Film Series ‘Cesar Chavez’ at Cline Library Assembly Hall

The NAU College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Letters will present as part of its Film Series “Cesar Chavez” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at the Cline Library Assembly Hall.

Join us for an early celebration of Cesar Chavez’s birthday with this free screening. Masks required.

In honor of Cesar Chavez’s birthday (March 31), we present this bio-pic which was named Best Picture by both the American Latino Media Arts and the Imagen Awards. Directed by Diego Luna “Cesar Chavez” chronicles the struggles of the civil rights leader and labor organizer’s inspiring battle to secure a decent wage for farm workers. The Chicago Sun Times called it, “A solid and mostly successful attempt to introduce this important labor leader and civil rights activist to younger audiences, while reminding older folks of the impact Chavez had on this country.”

April 23 — Join us for the 25th Annual Mountain Spelling Bee!

Come celebrate our 25th Annual Spelling Bee and support equal access to literacy for all members of our community! We will have raffles, prizes, auctions, games, and more!

Tickets are $55 and cover admission into the event as well as a three-course dinner. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

To sponsor the event or a team, or to participate in the bee competition, email director@thinkliteracy.org

April 30 — CHAC, Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library present Diversity Book Drive

Let’s add to the diverse voices at the library! the Coconino County Public Library is looking to expand their Spanish Language Collection.

The Diversity Book Drive, in partnership with the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library. will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 30 at the Flagstaff Public Library Downtown, 300 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

April 30 — Thorpe Park Annex community design meeting

The City of Flagstaff Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division is partnering with Southwest Decision Resources and Wheat Design Group to collaborate with the Flagstaff community on the future of the 8.5-acre Thorpe Park Annex parcel. On Saturday, April 30, from 12 to 2 p.m., the community is invited to meet with their Flagstaff neighbors and envision the future of the parcel.

From 12 to 12:45 p.m., the community is invited to eat lunch (there will be food trucks on site) and walk around the parcel to learn about initial ideas being generated from the community survey.  Participants will also be invited to think critically about compatibility of current uses and future programming on the site.

May 7 — Flagstaff Boys and Girls Club Fundraiser returns

The Kentucky Derby Fundraiser presented by PNC Bank is back, May 7th at High Country Conference Center.

Enjoy some hors d’oeuvres, a mint julep and much more. There will be live music, a silent auction, live auction and of course watching of the Kentucky Derby. Don’t forget we are giving prizes for Best Dressed and Best Hat!

So grab your hats and get your tickets today! You don’t want to miss the greatest 2 minutes in sports.  www.bgcflag.org

May 20 — Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library hosts Lifelong Learning Celebration and Yearbook Day

The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library will be celebrating Flagstaff learners of all ages with its Lifelong Learning Celebration and Yearbook Day on Friday, May 20. This all-day, interactive celebration will take place in the Community Room of the Downtown Library (300 W Aspen Ave) and will feature crafts, activities, and community learning resources.

Yearbook activities

The Library maintains local yearbooks dating back to 1924, including Sinagua High School, now known as Sinagua Middle School. While these yearbooks are usually stored in a locked case, the entire yearbook collection will be available for patron browsing in the Community Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patrons of all ages are invited to find themselves, their family members, or well-known Flagstaffians among the old and new pages.

The Library will also be launching a “Library Yearbook” for patrons to fill with remembrances and high school memories spurred by the yearbooks. Patrons are also invited to create one-of-a-kind cards for the graduate in their life with an eclectic selection of card-making materials provided.

In the Library’s Teen Zone from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., 2022 graduates can bring their graduation caps to decorate with provided supplies.

Through May 24 — Registration is now open for Spring Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) Training

Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom-based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week running March 29th and go through May 24th. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available.  This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.

Through May 31 — Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is all around us, but, what exactly is mental health? Mental health is a person’s general sense of emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being. Everyone has mental health every day, but it’s often ignored unless something is going seriously wrong. The best way to prevent that is to pay attention to your mental health even when you are feeling okay or even good.

Notice how your mental health is always changing. Yesterday might have been a better day than today, and that’s okay. Part of being human is moving with your emotions, and knowing when something isn’t going exactly how you want it to, check in with yourself, and reach out to your friends and family for help when you need to take some time for your mental health or don’t know what to do.

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, please join us for upcoming events!

June — Coconino County Diversity Team to present ‘Pride Month’ event

The Coconino County Diversity Team will present Pride Month presentations through May 31.

Happy Pride Month! Coconino County is committed to inclusion and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community and we celebrate the contributions and impact made to our community every day.

Stay tune for the latest upcoming events.

June 10 through 11 — Award Winning New Orleans Musician, Anders Osborne, Headliner for Arizona’s Largest Blues Festival

Arizona’s largest blues festival, Flagstaff Blues and Brews, announces their impressive lineup for the June 2022 event.  The festival starts Friday afternoon, June 10th and runs through Saturday night, June 11th.  Named as one of the top 10 most beautiful blues festivals, the Flagstaff Blues & Brews festival has helped launch the careers of many blues artists, including; Karen Lovely, MonkeyJunk, Harlis Sweetwater and Jeremy Bar-Illan.

June 18 — Celebrate Juneteenth at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center, June 19 at Fort Tuthill

Also see Juneteenth Concert on June 19 at Fort Tuthill

Come celebrate Juneteenth with music performances, food, games and vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center, 203 E. Brannen Ave., Flagstaff.

Hosted by the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Lived Black Experience Project, and the Southside Community Association (SCA).

The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the day Texas slaves learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, granting them freedom. Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. 

June 21 — Join The Literacy Center for a fundraiser at Drinking Horn Meadery

Join us in supporting literacy at the Drinking Horn Meadery on June 21st @ 6 PM! This fundraiser will involve a fun individual spelling bee competition, a raffle, and mead of course! 

Come spell (or watch), drink mead, buy some raffle tickets, and participate in fundraising for the Literacy Center! Proceeds from the raffle and a portion of mead sales will be donated to the Literacy Center.

The winner of this competition will get a sponsored seat on the Drinking Horn Spelling Bee team at the Literacy Center’s 26th Annual Adult Mountain Spelling Bee in April 2023!

There is no cost to participate in this fun spelling bee kickoff event. Just show up at the Meadery June 21st! Must be 21 to attend. 

July 9 — City hosts community volunteer day in areas impacted by Museum Fire flooding

The City of Flagstaff is hosting a community volunteer day in areas downstream of the Museum Fire burn scar on Saturday, July 9. Volunteers will be assisting residents who are elderly or have a disability repair their emergency sandbag mitigation. Please note that this will be the last volunteer day in the Museum Fire flood area as we enter the monsoon season.

July 16 — Do you have a household item in need of repair? Don’t trash it, fix it for free at the Fix-it Clinic!

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office is hosting a Fix-it Clinic on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Joe C. Montoya Community & Senior Center, located at 245 N. Thorpe Rd.  

Volunteers will be fixing small household appliances, clothing, electronics, jewelry, bicycles and more. Appointments for fixes will be given priority, but walk-ins are welcome. Make an appointment online at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAFAA28A7FBC43-fixit 

Aug. 4 — Pipeline West Community Meeting

This community meeting is specifically targeted towards residents who live on the west side of Flagstaff, including the neighborhoods of Cheshire, Valley Crest, Coyote Springs, Ridge Crest, Coconino Estates, and Rock Ridge Estates. This meeting will not provide information on flooding impacts in Doney Park, Timberline, or other areas east of Flagstaff. 

Aug. 5-7 — Heritage Days returns to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heritage Days will be held from August 5 through August 7, 2022. Each day, Heritage Days programs will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the North Rim developed area.

Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip and the Grand Canyon area. This year’s Heritage Days will provide an especially important opportunity to expose visitors to different perspectives of the Grand Canyon.