Come connect with your community
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Hosting Governing Board Informational Sessions March 8-15
The public is invited to attend local School District Governing Board informational sessions.
The informational sessions, hosted by Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget, will allow time for interested candidates to ask questions and complete required documents. Sessions are free and no appointment is required.
Consulado de México en Phoenix — 10th edition of the Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs
We enter 2022 with much hope for the future–and a refreshed look for this newsletter. Do you like it?
Since the Government of Mexico has dedicated this year to Ricardo Flores Magón, a trained journalist who is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Mexican Revolution, we have included his image on our nameplate for this year. The main sections will remain the same and will continue to bring you relevant information in three sections:
#Choose Mexico,
#Arizona Thrives and
#Discover Mexico.
Volunteers needed for Feb. 28 Point in Time Count (PIT)
Due to winter weather, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count has been rescheduled to Feb 24, 25, & 28 throughout the City of Flagstaff from its original dates of Feb 23-25. Volunteers are needed for Monday, Feb 28!
The NAU Review — What is happening to Earth’s forests?, Straw wars and Notes from the President
The boreal forest is a belt of cold-tolerant conifer trees that stretches nearly 9,000 miles across northern North America and Eurasia; it makes up almost a quarter of the Earth’s forest area. It’s also the coldest—and most rapidly warming—forest biome on the planet, and its shifting characteristics amid climate change are raising concerns about increased fire activity, decreased biodiversity and other long-term adverse effects for human and natural ecosystems.
Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Feb. 21-25, 2022
This week, the AMPO team discussed the process the park will follow to reopen NPS buildings that are currently closed, or partially closed, due to the pandemic and the status of the park outdoor mask zone areas.
The team talked about the lifting of mask mandates at several bordering states including California, New Mexico, and Nevada. With those restrictions being lifted, park managers are considering how to make mask restriction changes in the outdoor areas of the park that are currently identified as mask zones. These masking requirements were put in place through the Superintendent’s Compendium. Most of you have seen the sandwich board signs along the rim trail near the El Tovar, at Desert View and Mather Point alerting visitors to the requirement to wear a mask in these areas.
When changes are made, we will let staff know through our weekly calls and this newsletter, Changes will officially be implemented through the Superintendent’s Compendium. These steps will also include updated information for our visitors.
Heidi Hansen announced as Flagstaff Interim Deputy City Manager
This week, Heidi Hansen, currently the City of Flagstaff Economic Vitality Director, was announced as Interim Deputy City Manager. Hansen is temporarily filling the position vacated by Shane Dille, who accepted the position of Town Manager of Sahuarita, Ariz. in January of this year. Heidi, with the assistance of Trace Ward (the Convention and Visitors Bureau Director) will continue to also serve over the Economic Vitality Division during the interim assignment.
In the near future, the City will launch a nation-wide competitive recruitment process to permanently fill the Deputy City Manager position.
Discover Flagstaff — ‘Luna,’ NAU Studio Theatre Feb. 24-27 and more events
NAU Theatre presents “Luna,” a play by Ramon Esquivel. Thurs.- Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 2 p.m.
Sedona Arts Center — Call for Artists!!
– Application Deadline: March 15, 2022
The Tailgate Paint Out is a new 3-day event that will be held from June 3-5, 2022. Sedona Arts Center will invite up to 30 artists to Sedona for a paint out and sale.
The Tailgate Paint Out is a first-of-its-kind event and is supported by a group of very experienced and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. Sedona is a sublime environment with stunning beauty, and the Sedona Arts Center has roots going back 60+ years to the founding of Sedona. If you have never been to, or painted in Sedona, this is a great opportunity to get to know our incredible scenery, sell work and be eligible for great prize money! We are focusing this event on artists that have never been to one of our events in the past or are emerging artists. Tailgate Paint Out is supported by a grant from the AZ Office of Tourism.
Feb. 25 is the deadline for completion of Regional Transportation Plan online survey
Stride Forward is moving forward. Over 300 people have already completed the online survey. But we want MORE! More responses. More confidence in the results. More representation from the community. More comments to deepen our understanding.
Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Winslow Levee Project Wins Federal Support
The City of Winslow and several regional communities along the Little Colorado River are facing a more secure, prosperous, and drier future with the announcement of almost $66 million in federal funding for the Winslow Levee project.
The project is critical for the region’s economic development, but also has implications for the national economy as well. More than 100 BNSF trains double stacked with cargo containers cross over the Little Colorado River in Winslow every day, and the City serves as a critical link in the movement of billions of dollars in goods between the port of Long Beach and Chicago.
Sedona Arts Center — Final Event! Vision & Sound: An African American Experience
Friday, February 25, 2022, 5-6:30pm – FREE
Virtual Closing Event Streaming LIVE on: VisionandSound.org
Streaming Live from the ASU Center for the Study of Race & Democracy
Featuring Dr. Lois Brown, Director of the ASU Center for the Study of Race & Democracy and Dr Joel Martin, President of Positively Powerful Triad West, Inc. and the participating artists in Vision & Sound: An African American Experience 2022.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Mike Kelly Elected UWNA Board Chairman
To fulfill its mission of Improving lives by mobilizing communities, United Way of Northern Arizona has always depended on its volunteer Board of Directors to direct our efforts. While never an easy job, over the last few years it has been even more challenging as the pandemic and other crises created a huge demand for services in the community.
Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y members to receive discount for Historical Trauma Specialist Certification LEVEL 2 online training on March 1, 2
Historical Trauma Specialist Certification LEVEL 2 online training will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 1 (MST) and 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 (MST).
Members of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will receive 20 percent off both trainings. For members to receive the promo code, contact CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at virginia@coconinokids.org
Discounts are also available for those CCC&Y members who have not taken the required Historical Trauma Specialist Certification LEVEL 1 online training, that focuses on intergenerational trauma and the impact of Epigenetics, cultural dispossession, segregation & displacement of BIPOC.
Creative Flagstaff — Updates from the Coconino Center for the Arts
NightVisions 2022: Last Chance to enter the call for entry
NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky is an international juried art exhibition at Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff, AZ that seeks to explore and celebrate our deep connections with the night. In its 8th iteration, we are excited to expand upon the exhibition concept in honor of the legacy of Flagstaff astronomer Carolyn S Shoemaker (June 24, 1929 – August 13, 2021) and her collaborations with husband and geologist Eugene Shoemaker (April 28, 1928 – July 18, 1997), with the inclusion of archival astronomical elements alongside the work of contemporary artists.
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library 2/22/22
The NAU Review — Pets of NAU, how to win an argument and the Faculty Senate president
LumberSNAPS: Pets of NAU
Question: Who is a Lumberjack’s best friend? Answer: Shaun, Binx, Rupert, Winston, Volt, Banjo, Nucky, Hazel, Missy, Huckleberry and Worm, to name a few. In America, 70 percent of households own at least one pet. Or do they own us? 🤔 In honor of National Love Your Pet Day on Sunday, The NAU Review collected photos of the Lumberjack community’s furry (and slimy!) companions.
Supervisors Horstman, Vasquez Elected Chair, Vice Chair of County Board
Each year, the Board of Supervisors elects a Chair and Vice Chair. The Board unanimously agreed at the February 8 meeting to elect Supervisor Patrice Horstman, District 1, as Chair of the Board, and Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, District 2, as Vice Chair.
Horstman joined the Board of Supervisors in January 2021, following her election in November 2020. …
Vasquez joined the Board of Supervisors in February 2021 following the resignation of former Supervisor Liz Archuleta, who resigned to serve in the Biden Administration.
CCC student wants to make a difference when people need it the most
Alfredo Villa wanted to be a part of his community and to make a difference in people’s lives.
So, he went to Coconino Community College and took Fire Science courses. He landed a job with the Highlands Fire District as a firefighter. He received his Emergency Medical Technician certificate in 2009.
And now, Villa is in the 2021-22 cohort of Paramedic Studies.
“I think it’s a dynamic profession,” Villa said. “There’s constantly something to learn. There’s a lot of teamwork involved, and every day is a little bit different, and every patient is a little bit different. For the creative types and for people who like helping people, it’s a great place to go to work. You have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s days when they need it the most.”
Jeronimo Vazquez celebrates one-year anniversary as Coconino County District 2 supervisor
By Ruth Eaton
Congratulations! Felicidades! Happy Supervisor Day! — Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino County Board of Supervisor
Today the community District 2 and Supervisor Jeronimo celebrated the February 12th one year anniversary at Ponderosa Park.
It was only one year ago February 12, 2021 that this outstanding Hispanic Leader came on Board the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
We, the Hispanic community want to congratulate him for a year of great achievements.
CCC gets community input on future workforce training opportunities for Williams
OSHA 10, CPR and First-Aid certifications. Skills in the trades that are useful for building maintenance. Customer service, and, of course, hotel and restaurant management certifications.
Over the course of two days last week, Williams residents voiced their workforce training needs to Continuing Education and Workforce Training leaders at Coconino Community College as part of a partnership with the City of Williams. The events, “Connect & Ignite,” were meant to give CCC information on creating and offering future training opportunities for the city’s workforce, particularly in the hospitality and service industries.
Community engagement opportunities shape the future of Thorpe Park
The City of Flagstaff Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division is partnering with Southwest Decision Resources and Wheat Design Group to collaborate with Flagstaff community members on the future of the 8.5-acre Thorpe Park Annex parcel. Public feedback is essential in crafting a well-rounded concept design for the future of this parcel.
To kick-off the community involvement process, information sessions, including online feedback opportunities, are scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. – both sessions are open to all members of the public and will hosted virtually through Zoom.
Flagstaff Festival Science — Local Science Spotlight: Dr. Joe Busch, Population Geneticist
Unveiling the secret lives of ticks, Dr. Joe Busch leads us through fascinating research in population genetics. Joe, a Senior Research Scientist at the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) at Northern Arizona University, studies Cattle Fever ticks. These ticks pose a major threat to food security in the United States, and Joe uses DNA fingerprinting markers to track tick movements and look for the spread of certain genetic groups.
Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Feb. 14-18, 2022
Changes in testing at the Grand Canyon Clinic
The Clinic has modified their COVID-19 testing procedures and now will be offering curbside appointments Mondays and Fridays from 2-3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Patients will now need to be seen by a provider for these appointments. Insurance is accepted, and no one will be turned away if they don’t have insurance and can’t afford testing. Individuals will will be billed for a provider visit. It is also important to remember that North Country has a sliding fee scale for the uninsured.
Patients are encouraged to call ahead and get on the curbside appointment list as soon as possible. Patients can also walk in and see a provider at any other time to be evaluated for COVID.
Sedona Arts Center — 1-Week left! Vision & Sound: An African American Experience
Don’t miss these closing events!
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
Sponsored by: AZ Commission on the Arts, AZ Community Foundation, AZ Humanities Council, Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Resort, Carol Meiner, City of Glendale, City of Goodyear, The Links, Inc. Phoenix Chapter, ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy
The NAU Review — What’s killing our aspens, the importance of being kind and our favorite dwarf planet
What happens when an invasive insect starts killing Flagstaff’s fall staple and, more importantly, how can we stop it? These are questions a team of School of Forestry professors and graduate students are asking alongside the U.S. Forest Service as a plague of sap-sucking insects threatens northern Arizona’s aspens.
Discover Flagstaff — Arizona Beer Week, Flagstaff Craft Beer City — Feb. 17-23
Services Now Available for Students and Families Impacted by COVID-19
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, announced (Feb. 15) kindergarten through 12th grade students and families impacted by COVID-19 can now request wraparound support services, such as groceries, lodging, and laundry.
Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y board approves legislative priorities for 2022
The board of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has approved a series of Legislative Priorities for 2022
The policies cover education, family heath care, foster care, juvenile justice, kinship care.
CCC&Y is a non-partisan organization who supports educated, engaged and participatory communities.
Flagstaff City Council meetings to return to hybrid format
During the Feb. 15 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council decided that council meetings will return to a hybrid format beginning Feb 22. Members of the public can participate either in person at City Hall or virtually using the options below.
Members of the public can stream Council meetings at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.