Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Congratulations 2020/2021 Caring for Children Awardees

The Coconino Coalition for Children & and Youth extends its congratulations 2020/2021 Caring for Children Awardees. They include Kailey Jensen of AZ127, Marcus Clanton of Victim Witness Services, Mark Cox of the Boys & Girls Club, Kelly Elliot of Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff and Sharon Sifling of Coconino County.​​​​​​

Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff Staff Present at Joint Work Session on Aug. 24

Last night, staff members from the Coconino County Flood Control District and the City of Flagstaff presented to the Board of Supervisors and the City Council in a joint work session on the Museum Flood Area.

The meeting provided an historic look at the mitigation efforts taken during and immediately after the Museum Fire, as well as additional mitigation measures since that time. The City and County Flood Control District deployed sandbags and barriers to the neighborhood, and warned of the high-risk for flooding. J.E. Fuller Hydrology, the leading experts in post-wildfire hydrology, were immediately engaged to conduct a flood hazard analysis. The analysis results were used by the Flood Control District to develop and implement the flood mitigation plan. The analysis showed severe flooding would impact 400 homes and 35 businesses.

Museum of Northern Arizona — Fun and fundraisers

This is a golden time in Flagstaff, with fields of sunflowers blooming and everything lush from the monsoon. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of extended drought, life-giving rains can come to see us through.

As a nonprofit museum, we face a drought in our finances as well. Though we’ve reopened to six days a week, visitor numbers are not rebounding to anywhere near pre-pandemic numbers. Admissions revenue cannot come near to making up for what Covid has cost us. We had planned to hold our annual fundraising Gala dinner this weekend, but Covid has again made it unwise to ask people to gather together for a meal. 

Drawing on our experience of navigating unexpected challenges this past year, we have shifted gears and brought the fundraising auction online. With more than 100 items in a range of prices, from vintage baskets to paintings by Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, Merrill Mahaffey, Michelle Condrat, and more. Go to event.gives/MNA to browse the auction and encourage your family and friends to do the same. I am grateful to our gala sponsors and auction donors for their generous support.

If we don’t see you Saturday at the Member Appreciation Day, we do hope to see you here soon.
Thank you for your support of MNA.

The NAU Review — New year. New news

After a summer filled with research, designing and creating, the NAU Communications team is excited to unveil The NAU Review. This refreshed newsletter will continue to feature the research, programs and departments of the university while highlighting the voices of NAU through a fun, easily digestible tone and engaging multimedia, including more videos and photos. Expect The NAU Review in your inbox on Tuesday and Thursday.

Happy 30th Birthday, CCC

On Aug. 26, 1991, Coconino Community College opened its doors on Fourth Street in Flagstaff to serve students in Coconino County by offering local, affordable, quality education.

This year, events are planned across the county to celebrate CCC putting students first for the last 30 years.

Where and when?

To kick off a year of fun and celebration, CCC will be having birthday parties at all three locations in the county:

In-Person and Online Learning at Sedona Arts Center!

Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.

Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities

CCC student ready for trucking career

Flagstaff resident Lisa Black is a single mother of two children, ages 17 and 11. On the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, she needed a job – a good job. 

“I want to do something I love,” she said, “And driving’s something I love.”

So, when she heard about a new program training people to get a commercial driver’s licenses, she was interested. Four weeks later, she’s passed all her tests, and she’s putting in applications to be a commercial truck driver. Prospects are better than good.

Community Welcome event connects NAU students with their Flagstaff neighbors on Aug. 24

Northern Arizona University and the city of Flagstaff are teaming up for the 4th Annual Community Welcome walk. On Wednesday, August 25, between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a team of elected officials, city and NAU staff, police officers and students are visiting homes throughout La Plaza Vieja and Southside neighborhoods. Teams will be providing information and resources to help foster a culture of community and neighborhood engagement.

72nd annual Coconino County Fair is back Labor Day weekend Sept. 3-6

The 72nd annual Coconino County Fair is back this Labor Day weekend, September 3 – 6 at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff!

We return to an in-person Fair this year, complete with live entertainment, community & 4-H exhibits, livestock shows & 4-H auction, fair food, carnival rides, vendors, beer garden, and more!

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces announces schedule for 2021 Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada on Aug. 21, 2021

To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its sixth annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.

The event is FREE, open to the public and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years. See image below for the full schedule.

What is a Tardeada? It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is the premier sponsor.

30-Year Birthday Bash Celebrations at Coconino Community College

Established August 26, 1991, Coconino Community College opened its doors on Fourth Street in Flagstaff to serve students in Coconino County by offering local, affordable and quality education.

This year, Coconino Community College is celebrating 30-yeas of putting students first.
To kick-off an annual celebration of fun across Coconino County, everyone is invited to attend one or more of the 30-Year Anniversary Birthday Bashes happening at all three CCC locations.

Flagstaff Family Food Center Hiring AmeriCorps Positions

We are looking for individuals to serve at the Flagstaff Family Food Center! We have two available positions, both are full-time (1700 hours) positions serving through August 31, 2022. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living-stipend, professional development and training opportunities, and are eligible for up to $6345 in education assistance through the Segal Education Award. Additionally, members serving in full-time capacity are eligible for healthcare and childcare benefits.  

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — August 16-20, 2021

On Monday, August 16, NPS Acting Director, Shawn Benge, issued an update for masking requirements for shared indoor and designated outdoor spaces. Outdoor mask zones have been identified for all people regardless of vaccination status (see NPS Memo here). These are the same zones that previously required mask-wearing for unvaccinated people due to the crowded nature of the area and the inability to effectively socially distance.

Sedona Arts Center wants your feedback!

Sedona Arts Center is planning for the future and we’d love your feedback! Our short questionnaire will only be available until August 25, 2021, so please complete our survey today!

The Sedona Arts Center invites input from residents and visitors alike. Your insights, critiques, hopes, and priorities help inform our community’s long-term planning. 

Grand Canyon Issues Drinking Water Advisory for Manzanita, Cottonwood Campground, and Phantom Ranch

Effective August 19, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) is recommending consumers disinfect drinking water at the following locations: Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch, and the Bright Angel Campground. 

Drinking water at these areas should be treated or boiled. These processes should be applied to water for any consumptive use including: drinking, making ice, preparing food, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.

Angela Boyers Selected as Chief Ranger of Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park Deputy Superintendent Louis Rowe has announced the selection of Angela Boyers as Chief Ranger for the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection. 

As Chief Ranger of Grand Canyon National Park, Boyers will manage a complex program that includes law enforcement, emergency services, wildland and structural fire, aviation, fee collection, backcountry operations, and a regional dispatch center.

Museum Flood Area August 18 | Evening Media Advisory

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.

Facebook Live Event Tonight at 6 p.m.: There is a Facebook Live Event scheduled for 6:00 PM today that will be hosted by Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy on the County’s Facebook page by both County and City members. We hope that you can attend this important virtual meeting.

 Weather Forecast: The National Weather Service (NWS) is anticipating another high threat day today. An intense storm moving east from Sedona through such communities as Munds Park, Mormon Lake and the Lake Mary Road area produced heavy localized rain. Please stay vigilant as another round of flooding can occur at any time today. The NWS is an anticipating that a drying period will begin after today that will allow for a break from monsoon activities through Sunday. For up-to-date, local weather, visit https://www.weather.gov/fgz/ .    

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s 2021 Annual Conference is Here!!!

Deanna Singh, author, TEDx talk Speaker, Justice and Equality Advocate, will launch CCC&Y’s 2021 Annual Conference with her presentation “Hustle with Purpose” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 MST/AZ.

The virtual conference, “Finding My Strength; Hope in Connection,” will be presented each Wednesday through Sept. 8.

During Singh’s presentation, you will be guided through how to use your talents, skills and resource to create a greater impact in your work and life. This session will help you deconstruct your real and perceived challenges. It will also give you the opportunity to reflect on your personal leadership skills while guiding you through the techniques you need to thrive. There is a particular emphasis placed on the core leadership competencies of purpose, initiative, curiosity, resilience and courage.

Immediately following Singh’s presentation, Bethany Camp, LCSW will present the program “Recognizing and Addressing Shame” from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18.​​​​​​​

CDC Recommends Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that certain immunocompromised individuals who have already received an initial two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) receive an additional dose.

Emerging evidence shows some people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised experienced a reduced immune response to the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. The administration of an additional mRNA COVID-19 VACCINE aims to prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 within this population.

City of Flagstaff — Free residential food scraps drop-off service

The city of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Office launched a pilot program on July 24 that seeks to advance the city’s Rethink Waste Plan and Carbon Neutrality goals through a free compost drop-off service. Through June of 2022, community members have the opportunity to drop off food scraps and other acceptable materials at two participating booth locations on a weekly basis:

The Market of Dreams (2532 E 7th Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004) accepts materials from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays 
Flagstaff Community Market (211 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001) accepts materials from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Sundays

200- to 500-Year Rainfall Event Hits Museum Fire Burn Scar

At approximately 12:15 p.m. (Aug. 17), rain began to fall over the Museum Fire Burn Scar. By the time the large storm system moved out of the area, the entire burn area was saturated, resulting in the largest rainfall event to date.

The gauges located throughout the burn scar recorded hourly rainfall as follows: 3.07 inches in south gauge, 2.4 inches in western gauge, 1.5 inches in the eastern gauge, .75 inches at northern gauge. In addition, the rainfall was intense with over 1.14 inches recorded in at the south and west gauges in 15 minutes and 1.06 inches recorded at the east gauge. Not only was significant rainfall experienced on the burn scar itself, but also in the Sunnyside neighborhood. In an hour, 1.22 inches fell at Linda Vista and 1.5 inches was recorded downstream in neighborhoods. The rainfall recorded at the south gauge equates to a 200- to 500-year rainfall event.

Happy 30th Birthday, CCC

On Aug. 26, 1991, Coconino Community College opened its doors on Fourth Street in Flagstaff to serve students in Coconino County by offering local, affordable, quality education.

This year, events are planned across the county to celebrate CCC putting students first for the last 30 years.

Where and when?

To kick off a year of fun and celebration, CCC will be having birthday parties at all three locations in the county:

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lone Tree Campus, 2800 S. Lone Tree Road.
Thursday, Aug. 26, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Fourth Street Campus, 3000 N. Fourth St.
Friday, Aug. 27, 4-7 p.m. at the Page Center, 475 S. Lake Powell Blvd., in Page.

City of Flagstaff recognizes Aug. 14 as Navajo Code Talkers Day

Greetings everyone and Ya’at’eeh to all:

August 14th is an official state holiday in recognition of the Navajo Code Talkers.  Please join in to celebrate and learn more about our national treasure.  They provided through their lives and language a highly revered contribution to our country.  Following is a news bite from 12News, Phoenix AZ and information from Arizona Central.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Meeting the Challenge of the Delta Variant

As the Delta variant causes a surge in new infections and hospitalizations, the public and private sectors are scrambling to keep up with rapidly shifting recommendations on how to deal with the highly transmissible fourth wave of Covid-19.

Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff both reinstated requirements for masks while in City or County buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Yesterday, Northern Arizona University announced that masks will be required in classrooms and labs. Meanwhile, the Flagstaff Unified School District is requiring masks until at least September 29, in spite of current state law forbidding mask mandates in K-12 schools. (Requirements are evolving all the time; check an institution’s website for the latest information on their mask protocols.)

Leading the way in the response to the Delta variant, however, has been the business community. Large companies like Ford Motors, Walmart, United Airlines, and Target have recently enacted mask and/or vaccine requirements for workers. Some are also trying to coax vaccine hesitant workers to get their shots with cash bonuses.