Make a Difference Day 2021 (Oct. 16) focuses on assisting residents impacted by Museum post-wildfire flooding

Members of the public are invited to join the City of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Section for this year’s Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 16. This year, participants will have the opportunity to assist residents affected by flooding resulting from the Museum Fire in 2019.

Volunteers will be assigned to work crews to remove flood debris from properties. Accordingly, volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection, long pants, and gloves and bring a refillable water bottle, as well as a rake or shovel if they have them.

The NAU Review — Are we alone?

The age-old question of ‘are we alone?’ is a compelling one, and third-year doctoral student Amber Young is committed to finding an answer. She is looking for life on other planets, and now NASA is helping her out. The Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences student recently recieved a grant to analyze chemical components and specific biosignatures from exoplanets that could show potential signs of life. As part of the grant, she will work with NASA team members on the LUVOIR Mission  to build computer modeling tools that will allow her to examine which observational scenarios are ideal for detecting and interpreting biosignatures.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Will You Step Up for Our Community?

An ongoing pandemic. Wildfires. Flooding.

In reflecting on the past year, United Way of Northern Arizona President & CEO Carol Dykes probably summed it up best when she said, “Some days it just felt like we couldn’t catch a break.”

But working together, we ensured that our communities rallied. Thanks to generous people like you who donated to the United Way, funds were available to ensure that people were able to stay in their homes, feed their children and keep the lights on.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Flagstaff Revives Sister Cities Program

Flagstaff is reviving its Sister Cities program and looking for input from the community as it determines which municipalities it will reach out to in order to forge these unique international relationships.

The Sister Cities program was created in the 1950s, spurred by President Eisenhower’s White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy. The goal was simple for the man who had led the Allied Forces during World War II: Create a way to encourage people from different countries to learn about each other as a means of avoiding future wars.

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

hroughout the centuries, the cultural deterioration of indigenous groups has been extensive; their knowledge has gradually been hidden under the unifying veil of the dominant cultures. It is also unquestionable that modernization has strongly influenced traditions since it is essential to increase production and reduce costs. However, as contexts and circumstances change, people’s actions and knowledge also change without necessarily implying a total breakdown of the cultural system that gives them strength.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — What I Have Learned From Indigenous Wisdom

… Several Native teachings have deeply impacted my life and brought me peace. First, simply knowing we all have a purpose. Our ancestors lived through hardships so we could come to be. Therefore, what we do in this life should honor our ancestors and the next seven generations. Also, to “walk in beauty” by being grounded and intentional with our thoughts, words, and actions. Walking in beauty includes honoring our responsibility to be stewards of the land. And the teaching that most profoundly resonates with my purpose is quite simply we all are connected (people, animals, and plants).  It gives me hope to know we are all  K’e, a community of extended family.  

The NAU Review — National Coming Out Day, one way to protect the climate and where to leaf peep

Monday, Oct. 11, was National Coming Out Day, and IT project manager Grace Huang Ditsworth (they/them) shares what coming out has meant to them. Ditsworth said it is not a singular moment; rather, coming out is a process of wayfinding as they align themself with who they are and directs others to find and recognize them.

Coconino County Invites Public Participation in Redistricting Process

Coconino County has begun its redistricting process and invites the public to provide input. Every ten years, based on US Census data, supervisorial districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population.

In Coconino County, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for drawing these supervisorial districts pursuant to state and federal law. Since the last Census in 2010, the population of Coconino County has grown in some districts, but not in others. District boundaries are revised to ensure redistricting guidelines are met.

Superior Court stops State from assessing costs and withholding state-shared revenues

Earlier Oct. 11 – and after a hearing held on October 4 – Judge James Smith of the Maricopa County Superior Court entered a preliminary injunction (attached) precluding the State of Arizona from collecting a $1.1 million “assessment” that the Arizona Legislature said should be collected from the City of Flagstaff. 

That “assessment” arises out of legislation passed several years ago (HB 2756) in direct response to Proposition 414, under which the City’s voters recognized the needs of the community and adopted a minimum wage higher than that of the State at large. In July of this year, the City filed a lawsuit against the State challenging the constitutionality of a recently passed law that, for the first time, authorized an “assessment” against the City in connection with its minimum wage.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month events on Oct. 8, 9

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, welcome to Week 4!! Please share with your departments, social media networks, family, and friends as we come together to Engage, Celebrate, Reflect, Embrace, our Cultural Differences while Empowering each other.

Events include: “Halloween vs. Día de los Muertos” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 and “Story Time” at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.

Flagstaff City Council approves contract with Terros Health for an alternate response mobile unit

On October 5, the Flagstaff City Council approved a professional services contract for five years with Terros Health for an alternate response mobile unit in the amount of $2,583,300.

There will be one behavioral health professional and one Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician who will work together on the mobile response unit to provide the community with crisis intervention and mental health stabilization services. The mobile response unit will provide proactive outreach to the community and respond to public safety calls, such as public intoxication, substance use, trauma informed, and mental or behavioral health related events. Including a behavioral health professional on the mobile response unit will create a higher level of service for those in need in the Flagstaff community.

USDA Announces Coconino County Superintendent of Schools as a Recipient of Urban Agriculture Grant

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools is pleased to announce that the Coconino County Education Service Agency was selected to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for $259,128.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is pleased to announce that the Coconino County Education Service Agency was selected to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for $259,128 through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP). 

Storybook Path Unveiled at Sawmill County Park

Coconino County Parks & Recreation and The Literacy Center are pleased to unveil the Storybook Path at Sawmill County Park.

The path features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by local author Monica Brown. The book’s pages are displayed on pedestals at intervals along the path for visitors of all ages to read and enjoy in both English and Spanish. Visitors also have the option to listen to the audio book in both languages by scanning a QR code on their smartphone. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Oct. 4-8, 2021

Indigenous People’s Day, October 11

This year we recognize Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, October 11. At Grand Canyon, park leadership continues to work on the Indian Affairs Strategy with positive feedback coming to us from our NPS colleagues in the Intermountain Region and Washington. The draft strategy is gaining traction to the point where the work we are doing may be shared at the Tribal Nations Summit being planned for the White House in November.  

There will be virtual events held in recognition of Indigenous People’s day across the nation, and the city of Flagstaff is hosting an event on Monday, October 11 through a virtual platform. The event, titled Honoring the Four Sacred Elements of Life: Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandparents Water and Fire, will be available on-line from 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration can be made in advance for this event is free and can be made by following this link. NPS Fire Archaeologist, Jason Nez, will be speaking at this event about Diné cultural relationships to Fire between 3:15-4:30 p.m. 

NAU Review — Homecoming, fall crafts and how community is stronger than cancer

After celebrating virtually last year, the NAU community is invited to come together in person to celebrate the university’s 122 years of academic excellence and show off their Lumberjack pride during this year’s Homecoming week beginning Monday, Oct. 11. Events include Make it Monday, Traditions Day pep rally, bonfire and chili cook-off, a carnival sponsored by ASNAU, the Homecoming Parade and more. 

United Way of Northern Arizona — Imagine What’s Possible

With the recent kickoff of our Annual Community Fundraising campaign, we’re imagining what’s possible when we ensure that our children are ready to learn. That’s the purpose of programs like KinderCamp™ – making sure our students are ready academically, emotionally and socially for that all important first day of school.

Don’t take our word for it. We think Riley and her Mom do a great job explaining what KinderCamp has meant to them in the video above.

Thanks to generous people like you, United Way of Northern Arizona and our partners can provide KinderCamp and other early education program at no cost to families.

Will you join us as a supporter of this year’s campaign, and Step Up for Our Community with a donation today?

Every donation makes a huge difference in our community and we sincerely THANK YOU for your support.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — ‘Storybook Path Unveiled at Sawmill County Park’ and more news

Coconino County Parks & Recreation and The Literacy Center are pleased to unveil the Storybook Path at Sawmill County Park.

The path features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by local author Monica Brown. The book’s pages are displayed on pedestals at intervals along the path for visitors of all ages to read and enjoy in both English and Spanish.

Visitors also have the option to listen to the audio book in both languages by scanning a QR code on their smartphone. 

North Rim Will Begin Transition to Day-Use Operations

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin transition to day-use operations on Saturday, October 16, 2021. At this time the Grand Canyon Lodge will close and limited visitor services will be available. Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. 

The North Rim campground will accept reservations through October 31 and will close for the season on November 1. Visitors wishing to reserve campsites for next year can access reservations on November 15, 2021 at 8 a.m. MST for May of 2022. Campsite reservations can be made 6 months in advance, on a continuous basis.  

Patrice Horstman — Coconino County District 1 Newsletter: October 2021

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Grand Canyon Protection Act Advocacy
NOAA Southwest Drought Forum
Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona Groundbreaking
4FRI Update
County Supervisors Association Legislative Summit
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines
COVID Information Line and Testing Site
Museum Flood Information Line and Emergency Notifications
Museum Flood Crisis Response Fund
Flood Insurance Information
Contact Us

Sedona Arts Center — Join us for Celebrate Sedona

Celebrate Sedona was specifically designed for the Arts Center be more connected locally. We are so excited about bringing more people to our campus – those who would not typically attend one or our events, classes or programs.  We want to introduce what we do to our entire community in a casual, engaging way that is all about fun.  So local musicians, food, wine and beer, artist demos, and more, will be available.  Some of our events will be themed to whatever is going on in the community, our programming, or tied to an upcoming holiday.  This event is free and open to everyone – so please come take a look. We would love to have you!

The NAU Review — ‘I was surprised!’—Homecoming dedicatee announced, first Tucson cohort graduates and the president’s playlist

Ralph Padilla thought it was a regular quarterly meeting for Facilities Services. But there was only one item on the agenda: announcing Padilla as this year’s Homecoming dedicatee. Every year, student organizations vote for one member of NAU’s faculty and staff for this honor; that person represents NAU’s values and mission. For Padilla, who marks his 33rd year as a Lumberjack, the news was a wonderful surprise.

New CCC exhibit puts beauty to work

Fabric and stitches. Rough and soft surface. Colors, seen, from muted to vivid – yellow, blue, red, purple and green.

With titles like “Battlefield” and “Suffragist,” the work punches the gut as reminder of women’s experiences. It is beautiful, it is useful, and it is art.

Flagstaff artist Darcy Falk is featured in the Fall Exhibit at the Comet Gallery at Coconino Community College. Her textile art brings to bear a medium of expression that is typically associated with the functional – like clothes or quilts.

But these are not traditional quilts.

“Textiles are really just the medium, but that doesn’t define the work,” Falk said. “It’s like painting, or working with clay. You can make it what you want.”