Coconino County Applauds Passage of the America Rescue Plan

Coconino County (on March 10) applauded the passage of the America Rescue Plan (ARP) and praised the leadership of Representative Tom O’Halleran and Senators Krysten Sinema and Mark Kelly for fighting for rural northern Arizona priorities in the federal relief bill. The America Rescue Plan passed the Senate this past weekend and the House of Representatives today.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s ‘Creativity Calling’ bringing youth, families together

Our circle is open! Our “Creativity Calling” gathering this month was powerful! We had four youth age 5-21 express themselves at this month’s Creativity Calling. Our youngest “express-er” was only five years old. She shared a pillow she had sewed with her personal sewing machine. She also shared she was learning to read and shared a book with us. …

We expressed gratitude that whether in Flagstaff, Hopi, or New Mexico, we were grateful we found a connection that we didn’t fully realize we were seeking.

We hope you and the youth you live or work with will join our next circle on April 4th!

Discover Flagstaff — Family Friday, FlagTag AZ. Get two games of Laser Tag for a family of 5 for $50 and more events

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.

City of Flagstaff receives National League of Cities Community Resilience Grant

The National League of Cities (NLC) announced the city of Flagstaff as one of eight cities for the 2021 Leadership in Community Resilience program. The NLC will provide the city with $10,000 in direct financial support as well as technical assistance and advisory services from NLC staff and partners to help meet community-specific resilience goals. The city will use this funding to focus on the impacts of smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns by launching the Resilient Neighborhoods Network in three pilot neighborhoods and to provide micro-grants for participating neighborhoods, as well as purchasing HEPA air purifiers to distribute to vulnerable residents.

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

Yerberías (yer-beh-ree-ahs), also commonly known as botanicas, are usually small, somewhat hidden establishments that provide a wide variety of carefully wrapped medicinal herbs and teas, lotions, potions, amulets for good luck, spell-casting candles of all colors, crystals, fetishes, and a wide-ranging assortment of sacred and pagan articles for the practice of curanderismo, white magic, spiritualism, and Afro-Cuban Santería. They may offer additional services such as consultations, card readings, and “cleansings” to banish negative spirits. They are a vivacious combination of a spiritual resource hub, folk dispensary, and metaphysical outlet, servicing the physical, psychological, religious, and spiritual needs of the Latino population.

CCC students get nod for All-Arizona Academic Scholarship

Two Coconino Community College students – Jake Zimmerman and Lee Hartwig – have been recognized for the prestigious 2021 All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship.

The scholarship offers free tuition for 60 credit hours at the recipient’s choice of one of the three state universities.

“A financial burden has been taken off my shoulders,” said Zimmerman, who has moved onto Northern Arizona University to continue his studies for a degree in Physical Therapy. “It’s an awesome feeling.”

New Exhibition at Sedona Arts Center!

Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity, Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown, and Lesley Aine McKeown

The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.

The Fine Art Gallery is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Sedona Arts Center is located at 15 Art Barn Road in Uptown Sedona.

Our new online gallery represents a full spectrum of the diversity of artists represented by the arts center.  Visit us today!

Gear up for computer support job by year’s end with CCC help

The scenario is all too common: The computer isn’t working right. What’s wrong with it?

The customer dials a number or submits a ticket via email. The line engages; the email is answered.

“Support desk,” the voice says. “How may I help you?”

Coconino Community College is collaborating with Google to offer an Information Technology Support Professional certificate beginning this summer, and the three-class program can be completed before the end of the year.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Appoint Steve Peru as County Manager

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Steve Peru as its next County Manager, with his service to begin on April 5.

The Board interviewed Peru on Tuesday for the role. Peru also interviewed with the County Elected Officials and Department heads. In making the appointment, Supervisors cited Peru’s experience at the County and in the private sector and other community agencies. This experience is part of “an alignment of opportunity” for the County to fill its need for consistent and capable leadership in the coming months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and for the financial challenges the County faces due to the pandemic. Additionally, Peru knows the County well as a former County Manager with an eye toward the culture of the organization.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Students, families, community benefit with CCC&Y partnership with the Coconino County Education Service Agency (CCESA) and more news

From providing professional development training to educators, to informing parents and education advocates about policy and legislative reforms, the political process, school improvement efforts, and local events around education — students, families and the community have benefited from the long term partnership between CCC&Y and the Coconino County Education Service Agency (CCESA).

The Coalition has provided a variety ongoing professional development in recent years including Trauma Informed Care training for educators at the Flagstaff Unified School District and other districts throughout Coconino County.

FUSD reported that more than 1,500 professionals were in attendance for virtual webinar presented in 2020 by CCC&Y.

“Through the support of CCC&Y we were able to provide the opportunity for all staff on our professional development day, August 10th to participate in viewing the webinar: “Understanding Adverse Child Experiences,” district officials reported.

Discover Flagstaff — NAU Theatre livestream show: Fefu and Her Friends on March 4-6 and more news

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.

Sedona Arts Center announces updated dates for Online Learning

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

Coconino County Moves to Include Those 55 and Older in Phase 1b

 During the ever-evolving COVID-19 response, Coconino County continues to remain nimble to best meet the needs of the community.

Today, in accordance with the updated Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) COVID-19 vaccination guidelines, Coconino County is expanding vaccinations to individuals aged 55 and older as part of the current Phase 1b. Also, ADHS informed Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) that it has been allocated 1,100 doses of the JANSSEN single dose COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

A night in the CCC auto lab at Findlay Honda

Eleven students sit in room, dressed in clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. They learn about filters, batteries, fluids, belts, tires, brakes, suspensions, lights and so much more.

The average vehicle, when it gets a thorough inspection, undergoes a system check from top to bottom, bumper to bumper and all points in between, said Jonathan Begay.

“Every car is a good car if you take care of it,” Begay said. “You take care of it, it’ll take care of you.”

Welcome to Automotive Technician 100 at Coconino Community College, an evening class geared toward people who work or go to school during the day.

County Congratulates Stacy Krueger on her Appointment by Governor to the Coconino Superior Court

Coconino County congratulates Stacy Krueger on her appointment by Governor Doug Ducey to the Coconino County Superior Court Division III to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark R. Moran.

Stacy is a longtime public servant at the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, with a focus on prosecuting domestic violence cases. In addition to her own heavy caseload, Stacy oversees prosecutors who serve in the County’s specialty courts including Veterans’ Court, Recovery Court, Mental Health Court, and Page Drug Court.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Update: Round Valley Community Center

Seniors in Springerville, Eagar and surrounding towns have missed visiting the Round Valley Community Services and Adult Center since it stopped hosting lunchtime meals and in-person programs last year due to the pandemic.

In fact, Community Services Director Robin Aguero says she gets calls every week from seniors asking when they can come back.

That long wait might be over soon, as the center – a partner agency of UWNA – works to slowly reopen in-person programs.

Northern Arizona Healthcare currently has more than 1,000 appointments available for first doses of the COVID Vaccine in Flagstaff March 1 – 5

Northland Family Health Center currently has more than 1,000 appointments available for first doses of the COVID Vaccine in Flagstaff March 1through 5.

These first dose vaccine appointments are available for all those meeting this criteria:

1a or 1b populations
Living or working in Coconino County
18 years old or older
For more information or to register, please visit:

https://www.nahealth.com/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccination-info

The Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival is Cancelled AGAIN due to COVID-19

Due to continued impacts of the pandemic, the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival will be moved to June 2022. The move is due to the nature of the event, gathering thousands of fans in one location and the event falling earlier in the calendar year. Large scale music festivals and concerts remain deeply affected by the pandemic across the globe. Flagstaff is no exception and it may not be safely possible until much later in 2021. We cannot safely replicate the experience that our fans know and love with the potential COVID 19 restrictions. Refunds will be given immediately to all ticket holders for the 2021 festival.

Grand Canyon National Park Launches Virtual Cultural Demonstrator Video Series

Starting March 2, Grand Canyon National Park’s Cultural Demonstrator Program at Desert View will launch the ‘History Behind the Arts’ video series. This series will feature cultural demonstrators from the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon and will highlight the history of tribal crafts and personal interviews with artisans.

The Cultural Demonstration Program provides the opportunity for viewers to learn more about each tribe’s culture, their history, and the skills, knowledge, and efforts involved in creating each craft. Through symbols, patterns, and designs, native art of the Southwest displays the everyday life, beliefs, dreams, visions, and long-lasting traditions of tribes. The Cultural Demonstration Program at Grand Canyon began in 2014 and continues today with grant support from the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

New online classes added 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

Coconino County Board Changes Course on County Manager Recruitment, Prepared to Name Steve Peru as Manager

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 changed course on the County Manager Recruitment process opting to interview Steve Peru, an experienced, local candidate for the position.

Peru is the former Coconino County Manager and Clerk of the Board and current Chief External Affairs Officer of the Coconino Community College and President of the Coconino Community College Foundation. The Board will interview Peru on Tuesday, March 2.

The Board of Supervisors expressed the need for continuity of leadership and experience in Coconino County issues during the COVID-19 pandemic as primary driver for the change of direction in the County Manager recruitment.

Additional First Dose COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments to open on Friday, Feb. 26. Also see Spanish-language online event on Feb. 26 — ‘What families should know about COVID-19 vaccines’

On Friday, Feb. 26 at noon, Coconino County will open over 700 first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments for the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site. Appointment times are available on Monday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 2.

Those interested in scheduling an appointment can visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine and navigate to Vaccine Locations webpage, then click on the Flagstaff – March, Fort Tuthill, First Dose link. With the release of additional appointments, Coconino County is also unveiling a Spanish vaccine registration system. English and Spanish registration links for Monday and Tuesday appointments can be found at noon on Friday at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine

Finalist for 17th president of NAU touts supporting student success, listening to all stakeholders

While Northern Arizona University is on the verge of achieving a student population that would allow it to be considered an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), José Luis Cruz believes emphasis should go to one particular area.

“What we need to focus on is the serving part, not just providing access, (to give them the help they need) to graduate on time,” Cruz, a finalist for the 17th president of NAU, said during a virtual media conference held on Feb. 19.

The media conference followed a virtual and limited-audience community meeting held during his visit to the university. Cruz is awaiting approval of contract terms during the next Arizona Board of Regents meeting where he will be officially appointed as the new NAU president.

City of Flagstaff and Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce listening tour

The city of Flagstaff’s Community Development and Engineering Divisions in conjunction with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce will host a listening tour with community partners starting in March. The meetings will be held twice per month with the goal of opening a dialogue with city customers about the development process and procedures to find efficiencies and improve the overall experience for applicants, owners and staff.