UPDATED! NEW Online Art Classes through Sedona Arts Center

Sedona Arts Center’s Online Classes and Workshops are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but are unable to travel. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.

Our classes are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Visit us online to learn more about all of our online classes!

Bilingual commentary — A September to Remember that Democracy is in Your Hands

Never has a September been more important to American democracy than this year with the deadline approaching (Sept. 30) to fill out U.S. Census forms and to do everything possible to make sure your VOTE COUNTS in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election

During the next few weeks we will highlight the need for our reading audience to take action as these deadlines rapidly approach.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County offices closed in honor of Labor Day

In This Newsletter:

Quote of the Day
Coconino County offices closed in honor of Labor Day
Saliva-based COVID-19 Testing Available
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
UPDATED COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
Stay Connected with Us!

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler’s Weekly Update

All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 7, 2020 in honor of Labor Day.

COVID-19 testing at Fort Tuthill and the COVID-19 Information Line will also be closed. The County’s COVID-19 response efforts will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

Coconino County Health and Humans Services recommends taking extra precautions when participating in Labor Day activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 safety recommendations include:
Avoid close contact with others, avoid large groups.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
Wash hands frequently.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Practice physical distancing while at social events.
Skip the celebratory events, if sick over the holiday

First Friday at Sedona Arts Center

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.

United Way of Northern Arizona COVID-19 Fund Reaching the Overlooked & Underserved

When we started the COVID-19 Fund back in March, our goal was to quickly turn your donations into support for local organizations meeting the basic needs of our residents during this unprecedented time. Our expertise means we can cut down on the ‘red tape’ and rapidly get money to agencies that are highly skilled at meeting this moment.

Your generosity has allowed us to distribute almost $400,000 to local nonprofits including food banks, child care providers and homeless shelters. Often, your gifts have helped communities and populations that are overlooked or underserved.

Coconino County offices closed in honor of Labor Day

All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 7, 2020 in honor of Labor Day.

COVID-19 testing at Fort Tuthill and the COVID-19 Information Line will also be closed. The County’s COVID-19 response efforts will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Labor Day, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be operating under normal schedules. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For nonemergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

ECoNA — County Fair & SciFest at a Screen Near You

As we head into this holiday weekend, I want to congratulate the organizers of two of the biggest events on the Flagstaff calendar for their ingenuity in bringing us virtual versions of these annual celebrations.

For fans of the Coconino County Fair, it’s not easy to capture the sounds, smells and thrills of the Fair, but the folks at Coconino County Parks & Recreation have done their best to bring the experience into your home.

Would you like to see the 4-H Livestock Show? How about 7-plus hours of steers, pigs, goats and lambs right here. (They’ll also be hosting the auction over these next three days online).

Daytime lane restrictions planned next week on US 89 near Flagstaff

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan ahead for the following daytime lane restrictions on north- and southbound US 89 between Flagstaff (milepost 435) and Gray Mountain (milepost 442) for pavement maintenance:

Southbound US 89 will be narrowed to one lane from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. 

Northbound US 89 will be narrowed to one lane from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Tashina Williams named CCC&Y Community Ambassador for Page

PAGE — Tashina Williams, director of student support services for the Page Unified School District, has been named CCC&Y’s Community Ambassador for Page.

The new position will strategically extend CCC&Y’s capacity and reach into communities in Coconino County.

“I have been with the school district for three and a half years,” Williams said. “Before that I was a dedicated case manager with Encompass Health Services for about nine years. I ran the matrix, intensive out-patient treatment program for adolescents. I also worked with high need children ages 5-18 on their treatment plan.

Saliva-based COVID-19 Testing Available

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is pleased to partner with Arizona State University, Arizona Department of Health Services and Northern Arizona University (NAU) to offer free saliva-based diagnostic COVID-19 testing. Testing will be available beginning Wednesday, September 2 at the NAU Fieldhouse and beginning September 8 at Fort Tuthill County Park.   

Discover Flagstaff — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

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.

Flagstaff seeks applications for Community Stakeholder Committee on reclaimed water

The city of Flagstaff Water Services Division is assembling a volunteer committee on reclaimed water. Only one-third of all reclaimed water generated each year is committed for our current customers. The Water Services Division is faced with about seven options for the remaining, uncommitted supply; input from the community is needed to narrow the options down to three.

Nominations for the 13th Annual Viola Awards are now open!

2020 has been a year of uncertainty. Flagstaff’s creative sector met the challenges of this year and demonstrated incredible resilience while doing so. The 13th Annual Viola Awards, set to take place on Saturday, March 27, 2021, will recognize artists, educators, organizations and leaders who make positive contributions to the arts, sciences, and culture in Flagstaff. Nominations are being accepted until December 31, 2020.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Colorado River Days Flagstaff Goes Virtual for 2020

The annual Colorado River Days Flagstaff festival is just around the corner and will take place virtually September 1-14. This year’s theme is Generations: Past, Present & Future. Events include: family activities, film screenings, discussions of the Colorado, Gila, San Juan, and Little Colorado Rivers, an art exhibition, live music, and a variety of presentations from diverse voices. These events weave together the importance of history, the implications of prolonged drought, and the uncertain future of the Colorado River.

Colorado River Days Flagstaff launched in 2012 to celebrate and share knowledge about the river. Flowing through the heart of Grand Canyon, the Colorado River is at the core of Flagstaff’s culture and economy; yet, many residents do not experience it firsthand. In response, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter spearheaded the effort to create a community river festival. Now in its 9th year, the festival is a collaboration between non-profit organizations, scientific researchers, tribal members, artists, businesses, museums, and parks.

Adding to ‘all hands on deck’ to help local businesses

The experience was really like trying to grab a small sip from a firehose at full blast.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down business across the state, organizations like the Coconino Small Business Development Center at Coconino Community College stepped into breach to lend a needed hand.

“When the COVID-19 disaster started, it was just me and Amanda part time,” said Gina Couillard, Director of the Coconino SBDC, adding that Amanda Hyde moved to a full-time business analyst and operations specialist in short order to assist with the demand from local businesses.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Bilingual report — Tips for Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

🏠 Quédate dentro
🙅 Cierra las ventanas
🌬 Usa el aire acondicionado, de ser posible
Los niveles de humo pueden cambiar durante el día, permanece en interiores cuando los índices estén más altos.

⚠ ¡Varios condados de Arizona están en alerta por humo!
🏕 Limita actividades al aire libre
🔄 Usa el aire acondicionado, recircula el aire para que no entre aire externo)
🏘 Quédate dentro, cierra puertas y ventanas
📱 Infórmate de las condiciones del aire en www.airnow.gov

⚠ Hasta en las regiones lejos de los incendios puede haber mala calidad del aire.

Algunas personas tienen más riesgo:
• Niños
• Mujeres embarazadas
• Adultos mayores
• Personas con problemas en el corazón y pulmones

¡Manténgase seguro y reduzca la inhalación de humo!

CCC Comet Talks — ‘Worst Case — Wild Survival in Northern Arizona’ to be held Sept. 1

CCC Comet Talks — “Worst Case — Wild Survival in Northern Arizona” to be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

CCC Comet Talks are FREE, open to the public and online via Zoom.
Everyone is invited and welcome to attend.
“Worst Case: Wilderness Survival in Northern Arizona”

Presented by CCC Part-Time Instructor and Coconino County Search & Rescue Volunteer Shawn Nittmann

Please be sure to register at this link:
https://coconino.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Qs6Q5VMTIW9km5VZLAQ9Q

2020 Coconino County Fair to be held virtually

The 2020 Coconino County Fair will move forward this year as an online event with virtual 4-H shows, pictures of entry winners, streaming entertainment, and a virtual vendor marketplace. A “community connections” portion encourages community members to share favorite recipes, gardening tips and tricks, flower growing advice, and to vote for people’s choice awards in fine arts for photography and other art mediums. While the annual Coconino County Fair will look different this year, the public is encouraged to participate and make it a community-wide celebration. 

ECoNA COVID-19 update — Schools & Child Care

School is back in session in northern Arizona, although it looks unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, with most K-12 school systems opting for virtual classes at least for the first quarter of the school year because of coronavirus.

#1 Benchmarks. One of the big statistical indicators for whether a school district is ready to begin in-person sessions has to do with three benchmarks from the Arizona Department of Health Services. They are:

A decline in coronavirus cases or less than 100 cases per 100,000 individuals for two consecutive weeks;
Two consecutive weeks with “percent positivity” below 7%. (This is exactly what it sounds like; that fewer than 7% of the coronavirus tests come back positive. It’s an indicator of transmission rates or that too few people are being tested.)
Two consecutive weeks with hospital visits for COVID-like illnesses in the region below 10%.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Interview with Iya Affo on ‘Historical Trauma’ during a time of Covid-19, Black Lives Matter

Only by understanding the root causes of historical trauma can we fully begin the healing process during this time of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter, said Iya Affo, founder of Heal Historic Trauma.

Affo, a culturalist and historic trauma specialist, addressed the impact of historical trauma during her first level of “Historical Trauma Special Certification” training held via Zoom on Aug. 20 and 24.

The training was presented to a total of 110 individuals, many of whom, represented staff, board members and supporters of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth. The attendees represented a variety of child welfare, behavioral health and other community agencies.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler’s Weekly Update

Yá’át’ééh! 

Thank you for taking COVID-19 seriously. The sacrifices you’re making during this time – closing of businesses, cancelling of gatherings and social distancing from those you love are not in vain. These are incredibly important as we are doing all we can to slow the spread and flatten the curve. Remember Coconino County to mask up!

Although many county offices are closed to the public, we are still working for you. I am still working for you. I am excited to continue my work with, and for, the residents of Coconino County District 5. I am pleased to share this weekly e-blast with you to provide you with a weekly update on my efforts, the latest COVID-19 information, and share resources from other community partners. We are in this together.

Discover Flagstaff — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

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.