Coconino County Seeks Community Input for Disaster Planning

Natural disasters and climate change impacts are increasing in both frequency and impact nationwide. To meet this challenge, Coconino County is updating its Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) – a plan that guides county-wide efforts to reduce the risk of hazards such as fires and floods. However, for this planning effort to be successful, the county needs input from the people who work and live within its boundaries. To start collecting this input, the county has released a Hazard Mitigation Planning Survey on its website, which can be accessed at https://coconino.az.gov/2474/Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Safety Tips for Staying Safe in Winter Weather

Plan ahead. Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safety. Stay attentive, reduce speed, and leave plenty of room between vehicles.  

The biggest cause of slips and falls when exiting a vehicle is human error and failure to follow the “Three Point Rule”. The Three Point Rule requires three of four points of contact to be maintained with the vehicle at all times – two hands and one foot, or both feet and one hand. 

Coconino Community College — A quick word from the President

Community colleges like CCC can be nimble and quickly respond to industry needs.

As you’ll read below, the Arizona Commerce Authority announced an initiative with Amazon Web Services Inc. with a goal of training and certifying 5,000 students in the state for entry-level cloud computing careers in the next two years. CCC is joining that effort, and our Computer Information Systems (CIS) faculty are preparing coursework that will help students in Coconino County work toward multiple certifications that will give them opportunities at high-paying technology careers. We plan to have the first course offerings this Spring semester.

ECoNA Virtual ‘Open Houses’ on Milton Road and US 180 Next Week

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will be holding two virtual “open houses” next week to discuss the future of two major traffic corridors in Flagstaff that often suffer from congestion, particularly during the summer and winter months when tourists come to escape the heat and play in the snow.

The focus of the two online meetings will be Milton Road and the U.S. 180 corridor, primarily Fort Valley Road and Humphreys Street. Often gridlocked at the best of times, these roadways need improvements to keep up with university, population and visitation growth.

LAUNCH Flagstaff — We’re Counting on You – Thank You!

I ended my first email by saying that with your help we can make a difference in the educational outcomes for every child in Flagstaff.  So, I’ll start this final email by focusing on you.  
 
I mentioned that LAUNCH Flagstaff is foremost an idea that leverages existing community organizations, businesses, policy makers, and citizens that produces systemic changes through collaborative action.  
 
The changes we seek happen in the hearts and minds of each person and each organization in Flagstaff.  I thank you for your current level of engagement in this important work and I invite you to consider additional ways you can help improve outcomes for our kids.
 
Here are some ideas:

Sedona Arts Center — Sedona Plein Air Festival 2020 All-Woman Painting Event

Artwork from the 16th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival is available The exhibition is available online online only through November 30th!

The event took place October 24-31, 2020, a first of its kind—all woman, and  Virtual Plein Air Festival! We experienced live demonstrations, short videos created by our festival artists all across the country, and an online gallery of new works updated daily. Scroll down to see select Festival work and links to different aspects of the event.

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.

Coconino County offices and COVID-19 testing site closures for Veterans Day

All Coconino County offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day, a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The COVID-19 testing site located at Fort Tuthill County Park will also be closed in recognition of the holiday. Testing will resume on Thursday, November 12. Testing site hours are Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y to present ‘Bullying and Cyberbullying Training’ on Nov. 17

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present “Bullying and Cyberbullying Training” on Zoom at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Based on training provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services to school districts across the state, this webinar examines the latest bullying statistics; unpacks the relationship between bullying, cyberbullying, ACES, trauma and substance use; and provides tips and techniques for intervention and prevention.

Presented by Brad Snyder, executive director of Dion Initiative for Child Well-Being and Bullying Prevention and chair of the Arizona Adverse Childhood Experiences Consortium.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler — Veterans Day With Gratitude Honoring All Who Served

“Each year, Coconino County honors those who have sacrificed to serve the country. We express special gratitude to the National Guard. Coconino County has benefited from a National Guard Team, who has supported our COVID-19 response. This group of dedicated individuals has been away from their family and friends during an especially challenging time to assist us with testing operations to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This year and every year, thank you to those who serve,” said County Manager, James Jayne.

City of Flagstaff Fire restrictions lifted

The city of Flagstaff has lifted all fire restrictions within city limits effective Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. The restrictions were lifted due to the increased moisture received in the greater Flagstaff area. While restrictions are lifted, residents and visitors are asked to use caution while using ignition sources for barbecue, charcoal, and propane stoves. No open burning is allowed in the city of Flagstaff.

LAUNCH Flagstaff — Educational Executive Leadership Development

25% of a student’s educational success relies on the quality of the educational leadership of the school administrator.  This means that the school principal is the second most important school influence on student success, after high quality teaching.

Great school leaders create a culture of excellence, drive school performance, teacher retention and student outcomes.   The partners of LAUNCH Flagstaff recognize the critical need for executive leadership developmentcoupled with the building of collaborative, collegial relationships among educational leaders across the community.

This is why LAUNCH Flagstaff partnered with the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) in 2017 to bring their educational executive leadership training to Flagstaff.   

Sedona Arts Center — We just added NEW Classes and Workshops!

Sedona Arts Center’s Online 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 workshops 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!

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — A Message from the Director

I’m excited to join F3, an organization with a long (25 years!) and positive history of advocacy in Flagstaff. I look forward to revitalizing the organization’s tradition of working closely with the city, county and community to guide Flagstaff’s development in a way that maintains the city’s livability and beauty.

While I grew up in the Midwest, Flagstaff was the first place that felt like home. Over my 25 years here, I have explored the mountains, canyons, rivers and mesas that surround our city. I’ve walked and biked miles of the FUTS trails around the city, tended the gardens at Willow Bend and searched for bargains at the ReStore on 4th Street. I’ve walked around the lakes in Country Club, skied at Buffalo Park, and listened to the spring frogs on McMillan Mesa. I’ve monitored my son during the First Friday Artwalk as he busked on San Francisco Street with his violin on those nights that weren’t too cold. Like you, I want to see all parts of our town stabilize from the economic and social effects of this global pandemic so that we can all once again fully participate in our community.

Commentary — Thanks to all who have voted and are waiting for democracy to do its work

Thank you all very much for participating in our democracy by casting your ballot during the Nov. 3, 2020, general election.

No matter who you have voted for, you have set national records in participation this year — all during a time of one of the worst pandemics in our nation’s history.

Now, the hard part begins. Patience.

As we write this, various news agencies are reporting that former Vice President Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania to put him over the 270 electoral votes needed to become the 46th U.S. President.

Those news services include:

Associated Press — Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US
CNBC — Election 2020 live results: Biden projected to defeat Trump, claims national mandate
CNN — Election results live: Joe Biden wins presidency
Fox News — Fox News projects Biden to defeat Trump, become 46th president after winning Nevada, Pennsylvania
NBC News — Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects
New York Times — Joe Biden Wins 2020 President Election
NPR — Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP, Edging Trump In Turbulent Race
Washington Post — Biden Defeats Trump

However, thousands of ballots remain to be counted in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. We owe it to election workers to complete their jobs and count every single ballot.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Why Early Childhood Education is the ‘Golden Ticket’

According to the Association for Supportive Child Care, almost 1 in 3 young children in Arizona live in poverty. More than half of low-income children are not prepared for kindergarten. That is not only a tragedy for the present; it means their, and our, future is at risk too.

Because the majority of children who start behind, stay behind. They are less likely to be ready for kindergarten or to read at grade level during elementary school; they have more behavioral issues; they have higher high school dropout rates; and without their diploma, their economic prospects are dimmed.

Sedona Arts Center — New Featured Exhibition at Sedona Arts Center!

NOW FEATURING:
Patti Barker, Marianne Leahy, Lyn and Ken Mikells, Karen Puckett, Isabel Simmer,
and Janet Weaver

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.

Math scholarship goes to CCC student

To her, math is the language of the universe and helps her to be a better person.

So, it’s only fitting that Coconino Community College student Niousha Toroghi would be offered the prestigious American Mathematical Association for Two-Year Colleges Wanda Garner Presidential Student Scholarship.

“This scholarship is a blessing for me,” Niousha said. “It means I have achieved my goals so far. I have higher goals to achieve, and I look forward to striving for them.”

Tuba City School District seeking Governing Board Applicants for Appointment

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tommy Lewis is seeking applicants for appointment to the Tuba City School District Governing Board.

One seat will be vacant. This position will be filled prior to December 24, 2020 so the appointee can start their duty on January 1, 2021 as a new board member.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment.  Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

CCC clubs continue during pandemic

What do the round-tailed chub and Walnut Canyon have in common?

They were both featured during recent field trips by student clubs at Coconino Community College.

The CCC Students Advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Club and the CCC Anthropology Club, properly socially distanced and with face coverings, met to celebrate the comradery of shared experience and to gather a little knowledge at the same time.

ECoNA — APS ‘SizeUp Arizona’ Tool Helping Small Businesses

APS has rolled out a free digital tool that help small and medium businesses fine-tune their business models and be more competitive by connecting them with market research and business intelligence for their sector.

The SizeUp Arizona platform allows businesses to input their specific information, such as annual revenues, number of employees, average salaries and more, and then instantly compare themselves to similar businesses locally, statewide and nationally.

“Access to this information allows smaller companies the competitive intelligence necessary to establish and grow their businesses,” said Kelly Patton, APS Senior Economic Development Consultant for Statewide Programs.

Flagstaff Arts Council — Save the Date for the 13th Annual Viola Awards!

The Flagstaff Arts Council is happy to announce that the 13th Annual Viola Awards will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021. This new date provides the greatest opportunity to host an awards event in-person, likely outdoors. The Viola Awards, historically hosted in March, are a celebration of our creative community. After such a difficult year, it is important to celebrate the resiliency of our community in person, if it is safe to do so. Please mark your calendars!
 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join CCC&Y’s weekly bilingual Family Connection for families via Zoom

“I do it myself”

This common toddler phrase often makes adults sigh. We want to honor our child’s autonomy, but we also realize some things are more manageable with a little help. The same is true in adulthood. As a family, we autonomously choose our traditions, routines, and meals. However, raising children and managing family life is complex. Although some family challenges may be unique, many families share common challenges. And, it is certain…we all deserve support!  …

To support families in making new connections, CCCY partners with Building Community to host a virtual, bilingual Family Connection for families via Zoom.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — November is Native American Heritage Month

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed November to be Native American Heritage Month.

Coconino County embraces 22 Native American tribes in Arizona, and takes pride in the six tribes calling Coconino County home; whose economic contributions, foods, medicines, remedies, art and literature are vital contributions to American life and endeavors.

We are dedicated to preserving and promoting Native American culture in the community, education and workforce.