Sedona Arts Center — Call to Artists

Call to Artists: The Face of Time

An Exhibition at Sedona Arts Center
Exhibit Dates: August 1 – September 12, 2025
Opening Reception: August 1, 2025 | 4:00–6:00 PM
Deadline to Apply: July 1, 2025

Since 2022, Sedona Arts Center has embraced a unifying annual theme to inspire our exhibitions and programs. For the 2025–2026 season, our guiding theme is FACE—a word rich with meaning as both noun and verb. From the human visage to the surface of mountains, from emotional expressions to bold acts of confrontation, FACE invites endless interpretations.

Hutton Ranch Road – Rio de Flag Crossing Project completed

COCONINO COUNTY — A  project to build a new and improved Rio de Flag crossing culvert at Hutton Ranch Road has been completed.

The $548,000 Hutton Ranch Road – Rio De Flag Culvert Crossing Project will improve transportation in and out of the Hutton Ranch neighborhood when the Rio de Flag is flowing. The project, which broke ground in late March, features a 3×20-foot cast-in-place concrete arch culvert under Hutton Ranch Road at the Rio de Flag crossing along with new fencing, guardrails, water inlet & outlet protection, and a paved surface over the culvert.

Firefighters to begin work on fuelbreak project to help protect community in Oak Creek Canyon

SEDONA  — Firefighters will begin a hand thinning fuelbreak project tomorrow around the community of Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon which will complement previous fuels treatments in the area and increase defensible space around public and private land.

This shaded fuelbreak project will help fire managers establish control lines for future fire management decisions and expand the areas between homes and vegetation. In turn, this will help reduce the threat of a wildfire damaging or destroying homes and allow firefighters to safely defend the Indian Gardens community.

Commander Cathy Allen announces retirement from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office announces the retirement of Commander Cathy Allen, effective June 25, 2025, following a distinguished 39-year career in public service and administrative leadership.

Commander Allen began her tenure with the Sheriff’s Office in 1987 as a Financial Management Analyst and steadily advanced to become the Commander of Administrative Services. In this role, she provided oversight to civilian teams in Support Services and Administrative divisions and led major initiatives including grant administration, intergovernmental agreements, contract law enforcement in outlying communities, and budget development. Her leadership contributed to a nearly 200% increase in the civilian workforce, significantly enhancing the department’s operational support functions.

Kaibab National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to begin Friday, June 27 on the North Kaibab and Tusayan Ranger Districts

WILLIAMS — Due to increasing fire danger, Stage 1 Fire and Smoking Restrictions will go into effect beginning 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, on the North Kaibab and Tusayan ranger districts.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, the building, maintaining, attending, or using fire, campfire, or stove fire including charcoal and briquettes outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites is prohibited. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Mountain Line Is on the Move

With the opening of its Downtown Connection Center (DCC) earlier this month and major service enhancements scheduled to start on July 27, Mountain Line, Flagstaff’s public transit system, is entering a new era.

The two-story, 21,000-square-foot DCC, located on Phoenix Avenue, is now the home of the transit systems’ customer service, administrative, and operations support teams, and streamlines transfers across Mountain Line’s nine fixed routes. Its previous headquarters on Kaspar Drive will continue to handle bus maintenance and storage.

City of Flagstaff — Beulah Boulevard Roundabout to close for striping operations

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and their contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation, are set to begin striping operations along Milton Road, University Drive, University Avenue (future Fresquez Avenue) and the new roundabout along Beulah Boulevard starting Monday, June 30. On Wednesday, July 2, and Thursday, July 3, the new roundabout along Beulah Boulevard will be fully closed to all traffic to allow crews to perform striping operations. The roundabout will reopen by Friday, July 4.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — F3’s Online Auction Closes This Saturday!

Help us raise $8,000 from our 30th Anniversary Online Auction. Place your bid online  before the auction closes!

Starting bids are set at 50% of the Value of the Item. There are some great deals here!

This auction contains diverse,and unique items including: special experiences such as  music concerts, guided tours, and interior design consultation; gift baskets for gardening and more; and gift certificates for personal training and doggy day care. Also jewelry, food, and wine.

Find all auction items at: bit.ly/F3Auction4mSJD7c

CCC&Y Spotlight — Coalition participates in Tuba City Family Fun Day

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — Temperatures approaching the ’90s didn’t keep families away during the annual Tuba City Family Fun Day resource fair held on June 18, 2025 at Louise Yellowman County Park, Tuba City.

Presented by Coconino County Health and Human Services — (AZ Health Zone), the event featured a number of information booths for parents, activities for children and plenty of healthy food alternatives for everyone who attended the annual event.

Some of the organizations taking part in the event included
Arizona Complete Health, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Coconino County Health & Human Services (CCHHS) — (AZ Health Zone), (CCHHS) Health Start, (CCHHS) Tobacco Use Prevention, (CCHHS) Opioid Overdose Prevention, Navajo Nation Behavioral & Mental Health Services, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Health Department, Tuba City Navajo Nation Health Education Program, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp.’s Pandemic Public Health and Patient Benefit Cooperative programs, and the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp.’s Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP)

The NAU Review — A compassionate approach to healthcare

Most of us were taught that to be thin is to be healthy—but what if size isn’t the only key to a long, enjoyable life? In light of new scientific evidence that weight-centric approaches to healthcare can be harmful for patients, a few faculty members in NAU’s Department of Health Sciences are integrating weight-inclusive philosophies into their teaching. They hope that by teaching the next generation about a more compassionate approach to healthcare, future Arizonans will live happier, healthier lives.

Sedona Arts Center — Explore Creativity: Summer art classes & workshops

Art History Talk–Framing the Self:
A Cultural History of Portraiture
with Brandelyn Andres
August 2, 2025 – 11am-12pm

Through an examination of both self-portraits and depictions of others, this lecture charts the art historical evolution of the genre of portraiture. By examining artists’ intentions, social contexts, and visual choices, we will consider how images of people not only reflect concepts of self but also shape collective understandings of identity, status, and humanity. We can learn much about ourselves as we look into the eyes of others.

Brandelyn Andres is a professor of art history at Yavapai College located in Prescott, Arizona where she teaches courses on art history, art appreciation, two-dimensional design, and popular culture.

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra — ANNOUNCING SEASON 76

Dear Frank,
Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to invite you to our 76th concert season. This year, we journey through works of triumph, transformation, and thrilling brilliance. From long-awaited favorites to bold new experiences, each concert invites you to discover where music can take us—together. Explore the new season below.

City of Flagstaff flood control project receives national and statewide recognition

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff received three awards last month from national and Arizona state organizations for the Schultz Creek Drainage Improvements Project at US Hwy 180. The project, which was completed in Fall 2024, saw the installment of a box culvert under US Hwy 180 and was the last piece of post-wildfire mitigation in the Schultz Creek corridor, an area that received over seven floods in 2022 after the Pipeline Fire. The full suite of projects has completely mitigated the post-wildfire flash flood threats in the impacted watershed, protecting over 200 homes, an elementary school, and critical facilities.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Removing Chemical Contaminants from Wastewater with Biochar

The Flagstaff Water Group (FWG), composed of five local scientists deeply concerned about removing hazardous contaminants from Flagstaff’s reclaimed wastewater, is presenting information about how biochar can be used to remove chemical contaminants.

This presentation and discussion will take place this Wednesday June 25, at 7:00 pm at the Market of Dreams (2136 N. 4th Street). This event is free and open to the public.

Coconino County, City of Flagstaff recognize Juneteenth

COCONINO COUNTY — At their meeting on June 10, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors officially recognized Juneteenth with a proclamation.

It reads, in part: “The Coconino County Board of Supervisors joins residents and local governments across the country in celebrating June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth, a day of empowerment and resilience of Black Americans who have endured generations of oppression in the journey toward equal rights and opportunities in America … “

Protesters crowd downtown Flagstaff as part of nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ rally

Editor’s note — Story / photos courtesy of www.MosaicNAZ.org

See more photos at www.MosaicNAZ.org:

• Protesters crowd downtown Flagstaff as part of nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ rally

• ‘No Kings Day’ — Signs of the Time

FLAGSTAFF — With some local media reporting a crowd topping 3,000, Flagstaff residents and Northern Arizona visitors alike turned out in mass for one of the largest rallies in the city in recent memory during the “No Kings Day” mass protest held Saturday, June 14 in front of Flagstaff City Hall.

The large crowd came in spite of near mid-summer temperatures approaching 90 degrees, and added personal safety vigilance as a result of deadly political violence earlier in the day in Minnesota. The protest nationwide was organized by the 50501 movement with the local effort hosted by Indivisible Northern AZ.

Opponents of the Trump administration crowded the sidewalks from starting at Wheeler Park and Humphreys Street along Route 66 around the curve to Milton Road, filling the grassy area up to the Flagstaff City Hall sign. A sizable crowd of protestors also filled the opposite side of the street up to the Flagstaff Train Depot. When they were’t waiving signs, soliciting supportive horns from passing vehicles, the protesters joined in drum performances, chants and listened to speeches from local political leaders.

“No Kings Day is one of the largest days of protest in American history,” Indivisible Project national leaders stated in a media release. “From deep red small towns to our largest cities, millions of people turned out to make clear that the American people will not bow to fascism. 

The Literacy Center — A Grateful Farewell & Exciting New Chapter

As I step down from my role at The Literacy Center, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support. It has been a true honor to serve this incredible organization and community, and I have cherished every moment of working alongside such dedicated learners, volunteers, staff, and supporters.

While I am excited for what’s ahead, I’m also deeply sad to be leaving The Literacy Center. This organization—and the people who make it what it is—will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I’m thrilled, however, to introduce Kim Khatibi as the new Executive Director. Kim brings a wealth of experience in education, community leadership, and advocacy. Her background includes classroom teaching in Special Education and ESL, serving as reading faculty at the college level, and leading student-centered programs that uplift and empower learners of all ages. Kim is a passionate advocate for public education and equity, and I have every confidence that she will lead The Literacy Center with vision, compassion, and strength.

County & City Seek properties for assessment and revitalization

… In 2024, Coconino County and the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) was awarded a $1,500,000 grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program to benefit the counties of Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai as well as all their cities and towns including Flagstaff, Prescott, Camp Verde, Kingman, Show Low, and Winslow. The grant’s primary purpose is to aid the transformation of local properties from liabilities into community assets. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition participating in area community resource events

COCONINO COUNTY — Dozen of families received a variety of information from a number of organizations (including the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth) during a Community Health and Wellness Fair held on June 11, 2025 at the Bodaway-Gap Chapter House.

The event, presented by the Coconino County Health and Human Services, featured Rec on Wheels activities, NARCAN training and distribution, tobacco cessation resources, rental and utility assistance, car seat safety checks and services provide by Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) Mobile Medical Unit.

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Month Full of Reasons to Celebrate

June brings with it a spirit of celebration – around the globe, across the country, and right here in northern Arizona.

From today’s Juneteenth observance to international Pride Month, we are reminded of the power of visibility, freedom, and community. Closer to home, we just celebrated a major milestone in Holbrook with the funding of a new teen center that very soon will offer support and opportunity for young people.

City hosts meet and greet event for Planning and Development Services Director candidates on June 26

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff invites members of the public to attend a meet and greet event on Thursday, June 26 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall for final candidates for the position of Planning and Development Services Director. The City received 23 applications, conducted 4 screening interviews, and has invited 2 candidates to participate in interviews and the meet and greet to follow.

The candidate names and a brief biography of those who accepted the City’s invitation to participate are included below:

Bill Williams Mountain watershed (closed as of June 18)

WILLIAMS — Due to increased fire danger and for public safety, the Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary area closure on Bill Williams Mountain watershed, located just south of the City of Williams. (The closure began on June 18) and is due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding that would potentially result.

In general, the perimeter of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed temporary closure area includes Forest Road 122 to the south, Forest Road 108 to the west, County Road 73 (aka “South Road”) to the east, and Interstate 40 to the north. Details, including a map of the closure area, will be available on the Kaibab NF website at www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab

Sedona Arts Center — Summer Art Classes & Workshops

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE