Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — A heavenly setting sparks a successful 2025 CCC&Y Conference

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — With a setting that gazed toward the stars, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth successfully presented its 2025 CCC&Y Conference on Sept. 9, 2025 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Guest speaker Iyo Affo launched the conference with a morning presentation with her discussion on “Cohere. Connect. Conduct,” combining storytelling, science, spoken word and systems change to promote transformation within organizations and communities.

Affo, a Culturalist and Trauma Specialist, draws on personal experiences, neuroscience and the power of collective healing to talk about how self-healing communities and systems change can be the foundation for lasting transformation.

Attendees had powerful responses to the speakers and the event.
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“I loved Iya’s ability to tell stories, share data, and engage with the audience. I appreciate her sharing things about her personal journey and how she connected with the audience. She was inspiring!” said one attendee.

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Flagstaff City Council continues to protect water resources

FLAGSTAFF — The City Council of Flagstaff voted unanimously on Sept. 16, 2025 to authorize the City Attorney to take all actions necessary to ensure that the City’s regional water resource at Red Gap Ranch is not impaired by helium exploration operations, including if necessary the filing of a new suit. The City is unaware of active helium exploration near Red Gap Ranch at this time and the City will continue to protect its vital resources if needed.

Sedona Arts Center — Out of the Fire: Student Ceramic Exhibition, more news

Celebrate the creativity of Sedona Arts Center’s ceramics students in Out of the Fire, a dynamic exhibition and sale featuring dozens of original works. Produced during classes, workshops, and open studios, the show highlights the incredible range of talent emerging from SAC’s ceramics department — from striking sculptural forms to elegant dinnerware and functional pieces.

Join us for a special artist reception on Friday, September 19, 4–6 p.m., held in conjunction with Celebrate Sedona. The afternoon will include music, artist demonstrations, food, wine, and beer. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public, with complimentary parking available behind the Art Barn.

Coconino Center for the Arts — FORE! 2026 Call for Artists

FORE! returns to Coconino Center for the Arts in January 2026, and we’re inviting artists and community organizations to design sculptural art greens for this miniature golf installation and benefit supporting CCA exhibitions and programming.

Selected participants receive a $500 honorarium, turf, and a hole cup to create a safe, durable, and imaginative par 3–4 green (3–9 yards from tee to cup) that can be easily assembled in the gallery. Designs should be creative and functional. 

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra’s Season 76 opens on SEPTEMBER 26 — Reserve your seat today

You are cordially invited to celebrate the opening of Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra’s 76th Season with our first concert, Fanfares and Fireworks, on Friday, September 26 at 7:30 PM in Ardrey Memorial Auditorium. FSO launches the season with a program brimming with excitement, featuring music of breathtaking power and dazzling virtuosity.

Purchase tickets here or by clicking the button below.

Theatrikos Theater Co. — Help Us Cross the Finish Line — Your Gift Will Be DOUBLED!

At Theatrikos Theatre Company, we believe theatre is more than performance; it’s a catalyst for creativity, confidence, and community. And now, we’re one step away from building something extraordinary for Flagstaff.

This year, we launched a $30,000 capital campaign to transform a commercial building into a state-of-the-art rehearsal and education studio; a vibrant, dedicated space for year-round theatre education. We’ve raised $22,000 so far, and now we have thrilling news:

An anonymous donor has stepped forward to MATCH every dollar donated; up to our final $8,000!

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for an art class today!

park your creativity with upcoming classes and workshops at Sedona Arts Center! From ceramics and painting to photography, encaustics, and more, there’s something for every artist and learner — whether you’re beginning a new journey or expanding your practice. Join us in the studio or online, connect with fellow creatives, and be part of a vibrant community in the heart of Sedona.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces honors District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez for his long support of local Hispanic community

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces honored District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez for his long support of local Hispanic community during a ceremony held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 at Mayan Winds Coffee Emporium.

Vasquez was presented with an award signifying all the “Barrios de Flagstaff.” The award was created by long-time Nuestras Raíces Armando Gonzales.

High Country Humane urgent plea — Please consider adopting your next pet, becoming a pet foster, volunteering at the shelter or making a donation to help support local pets looking for a home

FLAGSTAFF — This year, our animal welfare partner High Country Humane has seen three times the number of cruelty and neglect cases at their shelter compared to all of last year. These animals arrive broken, hungry, traumatized and in need.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Annual Campaign Begins!

The underlying belief embodied by the supporters of United Way of Northern Arizona is that strong communities are built when we come together to learn, share, and act.

We had a chance to do just that recently at the kickoff breakfast for our Annual Campaign to raise $1.2 million.

Donations to the Annual Campaign will help ensure all who live in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties can thrive.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 8-12, 2025

Significant progress continues on the Dragon Bravo Fire, which is now 86% contained at 145,504 acres with 617 personnel assigned.

Today at 6 a.m., the Kaibab National Forest reopened approximately 96,000 acres of national forest lands on the North Kaibab Ranger District. This step was made possible thanks to extensive suppression repair work, including hazard tree removal and safety improvements along roads and trails. While more areas are now accessible, several roads remain closed. For the latest road status, maps, and closure information, visit the Kaibab National Forest Alerts page.

BNSF to close Angell Road railroad crossing for maintenance

COCONINO COUNTY — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) will temporarily close the railroad crossing at Angell Road from next Tuesday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 17 for maintenance work to ensure safe travel for both motorists and trains.

The crossing is located approximately six miles east of Winona.

The two-day closure will be in effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday until 5 p.m. Wednesday; however, this schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen factors.

During the closure period, drivers north of the tracks should plan to detour west along Forest Road 415 for approximately four miles to reach the Porter Ranch Road railroad crossing.

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) news updates for September 2025

Latest news updates for September 2025

Gallego, Cantwell & Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Public Comment Period for Roadless Rule Repeal …

Gallego Introduces Bill to Protect Striking Workers …

Gallego Introduces Bill to Ensure Auto-Gratuity is Covered by ‘No Tax on Tips’ …

Gallego Statement on Charlie Kirk’s Passing …

Gallego Introduces Bill to Ensure Auto-Gratuity is Covered by ‘No Tax on Tips’ …

Gallego: “Ashli Babbitt was a traitor …

Gallego, Colleagues Call Out Trump Administration’s Wrongful Targeting of Dreamers in Illegal Immigration Scheme …

Gallego Joins Blumenthal and Colleagues to Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans …

Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, Ansari Urge Trump to Prevent Removal of Arizona Mother and Business Owner …

Gallego Joins Blumenthal and Colleagues to Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans …

ICYMI: Gallego Questions Trump Nominees on Energy Costs, Reliability …

MORE …

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) news updates for September 2025

Latest news updates for September 2025

Kelly Joins Kaine, Colleagues in Pressing for Answers from Trump Administration on Strike in Caribbean …

Kelly, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Small Businesses from Trump Tariffs …

Kelly, Colleagues Demand Trump VA Rescind Dangerous New Proposed Rule to Ban Life-Saving Abortions for Veterans …

Kelly, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Amendment to Raise Annual Pay Cap for Wildland Firefighters …

Kelly, Stanton, Gallego, Ansari Urge Trump to Prevent Removal of Arizona Mother and Business Owner ..

MORE …

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes news updates for September 2025

Latest news updates for September 2025

Attorney General Mayes Announces Town Halls on Health Insurance Denials

Attorney General Mayes Files Brief in Support of Federal Employees’ Right to Collective Bargaining and Free Speech

Attorney General Mayes Wins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration, Stops $184 Million Cut to AmeriCorps Service Programs

MORE…

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition celebrates successful 2025 Conference. More details to come

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — An amazing setting complemented two fantastic speakers when the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth presented its CCC&Y 2025 Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Lowell Observatory.

Guest speaker Iyo Affo kicked off the morning presentation with her talk “Cohere. Connect. Conduct,” skillfully weaving together storytelling, science, spoken word and systems change to promote transformation within organizations and communities.

She was followed with an afternoon presentation by Dr. Sandra Solano, who combined science with human emotions and taking care of oneself during her presentation “From Within to the World: Harnessing Heart Coherence for Healing and Systematic Empowerment.”

This is just a preview of the photos and the information on the conference that will be posted next week on our website and newsletter. Until then, thank you to all our speakers, our sponsors and all those who planned for, presented and attended our CCC&Y 2025 Conference. Very much appreciated.

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The NAU Review — What’s on your plate?

The science behind every bite

The 36th Flagstaff Festival of Science promises to be a tasty treat. This year’s theme is Harvesting Knowledge, with talks, workshops, tours and other experiences uncovering traditional food science and its relevance to the environment, community health and culture. Here’s a list of some of the events at NAU.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Sponsor a Seat, Share Your Love for the Arts!

There’s still time to be part of the Coconino Center for the Arts’ Theater Seating Fundraiser! Each seat sponsorship includes a personalized plaque on the seat of your choice — a meaningful way to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or show your love for the arts in Flagstaff.

Your gift goes further right now: thanks to a generous matching donation from a former Creative Flagstaff board member and their spouse, every contribution is doubled to help us reach our goal!

Special thank you to All Awards, Flagstaff’s local awards shop, for generously donating the plaques in-kind.

Forest Service reopens more lands near Dragon Bravo Fire

FREDONIA — Starting Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, the public will have access to another 96,000 acres of national forest lands on the North Kaibab Ranger District as the Forest Service further reduces the White Sage & Dragon Bravo Fires Temporary Closure. Crews on the Dragon Bravo Fire continue to make significant progress on suppression repair work, enabling the Forest Service to reopen more areas without compromising public safety or fire operations. Approximately 82% of the North Kaibab Ranger District will be open to the public.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography — Image of the Month September 2025

Chromatic colors in bubbles create a mesmerizing effect when light interacts with the thin film of soap, producing a spectrum of colors due to light interference and diffraction and splitting into its individual colors. As the bubble moves or changes shape, the iridescent spectrum of colors shift and transform due to the changing thickness of the soapy film, creating a dynamic and spell-binding result. As in the case of this image, a simple bubble against the blue sky can be used to create visually striking art and design pieces.

Art classes and workshops at Sedona Arts Center

Discover something new, deepen your creative practice, or reignite your artistic passion with one of our upcoming workshops at Sedona Arts Center. Here are just a few exciting classes you can sign up for now—and you’ll find our full lineup of workshops and events online at SedonaArtsCenter.org. Join us in the studio and be part of a vibrant community of artists and learners in the heart of Sedona.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — New Classes Start Next Week at Theatrikos!

Final Call: Youth Theatre Classes Start Next Week!
The countdown is on! For the first time in our history, Theatrikos is offering year-round theatre classes and they begin one week from today!

In just one week, our studios will be filled with young artists learning to bring characters to life with stage makeup, mastering iconic choreography, and discovering the joy of improv. From our youngest movers to our most advanced students, this season is packed with opportunities for learning and growth. Sign up today and let the creativity begin!

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Don’t Delay: Reserve Your Spots for Festival Events!

Reservation links for all events with limited engagement are open now! Numerous guided hikes, specialized workshops, and behind-the-scenes activities are all free but require advance reservations. Visit the links on our website or on the app. Remember, these programs do fill up, so don’t delay! Additionally, if your plans change, please notify the event host so that we can open spots for additional guests.

The W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Lecture with Mariah Gladstone also has tickets now available. This talk, held on Sept. 19, 7 p.m. in Ardrey Auditorium will cover the themes of land sustainability, community health and traditional food systems.