
Virtual tour of the Easton Collection Center. Virtual event. 2:30 p.m.; free.
The importance of child care providers to families, to communities and to Arizona’s economy came into clearer view over the past year.
The pandemic caused the abrupt shutdown of many child care and home-based centers. Now, despite drastically reduced enrollment and expensive increased health and safety measures, many centers are determined to serve families who need safe, trusted child care in order to continue working.
While it was challenging for everyone, the resilience and dedication of early educators renewed our deep appreciation for those who provide child care and the essential role it plays. Especially in uncertain times, early care and education providers offer families critical support when they need it most.
Throughout the month of May, First Things First invites Arizonans to show their gratitude for the state’s early care and education providers through the #ShareTheCareAZ campaign. Visit the Share the Care AZ page for simple ways to show support.
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
Things are looking brighter and it’s not just the sunshine filtering through the pine branches. After months making plans for the summer, while closely monitoring the increasing vaccination rate in our community and falling number of infections, we are now able to open up a bit more.
Starting June 1, the museum will be open six days a week, from Tuesday through Sunday, meaning you have more opportunities to visit this summer.
We’ve already opened registration for the Discovery Camps to museum members, and will soon open to nonmembers. We’re also accepting applications from artists for booths at our Heritage Festival, which will be held four weekends in July.
Flagstaff Blues and Brews, the largest blues festival in Arizona, recently announced they were cancelling their annual two-day festival for a second year in a row, due to on-going Covid restrictions. After much deliberation, the team decided to pull off a smaller event at a local downtown venue, the historic Orpheum Theater.
Downtown Blues, presented generously by locally owned and operated Stackhouse Wealth Strategies, will be held June 12th from 3 pm to 10 pm. 18 and over only. Tickets will be limited to 250, as to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and cost $42 each. Owner and producer of the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, Jennifer Grogan, expects this show to sell out quickly and encourages blues fans to purchase tickets soon.
What Happened This Week (05/13/21) recap video
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más de 11 de mayo, 2021
More videos and information available HERE
— AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection is a platform that educates on relevant issues, celebrates Latino accomplishments, and connects Hispanics of all generations.
The city of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Program’s Community Stewards will host a One a Day in May litter challenge. This event runs for the month of May. The top three litter pickers will win great prizes on June 1, 2021.
The Community Steward’s Program is utilizing the phone app Litterati to help participants easily pick up litter as they go about their day. The goal of using Litterati, is to take a photo of the litter through the app, tag it, pick it up and then upload the photo. Litterati will then store the location of the litter, with the type-tag on a map. This will allow Sustainability staff to better identify locations with litter problems and the types of litter out there.
As more travelers return to the skies, Groome Transportation will be resuming our Flagstaff to Phoenix and PHX airport route June 1st with enhanced policies and procedures similar to those implemented by major airlines. Learn how Groome is ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers and employees.
Additional Services Reopen on South Rim
Several facilities on the South Rim will be reopening or adding services this week:
Bright Angel Bicycles is now renting Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes and began taking reservations last week for May 14th and beyond.
On Saturday, May 15th, the Yavapai Coffee Shop will open an hour earlier at 6 a.m.to better accommodate guests. It will close daily at 1 p.m.
The Canyon Village Deli will reopen on Monday, May 17th daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Desert View Watchtower opened the ground floor this past Friday May 7th and is open from Friday through Monday. The Watchtower is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
Village interpretive staff will begin providing visitor information outside of the Visitor Center starting May 21st.
Now Featuring:
Featuring: Tamara Hastie, Sue Horine, Sharon McGinnis, Jeff Perkins, and Mark Troksa
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by nearly 100 local and regional 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.
Cascade Parcell and her instructor Brad Williams study the ponderosa pine. They’re looking for “lean” – the direction the tree wants to fall.
“I’m going to use wedges on this one,” Parcell says, picking up a chainsaw.
She fires up the chainsaw, kneels at the base and starts cutting while Williams carefully watches.
Parcell was one of a handful of students taking the Wildland Fire Chainsaws course in April at Coconino Community College. The course is part of a CCC Wildland Fire Suppression Certificate program.
The final day of operations for the Fort Tuthill COVID-19 Vaccination Site at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop in Flagstaff is Tuesday, May 18. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) vaccination operations will shift to special pop-up vaccination events.
First and second dose Moderna vaccine and Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine will continue to be available to those aged 18 and over without an appointment at the Fort Tuthill vaccination site from 8 am – 3 pm through Thursday, May 13 this week. The Fort Tuthill vaccination site will close at 1 pm on Friday, May 14. The site will be open on Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18 from 8 am – 3 pm.
Hikers and backpackers hiking in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit this spring and summer season. Hikers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon, must be self-reliant and understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders.
Rangers at Grand Canyon strongly urge visitors who plan to hike in the canyon to take extra precautions and hike safely. Hikers should hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., rest in shade whenever possible, and avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Important tips for a successful hike include the following: balancing real food, electrolyte, and water intake; drinking when thirsty; getting wet to stay cool; and stopping hiking if you start to feel ill.
As the region heads into summer, and the hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, this seems an appropriate time to reinvigorate ourselves with the promise of a new beginning.
As part of our effort during this nationwide Spring Cleaning, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth welcomes you to explore our new, revitalized website at www.Coconinokids.org
The website features our new logo and brand colors, more images and easier links to a variety of resources you have come to depend on, including:
The city of Flagstaff will enter Stage One fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on May 14, 2021 in an effort to reduce the potential for unintentional human-caused wildfires within the city limits. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.
Coconino County will move to Stage One fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the County, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective Friday, May 14 at 8:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts breezy and dry conditions, necessitating the restrictions, and the decision was made in consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local Fire District officials to reduce the threat of wildfire. Stage One fire restrictions include a ban on fires including campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves, as well as a ban on fireworks.
The state-run Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site will open to anyone 12 years of age and over on Thursday, May 13, subject to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The site currently administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 16 and over. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 -15 on Monday. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC are expected to follow suit on Wednesday with a recommendation to vaccinate those 12 and older. The recommendation applies only to the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
The city of Sedona seeks professional artists for a major exterior public art competition to fill three roundabouts on State Route (SR) 179 with commissioned art.
More specifically, one artist or a team of artists, including artists from multiple disciplines, will be selected per roundabout, for this opportunity to receive a commission to create artwork for one of the three roundabouts.
The roundabouts are located on SR 179 at the intersections of Canyon Drive, Morgan Road and Chapel Road. Artists may design for a preferred roundabout location, but placement will ultimately be decided by an arts and culture work group. Art for the Canyon Drive roundabout should be designed to coexist with the existing tree at this location.
Please find attached the fourth edition of the Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix. We are encouraged by the growing number of business and political leaders from both sides of the border who have become subscribers.
#ChooseMexico has a variety of interesting articles that focus on current business topics relevant to both Mexico and Arizona. One in particular, from Consul Alejandro Martínez, who heads the Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales.
The Flagstaff Arts Council is pleased to announce the Finalists and Legacy Award recipients for the 13th Annual Viola Awards. The Viola Awards honor excellence in the arts, sciences, and culture in Flagstaff. 2020 was an unprecedented year, but the finalists of the year’s Viola Awards prove the creativity and resiliency of our community.
This year’s awards will honor 36 finalists across 9 categories with some finalists being recognized in multiple categories. All finalists will be honored at the Viola Awards event on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
For the first time this year, the Flagstaff Arts Council has produced a digital magazine featuring all Finalists and Legacy Award recipients. The 2021 Finalist Magazine can be viewed and downloaded here.
There are only 9 DAYS LEFT to register for the 2021 Future Health Leaders Virtual Summer Camp! This year will be our second year of virtual summer camp and this year will be BIGGER and BETTER. We will be hosting giveaways, providing completion packages, and engaging in virtual social activities throughout the week. We have lined up some knowledgeable guest speakers in topics such as nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. We know this will be a great healthcare learning experience for all those in attendance.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, DES Services, and so much more.
The DES Office of Community Engagement would like to share with you information about this program. The EBB program opens on May 12, 2021 for eligible individuals and households to enroll. Below is additional information and the link to the Toolkit.
The Family Involvement Center offers an opportunity for anyone who might be interested in becoming a peer parent support partner. Participants will get 24 college credits, a monthly stipend, a laptop and other supplies and help with job placement. Applicants will need to complete a short application form.
The deadline to apply is May 15.
The city of Flagstaff will enter Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan on May 17. The move to Phase 3 was predicated on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and COVID related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, the increase in the number of residents vaccinated, the demonstrated ability to follow CDC guidelines, ability to care for the seriously ill and providing testing, monitoring and contact tracing. Under Phase 3, the city will begin a limited reopening of city facilities and amenities. Face coverings are required in city facilities.
This week, in multiple interviews with the press, Navajo Nation President Nez announced that the Navajo Nation will be donating PPE to India to help with the surge of cases in the nation: The president said, “We do have a stockpile of masks that were donated as well as what we’ve made. So what we’re doing is we’re going to package that up and send it to our brothers and sisters in India because they’re getting hit hard and we really know how it feels.” The Navajo Nation was once the hardest hit locations in the country. As the Navajo Nation reaches over 50% of individuals fully vaccinated, the nation is looking to give back to communities in need.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation week, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget asks us all to take some time to thank the exemplary educators of Coconino County who have made a difference in the lives of our children. Think of an educator you know who connects with students, helps them experience and understand the world around them, introduces them to subjects in new ways, and inspires them to take agency over their future. We ask you to take the time to thank these exemplary educators for their work and service to our County’s schools and children.
During Teacher Appreciation Week the Coconino County Education Service Agency would like to congratulate and announce the 2021 Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year nominees.
Coconino Community College has hired Flagstaff resident Craig Hunt to be the first coach for the college’s cross country running program, which is slated to begin its first season this fall.
“I’d like to thank Tony Williams and everyone who has helped create the cross country programs at CCC,” Hunt said. “This is an exciting time for CCC and the Flagstaff community, and I am thrilled to lead the way as the inaugural cross country coach.”
You are cordially invited to attend a special virtual celebration and networking event for business leaders, industry specialists and economic development professionals as we mark Economic Development Week on Tuesday, May 11.
The Collaborative Communities: Statewide Social Hour will be held via Zoom from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by several economic development organizations in Arizona, including ECONA.
Affordable, accessible and decent housing is of critical importance to a community’s health and viability. On December 1, 2020 the Flagstaff City Council declared a Housing Emergency in Flagstaff, prioritizing affordable housing within City operations to create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for all community members. The Housing Plan will define the housing emergency in Flagstaff and will provide policies and strategies to reduce it.
Thank you for choosing to attend a GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration presented by our GOLDEN Working Artists. The GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration will be presented in Zoom and will cover a variety of topics on acrylics and acrylic mediums. You will need to register in order to attend the Zoom presentation; please use the provided link to complete your registration. You will also need the *Virtual Lecture Demo Event Code provided below.
On a recent Saturday morning, a group of about 20 educators from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside met in the gymnasium of Kinsey Elementary School for a special orientation and training session.
Typically, rising early to sacrifice your day off for mandatory training doesn’t generate a lot of enthusiasm, but in this case the excitement was palpable. Why?
Because KinderCamp™ is coming back.
“There was just a buzz in the room,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the program that helps preschoolers with the foundational, social and academic skills needed to successfully transition into kindergarten. “People are really looking forward to being part of this again – and having it in person.”
he gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date.
Services provided by the National Park Service, including the campground and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, will be available starting May 15 at 9 a.m. The Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, and the gas station, will also open May 15. There will be no shower or laundry service available this year. The North Rim Hiker Shuttle will also be unavailable.
Among the many consequences of COVID-19 are its effects on the criminal justice system, including the safety of participants who appear in court.
Flagstaff and Williams Justice Courts are piloting a procedure that allows criminal defendants the opportunity and choice to appear by remote online methods while still being aware of all their legal rights and protections along the way.
The Coconino County Adult Probation office moved from 222 E Birch Avenue Flagstaff, AZ to their new address at 420 N San Francisco Street Flagstaff, AZ.
“Adult Probation is happy to do our part in the County’s Space Reimagined Initiative which looks for solutions and cost savings as it relates to office space and remote work. By moving into a smaller office footprint, the Adult Probation Department is committed to reducing the financial burden of the criminal justice system on taxpayers. The last year provided us an opportunity to learn how to combine virtual and in-person work, thus reducing our need for physical space in an office setting.
In May 2021, the city of Flagstaff’s Building Safety Section will participate in the 41st annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save,” will be held virtually this year, raising awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn.
The Northern Arizona University President’s Diversity Award recipients have been announced for the 2020-21 academic year. These awards are presented by the Center for University Access and Inclusion and the Office of the President.
The annual awards recognize the work of people and organizations who support and further diversity, equity and inclusion at the university. This year’s awards celebration will be postponed to the fall semester to anticipate the possibility of an in-person event.
APS has launched a new initiative to help small businesses embrace environmental sustainability and win more customers along the way.
The Going Green and Going Smart program is a free, on-demand certificate program that identifies ways businesses can save money on their electric bills by leveraging industry knowledge and best businesses practices.
Designed with smaller brick-and-mortar locations in mind – such as restaurants, offices, stores or warehouses – it teaches businesses how to conduct an energy audit and develop a sustainability plan. Going beyond that, however, it also shows how businesses can use their new energy efficiency to attract new customers.
Navajo Nation Moves to Code Yellow
Navajo Nation is moving from Code Orange to Yellow. Changes include the following: restaurants with indoor dining can operate at 25% capacity; restaurants with outdoor seating can accommodate 50% capacity. Navajo Nation casinos are allowed to open at 50% of maximum occupancy but only for Navajo Nation residents, citizens and employees (no visitors and tourists).
The City of Flagstaff’s 10 Year Housing Plan is underway and the Housing Section is asking all members of the community to participate by taking the City of Flagstaff Housing Survey.
The goal of the survey is to garner the most responses and to gather statistically valid housing data from a fair sampling of people.
Adolescence is a complex and emotional transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time of establishing an identity and taking new (hopefully healthy) risks to expand your sense of self and capabilities. It’s a time when peers are of utmost importance, and we crave belonging.
Creativity Calling meets all of these critical needs from expression to connection! The arts are an opportunity to express yourself and interact with the world. Art expression allows us the chance to access our deepest and most authentic selves and reflect. The arts help us regulate our emotions. The arts can be a nurturing social experience. Most significantly, the arts can connect us with our sense of purpose.
STEM City will be hosting virtual STEM nights beginning on Monday, May 3rd with community partner organizations via the groups’ Facebook page, FlagstaffSTEMCity. Participating organizations are creating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic video presentations highlighting their work in the greater Flagstaff community. The resources will also be made available to area educators as classroom materials to enhance learning opportunities in area schools.
“Unfortunately, we will not be hosting this event in-person this year,” shared STEM City President Mike Thomas. “We are excited to continue forward with the spirit of this event in a different format, continuing to celebrate STEM in this community, and offer learning opportunities to all that participate.”
The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science will explore “Stories in Stone” on September 17-26 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Jaime Awe of Northern Arizona University, will kick off the free, 10-day adventure as he shares his passion and important research of the Belize River Valley. Dr. Awe will delight audiences with his vast knowledge of Mesoamerican Cave societies and the collapse of the Maya civilization.
“This year’s Festival of Science, whose theme is Stories in Stone, is a wonderful opportunity for me to share results of my long and ongoing research on Maya civilization, and on the significant information that is encoded in the monuments of the ancient Maya,” says Dr. Awe. Maya monuments encode important information on how this fascinating civilization viewed their universe, and how they interacted socially, politically, and ritually with their gods and peers.
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
Applicants sought for the Maine Consolidated School District #10, by Coconino County, for Governing Board Seats for Appointment
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Maine Consolidated School District #10.
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.
We hope that you’re enjoying the spring weather and the blossom that often follows! From my vantage point, I can finally see our beloved backyard tree regaining its bright green leaves. It serves as a reminder to me that growth is possible with a little bit of sunshine, time, and patience.
At HECHO, we’re excited to share that a (virtual) seed we planted is also in bloom. We’ve worked hard over the past several months to revamp and reorganize our website, and it is LIVE! We hope that you’ll take the time to explore our new pages, and find the stories that inspire you to continue to advocate for the protection of our prized public lands. On our website, you’ll also be able to read about the recognition HECHO received this month in New Mexico and Colorado, honoring the work we do to ensure that Hispanic culture and perspectives are part of the conservation of our lands and waters.
“Mapping Migraciones” es un proyecto narrativo único de un año de duración de Audubon California con la Sociedad Nacional Audubon y Latino Outdoors que celebra la latinidad, la migración y las historias que nos conectan en las Américas.
Mire nuestro mapa interactivo que utiliza datos de aves migratorias e historias de personas como usted para darnos una imagen completa de cómo las aves y las personas están conectadas a través de la geografía y la cultura. Durante el año, este mapa crecerá para incluir más aves, patrones de migración e historias en todo el continente americano.
The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) presented its 2020 Cesar E. Chavez Community Recognition Award to Vietnam veterans at the American Legion Post 3 in Flagstaff on April 10, 2021.
The award will now remain on display at the post.
The presentation was delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After previously having cancelled, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is pleased to announce the reinstatement of the 9th Annual Teacher of the Year and the 4th Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year Awards.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented multiple challenges for teachers and students over the last year. We have witnessed the strength and ingenuity of Coconino County teachers through these difficult times and would like to acknowledge those who have been exceptionally outstanding in developing inventive curriculum and strategies for supporting student learning during the 2020/2021 school year.
The city of Flagstaff will soon add a new well to their inventory. Drilling of a second groundwater well at Fort Tuthill County Park began February 22, 2021.
Drilling this well is part of the city’s mid-to-long term water policy and the subsequent ten-year capital plan initiated after the 2002 drought left Upper Lake Mary reservoir nearly dry, resulting in water shortages throughout the city. This is the first of five wells in the plan to add resiliency to the city’s water supply and serve as a safety net against climate change and resulting drought, forest fires or infrastructure failure. Groundwater wells are the core producers of city water, averaging 65% of the city’s potable water supply since 1950. They tap into the C-aquifer at an average depth of 1000 feet below land surface with the bottom of most wells exceeding 2000 feet.
At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.
Volunteers with the committee make a year-long commitment to review grant applications, evaluate programs and perform site visits.
“As a member of the Community Investment Team, I get to see first-hand how UWNA brings together community partners and leverages resources to support our local non-profit agencies,” said Tami Suchowiejko, who is with Coconino County and one of the three newest CI team members.
Also joining our force of almost 40 volunteers are Eve Ford of Eve Ford Consulting and Sue Hilgart of Navajo County. The volunteers are broken up into seven teams, five in Flagstaff and one each in Page and northeast Arizona.
Workshops at Sedona Arts Center offer an experience that will provide inspiration and information to distill and practice for months and even years afterwards! A wide variety of disciplines and mediums are offered, including studio and plein air landscape painting, mixed media and abstraction, writing, photography, and so much more. Workshops are appropriate for all levels of students and are presented through demonstrations, individual instruction and group presentation. Instructors are experts in their field – experienced teachers with national recognition.
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years.
Earth Day Celebrations and National Park Week Continue
Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, check out one of our Grand Canyon Moments about Water at
https://youtu.be/OuP7vfsd-mk.
This Grand Canyon Moment features the sights and sounds of water and is a reminder of how essential and precious water is. Both the Earth and the human body are made up of about 70% water!
Everyone plays a role in protecting water, whether you are at Grand Canyon or at home. One way you can protect water is by being water wise! For example, where does your water come from and how much do you use daily? What is one way you use water?
Tall buildings like those recently built for student housing along Milton Road and W. Route 66 are currently allowed in places that would surprise most of us. They are allowed anywhere north (N. End) and south of downtown (Southside), even next to the public library. Five and six story buildings are also allowed anywhere in the Sunnyside Neighborhood bordered by 4thStreet, Cedar Avenue and McMillan Mesa. This is not the result of any recent comprehensive planning, but an historic artifact.
City staff is proposing to council on April 27th a new zone called the Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC).
After a multi-year effort, the National Park Service and the Utah Geological Association have published Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Paleontological Resources Inventory: A Century of Fossil Discovery and Research, available for public download on the Utah Geological Association website.
The publication documents more than 1.2 billion years of paleontological history in Grand Canyon. The rich fossil record uncovered during the inventory showcases flora and fauna from ancient Precambrian microbial mats to Pleistocene megafauna–including Shasta ground sloths, Harrington’s mountain goats, and the American cheetah–which lived in Grand Canyon’s limestone caves during the most recent Ice Age.
Mayor Paul Deasy and Superintendent Michael Penca joined forces to improve the health, well-being and academic achievement of Flagstaff’s children. The two leaders committed to transforming Flagstaff’s school grounds into nature-filled greenspaces where children can connect to the natural world and enjoy healthy, active time outdoors.
Flagstaff was selected as one of 10 cities (out of 27 applicants) to receive training and technical assistance to add nature play and outdoor learning spaces to schoolyards through Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN), a joint initiative of the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network. Flagstaff joins a national movement of cities working to provide children with equitable access to the benefits of nature.
Applicants sought for the Fredonia Moccasin School District #6, by Coconino County, for Governing Board Seat for Appointment
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Fredonia Moccasin School District #6.
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.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Grand Canyon Unified School District #4.
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.
The wonderful scent – and sneezes – of spring blossoms have arrived in Flagstaff, and Coconino Community College is beginning the crunch to the end of another semester.
The excitement of Commencement, although it will be virtual again this year, fills the air with electricity. Student resilience, determination and sheer willpower to achieve those dreams of an education have borne fruit from the spring blossoms of hope. Let us all celebrate that achievement!
This summer, thanks to COVID relief funding, CCC will be offering free tuition to graduating high school seniors in Coconino County to help them gear up for a successful fall semester. All other students will also benefit from the relief funding.
A variety of organizations took part in a discussion hosted by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth on the important role community members can play in the development of resilience of youth, caregivers and family by mentoring and supporting connections during a webinar presented by CCC&Y on April 14.
The free webinar, please click here, is designed to help those interested in the variety of mentorship programs in Coconino County. During the webinar, various speakers shared information about their organizations and the need for mentors.
Partners participating in the webinar included Arizona’s Children Association, AZ1.27, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Grant funding was provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.
CCC students can receive tutoring support services via Zoom for free with no appointment necessary.
Drop-in tutoring is offered online through the links published in the Canvas course.
Getting started is easy –
Step 1: Log into Canvas with CCC Comet ID and password.
Step 2: Open the course on the dashboard titled “CCC Tutoring-Tutoring 101”.
Step 3: Click the drop-in tutoring Zoom link on the home page.
Additional online tutoring resources are available in Modules.
Flagstaff Arts Council is happy to announce that we have begun talks with ArtWins Arizona to establish a major arts and cultural festival in Flagstaff to tentatively launch in 2023. FAC is seeking public input on the idea. To learn more and provide feedback, visit: flagartscouncil.org/festival
Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, International Arts & Ideas Festival in New Haven, Connecticut, Aspen Ideas Festival, and more, the festival is proposed to be anchored by both an art competition and a speaker series. The ArtWins Arizona competition is proposed to award more than $300,000 in prizes and grants including $50,000 grand prizes. Depending on funder interest, prize values could be even higher. The festival will provide a regional and national platform for local artists, creatives, and thinkers as well as attract global participation.
Sedona Arts Center is proud to be part of a major national research study to learn how arts, culture, and creativity fit into people’s lives during this difficult period — and how cultural organizations can become better for you in the future.
We know you get a lot of surveys, and that this one comes at a challenging time for many of us. We’re passing it on to you because it’s genuinely important to our community and our shared future. If you can spare a few minutes to give your views, we’d be very grateful.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
Thank you for choosing to attend a GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration presented by our GOLDEN Working Artists. The GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration will be presented in Zoom and will cover a variety of topics on acrylics and acrylic mediums. You will need to register in order to attend the Zoom presentation; please use the provided link to complete your registration. You will also need the *Virtual Lecture Demo Event Code provided below.
The state Northern Region COVID-19 Vaccination Site, a partnership with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Coconino County, Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Northern Arizona Healthcare, will open in Flagstaff on Monday, April 19, administering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 16 and older.
The vaccination site will be located at NAU’s University Union Fieldhouse, 1050 Knoles Drive and will serve the Flagstaff and northern Arizona communities. The indoor vaccination site will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Initially, the site will offer approximately 1,000 appointments per day, with capacity to administer more than 4,000 doses daily.
Beginning April 17, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over the next several weeks fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively.
Units targeted for spring burning are in areas south of Jacob Lake, Crazy Jug/Big Saddle area, and the North Rim Developed area. The North Rim and National Forest areas south of Jacob Lake remained closed until May 15, making this an opportune time to perform burns for infrastructure protection and hazardous fuel reduction as smoke impacts and disruption to visitor experiences would be minimized.
Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Kachina Village and Mountainaire areas are available for public review and comment.
The maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Kachina Village and Mountainaire are at risk for flooding. Used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements, the new flood maps replace maps that were based on studies more than 25 years old.
In school, in work and in life, teens don’t reach their goals all on their own; in order to move ahead, they need to know there’s a path to get to where they want to go.
C.U.D.D.L.E. Outreach has partnered with United Way of Northern Arizona to help adolescents in Page find that path. Through a program that identifies at-risk teens and provides them with essential life skills, they help ensure that this next generation is prepared for the realities of adulthood and ready to live up to their potential.
C.U.D.D.L.E. – the acronym stands for Children Under Duress Divinely Loved Everywhere – does this through a mix of programs and lessons that cover everything from how to open a savings account to making a grocery list to changing a tire on a car.
Navajo Nation reissued its stay at home order on April 9, 2021. This order has the same direction as previous orders and encourages Navajo Nation residents to stay safe at home. Daily curfews are in place from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. mountain daylight time.
As always, there are no restrictions upon staff or community members relative to travel to and from the park.
You can read NDOH Public Health Emergency Order 2021-008 here.
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
Yesterday, more than 300 leaders from around the state gathered virtually to discuss Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, the progress we’ve made in the last two decades, and how innovation zones and collaborative efforts will increase the pace of investment in this vital sector of our economy.
The agility of bioscience related businesses and organizations was put to the test by the pandemic, as hospitals and health care workers were pushed to the brink by soaring admission rates and lack of essential equipment. Meanwhile, many of our local entities quickly shifted gears to meet the moment:
Once again, First Things First has partnered with the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC) to join the annual nationwide celebration that focuses attention on early learning and the educators who support the positive development of young children.
The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 52 Affiliates.
The purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
Now Featuring: 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 nearly 100 local and regional 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.
Coconino County health officials announced (on April 13), in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recommendation, the County is pausing use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The recommendation is based on six reported U.S. cases, out of 6.8 million doses administered nationally, of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In line with the current guidance, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has cancelled this week’s Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic located at the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff. Those with appointments at the NAH vaccination site for Johnson & Johnson, are encouraged to seek vaccination at other County vaccination sites where the Moderna vaccine is being administered. Registration information is available at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine
High school seniors in Coconino County (graduating class of 2021) will be able to attend summer classes at Coconino Community College for FREE!
Registration is now open for the summer semester at CCC.
Summer instruction begins Monday, June 7, 2021.
Coconino Community College will be hosting two (2) free virtual information sessions via ZOOM to answer your questions about this excellent opportunity.
Sedona Arts Center is proud to be part of a major national research study to learn how arts, culture, and creativity fit into people’s lives during this difficult period — and how cultural organizations can become better for you in the future.
We know you get a lot of surveys, and that this one comes at a challenging time for many of us. We’re passing it on to you because it’s genuinely important to our community and our shared future. If you can spare a few minutes to give your views, we’d be very grateful.
The Hispanic Student Convocation Committee is seeking nominations to recognize three outstanding Latino graduating seniors and one outstanding graduate student.
César Chávez Award: Recognizes students with strong leadership skills, a demonstrated care and concern for fellow students and a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Award: Recognizes students with demonstrated leadership abilities, strong attachments to their cultural heritage and demonstrated advocacy regarding women’s rights
Gabriela Mistral Award: Recognizes students with a strong commitment to education and to promoting multicultural understanding
Outstanding Hispanic Graduate Student: Recognizes a graduate student with strong leadership skills who serves as a positive role model for their undergraduate colleagues, demonstrates care and concern for fellow students and possesses a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community
* Special invitation! Join our virtual Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 12 (see attachment). Registration required: https://aarp.cvent.com/d/mjqdk3/
* SSI applications are considerably down. Our good friend Jack Burns from the Social Security Phoenix office shares the attached letter. Feel free to reach out to Jack with questions: 866-331-4359 / john.p.burns@ssa.gov.
* Our Long Term Care series has launched. Visit our FB page to watch our first show: Long Term Care in our Healthcare System. This topic will be addressed every other Saturday. Next topic: Acute Care vs Long Term Care (4/17).
I have some exciting, although bittersweet, news to share with you all. I have recently accepted a position at Coconino Community College as their Chief Development Officer. I will begin my new role at CCC on April 19th; however, I will remain at TLC through the end of June to assist with a smooth transition and to help with the completion of our Storybook Path. Although I am looking forward to my position at CCC, leaving TLC was a difficult decision for me to make. The relationships and the memories I have made with the TLC family are significant and I have absolutely treasured my time here.
There’s no greater time to explore the outdoors. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, why not put into practice sustainable recreation and tourism? Did you know there are 7 principles of Leave No Trace? To learn more about how you can
leave no trace when exploring
Arizona’s outdoors, visit
AppreciateAZ.com.
East Entrance at Desert View Re-opens
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are you a scientist, educator, or presenter at a scientific institution? Do you or your business want to share your research and programs with the community?
We are calling for submissions to host an event with this year’s Festival!
Workshops, talks, trips, and programs that highlight innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math are all welcome to participate in the 2021 Festival, scheduled to take place in September!
Submissions are due by April 31.
Are you concerned with the challenges facing our youth and families?
Have you felt called to learn more or maybe even get involved as a mentor?
All are invited to learn a bit about the importance community members can play in the development of resilience through connections with a virtual program from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2021.
Partners include Arizona’s Children Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Grant funding provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.
On Wednesday, April 7, Coconino County will unveil a suffrage marker at the Coconino County courthouse to commemorate the centennial of Women’s Voting Rights in collaboration with the National Collaborative for Women’s History Site (NCWHS) and the Pomeroy Foundation.
The Arizona Women’s History Alliance (AWHA) identified the Coconino County courthouse as one of five historic sites in the state of Arizona as Anna Howard Shaw, a nation suffrage leader, gave a talk at the courthouse on October 18, 1912. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw is a significant figure in the national suffrage movement, campaigning across the country in the ultimately successful push for women’s right to vote.