Flagstaff community invited to share feedback for new city logo

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is excited to invite the community to weigh in on three designs under consideration to become the new city logo. A short poll and survey will be open until January 11, 2025 and can be accessed at flagstaff.az.gov/logo

The City of Flagstaff and the NAU VisualDESIGN Lab have been working since the summer of 2024 to create and refine a design that represents not just the City of Flagstaff’s organization, but also the history, culture, and values of the Flagstaff community as a whole. The process began with over 100 sketches and using prior community input, the designs were refined into three distinct designs, shown below.

2024 Giving Machine back at Heritage Square Dec. 18 through Jan. 1, 2025

FLAGSTAFF — We are excited to share that the Light the World Giving Machines are back this year at Heritage Square! They will operate every day starting tomorrow, Dec 18th – Jan 1st. The local charities in the machines this year are Flagstaff Shelter Services, Flagstaff Boys and Girls Club, Flagstaff Family Food Center. The statewide charities are Gathering Humanity and Child Help. The Global charities are iDE and Days for Girls International.

This is the third year we have had the opportunity to bring the Giving Machines to Flagstaff, the last two years we have raised about $150,000 just in Flagstaff. Please know that 100% of the donations go directly to the charities, each charity picked their own needed items that will be showcased in the machines.

Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 – Comment by Dec. 19!

The 60-day public review of the draft Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is ending on December 19! That means you have THREE DAYS to read, ask questions, and share your feedback on the draft contents. Visit bit.ly/RPpublicreview to learn more about the 60-day public review.

The faithful gather before dawn for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec. 12, 2024

FLAGSTAFF — Even before dawn on a chilly but clear morning, the faithful gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec. 12, 2024 in Flagstaff.

As has been traditional in recent years, more than 100 luminarias lit the way for those who attended the event, which featured spiritual music and prayers.

The Rosary was led by Las Guadalupanas, followed by the Mañanitas Serenade to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the bilingual Mass.

The luminarias surrounding the chapel were placed by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, who will also present the breakfast in the church’s basement following the Mass.

H5 Avian Influenza Detected in Wastewater in Coconino County

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has confirmed that H5 avian influenza has been detected in wastewater sampling. The specimens were collected at the Rio De Flag Water Reclamation Plant and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant.

The source of the virus is suspected to be from chickens and wild birds, however other sources cannot be ruled out. There are no reports of human or animal H5 cases in Coconino County. 

United Way of Northern Arizona — Top 10 Highlights from 2024

It has been an extraordinary year for the United Way of Northern Arizona and, more importantly, for the communities we serve. We saw dramatic increases in some programs, added benefits to others, and witnessed the amazing ability of our communities to pull together and collectively improve conditions for all in our region.

Here are our Top 10 highlights of the year:

Discover Flagstaff — 2024 Holiday Parade of Lights on Dec. 14 downtown Flagstaff, more upcoming events

Saturday, December 14
2024 Holiday Parade of Lights, Downtown Flagstaff.

With parade floats lighting up Historic Downtown Flagstaff, you won’t want to miss out on the fun and festivities that have become a holiday tradition in Flagstaff. Free. 6 p.m.

Learn More

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Dec. 9-13, 2024

We want to hear from you!

Please take a few moments to complete this short survey and share your thoughts on the Weekly Wrap Up newsletter. Your feedback will help improve the content, format, and relevance of future editions, ensuring our office continues to provide the most useful and engaging information. Thank you for your input!
Weekly Wrap Up Survey

AZ Culture Connection — Join us for a fun and festive day at our Winter Market on Dec, 14

Discover unique, handmade goods from local artists and artisans, enjoy live music from The Pocket Limes, sip on warm coffee and cocoa, and explore a variety of crafts and more! Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift or simply enjoying the holiday spirit, there’s something for everyone!

Don’t miss out on this festive celebration — bring your friends, family, and holiday cheer!

Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Update Winter 2024 Newsletter

Stay Informed!
Keeping residents updated and informed about the County’s Comprehensive Plan – Envision 2045 – is a priority for the County. We have been busy at work on the update and have news to share with you! For all the latest information about Envision 2045 visit the project website: https://coconinocounty.konveio.com/envision2045.

Designers invited to submit Accessory Dwelling Unit designs for Model Plans Library

FLAGSTAFF — We want your designs! The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office is seeking design proposals for detached Accessory Dwelling Units to be turned into pre-approved model plans. ADUs are important to the City’s adopted carbon neutrality and housing goals because they are generally smaller housing units that have the potential to offer lower rent and monthly utility costs, and could increase available housing stock.

Pumphouse Wash forest restoration work beginning south of Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Both the Coconino National Forest and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management are beginning a project aimed at restoring forest lands in the Pumphouse Wash area near Flagstaff’s Kachina Village community this week.

Crews are preparing for timber sales on a 2,500-acre parcel of land located near Kachina Village and Forest Highlands as part of the Pumphouse Community Protection Project.

Timber crews have started delineating project boundaries and designating trees to be removed as part of the thinning project.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Rezones Twelve Parcels to Preserve Thousands of Acres of Open Space

COCONINO COUNTY — At the Tuesday, Dec. 10, special session of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board voted unanimously to rezone twelve undeveloped parcels, preserving over 2,400 acres of land as open space.

The rezoning decision is the culmination of over a year of research by the County’s Community Development staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. 

Prescribed burn planned north of Flagstaff next week

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest plans to begin work on a highly visible prescribed burn project north of Flagstaff next week.

For the latest information at any time of the day, details and updates about all prescribed burn projects can be found on the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Arts: A Cornerstone of Northern Arizona’s Economic Growth

The arts are more than a source of inspiration – they are a vital economic driver for northern Arizona.

We know from data collected by the national Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the latest economic impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts, that the arts account for more than $85 million in direct economic activity in Flagstaff annually, and another $13.5 million in Sedona.

The arts are one of the top 10 sectors in the region based on employment and our 5-year Strategic Plan calls for community leaders to support the expansion and enhancement of arts and cultural venues and offerings within our communities.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Time to gather details on your hopes, goals, resolutions for 2025

COCONINO COUNTY —  As 2024 comes to a close, we want to find out what hopes, dreams, goals or (if you are willing to share) resolutions you may have for the coming year.

Maybe it’s setting a personal physical or mental health goal? Maybe it’s achieving a family or professional goal? Maybe more vacation travel, carving out more personal time or spending more time with friends and loved ones?

Imagining a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community starts with all of us and your dreams and goals feed back into the collective.

We want to know so we can include your thoughts when our newsletter returns on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, following our two-week newsletter break starting Dec. 25. And please let us know if you want us to share your comments anonymously with all our newsletter subscribers.

Maybe it’s too early to think about setting goals for the coming year. Instead, you can tell us what you are most proud of that you have done in 2024, be it a personal or professional accomplishment.

Flagstaff College to present Post-election Community Get-together on Dec. 11

 Flagstaff College/Communiversity, Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, and Catch Fire, are hosting a post-election community get-together! Please join us and share your energy, concerns, and your persistent hope that we can make our communities places of kindness, resilience, health, and equity.

We’ve invited local organizations to talk to us about their concerns, needs, and strategies–and how we might support them in their efforts to navigate the coming months.

If you want to know how you can take local action around important issues including immigration, climate change, health care, human rights, regional land use, and economic systems, join us on:

The NAU Review — Cheers to the Class of ’24! Meet the grads, plan your commencement journey + leave a ‘congrats’ for the Lumberjack in your life!

Get ready to celebrate our incredible graduates at NAU’s Fall 2024 commencement! Over 2,400 outstanding new Lumberjacks are set to make their mark on the world—but first, they’ll mark this milestone with their loved ones and mentors in two unforgettable ceremonies at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on Friday, Dec. 13. Whether you’re a student, family member or NAU employee, we’ve got all the info you need to make the most of this special day, from getting there to parking and navigating campus.
Read our commencement guide

Museum of Northern Arizona — Make Your Year-End Gift to MNA Today!

Why support MNA today?

Because in a world that’s increasingly filled with replicas, virtual experiences, and even artificially created images and videos, museums matter more than ever.

Because nothing can replicate the experience of this place. The bubbling fountain in the Golightly Courtyard surrounded by the life zones of the Colorado Plateau.
The anticipation of walking into a new exhibition, or the quiet communion of sitting with an artwork or object in one of MNA’s intimate galleries. The exhilaration of watching a traditional Indigenous dance performance – not on your phone, but live and in person.

Art Works and classes at the Sedona Arts Center

Intuitive Abstract Painting
with Casey Cheuvront
December 15: Sunday, 11am–4pm

This workshop focuses on intuitive, instinctive mark-making and painting, allowing student painters to work without preconceived plan or design, and permitting intuitive elements to occur naturally through the creative process.

We will begin with a brief review of basic art principles, a brief demo, and move into materials management and hands-on painting.

City of Flagstaff announces preliminary work to begin for the Cedar Avenue Crossing Project

FLAGSTAFF — Lane shifts are set to begin along Cedar Avenue. The City of Flagstaff and contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, are beginning work on the Cedar Avenue Crossing Project. The project involves replacing the box culvert underneath Cedar Avenue, between Grandview Drive and Monte Vista Drive.

Fire Managers Planning for Prescribed Fire Operations on the North Rim this Week

GRAND CANYON, AZ.— Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn operation on the North Rim this week, which will begin on Tuesday, December 10. These operations will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve forest health, and restore natural fire regimes. The burns are expected to occur over several days and will coincide with prescribed burns planned on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

Burn Operations Schedule:

Prescribed Fire Planned on North Kaibab Ranger District

FREDONIA — Fire managers are expecting to conduct a prescribed fire operation on the North Kaibab Ranger District this week. The Telephone Hill Unit is located approximately 14 miles south of Jacob Lake adjacent to State Route 67, which has closed for the winter season. Fire Managers are focusing ignition around the Pleasant Valley Cabin area of the unit to reduce hazardous fuel loads around the cabin and State Route 67 corridor, the operation is expected to affect about 700 acres in that vicinity. Operations could begin as early as Tuesday, December 10, and are expected to be completed in 2-3 days, coinciding with prescribed fires planned on Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library Week of 12/9/24

View this email in your browser December 9th, 2024 Connect with your community Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Friends of the Library Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331…

Additional Water Restrictions Implemented at the South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Updated: Luminarias to light way for annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec. 12, 2024 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Luminarias will once again light way for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Flagstaff.

The Celebration begins on Wednesday, Dec. 11 when participants meet at 5 p.m. at San Francisco de Asis Church, 1600 E. Rt. 66 (Rt. 66 & Ponderosa Parkway), to ride a busy to the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the procession. Participants can also meet at the chapel at 224 S Kendrick St., Flagstaff.

The procession will begin from the chapel to San Francisco de Asis Church at 5:30 p.m.

The procession will take a brief stop at the Flagstaff Fire Dept. Station 2, 1701 E. Ponderosa Parkway, for coffee and other drinks and sweets, and to watch a dance by Los Matachines de San Francisco de Asis before proceeding up to the church for another performance at 7 p.m. by Los Matachines, an Apparition Reenactment and the Consecration to the Virgin Mary. (There will be no Mass on the 11th).

A Mass will be held at 6 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, where participants will be greeted by the glow of more than 100 luminaries surrounding the chapel placed by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, who will also present the breakfast in the church’s basement following the Mass.

See more photos here.