Prescribed burns planned around Flagstaff (week of Jan. 27)

FLAGSTAFF — Area fire managers plan to continue work on local prescribed fire projects – including broadcast burning and pile burning – (week of Jan. 27) while northern Arizona’s wind and weather conditions remain favorable to do so.

Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers aspire to continue work on this week’s Crater Sinks prescribed burn project located roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

Additionally, Coconino National Forest fire managers hope to begin work on pile burns located in various locations around the Flagstaff Ranger District.

City of Flagstaff announces Call to Artists

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences program seeks artists, graphic designers and illustrators to create original artwork for two utility cabinets along Route 66. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25 at noon.

Two artists will be selected to create artwork for two cabinets at the following locations: Route 66 near Postal Boulevard, and Route 66 near Fourth Street. The call is open to artists 18 years or older who currently live and work within the United States. Submitted designs must be original artwork and can be created in any medium, so long as the design can be represented in a high-resolution digital image without loss of integrity or quality. Designs will be professionally printed on vinyl and installed on cabinets.

“We are excited to partner with APS with these artist-designed utility cabinet wraps,” says Jana Weldon, Program Manager for Beautification, Arts and Sciences (BAS). “As the City’s collection of Public Art grows, we welcome emerging and established artists to contribute their creativity to enhance our urban environment.”

Crews to begin winter pile burning on the Kaibab National Forest

WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest will be conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the 2025 winter season as conditions safely allow. Winter is often the ideal time for crews to burn piles of slash and woody debris left over from forest thinning projects because colder temperatures and snow help moderate fire behavior and keep it from spreading beyond the piles. Approximately 2,190 acres of piles on the Tusayan Ranger District, 5,500 acres on the Williams Ranger District, with additional acres of piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District are slated for burning this season.

Flagstaff STEM CITY — Make Your Nomination for the STEMMY Awards!

The STEMMY Awards recognize the stellar contributions of STEM leaders and educators publicly at the STEMMY Award Ceremony on Thursday, March 6th!

Presented by STEM City in Flagstaff Arizona, the event awards students, teachers, businesses, and community organizations to honor and celebrate their impact as STEM leaders, educators, and innovators here in Flagstaff.

Seeking nominations by Feb. 14! Do you know of someone who has made a real difference in the STEM sector?

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — January announcement

We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with National Theatre Live, bringing world-class British theatre performances directly to Flagstaff audiences. Starting this season, theatre lovers can experience the magic of London’s finest productions, captured live in stunning high definition and screened at our state-of-the-art facility through this innovative collaboration. Our season includes four performances starting in March.

City of Flagstaff Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program — News & Opportunities

Applications are now open for the ARTx Art + Ideas Experience 2025 grant cycle. Submit your innovative idea and bring it to life through one of four exciting categories:

ARTx @ ArtWalk
ARTx @ The Arb
ARTx @ Coconino Center for the Arts
ARTx @ Free Range
ARTx is an annual, accessible community opportunity to engage with the arts in an immersive and interactive way. Visit Creative Flagstaff’s website to learn more and help shape Flagstaff’s artistic future.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Image: Envision by Bryan David Griffith.

Discover Flagstaff — SUNGYUN KIM: THE EVOLVING MACHINE, Coconino Center for the Arts Jan. 24, 25, 29 and more events

Friday-Saturday, Wednesday, January 24-25, 29

SUNGYUN KIM: THE EVOLVING MACHINE, Coconino Center for the Arts.

In The Evolving Machine, Sungyun Kim brings together an array of video works and kinetic sculptures that highlight this evolving relationship between machines, media environments, and human intervention. 11 a.m.

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Trump’s First Immigration Executive Actions

President Trump wasted no time trying to radically change the U.S. immigration system. On his first day in office, he issued 10 executive orders that seek to redefine America—excluding everyone from asylum seekers to countless children of immigrants.

In the American Immigration Council’s new fact sheet, After Day One: A High-Level Analysis of Trump’s First Executive Actions, we break down what these policy changes seek to accomplish immediately and what they will mean for immigrants and all Americans in the future.

Read the Analysis

Guest contribution — LULAC applauds federal court ruling blocking President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship

“LULAC wholeheartedly affirms the decision of the federal judge to stop this attack on one of our nation’s most treasured constitutional protections,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. “Any child born on our soil has the right to be called a citizen, and that right is irrevocable and should not be tampered with. We call upon all Americans to rise in unity and respect for this important and invaluable right.”

Flagstaff Mayor Daggett selected for MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship

In the face of a nationwide housing crisis, the 2025 MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship will explore what it means to house our communities, introducing mayors and their staff to planning and design frameworks – beyond housing supply and demand – that maximize all city resources to support the broad range of housing needs faced by a broad range of city populations.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 20-24, 2025

Smallmouth Bass: Not a Small Threat to the Grand Canyon

A recent article in Intermountain Park Science magazine highlights the growing concern over smallmouth bass and their potential impact on the Colorado River ecosystem in Grand Canyon National Park. Researchers from the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated to address this emerging threat to the park’s delicate ecological balance.

AZ Culture Connection announces Valentine’s Artist Market to be held Feb. 8 at The Ice House

The Day of Love and Friendship Artist Market celebrates all things love with an event featuring several local artists and creators sharing their work and the stories behind it. Come and get to know your local artist community and shop local for the upcoming Valentine’s holiday. Artists across a variety of mediums, cultures, and backgrounds will be on site.

Plus a Valentine card-making station and chocolates!
We are a stop on the Flagstaff Visitors Center’s Chocolate Walk, so come downtown to check out all the art and chocolate!

Vendors currently being accepted. Email info@cultureconnectionaz.org if interested.

City of Flagstaff announces excavation to begin for the Wedge Detention Basin Project

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, are set to begin excavation operations for The Wedge Detention Basin Project. These excavation operations will take place within the area of the construction yard, which will shrink as excavation continues. These excavation operations are the first part of detention basin construction, with the majority of construction taking place in the spring when temperatures are favorable. The Wedge Detention Basin is being constructed to hold excess stormwater run-off that would otherwise overwhelm the box culvert being installed along Linda Vista Drive. The basin is designed to fill with water, and then slowly release it back into the City’s stormwater management system when it is safe to do so.

Board of Supervisors Reappoints Deborah Harris and Khara House to African Diaspora Advisory Council

her community for many years, most recently serving two years on City Council. Her other contributions include assisting in developing the Southside Neighborhood Plan and securing a grant to establish the Murdoch Community Center as one of three Resilience Hubs in the City. She is also a founding member of ADAC, having served consistently on the Council since its creation in 2002. 

Khara House was appointed to the Flagstaff City Council in May 2022, and elected to a four-year term that year. After teaching at Northern Arizona University, she began a career in multifamily housing in 2013. Her passion for service and community engagement has led to membership with NAACP Flagstaff, the Southside Community Association, NAMI Flagstaff, Flagstaff Young Professionals, and several other community and service organizations. She currently serves as Chairperson of ADAC. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s free webinars offers opportunities to meet the challenges of a new year

COCONINO COUNTY — The start of a new year always brings along a time of new challenges and opportunities — be it personal or professional.
To help parents and families get off to the right start in 2025, the Coconino Coaltion for Children & Youth wants to remind everyone that we have a variety of free webinar training programs on our website.

Maybe you are looking for an escape from all the negative news of the day? If so, take a moment to take care of yourself with our free Mindfulness (for adults) one-hour webinar

Maybe your child is having a challenging time getting back into the swing of school life (homework, social media) after the holidays? Then they may also benefit from our free Mindfulness for Youth 45-minute webinar or our free Bullying and Cyberbullying one-hour webinar

Our growing library of on-demand webinars are also designed to help you gain the tools you need to learn about trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

Click on the image above to get a quick look at the various free programs we offer, or get more details below.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2025.

Flagstaff Sustainability Office announces 2024 Sustainability Grant recipients

The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant is a competitive grant program that funds up to $7,500 for community projects related to food, waste, climate action, resilience, building energy, public health, and transportation.

“We can’t wait to see these community-led projects come to life each year! We want to applaud these awardees for their vision for a more sustainable Flagstaff,” said Mayor Becky Daggett.

Sedona Arts Center — ‘Out of the Fire’ Exhibition THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

Sedona Arts Center presents Out of the Fire: Student Ceramics Show January 25-26, 2025. The annual exhibition and sale features artworks by students and faculty from Sedona Arts Center’s ceramics department and is free and open to the public. The event will be held in the Art Barn Theatre Studio and kicks off with a special opening reception Friday, January 24, from 4-6pm.

Prescribed burn planned southwest of Flagstaff this week

FLAGSTAFF — Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to take advantage of current weather conditions and begin work on a highly visible prescribed burn project southwest of Flagstaff starting (Jan. 22).

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.

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.

The NAU Review — It’s time to brag about your coworkers! Plus, relive MLK Day + Diné musician Ravon Chacon comes to campus

Building bridges, celebrating community

Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a United States strengthened by unity, collaboration and inclusivity. On Monday, NAU honored King’s legacy with a campus event focused on all three of those themes. Lumberjacks and Flagstaff residents came together to march in King’s honor, make posters celebrating his inspiring leadership and hear from keynote speaker Tony Ross, a Lumberjack doctoral grad and higher education consultant based in Phoenix. Unity and collaboration was the day’s secret sauce: Multiple NAU offices, student clubs and community organizations came together to make it happen.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these Art Classes & Workshops!

iPhoneography Crash Course
LIVE in-person at Sedona Arts Center and ONLINE 
with Kelli Klymenko
January 31: Friday, 9am–2pm Arizona Time

In today’s technological world, even professional photographers and artists are recognizing the iPhone as a useful (and even practical) photographic tool. Join photographer artist, Kelli Klymenko in his one-day class for beginner and advanced students and you’ll go beyond the basics and learn to shoot professional quality photographs with your iPhone.

Flagstaff College presenting ‘How to Build a Cooperative Business!’ on Jan. 30, plus listing of local action organizations

Co-ops come in all sizes and many forms.
Did you know that the Associated Press is a co-op?
And so is our local credit union.
There are worker co-ops, housing co-ops, purchasing co-ops, and production co-ops. Any business—including child care, house cleaning, grocery store, or cafe–can be run as a co-op. 

Cooperatives can play an important role in building more equitable, just, and humane communities.  

We’ve invited 6 experts from across the western U.S. to talk with us about what it takes to build a successful co-op business. Learn what it takes to found and run a coop from people with firsthand experience.

This is a great chance to get your questions answered and meet others who are interested in this alternative business model.

You can join us in person or on zoom.

$12 Million Approved to Construct Final Post-Wildfire Flood Mitigation System in Pipeline Flood Area

“This is the home stretch,” Lucinda Andreani, Flood Control District Administrator said. “This has been a challenging area, but when we complete flood mitigation in the Government Tank Flood Corridor, we will have completed the projects funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Forest Service to mitigate the devastating post-wildfire flooding left in the wake of the Pipeline Fire.” 

MLK message to LULAC Family

As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am reminded of the power of his vision. This vision continues to guide us in our work today. Dr. King’s dream of equality, justice, and a “Beloved Community” resonates deeply with our shared mission at LULAC. His strong commitment to nonviolence as a force for change reminds us that unity, courage, and action make progress possible.

This year, we find ourselves at a historic crossroads. The path ahead is uncertain, and challenges are many for the Latino communities we serve across the United States and Puerto Rico. Yet, I want to assure you that our sense of purpose has never been stronger. We are not merely observing the changes around us; we are preparing and taking deliberate action to confront them with clarity and determination.

City of Flagstaff — Point in Time Count starting Jan. 23, volunteers needed

FLAGSTAFF — The annual Point in Time Count (PIT) will take place starting Thursday, Jan. 23 throughout Coconino County. This count documents the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at a single point in time and is conducted across the country.

Local data collected during the annual PIT Count measuresprogress at local and national levels related to preventing andending homelessness. Information gathered from the surveyscan help raise awareness about the challenges faced by people who are experiencing homeless in the community. Data is alsoshared on the local, state and national level to determinefunding for homeless services throughout Coconino County.This count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development.

‘Dreams Without Borders’ art show, panel discussion, fundraiser to be held Jan. 17 at the HeART Box Gallery, Flagstaff

The Dreams Without Borders art show, panel discussion, and fundraiser on Friday, January 17 will help Northern Arizona Immigration Legal Services (NAILS) provide much-needed legal assistance to our immigrant community.
Come to learn what you can do as an ally and immigrant rights advocate, and pick up your Know Your Rights materials to assist the immigrant community facing the threats of mass deportations.
This is a ticketed event, but all people are welcome, and free tickets are available. Your generous donation will make a difference in the lives of people who face the unimaginable fear of losing family, safety, and home.

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Who runs the U.S. immigration system?

The Laken Riley Act Would Give States Sweeping Power Over Immigration Policy

Who runs the U.S. immigration system? If the Senate passes the Laken Riley Act this week, the answer might not be Congress?or?the president. The bill, already passed in the House, would hand state attorneys general, like Ken Paxton in Texas, veto power over large swaths of federal immigration policy.