Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Important Voting Information and F3’s Guide

F3 believes strongly in civic engagement and we hold the vision that community members should participate fully at every level of decision-making. F3’s strives to provide voters with information to assist in making decisions regarding our local elections by providing our Candidate Questionnaires for City Council and, new this year, the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) School Board.

F3 has also produced our election year “Voter’s Guide to State and Local Propositions 2024.” This Guide will assist voters in understanding the three city and county propositions on the ballot, as well as the 13 state propositions.

United Way of Northern Arizona is hiring

To better serve our communities and Lead the Way in improving lives in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties, United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is hiring for three key positions.

These positions will be open until filled and the application review process for all three will begin this Monday, October 14.

We would appreciate your help in spreading the word. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for one of these roles, please check out the job details below and feel free to forward this email to potential candidates!

City of Flagstaff hosts Indigenous Peoples Day celebration event on Oct. 14

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will host an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. The event, titled “Reflecting | Honoring | Resilience: Voices for Land and Community”, will take place from 9a.m. to 2p.m. and will feature presentations and cultural shares through songs and dances. Lunch will be served to attendees. The event will be held at the Elks Lodge (2101 N San Francisco St.) A schedule of the event will be posted on the City’s website.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — FBN publishes ‘Promoting a Healthy Community through Trauma-Informed Systems Change’

Editor’s note — The Flagstaff Business News published the following guest contribution on Oct. 4, 2024 by Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett written with support of CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie.

By Becky Daggett • Guest contribution to the Flagstaff Business News

During the post-wildfire flooding of 2021, I witnessed interactions between people who were worried, tired and angry. Residents, volunteers and staff were all scrambling to protect homes, find solutions and bring relief to those impacted. We were all doing our best during a time when nobody’s best seemed good enough. As my time as a city councilmember and then mayor has progressed, I’ve gotten to know many city staff and I see how difficult and stressful their jobs often are.

Most would agree that people seem to be experiencing unprecedented levels of stress. This stress can sometimes result in negative – and at times, angry – interactions between people. What some of us don’t realize is that there are past situations and circumstances that can lead us into these negative interactions.

The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y) has been supporting child well-being for more than 50 years in our community. Through child abuse prevention efforts, including education about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), CCC&Y has galvanized support, education and awareness to support our community  … Since 2016, CCC&Y has tried to get this information into the hands of greater numbers of our community because the effects of childhood trauma are experienced not only individually, but also by the community. We all have a role to play in the healing. Further, the effects are not limited to childhood. …
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Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie approached me about a three-year change grant they were about to apply for through Vitalyst Health Foundation and we discussed getting the city involved in their project. Believing that the project had the potential to make lives better for people across our community, I enthusiastically agreed to discuss the opportunity with our city manager. He agreed, as did leadership from Coconino County. …

Read the entire guest contribution here in the Flagstaff Business News​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

City of Flagstaff offices closed on Indigenous Peoples Day

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. City Hall offices will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Indigenous Peoples Day include:

East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N. Izabel St.)
Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd.)

The NAU Review — NAU’s 100th Homecoming is around the corner! Plus, breakthroughs in hearing loss science and student-led speech disorder intervention

Get ready for NAU’s 100th Homecoming!

This year’s Homecoming festivities are set for Oct. 14-19, and that means it’s time to dust off your blue and yellow flannel and get ready for a week of nonstop fun! We’re marking this important anniversary with some of the Lumberjack community’s favorite traditions, including the Homecoming parade, the ASNAU carnival, a delicious chili cook-off and a special pre-game tailgate. Browse all these events and more, plan out your week and get pumped to celebrate a century of NAU school spirit! 

Sedona Arts Center — CALL TO ARTISTS (Updated Dates)

Application Deadline: October 11, 2024

This two-day Holiday Artist Market held December 7-8, 2024 will feature approximately 25 artists from Sedona and the surrounding towns and cities.
Who should apply: Artists and makers, 18 years and older, who create beautiful and functional works are welcome to apply, however space is limited and preference will be given to Sedona Arts Center Artist Members first to fill the limited slots.

Community invited to take part in online conversation on Oct. 11 to support health and wellbeing of Latina mothers in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — The Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) at Northern Arizona University is inviting Flagstaff community members who are either Latina mothers or are individuals who have a strong connection with the Latina mother community in Flagstaff to a special conversation event.

CHER is hosting a small group discussion that will occur online through Zoom that will focus on how NAU researchers and community members can work together to better support the health and wellbeing of Latina mothers in Flagstaff. (See attached flyer.) We have reserved online space for up to 6 participants for this event.

Prescribed burns planned on Coconino National Forest week of Oct. 7

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest plans to continue work on several prescribed burn projects this week that will help restore healthier conditions to the fire-adapted ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona.

Prescribed burns will be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind or humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plans.

City of Flagstaff — Inner Basin Waterline repair project complete after wildfire damage

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District are proud to announce the substantial completion of the Inner Basin Waterline repair project. The project repaired an important water pipeline that delivers two to four million gallons of water per day to Flagstaff that was damaged by post-wildfire flooding from the 2022 Pipeline Fire.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. October Newsletter ~ 2025 Season Recently Announced!

The Book of Will —October 4 – 20

Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Macbeth, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost nearly all of Shakespeare’s plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, The Book of Willfinds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know. “As I was preparing for the character, what really struck me was the amount of loss he had experienced in his life. He had nine children with his wife and only three made it to adulthood. I imagine the words of Shakespeare helped him process, understand and survive all of that grief. He couldn’t allow the words that had meant so much to him to be lost to time and it drove him to preserve the words which immeasurably influenced the world in which we live more than 400 years later.” Said Kyle Cawood who plays Henry Condell.

Book of Will runs through October 20.

Blue Stem Prescribed Fire Complete, Rx Burns Continuing on Williams Ranger District This Week

WILLIAMS — Fire managers have successfully treated 6904 acres on Tusayan Ranger District last week completing the Blue Stem Rx Fire Project and are moving back to the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, south of forest road 124, between Airport Road and the west side of Highway 64. 

Improving weather conditions have re-opened the opportunity for crews to return working in the local areas near Williams and Spring Valley. Plans are in place to begin ignitions on approximately 1500 acres of the Pronghorn and Cataract units of Three Sisters project on Tuesday October 8, and then move to the 4200 acre Marteen East Rx Fire Project later this same week. This project is located north of Spring Valley, west of forest road 144, and east of Laws Spring.

Coconino County Voter Registration Deadline Is Oct. 7 for General Election

FLAGSTAFF — The voter registration deadline for the November 5, 2024 General Election is Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. 

To register to vote, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by Election Day, reside within Coconino County and have no felony convictions, unless civil rights have been restored.

Registered voters who have moved, changed their name or wish to change their political party affiliation must re-register. 

October at the Museum of Northern Arizona — Please join us for the 21st Annual Celebraciones de la Gente

Dear Museum Friends,

As the vibrant colors of autumn arrive, we invite you to the Museum of Northern Arizona for a month of colorful events and cultural experiences.

Please join us for the 21st Annual Celebraciones de la Gente held with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces on October 26 and 27. The weekend festival honors the spirit of Día de los Muertos with remembrances, Latino art, mariachis, food, and a gathering of community. You’ll especially enjoy a meander through the Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard on Saturday evening to experience the traditional ofrendas (altars) glowing against the night sky.

Voter registration deadline for the General Election is Monday, Oct. 7th

COCONINO COUNTY — The voter registration deadline for the General Election is Monday, Oct. 7th. That is the last day to register to vote or update your voter registration! Register to vote online at servicearizona.com

Also, visit the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)’s 2024 Elections Available for the Community webpage for information in English and español.

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) to launch Literacy Fairs

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is in the planning stages of a new effort to increase the reading skills of young children through Literacy Fairs that target children who are below proficient reading levels.

The two fairs, the first of which will be held prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, are being made possible by a grant from Read On Arizona, the state’s early literacy initiative. One fair will be for second graders, while the other will focus on preschoolers.

UWNA is partnering with key local organizations to identify and reach out to students who may benefit from these fairs. The events will not only provide access to community resources, but also offer interactive workshops aimed at equipping families with practical literacy strategies.

“The workshops will focus on making literacy development fun and accessible, showcasing activities that can easily be integrated into everyday life—whether at home, in the park, or even in the car,” said UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2024

Beginning October 8, fire managers from the National Park Service and US Forest Service will initiate prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. These operations, part of the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, will continue into December, depending on weather and fuel conditions.

Targeted areas for burning include Highway 67 near Jacob Lake, the Telephone Hills area, Demotte, and portions southwest of Forest Road 22 on the North Kaibab Ranger District, as well as areas near the North Rim Developed area and Cape Royal in the park.

Residents and visitors may notice smoke during ignition operations, especially along Highways 89A and 67. The Cape Royal Road will be closed from sunset on Oct. 13 through Oct. 18 while the road to Point Imperial will remain open.

A total of 25,371 acres on the North Kaibab Ranger District and 4,347 acres on the North Rim will be treated to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain the ecosystem’s natural fire processes. Fire managers will coordinate with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to mitigate potential smoke impacts.

Coconino National Forest — Resources responding to small wildfire in Schultz Pass area north of Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Resources are responding to the Hollow Fire, a roughly 1.5-acre wildfire located in the Schultz Pass area 5 miles north of Flagstaff.

Resources responding to the incident include two engines.

Firefighters are currently working to suppress the fire using adjacent trail systems as holding features.

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim to Begin Day-Use Operations on Oct. 16, 2024

GRAND CANYON, AZ. — Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2024. Grand Canyon Lodge will close, and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors. Those exploring the North Rim on or after October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for the day.

Available services will include a self-serve gas station that accepts only credit and debit cards for as long as State Route 67 remains open. After October 31, water will be available only at the North Rim Administration Building. The entrance gate on State Route 67 will close at sunset on November 30, 2024, or after the first major snowstorm, whichever comes first.

New Leadership Announced in the Coconino County Attorney’s Office

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Attorney’s Office has initiated a succession plan that includes the resignation and reassignment of County Attorney Bill Ring.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting today, Ring’s resignation was accepted, and he was appointed Chief Civil Deputy Attorney, while Chief Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker was sworn in as interim County Attorney, and Senior Criminal Attorney Michael Tunink was appointed Chief Deputy County Attorney. All actions were approved by the Board of Supervisors.

North Kaibab and North Rim Grand Canyon Fire Managers Begin Fall Prescribed Fire Operations

FREDONIA — Beginning Oct. 8, 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. Fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively into December.

Units targeted for spring burning are along Highway 67 near Jacob Lake, west of the Telephone Hills area, and in the vicinity of Demotte, and southwest of Forest Road 22 on the North Kaibab Ranger District, and along Highway 67 near the North Rim Developed area and the Cape Royal area within Grand Canyon National Park.

Coconino National Forest Fall 2024 Partnership Newsletter

… In my short time on the Coconino National Forest, the extreme diversity of what our forest has to offer has been amazing to experience. From low deserts and our world-renowned Red Rock Country to the remnants of an ancient volcano that stands as Arizona’s tallest peak to the Mogollon Rim that runs for hundreds of miles across central Arizona, the Coconino is an amazingly diverse forest unlike any that I have worked on.

Sedona Arts Center — NEW Online Crash Course just added!

iPhoneography ONLINE Crash Course
with Kelli Klymenko
October 11: Friday, 9am–2pm Arizona Time

In this workshop you will learn the basic concepts of Nature Journaling and overview and practice of illustration and watercolor.  Ed and Julie are both experienced hikers and began Nature Journaling many years ago while living in Phoenix. They have honed their process, focus and skills over the years and will share with their students a fun way to enhance their outdoor and hiking experience while creating a journal documenting their travels.

This one-day workshop will involve an up to 2.5 mile hike at a location in Sedona to be determined. 

Community invited to comment on draft Stormwater Management Design Manual

The Stormwater Management Design Manual has been developed to assist in the design and evaluation of public and private stormwater management facilities within the boundaries of the City of Flagstaff. The manual establishes stormwater management policies, design procedures, and design criteria for conducting hydrologic and hydraulic studies, designs, and evaluations. Revisions include updating outdated terms and conditions from the existing 2009 Stormwater Management Design Manual. 

Public surveys begin on the Kaibab National Forest

The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey is conducted every five years and provides an estimate of how many people recreate on the forest, what activities they engage in while there, and how satisfied people were with their visit. Economic impact to the local economy is also captured in the survey. This information is useful for forest planning as well as local community tourism planning.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council Zoom meeting on Oct. 3 to share your story

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org​​​​​​​ to be placed on the agenda.
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READ MORE​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The NAU Review — Celebrate OUTober and Disability Pride and Heritage Month + peruse pics from Family Weekend

Join the NAU community in a series of celebrations and conversations this month that shine a spotlight on the diversity and vibrancy of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and other queer members of the Lumberjack community.

“What stands out about NAU’s LGBTQIA2S+ community is its incredible resiliency, determination and ability to occupy spaces that were never originally meant for us,” said Souksavanh Keovorabouth, a Diné who identifies as Two-Spirit and an assistant professor of women and gender studies and applied Indigenous studies. “It is vital for NAU to celebrate and recognize this community because we represent a diverse array of experiences and identities that enrich the university culture.”

Community invited to share guiding ideas for new Flagstaff City logo

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff invites the community to take a short survey to share ideas for a new City logo. The survey will ask respondents about broad concepts that will serve as inspiration for the design of a new logo, as it is crucial to the City that the logo design represents the history, culture, and values of the Flagstaff community as a whole. This survey is the first of several opportunities for the community to provide direct feedback on the logo project. To access the survey, visit flagstaf.az.gov/logo. The deadline to complete the survey is Oct. 25, 2024.