Prescribed burn projects continue around Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers will begin conducting the Mint West prescribed burn project this weekend to help protect communities from catastrophic wildfires and improve the health of the forest.

The Mint West project is slated to begin Saturday, May 18 and is located 25 miles south of Flagstaff. Smoke impacts may occur along Lake Mary Road and in the Mormon Lake Village area.

Plans for prescribed burns often change quickly since they are dependent upon weather conditions and wind predictions. Details and updates about all prescribed burns can be found at inciweb.wildfire.gov. Planned prescribed burn projects will always be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind and humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plan.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — Men on Boats opens tonight! No men. No boats. One river. ARTx starts today, too

“Men on Boats is a brilliant reimagining of the mapping of the Grand Canyon,” said actor Sunny Richardson, who plays John Wessley Powell. “The show has direct quotes from Powell’s field journals, adding another layer of authenticity to the play.”

Photos from last night’s preview performance.

“Men on Boats is said to be a ‘true-ish’ story, based on the journal writings and accounts of John Wesley Powell and the crew that survived. Audiences will learn many rafting terms and how to work together out in the wilderness and on the water as a team to get through challenging situations,” said Theatrikos Board Member Lisa Coe, who plays trapper/hunter William Dunn in the play. Dunn was one of those who tragically left the expedition just moments before the successful conclusion. “Men on Boats is based on local history with a connection to the Grand Canyon and river running.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — The News from the Northeast

We recently received a progress report from Northeast Arizona Representative Tempy Wessel about the region’s efforts to redefine its future.

Tempy joined United Way of Northern Arizona earlier this year at a pivotal time for Navajo and Apache counties.

Historically an economically challenged area, the region has faced additional pressures due to imminent power plant closures. Stakeholders are hoping to create new jobs, address workforce development, and increase the supply of workforce housing.

UWNA is focusing on positive youth development and building the capacity of community nonprofit organizations after receiving community input that substance abuse/mental health, affordable childcare, and afterschool programs are among the top priorities for Northeast Arizona. The creation of the Northeast Arizona Representative position is part of UWNA’s commitment to the region.

“It’s a huge effort to help support community vitality and positive youth development is critical to that effort,” Tempy said. “Youth are our future workforce and leaders.”

Three Sisters prescribed fire project near City of Williams planned for next week

WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to initiate prescribed fire treatments on Monday, May 20, on the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, east of Airport Road, west of Highway 64, and along the north shore of Kaibab Lake. The planned ignition date may change should conditions not prove conducive for safety and smoke impacts. Crews are targeting a total of 2,245 acres on four units and anticipate ignitions to take up to three days, conditions safely allowing.

Flagstaff Youth Riders (FLYRS) — FLYRS Summer Camp Still Has Openings, more news

Join us for short track racing on Wednesday May 15 from 5:00-6:30pm at the Puente de Hózhó Bike Park. This will be a fun short track race for bragging rights, swag, and to support a good cause.
$15 race entry donation gets you a race plate, entry into prize drawing, and the great vibes of supporting FLYRS getting more kids on bikes.

Bring cash for the 50/50 cash raffle where the winner takes home 50% of the cash and the other 50% goes to FLYRS

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography — Images of the Month – May 2024

Carrying children on people’s backs is a common and practical method of transport and care in many cultures around the world. The aguayo (ah-gwah-yo) is the traditional and colorful carrying cloth used by parents in many regions of the world to carry babies on their backs. It’s a beautiful woven square piece of fabric that is wrapped around the caregiver’s back and secured in a way that allows the baby to be snugly held against the caregiver’s back. At the same time, it reflects the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the region, a symbol of tradition and identity within indigenous communities.

City of Flagstaff and NAU VisualDESIGN Lab partnering on new City logo

The NAU VisualDESIGN Lab is a collaborative learning space where students in the NAU Visual Communication program work with community members as active partners on innovative design solutions that help bring brand awareness to local non-profits and university organizations. It has a proven history of creating recognized and lasting logos for many prevalent organizations in Flagstaff, including Coconino County, Flagstaff Festival of Science, and Flagstaff Shelter Services.

Andy Bertelsen Appointed Next Coconino County Manager

COCONINO COUNTY — After unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors (Board), Andy Bertelsen will be Coconino County’s next County Manager. Bertelsen is currently Deputy County Manager and will begin his new role on July 1.

“Andy has a wealth of experience in public service spanning over 25 years in Northern Arizona,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “He’s an incredible Deputy County Manager, and we look forward to his leadership into the future. I’d also like to thank County Manager Steve Peru for his many years of service and his continued commitment to our community.”

Sedona Arts Center — Field Expedition: Alaska

Embrace the wild and honor your untamed heart in Alaska while making memorable art.

July in Alaska is synonymous with gorgeous weather. So it comes as no surprise that flowers are at their prime, the wildlife is active and the days are warm in the land of the midnight sun.

We will mix colors in rich hues inspired by the lush landscape, and create mono prints on a Gelli plate. As we amass a stack of abstract printed paper we will choose our favorites to incorporate into our art journals for compositions featuring circles, symmetry and symbolism that are personalized and inspiring to each individual.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Winners of Elections Sticker Design Contest

“With the generous support of the EAC Help America Vote College Program grant, the Coconino County Elections Department successfully organized a sticker design contest,” said Eslir Musta, Coconino County Elections Director. “This initiative not only deepened our partnership with Northern Arizona University but also motivated NAU students to join us at the polls, spreading these stickers far and wide. Furthermore, by integrating English, Navajo, Hopi, and Spanish languages into a single design, we celebrated and embraced the linguistic diversity of our community.” 

Andreani Recognized for Post-Wildfire Recovery Accomplishments with 2024 Phoenix Award

Andreani was nominated for the award on the merits of her leadership in post-wildfire flood response in Coconino County, where she has dedicated many years of service in the pursuit of solution-oriented approaches to both wildfire recovery and forest restoration. Andreani has also served on the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, testified to Congress about wildfire response, and developed a network of partnerships and education to support wildfire response in communities throughout the Western United States.  

Installation of traffic calming infrastructure to begin in Boulder Pointe neighborhood

FLAGSTAFF — Work to install traffic calming infrastructure in the Boulder Pointe neighborhood and on Woodland Dr will begin on Monday, May 20 and will be complete in August 2024. The purpose of the project is to address speeding concerns in thearea by installing traffic calming measures that include traffic circles, pedestrian crossings and curb bump outs. The project will occur at five locations:

Art Workshops at Sedona Arts Center

Creating the Abstract Landscape
with Amanda Hawkins
May 22 – 24 : Wednesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm Daily

There is a sweet spot of overlap between the traditions of abstraction and contemporary landscape painting where mark-making and the implications of planar structure combine with color and light to create a magical realm of newly discovered space.

Bilingual report — NAU conducting survey on stress on Latina mothers. Also seeking Community Advisory Board members

FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey on stress on Latina mothers. 

Complete a 30–40-minute survey and receive a $25 gift card

After completing the survey, you may be selected to join our Community Advisory Board!

Total Compensation up to $350

The community advisory board members will inform the development of a stress and coping program for Latina mothers*

Community celebrates Cinco de Mayo with annual dance at the American Legion in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Community members spent a lively evening dancing, enjoying bowlfulls of posole, participating and having a good time during the annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring Los Alambrados, held at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3 on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The event was presented by the American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

Vendor Applications now available for the 2024 Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invite you to participate in the annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival on October 26 & 27, 2024.

Exhibitor booths will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.

Please click here to download and fill out a vendor application.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Register now for 2024 Summer Camps. See our listing

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of upcoming summer camps in Coconino County. Contact individual programs for more information on their 2024 summer camps. (Updated May 6, 2024).

Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.

If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org

May at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a vibrant array of activities we have lined up over the coming weeks. I’ll share some highlights but be sure to scroll down to see all the happenings at MNA.

International Museum Day is May 18 and we’re offering free admission all day long. It’s an ideal chance to enjoy the Museum exhibits and some special events alongside your friends and family – absolutely free of charge.

Get ready for the unveiling of a captivating new exhibit, The Grand Canyon Dragon Map. I had the opportunity to see this extraordinary geology map during a rafting trip on the Colorado River in 2022. It immediately drew me in with its intricate details, colors, and design. This exhibit delves into the creation of the map in the 1970s, its applications today, and the stunning geology it depicts. Whether you’re a geology buff, an admirer of the Grand Canyon, or someone who appreciates exquisite maps, this exhibit promises to be an engaging experience.

Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project Moves Forward to Reduce Wildfire Risk in Flagstaff

COCONINO COUNTY — Since its launch in early March, the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project has reached important initial milestones toward the goal of reducing the significant wildfire and post-wildfire flood risks that face the greater Flagstaff area.

Spearheaded by the Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Flood Control District, the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project targets roughly 12,000 acres across six priority areas in the first phase of its forest restoration treatments.

The NAU Review — Water in space? Rocket science? It’s not science fiction—it’s what NAU students have been up to lately

The where, why and how of water in space

Laura Lee, a Ph.D. student in astronomy and planetary science, is one of three graduate students to be selected for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a prestigious funding opportunity that supports students in STEM fields. Using a variety of techniques with instruments on Earth and in space, Lee is mapping water in the Solar System to better understand how and where this critical element is located on other celestial bodies. In addition to her groundbreaking research, Lee’s career goals include community education and promoting opportunities for women, people of color and first-generation students in planetary science.

Speed Limit Lowered on Lake Mary Road to Aid Wolf Fire Backburning Operations

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Public Works Department has lowered the top speed limit to 35 mph along the southernmost 10 miles of Lake Mary Road in support of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) backburning operations for the Wolf Fire.

The 35-mph speed limit is in effect on Lake Mary Road between Milepost 300.5, which is located about five miles south of Happy Jack, to the junction with State Route 87. Electronic message boards are also in place to notify motorists of the speed limit reduction.

The reduced speed limit is being implemented for the safety of firefighters who are working alongside Lake Mary Road, and for the traveling public due to potentially heavy smoke from backburning operations that could obscure visibility and create hazardous driving conditions. 

Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) May-June 2024 E-Newsletter

NACA accepts & provides services to all ethnic groups and all ages while focusing on whole-family health care. We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, with the whole person in mind. Specialty care referrals are available for all patients. Referrals are also available to Native American patients through the Indian Health Services facilities in Flagstaff and in surrounding areas.

Vol 3 Issue 3
May – June 2024