We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! The 2026 Firewise Residential Cleanup will occur April 18-26, 2026.
Please pile all pine needles and woody debris along your residential road in an area accessible to vehicles for the crew to pick up. Park staff will begin hauling debris the week of April 27.
Tickets are on sale for the Viola Awards at the Orpheum Theater on April 25, 2026!
This yearβs Viola Awards are bringing all the homecoming vibes with our theme:
Homecoming: Look How Far Weβve Come.
Join us for a night of celebration, reflection, and school-spiritβlevel pride as we honor the individuals and organizations who have helped shape our community and move it forward. Think: a reunion with purpose, a celebration of growth, and a reminder of just how far weβve comeβtogether.
Last week, 11 graduate students stood in front of an audience and shared their research. That’s par for the course for any researcher. What was different this time? They had only three minutes and one slide to sum up months, or even years, of research. See what students have worked on during their careers at NAU and which students walked away with a cash prize.
Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
Β
A perfect time to step into something new.
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our upcoming classes and workshops β from oil painting and wet concrete carving, to no solder chain making, alternative pottery finishing and iPhoneography β our classes are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring.
Whether youβre exploring something new or building on existing skills, youβll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy β all in the heart of Sedona.
FLAGSTAFF β The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites community members to join three signature events this spring: the Earth Day Celebration on April 18, Drop Off Day on April 25, and the Fix-It Clinic on May 2.
Earth Day Celebration
The annual Earth Day Celebration will be on Saturday, April 18 at Bushmaster Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Listen to live music, attend a free workshop, eat food from a local food truck, and discover dozens of sustainable-minded organizations and activities.
Saturday, May 9, 7:30 pm
S.E. Willis returns with Roger Smith, Frank Manhardt (Freaky Frank) and Donny Roberts. If you missed his last standing room only show at CCA now is your chance!
This show will be more eclectic, not so Blues focused, with more Americana and even Country elements. Weβre having a party 60 years in the making and we’re inviting you to come out and see what a lifetime of experience playing American music can achieve. Letβs have some fun!
GET TICKETS
Members save 10% on tickets!
Registered voters living in the City of Flagstaff will decide in a special election in May 2026 whether to ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.
F3 is offering two workshops this month where you can learn more about the Regional Plan 2045, ask questions, discuss, and view future growth illustration maps. See dates and locations listed on the flyer above.
In preparation for the election or a workshop, start by reading the Regional Plan basics and Frequently Asked Questions found on this page. Visit the cityβs Regional Plan Page to read the Plan itself and view policy maps.
FLAGSTAFF β The City of Flagstaff announced on Thursday, April 9 that it has received confirmation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement β Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) has signed a lease for office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way in Flagstaff. The property is near the former Suddenlink/Optimum customer service building.
Two City of Flagstaff Police Dept. patrol units could be seen parked in front of the location on Thursday evening.
Keep Flagstaff Together, a project of the Catch Fire Movement, has stated on its Facebook page to “Stay away from 1585 South Plaza Way, Suites 150 & 160. Call 928-395-6330 to request witnesses for support and to record a suspected encounter with immigration law enforcement.”
Please see:
β’ Arizona Daily Sun βΒ City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Police Department announce ICE has signed lease for South Plaza Way office space
β’ Great Circle Media βΒ ICE Enforcement And Removal Operations Signs Lease For Office Space In Flagstaff
β’ KNAU β Flagstaff activists claim ICE office to open on Plaza Way
β’ Coconino County Sheriff’s Office β U.S. Immigration and Customs Presence in Coconino County (March 26)
FLAGSTAFF β On a cool, breezy afternoon in April, dozens of individuals gathered on the lawn of the Coconino County Courthouse for the annual Field of Hope Dedicationpresented by the Exchange Club of Flagstaff.
Following a presentation by local dignitaries on April 3, 2026, those in attendance took part in the solemn ceremony (video)of placing of 113 white Prevent Child Abuse flags (video)representing the 113 children who died in 2025 (video) due to neglect or abuse in Arizona. The ceremony (video) also included the ringing of a bell (video)Β by members of Girl Scout Troop 4668 for each child remember during the event.
Join us for our monthly community gathering! DOORS OPEN at 5:00 pm and the meeting will begin promptly at 5:30.
We will continue our candidate forum series with CD2 Candidate Jonathan Nez. Learn about his platform, followed by Q & A.
The Protect Ed petition will be discussed.
There’s lots to talk about and I expect a packed meeting and registration is required.
Please bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit Flagstaff Family Food Center. Our neighbors need our help.
Registration is required so that we can have enough chairs set up.
Save the DateβTown of Tusayan Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5
On Tuesday, May 5, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 4:30-9 p.m. at the Squire Resort in Tusayan. Mexican food and music will be featured as well as pinatas for kids, a face painter, balloon artist, a dive-in movie and indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a drone light show.
ο»ΏMore information can be found in the attached flyer here.
This Week’s Highlights
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.
PROGRAMMING NOTE:
SATURDAY LECTURE CANCELLEDΒ
We wanted to share a quick update regarding this weekendβs programming.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Art History Talk: The Many Faces of Friendship with Brandelyn Andres (April 11) has been cancelled.
We appreciate your understanding β and we hope youβll still join us for one of the upcoming classes and workshops below.
βEilise Fisherβs combined experience as a small business owner and project manager for Arizonaβs WIOA Rapid Response Program gives her a full-circle understanding of the workforce system from the perspective of both an employer and an administrator,β Coconino County Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman said. βShe also has a fantastic track record working at the city, county and state level so we are excited to welcome her back to the Coconino County team.βΒ
By theΒ Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF βΒ The community is invited to attend the annual “Full STEAM Ahead!” Flagstaff Early Childhood FairΒ from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at W. F. Killip Elementary School.
Held in celebration of the National Association for the Education of Young Childrenβs βWeek of the Young Child,β (https://www.azaeyc.org/connect/woyc/),Β the event is sponsored byΒ Flagstaff STEM City,Β W.F. Killip Elementary School, theΒ Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth,Β Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD)Β andΒ Mountain Line.
More than two dozen family-supportive organizations are expected to present a variety of interactive activity related to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The event will also provide a variety of resources for parents and providers, dental resources, snacks and more information.βββββββ
READ MOREβββββββ
‘Honey, life is just a classroom’
English professor Kim Hensley Owens is meeting NAU students where they are with the class ENG 399: Taylor Swift and the Rhetoric of (Almost) Everything. By delving into Swiftβs lyrics, persona and fame, students learn the art of persuasive language, gaining foundational skills that will serve them well in any career.
FLAGSTAFF β The City of Flagstaff has named Jennifer Stasinopoulos as the new Library Director for City and County Services. She will begin this role effective April 12, 2026.
Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen said βJennifer has over a decade of library leadership experience and has had great success overseeing library city services since 2024. She is ready for this next step with directing both the city and county library district. She was selected from a pool of 27 qualified candidates and participated in a rigorous recruitment process, including a screening interview, an in-person panel interview, and a community meet and greet. I am excited to have Jennifer in this new role, I know she will do wonderful work.β
There are moments in the life of an organization when recognition feels larger than the award itself, when it reflects not just a single achievement, but an entire communityβs belief in the power of the arts. We are deeply honored to share that Theatrikos Theatre Company has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Governorβs Award, one of Arizonaβs highest distinctions for arts and culture organizations.
Presented in partnership with Arizona Citizens for the Arts and the Arizona Commission on the Arts, this award recognizes cultural leadership, sustained community engagement, and a deep alignment with the values that strengthen Arizonaβs creative landscape. To be chosen from across the state is both humbling and affirming.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. βΒ Grand Canyon National Park will implement additional water conservation measuresΒ on the South Rim startingΒ Saturday,Β April 11, due to a series of significant breaks in the 12Β½ mile-longΒ TranscanyonΒ Waterline that supplies water from theΒ innerΒ canyon for use in the park. Since mid-March, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to the South Rim.Β Β
While the parkΒ remainsΒ open to visitors, the following measures will be enacted for theΒ foreseeable future:Β Β
Because of you, we surpassed our goal for Arizona Gives Day.
Together, you helped raise $5,700 for Flagstaff Symphony Orchestraβunlocking the full $5,000 matching gift and bringing the total impact to $10,700.
This result is a reflection of what can happen when a community shows up with collective intention and generosity.
We are deeply grateful for your belief in our work, and we look forward to sharing our Season 76 finale concert with you on April 17.
Dear Museum Friends,
Spring is a time for growth and renewal. I invite you to make a visit to the Museum of Northern Arizona a part of your Spring, as I most certainly will.
Our exhibitions and programs focus on expanding knowledge and inspiring creativity focused on the very special part of the world that is the Colorado Plateau. Many of our visitors tell us they come to the museum to learn something new, to be inspired, and to connect to heritage and community. Hearing that from our visitors makes my heart sing, and inspires our staff in their efforts to bring life-enriching experiences to our communities.Β
At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our classes and workshops β from iPhoneography and oil painting to sculpting, stained glass, ceramics, and pottery for teens and beginners β are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring. Whether youβre exploring something new or building on existing skills, youβll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy β all in the heart of Sedona.
Pine & Peaks Post | April 9, 2026
Welcome to your go-to source for everything Parks & Recreation!
From exciting events to seasonal programs, we’ll keep you in the loop.
FLAGSTAFF β The City of Flagstaff and its contractor, Loven Contracting, Inc. are set to begin construction of the Montalvo Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Community Center located at 211 E. First Avenue the week of April 20. Construction is anticipated to be completed by late 2026.
This redevelopment and community enhancement project represents an exciting step forward in providing educational opportunities and community space for Flagstaff residents. The new facility will serve as a hub for learning, innovation, and connection.
Targeting cost hurdles in forest restoration
As the West faces increasingly destructive wildfires, land managers rely on mechanical thinning to reduce hazardous fuels and restore forest health. But one obstacle continues to slow this work down: Thinning costs are notoriously difficult to estimate from one project to the next. A new study from ERI aims to address the uncertainty around those numbers and the concerns that outdated cost estimates may be holding critical restoration projects back.
Itβs Arizona Gives Day!
DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT
SEDONA ARTS CENTER TODAY
Make your Arizona Gives Day donation now:
π www.azgives.org/sedonaartscenter
Or call Sedona Arts Center at 928-282-3809
and weβll help you set up your contribution.
Tomorrow is Arizona Gives Day β and we want to tell you about 2,138 reasons it matters.
Through United Way of Northern Arizona’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 2,138 children in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties received more than 11,000 carefully chosen, age-appropriate books in 2025 alone.
That’s 2,138 kids growing up knowing that stories belong to them.
