Check out the Galleries at Sedona Arts Center!

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Bihler, Patricia Bohannon, Khrystyna Kozyuk, & Susan Moody

Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.

Summer is a fun time to take art classes!

UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Taking Classes and Workshops on our campus in Uptown Sedona affords the opportunity not only to explore the arts, but also to meet new people and immerse yourself in the Sedona arts community. Ongoing Class instruction is available and donors at the $60 Friend level and above receive a 10% discount on Classes (does not apply to Workshops.)  Click here to see all of our classes and workshops

Come Celebrate Juneteenth in Flagstaff June 16-18

Come celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of events in Flagstaff.

The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the day Texas slaves learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, granting them freedom. Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.

Events begin with the 2nd Annual Southside Community Association’s “Lived Black Experience Project” Juneteenth Community Awards at 5 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2023 at the Doubletree by Hilton, 1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff.  Ticket sales have ended.

The annual Celebrate Juneteenth event with music performances, food, games and vendors will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center, 203 E. Brannen Ave., Flagstaff.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Your 2023 Volunteer Opportunity Guide

Summer’s here and it’s the perfect time to make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors by becoming a volunteer.

Donating your time and work to our local nonprofits helps these organizations fulfill their shared mission of improving our communities.

If you’d like to volunteer but don’t know where to start, we have something that might help. It’s a 2023 Guide to Volunteering in Northern Arizona, featuring dozens of opportunities currently available with our nonprofit partners in Coconino, Yavapai and Apache counties.

Board of Supervisors Officially Recognizes Juneteenth, Promotes Events in Coconino County

COCONINO COUNTY — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) voted unanimously to officially recognize and celebrate Juneteenth in Coconino County.

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery. On this date in 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the upwards of 250,000 Black Americans still enslaved in the state were free by executive decree. Since then, Juneteenth has marked the celebration of Black American freedom and the subsequent achievements within the culture while encouraging continuous opportunities and access to equitable advancement, education, and progress for all.

Coconino County Jury Commissioner Warns Residents of New Jury Scam

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Clerk of the Superior Court and Jury Commissioner Valerie Wyant has recently received reports from concerned residents regarding phone scams where they were contacted by an individual impersonating the Jury Commissioner and asking for personal information in an aggressive manner. 
 
This person has been reported as using aggressive and threatening language, attempting to confirm personal information (addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and email addresses), and informing citizens a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — APS Business Tools to Lower Energy Costs

As temperatures heat up, it’s important for businesses to explore ways to save on their energy bills. Fortunately, APS offers a whole suite of services and programs to help businesses manage energy usage.

“Small business owners are still trying to catch up from the pandemic and now they’re dealing with inflation,” said Trevor Swanson, Energy Innovation Advisor for APS. “Whether it’s an energy assessment, rebate or special program, there are countless ways for small businesses to save on their monthly energy bills.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 12-16, 2023

2023 Star Party 

The annual Grand Canyon Star Party will conclude this Saturday, June 17. On the South Rim, events include a nightly presentation from a special guest speaker at 8 p.m. in the plaza of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, followed by telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours will be offered nightly at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m..  

The list of speakers can be found on our Grand Canyon Star Party webpage, in the attached flyer, and also in the NPS Mobile App.

During Star Party week, the Education Staff is conducting family hikes during twilight (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 14 through 16) to celebrate Grand Canyon’s dark skies!  

Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join a ranger to experience and explore nightfall during a 45-minute walk.  Meet outside Shrine of the Ages Auditorium (Parking Lot A) a 7:30 p.m. More information, including a flyer can be found here. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coconino County Health and Human Services celebrates annual ‘Walk for Wellness’

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) celebrated the completion of Mental Health Month with the annual “Walk for Wellness!” held Saturday, June 10 at Buffalo Park.

Some of the groups presenting information at the event included the AZ Health Zone, the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program, CCHHS’ Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Program, First Things First, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Girl Scouts arizona cactus-pine and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).

The NAU Review — Celebrating Juneteenth, Climb to Conquer Cancer, student’s Carnegie Hall premiere, summer concert series and Notes from the President

Celebrating Juneteenth

Last year, 158 years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all enslaved people, President Joe Biden deemed that day a national holiday, allowing the freedom of all U.S. citizens to officially be celebrated. This weekend, join in on a variety of events that honor the past, present and the hope for a more inclusive future.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Communications Issue #30: F3 Supports a Public Vote on Council’s NAH Decision

In the wake of City Council’s June 6 decision to approve the Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) request for rezoning 98 acres to allow for a new hospital north of Ft. Tuthill, F3 has decided to support the work of the Flagstaff Community First (FCF) PAC to gather signatures for a referendum to allow Flagstaff residents to vote on this decision. A referendum is a way for voters to override a legislative decision at the state or city level and is a critically important part of the democratic process.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Grand Canyon National Park with special programming and live music!

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. —  The public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Grand Canyon National Park. This day of events, including special programming, food and live music is sponsored by the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Conservancy.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger read his general orders to the people of Texas, recognizing and enforcing the end of slavery. June 19, or Juneteenth, is a day set aside to commemorate the freedom of African Americans from the bonds of slavery in the United States.

Chip sealing to begin June 13 at various locations in Flagstaff

Beginning on June 13, the City of Flagstaff will begin sealing recently paved roadway segments at various locations throughout the community. The project will chip seal roadways including High Country Trail, Blackbird Roost, Riordan Road, Grandview Drive, Walgreens Street, McCracken Circle, Steve’s Blvd, Gemini Road, Latrobe Circle, La Costa Lane, La Quinta Way, and Harris Way and is anticipated to conclude by June 20, weather permitting.

The public should anticipate traffic impacts near these locations for the duration of the work, including temporary traffic restrictions, noise, and dust. The City will attempt to maintain access to businesses and residences.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 5-9, 2023

Updates from the North Rim

Friday, June 2 kicked off the opening of the 2023 season on the North Rim with water conservation measures in place. With emergency funding assistance, water hauling operations began on June 4 and the North Rim water tanks are slowly refilling to meet visitor and residential demand. Construction contractors arrived on the North Rim this week and have begun the preliminary stages of rebuilding the broken section of pipeline, with work slated to continue through the coming weeks.

Fee staff are anticipating a full campground for the campground’s opening weekend beginning Friday, June 9. Trail crew staff continue to repair sections of the North Kaibab Trail and have cleared areas of major rockfall in the vicinity of Supai Tunnel. Project work continues with the North Kaibab Trail opening for hiker traffic beginning on Friday, June 16. Following this date, trail crew will continue working on the trail and hikers may encounter intermittent trail closures of up to 30 minutes.

Thank you to all staff, contractors, and concessions employees who have and continue to work tirelessly to reopen the North Rim to the public and provide quality visitor services during these extenuating circumstances. 

Arizona acts quickly and awards millions to address homelessness. Flagstaff receives $840,000

The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) on June 7 awarded nearly $20 million in grants to local governments from the newly-created Homeless Shelter and Services (HSS) Fund to provide shelter and other services to people experiencing homelessness. The new budget signed by Governor Hobbs included $60 million for the new fund with $20 million to be allocated immediately before June 30th.

“I’m proud of the immediate relief our bipartisan budget is delivering to the people of Arizona,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “With the Homeless Shelter and Services Fund and the historic $150 million deposit into Arizona’s Housing Trust Fund, we are making real progress toward ensuring affordable housing for every Arizonan.”

LULAC marks Pride Month with a call to action to create change

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement for National Pride Month 2023, celebrated annually in June.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is observing Pride Month by challenging all state legislative bodies in the United States and U.S. territories to protect and defend the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens. In our 94-year history, LULAC has always championed advancing rights for every American. We have been a party to many historic judicial cases that have expanded the rights of the minority and locked arms with other communities for the greater good.

June at the Museum of Northern Arizona

NOTE NEW DATES for 2023: We are counting down the days to one of the biggest events of the year – the Heritage Festival of Art and Culture. This year the festival will be on June 24 and 25. We moved the date in response to artists and attendees who overwhelmingly agreed that moving away from the busy 4th of July weekend would be better for everyone.

I am so excited that this festival brings together Indigenous artists from across the Colorado Plateau, the only such festival that I know of. These artists will all share and celebrate their cultures from under the shade of tents among the tall pines surrounding the museum. What a beautiful setting! In addition to over 100 artists from 10 different tribes, highlights include flute workshops with Aaron White, a presentation by fashion designer Patricia Michaels, as well as performances by the Zuni Water Striders, Dilzehe’e, Apache Singers, and Yoyhoyam Hopi Youth Dancers. I am looking forward to an exciting an inspiring weekend! I hope to see you at the Heritage Festival, and at the museum.

Sixteen companies selected to provide guided river trips along the Colorado River

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable announced the National Park Service’s selection of 16 companies to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River in the park. These trips last from three to eighteen days, starting at Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, continuing through Grand Canyon National Park, and ending at Pearce Ferry within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 

The contracts have been sent to the selectees for signature and once signed, will be transmitted to Congress for a 60-day notice period as stipulated by law. After this period, the National Park Service will sign and award the contracts. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s Trauma-Informed System Change grant members meet to discuss next steps

Members of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth’s Trauma-Informed System Change grant program met recently to discuss the next steps in developing a mental model change ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County levels and enacted as policy change. 

The goal of the program is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.

CCC&Y will be working with city and county officials to develop, implement and institutionalize the System Change over the next three years as part of its $175,000 Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant. The Coalition was one of four one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected for the grant this year. 

A workgroup has begun planning on the rollout of the three-year program including raising awareness of trauma and resilience-informed practices at the city and county level through the use of surveys, meeting with leaders and staff training during year one; fine-tuning that awareness outreach and training program during year two; and ensuring those practices are institutionalized into city and county policies and sharing the successes of the System and Policy Change effort with partners statewide.

The NAU Review — Happy Pride, Lumberjacks! Learn about the role of trees and arctic ground squirrels in climate change and upcoming roadwork on campus

As the Arctic warms, arctic ground squirrels changing hibernation patterns

A unique long-term study, which NAU professor Loren Buck started more than two decades ago while doing his Ph.D. research in Alaska, helps us understand biological responses to climate shifts through the hibernation patterns of a cute little rodent. In the course of the 25-year study, researchers found that the female and male squirrels developed different hibernation periods over that time. The females “rise and shine” a little earlier in response to warming, which could have both positive and negative ripple effects throughout the food web in these ecosystems.  

Prescribed Fire Planned for South Rim of Grand Canyon Beginning June 7, 2023

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will resume prescribed burning on the South Rim this week.

On Wednesday, June 7, fire personnel will continue working on the Grapevine unit, approximately 0.5 miles south of the “Duck on a Rock” overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive).

The Grapevine unit is a total of 865 acres located between the Kaibab National Forest to the south and E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Last month, crews completed about 200 acres of “blacklining” (creating a boundary of burned fuel) on three sides of the unit.

City of Flagstaff seeking community input on Greater Observatory Mesa Trail Plan Draft

The City of Flagstaff is soliciting community review and feedback on the second draft of the Greater Observatory Mesa Trail Plan. The public participation opportunity includes a community meeting and a 40-day public comment period. Public participation opportunities will allow citizens to review the plan, learn how it may affect them, comment on the plan, and contribute to ongoing communication to resolve concerns. Details on how to participate are listed below.