Author: Community Contributor

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)’s César E. Chávez Community Breakfast returns on March 22 with guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez

Event also served as launch of CHAC’s Covid-19 History Project 

FLAGSTAFF — After a several-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) finally celebrated it’s sixth annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast on Friday, March 22, 2024 at American Legion Post 3 in Flagstaff.

The event, which drew nearly 100 guests and local dignitaries, was highlighted by guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez, grandson of the civil rights and farm labor leader, and son of Anthony Chavez, Cesar’s youngest son.

Cesar, who was born and grew up in the farm worker movement, spoke about legacy of the late farm leader and shared personal memories including joining his grandfather to picket lines and demonstrations in the Central Valley plus cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. They went on hikes together in the mountains surrounding UFW headquarters at La Paz.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Approves Resolution Recognizing Portion of Lake Mary Road as a recreational corridor

“The safety of everyone who uses Lake Mary Road remains a top priority for County leadership and for our community,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We would like to thank all of the stakeholders who participated in the process that helped make this resolution a reality.” 

City of Flagstaff begins work on Landfill Access Road Improvement Project

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is set to begin work on the Cinder Lake Landfill Access Road Improvement Project. The project will reconstruct Landfill Road to improve safety, optimize travel conditions and provide stormwater enhancements and is scheduled to be complete by September 2024.

The NAU Review — Come Explore Cesar Chavez Heritage Week Events, Student volunteers leading the charge, research that improves healthcare for Native elders and Flagstaff’s first Youth Poet Laureate

Come celebrate Cesar Chavez Heritage Week by taking advantage of the many activities taking place at NAU and in the Flagstaff area!

United Way of Northern Arizona — Last Day to Register for Annual Campaign Celebration

We’ll be making not one, but two major announcements at next week’s Annual Campaign & Community Impact luncheon, and we hope you will be with us when we share the exciting news about how we will expand efforts to Step Up for Our Youth.

But time is running out to register for this event and be among the first to find out about these ground-breaking developments.

Our Annual Campaign & Community Impact Luncheon will start at 11:30 am on Wednesday, March 27 at Little America Hotel. Tickets are $50 / $375 for a table of 8.

The deadline to register is end of business today, March 21.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 18-22, 2024

The Bright Angel Trail is anticipated to reopen Monday, April 15 following a 4 ½ month closure. 

Contract work is currently on schedule and no delays are anticipated at this time. As a reminder, the trail closure remains in effect for the Plateau Point Trail through March 14, 2025.

More information on the Transcanyon Waterline project can be found on the park website here.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition compiles listing of Health and Welfare Resource Meetings in region

A variety of virtual health and welfare resource networking meetings are held each month in Coconino County. The meetings offer health professionals and representatives from a variety of governmental and non-profit organizations the opportunity to share information on upcoming programs and events that benefit the educational, health and welfare needs of children, youth and families throughout the region.

The following is a listing of some of those meetings.

Congratulations to This Year’s STEMMY Award Winners

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s STEMMY Awards Ceremony. The evening was full of celebration, innovation, and dedication to advancing STEM education and awareness within our beloved community. A special thanks to our esteemed keynote speaker, Dr. David Engelthaler for joining us. 

Highlighting excellence across various sectors, the STEMMY Awards showcased individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to STEM education and awareness.

Sedona Arts Center — Don’t miss these art classes and workshops!

Watercolor and Ink for the Traveler
with Casey Cheuvront
March 27 : 11am – 4pm

Watercolor is a popular, flexible medium, and suitable for anyone that travels and would like to capture the beauty of their surroundings. In this workshop we will explore watercolor basics, using a journaling/sketchbook approach. We’ll cover the basics of composition, value, brushwork and color relationships, experiment with color mixing and ink drawing, and finish by working with the living landscape to create sketchbook paintings that can stand on their own or serve as inspirational notes for later studio works. At the end of the workshop, you should have begun a sketchbook of your own that you can carry virtually anywhere, which will allow you to record your travels, and your progress in this medium. Suitable for beginners a

Coconino County testifies on wildfire, post-wildfire flooding

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Deputy Manager and Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani testified to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs on the federal response to the threat of wildfire and post-wildfire flooding. …

“I can tell you firsthand: The scale of these crises rapidly overwhelms the capacity of local governments,” Andreani said during her opening remarks. “While there are opportunities for federal support, much must be done to improve the accessibility, immediacy, and effectiveness of the federal response to the wildfire crisis.”

The NAU Review — Fighting fire with research, helping Native children develop healthy smiles and Nico Young breaks another record

State leaders recently called upon health sciences researcher Dierdra Bycura to analyze firefighter recruitment and retention across Arizona. Working with experts from the Franke College of Business, Bycura published a report showing that most firefighters in the state are satisfied with the profession, but some say they struggle with mental health and large call volumes. The report’s findings could influence future state policies.

Arizona Senators Kelly, Sinema, secure $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for Coconino

“Since 2022, post-wildfire flooding impacts from the Pipeline Fire have severely impacted the interstate travel corridor of Highway 89, the Navajo Nation road system, and surrounding communities. It is imperative that we continue to construct flood mitigation infrastructure in this area to reduce the threats to our community and regional economy” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Coconino County Board and Supervisor for District 2. “Thanks to the Congressionally Directed Spending funds recently secured by Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, we now have more resources to make this much needed infrastructure a reality.”

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3)’s Position on Proposed Zoning Code Amendment

On Tuesday, March 19th, the Flagstaff City Council will consider a proposed zoning code amendment to allow residential dwellings on lands zoned as “Public Facility.”

We would like to share with you the letter that F3 sent last week to city council members and staff regarding our concerns with the proposed amendment and our support for the addition of a Conditional Use Permit requirement.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Nurturing Talent Through Apprenticeships

It is hard to overstate the importance of apprenticeship programs in today’s economy, where numerous industries have identified a persistent “skills gap” in the workforce.

The State of Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity recently announced it is working to expand registered construction and trade apprenticeship programs with grants from its BuildItAZ initiative, but time is running out to apply for these funds.

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — February/March Newsletter 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

• HELLO FROM SUPERVISOR HORSTMAN
• WILDFIRE CRISIS REPORT: PRIORITIZING THE
UPPER RIO
• BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESOLUTION
REAFFIRMS OPPOSITION TO URANIUM MINING
NEAR THE GRAND CANYON
• PARKWAY SEDIMENT BASIN/MUSEUM FIRE
• FLOOD MITIGATION COMPLETED!
• PRIMARY DATE MOVES TO JULY 30th
• ELECTIONS WAREHOUSE RIBBON-CUTTING
• URGING VOTER APPROVAL OF THE
EXPENDITURE LIMIT INCREASE FOR
COCONINO COUNTY
• SUPERVISORS ATTEND NACo LEGISLATIVE
CONFERENCE IN D.C. AND ADVOCATE FOR
COCONINO COUNTY FEDERAL PRIORITIES
• SUPERVISOR HORSTMAN ATTENDS FIRST
MEETING OF 2024 BLM/RAC
• GRAND CANYON FOOD PANTRY: HELPING
COMMUNITY, WITH ONE BAG OF GROCERIES
AT A TIME
• COCONINO COUNTY BEGINS CONSTRUCTION
ON YOUTH BEHAVIORAL RESOURCE CENTER
• PUBLIC MEMORIALS IN COUNTY PARKS
• TUSAYAN AWARDED SMART GRANT FROM
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Upcoming Linda Vista Road Closure and Grandview Roadway Construction

FLAGSTAFF — As part of the Spruce Wash Improvements Projects, a full road closure will be required on E Linda Vista Drive between N Paradise Road and N Adrianne Way for the Linda Vista Crossing Project. Access will be maintained through the closure for emergency vehicles, bikes, pedestrians. This closure will be in effect from March 2024 into spring 2025 and will allow for crews to remove and replace the existing culverts that cross E Linda Vista Drive. The City will also be removing and replacing sections of water and sewer mains and installing new storm drains within the roadway.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library 3/18/24

View this email in your browser March 18th, 2024 Connect with your community Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library) or 928-213-2348…

NAU Dept. of Comparative Cultural Studies to present ‘Disrupting mining in Honduras’ at 6 p.m. March 21

FLAGSTAFF — NAU Dept. of Comparative Cultural Studies will present “Disrupting mining in Honduras: Hegemony, territorial struggles, and contradictions of the neoliberal mafia-state” with Nate Edenhofe at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Liberal Arts 136.

Anti-mining movements have put extractivism on the defensive in Honduras.

Why did mining production fail to expand in Honduras despite some of—if not the— most aggressive pro-extractive reforms on the continent?

Both existing theories of extractivism and social movements have difficulty explaining this outcome.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) to present 6th annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast on Friday, March 22, 2024

FLAGSTAFF — The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) sixth annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2024 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff. Doors open at 6:45 a.m.

Cesar L. Chavez, grandson of the civil rights and farm labor leader and son of Anthony Chavez, Cesar’s youngest son, Cesar was born and grew up in the farm worker movement. He accompanied his grandfather to picket lines and demonstrations in the Central Valley plus cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. They went on hikes together in the mountains surrounding UFW headquarters at La Paz.
Cesar presently oversees network functions such as musical and educational programming, and traffic (commercials and public service announcements) for the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s extensive English- and Spanish-language communications network.

“We look forward to this opportunity to gather with the community after our long hiatus,’” said CHAC Chair Patricia Garcia. “At this year’s breakfast, we will kick off a year-long project to collect and preserve information about the experiences and contributions of the Hispanic community of Coconino County during the pandemic.”

Coconino County announces Emergency Early Voting Sites for March 19 Presidential Preference Election

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County voters that will be unable to go to their polling location on Election Day, March 19 may vote at an emergency early voting location on Saturday, March 16; Sunday, March 17; or Monday, March 18.

Voters taking advantage of emergency early voting will be required to complete a form stating that they have an emergency and need to vote an emergency early ballot.  They do not need to disclose the specifics of their emergency.

Voters with non-health related emergencies, such as having to be out of town on Election Day, may also cast an emergency early ballot.

The emergency early voting locations are: 

• Coconino County Recorder’s office, 110 E Cherry Ave, Flagstaff
• Coconino County Voter Services office, Flagstaff Mall, Between JCPenney & Planet Fitness, 4650 N US Highway 89, Flagstaff
• Alta Edison Native American Outreach Center, 78 Main Street, Tuba City

Terminal Maintenance Begins at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport

“We are dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for all visitors to FLG. This project has been carefully planned to minimize inconvenience to travelers. By scheduling the bulk of the work at night, we aim to ensure smooth operations without impacting departures or arrivals. Moreover, the terminal sprinkler project underscores our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers for years to come. Additionally, travelers can anticipate a refreshed terminal interior with newly painted walls, updated wayfinding signage, new lighting and more,” stated Airport Director Brian Gall.

Stoneman Lake Road closed as of noon March 14 due to snowstorms

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Public Works Department, in conjunction with Yavapai County, closed Stoneman Lake Road between I-17 and Lake Mary Road on noon, March 14 due to a multi-day winter storm that is forecast to impact the region starting tonight.

This closure is necessary for public safety due to the possibility of whiteout conditions from drifting heavy snow. When drifting occurs, visibility becomes limited and there is an increased difficulty for County snowplow operators to keep the road clear of snow. Stoneman Lake Road will remain closed until weather conditions allow for the County to safely reopen it.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — March 11-15, 2024

Latest ‘Behind the Scenery’ Podcast available

On Sunday, the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast aired on Apple podcasts and the park’s website.

In this episode, Canyon Interpretation staff interview Gerald Lomaventema, an award-winning silversmith, a mentor to young Hopi artists, and a runner. He’s also the great grandson of Olympic medalist Louis Tewanima. Louis won silver in the 10,000 meters in the 1912 Olympics and set an American record that stood for decades. He was also a spiritual leader in his community.

In this episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast, Gerald talks about his art, his cultural connections to Grand Canyon, and running and Louis’s legacy in the Hopi community. This episode is available on Apple podcasts and the park website.

Celebrating Women at the United Way of Northern Arizona

This year Women’s History Month has particular resonance for United Way of Northern Arizona both because of the makeup of our small and mighty staff and because of this year’s theme: Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Worldwide, three out of four United Ways are led by women, but UWNA’s staff is entirely female.

I am honored to lead a team that includes Christine Pierce, our Campaign and Operations Manager; Elaine Hebestreit, our Administrative Assistant; and Tempy Wessel, who recently joined us as our Northeast Representative.

Additionally Carol Dykes and Sybil Smith continue to assist us with community engagement, managing volunteer efforts and crisis response.

Intermittent traffic impacts to Southside and West Flagstaff anticipated for installation of fiber-optic line

FLAGSTAFF — Altice USA and Networx Cabling Systems will be working in the Southside neighborhood and West Flagstaff to install new fiber-optic line. The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 18 and is expected to be completed by Sunday, March 31.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out our Gallery Shop Today!

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Foo,
Lili Anne Laurin,
and Amy Light

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.

Measles Cases Reported in Coconino County

One confirmed and one probable case of measles has been reported in Coconino County. Coconino County Health and Human Services is actively conducting disease surveillance and identified five public locations where people may have been exposed to measles.

Individuals who were at the following locations at the listed dates and times may have been exposed and should monitor for measles symptoms and contact their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms:

Flagstaff STEM City — Congratulations to This Year’s STEMMY Award Winners

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s STEMMY Awards Ceremony. The evening was full of celebration, innovation, and dedication to advancing STEM education and awareness within our beloved community. A special thanks to our esteemed keynote speaker, Dr. David Engelthaler for joining us.

Highlighting excellence across various sectors, the STEMMY Awards showcased individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to STEM education and awareness.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Outreach Coordinator plays vital role in promoting collective action to benefit children and families

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of profiles of board members and staff of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — As per Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth’s Mission statement, “We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”

For CCC&Y, it takes a variety of individuals to build that inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities — volunteer board members, organizational and individual members, supporters and partners, and staff members.

To promote the work of CCC&Y, the Coalition has been assisted for nearly a decade by Outreach Coordinator Frank X. Moraga. Frank has worked at the Coalition since December 2014, staffing a variety of outreach events and community resource meetings from Flagstaff to Leupp, Williams, Tusayan, the Grand Canyon, Tuba City, Page and Fredonia. He currently facilitates the monthly Tuba City Community Resource meeting. He also produces the Coalition’s weekly e-newsletter.

Coconino County celebrates 20 years of the Sustainable Building Program

Community members are invited to celebrate 20 years of the Sustainable Building Program. The community inspired program, which began in 2003, came out of a desire from county residents for an easier path to building sustainably.

They also saw a need for more community education and awareness about sustainable building practices, methods, technology, and innovations. The program evolved into a free certification program allowing homeowners and builders to participate in a third-party certification based on points achieved for building sustainably. The benefits of participating include: 

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for an Art Workshop Today!

Distilling the Landscape in Sedona
with Ben Hamburger
March 16 : Saturday, 9am – 3pm

Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this class, you will focus on distilling your surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the landscape around us and our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome.

Coconino County Elections Department Awarded Grant and Announces, “I Voted” Sticker Challenge

This $10,000 grant is designed to enhance civic participation and engagement on college campuses by encouraging students to serve as elections board workers. The grant will support poll worker recruitment efforts through activities like National Poll Worker Recruitment Day and Help America Vote Day.

Do Not Return Your Early Ballot By Mail After Tuesday, March 12

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Recorder’s Office wants to remind early voters that voted early ballots must be received no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, March 19.  Early voters should put their voted early ballot in the mail no later than Tuesday, March 12 to ensure that the ballot is received in time to be counted.

Voted early ballots may be dropped off in one of the ballot drop boxes located throughout the county or at an early voting site.  For a list of ballot drop boxes and early voting sites go to:  www.coconino.az.gov/elections and select Ballot Drop Box Locations or Early Voting Sites.

City Update on ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funding

FLAGSTAFF — On the third anniversary of the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Flagstaff continues work on allocating ARPA funding to support a variety of local causes and initiatives.

Allocations of ARPA funds to date include $2.4M to congregate care, housing assistance, job training, mental health, and substance abuse services, $3M to education assistance and early learning programs, and $1.4M to local non-profits and small businesses. The information below provides a small sampling of some of the ARPA funding that was allocated by the City to its community partners.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Meet the Community Leaders Joining the UWNA Board of Directors

The strength of any nonprofit organization largely depends on the people who are willing to give their time and talent to ensure its success. United Way of Northern Arizona has always been fortunate in having leaders who embraced our goals of stepping up for our youth and our community.

At the Annual Campaign and Community Impact Celebration on March 27 (register here), we will install four new members to the UWNA Board of Directors. These remarkable people bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives that will augment an already exceptional board.

The NAU Review — History-making NAU women, balancing photography and ultrarunning in Flagstaff and research that makes sense of muscle function

A Holocaust survivor whose story continues to inspire. A seamstress who made state history. A librarian (Delia Ceballos Muñoz) who shed light on Flagstaff’s long-overlooked early Hispanic and Latine settlers. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re sharing a few stories about Lumberjack teachers, leaders and alumnae who made history by breaking glass ceilings, advocating for their communities and accomplishing remarkable things.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 4-8, 2024

On Friday, March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines for respiratory illness, to include Covid-19. The CDC is updating its recommendations for Covid-19 to bring them in line with its advice for other kinds of respiratory infections, including influenza and RSV.

People who test positive for Covid-19 no longer need to routinely stay away from others for at least five days. The CDC now says people who have Covid-19 should stay home until they’ve been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

However, the CDC still does recommend that people take additional precautions for an additional five days to lower the risk of spreading the virus. These precautions include improving ventilation indoors, masking, and limiting close contact with others.

Coconino County Attorney Recognized as 2024 Distinguished Prosecutor

COCONINO COUNTY — The National District Attorney’s Association (NDAA) recently recognized Coconino County Attorney Bill Ring as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Prosecutor of the Year Award.

The Distinguished Prosecutor of the Year Award is presented annually by the NDAA, which is the oldest and largest professional organization representing criminal prosecutors across the country. Ring was selected from 22 other nominees from prosecution agencies nationwide. This honor is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, integrity, and excellence in the field of prosecution.

City of Flagstaff seeks community input in search for new police chief

FLAGSTAFF — The community is invited to participate in the selection of the Flagstaff Police Department’s next police chief at an upcoming meet and greet. The public meet and greet is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers at 211 West Aspen Avenue or via Microsoft Teams.

The meet and greet will begin with each of the five candidates for Police Chief providing an introduction about themselves, including their previous education and experience, and how it relates to the police chief position. After all introductions have been completed, there will be a few questions answered by each candidate prior to an opportunity for participants to mingle with the candidates. Information about each candidate is listed below.

Dr. Michael Madsen Appointed Chief Medical Examiner

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is excited to announce that Dr. Michael Madsen has accepted the role of Chief Medical Examiner following the retirement of Dr. Lawrence Czarnecki.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Michael Madsen as the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to A.R.S. 11-592 beginning March 2, 2024, for Coconino County during the March 5, 2024, Board meeting.

2024 Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, extends her heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding educators selected as finalists for the prestigious Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year awards.

The winner in each category will be revealed at the 11th annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards event on Thursday, April 25, 2024, commencing at 5 p.m. at the High Country Conference Center.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y partners urged to participate in Arizona Gives Day on April 2, 2024

COCONINO COUNTY — CCC&Y member partners have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and programs throughout Northern Arizona by taking part in the annual Arizona Gives Day on April 2, 2024.

Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, with all missions and backgrounds, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving, said AZ Impact for Good, which runs the program. The event helps raise awareness about the critical role Arizona nonprofits play in our community and inspires people to give generously, creating a thriving and stronger Arizona for all.

So if you have registered by the Arizona Gives Day deadline of Feb. 28, 2024, be sure to contact the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth so we can support your effort by providing links to your organization and donation pages in our upcoming weekly e-newsletters.

Coconino County Community Health Needs Assessment Published

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) published the 2024 Coconino County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) on March 5, 2024.

The chna is a comprehensive evaluation, conducted every three years, to gain a deep understanding of the health status, risk factors, causes and concerns of poverty in our communities and available resources within Coconino County. The main goals of this assessment are to understand community health; identify health disparities; create a path for improvement; and reduce barriers.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — February 2024 Newsletter

In this edition…
• Supervisors Oppose the Pinon Plain Uranium Mine
• County Awarded $7.7 million NRCS Grant to Protect Residents from Flood Damage
• Supervisor Vasquez Testifies on Transportation at Arizona Capitol Board Members Travel to Washington, DC to Advocate for Coconino County
• District 2 Events and Activities
Upcoming Events And More!

The NAU Review — Celebrating Women’s HerStory Month, a computer science project vying for a “cool” prize and how the arts and humanities impact, well… everything

Learn about the contributions women have made to the world at campus events throughout the month of March. In partnership with other campus organizations, the Commission on the Status of Women has invited a diverse set of speakers to talk about the stories and accomplishments of women from both the past and the modern day. 

Coconino County Flood Control District, Coconino National Forest to collaborate on forest restoration plan for Upper Rio De Flag Watershed

FLAGSTAFF  — The Coconino County Flood Control District (The District) and the Coconino National Forest have announced a new Upper Rio De Flag Watershed restoration plan to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and post-fire flooding.

“It’s been proven that forest restoration — including mechanical thinning and prescribed fire — is an effective tool to reduce wildfire spread and severity,” said Coconino County Forest Restoration Director Jay Smith. “The completion of forest restoration in Upper Rio De Flag Watershed will provide a multi-generational benefit to our region.”

Phase Two of the Lake Mary Road Mill & Fill Project Starts March 4

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s contractor is preparing to break ground on the second phase of a project to improve travel lanes and shoulders along Lake Mary Road.

The $1.7 million Lake Mary Road Mill & Fill Project: Phase 2 includes the milling of existing pavement and the subsequent installation of 1.5” Polymer Modified Asphalt Concrete along the travel lanes and road shoulders of two sections of Lake Mary Road totaling approximately 3.6 miles. 

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for an Art Workshop Today!

Distilling the Landscape in Sedona
with Ben Hamburger
March 16 : Saturday, 9am – 3pm

Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this class, you will focus on distilling your surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the landscape around us and our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Flagstaff’s Regional Plan 2045

The City of Flagstaff’s Regional Plan is a vision for the future of our community. It is a policy guide and serves as the general plan for the city as mandated by state law. The Regional Plan addresses a range of topics and outlines current conditions, the community’s vision for the future, and a series of goals and policies that will bring us to realization of this future vision.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Feb. 26-March 1, 2024

2023 Park Profile and statistics now available

Last week the NPS released its 2023 visitation statistics. Service-wide, the NPS welcomed 325.5 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022.

Grand Canyon National Park experienced its eighth busiest year ever in 2023 with 4,733,705 visits. Last year’s visitation was only 1,600 more than the previous year with a less than 1% increase from 2022. Grand Canyon once again ranked as the second most visited National Park in the National Park Service system behind Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitation to Grand Canyon reached its highest level in 2018 with approximately 6.4 million visitors.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Will We See You at Our Annual Celebration?

Plan on joining us as we celebrate our collective community impact and share some exciting news that will further our efforts to step up for our youth in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

Our Annual Campaign & Community Impact Luncheon will start at 11:30 am on Wednesday, March 27 at Little America Hotel.

Tickets are $50 / $375 for a table of 8.

The NAU Review — The role of moisture in redwood health, a Leap Year baby and NAU’s reimagined orientation

New Student Orientation is now Lumberjack Welcome—an immersive experience that takes place the week before school starts and connects new students with resources and support that will help them in the first few weeks of school and for the entirety of their Lumberjack career. It’s an important piece of NAU’s commitment to helping 100,000 people earn high-value NAU credentials by 2035, preparing them to succeed in the always-changing Arizona workforce. 

City of Flagstaff community garden plot applications opening soon for the 2024 growing season

FLAGSTAFF — Members of the public are invited to submit applications for community garden plots starting on Friday, March 1. Returning gardeners will have priority until April 1 to secure their plots from the previous season. The remaining available plots will be offered to new gardeners on a first-come, first-served basis. New gardeners who do not have access to growing space at home or those who qualify for SNAP benefits will be given priority for remaining available plots through the application process.