Author: Community Contributor

CCC Adult Education makes easy conversation

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Jiyoung Lee comes from South Korea, and Jose Landaverde comes from El Salvador. Kaoru Pierre comes from Japan, and Aurora Silleni comes from Italy. There’s Victor Parra from Mexico and May Henao from Colombia.

They may have come from all over the world, but they have one thing in common: They’re all taking classes with the Adult Education program at Coconino Community College to improve their English language skills.

“It’s college and career preparation,” said Jennifer Dennis, Adult Education instructor at CCC, of the class, which is an advanced English language-acquisition class. “A lot of our students have been through university in their home country.”

The Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public library to Launch New library catalog service

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2021 • Comments Off

The Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public library will launch a new, online catalog for physical and online library materials on Feb. 1, 2021. The catalog was developed in response to requests for a more streamlined and straightforward navigation approach to accessing library materials and services. Patrons can access the new catalog by visiting www.flagstaffpubliclibrary.org. Video tutorials demonstrating how to access your library account and how to place a hold can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvt_CP80kI8 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKQqeGG5Adc. Call (928) 213-2330 with any questions.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — New Series: In the Coconi-KNOW

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County is bringing you a new series, called the “In the Coconi-KNOW” on Facebook Live today at 12 noon.

Our team will discuss the latest County updates, news and of course, give you a look at the COVID situation in Coconino County. Tune in on the Coconino County Facebook page at noon today!

Coconino County appoints Cheryl Mango-Paget as Superintendent of Schools

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has appointed Cheryl Mango-Paget as Coconino County Superintendent of Schools effective immediately.

Mango-Paget has served as the Associate Superintendent for Coconino County since 2012, holds a certificate to teach in schools in the state of Arizona, and holds Arizona administrator and superintendent certifications. Mango-Paget has classroom experience as a teacher and administrator, and expertise and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education (STEM).

NAU News for Jan. 29, 2021 — NAU celebrates Black History Month and more news

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Throughout the month of February, the NAU community is invited to a variety of virtual events that celebrate and recognize the achievements and vital role of African Americans in U.S. history.

Home Brew Academy on tap with CCC Feb. 16

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Grain or barley. Hops. Yeast. Water.

Like the chords of a great blues tune, the ingredients to make beer are simple and few, but they are infinitely interchangeable for a complexity of experience that borders on heavenly.

Beginning Feb. 16, Coconino Community College Community Education will be hosting the non-credit course, “Northern Arizona Home Brew Academy,” led by Flagstaff-based Brewmeister Adam Harrington, owner of High Altitude Homebrew Supply and Bottle Shop.

“I love teaching what I know,” Harrington said. “It seems daunting, but it’s actually pretty easy.”

Flagstaff libraries curbside services not available Feb. 1-2

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

The Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library and East Flagstaff Community Library’s curbside services will not be available Feb. 1 -2 for a library software update.

Phone in reference services and placing holds on library materials will still be available.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future Communication — Lowell Observatory and Adjacent Section 17 Development

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

One of Flagstaff’s oldest institutions, Lowell Observatory, is working with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to draft revised bill language to address the management and development of Section 17, located immediately adjacent and west of the existing observatory campus on Observatory Mesa. Once the bill language is written, Lowell plans to ask Senator Kelly and Congressman O’Halleran to draft legislation through the Legislative Counsel.

County Vaccination Efforts Hampered by Lack of Vaccine Doses

by Community Contributor • January 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors heard the message clearly at Tuesday’s board meeting: Coconino County’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts are hampered by the lack of available vaccine doses.

Coconino County Interim Health and Human Services Director Kim Musselman informed the Board that the County and medical partners have capacity to administer approximately 1,300 doses of vaccine daily but give fewer than 400 doses each day due to the lack of supply.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — COVID-19 Vaccine: Similarities and Differences

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County will only administer COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which currently includes the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. There are similarities and differences between the two:
Pfizer is for those ages 16 years and older, and requires 21 days between doses.
Moderna is for those ages 18 years and older, and requires 28 days between doses.
Both are safe and effective.
Both require two doses.

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler — COVID-19 Vaccine Update and more news

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2021 • Comments Off

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y discusses overcoming childhood trauma on KAFF County’s Pete’s Community Cafe

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, recently sat down with KAFF Country for a recent Pete’s Community Cafe interview on childhood trauma issues impacting youth and families in the region and the use of techniques to promote healing, growth and build resiliency.

During the interview, Watahomigie discussed how CCC&Y tackles the issue through a variety of online training programs on its https://coconinokids.org/prevention/ webpage.

CCC receives financial excellence award for 25th year in a row

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Twenty-five years in a row and counting.
Coconino Community College received recognition for its financial responsibility to the public by being awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for its 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The award is issued by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

“Receiving this recognition for 25 years is an amazing accomplishment,” said CCC’s Executive Vice President Dr. Jami Van Ess. “First, I want to thank the District Governing Board for their dedication to being good stewards of public funds.”

Discover Flagstaff — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.

17,000 new books to promote reading in Flagstaff during COVID-19

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Flagstaff was selected to receive a grant of approximately 17,000 new children’s books to help local families promote reading and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation was from The Molina Foundation as part of its Book Buddies 2020 program to promote literacy and is one result of the partnership between LAUNCH Flagstaff and Read On Arizona. Flagstaff’s receipt of this large number of new books and ability to provide them to local children and families is a result of the strong collaboration between community literacy organizations.

Dr. Nathaniel White named Chair of the District Governing Board for Coconino Community College.

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino Community College District Governing Board voted Wednesday to name Dr. Nathaniel White as its next Chair.

“It has been a pleasure to work under the calm, steady leadership of Governing Board Chair Patty Garcia and with my dedicated Board members for the past several years,” White said. “It is an honor, and I look forward to being a part of the Governing Board and the CCC family as we optimistically move ahead in 2021.”

United Way of Northern Arizona Changes for VITA program

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2021 • Comments Off

As the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) grows in its commitment to Step Up for Our Youth, it’s important to ensure that the work we do aligns with our three core areas of focus: early childhood development, positive youth development, and supporting families in need.

With that in mind, we’ve been working diligently to transition the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program to trusted partners so that thousands of local tax filers who have relied on VITA services in the past will continue to have access to them.

We are pleased to announce that United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) and Northland Free Tax Assistance (NFTA) will be coordinating efforts to provide VITA services this year in our region. We are grateful to these two organizations for continuing our work so that northern Arizonans will keep receiving the tax refunds and credits they are entitled to.

Coconino County Announces COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Site Changes Due to Weather

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Due to an increase in snowfall, vaccination appointments at Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff for today, January 25, from 1 p.m. and onward are cancelled.

Those with cancelled vaccine appointments will be contacted directly via email to reschedule. If you have a vaccination appointment scheduled up to and including 12 p.m. today, your appointment still stands and we are expecting you to arrive. Coconino County intends to operate the vaccination site tomorrow, Jan. 25, as usual. If additional weather conditions impact, the public will be notified and those with appointments will be provided rescheduling instructions.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Save the Date! Division of Developmental Disabilities Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 4

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Save the Date! Division of Developmental Disabilities Virtual Town Hall Meeting

PreventT2 Lifestyle Change Class in Spanish

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the FREE PreventT2 lifestyle change program offered by North Country HealthCare. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

City of Flagstaff Trash and Recycling collection suspended

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Trash and recycling collections for both residential and commercial businesses is suspended for Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 due to worsening weather and road conditions. Solid Waste personnel will be redeployed to assist with snow operations. Trash and recycling collection will resume when conditions are safe.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County Announcing COVID-19 Testing Site Changes

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County COVID-19 testing site located at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will move to a new location effective Saturday, Jan. 23.

The move to the new site at Coconino Community College (CCC), 2800 S Lone Tree Rd. will allow the County to expand vaccine administration at Fort Tuthill County Park and at mobile sites throughout the County when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available.

City of Flagstaff snow operations

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2021 • Comments Off

With significant snow forecast for northern Arizona in the coming days, the city of Flagstaff would like to provide information regarding snow operations.

The city’s Public Works division will deploy all available equipment and operators during the upcoming snow events. Snow operations will continue 24 hours a day through the winter event. First priority roadways for treatment are main arterials, major hills, downtown and school and transit routes. All other streets are considered second priority areas.

Coconino County Announcing COVID-19 Testing Site Changes

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County COVID-19 testing site located at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will move to a new location effective Saturday, Jan. 23.

NAU News — ‘NAU-TGen study results show COVID-19 virus triggers antibodies from previous coronavirus infections’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2021 • Comments Off

The findings of the study, of which assistant professor Jason Ladner was a lead author, may also explain how previous exposure could partially account for differences in severity between old vs. young patients.

ADOT — I-40 lane restrictions planned at Meteor Crater interchange between Flagstaff and Winslow Jan. 25 – 29

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2021 • Comments Off

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions on Interstate 40 at the Meteor Crater Road traffic interchange – about 30 miles east of Flagstaff – as work continues on the Meteor Crater Bridge rehabilitation project:

Meteor Crater Road will be closed between the east- and westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, to Friday, Jan. 29.

Discover Flagstaff — “I, too, sing America” a Celebration of Black Poets, Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival. New video project and more news

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — New members join board

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2021 • Comments Off

As we celebrate a new year and look forward to the recovery of our local economy, I wanted to take a moment to welcome the newest members of ECoNA’s Executive Board. These individuals represent the education, government and private business sectors and we look forward to their leadership and input.

Sedona Arts Center’s Online Learning

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.

Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tommy Lewis Resigns

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tommy Lewis has resigned for personal reasons effective immediately. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will announce its process for filling the vacancy by appointment at a later date.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — African Diaspora Advisory Council Begins Accepting Entries for its Black History Month Essay Contest

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County ADAC is now accepting entries for its Black History Month Essay Contest. The essay contest is open to all elementary through high school students in Coconino County.

Essays submissions will center around the theme of the Black family and must be received by Feb. 19.

“This is our ninth year holding the essay contest and it really is such a joy to read these beautifully crafted pieces from children of all ages. This year, our essay prompts center around the Black family, which has been described by some as a microcosm of the entire Black/African-American race. We are offering a number of prompts for students based on their level of school and are eager to hear from them about examples of the Black family and community,” said Khara House Chair of ADAC.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y on Jan. 27 to present ‘Igniting Collective Action: Moving Beyond ACEs’

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present “Igniting Collective Action: Moving Beyond ACEs” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 via Zoom. Click here to register.

Imagine a community in which the effects of childhood trauma are clearly understood, the impact of inequitable experience is acknowledged, and people are aligned toward creating equitable access to assets and protective factors that support positive life outcomes. This training will explore the roadmap to creating change at the community and system level by using the findings of both leadership research and today’s thought leaders.

*Recommended one-hour prerequisite available for community members with limited background about the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is available at https://coconinokids.org/prevention/

Sedona Arts Center — New Exhibition at Sedona Arts Center!

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2021 • Comments Off

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Black, Christine Debrosky, John Foster, Chikako Myers, Joan Roberts, and Julie Ronning Talbot

The Center’s Fine Art 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.

The Fine Art Gallery is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Sedona Arts Center is located at 15 Art Barn Road in Uptown Sedona.

Our new online gallery represents a full spectrum of the diversity of artists represented by the arts center. Visit us today!

City of Flagstaff announces Water Service director candidates, meet and greet virtually on Jan. 20 from 5 to 6 p.m.

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The city of Flagstaff will interview two candidates with diverse backgrounds in the water and wastewater industries for the Water Services director position. The public will have an opportunity to listen to introductions and to ask questions of the candidates during a virtual meet and greet on Jan. 20 from 5 – 6 p.m. The public can join the virtual meet and greet here: https://bit.ly/3bIItc9. Participants in the meet and greet are encouraged to fill out a feedback form after the event here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WaterServicesDirector. Brief candidate bios are included below.

County Board Reviews COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Ahead of Anticipated Increase in Vaccine Availability

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 19 reviewed plans from the COVID-19 Emergency Response Team to expand vaccine administration when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available.

The plans call for expanded administration of the vaccine at Fort Tuthill County Park and at mobile sites throughout Coconino County, along with increased capacity for healthcare and private sector partners to administer the vaccine.

Coconino County, nation honors those lost to COVID-19

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County will join the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19.

Starting at 3:30 p.m. Arizona Time, 5:30 p.m. E.T, Americans will come together for a national moment of unity and remembrance. To participate, individuals should light a candle in their window. They may also tune in at 5:30 p.m. ET for a ceremony with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, featuring the first-ever lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor those who have died.

Coconino County Honors Martin Luther King Jr.

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2021 • Comments Off

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, Coconino County invites the community to participate in service. Join Coconino County in creating signs with positive messages for community members and messages of thanks for essential workers and healthcare personnel. Throughout this week, the community is encouraged to hang signs in their windows, yards, or cars to spread positivity throughout the community and to thank essential workers.