Did you know that tooth decay is among the most common health issues affecting young children, and that dental disease is one of the leading causes of school absence? The Arizona Department of Health Services estimates that almost half of…
Author: AmigosNAZ.com
AmigosNAZ. Providing information for and about the vibrant Latino community in Northern Arizona — Bringing Cultures together by Sharing Information. Frank X. Moraga, editor / publisher of AmigosNAZ, a division of Shooting Star Communications LLC in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Experienced heart problem that you needed help for? We want to hear your story
“Have you experienced a heart problem that you needed help for? We want to hear your story! “Please contact Jeronimo Vasquez at (928) 214-3904 if you are interested. Gracias”
La Plaza Vieja celebrates success, safe sidewalks
Event previews ‘Make a Difference’ Day on Oct. 25 FLAGSTAFF — Neighbors beat back overhanging bushes and trees, weeded, swept and picked up trash throughout La Plaza Vieja on Saturday, Oct. 18, the City of Flagstaff reported in a media release.…
Guest commentary: Full Circle Trade & Thrift is doing wonderful work in our community
By Roxana Cardiel De Niz / NAIC Interim Organizer In October, Full Circle Trade & Thrift’s proceeds will help support Flagstaff’s immigrant families. Northern Arizona Interfaith Council is part of a coalition of nonprofit organizations (Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Northern Arizona…
City of Flagstaff to hold Telephone Town Hall on road repair, safety at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 27
FLAGSTAFF — On Monday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. nearly 10,000 registered Flagstaff voters will receive a call inviting them to participate in a live telephone town hall meeting with Flagstaff City Manager Kevin Burke and NAIPTA General Manager Jeff Meilbeck,…
11th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente to be presented at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct 25-26. Members reception to be held Oct. 24
Museum member’s reception on Oct. 24 FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona will present the 11th annual Celebracíones de la Gente on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26 at the museum. Scheduled entertainment includes Mariachi Sol…
Tickets available for annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle
Tickets ($10 each) are now available for the annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. The raffle will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26 during the 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los Muertos…
NAU Latin American Studies to present No More Deaths — No Más Muertes training on Oct. 26
FLAGSTAFF — NAU Latin American Studies will present “No More Deaths — No Más Muertes” training from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at Liberal Arts 120. This educational workshop will include an overview of border history and the…
NAU Latin American Studies will present three short documentaries about immigration on Oct. 23
FLAGSTAFF — NAU Latin American Studies and NAU No More Deaths will present three short documentaries about immigration directed by Roy Germano for Vice News at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Liberal Arts 120. “The documentaries are ‘Murder and Migration in…
Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission to meet Oct. 22 to discuss zoning code change regarding relocation of residents of properties facing redevelopment
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’ Zoning and Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 to review and discuss sample language for a zoning code that would affect the relocation of residents of properties facing redevelopment, Friends…
Guest commentary: Tips for taking the fear out of Halloween for young kids
Halloween can be a fun time of year, but for infants, toddlers and preschoolers – who often can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality – scary experiences can ruin the holiday and create long-term fears. Below are tips for minimizing anxiety…
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association to present Mundo Bonito Tardeada on Oct. 19
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association will present Mundo Bonito Tardeada from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Greenlaw Village Shopping Center on 4th Street in celebration of friends, family, neighborhoods and communities, the association reported in a media…
Full Circle Trade & Thrift announces 20 percent off all furniture Oct. 18, 19
FLAGSTAFF — Full Circle Trade & Thrift at 2 S. Beaver St., Flagstaff, has announced a 20 percent off on all furniture special for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19. “We’ve been blessed with an abundance of quality furniture donations the…
Mercado de Sueños / Dream Market to be held on Oct. 17 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU will present the Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at 2532 E. Seventh, near the corner of Fourth and 7th streets. Mercado de los…
Center for Indigenous Culture to present ‘Ani Cordero’s Latin American Songs of Love and Protest’ on Oct. 17
FLAGSTAFF — The Center for Indigenous Culture will present Ani Cordero in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at CIMC, 213 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff. Cordero’s Latin American Songs of Love and Protest brings together an extraordinary group of musicians…
La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Plan public meeting on Nov. 12 to address redevelopment concerns
FLAGSTAFF — The La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Plan update will kick off at a public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Agassiz room in the High Country Conference Center in place of La Plaza Vieja…
‘Border Songs: An Evening of Music and Spoken Word’ on Oct. 11 to benefit No More Deaths / No Más Muertes
FLAGSTAFF — “Border Songs: An Evening of Music and Spoken Word,” an event to raise awareness and benefit No More Deaths / No Más Muertes, will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Northern Arizona University Campus…
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future to hold 10th annual Gala on Oct. 11
FLAGSTAFF — Friends of Flagstaff’s Future will hold 10th annual Gala on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Coconino Center for the Arts. “Join us for a great evening to celebrate and support ongoing active engagement in Flagstaff! delicious food sponsored by…
October cover story / Portada: Día de los Muertos events come alive in region
Celebraciones de la Gente in Flagstaff, Día de los Muertos events in Sedona, Winslow part of growing movement By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Soon the aroma of marigolds and copal incense will waft through the air, beckoning spirits to…
Commentary / Comentario: Full Circle to aid Dreamers
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Since its founding in 2013, Full Circle Trade and Thrift has awarded more than $150,000 to help creative, collaborative and results-oriented nonprofits in Flagstaff. Located at the corner of South Beaver Street and Phoenix…
Local / Locales
The Flagstaff City Council Candidate Forum will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at Little America, 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff. This is an opportunity to hear from the mayoral candidates and the city council candidates as to…
Finances / Finanzas: Social Security — Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Another important benefit offered by Social Security is Supplemental Security Income, commonly known as “SSI”. SSI, though administered by the Social Security Administration, is not funded by Social Security taxes…
City of Flagstaff to host open houses through 29 on Prop. 406
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will host an open house to provide information about Proposition 406, a proposed sales tax increase to address city road repairs and street safety, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Residents…
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to present an ‘Art Class @ Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center’ on Oct. 3
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present an “Art Class @ Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. Artist Vangie Rodriguez will lead you in painting sugar…
Community Open House on Sept. 25 to feature information on local issues
FLAGSTAFF — On Nov. 4, voters will decide on three local ballot measures: Question 1, from the Flagstaff Unified School District, seeks to continue a budget override. Question 403, from Coconino County, seeks a sales tax increase for future county…
‘Baila Conmigo – Dance with Me’ to be held Sept. 27 at NAU
FLAGSTAFF — As part of its 2014 Latin@ Heritage Month celebration, Inclusion and Multicultural Services at Northern Arizona University will present “Baila Conmigo – Dance with Me” from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Ashurst Hall, Bldg. 11, NAU. “Come…
First Friday Art Walk returns to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff First Friday Art Walk returned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church & Cultural Center on Sept. 5, 2014. The event, presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, featured the…
Dancers celebrate opening of the Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From a picnic and dancing at the Grand Canyon to dance workshops and performances in Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014 provided a wide variety of opportunities for…
Mercado de Sueños / Dream Market to be held on Sept. 19 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU will present the Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at 2532 E. Seventh, near the corner of Fourth and 7th streets. Mercado de los…
11th annual Fiesta de Independencia to be held Sept. 21 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association will present its 11th annual Fiesta de Independencia from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace, 2532 E. Seventh, near the corner of Fourth and Seventh…
Screening of ‘Fruitvale Station’ to be held Sept. 23 at NAU
FLAGSTAFF — As part of its 2014 Latin@ Heritage Month celebration, Inclusion and Multicultural Services at Northern Arizona University will present the screening of “Fruitvale Station” from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Franke College of Business, Gardner Auditorium. “Fruitvale…
‘Which Way Home’ screening on NAU campus on Sept. 10
FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University’s Latin American Studies will present a free screening of Which Way Home at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the Liberal Arts building, room 120. The 2009 film, directed by Rebecca Cammisa, follows several unaccompanied child migrants as…
September cover story / Portada: Hispanic Heritage Month coming fast
Events include salsa festival, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces First Friday Art Walk, and Hispanic independence celebrations in Sedona, Flagstaff By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ It’s last-minute planning time for upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month events in Northern Arizona. While the month is officially celebrated…
Commentary / Comentario: The season of nutritional health
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ While this is the season for cultural events, it is also the time to start thinking about proper nutrition as students return to school and we prepare for the dreaded sweet and fat-laden holiday season. The…
Local / Locales
The Hispanic / Latino population of Northern Arizona University grew by 10 percent during the fall of 2014 compared to a year ago, university officials reported in a media release. According to unofficial enrollment figures released during the last week of…
Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Survivors benefits
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Many people might not know that Social Security offers Survivors Benefits. These benefits, which function as a kind of life insurance, can provide family income after the breadwinner dies as…
Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014 to be held through Sept. 7
FLAGSTAFF — The Grand Canyon Salsa Festival 2014, featuring workshops and dance competitions, will be held Sept. 4-7 in Flagstaff. The event seeks to facilitate education, awareness, and mutual sharing and bring together dance talents from the local, national and…
Vive Selena performance to be held Aug. 31 at Coconino County Fair
FLAGSTAFF — Vive Selena will perform at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Coconino County Fair. The tribute to the music of Selena Quintanilla will feature such hits as Baila Esta Cumbia, Amor Prohibido, Techno Cumbia, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,…
August cover story / Portada: Another challenging year for education
Officials seek to balance state budget cuts with creative options to improve education to meet state college, career and life-readiness standards By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ On what promised to be another toasty summer day in Flagstaff, children and…
Commentary / Comentario: Poore Clinic opens in Sunnyside
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Even with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, obtaining quality health care continues to be a challenge for many people. Whether it’s transportation issues due to a shortage of accessible neighborhood clinics, problems…
Local / Locales
Northern Arizona University has been awarded a three-year research grant to promote academic success among young Spanish-speaking English learners, university officials reported in a media release. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences, will…
Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Retirement benefits – Part 2
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona In this article I will continue our conversation regarding retirement benefits, describing retiring at full retirement age and delaying retirement to a later age. We have stated that full retirement age ranges…
Guest commentary: Summer ideal time to prepare for Kindergarten success
By First Things First / Guest contributor While most students think of summer as a break from learning, for young kids entering kindergarten, summer is the ideal time to instill the skills that will make the transition to school smoother.…
‘Meet the Flagstaff City Council Candidates Forum’ draws upwards of 150 on July 24
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Someone said it was like speed-dating for candidates, with potential office holders rushing from one circle of chairs to another to spend about 10 minutes and meet with…
Participants brave long lines to gather school supplies, information at ‘Back to School Fair’ on July 19
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Long lines didn’t deter children and their parents who were already lined up for nearly a block in the alley between Second and Third streets as they awaited the…
Mercado de Sueños celebrates July 18 gathering in Flagstaff. Next event is Aug. 15
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — More booths, more art, more music and food could be found at the second Mercado de Sueños / Dream Marketplace held July 18 near the corner of 7th and…
Voter registration deadline is July 28 for primary election
Citizens older than 18 are encouraged to register to vote COCONINO COUNTY — The deadline for Coconino County residents to register to vote in the Aug. 26 Primary Election is Monday, July 28. To register, an individual must be a U.S.…
Bilingual report: Friends of Flagstaff’s Future to present 2014 City Council Campaign Forum on July 24
FLAGSTAFF — Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) will present a forum for City Council and Mayoral Candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Flagstaff High School, 400 W. Elm Ave., Flagstaff. The forum will give voters an opportunity to get to know…
Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff to perform July 25 at Heritage Square, Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — Summer Nights on the Square presents Downtown Friday Nights featuring performances by Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff and Jimmy DeBlois from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff. Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff is a local group of people…
Bilingual report: Mercado de los Sueños / Dream Marketplace to be held on July 18
FLAGSTAFF — The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and NAU will present the Mercado de los Sueños/Dream Marketplace with local artists, live music, local vendors and diverse multi-cultural artisans and crafters from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18. Mercado de los Sueños is a…
Bilingual report: Flagstaff Back to School Fair to be held July 19 at Flagstaff Family Food Center
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Back to School Health and Safety Fair will be FROM 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, 1903 N. Second St., Flagstaff. Organizers report the event features: No cost backpacks, school…
Bilingual report: No Dream Deferred Action application drive to be held July 19
FLAGSTAFF — The No Dream Deferred Action application drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff, organizers reported in a media release. Required documents include: Birth certificate…
Free ‘Concert in the Park’ presented by Hermosa Vida to be held July 9 in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and Hermosa Vida will sponsor a free outdoor concert from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at Bushmaster Park, 3150 N. Alta Vista, Flagstaff. The event is part of a series of concerts on…
July cover story / Portada: Education top issue for Hispanics
Higher tuition at NAU, CCC, cuts in programs at community college level pose challenges for first-generation students By Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ Immigration reform may lead in the headlines, but it’s not the top issue for Hispanics. According to Pew Research…
Student housing project at Arrowhead Village put on hold, for now
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — It was standing-room-only when the Flagstaff City Council held two days of public comment on the proposed student housing project on the current site of the Arrowhead Village Mobile…
Commentary / Comentario: Bringing excellence to education
By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The ideas were almost bouncing off the walls, courtesy of giant Post-it notes and magic markers. • Convincing parents of the value of education from the minute their children make their first appearance in…
Local / Locales
The monsoon rains will soon be here and the City of Flagstaff Stormwater Management Section would like to make the public aware of precautions and services provided by the city. Streets flood quickly and a car can float in as…
Health / Salud: Public Health and you – Picnics, barbecues and food safety tips
Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Marlene Gaither / Coconino County Environmental Health Program manager Summer is the season for picnics and cookouts, but these outdoor activities can present food…
Finances / Finanzas: Social Security: Retirement benefits – Part 1
By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Social Security provides several benefits, including retirement, disability and survivor benefits, among others. Regarding beneficiaries, some relatives of the eligible person (spouses, former spouses, children and even parents) could also…
Mariachi Mass brings community together at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
Hover over each image to see a description. AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — With heavenly mariachi music coming from above, more than 150 people took part in a special Mariachi Mass held on Sunday, June 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe…