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.

Coconino Community College joins Arizona in celebrating adult literacy

Feb. 9-15 proclaimed as Arizona Adult Literacy Week FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College is joining others across Arizona to celebrate Arizona Adult Literacy Week, Feb. 9-15, as proclaimed by Gov. Jan Brewer, the college reported in a media release. “It…

SB1070 policy meeting to be held Feb. 6 at Killip Elementary

FLAGSTAFF — A community meeting to discuss a change in the Flagstaff Police Department’s policy on SB1070 will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at W.F. Killip Elementary School in the Sunnyside Neighborhood of Flagstaff. The meeting will include…

February cover story / Portada: A romantic time of year

February is a perfect time to think about romance, finalizing wedding plans Editor’s note: Time is running short to finalize both your plans for a romantic Valentine’s Day and be more creative as you finalize plans for your wedding. Here…

Commentary / Comentario: An opportunity to talk

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ For community policing, it’s a fine balance between gathering information to investigate crimes and maintaining trust with a segment of society that previously viewed law enforcement in other places with suspicion, if not downright…

Local / Locales

The City of Flagstaff has released results of its “2013 Citizen Survey,” which addressed issues from quality of life and community, shopping and transportation, to city government satisfaction of services, city officials reported in a media release. Quality of City…

Health / Salud: WIC: Celebrating 40 years of strengthening families

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Lorraine Ornelas / Coconino County Public Health Services District WIC program manager The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) has helped millions of the nation’s…

Health / Salud: The Affordable Care Act: How to choose a plan

By David Parra / Associate state director — AARP Arizona Among other benefits, the Affordable Care Act makes it possible for people who previously had no access to health insurance to now have access to coverage. If you have coverage…

Family / Familia: Overnight accommodations for wedding guests

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) When your parents or grandparents got married, there was a good chance that their closest relatives and friends lived nearby – in the neighborhood. Attending the wedding was easy, and everyone headed home afterward. This…

Home / Casa: Make your home safer for children

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  According to the Home Safety Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing home injuries, half of the children who die before their first birthday die from choking or suffocation. Many times such tragedies can be…

Fashion / Moda: Expert tips for special-occasion hair styles

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Special occasions and parties crop up over the course of a typical year. Be it weddings, birthday parties or anniversary galas, friends and families often gather to celebrate especially momentous events. Part of the excitement…

Residents urged to attend Jan. 21 Flagstaff City Council meeting on proposed resident dislocation ordinance

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 to discuss adding to a future city council agenda a proposed Resident Dislocation Ordinance, the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council reported in a media release. The proposed…

Screening ‘State of Arizona’ documentary to be held Jan. 23 at NAU

FLAGSTAFF — The Latin American Studies Committee at Northern Arizona University will present a free sneak peak preview of the new documentary film the “State of Arizona” (2013) directed by Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at NAU…

NAIC to present ‘Celebration of Community’ fundraiser on Jan. 26

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council will present its “Celebration of Community” fundraiser from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. The event is designed to bring the community together…

NAIC, NAICL to meet Jan. 8 in Sedona

SEDONA — Open board meetings for Northern Arizona Interfaith Council and Northern Arizona Institutions for Community Leadership will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 at the Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona. “We…

Commentary / Comentario: Leadership project earns award

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Congratulations are in order. It began as a way to get students involved in creating the leaders of tomorrow. Known as the Manifesto Project, the effort launched in early 2013 was recently presented with…

Local / Locales

Coconino County Community Services will present its “Basic Business Empowerment” class from Jan. 11 through March 11 at the Coconino County Health and Community Services Building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff. The classes will provide information on creating a business feasibility…

Health / Salud: Cold weather pet, livestock safety tips

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Sabrina Kelley / Coconino County Animal Program manager During the cold winter months, the Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management Program is…

Health / Salud: Healthy resolutions for the year ahead

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As the calendar turns to a new year, the focus of men and women often shifts as well. After the hectic holiday season has come and gone, many people re-dedicate themselves to their personal health…

Home / Casa: How to floodproof your home

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  Homeowners know no home is perfect. While the notion of a dream house is nice, every home eventually experiences a problem or two. Many problems are bound to occur sooner or later, but there are…

Food / Cocina: Healthier ways to cook comfort foods

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  With the arrival of colder weather, people often turn to hearty foods to fill up and keep the body warm. Too often, however, so-called comfort foods tend to be big on fat and calories as…

Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) to present training on Dec. 19 at Killip Elementary School

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) will present a “Relational Meeting and Cycle of Organizing Training” from 5:30 to 7  p.m. Thursday,  Dec. 19 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th St., Flagstaff, Room 14. The training will be immediately followed…

Bilingual report: Sedona City Council to consider comprehensive immigration reform resolution on Dec. 10

SEDONA — The Sedona City Council will consider a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 102 Roadrunner Drive, Sedona, the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC). A similar resolution was passed by the…

Commentary / Comentario: Celebrating the season

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The holidays have always been a special time to be thankful for what we have, give to those who need a hand and celebrate the season in music and culture. One of my most…

Local / Locales

Free diabetes and health, provided by the Northern Arizona Diabetes — Heart Connect and Diabetes programs, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Flagstaff Public Library East Campus, 3000 N. 4th St.; from…

Meetings / Reuniones

The Sunnyside Marketplace will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Dec. 18 in the gymnasium at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. The indoor marketplace is designed to incubate and support the economic growth…

Health / Salud: Food safety during the holiday season

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by the Coconino County Public Health Services District. By Marlene Gaither / Coconino County Public Health Services District Environmental Health Program Manager Turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are part of many holiday celebrations,…

Health / Salud: North Country HealthCare to help individuals, families enroll in health insurance

Editor’s note: The following commentary is provided by North Country HealthCare. By Katie Brock & Dr. Eric Henley / North Country HealthCare The Health Insurance Marketplace opened on Oct. 1; however, many may be confused by their options and might…

Home / Casa: 5 signs your roof might be wearing down

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Replacing a roof is a costly venture few homeowners look forward to. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2010-11 “Cost vs. Value” report, the national average cost of a roof replacement is nearly $22,000, a costly endeavor…

Family / Familia: Kids can make resolutions, too

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) New Year’s resolutions are made so adults can improve their lives in the year to come. But nowhere does it say resolutions are exclusive to adults. In fact, kids can make New Year’s resolutions and…

Finance / Finanzas: Don’t let Christmas dinner be a budget-buster

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  Many people worry about the expenses of the holidays. Individuals who are already pinching pennies and putting as much toward gifts as possible may want to keep holiday entertaining costs low. It’s possible to do…

Food / Cocina: Host a merry, memorable holiday party

By Metro Editorial Services (MS)  The holidays are the most festive time of the year, and no holiday season is complete without a party or two with family and friends. Be it to celebrate a religious holiday or to ring…

Bilingual report: ‘Health Care Information Night’ to be held Nov. 19 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — A health care information night, with information presented primarily in Spanish, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19  at Restauración en Cristo Congregation, 624 S. O’Leary St. (en Spring Hill Baptist Church), Flagstaff. Have you had trouble…

Arizona Speaks! gathering in Sedona on Nov. 21 to support immigration reform

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) will be participating in Arizona Speaks!, a statewide series of assemblies calling for federal immigration reform, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona. Simultaneous assemblies will…

Winslow gets into the spirit with Día de los Muertos celebration

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) returned to Winslow on Nov. 2 , 2013 when Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented the lively celebration of remembering the departed…

Día de los Muertos celebrated in Winslow

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Nov. 2 , 2013 at Snowdrift Art Space in downtown Winslow. Members…

Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…

Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the public…

Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum…

GED adult education classes to begin again at Killip Elementary School. Orientation meeting set for Nov. 7

FLAGSTAFF — GED adult education classes will begin again at Killip Elementary School, the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council Industrial Areas Foundation reported in a media release. “Thanks to the work of Killip staff, parents, and NAICL leaders, adult education is up…

Coconino County voters deny CCC’s request for override

Seven-year $4.5 million override would have helped maintain College’s core missions FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County voters on Tuesday, Nov. 5, denied Coconino Community College’s request to fund a seven-year $4.5 million override, the institution reported Wednesday in a media release. The…

Bilingual report: Coconino Community College officials await results of Nov. 5 election

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College held its final informational open house at Coconino High School on Oct. 30. The session was designed to answer questions about the college’s finances and the upcoming override initiative on the Nov. 5 election ballot.…

“2013 Coconino County Community and Family Vitality Survey” now available in Spanish

FLAGSTAFF — The Laboratory for Applied Social Research (LASR) at Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey to better understand the community’s “capacity to live, grow, and develop with a purposeful existence.” It was announced this week that the survey will…

Community enjoys opening night at 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct.…

November Cover Story / Portada: Families fighting to keep homes

Arrowhead Village residents battle to keep property from becoming student housing By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Timing is everything — in business, relationships and life. For the developers of a proposed student housing project in west Flagstaff, the day…

Bilingual commentary: Residents begin first of many battles

By Roxana Cardiel De Niz and Anamaria Velasco Ortiz The community at Arrowhead Village Trailer Park in the center of Flagstaff is on the verge of being destroyed over a student housing development. This project is one that Landmark Properties,…

Local / Locales

The Sunnyside Marketplace will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Dec. 18 in the gymnasium at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. The indoor marketplace is designed to incubate and support the economic growth…

Travel / Viajes: The charms Rancho de Chimayó

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Pale pink, lighter than the color of ballet slippers, is not a color that I expect to find in a Mexican restaurant. Yet I am sitting outdoors at a table dressed…

Home / Casa: How to get a home organized

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) When colder weather arrives, many people stay indoors and fight the harsh weather with hot chocolate and heating systems. It’s no surprise, then, that most homes accumulate quite the amount of clutter over the course…

Finance / Finanzas: Things to consider before buying auto insurance

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Auto insurance is necessary for anyone who drives. Though some places allow motorists to drive without insurance, doing so is an unnecessary risk, one that could prove costly should an accident occur. When purchasing auto…

Food / Cocina: Figuring the turkey-to-person ratio

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Thanksgiving holds different meanings for different people. Some feel it is a day for being generous or giving thanks through unselfish deeds. Others feel it is a time to sit around with family sharing stories…