In December, Coconino County Supervisor for District 2, Jeronimo Vasquez, shared his story with us about how connections to the outdoors can empower our communities and instill a legacy of stewardship. He writes: “The time I spent outdoors left a profound impact on me, instilling a legacy of stewardship that I hope to pass on to my children, and to my community.”
To read this blog post, click here.
Alfonso Ortiz Tirado was an opera singer and medical doctor born in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico in 1893. His obvious musical talent surfaced early in his life but nevertheless he decided to study medicine. It is in this capacity as a doctor that he is remembered by his many charitable contributions to the Mexican people, especially children. He also had a successful international career as an opera singer, earning the designation of “Tenor of the Americas”.
After a one-year hiatus required by Covid 19, the 37th Annual Music Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado happened this year in his birthplace of Alamos to pay homage to its illustrious son. The festival sponsored renowned local, national, and international musicians in numerous styles such as opera, classical music, popular music, and rhythm and blues, and also presented an important way for emerging performers to develop networks and foster their reputation.
The Arizona State Parks Board has selected Coconino Parks and Recreation as a recipient of a 2022 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Grant, in the amount of $923,306 for the Fort Tuthill Improvement Project.
The Fort Tuthill Improvement Project will provide greater outdoor recreation opportunities to park visitors by improving two parking lot surfaces at Fort Tuthill County Park. The park has seen an increase in winter recreation use, which requires parking lots to be plowed continuously during the winter to ensure visitor access and safety, which deteriorates the life of the parking lot surface. Prior to resurfacing the south parking lot, a new sewer line will be installed, to aid in future campground improvements. More than 15,000 campers each year are served by a septic system and leach field. Moving the campground sewer connection is the preferred option in the future. A walkway to the popular outdoor amphitheater will also be improved.
We’ve gotten new guidance this week from the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce pertaining to vaccinations for federal employees. This information is the result of legal challenges related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The new guidance instructs us to take no action to enforce or implement the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. All the other guidance on protocols related to masking, distancing, travel, testing, and quarantine—remains in effect.
Did you ever wonder who makes up the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce? This group is led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Task Force members include: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the United States Secret Service (USSS). For more information, visit: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/.
The people of Greater Flagstaff are ready to find solutions to our biggest problems. That’s why MetroPlan is bringing communities together to build our region’s long-term transportation plan, Stride Forward. This plan will direct regional transportation investments for the next 20 years.
MetroPlan is the Flagstaff region’s transportation planning agency. It is made up of public agency partners from across the Flagstaff region and working alongside residents to create the finest transportation system in the country.
Transportation is central to the daily lives of Flagstaff area residents and visitors. Planning (and lots of it) keeps the bus system moving, builds the roads, and clears the trails. The region is growing fast, and planning will help get it right. Stride Forward is a journey into transportation planning, and every resident is called to be a part of it.
During the Jan 25 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council heard an update on the Lone Tree Overpass project and future intersection improvements for Butler Avenue and Lone Tree Road. The Council gave direction to investigate refinement of an intersection design that has five lanes on each leg and protective elements for bicycle and pedestrian travel, in accordance with the City’s draft Active Transportation Master Plan. The Council also directed staff to analyze the feasibility of a north/ south oriented bridge over Butler Avenue for bicyclists and pedestrians. This intersection size and design highlights the effort to balance pedestrian and bicycle safety and the City’s climate action goals with the goal to efficiently move vehicular travel.
Despite a global pandemic, he and his staff were instrumental in getting Coconino Community College’s Automotive Technician program running.
That’s why Robby Findlay, director of operations for the Findlay Automotive Group, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award at CCC.
“What an unbelievable honor,” he said. “I know how much the college has done for the community, and it’s such an honor CCC is commending me and our auto group.”
During the Jan 25 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council decided that council meetings will remain fully virtual for the time being due to high numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community. The City Council will continue to reevaluate the format of council meetings during regularly scheduled COVID-19 updates at future council meetings.
Members of the public can stream Council meetings at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
She’s focused on work, school, and family.
Coconino Community College student Nizhoni Nez lives in Page with her family while she works at CCC and takes courses to accomplish her plan of getting her Political Science degree.
“My plans with that degree are to get into the NAU pre-law program and hopefully work towards a degree in law,” Nez said during the interview at the CCC Page Center. “It’s something I’ve always talked about with my father.”
She was worried about coming back to school after a leap year, she said, but due to hard work and the great communication she has with her teachers, she is doing great in her classes.
NAU is offering a new study abroad program starting this summer—one that will take students out of the classroom and challenge them to interact with the world in new ways. South America NAU will allow students of all majors to do community outreach, interact with different cultures and do hands-on work in climate change, sustainable tourism, anthropology and other big questions of our day.
Students—interested in studying abroad? Find the program that meets your personal, educational and financial needs at Education Abroad.
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This Tuesday (Jan. 24), City Council will be selecting a design alternative for the intersection of Butler Ave. and Lone Tree in association with the planned Lone Tree Overpass road extension.
We need you to comment at the virtual City Council meeting on Jan. 25th.
The design alternatives for the intersection of Butler and Lone Tree prioritize vehicles over other modes of transportation such as walking and biking. The intersection designs are overbuilt, provide inadequate protection for bicyclists and pedestrians, and are in conflict with the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.
President Cruz Rivera gives a video update on the United Way of Northern Arizona campaign and discusses his week, which included meetings with students and council members, MLK Day celebrations and reflections and his work with the Arizona Senate.
When we look at the outcomes, the past year was a powerful reminder of all that we can do when we work together.
Because you Stepped Up for Our Community either as a donor, an advocate or a volunteer, we collectively did more than ever before to advance:
Early childhood education
Positive youth development
Basic services that strengthened our social safety net.
But that leaves us with a very important question:
How can we make 2022 even better?
NPS Mask Policy reminders
The current National Park Service mask policy, which follows the CDC recommendation is that everyone wear a mask that is over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status in the following settings:
In all NPS buildings and in congregate office settings; the only exception is when you are alone in a private, walled and closed door space;
Crowded outdoor spaces identified in the Grand Canyon Superintendent’s Compendium (pages 5-6), and
In all forms of enclosed public transportation, which includes Grand Canyon shuttle buses, and all government vehicles and aircraft.
What qualifies as a mask according to the NPS and CDC are masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric, completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps, and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. For the latest information on types of masks and respirators, please visit the CDC’s website here.
In this edition…
Message from Sup. Vasquez
Siren Instillation in Museum Flood Area
Museum Flood Area Crisis Response Funding
Sheriff’s Office Tour
Redistricting Update
Services and Programs
And more!
Message from Supervisor Vasquez
They all arrive as if they are arriving for work – on time. They are all smiles as they meet Jen Green-Vance, president and CEO of Strides 2 Thrive and Elevated Shredding.
“With these guys and girls, it’s amazing,” Green-Vance said, after hugging or talking with each one of her clients. “And our job is to help them grow and thrive and achieve their best life possible.”
Green-Vance and her husband Joe Vance specialize in offering services to people with disabilities in the Flagstaff area. From assisted-living and day services to job training and skills acquisition, they offer opportunity to people with a range of disabilities.
And with the help of the Coconino Small Business Development Center, Green-Vance secured the funding to build facilities for their growing businesses – Strides 2 Thrive and Elevated Shredding.
We had a busy and productive 2021!
By the Numbers
Our membership increased to 355 at year’s end, an increase of 255%.
Our revenue increased from a combination of memberships, appeals, and grants.
Other important numbers for 2021 include:
View the SNOW-ometer to check the snow accumulation in Flagstaff, Arizona at various winter attractions: Arizona Snowbowl, AZ Nordic Village, Flagstaff Snow Park and Flagstaff Visitor Center in downtown.
Coconino County is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.
If attending an indoor, in-person gathering, masks should be worn.
As COVID-19 transmission increases, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) advises evaluating the need for large gatherings and postponing in-person meetings/gatherings/events, when possible, until community transmission declines.
CCHHS recommends the following precautions to minimize COVID-19 risk, keep children in school, and our economy open:
Sedona Arts Center Member Artists of all levels, working in all mediums are invited to enter into our Annual Juried Members Exhibition & Sale. Awards will be announced virtually by email and on social media. Now is your chance to jury into this established and much anticipated exhibit.
Environment for the Americas (EFTA)’s Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeking an applicant for a biology assistant for the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon.
The application period for the 2022 internship positions is open until January 23, 2022.
Remember, as a Mosaics intern, you will be required to:
Work in the park for a minimum of 11 weeks
Attend a Leadership and Career Workshop in the beginning of August
Attend program webinars
Submit written blogs
Participate enthusiastically in all of the project activities!
Whether you call it the Great Resignation, the Big Quit, or the American Job Reshuffle, the challenge is real for companies trying to attract and retain employees. The tumultuous changes due to Covid resulted in a restless workforce that is redefining what they are looking for in their place of employment.
And if they don’t find it – either in their current job or when they apply for a new position – they will move on to the next opportunity.
Winter provides a welcome lull in the year, when we all can take a moment after the busy holidays to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. At MNA the exhibit building has moved to a reduced schedule for the winter, but there’s no reduction in the activity behind the scenes as staff prepare for new exhibitions to open in the spring and a return of favorite summer programs. We are also in the midst of a Strategic Plan that will define MNA’s priorities for the coming years.
Of course, bringing in new exhibitions means saying goodbye to some of the existing exhibitions, so now is a wonderful time to come see Journey to Balance and Liberating Landscape. We also have many fascinating online programs coming up that will share aspects of our archives, collections, and recent research.
The fall semester was exciting—it was President Cruz Rivera’s first at NAU and the first in-person semester for our Class of 2025 and Class of 2026, our researchers made groundbreaking discoveries, we expanded our world-class faculty, celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Native American Cultural Center, cheered as NAU Cross Country won its fifth title and NAU Football beat the Arizona Wildcats, and so much more. Phew! President Cruz Rivera talks about his favorite memories of the fall—including the best moment so far at NAU. Can he do it in less than four minutes?
On Monday, NAU will honor the life and mission of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who dedicated his life to the nonviolent but unending march for civil rights. The day’s events include a celebration, a march and a day of service to support the Flagstaff community. Volunteers can participate in a day “on” with opportunities at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, Hope Cottage, the Sunshine Rescue Mission and the Murdoch Center.
She’s all about “big data” and family.
Coconino Community College student Johanna Hawley moved to Flagstaff from her home on the Navajo Nation in order to get the education she needs to satisfy her goal of getting a Computer Science degree and being a data analyst.
“I want to be able to provide for my parents and family,” Hawley said in between classes at the Lone Tree Campus. “My goal is to have my parents retire and me be the breadwinner.”
All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, dispatch, patrol, and detention will be open. Records will be open on Monday, January 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with limited staffing. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-1414 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch.
There’s no doubt that Northern Arizona University plays a huge role in our community. In addition to being Flagstaff’s largest employer, it is the home of thousands of students who live, work and study here.
NAU is also a major player in local philanthropic efforts, including its annual workplace campaign to support United Way of Northern Arizona.
This year, NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera successfully challenged the university’s community to boost its contributions to UWNA, increasing their campaign goal from $25,000 to $35,000.
“NAU stepped up for community and for that I’m grateful,” he said.
Because NAU met the new goal, President Cruz Rivera authorized another $10,000 donation from the Office of the President, making NAU’s total contribution this year $45,000.
This weekend is your last chance to submit a Viola Awards nomination or to apply to be a Viola Awards Panelist!
Viola Awards Panelists have the important job of determining the finalists & winners of the awards. We encourage past Panelists, Finalists, Winners, Industry Experts, and Enthusiastic Community Members to apply. Get more involved and help shape the Viola Awards. The Panelist Application is easy to fill out and can be found here.
What did you see, hear, feel, or experience in Flagstaff in 2021? Who do you feel greatly impacted our creative community? Help us recognize excellence in our community by submitting a nomination here.
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, South Rim fire managers were successful in treating 10 acres of woody debris piles near the South Entrance station. This pile burning will continue over the next several months, as conditions allow, and will take place between the South Entrance Station and Desert View Drive Junction (mile markers 238-240).
Prescribed fire plays a vital role in decreasing wildfire risks to life, resources and property by reducing available hazardous fuels. Fire staff carefully plan prescribed fires, initiating them only under environmental conditions that are favorable to assuring firefighter and visitor safety and to achieving desired objectives.
During the January 11 Council meeting, the City Council approved the City of Flagstaff’s Re-entry Team recommendation to remain in Phase 3 of the City’s Re-entry Plan, with site-specific adjustments made to the Aquaplex pool, City libraries and the Jay Lively Activity Center/ Ice Arena. The Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center will be closed temporarily. All other City operations remain unchanged.
Site-specific immediate adjustments include:
Cutwater presents a Welcome Back NAU Silent Disco live at the historic Orpheum Theater. 9 p.m.
City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 18 with hours of 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day include:
The Fall 2021 semester was a big one for NAU—it brought new leadership, a return to fully in-person activities, another national championship and a new look to the university newsletter. Reread some of our most popular stories from the semester and share your news with us to help us start the new year strong.
The Coconino Community College District Governing Board voted to move forward with an election to reset the primary property tax rate for the community college district.
The issue was voted on by the board members during the board’s Dec. 8 meeting.
The special election is scheduled for May 17, 2022. The election was made possible by the Arizona Legislature in 2018 with the amended Arizona Revised Statute 42-17056 to permit CCC to resubmit a proposed property tax levy for approval by the voters in an amount less than or equal to two times the otherwise authorized levy amount.
On January 4, 2021, I was sworn in as your Coconino County District 1 Supervisor. I took my oath of office amid a worldwide pandemic that resulted in the closing of businesses and government offices, creating virtual classrooms to educate our kids, and masking and social distancing. The economic outlook was bleak, and we were all trying to adjust and cope with this new reality.
There was a bright light on the horizon as modern science, with lightning speed, developed a vaccine to fight this virus. In fact, on the day of my swearing-in, Coconino County Health and Human Services (HHS) administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in our County.
Coconino County’s Finance Department recently received the
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award.
The award represents a significant achievement for the Coconino County Finance Department, reflecting the commitment to meeting the highest principles of 7governmental budgeting.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors announced the appointment of Theresa Hatathlie to fill the vacant seat in Legislative District 7 during a Special Session on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Hatathlie.
Ms. Hatathlie is a lifelong resident of Coalmine, Arizona. She currently serves as the Logistics Coordinator for Yee Ha’ólníi Doo Navajo and Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund. Hatathlie was previously employed by the Tuba City Unified School District as Human Resources Director. She has also represented the Western Navajo Agency of the Navajo Nation as a Board of Regent for Diné College.
Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Flagstaff City Council has decided that the January 11, 18 and 25 City Council meetings will be held virtually with no in-person attendance at City Hall or Council Chambers. Members of the public can stream these Council meetings at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.
Members of the public may also give verbal public comment during the meetings using the link posted on the agenda. Agendas can be viewed at http://cityweb.flagstaffaz.gov/agendaquick/agenda_publish.cfm.
On Christmas Day, astronomers and planetary scientists around the world watched as a telescope 20 years in the making was launched into space. NASA called the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope one of the most exciting developments in astronomy in the 21st century. For the astronomers, planetary scientists and students at NAU, the launch of this massive observatory, and the information it will transmit back to Earth, is an important step in advancing our understanding of the solar system.
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On the one year commemoration of the January 6th Capitol insurrection, Voto Latino President and CEO Maria Teresa Kumar, issued the following statement:
“Today marks one year since insurrectionists stormed the Capitol in an effort to overthrow the results of a verified, fair and free 2020 presidential election, generating unprecedented chaos and resulting in the deaths of five people. They tried to stymie a peaceful transfer of power. The attempted coup at the Capitol was the most anti-democratic visible display in a larger effort to subvert American elections and partisan attempts to stop eligible voters from casting their ballots.
“The events of January 6th and the profoundly irresponsible actions espoused by twice impeached Donald Trump and his supporters continues to poison faith in American democratic processes and institutions. In the coming days, Congress has an opportunity to safeguard our most precious right to guarantee the thriving American experiment: – equal access to the voting booth for every eligible citizen regardless of color or creed.
The Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites Flagstaff residents to join a Climate Advisory Group to guide the implementation of the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan and bring community voices into local climate action.
Climate Advisory Groups will bring youth, businesses, and equity leaders together to drive climate solutions. Members of the Climate Advisory Groups will provide advice and recommendations:
Realizing the demand for vaccines is still high in the community, Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team is planning two separate events over two days this week. The County event will have all types of vaccines (first, second, third, and boosters for J&J, Moderna, Pfizer) and will have the pediatric Pfizer doses (first and second) for children ages 5-11-years-old.
The Strengthening Indigenous Student Success (SISS) Retention Advisor assists the Program Coordinator in the management of the grant-funded Strengthening Indigenous Student Success project. This position will be located on the Page Center in beautiful Page, AZ. This position is a full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible position.
One in five students at Coconino Community College is Native American.
Often, the Native American students who arrive at CCC are the first in their family to pursue a college education and may also come from challenging economic situations. As a result, they may face barriers in obtaining a college degree.
In an effort to increase Native American student course success, completion rates and a sense of belonging in the college community, CCC has received a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Called the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) grant, the funds will be distributed over a five-year period.
“CCC values the sacred land on which we live and serve and the indigenous peoples who have inhabited it for centuries,” said CCC Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. “One in five students at CCC is Native American, and we look forward to providing these students with culturally responsive teaching, enhanced support, and interpersonal connections to help them be successful in their studies.”
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
Happy New Year Coconino Community College partners and friends,
Everyone is invited and welcome to attend the two-day, in-person New Student Orientation at Coconino Community College presented by CCC Adult Education.
Adult Basic Education for College & Careers
New Student Orientation
We welcome the interest and participation of Flagstaff residents in Youth, Business, and Equity Climate Advisory Groups.
Learn more about each advisory group and how to apply below.
Below is the schedule for all of Goodwill’s classes in January. As a reminder, Digital Literacy, and now Financial Literacy, can be taken online at your own pace. For details on signing up, please call 928-556-5096 or come in the Career Center to register. Select courses and additional career webinars are also offered on My Career Advisor.
I am now taking registration for all classes. Registration is required beforehand.
Flagstaff 365 Happenings are pre scheduled by the event holders on the 365 Calendar of events, cancellations may be possible. Please check with the event host before making plans to attend.
Cancer Support Arizona in Flagstaff is seeking to fill a position.
Candidates sought must:
Demonstrated results in designing, launching, expanding, and improving development programs with wide range of support from the community.
Track record of being resourceful to obtain financial and human support.
Able to learn quickly and proficiently to use multiple technology applications to manage projects,
The City of Flagstaff will provide public comment opportunities for final 10-year Housing Plan on Jan. 27 at the City Housing Commission Meeting and Feb. 15, 2022 at the City Council Meeting.
The Draft 10-Year Housing Plan’s public comment period has officially closed. The community forum garnered 327 responses. Coupling these with the comments received through the presentations and community outreach, there are more than 600 written comments. Housing and Comprehensive Planners are working to review and categorize the comments.
The public is invited to attend a virtual open house on the Utility Scale Renewable Energy Ordinance (REO) Draft on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The draft ordinance will be available for review and comment on the open house site beginning February 9 through February 16, 2022.
Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom-based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week running through March 8th. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available. This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.
To enroll in BBE please reply attaching a completed application and other documentation.
Goodwill of Central and Northern AZ will hold a virtual job fair at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.
The Kentucky Derby Fundraiser presented by PNC Bank is back, May 7th at High Country Conference Center.
Enjoy some hors d’oeuvres, a mint julep and much more. There will be live music, a silent auction, live auction and of course watching of the Kentucky Derby. Don’t forget we are giving prizes for Best Dressed and Best Hat!
So grab your hats and get your tickets today! You don’t want to miss the greatest 2 minutes in sports. www.bgcflag.org
