Category: Commentary

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 10th Edition

by Community Contributor • March 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Springtime is about renewal a time for life to re-emerge and start the cycle of life all over again. It is the calm after the storm, the dawn of light after prolonged darkness. It is a time to fortify ourselves, and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming year. We have lots of work to do moving forward. We must be prepared for the new monsoon season. Make the tough decisions around local county Redistricting. Make the financial decisions for the county budget for FY 2023. There is a midterm election where our citizens have some decisions to make about their elected officials and different bonds to support programs for our county. As the Board of Supervisors, we have the duty to listen to our constituents and lead our county through these trying times. After severing as supervisor for a year, I am honored to now serve the county as Vice Chair. It is my responsibility to provide leadership to our county staff and the citizen of our county. I am committed to growing into my new role and advocating for all Coconino County.

Supporters for a Thriving CCC — Coconino Communty College needs our support!

by Community Contributor • March 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Coconino Community College (CCC) improves the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education, and the community wants the college to continue preparing our residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow. But if we don’t fix a dire funding situation before it’s too late, CCC won’t be able to provide the programs vital to the success of our region.

Jeronimo Vazquez celebrates one-year anniversary as Coconino County District 2 supervisor

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

By Ruth Eaton

Congratulations! Felicidades! Happy Supervisor Day! — Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino County Board of Supervisor

Today the community District 2 and Supervisor Jeronimo celebrated the February 12th one year anniversary at Ponderosa Park.

It was only one year ago February 12, 2021 that this outstanding Hispanic Leader came on Board the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.

We, the Hispanic community want to congratulate him for a year of great achievements.

Latino Outdoors — Yo Cuento: Bajo Los Redwoods

by Community Contributor • February 14, 2022 • Comments Off

In 2021, Latino Outdoors leaders from around the United States gathered along California’s north coast for our annual leadership campout following a year of physical distance. Bajos Los Redwoods provides insight into our experience in community and connection.

United Way of Northern Arizona — (Video) The Programs You Support

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2022 • Comments Off

There is so much your donation supports when you Step Up and donate to United Way of Northern Arizona.

Like QCKids, the program featured in the video above. Families who have children with disabilities often have difficulty finding care that will prepare their children for kindergarten. The problem is compounded for low-income families, many of whom have difficulty finding affordable, quality child care at all.

QCKids provides a program for children from infancy to 6 years with a focus on identifying and addressing cognitive, physical, social, intellectual and emotional disabilities in order to support learning at a young age to help them better prepare for their future.

The NAU Review — Celebrating Black History Month, recognizing CEIAS diversity efforts and Team Rubicon

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2022 • Comments Off

NAU is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Black history this month. These are opportunities for all of the NAU community to learn about diverse cultural traditions and honor and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to society while raising awareness of their struggles of the past and present.
Read the story

African Diaspora Advisory Council Announces Black History Month Essay and Art Contest

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC) is now accepting entries for the Black History Month Essay and Art Contest.

The contest is open to all students in Coconino County. Submissions will center around the theme of Black Health and Wellness and must be received by February 20, 2022.

“This is our tenth year holding the essay contest, and our first adding the art contest. It’s a joy to see how our young people will engage with the theme. The theme this year is ‘Black Health and Wellness,’ so we are inviting students the option to engage through recognition and celebration of that theme and Black healthcare heroes and heroines. We greatly look forward to seeing what the students of Coconino County have to say in words and art,” said Khara House Chair of ADAC.

CCC — The Comet — ‘A quick word from the President’ and more news

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Thirty years ago, Coconino Community College was born.

The birth was a two-step process: First, voters had to decide if they wanted to form a community college district; second, they had to decide to fund the district with property taxes.

Both measures passed, and CCC was born to serve the residents of Coconino County.

However, that is not the end of the story – only the beginning. A challenge came about with the formation of the college that has grown as the college has grown over time. The percentage of property taxes to help run the college is, by far, the lowest offered to any community college district in the state of Arizona. Initially, the college was able to overcome that challenge with the assistance of state funding and fees from tuition. In the last 30 years, the state funding has diminished considerably. Members of the governing board and the college communities have met the challenge of that initial underfunding with incredible efforts to do “more with less.”

Before she left office, state Sen. Sylvia Allen, after seeing the amazing stories of success being experienced by CCC students, decided to take forward an amendment to state law in 2018 that would allow community colleges to ask the voters to decide if they would support an increase to their primary property tax rate in order to bring the college somewhat closer to parity with other community colleges in the state. The governing board has decided now is the time to ask (see related story).

In a special election on May 17, voters will consider an increase to their primary property tax rate. If the voters approve, the tax rate will still be below all the other community colleges; however, it will provide an opportunity to meet many of the demands for career and technical programs and short-term training requested by business and industry throughout Coconino County.

Onward! Náás! Adelante!

Colleen Smith, PhD

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — In Memory of Joe Shannon

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2022 • Comments Off

Joe Shannon, PhD, a long-time member of F3 and the Flagstaff community, passed away peacefully at home on January 18 after a long illness. He was 64. Joe was a river ecologist, and an accomplished outdoorsman and athlete. For many years he was the Chair of the local Chapter of the Sierra Club. He was a strong supporter of F3 and frequently spoke before the Flagstaff City Council in favor of policies that would make Flagstaff a more environmentally sustainable community.

AARP Hispanic Connection — First update of the year

by Community Contributor • January 28, 2022 • Comments Off

I trust you and yours are doing well! …as well as can be, given the circumstances.

This is our first update of the year. We, as I’m sure many of you, are working on our plans to deliver services and products that benefit our communities, in my particular case, Hispanic/Latinos.

In 2022 we will continue with our radio/FB live shows on Salud, Dinero y Amistad, a show where we address Social Security, Medicare, healthcare in general, finances, fraud and scams, retirement preparation and other current issues. We have done 4 shows so far (all with Finances as the underlying concept); as you know, the videos can be accessed on our FB page at www.facebook.com/aarparizonahispanicconnection.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Jan. 24-28, 2022 — ‘Safer Federal Workforce Update’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2022 • Comments Off

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 NAU Review — ‘For the love of STEM’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2022 • Comments Off

Is kindergarten too young for students to get excited about STEM? No way, says assistant professor Morgan Vigil-Hayes, who is partnering with FUSD to develop a curriculum to get K-5 Native American students doing fun learning activities that focus on math and computational thinking.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Action Alert: Your Comments to Council Needed this Tuesday

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

The NAU Review — Recognizing Cristina Thomas’ leadership, GSG president Rebecca Seeger and a program to find students’ talents

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Meet a Local Scientist: Planetary Scientist Lucas McClure🔭🪐

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2022 • Comments Off

An emerging star in the field of planetary science, Lucas McClure is a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University, with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with an astronomy concentration from the University of Tennessee.

United Way of Northern Arizona — How Do We Make 2022 Even Better?

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2022 • Comments Off

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?

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Jan. 17-21, 2022

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 7th Edition — Happy New Year and best wishes for a great 2022!

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2022 • Comments Off

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

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future Releases 2021 Annual Report!

by Community Contributor • January 20, 2022 • Comments Off

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:

The NAU Review — Top 10 moments of Fall 2021, MLK Day and Investing in Indigenous Youth

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2022 • Comments Off

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?

The NAU Review — ‘A call to action: ‘Awakening from the Dream’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 14, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — January 10-14, 2022

by Community Contributor • January 13, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

Patrice Horstman — Coconino County District 1 Newsletter — 2021: A Retrospective

by Community Contributor • January 10, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

LULAC Warns A Repeat Of The January 6, 2021 Insurrection Is Still Possible

by Community Contributor • January 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The protest and violence were carried out in an attempt to stop the ratification of the electoral ballot results from the November 2020 presidential election that defeated Donald Trump. The US Justice Department issued a report six months following the attack and stated that more than 535 people who took part in the insurrection were arrested in all 50 states. Five people died during the incident, a Capitol police officer lost his life the following day of stroke complications from injuries he suffered in the violence, and four other officers on duty during the attack died later from suicide. A full congressional investigation into the insurrection continues.

On Anniversary of U.S. Capitol Attack, Immigrant Rights Groups Urge Congress to Pass Voting Rights Legislation

by Community Contributor • January 6, 2022 • Comments Off

(Jan. 6, 2022) marks one year since the tragic Jan. 6 attack on the nation’s Capitol and the deadly attempt to overturn the will of the American people.

The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), a multi-ethnic coalition of the nation’s largest state-level immigrant advocacy organizations, which includes Promise Arizona, urges Congress to protect the fundamental right to vote and our multicultural democracy by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

“A year ago, anti-democracy rioters tried to undermine the electoral results achieved by a record-level turnout of voters of color and others, including newly naturalized citizens,” said Nicole Melaku, NPNA executive director. “These threats to democracy continue, as states across the nation have passed legislation restricting the fundamental right to vote.”

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography Images of the Month – December 2021

by Community Contributor • January 2, 2022 • Comments Off

I have spent quite a bit of time and funds wandering to faraway lands. I have admired infinite oceans of impossible blue and have climbed majestic mountains. Up until now, however, I hadn’t contemplated from my bedroom window those tiny dewdrops on the multi-hued green leaves of my mom’s papaya tree.

Slowly the window became my own inner self and I started pondering about the purpose of my life. I found the answer in the twinkle of those dewdrops dancing on the surface of those leaves, also of an impossible green.

Life is jam-packed with enjoyment and magnificence. Muse on the small, often overlooked details: a gentle wind, a summer downpour, a dewdrop on a green leaf in the morning sun… Touch the wind, smell the rain, feel the joy. Live your life with happiness and delight, for you are very fortunate to be who you are.

Peace and love to all this Holiday Season. Namasté

Jan. 28 — Indigenous Voices and U.S. Policy in Central America presentation on Zoom

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Join us for our first charla of the semester — “Indigenous Voices and U.S. Policy in Central America,” with Jacob Omar Jerónimo, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28.

The talk will be presented in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation in English.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 7th Edition — Wishing everyone a safe holiday season!

by Community Contributor • December 23, 2021 • Comments Off

Hi Everyone,
Wishing everyone a safe holiday season! As we approach the end
of the year its a time to reflect on the successes of 2021. District 2
has been very busy this year working on various items outlined
below.
American Rescue Plan Funding Process
Redistricting Process
Museum Flood Area Response and Mitigation
COVID Impacts and programs
County Budget Process

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Action Alert: Lone Tree Overpass Design Flawed

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is concerned that the proposed design for Lone Tree Overpass, currently under consideration by Council, is overbuilt, provides inadequate protection for pedestrians and bicyclists, encourages an increase in automobile traffic, negatively impacts the Southside neighborhood, and is in conflict with the city’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie honored with the Marcia Stanton Award by the Arizona ACEs Consortium

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, was presented with the Marcia Stanton Award on Dec. 16 by the Arizona ACEs Consortium at the 8th annual statewide ACEs summit.

The Arizona ACEs Consortium is a collaboration of more than one hundred individuals, state, county, private organizations and professionals from all walks of life, united by a desire to help Arizona’s children. It promotes a greater understanding of the impacts of toxic stress and trauma, and supports efforts to address and prevent them.

“The Marcia Stanton Award was established in 2018 and pays homage to the original leader of the ACEs movement, Marcia Stanton. It is awarded to an individual who displays a commitment, perseverance and dedication to spread the awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences and someone that leads action in their community to decrease the prevalence and effect of ACEs on both children and adults,” said Angie Burleson, executive director of the consortium. “This Award honors excellence in leadership, collaboration and the advancement of the PACEs movement in AZ.”

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — We All Need Someone to Lean On

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y), sees you! We see all the ways you support folks in your neighborhood and our community! You are helping to “bring back the village,” and you’re doing great!

Let’s face it, life can be challenging, and too often, we are collectively stressed. Stress is normalized. We can acknowledge that some stress is good for us, keeping us thinking and maybe even providing us a boost to take necessary action. However, maintaining health requires that we offer ourselves opportunities to decompress. CCC&Y hopes you gift yourself with time to reconnect with yourself and those closest to you.

During this season of reflection, CCC&Y invites you to cozy up with some tea and a warm blanket and take a few mindful moments to recognize and honor your inner self and notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. (“Mindfulness for Parents and Professionals”). If our opportunity for Mindfulness feels supportive to you, we invite you to share it with others.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Lynn Hagen Business Library at ECoNA

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

This past April, we lost a man whose unique talents, fearless entrepreneurial spirit and insatiable curiosity left both our community and the business sector a better place. Now, thanks to his family, his impressive collection of business books is available to the public through The Lynn Hagen Business Library at ECoNA.

George “Lynn” Hagen was a serial entrepreneur, the named inventor of 29 patents, and the founder or executive of several notable and pioneering companies. You’ll probably recognize many of the businesses he was associated with: Osborne Computer, creator of the first commercially successful portable computer; Upper Deck® trading cards; and Tagworks®, maker of laser-engraved pet identification tags.

Patrice Horstman — Coconino County District 1 Newsletter: December 2021

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

In This Issue

9 December 2021

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Perrin Ranch Tour
U.S. Forest Service Commitment
Coconino County Redistricting Process
State Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Process
Downtown Flagstaff Holiday Celebration
Winter Snow Play
Upcoming Winter Events
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing
Contact Us

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Spotlight: Volunteers, Food Donations Needed at Flagstaff Family Food Center

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

During this season of giving, we’d like to ask you to consider donating your time (and maybe a few non-perishable items) to the Flagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC), a UWNA partner that has served thousands of our neighbors when they were at their most vulnerable.

The organization, which opened its doors on Christmas Day exactly 30 years ago, has provided meals through its daily hot dinner and sack lunches at its kitchen on North 2nd Street, or through its Food Bank on Huntington Drive.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — In Memory of Jim Babbitt

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2021 • Comments Off

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Babbitt, one of the founding members of the organization and a member of our formal Advisory Board. Jim’s passion for Flagstaff and his understanding of the how and why of past community decisions were integral to helping F3 understand and respond to local issues during the first 10 years of the organization’s existence. Nat White, of F3’s Advisory Board, described Jim as a quiet friend who understood the importance of Flagstaff’s history and strived to maintain the quality and character of the social and built environment in both word and deed.

The NAU Review — Getting to know grads, normalizing asking, Notes from the President and a holiday craft

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Medical anthropologist Lisa Hardy says we all need to get comfortable with questions this season: Are you vaccinated? Do you mask appropriately? Will you wear a mask in my house? This kind of communication prioritizes safety and socializing.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2021

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, as a “Variant of Concern.” This new variant appears to have originated in the southern part of Africa. However, there have been reported cases in Canada, Australia, Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Hong Kong, and now the United States (California and Minnesota).

President Biden has added some precautionary measures until we know more about the new variant and has restricted air travel from South Africa and seven other nations in the southern region of Africa.

The best protection against Omicron is getting fully vaccinated — and getting a booster shot as soon as you can. The CDC recommends people follow prevention strategies, such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings and congested outdoor settings, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others.

Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) — With Gratitude

by Community Contributor • November 25, 2021 • Comments Off

This year, many of us will be participating in Thanksgiving with family and friends that we have not seen since before the pandemic. After such a long time apart, this is a time to reconnect as a community and to reflect on what we are grateful for. Several research studies have found that a regular practice of gratitude, or an attitude of gratitude, is said to have far ranging emotional, social, and health benefits. In fact, benefits associated with gratitude include better sleep, more exercise, reduced symptoms of physical pain, lower levels of inflammation, and other benefits.

The HECHO team is practicing gratitude during this time of year and we are grateful for the collective push for a sustainable and just future, for our community’s efforts in the movement to conserve public lands, and for our cultural connection with nature.

Happy Thanksgiving from ECoNA

by Community Contributor • November 24, 2021 • Comments Off

As we prepare to spend time with family and friends, sharing love and thoughts of gratitude, we wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and express some of what has made us grateful this year.

On the top of that list is you. Your support, insights, collaboration and drive to see a more economically vibrant region are what fuel our mission.

United Way of Northern Arizona — You Gave Safety & Security in 2021

by Community Contributor • November 18, 2021 • Comments Off

As we continue our annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Northern Arizona, we wanted to take a look at how your generosity impacted the safety and security of residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache in fiscal year 2021.

Which raised a question: what exactly is “safety and security,” and how did your Stepping Up for Our Community change lives?

There are the three basics that everyone knows – food, shelter, clothing. However, safety and security encompasses so much more than that. It’s about access to healthcare and vital medications, funds to pay for utilities, and financial education and employment programs so families can have a better future.

Here are some of the ways UWNA with its partners transformed your donations into strategic programs that helped those in need in the past year:

Patrice Horstman — Coconino County District 1 Newsletter: November 2021

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

In This Issue

11 November 2021

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
U.S. Forest Service Chief Visits Coconino County
Four Forest Restoration Initiative Investment
Western Interstate Region Annual Conference
Coconino County Redistricting Process
State Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Process
Meeting with NAU President Cruz Rivera
Ft. Tuthill Restroom Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Stuff the Bus
FDA Approved COVID-19 Boosters
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines
COVID Information Line and Testing Site
Contact Us

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 6th Edition

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2021 • Comments Off

In this edition…

Message from Sup. Vasquez
Redistricting Public Input Wanted
COVID -19 Vaccines
USFS Press Release
Services and Programs
And more!

The NAU Review — The secret of young volcanoes, body positivity and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

A cancelled flight didn’t slow down President Cruz Rivera’s week, which included meetings with leaders from campus, local government, the Navajo Nation and higher education; a meaningful conversation about diversity, inclusion and justice with Black/African American faculty and staff; and attending the naming ceremony for the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum.

The NAU Review — Día de los Muertos, vegan recipes, DOE grants, Halloween and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

In this Views from NAU, Karen Schairer, associate professor in the Department of Global Languages and Culture, writes about how Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is first and foremost a celebration and a reminder that life and death are both part of the same experience. Neither is to be feared and both are to be celebrated with joy and laughter, music and dancing and a heartfelt appreciation of family and all who came before us.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 5th Edition

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2021 • Comments Off

In this edition…

Message from Sup. Vasquez
Redistricting Public Input Wanted
Housing Solutions Flood Assistance
Area Plan Open House
And more!

United Way of Northern Arizona — Imagine What’s Possible

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2021 • Comments Off

With the recent kickoff of our Annual Community Fundraising campaign, we’re imagining what’s possible when we ensure that our children are ready to learn. That’s the purpose of programs like KinderCamp™ – making sure our students are ready academically, emotionally and socially for that all important first day of school.

Don’t take our word for it. We think Riley and her Mom do a great job explaining what KinderCamp has meant to them in the video above.

Thanks to generous people like you, United Way of Northern Arizona and our partners can provide KinderCamp and other early education program at no cost to families.

Will you join us as a supporter of this year’s campaign, and Step Up for Our Community with a donation today?

Every donation makes a huge difference in our community and we sincerely THANK YOU for your support.

The NAU Review — Celebrating Hispanic and Latina/o/x Heritage Month

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2021 • Comments Off

“The overall goal I have for celebrating Hispanic, Latina/o/x Heritage Month on campus is for students who identify that way to know they have a community of support here at NAU,” Vidal Mendoza, assistant director of Hispanic, Latina/o/x Initiatives, said. “Cultural representation is something I valued as an NAU student, and I am sure many students today still feel the same.” Image courtesy of the National Archives.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 4th Edition

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2021 • Comments Off

In this edition…
Message from Sup. Vasquez
Museum Fire Flood Area Information
Doney Park, Timberline Fernwood Area Plan
Community Events
And more!

Grand Canyon National Park — Wildlife SAFETY REMINDER: Elk Rut Season

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2021 • Comments Off

From August to early winter, male elk are in a period known as the rut. During this time they become territorial and will attack if approached or threatened. Please do not approach elk, stay a safe distance of 100 feet (30m) away, and never water or feed them for any reason.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Our Neighbors Need Your Help

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2021 • Comments Off

Monsoon season returned with a vengeance this year, pounding the Museum Fire burn scar and resulted in extensive damage to our community. Just look at the headlines from the past few weeks:

Historic Arizona flooding damages homes, leaves trail of debris
Flagstaff school closed due to flash flood damage
Ducey issues 2nd emergency declaration for Coconino County

In addition to the estimated $1 million in public infrastructure damage (not to mention the Killip Elementary School building being shuttered), much of the burden of this season has been shouldered by residential areas. Many homes were hard hit by flood waters – not once but multiple times – and now have extensive interior damage.

Please consider helping these neighbors by donating to the Crisis Response Fund.

Coconino Community College — The Comet — Local. Affordable. Quality Education

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2021 • Comments Off

Local. Affordable. Quality Education.

Our marketing and public relations team at Coconino Community College decided on those words to describe the college because they have meaning, and they help paint a picture for every student we serve concerning what they can expect from us.

The NAU Review — Who’s to blame for COVID-19? Depends who you ask and more news

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2021 • Comments Off

It’s safe to assume American politics has played a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic, and different ideas about contagion, health behaviors and the actions of governing bodies impacted the spread of the virus and its subsequent effect on our lives. This, of course, was just a theory—until now.

Lisa Hardy, associate professor in NAU’s Department of Anthropology and director of the Social Science Community Engagement Lab, is the lead author on a study that looked at sociocultural responses to the virus and identified differences and similarities in anxiety, fear, blame and perceptions of the country across political divides.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography — GSP 2022 Calendars are here!

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

GSP is pleased to announce her internationally acclaimed artisan calendars for 2022. The theme for this year is the Maya people of the Yucatan Peninsula in honor of the many wonderful human beings I met there, and in honor of this awesome Mexican state who taught me -and continues to teach me- so much! These high-class calendars are ideal for your home and for your office. The images captured by yours truly will immediately transport you to the mystifying land of the ancient Maya, its beautiful people, its culture and realities, and its epic landscapes.

Consulado de México en Phoenix — Información de interes para la comunidad

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

We are very excited to welcome you to another issue of the Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs. We strive with each issue to provide readers with relevant and useful information related to economic and tourism topics for the business and political community on both sides of the Arizona–Mexico border.

In this issue, the #ChooseMexico section offers valuable information about the mining industry in Mexico. In addition, José Antonio Larios Ponce, the Consul of Mexico in Yuma, explains the collaboration between authorities in San Luis, Arizona, and in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, to organize free cross-border vaccination campaigns.

The NAU Review — Who wants to be an astronomer?

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2021 • Comments Off

Space needs you! The next time you and your date head out to stargaze, volunteer to scan the sky for asteroids. NAU doctoral student Colin Chandler just launched a major project to recruit thousands of volunteers in the search for active asteroids—rare objects that have asteroid-like orbits but look more like comets. Chandler hopes to quadruple the number of known active asteroids and, in the process, answer key questions about where water on Earth came from and where it might exist on other planets, both within and outside our solar system. Ready to join the search? Visit the Active Asteroids project site to get started.

First AFL-CIO female president, Liz Shuler; Grammy-winning gospel artist Le’Andria Johnson; and Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr. to headline Phx voting rights rally on 58th anniversary of March on Washington

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Visit the March On for Voting Rights Flagstaff page on Facebook.
Hundreds of thousands to rally across the country to protest a wave of voter suppression laws sweeping the nation. The events also kick off a national online drive to register 2 million voters.
Arizona civil rights leader Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr., who helped create a MLK Holiday in Arizona, slated to appear at Saturday event
Newly appointed AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to deliver keynote. Shuler made history last week becoming the first female president of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Using Virtual Reality for Workforce Development

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County and the Workforce Development Board are leading the way in helping dislocated workers and students explore new careers through virtual reality.

Using a workforce development platform called Transfr VR, the program allows job seekers to experience working in a warehouse, a manufacturing plant, an auto repair shop and even the hospitality industry.

These short simulations are hands-on, allowing people to “work” in the space using motion controllers similar to ones available in V/R gaming devices. Therefore, in the automotive simulation, you don’t just observe what it’s like to change the oil in a car, you actually are doing that job in the virtual space.

“It’s great because a lot of times, people don’t know what they want to do professionally unless they already know someone in that industry,” said Ali Applin, Virtual Reality Program Manager for the County. “A lot of today’s youth are visual or experiential learners, and this is perfect for them because they can picture what a job actually entails.”

Sedona Arts Center wants your feedback!

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2021 • Comments Off

Sedona Arts Center is planning for the future and we’d love your feedback! Our short questionnaire will only be available until August 25, 2021, so please complete our survey today!

The Sedona Arts Center invites input from residents and visitors alike. Your insights, critiques, hopes, and priorities help inform our community’s long-term planning.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Meeting the Challenge of the Delta Variant

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2021 • Comments Off

As the Delta variant causes a surge in new infections and hospitalizations, the public and private sectors are scrambling to keep up with rapidly shifting recommendations on how to deal with the highly transmissible fourth wave of Covid-19.

Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff both reinstated requirements for masks while in City or County buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Yesterday, Northern Arizona University announced that masks will be required in classrooms and labs. Meanwhile, the Flagstaff Unified School District is requiring masks until at least September 29, in spite of current state law forbidding mask mandates in K-12 schools. (Requirements are evolving all the time; check an institution’s website for the latest information on their mask protocols.)

Leading the way in the response to the Delta variant, however, has been the business community. Large companies like Ford Motors, Walmart, United Airlines, and Target have recently enacted mask and/or vaccine requirements for workers. Some are also trying to coax vaccine hesitant workers to get their shots with cash bonuses.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — District 2 Newsletter 3rd Edition

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2021 • Comments Off

In this edition…

Message from Sup. Vasquez
Museum Fire Flood Area Update
COVID Update
Redistricting Public Comments
And more!
Message from Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez

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