Category: Cultural

The NAU Review — Celebrating World OT and International Religious Freedom Day, scary movies and RaMPing up research

Opportunity + Choice = Justice
Arantxa Amaya always knew she wanted a career that allowed her to help underserved communities become healthier. This goal led her to NAU’s occupational therapy program at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, where she is working on her doctorate. For World Occupational Therapy Day, learn more about one of the NAU students preparing for a career in this critical field of health care: “In the future, I would like to continue my OT journey in the field of pediatrics. I know I want to serve my community, working with underrepresented populations and advocating for diversity within the profession.” 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents free webinars on understanding how emotions impact adult and child relationships

We are so excited to announce our newest offering.
Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.

First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.

Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One

Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two

These videos are meant to help support our community. Having the tools to take care of ourselves and respond to children, is a great resource.

Trainer
Bethany Camp, LCSW, Private Practice

Please share far and wide in our community- especially for those who parent, care give or work with children.

The NAU Review — Tackling health disparities through big data, meet the ASNAU President and saving the monarch butterfly

How can big data help eliminate health disparities?

Amit Kumar grew up in one of the poorest areas of the world. He’s seen firsthand how systemic inequalities, often attributed to race and poverty, affect people’s health. The assistant professor’s research has looked at these disparities in various communities, particularly focused on stroke care, and his work is going to a new level with a $3.8 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The project won’t just identify disparities in treatment and health outcomes among stroke patients; Kumar’s goal with this work is to help health care providers, policymakers and patients make more informed decisions and provide better care.

Bilingual report — PreventT2 Lifestyle Change Class in Spanish

North Country HealthCare is hosting a program for individuals at risk of developing diabetes in order to assist you in improving your health as well as reducing the risk of developing diabetes. In the program you will learn methods of losing weight, be more physically active, and manage stress. These small changes in your lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Sedona Arts Center — 18th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival starts this weekend!

Sedona Arts Center invites you along to be inspired and experience master artists painting in the Shangri-La of the Southwest! Sedona is a sublime and stunningly beautiful environment steeped in art history. Sedona Arts Center dates back 63 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an ‘art colony.’ Our community’s iconic and wonderfully creative event—Sedona Plein Air Festival—is a week-long celebration of extraordinary landscapes, world-renowned artists, unique workshops, and wonderful free events from October 21 through 29!

HECHO October Newsletter

It has been an incredible month for HECHO, celebrating public lands policy wins and elevating the voices and visibility of Hispanic leaders in public lands decision-making and advocacy. Our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council (HCLC) members continue to grow and make a difference in their communities.

On September 28th through 30th, HECHO brought Hispanic leaders from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah to Washington D.C. to advocate on conservation issues, including protecting the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining, saving Oak Flat from a copper mine, the resilience of the Colorado River, and making communities whole after the devastating Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire. They met with members of Congress and federal agencies. Read a recap of HECHO’s first advocacy trip.

The NAU Review — Removing greenhouse gases from the air, a professor makes history and an innovation hub

We know the Earth is warming, and society is struggling to slow emissions quickly enough to make a real difference. So scientists are looking at other options, including removing greenhouse gases from the air. Easy, right? According to mechanical engineer Jennifer Wade, it’s a difficult task, but not an insurmountable one. She is leading two federally funded projects that are addressing the critical question of how to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, thus slowing the devastating effects of global climate change. It’s part of a national effort called the Carbon Negative Earthshot: Being able to remove carbon at $100 a ton at a scale of a million tons per year. Learn how her lab is working toward that goal.

CCC Auto Tech program back in the game beginning Oct. 24

After a short delay, the Coconino Community College Automotive Technology program is back and ready for students beginning Monday, Oct. 24.

“CCC’s Automotive Technology has grown in the year since it started,” said Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. “When our instructor backed out right before the start of the semester and we had to suspend the program, we were heartbroken. We are thrilled to be able to get back up to speed and look forward to serving the students whose plans were disrupted at the beginning of the semester.”

The cost of living in Flagstaff made the process of hiring a full-time faculty member for the program a challenge, and the program was forced into a holding pattern until a full-time faculty member could be found.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap Up: Oct. 17-21, 2022

Successful vaccine event in Grand Canyon; Flu and COVID vaccines available October 25 in Tusayan

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team came to the park on Tuesday for a flu and COVID vaccine event. Thank you to the Grand Canyon Rec Center for hosting this event and the Mobile Vaccine Team who successfully vaccinated more than 100 individuals. The team will next be at the Tusayan Fire Department on October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to popular demand of these events, please arrive early to ensure you receive assistance.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Tusayan event here.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Final week to purchase tickets for CCC&Y’s 50th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 27

This is the final week to get tickets to our 50th anniversary celebration.  We have representation of more than 20 organizations so far, and of course, all the couples, friends and folks out for a date night. 

 Purchase tickets here!

Your ticket includes appetizers, drink ticket (cash bar), dinner and a full concert (w/ dance floor) from Flagstaff’s own Mother Road Trio.

Please help us celebrate the stars in our community who helped make this last 50 years such a success – and come help us get the next 50 years off to a great start!

The event is open to all – and we are thanking our members with special discounted rates

If you would like to become a member prior to your ticket purchase, please visit our website for more information 

The NAU Review — The dangers of a thawing Arctic, putting Homecoming 🎡 on your calendar and National Transfer Student Week

Mark your calendars! It’s time to celebrate the Lumberjack family.

This year, NAU is celebrating 123 years as an institution, and Lumberjacks from near and far are returning to their alma mater to help celebrate during Homecoming week. With a variety of activities scheduled for Nov. 1-5, Lumberjacks of all ages are encouraged to participate. VP of Alumni Engagement Stephanie Smith said, “We sure do have a lot to celebrate this year! If this is your first year at NAU or your 20th year in Flagstaff, Homecoming is a fun time for all. And don’t forget to bring your roommate, friends, neighbors and family to the parade before cheering on the Jacks against Montana State!”

Bilingual report — It’s that time of year again, time for your annual flu vaccination!

It’s that time of year again, time for your annual flu vaccination! Flu vaccination has many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illness, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death.

Getting a seasonal vaccine is especially important for young children because they are at increased risk of getting severe illness from flu.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Celebrating Small Manufacturers: Chocolita

October is National Manufacturing Month, a time when we celebrate a sector that, according to McKinsey & Company, generates $2.3 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product, employs 12 million people, and accounts for 70% of R&D investment.

But those outsized statistics are mostly fueled by small companies; the Small Business Administration estimates that three out of every four manufacturers in the U.S. have 20 employees or less.

Companies like Chocolita, maker of botanical, organic chocolates, which recently moved from a cooperative kitchen in Sedona to open a combined manufacturing/retail outlet in Kachina Square in Flagstaff.

Grand Canyon National Park — Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap Up: Oct.10-14, 2022

Flu and COVID vaccines available October 18 in Grand Canyon, October 25 in Tusayan

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here.

The NAU Review — One student’s story of war and survival, calling for donations and testing air quality at the Cocopah Head Start

Surviving refugee camps, abuse and losing loved ones to suicide
Personalized Learning student Aida Sibic grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There, she experienced firsthand the horrors of war, genocide and the trauma that followed. She recently sat down with The NAU Review to discuss her childhood, how she and her family escaped war, what brought her to NAU and her recently published memoir, Luck Follows the Brave.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Help Them Reach Their Potential

A teenage girl gains confidence by being a Girl Scout, and discovers deep wells of resourcefulness and flexibility when the pandemic throws a wrench in her plans.
A homeless boy receives life coaching at his shelter that enables him to successfully find and keep a job, breaking the cycle of poverty.
A cohort of 6th graders learn about the natural wonders of northern Arizona at Camp Colton, sparking a drive to be better stewards of the earth.
These stories are all the result of United Way of Northern Arizona’s commitment to positive youth development.

You can Step Up for our youth with your gift and help ensure our children reach their full potential and become competent, confident, and caring adults.

Just look at Emily’s story and how she adapted and persevered while trying to educate others about the importance of bees.

Discover Flagstaff — Enjoy peak fall colors and great events happening in Flagstaff this weekend

2022 LEAFometer

Discover Flagstaff this fall with the Discover Flagstaff LEAF-ometer. The #LEAFometer (Lee-faa-muh-tr: like speedometer) requires updates from our partners. Look for updates from the City of Flagstaff, Arboretum, AZ Snowbowl, Lowell Observatory, the Inner Basin, Oak Creek Canyon and the City of Sedona.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents free webinars on understanding how emotions impact adult and child relationships

We are so excited to announce our newest offering. 

Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.

First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.

Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One

Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two

These videos are meant to help support our community.  Having the tools to take care of ourselves and respond to children, is a great resource.

Read More

Business Opportunity Announced for the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent, Ed Keable, has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. The prospectus released today outlines this business opportunity, describes the existing business, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal.  

The services provided under the new contract encompass the majority of the commercial visitor services on the North Rim. It includes services currently provided by Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC This contract currently earns gross revenues of approximately $13 million per year, with 219 guest rooms, four restaurants and bars, gift shop, general store, public showers and laundry, and gas station. 

The NAU Review — NAU’s campuswide family reunion, how to celebrate Disability Pride and Heritage Month and a local movie premiere

This weekend, NAU played host to thousands of VIPs—the families of our Lumberjacks. This year’s Family Weekend included a barbecue, casino night and football and volleyball victories. NAU Social captured it all, snapping pictures and interviewing a few Lumberjack families about why they love Flagstaff and NAU. Check out the photos, listen to the podcast and watch the video now. 

Bilingual report — New COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine now available

Coconino County Vaccination Locations

Coconino County Testing Locations

FLAGSTAFF — Here is some information on the location and times you can get the vaccine to help protect you against the Omicron variant.

Vaccines are available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff.

Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8:30 – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Northern AZ community colleges sign historic partnership agreement to benefit students, community

The four community college districts covering all northern Arizona have entered into a historic partnership agreement to help better serve students.

The presidents of Coconino Community College, Mohave Community College, Northland Pioneer College, and Yavapai College recently signed an intergovernmental agreement called the Northern Arizona Community College Partnership (NACCP). 

The NACCP calls on the districts to collaborate and combine resources to better serve citizens and communities throughout northern Arizona. This includes sharing college courses to improve student success and completion and enhancing workforce development by utilizing each district’s vast array of unique programs. 

“I am continually impressed with the number and quality of the partnerships I have seen since arriving at Coconino Community College,” said CCC Interim President Christal Albrecht. “It seems that the colleges genuinely want to work together, recognizing the positive impact their efforts will have on our collective students.”

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 15th Edition

Thank you for your patience as well as the community residents who have
been engaged within the efforts of Coconino County during this past
summer. We have, as a county, experienced historical amounts of floods—
totaling 45 floods. The pipeline fire as well as the tunnel fire have resulted
in the increase and impact of floods during our monsoon season. It has
been taxing for everyone in our community, especially those who have
been directly impacted by the fires and floods through property, emotional,
and physical damage. I want to acknowledge our resilience as a
community as well as the collective efforts that have taken place across
the board. I want to thank our first-responders, county staff, community
volunteers, vendors, and the nonprofit organizations who all came together
to help our community in our time of need.
The county moving forward wants to address two key issues: long-term
mitigation and government funding. We have made strides towards trying
to secure federal funding to best direct our actions towards re-building.
We want to focus on three components: forest restoration, channels, and
highway improvements. We are working very closely together during this
time with our community, and overall county. Please email me your
concerns with as much detail as possible.
Email: jvasquez@coconino.az.gov

Coconino County Parks & Recreation October Update — Halloween Haunted Hike on Oct. 28

Halloween Haunted Hike

Oct 28, 2022

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

This program will provide you with an opportunity to get outside at night in our beautiful parks and open spaces. Our instructors will tell ghost stories and we may encounter some spooky things along our hike! The trip will provide a unique prospective of our local flora and fauna while getting you active!

We will hike the Solders Trail around the Fort Tuthill County Park as the moon rises about the horizon and peaks through the trees. Hot cocoa will be provided partway along our hike! Headlamps will be provided. Register here!

CCC’s Burns takes first in Mesa

Hayley Burns, runner for the Coconino Community College Cross Country Comets, nabbed first place during the Women 5K Run at the Mesa College XC Jamboree on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Respectable showings among the women’s and men’s teams positioned CCC with a third-place berth for the women’s team and a fifth-place finish for the men’s team, who bested Phoenix College, ranked 20th in the nation. Currently, CCC’s women’s team is ranked seventh in the nation among community colleges.

“The men’s and women’s teams have shown great growth over the season, and we plan on continuing that trend heading into the championship portion of our season,” said CCC Comets Head Coach Craig Hunt. “We have had some tremendous performances already this season, but I believe our best is still ahead of us.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Oct. 3-7, 2022

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park next on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here. 

You’re Invited to F3’s Annual Meeting Sunday Oct. 16th

Join Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) at our Annual Meeting and Potluck.

Sunday October 16th, 3:00-5:00 pm
Outside at Riordan Mansion’s Veranda
409 W Riordan Rd.
Parking available at the Riordan State Park or
paid parking in the adjacent NAU parking garage

At the meeting you’ll learn about F3’s work this year as well as important issues on which we’ll be focusing in 2023. You’ll meet F3’s Executive Director, F3 Board members, and lots of community members.

We’ll have live music and a potluck. You’re welcome to bring a dish or desert to share, or come without one.

RSVP with a quick email and let us know your name and how many will be attending. You’re welcome to bring a friend!

The NAU Review — Our Homecoming dedicatee, a beetle’s gut and how to get your NAUPD pink patch

Alicia Voytek named Homecoming dedicatee!
Voytek was presenting to a group of campus living staff when the team’s meeting was interrupted by a crowd of people who marched in the room, waving pompoms and cheering loudly. “Um, what’s happening?” she asked. The intruders circled around her, and Voytek’s eyes began to well as she realized the cause for the unannounced parade: she was this year’s Homecoming dedicatee.

United Way of Northern Arizona — How You Make KinderCamp™ Possible

For more than 15 years, KinderCamp™ has ensured that hundreds of preschoolers were ready for that vitally important first day of school. That they stepped into their kindergarten classrooms confident and eager to learn. That they were prepared – academically, socially, and emotionally – to make their first school year a phenomenal success.

This signature program, which takes place every June in schools across northern Arizona, is how United Way of Northern Arizona is supporting early childhood development. It’s also a great reason to donate to UWNAduring the annual campaign going on right now.

Take a look at the smiling faces in this video to see the love of learning in action.   

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents special ‘Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Julianne E. Hartzell

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present a special “Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award” to local educator Julianne E. Hartzell during its 50th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 27.

“I just adore Julianne and I’m so excited to honor her in this way,” said Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of CCC&Y. “She has been so very giving with her time, not just to me personally but to the organization as a whole.”

“The contributions Julianne has made, and continues to make, have had tremendous impact on the organization and the wider community. We are very fortunate to benefit from her knowledge and giving nature.”

Hartzell has volunteered her time to serve as a past board president for the Coalition, and currently serves on the group’s Action & Outreach Committee.

Each year, the Coalition honors a group of members of the community throughout Coconino County for promoting the well-being of children and families.

​​​​​​​To celebrate the group’s 50th anniversary, the Coalition decided to create this special award.

Hartzell has long served youth in the region through various roles in the community, including as a long-time teacher in the Flagstaff Unified School District, a 12-year member of the FUSD Governing Board, as board member for CCC&Y, the FACT after-school program, the Flagstaff Community Foundation and the United Way of Northern Arizona.

North Rim Day-Use Operations Begin on Oct. 16

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will transition to day-use operations on Sunday, October 16, 2022. At that time, the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim campground will close, and limited services will be available to visitors.

The entrance gate on State Route 67, which provides vehicle access to the North Rim, will be closed at 5 p.m. on November 30, 2022, or after the first major snowstorm if prior to that date.

Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16, should be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. The Cape Royal Road, leading to Cape Royal and Point Imperial, will be closed to the public from October 18-19 due to annual road maintenance.  

The NAU Review — A++, World Teachers’ Day and the installation recap of President Cruz Rivera

In a new, first-of-its-kind partnership, Northern Arizona University will partner with all ten community college districts across the state and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to launch the Arizona Attainment Alliance (A++). This collaboration aims to harness the collective impact of distinct institutions based on a shared desire to dramatically boost Arizona’s postsecondary attainment rate. A++ represents a new kind of student-centered postsecondary ecosystem, one based on collaboration across shared interests and priorities and the optimization of complementary assets in service to Arizonans.

Sedona Arts Center October Update

There is a definite feel of fall in the air and a sure sign of the season is the flurry of activity we experience leading up to the Sedona Plein Air Festival at the end of the month. 
 
There is so much going on in Sedona right now – every weekend is filled with activity.  We are hoping the events and festivals will draw more tourists in to town as we are definitely feeling the effects of fewer people around.  For instance, traffic to our Gallery was down by half over last year during September.  This directly impacts our bottom line.  Since about 80% of our earned revenue comes from tourists, we are watching this closely.

Coconino County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of events, programs

See links to more Coconino County and area upcoming events.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has announced that it is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of upcoming events and programs.

The Coconino County and the Board of Supervisors recognize cultural diversity as a core value of our organization; empowering the intersecting and overlapping social identities with a focus on equity, social justice, and actions and move our communities forward.

CCC students figure out futures with Pipeline AZ

 You just graduated from high school in Coconino County, and you’ve been thinking about college or career training. You know you like working with computers, but you’re unsure of the next move.

CCC’s participation in a new career-orienting service, called Pipeline AZ, can help.

Juanita Tarango, Director of Student Success at CCC, said Pipeline AZ is a statewide effort to help students figure out their professional futures.

“If a student doesn’t know where to start, Pipeline AZ will provide that assistance and give them ideas on what fields they may want to go into,” Tarango said. “It’s truly a pipeline to getting the job they want. It’s a virtual one-stop shop for students.”

Bilingual report — NAU conducting study of Latinx community and COVID-19

NAU Center for Health Equity Research and the Coconino County Health & Human Services are conducting a study on how the Latinx community is dealing with problems after having COVID-19.

This confidential conversation will give us valuable information to help us create healthier communities.

Participants will receive a $10 gift card.

Bilingual report — Participants needed for NAU study: The influence of Native American genetic ancestry in Hispanics in northern Arizona: an investigation of insulin in endothelial function and blood pressure regulation

The Cardiovascular Regulation Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at NAU is seeking to recruit individuals of Hispanic background for a National Institutes of Health funded research study.  

What are we studying?

We are specifically interested in how an individual’s genetic make-up influences their ability to process sugar.  We will relate your genetic make-up and ability to process sugar to how your body responds to tests that alter your blood pressure.  Some of these tests include getting images of a vessel in your upper arm, a test where you place your hand in very cold water, a mental math test (subtraction), and an exercise test.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Join us for Sci Talks! on Friday

Come check out SciTalks at the Coconino Center for the Arts, featuring four TEDx style talks from local artists, scientists and educators. First, join us at 6 p.m. for “Um Actually: Science Edition”, a science trivia game show, followed by the talks at 6:30 p.m. FREE!

The talks include:

Understanding the Largest Earthquakes on Earth with Underwater Imaging by Donna Shillington

Finding the Humane in Digital Fabrication through Self-Portraits by David Van-Ness

Accelerating Carbon Dioxide Removal: Safely, Equitably and Economically by Dr. Jennifer Wade

Get Out! Or, Effectively Experiencing the Outdoors with Kids by Moran Henn

Latino Outdoors — Yo Cuento: Latinx Heritage Month

Latino Outdoors continues to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month 2022!

Known also as Latino Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, this month “traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.” Latinx Heritage Month starts on Sept. 15th and goes until Oct 15th. every year.

¿Por qué el 15?

This date is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.

LHM continues until October 15th and LO has numerous events already planned!

HECHO September Newsletter

This is an important time for HECHO – Hispanic Heritage Month. During the month, which spans September 15-October 15, we are celebrating and reflecting upon the longstanding Hispanic leadership and stewardship of our land and water. We are lifting up a way of life that puts relationships with nature and each other as a central part of the culture, and we are asking you to join our cause to work toward ensuring that these practices are reflected in future public land and water management policy and decision-making. To learn more, I hope you’ll read my blog post elaborating on HECHO’s vision of strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other. We also have some very exciting news to share with you:

Pew Research Center — Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 2022

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and, as always, Pew Research Center is committed to studying the rich diversity of the nation’s 62.5 million Latinos, from an exploration of U.S. adults who identify as Afro-Latino to a recent report on Latinos’ varied political views. This month is a celebration of not only the diverse origins of U.S. Latinos and the independence days in the countries of their ancestors, but also of the unique and varied experiences of Latinos across the country. We hope you will continue following our work detailing the nuanced lives of U.S. Latinos.

County Board of Supervisors Allocates Funds to Sponsor Navajo Bridge Star Party Event

During the Coconino County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 the Board unanimously agreed to allocate community initiative funds in the amount of $5,000 to the non-profit Glen Canyon Conservancy for expenses associated with the Navajo Bridge Star Party this Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1. 

“This event started very small, just an idea, and has grown into a huge party on the Navajo Bridge,” stated District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, “Now that things are opening up and people are gathering together again, we’re excited to bring it back after a brief absence.” 

There are educational events in the evenings both Friday and Saturday featuring lectures from Dr. Henry Fowler of Navajo Technical University at 6 p.m. and George Rhee of UNLV at 8 p.m. The talks will focus on identifying Navajo star constellations and the historical Navajo teachings about the stars. On Saturday at 11 a.m. visitors can take a guided hike through the historic Lonely Dell Ranch, a settlement that dates to the Great Mormon Migration deep into Arizona.

“I encourage the public to attend and join us on the Navajo Bridge for the only Star Party held above the Colorado River!” added Supervisor Fowler. 

Theatrikos October Newsletter: Heartwarming Comedy Cemetery Club, October 7-23

Theatrikos’ upcoming production is Cemetery Club. “Doris, Ida and Lucille may just be deciding on another glass of wine, but their choices reflect larger choices in their lives. How do they face the reality of growing old? Is it wonderful to be content, or should they stay ambitious and passionate and keep wanting more? Cemetery Club asks these questions and more. It’s a humorous, heartwarming reflection on life,” says Cemetery Club director Gina Byars.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — NAU Holds Master Plan Open House on Oct. 6

Northern Arizona University will hold a Community Open House on Thursday, October 6 to discuss the development of its Smart, Sustainable, Comprehensive Campus Master Plan, which will provide a framework for land use, open space and facility development at NAU.

NAU is asking that you register for the session, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the High Country Conference Center.

The master plan will emphasize “smart campus” capabilities to drive new efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions, and effectively manage resources. NAU is working with DLR Group, a nationally recognized design firm, in developing the master plan.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Sept. 26-30, 2022

The Weekly Wrap Up is getting a new look!

Beginning next week, the Grand Canyon Office of Communications will be transitioning to a new email distribution platform called GovDelivery. This transition is necessary for us to meet the Department of Interior’s new policies for email distribution.

The Wrap Up as well as news releases from our office will have a new layout and feel. If you are not receiving email communications from our office (through the Wrap Up or news releases), please check your junk email folder or email us directly at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — F3’s 2022 VOTER GUIDE to Propositions

This month’s newsletter focuses on providing information that will be helpful as you prepare for the the upcoming General Election. We provide F3’s 2022 Voter Guide to statewide and local propositions, and information about how to vote for the official write-in City Council candidates. Lend your voice to community decisions by attending local meetings in October that are outlined below, and check out the upcoming workshop on socially-responsible investing.

The NAU Review — DART watch party, the Community Expo and a podcast about podcasts

On Monday, at 4:13 p.m. (Arizona time), more than 7 million miles away, NASA’s DART mission successfully slammed into the asteroid Dimorphos, making history as the first step toward a possible future planetary defense strategy that includes redirecting asteroids on a collision course with Earth. Cristina Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science and team lead on the DART mission, along with Jason Wilder, vice president for research, were at mission control in Laurel, Maryland, to witness the historic moment unfold.

Law enforcement partners with CCC for training academy

They will undergo drills and inspections. They will take classes and be put under extreme stress.

The purpose: To achieve a level of professionalism in policing that meets the needs of the communities of northern Arizona. Beginning Oct. 3, 13 recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training at the newly established High Country Training Academy at Coconino Community College.

“CCC’s goal is to partner with the local community to train people who live in Coconino County for jobs in Coconino County,” said Dr. Nate Southerland, Provost for CCC. “We are so grateful to our local law enforcement agencies for being the driving force behind this new program and providing the personnel needed to make it successful.”

Southerland also said that with CCC and local agencies working together, they can generate new interest in law enforcement careers and keep the community’s talent in the community.

Science Play Day at the Museum of Northern Arizona

With the change of season, we look forward to the traditions that mark the time of year. Two weekends ago the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival and Indigenous Farmers Market at Colton Garden brought lots of people to the MNA campus to celebrate the bounty of the summer and the fabulous work done in the museum gardens. Kudos to the many volunteers and staff involved, particularly our partners for the event, Flagstaff Foodlink.

Now we are in the midst of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science, another of MNA’s community partnerships. On Tuesday kids and parents came to the museum’s Discovery Village to learn about volcanoes within view of our most dramatic volcano – the San Francisco Peaks. Our biggest FFOS event will be this Saturday, when we will hold a Science Play Day at the museum exhibit building. This event includes hands-on science activities for kids, a series of short science talks, and some very special guests. Like all of the Festival of Science, the Science Play Day is completely free to the public, a gift from us to our community.

Another long-standing fall tradition comes at the end of October, when we partner with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices to put on Celebraciones de la Gente. That Day of the Dead Festival honors those we have lost while celebrating life.

Three great events and three great community partners – we often talk about MNA as a center of science, art, and culture, but we are also a place of food, fun, and family.

I hope to see you soon at the museum,

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

United Way of Northern Arizona — Providing Safety & Security

Why should you donate to United Way of Northern Arizona during our annual campaign?

Because when people struggle to meet basic needs – like food, shelter, and safety – everything else becomes more difficult.

Fueled by your financial support, UWNA and its network of partners work with families and individuals so they can move from day-to-day existence to planning for a positive future.