Join us for atheletics, music, dance, piping, clans and clan geneology and more! 9 a.m.
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FLAGSTAFF — Business, accounting and economics are his passions.
Degree in hand and his future in his sights, Coconino Community College alum, current student, accounting intern, and student affairs representative Cole Catron is set to move forward in his higher education journey.
“I always wanted to do something with my life,” Cole said. “And I want to make significant contributions to society. Opportunity has always been my biggest motivator for wanting to pursue college.”
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth would like to thank those individuals who have served our organization and our community in supporting our mission — We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Special thanks go to outgoing CCC&Y Executive Committee President Peter Van Wyck, BA, Regional Director, First Things First; outgoing CCC&Y Executive Committee Vice President Jennifer Hernandez, Project Manager, Center for the Future of Arizona and outgoing CCC&Y Executive Committee Treasurer Theresa Kulpinski, Program Manager for Coconino County Health & Human Services.
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Rebekah McNiel, a business management and modern languages double major, received the prestigious Udall Scholarship for Native American Initiatives in 2023. McNiel, a member of the Honors College, is passionate about change through education and Native American leadership. With long-term goals to positively impact the Navajo Nation, McNiel is committed to learning from other cultures and studying sustainable business practices. Her remarkable journey, from reconnecting with her Navajo heritage to engaging in community service and pursuing transformative experiences abroad, has shaped her character and perspective.
Flagstaff Community First, a broad coalition of organizations (including F3) and individuals advocating for accessible, quality health care in Flagstaff and the region, will deliver of over 4,800 signatures to the City Clerk (on July 6) to place a referendum on the ballot.
The referendum will allow the public to weigh in on City Council’s June 6 rezoning decision that gave Northern Arizona Healthcare the go-ahead to move the hospital from the center of town. Flagstaff Community First launched the petition drive in order to refer the zoning decision to a vote of the public.
By the Vitalist Spark podcast
During this episode of the Vitalyst Spark Podcast, we will be exploring systems change and talking to 2023 Systems Change Grant recipient Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth to talk to us about their Self-Healing Community System and Policy Change in Coconino County initiative.
We will be joined by members of the Coalition, including Virginia Watahomigie, Executive Director; Becky Daggett, Mayor of Flagstaff; and Andrea Meronuck, Clinical Director with Northland Family Help Center.
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Dear District 5 Residents,
As we transition into the planting season and celebrate our graduates’ achievements, I am again reminded of the Navajo teachings of T’áá hwó’ ají t’éego, “It is up to you.” Whether preparing for uncertain times ahead or getting ready for a change in season, this teaching rings true – it is up to us to take essential steps to ensure our lives’ safety, security, and structure. In this time of preparation, Coconino County and my office are committed to meeting each of you on those steps.
For those in Coconino County who need assistance in flood preparation or mitigation, looking to sign up for important emergency alerts, browse the various health and assistance programs available from Health and Human Services, or keep up with the Board of Supervisors meetings and even watch us live, please visit our website www.coconino.az.gov. For all County resources, it is a significant first step.
The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate not only the anniversary of American independence, but the values that make our country great. One of those values is the importance of Living United.
Living United means coming together to solve problems and build a better future for our neighbors. It’s the sincere belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or circumstance. It’s knowing that when we include all members of society in shaping the solutions, our community will always be stronger for it.
Thank you for Living United this holiday – and every day.
Our offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Have a safe and wonderful Independence Day.
Awakening Your Creative Spirit
Wednesday, July 12, 19, 26
3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Learn to jumpstart your creative process, whether you are just starting out with artistic expression, experiencing art block, or want to rejuvenate your journey of self-development.
Awakening Your Creative Spirit – Learn more and register!
Tuesday, July 4 Flag 4th Fest, Fort Tuthill County Park. Laser Light Show and family activities at Fort Tuthill County Park! Presented by City of Flagstaff. 5 p.m. Free. 928-679-8000 • flagstaff.az.gov
Tuesday, July 4 Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Parade, Downtown Flagstaff. Show off your red, white, and blue at the parade! 9 a.m. Free. 928-774-4505 • flagstaffchamber.com
Many of our board members are hard at work planning more than 100 free events for the upcoming Festival, which will take place Sept. 22-Oct. 1. Reaching out across the community, they’ve invited local experts to share discoveries and insights about topics spanning the sciences, technology, and the arts. In addition to perennial favorites like Snook’s Science in the Park, Walk on Mars, open houses, guided hikes, tours, lectures, classroom talks, and hands-on workshops, events currently in the planning stages will enable participants to:
Fire restrictions go into effect across Northern Arizona; Grand Canyon NP remains in stage 1
Beginning Thursday, June 29, Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Tusayan and Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Additionally, all undeveloped areas of Coconino County, the Town of Tusayan, and the City of Flagstaff will also be in fire restrictions on this date.
NAU has been awarded a grant by the Department of Defense to conduct a five-year research project on the impact of invasive species on threatened and endangered plants. Principal investigator Clare Aslan and her team aim to understand the effects of invasive species on ecosystem structure and function, focusing on the Pöhakuloa Training Area in Hawaii. By identifying critical factors and developing control measures that will help resource managers in their conservation efforts, the project seeks to support the conservation efforts of endangered species and enhance our understanding of species persistence in threatened environments.
COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
CCC&Y is building an inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities.
Through leadership, education and advocacy. By becoming a member you add your name to an expansive list of individuals, families, businesses and organizations who are igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Please visit Membership Options
Make an Online Donation
Remember, CCC&Y is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status-so your contributions are tax deductible eligible. Please consult your tax professional.
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FLAGSTAFF — The scenario is all too common: Some students struggling to make ends meet and who qualify for federal financial aid still don’t quite have the funds to completely cover the cost of their tuition. To those students, such a barrier is hard, if not impossible, to overcome.
Coconino Community College makes those students a promise: The college will cover the difference.
The Comet Promise program helps eligible students pay for their education by covering the cost of tuition when federal grants fall short. The program aims at helping remove economic barriers to offer a pathway for CCC students to complete their certificate or degree.
FLAGSTAFF — Members of Coconino County’s Diversity Councils took part in annual Coconino County Diversity Day celebration held Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Coconino County Courthouse Lawn, Flagstaff.
The event included information booths presented by a variety of groups including various Coconino County departments including Parks and Recreation, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), the Intertribal Advisory Council, the Peace Corps, Northern Arizona University’s Office of Inclusion and other organizations.
The job of United Way of Northern Arizona is to bring together our community resources so we can do big and bold things that move the needle and improve life for our friends and neighbors in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
It takes the support of a whole community to make it happen. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every bit of advocacy is important.
Our Summit Society members have an outsized impact, however, because of their unique generosity with annual gifts of $500 or more to UWNA.
Here are some of the ways that the Summit Society contributions are making a difference:
Hull Fire grows to 1,102 acres between Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon
Crews continue to work on the lightning-caused Hull Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest as well as within Grand Canyon.
The Hull Fire, located near Lower Hull Tank along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point, is currently at 1,102 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, it is spreading north, and is being co-managed with Grand Canyon National Park (approximately 300 acres are burning within the park).
TUBA CITY — Nearly 200 family members and individuals representing a number of community non-profit organizations took part in the return of the AZ Health Zone’s Family Fun Day held Thursday, June 15 at Louise Yellowman County Park, Tuba City.
The program, which was last held in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, included food demonstrations, a variety off interactive education booths, games, a bouncy house and free summer lunches for children.
Some of the groups providing information at the event included Coconino County Health & Human Services’ AZ Health Zone, the Navajo Nation Indian Community Health Representative, various representatives from the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. and Coconino County’s Rec on Wheels program.
NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Bihler, Patricia Bohannon, Khrystyna Kozyuk, & Susan Moody
Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.
UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Taking Classes and Workshops on our campus in Uptown Sedona affords the opportunity not only to explore the arts, but also to meet new people and immerse yourself in the Sedona arts community. Ongoing Class instruction is available and donors at the $60 Friend level and above receive a 10% discount on Classes (does not apply to Workshops.) Click here to see all of our classes and workshops
COCONINO COUNTY — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) voted unanimously to officially recognize and celebrate Juneteenth in Coconino County.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery. On this date in 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the upwards of 250,000 Black Americans still enslaved in the state were free by executive decree. Since then, Juneteenth has marked the celebration of Black American freedom and the subsequent achievements within the culture while encouraging continuous opportunities and access to equitable advancement, education, and progress for all.
2023 Star Party
The annual Grand Canyon Star Party will conclude this Saturday, June 17. On the South Rim, events include a nightly presentation from a special guest speaker at 8 p.m. in the plaza of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, followed by telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours will be offered nightly at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m..
The list of speakers can be found on our Grand Canyon Star Party webpage, in the attached flyer, and also in the NPS Mobile App.
During Star Party week, the Education Staff is conducting family hikes during twilight (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 14 through 16) to celebrate Grand Canyon’s dark skies!
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join a ranger to experience and explore nightfall during a 45-minute walk. Meet outside Shrine of the Ages Auditorium (Parking Lot A) a 7:30 p.m. More information, including a flyer can be found here.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) celebrated the completion of Mental Health Month with the annual “Walk for Wellness!” held Saturday, June 10 at Buffalo Park.
Some of the groups presenting information at the event included the AZ Health Zone, the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program, CCHHS’ Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Program, First Things First, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Girl Scouts arizona cactus-pine and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Celebrating Juneteenth
Last year, 158 years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all enslaved people, President Joe Biden deemed that day a national holiday, allowing the freedom of all U.S. citizens to officially be celebrated. This weekend, join in on a variety of events that honor the past, present and the hope for a more inclusive future.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Grand Canyon National Park. This day of events, including special programming, food and live music is sponsored by the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Conservancy.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger read his general orders to the people of Texas, recognizing and enforcing the end of slavery. June 19, or Juneteenth, is a day set aside to commemorate the freedom of African Americans from the bonds of slavery in the United States.
Updates from the North Rim
Friday, June 2 kicked off the opening of the 2023 season on the North Rim with water conservation measures in place. With emergency funding assistance, water hauling operations began on June 4 and the North Rim water tanks are slowly refilling to meet visitor and residential demand. Construction contractors arrived on the North Rim this week and have begun the preliminary stages of rebuilding the broken section of pipeline, with work slated to continue through the coming weeks.
Fee staff are anticipating a full campground for the campground’s opening weekend beginning Friday, June 9. Trail crew staff continue to repair sections of the North Kaibab Trail and have cleared areas of major rockfall in the vicinity of Supai Tunnel. Project work continues with the North Kaibab Trail opening for hiker traffic beginning on Friday, June 16. Following this date, trail crew will continue working on the trail and hikers may encounter intermittent trail closures of up to 30 minutes.
Thank you to all staff, contractors, and concessions employees who have and continue to work tirelessly to reopen the North Rim to the public and provide quality visitor services during these extenuating circumstances.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement for National Pride Month 2023, celebrated annually in June.
The League of United Latin American Citizens is observing Pride Month by challenging all state legislative bodies in the United States and U.S. territories to protect and defend the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens. In our 94-year history, LULAC has always championed advancing rights for every American. We have been a party to many historic judicial cases that have expanded the rights of the minority and locked arms with other communities for the greater good.
NOTE NEW DATES for 2023: We are counting down the days to one of the biggest events of the year – the Heritage Festival of Art and Culture. This year the festival will be on June 24 and 25. We moved the date in response to artists and attendees who overwhelmingly agreed that moving away from the busy 4th of July weekend would be better for everyone.
I am so excited that this festival brings together Indigenous artists from across the Colorado Plateau, the only such festival that I know of. These artists will all share and celebrate their cultures from under the shade of tents among the tall pines surrounding the museum. What a beautiful setting! In addition to over 100 artists from 10 different tribes, highlights include flute workshops with Aaron White, a presentation by fashion designer Patricia Michaels, as well as performances by the Zuni Water Striders, Dilzehe’e, Apache Singers, and Yoyhoyam Hopi Youth Dancers. I am looking forward to an exciting an inspiring weekend! I hope to see you at the Heritage Festival, and at the museum.
Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable announced the National Park Service’s selection of 16 companies to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River in the park. These trips last from three to eighteen days, starting at Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, continuing through Grand Canyon National Park, and ending at Pearce Ferry within Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The contracts have been sent to the selectees for signature and once signed, will be transmitted to Congress for a 60-day notice period as stipulated by law. After this period, the National Park Service will sign and award the contracts.
Members of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth’s Trauma-Informed System Change grant program met recently to discuss the next steps in developing a mental model change ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County levels and enacted as policy change.
The goal of the program is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.
CCC&Y will be working with city and county officials to develop, implement and institutionalize the System Change over the next three years as part of its $175,000 Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant. The Coalition was one of four one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected for the grant this year.
A workgroup has begun planning on the rollout of the three-year program including raising awareness of trauma and resilience-informed practices at the city and county level through the use of surveys, meeting with leaders and staff training during year one; fine-tuning that awareness outreach and training program during year two; and ensuring those practices are institutionalized into city and county policies and sharing the successes of the System and Policy Change effort with partners statewide.
As the Arctic warms, arctic ground squirrels changing hibernation patterns
A unique long-term study, which NAU professor Loren Buck started more than two decades ago while doing his Ph.D. research in Alaska, helps us understand biological responses to climate shifts through the hibernation patterns of a cute little rodent. In the course of the 25-year study, researchers found that the female and male squirrels developed different hibernation periods over that time. The females “rise and shine” a little earlier in response to warming, which could have both positive and negative ripple effects throughout the food web in these ecosystems.
The City of Flagstaff is soliciting community review and feedback on the second draft of the Greater Observatory Mesa Trail Plan. The public participation opportunity includes a community meeting and a 40-day public comment period. Public participation opportunities will allow citizens to review the plan, learn how it may affect them, comment on the plan, and contribute to ongoing communication to resolve concerns. Details on how to participate are listed below.
Summer Art Classes at Sedona Arts Center
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years. Click here to see all of our classes and workshops
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has reopened today, June 2, for day use, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. The National Park Service recommends that visitors bring their own drinking water and food with them.
The North Rim General store, gas station and post office are open, along with Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Park Store in the Visitor Center. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A variety of park ranger programs are being offered daily. The backcountry information center, in the North Rim Administration Building, will be open 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 5 p.m. daily.
What’s that clicking noise?
Pretty much everyone on the South Rim during the last two weeks has noticed the ‘click click click click click’ sounds coming from pretty much everywhere.
On the South Rim, we’re hearing Putnam’s Cicada, (Platypedia Putnami) — large, dark-colored insects with bulging eyes and membranous wings that are folded tent-like over their bodies. Putnam’s Cicadas are only found in the western states, and have a three to five year life cycle, unlike some varieties of cicadas found in the eastern U.S. that have 13 to 17 year cycles. Like other cicadas, they don’t bite or sting, just go around feeding by using their straw-like mouth to drink watery nutrients from plants and trees.
Theatrikos brings the crazy comedy 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche to the Flagstaff stage. Hold on to your quiches! It’s 1956 and the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are having their annual quiche breakfast. A tasty recipe of hysterical laughs, sexual innuendos, unsuccessful repressions and delicious discoveries.
COCONINO COUNTY — CCC&Y shares this free online opportunity to ease some of the daily stress during this busy time of year.
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
Promises made, promises kept by your community college.
One year after the passage of a primary property tax reset for Coconino Community College, CCC has made significant progress in following through on commitments made to the voters of Coconino County. Of the several programs and initiatives promised by the increase in the primary property tax rate to Coconino Community College, many of them have already been implemented or are in process.
“To date, we’ve fulfilled nearly 75 percent of the items we noted on the ballot initiative,” said CCC President Eric Heiser, Ph.D. “And guess what? We’re not done yet. We have many new and exciting career and technical education programs and courses in the pipelines.”
Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, visits Grand Canyon
Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, and her team were in the park this past weekend to meet with the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition and community leaders about the efforts to create the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.
This effort, spearheaded by the tribal coalition and supported by Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Krysten Sinema, is a continuation of efforts to provide permanent protection from new uranium mining on over 1 million acres of land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park.
In addition to the meetings with the coalition and local stakeholders, the Secretary held separate informal meet and greets with staff from the Horace Albright Training Center and Grand Canyon National Park. Members of the park leadership team also had the opportunity to talk to her about our big infrastructure projects (trans-canyon waterline) and provide an aerial tour for she and Rep Grijalva of the area and proposed boundaries of the new national monument. Thanks to all the staff who helped support the Secretary’s visit and who came out to meet her on Saturday afternoon!
The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of upcoming summer camps in Coconino County. Contact individual programs for more information on their 2023 summer camps. (Updated May 23, 2023).
Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.
If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
Culturally rich and chaotic, El Metro is a living entity—a lively and dynamic underground city. Distinctive in character, it offers around the clock sensory stimulation. From bustling food stalls and shops to public art, exhibitions, and impromptu concerts, Mexico City’s subway system facilitates conscious and subconscious emotive bonds and attachments. Since its inauguration in 1969, El Metro’s scenography continues to celebrate Mexico’s modernity and antiquity through architecture and art, particularly its stylized wayfinding signage¾an unforgettable graphic signature that continues more than a half century later.
Coconino County continues to lead the effort in connecting students with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet across Northern Arizona, including multiple tribal communities within the region, and now on school buses.
With continued focus on education, Coconino County collaborated with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and Page Unified School District (PUSD) to identify and select routes with an emphasis on connecting students who must ride the bus more than one hour to and from school. SpaceX provided Coconino County with two of their Flat High Performance Starlink kits that are installed on the buses, enabling students to stay connected and complete homework during their transit.