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Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library
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.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
FLAGSTAFF — The community came out to celebrate, educate and inform at the 74th annual Coconino County Fair held at the fairgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Members from the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and other diversity council members — the African Diaspora Advisory Council and the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council — greeted the public near the main gate at the Coconino County information Booth.
Visitors then had an opportunity to enjoy a variety of concerts during the day featuring Sol Over Luna and Grupo Conceptos.
The day was capped off with an overflow crowd attending the Selena Forever Tribute, which was introduced by District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez.
See slideshow here
FLAGSTAFF — The formal investiture ceremony for Coconino Community College President Eric Heiser, Ph.D., will take place at 2 p.m., Friday Sept. 29.
“I’m excited to serve as the sixth president of Coconino Community College and to be a part of CCC’s newest chapter,” Dr. Heiser said. “As Coconino County’s community college, we know the vital role we play in providing an educated and skilled workforce to our community partners, and we take our role seriously.”
Water conservation measures remain in place for South Rim as tanks fill
On Tuesday, September 5, park managers implemented mandatory water conservation for the South Rim due to diminished water supplies in the South Rim holding tanks. This week, crews began to successfully pump water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim to replenish water stores. If tanks continue to fill, the NPS Water Utilities team anticipates being able to lift water conservation measures as early as next week. As a reminder, the following measures are in place for residents and all facilities on the South Rim.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
Resilience is not something we expect from children it is something we support in children, families, and communities. Making sure every child and family has the opportunity for exposure to science, role models, caring adults and a big world is what makes this so special.
We support the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Our child abuse prevention work underscores the need for these positive experiences in our community!
Visit us @ Science in the Park 9/23/23 and participate in the “Best 10 Days of the Year!!”
Schedule@scifest.org
Festival Calendar
Book Corner
After a long weekend at the Fair, relax with a good book!
Were you inspired by the animals at the Fair and also want a cozy book for the transition to autumn? All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot is the classic, heartfelt story of a Yorkshire veterinarian.
Children may like the timeless tale of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, whose story of being yourself rings just as true today as in the 1920s.
Teens and tweens may enjoy Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, the story of a farm pig’s unlikely friendship with a talented spider.
These and other great autumn reads can be found at your local library!
September is library card sign-up month!
Visit the library to sign-up for a library card or get a free replacement card! One is never too young or too old for a library card. Check out all the fun for the entire family and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.
Look at the special events and activities we have going on throughout the month including ones commemorating our new front entrance!
LIBRARY CARDS & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Munds Park area are available for public review and comment.
The flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in the Munds Park area are at risk of flooding. These flood maps are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. They replace maps that were based on studies more than 30 years old.
Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information about their current flood risk on a property-by-property basis. The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data. These help community planners, engineers, builders, and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built. Information about the mapping project and how to view the final maps can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/3141/Munds-Park. A Flood Risk Open House meeting is also being held.
This summer, a dozen NAU students went to Belize to do research. It’s called Jungle Boot Camp, and Jut Wynne takes a group down every summer. But this group was special. A well-worn flag joined the group—it’s the flag of the Explorers Club, which has gone to the top and bottom of the world, into space and all over, marking expeditions that contribute to our knowledge of the world in which we live. Learn more about the research Wynne and his students conducted in this tiny Central American country that is rich in biodiversity.
Last week, the gateway to the Grand Canyon became the latest community in northern Arizona to be severely impacted by flooding.
After about three inches of rain fell on Tusayan, flooding ensued, causing a temporary closure of State Highway 64 and evacuations. The flood waters have receded, but many residents who live in employer housing in the town are dealing with damages to their dwellings.
United Way of Northern Arizona and its partners, along with the residents’ employers, are assisting during this time with resources so the residents can store their items and replace items that were lost while their homes are being repaired.
Volunteer Cleanup Day slated for Tusayan this Saturday
While the recent flooding in Tusayan was short-lived, residents are still cleaning up the aftermath. But Tusayan is not just a town – it’s a community. And members of a community take care of each other. So on Saturday, September 2, the town is planning a Volunteer Day.
If you’re willing and able to help neighbors and residents rebuild and repair their property, come to the Tusayan Sports Complex at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 2. If you need help with a project, contact the Town of Tusayan.
You can also apply for emergency assistance through Coconino County online. Please apply before Friday September 1.
There is still food and clothing available until Tuesday, September 4 at Tusayan Townhall.
Come see what’s new in our Shop!
NOW FEATURING:
Carrie Clayden, Christine Debrosky, and Karen Puckett
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.
On September 22nd, Dr. Beth Shapiro will share her research on the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction, from sequencing ancient genomes to anticipating how revived populations might be overseen in the wild. In the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation, How to Clone a Mammoth, Shapiro explores the technical, ethical and ecological challenges of bringing extinct species back to life.
Editor’s note: Laura Rosensweet, Community Impact Manager for Education Forward AZ, is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board for the Coconino Coaltion for Children & Youth. She appeared in the forum’s “Voices from Community Leaders” video along with Coconino Community College President Eric Heiser and Window Rock Unified School District Superintendent Shannon Goodsell.
By First Things First
First Things First recently gathered community members from northern Arizona to discuss how the child care crisis is impacting their local communities.
The Aug. 15 forum at Twin Arrows conference center outside of Flagstaff was the second of a planned set of quarterly forums to be held throughout the state on Strengthening the Child Care Workforce. The first forum was in Thatcher in eastern Arizona. …
Listen to Laura Rosensweet from Education Forward Arizona talk about brain development and how access to quality, reliable care makes a difference for early childhood learning, as well as its importance for working families.
The City Sustainability Office will soon be launching the Flagstaff Home Energy Retrofit Program with a substantial grant award. The program provides home energy retrofits to low income residents, helping them reduce energy costs, increase the comfort of their homes, strengthen community participation towards greater climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to our community’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.
UPCOMING School Offerings
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.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
As we head into the final months of 2023, North Country HealthCare is pleased to provide our 2023 Cultural Competency Report. This report provides insight into our cultural competency, diversity, equity and inclusion-related efforts for the year prior. It gives our employees, patients, and community members a snapshot of where we have been, where we are now, and what we have in store for the future.
On Tuesday, August 22, emergency personnel from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Tusayan Fire Department, and Grand Canyon National Park responded to the town of Tusayan for a report of flooding due to heavy rainfall in the area.
Water levels up to three feet deep prompted officials to close a section of Highway 64 for safety. Over 100 residents and visitors in Tusayan were relocated, and about 70 students from the Grand Canyon Unified School District sheltered in place until it was safe for them to return home. No injuries were reported and crews will continue working to clean up the aftermath.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth provides a variety of free online training programs for parents, caregivers and all community members.
Our free Thriving Families webinar is a great starting place for parents, caregivers and community members brand new to the topics such as brain development, adverse childhood experiences, resilience and mindfulness. It is a great jumping off place to go deeper in knowledge and support through the rest of our library of webinars.
With thousands of views across our various topics, we are sure there is something for all community members and professionals. Whether you are seeking the best info for your family, your community or a program you work for, get a taste for our research supported prevention and community work.
In the annual University Convocation, President Cruz Rivera reflected on NAU’s long history of championing student access and success, welcomed new faculty to campus, shared highlights from last year and set some big goals for the future, anchored by a bold challenge to structure and prioritize work across the university to improve retention, persistence and graduation to facilitate students’ academic momentum. Students should also keep an eye on the course catalog for the spring—Cruz Rivera announced that he’d be teaching a class.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff seeks proposals for large-scale, three-dimensional (3D) sculptures for a temporary outdoor exhibition May-October 2024.
The exhibition will feature five artworks, existing or newly created, that reflect and make visible aspects of Indigenous and other diverse cultural representation, including Black and Latinx art. Selected artworks can advance essential perspectives and narratives through a myriad of ways and will prompt appreciation, conversation, and interaction.
FLAGSTAFF — Welcome back NAU students, parents, faculty, and staff!
The City of Flagstaff is currently constructing the Beulah/University Realignment Project. This two-and half-year project began in April 2023 and will continue through fall 2025.
In the current phase of the project, the westbound lane of University Drive is closed, between Knoles Drive and the western driveway entrance to Target, due to extensive underground construction and roadway demolition.
Kane Fire wrapping up
The Kane Fire, located about 13 miles southeast of Jacob Lake on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, is currently about 2,854 acres and 84 percent contained.
The fire was detected on August 3 after a lightning storm, and fire managers immediately implemented a full suppression strategy. Ensuing precipitation over the next several days curtailed fire activity considerably, and a Type 3 team took over on Tuesday, August 15.
Current and expected fire activity is minimal, and crews are now focused on cleanup and suppression repair.
In the interest of public safety, a portion of the Kaibab Plateau area east of Highway 67 leading to the North Rim will remain closed. Highway 67 is open.
You can visit the Kaibab National Forest website or Facebook page, or InciWeb for more information.
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.
NAU gets $5M grant to fund new wildfire initiative
The Arizona Wildfire Initiative is an all-hands-on-deck effort to deal with wildfires through a multipronged approach: more and better trained forest and fire managers; intentional forest management to reduce the risk of destructive wildfires; ensuring people on the ground have the knowledge they need to handle the increasing number and severity of wildfires as the West dries out and heats up; and building fire-resilient communities throughout Arizona. This innovative project is funded by the Office of the Governor.
FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University is conducting a study to better understand the Greater Flagstaff-area residents’ experiences and opinions of wildfire and/or post-fire flooding information. We are trying to reach as many community members as possible to understand similarities and differences experienced by different neighborhoods, demographics, and home ownerships (e.g., renter, homeowner) to inform future wildfire and flooding information and serve the diversity of people who live in the Flagstaff area.
UPCOMING School Offerings
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.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
Time is running out to RSVP for next week’s meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, which will feature conversation with the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, President Biden visited the park after announcing the designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon as a National Monument. Baaj nwaavjo means “where Indigenous peoples roam” in the Havasupai language, and i’tah kukvenimeans “our ancestral footprints” in the Hopi language. The new monument encompasses about 917,618 acres of the Kaibab National Forest (both north and south of the park) and portions of the Bureau of Land Management Arizona Strip District (BLM), lands already part of the 2012 mineral withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement. These lands will continue to be managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, and Tribal Nations will be included in decisions about managing the areas. The national monument only includes federal lands and does not include State and private lands within the boundary.
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
You are cordially invited to the next meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, where our featured speakers will be the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.
We are extending this invitation to the entire business community because of the importance of these two countries to our state and regional economy.
Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have again been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government …
… in the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government.
This is the fourth consecutive year Coconino County has placed in the Top 10 counties in the up to 150,000 population category. The County is being recognized for Aligned Leadership, Cybersecurity, Constituent Centric, Data Driven Government, IT Investments, Resilience, Workforce Planning, Continuous Innovation, Connected Infrastructure, and Business Process Alignment.
As we approach Fall, the Coconino Coaltion for Children & Youth wants to remind everyone that we have a variety of free webinar training programs on our website to help parents and families during the upcoming back to school season.
Our growing library of on-demand webinars is designed to help the public gain the tools they need to provide trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences, address issues such as bullying and the support to adults and youth through the use of mindfulness practices.
To combat pathogens like Zika, Ebola or the virus that causes COVID-19, we have to know how they work. One of the most effective ways of figuring that out is genomic sequencing, which allows scientists to break down the pathogen’s DNA or RNA. During the pandemic, use of this tool increased exponentially, with it playing a critical role in everything from tracking the virus’ movement to developing effective vaccines. In an essay published this week, biologists Jason Ladner and Jason Sahl argue that scientists, public health officials and policymakers worldwide must build on this momentum so society is better prepared for the next pandemic.
This month you have the opportunity to gain unique insights into the museum Easton Collection Center, from a talk about living roof this weekend to an open house on August 26. During that open house, we’re rolling out the rug for you, quite literally – the Staples rug. This large, double-sided rug was last displayed in 2017. Because of its size and age (more than 130 years old) the rug is difficult to display, but also a remarkable example of Navajo weaving.
I hope you join us for this opportunity to see not only the Staples rug, but also our beautiful collections facility and some of the other spectacular objects we care for.
There’s so much more going on this month I can’t mention it all, but be sure to scroll through this entire email to see the upcoming talks, Ventures trips, art classes, and more.
Last Month Before the Coconino County Fair!
The Coconino County Fair is only one month away!
Are you exhibiting at the Fair? Don’t miss the deadlines for exhibit entries this month! Visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com for deadlines, listed in our Fair Book!
Your last chance to get discounted tickets is now!
Online Early Bird admission tickets are SOLD OUT!
Buy Early Bird tickets (cash only) at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange while supplies last!
Discounted carnival wrist bands are still available at Bookmans Flagstaff and www.CoconinoCountyFair.com, while supplies last!
Don’t sleep on these discounts!
Want to save time parking? Buy your parking pass online, to hasten the wait time!
FLAGSTAFF — Many of our board members are busy working on the program of events for the 2023 Festival of Science, collaborating with a wide range of community partners and local experts to share discoveries and insights about topics spanning the sciences, technology and the arts.
As announced earlier this year, the theme of the 2023 Festival is “The Mammoth World of Science.” The 10-day adventure will launch with featured keynote speaker Beth Shapiro, PhD, a pioneer and global leader in the high-profile field of ancient DNA, sharing her expertise on the science of de-extinction. The W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, in Northern Arizona University’s Ardrey Auditorium.
Coconino Fire burns close to park
On Thursday, July 27, a wildfire was reported approximately 5 miles southwest of Grand Canyon Village.
The Coconino Fire is a lightning caused fire first detected around 10 a.m. on the Kaibab National Forest. The fire is currently estimated at approximately 118 acres.
Fire crews from the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park responded quickly and aggressively, with containment estimated at 40%.
An Incident Management Team was mobilized in the park in case an evacuation order was given.
At this time, fire managers are confident that the fire is under control.
For more information, you can check our Facebook page or call 928-638-7688 for the latest updates.
While this fire never materialized into a credible threat, it serves as a great reminder to review the Ready-Set-Go evacuation plans and procedures for you and your family. We would also encourage Grand Canyon and Tusayan residents to sign up for Coconino County emergency notifications. Please help yourself and the community in becoming prepared and ready for a wildland fire.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College received a $750,000 grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to help grow the college’s Construction Technology Management programs.
CCC was one of 10 colleges nationwide chosen as recipients of the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program. The program is a five-year, $50 million commitment by Lowe’s to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. This year’s recipients were awarded nearly $8 million in grants to help bolster skilled trades training infrastructure.
“We’re incredibly honored to have been selected as one the first-ever Gable Grants Recipients from the Lowe’s Foundation,” said CCC President Dr. Eric Heiser. “This gift will allow us to build our already growing Construction Management program and allow us to add even more students to the high-demand, high-wage field within Flagstaff and Coconino County.”
Typically, my e-newsletters to you are reserved to talk about our region and the work that the diverse leadership of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona is doing to maintain and expand economic vitality here.
Today, however, I want to share a little bit of personal news that I think will also benefit our efforts.
I’m honored to announce that starting next month, I will be part of the 15th cohort of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. This is an extraordinary opportunity to connect with 27 other civic leaders throughout the state and gain a deeper understanding of policies as we work to address Arizona’s long-term issues.
If I asked you to guess who was the driving force behind the founding of what would become the United Way of Northern Arizona more than a half century ago, what would you say?
City government? School officials? Local churches? Nonprofit organizations?
Actually, it was the business community.
Much has changed at UWNA since local businesses spearheaded the founding of the “United Fund” in 1967 (story below).
From the desk of:
Liz Archuleta
President & CEO
One thing has remained true throughout the past 56 years is how both the business community and UWNA benefit from this powerful connection.
I hope you enjoy the articles below about the vital role local businesses played in UWNA’s past and present, as well as the many ways hosting a workplace campaign is good for your business.
Our annual fundraising effort kicks off in about two months. To those businesses already planning to host workplace campaigns, we are very grateful. If you would like to start a workplace campaign at your business, please reach out to us at (928) 773-9813 or email me or Campaign and Operations Manager Christine Pierce. We’d love to help.