This April, join the NAU community in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. IMQ and other organizations will host a variety of events to celebrate and recognize these cultures on campus. With the increase in violence toward Asian and Pacific Islander people, it is especially important to honor and celebrate these countries and cultures.
We hope that you’ll join us for Arizona Gives Day, a 24-hour, statewide celebration of charitable organizations that starts at noon today. It’s a special time that unites supporters of big and small nonprofits to increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving.
Many thanks to those of you who have already donated to United Way of Northern Arizona as part of this year’s #AZGIves campaign. If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, you can do so by clicking HERE.
“Our April Celebrate Sedona is upon us and we are thrilled to have Secret Handshake performing for us this month! In addition, we will also be celebrating the people of Ukraine and will be taking donations to support humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. Our Marketing Director, Kelli and one of our Gallery artists both have family in Ukraine and we felt this was a way we could pay tribute and stand with them as they support their families.” – Julie Richard, CEO
Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) and Grand Canyon National Park are proud to announce the selection of the next Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence, biologist, landscape and nature photographer, and conservationist Imma Barrera. She will live and work at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, with visits to the North Rim and Tuweep, from April 28 to May 23, 2022.
Barrera’s current project, “Under the Night Sky,” involves raising awareness about the importance of protecting the night sky by presenting different features of select National Parks in the format of a published book, combining photography and nature education and illustrating the efforts these parks have undertaken as part of their mission to preserve the environment. Barrera’s goal is to capture those inspiring landscapes under the night sky.
He loves to learn, especially about computers.
Coconino Community College student Cameron Jones started taking classes at CCC when he was in high school as a student enrolled in the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, and Technology program, better known as CAVIAT. CAVIAT helps high school students get college credit and hands-on knowledge about job skills required for certain careers, preparing their path after they graduate from high school.
“The CAVIAT program was a taste of the real thing,” Jones said, adding that he is now a part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at CCC. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society that has more than 1200 different chapters, including CCC’s chapter, Beta Gamma Chi.
Did you know? Providing Latinx youth with increased opportunities to connect with the outdoors and access to leadership spaces can help them develop their own leadership abilities. This year, we are introducing a new initiative called Semillitas Outdoors, a weeklong celebration of Latinx children in the outdoors
From April 23 through May 1, Latino Outdoors will offer virtual and in-person activities that center the experience of Latinx children and their families.
Join us as we support and celebrate children’s access to the outdoors and leadership spaces, and build positive connections to the process of getting outside!
In 2020, federal fire agencies spent a whopping $2.2 billion—that’s billion with a “B”—fighting fires. That number has increased tenfold in the last few decades. For Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, take a look at NAU’s diverse efforts to increase forest health, improve firefighting capabilities, help communities become more resilient and rebuild after a fire and better understand fire behavior.
Tuweep day-use civic engagement period ends April 6
Last week the park initiated civic engagement to solicit comments on implementation of a proposed day-use reservation system at Tuweep, including all park areas within Toroweap Valley and the Kanab Plateau. A $2 ticket fee per vehicle is proposed and would be available through recreation.gov.
On busy, high visitation days, especially during the weekends, up to 50+ vehicles often travel into Tuweep around the same time of day, causing road congestion, long waits to access the Toroweap overlook, overcrowding in popular locations, impacts to property, and excessive noise. As a result, the overall visitor experience has deteriorated, and sensitive natural and cultural resources have been damaged.
Emphasizing how local programs supported by United Way of Northern Arizona dovetail with their work as educators, the team at Flagstaff Unified School District doubled the number of participants and donations to this year’s workplace campaign.
Almost 60 school district employees raised $10,572 in the most recent workplace drive for UWNA, compared to $5,259 the prior year and well in excess of the stated goal of $6,600.
The two-week campaign was largely accomplished through emails and posters urging FUSD employees to “Step Up for Our Community,” said Kurt F. Steele, Executive Assistant to Superintendent Mike Penca.
Spring is here and the HECHO team is blooming! We hope that you and your family take the time to enjoy the sounds of songbirds, the woodpeckers drumming, the flowers budding, and that unforgettable smell of Spring.
We couldn’t be more excited for the progress we’ve made so far this year, and we are excited to share what we’ve been working on with you in this month’s newsletter.
In late March, Interior Secretary Haaland visited the border community of El Paso, where she met with community members and Monumental SHIFT coalition members to discuss the designation of Castner Range as a National Monument, an effort that HECHO has supported that will conserve wildlife and provide access to public lands to a majority Hispanic community.
Coconino County has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to community partners to gather information on services and projects needed as the Board of Supervisors allocates American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address COVID-19 pandemic impacts.
Please note that this is a Request for Information, NOT a Request for Proposals. Click here to access and download the Request for Information (RFI).
Preparing to file your taxes is stressful for us all but it’s also when we’re most aware of our yearly giving. As a loyal follower of the Flagstaff Festival of Science you understand the value of bringing the excitement of STEAM and joy of discovery to Northern Arizona. Why not plan ahead to help both the 2022 Festival and your taxes? (If you’ve recently made a donation to the Festival’s Spring Campaign, THANK YOU!)
Dear Arizona House of Representatives Members,
As organizations and individuals that support and advocate for the wellbeing of children and families in Arizona and nationally, we write to oppose SB1399. If passed, this bill will be harmful to children and families involved with Arizona’s child welfare system.
Arizona is experiencing a shortage of licensed foster homes for children in foster care. Limiting who can become a foster parent by permitting taxpayer-funded foster care licensing agencies to discriminate is not in the best interest of Arizona children. “There are currently 3,255 homes, an 11% drop compared with this time last year and down 33% from the recent high-water mark of 4,875 homes in 2017.” Arizona does not have a shortage of nonprofit agencies, it has a shortage of families seeking to foster. A law that permits agencies to turn qualified and willing families away for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability to parent does not encourage or support efforts to recruit and license more families.
Advances in stroke treatment aren’t just coming from medicine—they’re coming from engineering too. Mechanical engineering student Josette Vigil is spending her career at NAU working on stroke research, including material testing of 3D printed polymers and tissues and algorithm development to define the volume and dimensions of an aneurysm. For stroke patients, this work could be life-changing—or even life-saving. Vigil, who works in associate professor Tim Becker’s Bioengineering Devices Lab, is sharing her work publicly this semester at NAU’s Undergraduate Symposium on April 22.
Creative Flagstaff is seeking volunteers to serve on the grantmaking panels for our upcoming General Operating Support grant program. This is an important and highly valued volunteer opportunity. Volunteers have the opportunity to learn more about the grantmaking process and to have a high impact of Flagstaff’s creative community. Volunteers can sign up for either short-term or long-term commitments.
Join us for ArtWalk this Friday, April 1st! We are kicking off the month with several exciting activities.
Stop by Heritage Square from 5-8 pm to pick up your ArtWalk map from our info booth. While you’re there you can vote in the Through My Eyes: Diversity in My Community Art Contest, pick up some delicious food from Shift FLG who will be serving a special menu in honor of their 6 year anniversary, and listen to NPA’s Advanced Jazz Band, the winners of the CCA Youth Arts Battle of Bands.
We hope to see you there!
With warmer weather and bright sunshine, it feels like we are experiencing the Spring season’s promise of renewal. I feel that too when I walk through the museum and see people enjoying the exhibitions. Looking ahead at the new exhibitions opening and the many in-person activities planned, it’s a time of rebirth within the museum as well.
April 2 will be a very exciting day. It’s the first day to see the newest exhibition, Baje Whitethorne Sr.: Náátsʼíilid/Rainbow Light, which celebrates an artist whose importance stretches far beyond the canvas, touching many lives. That Saturday is also Slow Art Day, when MNA joins with museums around the world in inviting people to slow down and look. Neuroscience has confirmed what ancient artists always knew: we see only a tiny fraction of what is around us. To widen the lens and allow more in, we must slow down.
It’s Not Too Late…this is your chance to be involved in our Annual STEM Celebration!!!
Sign Up Now to be a STEM Exhibitor at an Outdoor Science Fair and a Day of Fun for All!!!
In the pursuit of understanding the unknown, Audrey Martin, Corrosion Metallurgical Engineer at W. L. Gore & Associates, chronicles the story of taking opportunities, and the tough questions needing answers along the way. Audrey’s work spans both engineering and science, where she works in research and development (R&D) and supports product development for medical implants used to save and improve lives in patients. Audrey’s work is to ensure that these products are corrosion-resistant and safe for patients to use for long amounts of time. Corrosion, the gradual destruction of materials through interaction with the environment, is all around us and affects our lives every day from the products we use to the cars we drive.
The Tailgate Paint Out is a first-of-its-kind event and is supported by a group of very experienced and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. Sedona is a sublime environment with stunning beauty, and the Sedona Arts Center has roots going back 60+ years to the founding of Sedona. If you have never been to, or painted in Sedona, this is a great opportunity to get to know our incredible scenery, sell work and be eligible for great prize money! We are focusing this event on artists that have never been to one of our events in the past or are emerging artists. Tailgate Paint Out is supported by a grant from the AZ Office of Tourism.
COCONINO COUNTY — Cesar Chavez Day was declared a federal holiday by President Obama on March 31, 2014 to honor Cesar Chavez, a Latino American leader in civil rights and the labor movement.
This year, the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) is partnering with @nauflagstaff to commemorate his legacy through community service.
Upcoming events include:
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27 — NAU Tennis Match & Food Drive
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 28 — COVID-19 Latina/o Research Team Panel
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 — Feature Film: Cesar Chavez (2014)
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 — Guest Speaker: Dr. Mike Amezcua – “Making Mexican Chicago: From Postwar Settlement to the Age of Gentrification”
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31 — Documentaty Film: Dolores (2018).
The Northern Arizona Book Festival is excited to announce its return in conventional fashion with virtual components for a world still gripped by uncertainty. The festival will run Friday, April 1st through Sunday, April 10th with live, in-person events and dual modality sessions via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook Live.
Throughout her education and career, Melissa Wheeler was used to being the sole Indigenous person in a room, or one of a few. She’d never had a Native American professor. That’s no longer the case for Wheeler, a doctoral student in the counseling/school psychology education program, as she has helped open doors to others by bringing her work to them. In recognition of her commitment to culturally centered work, Wheeler was named to the second cohort of Rising Graduate Scholars from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. She was one of only 10 students nationwide to receive this honor.
Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
As of March 17, Coconino County community transmission remains moderate, and the community level is low. In Arizona, 13 of the 15 counties have low community levels.
Total cases for the week of March 10-16 is 5,153, which is an average of 736 cases per day for the seven-day rolling average for the week. No new cases have been reported this week within Grand Canyon National Park or in the 86023 zip code.
Coconino County reports the Grand Canyon community is 73.1% fully vaccinated as of March 18.
See Youth Arts: Progress & Potential before is closes on April 2nd!
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday; 11 am – 5 pm
Coconino Center for the Arts’ 2022 Youth Art Exhibition celebrates the outstanding progress and unbounded potential of local youth artists in Flagstaff and the regional community. This year, the exhibition is open to and inclusive of all artwork submissions by youth artists (Pre-K to 12th grade, living in Coconino or Navajo counties) that reflect significant progress in the students’ artistic learning; risk-taking, trying new materials and techniques; and strong potential for continued artmaking.
At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment (CI) Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.
There are currently 37 community volunteers participating in one of seven Community Investment Teams spread throughout northern Arizona.
This year, their review process is a little different.
Typically, UWNA disburses one-year grants to our partners, but in 2021, we chose to make two-year commitments to each of the the 42 programs supported through your donations, with an initial grant given last year and a “renewal” grant awarded this year.
That change gave our partners a little more stability and the opportunity to plan out beyond one year.
Youth recently talked to a CEO of a youth-serving organization who is onboarding several new employees. He was pleased to know that CCC&Y had resources to ensure all staff could be trained in trauma-informed practices. We shared our list of on-demand webinars, and our CEO partner is now ensuring they are incorporated into the onboarding protocol.
With Child Abuse Prevention Month approaching in April, CCC&Y would love to support you to ensure all staff have the tools they need to become trauma-informed. CCC&Y has on-demand webinars on our website www.coconinokids.org. In addition, training topics can be provided to your organization on a day and time that work for the staff. Training is conducted either virtually or in person and is tailored to meet the needs of specific groups within Coconino County.
Three NAU athletes—Abdihamid Nur, Nico Young and Drew Bosley—scored enough points to earn NAU a fourth-place spot in the championship. With his first-place victory, Nur became the first national double event champion in NAU’s history.
It is the end of one era – and the beginning of a new one.
Chris Bavasi, who was instrumental in the formation of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona and served as the Chairman of its Executive Board since it began in 2010, stepped down from this post earlier this month. He will remain on the board, however, as a lifetime emeritus member.
Joshua Maher, Northern Arizona University’s Associate Vice President for Community Relations, has now stepped into the chairman’s role with Heidi Hansen, the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Vitality Director, serving as vice chair. Joe Barba, Director of Government Relations at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is our Secretary, while Steve Eiss, Vice President, Construction & Real Estate Development for Northern Arizona Healthcare is our Treasurer.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 10 percent of all master’s degrees are awarded to Latinx students, and only 1 percent to Indigenous students. The situation for Ph.D. students is even more dire. To address these inequities on an institutional level, a multidisciplinary team of researchers will partner with Diné College and NAU-Yuma to launch two related projects, supported by nearly $1.3 million in funding. Their ultimate goal is to recruit, train and place students from historically excluded groups into STEM careers.
Cline Lecture Series in the Humanities will present 2015 U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the Cline Library Assembly Hall.
“Searching for the Source, Solving the Chaos with a Poem” Free and open to the public. Masks required.
The Recreation Program catalog provides one easy place to view our upcoming programs such as Culinary Classes, Archery Clinics, Hikes, and the Outdoor Adventure Summer Camp. Program descriptions and clickable links direct to each program’s online registration page. Visit Coconino.az.gov/recprograms to view our digital catalog.
The Friends of Coconino County Parks (FCCP) have teamed up to offer Program Financial Assistance for certain CCPR recreation programs. Funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact Adam at asmath@coconino.az.gov.
“Supporters for a Thriving CCC” Political Action Committee are a group of volunteers working to support Coconino Community College and its long-term success for our region. Unfortunately, the college is critically underfunded and needs more revenue to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
The good news: there is a way to fix it. This May 17th, the college will be asking voters in the county for a sustainable, pragmatic, primary property tax rate reset. We recognize and value your community leadership and ask for your help in this effort both financially and verbally.
Passage of the ballot measure will reset the college’s primary property tax rate to a level that will still be the lowest in the state but will provide the necessary dependable revenues to sustain the college well into the future.
We are celebrating St.Paddy’s Day with some of our favorite bars and restaurants. 2 p.m.
Registration is now open for CCC&Y’s “Mindful Positioning — Seeking Change & Healing” virtual workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27.
International child welfare expert Kevin Campbell will host the event.
Register here.
More than ever- we need to unite with diverse community members in a process designed to gain answers and input. A step in our Self-Healing Communities work.
With funding support by Vitalyst Health Foundation and the Department of Child Safety Prevention Councils
Springtime is about renewal a time for life to re-emerge and start the cycle of life all over again. It is the calm after the storm, the dawn of light after prolonged darkness. It is a time to fortify ourselves, and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming year. We have lots of work to do moving forward. We must be prepared for the new monsoon season. Make the tough decisions around local county Redistricting. Make the financial decisions for the county budget for FY 2023. There is a midterm election where our citizens have some decisions to make about their elected officials and different bonds to support programs for our county. As the Board of Supervisors, we have the duty to listen to our constituents and lead our county through these trying times. After severing as supervisor for a year, I am honored to now serve the county as Vice Chair. It is my responsibility to provide leadership to our county staff and the citizen of our county. I am committed to growing into my new role and advocating for all Coconino County.
Let’s celebrate together to raise funds and bring arts and education to our community!
Thursday, April 14th, 2022
6pm-8pm
5pm – 6pm VIP Reception & Pre-Sale
Sedona Arts Center Parking Lot & Art Barn
Silent Auction begins Monday, April 4th, 2022
Door Prizes include three $1000 Gift cards (one each) to Rowe Gallery, Goldenstein Gallery, and Exposures International Gallery (you must be present to win)
Tickets are $50 per person or
$75 per person for VIP Reception & Pre-Sale Prior to the Event
Purchase original artwork to benefit SAC
Mingle with friends and meet the artists
Enjoy wine and light hors d’oeuvres
Registration required
STEM City is now accepting nominations for the 2022 STEMmy awards!
This annual award is given to organizations and individuals who are STEM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. The deadline is April 10, 2022.
Nomination forms for each of the categories are available below:
High School Student Nomination Form
Teacher Nomination Form
Community Member/Business Nomination Form
Winners will be announced during the STEM Celebration Event
at Ft. Tuthill Saturday, April 30th.
18th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival
October 22 – 29, 2022
LAST CALL
– Application Deadline TOMORROW:
March 15, 2022
About the Festival:
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 64 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 22 through 29, 2022!
General Operating Support Grants
Creative Flagstaff’s flagship grant program is now open for applications. This grant program supports nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups who have missions dedicated to producing, presenting, teaching, or serving the arts, cultural equity, preservation, or awareness, and/or presenting science programming to the public. Last year, $305,000 was awarded to 31 Flagstaff nonprofits.
Applications are due Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
Funding for nonprofit organizations is available through the Art & Science Fund at Creative Flagstaff. The Art & Science Fund is made possible with funding from the City of Flagstaff BBB Revenues
Coconino Community College (CCC) improves the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education, and the community wants the college to continue preparing our residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow. But if we don’t fix a dire funding situation before it’s too late, CCC won’t be able to provide the programs vital to the success of our region.
Fri., March 11 In-person International Star Party. 6:30-10 p.m.; onsite.
Sat., March 12 Messier Marathon. 6:30 p.m.-6 a.m.; virtual.
Presidential pedagogy
Education is a second career for three-time Lumberjack Robyn Yewell. But it didn’t stop her from jumping in when she made the move to teaching elementary school science. After a decade of teaching in Tucson schools, two master’s degrees from NAU (and working on a third!), in February she was announced as a winner of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, K-6, for 2020. She is one of only two
Janet Leung, who retired from W.L. Gore & Associates in 2013, said one of the defining characteristics of her former workplace is its strong spirit of community.
“Everyone has a sense of ownership, of looking out for each other and the company as well,” she said recently.
That attitude extends to its commitment to the community. W.L. Gore not only encourages its employees to support local nonprofits, it matches their donations dollar-for-dollar, even after its associates have retired from the company.
March is Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month and a time for us to honor and celebrate the many women who have helped to shape our nation and the National Park Service. The national theme for Women’s History Month in 2022 explores the role of women of all cultures in providing both healing and hope throughout history.
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, we would like to highlight the great feat of accomplishing goals and dreams, specifically one woman’s journey of doing it by herself.
As CCC&Y celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we are committed to:
Our Mission: Igniting collective action to cultivate, honor & empower resilient, thriving communities.
Our Vision: We envision a holistic community where all children of Coconino County are increasingly free from trauma experience and all have equitable opportunities that build resiliency.
To help us continue and expand our mission in 2022, please consider supporting the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth through your individual, family, student or group membership
By becoming 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.
NAU’s Department of Women’s and Gender Studies has crowd-sourced a list of outstanding historical and contemporary figures who advocated for women’s rights and human rights across all conceivable fields of intellectual, political, medical and artistic endeavors from different geographical locations. From artists to authors to protestors, these women are recognized for their contribution to human history.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking candidates for vacant seats for Coconino Community College District #2 and Coconino Community College District #3.
Both Coconino Community College District #2 and Coconino Community College District #3 serve a term of six (6) years.
He was tired of chasing after a big paycheck and wanted to do something more for his community.
That’s why Coconino Community College student Frank Stucjus decided to return to school a bit later in life.
“I really like the idea of helping people get the tools to solve their problems,” Stucjus said, adding that he’s had a tumultuous life and would like to help navigate through the tough spots in their own lives as a counselor or a teacher. “I wanted to do something that gives back to the people around me.”
Creative Flagstaff is thrilled to share the 14th Annual Viola Awards finalists. Winners will be announced at the Viola Awards on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. Tickets for the event will go on sale soon. Read more about each of this year’s finalists on our website.
CCC&Y has opposed this bill and encourages your participation as well.
CCC&Y’s Position
HB 2808- Bill is aimed at addressing D and F graded schools. However, it is not addressing the root cause of issues children and families face such as poverty, access to nutrition and technology. There has been no community input, and there has not been public debate. Decisions will be made based on testing that many describe as flawed. These measures do not account for the societal variables schools face. This bill would open the door to school take over from groups- including national ones- with little transparency and accountability. At a minimum, this should be slowed down to allow for input and discussion. Further, we have not resourced schools facing the most challenges appropriately. We continue to operate under a punitive system that punishes schools for the societal hardships they are facing rather than offering the necessary support.
Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as Tuesday downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park.
On Tuesday, March 8, ignitions may occur on the Paria Beach Riparian Restoration project. The project is not expected to last for more than one day and targets 5 acres of riparian vegetation and tamarisk along the banks of the Colorado River, approximately 1.25 miles downriver from the Lees Ferry boat ramp.
What started out as a desire to build a home she could call her own has turned into a career path.
Now that Coconino Community College student Andrea Clayton has received the All-Arizona Academic Scholarship, she will continue her journey toward a bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology Management and, maybe, owning her own business.
“There’s a certain satisfaction in building with my own hands,” Clayton said, adding that she hopes to gain some experience managing projects for a local contractor before trying to strike out owning her own business.
