Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, according to the American Psychological Association.
It is a field that has long held fascination for Michele Metcalf, lead faculty for Social and Behavioral Sciences at Coconino Community College. Along her educational journey, she found that what she had a passion for teaching the subject that fascinated her.
Her students can feel that passion and helped her earn the honor of CCC’s 2021 Full-Time Faculty of the Year.
Flash Floods and Lightning Awareness
As we continue to navigate monsoon season, we would like to take a moment to discuss the dangers of flash floods and lightning within the Grand Canyon. Flash floods are distinguished from regular floods by having a timescale of fewer than six hours between rainfall and the onset of flooding.
Celebrate Sedona was specifically designed for the Arts Center be more connected locally. We are so excited about bringing more people to our campus – those who would not typically attend one or our events, classes or programs. We want to introduce what we do to our entire community in a casual, engaging way that is all about fun. So local musicians, food, wine and beer, artist demos, and more, will be available. Some of our events will be themed to whatever is going on in the community, our programming, or tied to an upcoming holiday. This event is free and open to everyone – so please come take a look. We would love to have you!
The Literacy center is officially reopening for in-person classes, drop-ins, and one-on-one tutoring on August 10th!!!! We are so excited to get to meet face-to-face once again. We will be offering several sections of ESL classes, conversation classes, and one pronunciation class at our site. In addition, we will continue our Zoom classes for those of us who are not yet comfortable in an in-person setting. Please check our online schedule at thinkliteracy.org for specific class dates and times beginning August 1st. Please feel free to drop in any time August 10th, 11th, or 12th to say hi! We will have refreshments available to celebrate our reopening.
We are back!! 2021 Conference tickets on sale now!! We are so excited to FINALLY host this highly anticipated and exciting event!! Please see our full program and event details. We are proud to host amazing speakers and content. For example, get to know our opening Keynote speaker by viewing Deanna Singh’s Tedx Talk, We All Have the Power to Build Bridges.
Get your tickets today!! This event supports professional and personal development. We are calling those who are seeking to excel professionally, those who wish to bring healing to themselves and their community, individuals who are engaged and craving change, and to those dedicating their lives and careers to supporting others.
Ten days of events, including in-person guided walks, workshops and demonstrations, along with live-streamed virtual talks and lectures, will showcase science innovation and discovery happening right here in our own backyard!
Interested in how land use, affordability, water, transportation, and climate change are interrelated in Flagstaff?
Come to F3’s Community Forum!
Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture, Museum of Northern Arizona. Week four of celebrating of Indigenous cultures. 10 a.m.
Months in the making, and announced at the 13th Annual Viola Awards, Flagstaff Arts Council is now Creative Flagstaff.
Math and statistics are Dorel Meier’s game. She finds it a worthy challenge to take students on a journey to understand how much of what they do in the world revolves around math and that it can be fun.
So, it’s no wonder that Meier was chosen as the Part-Time Faculty of the Year for the 2021-22 school year at Coconino Community College. She was nominated by students and by fellow faculty at the college.
“This award truly means the world to me,” Meier said. “I am so proud of the work I have done with CCC students and this award validates that I am making a difference in their lives.”
he Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourist Affairs is already an informative reference for
thousands of players in the Mexico–Arizona relationship. It has happened in part because
the newsletter offers pertinent information month after month in its three sections —#ChooseMexico, #ArizonaThrives and #DiscoverMexico. It also has become a must- read because of the support and interest
of high-profile leaders on both sides of the border who are committed to collaborate to
make our region thrive. They have found in this newsletter an excellent platform to discuss relevant
issues that affect our binational relationship.
In this Sixth Edition, we are very pleased to have the special collaboration of Alfonso Durazo, the governor-elect of the neighboring state of Sonora. The well-being of both the Arizona and Sonora‘s economy and tourism cannot be conceived without each other. In this sense, Gov.-elect Durazo has chosen our newsletter to confirm, through his informative article, that his government considers the relationship with Arizona essential.
On the Arizona side, we have articles from Juan Ciscomani, senior advisor
to the governor of Arizona for regional and international affairs, and Danny Seiden, the new president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They both emphasize the importance of the state of Sonora and all
of Mexico to the state of Arizona. In this section, we also learn more about Xico, the arts and culture institution founded in Phoenix in 1975, from its Executive Director Donna Valdéz; the heartwarming work of Marlene Carrasco; and the Valle de Guadalupe and Cetto Winery from Laura L. Medina Montiel.
Enjoy!
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 891-8599
Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 641-3518
Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
Due to monsoonal activity and heavy rainfall, Grand Canyon National Park will rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions as of 6 a.m. Friday, July 16.
Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. Inner canyon users can use gas cook stoves, but campfires and other open fires are never allowed below the rim. River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permit regarding fires along the Colorado River.
Visitors should continue to be fire aware and use extra care when visiting their public lands.
A pair of recently released reports illustrate how far our region and state have to go to provide better outcomes for our children and youth – and how the pandemic has complicated those efforts.
According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arizona was slowly making improvements in multiple areas for children. The state is consistently in the bottom 25% for overall rankings, but had shown gains in 2019 in both the economic well-being of children and with more elementary and middle school students meeting math and reading proficiency levels.
And then COVID hit.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff is excited to announce its partnership with the Flagstaff Hullabaloo Festival! We are honored and grateful to be selected as one of the benefiting agencies. Proceeds will directly benefit our youth mentoring programs.
Hullabaloo is a celebration of all things Flagstaff and we can’t wait to join in the fun on August 14th and 15th.
To support this wonderful event, we are looking for volunteers to help throughout the festival. If you are available and would like to volunteer please follow this link below to fill out the google form. We will reach out to you shortly to confirm a volunteer slot.
CCC&Y, in partnership with One•n•ten and Flagstaff Public Library, convened several Coconino youths to lead a youth pride event. Nine youth between the ages of 12-24 years old eagerly joined the planning team! During the initial meeting, the youth brainstormed several ideas possible event themes. After a short deliberation, the youth agreed to plan a paint night!
They created the flyer to advertise the event and determined what materials would be provided to participants. They promoted the event within their networks. They brainstormed conversation starters to get youth interacting during the event.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
The classes were a little smaller, the program was a little shorter, and smoke from wildfires sometimes made getting outside for recess difficult. Despite those challenges, the return of KinderCamp™ last month was a great success.
More than 130 students from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside took part in this year’s collaborative project, which prepares pre-school age children academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten.
“It was great,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the project. “The families were excited to be back in person, the kids were happy to be in school, and the teachers were appreciative for a chance to help them grow.”
Social Gathering Reminders
During the summer, it is common to see social gatherings happening in the park.
Here are a few reminders if you are considering attending a gathering:
If you are unvaccinated, remember that you must wear a face covering when indoors and maintain physical distance from others. You should use extra caution in all situations if you are not vaccinated. Follow CDC guidance and DOI policy to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Even if you are vaccinated, it may be a good idea to have a mask handy in case you need it. Vaccinated people are welcome to wear masks any time they feel it may be helpful.
The recent surge in the more transmissible Delta variant in surrounding states and in Arizona has made these prevention strategies all the more important.
Thanks to community partners’ support, in June, Goodwill provided over 800 services, helped 19 people in the Flagstaff area find jobs, and certified 3 people in NorthStar Computer Basics!
Below is an update on the July workshops at Goodwill. Please share the attached flyers!
Thank you for your support!
As of 6:00 a.m. July 6, Coconino County has moved back to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
In line with the movement to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, Coconino County Parks and Recreation has reopened trails including Soldiers, Bridge, Two-Spot, Gold Digger, and Pumphouse Nature trails, and allowed access to the Highlands Trail, Flagstaff Loop Trail, and Harrenburg Wash.
Additionally, Fort Tuthill Disc Golf Course, Fort Tuthill Bike Park, the stables at Fort Tuthill, the Archery Range at Fort Tuthill, and ramadas are now open.
“Finding My Strength; Hope in Connection,” is the theme of the 2021 Annual Conference from Aug. 18 through Sept. 8 presented by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.
Deanna Singh, author, TEDx talk Speaker, Justice and Equality Advocate, will launch the conference with her presentation “Hustle with Purpose” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 MST/AZ.
Sandra Solano, MD, MS, a Public Health Professional and HeartMath Master Trainer, will lead the day two session with her presentation “From a Smart Brain to a Wise Heart — A Scientist’s Journey” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Other presentations include:
FLAGSTAFF — Safety inspections. Figuring out 13 gears while double clutching. Backing a 53-foot trailer. All very important, among a host of other important skills, to successfully driving a semi, which is why a commercial driver’s license is required to operate…
We have been pretty busy this month! I am enjoying meeting more people and connecting with the District 2 community. It has been a month full of board meetings, events and lots of learning. I have walked along the Museum Fire drainages and am happy to report that a lot of work has gone into improving the drainage. Thank you to United Way, the County and the City for the efforts to get the drainages clear and ready for monsoon season. In addition, we had about 80 volunteers between two weekends come out to support the neighborhood volunteer day. Seeing everyone come together to help one another is a rare sighting, but I know District 2 is full of generous, loving people that want to see their community thrive. As the weather warms up I am looking forward to seeing family, spending time with my kids and working on items for the fall. I hope that you reach out to my office whenever you need. You can reach District 2 at 928-679-7162 or email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov or contact my District Director, Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov.
The city of Flagstaff entered Stage Two fire restrictions at 6 a.m. on July 6, 2021. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.
As of 6:00 a.m. today, July 6, Coconino County has moved back to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
This decision was made due to the cooler temperatures and recent rainfall which has reduced the risk of wildfire.
Even with the rain and lower temperatures, Coconino County remains in a drought and therefore fire danger remains. The following restrictions apply on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County:
As I drive through the open expansions and vast wilderness of quiet and bare Arizona State Route 92 between Bisbee and Sierra Vista, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road comes to mind. Published for the first time in 1957, On the Road is the classic novel about the Beat Generation of the 1950’s that hands over an extended peek into the lives of a group of cheerful misfits and their ill-fated encounters with women, liquor, drugs, destitution, and music as they hitchhike and weave their way in and out of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and many other major cities through the heart of the United States and Mexico.
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Happy Independence Day
County Adopts FY22 Budget
Downtown Community Market
United Way Volunteer Day: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Museum Flood Information Line and Emergency Notifications
Stage 3 Fire Restrictions
CCC Commercial Driver’s License Ribbon Cutting
Pastries with Patrice
Congratulations
Vaccine Incentive Program: Be A Big Shot
COVID Information Line and Testing
Contact Us
The 2021 Museum Flood Preparedness & Mitigation Guide is now available in Spanish on the Museum Flood area web page at www.coconino.az.gov/MuseumFire/FloodArea web page or directly via www.coconino.az.gov/GuiaDeInundaciones2021.
The Guide offers flood preparation guidelines and resources to help keep you and your family aware, informed, and safe during monsoon season. In addition, the Guide has information regarding emergency notification, sandbag maintenance preparation, what to do after a flood and flood preparation activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff.
Coconino County is in Stage Three fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the county, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective June 23, 2021 at 8 a.m.
Please be careful with fire and follow current fire restrictions. Read more.
PC: “Indiana Dunes Campsite at Night” by Rob Saker is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
The Town of Tusayan will be hosting a July Fourth parade starting at 3:30 p.m. with a drone laser show after sunset. No fireworks will be permitted.
A special preview drone showing will be on July 3 after sunset. More information can be found on the Grand Canyon Chamber’s webpage.
Spend the day on the Continental Country Club golf course enjoying live entertainment. 3 p.m.
By Health Choice Arizona, BlueCross BlueShield Arizona
Taking your child to their provider for a well-child visit is the best way to keep your children healthy and prevent sickness. Well-child visits also give parents and guardians a chance to ask questions or talk with their provider about any concerns they may have about their child’s growth, learning, or health.
A well-child visit is the same as an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) visit.
Please call your provider’s office to schedule an appointment for a well-child visit. Be sure to take your child’s shot record with you. If you are a member of Health Choice Arizona, and having a problem making an appointment or need a ride, please call us at 1-800-322-8670, otherwise contact your AHCCCS health plan.
Summer arrived in a cloud of smoke last Monday, though luckily for us at the museum, we are far from the path of the Rafael Fire and the shifting wind clears the air around us. We are grateful that these increasingly frequent summer fires are not endangering the museum and that we can continue to welcome visitors Tuesday through Sundays with a safe and inspiring indoor visit. I know many of you are eager to get out and about after staying at home for so long and we are pleased to welcome you to MNA.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
Accounting class brought Rhianna Hernandez to Tutoring Services at Coconino Community College.
The first time she took an accounting class, she tried to push through the challenging subject on her own. She ended up dropping the class that first time, but she needed it for her associate degree in Business.
“It was a different language,” Hernandez said. “But my tutor was able to explain it to me where it made sense.”
By the end of the Spring 2021 semester, Hernandez had an “A” in the class, and she said she owes much of that success to the folks in Tutoring Services at CCC. Tutoring Services are available each semester, for free, to all enrolled CCC students.
“All of us at Tutoring Services strive to help students succeed in their courses, whether a student needs one question answered or comes back daily for extra support,” said Kim Shaw, CCC’s Tutoring Coordinator. “Most of our tutors are students as well, so they understand the challenges of the courses they tutor.”
Matthew Greyeyes and Beyonce Bahe both have plans for medical school after graduating with long-term goals of improving healthcare for their Native communities, all while carrying on Elouise Cobell’s legacy and challenging societal norms.
On June 23, due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are largely deployed, the entirety of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests closed for public safety. This closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.
A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.
We are excited to host Science in the Park again this year at Wheeler Park!
At this fair, the whole community is invited to a free family-friendly event where science, discovery and play are at the center of an incredible day!
Do you have a business that would like to participate?
At Science in the Park, the whole family gets to experience the joy of science! Register for a booth today at this fun event taking place Sept. 18!
Registration is due in one week, by June 30.
If there is anything good that we can take from the pandemic, it is that it reinforced some things that we can all agree on: the importance of taking care of each other and the power of caring communities to step up in times of crisis and create positive change.
Supporters like you raised tens of thousands of dollars to help those impacted this past year. Your United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) funneled those funds to where they would do the most good. Because of you, families were able to stay in their homes, feed their families and keep the lights on.
But our work is not over.
A Virtual Community Experience
“Finding My Strength; Hope in Connection,” is the theme of the 2021 Annual Conference from Aug. 18 through Sept. 8 presented by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
The Black Business Expo Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration will be held fro 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at the Murdoch Community Center,
The Community is encouraged to come out and support Black Owned and managed Businesses in our community.
Are you a black owned/manage business or artist and want to participate. Register at southsideflagstaff@gmail.com or call 928-226-7566.
On Monday, José Luis Cruz Rivera started as the 17th president of Northern Arizona University. A leader in diversity and equity in higher education, he aims to advance NAU’s mission of student success and access, particularly for underrepresented groups.
This afternoon President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. As this date falls on a Saturday this year, it will be observed tomorrow, Friday, June 18. AARP will also recognize this holiday…
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when word reached Texas that slaves had been freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is also known as Black Independence Day, Freedom Day and Emancipation Day.
…the day is seen as a time for reflection and assessment, for focusing on education and achievement, and for self-improvement and for looking ahead to the future. I am so proud that the President has taken this historic step to ensure that Juneteenth will be commemorated across the country for generations to come.
We are so excited to announce that a major initiative from LAUNCH Flagstaff and its partners will begin in a few weeks, and we believe it will be a game changer in filling the gaps that currently exist in high-quality early childhood education.
The program, Elevate PreK, will offer full-day, year-round classes at Kinsey Elementary School, primarily for four-year-olds in lower- and middle-income families currently not accessing preschool services. The classes will be provided at no charge to families under the program.
LAUNCH Flagstaff is partnering with the Association of Supportive Childcare for this effort with support from a wide array of organizations, including the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, the Wharton Foundation, Flagstaff Unified School District and Northern Arizona University.
The summer solstice is upon us, a moment of solar peak in the cycle of Earth’s seasons and a time for annual reflection.
LAUNCH Flagstaff began in 2014 as an ad-hoc gathering of interested stakeholders seeking to improve educational outcomes for our community’s children. With the leadership of the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools and the backbone of the United Way of Northern Arizona funding was secured in 2016 from the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff to initially fund a staff position for the then fledging idea that is now LAUNCH Flagstaff.
I am honored to have been chosen to serve our community in that role and am proud of the work that LAUNCH Flagstaff has accomplished over the past five years.
The Flagstaff City Council voted to adopt the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan at their meeting on June 15, 2021. This plan will address the City Council’s goal of achieving community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030 (the goal was set on June 23, 2020). The Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan is an evolving framework for action and was informed by input from conversations with over 2,600 community members as well as community and technical expertise.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions & Extreme Fire Danger
As of June 11, Grand Canyon National Park, along with Coconino County, City of Flagstaff, and the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests have transitioned into Stage 2 fire restrictions. As a reminder, Stage 2 restrictions prohibit any outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires. This does not include liquid petroleum or LPG fueled devices that can be turned on and off such as stoves, lantern, or heating devices. Stage 2 also prohibits outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle.
The Sedona Arts Center’s ceramic department operates free from the constraints of grades and benefits from the talents of its ceramic faculty and assistants as well as nationally recognized guest instructors. This combination allows our department to offer flexible and diverse programming in both traditional and contemporary techniques.
Flagstaff Folk Festival, Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music. 70+ acts of Folk Music on 2 stages at The Museum Club. 10 a.m.
CCC&Y will present “Pride Paint Night,” a LGBTQIAP+ Youth (12-24) only event at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26.
By Teens, For Teens
A live paint hour filled with conversation.
Paint kits available for pickup at both Flagstaff Library locations during curbside hours.
For more information, call 928-213-2348.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget would like to announce the appointments of two Governing School Board Members at Maine Consolidated School District #10. The selected candidates are Raena Woods and Kaitlin Cloud.
An advisory committee was assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, and two board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments. The Superintendent would like to thank the advisory committee for participating in this very important process.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently at 583 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ 86040 as the Coconino Juvenile Court moves into a renovated wing at Tse Yaato High School.
Juvenile Court and Adult Probation have shared an office space in Page for decades. Over the last few years, Adult and Juvenile have planned around each other’s events, programming, court, and conferences to accommodate the limited space. This meant a reduction in the services they were both able to offer their clients. The new location has five offices, which is two more than the current space. This gives the Juvenile Court room to expand the CASA program and outreach. The facility is also only for juvenile court youth and their families and has been constructed in a deliberately softer way in order to be trauma-informed. By being located down the hall from the Alternative School they can also offer support to youth more readily.
Sedona Arts Center is holding a Volunteer Fair on Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 4 to 6pm at the Art Barn in Uptown Sedona.
Sedona Arts Center is one of Northern Arizona’s most well-established cultural organizations and serves as the creative heart of Sedona. Founded in 1958, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization is based in Uptown Sedona and offers year-round classes, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events that enhance the creative life of the Verde Valley. The Center’s Fine Art Gallery promotes the original works of over 100 local and regional artists and regularly offers special assistance for collectors and art buyers, offers private studio visits, and fosters hundreds of arts education opportunities each year.
This event will provide an opportunity for individuals who are interested in volunteering to apply for particular areas of interest.
