Category: Education

Board of Supervisors Approves Proclamation Designating February 2024 as Black History Month

by Community Contributor • February 8, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board unanimously approved an official proclamation designating February 2024 as Black History Month in Coconino County …

… joining in the nationwide celebration and recognition of the history of the African Diaspora and African Americans who continue to be contributors to the achievements of the United States.

In designating February as Black History Month, the Board is committed to remember the courage, resilience, and teachings of those who helped build our nation and for those who continue to strive to fight for freedoms, stand against prejudice, advance the cause of civil rights, and strengthen families and communities.

“We appreciate the opportunity to recognize the great contributions from African Americans not only to American society, but also to the county’s local history like those who relocated here for jobs in the lumber industry and helped develop towns like Flagstaff into modern communities,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “It is extremely important that we take this time to acknowledge our county’s diversity and continue to learn about all parts of our history.”

CCC&Y provides variety of free online training including ‘Thriving Families’

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2024 • Comments Off

he 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.

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for these creative art classes today!

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2024 • Comments Off

Color Clinic
with Gretchen Lopez
February 17-18 : Saturday–Sunday, 10am to 4:30pm

Learn how to achieve harmony and continuity in your paintings by mixing color from a limited palette. Have fun as we explore and discover how to use simple methods of mixing paint to gain confidence and a better understanding of how color works. Get ready to apply what we learn to a still life, abstract, and landscape! Instructor demonstrations and individual attention provided.

The NAU Review — Delivering medical care to extreme athletes, free hearing healthcare for all and creating an equitable food system in Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2024 • Comments Off

When Ian McLeod isn’t mountain biking or teaching at NAU’s Phoenix Bioscience Core, he’s working with some of the biggest names in extreme sports. Since 2011, the athletic trainer and physician assistant has served as an on-course medical responder at the Winter X Games, where famed athletes converge from across the globe to compete in extreme skiing, snowboarding and more. Working at the X Games has enriched McLeod’s teaching: He often uses those real-world experiences as case studies in the classroom.

Sedona Arts Center — Celebrate Sedona Rescheduled due to impending weather to: Sunday, Feb. 25

by Community Contributor • February 5, 2024 • Comments Off

FOOD, WINE, BEER, ARTIST DEMOS, SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Celebrate Sedona engages the local community while celebrating and
featuring local and regional arts, food and drink! Held at Sedona Arts Center,
Celebrate Sedona is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of our
community’s music, food, drink, and artistry.

Flagstaff STEM City — 2023-24 STEMMY Award Nominations Due by Feb. 16

by Community Contributor • February 5, 2024 • Comments Off

These annual awards are given to students, teachers, and organizations who are STEM Leaders in our community. Winners will be announced at the STEMMY Awards Ceremony March 7th at the Coconino Center for the Arts.

Nomination Forms:

Student of the Year

Teacher of the Year

Community Partner of the Year

Business of the Year

Deadline for nominations is February 16th.

Flagstaff City — Coconino County Public Library — 2/05/24

by Community Contributor • February 5, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — November 2023 — January 2024 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

Message from Jeronimo
TOP 10 Accomplishments and Events for 2023
Welcome to New District 3 Supervisor Adam Hess
Holiday Celebrations
Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
Flood Mitigation Activities
Fire Management
Transportation News
Coconino County Legislative News
County Supervisors Association (CSA) Board Meetings
Board of Supervisors Proclamations
Coconino County Diversity Council Activities
Re-entry Program in Coconino County
New Coconino County Youth Mental Health Hub
Supervisor Vasquez Conferences
Coconino County and Community Events
District 2 Neighborhood Meetings
Welcome to Mary Knight – Coconino County’s New Rural Broadband Manager
Supervisor Vasquez Remembers Benally Klee
Coconino County Job Opportunities
Coconino County Services and Programs

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: January 29-February 2, 2024

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

What’s going on with the Transcanyon Waterline Project?

Since initial construction activities began on the South Rim nearly a year ago, the focus was on developing the construction sites and various South Rim facilities. Currently, the two new raw water tanks, laydown and staging areas, Staging Road, and contractor support facilities are nearly completed. Construction for the South Rim water treatment plant and Helibase infrastructure are well underway. New helicopter landing pads are completed and much of the concrete foundations and conduit lines are installed for the facilities at both of those construction areas.

The NAU Review — NAU celebrates Black History Month, a father and daughter qualify for World Triathlon and the life of an educator—PLUS a soup recipe you have to try!

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

Celebrate Black heritage and excellence

Black History Month signifies a time for celebration and remembrance of the contributions that the Black and African American communities have made to American history and the world. Remembering these contributions all year long is crucial for everyone to understand that this vibrant community is deeply rooted in the history of the country, Arizona and NAU.

Sedona Arts Center — Vision and Sound : An African American Experience

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

An immersive arts experience, Vision & Sound broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art and music for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. The educational event, which features an exhibition, lectures, artist demonstrations, musical performances and a symposium, builds supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond, recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation February Update — Call for Art Entries for Coconino County Fair, more news

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

For rules, details, and a downloadable PDF submission form, click here!

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition votes to support proposed Child Tax Credit bill

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2024 • Comments Off

The Board of Directors of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has voted to support a proposed House of Representatives bill that would expand Child Tax Credit refunds for parents.

The bill, which has received broad bipartisan support, passed the House Ways and Means Committee last week by a 40 to 3 vote. is sponsored by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.).

“Sixteen million kids from low-income families will be better off as a result of this plan, and given today’s miserable political climate, it’s a big deal to have this opportunity to pass pro-family policy that helps so many kids get ahead,” Wyden stated on Jan. 16 in a U.S. Senate Committee of Finance media release. …

January Contreras, chief executive office and president of the Children’s Action Alliance, made a presentation on the bill to the board during its monthly meeting on Jan. 22.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Introducing Tempy Wessel, UWNA’s Northeast Arizona Representative

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2024 • Comments Off

United Way of Northern Arizona is pleased to announce that Tempy Wessel, a native of Joseph City and former member of W.L. Gore & Associates, has accepted the position of Northeast Arizona Representative for UWNA.

Wessel’s family’s history in Northeast Arizona has gone back for generations, with her family originally coming to Joseph City as ranchers. They soon became involved in local, county, and state government, and Tempy’s great grandfather was a federal magistrate in Holbrook for many years.

After retiring from W.L. Gore, she and her husband, David, moved back to Joseph City, where they manage a community center that serves as a meeting place for local clubs and the Chamber of Commerce.

“This region is the place that most feels like home to me,” she said. “Being the Northeast Representative isn’t just a job; it’s my heart.”

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for these creative art classes today!

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2024 • Comments Off

Painting the Southwest Desert
with Gretchen Lopez
February 3 : Saturday, 10am to 4:30pm

Not only is life abundant in our great Southwest Desert, but as an artist, I can see wonderful textures, nuances in color and the way light influences the way we see it in the morning and in the late afternoon!

Working from photo references, learn to capture the drama and beauty of our great Southwest. Find out how your brush strokes can create marvelous areas of interesting texture, along with experimenting with color and composition!

Previous drawing skills are a must!

The NAU Review — Class in the Grand Canyon, fighting for women in tech and getting to know Lumberjack mainstay Christy Farley

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2024 • Comments Off

Find out in the Grand Canyon Semester, one of the longest-running honors semesters in the country. Available to all undergraduate students, the unique course touches on the Grand Canyon’s geology, the environmental concerns that threaten it and the Indigenous people who have called it home for centuries. Uniquely, class discussions often take place on the trail, on the Colorado River or over the campfire. Professor Ted Martinez wants students to learn how to think critically and solve problems in less-than-ideal circumstances. But mostly, he wants them to leave having learned to trust themselves.

Flagstaff City — Coconino County Public Library — Happening at your library week of Jan. 29, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — December 2023 / January 2024 District 1 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

Hello District 1 Residents,
It’s a new year, filled with hope and promise. It’s a good time to
reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where the new
year will take us. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the
highlights for District 1. Hopefully, you have had an opportunity
to reflect on your own highlights for 2023.
As we move into 2024, I look forward to working together to
create a Coconino County that serves our large and diverse
District. Wishing you a year of renewal, resilience, optimism,
strength, grace, and peace in 2024.
Onward together.
Patrice

Indigenous language interpreters needed for Coconino County courts

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — Are you a fluent speaker of an Indigenous language spoken in Coconino County?

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is recruiting Indigenous language interpreters for Coconino County courts!

If you are interested in developing skills for freelance court interpreting for these or other Indigenous Languages of Arizona, please contact the office of the court interpreter for more information.

Culture Connection AZ is proud to present the 3rd Annual Day of Love and Friendship Artist Market Saturday, Feb. 10

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — This special event celebrating local artists will take place just before Valentine’s Day, on Saturday, February 10th from 11am-3pm, and will feature over 15 local artists and artisans displaying and selling their art and artisan crafts. Culture Connection AZ is proud to host a diverse group of artists, including Indigenous and Native American artists, artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic artists, and more.

During the event, Culture Connection AZ will also be a participant in downtown Flagstaff’s Annual Chocolate Walk and will host a free Valentine-making table for attendees to create their own special Valentine for a loved one. Those new to Flagstaff and those born outside the US are especially encouraged to attend and gain meaningful connections to our community.

Discover Flagstaff — Theatrikos presents ‘Harvey’ Jan. 26-28, and more events

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

Start the year off with a charming, heartwarming comedy. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m, Sun. 2 p.m.

Learn More

The NAU Review — American AI + Korean slang, getting to know Robert Wallace and register now for Amplifying Voices of Disability

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

Does American AI understand Korean slang?

If I posted that a movie was “fire,” most American English speakers would understand the meaning—I liked the movie. But what if a bot, untrained on the intricacies of slang, read it? Would the AI assume the movie was on fire? Or was about fire? Or that the movie theater was on fire? Can an AI tool, trained in one language, accurately interpret the cultural and linguistic nuances of other languages? That’s an important consideration for the U.S. Department of Defense, which is funding linguistics professor Scott Jarvis’ research into the practical use of AI in information-gathering.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: January 22-26, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

This week, the National Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate (NRSS) published a scientific report on historical and future climate change effects for Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding landscape. This report has been a long time in the making and we are thankful to the staff within our Science and Resource Management Division who greatly assisted in this research.

If you don’t have time to read the entire report, here are some key takeaways on observed changes attributed to climate change for the Grand Canyon region:

City of Page — 2024 February – Copper Newsletter

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

View this email in your browser

Early Childhood Day at the Capitol Advocates for Gov. Hobbs’ $100 Million Proposal

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) hosted its 8th annual Day at the Capitol for parents, advocates, and legislators to raise awareness of the importance of a child’s earliest years. Children’s Action Alliance is a member of the alliance. This year’s event focus was centered around the Governor’s budget proposal of $100 million in child care assistance to stave off a looming funding cliff facing child care providers and parents in Arizona. 

First Things First — Volunteer opportunity and the starting lines of kindergarten

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

Volunteer to be a voice for young children in your Arizona community

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council meeting to share your story

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2024 • Comments Off

Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.

The CCC&Y Prevention Council has its roots in our long history of child abuse prevention, our most recent work with substance misuse prevention and our overall commitment to understanding the protective factors, resiliency research and assets our community needs to thrive.

Some examples include:

• Planning for previous Child Abuse Prevention Conferences
• Engaging in multiple projects with International Child Welfare expert, Kevin Campbell
• Developing a library of recorded webinars
• Initiating the PAWS community arts and education project

The NAU Review — Hope for redwood resilience, winter stargazing tips and a Q&A with Diamond Bracey

by Community Contributor • January 23, 2024 • Comments Off

After a catastrophic fire hit California’s Big Basin State Park in 2020, thousands of acres of redwoods that had been burned appeared dead. New research from NAU shows that many of these ancient trees have survived, drawing on massive carbon reserves to fuel new growth. The research team’s models indicate the sprouting trees are using carbon they captured 50 to 100 years ago—some of the oldest carbon reserves ever measured.

Flagstaff City — Coconino County Public Library — Happening at your library week of Jan. 22, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

Sedona Arts Center — Don’t miss these art classes and workshops!

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2024 • Comments Off

THIS FRIDAY!
ONLINE: Painting the Beauty of the Sedona Landscape
with Gretchen Lopez
January 26 : 9:30am to 2:30pm, AZ Time

Experience the beauty and magic of Sedona, as we learn to navigate through some of the iconic formations which make Sedona the world’s most desired place to visit.

Discover the special palette of color used to create the vivid reds in the Rod Rocks and why toning is very important in the beginning!

Discover Flagstaff — Alash, Coconino Center for the Arts on Jan. 21

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. 7:30 p.m.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Chamber Radio Program Features UWNA

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

I recently had the honor of being a guest on the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s radio show Bizz Buzz to talk about the United Way of Northern Arizona and our efforts to step up for our youth.

UWNA has been a proud Chamber member for many years. It was wonderful talking with Chamber President & CEO Julie Pastrick and sharing with her audience how we are expanding our efforts in positive youth development.

The NAU Review — Documenting conflict in the Balkans, favorite Flagstaff walks, new master’s degree in nursing

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

As a young person, Bill Carter went to the Balkans with $200 in his pocket and a yearning to do good. Decades later, that youthful impulse is still paying dividends: The NAU professor of practice recently collaborated with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and the band U2 on the documentary film “Kiss the Future,” about the bloody Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s and U2’s efforts to raise awareness of the conflict. A free, public pre-screening and discussion of the film will take place on campus on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 15-19, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

Did you catch the pink glow the morning of January 17?

Hello, atmospheric optics! The sun emits white light, however, as the sunlight passes through the atmosphere during sunrise or sunset times, long-wavelength (red) light is scattered less than short-wavelength (blue) light. Therefore, red-ish colored light reaches the observer’s eyes and clouds aid to the pink color that could be observed.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth update for Jan. 17, 2024 — CCC&Y works with officials to meet goals of ‘The Reimagine Community Project’

by Community Contributor • January 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CCC&Y, Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff continue to make progress meeting the goals of “The Reimagine Community Project,” a mental model change program ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City and County levels and enacted as policy change.

CCC&Y was one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected in April 2023 for the Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant. The goal of the project is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.

During a Zoom presentation in December 2023, CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie presented a draft webinar presentation for city leaders to receive feedback.

The webinar included an overview of “The 10 ACES,” (Adverse Childhood Experiences),” and how the effects of childhood trauma adversely affects individuals in their adult lives. Those 10 ACES include — physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mental illness, divorce, substance abuse, violence against mother, having a relative who has been sent to jail or prison.

By understanding how both ACES and ongoing stress affect individuals, including oneself, the training is expected to improve customer service for community members and self-care and support to County and City employees.

Sedona Arts Center — Gallery 928 – Attention: High School Students

by Community Contributor • January 17, 2024 • Comments Off

This summer, Sedona Arts Center will offer its third year of Gallery 928, a unique art apprenticeship program for teens ages 15 to 18. Based on Chicago’s Gallery 37 summer public art program started in the 1980s, students will be hired to apprentice with a master artist to create a public art mural for the Sedona Arts Center.

This job opportunity is open to up to 12 artistic teens interested in expanding their skills and knowledge in the public art field as well as learning other art mediums and techniques. In partnership with Yavapai College, the students chosen to participate in the program will receive 3 free college credits. Students will also be paid a stipend of $500from Sedona Arts Center for their participation.

Flagstaff City — Coconino County Public Library — Happening at your library week of Jan. 15, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 16, 2024 • Comments Off

View this email in your browser January 15th, 2024 Connect with your community Library Closures Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library)…

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for a new art class today!

by Community Contributor • January 16, 2024 • Comments Off

Our 2024 Catalog of Classes and Workshops has arrived!
Our 2024 Spring Catalog of Art Workshops and Classes has arrived! Stop by and pick one up in our Uptown Gallery. And remember, you can always view it online at SedonaArtsCenter.org

You can also browse all our classes and workshops online:
Click here to see all of our classes and

United Way of Northern Arizona — Earning Your Trust

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2024 • Comments Off

There are many reasons why you can trust that your investment in the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) will further our mission of creating lasting, positive changes in our region.

In addition to our exhaustive process of evaluating programs, so that your donations go where they can do the most good, we work every day to be good stewards of your funds.

UWNA recently received a “clean” audit report from Fester & Chapman PLLC of our 2023 financials, meaning our financial reporting was accurately stated and in compliance with general accounting principals.

As UWNA Board Chairman Mike Kelly said after reviewing the auditors’ report, “It’s one of the reasons I’m proud to be part of UWNA, because I can feel really good about how our monies are managed.”

Discover Flagstaff — Shrek Yourself Swamp Party, The Orpheum Theater on Jan. 13, more events

by Community Contributor • January 11, 2024 • Comments Off

“This’ll be fun. We’ll stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning… I’m making waffles!” – Donkey. 9 p.m.

The NAU Review — Our most read stories of 2023, a grant to address autism disparities and Sudipta Mallik’s love of math

by Community Contributor • January 10, 2024 • Comments Off

What happened at NAU in 2023? From exciting grants and university announcements to Homecoming photos and inspirational student stories, relive some of the highlights you may have missed last year in The NAU Review with this list of most read stories (and a few of our other favorites)!

CCC Community Education Update — Warm Up to Learning Something New

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2024 • Comments Off

Observing the Winter Night Sky

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 23, 30, and Feb. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.

Locate and identify the sparkling gems of the winter night sky & learn how different telescopes work and how to use them.

Winter Sky – Learn more and register!

SEE MORE HERE

First Things First report details challenges facing Arizona’s youngest children

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2024 • Comments Off

As we begin 2024, I’m looking forward to working with our state’s early childhood stakeholders – including parents and caregivers, child care and health providers, state and non-profit agencies, educators, businesses, philanthropists, faith organizations, policymakers and elected leaders – as partners in addressing children’s school readiness.

To help with those efforts, I am pleased to announce that First Things First has published the latest edition of Building Bright Futures – our biennial assessment on the status of Arizona’s youngest children. You can read more about the report on our latest blog.

The new report provides insight into the challenges facing young children in Arizona and details the need for continued work to ensure the future stability of child care in our state’s post-pandemic landscape.

Sedona Arts Center — New Catalog Incoming! Preview Today!

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2024 • Comments Off

Our 2024 Spring Catalog has been printed and is getting ready to ship – so check your mailbox next week! Until then – you can preview it online at SedonaArtsCenter.org

January 2024 — one∙n∙ten, serving and assisting LGBTQ youth, announces Northern Arizona Program Calendar

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

Click here to see statewide January 2024 Community Partner Update

Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library week of 1/08/24

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

Connect with your community

Discover Flagstaff — Discover Winter Events with Flagstaff 365

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2024 • Comments Off

Cocoon Monthly Dance Party w/Bear Cole, The McMillan

Cocoon – Come Out Of It – Every First Saturday at The McMillan in Historic Downtown. 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6.

Learn More

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 1-5, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2024 • Comments Off

Want to stay up to date with park information, including road closures?

The Everbridge platform sends real-time texts, emails, and/or calls to park employees, residents, and community members.

NPS Everbridge notifications are distributed for incidents impacting public safety, means of travel, work conditions, utility interruptions, and significant park-wide incidents.

Below are examples of incidents that may require notifications: