VRP Operations: Memorial Day Weekend Report
Rangers were busy this past Memorial Day Weekend with a high volume of calls for Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Services, and Law Enforcement incidents.
Many thanks to those who assisted in responding to these calls for service! Photo right: EMS, SAR, and LE personnel use a Sked Stretcher to lift a patient who fell near Mather Point over the weekend. A Sked Stretcher is used in areas that require high angle and/or technical rescue.
The 31st annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 5-12, 2021. The park will bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of live video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook page.
Each evening from June 5-12, Grand Canyon National Park will premiere two videos at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. PDT. The weeklong Star Party Speaker Series will feature nine special guest speakers. This year, the event will spotlight on the cultural astronomy of the Grand Canyon region-with speakers who represent some of the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon. Viewers will learn cultural astronomical perspectives from representatives of the Paiute Indian Tribes of Utah, Diné(Navajo Nation), Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblo of Zuni. Additional presentations will focus on the archaeo-astronomy of the ancestral Puebloan peoples of the Grand Canyon region.
With guidance from Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and consideration of the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on outdoor activities and large events, Coconino County Parks & Recreation will produce the 72nd annual Coconino County Fair as an in-person event this Labor Day weekend, September 3 – September 6, 2021. Last year’s Fair was modified to an all-virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Canyon Council (GCC), an independent nonprofit organization chartered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in Ariz., has launched their annual Scouting fundraiser Camp Cards for a Cause. This year, the fundraiser is benefiting Arizona educators.
“Our educators faced an incredible challenge this year, transitioning to distance teaching and learning new technologies all while helping support their students through the pandemic,” said Andy Price, chief executive officer of GCC. “We wanted to show our appreciation.”
Learn about the use of natural dyes for screen printing or painting fabric. Virtual event. 3 p.m.
Hope is our motivator. Hope fuels our striving for a good life for ourselves and all others. We have to visualize it. What do you hope for yourself, family, neighbors, and community? For me, it is simply feeling connected. Having at least one go-to person that I can know without a doubt, we share genuine and reciprocal care for each other.
Read More
Coconino County is in Stage One 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 May 14, 2021 at 8 a.m.
All of Coconino County parks and natural areas remain under Stage One fire restrictions; charcoal/wood grills are not allowed and no campfires are allowed outside of the campground area, visitors may use liquid gas stoves only on improved surfaces. Please be careful with fire and follow current fire restrictions. Read more.
Navajo Nation Information
Wearing a mask in public is mandatory.
All Navajo Nation Tribal Parks remain closed to visitors. This includes: Antelope Canyon – Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Marble Canyon, Coal Mine Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Four Corners Monument, and Little Colorado River Gorge.
The Navajo Nation is currently in a Shelter in Place order, which includes daily curfew hours from 11:00 P.M. MDT to 5:00 A.M. MDT.
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
After a very long pandemic year, the arts scene in Flagstaff is re-emerging, bringing music, performance and visual arts back to eager northern Arizona audiences.
Go to the calendar page of the historic Orpheum Theater and you’ll see there’s already half a dozen shows booked for next month, including two comedians, a mini blues festival (seven hours, five featured performers) and a Pride Party.
Meanwhile, June 4 will mark the formal return of the First Friday ArtWalk (now called ArtWalk FLG). The Viola Awards – Flagstaff’s answer to the Oscars for the arts and sciences community – will hold its ceremony on June 18. Then in July, Theatrikos will be back with an outdoor show at The Arboretum.
xAfter selling out in just 3 days, we have worked with Coconino County Parks & Recreation and Health & Human Services to safely add more tickets to the 13th Annual Viola Awards on Friday, June 18th at the Pepsi Amphitheater.
Tickets for spots on the lawn are now being sold in pods. Each pod can have a maximum of 6 guests. You can purchase tickets now for a pod of 2-6 guests.
Additionally, we have a limited number of fixed seat tickets and sponsorship tables available. All tickets for lawn pods, fixed seats, and sponsorships can be purchased here.
If you have any questions about tickets or the Viola Awards, please email Sarah Downing or call 928-779-7159.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Achieve60AZ | College Success Arizona | Expect More Arizona team has compiled a list of mental health and behavioral health resources and programs that can be found around Arizona and utilized by students and parents throughout the K12-postsecondary pipeline. Resources in the region include Health Promotion: Mental Health and the Mental Health Support Squad at Northern Arizona University; and the CARE Program at Coconino Community College.
Coconino County Emergency Management has recently launched a ‘one-stop-shop’ fire restrictions website. This new resource includes links to the County Wildfire Defense Ordinance 2021-02, GIS Mapping specific to restrictions, prohibitions of each of the three Stages of Restrictions, and links to all authorities that issue fire restrictions.
Coconino County Emergency Management will maintain this page with appropriate real-time updates, usually following Monday afternoon fire restriction updates.
Grand Canyon National Park remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions at this time with fire danger on both the South and North Rims as ‘Very High.’ As a reminder, Stage 1 fire restrictions are implemented in the park year-round on both the South and North Rims (all campfires must be in designated fire rings and open flames are never allowed below the rim). For more information on Stage 1 fire restrictions and to view the most updated fire information for Grand Canyon visit the park’s Fire Information and Management Website.
Inquiries regarding fire information can also be directed to our public affairs office at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.
Celebrate running in Coconino County and take part in the conversation with Craig Hunt, the new coach of the Coconino Community College Cross Country Program.
“I’m incredibly excited about the energy that has built up to this point in our speaker series,” said Meghan Remington, CCC Community Education Coordinator. “Coach Hunt has been so engaged with our previous five presenters, and it’s fitting that his public introduction is our finale. Prospective athletes and community members alike will want to join us tonight to learn more about his plans and get caught up with the hype.”
Things are looking brighter and it’s not just the sunshine filtering through the pine branches. After months making plans for the summer, while closely monitoring the increasing vaccination rate in our community and falling number of infections, we are now able to open up a bit more.
Starting June 1, the museum will be open six days a week, from Tuesday through Sunday, meaning you have more opportunities to visit this summer.
We’ve already opened registration for the Discovery Camps to museum members, and will soon open to nonmembers. We’re also accepting applications from artists for booths at our Heritage Festival, which will be held four weekends in July.
Flagstaff Blues and Brews, the largest blues festival in Arizona, recently announced they were cancelling their annual two-day festival for a second year in a row, due to on-going Covid restrictions. After much deliberation, the team decided to pull off a smaller event at a local downtown venue, the historic Orpheum Theater.
Downtown Blues, presented generously by locally owned and operated Stackhouse Wealth Strategies, will be held June 12th from 3 pm to 10 pm. 18 and over only. Tickets will be limited to 250, as to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and cost $42 each. Owner and producer of the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, Jennifer Grogan, expects this show to sell out quickly and encourages blues fans to purchase tickets soon.
The final day of operations for the Fort Tuthill COVID-19 Vaccination Site at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop in Flagstaff is Tuesday, May 18. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) vaccination operations will shift to special pop-up vaccination events.
First and second dose Moderna vaccine and Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine will continue to be available to those aged 18 and over without an appointment at the Fort Tuthill vaccination site from 8 am – 3 pm through Thursday, May 13 this week. The Fort Tuthill vaccination site will close at 1 pm on Friday, May 14. The site will be open on Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18 from 8 am – 3 pm.
Lowell Observatory. Celebration of National Astronomy Day and anniversary of Clark Telescope.Virtual event.
8:30 p.m.; free.
As the region heads into summer, and the hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, this seems an appropriate time to reinvigorate ourselves with the promise of a new beginning.
As part of our effort during this nationwide Spring Cleaning, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth welcomes you to explore our new, revitalized website at www.Coconinokids.org
The website features our new logo and brand colors, more images and easier links to a variety of resources you have come to depend on, including:
The Flagstaff Arts Council is pleased to announce the Finalists and Legacy Award recipients for the 13th Annual Viola Awards. The Viola Awards honor excellence in the arts, sciences, and culture in Flagstaff. 2020 was an unprecedented year, but the finalists of the year’s Viola Awards prove the creativity and resiliency of our community.
This year’s awards will honor 36 finalists across 9 categories with some finalists being recognized in multiple categories. All finalists will be honored at the Viola Awards event on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
For the first time this year, the Flagstaff Arts Council has produced a digital magazine featuring all Finalists and Legacy Award recipients. The 2021 Finalist Magazine can be viewed and downloaded here.
The city of Flagstaff will enter Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan on May 17. The move to Phase 3 was predicated on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and COVID related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, the increase in the number of residents vaccinated, the demonstrated ability to follow CDC guidelines, ability to care for the seriously ill and providing testing, monitoring and contact tracing. Under Phase 3, the city will begin a limited reopening of city facilities and amenities. Face coverings are required in city facilities.
This week, in multiple interviews with the press, Navajo Nation President Nez announced that the Navajo Nation will be donating PPE to India to help with the surge of cases in the nation: The president said, “We do have a stockpile of masks that were donated as well as what we’ve made. So what we’re doing is we’re going to package that up and send it to our brothers and sisters in India because they’re getting hit hard and we really know how it feels.” The Navajo Nation was once the hardest hit locations in the country. As the Navajo Nation reaches over 50% of individuals fully vaccinated, the nation is looking to give back to communities in need.
You are cordially invited to attend a special virtual celebration and networking event for business leaders, industry specialists and economic development professionals as we mark Economic Development Week on Tuesday, May 11.
The Collaborative Communities: Statewide Social Hour will be held via Zoom from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by several economic development organizations in Arizona, including ECONA.
Navajo Nation Moves to Code Yellow
Navajo Nation is moving from Code Orange to Yellow. Changes include the following: restaurants with indoor dining can operate at 25% capacity; restaurants with outdoor seating can accommodate 50% capacity. Navajo Nation casinos are allowed to open at 50% of maximum occupancy but only for Navajo Nation residents, citizens and employees (no visitors and tourists).
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
Workshops at Sedona Arts Center offer an experience that will provide inspiration and information to distill and practice for months and even years afterwards! A wide variety of disciplines and mediums are offered, including studio and plein air landscape painting, mixed media and abstraction, writing, photography, and so much more. Workshops are appropriate for all levels of students and are presented through demonstrations, individual instruction and group presentation. Instructors are experts in their field – experienced teachers with national recognition.
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years.
A variety of organizations took part in a discussion hosted by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth on the important role community members can play in the development of resilience of youth, caregivers and family by mentoring and supporting connections during a webinar presented by CCC&Y on April 14.
The free webinar, please click here, is designed to help those interested in the variety of mentorship programs in Coconino County. During the webinar, various speakers shared information about their organizations and the need for mentors.
Partners participating in the webinar included Arizona’s Children Association, AZ1.27, Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County, the Family Involvement Center and Native Americans for Community Action (NACA).
Grant funding was provided by Arizona Department of Child Safety and Health Choice Arizona.
Earth Day in Astronomy | Looking Up Helps Us Look Down, Lowell Observatory. Learn how astronomy has given us a deep appreciation for Earth. Virtual event. 1 p.m.; free.
Thank you for choosing to attend a GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration presented by our GOLDEN Working Artists. The GOLDEN Lecture and Demonstration will be presented in Zoom and will cover a variety of topics on acrylics and acrylic mediums. You will need to register in order to attend the Zoom presentation; please use the provided link to complete your registration. You will also need the *Virtual Lecture Demo Event Code provided below.
Navajo Nation reissued its stay at home order on April 9, 2021. This order has the same direction as previous orders and encourages Navajo Nation residents to stay safe at home. Daily curfews are in place from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. mountain daylight time.
As always, there are no restrictions upon staff or community members relative to travel to and from the park.
You can read NDOH Public Health Emergency Order 2021-008 here.
Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
Now Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by nearly 100 local and regional 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.
There’s no greater time to explore the outdoors. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, why not put into practice sustainable recreation and tourism? Did you know there are 7 principles of Leave No Trace? To learn more about how you can
leave no trace when exploring
Arizona’s outdoors, visit
AppreciateAZ.com.
East Entrance at Desert View Re-opens
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter and exit the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Over the past 13 years we have gathered annually at the Viola Awards to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our creative community from the previous year. The Flagstaff Arts Council is asking our community to come together and reflect on 2020, the pandemic, and our community through a Year in Review video. This video will premiere at the Viola Awards on Friday, June 18th. We all know that 2020 was a year filled with lots of challenges, loss, emotion, and moments of resiliency. Please share your reflections on the year 2020 by participating in this project.
This video will reflect on 2020 and look toward the future. Participants will answer at least 3 of the following questions:
Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View.
Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park’s east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
STEM City is now accepting nominations for the 2021 STEMmy awards, an annual award given to organizations and individuals who are STEAM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. The deadline is April 23, 2021 and nomination forms for each of the categories are available below.
Student Nomination Form
Teacher Nomination Form
Community Member Nomination Form
Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving. The event helps raise awareness about the critical role Arizona nonprofits play in our communities and inspires people to give generously creating a thriving and stronger Arizona for all.
Click the button below to donate today!
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) held its inaugural drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially safe alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration on Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
Nearly 500 pounds of food were collected, along with nearly $500 in cash donations.
All donations went to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Thank you to former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans for conducting Facebook Live interviews to spread the word about the event, and to supporting partners The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños and Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM.
The event was promoted in the Arizona Daily Sun and KAFF Country 92.9 FM
IN THIS ISSUE:
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Congressman O’Halleran Visits Ft. Tuthill
Vaccine Site
Fire Season and Monsoon Forecast
Mt. Elden Estates Community Meeting
Arizona List Awards
Supervisor Horstman’s County Boards and
Commissions
Thank You to FEMA, National Guard, and
Partners
COVID Information Line, Testing, and
Vaccinated Guidance
Contact Us
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
The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 536, up from 479 on average per day last week.
As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 195. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
There are no new reported cases in the park this week.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
The Center’s Fine Art 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.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is currently accepting vendor applications for the 2021 Coconino County Fair, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3 – Sept. 6 at Fort Tuthill County Park. Vendors may submit applications in four categories including amusement, food, commercial businesses, and nonprofits.
Northern Arizona University Office of Inclusion: Multicultural and LGBTQIA Student Services to hold virtual presentation ‘Honoring the Legacy of Cesar Chavez’ with guest speaker Andres P. Chavez from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.
Andres will discuss his role in the Chavez Foundation and legacy of his grandfather.
The deadline for one of our Art & Science Grant programs, funded by the City of Flagstaff’s Bed Board and Beverage Tax, is approaching fast!
Just a friendly reminder, Flagstaff Arts Council’s non-profit grant opportunity for General Operating Support closes Wednesday 31, 2021 at 11 pm. For more information please download the grant guidelines here.
Our Project Grant opportunity has changed dates. The Innovation & Capacity Project Grant opportunity for the funding period beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022 will be open for applications no later than August 2, 2021. The deadline for this grant application is August 31, 2021 at 11:30 pm. There will be a mandatory virtual workshop August 2, 2021 at 5:30 pm.
Americans for the Arts has been tracking the human and financial impacts of COVID-19 since March 2020. As the pandemic continues, so does its devastation of the nation’s arts sector. This report presents the live and ongoing (“real-time”) findings of Americans for the Arts’ COVID Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers collected from December 2020 onwards.
On Thursday, March 25, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order easing some COVID restrictions across the state.
However, the order continues to encourage following CDC and Department of Labor Guidelines for masking, physical distancing, and hand washing. It also allows businesses and organizations that serve the public to mandate COVID mitigation measures.
Federal mask requirements are still in place in federal facilities and on public lands. Please visit the Grand Canyon Superintendent’s Compendium Summary for a list of locations where masking is required.
We will have more information about the order in next week’s edition of the wrap-up.
Thank you for taking the time to scroll through another edition of our newsletter. Although many county offices are closed to the public, we are still working for you. I am still working for you. I am excited to continue my work with, and for, the residents of Coconino County District 5.
I am please to share this weekly e-blast with you to provide you with a weekly update on my efforts, the latest COVID-19 information, and share resources from other community partners resources. We are in this together.
Sincerely,
Lena
Thursday-Wednesday Mar. 25-31
Serenade for Strings, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Performance by the string section of Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Virtual event. 1 a.m.
The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will present a drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially distant alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
All donations go to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Supporting partners include:
The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños
Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM
Grand Canyon National Park Key Messages – Week of March 15, 2021 COVID-19 Updates This week’s numbers at a glance: The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 893, down from 1,345 on average per day last week.…
Featuring: Bill Cramer, Cliff Finity,
Byron McKeown, Deanne McKeown,
and Lesley Aine McKeown
Our Tuba City office is physically closed to the public, but we are still working for you.
Remote 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
We are looking for volunteers for a virtual conversation.
WHO: Parents of school-age children
WHAT: A small group conversation about opportunities and challenges in education
WHEN: Tuesday, March 23 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: This will be a virtual conversation. participation will require access to wi-fi and a device that can connect to ZOOM.
Serenade for Strings, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.Performance by the string section of Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Virtual event. 1 a.m.
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
This week’s numbers at a glance:
The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 1,345, similar to the number of 1,187 on average per day last week.
As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 193. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
There are no new reported cases in the park this week and one existing active case.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
