Category: Local

Día de los Muertos celebrated in Winslow

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Nov. 2 , 2013 at Snowdrift Art Space in downtown Winslow. Members…

Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…

Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the public…

Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum…

GED adult education classes to begin again at Killip Elementary School. Orientation meeting set for Nov. 7

FLAGSTAFF — GED adult education classes will begin again at Killip Elementary School, the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council Industrial Areas Foundation reported in a media release. “Thanks to the work of Killip staff, parents, and NAICL leaders, adult education is up…

Bilingual report: Coconino Community College officials await results of Nov. 5 election

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College held its final informational open house at Coconino High School on Oct. 30. The session was designed to answer questions about the college’s finances and the upcoming override initiative on the Nov. 5 election ballot.…

“2013 Coconino County Community and Family Vitality Survey” now available in Spanish

FLAGSTAFF — The Laboratory for Applied Social Research (LASR) at Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey to better understand the community’s “capacity to live, grow, and develop with a purposeful existence.” It was announced this week that the survey will…

Community enjoys opening night at 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct.…

November Cover Story / Portada: Families fighting to keep homes

Arrowhead Village residents battle to keep property from becoming student housing By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ Timing is everything — in business, relationships and life. For the developers of a proposed student housing project in west Flagstaff, the day…

Bilingual commentary: Residents begin first of many battles

By Roxana Cardiel De Niz and Anamaria Velasco Ortiz The community at Arrowhead Village Trailer Park in the center of Flagstaff is on the verge of being destroyed over a student housing development. This project is one that Landmark Properties,…

Community meeting to discuss proposed Arrowhead Village development set for 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Killip

AmiogsNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — A community meeting to discuss the proposed Arrowhead Village development will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. A meeting previously scheduled with the developer at the…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gets ready for 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente starting Oct. 25

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will be busy late this week setting up their family altars / ofrendas, stringing papel picado and getting everything ready for the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, which will begin…

Katia Cardenal to perform in free concert on Oct. 24 at Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University

FLAGSTAFF — Katia Cardenal, formerly lead vocalist of the world-renowned Nicaraguan New Song group, Guardabarranco, will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Northern Arizona University, Ashurst Auditorium, Flagstaff, concert organizers reported in a media release. Cardenal,…

Border Songs / No More Deaths benefit concert, featuring Katia Cardenal, to be held Oct. 25

FLAGSTAFF — Artists associated with Border Songs — a double CD of music and spoken word, in English and Spanish — will give a benefit concert for the southern Arizona humanitarian group, No More Deaths / No Más Muertes at 7 p.m. Friday,…

Northern Arizona Interfaith Council to attend a comprehensive immigration reform resolution meeting in Sedona on Oct. 9

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council invites community members to attend a comprehensive immigration reform resolution meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at West Sedona Elementary School, 570 Posse Ground Road, Sedona. The meeting will provide an opportunity for…

Hojarasca entertains audience at NAU on Oct. 1

FLAGSTAFF — The audience was treated to a creative mixture of  contemporary Andean music by the Colombian musical trio Hojarasca, which performed on Oct. 1, 2013 at Gathering Room of the Native American Cultural Center at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. The…

Commentary / Comentario: County government in action

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ The strangest thing Cynthia Seelhammer has seen so far in her brief tenure at Coconino County is the organization’s timesheets. They are churned out on a dot-matrix printer complete with those old-fashioned sprocket hole…

Local / Locales

The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) is helping young adults and teens to quit using tobacco products by utilizing “The CIGNAL,” Arizona’s latest effort to curb tobacco use, county officials reported in a media release. Modeled after the…

Commentary / Comentario: Neighborhood groups strengthen area

By Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta / Coconino County District 2 Supervisor  There are many things that tie communities together. They can be the strings of family, friendship, or even just common interests between neighbors. Like the first domino falling that starts…

Education / Educacíon: Nov. 5 property tax vote critical to college

Coconino Community College seeking funding to maintain existing programs By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ When educators first started to talk about opening a community college in Flagstaff, they envisioned an overall enrollment of about 500 students the first year.…

Folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca perform locally courtesy of Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff, sponsors

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff presented a free performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, on Sept. 19, 2013 at Sinagua Middle School Auditorium…

Flagstaff City Council to vote Oct. 1 on resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council will vote on Tuesday, Oct. 1 on a resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. Nearly…

Sunnyside celebrates 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia

Click on the image to see a slideshow from the 2013 Fiesta de Independencia. Pause on photo to see a caption. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Sprinkers going off in the early afternoon almost watering the public address system and…

Bilingual report: ‘Deferred Action Application Drive’ to be held Sept. 28

FLAGSTAFF — NO DREAM DEFERRED will present a “Deferred Action Application Drive” on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Held in collaboration with Arizona DREAMers in Action. Contact 810-373-2691 if you have questions about…

Ballet Folklórico de Colores to present folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca on Sept. 19

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff will present a free* dance performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday,…

Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) to hold special meeting on Sept. 18

  FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will hold a special meeting to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the under renovation Our Lady of Guadalupe Cultural Center — “The Basement,” 224 So.…

CollegeAmerica Fall Resource Fair draws crowd

Click on the image to see a slideshow from the CollegeAmerica Fall Resource Fair AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — The first impression that something was going on at the CollegeAmerica campus on east Route 66 were the two radio remote…

Route 66 Days returns to Flagstaff (Part 1)

Click on the image to see a slideshow of 50 photographs taken during the 9th annual Route 66 Days Charity Car Show. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — The website of the www.route66carclub.com club said “Rain or Shine,” the 9th annual Route 66 Days Charity…

Route 66 Days returns to Flagstaff (Part 2)

Click on the image to see a slideshow of 50 photographs taken during the 9th annual Route 66 Days Charity Car Show. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — The website of the www.route66carclub.com club said “Rain or Shine,” the 9th annual Route 66…

Commentary / Comentario: Starting school off right

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ It was Aug. 21, nearly one month after the start of school and the annual W.F. Killip Elementary School open house was in full swing in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Flagstaff. It seemed like…

Local / Locales

Following a thorough review and input from community stakeholders, the Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) will continue to offer dental clinic services for the public, Coconino County officials reported in a media release. The CCPHSD Dental Clinic offers…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrates culture with picnic / dance

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces presented its annual “Hispanic Pioneer Reunion” on Aug. 24, 2013 at Fort Tuthill County Park, following by a dance featuring Tejano Music Award nominees Grupo XS at the American Legion in Flagstaff. Click on the image to see…

Local / Locales

The Coconino County Public Health Services District will host Back to School Vaccination Clinics from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 7 and 14 at the Coconino Public Health Services District, 2625 No. King St., Flagstaff. All required vaccinations for…

Local / Locales

Expect More Arizona recently visited Flagstaff during its Expect More Excellence Tour to present Spotlight Awards to the Flagstaff Arts and Literacy Academy and to Read On Flagstaff, a collaborative literacy project supported by the United Way of Northern Arizona…

Bilingual report: Latinos to play important role in state’s future

Improving student achievement, developing new leaders will be key to Arizona’s success By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ A vibrant Arizona of the future will require a strong investment in the state’s educational system. But party politics and a focus on…

Local / Locales

Killip Elementary School and its principal, Joe Gutierrez, received the NAU Social and Behavioral Sciences Community Partners organization and individual awards from Miguel Vasquez of the NAU Anthropology Dept., and Luis Fernandez, director of the NAU Sustainable Communities Program, for…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, others recognize Armed Forces Day

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces presented its Hispanic veterans information table at Wheeler Park. Flagstaff celebrated Armed Forces Day on May 18, 2013 with a parade in downtown Flagstaff, the Northern Arizona Veterans Stand Down at American Legion Post 3 and the Armed…

Sunnyside Neighborhood Association celebrates 18th annual Fiesta de Mayo in Flagstaff

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association celebrated its 18th annual Fiesta de Mayo on May 11-12 at Ponderosa Park in Flagstaff. The event featured a variety of musical entertainment, from folklorico performances to rock, conjunto, a car show, food, arts and crafts…

Local / Locales

The contentious, and at times faceless and obsure, immigration debate was brought home to an audience of more than 100 people at Northern Arizona University with a family in tears coping with an uncertain future. As they await an immigration…

Immigration Awareness Week at NAU puts human face to the issue

The contentious, and at times faceless and obscure, immigration debate was brought home to those who attended the inaugural Immigration Awareness Week program, April 8-13, 2013 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. The program featured documentarians, community organizers, aid workers and others who…