Category: Local

Construction work at Flagstaff Downtown Library

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Construction work will take place at the downtown location of the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library on Friday, September 3, 2021. The work will include the drilling of borings and will impact some of the walkways and the parking lot around the library.

Safety cones and barriers will be placed around affected areas during the evening of Thursday, September 2 and construction work will begin at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, September 3. Library services and hours will not be impacted. The work will be completed within the same day, ending on Friday, September 3.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Tickets and Registrations Now Open for 2021 Events!

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Visit our website to sign up for programs that include: A) advance registrations for webinars and B) ticketed in-person programs that have a maximum number of guests!

By pre-registering for the webinars, you ensure you get a spot and can add the program to your calendar! You can also interact with the presenter and ask questions when you’ve pre-registered.

Several in-person programs have limited capacity and will require advance registration. Check the digital passport for programs that require reservations.

Please Note: The capacity for our keynote event has been reduced to allow for social distancing. Pre-registration is required for this event.

Revised timeline for Flagstaff Urban Trail System closure along Fort Valley Road/ Hwy 180

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Due to inclement weather, paving operations along Beal Road have been rescheduled for next week.

The Fort Valley Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) pathway and the southbound bike lane along the west side of Fort Valley Road/HWY 180 will be closed between Deanna Way and Forest Avenue from Tuesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 9. Detour signage will be posted to direct the Fort Valley FUTS traffic to the Karen Cooper FUTS.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Scott Pettitt Joins UWNA Board

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is pleased to announce that Scott Pettitt, president of the Wharton Foundation, has recently joined the UWNA Board of Directors.

Scott has been interested in education since his college days, when he studied environmental education with an emphasis on curriculum design at Prescott College in the mid-1990s.

Around that time, Scott began his long association with the Wharton Foundation, a private group that provides grants to programs focusing on education, specifically those benefitting students with limited access to educational resources.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography — GSP 2022 Calendars are here!

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

GSP is pleased to announce her internationally acclaimed artisan calendars for 2022. The theme for this year is the Maya people of the Yucatan Peninsula in honor of the many wonderful human beings I met there, and in honor of this awesome Mexican state who taught me -and continues to teach me- so much! These high-class calendars are ideal for your home and for your office. The images captured by yours truly will immediately transport you to the mystifying land of the ancient Maya, its beautiful people, its culture and realities, and its epic landscapes.

Consulado de México en Phoenix — Información de interes para la comunidad

by Community Contributor • September 2, 2021 • Comments Off

We are very excited to welcome you to another issue of the Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs. We strive with each issue to provide readers with relevant and useful information related to economic and tourism topics for the business and political community on both sides of the Arizona–Mexico border.

In this issue, the #ChooseMexico section offers valuable information about the mining industry in Mexico. In addition, José Antonio Larios Ponce, the Consul of Mexico in Yuma, explains the collaboration between authorities in San Luis, Arizona, and in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, to organize free cross-border vaccination campaigns.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s Creativity Calling/Youth Open Mic returns Sept. 5

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth continues our monthly youth arts showcase. Do you know a youth that loves music, art, poetry, or any form of self-expression? On the first Sunday of each month (next of Sept. 5) at 4 pm, youth from across Coconino County are welcomed into a virtual circle to EXPRESS THEMSELVES!

We began this opportunity to ensure youth were given a platform to share their thoughts, feelings, and talents while connecting to others.

HECHO August Newsletter

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2021 • Comments Off

As August winds down and we settle into new routines, we’re embracing the cooler mornings and evenings, and celebrating summer’s last long weekend, Labor Day. We hope that you and your family have plans to enjoy some time off, or to spend some time outdoors!

During August, our team took our second summer break to recharge ahead of what we’re expecting to be a busy fall season. We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening in Congress while we continue to advocate for important investments to be part of the final budget reconciliation bill– these are long-term investments that will protect our nation’s public lands and waters for generations to come, create jobs, and advance environmental justice. Learn about the budget reconciliation process in our breakdown blog that will explain them and how you can help make sure your representatives know why this is so important!

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these new Classes and Workshops!

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2021 • Comments Off

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 NAU Review — Who wants to be an astronomer?

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2021 • Comments Off

Space needs you! The next time you and your date head out to stargaze, volunteer to scan the sky for asteroids. NAU doctoral student Colin Chandler just launched a major project to recruit thousands of volunteers in the search for active asteroids—rare objects that have asteroid-like orbits but look more like comets. Chandler hopes to quadruple the number of known active asteroids and, in the process, answer key questions about where water on Earth came from and where it might exist on other planets, both within and outside our solar system. Ready to join the search? Visit the Active Asteroids project site to get started.

The Flagstaff Oktoberfest celebrates 12 years on Oct. 2 in downtown Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2021 • Comments Off

It’s officially time for one of Flagstaff’s favorite events; the Flagstaff Oktoberfest!

After having to cancel in 2020, The Flagstaff Oktoberfest, will celebrate 12 years on Saturday October 2nd in Wheeler Park, in Downtown Flagstaff.

But the fun doesn’t end with music, food and drinks. As always, we will have all our favorite contests during this event, such as the Hops on Birch Men’s and Women’s Beer Stein Holding Contest, The Frozen T-Shirt Contest, The Vienna Beef Weiner Man Race and Satchmo’s BBQ Brat Eating Contest!

CCC: Putting students first for 30 years

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Cupcakes. Ice cream. Laughter and shared memories of service to students.

On Aug. 24, 26 and 27, friends, staff, faculty and students celebrated Coconino Community College’s 30th anniversary with parties across the county. Each birthday bash – at CCC’s two locations in Flagstaff and at the location in Page – featured comments from CCC staff, supporters and community leaders.

“This is so we can celebrate all things CCC and the community that supports us so much,” said CCC President Colleen A. Smith.

Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff Held Engineering Summit & Report-Out

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County Flood Control District (FCD) and the City of Flagstaff hosted a one-and-a-half-day Engineering Summit in the continued effort to identify long-term flood mitigation for the Museum Flood Area.

Representatives participated from the US Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Flagstaff Unified School District, Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Arizona Geological Survey, Arizona Department of Transportation, and ten civil engineers from six private engineering consulting firms, as well as staff from both the County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff.

CCC’s TRIO program helps student achieve goals

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Nicholas Villas-Fletcher sat in the office filling out the paperwork to graduate from Northern Arizona University.

He will be the first generation in his family to complete a college degree, and the journey was made possible with the help of TRIO Student Support Services at Coconino Community College.

“I desperately needed help,” Villas-Fletcher said. “They made a difference. TRIO is a vital service for students who don’t have support like others.”

First AFL-CIO female president, Liz Shuler; Grammy-winning gospel artist Le’Andria Johnson; and Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr. to headline Phx voting rights rally on 58th anniversary of March on Washington

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Visit the March On for Voting Rights Flagstaff page on Facebook.
Hundreds of thousands to rally across the country to protest a wave of voter suppression laws sweeping the nation. The events also kick off a national online drive to register 2 million voters.
Arizona civil rights leader Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr., who helped create a MLK Holiday in Arizona, slated to appear at Saturday event
Newly appointed AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to deliver keynote. Shuler made history last week becoming the first female president of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions.

Flagstaff Urban Trail System closure along Fort Valley Road/ Hwy 180

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2021 • Comments Off

The Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) pathway and the southbound bike lane along the west side of Fort Valley Road/Hwy 180 will be closed between Deanna Way and Forest Avenue from Wednesday, September 1 to Friday, September 3. This closure will be in place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Detour signage will be posted to direct Fort Valley Road/Hwy 180 FUTS traffic to the Rio de Flag FUTS Trail.

This closure is required as construction crews will be paving Beal Road and the west edge of the Beal/Fort Valley Road intersection as part of the Coconino Estates Improvements Phase I Project.

CCC Student Ambassadors: Reward in helping others

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Alexis “Lexi” Jishie sits behind the partition at her desk. She’s masked for safety, but she’s ready to be helpful for students.

Jishie is a Student Ambassador for Coconino Community College, and it is her job to help students navigate through the college experience.

“What I enjoy most about it is how involved I can be with students and Student Life activities,” Jishie said. “I like working with the other Student Ambassadors and getting out of my comfort zone and advocating for and helping students.”

Grand Canyon National Park Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 23-27, 2021

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Park staff have been busy with Search and Rescues (SARs) recently. Unfortunately, many of these events have been recoveries for apparent suicides. Times continue to be full of turmoil and stress—please, take a moment to check in with loved ones and with yourself. Working in remote areas away from close family and friends can add additional challenges during an already stressful time.

We would like to thank all of the search and rescue personnel and additional searchers from many other work groups who helped with two major SARs in Surprise Valley and Hermit Trail. Luckily, in both instances, all visitors were transported safely to the South Rim. Additional thanks go to Arizona Department of Public Safety for their support during multiple SARs over the last few weeks.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Using Virtual Reality for Workforce Development

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County and the Workforce Development Board are leading the way in helping dislocated workers and students explore new careers through virtual reality.

Using a workforce development platform called Transfr VR, the program allows job seekers to experience working in a warehouse, a manufacturing plant, an auto repair shop and even the hospitality industry.

These short simulations are hands-on, allowing people to “work” in the space using motion controllers similar to ones available in V/R gaming devices. Therefore, in the automotive simulation, you don’t just observe what it’s like to change the oil in a car, you actually are doing that job in the virtual space.

“It’s great because a lot of times, people don’t know what they want to do professionally unless they already know someone in that industry,” said Ali Applin, Virtual Reality Program Manager for the County. “A lot of today’s youth are visual or experiential learners, and this is perfect for them because they can picture what a job actually entails.”

The NAU Review — Here comes the Sun

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2021 • Comments Off

As NASA prepares to send astronauts, including the first woman, to the moon, understanding the lunar environment has never been more important. A study led by doctoral candidate Christian J. Tai Udovicic, in collaboration with associate professor Christopher Edwards, offers insights into the moon’s surface, and how the sun affects the evolution of the lunar surface. The scientists discovered that solar radiation could be an important source of lunar iron nanoparticles; that means these particles, which can be detected in small amounts from a great distance, can be a great indicator of change on the moon.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Congratulations 2020/2021 Caring for Children Awardees

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino Coalition for Children & and Youth extends its congratulations 2020/2021 Caring for Children Awardees. They include Kailey Jensen of AZ127, Marcus Clanton of Victim Witness Services, Mark Cox of the Boys & Girls Club, Kelly Elliot of Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff and Sharon Sifling of Coconino County.

Discover Flagstaff — ‘Thunder over Flagstaff,’ Flagstaff Airport on Sat., Aug. 28 and more events

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2021 • Comments Off

irport open house & car display. Military & Civilian aircraft on display. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sedona Arts Center — Call for Artists

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Sedona Arts Center is seeking artists for the Souls of Forgotten Objects exhibit to take place December 3 -23, 2021 in the Special Exhibits Gallery of the Arts Center.

Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff Staff Present at Joint Work Session on Aug. 24

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Last night, staff members from the Coconino County Flood Control District and the City of Flagstaff presented to the Board of Supervisors and the City Council in a joint work session on the Museum Flood Area.

The meeting provided an historic look at the mitigation efforts taken during and immediately after the Museum Fire, as well as additional mitigation measures since that time. The City and County Flood Control District deployed sandbags and barriers to the neighborhood, and warned of the high-risk for flooding. J.E. Fuller Hydrology, the leading experts in post-wildfire hydrology, were immediately engaged to conduct a flood hazard analysis. The analysis results were used by the Flood Control District to develop and implement the flood mitigation plan. The analysis showed severe flooding would impact 400 homes and 35 businesses.

Museum of Northern Arizona — Fun and fundraisers

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2021 • Comments Off

This is a golden time in Flagstaff, with fields of sunflowers blooming and everything lush from the monsoon. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of extended drought, life-giving rains can come to see us through.

As a nonprofit museum, we face a drought in our finances as well. Though we’ve reopened to six days a week, visitor numbers are not rebounding to anywhere near pre-pandemic numbers. Admissions revenue cannot come near to making up for what Covid has cost us. We had planned to hold our annual fundraising Gala dinner this weekend, but Covid has again made it unwise to ask people to gather together for a meal.

Drawing on our experience of navigating unexpected challenges this past year, we have shifted gears and brought the fundraising auction online. With more than 100 items in a range of prices, from vintage baskets to paintings by Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, Merrill Mahaffey, Michelle Condrat, and more. Go to event.gives/MNA to browse the auction and encourage your family and friends to do the same. I am grateful to our gala sponsors and auction donors for their generous support.

If we don’t see you Saturday at the Member Appreciation Day, we do hope to see you here soon.
Thank you for your support of MNA.

Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona announce series of workshops in September

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2021 • Comments Off

Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona announce series of workshops in September.

The NAU Review — New year. New news

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2021 • Comments Off

After a summer filled with research, designing and creating, the NAU Communications team is excited to unveil The NAU Review. This refreshed newsletter will continue to feature the research, programs and departments of the university while highlighting the voices of NAU through a fun, easily digestible tone and engaging multimedia, including more videos and photos. Expect The NAU Review in your inbox on Tuesday and Thursday.

Happy 30th Birthday, CCC

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2021 • Comments Off

On Aug. 26, 1991, Coconino Community College opened its doors on Fourth Street in Flagstaff to serve students in Coconino County by offering local, affordable, quality education.

This year, events are planned across the county to celebrate CCC putting students first for the last 30 years.

Where and when?

To kick off a year of fun and celebration, CCC will be having birthday parties at all three locations in the county:

In-Person and Online Learning at Sedona Arts Center!

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2021 • Comments Off

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

CCC student ready for trucking career

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2021 • Comments Off

Flagstaff resident Lisa Black is a single mother of two children, ages 17 and 11. On the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, she needed a job – a good job.

“I want to do something I love,” she said, “And driving’s something I love.”

So, when she heard about a new program training people to get a commercial driver’s licenses, she was interested. Four weeks later, she’s passed all her tests, and she’s putting in applications to be a commercial truck driver. Prospects are better than good.

Community Welcome event connects NAU students with their Flagstaff neighbors on Aug. 24

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2021 • Comments Off

Northern Arizona University and the city of Flagstaff are teaming up for the 4th Annual Community Welcome walk. On Wednesday, August 25, between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a team of elected officials, city and NAU staff, police officers and students are visiting homes throughout La Plaza Vieja and Southside neighborhoods. Teams will be providing information and resources to help foster a culture of community and neighborhood engagement.

The Coconino County Fair is Hiring

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2021 • Comments Off

Be a part of something special! The Coconino County Fair is hiring for this year’s Fair. Coconino County Parks & Recreation typically hires over 50 part-time, temporary employees every year to help produce the Coconino County Fair, the largest event in Northern Arizona with over 40,000 people attending the event over Labor Day weekend.

72nd annual Coconino County Fair is back Labor Day weekend Sept. 3-6

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2021 • Comments Off

The 72nd annual Coconino County Fair is back this Labor Day weekend, September 3 – 6 at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff!

We return to an in-person Fair this year, complete with live entertainment, community & 4-H exhibits, livestock shows & 4-H auction, fair food, carnival rides, vendors, beer garden, and more!

Partial Closure of Butler Avenue on Aug. 26

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2021 • Comments Off

There will be a partial closure of Butler Avenue between Cambridge Lane and River Run Road. This closure will limit Butler Avenue to one eastbound and one westbound lane for approximately eight weeks beginning August 26, 2021.