Flagstaff city administrative functions will be closed on Dec. 24, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Closures and reopening schedules for other City facilities and services are listed below.
For the last two years, Laurel Malm, the first graduate of a joint program between nursing and ROTC, was on the front lines of health care, working in the COVID ward at Flagstaff Medical Center. Now she’ll take that experience with her into the Army, applying the leadership lessons she learned from ROTC and the need for flexibility, collaboration and focus she’s learned in nursing school.
Severe winter weather has returned to the Grand Canyon this week, so it’s time to offer a few reminders on winter preparedness!
If you haven’t done so already, sign up for the Coconino County Emergency Notifications to receive voice, text, and email emergency notifications generated by Grand Canyon Dispatch and public safety officials.
When Driving: Slow down! Try to keep a nearly full tank of gas in your personal vehicle throughout the winter. Keep an emergency kit in your personal vehicle. Suggested items are extra blankets, water, extra gloves, warm hat, snow pants, snacks, traction devices, jumper cables, flag, flashlight, first aid kit, plastic sheeting, and phone charger. Be prepared for any type of emergency.
At Home: Keep extra food, water, light sources, and blankets available in case of a power outage.
When Walking: Always have the appropriate gear, clothing, and footwear. The potential for slips, trips, and falls increases dramatically in winter. It is recommended that shoe traction devices be worn while walking in icy conditions.
When the pandemic took hold in northern Arizona in the spring of 2020, there were so many unknowns. How severe would the impact of COVID be? When would lockdowns be lifted? How long before we had a viable vaccine?
One thing we did know: Coconino County nonprofits and agencies were going to be hard-pressed to meet the challenges during an unprecedented crisis.
That’s why the United Way of Northern Arizona and Coconino County launched the Social Safety Net Coalition. Its goal was to help those providing basic needs coordinate their efforts to address an ever-evolving situation. Almost two years later, this group continues its impressive, collaborative work.
The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y), sees you! We see all the ways you support folks in your neighborhood and our community! You are helping to “bring back the village,” and you’re doing great!
Let’s face it, life can be challenging, and too often, we are collectively stressed. Stress is normalized. We can acknowledge that some stress is good for us, keeping us thinking and maybe even providing us a boost to take necessary action. However, maintaining health requires that we offer ourselves opportunities to decompress. CCC&Y hopes you gift yourself with time to reconnect with yourself and those closest to you.
During this season of reflection, CCC&Y invites you to cozy up with some tea and a warm blanket and take a few mindful moments to recognize and honor your inner self and notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. (“Mindfulness for Parents and Professionals”). If our opportunity for Mindfulness feels supportive to you, we invite you to share it with others.
First, youth and young adults were invited to craft creative COVID-19 public health messages. Now, it’s the community’s turn to choose their favorites.
The Arizona Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities set out to inspire Arizona youth and young adults to showcase their artistic talents through the “It’s Our Turn” contest, asking them to add their unique spin on public service COVID-19 messages, especially around masks and vaccines.
The City of Flagstaff is proud to provide a tree-cycling service during the month of January to assist with the proper recycling of Christmas trees. Residents within City limits can place their tree curbside by 6 a.m. January 3, 2022 and Solid Waste services will pick up trees until January 7.
Residents without a trash pickup service or those living in multifamily housing can also participate by bringing their trees to one of the following 24-hour locations until January 17th:
Old Public Works Yard: 419 N. Mogollon Street
Continental Little League Field: 5700 E. Old Walnut Canyon Road
Jamie Begay, who earned a master’s in public health, has spent her educational career doing outreach and research on public health in Indigenous communities; finding a program that allowed her to specialize in Indigenous health brought her back to her alma mater for a second degree. At no time did this come together more than when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the Navajo Nation particularly hard; she kept busy delivering food, medicine and other necessities to Indigenous communities and checking in with people. The love of community drives Begay. “The value of that experience stems from my appreciation and responsibility I feel for my community. Through that experience, resilience was the foundation of our efforts.”
Souls of Forgotten Objects
Curated by Geoffrey Gorman
Now Showing through December 23, 2021
in the Special Exhibition Gallery at Sedona Arts Center
Open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm
Exploring the intersection between trash and treasure, Souls of Forgotten Objects brings found or forgotten objects together to create something beautiful. Whether that is an old tree branch, bike tire, cardboard, colorful material, metal or paper, the exhibit takes these found or lost materials and turns them in to magnificent art. Curious, evocative, dynamic or meditative, Sedona Arts Center invited artists to think outside the box, canvas or convention in submitting pieces for this spectacular exhibit.
Coconino County Public Works, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), will ignite the annual green waste burn at the Willard Springs Green Waste Station, located 17 miles south of Flagstaff at Exit 326 on the west side of Interstate 17 (I-17), by Tuesday, December 14, 2021 The Willard Springs green waste burn is expected to produce smoke during the ignition period, which will last approximately three weeks. Based on wind and weather conditions, smoke may be heavy at times and visible to motorists on I-17. The Coconino National Forest will post signage on I-17 to notify motorists about smoke and to drive with caution.
When Alondra Angelica Alvarez Ortiz was seven years old, her family moved from Mexico to the U.S. She spent every night thereafter crying herself to sleep—she missed her little hometown of Gomez Palacio, visiting her tia’s snack cart after school and dressing up in a long traditional skirt and bright red lipstick to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. She didn’t understand America, with lines down the middle of the roads and lack of people in the back of pickups. She also didn’t understand the “better life” her mother insisted she would have here, for which she sacrificed so much. How could a society so fixated on working and money be better than her simple and carefree Gomez?
The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and supporters will participate in the annual Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 in downtown Flagstaff.
Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Vora Financial Group, the parade features more than 100 entries.
Flagstaff is the premier destination for fun wintertime activities in Arizona. Visitors can enjoy numerous winter activities at Fort Tuthill County Park including snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and playing in the snow. If you visit, park only in designated parking areas; do not park on roadways and be alert for snowplows and pedestrians. Read the Winter Parking Ordinance.
For the first time in two years, NAU will celebrate commencement in the Skydome, with almost 2,800 students completing their degrees and President Cruz Rivera officiating his first commencement as president of NAU. With snow in the forecast, people traveling for commencement are encouraged to sign up for text alerts (by texting “NAU” to 237233) and leave extra travel time.
Winter Road Conditions and Reporting Emergencies
With the first major snow of the season arriving, here are a few reminders on park road conditions and reporting emergencies, especially during periods of inclement weather.
When a road closes in the park, Grand Canyon Dispatch, who are staffed 24 hours a day, receive the notification and immediately will update the road conditions outgoing message. This number should be programmed into your phone if it isn’t already; it is: 928-638-7496. Please do not call dispatch for roads updates unless you are reporting an emergency.
This past April, we lost a man whose unique talents, fearless entrepreneurial spirit and insatiable curiosity left both our community and the business sector a better place. Now, thanks to his family, his impressive collection of business books is available to the public through The Lynn Hagen Business Library at ECoNA.
George “Lynn” Hagen was a serial entrepreneur, the named inventor of 29 patents, and the founder or executive of several notable and pioneering companies. You’ll probably recognize many of the businesses he was associated with: Osborne Computer, creator of the first commercially successful portable computer; Upper Deck® trading cards; and Tagworks®, maker of laser-engraved pet identification tags.
In This Issue
9 December 2021
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Perrin Ranch Tour
U.S. Forest Service Commitment
Coconino County Redistricting Process
State Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Process
Downtown Flagstaff Holiday Celebration
Winter Snow Play
Upcoming Winter Events
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing
Contact Us
During this season of giving, we’d like to ask you to consider donating your time (and maybe a few non-perishable items) to the Flagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC), a UWNA partner that has served thousands of our neighbors when they were at their most vulnerable.
The organization, which opened its doors on Christmas Day exactly 30 years ago, has provided meals through its daily hot dinner and sack lunches at its kitchen on North 2nd Street, or through its Food Bank on Huntington Drive.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has created a series of no cost webinars for professionals, parents and youth, to provide them skills that are needed now more than ever.
“Strengthening Families: Protective Factors —” We hosted this 1.5 hour webinar to ensure we look through a strength-based framework that is evidence-based, supports families and is prevention focused. This is for the community, as well as, professionals.
Trainer
Claire Louge, Prevention Child Abuse Arizona
“I was so surprised that I could use the information in a lot of work that I do and not just with youth and families. It is truly amazing how it related to just every day life. It was great!!” according to one participant.
“Appreciated the new perspective on the the protective factors from the trainer. Good examples and activities,” said another participant.
Rachel Stice works as a dispatcher with the National Park Service at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Although she loves her job, she has designs on being a park Ranger. A first step on that journey is to get certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. Luckily for her, Coconino Community College’s Page Center offers an Emergency Medical Service course to help her achieve her goal.
“I work a lot behind the scenes, behind the computer with our Rangers for visitor and resource protection,” Stice said. “Along with that, we have a lot of medical calls in our area.”
With significant snow forecast for northern Arizona in the coming days, the City of Flagstaff would like to provide information regarding snow operations.
The City’s Public Works Division will deploy all available equipment and operators during winter snow events, with operations running 24 hours a day during significant events. First priority roadways for treatment are main arterials, major hills, downtown, school and transit routes. All other streets are considered second priority areas. To begin treating second priority roads, the first priority roadways must be completed and maintained throughout the snow event. Cinders are applied to major hills, signalized intersections, railroad crossings, shaded areas, problem areas and stop-signed intersections. A map of the city which shows first and second priority streets can be found at https://gis.flagstaffaz.gov/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/efeb74300b2d4520b2f30731412c604e
Welcome to the 9th edition of the Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix. With this edition, we close out a very productive year, where we featured the strong relationship between Mexico and Arizona.
The sections in this issue are:
#ChooseMexico emphasizes the vibrant Mexican automotive industry and highlights the presence of Mexico in important international events. The Mayor of Hermosillo, Antonio Astiazarán, explains why the city appeals both to business leaders and residents.
Graduate Eduardo Moreno’s experience in NAU-Yuma’s nursing program encompassed a breadth of experiences—working in the COVID-19 unit during clinicals, educating the community about the stigma behind mental illness and substance abuse and spending a little time in the hospital as a patient. He did it all with the goal of increasing access to affordable and effective health care.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget announced interviews of candidates for the Governing School Board Member open seat at Page Unified School District #8.
An advisory committee has been assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, chapter official, and two current board members. The Committee will conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointment. Candidates seeking appointment are Mr. Michael Mangum and Dr. Terry Maurer
The City of Flagstaff will host an in-person Home Energy Efficiency Workshop on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. This continues the Home Energy Efficiency Workshop Series, with the 1-hour informational and demonstration event scheduled to occur approximately once a month throughout the winter. This workshop series is held each winter season to help both renters and homeowners save money, reduce energy use, and make their homes more comfortable during cold weather.
At the free workshop, a licensed contractor from CozyHome will demonstrate simple do-it-yourself energy efficiency upgrades, showing individuals how to weatherize homes and save money on utility bills.
Explicamos el programa del Seguro Social, sus fondos, sus beneficios y sus beneficiarios.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Babbitt, one of the founding members of the organization and a member of our formal Advisory Board. Jim’s passion for Flagstaff and his understanding of the how and why of past community decisions were integral to helping F3 understand and respond to local issues during the first 10 years of the organization’s existence. Nat White, of F3’s Advisory Board, described Jim as a quiet friend who understood the importance of Flagstaff’s history and strived to maintain the quality and character of the social and built environment in both word and deed.
Medical anthropologist Lisa Hardy says we all need to get comfortable with questions this season: Are you vaccinated? Do you mask appropriately? Will you wear a mask in my house? This kind of communication prioritizes safety and socializing.
Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, as a “Variant of Concern.” This new variant appears to have originated in the southern part of Africa. However, there have been reported cases in Canada, Australia, Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Hong Kong, and now the United States (California and Minnesota).
President Biden has added some precautionary measures until we know more about the new variant and has restricted air travel from South Africa and seven other nations in the southern region of Africa.
The best protection against Omicron is getting fully vaccinated — and getting a booster shot as soon as you can. The CDC recommends people follow prevention strategies, such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings and congested outdoor settings, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others.
Thank you for attending events at the Coconino Center for the Arts over the past couple of years. Did you know CCA has a membership program? Memberships begin at just $4.17/month.
Benefits include member’s only pricing to Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts events, concerts, and workshops, invitation to special members-only events, and more. See a full list of membership levels and benefits here. Members help keep gallery admission free and underwrite many of our educational programs and events, keeping our programs accessible and affordable.
We recently began in-person events again. I hope you will consider joining us for an upcoming concert or Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s A Christmas Carol (vaccine/test required). Upon joining as a member, we will send a promo code to use for discounts for many of our upcoming events.
Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth (www.coconinokids.org) is working hard to better understand root causes of trauma and promoting tools for resiliency. We know that social connection is a key protective factor for both youth and families.
During Covid, we began a virtual youth open mic. The purpose is to provide a safe space for youth to express themselves through music, art, poetry, theater, dance, photography, or cultural sharing. The event takes place the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. The next event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5.
Shop CCC Scarves for Scholarships at the Annual Fine Craft & Decorative Art Market and in the CCC Lone Tree Campus Commons this Saturday & Sunday; and Monday – Thursday.
Visit the Coconino Community College Foundation booth for festive holiday gifts.
The Scarves for Scholarships fundraiser supports Nursing Student Scholarships at CCC.
Why not stay warm and cozy this year while helping to support a good cause all at the same time?
Three lanes on Beaver Street will be closed on Monday, December 6, Thursday December 9, and Friday December 10 for construction related to the Butler Avenue Condominiums project.
The west three lanes of Beaver Street will be closed at the northwest corner of Butler Avenue and Beaver Street so that a crane may be parked to complete construction work during the week. Staging the crane within the City’s right-of-way is the most feasible option given the site constraints and considering the temporary circulation impacts.
Exploring the intersection between trash and treasure, Souls of Forgotten Objects brings found or forgotten objects together to create something beautiful. Whether that is an old tree branch, bike tire, cardboard, colorful material, metal or paper, the exhibit takes these found or lost materials and turns them in to magnificent art. Curious, evocative, dynamic or meditative, Sedona Arts Center invited artists to think outside the box, canvas or convention in submitting pieces for this spectacular exhibit.
NAU 4 All club president, Transfer Jack, internship, job and honor society: They’ve all kept psychology major Shaelynn Cauthen busy. Being that involved has allowed her the opportunity to narrow down what she wants to do in the future that’s waiting after commencement on Dec. 10.
Join us for ArtWalk at the site of Retro Maven on Friday, December 3rd from 6-7 pm. Arizona Pitch Night winner & Retro Maven artist Michelle Meyer will be giving an artist talk, and the Snoods of Snood City will be on site. Retro Maven will be leaving Flagstaff this month — see it before it’s too late! Thank you to ArtWins Arizona for helping to bring Retro Maven to Flagstaff.
Welcome to #GivingTuesday.
Can we count on you to be part of today’s international movement?
When you give to United Way of Northern Arizona, you are investing in the future of our community and local programs to help our friends and neighbors in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.
Please Step Up for Our Community today – and thank you for donating!
You can make a difference today, when you give to the Festival of Science! Donors like you make our impactful STEAM programs happen right here in Flagstaff.
Established in 1990, The Festival of Science is the longest, continuously running, entirely free science festival in the world. On Giving Tuesday, consider making a gift of any size to the Festival of Science and help keep this excellent community event FREE!
During our GivingTuesday campaign, your donation is doubled when you give! A generous donor is willing to match up to $1000 in donations during the campaign, allowing your contribution to go further. However, it is critical that we reach our goal of $1000 to unlock the funds in this match!
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on November 30 and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.
Work to implement a pilot project installing separated bike lanes on Beaver Street and Butler Avenue is substantially complete for installation of the curbs and candlesticks as designed. The City is working to modify and re-installing candlesticks that have been hit or damaged by vehicular traffic.
Originally the pilot project, Phase I and II, was scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. The contractor was able to receive materials and successfully install the curbs and candlesticks ahead of schedule. November 19, 2021 is the date of substantial completion.
Beginning December 1, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park this winter season should be prepared for modified changes in operations. Visitors should also plan ahead and anticipate temporary road closures and poor driving conditions whenever winter storms pass through the area.
The following operational changes will be in effect beginning on December 1, 2021:
Shuttle Bus Operations
Support student success at Coconino Community College by giving to the CCC Foundation on Giving Tuesday – a global, online generosity movement designed to transform communities this Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
For more than 30 years, CCC has been putting “Students First”. This year, your gift on Giving Tuesday will go towards the CCC Foundation Greatest Needs Fund, which supports the immediate financial needs of CCC students.
This year, many of us will be participating in Thanksgiving with family and friends that we have not seen since before the pandemic. After such a long time apart, this is a time to reconnect as a community and to reflect on what we are grateful for. Several research studies have found that a regular practice of gratitude, or an attitude of gratitude, is said to have far ranging emotional, social, and health benefits. In fact, benefits associated with gratitude include better sleep, more exercise, reduced symptoms of physical pain, lower levels of inflammation, and other benefits.
The HECHO team is practicing gratitude during this time of year and we are grateful for the collective push for a sustainable and just future, for our community’s efforts in the movement to conserve public lands, and for our cultural connection with nature.
COCONINO COUNTY — In this season of giving, CCC&Y wishes to celebrate Heather and Art Babbott and their family for their extraordinary contribution toward the CCC&Y Mission.
The Coalition relies on the generous help of our supporters, community partners and members to eliminate childhood trauma and inequity by building an inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities. Through leadership, education and advocacy, we are reconnecting children and families to the greater community and their own potential.
Our Mission:
Igniting collective action to cultivate, honor & empower resilient, thriving communities.
Our Vision:
We envision a holistic community where all children of Coconino County are increasingly free from trauma experience and all have equitable opportunities that build resiliency.
We could not accomplish our mission without the support our funding partners and our more than 100 members.
The Coalition will also be taking part in Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30 Please consider hosting a fundraiser for CCC&Y on your Facebook page.
Or click here to contribute by donating or becoming a member.
Once again, thank you very much to the community, our partners and members for your generous support. Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact air travel nationwide. Masks are required by federal mandate both in flight and in the terminal. Where possible, customer service counters have added plexiglass screens to protect passengers and employees. Travelers are encouraged to maintain social distancing whenever possible as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Staffing levels for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), airlines, and rental car companies have not returned to pre-COVID levels. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least two-hours prior to their departure time. This is especially important during the upcoming holiday season when travel is expected to be heavier than usual. Airline ticket counters close thirty minutes prior to departure to allow staff time to load baggage and prepare the aircraft and passengers for takeoff. Passengers arriving late may miss their flights.
Here are some reminders and tips for travel:
Here at Sedona Arts Center, we have so much to be thankful for.
More than anything else, we are thankful for our community of artists, instructors, art lovers, patrons, volunteers, staff and supporters who have helped us thrive over the last 63 years. We are truly grateful for you and we look forward to sharing more art, creativity, and inspiration with you in the years to come!
May you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
We wanted to take a moment to send warm wishes to you and yours for a lovely holiday this week. May you have safe travels, fabulous meals with family and friends, and much for which to be grateful.
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Carol, Heidi, Christine, Elaine & Sybil
Holiday COVID Reminders
This time last year, we saw a spike in COVID cases. As a reminder, please continue to follow these tips from the CDC and all NPS guidance both inside and outside the park so that we can minimize the spread of COVID-19 this holiday season.
Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings.
Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
If you are sick or have symptoms, do not host or attend a gathering.
Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in authorizing a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines for all adults 18 years and older.
This recent action allows individuals 18 years and older, who have completed their initial COVID-19 vaccine series to receive a booster shot at least six months after completing their initial vaccine series.
The CDC had previously approved booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for all adults 18 years and older at least two months after their initial dose.
As we prepare to spend time with family and friends, sharing love and thoughts of gratitude, we wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and express some of what has made us grateful this year.
On the top of that list is you. Your support, insights, collaboration and drive to see a more economically vibrant region are what fuel our mission.
One of our favorite NAU Thanksgiving traditions is winning a national cross-country championship … but we’ll get to that in a minute. 😉 For the rest of us, it means cutting down a Christmas tree, spending days putting together a puzzle, drinking at a local dive bar, crafting with kids, creating a tablecloth full of memories, celebrating Native American heritage and more. Here’s how our Lumberjacks spend the holiday.
Museums are places of connection. They connect us to the past, to place, to culture, and to each other. The Museum of Northern Arizona has provided connections – between art and science, land and culture, people and places, and much more – for 93 years. Although the past 20 months have been the most challenging of MNA’s long history, with your generous support, we have continued to provide connections to our community and beyond. If you believe, as I do, that these connections are vital as we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic, I would be honored if you would support MNA with a year-end gift.
As a way of giving back to the community, we will be offering free entry to the museum during the annual Winter Market on December 11 and 12. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit and connect with us. We have missed you throughout the pandemic!
City administrative offices and operations will be closed Nov. 25 and 26, 2021 for the Thanksgiving holiday and will reopen on Nov. 29, 2021.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Nov. 25 and 26 include:
NAU and President Cruz Rivera honored the Class of 2021 President’s Prize recipients, Maree Mahkewa and Angel Marshall, 29 Gold Axe Award winners and nine Distinguished Seniors at a formal ceremony on Nov. 16 at the High Country Conference Center.
