Category: News

Discover Flagstaff — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

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.

Coconino County Moves to Include Those 65 and Older in Phase 1b Following ADHS Announcement

The Trump administration announced on January 12, 2021 the plan to release additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to states to expand vaccinations to individuals age 65 and older.

Moments after sending a news release about the County awaiting guidance from Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) on this matter, ADHS announced the inclusion of those individuals as priority populations within Phase 1b.

City of Flagstaff announces Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures

Flagstaff city administrative functions will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. City Hall administrative functions will reopen on Jan. 19 with regular hours of 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library and East Flagstaff Public Library will also be closed on Jan. 18. Both locations will resume curbside hold pickup and phone reference services on Jan. 19. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y member says Coalition provides variety of support, education to the community

I have had the blessed opportunity to work with at-risk youth in Flagstaff for over 20 years.  I first learned of the Coalition when I attended the Child Abuse Prevention Conference over 15 years ago. Since then, the Coalition has been such a wonderful resource for me.  They provide support, education, and have helped connect me to individuals and other organizations that advocate for youth.

Not only have I been able to share useful information with my family and friends, but my work circle has also benefited. 

Coconino County Sees High Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine

Approximately six hours after Coconino County moved to allowing priority populations within Phase 1b to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments at its Fort Tuthill vaccination site on Jan. 8, all 1,600 available appointments were booked.

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and vaccination partner organizations are working to ensure the swift administration of the available COVID-19 vaccine. The community continues to demonstrate a high level of interest in getting vaccinated; however, the available supply of COVID-19 vaccine remains limited. 

Solar co-op launches for northern Arizona residents to go solar together

The city of Flagstaff, city of Sedona, and Coconino County, the nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the Northern ArizonaSolar Co-op to help area residents go solar.

“The co-op will enable northern Arizona homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, Arizona program director for SUN. “Together, we’re building a movement to create a more sustainable electricity system that directly benefits households and small businesses in the community.”

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler — Coconino County Swears in Elected Officials in Virtual Ceremony

On the evening of Monday, Jan. 4, Coconino County swore in elected officials during a virtual ceremony. Elected officials taking a term in office after winning election in November of 2020 include the Board of Supervisors, the County Constitutional Officers and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols.

“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County. Together, we are ready to face 2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the County has ever had,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our County is known for. The immense commitment of our elected officials to community and public service is something our County residents can be very proud of.”

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County Moves to Vaccinating Priority Populations Within Phase 1b

Seven days after opening its own COVID-19 vaccination site located at Fort Tuthill County Park to individuals in Phase 1a, Coconino County is opening vaccination appointments at select sites to priority populations within Phase 1b.

Priority populations within Phase 1b include education and childcare workers, law enforcement and protective services, and individuals aged 75 and older.

Vaccination opportunities will open at a later time for other populations in Phase 1b, including essential workers and adults with high-risk conditions in congregate settings.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography Images of the Month – January 2021

Research shows that mentally invigorating activities heighten brain power and help preserve our brains sharp as we age, forging new neural pathways in the process. Facing another birthday and having been cordoned off for the past 10 months, I decided to take a solo road trip to Bisbee, an old mining town of 6,000 or so inhabitants located in southeastern Arizona, United States. I was very pleased to find a welcoming town, somewhat surreal, filled with historic architecture and creative and culturally rich people. With the same purpose I decided to challenge myself with a different approach to my traditional cultural anthropology photography, this time using different subjects and filters to better capture the feeling of the town as I strolled through its winding, narrow streets and alleys.

Sedona Arts Center’s Online Learning Online learning opportunities are perfect for

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. Visit us Here to learn more about all of our online learning opportunities!

Coconino County Moves to Vaccinating Priority Populations Within Phase 1b

Seven days after opening its own COVID-19 vaccination site located at Fort Tuthill County Park to individuals in Phase 1a, Coconino County is opening vaccination appointments at select sites to priority populations within Phase 1b.

Priority populations within Phase 1b include education and childcare workers, law enforcement and protective services, and individuals aged 75 and older.

Vaccination opportunities will open at a later time for other populations in Phase 1b, including essential workers and adults with high-risk conditions in congregate settings.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Neighborhood Meeting and other news

Dear Neighbor,

The purpose of this message is to inform you that the City of Flagstaff’s Open Space Program proposes to file for a Zoning Map Amendment for the McMillan Mesa Natural Area, application number: PZ-20-00063. The application intends to change the existing Public Facilities and Rural Residential Zoning to Public Open Space Zoning for passive recreation and preservation.

On November 8th, 2016, Flagstaff voters voted in favor of Proposition 413 – Campaign for a Greater Buffalo Park. This proposition restricted the use of approximately 300 acres of City-owned property on McMillan Mesa to public open space and passive recreation. The City Council approved the McMillan Mesa Natural Area major plan amendment (Resolution Number 2018-50) on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018. The next step is to amend the McMillan Mesa Natural Area’s existing zoning from Public Facilities and Rural Residential Zoning to Public Open Space.

A second and final meeting to provide interested community members the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal and provide comments will take place on January 13th.

Statement from Mayor Deasy regarding attempted coup

“The attempted coup at the Capitol was both un-American and unconstitutional. I want to be very clear, the actions of this mob of unhinged extremists do not represent the values of America or Flagstaff,” said Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy. “We must denounce these actions and the ideologies fueling them in the strongest terms today and each day moving forward. We cannot let this type of behavior be normalized, to do so would constitute a fundamental threat to our republic. I call on our constituents to reject this type of behavior and work together to protect and defend the United States of America and the values we hold dear.”

County Attorney William Ring Statement on Events at US Capitol

Coconino County Attorney William Ring issued the below statement regarding the mob takeover of the United State Capitol in Washington, DC on Wednesday.

“Like many Arizonans, we watched the lawless takeover of our Nation’s Capitol yesterday with stunning disappointment. The purported cause for the protest – that the losing presidential candidate actually won in a landslide – has no basis in fact or law. And there are courts to peacefully settle those disputes. Out of options, the losing candidate lit a match to a mob that invaded the citadel of our democracy. However, with amazing grace the Capitol Police and the Congress put down the violence and finished our Nation’s business, proving our resilience and our confidence in the rule of law.

Discover Flagstaff — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

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.

ECoNA — Thornager’s Opens Up Kitchen to Food Entrepreneurs

A commercial kitchen that until recently was the catering arm of Thornager’s on Kiltie Lane is finding a new life as an affordable testing ground for food entrepreneurs who do not have access to a fully-stocked professional cookery.

After 30-plus years in catering, including three decades as the owner of Thornager’s, Karen Sorensen was ready to hang up her apron. She even toyed with the idea of selling the Equestrian Estates event venue, but ultimately decided to shut down the catering portion of the her business while continuing to rent out the clubhouse.

Coconino County and partners collaborate on Phase 1 COVID-19 vaccinations

On the morning of Monday, Jan. 4, County public health staff vaccinated the first person against COVID-19 at the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site and was fully booked for vaccination appointments throughout the day. As part of the vaccine roll out in Coconino County, Phase 1 partners Banner Health Page Hospital, North Country HealthCare (NCHC) and Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) began immunizing their frontline healthcare staff in late December. CVS and Walgreens are vaccinating long-term care facility residents and staff directly through a CDC program, Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care. The vaccinations administered at Fort Tuthill and through partner organizations marks a major milestone in Coconino County’s effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Childhood Inequities, Neglect, Abuse Hidden in Pandemic

Those in the social service industry are worried about our families. Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y) Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie says isolation, depression and anxiety – all conditions that can be made worse by the pandemic – are increasingly having a negative effect on children in Arizona, particularly in rural areas where resources are less available than in larger cities and distances to travel for support are far greater. She’s encouraging individuals and communities to resolve to make a difference in children’s lives in the New Year.
Read more

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County Swears in Elected Officials in Virtual Ceremony

On the evening of Monday, Jan. 4, Coconino County swore in elected officials during a virtual ceremony.

Elected officials taking a term in office after winning election in November of 2020 include the Board of Supervisors, the County Constitutional Officers and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols.

“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County. Together, we are ready to face 2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the County has ever had,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our County is known for. The immense commitment of our elected officials to community and public service is something our County residents can be very proud of.”

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Community Stakeholder Committee on Reclaimed Water

As we look back at the many events of 2020, I am reminded of the importance of participatory action. At both the national and local levels, we made our voices heard about issues of importance this past year, from the presidential campaign, to the BLM movement, to the need for Flagstaff to declare a climate emergency.
These Communications from F3 are designed to make it easier for you to participate in our community. They provide an easily accessible way for you to track what’s going on in Flagstaff and to participate in the discussions and local decisions that affect you. Join us and help make 2021 a year of joyful participation in our Flagstaff community. Happy New Year!

Coconino County Swears in Elected Officials in Virtual Ceremony

On the evening of Monday, Jan. 4, Coconino County swore in elected officials during a virtual ceremony.

Elected officials taking a term in office after winning election in November of 2020 include the Board of Supervisors, the County Constitutional Officers and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols.

“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County. Together, we are ready to face 2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the County has ever had,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our County is known for. The immense commitment of our elected officials to community and public service is something our County residents can be very proud of.”

Youth Wellbeing Live Discussion to be held Jan. 7

Join Jen Puzey & Adam Shimoni for a discussion on Youth and their Wellbeing from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.

Jen has over a decade of experience counseling clients with addiction, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and eating disorders, specifically among athletes and young adults.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County Elected Officials Swearing-In Ceremony to be held Jan. 4

Coconino County will hold a virtual swearing-in ceremony for elected officials Today, January 4th at 5:30pm. Congratulations to elected officials taking a term in office: Supervisors Horstman, Archuleta, Ryan, Begay and Fowler; Sheriff Driscoll, County Attorney Ring, Recorder Hansen, Treasurer Benatar, Assessor Ruiz, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lewis.

Join on Zoom//bit.ly/3rbzzJs
Webinar ID: 994 7622 4476
Or Join Via Telephone: 888 788 0099 (Toll-Free)

Oct. 7 — NAU Latin American Studies to present talk on ‘Dancing with the Revolution: Power, Politics, and Privilege in Cuba’

NAU Latin American Studies will present Assistant Professor of History Elizabeth Schwall will talk about her recently published book, “Dancing with the Revolution: Power, Politics, and Privilege in Cuba” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 and LA 120 (and simultaneously via Zoom).

The NAU Bookstore will be at the event with copies of the book for sale, and I’m sure Elizateth would be delighted to sign a copy for you!

Jan. 18 — Coconino Board of Supervisors to hold a livestream virtual Special Session regarding the COVID Emergency

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Session regarding the COVID Emergency at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan, 18, 2021.

The Board of Supervisors’ meeting will be held via webinar technology using Zoom. The live meeting can be viewed via our YouTube stream link at:

Jan. 22 — Virtual Women’s March (+Special Guest Speaker & Social Hour!)

Join us for a social hour & virtual celebration of the power of women coming together to fight for equity and why it is crucial to the climate movement from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.

Dr. Frances Julia Riemer, educational anthropologist and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Northern Arizona University, will be the keynote speaker of the Zoom event. The event will also feature highlighting the contributions of brave women, sharing stories, and an opportunity to empower one another and shape our dreams for a better future for the next generations.

Jan. 28 — NAU Latin American Studies to present ‘Mala Conflicion’ Zoom lecture

In its first event of the semester, NAU Latin American Studies will present ‘Mala Confición: Forced acculturation & spiritual surveillance in the Confesionario limense (1585)’ Zoom lecture at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.

Molly Borowitz is assistant professor of Transatlantic Early Modern Literature and Cultural Studies in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Georgetown University. Her talk examins how a 16thcentury text taught religious leaders in colonial Peru to control indigenous people by treating actions that the Spanish Crown wished to discourage as religious crimes.   

Feb. 5 — U of A Latin American Studies to present virtual ‘The Emerging Forms of Bolivia’s Anti-Communal State’

The University of Arizona Latin American Studies will present the Spring 2021 Charlas Con Café: “The Emerging Forms of Bolivia’s Anti-Communal State” with Huáscar Salazar Loham, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5. 

(In Spanish with simultaneous English interpretation)

Charlas Con Café is a weekly space to hear lectures from a wide variety of experts and discuss topics relevant to the Latin American region.

Feb. 11 — CCC to present free Comet Talk ‘The Science of Hacking Your Brain’

Coconino Community College Community Education is proud to present: CCC Comet Talk “The Science of Hacking Your Brain” An Exploration of the Human Mind presented by Clinical Hypnotherapist & Certified Medial Support Specialist, Craig Meriwether.

6 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Free Online Zoom Webinar

Feb. 18 — NAU to present via Zoom ‘The Deportation Machine: America’s Long History of Expelling Immigrants’

Adam Goodman from University of Illinois, Chicago will present his recent book, “The Deportation Machine: America’s Long History of Expelling Immigrants,” via Zoom on Thursday Feb. 18 at 6 pm. In the words of Mae Ngai, the book is “a must-read for all those who care about the reach of state authority and its consequences for immigrants and citizens alike.”

The event is open to all (anyone, anywhere on the planet with an internet connection!) but you need to register ahead of time at: http://eepurl.com/hlfiZb

March 2 — NAU History Dept. to present ‘Medical Narratives, Popular Opinion, and Uncertainty: The Cholera Epidemics of 19th Century Argentina’

The Northern Arizona History Dept. will present a very timely Latin American event about cholera epidemics in Argentina in the 19thCentury —  “Medical Narratives, Popular Opinion, and Uncertainty: The Cholera Epidemics of 19th Century Argentina,” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.

During the nineteenth century, cholera impacted Argentina in a wave of epidemics like many other parts of the globe at the time. Although we now know much about the disease, for significant portions of the 1800’s, doctors, government officials, and society were uncertain over the numerous aspects of the disease: origin,contagion, and treatment. As a result, an assortment of opinions, theories, and conjectures all coexisted that often contradicted each other, and demonstrates the limitations of the “medicalization of society”.

March 4 — NAU to present ‘Departed to Death — Asylum, drug violence and immigration enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border’

Jeremy Slack, professor of geography at the University of Texas, El Paso, will present the virtual lecture, “Deported to Death: Asylum, Drug Violence, and Immigration Enforcement on the US Mexico Border,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 4.

The Immigration Awareness Series event is co-sponsored by Latin American Studies and the student club NAU No More Deaths / No más muertes.

March 5 — The next Spring 2021 Charlas Con Café will present ‘The Power of Peru’s Bicentennial Generation’

Join us for our next Charla, “The Power of Peru’s Bicentennial Generation,” next Friday, March 5th from 1-2:30pm MST! We will have five panelists speaking about Peru’s recent democratic crisis, youth mobilized protest, and human rights abuses, moderated by Professor Jessica Retis from the University of Arizona School of Journalism.

March 17 — NAU Latin American Studies to present ‘Severo Sarduy: Fatigue and the Tempo of HIV/AIDS’

Johnathan Vankin, Assistant Professor, Latin American Cultural Studies and affiliated faculty at the UArizona Institute for LGBTQ+ Studies, UofA, will present “Severo Sarduy: Fatigue and the Tempo of HIV/AIDS.” The presentation is an examination of the relationship between illness and time in Sarduy’s final novel, Pájaros de la playa.

March 22 — NAU Latin American Studies, NAU No More Deaths to present ‘Human Rights Crisis in the Borderlands’

On Monday, March 22 at 1 pm, the Colibrí Center for Human Rights will talk about the human rights crisis at our southern border and their work to find justice. This presentation is put on in partnership with Northern Arizona University No More Deaths and the NAU Colibrí Campus Ambassador.

March 24 — NAU Latin American Studies to present ‘How We Get Free: Women, Tango, and the Power of Fiction’

Award-winning author Carolina De Robertis will present, “How We Get Free: Women, Tango, and the Power of Fiction.” This GLC talk is co-sponsored by STAC and The Office of Inclusion here at NAU.

April 1 — NAU’s virtual film, critical discussion ‘The Rise of the Latino Vote’ hosted by Dr. José G. Moreno’

NAU’s Ethnic Studies and Somos Unidos to present virtual film, critical discussion “The Rise of the Latino Vote” hosted by Dr. José G. Moreno” from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April  1.

April 6 — Register today for Coconino Community College Comet Talk “Shakespeare and Gender” presented by Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival Executive Director Dawn Tucker

Register today for Coconino Community College Comet Talk “Shakespeare and Gender” presented by Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival Executive Director Dawn Tucker.

CCC Comet Talk
“Shakespeare and Gender”

6 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Online Zoom Webinar

April 7 — NAU Latin American Studies to present Chilean musician/composer Freddy Vilches will present ‘Suite Latinoamericana: Vernacular and Concert Music’

NAU Latin American Studies will present Chilean musician/composer Freddy Vilches “Suite Latinoamericana: Vernacular and Concert Music” at 3 p.m. Wednesday April 7.

Join NAU Latin American studies for a Zoom event featuring Composer Freddy Vilches, as he performs selections from Suite Latinoamericana and discusses how he recontextualized elements of Latin American New Song in the symphonic composition. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

April 8 — Coconino Community College, Northern Arizona Building Association (NABA), hosting a virtual Construction Job Fair

The Virtual Construction Job Fair is a special opportunity for all Coconino County students and residents to connect, network and ultimately find a job in construction.Attendees can be introduced to local construction companies, browse open positions, submit their resumes for consideration and can even have potential “on-the-spot” employment interviews as well.

April 9 — Charla: Book Forum: Cartographies of Youth Resistance: Hip-Hop, Punk, and Urban Autonomy in Mexico

Join us for our next charla this Friday, April 9th from 1-2pm AZ time! We will have a book forum with the author of “Cartographies of Youth Resistance: Hip-Hop, Punk, and Urban Autonomy in Mexico”, Maurice Magaña, and discussant Michelle Téllez. 

April 19 — Southside Community Association to presented the Lived Black Experience virtual program — ‘Barber Shop Talk’

Join us for a candid unscripted ‘Barber Shop Talk’ conversation about the George Floyd murder trial, Daunte Wright’s Accidental Shooting (& the ongoing accidental gun instead of taser shooting saga) and more at 6 p.m. Monday, April 19 Livestreamed on Facebook @murdochcommunitycenter.

This conversation will focus on the thoughts of Black men on the day that the Nation hears the closing arguments in the George Floyd murder case as well as their feelings about the shooting death of yet another young black man by police that happened this past Sunday in the same city and more.

April 22 — CCC Comet Talk ‘Hypnotherapy to Soothe Anxiety’

Craig Meriwether will lead participants on a mental journey into deep relaxation techniques and effective methods of self-hypnosis to manage stress. These exercises are for educational and self-improvement purposes only and are not offered as a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric or medical treatment. This webinar lecture does not intend to diagnose or treat any disease or illness, psychological or mental health condition, or medical ailment.

April 27 — CCC Common Read Presents — ‘American Tensions & The Freedom of Real Apologies’

In 2009, the US government offered a congressional apology to Native peoples. Because of how quietly this apology was delivered, many people are unaware that it even occurred. In response to the apology, Oglala Lakota author Layli Long Soldier published WHEREAS, a collection of poems confronting the US’s history of brutality against Native peoples. The CCC Common Read’s theme for 2020-2022 is American Tensions, which emphasizes cultivating dialogue around difficult topics. In light of Long Soldier’s response to the US apology, this event will engage participants in discussion about the significance of genuine apologies in connection with the practice of land acknowledgments.

April 27 — CCC to present Business Financial Series

Business ownership and financial planning go hand in hand, and there’s always more to learn.

Join CCC for a virtual workshop series that will ease your stress and set your business up for success.

$55 for all four (4) classes, or $16 per individual class.

Through April 30 — Fire Science Classes at Coconino Community College

Register today for Fire Science classes at Coconino Community College and become a Wildland Firefighter. This instructor led course provides an introduction to the function, maintenance and use of internal combustion engine powered chainsaws and their tactical wildland fire applications.