Category: Youth

Bilingual report — New COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine now available

Coconino County Vaccination Locations

Coconino County Testing Locations

FLAGSTAFF — Here is some information on the location and times you can get the vaccine to help protect you against the Omicron variant.

Vaccines are available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff.

Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8:30 – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Northern AZ community colleges sign historic partnership agreement to benefit students, community

The four community college districts covering all northern Arizona have entered into a historic partnership agreement to help better serve students.

The presidents of Coconino Community College, Mohave Community College, Northland Pioneer College, and Yavapai College recently signed an intergovernmental agreement called the Northern Arizona Community College Partnership (NACCP). 

The NACCP calls on the districts to collaborate and combine resources to better serve citizens and communities throughout northern Arizona. This includes sharing college courses to improve student success and completion and enhancing workforce development by utilizing each district’s vast array of unique programs. 

“I am continually impressed with the number and quality of the partnerships I have seen since arriving at Coconino Community College,” said CCC Interim President Christal Albrecht. “It seems that the colleges genuinely want to work together, recognizing the positive impact their efforts will have on our collective students.”

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 15th Edition

Thank you for your patience as well as the community residents who have
been engaged within the efforts of Coconino County during this past
summer. We have, as a county, experienced historical amounts of floods—
totaling 45 floods. The pipeline fire as well as the tunnel fire have resulted
in the increase and impact of floods during our monsoon season. It has
been taxing for everyone in our community, especially those who have
been directly impacted by the fires and floods through property, emotional,
and physical damage. I want to acknowledge our resilience as a
community as well as the collective efforts that have taken place across
the board. I want to thank our first-responders, county staff, community
volunteers, vendors, and the nonprofit organizations who all came together
to help our community in our time of need.
The county moving forward wants to address two key issues: long-term
mitigation and government funding. We have made strides towards trying
to secure federal funding to best direct our actions towards re-building.
We want to focus on three components: forest restoration, channels, and
highway improvements. We are working very closely together during this
time with our community, and overall county. Please email me your
concerns with as much detail as possible.
Email: jvasquez@coconino.az.gov

Coconino County Parks & Recreation October Update — Halloween Haunted Hike on Oct. 28

Halloween Haunted Hike

Oct 28, 2022

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

This program will provide you with an opportunity to get outside at night in our beautiful parks and open spaces. Our instructors will tell ghost stories and we may encounter some spooky things along our hike! The trip will provide a unique prospective of our local flora and fauna while getting you active!

We will hike the Solders Trail around the Fort Tuthill County Park as the moon rises about the horizon and peaks through the trees. Hot cocoa will be provided partway along our hike! Headlamps will be provided. Register here!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Oct. 3-7, 2022

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park next on Tuesday, October 18. The event will take place at the Grand Canyon Rec Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The team will also be in Tusayan at the Tusayan Fire Department on Tuesday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available at this event (to include the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine) for those ages 6 months and older. See the attached flyer for the Grand Canyon event here and the Tusayan event here. 

United Way of Northern Arizona — How You Make KinderCamp™ Possible

For more than 15 years, KinderCamp™ has ensured that hundreds of preschoolers were ready for that vitally important first day of school. That they stepped into their kindergarten classrooms confident and eager to learn. That they were prepared – academically, socially, and emotionally – to make their first school year a phenomenal success.

This signature program, which takes place every June in schools across northern Arizona, is how United Way of Northern Arizona is supporting early childhood development. It’s also a great reason to donate to UWNAduring the annual campaign going on right now.

Take a look at the smiling faces in this video to see the love of learning in action.   

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents special ‘Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Julianne E. Hartzell

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present a special “Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award” to local educator Julianne E. Hartzell during its 50th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 27.

“I just adore Julianne and I’m so excited to honor her in this way,” said Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of CCC&Y. “She has been so very giving with her time, not just to me personally but to the organization as a whole.”

“The contributions Julianne has made, and continues to make, have had tremendous impact on the organization and the wider community. We are very fortunate to benefit from her knowledge and giving nature.”

Hartzell has volunteered her time to serve as a past board president for the Coalition, and currently serves on the group’s Action & Outreach Committee.

Each year, the Coalition honors a group of members of the community throughout Coconino County for promoting the well-being of children and families.

​​​​​​​To celebrate the group’s 50th anniversary, the Coalition decided to create this special award.

Hartzell has long served youth in the region through various roles in the community, including as a long-time teacher in the Flagstaff Unified School District, a 12-year member of the FUSD Governing Board, as board member for CCC&Y, the FACT after-school program, the Flagstaff Community Foundation and the United Way of Northern Arizona.

North Rim Day-Use Operations Begin on Oct. 16

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will transition to day-use operations on Sunday, October 16, 2022. At that time, the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim campground will close, and limited services will be available to visitors.

The entrance gate on State Route 67, which provides vehicle access to the North Rim, will be closed at 5 p.m. on November 30, 2022, or after the first major snowstorm if prior to that date.

Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16, should be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. The Cape Royal Road, leading to Cape Royal and Point Imperial, will be closed to the public from October 18-19 due to annual road maintenance.  

Coconino County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of events, programs

See links to more Coconino County and area upcoming events.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has announced that it is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with variety of upcoming events and programs.

The Coconino County and the Board of Supervisors recognize cultural diversity as a core value of our organization; empowering the intersecting and overlapping social identities with a focus on equity, social justice, and actions and move our communities forward.

CCC students figure out futures with Pipeline AZ

 You just graduated from high school in Coconino County, and you’ve been thinking about college or career training. You know you like working with computers, but you’re unsure of the next move.

CCC’s participation in a new career-orienting service, called Pipeline AZ, can help.

Juanita Tarango, Director of Student Success at CCC, said Pipeline AZ is a statewide effort to help students figure out their professional futures.

“If a student doesn’t know where to start, Pipeline AZ will provide that assistance and give them ideas on what fields they may want to go into,” Tarango said. “It’s truly a pipeline to getting the job they want. It’s a virtual one-stop shop for students.”

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Join us for Sci Talks! on Friday

Come check out SciTalks at the Coconino Center for the Arts, featuring four TEDx style talks from local artists, scientists and educators. First, join us at 6 p.m. for “Um Actually: Science Edition”, a science trivia game show, followed by the talks at 6:30 p.m. FREE!

The talks include:

Understanding the Largest Earthquakes on Earth with Underwater Imaging by Donna Shillington

Finding the Humane in Digital Fabrication through Self-Portraits by David Van-Ness

Accelerating Carbon Dioxide Removal: Safely, Equitably and Economically by Dr. Jennifer Wade

Get Out! Or, Effectively Experiencing the Outdoors with Kids by Moran Henn

Latino Outdoors — Yo Cuento: Latinx Heritage Month

Latino Outdoors continues to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month 2022!

Known also as Latino Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, this month “traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.” Latinx Heritage Month starts on Sept. 15th and goes until Oct 15th. every year.

¿Por qué el 15?

This date is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.

LHM continues until October 15th and LO has numerous events already planned!

HECHO September Newsletter

This is an important time for HECHO – Hispanic Heritage Month. During the month, which spans September 15-October 15, we are celebrating and reflecting upon the longstanding Hispanic leadership and stewardship of our land and water. We are lifting up a way of life that puts relationships with nature and each other as a central part of the culture, and we are asking you to join our cause to work toward ensuring that these practices are reflected in future public land and water management policy and decision-making. To learn more, I hope you’ll read my blog post elaborating on HECHO’s vision of strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other. We also have some very exciting news to share with you:

County Board of Supervisors Allocates Funds to Sponsor Navajo Bridge Star Party Event

During the Coconino County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 the Board unanimously agreed to allocate community initiative funds in the amount of $5,000 to the non-profit Glen Canyon Conservancy for expenses associated with the Navajo Bridge Star Party this Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1. 

“This event started very small, just an idea, and has grown into a huge party on the Navajo Bridge,” stated District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, “Now that things are opening up and people are gathering together again, we’re excited to bring it back after a brief absence.” 

There are educational events in the evenings both Friday and Saturday featuring lectures from Dr. Henry Fowler of Navajo Technical University at 6 p.m. and George Rhee of UNLV at 8 p.m. The talks will focus on identifying Navajo star constellations and the historical Navajo teachings about the stars. On Saturday at 11 a.m. visitors can take a guided hike through the historic Lonely Dell Ranch, a settlement that dates to the Great Mormon Migration deep into Arizona.

“I encourage the public to attend and join us on the Navajo Bridge for the only Star Party held above the Colorado River!” added Supervisor Fowler. 

Theatrikos October Newsletter: Heartwarming Comedy Cemetery Club, October 7-23

Theatrikos’ upcoming production is Cemetery Club. “Doris, Ida and Lucille may just be deciding on another glass of wine, but their choices reflect larger choices in their lives. How do they face the reality of growing old? Is it wonderful to be content, or should they stay ambitious and passionate and keep wanting more? Cemetery Club asks these questions and more. It’s a humorous, heartwarming reflection on life,” says Cemetery Club director Gina Byars.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Sept. 26-30, 2022

The Weekly Wrap Up is getting a new look!

Beginning next week, the Grand Canyon Office of Communications will be transitioning to a new email distribution platform called GovDelivery. This transition is necessary for us to meet the Department of Interior’s new policies for email distribution.

The Wrap Up as well as news releases from our office will have a new layout and feel. If you are not receiving email communications from our office (through the Wrap Up or news releases), please check your junk email folder or email us directly at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

The NAU Review — DART watch party, the Community Expo and a podcast about podcasts

On Monday, at 4:13 p.m. (Arizona time), more than 7 million miles away, NASA’s DART mission successfully slammed into the asteroid Dimorphos, making history as the first step toward a possible future planetary defense strategy that includes redirecting asteroids on a collision course with Earth. Cristina Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science and team lead on the DART mission, along with Jason Wilder, vice president for research, were at mission control in Laurel, Maryland, to witness the historic moment unfold.

Science Play Day at the Museum of Northern Arizona

With the change of season, we look forward to the traditions that mark the time of year. Two weekends ago the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival and Indigenous Farmers Market at Colton Garden brought lots of people to the MNA campus to celebrate the bounty of the summer and the fabulous work done in the museum gardens. Kudos to the many volunteers and staff involved, particularly our partners for the event, Flagstaff Foodlink.

Now we are in the midst of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science, another of MNA’s community partnerships. On Tuesday kids and parents came to the museum’s Discovery Village to learn about volcanoes within view of our most dramatic volcano – the San Francisco Peaks. Our biggest FFOS event will be this Saturday, when we will hold a Science Play Day at the museum exhibit building. This event includes hands-on science activities for kids, a series of short science talks, and some very special guests. Like all of the Festival of Science, the Science Play Day is completely free to the public, a gift from us to our community.

Another long-standing fall tradition comes at the end of October, when we partner with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices to put on Celebraciones de la Gente. That Day of the Dead Festival honors those we have lost while celebrating life.

Three great events and three great community partners – we often talk about MNA as a center of science, art, and culture, but we are also a place of food, fun, and family.

I hope to see you soon at the museum,

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

United Way of Northern Arizona — Providing Safety & Security

Why should you donate to United Way of Northern Arizona during our annual campaign?

Because when people struggle to meet basic needs – like food, shelter, and safety – everything else becomes more difficult.

Fueled by your financial support, UWNA and its network of partners work with families and individuals so they can move from day-to-day existence to planning for a positive future.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools to receive 2022 Woman Achiever of Arizona Award

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, has been recognized as a 2022 Woman Achiever of Arizona by the Arizona Capitol Times.  

The Arizona Capitol Times states that this award celebrates the accomplishments of women leaders who persevered and excelled in their work this year. A Woman Achiever of Arizona helps Arizonans today and prepares the state for a flourishing future. Cheryl Mango-Paget will be honored with other Women Achiever Winners at a luncheon on October 25, 2022, at the Phoenix Art Museum. She will also be profiled in a special edition of the Arizona Capitol Times. A list of the awardees can be found at https://azcapitoltimes.com/2022-women-achievers-of-arizona/.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y’s Virginia Watahomigie; Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget named 2022 Women Achievers of Arizona by Arizona Capitol Times

Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of CCC&Y, and Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget have been selected as 2022 Women Achievers of Arizona by Arizona Capitol Times.
They join 20 other individuals who will be honored at the 2022 Women Achievers of Arizona luncheon to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix
Click here for ticket information.
The 2022 Women Achievers of Arizona celebrates the accomplishments of top women in numerous fields, the publication reported.Amidst a challenging year, these leaders persevered and excelled. Their collective work helps Arizonans today and prepares the state for a flourishing future. The Achievers will also be profiled in a special edition of the Arizona Capitol Times.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Science Bedtime Stories: New Releases This Week!

Ongoing this week at 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Science Bedtime Stories launch on our website. Enjoy recordings of local authors reading their children’s books with science themes! In these recorded segments, bring the whole family to enjoy a bedtime story! 2022 Bedtime Stories are sponsored by Bright Side Bookshop.

GRCA Wildlife Safety Reminder: 2022 Elk Rut Season

From now through fall, male elk are in a period known as the rut. During this time, they become territorial and may become aggressive if approached or threatened. Please do not approach elk, stay a safe distance of 100 feet (30m) away, and never water or feed them for any reason.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Visit to Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park

The newly dedicated Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park includes new park amenities, including a watchable wildlife platform, outdoor classroom, and pond, created in partnership with Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.

The NAU Review — The search for a Valley Fever vaccine, being a tourist in your own town and reducing gastric cancer rates on the Navajo Nation

Is Valley Fever the next epidemic? In Arizona, where the fungal disease thrives, it’s a major health concern—one that’s increasing as climate change leads to hotter, drier regions nationwide. It’s critical enough that congressional leaders gave the National Institutes of Health a mandate to develop a Valley Fever vaccine in the next decade. Paul Keim, executive director of the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, is leading a $7.5 million collaborative effort with the University of Washington School of Medicine to develop that vaccine, with PMI professors Bridget Barker and Erik Settles playing key roles in the research.

Buffalo Park closure scheduled for Sept. 27 – Sept. 28

A full closure of Buffalo Park will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 28 to allow for construction activities related to the Arizona State Parks Grant for the Buffalo Park Trail Accessibility project. The full closure will include the closure of the parking lot, ramada, restrooms and all other areas within Buffalo Park.

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Have you read the Festival Insights Blog?

In celebration of this year’s festival, enjoy the Festival Insights Blog on our website! The blog features posts from a variety of event hosts from this year’s festival discussing their work and their programs! The blogs include articles from disease ecologist Jeff Foster, artist Erika Tsouras and many more!

Learn about the amazing science and innovation taking place in Flagstaff and get ready for some incredible events that will be held this upcoming week!

Flagstaff Festival of Science opens Sept. 23 with Keynote Presentation ‘Mummies, Monuments and Mysteries with Dr. Zahi Hawass’

Festival offers more than 100 events in 2022 – something for everyone! By the Flagstaff Festival of Science Learn about the unique topics, one-of-a-kind venues and fantastic programs! Downloadyour Passport today! Events include: W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation Mummies,…

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 19-23, 2022

National Public Lands Day this Saturday, September 24

This Saturday, September 24th marks Public Lands Day and a Fee Free Day on all NPS lands.

The public is invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day at 1 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) September 24 by observing the release of captive-bred California condors into the wild at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

The event also will be live streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube channel beginning at 12:30 p.m. (MDT). Viewers can set a reminder to join the release, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MDT) noon local time in northern Arizona (Mountain Standard Time) but ultimately depends on when the birds choose to leave their release pen. There will be a picture-in-picture set up with a camera trained on the release pen; videos and interviews with condor biologists and conservationists who work with these massive birds will be included. Viewers also will be able to have their questions answered live by the team.

The historical California Condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the 1980s when the greater California Condor Recovery Program was initiated to save the species from extinction. As of May 2022, there were 113 condors in the rugged, canyon country of northern Arizona and southern Utah. The total world population of endangered California condors numbers more than 550 individuals, with more than half of them winging across the skies of Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico.

United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign Begins Today (Sept. 22)!

Step Up for Our Community and be part of the movement that is continuing to make positive, lasting changes in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties by donating today to the United Way of Northern Arizona.

Together we can:

Improve early childhood development through education initiatives like KinderCamp™ and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Encourage positive youth development to ensure strong and resilient teens.
Help our neighbors in times of emergency by providing basic needs for safety and security.

The NAU Review — How to get involved, NAU’s secret garden and Notes from the President

When Michelle Gardner arrived at NAU as a freshman, she didn’t know a single person. She wanted to make friends but had no idea how to meet people. Then, she attended the Welcome Week Club Fair and learned about New Student Government. She didn’t have a particular interest in government, but the people at the booth were nice, so she decided to get involved. The rest is history. She went on to join the Honors program, work for The Lumberjack newspaper, serve as an orientation leader, teach HON/NAU 100 and even host a radio show on KJACK—making countless friends and even more memories that shaped her entire college experience. Nearly two decades later, she now serves as the director of the Office of Leadership & Engagement and helps ensure all Lumberjacks have access to finding their own “home” or community. She has simple advice for students: GET INVOLVED—it will change your life.

Finalists selected for next CCC President

The Coconino Community College District Governing Board is pleased to announce that they have selected three finalists for the presidency of the College. Public forums with each of the finalists are scheduled for the week of Oct., 3, 2022.

“We would like to thank all of the communities served by the College for your continued interest and support in the process to identify our next President,” said Dr. Nathaniel White, Board Chair. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Board Presidential Search Committee for their exceptional work and effort.”

Participants needed for NAU study — The effect of e-cigarette use on residential PM2.5 concentration, inflammatory markers, and endothelial function

The NAU Cardiovascular Regulation Lab would like to invite you to participate in a research study about e-cigarettes. We are seeking both student e-cigarette users and student non e-cigarette users. The purpose of this study is to compare the air quality, blood vessel function, and inflammatory markers between e-cigarette users and non-e-cigarette users. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Purchase CCC&Y 50th Anniversary celebration tickets by Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 to gain extra benefits

Purchase tickets by Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 to gain extra benefits including extra drink ticket.

Purchasing a table by Sept. 30 will also allow you to nominate someone to be recognized in our program. This is a great way to showcase your organization both as a table holder but also a team member and their work!

Super Bonus: Organization members are able to honor a person (they will honor two people with their table purchase). It is not too late to become a member organization but it must be done by Sept. 30 for this particular benefit.

So whether individual tickets or tables, membership or not, make sure to join us and take advantage of extra goodies when done before Sept. 30.

Please help us celebrate the stars in our community who helped make this last 50 years such a success – and come help us get the next 50 years off to a great start!

We are encouraging cocktail fancy attire, or culturally traditional dress, or your celebratory take on the evening.  However, this is not required.  Your attendance is more important than a dress code!

Coconino County Parks & Recreation September Update

Thank you! 

Thanks to all the workers, volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, contractors, and attendees of the 2022 Coconino County Fair.

More than 42,000 people visited over Labor Day weekend.

If you were inspired by this year’s event, please start thinking about a project you might want to enter next year. From gardening to collecting, there are many opportunities to be part of the Fair. See you at the County Fair next year!

The NAU Review — Photos that capture eternity, presidential installation events and the annual Festival of Science

Landscape photographer David Muench spent more than six decades using his camera lens to bring the wonders of the American Southwest to the world. Muench spent much of those years in northern Arizona, photographing the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, the red rocks of Sedona and the San Francisco Peaks, capturing fleeting moments that became eternal through his photography. He recently donated his entire collection to Cline Library’s Special Collections and Archives, where it joins the collection of his father, Josef Muench, a longtime Arizona Highways photographer.

Tse’Yaato’ High School Ranked in Top 5% of Cognia Schools Worldwide

Coconino County Superintendent Cheryl Mango-Paget is pleased to announce that the Coconino County Accommodation district’s Tse’Yaato’ High School in Page, Arizona, has received Cognia’s highest honor as a 2022 School of Distinction. Considered the Gold standard in academic accreditation, this award recognizes Tse’Yaato’ High School as a “top-flight system”, an honor extended to the top 5% of schools worldwide each evaluation cycle.  

“We are honored, humbled, and proud to receive this remarkable recognition,” said the school’s principal Traci Parker, “Over the past 10 years, we have focused on the development and refinement of curriculum with systems of reflection of data and teaching strategies, the incorporation of learner profile data and technology in differentiated instruction with both academic and social-emotional supports, the expansion of career and technical education options, as well as the transition to cooperative learning and trauma informed practices.” 

United Way of Northern Arizona — Strategic Plan for Northeast AZ Underway

United Way of Northern Arizona is in the process of developing a plan to bolster our work in northeastern Arizona and support our nonprofit partners in Navajo and Apache counties. 

The strategic plan being developed is similar to a process we went through several years ago in the greater Flagstaff region, which allowed us to refocus our efforts on the most critical needs in Coconino County.

A special Task Force has been assembled for this project and is being led by Eric Scott, Human Resource and Risk Manager for Navajo County and a member of the UWNA Board.

The NAU Review — Celebrate Hispanic, Latiné Heritage, Notes from the President and a free film series!

¡Tiempo para celebrar!: Time to celebrate!

National Hispanic, Latiné Heritage Month is celebrated every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and honors the culture, history and contributions of these communities. NAU hosts a variety of events, including a book drive, cooking demo, Spanish conversation tables, movie viewings, guest lectures, a Latin dance night and more. Join fellow Lumberjacks and celebrate the diversity that makes this university (and our world) so great. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 12-16, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month begins Thursday, September 15

September 15 marks the month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month when we recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Hispanic Americans in the United States.

Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx Americans have helped to shape the National Park Service since its beginning in 1916. The tradition continues today with Hispanic and Latino Americans working as employees, volunteers, interns, and partners in many career fields of the National Park Service, including natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, interpretation, administration, and much more.

Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and ongoing contributions of Hispanic Americans here at the Grand Canyon National Park and throughout the country.

Applicants Sought for Page Unified School District Governing Board Vacancy

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Page Unified School District #8. 

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district. 
 
 Applications can be downloaded at this address: http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication

A digital application can be filled out and printed at this address:  https://coconino.az.gov/2855/Governing-Board 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Variety of opportunities abound Sept. 14, 22; Oct. 1 for voters to make their voices heard

A variety of opportunities are available Sept. 14, 22 and Oct. 1 for voters to learn about the issues and make their voices heard during upcoming elections.

***

The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council will present the 2022 Candidates Accountability Session at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Flagstaff Federated Community Church, 400 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

Launch the Get Out the Vote effort and hear positions from key candidates on Lack of Housing Options, Education, Immigration and more. 

Learn candidate positions for:

City of Flagstaff Mayor and City Council
Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board
Contact nail.iaf@gmail.com or visit naicl.org/contact-us for more information.

Auction sheep helps CCC student cover education

People of all ages, adorned in cowboy boots, belt buckles and jeans filled the high-commotion area of the barns at this year’s Coconino County fair. The sounds of hair buzzers and vacuums fill the hot, dusty summer air as young people parade their animals in a counter clockwise direction at the best in show event.

Coconino Community College student Andrea Yazzie is at the county fair in hopes of selling Jeff, her prized sheep. Jeff is well proportioned, buzzed down to the skin with the exception of natural wool leg warmers, which were extra fluffed and ready for show.  

“Over the summer, I sold two steers and one goat to help pay for my tuition,” Andrea said, adding that she hoped Jeff could sell for about $10 a pound at the fair auction which would go towards additional living expenses while she attends classes at CCC at the Page Center.

The NAU Review — How mentoring shapes students’ lives, ITEP’s 30th anniversary and the American Songster at NAU

Assistant chemistry professor Naomi Lee had a number of mentors through her undergraduate and graduate work, each encouraging her to try something new, take a risk, set high goals and keep working toward them. When she was looking for jobs after completing postdoctoral fellowships, she was drawn to NAU not only for the scientific opportunities but for the chance to be that mentor to other Native students in the sciences and to help her own community.

“I want to be the first Native researcher who designs a vaccine specifically for Native communities,” Lee said. “While my work may be beneficial to the general population, I strive to look at research questions through an Indigenous lens. I want to use my skills to make healthier, happier communities.”

Theatrikos 2023 Season Tickets Now Available, October Show Cemetery Club

Can a widow find love again—at the same graveyard where her husband rests? In this warm and poignant romantic comedy, three lifelong friends meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. When they meet a man while he’s visiting his late wife’s grave, their little club may be changed forever. An exploration of enduring friendships and the power of love.

Buffalo Park Closure 9/13 and 9/14

Full Park, parking lot, ramada, restroom closure at Buffalo Park on Tuesday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 14 as construction activities occur for the Arizona State Parks Grant for the Buffalo Park Trail Accessibility project.

The Literacy Center — Childcare Room donations still needed!

The Literacy Center has recently received a generous grant to start offering childcare to our learners. We hope that it will allow more learners (especially adult learners with kids) to come to our classes.

Currently, we are creating an enriching and fun space for kids at the center, and we are looking for donations to supplement the grant. We are looking for lightly used children’s books, toys, and other childcare supplies. In addition, we hope to install carpet, and we are looking for material and labor donations for that. We are also accepting donations through our Amazon Wish List that you can find here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AV3YV9LGK09T?ref_=wl_share

We hope that our wonderful Flagstaff community will help us make the childcare room as inviting and safe as possible for our learners and their children.

Thank you for considering our request!

Patrice Horstman — May 2022 District One Newsletter

In This Issue
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Flooding and County/City Flood Response
Governor IIJA Task Force
Cragin Watershed Celebration of Forest Restoration
NACo(National Association of Counties)
Jim Babbitt Proclamation
Elizabeth Archuleta Park Dedication
Killip School Grand Opening
Lowell Observatory Astronomy Discovery Center
Fort Tuthill Water and Sewer Project
Pam Foti Trail Dedication
Summertime in Flagstaff
Health Services Updates and Resources
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District 1 Celebrating National Dog Day
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Coconino Schools Superintendent Announces Request for Nominations for 2023 Awards. Deadline is Sept. 15

he Superintendent of Schools is requesting nominations for the 10th Annual Teacher of the Year, Fifth Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Second Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. The deadline to nominate a worthy teacher is September 15, 2022.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is proud to announce a request for nominations for the 10th Annual Teacher of the Year, Fifth Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Second Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The awards are a distinguished countywide event created to celebrate, honor, and recognize full-time teachers from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. Nominating a teacher recognizes them for their hard-work and efforts throughout the academic year. 

The NAU Review — You are not alone

For World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, Flagstaff community member Megan McCarthy shares the story of her son, Lane, who lost his life to suicide at the age of 23. McCarthy has a message for everyone dealing with depression, pain, sadness, anxiety or mental illness: You are not alone. Join the conversation and help break the stigma surrounding mental health. “We can be the voice that changes the future,” she said. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — New App for Sept. 23-Oct. 2, 2022 Flagstaff Festival of Science!

By the Flagstaff Festival of Science

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Festival of Science Board of Directors just launched a new app designed to give festival-goers a fun and convenient way to discover all the wonders of science that are in store for them at this year’s Festival, Sept. 23-Oct. 2, 2022.

Brandon Lurie, who leads the Festival’s Program Committee, spearheaded creation of the app, working with developers Grandstand in Lincoln, Neb. “The Festival offers more than 100 events this year,
including early childhood activities, webinars, lectures, panels, guided hikes, networking events, workshops
and more. This can be very exciting but also daunting to a Festival attendee,” he said. “The app enables participants to tailor their Festival experiences to their interests. It’s easy for them to add events to their personal calendars and access all the great online content we’ve generated since 2015.”

Library and Sustainability Office team up to promote resilience in Flagstaff

The Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library and the Flagstaff Sustainability Office invite community members to join us for the new Climate Resilience Project. The project will offer intergenerational knowledge building, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities to promote individual and community resilience in Flagstaff. The City is excited to explore our community’s ability to prepare for, recover from, and flourish after climate events with residents and learn what resilience means to them.

Monthly events will rotate between:

Climate Conversations – Community discussions where residents can collaboratively learn and discuss a unique topic, facilitated by an expert for guidance, information, and insights.
Resilience Work Sessions – Opportunities to put learning into action by supporting ongoing resilience efforts in Flagstaff. These sessions might include work at wildfire or flooding sites, citizen science projects, or  neighborhood and household emergency planning.

The NAU Review — Big data bootcamp, finding one’s roots and researching the stigma of drug addiction

How do you find a needle in a haystack? You write an algorithm that can scan the haystack and identify the tiny needle amid all the hay. That’s what seven undergraduate students did during an inaugural astroinformatics bootcamp, only the haystack is the entire universe, and the needle is some outlier event that may not even be identified yet. The bootcamp, a collaboration between the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, was geared toward students from underrepresented groups and aimed to give them experience that will jumpstart their career or journey to grad school.