Category: Youth

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ 2022: ABCs and Basketball

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After two years of being impacted by the pandemic, 2022 was when KinderCamp™ returned to normal.

“It felt like the kids got to be kids again,” said Sara Owen, a teacher with the Flagstaff Unified School District and the coordinator of the early education program. “They got to experience the school environment; their parents got to be part of it and we had lots of visitors.”

Those visitors included a pediatrician from North Country Healthcare, who taught the students how to use a stethoscope; firefights just back from battling local wildfires; a nutritionist; and basketball players from Northern Arizona University and Flagstaff High School.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Thanks to our generous supporters, community partners, members

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As the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth celebrates its 50th anniversary, we want thank our members, partners and community supporters who help us accomplish our mission. We work 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:
We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.

Our Vision:
We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.

We could not accomplish our mission without the support our funding partners and our more than 100 members.

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Flagstaff Library front entry plaza renovation to begin in August

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On Aug. 1, the Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library will begin construction on a new front entry plaza for its downtown location at 300 W. Aspen Ave. in order to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

This renovation project involves the entry approach to the Downtown Library and includes the installation of new sloping sidewalks and parking that meet and exceed ADA accessibility standards, with an inclusive design to support equity of access for all community members. Beautification and art will also be incorporated into the project, along with a public seating area near the library entrance.

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — July 11-15, 2022

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Project update-Grand Canyon school fiber project

Last month, Commnet completed a fiber optics project that will now bring improved high-speed capability and bandwidth to the Grand Canyon School from Williams. Now that Commnet has completed the fiber optic project servicing the school, the park is exploring ways to utilize the incoming improved telecommunications services for park administrative functions.

New NPS owned/operated telecommunications infrastructure may be installed, or additional telecommunications infrastructure owned and operated by a commercial entity could occur–which must be authorized through the Right-of-Way permitting process. A sub-group of park staff from the Telecommunications Inter-Disciplinary Team are meeting later this month to identify next steps for improving telecommunications capabilities for Grand Canyon.

We will keep park staff and our community informed of the progression of this project, as well as other future telecommunications updates.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Early registration ends on July 24 for First Things First’s Early Childhood Summitt on Aug. 18

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By First Things First

You have two weeks left to register at the early registration rate of $45 for the virtual First Things First Early Childhood Summit 2022. The standard registration rate increases to $55 on July 24.

FTF EARLY CHILDHOOD SUMMIT | AUGUST 18, 2022

You won’t want to miss keynote speakers Liz + Mollie. Based on their book, “Big Feelings,” their session will provide participants with tactical tips for how to combat burnout and effectively navigate uncertainty.

All Summit attendees will have access to all of the recorded sessions up to 60 days after the event.

Register today!

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The NAU Review — What a martian meteorite means, meet HSI advisor Claudia Rodas and why we should all care about snake fungal disease

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Astronomy postdoctoral scholar Valerie Payré is on an international team that discovered the origin of the martian meteorite known as Black Beauty, one of the most-studied meteorites in the world. It may hold clues to the development of Earth and other terrestrial planets and help explain why Earth sustains life when its closest neighbor does not. The results of this study are shared in the latest Nature Communications.

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Flagstaff Festival of Science 2022 — Local Science Spotlight: Lindsay Hansen on Fish Ecology in the Grand Canyon

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Lindsay Hansen is a fish ecologist focusing on the ecosystems of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. She specifically studies the flannelmouth sucker, humpback chub, and bluehead sucker populations, and tags the fish to gain an understanding of how the fish’s growth is impacted by the river ecosystem. After she tags them in the field, she works on analyzing and interpreting the data that was collected and comparing it to previous data. Lindsay hopes that her work will help educate the people of Northern Arizona about their aquatic neighbors, to create a sense of stewardship for the unique ecosystem of the Colorado River.

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Coconino Community College — Check Out Next Week’s Summer Classes!

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Summer Art Series: Intro to Jewelry & Metalsmithing

July 11- 14, 2:30 – 5:00pm M – Th

Introduction to the basics of jewelry and metalsmithing with local Flagstaff artist, learning smithing techniques and embellishments for precious metals and stones for your own creative jewelry journey. Enroll today!

Learn more and register here

Located at CCC Lone Tree Campus in Flagstaff

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 4-8, 2022

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Masking requirement indoors remains in place

Grand Canyon NP has been directed by the Department of Interior (DOI) to use Center of Disease Controls (CDC) COVID Community Levels to put in place guidance and masking requirements to protect our community, park employees, and visitors. Last week the CDC COVID Community Levels were High for the first time since this metric was used. Consequently, we were required to implemented masking for all individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, in all park buildings and in public transportation per DOI policy. As of Thursday, July 7, Coconino County has transitioned into Medium Community Level.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — ​​​​​​​Arizona Voter Information Portal — Are you ready to vote?

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By the Arizona Voter Information Portal

The Arizona Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, August 2! Take a moment to get ready to vote.

Check your registration status ASAP to make sure it matches your current address: https://tvote.org/3czO01W.
Still need to register to vote? Go to your state’s registration website.
Register online on or before Tuesday, July 5 to vote in this election.
Request your mail ballot; or
Any voter in your state can request an early/mail-in ballot. You can request an early/mail-in ballot online: https://tvote.org/2uFCvpc.
We recommend you request your early/mail-in ballot at least two weeks before the Friday, July 22 deadline to make sure you have time to receive and cast your ballot before the election.
Make a plan to vote in person.
Did you know you can vote early from Wednesday, July 6 to Friday, July 29? (Dates and times may vary by location.) Learn more about where you can vote early in your area: https://tvote.org/2Wn1pp9.
Planning to vote on Election Day? Great. We’ll send info about your voting location the day before the election so you know where to go.
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The NAU Review — Preparing for the next pandemic, SAC President Erin Kruse and why digital equity matters

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Is a universal coronavirus vaccine in our future? Possibly, according to a recent study from TGen and NAU. The research team, which includes assistant professor Jason Ladner, found that COVID-19 vaccination activates antibodies targeting parts of virus spike protein shared between coronaviruses. This technology could help fine-tune future vaccines.

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Flagstaff celebrates 4th of July with a new laser light show

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Experience oohs and aahs or hoots and hollers along with big laughs, giggles, and smiles as you look up to an amazing night sky on the 4th of July in Flagstaff. This new laser light show will captivate your attention replacing the standard fireworks with a stunning display of multicolored lights and lasers in sync to fun music. “The shift from traditional fireworks to a laser light show was the responsible action to take due to extreme fire risk with the dry and hot conditions in the northland. It is extremely important to have a safe celebration and be fire aware,” said Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton. “And it is also important to have a yearly celebration that we can all anticipate and rely upon, without the disappointment that comes from frequent cancellation of fireworks.”

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 27-July 1, 2022

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Town of Tusayan July 4th Events

The Town of Tusayan has many events planned for July 4th, including music, food vendors, a kids corner, Native American Dancers, and a silent auction.

There will be a bike decorating contest and activities for kids at 3:30 p.m., a parade at 4:40 p.m., live music from 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., and a drone and laser show beginning at dusk.

More information is available at the Town of Tusayan website here.

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Young Bi-Lingual Latino Professionals sought for Latino Loud PSA voting campaign

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orres Multicultural Communications is seeking young Latino professionals to participate on a Latino Loud PSA campaign to get out the vote. The campaign is funded by Chicanos por la Causa, through Torres Multicultural Communications and produced by Randy Murray Productions.

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Creative Flagstaff — Kick off your holiday weekend at ArtWalk!

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July’s ArtWalk is this Friday, July 1st!
Join us for ArtWalk this Friday, July 1st! Visit our info booth in Heritage Square from 4:30-8 pm to pick up an ArtWalk Map – your guide to downtown during First Friday! Go digital and use the online map here. Use the official ArtWalk map to make your way around downtown to our more than 20 participating galleries and businesses.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — UArizona to provide tuition-free education for Native American undergraduates in Arizona and more news

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FLAGSTAFF — Undergraduate students from the state’s 22 federally recognized Native American tribes will no longer have to  pay tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson.

Beginning in the fall, new and continuing full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates will be eligible for the Arizona Native Scholars Grant, the first program of its kind in Arizona. The program, funded through a reallocation of financial aid dollars, will be administered by UArizona Enrollment Management.

“Serving Arizona’s Native American tribes and tribal students is a crucial part of the University of Arizona’s land-grant mission, and the Arizona Native Scholars Grant program is another important step among many to do that,” said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. “I am so proud that that this university has found a way to help hundreds of students more easily access and complete a college education, and I look forward to finding ways to take these efforts even further.”

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Grand Canyon National Park — ALERT: Drinking Water Advisory for North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

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Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is issuing a drinking water advisory for Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, and Phantom Ranch along the North Kaibab Trail within the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. 

All drinking water in these areas should be treated or boiled. These processes should be applied to water for any consumptive use including drinking, making ice, preparing food, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. All other park drinking water is safe for consumption.  

If treating water:  

Follow manufacturer’s instructions on water filtration systems. 
Follow manufacturer’s instructions on water treatment tablets. 
To boil water, fill a pot with water, heat at ground level and allow bubbles to form. Allow water to boil for at least one (1) minute. Cool completely before drinking. 

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The ECoNA Q&A: NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera

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José Luis Cruz Rivera recently completed his first year as the 17th President of Northern Arizona University (NAU). To mark this anniversary, we asked him about key initiatives during his first year, NAU’s niche in the higher ed marketplace, what local restaurants he’s discovered, and his upcoming formal installation in September. You can see the full interview here.

Q: What do you feel your biggest success has been this first year?
A: Well, that’s an easy answer. The fact that I survived the Running of the Freshman at the first home football game!

In all seriousness, while there have been many success stories, I think my biggest success has been learning about and connecting with the people and organizations who live and work at NAU, in Flagstaff and throughout northern Arizona. It has been important to me from day one to understand the values here. Time will be the judge of my success leading and supporting the efforts of our awesome university community, but I have truly enjoyed listening and learning and still feel it is a privilege to serve as the President of NAU and live is this amazing and beautiful community.

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Museum of Northern Arizona — Heritage Festival July 2 and 3!!

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If you drive by the museum you’ll soon see large tents going up in the parking lots, an obvious sign that we are busy preparing for the largest celebration of Colorado Plateau cultures we’ve ever held.

This Heritage Festival has been a long time coming. MNA hasn’t hosted a festival like this since 2019, or perhaps ever. The festival has moved completely outdoors, allowing it to spread across the museum campus. There were many reasons to move the festival into the fresh air, and one was that we are able to make space for nearly 200 artists from the Acoma, Navajo, Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Jemez, Laguna, Yavapai Apache, and Zuni communities. Of those, 34 are attending the festival either for the first time ever, or the first time in many decades. They bring an exciting diversity of art and traditions.

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Deadline for submission of Thorpe Park Annex Property design concept is July 18

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The deadline for submission of Thorpe Park Annex Property design concept is July 18.

The City of Flagstaff is conducting a broad community outreach to develop a concept plan for an 8.5 acres parcel (Thorpe Park Annex) on the southeast side of Thorpe Park to incorporate into the larger regional park.

Since the 1950s, the Thorpe Park Annex is dedicated to the “exclusive use of Park, Recreational and Museum Purposes” by ordinance, but for the last 75 years the Thorpe Park Annex has been used as a Public Works yard and currently houses the Sustainability Program offices, parking in existing garage bays, and a few businesses.

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United Way of Northern Arizona — A Crowning Achievement — UWNA Grant Helps Launch New Shelter Service

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When COVID-19 made congregant shelter living a dangerous option for those experiencing homelessness, Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) stepped up by renting hotel rooms for their most immunocompromised clients. It was a successful – if expensive – way to continue to serve the homeless at the height of the pandemic.

It also led to an innovative idea: tap into funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act to acquire a hotel and rehab the units into emergency housing. With the support of the Arizona Department of Housing, FSS purchased a Route 66 hotel that years ago was the The Crown Motel and more recently operated as a Howard Johnsons.

Other groups helped support the launch of the new site, including the Forest Highlands Foundation and the Arizona Diamondback. A grant from United Way of Northern Arizona allowed FSS to hire a full-time manager for the new shelter complex, which is being renamed The Crown in a nod to the building’s history.

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Grand Canyon National Park Weekly Wrap-up: June 20-24, 2022

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Grand Canyon Star Party 2022 underway for 2022

The 32nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party is currently underway and is being held through Saturday, June 25, on both South and North rims. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. This is the first onsite event since 2019.

The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Conservancy and in partnership with the International Dark-Sky Association.

Amateur astronomers from across the country are volunteering their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. Numerous telescopes offer views of planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, as well as double stars, star clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies—and the Moon, earlier in the week. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe!

For additional information on the Grand Canyon Star Party visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm, or contact Rader Lane at 928-638-7641.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y Participates in 2022 Juneteenth Celebration

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A couple of pre-monsoon season downpours didn’t dampen the spirits of participants of the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration held Saturday, June 18 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center.

The event featured musical performances, food, games, arts, crafts and information booths including Building Community, Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Coconino Community College, Coconino County including its African Diaspora Advisory Council and Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) diversity councils, Flagstaff Police Dept., Friends of Flagstaff Future, Northland Family Health Center, Northern Arizona University and North Country Healthcare.

Hosted by the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Lived Black Experience Project, and the Southside Community Association (SCA).

The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the day Texas slaves learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, granting them freedom. Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. 

Sponsored by Northern Arizona University, APS, Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Southside Community Association (SCA), African Diaspora Advisory Council, Findlay Toyota, the Arizona Community Foundation, Coconino County and the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.

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The NAU Review — Meet NAU’s Udall Scholar, explore archaeological research in the Grand Canyon and celebrate International Women in Engineering Day

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Senior wins Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Beyoncé Bahe took advantage of every opportunity she could when she got to NAU—undergraduate research, studying abroad, being a peer mentor, the Honors College. She’s picked up a couple of prestigious national honors along the way, including her latest accomplishment—the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, which recognizes students preparing for careers in the environment, tribal public policy or Native health care.

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CDC Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 6 Months and Older

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for infants and young children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for infants and young children. 

The CDC approved Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccines as follows: 

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 13-17, 2022

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Grand Canyon Star Party 2022

The 32nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 18, 2022, through Saturday, June 25, 2022, on both South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. This is the first onsite event since 2019.

The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Conservancy and in partnership with the International Dark-Sky Association.

Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. Numerous telescopes will offer views of planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, as well as double stars, star clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies—and the Moon, earlier in the week. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe!

For additional information on the Grand Canyon Star Party visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm, or contact Rader Lane at 928-638-7641.

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Celebrate Juneteenth at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center on June 18, at Fort Tuthill on June 19

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Come celebrate Juneteenth with music performances, food, games and vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center, 203 E. Brannen Ave., Flagstaff.

Hosted by the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Lived Black Experience Project, and the Southside Community Association (SCA).

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Don’t miss what’s next: CCC Summer Programs

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Open Water Swimming with Mitch Driebe

TODAY, Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 4:00pm

This lecture is now online only via Zoom webinar

Imagine swimming from Alcatraz to the shores of San Francisco. Think you can do it? If you do… well, maybe you should tune into this lecture first. Learn about the elements of open water swimming and hear stories from Mitch’s experience.

Learn more and register here

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Creative Flagstaff — June Updates from Creative Flagstaff

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Be part of ArtWalk this fall! 

Creative Flagstaff invites organizations and artists to submit a proposal for an art/science/culture performance or exhibition for First Friday Artwalk programming in Heritage Square to take place in one of the following months: September, October, or November of 2022. Three proposals will be selected, one each for September, October, November, and will be compensated $1,500. Don’t wait – the deadline for submissions is June 24, 2022! 

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Education Forward Arizona — AZ Voters Prioritize Education Over Politics

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Education Forward Arizona conducted a poll of Arizona voters to better understand voters’ priorities for education. The survey complements and is intended to go deeper on the findings in the Arizona Voters’ Agenda, in coordination with the Center for the Future of Arizona. The survey was conducted May 10-17, 2022 by HighGround Public Affairs on behalf of Education Forward Arizona, a statewide nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. 

What we found is that Arizonans deeply care most about the issues that will support good teaching and learning, not the political hot button issues that often get the most attention. Voters want to see candidates discussing key education issues, many of which are aligned with meeting the Arizona Education Progress Meter and Achieve60AZ attainment goals.

Here’s what we heard from Arizona voters:

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United Way of Northern Arizona — Once Again, Our Community Is Burning

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For the past 12 years, the names have accumulated like a litany of destruction: Schultz. Slide. Tinder. Museum. Tunnel.

Now, less than two months after the last major wildfire left our mountains glowing red at night and our skies dark with smoke during the day, we have two more names to add to this sad list – Pipeline and Haywire.

The situation northeast of Flagstaff is still very fluid. The latest statistics from InciWeb (the US Forest Service site that tracks wildfires nationwide) indicate that 20,000 acres have burned in the Pipeline Fire with another 4,000 charred by Haywire.

Evacuation statuses have shifted back and forth as officials receive more information, but even those who were allowed to return to their homes Tuesday were warned to be ready to leave again at a moment’s notice. At this point, we know two structures have burned since Sunday.

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The NAU Review — Meet NAU’s 2022 Flinn Scholars, celebrate Juneteenth and learn about astronomical diversity

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NAU welcoming two new Flinn Scholars

Emily Delabarra and Kaya Dickson will join the other Flinn Scholars on campus, giving NAU a record six scholars. This prestigious scholarship, which has an acceptance rate of less than 2 percent, offers funding for four years of school as well as mentoring and study abroad opportunities.

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Closure of Buffalo Park, some City open spaces and FUTS entrances into the Coconino National Forest Temporary Area Closure due to Pipeline Fire

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Buffalo Park and the Schultz Creek Natural Area are closed until further notice due to the Pipeline Fire. The Observatory Mesa Natural Area is also closed until further notice due to being surrounded by the Coconino National Forest Temporary Area Closure.

Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) entrances into the National Forest Temporary Area Closure are also closed. To view a map of the City of Flagstaff closures of FUTS entrances and open spaces, please visit https://flagstaff.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=f478005aa53048438453f3c7dc08155c

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United Way of Northern Arizona — A Change is Coming

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A Message from Carol Dykes

It is with mixed emotions that I send you this message, because change – even when it’s welcome – often isn’t easy.

Earlier this week, I let the Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Arizona and the amazing staff of this organization know that I plan to retire by the end of this year.

The exact timing isn’t set – I plan to offer what assistance I can as the Board searches for my replacement, and will continue for however long is needed to ensure a smooth transition for my successor.

Even though it’s still several months off and even though I’m truly looking forward to the next chapter, I have to admit it’s hard to imagine my life after UWNA. I’ve been a proud member of this organization for 24 years. (I met my husband through a workplace campaign, for goodness sake.) It has been a profound pleasure to work alongside you as together we have improved community conditions, responded to emergencies, and made the future a brighter place for so many in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

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Allstate donates $10,000 to the Flagstaff Family Food Center and hosts three events throughout June

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The Flagstaff Family Food Center, guided by its mission of “Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, Every Day,” distributed just under 8 million of pounds of food in 2021 at an average of 153,000 pounds of food a week.

The Allstate Foundation extends its Good Hands in support of the most extensive and wide-reaching emergency food assistance programming in Northern Arizona with a donation of $10,000 and three unique events throughout the month of June.

Neighborhood distribution of food boxes: June 10th, 1-4pm, CCC 4th street parking lot.

Dinner service: June 18th, 3:30-5:30pm, FFFC Kitchen; 1903 N 2nd St.

Food Drive: June 29th, 1-5pm, Cedar Safeway, 1500 E. Cedar Ave.

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — June 6-10, 2022

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Cultural Demonstration Program resumes in-person at Desert View 

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Cultural Demonstration Program has resumed in person. The Cultural Demonstration program provides an opportunity for visitors and community members to interact with Tribal artisans from Grand Canyon’s Traditionally Associated Tribes – and for them to share their history and crafts, along with the skills, knowledge, and efforts involved in creating each craft. This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy and ArtPlace America.

On Thursday June 9 and Friday, June 10, from 9 AM to 4 PM, Gerald Lomaventema, Hopi silversmith and Jerrel Singer, Diné painter, will be demonstrating their arts at the Desert View Visitor Center shade structure, just north of the main parking lot. For more information on the Cultural Demonstration Program, please visit the park’s website here. 

Below are the two demonstrators’ profiles: 

Gerald Lomaventema is a traditional Hopi silversmith. He is known for one-of-a-kind silver overlay masterpieces, with designs inspired by nature and Hopi culture. 

Jerrel Singer, a Diné Painter, originally from Tuba City, is an abstract landscape artist. His work captures the light, colors and shadows of the Diné Nation and the Desert Southwest. 

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Flagstaff Festival of Science Local Science Spotlight: Kostiantyn Viatkin on Changing the Way We Model Carbon

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Kostiantyn Viatkin is a graduate student working with Yiqi Luo and his lab with the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (ECOSS) at Northern Arizona University. The lab focuses on applying their unique matrix-model approach, which can be used to create standardized models. By standardizing the models used to predict land impact on climate change, it will allow us to gain a better understanding of what goals should be set globally to help mitigate climate change. 

Kostia focuses his research on the impact of land carbon on climate change, specifically how climate scientists can improve the accessibility and transparency of models of land carbon. “An aspect that I’m particularly interested in is the mineral part of soil and how it affects the carbon cycle”. The mineral aspect of soil is all of the inorganic components, including sand, loam, and weathered rock.

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CCC Community Education — Free Summer Lectures Coming Up – Register Now!

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Storytelling – FREE
Monday June 13, 2022 at 2:30pm

Learn some easy tips and tricks for dynamic storytelling in this lecture with Larry Hendricks, a lifelong storyteller and professional writer! Participants will be encouraged to write and share their own stories.

Learn more and register here

Lecture held at CCC Fourth St Campus, Flagstaff.

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Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Celebrate Juneteenth on June 18 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center

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Also see Juneteenth Concert on June 19 at Fort Tuthill

FLAGSTAFF — Come celebrate Juneteenth with music performances, food, games and vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Flagstaff Murdoch Center, 203 E. Brannen Ave., Flagstaff.

Hosted by the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Lived Black Experience Project, and the Southside Community Association (SCA).

The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the day Texas slaves learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, granting them freedom. Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. 

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Opportunity for community input on Thorpe Park Annex draft designs – Saturday June 11

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The City of Flagstaff Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Division, Southwest Decision Resources, and Wheat Design Group invite the Flagstaff community to review and comment on three (3) draft design concepts for the future of the Thorpe Park Annex Parcel.  These three draft designs were developed based on key stakeholder interviews, robust online community survey results, and an on-site initial design session April 30th. 

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Supporters for a Thriving CCC — Thank you for the support!

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Thanks to all of you, the voters of Coconino County, Coconino Community College’s (CCC) Proposition 438 passed by a wide margin in the May 17th election! This means Coconino Community College will add critical programs and continue to provide training for our first responders, construction engineers, and service technicians. The increased funding also means more students will be served including veterans, IT professionals and teachers in Flagstaff, Williams, and Page to further CCC’s reach into our County. Your YES vote made the difference!

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Coconino Chronicle (June 3, 2022)

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Welcome to the Coconino Chronicle, keeping you informed on the latest news from Coconino County. Published monthly, typically on the first Friday, the Chronicle makes sure you are in-the-know about recent happenings, upcoming events and services available to you as a resident of the County.

Questions? Comments? Please email us at chronicle@coconino.az.gov.

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 30-June 4, 2022

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Cultural Demonstration Program resume in-person at Desert View

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Cultural Demonstration Program resumes in person beginning this week! The Cultural Demonstration program provides an opportunity for visitors and community members to interact with Tribal artisans from Grand Canyon’s Traditionally Associated Tribes – and for them to share their history and crafts, along with the skills, knowledge, and efforts involved in creating each craft. This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy and ArtPlace America.

This week, on Thursday and Friday, June 2 & 3, we welcome Zuni fetish carver, Jimmy Yawakia and Zuni inlay jeweler, Duran Gasper. They will be located at the Desert View Welcome Center under the large shade structure at the north end of the main parking lot from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. In addition, park rangers are staffing an information desk at the same location, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information on the Cultural Demonstration Program, please visit the park’s website here.

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The NAU Review — Celebrating Pride Month, studying blood sugar and new conservation scholars

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What does Pride Month really mean?

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ didn’t always mean rainbows and parades. Prior to the 1969 Stonewall Riots, where this community took a stand and fought back against prolonged harassment and oppressive laws, there wasn’t much celebrating at all. Even now, despite June being declared Pride Month, people in this community suffer—2021 was the worst year on record for transgender deaths. So, Assistant Director for LGBTQIA+ Student Services M. Lee Griffin poses the question: How can we make pride a reality for the LGBTQIA+ community? Read more in this Views from NAU.

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