An ongoing pandemic. Wildfires. Flooding.
In reflecting on the past year, United Way of Northern Arizona President & CEO Carol Dykes probably summed it up best when she said, “Some days it just felt like we couldn’t catch a break.”
But working together, we ensured that our communities rallied. Thanks to generous people like you who donated to the United Way, funds were available to ensure that people were able to stay in their homes, feed their children and keep the lights on.
… Several Native teachings have deeply impacted my life and brought me peace. First, simply knowing we all have a purpose. Our ancestors lived through hardships so we could come to be. Therefore, what we do in this life should honor our ancestors and the next seven generations. Also, to “walk in beauty” by being grounded and intentional with our thoughts, words, and actions. Walking in beauty includes honoring our responsibility to be stewards of the land. And the teaching that most profoundly resonates with my purpose is quite simply we all are connected (people, animals, and plants). It gives me hope to know we are all K’e, a community of extended family.
In this edition…
Message from Sup. Vasquez
Redistricting Public Input Wanted
Housing Solutions Flood Assistance
Area Plan Open House
And more!
Monday, Oct. 11, was National Coming Out Day, and IT project manager Grace Huang Ditsworth (they/them) shares what coming out has meant to them. Ditsworth said it is not a singular moment; rather, coming out is a process of wayfinding as they align themself with who they are and directs others to find and recognize them.
View this email in your browser October 11th, 2021 Come connect with your community Featured Resource Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library) or…
As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, welcome to Week 4!! Please share with your departments, social media networks, family, and friends as we come together to Engage, Celebrate, Reflect, Embrace, our Cultural Differences while Empowering each other.
Events include: “Halloween vs. Día de los Muertos” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 and “Story Time” at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools is pleased to announce that the Coconino County Education Service Agency was selected to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for $259,128.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is pleased to announce that the Coconino County Education Service Agency was selected to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for $259,128 through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP).
Coconino County Parks & Recreation and The Literacy Center are pleased to unveil the Storybook Path at Sawmill County Park.
The path features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by local author Monica Brown. The book’s pages are displayed on pedestals at intervals along the path for visitors of all ages to read and enjoy in both English and Spanish. Visitors also have the option to listen to the audio book in both languages by scanning a QR code on their smartphone.
Indigenous People’s Day, October 11
This year we recognize Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, October 11. At Grand Canyon, park leadership continues to work on the Indian Affairs Strategy with positive feedback coming to us from our NPS colleagues in the Intermountain Region and Washington. The draft strategy is gaining traction to the point where the work we are doing may be shared at the Tribal Nations Summit being planned for the White House in November.
There will be virtual events held in recognition of Indigenous People’s day across the nation, and the city of Flagstaff is hosting an event on Monday, October 11 through a virtual platform. The event, titled Honoring the Four Sacred Elements of Life: Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandparents Water and Fire, will be available on-line from 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration can be made in advance for this event is free and can be made by following this link. NPS Fire Archaeologist, Jason Nez, will be speaking at this event about Diné cultural relationships to Fire between 3:15-4:30 p.m.
After celebrating virtually last year, the NAU community is invited to come together in person to celebrate the university’s 122 years of academic excellence and show off their Lumberjack pride during this year’s Homecoming week beginning Monday, Oct. 11. Events include Make it Monday, Traditions Day pep rally, bonfire and chili cook-off, a carnival sponsored by ASNAU, the Homecoming Parade and more.
With the recent kickoff of our Annual Community Fundraising campaign, we’re imagining what’s possible when we ensure that our children are ready to learn. That’s the purpose of programs like KinderCamp™ – making sure our students are ready academically, emotionally and socially for that all important first day of school.
Don’t take our word for it. We think Riley and her Mom do a great job explaining what KinderCamp has meant to them in the video above.
Thanks to generous people like you, United Way of Northern Arizona and our partners can provide KinderCamp and other early education program at no cost to families.
Will you join us as a supporter of this year’s campaign, and Step Up for Our Community with a donation today?
Every donation makes a huge difference in our community and we sincerely THANK YOU for your support.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation and The Literacy Center are pleased to unveil the Storybook Path at Sawmill County Park.
The path features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by local author Monica Brown. The book’s pages are displayed on pedestals at intervals along the path for visitors of all ages to read and enjoy in both English and Spanish.
Visitors also have the option to listen to the audio book in both languages by scanning a QR code on their smartphone.
Fabric and stitches. Rough and soft surface. Colors, seen, from muted to vivid – yellow, blue, red, purple and green.
With titles like “Battlefield” and “Suffragist,” the work punches the gut as reminder of women’s experiences. It is beautiful, it is useful, and it is art.
Flagstaff artist Darcy Falk is featured in the Fall Exhibit at the Comet Gallery at Coconino Community College. Her textile art brings to bear a medium of expression that is typically associated with the functional – like clothes or quilts.
But these are not traditional quilts.
“Textiles are really just the medium, but that doesn’t define the work,” Falk said. “It’s like painting, or working with clay. You can make it what you want.”
Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for the virtual launch of the 2021-2022 United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign.
A big thank you as well to all the people who participated in our video, sharing their stories about how programs funded by UWNA have impacted their lives.
In case you missed it, you can view the video here:
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, would like to announce that interviews will be scheduled for the Governing School Board Member open seat at Fredonia Moccasin Unified School District #6.
An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district educator, district parent, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointment.
September marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a special time where we celebrate the contributions of our culture and examine the sometimes complex identities that Hispanic and Latinx communities can embody. We explored what some of these challenges can be in our blog, where we dive into the definition of “Hispanic” and “Latinx,” and seek to share a broad understanding of the role colonization has played in our history. We’re continuing to highlight the importance of Hispanic and Latinx voice and visibility in public lands and conservation decision-making, and are proud to have been featured in the Nevada Wild Podcast, where HECHO Program Manager Bianca McGrath-Martinez shared our mission with listeners — tune in here. Make sure that you are following our Facebook page to also see our staff spotlighted and speak on what they appreciate about their culture!
The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science’s “The Science of Childhood Trauma and Why We Should Care” presentation by
CCC&Y is now available online.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a large and costly impact on society. Fortunately, with all that we know about trauma and resilience, including the 50-year longitudinal study in Kauai and the groundbreaking ACEs study, we know there is much we can all do. Community awareness and knowledge are important to begin healing.
Join us for this Flagstaff Festival of Science event sponsored by the Coalition for Children & Youth.
Trainer: Virginia Watahomigie, M.ADM Executive Director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
Click here to view the presentation.
The United States has experienced an unparalleled epidemic of incarceration in the past 40 years, and the effects of that trend have been far-reaching, complex and long-term. Health equity researcher Ricky Camplain, who this year became the first NAU researcher to win a Career Development Award from the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, is studying one critical piece of this. Her research examines the high rates of anxiety, high blood pressure and poor sleep quality among inmates and looks for simple solutions to reduce those adverse health effects. The answer? Physical activity.
The City of Flagstaff has released the draft Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) for a 60-day public comment period. The ATMP will serve as a guide to enhancing walking and biking in Flagstaff. The draft document includes detailed information regarding pedestrian and bicycle accommodation and establishes a series of goals, policies, and strategies to support walking and biking. The draft plan can be read and downloaded online.
Get ready to run the Flagstaff Marathon! We’re just a few weeks away. Proceeds benefit the Coconino Community College Cross Country Team. Go, Comets!
All this week, Lumberjacks have shown up to NAU’s test kitchen, masked and ready to chop, wash, roast, bake and box up delectable meals to go to members of the Flagstaff community. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management collaborated with the Flagstaff Family Food Center, which closed for a week for renovations, to make sure no one went to bed hungry. Community members, faculty, staff and a lot of students—some with kitchen experience, some without—pitched in to make sure people who needed it got a hot meal made special with Lumberjack love.
The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science kicked off this past Friday with the W. L. Gore Keynote Presentation: “When Stones Speak: Decoding the Messages Embedded in Ancient Maya Monuments” with Dr. Jaime Awe of Northern Arizona University.
That event was followed Snook’s Science in the Park, which featured local science and technology organizations with science experiments and demonstrations at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. The festival continues through Sunday, Sept. 26.
During the park event, youth had the opportunity to explore life-saving medical devices with innovators and engineers under the W. L. Gore & Associates tents, view the talented athletes from Momentum Aerial as they leap and spin above the ground, with young people exploring the world of magnets at the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth tent.
The 10-day festival features a mix of in-person activities, live streamed webinars and pre-recorded videos. A full listing of events is available by going to scifest.org and clicking on the 2021 digital passport. Events that require a reservation are denoted on the passport. Tickets for most of the events requiring a reservation can be found at flgscifest.eventbrite.com. The EventBrite page also provides a means to register for the live webinars.
You’ve likely seen them soaring high above canyons and perching in tall pine trees, and now, majestic birds of prey like the Harris Hawk, American Kestrel and Ferruginous Hawk will share Wheeler Park with families as the International Raptor and Falcon Center introduces learners of all ages to these predators of the sky.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, Science in the Park will feature live animals, microscopic organisms and prehistoric cultures.
Join us at Wheeler Park!
Build a Puebloan wall, create pictographs, play catch with a robot and safely view the sun!
Explore life-saving medical devices with innovators and engineers under the W. L. Gore & Associates tents and maybe even be a heart surgeon for the day!
And, don’t miss the talented athletes from Momentum Aerial as they leap and spin above the ground! Watch these artists demonstrate the laws of physics that keep them up in the air and their audiences on their toes!
We are excited to announce that long-time United Way supporters Andy Bertelsen and Susan Hilgart will be leading this year’s United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign, which officially kicks off with a virtual event later this month.
Both Andy and Susan are long-time civil servants with impressive resumes in the public sector.
Andy, who recently became the Interim Water Services Director for the City of Flagstaff after five years as Public Works Director, will be the campaign’s spokesman for Coconino County. Andy is a Summit Society member has been involved with UWNA for 15 years, including several years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors before becoming Vice Chair and eventually Chairman of the Board.
Meanwhile, Susan, the Deputy Director of Human Services and Public Health Improvement for Navajo County, will represent Apache and Navajo counties. Although she only came to northern Arizona from Minnesota a few years ago, she has been involved with United Way organizations for more than three decades.
As part of the Coconino Estates Improvements Phase II Project, the Karen Cooper portion of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) will be temporarily closed between Crescent Drive and Lantern Lane while crews install a new sewer main from Crescent into the Rio de Flag sewer main.
A detour will be posted and FUTS traffic will be re-routed down Lantern Lane, near the Ditch Pool, to either the Fort Valley FUTS or along Crescent/Talkington. Re-routed traffic will then link back up with the Karen Cooper FUTS at the Crescent intersection. Please follow the marked signage to get to your destination.
On September 9, President Biden issued new Federal COVID vaccine guidance by Executive Order. While we don’t yet know the specifics of implementation, we do know that all federal employees, contractors and partners will be required to be vaccinated. According to the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, “Federal Executive Branch employees must be fully vaccinated, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation. Agencies must work expeditiously so that their employees are fully vaccinated as quickly as possible and by no later than November 22, 2021.” The full document can be viewed here.
The purpose of this and related orders are to protect the American public, since COVID-19 continues to be spread in the US primarily by unvaccinated people, and because unfortunately, not enough people have been vaccinated to generate herd immunity to prevent the virus from mutating into new and more dangerous variants such as the Delta variant.
Specific guidance will be coming out soon on implementation of the vaccination requirement.
Carlos Zavala, a student veteran majoring in finance, joined the army as a way to help him achieve his educational goals. “I came to NAU because of the Veteran Success Center. They were really helpful when I was trying to set up my benefits and made me feel really comfortable. That is the environment I wanted to be in,” he said. Through the VSC, Zavala was able to enroll in a class in which other veterans shared their stories of success, inspiring him to dream bigger than he thought possible.
CCC&Y will present “The Science of Childhood Trauma and Why We Should Care” at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at the 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a large and costly impact on society. Fortunately, with all that we know about trauma and resilience, including the 50-year longitudinal study in Kuai and the groundbreaking ACEs study, we know there is much we can all do. Community awareness and knowledge are important to begin healing.
Join us for this Flagstaff Festival of Science event Sponsored by the Coalition for Children & Youth.
Trainer: Virginia Watahomigie, M.ADM Executive Director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.
Flagstaff Festival of Science
Friday 17 Plein Air Demonstration at Buffalo Park. 4 p.m.; free.
Friday 17 Stories in Stone with Dr Awe, Ardrey Auditorium. 7 p.m.; free.
Saturday 18 Plein Air Demonstration at Wheeler Park. 10 a.m.; free.
Saturday 18 Snook’s Science in the Park, Wheeler Park. 10 a.m.; free.
Sunday 19 Cultural Cooking Workshop. 1 p.m.; free.
Sunday 19 The State of the Climate. Virtual event. 3 p.m.; free.
Monday-Wednesday 20-22 Bedtime Stories. Virtual event. 7 p.m.; free.
Tuesday 21 Cloud Walk in Buffalo Park. 2 p.m.; free.
Tuesday 21 Intersectional Struggles and Maya Identity Among Western Honduras Indigenous Communities. 5 p.m.; free.
Learn More
The Coconino County Diversity Team, Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and partners recognize Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of programs designed to educate, share and create awareness.
Please join us, and share with your departments, social media networks, family and friends, as we come together to Engage, Celebrate, Reflect,Embrace, our Cultural Differences while Empowering each other.
The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science will explore “Stories in Stone” on September 17-26 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The W.L. Gore & Associates Flagstaff Festival of Science Keynote presentation with Jaime Awe, Ph.D. is FREE and will be held at NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium on September 17, 2021. There is limited seating, and advanced reservation is required. Due to social distancing, the auditorium will be at a quarter of the capacity. The Keynote can also be live-streamed from the comfort of your own home!
Doors open at 6:00 pm. Beginning at 6:30 pm, the Festival presents a ballet dance from the NAU Community Music & Dance Academy. The in-person keynote talk as well as the live stream will begin at 7:00 pm.
… In celebration of Northern Arizona University’s first year of being able to partake in the 2021 National Hispanic Serving Institutes Week, we would like to kick off our 1st annual Librito (Little Book) Drive. Donate a bilingual book (all ages) for the Flagstaff Community…
Beginning Sept. 15, Northern Arizona University is celebrating Hispanic, Latina/o/x Heritage Month with a collection of events hosted by NAU’s Office of Inclusion. Through these events, NAU strives to honor the culture, history and diversity of individuals in the Latina/x/o community.
Hispanic, Latina/x/o Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was later expanded to cover a full month, lasting until Oct. 15, in 1988.
“The most important thing to me about Hispanic, Latina/o/x Heritage Month is recognizing the contributions of my history, culture and achievements that we have brought to this country,” said Vidal Mendoza, assistant director of Hispanic, Latina/o/x Initiatives at NAU. “As a Latina, staying connected with my roots is a huge part of my identity that I own with pride. Unfortunately, identifying as Hispanic or Latina/o/x isn’t necessarily looked upon with a smile or admiration. But even so, I am proud of identifying as a Latina, Mexicana or Chicana. I love my brown skin, rich culture and community. The diversity within our people is so vastly different and beautiful all at once.”
An inspiring collection of four new films, including the already iconic Black Ice. 6:30 a.m.
As the climate changes and land, air and water are at risk, Native Americans are threatened in two ways. Many tribal members, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous peoples are seeing their water sources dry up or become toxic and their land become infertile or disappear under rising sea levels, putting these rural communities at greater risk from climate change. But there’s a deeper issue. For these peoples, who consider such resources sacred, their way of life and existence are coming under attack from rising global temperatures.
FLAGSTAFF — From “En Plein Air in Flagstaff’s Open Spaces: Stories in Stone,” at Buffalo Park on Sept. 17, to the return of the “Science in the Park” on Sept. 18 and the “Flagstaff Star Party” at Buffalo Park on Sept. 30, the 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science (Sept. 17-26) provides families with a variety of events to choose from.
Click here to view the entire 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science Passport schedule.
The festival kicks off with the 2021 Keynote presentation — “When Stones Speak: Decoding the Messages Embedded in Ancient Maya Monuments” with Dr. Jaime Awe at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m.
During the presentation, Dr. Awe will illuminate the Maya culture for audiences at Ardrey Auditorium, Northern Arizona University.
Full program of events to include Science in the Park, presentations, workshops, guided tours all taking place Sept. 17-26. With many programs led by outstanding Flagstaff scientists, Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to learn about other ancient cultures in this year’s archeological-themed festival.
This year’s Coconino County Fair is Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6
at Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds in Flagstaff, AZ.
Thank you to our sponsors Swire Coca-Cola, Findlay Toyota Flagstaff, Friends of Coconino County Parks, Great Circle Media, and KNAU!
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces honored the region’s Hispanic roots by celebrating the return of the sixth annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church south of downtown Flagstaff
The free event drew a record crowd, according to event organizers, with the entertainment stage featuring Mariachi Herencia de Cuco Del Cid and Nueva Vibra, both from Tucson, Ballet Folklorico de Colores and Alena Chavez from Flagstaff.
Local. Affordable. Quality Education.
Our marketing and public relations team at Coconino Community College decided on those words to describe the college because they have meaning, and they help paint a picture for every student we serve concerning what they can expect from us.
It’s safe to assume American politics has played a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic, and different ideas about contagion, health behaviors and the actions of governing bodies impacted the spread of the virus and its subsequent effect on our lives. This, of course, was just a theory—until now.
Lisa Hardy, associate professor in NAU’s Department of Anthropology and director of the Social Science Community Engagement Lab, is the lead author on a study that looked at sociocultural responses to the virus and identified differences and similarities in anxiety, fear, blame and perceptions of the country across political divides.
Coconino County Fair — Enjoy four days of fun this Labor Day weekend. 10 a.m. Also, Flagstaff Art in the Park at Wheeler Park. Featuring excellent art, food, live music, kids activities, and beer garden. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
GCC Celebration of Art Kicks off in September
The 13th annual Celebration of Art kicks off this month at Grand Canyon. Beginning September 11th, artists will be coming to the South Rim to paint outside on location for one week. During this time, the public will be able to view the artists as they paint, capturing the ever-changing light and shadows of the canyon.
This year’s event will be a hybrid of on-site and online programming to welcome a wide variety of art enthusiasts. Here is the current schedule of events.
Now through September 18: Interested people can view the online catalog and preview studio paintings. Studio painting intent-to-purchase request forms are available to submit online, and are linked from each painting in the catalog.
September 3-18: There will be an online silent auction featuring specially selected original pieces from each participating artist.
September 11-17: Artists will be painting “en plein air” (or, outside on location) throughout the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
September 17: A featured artist will paint outside near Verkamp’s Visitor Center from 3 – 6 p.m.
Construction work will take place at the downtown location of the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library on Friday, September 3, 2021. The work will include the drilling of borings and will impact some of the walkways and the parking lot around the library.
Safety cones and barriers will be placed around affected areas during the evening of Thursday, September 2 and construction work will begin at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, September 3. Library services and hours will not be impacted. The work will be completed within the same day, ending on Friday, September 3.
Visit our website to sign up for programs that include: A) advance registrations for webinars and B) ticketed in-person programs that have a maximum number of guests!
By pre-registering for the webinars, you ensure you get a spot and can add the program to your calendar! You can also interact with the presenter and ask questions when you’ve pre-registered.
Several in-person programs have limited capacity and will require advance registration. Check the digital passport for programs that require reservations.
Please Note: The capacity for our keynote event has been reduced to allow for social distancing. Pre-registration is required for this event.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth continues our monthly youth arts showcase. Do you know a youth that loves music, art, poetry, or any form of self-expression? On the first Sunday of each month (next of Sept. 5) at 4 pm, youth from across Coconino County are welcomed into a virtual circle to EXPRESS THEMSELVES!
We began this opportunity to ensure youth were given a platform to share their thoughts, feelings, and talents while connecting to others.
As August winds down and we settle into new routines, we’re embracing the cooler mornings and evenings, and celebrating summer’s last long weekend, Labor Day. We hope that you and your family have plans to enjoy some time off, or to spend some time outdoors!
During August, our team took our second summer break to recharge ahead of what we’re expecting to be a busy fall season. We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening in Congress while we continue to advocate for important investments to be part of the final budget reconciliation bill– these are long-term investments that will protect our nation’s public lands and waters for generations to come, create jobs, and advance environmental justice. Learn about the budget reconciliation process in our breakdown blog that will explain them and how you can help make sure your representatives know why this is so important!
Space needs you! The next time you and your date head out to stargaze, volunteer to scan the sky for asteroids. NAU doctoral student Colin Chandler just launched a major project to recruit thousands of volunteers in the search for active asteroids—rare objects that have asteroid-like orbits but look more like comets. Chandler hopes to quadruple the number of known active asteroids and, in the process, answer key questions about where water on Earth came from and where it might exist on other planets, both within and outside our solar system. Ready to join the search? Visit the Active Asteroids project site to get started.
Cupcakes. Ice cream. Laughter and shared memories of service to students.
On Aug. 24, 26 and 27, friends, staff, faculty and students celebrated Coconino Community College’s 30th anniversary with parties across the county. Each birthday bash – at CCC’s two locations in Flagstaff and at the location in Page – featured comments from CCC staff, supporters and community leaders.
“This is so we can celebrate all things CCC and the community that supports us so much,” said CCC President Colleen A. Smith.
Visit the March On for Voting Rights Flagstaff page on Facebook.
Hundreds of thousands to rally across the country to protest a wave of voter suppression laws sweeping the nation. The events also kick off a national online drive to register 2 million voters.
Arizona civil rights leader Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr., who helped create a MLK Holiday in Arizona, slated to appear at Saturday event
Newly appointed AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to deliver keynote. Shuler made history last week becoming the first female president of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions.
The Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) pathway and the southbound bike lane along the west side of Fort Valley Road/Hwy 180 will be closed between Deanna Way and Forest Avenue from Wednesday, September 1 to Friday, September 3. This closure will be in place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Detour signage will be posted to direct Fort Valley Road/Hwy 180 FUTS traffic to the Rio de Flag FUTS Trail.
This closure is required as construction crews will be paving Beal Road and the west edge of the Beal/Fort Valley Road intersection as part of the Coconino Estates Improvements Phase I Project.
Alexis “Lexi” Jishie sits behind the partition at her desk. She’s masked for safety, but she’s ready to be helpful for students.
Jishie is a Student Ambassador for Coconino Community College, and it is her job to help students navigate through the college experience.
“What I enjoy most about it is how involved I can be with students and Student Life activities,” Jishie said. “I like working with the other Student Ambassadors and getting out of my comfort zone and advocating for and helping students.”
Park staff have been busy with Search and Rescues (SARs) recently. Unfortunately, many of these events have been recoveries for apparent suicides. Times continue to be full of turmoil and stress—please, take a moment to check in with loved ones and with yourself. Working in remote areas away from close family and friends can add additional challenges during an already stressful time.
We would like to thank all of the search and rescue personnel and additional searchers from many other work groups who helped with two major SARs in Surprise Valley and Hermit Trail. Luckily, in both instances, all visitors were transported safely to the South Rim. Additional thanks go to Arizona Department of Public Safety for their support during multiple SARs over the last few weeks.
As NASA prepares to send astronauts, including the first woman, to the moon, understanding the lunar environment has never been more important. A study led by doctoral candidate Christian J. Tai Udovicic, in collaboration with associate professor Christopher Edwards, offers insights into the moon’s surface, and how the sun affects the evolution of the lunar surface. The scientists discovered that solar radiation could be an important source of lunar iron nanoparticles; that means these particles, which can be detected in small amounts from a great distance, can be a great indicator of change on the moon.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & and Youth extends its congratulations 2020/2021 Caring for Children Awardees. They include Kailey Jensen of AZ127, Marcus Clanton of Victim Witness Services, Mark Cox of the Boys & Girls Club, Kelly Elliot of Big Brothers Big Sisters Flagstaff and Sharon Sifling of Coconino County.
This is a golden time in Flagstaff, with fields of sunflowers blooming and everything lush from the monsoon. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of extended drought, life-giving rains can come to see us through.
As a nonprofit museum, we face a drought in our finances as well. Though we’ve reopened to six days a week, visitor numbers are not rebounding to anywhere near pre-pandemic numbers. Admissions revenue cannot come near to making up for what Covid has cost us. We had planned to hold our annual fundraising Gala dinner this weekend, but Covid has again made it unwise to ask people to gather together for a meal.
Drawing on our experience of navigating unexpected challenges this past year, we have shifted gears and brought the fundraising auction online. With more than 100 items in a range of prices, from vintage baskets to paintings by Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, Merrill Mahaffey, Michelle Condrat, and more. Go to event.gives/MNA to browse the auction and encourage your family and friends to do the same. I am grateful to our gala sponsors and auction donors for their generous support.
If we don’t see you Saturday at the Member Appreciation Day, we do hope to see you here soon.
Thank you for your support of MNA.
After a summer filled with research, designing and creating, the NAU Communications team is excited to unveil The NAU Review. This refreshed newsletter will continue to feature the research, programs and departments of the university while highlighting the voices of NAU through a fun, easily digestible tone and engaging multimedia, including more videos and photos. Expect The NAU Review in your inbox on Tuesday and Thursday.
On Aug. 26, 1991, Coconino Community College opened its doors on Fourth Street in Flagstaff to serve students in Coconino County by offering local, affordable, quality education.
This year, events are planned across the county to celebrate CCC putting students first for the last 30 years.
Where and when?
To kick off a year of fun and celebration, CCC will be having birthday parties at all three locations in the county:
Flagstaff resident Lisa Black is a single mother of two children, ages 17 and 11. On the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, she needed a job – a good job.
“I want to do something I love,” she said, “And driving’s something I love.”
So, when she heard about a new program training people to get a commercial driver’s licenses, she was interested. Four weeks later, she’s passed all her tests, and she’s putting in applications to be a commercial truck driver. Prospects are better than good.
Northern Arizona University and the city of Flagstaff are teaming up for the 4th Annual Community Welcome walk. On Wednesday, August 25, between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a team of elected officials, city and NAU staff, police officers and students are visiting homes throughout La Plaza Vieja and Southside neighborhoods. Teams will be providing information and resources to help foster a culture of community and neighborhood engagement.
