FLAGSTAFF — More than 500 people took part in a National Day of Protest event at the Flagstaff City Hall on Feb. 17. The protests were part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration and its ongoing efforts to close federal agencies and fire thousands of federal workers.
The event in Flagstaff also included a rally to Support Federal Works and Public Lands.
See more photos and related stories.
Para más informacíon:
Northern Arizona Institutions for Community Leadership — Website
Northern Arizona Institutions for Community Leadership — Facebook
The Literacy Center — Facebook
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College students Dawson Hernandez and Noah Stone have been nominated for the All-Arizona Academic Team as part of the prestigious All-USA Scholarship competition, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa!
Dawson plans to transfer to NAU to study psychology and philosophy, paving his way to law school. Noah has been accepted into NAU’s 2025 Compressed Nursing Program, working toward his goal of becoming a flight nurse.
FLAGSTAFF — During the Feb. 18 Council Meeting, the Flagstaff Fire Department gave a presentation to the City Council on Community Fire Preparedness efforts.
Con el objetivo de fortalecer y extender la solvencia del Seguro Social se discuten al menos cinco opciones. En este vídeo explicamos una de ellas, a saber, aumentar los impuestos de nómina.
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Contestamos preguntas sobre el Seguro Social y la jubilación en general. Haremos énfasis en una de varias propuestas que buscan extender la solvencia del programa.
Join FlagShakes at our new Beaver Street Theatre in downtown Flagstaff this February for Shakespeare on Pluto, an uproarious sequel that will knock your socks off! Fri. 7p.m., Sat. 26p.m., Sun 2 p.m.
Learn More
Expect Longer Wait Times at Entrance Stations: Spring Operational Changes Take Effect March 1
As spring break approaches, visitors and park residents should be prepared for long lines and full parking lots. Traffic congestion is expected at all entrance stations, with the heaviest delays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will begin to fill by noon. The South Entrance webcam (updated every five minutes) is a great way to monitor park traffic. To help reduce congestion, we encourage visitors to purchase entrance passes in advance, use lane 1 at the South Entrance, explore alternative transportation options, and arrive early or visit later in the day.
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the entrance station staff for their continued hard work and dedication. We recognize long lines and heavy traffic can be challenging and your professionalism and commitment make an incredible difference in providing visitors with a positive experience. Thank you!
The 2025 Black History Month Theme is “African Americans and Labor.” This theme highlights the impact of Black people’s work and how it shapes the experiences of Black people and the societies in which they live.
This year, students will be asked to answer a prompt in a short essay that focuses on their own future job goals and a historical or modern figure from Black History who shares and has excelled in that profession. ADAC will provide a list of various jobs and figures from Black History who have served in those roles that students can choose from as the subject of their essay. A scoring rubric will be provided for teachers to assist them in helping students to write strong essays.
This comprehensive analysis provides key insights into the economic effects of the minimum wage policy in our region. The study’s findings aim to support informed decision-making by local, state, and federal policymakers while guiding our workforce and economic development strategies. Specifically, this report will help:
Address potential challenges and mitigate negative impacts of minimum wage policies.
Identify and promote strategies that benefit both employers and workers.
Develop workforce initiatives that ensure a resilient and adaptable labor market.
Provide insight into job and skills training needs to better prepare the workforce.
Coordinate efforts to expand entrepreneurial training and microenterprise services.
Deliver technical assistance strategies to help small and emerging businesses thrive.
From participation in a Literacy Fair this coming weekend in Flagstaff, to registration for upcoming summer camps and reading programs, a variety of educational opportunities are available for youth in Coconino County.
The United Way of Northern Arizona and Read On Flagstaff will present a Literacy Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff.
The event will feature literacy activities for children up to age 8, resources for parents and workshops. Free books for everyone.
The fair is supported by The Literacy Center, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Northern Arizona University, Culture Connection AZ and the Flagstaff Unified School District
Sedona Plein Air Festival
October 20-26, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15, 2025
The Sedona Plein Air Festival takes place during the best weather period of the year at the height of tourist season and is supported by a group of very experienced and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. Sedona is a sublime environment with stunning beauty, and the Sedona Arts Center has roots going back 66+ years to the founding of Sedona.
The original Cretaceous influencer
Just how much did dinosaurs 65 million years ago affect the Earth as we know it? A lot, and NAU researchers just discovered one more way. New research led by ecoinformatics professor Chris Doughty shows that the evolution of fruit—and the evolution of fruit-eating primates, the early ancestors of humans—was influenced by the “ecosystem engineering” of large sauropods.
Creative Aging, Drawing II, Pastels Crash Course, Glazes I and II, Big Effects Pastels & Mixed Media, Canyon Color for the Painter, Painting Luminous Watercolors, iPhoneography, Repousse Metal Working, and Jewelry Casting!
COCONINO COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) 7th annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Join us in honoring those who supported the Hispanic community this past year.
Maximize your impact by supporting us today with an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit-designated donation. You can give up to $470 as a single filer or $938 as a married couple filing jointly by April 15 and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for the 2024 tax year. (Use QCO Code 20726 on your AZ Form 321 when filing your state income taxes.)
When you give, you have the security of knowing that your donation is combined with others so that we can give meaningful support to proven programs that make an impact in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
LATEST ANALYSIS Sending Migrants to Guantánamo Bay Is a Costly, Optics-Driven Shift in Immigration DetentionPresident Trump ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security to expand immigration detention at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba to house up to 30,000 people. Since then, U.S. Immigration & and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has transferred at least two flights of migrants from the United States to its detention facility there. Breaking Down Trump’s Attempt to End Birthright CitizenshipOn his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for babies of undocumented immigrants and for people with temporary status in the U.S. Executive Order 14156: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship departs from over 125 years of precedent as it sought to abolish the United States’ longstanding policy of unrestricted birthplace-based citizenship. FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW Last week, people in states across the country held protests in support of immigrants. From California to Georgia and Illinois to Texas, thousands rallied to fight back against mass deportation, ICE arrests, and the use of Guantanamo Bay as a detention center.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will hold its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March. 5 at the Coconino County Health and Human Services Building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff, Ponderosa Conference Room.
The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom Link Below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85359174121
Meeting ID: 853 5917 4121 Phone: + 1(408) 638-0968
… CHAC, which is current seeking new members, serves as an official liaison and communications link between the Hispanic community and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, so please bring any concerns you may have about equal education opportunities, fair employment, juvenile justice, political representation and other issues.
“Closures to Highway 89 are not just an inconvenience,” Judy Begay, Coconino County District 4 Supervisor and Chair of the Board said. “They create a barrier to employment, health and safety, by forcing people to drive extra hours around the Grand Canyon or Hopi lands to get to work and appointments, which has resulted in a loss of employment for some residents.”
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council continues to advocate against the mining of uranium and its transport in and through our region, including passing multiple resolutions and supporting federal legislation that would restrict uranium mining and transport.
While the Flagstaff City Council opposes the transport of uranium ore through our community, the City Council does not have jurisdiction over federal or state highways.
Sedona Arts Center represents over 100 professional local and regional artists. The Art Gallery on campus is a dynamic, ever-changing display of local talent in all dimensions and forms. Part of that dynamic is the bi-monthly featured artists program where a section of the overall gallery allows for a special group exhibition of selected artists.
NO SALES TAX – FREE PARKING – UPTOWN SEDONA
Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax
SedonaArtsCenter.org
Northern Arizona’s rich, dense forests are among the many reasons why people love to live and work in our region. But the beauty and recreational opportunities of these endless acres of green come with a risk in an area that is known for its dry and often windy conditions – the threat of wildfire.
Numerous entities are dedicated to reducing that risk. Northern Arizona University’s School of Forestry specifically offers a BS in Applied Wildland Fire Science; APS has a dedicated Forestry and Wildfire Mitigation team; and the 4FRI project continues to use thinning and prescribed burns to lessen the threat of wildfires – and post-wildfire flooding – to communities throughout northern Arizona.
The work of these entities not only impacts our safety – it also has an economic impact for the region.
Cultural Demonstration 2025 Season Begins Tuesday, February 18
Grand Canyon National Park, in partnership with Grand Canyon Conservancy, is excited to announce the start of the 11th season of the Cultural Demonstration Program, beginning next week. Inaugurated in 2014 by the Grand Canyon Intertribal Working Group, the program began with just four demonstrators and has since expanded to include over 200 participants.
Starting February 18, cultural demonstrators will be returning to the Desert View Watchtower, providing demonstrations in the View Room Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2025 season will be launched by three talented Diné artists: Laverine Greyeyes, Diné weaver; Cristoff Keyonnie, Diné painter; and DeMaudrei Yazzie, Diné seamstress.
The lead arts agency will act as the coordinating body for arts, culture and science initiatives in Flagstaff. Responsibilities include long-term planning, sector leadership, and collaboration with local and external partners to address infrastructure needs and opportunities. The agency will also promote community engagement, enhance funding through grants and other means, and provide technical support and training to individuals and organizations. Additionally, it will contribute directly to the cultural landscape by producing exhibitions and events that foster community vitality, expand participation, and encourage both public and private investment. Programs and offerings will be reviewed annually to align with the community’s evolving needs.
The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly. This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County. The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.
View this email in a browser Feb. 12, 2025 Update CCC&Y Spotlight Parents gain information on upcoming summer camps By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth Parents had the opportunity to learn about programs for their children at the Summer 2025 Family Engagement…
FLAGSTAFF — City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 17. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed on Presidents’ Day include:
• East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
• Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
• Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N. Izabel St.)
• Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
• Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd.)
FLAGSTAFF — Tthe intersection of Milton Road and University Avenue (future Fresquez Avenue) has been closed to all traffic. This closure is required to allow crews to install new storm drain and utility infrastructure, and is expected to last one month. Access to properties along University Avenue (future Fresquez Avenue) will be provided via Yale Street and the new Beulah Boulevard extension. Thru traffic along Milton Road will not be impacted. Please follow the marked signage and drive safely.
Honors College student Lenin Salcedo has an unusual capstone project planned. Inspired by his childhood in the Caribbean and his love of physics, the project will take the form of a performance that explores how sounds tether us to each other and to the universe. Salcedo promises you won’t need to know anything about physics or music theory to understand and enjoy it. Read on to find out more about the project, Salcedo’s upbringing and his dreams for the future.
What brought you to NAU?
I was initially attracted to NAU’s strong physics department, but I fell in love with the intimate learning environment and vibrant community. Especially in Honors, the classroom has felt like a dynamic place where I can creatively think and connect with diverse people. Flagstaff has also become a second home, bringing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to explore.
Introduction to Silver Clay
with Joan Roberts
February 12 – 13: Wednesday–Thursday, 9am-1pm
Joan Roberts has been creating distinct wearable art pieces with metal clay for 2 decades. She will share techniques, methods and a few secrets to successful creation of jewelry pieces. Silver Clay is a mixture of microscopic particles of silver, distilled water and a non-toxic organic binder. When fired the silver sinters into a solid piece of “fine silver.” Participants do not need past experience in metal work or other clays to be very successful.
This class is divided into two mornings so pieces can be finished and loaded into a kiln at the end of the first day and finished and polished on the second. Participants will be provided with enough clay to create up to two pairs of earrings or a pendant.
I’m continuing the lively monthly ‘Coffee with the Executive Director’ gatherings in 2025! I very much enjoy talking with you about all things Flagstaff.
Join me tomorrow, Feb. 12, from 9:00-10:00 am at Campus Coffee Bean in the Green Tree shopping center at 1800 S Milton Rd, Unit 24.
We’ll continue to discuss the Draft Flagstaff Regional Plan tomorrow and I encourage you to read the comments F3 made to the city in late December. You can read our comments HERE in a downloadable PDF.
I look forward to talking with you tomorrow morning!
P.S. I’ll continue to hold these gatherings on the first Wednesday of the month starting in March, unless otherwise noted. If you can’t make tomorrow morning’s meeting, we’ll meet again on Wednesday, March 5 at a local coffee shop (to be announced).
Michele James
Executive Director
As February unfolds, I invite you to experience two extraordinary exhibitions at the Museum of Northern Arizona that showcase the power of art to connect us to place, time, and identity.
Poetry Maps reveals how art and words intertwine to create new perspectives. This unique project began with paintings of the Colorado Plateau from our fine art collection. We then invited members of our community to respond with poetry, layering personal voices onto these visual journeys. Visit before February 28, when the exhibit goes dark for the installation of new gallery lighting. The exhibit will return on March 28.
FLAGSTAFF — More than 200 immigration rights supporters took to the streets to protest against the Trump Administration’s mass deportation effort as part of a growing nationwide resistance movement.
Shouting “USA” and carrying American and Mexican flags along with a variety of protest signs, the march began after a short rally at a Fourth Street shopping center, moving west along Route 66 before gathering at the Flagstaff City Hall.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff invites Southside residents, past and present, as well as those with strong ties to the neighborhood to contribute their memories and reflections for an upcoming public art installation. The sculpture, titled “Rustle,” will be placed at the newly named Cleo Murdoch Park, adjacent to the Murdoch Community Center at 203 E. Brannen Avenue.
The 8-foot-high weathering steel sculpture, designed by artist Beth Nybeck, will incorporate words and phrases contributed by the community into its leaf-like form. Symbolizing both nature and the interconnected stories that define the area, the piece will celebrate the Southside, its history and its people.
FLAGSTAFF — Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATs) will hold its Spring Pop Up Care Village for the region’s unsheltered community on April 27.
Service providers and agencies that would like to connect and engage with unsheltered community members are invited to table at the event. At our PUCV event in October we had 160 people in need who attended the event, over 30 volunteers working the event and almost 20 other agencies/NGOs/businesses providing services.
This closure is necessary for crews to install new concrete and drainage improvements. As part of the Spruce Wash suite of projects, a new section of sidewalk will be added that will connect the existing sidewalk on Cedar Avenue to the Linda Vista Drive crossing via the slip lane. This closure will be in effect 24 hours a day for approximately one month. Motorists can still make turning movements onto Cedar Avenue via the signaled intersection. Please follow the marked signage/detour to get to your destination.
FLAGSTAFF — The Lone Tree Corridor Project will begin construction on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Work will include:
Removal and replacement of roadway, sidewalk, curb/gutter, medians, and Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) facilities.
Widening of Lone Tree Road.
Installation of fully protected traffic intersections that provide safety and separation between bicycle use, pedestrian use, and vehicles.
Relocations and upgrade of utilities and traffic signals.
Work will occur on Butler Avenue between O’Leary Street and Lumber Street and on Lone Tree Road between Butler Avenue and O’Leary Street.
Mark your calendars for the Summer 2025 Family Engagement Fair! Join us for a fun and informative event hosted by the Coconino County Education Service Agency and Flagstaff Unified School District from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Building, 2384 N. Steves Blvd., Flagstaff
Meet and connect with community organizations, including: Coconino County Education Service Agency, Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD), the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, the Coconino Parks & Recreation, Threaded Together, The Literacy Center, Chicanos Por La Causa, Native Americans for Community Action (NACA), Flagstaff Girls Softball, Flagstaff Little League, Flagstaff Flyers, Camp Colton, Flagstaff Public Library.
This is your one-stop shop to discover summer programs, resources, and opportunities for your family! Questions? Contact Josie Hammond at johammond@coconino.az.gov or call 928-679-8052.
Early Fire Season Outlook for Grand Canyon National Park Employees and Partners
The National Weather Service has issued early fire season outlooks due to an especially dry winter season. The combination of a below-average monsoon season in 2024 and a historically dry winter has led to worsening drought conditions across northern Arizona, including at Grand Canyon National Park.
So far, Flagstaff has recorded only 5.9 inches of snow this winter, marking the fourth driest start to the season since records began in 1899. Many areas, including the Grand Canyon Village, are experiencing near-record low snowpack levels for this time of year.
Looking ahead, the temperature and precipitation forecasts for February through April predict drier and warmer than normal conditions across Arizona, extending into the spring and fire season (April-June). If these dry conditions persist, we can expect an extended and potentially significant wildfire season in northern Arizona.
For more details on the current outlook, please see the attached presentation from the National Weather Service Flagstaff Office.
PHOENIX – The Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) will open La Resistencia/The Resistance visual arts exhibit, Feb. 7, and host Performing Democracy, Feb. 14-16.
The exhibit will present the works of 40 visual artists that will be displayed Feb.7 – March 6 at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, 147 East Adams, Phoenix, AZ. An opening night reception and program kicks off the exhibit, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., on First Friday, Feb. 7. Admission to the gallery is free.
Across the country, deportation is often discussed as an absolute end. What seems to be missing in the conversation is that for the deported people and their families, it’s the beginning of a new set of legal obstacles that often require advocates on both sides of the border to resolve. It is also the beginning of a new and often hard life chapter.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and Eagle Mountain Construction, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation, are set to install new traffic signal poles at the intersection of Milton Road and University Drive on Tuesday, February 11, and Wednesday, February 12. To safely install these poles, the intersection of Milton Road and University Drive will be closed periodically with police officers present to assist.
FLAGSTAFF — NAU’s Department of Educational Leadership and the Arizona Schools Association are hosting a zoom panel and discussion on “Supporting Undocumented Students & Families in Precarious Times” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Join NAU’s Department of Educational Leadership & the Arizona School Administrators for this Inclusive Excellence Week event which will feature a zoom panel for educators, educational leaders, and students.
We are thrilled to invite you to a special event celebrating the joy of reading and early literacy! In partnership with Read On Arizona and United Way, we are hosting our very first “For the Love of Reading” Literacy Fair on Saturday, February 22nd, at Killip Elementary Schoolfrom 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This event is designed to promote early literacy skills for children from birth to age 8, and we would love for you to join us for a day full of fun, learning, and community connection!
At the Literacy Fair, we will have a variety of engaging activities for families and children to enjoy. You’ll be able to participate in literacy workshops that provide simple and fun ways to support your child’s reading development with easy tips and activities that can be done at home.
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb.. 6. Our meetings provide our Coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
A representative from the Coconino County Health and Human Services will present information on a grant the agency received to prevent housing insecurity, with flexible funding preventing eviction and foreclosures.
The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.
Northern Arizona University has received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity to confront the critical nursing shortage in rural, underserved areas of Arizona by supporting Native American nursing students in their academic journeys.
The Fund for Health Equity mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, political, cultural and economic environment.
February is “I Love to Read Month” and United Way of Northern Arizona is proud to announce that its first Literacy Fair – to help improve reading skills for children in Flagstaff – will take place from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday, February 22, at Killip Elementary School.
The event, supporting children from preschool through 3rd grade and their families, will feature books, workshops, and representatives from organizations that can provide additional resources to families.
The fair is a vital part of UWNA’s broader mission to foster a culture of literacy in Flagstaff and has been made possible through a grant from Read On Arizona.
Strong reading skills are the foundation for academic success and future opportunities, and this event is a step toward ensuring all children in our community have the tools they need to succeed. While the fair is open to all families, it is strategically located in a Title 1 neighborhood school to provide accessibility to families who may benefit the most.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff, through its Beautification, Arts & Sciences (BAS) program, invites artists, community members and groups, schools and local businesses to apply for a Beautification in Action (BIA) grant. Applications will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m. Up to $7,500 is available per project.
Projects that enliven and revitalize the urban environment can take the form of community gardens, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures, murals and more. Priority will be given to community-initiated projects that provide a lasting impact—fostering cultural connections, strengthening neighborhood awareness and identity, and deepening how residents and visitors interact with the built environment. All projects must be publicly and visually accessible.
Under Arizona Proposition 207, which legalized recreational marijuana use in Arizona, individuals convicted of certain marijuana offenses may have those convictions expunged. The County Attorney’s Office’s new program offers a simple, accessible process for eligible people to ask the County Attorney’s Office to assist in filing an expungement request on their behalf.
GRAND CANYON, AZ. — On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2026.
A total of 450 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website (https://grcariverpermits.nps.gov). Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
The City of Flagstaff, through its Beautification and Public Art Commission, seeks Beautification in Action grant applications up to $7,500 for streetscape art and beautification projects that enliven Flagstaff’s public spaces. Projects must be publicly visible and publicly accessible and can take the form of community gardens, murals, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures and more. Artists, community members/ groups, schools, local businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply.
Spring Deadline: March 15, 2025, 5 pm (Arizona Time)
Gaining a Perspective: Sharpening Your Drawing Skillset ONLINE
with Jude Valentine
February 5–26, 2025
Wednesdays, 12–2pm AZ Time
Learn the ins and outs of how to draw convincing buildings, landscapes, interiors and round objects with the use of linear and empirical perspective. We’ll be understanding this drawing concept through demonstrations, hands on drawing exercises, individualized instruction and looking at examples of some of the accomplished Renaissance and modern masters. Learn how to use perspective to your advantage to make great drawings!
February is often thought of as the month of love, and love takes many forms. It’s the joy of shared moments with family and friends, the appreciation of beauty in the world around us, and the care we extend to ourselves. And, it’s the deep, abiding love of music—the way it moves us, connects us, and enriches our lives.
This month, we invite you to celebrate this love with us, whether through a night of beautiful music shared with FSO on February 14, a special memory made with a loved one, or simply taking time to experience something that brings you joy.
However you choose to celebrate, we’re grateful to have you as part of our Symphony family. Read on for this month’s details, including the February 14 concert and FSO’s annual My Favorite Things auction. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Fix-It Clinics are community-driven events that pair community members with knowledgeable volunteers who can help fix small appliances, clothing, electronics, and more. Join us for a day of hands-on sustainability and learn how simple repairs can make a big difference. Let’s work together towards a more sustainable Flagstaff.
Sedona Arts Center presents “Vision & Sound: An African American Experience” from February 7-28, 2025. This multi-city event features an array of free public programs that celebrate Arizona’s Black artists.
Exhibitions, artist demonstrations and musical performances are planned for Sedona, Goodyear, Peoria and Tolleson. A symposium in partnership with the ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Sedona and will feature keynote speaker and renowned dancer, choreographer and scholar LaTasha Barnes. These events offer opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to explore African American creativity and cultural perspectives.
Mayor Becky Daggett said “while we’re relieved that it appears the federal funding freeze has been temporarily halted, I’d like to stress the critical importance this funding has in our community. It’s not an overstatement to say that the freeze would have a catastrophic impact on Flagstaff. Many of the city’s flood mitigation, transportation, and public safety projects are dependent upon this funding from our federal partners. Additionally, this funding freeze impacts local non-profit organizations we rely upon to provide basic services and our partners such as Coconino County and Northern Arizona University.”
Basic Conversation Sign Language
Tuesday, March 4, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Join us to learn basic sign language as well as communication tips when interacting with Deaf and hard of hearing people.
Sign – Learn more and register!
“I am honored to receive this recognition,” Peru said. “Coconino County has given me the opportunity to learn, grow and build a team that feels like family. I will always be grateful for the support throughout the years and to work with amazing employees dedicated to public service.”
The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly. This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County. The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.
Winter Arrives to the Canyon (Finally!)
This week, Northern Arizona finally got the memo that it’s winter—bringing much-needed precipitation across the region, including several inches of snow on the South Rim and a hearty 8 inches on the North Rim.
As of this writing, Desert View Drive and Hermit Road on the South Rim have REOPENED following several days of closure. Road closure information is always available by calling the park’s Roads Line at 928-638-7496.
For those who like to be ahead of the curve, Everbridge alerts are a great way to stay informed in real-time about road closures, power outages, weather events, and any other emergency situations that might pop up. This free service helps ensure you’re never caught off guard when the weather gets unpredictable.
Sign up today by following this link.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton and Deputy City Manager Joanne Keene both recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). City Manager Clifton and Deputy City Manager Keene join over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world.
Come cheer on your NAU Lumberjacks for Women in Sports night as they take on the Weber State Wildcats. 6 p.m
Sedona Arts Center presents “Vision & Sound: An African American Experience” from February 7-28, 2025. This multi-city event features an array of free public programs that celebrate Arizona’s Black artists.
Exhibitions, artist demonstrations and musical performances are planned for Sedona, Goodyear, Peoria and Tolleson. A symposium in partnership with the ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Sedona and will feature keynote speaker and renowned dancer, choreographer and scholar LaTasha Barnes. These events offer opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to explore African American creativity and cultural perspectives.
On the first day of his second term, President Trump issued a series of immigration-related executive orders and proclamations that will quickly re-shape the U.S. immigration system. These executive orders affect nearly every facet of a complex and demanding system. Most of the policy changes introduced through these actions are framed as directives to federal departments and agencies. However, their language also aims to stoke fear as a means of testing the boundaries of executive authority.
F3 has paid close attention to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 because it will greatly impact the way Flagstaff will develop in the next twenty years. The plan is a policy guide for land use and development decisions and should be the vision for the shape and character of the community.
This newsletter summarizes our concerns. Here is a quick overview:
We are concerned that the plan is almost singularly focused on an increase in housing density. While we see the need to address the housing crisis, density alone is not enough. It must be paired with the values that make a community a community such as open space, public space, and community character.
Message from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Rising fears of ICE raids have caused significant anxiety among Diné citizens in Albuquerque, Phoenix, and other border areas.
Although my office has only received a few unconfirmed reports, we have diligently followed up on those leads. We are designating the “Operation Rainbow Bridge” tip line to field calls for my office on this issue.
Presented by Mariah Zavala – Mountain Mojo Group, the workshop includes in depth discussions on:
Mission and Vision Statements
Goal Setting
Key Performance Indicators
Personas, Messaging Tone and Cadence
FLAGSTAFF — Join us on Wednesday, January 29 at one of two locations for a chance to meet recruiters and explore career opportunities with the City of Flagstaff.
No RSVP needed- just walk in and explore career opportunities with us!
Interested candidates can walk-in and explore all of our job opportunities, meet recruiters and hiring teams, and learn about the amazing work we do for our community.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
State and local organizations that provide services to families and youth are reviewing the ramifications of the Trump administration’s order on Jan. 27 to pause all federal grants and loans. Meanwhile, nearly two dozen attorneys general have announced they will sue to stop the federal funding freeze.
A federal judge issued a stay on the federal freeze until Monday, Feb. 3.
Nationwide, officials say the freeze halts loans and grants to local governments, nonprofit organizations and schools — impacting such programs as Head Start, the Dept. of Agriculture’s tribal food sovereignty program and other federally funded economic assistance programs.
An easy way to take action by contacting your member of Congress is available HERE
Honor Black history and culture this February
Every February, the Lumberjack community comes together to celebrate Black History Month with a wide variety of events that recognizes the rich, diverse culture, history and societal contributions of Black Americans and the global African diaspora. Many of the month’s events also raise awareness of the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black Americans.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to continue pile burning this week following Monday’s snowstorm.
Firefighters will ignite piles located in three different areas of the Flagstaff Ranger District this week, and smoke is expected to be widely visible during burning.
The Coconino National Forest uses the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn ProjectsInciWeb page to relay last-minute project changes with the public should planned projects not proceed due to wind, weather, or other reasons.
COCONINO COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has ignited the annual green waste burn at the Willard Springs Green Waste Site, which is located about 15 miles south of Flagstaff at Exit 326 on the west side of I-17.
The burn is necessary to reduce the existing stockpile of pine needles, tree trimmings, and other green waste at Willard Springs before the start of the 2025 fire season.
The Willard Springs green waste burn is expected to produce smoke during its ignition period. Based on wind and weather conditions, this smoke may be heavy at times and visible to motorists on I-17. The Coconino National Forest plans to post signage on I-17 as necessary to notify motorists about smoke from the burn and to drive with caution.
ART & NATION
Vision and Sound Symposium
February 8, 2025
Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
Featuring keynote speaker and renowned dancer, choreographer and scholar LaTasha Barnes as well as panel discussions, performances, receptions and reflections.
FLAGSTAFF — Area fire managers plan to continue work on local prescribed fire projects – including broadcast burning and pile burning – (week of Jan. 27) while northern Arizona’s wind and weather conditions remain favorable to do so.
Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers aspire to continue work on this week’s Crater Sinks prescribed burn project located roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff.
Additionally, Coconino National Forest fire managers hope to begin work on pile burns located in various locations around the Flagstaff Ranger District.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences program seeks artists, graphic designers and illustrators to create original artwork for two utility cabinets along Route 66. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25 at noon.
Two artists will be selected to create artwork for two cabinets at the following locations: Route 66 near Postal Boulevard, and Route 66 near Fourth Street. The call is open to artists 18 years or older who currently live and work within the United States. Submitted designs must be original artwork and can be created in any medium, so long as the design can be represented in a high-resolution digital image without loss of integrity or quality. Designs will be professionally printed on vinyl and installed on cabinets.
“We are excited to partner with APS with these artist-designed utility cabinet wraps,” says Jana Weldon, Program Manager for Beautification, Arts and Sciences (BAS). “As the City’s collection of Public Art grows, we welcome emerging and established artists to contribute their creativity to enhance our urban environment.”
WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest will be conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the 2025 winter season as conditions safely allow. Winter is often the ideal time for crews to burn piles of slash and woody debris left over from forest thinning projects because colder temperatures and snow help moderate fire behavior and keep it from spreading beyond the piles. Approximately 2,190 acres of piles on the Tusayan Ranger District, 5,500 acres on the Williams Ranger District, with additional acres of piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District are slated for burning this season.
The STEMMY Awards recognize the stellar contributions of STEM leaders and educators publicly at the STEMMY Award Ceremony on Thursday, March 6th!
Presented by STEM City in Flagstaff Arizona, the event awards students, teachers, businesses, and community organizations to honor and celebrate their impact as STEM leaders, educators, and innovators here in Flagstaff.
Seeking nominations by Feb. 14! Do you know of someone who has made a real difference in the STEM sector?
We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with National Theatre Live, bringing world-class British theatre performances directly to Flagstaff audiences. Starting this season, theatre lovers can experience the magic of London’s finest productions, captured live in stunning high definition and screened at our state-of-the-art facility through this innovative collaboration. Our season includes four performances starting in March.
Applications are now open for the ARTx Art + Ideas Experience 2025 grant cycle. Submit your innovative idea and bring it to life through one of four exciting categories:
ARTx @ ArtWalk
ARTx @ The Arb
ARTx @ Coconino Center for the Arts
ARTx @ Free Range
ARTx is an annual, accessible community opportunity to engage with the arts in an immersive and interactive way. Visit Creative Flagstaff’s website to learn more and help shape Flagstaff’s artistic future.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Image: Envision by Bryan David Griffith.
Friday-Saturday, Wednesday, January 24-25, 29
SUNGYUN KIM: THE EVOLVING MACHINE, Coconino Center for the Arts.
In The Evolving Machine, Sungyun Kim brings together an array of video works and kinetic sculptures that highlight this evolving relationship between machines, media environments, and human intervention. 11 a.m.
President Trump wasted no time trying to radically change the U.S. immigration system. On his first day in office, he issued 10 executive orders that seek to redefine America—excluding everyone from asylum seekers to countless children of immigrants.
In the American Immigration Council’s new fact sheet, After Day One: A High-Level Analysis of Trump’s First Executive Actions, we break down what these policy changes seek to accomplish immediately and what they will mean for immigrants and all Americans in the future.
Read the Analysis
“LULAC wholeheartedly affirms the decision of the federal judge to stop this attack on one of our nation’s most treasured constitutional protections,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. “Any child born on our soil has the right to be called a citizen, and that right is irrevocable and should not be tampered with. We call upon all Americans to rise in unity and respect for this important and invaluable right.”
In the face of a nationwide housing crisis, the 2025 MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship will explore what it means to house our communities, introducing mayors and their staff to planning and design frameworks – beyond housing supply and demand – that maximize all city resources to support the broad range of housing needs faced by a broad range of city populations.
Smallmouth Bass: Not a Small Threat to the Grand Canyon
A recent article in Intermountain Park Science magazine highlights the growing concern over smallmouth bass and their potential impact on the Colorado River ecosystem in Grand Canyon National Park. Researchers from the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated to address this emerging threat to the park’s delicate ecological balance.
The Day of Love and Friendship Artist Market celebrates all things love with an event featuring several local artists and creators sharing their work and the stories behind it. Come and get to know your local artist community and shop local for the upcoming Valentine’s holiday. Artists across a variety of mediums, cultures, and backgrounds will be on site.
Plus a Valentine card-making station and chocolates!
We are a stop on the Flagstaff Visitors Center’s Chocolate Walk, so come downtown to check out all the art and chocolate!
Vendors currently being accepted. Email info@cultureconnectionaz.org if interested.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff and contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, are set to begin excavation operations for The Wedge Detention Basin Project. These excavation operations will take place within the area of the construction yard, which will shrink as excavation continues. These excavation operations are the first part of detention basin construction, with the majority of construction taking place in the spring when temperatures are favorable. The Wedge Detention Basin is being constructed to hold excess stormwater run-off that would otherwise overwhelm the box culvert being installed along Linda Vista Drive. The basin is designed to fill with water, and then slowly release it back into the City’s stormwater management system when it is safe to do so.
her community for many years, most recently serving two years on City Council. Her other contributions include assisting in developing the Southside Neighborhood Plan and securing a grant to establish the Murdoch Community Center as one of three Resilience Hubs in the City. She is also a founding member of ADAC, having served consistently on the Council since its creation in 2002.
Khara House was appointed to the Flagstaff City Council in May 2022, and elected to a four-year term that year. After teaching at Northern Arizona University, she began a career in multifamily housing in 2013. Her passion for service and community engagement has led to membership with NAACP Flagstaff, the Southside Community Association, NAMI Flagstaff, Flagstaff Young Professionals, and several other community and service organizations. She currently serves as Chairperson of ADAC.
COCONINO COUNTY — The start of a new year always brings along a time of new challenges and opportunities — be it personal or professional.
To help parents and families get off to the right start in 2025, the Coconino Coaltion for Children & Youth wants to remind everyone that we have a variety of free webinar training programs on our website.
Maybe you are looking for an escape from all the negative news of the day? If so, take a moment to take care of yourself with our free Mindfulness (for adults) one-hour webinar
Maybe your child is having a challenging time getting back into the swing of school life (homework, social media) after the holidays? Then they may also benefit from our free Mindfulness for Youth 45-minute webinar or our free Bullying and Cyberbullying one-hour webinar
Our growing library of on-demand webinars are also designed to help you gain the tools you need to learn about trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Click on the image above to get a quick look at the various free programs we offer, or get more details below.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2025.
The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant is a competitive grant program that funds up to $7,500 for community projects related to food, waste, climate action, resilience, building energy, public health, and transportation.
“We can’t wait to see these community-led projects come to life each year! We want to applaud these awardees for their vision for a more sustainable Flagstaff,” said Mayor Becky Daggett.
Sedona Arts Center presents Out of the Fire: Student Ceramics Show January 25-26, 2025. The annual exhibition and sale features artworks by students and faculty from Sedona Arts Center’s ceramics department and is free and open to the public. The event will be held in the Art Barn Theatre Studio and kicks off with a special opening reception Friday, January 24, from 4-6pm.
FLAGSTAFF — Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to take advantage of current weather conditions and begin work on a highly visible prescribed burn project southwest of Flagstaff starting (Jan. 22).
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.
For the latest information at any time of the day, details and updates about all prescribed burn projects can be found on the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available.
Building bridges, celebrating community
Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a United States strengthened by unity, collaboration and inclusivity. On Monday, NAU honored King’s legacy with a campus event focused on all three of those themes. Lumberjacks and Flagstaff residents came together to march in King’s honor, make posters celebrating his inspiring leadership and hear from keynote speaker Tony Ross, a Lumberjack doctoral grad and higher education consultant based in Phoenix. Unity and collaboration was the day’s secret sauce: Multiple NAU offices, student clubs and community organizations came together to make it happen.
iPhoneography Crash Course
LIVE in-person at Sedona Arts Center and ONLINE
with Kelli Klymenko
January 31: Friday, 9am–2pm Arizona Time
In today’s technological world, even professional photographers and artists are recognizing the iPhone as a useful (and even practical) photographic tool. Join photographer artist, Kelli Klymenko in his one-day class for beginner and advanced students and you’ll go beyond the basics and learn to shoot professional quality photographs with your iPhone.
Co-ops come in all sizes and many forms.
Did you know that the Associated Press is a co-op?
And so is our local credit union.
There are worker co-ops, housing co-ops, purchasing co-ops, and production co-ops. Any business—including child care, house cleaning, grocery store, or cafe–can be run as a co-op.
Cooperatives can play an important role in building more equitable, just, and humane communities.
We’ve invited 6 experts from across the western U.S. to talk with us about what it takes to build a successful co-op business. Learn what it takes to found and run a coop from people with firsthand experience.
This is a great chance to get your questions answered and meet others who are interested in this alternative business model.
You can join us in person or on zoom.
Here at Flagstaff STEM City, we are dedicated to elevating people and place through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). With this mission in mind, we’ve redesigned our website to better reflect who we are and the collaborative spirit that drives everything we do.
Ready to explore?
