View this email in your browser August 15th, 2022 Connect with your community Featured Resource Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library)…
You’re invited to come to the Sedona Arts Center and learn about Volunteer Opportunities for this coming year. We have a fun program planned, and we’ll be honoring the people who have generously given their time and enrgy to help make things happen here!
For those of you who have volunteered this past year, we want to say Thank You and show our appreciation!
If you haven’t had an opportunity to volunteer this past year, we welcome you to come and see what’s new this year and celebrate with us. Maybe something will sound interesting and fit into your schedule, and you will be able to sign up for particular events or other volunteer opportunities.
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Coconino County Parks & Recreation has announced that members of the community are invited to a public dedication and re-naming ceremony of Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park in honor of a former member of the Board of Supervisors and long-time member of the local community, Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 13 at 703 E. Sawmill Road, Flagstaff.
There will be speeches from local elected officials, live music, park tours, children’s activities, a book signing, and recognition of the new amenities at the park, including a new mural design.
The first Latina to be elected to the Board, Archuleta served in her position for more than 24 years. In that time, she also served as President of the County Supervisors Association and as Chairwoman of the National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee, where she worked to bolster rural schools and forest health. Archuleta also served as Vice President of the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials and served on the Governor’s Arizona Statewide Water Advisory Council.
She currently serves in the Biden Administration as the Director of the Office of External & Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture. In this capacity, she serves as the department’s liaison to state, county, local, tribal officials and other stakeholders.
While many companies and organizations Step Up for Our Community through their workplace campaigns for UWNA, some take an extra step by becoming Pacesetters; they hold their workplace fundraisers in the month prior to the official annual campaign to help jumpstart it.
One of the most successful at this is Lowell Observatory, where typically 25% to 30% of the 163 employees participate in the Pacesetter campaign each year.
The person responsible for this pre-campaign effort at the observatory is Mattie Harrington. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Jeff Hall; Director of Philanthropy Lisa Actor; and the observatory’s Sole Trustee, W. Lowell Putnam IV, the great-grandnephew of its founder, Percival Lowell.
The Pacesetter fundraising outreach is conducted primarily via email, she said, with her sending out a communication to the staff once a week reminding them of the work UWNA supports in early childhood education, youth development, and crisis response.
The City of Flagstaff will celebrate National Navajo Code Talkers Day with an event on Sunday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the NACET Conference Room (2201 N. Gemini Rd.). Members of the public are welcome to attend. The event will feature a variety of speakers, including a Navajo Code Talker family member, a Pat Tillman scholar and youth advocates. An honor walk/ run hybrid 2K event will also be held at 9 a.m. at Buffalo Park.
Flagstaff community members who would like to volunteer to support residents impacted by Pipeline Fire post-wildfire flooding on the west side of Flagstaff are invited to assist in filling sandbags. Volunteers are encouraged to visit either of the City’s self-fill sandbag stations (locations below) anytime during daylight hours, seven days a week to create sandbags. Empty sandbags and cinder sand are provided at the sites. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, sun protection, shovels, and water for hydration. Completed sandbags can be left at the sites, where they can then be picked up by residents impacted by flooding. Self-formed groups, such as school groups, church groups, or other organizations are especially encouraged to volunteer. Volunteers can learn more about how to properly build sandbags a twww.flagstaff.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/72613/Sanbags-Poster.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Fredonia Moccasin School District #6.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
On Thursday, August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Please note that this standard is flexible depending on conditions in Coconino County. It is possible that we may return to a mask requirement under this guidance if conditions in Coconino County returns to a HIGH community level.
Updates on local community levels for Coconino County will be posted and updated on the main nps.gov/grca webpage under the ‘Alerts’ section. This information will be updated weekly on Thursdays by the CDC.
We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available. For those wishing to post this signage outside of buildings and in workspaces, please see the attached signage.
The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 by releasing captive-bred California Condors at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) to take their first flights in the wild. The event will be held in-person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument for anyone interested in traveling to the area, and it will be live streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel.
The Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation effort is a cooperative program by federal, state, and private partners, including The Peregrine Fund, the Bureau of Land Management in Utah, the Bureau of Land Management’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Kaibab and Dixie National Forests among many other supporting groups and individuals.
COCONINO COUNTY — As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary on Oct. 27, 2022 at the High Country Conference Center, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth continues to connect families and community members with a number of options, including free educational resources, city resource guides, calendars of upcoming family events and a variety of programs offered by our more than 100 individual and nonprofit members.
Family Pops Concert by Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park. This festive outdoor event includes a program of exciting animal-themed music, face-painting, and an instrument “petting zoo” where they can pick up an instrument, learn how to hold it, and even try playing it! 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13.
The Holocaust means something different when you stand in the gas chamber at Auschwitz or the tunnels underneath Langenstein. For 20 Arizona public school teachers, how they teach the Holocaust will be changed forever after spending 17 days in Germany and Poland, learning about the Holocaust where the atrocities happened and how those nations and their people grapple with this difficult history in the present. NAU’s Martin-Springer Institute, with the help of several generous donations, led the once-in-a-lifetime educational journey.
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS), in partnership with state and federal partners, is responding to the recent increase in monkeypox illness in the United States. Although no cases have been identified in Coconino County, 102 monkeypox cases have been reported in Arizona as of August 5, 2022, and more than 7,000 cases have been identified in 49 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC).
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website with a modern design, increased functionality, and innovative features. The website flyflagstaffaz.com provides accessible resources for travelers and the community.
Commonly searched travel information such as flight tracking, parking details, and airline information is prominently featured along with community, pilot, and general aviation resources. Content is strategically located in an intuitive interface with a contemporary, clean layout.
If it hadn’t been for the caring of a gifted teacher, Dr. Nat White might not have gone to graduate school and ended up an astronomer at Lowell Observatory.
He hadn’t been known for good grades during his educational journey, but his astronomy teacher, after watching White fix a telescope and love doing it, got him to be considered for a graduate program, and if he did all right in his coursework, the graduate program would consider him.
“His stepping out of the box to get this waif pointed in a direction that was useful made a difference in my life,” Dr. White said, and the rest has been his history.
Effective this weekend, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures due to diminished water resources and storage on the South Rim. This measure is a reversal from earlier this week when water restrictions were lifted, as park managers have learned that storage tanks on the rim are not refilling at a sustainable rate. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds.
Conservation measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils; alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing; adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning; and serve drinking water at restaurants by request only.
The District Governing Board for Coconino Community College has selected Dr. Christal M. Albrecht to serve as Interim President while the search for a permanent president is underway.
Dr. Albrecht and her husband are in the process of establishing a temporary residence in Flagstaff and will be on campus in the next two weeks. Dr. Albrecht is recently retired after serving seven years as the president of Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas.
“The Board found her experience, educational philosophy and enthusiasm met our exceptionally high expectations set by the legacy of Dr. Colleen Smith,” said Board Chair Dr. Nat White, adding that the selection was made after the Board reviewed the qualifications of four highly experienced candidates suggested by the Association of Community College Trustees, the college’s search consultant.
“I am honored to be selected as the interim president at Coconino Community College,” Dr. Albrecht said. “I can’t wait to get started. Although I will be with the college only a few months, my goals are to exceed the Board’s expectations and to ensure a smooth transition for the next president. Go Comets!”
Coconino County’s jail system is administered and operated through a Jail District (District) by the Coconino County Sheriff, who is delegated by Arizona Revised Statutes as keeper of the jail. The District is currently funded by a half-cent excise tax, which expires in 2027. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors serves as the Jail District Board of Directors.
On the upcoming General Election ballot, the District Board of Directors will ask Coconino County voters to extend the existing Jail District tax for maintaining and operating Coconino County jails for 25 years until 2052.
Native American Heritage Days take place this weekend on North Rim
The 27th Annual North Rim, Native American Heritage Days will take place on the grounds of Grand Canyon Lodge, this Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7.
Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon region. Starting around 9:30 a.m. each day, special programs will be presented by tribal members on a variety of subjects, including, astronomy, cultural connections, and Native American music and dance performances. A variety of cultural artisan demonstrations will also be taking place, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
Some of this year’s demonstrators will include:
Richard Graymountain from Southern Paiute – Basket Weaving
Jessica Lomatewama – Hopi – Katsina Carving and Basket Weaving
Henry Nez Dine (Navajo) – Silversmith Jewelry making
Duane Maktima – Hopi/Laguna Pueblo – Silver Jewelry/metalsmithing
Leann & Tavavee Shearer “Kaivavich” Kaibab Paiute – traditional clothing creation
Lyle Harvey Dine Navajo – Loom Construction/Weaving
A full flyer of all the Heritage Days Demonstrators is available here.
Heritage Days began in 1993 as “Paiute Days” which celebrated the Paiute, the tribe most associated with Grand Canyon’s North Rim. In 1997, the event was expanded to include all 11 of Grand Canyon’s Associated Tribes with cultural ties to the canyon.
The schedule for each day is available on the Park’s website and mobile app, by clicking on the “calendar” button. A full flyer on the event is also available here.
Becoming a homeowner in Flagstaff has never been easy, but this year the barriers have been particularly high, with the median average price of a single-family home well above $700,000 by this summer.
Combine that with hikes in mortgage rates and overall inflation pressures, and it was a triple whammy that dashed the dream of homeownership for many who live and work in northern Arizona.
Public, nonprofit, and private entities are working together to give some relief by producing starter homes through Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona (HFHNA) that are small-scale, affordable, and meant to create equity quickly for homeowners.
The group is currently building the first of these homes in Flagstaff’s South Side, but it is likely the effort will grow exponentially in the next five years under a plan to build at least 40 of the units at the new Timber Sky development on West Route 66.
“The escalation of home prices has closed the window for a huge amount of middle-class people,” said Eric Wolverton, Executive Director of HFHNA. “This isn’t about serving the poorest of the poor. We are looking to create workforce housing.”
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Saturday-Sunday, August 6-7
Flagstaff Chili Festival, Thorpe Park. Come out for two days of chili cook-off competitions, chili tastings, and live music. Sat. 11 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) held its 2022 Annual Conference in Adams County, Colorado at the end of July. The Board of Supervisors advanced policy resolutions, accepted two national awards, moderated and participated in panels with colleagues from around the country, and received NACo presidential appointments to key leadership positions on the NACo Board of Directors and key policy committees.
The City of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Office invites the public to use two new residential food scraps drop-off locations at the Flagstaff Aquaplex (1702 N Fourth St) and Bow and Arrow Park (3701 N Cochise Dr). To use the free drop-off locations, residents can take the City’s brief online survey to receive a bin access code, collect acceptable items at home, and bring them to either location.
Drop-off locations are serviced by contractors who weigh, sort, and transport materials to several small-scale farms in and around northern Arizona. Materials are processed onsite at the farms and incorporated into the soils to support regenerative agriculture, the local food system, and healthy ecosystems.
This year’s Festival theme is “Pyramids to The Peaks,” with world-renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass appearing live to deliver the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote presentation on Friday, Sept. 23, in NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium. The evening also features a local dance performance; an annual tradition celebrating the theme of this year’s Festival with the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy.
Audiences will delight in a journey with legendary Dr. Hawass into the vast and mysterious kingdom of Egypt’s ancient world. Where great pyramids dot the landscape and monuments to the gods tower into the sky, eventgoers will retrace extraordinary discoveries of hidden tombs, immense riches and the life and death of King Tut.
If United Way of Northern Arizona’s annual fundraising campaign is the “big game,” then the Pacesetters host the tailgate party.
Technically, Pacesetters are those organizations and businesses that hold their workplace fundraising efforts on behalf of UWNA in the month prior to the official start of the annual campaign. Collectively, they give the campaign a head start, set the tone, and are pivotal to its ultimate success.
But their importance goes beyond the money they raise. Much like the tailgaters who gather in the parking lot before a game or concert, Pacesetters build up energy for the big event. They are the superfans who get everyone excited about what’s coming up.
We are so grateful to our Pacesetter partners, the businesses and organizations that value the role of UWNA as a convener driving real, measurable results in improving our community. They lead the effort to Step Up for Our Community so together we can expand early childhood education, ensure that our youth are more resilient, and help our friends and neighbors with basic needs in times of crisis.
Our month-long Pacesetter effort starts Monday, August 15, and we are looking for additional businesses and organizations that would like to be part of this endeavor as we launch our annual campaign.
Championing sustainability
Northern Arizona University’s commitment to sustainability largely manifests itself in the work and dedication of its environmental student groups and sustainability staff. Their efforts have lately culminated in the proposed Climate Action Plan, facilitated by Abraham (Avi) Henn, NAU’s manager of sustainability.
The Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) program at Coconino Community College prepares students by teaching them about performing maintenance tasks, locksmithing, OSHA 10, product repair, customer service and safety in the workplace.
The CAMT program helps students refine their apartment maintenance skills and gets them ready for their future career. Not only do the CAMT program instructors teach students from textbooks but also from personal experience and real-life scenarios in the newly renovated shop at the Fourth street campus. They can teach the students wiring, plumbing, construction, and HVAC by reproducing scenarios in the lab.
“The book is great, but it is always great to have that on-hand experience,” said Mark Crawford Roanhorse, a CCC electrical instructor and CCC alum who received his construction management degree in 2008. “It’s nice to see the shop remodeled. Now we have state-of-the-art equipment for students to learn with.”
Grand Canyon National Park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures when water storage on the South Rim reached an acceptable level, Aug. 1.
Water conservation measures are generally prudent in conserving our water resources at any given time, such as watering lawns/plants only as needed, washing cars infrequently; filling the sink with water while washing dishes; reporting drips, leaks, or other water loss to appropriate offices; turning off water while not in immediate use for shaving and teeth brushing; running dishwashers or washing machines with only full loads (and in eco mode if available), and taking shorter showers.
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The fall season is coming soon on August 22nd. There are still spots available in some of our groups so check out our program info and register now.
The Arizona Legislature voted this June to pass universal ESA vouchers. This impacts public education in the state by diverting over $1 billion away from public schools. The Legislature defied the will of 1.5 million Arizona voters who overwhelmingly rejected this dangerous voucher expansion in 2018 through Prop 305.
Arizona voters have one chance to stop this bill from going into effect – a referendum of HB2853 (Universal ESA Voucher Expansion): “Stop Voucher Expansion.” The Arizona Constitution allows voters the right to determine whether a law can go into effect via a referendum.
In order to stop the Voucher Expansion, 118,823 valid signatures must be collected before September 24, 2022. This will put the law on hold until the November 2024 election, when AZ voters will be able to eject these destructive universal ESA vouchers.
Who is eligible to vote: All registered voters.
Deadline to return voted early ballot: August 2, 7:00 pm
Locations to drop off voted early ballots:
Any ballot drop box -https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/51730/Coconino-County-Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations-2022-Primary-Election
Any polling location in the county between 6 am to 7 pm on Election Day
Help put the “County” into the Coconino County Fair!
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hiring for the 2022 Coconino County Fair, taking place at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, AZ on Friday, September 2 through Monday, September 5, 2022.
Each year the Coconino County Fair employs approximately 40 part time (temporary) employees. Positions hired for the fair include: admission cashier/floater, admissions money runner, ice crew, mascot & mascot handler, parking staff, ticket scanners, and more.
Summertime in Phoenix is the opposite of cities like Chicago and New York, where residents cannot wait for the temperatures to climb above freezing to get outside to enjoy their parks and al fresco dining. In Phoenix and the Southwest, we seek refuge from the extreme summer heat and head indoors or to the pool. Tourist season ends soon after spring training and doesn’t pick up again until the fall.
But that does not mean that business grinds to a halt. We continue to strengthen the Arizona–Mexico connection, as you will learn in #ChooseMexico when you read about the Space Project Partnership between the Mexican Space Agency and the University of Arizona (p.3).
Coconino County has been leading the effort to bring high-speed broadband internet with SpaceX’s Starlink to students in grades K-12 on the Navajo Nation.
Coconino County began conversations with SpaceX when District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and Coconino County’s Chief Information Officer Matt Fowler both met with the company in 2019. This resulted in securing accounts for the county to utilize SpaceX beta technology to make internet accessible to rural areas of Northern Arizona. Coconino County successfully became an early customer, purchasing and launching Starlink beta internet in a 45-household trial on May 6, 2021.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the immediate transfer of $5 million from the General Fund’s emergency reserve to the County’s Flood Control District to address the ongoing costs of flood response and mitigation.
In a special session on Tuesday, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the immediate transfer of $5 million from the General Fund’s emergency reserve to the County’s Flood Control District to address the ongoing costs of flood response and mitigation in the Schultz-Pipeline and West Pipeline flood areas.
As we emerge from the pandemic, this is the first time some of our cast has been on stage in quite some time. “It’s exhilarating to be back on stage. Although the pandemic is far from over, it reminds me of how resilient the art community is in Flagstaff,” said Caitlin Burd, who plays Sister Mary Amnesia.
Mark Hanson, who plays Sister Mary Hubert, said, “Performing for me is like church. And with this show, Nunsense, we expect to do the same for you.” Tianna Cox, who plays Sister Mary Leo, said being back on stage is, “good for my soul.”
Susan Chastain, Reverend Mother, has been on our stage for many shows. “Being on stage for this show is so much fun,” she said. “The audience is sure to get lots of laughs.”
Nunsense opened to standing ovations and runs now through August 14.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is proud to announce a request for nominations for the 10th Annual Teacher of the Year, Fifth Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Second Annual Lifetime Achievement Award.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, is proud to announce a request for nominations for the 10th Annual Teacher of the Year, Fifth Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Second Annual Lifetime Achievement Award.
An Open House Memorial Service to remember and honor the life of beloved friend and colleague Dietrich Sauer will be Saturday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Coconino Community College,
2800 S. Lone Tree Road.
Everybody is welcome to attend who knew and appreciated this Duran Duran-loving, Star Trek-obsessed, self-professed nerd of the highest order. He was an amazing, one-of-a-kind person who positively impacted the lives of all who he met. He was a loving husband, devoted son, nurturing son-in-law, caring father and amazing friend. There will be no formal service with speakers, but for those who cannot attend the memorial, the event will be streamed. Details to follow.
The City of Flagstaff has received notification that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide $2.4M in assistance to the City for the Schultz Creek Sediment and Flood Mitigation Detention Basins project through the NRCS’s Emergency Watershed Protection program.
The Schultz Creek Sediment and Flood Mitigation Detention Basins project will mitigate post-wildfire flooding from the Pipeline Fire, which burned over 1,000 acres of the Schultz Creek watershed in June 2022 and resulted in an increased risk of post-wildfire flooding for neighborhoods downstream, including Coyote Springs, Coconino Estates, Downtown and the Southside. The project will detain over 40 acre-feet of water and sediment, thereby reducing life and safety threats as well as the risk of post-wildfire flooding.
We are now accepting applications for the Flagstaff Police Department’s Fall Citizen’s Police Academy Class.
Community level HIGH–masking requirement indoors remains in place
As of Thursday, July 28, Coconino County remains in High Community Level and masking requirements will remain in place at least until Thursday, August 4.
The CDC Community Level tracks a county’s ability to provide health care to COVID patients. In Arizona, 10 counties are in High. Across the United States, 42% of counties are in High, 38% of counties are in Medium, and 20% are in Low. Due to the High Community level, masks are required indoors within all government facilities, vehicles and shuttle busses, as well as commercial facilities operating within the park.
July 29-31 — Hardy Girls The Musical, Museum of Northern Arizona. A musical about women who came to conquer Northern Arizona.Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Williams Unified School District #2.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for Williams Unified School District #2.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
Applications can be downloaded at this address: http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth provides a variety of free online training programs for parents, caregivers and all community members.
Our free Thriving Families webinar is a great starting place for parents, caregivers and community members brand new to the topics such as brain development, adverse childhood experiences, resilience and mindfulness. It is a great jumping off place to go deeper in knowledge and support through the rest of our library of webinars.
With thousands of views across our various topics, we are sure there is something for all community members and professionals. Whether you are seeking the best info for your family, your community or a program you work for, get a taste for our research supported prevention and community work.
A very special thank you to all of our partners who help get this information out to our community!
The Coconino County Recorder’s Office reminds early voters that voted early ballots must be received no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, August 2. The recommended deadline to mail your voted early ballot has passed. Instead, early voters should drop their ballots off in person.
As of Tuesday, July 26, the Recorder’s Office has received 28% of the early ballots issued for the Primary Election.
Voted early ballots may be dropped off in one of the ballot-drop boxes or at any of the Early Voting sites located around the county. For a list of Early Voting Sites or ballot-drop box locations visit the Coconino County Elections website at www.coconino.az.gov/elections
View this email as a webpage. July 27, 2022 ⭐ A flight to the stars ⭐ Oriel Humes got an unforgettable view of Flagstaff recently, with Venus, the crescent moon, Jupiter and Mars gracing the night sky over the city.…
lagstaff’s Mayor Paul Deasy declared a State of Emergency on behalf of the City of Flagstaff due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding in areas impacted by post-Pipeline Fire flooding that started on July 16, 2022.
Over the last several days, the Dragon Fire has been holding at approximately 1,309 acres in size. The 135-personnel assigned fire has had minimal spread due to monsoonal precipitation over the Kaibab Plateau.
Naturally ignited wildland fires play an important role in fire-adapted ecosystems by reducing dead wood accumulations to ash and releasing nutrients that stimulate new plant growth, and helping to regulate insect and disease levels. These fires also create a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases habitat diversity and breaks up continuous fuels on the forest floor (branches, fallen trees, etc.) which can help limit or slow the intensity and spread of large wildfires in the future.
Coconino Community College student Grace Abell works at a preschool in Flagstaff, and her goal is to become an elementary school teacher.
“It’s never really been a question,” Abell said. “It’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do.”
She said she remembers turning 5 years old and bringing her younger sister into the picture.
“Ever since she could sit up, I made her my student,” she said and laughed. “I’ve always had the desire to be a teacher of children.”
Abell is making that goal a reality with the help of scholarships she has received from the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Foundation in collaboration with the Helios Education Foundation. In the last two years, the Chamber/Helios partnership has awarded $13,500 in scholarships to CCC students.
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GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — As of July 22, the Dragon Fire grew to approximately 733 acres and has 47 personnel assigned. The fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is…
The Coconino County Elections Office reminds registered voters that the last day to request an early ballot to be mailed to you for the August 2 Primary Election is Friday, July 22 at 5 pm. Voters may request an early ballot by going to www.coconino.az.gov/elections and select “Early Ballot Request” or they may call the Elections Office at 928-679-7860.
During the week of July 25 through July 29, voters will be able to vote an early ballot in person at one of the early voting locations listed below.
Early voting is available Monday through Friday (unless otherwise noted) at the following locations:
Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. At Level 2, measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils; alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing; adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning; and serve drinking water at restaurants by request only.
In this edition:
Community level HIGH–masking requirement indoors remains in place
Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
Vaccine Clinics in Grand Canyon and Tusayan on August 2
Reporting COVID symptoms is critical to limiting exposure and keeping our staff and community safe
Water conservation begins for South Rim Friday, July 22
Dragon Fire grows to 200 acres on North Rim
Tuweep day use pilot reservation program takes effect Thursday, July 21
Transcanyon Waterline Project Contract Solicitation
Closure of southwest boundary/Rowe Well Road beginning August 2
Desert View Construction update
Tusayan Pueblo Stabilization-2022
More …
Why is there smoke? Dragon Fire on the North Rim
This lightning cause wildfire is being managed for resource benefits including improved wildlife habitat and forest health.
Fire personnel are containing the wildfire in areas where it may pose threats to park resources or visitor safety
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.
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.
Despite a rare condition affecting her joints and muscles, Kim Kolstad was determined to participate in outdoor sports. Through her research, she discovered the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program, a collaboration between NAU’s Institute for Human Development and the Northern Arizona Adaptive Sports Association and one of only six programs in the world that provides its participants with TetraSkis, state-of-the-art adaptive ski equipment featuring a joystick and a breath-controlled system for turning and controlling speed, allowing individuals with complex disabilities to ski independently.
The Dragon Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is approximately 85 acres in size. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is being allowed to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem.
Located 5 miles west of the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge, the Dragon Fire is burning in continuous ponderosa pine forest. Fire managers plan to continue monitoring fire activity while buffering containment lines to the north and east of the fire. All actions are being based on firefighter and public safety as well as current and expected fire weather and environmental conditions.
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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Music can transform thinking and arouse innovation. It can bring people together, heal relationships, spike enthusiasm, and encourage originality. Music can do all these things on a personal level, but it can also do them on a larger scale: it can assist and be a part in the transformation and revitalization process of entire communities.
Such is the case of the town of Winslow, in the state of Arizona, United States, with a population of about 10,000 people according to the 2010 census. This town became ruthlessly impacted in 1979 when construction of Interstate 40 cut it off, making unnecessary the use of U.S. Route 66 -and Winslow’s downtown- to travel East or West. Homes and establishments were deserted, and Winslow became a city lacking opportunities and safety for those who stayed behind.
The City of Flagstaff is partnering with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) to power city operations with 100% carbon-free electricity. The City is the first enrolled participant in APS’s newly launched Green Power Partners (GPP) program, which helps APS business customers accelerate their own sustainability goals and make a positive impact on the environment through renewable energy options. As a participant of GPP, the City of Flagstaff will make important progress to become carbon neutral and be ahead of schedule to meet its 2025 goal to use 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations.
“Our new partnership with APS is a testament to the City’s commitment to climate action and APS’s commitment to clean energy. We’re very excited that in securing 100% clean electricity for municipal operations, this partnership will allow Flagstaff to achieve one of the major milestones in our Carbon Neutrality Plan two years ahead of schedule,” says Mayor Paul Deasy.
What Sedona Means to ME
– APPLICATION Deadline: July 29, 2022
Millions of people from all over the world visit Sedona annually. Each one comes away with their own unique impression of our region. Now is your chance to interpret what Sedona means to you through your art.. be it good, bad, ugly or amazing (we hope so) – let your art illuminate your feelings for this special place!
Exhibit Dates/Location:
September 2-22, 2022 in the Special Exhibitions Gallery at Sedona Arts Center.
Each artist can submit up to three (3) images of their artwork in JPEG format with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. Images should include the title of the piece in the file name. In addition, please list the title, dimensions, medium and price of your pieces on the Entry Form.
You must include a 75 to 250 word description of your submitted art and how your piece expresses what Sedona means to you.
Emerging and professional artists 18 years and older can apply.
The Arizona Supreme Court has announced a vacancy for a public member representing Coconino County on the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review. Coconino County invites all interested applicants to review the requirements and submit an application before the July 29 deadline.
The Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review meets four to six times a year in Phoenix. Members are volunteers and are reimbursed for travel expenses. Service on this Commission involves active participation with a commitment to attend most, if not all, of the meetings.
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.
Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government in the 2022 NACo Digital Counties Survey
Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government in the 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government.
The City of Flagstaff is revising the public input process for the Greater Observatory Mesa Draft Trail Plan. As part of the revised process, City staff will schedule additional meetings with adjacent neighborhoods and stakeholders to allow for in-depth discussions on initial feedback. The current survey on the Flagstaff Community Forum site will be closed and previously announced public meetings will be rescheduled to a later date. An updated version of the draft plan will then be shared with the public for review and feedback.
Explore Summer art classes and youth camps at CCC. Check out what’s going on in Community Education at CCC! Summer Art Series Kitchen Watercolor August 1 – 4, 2:30 – 5:00pm M – Th Learn…
In less than two months this spring, three major wildfires dominated our news as they charred land, displaced residents, and destroyed structures in their path.
One of the few silver linings during those eight weeks was how well individuals, nonprofit organizations and local governments came together to deal with the crises.
“What I find in Coconino County is that everyone works together like a family,” said Joel Bunis, who joined Coconino County Health and Human Services in January as its Outbreak Response Division Manager. “It’s all about connecting people with what they need.”
We are currently seeking a Disaster Services Supervisor (Flagstaff, AZ) to work in our Flagstaff, AZ chapter. This position will work 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, and some weekends and evenings will be required during times of business need. Travel will also be involved up to 35% of the time.
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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Grand Canyon National Park’s water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.
On the morning of July 13, 2022, for more than 4 hours, we did not meet one or our treatment requirements to provide sufficient levels of disinfectant due to a waterline break near Ribbon Falls on the North Kaibab Trail. The break triggered loss of the chlorination and pressure for pumping in sections of the waterline, impacting the following areas: Manzanita, Cottonwood, Phantom Ranch, and the North Rim.
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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.
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.
Park staff and contractors have successfully repaired the electrical system that supports water delivery from the Roaring Springs Pumphouse to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Water restrictions have been removed and the park has resumed basic water conservation measures.
An electrical failure north of Roaring Springs was identified on June 26, resulting in limited water services and water conservation measures.
Grand Canyon National Park always operates under water conservation measures, encouraging all residents, visitors, and businesses to mindfully use water and adopt basic water conservation practices.
On July 1, 2022, juvenile smallmouth bass were found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. Smallmouth bass are a predatory non-native fish that have adversely impacted native and federally protected fish in the upper basin of the Colorado River over the last 20 years. The National Park Service (NPS) is working closely with partners and stakeholders to coordinate rapid response actions to address this finding in accordance with previously approved management plans.
Early voting for the August 2, 2022 Primary Election started Wednesday, July 6. The Coconino County Recorder’s office mailed out over 47,000 early ballots to voters on the active early voting list (AEVL) and those who have requested a single election early ballot for the Primary Election.
“Early voters decide how they want to return their voted early ballot: by mail; by dropping it off in a ballot drop box or at an early voting location; or dropping it off at any polling location in the county on Election Day. There has been a lot of misinformation about fraud associated with early voting. This is just not true,” states Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen. “We have numerous safeguards and procedures in place that would catch anyone trying to cast fraudulent early ballots.”
It’s been a packed couple of months and there’s a lot of information in this newsletter. This newsletter contains important updates and multiple opportunities for community input into important city projects. I encourage you to take time to read it!
In This Issue:
F3 Mayoral Candidate Forum Recording Available
Pipeline Fire Flooding Updates
City Bonds on November Ballot
Update: JW Powell Blvd Extension
Update: Pilot Bike Lanes Program, Beaver and Butler Avenues
Lone Tree Overpass Design Public Meetings in July
Apply for Flagstaff’s Climate Equity Advisory Committee
Community Input Sought
Featured Nonprofit: Townsite Community Land Trust
Coconino County’s Flood Control District, in partnership with the United Way of Northern Arizona, are once again making an urgent request for volunteers to help fill and place sandbags to mitigate the serious threat of post-wildfire flooding threatening homes in the Timberline, Wupatki Trails, Fernwood and Doney Park areas.
Beginning Saturday July 9, and operating daily through at least July 17, the United Way will be organizing volunteer events in an ongoing effort to meet the anticipated need of 800,000 sandbags as soon as possible.
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
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.
The various philosophies behind more efficient manufacturing methods have gone by many names over the years – the Toyota Production System or “The Toyota Way,” just-in-time production, and more recently, lean manufacturing.
All have similar principals – that by applying certain tools, manufacturers can implement a systematic approach to reduce “waste,” which is defined as non-value-added activities.
In fact, lean manufacturing identifies eight potential areas of waste that can be reduced in ways that will not only streamline production, but also improve working conditions.
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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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.
