LumberSNAPS: Pets of NAU
Question: Who is a Lumberjack’s best friend? Answer: Shaun, Binx, Rupert, Winston, Volt, Banjo, Nucky, Hazel, Missy, Huckleberry and Worm, to name a few. In America, 70 percent of households own at least one pet. Or do they own us? 🤔 In honor of National Love Your Pet Day on Sunday, The NAU Review collected photos of the Lumberjack community’s furry (and slimy!) companions.
Each year, the Board of Supervisors elects a Chair and Vice Chair. The Board unanimously agreed at the February 8 meeting to elect Supervisor Patrice Horstman, District 1, as Chair of the Board, and Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, District 2, as Vice Chair.
Horstman joined the Board of Supervisors in January 2021, following her election in November 2020. …
Vasquez joined the Board of Supervisors in February 2021 following the resignation of former Supervisor Liz Archuleta, who resigned to serve in the Biden Administration.
Alfredo Villa wanted to be a part of his community and to make a difference in people’s lives.
So, he went to Coconino Community College and took Fire Science courses. He landed a job with the Highlands Fire District as a firefighter. He received his Emergency Medical Technician certificate in 2009.
And now, Villa is in the 2021-22 cohort of Paramedic Studies.
“I think it’s a dynamic profession,” Villa said. “There’s constantly something to learn. There’s a lot of teamwork involved, and every day is a little bit different, and every patient is a little bit different. For the creative types and for people who like helping people, it’s a great place to go to work. You have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s days when they need it the most.”
By Ruth Eaton
Congratulations! Felicidades! Happy Supervisor Day! — Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino County Board of Supervisor
Today the community District 2 and Supervisor Jeronimo celebrated the February 12th one year anniversary at Ponderosa Park.
It was only one year ago February 12, 2021 that this outstanding Hispanic Leader came on Board the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
We, the Hispanic community want to congratulate him for a year of great achievements.
OSHA 10, CPR and First-Aid certifications. Skills in the trades that are useful for building maintenance. Customer service, and, of course, hotel and restaurant management certifications.
Over the course of two days last week, Williams residents voiced their workforce training needs to Continuing Education and Workforce Training leaders at Coconino Community College as part of a partnership with the City of Williams. The events, “Connect & Ignite,” were meant to give CCC information on creating and offering future training opportunities for the city’s workforce, particularly in the hospitality and service industries.
The City of Flagstaff Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division is partnering with Southwest Decision Resources and Wheat Design Group to collaborate with Flagstaff community members on the future of the 8.5-acre Thorpe Park Annex parcel. Public feedback is essential in crafting a well-rounded concept design for the future of this parcel.
To kick-off the community involvement process, information sessions, including online feedback opportunities, are scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. – both sessions are open to all members of the public and will hosted virtually through Zoom.
Unveiling the secret lives of ticks, Dr. Joe Busch leads us through fascinating research in population genetics. Joe, a Senior Research Scientist at the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) at Northern Arizona University, studies Cattle Fever ticks. These ticks pose a major threat to food security in the United States, and Joe uses DNA fingerprinting markers to track tick movements and look for the spread of certain genetic groups.
Changes in testing at the Grand Canyon Clinic
The Clinic has modified their COVID-19 testing procedures and now will be offering curbside appointments Mondays and Fridays from 2-3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Patients will now need to be seen by a provider for these appointments. Insurance is accepted, and no one will be turned away if they don’t have insurance and can’t afford testing. Individuals will will be billed for a provider visit. It is also important to remember that North Country has a sliding fee scale for the uninsured.
Patients are encouraged to call ahead and get on the curbside appointment list as soon as possible. Patients can also walk in and see a provider at any other time to be evaluated for COVID.
Don’t miss these closing events!
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
Sponsored by: AZ Commission on the Arts, AZ Community Foundation, AZ Humanities Council, Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Resort, Carol Meiner, City of Glendale, City of Goodyear, The Links, Inc. Phoenix Chapter, ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy
What happens when an invasive insect starts killing Flagstaff’s fall staple and, more importantly, how can we stop it? These are questions a team of School of Forestry professors and graduate students are asking alongside the U.S. Forest Service as a plague of sap-sucking insects threatens northern Arizona’s aspens.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, announced (Feb. 15) kindergarten through 12th grade students and families impacted by COVID-19 can now request wraparound support services, such as groceries, lodging, and laundry.
The board of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has approved a series of Legislative Priorities for 2022
The policies cover education, family heath care, foster care, juvenile justice, kinship care.
CCC&Y is a non-partisan organization who supports educated, engaged and participatory communities.
During the Feb. 15 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council decided that council meetings will return to a hybrid format beginning Feb 22. Members of the public can participate either in person at City Hall or virtually using the options below.
Members of the public can stream Council meetings at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.
All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, dispatch, patrol, and detention will be open. Records will be open on Monday, February 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with limited staffing. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-1414 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch.
City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 22 with hours of 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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.)
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking an applicant for a vacant seat on the Grand Canyon Unified School District #4 Governing Board.
Applicants must reside in the school district and be registered to vote in Arizona. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
Last week, NAU announced an admissions pilot program that will broaden access for higher education in Arizona. By aligning with current high school course offerings, this program will eliminate barriers that undermine the college-going aspirations of highly talented, diverse students throughout the state, giving them a clear pathway to attainment and supporting the state’s prosperity.
The Arizona Daily Sun and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce have partnered to recognize local business and professional leaders who have achieved success and excelled in their field before the age of 40.
We are now accepting nominations for the 20 Under 40 Class of 2022! We’re looking for people who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing their careers or growth of their business as well as the growth and development of our community.
The Flagstaff Fire Department invites members of the media to attend a Command and General Staff training on the afternoon of Thursday, February 17. This training will include a simulated incident and will prepare participants to function effectively as members of the Command and General Staff on a Type 2 Incident Management Team.
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) (on Feb. 14) announced $40 million to provide up to 500 transitional homes for Arizonans in rural communities who are experiencing homelessness.
“Today’s targeted, one-time investment will help Arizonans who’ve fallen on hard times get back on their feet,” said Governor Ducey. “Additional transitional housing in rural communities will help struggling families and individuals get access to safe housing in their own community as they transition to a permanent, reliable home. My thanks go to the team at the Department of Housing and Director Tom Simplot for their work to support fellow Arizonans and ensure they have access to resources that put them on the path to success.
In 2021, Latino Outdoors leaders from around the United States gathered along California’s north coast for our annual leadership campout following a year of physical distance. Bajos Los Redwoods provides insight into our experience in community and connection.
She is dedicated to schoolwork and family.
Coconino Community College student Shayla Haskan, who hails from the Navajo Nation, is currently taking classes at the Page campus. After volunteering with EMS services on the Navajo Nation, she decided to get her EMT certificate to help on her Emergency Medical Services career path, with the end goal of becoming a flight paramedic.
Shayla drives a total of two and a half hours to attend class and another two and a half hours home after the course is over. “Driving the ambulance from 12 pm to midnight prepared me for driving late at night,” she said.
Housing staff would like to thank you for your feedback and involvement in helping create the final 10-Year Housing Plan. The Plan was approved by the Housing Commission on January 27, and it will go to Flagstaff City Council for consideration of adoption on February 15 (next week!). This is a celebration for affordable housing and the momentum for housing local residents is strong. I have attached the final Plan for you to share.
Here is the webpage with more detail about the Plan, extensive public engagement, and public comments.
The Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC) to present Black History Month Essay and Art Contest for all students.
See upcoming Black History Month events through Feb. 11 here
See upcoming Black History Month events through Feb. 28 here
ADAC partners with Goodnight Flagstaff and readers from the LBE CommUnity Project to offer special Saturday storytime readings with folk and fairy tales from the African Diaspora. Click here
The Cardiovascular Regulation Lab at Northern Arizona University is conducting a study through the National Institutes of Health to examine cardiovascular health and glucose regulation (diabetes) and the racial effects on these.
Inclusion criteria:
Hispanic
Generally healthy
Between 18-45 years old
Non-smoking or tobacco using
Not overweight (<30BMI)
Normal to slightly elevated blood pressure
COVID-19 Negative
Participants will be paid $150 for taking part in the study.
he Coconino County Health and Human Service’s mobile vaccine team will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses on Friday, February 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Williams Senior Center.
She’s a student who enjoys learning.
Coconino Community College student Anna Brown, has decided to continue her education and get her Associate of Arts degree here at CCC. After she gets her degree, she plans to transfer to a four-year college, where she will major in Psychology and minor in Spanish.
“I hope to be a therapist,” Brown said during the interview at the Lone Tree Campus. “Specifically focusing on eating disorders and treatment.”
The first of her family to pursue a college degree, Brown decided to come back to school after taking a couple of years off. She is taking her general education courses to complete her degree, along with some psychology electives.
There is so much your donation supports when you Step Up and donate to United Way of Northern Arizona.
Like QCKids, the program featured in the video above. Families who have children with disabilities often have difficulty finding care that will prepare their children for kindergarten. The problem is compounded for low-income families, many of whom have difficulty finding affordable, quality child care at all.
QCKids provides a program for children from infancy to 6 years with a focus on identifying and addressing cognitive, physical, social, intellectual and emotional disabilities in order to support learning at a young age to help them better prepare for their future.
If your life were to suddenly come to an end, how would you feel looking back? Ira Allen, an associate professor of rhetoric in NAU’s Department of English, was faced with this daunting question when he found himself lying in the snow, paralyzed and in excruciating pain, unsure he would survive. That snowboarding accident at Snowbowl should have killed him, but life had other plans. Through his recovery—which included a reconstructive spinal surgery, neurorehab and relearning how to walk—he not only learned how to live with a disability and appreciate the small victories but also how to be a more compassionate professor and human being.
A survey of City and County residents revealed strong support for climate action with 94% acknowledging that climate change is happening and 74% agreeing it needs to be addressed. Greater Flagstaff MetroPlan conducted the random sample survey in November 2021 as part of Stride Forward a regional transportation planning effort with an October 2022 completion date. 412 City residents and 262 County residents in areas like Ft. Valley, Doney Park and Kachina Village participated.
4 February 2022
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Winter Snow Play
Highway 180 Health and Safety
American Rescue Plan Allocations
COVID-19 Omicron Variant
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing
Museum Flood Area Warning System
Renewable Energy Ordinance Virtual Open House
Upcoming NACo Legislative Conference
Introducing Chris Newell, District Director
Contact Us
The Arizona State Parks Board has selected Coconino Parks and Recreation as a recipient of a 2022 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Grant, in the amount of $923,306 for the Fort Tuthill Improvement Project.
This project will provide greater outdoor recreation opportunities to park visitors by improving two parking lot surfaces at Fort Tuthill County Park, installing a new sewer line from the campground, and improving a walkway to the outdoor amphitheater.
“With Fort Tuthill County Park seeing increased visitor use throughout the year, the park’s infrastructure is being tasked like never before. We are thankful for the Arizona State Parks ARPA Grant award because important infrastructure like parking lots and a campground sewer line connection will allow visitors to benefit from these improvements now and in years to come,” said Cynthia Nemeth, Parks and Recreation Director.
For more information on this, please visit American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Grant.
So, I know this girl. She is twelve years old. She lives in a loving home. She made friends with neighborhood kids. Kids who had lived through much turbulence and instability on their road to adolescence. One day, this girl decided not to go to school and instead spent her day at the mall without the intent of returning home that night. When three in the afternoon rolls around, this girl is not home. Her mom starts wondering where she is. Mom calls the girl’s phone- no answer. She called the bus barn to see if her child was on the bus, but the driver had left for the day. So, mom waits. After a short period, mom starts calling around friends’ houses. No one had seen or heard from the girl.
By 6 p.m., mom calls the police to share her daughter is missing.
How NAU is reducing health inequities among Indigenous populations
One of the most effective ways to address health disparities among Indigenous people is by ensuring the health care providers serving a community are offering culturally informed services and programs. For a long time, however, that need was ignored. A few years ago, after being regularly confronted with this deficit, professors in the Center for Health Equity Research created a track in the master’s of public health program that focused on Indigenous health.
Creative Flagstaff’s flagship grant program is now open for applications. This grant program supports nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups who have missions dedicated to producing, presenting, teaching, or serving the arts; cultural equity, preservation, or awareness; and/or presenting science programming to the public. Last year, $305,000 was awarded to 31 Flagstaff nonprofits.
Native Americans are one of the least represented populations in the field of computer science. Moreover, Native American participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM fields) at the college level continues to be severely limited, resulting in a fraction of Native Americans earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM and computer science. Education researchers have found that a lack of rigorous preparation in mathematics and computational thinking, beginning as early as elementary and middle school, are major factors in this underrepresentation.
Assistant professor Morgan Vigil-Hayes of NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems was awarded $275,944 by the National Science Foundation for a two-year project entitled “Towards Culturally Responsive and Computationally Rich Problem Based Learning for K-5 Students.” The project’s goal is to develop solutions to this problem, beginning right here in the Flagstaff community.
View this email in your browser February 7th, 2022 Come connect with your community Featured Resource Adult & All-Ages Events Youth Events Book Clubs To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library) or…
She wants to help people when they need it most.
Coconino Community College student Edmonia Martinez, who works as the down lake supervisor for interpretation at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is currently taking classes at the CCC Page Center to help her achieve her goal of getting her Emergency Medical Technician certification.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Martinez said during her interview at the Page Center. “It’s just good to have those skills in case we run into people that are in trouble.”
We hosted another show on Finances (in Spanish) on our AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection FB page. We should be launching AZ Vote 2022 series soon. Stay tuned.
On (Feb. 1), the Coconino County Board of Supervisors proclaimed February 2022 as Black History Month.
In celebration of Black History Month, the African Diaspora Advisory Council is now accepting entries for their Black History Month Essay and Art Contest. The contest is open to all students in Coconino County. Submissions will center around the theme of Black Health and Wellness and must be received by February 20, 2022. For more information on the essay contest, visit http://ow.ly/joQa50HLRCz.
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) (on Jan. 31) launched an advertising campaign to spread the word that financial help is available to struggling Arizona homeowners through the state’s Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The print, radio, digital, and social media ads, in English and Spanish, will concentrate in rural Arizona and encourage homeowners facing foreclosure to apply for assistance.
“The HAF is open to eligible homeowners statewide and the word has spread in many urban areas about the program,” ADOH Director Tom Simplot said. “This ad campaign aims to reach those rural communities where there may be low-income homeowners in need and there are limited other resources available to keep them in their homes.”
The ambitious plans of Northern Arizona Healthcare to build a new hospital and a ‘Health and Wellness Village’ on land just north of Fort Tuthill County Park is a bold vision that goes well beyond the traditional healthcare model.
For those not familiar with the expansion proposal, which was the subject of two virtual public neighborhood meetings last month, it would begin with the construction of a new hospital to replace the current Flagstaff Medical Center. Subsequent phases on the 180-acre parcel would include almost 200 units of housing, mixed used retail (with an emphasis on health-focused retailers and restaurants), and ultimately a medical research and development zone.
NAH is currently working with the City of Flagstaff to refine the plan in advance of NAH applying for a rezoning of the property.
The West sees destructive wildfires every year—yet it hadn’t seen anything like California’s Camp Fire. Three months after the most destructive wildfire in recent history, wildfire sociologist Catrin Edgeley went to the devastated town of Paradise to learn how residents and town leaders were recovering. What she found was that, even with the frequency of fires, many cities and towns found themselves navigating unfamiliar territory as they attempted to rebuild. In her research, Edgeley didn’t just want to know how people and towns recovered; she wanted to know how lessons learned in one disaster could be individualized and applied to other fires—lessons that are increasingly important in Arizona as climate change leads to longer, more severe fire seasons.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for two vacant seats on the Maine Consolidated School District #10 Governing Board.
Applicants must reside in the school district and be registered to vote in Arizona. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
Interested applicants can download an application online and email to cmango-paget@coconino.az.gov or fax to (928) 526-1469. All applications must have a live signature and be mailed to 2384 N. Steves Boulevard, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 by March 2, 2022.
Many supporters of United Way of Northern Arizona and its mission first learned about UWNA through a workplace campaign. After hearing about the work UWNA does, they chose to make a donation, often through an automatic payroll deduction.
We are grateful many choose to continue their support after they retire from the workforce.
People like Susanna Maxwell and Barry Lutz, a couple who began giving to UWNA more than three decades ago through workplace campaigns at Northern Arizona University. Although they both retired in 2010, that hasn’t slowed down their support.
From the beginning to the experienced student, this one-day class in oil or acrylic will guide and teach students how to approach the painting process with confidence, while exploring the basics of value-pattern, composition and color. Students may work from life and/or photos. Instructor demonstrations and lots of individual attention provided.
We have received several questions on how park managers make decisions and plans associated with the pandemic. We have been sharing information weekly since early in the pandemic and we have also decided to rebroadcast some of these plans on a regular basis to ensure employees and community members stay informed.
Superintendent Ed Keable established an Adaptive Management Park Operations (AMPO) Team in May 2020; this team replaced the Incident Management Team that acting Superintendent Mary Risser established at the beginning of the pandemic. Between them, these two teams have met weekly for the entire pandemic. This team now includes members of multiple divisions across the park to ensure that a wide range of disciplines are included in the discussions.
An unforgettable night of music at the Grand Ol’Opry of Flagstaff… The Museum Club. 8 p.m.
NAU is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Black history this month. These are opportunities for all of the NAU community to learn about diverse cultural traditions and honor and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to society while raising awareness of their struggles of the past and present.
Read the story
The Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC) is now accepting entries for the Black History Month Essay and Art Contest.
The contest is open to all students in Coconino County. Submissions will center around the theme of Black Health and Wellness and must be received by February 20, 2022.
“This is our tenth year holding the essay contest, and our first adding the art contest. It’s a joy to see how our young people will engage with the theme. The theme this year is ‘Black Health and Wellness,’ so we are inviting students the option to engage through recognition and celebration of that theme and Black healthcare heroes and heroines. We greatly look forward to seeing what the students of Coconino County have to say in words and art,” said Khara House Chair of ADAC.
Thirty years ago, Coconino Community College was born.
The birth was a two-step process: First, voters had to decide if they wanted to form a community college district; second, they had to decide to fund the district with property taxes.
Both measures passed, and CCC was born to serve the residents of Coconino County.
However, that is not the end of the story – only the beginning. A challenge came about with the formation of the college that has grown as the college has grown over time. The percentage of property taxes to help run the college is, by far, the lowest offered to any community college district in the state of Arizona. Initially, the college was able to overcome that challenge with the assistance of state funding and fees from tuition. In the last 30 years, the state funding has diminished considerably. Members of the governing board and the college communities have met the challenge of that initial underfunding with incredible efforts to do “more with less.”
Before she left office, state Sen. Sylvia Allen, after seeing the amazing stories of success being experienced by CCC students, decided to take forward an amendment to state law in 2018 that would allow community colleges to ask the voters to decide if they would support an increase to their primary property tax rate in order to bring the college somewhat closer to parity with other community colleges in the state. The governing board has decided now is the time to ask (see related story).
In a special election on May 17, voters will consider an increase to their primary property tax rate. If the voters approve, the tax rate will still be below all the other community colleges; however, it will provide an opportunity to meet many of the demands for career and technical programs and short-term training requested by business and industry throughout Coconino County.
Onward! Náás! Adelante!
Colleen Smith, PhD
Due to impending weather, we cancelled Celebrate Sedona originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 2. BUT we have a new date – Wednesday, February 9 – same time (4-6PM) in our parking lot.
This Celebrate Sedona was programmed to coincide with Vision & Sound: An African American Experience which opened on January 28 and will run until February 25 here in Sedona. An Additional exhibit will run until April 4 in Goodyear.
Vision & Sound is unique in a number of ways. First, we are partnering with the City of Goodyear and the City of Glendale – both of whom will be hosting events and exhibits throughout the month. Second, Sedona Arts Center is holding several artist talks and demonstrations here that celebrate black artists and culture. And finally, the work in both exhibits – here and in Goodyear – all tell a story. It is not art for art’s sake but art that provokes, celebrates and inspires the viewer to think more deeply about the history of our country, its cultures and its people.
Beginning Feb. 8, 2022, the first phase of short-term repairs and upgrades to the Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will begin. Work is anticipated to be completed by December 2022 and includes two phases of hauling equipment via helicopters. The first phase is anticipated to go through March, and the second phase is expected to resume in September.
Inner canyon trail users in the vicinity of Phantom Ranch may experience temporary delays of up to 15 minutes, and noise and dust from equipment and helicopters. The contractor, GSE/Coventina Water, LLC, will have limited use of a heavy-lift helicopter (Chinook) to haul supplies and equipment. Visitors should follow directions from National Park Service (NPS) staff and construction crew workers as needed in the work zones to maintain safety.
Grand Canyon National Park, located in northern Arizona, encompasses 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. One of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, Grand Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
In December, Coconino County Supervisor for District 2, Jeronimo Vasquez, shared his story with us about how connections to the outdoors can empower our communities and instill a legacy of stewardship. He writes: “The time I spent outdoors left a profound impact on me, instilling a legacy of stewardship that I hope to pass on to my children, and to my community.”
To read this blog post, click here.
Alfonso Ortiz Tirado was an opera singer and medical doctor born in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico in 1893. His obvious musical talent surfaced early in his life but nevertheless he decided to study medicine. It is in this capacity as a doctor that he is remembered by his many charitable contributions to the Mexican people, especially children. He also had a successful international career as an opera singer, earning the designation of “Tenor of the Americas”.
After a one-year hiatus required by Covid 19, the 37th Annual Music Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado happened this year in his birthplace of Alamos to pay homage to its illustrious son. The festival sponsored renowned local, national, and international musicians in numerous styles such as opera, classical music, popular music, and rhythm and blues, and also presented an important way for emerging performers to develop networks and foster their reputation.
Joe Shannon, PhD, a long-time member of F3 and the Flagstaff community, passed away peacefully at home on January 18 after a long illness. He was 64. Joe was a river ecologist, and an accomplished outdoorsman and athlete. For many years he was the Chair of the local Chapter of the Sierra Club. He was a strong supporter of F3 and frequently spoke before the Flagstaff City Council in favor of policies that would make Flagstaff a more environmentally sustainable community.
LO Portland hiked the Tamanawas Falls on January 2, 2022 to ring in the new year. While hiking the falls, located within Mount Hood National Forest, the group stopped and snapped this picture.
LO Leader Kassy Delgado reflected on the hike afterwards “Enjoying conchas, tamales, and dulces while admiring a wintery waterfall, what a wonderful way of welcoming 2022!”
Conchas y Cascadas for the new year? Que maravillosa!
I trust you and yours are doing well! …as well as can be, given the circumstances.
This is our first update of the year. We, as I’m sure many of you, are working on our plans to deliver services and products that benefit our communities, in my particular case, Hispanic/Latinos.
In 2022 we will continue with our radio/FB live shows on Salud, Dinero y Amistad, a show where we address Social Security, Medicare, healthcare in general, finances, fraud and scams, retirement preparation and other current issues. We have done 4 shows so far (all with Finances as the underlying concept); as you know, the videos can be accessed on our FB page at www.facebook.com/aarparizonahispanicconnection.
The Arizona State Parks Board has selected Coconino Parks and Recreation as a recipient of a 2022 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Grant, in the amount of $923,306 for the Fort Tuthill Improvement Project.
The Fort Tuthill Improvement Project will provide greater outdoor recreation opportunities to park visitors by improving two parking lot surfaces at Fort Tuthill County Park. The park has seen an increase in winter recreation use, which requires parking lots to be plowed continuously during the winter to ensure visitor access and safety, which deteriorates the life of the parking lot surface. Prior to resurfacing the south parking lot, a new sewer line will be installed, to aid in future campground improvements. More than 15,000 campers each year are served by a septic system and leach field. Moving the campground sewer connection is the preferred option in the future. A walkway to the popular outdoor amphitheater will also be improved.
New changes are coming Jan. 28 to the Flagstaff Mall COVID-19 vaccination site.
Adults 18+ and Children 5-17: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. -5 p.m.
Please note a change in ages beginning on Friday’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Flagstaff Mall. Both adults and children may be vaccinated beginning at 11 am. If you have a vaccine card please bring it with you.
No appointment is needed. A guardian must accompany a child receiving the vaccine. Masks are required at the vaccine site. Pfizer Booster doses are available for all eligible individuals 12 years and older. Moderna and J&J Booster doses are available for 18+.
We’ve gotten new guidance this week from the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce pertaining to vaccinations for federal employees. This information is the result of legal challenges related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The new guidance instructs us to take no action to enforce or implement the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. All the other guidance on protocols related to masking, distancing, travel, testing, and quarantine—remains in effect.
Did you ever wonder who makes up the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce? This group is led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Task Force members include: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the United States Secret Service (USSS). For more information, visit: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/.
The people of Greater Flagstaff are ready to find solutions to our biggest problems. That’s why MetroPlan is bringing communities together to build our region’s long-term transportation plan, Stride Forward. This plan will direct regional transportation investments for the next 20 years.
MetroPlan is the Flagstaff region’s transportation planning agency. It is made up of public agency partners from across the Flagstaff region and working alongside residents to create the finest transportation system in the country.
Transportation is central to the daily lives of Flagstaff area residents and visitors. Planning (and lots of it) keeps the bus system moving, builds the roads, and clears the trails. The region is growing fast, and planning will help get it right. Stride Forward is a journey into transportation planning, and every resident is called to be a part of it.
Is kindergarten too young for students to get excited about STEM? No way, says assistant professor Morgan Vigil-Hayes, who is partnering with FUSD to develop a curriculum to get K-5 Native American students doing fun learning activities that focus on math and computational thinking.
During the Jan 25 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council heard an update on the Lone Tree Overpass project and future intersection improvements for Butler Avenue and Lone Tree Road. The Council gave direction to investigate refinement of an intersection design that has five lanes on each leg and protective elements for bicycle and pedestrian travel, in accordance with the City’s draft Active Transportation Master Plan. The Council also directed staff to analyze the feasibility of a north/ south oriented bridge over Butler Avenue for bicyclists and pedestrians. This intersection size and design highlights the effort to balance pedestrian and bicycle safety and the City’s climate action goals with the goal to efficiently move vehicular travel.
Need help in the new year?
CCC&Y has created “Mindful Moments” for staff, schools and community.
Schedule a facilitated mindful moment before staff meetings, class time, family events or any gathering.
Despite a global pandemic, he and his staff were instrumental in getting Coconino Community College’s Automotive Technician program running.
That’s why Robby Findlay, director of operations for the Findlay Automotive Group, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award at CCC.
“What an unbelievable honor,” he said. “I know how much the college has done for the community, and it’s such an honor CCC is commending me and our auto group.”
During the Jan 25 Flagstaff City Council meeting, the Council decided that council meetings will remain fully virtual for the time being due to high numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community. The City Council will continue to reevaluate the format of council meetings during regularly scheduled COVID-19 updates at future council meetings.
Members of the public can stream Council meetings at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings.
Vision & Sound creates an educational experience and environment that broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art, music, film, and literary works for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. We strive to build supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond – recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
She’s focused on work, school, and family.
Coconino Community College student Nizhoni Nez lives in Page with her family while she works at CCC and takes courses to accomplish her plan of getting her Political Science degree.
“My plans with that degree are to get into the NAU pre-law program and hopefully work towards a degree in law,” Nez said during the interview at the CCC Page Center. “It’s something I’ve always talked about with my father.”
She was worried about coming back to school after a leap year, she said, but due to hard work and the great communication she has with her teachers, she is doing great in her classes.
NAU is offering a new study abroad program starting this summer—one that will take students out of the classroom and challenge them to interact with the world in new ways. South America NAU will allow students of all majors to do community outreach, interact with different cultures and do hands-on work in climate change, sustainable tourism, anthropology and other big questions of our day.
Students—interested in studying abroad? Find the program that meets your personal, educational and financial needs at Education Abroad.
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This Tuesday (Jan. 24), City Council will be selecting a design alternative for the intersection of Butler Ave. and Lone Tree in association with the planned Lone Tree Overpass road extension.
We need you to comment at the virtual City Council meeting on Jan. 25th.
The design alternatives for the intersection of Butler and Lone Tree prioritize vehicles over other modes of transportation such as walking and biking. The intersection designs are overbuilt, provide inadequate protection for bicyclists and pedestrians, and are in conflict with the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.
The 2022 Coconino County Spelling Bee, hosted by the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools and Education Service Agency, will take place on Saturday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mini Auditorium at Coconino High School, 2801 N. Izabel St, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004.
To promote safety, the following practices will be observed throughout the duration of the Spelling Bee:
-Only two (2) guests per participant will be admitted.
-All participants and guests will need to maintain a social distance of six (6) feet. Seating will be spaced accordingly.
Assistant professor Cristina Thomas of Northern Arizona University has been named an Emerging Scholar by the leading education magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education in its Jan. 20 issue. The publication annually recognizes an interdisciplinary group of early-career minority scholars who represent the best of U.S. academia.
“An accomplished planetary astronomer, Latina scientist and mentor, Dr. Thomas serves as a shining role model for our community. She is blazing the trail for our diverse student population to embrace research and explore the boundless universe,” said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera.
President Cruz Rivera gives a video update on the United Way of Northern Arizona campaign and discusses his week, which included meetings with students and council members, MLK Day celebrations and reflections and his work with the Arizona Senate.
An emerging star in the field of planetary science, Lucas McClure is a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University, with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with an astronomy concentration from the University of Tennessee.
When we look at the outcomes, the past year was a powerful reminder of all that we can do when we work together.
Because you Stepped Up for Our Community either as a donor, an advocate or a volunteer, we collectively did more than ever before to advance:
Early childhood education
Positive youth development
Basic services that strengthened our social safety net.
But that leaves us with a very important question:
How can we make 2022 even better?
NPS Mask Policy reminders
The current National Park Service mask policy, which follows the CDC recommendation is that everyone wear a mask that is over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status in the following settings:
In all NPS buildings and in congregate office settings; the only exception is when you are alone in a private, walled and closed door space;
Crowded outdoor spaces identified in the Grand Canyon Superintendent’s Compendium (pages 5-6), and
In all forms of enclosed public transportation, which includes Grand Canyon shuttle buses, and all government vehicles and aircraft.
What qualifies as a mask according to the NPS and CDC are masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric, completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps, and have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. For the latest information on types of masks and respirators, please visit the CDC’s website here.
In this edition…
Message from Sup. Vasquez
Siren Instillation in Museum Flood Area
Museum Flood Area Crisis Response Funding
Sheriff’s Office Tour
Redistricting Update
Services and Programs
And more!
Message from Supervisor Vasquez
They all arrive as if they are arriving for work – on time. They are all smiles as they meet Jen Green-Vance, president and CEO of Strides 2 Thrive and Elevated Shredding.
“With these guys and girls, it’s amazing,” Green-Vance said, after hugging or talking with each one of her clients. “And our job is to help them grow and thrive and achieve their best life possible.”
Green-Vance and her husband Joe Vance specialize in offering services to people with disabilities in the Flagstaff area. From assisted-living and day services to job training and skills acquisition, they offer opportunity to people with a range of disabilities.
And with the help of the Coconino Small Business Development Center, Green-Vance secured the funding to build facilities for their growing businesses – Strides 2 Thrive and Elevated Shredding.
We had a busy and productive 2021!
By the Numbers
Our membership increased to 355 at year’s end, an increase of 255%.
Our revenue increased from a combination of memberships, appeals, and grants.
Other important numbers for 2021 include:
View the SNOW-ometer to check the snow accumulation in Flagstaff, Arizona at various winter attractions: Arizona Snowbowl, AZ Nordic Village, Flagstaff Snow Park and Flagstaff Visitor Center in downtown.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of service in Northern Arizona, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth stands ready in 2022 to help connect families and community members with a number of options, including free educational resources, training programs for our partners and members, monthly virtual youth open mic sessions, city resource guides, calendars of upcoming family events and a variety of programs offered by our more than 100 individual and nonprofit members.
Coconino County is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.
If attending an indoor, in-person gathering, masks should be worn.
As COVID-19 transmission increases, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) advises evaluating the need for large gatherings and postponing in-person meetings/gatherings/events, when possible, until community transmission declines.
CCHHS recommends the following precautions to minimize COVID-19 risk, keep children in school, and our economy open:
Sedona Arts Center Member Artists of all levels, working in all mediums are invited to enter into our Annual Juried Members Exhibition & Sale. Awards will be announced virtually by email and on social media. Now is your chance to jury into this established and much anticipated exhibit.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the scheduling of interviews for the Governing School Board Member open seats at Grand Canyon Unified School District #4.
An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.
The Superintendent is also seeking public input regarding the appointment of the Governing Board Member open seats at Grand Canyon Unified School District #4. Please contact the Superintendent with input (comments) at cmango-paget@coconino.az.gov, beginning January 18 – January 28, 2022.
Environment for the Americas (EFTA)’s Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeking an applicant for a biology assistant for the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon.
The application period for the 2022 internship positions is open until January 23, 2022.
Remember, as a Mosaics intern, you will be required to:
Work in the park for a minimum of 11 weeks
Attend a Leadership and Career Workshop in the beginning of August
Attend program webinars
Submit written blogs
Participate enthusiastically in all of the project activities!
Whether you call it the Great Resignation, the Big Quit, or the American Job Reshuffle, the challenge is real for companies trying to attract and retain employees. The tumultuous changes due to Covid resulted in a restless workforce that is redefining what they are looking for in their place of employment.
And if they don’t find it – either in their current job or when they apply for a new position – they will move on to the next opportunity.
Winter provides a welcome lull in the year, when we all can take a moment after the busy holidays to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. At MNA the exhibit building has moved to a reduced schedule for the winter, but there’s no reduction in the activity behind the scenes as staff prepare for new exhibitions to open in the spring and a return of favorite summer programs. We are also in the midst of a Strategic Plan that will define MNA’s priorities for the coming years.
Of course, bringing in new exhibitions means saying goodbye to some of the existing exhibitions, so now is a wonderful time to come see Journey to Balance and Liberating Landscape. We also have many fascinating online programs coming up that will share aspects of our archives, collections, and recent research.
