Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) May-June 2024 E-Newsletter

NACA accepts & provides services to all ethnic groups and all ages while focusing on whole-family health care. We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, with the whole person in mind. Specialty care referrals are available for all patients. Referrals are also available to Native American patients through the Indian Health Services facilities in Flagstaff and in surrounding areas.

Vol 3 Issue 3
May – June 2024

Coconino National Forest to resume prescribed fire plans next week following rain-induced delay

FLAGSTAFF  — Coconino National Forest fire managers will resume spring prescribed fire plans following an unexpected delay due to precipitation across northern Arizona.

“Last weekend’s snow and rain is an example of why we always frame our prescribed fire plans as ‘tentative’ until we can conduct our pre-project test fire,” said Jason Clawson, Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer.

Successful prescribed fire requires ideal conditions. “Hazardous fuels” – including pine needle accumulation, dead and down trees and decaying plant matter on forest floors – need to be dry enough to burn at a low rate of intensity, but not too dry as to burn hot and fast.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Discover the FREE Dolly Parton Imagination Library

United Way of Northern Arizona has launched a campaign to add 200 more children in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by the end of this summer.

The free book program is available to all children from birth to five years old and does not have any income eligibility requirements. The country music icon started the program in 1995 to honor her father, a sharecropper in Tennessee.

“He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams,” she said.

The Imagination Library started in Parton’s home county with the goal of providing every preschool child there with a library of books to encourage a love of reading and learning.

The initiative was so successful that she began offering the program to any community that would support it financially. It now sends out more than 2 million free books each month to children around the world, mailing them directly to families.

Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 Update — online survey, in-person open house on May 9 and 11

Option 2: In-Person Open House

Thursday, May 9th from 6 PM – 8 PM
Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff – 301 S. Paseo Del Flag, Flagstaff AZ

Saturday, May 11th from 9 AM – 11 AM
Hal Jensen Recreation Center – 2403 N. Izabel St., Flagstaff AZ

Childcare will be provided at the Open Houses. Please visit bit.ly/RPOpenHouseChildcare to reserve childcare. Parents or guardians will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival, which can be downloaded here.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 29-May 3, 2024

Town of Tusayan Weekend of Festivities—May 3-5

The Town of Tusayan is sponsoring several astronomy events and a Cinco de Mayo festival May 3-5.

On Friday, May 3, there will be a free showing of ‘Deep Sky’ an IMAX film on the images from the Webb telescope, and the ‘Grand Canyon Rivers of Time’ at the IMAX theater at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 4, there will be a drone and light show after dusk at the Tusayan Sports Complex with telescope viewing available.

Tusayan’s second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 4 to 9:30 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community. There will also be lawn games, Mexican music and dancing, and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — 2024 Coconino County Teacher of the Year Winners Announced

By the Coconino County

FLAGSTAFF — Under the bright lights of recognition and applause, the 2024 Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony was a resounding success, honoring educators whose dedication and innovation illuminate the path to excellence in education.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 awards:

• Teacher of the Year: Jeremiah Smith of Coconino High School
• Rookie Teacher of the Year: Emily Cartwright of Eva Marshall Magnet Elementary School
• Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Jeanne Crookston of Fredonia Elementary School District and Dr. Rick McEnaney of Flagstaff High School

The ceremony, held at the High Country Conference Center on Thursday, April 25, 2024, gathered educators, administrators, and community members to celebrate the remarkable achievements of these outstanding educators.

SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE

North Rim of Grand Canyon to reopen May 15 for 2024 season  

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. –The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2024 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2024 seasonal operations on this date.

Visitor services, including the campground, Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore and the Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Information on daily Park Ranger programs will be available at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk through October 15. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, shower and laundry and the gas station, will also open May 15. The lodge dining room will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with reservations required for dinner service. The last day of the 2024 season for most commercial services will be October 15, 2024.

Tickets still available at the door on May 4 for annual Cinco de Mayo Dance in Flagstaff featuring Los Alambrados

FLAGSTAFF — The American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present their annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring Los Alambrados, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.

Tickets are $20 per person / $35 per couple.

Coconino County — 90-Day Notice for the July 30, 2024, Primary Election Mailed to Registered Voters on Active Early Voting List

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Recorder’s office wants to alert registered voters that have signed up to be on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL), formerly known as the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL), that they should be receiving a 90-Day Notice letter with early voting information about the July 30, 2024, Primary Election.

AEVL voters registered with a state-recognized political party – Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green or No Labels Party will automatically be receiving that party’s ballot. 

Sedona Arts Center — Your Artistic Journey Begins Here!

Painting a Bold, Colorful, Arizona Landscape
with Joe A. Oakes
May 4 : Saturday, 10am – 4pm

Join award-winning artist Joe A. Oakes for a fun, info-packed, painting experience. Learn to take an ordinary image and transform it into an extraordinary, finished, VIBRANT painting. Valuable art principles and important acrylic painting techniques will be discussed while we work through and complete a finished piece. All painting styles and skill levels are welcome. Also open to oil and pastel painters.

The NAU Review — Celebrating faculty and staff excellence, how young people see COVID and a student’s experience with Phoenix Rising

Last Tuesday, NAU honored dozens of faculty and staff for their work in the past year and throughout their careers. Faculty across all colleges and departments were recognized for excellence in research, teaching, creative activity and mentorship, as were faculty who earned promotions in the past year. Nine staff members also were honored with the President’s Achievement Awards for their exceptional work to advance NAU’s mission. “As we approach the end of another banner year of achievements at our university, I am deeply appreciative of all that our faculty and staff have contributed to making this work possible,” President José Luis Cruz Rivera said.

2024 Coconino County Teacher of the Year Winners Announced

By Coconino County

FLAGSTAFF — Under the bright lights of recognition and applause, the 2024 Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony was a resounding success, honoring educators whose dedication and innovation illuminate the path to excellence in education.

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 awards:

Teacher of the Year:  Jeremiah Smith of Coconino High School
Rookie Teacher of the Year:   Emily Cartwright of Eva Marshall Magnet Elementary School
Lifetime Achievement Awardees:  Jeanne Crookston of Fredonia Elementary School District and Dr. Rick McEnaney of Flagstaff High School

2024 STEM Celebration at Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds to be held on April 27 come rain or shine

FLAGSTAFF — Come rain or shine, the 2024 Annual Community STEM Celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2024 at the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds.

Flagstaff STEM City invites everyone to join in this FREE celebration of knowledge, innovation, and community collaboration featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

The STEM Celebration offers Flagstaff residents a chance to explore the dynamic world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This day will be full of hands-on activities, engaging demonstrations, and insightful conversations. At this event, attendees should expect to be introduced to STEM as potential for educational opportunities and viable career paths.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 22-26, 2024

Beginning this week, fire managers from the Kaibab National Forest are planning to begin ignitions for prescribed fire treatments. Exact ignition dates are unknown at this time as burning is dependent upon daily weather conditions.

One treatment area includes the Tusayan Ranger District and the Blue Stem Rx, totaling 2,724 acres located east of Forest Road 311 and approximately 16 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan. During this burn Russell Tank will be inaccessible and approximately 4.5 miles of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted.

For more information on this unit and the other treatment areas planned for this spring, please visit the Kaibab National Forest’s website.

Coconino National Forest prescribed fire projects slated to begin week of April 29

FLAGSTAFF  — The Coconino National Forest will begin conducting prescribed fire on two of its three districts next week should wind and weather conditions allow.

Fire managers plan to begin a variety of projects across both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) starting the week of April 29.

“We’re looking forward to another great season of using prescribed fire to restore our local landscape and safeguard our communities,” said Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer Jason Clawson. “The work we’re doing now helps prevent the risk of catastrophic and unexpected wildfire during our hottest, driest and windiest months.”

Sedona Arts Center — Experience Art in the Wild!

DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING
FIELD EXPEDITIONS

Field Expeditions are created around the idea of a perfect match between an artist, a special place and the best season to explore that location. We work with local resources and providers to create an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience for participating artists/students. Field Expeditions are designed with expert instruction and support staff. There is no replacement for experiencing life directly with great instruction in a unique location!

The NAU Review — Engage with undergraduate student research, go waste-free with USEFULL and read President Cruz Rivera’s updates on NAU partnerships and achievements

On Friday, join more than 1,200 undergraduate students as they present research on topics ranging from the voices of Chicano rap, evapotranspiration in Canyon de Chelly, pathogens in North American ticks, being a woman in a male-dominated field, how to sustainably de-ice during Flagstaff winters, the best way to 3D print a drone and so much more. The Undergraduate Symposium is NAU’s premier showcase for research and creative works that reach all disciplines and career paths.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Flagstaff Technology Park Poised for Development

Work has begun to transform a 31.45-acre parcel just west of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport into a technology park focusing on cutting-edge businesses and research.

Genterra Enterprises, the master developer of the Northern Arizona Technology Park, recently completed negotiations with the City of Flagstaff to secure a long-term ground lease for the parcel, which was originally granted to the City by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The development is one of the largest shovel ready projects in northern Arizona and the only one dedicated to technology enterprises. It’s zoned Highway Commercial and the land is fully entitled, streamlining the approval process for interested companies, said Tim Kinney, President & CEO at Genterra.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition outreach efforts continue with Flagstaff Mall event, upcoming STEM Celebration on April 27

COCONINO COUNTY — With a variety of children and youth entertainers performing on the main stage, representatives from various community health and welfare organizations— including CCC&Y — shared information with parents at the annual “Celebration of Youth Day with Performing Arts” event on April 19, 2024 at the Flagstaff Mall.

Presented by the Flagstaff Mall, the event featured a number of information tables for parents staffed by representatives from the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff, Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Coconino Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), FIT4MOM, Lived Black Experience in Flagstaff, Northern AZ Chess, North Country HealthCare and Northland Family Help Center.

… Up next for the Coalition’s outreach effort will be the 2024 Annual Community STEM Celebration to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2024 at the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds.

Flagstaff STEM City invites everyone to join in this FREE celebration of knowledge, innovation, and community collaboration featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Coconino County — Volunteers Sought for Child Special Advocate Program

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is urgently seeking applications from interested residents to volunteer to make a difference in the lives of children in our County.

CASA volunteers are appointed by County judges to advocate for abused and neglected children. They help guide them and protect their rights as they move through the court system towards a safe and stable permanent plan. Volunteers collect information, attend court hearings, and stay with each child’s case until it is closed. 

Temporary closure of pedestrian walkway and stairs in front of Flagstaff City Hall

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is pleased to announce the upcoming City Hall Stair Replacement Project, which will enhance safety and accessibility for all visitors to City Hall. The project will replace the concrete steps and install new railings in front of the north entrance of City Hall. Work will begin on May 6 and be complete by May 31, 2024.

During construction, the steps leading to the north entrance of City Hall will be closed. The ramp to the east of the steps will remain open, allowing the public to access the main front doors without interruption. The public can also access City Hall through the west and east side entrances near Route 66.

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for these Art Workshops and Classes!

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!
STARTING TOMORROW!
Colorful Concertina Sketchbook
with Lori Roll
April 24–25 : Wednesday & Thursday, 11am – 4pm

Many artists employ sketchbooks to capture daily exercises and inspire finished pieces. This expressive class will utilize collage to create uniquely personalized sketchbooks in one continuous story that unfolds like a concertina.

In this class you have the option of making your own concertina sketchbook from recycled folders and heavy papers, or purchasing a commercial concertina sketchbook in which to work for $28, available the first day of class.

We will use acrylic paints, markers, charcoal and carbon pencils, inks, paper pieces, handmade papers and stencils, cloth, scraps and other materials using water-based adhesives to create colorful sketchbooks. While the instructor will bring folders, heavy papers and many materials, students are highly encouraged to bring special papers, found objects and odd pieces to add to their work. All skill levels are welcome. Wear old clothes or an apron.

City of Flagstaff — Early closure of Cinder Lake Landfill on May 22

FLAGSTAFF — In observance of National Public Works Week and in recognition of the City’s essential and core services workers, the Recycling Transfer Facility (1800 E Butler Ave), Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd) will be closing at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A public works appreciation event will be held for City staff during this time.

Grand Canyon National Park — Preventive Search and Rescue program launches new HIKE SMART Film

The Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program at Grand Canyon National Park is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative HIKE SMART film project aimed at enhancing hiking safety awareness among visitors.

In response to evolving communication trends and the increasing influence of social media, PSAR managers recognized the need to update its messaging approach. With platforms like YouTube and social media shaping public discourse, staff developed an approach to the important PSAR message through an engaging video to effectively convey vital safety messages.

Public invited to attend Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 Committee Meeting on April 23

The focus of the seventh Regional Plan Committee meeting will be to discuss the Preferred Scenario, which will inform the plan’s Future Growth Illustration.

Click here to download the official agenda for this meeting.

Click here to download the meeting packet.

This meeting can be attended virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Coconino Center for the Arts to present ‘Lying Down to Face Power / Enfrentando al poder—acostado’ at 6:30 p.m. April 25

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Center for the Arts will present “Lying Down to Face Power / Enfrentando al poder—acostado” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25 at 2300 North Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.

Robert Neustadt, Ph.D., Professor of Global Languages and Culture at Northern Arizona University, presents an engaging and informative lecture on performance art and activism that places Francisco González Castro’s work in a contemporary global context.

Coconino County Invites Residents to Test Broadband Speeds to Determine Needs

COCONINO COUNTY — In today’s world, a strong, high speed internet connection is essential; in Coconino County, there are unserved and underserved areas that could use a boost.

The State of Arizona recently received $993.1 million in federal funding for the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program to do just that.   

The program requires the Arizona Commerce Authority to allow customers to challenge the accuracy of their internet speed. Residents have until May 14 to participate in a series of speed tests to determine if their area is unserved or underserved by broadband internet. The BEAD funds must be spent in these unserved or underserved areas.  

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 15-19, 2024

Community invited to “We Are Grand Canyon” Film Premiere April 24

The Grand Canyon community is invited to a special premiere of the new film, “We Are Grand Canyon.” Please join us for the first screenings of this moving and heartfelt film, welcoming visitors to Grand Canyon National Park from those who have called it home since time immemorial – the 11 Associated Tribes of the Grand Canyon.

A project several years in the making, this film is a joint creation by the Intertribal Working Group (ItWG), Grand Canyon National Park, and Grand Canyon Conservancy, and was filmed and edited by Ryan Christensen of Bristlecone Media. A special thank you to all the tribal members who participated in making this film.

Event Details:
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center
8 South Entrance Road

Grand Canyon South Rim Village Community Reception, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
6:00 pm: Filming Premiere (1st showing)
7:00 pm: Filming Premiere (2nd showing)

We hope you can join us for this special event!

Traffic impacts anticipated on University Heights Drive North, Beulah Blvd and Lake Mary Road

FLAGSTAFF — Road closures and associated traffic control measures are scheduled in late April, May and June to accommodate utility work near University Heights Dr North, Beulah Blvd, and Lake Mary Rd. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will also implement traffic control measures for restrictions at the I-17 and Lake Mary Rd offramp. This work is related to the Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel development.

Discover Flagstaff — Discover Spring Events with Flagstaff 365

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.

The NAU Review — NAU wins awards for innovative study abroad, using space-based tools to fight fires and how childhood motivated one MPH student

Preparing students to be part of the global economy is an important part of NAU’s mission, but it can be an expensive endeavor. A multidisciplinary program at NAU was designed to make sure finances didn’t stand in students’ way. The Global Citizens Project Scholars program, a collaboration between CIE, the Honors College and the Economic Policy Institute, offers a unique, affordable international experience to Honors, Indigenous and first-generation students. It was recognized this week by the Institute for International Education for widening access to this life-changing educational opportunity.

Mayoral and City Councilmember candidates certified for Flagstaff ballot

FLAGSTAFF —The City of Flagstaff has received all candidate packets for the 2024 General Election and the statutory period for candidate challenges has expired. The Flagstaff City Clerk’s Office did not receive notice of any challenges to candidates running for City office in Flagstaff. Consequently, the following individuals turned in the requisite number of signatures as well as all required documents and have been certified for the ballot.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition provides update on Systems Change Grant Project and October symposium

Thank you so much for being in partnership with the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth! I wanted to send you some quick updates and also encourage some action!

We continue to partner with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County on a Systems Change Grant project we have titled Reimagine Community. I wanted to share this 60 sec promo with you (notice that there are 2 trainings available for City and County employees that will be rolling out in the coming months).

I am sharing this to both keep you updated about our work, but the video also sums up much of the work we do here at CCC&Y through the prevention council, the newsletter, training, advocacy and more.

Save the date!! Oct 22 or Oct 23 (we have two identical days so you have a choice!) As part of the Reimagine Community project we will be hosting a live Zoom Systems Change Symposium. *speakers and event agenda currently under design thanks to our planning committee.

City of Flagstaff announces Call to Artists to create designs for traffic signal cabinets

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences program seeks artists, graphic designers and illustrators to create original designs for traffic signal cabinets. The deadline to apply is May 7, 2024.

The call is open to artists 18 years or older who currently live and work within the United States. Submitted designs must be original artwork and can be created in any medium, so long as the design can be represented in a high-resolution digital image without loss of integrity or quality. Designs will be printed on vinyl and installed on cabinets in high-traffic areas. Three artists will be selected to create artwork for three cabinets at the following signalized locations: N Fourth St and E Sparrow Ave, N Beaver St and Flagstaff Medical Center Pedestrian Crosswalk and S Lake Mary Rd and W High Country Trail.

Farmers and agriculturally focused organizations invited to apply to license the McAllister Ranch Urban Farm Incubator

FLAGSTAFF — Members of the public are invited to submit applications to license the McAllister Ranch Urban Farm Incubator for urban agriculture. Licensed land is to be used for regenerative urban agriculture, educational programming, community gardening space or associated activities. Applications are due by 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024.  

The NAU Review — Celebrate award-winning Lumberjacks, hear from an emergency dispatcher, meet Cassie Bonah + don’t forget to tag your bike!

Proud family members, mentors and NAU leaders looked on as dozens of soon-to-be-graduates accepted President’s Prizes, Gold Axe awards and Distinguished Senior awards in recognition of their exceptional accomplishments, service and scholarship. At the award ceremony on April 11, Provost Karen Pugliesi made special note of five seniors who received the President’s Prize, the highest honor awarded to undergraduate students. 

Day-use trail closures scheduled for a section of the North Kaibab Trail

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The National Park Service is announcing temporary day-use trail closures for the North Kaibab Trail north of the Manzanita Day Use Area to the Supai Tunnel. The Manzanita Day Use Area will be available for use during the closures. 

The trail closures are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for the following dates: 

Monday, April 22, 2024, through Thursday, April 25, 2024. 
Monday, April 29, 2024, through Thursday, May 2, 2024. 
Survey crews will be conducting work during the scheduled hours above the North Kaibab Trail and in the vicinity of the areas. This work requires highly technical canyon wall scaling that creates a rockfall hazard along sections of the public trail corridor. The survey work is being conducted to provide necessary data to support future infrastructure projects at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.  

Sedona Arts Center — Embark on Artistic Field Expeditions!

Field Expeditions are created around the idea of a perfect match between an artist, a special place and the best season to explore that location. We work with local resources and providers to create an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience for participating artists/students. Field Expeditions are designed with expert instruction and support staff. There is no replacement for experiencing life directly with great instruction in a unique location!

Firewood permit sales begin April 15 as seasonal road closures begin to lift

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin selling 2024 season firewood permits at its ranger stations and headquarters Monday, April 15 as seasonal road closures begin to lift for roads suitable for motorized travel.

The minimum cost for a permit is $20, with a maximum purchase of 12 cords per household. Permits allow for the cutting of down and dead wood or standing wood that meets certain criteria in specified areas. The cost for oak, aspen, juniper and maple will be $5 per cord, and the cost for pine and mixed conifer will be $2.50 per cord.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 8-12, 2024

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the town of Tusayan, advises area drivers to plan for lane restrictions on State Route 64 in Tusayan from Monday, April 15, through Wednesday, April 17.

Drivers should allow extra travel time while the following daytime restrictions are in place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

SR 64 will be intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction roughly between Coyote Lane and Moqui Drive (mileposts 236 – 237).
Flaggers and/or a pilot car will guide drivers through the work zone.
There will be a 12-foot width restriction.
Restrictions will be lifted at the end of each work day.
The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone. The restrictions are needed so crews can safely restripe pavement markings on the roadway to add one additional northbound travel lane along this section of SR 64.

The NAU Review — NAU Giving Day: the impact YOU made, how to garden in Flagstaff and talking politics with former Congress members on NAU campus

Former House lawmakers talk politics at NAU

NAU students, employees and community members turned out to “grill the Hill” on Wednesday, April 10 at Campus to Congress—a town hall-style event featuring former Reps. Karan English and Tom Petri. Made possible by the non-profit organization Former Members of Congress and the Honors College political science fraternity Pi Sigma Alpha, the event gave NAU community members the chance to interact with the former lawmakers, get their takes on current political issues and hear them reminisce about their time in politics.

Sedona Arts Center — Uncover Treasures at our Gallery Shop Today

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Foo,
Lili Anne Laurin,
and Amy Light

Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition continues Spring outreach season with events in Page, Flagstaff

COCONINO COUNTY — Representatives from various community health and welfare organizations braved cool and windy weather to take part in the 3rd Annual “Spring into Health Page Health & Wellness Fair” held on April 5-6 at the Page Public Library.

Traditionally held outside the library, participants were relocated inside throughout the library providing a variety of services to visitors including free dental screenings (including sealants, x-rays and cleanings), early childhood resources, prizes and giveaways.

The event, presented by the Page Early Childhood Group and BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, featured a number of information tables for parents staffed by representatives from the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), BlueCross BlueShield — Health Choice, BMO Bank — Page, Chicanos Por La Causa — Parenting Arizona, Child Care Resources & Referral, Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Coconino Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), Coconino County Health & Human Services — (AZ Health Zone, Health and Wellness Team), Encompass Health Services, First Things First, Flagstaff Dentistry 4 Kids, Page Head Start, Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral & Mental Health Services, Northland-Rural Therapy Associates, Page Unified Preschool, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Coconino County and VEN Centers (Hep C treatment).

Sedona Arts Center — Join us for Ceramics Art Talks Tonight!

This Wednesday…
Free Artists Talks with Jeff Perkins, Donna Reitz, and Dennis Ott April 10, 5-7pm

Join us for artists talks featuring Jeff Perkins, Donna Reitz and Dennis Ott this Wednesday, April 10, from 5-7 p.m. and delve into the history and impact of Sedona Arts Center’s ceramics studio. Each of the artists will share personal and meaningful stories.

Perkins will discuss learning how to throw on the potter’s wheel from SAC founder Nassan Gobran, Reitz will talk about her father the late Don Reitz, known throughout the world as a ceramic’s innovator, while Ott will highlight his 33-year career in ceramics and how SAC and its Ceramic Department changed his life. The event is free and open to the public.

ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona announces keynote for Ideas Night on May 17

FLAGSTAFF — Creative Flagstaff is pleased to announce the keynote speaker for Ideas Night. ARTx launches its inaugural, 10 day festival on Friday May 17th with a community party called Ideas Night at the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff. This free open house invites the public to convene for entertainment, a sampling of grantee projects and a keynote by Donna Walker Kuhne.

Ms. Kuhne is widely acknowledged as the nation’s foremost expert in audience development and has devoted her professional career to increasing access to the arts. She has raised over $23 million in earned income promoting the arts to multicultural communities. Award-winning arts marketing consultant, Ms. Kuhne calls the process of engaging audiences “a journey of life.”

The NAU Review — NAU’s record-breaking year of research, how to start a farm and a Q&A with a multitalented local musician

NAU saw the largest annual increase in research expenditures in fiscal year 2023, leading to a record-breaking amount of research in a year that also saw NAU’s projected achievement in R1 research status. Leaders say it’s a testament to NAU’s teacher-scholar model and the university’s mission of recruiting professors who can help students excel in the classroom while thriving in the research field as well. Learn more about the significance of these numbers for NAU’s research program and meet three of NAU’s researchers who are on the front lines of planetary science, health equity and inclusion.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these new Art Workshops and Classes!

Paper Paintings: Fabulous Florals
with Elizabeth St. Hilaire
April 19–21 : Fri, 10am – 5pm, Sat & Sun, 9am – 4pm

We will be drawing florals from a still life setup and modifying it to create a compelling, FUN composition. We’ll cover how to paint your life drawing with a full range of fun, bright colors and shading. You will then learn how to hand-paint your own collage papers through a series of gel plate mono printing techniques in the color palette from your under-painting. Once you have created your paper palette you’ll follow along and learn how to rip and glue and apply your papers in a painterly manner over the top of your underpainting. Elizabeth will cover how to tear with and without white edges, how to keep your pieces perfectly flat without cockling, and how to vary your paper brush marks in size and shape.

Downtown Flagstaff Library to close April 22-30, pop-up services available at City Hall

During this time period, the library will be providing services with a Pop-Up Library at City Hall in the Council Conference Room on the first floor. Limited services provided will include on-hold material pick-ups, 30-minute express computer access with printing, limited browsing of new books for checkout, and standard reference and circulation services. Hours of service for the Pop-Up Library will be Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grand Canyon National Park announces reopening of trails and campground April 15

Plateau Point Trail, from Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point remains closed until June 20, 2024. During this time, Tonto Trail hikers will be able to use a trail detour to connect to and from the Bright Angel Trail.  

The water filling station will be available for use at Havasupai Gardens. The water filling stations at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses are projected to be available by mid-May. 

Sedona Arts Center — Art Apprenticeship for Teens now accepting applications

View this email in your browser

ART APPRENTICESHIP FOR TEENS
AGES 15-18 – ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

GALLERY 928
Sedona Arts Center June 3 – July 3, 2024
Apply by April 19, 2024
Teens ages 15-18 are invited to apply to Sedona Arts Center’s Gallery 928 program, a unique summer art apprenticeship that partners students with a master artist to create a work of public art. Applications are due April 19, 2024. The program begins June 3 and runs through July 3 and will be held Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sedona Arts Center, located at 15 Art Barn Road.

Moonset Pit green waste disposal to begin May 4

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest, in cooperation with the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates will be re-opening Moonset Pit on May 4, 2024 for residents to dispose of green waste materials from private property.

The pit will be open every other Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until September 7, 2024. Moonset Pit is located just west of the Parks community, east of Spitz Springs on the north side of old Route 66.

NAU to present Global Film Series — La Sociedad de la Nieve (Society of the Snow) on April 10

FLAGSTAFF — Join us Wednesday, April 10 at 7pm in Liberal Arts Room 120 for a screening of La Sociedad de la Nieve (Society of the Snow), the 2023 survivor thriller film based on the experience of survivors of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes and the harrowing decisions they must make to survive while trapped in one of the most inaccessible and hostile environments on the planet. 

United Way of Northern Arizona — Exciting Partnerships Unveiled at UWNA Annual Event

The NARBHA Institute and Coconino Community College unveiled major new investments in our youth at our recent United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign and Community Impact luncheon.

The NARBHA Institute announced a $100,000 grant being awarded to UWNA to further our efforts to foster youth leadership, promote youth mental well-being and resilience, and increase their sense of belonging and inclusion. (That’s The NARBHA Institute COO Jon Perez receiving the Community Builder Award from UWNA President & CEO Liz Archuleta and Board Chair Armando Ruiz during the luncheon).

The majority of the funds from The NARBHA Institute will be dedicated to expanding the KinderCamp™ program to rural areas in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 1-5, 2024

During excavation work at the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, as part of the Transcanyon Waterline project, a member of the NPS monitoring team unearthed a rare and entirely new fossil for Grand Canyon and the Hermit Formation. One of the park’s research partners at UC-Berkeley has identified it as an Equisetalean strobilus.

This fossil is approximately 290 million years old and represents the spore-producing reproductive organ of an extinct species of horsetail known as Sphenophyllum. While Sphenophyllum fossils are not uncommon in the Hermit Formation, discovering the fruiting bodies is unprecedented.

The public affairs office is in the process of coordinating public communication efforts including a news release to announce this and other recent paleontological discoveries. Stay tuned for more updates!

April at the Museum of Northern Arizona

There is something very special about seeing a new exhibition come together in a gallery after months of planning. Our latest exhibition is no exception, and over the past few weeks, I have enjoyed seeing Horse and Rider: A Southwest Story transform from ideas on paper to a new exhibition in the gallery, drawn entirely from works in the MNA collection. The show delves deep into the timeless bond between Indigenous people and horses, weaving together artwork, cultural artifacts, and stories. What makes this exhibit even more remarkable is the invaluable contribution of wisdom shared by our Dine, Hopi, and Zuni consultants.

The NAU Review — Building a community book festival, former Congress members visit campus and redistributing unused food

From April 5-14, volunteers from NAU will be busy working behind the scenes at the Northern Arizona Book Festival, which hosts more than 40 events in downtown Flagstaff featuring bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winners and local writers, publishers, editors and event organizers. These events—and those that the organization supports throughout the year—foster a vibrant literary community in the Southwest and ensure that the Colorado Plateau is recognized as a bona fide place of literature. 

Popular Flagstaff trailhead to close for construction

FLAGSTAFF — A popular trailhead leading to two of the most popular trails in Flagstaff will be closed for the next two months for public safety and to make room for workers and equipment while construction occurs.

The trailhead for Elden Lookout trail and Fatmans Loop trail will be closed beginning Monday, April 8 through May as contractors reconstruct the trailhead and repave and expand the parking area to accommodate up to 50 vehicles as well as other visitor facilities.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition planning for busy Spring outreach season

COCONINO COUNTY — As the snow melts and the weather warms up, a variety of organizations are busy planning and presenting a number of health, welfare and education fairs throughout Northern Arizona.

The Coalition opened its outreach season on March 28 by staffing the Family Health Fair at Star School in Leupp. The event, presented by Star School and the Winslow Indian Health Care Center, featured a number of information tables for parents staffed by representatives from the Coconino County Health & Human Services, Coconino County Parks & Recreation, Native Americans for Community Action (NACA), North Country HealthCare, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Coconino County and the Winslow Indian Health Care Center and Youth Wellness.

The NAU Review — How to kick (Axe) on Giving Day, alumni in healthcare speak out + the latest on the Colorado River water supply

This Giving Day, how will you spread Axe of Kindness? NAU’s sixth annual fundraising event takes place Wednesday, April 3, and we’ve rounded up just a few of the day’s many exciting happenings. Win “bus bucks” on the shuttle, stay warm with limited-edition socks, drink beer for a good cause at Mother Road Brewing Company or join student organizations for an afternoon of music, food and games in the Union Fieldhouse. When it comes to supporting the Lumberjacks you love on Giving Day, the choices are endless! 

Arizona Gives Day — United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA)

This is the day Arizonans come together and unite for positive, lasting changes in our communities by supporting the nonprofits that are making a difference in our state every day.

We invite you to step up for our youth and our communities on Arizona Gives Day with a donation to United Way of Northern Arizona.

Together we can advance early childhood development, positive youth development, and safety and security for our neighbors in northern Arizona. You can make your donation HERE.

Arizona Gives Day — Sedona Arts Center

Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving. The event helps raise awareness about the critical role Arizona nonprofits play in our communities and inspires people to give generously creating a thriving and stronger Arizona for all.
 
Thanks to a generous donor, we have a donor match of $5000!

Flagstaff Youth Riders (FLYRS) — Spring 2024 Season Delayed

It looks like winter will not let up in Flagstaff. With another storm set for this weekend, we are going to push back our season start date to the week of April 15th. We want to make sure our trails are ready and avoid causing any damage to them. This extension will change the last week of the season to May 27-31 and will not allow for any makeup practices. We will do our best to get creative with practices if necessary so we don’t cancel any practices throughout the season.

There are still the following junior groups with open spots:

Northern Arizona University presents variety of Cesar Chavez Week events on April 1, 3, 5

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona University’s Student Activities Council is presenting a series of events to honor labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Monday April 1, 2024

Location: IMQ Center (Fieldhouse)

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Dra. Vanessa Bustamante

Presentation: Standing Together: Xican Activism As A Model for Social Change

Sean Connolly selected as new Flagstaff Police Chief

“As someone who was born in Flagstaff and who absolutely loves everything about what the city has to offer, it is with an abundance of gratitude, humility, and excitement that I look forward to serving as Police Chief,” said Sean. “The diversity of our community, combined with the skillsets and work ethics of all members of the Flagstaff Police Department and Team Flagstaff, will be the cornerstones of our success.”

Kaibab National Forest firewood permits start April 15 and May 1

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will soon be offering fuelwood permits for the 2024 season. On the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts, the Forest Service will begin issuing permits April 15, 2024 and permit holders will be able to collect firewood April 13, 2025. On the North Kaibab Ranger District only, permit sales and firewood collection will run from May 1 through December 31, 2024.