Nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, and most end up with some level of permanent motor disability. Reza Sharif Razavian, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is using grant funds from NAU and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to develop a device that could help healthcare providers personalize care for stroke survivors—and improve their chances of full recovery.
There is no better way to document your visit to the Grand Canyon than through art, photography and journaling.
This two-day workshop will provide an overview and practice of basic illustration as well as the elements and practice of nature and art journaling. Participants will spend time in the classroom learning and practicing key concepts and ideas. We will then spend a significant amount of time outside exploring the rim of the Grand Canyon hiking and documenting our visit.
Participants must be able to walk at least two miles. We will not be exploring below the rim.
A hilariously divine farce filled with screwball deities, carnal complexity, conspicuous consumption, madcap mayhem, a touch of romance, and lots of laughs.
While at NAU, Andrea Lopez dedicated herself to bridging the gap between international and domestic students: She took part in countless clubs and organizations and spent two semesters in Spain and Costa Rica. Now, thanks to a Fulbright scholarship, the recent graduate is back in Spain—and this time, she’s at the head of the classroom.
We all agree that children are our future, and we need to invest in their development.
KinderCamp™, a signature program of United Way of Northern Arizona, is part of our efforts to Step Up for Our Youth. For almost two decades, it’s gotten positive reviews from teachers, parents, and most importantly, the four- and five-year-olds who participate each summer.
Learn more about how we are gearing up for KinderCamp 2024, and how you can play a role in helping the next generation get ready to take on the world.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is seeking Beautification in Action grant applications for streetscape art and beautification projects that provide a lasting benefit! Grants of up to $4,500 are available. Made by the community for the community, projects can take…
Friday, February 16: Intermittent road closures on Center and South Entrance Roads
On Friday, Feb. 16, there will be intermittent closures of South Entrance and Center Roads. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of two large transformers and a crane being delivered for the APS Substation Project west of Clinic Road.
Friday, February 16 Details:
7 a.m.- 12 p.m.: A single lane closure will be in effect ¼ mile south of the South Entrance station along Hwy. 64. Traffic flaggers will be present and traffic delays are expected in this area.
9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Three separate closures will be in effect for up to 30 minutes each. The closure area will be both lanes from the South Entrance Station to the Clinic/Center Road junction. No vehicles will be able to enter/exit the park via the South Entrance during the closure periods (this includes the employee bypass lane).
4:30-6:30 p.m.: Three separate closures will be in effect for up to 30 minutes each. The closure area will be both lanes from the South Entrance Station to the Clinic/Center Road junction. No vehicles will be able to enter/exit the park via the South Entrance during the closure periods (this includes the employee bypass lane).
This is the 11th year STEM City and its partners have worked to create this unique opportunity for all of Flagstaff to engage with the STEM community (K-12 schools, college and university educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, non-profit agencies and others).
Hands-on activities, demonstrations and conversations excite participants, expose the community to STEM educational and career opportunities in Flagstaff and celebrate Flagstaff’s designation as “America’s First STEM Community.”
FLAGSTAFF — If you have not registered to vote and are interested in voting in the upcoming March 19, 2024 Presidential Preference Election (PPE), you have until midnight on Tuesday, February 20 to register to vote.
The PPE is not a primary election. This means Arizona’s open primary law does not apply to the PPE. Therefore, only voters of a participating party may vote on that party’s ballot. Since the Democratic and Republican Parties are the only parties participating in the PPE, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the PPE.
FLAGSTAFF — Register today for Flagstaff Police Dept.’s Citizen Police Academy Spring 2024 which begins Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece comes to life in a special one-of-a-kind performance featuring actors from the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival, set to Felix Mendelssohn’s music written for the play performed by the FSO! 7:30 p.m.
Learn More
The Artist’s Professional Toolkit:
A Writing Class for Your Portfolio
with Camille LeFevre
April 2-23 : Tuesdays, 1:30 to 3pm
What’s the difference between an artist statement and artist bio? How do you write a compelling proposal? Learn how to exquisitely craft and then repurpose all three of these artist tools when applying for exhibitions, workshops, residencies, funding, and more.
Your Financial Education
Tuesday, March 5, 19, 26, April 2, 9
5:30 to 7 p.m.
This five-week financial workshop will cover income taxes, estate planning, retirement, investing, and insurance.
Finance – Learn more and register!
MORE!!!
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
Nominate Your Favorite NOW
STEMMY Nominations Close This Friday
These annual awards are given to students, teachers, and organizations who are STEM Leaders in our community. Plus winning student and teacher also receive $500!!
FLAGSTAFF — City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed on Presidents’ Day include:
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.
“We are excited for year three of Gallery 928,” says Julie Richard, CEO of Sedona Arts Center. “This summer, apprentices will create a public art mural for our Center all the while learning about the public art process—from conception to completion to celebration.”
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Recorder’s office has mailed a 2024 Voter Guide to all registered voters in the county. The guide contains important voting information about the upcoming elections that will be held this year.
2024 is going to be a very busy election year with three countywide elections. The guide describes the differences between the March 19 Presidential Preference, July 30 Primary and November 5 General Elections.
Who snores more, you or your partner? Who is the better driver? Who does more dishes? For Valentine’s Day, we asked three NAU couples, made up of faculty and staff, all these questions and more. Find out how often they agree, how often they don’t and whose victory dance we get to see at the end. Let the game begin!
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is pleased to release its Justice Statistics dashboard. The dashboard is designed to provide Coconino County residents with a high-level overview of criminal justice system activity.
It was created through a collaborative effort between multiple Coconino County and City of Flagstaff agencies and will provide residents with important information on community safety, diversion programming, and the overall operation of their criminal justice system. Residents will be able to view current data as well as long term trends in areas such as arrests, diversion program completion, Superior Court caseload, and successful probation completions, among others.
Message from Mary –
I often consider February a month of transition, when winter shows a mighty beauty, but we long to see what spring will bring. Now is an ideal time to enjoy the warmth of the museum and explore Selling the Southwest. MNA’s newest exhibit unveils idyllic portrayals of unspoiled landscapes – artworks commissioned to lure visitors to enchanting, unfamiliar lands. It tells a story of transition, one that would bolster early tourism, impact southwestern culture and art for generations, and influence the lives of Indigenous peoples. The exhibit showcases works by Thomas Moran, William Robinson Leigh, Louis Akin, Arthur W. Best, and Gunnar Widforss, as well as pottery, jewelry, and textiles by Native artisans from that period.
Vision and Sound Symposium
RACE, ARTS, & UNDERSTANDING
February 25–26, 2024
Sedona Arts Center – 15 Art Barn Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
The Symposium will feature keynote speakers, performances, receptions, and reflections. This year’s symposium includes a two-part interactive Critical Response Process workshop led by world-renowned choreographer and 2023 Guggenheim Fellow Liz Lerman that will showcase ASU faculty member Edson “House” Magana and his film “Outcast.”
Conversations with the artists, facilitated by Sedona Arts Center CEO Julie Richard and CSRD Director Lois Brown, PhD will complement the Symposium workshops and keynote address.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Click here for more information and to register
O’ahu, Hawaii, is rife with lush landscapes, expansive ocean views, and increasingly, invasive rodents. Non-native mice and rats have contributed to ecological destruction in the island’s forests, and forest managers are struggling to manage the damage. Ph.D. student Sara Gabrielson hopes she can help: She recently published an article that describes these rodents’ diets and shows how they disperse seeds throughout forest lands. Gabrielson’s research could help forest managers get to the root of the problem and identify ways to minimize future environmental harm.
Follow the Chocolate Walk Passport around Downtown Flagstaff businesses and enjoy some chocolate! 11 a.m.
Learn More
Mark your calendars!
February 14: Intermittent road closures on Center and South Entrance Roads
On Wednesday, February 14, there will be intermittent closures of South Entrance and Center Roads. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of two large transformers and a crane being delivered for the APS Substation Project west of Clinic Road.
COCONINO COUNTY — At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board unanimously approved an official proclamation designating February 2024 as Black History Month in Coconino County …
… joining in the nationwide celebration and recognition of the history of the African Diaspora and African Americans who continue to be contributors to the achievements of the United States.
In designating February as Black History Month, the Board is committed to remember the courage, resilience, and teachings of those who helped build our nation and for those who continue to strive to fight for freedoms, stand against prejudice, advance the cause of civil rights, and strengthen families and communities.
“We appreciate the opportunity to recognize the great contributions from African Americans not only to American society, but also to the county’s local history like those who relocated here for jobs in the lumber industry and helped develop towns like Flagstaff into modern communities,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “It is extremely important that we take this time to acknowledge our county’s diversity and continue to learn about all parts of our history.”
GRAND CANYON — The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning a public review of a programmatic agreement to remove and replace the Grand Canyon Railway wooden ballast bridge at the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from Feb. 7 until midnight, March 7, 2024.
The wooden ballast bridge, constructed in 1925-26, is in poor condition resulting in safety concerns. The bridge crosses over Bright Angel Wash, north of the historic Powerhouse building and Village Loop Bypass Road, in Grand Canyon Village. Trains cross daily over this bridge as they travel between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon Village, providing the only train access into a United States national park.
he Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth provides a variety of free online training programs for parents, caregivers and all community members.
Our free Thriving Families webinar is a great starting place for parents, caregivers and community members brand new to the topics such as brain development, adverse childhood experiences, resilience and mindfulness. It is a great jumping off place to go deeper in knowledge and support through the rest of our library of webinars.
With thousands of views across our various topics, we are sure there is something for all community members and professionals. Whether you are seeking the best info for your family, your community or a program you work for, get a taste for our research supported prevention and community work.
Color Clinic
with Gretchen Lopez
February 17-18 : Saturday–Sunday, 10am to 4:30pm
Learn how to achieve harmony and continuity in your paintings by mixing color from a limited palette. Have fun as we explore and discover how to use simple methods of mixing paint to gain confidence and a better understanding of how color works. Get ready to apply what we learn to a still life, abstract, and landscape! Instructor demonstrations and individual attention provided.
When Ian McLeod isn’t mountain biking or teaching at NAU’s Phoenix Bioscience Core, he’s working with some of the biggest names in extreme sports. Since 2011, the athletic trainer and physician assistant has served as an on-course medical responder at the Winter X Games, where famed athletes converge from across the globe to compete in extreme skiing, snowboarding and more. Working at the X Games has enriched McLeod’s teaching: He often uses those real-world experiences as case studies in the classroom.
FLAGSTAFF — The Lockett-Fourth Street Roundabout project construction schedule has been delayed and construction is now expected to be completed in 2025. The full intersection closure of Lockett Road, Cedar Avenue and Fourth Street required to construct the project will now take place during the summer of 2025. The delay was caused by complexities related to utility relocations, right-of-way acquisitions, finalizing the project design, and amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreement.
FOOD, WINE, BEER, ARTIST DEMOS, SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Celebrate Sedona engages the local community while celebrating and
featuring local and regional arts, food and drink! Held at Sedona Arts Center,
Celebrate Sedona is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of our
community’s music, food, drink, and artistry.
These annual awards are given to students, teachers, and organizations who are STEM Leaders in our community. Winners will be announced at the STEMMY Awards Ceremony March 7th at the Coconino Center for the Arts.
Nomination Forms:
Student of the Year
Teacher of the Year
Community Partner of the Year
Business of the Year
Deadline for nominations is February 16th.
Message from Jeronimo
TOP 10 Accomplishments and Events for 2023
Welcome to New District 3 Supervisor Adam Hess
Holiday Celebrations
Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
Flood Mitigation Activities
Fire Management
Transportation News
Coconino County Legislative News
County Supervisors Association (CSA) Board Meetings
Board of Supervisors Proclamations
Coconino County Diversity Council Activities
Re-entry Program in Coconino County
New Coconino County Youth Mental Health Hub
Supervisor Vasquez Conferences
Coconino County and Community Events
District 2 Neighborhood Meetings
Welcome to Mary Knight – Coconino County’s New Rural Broadband Manager
Supervisor Vasquez Remembers Benally Klee
Coconino County Job Opportunities
Coconino County Services and Programs
What’s going on with the Transcanyon Waterline Project?
Since initial construction activities began on the South Rim nearly a year ago, the focus was on developing the construction sites and various South Rim facilities. Currently, the two new raw water tanks, laydown and staging areas, Staging Road, and contractor support facilities are nearly completed. Construction for the South Rim water treatment plant and Helibase infrastructure are well underway. New helicopter landing pads are completed and much of the concrete foundations and conduit lines are installed for the facilities at both of those construction areas.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Elections Department announced (this week) the opening of the new Elections Center in Flagstaff. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, and was attended by local dignitaries, including Arizona SOS Adrian Fontes.
The new Elections Center, spanning 9,000-square-feet, provides space for the entire Elections Department staff to work on-site, consolidating operations under one roof.
Stroll throughout Downtown Flagstaff to see and purchase paintings, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, and more! 5 p.m.
Celebrate Black heritage and excellence
Black History Month signifies a time for celebration and remembrance of the contributions that the Black and African American communities have made to American history and the world. Remembering these contributions all year long is crucial for everyone to understand that this vibrant community is deeply rooted in the history of the country, Arizona and NAU.
An immersive arts experience, Vision & Sound broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art and music for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. The educational event, which features an exhibition, lectures, artist demonstrations, musical performances and a symposium, builds supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond, recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Flood Control District has delivered another substantial element of post-wildfire flood mitigation to Flagstaff’s Spruce Avenue Wash Flood Corridor/Museum Flood Area … with completion of the second and final phase of the Park Way Sediment Basins Project.
GRAND CANYON — On Feb. 1, 2024, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2025.
A total of 482 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website: https://grcariverpermits.nps.gov. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Monday, February 26, 2024.
The Board of Directors of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has voted to support a proposed House of Representatives bill that would expand Child Tax Credit refunds for parents.
The bill, which has received broad bipartisan support, passed the House Ways and Means Committee last week by a 40 to 3 vote. is sponsored by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.).
“Sixteen million kids from low-income families will be better off as a result of this plan, and given today’s miserable political climate, it’s a big deal to have this opportunity to pass pro-family policy that helps so many kids get ahead,” Wyden stated on Jan. 16 in a U.S. Senate Committee of Finance media release. …
January Contreras, chief executive office and president of the Children’s Action Alliance, made a presentation on the bill to the board during its monthly meeting on Jan. 22.
United Way of Northern Arizona is pleased to announce that Tempy Wessel, a native of Joseph City and former member of W.L. Gore & Associates, has accepted the position of Northeast Arizona Representative for UWNA.
Wessel’s family’s history in Northeast Arizona has gone back for generations, with her family originally coming to Joseph City as ranchers. They soon became involved in local, county, and state government, and Tempy’s great grandfather was a federal magistrate in Holbrook for many years.
After retiring from W.L. Gore, she and her husband, David, moved back to Joseph City, where they manage a community center that serves as a meeting place for local clubs and the Chamber of Commerce.
“This region is the place that most feels like home to me,” she said. “Being the Northeast Representative isn’t just a job; it’s my heart.”
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will conduct pile burns in two different locations (for Jan. 31).
The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) will burn 1,320 acres of piles located at Willard Springs, 5 miles north of Munds Park.
Smoke impact is anticipated to be minimal but may briefly affect Interstate 17.
The Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) will burn 2 acres of piles located at Bly Pit, 14 miles northeast of Clints Well.
There are no anticipated road or trail closures due to any of the pile burn projects. Please refrain from calling dispatch lines if you see smoke from these pile burns so lines can remain open for any emergencies.
“Harvey is the first show of our 2024 season,” said Theatrikos executive director Chris Verrill. 2024 season tickets are now available. “Theatrikos has an amazing season of shows lined up for 2024. A season that includes two major musicals, Annie and Elf, plus Men on Boats, a show about JW Powell’s first trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.”
Harvey—February
Gods of Comedy—April
Men on Boats—June
Annie—August
Book of Will—October
Elf—December
In this edition
• Happy 2024 New Year
• Important Information about AHCCCS
• Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Summit for Parents and Professionals. • • • Scholarships available
• Spotlight : Alissa Jones – Community Connector
• Learning Through Play – Educational Experts Video
• Upcoming Training Opportunities for Parents
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Resources
On behalf of Sedona Arts Center, we would like to invite you to participate in this historical exhibit: Celebrating 65 Years in Ceramics. The exhibit will be held in the Special Exhibitions Gallery at Sedona Arts Center from April 3-26, 2024.
The People’s Choice Award will be awarded at the end of the exhibit with a cash prize of $1,000.
DEADLINE for submission: February 2, 2024
Painting the Southwest Desert
with Gretchen Lopez
February 3 : Saturday, 10am to 4:30pm
Not only is life abundant in our great Southwest Desert, but as an artist, I can see wonderful textures, nuances in color and the way light influences the way we see it in the morning and in the late afternoon!
Working from photo references, learn to capture the drama and beauty of our great Southwest. Find out how your brush strokes can create marvelous areas of interesting texture, along with experimenting with color and composition!
Previous drawing skills are a must!
Find out in the Grand Canyon Semester, one of the longest-running honors semesters in the country. Available to all undergraduate students, the unique course touches on the Grand Canyon’s geology, the environmental concerns that threaten it and the Indigenous people who have called it home for centuries. Uniquely, class discussions often take place on the trail, on the Colorado River or over the campfire. Professor Ted Martinez wants students to learn how to think critically and solve problems in less-than-ideal circumstances. But mostly, he wants them to leave having learned to trust themselves.
According to statistics from the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors, the surge in home prices in Flagstaff slowed down dramatically in 2023. After increases of 11.8% in 2020, 25.2% in 2021, and 13.6% in 2022, the median sales price for a residential home grew 1.3% in the past year – from $618,697 in 2022 to $626,500 last year.
Although the latest figures may indicate that the price to buy a home has reached a plateau, rental property prices are still climbing.
Hello District 1 Residents,
It’s a new year, filled with hope and promise. It’s a good time to
reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where the new
year will take us. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the
highlights for District 1. Hopefully, you have had an opportunity
to reflect on your own highlights for 2023.
As we move into 2024, I look forward to working together to
create a Coconino County that serves our large and diverse
District. Wishing you a year of renewal, resilience, optimism,
strength, grace, and peace in 2024.
Onward together.
Patrice
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is proud to announce the availability of Community Development Block Grant Funds for the 2024 Program Year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). Please see below for more information about the development of the City’s Annual Action Plan and Public Participation Process
Organizations interested in applying for CDBG funding can find the Notice of Funding Availability attached or at the City of Flagstaff webpage at: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/626/Community-Development-Block-Grants
COCONINO COUNTY — Are you a fluent speaker of an Indigenous language spoken in Coconino County?
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is recruiting Indigenous language interpreters for Coconino County courts!
If you are interested in developing skills for freelance court interpreting for these or other Indigenous Languages of Arizona, please contact the office of the court interpreter for more information.
FLAGSTAFF — This special event celebrating local artists will take place just before Valentine’s Day, on Saturday, February 10th from 11am-3pm, and will feature over 15 local artists and artisans displaying and selling their art and artisan crafts. Culture Connection AZ is proud to host a diverse group of artists, including Indigenous and Native American artists, artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic artists, and more.
During the event, Culture Connection AZ will also be a participant in downtown Flagstaff’s Annual Chocolate Walk and will host a free Valentine-making table for attendees to create their own special Valentine for a loved one. Those new to Flagstaff and those born outside the US are especially encouraged to attend and gain meaningful connections to our community.
Start the year off with a charming, heartwarming comedy. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m, Sun. 2 p.m.
Learn More
Does American AI understand Korean slang?
If I posted that a movie was “fire,” most American English speakers would understand the meaning—I liked the movie. But what if a bot, untrained on the intricacies of slang, read it? Would the AI assume the movie was on fire? Or was about fire? Or that the movie theater was on fire? Can an AI tool, trained in one language, accurately interpret the cultural and linguistic nuances of other languages? That’s an important consideration for the U.S. Department of Defense, which is funding linguistics professor Scott Jarvis’ research into the practical use of AI in information-gathering.
This week, the National Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate (NRSS) published a scientific report on historical and future climate change effects for Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding landscape. This report has been a long time in the making and we are thankful to the staff within our Science and Resource Management Division who greatly assisted in this research.
If you don’t have time to read the entire report, here are some key takeaways on observed changes attributed to climate change for the Grand Canyon region:
The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) hosted its 8th annual Day at the Capitol for parents, advocates, and legislators to raise awareness of the importance of a child’s earliest years. Children’s Action Alliance is a member of the alliance. This year’s event focus was centered around the Governor’s budget proposal of $100 million in child care assistance to stave off a looming funding cliff facing child care providers and parents in Arizona.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health & Human Services Healthy Families Program is hiring a Family Support Specialist.
Our ideal candidate(s) enjoy family support work, are highly relational, and are bilingual (Spanish/English).
Starting pay is $45,560.
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
The CCC&Y Prevention Council has its roots in our long history of child abuse prevention, our most recent work with substance misuse prevention and our overall commitment to understanding the protective factors, resiliency research and assets our community needs to thrive.
Some examples include:
• Planning for previous Child Abuse Prevention Conferences
• Engaging in multiple projects with International Child Welfare expert, Kevin Campbell
• Developing a library of recorded webinars
• Initiating the PAWS community arts and education project
After a catastrophic fire hit California’s Big Basin State Park in 2020, thousands of acres of redwoods that had been burned appeared dead. New research from NAU shows that many of these ancient trees have survived, drawing on massive carbon reserves to fuel new growth. The research team’s models indicate the sprouting trees are using carbon they captured 50 to 100 years ago—some of the oldest carbon reserves ever measured.
THIS FRIDAY!
ONLINE: Painting the Beauty of the Sedona Landscape
with Gretchen Lopez
January 26 : 9:30am to 2:30pm, AZ Time
Experience the beauty and magic of Sedona, as we learn to navigate through some of the iconic formations which make Sedona the world’s most desired place to visit.
Discover the special palette of color used to create the vivid reds in the Rod Rocks and why toning is very important in the beginning!
There is still time to participate in the Flagstaff Regional Plan Scenario Choosing! Over 350 people have contributed so far and we are waiting to hear from you and people you know who make the Flagstaff Community special.
FLAGSTAFF — The annual Point in Time Count (PIT) willtake place starting Jan. 24 throughout the City of Flagstaff.This count documents the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at a single point in time and isconducted across the country.
Local data collected during the annual PIT Count measuresprogress at local and national levels related to preventingand ending homelessness. Information gathered from thesurveys can help raise awareness about the challengesfaced by people who are experiencing homeless in thecommunity. Data is also shared at the local, state andnational level to determine funding for homeless servicesthroughout Coconino County. This count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. 7:30 p.m.
I recently had the honor of being a guest on the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s radio show Bizz Buzz to talk about the United Way of Northern Arizona and our efforts to step up for our youth.
UWNA has been a proud Chamber member for many years. It was wonderful talking with Chamber President & CEO Julie Pastrick and sharing with her audience how we are expanding our efforts in positive youth development.
As a young person, Bill Carter went to the Balkans with $200 in his pocket and a yearning to do good. Decades later, that youthful impulse is still paying dividends: The NAU professor of practice recently collaborated with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and the band U2 on the documentary film “Kiss the Future,” about the bloody Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s and U2’s efforts to raise awareness of the conflict. A free, public pre-screening and discussion of the film will take place on campus on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Did you catch the pink glow the morning of January 17?
Hello, atmospheric optics! The sun emits white light, however, as the sunlight passes through the atmosphere during sunrise or sunset times, long-wavelength (red) light is scattered less than short-wavelength (blue) light. Therefore, red-ish colored light reaches the observer’s eyes and clouds aid to the pink color that could be observed.
CCC&Y, Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff continue to make progress meeting the goals of “The Reimagine Community Project,” a mental model change program ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City and County levels and enacted as policy change.
CCC&Y was one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected in April 2023 for the Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant. The goal of the project is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.
During a Zoom presentation in December 2023, CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie presented a draft webinar presentation for city leaders to receive feedback.
The webinar included an overview of “The 10 ACES,” (Adverse Childhood Experiences),” and how the effects of childhood trauma adversely affects individuals in their adult lives. Those 10 ACES include — physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mental illness, divorce, substance abuse, violence against mother, having a relative who has been sent to jail or prison.
By understanding how both ACES and ongoing stress affect individuals, including oneself, the training is expected to improve customer service for community members and self-care and support to County and City employees.
This summer, Sedona Arts Center will offer its third year of Gallery 928, a unique art apprenticeship program for teens ages 15 to 18. Based on Chicago’s Gallery 37 summer public art program started in the 1980s, students will be hired to apprentice with a master artist to create a public art mural for the Sedona Arts Center.
This job opportunity is open to up to 12 artistic teens interested in expanding their skills and knowledge in the public art field as well as learning other art mediums and techniques. In partnership with Yavapai College, the students chosen to participate in the program will receive 3 free college credits. Students will also be paid a stipend of $500from Sedona Arts Center for their participation.
Join us for the Literacy Center’s 27th Annual Mountain Spelling Bee and watch or join a fun competition in spelling! This year, we will hold the bee at CCC’s Lone Tree campus.
Help us support our mission by joining us for our largest annual fundraiser which includes dinner, games, auctions, raffles and more! Want to offer support by joining s spelling team? Contact director@thinkliteracy.com for more information.
How do you get students excited about geosciences? You get them into the geosciences. As enrollment in water-related programs has dropped in recent years, professor Abe Springer combined an international lecture tour with a series of workshops that assessed the health of local springs, giving students hands-on experience in the field and increasing enthusiasm about this important work.
View this email in your browser January 15th, 2024 Connect with your community Library Closures Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library)…
Our 2024 Catalog of Classes and Workshops has arrived!
Our 2024 Spring Catalog of Art Workshops and Classes has arrived! Stop by and pick one up in our Uptown Gallery. And remember, you can always view it online at SedonaArtsCenter.org
You can also browse all our classes and workshops online:
Click here to see all of our classes and
One of the treasures of American theatre, and the basis for Jimmy Stewart’s Academy Award winning movie, Harvey runs January 26—February 11, 2024
There are many reasons why you can trust that your investment in the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) will further our mission of creating lasting, positive changes in our region.
In addition to our exhaustive process of evaluating programs, so that your donations go where they can do the most good, we work every day to be good stewards of your funds.
UWNA recently received a “clean” audit report from Fester & Chapman PLLC of our 2023 financials, meaning our financial reporting was accurately stated and in compliance with general accounting principals.
As UWNA Board Chairman Mike Kelly said after reviewing the auditors’ report, “It’s one of the reasons I’m proud to be part of UWNA, because I can feel really good about how our monies are managed.”
Grand Canyon Dispatch reminds all residents, locals, and visitors that road information can always be found at 928-638-7496. This recorded line is updated with real-time information directly from units opening and closing the roads.
For State Route closures and other road closures within the state of Arizona, call Arizona DOT at 888-411-7623, visit them at AZ511.gov, and download the app.
Residents and employees are encouraged to sign up for Everbridge notifications in order to receive up to date inclement weather and roads information as they occur. To sign up, residents can follow this link.
FLAGSTAFF — City Hall administrative offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 16 with regular hours.
Other City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed on Jan. 15 include:
COCONINO COUNTY — In their first official action at their first meeting of 2024, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors appointed Adam Hess of Bellemont to represent District 3 through the rest of 2024.
Hess, a 27-year-veteran of the United States Army and long-time resident of Coconino County, was appointed by the Board after an extensive recruitment process that began with the announcement of Supervisor Matt Ryan’s retirement in October 2023.
“This’ll be fun. We’ll stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning… I’m making waffles!” – Donkey. 9 p.m.
What happened at NAU in 2023? From exciting grants and university announcements to Homecoming photos and inspirational student stories, relive some of the highlights you may have missed last year in The NAU Review with this list of most read stories (and a few of our other favorites)!
Observing the Winter Night Sky
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 23, 30, and Feb. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Locate and identify the sparkling gems of the winter night sky & learn how different telescopes work and how to use them.
Winter Sky – Learn more and register!
SEE MORE HERE
As we begin 2024, I’m looking forward to working with our state’s early childhood stakeholders – including parents and caregivers, child care and health providers, state and non-profit agencies, educators, businesses, philanthropists, faith organizations, policymakers and elected leaders – as partners in addressing children’s school readiness.
To help with those efforts, I am pleased to announce that First Things First has published the latest edition of Building Bright Futures – our biennial assessment on the status of Arizona’s youngest children. You can read more about the report on our latest blog.
The new report provides insight into the challenges facing young children in Arizona and details the need for continued work to ensure the future stability of child care in our state’s post-pandemic landscape.
Our 2024 Spring Catalog has been printed and is getting ready to ship – so check your mailbox next week! Until then – you can preview it online at SedonaArtsCenter.org
FLAGSTAFF — The Point in Time is right around the corner and we need volunteers!
The Point in Time or PIT count is a HUD requirement for COC’s nationally. The count provides a snapshot of those experiencing homelessness at a single point in time. It is an opportunity to collect some basic data used to measure homelessness on a national, state and local level. Data is used for system and program planning and to measure progress in ending homelessness.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are pleased to announce this year’s Neighborhood Sustainability Grant recipients. The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant program is an annual grant opportunity for Flagstaff individuals, organizations, and businesses to continue or implement new community sustainability projects. This year, 13 of an impressive 31 applicants received grant funding in amounts ranging from $2,150 to $7,500.
FLAGSTAFF — Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest plan to take advantage of winter weather conditions by conducting pile burns on both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) this week.
The FRD has multiple pile burn projects planned between Monday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 12.
Cocoon Monthly Dance Party w/Bear Cole, The McMillan
Cocoon – Come Out Of It – Every First Saturday at The McMillan in Historic Downtown. 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6.
Learn More
Want to stay up to date with park information, including road closures?
Sign up for Everbridge notifications!
The Everbridge platform sends real-time texts, emails, and/or calls to park employees, residents, and community members.
NPS Everbridge notifications are distributed for incidents impacting public safety, means of travel, work conditions, utility interruptions, and significant park-wide incidents.
Below are examples of incidents that may require notifications:
Calendar of Events for Youth at the Downtown and East Flagstaff Community Libraries, Arizona Author Series Watch Party on Jan 18.
