Quick Reads for 1-9-2008

Navajo County Vital Records Office announcement

The Navajo County Vital Records Office located in Holbrook will be closed on Jan. 18 and 21. If you have any questions, call (928) 524-4750, ext. 40.

Bodaway/Gap Chapter meetings

The Bodaway/Gap Chapter would like to announce that a chapter planning meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan 13 at the chapter house. A regular chapter meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at the chapter house. For any questions, call (928) 283-3493.

Happy New Year from Diné College

Diné College will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the 2008 spring semester is set to begin. Residence halls will open today, Jan. 9 with a student orientation from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Tsaile Campus. The orientation will include lunch and activities for attending students. Parents are welcome to attend. On-site registration is Jan. 10-11 in the Sub Activity Room and classes will begin Jan. 14. Late registration will be held between Jan. 14-18. On Jan. 27, International Chinese acrobats will perform at the Tsaile Campus gym at 7 p.m. For additional information, call (877) 988-3463.

Sawmill Chapter regular meeting

The Sawmill Chapter will hold their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Sawmill Chapter House. All community members, veterans and youth are welcome to attend. Everyone is welcome to bring food and refreshments. For more information, call (928) 729-4433 or 4432.

Grand Canyon State Games Annual Essay Contest deadline approaching

The 2008 Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games Annual Essay Contest has kicked-off across the country, allowing the youth of America an arena to compete as a means of self-improvement.

The GCSG Annual Essay Contest challenges students in grades K-12 to write about "building citizenship" by explaining why they're proud to be an American, "power to stand tall" by resisting alcohol, and "building a healthy body" by living a healthy lifestyle. For a full list of the six themes The Fulton Homes GCSG Annual Essay Contest is accepting, visit www.gcsg.org.

Essay submissions are now being accepted and must be postmarked no later than Jan. 26. Fulton Homes will award two $2,500 scholarships to the winning writers. One scholarship will be given to the top essay written by a sixth, seventh or eighth grader, and the other scholarship will be awarded to an applicant in high school.

Medals will be awarded to the top three essays in each grade and for the top three overall Spanish essays. Winners will be recognized throughout the year at Grand Canyon State Games events and the annual Celebration Awards Banquet.

The Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games Annual Essay Contest has been a component of the games for twelve years and is another opportunity for students to become involved in the festivities and compete on an academic level.

Students can send submissions to Grand Canyon State Games, 2120 E. 6th #4, Tempe, Arizona, 85281.

Forest Service to host workshop on applying for jobs

The Coconino National Forest will host a workshop on the Hopi Reservation to provide information on applying for Forest Service jobs on Thursday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will be held at Northland Pioneer College in Polacca on Highway 264 next to Hopi Junior/Senior High School.

Interested citizens can visit anytime during the workshop to receive guidance and training in applying for Forest Service jobs. Current employees will be available to assist individuals through the online application process. The workshop is intended for anyone interested in applying for Forest Service jobs. However, to be considered for employment, applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time they begin work.

Those interested in working in fire management, range, forestry, recreation, clerical support or any other area of the Forest Service are welcome to attend this workshop. Both temporary and permanent positions are available nationwide.

For more information about this workshop, contact Leona Pooyouma at (928) 527-3485 or e-mail lpooyouma@fs.fed.us, or Julia Yazzie at (928) 527-3481. For general information about employment with the U.S. Forest Service visit http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/.

January events - Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is pleased to announce the following special events for the month of January. These events are free and open to the public. Please note that the park is observing winter hours, and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tours beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day at the top of the hour. The last tour of the day is always at 4 p.m.

Don't forget our ongoing series of free Brown Bag Lunch Lectures, held the second Tuesday of each month at 12:15 p.m.

On Jan 19, Flagstaff's Navajo and Hopi World War II story will be presented by John Westerlund, Flagstaff historian.

When 8,000 workers were needed immediately for the Army's massive construction project 10 miles west of Flagstaff in the spring of 1942, almost 4,000 Navajo and Hopi workers and their family members signed on. They left the reservations for good-paying jobs. Conditions were deplorable for the first Indians workers. Bootleggers lurked in the shadows, selling their liquor. The first commander faced a myriad of organizational and employee problems and quickly decided to invite the Navajo and Hopi laborers and their families to build an "Indian Village" of their own on the military base. Tribal representatives accepted the invitation and soon, for the first time in American history, a community of about 3,750 Native Americans voluntarily settled onto a military installation. Working Indian women were part of the enormous cultural experiment brought about by good army jobs.

This presentation illustrates how the regular wages heightened expectations for both Navajos and Hopis and created an image of post war opportunities. It shows how the Indian Village experience set the mold for future Navajo tribal leadership and why for many Indian families, Bellemont was just a stopping point on their migration from the reservations into nearby Flagstaff. The wartime experience exposed thousands to a life beyond the reservation and today the word "Bellemont" remains a part of Navajo and Hopi family history.

For additional information about events at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, contact Kathy Farretta, Assistant Park Manager at (928) 779-4395. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is located at 409 W. Riordan Road in Flagstaff.

Office of Youth Development youth basketball leagues

The Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development (OYD) and the Tónaneedizí unit of the Diné Boys and Girls Club are announcing their fall/winter youth and tiny tot basketball leagues. Registration is free and open to youth of all different age groups. Registration packets can be picked up at the OYD/Boys and Girls Club Recreation Office. Documentation needed for registration include a birth certificate or proper CIB documentation. Registration for all leagues will end Jan. 18. Volunteer coaches are also needed. For questions, call the OYD/Boys and Girls Club Recreation Office at (928) 283-3021/3026.

Open men's basketball tournament

The Leupp High School seniors are sponsoring an open men's basketball tournament Jan. 18-19 at the Leupp Public School gym. There is a $150 entry fee per team, eight team roster. All proceeds to benefit the Leupp High School seniors. For more information, call Vicki at (928) 686-6211, ext. 315.

Winter parking ordinance reminder

With the recent storm coming through northern Arizona this past weekend, the Flagstaff Police Department would like to remind everyone of the winter parking ordinance. The ordinance went into effect Nov. 1 and will end April 1. The intent is to educate those in violation of the ordinance and avoid taking enforcement action. The winter parking ordinance requires vehicles to be off Flagstaff streets between midnight and 7 a.m. Downtown business district requires vehicles be off the street by 3 a.m.

During the first few weeks of November the Flagstaff Police Department issued warnings. Since the first snowfall, officers have been writing citations. In some cases, vehicles that obstruct snow removal efforts are removed by a contracted tow company.

To date, officers have cited 148 vehicles in violation of the ordinance. If a vehicle was towed it is the registered owner of the vehicle who is responsible for the $17 fine along with removal and storage fees. The contractor's fee is usually $73.50 for removal and $9.50 per day for storage.

If you have any questions regarding the ordinance and its enforcement please call the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 779-3646.

Theodore Roosevelt Middle School accepting applications for 2008 spring and fall semesters

Theodore Roosevelt Middle School (TRMS), originally built in 1928, is a full service, non-profit day and boarding school located in historic Fort Apache. They have a departmentalized curriculum with a technology emphasis, but Native American culture is also incorporated in the curriculum. The majority of students are Native Americans from several tribes located in the southwest, but the school is open to all middle school students. There are no tuition fees.

TRMS is a grant school with funding from tribal and federal sources. The school, which is presently undergoing necessary renovations, is located adjacent to a fully-supervised dormitory complete with evening and weekend activities including swimming, weekend trips to museums, sports and cultural events, movies, hiking, intramural sports, fully equipped computer lab and much more. Transportation is provided for holiday leave.

For more information, call (928) 338-4464.

Tonalea School parenting classes

Tonalea School will host Parenting Classes for six weeks beginning January 16, 2008 and then every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Classes will cover effective communication, attitudes, conflict management and resolution, improving self esteem, peer pressure, and our families, our strengths. Classes are open to Tonalea School parents and community members. Call Christopher Curley at (928) 283-6325 for more information. Door prizes will be awarded and dinner will be served.

Calling all Native Athletes

United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) invites tribes to nominate outstanding athletes to be recognized during the Native Fantasy League Gala. Athletes who have played competitively on the professional, semi-professional or collegiate level as well as Native athletes who have made historic contribution to a particular community are being sought. UNITY will host a unique fundraising event on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center in Arizona. The Valley of the Sun will be hosting Super Bowl XLII and the FBR Open golf tournament the same week, providing an excellent time and place to honor Native athletes and celebrate their accomplishments while raising funds to sustain and enhance UNITY's national youth development and leadership programs.

Some of the gala honorees include Billy Mills, Sonny Sixkiller, Jacoby Ellsbury, Notah Begay, Joba Chamberlain, Jim Warne and many more. Tribes can recognize their outstanding athletes by sponsoring a table at the event and by nominating them by emailing athletes@unityinc.org or calling (405) 236-2800.

UNITY is a nationally acclaimed Native American youth leadership and advocacy organization with a mission to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth. For more information about gala sponsorship or tickets, please contact Melissa Wenzel at (602) 357-4701 ext. 16 or email unityevents@ams-companies.com.

Sidewalk snow and ice removal reminder

Get ready for snow and break out your snow shovels and brooms. This is a friendly reminder to all residential and commercial property owners in Flagstaff. Help maintain a safe environment for Flagstaff pedestrians by cleaning sidewalks that border your property.

In an attempt to improve the safety and appearance of our community, the City of Flagstaff would like to remind you that there are municipal codes that prohibit dirt, cinders, snow, ice, vegetation or any other obstruction from remaining on public sidewalks. Title 8 of the Public Ways and Property Code states that any owner, occupant, tenant, or person caring for any building, lot or parcel of land that borders a public sidewalk is responsible for clearing those sidewalks.

Please remember not to shovel snow into the street. Be a good neighbor and help those who are unable to shovel sidewalks.

The annual Winter Parking Ordinance that restricts parking on city streets or alleyways from midnight until 7 a.m. is in effect until April 1, 2008. The ordinance remains in effect whether it is snowing or not.

For more information, please call Stephanie Smith, Environmental Code Specialist, at (928) 213-3607 or e-mail ssmith@ci.flagstaff.az.us.

Announcers, announcements sought

KGHR Radio Station in Tuba City is seeking Navajo speakers to make local and community announcements in the Navajo language on the air. Speakers of any age group are needed including youth and elderly. KGHR is also seeking local and community announcements to be aired on the radio to inform and educate the local communities and listeners. Topics should be of an informative and educational nature. Navajo Nation, state, county and chapter service providers, health care facilities, schools and businesses are asked to submit input and announcements to inform local Navajo communities about events taking place. For further information, to volunteer or submit community announcements contact the Greyhills Academy High School Human Resources Office at P.O. Box 160, Tuba City, AZ, 86045; by phone at (928) 283- 6271 ext. 196 or 112; by fax at (928) 283-6604; or by email at kghr@gahs.bia.edu.

'Power Struggles' parenting workshop

The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth will present the free workshop "Power Struggles: how to effectively handle and prevent power struggles" from 6-8 p.m., Jan. 22, at the Family Resource Center, 1806 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff.

International Network for Children and Families certified parenting instructor Paola San Martin will discuss ways to understand why children misbehave; learning to recognize and disengage from a power struggle and what to do to lessen them in the future; resolving conflict without power struggles; 11 ways to get out of a power struggle; and temper tantrum prevention. Registration is required for this free event and space is limited. Childcare and snacks will be provided. For more information or to reserve a space call (928) 774-1103.

Coconino Rural Environment Corps now hiring for 2008 season

Based in Flagstaff, the Coconino Rural Environment Corps is a conservation corps program for young adults who want to make a difference in their world. Projects can include trail work, wirlfire prevention and forest restoration, wildlife habitat restoration, native species revegetation, invasive species eradication, wetlands area restoration and GPS surveys.

Corps members must be age 18-25 to be eligible. A living stipend of $580 every two weeks is paid and an educational award is also presented at the end of the term. $2,462 for 900 hours is given and $4,725 for 1,700 hours is provided. Great training opportunities to further personal and professional goals are offered including enhanced understanding of the environment and environmental issues, as well as access to federal land management agencies and staff.

Applications are now being accepted fro 6-12 month terms beginning January 2008. Spaces are limited, so apply now.

For more information call Monique at (928) 679-8173 or visit www.crecweb.org.

Little League ADEQ grants to promote recycling

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced that ADEQ is again providing recycling grants to Arizona little leagues to promote recycling and prevent littering at baseball fields across the state.

Under the Little League Recycling and Litter Control Project, ADEQ provides funding to Little League organizations throughout Arizona for banners promoting recycling to be displayed at their ball fields and for recycling containers to be placed at the fields.

ADEQ first established the Little League Recycling and Litter Control Project for the 2004 Little League season. This year, ADEQ is making a total of $15,000 available to Little Leagues interested in participating in the recycling project.

"The program is now in its fifth year and has been a grand slam," said Owens. "The more kids know about recycling, the more they want to recycle. This program helps our kids, helps the Little Leagues, and most importantly, helps the environment."

Little leagues interested in applying for grant funding from ADEQ should contact Laura Newman at (602) 771-4459 or toll free at (800) 234-5677, ext. 771-4459, or by e-mail to newman.laura@azdeq.gov. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15.

Program forms and the required application, as well as further information, are available on ADEQ's Web site at http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/littleleague.html.

Navajo County to assist residents in obtaining birth certificates

The Navajo Public Health Services District can assist area residents with Arizona birth certificates. The Health District can provide to eligible parents, Arizona birth certificates for children born between 1990 to present for a $10 charge. The Health District may also be able to assist with other Arizona birth certificate issues.

The Navajo County Public Health Vital Records Office is open from 8:30 a.m.-12 noon and 1 - 4 p.m., Mondays and Fridays, and is located at 117 E. Buffalo St., Holbrook, AZ, 86025.

The Health District can only process birth certificates from the Holbrook office. In order to further assist area residents, the Vital Records office travels to other locations. If the Health District is able to process the birth certificate, it is mailed to residents from the Holbrook office.

Complete Arizona birth certificates from 1990 to the present can be obtained. "As is" Arizona birth certificates from 1950-1989 can be issued, but cannot be used to apply for a passport. For more information contact Karen at (928) 524-4750 or visit www.co.navajo.az.us.

AARP Tax-Aide offers volunteer opportunities

AARP Tax-Aide is the largest free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service in the country. Each year from Feb. 1 - April 15, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns for middle and low-income taxpayers with special attention given to people 60 and older.

Right now, Tax-Aide representatives in Arizona are recruiting volunteers for tax counseling and/or leadership positions with the program. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Membership in AARP is not required to get involved in the program.

"Volunteers with Tax-Aide get a lot of satisfaction from helping people prepare their taxes," said Diane Pearson, AARP Tax-Aide State Coordinator. "We need people with good computer skills to help out with electronic filing and we need people with basic computer skills who will be taught how to use our computer tax program."

AARP Tax-Aide tax volunteers receive comprehensive training in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. Leadership positions coordinate program delivery by volunteers at sites at the local, state or regional level or manage specific program activities such as technology, training, administration or communication. Although tax training and certification is encouraged, it is not required for many leadership positions. Volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. For more information about becoming a local AARP Tax-Aide volunteer, call toll-free 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) or visit our web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated 501 (c) (3) nonpartisan charitable organization.

The AARP Foundation administers publicly and privately funded programs, such as AARP Tax-Aide and the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program. The Foundation also carries out national litigation through AARP Foundation Litigation, and the Washington, DC based advocacy programs funded through Legal Counsel for the Elderly. These programs also receive support from AARP.

New contemporary art grant program for Native visual and expressive arts announced

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian is accepting applications for its Visual and Expressive Arts Grants program designed to support the wide-ranging creative activities of Native American artists. The goal of the program is to increase the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of contemporary Native American arts. Funding opportunities are for the Visual Arts and Expressive Arts, and the application deadline is Jan. 15, 2008.

The Visual Arts Program will fund exhibitions, installations, publications and critical writing that interpret and present the work of contemporary Native visual artists to the public and encourage dialogue and critical commentary. The amount of each award will range from $7,500 to $15,000 per project. The criteria for selection will be based on the artistic and programmatic merit of the project, the ability to reach a diverse audience and the nature and extent of interpretation. Nonprofit or education-based organizations are encouraged to apply.

The Expressive Arts Program will fund the creation and presentation of new works (or existing but never-performed works) by Native artists, with particular emphasis on collaboration. Artists may create presentations that include music, dance, spoken word, electronic media, film and video, costume design, mask making, set design, performance art, photography, painting and other forms of expression. Selected artists will receive grants of up to $10,000. The scope of the projects and their overall merit, as well as the number of applicants, will determine the size of the grant awards.

Awards will be announced March 15, 2008. Grants are effective from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009.

This program is made possible with the generous support from the Ford Foundation's IllumiNation grant program.

For additional information and to download an application, visit www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.

Holbrook High School class reunion

The Holbrook High School Class of 1974 announces their class reunion set for 2009 in Holbrook. Roadrunners, heads up! If you have any questions, you may e-mail jean_benally@msn.com or muunshado@yahoo.com, or call L.C. Baldwin at (505) 863-7687 (work) or (505) 979-4509 (cell), or mail your question(s) to P.O. Box 3752, Gallup, N.M. 87305.

Black Mesa Trust Seeks New Membership

The Black Mesa Trust is currently seeking new membership for the Black Mesa Trust Organization. According to Vernon Masyesva, Executive Director, the Mission of Black Mesa Trust is "to safeguard, preserve and honor the land, air, and water of Black Mesa. Black Mesa Trust is about harnessing the lessons of traditional knowledge with western science and technology to secure permanently our homeland for generations of children yet to come."

Black Mesa Trust is a 501©(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductable. You may join Black Mesa Trust in the following membership categories: $1 Pavatya-Tadpole, $10 Paakwa-Frog, $25 Baaqavi-Reed, $50 Paawiya-Duck, $100 Tangaqwunu-Rainbow, $250 Paahutaviyva-Spring Keeper, $500 Yoytaviyta-Rainkeeper, and $1,000 Paahutunatyawtaqa-Water Guardian.

Please send your name, address, phone number or e-mail and tribal affiliation. Send your check or money order to: Black Mesa Trust, P.O. Box 33, Kykotsmovi, Arizona 86039. For more information, go to www.BMT.org or call (928) 734-9255.

Coconino County volunteer opportunities

Do you ever feel disconnected with the community? Would you like to make a positive difference in someone's life? Join the team at Coconino County Community Services and volunteer your time to help our citizens who may be in need of some help. Volunteers are currently being recruited to help homebound seniors or disabled adults in a variety of ways including friendly phone calls, visits, shopping, transportation assistance and yard maintenance. There are also many other volunteer opportunities available through the county. Call Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom at (928) 522-7913 or e-mail stewksbury-bloom@coconino.az.gov to be matched with a service position in you community today.

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild meeting

All interested individuals are invited to the monthly Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild meeting, which is held at 9 a.m., on the third Saturday of each month at the American Lutheran Church, 1085 Scott Dr. in Prescott. For more information contact Rowena Tank at (928) 899-3574.

GED distance learning opportunity

Coconino Community College offers free online GED preparation program. Individuals who want to study for a GED but can't attend class regularly, can use GED Online to study and take practice tests anywhere they can access the Internet. In Flagstaff and surrounding areas, call Coconino Community College Adult Education at (928) 226-4317. This program is free to all and is funded by the Arizona Department of Education.

Support for nonprofits

On the third Wednesday of each month New Frontiers donates five percent of that day's sales to a Flagstaff nonprofit group that provides for critical human needs such as food, shelter, emergency health care or a safe haven. In the past, monies have also been donated to reading programs, community cleanup campaigns, children's groups, causes and programs that improve the quality of life in Flagstaff. To find out if a group qualifies for the five percent program at New Frontiers, phone Priya Drews at (928) 774-5747 for an application.

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