Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer to each other on December 21 than they have in nearly 400 years, and Lowell Observatory will be covering this great conjunction with a free interactive livestream program. Beginning at 5 p.m. MST/7 p.m. EST on the 21st, Lowell astronomers and educators will share spectacular live views of Jupiter and Saturn through observatory telescopes while discussing the nature of conjunctions. The winter solstice also happens on the 21st and the Lowell … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Presents Great Conjunction Virtual Event
Local News
Sheltering at Home for the Great Pinecone Drop
Trees are decorated, stores are aglow and the Discover Flagstaff team and the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) are inviting residents and guests to shop, take out, stroll and enjoy the holiday atmosphere locally in Arizona’s Winter Wonderland – a designation proclaimed by Gov. Doug Ducey. DBA Director Terry Madeksza says 95% of the downtown shops are locally owned and unique, with a blend of galleries, boutiques, restaurants and outdoor recreation outfitters, and gifts that won’t be found … [Read more...] about Sheltering at Home for the Great Pinecone Drop
Red Feather Delivering Hundreds of Hand-Washing Stations
Her request was simple – she needed a bottle of shampoo and some aspirin. Katherine Red Feather, a 78-year-old tribal elder on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, had listed these basic items 26 years ago in her response to a letter from Robert Young. Young, a Seattle businessman, had been matched with Red Feather after volunteering in an adopt-a-grandparent program geared toward helping aging Native Americans. He had been moved to volunteer in the program after seeing a … [Read more...] about Red Feather Delivering Hundreds of Hand-Washing Stations
Third COVID-19 Surge Stressing Healthcare Workers, Hospitals
As the number of COVID-19 patients rises in Northern and Central Arizona hospitals, Northern Arizona Healthcare officials say they are able to manage the situation for now, but that could change quickly. At the time of publication, Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) is treating 34 COVID-19 patients with 12 cases pending and hospital capacity, including critical care capacity around 60%. Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) is reporting 22 COVID-19 patients, also with its capacity hovering at … [Read more...] about Third COVID-19 Surge Stressing Healthcare Workers, Hospitals
A Gift of Peace
The four white baskets on a table inside the Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation in Flagstaff carried special gifts: 12 tablets preloaded with relaxation and meditation videos. The tablets with educational videos were donated by the non-profit Sufi Psychology Association (SPA) in appreciation of healthcare workers and their tireless devotion to caring for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipient facilities were all four of the Northern Arizona Healthcare hospitals, including Flagstaff … [Read more...] about A Gift of Peace
Delta Dental Granting Oral Health to Flagstaff
Rewind to 1997. “Titanic” ruled the box office; Hanson had everyone singing MMMBop; and Delta Dental of Arizona launched one of the most impactful non-profit oral health organizations in the state. “Delta Dental of Arizona started the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation (DDAZF) with the mission to improve oral health across the state, particularly for uninsured and underinsured groups and communities,” said Barb Kozuh, director of community benefit for Delta Dental of Arizona. “To give … [Read more...] about Delta Dental Granting Oral Health to Flagstaff
Lowell Scientists Help Characterize a Second Known Minimoon
Astronomers using data collected with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT) have helped to characterize only the second known minimoon of Earth, a newly discovered asteroid with the designation 2020 CD3, or CD3 for short. The LDT observations helped to clarify both the rotation rate and the orbit of this diminutive body, the latter of which helped prove that CD3 is a natural body and not some relic piece of human-made space junk. Minimoons are small asteroids temporarily captured … [Read more...] about Lowell Scientists Help Characterize a Second Known Minimoon
Gov. Ducey Begins Federal CARES Act Funds Distribution To Schools
The Governor's Office announced on Thursday that the process has begun to distribute $370 million in federal CARES Act funds to public and charter schools in the state.The Enrollment Stabilization Grant (ESG) Program, a form of COVID relief funding, has allocated a total of $716 million toward Arizona K-12 schools.The program was first announced as part of the Arizona: Open for Learning Plan. The plan is meant to improve school budget stability, increase funding for students utilizing virtual … [Read more...] about Gov. Ducey Begins Federal CARES Act Funds Distribution To Schools
Arizona Department Of Health Services Strengthens Mask Wearing Requirement For Schools
To protect the health of our school communities, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) today issued an emergency measure requiring district and charter schools to immediately mandate that masks are worn on school campuses, on school buses and during school-associated activities by all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors. “Keeping kids and teachers safe is one of our top priorities,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “This emergency measure issued by ADHS addresses the … [Read more...] about Arizona Department Of Health Services Strengthens Mask Wearing Requirement For Schools
Navajo & Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund Teams Up with Bashas’ DinÉ Markets to Distribute Personal Protective Equipment KITS
As COVID-19 cases skyrocket across the United States, the Navajo Nation is experiencing uncontrolled spread in about 55 communities and has entered its second shelter-in-place order. Controlling the spread of COVID is critical, and a key element of success is access to necessary personal protection equipment, or PPE. That’s why the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund is teaming up with Bashas’ Diné Markets to bring direct relief to families in need on the Navajo … [Read more...] about Navajo & Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund Teams Up with Bashas’ DinÉ Markets to Distribute Personal Protective Equipment KITS