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Communications #2

Dear Friends of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future,

What a season! Up high, the Peaks are cleared of snow welcoming the coming summer sun; down below, the fruit trees are blossom-filled and mountain irises are quietly opening their wings. Nature’s breath, thank goodness, is as close and intimate as ever.

Still, social isolation is hard. There’s just no good substitute for gathering in a coffee shop or sharing a meal with friends. The need to be in a common space with one another is so strong that it feels like a magnetic force. 

But physical distancing doesn’t have to mean social distancing! Below are some links to local projects of mutual aid and solidarity in action, as well as ideas from other communities.

Let’s create the change we want to be! Stay healthy!
The Board of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future 

Local Efforts: Good Information to Have and to Share

Amigos NAZ: This is a good community weekly newsletter and website. Check them out at http://www.amigosnaz.com (website) or https://mailchi.mp/05489f591df2/amigosnazcom-april-24-2020-weekly-update 

Census 2020: If you haven’t completed the census yet, you can learn more and do so at 2020 Census. Please encourage all your friends, family and associates to do the same. This will make a big difference to our region.

For businesses that are planning to reopen, Coconino County Health and Human Services encourage you to develop plans that support best public health practices based on the current guidance and the current local situation. Organizations are invited to submit their reopening plans for a free review by public health officials. CCHHS recommends following guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arizona Department of Health Services.

Reopening guidelines are available at: www.coconino.az.gov/2374/Guidance.

Infographic on how to help small businesses: https://ilsr.org/infographic-small-businesses-covid/

Covid 19 Business and Employee One-on-One help brought to you from Coconino Community College’s Small Business Development Center: http://www.coconinosbdc.com/

Register with Coconino SBDC: sbdc@coconino.edu, or call 928-526-7644 (leave your name and phone number, you will be called back within 24 hours).
You can also call Coconino County Economic Development Manager, Chris Pasterz, for specific questions at 928-679-7134.

Employee Website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2318/COVID-19-Employee-Related-Items

Employer Website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2237/Economic-Development

Additional Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

Federal Stimulus Check: The Coconino County Democratic Party asks those who can afford it, to donate their $1200 economic impact payment to those in our community who have been severely impacted during this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic. These include the homeless, the unemployed, the undocumented and the poorest residents of our community.

Donors to some of the charitable organizations listed below can also receive a tax rebate from the State of Arizona of up to $400 for individuals and $800 for couples on their 2020 tax return. In addition, Federal Taxpayers who don’t itemize can deduct up to $300 in charitable donations from their 2020 taxes, a new provision that is part of the Federal CARES Act. Here are some suggestions for you:

Also, Flagstaff Family Food Bank continues with Emergency Food Box distribution, open Tuesday–Saturday 9 am–1 pm, no-contact distribution. They are also doing home deliveries. Volunteers are needed but will need to do special training. Donate Here.

Educational and New Ideas

Think Resilience is an online course to help you start doing something about climate change and our other sustainability challenges ”starting in your own community”. It’s free during the coronavirus shut-down! 
https://education.resilience.org/

Thought for the Day

“Turn off the News and Build a Garden,” a song by Lukas Nelson and Family:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPrPtDoaB3s

General contact information:
To Attend City Council meetings virtually:  https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/328/Meetings
To attend Coconino County meetings virtually:  https://www.coconino.az.gov or call 928-679-7144.
To access City Commissions including Open Space, Sustainability, Planning and Zoning: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/994/Boards-Commissions