See FINDLAY TOYOTA on PAGE 22 BRENDEN
“It was an enhanced deal,” Marlow said. “It’s definitely got more elements to it than our previous arrangements with Findlay have. They’ve been engaged for so many years in so many different ways with our athletic program and the Flagstaff community.” MARTIN
Mayoral candidate Becky Daggett (far left) and Mayor Paul Deasy (far right) await the first question from Arizona Daily Sun Managing Editor Chris Etling (center left) and KAFF News Director Dave Zorn (center right) at the town hall debate, Sept. 8. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
XAVIER JUAREZ
NEWS SPORTS
he word liminal describes things that exist between what is familiar. It can also refer to the downtown community center and cafe: Liminal Flagstaff. Set to reopen after an extended renovation period, Liminal will be both the same place that the community remembers and entirely different.
The first question posed to the candidates was about how each candidate would ensure affordable housing.
Christopher Alagna and Ryan McElligott cofounded Liminal in April 2021 on the corner of San Francisco Street and Butler Avenue. Until its temporary closure in May 2022, Liminal was known for its free community resources such as clothing, art supplies, books, event nights and a common area.
“I would be in support of looking for additional money, but really, what we need to stay focused on is how big this problem is, and we need to make sure that we’re keeping Flagstaff’s problems front and center for federal and state decision makers,” Daggett said.
Skydome field introduces new name partnership with Findlay Toyota
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When the field is replaced with a basketball court after the football season, the hardwood will be called Findlay ToyotaNAUCourt.Athletics announced last month that Findlay Toyota, Coconino County’s exclusive authorized Toyota dealership, has signed a 10-year agreement that gives it the naming rights to the field and court where the Lumberjacks host nearly a dozen opponents across the western United States in the Big Sky Conference.
FEATURES
Deasy went on to discuss about the deregulation of lowincome housing tax credits, something he said was responsible for creating affordable housing developments. He said the council’s unanimous support has allowed the city to move forward in reducing the developments’ timeline.Daggett responded by pointing out her experience in the “Ifield.was the council liaison to the housing commission and helped in the creation of the 10-year plan,” Daggett said.
“We have to take a multifaceted approach,” Deasy
ZACH MARKEWICZ
Deasy and Daggett debate before upcoming election
Northern Arizona University’s student voice since 1914 Vol. 114 Issue 2 | September 15, 2022 — September 21, 2022
“It’s huge,” Marlow said. “It’s huge from our multimedia rights partner, Learfield. That’s a big deal for them. We’re so blessed by having so many corporate partners whose values and desire to be great align with us as well as the importance of engaging with the community.”
Findlay Toyota’s reach in this region of the country aligns with NAU’s recognition in and around Arizona. The dealership has serviced the county for 12 years and has a presence in six states. The deal is mainly a collaboration with Findlay Toyota Flagstaff.
earlier this year, aims to create rental and homeowner opportunities for Flagstaff residents.Thenext question given to the candidates was whether the city should dip into unassigned money in the general fund to repair the drainage interconnection that has been flooding West Stevanna Way.Daggett answered first and said she was in support of finding money to fix the issue.
Marlow confirmed the new deal was negotiated for a little over a year.
lagstaff mayoral candidates Paul Deasy and Becky Daggett took part in a debate at the Orpheum Theater on the night of Sept. 8. The debate, which was organized and presented by KAFF News and the Arizona Daily Sun, started around 6 p.m. and lasted nearly an hour.
said. “This isn’t some simple, silver bullet solution.”
or the first time since it opened in 1977, J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome will have a new name for its field and court. The Skydome will retain its memorable name, but starting this football season, the turf will be called Findlay Toyota Field.
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Arizona Daily Sun Managing Editor Chris Etling and KAFF News Director David Zorn were both present at the debate, serving as moderators. Etling and Zorn had a list of questions gathered from Flagstaff citizens before the debate started.
“There are nearly 60 strategies for addressing affordable housing in this plan. One of them is Proposition 442 that you’re going to be asked to vote on this November.”Proposition 442, introduced
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Liminal re-opens after renovations
After four months of being closed to the public for renovations, Liminal officially reopened on Sept. 18.
See LIMINAL on PAGE 10
See DEBATE on PAGE 4
NAU Athletics and Findlay Toyota have had previous partnerships, but giving the naming rights to the dealership brings the two’s relationship to a whole other level.
Mike Marlow, vice president of intercollegiate athletics, says the deal is a milestone for the program and its partners.
Liminal is undergoing renovations, one of the most notable perhaps is the removal of the black lettering which once read, “Head Space,” Sept. 7. Collin Vanderwerf | The Lumberjack
The program was recently ranked number 13 in the nation by BEA Festival of Media Arts, and number 26 overall by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America. The hard work of my peers and predecessors has set the tone and precedent that I hope to carry on as Lumberjack sports editor.
Emily Rehling, Culture Editor
The MIC sports program has already offered me opportunities beyond my dreams, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing, as I take up new responsibilities and new challenges in a leadership role as an editor. SPORTS EDITOR
MCNELIAEVAN
Amirah Rogers, Director of Social Media
Rainee Favela, Director of Illustration
Over the past year and a half the NAU MIC sports program has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. For as long as I can remember my dream has been to work in the sports world. As a kid I dreamed of being an NFL player, as I grew older – due to what most would call ‘a lack of talent or athletic ability’ – I thought of ways that I could stay in sports without playing.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Phone: (928) 523-4921 (928)
Lydia Nelson, Director of Marketing
Brisa Karow, Assistant Features Editor
As I fell in love with the Pat McAfee Show in 2019, I never dreamed that just a year and a half later I’d get my own crack at sports talk radio and podcasting.
ollowing up last week’s letter from the editor is almost as hard as it is going to be filling the man’s shoes as The Lumberjack sports editor. Brenden has been a huge piece of my growth as a sports journalist and a writer, and having him around as managing editor is going to be huge for The Lumberjack.
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ONLINE AT JACKCENTRAL.ORG Continue reading on JackCentral.org SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II dies at age 96
Marley Green, Copy Editor
FROM THE EDITOR
Brenden Martin, Managing Editor
Collin Vanderwerf, Director of Multimedia
Noah Butler, Assistant Sports Editor
Octavia Freeland, Senior Photographer
Xavier Juarez, Assistant Online News Editor
David Harpster, Faculty Adviser
Rory Faust, Sports Adviser
Maria Rodriguez, Assistant Opinion Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF
VISUALS
Daisy Johnston, News Editor
Hannah Elsmore, Features Editor
Camille Sipple, Editor-in-Chief
These amazing new opportunities were available to me thanks to JLS 251 and the NAU MIC sports program that professor Rory Faust has overseen – while being student ran – to its current state and level of success.
I tried coaching, I tried umpiring, I tried playing lower division adult-club rugby – all three of which were cut off by the pandemic – but other than coaching, none compare to the opportunities I have received with the NAU MIC sports program. Peeling the layers of the sports world back and seeing all the components that go into a fan’s sports-entertainment consumption opens your eyes to how much space there is to work and learn in the sports world.
Evan McNelia, Sports Editor
Tess Bandstra, Assistant Director of Print Design
Taylor McCormick, Assistant Director of Photography
They even let me on TV…
Jacob Handley, Senior Photographer
Jorja Heinkel, Online News Editor
The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Camille Sipple at ces475@nau.edu.
William Combs III, Senior Reporter
Emma Long, Assistant Culture Editor
Jonah Graham, Director of Photography
These are opportunities that as a kid I never knew existed or thought of as possibilities. It seemed the only way to make it in the athletic world was to play sports professionally and that if you didn’t make it pro, then your time in sports ended when your playing days did. Aside from the obvious aforementioned coaching and – much needed right now – refereeing that is.
PA announcing my younger brother’s baseball games on Russell Road at Cajon De Oro Little League’s Mosher Field ten years ago, I never dreamed that one day I would have the chance to call a high school baseball rivalry on radio from Chase Field, the home of the Diamondbacks.WhenIfollowed the NFL draft process year-in and year-out growing up, I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to cover an official college Pro Day. I have loved football my whole life, I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to call the game live on radio, –and now streaming as well – or cover my college’s football beat.
Lian Muneno, Director of Print Design
Jessie McCann, Opinion Editor
FACULTY ADVISERS
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Flagstaff,P.O.Lumberjack@nau.edu523-9313Box6000AZ86011 VOL. 114 ISSUE 2
Sophia Swainson, Assistant News Editor
Emily Gerdes, Director of Digital Content
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EVENTS CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ProchnowJurassicSeries:MovieWorldDominion 16 Jest Another OrpheumFestivalComedy@Theater 17 NAU Football vs. North Dakota @ Walkup Skydome 18 NAU Soccer vs. LumberjackOttawa@Stadium 19 Open Mic Night Mountain@ Top Tap Room 20 SBS/CAL & Cline Library Film Series: West Side Story @ Cline Library 21 Grocery Bingo with SAM & Louie’s Cup Universityboard@UnionFieldhouse 22 NAU Volleyball vs. Montana@ Rolle Activity Center 23 Silent Orpheum@DiscoTheater 24 NAU Football vs. WalkupIdaho@Skydome 25 Flag 5 Heritage@ Square 26 Things Not Seen: Art and Healing Art ClaraExhibition@M.Lovett 27 Henry Orpheum@RollinsTheater 28Manhattan Short Film Festival@ Cline Library 29 NAU Volleyball vs. Sacramento State @ Rolle Activity Center 30 Prochnow Thor:Series:MovieLoveandThunder SOCIAL MEDIA Scan the code below to follow us! 3THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG
March 14
At 12:52 a.m., a student reported a group of people making excessive noise in the Honors College. NAUPD responded and no criminal activity was witnessed.At4:27 p.m., a student reported being harassed by other residents in Allen Hall. NAUPD responded and an Allen Hall CA will be handling the issue.At
At 6:04 a.m., NAUPD reported assisting FPD with an assault off campus. The non-student was arrested and booked into Coconino County Detention Facility for trespass, assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.
NEWSMarch7At8:56a.m.,astudentrequestedassistanceoutsideMcKayVillageafterfallingonice.NAUPD,FlagstaffFireDepartment(FFD)andGuardianMedicalTransport(GMT)responded.ThestudentwastransportedtoFlagstaffMedicalCenter(FMC).At12:54p.m.,aRAreporteda“McConnellHall”signhadbeentaken.NAUPDrespondedandlaterdeterminedthesignhadalreadybeenfound.March7At8:56a.m.,astudentrequestedassistanceoutsideMcKayVillageafterfallingonice.NAUPD,FlagstaffFireDepartment(FFD)andGuardianMedicalTransport(GMT)responded.ThestudentwastransportedtoFlagstaffMedicalCenter(FMC).At12:54p.m.,aRAreporteda“McConnellHall”signhadbeentaken.NAUPDrespondedandlaterdeterminedthesignhadalreadybeenfound.At10:27p.m.,asubjectreportedaReillyHallresidentmakingsuicidalstatements.NAUPDresponded,locatedthestudentingoodhealthandprovidedthestudentwithapublicassistridetoTheGuidanceCenter.March8At6:03p.m.,NAUPDreceivedmultiplefirealarmnotificationscomingfromMountainViewHall.NAUPDandFFDresponded,theareawassearchedanddeterminedthealarmwascausedbyamechanicalfailurefromadryer.FireLifeSafetywasnotified.March9At12:20p.m.,anemployeereportedfindingdrugsintheUniversityUnion.NAUPDrespondedandenteredthefounddrugsintoevidence.Areportwastakenforinformationonly.At7:02p.m.,aCampusHeightsstaffmemberreportedhavingconstipation.NAUPD,FFDandGMTrespondedandthestaffmemberwastransportedtoFMC.March 10
Sept. 9
At 8:29 p.m., a Drury Inn & Suites staff member reported a male non-student asking for clothing. Offi cers responded and no criminal activ ity was witnessed.
At 11:02 p.m., an anonymous subject reported a loud party at Hilltop Townhomes. NAUPD contacted the residents and advised them to lower their volume.
At 6:16 p.m., a student reported three vehicles stuck in the snow near the Skydome Practice Fields. NAUPD responded and assistance was provid ed. Facility Services was contacted to plow the roads and put cinders on the Athill.10:53 p.m., an Allen Hall RA reported a damaged ceiling tile. NAUPD responded and took a report.
At 2:13 a.m., a student in McConnell Hall reported being harassed over text messages. NAUPD responded and took a report.
DEBATE continued from FRONT
Sept. 4
March 12
Sept. 8
Deasy, however, said the city had already been using additional money.
At 6:58 p.m., a student reported a sus picious person in the area of lot 3C. NAUPD responded but no contact was AtMarchmade.154:26p.m.,
At 9:11 p.m., an anonymous subject requested a welfare check outside of Wilson Hall. NAUPD responded and the subject had left prior to the officer’s arrival.
At 9:28 a.m., a student reported a burglary in Gabaldon Hall. NAUPD responded and took a report.
At 12:04 a.m., a faculty member re quested a welfare check on a previous student. NAUPD was unable to con tact the subject and the requesting party was notified.
Deasy started by saying the infrastructure would have to be ready for a transition to electric vehicles, something he said is already underway via a partnership with Arizona Public Service and the airport to put in more charging stations. Deasy stated this was also included in the year’s budget, mentioning there is now an electric Ford F-150 Lightning in the city’s fleet.
Daggett was on a similar page, stating the community was already moving in that direction. She said the Carbon Neutrality Plan is based on moving to more sustainable methods of transportation and construction. Just like Deasy, she said the infrastructure needs to be in place to properly transition to more electric vehicles.
Continue reading on JackCentral.org
At 11:32 p.m., NAUPD reported being waved down near Gabaldon Hall regarding a suicidal threat. The officer reported the subject was in good health and denied all resources.
At 5:35 p.m., a student in Morton Hall reported being harassed. NAUPD responded and reported no criminal activity.At7:40 p.m., an anonymous subject reported a non-student causing a disturbance. NAUPD contacted the subject and no criminal activity was reported.
Sept. 6
At 3:24 a.m., an anonymous subject reported a disturbance outside Gabaldon Hall. NAUPD responded and the subject had left the area prior to the officer’s arrival.
At 10:32 a.m., a student reported an illness. FFD responded and one non-student was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. The other was attended to by a Community Alliance Response and Engagement (CARE) Team.
At 8:27 p.m., a student reported a broken exit sign in McConnell Hall. NAUPD responded and took a report.
At 12:39 p.m., an employee at Cline Library requested a welfare check. NAUPD responded and found the subject to be in good health.
“We have been,” Deasy said. “We have actually spent a substantial amount of money more than the $1.2 million, roughly, that we have for stormwater mitigation and response efforts currently in our budget earmarked with our environmental fees with our water bills.”Deasy gave an example, citing how the sandbag preparation and the response efforts for the Pipeline Fire cost an additional $1 million.
The two were then asked whether they were in favor of overturning the camping ban that is in place within the cityDaggettlimits. said while she is not in favor of overturning the camping ban, she was in favor of redoubling the city’s efforts to ensure nobody is sleeping in a tent, whether it be inside or outside of the city’s Deasylimits.wasin favor of modifying the anti-camping ordinance, saying there could potentially be specific areas that make it more allowable. He then talked about the Coordination Assessment Response Education (CARE) teams, and how they could potentially help in situations such as unhoused individuals making use of tents as living spaces.
Deasy said the issue is currently exacerbated by the time of year, with tourism season and NAU students returning to Flagstaff. He highlighted the importance of designing roads correctly, bringing up the usefulness of roundabouts as an alternative to stoplights.“Onething we’re noticing is the level of safety improvements that occur with roundabouts,” Deasy said. “Slowing cars down, not needing the red light, allowing for the flow of traffic, [it] reduces the counts of collisions.”
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
The candidates were then asked about their views on various electric vehicle charging stations in town.
At 3:01 p.m., NAUPD reported being waved down for a subject causing a disturbance. The officer checked the area but the subject had left prior to officer arrival.
Next, candidates were questioned about red light-running in Flagstaff, and how they plan on dealing with the issue.
Daggett then brought up recent purchases of hotels to be turned into supportive housing.
At 12:33 a.m., an anonymous subject requested a welfare check on a student in Babbitt Academic. NAUPD responded and deferred the student for a minor in consumption of alcohol.
At 6:36 p.m., a student reported a non-student with an NAU yellow bike sleeping near Morton Hall. NAUPD responded but were unable to contact the Atnon-student.11:22p.m.,
a staff member report ed graffiti on a blue light phone near Knoles and McConnell DrivesAt 4:44
Sept. 7
9:14 p.m., a fire alarm was activated in McConnell Hall due to burned food. NAUPD responded and cleared the building. Occupants were allowed back in the building after a short wait.
At 2:10 a.m., NAUPD initiated a traffic stop which resulted in a DUI citation for a non-student driver and a citation for an open container of alcohol for a non-student passenger.
March 13
a student employee reported a broken exit sign in Tinsley Hall. NAUPD responded and took a report.
At 11:11 a.m., NAUPD reported observing a vehicle violation off cam pus. A citation was issued for driving without a valid license, no valid reg istration and proof of insurance. The vehicle was towed for a mandatory 20-day impound.
Top: Mayor Paul Deasy (right) discusses his Pipeline Fire and flood mitigation solutions as KAFF News Director David Zorn (left) listens at the town hall debate hosted by Arizona Daily Sun and KAFF News at the Orpheum Theater, Sept. 8.
Sept. 5
Sept. 10
She said while she was in favor of finding money to deal with smaller projects, Flagstaff must manage to attract federal and state money to properly address bigger issues.
Bottom: Mayoral candidate Becky Daggett smiles as she finishes her closing statement at the town hall debate. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
COMPILED BY WILLIAM COMBS III
March 11
This dedication to comfort extends to the Tiny House Village’s number of community resources. Most notable of these is the community clubhouse which contains a fully-functioning kitchen and a television area designed for larger gatherings.
To learn more about Tiny House Village or to be put on their waitlist, visit its website, Facebook and Instagram
With smaller homes providing the possibility of fewer expenses related to energy and maintenance, the Hope Construction team said the creation of a tiny home community was the affordable and environmentally-conscious answer they were looking for.
Lot reservations are now open for those interested in the compact tiny home lifestyle
Being substantially smaller than the average home, tiny houses are also known to decrease clutter, require less frequent upkeep and are more cost-effective than building a larger home. All the while, Hope Construction also guarantees the size of these homes won’t take away from the comfort and satisfaction an average home provides.
Major strides in production, including the completion of the community’s first model home, led developers to hold their first open house on Sept. 2. In celebration, Tiny House Village Sales Manager Jennifer Carpenter and the Hope Construction team also hosted a chamber of commerce ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the start of their journey.
David Carpenter said he wanted to create a low-cost community people could put their personal touch on.
THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG 5
Hope Construction introduces Flagstaff’s first Tiny House Village
For those with pre-built tiny homes, Tiny House Village offers the option to purchase special lots for personal installation available by reservation. Whether this means transporting a mobile home or constructing a new one, these houses are welcome as long as they are up to code, are of a mountain style or similar appeal and are less than the maximum 399 square foot size.
AVA HINIKER
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“We got the inspiration for the Tiny House Village when we saw a need for a solution to the high housing prices in Flagstaff,” David Carpenter said.
with smaller bathrooms who prefer additional space. Laundry facilities and recreational games are also planned to be added to the clubhouse.
“The only difference living in one of our ‘not so tiny homes’ compared to a regular size home is the size,” Jennifer Carpenter said. “You are not sacrificing anything else. Each home has beautiful finishes, stainless steel appliances and its own yard.”
Tiny House Village is bringing small-scale living to Flagstaff, Sept. 10. Octavia Freeland | The Lumberjack
With the official opening of the Tiny House Village in the near future, the Hope Construction team says they are looking forward to the day when families and individuals move in. The village is scheduling tours of the forest-lined community and fully-furnished model home.
“This was such an exciting kickoff,” Carpenter said. “We were so happy to show people the model and what the community is all about.”
The Tiny House Village is modeled to provide small-scale living arrangements for people looking to downsize. Located at 1411 N Fourth Street, this village includes six tiny home plots measuring below 399 square feet and 24 “less tiny” home plots measuring below 1,000 square feet.
With six different small house floor plans, the final products will vary by land size, bedroom number and bathroom count based on their location within the community. The Tiny House Village operates as a leased-land development where residents own their homes while leasing the land they live on. This lease currently includes water, sewer, trash and snow removal services as well as property taxes and communityDeveloperamenities.andowner of Hope Construction
With a separate entrance for maximum privacy, the community also has access to two large bathrooms, each containing showers, for those living
The small size of the homes gives them many ecological benefits. Fewer resources are used to perform maintenance, and tiny homes are considered better candidates for recycled materials in their construction. These homes also contain less space for heating or cooling, making them largely energyefficient and able to reduce monthly utility bills.
“Tiny House Village will be a tight-knit community of people looking to downsize who will still have a yard and space of their own,” Jennifer Carpenter said. “They won’t have to give up on outdoor space just because they’re going smaller. There will be a beautiful spot behind the community building with barbecues, bocce ball courts, yard games and more. This will be a fun gathering spot for the residents to socialize or entertain guests.”
“It is important that our city have a diversity of housing options,” David Carpenter said. “This firstof-its-kind community is excited to offer our take on affordable and sustainable living.”
lagstaff’s first Tiny House Village is scheduled to open later this fall. Developed by local eco-friendly contracting company Hope Construction, this project will be a fully functional village of small-scale houses, marketed to people looking for a compact lifestyle.
“Childcare focused on early development provides parents peace of mind that allows them to focus on their studies,” Saltonstall said. “Knowing their children are not only cared for and have their needs met but also are in a stimulating learning environment can help fuel student-parents’ pursuit of their goals to earn a degree.”Thecost of a child increases from there, and with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, more women will be carrying to Arizona’sterm.anti-abortion bill, AZ SB 1164, which makes abortion illegal after 15 weeks, will go into effect on Sept. 24.
NAU offering daycare starting January 2023
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
long waitlists, few centers provide infant care and even fewer schools offer care at night or during the summer.
“We’re in uncharted territory,” Ahluwalia said. “We really don’t know what post-Roe is going to look like. What does ‘pro-family’ mean? It means ensuring there is childcare, ensuring there is monetary care, monetary leave and Ahluwaliapaternity.”andNAU Professor Frances Julia Riemer published an article in Inside Higher Ed, that found NAU’s mountain campus has a student body consisting of 63% female-identified and 37% male-identified students.Inpartnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, NAU will offer additional support to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in nursing, K-12 education and early childhood education programs starting this fall. This opportunity will allow eligible students to apply for child care expense reimbursement to pressure their studies. To apply for the program, visit nau.edu/heccp
n January 2023, NAU will open the Early Learning and Development Center (ELDC) to help serve the childcare needs of the NAU community, as stated in a release from President José Luis Cruz Rivera.
A study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) reported there are 3.9 million student-parents enrolled as undergraduates in colleges. The study found these students face significant barriers in postsecondary school, and institutions are often not prepared to provide for their needs.
ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIS BEAMAN
“Know that there is some recognition and acknowledgment that they need some support as well,” Ahluwalia said. “International students cannot work outside of campus, so it’s a double whammy, so to speak, if they can’t get the voucher and they can’t work.”An Economic Policy Institute report in 2020 found the average annual cost of infant care in Arizona is roughly $10,948, equal to $912 a month. Infant care in Arizona costs $390, or 3.7% more per year than Arizona in-state tuition for four-year public college, making Arizona one of 33 states where infant care is more expensive than college.
NEWS
After many years of discussions between the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), professors from the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and educators from the College of Education, operations will finally begin at the ELDC. Cruz Rivera mentioned in his email this facility will create access to affordable childcare while increasing access to Currently,education.thepilot program is planned to serve 25 children ages 3-5. Initial preferences will be given to children of NAU students, followed by children of NAUNAUemployees.alsooffers a Childcare Voucher Program, which awards a student-parent $1,000 per semester, to assist in coursework-related child care coverage.
Vice President of Student Affairs Margot Saltonstall said students’ awareness of the new program will be necessary to the ELDC’s success.
“NAU is currently working on the pricing structure, which will need to be aligned with the local market,” Saltonstall said. “Importantly, we will want to ensure current students are broadly aware of application timing and other logistics, and perhaps down the line, consider making prospective students aware as this resource may create new opportunities for some to attend NAU.”
According to research conducted by the IWPR, state colleges with childcare opportunities only provide 5% of the childcare slots that student-parents need. Moreover, even when parents attend universities that offer care, the facilities are less than ideal — many have
- Sanjam Ahluwalia, professor of women and gender studies
EMMA WEAVER
“WE’RE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY. WE REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT POST-ROE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. WHAT DOES ‘PRO-FAMILY’ MEAN? IT MEANS ENSURING THERE IS CHILDCARE, ENSURING THERE IS MONETARY CARE, MONETARY LEAVE AND PATERNITY.”
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Sanjam Ahluwalia, professor of women and gender studies and history, pointed out international students are not eligible for this program.
Residents in at-risk areas were immediately advised to obtain flood insurance and sandbags became available to help barricade homes from flooding. Highway 89 was also closed in both directions for extended periods in July and August due to flooding.
According to a news release published by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS), 26 pounds of fentanyl were seized during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 east of Flagstaff on July 26.
The danger isn’t completely gone, either. Residents in that area are still dealing with debris, mud and dust.
In early August, Flagstaff Police Chief Dan Musselman was put under investigation and placed on administrative leave, according to ABC15. The purpose of the investigation is to look into an undercover operation from 2019 involving massage parlors in town. The investigation is currently underway, and no new information is available at this time.
“Sentencing is going to be up to the Coconino County’s Attorney’s Office,” Etnire said. “The prosecutor’s office would be the ones to decide which charges are the most appropriate.”
On June 14, Flagstaff City Council met to discuss the Beulah Avenue and University Drive Roadway Realignment Project. The project stemmed from Proposition 403, which aims to ease traffic congestion around town.
For any individual who wishes to receive a dose or could be exposed, a vaccine interest form is available. Anyone who has symptoms or has been exposed is advised to contact their healthcare provider or call the CCHHS Information Line at 928-679-7272.
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ILLUSTRATION BY LENORE OTERO-STRONG
The primary symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle aches. The most distinctive sign is a rash, pimples or blisters that can appear on different parts of the
City Council
Thesaid.driver, 53-year-old Celso Sanchez-Chavarria, was attempting to transport the drugs to Denver.
“We have people who have been on the block for nearly half a century that have never seen anything remotely like this,” House said. “It’s a real disaster, honestly. Everybody is so exhausted and tired of dealing with it.”
“For the first time since December of 2020, these vaccines — our vaccines — have caught up with the virus,” Jha Boosterssaid.are expected to be available throughout state and local health departments, pharmacies and community health centers in the coming days.
Flagstaff experienced heavy flooding in July and August. According to a flood advisory posted by the Coconino County Flood Control District after the Pipeline Fire, west Flagstaff was predicted to be at high risk of flooding.
Free COVID-19 Omicron boosters expected nationwide
TAYLOR SCHWARTZ-OLSON
Chief Medical Adviser to the president Dr. Anthony Fauci said COVID-19 vaccines going forward will be similar to the annual influenza vaccine, as each booster will be updated to match the dominant strains. More vulnerable groups, Fauci said, may need boosters more frequently than once a year.Certain groups, such as the elderly or individuals with a weakened immune system are more likely to experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, and may require further prevention methods. Receiving the recommended vaccine dose, Fauci said, is critical for the “Vaccineelderly. protection, particularly against infection, wanes over time,” Fauci said. “Additional doses enhance protection particularly against severe disease leading to hospitalization or death.”
Continue reading on JackCentral.org
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On June 12, around 10 a.m., the Pipeline Fire was reported roughly six miles north of Flagstaff near Schultz Creek and Chimney watershed. Due to high-intensity winds, warm temperatures and dry conditions, the fire quickly spread to about 27,000 acres within a few Accordingdays.to an incident report, 57-year-old Matthew Riser was arrested and booked after he lit toilet paper on fire in the forest. He pled guilty and received one year of probation but did not receive a fine due to his inability to pay.On June 16, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a declaration of emergency in response to the fire. According to the statement, over 700 fire personnel were deployed to combat the fire. Containment reached 95% by June 25, and evacuation orders began to lift.
Flooding in Flagstaff
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Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, said the United States is the first nation to provide a vaccine that matches the dominant version of Omicron.
JORJA HEINKEL
“We have worked extremely hard to make sure we have ample supply of these new updated vaccines available for the American people,” Jha said. “And these vaccines will continue to remain free.”
over the last two months, with three of these events happening within one week.
“Currently,body.limited vaccine doses are available and are being prioritized for people who are at higher risk of becoming infected with monkeypox,” Fischer said.
“Monkeypox is a viral illness that primarily spreads through skin-to-skin contact,” Fischer said. “It is endemic in some countries but not the United States, though several countries, including the United States, have seen cases in 2022.”
The White House expects over 90% of Americans will live within five miles of health facilities providing updated vaccines. Appointments with local health care centers and pharmacies can be scheduled at vaccines.gov.
he White House announced the launch of a free annual COVID-19 booster targeting the dominant Omicron strain in a Sept. 6 press release. The single-shot booster is recommended for vaccinated individuals 12 years of age or older.
Flagstaff summer roundup
Pipeline Fire
costs will be refined and reduced before being brought back to city council in late 2022.
Paul Etnire, captain of ADPS, said the reason for the stop was a moving violation.“He was charged with the transportation of narcotics for sale,” Etnire
In the neighborhood of Stevanna, five major flood events have occurred
On Aug. 23, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) confirmed the first two cases of monkeypox in Flagstaff. Alexandra Fischer, the communications specialist for CCHHS, said the two cases are not related. The individuals were tested at
Photo Courtesy Madison Easton
According to the city council meeting report, this project will align University Avenue and University Drive with a roundabout. The plans were initially shown to city council on June 29, 2021 and city council directed staff to modify the design. The updated design was presented and approved on Oct. 5, 2021.Due to rising prices of materials, the estimated cost upon completion has increased from $17.3 million to $19.1 million. Over the next few months, the
Police Activity
First Confirmed Cases of Monkeypox in Flagstaff
two separate healthcare facilities and are currently recovering in isolation per recommended health guidelines.
ummer in Flagstaff began with a fire and ended with flooding. Here is a look at a few of those events that happened between June and Au gust.
P. Kyle House, a geologist and Stevanna resident, expressed concern over the growing threat in an open letter to the“Wecity.dug this temporary ditch just during the flood with a little bit of help from some firemen that were at the scene and were able to get the lake to start to drain a little bit,” House said. “But the input and the output don’t match.”
A
W
Although Flagstaff’s climate plan is far from perfect, it is still on a better track than other cities in the country.
Dumb phone, smart choice
Some may think we’re no longer running out of freshwater. While it’s true that it was just monsoon season and the whole state of Arizona experienced heavy rainfall, it doesn’t mean that freshwater problems disappear.
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Most of the Flagstaff Climate Action Plan discusses conserving the land and the forests, which is great, but there needs to be more focus on water conservation. We can have all the ideas about helping the forests, but they cannot function without water. Everything discussed in the climate plan needs water to function, so water should be at the forefront of future planning.
I wanted a hard-line separation from social media, email and games while going about my day.
hen talking about water, most people assume the discussion is about how clean the water is or whether it’s drinkable. But Flagstaff doesn’t have an issue cleaning the water; its water issues concern the amount of water and where to get it from.
We aren't talking about Flagstaff water issues enough
Flagstaff does not have an effective rainwater collection system. Rainwater harvesting in Flagstaff has been legal since 2013, so residents can collect their own rainwater if it falls onto their property.
NAU’s Climate Action Plan is similar to the city’s plan. But, it is hard to make change throughout campus without effort from the city. Both still need to work together to make change and strides for the future with freshwater in mind.
OPINION WRITER
In a time where feelings of social isolation persist, we must recognize that technology plays a role in loneliness among young people. Building and rebuilding human connections create webs of support and are essential to fostering community. College is a time to branch out and meet new people, but technology is taking those opportunities away fromOneus. month in, I have been bored at times without something to nudge my attention constantly. I have learned to embrace boredom and use my time to find new pursuits.
The beginning of this semester has shown me how much we miss when looking at our phones; time before classes has been filled with people stuck to their screens, lips tight. Since transitioning to a dumbphone, I have been able to draw some people out of that and have great conversations.
The Wildcat Hill Waste Water Reclamation Plant sits just east of town and aims to conserve and reuse otherwise discarded water, Sept. 9. Collin Vanderwerf | The Lumberjack
This occurs all around the world when it comes to climate goals. No big change ever happens, and the goal dates become more distant every year.
By opting out of constant notifications, I reclaimed my time and invested it back into what is important to me. Since switching, I have had a clearer head, been more organized and have explored new interests.
This rainwater harvesting is not a very common practice, though, as most people don’t stress about having to harvest rainwater for their own needs.
So, virtually none of Flagstaff’s drinking water comes from rainwater collection; it mainly comes from Lake Mary and other basins. That’s basically all of the rainwater that gets collected in the town, indicating that citizens' water collection efforts have minimal impacts.Rain isn’t going to solve the freshwater shortage without proper planning, and collecting rainwater in giant basins certainly won’t solve all of our water problems either.
There can still be changes to improve Flagstaff’s Climate Action Plan, but compared to other cities, it is one of the best plans for the future. However, that is only if the goals that have been set can be met within the promised timeframe.
After deliberation on whether to get a flip phone, an old Nokia-style brick phone or something else, I decided on the Light Phone II. It comes with everything I need for my dayto-day: texts, calls, alarm, calculator, notes, directions and podcasts.Iamthe type of person to have their whole life on a calendar, so I transitioned to a physical pocket calendar. I thought about what I needed in my digital toolbox and went from there.
There needs to be action from the city about conserving and protecting our freshwater and really understanding why we are in a freshwater crisis. Of course, all of our problems are rooted in climate change, creating a water shortage worldwide. In each year, with effects becoming more noticeable, soon, no one will have access to safe drinkable freshwater.
When I first brought up the idea of switching to a dumbphone to my friends, I was met with pushback and a lack of understanding of why I would do such a thing: “Why not just delete the apps?” and “What about this app, or this one?” were common responses.
In the sections of the plan that do mention water resources and conservation, the suggested strategies don’t get to the root of the problem. Using and cleaning the reclaimed water takes lots of energy, which emits greenhouse gases and pushes the goal in the wrong direction.
Like many other cities in the western United States, Flagstaff is facing water supply issues. Water is an example of a finite resource commonly taken for granted, especially freshwater. And as everyone knows, water is needed in every aspect of our daily lives.
New hobbies, reaching out to friends and even taking walks instead of scrolling through social media have improved my mental health tremendously. I have spent more time talking to people and created better relationships with those around me.
Even though every climate action plan has pushed goal dates more into the future, comparing the most recent one to the old plans, the difference is noticeable. The newest one is the best action plan, accounting for all the different things. This plan accounts for more initiatives for the betterment of the future of Flagstaff.
I believe time is a valuable resource. When thinking of apps as tools, many apps’ purposes are just to get people addicted and waste their time. In 2019, Americans spent an average of 3.5 hours on their smartphone every day. People can spend that same time reading, socializing and enjoying life.
SAMANTHA LOGERWELL
which is why it’s so strange that so few people are talking about water access, specifically relating to the climate action plans in the city of Flagstaff and at NAU.
TRACHSELBRENDAN
Since Flagstaff’s water levels are at an alltime low and the population keeps growing, this problem isn't going anywhere and will definitely deepen if no appropriate action is taken.This is a problem that affects all of us,
Many people are comfortable with their smartphone use, but for me, being able to take back my time and see the bigger picture has made dumbphones the better choice. If you are looking for something more out of life and find that you always get drawn back into social media, a dumbphone may be for you.
Another issue with the climate action plan is that every time there is a new plan released, the dates keep getting pushed further into the future. These goals are supposed to be met in 2030, but the 2018 action plan has goals to be met around 2025.
OPINION
month ago, I decided to ditch my iPhone and step into the world of dumbphones, phones that deliberately limit their features only to what is needed.
V
The student loan debt forgiveness program requirements are not fair, with the salary requirements only considering 2020 and 2021.
O
Biden is not addressing the problem by providing this limited loan forgiveness option. Yes, he is helping both the past and current students, but costs will continue to rise for future generations pursuing higherWitheducation.theaddition of inflation the cost to attend a four-year public and four-year private college has tripled since 1980 in the United States.
ILLUSTRATION BY SAM GLABERMAN
However, I am quite optimistic that we can come together and demand more help from our government, whether it is more affordable tuition, a better system of grants and scholarships, and most importantly, a decreased need for student loans. One day in the future, college will be more affordable and students will not have to worry about paying back student debt years after graduation.
smartphones, vaping takes away uncomfortable feelings and offers an escape from a challenge presented. Individuals recognize the problem that, in the long term, nicotine is not the solution as its use is linked to increased levels of anxiety
Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, had announced they’d work toward free community college for at least the first two years of his term.
higher education for students that might not have any financial support.
ape juice can cause all the same health problems as cigarettes — lung and heart issues, as well as increased chances of addiction. However, some aspects of vaping make it worse than smoking cigarettes, and they’re not talked aboutThroughoutenough. the 21st century, smoking cigarettes indoors has become illegal in most public places in the United States. Interestingly, Arizona became the first state to have smoke-free public spaces
For example, let’s say your company or company you worked for remained in business toward the end of the pandemic. If your salary is decreased out of that timeframe, you are no longer eligible for the forgiveness program, no matter if you might be financially struggling as a result of your company's closure or if you can’t afford to pay off loan debt.
Some ways to overcome this anxiety are to be present, ask questions and challenge yourself in those situations. By reaching for the vape, one is disengaging to reduce discomfort.
Some people might believe the government is helping as much as possible with FAFSA, grants and scholarships. In reality, looking back to the mid1970s, a Pell grant would cover up to 80% of college students who come from a working family.
Biden’s student loan plan is subpar
perfume or lotion, or even changing their clothes. Cigarettes waste plenty of time, but thanks to modern technology, there’s a solution: Vapes.
Except for your home and maybe casinos, you must be outside and in a designated smoking spot, which cuts back a significant amount of time that could be spent smoking and makes the activity much lessAfterconvenient.finding a designated location, smokers have to light the cigarette and waste at least three minutes to finish it. After that, smokers will likely spend some time trying to cover up the lingering smell, whether that is washing their hands, face and teeth, applying
ROSE ANGELICABAILLIENAVARRO
However, in February, the legislation for free college tuition was thrown completely out the window. There were months of negotiations, but they could not get all the support needed from the senate Democrats. Specifically, Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) voted against many different versions of the legislation.
Vaping’s ease and privacy allow users to consume nicotine in places they normally couldn’t with cigarettes: Airplanes, restaurants, work, schools and public restrooms. In addition, with how quick and easy it is to “hit” a vape, any activity can be interrupted by its use.
Anyone who did not take out a Pell grant would still be eligible for up to $10,000 in debt forgiveness if they meet the requirements.
For starters, while 35 states ban tobacco smoking in facilities like restaurants and workplaces, only 17 states ban e-cigarettes wherever smoking is banned. Now, even in states and municipalities where vaping indoors is prohibited, it is easy to get around that because the vapor is so discreet.
situations.”Similarto
With the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, the inconvenience of cigarette smoking is no longer an issue.
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Tuition isn’t the only payment college students have to worry about; there is also housing, meal plans, groceries, textbooks and other school necessities. The average college student spends $14,000 per year, not including tuition.
Many college students also have to work full-time while attending school to afford basic necessities.
Yet, NAU’s tuition and fees add up to a total of $12,274 for in-state students, which is still a significant amount of money for a low-income family. How is someone supposed to get the education they deserve when their family simply cannot afford it?
Although Biden has promised to continue the pause on federal student loan payments, he has put a time limit on loan forgiveness, which ended this summer. He also has not made any statements regarding the longevity of his plan for low-income students.Around 67% of students come from low-income families who make less than $48,000 a year.
The Truth Initiative, an organization dedicated to freeing people of nicotine addiction, suggests that vaping “creates social opportunities to connect with other people and provides a distraction from stressful
n Aug. 24, President Joe Biden announced that anyone who has taken out a Pell grant and made less than $125,000 annually, or $250,000 married, would have up to $20,000 in student loan debt forgiven
By using nicotine as a coping mechanism, you are rewarding uncomfortable feelings with a dopamine release from a highly addictive substance. Furthermore, the use of vapes contributes to our epidemic of social anxiety.
Biden is simply applying a small bandage on a largeEducationwound. should not leave young adults with so much debt that they’ll have to pay it off for many years to come. There should be a focus on more affordable education and creating easier access to
Comparing that 80% to now, a Pell grant only covers one-third of a public college degree.
ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH REDWOOD
However, social anxiety and lack of social ability are only getting worse with rising levels of phone use in general. Now, add in increased screen time and lack of in-person interaction that has resulted from the Allpandemic.thesefactors are against users when it comes to increasing our social skills and reducing social anxiety. The vape is just the icing on the cake.
Vaping: More than a nicotine fix
Speaking from personal experience, there have been times when I was hanging out with friends and there’s a lull in the conversation. This silence makes the situation feel awkward and uncomfortable. Then, just like one would reach for their phone to subdue the awkwardness, someone quickly reaches to hit their vape.
Within the United States, student debt amounts to $1.74 trillion this year.
A study conducted by Resilience Research Centre found that 36% of young adults, ages 16-29, reported having experienced social anxiety, which is known to lower their mood and well-being.
In a matter of seconds, vape users receive the dopamine release they want to reap the sensation of nicotineAlonginstantly.withthat, there is another area in which I find the use of vapes to be problematic. Not only does the accessibility of vapes increase nicotine consumption, but it is also a way to subdue anxiety, especially social anxiety.
Furthermore, nicotine is known to often soothe those consuming the chemical, so that anxiety associated with vaping gets treated with a highly addictiveMaskingsubstance.anxiety with a cigarette is not as easy. There is an element of thought involved in smoking a cigarette, and that moment could give a person an opportunity not to consume it.
“In keeping with my campaign promise, my Administration is announcing a plan to give working and middle class families breathing room as they prepare to resume federal student loan payments in January 2023,” Biden tweeted
Arizona's average student loan debt is $34,712, and the average amount of time to pay those loans back is in 20 years. The Biden administration appears to be ignoring the fact that college graduates don’t always get a well-paying job right after graduation.
They said the center has been slowly evolving into what the Flagstaff community needs, and that was the original goal.
“It’s a sweet little community space, they have cool events, like on the social side of things, they would have fun things like slam poetry, and I know they do cool things like [narcan training],” O’Connor said.
“[Liminal] is just another point of free food access, which I think is important,” Alagna said. “In order to do coffee and food — and be able to clean and maintain it — we needed a bigger setup.”
The only complaint Cipolla had was that they had been closed for so long.
Liminal began as an abstract idea that attempted to answer the question of how to radically develop the community in Flagstaff. Now, 17 months after the initial opening, Alagna said Liminal has become something completely different from what they envisioned.
Josh O’Connor, a team member at Flagstaff Climbing, said he appreciated the events Liminal held.
Alagna explained that when Liminal first opened it was difficult to find people willing to volunteer, but as the center has become more established in Flagstaff, more and more people have been offering to help. With positions to fill such as barista, accountant and programs coordinator, Liminal offers job experience that can be instrumental in volunteers’ career paths.
The idea of Liminal came from McElligott’s and Alagna’s desire to strengthen the community in Flagstaff. Alagna and McElligott wanted to create a space that anyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or economic standing could enjoy and feel comfortable in.
“Despite the fact that it’s donation-based, people who are able to pay do, always, and there’s plenty of people who come and have access to free drinks and it’s awesome, and financially, it works because we’re volunteer-run,” Alagna said.
Originally, renovations were only meant to last six weeks but ended up taking four months. This was because it was a struggle for the owners to pay for both renovations and rent. Renovations were paid for with PWYC donations as well as with the owners’ own money, a fact that Alagna admits has made finances a struggle. Outsourcing the renovations could have cost tens of thousands of dollars. The team at Liminal could not afford that so they came up with a unique solution.
Alagna said they are hoping that the renovations will bring more people to Liminal and increase donations. They also noted they are optimistic because there has been more attention and outreach from the community than ever before.
Liminal co-owner Christopher Alagna and barista Matthew Urban work behind the counter of Liminal’s new cafe, Sept. 7. Collin Vanderwerf | The Lumberjack
Though before any more spaces are built, Alagna and the rest of the team at Liminal are determined to make the community center an established part of Flagstaff. With continued support, Liminal will remain a place where the people of Flagstaff can gather and create the community its founders hope for.
LIMINAL continued from FRONT
Liminal’s policy ensures that all services are provided at donation-only prices. The PWYC business model is based on the idea that the same amount of money holds different values depending on who holds it. With that in mind, PWYC asks that customers pay only what they can afford for things such as drinks and food.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
Partnering with a local Flagstaff company, Evolve Eats, Liminal will be able to get the company's day-old food at lower prices delivered to them in reusable containers. The menu is expected to have nutritious meals specially prepared by a registered dietitian at pay-what-you-can (PWYC) prices.
FEATURES
In addition to the PWYC policy, Liminal will continue to offer weekly events such as jazz nights and art parties, a multimedia room with supplies for art projects, printing, clothing and multiple bookshelves stocked with everything from John Green novels to alternative living literature — everything free.
With the recent renovations now over, anyone that enters will be able to experience the space firsthand.
they wanted to be there, Cipolla said.
“I mean, they’ve been closed for a while but it makes sense; they’re all volunteer-run, and they are setting up good,” Cipolla said. “They moved the coffee stand to the other side of the place and it looks really cool.”
Changes to the space will include a new coffee bar, a large multimedia room for art projects, a new bathroom and a kitchen. With the addition of a cooking area, Liminal has become a fully licensed kitchen capable of serving meals beginning on openingAlagnaday. explained that the addition of a kitchen was the solution to the insufficient space behind the coffee bar.
Alagna said it’s a trust system where those who can afford to pay the asking price pay it, and those who cannot, pay whatever they feel they can, even if that means nothing. Alagna says that the policy has been extremely successful.
Frank Cipolla, a regular at Liminal, often visited the art room. It was a very positive place and all the people that worked there were friendly and seemed like
The team at Liminal is considering implementing a self-service system that would allow customers to order through a device rather than with a cashier. It is common for customers to either pay the whole amount plus tip, or not at all, AlagnaAlagnasaid. said they feel that there is a lot of shaming of income levels in society which can lead to people feeling pressured to pay more than they can or guilty when they can’t pay.
Liminal is hopefully the first of many spaces that offer inclusivity and alternative community spaces, Alagna said.
The team hopes that by making the transaction private, people would feel more comfortable paying what they can afford.
“Well we can’t [afford expensive renovations], but we would like to [renovate], so what can we do?” Alagna said. “Oh, we’re gonna do DIY, the old-fashioned way. So we did, I personally went through the codebooks for plumbing, electrical and other things. We did everything ourselves. We had a little help along the way, but yeah, we turned a project that could have been tens of thousands of dollars into something that was maybe thousands of dollars.”
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Top Left: Matthew Urban crafts a drink at the new cafe in Liminal, Sept. 7. Top Right: Liminal’s new cafe menu boasts several specialty drinks as well as a selection of standard offerings, Sept. 7. Middle Left: Liminal is preparing to open after closing for renovations. Sept. 7. Middle Right: Liminal co-owner Christopher Alagna stands in front of their newly renovated space, Sept. 7. Bottom Left: Edwin Coleman reads a poem during Slam Poetry Night at Liminal, Sept. 7. Bottom Right: Barista Matthew Urban serves up “The Reviver,” one of several specialty drinks served at Liminal’s new cafe, Sept. 7. Collin Vanderwerf | The Lumberjack
Artist Raina Gentry's work is displayed near the front of West of the Moon Gallery in downtown Flagstaff as part of her exhibition "Deviations," Sept. 9. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
O
She added that her new inspiration for this abstract style derived from a burnout she had with art this past year during the pandemic.
FEATURES
She said pursuing art full-time was the best decision of her life because she wanted to see where art would take her career.
Gentry debuts abstract style
Before fully pursuing art, Gentry attended Prescott College where she received her first bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. She continued her education at University of Arizona when she decided to pursue art as a career. Gentry received a second bachelor’s degree in studio art in 2002.
Gentry said she felt incredibly inspired with her new stylistic choices. For her, this specific showcase is exhilarating and a new experience to attempt a different method of art.
“West of the Moon Gallery is the best gallery in Flagstaff,” Gentry said.
At the art walk reception for Gentry, many of her pieces displayed in the gallery were showcased with no title, which was a contrast to the other displayed pieces of Mostart.of Gentry’s art arranged for the exhibition were created on box frames instead of a common canvas. A specific untitled piece showcased in her exhibition was a reworked design to have a more abstract appearance in order to increase sales. The painting itself was full of different patches of color, bright and dark blues and greens, that contrasted each other alongside dark shadows of black and different paint brush strokes decorating the box frame.
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The current showcase at West of the Moon Gallery displayed her new works in a style that has evolved to become more abstract. This artistic approach was brand new territory for Gentry, and she said she hopes this will inspire future projects. She said she carries no expectation when it comes to painting, which results in having a very organic perspective with a focus on nature and the idea of the female form.
Gentry said both her current direction of art and older style displayed a deep love and connection with the natural world.
Gentry’s exhibition, ‘Deviations’ will be open to viewers at West of the Moon Gallery until the end of the month, Sept. 26.
For 16 years, Gentry’s art was inspired by nature. Before she began on a more abstract path, her style consisted of landscapes and animals inspired by her
n the first Friday of every month, downtown Flagstaff hosts community art showcases and performances. The West of the Moon Gallery exhibits an artist of the month and holds an art walk — an in-house reception for patrons to meet them. This month, the featured artist is Raina Gentry with her exhibition, “Deviations,” showcased at West of the Moon Gallery.
OLIVIA LOPEZ
This art walk is the main viewing of Gentry's work, however, her work will be continuously sold at the West of the Moon Gallery, with the exhibition lasting from Aug. 29 to Sept. 26. She attended the art walk on Sept. 2 to introduce herself and herGentryart. grew up in Southern California but currently resides in Prescott. As a child, she said she remembered always enjoying art, but never considered it as a profession until her mid-30s, when she decided to leave her job to professionally pursueHerart.
Multiple art pieces are displayed on the back wall of West of the Moon Gallery in downtown Flagstaff by artist Raina Gentry as part of her exhibition "Deviations," Sept. 9. The far left painting titled "The Abyss" is displayed as the front image with a red sticker, indicating it has been sold. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
connection to Prescott.
Gentry has been an artist for West of the Moon for the last 10 years. She remained part of the gallery throughout their location changes. Gentry has been with smaller art galleries located in Prescott and Cottonwood for short periods of time but continues to return to West of the Moon Gallery.
“It felt like a calling, like I was compelled to do art,” Gentry said.
Gentry is now a full-time painter who works with acrylic paint on wood and specifically directs her focus to the importance of color and her stylistic patterns. Her work consists of many bright colors along with various patterns of lines and swirls that, altogether, form aspects of nature. With this new approach to her art, her abstract technique still consists of a lot of color but uses shapes and lines to demonstrate an altered view of reality.
inspiration came from a Griffin and Sabine work — a novel full of illustrations — she received from a former roommate.
“[It has] really invigorated the need to make art again,” Gentry said.
“Flagstaff is a very inspired, creative, artistic, spiritual, special place,” Gentry said.
Although Gentry is not a Flagstaff resident, she said she has a very positive outlook on the specific art and the way art is depicted in the city. She said she wishes she could reside in Flagstaff because of how supportive the community is of its local artists. Gentry explained that this is a great location to seek inspiration and find new artistic paths.
at West of the Moon Gallery
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Bottom: Prints of artist Raina Gentry's work are displayed near the front of West of the Moon Gallery in downtown Flagstaff as part of her exhibition "Deviations," Sept. 9. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
Top: The front door to West of the Moon Gallery in downtown Flagstaff is open, welcoming passersby to view artwork, highlighting artist Raina Gentry, Sept. 9.
One glance, one night Shouldn’t make you feel so many things at once.
FEATURES
READ MORE ON JACKCENTRAL.ORG SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
But I don’t want to overwhelm her I don’t want to bother her So I’ll sit still and pretty Until she is willing To give me a minute of her time. Because a minute Is better than nothing From a Goddess.
I would keep it nestled where I have the memory of the first time I saw her Of the first time I truly knew of her And my whole world tilted.
For You
If she wanted the world to be made up of glitter I’d get on my hands and knees and make it shine. This woman
Could be my sun, my moon, my stars I would let her be my universe I’d even let her be my galaxy.
If she wanted me to never look at her again I would do everything I could to erase her from my brain So that I might not ever think to glance in her direction.
If she let me hold onto it for her I would keep it safe
I’ll meet other people and maybe I will think they’re radiant But nothing can compare to her. No beauty could be as striking No soul as igniting As the one I know she carries.
ABIGAIL CELAYA
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Top: “Flaunt - the Drag Closet Presents: Drag Show,” performers stand on stage to thank the crowd for coming to their performance, as the show ends. Sept. 3. Middle Left: Jadye Justyc throws money into the air as they perform, Sept. 3. Middle Right: A crowd member turns as Ray Vengeance walks down the aisle during performance, Sept. 3. Bottom Left: Mango Sorbet lassos herself as part of her dance performance, Sept. 3. Bottom Right: Sammy Stardusts weaves through the crowd during her performance Saturday evening at the Dubois Center Ballroom, Sept. 3. Octavia Freeland | The Lumberjack
The Drag Closet Presents: Drag Show Flaunt
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
in recent years because of COVID and everything, other students have also started to take part, so now it just kind of includes everyone, because why not?”
The event took place just outside the University Union, where students lined up, starting at 7 p.m., to get their scavenger hunt maps and glow sticks. As the pedway began to fill up, many students seemed excited to get involved.
While “Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over” addressed their recovery head on, “HOLY FVCK” reaps the biggest benefit of rock, punk and metal music: Authenticity.
ALICE COLLINGWOOD
Other students stated that they had heard about the event through flyers posted in their accommodation, while others had received emails.
Of course, one of the main features of the event was the use of glow sticks, which began to light up campus as more students joined the festivities.
Johnson explained that the influx of students from previous freshmen classes was partially caused by the pandemic.
MONTYGANTT
On August 19, Lovato released their eighth studio album “HOLY FVCK.” The album follows their 2021 album “Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over,” which marked their official return to music after a near-fatal overdose in 2018.
CULTURE
“We are for students, by students,” Johnson said. “We make free events for students on campus, we try to make these events for all kinds of students, so sometimes we’ll have a super crazy, party, fun event, and sometimes we do laid back and stress-relieving events. And you know, we try to get a wide variety of events for students just so that they can all feel included and have fun!”
aturday, Sept. 3, NAU students were invited to participate in the Glow Quest, organized by SUN Entertainment.Theevent,designed to help freshmen familiarize themselves with campus, took the form of a scavenger hunt with fun activities along the way.
“These kinds of events are a good opportunity to socialize and meet your fellow peers on campus,” Green said.
“I really like that these events are here, because it actually gives you an opportunity to do something,” Anderson said. “So I just wanted to hang out and have something fun to do on a Saturday!”
While “Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over” was a pop record through and through, “HOLY FVCK” sees Lovato going into a completely new direction musically. This shift seemed inevitable after the singer posted a photo in January with their management team and executives from their record label that they captioned, “A funeral for my pop “HOLYmusic.”FVCK” sees Lovato return to a rock sound that hasn’t been present since their first two studio albums “Don’t Forget” (2008) and “Here We Go Again” (2009).
ILLUSTRATION
“The event is obviously aimed at freshmen,” Johnson said. “But especially
“We’ve been to a few other SUN Entertainment events recently, like the concert and also a few others, and that was really fun,” Green said.
Alex Nice’s lead guitar was also a highlight for me. It was versatile and never felt repetitive. Whether it was the catchy opening riff on my favorite song, “SKIN OF MY TEETH” or the heavier selection, “HELP ME,” the guitar was singing just as beautifully as Lovato.
For sophomore Reyna Green, taking part was less about exploring the campus she is already familiar with, and more about meeting other students.
Take the album’s third single “29,” released two days before the official release of “HOLY FVCK.” The song comments on relationships between younger, nearly underage women and significantly older men and how the relationships, in hindsight, were inappropriate.
It should be noted that Lovato has not yet directly commented on the inspiration for the song.
Freshman Amelia Espino was one of the students participating.
The number of students present outside the University Union indicated that the event had received a noticeable amount of publicity around campus. Freshmen Norah Bridenbaugh, Kylie Clegg and Zaley Hartt all heard about the Glow Quest through the NAUgo app, as did Green.
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Although the event was geared toward freshmen, this didn’t stop other students from participating in Glow Quest.
More information about these events and many others can be found in the events section of the NAUgo app.
Junior Amya Anderson also seemed keen to join in on the fun.
Demi Lovato gets re-acquainted with themself on “HOLY FVCK”
That power and authenticity isn’t just present in Lovato’s vocal performance either. The subject matter of the album feels more profound than their previous pop and R&B efforts.
Some have speculated that “29” was inspired by Lovato’s past relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama, whom Lovato met when they were 17 and he was 29 — although Lovato themself stated in a 2017 documentary that they didn’t begin dating until Lovato was 18.
Continue reading on jackcentral.org.
The event, like SUN Entertainment’s other start of semester activities, brought students together with a sense of fun.
“It’s definitely a change of pace for me, but I’m also going back to my roots because that’s what I started singing on my first album and my second album,” Lovato said during a June promotional appearance on “The Tonight Show.”
“The event is all done with glow sticks of course, because, well, it’s fun!” Johnson added.
“We really like doing these kinds of events,” Espino said. “They’re very inclusive, and very fun!”
emi Lovato is back and seems to have brought a familiar sound with them.
Everyone knows that Lovato has a powerful voice and an incredible vocal range, but that authenticity mixed in with that amazing vibrato of theirs made me pay attention to every lyric.
This change of pace is the reason I consider “HOLY FVCK” to be Lovato’s true musical comeback.
The song has become so powerful that it has influenced women and girls on TikTok to create videos detailing relationships they were in with older men that could be considered predatory.
“It just came out in the writing process,” Lovato said in an August interview with Vogue. “I wanted to take my power back. I grew up in the church as a Christian, and I had some anger towards it. Being queer, I definitely felt like I wasThemisunderstood.”vocalperformances aren’t the only highlights on “HOLY FVCK.” The musicianship throughout this album was phenomenal. Lovato’s backing band for this album was crisp, together and filled with the same emotion that the vocalsDrumencased.duties for the entire album were credited to session musician Keith “Ten4” Sorrells — who also played some of the rhythm guitar parts and bass on the album. Sorrells seemed to push his vocalist’s performance, something that every great rock drummer has done throughout the genre’s history.
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CULTURE WRITER BY EMILY DELABARRA
That’s not all that makes this album powerful. There are also religious undertones throughout the album. The title, the cover art and some of the songs on the tracklist, like “HEAVEN,” make this particular album feel like one of Lovato’s most personal projects.
SUN Entertainment is an acronym for Student Union Network, and is a student-run organization at NAU.
SUN Entertainment will be hosting other events throughout the semester, such as Wingo on the first Wednesday of each month in the Du Bois Ballroom, or movie nights at the Prochnow Auditorium every Thursday and Friday from 7 p.m.
Annual Glow Quest returns
Joy Johnson, a student events coordinator at SUN Entertainment explained, “Essentially, students come and check in and they get a ‘bingo card,’ so toJohnsonsay.” proceeded to explain that the ‘bingo card’ contained hints about popular spots on campus for students to decipher. At each spot they discovered, students found SUN Entertainment staff hosting mini-games for them to play. Once they had filled up their card, those participating returned to the check-in desk where they were given a shirt reading “Winner of the Lumberjack Challenge.”
nyone who has heard of Eugene, Oregon almost always brings up the University of Oregon, Hayward Field or the fact that Eugene is where Nike was founded. While these are significant factors that draw people to Eugene, they are far from the best part of the town and far from the reasons I love it.
I truly believe that Eugene is a city like no other, the perfect hometown to grow up in and a city I will always be excited to return to. While there is no way to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of my hometown, I cannot recommend it enough. If you find yourself traveling to the Pacific Northwest, think about heading to a city that may not have the big city title attached to it, but has just as much wonder to the town.
state can be done with just a short drive. Since the closest coastline is just over an hour away, it is just a day trip to the Oregon coast and just a two-hour drive to the Oregon Coast aquarium where I used to volunteer with my grandparents. In the other direction, it is just over an hour to the closest ski resort where I learned to ski as a kid. While there is plenty to do in Eugene, it is only a two-hour drive to Portland, the largest city in Oregon, to fulfill the more “touristy” parts of the state.While I do love Flagstaff and its assortment of local food options, there are some from back home that are never far from my mind. Restaurants like Cornucopia, Off the Waffle and Tacovore are some favorites amongst Eugenians. Eugene also has a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options like Cornbread Cafe, Laughing Planet, Cafe Yumm and Morning Glory Cafe. And of course like many other locations in Oregon, an abundance of local brewing companies such as Ninkasi, Hop Valley, Steelhead Brewery and locations like the Beirstien have an assortment of local brews.
Hometown Spotlight: Eugene, Oregon
Memories from my childhood consist of riding bikes on the bike path, playing games in the orchards near my neighborhood and visiting the pumpkin patches and corn mazes at the nearby farms. The reasons to love Eugene are much more subtle than our big-name university or companies that were founded here. I love the little things like driving over the Willamette River on my way to school every day, being stopped by turkeys crossing the road on my way home or actually being able to see stars at night from anywhere in town.
While there are so many things to do in the city, experiencing the rest of the
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Eugene is a city like no other. The farmers’ market spans blocks and is constantly filled with art that perfectly encapsulates the quirks of the city. There are miles of bike paths and many parks to spend your time in the trees while in the middle of the city. Hikes like Spencer’s Butte are just a few minutes outside the city. There is even a Slug Queen crowned every summer at the Eugene Celebration, who becomes the unofficial ambassador of Eugene until the next Slug Queen is announced.
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Photo courtesy of Lydia Nelson
Cold War Kids performing at The Cuthbert Amphitheater, Aug. 20, 2017. Photo courtesy of Lydia Nelson
LYDIA NELSON
The end of the Blue Pools trail in McKenzie River, Oregon, July 8, 2020.
A walking bridge on the Willamette River Trail overlooking the river Feb. 27. Photo courtesy of Lydia Nelson
“Maybe, in an attempt to get a floatie,” Amaya-Campo said.
Despite a rainy afternoon, the movie night was still packed. The Wall Aquatic Center is an indoor facility, so no plans to attend were dampened by the weather. Romano said all that was impacted was her outfit to and from the pool to keep warm, as well as Salmon.
“It’s cold outside, but we were like ‘it’ll be warm in there, and hopefully the pool will be warm,’” Salmon said. “It’s not, but that’s O.K. — it’s fine for me now, because I’m used to it.”
Though the water was cold going in, participants said they enjoyed it once they had time to settle in. The Pixar opening was met with cheers and applause as the movie began. Viewers sat back in their floating tubes and chatted with their friends to watch the beloved blue fish find her family.
“[We were going to] come regardless, because it’s inside, it’s not like the rain would have affected it,” Fuller said.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
Freshman Kayl Fuller seconded this and explained it was colder outside.
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Diving in for Dory
to meet new people, like freshman Andrea Amaya-Campo.
tudents escaped a rainy day for an evening of floaty fun at SUN Entertainment’s first Dive-In Movie event of the year on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event was hosted at the Wall Aquatic Center, which is usually reserved for athletes or for open swim and kayak hours. But for this particular evening, attendees got to hop in the water and enjoy a showing of the Pixar hit “Finding Dory.”
Many students came together to build new friendships at the Dive-In Movie, like freshmen Rachel Vazquez, Miki Hernandez, Ella Darling and Sydney LaPorte. Vazquez and Hernandez both met at the event and got to know Darling and LaPorte, who said they knew each other from high school. The group got to know each other in the pool before the movie started, and said it was a great way to bring people together.
McElhaney said the water theme is the usual for Dive-In Movie events in order to match the venue and feeling of the evening.
McElhaney said all lifeguards were trained and prepared to respond to a number of issues that could come up during the movie, and a line of communication with building staff was open for lifeguards to report incidents.
Doors opened at 7 p.m. with the pool reaching a maximum capacity of 300 swimmers by 7:30 p.m. The pool was full of students who came with friends or to meet new ones; many came early to snag the floating tubes provided by the Aquatic Center. Additional seating was available in the bleachers above for those who came in after the pool reached capacity. Those who missed out, however, should not be worried next time around, said senior and Wall Aquatic Center building manager Meg McElhaney.
EMILY REHLING
The “Finding Dory” Dive-In Movie event held by SUN Entertainment was largely attended at the Wall Aquatic Center on Sept. 10. The event exceeded the pool’s lifeguard to swimmer ratio, which led to people being directed to watch from the mezzanine. John Chaides | The Lumberjack
Although the next movie has not been decided, McElhaney said the water theme will continue. Due to the early start of the Dive-In Movie event this year, she said there will be more next semester. Last year, the Wall Aquatic Center only saw one Dive-In Movie Night; Disney’s “Moana” was shown in April.
The Wall Aquatic Center is open for students to swim Mondays through Fridays from 7-9 p.m., as well as varying hours throughout the weekdays and 12-3 p.m. on weekends. Day passes can also be purchased for non-students looking for swimming lessons through the NAU Campus Recreation reservations site.
Junior Suzel Van Puyse watches “Finding Dory” in excitement while floating on an innertube at the Dive-In Movie event held by SUN Entertainment at the Wall Aquatic Center, Sept. 10. John Chaides | The Lumberjack
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Many attendees said it was their first time watching a movie from the water. Freshman Allyson Romano said she wanted to take advantage of new opportunities coming to college, which is why she went to Saturday’s event.
“It looked fun — the movie, the pool and just meeting new people,” Hernandez said.Other students said they would possibly mingle around throughout the movie
Participants’ safety was a high priority throughout the event. Lifeguards were stationed all around the pool, watching carefully to make sure no one was hurt or had an “Usuallyemergency.wehavea four-guard rotation, but for this special event we bumped it up to a six-guard rotation,” McElhaney said. “So that means four guards are on at all times and two are on-break to respond to an emergency.”
“The tubes are first come, first serve,” McElhaney said. “For the next dive-in movie, we’re going to try to get more and we’re going to try to get clear ones.”
“My intentions going up here were that I would do everything that I can and make the most of my time,” Romano said.
Other viewers said they were excited to see a water-related movie played at the event, such as freshman Sarah Salmon. She said she was excited to see “Finding Dory” once again, which is a favorite of hers.
Bottom: A Plaza Vieja resident laughs with volunteers for the Community Welcome Walk. Mallory Derrick | The Lumberjack
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5th Annual Community Welcome Walk
Top: Volunteers for the Community Welcome Walk head toward the Plaza Vieja Park neighborhood to talk to residents. Middle Left: Mayor Paul Deasy knocks on a Plaza Vieja resident’s door during the Community Welcome walk. Middle Right: Volunteers for the Community Welcome Walk talk with a Plaza Vieja resident about his experience with his neighbors.
Jacks are back: Fall sports update
The Kwete brother defensive line trio is looking to make opposing offenses’ lives difficult with a tenacious rush attack. Junior Cosmas Kwete set the school record for quarterback pressures in a season last year and junior Eloi Kwete broke into NAU’s top 10 all-time sack leaders with nine on his career through two seasons.NAU plays its next two games at home after opening up the season on the road 1-1 against two very stout opponents.
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BUTLERNOAH
Other than these records, Williams also holds the most women’s singles titles at the Australian Open with seven and is tied with the great Chris Evert for most women’s titles at the U.S. Open with six. Williams became one of only two women to make four consecutive major finals in a row, the other woman being her sister Venus.
NAU football is 1-1 in the early season, earning its first victory last weekend against a tough Sam Houston State team. NAU plays its first home game and has its annual Running of the Freshmen on Saturday at 1p.m. against NorthNAUDakota.isin its fourth season led by head coach Chris Ball, who was hired after serving as defensive coordinator at Memphis under current Florida State head coach Mike Norvell. Ball helped NAU to a winning record in the 2021 spring season and last fall led the Lumberjacks to defeat UArizona for the first time since 1932. Ball has emphasized recruiting Arizona football talent, as 68 of the 119 rostered players are from in-state.Offensively,
defensive line and back end. Redshirt senior safety Morgan Vest led the team with five interceptions last season, he also had a team-high 104 tackles and was named to the preseason All-Big Sky team
Open, which was the first Grand Slam tennis title she won, Serena Williams played the final match of her career, losing to Alja Tomljanović in three sets
One thing these athletes have in common is that their names have become synonymous with their respective sports and are easily recognized by everyone in the world. These athletes have also all made some contribution to society, like LeBron’s I Promise school in Akron, Ohio or Serena’s partnership with UNICEF in the past, where she lobbied for the education of poor children in Ghana.
Williams showed what it means to be successful, and no matter what one endures, through hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve anything.
n the third round of the U.S.
Sunday’s soccer match is contested at the foot of the San Francisco mountain range, Sept. 11. Collin Vanderwerf | The Lumberjack
SPORTS Follow The Lumberjack sports reporters for live tweets and game updates! RECENT SCORES/UPCOMING GAMES: @NAU_MICsportsMIC Sports: Asst. Sports Editor: Noah Butler @NoahButlerLJ Sports Editor: Evan McNelia @evanmcnelia This week’s writers: Soccer: 9/9: NAU 1 - CSU Bakersfield 2 9/11: NAU 1 - Air Force 2 9/15: NAU vs Ottawa 7 p.m. Football: 9/10: NAU 10 - Sam Houston State 3 9/17: NAU vs North Dakota 1 p.m. Volleyball: 9/14: NAU - New Mexico 9/16: NAU vs New Mexico 6:30 p.m. Brenden Martin @BrendenMartin_
AU fall sports are in full swing, and student athletes have had the chance to showcase their talents. With students back to class and events taking place, now is a good time to take a brief look at each of the sports in action on campus.
NAU’s next match is Friday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. against the University of New Mexico, closing out the home-and-home series. NAU begins its Big Sky Conference schedule, hosting the University of Montana also at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22.
SPORTSASSISTANTEDITOR
NOAH BUTLER & EVAN MCNELIA
NAU volleyball finished its tournament schedule 1-4 after canceling its appearance at the North Dakota State Tournament. NAU went 0-2 at the Utah Valley invitational, and had a match that was supposed to be at Southern Utah canceled due to injuries. The Lumberjacks took one match of three at the Lumberjack Classic, dropping matches to Utah Tech and Michigan before sweeping Old Dominion.
Serena Williams is the perfect example of what a G.O.A.T. is. She has done so much for women and women’s tennis over the years, most notably by bringing her competitiveness to the sport which invigorated every other player to be better. Williams overcame many obstacles throughout her career, whether it was the barriers she faced as a Black woman in tennis or surgeries that stymied her career for some years.
NAU returns junior libero Millie O’Ketter, who played in all 96 sets and had 25 service aces in 2021. Last season’s team leader in kills outside hitter Taylor Jacobsen is now in her senior season and already has 77 kills on the year. She is now just 40 kills away from 1,000 in her career.
It is more than her tennis skill that defines her legacy. Williams has transcended a basic level of athlete to what we know as a G.O.A.T — Greatest of All Time. Other examples of G.O.A.T.’s include Tom Brady, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky.
NAU has a lot to be excited about in 2022. Returning from 2021 are the freshmen tandem of running back Kevin Daniels and quarterback RJ Martinez. Daniels became NAU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015 in his first year and Martinez was named Big Sky Conference freshman of the year.
Continue reading on jackcentral.org.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
Serena Williams is the definition of a GOAT
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NAU’s defense also has a lot of returning experience across the board especially on the
Martinez has the help of a deep receiving corps that boasts a returning deep threat trio featuring junior Hendrix Johnson, redshirt sophomore Coleman Owen and redshirt junior Jamal Glaspie. In 2021 they combined for 96 receptions, 1,539 yards, averaging 16 yards per catch collectively and scoring 13 touchdowns. Johnson had a 101-yard receiving day against Sam Houston last week.
NAU head coach Ken Murphy is in his 10th season with the school and has 175 wins so far through his tenure. Murphy has led the Lumberjacks to two Big Sky Conference titles, the first in 2015 and the second in 2018.
It was the inevitable end of the road for the 40-year-old, who won 23 Grand Slam titles throughout her illustrious career. Williams was also ranked the consensus number one player in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association for 319 weeks and was at the top for a record-tying 186 consecutive weeks.
Football
Volleyball
Soccer
The NAU men’s cross country team cools down during the women’s race at the George Kyte Classic, Sept 3. Jacob Handley | The Lumberjack
Of course, there are still events between now and then, but Smith will be sure to mold this team into the championship-winning squad he is familiar with. The Lumberjacks are set to impress this season, led by week one Big Sky XC Athlete of the Week senior Drew Bosley on the men’s side and sophomore Elise Sterns on the women’s side.
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There’s plenty to be excited about if you are a Lumberjack sports fan as the fall sports schedule rolls, and with basketball just around the corner, this is only the beginning of an exciting year of sports.
NAU outside hitter Taylor Jacobsen (4) serves the ball against Utah Tech on Aug. 26, 2022 Peyton Bartsch | NAU Athletics
The NAU soccer team, helmed by fourth-year coach and former Olympian Kylie Louw, is off to a slow start this season. NAU sits at 0-4-2 on the season thus far, good for seventh place in the conference above only Weber State and Sacramento State.Many of the matches that the Lumberjacks have played do not necessarily indicate why their record is that low, however. The Lumberjacks have scored six total goals on the season, but they have also only given up 10 goals. Every game has been decided by only one goal, most matches have been defensive games, and strong offensive performances have seldom been present.
The Lumberjacks will have to create more offense if they want to compete for a potential playoff spot, but as the team comes together, aspects of the game will come easier. NAU plays its next home match on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. against Big Sky Conference foe Eastern Washington. NAU begins a four game road trip beginning on Sept. 14 before returning to Lumberjack Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The Lumberjacks have only run one meet, the George Kyte Classic at this point through the season. However, this meet showcased what was already known about the team; that it is going to be a force to be reckoned with at the national meet on Nov. 19 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Offense will be a key component in coming matches, as there are only two left before conference play begins. If NAU wants a fighting chance to make the Big Sky Tournament, they will have to bounce out of this offensive slump and play more completeSophomoresoccer.goalkeeper
This season of Lumberjack cross country will be one to follow, and if all goes well, NAU will have an Alabama football-level of dominance over the sport, gunning for its sixth national title in seven seasons.
Trinity Corcoran has been solid for the Lumberjacks this season; through three games played, she has only given up three goals. Corcoran put up a clean sheet in a tie with Georgia Southern on Sept. 1.
Cross Country Head coach Michael Smith looks to add to NAU cross country’s trophy case yet again this season. The men’s team, coming off back-to-back NCAA titles, could go for the three-peat this season. It would be the second three-peat for the Lumberjacks in seven years, which also happens to be how long coach Smith has been with NAU. He recently signed a five-year extension to stay with the Lumberjacks running program through 2027.
Wyard heads the Learfield team dedicated to representing NAU and expanding the brand to business partners. Learfield represents nearly 200 universities as their exclusive multimedia rights holder.
FINDLAY TOYOTA continued from FRONT
Obtaining a sponsorship from a dealership like Findlay Toyota is an impressive feat, especially when compared to other venues with the Toyota name. These include the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, which hosts concerts, rallies and is home to the Northern Arizona Wranglers, who won the 2022 Indoor Football League National Championship on Aug. 13, six days before NAU’s announcement with the automotive group.
The NAU Walkup Skydome remains empty outside. The doors in this photo are one entrance to the countless games held on the soon to be “Findlay Toyota Field.” Storey Welch | The Lumberjack
will be updated on top of advertisements the Skydome already displays.
NAU as a sports program sees itself as a national brand with appeal beyond Arizona and neighboring states, much in part to the men’s cross country team winning five of the last six NCAA national championships
The new name has already sparked conversation on NAU’s brand across college sports circles.
The prizes that fans could win look to be bigger than ever before, but NAU will hold those prize unveilings close to its chest before NAU football’s first home game as it figures out how big it wants to go.
The newly named Findlay Toyota Field will debut its namesake on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. against former Big Sky Conference foe North Dakota. This year’s freshman class can also participate in the Running of the Freshmen before kickoff, getting the chance to test out the Findlay Toyota-sponsored year-old turf before the Lumberjacks get to in a game setting.
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Todd Wyard, general manager at NAU Lumberjack Sports Properties, said the new naming rights to the court and field give NAU a striking edge over most other big college sports programs.
Television and radio broadcasts of NAU games will see a lot more mentions of Findlay Toyota, including sponsored segments that have already been seen in soccer and volleyball matches. Marlow attributed the Big Sky Conference’s media rights deal with ESPN+ as a helping hand in getting Findlay Toyota on board.
While the field and court get a distinct new name, the Skydome itself will keep its recognizable name that remains fitting for the highest playing surface at the FCS level (6,980 feet). The Skydome remains the second-highest elevation for a college football stadium in Division I, only behind the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium in Laramie at 7,220 feet above sea level.
Fans coming to watch NAU play will notice some changes meant to enhance the gameday experience. Findlay Toyota will host giveaways and have prizes for those who enter.
The deal was always centered on the naming rights for the field and court. A name change of the Skydome itself was never on the table.
Added signage in the Skydome has been in the process of being installed this week leading up to NAU’s first home football game of the season.
The official press release states that new signage promoting Findlay Toyota
“It was all focused on the playing surfaces,” Marlow said.
“It will certainly be present on the field and on the court,” Marlow said. “We were getting our court resurfaced at the time this deal was coming together so it won’t be a sticker on [the court] either. It will actually be embedded within.”
“Our marketing department is still working closely with both Learfield and Findlay to make sure we have stuff in place by the time we kick off.”
A crew works on posting signage Thursday before the Lumberjacks home opener Jonah Graham | The Lumberjack
The Toyota Center in Frisco, Texas hosts the FCS National Championship game every year, which NAU football hopes to compete for this season.
“The majority of D1 athletics programs don’t have a field/court naming rights partnership, so these deals don’t just happen,” Wyard said. “It does take the right corporate partner and it has to be at the right time for all parties. I am happy to share that NAU athletics is at a place where it got a lot of people excited not only at Findlay Toyota, but also within Toyota itself.”
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
NAU upsets Sam Houston in Huntsville 10-3
defensive back Dyvine Wallace were able to come up with a combined sack on third down, forcing Sam Houston to settle for a field goal attempt. Sophomore kicker Seth Morgan converted from 44 yards to register the first score of the game.NAU
Redshirt junior linebacker Heston Lameta finished the game with a teamhigh eight tackles and a sack. Redshirt senior safety and Texas native Morgan Vest finished with six tackles and two pass breakups. Junior linebacker Jhasi Wilson had four tackles, a strip-sack, and two pass breakups.
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Junior wide receiver Hendrix Johnson hauled in eight catches for a gameleading 101 yards. redshirt junior wide receiver Jamal Glaspie had 58 yards on seven receptions and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Coleman Owen had 65 yards on six catches.
Sam Houston started the game with possession and drove down the field on its first drive before missing a 52-yard field goal attempt short, giving NAU possession.NAUmoved rather methodically on its first drive, taking 17 plays and 7:17 off of the clock before being stuffed on the goal line on fourth down. NAU tried getting creative early using a receiver sweep and a wildcat formation in its attempts near the goal.
It’s another staple win for NAU under head coach Chris Ball, who led the Lumberjacks to victories over rival Southern Utah last season — retaining the Grand Canyon Trophy for the next seven years as they left the conference — and PAC-12 UArizona, who NAU had not beaten since 1932.
NAU defensive lineman Cosmas Kwete (96) pursues the quarterback. Michael Wagner | NAU Athletics
Sam Houston looked like it could put a drive together before halftime, but a Lameta sack pushed the Bearkats out of field goal range, holding the score to 7-3 with NAU leading at halftime.
“Theyhalf. changed the protection in the second half,” Ball said. “In the first half we had a pretty good beat, Coach [Jerry] Partridge did a great job figuring out their protections during the week and our defensive line did a great job of getting after their quarterback.”
Last season, the Lumberjacks earned their first win with a week three upset performance over UArizona. This year another hard-earned upset gets them in the win column. The victory was also the Lumberjacks’ first win against Sam Houston since they beat the Bearkats in Huntsville 34-18 in 2003.
NAU hosts its first home game of the year Saturday against North Dakota, which is coming off of a win at No. 24-ranked Northern Iowa. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. MST at Findlay Toyota Field at the Walkup Skydome.
Running back Kevin Daniels (22) runs into a Bearkats defender. Michael Wagner | NAU Athletics
“We’ve got a lot of want to, this team has a lot of want to, a lot of grit,” Ball said. “They have a tremendous work ethic, they showed tonight that they believed they could win this football game and they went out and beat a really good football team. I attribute that to our attitude, our energy, our effort. And the time we have put into us and into this program in the last eight months, it really showed tonight.”
Coach Ball said that a lot of the time when they were getting after the quarterback it was just four-man pressure, meaning the defense was getting after the quarterback with just their base rush with no blitzers, allowing the defense to have seven players drop back into coverage.
NAU was unable to record a sack in the second half after getting four in the first
NAU stalled out the Sam Houston offense for the remainder of the first half, mainly due to continuous pressure in the backfield by the defensive line. A strip sack by Wilson and recovery by junior defensive lineman Ho Ching gave NAU a shortMartinezfield. was credited with the rushing touchdown from one yard out on an option play as he and Daniels seemed to carry the ball into the endzone together, giving NAU a 7-3 lead with 2:37 on the clock in the first half.
Junior defensive lineman Cosmas Kwete had the play of the game — intercepting a pass that bounced off a ref in the middle of the field — stifling a promising Bearkats drive which could have seen them tie the game. He finished the game with six tackles, half a sack and one tackle for loss.
A couple of big third and long scrambles by redshirt sophomore and Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Jordan Yates on the Bearkats’ second drive gave the Bearkats fresh sets of downs keeping the Sam Houston offense rolling.
NAU got deep into Sam Houston territory off of a 51-yard catch-and-run by Johnson on the opening drive of the second half. However, on a third and goal pass attempt, a blitzing defensive back was able to swat the Martinez pass forcing a chip shot field goal for Robbins who increased the Lumberjacks’ lead to seven, 10-3.
Redshirt freshman defensive back Kamdan Hightower and redshirt senior
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It was a solid team victory for NAU that will help propel them into the Sept. 17 home opener against North Dakota.
AU football earned its first win of the season on Saturday with a 10-3 upset victory over FCS-departing Sam Houston State. NAU’s defense pulled out stops whenever it needed and became the first FCS team to hold Sam Houston without a touchdown since the 2014 FCS playoff semifinal when North Dakota State beat the Bearkats 35-3. NAU was a 16-point underdog entering the game.
The win Saturday comes just a little over a year after NAU dropped its 2021 season-opener against Sam Houston 42-16 at the Walkup Skydome, as the Bearkats were coming off of a spring 2021 National Championship season.
NAU averaged only 1.7 yards per carry in the game, but got pushes up front when needed, using the quarterback sneak and pushing the pile to help convert in numerous short yardage situations.
The victory speaks volumes to the growth the NAU program has endured over the last Sophomoreyear.quarterback
With 5:30 left in the game, Sam Houston downed a punt inside NAU’s oneyard line, putting the Lumberjacks in a tough position. Sam Houston also held all three of its timeouts. A 17-yard reception by Glaspie got the Lumberjacks out of the jam to keep their drive alive. NAU ran for 34 yards on the drive and picked up three more first downs, running out the clock and capturing the win 10-3 in a gritty performance.
EVAN MCNELIA
sophomore athlete Xander Werner began NAU’s next drive by finding Owen on a 41-yard double reverse pass which netted NAU 31 yards after being brought back 10 due to a holding penalty. NAU had its 39-yard field goal attempt blocked at the line ending the drive.
Freshmen will want to arrive early for the annual Running of the Freshmen before the 2022 Lumberjacks home kickoff.
The defense was able to create two turnovers and get to the quarterback four times. Constantly finding a way to disrupt the Sam Houston offense as they struggled to consistently move as most drives were interrupted by big defensive plays. The Bearkats ran the ball well, totaling 141 yards, but the gains were not consistent enough to sustain scoring drives and Sam Houston saw fewer scoring opportunities the deeper the game got. They finished the game with just 111 passing yards.
“We have to take it one week at a time.” Ball said. “We’re going to enjoy this one for the next 24 hours, then start getting ready for North Dakota. [We] got a tough team coming into Flag. It’s nice that we get to be at home but we have to enjoy this one and take them one at a time.”
Late in the third quarter, Sam Houston had a drive rolling after completing a couple double-digit yardage passing plays. However, the Bearkats caught a tough break as a pass deflected off of a ref’s shoulder and ended up right in the hands of defensive lineman Cosmas Kwete. Kwete had his runback partially erased by a sideline interference penalty but the play still served as a momentum killer for Sam Houston.
Johnson helped NAU’s offense stay rolling on its next drive, hauling in three first-down receptions. However, Sam Houston redshirt junior defensive back Jordan Morris came away with an interception as Martinez attempted to find Glaspie on a deep post route in the endzone and missed just a little bit short against solid coverage.
RJ Martinez finished the game 27 of 41 passing for 214 yards with one interception. He also had eight yards on the ground with a touchdown carry, the only touchdown of the game for either team.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
