This class is available both in-person and live on Zoom.

Water is life. Yet water security is one of the most important challenges facing us. In this course, we explore where our water comes from, how decisions about water management are made, and where we are headed. We’ll discuss groundwater, the Colorado River, and more. We’ll pursue an approach where all communities and people – including you - contribute to shaping our own water future as we explore local to state-level issues and beyond. The course blends short lectures, guest speakers from across the water community, and interactive discussions. By the end of the six weeks, participants will understand where their water comes from, the systems that govern it, and practical entry points to engage in local and regional water conversations.

Co-instructors Michellsey Benally and Chris Kuzdas have combined decades of experience working with communities across the landscapes of the West and beyond. Michellsey serves as the Grand Canyon Trust’s Water Advocacy Manager, working alongside tribal and rural communities to safeguard groundwater in the Grand Canyon and Little Colorado River regions. Prior to that she worked at the Arizona Department of Water Resources managing groundwater regulation across the state.

Chris earned a PhD from Arizona State University. He currently serves as the Arizona Water Program Director for Environmental Defense Fund. He serves on the Governor’s Water Policy Council and spends much of his time collaborating with local communities to shape water policy discussions and decisions that impact them.

This class meets on six Wednesdays: 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing, pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing, pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Join us in-person or through Zoom.

Shawn Nittmann and sons, Bryor and Brady, enjoyed a successful DIY Caribou Hunt in the Western Arctic of Alaska in September, 2025. Come see their slides and videos and hear them describe planning, preparation, cost, travel and logistics, camp and hunt highlights and outcomes, including what worked and what didn’t. They’ll be happy to answer questions after the talk. As a result of the 2025 experience, they are planning to return to Alaska in 2027.

Shawn Nittmann has hunted, fished and enjoyed the outdoors in Arizona and Colorado all his life. He and his wife raised sons Bryor and Brady in Flagstaff and brought them up to enjoy the outdoors. Shawn is a retired CCC student affairs administrator and part-time Biology Instructor. He continues to teach outdoor related courses for CCC’s Community Education program, and is trained as a Wilderness EMT. His next class is Winter Outdoor Survival Skills.  As a volunteer with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit he serves as a member of the board of directors, an operations leader, and a navigation and survival instructor where he has completed over 200 Search and Rescue missions. 

Bryor Nittmann spends time hunting and fishing around Flagstaff, Colorado, and Old Mexico. Bryor was a Wildland Firefighter and Hot Shot for the USFS for 10 years before joining the Flagstaff Fire Department’s Wildland Division as an engineer. He also owns and operates his own tree cutting and removing business and leases UTV’s to the USFS. He and his family live in Flagstaff and enjoy all things outdoors.

Brady Nittmann now does most of his hunting and fishing in Oregon, near Eugene. Brady is a skilled river runner who plies the Willamette River and its major tributaries in his drift boat as his chief outdoor recreation.  He worked as the Financial Director for the University of Oregon and a business consultant for the University of Arizona and has now taken a job as higher education financial consultant with Huron Consulting. He and his family live in Oregon and also enjoy all things outdoors!

Discover strategies for creating and maintaining a beautiful, functional landscape tailored to Flagstaff's unique environment. This course is designed for homeowners, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about enhancing their outdoor spaces. Topics covered will include:

• Micro-Climates: Learn how to identify and work with Flagstaff's diverse micro-climates, from sunny high-desert zones to shaded forested areas, ensuring your plants thrive in the right conditions.
• Sprinkler Systems: learn about installation and maintenance of different irrigation systems.
• Tree and Shrub Care: Gain knowledge of the best plants for different areas, as well as pruning and maintaining to promote healthy growth.
• Pest Management: Learn strategies for integrated pest management, including prevention and management of pests and diseases, and strategies for living near wildlife.
• Seasonal Maintenance: Learn how to manage the unique challenges of Flagstaff’s climate, including snow, monsoons, and drought conditions, and develop strategies for a firewise landscape.

Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing an existing yard, by the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and know-how to transform your outdoor space.

Instructor Dan DeVere has been a Certified Golf Course Superintendent since 1994, with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Arizona. He’s also a Certified Viticulturist through Yavapai College, and has been a Coconino County Master Gardener since 2014. As a resident of Flagstaff for over 30 years, Dan has managed the maintenance and care of some of the region's premier golf courses, including Continental Country Club, Aspen Valley Golf Club, and most recently, Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club.

In addition to his work in golf course management, Dan has contributed his expertise to Morning Dew Landscaping, A&A Tree Service, and Wagon Wheel Winery. He is also a licensed applicator with the Arizona Department of Pest Management.

Dan’s training and expertise emphasize sustainable landscape design and maintenance, with a focus on blending nonnative areas harmoniously with the local environment. He is committed to minimizing the use of pesticides and synthetic compounds, striving to create landscapes that are both functional and environmentally responsible.

Class meets six Thursdays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• This class is intended for medical providers and those applying for programs in the medical field (i.e. EMT, CNA, MA, Physicians, RN, Dentists, etc.)
  • Note: course will fulfill the enrollment pre-requisite for EMS 131, Emergency Medical Technician and NUR 110, Nursing Assistant I
• This is a medical course for CPR & AED for infant, child, & adult only. No First Aid.
• This course will be completed in person at the CCC Fourth Street Campus.
  • The course is approximately 5 hours.
  • Additional online work may be required.
• Health and Safety:
  
  • Masks are encouraged.
  • Personal air valves will be provided. 

Writing is a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing. Seasoned and beginning writers alike will open a pathway to hearing their own inner voices on their journey to wholeness. Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. Please bring a journal, notebook, or laptop.

Barbara Shovers, M.A., is a life coach, gerontologist, and writing instructor. She has taught at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Coconino Community College. She co-founded Flagstaff Writers Connection and has organized and given workshops on personal growth through writing. She has been a member of a memoir group for eight years.

Class meets on five Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. - April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Dive into the rich and diverse stories of the Latino communities — Mexican, Basque, Spanish, Chicano — that have shaped the vibrant tapestry of Flagstaff. This interactive course offers a dynamic introduction to the people, traditions, industries, and historic sites that have played a vital role in the city’s development.

From prominent families and community celebrations to hidden histories and cultural legacies, you’ll uncover the often-overlooked contributions that continue to define the beauty, strength, and spirit of Flagstaff. Whether you're new to the area or a lifelong resident, this journey through local heritage will deepen your connection to the city and its multicultural roots.

Instructor Eva Barraza is a faculty member at Coconino Community College in the Social and Behavioral Science Department. She has taught a variety of courses that focused on culture, history, politics, and economics. She received her Doctorate in Political Science from Northern Arizona University. Her academic focus is on the areas of American Government/Politics (institutions), Comparative Politics (Latin America), U.S. Race /Ethnic Relations, and Political Economy. While the study of politics and cultural relations are central in her teaching, she includes historical analyses, sociological inquiries, and economic findings in the curriculum. As a community volunteer she has worked with several organizations including St. Vincent de Paul, Flagstaff Legal Aid Center, and Keep Flagstaff Together.

This course meets on five Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

Image credit: Cline Library Special Collections and Archives, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona