Jeff and Monica visit with Matt Lipan, Vice President of Operations of The Foster Alliance, to cover the expansion of their program to Flagstaff. The Foster Alliance is a place for those participating in the foster care system, as a space to find resources and needed or wanted items like hygiene products, licensed safety items, clothing and more. The new location is in the Continental Plaza and they are continuously looking for individuals and families in Flagstaff to support their work and to get involved by volunteering, donating or even becoming foster parents themselves. One incredible portion of the work they do is the Birthday Dreams Program, in which children are able to receive the items that they actually want for their birthday celebration. To learn more about the Birthday Dreams Program, and how to get involved with The Foster Alliance, visit thefosteralliance.org

Director of Public Works at the City of Flagstaff, Scott Overton, joins Jeff and Monica for the weekly Public Works segment. Today, we covered the upcoming Montalvo STEM Education Community Center that will be built in the former Fire Station 2 on the East side by the baseball field. Overton discusses what typically happens city-owned buildings when they are no longer in use, the timeline of the Montalvo Center, and ways for the public to stay informed, contribute, or volunteer as the center develops. 

Roxana Yazzie was interviewed on the Jeff Kennedy Show regarding the upcoming 75th Annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. There's a full lineup for the rodeo this year, including the Youth Rodeo, Open Show, Morning Slack and the Young Guns and Wooly Riding Championships - there are many highlights to experience when viewing these young riders take the arena. Chairwoman Roxana Yazzie discusses the work that the Gallup Lions Club provides for the youth including eyeglasses, food backpacks and more. Funds raised from the rodeo directly support these kinds of programs, and the rodeo helps to shape young people's character, confidence and connection to their culture.

Jeff and Monica chat with Flagstaff Vice Mayor Austin Aslan on the City of Flagstaff's Official Zoning Overlay Service. Vice Mayor Aslan covers how the tool helps city planners, developers, and residents better understand land use regulations as well as how the City enforces and monitors these agreements with developers. This pilot program ensures equitable treatment of both large-scale developers and small property owners as well as includes indigenous voices and local environments into the conversation.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Jeff and Monica visit with Expert Guest Anat Peri, to discuss her TEDx talk, "Why Thinking Positive Doesn't Work". Adults experiencing mental illness and emotional stress is at an all-time high, and Anat Peri asks that folks consider learning to work for your nervous system, as our nervous system works for us all the time. "Express it don't suppress it" is a favorite line of Anat's, as she covers the most common misunderstandings people have about emotional health or managing mental stress and how early life experiences shape our emotional patterns.

Young Voices Contributor, Sofia Hamilton, calls in to Jeff and Monica to discuss how 'your health is your business, not the government's'. Sofia describes herself as "proudly politically homeless" as her opinions on healthcare are guided on her principles rather than party loyalty, and that restoring the doctor-patient relationship is critical, but that government insurance mandates have eroded it. Sofia Hamilton considers that direct patient care and boutique practices have found nationwide followers, and she touches on how we can expand access to high-quality care without sacrificing individual freedom or innovation.

Jeff and Monica visit with Melissa Shaw, Long Range Planner at Coconino County Community Development, and Jess McNeely, the County's Planning Manager to discuss the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan. The plan is updated every 10 years, and while the plan's focus is on land use it also contains chapters on transportation, the natural environment, resilient economies and housing, parks, open space, trails and recreation, sustainability, resilience, energy and climate, community services and public safety, as well as diverse cultures and community character. The plan is available online where reviewers may comment directly on the document.

Jeff and Monica check in with PIO & Historian of Lowell Observatory Kevin Schindler to talk about the changing seasons and what that means for Lowell. Lowell Observatory will be expanding their hours for summer visitation, visit lowell.edu for more information. Kevin discusses Venus at Greatest Elongation, the upcoming Strawberry Moon on June 11th, Summer Solstice on June 21st, where the phrase, 'Once in a Blue Moon' comes from, and events headed to Lowell - including 'Meet a Planetary Astronomer' on June 21st with Dr. Larry Wasserman.

Scott Overton stop by The Jeff Kennedy show to discuss the importance of taking the time to celebrate and spotlight public works professionals. Most people don't realize what goes into making the clean streets, safe roadways, and waste collection happen - and that's what National Public Works Week is all about. Scott says to new graduates, "No matter your career path, we embrace you at Public Works". 

Meteor Crater Education Alliance has launched the Flagstaff Science Center, a bold new hub for STEM learning and community discovery, and Jeff and Monica visit with Executive Director Anthony Peleaz to learn more! Anthony is a passionate champion with a talent for creating experiences that ignite curiosity and drive innovation. Anthony develops programs and forges partnerships to inspire the next generation of STEM pioneers in Northern Arizona. Anthony discusses what inspired the creation of the Flagstaff Science Center, how securing grant funding ensures Title I students can visit Meteor Crater and how local schools, businesses, and families can get involved with the Flagstaff Science Center.