Here at Highland Village, we're proud to be part of the Flagstaff community … and that means giving back when and where we can! This month, our team is proud to give back to the Coconino Humane Association with a day of volunteering!

The Coconino Humane Association works to provide shelter and aid for the "unwanted, abandoned, and mistreated" animals of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. We love their statement of pride in being "a voice for dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals in Coconino County!" Following the CHA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is enough to show anyone just how much they care about our animals. By hosting events, providing training, and posting pictures of adoptable and lost animals, they help to "speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Coconino Humane offers numerous opportunities for volunteers to serve the Flagstaff community's animals! Some opportunities include helping to provide animal care, socializing animals, supporting offsite adoption events, and much more! We're excited to work with them to do our part for the precious furry friends we all love!

The Coconino Humane Association could always use more volunteers! To learn how you can help, visit their Volunteer Page! We'd love for you to join us in making a "paw"-sitive difference right here in Flagstaff!

The post Highland Village Gives Back: Coconino Humane Association appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

If you’re anything like us, your bracket for March Madness is all but destroyed … if not already a totally lost cause. So, what should you do with your bracket now that you won’t be winning your office pot? We’ve got some ideas.

1. Write a Strongly Worded Letter
Your team’s done let you down, man. Somebody needs to hear about it. So flip that bracket over and write a strongly worded letter with its abysmal remains. We recommend writing the head coach, or your favorite player. Actually, you know what? Bad idea … Let’s face it, you may be disappointed but it’s nothing compared to the actual players. So have a little compassion, and instead send your expressions of bracket-busted grief to your roommate. Or your mom. Maybe even your apartment leasing office? We’re not promising a response, but at least you put it out there. Which is more than we can say for your team.

2. Rewrite Your Bucket List
It’s time to start living your own life again. So what if all your dreams of perfect bracket glory went down in a ball of flames after round one? The world is still out there! You can still do something amazing! Write out that bucket list! Make it all the things you would have done with your bracket winnings … Or maybe all the things your bracket loss makes you want to do. Like eat an elite eight pack of ice cream. Or take a road trip down the mountain long enough to have a long hard think about how your bracket went so wrong. Or learn to perfect your free throw percentage and three-point shot…

3. Use It to Fix a Wobbly Table
Come on … what else is it good for? Your bracket is busted. That doesn’t mean your table has to be busted, too. Create some good out of this disaster.

4. Find Love
If Villanova can lose, anything can happen, right? Flip your bracket over and write a letter to the guy or gal of your dreams. What else have you got to lose? Keep the letter simple, and maybe let it rock some thinly veiled NCAA puns. We’re talking: “Do you like me? Yes or ‘Nova?”

5. Recycle It
Your bracket is dead. But the earth is still spinning. Help keep it that way by recycling it. Technically all the above options are ways of recycling your bracket sheet. You can love both basketball and the environment. Don’t take this year’s tourney disappointment out on Mother Earth, bro. Keep it classy and save a tree.

What's your plan for your bracket now that it's busted? Or are you a lucky one who's bracket is still going strong? Let us know!

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February is a month of love, so we’re celebrating with a focus on things we love, from home décor to fun holidays and more!

The City of Seven Wonders. The Dark Sky City. The apple of our eye. Whatever name we give it, we love our hometown. Flagstaff is a city near and dear to our hearts (and we’re not just saying that because we live here) … here are ten reasons it should be near and dear to yours, too!

A “Haunting” City

Flagstaff has a haunting personality … literally. Head to the Weatherford, Monte Vista Hotel, North Morton Hall at NAU, and the Museum Club are just some of the local spots where you can witness (or at least hear plenty of stories about) some freaky paranormal activity. Whether you’re a skeptic or a full-blown believer, we recommend taking a Haunted Flagstaff tour at least once while you’re here!

Hanging with the Stars

Okay, so maybe we’re not talking about hanging out with the likes of Brad Pitt or Taylor Swift … But you can get an up-close and personal look at one of the best views of the cosmos right here in town at the Lowell Observatory. Pluto is still a planet in our hearts (yep, it was discovered at Lowell in 1930), and NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is on the cusp of reaching it in July! So be sure to celebrate the “Year of Pluto” throughout 2015 at the observatory!

Feet on FUTS

Head out into the great green landscape of Flagstaff and enjoy the Flagstaff Urban Trails System, or FUTS. Flagstaff has a reputation as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, and the more than 50 miles of trails on the FUTS tells you all you need to know about why! You can enjoy other outdoor rec at Thorpe, Buffalo, and Wheeler Park, and other nearby parks, trails, and expedition hubs.

Go “Extreme”

One of Flagstaff’s most “tree-rific” spots in Flagstaff Extreme. Enjoy the zip line and both kids’ and adult adventure courses that take you out of your comfort zone and into the pines!

Pedal to the Metal

Flagstaff is already a great city to roam the streets in … but the Alpine Pedaler takes your journey to a whole new level. Reserve your own seat or enjoy a private group ride with up to 14 pals as you pedal your way along a two hour pub crawl with VIP discounts at all stops!

The Dark Night Rises

If you haven’t yet, make sure you take at least one night to head outside and stare up at the beautiful starry sky over Flagstaff! As the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff’s commitment to dark sky preservation means good things for the earth and great things for star gazers. While we love Lowell Observatory, we love even more the fact that you don’t need a telescope to scope out millions of stars on a nightly basis. Still, if you’re looking for a great spot for your stargazing, we recommend heading up to Mars Hill right below the Observatory where you’ll get a great view of the city and the sky!

Macy’s Greys

Not part of the Starbucks crowd? Flagstaff is a coffee lover’s dream with many small coffee shops and cafes, and one of our favorites is Macy’s! Stop in for a delicious cappuccino, hot cup of tea (we’re going Star Trekking with a cup of Earl Grey, hot), or a one of a kind breakfast, lunch, or dinner platter. Macy’s represents Flagstaff’s passion for supporting both the local and global community. For an old fashioned, made from scratch treat, don’t miss Macy’s!

How About a Rendezvous

You’ll find the most dapper baristas in town at Rendezvous, a classy Flagstaff hot spot connected to the Hotel Monte Vista. A coffee house by day, Rendezvous will also tantalize your taste buds as a martini bar by night. Grab a board game and relax in the intimate atmosphere at Rendezvous, and don’t be surprised when the hours fly by and you find yourself unable to leave. Not only are you super close to all the action downtown (Heritage Square is right up the street), but your taste buds will thank you as you enjoy unique coffee blends, ridiculous martinis (you’ll be saying “Holy Moly!” the first time you try their Holy Mole), and yummy pastries.

Me, You, and Hullabaloo

Celebrate all things Flagstaff at the Hullabaloo. Celebrated annually at Wheeler Park, this wild and wacky festival has been voted the Best Annual Event or Festival by the Arizona Daily Sun readers since 2010, and there’s no sign of that changing. There’s a crazy costume contest, micro-brews, bounce houses, music, raffles, food, puppets, and more! The only thing we’re not crazy about are the clowns … but we’re more than happy to forgive their presence for the sheet quantity of awesome at this event!

First Things First (Fridays)

Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is an awesome way to explore all of Downtown, see great art, enjoy live music, and more. Take in Flagstaff’s monthly street party … you never know what you’ll see! Hundreds of local artists are featured every month, and you never know what fun surprises will pop up around every corner!

Want a full day of fun in Flagstaff? Check out the “Things to Do in Flagstaff, Arizona” Facebook page!

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