By Patricia Lowell, Reference Librarian Sedona AZ (March 22, 2013) – Sedona Public Library has a wonderful and eclectic collection of songbooks, in addition to instrumental arrangements for piano, banjo, and flute. Many Sedona seniors, as well as younger community members, are taking voice lessons, both privately and through the area colleges. To practice their singing skills, they are looking, for the most part, for songs that are “oldies but goodies,” and we have a plethora of choices.
Author: Contributor
Read More
By Craig Dible, Sedona Resident(March 20, 2013) The Sedona Fire District Governing Board is getting ready to impose the highest mil rate in SFD’s history on the taxpaying public. SFD is headed right back to becoming the most expensive line item on your property tax bill. Last year, the SFD Board approved an increase in the mil rate from $1.40 to $1.63 and this year it wants to raise the mil rate from $1.63 to $2.15. That’s a 53.6 percent increase in only two years. SFD continues to cost the taxpayers well over $1 million a month to operate and…
By Jean K. Jenks, Sedona Resident(March 20, 2013) Dear Editor. Most already know the City Council decided to move ahead with increasing sales and bed taxes at last Thursday’s meeting. The Mayor took NO community input or comments. Jennifer Wesselhoff of the Chamber of Commerce provided NO plan. Two options were presented. The Council went overboard and decided on BOTH. Potentially, over $2.3 million per year of taxpayer money is involved. Inquiring minds want to know, has the need for destination marketing been trumped up? According to the Nichols Group study–commissioned by the Lodging Council–currently Sedona enjoys a competitive edge,…
By Holly Epright, Executive DirectorSedona Main Street Program Sedona AZ (March 18, 2013) – Talk about the luck of the Irish! The day was beautiful right from the start; it began with shaded overcast conditions and blossomed into a beautiful sunny afternoon. Over five thousand spectators gathered along Jordan Road to watch the 43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade. Sedona Fire District’s fire engine led the parade to clear the route. The Parade Grand Marshals were Sedona’s First Responders represented by Sedona Fire Chief, Kris Kazian and Sedona Police Chief, Raymond O. Cota. Helping lead the parade, Camp Verde Calvary Color Guard…
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (March 15, 2013) I woke up one morning last August, my mind racing with projects that called to me for completion. The biggest one involved the prolific peach tree in our backyard. Hundreds of ripe peaches awaited my knife and freezer bags. Normally my husband, Steve, and I partner in this annual venture of peach harvesting. However, Steve had plans to leave for Japan early the next morning to lead a tour (see www.adventuresinjapan.com). This tour had come up suddenly, so he had his own overwhelm to deal with.
By Virginia Volkman, Library Director Sedona AZ (March 12, 2013) – Sedona Public Library is one of approximately 800 nonprofit organizations participating in Arizona Gives Day, an online fundraising initiative, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 20. Arizona Gives Day is a 24-hour online fundraiser aimed at bringing together communities across the state, to raise awareness and financial support for a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout Arizona. Arizonans are encouraged to help make a difference by investing in the nonprofit of their choice.
By Brenda TammarineStaff Liaison to the City of Sedona Arts and Culture Commission Sedona AZ (March 13, 2013) – In order to establish a better understanding of the arts and culture needs of the community, the City of Sedona’s Arts & Culture Commission hosted a listening session at their February meeting. Guest attendees included members of the art and business community which comprised of gallery owners, art teachers, musicians, artists, poets, writers, college instructors, musicians, and dancers. Each speaker had an opportunity to speak to the Commissioners about areas of arts and culture they felt required more attention, issues that may…
By Elaine Hanson Sedona AZ (March 12, 2013) – As the world continues to “shrink” in the Information Age, people seeking answers to spiritual questions often find a wide ranging smorgasbord of religious and spiritual paths to choose from. Especially true in Sedona where so many options are offered, how does a person choose? Yaqin Sandelben’s chosen path offers a solution that distills and encompasses all paths. It focuses on the inherent truths that unite all people. As a Sheikh in the Sufi Ruhaniat International Order for over thirty years, he has been practicing and leading others in meditations, teachings and dances…
By Holly Epright Sedona AZ (March 1, 2013) – We are excited to announce that Sedona First Responders, represented by Fire Chief Kris Kazian and Police Chief Raymond Cota have been confirmed as this year’s new Grand Marshal for the 43rd Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival on March 16th, 2013. Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, originally named as this year’s Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal, has to be in Washington, D.C. for voting duties.
By Gary Krupa, CPA(March 1, 2013) Several provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), or the so-called “fiscal cliff” legislation, should have the effect of stimulating investment in commercial real estate. The Act took effect on January 1, 2013. This article describes the provisions of the law as well as how it can affect real estate entities and transactions. In addition, a new 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income took effect on January 1, 2013.
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (March 1, 2013) I used to leave the presence of an elderly neighbor, when I lived in Chicago, feeling almost physically ill. Even though I knew her more than ten years ago, I recall vividly how this woman would often plunge into depths of complaining and blaming. I allowed her intense negativity to drag me down emotionally and to drain my energy. These interactions felt toxic to my system.
By Virginia Volkman, Library Director Sedona AZ (March 1, 2013) – During the month of March, the Library Board of Trustees welcomes applications for Board membership. The Board needs members who are committed to the Library’s values and its importance to the community. Interested persons may receive an application packet by sending an e-mail to splboardapplication@gmail.com , or a packet may be picked up at the reference desk of the Sedona Public Library on White Bear Road or at SPL in the Village at Tequa Plaza.
By Mayor Rob Adams(February 26, 2013) Former New York City Mayor, Ed Koch, passed away on February 1, 2013. There have been numerous articles and comments by members of the public and press that have memorialized Mayor Koch. The common thread between these observations has been the idea that he was a “symbol of NYC.” A few examples of adjectives that have been used to describe the former Mayor include “brash,” “acid-tongued,” “feisty,” “bombastic,” “pretentious,” “tough,” “rude” and “an irrepressible icon.”
By Ron Budnick Member, Budget Oversight Commission (February 24, 2013) I am a member of the Budget Oversight Commission and was part of the review of this project. I would like to explain how the deal for solar panels at the Waste Water plant actually works, in response to the letter written by Mr. Henry Twombly. A company named Sun Edison won the bid for this contract. Sun Edison installs the solar panels at no cost to the city, and also provides maintenance on them for the twenty years of the contract at no cost to the city. The city…
By Gary Krupa, CPA Here are provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), or the so-called “fiscal cliff” legislation, that apply to residential real estate transactions. The Act took effect on January 1, 2013. In addition, a new 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income took effect on January 1, 2013. This tax is described below.