Author: Tommy

Arizona News – Drivers using state highways through New Year’s weekend will not encounter any scheduled closures for construction, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. While some project work will take place, no closures or major lane restrictions are planned between now and Monday morning, Jan. 6. Drivers should plan ahead, allow extra travel time and expect the unexpected in terms of unscheduled highway restrictions due to disabled vehicles, crashes or other incidents. ADOT and other safety agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety, encourage drivers to stay alert, buckle up and get adequate rest before driving. Motorists…

Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is pleased to announce the opening of the Recovery Clinic at NAH in Cottonwood, led by Miranda Anderson, DO. The clinic offers medication-assisted treatment options for patients with substance use addictions and disorders and other addictive behaviors. “We are thrilled to provide addiction medicine services to the Verde Valley region with Dr. Miranda Anderson’s transition to this role. This is a much-needed treatment option to combat the community health crisis related to substance use,” said NAH Director of Behavioral Health Systems Catherine Surovy. “Recovery treatment has been a top priority of NAH…

Why Anthropic’s alignment faking is not a significant AI safety research By David Stephen What is a goal? Or, what is a goal in the human mind? What else does the mind do that is not a goal or similar to how a goal is achieved? What is different between an assigned goal and a self-induced goal? If a goal is characterized as sophisticated, how does that contrast with a non-sophisticated goal? Is there a rough architecture of how the human mind carries out goals? How might this inform the understanding of goals and then transplant to AI? Does…

By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — As a Sedona resident with a passion for Latin cuisine, I’ve always been on the lookout for a restaurant that serves authentic Cuban-style black beans and rice. My search often extended beyond Sedona to places like Phoenix, hoping to find that perfect balance of flavors. My culinary journey led me to the newly opened Costa Modern Latin Cuisine by Chef Roberto Madrid, conveniently located at the S.R. 89a and S.R. 179 roundabout. Here, I finally found the exquisite Cuban-style black beans and rice I had been craving. Costa’s offers more than just outstanding black…

By Amaya Gayle Gregory I’m seeing a lot of people, many considered gurus, talking about seeing the game so that we can change the game. That seems daft to me, but what do I know. If you see it’s a game, wouldn’t you have to realize that it is ‘a game’ and that the game will play on regardless of the seeing, that the game is gaming? I guess not. Maybe it depends on how clearly it is seen. Hmmm. Perhaps seeing it is a game is but one revelation in a host of disclosures. Can the idea of a…

… my daughter Susan reminded me that her favorite photo of Bobcats was of a couple of kittens that were on the roof of my next door neighbors gazebo … so I found it, dusted it off and you can see it below … two Bobcat kittens relaxing on the gazebo roof. They seem to look a little apprehensive as they looked directly at me … they were probably no more than six weeks old and mom was still making the kills for them. Later that week I got photos of them eating a squirrel that mom had brought to them ……

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “Hello, Love, Again”, showing Jan. 3-9 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGqJ7-lAXII In every goodbye, love finds its way back. Determined to reunite, Ethan (in Hong Kong) and Joy (in Canada) strive to improve their lives. As their love is tested by distance and unforeseen challenges, they part ways. Years later, they reconnect and rediscover each other amidst the complexities of their new lives. Five years after “Hello, Love, Goodbye”, the sequel continues the story, delving into themes of separation and perseverance. “Hello,…

Arizona News – If keeping AZ grand is your bag, then the Arizona Department of Transportation has your perfect New Year’s resolution. ADOT’s Adopt a Highway volunteer program, with information available at azdot.gov/adoptahighway, has hundreds of miles available for adoption statewide. It’s a great way to give back by picking up roadside litter with friends, relatives and even kids 12 and older needing to meet school service requirements. Civic-minded individuals, families, religious groups, clubs and others taking part in Adopt a Highway receive two-year permits to clean up roadside litter on their highway segments, usually a mile in each direction. They…

Sedona News – After a popular debut in November, “The Dead Quilters Society” will return to the Sedona Heritage Museum on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, 2025.  Doors will open for both performances at 3:30 pm, and the show will start at 4 pm.  Performances will take place in the Sedona Heritage Museum’s historic Apple Shed. “The Dead Quilters Society,” a musical dramedy, tells the real stories of five women from Sedona’s history, and explores the ripple effects of their actions on our community, some of which are still evident today.  The historical women whose stories will be…

By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. Erev Shabbat services begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, December 27, 2024, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. Services will begin with the lighting of the third candle of Hanukkah. Meri Thomason will chant from the Torah portion that was the reading for her Bat Mitzvah celebration in 2009, Miketz (Genesis 41:1 – 44:17), continuing the story of Joseph, who…

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Queer”, showing Jan. 3-9 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eknj5_0tF2s “Queer” features an all-star cast, including Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville and Jason Schwartzman. In 1950s Mexico City, William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties, leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton, a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone. “Queer” will be shown at Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre Jan. 3-9. Showtimes will be Friday, Saturday,…

Arizona News – The Arizona Department of Transportation is gearing up for a study of low-carbon transportation materials after the award of a $27 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). ADOT will use the grant to develop a research program on the use of qualifying low-carbon pavement materials in future highway improvement projects. Potential projects would be identified as part of the study process over the several years. The FHWA selected ADOT for the grant as part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Program. ADOT is one of 39 state transportation departments…

Verde Valley News – Vin de Filles, a wine 100% female produced from grape to bottle, has exceeded expectations once again with its October event, raising $41,000 for the Verde Valley Sanctuary. “The Vin de Filles is a project and event like no other,” VVS Executive Director Jessye Johnson said. “Witnessing its growth and following is awe-inspiring, and we are so grateful to have been chosen to benefit from this labor of love.” French for “girls wine,” the Vin de Filles is produced at Page Springs Cellars by co-owner Gayle Glomski along with assistant winemaker Bree Nation, and Lauren Maldonado,…

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Goebbels and the Führer”, showing Jan. 3-9 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIqeLlET_LQ “Goebbels and the Führer” follows Joseph Goebbels in his last seven years by Hitler’s side, while Hitler is at the height of his power. As Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels creates films and pictures used to prepare the Germans for Total War and the Holocaust. After the defeat at Stalingrad and the war is lost, he conceives his last staging, the most radical propaganda act still possible to him. “Goebbels and…

The holidays might be winding down, but there’s no reason to stop the party just yet. Rowe Fine Art Gallery rings in 2025 on Friday, January 3, at 4 p.m. with Fresh Start, New Art. The festive show marks the debut of gallery owner and bronze sculptor Ken Rowe’s first-ever piece of jewelry. The gallery will also celebrate new works from painter Jen Farnsworth and toast mixed media sculptor Shirley Eichten Albrecht, who is intent on integrating interesting geodes and even more intricate weaving into her gourd artwork in 2025. Come join the fun! Ken’s first piece of jewelry, a sterling-silver…