Author: Tommy

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world for a global theatrical event: “Laufey’s A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl” on Dec. 6 and 8 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKFIWElkqTo The 25-year-old Grammy-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist Laufey writes songs inspired by jazz greats and classical masters while possessing a point of view that could only be conveyed by a 21st-century twentysomething. The romantic and trailblazing approach has captured audiences worldwide, growing a global community of “Lauvers” and selling out every tour date the “Gen Z It Girl” (NY Times) has put…

Read More

Sedona News – Demonstrating its dedication to creating an inclusive environment, the city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department recently became a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This milestone is a significant step in the city’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that various programs, facilities and events are accessible to all members of the community. Furthermore, this certification reflects specialized training for city staff, facilities assessments and strategic planning and will result in tailoring positive experiences in Sedona’s parks, pool and public programs to better serve individuals with…

Read More

By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services 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 6, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. As Shabbat enters with the lighting of the candles peace and calm descend, a welcome respite from the troubles and concerns of the week. Rabbi Magal offers a reading from this week’s Torah portion, Vayetze, Genesis 28:10 – 32:3, telling of Jacob’s escape from…

Read More

… a Great Blue Heron is wending his way down the shore near days end on Watson Lake, perhaps a last snack before the long night ahead … the cycle plays out daily. I took the photo below just as I was turning downwind to base as light was leaving the sky … clicks on the mic button turned the runway lights on bright and I had a beautiful lighted runway to come into … engine off, prop feathered, of course … the quiet hours! Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving and every blessing of the season … bright lights…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a “Festival Flashback” of the sensational acclaimed film “The Lady in the Van” Dec. 7-10 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “The Lady in the Van” is returning for an encore in our “Remembering Maggie” series, honoring the late, great Dame Maggie Smith, who recently passed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dm-a9R763A Maggie Smith was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her lead role in “The Lady in the Van”. Alan Bennett’s story is based on the true story of Miss Shepherd (played by the…

Read More

Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced that Blirjon Baxhija, MD, has joined the Cardiovascular Institute Sleep Clinic. He will be serving patients at the clinics in both Flagstaff and Cottonwood. Dr. Baxhija is a board-certified doctor who specializes in internal medicine and sleep medicine. He is currently accepting new patients. “We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Baxhija join the Cardiovascular Institute Sleep Clinic in Flagstaff and Cottonwood,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group President Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “NAH knows how important it is to offer specialty services to the communities we serve, and adding a specialized sleep…

Read More

Verde Valley News – The annual fundraiser for Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition filled Enchantment Resort’s ballroom with men in crisp tuxedos and women dressed to the tiara. Guests said, “it was over the top,” and “definitely the best event of the year in the Verde Valley.” The 160 gala guests last Friday followed inspiration from 60s icons like Sean Connery in James Bond and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The Black and White Gala a la 60s projects raising $200,000 for VVCC’s programs and services. “We are so proud of the efforts of our staff and supporters,” said Linda…

Read More

Sedona News – On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Pavilion, the city invites the Sedona community to bring new, unwrapped toys for ages newborn to 16 years old, to “stuff the bus” with all toys being donated to Sedona Toys for Tots. The goal is to fill a Sedona Shuttle with toys, which will then be distributed to local families in need. Gift givers can look for the Sedona Shuttle bus parked at the half-circle driveway for the Posse Grounds Pavilion. City staff will also be collecting gifts at the city…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the country for a nationwide theatrical event: “I Am the Immaculate Conception” showing Dec. 12, 14 and 17 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLckZLr0jPI “I Am the Immaculate Conception” is how Mary, the Mother of God, introduced herself to St. Bernadette in 1858 in Lourdes, France. During the season of Advent and Christmas, a new documentary film invites audiences to ponder why Mary presents herself this way. In the film, a group of eminent experts, including the Marian Fathers, analyze Greek texts…

Read More

By Tommy Acosta Sedona AZ — I’m OK with and strongly defend an individual’s right to decide their gender. Gender-neutral restrooms? Same-sex marriage? Drag shows? No problem. But it just doesn’t feel right to allow biological males to play on women’s sports teams. It’s not fair. Not safe. It just doesn’t feel right. Males, by their biology, are physically bigger and stronger than women. Having a male on a female team is like having a ringer on your side. There’s no even playing field when you do that. And how come we don’t see biological women playing on men’s teams?…

Read More

… the Red Wing Blackbirds are back in force at the ponds and their songs fill the air near sunset as they prepare for the long nights of fall and winter. It seemed to me like this little guy had assumed the role of leader of the band and was encouraging the music that filled the pond where hundreds of Red Wing Blackbirds were filling the reeds in the ponds. I have memories of corn fields in western Minnesota and South Dakota filled with them and towards sunset the air was blackened by them as they moved into the trees to shelter…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes”, showing Dec. 6-12 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. “Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes” is the first official feature documentary to explore the remarkable life and career of Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5k19yIWcqk For the first time ever — narrated in Bogart’s own words and using previously unseen archives, letters, and interviews from those closest to him — the film definitively explores the impact of one of the most influential cinematic and cultural icons of…

Read More

Arizona News – The Arizona Department of Transportation is working to ease travel conditions over Thanksgiving weekend by avoiding closures along highways, including what is expected to be a busy network of interstates across the state. ADOT and its contractors will not schedule any full construction or maintenance closures on state highways, including Phoenix-area freeways, from Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, to Monday morning, Dec. 2, to help limit impacts on holiday travel. To promote safety, ADOT asks drivers to prepare for Thanksgiving weekend trips ahead of time and “expect the unexpected” while focusing on checking their vehicles, being patient and…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona Heritage Museum hosts Merry Music at the Museum on Saturday, December 14, from 11 am to 3 pm.  The event is free for all to attend. Festivities include crafts for children, snacks provided by the Sedona Community Center, and musical performances. Music can be heard all day long during the event.  At 11 am, Acapella Sedona will perform a set of holiday tunes.  Then, at noon, the fabulous Tom & Shondra will lead a festive holiday sing along.  Verde Valley Voices will perform at 1 pm, and Tom & Shondra will close the music portion…

Read More

Sedona News – The Julian and Maria art installation by Susan Kliewer will be installed at the Canyon Drive roundabout and celebrated on Tuesday, December 3 at 2:00 PM. (This event was originally scheduled for Monday, December 2 at 2:00 PM at the same location.) In 1902, Julian and Maria led a pottery revival through the southwest pueblos and were innovators mastering clay and internationally known. We hope you will join us to celebrate the newest public art installation, meeting at the Black Potion Sedona parking lot at 841 SR 179, next to the Canyon Drive roundabout.

Read More