Author: Tommy

By Tommy Acosta Yep, it’s true. I am a born-again, card-carrying cynic. And I love it. Cynics have the opportunity to look at things and see them in a different way than most others do. We can be happy, sing Kumbaya, and always look for the pot of gold at the end of that rainbow, but it’s the cynic who sees the clearest. When our new president is sworn into office and promises on the very first day to end the war in Ukraine, it’s a noble endeavor—a great goal. But does he understand what he’s up against? True, if…

Bear Howard: Bear Howard Chronicles Listen to this story, read by a professional Ai announcer: Sedona, AZ — The recent article in the local paper confirms what many of us who regularly use 179 have known for quite some time: the crosswalk between the two Tlaquepaques (north and south) does not, in fact, slow traffic. Instead, it plays a crucial role in facilitating smoother merging between uptown and westbound traffic. Despite complaints from well-meaning locals, the crosswalk creates necessary openings, helping traffic flow more efficiently. It also significantly enhances pedestrian safety and accessibility, fostering a more inclusive and community-friendly environment. Let’s…

Community Connection and Spiritual Growth in Sedona’s Emerging Wellness Scene Sedona’s natural beauty has long drawn seekers, healers, and visionaries from all corners of the globe. In recent years, the town’s flourishing wellness scene has begun to evolve into something richer—a tapestry of community connection and spiritual growth that extends beyond the offerings of individual practitioners. What was once a destination primarily known for its vortex sites and red rock vistas has blossomed into a hub of collaborative, heart-centered gatherings, educational workshops, and supportive networks dedicated to personal and collective well-being. A Shift Towards Collective Experiences While Sedona’s storied landscapes…

By David Stephen Sedona News: Where is hate in the human brain? When an individual is hateful to the point of steep vengefulness, what went on in that brain to result in that resolve? The unprecedented waves of hate—that often follow events—on social media is a problem that should be at the forefront of brain science research this decade. There is a lot of effort about mental health. There are priorities about addictions as well. There are, however, fewer explorations along causes and solutions for hate, vindictiveness, bitterness, grievance, and the rest, which sometimes precede crimes. It is common to…

By Amaya Gayle Gregory A friend recently responded to one of my posts with an in-depth statement about it being fatalism, that without choice we wouldn’t do what we need to do, couldn’t change what needs to be changed (very much a paraphrase) and if that was the case, why bother to write at all. I thought you might be interested in what I wrote back. Rather than fatalism, for me at least, what I write is an attempt to point to a much more uncomfortable uncontainable inconceivability. Unfortunately, even though right here, right now, the actuality is in plain…

… going through the portfolio again and finding images that I love and have not looked at in some time … the San Francisco Peaks and some of the others on the San Francisco Volcanic Field turn spectacular colors and defy modesty with outrageous blankets of color and that includes my favorite, Kendrick Peak, which is shown above covered in golds, yellows and reds and its pyramid shaped peak is in shadow … 10,418′ MSL and on the left side you can see Bill Williams Mountain in the distance and on the right a portion of Sitgreaves Mountain. Outrageously beautiful and happy I got…

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Oh, Canada”, showing Dec. 13-19 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Oh, Canada” — written and directed by Paul Schrader — features an award-winning all-star cast, including Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9HyH3RxHDs Legendary filmmaker Leonard Fife (Richard Gere) — still a force to be reckoned with despite his age and declining health — wants to tell his life story, unfiltered, before it’s too late. As the director of acclaimed documentary exposés, he is a political hero to many,…

Sedona News – The Sedona Heritage Museum is excited to announce the return of a classic.  Master Storyteller Mike Peach will perform the Dickens holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” at the Sedona Heritage Museum on Saturday, December 21, at 3:00 pm. The historic setting of the Sedona Heritage Museum will give the telling of the favorite tale a unique twist, as listeners follow Peach through Scrooge’s encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. This special performance is an hour long and appropriate for all audiences. Each guest is asked to bring non-perishable food items to share with…

Sedona News – Internationally acclaimed harpist and award-winning recording artist Peter Sterling will present a very special solo harp concert, “An Evening of Harp Magic with Peter Sterling” on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the beautiful Alice Gill-Sheldon Theater. Known for his ethereal, angelic harp sounds that transport listeners to realms of peace and beauty, Peter’s music has touched hearts worldwide with its healing qualities. During this intimate concert, Peter will perform selections from his acclaimed new album, Heaven Sent, along with cherished favorites from his extensive catalog of recordings. Peter Sterling’s music has consistently topped international radio…

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 13, 2024, 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, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 – 36:43), telling of the…

By Sean Dedalus Sedona, AZ – In Third World Nations despots use the prosecutors and courts to remove their opposition. Joe Biden may appear to be an old fool but historians will compare him with Vincent “Chin” Gigante, an elderly mafia figure who would appear feeble like Biden and walk around New York City streets in his bathrobe. The Chin was a multi-millionaire and lived an exciting life. It was said that he was a shrewd as a fox. Hunter Biden was convicted in a Delaware federal court, by Joe Biden’s community and by 12 regular citizens of the United…

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Will & Harper”, showing Dec. 13-19 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. Three years ago, Will Ferrell was filming a movie when he received a most surprising email: his dear friend of nearly 30 years was coming out to him as a trans woman. That friend was Harper Steele, a writer he met on his first day at Saturday Night Live back in 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZ1ELeGepo From that fateful first meeting in the halls of 30 Rock, Will knew he had found a match made…

Arizona News – Today, VA is launching a new outreach campaign to encourage all eligible Veterans to enroll in VA health care – including approximately 23,930 unenrolled Arizona Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This campaign will include text messages and emails directly to Veterans, public service announcements, paid advertising, and events. VA is launching this campaign after reports of concerns from Veterans about health issues – including mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide – potentially related to repeated blasts and head trauma (low-level artillery blasts, IEDs, missile launches, heavy fire, and more). Since…

Arizona News – Owners registering off-highway vehicles (OHVs) will use AZMVDNOW.gov to take a safety course required by a state law taking effect in January. The free course, created by Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), will include content related to the safe operations of these vehicles. The educational course consists of a 10-minute instructional video followed by 20 multiple-choice questions. This course will be required one time for at least one of the OHV owners prior to vehicle registrations or renewals between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 1, 2027. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and AZGFD are partnering…

Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival presents “Before We Say Goodbye” on Monday, Dec. 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Before We Say Goodbye” is the story of a devout Hispanic-American mother in New Mexico who is desperately praying for a miracle from the Virgin of Guadalupe as her only hope to save her terminally ill husband. As she seeks family support for her faith, she feels anguish at how her four grown children are turning away from their Catholic upbringing as they go about their busy lives in our secular, modern culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhNGHt6psVA…