… A friend and I headed down to Bubbling Ponds in Page Springs this morning to check it out again and this time we were greeted by a male Belted Kingfisher and I got him from takeoff to landing across the pond on a pipe fixture. Check that landing out … everything is happening at once as he dumps speed presenting the undersides of each wing perpendicular to the line of flight, feet ready to grasp the slippery metal landing pipe and in about .05 of a second he was at rest having executed a perfect landing … the kind…
Author: Tommy
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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to welcome back GRAMMY-nominated recording artist David Arkenstone for a very special holiday performance — “A Winter’s Eve Concert with David Arkenstone & Friends” — live on stage at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zihbfwuIm4g Join David Arkenstone and his band of virtuoso musicians for this lively candlelit concert of beloved holiday classics “reimagined,” blending world music, Celtic, orchestral, new age, and neo-classical crossover. David has plenty of surprises in store for this performance, including the debut of songs from his epic new…
Arizona News – New year, new schedule! In 2025, Arcosanti has added new dates to its robust calendar of immersive workshops, including the Natural Construction Workshop, the Arcosanti Archives Workshop and the Land Stewardship and Sustainable Technology Workshop. The Natural Construction Workshop focuses on building using natural earth technology. Participants can learn how to work with natural materials such as clay, rock and reed to construct rock walls, cobb bricks, rammed earth, reed screens and clay plaster. Each four-week program is $1,550 and includes tuition, five-day per week lunch, housing, facilities and field trips. The 2025 workshop dates are as…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival presents A Christmas Cabaret, starring Merrill Leffmann, LIVE on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. It’s the second annual Christmas cabaret! New twists on old favorites (The Grinch as an intervention!?), original songs that leave you humming, non-traditional gems, as well as traditional music and sing-a-longs. It’s a fun, beautiful and unique evening (every show is different!) with that cabaret diva of many styles — Merrill Leffmann — and friends. Come enjoy Christmas as you’ve never heard it! Merrill is an eclectic performer (and voice teacher)…
By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — C’mon. Was there ever any doubt? Of course, Biden was going to pardon his son. Who wouldn’t? It’s naive to think he was telling the truth when the president said he was not going to pardon him. Putting myself, as a father, in his place, I would pardon my son in a New York minute if he were in the same situation as Biden’s. I would make an exception and not pardon him if he were guilty of a violent crime, armed robbery, murder, or something along those lines—like heisting an armored truck. But…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world for a global theatrical premiere event: “André Rieu’s Christmas Concert” showing Dec. 11 and 14 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Celebrate the holiday season with André Rieu’s dazzling Christmas Concert exclusively in theaters! This magical event embodies the festive spirit of Christmas, bringing joy, warmth, and sparkle to the big screen. Get ready to be transported to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is André’s winter wonderland! Under the sparkle of 150 chandeliers and 50 Venetian candelabras, feel your heart warm with…
Yavapai County News – In preparation for the 2025 grant application process, the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County will host free grant-application workshops. The workshops will equip organizations with the information needed to apply for funding in 2025. Topics to be discussed include an overview of ACF’s online grants portal, grant guidelines, and elements of an effective application. Representatives from nonprofits, public schools, government agencies, and tribal entities interested in applying for funding next year must attend one of the three workshops offered to be eligible for funding consideration. Grant Application Workshop #1 Tuesday, January 7 2:00 to 4:00…
Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced that Candace Schuierer, PA-C, has joined the Cardiovascular Institute in Cottonwood at Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC). Schuierer specializes in interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgical perioperative management, cardiovascular critical care and electrophysiology. She is currently accepting new patients. “We are so thrilled to have Candace join our talented cardiovascular team in Cottonwood,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group President Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “She is a trusted, health care provider who will deliver extraordinary care to her patients. We are excited to continue to honor our commitment to the Verde Valley community by…
Verde Valley News – Verde Valley Fire District is seeking applicants to fill a vacated seat on the Board of Directors. The term of office ends November 30, 2028. Candidates must meet the qualifications for holding an elected office, including having resided within the District boundaries for at least one year and being a registered voter of the District. The District covers the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Cottonwood and includes the communities of Cornville, Page Springs and the Town of Clarkdale. If you are interested in a rewarding position of community service, we invite you to apply. Application…
Sedona News – Sticks and Tones returns to the stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 4:00 p.m., bringing their special performance of “A Winter Holiday World Tour” to Sedona audiences. Join us for a warm and festive afternoon of music and storytelling that explores winter holiday traditions. This journey through the season’s diverse cultural celebrations is filled with rhythmic vibrance from the joyous sounds of Las Posadas in Mexico to a classic German carol and the radiant colors of Diwali in India. Along the way, we’ll visit Sephardic Spain, Great Britain, Native American traditions,…
By David Stephen What AI is supposed to unfold for human society may eventually get lost: there are only a few purposes that most humans can currently fit, and more people to a few purposes makes it seem like there are already too many people People are expected to [get trained or] go to school, get work, get old, and retire. There are not a lot of things to do aside from this, for most people around the world. Some may skip school, but everyone still has to work—in one form or another. There used to be a lot to…
Sedona, AZ — Visiting Sedona in December? Be sure to check out: Tlaquepaque’s Arts & Shopping Village holiday calendar because Santa is making multiple visits throughout the month. The village will be embodied with the spirit of Christmas with beautiful decorations, curated music, and fun activities, making your visit a magical experience for the whole family. SANTA’S SCHEDULE & OTHER HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 6 Patio De Las Campañas, 3 pm – 5 pm Visit Santa’s Station Children meet Santa to share their Christmas wish list and take a photo. Enjoy music from Kaleidoscope RedRocks Sisters Gracie Moskoff and Tivona Moskoff play various instruments and harmonize music, ranging…
Sedona, AZ — Prepare to be transported to a world of imagination and cinematic wonder with The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal, a must-see documentary that celebrates the life and legacy of one of Hollywood’s greatest pioneers in science fiction and fantasy. Join us on Wednesday, December 4, at 4:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona, AZ for an exclusive screening sponsored by the Sedona International Film Festival, hosted by filmmaker Arnold Leibovit, followed by an insightful discussion. This event is more than just a movie screening; it’s a tribute to a visionary who inspired generations…
… we were down at Bubbling Ponds in Page Springs Saturday afternoon in search of whatever and we had an opportunity to get some shots of an adult female Belted Kingfisher and we were able to get within 50 ‘ of it without spooking it. The photo above captured her just as she was giving herself a massive push off from the valve she was perched on … similar in effect to using a catapult off an aircraft carrier. The photograph below is approximately .067 seconds into flight after the push off! Fun to watch these amazing creatures as they go about…
Sedona News – Celebrate the season with us at the beautiful Sedona International Film Festival Theatres for a holiday movie treat, hosted by the amazing team from Rancho Almasomos, our scenic biodynamic regenerative farm in Cornville! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNo-Q0IDJi0 Enjoy “The Muppet Christmas Carol” for FREE — simply bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a donation at the theatre to Toys for Tots. Join in the festive cheer at the heart of Sedona’s film culture. There will be one show at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Enjoy one of the most beloved holiday stories…