Author: Tommy

Sedona AZ (January 4, 2013) – Chamber Music Sedona will present its second Cultural Destination Weekend of its 30th Anniversary Season in February with its newest series, The Met: Live in HD, and its traditional concert series in a consecutive Saturday and Sunday sequence, Saturday February 16, and Sunday February 17. “February in Sedona is one of our best kept secrets in Arizona,” said CMS director Bert Harclerode. “At 5,000 feet snow is rarely a concern, and when it falls it melts almost as quickly as it falls. With the Saturday / Sunday combination many hotels and restaurants are offering…

‘Rope a Dope’: How Obama Won the Debates By Tommy Acosta For aficionados who love a good fight in the political or the boxing ring this article is a treat. Wrapping up last year’s political highlights, cable-network talking heads spent a lot of time over the holiday dissecting the three presidential debates in the election. The battle between Romney and Obama was a study in tenacity, technique, timing and delivery. It was a great fight and one that will be analyzed for years to come.

Sedona AZ (January 3, 2013) – The City of Sedona’s Green Team will be sponsoring a free Electronics Drop-Off Day on Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 102 Roadrunner Drive. The Green Team is comprised of City staff members who since 2007 have worked to reduce consumption, increase efficiency and generally make operations at City Hall more environmentally friendly.

Sedona AZ (January 3, 2013) – The Plein Air String Quartet returns to the Sedona Heritage Museum on January 12. Their program includes Haydn’s “Lark” quartet and the “String quartet on Inuit Themes” by American composer Amy Beach will be performed at 1:30 p.m. at the Museum.

Sedona AZ (January 2, 2013) – The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is preparing an analysis for the Oak Creek Water Company #1 (OCWC) Project and seeking public comments concerning the proposal by Feb. 8, 2013. The Coconino National Forest has received a proposal from OCWC to obtain authorization to construct, operate, and maintain new water transmission pipeline for improved water delivery services for their water customers. Approximately 932-linear feet (381 feet would be located above ground and 551 feet would be buried) of High Density Poly Ethylene black pipe of new water transmission pipeline would…

Cottonwood AZ (January 2, 2013) – Are you ready to experience one of the happiest and most lighthearted 90 minutes of theatre you have ever experienced! With Over 200 laughs, 23 classic comedians, all from one performer on stage, Old Town Center for the Arts is pleased to present Brad Zinn in “The Great Comedians.” This special world class event is coming to OTCA on Saturday, January 12th at 7:00 pm. And there’s more! Brenda Zinn will also offer an intriguing performance of Vaudeville style Sand Painting as a pre-show warm-up. This classic art form has not been seen in…

Sedona AZ (January 2, 2013) – The City of Sedona is accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Board of Adjustment. The term of service for these voluntary positions is three years. The terms begin on January 1, 2013 and end on December 31, 2016. The Board of Adjustment conducts hearings regarding requests for variances from the Sedona Land Development Code applicable to zoning regulations and hears appeals regarding interpretations made by the zoning administrator.

Sedona AZ (January 2, 2013) – Award-winning actor, director, writer, theater producer, and former Sedona resident Marjorie Timms will be in Sedona January 8-31st to conduct sessions in what she calls, Mindful Improvisation and Conscious Communication. In describing this work, Marjorie states: “I very much like the psychodramatic principle of ‘Tele’ that allows for receptivity and openness in sensing Story as a universal vehicle, with the intention of availability/emptiness in meeting each new character and finding relationship to situation. To me, this can act as a sort of improvisational ‘glue’ that brings forward a profound sense of connection and allows…

Verde Valley AZ (December 31, 2012) – Verde Valley Land Preservation (VVLP) is creating a river trip for artists on the Verde River. They will float the Verde and capture its essence to communicate this experience through their art. Artists of all ages are eligible to participate. Eligible artists will come from the Verde Watershed and will submit a sample of their work by January 31, 2013. Twenty-five artists will be selected to participate in the Verde River trip that will take place March 29-31, 2013. Artists work will be displayed in a traveling exhibition which will move between communities…

Sedona AZ (December 31, 2012) – Two novel writing courses are now forming – a beginner’s course and an intermediate course (for writers who have a work-in-progress) – both taught by award-winning author and writing instructor, Kris Neri. Each course will last six weeks, with each class going for 2.5 hours, beginning on Friday, January 18. The beginner’s classes start at 1:00 pm and the intermediate classes start at 9:30 am. All classes for both courses will be held at The Well Red Coyote bookstore in West Sedona. The fee for either course is $99.

Sedona AZ (December 31, 2012) – Studio Live presents Blues Dawg on Saturday, January 12th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 the day of the performance, doors open at 7:00 pm. Blues Dawg is a contemporary electric blues band steeped in the traditions of American blues and roots music, a seasoned and professional band of musicians with decades of performance experience, including most of the venues throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley.

Sedona AZ (December 30, 2012) – Smart Meters. Have you heard about them? What do they do? Why are we being asked to allow them to be installed at our homes and work place?. What benefit do they provide? Are there any risks involved with Smart Meters? Where did they come from? Why should we care? These are a few of the concerns many are asking expressing as the Smart Meter proliferates  our daily life.  There are too many unanswered questions to address in one story, so we will begin the unraveling process one step at a time. Baby steps, they…

Sedona AZ (December 29, 2012) – Bring in the New Year with twenty seven talented contestants who will be in the exciting fourth annual Sedona Sunrise Superstar and Rising star vocal competition beginning on January 9th, Wednesday, at 6pm at the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333Schnebly Hill Road. Sponsored by True Financial Wealth Management Firm, the public is invited to attend the series of exciting shows which raise funds for the Sedona Sunrise Center for Adults, the only adult day care center in the Sedona and Verde Valley areas for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Entitlements: Six of These – Half a Dozen of the Other – The Business of Welfare By Tommy Acosta(December 29, 2012) Fiscal conservatives rile against entitlements, wailing our tax dollars are keeping a welfare state in business; people receiving “gifts” from the public-treasure trove don’t deserve it; are on the dole; need to find jobs and contribute rather than take. They say our Medicare and Social Security entitlement programs must be overhauled and trimmed in order to survive.

Phoenix AZ (December 29, 2012) – After months of rehabilitation and preparation, Arizona’s only satellite-tracked bald eagle soared free on Dec. 20 when it was released at Roosevelt Lake by Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists and rehabilitation specialists from Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation of Scottsdale. The 4-year-old male was found at Canyon Lake with a broken wing that required medical treatment. Once the wing healed, rehabilitators at Liberty Wildlife worked with the bird to rebuild muscle strength for flying.