Author: Tommy

Verde Valley Sanctuary  Responds to Domestic Abuse Sedona, AZ (July 7, 2011) – The Verde Valley Sanctuary, which provides shelter for victims of domestic abuse in Sedona and the Verde Valley, received the 2010 Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. The award, sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management, recognizes employers across the U.S. for their innovative and effective workplace practices. The Verde Valley Sanctuary is also a finalist for the 2011 award.

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Referendum Voting Could Be Meaningless Sedona, AZ (June 30, 2011) – At the Sedona City Council meeting on Tuesday June 28 there were some surprises and the first few lines in the next chapter of the continuous roadway lighting saga were written. Most importantly, the Council set November 8, 2011, as the date for the referendum election. On that same date the initiative will also be found on the ballot. Both the referendum and the initiative are products of Let the People Vote on 89a (LTPV).

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Jodi James tours Sedona Sedona, AZ (June 26, 2011) – Jodi James draws you in slowly and holds you there with a tender grasp. Her musical sound is shaped by her rural upbringing from the sugar cane fields of southern Louisiana, blended with years of urban dwelling and real life experience. Self-taught on the guitar and piano, at age 21 she felt her inner voice becoming too loud to ignore and began putting the pen to the page. After numerous attempts at trying to survive as a serious vocalist in rock-driven bands, James began feeling the strain on her voice…

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“Tree of Knowledge” masking tape installation at The Old Jerome High School Jerome, AZ (June 25, 2011 – First Saturday Jerome Art Walk celebrates the Fourth of July weekend in artistic style as galleries and studios open the doors for an evening of summertime enchantment. From the lively Old Jerome High School to Made in Jerome Pottery at the other end of town, delightful surprises abound in this artist colony high on Cleopatra Hill. Restaurants will be offering delicious fare and the charming hotels and Bed and Breakfasts will be welcoming visitors on this holiday weekend. Cool evenings at a…

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Classes Stimulate Brain Development, Socialization  Skills Sedona, AZ (June 22, 2011) – Music for Tots is back in Sedona for the summer. This popular class is being offered again through Sedona Parks and Recreation. Benefiting children ages 9 months to 6 years old, this unique approach to music is sure to enrich your little one. Music for Tots is an early childhood music program for children under 6 and their families. Class activities stimulate children’s brain development, motor skills and pre-literacy skills, support socialization skills and prepare children for formal music lessons all through musical play! In this 6-week series,…

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Fire Danger Extremely High Flagstaff, AZ (June 22, 2011) – The Coconino National Forest will expand campfire and smoking restrictions to include the entire national forest including developed campgrounds and recreation sites, effective Wednesday morning, June 22. This restriction prohibits all fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves and limits smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves and lanterns meeting safety specifications will continue to be allowed. Approved stoves and lanterns include devices that can be turned off. Violations of restrictions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more…

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Continuous Roadway Lighting May Yet Become a Reality on 89a Sedona, AZ (June 22, 2011) – At the June 17, 2011, the State Transportation Meeting in Chinle, Arizona, voted to let the contract between the City of Sedona and the Arizona Department of Transportation expire. The contract, negotiated in the Fall of 2010 and Winter of 2011, was approved by the Sedona City Council on February 22, 2011. Subsequently, a group calling itself Let The People Vote on 89a circulated petitions to have the issue placed before the voters. The referendum qualified for election and effectively placed a hold on…

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Mike Peach Spins Tales of Early Arizona Sedona, AZ (June 21, 2011) – The Sedona Heritage Museum presents Michael Peach in a performance of “Mysteries of the Mogollon (or Muggy Own)” at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2 at the Sedona Heritage Museum. “A man may work from sun to sun, and woman’s work is never done, and there’s no rest for the wicked ’til the grave.  But if you die in Arizona – just in case nobody warned ya – those just might not be the rules by which the game gets played,” quotes award-winning actor and playwright Michael…

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July 1 Is the Date New Rates Begin Sedona, AZ (June 21, 2011) – Wastewater rates will increase on July 1, 2011, as adopted by Sedona City Council on April 13, 2010. For more information regarding the rate increase, please visit: www.SedonaAZ.gov/wwratestudy.

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Sedona, You’re Getting Lights Sedona, AZ (June 21, 2011) – At the Friday, June 17, 2011 State Transportation Board meeting in Chinle, AZ, the Board discussed the issue of the SR 89A Route Transfer Agreement. They voted unanimously to move forward with the installation of continuous roadway lighting after the agreement expires on June 30, 2011. Director John Halikowsky cited two reasons for his recommendation: 1) installation of the lighting should proceed due to safety concerns; and 2) Sedona needs to decide who has the power to approve a route transfer agreement, the City Council or the voters. According to…

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Freshman State Legislator, Veteran Environmentalist Prescott, AZ (June 21, 2011) – What’s it like to be a new state legislator? How does the political system really work at the State Capitol? Is there any chance the Arizona Legislature will ever unify management of surface water and groundwater rights? What happened to the rainwater harvesting bill? Will the legislature ever establish minimum streamflows to prevent the loss of our remaining streams and riparian habitats? Do the legislators even talk about such things?

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Well Red Coyote Offers More than Books Sedona, AZ (June 20, 2011) – The third annual Sedona Book festival will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 9 am to 5 pm, on the beautiful Sedona Center for Arts & Technology, Yavapai College, located at 4215 Arts Village Drive in Sedona. International bestselling author, Diana Gabaldon, will be the festival’s keynote speaker. Gabaldon is the author of the popular Outlander series and will be celebrating a special 20th anniversary edition of the first book in her epic series.

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Is Sedona’s Beauty Being Used Up? Reprinted from Paul Gilding, The Australian Sedona, AZ (June 20, 2011) – As we in Sedona face the looming possibility of installing 108 35 foot tall lights on the main artery running through town, we must consider the context of this decision and ask ourselves: are we using up our our scenic vistas for the urbanization of Sedona? Is this the tradeoff for perceived safety? The Earth is full. In fact our human society and economy is now so large we have passed the limits of our planet’s capacity to support us and it…

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Red Rock Fee Program Has Benefits Sedona, AZ (June 20, 2011) – On June 14, 2011, the City Council voted to adopt the following position on the Red Rock Pass Fee Program in response to the U.S. Forest Service’s request for a formal position on the Program. • Support the purpose of the Program, • Recognize the benefits the program has provided to the Sedona area during the time this program has been in effect, • Understands the need for dependable funding the Program provides to maintain and protect the natural, cultural and recreational values in the forest lands in…

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Roy Juda Appointed Sedona, AZ (June 20, 2011) – The Sedona City Council recently appointed Roy Juda to the Parks and Recreation Commission. He will serve finish an existing term that expires in December 2011 and extend to an additional three-year term. Commissioners serve as a communication link between citizens, the Parks & Recreation Department and the City Council. They are responsible for supporting the City’s goals and objectives and for providing useful, accurate, and timely information to the staff and City Council regarding public open space, trails, City parks, and recreational opportunities. Commission meetings are held on the fourth…

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