Author: Tommy

Arizona News – On March 9, 2024, the Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) will host a panel discussion regarding PFAS chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which are contaminants affecting household water quality in the Tri-City area. Representatives from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will discuss the latest information on PFAS, how they are distributed into our groundwater, and the treatment technologies proposed for assuring our long-term health. The presentation will start at 10 a.m. at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building at 882 Sunset Avenue (two blocks behind True Value) in Prescott.…

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Sedona News – The Sedona Heritage Museum hosts a show and sale of original hand crafted Mata Ortiz pottery on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. The evening event on Friday, March 8, is a pre-sale and will take place between 4 pm and 6 pm.  Guests can RSVP to the Museum by calling 928-282-7038 for a chance to see this beautiful pottery, interact with artist Oralia Lopez one on one, and purchase items before the sale opens to the general public the next day.  RSVPs are limited to the first 50.  The Friday event includes a wine and…

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— By Tommy Acosta Everywhere the drums of war seem to be beating and people are living in fear. Will Russia nuke us? Will we nuke Russia? Will NATO unleash its full force against Russia, China and Iran? Will there be a global killing unlike anything the world has seen before? I think not. The planet’s elite, royalty, those who own the castles, will never let their playground Earth be made uninhabitable by radiation and annihilation. The current conflicts are being meticulously managed and nourished by the defense contractors of the world. The grudge match between Russia and Ukraine, the…

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… I love the shot of the Great Blue Heron cruising across the water and the reflections from the surface reflect up onto his wings and body creating new and wonderful patterns of light and shadow. Below we have a Western Grebe that has just secured a bit of breakfast … next is to get it flipped so he can swallow it headfirst … and then go for more. Below the Grebe is a photo of the most beautiful opal I have ever cut, and I have been cutting opal for forty-seven years. The opal is a piece of black…

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Sedona News – The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is returning to Sedona. For the tenth year, the Sedona International Film Festival is bringing the spirit of outdoor adventure and mountain culture to red rock country. This year’s screenings feature the world’s best mountain sport, culture and environmental films, letting you experience the thrill and challenges of the mountain environments that inspire us all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ngjhcIsh4&t=1s The Sedona tour stop is two nights again this year: Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Each night will feature a different program of…

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Sedona News – On Saturday, May 18th, the Verde Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild will hold their Annual Fiber Artisans’ Sale from 9 am to 4 pm at the amphitheater of the Sedona Arts Center at 15 Art Barn Road in uptown.  Founded in 1973 by two talented weavers and spinners, Mary Pendleton and Betty Gaudy, the Guild’s mission is to encourage interest and education in fiber arts, including loom, basket and tapestry weaving, yarn spinning, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, needle and hand felting, and needle beadwork.  Featured at the upcoming sale will be a variety of contributions, including wearable art,…

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By Tommy Acosta — Sedona, AZ – Throughout my entire life, I have always considered myself immune to disease and illness. During the Covid pandemic, I never wore a mask, mixed with people, and did not take the jab. I never even had a sniffle. Then one day, my invulnerability ended abruptly. Seeing a cardiologist because I had had a fluttering in my chest, he turned from a screen showing a CT Scan of my heart, with an extremely worried look on his face, and said the following to me: “Thomas, you are in imminent danger of death.” What??? With…

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Sedona News – For When You Get Lost, written by Jennifer Sorenson and directed by Michelle Steffes, will screen for the Sedona International Film Festival audience on Saturday, March 2nd. The film won the Audience Award for Best Comedy in October at the 2023 Austin Film Festival. This dark comedy takes estranged sisters on a road trip up the Pacific Coast in order to make amends with their difficult father before he dies. The film stars Jennifer Sorenson (Orphan is the New Orange), Elizabeth Alderfer, (AP Bio, United States of Al), Aja Bair, (Euphoria, Kenan), Brian Thomas Smith (The Big…

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Keep Sedona Beautiful will hold its next Preserving the Wonder Speaker Series event on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:00 pm. This month’s speaker is Roxanne Holland, Director of Wastewater for the City of Sedona. Her topic will be “City of Sedona Treated Wastewater Quality and Management.”  Please visit the KSB website, www.keepsedonabeautiful.org for details. Roxanne’s talk is the second part of a series on Sedona water quality and management.  Hear from Sedona’s wastewater management expert on how the City of Sedona has treated wastewater and managed the quality of that water, disposed of treated wastewater (effluent), how we got to…

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… it was a beautiful day on Lake Pleasant today … lots of sunshine and wildlife on and around the lake … everyone seemed to be enjoying the early taste of Spring like weather. Nesting has begun and eggs are being laid in nests … the lake is back on the ride and projections from Central Arizona Project show a 23-foot rise in the lake level by mid-May. Check the website out and learn more about this exceptional asset we all enjoy. The photo above is of a great blue heron enjoying a late breakfast … we were heading directly at him…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the “Henry Mancini’s 100th Birthday Celebration” on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Get ready for a dazzling celebration at the Sedona International Film Festival as we honor the 100th birthday of the legendary, multi-Academy Award-winning composer extraordinaire, Henry Mancini. Here to help us celebrate Mancini’s music in the movies are his multi-Grammy-nominated daughter — singer Monica Mancini — and eight-time Grammy and Emmy-winning producer, musician, and author, Gregg Field. This special multi-media show will include musical performances by Ms. Mancini of…

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Sedona News – The Sedona Police Department’s K9 Sam will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Sam’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12-12-23.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory How could we ever be strangers. Even the idea of it strays far from the actuality of life. It seems true, appears to be so, and at the same time is an utter impossibility. When we slide into home plate, fresh from our sojourn into form, will we look at one another and see strangers, or crack up laughing? Whew! Can’t believe I did that! Oh what a ride this is, to look into the mirror of life and see strangers: people we feel drawn to, ones we despise, and those who remain invisible to us;…

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By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers services and classes which are life-affirming and soul enriching. All are listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after security check. People who cannot attend or who live far away can attend through zoom. Several classes, events and holidays are coming up in March and April.  Check the website and plan to join us! Erev Shabbat services led by Rabbi Alicia Magal will be held on Friday evening, February 23, 2024  beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom. The Torah reading is from Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10),…

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Sedona News – The city of Sedona invites 501(c) organizations to apply for city grants beginning today, Feb. 15, 2024. Applications are due by noon on Thursday, April 25, 2024, with awards finalized in July 2024 by Sedona’s city council. Grant applications are available for programs, activities or events developed by 501(c) organizations that provide a public service or benefit and are consistent with the city’s funding priorities. Individual grant amounts have typically ranged from $2,000 to $20,000. For this year’s grant cycle the funding has increased from $200,000 to $350,000 with a minimum of 40% to be allocated to…

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