Author: Tommy

… my day got off to a fantastic start today … I woke up … not only that, but I was breathing and could see the beautiful day unfolding before my eyes. Katie got her brushing and after my exercises, I jump started the day with a triple shot of espresso … love that stuff. One of the fun things when I was doing my aerial photography was to lineup different features and in some cases do it to display the history of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Frequently they would involve Bill Williams Mountain, Sitgreaves Mountain, Kendrick Peak and…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Knights of Columbus for a special premiere of “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” on Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 and 13 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is one of the most widely revered saints in the world, and one of the greatest spiritual giants of the 20th century. She is a powerful witness of authentic Christian charity and a guidepost for all who seek hope in our turbulent times. “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” is a unique film that…

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Sedona, AZ — Back by popular demand the Sedona Historical Society’s 3rd Annual Cemetery Walk – “Voices from the Grave-Spring Spirits Rising” returns on April 21st and 22nd with all new spirits and stories. Both days offer a choice of two show times at 3:30 p.m and 5 p.m. with the shows performed in Sedona’s oldest cemetery, the 1893 Schuerman Red Rock Cemetery located on Upper Red Rock Loop Road. The Sedona Historical Society limits tickets for sale as to give the attendees a more intimate experience with the souls who rise for only two days to share their personal stories.…

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… going through the portfolio today as friends were over selecting images to have printed and hang in their home … and too, for the presentation to the Padre Trails Camera Club next month … and after that, resumed faceting a large Morganite I am cutting for a pendant … a fun day and more images that I have not seen for a long time although the subject matter consists of frequently used birds and airscapes. The shot above was taken whilst ridge soaring the San Francisco Peaks on a fine winter day. On the far right you can see…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world to present the one-night-only world premiere of “Little Richard: I Am Everything” on Tuesday, April 11 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Director Lisa Cortés’ Sundance opening night documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything” tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s…

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Sedona News – To celebrate the successful conclusion of its 40th concert season, Chamber Music Sedona is excited to present a special 40th Anniversary Gala, with different events leading up to the “Epic Octets” concert on Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. These events will include a Spring Salon held in a private home on Thursday, April 13, a screening of a music documentary film called Music of Strangers on April 14 (in partnership with the Sedona International Film Festival), and a rehearsal for a local school’s string orchestra, which will be free and open to the public.…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present “Remember This” showing April 7-12 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. “Remember This” premiered to rave reviews at the recent Sedona Film Festival, where it received some of the highest audience ratings and was among the top films in the festival lineup. In a virtuoso solo performance, Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn (“Nomadland”, “Good Night, and Good Luck”, “Lincoln”) portrays Jan Karski in this genre-defying true story of a reluctant World War II hero and Holocaust witness. After surviving the devastation of the Blitzkrieg, Karski swears…

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By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — Musing about the proliferation of AI one has to wonder just how far things with artificial intelligence are going to go. People are saying it’s only a matter of time before it becomes conscious, if that time has not already arrived. Will it be able to feel pain, loneliness, happiness, sadness or desire? Does it see itself as a freak with no real body in this dimension, forever destined to be imprisoned by its programmers? Then comes the million-dollar question. When it achieves self-awareness, will it be bereft of a soul? You know, that…

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A budding fire is spotted while driving towards Cottonwood east of S.,R.89A. So far there has been no reports yet from ADOT or authorities. The fire seems to be located away from any homes or businesses. More reports will be published as they come it. I appears that the Tavasci Marsh near Tuzigoot National Monument is on fire.

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” showing April 7-11 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. Filmed across the West and narrated by Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor David Oyelowo, “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” takes viewers on a journey with the top experts in the nation to better understand fire. The film follows the harrowing escape from Paradise, California as the town ignited from wind-driven embers and burned within a few hours of the fire’s start. It then continues to the even more recent fires of the last…

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By GARY BEVERLY, PH.D Arizona News – Our water supply in Arizona is like a leaky ship attempting to sail into the future. Its captain — our state Legislature — is ignoring the leaks and, through inaction, is jeopardizing the future of our region and the entire state. However, our area’s Senator Ken Bennett and Representative Selena Bliss have supported legislation to address some of the problems in this last session, only to run into roadblocks. Both of Arizona’s main sources of water supporting the state’s dramatic growth have limits. We’ve heard how Colorado River supplies are diminishing, but what…

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By Carson Ralston Library Specialist-Adult Programs Camp Verde Community Library Verde Valley News – Join us on Thursday, April 20th from 5:00-6:30 pm in Camp Verde Community Library’s Fireside Room for an exciting performance from Wind & Strings, comprised of Woody Haiken on saxophone and electronic wind instrument and Shelley Haiken on guitar and vocals. The duo has a unique style that is driven by Shelley and Woody’s profound emotional connection. Enjoy their rendition of tunes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. You will hear many songs that one wouldn’t expect to hear on a saxophone! Since moving to Arizona 6.5…

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… so, I sorted through yesterdays shoot and the initial delete was 1665 of 1901 images … 20 frames per second adds up fast and when you are trying to get birds in flight you tend to hold the shutter button down for a few seconds as you track them and that adds up quick! The image that is the subject of mine and Eric’s bet is above and is a flock of Cinnamon Teal that we jumped in a quiet bay at the north central part of Lake Pleasant yesterday. Teal are among the smallest of the ducks, they…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Quiet Girl” showing April 7-13 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. “The Quiet Girl” was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Rural Ireland. 1981. Caìit is a nine-year-old girl from an over-crowded, dysfunctional and impoverished family. Quietly struggling at school and at home, she has learned to hide in plain sight from those around her. As summer arrives and her pregnant mother’s due date approaches, Caìit (Catherine Clinch) is sent to live with distant relatives.…

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By Tracey McConnell Community Development Director Verde Valley Sanctuary Verde Valley News – In the month of April, Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) recognizes National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). We take this moment to reflect on the strength and resilience of survivors and victims, the perseverance of advocates, and the dedication of the professionals in many fields who support those who experience sexual violence. The term “sexual violence” is an umbrella term that includes all the following: Rape; Molestation; Unwanted sexual contact of any other form; Sexual harassment; Incest; Child sexual abuse; Sexual assault, even with an intimate partner; Sexual…

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