Author: Tommy

Sedona Pines and Sedona Shadows, and Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona are in the  “Be Set – Be Aware” step of the “Ready,” “Set,” “Go” evacuation preparedness system.Residents are advised to pack emergency items and remain aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, the Fire Department and public safety.To learn more on how to prepare for the fire should it become a threat to Sedona and the surrounding area click the graphic below. Being aware of what to do during an emergency situation can save your life.Make sure you have a tank full of gas…

By Ted Grussing… starting with a very cool predator, an Osprey, just lifting off from his perch on a dead tree branch on the shores of Lake Pleasant a couple of months ago. They are one of the spectacular predators soaring over ponds, streams, lakes and oceans looking for fish near the surface. When they spot one, they hover for a few seconds while they do the calculations for target acquisition and then they dive, hitting the water at up to 85 miles an hour, submerge and then re-emerge with a nice fish … line it up head first for…

Paolo Scardina stars in a one-man modern musical written and composed by himselfSedona AZ (June 23, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival proudly presents “Rockabye Worlds”, a live one-man modern musical written and composed by Paolo Scardina at the Mary D. Fisher Theater, Saturday, July 3 at 4:00 and 7:00 pm.“Rockabye Worlds” is performed by Paolo Scardina, an accomplished pianist, vocalist, composer, songwriter, and choreographer, who enacts the roles of seven characters, while playing live on a magical music box, a stage piano!  This musical creation integrates the artforms of songwriting, composing, piano playing, acting and choreography into a…

Yavapai County AZ (June 23, 2021) – MATFORCE is partnering with Yavapai County Adult Probation Department and the Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition to bring Networking for Solutions back to Yavapai County.After a hiatus from regular, in person meetings due to COVID-19 restrictions, the networking group has reestablished a regular schedule of meetings for the year. Starting Friday, July 9th, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, Prescott area professionals can meet to learn more about the impact of developmental adversity (trauma, chaos, neglect) on adult behavior and capacity to change. Beth Dunn, MS, LPC, will explore the “3 R’s”…

By Camilla RossSedona Arts AcademySedona AZ (June 23, 2021) – Sedona Arts Academy (SAA) announces Open Mic Night which is taking place bi-weekly on Sundays from 6:00pm- 10:00pm. So, come out, get up on stage, or cheer from the crowd. We’ve reserved the microphone for you to test or perform songs, poetry, and stories in front of an audience, getting instant feedback. Or, just come out to support those who are exploring and expressing themselves creatively. The next Open Mic is taking place July 4th and 18th, 2021and tickets are at $10. bit.ly/SAA-open-mic-weekly

Clarkdale AZ (June 23, 2021) – Yavapai College has announced that it will offer free tuition to any student who enrolls in classes in the College’s new Verde Valley Skilled Trades Center.The free tuition will cover all classes for the entire fall semester, and classes begin on August 16.The Verde Valley Skilled Trades Center is a new, 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility located on the College’s Clarkdale Campus. Students who take classes in the Skilled Trades Center will receive hands-on training in essential career and technical trade programs.

Sedona AZ (June 23, 2021) – Command staff at Sedona Fire District is working in close coordination the incident command teams for nearby wildfires and continues to closely monitor the situation as it evolves.  Recent conditions on the Rafael fire have allowed the fire to move closer to the action points in the far northwest corner of our fire district.  As the fire approaches these action points, we urge all residents to stay up to date on the latest fire information and be prepared to act in the case that an evacuation or other actions become necessary.Residents and visitors are urged to…

By Amaya Gayle Gregory Sedona (June 24, 2021) I’ve known for years that the answer to life was a full YES. I worked hard at finding that yes and often managed to say it and actually mean it even when the external elements cried out for a NO. Boy was I wrong. I didn’t understand it at all. There’s so much along the spiritual path that I interpreted through mind’s view and missed the meaning entirely. There are several interpretations to the Give Life Your Yes teaching. One is actual factual at the level of mysterious mind-blowing, separate self dismantling truth –…

Sedona News (June 23, 2021) The Rafael fire burning near Sedona remains Zero percent contained, according to Prescott’s  Daily Courier.After exploding to 20,000 acres just 24 hours earlier, the Rafael Fire in Yavapai County, just four miles north of Perkinsville, had “considerably less growth” than the day before, according to Prescott National Forest officials Tuesday.

By Ted Grussing… so two cool shots tonight; one of a Kingfisher which is a really tough bird to get a shot of … first of all they are very skittish and hard to get close to, even in a boat and second they give no warning when they are taking to flight and then once in flight they have a very erratic flight path which means it is tough to get or hold a focus on them. So I feel pretty fortunate to have gotten this series … this shot is the 6th one in a series which starts…

Sedona AZ (June 22, 2021) – Local musicians are invited to share their talent at The Red Dirt Concert Series at the Posse Grounds Pavilion this fall. The city is looking for talented performers to perform at the pavilion at Barbara Antonsen Park during one of four free community concerts Friday evenings in September. 

With Return to Workplaces, Understanding Current Hiring Practices Ensures EquityPhoenix AZ  (June 22, 2021) – As nonprofits begin to return or continue in-person work and possibly bringing on new hires, it’s important to be aware of current hiring practices to ensure equity. “As the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits moves forward in our diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) journey, like many organizations, we have taken a deeper look at our policies and operations,” said CEO Kristen Merrifield. “We believe the steps we’ve assessed and have put in place are important for all of our nonprofit partners to consider.”Those steps include: Applications: upon receipt,…

By Carson RalstonLibrary Specialist-Adult ProgramsCamp Verde AZ (June 22, 2021) – Join us on Thursday, June 24th from 5:30-7:00 pm in Camp Verde Community Library’s Fireside Room for our new free Special Concert Series, a spin-off of Music in the Stacks round-robin style concerts that take have taken place at the library for nearly 5 years.Music in the Stacks Special Concert Series is a showcase of local and national musicians who entertain regularly in Northern Arizona.  There will be one band or solo artist that plays for the duration of the concert with a different artist playing each month, on the 4th Thursday.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) has activated an EmergencyOperations Center in response to the Rafael Fire. A Call Center has also been set up to answer questions.Residents may call 928.679.8647 or email rafaelfire@coconino.az.govThe Rafael Fire was discovered on June 18, 2021, the result of passing predominantly dry thunderstorms andhas continued to increase due to low humidity and wind. All areas south of 1-40, west of I-17, including UniversityHeights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, Woody Mountain Road, as well as South Garland Prairie, Pine Aire Estates and residents in between are now in SET status (pre- evacuation).

By Ted Grussing… as day after day of 100+ degree temperatures greet us and more fires are started from whatever cause, it is time to think cool … and this flight I took up to the peaks is just what I need to put my mind in a good place (air conditioning helps too.) Humphreys Peak is in the foreground and at 12,637′ it is the highest peak in the State of Arizona. On the right side of the photo above Humphreys is Fremont Peak and to the left of it is Doyle. The entire inner basin is filled with…