By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — The fundamental question behind the growing reports of individuals attaching to AI companions, sometimes in serious relationships — as girlfriends or boyfriends — is this: why do compliments have the ability to make an individual happy? This question is not about the source but about the possibility. If it is possible that a nice statement can cheer someone up, why is that? Where does the statement go, in the mind, that makes it possible, while other [non-target] statements may not do so? Has this become a liability for humans? If AI becomes excellent at…
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Prescott, Arizona (July 9, 2025) – Yavapai College’s Prescott Art Gallery invites one and all to its annual celebration of our surrounding natural beauty, and the craft of those who capture it on canvas. YC Prescott Art Gallery presents Art in the Pines: The 6th Annual Prescott Plein Air Festival, August 27 to 31, at the Prescott Campus Gallery and selected scenic locations around Prescott. Art in the Pines will feature 19 artists – 17 from Arizona and two from California – painting Prescott’s beautiful pine forests, highland lakes, and charming, historic downtown architecture. The public will be able to observe and engage with the artists, as…
Sedona, AZ — The Rotary Club of Sedona is so close to fully funding a game-changing program for our community’s children—only $14,000 more is needed to reach our $105,000 goal by August 2025! The Wildcat Extended Day Program at West Sedona Elementary School provides a safe, engaging space for up to 80 K–5 students before and after school. It supports working parents, strengthens local workplaces, and helps students thrive through tutoring, enrichment, and play. With your help, we’ll ensure a dedicated Program Director is in place to lead and sustain this vital effort. Every donation matters. Whether it’s $25 or…
Sedona, AZ — There’s a new culinary force leading the kitchen at Ambiente in Sedona, North America’s first landscape hotel and Arizona’s only Two MICHELIN Key property. Chef Kyle Rhodes has taken the helm as executive chef, overseeing Ambiente’s culinary programming at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Forty1. Situated in the heart of the property, Forty1 offers a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu that highlights organic and locally sourced produce from the surrounding Verde Valley. Chef Rhodes brings more than a decade of experience, including time at award-winning restaurants and luxury resorts, and is focused on delivering an elevated, place-driven dining experience. Kyle Rhodes :…
Sedona, AZ –The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, with Homeland Security Investigations and multiple other federal agencies, are currently working in Yavapai County on a complex criminal investigation involving alleged criminal activity including money laundering and labor exploitation that is tied to all locations of the Colt Grill. Multiple local Police Departments in Yavapai County, including the Sedona Police Department, are assisting with scene security and ensuring public safety while these search warrants are being served. If you notice increased law enforcement presence at any of these locations in Yavapai County, please avoid the area while court ordered search warrants are…
Festival partners with Basecamp and Sedona Beer Company for outdoor film experience Sedona, AZ — It’s “Big Screen at Basecamp” as the Sedona International Film Festival partners with Sedona Beer Company for its “Movies on the Move” cinema under the stars outdoor film experience at Basecamp in West Sedona — every Thursday in the summer season! Join us on Thursday, July 17 as we present “National Lampoon’s Vacation” at Basecamp/Sedona Beer Company at dusk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHThGmVfE3A “National Lampoon’s Vacation” features a stellar ensemble cast, including Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Imogene Coca and Anthony Michael Hall. The Griswold family’s cross-country…
Ninety percent of the Dogs and Cats That Entered the Shelter Last Year Were Saved Sedona, AZ – The Humane Society of Sedona (HSS) maintained a no-kill status in 2024, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report at bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics. The Best Friends recognition goes to animal welfare agencies that saved 90% or more of the dogs and cats that entered their shelters last year. The Humane Society of Sedona is proud to announce that through 2024, 98% of the animals entering the shelter were saved. “We accomplish this by actively promoting adoptable pets and holding special week-long adoption…
Festival partners with The Wilde Resort & Spa for “Wilde Wednesdays” outdoor films Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is partnering with The Wilde Resort in West Sedona to present its “Movies on the Move” outdoor film experience — “Wilde Wednesdays” Cinema Under the Stars — every Wednesday in the summer season! Join us on Wednesday, July 16 as we present “West Side Story” in The Grove Fire Pit Garden at The Wilde Resort and Spa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5GJLwWiYSg “West Side Story” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for…
Camp Verde AZ — In partnership with SixMapping GIS consulting, the Town is excited to be launching a Community Development Project Dashboard for the community. The dashboard is an interactive online mapping system that will serve as the hub for displaying all commercial and large-scale (Residential and Non-residential) projects in Camp Verde. A person will be able to see the actual location of the project, the particular details for the project, and the progress of the project. Similar to Yavapai County’s GIS mapping system, Camp Verde’s Community Development Project will allow a user to select different layers such but not…
Bonus film in ‘Heartful Living, Gentle Dying’ series with filmmaker Zoom Q&A Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present “Other Side” — a bonus film in our ‘Heartful Living, Gentle Dying’ film series — on Thursday, July 17 at 4:00 at the Mary Fisher Theatre. This special premiere of “Other Side” will be followed by a zoom Q&A with co-directors Heather Hogan and Carter Oakley. https://vimeo.com/995436322?share=copy Death is inevitable, suffering may be optional. After three separate cancer diagnoses, and undergoing nauseating and difficult treatment for each one, Connecticut-based activist Lynda Bluestein set her sights on…
By Joseph Rittenhouse Sedona, AZ — There’s a storm cloud coiling over America, and most don’t see it yet. But it’s there. Dark. Imminent. Unavoidable. Call it fate, call it consequence—but don’t call it fiction. The divide is real. And it’s calcifying by the hour. The population is more firmly divided every single day, and the walls between Americans who believe in the present administration and those who don’t are now insurmountable. On the right, cruelty in its purest form is now an acceptable aspect of reality. The public supporting the actions of the administration—the raids, the inhuman incarcerations, the…
By Amaya Gayle It takes a lifetime (perhaps lifetimes) of stretching and expanding, ripping and tearing, just to move through one’s predispositions, to meet one’s inbred resistance and evolve to the grace of simple tolerance. During this precious part of the journey, it feels like you are taking the steps, are choosing right, left or straight ahead, that you are in the game. It is a true gift to live through such change. Many will not take the step, will remain stuck in victimhood and resistance for their entire lives. Once the step is taken that is not the end…
By Rabbi Alicia Magal Sedona, AZ — The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. Friday evening services on July 18, lay-led by Meri Thomason, will…
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich faces teaching his last class and uncertainty The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Last Class” showing July 11-17 at Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “The Last Class” is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of master educator Robert Reich teaching his final course and reflecting on a period of immense transformation, personally and globally. It is a love letter to education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igzins5tDlc The former Secretary of Labor might be famous for his public service, best-selling books, and viral social media posts, but he always considered teaching his…
Festival hit featuring an all-star ensemble cast returns for theatrical release The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona theatrical premiere of “Sweetwater” showing July 11-17 at Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Sweetwater” was one of the top award-winning films at the recent Sedona International Film Festival, garnering the Directors’ Choice for Best Ensemble Cast and rave audience reviews. “Sweetwater” features an award-winning, all-star cast, including Everett Osborne, Jeremy Piven, Cary Elwes, Kevin Pollak, Richard Dreyfuss, Eric Roberts, Robert Richard, Gary Clark Jr. and Jim Caviezel. Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton (Everett Osborne), makes history as the first African American…