Author: Tommy

Judy Neiman and John Currivan join SIFF board in its 27th anniversary yearSedona AZ (March 3, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to announce the addition of two new board members to its film festival “family”: Judy Neiman and John Currivan.The film festival is celebrating its 27-year anniversary this year with the annual celebration of independent film scheduled for June 12-20, 2021. The organization opened its year-round art house theatre — the Mary D. Fisher Theatre — in spring of 2012.  The theatre has become known as the “cultural heart of Sedona”, bringing independent and foreign films,…

Sedona AZ (March 3, 2021) – Adventure and conservation photographer Dawn Kish will present to the Sedona Camera Club starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 29th.  Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, her online presentation will be via a Sedona Camera Club webinar.Kish will chronicle her 25+ year career from adventure photographer to her current passion as a conservation photographer.  “If it is outside,” says Dawn, “I’ve probably photographed it.” Using places such as Grand Canyon, which artists’ work played a key role in protecting, and her current work documenting the protection the endangered California Condor in Vermilion Cliffs region…

Sedona AZ (March 3, 2021) – The city encourages residents to reach out to House of Representatives elected officials as House Bill (HB) 2481 is waiting to be scheduled for a vote by the entire House before moving to the Senate and if passed there, eventually to Governor Doug Ducey. HB 2481 is pending legislation that modifies the list of regulations that cities and towns are authorized to impose on vacation rentals. More specifically, current short-term rentals would be grandfathered and with a license would be allowed to operate as they currently do. Going forward, it would allow cities to limit…

By Ted Grussing… for sheer beauty and accessibility is Sycamore Canyon close by and about 30 miles west of Sedona. The canyon is in an area that is designated as the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area. The canyon is the second largest canyon in Arizona and is about 21 miles long and 7 miles wide. A link for more info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=81577&actid=104

Encore starring Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest and more at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (March 2, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a “Festival Flashback” of the sensational acclaimed film “Darling Companion” on Tuesday, March 9 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Darling Companion” — from four-time Academy Award-nominated director Lawrence Kasdan — features a stellar ensemble cast including Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Elisabeth Moss, Mark Duplass, Ayelet Zurer and Sam Shepard.

Prescott AZ (March 2, 2021) – The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office learned about the DEA’s new program Operation Engage from the news release that was issued earlier this week by the Phoenix division. Operation Engage “allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas” labeled Yavapai County as their main focus, claiming they were going to work with local stakeholders to “target drug threats” within the county.“It is disappointing that the DEA would release this news without making any effort to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office or any of…

Vaccine Prioritization to Continue Based On Age To Protect Those Most At RiskPhoenix AZ (March 2, 2021) – Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced today a new hybrid approach that provides Arizonans 55 and older eligibility along with front line essential workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The new approach launches today in the Phoenix Metro Area.Arizona will continue its age-based approach to administering the vaccine. The new hybrid approach will ensure the distribution of vaccine doses to individuals at high risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death, from COVID-19 due to age…

The Tour will ensure adherence to CDC health and safety guidelines while allowing attendees to visit artists in their studios and learn about the creative process.Sedona AZ (March 2, 2021) – The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition (SVAC) is excited to announce the return of the Sedona Spring Open Studios Tour, taking place over the weekend of April 23-25, 2021. As part of this beloved annual event, approximately 45 working artists in the Verde Valley will open their private studios to the public, allowing attendees the opportunity to learn about the creative process and purchase unique works of art while enjoying…

Camp Verde AZ (March 2, 2021) – Camp Verde Community Library and Camp Verde Marshal’s Office are partnering to raise awareness about attempted scams and financial fraud. Library staff ordered hundreds of paper placemats from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which CVMO deputies will distribute to local restaurants during the month of March. This will coincide with a social media campaign reminding consumers of the many tricks scammers use to defraud them.Join Wendy, Thursday, March 25 at 10:00 am virtually or in-person in the Library’s Founders Room for a presentation on how to recognize scams, phishing attempts, and financial fraud aimed at seniors.…

By Ted Grussing… ballet is one of the more beautiful art forms and has been defined as a classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement … with gestures and movements of grace and fluidity. Surely in this photograph of two Cinnamon Teal taking to the sky, spiraling upward we see a beauty and fluidity of motion that equals any found in the dance.

Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas star in film at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (March 1, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a “Festival Flashback” of the sensational acclaimed film “My Old Lady” on Monday, March 8 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“My Old Lady” is the second film in a month-long tribute to Dame Maggie Smith with a special “Maggie Mondays” series in March featuring a different Maggie Smith film every Monday.He’s in the will. She’s in the way.

Contactless option will allow older adults to make healthy choicesPhoenix AZ (March 1, 2021) – Renewing a standard Arizona driver license and a commercial driver license can now be completed with a few clicks on a website.As Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order on deferring standard driver license expiration dates ends on Feb. 28, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is giving many Arizonans the ability to renew their driver license online. Previously, renewals could only be processed during an office visit.

Sedona AZ (March 1, 2021) – The Sedona Arts Academy’s Art Exhibition Program is excited to announce the inaugural exhibit in its long-anticipated series of art shows celebrating the visual artists of the Verde Valley.  This initial exhibit will run from March 1 through March 31, 2021, and will feature many fine works from an extraordinary and diverse group of local artists.The exhibit is open daily from noon to 6PM, and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the show.  The public is also cordially invited to stop by for a convivial artist’s reception on Saturday, March 6 from 4:30…

Village of Oak Creek AZ (March 1, 2021) – Arizona Public Service’s (APS) proposed above-ground powerline into the Village of Oak Creek (VOC) is opposed by nearly three-quarters (73.5%) of respondents to a recent survey by Big Park Regional Coordinating Council (BPRCC). Just over half (52.6%) favored burying the powerline that, as proposed, would run northwest from McGuireville and enter the Village along Kel Fox Trail before connecting to APS’s Oak Creek substation.  Another 38% equally favored one of two battery storage options – a battery storage facility or a solar-powered community microgrid (with battery storage) – in lieu of…

KSB Virtual Speaker Series on Wednesday, March 10 Sedona AZ (March 1, 2021) – Keep Sedona Beautiful is pleased to host its Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series webinar on Wednesday, March 10th at 5:00 pm.  This month’s “virtual” guest is Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, an Arizona native and great-granddaughter of Sedona and T.C. Schnebly, who gave the early settlement along Oak Creek its name.  Lisa Schnebly Heidinger has been collecting and sharing stories of Arizonans with a wide audience, and she will share some of those stories on March 10th.