Author: Tommy

By Ted Grussing… Spring and Summer will have come and gone … Fall will be here and likely we will have some wonderful color in the forests again before the snow flies and another cycle of life we call a year will be concluding. In reality of course there is no new year or season, but a continuation of life more or less following the same patterns. I took this shot of a side canyon off of Sycamore Canyon up near the top of the canyon and to the west of it. Some really neat canyons and wilderness areas up…

Encore of award-winning Judi Dench film on the big screen at Fisher Theatre on April 1Sedona AZ (March 23, 2017) – “Mrs. Henderson Presents” — starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins — returns to Sedona on Saturday, April 1 when the Sedona International Film Festival celebrates the 5-year anniversary of its Mary D. Fisher Theatre. There will be two shows at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. All tickets are only $5 each in honor of this special 5-year anniversary celebration. “We are honored to bring back one of the films that really launched our film festival to the celebration it is…

Jerome AZ (March 23, 2017) – Gallery 527 in Jerome presents a few choice carvings from local artist Richard Faye. His inspiration is the female figure and his medium is firewood and paint. Arriving at his studio, a rowboat filled with wood sits by the front door at the quirky house in Jerome. Over time, each piece of wood becomes a work of art, carved and painted to reveal the mysteries of this talented artist’s mind.

Cottonwood AZ (March 23, 2017) – Looking for a staycation and a great way to celebrate Earth Day? Head to the Verde Valley for a weekend of wine, art and earthy fun! The Verde Valley Arts Council will host its inaugural Old Town Cottonwood Arts Festival (www.oldtownartsfest.com) on Saturday, April 22 from 10:00am – 9:00pm. It will feature selected fine crafts from Arizona artists, as well as live entertainment, wine tasting by local wineries, such as Winery 101 (www.winery101.com) and farm to table demonstrations hosted by the Muse Bistro. 

Sedona AZ (March 23, 2017) – On March 29 the Sedona Fire District will host a Wildlands Skills Training Day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training will be held just east of Crescent Moon Ranch near Lower Loop and Chavez Ranch roads, and will involve a controlled burn of grassland. There will be three to five separate “incidents” involving approximately 100 personnel from local area fire departments. Heavy smoke is anticipated in the Sedona area, primarily around the Back O’ Beyond and Cathedral Rock areas. Signs will be posted by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office informing hikers that Templeton and Baldwin trails will be closed for that day.

By Ted Grussing… it is always fun to get home from a shoot, whether in the air or on the ground somewhere, and see if you got what you hoped to get … in addition it is fun to see if there is more that you got that adds to the story and the beauty of the image. I took this shot last September on the 29th of Kendrick Peak in full color and it was also wreathed in clouds. Kendrick is to the WNW of the San Francisco Peaks and at the peak is 10,425’. I was close to…

By Steve Segner, Sedona Resident(March 22, 2017) There is an old saying in marketing, “Sometimes your customer needs to try your competitors product.” In other words, if your customer needs to be reassured your product is best, they may want to try the other choices to find out.In the past, the road to presidency of the United States was through a two party system with city newspapers and local bosses steering the public’s opinion in the direction they thought best. But, with the advent of social media, 24 Hour Cable news, You Tube, Twitter, the political parties are no longer the…

Overnight lane closures this week from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.Cottonwood AZ (March 22, 2017) – Drivers traveling this week on State Route 260 between Camp Verde and Cottonwood (mileposts 209 to 218) have likely noticed the activity along the shoulder from Wilshire Road to Horseshoe Bend Drive Road. The work has been in preparation for overnight work scheduled this week.Crews will place temporary concrete barrier and haul excess materials between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting Tuesday, March 21, and continuing through Thursday, March 23. One lane will be closed and drivers will need to allow additional travel time…

Sedona AZ (March 22, 2017) – The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley (JCSVV) and Sedona Unitarian Universalists Fellowship (SUUF) are co-sponsoring the 4th annual benefit to supply food for children through the Weekend Backpack Program and local youth pantries, because one in three children in the Verde Valley is food insecure.

By Ted Grussing… that used to grace this lake in the forties and fifties and all the lively fun of enjoying a day on the lake in spectacular country and perhaps dinner and a dance at a local club after a day on the water. I wish I could find the photos that Bob showed me of Rogers Lake back then as large yachts were to be found here, but not for years as most of the lake is dry or wetlands for the majority of the year … still it would be nice to be on the lake. I…

Prescott AZ (March 21, 2017) – Recently, Governor Doug Ducey extended Sheriff’s Mascher’s appointment as Chairman of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board for an additional 3 years. The term will run to October of 2019. Sheriff Mascher is honored by the Governor’s confidence in his leadership role as he continues the mission of POST service to law enforcement agencies throughout the State. Sheriff Mascher was originally appointed as Chairmen in October of 2013 and will continue to oversee the 13 member board comprised of law enforcement leadership statewide. POST provides services and standards oversight to approximately…

Camp Verde AZ (March 21, 2017) – Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde will honor Veterans at its annual “History of the Soldier” event on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Through living history interpretation, the Park will honor the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of military men and women from the Armed Forces of all eras. We invite veterans from around the state to attend this event.

Jerome AZ (March 21, 2017) – The monthly tradition of Jerome First Saturday Art Walk has taken root and will blossom once again this spring with new artists and studios as well as Jerome’s exciting and well-known galleries.  Stroll the mountain town on April 1st from 5:00 to 8:00 PM or take the free shuttle for an evening of art, live music, food and delightful conversation. Spend the day, have a meal in town and maybe even stay the night at one of the town’s delightful accommodations.

Clarkdale AZ (March 21, 2017) – Nationally renowned sculptor,  Novie Trump is the featured artist for a solo exhibition titled “The Heavens Unfastened” at the Verde Art Gallery on the Yavapai College Campus, 601 Black Hills Drive Bldg. F-105.“The Heavens Unfastened” is a collection of site-specific installations that explore the themes of love, loss and longing. Formally trained in classical archaeology at the University of North Carolina, Trump’s work has been selected for juried and invitational exhibitions in the US and Europe and featured in numerous publications. Trump utilizes wax, glass, ceramic, thread and steel in her installations.

By Ted Grussing… about a year and a half ago, a gang of crows moved into the area and took it over … my favorite raptor predators were chased from the area and for the most part the raucous sounds of the crows dominates the scene. Lately I have seen some Sharp Shinned hawks moving back into the area, but it is not without a fight. Yesterday afternoon I got this shot of a Sharp Shinned hawk (Coopers?) perched in a branch on the tee box across the cart path from our backyard fending off attacks from some thugs from…