By David Stephen France24, the global news cable channel of the Republic of France, has shown more of ChatGPT and OpenAI in recent weeks than they have of their own home AI star company, Mistral. Mistral is supposed to be France’s answer to the dominance of US AI companies, yet it is hardly promoted, marketed, advertised or even referenced on their own cable station. Though Mistral is reported to have revenues from Europe and some from the United States, there are several possible markets in AI that could be opened to Mistral with enough campaign, through France24, especially because the…
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By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. Erev Shabbat services begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, February 14. The Torah portion is Yitro (Exodus 18:1 – 20:23), named for Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, who advises Moses to delegate leadership roles. The Israelites camp at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Amidst thunderous clouds of smoke and lightning God delivers the Ten Commandments to Moses for all the people. The service includes…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the 2025 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts Feb. 14-20 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. Now an annual film festival tradition, Sedona audiences will be able to see all of the short films nominated for Academy Awards before the Oscar telecast on March 2. A perennial hit with audiences around the country (and the world), don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. All of the Documentary Short Film nominees will be featured in this program. The Oscar-nominated Documentary Shorts Program will include: • Death by…
Sedona News – The city of Sedona welcomes Amber Wagner as the new Transit Administrator after a nationwide search. Taking over the position from retiring Robert Weber, Wagner will start the position on Feb. 27, 2025 and will manage transit planning, grants administration, operations and maintenance, and budget. Through her work in municipalities, especially those heavily involved in tourism, Wagner has demonstrated strength in managing contractors and transit operations including fixed route and on-demand systems. With over 15 years of experience in transit leadership, strategic planning and management, her most recent position was at Asheville Rides Transit (ART), in which…
Sedona News – After smashing their “Giving Tuesday” goals this past holiday season, Verde Valley Sanctuary leadership took a few moments to thank the community, and all of those who participated in the fundraiser. “Once again, the supporters of Verde Valley Sanctuary and its mission prove their commitment and steadfastness,” said Executive Director Jessye Johnson, who joined the agency in 2022. VVS launched the campaign in November 2024 with a goal of 31 gifts for $15,000 in honor their 31 years of service to the Verde Valley community, but after all online donations were submitted and checks were received in…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the 2025 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts Feb. 14-20 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. Now an annual film festival tradition, Sedona audiences will be able to see all of the short films nominated for Academy Awards before the Oscar telecast on March 2. A perennial hit with audiences around the country (and the world), don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. All of the Animated Short Film nominees will be featured in this program. The Oscar-nominated Animated Shorts Program will include: • Beautiful Men (Belgium/France/Netherlands)…
SEDONA, Ariz. – On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the 53rd annual St. Patrick’s Parade returns, and the city of Sedona seeks parade entrants and event sponsors to help make this event special. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will travel down its traditional Uptown Sedona route of Jordan Road from the Sedona Heritage Museum to Mesquite Avenue. Civic organizations, businesses, youth/school groups, bands, decorative floats, and vehicles are all encouraged to participate and celebrate this annual tradition. “Part of what makes this holiday parade great is seeing the community come out and participate. If you’re a returning participant…
By Tommy Acosta How could the Hamas leaders in Gaza have been so stupid as to have launched that October 7th terror attack against Israel? How could they not have known that they would be giving the greenlight for the Israeli to obliterate Gaza and Palestine, cause unimaginable suffering for their people, totally destroy their culture and lose their country to the West? It’s just mind boggling how ignorant those who orchestrated the October 7th massacre were in attacking an enemy that has overpowering military might and the ability to bomb their country into dust. Now we have President Trump…
By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — Reasoning, for organisms, is not just capability, but often also learned. It is different from affect, which could be largely capability. Reasoning—as a budding capacity for artificial intelligence—is along the versatility of objects as tools for humans, with utility as priority, not feelings. Objects cannot feel, so their functions are optimized for delivery. Some functions are propelled, while others are automated, but as automation grew, intelligence came close, and as intelligence did, reasoning followed. Whatever the functions of machines, especially if routine enough, they do it almost better than organisms because organisms run various…
Sedona, Az — The Sedona Sister Cities Association is proud to reaffirm its commitment to building bridges of understanding through citizen diplomacy. While national governments—including those in Canada and the United States—may see leadership changes and policy differences, people-to-people connections remain a steadfast way to foster goodwill, cultural exchange, and cooperation. The foundation of this citizen-led movement dates back to 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower introduced his groundbreaking People-to-People program. He believed that lasting peace depends on direct engagement between everyday citizens, saying, “I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations require mutual…
… I finished the March article for Sedona Monthly this evening and it was a fun one to write and I included a bit about my sleeping in in the morning now. On a years ago trip to Europe we bought some down comforters that are absolutely the best reason to convince me to spend extra morning hours soaking up the warmth whilst my face chilled from the windows open all night provides perfect contrast … Katie (my black cat) is usually lying down on top of me or snuggled up to my back. So I just lie there and…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the 2025 Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts Feb. 14-20 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon and Mary D. Fisher Theatres. Now an annual film festival tradition, Sedona audiences will be able to see all of the short films nominated for Academy Awards before the Oscar telecast on March 2. A perennial hit with audiences around the country (and the world), don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. All of the Live Action Short Film nominees will be featured in this program. The Oscar-nominated Live Action…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Rose”, showing Feb. 14-20 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS84zaol0N4 Rose, 78 years old, has just lost her adored and respected husband. When grief gives way to a powerful impulse to live, the whole balance of the family is upset. Eager to recreate herself as an independent and desirable woman, Rose learns that it’s OK to prioritize her happiness as well. Aurélie Saada’s directorial debut features an older woman successfully rebelling against societal stereotypes and proving that joy can be found at…
Sedona News – Professional photographer Joshua Snow will present at the meeting of the Sedona Camera Club starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 24th, at the Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd, Sedona. Doors open at 5:30. Join Joshua as he presents “Capturing a Dream”, a look into the creative side of landscape and astro photography. Snow will delve into the ins and outs of creating captivating imagery and bringing it to life through post processing. Bridging the gap between single exposure photography and imaginative digital art, Josh employs over 12 years of experience in the world of post…
Verde Valley News – Yavapai College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Moonshot are excited to announce a bigger and better Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition for 2025. This entrepreneurship shark-tank like contest is coming back to Yavapai County as part of the 6th annual event series. Free to participate, entrepreneurs with a start-up idea or seasoned founders looking to expand, all are encouraged to participate. This competition is a great way to perfect your pitch, build confidence, access capital, network with other founders, and prepare for future growth. As a six-year partner of the event series, Ruth Ellen Elinski,…