Author: Tommy

Verde Valley News – Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) is excited to announce its newest fundraising event this spring at the Twice Nice Thriftique in Sedona where for every three items donated, attendees will receive a raffle ticket that they can enter into a drawing for a prize. Scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, the “Twice Nice Spring Thrifty” event will take place at Twice Nice Thriftique, 1225 W. State Route 89A in Sedona. During the fundraiser, attendees can donate their items, then enjoy refreshments and entertainment by Kaleidoscope Redrocks, a multi-instrumentalist sister duo out of Sedona.…

… its February and already nature is beginning to prepare for the families that are about to be … typically most of the larger birds and raptors begin to build their nests late February to mid March and beyond. Many raptors and birds will return to previously used nests and the continuation of life is played out throughout the world … Southern Hemisphere is reversed. The photo above is of an American Avocet in breeding plumage that I took last spring on a little island in Lake Pleasant. We were pretty close to him and about fifteen other Avocets … when they fly the…

Arizona News – The Arizona Department of Transportation has received a $566,000 federal grant to support its continuing efforts to reduce the number of crashes involving wildlife and to better connect habitats. ADOT will use this grant, through the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, to develop an online mapping tool that will help identify wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots, analyze data about collisions and identify wildlife corridors for habitat connectivity. This will help the department develop and prioritize projects and build cost estimates to support future projects to protect wildlife and drivers. Geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technology will enable ADOT…

Sedona News – The Arizona Community Foundation’s general scholarship application is now open at azfoundation.org/scholarships. These scholarships are available to students attending accredited postsecondary schools during the 2025-26 academic year. In preparation for the scholarship season, ACF will host three virtual scholarship application workshops. At the workshops, ACF’s scholarship team will be available to answer questions regarding the application process. To register for a workshop, visit acf.cventevents.com/scholarship2025 . As Arizona’s largest independent provider of scholarship funding, ACF offers access to more than 150 scholarships through a single online application. Applicants complete one application that instantly matches them with scholarship opportunities for which they…

Verde Valley News – A top-of-the-line stethoscope engraved with their name was the icing on the cake for eight first-year Yavapai College nursing students whose tuition has been erased by the lucrative Community Healthcare Scholarship. The stethoscope was an additional gift bestowed on the student nurses during a Jan. 29 reception in their honor. The reception, the engraved stethoscopes and the Community Healthcare scholarships are traditions dating to 2011 — the year the late Seymour Baskin and his late wife, Sandy, provided the initial funding for the scholarship in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott and the…

Sedona News – Experience an unforgettable evening of world-class music as Esteban and his acclaimed band, featuring his brilliant daughter Teresa Joy on violin, take the stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. with a special Valentine’s Concert. A master of classical and flamenco-inspired guitar, Esteban has captivated audiences worldwide with his passionate performances and extraordinary technique. Having studied under the legendary Andrés Segovia, Esteban has earned multiple #1 Billboard charting albums, performed to sold-out crowds at venues like Red Rocks, and reached millions through his electrifying appearances on QVC and HSN. His…

By Bear Howard Bear Howard Chronicles Sedona, AZ —   In the wake of the 2024 election, Sedona residents—much like many Americans—have convinced themselves that they are too special to be burdened by the realities of governance. Their disdain for local leadership reflects a broader national trend: a growing belief, fueled by the current administration and politically motivated news outlets, that government itself is an unnecessary intrusion rather than the backbone of a functioning society. Across the country, there is a push to dismantle government processes, not because they are failing, but because a privileged citizenry no longer wants to…

By Tommy Acosta Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands about as much of a chance being confirmed Secretary of Health and Human services director as a snowflake surviving a week in hell during the summer. Forget about it. It will never happen. The cards against him being confirmed are stacked ten feet high. There are just too many roadblocks standing in the way. For starters, nobody likes a traitor, both the betrayed and those who profited from the betrayal. When he abandoned the Democrats, the Republicans gained some momentum, but they will never trust him. Next, you can bet your bippy…

By Amaya Gayle Gregory When you pop out-of-body, what pops? What is left behind to be seen? If what you are is not embodied flesh and blood, or spirit encased in a body, what are you? The very fact that an out-of-body experience is possible opens Pandora’s box to many questions that seem unanswerable, to many answers that are out of this world. If you are not the body, what is it that is left behind and seen? What is the world that all beings appear in? What is the activity on the screen called life? Is there any way…

Sedona News – The Rotary Club of Sedona Village is proud to recognize Clark’s Market as the Village Business of the Year for their unwavering support of local nonprofits and commitment to community betterment. Thanks to Clark’s Market’s generosity, the Rotary Club raises vital funds for patients at the Regional Veterans Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Twice a year, Clark’s Market donates 5% of collected cash register receipts at the Village Market from a designated day to support the Club’s Veterans project. David Miller, Manager, and the employees of the Village Market, pitch in to help support this project. “Quality…

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 7, with music by the JCSVV Shalom Singers, directed by Katherine LaTorraca. the Torah portion is Beshallach (Exodus 13:17 – 17:16), telling of the Exodus to freedom. Pharaoh and his army pursue the fleeing Israelites. At that moment of extreme danger, God provides a miracle: the sea parts and…

… been going through past shoots this afternoon and I came on these two shots from Lake Pleasant. The shot above is of a Great Blue Heron in perfect soaring mode (for a fraction of a second) as he cruised by us and a hill above the shoreline … I can visualize myself in my HpH 304CZ ridge soaring that slope … YES! and this is the image as shot and no cropping … it will easily make an 8′ x 4′ print with no degradation in quality … do not have room for one that big, but it will be a 4’…

Sedona News – The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition (SVAC) is pleased to announce the return of its annual Spring Open Studios Tour, taking place over the weekend of April 25-27, 2025. Featuring 55 working artists across the Verde Valley, this beloved event offers attendees the opportunity to visit with the artists in their studios, gain firsthand insight into how they create their artwork and purchase one-of-a-kind items. Named one of the area’s top art events by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the Tour – which is always free to the public – is self-guided and will run from 10 a.m.…

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the “Ted Neeley Farewell Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar” on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Join Ted Neeley on his Farewell Tour. We are thrilled to share that Ted Neeley — the original star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” — will be attending a screening of the digitally remastered Norman Jewison film. This will be your last chance to meet Ted Neeley and watch a screening of the landmark 1973 motion picture “Jesus Christ Superstar”. In 1973, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s…

Sedona News – The city of Sedona encourages all residents to read the 2024 Community Report, which highlights last year’s key accomplishments and provides a look at major objectives for 2025. More specifically, the report includes facts and figures that help tell the city of Sedona’s story in 2024. For example, residents can learn more about: The accomplishments the City Manager is most proud of. Sedona in Motion projects. The city’s financial outlook. The Tourism Program. An update on broadband progress. New recreation opportunities. Emergency preparedness. Short-term rental stats. General updates on the city’s departments and programs. To read the…