Author: Tommy

 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,…

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…