Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “The Piano Lesson”, showing Dec. 27-Jan. 2 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZwjt0pjt8w A battle is brewing in the Charles Household. At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage. Their uncle (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to mediate, but even he can’t…
Author: Tommy
Read More
Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced that Sireesha Nallu, MD, has joined the NAH primary care office in Cottonwood. She is accepting patients now. Dr. Nallu joins an established primary care team in Cottonwood, including James Arthur, MD, who has been with NAH for over 30 years, physician assistants and a nurse practitioner who all help families and the community stay healthy. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nallu to our Cottonwood primary care team,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group President Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “We believe in the importance of delivering primary care to the communities we serve,…
Sedona News – The Sedona Heritage Museum will offer a new tour program in the new year. Starting in January, at 3:30 pm on the second Wednesday of every month the Museum will offer a Museum tour guided by Executive Director Nate Meyers. The first tour will be held on January 8. The tour will include all of the buildings on the Museum’s Jordan Historical Park campus, as well as a behind the scenes look at how the Museum preserves artifacts and archival materials that aren’t on exhibit. “I’m excited about this new tour program,” said Meyers. “I think guests…
Arizona News – Arizona Department of Transportation detectives’ expertise in investigating identity theft and safeguarding personal information cleared a driver’s record after another person gave his name when arrested for driving under the influence. After the constituent contacted ADOT Fraud Hotline in October, detectives with ADOT’s Office of Inspector General looked into the case and, using an arrest photo and facial-recognition technology, determined that another person, Orlando Garcia, had stolen the constituent’s identity and given it to authorities when pulled over for DUI in September 2024. Detectives then collaborated with the Phoenix Police Department, which arrested Garcia for aggravated DUI and identity…
Verde Valley News – It was a semester for milestones for the Yavapai College Nursing Program, illuminated at a traditional pinning ceremony on Dec. 13 that saw 52 future RNs receive the rewards of their hard work and the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree-earners honored. The future RNs were joined onstage by loved ones of all ages bestowing the well-earned pins and posing for celebratory photos. The six of a total of 19 BSN graduates who participated in the ceremony also were joined by family and presented with a medallion commemorating their continuing education. The ceremony also featured…
Sedona News – Thursday December 12th SAVCO held it’s annual Christmas Gala at the Juniper Grille at the Sedona Golf Resort to celebrate 2024 SAVCO achievements and to recognize seven area Non-Profits with small grants. Over sixty-five guests were in attendance. Gordie Garvey and Dave Fanning were congratulated for their many years (2018-2024) of planning and conducting the SAVCO Annual Golf Tournament which is held each fall at the Oak Creek Country Club and welcomed Gigi Rock as the Golf coordinator for 2025. Outgoing CO-Vice Presidents Sam Skaggs and Mark Cary were thanked for their two years of service in that…
… a little of this and a little of that … thoughts are scattered and so are the images for tonight. Above is a shot I took of a Bobcat earlier this year as he sat and posed on the tee box behind our home. I haven’t seen one for a while, but know they are in the neighborhood. The squirrels have been fattening up in my bird feeder and the Bobcats love to dine on them … we feed the whole food chain! Below is a female Cardinal I shot in a friends back yard and I think in many ways…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “The Return”, showing Dec. 27-Jan. 2 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQQ45ddYdk After 20 years away, Odysseus (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has returned from the Trojan War, but much has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife Penelope (Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche) is a prisoner in her own home, hounded by suitors vying to be king. Their son Telemachus faces death at the hands of these suitors, who see…
Verde Valley News – Ten new Yavapai College-trained paramedics have added life-saving skills to their credentials, advancing in their roles for first-responder agencies in our communities. The 10 men and women celebrated their accomplishment with loved ones, YC Faculty and staff during a graduation ceremony earlier this month. In her congratulatory remarks, YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine told the paramedic grads she is inspired by their dedication, perseverance and hard work. “Graduates, you have chosen a path that demands courage, resilience and an unwavering commitment to serving others. I have no doubt that you will rise to meet these demands…
By Bear Howard Bear Howard Chronicles Sedona, AZ — Imagine Sedona, a picturesque town where the streets are clean, the police are funded, and the parks are pristine—all thanks to the millions of dollars poured in by tourists. These visitors are the city’s lifeblood, contributing 70–80% of its revenue, keeping the lights on and the wheels turning. Yet, somehow, a vocal subset of locals has convinced themselves that Sedona’s prosperity is an affront to their way of life. Cue the complaints: “The city spends too much on tourists!” “The council caters to visitors, not residents!” It’s the anthem of those…
By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — America must prepare for a national gnashing of teeth as our government shifts into full-blown, pedal-to-the-metal mode, evicting and deporting undocumented migrants back to the countries they came from. It won’t matter if someone is a criminal illegal immigrant or a hard-working person supporting and raising a family. The law is the law, according to Border Czar Tom Homan, and under this hardline approach, everyone without documentation will be sent packing, regardless of circumstance. Not even Dreamers—those brought here as children through no fault of their own—or those born here under the current interpretation…
By Amaya Gayle Gregory Is it a jazz sort of day or rhythm and blues? Country done-me-wrong or classical notes strung together with marvelous awe? There’s a song for it all, if not already composed, composing itself in this moment, in sync with my breath. I could call an event traumatic, or I could hear the music of the dance, the dance that spun me out that door and into a new dance with a tune of its own. What we call trauma is a direction change, life putting a fork in our road and insisting that we take the…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the country for a nationwide theatrical event: “The Nutcracker” from The Royal Ballet showing Dec. 22 and 23 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Be enchanted by The Royal Ballet in this sparkling festive treat for the whole family. Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else is tucked up in bed. Marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score, as Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker fight the Mouse King and visit the Sugar Plum Fairy (Anna Rose O’Sullivan)…
… we did Lake Pleasant yesterday morning and it was so beautiful and wonderful to be back out on the lake after a three month hiatus from exploring my favorite lake. This time the water level is down to 2022 levels … Peregrine Island was devoid of Peregrine Falcons, but it did harbor a small group of Seagulls and is now about eighteen inches above the water line. This time we used the electric motor (moves emissions back to the generating plant) and only hunted Castle Hot Springs Bay. The water was absolutely flat and was like being on a…
Sedona News – Mary D. Fisher Theatre hosts a 2nd Annual one-hour Christmas Benefit Concert on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:00 p.m. This year, around twenty singers are lending their vocal expertise to sing songs of praise and Christmas classics. Proceeds will benefit a local family of three to help pay medical bills. The program consists of song selections from Verde Valley Voices Choir, worship favorites, an original song by Greg Benedetto and charming instrumentals from the Sedona Community Handbells. “Jesus is the reason for the season, and I’m honored to be a vessel for entertaining fellowship amidst resounding joy…