Author: Tommy Acosta

By Ted Grussing … 2014 has departed and 2015 is here … we have passed that magical location on our orbit through space as we circumvent the sun … tick, tick, tick … we begin counting anew. The reality is that we simply continue in unbroken fashion a predictable course through space and because we need things to have a beginning and end we tick off our days until we retrace our path again. It is not the same space though as our sun is also traveling through space as it travels around the perimeter of our galaxy the Milky…

Sedona AZ (January 1, 2015) – As we move into the New Year, here are some great resolutions that are really worth doing: Adopt a loving cat or dog and make your new best friend for 2015. Volunteer at the Humane Society of Sedona. Shop often at Paws West, and Paw Prints Thrift Stores to support homeless and lost animals. “Happy New Year! My name is Anakin (think Star Wars…). This is the second week they are showing me here because I am that good and somebody out there is my new lucky owner and needs to come get me! I…

Sedona AZ (January 1, 2015) – John Warren Oakes, Chair of the Sedona Art Museum Advisory Council and President of the Museum, announced his resignation effective January 1, 2015 due to health considerations. “I made a commitment to help start a museum in Sedona, and have devoted two years working on this project,” said John.  “We have achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and we are looking at potential sites for our museum.  In addition, we are preparing some exciting exhibits in 2015, planning for major fundraising, and we hope to sponsor a Gala in 2016.”

By Ted Grussing … there are the containers, the enclosures we enter, and the nickname for one of the most beautiful of the waterfowl … the Canvasback! After a bunch of stuff around here this morning I headed down to the ponds to see what was happening. The winds were blowing so anything flying would be staying pretty low and the winds would flay the water when ducks took off and landed making for better displays of the water.

Cornville AZ (December 31, 2014) – Cornville Community Association welcomes Sedona Recycles on January 14 at Oak Creek School in Cornville. Learn what is and isn’t recyclable; how to separate your recyclables; what happens to recyclables after you drop them off; the importance of recycling; and how to properly dispose of paint, chemicals, prescription drugs, and landscape debris. Doors open at 6:30 for light refreshments prior to the meeting.

Phoenix AZ (December 31, 2014) – Most Arizonans are used to driving in clear, warmer conditions.  However, operating a vehicle in the winter requires a different mindset and awareness.  The Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) is offering a helpful checklist for drivers traveling the highways in snow, rain or ice.  Stocking vehicles with these items can prepare one for an emergency and increase safety for everyone.

Sedona AZ (December 31, 2014) – The Sedona Heritage Museum is hosting the next in its Living History speaker series on Wednesday January 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Museum when Kevin Schindler will present Zane Grey and the Call of the Canyon. Writer Zane Grey, a native Ohioan, fell in love with Arizona on his first visit in 1906 and returned another 20 times throughout the next two dozen years. He used Arizona as the setting for 2/3 of his western novels, including The Call of the Canyon, which was based in Oak Creek Canyon and also incorporated the…

Sedona AZ (December 31, 2014) – On January 9 and 10, the Mexican Wolf is the subject of a two day public program hosted by the Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District and Sedona Friends of the Forest.  The free program will be held at the Red Rock District Visitor Center, located one mile south of the Village of Oak Creek on Highway 179.  On Friday January 9, at 11:00 am, Jeff Dolphin will speak about the history, behavior and role of the Mexican Wolf in Southwest ecosystems.  Dophin is Wolf Technician with the Arizona Game and Fish Department…

By Ted Grussing … as in the bird … got this shot last March when Eric and I went down to the ponds to get some waterfowl shooting and what made the day was a bunch of Violet-Green Swallows hitting the water picking up small fish or an insect hatch. Both wings would carve through the water and water would fly. Not sure how many shots we took that afternoon, but it was in the hundreds … small fast moving little creatures are not easy to get a focus on so we did the best we could and it kinda…

By Ted Grussing … at shoots I have done this past year, deleting and categorizing and finding many I like that bring back memories of the year … also some total binge watching of Lilyhammer on Netflix … yesterday I did little else watching the entire Season 2 plus the first episode of Season 3 … four episodes tonight … help! Anyhow, for the next several days the photos will be odds and ends I find in folders I am going through as I continue my quest to get the total portfolio down to the best of the best somewhere…

Dog recovering in a safe home Dewey AZ (December 29, 2014) – In October of 2014, an officer from YCSO’s Animal Control unit was requested to contact an employee at a Dewey area veterinarian. The owner of a white lab/shepherd mix had just been in to seek vet care for his dog claiming someone tried to cut the dog’s throat the previous night. The owner, 47-year-old Homer Nosack of Spring Valley, indicated he could not pay for the treatment. The hospital offered to provide treatment if he would relinquish the dog for adoption. Nosack agreed. Photographs of the dog’s injuries were…

By Ted Grussing … one of the fabulous treats of the San Francisco volcanic field (think Flagstaff and the San Francisco Peaks) is Sunset Crater National Monument which contains Sunset Crater. This is a dormant volcano and the most recent of the volcanic cinder cones within the field which covers about 1800 square miles of the southern reaches of the Colorado Plateau. It erupted late in the eleventh century and in geologic time that is pretty recent.  The cone only rises about 1100’ above the surrounding terrain but is beautiful from the ground and the air. It is only from…

Sedona AZ (December 26, 2014) – As we move into the New Year, be sure and think about adopting a wonderful pet from the Humane Society of Sedona. Give the gift of a new home to loyal dog or a sweet cat in 2015 and you will make a friend for life! “Hiya! My name is Anakin.  I am a handsome young 4 yo Boxer who is neutered, very sweet, affectionate and loves to go on long walks. Do you have any other dogs at home? Bring me home to meet them as I love to play with other dogs.…

Sedona AZ (December 26, 2014) -The renown of metal sculptor Richard Barnwell has grown exponentially in recent years, in parallel with the increasing sophistication and charm of his signature pieces. Barnwell, in addition to expanding his already sizable body of original works, has also been accepting a growing number of commissions and custom-designed projects.  Collectors of his pieces, as well as first-time buyers, have thus always had a fine selection of new and original works to choose from, including functional pieces like elegant candle holders and sconces as well as purely decorative sculptures in a wide variety of sizes.

By Ted Grussimg … can’t really add anything to the greetings other than to echo my own wishes for a joyous Christmas to all of you. Today will be a very quiet one for me and little planned other than breathing, enjoying the day, some phone calls to friends and family and a short visit with others. I like quiet days as I really get so few of them, but they do re-energize me and that is a good thing. Tuesday evening I was at a friend’s party in Phoenix and got to be the test Santa as Ramona was…