Author: Tommy Acosta

Verde Valley AZ (May 23, 2013) – Humans have shaped the Verde Valley in a variety of ways since they first set foot 10,000 years ago. But it wasn’t until the 19th century, after man had developed the tools by which to expand his footprint on the landscape, that the valley saw wholesale changes. Those changes began with the cattle industry, were followed by the mining industry, and continue to this day as more and more of us discover the valley’s beauty. In a talk entitled,“Human Folly and Its Impact on the Verde Valley,” Camp Verde Economic Development Director Steve…

Sedona AZ (May 23, 2013) – The City of Sedona will begin the process of overlaying several roads within the city starting on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. The roads to be overlaid include Shadowrock Drive, Shadow Circle, Soldiers Pass Road, Pinion Shadows Circle, Rim Shadows Drive, Rim Shadows Circle, Canyon Shadows Drive, Roadrunner Drive, Cardinal Lane, Sinagua Drive, Hopi Drive and Kayenta Court.from the intersection with St. John Vianney Lane to Rim Shadows Drive. The expected completion date is Friday, June 14. Work hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents should expect minor traffic delays with re-routing of…

Special film screening and Q&A kick off Bluegrass Festival celebration Sedona AZ (May 23, 2013) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Chamber Music Sedona to kick off the 7th annual Sedona Bluegrass Festival celebration by presenting “Grateful Dawg” on the big screen on Wednesday, June 5. There will be one show at 7:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “We’re delighted to work with Patrick on this project,” said Bluegrass Festival director Bert Harclerode. “When we signed David as this year’s headliner, Grateful Dawg was the perfect fit as we combined efforts.”

Sedona AZ (May 23, 2013) – The Red Rock Visitor Center will feature a live snakes display on Saturday (May 25) and Sunday (May 26) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Red Rock Ranger District and Arizona Natural History Association invite the public to learn more about native snakes at this display while Arizona Game & Fish volunteers are on hand to educate the public on the important roles snakes play in the environment. The Red Rock Visitor Center is on Highway 179, one mile south of the Village of Oak Creek. For more information, please call the Red…

Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – The City of Sedona has scheduled a pavement preservation project to take place from Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1, 2013, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Workers will be on site to direct traffic in the affected areas.

Jerome AZ (May 22, 2013) – Warm, easy nights of June in Jerome will set the perfect mood to welcome art lovers as they stroll the lovely galleries and studios that circle the town from the Old Jerome High School to Made in Jerome Pottery and The Lincoln Gallery. This first Saturday Art Walk on June 1st will continue to delight the growing group of regulars as well as lucky newcomers to this wonderful evening.  The festivities start at 5:00PM throughout the town with a free shuttle running until 8:00PM. With 20 open galleries and studios, there is plenty to…

Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – The Sedona Heritage Museum recently completed the third phase of a multi-year program to digitize approximately 14,000+ photo images taken by long-time Sedona writer and photographer, Elizabeth Rigby. This project was made possible with a grant from the Arizona Historical Records Advisory Board (AHRAB) and matching funds from the Museum’s Board.

Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – As fire danger increases fire restrictions become effective throughout the Sedona Fire District, Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 8:00 am. These restrictions include all open fires and campfires. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are expressly prohibited. Other types of outdoor fires banned are those that produce open flames such as lamp oil in tiki lamps. The ban also prohibits the outdoor use of equipment that generates open flames or a spark.

Flagstaff AZ (May 22, 2013) – The Bull Pen area, located about 10 miles east of Camp Verde off Forest Road 215, will be closed temporarily beginning Thursday (May 23) due to a large number of trees that pose a hazard to the public. “Forest Service personnel have discovered hanging dead limbs and hazardous trees in areas frequently used by visitors for camping,” said Heather Provencio, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District.  “We take the safety of the public seriously and the closure will last until the Forest Service can complete a formal risk assessment, mitigate the hazard…

Acclaimed play from the U.K. debuts on big screen at Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – The National Theatre of London returns to Sedona on Monday, June 3 when the Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere of the acclaimed British stage production “This House” — an award-winning new play by James Graham. There will be two shows: 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

Sedona AZ (May 21, 2013) – As part of the ongoing Sedona Public Library in the Village Rotating Artist Series, Eric Gofreed is now displaying his bird, bug, and macro-photography at the village location. Some of Gofreed’s artwork will be available for purchase. A reception for the artist, titled “Bugs and Birds I Love”, will be held at SPL-V in Tequa Plaza on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Postcards of his favorite photos will be available at the reception.

Hilary Hahn returns to Sedona on the Big Screen Sedona AZ (May 21, 2013) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Chamber Music Sedona as it presents the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra on the big screen Sunday, June 2 performing music by Strauss, Korngold and Mahler in high definition. There will be one show at 2:30 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin continues to generate world-wide excitement with his dramatic interpretations. The June 2 concert begins with the rarely-performed Love Scene from Richard Strauss’s opera “Feuersnot” followed Korngold’s Violin…

Camp Verde AZ (May 21, 2013) – Camp Verde’s art gallery, White Hills Gallery, is moving into a new location. After a year and a half of occupying 600 square feet between Cecil’s Barber shop and The Horn, the gallery is taking their easels and pedestals and hiking across the street to a much larger, more red building, named Boler’s, located at 325 S. Main St.

Williams AZ (May 21, 2013) – Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, on the entire Coconino National Forest and on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. Restrictions will not yet be implemented on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest due to different weather and fuels conditions. Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings…

Drivers can expect break from highway construction closures Phoenix AZ (May 21, 2013) – It’s the holiday that marks the traditional start of the summer travel season. Here in Arizona, the Memorial Day weekend also will provide drivers with a break from construction-related closures along state highways. The Arizona Department of Transportation reminds anyone who is planning a road trip over the holiday weekend to prepare ahead of time and to “expect the unexpected” when behind the wheel. To ease holiday travel, ADOT will not schedule any construction closures along state highways over the extended weekend. Travelers are still asked…