Author: Tommy Acosta

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – Interstate 17 Northbound is closed between State Route 179 and Flagstaff because of winter weather conditions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Heavy snow, crashes, and vehicles sliding off the road have contributing to the Interstate 17 closure. ADOT is operating snow plows throughout northern Arizona working first to clear major highways, but drivers are encouraged to postpone travel until conditions improve. Before heading out on the roads, drivers may call 5-1-1 or log on to ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. As conditions change,…

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – The first thing that hit me when I attended the Hot Topics Cafe at the library on Tuesday evening February 5th was a statement by Andea Houchard that they had been advised not to hold this discussion about gun control because it was “too dangerous”. There were no goals, consensus to be reached, or viewpoints to won over. The idea was to provide a nonpartisan platform for people to talk about what they think about certain “Hot Topics”.  There would be no winners, no losers, no one changing another’s mind. Simply be there and listen…

Cottonwood AZ (February 10, 2013) – On February 23, 2013 from 9am to 1pm the City of Cottonwood is hosting a Free Regional E-Waste Recycling Event. Recycle your unwanted TVs, computers, monitors, printers, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, fax machines, small appliances, cables and cords. Bring used or broken electronics to the public works yard 1490 W Mingus Avenue Cottonwood, AZ 86326.

Youth and Adult Classes – Register Now! Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – Learning karate, self-discipline and self-defense doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. Check out the Sedona YMCA, which offers Kenpo karate classes twice weekly for four different age groups including adults, and a monthly self defense class for women and teen girls. The karate program at the Y is designed to teach all ages the basics of self-defense and karate, but more importantly to instill greater self-discipline, self confidence, respect, health and vitality. Each class introduces new skills, strategies and ideas while building on what students have…

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – Lori Hines, paranormal and archeological author of The Ancient Ones and Caves of the Watchers, returns to The Well Red Coyote bookstore on Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 pm, for a unique look into the myths and facts about violence and cannibalism in the ancient Four Corners area.

Renowned production from Berlin’s Stattsballett debuts on the big screen at Fisher Theatre Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – The Sedona International Film Festival presents Ballet in Cinema on Monday, Feb. 18 when it hosts the big screen premiere of “Caravaggio” from the famed Stattsballett in Berlin. There will be one show at 4:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Principle dancer Vladimir Malakhov leads the Stattsballett Berlin in this production of Claudio Monteverdi’s ballet “Caravaggio”, as adapted by Italian composer Bruno Moretti and choreographed by his creative partner, Mauro Bigonzetti. The Staatskapelle Berlin performs the music under…

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – Though February’s cold weather may keep photographers indoors more than they’d like, they can still work on their craft with award-winning Sedona photographer Susie Reed who is teaching a series of classes open to all levels of photographers.

Mayer AZ (February 10, 2013) – The annual Orme School Fine Arts Festival is celebrating its 45th year this February 10 to 16. The Fine Arts Festival brings nationally respected artists to Orme School for a full week to live among the students and direct workshops in the creative arts. The public is invited to the Fine Arts Festival Gallery opening Monday, February 11 to Friday, February 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m in our Phillips Library. The Gallery features art for sale from artists such as John and Ruth Waddell and Jorge Moreno.

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – When the OK Chorale Cowboy Trio takes the stage at the Canyon Moon Theatre on Sunday, February 17, the story of Pvt. Joseph McLernon, who was killed in the last great battle of the thirty year war between the US Army and the Apache Indians and buried on the Mogollon Rim, will be just one of the historical events told in words and song.

Sedona AZ (February 10, 2013) – Many Sedona residents and veterans from across the Verde Valley attended the Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Sedona’s new Veteran’s Park on February 7th, 2013. Mayor Rob Adams officiated at the ceremony and expressed his thanks to the major contributors which included Joel De Tar, President of “Sedona 30”; Ray Stueve, Commander of the Sedona Marine Corp organization; Banya Lim, President of the Sedona Korean American Association; and Ray Scott, who will be the contractor for the park.

Sedona AZ (February 8, 2013) – On Saturday, February 16th, Sedona Public Library will host “Love, Love, Love” a special program to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Si Birch Community Room from 6 to 8pm. An eclectic array of local performers will explore the theme of love in its various forms. The Valentine’s themed show at the Library has become a fan favorite in the Verde Valley since its inception in 2009, co-hosted by librarian Marcela Saldivia and author Gary Every . This year, Marcela will read a poignant passage from Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, as well as…

Cottonwood AZ (February 8, 2013) – On Monday, February 11 at 11 a.m., members of the Cottonwood Economic Development Council (CEDC) will meet at the Yavapai College Verde Campus (601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale) to present a $10,000 pledge for the college’s Southwest Wine Center (SWC). “We are sending a big message to the community that the CEDC supports great economic development initiatives such as the Southwest Wine Center. This is a big deal for us, the wine industry and Yavapai College,” notes Casey Rooney, Economic Development Director for the City of Cottonwood.

 (February 8, 2013) – The Plein Aire String Quartet returns to the Sedona Heritage Museum on February 16. Their program continues their exploration of Haydn’s quartet zoo with “The Donkey” (Op. 76, no2). This very late quartet of Haydn was written when a young Ludwig van Beethoven was writing his first batch of quartets (Opus 18). Plein Aire will play one of those, also (No. 5 in A Major) to help listeners compare! This concert is at 1:00 p.m. at the Museum.

Sedona AZ (February 8, 2013) – The Northern Arizona Watercolor Society is displaying a selection of paintings created by its members, now through February 20. NAWS has a membership of approximately 180 artists who regularly exhibit their work in the Sedona area as well as around the state and nationwide. The organization welcomes new members at any stage of their artistic careers. Information about NAWS can be found at www.naws-az.org.

Verde Valley AZ (February 7, 2013) – The Yavapai College nursing program successfully completed the accreditation site-visit review by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Arizona State Board of Nursing this week. The team’s recommendation is for continued accreditation of the program. The site-visit team also recommended that the Yavapai College program be reviewed again in eight years as part of its continuing accreditation.