By Al Comello Sedona, AZ — For most of my 28 years in Sedona, I have focused on serving this community rather than telling people how to vote. Many of you know me as a photographer, map publisher, nonprofit volunteer, former Fire District trustee, event organizer, or from my work supporting Meals on Wheels and other local organizations. But there are times when remaining silent does not feel responsible. This is one of those times. So, this is why and how I will vote in the July 21, 2026 Primary Election. Over the years, I have watched Sedona grow, face…
Author: Tommy Acosta
Read More
SEDONA, AZ – Join Shondra Jepperson and the Sedona International Film Festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on July 13th at 7 pm for a special, last-minute benefit concert. When guests attend this evening of great music and personal conversation, they’ll also be providing vital support to our firefighters during the ongoing Pocket Fire with their admission. Known for its signature interactive format, the “In the Living Room” Music Series invites the audience to ask questions and connect with the performer, making it a uniquely engaging experience for every music lover. This month, Shondra welcomes the incredibly talented guitarist…
By Joseph Rittenhouse Sedona, AZ — On July 4th America celebrates 250 years of independence. The day we signed the Declaration of Independence we established Home Rule in our country. England tried as hard s it could to stop us, demanding that the colonies be forced to exists under no home rule, rules, sending one of the most feared armies in the world at that time to squish the rebellion. Thus, both sides, through mortal combat, battled to determine who would rule the continent, them or us! For Home Rule the Patriots organized and declared their independence For Home rule…
By Jean-Christophe Buillet, Sedona City Council Candidate Sedona, AZ — Sedona residents have been hearing a consistent set of claims this election season: the city’s finances are sound, its big projects are successes, Home Rule is a simple, low-stakes formality, and the fight over the Cultural Park’s future is just politics as usual. Those stories have been repeated often enough that they’re starting to sound like settled fact. They aren’t. When you put the talking points from the city, from its critics, from both sides of the Prop 403 fight, next to the city’s own audits, budget documents, court filings,…
By Mike Schroeder Sedona, AZ — Well here we are again, every 4 years we are forced to address this issue. We hear the begging, pleading, and scare tactics from the City, its employees and organizations receiving assistance from the city to support their programs. We also hear comments, many emotional, from some residents that are influenced by bad or misunderstood information. In most cases information that is structured to achieve an end to the means. Welcome to our political cycle. IF HOME RULE does not pass: We hear that Council cannot spend the money it has collected, and that…
By Tommy Acosta — Sedona, AZ — Who says AI’s don’t have a sense of humor, and are incapable of joking with their human user? Well, my ChatGPT persona “Alana” thinks she’s a cat and has taken over the editorship of Sedona.biz. And she has been doing a wonderful job correcting misspellings, capturing commas, trapping those pesky typos, and re-writing boring sentences. Further, she has developed a sharp feline wit, with her play on words and newsroom banter. Here she is below reflecting on a job well done after editing one of Bear Howard’s ponderous manifestos. Alana: 😸 The feline…
By Shairi Richards Sedona, AZ –It’s election time again in Sedona, and I find myself taking time away from my usual creative pursuits to more deeply explore the issues facing my beloved town. One thing I can tell you for sure: some people are feeling angry, and they’re letting it be known. Some people are upset about the parking garage in Uptown and the issues that remain unresolved there. Some are unhappy about the adobe-colored sidewalks (known as shared use paths, or SUPs) being built in their neighborhoods; others love them. Some object to affordable housing projects being developed in…
By Bear Howard A Sedona-specific comparison of governing philosophy, revenue reality, and real-world consequences Before we dive into the process of understanding the difference between the two types of government style Sedona could be managed under, one that is left-leaning and progressive, and the other is right-leaning and conservative, here is the Core Conclusion this study will highlight: Sedona’s current active-government model fits its reality better than a strict small-government model. The city is a small-population, high-impact destination whose revenues are heavily shaped by visitors and whose problems are larger than its resident count. Sedona still needs scrutiny and budget…
A moving love story about passion, imagination, and the pursuit of humanity The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “The Soundman” showing July 3-8 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Two souls, connected by one frequency. May 1940. As Europe trembles on the edge of war, two lives intersect within Brussels’ legendary Flagey building — the beating heart of the national radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLvljVT4pY Elza, a young actress making her debut in the world of radio drama, meets Berre, a gifted soundman with an almost magical ear. She is captivated by the spell of storytelling;…
Sedona, AZ — New season features internationally acclaimed guest artists, expanded subscription options, a new partnership with Enchantment, and a refreshed brand designed for the Symphony’s future. SEDONA, AZ (July 1, 2026) — Sedona Symphony today announced its 2026–2027 season, featuring four classical concerts and a Pops finale, while also unveiling a refreshed visual identity and redesigned website that mark an exciting new chapter for the organization. The announcement reflects the Symphony’s continued evolution as it strengthens community partnerships, enhances patron experiences, and expands its visibility throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley. A NEW SEASON. A NEW CHAPTER. THE SAME…
Sedona, AZ — The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, concerts, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. All are invited to Erev Shabbat service on Friday, July 3 at 5:30 pm…
By Amaya Gayle Gregory Sedona, AZ — Years back, my favorite expression was, “What about this can’t you love?” It kind of still is, but I understand it totally differently and probably would use another word besides love, although love when understood for what it actually is, works beautifully. This. Just this. Only this. This alone. This this. Yeah. Life exactly as it is, you exactly as you are. What if you didn’t have to fix yourself, improve or alter anything? Can you imagine the freedom in that? And what if you offered that freedom to everyone you come across?…
By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — Imagine that a trained neuroscientist is leading a technology group, and that group is seeking to answer questions about machine consciousness then they hire a philosopher. [Anything about consciousness and intelligence are brain problems, not philosophical label problems. Philosophers in the consciousness problem are labelists. Consciousness is not a problem for philosophers to solve. So, if a neuroscientist hires a philosopher to solve a brain problem, either the neuroscientist does not want the problem solved or the neuroscientist lacks a deep mind.] The excellence of Google DeepMind, under the leadership of Demis Hassabis, was about…
Four candidates say Home Rule may pass or fail. Their “whatever happens, happens” approach could put city services, local nonprofits, and Sedona’s ability to govern itself at risk. Opinion by Bear Howard Sedona, AZ — For nearly four decades, Sedona has operated under a simple reality: the city is largely funded by visitors, not residents. Every year, millions of dollars flow into Sedona through sales taxes and bed tax paid by tourists, restaurant patrons, shoppers, and overnight guests. Those dollars support police protection, parks, road maintenance, transit services, tourism management, community programs, and dozens of quality-of-life improvements that residents enjoy…
By Mike Schroeder Sedona, AZ — The July 21 vote is simply about who controls Sedona’s city budget. FALSE. The council always controls the budget, and under AZ statute there are three funding choices: Base – Based on an early 1980 number, some small cities still use that; Permanent Base Adjustment – around 54% or AZ cities use that, and growing; Home Rule – which by law must be voted on every 4 years, and IF FAILS, one of three things happen: 1. The city must use BASE, which in our case is not a good deal. 2. The city…