VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new, centralized cancer center on the Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) campus in Cottonwood. The event, made possible by the NAH Office of Philanthropy, welcomed over 200 people from around northern Arizona, and featured a variety of speakers, including Bo Cofield, NAH Chief Operating Officer; Ann Shaw, Mayor of Cottonwood; Doug Von Gausig, former patient of the Cancer Centers of NAH; Deborah Lindquist, MD, NAH medical oncologist and hematologist; and Tarra Young, NAH advanced oncology nurse practitioner. The audience heard impactful stories from…
Author: Tommy Acosta
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By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — Problematic technology use is the label for social media, since the term addiction — appropriate for drugs or alcohol — does not apply. But what is the difference in the brain anyway? The brain does not know that some label is different from the other. In the brain, there are electrical and chemical signals responsible, conceptually, for every function. So, drug, alcohol or social media overuse may relay similarly. Then, what does it mean in the brain to doomscroll, like excessive drinking or substance use? How should this be displayed and scored, to taper…
Sedona AZ — If you recently moved to Sedona, you may notice that every four years, residents vote on something called Home Rule. The July 21 vote is simply about who controls Sedona’s city budget. What Is Home Rule? Home Rule allows the City of Sedona to decide how to spend the revenue it already collects to provide city services. Without Home Rule, Sedona would be forced to follow a state spending formula created in 1979. Arizona law requires voters to renew Home Rule every four years. Is Home Rule a Tax Increase? No. Home Rule does not raise or…
By Steve Segner Sedona, AZ — This week, Sedona registered voters received something new: a city-issued questionnaire seeking direct input on the future of the Western Gateway. Each mailing included a QR code linking to a personalized survey. It’s a first for Sedona—and a bold step by the City Council. Rather than relying solely on lengthy public hearings dominated by a few voices, the Council is reaching out to the broader community to ask a simple question: What do you want for this land? The Western Gateway has become the focus of competing visions. • One group supports housing, consistent with Sedona’s Community…
The free, self-guided event invites the public into the private studios of 55 Verde Valley artists. SEDONA, Ariz. – The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition (SVAC) is pleased to invite art lovers and curious explorers alike to experience the 23rd Annual Spring Open Studios Tour, taking place over the weekend of April 24–26, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This free and popular self-guided event offers a rare opportunity to meet 55 working artists across 35 private studios throughout Sedona and the greater Verde Valley. Celebrated as one of the region’s premier art events, the Spring Open Studios Tour allows visitors to engage…
Sedona, AZ — On March 4th, the Sedona Lodging Council, in partnership with Northern Arizona University’s School of Hospitality & Restaurant Management, hosted a dynamic industry Job Fair in Sedona — a one-of-a-kind event designed to spark meaningful career opportunities for aspiring hospitality professionals. The Sedona Lodging Council is a non-profit organization advocating for the benefit of the “traditional” lodging industry of greater Sedona. Coordinated by Cheryl Barron of the Sedona Lodging Council and John Hattab of NAU, this event brought together talented students enrolled in NAU’s renowned hospitality program. The day was packed with insightful experiences, starting with an…
By Tommy Acosta — Sedona, AZ — This one could be worse than the first Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962. Russia is about to bring an almost bankrupt country 730,000 barrels of oil. And the United States is saying, no. What happens when the Russians get there? Do they go through with it… or buckle under U.S. pressure? The United States has forbidden Cuba from purchasing oil. Russia is ready to deliver oil to keep that country alive. Meanwhile, we’re saying, no way Cuba—you’re not getting the oil. Screw you! So what will Russia do? Will it cross that…
March’s topic is, ‘Guarding your gut: A guide to preventing colon cancer’ VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is pleased to announce March’s ‘Meet Our Experts Live,’ at Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC). Join NAH physician Sharita Nagaraj, MD, as she shares practical strategies to help prevent colon cancer, explains why early detection is so important and outlines the key risk factors associated with the disease. This free event will empower individuals and families with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions and support loved ones. Location: Conference Room B&C at VVMC – 269 S. Candy Ln.,…
By David Stephen There is a large-scale market for geriatric mental health services — in the United States, and some other OECD countries — for older adults who are living alone. This service could become a startup, to keep hope alive, for Nancy Guthrie. This startup can also be the next step, for her daughter, Savannah, before returning to anchoring on TODAY show, at NBC. March, 2026 There is a recent [March, 2026] report on CNN Business, Savannah Guthrie ‘plans to return’ to the ‘Today’ show, NBC says, stating that, “Savannah Guthrie “plans to return” to the “Today” show at some point, NBC…
After a sold-out debut performance in January, Super Improv! returns to the Mary Fisher Theatre on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. — bringing even more laughter, surprises, and high-energy fun. The inaugural show filled every seat in the theatre, with some guests turned away at the door, and ended with a standing ovation, instantly establishing Super Improv! as Sedona’s newest must-see live comedy experience. The Improv Game Show is BAAAACK! This fast-paced, feel-good night of entertainment blends: Spontaneous improv comedy Playful audience interaction A one-of-a-kind live game show featuring buzzers, lights, and over-the-top characters A signature of Super Improv!…
By Rabbi Alicia 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, 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, March 27 at 5:30 pm. Join in…
By Amaya Gayle Gregory “Rage, rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Sedona, AZ — Beautiful words, which once understood are pure bunk. Resist death. Honor life with your resistance. In your resistance you can find meaning in life. Dylan, you are so very wrong. From this premise flows all that is sad and lonely, painful and struggle-filled in life. Rage against those who do not believe as you do. Rage against your inability to get what you want. Rage against life as it is in this moment. Rage against each other. Rage against life. Rage if you must,…
By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — The war in Iran is the third time in six years after COVID and the war in Ukraine that disruptions would affect energy prices and cause fertilizer shortages. This could mean food insecurity across continents, making it important to explore possibilities for food security with an insurance product. Simply, to get all-important subsidies that farmers would need for agricultural necessities in their countries, it is possible that the population raises capital in a graded insurance model — to keep food supply uninterrupted. There is a new [March 19, 2026] analysis in The New York Times, As Oil…
History’s lesson—from the jungles of Southeast Asia to today’s drone battlefields—is that the world’s strongest military does not always decide how wars end. By Bear Howard and Associates History has a habit of whispering warnings long before nations are willing to listen. For decades the United States has stepped onto the world stage with unmatched military strength—an empire of aircraft carriers, satellites, and weapons capable of reaching almost any corner of the globe. That power has created an enduring assumption: that overwhelming force can compel events to bend toward American will. History, however, tells a more complicated story. The tensions…
Sedona, AZ –Residents who support affordable health care, good jobs for all, protecting voting rights, and ending illegal wars are invited to participate in one of four No Kings events across the Verde Valley on Saturday, March 28. Events are scheduled in Cottonwood, (two locations), the Village of Oak Creek, and West Sedona. In West Sedona, people will gather at 10 am in the parking lot of Sedona High School, before marching to The Commons, on White Bear Road. There, a Freedom Festival will feature speakers, music by local artist Tommy Rocks, and food trucks. The local events are part of a…