By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ – Mano-a-mano. That’s what the war in Iran is going to come down to, and Kharg Island is where it all happens. This fight cannot be waged by bombers alone, or helicopter gunships, or missiles. The refinery, the oil processing facilities on that island—they’re too valuable. You can’t just bomb it into dust. You can’t destroy everything. So what’s our only choice if we want to take that island without “obliterating” it? Mano-a-mano: Hand-to-hand combat is the only one. Troops are already on their way, sailing inside amphibious assault ships loaded with military hardware—2,500 soldiers,…
Author: Tommy Acosta
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Arts Academy of Sedona launches monthly Third Friday series at its NEW theatre space Sedona, AZ — The Arts Academy of Sedona (AAS) announces the next presentation of its popular Friday Night at The Theatre program on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. The evening marks both a welcoming of spring and the continuation of a monthly cabaret series held on the third Friday of each month, now hosted at AAS’s new theatre space, The New Room (Sedona UMC), located at 110 Indian Cliffs Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. In recognition of the new season, this cabaret-style event, All Things…
Sedona Film Festival hosts big-screen presentation of art series at festival theatres Sedona International Film Festival presents the Exhibition on Screen series with “Turner & Constable”. The film will premiere in Sedona on March 24 and 29 at the festival’s Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iix_08pmBFw Celebrating the 250th anniversary of their births, this unmissable new documentary explores Turner and Constable’s intertwined lives and legacies alongside the groundbreaking Tate exhibition. Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other, both used landscape painting to reflect the changing world…
Public walking trail on Verde Valley Medical Center Campus to remain open during construction VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is pleased to announce that after receiving approval from the City of Cottonwood, it will commence construction on March 9 of the new NAH Cancer Center. The construction will impact the public walking trail on the Verde Valley Medical Center campus. The trail will stay open during the entire construction process, although it will be shortened during the lifespan of the project. When the construction is completed, the full walking trail will reopen, and community members will be able to…
By Charlene Roth Sedona, AZ — Sedona residents, Verde Valley commuters, seasonal workers, and busy parents often carry daily mental health stressors that don’t pause for red rock views, tight housing, packed schedules, family needs, and the pressure to “keep it together.” Even visitors can feel it when plans shift, crowds build, or the quiet they came for stays just out of reach. These emotional wellness challenges can show up as irritability, restless sleep, low patience, or a sense of disconnection, even in a place that’s supposed to feel grounding. With a few realistic shifts toward local lifestyle balance and…
Sedona, AZ — The Humane Society of Sedona has launched a new public low-cost spay and neuter program to help make essential veterinary care more accessible for pet owners throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley. Spaying and neutering pets is one of the most effective ways to reduce pet overpopulation, keep pets healthy, and decrease the number of animals entering shelters each year. The program offers affordable spay and neuter surgeries for both dogs and cats performed by shelter veterinarian, Dr. Audrey Yank, and her experienced veterinary tech team. “Spay and neuter is one of the most important tools we…
By David Stephen There is a new [March, 2026] report from United for Medical Research, NIH’s Role in Sustaining the U.S. Economy, stating that, “In Fiscal Year 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded $36.58 billion in research grants to organizations in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.” “According to UMR’s analysis, this research funding supported 390,863 jobs and produced $94.15 billion in new economic activity nationwide in 2025. For every $1 invested in NIH research, there was $2.57 generated in economic activity — a 250% return.” “Although total funding remained strong, FY2025 saw significant shifts in how awards were distributed. NIH made expanded use…
By Bear Howard History sometimes leaves behind uncomfortable phrases. Sedona, AZ –After the collapse of Nazi Germany in 1945, historians struggled to understand how a modern society could have allowed such a regime to rise and operate in plain sight. In trying to explain the relationship between ordinary citizens and their government’s actions, a phrase entered the historical record: “the Good German.” The phrase did not refer to the regime’s leaders. It referred to ordinary citizens—the millions who went to work, raised families, and lived their daily lives while their government carried out policies that would later shock the world.…
SEDONA, AZ -— The Arizona Community Foundation congratulates Chelsea Buck-Leilich on her recent promotion to Regional Director in the ACF of Sedona Office. She will focus on sustainable asset development, donor and community engagement, professional advisor outreach, and volunteer development across her region. Buck-Leilich brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience spanning philanthropy, development, marketing, and communications. She most recently served as Regional Philanthropic Advisor for the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona, where she worked closely with nonprofit organizations, donors, and community partners to strengthen charitable impact across the Verde Valley. In that role, she successfully demonstrated strong…
Sedona, Az — Noted Mata Ortiz artist Oralia Lopez will bring her own incredible pottery and pottery from numerous other Mata Ortiz artists to the Sedona Heritage Museum on Friday March, 27 and Saturday, March 28. The evening event on Friday, March 27, is a pre-sale and will take place between 4 pm and 6 pm. Guests can RSVP to the Museum by calling 928-282-7038 for a chance to see this beautiful pottery, interact with artist Oralia Lopez one on one, and purchase items before the sale opens to the general public the next day. RSVPs are limited to the…
Sedona, AZ — With Spring Break approaching in Sedona interest for staycations are up, as families and friends look for a home not so far from home. We’ve seen searches for staycations in Sedona increase by 6% among Sedonans As Sedonans consider an Airbnb for their staycation, we’re sharing a reminder of our party policies and booking rules to help encourage responsible stays during spring break. Party prevention: Airbnb has a strict ban on disruptive parties and our reservation screening technology aims to help identify potential higher-risk reservations and help prevent those bookings from being made. Third-party bookings are prohibited…
By Rabbi Alecia Magal 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, 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 20…
Sedona, AZ — The Sedona Great Decisions Group will consider The End of an Era: Trump’s Tariffs in Historical Perspective on March 23 from 10 am to noon at the Community Library Sedona, 3250 White Bear Road. This meeting is open to the public, free of charge. The twists and turns in US tariff policy under President Trump have roiled markets and disrupted investment plans. As a result, attention has been focused largely on the immediate economic consequences of policy changes. Less obvious is the historic significance of the turn away from “pro-trade” policies of the past and the global…
By Amaya Gayle Gregory It’s quite unsettling, and that’s not a bad thing, to recognize that this is all mind and what most call mind actually knows nothing. Another frickin’ paradox. Yup. It’s all paradox. Isn’t that a hoot! What we think of as ourselves is actually living, breathing paradox. Now that statement is bound to piss off a few people, but not as much as what’s coming. If you want to blow off a little steam, and have people to blow it off with, just tell folks that they have no mind, that the idea of a mind is…
MATFORCE is offering a virtual parenting class to welcome spring this April Sedona, AZ — Yavapai County, AZ – MATFORCE, a primary prevention organization that is dedicated to preventing youth substance use, is hosting a spring virtual parenting class this April. Parenting the Love and Logic Way®: This virtual 6-week course will be held on Tuesdays, April 14th, 21st, 28th, and May 5th, 12th, and 19th, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and will be facilitated by Kimberly Gregory & Kelly Mattox. The Love and Logic manner of parenting highlights the importance of a strong, loving connection between parents and children…