By Ted Grussing… so we have two varieties of the Spuria Iris and this is the Innovator one. The beauty of these blooms are absolutely amazing and it is easy to imagine getting lost in one of these flowers … did I mention that I love to shoot extreme close ups of flowers too? They have an inner world that makes it fun to dream of going down to the micro level and exploring the beauty within these and other blooms. Things to day dream on.
Author: Tommy Acosta
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Simple precautions can reduce chances of sparks from vehicles, trailersPhoenix AZ (May 20, 2020) – Over the weekend, State Route 87 was closed for a couple of hours south of Payson when a brush fire caused by a person broke out along the roadway. While the exact cause isn’t known yet, the 5.5-acre Oak Fire demonstrates why motorists should secure tow chains, properly inflate tires, check brakes and take other steps to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire. Just one spark can cause all kinds of problems.
Funding Will Be Used to Enhance Statewide Public Health Efforts to Slow the Spread of the DiseasePhoenix AZ (May 20, 2020) – The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced today that Arizona has been awarded $150 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding for the grant is supported by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020. The grant is in addition to the $28.6 million grants awarded in March and April, both from the CDC. “The response to the COVID-19 outbreak is the top priority of…
ACF of Sedona is accepting nominations for the Spirit of Sedona awards.Sedona AZ (May 20, 2020) – Each year, the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona recognizes outstanding individuals, nonprofits, and businesses for their contributions to the Sedona and the Verde Valley communities. As communities continue to experience the negative impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have already seen people and organizations go above and beyond to lend a hand where they can.
Sedona AZ (May 20, 2020) – The city of Sedona is working with the community to create Sedona’s first Climate Action Plan and needs your feedback. In Sedona, climate change is impacting temperatures, water availability and wildfire risk. These changes threaten Sedona’s natural resources, economy, infrastructure and quality of life.
By Ted GrussingEven the critters are observing suggested distancing … this Black Hawk stopped by the Trout Farm tonight and captured a beautiful rainbow trout to go … looked so good that I took home some smoked trout for dinner and it was very, very good.
Flagstaff AZ (May 19, 2020) – Every year, national forests in Arizona deal with trash being dumped and left behind by members of the public and irresponsible campers, and this problem continues to be widespread and increasing across Coconino National Forest.Forest Service personnel are encountering garbage piles stacked up along forest roads—some even right in front of large signs that state there is no garbage service and to take your trash with you. When one person leaves their garbage bag behind, it attracts others to leave theirs—resulting in trash bags stacked up, making the national forest look like a dump…
Verde Valley AZ (May 19, 2020) – SBDC, SCORE AND NACOG are three Yavapai County resources available to help you, the business owner, through this difficult transition period. Small Business Association loans, day-to-day business operations and financial analysis, labor force and dealing with unemployment are just a few aspects that these partners can assist you with to help speed your recovery and your success.Contact these organizations and use the FREE RESOURCES to benefit your business.
By Ted Grussing… I got this shot of a Black Hawk about a tenth of a second after he launched from a branch just behind him. I had a clear shot of him when he was perched on the tree limb and the system tracked him and the focus stayed on him and not the now intervening branches which were blocking part of his head and his right wing … a very cool function of the new focus system in the 1DX MK III.Usually I like to do some tree trimming and de-clutter the image, but it was not possible…
The Third Week of the Testing Blitz is Taking Place on SaturdayPhoenix AZ (May 16, 2020) – Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), in partnership with healthcare partners across the state, announced today that the Arizona Testing Blitz will be expanded an additional two weeks. Arizona Testing Blitz events were held on May 2, May 9, and the third event will be held on Saturday, May 16. There are more than 70 sites participating this Saturday and testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19, based on criteria set by…
Sedona AZ (May 16, 2020) – With Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home Executive Order expiring on May 15, 2020, the city of Sedona will incrementally resume in-person services beginning May 18, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the city has provided services virtually since March 18, 2020.During the first phase of reopening on May 18, expected to last a week, the doors to buildings will remain closed but if in-person meetings are needed, they may be scheduled by calling or emailing. The city will require physical distancing and mask wearing protocols for any in-person meeting. In subsequent phases, City Hall buildings will…
Building Strength, Stability and Self-Reliance through shelterCottonwood AZ (May 16, 2020) – Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity, says that they are ready to re-open their ReStore on Main Street in Cottonwood. The ReStore has been closed for several weeks due to COVID-19. During the closure, staff have finished remodeling work and preparing the store for the return of customers. The ReStore provides a significant revenue source for the nonprofit and they are ready to re-open. Since March, their ReStore has been closed due to the pandemic. While they have been closed they found a way to keep sales from their Restore…
National Invasive Species Awareness Week is May 16-23Phoenix AZ (May 16, 2020) – Did you know that invasive quagga mussels cause millions of dollars in damage to boat motors, docks and water intake systems? Or that unwanted turtles, tortoises, and other pets illegally released into the wild can hurt our native species by introducing disease or outcompeting them for habitat and food?The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is participating in National Invasive Species Awareness Week from May 16-23. The nationwide event aims to educate the public about the harmful impact of invasive animals, plants and other organisms. Over the…
By Darcy HitchcockCo-Founder, Sustainability AllianceYou reboot your computer when the systems start to act unpredictably or you need to download a new operating system. This is where we are with humanity. The pandemic is one of a number of challenges facing our society. This is an opportunity to rethink a lot of practices and assumptions. The Great Transition Initiative has laid out six likely scenarios of how our society might evolve. You can see elements of all of them now. Which is the better path?From Rebooting Humanity
By Cheryl L. Yeatts, ManagerSedona Public Library in the VillageSedona AZ (May 15, 2020) – In this column we pay tribute to strong women. There are many wonderful books about amazing women from the past and the present, and here are a few of my reading recommendations:“Vanished Arizona,” by Martha Summerhayes: The author was a refined New England woman who entered the Arizona Territory in 1874 as the young bride of an Army lieutenant. She gave birth to the first Anglo child born at Fort Apache, where the native women took her under their care. In her memoir, Summerhayes writes about…