Author: Tommy Acosta

By Ted Grussing… I have been revisiting some of my old/favorite photographs and have come to the conclusion that it is going to be necessary to rescan the photographs, negatives and transparencies myself; the commercial scanner did a less than professional job on them. I spent about four hours cleaning this one photograph up today … some nut job that climbed up the east side of the Rock at Castle Rock, Colorado, in casual clothing, Kashmir sweater and dress shoes with leather soles … lots of snow and ice and then perched on a patch of ice and snow at…

Inspiring Celtic odyssey from Ireland to Northern Spain debuts at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 24, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the award-winning new film “The Camino Voyage” Jan. 3-6 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.A crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves on an inspiring, and dangerous, 2,500 km modern day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.Early Irish history and mythology feature many accounts of great voyages.

Jerome AZ (December 24, 2019) – Let the party continue the Saturday after New Year’s Eve with the January 4th Jerome Art Walk. This free event has become a Verde Valley favorite. Take the convenient shuttle throughout the town to visit the many galleries and studios from the Old Jerome High School up the hill to Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes, The Lincoln Gallery and Made in Jerome Pottery and everything in-between. The post-holiday weekend is the perfect time to enjoy late night dinner hours at Jerome’s great restaurants, enjoy some live music and maybe spend the night. This first weekend that begins…

By Ted Grussing… across the surface of Watson Lake in the Prescott area, this Bufflehead duck seems to be on a mission … likely leaving me in the distance as he blasts past out personal vessel, the “Knot Yacht” I haven’t used it much this year, but with the recent and upcoming precipitation we should be able to float the boat and get some great shots again … perhaps after Christmas I’ll be back down there.

By Darcy HitchcockCo-Founder, Sustainability AllianceSedona AZ (December 23, 2019) – In collaboration with the City of Sedona, the Sustainability Alliance is offering a free workshop, Moving Toward Sustainability, January 14 from 8:30-Noon. Hear what local Certified Sustainable Businesses have done and what benefits they have seen. Learn how to assess your operation and find smart business opportunities to improve. Click Here to Register.

Budget extra time, slow down with snow and rain starting Monday nightFlagstaff AZ (December 23, 2019) – From snow in the high country to rain at lower elevations, a winter storm is forecast to create difficult driving conditions across Arizona starting Monday evening.Drivers should budget extra time, slow down and be ready to put off travel during the worst weather.According to the National Weather Service, areas above 6,500 feet from the Grand Canyon through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains are expected to get between 3 and 7 inches of snow, with the heaviest snowfall expected on Tuesday. The highest…

Sedona AZ (December 23, 2019) – The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will waive fees associated with several recreation sites and some amenities on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), as well as many other days throughout 2020.As part of this nationwide event, fees will be waived for all Red Rock Pass Fee Program sites including Palatki, Honanki, V Bar V Cultural sites, and multiple trailheads, picnic areas and vistas.

Sedona AZ (December 21, 2019) – Beginning the first week of 2020, people wanting to obtain a permit for driving on Soldier Pass Road will be able to do so by using a national reservation and permit website.On Jan. 8, 2020, the Soldier Pass Motorized Use Permit system will be available through www.recreation.gov, providing users with greater access and ease in obtaining permits.Many of the rules and regulations of the current system will still apply. The daily permit allowance will still be 12 permits, and applications may still only be submitted no greater than 90 days in advance.

Prescott AZ (December 21, 2019) – Twelve Yavapai College students from across Yavapai County and representing a variety of academic disciplines  have earned lucrative All-Arizona Academic Team scholarships based on their academic performance and volunteer service at school and in their communities. The scholarships provide tuition-waivers for degree programs at Arizona universities.In a congratulatory letter to the scholarship recipients, YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine commended the students’ achievements. “You have made Yavapai College very proud and I wish you the best success as you pursue your career and educational pathway,” she wrote.

Rimrock AZ (December 20, 2019) – UPDATE – On December 19 th , 2019 at approximately 4:45 PM, acting off anonymous information, detectives with Yavapai County’s Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT) were able to locate wanted kidnapping suspect Dylon Horne. Horne was a passenger in a vehicle in the Sunset Point Rest Area off Interstate 17. Horne was taken into custody without incident.

Sedona AZ (December 20, 2019) – Come to the Sedona Heritage Museum to learn how to make everyone’s favorite traditional Mexican comfort food – tamales…but with a twist, let’s make them plant-based with filling that will satisfy even the staunchest carnivores.On December 30, Ken Beller will lead a plant-based tamale-making workshop for “Monday at the Museum” from 11:00am -1:30pm. Ken was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and believes he has red chile running through his veins. An avid cook who began eating a plant-based diet in 2001, Ken has made it his mission to create plant-based versions of traditional…

Prescott AZ (December 20, 2019) – Yavapai County Sheriff Mascher wishes to thank the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) for providing grant funds awarded over the October 2019 to September 2020 time period. These funds have a direct impact in keeping Yavapai County roads safer for everyone. Although numerous special patrols have been scheduled thanks to this funding from GOHS, the Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone that DUI enforcement is a year-around focus. YCSO joins all local law enforcement agencies in encouraging Yavapai County motorists to drink responsibly utilizing a designated driver when appropriate, drive smart, and drive sober…

The Cactus Pad, LLC is now a Certified Sustainable Business at the Conservationist/Bronze levelCottonwood AZ (December 20, 2019) – There has been considerable controversy around short term rentals in Arizona, but this is one you can feel good about. The Cactus Pad, LLC exemplifies the intent of the Arizona law: A small accessory dwelling or room rented out to help the homeowner earn a little cash. The Cactus Pad, a destination dwelling just one block off Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood, is a standalone cottage built new in 2019 on the same historic site as the home of owners Tim…

By Virginia Volkman, DirectorSedona AZ (December 20, 2019) – Recent chilly mornings indicate that winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time for a new reading experience at the Library’s StoryWalk in Sunset Park.  While walking along the half-mile, paved, accessible path you’ll enjoy a story that’s spread across 18 panels.A different children’s picture book goes up each season and the title that will delight young and old alike for the next couple of months is “Bear Can’t Sleep,” by Karma Wilson.

By Ted Grussing… sometimes you get lucky … you sense that the ducks are about to takeoff, raise the camera to your eye, nail a focus and maybe you get the initiation of the flight … whilst the shutter is depressed and you are capturing 14 frames per second you get this 1/1250th of a second when both subjects are finished with the first beat of the wings which are forced down into the water and have not yet begun the second beat … the drake has his feet tucking up into flying position and the hen is just lifting them…