Author: Tommy Acosta

Bolshoi Ballet production from Moscow returns to the big screen at Fisher Theatre Sedona AZ (December 14, 2019) – Come and experience a holiday treasure! The Sedona International Film Festival presents Ballet in Cinema on Sunday, Dec. 22 when it hosts the big screen encore of “The Nutcracker” from the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. There will be one show at 3:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Christmas would not be complete without the enchanting tale of young Marie and her Nutcracker prince! E.T.A. Hoffmann’s fairytale staged by Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich will transport children and adults alike…

Outdoor recreationists, pilots and drone operators asked to avoid bald eagle nest areasVerde Valley AZ (December 14, 2019) – Arizona’s bald eagles are back and they will soon be working on the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. To assist with the state’s continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 89 eagle breeding areas. As such, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help protect these majestic animals to…

Cottonwood AZ (December 13, 2019) – The 8th Annual Old Town Center for the Arts ‘Winter Solstice Concert’ will feature some of the world’s favorite Christmas melodies, original songs, and a special visual, musical tribute to honor our indigenous ancestors, in observation of the ancient winter solstice ritual.This year’s ‘Solstice Ensemble’ features flutist Claudia Tulip, violinist Carrie Caruso, cellist Melanie Yarger, multi-instrumentalist Allen Ames, vocalist – percussionist Susannah Martin, and harp guitarist William Eaton.

Mary D. Fisher Theatre presents encore of the very first Met Opera simulcast by Julie TaymorSedona AZ (December 13, 2019) – To commemorate the holiday season, the Met Opera is presenting an encore of the first-ever Live in HD title, Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”.The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present “The Magic Flute” encore on Saturday, Dec. 21. There will be one show that day at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 1 p.m.The production was staged and produced by Broadway’s Julie Taymor (of “The Lion King” fame).  A wonderfully playful, visually-stunning presentation ideal for people of all…

$300 reward offered for information leading to an arrestCamp Verde AZ (December 13, 2019) – The Camp Verde Marshall’s Office is asking for your help in solving several vehicle burglaries.  On November 21, 2019, between the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 05:00 A.M., several vehicles were burglarized in the Verde Lakes area of Camp Verde Arizona. Seven vehicles in the area of Cactus Blossom, Tumbleweed, Maple and Palo Verde were targeted.  Items stolen included credit cards, power tools, chainsaws, a woman’s purse, cash, and a child’s social security card. There was an estimated $2,000 loss to the victims in this case.  

Sedona AZ (December 13, 2019) – A Depressed Anonymous Group has been started in Sedona. It meets every Wednesday at 4:30 in the Fellowship Hall behind the Unity Church, 65 Deer Trail Dr. Sedona. Depressed Anonymous is an International organization of support groups applying the 12 Steps to dealing with depression.There are no dues or fees. The only requirement is a desire to stop saddening yourself. There are no professional leaders each member shares their experience recovering from depression.

Phoenix AZ (december 13, 2019) – The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation, is launching a special year-long project to cover the rise of youth suicides in Arizona, exploring the underlying causes and looking for possible solutions.The effort will involve students and faculty from across the school, including Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS, and programs such as “Horizon” and “Horizonte.”  The project will include a half-hour documentary that will be broadcast across the state as well as an in-depth website and continuing coverage of…

Sedona AZ (December 13, 2019) – I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving and will have a happy holiday!My second term representing the residents of this city has been very busy and rewarding. Some of the most rewarding work has been the partnerships formed directly with Sedona residents. A year ago, Gail Digate, a constituent from the Chapel area came to me with a serious concern about a safety issue along Chapel Road. Ms. Digate and her neighbor Jim Mager, as well as many others along Chapel Road, saw an urgent need for a safe sidewalk along the full length of…

By Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development LibrarianSedona AZ (December 13, 2019) – TV critics debate when the current Golden Age of Television began, but they all agree that today’s viewer can enjoy an unprecedented number of high-quality shows. There are so many programs available to watch that the choice can be overwhelming. If you need help selecting a series, consider watching an Emmy winner or nominee. Many of this year’s winners and nominees are available on DVD at the Library.

By Ted Grussing… it was a beautiful day to be aloft sharing the firmament with clouds and little else. The sun started breaking through the clouds as I was on my way to the airport around 10:30 this morning and by the time I took off there was a lot of sun and shadow making beautiful patterns on the ground. I turned the engine off about ten miles from the airport and had a “sled ride” back to the airport … no lift. I fly my patterns very close to the airport … downwind leg over the edge of the…

Award-winning documentary centering on Imelda Marcos debuts at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 12, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the award-winning and acclaimed new documentary “The Kingmaker” Dec. 20-26 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Centered on the indomitable character of Imelda Marcos, “The Kingmaker” examines, with intimate access, the Marcos family’s improbable return to power in the Philippines.The film explores the disturbing legacy of the Marcos regime and chronicles Imelda’s present-day push to help her son, Bongbong, win the vice presidency. To this end, Imelda confidently rewrites her family’s history…

Sedona AZ (December 12, 2019) – All unmanned aircraft are technically “drones,” but in today’s terms a “drone” is the term commonly applied small battery-powered, multi-rotor, helicopter-like aircraft flown by a wide variety of pilots, both amateur and professional. Thousands of people have entered the world of radio-controlled (RC) aircraft flying with these “drones.”  They are readily available at most department, sporting goods, hobby and variety stores as well as many online outlets.  A range of amateur drone-flying activities have sprung up to serve this large owner base, including various kinds of obstacle courses and other skill competitions. 

Meet Frozen’s Elsa and Anna!Sedona AZ (December 12, 2019) – Where can you take the kids for not only a visit with Santa but some awesome selfies with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen? And at the same time enjoy non-stop holiday entertainment, sweet treats and sumptuous holiday shopping deals? That would be this year’s Tlaquepaque’s Holiday Sweet Stroll. Set in a gorgeous display of dazzling lights and festive holiday décor with a large dose of good cheer, the arts village is transformed into a fantasy wonderland. It’s a free event, family friendly with plenty of fun for the kids.

By Craig Swanson Trustee, Keep Sedona BeautifulSedona AZ (December 12, 2019) – The developers of Spring Creek Ranch plan to put in 1,900 manufactured homes and 600 RV pads on their property on either side of Spring Creek. Manufactured homes will be selected from an offering provided by the developer. Purchasers of these homes will not own the land, which they will have to rent from the developer. In addition, there will be 400 rental units and a 200-unit assisted living facility – for a total of 3,100 units. To build this new community, the developer has applied for rezoning, from…

Sedona AZ (December 12, 2019) – On Saturday, December 21, 2019, beginning at 10:00AM, the Oak Creek Apples Macintosh Users Group will offer a general question-and-answer session on Apple computers, iPads, and iPhones in the Si Birch Room at the Sedona Public Library. Alan Gore will facilitate the meeting. Admission is free. Pre-registration is desirable but not required. Register by emailing to oakcreekapples@gmail.com.