Author: Tommy Acosta

By Julie LarsonRetired Superintendent, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School DistrictSedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – SedonaKind – its mission, To Encourage Acts of Kindness, Large and Small, Locally and Around the World has successfully made a positive impact in our local schools.  Last year, members of the group started the Kindness in Schools (KIS) effort where they went into the primary classrooms at West Sedona School to read books followed by activities on kindness and empathy. As the school year progressed the “Kindness Ladies” developed puppet shows which the children totally enjoyed.  The need for additional books to read was granted by…

Call 928-254-3930By Mark MooreheadSedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – The Giving Angels is a charity that provides 600-plus holiday gifts to independent, Low-income Seniors in the Verde Valley.    We desperately need volunteers to help us wrap, bag and deliver holiday gift bags on December 11 and 12 and to deliver the 600 gift bags on December 14.  Also, we’re in need to borrow 10 large 6’ folding tables for our volunteers to put the bags together.  

Sedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – Join Al Raitano, singer, comedian, and consummate entertainer, and Bob Grogan, keyboardist and member of the band J&B On The Rocks, for a special night of Music in the House, “50 Years in the Music Business! Tony Bennett With a Twist” at the Sedona Hub, at 7pm on Friday, December 8th.  This wonderful pair has a great collection of tunes in the style of the great Tony Bennett but with a unique twist of Raitano and Grogan. 

Phoenix AZ (November 24, 2017) – Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that he is part of bipartisan coalition of 11 attorneys general expressing strong opposition to the National Park Service’s (“NPS”) proposal to dramatically increase entrance fees at 17 national parks.Under the proposal, the per vehicle entrance fee would increase at the 17 parks during the five-month peak season from $25 or $30 to $70, including the Grand Canyon. Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian fees would also increase by double or more at the 17 parks. The new fees would go into effect at the Grand Canyon beginning May 1, 2018.

Sedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – Kohava Benatar will present the film, Jerusalem Thursday, December 7, 2:30-4:30, at the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, 100 Meadowlark Drive in Sedona. This is a look at modern day Jerusalem and the everyday experience of living there.Israel is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.  Come and see this beautiful documentary made by Yehoram Gaon, the famous Israeli actor and singer.

Sedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – It is hard to believe that nearly a year has gone by since the current City Council was seated. Your council has met and dealt with a myriad of issues during the year. Among the most notable was the transportation study and its recommended solutions. Council has since prioritized the recommended solutions using citizen feedback and projected costs from the study.The most difficult and challenging question council faced from the study was: how are we going to fund the transportation improvements and what is the most appropriate funding source and level of funding needed…

By Anne Marie Mackler, Development DirectorSedona AZ (November 24, 2017) – Today, while you may be relaxing with family and friends, enjoying leftovers or Black Friday shopping, it is a perfect time to think of the many nonprofit organizations that make this community the wonderful place that it is.Sedona Public Library is just one of those nonprofit organizations. We play a key role in this community’s vitality and strength, and we are proud of that role. We are often called the heart of the community because everyone is welcome to all that we offer. And we offer a lot.

By Ted Grussing… beginning December 1st the Ladders area along the Verde River will be closed for approximately seven months in order to protect the breeding grounds for the Bald Eagle. The phototonight shows a substantial amount of the protected area and I shot it on a flight late morning today … taken from a couple miles S of the confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River looking N. The Verde River runs from left to right in this photo and Sycamore Creek goes pretty much vertical into the canyon. The USFS works with many other agencies to not only protect…

Camp Verde AZ (November 22, 2017) – Make & Take Sprays for the Holidays on Thursday, December 14, 1–3 p.m. is a FREE CLASS with take-home recipes at Camp Verde Community Library. Using essential oils and innovative recipes, create refreshing, uplifting, soothing, or calming misting sprays! Hands-on class — make & take gifts! Small materials fee is only required for actual take-home sprays.

Sedona AZ (November 22, 2017) – Part of Holiday Central Sedona, The Perfect Tree is a brand-new FREE Community Musical performed at Historic Wayside Bible Chapel, Uptown Sedona on December 8, 9 & 10, 2017, and again at the Village Church of the Nazarene on December 15 and 16. Friday performances are at 7:00 pm, and Saturdays & Sundays are at 3:00 pm. This family-friendly production incorporates many well-known Christmas carols, plus a selection of original music and songs. The production features live singers, actors, musicians, and a flashback to the Nativity.

Sedona AZ (November 22, 2017) – At its November 16th Board meeting, the Keep Sedona Beautiful (“KSB”) Board of Trustees elected a new slate of officers for the organization.

By Ted Grussing… sometimes it can be fun to alter reality to fit what we want to see and that was how I reacted to a very beautiful shot I took of a Great Egret at Watson Lake last Thursday … a nice clean shot, but a little magic in the air and we have this visage … also fits the music by Deuter that I am listening to now. Anyhow, hope you like it and find a way to make your day shine a little more than it otherwise might. We find what we seek and if you seek…

Sedona AZ (November 20, 2017) – The Sedona Heritage Museum presents Michael Peach in a performance of his new original show “Lions (& Rattlers & Dragons & Longhorns) and Bears – Oh My” on Saturday, December 2 at 1:30 p.m.Peach’s show features his unique blend of original cowboy poetry with a tongue-in-cheek look at Arizona and local history, also incorporating jokes, stories, and first person narrative.

Two-Day Celebration of the Plant-Based LifestyleSedona AZ (November 21, 2017) – On January 20 and 21, 2018, Healthy World Sedona will present Sedona VegFest 2018 at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road. The event will feature speakers, cooking demonstrations, an art show and exhibitors, all of which will focus on promoting the health, ethical and environmental benefits of a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet and lifestyle. The theme for this year’s event is “Peaceful Plates, Peaceful World.”

By Ted Grussing… after One decided she had thoroughly patrolled her territory, she led the way back into the house and I decided to head up to the airport and catch a beautiful sunset in the air. I also got a few nice shots of red rocks in last light, but it was the sunset of a very quiet day I wanted. Finally the sun began slipping behind Mingus Mountain and all the residual smoke in the air lent some beautiful color to the sky … flying as a glider I slipped silently through the darkening sky and caught the…