Author: Tommy Acosta

By Ted GrussingAs the USFS continues its Prescribed Burns, I believe it is fair to question the sanity of their policies of using fire as a tool in managing the forests, or at the least the way they are executing these policies.I have no issues with natural fires in the forest, that is after all a natural part of life in forested areas. I believe they should be allowed to run their natural course unless human life is threatened, otherwise structures and the rest are fair game for fire. Living in a forest is a risk and steps need to…

Public asked to help keep wildlife wild by putting edible holiday decorations indoorsVerde Valley AZ (October 27, 2017) – Halloween is on the horizon and soon those carefully carved pumpkins sitting outside may be attracting some unwanted trick-or-treaters: hungry wildlife looking for an easy meal.As such, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds area residents to be aware that Halloween pumpkins and other fall decorations, such as gourds or squash, can attract wildlife when displayed outdoors.

Trailblazing conservationist Jane Goodall is the subject of award-winning documentarySedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a one-night only special Northern Arizona premiere of the award-winning new documentary “Jane” on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Shawn Sweeney from the Jane Goodall Institute will be in Sedona to host a Q&A discussion after both screenings of “Jane”.

By Mike Schroeder, Sedona Resident(October 27, 2017)The group, that is promoting the $17.9 Million Sedona Fire District Bond, “Safer Sedona” is a PAC (Political Action Committee) that is called “Sedona Advocates For Emergency Responders”. The only two people that are on the Committee for this PAC are Wendy Tanzer and Rich Collister according to the public records available from Yavapai County Committee Statement of Organization, dated April 12, 2017.While I am not surprised, I am curious who set them up as the local front people for this assault on the hard-working Taxpayers of the Sedona Fire District (SFD) in ramming…

Cottonwood AZ (October 27, 2017) – Cottonwood Police have taken numerous reports this week of a scam referred to as the APS Scam. The suspect masquerades as an APS employee calling a customer demanding immediate payment or their electricity will be shut off. The potential victims are told to purchase a prepaid card for a specific amount and then call a certain number to make the payment. Fortunately, none of the callers who have filed a police report have fallen victim to this scam. To keep customers from becoming a victim of consumer scams, APS provides the following information:

Sedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – Smoke from a prescribed burn project north of Munds Park today, which produced a large plume visible from Sedona, will likely impact surrounding communities during morning hours tomorrow until wind patterns shift southwesterly.The Coyote Project burned approximately 650 acres October 26, and southwesterly winds dispersed the smoke toward the north and east throughout the day.

By Maria LynamPrescott AZ (October 27, 2017) – The monthly meeting of Prescott Indivisible will be held at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 882 Sunset, Prescott, Friday, November 3 from 6-7:30 pm  Prescott Indivisible is a non-partisan community which seeks to promote a progressive and inclusive agenda in support of human rights and the environment.  We focus on local actions in defense of the rule of law, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.  We invite all to participate and have your voice heard.

The holidays are right around the corner!Camp Verde AZ (October 27, 2017) – Friends of Camp Verde Library is sponsoring a wreath decorating contest during November, with the opening reception for the Wreath Show held at Camp Verde Community Library on Friday, November 10th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.  Friends of Camp Verde Library is asking individuals or groups, businesses and schools to submit entries in this competition. Entry forms are available at the library PC Help Desk or online at http://www.cvlibrary.org/friends  Wreaths must be submitted by Wednesday, November 8th.  The wreaths will be on display at Camp Verde Community Library from November 10th through November 24th where they will…

“It’s All About The Songs”Sedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – Join Bill Bassett, long time singer/songwriter, outstanding instrumentalist, and master of ceremonies at the Blazin’ M Ranch for a special night of Music in the House, “It’s All About The Songs” at the Sedona Hub, at 7pm on Friday, November 17th at .  This wonderful song stylist has a great collection of original and co-written tunes for your listening pleasure.   Eric Williams, Sedona’s good time piano man, said of Bill, “He’s a rare combination of virtuosic musicianship and natural showmanship. His warmth and easy going nature blend perfectly with…

Sedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – From October through December, Sedona’s City Hall is exhibiting 15 beautiful and remarkably intricate watercolor paintings entitled  Nature’s Network, created by Mary Helsaple. Raised in California, Helsaple is an avid birdwatcher, as well as a national exhibiting watercolor artist, who moved to the Southwest from Colorado in 2008. She is a realistic narrative painter and her goal is to tell a story that connects people to nature.

Sedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – Colleen Mathis, Chair of the Arizona Redistricting Commission, will be the featured speaker at the Annual Fall Luncheon of the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley on Thursday, November 16, 11:30AM-1PM at the Sedona Elks Lodge, 110 Airport Rd in Sedona. The event is open to the public. $22 includes lunch.Mathis will address “How Gerrymandering Rigs Elections,” a particularly hot topic in the news since the Supreme Court of the United States agreed in this session to hear the Wisconsin gerrymandering case. Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish a political advantage for…

Prescott AZ (October 27, 2017) – What are Verde Valley residents doing to protect the Verde River? How can Prescott area residents help? On Saturday, Nov. 11, Friends of the Verde River President Chip Norton and Board member Brent Bitz will answer these questions and more when the Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) meets from 10 a.m. to noon at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, 882 Sunset Avenue, Prescott. 

By Anne Marie Mackler, Development DirectorSedona AZ (October 27, 2017) – Fundraisers like to tell stories about both our donors and how grateful we are to them, and about the patrons who receive the services we provide and how honored we are for their participation. At Sedona Public Library, there is another story we’d like to share: the story of a Library Book.When you give to Sedona Public Library, you support our many programs and services, and just one of our services is our own collection of more than 61,000 books. Have you ever wondered how we choose these books?…

By Ted Grussing… that I would like to be were running through my mind tonight and as always the Pacific Ocean was tugging at my heart … the beauty, power and majesty of the sea is constantly calling me. This is an image I captured last year on a trip to Northern California and the seas were running high. Just kind of get lost in the beauty of it and can hear and feel the ground shake from the power of these waves pounding the rocks.

Mary D. Fisher Theatre is the official exclusive Northern Arizona location for monthly eventsSedona AZ (October 26, 2017) – The Sedona International Film Festival is the official, exclusive Northern Arizona home for the New York Film Critics monthly series debuting new films weeks prior to their theatrical release. The series is hosted by Rolling Stone Magazine’s Peter Travers, via satellite, and features a Q&A with the filmmaker and stars from the film each month. The November premiere event will feature the debut of “Pottersville” for one show, one night only on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. Alison Bailes from BBC and…