Author: Tommy Acosta

Sedona Film Festival hosts big-screen presentation of art series at Mary D. Fisher theatreSedona AZ (August 10, 2016) – Sedona International Film Festival presents the sixth feature in the new “Art & Architecture in Cinema” series: “Teatro Alla Scala: The Temple of Wonders”. The event will show in Sedona on Monday, Aug. 22 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. This is the sixth in a series of seven featured programs.The festival is proud to be the official host of the new series, joining hundreds of theatres around the globe for this special exhibition on…

Sedona AZ (August 10, 2016) – It may be hot outside, but planning for this holiday season’s Tinsel Town has begun, and the city of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation Department seeks businesses and organizations to sponsor and/or exhibit at the event.  

By Ted Grussing… and today was filled with special moments … an early morning flight watching the threads of water vapor growing into cumulus clouds, playing in the cloud valleys and shooting video as I went. Once back on the ground the trip to re-register my vehicle which had been de-registered (never got the notice, I think), got my new driver license without corrective lenses, first time in over forty years, a quick visit with a friend in Cornville, and a conference with my last clients. Home, a nice conversation with a friend and then One and I headed out…

New acclaimed independent films premiere at the Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 9, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the critically-acclaimed new films “The Innocents” and “De Palma” showing Aug. 19-24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

Sedona AZ (August 9, 2016) – Starting in August, children from birth to their fifth birthday living in the Verde Valley are eligible to receive a free, new, age-appropriate book each month mailed directly to their home.Parents can register their children at any area library or online at imaginationlibrary.com or attend upcoming Verde Valley launch events to be held Aug. 20, 10 to 12 noon at libraries in Camp Verde, Clarkdale and Cottonwood.

Sedona AZ (August 9, 2016) – The city of Sedona is currently seeking to fill two positions on the Planning and Zoning Commission, because two current members’ terms will be expiring. The term of service for these vacancies is three years beginning November 1, 2016 and ending October 31, 2019, or until a successor is appointed.

Monsoon storms can produce sudden, torrential rain and blowing dustPhoenix AZ (August 9, 2016) – With thunderstorms occurring in southern Arizona and extreme weather possible elsewhere in the state, drivers should leave prepared and be ready to wait out heavy rain, high winds and blowing dust.The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for a strong chance of rain and thunderstorms through at least Wednesday evening. Before driving on highways, review the Arizona Department of Transportation’s monsoon-safety tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.

Sedona AZ (August 9, 2016) – The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau recently announced the creation of Sedona Trail Keepers — a program that allows business sponsors to financially commit to the preservation, maintenance and creation of trails for generations to come.

By Ted GrussingA few days ago when I was out with One, I saw a squirrel bouncing across the grass with a peach in its mouth; I headed over there to try and get a few shots of him and as I did he climbed a very crooked tree. On the other side he was able to nestle up to the tree using it as a support, but he went around to the other side and kind of hung in there doing the impossible and munched on the peach for a while before climbing up the tree to finish it…

Clarkdale AZ (August 8, 2016) – Jurying for Made in Clarkdale art shows will take place Saturday, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24th. Artists must live, work, or be taking art classes in Clarkdale to be eligible. Previously accepted artists do not have to re-jury if they still live or work in Clarkdale. Those eligible only as students taking art classes must re-qualify each year.All art media will be considered but art must be original and conceived and created by the artist. No kits or crafts made from the patterns of others will be accepted.

Sedona AZ (August 8, 2016) – The Mental Health Summit 2016 on “Latest Truths and Treatments” will include two panels that will support the focus of the Summit that the treatment of mental illness needs to go beyond the drug treatments available and look at integrative care, non-pharmacological treatments, and alternative treatments. The Summit will take place on Friday, August 26, 8:30AM-3:30PM at Cliff Castle Casino Conference Center, 555 Middle Verde Rd, Camp Verde. The featured keynotes include Robert Whitaker, investigative journalist and author of Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic, and Dr. Grace Jackson, board certified psychiatrist…

Sedona Lit is a series by Dr. Elizabeth Oakes, an award winning poet and former Shakespeare professor. A Sedonian of three years, she will highlight the literature, written or performed, of Sedona, past and present.By Elizabeth Oakes(August 8, 2016)Georgia O’Keeffe is associated with New Mexico, specifically with Ghost Ranch and her house at Abiquiu, but I had to wonder if she ever saw red rock country. Actually, she may have! In 1929 and 1937 she toured various sites in Arizona and documented the experience in her letters and several paintings.O’Keeffe is not known as a writer, but she was a…

Clarkdale AZ (August 6, 2016) – On Monday, August 15, the monthly Voter Education Program of the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley, in partnership with OLLI,  will feature Clarkdale Mayor and local water guru Doug Von Gausig speaking about “The Future of Water in the Verde Valley: We Know the Problem, Now What Can We Do About It?” Von Gausig will provide a concise examination of what we must do to meet future water demands of a growing population, including a menu of options that will allow our economy to prosper while, at the same time, stewarding a…

By Ted Grussing… the article on the challenges of cutting large rough gem opal has been published and available in print and online on GIA’s website at: http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2016-challenges-cutting-large-gem-opal-rough . In past emails I have written some about this fun event describing the cutting of one of the largest gem opals in the world … and over the past year the tortuous process of writing a peer reviewed article about it … thanks to the editorial staff of Gems & Gemology, those who peer reviewed the article (whoever you are) and my friends who helped me polish my writing to meet…

Reminder comes as public turns in several ‘abandoned’ deer fawnsPhoenix AZ (August 5, 2016) – Within the past several weeks, well-intentioned people have delivered several deer fawns to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offices believing that the animals were abandoned by their parents.While the department understands the public’s desire to help, in reality they’re often taking a newborn or juvenile animal from its parents, which likely “parked” the baby in one location while they foraged for food and water for long periods of time. If the fawn appears alert and healthy it is best to leave the animal alone and…