Author: Sedona Best

On March 12, 2022 the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Cottonwood Police Department, Arizona State Land Department, U.S. Forest Service and Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking participated in a joint operation to address ongoing problems with squatters littering and using State Trust and Forest Service land as a residence. A valid recreational permit allows up to two weeks of recreational camping in a 12-month period. Using the land as a residence is not permitted. Numerous subjects were contacted today and warned that they were not allowed to abuse State Trust or Forest Service land. The participating law enforcement officers were able to…

The upper portion of Cathedral Rock Trail will temporarily close to the public for construction starting March 16. The closure will remain in place through April 30, but could lift earlier if construction work ends sooner. The Forest Service Red Rock Trail Crew will be reconstructing rock walls and check steps during the closure. A Forest Closure Order has been put in place due to the inability to safely reroute hikers around the work area, which includes the trail itself and the 200 feet of land on either side. During construction, there is a possibility of large rocks rolling downhill…

Professional photographer Mike Olbinski will present at the meeting of the Sedona Camera Club starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022, at the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona. Doors open at 5:30.With Covid testing now indicating safe levels locally, the Club has modified their position regarding safety measures. The Sedona Camera Club will now hold our monthly member meetings using the standards recommended by CDC’s latest updates. The Club asks attendees to be fully vaccinated. Wearing masks are at the attendees’ discretion. Mike Olbinski is an Emmy-winning photographer and filmmaker based in Phoenix, Arizona.…

By Amaya Gayle GregoryA dear friend, speaking to a beloved with little time left to live, asked about her illness. She didn’t want to share the disease’s name, to give it any more power in the universe, so my friend, being a good friend, wanting to give her the opportunity to share as she could, asked about her symptoms. I don’t think I will ever forget her response. It touched me deeply. ‘Dying is the only symptom.’Yesterday I was talking with a friend. She asked about my health in a natural segue from talking about hers. She’s been making the…

The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a virtual public meeting from 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, to provide information on upcoming improvements that will be made to State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff. The improvements include rockfall mitigation, drainage and sediment control, and a bridge rehabilitation. How to participate in the meeting: Join online: azdot.gov/SR89A Password: ADOT2022 Join by phone: 1.408.418.9388 Meeting Number (access code: 24844956572) Password: ADOT2022 During the public meeting, ADOT representatives will provide an overview of the project, followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions online…

The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau presented a check for $102,000 to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund today, marking the first phase of the five-year Trail Keepers 2.0 program, a business and chamber funding program that supports US Forest Service maintenance of Red Rock Country trails. The donation ceremony took place at the Uptown Visitor Information Center located at 331 Forest Road. Trail Keepers 2.0 is the follow-on to the highly successful Trail Keepers program, which concluded in February 2021 after raising $370,000 in five years. Trail Keepers 2.0 will also run for five years. Each of…

For the third year the city of Sedona is joining forces with Washington D.C.’s National Museum of Women in the Arts to celebrate women artists during Women’s History Month. Since most people have a difficult time calling to mind at least five female artists, NMWA has issued the #5womenartists challenge via social media throughout the month of March. The campaign’s goal is to highlight gender imbalances in the art world nationally and internationally. By highlighting five women artists in each community, awareness of women in the arts will be increased. “We are thrilled to once again be highlighting a few…

Join us for a unique evening on Saturday, March 19th when Max Ribner and 1st Language take the stage at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood. A ‘concert style’ format will begin at 7:00 PM. After a short intermission, the floor will be cleared for dance, beginning at 8:30 PM. Patrons purchasing a ‘concert’ ticket have the option of staying for the dance. At a reduced ticket price, attendees can attend just the dance portion of the evening. This concert and dance evening is sponsored by ChocolaTree Organic Oasis of Sedona.What are the common threads that bridge…

Join Northern Arizona University Professor and Chair of Anthropology Dr. Kelley Hays-Gilpin on Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona. Come enjoy a special presentation entitled “A Colorful Century of Women in Southwestern Archaeology” — in celebration of Women’s History Month and Archaeology Month. This program is presented by the Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society. Tickets are $15 to benefit the VVCAAS Scholarship Program. “A Colorful Century of Women in Southwestern Archaeology” will focus on Ann Axtell Morris. One hundred years ago, Ann Axtell graduated from Smith College and set…