Today, the plum trees are blooming in pink!  Pear trees in white!

Daffodils trumpet in yellow.  Iris blossom in rich purple.  Tulips in orange.

Geraniums in red, pink, salmon.

The beauty of Sedona!

Enjoy the beauty of our spring…

SedonaKathy aka Kathy Howe

Kathy Howe

When I returned to Arizona from Hawaii and chose Sedona to be my last move, I remembered all the joy that Sedona had given me over the years.  The joy is still there, but Sedona is different.  Good or bad?

Small towns have an incredible ability to disagree in public, even to the point of calling each other names, out-right lying, threatening each other, boycotting (and gathering people to join them) over differences of opinions, and worse yet, forgetting why we live here.  It’s all about “me” for many people, as well as:  ”I’ll show them”.

If that’s what floats your boat, do it!

But, I prefer to believe that Sedona is great because of those who came before us.  They are not the enemy.  They are the ones who gave us the character, the beauty (yes, beauty of spirit), and the joy of Sedona.

Pud Culquitt.  She has given Sedona a sense of itself over the years.  She reminds us that we must have our best manners on display when we welcome those many visitors who come to Sedona each and every year.  Over the years she has reminded the City of Sedona staff just how important they are and much they are a part of the process.  She cares about all of us.  She’ll continue to care for all of us long after she leaves office in May.

Nancy Scagnelli.  Perhaps one of the most caring and daring  individuals on the City of Sedona Council.  She has learned to go into a council meeting with an open mind, to listen, to ask questions, and sometimes to change her vote.  Nancy has shown the ability to vote for all of Sedona, not just a particular portion of the community.  Nancy will continue to be there when we need her.  She understands that businesses make the economy work…they also keep us from having property taxes.

Dan Surber.  While not as articulate as many of the Sedona Councilors, Dan has a heart of  a lion.  He has always thought out the issues and chosen his vote as it works for both the business community and the environment.  His wife, Bobbie, has her LEED certification and they also belong to the Dark Sky International Association.  Dan is a strong believer in building a community that is sensitive to the environment and throughout their many years in Sedona, the Surbers have been a component of Sedona’s foundation.  The Surbers represent Sedona’s history:  they raised their family in Sedona and now they are reframing themselves to meet the new, environmental needs of the community.

Jerry Frey.  He is certainly opinionated and he can be volatile; but, the man has been a part of the building of Sedona’s past and it would be far less the community it is today without him.  We will miss his passion and his desire to protect Sedona and its wonderful old ways of life.  Jerry will always be there for Sedona.

Where do we go from here?

Newbies want to lead Sedona into the future.  Do they have the answers?  We’ll have to see…

But, let’s remember to be civil to each other.

Everything we learned, we learned in kindergarten

…or should have.

We need to rethink “how to play nice in the sandbox”.

SedonaKathy aka Kathy Howe

Read the full article, through Agency Logic’s website.

Arizona balanced.

People are really moving to Alaska?  And New Hampshire?  Congrats!  Brrrr!

Kathy Howe

SedonaKathy

Twitter Me: SedonaKathy

Email Me:  Kathy Howe

"Goldie"

Many of you have seen “Itsy”, my GEM car.  And you’ve met “Goldie”, my Nissan Xterra.  So why the article about the much touted Nissan Leaf? 

"Itsy"

Having owned an electric car, and having owned 2 Nissan Xterras over the past 9 years, even I am anxious to see the car.

Read the review that discusses the Leaf, the Focus, hybrids, and other electrics.

For reviews of other alternative fuel cars, click here.

My personal experiences with Nissan Xterras has been excellent.  To make it better, Planet Nissan, Flagstaff, is also the regional company for the GEM car… nice not to have to go but one place for my car maintenance.

SedonaKathy aka Kathy Howe

According to Wikipedia:  “At the 2000 census there were 7,229 people living in the Yavapai County (western) portion of the city (70.9% of its population) and 2,963 living in the Coconino County (eastern) portion (29.1%). By land area Yavapai had 66.2% of its area, versus 33.8% for Coconino.^“

It is necessary to note that the Village of Oak Creek is not a part of the City of Sedona, though many VOCA entities and residents use “Sedona” in their advertising.

For people moving to Arizona, understanding the taxing entities will be important.  Why?  Because Sedona does not have property taxes.   The taxing entities are the counties, not the City of Sedona.  Prior to purchasing property, you should check with the county about taxes, assessments, building information… then contact the City of Sedona for City ordinances.

More about Sedona, one of Arizona’s most beautiful cities, in later posts…

Sedona Kathy aka Kathy Howe

What will I do on my birthday?  Well, I set out to find out what Sedona and the Verde Valley might offer me during the rest of the year.  Absolutely fascinating all the choices:

Verde Canyon Train

The Verde Canyon Railroad came to mind.  I

Verde Canyon Train Depot

 have been wanting to do this for several years and, well, time goes by…  The Santa Express is available on 12/23…shall I go?  $49.95 for Seniors in coach… or is First Class the way to go at $79.95? 

I searched for some other offerings and found this wonderful site that covers a multitude of choices, even Poker and a Karaoke Nite! 

But, what special places and things can I do on or near my birthday…??!!

One of my personal loves about Sedona is the Sedona Chamber Music organization, so I went to their website.  I can actually attend a Christmas Eve celebration with Jazz as the music choice of the event!  (It’s on my calendar)

While “browsing” on Google, I found this website that gave many of the origins of Christmas throughout the world…great to get you into the mood!

Still searching for what to do Christmas Day!

Maybe a restaurant…  Elote!  I haven’t been but have heard nothing but rave reviews.  My personal favorite, Shugrues, is closed on Christmas Day, the only day of the year, so they can give their employees the day off.  Great employees who will give you the very best of service.  I’m going to miss my Ahi Tuna (you can only call it “Ahi” if it comes from Hawaiian waters).  Okay, next… A new favorite:  Ken’s Creekside.  Be still my heart!  They will be open!

"Itsy" - GEM car

Okay, reality is that while I have several invites to attend “family-friend” functions in Phoenix (2-2.5 hrs drive each way), my recent instances of I-17-closure-due-to-accidents has me choosing to stick around Sedona and drive “Itsy”, my GEM (electric) car to wherever.  Love my Phoenix friends and really want to have a time at the holidays with them, but, drive the 24th and/or the 25th?  I think not. 

Phone is ringing…

“…Okay, let’s do it!!”  I’m off to the movie “It’s Complicated!” opening Christmas Day at the Harkins 6-plex. 

So, Sedona is laid back.  A lot like me.

Have a very blessed and happy holiday. 

SedonaKathy

Having lived in Phoenix and Flagstaff (second home) from 1973 to 1995, the nuances of small towns have always intrigued me.

Yes, I lived in Phoenix when then Mayor Driggs (who had higher political aspirations) put the building of the additional freeways (Black Canyon = I17 was the ONLY freeway at the time) to a vote of the citizens and it went down in flames.  Mayor Driggs never went another step in politics and the Phoenix area freeway system languished for almost 10 years.  Today, the Phoenix freeway system is a model for other cities.

Why did the Phoenicians NOT want freeways?  When I arrived at my bridge game that fateful day, I apologized for being late as the lines to vote were so much longer that I thought they would be, one of my friends asked, “Well, you voted against the freeways, didn’t you?”.  Stunned, I said I voted for them.  Three women looked at me in complete disbelief and one said, “Freeways bring people!!!”  I retorted, “No.  The people are here.  We need to move them around.”  And we dealt the cards.

I watched the East side of Flagstaff languish in its development when the City of Flagstaff and Charlie Keating got into disagreements about how to develop an area.  Now I watch Sedonans being given false statistics and overstated information about issues by those who would keep Sedona from making good planning decisions.

Can any rural community build a fence around itself and continue to exist?  Especially one who relies only on tourism as a tax base?  No.

Change is inevitable.  Good change takes planning.

There is a new website to watch:  SedonaFacts.  Their mission is to give factual information to the residents of Sedona.  To dispel the rumors that incite people who normally are clear thinkers and good, supportive citizens of Sedona.

SedonaFacts looks into the statement by Keep Sedona Beautiful’s recent newsletter stating that “70%” of Sedona residents are against the lighting of SR89A.  At a recent KSB meeting, Steve DeVol was asked by a KSB member where the “70%” fact came from…?  The reply was that it was reported in Sedona Red Rock News as a “survey”.  Another member asked “how many people…” and the conversation ended.  SedonaFacts has asked Sedona Red Rock News for the facts.

Wish Phoenix would have had some entity like SedonaFacts to dispel rumors back then…

Have a wonderful Sedona day!!

SedonaKathy

SedonaKathy

• Sedona Community Center
• PO Box 2894
• 2615 Melody Lane
• Sedona, AZ 86339
• 928-282-2834
• info@SCCSedona.org
• www.SCCSedona.org

Some facts provided us by Susan Barrington, Executive Director:

• 1 in every 4 residents of Yavapai County is over 60 years of age
• AZ’s 85+ population will increase 240% by the year 2020

The Sedona Community Center is a worthy entity and certainly one that makes Sedona such a special community.  When you are writing checks this year, please give what you can to Sedona’s seniors.

If you can’t give money, give them your time and become a part of their Telecare program (Seniors who live alone get companionship and safe living through telephone calls) or ask to become involved in the Meals on Wheels program.  Some people pack the meals and others drive the meals to seniors.  There’s a place for everyone.

Thank you

SedonaKathy

SedonaKathy

One of the people I have enjoyed following is @DianeKennedyCPA.  Her posts are informative and some send shivers up my spine.  She tries to remain “federal” so that the information fits all of us.

Here’s the latest from her blog:  IRS has already doubled their auditors and it appears they will quadruple auditors in the next 4 years.  The State’s are also ramping up for more audits.  Money is tight.

Look for new Tax Law changes… think twice before you put that dinner receipt into “business” without a notation in your log…

SedonaKathy

Your help is appreciated.  You can click here to send and email to ADOT.

Many, many thanks.

SedonaKathy

Kathy Howe