Sedona.biz

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — The Cottonwood Community Band is pleased to announce Philip Blackwell as its new conductor. Blackwell, a longtime music educator and Director of Bands and Orchestra at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, brings more than two decades of teaching, performance, and ensemble leadership experience to the community ensemble.

Special screening kicks off Living with Purpose: Why Are We Here? series The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the ‘Living with Purpose: Why Are We Here?’ film series at the Mary Fisher Theatre — every Thursday in August. Every human wonders why they are here. There are those who believe we are born with a plan, and that our lives, challenges, and relationships are meant to teach us lessons of compassion, perseverance, and patience.

Sedona, AZ — The ballots have been counted, the speeches delivered, and campaign signs will soon disappear from our roadsides. But long after the election is over, the decisions made by Sedona voters on July 21 will continue shaping this community for years to come. This was never simply a contest between personalities. It was an election about trust, priorities, and whether City Hall has been listening to its citizens.

By David Stephen What are the strengths of China in AI in July, 2026? Top-level math, coding, and access to near latest GPUs. This means that if U.S. labs are depending on those alone to stay ahead of China, the gap would continue to thin. What is the biggest weakness of China in AI development, lack of thorough theories in brain science to predicate AI model advancement. So, what should U.S. labs do to be unmatched at consequential advantages, take off where China has a limited path?

By Rabbi Alicia Magal The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, concerts, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286.

By Amaya Gayle Gregory Now don’t get pissed. Guessing a few of you will, but oh well, this is what’s coming through today. Each of us is a master storyteller living our own unique version of life. We think that our story is THE story, that our truth is THE truth. It isn’t. It is just our version of how to do life. If you’re religious, fundamental or progressive doesn’t really matter. That’s the story and being a believer means sticking to it.

Yavapai County, AZ – MATFORCE, a primary prevention organization in Yavapai County, AZ, that is dedicated to stopping youth drug use before it starts, has announced the August continuation of its virtual learning series, “MATFORCE Messages.” The series features presentations from subject matter experts designed to build healthier communities.

By Steve Segner Sedona, AZ — Tuesday, the citizens of Sedona came together to elect a new mayor, three city council members, and to approve Home Rule. As is often the case in Sedona, the election was closely contested. Throughout our history, some races have been decided by only a handful of votes, demonstrating that every vote truly matters. Our new Mayor, Brian Fultz, was elected after serving on the City Council. Incumbent Melissa Dunn was reelected to another four-year term.

By Steve Segner– Sedona, AZ — If you spend much time reading posts on Nextdoor, you begin to notice a recurring theme. According to many commenters, every city council is either corrupt or incompetent. They don’t listen to “the public.” Every contract is overpriced, unnecessary, or over budget. Every new project is labeled a “Taj Mahal”—too expensive, poorly designed, and poorly engineered.

Sedona, AZ – July 15th, 2026 – Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of art, music, and collective connection. The Fine Art Museum of Sedona (FAMoS) and Sedonya Conscious Living Center joyfully invite the community to Oneness Weekend on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026. Built on the beautiful truth that we are all interconnected, this unique two-day gathering fuses visual art, live music, storytelling, and delicious food into an unforgettable community experience.