Keep Sedona Beautiful

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Red Rock Sunset

With an EXTENDED January 15, 2010 deadline, this is the final call for submissions to KSB’s 3rd Annual “Capture The Wonder” photo contest. The first two annual contests garnered international attention drawing entries from as far away as Poland.  Contest submissions from the first two contests were used in the popular Scenic Sedona video  which has received over 5,000 views on youtube.com.

Photos will be professionally judged in two divisions: professional and amateur.  There are three divisions: Color, Black and white, and “Capture the Wonder at Night” focusing on the unique beauty of Sedona illuminated by the stars and moon. The competition is open to everyone except members of the Keep Sedona Beautiful Board, the contest committee, the judging panel or their families.

All images will be judged on creativity, technique and their relevance to the contest theme, “Capture the Wonder”.   Photos must have been taken on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and should be titled. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2010.  The winners of the contest will be announced in at the Annual Keep Sedona Beautiful Awards Luncheon.

Photos may  be submitted online at the Keep Sedona Beautiful website, or by e-mail in jpeg format to photocontest@keepsedonabeautiful.org.  Entries may also be submitted on CD or DVD.  Photos may be in color or black-and-white.

Complete contest rules and entry blanks are available on Keep Sedona Beautiful’s website www.keepsedonabeautiful.org or at the KSB Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Road, Sedona between 2:00 and 5:pm weekdays (phone 282-4938).  Deadline for submission is January 15, 2010.   Winning entries will be announced in late January and displayed in various Sedona locations and throughout the year on the KSB website.

Since its inception in 1972, KSB has been dedicated to “Preserving the Wonder” of Sedona. Their education and advocacy activities and goals range from land preservation to litter lifting. The aim of the contest is to “Capture the Wonder” of this Red Rock region. KSB President Steve DeVol notes ” What better way to “Preserve the Wonder’ than to capture it in a photograph.”  Locals and the rest of the world are encouraged to submit their personal images!

Next time you shop at Basha’s, please link your “Thank You Card” to Keep Sedona Beautiful’s Group ID Number 28711. When you do, Bashas’ will donate 1% of your grocery purchases to KSB.  More information on the Shop and Give program.

SEDONA MINUTE #3:

Terri Marie, KSB Guest Columnist and author of "Sedona Minutes"

Crowds – Choosing the Experience

Do crowds drive you nuts? Then stay away from Slide Rock Park on holidays and most weekends, or Oak Creek Canyon in its full fall splendor. Like it or not, sometimes we have to deal with crowds. Whether it is a busy road, a busy store, a busy airport or a busy phone line, how can we deal with those situations and not lose our cool?

Start with a new vision. Follow that up with a choice. If you can look at every other person as someone who sees life from a different angle and brings a different point of view, you can better adapt yourself to live more peacefully in the large diverse human family we are part of. In any crowd, some are filled with worry, some with peace, some with anticipation. They all have different agendas. Crowds can be loud but they are your given and constantly changing human family after all. It is your choice whether they will be annoying or fascinating. Be proud of them all. Accept them as they are. Change yourself. Be the best you. The rest will take care of itself.

Take a Sedona minute today to remember who you are.

It was an evening that left some of us stunned, some speechless, and all of us sincerely concerned. On Wednesday, October 28th the Sedona City Council, and the attending public, heard ADOT’s presentation for the 68 lighting alternatives for West 89A.  Nineteen citizens spoke to the alternatives, asking ADOT to please consider no lights as an alternative.  John Harper, Project Manager for the Continuous Roadway Lighting Project, stated that he was there to only talk about the various lighting alternatives. No lights was an alternative he would not recognize or address.

Shaeri Richards, a Sedona resident, asked Mr. Harper directly if no lights was an option. Here is her question and the answer she got:  http://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/Shaeri.swf

Following Ms. Richards’ questions, Sedona City Councilman Cliff Hamilton commented on the inflexibility and other concerns her had. Here’s what he said: http://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/CliffH.swf

On Wednesday November 5 from 4 pm to 7 pm, at the Sedona Public Library, ADOT will have an Open House for the public to view and ask questions about the 89A Lighting alternatives being offered. Again, ADOT is saying that the “no lights alternative” will not be discussed.

We think the best alternative — what the majority of people want — should be discussed. Plan to show up and voice your opinion and concern to ADOT and the world that Sedona citizens demand a voice in this issue!

There will be a public demonstration to protest ADOT’s planned continuous roadway lighting from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Sedona Public Library.  It is important for people show up en masse to send a message to ADOT and the world:  Sedona doesn’t want or need continuos roadway lighting on SR 89a in West Sedona.  Our city skyline, our local economy and starry night skies will be forever changed if this plan moves forward.

Be seen and be heard this Thursday, Nov. 5th,  from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Sedona Public Library on White Bear Road just off Dry Creek Road in West Sedona.

Now, more than ever, we need your support, encouragement and work in “Preserving the Wonder!”

Grape Expectations Revealed at KSB Speakers Series

What’s going on out there in our Verde Valley backyard? If you’ve driven the pretty, winding Page Springs Road lately, you’ve got the idea…we’ve got a real wine country in our paradise…and it’s serious.

It’s so serious that Yavapai College has now launched a Viticulture and Enology program, is planting a 40 acre vineyard and building a greenhouse and science lab at the Clarkdale campus, all of which will serve the local wine industry. But that’s not all. They’re doing it right, using the latest in energy efficient and sustainable technology, solar power, a reclaimed water system and dry land farming. And this is only the beginning of what is hoped to become a major economic force in the entire Verde Valley.

Keep Sedona Beautiful’s “Preserving the Wonder” Speakers Series will offer an inside look at the burgeoning wine industry in red rock country on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Road in Sedona. A welcome reception for the public will be held at 5 p.m. with the opportunity to taste our local wine, and the program will follow at 5:30, concluding by 7 p.m.

Read the rest of this entry »

ADOT Presents 89A Roadway Lighting Options
Wed., October 28th from 5:30 to 9:30 PM in Sedona City Council Chambers

Here’s What You Need To Know
by Robert Carabell, KSB Vice-President

Photo by Bob Coates

ADOT will present to Council a list of 68 Roadway Lighting Design Alternatives for West 89A with a power point presentation by John Harper of ADOT and discussion between ADOT and the Council.

The meeting will then be opened up for public comment. No final decision is expected at this meeting, however, it will be important to hear the discussion between ADOT and Council in order to better understand the eventual decision, and for making relevant comments when the meeting is opened for public feedback.

Following that meeting, ADOT will conduct a public Open House, similar to a charette, at the Sedona Public Library on November 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Based on the feedback received from the Oct. 28th and Nov. 5th meetings, ADOT and City Staff will then narrow down the list of 68 alternatives to a smaller. optimum list. Then, perhaps in Jan. 2010, ADOT will present more detail on this smaller list for Council’s review and possible approval. Some of these alternatives include over 100 lights!

The ADOT alternatives being presented are all complex, all virtually incomprehensible to a layman, and all include continuous roadway lighting in one form or another; the option of “no lighting” or last year’s Safety Panel recommendation is not an alternative being considered. ADOT has also made it very clear that any alternative other than the original proposal (ie. 76 high pressure sodium Cobra head lights, standard ADOT issue) will cost the City the difference and some of the alternatives are very expensive. To view these ADOT alternatives, go to City Council’s section on the www.SedonaAz.gov website and look for the meeting date October 28 and click on meeting materials/packet details. You may find some of the information confusing, but it can be simplified with this one question:

Why is ADOT not presenting the best overall alternative: the Feb. 2008 recommendation from the “89A Pedestrian Safety Advisory Panel” consisting of Sedona citizens, ADOT representatives, and International Dark Sky Association? This recommendation was as follows:

• NO continuous roadway lighting on West 89A, and
• Signalize the Andante intersection, the location where three fatal accidents occurred over a 5-year period.

The benefits of this recommendation are many:A signalized intersection at Andante will contribute to safety both at night and day (over 90% of ALL accidents occur in the daytime),

• A signalized intersection at Andante will cost FAR less than the other alternatives,
• Little to no light pollution; learn more about the importance of reducing “light pollution” at www.darksky.org,
• No light trespass into nearby neighborhoods that overlook 89A and
• No degradation of our famous and gorgeous starry night skies.

ADOT is proposing to put a signalized intersection at Andante, but what will 76 or more lights do for safety when it’s needed most? Most of the pedestrian (and motorist) accidents have occurred during the busy daylight hours on West 89A. The solution to protecting pedestrians and motorists is not more lights but sensible and creative roadway precautions that monitor and slow traffic down.

98% of KSB Members rejected Continuous Roadway Lighting on West 89A in a recent survey; click here to read the respondents’ comments that provide insightful information on this issue. In addition, you may find reading the KSB Board’s recent resolution, “Continuous Roadway Lighting for West State Route 89A,” to be helpful as well KSB’s “dark skies” web page.

We urge you to attend the Council Meeting on Oct. 28th. Express your opinion; do not be afraid to stand up and be vocal. Be informed, be involved; it is the only way to make a difference and “keep Sedona beautiful.”

Download an 2009 Award Nomination Form

Now is the time to honor an individual, business or organization that has demonstrated outstanding public or commercial architectural design, exceptional xeriscaping, lighting, signage, conservation or has provided exceptional service to the community. The awards will honor those who have most contributed to the mission to “Keep Sedona Beautiful.” Winners will be honored at a special Keep Sedona Beautiful Awards of Excellence Celebration luncheon on February 14, 2010 at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa.

New or redesigned buildings will be judged on the basis of their harmony with the natural environment, beyond what is required by municipal or county regulations. Keep Sedona Beautiful believes that the scenic beauty of Sedona should be protected, and that the built environment should never compete for attention with our natural surroundings, day or night. Outdoor lighting, signage and landscaping will be judged by the same standards. Special consideration will be given to efforts to conserve our environment and minimize our footprint on the environment. Single-family homes are not usually considered for these awards, unless there is an exceptional innovation in environmental construction.

Special attention will be given to major improvements in existing buildings, lighting and signage which did not previously conform to these standards. Innovations in environmentally-sensitive buildings, native low-water-use landscaping, and elimination of non-conforming signs will be considered as well.

Community service awards will be made for outstanding contributions to the community by individuals, businesses and organizations. All applications must be received by the KSB Awards Committee, 360 Brewer Rd., Sedona, AZ 86336 by November 6.

“There are hundreds of miles of trails in the land around Sedona, from beginner trails to moderate trails or even advanced trails like Lizard Head…yikes.

Life is this way. There are lots of different trails to choose from. No matter what trail we choose, we can still admire the beauty and enjoy the scenery around us. We don’t have to bust our butts on any trail unless we really want to and we can handle that level of difficulty…read the rest of this Sedona Minute on the KSB Blog!

The cliffs and red rocks of Sedona are here for all of us, what- ever level we are at.

Life isn’t about being on the most advanced trail. It’s about enjoying the journey you are able to take…the trail you are already on. Choose the trails that give you the most pleasure. Take a Sedona minute today to remember who you are.  Take a minute to enjoy the magic.”
Sedona Minutes, Copyright 2009, Terri Marie

“Sedona Minutes are special. They are moments that inspire us and help us realize why we are here, having this amazing experience called  LIFE. Take a look around you. These are the moments to stop, notice, and reflect on the splendor of life during your jam-packed day. They are moments to really see that life is pretty amazing and spectacular after all. All day long, you will find Kodak moments everywhere and everywhen once you start looking for them.  

Sedona Minute #1: Appreciate Beauty

Driving into Sedona is so beautiful it can almost be overwhelming. There are curvy, hilly roads with views that can take your breath, if not your concentration, away. Seems every other driver is a tourist. Many of them are seeing these glorious Red Rocks for the very first time.

If you’ve been here, you remember that feeling. It was so spectacular. By allowing others to take time to see the beauty around us, we too, can pause to take a look at this beauty. We can look as if we were seeing Sedona that amazing first time, and relive that initial Red Rock experience. How God wants to enchant us!

See with those Red Rock eyes today. Life is unfolding brilliantly before you all day long. It is all worth taking a moment to stare at and to appreciate. Enjoy the ride wherever you are going today and slow down. Take a Sedona minute today to remember who you are.

I’m Terri Marie sending you wishes for abundant Sedona minutes.”
A Sedona Minute © 2009 Terri Marie

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) has just confirmed that she will be in Sedona on Saturday, September 19th and be speaking at the Sedona Community Fair, between 9:30 – 10 am, and making a statement regarding the Sedona-Red Rock NSA Designation. We’re told she will be informing the people of Sedona that she is going ahead with drafting the Bill to present to Congress. She also has stated that she intends to obtain (more) local input on the draft before she introduces the Bill which will be “sometime in the near future.”

Please join us by 9:30 am at our KSB Booth table and take part in the celebration – one more important step in our efforts to protect the integrity and beauty of Red Rock Country.