Red Rock District Ranger Heather Provencio

Keep Sedona Beautiful’s monthly Speaker Series will begin with wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 and feature Heather Provencio, Red Rock District Ranger of the Coconino National Forest.  At 5:45 the program will begin, and Provencio’s talk will focus on the state of the Coconino National Forest, highlighting how it relates to the current national emphasis on climate change as directed by President Obama and the Secretary of Agriculture.

Heather was born and raised in southern Illinois and grew up in a Forest Service family.  She moved to Arizona in 1982 to attend Northern Arizona University and pursue a Bachelor’s degree in archaeology and anthropology.  In 1998, she attended NAU again and received her Master’s degree in Anthropology.  Her Master’s work focused on volunteerism in archaeology, and her first job with the Forest Service was in 1985 as a firefighter on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in northern Arizona.  Later, on that same Forest, she went on to become a trail crew foreman, work in human resources, was a recreation planner and an archaeologist.  Prior to coming to the Red Rock District, Heather worked as District archaeologist and tribal liaison for the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts of the Coconino National Forest in Flagstaff.  She has served as the District Ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest since 2006 and is temporarily detailed into the Deputy Forest Supervisor position on the Coconino National Forest in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Speaker Series takes place at Keep Sedona Beautiful headquarters, the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Road in Sedona.  Held the third Wednesday of each month from October to June, the award-winning series presents an interesting diversity of programs relevant to our region.  Non-members are asked to make a $3 donation.  Keep Sedona Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Preserving the Wonder” of Sedona for future generations.  For more information on Keep Sedona Beautiful, call 282-4938 or go to www.keepsedonabeautiful.org.

Coconino Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart

Balancing use with management issues, working with others, and partnering with communities, is the vision for new Coconino Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart. Please join Keep Sedona Beautiful on May 19 for the May Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series.

From Montana to Arizona, Forest Supervisor Stewart has worked with the U. S. Forest Service for 19 years. In his new position, he will focus his intention on continuing to build resiliency in the forest, to be responsive to all organizations within the district on an individual basis, and building synergy amongst all peoples and agencies. “I’m very excited to be here and look forward to working with everyone on the Coconino and the stakeholders who partner with us”, Stewart said.

His career began as a biologist with Oklahoma’s Department of Wildlife Conservation. His early assignments with the U S Forest Service include wildlife biologist in the Ouachita National Forest; wildlife biologist, zone fire management officer, military liaison and fish biologist in the Kasatchie National Forest; endangered and sensitive species program manager, range program manager, forest wildlife biologist in the National Forests in Alabama; deputy district ranger, and district ranger of the Talladega National Forest; legislative fellow for Interior Appropriations in the House of Representatives and Washington office; and deputy forest supervisor in the Nez Perce National Forest.

The KSB Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series takes place at the Keep Sedona Beautiful headquarters, the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Rd. in Sedona. Held the third Wednesday of each month from October to June, the award-winning series presents an interesting diversity of programs relevant to our region. Keep Sedona Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Preserving the Wonder of Sedona for future generations. For more information on Keep Sedona Beautiful, call 282-4938 or go to www.KeepSedonaBeautiful.org

Non-members are asked to make a $3.00 donation to Keep Sedona Beautiful.

Lyn and Ken Mikell

Back by Popular demand, and about the most perfect entertainers to come down the lane for St. Patty’s Day Singin’ and Celebratin’, are Lyn and Ken Mikell! Music historians of the old west, they’ll perform at the Keep Sedona Beautiful Monthly Speaker Series event on Wednesday, March 17th (St. Patty’s Day, of course!) from 5:30 till 7:00 pm.

The Mikells play a wide range of traditional music, with particular attention to the Celtic roots of cowboy music. Using a wide range of musical instruments, Ken and Lyn animate and illuminate the music and poetry that followed the trail west.

From old time trail songs to the golden era of the radio and silver screen cowboy, Ken’s rich vocals and Lyn’s beautiful harp put a new twist on old time favorites. They have an extensive knowledge of the history of Western music and enjoy sharing it with audiences.

Residents of the Verde Valley since 1975, they performed at the first Arizona cowboy poetry gathering in Prescott in 1987. Since then they have been featured at gatherings all over the West. The music of the Old World found a new home at the hearths and campfires of the Old West. Ken and Lyn are proud to be a part of that continuing tradition, and have been making music together for over thirty years.

So, may the luck of the Irish be smilin’ upon ye, as you enjoy the evening, beginning at 5:30 with a warm Irish welcome to the public.  At 5:45 the program will begin. The Mikells will answer questions at the end of the evening which concludes at 7pm. Guests are $3, KSB members are free.

The Speaker Series takes place at the Keep Sedona Beautiful headquarters, the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Rd. in Sedona. Held the third Wednesday of each month from October to June, the award-winning series presents an interesting diversity of programs relevant to our region. Keep Sedona Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Preserving the Wonder” of Sedona for future generations. For more information on Keep Sedona Beautiful, call 282-4938 or go to www.keepsedonabeautiful.org.

Article: Wandering the West, by Larry Warren

When: Wednesday, February 17th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, off SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek
What: A terrific evening of inspiration, music, fun and energy, light snacks and a cash bar.

Kristin Mayes

Two years ago her message was dire. Now, back by popular demand and due to changing times, Kristin Mayes, Chairman of the powerful Arizona Corporation Commission, brings a new optimistic outlook on “Arizona’s Energy Future”. Keep Sedona Beautiful is honored to again present her as the featured speaker at this special January 20, 2010 Speakers Series event.

Kristin Mayes was appointed to the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2003 by Governor Janet Napolitano. She won election as a Republican to the post in 2004 and re-election in 2006. While at the Commission, Mayes has made renewable energy a priority, helping to author the state’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES), and has focused on energy efficiency, natural gas issues, and pipeline safety.

Prior to working at the Commission, she served as Napolitano’s Communications Director, was a political reporter for the Arizona Republic and a general assignment reporter for the Phoenix Gazette. She holds a law degree from Arizona State University, a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University. Mayes was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona.

Renewables, energy efficiency and options will be among the topics discussed at the program with the opportunity for questions and answers following the presentation.

The Keep Sedona Beautiful Speakers Series is held at the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Road in Sedona. The evening begins at 5:30 on Wednesday, January 20th with a wine and cheese welcome reception for the public. At 5:45 the program will commence, concluding at 7pm. Non-members $3.00, members are free.

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.

A panel of three experts will discuss all aspects of the business: Tom Schumacher, Executive Dean of Yavapai College, is also the current President of the Cottonwood Economic Development Council (CEDC), serves as Secretary for the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) and is a founding member of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium representing the education committee.

Eric Glomski, is co-owner and Director of Winegrowing at Arizona Stronghold Cellars and Page Springs Cellars, a winery which has grown into an operation that produces about 60,000 bottles of wine per year. He is a consultant to wineries as a noted expert in the field of organic farming and a proponent of doing things properly. Prior to starting these two wineries and planting their associated vineyards, Eric worked in the California wine industry for several years – most notably in the Santa Cruz Mountains at David Bruce Winery.

Paula T. Woolsey is a certified fine wine specialist, wine distributor, restaurateur, hotelier, teacher and farmer. She is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and the Master Court of Sommeliers, former owner of the Asylum Restaurant in Jerome, and former Beverage Manager at L’Auberge de Sedona, Cellar Master at Enchantment Resort, and Educational Chair of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium, among many other accomplishments.

The panel will be moderated by Tom Pitts, the founding Chairman of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. He has been a wine enthusiast and follower of wine trends throughout the world for many years and has provided market research and marketing consultation for wineries, wine importers, distributors, and retailers. He also serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce, as a Director of the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization, as a principal in the Sedona Verde Valley Tourism Council and is the owner and operator of Belgian Jennie’s Bordello Bistro & Pizzeria in Jerome.

A serious, but enthusiastic bunch these speakers are, as they share the challenges AND their big visions for great potential growth and economic impact for our new Verde Valley wine country…and why they believe it really can happen, and indeed, already is.

The Keep Sedona Beautiful Speakers Series programs are presented the third Wednesday of each month from September through June. Featuring a wide variety of topics related to the “wonder” of our region, this popular series dates back to the early KSB organization with a mission to engage, inform and inspire the community. Donations are appreciated, members are free.

Allen's Big-eared Bat

It’s getting batty at Keep Sedona Beautiful! In the spirit of Halloween, on Wednesday, October 21st, conservationist (and REAL Bat Man) Brian Keeley will present “Bats: Fact or Fiction” at the Keep Sedona Beautiful “Preserving the Wonder” Speaker Series. Although the presentation is factual and informative, it is also highly entertaining for young people.

The former Facilities and Conservation Director of the Arboretum at Flagstaff, Mr. Keeley has been a conservation ecologist for over 30 years, working as a bat ecologist since 1994. He was in project development at the renowned Bat Conservation International in Austin, Texas, and has extensively studied bat and human relationships, tropical pollination and seed dispersal, etc. “No other animals I have worked with are as widespread and unusual as bats!” says Keeley.

“Bats are difficult to see or hear and even harder to catch, which may explain why myths spread faster than truth. This presentation will focus on the lives of bats from around the world, followed by a discussion of our own Arizona bats, as we are lucky to be living in one of the most bat-wealthy regions in the U.S. We will finally separate the facts from the often-scary fiction. If we are lucky, and we usually are, we will have a live bat for a close-up viewing and an echolocation demonstration where you learn to use a device called a bat detector that changes their inaudible voices into sounds you can hear”.

The “Preserving the Wonder” Speaker Series evening begins at 5:30 on Wednesday, October 21st with a special Halloween welcome reception for the public. At 5:45 the program will begin. Mr. Keeley will answer questions following his remarks and the event will conclude at 7pm. with a special surprise grand finale!

Speakers Series programs are presented the third Wednesday of each month from September through June at the KSB headquarters, the historic Pushmataha Center at 360 Brewer Rd. in Sedona. Featuring a wide variety of topics related to the “wonder” of our region, this popular series dates back to the early KSB organization with a mission to engage, inform and inspire the community. Donations are appreciated, members are free.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Keep Sedona Beautiful is honored to kick off the 2009-2010 “Preserving the Wonder” Speaker Series with the former Chairman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Tribal Elder Vincent Randall.

Mr. Randall will speak of the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s dramatic history and rich culture, their lives today and plans for the future as important neighbors in the Verde Valley.

The evening begins at 5:30 with a wine and cheese welcome reception. At 5:45 the program will begin. Mr. Randall will answer questions at the end of the evening which concludes at 7pm. The Speaker Series takes place at the KSB headquarters, the historic Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Rd. in Sedona.

Among many citations for his work, Randall was presented one of the State of Arizona’s “Living Treasures” awards in 2007, and in July, 2009, he received a heritage award from Tuzigoot National Monument, National Park Service, for a lifetime of work documenting and sharing local history of the Verde Valley.

KSB’s popular monthly “Preserving the Wonder” Speaker Series runs September through June and  features a variety of topics all related to the amazing diversity and rich history of the region.  Recent programs have ranged in topic from conservation issues, photography tips, geology, nature, and performances of one-man shows.

The 2009-2010 season will next feature a Halloween program of “Bat Facts and Fiction” by a real “Bat Man”; in November, a look at the burgeoning “green” Verde Valley wine business; and as a holiday treat in December, a theatrical “visit” from one of Sedona’s eccentric early pioneers.

Please contact Jan at the KSB office, 928.282.4938, if you need more information.

Red Rock Sunset

KSB’s final Speaker Series event for the season was Wednesday, June 17th and many enjoyed the spectacular views and an informative evening featuring Red Rock District Ranger Heather Provencio. Called “Sunsets and Celebrations,” the event was an outdoor evening honoring the First Birthday of the new US Forest Service Visitors Center.

If you weren’t able to attend or would like to re-visit the interesting talk that Heather gave at the KSB Speaker Series event, you may read it here: “Adapting to Changing Public Values: Forest Service Challenges Past, Present and Future.”

The next Speaker Series event will be in September 2009. Dates and details will be added to the Keep Sedona Beautiful website as they become available.

Red Rock District Ranger Heather Provencio

On Wednesday, June 17, Keep Sedona Beautiful is taking their acclaimed Speaker Series on the road!   The final event until September, “Sunsets and Celebrations”, is an outdoor evening honoring featuring Red Rock District Ranger Heather Provencio.

In her presentation, Adapting to Changing Public Values: Forest Service Challenges Past, Present and Future Provencio plans to explore Forest Service history and how the agency’s focus has changed over the last half- century. She will also specifically address the changes we have seen in the Red Rock District, the projects that they are currently working on and what challenges face us in the future.

The evening, which is open to the public and free of charge, begins at 5:30 pm with a cake and iced tea welcome reception.  At 5:45 the program will begin.  Ranger Provencio will answer questions at the end of the evening, which concludes at 7pm.

This unique Speaker Series event takes place at the Red Rock Ranger District Forest Service Visitor’s Center, 8375 State Route 179, south of the Village of Oak Creek.

Check the Keep Sedona Beautiful website for more information on upcoming events and activities in Sedona Arizona.