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.

Bell Rock, Sedona AZ

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick has announced that on June 10, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and National Lands will hold a hearing to discuss the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act, along with other bills.  This is the first step in moving these bills forward.

Find more information on the Sedona-Red Rocks National Scenic Area Act on Keep Sedona Beautiful’s website.

See the latest in solar energy systems for the home. Discover how you can qualify for free or subsidized home energy audits and weatherization that can help you stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter while saving you money. Learn about ground-source heating and cooling, the most efficient systems you can have. Take a look at great energy efficient windows and heat-shedding window treatments. Find out about all the tax credits and utility rebates – it’s still a great time to upgrade your home for more savings on your energy bills.

It’s all FREE thanks to a grant from the Sedona Community Foundation and funding from APS.

For further information contact John F. Neville, LEED-AP, President, Sustainable Arizona, 928.282.2690 or 928.300.2437; www.SustainableArizona.org; jneville@sustainablearizona.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.

Wildflower Bread Company believes in community and supports Sedona’s non-profits. To enjoy a special night dedicated to Keep Sedona Beautiful, all you have to do is bring the flyer (one per check), eat dinner at Wildflower Bread Company and Keep Sedona Beautiful will receives 15% of all sales.

Special note: Tips are appreciated … KSB volunteers will be on duty “running food” and serving tables. Tip your favorite server well and help keep Sedona beautiful.

Present this flyer at the time of your purchase, and Wildflower will donate 15% of the sales to Keep Sedona Beautiful!

Kirkpatrick introduced H.R. 4823, the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act of 2010, last month.

“We are proud that Congresswoman Kirkpatrick is committed to preserving Sedona’s natural beauty,” said KSB president Steve DeVol. “A National Scenic Area Designation will protect our tourism-based economy, protect our land values and preserve Sedona’s beauty.”

SEDONA, AZ – After a careful review of responses and proposed revisions to draft language for a bill to designate the Red Rock lands around Sedona as a National Scenic Area, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is taking the next step towards securing that designation. She today introduced the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Act of 2010.

Rep. Kirkpatrick has been discussing the best approach to this issue since before her election, and has been dedicated to getting feedback from the community. She submitted draft legislation to interested stakeholders and community members in October to get their comments, and her staff met with a variety of individuals and organizations to discuss what should be done. The United States Forest Service, the Sedona City Council, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the Sedona-Red Rock Scenic Area Coalition, the Sedona-Verde Valley Association of Realtors, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, small business owners and concerned citizens all provided valuable comments and edits to the text of the proposed bill.

“I have always felt that good ideas and good policy come from the people, and I want to make sure that folks here are able to make their voices heard,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “I appreciate the contributions of all those who have offered their thoughts on this bill, and I look forward to working with them as the legislative process moves forward.”

The Congresswoman is working hard to craft legislation that creates jobs and grows the local economy while preserving the area’s natural resources and environment. She feels that the input of folks both in favor of and opposed to the proposal made the bill stronger.

“This conversation will continue, and I encourage the community to stay engaged and keep providing feedback,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “I am going to do everything I can to make sure this issue is resolved in a way that truly meets the needs of Sedona and the entire region.”

The bill is H.R. 4823, and the full text is available on the Keep Sedona Beautiful website.

You can also read the proposed National Scenic Area legislation draft, and see for yourself.

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.

The 2010 workshop features two keynote addresses, “Organic Vegetable Gardening” by Cynthia Lee Cartier and “Turn your Desert Dust to Black Gold” by Merle & Michele Herrick.

Admission also includes your choice of two of the seven workshops:

1. Feather Jones:  The Power of Wild Desert Plants
2. Ross Hawkins:  Hummingbirds, the Servants of Plants
3. Tom DeGomez:  Pests in the Garden
4. Stephen DeVol:  Up Close and Digital in the Garden
5. Eric Moore:  Creating a Backyard Habitat
6. Jean Searle:  Get to Know the Natives
7. Chris Anderson: Rainwater Harvesting

Plus free plants, silent auction, raffle and lunch included!

Tickets are $15.00 for Keep Sedona Beautiful members, and $25.00 for non-members.  Program details and advance signup are available on the Keep Sedona Beautiful website.