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.

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.

Master of Ceremonies, Former Senator Tom O’Halleran and other invited guests will speak on how preserving the West’s special places for economic as well as environmental reasons is essential. As we all know, tourism is the economic driver in the Greater Sedona/Verde Valley area, and our product is our remarkable and accessible environment.  Our jobs and businesses depend on it…and we purchased homes here for these reasons. We ALL have a stake in maintaining our red rock forests, clean air and quality of life.

You are invited to attend the Keep Sedona Beautiful 38^th Annual Awards of Excellence for 2009. The Awards of Excellence luncheon will be held on Sunday, February 14, at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Check-in will begin at 11:00 am. Popular Sedona entertainers Tom and Shondra will emcee the luncheon.  Tickets are $35 per person for Keep Sedona Beautiful members or $40 for non-members.  You can reserve a table for 10 for $325.  Call 282-4938 for reservations and information, or visit the KSB website at www.keepsedonabeautiful.org.

Each year since 1972 Keep Sedona Beautiful, a non-for profit organization dedicated to preserving the wonder of Sedona, has recognized individuals, businesses and organizations in the Greater Sedona area for architectural designs, landscaping, lighting, signage, conservation, and outstanding community service which contribute in a significant way to “Keeping Sedona Beautiful.”

This year, the following individuals, businesses, and organizations will be honored: the Oak Creek Canyon Task Force, Ciera Crawley, Rita Livingston, Jim Eaton, Beatrice Welles, Barbara Litrell, the Jordan Road Project, the Sedona Volunteer Park Rangers, the West Sedona Elementary School and the Big Park Community School.

The winner of the 3^rd Annual Keep Sedona Beautiful “Capture the Wonder” Photo Contest will also be recognized at the awards luncheon.

Download the event flyer

Larry Warren

A very special evening is planned for ALL current and future National Scenic Area (NSA) supporters from throughout the Greater Sedona area and the Verde Valley. Award-winning TV journalist, articulate reporter of the west, photographer, filmmaker, and author, Larry Warren, will speak at a Special NSA Event being held at the Sedona Hilton Resort & Spa on Wednesday, February 17th, 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Larry is a firm believer in preserving the west for economic as well as environmental reasons. He believes that it is both possible and essential, though often difficult, to preserve and protect our special places. In an article last fall (Wandering the West, Park City Record 10/09), he wrote about strong local opposition prior to the designation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, and how very different the opinions are today, 20 years later with solid economic benefits realized. If you watched the recent PBS series “National Parks” it pointed out the same initial local opposition to the special designations of the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Capitol Reef National Parks, and how that all changed with the development of the present vital economies that have grown up around those areas after their special designations.

Our primary business in the Greater Sedona area is tourism and our product is our environment. Residents in this area purchased homes here for these same reasons. Tourism and the economies of nearby communities also depend on us. We all have a stake in maintaining our beautiful wide-open spaces, clean air, and dark skies. There is NO political bias in the NSA effort – this is entirely a bipartisan effort among conservatives, liberals, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, and others.

Preservation of the 160,000 acres currently protected by USFS Amendment 12 which surround us is vital to the long range economic well-being of the entire area and is not limited to one city or area. The Amendment 12 protection is fine as far as it goes but that protection can be lost merely through amendment of the Coconino National Forest Plan. The only way to permanently prohibit land trades is the NSA designation. Land trades may benefit a few realtors and developers, but only in the short term…and once even a small piece of it goes, precedent is set. Thereafter, as experience will show in many other attractive areas of the west, the character will change forever while the economy languishes, as what is unique and special is but a memory.

Larry Warren’s visit is being sponsored by the National Scenic Area (NSA) Coalition consisting of many community grass-roots organizations including Keep Sedona Beautiful, DORR (Democrats of the Red Rocks), Sierra Club (local and state), Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, Arizona Wilderness Coalition, Red Rock Rural Community Association and the Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute.

The NSA Coalition is united in believing that a NationalScenic Area designation for the National Forests surrounding us is the only way to protect these Red Rock lands permanently.

Our Congressional Representative, Ann Kirkpatrick, has publicly committed to preparing and introducing legislation for creation of the NSA, though opposition forces are at work to derail it.

Ann Kirkpatrick must have no doubt that support for the scenic designation is overwhelming!

Come, hear Larry Warren speak about why preservation is essential and how it is possible in the western landscape…and invite other organizations, friends and neighbors from the Greater Sedona and the Verde Valley too. This is an opportunity to learn, be inspired and join together to make a difference.

Let’s have a great turn-out for a great evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2010. All are invited, admission is free, soft drinks and light snacks will be served, a cash bar is available and surprise musical entertainment will set the tone. An RSVP is appreciated but not required to Jan or Wendy at 282.4938.

Many thanks to the Sedona Hilton Resort & Spa for co-sponsoring this important event. The Hilton is located at 90 Ridge Trail Drive, just off SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.

Together, we can be heard in Washington…that the NSA is the only way to insure that this land, unique in all of America, will be our legacy to future generations.

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.

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!

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!”