articles @ sedonainformation.com

Around Sedona

 Joel Gilgoff, associate broker, president
RE/MAX Sedona

What’s Happening:

http://www.sedonaaz.gov/tourism/acEvents2.aspx
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The first Friday of each month continues to be a special event at 15 Sedona art galleries. Stop at any gallery and hop on the free trolley to see all the rest. For information call 282-3809.

Yavapai College has an extensive 2007-2008 community events season with everything from the Prescott Pops Symphony to the annual Cowboy Poets gathering.

For information visit www.yc.edu/communityevents.

City Business:

The City of Sedona has approved a $17.7 million bond issue which will enable construction of a City sewer in the Chapel area, drainage improvement to the Chapel area, drainage improvements to the Harmony/Windsong area in West Sedona plus the City’s contribution to the Phase 2 Highway 179 reconstruction.

Sedona’s ban on very short-term vacation rentals has been reinforced with a new ordinance making the advertising of short term rentals as well as the act of renting on a short term basis, illegal. Violation of the ban is a Class 1 misdemeanor and can carry a maximum fine of $2,500 and up to 6 months in jail. The City is serious about enforcing this ban on rentals of less than 30 days.

The City of Sedona has hired their first Senior Advocate. With more than 25% of the city’s population over 65 years old, the city felt a responsibility to provide a contact person for information about services in the city, county, state and federal agencies both public and private to this segment of the community. Anne Leap, a Sedona resident since 1998 and a 30 year veteran of a career in social services, has been hired for this position.

New Developments:

Camp Soaring Eagle is being built on 55 acres of land adjoining the Verde Valley School. This free camp will give children with serious illnesses a chance to “soar like an eagle”. Campers will be able to ride horses, fish, hike, climb and swim in the new Olympic size pool. The camp will also include an amphitheater, place of worship and an indoor recreation center. The camp’s annual operating costs will be funded entirely by charitable contributions. For more information visit www.campsoaringeagle.org.

City of Sedona has approved a change to its’ community plan to allow Fitch Industries to develop a hotel, conference center and new amphitheater on the grounds of Sedona’s former Cultural Park.

Developer Paul Galloway has plans to transform the dirt lot next to Walgreens on Highway 89A into a beautiful mixed use development. The project known as Kallof Place will include 14 commercial units as well as 13 residential condominiums. Paul also has plans for major developments along Highway 89A west of Dry Creek Road and east of Airport Road.

Highway Construction:

We recommend that during ongoing construction of Highway 179 visitors coming to Sedona from Phoenix come via Highway 260 (Hwy. 17 exit 287) – proceed west to Hwy. 89A – then north to Sedona. This will avoid any possible Hwy 179 construction delays.

The contract for construction of Phase 2 of Highway 179 entering Sedona has been awarded. Phase 2 contains the area from Back O’Beyond Road to the “Y” intersection with Highway 89A. This four mile stretch will include a new bridge over Oak Creek plus a new pedestrian bridge just north of the current Oak Creek bridge. Southwest Asphalt Paving will begin work around the 1st of January on the $39.9 million project. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009. The contract calls for no closures of the road.

Grants totaling approximately $1 million have been awarded for highway enhancements in the Phase 1 area of the new Highway 179. The grants will be used for landscaping, benches, bike stands and pedestrian lighting. However, no money has been allocated for ongoing maintenance of these improvements. The residents of the VOC area will be voting on the creation of a new taxing district to raise funds for ongoing maintenance.

The northernmost roundabout in the Phase 1 project has opened at Back O’Beyond Road. This is the first of 12 planned roundabouts in the Highway reconstruction project.

The Sedona Visitor’s Center remodeling is now complete. The center has a much expanded visitor service area and will soon have electronic kiosks to service the needs of more than 300,000 annual visitor center walk-ins. The building is really beautiful – stop by to check it out on your next Sedona trip.

Possible new developments in the city:

Two office buildings and 40 units of lodging across the street from the Les Springs Subdivision in West Sedona.

A possible 48 unit residential condominium project called “Falls at Oak Creek”. The project will include the redevelopment of the Oak Creek Mobile Lodge property along SR 179.

A 9 lot single family residential subdivision called “Seven Vistas” located at the intersection of Badger Drive and Lynx Drive in the chapel area.

A possible new 7 lot single family residential subdivision located just west of the Basha’s shopping center on Payne Place.

A new 20 unit motel to replace the existing 14 unit Red Rock Lodge located north of uptown along 89A.

A possible 11 unit single family residential subdivision on 4.8 acres off Schnebly Hill Road.

Remodeling of the old office building/gallery space on Schnebly Hill Road at the junction of 179.

Possible development of an assisted living facility to be located on the northwest corner of SR 89A and Bristlecone Pines Road.

Possible condominium conversion of the Vivienda Apartments located on Jordan Road.

Possible conversion of an existing apartment complex on Coffee Pot Road to condominiums including construction of additional units. This would require a zone change.

Miscellaneous Around Sedona:

Tiger Splash, Out of Africa Wildlife Park’s newest attraction, opened to the public on September 29th. This ½ hour daily show features wild tigers playing with their trainers in a large custom designed swimming pool.

The Barking Frog Grille which recently opened in West Sedona has just opened “The Reserve” featuring southwest cuisine, steaks and seafood, contained within the same facility.

Blazin’ M Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Show is celebrating its 13th anniversary. The ranch owned by the Mabery family since 1966 has nightly performances of a cowboy musical suitable for family members of all ages. This is a fun thing to do while visiting Sedona. For more information, visit www.blazinm.com.

In preparation for the opening of the new Red Rock Forest Service Office on Highway 179, the forest service has closed the Mormon Lake Ranger Station.

A new gallery has opened in Jerome. The Stahlcraft Gallery features custom steel furniture in a Frank Lloyd Wright, Stickley, Arts and Crafts motif. The gallery also features several local artists’ work in charcoal, oils, stain glass and glicee prints.

Saturday nights are Art Walk Nights in Jerome. The 30 participating galleries and studios feature ever changing art, music and other talents. For information visit www.jeromeartwalk.com.

A new entertainment venue has opened within driving distance of Sedona. Tim’s Toyota Center, located in Prescott Valley, will feature top name entertainment easily accessible by Sedona visitors and residents. Upcoming events include Dorothy Hamill in Broadway on Ice, Andy Williams Christmas Show, Blue Man Group, Tom Jones, Alan Jackson.

For information visit www.timstoyotacenter.com.

A new restaurant has opened in Sedona to excellent reviews. Elote Café, specializing in regional Mexican cuisine, is located at the Kings Ransom Hotel on highway 179. They are open for dinner only Tues-Sat from 5pm.

The Museum of Northern Arizona is hosting their 18th Annual Trappings of the American West Exhibition. Trappings presents a showcase of functional and fine art of the American Cowboy. This juried sales exhibition featuring the work of 75 artists from 14 Western states will run through January 6, 2008. For information see www.musnaz.org.

The Sedona Dream Theater, located in the former Super Vue Theater in the Village of Oak Creek, is now open. This new venue will present live acts as well as independent and commercial feature films. For schedules visit www.sedonatheater.com.

Petrified Forest National Park is a 2 ½ hour drive northeast of Sedona. This is one of the few parks that has experienced a dramatic drop in attendance. It has some very interesting nature trails which include many areas of petrified wood and remnants of the dinosaurs which roamed this area.

The Goldenstein Gallery, located in Uptown Sedona, has just doubled in size. The gallery featuring contemporary works of art and custom furnishings is a must see on any visit to Sedona.

Have you ever heard of the Verde Valley Sinfonietta? The Sinfonietta will perform their 2007/2008 concert series with three different conductors. The first concert led by David Cripps of Flagstaff will be held December 15th and 16th.

A new Italian dessert place has opened in the Hillside Shopping Center. Zelo Cosi features Italian coffee and sodas, antipasto salad, smoothies, panini sandwiches and lots more. They also have WIFI available.

Forty six descriptive photos of Sedona’s pioneer days are on display at the Arizona Memory Project website. The images are entitled “History of Sedona” and were created by Sedona Historical Society volunteers. You can view the images at www.azmemory.lib.az.us.

Sedona Chamber Music is celebrating its 25th season of “magical music in the red rocks”. This season includes 10 concerts featuring 3 Grammy award winning ensembles and artists. For information and schedules see www.chambermusicsedona.org.

Events continue weekly at Red Rock State Park. For information call 282-6907.