Sedona, AZ - July 3, 2008 - Saturday, July 12th at 7:00 pm, Artists In Rhythm in conjunction with the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley are presenting the third benefit concert of  the year at the Jewish Community Center. 

Phoenix guitar phenom Stan Sorensen and local guitarist/bassist Steve Douglas, will be inviting the audience to try and "stump Stan and Steve" with music that covers the Blues to Broadway, Classical to Classic Rock, and Jazz both smooth and straight ahead. 

Stan Sorenson has been playing guitar since he was 8 years old, and studied both classical and jazz, receiving his degree in Jazz performance at Arizona State University. 

He then went on to study with Joe Pass, Jeff Linsky and Joe Dorio.  His repertoire covers a broad spectrum of styles and as he has worked with Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Jeffrey Osborne, The Fifth Dimension, Jimmy Smith, George Benson, Joey DeFrancesco and many others. Sorenson is no stranger to the pit orchestra, having performed in many Broadway musicals including Zorba the Greek (starring Anthony Quinn),  Hairspray, A Chorus Line, and 42nd Street.  He is equally at home playing Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Stone Temple Pilots, Sting/The Police and Green Day.

Everyone at the concert will be invited to write their favorite cover songs on a card, so it will  be a truly spontaneous concert.  All proceeds go into the JCSVV's endowment fund with a portion earmarked for music scholarships.  Tickets are $15 at the door, or you can call ahead to 204-1286, or email jcsvv@esedona.net.  The Jewish Community Center is located it the Chapel area of Sedona at 100 Meadowlark Drive, just off Hwy 179.

Sedona, AZ - July 3, 2008 - The Mayor's office and the City of Sedona are seeking applications to serve on three Mayor's Advisory Committees.  These include the Mayor's Economic Steering Committee, the Mayor's Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee, and the Mayor's Community Development Committee.  For each committee, there will be five to seven members selected through an interview process to serve for a minimum of one year.  Members of the Economic Steering Committee and the Community Development Committee must be residents of the City of Sedona.  Members of the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee may be residents of the greater Sedona area.

The Economic Steering Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor and City of Sedona on issues pertaining to the City Budget including expenditure control, revenue generation and methodology for balancing the budget.  In addition, the committee will research and recommend ideas by which Sedona can become economically sustainable.

The Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor and City of Sedona on issues pertaining to environmental stewardship in the Sedona area.  In addition, the committee will research and recommend ideas by which Sedona can become sustainable in its building and development practices.

The Community Development Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor and City of Sedona on issues pertaining to developing a greater "sense of community" in the City of Sedona. Recommendations may include the development of specific community facilities, events, improvement of existing facilities or other ideas that would improve the general quality of life in Sedona.

Application packets are available from the City Clerk at Sedona City Hall, 102 Roadrunner Drive or by calling 282-3113.

Applications need to be completed and returned to the City Clerk by Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Sedona, AZ - July 3, 2008 - Weed control measures, which involve spraying with alternative herbicides and pre-emergents, will begin on Monday, July 14th, 2008 and will continue through Wednesday, July 16th, 2008.  In the event of rain or high winds, the maintenance crew will spray the following day.  The area being treated is five feet off the curbs and also the medians on SR 89A from the south City limits by the Sedona Red Rock High School to the "Y." 

We will be using alternative herbicides which include corn meal gluten, Burn Out and Deadeye (vinegar-based) and C-Cide (vitamin C-based).  Although the chemicals being used dry fast (within three hours) and are low-toxicity, please refrain from touching all sprayed plants when wet.  For the safety of both Sedona motorists and the maintenance crews, we urge all drivers to remain alert, slow down, and keep a safe distance between their vehicles and any traffic barriers, trucks, equipment, and workers as they perform weed control.

EST Enterprises Incorporated, of New River, Arizona will perform the work.  For questions, please contact Dan Neimy, Street Maintenance Superintendent, City of Sedona Public Works Department, at 204-7109.

No Freeway Closures Statewide Over Fourth of July Weekend (July 4-7)

PHOENIX-You're taking a break and so are we. In order to make holiday travel easier on everyone, there are no closures scheduled on freeways or highways statewide over the long holiday weekend. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) advises drivers to be prepared for existing work zones along busy stretches of roadways, where crews are building much anticipated new lanes and making other improvements. ADOT asks drivers to slow down and concentrate on safe driving in these areas. Travelers should also be aware that lane closures may be necessary due to accidents or other emergencies.

ADOT reminds everyone of these safe driving tips as the holiday weekend begins:

• Make sure you and your passengers are buckled in.
• Check your vehicle before you go; proper tire pressure is important.
• Be patient. Don't speed and don't follow other vehicles too closely.
• Get a good night's rest before a trip.
• Bring extra food and water in case of a delay or an emergency.
• Build some extra travel time into your schedule.
• Never drink and drive. 

For a complete listing of freeway and highway closures or restrictions across Arizona, visit ADOT's Travel Information site at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is coordinating freeway improvements throughout the Valley. These projects - which include new freeways, additional lanes and interchanges, rubberized asphalt, new landscaping and more - are included in the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County. More than $15 billion in comprehensive, diverse transportation improvements are funded in the plan through a voter-approved sales tax that became effective in January 2006. More information on ADOT's freeway portion of the Regional Transportation Plan is available at www.azdot.gov/ValleyFreeways.

Arizona Department of Public Safety will conduct intensive enforcement to keep highways safe during Fourth of July holiday

Phoenix, AZ - July 3, 2008 - In 2007, the Fourth of July holiday fell on a Wednesday.  Therefore, the standard three-day holiday weekend was not in place.  One person died on Arizona's highway system during the one-day holiday period last year.

In 2006, during the three-day Fourth of July holiday, there were five fatal collisions in which five people were killed on Arizona's highway system.

During this year's Fourth of July holiday weekend, DPS will increase enforcement efforts during peak collision times.  This coincides with DPS' participation in Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE) - a national initiative that relies on state law enforcement agencies to reduce highway collisions, especially during the holiday period. 

For more information on Operation CARE visit: www.careofnorthamerica.org

Impaired Driving - If you are planning on drinking this holiday make sure you have a designated driver or plan to call a cab.  Once you start drinking your ability to make sound decisions decreases with each drink.  Impaired driving extends beyond just the consumption of alcohol.  Never use illegal drugs or drive while on prescription drugs that may impair your driving ability.

Safety Belts - A safety belt will ensure that you stop with your car.  Without it, you may end up being thrown from the vehicle if you are involved in a collision.

Speeding - Speeding greatly increases the chances of a collision and reduces the amount of time a motorist will have to avoid one.  Following the speed limits will decrease the chances of serious injury or even death in a collision

Attentiveness/Fatigue - Make sure your calls and text messages have been made before you drive.  If your phone rings let it go to voicemail and call the person back when you have reached your destination.  Make sure you are well rested before getting behind the wheel.