By Elisa Andreis J.D.,
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty of Sedona

Sedona AZ (May 20, 2013) Today we take a look at the overall condition of the residential Sedona real estate market from a historical perspective from pre real estate boom until today.

The data is organized into 5 segments, each representing a measure of the health and direction of the Sedona real estate market: Median Sale Price, Inventory, Sale Volume, Distressed Sales, and vacant Land.

Each criteria used to generate the charts is an essential and interconnected part in a larger system. To derive meaningful and balanced conclusions, one needs to evaluate the whole and the relationships between the parts.

This presentation aims at giving the tools needed to understand the Sedona market from a technical perspective and help buyers and sellers make a more educated decision.

Enjoy and look out for our monthly update.
Elisa Andreis

Sedona MEDIAN SALE PRICE

Median sale price usually provides a better gauge of home prices than average sale price. Median represents the price point where half of the homes are selling below and half above the price point, whereas average is derived by dividing the total added value of homes sold by the sold volume. Averages can easily be skewed by one or two high end sales or by distressed sales at the low end of the sales price spectrum.

Sedona residential median sale price peaked in late 2006 at $540,000 and bottomed at $315,000 in April 2011, representing a 42% price drop. As of the end of April 2013, median sold price had recovered by 8% at $340,000.

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You can come and meet me at the Humane Society of Sedona, seven days a week, from 10am – 4pm. 

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Sedona AZ (May 19, 2013) – Concerned parents of school-aged children in the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District and community supporters are ready to launch their campaign to save Sedona schools.

According to parent Zach Richardson, the Yes For Sedona Schools Committee hopes to convince the majority of Sedona voters to vote yes in the upcoming November elections on the approval of Budget Increase Override for the district.

While the state and federal governments fund core curriculum such as Math, English and Science, local communities fund the rest — including advanced math, advanced science, music, performing arts and many other programs. A vote to override the state and federal budget with a budget increase is necessary to avoid devastating cuts to the city’s educational system.

Sedona voters have supported these overrides since 1995. The last budget override vote this past November lost by a mere 36 votes of nearly 9,000 votes that were cast. It was a heavy blow to our community.

“With the failure of the Budget Increase Over-ride last November, the loss of that $900,000 funding along with state and federal cuts means that our school district will have lost nearly 30 percent of its budget in the past five years. That will inevitably result in closing a school and severely compromising the education in our community,” Richardson said. “Sedona residents must understand that Sedona needs to restore what has been in place since the school district has been in existence so we can pay our teachers. For Sedona to have the best school facilities in the state without having teachers to teach the children seems like an obvious oversight on the part of our community.”

Richardson said more than 75 volunteers are currently working on this project representing Yes For Sedona Schools Committee. The group began their campaign for this November’s election in January. The election will be a mail out ballot election that should be arriving at Sedona homes mid-October.

According to Richardson, the campaign will be focused for late August, September and early October. The primary focus of the campaign is to educate Sedona Residents on what the Budget Increase Over-ride actually does for our school district and community and the consequences if it is not passed.

If Sedona has a reputation for having a sub-standard school district, that will have a profound effect on our community,” Richardson said. “Families will not want to move here, thus reducing property values. People who run professional services such as doctors, dentists, accountants, restaurateurs, etc. will not want to move here with their families, so Sedona residents would have go elsewhere for these services.”

He said the community and its school district are interconnected and what benefits the schools benefits everyone.

“Most people do not understand that 50 percent of the residents in our community are related to our school district either as students, parents, parents of graduated students or employees,” Richardson said. “Likewise, 50 percent of the school district’s last construction project created facilities for our community such as a new community pool, a performing arts center, gymnasiums, track and field facilities, multi-purpose rooms, etc. These facilities are constantly utilized by the community.

He said the Budget Increase Override’s cost to voting homeowners will be less than $50 a year in property taxes that is tax-deductible

“That’s less than a cup of Starbuck’s Coffee per month,” Richardson said.

For more information or to make a donation for the campaign visit: www.InvestInEducation.info

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Songwriters Tommy Acosta and Chicky Brooklyn will talk about their music and their skyrocketing popularity in the Sedona music scene and their plans for the future.

Tune in tonight by visiting http://tunein.com/radio/KOTO-917-s34580/

Just click on the link and tune in to learn about how they met, their musical philosophy and their upcoming performance of their rock opera about how a musician and his band save the earth from destruction by a comet with their musc.

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These quick-paced runs through the park are sure to be popular amongst those of you in the running community.  Sedona is a beautiful location to be outdoors, and this series will take you up and down dirt and paved trails through scenic Posse Grounds Park.

You may register ahead of time at Sedona Running Company or arrive early the day of the race.  On-site registration and the races themselves will begin and end at the Sedona Community Pool, located behind West Sedona School at 570 Posse Ground Road. Run fast, run hard, and then enjoy a cool dip in the pool to celebrate your finish!

All ages welcome, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Each race is $10 per person, but challenge yourself to all three races and watch your time improve.  Registration for all three races is only $25 per person.  

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at (928) 282-7098 or visit our website at www.SedonaAZ.gov/Parks.

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Verde Valley AZ (May 17, 2013) – In an effort to save more lives on Arizona’s roadways this month the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is partnering with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies to enforce Arizona’s seat belt and child safety seat laws.

Although Arizona has a secondary seat belt law, the enforcement campaign is based upon high visibility traffic enforcement with a “zero-tolerance” approach towards seat belt and child safety seat usage.

As part of a the national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies across the state will be stepping up traffic enforcement patrols and increasing other enforcement efforts to drive home the message: Buckle Up Arizona…It’s the Law! 

Despite widespread efforts to educate drivers about the importance of wearing seat belts, motor vehicles collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and serious injuries to the citizens of our state. The enforcement mobilization will run from May 20 to June 2, 2013. 

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45% – and by 60% for occupants of pickup trucks, SUVs, and mini-vans.

Funding was provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. 

BUCKLE UP ARIZONA….IT’S THE LAW

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov

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The road will remain open at all times, but temporary lane shifts and lane closures may be in effect around the intersections and in the work zones.  

Work is scheduled for May 21, 22, and 23 and will  begin at 10 p.m. each evening with all work to be completed before 7 a.m.  Drivers are asked to please slow down in the work zone and observe all traffic control devices during this scheduled pole painting.

Any questions regarding this project can be directed to Peter Hill, City Maintenance Supervisor at 928-203-5063.

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Verde Valley AZ (May 17, 2013) – The Arizona Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to be alert for bicyclists traveling along the shoulders of state highways throughout the Verde Valley this weekend due to a special event.

More than 1,000 bicyclists are expected to participate in the 27th annual Bike MS: Ride the Vortex bike race on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Drivers can expect to see bicycle riders on State Route 89A and SR 179. Minimal delays are expected but ADOT suggests drivers be prepared for possibly slower vehicular traffic flow.

State law requires a vehicle to maintain a three-foot gap when passing a bicycle on a roadway.

For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project hotline at 1-855-712-8530. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT

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Arizona Festival bands include the 2004 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band contest winners, the Flagstaff-based Burnett Family Saturday June 8th. The Arizona Republic said The Burnett’s are, “an Arizona Favorite.” The Arizona Highways Magazine said, “Unlike the Partridge Family, a fictional clan of musicians who were made for TV in the early 70′s, the Burnett family is real. Very Real! They live together in Flagstaff, they practiced together for hours on end, and they perform together all over the state. It is said that the family that plays together stays together and ask it turns out, this is a family unit that genuinely likes each other.” The band includes patriarch Brian on guitar and vocals, matriarch Connie on double bass, Rachel on five-string fiddle and vocals, Jessie on mandolin, and Ryan on banjo.

The Tucson-based Sonoran Dogs, feature Arizona Banjo champion Tyler James, national flat-picking guitarist Peter McLaughlin, the acclaimed mandolinist Mark Miracle as well as bassist Brian Davies who doubles as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, and champion fiddler Nick Coventry. Formed in 2011, the Sonoran Dogs have exploded upon the Arizona bluegrass scene. The group is made up of seasoned veterans who have come together to enjoy bluegrass music and friendship. They play a collection of traditional bluegrass standards, new-grass, and original compositions. Every concert is different, as they often improvise the set to follow the mood of their audience. It makes for a fun and dynamic show.

From Phoenix comes Pick and Holler, keeping alive the sounds that have brought people together for centuries. The band includes fiddler Carolyn Camp, guitarist Ty Peterson, banjoist Matt Minjares, and bassist Lindsay Cates. The quartet draws upon old time string band traditions of Appalachian fiddle and banjo tunes and delves equally into music of Mother Maybelle and Hank Jones as well as old timey originals.

Muskellunge is based in Flagstaff and features contemporary, original American music that incorporates the traditions of the past into the topics of today. Led by singer/song writer/guitarist Nolan McKelvey, he is joined by Aaron Tyler, renowned across the southwest for his incredible mandolin skills. Bassist Tim Hogan has traveled the country in several nationally renowned acts including Acoustic Semi, and the In-Betweens. Frank Dedera is a one of the founding members of legendary Arizona band ‘Flying South’ which included bluegrass legends Tom Rosum and Peter McLauglin. Frank has performed at festivals throughout the southwest and four corners region over his 30+ year career. His clean, creative banjo lines provide the driving force behind the “bluegrass” sound of Muskellunge.

The Titan Valley War Heads have performed throughout Arizona and the southwest playing a blend of bluegrass, western, western swing and old time country music. Known for their tight harmonies and instrumental skills Titan Valley has been voted Best Bluegrass Band by the Tucson Area Music Awards, won the prestigious “Best Band” title at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The band currently consists of Gary Kuitert (mandolin), Earl Edmonson (guitar), Ed Davenport (bass), Andy McCune (banjo) and Tom Rhodes (fiddle).

Headlining the seventh annual Festival is David Grisman and his FolkJazz Trio including master guitarist Jim Hurst and the second-generation of Grisman’s, double bassist and son Samson. Also appearing is the Matt Flinner Trio.

The Sedona Bluegrass Festival is sponsored by the City of Sedona Arts & Culture Commission and Los Abrigados Resort and Spa. For additional information, tickets, special events and more visit www.SedonaBluegrassFestival.org or call 928.204.2415.

Chamber Music Sedona’s 30th Anniversary Season is made possible with underwriting support from Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, P.L.L.C., Attorneys at Law. Additional support comes from The City of Sedona, The Arizona Commission on the Arts with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Verde Valley Medical Center, The Margaret T. Morris Foundation and WESTAF.

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Sedona AZ (May 17, 2013) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of “One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das” and the award-winning French film “In the House” showing May 28-31 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

ONE TRACK HEART: THE STORY OF KRISHNA DAS

In 1970, a young musician named Jeffrey Kagel walked away from the American dream of rock ’n’ roll stardom—turning down the lead singer slot in the band that would become Blue Oyster Cult. He sold all his possessions and moved from the suburbs of New York to the foothills of the Himalayas in search of happiness and a little-known saint named Neem Karoli Baba (or Maharaji).

“One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das” follows Kagel’s journey to India and back, his struggles with depression and drug abuse, and his eventual emergence as Krishna Das — the world-renowned spiritual teacher, chant master and Grammy-nominated recording artist. Featuring interviews with “Be Here Now” author and spiritual guru Ram Dass, Grammy-winning producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Metallica, Johnny Cash), New York Times bestselling author Sharon Salzberg, and two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee Daniel Goleman, as well as a score by Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis and Devadas, “One Track Heart” is the inspiring story of how one man’s journey continues to transform countless lives.

“I first met Krishna Das at a time when I was rather burnt out with the entertainment industry and looking for more meaning and direction in the things I was doing with my life,” said the film’s director Jeremy Frindel. “Chanting with him and hearing the stories of his time in India with his guru had a powerful effect on me and what I thought it was possible to do with my life. It has been a dream project to be able to dive deep into his world, and the world of Maharaji and his devotees, and to have the opportunity to tell his story and share it with people who might not be familiar with him.”

“One Track Heart” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre May 28-31. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

IN THE HOUSE

“In the House” has been nominated for six César Awards (the French equivalent of the Academy Awards) including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director, and has won top awards at prestigious film festivals around the world. Kristin Scott Thomas and Fabrice Luchini star in this new drama by acclaimed French director Francois Ozon. Sedona audiences will recognize Luchini as the star of two festival favorite films recently: “The Women on the Sixth Floor” and “Potiche” (which Ozon also directed).

Sixteen-year-old Claude (Ernst Unhauer) insinuates himself into the house of fellow high school student Rapha (Bastien Ughetto), writing about his family in essays that blur the lines between reality and fiction for his jaded French literature teacher Germain (Fabrice Luchini).

Intrigued and impressed by this gifted and unusual student, Germain rediscovers his taste for teaching and enthusiasm for his work. But the boy’s intrusion sparks a series of uncontrollable events.

Kristin Scott-Thomas plays Germain’s wife, Jeanne, a contemporary art gallery director who avidly follows Claude’s semi-imaginary escapades, in this film that is based on the play “The Boy in the Last Row”.

Critics are raving about “In the House”. Stephen Holden from The New York Times calls it “One of this year’s outstanding films. Francois Ozon’s diabolical comedy is sinfully delicious!”

“In the House” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre May 28-31. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.

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