Rainy Day Things To Do In Sedona…

It’s a rainy day in Sedona once again. If you are visiting or plan a visit and it starts to rain, you may be wondering, what am I going to do? So, here are some of our favorite things to do on a rainy day in Sedona:

• Eat pancakes at the Coffee Pot Restaurant
• Visit the Sedona Heritage Museum
• Stroll through Art Mart Sedona- all indoors with tons of artists
• Visit Tlaquepaque with an umbrella
• Visit the Institute of Eco-Tourism
• Splash in the mud puddles
• Have a hot chocolate at one of many coffee shops in Sedona
• Have a hot fresh baked treat at Sedona Sweet Arts, Wildflower, NY Bagel & Deli, Desert Flour, or D’Lish
• Visit the fine art galleries of Hozho, Hillside, or Uptown
• Enjoy a hot bowl of soup at one of many fine dining establishments open for lunch
• Take a Sedona Trolley Tour
• If it’s not raining too hard and they are still operating- take a 4×4 tour
• Enjoy a nice glass of wine at a wine bar
• Paint your own pottery at Imagine Art

Sedona is a place you can enjoy with over 300 days of sunshine, or the few days when we get rain. Not a bad view anytime. Enjoy!

 

Weddings in Sedona…

Recently Sedona was host to its first Sedona Bridal Show. It took place at L’Auberge, Amara, and Tlaquepaque. The show gave brides getting married in Sedona or considering getting married in Sedona, the opportunity to meet and chat with vendors, site managers, and suppliers in the area.

Sedona is truly a unique location to have a wedding and reception. It can be small and intimate at the Chapel at Tlaquepaque or grand and creekside at L’Auberge or Los Abrigados Resort. Sedona makes a perfect backdrop for your photos.

If you are thinking of getting married in Sedona, check out our website for helpful links to local vendors that provide great Sedona service. www.visitsedona.com

 

Sedona Trolley- Fun for Visitors and Locals

On Sunday my husband and I took our little guy Nicholas on a Sedona Trolley tour. It’s labeled “the best first thing to do in Sedona.” Since I never made that my first thing to do, we decided to make it our son’s first time as well. It was really a lot of fun.

The tour we chose was Tour B which takes you out to West Sedona, on Dry Creek Road and into Boynton Canyon. You are reminded of famous movies filmed here, where the closest vortex is, what the names of the rock formations are and just how beautiful Sedona is, even from a window.

You get to stop a couple of times and get out, take some pictures and the whole time the driver narrates and tells you what key things are going on, where to find great rattlesnake appetizers, sculptures, coffee, etc. It’s just a lot of fun- we had Frank as our driver and he even let our little guy ring the bell.

I must say- if you are coming to Sedona or you live here- venture into Uptown, it’s easy to find parking, and take the Trolley tour. It’s so much fun, and it reminded me of all the reasons I moved here. All aboard!

SedonaTrolley.com

 

Sedona Marathon February 6, 2010

The 5th Annual Sedona Marathon will take place on Saturday February 6, 2010. The race is growing rapidly and Race Director Karen Livesay predicts a banner year. Yours truly- trusty PR gal Heather Hermen will be running the half marathon. This will be my fourth time running it.

In its four year history the marathon has received international acclaim, Japanese sports reporter Hajime Nishi has named the event one of his top ten favorite world-wide marathons and National Geographic Adventurer Magazine featured it as one of the great “instant weekend adventures.”

Self proscribed marathon junkie and winner of the 2009 race, Chuck Engle said of the Sedona Marathon, “The Sedona Marathon was deceptively challenging amazingly beautiful and incredibly fun. Definitely a must do marathon.”

The Sedona Marathon has quickly gained international recognition not only for its breathtaking course but also as a training opportunity.  It has drawn several Olympic competitors including Beijing Triathlon Silver Medal winner Simon Whitfield.

For more information please visit their website: sedonamarathon.com. You can sign up or find out how to volunteer. If you’re going to be coming for the race to run, cheer or watch email me and let me know: hhermen@sedonachamber.com.

 

Something New in Sedona?

Are you looking for something new and different this week?

An exciting evening workshop “Exploring Past Lives” will be presented by Craig Junjulas on Wednesday January 13^th at 7:30 pm. It will be held at the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, in Sedona. For information call Craig at: (928) 282-8981.

“Our existence is woven through the fabric of time and space. Our mysterious connections to the past can be explored as a form of personal therapy and to provide inspiration for our spiritual growth. Experience the exciting world of past lives using guided meditation, creative visualization and clairvoyance. Demonstrations will be given for seeing and reading past lives by gazing directly at a person, while in a heightened state. Discover more of yourself in this informative, fun and experiential workshop.  The cost is $10.”

This presentation is one of the many Higher Self Discovery metaphysical programs that blend down to earth information on metaphysical topics with powerful firsthand experiences.

For over twenty-five years Craig Junjulas has taught metaphysical classes that promote personal growth, psychic awareness, and spiritual development.   Craig has the ability to initiate others into directly perceiving and experiencing higher dimensions using techniques that are relaxing, healing and transformational.

Craig Junjulas is an author, lecturer, psychic consultant and spiritual counselor who has taught classes and offered private sessions for over thirty years.  He is the author of‘Psychic Tarot’, the popular companion book for the classic, ‘Aquarian Tarot Deck’ and the Novel, “Ian: The Boy”. Craig is the founder of the Sedona Metaphysical Spiritual Association, a chamber of commerce affinity group.

Visit the website for more information: www.higherselfdiscovery.com.

 

Snow in Sedona

We had snow in Sedona, Arizona this week. It was a beautiful sight and has already melted. But, we wanted to share our photos that we took yesterday of the amazing views.

On behalf of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy the pics.

 

Sedona Moments

It’s that time again- time to share some Sedona Moments that Michelle- our Director of Marketing has gathered from our newsletter responses. We would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Holidays and happy reading!

“I am always inspired when I hear the mention of “Sedona”. I love the beautiful red rock formations, the enchanting oak creek canyon and even the Native American’s up the highway selling their jewelry. It is all inspirational. I also appreciate your emails and invites to your lovely area. I only wished I lived closer, as it is a two day drive from South Texas, but be assured, we will be back in the very near future.” Otto & Anna

“One of my most beautiful Sedona moments is when I hike around Bell Rock/Courthouse
Butte and take time to meditate approximately halfway around…it’s been proven to reduce
my blood pressure!!!!! It’s impossible to pick out any one thing, though, it’s all so awesome.” Doug

 

Bridal Show Coming to Sedona

Brides, engaged couples, corporations, wedding and event planners, destination management or anyone thinking about hosting/planning a Sedona event – this is for you!  January 17, 2010 10:00 am to 4:00 pm beginning at Tlaquepaque (if you are not coming up from Phoenix in the limo busses).  You will be shuttled between Tlaquepaque, L’Auberge and Amara by the Sedona Shuttle.  Meet a variety of quality wedding and event vendors from Sedona and the surrounding area.  Taste local cuisine, try fabulous cakes, enjoy the fragrance of exquisite floral designers and learn about the activities that Sedona offers.  Brides can enter a drawing for a Fabulous Sedona Wedding w/gifts valued at more than $40,000!  They’ll see how affordable a fabulous Sedona wedding actually is, and meet the vendors that can help them create their dream wedding.  For more information go to www.SedonaBridalShow.com or call Bobbie at 602-750-6517 or e-mail BobbieTWC@gmail.com.

 

Luminarias in Sedona- Something to Experience

6,000 golden-hued luminarias will punctuate every wall, balcony, patio, plaza and cobbled stone walkway in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village for the 36^th annual Festival of Lights, Saturday, December 12th from 3 to 8 pm. Fabulous family entertainment from traditional Christmas favorites to mariachis and the breathtaking harmonies of the River of Life Tabernacle Choir starts Friday night in the Tlaquepaque Chapel and continues Saturday afternoon and evening.

Cancer survivors are honored and those that lost their lives to cancer are remembered as friends and families dedicate a luminaria in their name for a small donation that benefits American Cancer Society. Saturday at 5:00 pm, at the tolling of the bells, candles will be handed out to everyone. Admission is free, as is the Sedona Trolley service from the uptown Municipal parking lot to Tlaquepaque, available throughout the festival hours.

For more information call (928) 282-4838, visit: www.tlaq.com and for your online shopping convenience anytime, www.shoptlaq.com.

 

Festival of Trees- Starts Friday

A Christmas tree bedecked with brightly painted recycled light bulbs of every kind? A splendid “angel tree” made of scrap roofing tin for protruding wings? Or how about a tree resembling a saguaro cactus decorated with chili pepper lights and intricately handcrafted gourds? What gives? It’s Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Trees, back for a second year.

Last year if you missed the wildly creative inspirations of local artists using Christmas trees as their three-dimensional canvases, you’re in for a treat. The popular event/fundraiser kicks off the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 27 ^th and runs through to Sunday, December 6 ^th , 2009 at the Arts & Crafts Village. The public is warmly invited to attend the free event.

Local well known artists and Tlaquepaque galleries have been madly preparing to wow the crowds with their own artistic interpretations of this year’s theme: “The Inspired Tree.” Numerous galleries have entered their own artistic themes: Isadora, with Christmas Flight; Feliz Navidad with Christmas in the Desert and Festive Baby Socorro; Eclectic Images presents Angel of Kindness; El Prado’s theme is Partridge in a Pear Tree by popular sculptor Mike Medow; Gifted Hands presents The Earth’s Christmas.

The dazzling tree creations will be situated on the upper terrace of Patio del Norte and in Patio de las Campanas. The good news is that you can bid on one of your favorite trees and know that the proceeds are helping others and saving lives. Funds from the tree sales will benefit Toys For Tots, Camp Soaring Eagle, The Humane Society of Sedona, and Desert Star Charter School. Get a jump on holiday shopping by bidding on some wonderful gift items as well—from Tlaquepaque galleries and shops—at the silent auction tables where proceeds will also help the designated organizations.

To help youngsters in the area who may be facing a bleak Christmas everyone is encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy. The Toys for Tots folks will provide gift-wrapping and deliver them to the kids in time for Christmas.

“Last year was such a great success we are really happy to be hosting the Festival of Trees again this year. Its a wonderful way to both celebrate the coming of Christmas and the incredible artistic talent we have here in Sedona. Lots of fun events for the whole family and kids in particular have been planned during the week.   So come on out and get in the spirit,” suggests Wendy Lippman managing partner of Tlaquepaque.

Be sure to bring the kids for a photo with Santa and create seasonal decorations using vibrantly colored paints on a wide variety of bisqueware pottery. Sedona’s Imagine Art will be set up at Patio de las Campanas to help everyone make a one-of-a-kind tree ornament or prepare a special gift. Click here for more information.