What’s Happening in the Verde Valley: Aug. 1

Three-Part Resume Writing Workshop on Wednesdays

Join us in The Center at Camp Verde Community Library for a Three-Part Resume Writing Workshop taking place on Wednesdays from 2:30-4 p.m. starting August 15th and ending on August 29.  Each workshop will have a different focus:

August 15th:  Linda Brannock, Career Coach at Yavapai College will discuss what information you should include in a successful resume and what you probably leave out and why.  She will also discuss resume formats.

August 22nd:  Mindy Brigham, Career Advisor from Goodwill Industries of Central & Northern Arizona will show us the various resume writing and job finding tools offered by Goodwill Industries.

August 29th:   Gerry Laurito, Librarian at the Camp Verde Community Library will demonstrate resources available at the library for writing resumes, and finding jobs. 

These 90-minute sessions will have time for questions and answers and some individual attention.  The goal of these sessions will be that each participant leaves with a usable resume or one that is better than what they walked in with.

Camp Verde Community Library is located at 130 Black Bridge Rd., Camp Verde, AZ.  For more information about this or any other program in the library, please contact us at (928) 554-8380.

Garden group offers primer on mycology

Do you know what mycology is?  It’s the study of fungi – mushrooms. Lori Decker will be discussing mushroom cultivation on August 9th.  Let’s learn how to grow our own mushrooms.  Everyone is invited to come meet with people in the Verde Valley who are interested in gardening.  Are you an experienced gardener, new to gardening or maybe just thinking about trying to grow some veggies, herbs and flowers. The meeting starts at 6 pm in the community room of Pine Shadows Mobile Home Park, 2050 W. Hwy. 89A, on the way to Clarkdale.  For more info, please contact Janice Montgomery at 928-634-7172.

Vendor space available for artists, arts & crafts vendors, local businesses, non-profits

It’s not really like Oktoberfest although there is beer involved. It’s Clarkdale’s unique event, a fall festival that is a street fair/concert/beer garden and a fun time for all and of course live music! On Saturday, October 6, 2018 from 1pm to 9 pm.  New this year is the addition of the Northern Arizona Blues Festival from 1-5 pm.   And we will be having again “Dogtoberfest” - the Clarkdale dog event, with Clarktoberfest. There will be lots of fun for dogs, kids and adults - For more information visit Clarktoberfest website: http://www.clarktoberfestaz.com

 We began this tradition in 2014 and we expect our 5th Annual to be another success. Clarktoberfest is brought to you by the Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance and The Clarkdale Foundation.

Vendor space is available! Vendors will be provided a 10x10 space on the street – you will bring your own tent, tables, chairs, etc.  The cost of the booth space will be $25 with your business license or $30 for those without a business license.  If you are interested in a booth space you can go to http://www.clarktoberfestaz.com and “CLICK” on Participants Forms to complete our online application then mail a check to us or email us at clarkdalefoundation@gmail.com  and we will email back to you a vendor application. 

Also share this invitation to any other local businesses, non-profits, artists or arts & craftspeople you know.

Bat Blitz at Tuzigoot National Monument

The National Park Service would like to invite the public to the Tuzigoot Bat Blitz! Join us for the free event on Friday, August 10, 7-9:30 p.m., for a peek inside the life of the only flying mammal in the world.

The evening will begin with at 7 p.m. with special guest speaker Colin Sobek from Northern Arizona University. Attendees can learn about the latest research methods that biologists use to study bats.

After the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to observe wildlife biologists in action as they catch and collect data on the bats that use Tuzigoot Pueblo as a night roost. Rangers will also lead bat walks on the Tavasci Marsh trail at 7:45, 8:15, and 8:45 p.m. These walks will feature the latest technology in bat species identification through echolocation.

Upper Verde fire agencies to host car seat clinic

Saturday, August 4th, Verde Valley Fire District and Cottonwood Fire & Medical Department will host a car seat clinic at Station 31, 2700 Godard Road in Cottonwood. The station is at the corner of Highway 260 and Godard Road, 1 mile south of Wal-Mart. Parents are encouraged to stop by to have their car seats installed, to ask questions about car seat safety, or simply check to see if your car seat is safely installed to properly protect their child. You must have the child with you to assure that they are in an appropriate seat for their size. This clinic will run from 8 a.m. to noon, with certified technicians available, and no appointment is necessary.

Thanks to a grant which we received from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, as well as a donation from Wal-Mart, Verde Valley Fire will have some car seats available to replace broken or inadequate car seats for those who are unable to afford a new car seat. Once again, the child must be present at the clinic to qualify. For more information call Jennifer at 634-2578.

Camp Verde Quilter’s Group

The Camp Verde Quilter’s Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:30 a.m.., at the Denny’s restaurant located at 1630 W. Highway 260, Camp Verde, Arizona. Please join us to discuss quilts and quilting. We meet monthly to share ideas and plans for the Bi-Annual Quilt Show which is held during the Fort Verde Days Celebration. The next Quilt Show is on Friday & Saturday, October 12 & 13, 2018. We also share quilt projects we are working on or have completed, please bring your projects to share with us. All quilters are welcome! Our next meeting is on Monday, August 13.

ECK Light and Sound Service at Camp Verde Community Library

ECKANKAR, The Path of Spiritual Freedom, Presents: The ECK Light and Sound Service, “Steps To Self-Mastery.” Join people from all walks of life to celebrate a life lived in harmony with Divine Spirit. Dynamic speakers and original creative arts demonstrate the gifts found through the daily practice of the spiritual principles taught in Eckankar.

Find out how singing HU, an ancient name for God, can open your heart to God’s love. You are invited to come and experience spiritual growth and fellowship as you explore what could be your next spiritual step.

The service is followed by fellowship, and will be held on Saturday, August 18th, at the Camp Verde Community Library, in the Terracotta Room. Eckankar welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. The service is from 11 a.m. to noon. Camp Verde Community Library is located at 130 Black Bridge Rd, Camp Verde.

For any questions or further information, call Arizona Satsang Society, Inc.  1-877-300-4949

Interpretive dance classes at Jerome’s Red Bench Gallery & Photo Studio

Red Bench Gallery & Photo Studio is offering a Community Dance & Movement opportunity, inviting participants into deep exploration of movement as inquiry, discovery, prayer and play---an invitation to play in the field in co-creation with others. Gently guided. No experience required. 

Starting on September 4th, 2018:  The group meets every Tuesday from 6- 8 p.m. at Red Bench Gallery & Photo Studio, located in the Jerome Art Center; 885 Hampshire Avenue, Building A, Studio 306, Jerome, AZ.   Admission is $10. No one is turned away.

Verde Valley Seed Library opens August 4

Time for starting seeds for Fall/Winter veggies, herbs and flowers.  The Verde Valley Seed Library opens on August 4 with a great selection of Fall/Winter seeds.  Seeds can be started indoors and information will also be available for seed planting dates and suggestions for starting seeds outdoors when the weather turns cool. These include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, and many more.  So come on in and get your favorite Fall/Winter vegetable, herb and flower seeds.  Come visit the Verde Valley Seed Library open on August 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cottonwood Public Library, 100 S. 6th St., Cottonwood.

Do you know what a Seed Library is?  It’s a collection of open-pollinated seeds, which are seeds that can be saved.  The free seeds can be checked out so you can grow the plants, let some go to seed, save some of the seeds and donate them back to the Seed Library after the growing season so we can keep the program going.  Then another gardener can check them out for the next growing season.  Eventually, these seeds become adapted to our soil and climate and are more productive.  Come choose some free veggie, herb or flower seeds to grow in your garden.  Planting date guides area also available.  Experienced gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions. 

For more information, please email us at VerdeValleySeedLibrary@gmail.com. 

Basic ESL Class at Cottonwood Library

Do you need help improving your English language skills? The Cottonwood Public Library is offering a free Basic ESL Class for students of all ages.

This informal class begins at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7 and continues every Tuesday through September 25.

No registration is necessary and drop-ins are welcome.

The library is located at 100 S 6th St in Cottonwood.

For more information on library services please visit www.ctwpl.info or find them on Facebook.

Real-World Technology Forum at Cliff Castle Hotel/Casino

Real-World Technology Forum: Thursday, August 9. Registration starts at 2:30 p.m., event promptly at 3 p.m.

Location: Cliff Castle Hotel/Casino 555 W Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde.

Featuring: Aaron Wagner, Net Concepts AZ

About the forum: We will address how Net Concepts’ holistic toolbox effectively deals with cybersecurity threats that affect organizations of all sizes.

Wagner is President/CEO of Net Concepts, an information security firm based in Phoenix, AZ, established in 1998. Aaron spoke at F-Secure’s SPECIES ‘18

Cyber Security Conference in May. He is passionate about keeping organizations and people vigilant and protected from risk with sustainable and streamlined tools.

Please contact Claire Wagner at cwagner@ncarizona.net or 602-404-1520 for more information.

Visit www.ncarizona.net.

Dinner will be served, specially prepared by Chef Hector Vazquez

Special Discounted Room Rate available for guests attending this event.

Voter Registration Drive

at Cottonwood Library

The 2018 Arizona Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 28. The 2018 General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 6. The League of Women Voters of the Greater Verde Valley will be at the Cottonwood Public Library on three separate occasions helping to register as many voters as possible. They will have a table set up inside the parking lot lobby.             

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to public service in the field of government. It is a national organization -- open to both men and women -- whose purpose is to encourage political responsibility through informed and active participation in government. The League influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League never supports or opposes political parties or candidates for elective offices.

You can register to vote at the library on Tuesday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will also have the opportunity to register on Tuesday, September 18 and Wednesday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The library is located at 100 S 6th St in Cottonwood. For more information on library services please visit www.ctwpl.info or find them on Facebook.

Preseason practice sessions for Cottonwood Community Band

Dust off your band instruments and join the Cottonwood Community Band during their preseason practices scheduled for Monday evenings August 6, 13, and 20 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Cottonwood Community School (formerly Cottonwood Middle School) Band Room. All community instrumentalists who have at least played at one time in their high school band and who wish to regain and develop their musical ability are invited to attend.  If you no longer have an instrument, the Cottonwood Community Band has instruments that have been generously donated by community members to lend to interested musicians.

The Band will provide instructional materials for use by those attending. 

Each 2½ hour session will be divided into two ability levels. From 6:30-7:20 p.m., the focus will be on basic rhythm, tone production, and basic technique.  From 7:30-9, more advanced techniques such as intonation, major and minor keys, swing rhythms, and counting in odd meters will be the focus.

Dr. Sy Brandon, conductor of the Cottonwood Community Band, will provide the instruction. Brandon has many years of experience working with musicians from elementary level through professional.

The purpose of the preseason is to provide an opportunity for members of the band to work together on fundamental musical concepts in an enjoyable manner and to learn more about the how and why of music. It is hoped that the learning obtained during the preseason would carry over into concert preparation therefore enabling the music to be learned at a faster pace.

An additional purpose is to provide a training opportunity for instrumentalists in the community who want to refresh or develop their skills so that they could eventually play in the Cottonwood Community Band.

Space is limited, so please contact the band at CottonwoodCommunityBand@Gmail.com to express interest in attending or to request additional information.

Preparing for Fort Verde Days Quilt Show

The Fort Verde Days Quilt Show will be coming to Camp Verde, Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, as part of the Fort Verde Days celebration. The show will be at the old downtown gym at Main Street and Hollamon.

Besides displaying the work of local quilters, the show will also have 3 quilt raffles. Two flower basket quilts by Liz Mulbarger will be raffled to benefit the Bread of Life Missions. Liz passed away on September 11, 2016. She had worked as an employee at Quilter’s Store Sedona, and was a very talented, positive and generous person. A third quilt will be raffled to benefit the Camp Verde Library.

There is still time to enter your quilt(s) in the show. Anyone who has a quilt or quilts that they have made or that have been passed down through family is invited to enter this biannual event. This is a great opportunity to showcase the work of quilters in the Verde Valley and Sedona area.

Those with questions or wanting an entry form are asked to call Peg Miller at 928-567-5322, or Betty Rudd at 928-567-3860. General guidelines and return information can be found on the form. Entry forms must be filled out and returned by September 7.

Weekly Trauma Support Groups throughout Verde Valley

The Verde Valley Sanctuary is pleased to announce expanded support groups throughout the Verde Valley. Verde Valley Sanctuary Victim Advocates will conduct “A Time to Talk,” Violence Based Support Groups in Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Sedona every week.

“A Time To Talk” is open to all individuals who have experienced any form of violence and or trauma in their lifetime. The goal is to provide a safe, open space for survivors of violence and their families to talk about their common experience and enhance coping skills for dealing with trauma. The meeting has a non-judgmental and supportive environment that fosters self-empowerment and emotional healing.

Sessions are free of charge and no registration is necessary.

Cottonwood: Mondays, 10 am to 11:30 am, V.V.S. Outreach Center, 610 W. Mingus Ave.

Spanish Speaking Cottonwood: Mondays, 6 pm, V.V.S. Legal Office, 675 E. Cottonwood St.

Camp Verde: Tuesdays, noon to 1:30 pm, Camp Verde Library, 130 Black Bridge Loop Rd.

Sedona: Thursdays, 6:30 pm to 8 pm, ChocolaTree, 1595 West Hwy 89A

For more information call the Verde Valley Sanctuary Outreach Center (928) 634-6255.

The Verde Valley Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, assisting and empowering victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. All services are provided completely free of charge and funded through charitable donations. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.VerdeValleySanctuary.org