Cindy Cole is a freelancer for the Independent. She is a writer, editor, photographer and artist. Reach her at cindycole@live.com.
The first time I met John Soderberg, he was dressed in a red Santa suit with a pillow stuffed in the belly and his natural white hair and beard framing his gentle eyes under the Santa hat. Every kid waiting in line to receive a gift from him and tell him their most heartfelt wishes believed beyond a doubt he was the real thing. And, in his life, he has proven them right, with or without the Santa suit.
After suffering significant sun damage during a Grand Canyon trek, Anita Marcus began looking for ways to repair her skin. As she became familiar with laser technology, it sparked a passion.
Long-time Sedona resident Michele Braun has something extra special to celebrate this Mother’s Day. It’s also her 100th birthday.
The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival takes place from April 21-24 at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Festivities include field trips, a family day, guided birding activities and a BioBlitz for recording observations.
March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the first Verde Valley Stand Down will take place at the Cottonwood Recreation Center and Garrison Park.
The Northern Arizona Blues Alliance has partnered with the Camp Verde Pecan & Wine Festival to present The Verde Valley Roots and Blues Fest. It will take place in Camp Verde on March 19 and 20 at the Camp Verde Pecan and Wine Festival located at 75 E. Hollamon St.
Premier Lab Solutions, out of Phoenix, entered into a partnership with Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) to provide free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the NAH Medical Centers in Cottonwood and Camp Verde as well as four other Northern Arizona locations.
Tammy Hamada of Cottonwood has started Who Bakes Cookies, a new home-based bakery offering delicious decorative cookies for sale.
World-renowned artist and actor Robert Shields, a resident of Clarkdale, recently joined The Hart of Arizona Art Gallery in Old Town Cottonwood. Gallery owner Viki Norris will host a meet and greet with Shields and other area artists at the gallery on Friday, Feb. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.
When thinking about weddings, a lot of things may come to mind from exotic destinations to intimate family settings. Many wedding traditions seem timeless while others may come and go. And it’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the wedding industry with prevailing precautions about travel, vaccinations, available venues and gathering size.
