01/01/09-New Year’s Day–Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week, you can begin paving hell with them as usual (Mark Twain).

01/05/09-The Fiesta Bowl:-Come early, so that you can come up to Sedona, and engage yourself in our lively and knowledgeable expose on the upcoming Fiesta Bowl!!

01/08/09-”It’s All About Your Brain Waves” (www.sedonacreativelifecenter.com)

01/11/09-Biava Quartet (www.chambermusicsedona.com) or (www.sedonaartsalliance.org)

01/10/09-The Arizona Cardinals have advanced in the NFL playoffs, and will face the Carolina Panthers.

All month the Sedona Arts Center is offering lessons in oil painting, watercolors, ceramics, mosaics with expoxy resin, photography. (www.sedonaartscenter.com)

Cliff Castle Casino is about 30 minutes from us. Usually there is entertainment in the Dragon Fly Lounge. They also have a very nice bowling alley. (www.cliffcastlecasino.net)

It seems like the holiday season came on so fast and there is more to come. Pace yourselves and come to Sedona—where the life style is low key and you can catch your breath.

The Southwest Inn will be celebrating “Illumination” during the week of 12/01/08 through 12/06/08 with two exceptional presentations. Right across our parking lot, David Morrell will be at the Well Red Coyote on December 2nd (he’s the author of the Rambo series). At the Sedona Heritage Museum, Jeremy Rowe will speak on Historic Post Card Images of Arizona. This is part of the Sedona Historical Society’s Living History talks.  On December the museum will be hosting a free open house.  There will be live music in the Fruit Packing Shed and the making of corn husk dolls in the main part of the museum…what a great way to step back in time to a slower paced life.

On December 19th, right next door to our Inn, George GoodStriker (a Blackfoot Elder) will give a spiritual presentation about natural medicines and traditional sweat lodges.

Speaking of natural, Red Rock State Park is just 15 minutes from us.  Everyday they have a guided nature walk and every Saturday guided bird watching.  What a wonderful way to get outside and walk off the worries of the world.  Following this theme, the Sedona Creative Life Center (sedonacreativelife.com) is hosting many programs during the month of December regarding enriching the human heart and soul, plus a variety of musical events.

On December 12th a Holiday Concert in the Chapel will be held at Tlaquepaque from 3:00 to 7:00pm. The following night, December 13th is the Annual Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque. This is one of my personal favorites. It started over 30 years ago when Sedona was a very small town and always looking for a social reason to get together. About a week before the actual lighting, shop keepers at Tlaquepaque would be seen filling paper bags with sand and a candle. The night of the celebration, the inhabitants of this small community would go down, light the candles and then stay and share a beverage. These events are free and open to the public. For more details go to www.shoptlaq.com.

In the Sedona area, we are lucky to have several wineries. Page Springs Cellars (www.pagespringscellars.com) is having a “Gruel and Grog” event December 13 and 14.

Don’t forget while all these other events are going on, the Sedona Red Rock Fantasy (www.redrockfantasy.com) continues for the entire month of December. The weather has been most cooperative, so the nights are clear and not too cold. This is a great activity for all ages and lasts about 45 minutes. Then it’s time for hot chocolate…

The Southwest Inn will honor the tradition of “Giving” during the week of 12/14/08 through 12/20/08. To start things off, the Minnesota Vikings will be coming to town to play the Arizona Cardinals. Hope the Cardinals aren’t too relaxed about this game.

The Christmas week of 12/21/08 through 12/27/08 will be full of events.  Many local artists will be giving concerts. On the 22nd there will be an evening of storytellng at the Well Red Coyote.  There will be a presentation of Pilgramage to Bethlehem at the Wayside Chapel (www.pottershandProductions.com)  on December 19, 20 and 21st.   So, come to Sedona to take the time to reflect on the past year, celebrate your accomplishments, and spend some time with your family and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Southwest Inn. We are currently planning a variety of guided hikes and bike rides to close out the year.

The Southwest Inn will begin to kick off the New Year from 12/28/08 through 01/03/09, and we will start planning for the Fiesta Bowl on January 5th. We’re looking forward to Buckeyes and Longhorns taking a side trip to Sedona! The Seattle Seahawks will be playing the Arizona Cardinals.  How about dem Cardinals?!

The crowds are gone, the heat has dropped; but the leaves are still turning, the air is crisp at night, and you can be outside all day long. November provides some of the year’s best hiking and biking, or shopping and art gallery trips.

Our community library is right next door. It’s a beautiful building with leaded glass windows created by a local artist. From November 9-19th the library is hosting its annual Festival Of Wreaths. This year the wreath styles run from the traditional to my favorite, a wreath made of items found along the highway.

Thanksgiving is a time for families, reflection and gratitude for our many blessing. The Sedona Arts Center (SAC to the locals) is having an exhibit entitled “Abundance”. Mediums represented include pastels, fabric quilts, silver and gold jewelry, and clay.

November 20th is the opening night of Red Rock Fantasy. Red Rock Fantasy has been a part of the Sedona community for 18 years. The festival is open each evening from 4:00-10:00pm. The cost is $6/adults $4/children and for seniors $5. The proceeds benefit numerous charities here in Sedona including the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Arizona. This is a great event for all members of your family.

Many restaurants in Sedona offer live music on the weekends. These include Bistro Bella Terra, Cucina Rustica, Dahl and DiLuca, Martini Bar, Shugrue’s and Oak Creek Brewing Company.

November 17 the Mystery Book Club meets at the Well Red Coyote and on Friday, the author of “Running With Strangers” will discuss her book. There is always something going on a the Well Red Coyote.

Another place to expand your mind is the Sedona Creative Life Center. Subjects to be covered beginning November 19 are “Transforming Challenges into Blessings”, “My Stroke of Insignt”, “Marking Changes Workshop”…please visit their website for details

When you visit Sedona, keep in mind that we have a free shuttle. It is a most relaxing way to get around town.

We have noticed an increase in the number of guests asking about gluten-free restaurants. November is Gluten-Free Awareness Month so we are paying attention to this.

Every Monday, the Sedona Heritage Museum offers a demostration on old-time crafts and skills. Usually you are asked to bring your own apron, mixing bowl and mixing spoon! Sometimes a needle and thread.

October follows on the build up of energy, from September. Perhaps the most desireable month to spend some time in Sedona, with a wide variety of events and activities to choose from:

• 10/12-Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
• 10/19-26 - Plein Air Art Festival
• 10/19 - Magical Music in The Red Rocks “The Canadian Brass”
• 10/23-11/2 “Lizzie Borden Live” at the Canyon Moon Theatre
• 10/25 - Sedona Heritage Museum Arts & Crafts sale - made by local residents
• 10/25-26 Indian Artists Market - great opportunity to meet Indian artists
• 10/26 - Eddie Daniels Quartet
• 10/31 - “Spook-tacular” in Uptown Sedona 5:00pm-8:00pm
• On-going art exhibits at Sedona Arts Center

During our Fall season, many of our restaurants offer live music. Bistro Bella Terra, Oak Creek Brewing Company, Reds, Dahl & DiLuca, Martini Bar, and Shugrue’s Hillside to name just a few!

Just across the parking lot from our inn is a wonderful book store called The Well Read Coyote. This is a happening place. The owners, Joe and Kris, are very supportive of the arts here in Sedona . Quite often there will be a reading, a writer’s seminar or some type of music presentation.

Sedona is a great place to be in September. It is the beginning of our most beautiful season—Fall.

• 09/07-First Sunday at Red Rock State Park-presentation regarding Condor population in Arizona
• 09/12 - 09/14 - Raw Spirit Festival
• 09/13 - Fiesta del Tlaquepaque
• 09/14 - Moonlight Hike at Red Rock State Park - enjoy the sunset and moon rise at the same time
• 09/14 - Geology Hike at Red Rock State Park - wonderful explanation of our red rocks
• 09/14 -Grand Opening of the “new” Humane Society of Sedona.
• 09/14 -Miami Dolphens at Arizona Cardinals
• 09/12 - live music (guitar and violin) at 6:30 - right next door to us at The Well Red Coyote
• 09/13 - Fiesta del Tlaquepaque - rhythms and sounds of old Mexico
• 09/18 - Sedona-Flagstaff Symphony - in Flagstaff
• 09/20 - writing workshop and book launch for The Rose In the Snow by local writer
• 09/23-28 - Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival wonderful opportunity to listen and look
• 9/12-28 - Sedona Arts Center -variety of 2-day classes for the artist in us
• 09/20-21 - Slide Rock Apple Festival - a festival to celebrate the early history of Sedona
• More activities to come

Apart from our ongoing monthly activites, the month of August offers our guests at the Southwest Inn a chance to experience:

• 8/24-Tours of the Universe led by professional astronomers
• 8/25-Rick Daley Photography Exhibit
• 8/26-Socrates “Lives” at the Sedona Library
• 8/27-Buddha Maitreya Shambhala Group Meditation
• 8/28-Free Intro to Theta Healing
• 8/29-Walt Flory and Selywin Reams “live” at the Bistro Bella Terra
• 8/30-Running Group
• 8/30-Belly Dancing Exhibition by Madam Habib
• 8/31-”Classical Meets Jazz” by the Red Rock Music Festival

Your visit at the Southwest Inn at Sedona will open up an opportunity to participate in many of the activities that Sedona has to offer.  Please contact our concierge, for assistance of “Enhancing your Sedona Experience”.

Apart from the specific monthly activities, the following is a partial list of many of the favorite activities that are ongoing each month:

• Hiking-the Southwest Inn at Sedona lies at the vortex of many of Sedona’s best hiking trails.
• MT. Biking-you can experience world class mountain biking trails from your front door.
• Road Biking or Motorcycling-Try one of the “classic” rides, including Oak Creek Canyon.
• Out of Africa-visit Arizona’s wild animal park.
• Verde Valley Train-take a step back into time and spend a day riding on the trains.
• Wine Tours-visit one of the Northern Arizona Wineries.
• Grand Canyon-either take a day trip, or try a float trip down the Colorado River.
• Jeep Tours-one of Sedona’s most popular activities.
• Hot Air Balloon Rides-take in the scenery, from this unique location.
• Vortex Tours-spend your day with a spirtual guide, learning about Sedona’s famous Vortex formations.
• Tennis-the Southwest Inn at Sedona is just around the corner from the Sedona Racquet Club.
• Golf-Sedona has a number of high altitude golf courses, including
• Sunrise Yoga Stretching-start your day invigerated.
• Sunset Yoga Stretching-end your day relaxed for the evening.
• Shopping-enjoy shopping many of the uptown boutiques, or the wonderful village of Tac , where you will find many unique shops and many of the local art galleries.
• Jerome-take a scenic drive to the artist coloney of Jerome.