Sedona, AZ — By Tommy Acosta …

Waking up to such a grey and dreary day sets the tone for today’s installment.

Thinking about Sedona families standing in the morning cold outside the community food banks and my heart and good will go to those in need.

I saw this cartoon yesterday where a couple is sitting at a dinner table. He is eating dog food and she is eating cat food.

He says, “I remember when being called a cat-person or dog-person meant something else.”

At first I laughed and then I realized it was not funny. It was tragic. The lesson here is to keep in mind the growing number of Americans who this Christmas have nothing more to look forward to but survival and a few scraps of food for themselves and family.

I also thought of pets whose owners do not have enough money to buy food for them.

Maybe a food bank for pets could be started as well. Not trying to be funny here. There is a real need.

It’s refreshing to see a unanimous vote by the council. The expansion of L’Auberge was approved Tuesday, Dec. 9, by a 7-0 vote.

No big surprise here.

Also, the city plans to partially dip into its reserves to meet its projected budgetary shortfalls.

As if that wasn’t expected either.

What is very important to keep in mind is the new Arizona law mandating Arizona license plates not be covered, even partially.

Went out and checked my cars and found one in violation. People got to make sure the state name on their plates is not covered by the license-plate cover.

There will be a warning-grace period through January in Sedona but after that vehicles in violation are fair game for law enforcement and carry a $110-$200 fine.

Out-of-state visitors with out-of-state plates don’t have to worry about the law.

Let’s hope tourists from Arizona visiting Sedona are aware of the law lest they be given a good excuse not to visit again.

There’s an awesome cartoon on the editorial page of the Red Rock News today depicting a huge buffed-out executioner wielding an ax (symbolizing the anti-light contingent) facing off with a shorter, very-much-out-of-shape character depicting the city council.

Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words.

In closing, we need to acknowledge the incredible feat of engineering those constructing the bridge at the “Y” and the road leading to and away from it have achieved.

Got to admit it is quite an accomplishment in the short-amount of time they have been at it even though it appears the roadways will need quite a bit of maintenance and repair once the job is complete.

Let’s see how the asphalt holds up through the thaw and freeze of the winter. Keep an eye on the condition of the roadways when traveling to and back from the Village of Oak Creek. Consider how recently they were completed and how they are holding up.

Don’t forget tonight’s blues show at Olde Sedona Bar & Grill on 89A (across from New Frontiers).

The show starts at 7 p.m. I’ll be playing with a group of local musicians. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.