Sedona’s ST.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan
Out and About in Sedona
Let me tell you, those folks at Hillside know how to throw a party!
For those of you who don’t live here, believe me when I say that we Sedonans are really happy that Highway 179 is DONE! And why a party to celebrate the end of road construction? If you lived here, you would understand that Sedona celebrates easier left hand turns especially after a busy day of shopping, sunshine, music and friendly faces.
Now on to the festivities of this past weekend! Balloons and colorful hand-painted umbrellas by The Umbrella Project lined the Sedona city walls along Hwy 179 to let everyone know a party was waiting up on the hill at The Shops at Hillside, located on Hwy 179 about a 1/4 mile or less from the roundabout on 89A.
Yours truly was greeted by the great people over at Shugrue’s Hillside Grill who had a tent offering Jerk Chicken sandwiches that had a sweet heat, homemade potato chips and lemonade to wash it all down, perfect on a hot Sedona summer day! Thank you, Meagan!
Looking over my shoulder, I followed the umbrellas to the next booth. 
The Umbrella Project is a global educational non-profit organization started by Hilda Brown. All of the umbrellas start out as white and are hand-painted with non-toxic markers by healthy, ill and or challenged children in the effort to share their artistic vision with each other and the world. Completed one-of-a-kind umbrellas are given for donation to local events and after expenses are met, gifted back to participating communities to benefit children in need. Hilda said that children gain self-esteem through knowing that their art can contribute to the welfare of another child, and that they can personally make a difference on the planet through their creativity.
Way to go Hilda Brown and kids! For more information on how you, or your child can make a difference at www.umbrellaproject.org. Tell them Hollywood Jim at the Sedona Times sent you!
Hilda, what is that I hear? Is that the earthy rhythms of a blues band performing beckoning me up the Hillside stairway?
Heaven, it was none other than The Cat Black Band with sultry singer Cat Black accompanied on lead guitar by the fantastic Dr. Ishii, bass rhythms played by none other than Les Argoff and drums by Dr. Gino. Every seat was filled with watchers, listeners, and body shakers and movers enjoying fine music on a hot Hillside afternoon. If you missed The Cat Black Band performance, get thyself to the Coconino County Fair in Flagstaff on September 5 at 2:15 PM! You can also check out the Cat Black Band tour schedule at www.myspace.com/catblackband.
After The Cat Black Band performance, I discovered the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona booth. Sedona Branch Manager Chris Quasula and friends were more than gracious and working hard to raise money for the B&G Clubs by selling hamburgers and hot-dogs. They also got their groove on by boppin’ to the beats in the air! Say hello to Chris and see if you can make a difference at cquasula@apositiveplace.org.
I began to notice every kind of dog wearing bandannas, and the dressed-up pups were leading people throughout Hillside. So what’s going on, I asked a lady and her furry companion? This nice woman explained that the canine cohorts were available for adoption at The Sedona Humane Society. Can ya help a dog out, folks? Every dog there was friendly as heck and would make a great addition to any family. Go to the humanesocietyofsedona.com and see if one of these friendly guys can help bring you the unconditional love that we all need.
The Javelina Cantina with general manager Jessica Herrera was out in force to let everyone know Javelina has some of the best Mexican food in Sedona! Can I get a hola for the Cantina? You know where they’re at, peeps…find them on The Hillside!
To cool off on a really hot Sedona afternoon, I went in search of and to meet the awesome people who do business on The Hill. I have to give a shout out to several people who made my day cooler and memorable:
Joseph at Santa Fe Savvy greeted me enthusiastically and showed me his awesome gallery of Southwest sensations that had my friend ready to redecorate. A lot of the furnishings are made in Arizona and are truly one-of-a-kind. The Sante Fe Savvy gallery is stunning to say the least. Joseph also shared his take on the completion of Hwy 179 and is proud to be a Hillside business member. None of that pushy sales chat from anyone there–they were just happy that I came in to say hello. I love that! Go see for yourself the style Santa Fe Savvy can bring to your life and home at santafesavvy.com.
My friend is also a jewelry girl so we had to stop in and see the Mineral & Fossil Gallery hosted by Cindy. The prices are off-the-chain low and the selection unbelievable. That day was a trunk show of Goodluck Amber that colored us with honey dreams. Cindy, I still have my eye on that turquoise cross ring! (Come on Twenty One!)
My friend and I ended our Hillside business tour with a stop at Spirit of The Andes. My friend fell in love with and purchased a handmade golden-yellow shawl because Gancarla made sure Janette got the best price possible. Beautiful!
Lastly, I enjoyed meeting the Property Manager of The Hillside, Karen Reynolds. Karen shared her sweet relief that the 179 was finally completed and ready for an awesome season of locals, tourists and people just out for a great time of shopping and dining at The Hillside. Shopping and dining without the headache of a bulldozer working in the distance kind of sweet relief!
Many of us thought twice before venturing out to Hillside and the other shopping areas along Hwy 179 because of construction, but now the construction is over and it is time to rediscover our Sedona shopping treasures. The Hillside has awesome restaurants and great stores with something for everyone! The Hillside also has waterfalls, places to relax and sit outdoors, great places to eat and plenty of shops to explore.
Did I mention the view of the red rocks from the Hillside? It is truly one of the most stunning in Sedona and alone worth the drive, but it’s the people at Hillside that make you glad that you drove in.
Thank you, Hillside, for a lovely Sedona party. Hollywood Jim loves you!
If you need more information or just have a question about my day at Hillside, let me know at HollywoodJim@SedonaEye.com. Talked to Anita from The Center for New Age opposite Tlaquepaque today, and she sends love and light to her neighbors at The Hillside and wishes everyone continued success!
The Out and About Series is a weekly series of the Sedona Times Publishing c2010.
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