Public Information Officer Adam Curtis, Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek, and Library, Recreation, & Cultural Services Manager Emily Duchon, will share two ways you can explore the ocean this summer without burning gas money for an actual trip to the beach.

City of Sierra Vista Chief Information Officer Abe Rubio joins us to discuss efforts to protect the City from cyber threats, to include an innovative partnership with the University of Arizona College of Applied Science & Technology. We'll also share how to practice good cyber safety yourself at home and in the office! 

In our final episode of 2021, podcast host and City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Leisure, and Library Director Laura Wilson and Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melany Edwards-Barton. Together we talk about how the City and Chamber are partnering to combine two of Sierra Vista’s favorite holiday traditions.

Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones as we discuss an exciting new project now under construction.

Sierra Vista Police Department Public Information Officer Cpl. Scott Borgstadt joins us in this episode to discuss the launch of Better Bucks of Sierra Vista.

We're looking to the stars in this episode as we highlight how the Henry F. Hauser Museum is partnering with the Huachuca Astronomy Club and Patterson Observatory to celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope! Museum curator Elizabeth Wrozek is joined by NASA Solar System Ambassador Ted Forte to share exciting news about an out-of-this-world multi-site exhibition and many special events in October all tied to the Webb Telescope. Forte is a longtime member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club and serves as director of the Patterson Observatory located on the University of Arizona Sierra Vista Campus. We discuss the thriving local amateur astronomy community, just what makes the Webb Telescope such a big deal, and how the museum strives to engage the community with local history. For details about the exhibition and events, check out our Fall Vistas newsletter.  HIGHLIGHTS Interview begins (01:25) Elizabeth, can you share how this multi-faceted celebration of the James Webb Telescope Launch came about and why you think it’s a good fit for Sierra Vista? (01:30) How did the Huachuca Astronomy Club get involved? (02:00) What’s the amateur astronomy scene like in our area? (02:54) What makes the launch of this telescope such a landmark event in the astronomy world? (05:08) Why an “Infrared” telescope? (06:23) Multi-site exhibits at four City facilities explore different facets of the James Webb Telescope research. (08:15) What were some of the issues the Hubble Space Telescope experienced and how does the Webb Telescope adapt to those lessons learned? (09:37) Why send the James Webb Telescope so far away that it can’t be serviced? (11:15) What happens to the spacecraft after it runs out of fuel? (12:42) Why is it coated in gold? (13:13) When does the Webb Telescope launch? (14:03) Elizabeth, will the exhibits stay up until the launch and what happens to the exhibits after they are pulled down at City facilities? (15:05) Why did you decide to host the Webb exhibit across multiple facilities? (16:14) Contribution of the University of Arizona to the Webb telescope. (18:15) Huachuca Astronomy Club meeting at Cochise College. (19:08) What are some of the Webb Telescope events people won’t want to miss in October? (19:50) City star party in Veterans Memorial Park. (19:58) Sensory Space Exploration program at the Ethel H. Berger Center. (20:20) Webb Telescope launch party at the Patterson Observatory. (20:21) Ted Forte’s presentation on the Webb Telescope at the Sierra Vista Public Library. (25:13) And before we sign off, Elizabeth can you share some of the recent updates to the Henry F. Hauser Museum and remind folks about the exhibit currently on display? (25:46) Outro (29:01) Local citizens are encouraged to join the conversation by asking questions, offering comments, and suggesting future topics. To share your thoughts, email [email protected].

In this episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista, we kick off our fall season with Community Development Director Matt McLachlan and delve into longstanding efforts to revitalize the West End.

We're taking a summer break in July, but you can look forward to the next full episode of Let's Talk Sierra Vista in August. In the meantime, why not take this opportunity to catch up on some of our recent episodes? In this short episode, Public Information Officer Adam Curtis provides a brief preview of this year's Spotlight Breakfast, which we're pleased to announce will take place in-person at the Sierra Vista campus of Cochise College on the morning of Tuesday, August 10. Reserve your seat today! We'll talk again in August.

City budgets can be tricky to understand and even harder to explain. But it's worth the effort! Amid the many moving pieces are important decisions, projects, and stories that matter to our community. This week we dive into the City’s Tentative Budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 with Assistant City Manager Victoria Yarbrough to share how the budget process works and talk about the highlights in plain language. We cover the latest news on exciting projects like upcoming improvements on West Fry Boulevard and other key items included in the Tentative Budget. We also put everything in context, so citizens can understand how the City’s conservative fiscal philosophy, especially in good times, has helped it weather difficult economic times better than most. Highlights: Budget 101, clearing up a sometimes counterintuitive process (0:59) The tentative budget totals more then $115 million, which is much higher than last year’s budget of $86.7 million. Find out what accounts for the increase and why a simple budget total comparison often offers a misleading picture. (7:30) Discussing how the increased cost of construction materials has impacted City projects, while sharing some good news the West Fry Boulevard Improvement Project. (13:03) How the City’s conservative budgeting philosophy even in good times helps The City get through the difficult times. (29:21) Describing how the City continues to take a proactive approach to handle the costs associated with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. (34:43) Local citizens are encouraged to join the conversation by asking questions, offering comments, and suggesting future topics. To share your thoughts, email [email protected]. 

In-person activities are back and the library is open to serve the community. Libraries are beloved centers of learning and enrich our lives by providing access to knowledge, technology, and community activities. In this episode, we are joined by Youth Services Librarian Erica Merritt and Arts, Culture, and Education Division Manager Emily Duchon to discuss how the library is still adapting to serve customers today. We talk about the lessons they learned from serving patrons despite restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Summer Reading Program is up and running with a variety of events and activities as we celebrate the animal kingdom with this year’s theme of Tails and Tales. Find everything you need to know to participate, from winning weekly prizes to community events and much more.   Highlights:   Information about this year’s Summer Reading Program (1:12)  What is the mission for the Summer Reading Program and why is it offered for all ages? (5:00)  Events people can look forward for this year’s Summer Reading Program (8:20)   What was it like to adapt library services to the COVID-19 pandemic? (10:15)  Learn about artwork popping up in the library’s botanical garden (17:42)  The Cultural Diversity Commission and Youth Commission are seeking members (22:06)  What does the library have to offer besides books? (23:43)