Author: Tommy

By Tommy Acosta — The world has not changed. Those who rule continue to do so, now  extremely well equipped with tools of unimaginable capabilities at their disposal. One wonders how the U.S. military, in conducting their raid on Venezuelan dictator Maduro’s compound, were able to kill more than 60 security personnel and get out safely with no casualties of their own. There had to be some secret weapon deployed that rendered the Cuban and Venezuelan security forces incapable of fighting back. And then The New York Post ran this interview with an alleged surviving Venezuelan soldier, who witnessed the…

National Theatre of London’s acclaimed new production debuts on the big screen Sedona, AZ — The National Theatre of London continues its season with its acclaimed new production of “The Fifth Step” showing in Sedona on Sunday and Wednesday, Jan. 18 and 21. The Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere at its Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLV4Ho-eCTo Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play “The Fifth Step” by David Ireland. After years in the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to…

SEDONA, Ariz. – Learn how to be more energy efficient at home and in return save money on utility bills at a free upcoming workshop. The workshop will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Library Sedona in the Community Room, located at 3250 White Bear Rd. Brief presentations from the following organizations will introduce easy-to-implement energy saving ideas that can save money on utility bills: Arizona Public Service, Arizona Water Company, CozyHome LLC and Solar United Neighbors. Attendees will learn about home energy audits, the Home Energy Retrofit Program, the Solar…

Prescott, Arizona  – Yavapai College professor of Education, Faculty Senate President, and Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisor Dr. Heather Leavitt has been with the college for only three years, but she’s surprised how much her multiple roles have increased her confidence. “I’ve always been a shy person, so I am very proud that I’ve been able to confidently step into leadership roles in recent years,” Dr, Leavitt said. “That wasn’t necessarily something I had pictured for myself, but I have been inspired by other leaders around me and have been blessed to be encouraged by colleagues.” Dr. Leavitt taught K-12…

Prescott, Arizona- – Yavapai College Professor of Mathematica Andrea Schaben moved from her native Iowa to Arizona to be closer to family. While seeking a job as an instructor at community colleges in the metro Phoenix area, a position opened at Yavapai College’s Prescott campus. A lover of the outdoors combined with a rural upbringing, Schaben knew that this was a great fit.  Serving on the Mathematics faculty since 2014, Schaben says she’s enjoyed the autonomy that teaching at a smaller college affords her. “I use many research based educational practices, and Yavapai College has allowed me to experiment with…

Prescott, AZ — The Yavapai Women’s Basketball team has just won their second game of the season! They beat Navajo Tech at home 70-58. Kalli Smith had another double-double in today’s game, scoring a team-high 16 points and grabbing 10 boards. Alexya DeCremer had 11, and Kayla Bailey had 10. Giselle Serrano, while having a slow scoring night, was still able to grab 8 rebounds, 6 of them coming off the offensive end. Amani Arraf made a couple of three-pointers, but she excelled in play-making, dishing out 3 assists. Smith was also able to record 3 blocks against the Skyhawks’…

Sedona, AZ — Chamber Music Sedona presents Junction Trio in concert on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, located at 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road in Sedona. Junction Trio features three internationally acclaimed soloists: pianist Conrad Tao, violinist Stefan Jackiw, and cellist Jay Campbell. Known for their dynamic performances and adventurous programming, the trio brings together technical brilliance, emotional depth, and bold musical ideas in performances that redefine the modern piano trio. The program will include Beethoven’s dramatic “Ghost” Trio, John Zorn’s “Ghosts,” and Schubert’s lyrical Piano Trio in B-flat major. Since…

Interview and story by Allen Elfman with MY AZ TV and Sedona.Biz — A Groundbreaking Film Promoting Conflict Resolution for Youth Sedona, Az – Filmmakers Shondra Jepperson and Dev Ross are proud to present the world premiere screening of their innovative new project, High School Detention – The Musical, scheduled for February 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center in Sedona, Arizona. WEirD Detention (High School Detention The Musical) 1s presented via Artists Forum serves as an engaging “gateway” to essential conflict resolution skills for young audiences. The story follows three students serving detention who embark…

Camp Verde, AZ — Gardeners of all experience levels are invited to dig deeper into the science behind healthy plants at Dynamic Duo: Soil & Roots, an engaging educational class presented by Yavapai County Master Gardener Rashawn Gilmer at Camp Verde Community Library from 4:30-6:00 pm on Thursday, January 15th. This information-packed presentation explores the essential relationship between soil and plant roots, helping gardeners better understand how healthy soil supports strong, resilient plants. Topics covered will include: The importance of soil structure, nutrient content, and pH levels How roots interact with soil to support plant growth Valuable insights into the dynamic partnership between roots and soil…

Prescott, Arizona (Jan. 6, 2026) – Yavapai College Director of Community Outreach Lisa Raygoza moved from Gila Bend to Prescott, Arizona after graduating high school to take classes at Yavapai College in 1996. She secured an Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies, going on to become a Certified Court Interpreter. While working in multiple positions for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, Raygoza earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. Reflecting on her time as a student at Yavapai College, Raygoza said “My experience was much…

Sedona, AZ — On Saturday, January 17, the Sedona Heritage Museum and The Artists Consortium (TAC) will host the first ever Art in the Apple Shed.  The event will start at dawn and continue through 2:00 pm.  It is free to attend. The event will feature artists at work in all sorts of media – oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and even charcoal.  The artists’ subject matter will include plein air, still life, animals, portraits, abstract, and representational works.  Visitors will have an opportunity to visit with painters at work to learn about their artistry.  Artists will be selling their works…

By Charlene Roth — Confidence isn’t a personality trait reserved for the lucky few; it’s a skill people can actively build. For adults balancing work, family, and personal ambition, the challenge is often not knowing what they want, but believing they can realistically pursue it. When confidence grows, goals stop feeling theoretical and start feeling reachable. The result is a life that feels intentional rather than reactive. Core Insights Confidence comes from action, not overthinking. Small, consistent wins matter more than dramatic leaps. Clarity about your values simplifies decision-making. Support systems accelerate progress. Reflection turns experience into long-term growth. Why…

By Tommy Acosta — Sedona, AZ — The art of war has taken a quantum leap into the future— a leap signaled by President Donald Trump’s abduction of President Maduro from his heavily guarded compound in Venezuela. This was not an act of war between opposing forces representing different ideologies or competing for land or resources. This was war elevated to an art form, where heads of states simply remove one another while armies watch from the sidelines. Taking a page from the Israeli playbook, Trump went in and claimed his prize. In doing so, he demonstrated to the world…

Sedona, AZ — Award-winning composer and performer Shondra Jepperson is thrilled to announce that her hit program, the “In the Living Room Music Series,” will be making its official debut at the Sedona International Film Festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre this January. Starting Monday, Jan. 12, the series will be integrated into the theater’s regular programming, with performances scheduled every other Monday at 7:00 PM. Your $20 ticket offers a personal, inside look at the heart and soul of the artist behind the music. The series kicks off with a poignant “full circle” moment, featuring the extraordinary singer-songwriter and musician,…

A constitutional course correction that ended a governing model, not a presidency By Bear Howard Sedona, AZ — It’s the start of the year. And the end of a challenging year for people who believe in facts and are not swayed by emotional sales pitches from the far right and the Trump 2.0 administration. It would be helpful and healthy to consider what 2029 could look like if the American and world order were revitalized by a new administration that is honest about the need to make structural changes in America. And they had the votes to do it! Here…