Author: Tommy Acosta

Tommy Acosta is the publisher, editor, and lead opinion writer of Sedona.biz, the hyperlocal cyber magazine known as "The Voice of Sedona and the Verde Valley." He writes on local issues, politics, national affairs, culture, and personal reflection, often with a provocative or satirical tone.In addition to his work as a writer, Acosta is a working musician and reflexologist. He has written extensively about the challenges Sedona's musicians face, noting their low pay despite the town's vibrant music scene.Acosta describes himself as a "political actualist," rejecting strict party affiliations and instead focusing on how people are manipulated by political processes. His coverage spans local Sedona issues, tourism, short-term rentals, cultural events, community building, as well as national commentary and critiques of political figures, sometimes through imaginative pieces like "What Would Tommy Do?"Acosta is deeply engaged in Sedona's cultural and spiritual community, advocating for local musicians, artisans, and businesses, and writing about Sedona's unique identity as a spiritual and artistic hub.

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is once again proud to present “Red Rocks Magic” for an encore performance — an extraordinary audience-driven magical experience — on Saturday, March 15 at 4 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. This is Sedona’s #1 magic experience! Mentalist Brett Barry presents his mind-boggling Sedona themed magic show, exploring the incredible power of the mind and the unseen connections we have to one another. Red Rocks Magic is a “sleights of mind” tour-de-force, with extensive audience interaction and this will not be your typical magic show. The 75-minute journey promises an…

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Sedona News – The Arts Academy of Sedona (AAS) has announced the next presentation of its Friday Night at the Theater program (presented on the third Friday of every month) at its NEW theatre space at the New Room (Sedona United Methodist Church) (110 Indian Cliffs Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336). On March 21, 2025, from 7-8:00 pm, this cabaret-style event will feature music, dance, recitation, and drama from a variety of local artists, & musicians. The Village Troubadours Jashan Blackwell and Chantal Harte, Actor Joan Westmoreland, Melinda McElroy, Kaycee Palumbo, Che’ Leone, Craig Schneider and poets and performers Gary Every,…

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Sedona News – Sedona International Film Festival presents the Exhibition on Screen series with “Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874”. The film will premiere in Sedona on Wednesday and Sunday, March 18 and 23 at the festival’s Alice Gill-Sheldon Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXVMZenea0 The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history — millions flock every year to marvel at their masterpieces. But, to begin with, they were scorned, penniless outsiders. 1874 was the year that changed everything; the first Impressionists, “hungry for independence”, broke the mold by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. Impressionism was born and the art…

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Yavapai County News – On February 28, 2028, the Honorable Michael P. McGill sentenced 68-year-old Prescott resident Jeffrey Joseph York to 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation and two counts of Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor. York is a retired deputy from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Due to a recent Court of Appeals ruling from another county, the trial court was unable to sentence Mr. York to a longer prison term under Arizona’s Dangerous Crimes Against Children sentencing statutes, because York’s case involved a law enforcement operation instead of actual…

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By Julieann Adolf, Town of Camp Verde Community Library Camp Verde News – The Camp Verde Community Library is preparing for very special visitors! Starting March 26 we begin the CVCL Chicken Egg Hatch-Along event. We invite all ages to join us on the journey of eggs as they are set in an incubator, as the eggs develop, and then to the hatching of the eggs into adorable fluffy chicks around April 15th. The incubator will be viewable to anyone who comes into the library. You can also follow the eggs’ progress on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.   We…

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… there seem to be a never ending stream of new life forms we see at Lake Pleasant and the photo above is another example of that … an adult non breeding Horned Grebe . They are amazing little creatures, be sure to check them out. The photo below shows an adult American Avocet in breeding plumage coming in for a landing near an island in Lake Pleasant. Both photos were taken in March of last year. What an absolutely amazing little planet we live on, a Pale Blue Dot … gotta love the sun too, Katie and I do about half an hour every morning…

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Sedona News – Sedona International Film Festival is thrilled to present Tyler Carson — Fiddler on the Rock — live in concert on Thursday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Join Tyler Carson — featured twice nationally on CBS Mornings as Fiddler on the Rock — for an unforgettable evening celebrating his new album, Celtic Dreams. This special concert blends Tyler’s renowned One-Man Symphony with the vibrant spirit of Celtic music, making it the perfect addition to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Raised on Canada’s west coast with Scottish and Irish heritage, Celtic melodies have…

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Sedona News – The Rotary Club of Sedona Village is offering Summer Camp Scholarships for summer youth programs. Four or more Scholarships, valued up to $750 each, will be awarded to students grades 6 through 11 who reside in Sedona and/or are currently attending a Sedona school. The scholarships are for programs that will enrich a student’s abilities and interests whether it be in music, drama, leadership, art, academic, sport or other. To apply, students will find an online application at www.SedonaVillageRotary.org Select the SummerCamp Scholarship tab. The application process also includes telling why you would like  to attend camp…

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Yavapai County News – MATFORCE is pleased to announce a series of events in March and April 2025, focusing on child welfare, community reentry, and health awareness. These events are designed to provide valuable resources and support to the community. March Events: Considering Yourself a Mandated Supporter: Presented by Jerald Monahan. Thursday, March 13, 2025, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, 3298 Bob Drive, Prescott Valley. This training explores how to protect children by becoming mandated supporters using the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework. No registration required. Become a Community Coach: Saturday, March 15, 2025, 9:00…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the country for a nationwide theatrical event: “Music Night: LIVE from Nashville!” showing March 8 and 11 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-vXcdxRsXQ Discover the songwriters behind radio’s biggest hits in this exclusive LIVE broadcast from Nashville! Join host Bobby Bones (Radio, Podcast & TV Personality) as he takes you inside the Analog — one of Music City’s most intimate and sought-after listening rooms, for a special night of stories and songs in a rare performance by three of Nashville’s hottest songwriters who collectively have…

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Verde Valley News – With nearly 350 youth in attendance from schools across the Verde Valley over a two-day stretch, the annual Teen Maze event was once again a success. In a joint effort by Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) and Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS), Teen Maze focused on raising awareness among local teens on the dangers of illicit drugs, early teen pregnancy, the effects of tobacco and vaping on the body, cyber safety, making healthier choices with nutrition and exercise, and being part of a healthy relationship. VVS Community Based Advocacy Director Vivien Mann said the Teen Maze…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory Sophia and I had a lovely walk this morning along Vancouver Lake. It ended up consuming enough energy that she’s currently crashed on the floor at my feet, something that rarely happens so early in the day. I guess the 3.5-mile mark did it. I feel pretty good but definitely need to stretch. Soph and I generally get around 4 miles a day but not in one chunk. Today the weather was glorious, the sky so blue, the lake calm and glassy. The idea of turning around and heading home didn’t arise, so we just kept…

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By Bear Howard Sedona, Az — Every once in a while, I come across a Facebook post written by somebody more cynical, reflecting biting truth than I can. Here’s a post from yesterday exposing the unbelievable end of America as we know it,  on display in the White House, with the president and vice president and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Bear Howard Chronicles There are moments in history where you can feel the tectonic plates of power shifting under your feet, the precise seconds when empires declare themselves rotten and ready to collapse. February 28, 2025, was one of…

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… sorry for the miss of the email Wednesday morning, but I was without internet service for nearly two days … hopefully it will stay up for a while and I have been enjoying my current provider so much, that Starlink is beginning to sound like a good option to me. Couple of cool shots I found today … above is a Killdeer with his primary feathers on the left wing almost touching the ground as he dives over the edge of the embankment to drop down to the shoreline of the pond … alula feathers are fully deployed! Below is a shot of a Vermilion Fly…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Seven Veils”, showing March 7-13 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_SdlH8zmCs After years away, theater director Jeanine (Academy Award-nominee Amanda Seyfried) re-enters the opera world to stage her former mentor’s most famous work. Haunted by dark and disturbing memories from her past, Jeanine allows her repressed trauma to color the present as her personal and professional lives begin to unravel. Renowned director Atom Egoyan (“Exotica” and “The Sweet Hereafter”) reunites with Seyfried in this visually stunning, propulsive work, filmed on location during…

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