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 proud to present the “Ted Neeley Farewell Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar” on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Join Ted Neeley on his Farewell Tour. We are thrilled to share that Ted Neeley — the original star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” — will be attending a screening of the digitally remastered Norman Jewison film. This will be your last chance to meet Ted Neeley and watch a screening of the landmark 1973 motion picture “Jesus Christ Superstar”. In 1973, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s…

Read More

Sedona News – The city of Sedona encourages all residents to read the 2024 Community Report, which highlights last year’s key accomplishments and provides a look at major objectives for 2025. More specifically, the report includes facts and figures that help tell the city of Sedona’s story in 2024. For example, residents can learn more about: The accomplishments the City Manager is most proud of. Sedona in Motion projects. The city’s financial outlook. The Tourism Program. An update on broadband progress. New recreation opportunities. Emergency preparedness. Short-term rental stats. General updates on the city’s departments and programs. To read the…

Read More

Sedona News – The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors are pleased to announce grant and scholarship distributions for the third quarter of its April-March fiscal year. Between October 1 and December 31, 2024, a total of $46,892,083 were awarded from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide regional offices in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County, and Yuma. The $46.9 million in both discretionary and advised grants and scholarships were awarded in five strategic priority areas: Health Innovations, Community Improvement & Development, Environment & Sustainability, Arts & Culture, and Quality Education. Health Innovations: A total…

Read More

Verde Valley News – In much the same way a business conducts a grand re-opening after a facelift or realignment, Yavapai College is unveiling a reimagined Honors college that aims to provide academic enrichment, leadership and connection opportunities to more students. The revamped college within a college at YC, simply named YC Honors, will start taking applications from new and returning students on Feb. 1 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Unlike the former honors program, which was limited to 25 high-achieving, full-time students, the new program is open to all full and part-time students who have earned a 3.25 GPA…

Read More

Sedona News – Celebrate the music of Gordon Lightfoot when Eric Elison returns to Sedona — after a SOLD OUT show in 2024 — with “Celebrating Lightfoot” live in concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdU9fPGkWvw There will be two performances on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12 and 13 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival. “Celebrating Lightfoot” is the Quintessential Gordon Lightfoot Tribute featuring Colorado Entertainer, Eric Elison. They call him “The Lightfoot of The Rockies” for good reason. Elison brings his incredible performance to Sedona for an unforgettable celebration of the music of Gordon Lightfoot. Elison’s elegant…

Read More

January 30, 2025, Cottonwood, Ariz. – Queen B Vinyl Café, located in Old Town Cottonwood, kicks off an exciting February line-up with performances slated from Cavalera Third World Trilogy featuring Max and Igor Cavalera, Luicidal with Suicidal Tendencies alumni R.J. Herrara and Louiche Mayorga, and Los Angeles noise-punk act, CNTS. February also includes a free art exhibit by graphic illustrator and tattoo artist Erick Weir, as well as movie nights every Friday and Saturday that there isn’t a show. February events: · February 19 – Cavalera Third World (Max and Igor Cavalera revisit the first three Sepultura albums), with Dead Heat…

Read More

Sedona, AZ — In a world that is rapidly evolving, the key to navigating change isn’t isolation—it’s connection. Community is the foundation of growth, transformation, and resilience, and when we come together with a shared purpose, we can build something far greater than we ever could alone. In Sedona, a unique movement is emerging—one that prioritizes conscious connection, higher communication, and collective healing as the pillars of a new way forward. Why We Grow Faster Together Throughout history, communities have been the driving force behind progress. Whether through shared knowledge, collaboration, or mutual support, people have always thrived when they…

Read More

SEDONA, Ariz. — Sedona’s City Council approved a resolution awarding the Fiber Optic Network Partnership – Request For Information (RFI) to Allo Communications to endorse them as Sedona’s preferred Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the purpose of increasing their chances at being picked by the State of Arizona for Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD) funding to install broadband in city limits in the coming years. Bringing lower cost, faster and more reliable fiberoptic internet service, or broadband, to Sedona has been a City Council priority for several years. Fast internet service will not only help residents but it will…

Read More

SEDONA, Ariz. – The city of Sedona in collaboration with the Community Library Sedona seek poet applicants for Sedona’s first inaugural Poet Laureate Program. One senior and one junior poet will serve as ambassadors for a two-year term to elevate education in literature by promoting an appreciation of poetry in the community, and to inspire an emerging generation of literary artists and readers within our local schools. This announcement reflects City Council’s desire to continue to support and expand arts and culture programming within the city. Both poet laureates are expected to perform the following duties throughout their appointment: Give…

Read More

… I like early summer mornings on the lake … leave Sedona in the dark and launch in Lake Pleasant as the sun is beginning to come up and illuminate the lake … life begins as the birds and critters roll out to assess the new day. Above is a photo of a Turkey Vulture at 6:15 AM, perched on a tree branch rising from the lake … looks like he is soaking up rays before he begins the search for food. Below is a Great Blue Heron at 7:21 AM, flying out over the water to check out a school of bait fish…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”, showing Feb. 7-13 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RwLdIiZk_8 United Nations, 1960: the Global South ignites a political earthquake, jazz musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach crash the Security Council, Nikita Khrushchev bangs his shoe, and the U.S. State Department swings into action, sending jazz ambassador Louis Armstrong to Congo to deflect attention from the CIA-backed coup. Director Johan Grimonprez captures the…

Read More

Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced that Anjaneyulu Kosaraju, MD, has joined the NAH primary care office in Camp Verde. He is accepting patients now. Dr. Kosaraju joins longstanding NAH physician, Steven Taylor, DO, at the office, who has helped families and the community stay healthy by offering personalized preventive and diagnostic care at NAH for over five years. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Kosaraju to the Camp Verde primary care office,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group President Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “Dr. Kosaraju has a passion for health care and we know that he shares…

Read More

Verde Valley News – This could be the year you launch your healthcare career – and Yavapai College is here to help. YC and its Regional Economic Development Center invite students and community members to its Health Sciences Career Expo, Tuesday afternoon, February 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. at YC’s Prescott Valley Center, 3800 N. Glassford Hill Road. The Health Sciences Career Expo puts qualified caregivers and job-seekers in contact with local and regional healthcare providers. The Expo will host a dozen potential employers, including Dignity Health YRMC, Fresenius Kidney Care, Honor Health, NextCare Urgent Care, Northern Arizona Healthcare,…

Read More

Sedona News – “Monday at the Museum” is a demonstration conducted every Monday. Please call for a current schedule. The Museum is always looking for participants who are willing to share their knowledge and skills. For details call 928-282-7038. February 3, Red Rock Quilters Love quilting? Got questions? Members of the Red Rock Quilters will be the featured guests for Monday at the Museum on Monday, February 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Perhaps bring a small project to work on and enjoy the fellowship of quilting by getting your questions answered or just talking about the joy of…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” live on stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Feb. 8, 14 and 15 — the perfect theatrical treat for Valentine’s Day! “Love Letters” — a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama — stars Leslie Brott and Chris Mixon and is directed by Richie Call. This production of “Love Letters” is a program of the film festival’s new Sedona Professional Theatre Company. “Love Letters” centers on two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. They read notes, cards and love letters…

Read More