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 AZ (May 29, 2013) – On May 28, 2013, 33-year-old Village of Oak Creek (VOC) resident Anthony Ramos was arrested for 4 counts of Arson, Vehicle Theft, and 3 counts of Property Damage. The partnership between deputies and detectives as they built a case resulted in Ramos’ eventual confession. BACKGROUND – During the early morning hours of May 1, 2013, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 4 vehicle arson incidents in the VOC. The first incident was reported just after midnight at the Bell Rock trailhead and involved a Dodge Intrepid (pictured) completely destroyed by fire. About…

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Sedona AZ (May 29, 2013) – On June 11, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. in the Wayside Chapel’s Jordan Hall, the City of Sedona in conjunction with Peak Engineering will facilitate the second of three public meetings regarding the repaving of 89A in Uptown and other possible future improvements.

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Verde Valley AZ (May 29, 2013) – The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management in consultation with our partners in the National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Forestry, Arizona Game and Fish, as well as Local Jurisdictions have concluded that conditions exist for extreme fire hazard in Yavapai County.  Therefore, a fire ban will be implemented across all four fire ban zones effective May 22, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. The fire ban covers the unincorporated areas of the County.  Each fire department or district has the authority to apply fire restrictions for their respective jurisdiction.  Many jurisdictions such…

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Sedona AZ (May 29, 2013) – Sedona Arts Center proudly presents SEDONA PHOTOFEST 2013 from June 4-9, 2013 with a full free day of events on Thursday June 6, 2013. Join John Paul Caponigro, Tony Sweet, Scott Stulberg and Suzanne Mathia and immerse yourself in the world of photography between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on June 6, 2013. The FREE DAY has outgrown the original venue and has been relocated to the Sedona Performing Arts Center at Sedona Red Rock High School located at 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona to accommodate the overwhelming response.

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Pair of one-hour closures expected on I-17 in both directions between midnight and 3 a.m. Verde Valley AZ (May 28, 2013) – Motorists traveling on Interstate 17 south of Camp Verde from midnight to 3 a.m. this week need to plan ahead and allow extra travel time due to overnight construction on a climbing lane project, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Overnight work will require a pair of one-hour closures in both directions on I-17 as crews continue blasting rock cuts along the highway tonight, Tuesday, May 28, through Friday, May 31.

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Sedona AZ (May 28, 2013) – In celebration of National Trails Day and Get Outdoors Day, the Red Rock Ranger District will waive day-use fees for the first two Saturdays in June, including June 1 and 8. As part of the celebration, Coconino National Forest personnel will be leading hikes and conducting light trail maintenance at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead and Cathedral Rock Trailhead on June 1, beginning at 9 a.m., and the public is invited to join them.

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Verde Valley AZ (May 28, 2013) – The Yavapai Library Network (YLN) in association with the Yavapai County Free Library District (YCFLD) is pleased to announce the availability of the UniversalClass online education service. UniversalClass offers over 500 courses which are available online at no cost to the residents of Yavapai County. The courses range from the ABC’s of Algebra to Meteorology Fundamentals to Spanish Cooking 101. Educators will be pleased to know the courses are accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to count as Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

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Jerome AZ (May 28, 2013) – Gallery 527 welcomes warm days and sultry nights in Jerome. First Saturday Art Walk is June 1st and promises the usual great party with food, wine and great conversation. A sure sign of summer is marked by the arrival of hummingbirds all over the Verde Valley and gallery owner Donna Chesler displays her recent photo of an eager pair of nesting babies. Shot at artist Mary Phoenix’s home, this image is a lovely homage to motherhood.

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Sedona AZ (May 28, 2013) – Opened June, 2003 El Portal Sedona Hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone here is a brief look back at the journey in design and architecture that went into its thoughtful creation. The vision of an exceptional luxury hotel was that of transplanted California natives, Steve and Connie Segner. “We wanted to build an exceptional luxury inn, a hacienda where strangers are welcomed like family; a retreat where they can enjoy the serene, ageless spirit of Sedona in historic yet luxurious surroundings, and it had to be pet friendly.” says Segner, “We…

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Sedona AZ (May 27, 2013) – Gardens for Humanity invites the public to their third Earth Cups fund raising event at the Sedona Arts Center, on Saturday morning, June 1st, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. This event will benefit the Gardens for Humanity elementary school program called, “Celebrating the Art in Earth” which enables 5 artist/teacher teams in 5 different schools in Sedona and the Verde Valley to provide a multimedia art experience that educates students about the environment from different perspectives.

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Sedona AZ (May 26, 2013) – Have you ever wanted to have professional looking faux-painted walls but just could not afford to have it done? It is not as hard to do as you think. If you have ever thought of doing this yourself, set aside Friday, June 14 and Thursday, July 25, 2013 on your calendar. That is when Sedona Parks and Recreation brings Linda Coffman in to teach her very popular class-“Fabulous Faux for Boring Walls.”

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Sedona AZ (May 25, 2013) – Starting May 30, 2013, the Sedona Community Pool is offering new activities for kids. Parks and Recreation has organized Pool Time Extras every other Thursday during the summer months. Youngsters can enjoy the activities and yummy goodies associated with these new events held in conjunction with Open Swim.

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June is “Great Outdoors Month” Cottonwood AZ (May 24, 2013) – Governor Janice K. Brewer has proclaimed June 2013 as “Great Outdoors Month.” In recognition of Great Outdoors Month and National Fishing and Boating Week (June 1-9, 2013), Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Prescott National Forest will host the Verde Valley Fishing Fun Day at Dead Horse Ranch State Park on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 8 a.m. to Noon.

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Sedona AZ (May 24, 2013) – Sedona Community Farmers Market Summer Season opens in Tlaquepaque Creekside located at 336 Highway 179 in Sedona where residents and visitors alike are invited to meet local and regional food growers, producers and backyard gardeners.  The market is open to the public and is held weekly on Fridays 8am to 11.30am beginning May 31st through October 11th.  

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