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 22, 2013) – The Sedona Heritage Museum recently completed the third phase of a multi-year program to digitize approximately 14,000+ photo images taken by long-time Sedona writer and photographer, Elizabeth Rigby. This project was made possible with a grant from the Arizona Historical Records Advisory Board (AHRAB) and matching funds from the Museum’s Board.

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Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – As fire danger increases fire restrictions become effective throughout the Sedona Fire District, Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 8:00 am. These restrictions include all open fires and campfires. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are expressly prohibited. Other types of outdoor fires banned are those that produce open flames such as lamp oil in tiki lamps. The ban also prohibits the outdoor use of equipment that generates open flames or a spark.

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Flagstaff AZ (May 22, 2013) – The Bull Pen area, located about 10 miles east of Camp Verde off Forest Road 215, will be closed temporarily beginning Thursday (May 23) due to a large number of trees that pose a hazard to the public. “Forest Service personnel have discovered hanging dead limbs and hazardous trees in areas frequently used by visitors for camping,” said Heather Provencio, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District.  “We take the safety of the public seriously and the closure will last until the Forest Service can complete a formal risk assessment, mitigate the hazard…

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Acclaimed play from the U.K. debuts on big screen at Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sedona AZ (May 22, 2013) – The National Theatre of London returns to Sedona on Monday, June 3 when the Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere of the acclaimed British stage production “This House” — an award-winning new play by James Graham. There will be two shows: 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

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Sedona AZ (May 21, 2013) – As part of the ongoing Sedona Public Library in the Village Rotating Artist Series, Eric Gofreed is now displaying his bird, bug, and macro-photography at the village location. Some of Gofreed’s artwork will be available for purchase. A reception for the artist, titled “Bugs and Birds I Love”, will be held at SPL-V in Tequa Plaza on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Postcards of his favorite photos will be available at the reception.

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Hilary Hahn returns to Sedona on the Big Screen Sedona AZ (May 21, 2013) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Chamber Music Sedona as it presents the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra on the big screen Sunday, June 2 performing music by Strauss, Korngold and Mahler in high definition. There will be one show at 2:30 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin continues to generate world-wide excitement with his dramatic interpretations. The June 2 concert begins with the rarely-performed Love Scene from Richard Strauss’s opera “Feuersnot” followed Korngold’s Violin…

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Camp Verde AZ (May 21, 2013) – Camp Verde’s art gallery, White Hills Gallery, is moving into a new location. After a year and a half of occupying 600 square feet between Cecil’s Barber shop and The Horn, the gallery is taking their easels and pedestals and hiking across the street to a much larger, more red building, named Boler’s, located at 325 S. Main St.

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Williams AZ (May 21, 2013) – Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, on the entire Coconino National Forest and on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. Restrictions will not yet be implemented on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest due to different weather and fuels conditions. Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings…

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Drivers can expect break from highway construction closures Phoenix AZ (May 21, 2013) – It’s the holiday that marks the traditional start of the summer travel season. Here in Arizona, the Memorial Day weekend also will provide drivers with a break from construction-related closures along state highways. The Arizona Department of Transportation reminds anyone who is planning a road trip over the holiday weekend to prepare ahead of time and to “expect the unexpected” when behind the wheel. To ease holiday travel, ADOT will not schedule any construction closures along state highways over the extended weekend. Travelers are still asked…

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Sedona AZ (May 21, 2013) – The biggest, most energetic poetry event to hit Northern Arizona is coming to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 1: the 2013 Sedona Poetry Grand Slam. Tickets are $15, available online at studiolivesedona.com. Proceeds help fund the team’s trip to Boston. Additional donations will gladly be accepted. The 2013 slam season and the grand slam is cosponsored by the Sedona Performing Arts Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The top 12 slam poets from Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff and Phoenix will compete in three rounds in front five judges randomly selected from the…

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Sedona AZ (May 20, 2013) – The ribbon is cut, the launch is successful and the grand opening of the McLean Meditation Center in the heart of Sedona is official! On Tuesday, May 14, the community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Sedona’s professional meditation center. “I’m excited and grateful to be opening this center and I hope it will serve the needs of the Sedona meditation community as well as become a meditation hub for visitors from all over the world,” said Hay House author, founder and owner Sarah McLean. “Meditation is so beneficial to everyone and can…

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My name is Skinner and I am an incredibly handsome young male shepherd mix. I’m part kangaroo too. You can tell by my big pointy ears. I am very intelligent and a quick learner. I will sit and give you my paw and, if you want, shower you with kisses! I love to run around and play in our courtyard or park with my kennel mate, a female shepherd mix named Grisel. I would be a great dog for any family as I am wonderful with kids and I would also be a tireless hiker to accompany you on any…

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Sedona AZ (May 19, 2013) – Concerned parents of school-aged children in the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District and community supporters are ready to launch their campaign to save Sedona schools. According to parent Zach Richardson, the Yes For Sedona Schools Committee hopes to convince the majority of Sedona voters to vote yes in the upcoming November elections on the approval of Budget Increase Override for the district.

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Sedona AZ (May 19, 2013) – Sedona’s own Green Light will be interviewed tonight on the radio at 91.7 FM KATO Radio in Telluride. Songwriters Tommy Acosta and Chicky Brooklyn will talk about their music and their skyrocketing popularity in the Sedona music scene and their plans for the future. Tune in tonight by visiting http://tunein.com/radio/KOTO-917-s34580/ Just click on the link and tune in to learn about how they met, their musical philosophy and their upcoming performance of their rock opera about how a musician and his band save the earth from destruction by a comet with their musc.

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