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.

Arizona News – Groundwater is one of Arizona’s most precious and least-understood natural resources. The Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) will host an informational program regarding groundwater regulation in Arizona on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Andy McCoy of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office will provide a background on Arizona’s complex legal framework for regulating groundwater and lay out options for state and local governments to better protect their groundwater supplies. This will be a Zoom-only meeting. Please register at the “Next Event” link at www.cwagaz.org. Andy McCoy is an energy, environment, and natural resources attorney and…

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Sedona News – Crews are responding to a small lightning-caused fire located 6 miles southwest of Sedona and west of the Village of Oak Creek. The Blackjack Fire, currently one-tenth of an acre in size, has a low potential for growth. Resources assigned to the fire include a helicopter conducting surveillance, and an engine crew hiking to the fire line. The fire is smoldering in rough terrain, and steep slopes provide challenging access for firefighters. Smoke will likely remain visible during fire suppression efforts.

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory It’s such a treat not having to dissect and dismember life, not needing to take it apart piece by piece to decide which parts get to stay and what must go. I wasted — well nothing’s a waste — so much time and effort, so many tears and tantrums, bloodying the world with what should be, that I totally missed what is … and I’m not talking about what seems to be, what most take to be a material world filled with material boys and girls, but what is here when all that falls away. I…

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… above is a shot of a Redtail Hawk fledging … his first leap of faith as he hurls himself out over the abyss entering flight for the first time. You can almost see it in his eyes and body positions … “Here I go!” One other chick fledged that day and the third on the following day. The nest is about 150′ above the ground and I was about 300′ from the action in the tram that goes up to the house. Below is a Ring-billed Gull wheeling in flight in front of a cliff at Lake Pleasant ……

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the encore of “Thelma” showing Aug. 31-Sept. 5 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon and Mary D. Fisher Theatres. The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, “Thelma” is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar-nominee June Squibb her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFAFsDEM0j4 Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous…

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Arizona News – The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a proposed update to its Strategic Highway Safety Plan and a draft of the state’s first Active Transportation Safety Action Plan, which aims to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities where those activities intersect with the state highway system. Both proposals are available for review at azdot.gov/SafetyPlan. Comments are welcome through Friday, Sept. 6. Federal regulations require each state to have a Strategic Highway Safety Plan for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on public roadways and to update that plan every five years. ADOT leads development of this plan…

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Verde Valley News – Fall sports are underway at Yavapai College, classes have started, and the 2024-25 athletic year is off to a great start. With the new year, however, comes old traditions as the Athletics Department, partnered with the Yavapai College Foundation, is set to host its annual Alumni Reunion Weekend while inducting the Class of 2024 into the Roughrider Hall of Fame. The Schedule Alumni Reunion Weekend is set for Wednesday, September 18, through Sunday, September 22, and is chock-full of fun events. On Wednesday, the Clarkdale Campus will host the very first YC Allied Health Alumni Mixer…

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Sedona News – The city invites residents to apply for the 2024 Sedona Police Department Community Police Academy, a free program designed to experience firsthand engagement with the Sedona Police Department, have a better understanding of the department’s role within the community and foster a collaborative relationship with residents. The eight-week program will be held every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. starting on Oct. 8, 2024. It is for residents of Sedona and members of the business community and helps create open communication between the department’s community members and the Sedona Police Department staff. The police personnel’s direct…

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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. September 16, Verde Valley Woodcarvers If you have a piece of wood and a wood carving knife, come to Monday at the Museum at Sedona Heritage Museum on Monday, September 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and join the Verde Valley Woodcarvers. Hundreds of people have tried their hand at carving with this group since its founding in 1997 by…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the country for a nationwide theatrical event: “Sight & Sound Presents: Daniel LIVE” showing Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mymg6c-qOws For the first time ever Sight & Sound is broadcasting LIVE into movie theaters nationwide! Join us as the brand-new original production, “Daniel”, goes from the big stage to the big screen in this special live event. Taken from his people, Daniel is exiled inside the perilous kingdom of Babylon. As he navigates this new life, will his trust in God remain…

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By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers services and classes which are life-affirming and soul enriching. All are listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. People who cannot attend or who live far away can access the service through zoom. Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday evening, August 30, 2024, beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom lay-led by Meri Thomason, who will chant a selection from Re’eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17, beginning with “See, I place before you blessing and curse…” and exhorts the Children of Israel to choose…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Firing Squad” showing Aug. 30-Sept. 5 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon and Mary D. Fisher Theatres. “The Firing Squad” features an all-star cast including Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Sorbo and James Barrington. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9iALeD_h84 Inspired by a true story, ‘The Firing Squad’ is a powerful journey of redemption on death row. In the heart of Indonesia, three condemned prisoners facing execution find unexpected solace within prison walls. Grappling with their pasts and imminent demise, they embark on an extraordinary transformation. Embracing Christianity, they discover…

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TÓ NANEESDIZÍ, DINÉTAH, (TUBA CITY, NAVAJO NATION) – Yee Ha’ólníi Doo, a Navajo-led grassroots nonprofit, has announced a $300,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The 18-month grant will directly support the growth of emerging entrepreneurs and empower Navajo youth in the Navajo Nation in northwest New Mexico. The Navajo Nation faces significant economic disparities, with unemployment and poverty rates far exceeding national averages. To address these challenges, Yee Ha’ólníi Doo is committed to fostering economic independence and self-sufficiency within the community. Yee Ha’ólníi Doo will use the grant to expand business development programs within its existing community centers and innovation…

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Sedona News – The City of Sedona is thrilled to partner with Yavapai County to host the 6th annual free Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection event on Saturday, October 5 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. The event will be located behind West Sedona Elementary School in the parking lot by the Sedona Community Pool at 570 Posse Grounds Road. This free event is for City of Sedona and unincorporated Yavapai County residents. The drop-off event will be collecting household hazardous waste, electronics, paper documents for shredding, and medical waste for proper disposal. For a detailed list of acceptable…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Bull Street” showing Aug. 30-Sept. 5 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BMETCAQu-s Writer/director Lynn Dow and producer Wendy Tucker-Tannock will be in Sedona in person to do a live Q&A at the opening screening of “Bull Street” on Friday, Aug. 30. “Bull Street” follows LouEster Sadie Gibbs (played by newcomer Malynda Hale), a 39-year-old small-town personal injury lawyer whose mother died in childbirth. Her grandmother, Mrs. Big-Gal (Sedona Film Festival honoree Loretta Devine), has raised her in their humble family home with…

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