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 — Spiritual care is an integral aspect of holistic well-being, addressing the spiritual dimension of health. It goes beyond traditional therapy to nurture the spirit, providing support and resources to help individuals find meaning, purpose, and inner peace. What is Spiritual Care? Spiritual care involves practices and support systems that help individuals connect with their inner selves and the greater universe. It is about nurturing the spirit, fostering a sense of purpose, and promoting overall well-being. Unlike conventional therapy, which primarily focuses on the mind and emotions, spiritual care encompasses the mind, body, and spirit, aiming for a…

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Sedona News – The Rotary Club of Sedona Village launched the new Rotary year through the annual officer transition ceremony held at the home of Bob and Gayle Burns. Outgoing Club President Miki Dzugan recognized her leadership team and outlined numerous successful Village Rotary projects, including support for the Red Rock High School Interact Club, providing student summer camp scholarships, conducting a Veterans Raffle that raised $15,000 for veterans’ needs at the Prescott Regional Veterans Hospital, and continuing the development of the Rotary Community Garden. Chuck Marr was installed as the Club’s President for the new Rotary year. Chuck is…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theatres around the world to present the global 2024 encore of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” showing July 7 and 10 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. In celebration of Columbia Pictures 100th anniversary, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” returns to the big screen in theaters nationwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSpQ3G08k48 The epic Steven Spielberg film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing (for former Sedona resident, the late Frank Warner). Richard Dreyfuss stars as cable worker…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory “Everyone, deep in their hearts, is waiting for the end of the world to come.” ― Haruki Murakami, 1Q84 Is that true? Are we waiting, perhaps even hoping, silently, ever so silently that we don’t even let ourselves in on our little secret? Do we desperately struggle to stay alive, while hoping that our world ends soon?  Is it a death wish unrecognized? Life is painful … and joyful … but the pain seems to return, seems to be built right in. After all, we can’t live forever. People we love leave us. If they haven’t…

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Sedona, AZ — In the heart of Sedona, Kali Gajewski, co-founder of Sedona Beer Co., has crafted a unique hospitality experience, balancing the demands of a highly tourist-driven market with a strong commitment to sustainability and community. The new Basecamp location in West Sedona has been designed to cater more to the local market, offering a relaxed beer garden atmosphere. This new location not only expands Sedona Beer Co.’s footprint, from their original Uptown taproom and brewery, but also strengthens its connection with the local community, providing a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike to enjoy their craft beers.…

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Beloved Resort Announces Exclusive Seasonal Rates, New Offerings & Refreshing Cocktails Sedona, Az – Nestled next to Oak Creek, Amara Resort and Spa invites guests to experience the perfect summer getaway in the heart of Red Rock Country, enhanced by seasonal discounted rates, along with new offerings and cocktails. With summer rates starting at $279/night, a 40% discount from peak season rates, guests can immerse themselves in the best that the iconic town has to offer. Located steps from Uptown Sedona, which features an eclectic mix of popular dining, shopping and art galleries, Amara’s prime location encourages exploration. Popular natural…

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Optics. Optics. Optics. Who can ever forget that look on Biden’s face when he blew a fuse six minutes into the debate? It really makes no difference to the viewing public what either candidate said during the debate because everyone who saw it walks away with the image of Biden’s stunned, deer-caught-in-the-headlights, blank and bewildered look on his face. True, Biden did as good a job answering the moderators’ questions as Trump did avoiding them. He had a few good moments trading insults, jousting with the ex-president, launching a few zingers himself like when he accused Trump of having the…

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… closing the week in the air with an added appreciation for what we call “Blue Holes!” A blue hole is a break in otherwise overcast skies that lets the sun pour through the hole and illuminate the earth’s surface providing beautiful shots for photographers and more than that, it provides a means for pilots to go up through the blue hole and come out on top of the cloud layers into a crystal blue sky. One fine October day, there was peak color in the stands of aspen on the San Francisco Peaks, plus a snow storm the night…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “Firebrand” showing July 5-11 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Firebrand” stars Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander and Academy Award-nominee Jude Law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAK_isFwbU In blood-soaked Tudor England, Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII, is named Regent while tyrant Henry is fighting overseas. Katherine has done everything she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs. When an increasingly ailing and paranoid King returns, he turns his fury on the radicals, charging Katherine’s childhood friend with…

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Sedona News – The Sedona Renegades Artist Group is pleased to announce that its Summer 2024 Art Exhibit is returning to the Sedona Arts Center! Running from July 2 – July 31, 2024, this show features some of the area’s most original and gifted artists displaying a remarkable range of their works.  The public is cordially invited to meet the artists at their First Friday Artists Reception on July 5 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. And the sales from this exhibit will benefit the Verde Valley Humane Society, helping that fine organization care for unwanted, lost and abused animals…

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Sedona News – Filmmaker Randall Nickerson shares his decades-long passion to capture a remarkable close encounter experienced by over sixty schoolchildren in Zimbabwe, outside their schoolyard. Decades later, the incident remains vivid in the students’ memories, who are still on a quest for answers and the courage to share their truths. The documentary follows a young woman returning to her school in rural Zimbabwe, revisiting the place that shattered her reality at the tender age of nine. The film also highlights the involvement of a respected BBC war reporter who reluctantly covered the 1994 event, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack who validated the witnesses, and witness Emily…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer” showing July 5-11 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer” explores the rollercoaster life of America’s most controversial and bestselling author of the 20th Century, Norman Mailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUEHquSB5kM Propelled by his tremendous ego and contrarian spirit, Mailer’s ceaseless visibility in the public eye lasted 6 decades, during which he had 6 tumultuous marriages, 9 beloved children, 11 bestsellers, 3 arrests, and 2 Pulitzer Prizes. Prophet, hedonist, violent criminal, literary outlaw, and…

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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, July 5, 2024, beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. The Rabbi will chant a selection from the Torah portion Korach, Numbers 16:1 – 18:32, telling of the uprising against Moses, this time by his cousin Korach…

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Sedona,Az — Allen D. Elfman of Visit Sedona TV, Sedona.biz and Sedona’s Best Visitor’s Guide, recently conducted an in-depth interview with Mayor Scott Jablow, who is presently running for re-election. The interview is conducted in four parts. Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19sOoKnVNs In this video interview Jablow emphasizes his experience and accessibility as key reasons why he believes he’s the right candidate to continue as mayor of Sedona. Citing a decade of experience on the city council and a term as mayor under his belt, he highlights his dedication to community outreach and his willingness to be available to constituents as a…

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Sedona, AZ — Dear Editor:  I am writing to express my concern over the troubling behavior exhibited by the Democrats of the Red Rocks (DORR) in the ongoing Democratic primary election for Yavapai County Supervisor in District 3. I am disappointed that DORR is engaging in the primary election based on influence from a select few members, driven by political reasons without official support of its membership, rather than the best interests of Yavapai County voters. This behavior undermines the democratic process and raises serious questions about their motives. It certainly is not the democratic principles that guide most election…

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