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 National Theatre of London continues its season with its acclaimed new production of “The Motive and the Cue” showing in Sedona on Sunday and Wednesday, June 2 and 5. The Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere at its Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxM0NT2oGx4 Sam Mendes directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in the fierce and funny new play “The Motive and the Cue”. 1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s…

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Sedona News – On June 2, eight families will travel to Sedona as part of the Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat. The nonprofit organization provides free week-long vacations for breast cancer patients and their families to give them an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate life in a relaxing environment. For the past six years, Sedona has welcomed more than eight families as part of the program. All activities and services are provided free of charge so that families can focus on spending quality time together. Throughout the week families will enjoy a variety of activities, including a Grand Canyon trip,…

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By David Stephen Sedona, AZ — AI safety is less of an engineering or technical problem, but more of a neuroscience one. Though the brain is the basis for AI’s neural network, it is yet to have some of the key features of mind against deployment for harm. Arizona lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 1078, against “fraudulent voice recordings” and House Bill 2394, against “digital impersonation”. The Department of Commerce recently announced that “The U.S. AI Safety Institute will focus on three key goals: Advance the science of AI safety; Articulate, demonstrate, and disseminate the practices of AI safety; and Support institutions,…

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By, Mark TenBroek Sedona, AZ — On May 14, 2024 the City Council approved the construction price and gave initial direction on financing for a new Uptown Parking Garage on Forest Road.  The discussion on the Parking Garage took over the majority of the 6 hour Council meeting that had some interesting ebbs and flows.  At the end of the day, the $23M construction cost, $25M if you include the property purchase, results in a cost of $92,500 for each of the 270 parking spaces. A few residents spoke in opposition to moving forward with the new structure for a…

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Sedona News – If you are looking for a good time, dancing and a great Italian meal, enjoy live music beneath the stars at Bella Vita Ristorante with Alex Ogburn and Jerry McFarland performing on the outside patio stage this weekend. On Friday, June 7, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Bella Vita Ristorante features the marvelous talents of local musician and solo performer Alex Ogburn. This highly talented, multi-faceted singer from Birmingham, Alabama is one of Sedona’s premier performers. A great voice, an ample repertoire of Classic Rock songs under his belt, Alex knows how to engage an audience. He…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the encore of “The Old Oak” showing May 31-June 3 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “The Old Oak” won the Directors’ Choice Best Humanitarian Film at the recent Sedona International Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1rbgF4BpJ4 The Old Oak is the last pub standing in a once thriving mining village in northern England, a gathering space for a community that has fallen on hard times. There is growing anger, resentment, and a lack of hope among the residents, but the pub and its proprietor TJ are a fond presence to…

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Sedona, AZ –Prepare to be transported to a realm of musical enchantment as Sound Bites Grill in Sedona proudly presents two unforgettable nights with the legendary guitarist Ottmar Liebert and his dynamic band, Luna Negra. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and get ready to embark on a mesmerizing journey through the captivating sounds of Flamenco. infused with rich Spanish, Mexican, and global influences. Ottmar Liebert, a name synonymous with musical innovation and artistic brilliance, has been a towering figure in the Flamenco genre for decades. With his distinctive…

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Verde Valley News – A portion of East Willow Point Road, better know as “Mormon Crossing,” will be closed from June 3-6 to repair the low water bridge that has degraded over the last couple years. Specifically, the road will be closed 100 feet from the centerline from the junction with Stretch Lane to the junction of Blackhawk Drive. Stretch Lane and Blackhawk Drive will remain open during this time. Visit the Forest Orders web page for specific details about the closure order.

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Sedona News – This new household hazardous waste drop-off event is for city of Sedona residents and unincorporated Coconino County residents. Date: 06/15/2024 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: 17768 Fairway Drive Munds Park, Arizona 86017 Household electronics, batteries, medical waste, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol cans, and paper documents for shredding will be collected in Munds Park, Arizona on June 15th from 9AM to 1PM. To view a more detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable items, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/2955/EVENTS. For additional information, please contact Coconino County Sustainability Specialist, Marty Johnson, at MJohnson@coconino.az.gov, or call at (928) 679-8853.

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Arizona News – In time for the summer travel season, the Arizona Department of Transportation has added a second northbound lane to State Route 64 for travelers approaching the main entrance to Grand Canyon National Park just north of Tusayan. The safety project allowed crews to complete changes in lane stripes and other pavement markings to create a new northbound lane along the often busy half-mile stretch of SR 64 between the Coyote Lane roundabout and Moqui Drive north of Tusayan. “We’ve partnered with Tusayan staff and the local community to get this work done, creating additional traffic capacity that…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Unify Sedona to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Our Son” showing May 31-June 6 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. “Our Son” features an all-star ensemble cast, including Luke Evans, Billy Porter, Christopher Woodley, Robin Weigert, Kate Burton and Phylicia Rashad. “Our Son” paints a touching portrait of love, loss, and the complexities of family in modern times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYqXytBPpLY Nicky and Gabriel, a once-joyful couple united by their shared dream of fatherhood, face the bittersweet unraveling of their marriage. Eight years after welcoming…

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Verde Valley News – Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group (NAHMG) announced that Sami Nasrallah, MD, has joined the NAHMG endocrinology service line at Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) in Cottonwood. Dr. Nasrallah is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in care for health issues rooted in the endocrine system, such as diabetes, bone loss and hormone-related conditions. ““We are thrilled to have the talents of Dr. Nasrallah joining the endocrinology team at VVMC,” said NAHMG President, Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “We know how important it is to offer specialty services to the communities we serve, and we are so pleased to add…

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… a little change of pace and back to some landscape work … the top photo was taken from Airport Mesa one evening after I put the motorglider away for the night and spent a little while enjoying the beauty and silence of days end. Another beautiful flight and more aerial photographs in the portfolio and it was time to sit and soak up the majesty of the Sedona area. Below is a shot I took from my backyard quite a few years ago, sixteen to be exact … I have never seen a sky and clouds like that before…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Girl Who Wore Freedom” showing May 31-June 3 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. This special premiere of “The Girl Who Wore Freedom” is in honor of our veterans and active military personnel and all the service men and women that protect our country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiYy3VW5Ep0 Discover the untold stories of D-Day from the men, women, and children who lived through German occupation and Allied liberation of Normandy, France. Powerful and deeply personal, “The Girl Who Wore Freedom” tells the…

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Yavapai County News – MATFORCE, an anti-drug organization with a focus on stopping youth drug use before it starts, held its annual Youth Poster Contest again this year to help raise awareness among youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Each year the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office assists in promoting this contest to students across the county. Lucy Johnson, from Coyote Springs Elementary in Prescott Valley, won grand prize in the K-6th grade category for her artwork depicting a flower with falling petals displaying the message, “Don’t let your petals fall off and be drug free.” Lilly Anne…

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