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 – Sedona Police Department’s K9 Sam has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  K9 Sam’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12-12-23”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged…

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Sedona News – The Art in the Roundabouts Committee (AiR) of the Big Park Council announced that three years of steadfast effort has resulted in five artwork proposals that meet the established criteria for enhancing the four SR-179 roundabouts in the Village. The community is invited to a grand reveal event on May 1st from 4-7pm at the Village branch of the Sedona Public Library to view for the first time five proposed artwork designs. Attendees will have the opportunity to view exhibits depicting and explaining the artworks, speak with the artists in person, and personally comment on the proposals.…

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Sedona News – One-time local Kathleen Bryant has written OVER THE EDGE, an upcoming mystery-thriller that will lead readers along Sedona’s bumpy forest roads and remote canyon trails. “Bryant weaves a rich tapestry out of all things Sedona,” says Margaret Mizushima, author of the award-winning Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. “Loaded with details about the area’s people, its history, and the mystical beauty of its landscapes, OVER THE EDGE delivers a unique and compelling outdoor mystery.” A resident of Sedona for twenty years, Bryant drew on her experiences as a travel writer and Coconino Forest volunteer, blending fact with fiction, adding intrigue from ancient…

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… and what a week it has been so far … most of it spent in nature exploring the back waters of Lake Pleasant searching for wildlife … even better finding it in abundance! The top photo is of a Gilded Flicker that decided to play with us for a while at the end of a very narrow finger of water about a mile in from the main lake. We first spotted him perched on top of a Saguaro Cactus above the little canyon we were in, thence to a branch close to us and then down to the water…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join cinemas around the world to present the global premiere of “Macbeth” on May 2 and 5 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMhZyNKCqE Tony and BAFTA Award winner Ralph Fiennes and Olivier Award winner Indira Varma star in a brand-new full-voltage visceral production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. Filmed live at Dock X, a custom-built theatre space in London, this critically-acclaimed staging of Macbeth will be unmissable on the big screen. Directed by Simon Godwin with set and costume design by Frankie Bradshaw, this is a cinematic and beautifully staged…

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Verde Valley News – Yavapai College is planning a Commencement event this year for the Verde Valley Area, and it is exciting that the ceremony will once again be held on the Verde Valley Campus. An estimated 85 graduates are expected to attend this event. These are students who either completed their degree or certificate in Fall 2023, or are expected to complete in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024. Overall, 418 students completed nearly 500 degrees and certificates last fall, and 655 YC students are currently on track to complete degrees and certificates this Spring. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Representative Quang Nguyen, Verde…

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Arizona News – The state’s goal of expanding broadband internet access in rural areas is taking a big step forward with a public-private partnership. The agreement with eX2 Technology is to operate, maintain and lease space in fiber-optic conduit installed along Interstate 17 and Interstate 19, and being installed later this year along much of Interstate 40. The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority, entered into the agreement recently with eX2 Technology, an Omaha, Nebraska, firm with extensive experience working with state and local governments to manage what is often referred to as…

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Sedona News – The Sedona Arts Festival is pleased to invite artists to apply to exhibit their works at the 2024 Festival, taking place over the weekend of October 12-13 on the campus of Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona, Ariz. Now in its 33rd year, the Sedona Arts Festival is Sedona’s oldest and largest premier arts event and has become known for the quality of art on display and its first-class treatment of both artists and guests. With Sedona’s spectacular red rocks as a backdrop and glorious fall weather to complement the event,…

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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. May 6, Red Rock Quilters Love quilting? Got questions? Members of the Red Rock Quilters will be the featured guests for Monday at the Museum on Monday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Perhaps bring a small project to work on and enjoy the fellowship of quilting by getting your questions answered or just talking about the joy of…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival presents “The Beauty of Almost Everything” by photographer Ted Grussing at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at the festival’s Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “The Beauty of Almost Everything” will highlight some of the most beautiful photographs and photographic art captured and produced by Ted over the last thirty years. The show will feature everything from straight photography to his “artist unleashed” images that are as much a reflection of his visualization of nature and wildlife as they are of his exceptional photographic skills. You will be transported into a world of unparalleled…

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Verde Valley News – The Yavapai College Police Department is bringing the community together for an evening of visibility and empowerment in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April. “Instead of bringing attention to what law enforcement does, we want to bring attention to survivors, their needs and what our roles can be to protect them and serve them,” said YC Police Det. Megyn Felton. The Empowering Survivors event featuring a sexual assault survivor’s story, resource tables, a panel discussion and a candle lighting is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in Building 19 on the YC…

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Sedona News – The University Women of Sedona will host their next informational program on Monday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. when Jack Pongyesva, a program manager with the Grand Canyon Trust, will speak. Jack will be sharing the indigenous history of the Grand Canyon region and, as he puts it: “…explain how the Trust and he walk a fine line between creating positive change in the modern world and further exploring the traditions and ancient culture of the 11 tribes that call the region home, and, how the tribes are being brought together by the Trust.” The creation of…

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… another day … endless opportunities and ways to make it the best day ever … and it is the only one you have … how can I make it great and if not great, what kind of day do I want? I love the color blue and the Great Blue heron above has just launched himself from a rock near the shore of Lake Pleasant and he is completing a powerful wing beat and looking very much like he is a serious dude! The lake shore is lined with herons and egrets of all kinds wherever you go ……

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to HOLD OVER “Wicked Little Letters” showing April 26-May 1 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “Wicked Little Letters” features an all-star cast including Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Gemma Jones, Eileen Atkins and Timothy Spall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeTeCWbF8KY A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, “Wicked Little Letters” follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents…

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Arizona News – Volunteers with the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program make a difference throughout the year, but the combination of Arizona Volunteer Week and Earth Day provides even more reason to get involved. With that in mind, a group of dedicated Arizonans joined a special Adopt a Highway cleanup in Phoenix early Monday, April 22. In addition to picking up more than 20 large bags of litter in State Route 143 right of way well away from travel lanes, this event was an opportunity for new volunteers to experience Adopt a Highway and for current volunteers to demonstrate…

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