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 News: On Sunday, October 30, 5pm to 8pm, Sound Bites Grill is offering the unforgettable Halloween murder mystery, Batrina’s Ghosts & Beggars Ball. This special Halloween Eve treat will be sure to trick guests as to “who dun it” and get their Halloween festivities underway for the weekend. Cast members list as a Who’s who of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Dev Ross as Detective Dandy Dick. Tom Jepperson as crazy mad scientist Dr. Frankenfurter, Brad Roberts as sleazy TV producer Hector and Shondra Jepperson as Batrina the Hostess with the Mostess. Dev Ross, Brad Roberts and Tom…

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… back to the lake and the sky with two Ospreys having their wings intertwined as they hunt the lake as a pair. This is a display of a behavior that I have not seen before and Michele and others tell me that this is very unusual … Ospreys hunt solo, but not today. They were covering a lot of territory as we first picked them up on the NE side of the lake and latter found them cruising the NW side of the lake and presumably everything in between. If you look closely you can see the #2 primary…

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Sedona News – World-renowned actor, entertainer and impressionist Duffy Hudson is bringing his award-winning live shows “Houdini: His Life, His Magic” and “Edgar Allan Poe: In the Shadow of the Raven” to Sedona. There will be one performance of each show on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 23 and 24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival. HOUDINI: HIS LIFE, HIS MAGIC Sunday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. Experience the life and magic of the great Harry Houdini. Join actor Duffy Hudson as he takes you on a mysterious adventure through the life of one…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory Be. Here. Now. Experience. Awareness. Consciousness. Knowing. Presence. Love. Isness. This.  Same, same … no difference.  No thing and all there is.  Nothing but experiencing — no one to experience — no thing to experience — simple knowing awareness doing it’s thing — slang expression — not a true thingy. Haha.  Not tens of thousands of little things arising in a bazillion awarenesses but basic Thisness, simple experiencing.  We think — assume — that we are the pinpoint of awareness that we experience life through, and that others are doing the same and therefore are what…

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Verde Valley News – UPDATE (October 18, 2022) – On Oct. 16th at approximately 6am, 22-year-old Rimrock resident Edgar Arreola, was arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges of First-Degree Murder for knowingly and intentionally shooting and killing Camp Verde resident Rafael Zapata the previous night around 11pm at a party in Rimrock after an argument. The above information was corroborated with multiple interviews of witnesses at the scene. Edgar admitted to shooting Rafael after Rafael pulled a gun and began shooting at him and other people at the party. Edgar stated Rafael was trying to fight…

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Verde Valley News – Where’s that spooky laughter coming from? Look no further than Zenprov Comedy’s “Red Rocky Horror Improv Show” on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 pm at the Old Town Center for the Arts. “This is our favorite show of the year to perform. Halloween, monsters, aliens, and children high on sugar — it’s going to be a scary good time,” said Derek Dujardin, director of Zenprov Comedy.  If you’ve never been to one of their live performances before, Zenprov Comedy is similar to the popular improvised TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The troupe performs a…

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… so I thought it would be fun to share another one of my passions with you and that is cutting fine gemstones and creating beautiful custom jewelry … this is something I took up 45 years ago and it has been one of the most satisfying endeavors I have engaged in … taking rough gem materials and bringing out the beauty that is hidden within and designing unique one of a kind works of art. As you can see in this creation no gold or other metals were used or required … just takes a few skill sets. The…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the flashback encore return of “I Saw the Light” showing Oct. 22-27 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “I Saw the Light” tells the story of iconic, tormented singer-songwriter Hank Williams who revolutionized country music with his raw charisma, haunting voice and original songs, most of which are considered American standards today and have been recorded many times over by pop, rock and country artists alike. Hank Williams (Tom Hiddleston) emerged from the local Alabama music scene after World War II. Wife Audrey (Elizabeth Olsen) was desperate to sing…

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Verde Valley News – Ever wonder how to protect your loved one and their government benefits when you pass away? Our next Mental Health Monday program will take place via Zoom on October 31st, 2022, 10:00 to 11:30 AM, and will focus on Special Needs Trusts, ABLE Accounts, Powers of Attorney, Letters of Intent, how to protect government assistance, and more. Please join us for this important and valuable discussion led by our speaker Caleb Lihn, who is an estate planning, elder law, and special needs attorney. The experiences of raising a special needs daughter and caring for a mother with…

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Sedona News – “Voices from the Grave”, a pioneer cemetery walk, is back. Hosted by the Sedona Historical Society, guests will enjoy a fascinating, outdoor theatrical program with costumed ‘spirits’ and history. On Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29, this step back into Sedona’s past through the lives and stories of local pioneers will feature six new characters portrayed by professional actors. There are two performances each day, at 3:00 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m. The Sedona Historical Society initiated this program during 2020 COVID-19 closures, but it has become such a popular event, that it is now offered…

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Yavapai County News – Early voting for the November 8, 2022 General Election has started!  The Yavapai County Recorder, County Administration and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office jointly provide the following information to voters to help ensure a smooth, secure, and fair election season. Yavapai County has multiple ways in which voters may cast their ballots this year:  Three In-Person Early Voting locations; 19 official early ballot drop boxes; and any Election Day voting location in the county. Here are the In-Person Early Voting locations at the following addresses and hours:  Prescott: Yavapai County Administration Building, 1015 Fair Street from…

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Sedona News – ILLUMINATE Film Festival, the nation’s premier conscious film festival, returns with a hybrid virtual and in-person format offering a stellar lineup of films, premieres, panels, Luminary Living Room workshops, parties, and special events for its 8thannual showcase, Nov 5-6th in Sedona, AZ and Nov 6th -13th online. The festival has made it its mission to discover and exhibit cinematic gems that elevate consciousness and inspire personal, community and planetary transformation. ILLUMINATE has aimed to foster and advance the genre of conscious cinema, earning it a reputation as the nation’s leading festival of its kind and a haven where conscious…

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By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ Election News: My favorite line from the Movie Wag The Dog was “Don’t change horses mid-stream.” This is what I picked up from the last debate between Scott Jablow and Samaire Armstrong, where Joblow more or less declared that he was going to continue the many programs the city initiated or will initiate, if he is elected mayor. He had facts, data and reported his work to the Sedona citizens in attendance. He stood by the current trajectory of the council and defended its record. He appeared confident and resolute in his opinions. Armstrong took…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Signs of Love” showing Oct. 21-Oct. 27 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “Signs of Love” features standout cast performances lead by sibling duo Hopper Penn (Flag Day) & Dylan Penn (Flag Day), Zoë Bleu, and Rosanna Arquette (Love is Love is Love, Pulp Fiction). “Signs of Love” takes place in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, a tough neighborhood where cultures mix but the law of the streets still rules. Frankie, a young man from north Philly who dreams of a better life,…

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By Sean Dedalus Sedona AZ Election News: Between 13% to 16% of eligible voters watched the debates between Scott Jablow and Samaire Armstrong by way of internet and that is a substantial percentage of the electorate but not the target group that will determine the outcome of the election. To be sure, over 80% of the usual voters did not watch the debate. This is where the candidates need to be connecting with voters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6xoPqMQskU Consider the fact that most people who watched the debate live may already be supporters of Ms. Armstrong or Mr. Jablow. I would speculate that…

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