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.

Cottonwood News – Old Town Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Ken Koshio & Kenzoo appearing at OTCA in a special evening concert on Saturday, April 30th at 7:00 PM. This special event is sponsored by Mount Hope Foods. Ken Koshio is a world class Japanese Taiko drummer. Taiko is a Japanese style of percussion, which combines music, movement and spirit.  Ken pushes the boundaries of Taiko through various collaborations, creating a totally authentic and unique style of music and Taiko performance art.  Joining Ken for this special evening of world music is Kenzoo, which includes:  John Paul Mendes, Taiko…

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Sedona News – Red Rose Inspiration For Animals is a local 501c3 nonprofit that supports animal welfare and has been promoting Art Shows in West Sedona since 2009.  These are the only art shows throughout the Verde Valley that proceeds benefit a non-profit for animal welfare.  The Red Rose shows generate revenue for the various long term existing animal related programs such as spay and neuter of homeless feral felines specifically in Camp Verde, along with low-cost spay and neuter services of felines and canines belonging to pet owners on a fixed income and needing financial assistance.  Animals that continue…

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Sedona News – The Sedona Heritage Museum is again offering a performance of “Throwback Thursday”, on Thursday, May 5, at 3:30 p.m. at the Museum. Visitors will enjoy a glimpse of parts of the Museum through encounters with costumed reenactors. These impersonators will breathe life into several Sedona area pioneers and share a bit of that person’s life story and adventures in the Sedona of 70-120 years ago. Guests will rotate through the Museum buildings, delighting in parts of a “day-in-the life” of our early settlers and community-builders, and getting a peek at some of the hopes, dreams, and hardships…

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Sedona News – The city opened new May and June appointments for Straight Talk with Karen, a program in which once a month, residents can come to City Hall and sit down with City Manager Karen Osburn to discuss any topic of their choice. The goal of the program is to facilitate an opportunity for residents to meet with Osburn on any question, concern, issue or general topic they would like to talk about. The May and June format will feature an open forum, so that up to four residents can sit down together with Osburn, hear each other’s questions…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory How much anger is stuffed inside? Every time someone hurt me and I didn’t know how to respond … when I didn’t say something and held my tongue while my insides were slashed open … when I let the hurt pass, forcing a laugh at a friend’s joke — a friend’s not a stranger’s or an enemy’s. It wasn’t funny, it hurt, oh how it stung, but I didn’t have the courage to step forward, to step out and honor myself … all those times when my precious open heart was wounded and snapped closed, building…

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Sedona News -The Sedona Historical Society invites everyone to travel back in time to meet some of Sedona’s earliest pioneers at a cemetery walk at Sedona’s oldest cemetery on April 29 and 30. The Schuerman Red Rock Cemetery on the Upper Red Rock Loop Road will be the site of this cemetery walk, introducing attendees to some of the brave souls who experienced triumph and tragedy while carving out a life in Red Rock country. “Voices from the Grave-Spring Spirits Rising” is an open-air cemetery tour with re-enactments by professional actors where original pioneers are interred. This cemetery dates from…

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… we’re into the weekend, at least for me, and what a glorious week it has been. Avail yourself of the opportunity this weekend to head out into nature for a concert. Redwing Blackbirds and other song birds are waiting to give you a free concert and Rudy Ducks will be showing off their tight formation takeoffs as they barrel down the watery runway. Enjoy the day. smile and be kind … we all can benefit from it! With Joy! Ted Everything is still, and the soft night air is cool. The sky seems very near. and the stars lie…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the award-winning documentary “Viva Maestro!” showing April 29-May 4 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Superstar conductor Gustavo Dudamel faces the test of a lifetime when social unrest in his Venezuelan homeland challenges his conviction that music has the power to unite, in award-winning writer/director Ted Braun’s emotional affirmation of the resilience of art in a time of political crisis. Dudamel has set the music world afire with his electric and original interpretations of the greatest symphonic works. While leading orchestras around the…

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Sedona News – As part of the Sedona in Motion (SIM) program, the city of Sedona and their contractor, Fann Contracting, Inc., will begin construction of the Forest Road Connection Project the week of April 25, 2022.  The project includes the construction of a new two-lane roadway that will connect the current terminus of Forest Road to a new intersection on State Route 89A, just west of the “Y” roundabouts. Additional work includes the installation of new concrete curb and gutter, retaining walls, a shared-use path, drainage infrastructure, landscape improvements and the extension of sewer infrastructure. Once complete, this project…

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Verde Valley News – The academic year’s top students in their respective fields of study were celebrated during an Evening of Recognition ceremony at the Yavapai College Verde Valley campus April 19. Along with accolades from YC leadership, faculty and staff, the top students received awards and gifts and were treated to a reception and photographic memories with friends and family. In her congratulatory remarks at the student success celebration, YC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Diane Ryan applauded the top students for “excelling in college and in life.” She encouraged them to continue to thrive by practicing principles…

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… with hundreds more photos to go through from yesterday, I came across these two shots this evening and they serve to remind me how much I love spending time on the lake and observing life play out in this little part of the world … a wide range of species call this place home and together they live out their mission and purpose in life. The photo above is of a Great Blue Heron standing in the water on a small point jutting out into the lake and rustling his feathers a bit. The water was quiet and he…

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Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona encore of the rousing and acclaimed new film “Aline” showing April 29-May 4 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Aline” premiered at the recent Sedona International Film Festival where it was one of the highest rated audience choice films in the narrative lineup. Audience members and critics have been raving about the film. The youngest of a hardworking French-Canadian couple’s 14 children is propelled to global music superstardom in “Aline” — a fictional musical dramedy freely inspired by the life of Celine Dion. For Aline…

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Sedona News – Love quilting? Got questions? Members of the Red Rock Quilters will be the featured guests for Monday at the Museum on Monday, May 02, 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 quilting. They welcome all levels of quilters, fabric lovers, guests and traveling quilters. There is no charge for this demonstration. “Mondays at the Museum” is a workshop/ demonstration held every Monday; please call for a current schedule. The Museum is always looking…

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By Gale Lothrop Sedona News – After 3 1/2 years of planning and work, a ribbon cutting was held at Hope House of Sedona on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. In attendance were city leaders, builder John Bassous of Tierra Verde Builders, Hope House of Sedona board members, and members of local community and faith groups. An open house followed for supporters and friends of Hope House.  Hope House of Sedona is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide transitional/bridge housing, food, and support services for homeless families and their children . The newly constructed house consists of 4…

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Sedona News – Perhaps it’s due to the pioneer spirit that seems to be woven into the fabric of the American West. Or maybe it’s because of the area’s rich legacy of indigenous artwork. Or we could even chalk it all up to Georgia O’Keeffe. But no matter the narrative, the Southwest has a rich legacy of inspiring and fostering female artists. In May, Rowe Fine Art Gallery proudly celebrates that heritage with its first show focusing solely on women in the arts. Femme Powered opens Friday, May 6, at 4 p.m. (just in time for Mother’s Day!), and continues throughout the…

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