Author: Tommy Acosta

Sedona, AZ — Some may think they have to wait in line and dot all the “I’s,” fill in all the boxes, dutifully serve their time, and patiently wait their turn in the political arena. But not mayoral candidate Henry Silbiger, who has thrown his hat into the Sedona City Council political ring and set his sights on the top—the very top of the city’s political spectrum. Raised in New York City, and having lived in California, North Carolina,  Ohio and Nevada, he visited Sedona in 2020 and, of course, instantly fell in love with the Red Rocks and finally…

Sedona, Az — Some may think they have to wait in line and dot all the “I’s,” fill in all the boxes, dutifully serve their time, and patiently wait their turn in the political arena. But not mayoral candidate Henry Silbiger, who has thrown his hat into the Sedona City Council political ring and set his sights on the top—the very top of the city’s political spectrum. Raised in New York City, and having lived in California, North Carolina,  Ohio and Nevada, he visited Sedona in 2020 and, of course, instantly fell in love with the Red Rocks and finally…

SEDONA, Ariz. – After last week’s decision by the Yavapai County Superior Court ruling against the city in the lawsuit, City of Sedona v. Save Sedona Committee, concerning the proposed Cultural Park Preservation Act initiative, the Sedona city council decided not to appeal, and therefore the initiative is set to go on the July 21, 2026 ballot. “From the beginning, this effort was about seeking legal clarity—not preventing residents from having a voice. The court has made its decision, and the city respects that decision. The initiative will now go before the voters, in which the community will have its…

Academy Award winner for Best International Feature Film returns to the screen  Sedona, Az — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present “Sentimental Value” showing May 25-28 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Sentimental Value” won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and was nominated for eight other Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Joachim Trier), Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. All four principle actors were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances: Best Actress (Renate Reinsve), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgård) and Best Supporting Actress (for both Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas)…

Sedona, AZ — The Arts Academy of Sedona (AAS) is delighted to announce the next installment of its beloved Friday Night at the Theater series, now taking place in its newly established performance home, The New Room at Sedona United Methodist Church (110 Indian Cliffs Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336). Presented on the third Friday of every month, this dynamic program continues to spotlight the richness and diversity of Sedona’s local arts scene. On Friday, May 15, from 7:00–8:30 PM, AAS invites the community to a special cabaret-style evening in celebration of Mother’s Day and Graduation Season, a heartfelt tribute to…

Sedona, Az –On Saturday, May 23, one dozen award winning fiber artisans will be demonstrating their unique style and technique at the Sedona Heritage Museum at 738 Jordan Road in Uptown.  The event, which will go from 10 am to 3 pm, is free to attend, and visitors may purchase their favorite pieces!  Refreshments will be available.  Entertainment will be provided by Sedona’s own Sisters 3, a trio of talented youth violinists. This is a first-ever community event hosted by the Heritage Museum and The Artists Consortium (TAC) which produces live art events throughout the year.  Former events featured widely…

By David Stéphen  There is a recent [May 5, 2026] report on MedPage Today, RFK Jr. Launches Effort to Encourage Antidepressant Deprescribing, stating that, “Clinicians need to do more to help wean patients off of antidepressants, according to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Psychiatric medicines have a role in care, but we will no longer treat them as the default,” Kennedy said at the event.” “However, he added, physicians will often say that the withdrawal effects “are the original symptom reasserting itself; you need to get back on the SSRI,” and it becomes a lifetime cycle.” ”However, “while APA supports efforts…

How a neighborhood app became a megaphone for outrage, shallow civic debate, and the growing divide between grievance and governing in one of America’s most complicated small towns. By Bear Howard and Associated Sedona, AZ — In communities like Sedona, platforms like Nextdoor often evolve into something far removed from a true civic forum. Instead of becoming a place where informed citizens exchange ideas rooted in history, economics, infrastructure realities, and the long-term challenges of governing a tourism-driven community, it frequently becomes what many quietly refer to as Sedona’s “Wailing Wall” — a digital gathering place where frustration is amplified,…

By Sedona Mayoral Candidate Henry Silbiger. Sedona, AZ — I’m running for mayor because Sedona deserves leadership that listens, acts, and stays true to its roots. My platform is simple: put residents first, protect our small-town character, and make sure every decision reflects the people who live here — not a bureaucratic agenda. That means transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, and limited government that empowers private initiative and safeguards our quality of life. I was born in Toruń, Poland, and when the Russians began closing the borders in 1956, my parents made the choice to leave our home behind.  We arrived…

By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — Today’s Mother’s Day and naturally I’m thinking about my mother who passed away. What an incredibly strong and beautiful woman she was. She was well known here in Sedona as Mamacita, allthough her full name was Aida Acosta Balbin. She loved going to all of the different events and restaurants when she would come up to visit and spend the weekend. She made friends with everybody. The shop owners knew her the restaurant owners knew her staff knew her, community luminaries knew her,  because she was always bubbling charm and beauty even at the…

By Amaya Gayle Gregory One of Health Ledger’s last roles was the Joker in The Dark Knight. There is a scene in it that has been plaguing me, the words niggling at my mind and heart. In the words of Alfred Pennyworth to Bruce Wayne: ‘Some men just want to watch the world burn.’ Is that where we are? Has the bane of living been so intense that those at the top literally want to watch the world burn, that they believe they will feel less pain by inflicting pain on as many others as they can? What brings someone…

By David Stephen  Sedona, AZ — Richard Dawkins is in the news for something like AI is conscious. The interpretation of what he might be trying to pass across is that there is a part of consciousness in language. There is also memory and there is intelligence. Any adult human being can be brought to a memory of cold — with language — even when it is not cold. It is also possible to describe a scenario, and intelligence [or say imagination] will know what it is like, without being there. Consciousness must not involve feelings alone or emotions. Language…

Sedona AZ –The League of Women Voters of Northern Arizona (LWVNAZ) will host a series of candidates’ forums this June for voters in Verde Valley communities ahead of local city and town elections. The public is invited to attend these free events to hear directly from candidates running for local office and learn more about issues affecting their communities. The following forums are scheduled: Sedona Mayor and City Council Candidates Forum Thursday, June 11, 2026 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sedona Performing Arts Center, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona This forum is co-sponsored by the Sedona Chamber of…

Sedona, AZ – May is National Historic Preservation Month.  The Sedona Heritage Museum will celebrate with an exhibit and special event. For the entire month of May the Museum will have a special exhibit, “Sedona’s Historic Landmarks.”  The exhibit shares photos and interesting information about each one of Sedona’s historic landmarks.  Among the community’s landmarks are the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the USFS Ranger Station on Brewer Road, a Midcentury Modern home designed by local architect Howard Madole, among many others.  You’ll see three historic landmarks during your visit to the Sedona Heritage Museum alone! On May 27 the…

FAMoS (Fine Art Museum of Sedona) is proud to announce the opening of Vibrance, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the life and extraordinary career of the late Jan Sitts. This landmark showcase invites the public to experience Sitt’s mastery of tactile, layered compositions that have captivated collectors around the globe. This exhibit runs through the month of May and is the first exhibit at our new location. A Feast for the Senses Vibrance serves as a testament to Sitt’s unique ability to transform the canvas into a multi-dimensional experience. Known for her sophisticated use of texture, color, and raw emotion, her…