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 AZ (May 5, 2021) – The Verde Valley Humane Society (VVHS) announces the appointment of Cheryl Southall Ross to its Board of Directors.“We are pleased to welcome Cheryl Ross to the VVHS Board of Directors,” said Victoria Bresnan, Board President. “VVHS’s mission is to humanely provide for and protect unwanted, lost and abused animals; and to promote animal welfare through its policies and presence in the community.”

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By Dave MyersSedona AZ (May 5, 2021) – Residents of and visitors to the greater Sedona and Verde Valley area are invited to attend a Zoom meeting of the Oak Creek Apples Macintosh User Group (OCAMUG, or OCA, for short). Alan Gore will facilitate a general question-and-answer session. He often covers recent and upcoming trends, as well as bugs and fixes. There is no charge to participate. 

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By Ted Grussing… shortly after we got shots of the Owls, we continued into the depths of the back bay and came on a small herd of wild donkeys feeding and drinking water from the lake … there are hundreds of wild donkeys in the area around the lake and I have seen and photographed many of them. One donkey stood out from the rest in that he had the most beautiful ears I have ever seen on a donkey … stunning is the word that came to mind when I looked at him. So I spent time to get…

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 Sedona, AZ (May 5, 2021) Citizens for America is this Thursday, May 6, 6:30 PM, Canyon Trails Cowboy Church, 3132 White Bear Road, Sedona, 86336. C4A welcome the extraordinary Aimee Yentes, Vice President, Arizona Free Enterprise Club. Aimee is at the Phoenix Capital nearly every day monitoring the progress of AZ House and Senate bills, both bad and good.  She and her team sponsor/encourage Request to Speak activity, influence legislators to vote for good bills that protect AZ taxpayers, and she, Scot and Darla are tireless in their pursuit of the protection of your Arizona freedoms, your voice and your wallet. Join us for…

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Rousing and inspiring Academy Award-winning film returns for festival flashback seriesSedona AZ (May 4, 2021) – Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a “Festival Flashback” of “20 Feet from Stardom” on Tuesday, May 11 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.The rousing and inspiring “20 Feet from Stardom” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.Meet the unsung heroes behind the greatest music of our time.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion CommitteeThursday, June 3, 2021 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. via ZOOMSedona AZ (May 4, 2021) – The third LWVNA DEI Committee meeting will present three speakers in a wide ranging panel discussion centered on Northern Arizona’s tribal communities and concerns.  Arizona Senator Jamescita Peshlakai, who is Diné and descended from a long line of tribal headmen and officials, will share how her interest in elected leadership developed and carried her to the State Legislature.  Kimberly Spurr will speak about Northern Arizona tribal history and the challenges our tribal neighbors have faced/still face in maintaining traditional cultures while…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory It is such a paradox, a bloomin’ conundrum, a question for the ages: If I don’t actually exist, why does it feel like I have choice, like I make decisions?Either the mystics are wrong and you do exist, or there’s more to this than meets the eye.This question plagued my existence for years. If I was going to have a philosophical discussion it was always about free will. I’d argue it from either side. It didn’t matter to me. Some days I had it; other days it was absolutely clear that it never did nor could exist.Seems…

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By Ted Grussing… are doing just fine. This is a photo I took of them Friday morning as they were near the entrance to the cave sunning themselves. Mom wasn’t around and most likely she was out getting breakfast for the family and she has the skill set and sharp long talons to do the job … no supermarket for her and the kids. Our last stop on Friday before heading back to the dock was a stop here to see if the adult had returned … she was not in the nest, but we did hear her calling from…

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Tributes to Maggie Smith and Judi Dench culminate in film at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (May 3, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a “Festival Flashback” of “Tea With the Dames” on Monday, May 10 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Tea With the Dames” is the final film in a ten-week tribute to Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench. Here, they are joined by their friends, and we get a front-row ticket to some afternoon fun!What happens when four legends of British stage and screen get together?

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Camp Verde AZ (May 3, 2021) – Join Catholic Charities Community Outreach in the Key Lime Room at Camp Verde Community Library between 10:00 am and 11:30 am on Tuesday, May 4th to learn about Veteran’s Services, Housing Issues, Mental Health Services, and other community resources.  ACCHS Applications (including SNAP/TANF) help will also be provided via phone/Zoom.

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Sedona AZ (May 3, 2021) – The Sedona Heritage Museum will hold a Rummage & Treasures Sale on Saturday, May 8 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Museum. Proceeds will benefit the Museum’s services and programs.The sale will include many rummage sale type items plus antiques, art, furniture, household items, home decor and tools.

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Cottonwood AZ (May 3, 2021) – Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month by joining the Verde Historical Society and supporting its operation of the Clemenceau Heritage Museum in Cottonwood, AZ. New and current residents can benefit from participation in the historical society by learning about their community through the artifacts preserved and displayed in exhibits, through educational programming and by meeting like-minded people who share a love of history and historic preservation.

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KSB Virtual Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 12 Sedona AZ (May 3, 2021) – Join Keep Sedona Beautiful on Wednesday, May 12 for its monthly Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series webinar at 5:00 p.m.  This month’s “virtual” guest is Wendy Hodgson, Herbarium Curator Emerita and Senior Research Botanist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. 

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Sedona AZ (May 3, 2021) – At City Hall Mayor Sandra Moriarty declared May 7 to be Arizona Community Foundation Day in Sedona. This honor was bestowed in recognition of 30 years of leadership in community development. Mayor Moriarty made a point to recognize the generous community members who have invested in our local community foundation and stated that “ACF Day is a chance for us to stop and imagine what our collective philanthropic gifts might accomplish in the next 30 years.”

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Sedona AZ (May 30, 2021) It was a rousing success. Hundreds of dollars-worth of baby clothes and supplies were collected to benefit the young mothers and mothers-to-be of Naomi House on the Navajo Nation and Abide Pregnancy Center, in Camp Verde. Goodness reigned. Love dominated. And the giving spirit was manifest. With intent of helping those in need, Two Fer Tuesday conducted a “baby-supply and clothing” drive on Tuesday, April 27 to help young mothers and mothers-to-be get through these uncertain times.With the help of a local realty group, Two Fer Tuesday collected a bountiful supply of baby supplies for the women…

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