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 (December 12, 2019) – When you mention the New Year, it seems like everyone has the same response: “Can you BELIEVE it’s [insert year here]?!”At Rowe Fine Art Gallery, we’re taking a different approach. 2020? Bring it on! That’s the title of our first show of the year, which happens Friday, January 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring It On ushers in 2020 with a collection of new art from our award-winning painters, sculptors and jewelers. With the gift-giving season behind us and the holiday decorations stored away, it’s the perfect time to refresh your surroundings with a new…

Read More

Cornville AZ (December 11, 2019) – UPDATE – The victim in this case, 22-year-old Jesse Rayfield from Cornville, died this morning. The case is now classified as a Homicide. Suspect Shultz remains in-custody and is held without bond. Detectives are currently conferring with the County Attorney’s Office regarding updated charges.###Cornville AZ (December 9, 2019) – On December 7, 2019, around 6:30 PM, YCSO deputies were dispatched to the 11000 block of E Clatterbuck Drive, Cornville, regarding an unconscious adult male with a severe head injury. Additional information indicated 23-year-old David Shultz, who was not currently on scene, had assaulted the…

Read More

Sedona AZ (December 11, 2019) – Visit with Red Earth Theatre and get a peek at where the magic is created! On December Sunday 15th 3-6pm this busy, live theatre company is holding a unique fundraiser in the space where much of their rehearsal takes place.

Read More

By Ted Grussing… that is generally how I describe my efforts after misplacing a gemstone , a can of diet Pepsi, a piece of delicious milk chocolate … or? You get the idea, well, on the way back from Cottonwood late afternoon I stopped at Bubbling Ponds to see what was going on there. It was pretty quiet and although I got some neat shots of a couple of blue herons, the fun began when a flock of grackles began descending into the bottom of one of the recently drained ponds in their search for food. I decided to see…

Read More

Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz star in Pedro Almodóvar’s acclaimed new filmSedona AZ (December 11, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s acclaimed new film “Pain and Glory” Dec. 20-26 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Pain and Glory” stars Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz. Banderas won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film. Critics and audiences are raving about the film, and there is early award’s season buzz for the film, cast and director Pedro Almodóvar.

Read More

Verde Valley AZ (December 11, 2019) – Enjoy a wildlife-viewing experience and help wildlife conservation at the same time by volunteering to help out in one or more Christmas Bird Count (CBC) events. The count program is a winter bird population survey that has been coordinated annually by the National Audubon Society for over a century. This will be the 120th year for this fun and important event, which is the oldest ongoing citizen-science endeavor. For each count, volunteers (including those from the Arizona Game and Fish Department) will go afield for one calendar day between Dec. 14, 2019, and Jan.…

Read More

Sedona AZ (December 11, 2019) – Do you have an interest in weaving, spinning, basket making, dyeing yarns or knitting? If so, come to Monday at the Museum at the Sedona Heritage Museum on Monday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and join the members of the Verde Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild while they practice their art and share their love of fiber arts. Come to watch or bring your spinning wheel and yarns and join in the fun. They would be happy to answer any questions. There is no charge for this demonstration.

Read More

By Carson RalstonLibrary Specialist-Adult ProgramsCamp Verde AZ (December 11, 2019) – Join us at Camp Verde Community Library at 1:00 pm starting Friday, January 3rd for a quilting class for beginners.  Two instructors will teach the basics of quilting, quilting history, and also wish to develop a community of quilters for future projects.  The class is for girls ages 10 and up, but moms can join with their daughters.  Students will  be able to make and keep their projects, with a possibility of entering their project in the Verde Valley Fair in May. 

Read More

By Dr. Marta Adelsman Life Coach in Communication and Consciousness(December 11, 2019)Ben didn’t know of any other family as diverse as his when it came to religion and politics. Every year, when the family gathered for the holidays, Ben watched his Uncle Jim navigate the diversity with a skill that softened interactions and lightened moods. As Ben watched how Uncle Jim could calm the heated conversations that occurred each year, his admiration for his uncle grew. In discussions that would derail most family interactions, Ben marveled at how his uncle engaged in them with ease. 

Read More

By Ted Grussing… pathways into the unknown … pathways to forever … all alone on a tiny planet that seems so vast to us. There are scenes which so emphasize the beauty and vastness of space time that you just keep coming back to them … I could spend forever in the moment when and where I took this shot and be drawn to explore whatever lies beyond … or perhaps just remain here and be in awe and wonder. Looking out over the Colorado Plateau with A-1 crater in left center foreground, Kendrick Peak on left and the San…

Read More

Celebrate 35 years of triumphant musical with worldwide event at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 10, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world to present a one-night only world cinema event: “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert” on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Seen by over 120 million people worldwide, “Les Misérables” is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.Coinciding with its 35th triumphant year in London’s West End, Cameron Mackintosh produced a spectacular sold-out staged concert version at the Gielgud Theatre featuring an all-star…

Read More

Sedona AZ (December 10, 2019) – The Sedona Historical Society and Sedona Heritage Museum recently received a gift from Clark’s Market in the Village of Oakcreek as part of the company’s “Non-Profit Mondays” program. During the limited time promotional program, Society volunteers spent the day in the store meeting and greeting shoppers and collecting receipts. The store then donated a percentage of those receipts to the Society to help support their programs and services.

Read More

Camp Verde AZ (December 10, 2019) – The next Music in the Stacks, a free monthly concert series, will take place on Thursday, December 12th at 5:30 pm in Camp Verde Community Library’s Fireside Room. Music in the Stacks is a showcase of local and national musicians who entertain regularly in Northern Arizona. There are 4-6 different performers during the show, with a rotating variety each month.

Read More

Sedona AZ (December 10, 2019) – Sound Bites Grill in uptown Sedona is a modern day supper club that features live music nightly for your dining enjoyment. The Verde Valley has great local musicians that live in the Sedona and the surrounding areas. The venue is a great spot to chill and enjoy dinner, music and red rock views.  

Read More

By Ted Grussing… coming back from shooting the peaks and other areas on the plateau on Saturday, I was greeted by a very low and heavy cloud bank racing across the Verde Valley from SW to NE and the leading edges of the cloud bank were a marvelous collection of very fine and well defined cloud tendrils. There were no holes in the cloud bank so I am glad I got back when I did . I dove below the clouds on the lower right side of the photo which is the top of Long Canyon. On the far left…

Read More