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.

Encore of lecture series featuring Beatles historian Scott Freiman at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 9, 2019) – Sedona International Film Festival is proud to be the official host of “Deconstructing the Beatles”, joining hundreds of theatres around the country for this special series. “Deconstructing The Beatles: The Birth of The Beatles” will show in Sedona on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.In the late 1950s, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Richard Starkey were just four Liverpudlian teenagers who decided to play music. With no formal training and no ability…

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Sedona AZ (December 9, 2019) – Sedona City Hall will host a 150 kilowatt solar system under the APS Solar Communities program. The Solar Communities program is one of the ways in which APS is expanding access to solar statewide. APS will install, operate, and maintain the city’s solar photovoltaic system free of charge, and the city will receive a monthly bill credit from APS. Designed to enable non-residential customers as well as limited- and moderate-income customers to support clean energy, the program has installed nearly 590 solar projects statewide since July 2018. 

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Highway will be narrowed to one laneSedona AZ (December 7, 2019) – Drivers who use State Route 89A in northcentral Arizona should expect daytime travel delays while the SR 89A Sedona City Limits to Bear Howard Drive Pavement Preservation-Safety Improvement project continues during the winter.The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra time and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place:

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Live concert event!Sedona AZ (December 7, 2019) – Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with the songs and stories of Peter, Paul and Mary when renowned tribute band MacDougal Street West brings its live show and concert “A Peter, Paul and Mary Christmas Experience” to Sedona.There will be two performances: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. on the Goldenstein Stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.

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By Ted Grussing… going through photos tonight I came across this image of a blue heron I shot a few weeks ago … it was cold, stormy skies and our friend looked like he was waiting to give a presentation and hoping someone would show up to hear what he had to say … at this moment there was no one in his audience and methinks he was hoping for at least one person … he would dazzle that person with images and profundities such that no one had ever heard or seen before … will there be that one…

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Lucas Hedges, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Sterling K. Brown star in acclaimed filmSedona AZ (December 6, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the critic and audience-acclaimed new film “Waves” Dec. 13-18 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Waves” features an award-winning, all-star ensemble cast including Lucas Hedges, Sterling K. Brown, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell and Alexa Demie.Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, “Waves” traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family — led by a well-intentioned but domineering father — as they navigate love, forgiveness and…

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By John Roberts, Sedona Resident(December 6, 2019)No matter who recites them – democrat or republican – the arguments and support for them are persuasive and well founded. Those offering them believe most fully in what they say. Pick your side but recognize that neither side thinks it’s in the minority. This is their absolute conviction. Compromising is way out in left field.This in itself demands that the process should continue to the finish line. In all likelihood there will be no or almost no crossover from one political party to the other. Exhaustion appears to be what we find at…

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Sedona AZ (December 6, 2019) – The Sedona Heritage Museum will host a book signing event on Saturday, December 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Jody Beeler, son of Cowboy Artists of America co-founder, Joe Beeler.Jody will be signing two of his father’s books, “The Joe Beeler Sketch Book” and “Joe Beeler”. Both books are full of images of Joe’s art work stories and sketches, and family photos and stories and quotes.

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Sedona AZ (December 6, 2019) – The city is preparing to update the existing 2005 Stormwater Master Plan and would like your help.The 2020 update will help identify areas within Sedona that have potential drainage issues or are affected by stormwater discharge.  You can help by participating in an online survey. Data collected in the survey, along with field data, will be used to develop an updated understanding of drainage-related problems and concerns.

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Sedona AZ (December 6, 2019) – Red Earth Theatre is delighted to return with a reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in the Chapel at the Patio de la Camilla, Tlaquepaque for two performances on Thursday December 19th  at 6pm and 7.30. After 2 sold out performances last year, Scrooge returns to the red rocks of Sedona.

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By Judy Poe, Assistant Library DirectorSedona AZ (December 6, 2019) – This is an author reading you won’t want to miss! Pam Houston is not only a fabulous writer, but she is a delightful and fun speaker. We are thrilled to be bringing her to Sedona as part of the Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home author series.Pam will visit Sedona Public Library on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. for a book talk, slide presentation, and book signing. Currently on a national book tour for her latest book,  Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country, Pam is well-known for her story…

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By Ted Grussing… and where it has gone …In May of 2013 Corky was put on hospice and a few weeks later we lost Q who had spent about seven years with us, and Nimbus II was Q’s predecessor as the feline deity that dwelled with us. When you choose to share your life with and be close to creatures who have much shorter lifespans than that of humans you are guaranteed, that you will suffer the loss of a being that you have become friends with and have developed strong emotional ties too … that is just the nature…

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Holiday music spectacular at the Sedona Performing Arts Center sure to spark Christmas spiritSedona AZ (December 5, 2019) – Ring in the holidays and celebrate the sounds of the season with “In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular” on Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. This special celebration is presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.A show that’s quickly becoming a holiday tradition for audiences! Get in the spirit of the season with “In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular”. The evening is filled with singing, dancing, comedy, a six-piece band, and…

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Sedona AZ (December 5, 2019) – Sedona Public Library is excited to present local author Robert Louis DeMayo reading from his latest novel The Sirens of Oak Creek on December 17 at 1 p.m. in the Community Room.This newest work has won a Silver Medal for Literary Fiction from the eLit Book Awards, Best New Historical Mystery in June by Pinnacle Book Awards, and the Book Excellence Awards listed the novel as a finalist in the category of Female Empowerment. DeMayo will also discuss his writing process and sell and sign books at the event on December 17.

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Sedona AZ (December 5, 2019) – The Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona and Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County hosted the annual Cash for College Scholarship Awareness Night on Tuesday, December 3 at Yavapai College’s Verde Valley Campus. The event brought together 16 scholarship providers and 100 individuals interested in learning more about opportunities for community college, traditional four-year universities, and career and technical certifications. In partnership with Yavapai College, the event aims to increase awareness of financial support available to both traditional and non-traditional students.

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