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.

Camp Verde AZ (November 11, 2019) – Come to Camp Verde Community Library at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 15th for a multi-media, Wild West journey Back to the Beginning of Grand Canyon tourism. Hear stories and songs about one family’s long legacy of Arizona history from the descendants of early, desert trailblazers.The performance features fifth generation Arizona native and singer songwriter, Meagan Gipson, and her mom, author Debbie Gipson, in a live performance show.  Featuring songs from Meagan’s album paired with readings from Debbie’s book, along with vintage staging and a historic slide show all based on their ancestors.

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Adam Driver, Annette Bening and Jon Hamm star in film debuting at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (November 9, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the critically-acclaimed new film “The Report” Nov. 15-21 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“The Report” is a riveting thriller based on actual events. Idealistic staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver) is tasked by his boss Senator Dianne Feinstein (Annette Bening) to lead an investigation of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program, which was created in the aftermath of 9/11.Jones’ relentless pursuit of the truth leads to explosive…

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Clarkdale AZ (November 9, 2019) – Author Journeys: Meet and Greet the Author Rod Timanus to chat about his book “Images of America -Tuzigoot National Monument” at the Clarkdale Historical Society Museum, located at 900 First North St. in Downtown Clarkdale, on Saturday, November 16, 12:30-2:00pm. Books are available for purchase and autographing in the museum. Prizes and Fun! 928-649-1198.

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Sedona AZ (November 9, 2019) – Emerson Theater Collaborative is participating in the December 3, 2019 Giving Tuesday campaign to provide scholarships to children in need for our Summer Youth Theater Program and to continue to produce quality professional theater for local audiences.

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Sedona AZ (November 9, 2019) – Red Earth Theatre returns to Tlaquepaque with 2 performances at 6pm and 7.30pm on Thursday November 21st with a (slightly different) reprise of their 2019 warmly received ‘Gratitude Show’ in the Chapel at the Patio de la Camilla.  This collage-piece of poetry, prose, music and thoughts about gratitude draws from a variety of cultures and eras with the spiritual, practical, thoughtful and humorous creating a space for contemplation and, yes, gratitude.

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Fisher Theatre brings Tony Award-nominated Broadway production to big screenSedona AZ (November 8, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a one-night only theatrical event on screen: Broadway’s “A Night with Janis Joplin” on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock-and-roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock.

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OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Brown Bag Brain Buzz will host John Soderberg, world-renowned bronze sculptor, November 14Clarkdale AZ (November 8, 2019) – John Soderberg has bronze sculptures, both big and small, on display around the world. His topic will be, “’Talent’ – What is it?” After teaching sculpture around the country for over 35 years, and seeing my two daughters choose sculptural careers at age two and three, I have strong feelings about this thing we call “Talent,” and the damage that concept does to children – and adults. Much of my teaching includes repairing that damage. I personally had no talent. I…

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The festival will culminate with “Romantic Revelation,” a concert performed by four of today’s leading chamber music artists.Sedona AZ (November 8, 2019) – From January 9-12, 2020, Chamber Music Sedona will present its 7th Annual Winterfest. Each year, this popular event entertains and educates attendees with an exciting schedule, including an intimate salon musicale held in one of Sedona’s spectacular private homes. Winterfest 2020 will conclude with the Romantic Revelation concert, held at 3 p.m. on January 12 at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Romantic Revelation will showcase four of today’s most sought-after chamber music artists — pianist Gloria Chien, violist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu,…

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Sedona AZ (November 8, 2019) – The Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley announces its Annual Healing Services Day on Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. This free community service event will take place at the Sedona Posse Grounds HUB located at 525B Posse Grounds Road, Sedona AZ. Local practitioners will be offering a variety of free holistic healing modalities to individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, PTSD or moral injury. Attendees will have an opportunity to receive three 30-minute treatments on a first-come, first-served basis. Modalities include Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy, Energy Medicine, Intuitive Healing, Myofascial Release, Reiki, Sound Healing and Trauma Tapping Technique.

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Cottonwood AZ (November 8, 2019) – On October 31, 2019, at 6 AM, Detectives with the Partner Against Narcotics Trafficking task force (PANT), along with assistance from Cottonwood Police Officers, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies and personnel from the State’s Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM) task force, served a search warrant in the 3000 block of E State Route 89A, in Cottonwood, Arizona. In recent weeks, PANT detectives received information regarding an illegal marijuana grow, general drug sales, weapons violations, etc., at a property on State Route 89A in the Bridgeport area near Cottonwood. 

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By Jolene Pierson, Veterans History Project CoordinatorSedona AZ (November 8, 2019) – On Veterans Day, Americans take time to give special recognition to our veterans and to honor their service to our country. Thank you!The Sedona Public Library is an official partner with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which collects and preserves the personal oral histories of our nation’s war veterans. Imagine how fascinating it would be if you could see and hear veterans of the Revolutionary War or the Civil War telling their stories in their own words and voices!  What a wonderful depth of understanding that…

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By Ted Grussing… the rich warm light near sunset does amazing things not just to the red rocks of Sedona, but also to critters and objects we know by other color schemes. The mostly red light is not filtered by its much longer trip through the atmosphere and one of my favorite subjects, the great blue heron is transformed into fall colors and the saturated blue take on a very dark color. Our friend is sitting in the grasses next to the fish pond patiently waiting for one to swim by and then with his beak acting as a spear,…

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Award-winning, inspiring true story returns for Sedona Kindness Day celebrationSedona AZ (November 7, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with SedonaKind to present the encore of the multiple award-winning film “The First Grader” on Wednesday, Nov. 13 as part of the Sedona Kindness Day celebration. There will be two shows at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The ticket price is a donation of $5 with proceeds to benefit the Sedona Oak Creek Educational Foundation.“The First Grader” has won numerous top awards at prestigious film festivals around the world, including both the Audience…

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OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Sedona Community Forum will host John Lothrop, President of the Hope House of Sedona Project, November 20Sedona AZ (November 7, 2019) – As the overnight temperature drops in Sedona, how do you feel about little children and elderly women having to sleep outdoors because they are without a home?Parishioners at the Church of the Red Rocks and other compassionate local residents are dismayed, and they are taking bold steps towards remedying the situation by providing a new service for them called Hope House of Sedona.Want to learn more about their plans, the progress they have made, and…

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Flagstaff AZ (November 7, 2019) – The Coconino National Forest will begin selling a limited number of over-the-counter Christmas tree permits to the public beginning Nov. 22 (Friday) that will be good for cutting in designated areas of the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts until Dec. 24.A total of 1,200 permits will be available at $15 each, which can be paid for by cash, credit card, or personal check at the locations listed below. The permits will be issued one per household on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Permits cannot be reserved. Last year permits sold fast,…

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