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 (September 18, 2019) – This is a case where a detective’s knowledge of the area and some of its criminal players pays off. On September 8, 2019, deputies were dispatched to the 1100 block of E Willow Point, Cornville, regarding a burglary report. The victim indicated the suspects had entered two homes and several outbuildings on their property taking numerous items of value. Deputies learned that the victim’s neighbor was also burglarized and very likely by the same suspects.  There was a substantial amount of property taken in the burglaries including a 2008 Polaris Ranger, homemade trailer, several expensive…

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Cottonwood AZ (September 18, 2019) – The Verde Valley Holistic Healing Fair returns to Old Town Cottonwood at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 5th at the Old Town Center for the Arts (OTCA) and Studio B, 633 N. Fifth Street. Cottonwood.The event is free and open to the public, although $10 donations per practitioner per session are suggested.In the OTCA, guests will have the opportunity to sample holistic healing modalities such as AcuTonics, Ancient Healing, Aromatherapy, Astrology, Body Awareness Training, Chair Massage, Chakra Balancing, CUL Music & Healing, Go Travel Cafe, Nutrition Hypnosis, Intuitive Tarot, OSA Massage, Vibro- Acoustic Experience,…

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Sedona AZ (September 18, 2019) – International lecturer Dr. Mike Yuen will present  a four-part series on compelling discoveries from his China-West research:  “Ancient Chinese Secrets to Healthy Aging and Longevity.”  He has many stories and insights to share from Chinese wisdom, medicine and science, quantum healing, longevity psychology, and hands-on clinical experience. Lectures will be followed by discussion and Q&A.The lecture series will be held at Sedona Public Library on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.  September 24: What the Chinese Knew – Immortality culture, the symbiosis between chronic illness and longevity; October 8: Chinese Quantum Healing – How thoughts and consciousness influence your body;…

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Camp Verde AZ (September 18, 2019) – Are you or someone you know experiencing homelessness? Once a month, continuing Friday, September 20th at 10:00 am, Camp Verde Community Library and Yavapai Outreach host Help with Housing and More where you can meet one-to-one with knowledgeable representatives from area agencies and get help with housing, healthcare, food, employment assistance, birth certificates and other important documents.

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Clarkdale AZ (September 17, 2019) – Today at approximately 11:00 a.m, a neighbor of Clarkdale Jerome School was doing construction work at his residence and using a gunpowder-loaded nail gun to drive nails into concrete. Upon hearing the noise resembling gun shots, teachers alerted the authorities and the school went into lockdown immediately. Clarkdale police officers were on the scene. The school remained under lockdown until the source of the noise was identified. The lockdown was conducted smoothly based on previously practiced procedures.  

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By Ted Grussing… I took this shot yesterday too and it is of a Coopers Hawk that just launched from the tree branch above him. Their nest is in a tree across the arroyo from us so I seem to be getting shots from his six. Oh well, it is an incentive for me to start feeding the tweety birds in our backyard again as then there is a good chance he will face us and drop in to get a bird in flight. Perhaps I’ll do it in October when I get back from the upper mid-west. I really…

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The life and career of musical giant and cultural icon featured in special debut eventSedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool” on Thursday, Sept. 26. There will be two shows at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.The life and career of musical giant and cultural icon Miles Davis, a true visionary, innovator and originator who defied categorization and embodied the word cool, comes to life in “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool”.Miles Davis: horn player, bandleader, innovator.…

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Cottonwood AZ (September 17, 2019) – On September 14, 2019, just before 4 PM, YCSO deputies were dispatched to the Country Store on Western Drive at Highway 260, Cottonwood, regarding a man throwing beer cans out his window and yelling at folks nearby. It was also reported there were young children in his vehicle.   The first deputy arrived and found 40-year-old Christian Mattos from Cottonwood, asleep at the wheel of a running white Toyota pick-up truck. In the back seat of the truck were two and three-year-old boys. 

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Sedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – The Sedona Heritage Museum will host another round of their popular local history tours, on October 2, 3, 4, and 5, this time visiting historic sites, homesteads and buildings while following the Red Rock Loop Road.‘Red Rock’ was what the area around the base of Cathedral Rock was known as long before anyone ever heard of the name ‘Sedona’.  Tour guide Paul Thompson, grandson of Oak Creek Canyon’s first permanent Anglo settler J.J. Thompson, spent his earliest growing up years in Red Rock. Thompson leads these history roundups every year as a way of…

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Clarkdale AZ (September 17, 2019) – Folks of all ages are welcome at the Clarkdale Historical Society Museum located at 900 First North Street in historic downtown Clarkdale. The society and museum is pleased to announce the expansion of its educational programs to reach folks from 3 to 103! Merri Mornings at the Museum is a new program for pre-school age children accompanied by adults to learn what a museum is, what manners to have when visiting a museum and how to enjoy their first museum experience. This monthly, self-guided, one-hour activity is held on the first Wednesday of each month from…

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Jerome AZ (September 17, 2019) – Now known as one of the most original and adventurous film festivals on Earth and listed in Moviemaker Magazine’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, the 7th Annual Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival returns Sept. 26 – 29, 2019. Guests who attend this festival will be blown away by the unique and adventurous film experiences offered which include films on a train, films in Jerome residences, films at Spook Hall, at the Jerome Fire Station and Caduceus Cellars and a silent film showcase with a live orchestra in the old Bartlett…

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Sedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – From now through the end of December Mark Rownd’s abstract paintings will be on display at Sedona City Hall. Rownd has a collection of works by Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning also on display. Concurrently, abstract painter Harold Schifman is exhibiting Five Decades of Art. The public is invited to meet Rownd and Schifman at a reception Oct. 30, 4 to 6 p.m., in the Sedona City Council Chambers at 102 Roadrunner Dr. Jazz guitarist Tony DiMito will be the musical guest.

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Sedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – Syri Hall, a 43-year resident of the City of Sedona, has been chosen to become an associate member of Women Artists of the West. Syri’s unique creations focus on animals, portraits and landscapes on canvas in oil, along with bronze sculptures of life sized baby animals.Syri Hall joins the ranks of other famous Sedona artists who are members of Women Artist of the West (WAOW), such as Deanne McKeown, Shelly Shaffer and Nori Throne.

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Sedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – The Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona and Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County welcome local community groups to participate in the annual Cash for College Scholarship Awareness Nights. Sponsored by Yavapai College, each of the two events will provide opportunities for area students, families, and local educators to learn more about the postsecondary scholarships available for both traditional and non-traditional college students.

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Sedona AZ (September 17, 2019) – Consistency at Sound Bites Grill is something Sedona locals and visitors can rely upon when it comes to quality entertainment, food and fun. Celebrate hump-day with the best wine tasting event in town every Wednesday at Wineaux Wedensday from 5:00pm-7:00pm.Patrons enjoy the varied wine selection (and wine education) while accompanied by the original tunes of Robin Miller on his guitar and piano from 6-9 p.m.. Robin is a weekly attraction at Sound Bites with a following of fans that rarely miss his performances. His seemingly effortless abilities have been honed over decades of live…

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