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 (April 1, 2019) – Photographer Joel Hazelton will present at the meeting of the Sedona Camera Club starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at the Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd, Sedona.  Doors open at 5:30.  The Club’s annual business meeting will precede Joel’s presentation.During his presentation “Shooting Arizona’s Waterways”, Joel will discuss where, when, and how to get beautiful, rare images of flowing water in Arizona’s remote backcountry destinations. Joel will start by sharing some of his best creek images from his 10+ years of exploring Arizona, as well as discussing what went into making…

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Flagstaff AZ (April 1, 2019) – The Coconino National Forest will begin selling firewood permits for the 2019 season on Friday, April 12, and permit holders may begin cutting Saturday, April 13.The minimum cost for a permit is $20, which is good for four cords of wood, and the permit can be purchased at the following locations April 12 through mid-December as listed below:

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Sedona AZ (April 1, 2019) – Back by popular demand: the city of Sedona and Yavapai County are partnering to provide a solution for your confusing and troublesome household hazardous waste.If you have discovered a mysterious can of paint thinner in your garage or wondered what to do with broken DVD player, you know how difficult it can be to safely dispose of electronics and other hazardous waste.

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Three Themes, Three ConcertsApril 26-28, 2019Sedona AZ (April 1, 2019) – Piano on the Rocks International Festival was created on the initiative of Duo MusicAleph by pianist Sandrine Erdely-Sayo and narrator Elizabeth Peña, who share a common passion for music, literature, poetry, and for the magical city of Sedona. This festival brings renowned international artists and competition winners to the city of light.Artistic Director Sandrine Erdely-Sayo, and Co-Director Elizabeth Peña founded the festival in 2016 with one long weekend of concerts with 3 pianists. Since then, the annual festival has grown, and, in addition, is able to bring 2 well…

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Sedona AZ (April 1, 2019) – You still have time to save $10 by registering now for KSB’s 40thAnnual Native Plant Workshop. Advance tickets are $25 for Keep Sedona Beautiful members and $35 for the public. At the door, tickets will be $35 for KSB members and $45 for the public. Get tickets and reserve your class spaces at http://keepsedonabeautiful.org.

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By John O’Brien, Sedona Resident(April 1, 2019)I have heard about the proposal to pave Schnebly Hill Road to help solve Sedona’s traffic problems.  I disagree. Not only will the paving of Schnebly Hill Road erode the scenic beauty of this gorgeous area, it will also spread Sedona’s traffic mess over a larger area and likely exacerbate the traffic problem we currently have on SR 179 between the Schnebly Hill Road roundabout and the “Y” roundabout.Big and bold solutions are necessary to reduce tourism and solve Sedona’s traffic crisis once and for all.  Here are a few “out of the box”…

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Celebrate the Earth!Sedona AZ (March 30, 2019) – Last year the Verde Valley Earth Day Extravaganza went all weekend surrounding Earth Day. The Sustainability Alliance listed over 40 events. This year, the Sustainability Alliance is declaring Earth Month, all April! One day or one weekend just doesn’t do Mother Nature justice!Find fun, inspirational and educational events at www.VVEarthDay.com.

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Sedona AZ (March 29, 2019) – Fingerstyle guitar master, Rick Cyge shares favorite music from the Woodstock Generation at Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Saturday, April 6, 2019. Recently voted “Sedona’s Best Musician” in KUDOS Reader’s Choice Awards, he will perform exciting fingerstyle guitar arrangements of music from the iconic era of the ’60s and ’70s.  The evening promises an uplifting and nostalgic journey into shared musical memories of the past! The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now.

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Sedona AZ (March 29, 2019) – Help ensure seniors can get to critical medical appointments by donating to Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition on April 2—Arizona Gives Day.About 65% of older adults enrolled to receive VVCC services are 85 years and older. Most can no longer drive and many suffer from chronic illnesses.“Our neighbors depend on us for life-saving services,” said VVCC Executive Director Kent Ellsworth. These services include transportation to medical appointments, medication pick up, pre-and-post-op, dialysis, physical therapy, cancer treatments, grocery shopping and other important errands.

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By John Roberts, Sedona Resident(March 29, 2019)The Sedona Red Rock News 3/22 editorial headlined by,”History of the fall of Sedona Cultural Park.” was factual and well researched. Explaining the operating headwinds the Park management experienced was good for those who favored the Park’s concept to understand. However there was more which was also a part of this history and it follows to the extent that my participation then as president of the Sedona Arts Center ( SAC ) Board in it allows.This failure commenced at the same time Jane Vojnovich had given the Sedona Arts Center $1,000,000. Discussions had begun…

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Prescott AZ (March 29, 2019) – In April of 2016 the City of Prescott embarked on ambitious planning efforts to study Watson Lake and the upper portions of Granite Creek Watershed. This May these two planning efforts will come to a close and produce management plans for improving the water quality of Watson Lake and many of the creeks that feed it. Matt Killeen, Environmental Coordinator for the City of Prescott, will share the findings of these studies at a presentation on Saturday, Apr. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, 882 Sunset Avenue,…

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Call it: “Egg Watch 2019.”Phoenix AZ (March 29, 2019) – Beginning Sunday, March 31 all eyes will be trained on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s live-streaming bald eagle camera and the egg carefully nestled inside a cliffside nest on Lake Pleasant. It’s then when the fourth — and lone surviving — egg laid by a pair of nesting bald eagles will have completed its 35-day incubation period, meaning the egg could begin hatching at any moment.

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Sedona AZ (March 29, 2019) – The city of Sedona invites residents to an Open House April 9, 2019 from 4 to 6 pm at the Sedona Library community room to give input on potential transit service options in and around Sedona.After the Transportation Master Plan identified transit as a major strategy to pursue, and as part of the Sedona in Motion (SIM) effort, the city hired LSC Transportation Consultants to develop an implementation plan of a greater Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon transit system for both residents and visitors. Thus far, a transit needs assessment has been completed; extensive public input…

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Jerome AZ (March 29, 2019) – The monthly tradition of Jerome First Saturday Art Walk has taken root and will blossom once again this spring with new artists and studios as well as Jerome’s exciting and well-known galleries.  Stroll the mountain town on April 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM or take the free shuttle for an evening of art, live music, food, and delightful conversation. Spend the day, have a meal in town and maybe even stay the night at one of Jerome’s delightful accommodations.

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Sedona AZ (March 29, 2019) – Michelle Haveri’s watercolor painting, “Splash” was selected as the featured artwork for the  19th Annual Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Artists across the state were invited to submit images representing the 2019 festival featured bird, the Cinnamon Teal. “My profound love for animals, and all they are here to teach us, is reflected in my pet portraits, wild life, and things with wings, all of which extend an invitation to feel the grace, freedom, beauty, power, transformation, and healing qualities they embody. I am so excited that my work “Splash” was chosen to represent the…

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