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.

Creating real connections between employers and job seekers in Yavapai County Prescott, Arizona — Yavapai College hosted another successful job fair on Wednesday, April 8, connecting 49 employers with job seekers from across Yavapai County and strengthening local workforce opportunities. The job fair was organized by the American Job Center at Yavapai College and brought together employers from healthcare, construction, public safety, behavioral health and other essential industries. Job Fair sponsor employers included Fann Contracting, Inc., Commonspirit, Yavapai County Sherif’s Office, Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest, Sevita health, Copperstate Ambulance, and the Pines Home Health and Hospice. “Yavapai College is proud…

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Sedona, AZ — University Women of Sedona will host their next informational meeting on Monday, May 4, at 9:30 am when they will hear from Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, an Arizona author with a special connection to Sedona. Lisa has written several books, her most recent a collaboration with friend Julie Morrison entitled “Arizona Friend Trips”. In this book the co-authors invite readers to explore the state’s most cherished places through a blend of poetry, prose, and photography. “From the iconic landmarks to hidden gems, each chapter of this captivating travelogue provides historical insight, personal anecdotes, and emotional reflections on Arizona’s…

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By Amaya Gayle Gregory Somewhere along the way I picked up the idea that thoughts create reality, so of course, when things weren’t going the way I had envisioned I blamed myself for the thoughts that created that not-according-to-plan unfolding. I’ve written about this before, but it’s been a while and I was wondering what I might say about this today, so here goes. By the way, I have no idea what I’m going to write. Thoughts arise and fall. They pass by like trains in King’s Cross Station (loved Harry Potter). The cars stop for a moment to…

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is pleased to announce that it has  completed its first Keri TOUCH® CMC 1 Thumb Prosthesis Implant surgery at Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). The FDA-approved KeriMedical device is a cementless, dual-mobility, ball-and-socket implant designed to replace the damaged, pain-causing joint while preserving bone. The new thumb osteoarthritis surgery aims to give patients better function, faster recovery from surgery and reduced pain. NAH Orthopedic & Spine Institute (OSI) Flagstaff board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Peter Gibson, MD, was the first surgeon in Arizona to use this procedure when he completed the surgery on March 31, 2026. The implant, the…

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By Rabbi Alicia Magal The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences.  The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, concerts, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. All are invited to Erev Shabbat service on Friday, May 1 at 5:30…

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By David Stephen — Sedona, AZ — The School of Psychology and Vision Sciences at the University of Leicester are about to waste time and efforts in their [May 7] 2026 Sluckin Lecture by inviting Anil Seth to diction about consciousness. Anil Seth speaks multiple times a year. He has written a book on consciousness. He publishes papers every year and does various interviews including giving quotes to reports. Anil Seth has not made any contribution to progress in neuroscience, or moved knowledge forward on anything useful on anything relevant. The introductory profile [World-leading consciousness scientist to deliver Sluckin Lecture…

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A vision of America’s future as a nation that remains powerful but no longer leads—gradually yielding the center of the world to rising powers as its own foundations quietly erode. By Bear Howard and Associates By the time the world reaches 2100, America may still be large, wealthy, armed, creative, and present—but no longer the owner of the theater. It may still have a seat near the front, but the stage lights will no longer automatically turn toward it. The story will not be remembered as one dramatic fall. It will be remembered as something stranger: a nation that had…

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By Steve Segner On Monday, April 20, 2026, the city of Sedona was recognized for its exceptional work in preserving and improving the former Forest Service Ranger Station on Brewer Road, now Ranger Station Park. The multi-year project has received national honors from the American Public Works Association as Project of the Year in the Small Cities/Rural Communities category, as well as recognition for Historical Restoration and Preservation in 2025. It has also been featured in the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow, a collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Council of Engineering Companies—organizations representing tens…

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Dear Sedona Community, I’m reaching out to personally invite you to attend the upcoming City Council meeting on April 28th, where the City will present the results of its survey on the future of the Sedona Cultural Park and amphitheater. Right now, the City is looking at survey data on the Amphitheater. But the numbers don’t tell the full story. People do. What gets decided here has the potential to directly impact our businesses, our employees, and the long term stability of Sedona’s economy. This affects all of us. • • • The reality is, an active amphitheater isn’t about one…

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Sedona, AZ — Theres a new live music venue in town and for sure it’s going to make a big splash here in Cottonwood, Arizona. It’s called BV’s Italian Kitchen Patio, located on the front patio of the Verde Lux Hotel and the music is revving up and getting ready to go, with live music being offered 6 days a week, Monday through Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays. The line up so far incudes some of the best performing musicians in the area, including Sedona. The first show kicked off on Thursday, April 23, with Patrick Ki and Robin Miller, followed…

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Sedona, AZ — Minstrels Robin Miller and Patrick Ki will be performing at BV’s Italian Kitchen Patio on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Miller, known throughout Northern Arizona as a quintessential performer, songwriter and entertainer, is a masterful guitarist and seasoned vocalist who enthralls his audience with the beauty of his songs and delivery. He is a recording artist with more than a dozen albums under his belt. He is one of the most respected and loved musicians in Arizona, with decades of performing in the community. He is a virtuoso guitar player playing with numerous bands…

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SEDONA, Ariz. – On Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m., at The Hub, located at 525-B Posse Ground Rd., the city of Sedona will host an open house seeking input on city-owned buildings, electric car chargers, solar panels and other projects that will assist the city in its efforts to meet municipal operations carbon neutrality goals. This public input session is part of a planning and design project being completed with Alternative Energy Systems Consulting for each of the projects identified in a municipal decarbonization roadmap that was established as part of the Municipal Sustainability Plan. Attendees…

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SEDONA, Ariz. – The city of Sedona will hold a Community Conversation public meeting for residents and local businesses to discuss the needs of families and seniors on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Library Sedona, located 3250 White Bear Rd. This Community Conversation is the first meeting in a reoccurring series the city council launched to engage the community on varying themes over the coming months. These meetings aim to increase public participation, build positive relationships, create dialogue with the public on current issues and inform future policy decisions the council makes. “Creating space for real,…

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Multiscreen concert film of two massive live shows by John Lennon & Yoko Ono Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world for a global theatrical event: “Power To The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC”, showing April 29 and May 3 at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. “Power To The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC” is the 2026 multiscreen concert film of two massive live shows by John Lennon & Yoko Ono at Madison Square Garden, New York City on August 30, 1972, newly restored,…

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Sedona, AZ– The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley will honor Rabbi Alicia Magal on May 3, who is celebrating her 20th year anniversary as the synagogue’s spiritual leader.  Chairperson of the event, Patricia Eyres, said, “Rabbi Magal’s leadership and vision have shaped religious services, educational and cultural programming, and outreach to Verde Valley communities.” The event will feature a cocktail reception, elegant dinner, musical entertainment, and heartfelt personal tributes. Chairperson Eyres continued, “Rabbi has earned deep respect from congregants, interfaith clergy and colleagues from a variety of civic and religious organizations.” Rabbi Magal, who came to JCSVV in 2006,…

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