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 6, 2017) – On Thursday, April 13th, at 6:30PM, Inspiration of Sedona will present an inspiring short film of sustainable business pioneer Ray Anderson talking about the business logic of sustainability. This will be followed by an open, public discussion and presentation by a representative from The Sustainability Alliance, a coalition of local non-profits who are dedicated to greening their businesses.

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Sedona AZ (April 6, 2017) – Rivko Knox, 50 year member of the League of Women Voters and an on-site registered lobbyist at the 53rd Arizona Legislature will be the featured speaker at the April 17 Voter Education Program hosted by the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley at Yavapai College, 4215 Arts Village Drive from 12:30pm-2:00pm. The program is free and open to the public.

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Verde Valley AZ (April 6, 2017) – Prescription drug abuse has its grips on our nation in epidemic proportions.  Right now 91 people are dying each day from opioid overdose, with prescription pain relievers being the driving force. MATFORCE and area law enforcement hope everyone will help stop this abuse by bringing unwanted medication to Dump the Drugs on Saturday, April 29th.   Medications can be disposed of at one of seven locations throughout the county, including: Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Chino Valley. 

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Sedona AZ (April 6, 2017) – Keep Sedona Beautiful has announced that the eleventh annual Norman B. Herkenham Award has been awarded to Sue Smith. The Herkenham Award recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations that further the education about and implementation of native plant landscaping.

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By Ted Grussing… this is one of the more difficult waterfowl shots to get … the very instant that the wings are forced into the water along with a major kick with webbed feet to propel the duck nearly straight up into the air. You can see the enormous energy being expended as this hen mallard is erupting from the surface of the water … another tenth of a second and only her feet and tail were still touching the water and she went airborne.

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Acclaimed new films debut in Sedona at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (April 5, 2017) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of “Queen of the Desert” (starring Nicole Kidman, James Franco and Robert Pattinson) and “The Sense of an Ending” (starring Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling) showing April 14-19 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

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Prescott AZ (April 5, 2017) – On March 31, 2017, Deputies were dispatched to the home of an 89-year-old Prescott woman who had been scammed out of several thousand dollars. The victim had been contacted by a man over the internet which developed into a romantic interest for her. In reviewing some of the emails, the man wrote that he worked for the United Nations as an “American General” in Syria and was trying to leave the country so he could come to Prescott and be with her. Starting in October of 2016, he asked for money to help with…

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By Ted Grussing… and this Great Blue Heron was doing just that; he had been perched on the concrete wall above the water, and decided to take about a six foot step down into the water. He spread his wings to slow the descent and then resumed his hunting whilst standing in the water. Not many waterfowl remaining at the ponds as most of the ducks and some other species have begun their migration back north … still, it is a nice walk, the air is fresh and very few people around.

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Sedona Film Festival hosts big-screen presentation of art series at Mary D. Fisher theatreSedona AZ (April 4, 2017) – Sedona International Film Festival presents the Exhibition on Screen series with “I, Claude Monet”. The event will show in Sedona on Monday, April 17 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre. This is the second in a series of four featured programs.The festival is proud to be the official host of the series, joining hundreds of theatres around the globe for this special exhibition on screen. Cinema guests can now enjoy unprecedented high definition access into…

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Sedona AZ (April 4, 2017) – Greg Lawson will present “The Practical Naturalist” at the meeting of the Sedona Camera Club starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 24th, at the Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd, Sedona.Lawson has pursued an intense interest in a diverse earth during his decades-long photography career. He will present his independent outlook as a tool to motivate attendees in the pursuit of their individual style and accomplishments, focusing on his wildlife interests.

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Rimrock AZ (April 4, 2017) – On March 21, 2017, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) deputies contacted an adult domestic violence victim regarding an incident involving 39-year-old Blue Christopher Rivera. The victim stated she went to Rivera’s home in Rimrock intending to dissolve the relationship. During the discussion, Rivera held a revolver to his head and when the victim grabbed his arm to move the firearm away from his head, Rivera fired a round that traveled between his and the victim’s face. The victim was able to take the handgun from his grasp and hide it outside.

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Clarkdale AZ (April 4, 2017) – Open registration for the summer and fall semesters at Yavapai College (YC) will begin next week. Summer semester open registration starts on Monday, April 10, at 7 a.m., and fall semester open registration begins on Monday, April 24 at 7 a.m.“Since many classes fill up quickly, we recommend that new students begin planning their schedules ahead of registration in order to get the classes they want,” said Kim Kapin, YC director of marketing and communications.

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Sedona AZ (April 4, 2017) – Community members and visitors are invited to help the Sedona Police Department raise funds to support Special Olympics by enjoying an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner April 8.Dinner begins at 5 p.m. at the Sedona Elks Lodge located at 110 Airport Rd., Sedona. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, payable in cash at the door or with a check payable to the Sedona Police Department. The evening will include live and silent auctions.

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Sedona AZ (April 4, 2017) – Want bragging rights among your friends? Visit Rowe Fine Art Gallery on April 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to meet a pack of wolves and wolf dogs. This rare opportunity is part of Sedona Wolf Week 2017. A suggested minimum donation is required to meet the wolves with funds going toward Apex Protection Project, a 501(c)3 dedicated to protecting wolves and wolf dogs through education and rescue. The Apex Pack are USDA-certified travel animals used for educational purposes.

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Cottonwood AZ (April 4, 2017) – This show by Annabel Sclippa will be presented at Pillsbury Wine Co in Old Town Cottonwood this Saturday, April 8th during the Second Saturday Art Walk from 5-9pm.Most people relate this series to Miss Sclippa’s spinal cord injury, but it is in fact a struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a challenging Auto-Immune Disease that behaves much like Lupus, which inadvertently launched her into a painting career 24 years after her paralysis.

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