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.

Arizona, show us your creativity. It might save a life.Phoenix AZ (February 6, 2017) – You’ve seen the quirky safety messages the Arizona Department of Transportation displays on overhead signs – remember “Hello from the other side, buckle up and stay alive” and “New year, new you, use your blinker”?Now, ADOT is kicking off its Safety Message Contest, and the winning safety slogan will appear on signs statewide. Beginning today, safety messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest until Feb. 19.

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Sedona AZ (February 6, 2017) – Students and community members are invited to tour the Sedona Water Reclamation Plant and Wetlands Preserve on Feb. 28 as part of the 2017 Verde Valley SciTech Festival. The festival is a week-long celebration of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) held annually to support and encourage students in STEAM education and careers.

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By Suzy ChaffeeOn the anniversary of the passing of Matthew Turner, I want to salute this Sedona Environmental Hero and dear friend to many of us.  I was so proud of my handsome partner, Will and Grace style, for guiding our dream of making Sedona the Shining Green Capital of America! Only a few knew what he overcame to be able to even come to Sedona, where he united 60 businesses to eliminate pesticiding along the main highway, which stopped some from getting blisters.  We then shifted the city to green cleaning, which saved about $25,000 a year, so the city’s…

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Flagstaff AZ (February 4, 2017) – Did you know that Arizona is visited by over 200 bald eagles during the winter? To learn more about these amazing birds and to see live eagles, the public is invited to attend the Annual Bald Eagle Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Willow Bend Environmental Educational Center at 703 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff.Several programs will be offered during this year’s event, which is hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. The cost for the event is $5 per participant for each program or free for…

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Verde Valley AZ (February 4, 2017) – Wendsler Nosie Sr., environmentalist and former Chairman and Councilman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, will present “Protecting Native American Cultural Sites: Defending Sacred Land at Oak Flat, Arizona, Water at Standing Rock, and Native American struggles to keep their resources” at Agape Hall at Prescott United Methodist Church, 505 West Gurley, Prescott, 1 PM, Sunday February 12Nosie has dedicated his life to protecting the future of the Apache People. He has 34 years of experience advocating for federal policies that ensure the future of the Apache people, especially tribal water, land, and basic…

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Clarkdale AZ (February 4, 2017) – Yerania Rodriguez-Ibarra admittedly was “not the best student in high school.” As such, she was convinced she was not “college material.”Fast forward a couple of years and Yerania is a scholar in the truest sense. The 2017 All-Arizona Academic Team honoree and Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society member is a semester away from an associate of arts degree at Yavapai College’s Verde campus.

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Verde Valley AZ (February 4, 2017) – MATFORCE announces its annual “My Voice Makes a Difference” video contest.   Area youth ages 11 to 18 and college students are invited to let their voices be heard by creating an original short video that makes a positive statement about reducing drug and alcohol abuse.  The theme for 2017 is “Stand With Me – Be Drug Free.”

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Phoenix AZ (February 3, 2017) – Attorney General Mark Brnovich is warning Arizonans to beware of the “Can You Hear Me?” robocall scam. Over the last few days, concerned Arizonans have contacted the Attorney General’s Office to report suspicious calls from someone asking “Can you hear me?”  Here’s how it works: You get a call from someone and there may be some static on the line or fumbling around. The caller then says something like, “I’m having trouble with my headset” and asks “Can you hear me?”  Their goal is to get you to answer “Yes.” Scammers use the recorded response to place…

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By Claudelle Johnson, PWG PresidentCottonwood AZ (February 3, 2017) – The Professional Women’s Group will hold their Business After Hours Event on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Main Stage, 1 S. Main St, Cottonwood from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Join us for an exciting evening of PWG women in business networking, providing you the opportunity to promote your business or service. Our hosts at Main Stage are serving a buffet style menu in a relaxed and artistic atmosphere in their back room.

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Sedona AZ (February 3, 2017) – Contractors hired by the city will begin drainage improvements for the Coffee Pot Crossing Drainage Project on Monday, Feb. 13, contingent on good weather and APS utility relocation work remaining on schedule. The Coffee Pot Crossing Drainage Project involves installing a 72-inch diameter drainage culvert approximately 15 feet deep beginning on the east side of Coffee Pot Drive and ending approximately 130 feet west on Grasshopper Lane.

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By Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development LibrarianSedona AZ (February 3, 2017) – Join us for a free screening of A Man Called Ove on Monday, February 6, starting at 6 p.m. in the community room. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling book, by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, about a grumpy yet loveable man who finds his regimented and lonely world upended when he gets new neighbors.

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By Ted Grussing… my own plans for flying did not work out so well today, but for the critters who depend on wings for life it was a very good day. After I left my appointments in Cottonwood this afternoon I stopped by the ponds to check the local inhabitants out. I did pretty good on the good shot ratio today scoring a little over 60%.

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Sponsored by Pillsbury Wine Company and Fusti’s Fine Fudge from the Verde Valley Olive Oil TradersCottonwood AZ (February 2, 2017) – Bresnan Unplugged brings an eclectic mix of originals, jazz & pop standards, “old-timey” blues, and folk-rock music to Old Town Center for the Arts, celebrating love and romance in the spirit of Valentines Day.Dan Bresnan returns to Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood, AZ after well-received sold-out performances from the Bresnan Unplugged Trio. On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., this all-star ensemble will feature Dan Bresnan (acoustic archtop guitar/vocals) along with special guest artists Allen…

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