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 (December 8, 2016) – All they want for Christmas is a place to call home.   Come and find your new best friend and make wishes come true during the Verde Valley Humane Society’s “A Pup and A Cup” adoption event at Starbucks, 1885 W. SR 89A, W. Sedona, on Sunday, December 11th from 9am to 11.30am.  St. Joseph’s Catholic School art students – “Wings for Paws” – will be selling their beautiful hand-crafted ornaments for the furbabies.  For more information, call  the VVHS at 928.634.7387. 

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Sedona AZ (December 8, 2016) – Sedona Fire District with the support of IAFF Local 3690 and Sedona-Verde Valley Firefighter Charities will be looking to bring good cheer to the children of the Verde Valley. On Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 09:00 AM – 3:00 PM, firefighters will be at the Safeway in West Sedona and Weber’s IGA in the Village of Oak Creek collecting Toys for Tots. We ask that you consider dropping by and bringing an unwrapped present to donate. The Toys for Tots organization will be collecting all of the donated toys on Monday and work to distribute…

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Cottonwood AZ (December 8, 2016) – Cottonwood’s Holiday Contra Dance takes place Saturday, Dec. 17th, at the Cottonwood Civic Center, 805 N. Main St. in Old Town. The band Updraft plays the tunes, with Judy Francis, Mary Anne Mcleod, and Mike Reddig, while caller Kari Usher keeps us all on track. Check out contra dancing on Youtube for a peek at this fun dance form. No partner or experience is required—wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Those new or needing a refresher should be sure to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the half hour lesson; regular dance is 7-10 p.m.  All dances…

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Sedona AZ (December 8, 2016) – In July 2016, the city of Sedona advertised for a Communications and Public Relations Manager. Upon receiving almost two hundred resumes, the candidates were reduced to the top eight. After completing a lengthy and intensive interview process spanning several weeks, Marty Macurak emerged as the successful candidate. 

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Sedona AZ (December 8, 2016) – Keep Sedona Beautiful hosted its first-ever annual fundraiser for its Endowment Fund on November 13 at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock.”We’ve entered a new era of commitment,” said KSB President Joanne Kendrick. “Focusing on the long view, through the Endowment Fund, and making it easier for people to participate online, have brought greater scope to our dedication. One name we’ve given to that commitment is ‘Preserving the Wonder.’ That’s what we call our monthly speaker series, but the name really applies to everything we do.”

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By Ted Grussing… I received quite a few replies today complimenting me on my fine food choices, but then I received a few who thought my food choices needed massive enhancements and I was setting a bad example … I think I need a safe space … perhaps counseling or therapy … or perhaps just continue to live knowing that they are just jealous of my freedom from the need to conform to PC food choices. Actually it was all tongue in cheek spoofing and really funny and yes I do eat mostly … well, frequently, good food … chocolate…

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Award-winning Broadway documentary debuts at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 6, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened” for two shows only Dec. 13-14 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.One of the truly legendary musicals in the history of Broadway, “Merrily We Roll Along” opened to enormous fanfare in 1981, and closed after sixteen performances.

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By Ted Grussing…  an evening listening to the musical poetry of Rod McKuen and today was just one of those days where plans shift … some things get done and others are put off for another day and given the nature of the things I put off, it is likely that when their turn comes up again, I will put them off again. It feels good to do that because whether I do them or not is of little consequence in the overall scheme of things and I like not doing things too.

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Camp Verde AZ (December 6, 2016) – The Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce will host a presentation on the new Arizona Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave law. The presentation will be led by Dr. Alexandria Wright, Regional Economic Development Center Director at Yavapai College. The meeting is open to the public.  It will be held in the Copper Room at the Camp Verde Community Library, at 11am on Monday, December 19th. The library is located at 130 Black Bridge Road. Light refreshments will be served.For questions, contact Stephen Goetting 703-298-3579.

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Advanced Sale Passes Now on Sale Through Dec. 31Sedona AZ (December 6, 2016) – More than 1,200 films submitted for consideration are being reviewed and scored for a coveted screening among the more than 160 films to be selected for the 23rd annual Sedona International Film Festival, Feb. 18-26 in magnificent Sedona, Arizona.Three-time Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby will open the 2017 Festival with a performance on Saturday, Feb. 18 and five-time Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein will bring his Ira Gershwin Program and Great American Songbook to the Festival’s final weekend on Friday, Feb. 24.  Both concerts will be at…

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Sedona AZ (December 6, 2016) – Amidst the scenic views of Sedona’s striking red sandstone formations stands The Collective Sedona, a mixed-use lifestyle and entertainment venue. Its brightly-colored buildings house some of the finest restaurants, shops and galleries in the Verde Valley. Throughout the property, visitors can enjoy an open-air plaza featuring beautiful architecture and green spaces dotted with water features and art installations.

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By Ted Grussing… a late afternoon flight today with the intent to get some great sunset shots up at the peaks and with the snow on the peaks I expected to get some beautiful shots. Once in the air and above the plateau a different scene emerged … hazy smokey air everywhere I could see. ‘tis the time they burn slash piles … why not mechanically get rid of these concentrated messes instead of putting them into the air? Or just leave them to recycle naturally; slash piles are not part of the natural order, nor is burning them.

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Local filmmaker debuts new film with special premiere event at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (December 5, 2016) – How does the universe communicate from subatomic particles, wavelengths, superstrings, to stars and every being?  And how do individuals communicate back to see their dreams manifest? The heartening assumption of a new film, “The Coolest Meditation Ever: Antarctica 12.12.12,” is that every one of us makes waves in the field of consciousness that are felt for eternity and experienced in our lifetimes.  On Earth we are all still drinking the water and breathing the air here when Earth began. That framework of…

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Sedona AZ (December 5, 2016) – The Sedona Heritage Museum is hosting the next in its Living History speaker series on Wednesday December 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Museum when local architect Don Woods will present on his 50 years of designing and working in Sedona.  He will be talking briefly about his career and will also talk about Sedona architecture in general and where he thinks it is headed.  Woods has designed close to 200 homes in Sedona.  His commercial work includes the development on the creek side of Main Street, the Cottages at Coffee Pot, Junipine Resort,…

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Extraordinary award-winning production returns to the West End Stage and on big screensSedona AZ (December 3, 2016) – The National Theatre of London celebrates encore series with the limited engagement return of the sensational “War Horse” on Sunday, Dec. 11. The Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen encore of the theatrical triumph at its Mary D. Fisher Theatre. There will be two shows at 4 and 7 p.m.Since its first performance at the National Theatre in 2007, “War Horse” has become an international smash hit, capturing the imagination of four million people around the world. The production won…

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