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.

By Tommy AcostaSedona, AZ (October 25, 2016) There are those who would look at a broken cup, see no value in it and without a second thought, throw it into the trash. Then there are those who would look at the same broken cup, see it’s potential, glue it back together, paint it and turn it into a work of art. Such is the case with Thomas McPherson of the Fenix Private Capital Group L.L.C, who saw the potential of what was formerly called Tequa Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek and with the support of  the Sedona Village Business Association (SBVA), local artisans. innovative tenant’s…

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Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving star in film at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (October 25, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Dressmaker” — starring Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award-nominee Judy Davis —showing Nov. 4-9 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The film also stars Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving.A glamorous, worldly dressmaker returns to her small Australian hometown to seek the truth behind her notorious reputation.

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Sedona AZ (October 25, 2016) – The American Red Cross partnered with Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Charities and Sedona Fire District on a Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.  Teaming up with Sunset Village 65 smoke alarms were installed and 25 batteries were replaced in 41 residences. With each visit volunteers asked to test or install smoke alarms. If pre-existing smoke alarms needs batteries, they were replaced; or if there are no smoke alarms, if they are inoperable, or too old, up to 3 smoke alarms were installed in residences that needed them.

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By Stephen DeVol, Publisher (October 24, 2016)Arizona Revised Statute 15-1444. General powers and duties of district governing boards A. Except as otherwise provided, the district board shall:2. Adopt policies in a public forum to offer programs that meet the educational needs of the population served by the community college.Here we have 35 comments ( ) from a number of educators, professors, and citizens who had their requests to the district governing board made in public and recorded in October, 2015. What was the district governing board’s reaction to the population served by the community college?

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By Ted Grussing… I skipped flying north today as with all the Rx burns the smokey haze precludes getting shots worth taking, so I flew down to Turf and did some shooting of lake Pleasant … lots of smokey haze down there too, so I focused on the straight down shots and this is one that I really liked with a squall line coming through the north end of the lake and setting up some neat abstracts with the sun reflecting on the water. Looks like some strange creatures … let your imagination run wild with this one. I like…

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New production from Stratford-Upon-Avon makes debut at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (October 24, 2016) – The Royal Shakespeare Company’s extraordinary new production of “Cymbeline” makes its Sedona big-screen debut on Sunday, Oct. 30. The Sedona International Film Festival hosts the high-definition premiere of William Shakespeare’s renowned play from its home in Stratford-Upon-Avon. There will be one show at 3 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Cymbeline” is believed to be one of Shakespeare’s final plays and is about deceit, pursuit, seduction and the journey of childhood to adulthood. This is an unmissable chance to see one of Shakespeare’s…

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Sedona Lit is a series by Dr. Elizabeth Oakes, an award winning poet and former Shakespeare professor. A Sedonian of three years, she will highlight the literature, written or performed, of Sedona, past and present.By Elizabeth Oakes(October 24, 2016)Seasons once reminded us we are creatures of the earth, subject to heat and cold, dependent on our harvest for winter’s food. Now we keep the temperature constant, and very few of us grow all our food and store it in a freezer, much less a larder or cold cellar. Moreover, here in Sedona, the four seasons themselves are not clearly defined.…

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By Joel Staadecker, Sedona Resident (October 23, 2016) Dear friends and Neighbors,I am writing to you about an issue that is close to my heart and one I have been working on in our community for the past three years — Post Secondary Education in the Verde Valley.The fact is, that over the past decade Yavapai Community College has become a Prescott area, centralized educational institution that pulls about 50 percent of Yavapai County Property Taxes revenues out of the Verde Valley and invests these sums in facilities and programming in the Prescott area.

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Jerry Lewis heads all-star cast in new film debut at the Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (October 22, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the premiere of “Max Rose” — starring Jerry Lewis — Oct. 28-Nov. 2 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.Jerry Lewis heads an all-star ensemble cast including Claire Bloom, Kevin Pollak, Dean Stockwell, Rance Howard, Illeana Douglas, Kerry Bishé, Mort Sahl and Lee Weaver.“Max Rose” — featuring the legendary Jerry Lewis in his first starring role in over two decades — is a deeply moving drama about a retired jazz musician whose…

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By Ted Grussing… thousand feet of Humphreys Peak is captured in this image. It was snowing at the peaks and the beauty was, well just take a look. Humphreys Peak is 12, 633’ and this shot captures the mountain from about 10,000’ and up. On the right side of the image you can see a clearing with some white spots in it … this clearing is at the 11,000’ level and the white spots are the remains of a B-24 bomber that crashed into the mountain while on a night training exercise September 15, 1944. It is difficult to locate…

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Sedona AZ (October 21, 2016) – World-renowned actor, entertainer and impressionist Duffy Hudson is bringing his award-winning show “A Tribute to George Burns” to Sedona! There will be two performances Oct. 28 and 29, on the Goldenstein Stage at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.Hudson’s hilarious one-man tribute to comedian George Burns pays homage to the legendary performer and the golden age of comedy.

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Sedona AZ (October 21, 2016) – Now through the end of December, Sedona’s City Hall features long-time Sedona resident and artist Syri Hall’s recently completed oil paintings of plein air work, as well as portraits of women in costume. Hall’s paintings are known for their vibrant, bold color and dynamic compositions.

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Rimrock AZ (October 20, 2016) – On October 13th, 2016 at approximately 9:30 PM, the Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking Task Force (P.A.N.T.), along with personnel from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant seeking evidence of illegal drug use and possession for sales at a residence located in the 3900 block of Beaver Vista Road in Rimrock, Arizona. During the execution of the search warrant, 57-year old Mark Stanley Marszalek and 39 year-old Haili Teresa Herbert, were located inside the residence. The task force had been investigating reports that Marszalek had been selling methamphetamine for over a year and a…

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By Virginia Volkman, Library DirectorSedona AZ (October 18, 2016) – This year, October 16 – 22 is the annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.  Sedona Public Library takes this time to thank the Friends of the Sedona Library, who contribute so much of their time and expertise to significantly enhance our services. 

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By Ted GrussingThere is an area on the NW side of the Painted Desert where Coal Mine Mesa breaks off through the Chinle and Moenkopi formations and the eroded patterns almost appear to have been done with a large V blade type knife and the environment looks incredibly hostile … no roads or apparent means of access. It also looks like the formations are rich in copper minerals … need to get some low level shots of the formations on my next flight up in the area.

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