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.

Information & Perspective by Warren Woodward(August 5, 2016) Numerous people have asked me recently who to vote for in the race for the three vacant seats at the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).People have also sent me articles about incumbent ACC candidate Bob Burns, and also referenced his campaign claims about standing up to APS influence. In brief, don’t fall for Burns’ re-election ploy.But first of all, understand that I am a registered Republican. I am not a doctrinaire Democrat out to bash Republicans. Read More→

Read More

Verde Valley AZ (August 5, 2016) – The Northern Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host the annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 12 to 2 p.m. at Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. Each year the chapter recognizes the efforts of volunteers, businesses, organizations, and fundraising professionals.  

Read More

Clarkdale AZ (August 5, 2016) – The League of Women Voters of Greater Verde Valley is hosting a Candidates Forum for Clarkdale Town Council on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 899 First South Street, Clarkdale. The forum will begin at 6:30 and end at 8:00 pm. This forum will be videotaped by Verde Valley Television for broadcast on CABLEONE CHANNEL 56 and SUDDENLINK CHANNEL 2 and on YouTube at (https://www.youtube.com/user/VerdeValleyTV).

Read More

By Karen Mack, Youth Services LibrarianSedona AZ (August 5, 2016) – We’ve reached the finish line of the Library’s “On Your Mark. Get Set… Read!” summer reading program. With 298 participants enjoying well over 3,500 hours of reading and listening, and with 1,400 people attending a myriad of family events sponsored by Friends of the Library, I would say that we’ve had a busy and interesting summer! And now it’s time for Mellow Monkeys and Library Lions story time programs!

Read More

Cottonwood AZ (August 4, 2016) – This morning, just before 2AM, YCSO deputies were dispatched to E. Mesa Drive, Cottonwood, regarding a 2 to 3-year old child unattended in the roadway. The reporting party told deputies he was driving home and saw the female child lying in the road on Mesa Drive near Kachina Drive wrapped in a blanket and holding a pillow. She was wearing a diaper and no other clothing. Deputies later confirmed the child was 2 and 1/2-years-old.  

Read More

By Ted Grussing… between cloud layers this morning and hopefully tomorrow morning too. Chance of precipitation for the early to mid-morning hours this morning was only 15% and light winds so after four hours sleep, the usual exercises and six shots of espresso it was off to the airport. Things were looking pretty dark from the S through the NE, but the immediate vicinity was pretty good so down the runway and into the grey I went. Armed with three cameras again with some very specific shots and footage I wanted to get. The Colorado Plateau rim where it breaks…

Read More

Three-night event features encores of three important films in time for election yearSedona AZ (August 4, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley to present a Voter Rights Film Series, featuring the encores of three important films Aug. 15-17 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.The series will feature “Iron Jawed Angels” on Monday, Aug. 15; “Recount” on Tuesday, Aug. 16; and “Selma” on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Each film will be shown at 7 p.m. on the respective evening, and tickets for each film will be a special…

Read More

Sedona AZ (August 4, 2016) – Banicki Construction will complete permanent striping on Highway 89A between Forest Road and just north of Art Barn Lane on the evenings of Wednesday, August 10, 2016 and Thursday, August 11, 2016. This work was originally scheduled for August 1, 2016 through August 2, 2016, but was delayed due to weather.

Read More

Verde Valley AZ (August 4, 2016) – Arizona Primary Election on August 30 begins with Early Voting Ballots being mailed out beginning August 3.  If you do not receive your early ballot within the next week, please call your county elections office to request your early ballot. Phone number for Yavapai County Registrar of Voters is Phone: (928) 771-3248 and Coconino County Recorder at 800.793.6181.

Read More

By Ted Grussing… mountain in Sedona is Mt. Wilson, all the others were caused by erosion … here is a photo of the volcanic cone located on the east/Oak Creek Canyon side of the mountain. Actually this is a photo of what remains of the volcanic cone as a major earthquake or series of quakes sheered the cone into two pieces; the other part was moved hundreds of yards to the SE and dropped several hundred feet. Oak Creek Canyon was formed by a series of earthquakes as well as erosion and is on the fault line. Kinda cool reminder…

Read More

Award-winning documentary premieres at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 3, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a special premiere of the award-winning new documentary “Holy Hell” — showing one day only: Thursday, Aug. 18 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.After graduating from college, young idealist Will Allen joined a spiritual community filled with like-minded people looking for some answers to the basic questions of life, led by a charismatic but secretive guru in 1980s West Hollywood.

Read More

Verde Valley AZ (August 2, 2016) – Nine team members of the Rotary Club of Sedona donned rakes and weed whackers Saturday morning and tackled the nearly half-acre yard of a Verde Valley Caregivers elderly client.  The group of volunteers cut weeds, raked and bagged leaves and brush, and sprayed organic weed killer. Pam, 73, said the transformation of her yard is fantastic. “I’m thrilled about what they did for me. I so appreciate their volunteering for work I’m not able to do.”

Read More

Sedona AZ (August 3, 2016) – On Friday, August 5, 2016 at 4 p.m., Red Earth Theatre and Sedona Arts Center will host Poet’s Corner featuring poet, actress, social activist and chocolatier Sarah Ann Lesslie.As early as 4 years old she became involved in acting and the creative arts in her first theatre production. At the age of 11, her poetry was published in the “Anthology of Poetry.” In her earlier 20’s she wrote for Green Lifestyles Magazine, a national green magazine.

Read More

Big crowd expected at Camp Tontozona east of PaysonCamp Verde AZ (August 3, 2016) – Motorists planning to use State Route 260 east of Payson on Saturday, Aug. 6, should allow extra travel time due to the large crowd expected to attend Arizona State University’s annual Camp Tontozona football scrimmage.

Read More

Sedona AZ (August 3, 2016) – The League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley has declared August as Voter Rights Month in Sedona and the Verde Valley and will mark the occasion with a Voter Rights Film Series August 15-17 and a “Happy Hour” Celebration of Women’s Right to Vote on August 18.

Read More