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 (August 3, 2016) – Capturing light in her painting and photography is an essential quality in the work of Jody Florman, one of the featured artists in the City Hall Art Rotation Program currently on display through the end of September. Using nature, and often flowers, as the primary theme of her artwork, Florman’s devotion to the creative process can be seen in how she meticulously captures the luminescence of her subjects.

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Grand Questions rafting trip promises fun, excitement, and philosophical discoverySedona AZ (August 2, 2016) – Sedona Philosophy Experience (SPEX) is now taking reservations for a philosophy-oriented river-rafting trip through Arizona’s extraordinary Grand Canyon. Many people include traveling the mighty Colorado River on their life’s bucket list. SPEX offers the chance to raft through the Grand Canyon asking life’s Grand Questions—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for reflection, introspection, and personal self-discovery that  promises to leave every participant profoundly changed.  

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Camp Verde AZ (August 2, 2016) – The Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley  and Spectrum Healthcare Group are offering a full-day session on Mental Health First Aid training on Friday, September 16, 8AM-5PM at the Verde View Senior Apartments, 377 W. Hwy 260, Camp Verde, AZ. The 8-hour training is free, open to the public, and each person receives a certificate of completion. 

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By Ted Grussing… late afternoon one day whilst One and I were out on the deck resting and reflecting on the day, a House Finch was sitting on the deck rail apparently doing the same thing. It was very warm and life in general was looking forward to the setting of the sun and the cool that would soon follow. One and I retreated to our home and our finch friend into the wild olive tree. Night came, rest and soon a new day was underway. The Finch faced a day looking for food and water and avoiding predators who…

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By Rose Sperry, Verde Village(August 2, 2016)  Dear Editor,Diane Joens’ campaign slogan for District 3 County Supervisor, “We make the good life better”, is disingenuous. It bears the question, for whom? Cottonwood’s per capita income is $19,581 (Census v. 2015) and the city’s poverty rate is 24.1% (Census). Check out the city bosses’ six figure personnel costs; maybe she made a better life for them but what about those who pay their salaries? Numbers don’t lie. Under Mayor Joens, the City has become a CASH COW for city officials, because Mayor Joens and the city council members approves each every paycheck and…

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Verde Valley AZ (August 2, 2016) – Yavapai County Recorder, Leslie Hoffman would like to announce that early voting will begin Wednesday, August 3, 2016 through Friday, August 26, 2016 for the August 30, 2016 Primary Election.Please visit the Yavapai County Recorder’s Office at 1015 Fair St., Prescott or 10 S. 6th, Cottonwood to vote early in person.

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Sedona AZ (August 2, 2016) – Do you care about taxes, traffic, tourism, trash, cell towers, and other elements of local life?The Sedona City Council’s decisions affect them all.  And the Council is about to undergo a dramatic change. Four of its seats are up for grabs, and the winners could be decided in the August 30 primary.Do you know all the candidates?Do you know what each will fight for once elected?

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Sedona AZ (August 2, 2016) – The Sedona Community Pool, located at 570 Posse Ground Road in Posse Grounds Park, will remain open this fall through November 20, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pool will continue to be closed to the public on Fridays. The new fall schedule, effective Monday, August 8, 2016, will feature Open Swim, Lap Swim, Water Aerobics and Masters Swim.

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Flagstaff AZ (August 2, 2016) – The County and Coconino National Forest are seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), which will review and recommend projects to the forest supervisor that benefit national forest land in Coconino County.The committee will be comprised of 15 members who represent a particular set of interests, and members must commit to serving a full term of four years—meeting only a handful of times annually. Committee members are volunteers and do not receive pay.

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Cottonwood AZ (August 2, 2016) – Business Networking for Women in Northern Arizona! The local Chapter of Professional Women’s Group will hold their Business After Hours Event on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Cucina Rustica in the Village of Oak Creek at the Collective 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. And don’t forget to come ready to support Cucina Rustica for allowing us to use their wonderful location by ordering something from their menu!

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Sedona AZ (August 2, 2016) – Hillside Sedona’s Movin’ On Gallery is continuing its run of exciting guest artists by featuring local artists Joanie Wolter and Bruce Hudgens during.  Many of Wolter’s latest fiber clay sculptures and Hudgens’ paintings will be on exhibit throughout the month.

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By Ted Grussing… the beautiful areas … the confluence of the Little Colorado River and the Colorado River. I took this shot the end of May this year and it captures the last few miles of the beautiful Little Colorado River before it merges with the deep green water of the Colorado River. With the rain we have been enjoying, the same photograph today would show a milk chocolate color instead of the beautiful turquoise color in this image. The water flow in this photo is all from Blue Springs and is about 210 cubic feet per second and the…

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Sedona AZ (August 1, 2016) – Whether this is your first time coming to the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival, or you have been to the last two, next year’s event is going to be one heck of a good time. From March 3rd through March 5th, 2017, we will be back with the same formula that makes the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival a must go to event: bikes, bands, beer and more! Last year we attracted 56 bike vendors, four food trucks, five bands and four great breweries. And next year we aim to make things even better.

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