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.

Verde Valley AZ (July 22, 2016) – Recently, the Arizona Division of Emergency Management announced that the 106 Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in Yavapai County amounted to 22% of all reported incidents in the State for fiscal year 2015-2016. Based on this number, the amount of SAR missions in Yavapai County was the highest in the State for this time period.

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Prescott AZ (July 22, 2016) – What are our most important water issues? Can our state and county officials work together to find solutions? Come find out when the Citizens Water Advocacy Group hosts a forum/panel discussion on water issues for candidates for Legislative District 1 House and Senate and for Yavapai County Supervisor in Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5 on Aug. 6 in the sanctuary at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, 882 Sunset Ave. in Prescott (two blocks behind True Value). 

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By Virginia Volkman, Library DirectorSedona AZ (July 22, 2016) – I’m thrilled that the Sedona Public Library has received the 2016 Spirt of Sedona Community Collaborator Award from the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona. This award recognizes the Library’s successful work in bringing individuals and groups together to benefit the community.

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By Ted GrussingI got a rather late start this morning and it was about 9A before I took off … got some more great video with the GoPro and will work on that this weekend and put another and better polished video up. The sky was starting to OD to the NE when I took off and another terrific cumulous nimbus cloud was developing to the SW behind Mingus so I was not expecting a long flight. By the time I got up past Munds Park there was lightning about ten miles to the NE and more to the SW.…

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Sedona AZ (July 21, 2016) – To meet the needs of patients throughout the country, the American Red Cross must collect 15,000 donations daily and the city of Sedona is proud to be able to assist in this effort to save lives by hosting an American Red Cross blood drive at Sedona’s City Hall on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

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Title fraud among most common scams involving private salesPhoenix AZ (July 21, 2016) – Because a title establishes who owns and has liens on a vehicle, altering titles is a common way that criminals defraud those purchasing used vehicles in private sales.That’s why it’s worth noting that in late May, when a robbery occurred at an Authorized Third Party motor vehicle services business in Phoenix, the suspect made off not with cash but with 1,300 blank vehicle titles. That case remains under investigation.

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Cottonwood AZ (July 21, 2016) – Most of us equate late summer/early fall with vacations, barbecues, and relaxation.  At the Verde Valley Humane Society (VVHS), we look forward to that as well, but also know that this is the time of the year when the shelter usually reaches a space issue and is in need of foster homes.Sometimes the greatest gift you can give an animal is time, love and a place to call home.  Foster homes are essential to the VVHS as they give the shelter the ability to open up their kennels and cages for even more animals in…

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Join biologists Aug. 6 along Verde RiverVerde Valley AZ (July 21, 2016) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to join biologists in netting bats from 7:30-10 p.m. Aug. 6 along the Verde River, north of Scottsdale.Arizona is home to 28 species of bats, many of which live and forage right in our own backyards. This event is a great way to experience these fascinating, yet often misunderstood, creatures in person.

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Mary D. Fisher Theatre is the official exclusive Northern Arizona location for monthly eventsSedona AZ (July 21, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is the official, exclusive Northern Arizona home for the New York Film Critics monthly series debuting new films weeks prior to their theatrical release. The series is hosted by Rolling Stone Magazine’s Peter Travers, via satellite, and features a Q&A with the filmmaker and stars from the film each month. The August premiere event will feature the debut of “Five Nights in Maine” for one show, one night only on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

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Sedona AZ (July 21, 2016) – On Thursday, July 28th, at 6:30 PM, Inspiration of Sedona will present the free Arizona premiere of the new award-winning Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now documentary, followed by an open community discussion.Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now is narrated by 3-time Academy Award nominated actor Mark Ruffalo. It calls on President Obama to ban fracking and join the “anti-drilling” majority growing across the US.

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By Ted Grussing… this drake Canvas Back is dragging his feet through the water as he rotates them forward to act as his landing gear, in his case like shoe skis in water skiing. While less than a perfect landing (makes all pilots feel better methinks) it worked and he survived to fly another day … almost like landing and realizing you forgot to put the landing gear down and catching it before you leave a streak of fiber glass down the middle of the runway.

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Director and star of the film will be in Sedona at premiere event at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (July 20, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a special premiere of “Welcome to the Men’s Group” showing one day only: Monday, Aug. 1 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The film’s writer/director/producer and star, Joseph Culp, will be in Sedona to host the premiere and conduct a Q&A discussion after each of the screenings.In “Welcome to the Men’s Group”, an odd-ball men’s support group descends into chaos when one member…

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Sedona AZ (July 20, 2016) – The Sedona Heritage Museum will host another round of their popular local history tours, on September 29, 30 and October 1, this time visiting historic sites, homesteads and buildings while following the Red Rock Loop road.‘Red Rock’ was what the area around the base of Cathedral Rock was known as long before anyone ever heard of the name ‘Sedona.  Tour guide Paul Thompson, grandson of Oak Creek Canyon’s first permanent Anglo settler J.J. Thompson, spent his earliest growing up years in Red Rock. Thompson leads these tours every year as a way of sharing…

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Sedona AZ (July 19, 2016) – The city of Sedona invites the public to view beautiful paintings created by 20 members of the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (NAWS) at Sedona’s City Hall. As part of the City Hall Art Rotation Program, in which different artists are shown every three months at locations around City Hall, this varied exhibit can be seen through the end of September.

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