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: Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to share some exciting developments about MY AZ TV, our beloved radio show hosted by the one and only Allen Elfman. With over 22 years of experience living in Sedona, Allen’s deep-rooted knowledge and passion for the area have made our show a staple for locals and visitors alike. As we look to the future, we’re exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance our live broadcasts, making them more interactive, efficient, and engaging. Here’s how AI can revolutionize our radio experience: 1. Personalized Content Curation AI can analyze listener preferences and behaviors to tailor content…

Read More

By Mike Schroeder Sedona, AZ — It is hard to read Mr. Howard’s perspective on this tariff issue. He obviously misses the big picture and some of the data is hard to swallow, especially when research is applied. It is strange that he conveniently forgets that Trump did tariffs in 2017 during his first administration. There were tariffs that were put on China then, until Joe Biden’s handlers didn’t enforce them as Hunter and company were in China’s pocket.  The Chinese manufacturers who are supported by the government absorbed most of those tariffs, so the American Consumer saw little change…

Read More

By Amaya Gayle Gregory I’m being schooled on healing … on what it is and what it is not. It’s been an eye-popping ride. So much that we do — the intent for a result — the idea of a healer and healed — the belief in disease and health — the need for improvement in that which is illusion — is inescapable on the path of ultimate healing. I remember clearly, night after night, chasing after beings of light, trying to catch up, reaching out to tap them on the shoulder, to find someone, anyone, who could teach me…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to join theaters around the world for a global theatrical event: “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” on April 24 and 27 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” — the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben — returns to theaters, now digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage with enhanced audio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFK9JCT8PU Set in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheater in Pompeii, Italy, the film captures Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. Filmed in October…

Read More

TÓ NANEESDIZÍ, DINÉTAH, (TUBA CITY, NAVAJO NATION) – Yee Ha’ólníi Doo (YHD), announced the award of a $10,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation (NFF) through the 2025 Strategic Projects Initiative. This funding will empower the YHD Elderly Heating Program and its Tse’ii’ahi’ Community Wood Bank to efficiently process and distribute essential firewood to vulnerable elderly, veterans, and disabled community members within the Standing Rock region of New Mexico. The NFF grant, active from April 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025, will facilitate the processing of up to fifty semitractor truckloads of firewood. This initiative forms a key cornerstone of Yee Ha’ólníi…

Read More

Introduction: The Divide Sedona, AZ – On Hawthorne Lane, the lawns were neatly edged, the wind chimes clinked like a polite conversation, and the air smelled of cut grass and distant barbecues. But between two houses—one with a flagpole that once held the stars and stripes, the other with solar panels glinting in the sun—there stood a silent war. Tom and Carl had once been the image of neighborly warmth. Their kids had built snow forts together, and their families exchanged pies on Thanksgiving. Carl was a veteran and entrepreneur, and Tom is a retired engineer with bookshelves full of…

Read More

… more years ago than I can remember our friend, Anne, brought us some Iris rhizomes which she told us were from the original Iris gardens of Sedona Schnebly. We planted them in the front yard and they have alternatively thrived and stressed in the ensuing years … they are thriving this year. The photo below was taken five days ago and the photo above of the same stalk was taken this afternoon after I finished roasting coffee … from there to the backyard and relaxation in the shade of late afternoon. No bobcats or coyotes showed up this afternoon, nor cougars…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Misericordia” showing April 19-24 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “Misericordia” was nominated for eight César Awards (the French Academy Awards), including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actors in all categories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wk2SgBIoF4 The teasingly entwined ambiguities of love and death continue to fascinate Alain Guiraudie, who returns with a sharp, sinister, yet slyly funny thriller. Set in an autumnal, woodsy village in his native region of Occitanie, his latest follows the meandering exploits of Jérémie (Félix Kysyl), an out-of-work baker who has drifted…

Read More

Sedona News – Every Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in May and September, the city of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the Red Dirt Concert Series at the Posse Grounds Pavilion at 525 Posse Grounds Rd., featuring a wide variety of musical acts. The 2025 Spring Series will feature: Traveler with opener Lyra – Friday, May 2 Daring Greatly with opener Znora – Friday, May 9 (This show is sponsored in part by Aiden Best Western.) Ten Dollar Wedding with opener Blue Agave Trio – Friday, May 16 In Color Band with opener JT Sheets –…

Read More

Sedona News – The Fay Canyon Trailhead parking lot will temporarily close on April 16 and 17 for parking lot line repainting. The parking lot will reopen when Red Rock Ranger District staff complete the striping project, which will update the lot’s 44 marked parking spaces. Motorists are asked to avoid parking along the side of Boynton Pass Road during the closure. For more details about trails and trailheads in the Sedona area, please visit the Coconino National Forest website at coconinonationalforest.us.

Read More

Arizona News – With springtime here, three White Mountains-area state highways are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, April 15, after being closed for the winter, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. State Routes 261, 273 and 473 are scheduled to reopen by noon that day. State Route 261 runs from State Route 260 near Eagar to Big Lake, while State Route 273 goes from SR 260 to Sunrise Park and Big Lake. State Route 473 runs south from SR 260 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. ADOT encourages motorists to enjoy the mountains this summer and return home safely by…

Read More

Sedona News – Back by popular demand: The Sedona International Film Festival announces award-winning recording duo Sirsy will be performing live in concert Wednesday, April 23 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona at 7 p.m. It’s hard to imagine a sound this big coming from just two people. The Boston Globe calls Sirsy the “little band with the big sound.” Fans call them the little band with big heart. Hailing from Upstate NY, Sirsy plays sassy singer-songwriter pop-rock with a charming intensity and lots of heart and soul. Sirsy’s passionate and down-to-earth live shows have loads of entertaining…

Read More

Verde Valley News – In partnership with C. Eaton Photography, Verde Valley Sanctuary is excited to announce its inaugural Pet Calendar Contest for 2026. Launching March 29, registration is now open, with $5 per entry, and $1 per vote. Those interested have until April 30 to submit their favorite pet photos, and vote on their favorites to be one of 13 winners to make it in the calendar. The pet with the most votes will receive the cover! Entrants are encouraged to submit a photo of their favorite pet, then ask family, friends, and co-workers to vote. Proceeds from the…

Read More

By Rabbi Alicia Magal The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. Erev Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, April 18, including songs to usher in the Sabbath, prayers of healing for loved ones, and Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer in memory of those who have passed away recently or around this date in past years. The Torah reading is regarding the Exodus story, celebrated…

Read More

Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “When Fall Is Coming” showing April 18-24 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEGhDL1WdnQ After a tumultuous life in Paris, Michelle (Hélène Vincent) has retired to a quiet existence in Burgundy, tending her garden and attending services at her parish. The voracious hostility of her adult daughter Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier) remains Michelle’s great puzzlement: how can a child for whom she sacrificed so much treat her with such contempt and suspicion? When Valérie drops off her son for a week with his grandmother, Michelle…

Read More