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 (February 17, 2016) – Dust off your boots and shine up your belt buckles: Picnic in the Moonlight is back! The event, a fundraiser for the Verde Valley Sanctuary, will take place Sunday, April 17, 4-8 p.m., at Sky Ranch Lodge on Airport Mesa. Relax with a cold beer or a glass of wine, kick up your heels to live music by Bill Bassett’s Trailblazers, learn to line dance, participate in live and silent auctions, and play a carnival-style game to win beautiful gourmet baskets filled with tasty vittles from your favorite local restaurants. Once you’ve won your…

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Sedona AZ (February 17, 2016) – Application forms for city of Sedona grants in the areas of arts and culture, community building, and economic stimulation funding categories are now available. Based on last year’s funding level, it is estimated that $150,000 will be available for the upcoming fiscal year. Applications are due on Thursday, April 28 at 4 p.m. with awards made in July by the City Council.

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Verde Valley AZ (February 17, 2016) – The Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) recently elected its new board of directors and executive leadership team for 2016.  Jennifer Wesselhoff, President/CEO, of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau will serve as the Chairman of the Board; Dr. Penny Wills, President of Yavapai College was elected to serve as Vice Chairman; Ray Selna, Broker/Owner of Selna Realty will serve as Secretary; Jodie Filardo, Community and Economic Development Director for the Town of Clarkdale will continue her service as Treasurer; and Bill Jump, of Out of Africa, will serve as Past Chairman. 

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Sedona AZ (February 17, 2016) – At its annual Achievement Awards luncheon Saturday, Keep Sedona Beautiful presented l1 honors for exemplary service and environmental accomplishments through 2015.  The event at Los Abrigados was attended by 105 awardees and residents.  Emcees were the popular entertainers Tom and Shondra.

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By Ted GrussingThis greenhead is on final, full flaps and just holding off in the split second before his web feet touch the water and the world gets messy around him as water flies everywhere and the transition from flight is completed. Quite a thing to behold and actually I got those shots too, but love the hang time in this shot. Took it this afternoon at the ponds; f8.0, 1/800th, ISO 400, Canon 1DX body, Canon EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens at 400mm, spot focus, auto white balance and center weighted metering.

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Sedona AZ (February 16, 2016) – It is a special gift when international performers arrive in town to share a unique cultural heritage in a language tailored for western audiences. That is just what is happening at the Sedona Hub (525B Posse Grounds Rd) on Thursday February 25th at 7pm.

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Verde Valley AZ (February 16, 2016) – Over 200 people gathered to celebrate MATFORCE’s ten year anniversary on February 10th at the Prescott Resort.   The audience included community leaders, agencies, businesses and organizations, as well numerous volunteers. 

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Sedona AZ (February 16, 2016) – Have you had the chance to meet Michigan-based acrylic painter Kim Diment? If not, gallery owner and renowned bronze wildlife artist Ken Rowe wants to introduce you to her during Kim and Ken’s first-ever collaborative show, Brush and Bronze. The show takes place Friday, March 4, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday, March 5, 1-4 p.m. Ken and Kim will both debut new works. Ken will reveal a sculpture in progress featuring an eagle titled Fly Fishing while Kim is traveling with paintings featuring a scrub jay (The Key, The Cairn, The Jay) and a cougar (Dreaming…

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By Ted Grussing… it was late afternoon, time for work in the fields to come to an end … farmers take the country roads home and herons fly down them to the trees they will roost in for the evening. Morning comes and life returns to the countryside with laborers back in the fields and the herons returning to the ponds to forage for their food and life continues and though the individual humans and critters come and go, life is sustained and continues with new players in respective roles as the present becomes the past and the future the…

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By Tommy AcostaSedona AZ (February 14, 2016) – In a world where so many know only suffering as their daily staple, one wonders how those better off can simply ignore the fate of their fellow man and go on with their lives oblivious to their needs, while others are moved to do something to alleviate the misery the poor, the sick and the disenfranchised live their entire lives in.Wings of The Dharma, to be shown at this year’s Sedona International Film Festival, is a documentary that explores the phenomena of those who devote their lives to helping and providing care…

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Sedona AZ (February 13, 2016) – Elliott Gould, the versatile actor known for his roles in the movie M*A*S*H, his Oscar-nominated performance in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and more recently, his portrayal of old-time con artist Reuben Tishkoff in the trilogy Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, will receive the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd annual Sedona International Film Festival.Gould will be presented with the award during An Evening With Elliott Gould at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road.  Gould’s film will be screened that evening and a Q&A with…

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By Adele O’Connor-VernierDirector of Marketing & Public RelationsHumane Society of SedonaSedona AZ (February 12, 2016) – In-Take Date of November, 2014Our Heart – Allie’s Story My name is Allie and this is my story. I am a 3 year old spayed female of the Spaniel variety. I am not totally sure of my lineage but whatever my mixed breed heritage is . . .  I make for a big girl at 65 lbs.  I was transferred from another shelter in November of 2014 and would like to find my forever home.  I need a human to love on a daily basis.…

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By Ted Grussing… for a portrait of One to be added to the kitchen wall currently occupied by Nimbus and Q, so here is a reduced size image of the image that will be used. Still have some work to do on it, but I like where it is going. Hope to have it over to my friend for printing by the weekend and then get it up on the wall. Final image size is 11 x 14 inches. Any comments on this shot? Love to hear them (unless I don’t agree with you). Smiles!

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Sedona AZ (February 12, 2016) – If you didn’t have tickets to the Super Bowl, relax, you can be at a more exciting contest: The Sedona Civics Challenge (SCC) Semi-Final and Final Quiz.  Both events pit the top teams that survived the previous elimination rounds.  For the Superbowl, they were Denver and North Carolina.  For the SCC, the teams in the semifinals are: Rotary Club of Sedona, Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks, the City of Sedona, and Sedona Red Rock High School.  The four winning teams will face off against each other on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. Yavapai College’s Sedona Center on Cultural…

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Sedona AZ (February 12, 2016) – Elite Salon Sedona located at Dry Creek Plaza, 3150 W SR 89A is inviting all Veterans, especially Vietnam Veterans to call for an appointment for a free haircut or manicure on March 30, 2016. Darrin Collins, Elite Salon Owner said, “Bringing the Vietnam War Veteran’s Traveling Wall to Sedona is a huge opportunity for our community to say ‘Thank you!’ to all our Heroes who have sacrificed so much for our Freedoms. We live in the Land of the Free because of these Brave men and women.”

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