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 (September 1, 2015) – Steve Burnett Enterprises, Inc. will be excavating to install a new four inch sewer lateral on Van Deren Road between Apple Avenue and Schnebly Road.The construction will necessitate lane closures and traffic restrictions in that section of Van Deren Road.

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Lane restrictions expected during work hours this weekCamp Verde AZ (September 1, 2015) – Overnight work on Interstate 17 continues in both directions as part of a repaving project on a 12-mile segment between State Route 169 and the Middle Verde Road traffic interchange just south of Camp Verde (mileposts 279 to 291). Crews are working this week on the barrier at the Middle Verde traffic interchange above I-17 and the roadway will be narrowed to one lane through the work zone between mileposts 289 and 290.

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Pianist Dr. Lynne Haeseler hosts special event at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (September 1, 2015) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the one-night-only screening of “Shining Night: A Portrait of a Composer”, hosted by pianist Dr. Lynne Haeseler. The film will show Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Shining Night: A Portrait of a Composer” offers a glimpse into the life and music of one of America’s greatest contemporary composers — National Medal of Arts recipient Morten Lauridsen — who has written much of his remarkable music in his rustic…

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Sedona AZ (September 1, 2015) – On Thursday, September 10th, at 6:30 PM, The Inspiration of Sedona, will show part 6 of James Cameron’s, Emmy Award winning, nine-part “Years of Living Dangerously” documentary series. Each of the parts are self-contained and present different aspects related to climate change. The remaining three parts of the series will be shown consecutively on the following 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. 

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Sedona AZ (September 1, 2015) – There’s something to be said for a thoughtful, systematic approach to painting; moving step by step through a process, from idea sketches to color studies and on to the final painting…printed from a full size digital file on a computer. Yes, you read that right; a computer.This is a process that digital artist Robert Albrecht has followed for the past seven years producing compelling results in his chosen style and subjects of western action and North American wildlife. He also knows that he has only “tipped the iceberg” as to the continual learning curve…

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Sedona AZ (September 1, 2015) – Friday, September 18, 5pm-8pm, learn to meditate using the Simple, Easy, Every Day (SEED) Method from McLean Institue Certifed Meditation Instructor Marjorie Muro.  Research has shown that meditators experience better health, greater intuition, more creativity, increased mental abilities, more peaceful sleep, and better personal relationships. Meditation has been proven to help people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, teenagers, business executives, parents, anyone who wants to have better communication skills and relationships and to be more at peace and focused. Completion of this class qualifies for continuing education units (CEUS) for nurses, counselors, and social workers.

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By Ted Grussing… that applies to the eggs I had for dinner tonight and also to the flight of this Great Blue Heron as he overflew a mallard down at the ponds. One more day and I can fly too … please drive very carefully Heath … precious cargo and the cure to two months ground sickness. The wings and tail feathers await the fuselage :+)

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Cottonwood AZ (August 31, 2015) – What inspires an artist to create a piece? Or how do they do it? You will get your chance to see into the minds of the Made In Clarkdale artists at the upcoming 2nd Saturday Art Walk in Old Town Cottonwood on September 12, 2015 from 6 pm to 9 pm.Made In Clarkdale presents Summertime at The Manheim, now showing through September 26.  Enjoy food, wine and meet the Made In Clarkdale artists: Mary Liggit, Edward Krish, Thomas Schumacher, Kaalya Fox, Bear Schultz, Tyler Novak, Ramona Stites, Emily M. Miller, Ben Roti, Barbara Pierce and…

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New acclaimed independent films premiere at the Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 31, 2015) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of two critically-acclaimed new films: “Phoenix” and “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine” showing Sept. 4-9 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

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Cottonwood AZ (August 31, 2015) – September is National Recovery Month, which promotes the message that recovery from drug or alcohol abuse is effective and that treatment works.  This year’s theme is “Join the Voices of Recovery – Visible, Vocal and Valuable.”

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Prescott AZ (August 31, 2015) – Both Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s credit rating agencies have reaffirmed in recent reports Yavapai College’s credit and general obligations bond ratings.S&P reaffirmed the college district’s AA Credit rating earlier this month. “In our view, the district’s financial performance has been strong in recent years,” S&P reported. 

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Sedona AZ (August 29, 2015) – On August 23, 2015, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office again joined with several area law enforcement agencies to combat Human Trafficking/Prostitution in Yavapai County. YCSO along with Prescott PD, Cottonwood PD, Gang Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission task force (GITEM – DPS), Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT), and the Department of Homeland Security, conducted an operation to target the buyers of child and adult prostitutes. The operation took place in the Village of Oak Creek area. It is the intent of these operations to provide some level of deterrence to those who would solicit children for…

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Sedona AZ (August 29, 2015) – On Sunday, August 30, the Sedona Police Department and city Engineering Services will be conducting a test of a traffic control plan that is planned to be implemented during heavy traffic conditions over the Labor Day weekend.   City personnel will temporarily set up an additional southbound lane from the mid-block crosswalk to Forest Road.   The second southbound lane on N. State Route 89A will cause closure of the northbound left turn lane onto Jordan Road.

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Award-winning and eye-opening new documentary premieres at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 29, 2015) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to continue its summer documentary series with the one-night-only screenings of “Cartel Land”, an award-winning, important and eye-opening new documentary. The film will show Thursday, Sept. 3 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.With unprecedented access, “Cartel Land” is a riveting, on-the-ground look at the journeys of two modern-day vigilante groups and their shared enemy – the Mexican drug cartels. 

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By Ted Grussing… each and every day it is the responsibility of each creature in nature to provide its own source of food and shelter … they do it themselves … each and every day … no safety net, life real time and consequences that have meaning. This is one of my favorite eagle shots as he was searching for prey, locked on and went for it with everything focused on the target and survival.

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