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.

Clarkdale AZ (August 11, 2015) – The Town of Clarkdale is seeking applications for a volunteer position on the Planning Commission. Applicants must reside within the Clarkdale town limits. The Planning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 4:00 p.m.The Planning Commission is an advisory commission to the Town Council providing recommendations on long range planning for the Town and review of zoning applications and subdivisions.

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Globe on Screen returns to the big screen at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 11, 2015) – The famous Globe Theatre of London returns to Sedona on Sunday, Aug. 23 in high definition when the Sedona International Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere of “The Comedy of Errors”. There will be one show at 4 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.The 2015 season of Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen draws to a close with “The Comedy of Errors”, the perfect light relief to close an epic season of war and tragedy, in cinemas around the world.

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Sedona AZ (August 11, 2015) – DeTar Construction, Inc. and Rocky Construction, Inc. will be excavating and installing a 6” water main across Rodeo Road between Bennett Way and Highway 89A.   During the construction there will be lane closures on Rodeo Road with one way traffic to install the water main.   The lane closures are expected to start on August 10 and should be completed by August 21.Contacts for this project will be Brandon DeTar of DeTar Construction, Inc. at (928) 451-1703 and Marlin Parker of Rocky Construction, Inc. at (928) 220-0003.

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By Ted GrussingOn Friday Sus, Annika and I headed down to Filoli Gardens as the roses were in bloom … a few days earlier would have been better, but what the heck there were still a lot of them that looked terrific and among them the Rouge Royale which was totally new to me. The rose has a very good reputation and it has 80 petals which give it a totally neat look. The rose was winner of the Fragrance Award at the Rose Hills International Rose Trials in 2003.

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Verde Valley AZ (August 10, 2015) – The League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley invites members of the community, especially women, to celebrate our democracy, our citizenship and our right to vote on Tuesday, August 18, 4-6PM, at Vino di Sedona, 2575 Ste Hwy 89A in West Sedona. The occasion for the celebration is the 95th anniversary of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. The League is hosting a Happy Hour called “Woman VotePower” including voices of women celebrating women featuring Teri Bays, singer and actress, Barbara Mayer, poet, and Elizabeth Oakes, author.

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Sedona AZ (August 10, 2015) – An American Red Cross blood drive will be held at Sedona City Hall on Wednesday, August 26 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Vultee Conference Room, 102 Roadrunner Drive.Representatives from the American Red Cross will be on hand to make donors comfortable and offer light refreshments.

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By Zach Richardson”Back to School Night” at the high school last Tuesday had a huge turnout with great positive energy. Let’s focus our excitement of this new school year on bringing our community and school district together.”Back to School Night” included parents meeting their children’s teachers. Our daughter has been waiting over 10 years to take Ms. Goldsmith’s AP Literature class, which is one of the most rigorous classes at the high school. As we enthusiastically listened to Ms. Goldsmith discuss class curriculum, she pointed to the books the class would be reading and were startled as to their condition.…

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Critically-acclaimed film shot entirely on iphone featured at Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (August 9, 2015) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to continue its summer premiere series with the one-night-only screenings of “Tangerine” — an award-winning, critically-acclaimed hit from the recent Sundance Film Festival that was shot entirely on an iphone with a mostly transgender cast. The film will show Monday, Aug. 17 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee (newcomer Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn’t been faithful…

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Sedona AZ (August 9, 2015) – The City of Sedona will be adjusting office hours from the current 5 day, 8 hour schedule to a 4 day 10 hour schedule beginning August 31, 2015. City Hall will be open for business Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and be closed on Fridays. It is anticipated this schedule will run year-long.The exception to this schedule will be the Municipal Court, which will maintain a Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

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Sedona AZ (August 8, 2015) The first Fox News debate wasn’t about Trump vs. the other nine debaters. It was Trump vs. the Republican establishment and the Conservative talking heads it controls – Fox anchors Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace. Right from Jump Street they launched the attack when Fox moderator Bret Baier asked the debaters to raise their hand if they would not pledge to support and not run against the chosen candidate.There was an audible gasp in the audience when the loaded question was asked.

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By Barbara LitrellPresident, League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley (August 7, 2015) August 6, 2015 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). This landmark civil rights legislation has protected voters from discrimination for nearly half a century. The VRA is one of the most significant laws ever passed by Congress and it changed America. But today, the Voting Rights Act does not offer the same protections it did in 1965. 

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Sedona AZ (August 7, 2015) – The Sedona Heritage Museum will host another round of their popular local history tours, on October 1, 2, and 3, 2015 this time visiting historic sites, homesteads and buildings while following the Red Rock Loop Road. A few tickets remain, but they are selling quickly.‘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…

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Sedona AZ (August 7, 2015) – Vocalist Katherine LaTorraca will teach Voice I (MUS 105) to students of all levels in the fall semester at Yavapai College Sedona Center located at 4215 Arts Village Drive. Classes begin Tuesday, August 25 and will be held from 2 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays through December 1.Students study and train in elements of vocal technique, musical expression, diction and performance.

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Sedona AZ (August 7, 2015) – Tatiana is our leggy, 2 year old, spayed female, Super Model type of Hound Dog.  She is a show stopper with not only her long legs but her gorgeous and soulful brown eyes. She loves to interact with people, is very sociable, is eager to learn and loves to go for walks. She is curious about her surroundings and loves to smell flowers, the ground as well as explore all that the Red Rock Country has to offer.If you would like to know more about Tatiana, please call (928)282-4679 or log on to our…

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By Ted GrussingI ended up making the drive to Roseville in one day covering over 800 miles and arriving at my brother in laws home at 11:22PM last night. Delivered the last van to Bill its new owner late morning and then a fun day with family and the drive back to Half Moon Bay late afternoon … a stop at Peats in HMB for lattes and then to Ted & Sus home. Annika has grown about five inches since last November and now stands at about 5’6″ … Wow!!!

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