Step into the renovated lobby of the historic Weatherford Hotel and you might sound like Flagstaff’s Bob Smith who was overheard saying, “This is amazing! It’s like stepping back in time.” Owners Henry Taylor and Sam (Pamela) Green Taylor have been at it again. The latest phase of their 40-year restoration project is evident from the moment you walk through the door. The lobby’s original 19-foot-high ceiling has been restored and the grand staircase has been rebuilt. “It’s everything we … [Read more...] about Isn’t She Grand?
Building a Faster, Stronger Athlete
Inviting 27-year-old Jessica O’Connell to pull up a chair and talk about her training is like asking a gazelle to sit still and enjoy a cup of tea. Poised on the edge of her seat, she cannot help but look like a runner on the starting blocks. Energy is emanating from her bright brown focused eyes, and it is clear, this woman needs to move. At 5’2” and barely more than 100 pounds, O’Connell is the world’s 22nd fastest female runner in the 5,000-meter race. She came to Flagstaff from Calgary … [Read more...] about Building a Faster, Stronger Athlete
Understanding the Oddities of our Nervous System
Can surgery on one hand fix problems in the other hand? Sounds impossible, but in select cases, it in fact happens. Several researchers posed the question of what happens to patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands if only one hand is operated on. They found that a substantial number of patients have relief of their carpal tunnel symptoms, such as numbness, tingling and cramping, in the hand that did not have surgery. How could this be? Releasing the ligament that is pinching the … [Read more...] about Understanding the Oddities of our Nervous System
Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
This summer, we’re going to focus on self-leadership. Like leadership, self-leadership is an influence process, but in the case of self-leadership, you’re leading yourself rather than others. Self-leadership is about taking control of your life, of becoming the sort of person you’d like to be. Although it sometimes doesn’t feel like it, most of us have significant control over our own lives. The goal of self-leadership is to exercise that control in a purposeful, effective way. Learning how to … [Read more...] about Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
How to Container Garden with Trees
Do you long for the leafy, serene pleasure of a tree in your outdoor space but can’t see quite how to make it work? Maybe you live in an apartment and your “outdoor space” is a small patio, or maybe your soil isn’t the best for trees. We have a solution for you: Think a little smaller and consider containers. Any type of “dwarf” tree can be grown in a pot, adding a little bit of arboreal splendor to your backyard, patio or garden. And it is not difficult to do: it basically requires the … [Read more...] about How to Container Garden with Trees
Growing Responsible, Successful Children
As parents and adults, we are tasked with preparing children for adulthood and the real world. When asked what traits parents, future employers and other adults would like children to have now and as adults, one of the most common responses is “to be responsible and successful.” These are broad terms, which can mean many different things, including: Being dependable Meeting commitments and obligations Keeping your word and promises Doing something to the best of your ability … [Read more...] about Growing Responsible, Successful Children
Understanding New Wildfire Defense Ordinance
The recent wildfire in Canada reminds all of us of the potential dangers we face here in Coconino County. As we head into summer and spend more time outdoors, this is a good time to talk about the county’s new Wildfire Defense Ordinance. The ordinance replaced an outdated Open Burning Ordinance and was adopted by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (BoS) last August in anticipation of this year’s wildfire season. Many people, along with our sister agencies, helped to create the new … [Read more...] about Understanding New Wildfire Defense Ordinance
The Job Connection Invested in Job Seekers’ Success
Last month, Goodwills across the country celebrated Goodwill Week, and here in Northern Arizona, we marked the occasion with four major job fairs and hiring events, including two here in Cottonwood. There were also some terrific proclamations from elected officials commending Goodwill for the positive effect it has in people’s lives through our work to turn potential into employment and connect people with careers. The recognition is very nice, but the real reward in working at Goodwill is … [Read more...] about The Job Connection Invested in Job Seekers’ Success
The Art of Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication can be more powerful – and often, even more influential – than what we say with words. It can have a tremendous impact on how our friends and family understand us. Experts in interpersonal communication have estimated that nonverbal communication constitutes approximately 70 percent of what is involved in communication. In other words, only about 30 percent of communication involves the actual words that we use. To me, this information is remarkable. As parents, we … [Read more...] about The Art of Nonverbal Communication
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes for Business Sellers
Selling a business is not an easy task, even under ideal circumstances. It is even more challenging when sale preparation is lacking, deficient or misaligned with market realities. Across all sectors and industries, effective pre-sale planning is the key to achieving your desired outcome. Simply put, you cannot afford to bungle the critical steps that need to happen before you enter the business-for-sale marketplace. Some common pitfalls include: Attempting to Market and Sell a … [Read more...] about Common Pitfalls and Mistakes for Business Sellers