Is Flagstaff in danger of running out of water in the near future? What about the Verde Valley area? “It depends on who you talk to, and about what kind of water resources,” said Erin Young, City of Flagstaff water resources manager. “We don’t have an issue with water for the City of Flagstaff. We’re assured of a 100-year supply, given our current population and its projected growth, especially when we have another water supply.” Young cited a couple of reasons for optimism about … [Read more...] about Searching for Water
The Affordable Care Act: A Look Back at the Impact of the Law
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and since then, nearly every aspect of health insurance has changed. Some of the changes have been very positive; others have not. I thought this would be a good time to evaluate those changes, both positive and negative. It is important to note that this is not political statement of support or criticism of the law. I have been helping businesses and individuals with health insurance for more than 20 years. The … [Read more...] about The Affordable Care Act: A Look Back at the Impact of the Law
Caribbean Vacation Launches Sweethearts on New Voyage
Lounging in an infinity-edge pool, entranced by the sun, sea and sailboats, leadership consultants Raquel Romero and Mike Wood realized they had unintentionally sent themselves on their own personal and professional visioning retreat last summer in Antigua. Much like the passing catamarans on the aquamarine eastern Caribbean, the couple, married eight years, acknowledged they were each cruising through life, often traveling around the United States separately, coaching others to … [Read more...] about Caribbean Vacation Launches Sweethearts on New Voyage
Smith Begins CCC Presidency
Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D, the new permanent president of Coconino Community College, begins her tenure this month. Dr. Smith recently took the opportunity to answer a few questions about her new position in Flagstaff. What attracted you to the presidency of CCC? “Stories online about CCC students and the values expressed by the college and the community were the first things that attracted me to CCC. The word ‘compassion’ was used in the description of the president’s … [Read more...] about Smith Begins CCC Presidency
Understanding the Professionalism of Youth Sports
As the total number of children who participate in sport continues to increase, so, too, has the number of those children who are specializing in a single sport. There is no doubt that focused, deliberate sport-specific practice and years of dedication are required to achieve excellence in both individual and team sports. The question is, should this intense sport specialization begin during childhood and early adolescence? Parents are major players in this drive toward early sport … [Read more...] about Understanding the Professionalism of Youth Sports
Goodwill Helps Individual with Disability Transform through the Power of Work – and a Haircut
The fashion designer Coco Chanel is credited with saying that a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. It turns out that Chanel’s take on the transformative power of a new ‘do applies to men, too. Take 20-year-old Jonah Bullard, who recently landed a job at Walmart with a little help from Goodwill. Bullard, who has a mild developmental delay and learning disability, was referred to Goodwill by the state's Rehabilitation Services Administration – an agency that helps unemployed … [Read more...] about Goodwill Helps Individual with Disability Transform through the Power of Work – and a Haircut
Businesses Gaining from NAU Students’ Marketing Research
While the term “win-win” may seem a bit passé these days, here is a situation in which it applies perfectly. At Northern Arizona University, two classes are offered that help businesses with very effective marketing plans for free and help students take what they have learned from their marketing classes to apply in real business situations. Win-win. “There are two NAU classes that I teach. One is strategic marketing [and] the other is marketing research. Both lend themselves to … [Read more...] about Businesses Gaining from NAU Students’ Marketing Research
Battling Stress
Unless we purposely seek out high-risk endeavors, most of us lead lives far calmer than our predecessors. We likely go to jobs where we sit for most of the day, and return home, possibly to families, where we also likely sit for long periods. For bodies and minds that evolved to endure great danger, modern life should be a cakewalk. Yet, across fields, healthcare professionals are battling the effects of stress-related pain or disorders from clients with a wide variety of lifestyles. Three … [Read more...] about Battling Stress
How Physical Therapy Can Help Pelvic Pain, Incontinence, Musculoskeletal Disorders
Incontinence, pelvic pain, pregnancy-related and post-partum-related musculoskeletal disorders are a part of daily life for many people. However, there is help for these disorders. Skilled physical and occupational therapists specially trained in these areas can work with patients to develop individualized treatment programs designed to relieve the problems. Incontinence Incontinence, which affects both men and women, is the involuntary loss of urine or fecal matter. There are several … [Read more...] about How Physical Therapy Can Help Pelvic Pain, Incontinence, Musculoskeletal Disorders
Changing the Sign Code Again
In October 2014, the Flagstaff City Council adopted updated sign standards that made it easier for local businesses to use temporary signs to promote special sales or seasonal events. After a long process with lots of public input, city staff and the Council thought we were done and had found the right balance between promoting local businesses and preserving Flagstaff’s unique local character. But that was not to be because the U.S. Supreme Court, in a landmark decision rendered in June … [Read more...] about Changing the Sign Code Again