Honey pot ants get their name from the swollen amber-colored belly full of sweet nectar that has been sustaining the colony, desert predators and even people for centuries on the Colorado Plateau. World-renowned ant expert Gary Alpert, Ph.D., a Museum of Northern Arizona Research Associate and retired Harvard Associate, says these industrious little insects have a complex community-centered society. They also have a story of survival to tell – survival in the high desert, where temperatures … [Read more...] about Honey Pot Ants Colonizing Sweet Collaboration at Museum
Columnists
Exploring the Process of Change
We are now a month into 2019 and many have contemplated making changes as a component of a new year’s resolution. Identified changes may be orchestrated to become healthier by increasing physical activities or an effort to eat a well-balanced diet. You may have attempted these changes in the past, with limited success. In order to create change in your life, you must first understand the process of making sustainable changes. The Transtheoretical Model, also known as the Stages of Change … [Read more...] about Exploring the Process of Change
Understanding Why Tourism Matters
Let’s celebrate the value of tourism in our community and recognize its importance in improving quality of life, from parks to jobs. Tou rism matters because it has a positive impact on Flagstaff and benefits the community in multiple sectors. The mission to increase the quality of life for every household in Flagstaff continues for the CVB. The economic impact from visitation is a significant driver of the local economy, supporting an estimated 8,000jobs and delivering $500 million to the … [Read more...] about Understanding Why Tourism Matters
Keeping Roads Safe During Snow Season
Snow season is back in Coconino County. After 2018 gave us one of the driest winters (and severe fire seasons) in recent memory, it’s great to be experiencing what we hope will continue to be a robust snow season. We are off to a great start this winter. Coconino County Public Works started the season with a mid-October deployment and has since gone out almost a dozen times to help keep county roads open and passable during snow events. However, with snow seasons that routinely run from … [Read more...] about Keeping Roads Safe During Snow Season
Developing Soft Skills at CCC
I have a rhetorical question for you to contemplate: Why do we use the term “soft skills” to describe skills that are so difficult for many people to demonstrate in the work world? I constantly hear from our partners in business and industry that they need workforce training in soft skills above anything else. According to Dennis Pierce in Community College Journal, “Employers across a wide variety of industries say the so-called ‘soft skills,’ such as problem solving, critical thinking, … [Read more...] about Developing Soft Skills at CCC
Getting Your Body in Shape for Winter Sports
With Snowbowl now in full swing, skiing and snowboarding are on the minds of many of us in Northern Arizona. If you are in this category, you know how you feel at the end of the season – your musculoskeletal health is in excellent shape. However, that usually isn’t the case at the very start of a ski season. It’s always best to dedicate some time to ensuring your muscles, joints, ligaments and cardiovascular system are prepared for an injury-free season ahead. Skiing and snowboarding demand … [Read more...] about Getting Your Body in Shape for Winter Sports
Understanding Tinnitus: Ringing in the Ears
More than 50 million people are bothered by tinnitus and approximately 20 percent of those people are severely affected by it. Tinnitus is a sound that is heard without any external stimulation. It can be high or low-pitched; it may sound like humming, clicking, buzzing, whistling, chirping or roaring. The sound may come and go and sometimes people say the loudness of their tinnitus changes. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease and is not threatening to one’s health. Most tinnitus can … [Read more...] about Understanding Tinnitus: Ringing in the Ears
Couples Massage: Increasing intimacy, Strengthening Relationships
February – it’s all about the heart: physically and emotionally. So, how can you take care of both? Schedule a couples massage – good for your heart and your honey! Between Valentine's Day and National Heart Month, what could be better? A couples massage offers an hour or more of time that is centered around you and your love, and provides both health and romantic benefits. Because life is tough on relationships, and it is often difficult to find the time, energy and money for … [Read more...] about Couples Massage: Increasing intimacy, Strengthening Relationships
Why Reasonable Governance Benefits the People
Hello, Flagstaff! It’s February, which means we’re solidly into another winter. It’s too early to tell if this one will last until May or if warm days will return sooner than ever. Council is back at work, and in Phoenix, the state legislature has reconvened. As of this writing, the federal government is still partially closed and many federal employees are not being paid. Health care and transportation on our region’s native nations are suffering and preparations for fire season are … [Read more...] about Why Reasonable Governance Benefits the People
Listening to Your Feet
Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputation. More than 30 million Americans are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s one in every 10 people. More than seven million have diabetes and don’t know it. It’s a disease that affects every major system of the body. When you have diabetes, it is important to learn to pay attention to your body and health. Those who don’t, should still pay attention to what their … [Read more...] about Listening to Your Feet