I have been extremely fortunate during my life to have had a wide range of jobs, from delivering newspapers to helping the poorest of the poor in Kenya to leading a $130 million public company. One of the greatest opportunities and challenges is being an executive director/CEO/president of an organization. With all the personal and financial rewards come the good and the bad. During the good times, you get all the credit and life is wonderful. I once remember holding my board of directors’ … [Read more...] about Is it My Fault That Company Morale is Terrible?
Columnists
NAU Keeping Pace with a Changing Arizona
For many, February means the romance of Valentine’s Day or the shadow of a groundhog that foretells future weather. For Arizonans, though, this month holds another notable celebration: the birthday of our state. Arizona celebrates statehood on Feb. 14, marking the anniversary of a unique addition to the United States. Many years have gone by since the start of our 48th state, but much remains the same. We still have an independent spirit, and a loyalty to the people and places around us. We … [Read more...] about NAU Keeping Pace with a Changing Arizona
Swedish Massage: Toward the Heart, Good for the Heart
Massage therapy has long been recognized as a means of bringing about feelings of peace and relaxation and reducing stress. While there are numerous techniques and methods, one of the most popular and most beneficial massage modalities is Swedish massage. Swedish massage, known in Europe as classic massage, involves the use of long, gliding strokes and firm kneading movements on the soft tissues (muscles) of the body. All strokes move in the same direction as the blood flows toward the heart. … [Read more...] about Swedish Massage: Toward the Heart, Good for the Heart
Presenting ‘My Deadly Valentine’ in the Weatherford Hotel’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Babbitt Riordan’s annual Red and Pink Valentine’s Party is a real heart stopper! Everyone who is anyone in Flagstaff is there for this yearly celebration of lovers and love! The wine is flowing. Music fills the air. Everything is perfect until a body hits the floor. At that moment, every guest is a suspect and a sleuth as they help Detective Richard Dick find the killer before the party is over and the killer escapes. “My Deadly Valentine” is the latest Murder Mystery Dinner Theater … [Read more...] about Presenting ‘My Deadly Valentine’ in the Weatherford Hotel’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Trekking to Good Health
If hiking is a fitness goal for the New Year, you may want to consider using trekking poles. Trekking poles look like ski poles and are standard equipment among hikers. They’re a great way to provide stability and support on all types of terrain when they are fitted and used properly. When selecting trekking poles, hikers have a variety of options. Two poles can be used in tandem for stability, or one pole can be used for flatter terrains. Whether using one or two poles, however, a hiker … [Read more...] about Trekking to Good Health
Why New Year’s Resolutions Do Not Work
Year after year, people make New Year’s resolutions only to see them fail, making them feel like failures. Having owned Physical Therapy at the Flagstaff Athletic Club for more than 20 years, every January, I see the club packed with people only to see most of the new members gone by Valentine’s Day. The most common resolutions have to do with some combination of getting in shape, exercising and losing weight. Quitting smoking ranks pretty high. Resolutions about saving money or spending … [Read more...] about Why New Year’s Resolutions Do Not Work
Tourism: Benefiting the Community
A leisurely jog through Buffalo Park, stargazing at Lowell Observatory or a casual evening at a local restaurant will likely result in overhearing conversations in languages other than English or with accents spoken by visitors. Flagstaff is a destination with year-round appeal for both domestic and international travelers, for people traveling solo, as friends and couples or multi-generational families. Tourism is an economic driver for Flagstaff resulting in steadily increasing bed, board … [Read more...] about Tourism: Benefiting the Community
Preparing for Another Year, Another Tax Bill
Happy 2018! Last year at this time, the biggest thing to talk about for taxes was a 20-page summary of the PATH act, delays in refunds for taxpayers claiming certain credits and some changes for Arizona employers. Today, I'm beginning to wade my way through more than 700 pages of the conference report on what is being called the “Tax Cuts And Jobs Act.” Before we get too far, unless otherwise noted, none of this applies to filing your 2017 tax return. Wait for the documents you normally get but … [Read more...] about Preparing for Another Year, Another Tax Bill
Understanding Hearing Loss and Associated Comorbidities
I found this article from the CapTel phone organization and liked it so much that I am sharing it with you. In only the last dozen years, many important studies have surfaced linking hearing loss to disabling conditions such as cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, clinical depression, diabetes, falls among the elderly, heart disease and many more. These linkages are often referred to as “comorbidities,” which is defined as the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic conditions or … [Read more...] about Understanding Hearing Loss and Associated Comorbidities
Hurtful Words are Based on Judgments
All couples have disagreements, but not all couples have the skills to handle them well. Research suggests that the best indicator of divorce has to do with how couples speak to each other. When couples use judgmental and blaming language, their relationship is threatened. Without the skills to use words respectfully, even the smallest disagreements can block the intimacy and trust that couples need to succeed. As a relationship coach working with couples, I’ve seen how ineffective … [Read more...] about Hurtful Words are Based on Judgments