Distracted driving is a growing – and dangerous – recurring event in the United States. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off driving. A study through the National Institutes of Health found that drivers eat, reach for the phone, text or otherwise take their eyes off the road about 10 percent of the time. This behavior can endanger the driver, passengers and bystanders. Distracted driving can include a myriad of activities, … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Distracted Driving Wreck Your Summer Vacation
Columnists
Economic Growth on the Rise
It is an exciting time for economic growth and business in Arizona. The national media is taking notice of Arizona’s business competitiveness. Site Selection magazine recently ranked Arizona as the most competitive state in the mountain region. Area Development magazine recognized Arizona for being the top state in economic development in the population category of 5 million to 8 million. Recently, Governor Ducey approved legislation that makes Arizona the first state in the country to lay the … [Read more...] about Economic Growth on the Rise
Lumberjacks for Life: Building Lasting Connections
One of the true joys of the college experience is the friends you make along the way. Classmates enhance the celebrations, commiserate about the challenges, inform and expand the education of the journey toward a degree. At NAU, we believe that camaraderie should not be limited just to our students’ time on campus. So, we are taking our alumni experience to them, providing fun opportunities to connect with each other and share their love of helping others, professionally networking, trying … [Read more...] about Lumberjacks for Life: Building Lasting Connections
Speech Understanding in Wind
Wind noise has been an ongoing issue since the beginning of hearing aid use. I remember 30 years ago talking to people about managing wind noise when they were wearing a body-worn hearing aid. I asked people to change the direction they were facing so their back was to the wind or stand sideways to the wind. I helped parents design headbands to be worn over the ear level hearing aids to protect the hearing aid on their child from wind exposure. I recommend that people wear baseball caps with … [Read more...] about Speech Understanding in Wind
Six Steps to Successful Grant Implementation
You have been awarded the grant you worked so hard for! Now, what are the steps to take to ensure successful stewardship of your award? In this second installment of a three-part grant management best practices series, we help you prepare for grant implementation. These best practices are provided by Natalie Harlan and Winnie Ennenga, our grants team at the Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation. Execute the agreement. If a written agreement is included with the award … [Read more...] about Six Steps to Successful Grant Implementation
Heel Pain, Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis? Massage May be the Answer
Many people live in the Prescott area for the outdoor lifestyle it provides. The outdoor lifestyle typically involves movement – hiking with the kids and family dog through groves of oaks and pines, biking and running or jogging on trails and streets. Needless to say, the feet can put in some work. But a painful condition called plantar fasciitis, also known as “jogger’s heel,” can hamper those activities or even stop them all together. According to the sports medicBy Mark Loveine community, … [Read more...] about Heel Pain, Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis? Massage May be the Answer
Simplifying Common Health Insurance Terms
Health insurance is becoming more costly and more confusing. As an informed consumer, you should know the most common terms and definitions in your health plan. A premium is the payment you make to the insurance company to keep your health plan active. If your health insurance is through your employer, the premium is most likely deducted from your paycheck during the benefit year, i.e., a consecutive 12 months of insurance coverage. Your annual accruals of your deductible and out-of-pocket … [Read more...] about Simplifying Common Health Insurance Terms
Patient-Centered Cancer Care
The Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare in Flagstaff and Sedona are distinguished by multidisciplinary medical teams made up of compassionate radiation oncologists, nurses, social workers and dietitians dedicated to providing patients with the latest in cancer care. During traditional cancer treatment, patients often experience a variety of side effects from exposure to radiation – a highly effective tool in killing cancer cells, but also a danger to healthy portions of the body. As … [Read more...] about Patient-Centered Cancer Care
Understanding Emergency Management During Fire Season
As summer heats up in Coconino County, our residents and visitors alike are reminded that living and recreating amongst such unspoiled wilderness comes with risk and responsibility. Recent wildfires throughout the state illustrate the extreme risk of irresponsible fire behavior and the responsibility we all have to ensure our community stays safe from the natural and not-so-natural disasters. As part of this responsibility, Coconino County and the Coconino National Forest enacted Stage 2 fire … [Read more...] about Understanding Emergency Management During Fire Season
Addressing Minimum Wage, Affordable Housing, Water Conservation
Hello Flagstaff! I hope you all are enjoying your summer. As Council wraps up its session, I have been reflecting on what we have accomplished. Governing is often a series of conversations and compromises, and it is through working together that we all succeed, it is by working together that we make progress. When I came into office the most pressing issue in front of Council was the competing timelines between the two minimum wage initiatives passed by the voters in November. After much … [Read more...] about Addressing Minimum Wage, Affordable Housing, Water Conservation