At Warner’s Nursery, we love this time of year. It’s not quite spring and our home gardens are mostly just plans in our heads. We’ll put the vegetable patch here, we think. Maybe we’ll grow some wildflowers in that section by the front walk. And this is the year we are finally going to get some nice strawberries going. All these horticultural ambitions start with the humble yet utterly amazing seed, that tiny packet of potential that can turn bare earth into flowering bounty. With a little … [Read more...] about Seeding the Future
Columnists
IRS Change May Affect the Individual Mandate for Health Insurance
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has signaled a change in how it monitors compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate. Under this change, tax returns will no longer be automatically rejected if they do not certify whether the individual had health insurance for the year. The new IRS policy on accepting “silent returns” is based on President Donald Trump’s executive order directing federal agencies to provide relief from the burdens of the ACA. However, this change is … [Read more...] about IRS Change May Affect the Individual Mandate for Health Insurance
Is it a Cold or the Flu?
Oh no, here it comes again. The cough, sore throat, stuffy nose. It’s that time of year when the cold and flu become prevalent. But how can you tell the difference? A common cold and the flu are similar because they’re both respiratory illnesses. Even though they’re caused by different viruses, they share many of the same symptoms. This makes it hard to know for sure which you may have unless you visit your doctor. Symptoms for both illnesses can include a cough, sore throat, runny or … [Read more...] about Is it a Cold or the Flu?
Protect Your Business, Customers from Identity Theft
Identity theft is a real threat to consumers, even in Northern Arizona. The statistics are frightening. In 2015 alone, $15 billion was stolen from 13.1 million American consumers according to The 2016 Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy and Research. In 2016, 1,459,851 consumer records were exposed because of employee error, negligence and improper disposal according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. And that is just what was reported. So many of these exposures were … [Read more...] about Protect Your Business, Customers from Identity Theft
Our On-Demand World
How many of you have made a mixtape? Back in the day, making someone a mixtape was a well-known sign of affection. For those of you who are too young or too old to understand the significance of the mixtape, they were significant because of the time and effort it took to make one. Filling a 90-minute cassette tape with music meant cueing up a record 20 times or so (unless you included In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, which cut down the number considerably). This was after you decided on the songs, rounded up … [Read more...] about Our On-Demand World
Honoring Voters, Addressing Minimum Wage
Shortly after the election, I realized that one of the first challenges I would face as mayor was going to be sorting out the implications of the passage of propositions 414 and 206. I immediately began sitting down with concerned citizens and local stakeholders, something I am continuing to do. Proposition 206 passed with 58 percent of the vote, Proposition 414 passed with 53.99 percent. These are substantial margins and send a clear message. Voters would like to see a higher minimum wage. … [Read more...] about Honoring Voters, Addressing Minimum Wage
Coping Skills for Facing Dental Fears
We all have something we are afraid of – spiders, the dark, heights – maybe even going to the dentist. Sometimes, you can avoid scary things. You do not like heights? Stay close to the ground. But seeing the dentist is one fear you should not dodge. Here are some things you can do to help you get to the dental office through the appointment: Speak Up. Let the office know that you are anxious. Tell the receptionist when you book the appointment, and tell the staff members when you arrive. … [Read more...] about Coping Skills for Facing Dental Fears
Tax Filing Errors to Avoid
The dawn of 2017 brings opportunities to create new resolutions or plans for the next 12 months – and also marks the beginning of tax season. While tax day on April 18 can seem far off, this year’s deadline will be here before you know it. As you start the process of gathering your tax documents and completing your return, we want to provide a reminder of common filing errors to look out for. Whether you hire a professional or go it alone, avoiding these mistakes can help ensure your taxes … [Read more...] about Tax Filing Errors to Avoid
When Can We Expect to Trend in the 2017 Real Estate Market?
The age-old question looms. What can I expect for the future of the real estate market? The crystal ball would’ve come in handy several times now in making attempts to answer this question; however, what we can rely on best is history and current economic situations. Coming up on almost a decade since the global economy collapse, everyone still gives off a look of cringe and fright when it’s mentioned. Logically, it all made sense. It was a scientific issue: what goes up, must come down. … [Read more...] about When Can We Expect to Trend in the 2017 Real Estate Market?
Making a Donation? Here are Five Things to Consider
It’s a well-known fact that charitable or philanthropic giving provides opportunities for tax benefits. While this is certainly a nice bonus, it doesn’t always lessen challenges associated with donating. Managing a tight income, negotiating decisions for long-term investments or even justifying purchases for immediate pleasures can be hard enough without factoring in another line item for contributions. Moreover, the sheer number of organizations with compelling reasons to give can sometimes … [Read more...] about Making a Donation? Here are Five Things to Consider