Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products is harmful to your mouth, including your teeth and gums, and can be deadly. Each year, about 443,000 people die prematurely due to smoking or exposure to second hand smoke, and 8.6 million people live with a serious illness caused by smoking. How Does Smoking Impact My Mouth and Oral Health? Smoking can impact your overall oral health in a number of ways, including: … [Read more...] about Smoking and Your Oral Health
Columnists
Grid Scale Solar More Efficient than Rooftop
With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, Arizona is a natural for solar power. In fact, the state was recently ranked number two for total solar energy capacity. Some of the benefits of solar energy are clear. This clean, renewable energy source has no carbon emissions and uses no water. Solar power is an important resource helping to power our customers’ lives; however, we must make sure we are getting the most bang for our buck. Grid-scale solar (large solar farms that typically … [Read more...] about Grid Scale Solar More Efficient than Rooftop
Reflecting on Orlando
The recent terrible, tragic shooting in Orlando struck close to home for me, literally. My family moved to Orlando almost 30 years ago. Although not born there, it’s the city I think of as home. My immediate family still resides in or near Orlando. For a period of time, I lived about a mile from the Pulse nightclub, the scene of the tragic events. For seven years, I taught at the University of Central Florida. When the names of the dead were released, I checked the names and photos to see if any … [Read more...] about Reflecting on Orlando
Creating Your Legacy
Each day you open your eyes in the morning you have the opportunity to create a legacy. You don’t have to be a superhero or famous actor to leave an example of a well-lived life. You and I influence each person we talk to on the phone, the people we pass on the street and even the people driving the car behind us. Our influence is wide and varied. So the question is: how do you want people to remember you? This is not a question of what your eulogy will focus on or what is said in the newspaper … [Read more...] about Creating Your Legacy
Keeping Skin Healthy This Summer
It's summer – the weather is warm and the sun is bright. While fun in the sun is all well and good, it can come with unintended consequences for the skin. We’ve all been there – a fun day outdoors quickly turns into an uncomfortable evening when the dreaded sunburn appears. Many feel as though this is an unavoidable consequence of those sunny summer days, but that is not the case. With a proper summer skin care plan, many of the negative side effects of sun exposure can be lessened, if not … [Read more...] about Keeping Skin Healthy This Summer
Parenting A Parent
I never thought I would have to be a parent to my dad. It is difficult to place when it even started. When I look back, I remember talking to my dad and thinking, “Is he just confused?” and “Didn’t I just answer that question?” I was sure he was just tired or that he just woke from a nap. It happens to all of us, right? I started seeing signs around the house, like food left out, an overabundance of subscription magazines and the house not kept up like it used to be. When I questioned my dad, I … [Read more...] about Parenting A Parent
Education as a Pathway to Pursuing Possibilities
In Flagstaff, we are thoroughly enjoying the peak of summer. More than any other time of year, this is the month that our minds turn to the celebration of freedom and the legacy of our nation’s dedication to a dream. We benefit from the early Americans’ vision – a vision that shapes the liberty we enjoy today. Freedom from limits on creativity and doubt that harm the pursuit of the possible, and freedom to learn, to pursue, to build on new ideas and beliefs. Freedom is the core of the success of … [Read more...] about Education as a Pathway to Pursuing Possibilities
Having Surgery? First, Stop Smoking to Avoid Complications
Preparing for surgery can be a bit scary and stressful, but there is one way to help ensure a successful surgery and recovery – stop smoking! Most people are aware of the health risks associated with smoking, but did you know smokers have a significantly higher risk of surgical complications during and after surgery than non-smokers? This is especially true when general anesthesia is required during the procedure. Smoking can significantly increase the risk of surgery and post-surgery … [Read more...] about Having Surgery? First, Stop Smoking to Avoid Complications
Do You Understand Your Emotions About Money?
If you’ve ever felt a rush of excitement at making a big purchase or experienced feelings of shame at making a financial mistake, you know that our relationship with money isn’t completely rational. For most people, money comes with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage that affects the decisions we make. Psychologists call these emotions "money scripts" and have found that these unconscious beliefs can drive many positive and negative financial behaviors. Many of our money scripts … [Read more...] about Do You Understand Your Emotions About Money?
What the Appraisal Process Means for You
You’ve been through the ups and downs of looking at numerous properties. You’ve maybe written more than one offer. Perhaps you’ve lost out on several properties due to this explosive Flagstaff real estate market. Well, that’s only the partial battle. Once you’re in escrow and have waded through the inspection period, the next hurdle will be the appraisal. By definition, appraisal is explained as “an expert estimate of the value of something.” This is not only a requirement … [Read more...] about What the Appraisal Process Means for You