North Country HealthCare is Northern Arizona’s community health center and for more than four decades, America’s community health centers have been providing basic health care for those in need. Today, community health centers serve the primary health care needs of more than 23 million patients in over 8,000 locations across the United States. Health centers play a crucial role during tough economic times, providing affordable health services for millions of uninsured and working Americans who … [Read more...] about North Country – Your Community Health Center
Columnists
New Technology for Aging Veins
As a reader of this publication, you may already know more about varicose veins than you would like, because half of all Americans over 50 (and two-thirds of women over 60) suffer from the pain and swelling of those big ropey leg veins. The condition is caused by failing valves in the primary veins that allow blood to pool up in the legs, and symptoms can range from aching and fatigue to skin ulcers and blood clots. Women who have had more than two pregnancies are at particular risk, and … [Read more...] about New Technology for Aging Veins
Improving Balance
Having good balance is something taken for granted when we were young and active. Balance and coordination just seemed to happen naturally, without having to think about it. However, over time, there are several factors that can affect our balance. Age and decreased activity are obvious factors. Other things that can affect balance include an injury or surgery involving the spine or legs, and any illness involving the brain or inner ear. Often, we can lose our sense of balance without even … [Read more...] about Improving Balance
Streamlining Board Meetings
The starting point for ensuring a productive meeting is to develop a purposeful agenda, the core of every effective board meeting. Strive to have the board agenda finalized at least one week prior to the board meeting. Items that are carried over from the previous meeting lend themselves to the development of a draft agenda the day following a board meeting. Appoint one liaison, normally the board president, to work with the community association manager (CAM) in planning the agenda. This action … [Read more...] about Streamlining Board Meetings
Heart and Mind Dialogue for Managing Stress
The prehistoric cave man caught off-guard by a ferocious sabre tooth tiger confronted two choices – fight or flight – as his neck tightened, heart pounded, stomach butterflied, mouth dried and breathing turned shallow to counter the menacing threat. Stored fats and glucose poured into our hero’s bloodstream for quick energy, heart rate and blood pressure increased to carry more oxygen, his digestive system slowed for extra blood to the muscles and his body’s blood-clotting mechanisms became … [Read more...] about Heart and Mind Dialogue for Managing Stress
Purchasing a New Home in Flagstaff
When purchasing a re-sale home, what you see is what you get. This home usually includes blinds, landscaping and maybe a fence (depending in which part of town you are looking). With your re-sale purchase contract, you may ask for the refrigerator, closing cost assistance, washer, dryer and possibly that flat screen TV mounted to the wall. During contract negotiations, you can usually expect to close within 30-60 days. When you buy a new “to-be built home,” what you usually see is the … [Read more...] about Purchasing a New Home in Flagstaff
Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile
As soon as your baby’s teeth break through the gums, they need attention and care. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that you bring your baby to the dentist soon after the first tooth comes in and no later than the child’s first birthday. This visit gives your dentist a chance to check for tooth decay and discuss other conditions or habits, such as thumb sucking, that may affect the teeth. The dentist also can show you how to clean your baby’s teeth properly. As soon as … [Read more...] about Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile
Little Changes in a Big World
One of my first undergraduate classes was introduction to economics. The professor was a bit of a character and was known for commonly uttering two phrases, i.e. (as in “in other words”) and ceteris paribus (which roughly means “all other things being equal”). The economy is a complicated thing and thinking about how changes in one factor impact some output is easier if we hold all the other factors constant. This is a pretty reasonable way of teaching economics to a bunch of undergraduates. … [Read more...] about Little Changes in a Big World
Kitchen Makeovers
June marks the culmination of half a year and one of the most important rooms in the house might have been neglected in the midst of dynamic daily life. It is the VIP room (Very Important Place) and the most used room in the house – the kitchen. The kitchen needs some love and care whether you are ready to invest or are on a budget. Prior to diving into details, here are a few notes to get you started and give you control over the direction you want your kitchen makeover to … [Read more...] about Kitchen Makeovers
City’s Emergency Plan
If you have lived in Flagstaff for a few years, you have experienced those tense moments that come from a nearby forest fire. The Slide fire reminded us that disaster is always a possibility. Disaster could be in the form of a fire but it could also come with a train derailment of chemicals or a huge snowstorm. Is there a plan in place? Who is in charge? Shortly after I was elected, I was given a briefing about major emergency operations. There is a thick three-ring binder of … [Read more...] about City’s Emergency Plan