There’s a new word in town! Cultur-vating is the act of “taking local to the next level” – growing your garden with a focus on local fare, embracing plants that are native to your particular region. For many, this growing trend may require a bit of learning, connecting and some balancing of the old and the new – but any good gardener knows that, in the end, you really do reap what you sow. How Well Do You Know Your Neighborhood? Being familiar with your surroundings is an important part of … [Read more...] about Locavore Neighborhoods
Columnists
Just Give Me the Bottom Line
Many people who shop for a new or preowned vehicle are only interested in the “selling price.” Many times they consider the sales consultant a bother and do not take the time to become an informed customer. I cannot tell you how many customers tell the sales consultant, “I only have 15 minutes to look,” or “Just give me the bottom line.” At the same time, I understand that car dealerships have not earned the best reputation as a place to just shop in a leisurely and comfortable manner. Most … [Read more...] about Just Give Me the Bottom Line
PT – More than Rehabilitation
Do you struggle with constant joint or muscle pain from an injury, overuse or an ongoing condition such as arthritis? You may have a sports injury that continues to nag you. Maybe you are getting ready to train for your first 5K or preparing for the first marathon of the season. Perhaps you suffered a stroke or have a neurological condition that affects your ability to move and function. If you have a need to improve body function – from prevention to repair to conditioning to increased … [Read more...] about PT – More than Rehabilitation
Where are we with Water?
Where does our city water come from and are we running out of water? Do we rely on the Colorado River? Do we dare grow? Flagstaff is fortunate in several ways: (1) We do not currently rely on the Colorado River so we are not involved in the allocation battles (which are brewing rapidly); (2) We have redundant sources of water which help us be resilient to drought. Some years we get a lot of water from Lake Mary and the Inner Basin and other years we rely more on wells; (3) Our drawdown of the … [Read more...] about Where are we with Water?
Hearing Changes After Head Injury
Approximately 1.4 million individuals suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in the United States. Common causes of injury are automobile accidents, air bag deployment, falls, assaults/blows, sports-related injuries and explosive blasts. Other causes of brain injury are strokes, edema, meningitis, tumors and even certain medications. The resulting symptoms a person suffers are varied. Injury From Automobile Accidents The brain may be shaken within the skull causing bruises … [Read more...] about Hearing Changes After Head Injury
An Economist’s Marx
For a book junkie like me, reading a great book isn’t enough. Perusing reviews both before and after only adds to the pleasure – not to mention the knowledge – one can glean. I only hope my readers sometimes feel the same. That is the experience I’ve had lately reading about “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by French economist Thomas Piketty. Commentators from both left and the right (and several best described as in between) only whetted my appetite for the book itself. Published in … [Read more...] about An Economist’s Marx
Importance of Patio Furniture
With spring at our door, create a scene that will lure your family outside to enjoy all of what spring and summer have to offer. Patio furniture can transform your yard into the perfect outdoor recreational area. It is a big investment that requires thought and careful consideration; buying the perfect patio set for your house is just a matter of knowing what to look for. There are four key words to keep in mind when shopping for your new patio set: durability, comfort, easy care and … [Read more...] about Importance of Patio Furniture
The Heart and Sex
Did you know that sexual activity is generally safe for most heart disease patients, even after a heart attack or major heart surgery? According to the American Heart Association, most patients with stable heart disease can safely engage in sexual activity. Sex is Similar to Moderate Exercise Doctors suggest that when it comes to your heart, having sex is much like taking a walk or climbing a few flights of stairs. If a patient is able to comfortably engage in moderate exercise, … [Read more...] about The Heart and Sex
Can I Still Enroll?
With much fanfare, the first open enrollment of health care reform ended on March 31, 2014. The initial tally indicates that more than seven million people gained insurance as a result of the new law. During the course of the next several months we will learn exactly who gained insurance, from what sources (state and federal exchanges, Medicaid and employers) and who did not. No politics here…just the facts. Now that all the hoopla is over, what do you need to know? Well, first of all, while … [Read more...] about Can I Still Enroll?
Guided Pain Injections
The first use of spinal injections for pain dates back to 1901. That’s when researchers injected cocaine just above the tailbone to help relieve lower back pain. The first report of epidural steroid injection for back pain was in 1952; that’s when researchers injected the steroid hydrocortisone into the epidura – the space that surrounds the spinal cord – of the lower back. Today, epidural injection of steroidal painkillers is commonly used to treat difficult problems with lower back … [Read more...] about Guided Pain Injections


