Pisac, in the Sacred Valley, is famous for its amazing market. Local women come down from their villages to trade and sell their goods. The market has about 120 different types of potatoes, a variety of grains, vegetables, fruits and the best avocados! The food market is a great opportunity to people watch. The market also has great souvenirs -- lots of fabrics, furs (alpaca), sweaters, pictures, Peruvian music, etc. Wanting to support their economy, I got into a buying frenzy and to this day, I … [Read more...] about Peru – Part II
Columnists
Knowing Family History
Relatives enjoy gathering for Thanksgiving and the holidays. They gather to enjoy great food and to stay connected. This inherent connection follows us, especially when it comes to our health. Like the tendency for blue eyes, our parents and grandparents can pass on a predisposition to disease. These include diabetes, cancer, and many cardiovascular problems such as stroke, heart arrhythmia and coronary disease and other contributing factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. But … [Read more...] about Knowing Family History
Relationship Marketing In Action
Like so many people nowadays, I was feeling a little uneasy about how the current and future state of our economy would impact my retirement. Horror stories about people who have lost their life savings or have seen their investments plummet left me and my husband worried that our nest egg would go the way of Humpty Dumpty, so we scheduled a planning session with our financial advisor to ensure our egg wouldn’t fall off the proverbial wall. It had been a while since we’d seen our advisor, so … [Read more...] about Relationship Marketing In Action
Proposed Changes to City Ordinances
I am proposing some changes in City ordinances that will affect your business and your home. I am hoping I will have Council support; we will see. Sales Tax and Family Leases If you personally own a building and lease it to your corporation, the City charges you 1.7 percent sales tax. That makes no sense to me. I am proposing a change that exempts family owned corporations or LLCs from paying sales tax on leases with the family. Sidewalk Repairs The way the City … [Read more...] about Proposed Changes to City Ordinances
Writing Parents’ Wills
I don’t do wills but I know people who do. I have told this to my mom several times but she keeps asking me to modify my parents’ will. I told her I have a conflict of interest and that after they die, I want to continue talking to my 10 siblings and not have to hang out with them in court. I like snowboarding with my brothers and jogging to the coffee shop with my sisters, not being deposed by their attorneys. Since she keeps asking me to do it and I keep giving her my friend Brent’s number and … [Read more...] about Writing Parents’ Wills
Safeguarding Your Tax Records
We live in Northern Arizona where the threat of fire, flood, and other disasters is always present. As such, there is an increased need for having your tax records safeguarded. You always want to keep your tax returns in the state of Arizona for four years. The federal government can audit your tax returns for three years after they are submitted, and the state of Arizona has four years to audit your returns. Therefore, you always want to be sure you have four years of tax returns readily … [Read more...] about Safeguarding Your Tax Records
Cardiac Resynchronization
According to the American Heart Association, approximately five million Americans have heart failure and each year, more than 500,000 new cases are diagnosed. Although there are many reasons for heart failure, all people with heart failure have one thing in common: their hearts do not pump like they should, so blood does not circulate properly. In a healthy heart, both ventricles (lower part of the heart) pump or beat in a coordinated fashion at the same time, similar to making a fist by … [Read more...] about Cardiac Resynchronization
Maintaining Fireplace Safety
I don’t know about you, but fall always makes me think about my fireplace. I use it a lot during the winter to heat my house, as I’m sure many of you do, too. But as much as I like the efficiency of a fireplace, I also know it can be a dangerous thing if not cared for properly. Statistics show that fireplaces cause more than 68,000 house fires annually. Without proper maintenance and cleaning, newspaper kindling can quickly turn into a disaster by causing thick, black smoke and carbon … [Read more...] about Maintaining Fireplace Safety
NAU’s Business Outreach
The business environment is more dynamic and uncertain than at any time in recent history. Fortunately, Arizona businesses can turn to Northern Arizona University’s Alliance Bank Business Outreach Center (ABBOC) for help in navigating today’s choppy waters. Since 1999, ABBOC has provided services to regional businesses, governmental groups and others interested in strengthening the region’s economic climate. The Center, which serves as the community outreach arm of The W.A. Franke College of … [Read more...] about NAU’s Business Outreach
Dentistry’s Role in Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is very common and potentially life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many are not receiving treatment. Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to all of your organs including your heart and brain. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods of time. When the … [Read more...] about Dentistry’s Role in Sleep Apnea