Everything has a price and there’s no such thing as a free lunch (though the cost of a salad and blackberry lemonade - to go - at Wildflower Café is awfully reasonable). If you’ve ever wondered why things cost what they do, The Price of Everything by Eduardo Porter explains. “Prices are everywhere.”Even if some of Porter’s claims are hard to take, he’s probably right. He compares the price for sorting garbage in Norway (about $114 per ton for somebody else to do it) to the earning of a waste … [Read more...] about Check, Please
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Purchasing Downtown Commercial Properties
I don’t know if you have noticed lately, but Commercial Real Estate Investment is on its way back. Sure, there are still a few foreclosure stragglers out there keeping a lid on appraised values but once they are gone, look out above. Sellers of well located properties who have held strong on their asking prices may soon get paid for their patience in this psychologically driven market. I’m not saying we are going to be at 2006 levels anytime soon but you never know. What’s driving this … [Read more...] about Purchasing Downtown Commercial Properties
Steps to Building an Energy Star Home
Step # 4 In our current series of articles, we are chronicling the steps to construct an energy efficient home based on a current project here in Flagstaff. We are building a house for a professor just north of NAU who is prioritizing energy efficiency. The first articles covered the basics of getting out of the ground. The next few topics will dive deeper into the details. Now that we are vertical, we need to address getting the house tight and insulating it properly. By now, we have … [Read more...] about Steps to Building an Energy Star Home
Delivering Post Concussion Care
If a concussion is suspected, early management and appropriate referral to a clinician is very important. There are an estimated 1.7 million brain injuries each year in the United States. The majority of brain injuries that occur each year are diagnosed as Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI), usually concussions from sporting events. While MTBIs are usually not life threatening, this injury can have serious and long-term effects on a person’s cognitive, physical and psychological functions. … [Read more...] about Delivering Post Concussion Care
Aging Gracefully and Sleeping Well
According to the National Institutes of Health, older adults need approximately seven to nine hours of sleep a night in order to maintain overall healthy lifestyles. There is no dispute that as people age, disruptions in sleep patterns often occur. However, the thought that these disruptions are merely a normal part of the aging process is simply not true. Although having difficulty sleeping is not caused by aging itself, the problem can result from underlying issues the elderly face as they … [Read more...] about Aging Gracefully and Sleeping Well
Choosing the Best Bidding Option for Your Project
In previous articles, we’ve discussed building contractor selection. Part of this process is determining what type of contract you want. Projects generally fall into two categories: negotiated bid and competitive bid. Both new construction and remodeling present challenges because owners are often unsure of exactly what is involved in relation to the associated costs. If they take their “wish list” to an architect or designer, the result may cost more than their budget, which could require … [Read more...] about Choosing the Best Bidding Option for Your Project
Think About Diversity of Thought
A business that recognizes and develops a culture that operates on acceptance can overcome diversity-related business challenges. Increasing performance through enhanced engagement is just the beginning. But what is diversity? We usually define diversity by what we can see – age, gender, race, sexual orientation and ethnicity. What most of us miss is diversity of thought. The ways in which different individuals process circumstances deserves just as much consideration as any other difference. … [Read more...] about Think About Diversity of Thought
Nutritional Therapy for High Blood Cholesterol
According to the American Heart Association, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the number one killer in the United States. Although the death rate over the last 20 years has decreased, the prevalence has increased. A major risk factor for developing CAD is unhealthy lipid levels, more commonly known as cholesterol. If you have high blood cholesterol, lowering it will help protect you from heart disease caused by cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Here’s what you need to know to help … [Read more...] about Nutritional Therapy for High Blood Cholesterol
Rejoicing in Summertime
I love Flagstaff in every season, but there is just something about summertime that makes our mountain town come to life. Not a day goes by where there isn’t an opportunity to get outdoors, attend a great event, and enjoy the warm days and cool nights. From Movies on the Square to the cultural festivals at the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Flagstaff summer is filled with amazing events for the whole family. With everything that occurs during the summer, we sometimes forget to the take the … [Read more...] about Rejoicing in Summertime
The True Cost of Migraines
A migraine is a one-sided headache that is often associated with severe throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or an aura. At least 10 percent of Americans suffer from these debilitating headaches. Not only are they a huge burden for the individual, but the cost to employers is high. In the United States, it is estimated that migraines cost employers $24 billion each year. The problem that doctors see in the treatment of migraines is often the same in what we see globally in … [Read more...] about The True Cost of Migraines