This year has been a hard one for family gatherings. For several months we’ve been limiting big get-togethers out of concern over the coronavirus pandemic. It’s likely that COVID-19 will be impacting your Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, too. With lots of families foregoing travel and staying put for the holidays, it’s time to capture the spirit of the season in our homes by decking them out with as much holiday cheer as possible. The centerpiece of that décor, of course, is your … [Read more...] about Christmas: From Our Families to Yours
Columnists
What Small Businesses Can Do During Challenging Times
As new government relief programs appear to have been put on hold, businesses continue to adapt their operations, and many are finding effective ways to overcome their greatest hurdles. According to the latest results of a longitudinal study from Northern Arizona University’s Economic Policy Institute, the Coconino County and Sedona Business Leaders Survey shows the top concerns now include: 1) Paying Bills/Cashflow Problems, along with 2) Lack of Tourists/Customers, 3) Low Consumer … [Read more...] about What Small Businesses Can Do During Challenging Times
Why Communication is Essential in the Real Estate Process
We’ve all heard the saying, “No news is good news,” right? Well, not necessarily in the real estate process. While not hearing anything could be deemed as everything is moving along smoothly, it could also mean there are critical dates and deadlines being missed. There should be one person at the helm of the entire escrow/transaction process and typically, that person should be your licensed real estate professional. A lot of companies will enlist the help of a licensed transaction … [Read more...] about Why Communication is Essential in the Real Estate Process
Why It’s Important to Listen to Your Feet
One in every 10 people have it. More than seven million have it and don’t know it. It affects every major system of the body. What is it? Diabetes. More than 30 million Americans are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the number one cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputation. Your body sends you signals all the time. The thing is, we often don’t listen, ignoring the signs as part of getting older, putting it off for a less … [Read more...] about Why It’s Important to Listen to Your Feet
CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) have been standing up for children in Arizona’s foster care system for 35 years. CASA of Arizona volunteers are everyday people who get to know the kids they are appointed to, talk with everyone involved in the case, and help judges identify the best outcome for the child. More than 25,000 children in Arizona have benefited from having a CASA volunteer on their side. The CASA program began in Seattle, Washington, in 1977 when juvenile court judge … [Read more...] about CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
Did You Know This About Dementia?
Dementia is a medical condition that can be caused by a number of things. Today, with the isolation we are living in, we have more time to notice problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Depression affects memory and thinking. Forgetfulness and mild confusion can be seen in both dementia and depression. When we experience these symptoms, we often think of the worst: Alzheimer’s Disease. While this is a common disease, with dementia, it can be managed with medication. Did you know that the … [Read more...] about Did You Know This About Dementia?
Ease the Stress of 2020, Make Holiday Gift-Giving Easier
I think we can all agree: 2020 has been a long, stressful year and a year we are ready to put in the books and move forward to 2021. It is both hard to believe how quickly this year has passed and, at the same time, how long this year has been. For many, the thoughts of the approaching holiday season are both welcomed and met with some level of “I just can’t handle any more stress.” We all know the holidays can be filled with the joys of fun, food, family, friends and gifts. Yet, these same … [Read more...] about Ease the Stress of 2020, Make Holiday Gift-Giving Easier
Building Resilience: Five Simple Steps to Thrive
My friends, winter is coming. Between flu season and being in the midst of a global pandemic, it’s really easy to get sucked into the fear narrative, get angry at the behaviors of others, and feel powerless to do anything. Realistically, none of us can control other people’s behavior. We can’t stop people from having big family gatherings, packing bars or attending large events. We can’t control whether or not people practice social distancing or mask wearing, either. But, do you know what … [Read more...] about Building Resilience: Five Simple Steps to Thrive
Flagstaff Airport: Staying Open, Making Changes
We would like to thank all who have flown out of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport this year. When we look back to last year, we hit a record number of patrons who flew in and out of the airport and found ourselves cramped with parking, lobby space and, at times, with ramp space. These were good problems to have, because we can fix these concerns. This year has had a different set of obstacles, as the airline industry, among others, was faced with COVID-19. Not only did the airports come to a … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Airport: Staying Open, Making Changes
Reflecting Back, Looking Ahead, Expressing Gratitude
Hello, Northern Arizona! Well, this is my second-to-last column for you as Flagstaff’s mayor. It has been a joy and an honor to serve my hometown, and I hope to continue to find ways to do so. When I was growing up, this community nurtured my brother and me. This community made sure we had what we needed, and that we had opportunities. Many of you know that I grew up in public housing, the daughter of a single parent on disability. It was this community that made sure I could play hockey and … [Read more...] about Reflecting Back, Looking Ahead, Expressing Gratitude