The City of Flagstaff Economic Development Offices have in the past contributed to the Flagstaff Business News with articles about programs, events, partners and partnering agencies, and opportunities. This month, the Economic Development staff is providing reminders of behaviors that contribute positively to an individual, a family, a neighborhood, a community and a country. First, here are some behaviors that everyone may practice every day that will help in good times and bad: Wash your … [Read more...] about Surviving the Season of COVID-19
Columnists
Becoming a Bird Watcher
As a life-long bird watcher and owner of two backyard wild bird stores, I have come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of birders: casual, backyard birders and serious, “get-out-into-the-field” birders. For most people, their interest in birds starts gradually and develops over a long period of time. Maybe their interest in birds was initially influenced by either their parents, or perhaps their grandparents, who had birdfeeders in their yard. Interestingly, those who fit into this … [Read more...] about Becoming a Bird Watcher
Massage 101: Choosing the Right Massage and Add-On Therapies
Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques, styles and personalized options, which can vary from appointment to appointment. Few things allow us to individualize an experience for the moment like massage therapy does. In the winter, deep tissue for aching muscles from snow shoveling may be in order. After taking final exams, a relaxing massage is just what is needed to end the semester. Sometimes it is about bodywork and total-body stretching to help reach sports and physical … [Read more...] about Massage 101: Choosing the Right Massage and Add-On Therapies
Understanding the Value of Being Counted
It is estimated that for every person counted in the Census, almost $3,000 in federal funding comes back to our communities. In 2000 and 2010, the Coconino County population was undercounted, costing the area millions of dollars. This resulted in the money for school lunch programs, transportation infrastructure and housing being appropriated to other parts of the country. An incomplete count for the Census can have financial repercussions for the next 10 years. To ensure an accurate count for … [Read more...] about Understanding the Value of Being Counted
Celebrating Travel, Tourism, Economic Development
National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal well-being. As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, join Discover Flagstaff and volunteer for Eco-Tourism Service Day. Last year, volunteers collected 146.35 pounds of trash from the north and south side of the tracks downtown, and the year before, 55.61 … [Read more...] about Celebrating Travel, Tourism, Economic Development
Mindfulness: What it is; How it Works
Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. In our day of technical addiction and multitasking, this is actually more challenging than ever before, which is probably why mindfulness is becoming so mainstream. There is a desperate need to feel more connected and content. For some, this practice comes naturally. Those who are really present in the kitchen, preparing loving meals and eating with consciousness, already do this practice instinctively. Those who immerse … [Read more...] about Mindfulness: What it is; How it Works
Understanding the Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most common environmental exposures in the United States. In 1981, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that nearly 100 million people in the United States (about 50% of the population) had annual exposures to traffic noise that were high enough to be harmful to health. How Does the Body Respond to Noise? Despite the widespread prevalence of noise exposure, noise has historically been treated differently from pollutants of a … [Read more...] about Understanding the Effects of Noise Pollution
Talking Points for Your First Family Vacation Abroad
You’re taking the family abroad soon? This is the first time? How exciting! To keep everyone relaxed and happy, there are a few things you can do before you depart on your epic family adventure. To give you some peace of mind, prepare your children for different cultures and plan ahead for unforeseeable circumstances. Purchasing travel insurance for you and your entire family when you start booking your vacation will cover your entire clan from the time you leave your home, until you return. … [Read more...] about Talking Points for Your First Family Vacation Abroad
Cold March Winds Beg for Hot Stone Massage
No doubt. March weather has its mood swings – it can be warm, it can be cold; it can be sunny, it can be snowy; it can be unseasonably warm; it can be bitter cold. However, the most noticeable and consistent weather factor in March seems to be the strong winds. The promise of spring seems to be blown from reach with breezy, windy and, of course, gusty days. Most of us are ready to get outside and start summer activities; yet, many of us find our muscles and joints aching and our bodies longing … [Read more...] about Cold March Winds Beg for Hot Stone Massage
Spring Migration is Right Around the Corner
The annual phenomenon of bird migration is right around the corner. Each spring, millions and millions of birds move north from their winter range in the tropics to exploit the long summer days we enjoy here in North America. Arizona is uniquely positioned to witness a lot of this migration activity because of the geographical location of our state. Most of the migratory bird species that summer in western North America spend their winters down in the tropics. Their migration route brings … [Read more...] about Spring Migration is Right Around the Corner