Arizona’s real estate market remains “ridiculously hot,” says Arizona Association of Realtors President Gary Nelson. “We are seeing tremendous increases in home values in the last two years, increasing about 25% year over year in localized markets and about a 12% to 13% per-year increase in median home prices.” A lack of inventory, Millennials and investors are playing a huge role in the home-buying frenzy, say the experts, especially in scenic tourism destinations. Flagstaff, Sedona, … [Read more...] about Housing Market Expected to Remain Strong for Years
Bonnie Stevens
Dream Big, Sweet Girls
The searing flash of flames, the ground-shaking vibration, the deafening roar of engines – witnessing a space shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is not something easily forgotten, but for Lauren Edgar, it is the stuff dreams are made of. The then-second grader, who came to visit her grandmother in Florida, left her vacation with more than warmth in her heart. Little Lauren’s imagination was on fire. “That moment was pretty significant for me – the realization that there were people … [Read more...] about Dream Big, Sweet Girls
Are You Slipping Back into Caveman Brain?
When Governor Doug Ducey addressed more than 500 businesspeople in Northern Arizona last month, the audience heard him talk about progress being made in expanding broadband connectivity along I-40 from Flagstaff to the California border. That’s good news, right? “This critical infrastructure will give more homes fast internet, improve public safety, increase access to education and help more Arizonans get the care they need through telemedicine,” stated the governor. But, we seem to have … [Read more...] about Are You Slipping Back into Caveman Brain?
Cleansing Through Forest Bathing and Chocolate
Actress Mariel Hemingway walked barefoot through the red rocks of Sedona on a brisk March morning before joining directors, producers and writers in a news conference without her shoes. The event was designed to promote and explain the film, “Down to Earth: The Remarkable Science of Grounding.” Grounding or “Earthing” means connecting one’s body to the earth to restore electromagnetic balance. Scientists, doctors and researchers in the film say this act restores and maintains optimal health. … [Read more...] about Cleansing Through Forest Bathing and Chocolate
Next Generation Tools Battling Pandemic Impact
As the highly contagious omicron variant is outpacing the delta strain in Arizona, one of Arizona’s leading infectious disease scientists says the endgame for human coronaviruses in the past has been to become more contagious but make us less sick. Thus, the evolutionary character of COVID-19, together with “next generation” tools, have scientists optimistic that we are better able to treat the disease and guard against severe illness than ever before. “One of the great next generation … [Read more...] about Next Generation Tools Battling Pandemic Impact
Minimizing Workplace Drama in the New Year
While skiing at Alta Ski Area, Shasheen Shah found himself caught in a small avalanche caused by a skier-released snowslide that funneled through the chute he had just skied. “I never saw it coming. It launched over the rockface and landed on me like wet concrete. Within seconds, it felt like I was buried alive and then swept me down the slope. I was disoriented. I didn’t know which way was up or down. I didn’t have light and I couldn’t breathe. Panic.” In his new book, “The Kid and the King: … [Read more...] about Minimizing Workplace Drama in the New Year
Sugar High
Making candy every day of the week, the chocolatiers and candymakers of the Sweet Shoppe Candy Store in historic downtown Flagstaff are mixing, melting and pouring 40 pounds of caramel, brittle, toffee and fudge at a time. But the 2021 holiday season had them spinning, dipping and sprinkling at a pace that would impress Santa’s elves, just to keep up with orders. “Our e-commerce site went live two weeks before Christmas and we’ve been shipping gift baskets and packages all over the country,” … [Read more...] about Sugar High
Living in Gratitude at Altitudes
On a typical “bluebird” winter day on Arizona’s highest mountain, expert skiers like Lynda Fleischer greet the crystal clear bluest-of-blue sky with a huge smile to the heavens after a night of fresh-fallen snow. “This is where I belong,” she said. “The mountain is part of who I am. It makes me who I am. It makes me better. It makes me powerful and in control. It makes me feel alive.” Fleischer found the majestic San Francisco Peaks when she arrived at Northern Arizona University, where she … [Read more...] about Living in Gratitude at Altitudes
Making the Holidays Even Sweeter
Jennifer Rolley and her team of chocolatiers and candymakers at the Sweet Shoppe Candy Store in Flagstaff's historic downtown district are cooking up fudge, caramel apples, brittle and all-things peppermint the old-fashioned way to make the holiday season so sweet, memorable, personal and full of love. Meet Jennifer on Zonie Living and see just how amazing these holiday favorites are, baked with creativity, quality and some surprising ingredients. There's still time to place your order!!! Also, … [Read more...] about Making the Holidays Even Sweeter
Navigating with Purpose
Lava Falls Rapid is white-water fierce. It is, by far, the most famous and daunting rapid on the mighty Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It comes up after a nice calm stretch of laid-back, almost complacent, floating. Most wouldn’t even notice the distant spray and subtle splashing up ahead. But Christa Sadler does. With oars thrusting forward, she remains on high alert, reading the river. Within about half a mile of the falls, the passengers in Christa’s raft also will be on high alert as … [Read more...] about Navigating with Purpose