Fire season is fast approaching. Although the winter and spring are on track to receive added moisture when compared to the past few years, it in no way means we can let our guard down. In fact, Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light pointed out to me that historically, some of the biggest campaign fires that have occurred in Arizona come immediately following a wet season. The purpose of my column this month is to review the resources available to us to prevent and fight wildland fires, and what you … [Read more...] about Preparing for Wildfire, Even After Wet Winters
Voters Deciding Whether Chino Valley Can Buy a Water Company
As I mentioned in my last column, the Town of Chino Valley will be focusing on several initiatives in 2019 and we are excited about what some of these initiatives will mean for our community. Two of these initiatives will be voted on by our citizens in a May mail-in ballot. Last month, I wrote about the Road Maintenance Program the Town is proposing, which would be funded by a property tax. This month, I will speak about the second ballot item, the ability to purchase water utility companies … [Read more...] about Voters Deciding Whether Chino Valley Can Buy a Water Company
Learning From YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Symposium
Science and history intersected during Patient Blood Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) sixth Patient Blood Management (PBM) Symposium. Approximately 350 people – PBM advocates from across the Southwest, physicians, nurses, college students and more – gathered for the most recent PBM Symposium at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in Prescott. Throughout the world, even more streamed the symposium live on laptops, smartphones and other … [Read more...] about Learning From YRMC’s Patient Blood Management Symposium
Ladybug Release
The week between Earth Day and Arbor Day is really something special! April is the peak planting season for local gardens. To celebrate these important gardening holidays, Sunday, April 28, Watters Garden Center will host it's annual 'Great Ladybug Release' at 2 pm. Fun for gardeners of all ages, so bring the grandkids! Free for all to attend, with prizes for those that come in costumes Ladybugs will love. This event is an Instagram dream. Ladybugs are the best way to control aphids, scales, … [Read more...] about Ladybug Release
NAU’s Top Research Rankings Benefiting Flagstaff and Region
I’m so proud to share that for the first time, Northern Arizona University is recognized as one of the top 100 research universities without a medical school by the National Science Foundation. NAU also moved to 201 for all universities in the United States, up from 213 in 2017. Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, as well as our undergraduate and graduate students, are experiencing the benefits of NAU’s advanced national ranking as a top research university as measured by the National Science … [Read more...] about NAU’s Top Research Rankings Benefiting Flagstaff and Region
Eight Fragrant Shrubs for Mountain Gardens
What is the most fragrant plant? Which flower has the best smell? What is the most fragrant flower in the world? What is the most fragrant lavender? What is the most fragrant rose? Shrubs have many uses in the landscape, but gardeners who appreciate sweet-smelling plants will be especially drawn to the most fragrant of these shrubs. Whether cold-hardy or tropical, bushes in this group are valued for scenting the air and thereby diversifying the enjoyment of your yard. The blooms on many of … [Read more...] about Eight Fragrant Shrubs for Mountain Gardens
Exploring the Miracle of Nitric Oxide
What if I told you that there is a molecule in your body that has the capacity to prevent high blood pressure and diseases caused from damage to the heart, brain and kidneys; keep your arteries young and flexible (preventing, slowing or even reversing the buildup of plaque); lower cholesterol; reduce your risk of diabetes; limit the pain and swelling of arthritis; and boost the power of pain relievers? It also reverses erectile dysfunction, calms the inflammation of asthma, protects bones from … [Read more...] about Exploring the Miracle of Nitric Oxide
Award-Winning Leadership Developing Area Youth
The Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arizona (BGCCAZ) has unanimously appointed Nicole Kennedy as the interim executive director in February 2019. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arizona offers affordable after-school and summer programs for youth ages six to 18 in Prescott and Prescott Valley. Its award-winning programs are designed to change the lives of young people across four key areas: fun with a purpose; academic success; good character and citizenship; and … [Read more...] about Award-Winning Leadership Developing Area Youth
Offering a Heads Up on Biking Safety
From paper boys hustling through their paper routes at the crack of dawn to families taking a Sunday afternoon cruise through the neighborhood, bike riding is one of America’s favorite pastimes. But every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26,000 bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents result in traumatic brain injuries. A brain injury suffered by a child has a more devastating impact than the same severity of brain injury suffered by an adult. … [Read more...] about Offering a Heads Up on Biking Safety
Examining a Life-Long Love Affair with Aviation
Let’s talk about love – the love of aviation. I’m going to speak to my life-long love affair with flying and airplanes. Many pilots and perhaps some non-pilots will see themselves in these small vignettes. My love affair with airplanes started early in life. My dad was a builder and he recruited me at the tender age of three. He needed someone to help work in the controls on the airplane he was building, so he grabbed me, put me in the cockpit along with some rubbing compound on the control … [Read more...] about Examining a Life-Long Love Affair with Aviation