Welcome to “At Home with Tom & Sandy!” Here we are warp-speeding into 2019. Speaking of warp speed, yes, Tom, I am exhausted, done-in, spent and dog-tired – and on the other end of the spectrum, exhilarated, ecstatic, delighted, joyful, overjoyed and euphoric. Tom: The month of January kept you going almost 24/7 with the fantastic Boot Camp you orchestrated. You and the YCCA are certainly going above and beyond to help with the labor shortage the construction industry is facing. Have you … [Read more...] about YCCA Boot Camp for Construction Trades
Volunteers are Not Free
It’s been said that time is our most valuable asset. So, it’s an incredibly precious gift when someone volunteers to give it away. It may be providing labor for a project, like building a home in a developing nation; or offering expertise, like when retired business people volunteer for organizations like SCORE to mentor budding entrepreneurs; or serving people in need, like dishing up meals at the Flagstaff Family Foodbank. Volunteers are found in non-profit organizations and for-profit … [Read more...] about Volunteers are Not Free
Making Your Home Beautifully Clean for Spring
While taking a walk in February on the trails at Watson Lake, I looked all around at the dark, cloudy skies and the barren, cold trees. As I looked a little closer, there was a hint of green on the very tips of the Cottonwoods. Could it be? I examined the trees up close and sure enough, there they were, little green sprouts on the tips of the branches. Well, now, it is March and the first day of spring this year is March 20. As do many people, I absolutely love spring. Everything is so fresh and … [Read more...] about Making Your Home Beautifully Clean for Spring
How to Spring into Healthy Eating
March is National Nutrition Month as well as the start of spring, the time of year when many of us become more active and look forward to days outside enjoying the beauty of Northern Arizona. Whether you are hoping to shed a few pounds before a long-anticipated trip or are looking to maintain good eating habits to maximize energy for fun activities, here are some steps that are sustainable and will keep you progressing toward the healthiest of lifestyles. Hydration is the starting point. Cut … [Read more...] about How to Spring into Healthy Eating
Racing to Begin Soon at Arizona Downs
Barring unforeseen difficulties, Memorial Day weekend will have the starter’s gun firing, horses galloping and the announcer shouting, “They’re off!” Arizona Downs in Yavapai County now seems primed to become another major destination in Central Arizona. In the past five months, experienced racetrack personnel have converted what was a weed-covered, eroded and generally abandoned horseracing complex into one of the most contemporary tracks in the Southwest. Ann McGovern, general manager for … [Read more...] about Racing to Begin Soon at Arizona Downs
Using Life Insurance for Financial, Tax Planning
Do you have a financial plan set up to protect your loved ones after you pass away? With a well-thought-out life insurance plan, you can do just that. The purpose of life insurance is to help provide a measure of financial well-being for your family and loved ones when you are no longer there. With the purchase of a carefully planned life insurance policy, you can help ensure that your family and loved ones will be taken care of. Life insurance offers two essential benefits. First, it offers … [Read more...] about Using Life Insurance for Financial, Tax Planning
Phippen Art Museum Expanding Activities
Highlighting its 35th anniversary is a year-long mission for leaders and board members at the Phippen Museum of Western Art. “In fact, it is far more than a mission. It is a passion,” said Edd Kellerman, the museum’s recently-named executive director. “Our ever-increasing visibility, coupled with the increasing number of events we host and shows and exhibits we schedule, is bringing hundreds more visitors through our doors every month. The museum has become a popular tourist … [Read more...] about Phippen Art Museum Expanding Activities
Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in children is more common than you may realize. Hearing loss occurs in two to three per 100 babies born in the United States, prompting hospitals to offer hearing screening as part of the newborn package or charge a small fee for the test. I strongly recommend all parents have their baby’s hearing checked prior to discharge. Hearing Test for Newborns The hearing test is quick and painless for the baby. It is administered by either a nurse or other hospital employee trained in … [Read more...] about Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Women Wranglers Managing Mules, Rugged Terrain, Treacherous Weather
The bravado of the women wranglers at the Grand Canyon is a fascinating account of courage, strength and travails, sometimes under severe climatic conditions that can develop in the famous canyon. Chelsea Plumb and Kricket Scheerer are two of the eight female wranglers employed by Xanterra Grand Canyon South Rim Mule Operations. “We get up around 3 a.m., head to the barn, clock in, load up the mules with panniers [bags] and pack supplies for Phantom Ranch,” said Plumb, who has worked at the … [Read more...] about Women Wranglers Managing Mules, Rugged Terrain, Treacherous Weather
Learning from Studies in Herbalism
I have been on an herbal journey and have been studying Herbalism at Herbal Wisdom Institute in Prescott Valley. My instructor and founder of the school is Kris Vaughan. She has been an inspiration to me. Her passion for herbalism has been life changing. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be talking to plants and asking them for their medicine, I wouldn’t have believed you. Please enjoy my article. What is herbalism, you might be asking? Herbalism is a traditional medicinal … [Read more...] about Learning from Studies in Herbalism