Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Sit back, relax and enjoy. Tom: Hi Sandy, what are we going to talk about this month? Sandy: Well, I have had some calls recently from folks who want to know who they can turn to for help in deciding whether they should stay in their home and remodel, build new or move to another existing home. So, this is what I want to talk about, Tom; are you game? Tom: GREAT subject. We spend quite a bit of time helping folks find some of the answers … [Read more...] about Deciding Whether to Buy a New Home or Remodel
Columnists
Heart Valve Disease: Five Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
In years past, your grandfather may have written off his shortness of breath to old age. Even people diagnosed early in life with heart conditions often didn’t link their decreased energy or their dizziness decades later to their heart conditions. Today, primary care physicians and cardiologists are tuned into subtle changes that may signal heart valve disease – a condition that can affect people in their 40s or 80s. “People are taking better care of themselves and living longer,” said … [Read more...] about Heart Valve Disease: Five Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Is Frozen Shoulder in the Winter Forecast?
A frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, may be a cause of your shoulder pain. It usually occurs slowly over time, and it can limit the functional use of your arm. Contrary to its name (and fortunately for Flagstaffians), snow and ice have nothing to do with a frozen shoulder. When you have a frozen shoulder, shoulder pain and tightness make it difficult to reach overhead to perform simple activities like putting away dishes or combing your hair. Men might have a hard time reaching … [Read more...] about Is Frozen Shoulder in the Winter Forecast?
Preventing Foot, Leg Ulcers
People with recurring foot sores or ulcers are in a constant battle to save their feet from amputation. Nearly 85 percent of lower extremity amputations are preceded by foot wounds that simply won’t heal or keep coming back. But, is there more than meets the eye with these type of wounds? Foot ulcers can be caused by many different ailments in the body -- from diabetes, to circulatory problems, to issues with the mechanics of the foot or leg. Foot and ankle surgeons have to dig deep to find the … [Read more...] about Preventing Foot, Leg Ulcers
Tired of the Expense, Pain and Upkeep of Injectable Facial Treatments?
Prescott DermaLift is currently offering two combined therapies to vastly improve muscle tone in the face and neck, even skin tone and reduce wrinkles – all without the expense, pain and upkeep required by Injectable therapies. Think: No needles! Did you know that instead of strengthening muscles, some injectable treatments actually freeze and weaken the muscles so, if discontinued, the face actually “falls” and requires repeated treatments? Many clinicians do not share this outcome with their … [Read more...] about Tired of the Expense, Pain and Upkeep of Injectable Facial Treatments?
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. What is herbalism, you might be asking? Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice … [Read more...] about Learning from Studies in Herbalism
Preparing for Wildfire, Even After Wet Winters
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
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