The mountains of Arizona are at the peak of the planting season. The start of summer offers even brighter flowers than spring, and Watters Garden Center is fully stocked with these summer lovers. Flowers are beautiful, but they are a mixed blessing for allergy sufferers. Not all flowers trigger allergies. The more hybridized the plant, the less likely it will be to have a high level of pollen and the less irritating it will be. The plants that transfer their pollen by wind are the real … [Read more...] about Planting Allergy-Free Flowers for Summer Gardens
Columnists
Higher Interest Rates Having an Impact on Sales and Appreciation of Homes
Economists at Fannie Mae have dramatically downgraded their home sales forecasts for this year and next, saying they expect a “modest recession” in the second half of next year in the face of Fed tightening and the war in Ukraine. Home sales are now expected to decline by 7.4% this year and 9.7% in 2023, a dramatic adjustment from March, when Fannie Mae forecast a 4.1% decrease in home sales this year and a 2.7% decrease in 2023 In their latest forecast, Fannie Mae economists said the … [Read more...] about Higher Interest Rates Having an Impact on Sales and Appreciation of Homes
Is It Time for a Body Health Tune-Up?
My life as a Prescott area residential and commercial broker for more 35 years was a good run and my health was OK, except for being 100 pounds overweight. Four years ago, I started to develop some health challenges and the news wasn’t good. My doctor informed me I was pre-diabetic with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and if I didn’t lose some weight and change my lifestyle (eating habits), I was risking having a massive stroke or heart attack. Keep in mind, my own father died … [Read more...] about Is It Time for a Body Health Tune-Up?
Living Water Smart, Receiving Rebates
Prescott City Council is moving toward adoption of a new water policy, one that is designed to help us properly manage this precious resource. For many years, the city has offered programs to encourage our citizens to conserve water at home. The city offers a series of rebates for homeowners who upgrade their appliances and fixtures to high-efficiency models that conserve water better than ever. Rebates are also available for rainwater harvesting systems, turf removal and smart irrigation … [Read more...] about Living Water Smart, Receiving Rebates
Prescott’s Destination Management Organization Striving to Keep Economy Strong
As board chair of Prescott’s Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC), I have the privilege to work almost daily with the team at the City of Prescott Tourism Office. This city department is structured as the official Destination Management Organization (DMO) for Prescott, and only one DMO is allowed to exist in a city or town. The city staff that makes up our DMO includes Community Outreach Manager John Heiney; Tourism and Economic Initiatives Manager Ann Steward; Tourism and Economic Initiatives … [Read more...] about Prescott’s Destination Management Organization Striving to Keep Economy Strong
Learn from Your Laptop with YRMC’s Healthy Conversations
The concept of health and wellness has come a long way. You may remember the workout tapes that once captivated Americans. Or the weight-loss strategies involving cabbage soup, cookies and grapefruit people pursued over the years, sometimes at a cost to their health. “Today, people view health and wellness through a broader and more sophisticated lens,” said Ken Boush, director of marketing and communications at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “They’re concerned about … [Read more...] about Learn from Your Laptop with YRMC’s Healthy Conversations
Your Essential Cloud Migration Strategy Checklist
Everyone’s heard of the cloud. But, do you know what it is? It’s likely you already use it in your personal life, perhaps to store digital photos and documents or even for backing up your phone. But, moving to the cloud can be complex. The biggest issue is the process of migration – of physically moving all your data from your in-house servers to a remote storage facility without breaking something or losing data along the way. With good planning and the right strategy in place, … [Read more...] about Your Essential Cloud Migration Strategy Checklist
Should You Remodel Before Selling Your Home?
Welcome to another edition of “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry, what is up, what is down, what is hot and what is not. We will share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and so much more. Tom: Well, Sandy, I am back from gallivanting … [Read more...] about Should You Remodel Before Selling Your Home?
Understanding the Total Package of Hearing Aid Purchases
When a person purchases hearing aids, they are making an investment in their lifestyle. Hearing aids are able to expand friendships, close relationships and even the non-social activities you engage in. I have been told by many patients hearing aids changed their life! Musicians are amazed that they are able to hear the parts of music (and their own voice while singing) better than they could have imagined. So, what is the difference between a purchase of stock internet hearing aids and hearing … [Read more...] about Understanding the Total Package of Hearing Aid Purchases
Are You and Your Pets Prepared?
As locals are well aware, late spring and summer mean fire season in Northern Arizona, and wildfires can spread very quickly. Our monsoons also pose potential threats with flooding. We never know when an emergency is going to occur, so it’s extremely important to have a plan not only for yourself and your family, but for your pets as well, because, after all, pets are our family! The first step is to make sure your pet is microchipped and, more importantly, the information is correct and … [Read more...] about Are You and Your Pets Prepared?