April 2021 by Quad Cities Business News

INSIDE THE APRIL 2021 ISSUE: Wind Farm to Co-Exist with Cattle, Recreation p. 3 Center for the Future Finds a Home p. 4 Prescott Chamber Encouraging Businesses p. 6

Former Wrangler Helping Visitors Find Adventure p. 8 Amangiri Features Serene Luxury Near Page p. 10 Community Profile: Meet Grand Canyon’s Chocolatier p. 12

NACOG Connecting Workers with Employers T

By Ray Newton, QCBN

he Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) is developing plans to support the economic recovery. NACOG Regional Director Teri Drew says the Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) division is striving to help solve unemployment in the region with the Economic Development Administration

Recovery and Resilience Plan. The initiative, created in partnership with Arizona Town Hall and Northern Arizona University, was developed in response to adverse economic conditions such as the pandemic and negative impacts from the closing of the Navajo Generating Station and other coal plants. “If you are seeking employment, contact us. The same is true if you are an employer in need of qualified

candidates,” said Drew. “Citizens in need of job placement or training services simply must identify a barrier to employment. Being unemployed, for example, is considered a barrier. So is being underemployed. We serve all individuals who are 16 years old or older. All they have to do is to join one of our networks.” NACOG is conducting weekly orientations intended to provide a review of service opportunities. “We

provide solid information about direct services, support services, partner program services and community resources,” she said. There is no employer eligibility requirement for services or funding assistance other than doing business in Yavapai County or considering being located in the county. Orientations are available in person at 10 a.m. on Mondays at Continued on page 39

Survival Skills in Demand Cody Lundin’s Aboriginal Living Skills School marks 30 years of preparing people for emergencies By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

A Outdoor survival guru Cody Lundin says students come to his school to learn how to be self-reliant. Courtesy photo

April 2021 | Issue 4 Volume 9

u Extensive renovations completed in October, 2020. u With the holiday season upon us, we are here to take care of your friends and family traveling to Prescott in a safe and responsible manner.

s a series of severe winter storms walloped Texas in February, causing a crippling statewide power crisis that led to shortages of water, food and heat, one woman in her late 60s was texting Cody Lundin from her San Antonio home, thanking him for the life-saving skills she and her husband learned in the Sonoran Desert Daze course they took through his Aboriginal Living Skills School (ALSS). “They got out the sleeping bags that had never been used since the course, were eating a chipped beef sandwich that was cooked over a bunch of candles, had filled up their bathtub with rainwater and snowmelt that they caught, and didn’t under-

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stand why people were short on water,” said Lundin. “They had transferred their mindset from fear to coping skills.” The news came as the Arizona outdoor survival instructor was about to mark 30 years in business with his Prescottbased school. For decades, Lundin has taught a cave full of courses at Prescott College and Yavapai College and has walked thousands across Arizona’s harsh desert and frigid high country. His Aboriginal Living Skills School is one of the oldest survival schools in the United States, where he teaches outdoor survival skills, primitive living skills, bushcrafting and urban preparedness. “We’re in a physiological body, yet most know very little about their biological needs.

Most don’t have any idea where their water comes from, where to find it, how to make it safe and where to store it. Most don’t know how to regulate their body temperature. We are so dependent on the grid and people don’t realize the extent they rely on it for their survival, let alone the complacency that comes with it. This creates the lack of being prepared and the feeling of shock when being caught off guard. The body shuts down.” He says everybody will be scared in a survival situation, including him. “Fear uncontrolled can kill people. Ninety percent of survival is psychology and 10% is everything else, like hard skills. I teach people how to be more self-reliant. Once people know how to deal with their needs, it simplifies their thought process – their focus can narrow in on what’s important to their safety and that brings down their fear.” Continued on page 38

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As Babbitt Ranches prepares to celebrate 135 years of ranching and conservation in April, the Ranch Council and family members plan to include renewable energy generation as part of the operations. Courtesy photo

Legendary Cattle Ranch Welcomes Renewables Wind turbines to co-exist with Babbitt Ranches cattle herd, wildlife conservation efforts and public recreation while golden eagle conservation complex being planned

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

renewable energy project is being planned by NextEra Energy Resources on the expansive high desert rangeland of Babbitt Ranches and Arizona State Trust Land, about 30 miles north of Flagstaff. The proposed Babbitt Ranch Energy Center is said to be an innovative project that combines wind energy, solar energy and battery energy storage – all in the same location – making more renewable energy available to customers for more hours of the day, even when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing. The project will have a capacity of up to 161 megawatts of wind energy and 60 megawatts of solar energy, paired with a 60-megawatt, four-hour battery energy storage system. The Babbitt Ranch project is expected to create 250 jobs during construction. Once operational, the project has the potential to create good-paying jobs and millions in additional revenue for the local community. “As Babbitt Ranches honors its 135th anniversary on April 7, we are celebrating a legacy of landscape-scale conservation stewardship, environmental and organizational sustainability, and healthy relationships with the land and the greater community,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “Along with the Ranch Council and family members, we are creating the foundation now for a future that will create clean, renewable energy generation for the next generation

and their children’s children that can co-exist with ranching operations, scientific research, wildlife conservation, dark skies protection and outdoor recreation.” In a late-February Zoom public meeting, NextEra representatives discussed wind speeds, noise, viewsheds, lighting, public recreation, wildlife and ranching impacts, and the 20- to 30-year life of the project, which includes 61 wind turbines. Representatives say wind speeds have been recorded at approximately 6 meters per second at the site and there is no evidence that noise will interfere with homeowners in the Valle community nine miles away; the closest residence will be five miles from a turbine. NextEra presentation materials state, “Infrasound and low frequency noise from wind turbines are not a health issue.” Lighting, already being used by NextEra at its Perrin Ranch Wind Energy Center to the west, is designed to turn on at night only when low-flying aircraft are detected. In addition, the project will not be fenced, thereby allowing recreationists such as hunters, campers and hikers access to the land. Visual simulations reveal turbines will be visible from some locations on Highway 180 and State Route 64. Adjustments already have been made to move turbines more than half a mile from the Arizona National Scenic Trail to prevent sound and sight impacts. SWCA Environmental Consultants say Continued on page 39

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As the City of Prescott makes office space available for the Center for the Future, CFF Director Jon Haass and Prescott Regional Opportunity Foundation Vice President Jim Robb say affiliated companies can operate from here. Photo by Ray Newton

Center for the Future Set for Cyber Mobility

By Ray Newton, QCBN

he Center for the Future (CFF), a project dedicated to the creation of economic development growth and quality job creation, has moved into office space provided by the City of Prescott. The Prescott City Council approved a lease agreement on March 9, making the space available to the Center for the Future and its parent organization, the Prescott Regional Opportunity Foundation (PROF), a non-profit organization. The space, formerly identified as the City Hall Annex just east of Prescott City Hall, was made available when the city reorganized several departments as a result of so many employees working from home during the pandemic. A total of 10 office suites are available in Building 218. Other offices in the basement of 216 and the 220 South Marina facility will soon be available after some renovation. CFF director Jon Haass, also a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), said almost 3,500 square feet of office space will be remodeled, refurnished and available to accommodate the companies participating in the center. Some office furniture has been donated and moved into offices to help the CFF partners. Haass said a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally announce the opening of the CFF is expected this month. The intention of CFF is to be an incubator, accelerator and attractor of companies to the greater Prescott region. “Cyber mobility is a theme that will see technologies continue to grow and dominate through the next several decades,” Haass said. The CFF website suggests that by joining the CFF, “…you will gain access to partner with established and proven providers throughout Arizona and the western U.S. Mentors in our ecosystem are experts and leaders in their industry, having built successful businesses, and want to help build yours. Our innovation platform is the single best place to find your next big customer.” The first company to move into the new office space was SimpleWAN, which focuses on assembling remotely-managed network devices so that it is easier to connect, secure and automate distributed and remote networks. SimpleWAN’s CEO Eric Knight moved the company from

Phoenix to Prescott. Another partner company is Cyber Core International, which works with large corporations to provide executive security. As a result of its move to Prescott, the company will expand its offerings to include managed cyber security offerings. It was relocated from San Jose, California, by CEO Gabe Navarette, an ERAU-Prescott alumnus. Additional companies are seeking to join the Center, Haass said. Systems Engineering (SEG) is considering growing in Prescott since its lead engineering manager moved here last fall. Additional space for expansion is being sought. CFF is a program created through the PROF, sponsored by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Foundation. PROF has formed partnerships with many local and regional organizations, including the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Technology Council and Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG). “We’re pleased to be involved in nurturing the partnership among these organizations and these educational institutions,” said NACOG Regional Director Teri Drew. “It’s such a pleasure to work with professionals who have solid economic and financial goals that benefit the greater community.” In addition, CFF and PROF are reaching out to students and alumni of local institutions of higher education such as ERAU, Yavapai College and Northern Arizona University. CFF also is establishing relationships with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Jim Robb, vice president of PROF and a former City of Prescott economic development consultant, said support for the project has been enthusiastic. The City of Prescott set aside $92,000 as initial support for the center. Various corporate and individual contributions, plus grants from local state and federal sources, will continue to provide financial assistance. Zach Ferres, co-founder of Coplex, Hal Hayden, an executive with Trinity Capital, and Tony Hamer, president of Growth, Strategy and Innovation, have joined the CFF advisory board. QCBN

For more information, visit centerforfutureprescott.com.

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“Arizona MEP was very creative, looked at the individual opportunities and challenges, and supported what we needed to tackle the challenge and grow. They do it in a personal, creative, and helpful way.” Sherri Barry, Co-Founder, FABRIC

With decades of leadership, manufacturing and business expertise, the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP) helps small- and medium-sized manufacturers achieve their goals. This past year, Arizona MEP provided critical expertise to FABRIC in response to the impacts of COVID-19. The program enabled Tempe-based FABRIC to set up four socially distanced production lines, recruit more than 60 team members and pivot operations to produce more than 200,000 FDA-approved, reusable hospital gowns statewide.

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Prescott Chamber of Commerce Moving Forward with Optimism general manager of Findlay Automotive, said the chamber has grown by 101 new members, totaling nearly eadership at the Prescott Cham- 1,000 members by the end of last year. ber of Commerce (PCC) is Among several accomplishments proud of progress made in 2020 in 2020, the chamber was able to and is optimistic about 2021. PCC Board Chair Danielle Rickert, make gains through the Prescott Area Workforce Program by partnering owner of Sir Speedy Printing and with NACOG and others in the Marking Services in Prescott, is Prescott area. At the Chamber’s reminding the business community that the chamber is a valuable site for annual meeting, McCoy also cited partnerships with Yavapai College resources, economic development and its Small Business Development and tourism. “It is here to provide Center that assisted businesses with support and opportunities for meminformation about the Cares Act, bers.” loans and marketing seminars. She is urging those under 40 to Also at the annual meeting, become involved in the Prescott Area Young Professionals as a way to meet Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli recognized local residents for their peers and gain mentorship opportuoutstanding service, including former nities. “We all know that 2020 was different. However, I am hopeful for a council member Billie Orr, who bright 2021 and think we can get back resigned and relocated to Scottdale; to normal following the first quarter.” former Chief of Police Debora Black, who retired from law enforcement Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Past Chair Jamaal McCoy, work after 40 years; Leslie Horton,

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Yavapai County Health Services director, for her efforts to keep the greater community informed about vaccines and other items related to COVID-19; and John Amos, Dignity Health-Yavapai Regional Medical Center president and CEO, for assisting with vaccination centers throughout the Quad Cities. “It’s this kind of community leadership that makes Prescott the great community it is,” he said. Mengarelli noted several advancements the city has made, such as progress on the Granite Creek Corridor, the Prescott airport terminal and negotiations with Arizona Eco Development for the annexation of property into the city limits. He also recognized continued progress on paying down the PSPRS pension debt from $86 million to $43 million. “We’ve cut that debt in half and are well positioned for the future.” QCBN

Solar Frontier Proposing Project Near Cordes Junction

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

enewable energy companies continue to be interested in Arizona for project sites. Solar Frontier has an application in with the Arizona State Land Department for a small solar project on 1,482 acres of land near Cordes Junction. Candela Solar also applied with the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) for a much larger solar project in the same area on 4,680 acres. The company proposes to bring electricity to 168,000 homes and create jobs. While stakeholders have expressed

concerns about how Candela Solar would impact water, wildlife and life in the area, many believe the renewable energy company is addressing their questions. The solar project proposals would be located on both sides of Interstate 17, three miles north of Cordes Junction. Solar companies find this area attractive because it is near the Dugas Substation, where they could link into the grid. Arcosanti, which borders state trust land involved in the proposals, wants to know how the solar projects would impact the people who live there. QCBN

Arizona’s future belongs to you. Join us for The Arizona We Want virtual event on April 21st. We’re sharing data and insights from the 2020 Gallup Arizona Survey on what issues matter most to Arizonans and what actions we can take to build a stronger and brighter future. The voices of Arizonans are more important than ever. Let’s come together to create the Arizona we want.

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Living and Promoting Adventure Romy Murphy keeps Pink Jeeps rolling at the Grand Canyon By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

orking at the historic El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and eventually heading downhill to Phantom Ranch to work for six years was the plan Romy Murphy had for making it to the top. Now, claiming two titles, general manager of Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon and president of the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Murphy says working at Phantom Ranch taught her some good lessons. “Besides being an amazing place to work, I learned a lot of great stuff at Phantom Ranch as kitchen manager,” said Murphy. “Living with the people you work with makes you a better person. You had to get along and if you didn’t, you’d have to figure out how to avoid each other, which is impossible. So, you learn to get along.” Located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch sits alongside Bright Angel Creek and is the only lodging inside the canyon. About 20 or fewer employees work at the ranch. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Murphy worked as pastry chef at El Tovar for two summers. One of her fondest memories was working a full shift and after riding her bike to the South Kaibab Trailhead, hiking down to Phantom Ranch to take a swim and then hike back up. “I was a young puppy then; it took two-and-a-half hours to get down and about the same to hike out.” After two summers, Murphy left the Grand Canyon and headed back home to work in the food industry. “My brother was in culinary school, so he helped me snag a few jobs. I worked at the Charles Hotel. When the pastry chef left to start a catering company, I followed him.” During what she calls her “adventure years,” Murphy found her way back to Arizona, after stops in Florida and Salt Lake City. She found work

at Biff’s Bagels (now in Flagstaff, then in Prescott) and then became kitchen manager at Mile High Grill (now Clinkscale) in Jerome. Today, she heads up Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tours, where co-workers rave about her. “I’ve worked for Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tours for over two years and she’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” said Customer Service Supervisor Ryann Barron. “She likes to get her hands in as much as she can and always makes sure everyone is taken care of. Not only here, but around Tusayan as well. I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the Pink Jeep community.” One of Murphy’s favorite parts of her job is training and hiring guides. “It’s so much fun and I love developing our guides to help them exceed our guests’ expectations. Some of our guides have developed connections with our guests and become lifelong friends with them. Our guides create memories worth repeating.” Murphy also enjoyed participating in the Grand Canyon Rim-toRim trash pickup, which she’s been involved in for three years. “We pick up about six pounds of trash per day hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.” Former President of Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon Tim Miller says that Murphy brought genuine passion and compassion into her work and personal life. “Romy is a real champion for the Grand Canyon and it shows in all she has done there. She is completely devoted to her work and very knowledgeable about the area. A true leader. And, oh, what a great chef.” QCBN

Romy Murphy enjoys sharing Arizona’s scenic beauty and memorable experiences with guests through Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tours. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photograp

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Amangiri: Desert Decompression for Those Seeking Uncomplicated Elegance By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

ecluded among petrified sandstone monuments in the Southern Utah desert, about a 25-minute drive from Page, is a wealthy minimalist’s dream. Amangiri, a Sanskrit word for “peaceful mountain,” is a starkly serene luxury resort situated on 600 acres in the Grand Circle region, an area exhibiting unparalleled raw beauty, famous for its national parks like the Grand Canyon, national monuments including Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Navajo Nation, whose culture is intricately woven into the Southwest. Those who aren’t looking for it wouldn’t know it’s here, which is part of Amangiri’s worldwide appeal to a very exclusive clientele – from A-list celebrities to software geniuses. “We try to connect guests to the spirit of the place, this sanctuary for people in an extraordinary location,” said General Manager Julien Surget. Visitors may feel like they are sitting in a sculpture or living in a modern art gallery that flows, like the gentle fountains found throughout the property, from inside the clean

lines of the concrete walls to the outdoor simplicity of stone terraces. Design elements frame expansive views with changing pastel palettes through secret windows and unpretentious hallways. Even, the human-made artwork is a reflection of the timeless landscape. Large paintings, brushed with grains of sand forgotten by an ancient shallow sea, adorn the walls of the dining room. The centerpiece is a 160-millionyear-old giant boulder, said to be the inspiration for the entire resort, showcased and wrapped by a yearround 86-degree pool. The private property, acquired in the early 2000s, is the result of a land swap with the

Left: General Manager Julien Surget, shown here in front of artwork sculpted from sand on the property, says guests seek adventure and a connection with nature. Photo by Bonnie Stevens Right: A giant boulder, edged on three sides by a spacious pool kept at 86 degrees year round, is said to have been the inspiration for Amangiri. Courtesy photo

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which took three years, an act of Congress and the signature of President George W. Bush.

“We’ve learned millionaires and billionaires aren’t really looking for that world of chandeliers and pillars. Those are things of the past,” said

Amangiri Executive Chef Anthony Marazita. “Simplicity is what they are after. Uncomplicated luxury.” The array of sparkling stretch

Continued on page 39

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY V. RONNIE TIERNEY, QCBN

Teen Builds Business Out of Chocolate Tyler Stickler works hard to make life sweeter at the Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory

hen you have been the Flagstaff High School student body president, captain of the football and track teams, and a part of the school’s Governing Board, it’s not surprising that you would be in a business management position at age 19. For Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory Co-owner and Manager Tyler Stickler, starting a business and running it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “I just wasn’t interested in going to college after high school,” said Stickler. “Then, my dad had this epiphany for a business so we sat down and came up with this idea to open a candy store at the gateway to the Grand Canyon. We opened right when COVID hit so business was a little slow, which we expected, but it picked up fast and we are doing surprisingly well.” Stepping into his new role, Stickler is in charge of sales but says he has his hand in every aspect of the business. He drives to Tusayan from his home in Flagstaff every day. “I work from 9 in

the morning until 9:45 at night.” “Tyler is a very kind and driven person,” said Sales Associate and Cashier Sophia Maragos. “I can’t wait to see how far he takes the business. He is so passionate about it.” Selling an abundance of treats, the lineup at Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory includes 15 different flavors of truffles, 18 types of fudge, 24 flavors of gelato, candy and caramel apples, and a large selection of trail mix and popcorn. “Our biggest seller is our Grand Canyon Crunch,” said Stickler. “It’s Rice Krispies on steroids,” he said. “It has marshmallows, white and dark chocolate, and peanut butter.” Stickler researched candy shops and says he is very proud of the selection he offers. Everything, except the gelato, is made on site. Stickler’s mother, Vicki, and other family members and friends help out. Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory Manager Sean Ketcher grew up with Stickler and he and his family helped Continued on page 39

From left to right: Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory Co-Owner/Manager Tyler Stickler, Sales and Cashier Sophia Maragos and Co-Owner Patrick Stickler offer a wide variety of decadent treats. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Plan Your Exit Row Strategy

N EW

f we ever fly together, you may notice that I’m often seated in the exit row. If not, I’m assessing just who is and judging whether those individuals are the jump-into-action types, capable of figuring out the door and strong enough to get it out of the way. If you happen to be in that row and are not feeling up to the task or even mildly interested in hearing the flight attendant review your role, please change seats with me! It may comfort you to know, I’ve got this covered. I will have read the safety pamphlets, checked for flotation devices and examined the latch on the exit door. Even before boarding, while we are all still sitting at the gate, I will have identified the passengers who I believe can calmly and deliberately assist in moving small children, little dogs and freaked out passengers toward the inflatable slide. And throughout the flight, you can be sure I’ll be deciding who should be voted off the island, if things were to come to that. So, don’t be kicking the back of my seat, Ainsley. Further, if business leadership guru Stephen Covey were on that plane, and alive, I’d want him to give up his business class seat for the one next to me in the exit row, because this is

how he thinks: “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.” We might not be expecting our destination to be found through the exit door right at the moment, but this is smart thinking, Steve. For example, consider how much time and preparation goes into applying for a new job or exploring another business opportunity. We may refresh our resume, study up on a company, research the market, pull together evidence of our ability to succeed, consider the people we’d want to be working with and put some thought into how we would approach projects and opportunities ahead. We also may be wondering who might give us a glowing reference. If we are in the habit of thinking with the end in mind – developing our exit row strategy, so to speak – identifying names of those who will vouch for us, speak about our work ethic and list our accomplishments should be easy. Ideally, we would have provided a lot of material for them to use because we’ve long considered how to positively

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impact the company, how we will behave even under pressure and how those we worked with will smile at the mention of our name, even after we’ve moved on. Starting with a clear path for our exit row strategy helps us understand what we want to accomplish while in that seat or with that company and how to avoid tripping on the way out. We can be clear about how we want to benefit the organization or the others joining us on the journey, and how we want to grow from the experience. It sets us up with direction, goals and, eventually, a beautiful track record of accomplishment and good will with which to understand our value and impact. Knowing this gives us confidence to negotiate our next position or project, and helps us make a case for others to participate with us. Hence, having a plan from beginning to end will help you be in control of your future and mentally prepare you to step out on the wing when you’ve done all you can inside the cabin. But how many times do we leave without giving much thought to what, who and how we’re leaving? It may be tempting to get out fast and get on with our next exciting adventure. But,

I ask you, is that the kind of attitude we want in the exit row? No, it’s really not! Consider it as baggage you can’t check at the gate. An ungrateful, self-serving attitude will follow you around like that flight attendant who knows you haven’t turned off your electronic device. It doesn’t fit in your life of excellence and it doesn’t store well in the overhead compartment. Let’s be honest, regret about how you leave your seat, an organization or people who invested in you and counted on you is the kind of thing that takes up valuable space in your conscience, which, metaphorically speaking, may as well be your life raft. We often hear about those who make a grand entrance, but here’s how to make a memorable splash with your exit: N Ease the impact. Discuss your intentions with your supervisor, business partners or stakeholders way ahead of your actual departure date. Help find a replacement and offer more than two-weeks’ notice if you can. You may even assist with training your replacement to make for a smooth transition. N Express gratitude. Take your boss or partner to lunch, bring a cake or write a letter to the people you

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worked with and for, thanking them for the opportunity and all the valuable lessons you learned from the experience. Hollywood is great about honoring those in supporting roles. This is the perfect time to acknowledge mentors, teammates and interns. N Don’t make a mess on the way out. Avoid speaking badly about the people or the company, the city or the products. Don’t load up on pens and glue sticks from the supply cabinet or little bags of airline pretzels. Keep neat files for the next person, associate or team and prepare a brief report on the Continued on page 35

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Uswa Honored as Alignable’s Business Person of the Year

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

honda Uswa, escrow officer for Yavapai Title Agency in Chino Valley, has been selected Alignable’s Business Person of the Year. Uswa’s story is one of perseverance, as she started in the industry by answering phones and worked her way up to her current position. Alignable is a site for small business networking on the web. Business people on Alignable voted for her as the Business Person of the Year. “I’m excited. I never had the opportunity to be a Business Person of the Year, especially a little fish in a big sea,” she said. Uswa said she was not sure how the award came about, but was happy when an email came through with the announcement that she had received the honor. “This award was especially important in the current situation of our area’s real estate market. We seem to be working long days. It made me feel great to be recognized,” she said. As an escrow officer, Uswa is the maker and holder of documents and

responsible for the transfer of money for home purchases, refinances and many types of land acquisitions. “Multi-tasking is a great asset for this job,” she said. Although Arizona does not require escrow officers to be certified, Uswa earned her certification in March 1999. “It was a personal goal and accomplishment. I was on the Northern Arizona Escrow Association Board in 2003 as vice president and the Arizona State Escrow Board from 2002-2006.” Uswa has lived in Chino Valley since 1981 and started her career with Pauley and McDonald Realty answering phones. “I moved around to a couple different title companies and jumped at the opportunity to come back to work in Chino Valley in 1999.” She has been in the escrow business for 30 years. Prior to that, she worked as a real estate secretary. “This is a very rewarding career. I love to see clients buying their dream home or moving closer to family or even feeling their relief of financing to pay off debt. I always thought I would become a nurse, but this allows

me to attach to clients through their happiness.” Yavapai Title Agency has been in Yavapai County since 1963. Most of the employees there have been in their positions for more than 30 years. QCBN

Escrow officer Rhonda Uswa says the award is especially meaningful during this very busy real estate market. Photo by Stan Bindell

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APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Why Barrett Chooses the YRMC Foundation

ave Barrett’s ties to the Quad Cities run deep. He’s the third-generation Barrett to provide warmth and comfort to Yavapai County through propane delivery to local homes and businesses. Barrett Propane is about business and community. As the company’s website states, “We live here, we work here and we participate in our community. You’ll see us at local events, local businesses, in our schools and on our ballfields. So when you choose us, you’re choosing the community as well.” That’s the kind of commitment that Barrett has shown the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation for years. Barrett not only gives generously to support the YRMC Foundation, he also serves as chair of its board of directors. Recently, Barrett shared his thoughts on leading the YRMC Foundation Board during the pandemic, the recent Dignity HealthYavapai Regional Medical Center affiliation and the story behind those pink Barrett Propane trucks.

WHY DO YOU PERSONALLY SUPPORT THE YRMC FOUNDATION?

“My support for the YRMC Foundation originates from two places: personal experience and a desire to support local health care. The personal experience goes back 20 years, when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Getting that diagnosis was one of the most frightening moments of our lives together. At the time, the coordinated care my wife needed wasn’t available in our community. That’s why, when the BreastCare Center at YRMC opened in 2011, we jumped at the chance to support it. I bought a new Barrett Propane truck, had it painted pink and – with the hospital and foundation’s permission – placed the BreastCare Center logo on it. For the last nine years, for every gallon pumped through the pink truck, we give a penny to the BreastCare Center at YRMC. Those pennies add up. In total, we’ve given about $40,000 to support the work of the BreastCare Center. That’s my personal story. But, I’m also motivated to support the YRMC Foundation because of its impact on all of us. I recognize that the availability of excellent health care is tied to the quality of life we enjoy in our community.”

WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT SERVING AS CHAIR OF THE YRMC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? “Like most people, my memories of the pandemic will be linked to stories of sadness, loss and isolation. However, as chair of the YRMC Foundation, I will also cherish memories of hope. I’ll remember the Dignity Health, YRMC team and the community rallying around the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. The perseverance of our doctors, nurses and staff during extraordinarily difficult circumstances will continue to impress me. And the truckloads of donated food, bags of PPE, and the monetary gifts to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund will always be appreciated. These are hopeful memories that I’ll treasure.”

Dave Barrett, owner of Barrett Propane, serves as chair of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation. Courtesy photo

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE RELATIVELY NEW AFFILIATION BETWEEN THE YRMC FOUNDATION AND DIGNITY HEALTH/ COMMONSPIRIT?

“First, it’s important to mention that the foundation team and I have been very impressed with the leadership and staff of the Dignity Health/CommonSpirit philanthropy organization. We’ve been welcomed and treated as an important member of the organization. Even this early in the process, we have tapped into enormous fundraising resources and a network of 80-plus Dignity Health/CommonSpirit foundation members. We’re looking forward to building a partnership with Dignity Health/CommonSpirit.” 2015, 2017, and 2019-2020 model year vehicle’s projected cost to own for the initial five-year ownership period is based on the average Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data, which considers depreciation and costs such as fuel and insurance. For more information, visit www.kbb.com.

WHAT WILL REMAIN THE SAME FOR YRMC FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS EVEN AFTER THE AFFILIATION BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION AND DIGNITY HEALTH/ COMMONSPIRIT? “There are three important aspects of giving to the YRMC Foundation that will not change with the affiliation. First, all donations to the YRMC Foundation will remain in our community. Those gifts are invested in programs and services that advance the health of our local community. Second, 100% of donated funds will continue going to the programs or services you designate. And third, if you wish to do so, you may direct your gifts to any of the YRMC Foundation’s 17 restricted funds.”

Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2011, 2015-2016, and 2020 model years. For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.

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Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Historic Diner Closed

By Ray Newton, QCBN

or almost five decades, hungry customers who wanted a meal in quaint surroundings could enjoy that experience at the Iron Springs Café, located at 1521 W. Iron Springs Road on the west edge of Prescott. But, no more. Doors to the fire-engine-red, 134-yearold wooden building have been locked permanently. Originally constructed in 1894 as a train depot to serve the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway, the threeroom building was both a passenger and freight station

when ranching and mining were dominant economic forces. Then called the Hillside Depot, it was constructed for $819 and located about 45 miles southwest of Prescott. In 1974, it was moved to its present location and was renovated to be a restaurant. The then-owners Norman and Irma Mitchell kept the historic train décor in the interior rooms, which were converted to a restaurant. Some memorabilia were more than a century old. The café was lauded by locals as one of the “best breakfast and luncheon spots in town.” That reputation continued up until its closing in mid-February. “The food was elegant, unusual and always delicious,” said retired local media personality Sandy Moss. “The patio was an especially wonderful place to dine out.” Another longtime resident, Harold Viehweg, enjoyed the unusually eclectic cuisine featuring Southwestern, Mexican, Cajun and traditional American entrées. “Iron Springs had great food. I regret that it closed,” he said. QCBN

Prescott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sheri Heiney prepares to pick the lucky winner. Courtesy Photo

Raffle Raises Thousands for Courthouse Lighting

By Ray Newton, QCBN

lucky Prescott Valley man, who wishes to remain anonymous, is now the owner of a new 2021 Buick Encore SUV. At 3 p.m., Friday, March 12, Findlay Automotive General Manager Jamaal McCoy made the phone call to the winner of a recent raffle contest, which was created to raise money for the 2021 Courthouse Lighting Fund. Tickets went for $10 and 3,000 were sold. The annual holiday event typically costs about $100,000. Among sponsors for the Courthouse Lighting is the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. QCBN

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Making Your Home Clean for Spring

By Lucy Leyva

hile taking a walk last month on the trails at Watson Lake, I looked all around at the dark, cloudy skies and the barren cold trees. As I looked at 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 ends of the branches. Well, it was March after all, and the first day of spring was March 20. As do many people, I absolutely love spring. Everything is so fresh and beautiful. Things start to bloom and the overall feeling is that of energy and renewal. As we move into this new phase of the year, we can look a little closer to home, explore the possibilities of rectifying any negative effect that the winter has had on our home, prepare for the upcoming warmer weather and plan projects to improve our homes and yards. The last several months have brought in dust and dirt from wet roads, wind and rain. Your home has most likely been closed up for a while without a lot of fresh air. Heaters and fireplaces have been running. It’s time to clean things up and start fresh. If you have a fireplace, it is a good

time to get it checked out and cleaned by a professional. The same applies to the duct work in your house that circulates the air from your heater and air conditioning unit. There are several companies in the area that can check out the duct work and make sure it is clean and nothing has come loose during the winter months. Another money saving idea is to have the ductwork sealed after it is cleaned so that it is energy efficient. This is also a good time to have your air conditioning unit checked out. If you wait until the hottest month (usually June) and something goes wrong, you may have to wait in line for someone to come fix it. Consider power washing any drainage areas in your yard and around your house and clearing out the gutters of debris. Power washing also can clean your driveways and walkways much better than just sweeping or rinsing down with a hose. It is also a necessary step in preparing for any painting fixes or projects you may have on the outside of your house. It will strip away the dirt and loose, peeling paint so that your new paint will look beautiful and last longer. My favorite thing to have done once spring comes is to have all of my windows professionally cleaned, including all the screens and tracks. It feels so

good to have all of that dirt and buildup cleaned away so that I can clearly see the gorgeous weather and views that our area offers. Having crystal clean and clear windows makes the whole house feel newer, cleaner and fresher. Have carpets, rugs, upholstery and tile cleaned. There’s been a lot of traffic trampled all over your floors. There

have been holiday gatherings, food spills, wet boots, dog paws, sweet but muddy kids and who knows what else going in and out of the house, bringing in all the dirt and grime onto your floors and furniture. Having the carpets and upholstery cleaned will also help to extract

any unwanted odors that have been lurking. Enjoy your spring and make your home beautifully clean. QCBN

Lucy Leyva is the owner of Prescott Maid to Order.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Beneficiaries: Why are They Important?

By Steve Calabrese

task often overlooked by many is making certain that a beneficiary is named for important financial assets. If you love your loved one, do it now. Get your affairs in order. It makes no difference how old you are. This must be done for a number of reasons. The No. 1 reason is to make sure that you have provided for your loved ones. A second reason is that your wishes will be followed. If you don’t do this, the state will decide. Your loved ones will need to show proof that they have a right to claim the property. This is a process that many do not want to encounter, but I can guarantee you that you will not be around forever, so make your departure a little easier on your loved ones. Set

things up for them. So, let’s dig in and talk about beneficiaries.

WHAT OR WHO IS A BENEFICIARY?

A beneficiary is the person named on the financial document who will inherit the property, such as a bank account or a life insurance policy. This will be the person or persons who will receive the proceeds. Sometimes this can be a corporation rather than a person. It can also be a trust. Naming a beneficiary will automatically ensure that the property is passed along to the person or persons you want it to pass on to.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BENEFICIARIES

In many cases, the primary beneficiary will be your spouse. This is very

// This is a process that many do not want to encounter, but I can guarantee you that you will not be around forever, so make your departure a little easier on your loved ones. Set things up for them. //

common. What many folks neglect to provide is what is known a secondary beneficiary. A secondary beneficiary would be the person next in line to receive the proceeds. For example, I have named my wife as the primary beneficiary, but should I survive her, I have named my kids as the secondary beneficiary. When your life situation changes through events such as a marriage or divorce, it is important to update your beneficiaries. Keep them current.

IDENTIFYING ASSETS

Start at the beginning. Make a list of all your financial assets, including bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, health savings accounts, your will and any trust you may set up. Once you have this list, then it is time to begin. Trust me, your list will be incomplete. Every time I think I have it all taken care of, some other account that I have forgotten about appears. Stay diligent and get the beneficiaries on them all. Once you have named beneficiaries, these assets will basically automatically pass on to your loved ones exactly as you have directed. This may not be the most pleasant task, but I assure you, it is a necessary

one. Doing this will make things a bit easier for those you leave behind.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Create a will. This is important so that your wishes can be carried out. A will directs how you want your final affairs settled. If you don’t have a will, the state will decide. Having a will is extremely important if you have minor children. A will directs how the kids will be cared for should you and your spouse perish together. Don’t let the state decide. How about all those electronic files and passwords? Will your beneficiaries have access to them? How will they access these accounts? I have created an electronic file of all my accounts and passwords. On a periodic basis, about twice a year, I give copies to my kids because these are constantly changing. They include such things as emails, professional organizations and other sites of that nature, along with accounts that have been set up for automatic payment like cell phones or Netflix.

PROVIDE THE ROADMAP

It will be difficult enough for those you leave behind

when you are gone, so make it a little bit easier for them. Don’t make it a treasure hunt. Lay it all out for them. Tell them where everything is and how to access it. You can also give them specific instructions. It could also be a good idea to have a formal meeting once a year to review everything with them. Things do change over time and it is always good to keep it fresh.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While this may not be the most pleasant of tasks, it could very well be one of the most important. We all work hard for what we have and I, for one, want to make sure those I leave behind will find it all and benefit from it. I have personally dealt with both a treasure hunt and a well-laid out plan. While neither one was pleasant, the treasure hunt was more painful. QCBN

Steven Calabrese, CPA, is the CFO of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic. He also is the owner operator of a website known as thebiweeklyadvisor. com, where such topics as budgeting, investing, paying off debt and goal setting are discussed.

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APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Shopping Mall Reimagined By Leslie Guiley

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. Since it was built more recently than most malls, it has some modern oot traffic at malls across the country has been on the decline elements: half of the shopping area is outside and a spine street runs for 20 years. Consumers were through the center to break up the changing their shopping patterns typical shopping mall “block.” It even prior to the pandemic and shopping online rather than flocking covers 35 acres and visitors to the site enjoy sweeping views of the surto their regional shopping mall. This rounding area. change in consumer behavior means BHGRE Commercial listing broker retail needs to adapt and be reimagMatt Fish says that he has seen the ined. most interest in mixed-use redevelopThe first air-conditioned indoor ment. “In addition to the retail mall mall opened in Arizona in 1961. space, there are five one-acre parcels Malls were favored investments and available around the mall for standheavily developed throughout the alone retail or restaurants, plus more 1970s and 1980s, and they became space for residential projects.” Dia central area for the community to versified Partners owns two parcels, gather, eat and shop. The United with a site plan and preliminary plat States has 25 to 30 square feet of for a multi-family project on the west shopping space for every citizen, side of Dillard’s. Future residents will which is much more than other have the opportunity to enjoy a live, countries and more than is needed work, play experience and bring more in a world of online shopping carts. traffic to the retail spaces along with Across the nation, malls are being converted into other uses such as res- restaurants, entertainment and jobs. idential multi-family living spaces, of- The sites are also zoned for hotel, office or medical development. fice spaces, medical centers, schools, Interest is high in bringing more entertainment zones or, in some casentertainment to the mall area. A es, industrial warehouse fulfillment national Trampoline Park named centers for online marketplaces. “Get Air” has already signed a lease The Prescott Gateway Mall is currently listed for sale at $15 million and is preparing to open soon. Get by BHGRE Commercial, a division of Air has more than 70 locations in the

U.S. and was voted best trampoline park for family fun in Tucson. It will be located in between Best Buy and Texas Roadhouse in the old Cost Plus World Market building. Recently, there have been new tenants moving into the mall, such as In Season Deli, Beyond Keys Piano Lessons and McQuality Designs and Services photography studio. Rockstar Ventures, Addicted to Deals expanded into another suite and increased their inventory, and the Prescott Action Center opened a skate park and retail store in Sears. As consumer demand changes, retailers must continue to shift their business models. Strategic Planning and careful market assessment of the highest and best use of the mall is essential. Malls are still a central gathering place for the community and an important part of the tax base. Attracting more visitors to the mall area with mixed-use development will become even more important as Prescott continues to grow. QCBN For additional information on the Prescott Gateway Mall, contact listing broker Matt Fish of BHGRE Commercial, a division of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | BloomTree Realty. Visit us at bloomtreerealty.com or at 102 W.

Gurley St. in downtown Prescott. Leslie Guiley is a co-founder of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | BloomTree Realty and currently serves as the

Chief Operating Officer. Matt and Leslie can be reached at 928-443-8800. For more information on Get Air Trampoline Parks, visit getairsports.com.

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Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Featuring the Most Beautiful Mountain Flowers in the Garden

By Ken Lain

ome flowers capture the imagination like no other. Their sheer beauty makes them iconic, transporting gardeners in the remembrance of garden weddings, tropical destinations and secret forests. These flowers may seem exotic, but many can be grown right here in the mountains of Arizona. Here are the most beautiful flowers you can grow in local gardens starting in April. Bearded Iris is as tough and low maintenance as it is exquisite. Deep violets to solar yellow and everything between, these flowers steal the garden show. Striking flowers add a bold yet delicate element to arrangements and one of the easiest mountain perennials to grow. Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea and their rich colors evoke the mountain spirits where the genus has its origin. Plant with ornamental grasses for a prairie feel, tuck into rock gardens or among dry stream beds. This easy-care perennial is equally at home in mixed borders and cottage gardens. Pinch spent flowers to promote reblooming dozens of times through summer. Let them go to seed in autumn as winter food for finches and other birds. Dahlias automatically conjure thoughts of giant dinner-plate blooms

at their mention. Dahlias include small poms and single daisy-like flowers, and more. Provide plenty of Watters Flower Power Food and water and your gardens are in for a show. Pinch flowers off the plant as they fade to encourage waves or reblooming flowers. Delphinium show every coveted shade of blue, from wispy powder puff to robust violet. They like rich garden soil and grow so fast they need staking in windy areas. Feed every two weeks with Watters Flowers Power for waves of blue from this perennial bloomer. English Roses undergo an eightyear trial program to identify the most outstanding garden varieties. We focus on intoxicating fragrance like your grandmother grew and a higher petal count than the others. The new Watters varieties almost resemble a peony flower. Our dry mountain air and intense

sunlight make growing roses easier than in other parts of the country. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) could be the most beautiful flower in the landscape. Bumblebees seem to think so and love them so fondly they sometimes spend the night in the tubular blossoms to get an early start when the sun rises. This flower blooms even longer in the garden’s shade and grows so tall that stakes are required on windy hilltops. Frostproof Gardenia is the rock star of mountain gardenias – lustrous, dark green foliage and large, fragrant, white flowers that measure 2-3 inches wide. The upright habit is more tolerant of mountain sun than other gardenias, with flowers that resist late spring frosts without damage. Plant in containers by

the front door and allow the fragrance to fill your home. Iceland Poppy bloom early and often when spring temperatures are still cool. They look great in containers and raised beds. The multi-colored flowers hover a foot tall over other bloomers in the garden with little care. Peony (Paeonia), the name says it all. While there aren’t really any unattractive peonies, most are the perfect marriage of color and form. Peonies don’t ask for much in their decades of life: full sun and good drainage are enough to produce masses of blooms in mountain gardens. PJM Rhododendron is a chic shrub for the shade with an attractive shape covered with vibrant lavender flowers all spring. Prized for its winter hardiness, this rhododendron has dark green

foliage tinged in fall and winter with a purple hue. It’s perfect for those with deer and javelina issues, they’ll leave this plant alone. Radio Red Autumn Sage (Salvia Greggi) deserves a prominent location in your gardens. It’s more compact, with larger flowers than other salvias. Keep it lightly trimmed and utilize this bloomer as a low informal hedge or as a single specimen in a border or container garden. Hummingbirds cause a commotion over the red flowers for summer-long antics. Wisteria in bloom gives the impression you have entered the Garden of Eden. Grow them over an entry, up a wall, or down the driveway fence. You can count on perennial blossoms to adorn your home. Give them a lot of sun, and feed three times per year with Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food for an inspiring spring show. Until next issue, I’ll be helping locals grow the most beautiful flowers here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter. com or Top10Flowers.com.

Integrative and Alternative

Cancer Medicine

Comprehensive and Caring Evaluations and Treatments Dr. Zieve’s approach involves not only treating the disease but striving for optimal health through a combination of ancient wisdom and modern science and personalized care. Integrative Robert Zieve, M.D. Cancer Medicine is about intelligently synthesizing modern health care with the most innovative, effective, and well-researched therapies in natural medicine. The goal is to provide individualized IMPORTANT care to each patient, in a friendly, welcoming environment that NEWS! supports wellbeing.

Dr. Zieve is expanding his practice to Scottsdale, Arizona. I will still offer the same high quality Integrative Cancer Care to the people of the Quad Cities area, that I have been providing for over 16 years. Thank you, Prescott patients!

Botanical, Nutritional, Pharmaceutical and Naturopathic IV therapies are available for the person with cancer. Effective March 29, 2021, my new practice telephone number is: 480-800-8941 To schedule a phone or virtual consult, press Option 1. To see me in person in Scottsdale, please call 480-800-8941 and press Option 2.

www.robertzievemd.com admin@robertzievemd.com By Appointment Only

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Tackling Tinnitus

By Jeff Lane, Au. D.

innitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. The perceived sound can vary among individuals, with ringing, hissing crickets and cicadas being the most common. It can also vary in intensity, duration and rate of occurrence. Tinnitus affects approximately 15% of adults. It is a complicated condition that requires proper understanding to be appropriately addressed.

WHAT CAUSES TINNITUS?

I frequently have patients ask how to get rid of their tinnitus during an exam. Unfortunately, there is not a simple answer to their request. At this time, there is no scientifically proven cure for tinnitus. Perhaps the biggest hurdle in

developing a cure for tinnitus is that the condition itself is still not understood in its entirety by researchers. The leading theories agree that tinnitus originates in the brain, but not on the physiological mechanism. Without a known origin, it is difficult to treat. However, certain factors are known to contribute to the development or exacerbation of tinnitus. A major risk factor is exposure to loud noise. Without getting bogged down in the specifics, consistent exposure to loud noise (or a single exposure to an extremely loud one) can cause lasting physical damage to the auditory system. Tinnitus is often a side effect of this damage. Wearing hearing protection in these situations can attenuate the signal and protect the auditory system. Additionally, actual physical trauma is a known contrib-

// Perhaps the biggest hurdle in developing a cure for tinnitus is that the condition itself is still not understood in its entirety by researchers. The leading theories agree that tinnitus originates in the brain, but not on the physiological mechanism. Without a known origin, it is difficult to treat. //

utor. Medications can also cause tinnitus. Prolonged use of aspirin has been shown to lead to the development of tinnitus, which often ceases after discontinuing the medication. Prescription medications can also affect some people in this manner. If so, talking to your physician about modifying the dose or switching medications can help. As mentioned above, tinnitus can also develop alongside hearing loss. When it does, it is often permanent, although not necessarily constant. The silver lining is that in the majority of cases, tinnitus need not cause concern. It is annoying, yes, but not dangerous. However, it is important to note that, in very rare cases, tinnitus can be an indicator of a medical condition, such as a tumor (which is usually benign). This type of tinnitus is usually only in one ear, and presents alongside other factors such as dizziness, headaches or asymmetrical hearing.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Habituation is an important concept when it comes to addressing tinnitus. Habituation refers to the ability to adjust to something. I attended a lecture once where the speaker defined the difference between a person who has tinnitus, and a tinnitus patient. The

majority of the time, a patient will say, “I have ringing, but it’s been there so long I don’t really notice it.” These are people with tinnitus who have habituated and peacefully coexist with their noise. Tinnitus patients are the ones who are unable to habituate and report that it is destroying their life. Obviously, the difficulty in habituating is not their fault. And it is not an exaggeration for them to claim it is destroying their life. Tinnitus can cause stress, sleep disturbances, difficulty focusing and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation. These are the individuals who need tinnitus-focused treatment. To be clear, what is being discussed is treatment, not a permanent cure. Lifestyle modifications are the initial and simplest step in managing tinnitus. First, try to minimize stress as much as possible. Easy, right? But, studies do show a correlation between stress levels and perceived annoyance of a person’s tinnitus. Next, watch your diet. Salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine are all known to exacerbate tinnitus. Having background noise, such as music or a white noise machine, can help to distract your brain by offering a different stimulus on which to focus. Finally, try not to focus on the tinnitus itself, as

that can increase stress, which feeds back into it. Hearing aids also have been shown to help treat tinnitus. While the effect is only obtained when actively wearing them, many people do find a degree of relief. Hearing aids can also be programmed to have a masker, which is essentially a noise which is customized to the specific tinnitus being heard. Maskers can be programmed even if a person has normal hearing. Non-audiologic treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy, both of which have proven effective. EMDR and current stimulation therapies show early promise, but require more research. Support from others suffering from tinnitus can also be beneficial. The American Tinnitus Association is a great resource for information connecting to a community. QCBN Dr. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology at Trinity Hearing Center with a passion for improving the lives of others. Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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pet news

Destination: Forever Home Volunteer pilots transporting rescue dogs to a better life By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Much different from flying into New York’s JFK International Airport “for the 500th time” or “being puppy had been badly burned and needed immediate medical number 27 for takeoff at Dallas/Fort Worth during rush hour on a Friday care, according to the urgent afternoon,” Weeks says it’s a nice online post. It was Saturday morning, March 6. change to go to smaller airports in the Four Corners region near places like Recently-retired American Airlines Rifle, Colorado, Park City, Utah, or Boeing 787 Captain David Weeks Wickenburg. was at home in Flagstaff, enjoying “David has to research ahead of the sound of the breeze through the time to find what canyons to fly pines on this unusually warm winter day when he read the message on the through without going up over the Pilots N’ Paws discussion board. The tops of mountains,” said Nancy, who often joins him on these flights pup, six or seven months old, had been stabilized at a small remote clin- to Shiprock to pick up the precious cargo and then take off to locations ic, but required an emergency flight across the Southwest where animal to Scottsdale for extensive long-term shelter volunteers are waiting for the treatment. delivery. “Their lungs may not be “I can take off by 12 and be in developed,” she explains about the Shiprock by 1,” he figured. rescue puppies they transport. “We And with that, he and his Cirrus don’t want to take them to a high SR22T four-seater were headed altitude over 10,000 feet because the toward the solitary northwestern New Mexico airstrip that has become plane is not pressurized. We’ve got to protect those little lungs and little a familiar landing site. “They don’t ears.” have a control tower; you just look Puppies and pregnant mama both ways and go.” dogs are frequent clientele, as well Weeks, a seasoned pilot based out as dogs between 1 and 2 years old. of Phoenix for much of his career, is used to flying commercial passengers Affectionately known as Rez Dogs, most are descendants of working to international airports in Europe, Asia and South America. These days, dogs from sheep camps. “We get a lot of herding dogs – great Pyrenees, he is thrilled to be piloting a small huskies shepherds, heelers – you’re plane again. “I missed it,” he explained. “I came never going to get a purebred,” said Hannah Browning, who volunteers up through general aviation, was a flight instructor, flew air taxi, worked for Turquoise Paw Rescue, an animal rescue operation and transfer hub for an air ambulance in the ‘80s and that serves the Navajo Nation. “If was a demonstration pilot for Gates someone adopts one and does a DNA Learjet.” test to see what kind of dog it is, it’s a Weeks is part of a network of mix of five to 50 different breeds. You volunteer pilots, connected online never know what you’re going to get.” through Pilots N Paws, a non-profit Yvonne Todacheene and her organization that coordinates transport requests for animals in need. He husband, Izzy A., have been rescuing reservation animals and operating retired in October after flying for 34 years. “I knew retirement was coming Turquoise Paw for more than a decade. “We started in 2006 with just up and we [David and his wife, a few animals but at the time there Nancy] talked about buying a light was nowhere to really take them,” she aircraft. We wanted to do volunteer said. “I didn’t start keeping records flying and already knew about the of the animals we rescued until organization.”

2014. The records from 2014 to 2019 show that we rescued close to 10,000 animals during that time period. In 2020, we decided it was time to file for 501c(3) status since Hannah came on board and was able to help with the arduous task of moving the animals out.” Last year, Turquoise Paw rescued, fostered or transported 3,048 animals to new lives off the reservation. So far this year, the operation has processed about 1,150 animals. Todacheene and Browning may drive hundreds of miles a week rescuing animals – mostly canines. They commonly pick up boxes of puppies or kittens left on the side of a highway or at a gas station. Sometimes they get a call that a dog has been hit by a car and is alone and injured on the side of a road, or a female has given birth to a litter in a hole she dug by a dumpster. Sometimes their condition is grave or advanced, like an extreme infestation of botflies. With limited resources, difficult decisions need to be made. “These dogs kind of live in packs. They are very dog friendly. A lot of times, they’ve never been touched by people, never been in a vehicle, never been indoors or fed from a dish,” said Browning. Despite this, she says, most of them make loving pets. The problem of homeless dogs is as massive and layered as the ancient rock monuments that dot the reservation. Browning says there are only two or three veterinarians who serve the entire Navajo Nation, and with the high poverty rate, most families can’t afford medical expenses for their pets. “It’s unrealistic for them to pay for veterinary costs. A lot of non-profits do these clinics. Soul Dog Rescue drives down almost weekly from Fort Lupton and spays or neuters 70 to 150 animals in a weekend. They’re doing it, we’re doing it and others are doing it, but the waitlist we have is over 400 names long. Soul Dog’s is over 1,000. Dogs can have two or three more litters before we get to them at the rate we’re going,” she said. “We need funding, vets and facilities. There’s a huge lack of

Top: David and Nancy Weeks fly into the remote, single-runway airport at Shiprock almost weekly to take homeless Rez Dogs to shelters across the Four Corners Region. Bottom: Turquoise Paw’s Yvonne Todacheene has been rescuing, fostering and finding medical treatment for reservation animals for more than 10 years, but the need for pet homes shows no sign of easing. Courtesy photos

resources.” Todacheene is grateful for the Navajo Nation chapter houses and various churches and business that allow clinics to use their facilities for spay and neuter sites. She bases Turquoise Paw Rescue’s philosophy on the Navajo culture belief that Dine’ people are stewards of all living things – the earth and living creatures. Neither Todacheene nor Browning receive a paycheck for their work or even get reimbursed for gas in their vehicles. Todacheene is a caretaker. Browning is an event coordinator

who works nights and weekends remotely. Both foster the animals until they can get them to a shelter or a forever home. At her residence in Farmington, Browning takes on the “bottle babies,” the ones too young to feed themselves. Sometimes, it’s a whole litter, which her personal rescue dogs don’t seem to mind. Todacheene takes the rest to what has become known as “The Farm,” her land in Shiprock, where she has about 15 outdoor kennels. “The animals are safe and warm Continued on page 37

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APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Ways to Stay Moving With Your Dog By Cheyenne Brown

s hard as it may be to believe we are already in the fourth month of 2021, did you know that April is National Active Dog month? If you ever needed an excuse to get creative with ways to keep your dog (and yourself) moving, now is the time! I’m going to share with you some of the fun ways I’ve stayed active with my pup. The weather is getting warmer, so let’s get moving! A classic game of fetch or soccer are great activities that keep your dog energized and moving. Simply kicking a ball around with your dog will keep him running back and forth, and might even get other dogs playing along, too. It might seem like a lot of work, but building an obstacle course is a fantastic way to keep your pup active. It also challenges his mind and creates mental stimulation, which is just as important as physical exercise. There are several different types of puzzle toys for dogs, also. Slider toys that dispense treats are a great way to get to your dog’s brain – through his stomach! Arizona has no shortage of

great places to hike. Take advantage of the good weather to come and get out on the trails with your dog. Just be mindful of things like cactus – certain types of cactus “jump” onto any person or animal and are extremely difficult (and painful) to remove. If you go for walks on pavement, keep the heat in mind – your dogs don’t have shoes like we do. The heat can burn their paw pads. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water for both of you. Everyone’s dog is different. It’s important to be aware of your dog’s limits, as well as your own. Could you imagine living a sedentary lifestyle and then deciding to go run five miles without conditioning properly? It wouldn’t just be bad for your ego – it’s bad for your body. Dogs are no different and often won’t “complain” the way an out-of-shape person might. If you go on a long run or hike, your dog may be having the time of his life and seem like he’s got more energy than you’ve ever seen before. He’ll probably run his little heart out, but be aware of his limits to avoid injury. Have fun being active! QCBN

Cheyenne Brown is the marketing manager for Olsen’s Grain.

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Getting Outdoors with Your Dog

By Loree Walden

t’s April and time to put a little spring in your step! Grab a leash and your four-legged best friend and hit some of the many dog-friendly trails in Prescott. It’s the perfect time to start a new exercise routine together, because April is National Canine Fitness Month. Make sure your dog has a clean bill of health from your veterinarian to prevent any injuries and avoid any issues that might arise from exercising. Getting proper physical stimulation helps dogs keep their muscles and joints healthy, maintain a healthy weight and work off energy that might be pent up from being inside. Start your dog out with a nice walk around the neighborhood and work up to a longer hike. Just like with humans, you don’t want to jump right into a three-mile hike without building up your endurance and muscles, so make your walks a little bit longer each day and add in a hill or two. When you’re ready to hit the trails, I suggest the Watson Woods Trail that starts at Rosser and goes to Watson Lake. It’s a nice three-and-a-half mile round trip hike that is pretty flat and a good starting point for beginners. From there, you can venture out

to other trails and eventually to some that challenge you both a bit more. Lynx Lake Loop is a beautiful twoand-a-half mile hike that is relatively easy, too. The Constellation Loop comes in at about the same length and is also easy but, often, quite busy. Goldwater Lakes Trail 396 is an eightmile hike out and back, which has nice benches along the way to take a break when needed. You can find many more dog-friendly hikes at alltrails.com and bringfido.com. Remember to bring potty bags, water for both of you, and be sure to keep an eye on your dog(s) to make sure they are not becoming overheated or exhausted. And, remember that while it’s tempting to let your dog off its leash, it is Arizona law that your dog remains on a leash that is a maximum of six-feet long. This is for the safety of not only your dog, but others you may come across. Taking a walk or hike with your dog is not only good for him, but also for you. Benefits include getting exercise and it’s a great time to bond with your furry friend. You can even add in some training time with them by socializing with other people and other dogs. As it gets warmer, be sure to keep an eye out for snakes that may be in bushes or even hiding

buried in the dirt of the trail. We have a lot of different species of snakes in Northern Arizona, and while some are not poisonous, many are. It’s a good idea to take a moment to learn the different types so you are able to spot ones that may be potentially poisonous or dangerous to you and your pet. Should you happen to come across a snake and your dog gets bit, it’s important to know what kind of snake it is. Also, make sure you get your dog to your vet as soon as possible. In addition, April is also Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month. Lyme Disease is caused by ticks found in tall grass, thick brush and woody areas. Ticks attach themselves to your pooch when they walk by and rub up against something the tick is on. A tick can transmit Lyme Disease to your dog in as soon as 24 to 48 hours after being attached. When you get home from a walk or hike, be sure to inspect your dog for ticks. Be very thorough, especially in long-haired dogs, as they tend to dig their way down to their skin quite quickly. If you happen to find one, carefully remove it, making sure you get the entire tick. You can prevent ticks from jumping on your dog altogether by giving them a veterinary-approved

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Dog-friendly trails can be found at alltrails.com and bringfido.com Courtesy photo

flea and tick preventative available over the counter. So, grab that leash and your dog and head out for a nice walk together! It’ll do you both good! QCBN

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Support Limited for Suffering Cats and Dogs Red Rose Inspiration looking forward to hosting fundraising events By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

lowed throughout the pandemic, but not forgotten, the goal at Red Rose Inspiration for Animals continues to remain top of mind for the founder. Since 2009, Tina Allegrezza has been working to help animals through emotional or physical issues, plus paying for medical and dental care through her non-profit organization. Her ultimate objective has been to create a spay and neuter clinic and rehabilitation center and animal sanctuary in Sedona, while being able to help pet owners in the community who can’t afford to take their dogs and cats to the vet. However, a year of social distancing with COVID-19 has posed challenges for her to be able to recruit volunteers and host fundraising events that support the efforts. In the past, most of the funding has come through arts and crafts shows, Red Rose Shows, in Sedona – the fee for booth space paid by art vendors goes to Red Rose Inspiration. But in the last year, those events have been canceled or significantly reduced because of regulations regarding public gatherings. So, currently, the bulk of Red Rose Inspiration support comes from a total of six volunteers and sales from two thrift stores at the Village of Oak Creek Bell Rock Plaza. “The Red Rose Thriftique looks like a high-end boutique,” she said. Items include clothing (for humans) and shoes, artwork, jewelry and home décor. It’s been described as an upscale department store setting with thrift store prices. Two doors down is the Red Rose Barkin Basement. “That really is a thrift store,” she said. Meanwhile, Red Rose Inspiration has continued to operate an active TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) feral cat program, mostly in Camp Verde. “We have two active volunteers in the field and we take in kittens that are young enough to be adopted and socialized and then adopt them out.” Allegrezza says feral cats are considered a nuisance and treated badly. “It’s a pretty big problem in Camp Verde, worse than ever last year.” Red Rose Inspiration works with the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office to trap the wild cats. “They overpopulate an area. You can have hundreds of cats in no time if they aren’t neutered and spayed. People are not nice to them and take matters into their own hands by drowning them in the river or poisoning them,” she said. “We’re lucky if we can get kittens when they are really young and we

Tina Allegrezza created Red Rose Inspiration for Animals as a tribute to her dog, Rosey, a rottweiler/pit-bull mix rescue. Courtesy photos

Red Rose Shows help raise money for the non-profit.

Thrift shops in the Village of Oak Creek benefit animals in need.

can get them adopted into homes where they can live indoors.” Allegrezza moved to Sedona from New York City in 2005 with her partner and their rottweiler/pit-bull mix, Rosey. Two years later, Rosey was diagnosed with bone cancer. “She had to be put down and when she died, I got into a bad funk,” said Allegrezza. “She was a rescue pup herself. Rosey was always sweet and sympathetic to dogs that were suffering with emotional problems. She would provide them comfort and help them to grow their confidence. She had worked with various other dogs to help rehabilitate them emotionally. I’ve lost plenty of dogs in the past, but not like her.” Thus, in 2009, Allegrezza started Red Rose Inspiration to give back to animals as a legacy to Rosey. “One of our goals is to stop the pet over-population in our community. Our primary focus for proceeds raised from our events is for the planning stages for our rehabilitation center and sanctuary for animals.” Upcoming Red Rose Shows are scheduled for most weekends this month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Olde Sedona Bar and Grill. For more information or to make a donation, visit redroseinspiration.org. QCBN

Much of the funding for the non-profit organization comes from community events such as art shows.

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY GREG MENGARELLI

Enjoying Prescott’s Outdoor Beauty

pring is beginning to make an appearance here in Arizona, and we are all beginning to turn our attention once again to the vast array of outdoor activities available in the Prescott community. One of the greatest gifts our hometown has given us during the uncertainty of the last year has been the beauty of the great outdoors. Our mild climate, beautiful mountain vistas, five lakes, multiple golf courses, sports fields, and the Granite Dells are an allure to visitors and citizens alike. With so many natural assets, it’s no wonder Prescott has earned rankings such as “Top 10 Cities for Well-Being,” “Top Happiest and Healthiest Communities,” and “Best Destination in Arizona for Nature Lovers.” In 2020, Prescott again topped the charts, this time with trail usage topping 1.1 million users. Our system of more than 450 miles of hiking trails is the supreme centerpiece to Prescott’s outdoor amenities. Many of the trails in the city’s system are accessible by bike or horse, and with the wide array of difficulty levels, there are options for every skill and age level. The city alone has more than 100 miles of trails, adding more every year.

Some of the most well-known trails like Watson Lake trails, Peavine Trail, Willow Lake trails and Prescott Circle Trail regularly attract families seeking a day in the fresh air. Individuals seeking lesser-known trails and challenges can access the city’s complete trail system via the Avenza Map App. Links to the app and additional information on the local trail system can be found on the Recreation & Trails Page of the city website. Continuing to improve and expand this trail system has been a cornerstone of the city’s Recreation Services Department endeavors for many years. Recently, the city partnered with Prescott Mountain Biking Association to upgrade the pump track mountain bike loop at Granite Creek Park. A pump track is a closed-loop practice track consisting of berms, jumps and rollers connected by bank turns. The rider “pumps” his or her way through in a continuous loop without having to pedal. Open space is of great importance to our community and continuing to offer the important outdoor amenities we all hold dear is at the forefront of purchases and annexations in the Prescott area.

Prescott has been recognized among the “Top 10 Cities for Well-Being” and “Best Destination in Arizona for Nature Lovers.” Courtesy photo

As negotiations continue with AED, one of the main goals is connections associated with the Prescott Circle Trail and eventual connection to all areas of the Quad Cities. As we continue to make our way to the other side of COVID-19, we are even more grateful for how blessed

we are with so many natural assets. Taking the time to enjoy warm weather, time with family and breathe in the fresh air can do wonders in benefits to everyone’s mental health. And I encourage all citizens and visitors to get out and enjoy

the beauty Prescott has to offer. Take to the trails! QCBN Greg Mengarelli is the mayor of Prescott.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Experiencing Culinary Delight

By Debbie Maranville

ulinary Delight: Noun. Definition: Any food dish that is simply delicious. As a young girl in the ‘70s, I had so many wonderful food experiences. I remember going to restaurants in North Chicago with my Nana and Poppy. One restaurant that always created culinary delights was “Scotty’s,” a fine dining establishment with a beautiful banquet room. I was able to order anything off the menu. The New York strip steak and salad bar experience was my true culinary delight. Another culinary delight was the garlic shrimp at Cliff & Tommy’s in the south suburbs of Chicago. Our family would go there as a treat. When the waitress lifted the silver lid off the entrée dish, I was ready for a party. You may have seen me mention the delicious home-cooked food that my Grandma Scardine made. The Italian sausage sandwiches that my father would grill, served on an Italian roll with peppers still leaves me delightful. I was the luckiest girl to be able to enjoy such wonderful “culinary delights!” Fast forward more than four decades later, I am still celebrating culinary delights daily. Working in the culinary indus-

try may well be one of the toughest jobs around, not only physically but emotionally as well. We are on our feet for shifts sometimes up to 12 hours. That involves a lot of steps. Some of our team members lift over 50 pounds of food and carry hot boiling pots of water. Alongside my team are associates who work a variety of jobs in our commercial kitchen and service positions. My husband, Richard, and I were discussing how much of a training kitchen we have – people sharing their passions and culinary delights. We are a “hustle and bustle” team. I have witnessed our team members changing behaviors and overcoming negative habits both personally and professionally. Shortly before the pandemic started, I was so fortunate to receive business coaching from Pamela Shelly Garland, the owner and founder of Garland Coaching and Consulting, here in Prescott. It was a period of self-discovery and such a life-changing experience. When speaking with one of my staff members, I was moved when Christy said, “We are a family.” Although the work is not always easy, we encourage each other to press on and keeping our spirits uplifted. My wish is that I continue set the

tone for my team members as well as be persistent and continue to learn. When I step away to work on other projects that our company needs me to address, I know that our team will continue to focus on Culinary Delights for themselves and the community. “Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.” – Anthony Bourdain

Consider Goods from the Garden, Catering & Events for the opportunity to experience Culinary Delights. At Goods from the Garden, our main focus is fresh food and flavors along with excellent customer service. We specialize in full-service catering and we are beginning to implement our new restaurant and culinary experiences. We offer a weekly Sunday Brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will begin serving on our great patio

in the next several weeks. Wood fired pizza and smoked meats will be added to our Culinary Delights. QCBN Debbie Maranville is co-owner of Goods from the Garden, Catering & Events and The Natural Healing Garden. You can reach us at 928-237-3214. We are located at the Prescott Gateway Mall, 3250 Gateway Blvd. #516. Find us on Facebook – Goods from the Garden – or goodsfromthegarden.com.

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APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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LED Light Therapy Can Reduce Acne, Wrinkles, Discoloration

By Mark Love

ED (light-emitting diode) light therapy has an established history of skin uses. The Navy SEALs began using it in the 1990s to help heal wounds quickly and to help regenerate damaged muscle tissues. There are different frequencies, or wavelengths, used with LED light treatment. LED therapy (primarily red light therapy) has been researched for different situations in aesthetics. It’s mainly noted for increasing collagen and tissue, which can smooth out the skin and reduce the appearance of damage from age spots, acne, fine lines and wrinkles. LED therapy is also safe for all skin colors and it doesn’t cause any burning. Overall, the American Academy of Dermatology deems this procedure safe. Since LEDs don’t contain UV rays, this is considered a safer form of light therapy that won’t cause long-term damage to your skin. The procedure is also non-invasive and has few risks. Light therapy is growing in popularity both in therapy offices

with licensed aestheticians and at home. While LED light therapy can technically be used on any part of the body, its most popular use is for the face. Skin damage tends to occur to your face because it’s exposed to the elements more than other body parts. LED therapy can also be used on the neck and chest, which are other areas that tend to show signs of aging. A licensed aesthetician or a dermatologist performs LED light therapy in professional offices; FDA-approved devices are available for at-home use.

RED LIGHT THERAPY

In the early 1990s, scientists found that the light from red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) helped promote the growth and photosynthesis (the process of turning sunlight into oxygen) of plant cells. The red light was then studied for its potential application in medicine; more specifically, to find out if RLT could increase energy inside human cells. Today, new scientific advances have shown the use of low-level red wavelengths of light can be used to treat skin issues such as wrinkles, scars and persistent wounds, among other

conditions. RLT is used for treating conditions on the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin. The light emitted by RLT penetrates roughly five millimeters below the skin’s surface and directly stimulates the regeneration of the skin. When the light is applied to the skin, the epidermis absorbs it and then stimulates collagen proteins. In theory, more collagen means smoother and fuller skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. RLT also is thought to reduce inflammation while improving circulation, which can give a healthier glow.

BLUE LIGHT THERAPY

Blue LED light therapy, on the other hand, targets the oil glands on the skin that are located beneath the tiny hair follicles. These tiny glands are necessary for lubricating the skin and hair so it doesn’t dry out. These glands can become overactive, leading to oily skin and acne. The theory is that blue LED light therapy can target these oil glands and make them less active. In turn, you may see fewer acne breakouts. Blue light can also kill acne-causing

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bacteria beneath the skin, which can help treat severe acne pimples and cysts. Often, blue LED light is used in conjunction with red LED light to help treat acne and decrease scarring and inflammation.

LED THERAPY SESSION

LED light therapy is non-invasive, so no recovery time is required. You should be able to continue with your everyday activities once the treatment is over. Most in-office treatments take about 20 minutes and many people require up to 10 or more sessions, spaced out about a week apart. When used as directed, LED light therapy can improve your skin over time. Keep in mind, as the skin cells turn over, they may lose some collagen, or some acne breakouts may return. This is why maintenance treatments every few months, or as recommended by your provider, may be needed. At-home devices use lower frequencies and haven’t been proven as effective. While at-home LED devices can be more convenient, the downside is

the results may not be as dramatic.

MASSAGE ENVY OFFERS LIGHTSTIM RED LIGHT THERAPY

Great skin takes dedication and perseverance. Think of your aesthetician like your skincare coach, guiding you across the finish line to your best skin yet. When you choose to work with an esthetician at your Massage Envy location, you choose to improve or maintain your skin’s health. Go beyond a customized facial and talk with your Massage Envy aesthetician about the use of LightStim Red Light Therapy. QCBN Mark Love is the Franchisee of Massage Envy Spa – Prescott, located at 120 E. Sheldon St., by the Sprouts grocery store. For more information on the benefits of massage and to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist, visit MassageEnvy.com, call 928-778-ENVY (3689) and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/MassageEnvyPrescott. Schedule an appointment online – your time, your convenience, your massage.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Four Ways to Support Local Businesses Affected by COVID-19

By Caprice Daniels

ocally owned businesses are facing unique challenges, likely unlike any they’ve encountered before. Even as Arizona gets back to business, many owners are finding that they need to quickly adapt to stay afloat in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep Arizona’s economy strong, it’s more important than ever to support Arizona-run businesses. After all, locally owned businesses recirculate over 50% of their revenue within the local community. Here are four simple ways to keep supporting local businesses.

ORDER TAKEOUT FROM YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

While you may not be lounging on the patio or hanging out at the bar in your favorite local spot, you can still enjoy your favorite fare at home. Consider picking up a couple takeout orders throughout the week. Missing meals with friends? Have a “dinner party” – everyone gets takeout and catches up over video chat while you eat.

BUY A GIFT CARD FOR FUTURE

SERVICES

Most salons and beauty studios are open for business, but not everyone is comfortable with services like this that require being within close proximity of others. Buy a gift card now to redeem when the businesses reopen, which helps them keep a flow of income to support employees who are unable to work right now. Plus, when the time comes to get that cut and color, you won’t even feel like you’re spending any money!

ORDER ONLINE FROM LOCAL RETAILERS

Business owners have quickly adapted this past year, offering delivery and order pickup. Now you can do order pickup just about everywhere – check with your favorite local shop to see if they’re offering this service.

DONATE TO NON-PROFITS IN NEED

Many non-profits have been hit hard as a result of COVID-19, especially with a reduction in donations and volunteers. If you can, consider making a monetary donation or even giving your time as a volunteer. If you volunteer

in person, be sure to follow health and safety recommendations, like wearing a cloth mask and washing your hands regularly. Together, Arizona will continue to move forward through uncertain times. Supporting local now means our economy will bounce back in no time! QCBN

Caprice Daniels is a business deposit services officer with OneAZ Credit Union serving the northern region. OneAZ Credit Union is the largest state-chartered federally insured credit union in Arizona and offers a statewide field of membership, serving its

more than 140,000 members through 20 locations across southern, central and northern Arizona. To learn more, visit OneAZcu.com.

Team Up to Clean Up 25

Celebrating 25 years of Making Prescott Valley the Cleanest Town in Arizona! Saturday May 1 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

9 a.m.

Registration at the PV Chamber office parking lot. Kooiman Business Center 7120 E. Pav Way Pick up maps, t-shirts and bags. Enjoy donuts and coffee from Dutch Bros. Bring your own gloves. 9:15 a.m. Head out to clean up your area. 10 a.m. Live remote with KVRD 105.7FM. Games, prizes and Papa John’s pizza 11:30 a.m. Hot Dog lunch cooked by Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority Firefighters. 12 p.m. Scavenger hunt and group prizes awarded.

For more information contact the Chamber at 928-772-8857 or vist pvchamber.org

Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce; Catalysts for business and community growth, Conveners of leaders and influencers, Champions for economic success. For more information or for membership connections visit

pvchamber.org or call 928-772-8857

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Remodeling Industry Going Strong

elcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on everything A to Z for your home. Settle in, enjoy, and have fun reading our column. We sure do enjoy sharing our words with you. Thanks for being such loyal and great readers. Sandy: Well hello, Tom, and happy April. Tom: Back at ya, Sandy. Inasmuch as you are the lady with her ear to the popular winds, what kind of calls are you getting these days? Are they COVID-related? Sandy: Oh my, not COVID. However, speaking of COVID, I am thrilled to see the rollout of the vaccines. Tom: My wife and I received our vaccinations at the Findlay Center. Very well organized. No waiting. But, I agree, so many are ready to move on and start to enjoy life. Sandy: Most of the calls we are getting at YCCA are homeowners asking for information on four basic topics. Bath remodels, kitchen remodels, interior and exterior painting and handicapped accessibility retrofitting. Tom: Wow! You really have your finger on the pulse. The remodeling industry is staying quite steady these days. Sandy: I would say steady, strong and pretty darn solid. With families staying at home more, their imagination takes over and opens all manner of ways to refresh their homes. Tom, can you give us some of your thoughts on these topics? Tom: Sure. The best starting point for any project is PLANNING! Sandy: That message has been consistent. And good planning goes hand-in-hand with research. Tom: With just about everybody here having access to the internet, it has become something folks can do while staying at home. We find that most folks have been to our website long before they make the call. Sandy: I agree. At YCCA, we take the time to help folks wade through the tons of information out there. A call to us can save hours or even days of searching. Tom: YCCA is a great service to the community, for sure. Getting back to steps to take, I suggest the budget

should be next. If you have $5,000 to do a 5’ x 8’ bathroom, then that will direct your focus to certain solutions. You truly need to communicate that up front with a design professional. Sandy: That is so true and so many folks are afraid to give out that information. I know the average national cost of replacement in a bath that size is almost twice that amount. Tom: Yes, you are right on. So, communicating budget up front saves you and the remodeler quite a bit of time. Sandy: The point is to not spend time guessing and working on a plan that does not even match the budget. And a budget can always be matched with a plan. Let’s talk about painting. I feel that planning for painting, while not as potentially complex, is still important. Tom: You need to choose colors, of course, and a qualified painter can help you select the type of paint appropriate for your project. Sandy: A licensed, bonded and insured painter (also a member of the YCCA) can also assist with preparation, fixing all the knicks and cracks before painting. So, yes, planning is needed. When planning on painting, I always suggest obtaining three bids. It is important to call out the paint use. There are three levels of exterior paint and if this is not specified up front, the bids will most certainly be unbalanced. Gosh, I could go on and on about painting. I would hijack our column for sure! Tom, I would say retrofitting for disabilities certainly needs planning. There are a lot of different ways to make aging in place more accommodating and comfortable. Tom: True, the solution to making your home more accommodating and comfortable begins with determining the level of disability one has and what that might lead to in the future. Many disabilities are not wheelchair-bound, as is the common perception. Sandy: Are there certifications people should look for? I see an alphabet soup of acronyms following people’s names. I am pretty savvy and I do not know what they all mean. Tom: LOL! I don’t either and I have a few after my name as well. Generally, you can Google the acronym and determine its significance. There

are quite a few educational organizations out there that support the remodeling industry. Sandy: I am aware of some really good ones, like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI. They do a great job of supporting designers, contractors and homeowners with all kinds of really super information. Tom: Great example. Renovations has been a member for years. It conducts courses, usually online, designed to help educate people in all manners of problem solving. Sandy: As an architect, you have had all kinds of training and education. Have you kept up with all the changes over the years? Tom: Mostly. The American Institute of Architects, as with many professional support organizations, has a Continuing Educational Unit (CEU). These are designed to keep old guys like me in the know. With many professional organizations, a member needs to have a certain number of CEU credits per year to maintain membership. Sandy: That is great information for our readers to have. Tom, it is important to let our readers know that

spending on residential improvements will continue to grow at a healthy pace over the next several years. Tom: You are correct, Sandy. Professional remodelers from across the country from a group I belong to agree that this is the case. Consumer spending is at an all-time high. The remodeling market declined significantly at the onset of COVID-19 in March and April of 2020, but has since more than fully recovered. Sandy: I can attest to that after that small dip at the beginning of the pandemic, remodeler confidence bounced back and my phone continues to ring and ring. Tom: It is nice to see that homeowners have a desire to invest in their homes. Sandy: Tom, at the beginning of our conversation, you asked if the calls coming in were COVID-related. I said not really, but with homeowners using their time at home now to remodel, the demand and backlog for remodeling remains high. So, COVID did cause folks to look at their homes and make them more user-friendly and give certain rooms a facelift for more ease and enjoyment.

Tom: As a warning, projects are taking longer, COVID has created volatile material prices, labor shortages and material delays. Make it a great month. Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing important information with you. See you next month. QCBN Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928445-8506 www.renovationsaz.com Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-7780040 Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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WYGC Vocational Services Offering New Opportunities with Community Partners

By Jon Cacy

YGC Vocational Services offers career exploration, work adjustment training, job search and placement, supported employment, and planning for a change in benefits because of earned income. Every service we provide is employment-based. WYGC Vocational Services is not a Vocational Rehabilitation company, and we refer appropriate clients to VR when appropriate.

CAREER EXPLORATION WORKSHOPS

Every client will complete our Career Exploration workshop, which focuses on the importance of finding the right job. Numerous times we have seen clients accept a job for the sake of a paycheck but then leave the job within a week because it was not the right fit. We utilize the O*NET Career Assessment for each of our clients to eliminate issues. We look at their strengths, job compatibility and personality characteristics that translate well in certain career areas. We evaluate a list of jobs that they

can work right now with their current experience and jobs that require more experience. We work through their career goals, both short- and long-term. Each client will leave our Career Exploration workshops with a new and positive outlook about their strengths, jobs that are a good fit and career goals that they will focus on during their services with us.

JOB SEARCH AND PLACEMENT

Clients work one-on-one with a vocational specialist on resume development and filling out applications online and in-person, according to the career choice. Vocational specialists also will assist in how to follow up on applications, attend interviews, practice self-advocacy, identify accommodations needed in the workplace following ADA requirements and seek on-the-job counseling. All clients can utilize our services for as long as they are a WYGC client.

WORK ADJUSTMENT TRAINING

Work Adjustment Training (WAT) is a 90-day sheltered work environment that is currently operating out of our Windhaven Kitchen, where lunches

are prepared for WYGC in-patient facilities. The purpose of WAT is to address the needs, abilities, strengths and barriers to employment in preparation for obtaining competitive employment. WAT is a perfect opportunity for someone who has not worked in a while, wants to learn specific skills that relate to a career goal, and who wishes to focus on skills and habits that make an individual more employable, such as effective communication, proper hygiene, the ability to accept direction and abide by a structured schedule, etc. After completing the 90-day program, clients Employment-based skills help clients find work. Courtesy photo will be ready for the job search. assisting as needed. Job coaches help provides lunches to our hospital and WYGC Vocational Services is exclients with additional training, time treatment centers. Clients will work cited to announce two new partnermanagement skills, understanding as Kitchen Staff during their 90 days ships with Stepping Stones Agencies pay and taxes, understanding how at this site. Our Work Adjustment and The Salvation Army. Our Work employment affects benefits and so Training program is beneficial for Adjustment Training program has clients who have no prior work expe- much more. We will be adding more gained two new work sites for our community partners within the next clients to be able to complete on-the- rience, barriers to employment, lack few months and look forward to job training. Our WAT clients will be of soft skills, and who are not ready growing this service in 2021. QCBN trained by these companies and work for competitive employment. Not only are clients able to work for these for 90 days in a sheltered work environment in positions such as: cashier, companies for 90 days and receive Jon Cacy is the program manager for WYGC merchandise stocker, distribution as- hands-on training, they also will be Vocational Services. He can be reached at sistant and dishwasher. We also have accompanied by a job coach working j.cacy@wygc.org. one-on-one with the client and the Windhaven Café WAT site that

Eugene M. Hughes Leaves Lasting Legacy By Ray Newton, QCBN

he death of former Northern Arizona University President Eugene M. Hughes does not diminish the legacy he leaves behind in the state. Hughes, 86, died March 10, 2021, in Flagstaff. The Nebraska native was born April 3, 1934, in Scottsbluff. Hughes first arrived in Flagstaff in 1970 as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He rapidly advanced and was promoted to Provost of Arts and Sciences. In 1877, he became academic vice president. The Arizona Board of Regents selected Hughes as president upon retirement of J. Lawrence Walkup in 1979. Hughes filled that role for 14 years – from July 1, 1979, until June 30, 1993. During those years, the NAU campus grew dramatically in student population, faculty positions, and campus facilities. Its prestige increased, too, when Money Magazine in 1986 selected NAU as a public university that was successful in sustaining a flourishing liberal arts ambience that emphasized personal attention to students. During his years as president, enrollment grew from 11,301 to 18,491. More than 20 buildings were constructed on campus. Several new academic projects were introduced,

among them the Center for Excellence in Education, the Southwest Center for Forestry Science Complex in cooperation with the Forest Service; founding of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management; and “New Momentum,” an academic program that involved Native Americans from throughout the Southwest and United States. Notable expansion occurred when Hughes helped establish NAU field sites at several community colleges, including NAU-Yuma at Arizona Western College. Parallel to that was the creation of NAU-Net, a satellite and microwave network that allowed NAU to offer courses to off-campus sites. During the same era, Hughes and his colleagues initiated cooperative agreements with four universities in China so that NAU could expand its international presence. Hughes was equally active in the community. He served on several boards of directors for organizations, including the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Northern Arizona, East Flagstaff Rotary Club, Flagstaff Summer Festival and Boy Scout Council. After leaving Flagstaff in June 1993, Hughes served as president of Wichita State University until 1999. He then was asked to serve as interim president at Eastern Kentucky Uni-

versity, a position he had from 2000 to 2001. He and his wife, Margaret Ann, returned to Flagstaff for permanent retirement in 2001. He immediately became active in the community again, including being president of the Museum of Northern Arizona and co-president of the Flagstaff Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Hughes had earned three academic degrees: a bachelor’s of science degree in 1956 from Chadron State Teachers College (CSTC); a master’s degree in 1958 from Kansas State University; and a doctorate degree from George Peabody College-Vanderbilt University in 1968. He had three honorary doctorates: NAU, 1997; CSTC, 2003; and Eastern Kentucky University, 2011. Hughes is survived by his three children and their families – Deborah (Hughes) Cruze, Greg Hughes, and Lisa (Hughes) Zyriek; and their mother, Caroline Hartwick Hughes; by seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and by his second wife, Margaret Ann Romeo Hughes, and her children. The Hughes family expects to announce a Celebration of Life event later this year. QCBN

Eugene “Gene” M. Hughes – 1934 - 2021

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Insurgent Brewing is First ‘Makeover of a Lifetime’ Winner

By Jeri Denniston

n March 12, members of the Yavapai College SBDC Team, Yavapai College Film and Cinematography crew, and Chino Valley Economic Development Director Maggie Tidaback surprised Laura and Rob Valenzuela at their Chino Valley brewery. The purpose was to announce that a panel of Yavapai County chamber executives and economic development officers had selected Insurgent Brewing Co. as the first Yavapai College SBDC Makeover of a Lifetime winner in the Small Business Makeover program. “I was driving around town one day and Maggie chased me down to share a flyer and tell me about this program,” said Rob, co-owner and head brewmeister. “I showed the flyer to my wife and we decided it might be worthwhile to apply.” Over the next several months, the SBDC team will meet with the owners to identify one to three key challenges to help Insurgent Brewing Co. to pivot, attract more customers and increase revenue. Have you seen “Small Business Revolution” on Hulu (smallbusinessrevolution.org)? The SBDC Small Business Makeover program is patterned after that, but on a much smaller scale,

designed to address some of the challenges the ongoing pandemic continues to present. Many small businesses throughout Yavapai County are still struggling despite any disaster funding they may have received. Thus, the Yavapai College Small Business Development Center, which operates as part of the YC Regional Economic Development Center, launched the Small Business Makeover program in January. Thanks to new funding we received from the CARES Act, we were able to bring additional resources to help us plan and launch this as a pilot program for new clients. Our goal is to expand this program to all SBDC clients next year as another set of tools and resources to help small businesses thrive. The Small Business Makeover program will continue through Sept. 20, during which time, three more Makeover of a Lifetime winners will be selected. All applicants are entered into the “Mini Makeover Bootcamp” series, with the Makeover of a Lifetime winners receiving more in-depth, hands-on help from the SBDC team, subject matter experts and other resources. All participants will receive one-on-one confidential coaching with SBDC consultants in addition to access to training, tools and other resources to

address their specific needs. A cohort for Hispanic-owned businesses is also underway to address the specific challenges these business owners encounter because of language barriers, access to capital and other issues. The SBDC is partnering with the Arizona Commerce Authority to provide some of these subject matter experts and access to their Small Business Academy, an online workshop series facilitated live by industry and subject matter experts. Three more application deadlines are set for March 31, April 30, and May 31. To date, 22 business owners from a wide variety of industries have applied for the Small Business Makeover program. The next Makeover of a Lifetime winner will be selected in April from the next round of applicants who applied before March 31. Eligibility is reserved for small business owners with fewer than 500 employees and revenue less than $15 million. They must be structured as a for-profit entity, have operated their enterprise for at least three years and have not received active coaching from the SBDC in the past five years. Business owners who contacted the SBDC once or twice last year for assistance with disaster funding would still be eligible if they did not receive ongoing coaching on their business operations.

Maggie Tidaback (in red), SBDC Director Jeri Denniston and Laura and Rob Valenzuela talk about the Small Business Makeover program.

Visit mybusinessmakeover.com/ apply to fill out an application. These services and resources are no cost to the business owner, thanks to the funding and support of the Small Business Administration and Yavapai College. Don’t pass up this opportunity to keep your business dream alive. Small businesses are the heartbeat

Which is the Best Car Choice for You: Gas or Hybrid?

By Jamaal McCoy

hile gas-powered vehicles are still the most popular form of cars found on the road today, people are increasingly considering alternate forms of powering vehicles. One method that has been gaining popularity since its emergence has been the hybrid car, and as more companies plan to increase production in the future, they may soon become the standard.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HYBRID CARS?

Hybrid cars take the best part of the gas and electric vehicles and make it possible for drivers to power their car with gas and electricity. By combining these two distinct types of power, these vehicles can maximize efficiency. However, different hybrids work in diverse ways. There are three main types of hybrid vehicles: N Full Hybrid N Mild Hybrid N Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

BENEFITS OF GAS CARS

With each passing day, it may seem inevitable that the production of gasoline-powered vehicles is ending. However, there are still some benefits you may want to consider. N Low Maintenance Cost: Gas vehicles have filled our roads for a long time, and through the years, we have nearly mastered the art of maintaining them. Even the cheapest gas vehicles have an excellent amount of build quality and if you

run into any problem, fixing it is cheap, as most parts are in abundance. N Better Power: While the batteries in hybrid cars are continuously getting better and some of these vehicles are becoming extremely quick, their overall power still pales in comparison to the best-in-class gasoline-powered vehicles. This means that gas cars can reach higher top speeds.

DRAWBACKS OF GAS CARS

N Harmful Emissions: Emissions are a key factor for the push toward alternate forms of powering vehicles. The constant combustion of fuel is dangerous and already has caused a severe amount of harm to our environment. N Lower Overall Range: Gas vehicles have lower mileage range. This means that after a certain distance, you must top up on gas again or risk being stranded in the middle of the road. This is a constant and additional expense to your car.

BENEFITS OF HYBRID CARS

Hybrid cars are also not without their benefits and drawbacks, and you may want to consider both aspects before purchasing a hybrid vehicle. N Assistance from Electric Motor: The electric motor in hybrid cars is just not an additional power source but it can also aid the combustion engine. This makes it much easier to perform tasks such as accelerating or driving up a hill. N Higher Resale Value: As hybrid cars are still in high demand, you can always sell them at a premium if you

are unsatisfied. It is common for people to try a hybrid car for a while and choose to sell it because they can be sure to recoup most of the initial price.

DRAWBACKS OF HYBRID-POWERED VEHICLES

N Higher Maintenance: Because of the dual engine, maintaining a hybrid car can be rather difficult because both engines would have to be checked and hybrid vehicle mechanics are still rare. N Price: Hybrid cars can be rather expensive and may cost significantly more than a regular gas-powered vehicle. However, this cost can usually be offset, as it is cheaper to operate the vehicle.

MAKING A CHOICE

Understanding the pros and cons of either power source is only the halfway point of fully deciding what type of vehicle is right for you. You must also consider other factors, such as the number of facilities in your area that service hybrids, as they will help to increase the longevity of your vehicle. QCBN Jamaal McCoy is the general manager of Findlay Auto Group Prescott. He can be reached at 928-443-8300 or jmccoy@findlayauto.com.

of our community and the Yavapai College SBDC exists to help you thrive. QCBN

Jeri Denniston is the director of the Small Business Development Center.

EXIT ROW continued from page 13

status of current projects. N Provide an exit interview. Offer to give a meaningful assessment of your time with the company. You may note what training sessions were particularly beneficial, give tips for recruiting or make suggestions to help new hires assimilate into the culture. N Stay connected. Recognize you’ve created valuable history and goodwill. You’ve put a lot of time and energy into the past. Protect that investment and maintain your relationships. When alternative plans happen in life, like a new job or business opportunity, that require you to re-calibrate your current flight path to an amazing destination that recently appeared on your radar, it’s important to think through how you will exit your current situation. That experience you shared should not be tossed aside, like the plane’s emergency exit door. Keeping the end in mind will help you execute a meaningful and successful exit row strategy and perhaps save you from being voted off a future island, if things were to come to that. QCBN Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@ gmail.com.

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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Cybercrime: A Five-Step Plan to Prepare and Protect

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By Theo Soumilas

he world economy loses more than $1 trillion to cybercrime every year. That’s a lot of money, and it’s a figure that’s increased by more than 50% since 2018. In 2019, twothirds of all organizations reported some type of incident relating to cybercrime. It’s easy to look at big figures like these and not relate them to your own business. The average cost of a data breach to a business is estimated to be around $500,000. The most common types of crime are ransomware, where your data is locked away until you pay a ransom fee. The other is phishing, where criminals pretend to be someone else to get you to click on a bad link. That huge average breach figure includes: N Any ransom demanded by criminals who lock your data and remove your access to it; N The cost of recovering your data and undoing the extensive damage done; and, N Putting in place additional ongoing security measures after the breach.

of random characters to anyone without the encryption key. So, it’s only a minor inconvenience if you lose a device, not a major catastrophe. These are just the basics. There are always extra layers of security available. Yes, this is complicated and there are too many options from which to choose. The trick is putting together the right blend of security tools for your specific circumstances so that you’re protected, but your security is not stopping your team members from getting on with their work every day.

3) BACK UP ALL DATA ALL THE TIME

We can’t stress this enough: if you don’t already have an automated backup of your data every day, and it’s kept somewhere other than your business’s premises, arrange this today. Backups are your fallback option. It. Is. Critical.

4) PPP

Create a policy, protocol and procedure in the event of a data breach. Sounds obvious, but this needs to be done before your business has a problem. Your policy will establish how your ON TOP OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT, business will deal with any form of data breach THERE’S THE REPUTATIONAL ONE or cyberattack. Could you imagine picking up the phone to Make your policy as detailed as possible, as it’s every single client to tell them your data about them had been accessed and stolen? Cybercrimi- a guide for your company to reach the most denals are targeting all businesses all the time, using sired outcome (in this case, the minimal impact from an attack). clever automated tools that sniff out vulneraInclude the things your people must do as a bilities. So, it’s only a matter of time until your minimum to help keep the business safe, such business’s defenses are tested. as using a password manager and multi-factor Here is our recommended five-step plan to authentication. prepare for an attack and protect your business. Every staff member in your business should have a copy of this policy, ideally in your compa1) TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING Believe it or not, your devices and software aren’t ny handbook. Your protocol is a written plan that contains the weakest links in your defense. Your people the procedures your people must follow in a are. cyberattack event. Your team’s awareness of the risks, and their The procedures you should include are: mindset toward spotting risks and acting on N Who to alert in the case of a suspected breach; them, can make a dramatic difference in your N What are the steps that a person should take chances of being affected. Fortunately, with the to try to block the attack; and, proper training, your team can be taught the N How everyone else within the business should telltale signs of a scam email by looking at: react. N The email address from which it was sent; N The language used; Make everything in your PPP as accurate and N The font and design of the email; and, N The link and knowing how to check to see if it detailed as it can be so that people are left in no doubt about exactly what they should do. is safe before clicking on it. All staff should have regular cybersecurity awareness training – including you. Things change so frequently that it is in your best interest to keep everyone’s knowledge topped up.

2) USE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO YOU

There are a lot of tools out there to help keep your business safe and protected from cyber-criminals. Make use of them. Some of the most used tools are: N Password managers: These generate long, random character passwords for new applications and remember them, so you don’t have to. N Multi-factor authentication: This is where you enter a code from another device to prove it’s you logging in. N Encryption: This makes your device’s content look like thousands

5) BRING IN THE EXPERTS

If you’re not an IT expert, a lot of this can seem very time-consuming and complicated. If you feel it’s not something that you can do justice, it’s a brilliant idea to bring in the experts. If you don’t already have a plan in place to keep your business protected from a cyberattack, I hope you can see how vital it is. QCBN For additional information or to schedule an appointment to assist your business, call 928-719-7724 or visit northernazit.com. Theo Soumilas is the owner of Northern Arizona IT servicing the Quad Cities, Phoenix and Northern Arizona.

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Is Interventional Radiology Right for You? By Joanne Mack Robertson

edical innovation moves forward at a rapid pace, with continuing technological advances and an ever-increasing understanding of health and the human body. Interventional Radiology may be one of the best examples of this phenomenon. Thanks to this highly specialized medical field, procedures that once required surgery, a hospital stay and extensive recovery time are now being performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques. In fact, most of the procedures are performed without an incision. Interventional Radiology (IR) combines the use of advanced imaging such as ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans and MRI to guide the treatment of a variety of conditions. Interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who are trained in both radiology and minimally invasive therapies. They treat conditions in virtually every organ system, including: N Blood vessels N Nervous system N Reproductive system N Gastrointestinal tract N Liver

N Urinary tract N Cardiovascular disease N Cancer N Dialysis access N Back pain N Leg pain and swelling Matthew Dicker, M.D., is a diagnostic and interventional radiologist with Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. He emphasizes that a team approach delivers the best care for his patients. “Taking care of each patient starts with our office staff and administrative staff at the hospital. A great

group of nurses and technologists help before, during and after each procedure,” Dicker explained. “And of course, collaboration with the hospitalists and vascular surgeons as well as primary care providers creates the best possible 360-degree care for the patients in our community.” Dicker noted that interventional radiologists are consultants to virtually all of the specialties and subspecialties at YRMC, in addition to performing procedures specific to each. “Having the expertise to perform these procedures and having the facilities and support staff to perform

// “New and different ways to treat disease are happening almost daily,” Dicker said. “We strive to perform the newest treatments safer than before. For instance, opening blockages in the leg arteries is being performed with access through the ankle, as opposed to the groin, where it had been typically performed, which significantly decreases the risk of bleeding, while having the same excellent results.” //

them is a great benefit to the Quad Cities,” said Dicker. “The hassle of driving to Phoenix or elsewhere is no longer necessary.” As with the practice of medicine in general, Interventional Radiology continues to keep pace with ever-developing research and technology. “New and different ways to treat disease are happening almost daily,” Dicker said. “We strive to perform the newest treatments safer than before. For instance, opening blockages in the leg arteries is being performed with access through the ankle, as opposed to the groin, where it had been typically performed, which significantly decreases the risk of bleeding, while having the same excellent results.” “We are excited to introduce intravascular lithotripsy to break up plaque in the arteries that causes blockages,” he continues. “It uses the same technology that has been used for years to break up kidney stones.” Interventional radiology allows for a quicker recovery time, less pain, reduced cost and a lower risk of complications. If you are a candidate for surgery, talk to your healthcare provider to see if an interventional radiology

procedure makes sense for you as an alternative. “It is rewarding when a procedure is successful, a patient is happy with the results, and they are surprised that it was done without an incision with very little, if any, pain,” said Dicker. To learn more about imaging services at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, visit DignityHealth.org/YRMC. QCBN

Joanne Mack Robertson is freelance writer and video producer. She and her husband, Jeff, are the creative energy behind Big Picture Video Production in Prescott and Tucson.

PILOTS continued from page 24

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and fed until we can move them to a safer, better place,” said Browning. But sometimes that never happens and the tasks are overwhelming. The women coordinate with 70 to 100 shelters on a regular basis and about 10 to 15 pilots. “Everybody meets the Turquoise Paw volunteers at the Shiprock airport. Sometimes we’re the only airplane, sometimes there are three or four others,” said David. David and Nancy Weeks fly in once a week with a mostly empty fuselage and fly out with crates full of dogs. “The most we’ve had is 15, with multiple puppies in some of the crates,” said Nancy. “Usually they are very quiet on the flight. I think they are terrified,” added David. “They might whine for a little while, but then they seem to go catatonic.” Turquoise Paw hosted its first spay and neuter clinic last month. In four days, volunteer veterinarians performed surgery on 178 dogs and cats, and administered 1,500 vaccinations. One hundred and one animals were put into rescue homes. Services were offered for free, paid for with $4,000 in donations raised through a GoFundMe page. “We are doing what we do because we love the animals and we are passionate about the animals,” said Browning. David and Nancy also are animal lovers and have their own rescue dogs. “It’s very hard not to want to take the Rez Dogs home,” said Nancy, who retired from a career in investment management. “It’s so much fun, the dogs are so cute and it’s wonderful to know they are going to better lives.” “We’re in a position to do this as a charitable contribution and I love flying light aircraft. It’s just about the perfect charitable work,” said David, who also is involved with Angel Flight, an emergency transport network for humans and LightHawk, an environmental conservation nonprofit that requires aerial photography. “I’m so proud of David,” said Nancy. “Within a month of his retirement, he found a way to combine his love of flying with doing something meaningful.” And that “burn baby,” as Browning once called him, now goes by Sage. “The doctor says he is eating and wagging his tail and the fluids are helping him a great deal. The vet staff has fallen in love with him,” Browning assured Turquoise Paw followers on Facebook. “Sage’s vet bill is continuing to be very costly. We know he is worth it but we could really use the help covering his expensive treatments.” To make a donation to Turquoise Paw, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/TurquoisePaw/ or send a check to Turquoise Paw Rescue, P.O. Box 4707, Shiprock, NM 87420. QCBN

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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SURVIVAL continued from page 1

Lundin’s students range from 7-year-olds to 80-somethings, although most are middle-aged, educated professionals. “The No. 1 reason they come to me is they want to learn how to do more with less. This has been true since the school’s inception. And the confidence they gain is huge when you can put someone in the field and bring them back a more confident person.” Those skills, he says, are going to be applicable in any stressful situation, whether it happens in the African bush, the Red Rock Secret Wilderness or the concrete jungle. “One of the biggest causes of a survival situation is the case of a day hiker who is not physically, mentally and emotionally prepared. These hikes are notorious for killing people. For example, say you have Jeff from Connecticut who’s visiting Northern Arizona on a business trip. He’s not familiar with the area or the climate. He’s not hydrated before the hike and he didn’t bring enough water on the hike. He doesn’t have the right gear and didn’t tell the front desk at the hotel where he was going and when he should be back. There are a million ways this can go wrong. When his core body temperature rises, he begins to have all kinds of issues, including poor judgement. When disaster happens, he goes into a form of mental and emotional shock.” Lundin draws wisdom from a lifetime of being in nature and his insa-

tiable appetite for knowledge, much of it coming from medical journals. The best gift he ever received was the book “Wilderness Medicine,” which came from his mom, a doctor of pharmacy, who worked at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. In the 1980s, Lundin had a revelation about creating his Aboriginal Living Skills School while hiking in Sedona. “I saw a need to educate people going into the backcountry, I wanted to be my own businessperson and I adore nature. I wanted to tie in to the natural world and teach others how it can influence them for the better.” Those who spend any time with Lundin may quickly assess that he is part rugged caveman, part savvy businessman. Lundin lives what he teaches and has the wildland credibility to do so. He loves the outdoors, thrives on a connection to nature and maintains a minimalist lifestyle in his passive solar subterranean home. Whether he’s conducting a business meeting, engaging in a news interview for programs like NBC’s “Dateline” or publications like USA Today, or teaching urbanites how to make fire with a stick and a stone, Lundin arrives in a shirt and shorts. His long, blond hair is tamed by braids and a bandana; his feet are bare, toughened by the Arizona landscape. His gaze is steady, his intention is focused, his cadence is measured and his presence commands respect.

“I took an ALSS course because I have always been concerned about personal safety,” wrote Susan MacIver. “Whether in the city or traveling through the loneliest stretches of wilderness, I wanted to feel that I knew ways to help myself and others, should the need arise. While I don’t have much experience in the wild, it can still be brutal to be stuck in your car in a traffic jam that lasts for hours. The course I did attend, I loved! I count it as one of the highlights of my outdoor experiences. I was in the ‘Save Your Butt’ overnight course, i.e., your car breaks down or you are lost on a hike. It was tremendously informative and Cody was more than professional. As a matter of fact, his demeanor was such that I knew he was deadly serious about teaching us how to survive a potentially life-threatening situation.” As COVID-19 cases spiked through the last year, so did sales for his best-selling books, “98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive” and “When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes.” In them, he offers a straightforward scientific account of how the brain works when the body perceives a threat and what happens to the body – how blood vessels constrict, breathing becomes shallow, judgment is impaired – and how hypo- and hyperthermia impact our gross, fine and complex motor skills.

Cody Lundin teaches how to find water in the arid Arizona landscape and how to make it safe for drinking. Courtesy photo

He also discusses how to control fear, which includes being aware of our surroundings, and a practice he calls “cultivating rational insanity.” During a survival episode, you’ll be taxed to the limit on all levels. In order to prevail and mitigate the panic factor, you’ll have to be as cool as a cucumber. You’ll need to approach your situation in a somewhat detached and rational manner, while gearing up your mind and body to accomplish the insane

if necessary, thereby smashing all self-imposed limitations. Funneling the intense energy of insanity and uniting it with the sound coolness of rational decision-making creates a potent force in emergency scenarios. QCBN To learn more about Lundin’s Aboriginal Living Skills School and programs, visit codylundin.com/testimonials.html or contact him at 928-713-1651 or abodude@ codylundin.com.

ON-SITE & ONLINE AUCTION 11AM • Saturday, May 1, 2021

Previews: 4/17 & 4/24 at 10 AM-2PM & 5/1 at 9 AM-11AM

MINIMUM BID $ 90,000 /HOME

HENDERSON VALLEY HORSE RANCH 1530-1580 N. Javelina Trail Dewey, AZ Selling 3 Homes A&D together, B, and C Parcel A: #1570

Phone 928.864.7440 Fax 928.226.0303 The Courtyard Building | 115 E. Goodwin Street - Suite D, Prescott, AZ 86303 troy@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Web quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Publisher: Troy Bix Advertising Manager Ann Herrington | 928-420-4407 Ann@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Account Executives Deborah “DMK” Mainville-Knight 928-460-4330 dmk@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

(1,400± SF Home + 2-Car Carport on 2.51± AC)

Parcel B: #1580

(2,900± SF Home + 1-car Garage on 2.51± AC)

Parcel C: #1540

(1,500± SF Home on 2.51± AC)

Parcel D: #1530

(Horse Corral and Storage on 2.51± AC)

The Name that Sells

10% deposit due day of sale, balance due at closing within 30 days of Seller approval. 10% Buyer’s Premium. Auctioneer reserves the right re-group the properties for best result for Seller. Sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS. 3% Buyer Broker Co-Op Commission.

Martin Higgenbotham, CAI, AARE, AMM, CES

More info: www.DeweyAuction.com or 1-800-257-4161 AZ Broker Marc A. Geyer, dba Synergic Realty SE551013000

Editor Bonnie Stevens | 928-380-4349 bonnie.stevens@gmail.com Copy Editor Carolyn Wendell | cwendell@gmail.com Design & Production Rob Ghosh Design | rob@robghosh.com

Web Content Editor news@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Contributing Writers Bonnie Stevens Patty McCormac Sue Marceau Ray Newton Tom Vitron Starla Collins Contributing Photographers Kay Lyons, Bonnie Stevens, Ray Newton, Sue Marceau, Stacey Wittig, Veronica Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography The Quad Cities Business News is a publication of Quad Cities Business News, LLC and distributed free each month to residents of Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt. Reproduction of any portion of the publication is strictly prohibited without expressed permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements submitted to the newspaper and is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

APRIL 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

@quadcitiesbusinessnews NACOG continued from page 1

AMANGIRI continued from page 10

NACOG’s downtown Prescott office. In-person phone calls and Zoom calls are available as well. For more information, employers and employees are urged to contact NACOG at 928-778-1422 or visit yavapaiwork.com. A second NACOG initiative, the Strategic Broadband Plan, is intended to complement the Recovery and Resilience Plan. “The use of Broadband during recent months has risen to the top. Just like the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Broadband Plan will be as good as our ability to gain sound information from our communities and state and federal partners,” said Drew. The EWD has two centers in the county. One is in Cottonwood at 1500 W. Cherry Road. The other is at the Prescott NACOG office at 221 N. Marina Street. The Department of Economic Security hosts a site at its Prescott Valley office. “The economic development staff for the four-county NACOG region

BMWs and the hidden helipad hint that guests also expect impeccable first-class service and privacy. Marazita often works with their personal assistants and agents long before they arrive in anticipation of their culinary desires. He considers Amangiri’s menus to be “guidelines” and calls the meals “chef-driven,” meaning he can create and recreate after visiting with his guests at their tables in person. Marazita relocated to Page with his family four years ago, after being recruited by someone who had worked with him at a leading hotel in San Francisco. “It’s important at this level to be well-rounded,” he said, “to understand different cultures and cuisines such as sushi, Indian, Asian and Italian food – and be a master of everything. Our specialty would be a play on Native American flavors with global accents.” In any one presentation, he may offer chile-rubbed and crusted wild elk loin with pickled cactus buds alongside sustainably harvested Maine lobster in a Navajo blue corn juniper ash polenta. Marazita designed the Amangiri Spirit of the Journey four-course menu, which features ingredients procured through Southwestern American Indian communities including Navajo, Hopi, Pima, Maricopa, Akimel O’Odham and Paiute tribes. “It starts off with a course called ‘k’os,’ which in Navajo translates to ‘flight.’ So, the salad is a little play on a nest. It’s a spin on a classic French nest salad, a lardon, but done with more native ingredients. We use saguaro cactus seeds, mesquite smoked duck breasts, we’ll do a Gila River citrus vinaigrette, we’ll have a nice poached hen’s egg on top and then finish it with some sweet potato twigs, so it represents a nest.” The entre is called “dzeh kayenta,” or “hunters pit” in Navajo. Each course comes with a story. “Food is an adventure, an experience,” he said. “It should burn a memory. Every meal should be something important.” As should be every visit to Amangiri, says Surget, from the

NACOG Regional Director Teri Drew has spearheaded plans for economic recovery and resilience. Photo by Ray Newton

is one full-time person, but our workforce development staff has 11 full-time employees,” she said. “Our

group is considered one of the top three in the state.” QCBN

RENEWABLE ENERGY continued from page 3

ongoing wildlife studies are underway. Meanwhile, livestock grazing is expected to continue as usual. NextEra Project Manager Wardah Abbasi says the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center is being planned with sensitivity to environmental and cultural resources. Currently, NextEra is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Transportation and Coconino County on Hwy 180 traffic impacts during the construction phase, from December 2021 to December 2022. Operations are expected to begin in January 2023. Upon decommissioning, NextEra says with recent advancements in technology, now virtually all wind turbine components can be recycled, including turbine blades, and the land will be returned to its natural condition. “This renewable energy endeavor aligns well with our conservation plans, which include protecting Northern Arizona’s open spaces, dark starry skies and grassland species such as pronghorn antelope, Gunnison’s prairie dog, the black-footed ferret and the golden eagle,” said Cordasco. Babbitt Ranches holds one of the largest conservation easements in the country, with 40,000 acres, including Cataract Canyon, protected as open space and wildland in perpetuity. The pioneering land company has been instrumental in studying and managing habitat for the benefit of pronghorn. The Babbitts’ Espee Ranch has

been the site for the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret that once teetered on the brink of extinction, while tens of thousands of acres of grassland have been restored from encroaching pinon and juniper trees, which helps species like prairie dogs and jackrabbits. “We are particularly excited about the creation of our SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex, as there are multiple golden eagle nests northeast of the Peaks,” said Cordasco. Babbitt Ranches also is measuring the darkness of the night skies stretching across the 750,000-acre ranch and will be seeking an International Dark Sky Reserve designation from the International Dark-Sky Association. “The Babbitt Ranch project will bring many benefits to Coconino County, including employment opportunities, increased business activity for local businesses and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to help enhance roads and public services for all residents of this community,” said Abbasi. “We look forward to developing the Babbitt Ranch project and generating low-cost, renewable energy in Arizona for years to come.” For more information, visit the project web and Facebook pages at BabbittRanchProject.com and Facebook. com/BabbittRanchProject. QCBN

25,000-square-foot spa with private cold plunge pool and sensory deprivation flotation chamber to the high desert trail system that stretches across 12 remote miles to reveal sweeping vistas, centuries-old petroglyphs and a cave that sheltered nomadic prehistoric civilizations. Rock climbing exercises offer a nod to the via feratta of World War I, a pathway created by wire bolted into cliff faces that helped Italian soldiers cross the Dolomites. “Within the property, we offer e-bike, horseback riding and hiking tours,” says Surget. Beyond that, activities may include exploring cliff dwellings of the Navajo National Monument and kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding or boating on Lake Powell. Surget and his family moved from Washington, D.C., where he was the food and beverage director at the historic Hay-Adams hotel that overlooked the White House. “We’re constantly looking for dinosaur tracks. You can see fault lines as a result of tectonic plates shifting. Everywhere you look is a constant reminder of time, scale and the inhabitants that came before you. It’s very refreshing to be in awe and admiration of the environment. After some time here, you’re priorities start to shift. We have noticed guests have a sadness about them when it is time for them to leave.” In this grand theater of nature, Amangiri features 34 modernistic suits. Camp Sarika, an addition to the site that opened in 2020, offers 10 tented pavilions. Although Amangiri has existed for 11 years, management suspects there may never have been a more pressing need for drivable destinations where people can reconnect to the outdoors, and family and friends can make up for time together, lost during the pandemic. “The days here are spent with a healthy balance of excitement and spa treatment,” said Surget. “We offer a little hiatus in life to rebalance and recenter through wellness, a beautiful environment, adventures, great dining and a realignment with your own soul.” QCBN

CHOCOLATE continued from page 12

get the store going. “I’ve learned that when Tyler has a goal, he doesn’t stop. He digs down and works until he achieves it. I’m really lucky to work with him.” Renovations are planned in the next couple of months, along with an expansion of products. “We have space on the other side of our building, so we’re looking into opening a coffee and pastry shop as well,” said Stickler. “We have had requests for specialty coffee and drinks.” The Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory is located off Highway 64 in Tusayan. For more information, call 928-853-9753 or visit grandcanyonfactory@gmail.com.

ease. Also, my parents taught me people skills and the ability to communicate effectively. I thought it was normal to have these traits, but as I grew older I’ve realized it’s not, and that has set me apart. I owe it all to my parents.

MY SUPERPOWER:

MY GUILTY PLEASURE:

My parents. They taught me to push myself out of my comfort zone. In high school, I was scared of public speaking, but I pushed myself and eventually, I spoke in front of 8,000 people and felt at

CHARACTER TRAITS I MOST APPRECIATE IN OTHERS:

For me, it’s hard work. I think hard work defines character more than any other trait. Just by showing up and working consistently is one of the most important attributes someone can have. More than anything, work ethic will get you further in life. Weird, but other than the Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory, my life is the gym at Flagstaff Athletic Club. I love weightlifting.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO RECREATE:

My family grew up around Page and Lake Powell, so I fell in love with it because it is such a beautiful area and so much to do. My dad and I also like to hunt, especially in the Kaibab Forest, Unit 9.

BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED:

My dad taught me that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work. He’s always said there’s no substitute for a good attitude and good work ethic and I always believed that and always will because it’s worked for me. That’s the way I live my life. QCBN

Quad Cities Business News // APRIL 2021

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