April 2023

Longtime Prescott resident and dedicated community member Ray Newton, a career journalist and educator, is being honored by QCBN with the Best of Business Ray Newton Excellence in Education Award. Ray has taught and mentored thousands of journalism students and mass communications professionals and has served as a tireless advocate for education in Arizona. See story on page 3.

Computer Experts Warn Users About Increase in Scams

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Information Technology expert

Robert Moses says many of his customers are concerned about computer scans, and according to the Better Business Bureau, they have good reason to be on high alert. Scamming is a $10 billion industry and the BBB reports online scams rose 87% from 2015 to 2022.

Moses, the owner of Idea Karma LLC in Chino Valley, wants to make computer users aware of scams so they recognize suspicious activity when they see it. He says a lot of online pop-up advertisements are designed to make computer users think their computer has a virus, when they do not. Another scam involves postcards that arrive in the mail claiming guarantees for software have expired.

There are also scams with callers posing as representatives from Microsoft, Amazon or similar companies. “They want you to give them access to your computer. You should not do that. They will not call you. It will be on you to call them if you have a problem,” he said.

One scam tells the victim that their house is going to be foreclosed on if they don’t pay them. “They prey on

homeowners. They say they are going to save you from foreclosure. They get your title and then they kick you out.”

Another popular scam involves online dating. Criminals create fake profiles. Once the person gains the other’s trust, they ask for large sums of money.

Scammers have devised “hundreds” of ways to get into people’s

Continued on page 38

Superhosts Share Tips for Short-Term Rental Success

Airbnb designation attracts visitors, increases revenue

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

Wendy Chavis designed and built her Prescott home to raise her teenaged daughters. But empty nest syndrome began to emerge when they left home after high school. “Airbnb took the empty nest right out of the house,” declared the Airbnb Superhost.

guests’ needs, like bringing a cup of hot tea to a weary traveler arriving late.”

A BADGE OF HONOR

April 2023 |

Issue 4 Volume 11

From her four-bedroom home, guests can see the mountains and are close to the Prescott National Forest. “The online description of my Airbnb talks about plenty of peace and quiet, so it brings in the kind of guest that fits right in,” said Chavis, a residential sales realtor with Weichert, Realtors - CLA. “I get many female solo travelers who are attracted to the description.”

And through their glowing reviews, they attract more visitors to her home. “It seems like a blessing for all who come, so it’s an honor to provide a welcoming space. I anticipate my

Every quarter, Airbnb evaluates the hosting performance of the past 12 months for all listings on the host’s account. Hosting performance is measured on various criteria, including response rate, cancelation rate and overall rating. Hosts must maintain a 4.8 rating to earn the Superhost badge.

“The Superhost program was created in 2014 to celebrate and reward the top-rated and most experienced Airbnb hosts,” report Airbnb officials in a news release. “Regardless of what kind of space they list on the platform – from a simple spare room to a sprawling estate – any host can become a Superhost by consistently offering exceptional hospitality. And it pays off.”

Continued on page 36

4th Annual Prescott ATHENA Leadership Awards

The ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential. SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 24

Airbnb Superhost Wendy Chavis of Prescott enjoys anticipating guests’ needs, providing special touches and making their stay a memorable visit. Photo by Kay Lyons

Hosted by:

Quintessential Newsman Trained in a News Field of Dreams

Quintessential Newsman Trained in a News Field of Dreams

QCBN honors Ray Newton for his commitment to truth, education and reporting America’s stories

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Long before Google, Alexa, Instagram and the internet, news was gathered through miles of legwork and worn-out shoes. A journalist was only as good as the relationships he cultivated and the sixth sense he developed. Reporting and uncovering stories required a tenacious and genuine interest in people, places and things that mattered, and a relentless hunger to know one more thing and to get it right before going to press.

Ray Newton, a savvy street kid in the San Francisco Bay area in the late 1940s, developed his knack for knowing where news was about to break. At age 12, he determined that place was Seals Stadium, where Joe DiMaggio’s younger brothers carried on the family’s baseball legacy, pitcher Larry Jansen won 30 games and local favorite Lefty O’Doul was not only a good pitcher and a great hitter, but the team’s manager for 17 seasons.

“I got to know all those guys. I was covering spring baseball in the Bay Area and writing for my junior high school newspaper,” he said.

REPORTING AMERICA’S STORIES

Following his love for words, Newton graduated with a degree in English from Kansas State University Fort Hays and then worked as a reporter for Rush County News in La Crosse, Kansas. He followed up with a master’s degree in communication and journalism from South Dakota State in 1961. As a budding journalist, he was working as a special news correspondence for the Santa Fe New Mexican when one of the biggest stories in American history sent shockwaves across the country.

Newton was standing next to his hard-driving boss, Tony Hillerman [best-selling author of mystery novels featuring Navajo Nation Police officers], when the Associated Press filed an infa-

mous news bulletin on Nov. 22, 1963: “President Kennedy was shot today just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas.”

“‘Do you realize who that makes the next president?’ Tony said to me, noting the tension between President Kennedy and then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.”

The next year, Newton was covering President Johnson when the U.S. and Mexico resolved a historic border dispute. The Rio Grande River had long marked the border between the two nations; however, it jumped its banks during a massive flood 100 years earlier, which caused it to take a different course further south. As a result, Texas acquired a square mile of land known as the Chamizal. On Sept. 25, 1964, Presidents Johnson and Adolfo López Mateos of Mexico met there, shook hands and ceremoniously signed the Chamizal Convention Act, which identified the land as belonging to Mexico. The two nations then shared the cost of forcing the river back to its original channel.

“That was a heck of a big deal,” said Newton, who was at the site, covering the story for the Santa Fe New Mexican, the oldest newspaper

Continued on page 35

Ray and Patty Newton have been married for 66 years. He admires her sense of humanity; she appreciates his concern for others. Courtesy photo

Ray Newton

YRMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield Continue to Discuss Insurance Coverage

By Stan Bindell and Ray Newton, QCBN

Dignity Health Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), have agreed to restart negotiations regarding a dispute between the hospital and the healthcare insurer about reimbursement for certain medical care and surgical treatments.

The issue has left some patients in Yavapai County confused about what this means for their coverage. Emergency services will continue to be covered, but some of the medical services may be considered out of network and would cost patients more money. In some cases, the patients may not be able to afford the extra costs.

Another option is traveling to another Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, but some patients don’t have the capacity to do that.

The two sides have been negotiating since September regarding the amount of increases the hospital wants the insurance group to pay. This impacts the two hospital campuses in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

Dignity Health Regional Medical Center is the only full-care hospital in Western Yavapai County.

Patients who have medical appointments can contact BCBSAZ to find out about their coverage.

BCBSAZ Public Relations Specialist Amanda Siedler said that while the insurance provider continues to help members get the care they need, affordability remains a focus as they work to find a middle ground with Dignity Health Regional Medical Center.

“Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, all members in Yavapai County can go to any emergency services because they are always covered regardless of the facility’s network status. Primary care providers at Yavapai Regional Medical Center community clinics remain in network. The YRMC Medical Group Clinic providers have separate agreements and are still in-network,” she said in an issued statement.

Siedler said if a member is facing a life-altering condition or diagnosis, the Clinical Rapid Response Team is ready to help.

“We can move fast to get the mem-

ber the testing, treatment and care they need,” she said. Clients can email RapidResponse@ azblue.com.‍ BCBSAZ also will help find new in-network providers in the area for future appointments. Members can email MemberHelp@ azblue.com.

Sara Patterson, manager of external communications for Dignity Health YRMC, said in an issued statement that for nearly a month, Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has been eager to have BCBSAZ return to the negotiating table and reach a fair agreement on behalf of its members.

“We are pleased that BCBSAZ has agreed to re-engage in negotiation discussions, as both organizations have a responsibility to address this matter professionally, fairly and with a sense of urgency in the best interests of those who are directly impacted,” she stated. “Every patient and the quality of their health care matters. And, every patient should have access to health care that is close to home while also having financial protection from their health insurance plan.”

Patterson said it is their hope to work together toward an equitable contract that will put patients first and allow them to continue providing their full range of healthcare services. “We apologize for the inconve-

nience this situation has created and sincerely appreciate the community’s patience as we continue to work through this negotiation.” QCBN

While discussions continue about coverage and costs, BCBSAZ officials say all Yavapai County members are covered for emergency services in YRMC community clinics. Photo by Stan Bindell

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Love Means Being More Than a Car Dealership®. Delayed Justice Center and Jail Near Completion

By Stan Bindell and Ray Newton, QCBN

The construction on the Yavapai County Justice Center and Jail should be completed this month and the sheriff should be given the key by early summer, according to county officials.

“We’re getting really close,” said David McAtee, public information officer for the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.

The project, which has been underway since late 2020, is located along Prescott Lake Parkway. After construction is completed, McAtee said they have to go through the punch list to make sure everything is ready. He said the punch list can take a long time because it involves many details.

Polara Health will be housed at the detention center to address inmates’ behavioral health needs. “They will get the attention right there that they need,” said McAtee, noting that the emphasis is to keep people out of jail.

The Yavapai Justice Center and Jail will have two courtrooms, so those arrested can be processed right there. There will be space for two judges and courtroom staff, along with a big kitchen. The jail will have 125 beds for shortterm holding. The cafeteria will be able to feed nearly 400 people, with inmates charged $2.99 per meal.

The project is running about six months behind and $1 million over budget because of the construction delays during the pandemic and inflation. It was funded through a $60 million bond and $12 million from the county’s general fund.

Hensel Phelps, with its corporate office in Colorado, is the main contractor, while Kitchell Corp. from Phoenix is coordinating the work on the ground. “They are doing an amazing job considering that prices doubled during the pandemic,” said McAtee.

Kristin Greene, director of public affairs for Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department, said there are three main buildings in the complex. ƒ The jail, where inmates are either released or held before being sent to prison.

ƒ A new courthouse, which replaces the one on Gurley St. ƒ A connection center, also known as a reentry center, where community resources will be housed. Concerns such as housing, substance abuse and mental health will be addressed there.

The overall size is 105,524 square feet, with the 73,289-square-foot detention center, the 24,466-square-foot court and the 7,769-squarefoot connection center.

Inmates will also be screened for mental health and other issues before they are booked. “Recidivism rates have a lot to do with mental health,” Greene said. “We’re going to look at ways to keep people from coming back to jail,” she said.

Greene said the only jail intake and booking in Prescott now is very small and the old jail is dilapidated. She said the new jail will save time and gas costs by not having to transfer inmates to elsewhere in the area. The new facilities also will move the courthouse out of the busy downtown.

“This will be a lot more efficient from top to bottom,” she said. “I’m extremely excited about the connection center being right there. This is the culmination of a long belief by Sheriff David Rhodes.

Upon completion, Greene said, the public will have an opportunity to tour the new facilities. QCBN

Officials say the Yavapai County Justice Center and Jail on Prescott Lake Parkway will save on time and money, with services on site aimed at reducing the number of people returning to jail. Photo by Patty Newton

Polara Health will be housed at the detention center to address inmates’ behavioral health needs. “They will get the attention right there that they need,” said McAtee, noting that the emphasis is to keep people out of jail.

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Helping Writers Publish Books

Lizzy McNett and Writers Publishing House offer services, workshops, expertise

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Lizzy McNett knows what it takes to write and publish a book. She has more than a dozen books to her name and has founded Writers Publishing House in Prescott to offer a clearer path to getting books edited, published, distributed and promoted.

Writers Publishing House accepts manuscripts across all genres, without an agent, from anywhere in the world. “We offer a unique partnership with authors that gives them the same clout as major authors with printed books sold at major retailers,” she said. “Everyone should profit from their passion.”

McNett’s books can be found on Goodreads, Amazon and other websites where books are offered. The titles include, “Heart Broken With Love,” “Get Hired,” “Power of Thought: Materialize Your Dreams” and “Broncobusters.”

Writers Publishing House provides services for all avenues of book publishing, including branding, website content, social media marketing, graphic design and how-to-write blogs. McNett can also help clients set up webpages. She offers clients a free 30-minute consultation.

“We are a small business who puts our clients ahead of profit,” she said.

In the last year, Writers Publishing

House published about 25 books covering a wide range of topics, from senior dating to spy novels to dog stories.

Some of the books published by Writers Publishing House are “The Serpents Tail,” by Deborah Daulton Thibodeau; “When Spirits Speak,” by Jeri Tori Conklin; “Winter Love,” by Linda Hayes; “To Sam With Love,” by Vicki Paris Goodman, and “Shayla and Friends,” by Chelly Wathen, which is about a dog she adopted from Ukraine.

“I started Writers Publishing House because I love to write and help people make their dreams come true,” she said.

McNett founded Writers Publishing House in 2007, starting as a ghostwriter. She expanded into a publishing company and continues to offer ghostwriting services. She says the business flourished during the pandemic because more people stayed home, found time to write and wanted to be published. She continues to be motivated to help budding authors.

“Self-publishing your book can be intimidating, but you don’t have to make the journey all by yourself. At Writers Publishing House, you always have a team ready to help you throughout all the stages of the process.”

McNett founded Writers Publishing House in 2007, starting as a ghostwriter. She expanded into a publishing company and continues to offer ghostwriting services. She says the business flourished during the pandemic because more people stayed home, found time to write and wanted to be published. She continues to be motivated to help budding authors.

McNett says the hard work and trust has paid off for many authors. “Writers Publishing House has helped many authors who have achieved great accolades in and out of publishing and literature, including those who were picked up by traditional publishers.”

As an author and publisher, McNett loves the feeling of seeing books published. She considers Lightning Leonard More her mentor. More is not in the publishing business, but was her horse riding instructor when she was a teenager. He taught her the importance of perfection, regardless

of what you’re doing.

“Today is your day. What do you have to lose? After all, your past is just a snapshot of the former days –the latter is yet to come. The future is a blank canvas, so go ahead and create the life you desire,” she said.

Her clients give her great reviews. Here are some examples:

“Lizzy is a good judge of individuals and helps new authors every step of the way despite any pre-conceived ideas they have. Everyone would be fortunate to have her act on their behalf,” said Martin Buckmarsh.

“I am working on a children’s book

with a friend and she immediately offered her business services that could help create the book,” said Therese Stonehart.

“[Writers Publishing House is a] super excellent company to work with. [I] can’t say enough good things about Lizzy,” said David Truby.

McNett also offers workshops on publishing, how to use social media and other topics about publishing at least once a month. For those dates, times and locations, visit https:// writerspublishinghouse.com or call 928-487-5551. QCBN

Writers Publishing House founder Lizzy McNett accepts manuscripts across all genres, without an agent, from anywhere in the world. Courtesy photo

Leveraging core research facilities

Accelerating innovation

What if you could access the labs, equipment and expertise of a tier-one research university? Startups like Atomera, a company making faster and more efficient semiconductors, use ASU Core Research Facilities to research and test new products. Arizona State University opens its doors to startups and large companies alike because their innovations directly translate into a new economy — more high-wage, high-tech jobs that benefit our entire state and position Arizona as a global leader.

“ This relationship with ASU is ... empowering innovation in semiconductors and enabling Atomera to continue to do some of the world’s most advanced research within the U.S.”

–Scott Bibaud, president and CEO of Atomera

Cancer Support Community Arizona Offering Free Services Statewide

By Cindy May, QCBN

When Cancer Support Com-

munity Arizona opened its doors in 1999, it was with the goal that no one impacted by cancer –from the newly diagnosed to long-term survivors to caregivers and loved ones –would have to face the disease alone.

The always-free services, which include educational workshops, support groups, resources and referrals, social and healthy lifestyle programs, would help ease the cancer journey by empowering participants, increasing their feelings of hope and connection and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Because Cancer Support Community was based in Phoenix, however, the vast majority of people accessing the non-profit’s programs were in Maricopa County. That’s changed dramatically over the past three years. Part of it was because of the pandemic, which prompted Cancer Support Community Arizona to pivot to streaming all of its programs online.

“There was still a community; it was now meeting on Zoom,” said Cancer Support Community Arizona CEO

Debbie DiCarlo. “In fact, we found that attendance grew quite a lot during the pandemic because people throughout the state could now easily take part.”

The online option was so popular that even after Cancer Support Community started hosting in-person events again last year, most programs continue to be offered on Zoom as well.

“I participate virtually so I don’t have to drive a long distance,” said participant Sandy Basse. “My sister, who is one of my caregivers, lives in Washington state and we can participate together virtually. It is such a blessing to have this resource available to us.”

Another part of the non-profit’s expansion to other parts of the state was the opening in October 2021 of Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. In addition to the types of programs offered in Phoenix, the Northern Arizona campus also features a wig salon, the state’s only source of free wigs for cancer patients north of Phoenix.

“The wig salon is for anyone impacted by cancer, they don’t have to be from Flagstaff, they can come in from anywhere to get a free wig,” said Executive Director Cindy Payne. Although

the wig salon’s scheduled hours are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Payne said that out-of-towners visiting Flagstaff on other days can schedule an appointment to be fit for a wig any time the office is open.

In the 18 months that Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona has been open, it has reached out beyond the greater Flagstaff area. In-person support groups for patients and caregivers meet in Cottonwood

and Sedona, while a Native American support group meets in Tuba City and on Zoom and men across Northern Arizona gather together weekly on Zoom for a Men’s Only support group.

Continued on page 36

The Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona wig salon is the only source of free wigs for cancer patients north of Phoenix. Courtesy photo

The Best In

BONNIE STEVENS

Feel the Fear, Do It Anyway, Ignore the Lily Pads

Can you remember back to a time when you could twirl, leap and sing with abandon? Not only that, if someone were watching, you might have loved it even more! Sadly, that wild, uninhibited freedom of feeling completely alive, joyful and spontaneous seems to get trained out of most of us, probably when we start integrating with more people and feeling their judgement and their disapproval. And now as adults, many of us have developed a thing called: Fear. We fear being criticized. We fear being rejected. We fear being not enough. The problem is fear can keep us from sharing our gifts and being fully who we were born to be. You likely have heard this quote from American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., “Many people die with their music still in them.”

Recently, I heard this gem: “The graveyard is the richest place on the surface of the earth because there you will see the books that were not published, ideas that were not harnessed, songs that were not sung, and drama pieces that were never acted,” a quote attributed to Bahamian evangelist Myles Monroe.

I believe most people lose or shut down a piece of themselves before they enter kindergarten. For me, it happened at about age 4, as a dancing, singing Pussy Willow. On stage for the first time, wearing makeup, a pale pink tutu with something on my head and maybe even a tail, I could not have been more excited to dance and sing for all the world. However, upon entering the stage for the big night, I was directed to the very back of the pussy willow brigade and suddenly, something new was introduced to the performance: Lily Pads.

Rows of big green swaying lily pads infiltrated the land of little delicate dancing pussy willows. An especially large lily pad named Bobby, with all sorts of green things extending from his costume, was positioned directly in front of me. Bobby completely blocked me from the audience through the whole performance! I couldn’t see my family out there and I figured they couldn’t see me. I started making up my own dance, adding a few more steps to the right and then a few more steps to the left to try to create a window to the audience, always wondering why I was dancing in the shadow of big, floppy Bobby.

Later, upon reflection, I started to consider that I might have been purposely placed in the back where I couldn’t be seen because maybe my dancing wasn’t good enough, maybe my singing wasn’t good enough, maybe I wasn’t pretty enough. The message I carried with me was, “I must not be enough,” and perhaps this was my place, in the darkness of the back row.

We all have our own cumbersome big green lily pads that get in our way and make us question our abilities, our self-worth and our value to the world. Right now, I want to hug that little pussy willow and any others who fear that they are “not enough.” I want to encourage them to keep shining their

brightest, even in the shadows.

Master Speaker Trainer Arvee Robinson coaches that fear right out of her clients. Here are three of her tips for dealing with fear:

IDENTIFY YOUR PURPOSE

What is your purpose? What are you here for?

What do you bring that is meaningful and valuable to others? By focusing on your gift, you can nurture that sense of responsibility to act, to do that thing that scares you. It’s OK to be afraid. Go ahead, acknowledge the fear, honor that fear that may have kept you out of trouble in the past. Feel the fear and move forward anyway, right on out of your comfort zone and into that magical place called Growth.

UNDERSTAND THE REWARD IS BIGGER THAN THE FEAR

When we have a mission that we truly believe must be carried out to help others, a message the world has to hear or an outcome that is bigger than ourselves, we can focus on that and look past our fear.

For example, Robinson shares her long-held fear of putting her head under water. She overcame that fear when she learned that seeing the colorful, extraordinary and graceful life under the sea was a reward that far outweighed her fear. “Snorkeling became more beautiful than the fear, the resistance,” she said. “The fear of putting my head under water no longer served me.”

STEP INTO A HIGHER VERSION OF YOURSELF

“Uplevel your commitment to yourself. Make that commitment once a day, once a month, once a year, whatever it takes,” said Robinson. “Plant your flag of who you are. You may get off balance, but nothing can take you off course. Over time, your commitment to your mission and to yourself will grow.”

The world, even the watery world, will open up and no obstacle like a big green lily pad can get in the way of your unique dance, song, presentation, book or message that the world needs and wants from you. QCBN

Thinking about a career change?

Media Insider Teaches How to Be Your Best in an Interview

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

With all the technology and audience reach available to us literally at our fingertips, we all have the opportunity to truly star in our own lives, be visible on any number of social media platforms, create our own podcasts and even shine through Zoom calls. Leadership experts tells us this kind of exposure could increase our marketability, boost sales, promote ideas and magnify our influence. The problem is, most of us haven’t taken the time to learn how to be polished on camera, how to use a microphone effectively and how to be our best, most interesting, capable and enthusiastic spokesperson for ourselves. Media trainer, publicist, industry insider and former broadcaster Joanne McCall coaches high profile authors, professors, business leaders and speakers, and now readers, through her new book, “Media Darling: Shine Through Every Interview.”

She defines a Media Darling as someone who makes interviews seem effortless, creates great content for their own media channels, and delivers a great interview while also making the interviewee look good, among other key characteristics.

With practice and coaching, she believes we can all improve our Media Darling potential. “The first key element of the Media Darling would be: Attitude. Attitude really is everything,” she says. “It’s how you approach an interview; it’s how you approach a producer or whoever you might be working with and it’s also the attitude you take when surprises happen and things go wrong. Everyone wants to work with people who are easy to work with. And when you have a great attitude, handle difficulties with grace and with ease, it’s just going to go better. People will like you more, you’ll like them more.”

Some of what a Media Darling is not, she says, includes: acting like a prima donna, being late to interviews or caving under pressure. However, to master the ability to shine through an interview, presentation and the process, McCall says no one is born with these skills.

“If you are watching an interview and you see someone who makes it look really easy, you can bet they’ve been trained or they have a lot of experience – and often, it’s both. It’s similar to watching a fantastic dancer up on stage and thinking, ‘I could do that,’ because they make it look easy. And then you try, and it would not

be so good. It takes some practice. All too often, I see people go out and say, ‘Oh yeah, I can do an interview,’ and they just wing it. And, it’s this disaster.”

In her book, she talks about knowing and practicing key messages and how to create “hooks and sound bites” that grab attention. “It’s a busy, noisy world out there. How are you going to break through all that noise? How are you going to stand out? How will you be unique? You must be able to answer that as well as the

question on every media person’s mind: ‘Why you? Why now?’”

For challenging questions, nervousness and training out distracting quirks and habits, McCall recommends practicing mock interviews alone or with others.

She offers tips for podcasters and other program hosts as well. One,

#1 Feels Eight Times as Nice

she says, “Get to the point of the interview right away, don’t waste the audience’s time.” Another is, “Don’t compete with your guests. Sometimes there’s competition as to who has the best answers. When you’re going to have guests on, you really want to shine the spotlight on them.”

Joanne McCall is a publicist, media insider, trainer and coach who helps influencers, authors and business leaders become “Media Darlings.”Courtesy photo

Stars Come Out for Sedona International Film Festival

Jacqueline Bisset honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

For nine days, Sedona rolled out the red carpet for filmmakers, actors, producers and writers in the 29th Annual Sedona International Film Festival, Feb. 18-26. During the event each year, the Red Rock Country becomes a mini Hollywood of sorts. So, it’s no surprise that residents and visitors found it commonplace last month to share a moment with “One Day at a Time” actor and local Glenn Scarpelli, wait for a ride next to “Taxi” star Judd Hirsch, catch Tim Daly on the fly [Wings], or get deep with Jacqueline Bisset [The Deep].

Bisset attended the screening of her newest film “Loren & Rose,” directed, produced and written by Russell Brown, and received the festival’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, along with a standing ovation.

“Loren & Rose” is a three-act film framed around meals and conversation in a quaint Topanga Canyon restaurant in the Santa Monica Mountains as a friendship buds and blossoms between a fledgling

director, Loren, and a famous actress, Rose, whom he courts for a role in his film. The challenge, said Brown, was keeping the dialogue-heavy scenes visually engaging. He used the reflection and angle of mirrors in the restaurant and on the furniture to bring life and interest to the film.

On a similar note, Bisset said, “I was really worried about the amount of words I had to say. Rose was complex and extremely literate.”

Another Bisset film, “The Sleepy Time Gal,” directed by Christopher Munch and released in 2001, was also shown during the festival. “When a role is right, it is like seeing a painting and committing to it,” said Bisset, noting it was her favorite personal film.

“Films come alive in the hands of gifted actors,” said Munch, who attended Bisset’s films at the event and has known her since the 1990s. “It’s a joy to watch her confidence increase through the years, reinforced by some of the attention she’s received. There’s something about growth that comes with age that has strengthened her confidence as an actor.”

Bisset reminisced about some of the celebrities she had worked with.

“Dean Martin was the jokester of the world, always carrying his apple juice and playing that he was drunk. Burt

Lancaster was so friendly to everybody. Vanessa Redgrave has such a strong presence.”

When asked what advice she would have given her younger self,

she responded, “I would have done more exercises to be mentally and physically stronger. Filmmaking takes lots and lots of energy!”

More than 150 films were screened

during the festival. Actress Karen Allen of “Indiana Jones” fame had two films showing: “White Irish Drinkers” and “A Stage of Twilight.”  Actor Judd Hirsch and Actress

Continued on page 39

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O 928-278-3899

E Remy@YourOasisAdvisor.com

W OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/ northern-az

Jacqueline Bisset plays a legendary actress in the new film “Loren & Rose,” whose friendship with a fledgling director evolves through their love of art, grief and personal transformations. Courtesy photo

Elite Roofing Supply Supporting Local Contractors, Communities

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Elite Roofing Supply, the fastest growing independent distributor in the United States, is ready to serve Chino Valley’s residential and commercial roofing contractors.

With 28 branches nationwide, the company celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch last month.

Stewart Family Receives Hometown Halo Award

The Senior Referral Network is hosting events aimed at helping people prepare for and thrive in retirement. More than 225 people attended The Center in Prescott in March, where they could gather information related to senior care. Network representatives and family members honored the late Debbie Stewart with the Hometown Halo Award. “Debbie was a huge light in the senior services community and helped so many by creating the Senior Connection,” said Cecelia Jernegan, who emceed the event, noting that the award recog-

nizes someone in the greater Prescott area who demonstrates extraordinary service and contributions to the senior service industry. Stewart’s husband, Don, and granddaughter, Samantha, accepted the award. Pictured here are Candace Lea, Don Stewart, Kelly Paradis, Samantha Stewart, Heather Seets and Jernegan. The next Senior Referral Network event is scheduled for 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, at the Espire Sports Complex at Prescott Gateway Mall.

“We opened our fourth Arizona branch in Chino Valley because it’s becoming a boomtown,” said Managing Partner Charles Demeter. “We are conveniently located off SR-89 and are excited to serve roofing contractors from Dewey, Prescott Valley, Prescott up through Chino and into Verde Valley, Sedona and Flagstaff.”

Demeter has been in the roofing supply industry for more than 10 years. He notes that the recent storms in the area have caused a greater need for re-roofing work and thus an increased need for a local, independently owned roofing supplier.

In addition, he said the need for roofing supplies remains constant as communities continue to expand. “I feel fortunate to contribute to this growth and to work alongside the best people in the roofing industry,” he said.

The Chino Valley Elite Roofing Supply site sits on 5,000 square feet under the warehouse roof, with an additional two acres outside. Currently, the branch employs 11 team members, including Class A CDL drivers, roof top loaders, an operations manager, yard personnel and inside sales reps. While Elite Roofing Supply works mostly with roofing contractors, anyone can purchase directly

from them. Demeter notes that like most industries, the roofing industry experienced supply chain delays during the pandemic. “Our industry had struggles, as the market was volatile. However, we have pushed through to the other side.”

Demeter adds that the local roofing supply company is excited to be involved with the community. “So far, we have partnered with the schools here in town and donated a free roof to the Paulden Food Bank.” QCBN

For more information, call Elite Roofing Supply in Chino Valley at 928-420-8941.

Elite Roofing Managing Partner Charles Demeter says the new branch will help answer the need for roofing supplies.

Photo by Stan Bindell

Developing, Acknowledging, Celebrating Women Leaders

Save the date for Prescott-Atrea ATHENA Awards

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

The 4th Annual Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards, sponsored by Quad Cities Business News, is expanding and increasing its impact with three award categories at this year’s High Tea celebration, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall. “Our goal is to showcase excellence demonstrated by women leaders in the Quad Cities and to inspire all to achieve their potential,” said QCBN Publisher Amy Bix.

The ATHENA Awards is an international program that honors outstanding leaders who shine in their professions, serve their communities and mentor women. For the first time in Northern Arizona, the 2023 Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards will recognize businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

In addition, QCBN will recognize an individual with the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award and

also will present the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.

10,000 baby boomers are retiring each day and that 83% of businesses report the need to develop leaders at all levels, ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa says there has never been a better opportunity for

achieve greater success when they have a balance in leadership voices –people with different perspectives and different experiences.”

Founder Martha Mertz started

the international ATHENA Awards program in 1982, thinking it would take 10 years to change attitudes about women as leaders. “We ordered 10 custom-made ATHENA sculptures and believed that the culture would change with the acknowledgement of all the incredible accomplishments women leaders have achieved individ-

ually and together. We thought ours was a short-term aspiration, that once enough women had achieved success, all qualified women would be eligible for leadership consideration. We didn’t know how many barriers we’d encounter before any kind of power would be shared. We’ve learned a lot along the

LEFT: In 1982, ATHENA founder Martha Mayhood Mertz set out to change the global culture of leadership. RIGHT: ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa says the program’s guiding principles changed her life.

BY V. RONNIE TIERNEY, QCBN

New Camp Verde Economic Development Director is Committed to the Region

Molly Spangler weaves historic charm with modern benefits

Molly Spangler beams with excitement about embracing and enhancing the Town of Camp Verde as the new economic development director.

“We have a competitive advantage here in Camp Verde,” said Spangler, who served as economic development director in Sedona for six and a half years. “Camp Verde is one of the last communities that has agricultural rural character and a very cool historic downtown. There’s a lot of opportunity here and a great plan in place, alongside a coordinated effort and direction from the council, to move forward.”

Maintaining the persona of the Town of Camp Verde is one of Spangler’s top priorities. “Change is inevitable, like death and taxes, but I think our job is to make sure we’re balancing those community needs

and values. We want Camp Verde to stay the way it is, but we also want the good stuff, like jobs. My role is not to copy what Sedona or Cottonwood or any other municipality is doing but to leverage what we want and define what our niche is.”

The Verde Valley encompasses Sedona, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Prescott, Cornville, Jerome and Lake Montezuma. “When you work in one municipality here in the Verde Valley, you work regionally.  It’s the only way to make changes happen, so I’ve been working with my counterpart, former Town of Camp Verde Economic Director Steve Ayers, for several years.” Ayers just recently retired.

“When it came time to start a succession plan, I knew my first choice would be Molly. She has the skill set Camp Verde will need over the coming years to move forward in a thoughtful and strategic way,” said Ayers.  I couldn’t be happier that she accepted the position, knowing she will be the person leading Camp Verde’s

economic development efforts for the foreseeable future.”

Small-town living is familiar to

Spangler, as she grew up in Bluffs, Illinois, where the population was about 800. After college, Spangler

joined the Peace Corps and spent a lot of time doing economic development

Continued on page 39

Camp Verde Economic Development Director Molly Spangler loves the historic town’s character and possibilities.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Autism Awareness Walk or Roll Event Bringing Activities, Awareness

By Deanna Eder

Autism Awareness Month is a yearly observance held during the month of April. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness and promote understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication, behavior and sensory processing.

During Autism Awareness Month, individuals, organizations and communities around the world participate in various events and activities.

Autism Awareness Month was first observed in April 1970 by the Autism Society, a U.S.-based organization that aims to improve the lives of individuals with autism. Since then, it has grown into a global initiative, with many countries around the world joining in to spread awareness and promote inclusion and acceptance of individuals with ASD.

Locally, Polara Health’s Autism Program will be hosting the 2nd Annual Walk or Roll: Move 4 Autism Community Picnic. This event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, April 14, at A.C. Granite Creek Park in

Prescott. We will have fun activities for the attendees, including lunch. Also, local autism resource providers will be in attendance with information on community support.

Polara Health’s Autism Program

Manager Heidi Ackzen oversees the services and support groups provided. Through the past couple of years, her team has begun to serve those living with autism by offering two different groups to both adults

and children. The program facilitates a communication 101 group that helps to teach the social, emotional and communication skills needed to navigate one’s environment. The second group is an anger manage-

ment group that helps to identify the different emotions that arise when upset and dysregulated. Both groups are centered on the proven, evidence-based intervention rooted in

Continued on page 32

Polara Health’s new autism sensory room at the Cortez Clinic in Prescott is named Diana’s Room in memory of Diana Dalsass, a board member who died late last year.

Autism Program Manager Heidi Ackzen and her team, including comfort dog DJ Piddles, are preparing for activities at the 2nd Annual Walk or Roll: Move 4 Autism Community Picnic, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, April 14, at A.C. Granite Creek Park. Courtesy photo

Sedona Chamber Honors Lisa Dahl for Lifetime Achievement

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

When Lisa Dahl began opening restaurants 27 years ago, she never envisioned having a family of more than 350 employees and being one of Sedona’s largest employers. “I consider it an honor and am humbled by the responsibility that affects the lives of so many in our community,” she said to more than 200 people at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce’s International Women’s Day Luncheon, Wednesday, March 8, where she received the Women’s Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award.

Dahl is the executive chef and owner of six internationally acclaimed restaurants: Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cucina Rustica, two Pisa Lisa restaurants, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill and Butterfly Burger. “You don’t get a lifetime achievement award unless a good number of people somehow know how you went through thick and thin and didn’t give up. I know I couldn’t have done much without the help of so many people and it has really affected me deeply. I don’t want any-

Water World

Northern Arizona’s winter storms, combined with snowmelt, have caused flooding, closed roads and broken records. In mid-March, Oak Creek near Sedona rose nine feet in 12 hours. Meanwhile, residents living near the swollen Verde River in Camp Verde, Cottonwood and Sedona were evacuated. In Prescott Valley, locals say they’ve rarely seen so much water rushing through Lynx Creek and overflowing Fain Lake. QCBN

one, whether they’re here or passed, to ever think they weren’t a huge part of my journey.”

In the beginning, she says, she was a minority. “There were absolutely no women in the kitchen until three months into our first year.”

That’s when she met Elena Jaimes at a catering event and asked her to work with her. “I began teaching her my recipes and we cooked together with love. To this day, she puts the love she has for me into every soup, sauce, meatball and so much more. Elena has raised eight children. I am proud to have helped her and her children become naturalized U.S. citizens.”

One of Jaimes’ daughters is named after Dahl. “I am her Godmother. She is now a sous chef at Butterfly Burger and is becoming an excellent chef in her own right. Everyone calls her ‘Little Lisa.’”

The Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award has caused Dahl to take a rare pause to absorb the recognition and reflect upon how a restaurant can be so much more than just a place to eat.

“As I stand here today on Interna-

tional Women’s Day, I am proud to see the contrast of women working in the restaurants compared to 1995, when it was only Elena and myself,” she told the group. “When women

come up to me and say, ‘thank you for being a role model as a woman entrepreneur,’ or tell me they researched my restaurants and say they want to support woman-owned

businesses or introduce me to their daughters, I can’t begin to tell you how much that means.” QCBN

Chef Lisa Dahl reflected on her nearly three decades as a restaurateur last month when she received the Women’s Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. “I’m still on cloud nine from this recognition,” she said. Gathered around Dahl (in white holding the award) are Sedona Chamber Board Chair Jennifer Perry, Chamber President and CEO Michelle Conway and Women’s International Day Board of Directors member Shondra Jepperson. Courtesy photo

Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography and Kay Lyons

Testing Babies’ Hearing

By Karon Lynn

In our world of sound and how it contributes to communication, it is important to have every child’s hearing tested at birth and then screened though elementary school age. We learn to communicate during the early years and if there is even the slightest interruption in the auditory signal going to the brain, the outcome can be significant. Research has shown that hearing loss occurs in 1.7 per 1,000 babies.

Our primary means of learning speech and language is passively. This

means as babies/children are exposed to language, they “eavesdrop” and naturally absorb how to pronounce words and the sentence structure of the language they hear.

How do we test the hearing of a baby? They are not able to tell us when they hear a sound. We can watch their behavior after we present a sound, but the reliability is not good. What we do is a screening test called an OAE (otoacoustic emissions) to determine how the hair cells inside the hearing organ react to sound. A small probe or sound-producing device is placed in the tiny ear

canal. This probe creates a clicking sound that varies in loudness and pitch or frequency. This way, we can understand what the hearing organ does with soft sound at different frequencies. Testing as many frequencies as possible is important to determine if the entire hearing organ is working well. Most hospitals offer this test prior to the baby going home. If a baby is born at home, a hearing test can be scheduled at an outpatient office. If a baby does not pass the test in both ears, a referral is made to an outpatient testing facility. It is important to have the follow-up test completed as quickly as possible. Once babies are three months old or so, they recognize strangers and will not sleep during the test. They want to know what is going on! So, we strongly encourage parents to have the follow-up test within a few weeks of leaving the hospital. One trick for helping the test to be as successful as possible is to play with your infant’s ears while feeding or other cuddle time. This way, the infant associates ear touching with comfort time. This is a good habit to continue through two years of age. Babies that are accustomed to people touching their ears will not react negatively when the doctor looks in the

ear canal during a well visit. Another recommendation for the newborn is to gently massage the ears and canal opening. This helps move the natural vernix that may be trapped in the canal. The excessive vernix may be plugging up the canal, causing the hearing to be reduced. Doing these two pre-appointment actions will help ensure the best possible follow-up test.

If the follow-up OAE screening indicates a hearing loss, the next step is to have a diagnostic hearing test. This is called an ABR (auditory brainstem response.) This test traces how sound goes into the brain and where any interruption might be. An audiologist does this test. Again, the younger the baby, the better. Babies need to sleep and be perfectly still during these procedures, so it is important to take advantage of how much a very young baby sleeps. There is absolutely zero pain in both tests and the sound is pleasant, so usually babies will sleep in the caregivers’ arms right through these tests. The audiologist will place a few electrodes on the head with tape and put soft ear tips in the canal opening. The ABR is the gold standard for diagnostic hearing evaluations. This test

will be able to differentiate between a hearing loss caused from something blocking the ear canal, a sound restriction from middle ear fluid or other middle ear issues as well as a permeant nerve hearing loss in the inner ear.

The earlier we know about hearing loss, the better the outcome for speech and language learning. Time is critical when it comes to stimulating the area of the brain that receives the speech signal. We want to put hearing aids on children as soon as we identify a hearing loss. As an audiologist with more than 25 years of experience diagnosing and working with newborns through teenagers, I can attest to the success of the students who sought hearing aids as infants. QCBN

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. She may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@ trinityhearing.net.

It is important to have the follow-up test completed as quickly as possible. Once babies are three months old or so, they recognize strangers and will not sleep during the test. They want to know what is going on! So, we strongly encourage parents to have the follow-up test within a few weeks of leaving the hospital.

Prescott Food Forest Gala Marks a Major Victory for Gardening Education Programs

By John Murphy

On Tuesday Feb. 21, at The Club at Prescott Lakes, we hosted a Victory Garden Gala to raise awareness and funds to support the Gardeners Of Destiny (GOD) gardening education training program at B Organic Farm, Chino Valley.

The evening was a total success. More than 125 people from all sectors of our community came to support our mission to empower people to grow food for health and self-sustainability.

I am grateful for the support from our sponsors, donors, friends and neighbors. I want to thank Ed Walsh and Bob Knudson from Lamb Cadillac for their generous primary sponsorship and also Grayden Guilford and Pinnacle Bank for their gold sponsorship. Your donations allowed us to accelerate our plans and efforts!

A special note of appreciation to Ken Lain and Watters Garden Center for their sponsorship and donation of a fruit tree orchard as part of our live auction. Ken was also the keynote speaker, sharing his first-hand experience seeing the shift toward edible growing and backyard gardening to fight inflation and to ensure healthy

food consumption. His expertise and insights were enjoyed by all.

I was honored that Prescott City Councilman Steve Sischka attended as a sponsor with Olsen’s for Healthy Pets, as well as Dan Olsen, who offered a beautiful blessing before dinner. I am proud that my wife, Lisa, was a sponsor with Silver Sands Recovery. Special thanks to Quad Cities Business News, Toby Ebarb with Legacy Roofing, Mark Womack with Womack Construction and Brian Wirick of Sterling North Homes for their sponsorships. Vickie Johnston from H20 Health not only sponsored the event, but contributed a whole house water filtration system for our live auction. I have gratitude for the Barley Hound and the Vivili Group for donating a private culinary experience for eight at the Barley Hound, with a personalized chef’s dinner.

I want to thank many local individuals and businesses for donating items, experiences and art for our silent auction and raffle items. We truly live in a giving and supportive community. All told, we raised close to $30,000 and netted close to $20,000. This provides the needed resources to grow and expand our efforts.

The evening started with a soulful

musical performance by the very talented Kenny James. The food, prepared by Chef Matt at The Club at Prescott Lakes, was delicious. They also donated a private chef’s dinner for six and a round of golf.

I was proud to present the 2nd Annual “Arline’s Angel Award” (in memory of my mom), which is presented to someone who reflects the giving nature my mom had. We awarded Stephane Leon, a local schoolteacher and the designer of our logos, website and the evening’s program guide, as this year’s recipient. Most importantly, she is the director of the Gardeners Of Destiny training program, which just completed the eight-week winter greenhouse growing course and was well received.

In that regard, we are offering a Summer Growing course starting Sat., April 29 for eight weeks. If you would like to participate, we have a few spots left. For more information, please visit prescottfoodforest.com. To apply for a full scholarship, you need to commit to a minimum of 10 hours of volunteering at B Organic Farm. Everyone seems to love this win/win deal.

Finally, I am thankful for our team of volunteers that worked tirelessly to help plan and execute the outcome we

achieved. Specifically, I want to thank Ann Herrington, Susan Rubio, Rhonda Clark, Debra Ott, LeRoy Miller, Wendy Lancy, and Betty and Bob Knudson for their time, effort and heart to make this event a Big Victory to continue our education and growing food programs. There has never been a more important time than now to learn or expand your ability to grow food. You are welcome to join us as a volunteer, student or donor for our scholarship

drive. Together, we are making a difference and positively impacting our community by teaching gardening skills and building new friendships with like-minded people. Yes, this is a place for people to grow together, so let’s get growing! QCBN

John Murphy is a realtor and founder of Make 100 Healthy. He can be reached at 928-899-1341.

John Murphy, Lisa and Ken Lain celebrated the success of the evening’s gala that raised funds for the Prescott Food Forest. Courtesy photo

Corporate Philanthropy: Why Giving Back is Important

By Lisa Sahady

Living outside of metropolitan areas has many great benefits: less traffic, better air quality, and more opportunities to get to know our community members, including local business owners. This sense of community camaraderie leads to exciting opportunities to give back and support one another in unique ways.

Corporate philanthropy can take

many forms and has several benefits for both businesses and the community at large. It is not limited to large, nationwide businesses and it is not just about giving monetary support. As many of us who live in the Quad Cities area know, our local businesses give back every day, in ways both large and small.

Sometimes your business can give back by donating products or gift cards for raffles or event giveaways. Maybe your business can offer

money toward a program or event sponsorship. You might incentivize giving back by creating an employee giving program, enabling your staff to choose which non-profit organizations their contributions will benefit, even offering matching grants to make their dollars go further or volunteer opportunities to bring your workforce together. You might provide scholarship opportunities for local students to invest in our workforce or support your employees

There are some obvious benefits for local businesses that participate in corporate philanthropy. It augments brand awareness efforts and shows that you are aligned with a cause. In the case of raffles and sponsorships, your company name and/or product can be seen by more people, reinforcing your brand and presence within the Quad Cities.

and their families. These are just a few ways businesses of any size can contribute to our community.

There are some obvious benefits for local businesses that participate in corporate philanthropy. It augments brand awareness efforts and shows that you are aligned with a cause. In the case of raffles and sponsorships, your company name and/or product can be seen by more people, reinforcing your brand and presence within the Quad Cities.

The internal benefits for your business may be less obvious but are no less important. In the case of an employee giving program, your employees will have the chance to support organizations that are meaningful to them or band together to create greater impact. This in turn increases morale which can lead to greater company loyalty and employee longevity. You may be able to provide the opportunity for your employees to lead a scholarship selection committee to help a local student achieve their dreams.

Each opportunity provides a unique way for local

businesses to engage with both your workforce and the community in a way that makes life better for all of us, enhancing your overall reputation. And having a strong reputation is incredibly important when living and working in smaller communities, because we are so deeply connected to one another.

Corporate philanthropy isn’t just good for your business’s bottom line, it also strengthens the non-profit organizations that serve our communities and provides new opportunities for students of all ages who choose to live and work here. QCBN

Lisa Sahady is the regional director for the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County. Since 2016, she has helped increase ACF of Yavapai County’s asset base by building relationships with professional advisors, individual donors and non-profit organizations. She received her Certified Gift Planning Professional designation through Crescendo’s Gift College for complex estate planning. She can be reached at lsahady@azfoundation.org.

You are invited...

Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Breakfast

Tuesday, April 18 - 7 a.m. Breakfast served, 7:30 program.

“Life is Good - in Prescott Valley!”

Presenters:

Hdidi Dahms-Foster and Francisco Miramontes, Town of Prescott Valley

Dr. Diane Ryan, Yavapai College Baccalaureate program

Damon Olsen and Dr. Wayne Bennett, PV YMCA

Other speakers to be announced.

Sponsored by Eric Strobel, State Farm Agency

Breakfast by the Backburner Restaurant

Venue is The Event Spot

$25 general admission and $22 for chamber members. Reservations can be made online at pvchamber.org by April 12

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

QC pet news

Shelters Seeing Uptick in Pet Adoptions

Tour for Life and springtime mean more homes for homeless dogs and cats

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Spring is a great time for new beginnings, and for thousands of homeless animals across the country, it may be just the right time to find loving, responsible forever families. That’s because the national 2023 Tour for Life event runs through April in collaboration with shelters and rescue partners in 66 cities and towns across 39 states.

For example, four dogs are settling into a happy home life with families who have just adopted them. Lotus, a Basenji fox terrier mix; Poncho, a Bernese Mountain dog; Brody, a shepherd mix; and Milo, a whippet, had all just spent about nine long months in their kennels at the Coconino Humane Association (CHA) on East Butler Avenue in Flagstaff.

Three lucky cats, Victoria, 4; Moose, 3; and Tink, 4, were also among the 19 cats and 11 dogs who found nice homes during the Tour for Life event at CHA March 13 through March 19.

Starting in mid-March, annual Tour for Life events run for eight weeks and bring organizations that help homeless animals together to facilitate the adoption process for animals in need.

“All of our shelters are pushing for adoption in the spring to make space,” said CHA Executive Director Michelle Ryan. “Pre-COVID, we would typically run at about 30 to 40% capacity. Now we are at about 98 to 102% capacity. We are getting puppies and kittens 12 months of the year.”

The shelter has about 150 animals currently and the newly adopted pets, except the four longer-resident dogs, had come into CHA since January.

The Tour for Life adoptions represented a little more than twice as many adoptions as the previous month, she added. Those adopting during the tour receive a $50 discount.

“The fee includes spay/neuter

procedures, vaccines, including rabies, a microchip, including registration, and they are dewormed and receive preventative flea and tick medicines,” she said.

At CHA, the fees are $265 for puppies and $175 for kitties. For adult animals older than 6 months, dogs fees are $210, $135 for cats. Senior and special-needs animals are from $0 to $50.

“Adopting is a big bang for your buck. Typically, it can be $650 or more in Flagstaff if you bought a dog or found a dog, or your neighbor gave you a gift of a dog.”

Since its inception in 2001, the annual Tour for Life event has brought attention to the plight of homeless animals and has reached great success by finding homes for more than 28,000 animals.

Tour for Life was conceived by North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. According to a league press release, the organization has saved more than 1.1 million animals during its 80 years of existence.

In addition, the league operates a nationwide referral network for affordable spay and neuter services.

The tour this year is in partnership with talk show host Rachael Ray and

her Nutrish pet food brand, which offers dog and cat food and snacks inspired by recipes created in Ray’s kitchen featuring “real ingredients” suitable for a “variety of pet diets,” according to a Nutrish press release.

Some factors creating overcrowded conditions in shelters since the pandemic began include a drop in staffing and a reduction in affordable locations for spay and neuter surgeries. “It’s been a huge struggle,” Ryan said. “We used to hire mobile clinics out of Tucson. But because of post-pandemic life, they didn’t have the staffing to do it. There have been no clinics up here for a year.”

A big garage at CHA that used to store pet food is being converted into a clinic and is expected to be ready for low-cost spay and neuter surgeries by the fall. “We are also hiring a volunteer coordinator to set up more adoption events than we have right now.”

Monthly adoption events are held at the Continental Country Club and at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange. CHA will also have a presence at the Celtic Festival and Doney Park Community Market this month through the summer. Cats and dogs are at Petco twice a month.

Staff at CHA will also take adoptable dogs and puppies (who tolerate heat

better than cats and kittens) to Sedona in October during the Wild Cat Carnival at West Sedona Elementary School.

In the Prescott area, the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) on Sundog Ranch Road also has been highlighting spring pet adoption with its “Hello Spring, Opt to Adopt” motto.

“Better weather is always better for adoption meet and greets,” said Loree Walden, marketing manager at YHS. “No one wants to be out in a windy snowstorm or rainy day trying to get to know a dog. A nice, beautiful day is always best, but we are always available with our animals to do a meet and greet for anyone who would like to make an appointment to come meet these precious animals, as long as it is safe for the animal, our staff and customers.”

YHS, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, hosted a successful, three-day “Feeling Lucky” event on Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. The society had a “pick your price” special on adult dogs and cats, and 27 animals went home – 22 dogs and five cats.

Although spring brings an uptick in adoption, the pressing need to find reliable and safe homes for animals is an ongoing challenge. “It’s important year-round, every single day of the year, to find homes for our animals,”

Walden said. “In the spring, we see an increase in puppies and kittens, because it is their season and many of the older or bigger dogs get overlooked because, of course, everyone wants a puppy. Shelters nationwide are full and unfortunately will never run out of animals needing homes as more animals are surrendered or brought in as strays every day.”

YHS is scheduled to conduct a Community Pet Food Pantry Food Drive and National Adopt A Shelter Day Adoption Special from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29. “We’ll have KKLD and KRVD here broadcasting live,” Walden said. “Gringo’s Street Tacos Food Truck will be here, a photo booth to take pictures with your pup, information booths and an adoption special, which will probably be ‘pick your price’ for dogs over 6 months old and over 15 pounds and cats over 6 months old. Our hope is that by providing the Community Pet Food Pantry, pet owners know they have a place to go to provide their pets with food, and they don’t have to surrender them because they cannot afford food.”

The YHS Community Pet Food Pantry is being made possible through donations. QCBN

LEFT: In the arms of their new family members, this dog and cat left the Coconino Humane Association during the organization’s Tour for Life event. RIGHT: Twenty-seven animals found new homes on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, including this dog named Gina, through a Yavapai Humane Society adoption event. Courtesy photos

How Acupuncture Benefits Animal Companions

By Armaiti May, DVM, CVA

Originating in China, veterinary acupuncture has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. In the past few decades, it has become one of many accepted treatment modalities for both small and large animals in the West. There are 14 Meridians, or pathways of energy flow, each corresponding to a particular organ or organ system in the body, along which acupuncture points reside. When specific acupuncture points are stimulated, energy blockages, also known as Qi (“chi”) stagnation, can be alleviated, thus reducing pain and improving function and mobility.

Acupuncture has been very helpful in improving the mobility and quality of life for older dogs, cats and horses suffering from degenerative joint disease (arthritis) affecting the hips, shoulders, elbow and spine as well as intervertebral disc disease, which disproportionately affects certain small breed dogs with long backs and relatively short legs, such as corgis and dachshunds. There have been many instances in which regular acupuncture treatments have allowed these animals to return to good function without them having to

endure invasive, expensive surgeries. Acupuncture also serves as a safe and effective alternative to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, which can be contraindicated for patients who have compromised liver or kidney function.

When performed with care, such as on a soft bed in a house-call setting in the comfort of a pet’s home, with the guardian nearby to provide reassurance, acupuncture is often well-accepted and has significant therapeutic benefit. A calming point on the top of the head called GV-20 (the 20th acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel meridian) is generally the first acupuncture point inserted, which helps put the patient in a relaxed state for the remainder of the treatment. Approximately 10-15 needles may be placed in specific acupuncture points based upon the patient’s condition, body position and comfort level.

The Bladder Meridian runs parallel to the spine and has many special “master” points, which pertain to various organ systems in the body as well as having local analgesic or pain-relieving effects for patients with disc issues.

The needles are very fine, made of single-use stainless steel, and are much smaller than regular hypoder-

mic needles, so are well-tolerated by most patients. It is best to minimize motion while the needles are in place so they can stay in and work effectively without causing patient discomfort. The needles may be left in place for 15-20 minutes, after which they are gently and painlessly removed and discarded into a sharps container. After a treatment, a patient may be sleepier than usual, but then will likely have more energy the next day. Ideally, when starting out, acupuncture sessions are performed on a weekly basis for several weeks to a month, and then on a monthly maintenance basis as needed after that.

Pet guardians can also utilize acupressure, applying therapeutic pressure to specific acupuncture points using manual digital pressure instead of needles. The book “Four Paws, Five Directions,” by veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist Dr. Cheryl Schwartz, provides dog and cat guardians with the needed background to perform therapeutic acupressure on their own pets at home. Acupuncture needles, however, should only be placed by trained veterinary acupuncturists who have the necessary understanding of the anatomy

as well as the proper technique and depth of needle placement to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Used in conjunction with Chinese herbs, acupuncture can offer relief from a wide variety of maladies ranging from anxiety, allergies and gastrointestinal disorders to musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions. QCBN

Armaiti May, DVM, is an integrative housecall veterinarian

Services offered:

• Exams, bloodwork, vaccines, deworming, nail trims

• Nutrition consultations

• Subcutaneous fluid administration

• Acupuncture

• Laser Therapy

• Ozone Therapy

• Homeopathy

• Chinese Herbs

• At-home euthanasia

for dogs and cats practicing in the Quad Cities area. She graduated with a B.S. in Bioresource Sciences from UC Berkeley in 2001. After graduating from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, Dr. May worked at an emergency dog and cat hospital and then trained in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She also founded a non-profit organization called the Veterinary Association for the Protection of Animals, to provide education about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

Are Your Precious Pets Stressed?

By Loree Mae Walden

There’s stress all around us: Whether it be work, school, health, family or financial… there’s no way to avoid it. Stress affects not only us but our 4-legged family members also. We know how it makes us feel, so we certainly want to help alleviate our pet’s stress. Some signs of their stress and anxiety are subtle and some are very obvious, so knowing the signs to look for is the first step to helping them. Here’s a little information on some of the signs to look for with your dog:

1. Barking or Whining: While these are normal ways of expressing themselves, it may also be a sign they are tense or afraid of something. They may be trying to get your attention to let you know about something or they’re trying to make themselves feel better.

2. Increased yawning: While dogs do yawn when they are bored or tired, they also yawn when they are stressed. The stressed yawn is longer and more frequent, so keep an eye out for this sign.

3. Shedding, shaking & pacing: Have you noticed how much

more your dog sheds when taking them to your vet’s office? This is another sign of feeling anxious or stressed. While it’s often normal that your dog may do the full body shake after rolling around in the grass or a bath, it could also be because of a situation that has made them feel stressed.

4. Panting for no reason: It’s normal for a dog to pant after a nice long walk or hike, when they are excited about something or when it’s hot outside… but if none of that applies and they are panting, this is another sign of stress or anxiety.

5. Tucked tail, pinned back ears, and change in eyes: When scared or stressed, dogs often tuck their tails, and ears that are usually relaxed become pinned back against the head. Often their pupils might be slightly more dilated, or they open their eyes wider, showing more of the white.

6. Eating more (or less) than usual.

7. Changes in their bathroom habits, having a hard time going to the bathroom, diarrhea, or loose stool.

So, how can we help them to handle the stress? First of all, try to identify and remove them from the stressful situation and give them some comfort to help calm them down. Don’t overly comfort them, as you don’t want to justify their fears making their reaction the norm. Give them some mental stimulation to get their mind off whatever’s bothering them. It’s always a good idea to have a safe space for them with their bed, blanket, or favorite toy so they can escape to that place and relax when needed. It also helps to have calming background music on to help them relax. I leave music on all day for my pets, and I think it helps them to be more relaxed.

And remember dogs sense our emotions so try to stay calm and relaxed around them. If you’re stressed out why not sit down with your dog and talk to it, play with it, or pet it and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll both feel. Physical exercise is a great stress reliever too, so why not take your pup out for a walk. It’s a “win win” for both of you! Our dogs aren’t the only ones who feel stress! Our furry felines can suffer as well. They display signs of stress through changes in them physically and behaviorally. Some of these signs

include:

1. Diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose and eyes.

2. Eating and/or drinking more or less than usual.

3. Sleeping more than usual and looking lethargic.

4. Going to the bathroom outside of the litter box.

5. Excessive scratching of furniture or scratching post.

6. Aggressive behavior directed at you, your family or other pets in the home.

7. Meowing more than usual.

8. Hiding and/or withdrawing from family interaction OR needing more attention than usual.

9. Frequent head shaking, crouching, and looking tense or staring with a glazed expression.

Just like with dogs, it’s important to try to identify the cause of stress as many of these symptoms of stress can turn into serious medical problems or illness. Cats, as we know, can be very finicky and are used to things a certain way and are basically creatures of habit. So, any disruption to their norm can be a cause of stress. Things like bringing in

a new pet or baby, changing the furniture or rearranging it, new people visiting your home or even a change in your daily routine can be upsetting to them.

There are a number of over the counter calming treatments for both dogs and cats which may help alleviate their stress but before starting anything, the first thing to do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure there aren’t underlying medical issues causing the change in their behavior/personalities.

Making sure our pets are happy and healthy will help them live long lives filling ours with the joy and love only our pets can provide. QCBN

Watch Your Business News!

Bonnie Stevens' Communication Station is delivering a refreshing, engaging and inspirational vodcast (video podcast) that features Northern Arizona businesses, outdoor adventure and leadership tips twice a month. Zonie Living is sponsored in part by Quad Cities Business News Go

Blacksheep Meet Lady Sharks

The Prescott Blacksheep met the Flagstaff Lady Sharks on Northern Arizona University’s outdoor fields on Saturday, March 25. Despite winter temperatures and the threat of new snow, the women rugby players showed their tenacity, skill, teamwork and determination on fields carved out by snow removal teams. The Sharks won the official game 33 to 20, however, the teams continued to play each other for fun. As is the custom in women’s rugby, both teams celebrated the day together in an after-game reception. Photos by Bonnie Stevens

By Loree Mae Walden, marketing director for Yavapai Humane Society.

Identifying Nine Vegetable Blunders

By Ken Lain

As we progress into the vegetable planting season, the potatoes, garlic, kale and lettuce are already planted. The summer edibles will take center stage with the last frost quickly approaching.

Garden success often depends on things out of our control, including rainfall, temperature and soil type, to name a few. Here are the personal mistakes I wish readers to avoid as we plant the spring gardens.

MISTAKE #1: STARTING TOO EARLY

Gardener and impatient are used in the same sentence. The planting season starts in March, but frost is expected through April. Ensure early garden plants can take the freeze-thaw cycle the Central Highlands are famous for. Leafy plants like broccoli, cabbage, peas and parsley love this early spring weather.

The first of May is our local last frost. You will find the most extensive vegetable selection when you shop early, but have a plan to protect them if a late frost is predicted. Otherwise, you will be back at the garden center buying more plants. Here is Watters local Vegetable Calendar for Mountain Gardens.

MISTAKE #2: GARDEN IN THE WRONG SPOT

A vegetable garden should be conveniently handy. In days when zucchini grow to the size of bowling pins, or rabbits break through your fence to finish the peas, daily visits will be needed. Vegetables require six or more hours of sun per day. Too little, and the fruits are small without flavor. A hose or watering can is needed until summer monsoon rains arrive. The closer the garden is to water, the easier it is to irrigate.

MISTAKE #3: GOING CHEAP ON SOIL AND PLANT FOOD

Plants use up garden soil as they grow. Starting off with poor soil ensures a struggle all season. Refresh annually with Barnyard Manure and Premium Mulch at the start of every planting season. Containers and raised beds need fresh Potting Soil that revitalizes pots. Earthworms are always a good sign. Use water-soluble Flower Power twice monthly for a fantastic vegetable harvest. Watters Fruit and Vegetable Food is even better for more extensive gardens.

MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY

MISTAKE #4: PICKING TOO SLOWLY

Enjoy your vegetables while at their peak. A plant won’t set more cucumbers or peppers if its branches are already full. Herbs, like basil and cilantro, benefit from frequent harvesting.

MISTAKE #5: PLANTING TOO MANY

Planting more than you can eat or even care for is common. Start with varieties you enjoy or cannot purchase fresh locally. Learn how to grow them and expand your repertoire. It is best to enjoy success with a smaller garden than struggle to keep up with a large one. Here’s my list of the Easiest Vegetables to Grow in the Garden: https://wattersgarden-

PHIL GOODE

center.com/10-favorite-vegetables-easily-grown-in-pots/.

MISTAKE #6: LACK OF SPACING

Seeds of lettuce, carrots and beets are planted close and thinned as you harvest. Plants set out as seedlings, like tomatoes and peppers, or large plants, like corn and beans, need much more space at maturity. If squashes, pumpkins and cucumbers are in your garden, they require even more room. To make the best use of space, interplant early vegetables like spinach, radish and lettuce underneath or around those that require a longer growing season.

MISTAKE #7: DEFERRED MAINTENANCE

Different vegetables have different needs. Tomatoes need water at ground level. Overhead watering can encourage diseases and blights. Vegetables like corn, lettuces and broad-leaf plants like squashes are more tolerant of overhead irrigation. Weeds take water and nutrients from your vegetables. They also provide cover for bugs that carry disease and eat your garden. Your hoe may

be the best tool in the shed.

MISTAKE

#8:

LETTING THE ANIMALS IN

The need for a sturdy fence cannot be overstated. Deer, javelina, rabbits and gophers can wipe out a garden overnight. Planting vegetables is like ringing the dinner bell.

MISTAKE

#9:

NOT DEALING WITH PROBLEMS EARLY

Monitor your plants regularly. Yellowing leaves or spots are best corrected before the entire row is infected. Catch insects early before they take over. Problems like blossom end rot are remedied simply by removing the affected fruit.

Vegetable gardening is an ongoing learning experience made up of lots of small successes and some failures. Begin with good soil, quality seeds and regular garden practices, and success follows.

Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners plant better vegetable gardens here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Vegetables.com.

Improving, Maintaining Streets Following an Intense Winter

By Phil Goode

Traffic, road conditions, street maintenance and construction are generally areas of great interest for our citizens. With more than 750 miles of paved surface in the city boundaries, improving and maintaining our streets in Prescott is a year-round job. Keeping traffic flowing smoothly and safely is another priority that requires constant attention and improvement.

Spring is here and the city is gearing up for road construction and street maintenance projects. This past winter was very hard on our roads. Numerous snowstorms kept the plows rolling more than usual. Plows and the freeze/ thaw cycle added to the emergence of potholes around town. Prescott has streets in various configurations and levels of use. Keeping our streets in good condition is the job of the Public Works Department. The systematic approach to determine the type and priority of road maintenance is lifecycle pavement management. There is a methodology to prioritizing street projects for the

maximum cost-benefit of our allocated budget.

Pavement conditions are ranked on a scale of 0-100, commonly referred as a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) based on information obtained from a third-party consultant who drives and analyzes the city’s entire network. Staff will also validate the consultant report and assess the prioritization of recommended pavement treatments for the conditions of a particular road.

ƒ The three types of pavement maintenance are preservation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

ƒ Roads in the 70-100 range (Very Good – Excellent) will receive preservation treatments, which include rejuvenating fog seals, master seals and slurry seals. These are very cost-effective treatments to prolong pavement life.

ƒ Roads in the 40-70 range (Marginal

– Good) will receive rehabilitation treatments, which will include high and low volume chip seals, micro seals and mill and overlays.

ƒ Roads in the 0-40 range (Very Poor

– Poor) will typically require full

pavement reconstruction, which includes the full removal and replacement of existing pavement and the base structure.

In the past few years, the city has made major budget commitments to improving our city streets and roads. The overall conditions of our city streets have improved from an average PCI of 49, to the current 67 rating.

The city is catching up on a number of projects on both arterial and residential streets. Here are some important projects we can expect to be addressed this year:

ƒ Prescott Lakes Parkway from Willow Lake Road to SR89 – Pavement repairs and Micro Seal Type III application.

ƒ Willow Creek Road from Green Lane to Willow Lake Road – Rejuvenating Fog Seal and Crack Seal.

ƒ Stetson Road from Robinson Dr. to Bradshaw Dr. – Full depth pavement replacement.

ƒ Garden St. and Western Ave. –Full depth pavement replacement (project also includes sewer main replacement).

For exact dates and times, sign up for email alerts here: news@prescottutilityimprovements.com.

Also, you can call the project hotline at 928-237-3114.

Traffic flow remains a high priority as our population grows. There are several projects planned for the upcoming calendar year to help staff and city leadership monitor traffic conditions and plan for needed traffic improvements.

At the direction of Prescott City Council, Public Works staff is currently developing the scope and final details for a Citywide Speed and Travel Time Study. This study will be conducted to collect and analyze existing speed and travel time data on all arterial and select collector and local streets within the City of Prescott to provide an objective evaluation of our current conditions and to ultimately identify roadways that are experiencing ongoing speeding issues and/or poor travel times so that mitigation measures and improvement projects can be identified and implemented. This study will also grade our system against

known standards related to speeding and roadway operations so that we can have a true understanding of how our roadways are doing and how they can improve.

In addition to this, the city will be conducting traffic count data collection in late spring. This involves collecting 24-hour traffic volume counts and intersection peak hour turning counts at various arterial and collector roadways and major intersections. This data will be used to determine traffic growth rates, analyze crash rates at intersections and be made available to realtors and businesses to understand traffic patterns and volumes at specific locations.

Maintaining our streets and keeping traffic moving safely are core functions of our city. We will continue to work to improve and maintain our streets, so that citizens can travel in a safe, efficient manner around our city. QCBN

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Planning for Transportation Needs into the Future

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month, Tom and I thought we would take a “road trip” as we veer away from our normal column. Settle in. This is going to be wonderful!

Sandy: Hi Tom! Happy April! For our detour topic this month, I have invited Mr. Vincent, or, as we all know him to be, Vinny Gallegos, to talk with us this month. Vinny is the executive director of the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization, (CYMPO).

Tom: Excellent, welcome Vinny!

Vinny: Greetings to both of you. Thanks for inviting me.

Sandy: There is a lot to talk about, so diving right in, Vinny, when did CYMPO get started and who is a part of it?

Vinny: Formally, 2003. Based on the 2000 Census, the Feds declared this area a metropolitan area. As such, all the political entities in the area, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and this part of Yavapai County, came together to form CYMPO as a mechanism to plan for the growing transportation needs of our area.

Tom: How big of an area are you talking about?

Vinny: The planning area covers approximately 400 square miles, and currently includes Dewey-Humboldt, which was not a separate political entity back then.

Sandy: All the cities, towns and county are represented on the CYMPO boards and committees. That is very important for our readers to know. I bet that has to be kind of like herding cats!

Vinny: LOL, actually since the

beginning, all the entities have come together quite well. The purpose is to plan for regional, multimodal transportation. Our system of highways, trails and bike paths touches every community. And it is with that understanding, all the representatives lean toward cooperation to plan for and collectively seek funding from state and federal resources.

Tom: Back in 2000, I recall this organization getting started. I have watched CYMPO become a very successful and effective organization responsible for many of our major road improvements over the past 20 plus years. What are some of the projects and challenges on your plate currently?

Vinny: The main challenge we always face is getting the resources we need to implement the organization’s plans. Revenue sources have not changed much in the last 30 or so years. State (ADOT), and the feds use gas taxes as a principal funding source for transportation needs. As for projects, currently, there are three primary areas we are focusing on. First, creating an active transportation plan for bike and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes bike lanes, sidewalks and trails.

Sandy: That sounds super fantastic. Biking and walking are a huge part of the communities in our area. I love hearing that CYMPO is on board.

Vinny: It is all part of the integrated transportation system in our area.

Vinny: Another project is the State Route 69 Master Corridor Plan. This addresses both safety and capacity issues along this corridor from Prescott through Dewey-Humboldt. The third major focus is the Sundog Design

Concept report and Environmental Overview.

Sandy: This isn’t the first time that a potential route has been discussed. I have been hearing about it for many years.

Tom: It actually started way back in the early ‘90s with the Prescott Strategic plan where we said we did not want L.A.-style superhighways in our area. While on the Prescott City Council at that time, we approved a preliminary plat for Yavapai Hills unit 9 that included a piece of the Sundog Connector in the plat. That was for 1,814 units, a mix of multifamily and single-family living.

Vinny: All your fault, Tom.

Sandy: LOL. I have got something else to blame him for now!

Tom: Yeah yeah, well, it did happen then, but it of course wasn’t all me. The city included a commitment to a portion of the connector as part of the development agreement if I remember correctly.

Vinny: I understand that as well. The General Plan update in 1997-98 precipitated by the Growing Smarter legislation, set the stage for Prescott to develop the Prescott East Area plan. That referenced the need for what was then called the 69 to 89 connector. That is now Prescott Lakes Parkway. It also referenced the Sundog connector.

Tom: That plan was developed including participation by council representatives, Planning and Zoning, and a healthy component of citizens mostly from Yavapai Hills and the Ranch. It was quite inclusive. If I remember correctly, that plan reiterated the desire to have smaller roads rather than making 69 a superhighway.

The main challenge we always face is getting the resources we need to implement the organization’s plans. Revenue sources have not changed much in the last 30 or so years. State, (ADOT), and the feds use gas taxes as a principal funding source for transportation needs. As for projects, currently, there are three primary areas we are focusing on. First, creating an active transportation plan for bike and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes bike lanes, sidewalks and trails.

Sandy: Prescott Valley actually constructed the east end of the route in 2000.

Vinny: In 2007, the City of Prescott approved the preliminary plat for the Storm Ranch subdivision. That was for 227 single family lots. That plat also includes a segment of the Sundog connector.

Sandy: The City of Prescott built the roundabout on Prescott Lakes Parkway as the west end of the connector in 2010.

Tom: Didn’t Prescott do its own Sundog Corridor Study?

Vinny: Yes, that was done in 2013.

Sandy: Having all these plans in place is great. Vinny, tell us a little about how these plans get implemented and the time it takes to realize them.

Vinny: Our job is to take the direction given to us by elected officials over the years. We use that direction to generate the plans for our transportation systems. Many plans, like the ones mentioned, can take decades to see their implementation.

Sandy: Can you give us an example?

Vinny: Sure. There has been a plan to add a single lane in both directions on Highway 69 from Lowes to the mall, about a mile of road. Planning, engineering and funding for that project has taken 10 years.

Tom: There is no instant gratification in the planning business, is there?

Sandy: I suppose not. Sheesh!

Tom: The Sundog connector has just recently been the target of a few area residents who don’t want this road. I for one, think it somewhat weird that our leaders are often targeted with admonitions of uncontrolled growth. That insinuates a lack of planning. Here we have an example of a plan that has been vetted through the last 25 years and even that gets attacked.

Sandy: In making these plans, our elected officials take so many different issues into account. With another 2,000-plus households coming on line in the future, public safety plays a large part. Response times are critical and our road designs play a large part in how quickly our first responders get to your house or business.

Vinny: Leadership sets plans in motion, plans for the future. CYMPO was given the charge by elected officials to take the steps necessary to implement them. That is what the Sundog Design

Concept Report is all about.

Sandy: Vinny, I applaud CYMPO in educating the community and citizens. You have a terrific website, https://www.cympo.org/sundog-connector/ which has so much information on the Sundog Connector – so readers, take a look at the website, this is a great way to stay informed.

Tom: I recall Town of Prescott Valley Mayor Palguta talking about the importance of the Sundog Connector as the connector will drastically reduce police and fire response times to the residents on the back side of Yavapai Hills.

Vinny: Another positive to the many positives for the connector is with the anticipated purchase of Glassford Hill by Prescott Valley, Prescott and Yavapai County. This would prevent any future residential development by any developers along the Sundog route.

Sandy: And let’s not forget the Sundog Connector has been voted on by both Prescott and Prescott Valley’s General Plan for more than 20 years. In closing – we three give a thumbsup to the Sundog Connector. Thanks for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. QCBN

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-7780040.

Vinny Gallegos, CYMPO, 928-442-5730. Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928445-8506 renovationsaz.com

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.

Offering a Bit About Mother’s Day

By Lucy Leyva

Regardless of how you fit into the Mother’s Day celebration, as a mom, grandmother, husband to a mother or child of a mother, the day set aside for mothers no doubt has significance. Throughout history, mothers have been revered. Here are a few fun facts:

Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, who started Mother’s Day celebrations, also filed a lawsuit to stop the over-commercialization of Mother’s Day. She lost her fight. Anna had hoped for a day of reflection and quiet prayer by families, thanking God for all that mothers had done. During and following the Civil War, she made a concerted effort to foster friendship and community between the mothers on both sides of the war. She started a committee in 1868, which established the first glimmer of today›s holiday, “Mother’s Friendship Day.”

ƒ President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring Mother’s Day an official holiday on May 9, 1914.

ƒ Early Mother’s Day celebrations were in Greece. The Greeks would have spring celebrations in honor of Rhea, the goddess

of fertility, motherhood and generation.

ƒ Mother’s Day is the busiest restaurant day of the year!

ƒ More calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day – 122 million calls are made on the second Sunday of May every year.

ƒ In 2022, more than $31 billion was spent on Mother’s Day.

ƒ Though celebrated on different days, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world.

ƒ The average age for a first-time mother in the United States hit 30 for the first time.

ƒ Grandmothers are also celebrated on Mother’s Day. Let’s hear it for grandmas!

ƒ Many of the sweaters worn by Mr. Rogers on the popular television show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” were actually knit by his real mother.

ƒ The nickname “Mom” comes from babies. The sound “Ma” is one of the first sounds babies make, that is why in almost every language, Mother starts with the letter “M.”

ƒ Carnations are the special flower for Mother’s Day and Mother’s Day is the third biggest selling holiday for flowers.

Mothers are at the very heart of society. As we approach this valuable holiday, lets turn our hearts to those we love. We look forward to giving of our time and tokens of appreciation for the people who have mothered us, whether it is our own mom, sister, friend, aunt or grandma.

Do something special for the ones you love. We offer gift certificates to take some of the work off of your mom’s shoulders.

Prescott Maid to Order would like to wish all the moms and those who have

stepped in to fill that role in one capacity or another a very happy Mother’s Day. QCBN

to Order.

Poised for a Rapidly Changing Educational Landscape

By Lisa B. Rhine

Yavapai College is poised for the future. In a post-pandemic world, where K-12 and higher education have changed significantly, YC is thriving.

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT OUR COLLEGE CAN CELEBRATE:

ƒ The college awarded 466 degrees in 2020-2021, a growth of 58% from 2018-2019. This means that our students are completing their degrees at a higher rate than ever before.

ƒ The college awarded 484 Arizona General Education Certificates in

2020-2021, a growth of a whopping 84% from 2018-2019. Again, more students are completing these AZ Gen-Ed certificates than ever before.

ƒ YC’s first- to second-year retention rate in 2018 was 58%. In 2021, it was up to 63%. This means that students are returning for their second year to achieve their desired goals.

ƒ YC’s Hispanic student enrollment has grown to 24%, and we are now on the verge of becoming a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS) by the federal government.

ƒ The YC Foundation issued $1.03

million in scholarships and program supports in 2021-2022. This represents an increase of 35% since 2019, which is fantastic for our students.

ƒ The student default rate went from 25.5% in 2017 to 3.7% in 2022. This is huge for our students. It means they are finishing their degrees at YC and leaving without unnecessary debt.

YC HAS ALSO:

ƒ Received its decennial accreditation with no findings or areas of concern.

ƒ Launched its first baccalaureate degree and received accreditation approval.

ƒ Received a stellar review and reaccreditation for its nursing program.

ƒ Been granted International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators accreditation for the College’s Campus Safety department.

ƒ Added a self-funded Promise program that reimburses student tuition upon completion.

ƒ Created and launched an Early College Academy for high school students.

ƒ Increased athletic pro-

grams from four to eight.

ƒ Received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

ƒ Been nominated for a national award for student success initiatives by the American Association of Community Colleges.

At Yavapai College, we understand that there are many challenges ahead. But it is important to recognize successes; this list above is something that our students, employees and communities should celebrate.

We will continue to tackle our challenges head-on. We will adapt as needed to ensure that our students and communities have the opportunity to receive the highest quality of education that we can offer at an affordable price. QCBN

the mission of the college while ensuring access and support to those for whom opportunities may have been historically limited or denied.

Yavapai College offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, student and community services, and cultural events and activities at six locations throughout Yavapai County, including campuses in Prescott and Clarkdale, and centers in Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Sedona and the Prescott Airport.

Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D., is

the president of Yavapai College.

In February 2019, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine became the 10th president of Yavapai College, bringing to the institution over 30 years of leadership experience across a number of leading colleges and universities in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. Dr. Rhine assumed this role with a commitment to advance

Lucy Leyva is the owner of Prescott Maid

At Yavapai College, we understand that there are many challenges ahead. But it is important to recognize successes; this list above is something that our students, employees and communities should celebrate.

Recognizing the Rewards of Skills-Based Hiring

By Teri Drew

Recently, my long-term executive assistant notified me that she was retiring and relocating to another state to be close to family. She is literally my “right arm” at the office and works diligently to serve our many committees and boards across Northern Arizona. We are a well-oiled machine, and together, we accomplished much success.

I started the search for her replacement and a finance position almost eight weeks ago. The pay for this executive position is above the average wage for Yavapai County and includes 100% paid benefits. The first few weeks, there were no applicants – followed by a flood of individuals who applied but did not meet minimum requirements. I’m a believer of skills-based hiring, but applicants do need to demonstrate applicable skill sets to be selected for an interview.

Finally, three applicants to interview! Two were rather new to the area – two years or less. All interviewed well and demonstrated transferrable skill sets. As we moved forward with job offers, we found the need for flexibility to go beyond what a public service agency could offer.

One individual requested a minimum of $36 per hour and noted a few acceptance requirements – she could not begin work until after 8 a.m. and must end the day just before 4 p.m. The position is an exempt position with hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., as we are open to the public during these hours.

Another applicant was probably over-qualified and had five other interviews the same week she interviewed with us. While we felt we moved swiftly, at the time of hire, she had accepted another offer.

Applicant No. 3 was well-qualified and has been a top contender for the position – an offer is pending. In the meantime, two other well-qualified individuals have applied, and we are considering interviews to fill positions.

The moral of this story is:

ƒ Always cross-train your team. I am fortunate to have others to fill in the gaps.

ƒ Be flexible. My current executive assistant is working remotely to assist in keeping operations moving.

ƒ Be patient. The applicants are out there. While the process may

take longer to identify the right candidate, they are out there.

ƒ Consider skills-based hiring. Offer a training program to help individuals develop skill sets, be open to change and hire with conscientiousness, leaving yourself sensitive to the ever-changing labor market – go with the flow!

Yavapai County’s unemployment rate continues to be low; currently at 2.7% (compared to 3.5% in the U.S. and 4.0% in Arizona). But, incumbent workers are on the move. Applicants are reaching for advancement opportunities. We advertise our positions on social media, our websites, publica-

Spring Up with Culinary Herbs

By Debbie Maranville

Spring is here and it is time to celebrate the season! I recall springtime memories from my time living in Phoenix; the desert blooming with magical colors of wildflowers and cactus bearing fruit. We would attend Spring Training baseball games and celebrate with the fans and players. Spring Break was also a time for celebration when our children would be off from school and we would take road trips.

For many of us, we do “spring cleaning” in our homes, closets and office spaces. Perhaps your kitchen or backyard are sacred spaces where you may want to begin creating a fresh new look and prepare for cooking and planting. Prepping your vegetable garden now provides abundance in the summer season for your culinary favorites.

Today, I walked through our commercial kitchen, where Goods from the Garden Catering & Events creates the magic. Chef Charles was preparing a

Tomato Basil Soup and the aroma was so invigorating. The basil surrounded me with love and happiness. The smell of herbs such as basil, rosemary, oregano, chives, mint and parsley are so uplifting to me. They are culinary favorites for supporting healthy digestion and are staples most of us already have in our spice cabinets or grow in our herb gardens.

The soup turned out so amazing that I knew I needed to share this recipe with you. In fact, this recipe will make a gallon and a half of soup. Keep some for yourself and gift some to a loved one or neighbor. Package your finished soup in Ziploc quart bags or mason jars to freeze for use later. This will then be available for you to enjoy as well as “gift” some to a friend, co worker or neighbor. They will be so appreciative to receive something so heartfelt that celebrates spring and kindness. QCBN

Tomato Basil Soup

INGREDIENTS

ƒ 2 medium white onions sliced

ƒ 10 cloves of garlic

ƒ ¼ cup olive oil

ƒ 1 tbsp. celery seed

ƒ 1 ½ bunches of fresh basil

ƒ 2 tbsp. fresh oregano

ƒ 1 cup. red wine

ƒ ½ cup Balsamic vinegar

ƒ 102 oz. roasted crushed tomatoes

ƒ Salt & pepper to taste

tions and via word-of-mouth, which continues to be the best recruiter. Good luck in your search, and reach out for assistance as needed – 928-778-1422. QCBN

Teri Drew is the Executive Director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

DIRECTIONS

ƒ Pour olive oil into pan. Add the onions and garlic and sweat down for 5-8 minutes until lightly browned. Add the celery seed, basil and oregano and stir frequently for 2 minutes. Deglaze with the red wine. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for one hour.

ƒ Puree in a blender.

ƒ Enjoy! QCBN

Debbie Maranville is the co-owner of Goods from the Garden, Catering & Events and The Natural Healing Garden.

Keeping Your Brand on Top with Baseball Caps

By Eva Janckila

Caps are a trendy accessory that are appreciated by a wide range of people, from outdoor workers to fashionistas alike. Besides being practical and fashionable, they’ve also become popular choice for companies to promote their brand. With so many styles, colors and patterns from which to choose, it’s easy to find the perfect cap for your needs.

Caps come in two basic styles: a five-panel or six-panel. This refers to the number of fabric pieces needed to complete the crown, or top of the cap. A five-panel cap will not have a seam in the center front of the cap, which makes a nice, smooth surface for easy screen printing, heat pressed designs and embroidery. The six-panel can be decorated with the same techniques but with the seam, it is more popular to embroider or use patches on this style. Both styles can be structured, with a firm front, or unstructured, with a soft front.

There are several choices for back closures. Two options, which allow for easy adjustment from youth to adult sizing, are the Velcro back straps or sliding buckles. Both are durable and look nice. The metal buckle is offered in nickel and brass tones. Another style, the plastic snap back, has become very popular. The cap sizing is adjusted by pushing snaps into pre-made holes in the straps. Finally, the stretch fit caps have spandex sewn into the fabric and

are sold in three sizes.

When selecting caps, there is more to consider besides whether it’s a fiveor six- panel, structured or unstructured, or what type of closure is right.

For instance, would you like a curved or flat bill? What type of fabric is best?

Caps come in a range of fabrics, from cotton twill, wool, mesh backs and blends. How would like your caps decorated? When purchasing many caps, work with a professional to help you navigate these choices and you’ll find the perfect cap

Preparing for the Quad Cities Real Estate Market

By M. Faye Humphrey

for your needs. QCBN

Arizona Cap & Apparel, formerly Arizona Cap Company, was opened in 1999 selling custom, decorated caps. Within a few years, the company began offering a full line of apparel and promotional items, including mugs, pens, banners and business cards. Today, it is owned and operated by a mother and son team, Eva and Vance Janckila. Located in Prescott Valley, the business continues to grow, serving more than 10,000 clients locally and nationwide.

applied behavior analysis (ABA).

In addition to the groups, we offer and provide families/caretakers opportunities for relief by organizing respite events throughout the year. These events not only provide the family with respite from caring but it also opens up the community and new settings to those we support.

Parent support is crucial for children with autism, as it can significantly impact their development and well-being. Here are some ways that parents can provide support for their children with autism:

Educate yourself about autism. Learn as much as you can about autism spectrum disorder, including its symptoms, causes and treatments. This will help you understand your child’s needs and behaviors, and enable you to provide appropriate support.

Seek professional help. Consult a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, psychologist or speech therapist, who specializes in working with children with autism. They can help diagnose your child’s condition and provide guidance on treatment options.

Develop a structured routine. Children with autism often thrive on structure and routine, so it’s important to establish a consistent schedule for your child. This can include regular mealtimes, bedtimes and activities.

Use visual aids. Visual aids, such as pictures, charts and schedules can help children with autism understand and remember important information. They can also be useful in organizing daily routines and activities.

Create a sensory-friendly environment. Children with autism may be sensitive to certain sounds, lights or textures, so it’s important to create a sensory-friendly environment at home. This may involve reducing noise, providing comfortable clothing and using calming scents.

Encourage communication. Communication can be a challenge for children with autism, but it’s important to encourage them to communicate in whatever way they can. This may involve using visual aids, learning sign language or using assistive technology.

Connect with other parents. Connect with other parents of children with autism, either in person or through online support groups. They can offer valuable advice and support, and help you feel less alone in your journey.

Remember, every child with autism is unique and what works for one child may not work for another. It’s important to be patient, flexible and open to trying new approaches. With the right support and resources, children with autism can thrive and reach their full potential.

Polara Health’s Autism Program also has a monthly hybrid support group for parents of special needs children, including autism. For more information on the Wallk & Roll; Move for Autism picnic or Polara Health’s Autism Program, please email h.ackzen@polarahealth.com, call us at 928-445-5211, or visit our website: polarahealth.com.

QCBN

Most business owners know that

the real estate market is the backbone of every successful community; buyers move in, have families, open businesses, shop locally and so on. Property transactions have a ripple effect that is often a key predictor of economic growth.

So, how can property owners, both commercial and residential, prepare for the inevitable ups and downs of the market and ensure long-term equity growth and a solid investment? Here are some things to focus on:

History matters. The market is known for certain cycles and patterns, which can aid in making educated guesses about when to buy and when to sell. Look at the record of market data in your area. Your local realtor association tracks market data and can point you in the right direction. Know your priorities. Do you have capital tied up in your business? Do you anticipate needing to move in the near future for a new job or an expanding family? All of these factors will affect your strategy.

Check your finances. You’re going to need cash for down payments, deposits, earnest money, repairs, the list goes on and on! Have you spoken with a lender to see what you’re qualified for? Have you crafted a budget and checked your credit score? This side of things can get complicated, so lean on your realtor to point you in the right direction for your individual needs. Use a realtor. The code of ethics all realtors abide by may make the difference between a seamless, painless experience and potential disaster. Choose a realtor who has the education, experience and support to be exactly what you need.

Track your data. How have property values changed in your area, whether it’s your business or your personal residence? Do you have equity in your property? Are you relying on outside financing to supplement a transaction? Knowing how your money has behaved in the past will inform your timing and strategy.

Overall, preparing for the worst but hoping for the best is something we can all try to do. I’m hoping for a successful year for all of us here in the Quad Cities, but you can bet I’m also preparing for whatever comes next. QCBN

M. Faye Humphrey is the 2023 president of the Prescott Area Association of REALTORS.

About PAAR:

The Prescott Area Association of REALTORS (PAAR) is the trade association representing more than 2,000 REALTORS serving the greater Quad Cities area. Established in 1944, PAAR’s mission is to advocate for private property rights, and provide its members with resources to foster their business success. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS.

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communication at Polara Health.

Use a realtor. The code of ethics all realtors abide by may make the difference between a seamless, painless experience and potential disaster. Choose a realtor who has the education, experience and support to be exactly what you need.

Serving Our Country: YRMC Emergency Director Promoted to Colonel

By Bridget O’Gara

Yavapai

Rob

Barth, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN, director of Emergency Services at Dignity Health

Regional Medical Center,

is now also a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. That’s a rank only 2% of all Air Force officers achieve during their careers.

“This promotion is an honor and blessing, especially at this point in my military career,” said Barth. “I’m approaching 21 years of service and eligible for retirement. That makes the promotion even more significant to me.”

The promotion ceremony took place recently at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. During the ceremony, Shannon Barth – also a YRMC employee – removed the silver oak leaf cluster from her husband’s uniform and replaced it with the new silver eagle. This formalized the promotion from Lieutenant Colonel Barth to Colonel Barth.

During a separate ceremony later that day, Barth was named commander of the 624th Aeromedical

Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In that role, he will lead approximately 86 Air Force reservists and four active-duty airmen.

Barth’s new squadron has a dual mission. It conducts medical exams on airmen, ensuring they are medically ready for deployment to any location worldwide. Additionally, the squadron must be prepared to set up a hospital anywhere in the world within 72 hours.

Years of Stellar Service

At age 36, Barth made a life-changing decision: He would serve his country by joining the Air Force Reserves. “I called the Air Force recruiting office the day after Sept. 11,” he said. “I wanted to do my part.”

Commissioned as an officer in 2002, Barth was assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He has served there for most of the past 20 years. Barth began his service at the squadron as a criti-

cal care and emergency/trauma nurse and concluded as the squadron’s deputy commander.

Barth has received numerous awards throughout his Air Force career. The two most important to him are the “944th Fighter Wing, 2004 Company Grade Officer of the

Year” and the “Humanitarian Service Medal.” The latter recognized Barth’s role in helping evacuate Haitian citizens who were severely injured during the country’s 2010 earthquake.

A MILITARY-CIVILIAN PARTNERSHIP

According to YRMC Chief Nursing Executive Officer Tracey McCollum, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, both the community and YRMC have benefited from Barth’s service in the Air Force Reserves.

“Rob brings best practices from the military and applies them to his work at YRMC,” McCollum said.

“The way we triage patients in the Emergency Department is a good example of that.”

She notes that Barth has also developed excellent leadership skills through his military service. This has created a strong, cohesive and high-functioning

team in the Emergency Department. The military also understands the benefits of the military-civilian partnership, according to Barth. “The depth of experience reservists bring to their service is valued by the Air Force,” he said.

WORDS OF APPRECIATION

Barth also values YRMC’s support of his military service. “YRMC has always been extremely supportive of my military training time. As an organization, YRMC is an excellent example of what a strong military-civilian partnership looks like.”

As McCollum says, YRMC’s team is proud of Barth’s service to our country. “To be able to say that we have a colonel working in our four walls is actually pretty great.” QCBN

Bridget O’Gara is a writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in health care. Bridget has spent her career writing about healthcare topics. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.

Prescott Frontier Days, World’s Oldest Rodeo

Honoring Bullfighters

By Yvonne Gibbs

Ever wonder what stands between 2,000 pounds of solid muscle and a fallen bull rider?

One guy – the bullfighter. Fearless, agile and adept at reading the bull’s next move, a bullfighter is in the arena before the bull is released from the bucking chute. Once a bull rider has been bucked off or jumped off himself, communication between the bullfighter, the barrelman and the bull itself is key to protecting the fallen rider. While he’s distracting the bull to get it away from the rider, the bullfighter is also in constant contact with his team to protect the rider as well as each other.

Part of rodeos since the 1900s, the job has evolved from a rodeo clown who entertained fans to a professional athlete, the bullfighter. Later, to recognize the greater danger faced by these athletes, “bullfighter” began to replace the term “rodeo clown.” While comedy is still used as a distraction and to amuse rodeo fans, some of the humor of clown work began to disappear by the late 1970s.

Often consisting of a team of two

to four athletes, being a bullfighter has become one of the most important jobs at a bull riding event. Although some bullfighters still wear clown makeup, they are mainly seen in brightly colored, loose garments that are designed to tear away easily and distract the bulls, while wearing protective gear underneath.

Long-time bullfighter Quirt Hunt started as a bareback rider and a bull rider and found bullfighting more to his liking. “I like the satisfaction of doing a good job, and the close calls,” said Hunt. “Saving the cowboy when you have ahold of the bull and bring his head up, it makes you feel good.”

Beau Schueth grew up watching the rodeo near his hometown of O’Neill, Nebraska and wanted to compete but found that it wasn’t roping or riding that he liked, but bullfighting. After a great deal of hard work, he’s now a national champion bullfighter. “I actually wanted to ride bulls,” Beau recalled. “In college, I wanted something to do, so instead of wasting money learning how to ride bulls, I decided to fight them.”

At the 2023 Prescott Frontier Days, Inc - World’s Oldest Rodeo,

we are celebrating our bullfighters. “Dances with Bulls” will be the rodeo parade theme on Saturday, July 1, in downtown Prescott. Hunt, one of Pro Rodeo’s top bullfighters and a performer who values humans’

relationships with animals, will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Rodeo Parade.

We hope you will join us as we welcome Quirt and extend a warm welcome to Beau Schueth, our new-

est bullfighter and marvel at their skills as they protect our bull riders. Learn more about the World’s Oldest Rodeo purchase tickets at www.worldsoldestrodeo.com. QCBN

Rob Barth, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN

Risk Management: Protecting your Assets

By Steven Calabrese

As you progress through life and build your wealth, it becomes necessary to protect yourself, your family and your assets. The most common way to protect is to buy some form of insurance. When you buy insurance, you shift the risk to a third party and away from you. At different times in your life, it will be necessary to have different levels of protection. In some cases, being self-insured is an alternative.

LIFE INSURANCE

If you have anybody dependent upon you, life insurance is essential. The purpose of life insurance is to replace your income for your loved ones. As an example, if you make $50,000 per year, a policy of 10 times that amount would replace your income if invested with an average return of 10%. Always purchase term life insurance. It is the most cost-effective.

HOMEOWNERS

When you reach homeownership status, insuring that asset will be important. Purchasing a home is the single largest purchase many folks make in their lifetime. If you have a mortgage, the lender will require you to purchase insurance. Not for you, but for them.

Make sure you have adequate coverage, not just what the lender requires. Review the limits regularly to

make sure you can replace what you have. In addition, you will want to insure the contents of your home and any rare collections you may own.

Renters should have a renter’s policy to cover the contents of their apartment. The landlord does not insure your personal belongings.

AUTO

If you own a car, then it is certain you have purchased car insurance. It is required in all states. Make sure your limits are adequate. There are options for making this purchase. While the goal is to limit your risk, you may want to take on some risk in exchange for a premium reduction. As an example, a $500 deductible or a $1,000 deductible will have an impact on how much you pay. Explore your options.

HEALTH

Health insurance is coverage that protects your well-being. This insurance will cover your expenses for health care. There are many types of coverage. Be sure to do your homework. Does a high deductible plan work best or will you be better off purchasing first-dollar coverage? Do you choose single coverage, spouse or other dependent coverage, or a family plan?

If you and your family are in good health, a high-deductible plan would work best when you team it up with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a

Flexible Spending Account.

In addition to health insurance, you will want prescription drug coverage, along with dental and eye coverage.

If you are 65, Medicare will be the coverage you will purchase. There are choices here as well. Do you sign up for straight Medicare or do you go with an HMO? More choices, just make sure you do it by your 65th birthday or you will pay a penalty if you sign up late.

UMBRELLA

An umbrella policy will cover you for additional liability. This coverage will generally be in addition to the coverage you have with your homeowners and auto policy for liability coverage.

For example, if your liability coverage for your auto policy covers up to $100,000, an umbrella can increase that limit by a million.

As you build your wealth, this very affordable coverage will protect you should a claim arise.

DISABILITY

This coverage will protect you should you become injured on the job. There are short-term and long-term coverages. What you buy will depend on what you do for a living. If your job is physical, such as construction, and you become injured, it is not likely you will be able to work, so you will want to have both short- and longterm coverage.

Many policies do not cover 100% of your wages, so understand what your benefit will be when you buy.

LONG-TERM CARE

Long-term care coverage will cover you if the need to provide care arises when you will be in a nursing home. Many will need this service and coverage is available. The average cost of a nursing home is about $30,000 per year. The average time spent is about three years.

This coverage is best if purchased at age 60. The cost will be its most efficient at that age.

MALPRACTICE

This coverage will insure against any potential liability that may arise from not performing to a specific level of service. This coverage is essential for doctors, nurses, lawyers and accountants, to name a few.

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a strategy that one can use to protect various assets. If you are a real estate investor, it may make sense to put various properties in an LLC. This will protect your other assets should an event occur.

As an example, if you had a real estate portfolio of $5 million, you may want to break down your assets into various LLCs. This will protect your assets if a case arose

where only the assets in the LLC will be at risk. Assets outside that LLC will be protected separately.

CONCLUSION

The insurance market can be complicated. As always, do your homework. Do you need to purchase all of these coverages? Most likely no. Some of the answers will be determined by your overall financial well-being. Various coverages will be necessary at various times in one’s life.

The intent was to give you some direction as to the types of coverages available and what you will be protecting against. It is highly unlikely that you need to run out and buy coverages for everything discussed. Pick and choose where you can. Remember, the objective is to reduce your risk to yourself and your family. Good luck!

You work hard for your money. Make sure it stays your money!

Thanks for reading. I hope you found this helpful. QCBN

Steven Calabrese, CPA, is the CFO of Polara Health. He is the owner-operator of a website known as thepersonalfinancewizard.com, where topics such as budgeting, investing, paying off debt and goal setting are discussed.

Having and Knowing How to Use the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home, Business

By Jon and Jamie Aten

Afire extinguisher is an important tool in any household and required in any business, as it can quickly put out a small-sized flame before it has the chance to grow and cause serious damage.

Fire extinguishers are classified by letters that represent the types of fire they’re designed to fight. The most common type of extinguisher is the Class ABC, and there are specialty extinguishers like Class D and Class K. It is important to determine the size – yes, they come in different sizes, too – and how many extinguishers your home or office may need.

Some businesses, like a restaurant, may be classified higher than others, depending on the risk of fire and the materials present, and will need more than one and most likely a specialty extinguisher. We always recommend working with a professional to determine what size and how many are best for the safety of employees and customers.

The most common question we get is, “How do you properly use a fire extinguisher?” We recommend trying to remember following the acronym “PASS” and following these steps:

ƒ Pull the pin - Pulling the safety pin on top of the fire extinguisher releases the locking mechanism and allows you to discharge it.

ƒ Aim - Point the Fire Extinguisher at the base of the flame, not at the top of the flames, as this will allow you to use it effectively.

ƒ Squeeze - Squeeze the handle or lever slowly and evenly to discharge the fire extinguisher.

ƒ Sweep - Move the Fire Extinguisher in a sweeping motion to ensure that the entire flame is extinguished.

Having your fire extinguisher checked annually by a professional is also important, as this will help you make sure it’s up to date and ready for use in an emergency. Many are rechargeable, but only a certified professional can properly service one.

Most extinguishers last from six to 12 years, and if you’re like many folks, you probably have an old one lying around. It’s important to remember they are filled with hazardous material, so make sure you dispose of them properly.

If you have a business and would like to train your employees on how to properly use a fire extinguisher, we can come to your business and offer a demonstration. For just under an hour of your time, you can get a peace of mind that you and your employees are prepared and knowledgeable about how to properly operate a fire extinguisher. Fire safety is key in preventing serious damages and potential injury; by following these tips and having the necessary equipment on hand, you can stay prepared for any emergency. QCBN

Jon and Jamie Aten are the owners of All West Fire & Security. All West Fire & Security, a family-owned business, has been keeping Arizonans safe in Prescott for nearly 30 years. They’ve designed and

installed thousands of fire protection and security systems for industrial, commercial, residential and special hazard clients. They work closely with architects and contractors to ensure your new construction or remodeling project meets all safety code

requirements. All West Fire & Security are experts in smart home automation, state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, inspections, sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, monitoring, intrusion alarms, security systems and smart home automation.

company in the West. “It was a major world news story, and it was celebratory watching LBJ formally proclaim the settlement.”

Newton has not only documented history in the making but has devoted decades to capturing moments of joy and sadness, shock and triumph in the American story. Through many pairs of shoes and reams of paper, his work has kept us informed and connected, including as a writer and photographer covering his beloved Prescott and Northern Arizona for Quad Cities Business News and Flagstaff Business News

At age 87, Newton continues to drop into that newsman stance when speaking to someone, leaning in with focused, inquisitive brown eyes, searching for facts and hanging on every word to get the information right. Because, to him, that matters. The relationship, the facts, the truth.

“I had a couple of jobs where they [editors] tried to alter my story. We ought to be objective tellers of fact, as best we can report it – giving accurate, honest information and hoping we give readers enough that they can make wise decisions. I’ve had some editors who want to twist it. I quit a job because of that. I will not do that.”

In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Newton worked on special assignments for AP and as a news reporter/photographer for the CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, KGGM-TV.

TRAINING GENERATIONS OF JOURNALISTS

Newton’s unwavering code of truth and integrity has been his calling card, principles he has instilled in generations of journalism students at Northern Arizona University.

Newton joined NAU in 1973, as an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism. By 1985, he was a full professor and the dean of the College of Creative and Communication Arts.

“I was so pleased to be a part of that team in Creative Arts and seeing that journalism program grow. At one time, that was the biggest journalism program in Arizona, and we were selecting good students. We had excellent faculty and gave them opportunities to do what they could do best. I trusted that and loved what we did.”

Under Newton’s leadership, the college established a chapter for the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists. It also began the practice of bringing student interns into working newsrooms.

“That made the program so visible, but also gave students the opportunity to find out in advance what the real world is like, not what a textbook tells you. To have Bill Close [legendary Arizona anchorman known for his high standards] say to you, ‘My God, you’re making some of the best students.’ That made us so pleased with what we were doing.”

WELCOMING BOB HOPE BEFORE RECORD CROWD

During this time, Newton served on boards of many professional journalism and broadcasting associations and consulted for newspapers, government agencies and educational organizations. He wrote for Reader’s Digest and became the publication’s director of writers’ workshops across the West and on cruise ships. As such, he assembled editors from top national publications such as Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Field and Stream and others, to offer writers insight as to what they look for in stories. “Writers streamed in from all over the region,” he said.

Through his friendship with Bob Hope’s head writer, Gene Perret, Newton brought the global entertainer to Flagstaff to officially open the new NAU Skydome, which didn’t have a name yet, in September 1977. Capable of seating more than 15,000 people, the facility was the largest laminated wood beam structure of its kind in the world and the fourth-largest rigid domed structure ever built.

“President Gene Hughes asked me if I would introduce Bob Hope!” said Newton. “At the time, it was the biggest public performance for any entertainer who had ever come to Northern Arizona. Not only did he perform, he invited students to come on stage to talk with him. He then did an encore and gave far beyond what anybody expected. That’s

why he was such a class act. He gives far more than is expected.”

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE

Newton worked as an associate to President Hughes for six years and calls him his “best boss ever.”

“A good boss is not afraid to try new things. A good boss trusts people to make things happen. A good boss will tell you straight out when something is pretty bad. You have to appreciate that!”

President Hughes sent Newton to Oahu, Hawaii to study the Polynesian Cultural Center there. His vision, says Newton, was to create a Native American Cultural Center, which NAU has today.

In 1994, Newton became the director

of research for the NAU School of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Throughout his career, he has been recognized with dozens of honors, awards and recognitions including “Outstanding Educators of America” and “Who’s Who Among Authors and Journalists.” Recently, he received the Prescott chapter Phi Kappa Phi honor society emeritus member award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he serves on the Board of Visitors. In addition, Quad Cities Business News and Flagstaff Business News are honoring Ray Newton and his commitment to teaching, advocacy for education and dedication to the truth with the Best of Business Ray Newton

Continued on page 39

Newton participated in an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University program that taught senior citizens how to fly. Courtesy photo

SUPERHOSTS continued from page 1

Superhosts say they strive to create an experience for

comfortable or brighten their day, like a vase of fresh flowers. Airbnb Superhost Wendy Chavis promotes the peace and quiet of her home in the forest. Photos by Kay Lyons

Indeed, the typical Superhost earned 64% more than a regular host, according to the Airbnb report.

Airbnb identifies its Superhosts with a special badge in the online marketplace for vacation rentals, indicating to potential guests that their short-term homestays have been reviewed and rated positively by previous lodgers.

PROVIDING COMFORT

Superhost Beth Tucker of Flagstaff is an 11-year Airbnb veteran with many repeat guests. “I enjoy meeting the guests,” she said. “I meet them and help them have an experience. I want people to come back and dig the area. It

“We’re always looking for opportunities to expand where we can provide these vital services throughout the state,” said Payne. “It’s a matter of having a relationship with an organization in a city or town that’s willing to host us in a central location where people can meet together.”

Whether in person or virtual, all Cancer Support Community programs are evidence-based and evaluated for efficacy in helping cancer patients or loved ones. In any given month, those programs can range from hypnotherapy for pain management, to exercise sessions that help prevent cancer-related fatigue, to workshops discussing how essential oils can help ease the side effects of cancer treatment.

Even the group’s fundraisers are a form of therapeutic support. Take, for example, the inaugural Paws-4Hope celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at Bushmaster Park in Flagstaff. It was chosen not only because a dog-centered day at the park promises to be fun, said Payne, but because of the proven therapeutic benefits of dogs.

“National Institutes of Health studies

gives me great pleasure to hear, ‘I didn’t know there was so much to do here!’”

Tucker worked and traveled in developing countries for her job before retiring. “I feel I gained insight from those travel experiences and can provide comforts. Everybody travels differently, but being able to anticipate the guest’s needs makes me successful.”

One way she makes guests feel at home is to turn the internet radio onto a station streaming from the guest’s home country. “I had people from the Netherlands come in, so I set the radio to an Amsterdam station. Turns out they were getting homesick, so the radio in their native

show that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, the ‘cuddle chemical,’” she said. “Oxytocin increases feelings of relaxation and trust and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety. Who doesn’t need more of that?”

For some of the participants, the most important word in the organization’s name is “community” and the knowledge that they will not be alone in their cancer journey.

“I’ve found lots of support, encouragement, education, hope and many friends,” said Gerda Bubestinger. “I’ve attended classes like Strength and Balance, Yoga and Tai Chi on a regular basis since 2015. With the pandemic, Cancer Support Community Arizona generously offered virtual classes, which I’m really thankful for. Now I’m enjoying the classes in the convenience of my home. This saves the environment, and me time and money.” QCBN

To learn more about Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona and its wide range of in-person and virtual programs, visit cscaz.org or call 928-236-2333.

language really helped. You need to think about what kind of situation your guest is in.”

CREATING EXPERIENCES

Darryl Brown, who rents out two rooms in his Flagstaff home, also earned the Superhost designation. “I made a separate entrance and closed [the rooms] off from the rest of my home. I had a blast creating the space, furnishing and decorating,” he told Quad Cities Business News. “I tried to make each space beautiful, fun and a different experience from what people have in their own homes.”

Brown says Airbnb success comes from “tangible” and “intangible” ele-

ments. “Photography catches people’s eye, but before long, people are booking on your reviews, so reviews have to be high. The feedback I get on my place is that people love the interior design and attention to detail. I have unique furniture, art, quality linens, a comfy bed and a beautiful bathroom. I have good coffee, tea and hot cocoa,” said Brown, who has been an Airbnb host for the past five years.

“I have seen short-term rentals done irresponsibly where large homes are rented out and the guests are loud and disrespectful to the neighborhood,” he added. “An aspect of being a good businessperson means respecting the community you are a

part of.”

While earning the Superhost designation can pay off with more bookings, Superhosts like Wendy Chavis say they just feel really good about welcoming and taking care of guests. “I like the idea of maintaining my home and yard for people who are appreciative,” she said. QCBN Stacey Wittig is a travel journalist based near Flagstaff. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to her website at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.

way and discovered there are barriers today that we didn’t anticipate back then.”

In the past, Mertz said, those in leadership positions tended to hire and promote people like themselves. “What we are hearing from younger women now is that they aren’t seeing female role models and success isn’t happening fast enough. They are getting dispirited about it. However, we know how to build leadership skills and leaders. We know that we need to keep striving and we need to propel each other upward. Our leadership model has withstood the test of time. Leadership is not how you handle an army of people or necessarily how you motivate people. It’s not how to do, it’s how to be.”

The ATHENA Leadership Model includes eight principles: live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate. Costa says the principles have forever changed her life. “They have caused me to look at myself and ask if I’m living

my truth and walking my path. They have caused me to have a stronger, more authentic relationship with myself so that I can be stronger for others.”

Mertz believes we are experiencing a transformational time. “In a

slow-motion shift, the culture has evolved to the point where women aren’t clumped together in a single category, but are perceived and judged as individuals, with strengths and faults alike. This is a huge leap forward and will impact every place where women step into positions of power and influence. As the numbers of women in these posts of importance increase, so does the understanding of how much that matters.”

Bix says this year’s High Tea program will feature powerful women leaders from the region and their inspirational stories. “The bonding, the encouragement and the celebration of women making incredible strides despite adversity is powerful at the Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards. Women often tell us they feel uplifted and have a renewed sense of purpose through the experience. We are so proud to offer such a positive event for everyone.” QCBN

guests and anticipate what might make them more

The book, “Living ATHENA: The 8 Principles of ATHENA Leadership,” by Martha Mayhood Mertz in collaboration with Dr. Judith S. Prince is expected to available soon. Courtesy photo

ATHENA continued from page 17

phones or computers in order to obtain information about their finances, he said. “They try to get you to pull out a money order.”

Moses estimates he helps six to eight customers a month deal with scams. “That doesn’t seem like a lot, but the numbers are starting to add up.”

And those who are less adept at technology are more at risk. “People who don’t understand what’s happening think they have a virus, so they call and get somebody in India, Pakistan or United Kingdom, so they give them access to their computer and they put in a virus.”

Once the scammers have access to the computers, they can browse through the person’s email and apps. “Don’t keep your password anywhere digitally,” he warned.

He also cautions about giving any personal information over the phone or computer, especially regarding bank accounts or credit card information. He offers five ways to avoid being scammed.

First, if someone calls you, ask for a phone number to call them back. Before you call them back, Google the company they say they are with. “If it does not show up, it is not valid,” he said.

Second, be careful about giving information over the phone. Scammers may already have obtained your

name and address, but research them before trusting them.

Third, maintain a known software safety program. Norton is among the best, says Moses. Programs range in cost from free to $100. None of these software safety programs will ever contact you.

Fourth, don’t give out any information to people you don’t know. And fifth, do not open emails or answer phone calls if you don’t know where they are coming from. He says if you open an email, but don’t respond, it will still be OK. “Don’t open an attachment or respond,” he emphasized.

If you are scammed, Moses says to let your bank know as soon as possible and visit the bank in person rather than calling. The banking institution may provide a legitimate phone number to call to report the scam. He says it’s a good idea to report scams to a local jurisdiction and the FBI. “The more information they have, the better.”

Whether anyone can recoup money lost through a scam depends on the situation. If someone gave out their personal information willingly, funds may not be recoverable. “The hard part is that scammers are getting really good at looking like somebody you trust,” he said.

If your computer has been compromised, Moses says to bring it to

are getting really good at looking like

either a computer repair technician like himself or a major computer technical support program.

“If something sounds too good to

be true, it usually is,” he said. “I want to educate the community so people don’t become victims.” QCBN

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The Courtyard Building | 115 E. Goodwin Street - Suite D, Prescott, AZ 86303 troy@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Web quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

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Web Content Editor news@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

Contributing Writers

Bonnie Stevens

Stan Bindell

Ray Newton

V. Ronnie Tierney

Betsey Bruner

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.

“Scammers

somebody you trust,” says Idea Karma owner Robert Moses.

Photo by Stan Bindell

work because she wanted to focus on environmental studies, which was not popular at the time.

“I was told that nobody cared about environmental work, so that’s when I started working in community and economic development and got my master’s in economics. I worked in Illinois for a few years before moving to Wyoming, where I stepped into the position of their state’s economic development agency, the Wyoming Business Council. I was there eight-and-a-half years and ran their Investment Ready Communities division.”

“Molly and I haven’t worked together long, but so far I’m really impressed with what she brings to the table,” said Camp Verde Interim Town Manager Gayle Mabery. “She has literally jumped in with both feet and has engaged the business community, working collaboratively with all the departments. I look forward to great things to happen in Camp Verde as a result of her efforts.”

Spangler joked that her primary goal is to find the bathrooms and conference rooms and learn everyone’s name. “The goals here are not my goals but the goals of the Town Council,” said Spangler. “Everyone I’ve been working with has been pretty wonderful. Our primary objective is to make sure we are moving along in our five-year community and economic development strategic plan. Top on

the list is Main Street development and revitalization. We just had our first meeting.”

Another primary objective is to construct a sewer line along Highway 260 to have adequate infrastructure for future development.

The team at Town of Camp Verde Economic Development consists of Economic Development Specialists Crisi Clark and Sean Brooks, as well as three ambassadors at the visitor’s center.

“I feel that Camp Verde is very fortunate to have Molly on board. With her experience in economic development and her love of the area, she will be a great leader for our team and community,” said Clark.

“I worked with Molly in Sedona for about a year when I was with AmeriCorps Vista, also serving as economic specialist,” said Brooks.

“I couldn’t be happier that she’s my director again. The transition has been smooth and positive and she will do great things for this community. She’s a great boss and incredibly smart. She knows economic development inside and out and I’m looking forward to our accomplishments together. She will do great things for this community.”

Outside of work, Spangler spends time with her husband, Andy, an elementary school teacher, and their 9-year-old son.

From the economic development

The book, “Media Darling,” also addresses “the inner game of media.” McCall says the outer game involves coming up with ideas for interviews, pitching the media and the actual interview itself. The “inner game” she says is what you are doing before you even go out there. “It’s what you are telling yourself.”

As a coach, McCall uses her skills as a licensed Business Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and as a licensed Advanced Hypnotic Practitioner to address clients’ inner game.

“Are you saying things to yourself like, ‘I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m not educated enough, I’m not young enough, I’m not old enough, I’m not experienced enough?’ People have all kinds of things going on inside. If you say you want to do something

front, FrameTec, a manufacturer and framing services company, has announced its expansion to Camp Verde. The business plans to operate out of a 110,000-square-foot facility and is scheduled to be open by 2024. FrameTec expects to create more than 180 new jobs.

BEST ADVICE

“Smart people ask questions,” was the advice I’ve been given, and I routinely give the same advice. In an effort to not make assumptions and to better understand the issues, we have to ask questions. I now say this regularly to my son, my team and myself, for the only way we can learn and help is to ask questions.

MY ROLE MODELS

Nothing’s more inspiring than watching a professional live their values of creating change, being brave and doing what it takes to see their goals come true. It’s inspiring when people volunteer their time to serve on boards and run for elected office to make a positive impact on their community. Many of my role models balance motherhood, professional jobs and adversity and that’s what motivates me to keep doing the work I get to do!

WHAT I WOULD TELL MY YOUNGER SELF

I would tell her to spend more time enjoying the process and journey. Some of my fondest professional moments have been working with great partners on difficult projects. Those projects often felt insurmountable, but it was a true pleasure working alongside great people.

MY IDEAL VACATION

My ideal vacation involves spending time with people I love and exploring beautiful scenery. I love seeing different parts of our country and the world, meeting new people, experiencing new things and culture, and partaking in their local foods and traditions.

ON A DAY OFF

I love to read, hike, cook new recipes, do art and painting with my son, volunteer, and help family and friends. QCBN

“Filmmaking is the most collaborative art there is,” he said. “Hundreds of people need to do their job well so you can do your job well.” QCBN

Excellence in Education Award.

“Ray is not only a critical part of the team and so well-respected and known throughout Northern Arizona, he is a stellar example of what it means to be a person of integrity in all he does. He has impacted thousands of lives and we feel so blessed to work with Ray and to have his journalistic talent grace our publications. But, more importantly, to have his friendship through the years,” said QCBN and FBN Founder Troy Bix. “Ray’s energy and dogged determination are unmatched. When he shows up, there is no denying the excitement he brings to a room or event.”

PEOPLE MATTER MOST

What makes Newton most proud, he says, are the many students he has taught, mentored, cheered on through their careers and known as lifelong friends. What matters to him most are people.

Newton lists Dr. Gene Hughes as one of the five most important people in his life. “He was a great example of solid honest leadership.”

basketball and track.” Newton later coached high school students in those sports.

He also puts his family on the list. “They are so important to me: three children, Lynn, Sheri and Bill [Bill is deceased], four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They are so supportive, just nice, good people. I am just amazed at how close we are and how much we love and depend on each other.”

And above all, Patty, his wife of 66 years. “We’ve done so much traveling. We’ve enjoyed so much. We have had so many wonderful opportunities. Early on we didn’t have money. I worked in a donut shop and Patty was a dishwasher and accompanist making 60 cents an hour. Her patience and her pure sense of humanity are so admirable.”

such as, ‘I want to get out there and do a podcast,’ and you’re not doing anything to actively do it, that tells you there’s something going on in the inner game. There’s something in the way. It could be you’re scared. If you go in and can figure that out, then moving into the outer game is so much easier.” QCBN

McCall can be reached through her website, JoanneMcCall.com. Her book, “Media Darling: How to Shine Through Every Interview,” is a step-by-step guide and is available on Amazon.

For more, watch McCall’s interview on Zonie Living, “Gain Visibility, Become a Media Darling, Hear Tips from Publicist Joanne McCall, at StarWorldWideNetworks.com/shows/bonnie-stevens.

Ralph Carlisle “Smitty” Smith also makes the list. He was the Newtons’ neighbor in New Mexico, an MIT-educated nuclear engineer who worked alongside J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory who was responsible for the research and design of the atomic bomb. “I’ll never forget Smitty telling us about the morning they set off the big bomb called “Trinity,” in the New Mexican desert near Socorro [5 a.m., July 16, 1945]. The sun was coming up and everything brightened beyond belief.”

Newton calls his adoptive father, Lou Newton, his hero and credits Lou and Evelyn, his stepmother, for getting him off the streets as a young teenager and being “very” forgiving. “They gave me an opportunity to make something of my life and I took advantage of it. They sent me to high school in La Crosse, Kansas, where I lettered in football,

With these words, Ray and Patty smile at each other with the kind of knowing that comes from deep love, appreciation and peace earned across nearly 70 years. As the two enjoy Culver’s cheeseburgers and fries in the quiet of this sunny Prescott afternoon, Ray accepts that he will not be wearing out any more soles chasing down stories. However, the legacy of this quintessential newsman will be carried on in other news fields of dreams by those he taught and those who strive to fill those well-respected and well-worn shoes. QCBN

Earlier this year, Ray was diagnosed with inoperable bone cancer. He is receiving hospice care in his home. Cards and letters can be sent to Ray and Patty Newton, 941 Lupine Lane, Prescott, AZ 86305.

Emmy-award winning journalist and editor Bonnie Stevens credits Ray Newton and his Magazine Writing class for helping her land her first job out of NAU as a writer for news anchors Bill Close and Mary Jo West at the CBS affiliate KOOL-TV in Phoenix.

Amy Smart [Just Friends, The Butterfly Effect and Rat Race] attended the screening of their film “Rally Caps.”

Actor Tim Daly, pictured above, came to Sedona for his short film, “All Through the Night.” Known for his role as Joe Hackett on the NBC sitcom “Wings” and Henry McCord, husband of U.S. Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, played by Tea Leoni on the CBS drama “Madam Secretary.”

Town of Camp Verde Economic Development Specialists Crisi Clark and Sean Brooks pose with Spangler in front of the Economic Development offices.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

MEDIA DARLING continued from page 14

SPANGLER continued from page 18

NEWTON continued from page 35