June 2023

INSIDE THE JUNE 2023 ISSUE: Finding Hidden Treasures in Wild Sage p. 3 Why Arizona is Popular for Working from Home p. 4

Financier Shares Roadmap for Success p. 6

Tailoring a Workforce for Industrial Sewing

Moonshot stitching together pilot program with a tapestry of collaborators

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

From weather balloons to backpacks, shower curtains to parachutes, and awnings to space suits, the world needs people who can sew. Aerospace and hospitality industries, the U.S. military and outdoor

furniture companies are among those seeking a workforce with sewing skills, and Moonshot at NACET’s Arizona Stitch Lab believes there’s an opportunity to harness and cultivate that skill set.

“We are creating a pilot project to see if a sewing program can have legs in Northern Arizona,” said Moonshot

President and CEO Scott Hathcock. “The focus is on skilled labor workforce development for companies in need of staffing industrial sewers and entrepreneurs with products in the sewn goods sector.”

Using funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, Moonshot, in collaboration with the City of

Business Blooming at Wild Heart Farm p. 8

Expression Expert Looks for Style in Your Closet p. 10

Community Profile: Meet Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis p. 12

June 2023 |

Issue 5 Volume 11

Winslow, is hosting open houses at the Winslow Council On Aging Active Adult Community Center to explain the project and recruit participants for a six-week Basic Industrial Sewing Skills course that starts this month. Hathcock is inspired by the success of a similar Moonshot program currently underway in Tucson that has partnered

Continued

Artful Eye Focuses on Quality, Education, Creativity

Family jewelry business celebrates 26 years

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Artful Eye, a downtown Prescott jewelry store that wins national awards regularly and did so again this year, is celebrating 26 years in business. Manager Cara Pfeiffer, daughter of owners Dave and Sherri Rabellino, credits her parents’ ambition, business savvy, creativity and customer service for making the store a success.

“We bend over backwards for our customers. We want them to be happy. Jewelry is happy,” said Pfeiffer. “We can take an old piece and make it look like new or we can fix it. People are thrilled with our store and our work. We’re one of the long-standing businesses in the downtown.”

Artful Eye has a team of seven, including two master jewelers, all of whom have been working there for at least 15 years. The business is a

member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is the utmost authority in stone grading and continuing education for jewelers. “We are all extremely educated with jewelry.”

The store is known for its one-of-a-kind custom jewelry, ranging in price from $19 to $30,000. Some pieces are reversible, which Pfeiffer says adds to the “wow factor.” The jewelers also offer customers something to drink and chocolates. “It’s the small touches that are kind of a lost art and keep people coming in to shop with us,” she said.

With a large local following, the Artful Eye attracts many visitors as well, especially in the summer when it hosts jewelry shows on the plaza. “We get a lot of tourists, but we also have amazing local people,” she said. “A lot have become friends. We know their families, we know their birthdays and anniversaries. We hug and cry together.”

Continued on page 38

4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards

Manager Cara Pfeiffer says Artful Eye is known for one-of-a-kind custom jewelry that “wows.”

Photo by Stan Bindell

Honoring History at Wild Sage Antiques & Boutique

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Wild Sage Antiques and Boutique offers a wide variety of merchandise, but also serves as a place where people can gather to chat.

Owner Lisa Kushner had a similar business in Marietta, California, but when her husband died, she moved to Williamson Valley to be closer to her children. She opened Wild Sage Antiques and Boutique in Chino Valley, where she could create a connection to people. Her daughter, Bobbi Hagerty, is the co-owner.

With 14 vendors and local artisans, Wild Sage offers a wide array of collectibles, clothing, purses, jewelry and vintage furniture. “We have a little bit of everything for everybody. We have things for kids to seniors,” she said,

noting that the hottest item lately is outdoor art, as the warm weather has people outside and planting their gardens.

Kushner has owned Wild Sage for 18 months, but she had been renting a small building by Scooters Coffee. “I wanted to own my building and I love that house, so I bought it, refurbished it and had the building entirely redone,” she said. “A lot of people come in just to see the inside of the building. Everybody seems to love it!”

That old house is a historical building that was the third building constructed in Chino Valley. The Chino Valley Historical Society brought Kushner information about the building’s background and also gave her books about the local history. She now sells those books.

The building, which was constructed in 1917, is two stories high and includes a basement, seven rooms and three bathrooms. “I used to drive by it and thought, ‘It can be so beautiful if somebody put some money into it.’”

Wild Sage offers a coffee bar with local baked goods that entice people to come in to visit and hang out at the sitting area. The coffee is complimentary. “I wanted to keep it small, but also make it fun.”

Kushner emphasizes customer service, calling it their No. 1 priority. “It’s about being open, honest and talking with people.” QCBN

Wild Sage is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Lisa Kushner showcases a unique assortment of home furnishings, clothing, jewelry and vintage furniture at Wild Sage Antiques & Boutique in Chino Valley.

Photo by Stan Bindell

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Wild Sage offers a coffee bar with local baked goods that entice people to come in to visit and hang out at the sitting area. The coffee is complimentary. “I wanted to keep it small, but also make it fun.” //

Arizona Rated Eighth Best State for Working from Home

By Kevin Schindler, QCBN

According to a new report by the personal finance website WalletHub, Arizona is the eighth-best state for working from home.

As we know, businesses nationwide modified their workplace practices during the pandemic, allowing employees to work from home. For many, this practice has continued. According to WalletHub, 12.7% of full-time employees currently work entirely from home, and another 28.2% follow a hybrid schedule, splitting work time between home and the office.

Generally, the most favorable conditions for working from home include minimal costs and maximum security and comfort. When ranking which states (as well as the District of Columbia) are most conducive to working under such conditions at home, WalletHub identified 12 key metrics, ranging from household internet access and cybersecurity to the cost of electricity and how crowded homes are with people.

Delaware and Utah rated as the top two, with North Dakota and Alaska bringing up the rear. Arizona came in at No. 8, just ahead of Washington state. The ranking of some of Arizona’s key metrics (on a scale of 1 being best, 51 worst, and 25 being average) include the share of population working from home (7), households with internet access (27), average home square footage (14), cybersecurity (22) and the average retail price of electricity (19).

No matter where employees live, working from home is appropriate for some but not others.

Blue collar jobs in manufacturing and retail, for instance, typically require staff to be at their employer’s workplace. White collar professional jobs that don’t require as much oversight, on the other hand, are more conducive to work-at-home conditions. Many of those people who have already worked from home stress the importance of comfort and lower costs, as well as the availability of more time for self-care and other personal needs.

Joanie Poersinger, a data specialist based in Flagstaff, has worked from home since the pandemic took off in March 2020. “I save a lot of money by not driving to work every day and not going out for lunch nearly as frequently.” With the time she would normally spend driving to work, she can exercise and then immediately start working. She added, “There’s also not the pressure of having to be on time and look good, and I end up getting more done.”

Graphic designer Jennifer Schaber sees the same benefits. “Even though I only live four miles from my office, I’m not spending time every day in high traffic times driving back and forth. I also

love the sustainability aspect of keeping one more vehicle off the road.”

Schaber also sees an increase in productivity with meetings. “Virtual meetings tend to be more to the point and thus more collaborative. Plus, it’s more convenient to be able to meet from any location, with the bonus of being safer for all during flu/cold/COVID season.”

Despite the positives, Poersinger and Schaber agree that working from home has one major

drawback: social isolation. “While we can meet virtually, you really need that face-to face interaction with other humans,” said Poersinger. “People need people. You can’t really do that on a phone or computer.”

Even so, Poersinger and Schaber appreciate working from home and feel both their productivity and their personal well-being are better off.

QCBN

Delaware and Utah are rated as the top two best states for working from home. North Dakota and Alaska are rated the lowest. Courtesy graphic

Providing you safe, reliable energy is our top priority. That’s why we work year-round to prepare for wildfires. During elevated fire conditions, power outages may be extended until crews can perform visual inspections of lines and remove any potential hazards that could pose a fire risk. In the event of a wildfire, power lines may be temporarily taken out of service to protect your community and firefighters. Working together, we can be prepared. Here are some things you can do to be ready for wildfire season.

• Keep grass, weeds, trees and shrubs trimmed. Dispose of trimmings and trash properly.

• Get emergency alerts through local resources and visit ein.az.gov to create an emergency preparedness plan.

• Create an online account at aps.com and receive text or email outage alerts. Already have an account? Log in and make sure your contact information is correct to ensure you receive alerts related to outages in your area.

• Have flashlights, batteries, a portable cell phone charger and water handy. Please visit aps.com/wildfiresafety for more information.

Every day, prepared. Wildfire preparation protects you, the community and first responders.

Exploring ‘The Island of the Four Ps’ to Create a Life Plan

Wall

Street executive Ed Hajim helps people identify what matters most

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

The man who took us “On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom,” now sends us to “The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable about Preparing for Your Future.” Business and thought leader extraordinaire Ed Hajim, a financier and entrepreneur who went from humble beginnings to massive success, is now sharing his roadmap with those searching for their path and purpose and demonstrating that anything is possible.

“One of my favorite books is ‘Who Moved My Cheese,’ and if you look back on history, fables basically have communicated principles as much as any form of literature: ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go’ by Dr. Seuss, ‘Gulliver’s Travels,’ ‘Don Quixote,’ ‘The Alchemist.’ I thought I’d try to write a short book to communicate a series of ideas that helped me throughout my life. That’s what the ‘Island of the Four Ps’ is all about.”

The son of a Syrian immigrant, Hajim was kidnapped by his father at age 3 and told that his mother had died. He grew up largely in foster homes and orphanages, and at age 11, lived alone for a month out of a Coney Island hotel room, taking the subway into Manhattan to explore the city. Despite an early life of instability and adversity, he says the challenges he faced strengthened him.

“My disadvantages became advantages. Think about someone living in 15 or 20 places before you’re 18 years old. You’re adaptable. When you go from one schoolyard to the next, and I was in five different schoolyards between ages 5 and 10,

or one orphanage to the next, you learn how to adjust and to fit in. Not only do you get adaptability, but you get self-reliance, you get perseverance and you get resilience. Resilience is like a muscle. And if you use it as a young person, you can use it later in

life. In my business career, with my ability to adapt, there was no task that I wouldn’t take on. And I could relate to almost anybody.”

With no money, no family and no connections, Hajim, as a young man,

Continued on page 39

Left: Ed Hajim Right: Hajim has received numerous awards and accolades including the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, given to Americans who exemplify the values of initiative, leadership and commitment to excellence and who have succeeded despite personal adversities. Courtesy photo

Woman Business QCBN of the Month

Bountiful Blooms Growing at Wild Heart Farm

Kate Watters blossoms in her work cultivating flowers

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

The comfort found in the beauty of growing flowers is what triggered a dream-come-true life for Wild Heart Farm owner Kate Watters. “My farm is my refuge where I feel nestled in the arms of Mother Nature.”

Located 40 minutes southeast of Sedona near Montezuma’s Well in the quiet town of Rimrock, Wild Heart Farm is a lush riparian woodland area dotted with mulberry and hackberry trees, a rock cliff limestone wall and a vast amount of flowers. “This farm is incredibly wild, we even have coyotes and owls,” said Watters, who, in 2020, purchased the property along with her partner, Flagstaff naturopath Dr. Mike Knapp.

Wild Heart Farm, covering more than an acre, grows irises, ranunculus, tulips, dahlias, zinnias and lisianthus, creating a colorful bounty of energy. The flower support weddings, events and local florists in the Verde Valley and Flagstaff, as well as Community Supported Aquiculture (CSA).

“The CSA is a subscription of sea-

sonal flower arrangements available to local members in Sedona, Rimrock and Flagstaff,” said Watters. “I also include a poem written by local writers.”

Growing up in the rural town of Chester, Vermont, Watters purchased a one-way ticket to Arizona, landing in Canyon de Chelly National Park for a post-college internship in 1993. She fell in love with the Southwestern landscape, especially the plants. From there, she made her way to the Grand Canyon to work seasonally on a vegetation crew removing tamarisks. Her next step was working for The Grand Canyon Trust for several years, developing their citizen science and volunteer stewardship programs.

Moving closer to her vision and wanting to be near plants more intimately as a grower, Watters enrolled in an apprentice program for agroecology and sustainable food systems at University of California, Santa Cruz. “It was like a boot camp for organic farmers,” she said. “I knew how to garden but I wanted to learn how to run a farm.”

Returning to Arizona, Watters was working at Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek for four seasons, where she grew a garden for the farm-totable restaurant. “I took care of the grounds and helped in the orchard. It

was a magical place with a wild red rock setting and a long history of care.”

She hopes she can inspire other people to garden and grow flowers, not only for their beauty but for medicinal and ecological reasons as well. “I’ve just brought on two apprentices who will be working about 20 hours a week. They will be learning about how to cultivate their own gardens. I also have two other women who are talented floral freelancers.”

“Kate is thoughtful, creative and one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met,” said Wild Heart apprentice Sarah Grover. “She is out on her land everyday giving 100% care. The space she has created and the flowers she cultivates are brimming with life. Wild Heart Farm is a cornerstone of responsible farm practices and mindful community education, not to mention locally owned and some of the most deeply loved flowers in Arizona.”

Watters is passionate about helping to bring Arizona flower growers together to work collaboratively. “We would like to form a collective so that we can work together for acquisition

and distribution of flowers throughout the state. It’s amazing what we can do because we all grow at so many different elevations. Right now, other farms have tulips, where my spring flowers are finished. We don’t have anyone spearheading this right now, but we are meeting soon to work this out.”

In 2020, Wild Heart Farm received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners Program through Friends of the Verde River to create a giant pollinator garden. “This was a literally a labor of love,” she said.

Slow Flowers Podcast, an award-winning weekly show that focuses on the business of flower framing and floral design, recently featured Wild Heart Farm. “Slow Flowers is a wonderful resource,” said Watters. “You can log onto their website, type in your zip code to find a florist or farmer who is selling flowers or using local flowers in your area.”

Watters began selling to florists last year, one bucket at a time. “We have been working with Kate since last season and she has never let us down,” said Flagstaff Robynn’s

Nest Flowers & Gifts owner Nora Hickey. “She always provides us with unique and long-lasting flowers that add a wild touch to all our arrangements. My customers love the selections she offers, and it’s been amazing to have a local source of such beautiful flowers. Kate is also a joy to work with. The only thing we enjoy more than her gorgeous flowers is her beautiful personality.”

Using flowers for medicinal purposes, Watters also makes herbal tinctures, mists and body sprays.

“Kate’s sustainable approach to the earth made her an easy fit with our wedding and we had the absolute most beautiful flowers. Afterwards, she was nice enough to make sure they found a new home in healthcare settings for patients. We can’t thank Kate enough for all her hard work and kindness pulling together such an incredible floral tour-de-force,” said Dr. Evan Pulvers of Flagstaff. QCBN

Wild Heart Farm can be contacted at 928221-0045 or www.wildheartfarmaz.com.

Kate Watters hopes to inspire others to garden and grow flowers, not only for their beauty, but for medicinal and ecological reasons as well. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Flowers adorn drinks, vases and wildlands at the lush riparian woodland.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Into the Closet with Bobbie Casalino Lewis

Expression expert transforms wardrobes, outlooks, lives

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

If you’ve ever wondered how some people can look great whether they are attending a gala or washing a car, it could be because they are clients of Expression Expert Bobbie Casalino Lewis. “Fashion is what you wear; style is how you wear it. I would love to help you fashion your style,” she says. And she means it. She wants us to show up on the outside as we are on the inside, and she wants us to do it now and at every age.

Her just-published first book, “So That’s What 70 Looks Like! The Essence of Aging Gracefully,” reveals what it means to live our truth, our brand, our style and to honor and celebrate our lives. “To arrive at 70, happy with who I am, vibrant, wise and joyful, it was incumbent upon me to at least share how I did it,” she said.

With her core values described as a triangle of kindness, bravery and integrity, Bobbie demonstrates the confidence, peace and wisdom that comes from life’s experiences and truly knowing ourselves. She guides the reader on a journey through her 12 “essences,” as an example of our many layers, elegantly illustrated through stunning images.

For example, her leadership essence is described as fellowship – bridging people together. This worked well for her in her early career in international telecommunications and enabled her to become the first female vice president of a prestigious Wall Street company. She expresses this trait boldly in a photograph where she is wearing a stylish black buttoned-down blouse with metal accessories.

For the essence passion, she expresses it as animated, photographed swimming in a pool, wearing a red cocktail dress. “Facial expressions, hand gestures and full-body movements are how I express my passion for everything,” she writes, noting that she is happiest in and around water.

Her version of a dramatic essence is exuberant, displayed in a bright coral-colored dress with a hemline that is short in front and floor-length in back. “I live in the no-drama zone,” she writes. “Yet ‘dramatic’ is another story entirely – architecture, extraordinary splashes of color, sharp angles and asymmetric

Expression Expert Bobbie Casalino Lewis encourages readers and clients to celebrate every age in style, whether practicing aerial dance on a beach or giving a TEDx Talk. Courtesy photo

Bobbie Casalino Lewis

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Our highly advanced instruments locate the best drilling site revealing the highest prospect of a sustainable water source.

This service is extremely cost effective compared to drilling an unsustainable water well or a Dry Hole.

COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY V.

RONNIE TIERNEY, QCBN

Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Inspired by Elders

Tanya Lewis advises young people to know where they came from

Embracing the advice of her elders for wisdom and guidance is what keeps Yavapai-Apache

Chairwoman Tanya Lewis grounded and steadfast as she serves in one of the highest positions in her nation.

“My biggest mentor has been my mom,” she said. “She taught me about compassion, understanding and common sense. My father was amazing; he worked in telecommunications with AT&T for 25 years and taught me to be strong. They are a huge part of who I am today, and I miss them daily.”

Lewis was sworn in as YavapaiApache Chairwoman in October 2022. Her father, Lyman Lewis, was with her at her inauguration, but passed away a few months later.

Soft-spoken with kind eyes that reflect her sincerity and integrity, Lewis is approachable, cordial and yet stalwart and wise. She holds an associate degree in business management from Yavapai College.

“Working alongside the Tribal Council, I oversee about 30 programs and govern a management team,” she said. “This encompasses everything from law enforcement, social services, food bank, health clinic, cultural department, Senior Program, Yavapai-Apache Cultural Center and others.”

Located in the Verde Valley, the Yavapai-Apache Nation is comprised of five tribal communities: Tunlii, Middle Verde, Rimrock, Camp Verde and Clarkdale. It is the largest employer in Verde Valley, operating six

Continued on page 38

Chairwoman Tanya Lewis oversees multiple Yavapai-Apache Nation programs including law enforcement, social services, the food bank and health clinic.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Retired Lineworker Becomes Glass Artist

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Patty Lindsey’s Glass Goons is a unique business that provides glass art of frogs, lily ponds, plant stands and decorative art. She makes her creations by freezing and fusing them through kilns.

Lindsey, 72, worked for a phone company where she climbed telephone poles and did other work that was considered men’s work at the time. She admires artist Georgia O’Keefe because she did what she wanted to do no matter what people said about her. “She was her own woman,” said Lindsey. “I climbed polls and went up ladders so I was in the men’s world, but anybody can do this [glass art].

She says most women who work with glass art use the kiln method while most men who work with glass art use torches.

Lindsey graduated from California State University at Fullerton in 2003 and retired from the phone company the same year. She started Glass Goons with her business partner Julie Lewis in Pasadena. The two continue to work together: Lewis from Pasadena and Lindsey out of her home in Chino Valley.

Lindsey teaches her art methods to eager students in a two-day class at her studio at her home. Her classes are scheduled by appointment. She also hosts curious visitors such as children attending Boys and Girls Clubs and other locals.

“I like teaching and letting people see the process from beginning to end,” she said. “I want to keep the art going. It’s a dying art. Some are trying to sell their studios because it has become so expensive.”

She sells her glass art creations at the Prescott Farmers Market and The Pea Vine gift shop in Chino Valley. She also participates in the Prescott area artist tour each October. “Most of my sales are [the from] word of mouth.”

Lindsey is active in the community as she volunteers with the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Chino Morning Lions to support local charitable causes. She also donates some of her artwork for raffles to help non-profit organizations.

She and her husband, Barry, purchased the property in Chino Valley in the 1990s, but didn’t move here until after she retired in 2003. Barry, a retired executive, and Patty found the Dells while traveling and decided they wanted to move near the unique rock formations. When they take time off, they like to see the world. “I’m serious about kayaking and Barry is serious about fishing. Each year, we drive to Georgia and kayak a different river. The last trip we did 121 miles in seven days.” QCBN

For more information about Glass Goons classes and artwork, call 714-651-7648.

Patty Lindsey sells her creations at the Prescott Farmer’s Market and The Pea Vine gift shop.

Photo by Stan Bindell

“I like teaching and letting people see the process from beginning to end,” she said. “I want to keep the art going. It’s a dying art. Some are trying to sell their studios because it has become so expensive.”

Back to Work Youth Recruitment Campaign

Honoring Vietnam Veterans with Camp Verde Tribute

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Emotional messages underscored by deep respect and a heart-stopping gun salute pierced the air at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Cost of Freedom five-day tribute held at the Camp Verde Community Center Field in the Fort Verde State Historic Park.

“This has been so inspiring and makes me so proud to be an American,” said Camp Verde resident Sandra Allen. “Watching the parade as the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) came into town was so emotional. There was a group of motorcycle escorts that rode along and people got out of their cars and put their hands over their hearts. Kids from the school nearby were on both sides of the road waving paper flags they made. It moved me to tears. I love the fact that we are coming together now 50 years later and honoring those who served.”

Hosted by Arizona State Parks and Trails, the Town of Camp Verde and the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the tribute featured the Traveling Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute to honor, respect and remember those who paid the

ultimate sacrifice.

Components of the event included recognition and remembrance ceremonies, a flyover tribute, 13 folds of the American Flag demonstrations, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band, Verde Valley American Legion Riders (ALR), Benedictions from local churches and a full day of Native American Vietnam Veterans Recognitions Day that included singers and dancers.

A ceremony and lasting tribute of respect to departed comrade Conrad Ernest Lewis, the father of Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis, also took place.

The AVTT was on display throughout the event and included a room with computers set up to locate names on the wall. The facility was open 24 hours a day and guarded by Arizona Rangers and veterans.

Wreaths Across America, which coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery each December, attended with a mobile display.

“I’m very honored to be here to honor the

Continued on page 39

U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration Deputy Director Tres C. Smith, former Military Air Transport (MATS) flight attendant and Camp Verde resident Carolanne Moore, veteran Jerry “Geronimo” Martin and his dog, Samson, pause before the Cost of Freedom Tribute. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Standing in front of the Marine Corps League of Verde Valley booth were veteran Keith Wogler, U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration Deputy Director Tres C. Smith, veteran Mike Noble and veteran Jerry “Geronimo” Martin and his dog, Samson.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Preparing for Hikers, High Heat at Grand Canyon

Symposium presenters discuss injuries and illnesses

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Hikers often misjudge Grand Canyon treks, says Dr. Tom Myers of North Country Healthcare. “They either overestimate what they think they can do or underestimate the wilderness.”

Myers discussed heat illness and hyponatremia, a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low, at the National Park Service Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) Symposium last month at Grand Canyon National Park.

Other sessions included presentations from park staff about downhill injuries, risk assessment and personal preparedness, law enforcement, search and rescue efforts, radio communications and more.

Implemented in 1997, the PSAR program is made up of a team of volunteers from around the country who come to the Grand Canyon to serve as trail educators and support providers to hikers who have questions or need help. The program was established to combat heat-related

illnesses. Officials say it also has eased stress on inner canyon staff members.

PSAR volunteers patrol the upper part of the Bright Angel and South Kaibab corridor trails at the South Rim Grand Canyon. They ask hikers how far they plan to go, how much water and food are they carrying and how aware are they about summer high temperatures. They also carry basic medical gear and radios to report emergencies. Last year, PSAR had an estimated 53,000 contacts with visitors.

Serving as a PSAR volunteer for at least 15 years, Flagstaff resident and former physical therapist Sel Wasson says he is involved because of the environment, meeting and talking to interesting people from around the world, and the opportunity to see wildlife. “My most memorable experience on the Bright Angel Trail was a bighorn sheep that walked right up to me on the trail and stopped just a few feet in front of me. It was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I’ve ever had.”

Grand Canyon PSAR Supervisor Meghan Smith and Joshua Tree National Park Service PSAR Coordinator Anna Marini planned the symposium. “We had an amazing turnout and I’m so grateful to all the

participants who made time in their busy schedules to come,” said Smith. “It’s just proof of how important PSAR is.”

Attendees totaled about 150, with 31 national parks and monuments represented, along with 45 PSAR volunteers, park rangers and park managers.

Grand Canyon PSAR volunteer

Brandon Trapp said it was great to see people from different national parks across the country show up. “There were two tracks, one for managers to learn about how to start programs for their parks and the other for volunteers to learn operational procedures and how to interact with people and hone their skills. It was great to see both addressed.”

“This is an awesome opportunity to collaborate with other national parks at the Grand Canyon,” said Jennifer Proctor with the National Park Public Risk Management Program. “We pride ourselves in doing things really well and it’s super important for us to connect with other parks and places to get new ideas.” QCBN

NAU Regents’ Professor Emeritus Stan Lindstedt gave a presentation about preventing downhill injuries.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

BUSINESS CENTS // BY

BONNIE STEVENS, QCBN

Don’t Play Games You Can’t Win

We like to tell ourselves we can do anything if we just put our mind to it, but I’d like to encourage all to acknowledge when we are in a game we can’t win, and for heaven’s sake, stop playing it!

Growing up in Phoenix, balmy summertime evenings were meant for Kick the Can, Tag, Red Rover and any number of unsupervised activities that included wildly racing around the neighborhood and usually some blood. My neighborhood was all boys. So, you can imagine my surprise when I

showed up at their Cub Scouts meeting in my brother’s old Cub Scouts uniform and got snubbed by my friends. I didn’t get the hint entirely when they said, “You can’t be here!” So, they decided to just ditch me. They took off running. Unfortunately for them, I had a lot of training in running from nightly games of Tag, Hide and Seek, etc., and kept up with the fastest boys. While many of them were doubled over wheezing from the failed attempt, a grownup had to tell me that, even though I was good at that

game, I couldn’t win the prize I really wanted, which was a seat in the Cub Den.

Grownup games are even more confusing. I’m inspired today by those who recognize when they are in a game they can’t win and instead of feeling sorry for themselves and pushing back, they create their own game.

Martha Mayhood Mertz is one such grownup. In Corporate America of the 1980s, she was in awe of the brilliance, creativity and competence of the professional women around her. But she was confused when they weren’t getting acknowledged and being promoted and honored in the workplace at the same rate as the men. The business culture she was experiencing had a way of overlooking women. Recognizing she and others were in a game they couldn’t win, she started her own game, the international ATHENA Awards program.

Mertz set out to have 10 custom-made ATHENA sculptures created to honor one woman of leadership excellence each year for the next decade. She figured by then, the culture would change. It didn’t. So, today, she continues to cultivate and

recognize leaders and organizations that promote women. Now, more than 7,000 people have received this award in eight countries.

Quad Cities Business News is carrying that ATHENA torch in Prescott. On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Fourth Annual Prescott-Area ATHENA Awards High Tea will be honoring individuals and organizations in three categories: the ATHENA Leadership Award for an individual, the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award for a business or organization that develops and supports women leaders; and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. Nominations are being accepted now. For more information, go to https://prescottathena.com.

Mega-successful businessman Ed Hajim is another such grownup. When he was rejected for membership at a golf club on Nantucket Island, where he lived half the year, he didn’t fight the decision. He didn’t rally his friends to come to his aid. He didn’t get his feelings hurt. He simply built his own golf course. He says that decision turned out to be a wonderful experience.

“That’s why I say, ‘Never be a victim.’ I could have been a victim. I could have fought that. But starting my own golf club was a great experience,” he said. “Building a golf course is art with a bulldozer. It was absolutely spectacular! We’ve changed the lives of 500 families over 25 years and we’re now the largest charity on the island. We send two kids to college now every year and we just started a vocational program, which is one of my many crusades right now. Last year, we sent 10 kids to vocational colleges.” QCBN

Read more about Ed Hajim’s extraordinary life and his new leadership storybook, “The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future,” on page 6. Hear more hard-earned wisdom and leadership tips from him on Zonie Living: https://starworldwidenetworks.com/ episodes/exploring-the-island-of-thefour-ps-to-plan-your-future-with-business-leader-extraordinaire-ed-hajim-video.

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@ gmail.com.

Mertz set out to have 10 custom-made ATHENA sculptures created to honor one woman of leadership excellence each year for the next decade. She figured by then, the culture would change. It didn’t. So, today, she continues to cultivate and recognize leaders and organizations that promote women. Now, more than 7,000 people have received this award in eight countries.

Leaping Ahead with Lumity

By Jeff Lane, Au. D.

Hearing aids evolve at an incredible rate, with the ultimate goal of improving sound quality and clarity. The other goal is making the hearing aids as user friendly as possible. Manufacturers consistently survey their customers to determine what types of innovations are most desirable. Phonak recently launched a new technology platform. It’s called Lumity, and patients are stating that the improvements are very noticeable.

SLEEKER

The most common concern patients have, even when they love how their hearing aids sound, is how they fit on the ear. While they are no longer the size of bricks, hearing aids still take up a fair amount of real estate behind the ear. This can cause interference for people who wear oxygen. It can also impact people who wear glasses, although to a lesser extent. There is simply not enough room for everything. Hearing aids can thus fall off more easily or cause discomfort. These patients then end up having to opt for in-the-ear hearing aids, even if that is not what they truly desire.

Masks have also been a big burden

for hearing aid users these past few years. The hearing aids can become tangled in the straps, making them difficult to remove. Mask loops might even catch the hearing aid wires when being removed, causing the hearing aid to fly off the patient’s ear. This, of course, can be very frustrating for

patients. A handful of patients have even told me that they stopped wearing their aids in public, as they were too afraid of losing them. Luckily, a new design has arrived to solve all of these concerns.

On the Lumity platform, there is a specific style called Slim. It fits behind the patient’s ear like other receiver-in-the-canal aids, and is still rechargeable. However, it is much thinner. Imagine the difference a standard shoe heel and a stiletto heel. The Slim is like a stiletto hearing aid. This allows for less interference with items such as glasses because less space is required. There is also a small curve to the hearing aid, which follows the natural contour of the skull. This curve allows the aid to sit flusher against the head. It also curves around the ear, like glasses frames, which decreases visibility. A fringe benefit of the new design is that the charger is much smaller and easier to transport.

SMARTER

The Lumity hearing aids also provide a leap forward in technological quality. This is true whether you opt for the Slim or traditional style, as both possess the same computer chip. One major improvement is pro-

cessing speed. Lumity can perform hundreds of more calculations per second than the prior platform. From a user standpoint, this means that the automatic program can analyze the environment more quickly and accurately, providing for a clearer sound quality. And it works! Patients who have upgraded to the Lumity from their older sets say that they can hear a noticeable difference.

In regard to specific new features, one is called Motion Sensor Hearing. If two people are having a conversation while walking, the dynamics are far different than if they were sitting still. With Motion Sensor Hearing, the aids can actually measure your movement and adjust accordingly. Another new feature (available only in the premium level) is called Speech Enhancer. Speech Enhancer automatically provides an extra boost to quiet voices. No longer will a hearing aid user have to struggle to understand tiny voices.

Another exciting development with Lumity relates to Wind Block. Wind Block is another background feature that tries to reduce wind noise as much as possible. While Wind Block is not a new feature, it was previously

relegated to advanced and premium level hearing aids only. With Lumity, Wind Block has been expanded to all technology levels. In other words, it is now a default feature.

Lumity still offers universal compatibility with cell phones through Bluetooth, as well as an array of accessories. It should be noted that Lumity technology is currently only available in receiver-in-the-canal models. However, it should be available in in-the-ear models in the next few months. If Lumity sounds right for you, reach out to your audiologist. They will be able to answer your questions and help find a solution which best fits you. QCBN

Dr. Jeff Lane is an audiologist at the Trinity Hearing Center.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing. net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-5220500 or at audio@trinityhearing. net.

QC pet news Sniffing Out Trouble

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

They are yellow in color and true-blue in their devotion to their jobs. Meet the two specialized police dogs on duty with the Prescott Police Department’s K-9 Unit, Cooper and Benny, the Labradors highly trained to detect narcotics.

Also known as Super Cooper and B-Dog, they are both 4 years old and work in concert with their two handlers, police officers Kyle Alltop and Troy Crawford, to keep dangerous drugs off Prescott-area streets.

“They’re called ‘single purpose’ police dogs and are trained to detect methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine,” said Sergeant Jack Shapiro. “The dogs are not in danger; we don’t put them into situations where they’d be in danger. Usually, the suspect is out of the way before they’re brought in to detect.”

By all accounts, Prescott loves its two helpful canines. “The community is very supportive of the dogs,” he said. “We have quite a turnout for the Citizen Academy that we have a couple of times a year. They are always thrilled to learn about our dogs, and they are absolutely allowed

to pet them.”

Officer Alltop partners with Cooper, and Officer Crawford with Ben-

ny. The dogs work four 10-hour shifts and become part of their handler’s family, usually sleeping in special temperature-controlled kennels in the patrol vehicles.

Both officers have been with the K-9 Team for about three years. Officer Alltop has had a lengthy military career working with dogs. “Cooper is a great partner, and he works hard,” Alltop said. “Cooper loves to swim and be a dog when he is not working.”

Occasionally, Cooper and Benny even go on family vacations. “They have time off when the officer does,” said Shapiro. “Sometimes I’ll watch some of the dogs and every once in a while, they have to be boarded, but not often.”

Because they are not in apparent danger, there is no need to buy safety equipment for them to wear, but funding is lacking for some other essential items. Although

yearly grants, such as those from the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County, fund the purchase of the dogs, construction of training facilities, and medical expenses, there are no funds for basic items like food and training gear.

Sandy Haffner, owner of Preskitt’s Pawz N Clawz pet store on Gail Gardner Way in Prescott, was moved to action when she learned of this gap in funding. Helping the police K-9 drug-sniffing dogs become her passion when she opened her store in December 2020. She began offering free baths for the Prescott police dogs using the two tubs and showers in the self-service dog bath at her business.

Pawz N Clawz also provides food for the dogs. In addition, the store also sells police merchandize to benefit the care of the dogs, including police badges and T-shirts, and will soon be stocking plush toy versions of Cooper and Benny, complete with

police vests and badges.

To train police dogs and handlers, the Prescott Police Department maintains a training yard, just past Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, on Heritage Park Road.

“We’re still trying to create our training facility,” Shapiro said. “We’re getting a shed built out there for shelter when it’s hot or raining. The main thing we need is to upgrade our training aids with artificial turf and obstacles for them to go through. We can build a wall where we can hide specific scents for finding.”

Shapiro says the drug detection program has been very successful. “They [the dogs] are very good at finding drugs and getting drugs off the streets. They are good tempered, Labradors, and they’re always happy.”

The Prescott Police Foundation accepts donations for Cooper and Benny. QCBN

Cooper enjoys some downtime with his handler at the beach. Courtesy photo

Benny, a drug detecting police dog, is pictured on duty with his handler. Courtesy photo

June is National Microchipping Month, Emergency Preparedness Month, and Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

By Loree Walden

June is National Microchipping

Month! Microchipping is a safe and effective way to ensure your pets can be identified quickly and come home safe to you if they ever become lost or stolen. A microchip is a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, which is inserted under your pet’s skin. It contains a unique identification number that is linked to your contact information in a database, which can be read using a special scanner. When a lost or stray animal is brought to Yavapai Humane Society, picked up by Animal Control or taken to a veterinary clinic, they can scan for a microchip and use the information in the database to contact the pet’s owner.

Microchipping your pets is important because collars and tags can easily become lost or removed. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost or altered. Having your pet microchipped can give you peace of mind, knowing you have taken an important step to protect them and increase the chances of being reunited if they ever become lost. With the 4th of July coming up next month, it’s a good time to make sure your pet is microchipped and most importantly, the contact information on file with your microchip company is current. If you have moved or changed your phone number, be sure to update the information.

June is also National Pet Preparedness Month! Being prepared for your

pet in an emergency is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Just like us, our pets are also affected by natural disasters, accidents and other emergencies, and it is important to have a plan in place to ensure their safety.

Prepare an emergency kit for your pet. This kit should include items such as food, water, medication, potty bags, blankets and/or towels, a favorite toy to help keep them calm, first aid supplies, as well as all important documents such as vaccination records and contact information for your veterinarian. Make sure your kit is easily accessible and kept in a waterproof container. Also, be sure to check the items in it regularly to make sure the food and medications have not expired.

Create a plan for evacuation or sheltering in place if that is a safe option. Know which shelters or hotels in your area allow pets and have a plan in place for how you will transport your pet if necessary. By taking these steps to prepare for your pet in an emergency, you can help ensure their safety and well-being in a time of crisis.

National Adopt A Shelter Cat

Month is also celebrated in June! Although, at Yavapai Humane Society, we believe every month should be National Adopt A Shelter Cat Month.

Adopting a cat can be a life-changing experience for both you and the cat and has many benefits. Adoptable cats at Yavapai Humane Society are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, which can save you money and time.

It can also be very fulfilling, as many cats who end up in shelters have been abandoned, abused or neglected. By providing them with a safe and loving home, you’re helping them to heal and regain trust in humans. It can also bring joy and companionship to your life as cats make great friends, and adopting a cat from a shelter can provide a sense of joy knowing you have made a positive impact in the life of a furry friend. In addition, studies have shown that having a cat has numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced stress levels.

Adopting a cat is also a

Services offered:

• Exams, bloodwork, vaccines, deworming, nail trims

• Nutrition consultations

• Subcutaneous fluid administration

• Acupuncture

• Laser Therapy

• Ozone Therapy

• Homeopathy

• Chinese Herbs

• At-home euthanasia

way to support YHS and its mission. We rely on donations and support from the community to continue our operations and care for the animals. By adopting, you are not only helping the cat but also supporting our efforts to rescue, care for and rehome more animals in need.

We have cats of all ages and breeds, from playful kittens to senior cats. By adopting, you can find a cat that fits your lifestyle, whether you’re looking for a companion to curl up with on the couch or a playful friend to keep you on your toes.

Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or an experienced cat parent, there is a shelter cat out there waiting for you. So why not consider adopting and making a difference in the life of a furry friend today? Visit yavapaihumane.org to see all the pets available for adoption and give us a call at 928-445-2666 to come meet them! QCBN

Loree Mae Walden, marketing director for Yavapai Humane Society.

Microchipping your pets is important because collars and tags can easily become lost or removed. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost or altered.

Exploring the Benefits of Ozone Therapy for Animal Companions

By Armaiti May, DVM, CVA

Ozone therapy, utilized by dentists, naturopathic physicians and some veterinarians, is a wonderful tool to assist in healing wounds, reduce the need for antibiotics and aid in reducing inflammation in the body by increasing oxygen utilization. Ozone, or O3, is a molecule that is produced by an ozone generator that is connected to an oxygen (O2) tank and then administered to

a patient in various forms. There are many practical ways in which ozone therapy can be applied to helping our animal companions, with the guidance of a veterinarian who is trained in ozone therapy.

For patients undergoing dental cleaning and/or extractions under anesthesia, ozonated saline can be used to rinse the mouth instead of administering injectable or oral antibiotics, thus sparing the patient the negative side effects of antibiotics, which, in addition to killing bad bacteria, can also destroy some good bacteria. If appropriately chosen probiotics are given after a course of antibiotics, good bacteria can be replenished, thus restoring some balance of good bacteria in the gut. However, using ozone can often eliminate the need to give antibiotics in the first place.

Patients afflicted with various forms of cancer benefit greatly from ozone therapy in the form of what is known as rectal insufflation, a convenient, quick, painless and non-invasive treatment involving the infusion of ozone gas via a catheter inserted into the rectum of a dog or cat. Horses and other species can

also benefit from this treatment for a variety of conditions, as well as for overall improved vitality.

Ozone can be combined with acupuncture as yet another method by which ozone therapy can be offered to patients, in which small volumes of ozone gas are inserted into specific acupuncture points via a needle and syringe. This can be a faster method of doing an acupuncture treatment while adding in the benefits of ozone therapy for patients who may not sit still for a 15- to 20- minute period for full conventional acupuncture treatment. This way, ozone acupuncture can offer relief from a wide variety of maladies ranging from pain, anxiety, allergies and gastrointestinal disorders to musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions.

Topical ozonated liniments, ointments and ear drops can be used to treat various skin and ear irritations and infections without the need to rely upon conventional antibiotics, antivirals, steroids and antifungal medications.

For open wounds that are not good candidates for surgical closure, either because there is not enough skin to

close the wound without causing excessive skin tightness or because the patient cannot safely undergo anesthesia to have surgery performed, limb bagging with ozone gas on the affected limb can serve as an effective treatment to assist in efficient wound healing for both small and large animals.

Ozonated fluids can be given subcutaneously in place of regular fluids to enhance the therapeutic benefit of those fluids. Eyes can be flushed with diluted ozonated saline to rinse out debris and mucus.

In a clinic setting, ozone can be administered in what is known as major autohemotherapy, where a small quantity of blood is drawn from a patient, ozone gas is added, and the resultant ozonated blood is given back into the patient intravenously. Minor autohemotherapy involves taking a small amount of blood, adding ozone, and then administer ing it intramuscularly (into the muscle).

Patients with arthritis and other joint problems may benefit from prolozone, a form of injectable therapy

combining ozone and prolotherapy, which can be an effective alternative to certain surgeries in some cases.

In summary, the applications of ozone therapy are many and can greatly improve the health and vitality of your animal companion. QCBN

To learn more about this powerful yet underutilized modality, visit www. regeno3onevet.com. To find a holistic or integrative veterinarian in your area, visit www.ahvma.org.

Armaiti May, DVM, is an integrative housecall veterinarian 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.

Ozone, or O3, is a molecule that is produced by an ozone generator that is connected to an oxygen (O2) tank and then administered to a patient in various forms.

Adult Care Services Offering Programs that Support the Caregiver

By Yvonne Napolitano

Adult Care Services, The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center, and The Margaret T. Morris Center’s mission, Quality Care, Quality Services, and Quality of Life, is not solely about the person receiving the hands-on care from their programs, but for the support of caregivers as well. Two key people responsible for this within the three non-profits specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care are Candace Lea and Melody Thomas-Morgan. Both women passionately agree that offering support to family caregivers in today’s times is desperately needed. Thanks to a one-year Community Health Improvement Grant from Dignity Health/YRMC, The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center now offers care management and programming support for community members attending the day center. Candace Lea, who has been with Adult Care Services for more than two years as community liaison, transitioned to this new role effortlessly. With a master’s degree in business, emphasizing health care management, a past

career as a program manager in case management, a family caregiver and a certified yoga instructor, Candace is a wealth of knowledge who knows the resources. She states that her goal as a care manager is to help family caregivers successfully navigate their role as caregivers when respite time ends.

The Margaret T. Morris Center Resident Services Specialist Melody Thomas-Morgan is no stranger

to family caregivers. She served as the life enrichment director at The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center for many years. Melody transitioned to her current role at The Margaret T. Morris Center in 2016. Melody, a trained support group leader, is finishing her last class for the completion of her master’s degree in pastoral counseling in crisis intervention and trauma with

a specialty in grief counselling and support. She is a natural at leading the Adult Care Services Support Group and helping families transition from hands-on caregivers to their prior role of spouse, child or friend, once deciding upon assisted living. Melody believes in giving caregivers hope as they deal with guilt and loss when making the best decisions for their loved one living with dementia. Caring for the caregiver is just as important as caring for a person who requires hands-on care. What the caregiver is truly going through on the inside may not show on the outside. Adult Care Services is here for caregivers to navigate resources, deal with feelings of sadness, loss and grief, and instill hope for confident, successful living. QCBN

For more information about Adult Care Services, see the company website at www.AdultCareSevices.org or call 928-771-2335.

Yvonne Napolitano is the executive director of Adult Care Services.

Candace Lea

Melody Thomas-Morgan

//

Caring for the caregiver is just as important as caring for a person who requires hands-on care. What the caregiver is truly going through on the inside may not show on the outside. Adult Care Services is here for caregivers to navigate resources, deal with feelings of sadness, loss and grief, and instill hope for confident, successful living.

//

Prescott Food Forest is Flourishing

By John Murphy

The goal was to create a gardening education center to teach people how to garden and grow their own food, a place where we could learn and share the fruits (and veggies) of our labor with those who are affected by food insecurity, a place to have fellowship and work together to build a lush Food Forest.

I am very proud to say we are making great strides in bringing our vision to reality. In fact, because we kept the greenhouse at B Organic Farm heated all winter long, we have ample vegetable growth already that we have given to those who need it most.

All this progress wouldn’t be possible without the hospitality and passion of Mark and Ginny Bonacquista, the owners of B Organic Farm. They have opened their property to us, which has allowed us to expand our capability to teach all the aspects of planting, growing, harvesting, eating, cooking and preserving the food we grow. It’s truly a blessing.

We recently completed our first eight-week course, Winter Greenhouse Gardening. It was a thrill to be able to utilize the greenhouse to plant and grow vegetables in January, February and March. The generous donations

from our supporters and sponsors allowed us to offer full scholarships to 25 eager and determined gardening students.

Currently, we have a greenhouse chock full of lettuces, peas, artichokes, tomatoes, beans and more. This is the result of arduous work by several gardening leaders including Master Gardener and Garden Manager LeRoy Miller, Hoss Lambeth and Ann Smeltzer, who have been volunteering every Wednesday since the inception of the program.

We are turning our attention to a half-acre garden bed that will allow us to amplify the quantity and variety of food we grow and give away. Our vision is to be able to give food to those in need, plus be able to sell fresh food at farmers markets and our own roadside stand.

Our second semester course, Summer Garden Growing, is in progress now. The course is led by Stephane Leon, who has taken the lead in our Gardeners Of Destiny training program, teaching the essential life skill to know how to grow food.

How can you get involved? There are specific opportunities depending on your experience and time you have available. We are always looking for volunteers to help pick the food,

to manage the gardens and to help support others who might not have the experience to teach gardening.

Please visit www.Prescottfoodforest. com to see the schedule for volunteer times. Typically, we have volunteers come out to the farm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is fun and fulfilling to get your hands in the dirt or to pick delicious locally grown food. The camaraderie and friendships that have been created is another bonus of this effort.

If you cannot physically garden or you just do not have time, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support this program. We have been able to provide scholarships to more than 40 people of all ages because of the generosity of our supporters and sponsors.

We are grateful for any amount, but a $100 donation to our non-profit organization, Make 100 Healthy Foundation, provides a full scholarship to an aspiring gardener. In return, the recipients pledge a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer time on the farm. That is a win/win for all. If interested, please call 928-899-1341 or go to the “donate” link on www.PrescottFoodforest.com.

Like any new venture, we are adjusting, tweaking and expanding the

content to give the most gardening insights possible. Our goal is to empower everyone to be able to grow their own food for health and self-sustainability.

Also, we are planning a summer boot camp for kids. More details will be forthcoming. This is family fun for everyone, an immersive opportunity to gain experience and improve your garden skills.

I am humbled how we’ve been able

to build the Gardeners Of Destiny training program, which has been embraced by all ages. Onward and Upward! Let’s keep Growing Together. QCBN

John Murphy is the founder of the Make 100 Healthy Foundation and a Prescott realtor. He can be reached at john.teammurphy@ gmail.com.

By keeping the B Organic Farm heated through the winter, Prescott Food Forest has been able to supply an abundance of vegetables to those who need them.

Courtesy photo

Surveillance Systems, Cloud Storage Provide Extra Security

By Jon and Jamie Aten

This month, we look at the importance of having the proper backup or cloud storage for your security surveillance system. If you have a surveillance system, you know how important access to recordings can be. Whether you need to check on a delivery or what an employee is working on, you need to be able to review any recordings. What if the recordings are needed for a police investigation or even a lawsuit? Do you know how long they are stored?

Cloud storage is an essential feature of any surveillance system, providing businesses with a reliable and secure way to store their videos. Your system should not only provide you access to recorded videos but also offer adequate storage for safety recall. You should also be aware of how long the recordings are stored. Most systems have limited onsite storage, but you can pay to have them stored for longer periods of time in the Cloud. This makes it easier for business owners to keep track of the events that have taken place in their facility for recall purposes and make

sure that any suspicious activities are addressed promptly.

With a proper surveillance system, the cloud storage feature will allow businesses to enjoy greater peace of mind, knowing that their videos are safely stored off-site and easily accessible with remote access. This allows business owners to review video footage from anywhere, even on a cell phone, and also share a link with others. With more control over your security systems, your business can take proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of your premise.

For our clients, we have Cloud storage contract with a company that has several servers off-site in a secured location, ensuring that businesses have reliable access to their surveillance videos and the peace of mind that comes with it. By leveraging this feature, businesses can be confident that they are taking all the necessary steps to protect their premises from any potential threats.

So, the biggest part of a surveillance system isn’t just the recording of activities, but making sure you have access to them. With Cloud storage, you can rest assured knowing your

business is in safe and secure.

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-theart fire suppression systems, inspections, sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, monitoring, intrusion alarms, security cameras, badge access systems, backflow certifications and more.

QCBN

Experiencing the Ripple Effect of Community Giving

By Lisa Sahady

ACF of Yavapai County is wrapping up our current annual grant cycle this month. What this means is organizations have written and submitted their proposals, grant panels have reviewed, scored and discussed these proposals, and funding decisions have been made. Many organizations will benefit, and as a ripple effect, the residents of Yavapai County benefit. The grant cycle process is community giving in action. When charitable giving is discussed, most individuals will talk about their favorite organization, their church or school.

Charitable giving does not need to be focused on specific organizations or schools; it can be a focus of interest. Grants through our annual cycle are possible through what we call Field of Interest funds. These funds are permanently endowed and have a specific focus, such as environment, social services, children’s programs, health care and many more. These funds were created by local individuals or groups of individuals with a focused charitable intent and purpose. These funds can be created during

a donor’s lifetime or as a legacy gift past their lifetime. Each of these donors trust the grantmaking process described above and many have been able to see the impact.

Imagine the impact of this type of community gift over 20 or 30 years. The compounding effect cannot be calculated. A school garden not only teaches the students where food comes from, but the harvest can be shared with the families of these students. Providing healthy food for the family can reduce the number of visits to a doctor and make learning easier for the students. This ripple effect, starting at a school garden, spreads across the community.

Giving back to your community has many benefits, not just for the community or the tax benefits of making a charitable contribution. There is a joy in giving, which some say helps them live longer, happier, healthier lives. The relief of not having to make decisions year in and year out on which organization to make a donation to reduces stress. Knowing your gift is making a difference can create a sense of pride that you have helped at least one person in our community. A

ed in them can plant the seed for a future philanthropist who will take care of their community. There are many ways to give back to our wonderful community, through time, knowledge and treasure. Each is equally valuable

and needed. Yavapai County is an incredibly generous community of individuals who love to take care of one another. This form of giving is just one way to take care of the community. QCBN

Tuesday, July 4 - Red, White and Boom

Prescott Valley Civic Center - 3 to 9:30 p.m. New location this year; new activities. Live music, fireworks, carnival rides, splash inflatables, food trucks, local breweries Free fun family event.prescottvalley-az.gov/1334/Parks-Recreation

Friday, July 14 - Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Community Excellence Awards

“Business Success with an Island Flavor”

Nominations are now being taken for outstanding contributions by individuals, organizations and businesses. Categories include Student of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Organization of the Year, Norm Pariseau Volunteer of the Year, Community Enhancement award, Chamber Member of the Year and Prescott Valley Heritage Award. Visit pvchamber.org to submit your nomination, Deadline is June 16, 2023

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

Lisa Sahady is the regional director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County.

Top Ten Sedums Recommended as Groundcover Plants

By Ken Lain

Most gardeners remember their grandmother’s tall Autumn Joy growing in the hottest parts of the garden. Their joyous cousins spread and creep with the same sizzling blooms that make Sedum the ideal plant for gardeners that want less water and responsibility but still want the same beauty of a cottage garden.

Sedum is basically like cacti without all the thorns. There are close to 500 species known as Sedum or Stonecrops. Although all Sedums flower, they’re usually grown for their foliage, which comes in exciting shades of green, blue, gold and reds not found in most other plants. They store moisture in their leaves and grow well in arid mountain locations.

My Top 10 Sedums grown as stunning groundcovers are:

#1 ANGELINA SEDUM

This gold leaf sedum is tinged in bronze when the weather turns cold. Dainty gold flowers appear through summer. The 5-inch plant mats and covers in dry locations, rock gardens, containers and hanging baskets, and its color contrasts nicely with dark foliage plants.

#2 BLUE SPRUCE SEDUM

The name comes from the blue foliage

resembling evergreen shrubs. This fast-growing plant produces a blanket of small yellow flowers throughout summer. It grows perfectly as a transition between low-sprawling evergreens, such as juniper and yews. It grows to ankle height and enjoys the hottest, windiest spots in the garden.

#3 CASCADE SEDUM

This perennial species blooms with yellow flowers in the midsummer heat. The leaves are green but show a red tinge in full sun. Individual plants spread several feet in irregular patterns from the crown. The variety is striking in light shade, growing 4 inches tall.

#4 CORAL REEF SEDUM

Also called a “Chinese Sedum,” the Coral Reef Sedum is one of the few

with warm golden foliage. Growing just 2 inches tall, the light-colored foliage looks fantastic next to darker-colored sedums. Miniature white and pink flowers appear in July and August. Aggressive greenery creeps and spreads down embankments and rock gardens but looks equally handsome planted at the edge of a container.

#5 JAPANESE SEDUM

The Japanese Sedum has silver leaves with distinctive red edges and hot-pink flowers that appear in Autumn. The plant is perfect for brightening the dark corners of a landscape. Many gardeners refer to this beauty as the “October Sedum.” It stands just 3 inches tall and grows anywhere in the garden, especially in the summer heat.

#6 MONGOLIAN SEDUM

This excellent groundcover plant blooms in late summer in shades of pink. Stunning leaves are blue and often trimmed in late autumn before it hibernates underground for winter. It is super tough in dry, crusty soil and grows just 5 inches tall, making it the perfect Sedum for rock gardens.

#7 MURALE SEDUM

Attractive to butterflies, this is a sedum cultivar with bronze foliage and pink flowers that bloom in early summer. It has a similar growth habit as the rest of the species but is a slightly smaller plant overall. Growing just under ankle high, it creeps through rocks as a groundcover. The species was found in Siberia, so you know it’s cold hardy for mountain gardens.

#8 PURPLE EMPEROR SEDUM

This has plum foliage and pink blooms that are striking when planted with other sedums. Growing a foot tall, it grows well when filling pockets in rock gardens and sunny border gardens. It grows in full sun but blooms a ridiculously long time when planted in shade gardens.

#9 SIBERIAN SEDUM

This groundcover plant has deep green leaves and golden yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. The 4-inch foliage turns an attractive bronze in autumn. It’s a reliable, fast-growing plant used to fill spaces in rock gardens or chinks in stone walls as well as blanket sunny areas. This Sedum was found in Siberia, so you know it thrives where lesser Sedums fail.

#10 WHITE SEDUM

Named for its white flowers, this plant’s green foliage turns reddish in autumn. It blooms in summer and is an excellent ground cover for thin, poor soils or rock embankments. Drought conditions may turn the foliage pinkish, but this species has excellent tolerance for dry conditions. It loves blistering hot sun and grows 3-5 inches tall. Its white outshines the rest in light shade.

Until next month, I’ll be helping gardeners grow more fragrant 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 Top10Plants.com.

Taking Care of Mental Health is an Investment in Yourself

By Deanna Eder

Polara Health has recently launched a cutting-edge community behavioral health hospital named The Healing Place, which commenced its operations on April 24. The facility, situated at 181 Whipple Street in Prescott, provides a comprehensive array of mental health services for individuals with acute and chronic psychiatric issues who require inpatient care. These services were previously offered at Polara Health’s Windhaven Psychiatric Hospital in Prescott Valley, but have now been relocated to the new location.

The facility is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a team of experienced mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses and behavioral health providers. The Healing Place is designed to provide a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for clients, with comfortable accommodations and amenities that promote healing and recovery.

“We are excited to open our doors in our new space and serve the mental health needs of our community,” said Polara Health Chief Clinical Officer Erin Kantor.

The Healing Place provides comprehensive inpatient treatment

services, including psychiatric evaluation, medication management, group psychotherapy, recreational therapy and education on coping skills and stress management. Our goal is to provide the highest quality mental health care possible, with a focus on patient-centered, whole person care.

“We believe that every patient has the potential for healing and recovery, and we are committed to helping achieve their goals. Being in an environment that supports healing and recovery is key. We are delighted that our new hospital provides such an environment,” said President and CEO Tamara Player.

With mental health, the important thing is to get the person in contact with help at the moment they make the decision to accept it. Timing and access are priorities for Polara Health and their clients.

Polara Health, with 12 locations in Yavapai County, offers programs beginning at birth through seniors, with more than 225 new clients on a monthly basis. A Center for Excellence Award was recently given to Polara Health for its Birth to Five program and Transitioned Aged Youth program through HealthChoice BCBSAZ.

“There is still a stigma

attached to reaching out for help, yet there was a recent study by the World Health Organization that showed 67% of the U.S. population does not operate at optimal mental capacity and so, at some point, a large part of our community could benefit from some sort of mental health assistance,” Player added. “Polara is here to make that assistance not only accessible, but also non-judgmental. It’s as simple as calling us and we can put you in touch with someone to guide you to the right resources.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact our Crisis Stabilization Unit in Prescott Valley. The CSU is open 24/7 and you can walk through our doors at 8655 E. Eastridge Drive in Prescott Valley or call 928-445-5211. Polara Health’s Crisis Stabilization Unit is our first point of contact and the doors are open to all.   You can also call or text 988 and talk with a trained professional 24/7. QCBN

To learn more about Polara Health, our services and how you can join our team, please visit www.polarahealth.com.

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

Understanding Labor Market Trends in Yavapai County

By Teri Drew

Yavapai County has its own unique labor trends and characteristics. General information about labor trends in Yavapai County are based on historical information from September 2021 to the present.

Yavapai County has a diverse economy, with multiple sectors driving employment. Some of the significant industries in the region include health care, tourism, education, government, retail, construction and manufacturing.

The healthcare sector is a major employer in Yavapai County. The county has numerous healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and specialty care centers. Jobs in health care range from medical professionals to support staff and administration. The current average hourly rate of pay is $41.35 in the healthcare sector.

Yavapai County is known for its natural beauty, scenic landscapes and historical attractions. Popular tourist destinations in the county include Prescott, Sedona, Jerome and the Verde Valley. The tourism industry provides employment opportunities in hospitality, lodging, restaurants, out-

door recreation and retail. The current average hourly rate of pay is $17.31 in the tourism sector.

Yavapai County has several educational institutions, including colleges, community colleges, universities and school districts. These institutions offer employment opportunities for educators, administrators, support staff and other related roles. The current average hourly rate of pay is $25.05 in the education sector.

Government jobs, both at the county and local level, contribute significantly to the labor market in Yavapai County. These jobs include positions in administration, law enforcement, public safety, public works and social services.

The current average hourly rate of pay is $21.88 in the government sector.

The construction industry plays a crucial role in Yavapai County’s economy, driven by residential and commercial development projects. Infrastructure development, such as road construction and improvement, also provides employment opportunities.

The current average hourly rate of pay is $23.11 in the construction sector.

Summer Skincare, Makeup Tips

Yavapai County has a small but growing manufacturing sector. Manufacturing jobs can be found in industries such as aerospace, electronics, food processing and more. These jobs often require specialized skills and training. The current average hourly rate of pay is $20.62 in the manufacturing sector.

It’s important to note that labor trends can change over time and the specific conditions in Yavapai County may evolve with industry needs. It is always advisable to consult local employment agencies, economic development organizations and government sources that specialize in labor market data for the region. With Yavapai County’s unemployment rate at 2.9%, there are still many employment opportunities in each of the listed sectors. Visit Yavapai County | ARIZONA@WORK (arizonaatwork.com) to learn more about labor market trends, employment and training opportunities. QCBN

Teri Drew is the executive director of the Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

By Leah Gosik

One of the best things you will ever do for your skin is drink water. There’s nothing that has replaced or will replace daily water intake. It helps keep your skin smooth and supple.

As long as we’re protecting our skin, sunhats are in! Don’t be shy. Get it! Wear it! Love it!

If you’re going to be in the sun this summer, use sunscreen, there’s no reason not to. With the wide variety of available options, there is a sunscreen out there for everyone. If you’re acne-prone, look for a Sunscreen with a natural SPF of 30 or more.

Antioxidants are so important year-round, but especially important during the summer months. You’ll want to make sure that you’re using serums and moisturizers that are high in antioxidants like Vitamins C and E. Vitamin C prevents wrinkles and neutralizes harmful free radicals. Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory that softens the skin. It’s a moisturizing and healing antioxidant. And together, they fight photo

Eating Lighter in the Summertime

By Debbie Maranville

Do you naturally shift your mindset to lighter and cooler meals during the summertime?

During the heat of the summer, our bodies are geared to receive lighter meals. This in turn allows us the energy needed to move through a hot day. Hiking, gardening, outside chores and sharing backyard get-togethers are shifting to lighter, cooler and refreshing foods and beverages.

When it is hot outside, give your body a break by replacing your meat dishes with yummy veggies. Meat is heavy and will make you drowsy, as it takes a while for it to digest. According to the Mayo Clinic, it takes six to eight hours for food to pass through the stomach and through the small intestine. Digestibility refers to how much of a food can be broken down into fundamental nutrients used by the body.

It regularly takes up to 72 hours to digest red meat. “That’s because fats are more difficult for the body to break down and require a more elaborate process than other nutrients,” said Dr. Pamela Peeke, as reported in the Huffington Post. “Because of this, your body sends more energy to the source of digestion, leaving you feeling zapped.”

If you do eat meat from the grill, avoid using heavy sauces that are cream-based or barbecue sauces that are full of sugar. Alternatively, you can grill a veggie burger and serve it with a stir-fry and a host of vegetables

for a healthier option.

Our catering company sees a big shift in the menus chosen by our clients for weddings, showers, open houses and special events. There are more entrees and appetizers made with fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and grilled meats.

Most recently, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to make antibodies that attack the cells in the thyroid. Some of my symptoms have been tiredness, weight gain, muscle weakness and I have difficulty concentrating. My doctor, Dr. Rebecca Chatfield, the Mobile Health Doc, looked deep into my eyes and said I should eliminate gluten and dairy immediately. Of course, I was stunned. However, after several weeks of changing my diet, especially during the warmer months, I have started to feel so much better.

I love to cook! Most recently, I have played around with my creativity and foods that I love and wanted to share this Zucchini Pizza recipe with you. It’s light, full of veggies and can be eaten cold. I have even served it to children and they loved it. It is perfect for summer meals or any season, actually.

May your summer be cool and refreshing!

QCBN

Catering & Events.

aging better than ever. Add a bit of sunscreen to these two power-packed antioxidants for a major dose of sun protection.

Another great way to get antioxidants is by eating your fruits and vegetables.

Ladies, let’s face it. Summer brings on a slew of makeup problems. Let’s start with creasing eyeshadow. Have I got great news for you. Now there’s an easy solution. Apply your eyeshadow to your liking. Then apply a drop of color stay with an eye brush to complete your stay-proof power.

No woman ever said, “I love it when my mascara creates raccoon eyes.” Not all women want to wear a waterproof mascara every day. Now, there’s a color stay for lashes. Apply your favorite mascara, let it dry, then apply color stay for an all-day and evening flawless look. Your mascara won’t budge or smudge. QCBN

Gluten Free/Dairy Free Zucchini Crust Pizza

INGREDIENTS

ƒ 2 cups shredded zucchini (1 to 1-1/2 medium), squeezed dry

ƒ 1/2 cup egg substitute or 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

ƒ 1/4 cup Gluten free flour

ƒ 1/4 teaspoon salt

ƒ 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast

ƒ 2 cups shredded Daiya Mozzarella cheese, divided

ƒ 1/2 cup grated Vegan Parmesan cheese, divided

ƒ 2 small tomatoes, halved and sliced

ƒ 2 cloves fresh garlic minced

ƒ 1/2 cup chopped red onion

ƒ 1/2 cup julienned red or green bell pepper

ƒ 1 teaspoon dried oregano

ƒ 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

ƒ Chopped fresh basil and arugula for garnish

ƒ Drizzle of olive oil

DIRECTIONS

ƒ Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients; stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup par-

mesan cheese. Transfer to a 12-in. pizza pan or pizza stone, lightly coated with cooking spray; spread to an 11-in. circle.

ƒ Bake until golden brown, 13-16 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 400°. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese; top with tomatoes, onion, pepper, herbs and remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake until edge is golden brown and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and arugula. Drizzle olive oil over top of pizza. QCBN

Leah Gosik is the founder of Bella by Leah Cosmetics Prescott Arizona, located in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

Debbie Maranville is co-owner of Goods from the Garden,

Yavapai College Commencement Ceremonies Celebrate Achievements of More than One Thousand Students

By Lisa Rhine

As a college president, there isn’t any other day that is more special, more exhilarating or more fulfilling than Commencement Day. For those of us in higher education, this is the biggest event of the year! It’s where we see the fruits of our labor and our mission fulfilled. And for our students and those who love them, it’s a day where hard work, perseverance and sacrifice have paid off.

Commencement is about dreams realized for our graduates. Never let it be said that dreaming is a waste of one’s time. Dreams are our realities in waiting. In dreams, we plant the seeds of our future. Dreams motivate and inspire. Dreams cause us to persevere under difficult circumstances and dreams create a focus in our lives.

More than 1,000 dreams were realized this year at Yavapai College’s spring commencement ceremonies. Two ceremonies were held at the

Sedona Performing Arts Centers on May 6 for Verde Valley graduates, and another ceremony was held at Prescott Valley’s Findlay Toyota Center on May 7 for Prescott-area graduates.

Overall, an astounding 1,068 students, the majority of whom reside in Yavapai County, received a combined 1,351 degrees and certificates from YC this past year. This is a massive cohort of students and further shows that Yavapai College is completing its

Overall, an astounding 1,068 students, the majority of whom reside in Yavapai County, received a combined 1,351 degrees and certificates from YC this past year. This is a massive cohort of students and further shows that Yavapai College is completing its mission of providing accessible and affordable education to its residents.

mission of providing accessible and affordable education to its residents.

The beautiful thing about Yavapai College is the diversity in age and the types of students who attend. Our youngest graduate this year was born in 2007. He is 15 years old, resides in Paulden and graduated with his Automotive Technician Certificate.

Our oldest graduate resides in Cottonwood, was born in 1938, and is 84 years old. She completed her associate of arts degree and Arizona General Education Certificate-A.

YC had 120 graduates under the age of 18 this year and 36 graduates over the age of 55.

All of YC’s students have found the strength to persevere under trying circumstances. They now know that no matter what challenges may come their way, they have the strength to prevail.

I’d like to salute Yavapai College’s graduates one more time. YC has been blessed by your presence and engagement with us, and

How to Keep Allergens Out of Your Home

By Lucy Leyva

Here in Prescott, we work hard to maintain our homes. As much as we try to keep things clean, we unknowingly track things into our homes – including the dreaded allergies from pollen. Prescott Maid to Order wants to share some tips with you on how professional cleaning can help reduce allergies in your Prescott home.

HEPA FILTERS

High-Efficiency Particulate Air –HEPA for short – filters are specifically made to trap allergens in the home that can make it past other vacuum cleaners that are only designed for suction. If your vacuum doesn’t have a HEPA filter, then you are likely breathing in allergens as you are vacuuming.

Here are a few tips about what else you can do to eliminate some of the allergens that get into your home:

ƒ Cutting clutter: getting rid of boxes can help with dust and hidden allergens in the home like dust mites and cockroaches.

ƒ Wearing a mask while you are cleaning will help, but we also recommend leaving your house for a few hours once you are done. This will limit your exposure to allergens you might have lifted into the air while cleaning.

ƒ Keep your bathroom free of mold by scrubbing tile regularly.

ƒ Wash sheets weekly in hot water with unscented cleaners and detergents.

ƒ Don’t air dry your laundry outside where it can be exposed to pollen, which again enters your home unknowingly.

ƒ Clean entryways by sweeping or vacuuming.

ƒ Don’t use do-it-yourself shampoo on carpets because of the risk of mold growth or dust mite populations. Get them professionally cleaned.

ƒ If you are allergic to dust mites, ask another family member to do the cleaning or hire a professional cleaning company.

PREVENTION

These are certainly not required, but they will make your life easier when you are cleaning and help prevent allergy flare-ups.

ƒ Rugs and carpets can trap allergens, so having hardwood, tile or vinyl flooring will reduce your exposure to these. Getting smaller rugs that you can wash will also help.

ƒ Encase mattresses and pillows with dust-proof covers to reduce problems with dust mites.

ƒ Consider replacing drapes or horizontal blinds with roller shades,

which will keep dust and allergens at bay.

ƒ If you do have drapes and curtains, wash them regularly.

ƒ Make sure to have the high pot shelves cleaned a few times a year. They collect a lot of dust and are often forgotten because you can’t easily see them.

ƒ Taking off shoes before you go inside the house will also help keep allergens from being tracked in.

we are humbled and proud to be part of your personal story. QCBN

Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D., is the president of Yavapai College.

In February 2019, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine became the tenth 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 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 over 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.

ƒ Keeping pets out of the bedroom is tough for some of us, but if you are allergic, don’t let them sleep on the bed. This is a nightmare for anyone with allergies.

ƒ Use air-conditioning instead of opening windows when it is hot. Air-conditioning filters the air, preventing dust, pollens and any other triggers from getting in.

When it comes to allergen control, it can be a challenge, especially in the springtime in Prescott. We hope these tips will help prevent the causes of allergies around your home. QCBN

Lucy Leyva is the owner of Prescott Maid to Order.

Controlling Weeds, Watering Plants, Preparing for Monsoon Season

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month, Tom and I thought we would get in the weeds.

Tom:Sandy, I suspect you already have a plan for this month’s column.

Sandy: Hi Tom, yep, you know me, always planning, thinking and dreaming. I asked Josh Crothers, owner of Prescott Landscape Professionals, and Chris Welborn, owner of Vicente Landscaping, to join us. We are getting into the summer months, and I want our readers to get great information regarding their landscape during this time of year.

Tom: Good thoughts. Welcome, guys. So, it is June. What sage advice do you have for folks about summer care for our landscaping?

Chris: Hey, Sandy and Tom, thanks for asking us to be here. One of the main events of the summer homeowners need to pay attention to is weed control.

Josh: Agree wholeheartedly. The coming monsoon season typically triggers a weed bloom that people need to be ready for.

Sandy: Oh boy, isn’t that the truth? How do you both recommend dealing with the weeds, beside putting a hex on them to not grow?

Josh: Probably the best preparation for weed control is by applying a “preemergent.” That is a product that will stop the growth at the seed level before the weeds can germinate.

Chris: Yes, Josh is right on. Getting the preemergent down is key. Doing that before the rain is best.

Sandy: I understand that commercial applicators of the preemergent need to be licensed by the state.

Josh: Correct. The Pest Management Division has an educational and testing procedure in place. It can be up to a two-plus year process to obtain licensing.

Chris: Several of the more professional landscape companies in this area have that license. The reason for the control is that we are essentially handling a product that can be harmful if not applied correctly. I am proud to say that Josh and I are both licensed and understand the importance of applying a chemical properly.

Tom: If I did not have a preemergent applied, and have weeds growing in my xeriscape yard, can I apply a weed killer? And while I am at it, the follow-up question: Is there a difference between a preemergent and weed killer?

Chris: First question, yes, you can apply a weed killer. After they start to grow you can apply the weed killer. Two problems with that approach, first is the likelihood of inconsistent application, and the chemical is nasty stuff, and if you aren’t properly suited up to apply, you can become contaminated. Also, now you must pick up all the dead weeds.

Josh: When any of these products are applied incorrectly, they have the potential to contaminate ground water.

Sandy: Too little and ineffective application, the weeds thrive. Too much, and there is an impact on the environment. Sounds like a job for the pros like you guys. What else should our readers be doing in June?

Josh: June is typically the hottest and driest month. Plants can get stressed if not watered sufficiently.

Chris: Plants should be nice and green this time of year. If they start turning yellow, that is an indicator they are stressed.

Tom: Should we just water them more?

Josh: Yes, supplemental watering in conjunction with your irrigation might be needed.

Chris: And, along with that, you should consider fertilizing them as well.

Sandy: Good advice! There are so many different fertilizer types out there. How do we know what to use?

Chris: Typical fertilizer for plants is characterized by the three main ingredients with the chemical periodic table symbol. They are Nitrogen, Phosphate and a K for Potassium: NPK.

Josh: There are different ratios of the three in different fertilizers. Arguments can be made for using different ratios at different times of the year. I suggest a balanced approach. 10,10,10 which coincides with the percentage of the three primary ingredients Chris mentioned.

Sandy: Should we just put the suggested amount around the plant and leave it or do you suggest watering in the granules?

Josh and Chris: Water! Water! Water!

Tom: About watering, you both mentioned supplemental watering as needed during hot, windy and dry times. Should that be done by hand, or should I just increase the flow from my irrigation system?

Chris: Either way really. Sometimes it is simpler to water by hand.

Josh: I agree, watering by hand in the evening also gives you more control over the amount of water you use.

Sandy: With the monsoon season right around the corner, what other advice do you have for our followers?

Chris: Check out your drainage systems. Check your gutters, underground pipes and surface swales, making sure they are free of anything that might block them or cause erosion in the rest of your yard.

Josh: Folks should also look at their plant depression areas around the plant base to be sure they are retaining their form and positioned to capture as much rainwater as they can.

Chris: There are several types of water catchment systems. You can have tanks to collect or use a more passive surface system.

Tom: Should I also monitor my automatic irrigation system during the monsoon, dialing it down if we get rain?

Josh: If you have a rain gauge and the latest rain measures a half inch or more, then you can decide how to moderate the frequency.

Sandy: Lots of folks use this time of year to plant new trees and shrubs. Is that OK?

Josh: Plant away!

Chris: Yes, Plant away. If your yard is frequented by wildlife, you may want to look at some plant types that do not attract animals and pests.

Sandy: I don’t want my yard to be a salad bowl for wildlife, for sure.

Josh: When you do plant, you may want to supplement the irrigation watering until plants are established.

Tom:Good advice all around. I am grateful to learn about the need for a state license to put down preemergent. To our readers, you can verify that a company is properly licensed to apply preemergent materials through the

office of pest management, www.opm. azda.gov.

Sandy: Hiring licensed contractors, hmm, where have I heard that before?

Chris with Vicente Landscaping, and Josh with Prescott Landscaping Professionals, thank you both for taking the time to help our readers stay informed.

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.

T-Shirt Season: Time to Show Off Your Brand

By Eva and Vance Janckila

Summer is coming and everyone is getting ready for the warmer weather and outdoor events. Spring is the right time to order your apparel and promotional items for the season change. There are many great options to make the season safer and more enjoyable as you promote your business or event.

Many businesses are looking for great ways to promote their company with promotional products made for warmer weather. Some fun product ideas are coolers, water bottles, sunscreen packs, sunglasses, beach chairs, beach towels, totes and waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Besides branded giveaways and gifts, consider decorated pop-up canopies and tablecloths for the events that you’ll be hosting or participating in during this season.

While promotional goods are hot items, the right apparel can make all the difference. Those who work outdoors at summer camps and other places will appreciate clothing with built-in UV protection. This type of apparel offers protection of SPF30+ in youth to adult sizing. Your outdoor employees and parents of children at camps will thank you for your consideration!

As you consider summer branded

apparel options, there are many styles to keep your employees and customers cool on those hot summer days. Tank tops, shorts, cotton t-shirts and caps of all styles, including those that have the neck cape are best-sellers at this time of year. All these items can be branded with your logo.

With so many fun options, it should be easy to find the right merchandise and apparel to make this season more enjoyable and safer. Work with your apparel decorator and promotional goods provider to find the right product for you. 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.

Vance Janckila is the production manager at Arizona Cap & Apparel. He specializes in decorating apparel using several techniques, such as screen printing and direct-to-garment printing. For more information, visit arizonacap.com.

YRMC Launches Employee Recognition Programs: DAISY and Bumble-BEE Awards

By Tracey McCollum

Nearly every day at Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), I hear from a patient or family member about a nurse or other employee who made a positive difference to them during their time at YRMC West in Prescott or YRMC East in Prescott Valley.

These heartfelt messages helped inspire two new employee recognition programs at YRMC. The programs give patients, families, visitors and others the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary work of individual YRMC team members. They include:

The DAISY Award – This international recognition program rewards and celebrates the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide. It was created in 1999 by the DAISY Foundation and has been adopted by health care organizations worldwide, including YRMC.

The Bumble-BEE Award – All YRMC employees (non-nursing team members) are eligible for this award. It recognizes YRMC employees whose efforts, support and kindness make a difference to patients, families and others.

These recognition programs have two features that distinguish them from most employee recognition programs. First, they give voice to the people YRMC serves – patients, families and community members. And second, the programs highlight

the extraordinary – and sometimes unseen work –YRMC employees do every day.

Four times a year, three nurses and three staff members from both YRMC campuses will receive the DAISY Award or Bumble-BEE Award.

An objective and anonymous system was developed to select the award recipients. Nominees whose actions most align with YRMC’s organizational values will be selected for DAISY and Bumble-BEE Awards. Those values include:

ƒ Respect – Behaves in a way that honors self and others.

ƒ Integrity – Is consistent and honest in word and deed.

ƒ Quality – Provides service excellence in meeting others’ expectations.

ƒ Commitment – Demonstrates dedication to one’s work, personal development, the organization, and YRMC’s mission and vision.

ƒ Accountability – Follows through and is answerable for one’s performance.

To learn more about the DAISY and Bumble-BEE Awards visit, YRMC.org/ daisy-bee. QCBN

Tracey McCollum, MSN, RN, NEABC, CENP, is the chief executive nursing officer at Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

Championing Private Property Rights

By M. Faye Humphrey

Homeownership is part of the American Dream, and realtors play an essential role in that dream, but their value extends much further than that. Every home sale generates $88,000 in local economic activity, accounting for 18% of the nation’s GDP, and every two home sales supports one American job.

Real estate transactions are complex and include far more than many people know; attorney reviews, filing state/federal forms, tracking mortgage rates/terms, coordinating with lenders, scheduling appraisals/ inspections, researching property taxes, public records, price trends,

neighborhood details and school district ratings, handling negotiations, fielding incoming offers and showing requests, auditing your home before listing, requesting repairs or concessions, executing a multi-channel marketing strategy, and much more.

While some may be tempted to go it alone, known as “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), research shows the wisest choice is to trust a trained professional. According to data from the National Association of REALTORS (www.nar.realtor), FSBOs accounted for only about 10% of home sales in 2021. To put it in perspective, homeowners who decide to market their own property experience only an 11% success rate. That’s like a

football team only making it to their own 10-yard line on every kickoff. No one is headed to the Superbowl, or even the postseason, with those stats! Additionally, homes sold by a trained realtor typically achieve a final sale price 74% higher than that of the average FSBO.

Realtors are also advocates for their clients. A realtor’s job is to represent their clients’ best interests at every stage of the transaction. This means ensuring that they receive fair and equitable treatment under the law. Realtors, who are bound by a strict code of ethics, can guide buyers and sellers through the process, ensuring that they understand their rights and obligations.

Realtors are also advocates for their clients. A realtor’s job is to represent their clients’ best interests at every stage of the transaction. This means ensuring that they receive fair and equitable treatment under the law. Realtors, who are bound by a strict code

Realtors also play a critical role in ensuring that property rights are respected and protected. Local, state and federal regulations can have a significant impact on property rights, and realtors are often on the front lines advocating for their communities’ interests. This can include working with local zoning boards, advocating for property tax reform, and lobbying for legislation. PAAR sends a team of representatives to the Realtors Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., every year to stay on top of developments on a national level that may impact those they serve here at home in the Quad Cities.

Ultimately, realtors play an essential role in the United States, and even beyond into the global marketplace. From guiding buyers and sellers through complex transactions to advocating for their clients’ interests, realtors are on the front lines in the communities they live and work in every day. By fostering a culture of professionalism and ethical behavior within the industry, a realtor helps to ensure that property owners’ rights and investments are respected and protected for generations to come. As such, it is critical that we continue to support and invest in the real estate industry and

the professionals who make it thrive. QCBN

M. Faye Humphrey is the 2023 president of the Prescott Area Association of REALTORS. With more than 20 years of experience, Humphrey is the broker/owner of KMF Real Estate, with offices in Prescott and Scottsdale.

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®.

For more information, contact:

Elissa Portela Communications Director

Prescott Area Association of REALTORS® Office: 928-445-2663 x 203

Elissa@paar.com

www.paar.com

of ethics, can guide buyers and sellers through the process, ensuring that they understand their rights and obligations.

Mentoring Through Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards

Nominations being accepted for September High Tea

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

The Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards not only celebrate, recognize and honor women for their leadership skills, career achievements, community service and mentorship, they also promote what leadership looks like. ATHENA recipients say this is powerful because younger or less experienced women in the workplace can identify local role models they can talk to, observe in action and learn from.

“Leaders become mentors for others and impact future growth,” said 2022 ATHENA recipient Teri Drew, executive director of NACOG’s Yavapai County Workforce Development, in a 2022 QCBN interview. “My parents and siblings were and continue to be my mentors. They taught me what to and not to do growing up, and those strong ethics pay off.”

On Sunday, Sept. 24, women from across the region will come together at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall for the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards High Tea, presented by Quad Cities Business News. They will hear stories of struggle and triumph, perseverance through fear and how to tap into their inner strength in times of adversity. They will also learn how women lean into their core values and their hopes for the future.

“I believe my life is a blessing and given as a blessing. Giving back is just what I believe I need to do. Mentoring others is one of my tenets and receiving the ATHENA award strengthened that,” said 2018 Flagstaff ATHENA recipient Theresa Bierer, an associate professor of practice in management in the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University. “In our lives, everyone is so busy, but what really

makes the fabric of a community is people who step outside of themselves and put others and community first. To me, that’s what the ATHENA Award embodies.”

This year, QCBN will recognize an individual with the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award and also will present the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. In addition, for the first time in Northern Arizona, the Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards will celebrate a business or organization

that supports, develops and honors women leaders with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to nominate extraordinary women leaders who are making a difference in their communities and pioneering a path for others to impact the future.

“My hope for young women entering the workplace is for them to do what they love and love what they do,” added Drew.

Nominations are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 4, at prescottathena.com. QCBN

QCBN women have been instrumental in bringing the ATHENA Leadership Awards to Prescott. Photographed here are QCBN Co-Owner Amy Bix, Editor Bonnie Stevens and Advertising Manager Ann Herrington. Photos by Kay Lyons

Teri Drew, shown here with her husband, received the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award in a celebration at Starting Point honoring women in the Quad Cities.

SEWING continued from page 36

with the City of Tucson and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and has become overloaded with demand.

Winslow Economic Development Director Una Wirkebau is inspired as well. She says there’s growing interest in the area right now from land developers, manufacturers and businesses, and she believes having a trained skilled workforce with commercial sewing skills will be a valuable asset for attracting more employers. She notes the high unemployment rate in Navajo County and on the Navajo Nation, and believes this initiative could create lasting change.

“There is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs to take these skills and run with them,” she said. “As long as they have an industrial sewing machine, they can start their own business and work from home. We see this as having a multi-generational impact on families where a mom, a son, a grandmother, for example, could all be creating work to bring in money for the household.”

Wirkebau shares the vision with Moonshot for a locally grown workforce, using Arizona cotton and becoming a hub for sewing needs globally. She says that an empty Winslow textile warehouse, known locally as “the hat factory,” could become part of the picture. “There’s more than enough work out there that we can easily fill that location if someone has the passion for making this happen. This goes

beyond economic development in local neighborhoods. Oh my goodness, there are so many possibilities. We are right on Interstate 40 and we have a train depot.”

Stephanie Pierotti is the executive director for the Arizona Stitch Lab at Moonshot. “There is gap in the skilled labor market and it’s a national challenge,” she said. “It was a surprise to me to learn of the great need for industrial sewing skills. There’s a trade union for theater in Arizona, for example, the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees (IASTE), that has a large need for repairing curtains and other cloth components for theaters in Phoenix and the surrounding area. We want to make Arizona a hub for the sewn goods industry, and create awareness that we do have a skilled labor workforce here and we can handle jobs from all over the country and all over the world.”

Pierotti says working with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson has been a great fit. “Sewing is part of Arizona’s indigenous culture and this program is creating awareness about how valuable and marketable that skill is. We are discovering so many jobs that require commercial sewers that we didn’t know existed. Right now, much of that work is being sent overseas.”

The Tucson program connected with Erika Yngve to be the Moonshot entrepreneur in residence. Together with Yngve, the Moonshot team creat-

Watch Your Business News!

ed a curriculum to raise home sewing skills to industrial sewing skills for higher paying jobs, help launch sewn goods companies, create small-batch manufacturing opportunities and build a database of sewing talent throughout the state.

Similarly, Moonshot is working with Tina LaChance, founder of Red Thread Sewing, who has been sewing full-time in Flagstaff since 2007. She will be the hands-on instructor for the Winslow program. “Sewing skills are in high demand. With every single turn I’ve made in the sewing industry, there are not enough people to help me,” said LaChance. “The industry needs experienced industrial sewers. I’m really excited about serving the community with sewing services and helping Northern Arizona’s economy as well.”

LaChance works with Overland Campers, a locally grown business that creates pop-up mobile habitats for the outdoors. She says she learned her sewing skills from her mother when she was in the Girl Scouts. “I would get old pants from the thrift store and make bags for other people in high school. In my 20s, I moved to Flagstaff and met a wonderful lady who knew how to do home decorating. I started making curtains for folks. Before 2007, I got a job doing embroidery and alterations. Sewing has really been critical to my life. I’ve been through my fair share of health scares and issues that kept me from having a regular job. Sewing work

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 to https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/bonnie-stevens

filled the gaps in income. The overhead is very low compared to other industries. Keeping and maintaining those machines has enabled me to be fluid in my life and income. Sewing can be a steady income maker for anyone.”

Pierotti sees the pilot project as an exciting opportunity that will create

awareness about upskilling opportunities for occupations like digital patternmaking and 3D modeling that can create six-figure salaries. QCBN

For more information, go to azstitchlab.org.

Arizona Philharmonic Names

Abby Coffey Co-Executive Director

Prescott’s Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) has announced that, after an extensive search, they have chosen Abby Coffey as co-executive director. Coffey starts the position this month to help usher in the 2023-24 season, which begins Sept. 10.

“We are delighted to have someone of Abby’s musical and education background join AZ Phil as co-executive director, and I look forward to working with her as we evolve our organization,” said AZ Phil Executive Director Henry Flurry.

A versatile flutist, piccoloist and music educator and administrator in the Phoenix metro area, Coffey currently holds the Flute 2/Piccolo position in the Symphony of the Southwest and performs frequently as a substitute musician with The Phoenix Symphony. A supporter and advocate of music education, Coffey is the Professor of Flute and Music Education Studies at Arizona Christian University, where she also teaches music history courses.

Coffey graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University in Nashville with a Bachelor of Music in music education degree. Relocating to Phoenix to further her educa-

tion, she obtained a Master of Music in flute performance from Arizona State University and is currently completing a Core Certification Program in Arts Management through the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

“I am thrilled to join the executive team for the Arizona Philharmonic as the co-executive director for the 2023-2024 season,” Coffey said. QCBN

Arizona Philharmonic announces new Co-Executive Director Abby Coffey. Courtesy of Bailey Wilson Photography

Tina LaChance, owner of Red Thread Sewing, says sewing skills have served her well throughout her career. She will be the instructor for the Arizona Stitch Lab pilot program coming to Winslow next month. Photo courtesy of Jake Mattix.

MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY

PHIL GOODE

How Prescott is Funded for City Needs

By Phil Goode

As we conclude budget approval for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins on July 1, questions arise about the city’s tax structure and how we are funded. Many are surprised to learn that transaction privilege tax (TPT, or sales tax) is the primary source of revenue for the city’s general fund, which pays for public safety and other critical city services. Property tax in Prescott accounts for less than 4% of revenue for the general fund.

As growth continues in and around Prescott’s city limits, the low city property tax plays a minor but important role in funding our public safety and other critical services. The Prescott property tax rate is much lower than the rate in the unincorporated county areas. For this reason, growth and increased property values disproportionately benefit the county, with their higher property tax rate. However, growth in the north Prescott area, both in the city and county areas, is stretching city public safety services capability and response times.

This means that the police, fire and emergency medical services are funded from the city’s general fund with a vastly lower property tax rate. Currently, for example, a property with a $400,000

assessed value outside of the city limits located in the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority’s district, pays an additional $1,041 annually above the same valued property in the City of Prescott.

As council moves to approve the Fiscal Year ‘24 budget, for the first time since 2017, we are considering an increase in the property tax levy by the maximum allowed 2%. This increase will trigger a Truth in Taxation process, which will include public notices and public hearings. What does this increase mean for Prescott homeowners?

The answer is about $13.04 a year for a similar $400,000 property. While not a significant sum, the additional revenue will help the city keep up with the need for more police and firefighters.

Property Tax is a consistent funding source, while sales tax is subject to the cycles of the economy and tourism variations. Police and fire protection is a constant need and requires a more stable funding source. Property tax and its role in funding critical city services must be considered as a way to provide a more balanced source of revenue to meet the needs of our growing community. QCBN

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cuts in clothing…make my heart beat a little faster.”

“So That’s What 70 Looks Like!” is designed to demonstrate the power of feminine leadership, reveal what aging can look like and not what it has to look like, show the difference between waiting and living, and illuminate how tough can be pretty.

“No matter what season of life you are in, you will find value in this book,” writes speaker, author and strategist Kathi Cooper Laughman. “There are so many mysteries in life. It’s important to be clear on what matters. The insights shared can help you with that. [The book is] the perfect balance of purpose and play as you discover your own steps in the dance.”

Through her book and in our closets, physically and virtually all over the world, Bobbie furthers her mission to help us feel great about ourselves; after all, she writes, to glow is not a lofty goal “because living well is our God-given right.”

“I think every single one of us is a celebrity. Every time you walk out your front door, that’s a red carpet. It’s another opportunity to say, ‘Here I am!’ So, if you regard it as that, it makes it fun,” she said. “When I work with clients, particularly those clients who are going to be on stage, on video, or going to do their website photographs and show their personality, the first time I meet with them is over the phone. No pictures. I do no research.

I don’t want to know anything about them. I just want to talk to them. And, I tell you, it is magical. If you listen, somebody will tell you exactly who they are and then it’s so easy to wrap them in their message.”

Pointing out that the average person spends 20 minutes a day deciding what to wear, her goal is to save people time, use what they already have and transform their image, which, she says, builds confidence and garners positive feedback. Through listening, intuition and her fashion sense, which stretches back to her New York City childhood sewing clothes for herself and her sister, Bobbie figures out each client’s individual style and puts together outfits they may never have considered before. In addition, she identifies accessories to enhance the wardrobe.

“We create a strategic shopping list so you know the right things to add, so no more of things hanging in your closet with tags on them. And you get ongoing support because you will never be in a situation where you don’t know what to wear, because I’ll be a phone call away.”

Whether you are applying for an important job, preparing for a TEDx Talk or practicing aerial dance on a beach, this expression expert is known to show up with the fierce determination of a gladiator (her inner male essence), to uplevel your wardrobe, boost your confidence, enhance your presence and quite

To advertise,

call: Ann Herrington, Advertising Manager 928.420.4407

Michael Wilcox, Account Executive 928.379.2146

Bobbie

Lewis’s new book, “So That’s What 70 Looks Like! The Essence of Aging Gracefully,” is available now on Amazon. Courtesy image

possibly, transform your outlook and your life.

“Confidence is an inside job. You can never get enough from the outside to fill you up, ever, and you’ll always be hunting for it. So, if you can fill up your own cup, so that it’s overflowing, then the rest

comes naturally. Confidence to me is everything. I find it attractive. I think it’s sexy. Truly knowing who you are and loving who you are and liking the way you show up, that’s being in flow.” QCBN

“So That’s What 70 Looks Like! The Essence of Aging Gracefully” is available

on Amazon. Find out more about Casalino Lewis at https://bobbiecasalinolewis. com Meet her on Zonie Living: Business, Adventure and Leadership at https:/ StarWorldwideNetworks.com/shows/ bonniestevens.

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Casalino

Artful Eye owners and staff members attend jewelry shows throughout the year and hand-pick diamonds and gemstones from all over the world.

Recently, Dave Rabellino and CAD (computer aided designers) jewelry designer Holly Stringer were awarded first place for National Jewelry Design from the Independent Jewelers Organization. Pfeiffer said this is a significant achievement because jewelers from throughout the country enter the annual competition. Artful Eye, she says, is often recognized for its unique creative designs and attention to detail. “This is a big honor and it’s amazing that we keep winning!”

Artful Eye also has been recognized as America’s Coolest Store by Instore Magazine, a publication that provides jewelers with industry news and tips. Meanwhile, the in-house jewelers, Dave Rabellino and Kevin O’Neill, were voted Best Custom Jewelers by Prescott LIVING Magazine.

The jewelers are also known for their ability to repair extremely damaged jewelry, including pieces that have been dropped in a garbage disposal or run over by a car. “We’ve been able to turn it into something you want to wear again.”

Pfeiffer has been working for Artful Eye for 17 years and is certified through GIA. She is a diamond grader and a lifelong learner who regularly takes online classes and attends trade shows.

The business enjoys supporting local organizations, including Kiwanis Club of Prescott, Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Yavapai Humane Society. It also has mentored local Girl Scouts. “They solder and leave with jewelry so they can earn their jewelry patches. It’s neat to have them make it and then take it with them.”

High school sweethearts Dave and Sherry began making jewelry when they were teenagers. Pfeiffer believes her 7-year-old daughter, Hannah, will continue the family business. She is already making her own bracelets. QCBN

LEWIS continued from page 12

businesses and numerous government departments.

Born and raised on the reservation in Clarkdale, Lewis says it’s important to know where you came from. “My dad hunted for the meat that we ate and our food came from food boxes. I have 10 brothers and sisters, but I consider the Yavapai-Apache people to be my family and we were always there for our neighbors.”

Before assuming her position as chairwoman, Lewis served as Yavapai-Apache vice chairwoman, a Tribal Council member and executive assistant for two administrations.  She says her strength comes from God. “I get up early every morning to pray, not just for myself and my family, but I also pray for our community. I chose to be here because I love it here and love serving to the best of my ability for my people.”

“Chairwoman Tanya Lewis was an outstanding student of mine while I was a professor at Yavapai College (YC),” said Northern Arizona University (NAU) Professor Dr. Joy D’Angelo. “She stood out as a collaborator with her fellow YC students by her exemplary academic work. In addition, I had the honor of working with her to bring a vision she had for leadership education for the YavapaiApache nation.”

As a woman leading a Native American tribe, challenges can arise periodically. “Sometimes misunderstandings in communication occur and we always work it out,” she said.

Yavapai-Apache Cultural Resource Center employee and elder, Barbara McCabe has known Lewis since 2005 and was close friends with Lewis’s mom. “Tanya took good care of her mom and dad. We talk quite often and sometimes she will seek elders’ advice on cultural or environmental issues.”

As a mom of two adult children, Lance, 29, and Taylor, 18, Lewis’ advice to younger Native women is to “always look toward your elders for wisdom, guidance and advice. Take to heart their teaching and learn it and live it.  It will keep you grounded as it teaches us why and who we are.” She added that it is very important to lead by example.

Leisure time for Lewis is sewing. She makes all her dresses.  “I love to sew and make ribbon shirts. I recently learned to make pillowcases and pillows and I’m learning to quilt. I also enjoy following my daughters’ rodeos.”

MY FAVORITE MEAL

I love tacos!  Tacos make me happy. They are my comfort food.  I like to make my own soft-shell tacos. They have a lot of flavor; I love to eat them with salsa and they are quick to make and eat.

MEANINGFUL CHILDHOOD MEMORY

Every weekend when my dad came home we were all at the softball field cheering on my older sisters.

ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Look for a purpose. You need to know who we are as individuals. There are no limits in life and there’s always somebody out there to help you, guide you and show you the way.

THE MOMENT I KNEW I WAS A LEADER

It was many years ago when I worked with the Yavapai-Apache Nation Pageant Committee. We spent the time with the young ladies mentoring them and teaching, talking and listening. To see these young women grow and see where they are today is wonderful. After that, I sought election and served as a Tribal Council Member from 2010 to 2013. I set expectations for myself and went out there and did it. I thought, “Wow! I can do it.”

WHERE I GO FOR SOLITUDE AND CONTEMPLATION

I love kickboxing and working out at Sensei Robert Gonzales’ HDH Powerhouse Gym in Cottonwood. I also like working in my yard and just being outside. QCBN

Phone 928-310-9662 Fax 928-226-0303

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Contributing Writers

Bonnie Stevens

Stan Bindell

Ray Newton

V. Ronnie Tierney

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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.

Artful Eye also has been recognized as America’s Coolest Store by Instore Magazine, a publication that provides jewelers with industry news and tips.

got himself accepted into a private college, the University of Rochester, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He received his MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and held senior management positions with prestigious financial firms. Despite his success as a Wall Street executive and financial manager, he was turned down for membership to a Nantucket golf club. Instead of fighting it, he built his own golf club, which has now become the largest charity on the island. Later in life, upon assuming the position of chairman of the University of Rochester’s Board of Directors, he gave the school its largest single donation ever, $30 million, to support scholarships and endow the Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“The instability I felt [as a child] had everything to do with my quest for a purpose in adulthood. Scary as my circumstances might have been, they ignited in me a desire to find my purpose and plan for the future I wanted,” he wrote.

“The Island of the Four Ps” reads like a storybook. Gentle and imaginative, and enhanced with colorful illustrations by Gabriela Leal, the tale is masterfully crafted with key ideas and questions to ponder at the end of each section. Readers follow the

YAVAPAI continued from page 16

people on that wall,” said Las Vegas Veteran Blayne Stowasser, who came with two veteran friends. “We were stationed at Holloman Air Force Base and served in different locations overseas. We became friends and kept in touch with each other over the years.”

Jerry “Geronimo” Martin, the great-great-grandson of the legendary Geronimo and Vietnam Veteran, was the emcee for the event. “It was my duty to go wherever the fight was rather than have the fight here on our own soil. I made it a privilege to volunteer and go,” said Martin, who told candid stories of his military life and, specifically, his assignment on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

“Every person who has come here and met a veteran and heard their story is leaving with a whole different perspective of the Vietnam War,” said Fort Verde Historic Park Manager Sheila Stubler. “People have been moved and I think there’s a lot of people here whose lives have been changed. I met one veteran who lost 27 comrades. He said for 50 years he carried that pain and was able to let it go. He said it’s time for closure.”

The U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration Deputy Director Tres C. Smith came from Washington, D.C., for the tribute. “I talked to Sheila about what we could do to support and help her. We actually participate in the local communities and local ceremonies. It just means so much more because people know the veterans, people have the experience. To be in the neigh-

journey of a young adventurer named Marketus as he explores The Village of Passions, The Village of Principles, The Village of Partners and The Village of Plans, the Four Ps.

“It’s not a right or wrong book. It’s saying here are the things you should look at when you make decisions,” he said. “It’s intended for young people and anyone in transition. I’m trying to soften a few of the bumps on the journey of life. I like to say, ‘The highway of life is always under construction.’”

Marketus, and later, a character named Thalia, are guided by an older gentleman name Archimedes. “Their conversations are the same conversations that people must have with themselves to make good life decisions,” said Hajim. “You have an inner voice that you talk to and I wanted to give that inner voice a vocabulary. I looked back at the words I used [to make decisions], and my passions, my principles, my partners and my plans were all part of that.”

In the Village of Passions, Marketus is introduced to the value of finding his own passions by answering four questions: What activities make time pass quickly? What subjects do you hunger to learn about? What tasks do you pursue with commitment and energy, without hesitation? And, what do you daydream about?

He also learns that not setting priorities “can leave us meandering from path to path.”

In the Village of Principles, the Blacksmith explains that the rules and actions we create must be our own. “They are based on the mix of principles and circumstances unique to you,” he tells Marketus.

The book also offers playful

allegorical messages. The Village of Partners, for example, is accessed by a system of ropes, pulleys and levers that lowers a platform from a cliff to a river. “The chair mechanism is designed for two people working together,” Archimedes explains.

In The Village of Plans, Marketus and Thalia learn about creating A Life-Plan Map that reflects the interplay of three things: A person’s passions, principles and partners; a person’s environment; and the actions a person will take to pursue those opportunities. They also are encouraged to keep the plan updated and pay attention to change and economic cycles. “Never be afraid to test new paths,” Hajim said, noting that change, cycles and latent demand should be anticipated, studied and acted upon. “You’ve got to ask yourself constantly, ‘What’s next?’ Today, if you’re in AI [artificial intelligence] or robotics, you’re probably at the bottom of a long cycle.”

Hajim’s passions include putting people together to solve a problem, create a product or start a program. He found that what he really enjoys is helping people do better than they thought they could. His own guiding principles are: “Treat others as you hope to be treated; seek freedom to make your own decisions; and decide what is enough – enough money,

possessions, accomplishments and recognition – and don’t pursue more than enough.”

“Everybody has to define ‘just enough.’ I’ve seen so many people in my business seek too much,” he said. “And that ‘too much’ makes them sacrifice the other parts of their life.”

Both in the book and in life, Hajim strives to balance his principles with four realms – self, family, work and community.

Hajim’s own story includes a happily ever after. At age 60, he learned his mother hadn’t died and was reunited with her when she was 81.

They were close for the remaining 12 years of her life. He says his biggest legacy is enjoying a 57-year marriage with his wife, Barbara, having three children and eight grandchildren.

Today, at age 86, he says his purpose is as a mentor through his book and in person. Reflecting on his extraordinary life, he offers this advice: “Anything is possible. Education is the solution to almost everything. And, never be a victim.” QCBN

Hear more hard-earned wisdom from Ed Hajim on Zonie Living: https://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/ exploring-the-island-of-the-four-ps-toplan-your-future-with-business-leaderextraordinaire-ed-hajim-video.

borhoods and communities that were impacted by the veterans is so much more important and powerful.” Smith is a veteran himself and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Former Military Air Transport (MATS) flight attendant and Camp Verde resident Carolanne Moore worked 10 years for Trans International Airlines (TIA), a contractor to the government. “We flew new soldiers over to the war zone into the main part of Saigon and flew others back home. I remember the day the Viet Cong

attacked the American embassy. We were scared but our pilots were veteran pilots who had flown in other wars and I trusted them, and I trusted in the Lord so I knew we were going to be OK.”

“It was an awesome display of pride and patriotism by the entire community,” said Town of Camp Verde Mayor Dee Jenkins. “To recognize and thank those that fought and returned and those that gave their lives for our nation and for all of us that are blessed to live in the United States of America, it was truly an honor to be among heroes and

say, ‘Thank you. Welcome home.’”

Several sponsors such as American Legion Riders, Sedona Area Veteran and Community Outreach, Town of Camp Verde, Yavapai Apache Nation, Town of Clarkdale, City of Sedona, City of Cottonwood, American Legions Post 93, 125 and several businesses helped support the event. QCBN

The Yavapai-Apache Nation Royalty Dancers entertained the crowd.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

As a big believer in education, Hajim offers his new book, “The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable about Preparing for Your Future,” as a charming leadership book, masterfully told as a story, gently packed with life lessons.

Savor our mouthwatering brisket, pulled pork, chicken and ribs smoked on-site, plus homemade BBQ sauces and irresistible sides served daily for lunch or dinner.