December 2021 by Quad Cities Business News

INSIDE THE DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE: Celtic P.U.B. Ready to Serve p. 4 Arizona Loses a Legend p. 6 Sedona Realtor Follows in Family’s Footsteps p.8

Helping Minority Businesses Hit Hard by COVID p. 9 Community Profile: Terri Farneti Retires from County Health p. 12 Shelter Dogs Tested for Stress p. 28

Supply Chain Challenges Creating Unique Holiday Shopping Environment By Theresa Bierer, QCBN

ith the holiday season upon us, many merchants and customers alike are watching the supply chain backlog at the Southern California ports. Up and down the coastline, the view includes large numbers of container ships facing delays in unloading. The Western Hemisphere’s two largest shipping container ports are

Los Angeles and Long Beach, each about a seven-hour drive from the Quad Cities. The supply chain problems are not a new issue, according to Edmund Bushman, chair of the Yavapai Community College School of Business and Computer Science. “It started with COVID over 18 months ago; consumer goods were just not being produced, and supply was lacking,” he explained.

With each passing month since then and the pandemic-induced demand spike, officials at the ports have watched delays for unloading containers increase. In earlier times, containers would be unloaded from ships and sit at the docks for just a few days before being transported to other destinations. Now, there is a backlog of containers waiting on rail transfer or truck drivers, as well as a growing pileup of empty containers

waiting for a return to Asia. A spokesman with the Port of Long Beach reports that they expect to set a record this year by moving more than nine million TEUs (a measurement of twenty-foot-long containers). Despite expanding operations to a 24-hour schedule, the port lacks capacity for storing additional empty containers and facilitating offloading of the many waiting cargo ships. Continued on page 38

Rejoicing in the Gift of Participation Arizona Snowbowl, Nackard Pepsi making the slopes more accessible

Arizona Snowbowl Adaptive Program Ski Instructor Truman Shoaff positions himself behind Jessica Fieldsted for her first ski lesson last March. Courtesy photo December 2021 | Issue 12 Volume 9

Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

essica’s joy says it all: “I am a skier! Now I can ski with my family!” Jessica, 27, was born with a rare genetic condition known as COACH, which stands for cerebellar vermis aplasia, oligophrenia, congenital ataxia, coloboma and hepatic fibrosis. Only a few thousand people in the country are believed to have this syndrome in which part of the brain does not fully form. Most individuals with COACH have a cognitive disability, organ problems and difficulty with movement. For Jessica, life has revolved around medications, treatments and surgeries. She had a kidney

transplant when she was 13 and currently is struggling with “major” liver problems, say her parents, Joy and John Dillon of Flagstaff. She had another “really big liver surgery” last month but will eventually need a liver transplant, too. “Our daughter has a lot of special features,” said John. “She has some motor skills challenges. It’s difficult for her to use her feet and hands. She can’t open a bottle of water. And she has no equilibrium, which makes walking pretty dangerous. She has very poor eyesight and can fall frequently. As she puts it, she trips on air. She’s extremely fragile, and during this pandemic we’ve kept her mostly sequestered from the rest of the

world for her own health and safety. That’s been extra hard for her.” Despite her difficulties, “she tries so hard to be happy,” said her mom, “even though she doesn’t always feel good.” Now, Jessica has a new reason to smile – outdoor fun on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks. “I love skiing!” she said. “Last year was my first time and I just loved it and now I can ski with my family!” And that’s a big deal. “The last few years she’d see the excitement as we’d plan and go skiing with grandpa, uncles, aunts and cousins,” said John. “But Jessica would have to stay home with grandma.” Joy and John first heard about the Adaptive Program while riding a chairlift at Continued on page 39

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A new Maverik convenience store and gas station opens the second week of December in Prescott Valley. It boasts 36 fueling stations and spacious parking near the convenience store. Photo by Ray Newton

Large Maverik Store Encourages Adventure

By Ray Newton, QCBN

he new Maverik convenience store and fueling station that will open the second week of December at 1341 N. Prescott Country Club Blvd. in Prescott Valley, is being hailed as one of the “largest and most accommodating in Arizona,” according to Maverik Communications Director Michelle Monson. The new store replaces a much smaller existing one, located just north of the new location. That location will be closed and sold so that a fast-food restaurant can be constructed, Monson said. The new station will have 36 fueling stations, with six of them considered “high flow.” That’s more than triple the number of gas pumps currently in use. It also will have an RV dump, picnic area and spacious parking lot on the four-acre property parallel to State Highway 69. Monson said the store will feature a full lineup of fresh made-to-order foods, including burritos, tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, pizzas, toasted

subs, salads and more. “We’ll also have the popular ‘Bean to Cup’ coffee program that features coffee blends from around the world, and, of course, fresh-made pastries.” The interior of the new store will showcase panoramic Arizona landscape images and topographic maps, and is being marketed as “Adventure’s First Stop.” “We want Maverik to be the best place where you can energize your body and fuel your vehicle for an adventure,” Monson said. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Maverik currently has 23 full-time employees and is seeking three to five more. The original Maverik opened in 1928 with a two-pump gas station in Afton, Wyoming. Since then, the chain has grown to more than 380 locations in 12 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The national office is in Salt Lake City. QCBN

Yavapai College Named Finalist for Bellwether Award

avapai College has been named a finalist for the 2022 Bellwether Award by the Bellwether College Consortium. Each year, 10 finalists are selected in each of the three categories of Instructional Programs and Services, Planning, Governance, Finance and Workforce Development. The award focuses on “cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication.” YC has been selected in the Instructional Programs and Services category, which calls for programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to foster or support teaching and learning in the community college. “Yavapai College is honored to be a finalist for the Bellwether Award,” said YC President Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D. “Being named a finalist for this award solidifies our commitment to our students to provide innovative programs that are accessible and affordable.”

Finalists are invited to engage in an immersive, interactive final round of competition at the 2022 Community College Futures Assembly in January in San Antonio, Texas. The Bellwether College Consortium is comprised of award-winning colleges charged with addressing critical issues facing community colleges through applicable research and the promotion and replication of best practices addressing workforce development, instructional programs and services, and planning governance and finance. For more information, visit https://bellwethercollegeconsortium.com/. QCBN

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Above: The new P.U.B. Prescott serves up favorite Celtic dishes like corn beef and cabbage and shepherd’s pie along with a popular soda called irn-bru, said to be good for hangovers. Below: David McNabb emcees for the P.U.B. while promoting Scottish food and beverages. Photos by Stan Bindell

Celtic P.U.B. Offers Haggis and a Jig

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

he Celtic community in the Quad Cities area is excited about The P.U.B. Prescott because it brings Celtic food, drink, entertainment and culture. P.U.B., which stands for Prescott’s Unique Brewhouse or Place where You Belong, fills a void left when Celtic Crossings Pub closed a few years ago. Open seven days a week, P.U.B. offers live Celtic music from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays and also on special occasions. St. Patrick’s Day will be a huge event and another big event is Robert Burns’ birthday on Jan. 25, when the poet is celebrated by Scots around the world by having a meal, usually haggis, which is the national dish of Scotland. David McNabb, who serves as emcee for musical events, offers Celtic history, toasts and giveaways to the audience. He explained that Celtic refers to traditional people from seven remaining lands: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall in southwest England, Isle of Mann, Brittany in France and Galicia in Spain. These are the tribes that dominated Europe at one time. “The culture came out of those tribes and most of it remains through their music or food,” he said. McNabb has been working with Celtic musicians for 18 years and P.U.B. has six Celtic bands in rotation, five of which hail from the Phoenix area and one of which is local. He said the musicians are usually duos or trios so as not to overpower the establishment. Jody and Brian Cole, who have owned the Lonesome Valley Brew Pub in Prescott Valley for eight years, noticed this building on Marina Street, where a wine bar used to be located, was up for rent. They rented it just before the pandemic hit in mid-March 2020. Jody said they have a great landlord who worked with them before they were able to open on Black Friday last year. Because of the pandemic, Jody said many people were not aware that The P.U.B. was open. The owners did not have their grand opening until June.

“It’s like we’ve been opening in slow motion,” Jody said about the impact of the pandemic. Jody said Prescott has 20 breweries and wondered if the community really needed another. However, they had so many requests for a Celtic pub that they went with it. Her husband, Brian, is said to be 98.2% Irish. “It was serendipity,” she said. The couple also is involved with the performing arts community, especially Prescott Performing Arts and Yavapai College Performing Arts. “We like to showcase local artists and support the performing arts,” said Jody. The Celtic food P.U.B. serves up includes fish and chips, bangers and mash, corn beef and cabbage, Scottish eggs, British stew, Shepherd’s pie, short bread and, soon, Cornish pasties. Aside from offering many types of beer, P.U.B. offers irn-bru, the most popular soda in Scotland. Irn-bru is predominantly vanilla and citrus, with a bubblegum aftertaste. It was originally known as Iron Brew, but the Scottish government required the name change because there is no iron in it and it isn’t brewed. Irn-bru also is known for curing hangovers. PUB is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. QCBN

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Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Jim Babbitt Leaves a Legacy of Kindness, Environmental Conservation and a Pathway to the Past By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

n Monday night, Nov, 15, James E. Babbitt died peacefully at his home in Flagstaff with family, after a battle with illness. In the days to come as word spread, the cry of hearts breaking could be felt from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the tops of Hopi mesas. The world had lost a kind and gentle giant who walked the streets of downtown Flagstaff, explored deep canyons and great mountains, held immense respect and appreciation for Native cultures, was a steward of wild places and searched relentlessly for lost pathways and stories of days gone by. “I was born about 100 years too late,” Jim Babbitt would say with a wistful grin as he’d stroll around the downtown checking in on merchants, visiting with friends over coffee or longing for what mattered most to him – a simpler time, when people greeted each other on the street and wrapped their arms around the community – a time when the meaning of things was more important than the acquiring of things. “We loved the quiet special times, mostly long walks,” said Helene

Babbitt, who was married to Jim for 48 years. “We loved to travel – Jim just fit in with the culture wherever we were. We’d feel so special visiting the trading posts and attending Hopi religious dances, such as the bear dance where the women would bring their children to get blessed.” This third generation Arizona Babbitt is remembered as authentic, understated and substantive as the time-worn sandstone bricks of the historic Babbitt Brothers Building on the corner of San Francisco St. and Aspen Ave. Jim had a quiet, yet revered and undeniable, presence that served as a source of encyclopedic knowledge and steadfast perseverance to those seeking to uncover, preserve and honor the past. He was a comfort to younger people who aspired to be like him and an inspiration to those who knew he could make things happen, like capture Northern Arizona’s rich history in a meaningful and relevant way and start a movement to restore old buildings and historic places. “He was a passionate steward of this place we call home – culturally and environmentally,” said Karen Underhill, retired head of Cline Library’s Special

Jim enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Helene (pictured here), brother Bruce Babbitt and his wife, Hattie. Courtesy photo

Collections and Archives. Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters owner Keith Harris calls Jim “inseparable” from the downtown. “I have to remind people all the time, if you

didn’t know Jim, if you look outside, that’s Jim – Heritage Square, the trees, the bricks, the benches with the train wheels. He had a vision and he was able to carry it out.”

“For me, Jim was like the mortar,” said Late for the Train owner Dave Dobrick, who recalls penciling out his idea for a coffee shop on a napkin with Jim Continued on page 7

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BABBITT continued from page 6

at Charly’s in the Weatherford Hotel in 1992. The store would serve coffee, that was understood, but its true purpose would be to pour into the community as much as it would pour into coffee cups. “Jim was never a showy guy, but he was always creating and doing and very aware and alert to the feel of Flagstaff. It was never about him, it was about relationships that would be carved out on a business-to-business level. He became my landlord. And I wouldn’t be here without him. It’s that simple.” “He was a really important citizen of our community and he never did anything that wasn’t in the best interest of Flagstaff in his estimation. I’m already missing him,” said Jim’s longtime friend Dr. John Hildebrand.

HOME-GROWN VALUES

Jim Babbitt was born in Flagstaff on March 15, 1948. He was the fifth of six children born to Paul and Frances Babbitt. His grandfather was Charles “C.J.” Babbitt, one of the original Babbitt brothers who came to Arizona from Ohio in 1886 to start a ranching empire. Jim’s brother, former Arizona Governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, says Jim’s values were a reflection of the environment in which he grew up. “Flagstaff for us was a very different place then,” said Bruce. “It was a small rural town of about 3,000 to 4,000

people. We roamed with the neighborhood kids in the out of doors. The grade school was two blocks away. On autumn mornings, we’d go deer hunting before class. We were right there in the middle of all that, the rural outdoor life. And we had a lot of wonderful experiences together.” Even as a boy, Jim was known as kind and humble, recalls Bruce. “He managed to make so many friends because he was really interested in people. He made them feel that they were important. He was always working on new projects with new enthusiasm and never taking credit for any of them, just doing his thing.” Bruce describes their hometown as a place where everybody worked together and nobody was more important than anybody else. “Jim was a product of a different era in a community that valued enduring relationships. He was deeply attached to history, tradition and all the surroundings that he knew well. Jim’s work to reinvigorate Flagstaff was a reflection of the environment he grew up in. His sense was we had to work hard to preserve those kinds of values.”

PEERING INTO THE PAST

In the early 1990s, Babbitt Brothers Trading Company was at a crossroads. The board of directors was liquidating much of the company. The Babbitt Brothers Building, which covered an

entire city block and housed Babbitt’s department store, was up for sale. “Jim was crawling around in the building. He was in the attic and in crawlspaces and saw sandstone. They had covered the whole outside of this building to make it look modern,” said Babbitt Ranches President Billy Cordasco. “I was Jim’s shadow and he took me on the stairway, shined his flashlight behind the façade and showed me that the building was still intact.” Cordasco says Jim got creative and figured out a way for the Babbitt Brothers Foundation to buy the original Babbitt Brothers building from the company and use it as a non-profit organization to give back to the community. From the rent of the building’s spaces to downtown businesses and apartment tenants, Jim started the Viola Awards in memory of Viola Babbitt, a long-time patron of the arts, and honor Flagstaff’s arts and science efforts. Funds generated also support historic preservation, community health and educational endeavors. “All the historic renovation, the accuracy of the preservation, came through Jim’s fingers and his efforts. And from that spawned all of the historic renovation downtown,” said Cordasco.

TRADING POSTS AND PENDLETON Jim ran the Babbitt Trading Posts for years and cultivated strong relation-

ships with managers like Leo Joe Lee and his wife, Mary, in Tuba City and Red Lake. “We’ve known Jim for 29 years. He treated my family as his family,” said Leo. Leo remembers packing bologna sandwiches for Jim, Jim’s son, Charlie, and himself that they would take with them on all-day hikes. “We’d usually go down to Blue Canyon,” he said, which was about 10 miles away from the Tuba City Trading Post. Charlie spent many days of his summer vacations with his dad, visiting trading posts at Tonalea, Tuba City and other more remote locations. “As a child, I was always bouncing around in his pickup on washboard dirt roads in the middle of nowhere,” said Charlie. “He enjoyed searching for lost historic geographic features, prehistoric petroglyphs, trailheads, mines and old travel routes.” “He loved that part of his family history especially, and was proud to continue in his family’s traditions of doing honorable business as BIA licensed and regulated Indian Traders. He emphasized to me that Indian trading was historically/potentially an exploitative line of business, but he felt we’d always done it to a higher ethical standard, and he felt good about that. When, later, my parents bought the Pendleton distributorship from Babbitt Brothers Trading Company, I could tell he felt like he had stepped fully into the shoes of his father

[Paul J. Babbitt] and grandfather [C.J. Babbitt].” “Jim was larger than life, with his great knowledge of the business, his appreciation for his family’s legacy, nature and the outdoors, and different cultures surrounding him,” said Bob Christnacht, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Pendleton Woolen Mills. Jim also was a big fan of President Theodore Roosevelt, known as the country’s “Conservationist President.” Jim had the honor of naming a particular location at the North Rim, “Roosevelt Point.” He wrote several books capturing the past and was honored by the Arizona Historical Society. He served on many boards for groups such as the Museum of Northern Arizona, Grand Canyon Trust and Grand Canyon Conservancy. Jim is survived by his wife, Helene; son, Charlie; daughter-in-law, Traleigh; granddaughters, Stella Kalista, Isla, Britannia; brothers, Bruce, Paul and Charles; sister, Christine and hundreds of Babbitt relatives. James E. Babbitt was 73 years old. QCBN

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Business Woman QCBN

of the Month

Carrying On the Family Profession Alexandra Ewell is a third generation Sedona-based realtor By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

quipped with ambition and foresight in the late 1960s, John DePoe moved his family to Sedona and opened the first affiliate Coldwell Banker Residential office in the country. That move not only paved the way for a career for him but for his wife and three daughters, who all obtained their real estate licenses. Though DePoe did not live to see his granddaughter, Alexandra Ewell, follow his lead, today, Ewell is a full-time realtor for Coldwell Banker Realty in Sedona, the same office he once owned. As a third generation agent, Ewell covers the Sedona, Camp Verde and Cornville market and surrounding areas. “A lot of my childhood was driving through Sedona neighborhoods with my grandparents and my mom and looking at houses and critiquing them,” said Ewell. “It was really fun and I have a lot of fond memories. I felt like I grew up as a realtor.” Ewell worked with her mom for a long time and learned a great deal from her. “She’s really knowledgeable about real estate and it definitely helped me understand the terminology, technical terms, styles of construction, foundation, roofing and styles,” she said about her mother, Lauren DePoe. DePoe is the association executive for the Sedona Verde Valley Association of Realtors. “My dad loved Alex and her daughter, Arya, very much,” she said. “He would be so happy to know she’s followed in his footsteps.” Ewell says one challenge she had was establishing credibility, especially as a young agent. “At the time, I was only one of three realtors under 30 and other agents were older, tenured and very experienced, so I had to really work hard and try to appear as the good agent that I was.” Coach counselor and artist Caitlin Flynn says Alex helped her with letting go of her emotional connection to her home when she wanted to sell. “Alex said something that gave me relief. She said that selling a house is like becoming a supernova. Pressure builds up and then you’re set free to a new life. Alex is a very deep person, savvy and very diplomatic. “

Explaining how each transaction is different, Ewell says her success is about guiding and protecting her clients. “Be it legal liability, purchasing a home that is a money pit or a home that might break their finances, it’s important to be that problem-solver. I have to be creative and it really gets my brain working.” “Alexandra Ewell may be a little short on age but she is tall on knowledge and ability,” said Coldwell Banker Realty Associate Broker and Branch Manager for Village of Oak Creek and Sedona Ronald Volkman. “She is a natural problem solver who pulls solutions together time after time when others would give up.” Integrity is very important to Ewell and she believes that having a driving force that is grounded in integrity is key. “You want to be compensated for the work you put forth but ultimately it’s not the goal. I like to have a connection with my clients and I always come out of a sale with a new best friend or somebody I can have dinner with.” “I always enjoy working with Alex,” said Home Inspector General Ryan Palmer. “Not only is she very knowledgeable about real estate, but it’s clear that she cares for her clients and goes above and beyond to make sure they are taken care of.” The accomplishments of John DePoe are still evident in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, where a street carries his name. “My grandfather helped to build and develop Junipine Resort, the Canyon Portal which is now Canyon Breeze Restaurant, along with several other properties in and around Sedona. There’s so many reminders of him. He even diversified and was into solar and wind power for a while.” Another influential person in Ewell’s life is her grandmother, Mary Kay Depoe, who served as director of the Sedona Head Start Program for 41 years and retired in 2019. “She’s very inspiring and still involved in so many projects and serves on several boards. She has a lot of energy and I love the fact that we share the same birthday.” Ewell obtained a degree in literature from Arizona State University with the intention of getting her master’s degree to teach at the college level. “I didn’t want to live in Phoenix anymore and real estate kept calling me. I love

Realtor Alexandra Ewell has fond memories of her formative years driving around neighborhoods and critiquing houses with her mom (shown below with Alexandra) and grandparents. “I felt like I grew up as a realtor,” she says. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

// “At the time, I was only one of three realtors under 30 and other agents were older, tenured and very experienced, so I had to really work hard and try to appear as the good agent that I was.” // Sedona and the small town feel of familiarity, plus it’s so beautiful and there’s amazing food, hiking and, lately, so many fun events. Many of my school friends have stayed. It’s a hard place to leave.” Alex is married to Izaak, a vacation sales agent with Diamond Resorts. The couple has an 8-year-old daughter named Arya. QCBN

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

hree experts from different backgrounds and organizations spoke on a panel called Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses in Your Community at the Arizona Association for Economic Development Fall Forum. Although panelists Alika Kumar, Carlos Velasco and Melody Lewis represented diverse communities, they shared a passion for empowering minority groups and minority-owned businesses. The panel discussion was part of the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), a three-day conference at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. According to Alika Kumar of the Minority Business Development Agency, people of color, women and underserved communities have been hit disproportionately by the COVID-19 crisis and ensuing economic crisis. “Now it’s estimated that 41% of blackowned businesses, 32% of Latinos in businesses and 26% of Asian-owned businesses closed, while only 17% of white-owned businesses closed as a result of the impact of COVID,” stated Kumar, executive director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center in Phoenix. The MBDA is a branch of

the U.S. Department of Commerce, which provides minority certification assistance, access to capital contracts, strategic business consulting and help with import/export. The disproportionate impact on minority businesses is a reminder of the racial disparities, said Kumar, who focused on the benefits of robust minority-owned business sectors. “Elimination of racial disparities with increased economic efficiency – especially as the minority populations are increasing in numbers in our population – and then removing the barriers to entry and expansion will help increase productivity rate,” she said. “More jobs to generate more revenue create economic and social stability … stimulating the economy and creating a more positive future for all Americans.” Currently in Arizona, 99.4% of all businesses are small businesses, and of those, about 21% are minority-owned businesses, she said. Carlos Velasco of Novle, a Valley-based agency that provides businesses with tools to develop relationships with the Latino community, said, “When it comes to economic development for us, transformative work has to start with community building and community organizing and movement

Melody Lewis, Carlos Velasco and Alika Kumar provided insight and ways to offer support at the AAED Fall Forum in Flagstaff. Photo by Stacey Wittig

building. I think once you accomplish that simple work, then you can begin the market transformative work of educating, of mobilizing and getting people to move into action to empower themselves.” “I think the three biggest barriers that we have are: one, we need to have some form of legal reform for the documented folks – that’s something that still impacts every Latino in our community; investment in education;

and then ultimately, access to capital for small businesses,” said the founder and CEO of Novle. Melody Lewis of Cahokia is a social entrepreneur dedicated to serving indigenous communities and individuals using collaborative approaches. “Social entrepreneurship is – for those of you that don’t know – I call it ‘the non-profit heart with a for-profit model,’” she explained. Her newly launched project, Cahokia, is a SocialTech and

creative empowerment Artspace in downtown Phoenix. Lewis suggested supporting indigenous populations by investing in indigenous communities. “By not taking advantage… really hiring them, really investing in their programs and not just using,” she said. “Go to the communities and engage in the communities.” She recommended that people go to indigenous markets or powwows. “Go Continued on page 39

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Dignity Health, YRMC Opening Outpatient Complex

By Ray Newton, QCBN

he first two clinics functioning in the recently constructed Outpatient Services Building on the Dignity Health, YRMC campus are now serving patients. They are the Vascular Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery Clinics. These are just the beginning of services to be offered within the recently completed $100 million medical complex, said Ken Boush, communications and marketing director for the hospital. “Clinics and departments will be relocated and opened in stages through the end of January,” he explained. “Opening will occur by floor. We should be fully open by the end of January 2022.” Once fully functioning, the facility is expected to accommodate an estimated 1,000 patients a day, Boush said. They will be served by approximately 40 health providers and more than 100 support staff. Various units within the complex will be opened in stages over the next several months for the 15 clinical practitioners and support staff in spe-

cialty and therapeutic disciplines such as cardiology, neurology, physical therapy, orthopedics and oncology. The facility also contains a pharmacy, laboratory draw facility and an eightchair infusion center, which will allow those who previously had to travel to the hospital’s east campus in Prescott Valley to remain in Prescott. The three-story 100,000-squarefoot building also includes a 450-space multi-level parking garage, which includes charging stations for electric cars. There’s also an energy station to provide power to the 15-acre hospital campus. Constructed of brick and glass, the building received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification. Interior spaces are considered modern and spacious with technological innovations appropriate for the highest caliber of medical care. For instance, each floor has banks of windows that are considered electrochromic glass, permitting shading to occur electronically without blinds. Interior color designs range from teal to lemon, with first-floor lobbies

PATRIOT

The complex is opening in phases and is expected to accommodate an estimated 1,000 patients a day. Photo by Ray Newton

finished in off-white. The first floor features a bistro-coffee bar and a demonstration kitchen with high-definition projection screens for medical presentations or cooking classes. All three floors have large patient rooms and related medical offices,

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with additional space for medical support staff and flexible office space. Technologically sophisticated conference areas will permit medical personnel to collaborate not only with immediate colleagues but also others from national and international sites.

“The new Outpatient Services Building is an ideal home for specialty medical practices and outpatient services that need to be close to YRMC West,” Boush said. QCBN

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From Crisis Response to Community Collab

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

orthern Arizona economic development experts shared how lessons learned during COVID enhance current practices in a session at the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) Fall Forum. The panel discussion, titled From Crisis Response to Community Collab, was one of a dozen sessions held during the three-day conference at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. “The idea of collaboration made a dramatic difference in how we do business in Yavapai County,” said Tom Pitts of Tom Pitts Consulting, who moderated. The panel included Ruth Ellen Elinski, Yavapai College Small Business Development Center; Jamie Kerr, Arizona Commerce Authority; Karen Jones, Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center; and Maggie Tidaback, Economic Development Project Manager, Town of Chino Valley. “Early on in COVID, we jumped at the challenge,” said Karen Jones, director of Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center, explaining that Yavapai County does not have an economic development entity. “We could fill that gap.” “One of the most positive things that

came out of COVID is that we got to know each other better,” said Jones. “And knowing each other is important.” “The No. 1 benefit to this group coming together was they were a referral funnel for our services. We were able to serve a broader group of business owners,” said Ruth Ellen Elinski of Yavapai College Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The program director pointed to a freeze or flight mentality of business owners during COVID shutdowns. “It was either ‘I don’t know what to do so I’m not going to do anything’ or ‘I’m just going to hide.’ We at SBDC were tasked with moving them into action and trying to get them to respond. [We helped them] figure out how to still generate revenue, connect with their clients and sustain their businesses through this really horrible event.” Some Yavapai County businesses with which she consulted entirely changed their product or service to continue generating revenue. “A huge part of our role [during COVID] was helping businesses access the capital that they needed to keep their businesses going,” Elinski added. In addition, SBDCs around Arizona helped small businesses navigate the changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Photo caption: Panelists at Arizona Association for Economic Development Forum included Maggie Tidaback, Ruth Ellen Elinski, Karen Jones, Tom Pitts and Jamie Kerr. Photo by Stacey Wittig

and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. “The language that came through from the federal level was really hard to interpret and understand it, so we were trying to give people the definitions of what it meant and how to respond,” said Elinski. In Chino Valley, Maggie Tidaback was less than a year into her job as Economic Development Project Manager when COVID hit. “This group got me

through a lot,” she revealed. “I think we also all got calls from local businesses. Some brought me to tears.” “I looked forward to [Zoom] calls with the group every single week and seeing all the faces; many of them are in the room right now. They’re really a support system. Now I call them my friends, not just colleagues,” said Tidaback. The panelists were quick to share that they were just a few

representing many others involved in the Yavapai collaboration. The crisis response team came together via weekly Zoom calls and created programs like business boot camps and Small Business Makeover of a Lifetime, awarded to three small companies throughout the county. “A lot of studies came out showing that small businesses were not prepared

Continued on page 15

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Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY RAY NEWTON, QCBN

Retiring the Voice of County Health Terri Farneti retires following an intense public information effort through COVID-19

ome may think only the past couple of years have been truly challenging for those involved in public and community health. Terri Farneti likely will disagree with those folks. She’s been directly involved with public health issues for the past 16 years. It was only two months ago, in fact, that she retired from the intensity of those pressures escalated by the pandemic. Before that, other health concerns kept her constantly reacting. For 16 years, Farneti has been integral in alerting residents about the full range of healthcare issues that permeate the various county communities. She started her career with Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS) in December 2005 as an administrative assistant to the assistant director of public health. Through the next few years, she demonstrated abilities and skills that resulted in rapid promotion to positions of increasing authority and responsibility. Hence, when the H1N1 virus – sometimes called the “Swine Flu” – ravaged the

assured the department was operating smoothy. She later was given public information duties. Horton said during the pandemic, the YCCHS activated a Public Health Emergency Response. “Terri’s work quickly and drastically changed as the public information officer. She gathered information, issued press releases and Facebook posts and whatever other means of information she could find to inform the pubic of the latest COVID 19 data. Terri was our ‘go-to’ person for information for the media.” Farneti explained, “When the pandemic hit in January 2020, we’d never faced anything like it. It took all the talent from throughout the YCCHS to establish the Emergency Operations Center. I feel so fortunate that I was in a team atmosphere that made positive things happen. In spite of it all, YCCHS applied for re-accreditation in January 2021. We all cooperated and managed to submit our reapplication for accreditation on June 1, 2021.”

world’s population from 2009 until fall 2010, she was directly involved with identifying, developing and supporting vaccination clinics utilizing hundreds of volunteers throughout the county. “This was a massive effort, and the county had not previously done anything quite like it,” she recalled. Not long after that, she was part of the YCCHS team that developed the very first Community Health Assessment Implementation Workplan. That effort, which began in 2012, led to the department’s becoming an applicant for the National Public Health Accreditation in 2015. “This was a huge project, and we had 197 items we had to document and submit for review to receive accreditation. But we got it in March 2016,” Farneti said. In 2017, when Leslie Horton was named department director, Farneti was promoted into a position as special projects coordinator. Horton said Farneti soon became involved in grant NOT ALWAYS IN HEALTH SERVICE writing and coordinating many of those DISCIPLINES areas of knowledge and expertise that Farneti, a native of Wayland, a small

A constant voice during the pandemic, Terri Farneti retired from her position as Yavapai County Community Health Services coordinator on Oct. 15. Photo by Kay Lyons

town in west central New York, earned her degree in hotel and restaurant management from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, ranging from small operations to working for the Marriott Corp. in New Jersey and at

major hotels in New Jersey, Atlanta, Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina. She met her French-born husband Maurice when they both worked at the L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, Virginia. They moved from there to Washington, D. C., where they worked Continued on page 38

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

@quadcitiesbusinessnews

Heather Provencio

Diane Taliaferro

Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Moving On

By QCBN Staff

ormer Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio has started a new role as special assistant to the regional forester in Albuquerque. “Heather’s experience and skills in natural resource management, as well as her commitment to relationships and collaboration, make her the perfect fit for this position. She will be leading strategic initiatives for the Southwestern Region such as the Infrastructure Bill planning and implementation, workforce assessment needs and regional strategic planning,” says Southwestern Region Acting Regional Forester Kerwin Dewberry. Provencio joined the Kaibab in October 2015. She has since worked to improve forest health and restore fire-adapted ecosystems through efforts such as the Bill Williams Mountain Project, Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), and reintroducing fire on a landscape scale. Her first job with the Forest Service was in 1985 as a firefighter on the Chevelon Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and she has since served in many leadership roles throughout the agency, including as ranger on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest from 2006 to 2013. She then served as the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the White River

National Forest in Colorado until 2015. “Although my career has taken me to wonderful locations across the country, my heart belongs to the Southwest. I am thrilled that my next adventure allows me to continue serving the communities of Region 3,” said Provencio. “At the same time, it is with a heavy heart that I move on from the Kaibab. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with so many forest staff and partners who share my passion for public lands and managing this special landscape. Although I will miss the forest, I feel comforted knowing I’m leaving it in good hands.” “We are very happy for Heather,” said Kaibab National Forest Public Affairs Officer and spokesperson for Provencio’s former employees, Brienne Pettit. “She deserves this wonderful opportunity.” A permanent forest supervisor is expected to join the Kaibab in early 2022. In the interim, Diane Taliaferro will serve as acting forest supervisor. Taliaferro comes to Northern Arizona from the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, where she is the deputy forest supervisor. Taliaferro is no stranger to the Southwestern Region and Kaibab National Forest. She spent 10 years in the region, working on the Santa Fe and Gila National Forests as well as at the Southwestern Regional Office, during which time she frequented Northern Arizona for both work and pleasure. QCBN

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Navigating with Purpose

ava Falls Rapid is white-water fierce. It is, by far, the most famous and daunting rapid on the mighty Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It comes up after a nice calm stretch of laid-back, almost complacent, floating. Most wouldn’t even notice the distant spray and subtle splashing up ahead. But Christa Sadler does. With oars thrusting forward, she remains on high alert, reading the river. Within about half a mile of the falls, the passengers in Christa’s raft also will be on high alert as they hear the thundering roar of a massive churning, thrashing, wild river dropping 15 feet or so across a span of 100 yards in just 20 seconds. Lava Falls is a Class 10 rapid, the highest rating for rapids under the Grand Canyon’s old classification system. Sure, there’s more intimidating and challenging white water to be found in places like Alaska, says Christa, a seasoned river runner and world explorer who has navigated through Lava Falls at least 90 times since she was 23. But for most people, this is the most formidable natural force they will ever want to face. Christa, a small woman with a

fabulous belly laugh and a full-speedahead kind of appetite for adventure, has many titles – archaeologist, paleontologist, geologist, educator – but out here, she is Wonder Woman, a river running superhero, and this is her territory. Whatever your image of a river runner is, Christa is not that. Don’t be looking for someone who hasn’t seen a hairstylist in eons and wearing a stinky t-shirt, stained and streaked by decades of sun and sweat. Keep moving on down the sandy shore because that would not be her. In fact, she says, “This is where I feel beautiful and strong. I wear my favorite skirts and dresses and jewelry – sometimes three or four bracelets.” Christa is glowing and having a blast. “I will literally be laughing so hard that I can’t row – not in the rapids, because something bad will happen – but just being on the river,” she said. “This is the real world. This is where I feel most alive. This is my church, my home. I get to spend time in the most extraordinary places in the world and I’m never as happy, connected and fulfilled as when I’m outside. There’s nothing more

grounding to me than having my feet on the earth or in the water and being surrounded by something that humans didn’t make.” And for her, time on the river isn’t just about the big-adrenaline moments. “Part of it to me is that life here is reduced down to its essence,” she explained. “It’s very simple – you’re cold, you’re hungry, you’re exhausted – and when you’re with a group of people, it’s a tribal thing. You take care of each other. Other elements take over and you’re participating on nature’s terms.” Reinvigorating her boatload of new tribal members, Christa cooks for them and serves them and basically trains them to eat like a river runner. One of her most satisfying and substantial meals is her famous Green Curry. With a mixture of boileddown coconut milk, tofu, chicken, ginger and peppers, she fortifies five to 30 rafters at a time. “It’s really creamy. I make it for spring and fall trips, not in the summer. It’s warm, spicy and heats you up from the inside out.” Christa pursues a mission of helping to open the eyes, hearts and

minds of river rafting guests to the extraordinary history of our planet and all its creatures. Through her education business, This Earth, she brings students into her world of adventure and exploration. She offers interactive classroom presentations, field trips and lab exercises, and most of all, facilitates discovery. “Kids do a lot better learning about natural sciences when they are outdoors,” she said. “It makes more sense to everyone. And I love teaching them about fossils,” she added. Common fossils found at the South Rim are brachiopods, shellfish that are a distant relative of modern-day clams. They lived 270-million years ago when a shallow ocean covered the region. “We talk about what kind of environment these creatures lived in,” she said, “the depth and temperature of the water, and how they were filter feeders, eating plankton that were just floating along.” Unlike those prehistoric organisms, Christa is doing anything but just floating along. Beautiful, strong and in charge, she has found her strength, confidence, passion and purpose among ancient rocks and

powerful forces. It is here that she ponders and appreciates that one of the most powerful forces on the planet today is education. She has “adopted” dozens of girls and women that she calls her daughters in places like Haiti, Guatemala and Nicaragua. “The thing that gives me hope is when I’m actually doing something to make the world more equitable,” she said. “It breaks my heart what people have to go through in other nations. Research reveals that worldwide, countries are better off when they educate the women, but the world still fights that.” And Christa is fighting back. Through her non-profit organization, One New Education, she has supported young women through secondary and advanced education, where they, too, can find their strength, purpose, power and passion. As Christa shows us, the natural world, and Lava Falls Rapid in particular, has a lot to teach us about resilience. There are obstacles we need to maneuver around, massive waves and huge holes that we need to pay attention to, and if we get flipped, well, she Continued on page 16

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Beloved holiday events are being supported in part by the city this year. Photo by Ray Newton

City of Prescott Adds Power to Courthouse Lighting By Ray Newton, QCBN The Prescott City Council, realizing that severe financial shortages impacted many local businesses because of the pandemic, unanimously approved a one-time contribution of $160,000 to support the 2021 Courthouse Lighting and other Christmas City events. That action followed the City Council being approached by the Prescott Downtown Partnership and the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. Council members acknowledged the need for support to downtown businesses for such activities that keep the community vibrant during the holidays.

Funds will add to those raised by the Jersey Lilly Saloon to decorate the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. Owner Josh Makrauer began fundraising efforts in September and will continue throughout the holiday season. A $4,000 sculpture donated by local sculptor Brad Williams will be auctioned, with all proceeds to go to the lighting. Also to be auctioned are a diamond necklace contributed by Raskin Jewelers and a set of four Michelin tires donated by Prescott Tire Pros. Prescott Councilman and mayor-elect Phil Goode said he hopes the community will continue to support the fundraising events. QCBN

COLLABORATION continued from page 11

and did not make the jump digitally that they needed to,” explained Jamie Kerr of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “If you weren’t jumping on Zoom, social media [or] other avenues, you were left behind and left behind pretty quickly. Even now, a lot of businesses are struggling with this.” As a result, the Arizona Commerce Authority put together a six-week program called the Arizona Small Business Digital Academy. “Because of the relationships that we have with Yavapai and some of the other SBDCs around the state, we partnered with the Eastern Arizona College SBDC in the Yavapai SBDC to pilot this program,” said Kerr, vice president of Rural Economic Development. They leveraged the Small Business Makeover of a Lifetime program by bringing applicants for the makeover into the first cohort of the digital academy. From the audience, City of Cottonwood Tourism and Economic Development Director Tricia Lewis agreed. “Our individual talents and strengths all came together, and we were able to push that information out regular regularly. Our businesses within the Verde Valley have benefited greatly because they have resources readily available.” After such widespread success, the partners decided they wanted to continue the collaboration past COVID. To answer the new challenges

of reduced workforce and supply chain and increased cost of living, including housing, they created the Yavapai County Economic Resource Alliance or YCERA (pronounced wai-sera.) They developed a mission statement, website and logo to move the crisis response group to a permanent ongoing network to engage community partners, build collaborative relationships and inform our community of resources and opportunities. “We’re seeing a huge growth in Yavapai County,” said Elinski, with the referral funnel still in place. “I’m glad that we have this group to work on these issues together going forward. We are really well established and well-rounded at this point.” “It’s been an astonishing success story and I can’t say enough positive things about the collaboration,” said Pitts. QCBN Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED): aaed.com Arizona Small Business Digital Academy: azcommerce.com/small-business/small-business-digital-academy Yavapai County Economic Resource Alliance (YCERA): ycazbusinesses.org

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Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY PHIL GOODE

Looking Forward to Serving Prescott

ear Citizens of Prescott: This is my first column as mayor, so I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those who are not familiar with me. First, I would like to congratulate my new council members on the Prescott City Council, including Brandon Montoya, Eric Moore and Jessica Hall. I look forward to working with each of them, as well as our incumbent council members. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. After graduation from high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1970 and served a full combat tour with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. I received the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (for more than 50 helicopter combat assaults), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal and others. After serving seven years of combined active and reserve duty, I was honorably discharged from the Army in 1977. During that period, I earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Sacramento State University. I then embarked on a 35-year career in the healthcare industry, reaching vice president positions with Medline Industries and Careview Communi-

cations and also holding management positions with Kinetic Concepts Inc. and Applied Medical. I am a 31-year member of the American Legion (Post 6, Prescott) and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 541, Prescott). I was co-chairman of the Veterans Memorial Plaque Committee, which in June 2016, rededicated that memorial on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza to the fallen Yavapai County veterans who lost their lives serving in all of the nation’s wars, beginning with World War I. I was elected to the board of directors of the Central Yavapai Hospital District in 2016. I served as a commissioner on Prescott’s Planning and Zoning Commission and was co-chairman of Mayor Harry Oberg’s ad hoc committee on sober living rehab homes. In 2017, I was elected to a four-year term on the Prescott City Council. My council term ended and I took the oath of office as your new mayor on Nov. 23, 2021. I serve on the board of directors of the Yavapai Republican Men’s Forum and was recently the vice chairman of the

Yavapai County Republican Committee. I have been a member of Prescott’s Sunup Rotary Club since 2015. I served on the Yavapai County Teacher of the Year panel and was a member of the Prescott BASIS School Advisory Council. I am a long-term member of the public policy committee for the Citizens Water Advocacy Group as well as the Citizens Tax Committee. Areas of focus during my term will include managing growth, infrastructure and water use, so that our city will continue to sustain its high quality for generations to come. I appreciate the support of the voters of the City of Prescott and look forward to serving as your next mayor, working closely with my fellow council members and city staff, and listening to our citizen’s concerns as we continue to keep Prescott a city that we can all be proud of. I hope our citizens will enjoy everything that Arizona’s Christmas City has to offer this season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! QCBN

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Rest Well, DMK

t QCBN, we mourn the loss of our long-time sales associate Deborah "DMK" Mainville-Knight. Deborah passed peacefully on November 19, surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with illness. "DMK was an important and beloved member of our team," said QCBN Publisher Troy Bix. "We will miss her spirited personality, her great laugh and how much she loved the people of the Quad Cities region. She will always hold a special place in our hearts." QCBN

Deborah Mainville-Knight 1951 - 2021

PURPOSE continued from page 14

says, “We’re going to feel like a Raggedy Ann in a washing machine.” But, as Christa demonstrates, we have everything to say about our own rescue and our own experience. “If you just float along, the journey is going to be harder. If you’re waiting for things to happen to you, it doesn’t always work out as well as you hope. You have to make things happen.” QCBN Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Teacher Shortage Having Dramatic Impact on Schools, Students avapai County, just like the rest of Arizona, continues to have a shortage of classroom teachers. That is not just in public schools. The same shortages are affecting charter and private schools, as well. And the teacher shortage is not getting better. Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools Tim Carter told Quad Citis Business News that at the first of this month, Yavapai County schools had 48 unfilled vacancies. Statewide, the number was 1,790, not counting the charter and private schools. “I see things getting worse in the short term because of COVID,” he said. “However, there are two bright spots. First, funding has improved locally a bit but will always be in comparison to neighboring schools both within and without the state in Arizona schools without overrides because a governing board is hesitant to ask or because voters simply will not approve them. Those districts continue to lag. This is a fundamental inequity in the way our schools are funded.” Carter cited results from a study

recently released by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA) that shows that for the sixth straight year, the teacher shortage is continuing in Arizona. Carter highlighted data provided by Becky O’Banion, a grant writer for the Yavapai County Education Service Agency (YCESA). About 25.9 % of teacher vacancies across the state this year remained unfilled. About 55.4 % of existing vacancies filled have been filled by teachers who do not meet the state’s standard teacher certification requirements. Since 2016, when the school years started, at least 25 % of the jobs remain unfilled at least a month into the school year. State Superintendent of Education Kathy Hoffman has said it is no surprise that vacancies continue. She emphasized that Arizona continues to rank 50th in the nation for teacher salaries, even after a 20% pay increase. “In the past, a positive factor has been hiring ‘homegrown’ teachers,” said Carter. “But at some point, people who are working in other occupations – banking or customer service work

who have an interest in entering the education profession – will diminish, especially in small, remote rural areas.” Justin Wing, past president of the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA), said some people would like to become teachers but have yet to earn a college education and meet required certification requirements. He noted that included college and university students who need to complete their degrees, teachers brought to Arizona from other states or countries, and even those who have come here on special visa programs. In just the immediate area, the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) is assisting schools in find teaching and support staff. Just last week, display ads paid for by NACOG in local daily newspapers advertised positions open in Head Start Programs as teachers, teacher aides, teacher aide substitutes and similar positions in Quad Cities communities. All involve multiple benefits, including paid health, dental and visual insurance, Arizona State Retirement (ASRS), holiday pay and paid college tuition and career benefits.

Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools Tim Carter maintains a current record of teacher positions available in the county. Photo by Ray Newton

Beyond that, local organizations are encouraging aspiring teachers to apply for scholarships to certified college or university education programs. For instance, the Gardner Family Teacher Scholarships Endowment will soon be distributing applications for scholarships valued at a minimum of $2,000 annually to qualified applicants in Yavapai County, according to Danny Brown and Tara O’Neil, co-presidents for the non-profit organization.

Additionally, the Yavapai County Education Foundation (YCEF), in cooperation with a local auto dealer, partnered to give a cumulative $10,000 to 20 Yavapai County teachers drawn from a pool nominated within the county. Michael Ellegood, YCEF president, worked with Findlay Subaru Prescott General Manager David “Mac” Macfarlane, in publicizing the opportunity and selecting recipients. QCBN

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Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Touch is Contagious

By Vonda Chisholm

s we enter the last month of the year 2021 and work our way through the end of the “giving season,” many of us have already contemplated how keeping our distance has affected us, our relationships, our friends and families – heck, even our co-workers! After all, right before COVID-19, I had just painted and hung a picture on my office door that said, “Free Hugs.” Wasn’t I disappointed when I couldn’t follow through with my favorite form of giving affection anymore! Before we were all afraid to touch or get closer than six feet apart without a full HAZMAT suit on, being casually affectionate was acceptable. Visiting your friends and family,

celebrating birthdays, weddings, even gathering for funerals was a regular part of life – and no one gave gathering a second thought. Now, we have been programmed to not give a second thought to standing on circles stuck to the floor that say, “Wait Here,” or “Stay Six Feet Apart.” We have learned that, despite all the disagreements, COVID is dangerous and can be deadly, and taking chances with our health or our lives is not something most of us are willing to do. Touching, kissing, hugging, even standing too close to someone with COVID without proper protection has been detrimental for many people. Even with the COVID vaccines, boosters, masking, and social distancing, some of us have gotten COVID

// Touching, kissing, hugging, even standing too close to someone with COVID without proper protection has been detrimental for many people. Even with the COVID vaccines, boosters, masking, and social distancing, some of us have gotten COVID despite our best efforts. //

despite our best efforts. As much as we hate to admit it, some things are just out of our control, like those who don’t take protection seriously. We can only be responsible for ourselves, but even the best efforts by some of us have failed during the COVID pandemic. Alas, let me switch to a more positive topic – one in which you have TOTAL control. In a world where the biggest concern has been COVID for the past two years, there are still health issues all of us need to be aware of and not pretend they are no longer issues just because we have something “scarier” to focus on. The health issues I am referring to have to do with our sexual health. Sexual health is a human issue that occurs because we have physical bodies and humans share themselves physically. Touch, sex and affection are all wonderful and amazing things that we humans get to enjoy. If we take and maintain control of our sexual health, there is no reason these things can’t stay amazing without causing us annoying, painful, contagious and sometimes dangerous infections or diseases. Of course, we want touch, sex and affection to stay amazing because not only are these things physical-

ly enjoyable, but also, they are so important for our mental health! Research has shown repeatedly that receiving and giving physical signs of affection boosts our mental health. It does not matter in what form we give or receive physical touch; what does matter is those who do not receive it are considered “touch-deprived” and are more likely to experience stress or depression. Not good! OK, so because COVID has kept many of us from getting the physical attention we need as humans, where do we go from here? We don’t want to continue to be touch-deprived, do we? Hopefully, you have taken the precautions to stay safe from COVID; but here is my burning question: Are you taking the precautions to stay safe from HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections? If your answer is yes, good for you! Keep taking those precautions and staying safe! If your answer is no, it’s not too late – know your HIV status by getting tested with your PCP or at a facility that does regular testing. If you are currently or recently were sexually active, it is imperative that you get a full-panel STI test. Even if it has been a

while since you’ve enjoyed a sexual relationship, do yourself, your sexual health and your future partners a favor. Your body (and your partners) will thank you for it! Considering we are still working our way through a horrible pandemic, do all you can to stay healthy and COVID-free. Just as importantly, take your sexual health seriously so if you and your partner do manage to avoid the pandemic, you can enjoy all the touch, sex and affection you can handle. This holiday season, get all the affection you can and catch feelings, not HIV or STIs! QCBN Vonda Chisholm is the Executive Director of Northland Cares, a specialty HIV and Prevention Clinic that serves HIV-positive clients in Yavapai County and provides Education, Prevention, and Testing services for all Northern Arizona. Northland Cares is located at 3112 Clearwater Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305 and can be reached at 928-7764612. Call us for information on free testing today!

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PrEP medications are safe and effective and can help prevent you from getting infected with HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV, PrEP medications can work to keep the virus from causing infection. Taking PrEP medication can stop new HIV infections and help end the HIV epidemic.

Help25% us stop the spread of HIV in EHE Yet less than

The national goal for PrEP coverage under the (Ending the HIV Epidemic) initiative is to achieve at least 50% coverage by 2030.

of the

Yavapai County.

estimated more than

1 million Americans

who could benefit from PrEP are using this important medication.

PEP PATHWAY Less than 72 hours

YES

More than 72 hours

Call Northland Cares.

their risk when taken daily as prescribed.

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

YES

Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

dramatically reduces

PrEP PATHWAY

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

Can you see patient today?

PrEP use among people at risk for acquiring HIV

NO YES

Help us stop the spread of HIV in Call Northland Cares or Call PEPLine (888) 488-4911 Send RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley

Proceed with provided care and RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley.

PEP PATHWAY

PrEP PATHWAY

“Are you confident in

Can you see

Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 Faxcomplete - 928-771-1767 providing patient today? prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

NO Call Northland Cares.

YES

Call Northland Cares or Call PEPLine (888) 488-4911 Send RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley

Proceed with provided care and RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley.

Refer patient to Northland Cares for specialty care and treatment services.

If patient cannot afford PrEP, refer to Northland Cares.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription Lesscovered. than 72However, hours the cost of necessary More than hours costs are 100% clinic72 visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

YES

Proceed with quality care and treatment.

Yavapai County. YES

Proceed with provided care.

Refer to Northland Cares.

YES

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

NO YES

Proceed with provided care.

Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

Refer to Northland Cares.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription costs are 100% covered. However, the cost of necessary clinic visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 Fax - 928-771-1767

Proceed with quality care and treatment.

If patient cannot afford PrEP, refer to Northland Cares.

NO Refer patient to Northland Cares for specialty care and treatment services.

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

The Local Dealership that Supports Your Community

www.FindlayBuickGMCPrescott.com 1006 Commerce Drive Prescott AZ (928) 445-7350

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Should You Upgrade to Windows 11? By Theo Soumilas

icrosoft introduced Windows 11 on Oct. 5, 2021, as a free upgrade from Windows 10. This is a rolling introduction, so over time when you check for updates on your Windows 10 computer, it will ask if you want to download and upgrade to Windows 11. You don’t see the upgrade? There is a chance that you haven’t been selected to download it yet or your computer is not within the proper specifications to successfully run Windows 11. Here are the base requirements: N 64-bit processor N 4GB of memory N 64GB of storage N UEFI secure boot N TPM Trusted Platform Module 2.0 N It’s that last one that gets tricky for some people, especially on cheaper laptops. If you’ve got a CPU older than a seventh-gen Intel Core series (we’re up to 11th-gen now), you might be in trouble. There is an application you can run to see if your computer is capable of running Windows 11. Search Google for “Microsoft PC Health Check App.” For you techies out there, there are

Valley of Lights Celebrating 22 years as the premier holiday destination. Thanksgiving through December 30 Open Sunday-Thursday 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Holidays 6 to 10 p.m. Fain Park Open every night until December 30. A beautiful one mile drive through animated and lighted displays. Suggested donation $5 per car.

workarounds for installing Windows 11 anyway, but proceed with those at your own risk. Once you install Windows 11, you are going to see the first visual difference. The start menu and taskbar are now centered on the bottom of the screen, rather than aligned to the left by default. Easily organizing a bunch of open windows so you can see and access them when you want (and hide them when you don’t) is handy once you get the hang of it. The ability to snap windows into preset slots on the desktop has been around for a while now, but the new Snap Groups and Snap Layouts have made it easier for us. Multiple desktops are a common MacOS feature, and a good way to keep your digital life organized. For example, you can keep all your work apps, email programs, browsers, video conference apps on one desktop, and all your gaming apps on another. Like on a Mac, you hot swap between them, it’s just a change in how your open apps are visualized. Remember “Gadgets” in Windows 7? They are back but with a different name: Widget. On the plus side, the new widgets are easy to find. Hit the button and a semi-transparent

Holiday Festival of Lights Parade and Civic Center Lighting Friday, December 4 5 p.m. Holiday music music, dance performances by The Movement Studio, Mayor’s Holiday Message, The Night Before Christmas, Santa’s North Pole village and Create a Tree Display in Library. Free family fun and kickoff to the Christmas and holiday season.

The real question is whether it is worth upgrading? The answer is…wait. If you want the latest and greatest, go for it, install it, play with it. For the rest of us, and especially for businesses, let’s wait until the next update to 11 comes out. This revision to the current version of 11 will fix any bugs, issues and security flaws that may pop up during the initial introduction. I know, I know, why can’t you give me a real answer? Here it is, if you MUST have the latest and greatest, install it. If you don’t have to have the latest and greatest, don’t install it, yet. QCBN For additional information or to schedule an appointment to assist your business, call 928-719-7724 or visit northernazit. com.

panel pops out from the left edge of the screen. It has, by default, widgets for weather, your Outlook calendar, photos you may have in OneDrive, a To Do list and a few others. You can customize the list a bit, but there are not too many options for now. Microsoft Teams is now fully integrated into Windows 11. There are other additions like

pressing Windows + Shift + S to take a screenshot and the Edge Browser now has a kid’s safe mode. A big one that they are working on is the ability to run Android Apps in windows. There are more and a simple search in Google will list the various changes to Windows 11.

Santa’s North Pole Village and Create-aTree Display Friday, December 3 6:30 to 9 p.m. Prescott Valley Library and Crystal Room Walk through the Gumdrop Forest, Gingerbread Workshop andvisit with Santa himself. Get your photos taken.Vote for your favorite tree or wreath display.A fun and free family event.

From our family to yours wishes for a very Happy Holiday.

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

Theo Soumilas is the owner of Northern Arizona IT servicing Arizona.

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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COVID-19 and the Ear

By Jeff Lane, Au. D.

or the past two years, the world has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic. While great progress has been made, there is no denying that it is still a global health crisis. Because of its novelty, questions remain about the long-term effects on those who have contracted the virus. This includes the virus’s impact on the auditory and balance systems. Fortunately, research is beginning to appear. To be clear, it is still in the early stages, but it does provide an idea of what to expect.

HEARING SENSITIVITY

In recent months, I have had patients who felt that their hearing changed after recovering for COVID-19. Did the virus affect their hearing, or was

any possible change coincidental? COVID-19 affecting the ear is certainly possible. Other viruses or severe medical conditions have been known to affect the ear, and more significant cases of COVID-19 appear to affect much of the body. There are multiple ways the virus could affect a person’s hearing. First, it could cause inflammation of the cochlea or auditory nerve. The cochlea in particular is a very delicate organ, which means any slight disturbance could pose a threat. Cardiovascular disturbances associated with the virus could also restrict blood and oxygen flow to the cochlea. So, what does the science say? It is still not entirely clear. For one, other coronaviruses (e.g., SARS) have not been seen to impact the ear. However,

// There is a possible physiologic link between the virus and tinnitus. Sensory cells in the cochlea are referred to as hair cells, because of their appearance. There are inner hair cells and outer hair cells. Outer hair cell damage has been shown to have a positive correlation with tinnitus. //

each virus is unique. Current statistics show that about 13% of COVID-19 patients report hearing or balance symptoms lasting up to two months. A systematic review examining studies related to COVID-19 and hearing loss was published in March. It included both case studies (individual patients) and cross-sectional studies. About half of the case studies reported some form of hearing loss as a symptom of COVID-19. Twelve of the cross-sectional also reported hearing loss as a symptom. The authors estimated the prevalence of hearing loss as a result of COVID-19 to be 7.6%. While the evidence does seem compelling, two considerations should be noted. First, the majority of the studies were deemed to be of Fair, not Good, quality. Second, three of the studies included in the cross-sectional study performed a full test battery on both positive and negative participants. Two of these studies did not find a significant difference in hearing sensitivity between COVID-19 patients and the control group. Thus, more research needs to be done before hearing loss can be definitively listed as a possible symptom of COVID-19.

hears that does not originate form a source in their environment. It is often experienced in conjunction with hearing loss, but they can exist independently. The systematic review mentioned previously estimated a prevalence of about 14.8% in COVID-19 patients. However, it was unclear whether the virus caused the tinnitus, or had simply made it worse. It is also possible that the stress of suffering through COVID-19 might be exacerbating the tinnitus. Studies do show that when a person is under more stress, they tend to rate their tinnitus as being more severe or bothersome. There is a possible physiologic link between the virus and tinnitus. Sensory cells in the cochlea are referred to as hair cells, because of their appearance. There are inner hair cells and outer hair cells. Outer hair cell damage has been shown to have a positive correlation with tinnitus. We can measure outer hair cell status with otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). One study showed that COVID-19 patients had significantly reduced OAEs. Again, this was only one study, but it is worth noting.

TINNITUS

Vertigo and dizziness have also been reported by those

Tinnitus is any sound that a person

BALANCE

with COVID-19. The March study gave a prevalence range of 3.4% to 7.2%. However, the studies do not seem to acknowledge a mechanism for the dizziness. Based on what we know about the balance system in general, it could be a result of the virus attacking the vestibular nerve. Or, it could be simple dehydration or exhaustion. No matter the cause, it does seem to be a possible symptom. As stated before, more research needs to be done to determine the possible effects of COVID-19 on the audiovestibular system and the likelihood of developing such symptoms. But it does seem something to bear in mind. If you or a loved one develops symptoms following COVID-19, let your audiologist know to help aid understanding and receive the appropriate care. QCBN 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 928-522-0500 or at audio@ trinityhearing.net.

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Happy Holidays from the team at Quad Cities Business News!

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Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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pet news

Blind Author Recalls Success of Canine Support on 9/11 M

By Colleen Keefe

ichael Hingson and his partner, Roselle, rode the train into New York City that day. Admittedly, the night before was a bit rough. A thunderstorm decided to camp out over their home. Roselle hated storms. They made her nervous. The pair worked together in the North Tower. It was September 11, 2001. Michael recently spoke at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona’s Rescue Me fundraiser. Michael is blind. Roselle was his guide dog. “Guide dogs do not lead blind people. Guide dogs don’t lead. They guide,” Michael explained. “My job is to be the navigator. The dog’s job is to be the pilot.” Michael was printing documents when the building lurched, and he heard a muffled explosion. He went and stood in the doorway, his co-worker, David, was clinging to his desk, and Roselle was asleep under it. “David and I said goodbye to each other because we thought we were about to take a 78-floor plunge to the street,” Michael recalled. When the tower was erect again, he went straight over to Roselle, now coming out from under his desk, and gave the command “heel,” prompting her to his left side, which she did. “At about that time, the building dropped down about six feet,” Michael said. “David was frantically shouting, ‘Oh my god, Mike, there’s fire and smoke above us! There’s millions of pieces of burning paper falling outside the windows! We’ve got to get out of here right now! The building is on fire! We have to get out of here!’” Roselle reportedly was yawning and wagging her tail, and Michael calmly said, “Slow down, David.” And then, as Michael tells the story,

David used the line, “You don’t understand. You can’t see it!” But Michael related that the problem wasn’t what he couldn’t see, but rather what David couldn’t see. “The difference between blind people and sighted people is not that blind people can’t see and that sighted people can see. It is rather that, as blind people, we’ll do things differently than you do to accomplish the same thing. So, I don’t look around a neighborhood and see what’s there. I rely on having information in Braille, or asking questions in advance, or doing other things that give me information simply not made available to blind people,” Michael explained. He was 4 months old when it was discovered that he was blind because of a condition called retinopathy of prematurity. “The doctors told my parents to put me in a home because no blind child could ever grow up to amount to anything,” Michael said. In the 1950s, most blind children were extremely sheltered. Instead, Michael spent his first five years like any other kid of that era. He walked around his neighborhood and went to the candy store daily to buy pretzels with pennies. “I didn’t even think about being blind, although I knew I wasn’t exactly the same as all the other people,” Michael said. He was 14 when he got his first guide dog, Squire, a golden. They worked together for nine years. When Michael graduated with his physics degree, the chancellor gave Squire a degree in Lethargic Guidance. The canine grad worked one more year before retiring with Michael’s parents. Michael grew up with dogs – a dachshund named Rudy, then a mini dachsie, Peewee. “Dogs like to know the rules. I think that’s the most important thing that we can do with our dogs. I think that dogs want to be treated as part of

the team. They feel that they’re pleasing you by obeying. One of the keys to team relationships is accountability. Treat dogs like part of the team, as part of the family. Pay attention to them, encourage them and hold them accountable,” Michael said. “But it goes both ways,” notes the best-selling author of Thunder Dog. Roselle was part of the team. She knew the rules and the pair were experts navigating in the dark. When a firefighter nearly insisted on helping Michael out of the building, David convinced him that he was OK. The firefighter leaned down to Roselle – taboo etiquette for interacting with a working guide dog – but Michael didn’t mind this time. Roselle licked his face. Michael knew it might be the last act of unconditional love the hero might receive. Fortunately, Michael’s parents didn’t take the sheltered approach. Instead, they opted for the unconditional approach. And fortunately for those with him on 9/11. Michael’s calm presence, unmatched wit, and charming sense of humor traveled with him as they descended step by step. In many ways, Michael had prepared for this. He’d taught himself the Trade Center’s complex, prepared for an emergency and developed a mindset needed to help people focus. Teamed with his pilot Roselle, Michael navigated through obstacles and forged a path out of the North Tower to safety.

QCBN

Michael Hingson enlightened, educated and entertained the audience at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona’s Rescue Me fundraiser. Hingson’s book, Thunder Dog, is now available. Courtesy photos by Camille Hall

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DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Study Shows Stress Levels Decrease in Shelter Dogs When Fostered

By Rebecca West

esearchers are studying ways to reduce stress in shelter dogs. They are finding that canine foster programs and activities like weekend or holiday sleepovers that remove animals from noisy shelters and place them in home environments have a significant impact on their cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone involved in the stress response system in both humans and animals. In order to gather this type of evidence, companion animal scientist Lisa Gunter, Ph.D., and Maddie’s Fund Research Fellow at Arizona State University are conducting a study in conjunction with Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) to determine just how big of an impact week-long fostering can have on the health and welfare of shelter dogs. Gunter works in the ASU Department of Psychology and conducts research in the Canine Science Collaboratory. She’s worked for nearly a decade with pets in animal shelters as well as canines and their pet parents. Her goal, to better the lives of companion animals and their

owners, is the driving force behind all of her work, including Wagfield Academy, an online dog training and behavior resource for owners, and The Institute for Shelter Dogs. Gunter and PACC Public Information Officer Nikki Reck have observed that canines do better in home environments until they can be placed in forever homes, no matter how well run or equipped shelters may be. Currently, the research is being conducted on the East Coast at the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, where they are collaborating with researchers at Virginia Tech. In July and August, they worked on the Western component of the project. At PACC, 41 dogs were fostered as part of the study and followed for 17 days. Urine was collected for five days prior to fostering, seven days during fostering, and another five days post-fostering upon return to the shelter. The research team and fosters became experts at catching urine during that time. The canine participants also wore activity collars known as accelerometers during the study, which tracked their activity in

both shelter and foster settings. As a bonus, Reck says PACC is gaining valuable insight from the foster caregivers regarding an animal’s behavior in a home setting to share with potential adopters. “Studies like these are great for the animal welfare world, as we’re able to learn so much from them, and it helps us be better at our jobs where the animals are concerned. We were so excited to be chosen for inclusion in the study. It’s such an honor to be one of only two shelters selected nationwide. We loved that it was a non-invasive study where no animals were hurt or placed in uncomfortable situations. Honestly, it was a no-brainer for us to get on board.” The research team behind the Arizona State University/Virginia Tech Maddie’s Nationwide Foster Study has been helping shelters with field trip, sleepover, emergency and safety net fostering programs since 2018 and has worked with more than 100 shelters across the country during this time. Results of the study are expected to be published in 2022. QCBN

During the study, dogs wore special collars that would track their activity. Courtesy photo

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DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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What Donations Have Provided for Homeless Pets

By Loree Walden

he holidays are upon us and our days are filled with celebrations with family and friends. It’s a time to reflect on the year and remember all we have accomplished and all we have to be thankful for. We at Yavapai Humane Society are thankful for you and we are proud and honored to be a part of this amazing pet-loving community! As we prepare to leave 2021 behind us, Yavapai Humane Society would like to thank you all for the support and generosity you have shown us. Because of you, we are able to provide food, shelter, medical care and love for animals in our care until we are able to find homes for them. We couldn’t do our lifesaving work without you. We know there are many other amazing charities from which to choose and we are honored you have chosen to support our mission and us. On average, it costs more than $700 to care for each animal in our care. Your donations help to ensure that we can continue to help every animal find its forever home. In 2022, Yavapai Humane Society celebrates the fact we have been serving Yavapai County for 50 years and with your support, we plan on helping homeless animals find

their “fur”ever homes for at least another 50 years! It’s been an amazing journey and we look forward to sharing some of the history of Yavapai Humane Society and all that we have done for the last 50 years, and plan to continue throughout 2022. Here are just a few things that we were able to do in 2021 because of your support: N Find forever homes for approximately 1,600 dogs, cats and horses. N Reunite approximately 750 lost dogs and cats with their owners. N Purchase the Lost & Found Building and adjoining land from the City of Prescott, which will help us better serve our community. N Expand and remodel our Thrift Store to provide our clients a wide variety of products at the lowest prices. N Obtain Charity Navigator’s highest rating for a non-profit. N Continue to operate our low cost Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic to provide affordable options for pet owners. Yavapai Humane Society has a number of programs that we offer to help and support our pet loving community.

Pet Guardianship – Our pets are a vital part of our family, so we established the Pet Guardianship program to give you peace of mind. By becoming a member of this program, you’ll fill out paperwork providing specific information about your pets in extensive detail, so we know all about them and what they like and don’t like. Upon your passing, your animals come to us, where we provide for each pet’s unique needs, including medical care until we find them a home that matches your wishes. Safety Net – Thanks to donors, this program helps pets and their families stay together during difficult financial times, hospitalizations, domestic violence and other similar situations. Rather than having to abandon a beloved pet, we provide foster placement, veterinary help and other remedies that can help prevent a pet from losing its home and family because of a temporary crisis by helping a family weather the storm for up to 30 days. Big Fix – This is a low-cost spay/neuter program for pets of needy families and individuals. Through donations, we are able to help provide these much-needed services to those who might not be able to afford it. New Hope – Through the New Hope Program, we partner with other

501(c)(3) animal organizations to find homes for our community’s homeless pets. We send out New Hope requests to our partners of specific long-term or special needs animals in an effort to network or find the best resources for them in the state and even nationwide. In addition, we take in animals facing challenges for placement, or because of overcapacity, from other trusted New Hope rescue and shelter partners seeking help. It’s because of you, our animal loving community, that we have the resources to rescue and rehome animals each year. From every one of us, we thank you for continuing to support Yavapai Humane Society and for standing with us

and loving the animals. You all matter to us and we are thankful. Caring for animals isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are. YHS’s extraordinary and dedicated team is passionate about what they do, and we are so fortunate to have them. Yavapai Humane Society is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, which means all your donations are tax deductible. For more information about how to include in your end-ofyear giving, please call 928-445-2666, ext. 118. Thank you and happy holidays from our family to yours! QCBN Loree Walden is the marketing manager for the Yavapai Humane Society.

YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery Expands Services

By Bridget O’Gara

avapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgery has opened a clinic in Prescott Valley. The orthopedic specialty team is now caring for patients every Thursday and Friday at: YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery Del E. Webb Outpatient Center 3262 North Windsong Drive Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314 928-708-4545 “We’re pleased to offer the community another YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery clinic location,” said Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center Director of Marketing and Communications Ken Boush. “People who need orthopedic care from our exceptional orthopedic specialists now have a choice of seeing them in Prescott or

Prescott Valley.” YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery will continue caring for patients at its Prescott location – 3195 Stillwater Drive, Suite D – on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery is also available in the new Outpatient Services Building West at 1001 Willow Creek Road, Suite 1300, on the YRMC West campus in Prescott. To schedule an appointment at YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery in Prescott or Prescott Valley, please call 928-708-4545. QCBN Bridget O’Gara is a writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in health care. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Your Network is Your Net Worth

By Jamaal McCoy

here are many advantages to having a strong and expansive network. For instance, when you are part of a network of successful people, you will gain valuable insight into trends as well as insider information on profitable ventures. That is why it’s important to use several channels to hone your existing relationships and foster new ones. Building a network of aspiring, motivated, positive-minded individuals can push you a step closer to your goals.

CIRCLE OF TRUST

Networking is all about balance. This means that for your circle of influ-

ence to be impactful, you should give as much as you take. For instance, if you ask for someone’s help or use their contacts for your own gain, it’s important to ensure that you also give back when called upon. This means you need to be able to trust members of your network, and they should trust you as well. That’s why it’s important, whenever you network, to link with individuals whose reputation and ethics you believe in.

A PLATFORM TO EXCHANGE IDEAS

There is a lot you can learn from listening to other people. It’s important to understand that success is largely attributed to the amount of information and ideas you have. If you man-

// There is a lot you can learn from listening to other people. It’s important to understand that success is largely attributed to the amount of information and ideas you have. If you manage to create a network of high-value individuals, you will be able to trade ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust. //

age to create a network of high-value individuals, you will be able to trade ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust.

SUPPORT FROM HIGH PROFILE INDIVIDUALS

Everyone passes through some hurdles either in their career or in business. This can be because of a lack of resources, knowledge or even finances. That’s why it’s important to create a circle of influence with capable and supportive individuals. When times are tough, you can look to those people for support, and they will help you get out of difficult situations. They can provide good advice or even financial support to help you manage your challenges effectively.

during those conversations to ask and answer questions so you can create a dialogue and build trust. You never know which one of those people will recommend you when there’s an opportunity that matches your skill.

BEING PART OF A NETWORK MAKES YOU NOTICEABLE

Most people who seek publicity for business and fame leverage more on networking. If you are part of a network, and you have a valuable skill, people will quickly notice you, and that will make you relevant. Once you stand out and people know that you provide exceptional services, it creates room for strong partnerships. Therefore, if you want more visibility, it’s important to take the time to nurture your networking strengths.

ACCESS TO VALUABLE OPINIONS AND TIPS NETWORKING IMPROVES Networking is a great way to find CREATIVE INTELLECT individuals who share your interests. Fortunately, nowadays, there are many ways you can network without even leaving your house. For instance, you can participate in online platforms and forums and chat with like-minded people who can share their experiences and knowledge with you. It’s also important

Most of your aspirations and innovations come from the people with whom you surround yourself. Therefore, if you manage to build a network of people from different backgrounds, cultures and careers, your intellectual ability will increase signifi-

cantly. Sometimes, even the simplest interaction with a single person can transform your work and result in a breakthrough. That’s why it’s important to find like-minded people and share ideas. This will help strengthen intellect and also foster growth in their careers and in business. Networking helps to unleash your creative talent. There are a lot of benefits that come from networking. However, if you want to create meaningful and rewarding connections, you must take care of your network. A functional network requires maintenance. You can do this by sending your contacts personalized messages here and there and genuinely offering help when you can. Showing that you are not just there for your benefit goes a long way. As with anything, building requires a strong foundation. Lay the strength of your foundation by embracing a “Go Giver” mentality and watch your network grow to amazing heights! QCBN Jamaal McCoy is the general manager of Findlay Auto Group Prescott. He can be reached at 928-443-8300 or jmccoy@ findlayauto.com.

Classical Music’s Impact on the Human Brain

By Sandra Farrell

t might surprise you to learn that when Albert Einstein ran up against a mathematical problem, the scientist’s son, Hans Einstein, recalled that “he [Albert Einstein] would take refuge in music, and that would usually resolve all his difficulties.” (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 14, 2017) The mathematical genius behind the theory of relativity was also vice president of Princeton University’s Symphony from 1952 to 1955. “Life without music is inconceivable to me,” Einstein said. “I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music,” he said in a recorded interview with the CBC. He went so far as to tell the Saturday Evening Post in 1929 that if he hadn’t been a scientist, he would have been a musician. Perhaps the reason Einstein solved his mathematical problems while listening to classical music is because it puts the listener in a more creative mindset. It opens the brain’s mind fix to consider solutions outside the box. Prescott counselor Chris Knack, a nationally certified geriatric manager with 25 years of experience, says his clinical observations support the notion that classical music has

a soothing effect on brain patterns and calms upset patients. Knack cites work with dementia patients where music, as well as other tools, brings sufferers to lucidity from dissociative states. “There is lots of anecdotal information to this effect,” as well as scientific studies. Knack says complex music, especially jazz and classical with shifting beats, as opposed to music with one beat, leads to profound thoughts, and also encourages creativity. “Music changes the way the brain works. The more complex the musical rhythm, the more the brain becomes involved,” Knack said. Einstein commented in the first half of the Twentieth Century, before current brain study methods, that really good music cannot be analyzed to discover why it takes the mind to new thoughts; it just does. At takelessons.com, benefits from listening to classical music are listed. One study by Oxford University says classical music decreases blood pressure. Study participants listened to music styles like rap, pop, techno, as well as classical, and the latter lowered blood pressure, while the former raised blood pressure. So you might not try to induce relaxation with head-banging music. The website quotes a study of people

with sleep issues, and 45 minutes of, say, the three Bs, Bach, Brahms or Beethoven, may lead to sleepy time more successfully than heavy metal. Einstein played the violin and became hooked on Mozart’s music. “Mozart’s music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe.” A study by the UK’s Daily Mail says people who listen to Mozart increased activity in the brain’s area that is linked to memory. Happiness, efficiency, productivity levels rise with classical music, and depression and stress levels fall. Scientists note classical music’s tempo is similar to the human heart beat and a Daily Mail study of pregnant women found that heart rhythm may be an important factor in why classical music relieves stress during pregnancy, and is recommended listening for the fetus. The National Institutes of Health found classical music increases the level of dopamine secretion and that activates the brain’s reward and pleasure center. Science Daily in 2009 reported the University of Maryland’s experience with Baroque music; it particularly improved radiologists’ efficiency and accuracy. Likewise, a 1974

study in sciencedirect.com indicates classical music works on depression better than doughnuts (sugar). Specifically, a dose of Mozart may lift the green meanies. Einstein wouldn’t have recommended an hour with Wagner, however. While Einstein admired Wagner’s inventiveness, he said “his musical personality is indescribably offensive.” Classical music is not guaranteed to increase your IQ score but there are sound anecdotal and scientific reports that compositions by the classical masters may put your brain waves in a happier place to think new ideas to innovate concepts and products. That is a powerful recommendation to take in a Sunday afternoon concert. QCBN

Sandra Farrell is a former broadcast and print journalist. More recently, she was press secretary for elected officials and she retired from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank as media manager. She and her husband and two dogs moved to Prescott a year ago and love all things Prescott. She is a volunteer with Arizona Philharmonic, AZPhil.org.

// Classical music is not guaranteed to increase your IQ score but there are sound anecdotal and scientific reports that compositions by the classical masters may put your brain waves in a happier place to think new ideas to innovate concepts and products. That is a powerful recommendation to take in a Sunday afternoon concert. //

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Five Amazing Privacy, Seclusion Trees that Screen

By Ken Lain

ow is the time to plant privacy screens for maximum growth and seclusion in spring. Without strategically placed evergreens in the yard, it can feel as if prying eyes are looking right into your home. Not only does your privacy seemingly disappear, but that neighbor’s debris pile can be on display! Enable enjoyable hot tub sessions without prying eyes from that tooclose-for-comfort neighbor. The solution to these unwanted invasions is not rocket science. Simply plant a wall of living trees and shrubs to block an undesirable view and create the privacy you desire! Here is an excellent example of an “evergreen and gold” hedge of Golden Euonymous. Now is the ideal planting season for fast-growing trees and shrubs to maximum autumn roots critical for a lush wall next spring. To successfully add evergreens to a landscape, several essential steps are worthy of your time and energy. The most crucial requirement for trees to thrive is drainage. Blend one shovel full of Watters Premium Mulch into every three shovels full of native earth to pack around each root. Feed new plants with 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food right after planting. The cottonseed meal in this natural food promotes robust root formation while maintaining good foliage color. Finally, deep soak each

plant with a solution of Root & Grow. This specially designed compost tea encourages new roots that grow deep and strong.

BEST EVERGREEN TREES USED AS SCREENS AND ACCENTS

When you’re ready to choose the trees for your living wall of green, read through these popular choices of local screening plants that fill in fast. N Arizona Cypress – My favorite native evergreen screener is the Arizona cypress. It is like a giant

alligator juniper in size and color but grows faster and fills in more thoroughly than other screening plants. Growing to over 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide in just a few years, you can see why this is the number one choice for a planted screen. N Colorado Spruce – Very cold-hardy, this spruce is the perfectly symmetrical Christmas tree shape. Excellent choice for a front yard holiday tree or as a semi-formal accent in a large yard. It makes a pretty evergreen background against contrasting foliage colors, flowering shrubs, or highlighting autumn leaves. Line up several for a windbreak or to quickly diffuse lights and sounds along busy streets. N Deodar Cedar – This is the largest screening plant, growing to over 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It is one of the fastest-growing of the screens, growing 2-3 feet every year. This cedar thrives on low water use, drought conditions and drip irrigation, as with most up-

right evergreens. Make sure to give it plenty of growing space, because with its long, swooping branches of Arizona Blue foliage, this tree is going to need it! N Juniper – Let’s look at the juniper family. Spartan, Blue Point and Wichita are on the extensive list of junipers available at Watters Garden Center now. Juniper forests surround us, so be assured junipers are naturals to add to a landscape. Whichever color and height you like, all grow well in this part of the world. N Austrian Pine – This is a handsome evergreen tree with a densely branched conical form when young that becomes umbrella-shaped with age. Needles are long and dark green. It tolerates poor soils and harsh, drying winds. A great conifer for windbreaks or used as large landscape specimens.

There are many more choices, such as the larger evergreen shrubs and deciduous trees like aspens. Still, we’ll discuss those varieties another time. Book just Published! The Secret Garden: Plants as a Natural Screen is an all-local garden book with deeper detail about screening plants. Free copies are available for download at WattersGardenCenter.com under LEARN. Until the next issue, I’ll be helping local gardeners plant privacy here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10EvergreenTrees.com. Throughout the week, Ken Lain can be found at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Local Physician Recognized for Excellence

ven without the challenges of the pandemic, Ronael Eckman, M.D. – recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Healthcare Award from the Prescott Chamber of Commerce – has an extraordinarily busy professional life. Dr. Eckman serves as the chief medical information officer (CMIO) at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). She also cares for newborns and children at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Ponderosa Pediatrics. How does Dr. Eckman feel about these demanding dual roles? “I enjoy the balance,” she said. “My doctor time with my pediatric patients and newborns is very fulfilling. It ties me to the core of why I entered the medical profession. My role as YRMC’s CMIO allows me to interact with colleagues across all medical specialties and the hospital’s administrative leadership. I enjoy working with computer technology to optimize and manage how we care for patients.”

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS DURING COVID-19

Enter 2020 and COVID-19, and Eckman’s knowledge of medicine, computer technology and data analysis became even more essential to YRMC. She participated in important planning sessions, during which YRMC decisionmakers strategized ways to care for COVID-19 patients. “From the beginning of COVID-19, Dr. Eckman was immersed in YRMC’s response to the pandemic,” said Dignity Health, YRMC Director of Marketing and Communications Ken Boush. “She was at the center of every innovative response developed to care for the people of our community. Her passion and dedication make her the best choice for the 2021 Prescott Chamber’s Excellence in Healthcare Award.” Those innovative responses, which tapped technology to care for COVID-19 patients, include:

REMOTE MONITORING AND COLLABORATION WITH

Community Health Partners collaboration with Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority – has served more than 1,500 COVID-19 patients. (Patients without a smartphone were provided a tablet in order to participate.)

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

This allows COVID-19 patients experiencing fewer symptoms to go home with support instead of being hospitalized. These patients have 24/7 access to registered nurses via an app and home visits from a paramedic as needed. This program – part of the

COMING HOME

Eckman – whose family has called Yavapai County home for generations – returned to the community From Jan. 20 - May 15, 2021, 48,000 vaccines were administered at in 2010 to join YRMG, Ponderosa the site of the vacant Sears building in Pediatrics. “This is such an amazing Prescott. This effort – overseen by Dr. and beautiful community,” she said. “My husband and I are grateful to Eckman – included a team of over raise our children here and for my 500 volunteers. work at YRMG, Ponderosa Pediatrics and YRMC.” QCBN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

COMMUNITY VACCINATION

Dr. Ronael Eckman’s exceptional efforts during the pandemic were recognized with the 2021 Prescott Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Healthcare Award.

battling the pandemic. This ensured YRMC’s ability to care for the community and afforded me the latitude and resources to pursue innovative ways to do so.”

THERAPY

People 65 years old and older, and those in fragile health, receive this COVID-19 treatment at YRMC’s Infusion Center and Emergency Department, thanks to Dr. Eckman’s efforts. “I have a calling that drove me to help battle the pandemic in our community,” said Eckman. “I’m fortunate to work for an organization with colleagues who share my passion for

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Are You Paying Attention?

By Candace Lea

was going to title this article, “How to Give our Aging Loved Ones What They Need During the Holidays,” but then I thought, that’s way too long and what they need is our attention – and not just during the holidays! My grandma lived to be 100-anda-half. She lived in her own home until she was 94 and then moved to a lovely assisted-living facility, where she spent the last years of her life. From the time she was around 80 years young, she just wanted others to acknowledge her existence. At the time, I didn’t really see it that way, but now I am caring for my 81-yearold mother. It’s so clear to me, they want our attention! This can be a tricky thing to handle, giving someone our attention and still making sure we are caring for ourselves, so we don’t get burned out. Aging can be a fun process of life for some people, but for other elders, it can be sad, isolating and difficult, or maybe for some, it’s both of these things, depending on life’s circumstances. I’d say for grandma, it was a

little of both. When we were with her visiting (paying attention) she was funny, charming and cantankerous! But at times when she was alone, or if we missed a visit or phone call (not paying attention) she would get sad, angry and depressed. When I use the term “elders,” I’m referring to anyone in our life, who is older than us. This could be the nextdoor neighbor or the lady you met at the grocery store. So, what are some ways that we can help our elders to feel supported? Pick up the phone: My older sister called our grandma every single day! And she is now doing the same for our mother. She calls twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This might seem like an easy task for some and it may seem grueling for others, but this single act of kindness (paying attention) is so beneficial to our elders. It helps to break up the isolation and makes them feel wanted. Try to schedule a time to call each day and it doesn’t have to be a long phone call, it only takes a few minutes to touch base, tell them about your day, ask about theirs and you’re done! And the great

thing about this, like my sister, you don’t have to live close by to give this form of attention! And, if your elder is tech-savvy you could send a text! Schedule a visit: If you are lucky enough to live close to your elder, try to schedule a weekly or daily visit. This could be a visit to their home or to get the bonus attention-points, you could take them on an outing. When grandma was a young 95, she loved going for a drive. This would get her some fresh air and it was fun driving around her hometown while she told me all the important facts about every darn thing! I lived one hour away from grandma but I would go visit almost every weekend and sometimes I would spend the night. Our slumber parties are some of my sweetest memories. Send a card or prezzie: Yes, I said prezzie! And, no, spellcheck, I am not changing it! This is another great way for those who do not live close by to give that much-needed attention. A card, with a photo and a

about here is love. During the holidays or any time of the year, our elders need to feel loved, honored and remembered. So, pick up that phone, send that letter, give that gift and pop in for a visit. At Adult Care Services, we honored our veterans by giving them handmade quilts. The quilts were made by Pam Hendricks. Pam is the daughter of one of our residents at Margaret T. Morris Assisted Living Center. Thank you, Pam, for helping us to show love, kindness and respect to our veterans! We are definitely paying attention. Quality Care, Quality Service, Quality of Life. QCBN

small note, is such a sweet thing to find in our mailbox. With all the mail-order ways to send gifts nowadays, there is no reason not to. These are just a few ideas of how to give that attention, but what we are talking

Candace Lea, MBA, is the community liaison and marketing person for Adult Care Services. She has worked in the human service and healthcare field for more than 30 years. She also is a local yoga teacher. To learn more about these programs, visit adultcareservices.org.

How a Short Meditation Can Help Watch Your Business News By Deanna Eder

while inhaling through your nose. Feel your stomach rise. Hold your breath for a second. Slowly count editation, which comes in to five while you exhale, preferably many variations, has long through pursed lips to control been acknowledged as a tool the breath. Your stomach will fall to master the mind and cope with slowly. Repeat a few times. stress. Research shows that meditaN Mindfulness Meditation Focus on tion offers not only calm, but also your breath. Notice anything that helps with anxiety and depression, passes through your awareness cancer, chronic pain, asthma, heart without judgment. If your mind disease and high blood pressure. starts to tackle your to-do list, just Mindful Meditation might enhance return to focusing on your breath. our capacity to rein in our emotional and physiological responses to stress- N Visualization Close your eyes, relax and imagine a peaceful ors, so that the news is less likely to place, like a forest. Engage all your activate our fight or flight system. senses: Hear the crunching leaves, It might also help us recover from smell the damp soil, feel the breeze. stressors more quickly – so our emoN Repeating a Mantra Sit quiettional response system doesn’t stay ly and pick any meaningful or in a heightened state for too long. soothing word, phrase or sound. Short bouts of daily mindfulness You can repeat the mantra aloud practice can enhance our day-to-day or silently. Experts say the repetiexperiences, whether it is emotional, tion creates a physical relaxation physical, spiritual or intellectual. response. To get started, all you need is a N Participating in a Meditative few minutes each day. Later, you Form of Exercise Try tai chi or qi may want to work up to 10, 20 or 30 gong, which use soothing, flowing minutes. You can find one of many motions. meditation options in a book, online or in a class. Or, you can try some Breathing and relaxation are good suggestions below on your own. If for almost everyone. one doesn’t work, stay calm, take a Here are a few different deep breath and try another. options when wanting to start a meditation: TYPES OF MEDITATION: N Mindful Meditation N Deep Breathing Sit or lie down Weekly Group for comfortably. Rest your hands on Seniors 60+ - Polara your stomach. Slowly count to five

Health Senior Peer Program The facilitator is an experienced meditation leader and practitioner. Each session will include experiencing deep relaxation techniques. The group meets weekly from 1-2 p.m., Thursdays in Prescott. There is no fee to participate. To register and get more information, please call Connie Boston, manager of the Senior Peer Program, 928-4455211 ext. 2672 N Mindful Meditation Webinar Polara Health offers free webinars to the community. Go to our website polarahealth.com/webinars for more information. N Download the UCLA Mindful App on iTunes or Google Play. This offers an introduction to mindfulness meditation that you can practice on your own. N Mindful Breathing Practice 5 Minute Listen with Greater Good Science Center at ggia.berkeley. edu/practice/mindful_breathing?_ga= 2.215458387.552832571.1 636949079-796221650. 1612369695. QCBN Deanna Eder is the Polara Health director of marketing and communications.

Bonnie Stevens' Communication Station is delivering a refreshing, engaging and inspirational vodcast (video podcast) that features Northern Arizona businesses, outdoor adventure and leadership twice a month. Zonie Living is sponsored in part by Quad Cities Business News. Go to https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/ bonnie-stevens

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Follow a Budget, Increase Your Financial Knowledge

T myfunoldies.com

By Steven Calabrese, CPA

o grow your wealth, you need to become knowledgeable in a number of different financial areas. To not be educated in the basics will cost you in the long run. It is not that you need to be an expert, but one must understand the simple concepts in personal finance. The following is a high-level education to put you on the path to master basic finance. Begin with these concepts and grow from there. Learning should be a lifelong endeavor. If you stop learning, you will fall behind as the world is forever moving forward. So, let’s get started with some basic concepts. Take these concepts and grow your knowledge in each area. Master them or hire experts in the related field to teach you and help you reach your financial goals.

BUDGETING IS YOUR FRIEND

Beatles Beach Boys Supremes 3 Dog Night Chicago Carole King ELO Johnny Rivers Dave Clark 5 Paul Revere & the Raiders The Grass Roots Aretha Franklin The Monkees Creedence Clearwater Revival The Four Seasons Linda Ronstadt Stevie Wonder Earth, Wind & Fire

Do you budget, live on less than you make, provide for your basic needs? Many folks do not budget, but I will tell you, this is a key building block. If you do not know where your hard-earned money is going, then you are in trouble. Do you take a trip without knowing how to get there? Well, a budget tells your money where to go. When you set up a budget, every dollar gets assigned a purpose such as food, clothing, rent or mortgage. There are the essentials and then there are the savings and the niceties to consider. If your expenses are higher than your income, you either have an income issue or you spend too much on the niceties.

EMERGENCY FUND FOR PROTECTION

SAVE FOR THE FUTURE

This is another key concept: retirement savings, large purchases and that nice vacation. Again, the budget is the guiding tool, as these items must be included in your budget. Budget for that vacation, that new car purchase even that large home repair such as a new roof. Retirement savings is a key component of savings. You want to make sure that you will have enough for your twilight years. Start an IRA or a Roth IRA, contribute to a 401k if your employer has one. Your goal should be to get this to about 15% of your income. Over the long term, one can accumulate a nice nest egg. Start early and contribute regularly.

INVEST FOR PASSIVE INCOME

In the savings section, we discussed briefly putting away 15% for retirement. The next step is creating a fund that grows over time. One must learn about basic investing and where you can get the best results. What do you know about investing? Now is the time to begin to get some education. This can be very intimidating. Learn about the markets – stock, bond and real estate markets at the very least, to name a few. Learn about mutual funds. Hire a professional to help you, but make sure it is someone who is willing to teach you. This is where you will grow your wealth exponentially. Create that passive income and turn $1,000 into $2,000. It can happen. Remember: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn enough to be dangerous and hire a professional. Don’t be cheap here. Do your homework and hire a reputable firm.

HOMEOWNERSHIP

Build an emergency fund for a rainy day. I can guarantee that it will rain, so at some point you will have an emergency. An unexpected car repair, a home repair, perhaps a sudden trip to see a loved one, maybe even a job loss. It will happen. If you are prepared, it will not be a big deal. An emergency fund is a form of insurance against those unexpected life events. It is recommended that you build a fund to cover at least three to six months of expenses.

Certainly this is a goal for many. That dream home. Well, if you do not lay the groundwork as outlined above, that dream home can turn into a nightmare. Owing a home is the great American dream, but preparing for it financially is necessary. Then there is the mortgage. What is the best one for you? Once again, this requires more homework. The most optimum is a 15-year fixed rate. If you eliminate this payment in 15 years, you can then use that payment to invest or whatever you want.

DEBT ELIMINATION

TAXES

How many credit cards to you have? Do you like that car loan? Do you still have student loans? How much are you making in payments every month? What would you do with that extra money if you eliminated those debt payments? Debt is robbing you of your wealth. As a matter of fact, the banks and credit card companies are getting rich off of you. Take a look at their headquarters. Nice, right? You paid for it. Make a full-court press to eliminate these pesky debt payments and see how much your life becomes simplified. Pay cash for everything. Budget for it and stick to your budget. Stay away from impulse buying.

I probably just lost readers on this one. I want nothing to do with taxes. Well, if you learned a little, you may reduce your tax liability and keep more of your hard-earned money. My theory is to only pay what I owe – nothing more and nothing less. Learn a little and hire a professional. Keep your taxes to a minimum.

INSURANCE

You have put all the previous pieces to the puzzle together as outlined above and now it is time to make sure you keep it. Don’t get carried away; just get what is necessary. Certainly auto and health are No. 1 Continued on page 39

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Practicing Water Conservation By Sandy Griffis

Sandy: The Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition brings all the local jurisdictions together with elcome to “At Home With the goal of water conservation. They Tom and Sandy.” This include Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chimonth we are talking no, Yavapai County and The Yavapai about water conservation. Water is Prescott Tribe all working together. a resource to use wisely. NaturalThe cooperation always impresses me. ly, water sustains all living things. Tom: Me as well. Let us tell our Consider conservation as conscious consumption. We need to respect and readers about some of the practical things each of us can do to conserve appreciate water as a finite resource. water. Water conservation in practice is Sandy: Tom, are you aware that low-tech, low-cost and everyone everything in life – food, buildings, vecan participate. We all play a part in hicles, furniture and clothing –embodconsuming water. Sandy: Hello again, Tom. Here we ies water, the amount of water directly are at year end. Wow, did 2021 zip by. or indirectly used during production? We are going to talk water this month. Although often aware of energy requirements, the public is hardly aware Are you ready? Tom: Great topic, Sandy, and hap- of the water requirements in producpy soon-to-be New Year to you. Water ing their good and services. Everything has a water footprint. – yep, there is a lot to talk about. Tom:Sandy, are you saying my Sandy: We have thousands more glass of beer has a water footprint? people living in the Quad Cities now Sandy:Yep – your 16-ounce glass than we did 20 years ago and we are of beer takes 40 gallons of water to using less water now! produce the beer. Tom: That is not only per person Tom:So, Sandy, we all know you using less water, but overall usage as love shoes. You have been called well. I recall 20 years ago our usage out many times on your radio show, was around 150+ gallons per person “Hammer Time.” What is the water per day. Sandy: Now, that number is down footprint for your shoes? Sandy:Tom, it takes 2,105 gallons to between 100 gallons per person per day in Prescott Valley and 115 gallons of water to produce my beloved boots. YEEKS! There is so much about water per person per day in Prescott. such as ground water, aquifers, springs Tom: These usage numbers are and creeks, natural recharge, artificial from within the Active Management recharge and safe yield, and the list Area, or AMA. goes on. What do you say we get into Tom:The Arizona Department some water conservation tips? of Water Resources, also known as Tom:First thing that comes to my ADWR, requires conservation efforts mind for water conservation in the to be in place within the AMA for home would be Tankless or On-Dethe designated water providers, and mand Water Heaters. It is estimated Prescott is within an AMA. Sandy: Our local jurisdictions have that tankless water heaters are as much as 50% more efficient than traditional also stepped up the effort by implewater heaters. menting the WaterSmart programs Sandy:First thing that comes to designed to educate all of us on wise my mind for water conservation is ways to conserve, and even includwashing machines! Did you know that ed a rebate program in Prescott, to washing machines that spin on a horiencourage existing users to replace zontal axis reduce water consumption water using fixtures and landscaping of 20% to 50% per load, require less with water conserving devices and detergent and consume 50% to 60% xeriscape. less energy? Tom: That has been a successful Tom:Since we are saving water on program in Prescott. While Prescott Valley does not have a rebate program, the inside of the house, how about their education has gone a long way to dishwashers? Energy efficient dishwaters consume six to 10 gallons of making folks see the potential impact water conservation has based on indi- water per cycle compared to nine to 12 gallons or less efficient models. vidual consumption.

Sandy:Water leaks inside the home are a culprit for loss of water. But you say, “it is only a small drip, right?” Slow drips of water add up quickly. A toilet that continues to run after flushing or a sink that continues to drip after it is turned off will waste thousands of gallons of water a year. Tom:Here is how to detect a water leak inside the home: Locate your water meter. Turn off all indoor and outdoor water-using devices including the evap cooler, water softener and icemaker. Record the read from the water meter. Wait 30 minutes and read again. If you have a different reading, you have a leak! If your water meter test indicates a leak, I would say start your leak search with the toilet. A leaking toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water. To check your toilet, put 10 to 15 drops of food coloring into the tank. After 10 to 15 minutes, check the bowl for color. If there is color in your bowl, guess what, you have a leak! Sandy:If you have an older toilet,

it’s time to get a new one. Many years ago, toilets that used three to five gallons per flush were the norm. Now we are using mostly one-and-half gallon flush toilets. That is a huge savings right there. Out with the old and in with the new! Tom: Sandy, we could keep going – there are shower head leaks, leaky pipes, outdoor faucet leaks, landscaping sprinkler line leaks, which all impact water conservation. Sandy: Tom, we have enough water conservation items to talk about for another couple of months! A big user of water is our landscaping. Several landscapers encourage low, or no water use landscaping. Xeriscape landscaping has become the norm for new construction, both residential and commercial. And I might say with pride, our landscape folks at YCCA are all very well informed and are good at implementing water conservation yards. Tom:Let us end our column with a water conservation pledge: I, Tom and Sandy, pledge to do our

part to save water. By taking just a few small steps we can save significant amounts of water, which will help protect our environment and save our precious water resource for future generations. Thanks most wonderful readers for stopping in to read “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” We love ya. QCBN Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928445-8506 renovationsaz.com Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-7780040 Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Quad Cities Business News // DECEMBER 2021

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Top Ten Trends Impacting Real Estate By Leslie Guiley

veryone wants to know where the real estate market is headed. There was big news in November when the real estate giant, Zillow, known for its consumer website and property value estimates, announced it would no longer be buying homes. In the recent real estate runup, Zillow had turned from its core business model of providing real estate listings to gain consumer interest and then selling the consumer’s contact information to real estate agents and brokerages. Zillow had transformed into a real estate brokerage and, with deep-pocketed investors, was buying thousands of homes in 25 major market areas. Then, what seemed to be an abrupt pump of the brakes on new purchases, the company admitted the algorithm made it difficult to determine property values in three to six months during one of the strongest markets in history. Zillow laid off 25% of its workforce and is arranging bulk sales of property to institutional investors that plan to put the properties on the market as rentals in a buy-and-hold strategy that will not dump much-needed inventory into the market for sale. There is also a shortage of rental property and that has created a spike in rental rates at a time when most renters have had a reduction in income. The National Association of Realtors remained cautiously optimistic at its recent annual conference in San Diego, California. Buyer demand is expected to continue through 2022, although we have seen a tapering of multiple offers in our local market as sellers realize there is a limit to how high home prices can climb in one or two years. Here are the top 10 trends impacting commercial and residential real estate as we move into 2022:

10. BIFURCATION OF CAPITAL MARKETS

The market is split into the haves and have-nots in terms of where capital is flowing. Industrial real estate has been the darling of commercial investment, so much so that cap rates have fallen from 2% to 3%. Phoenix currently has 29 million square feet of new industrial space under construction and there is little supply in the Prescott area. Multi-family investments are attracting capital but there are just not enough properties to satisfy the decade-high demand for multi-family rentals. The Phoenix metro area is on the list of top areas in rental demand and has the strongest apartment rental growth of 21% according to a NAR analysis of Costar data. Ecommerce is booming but brick and mortar is gaining market share particularly in open air centers or strip malls anchored by a grocery store. Restaurants overall are suffering, but we are seeing a demand for quick-service spaces that accommodate drive-thrus, and not just one, but two, three and even four drivethrough lanes with small or non-existent dining rooms.

9. THE NEED FOR ADAPTIVE RE-USE

There are many empty big box stores and regional malls that need to be reimagined with the needs of the community in mind. In Prescott, we have seen hotels repurposed into apartments and that is the kind of thing developers and communities need to be working on together.

8. ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL CHANGE

The U.S. economy is still strong internationally; however, the pandemic continues to cause uncertainty and

we are experiencing inflation. Interest rates are so low that many see that as a sign of an economy not as strong as we would like it to be.

7. POLITICAL POLARIZATION

The country has been more focused on what divides us than on what we agree on and that has made it difficult to find solutions as the political aisle widens across the parties in Washington and at home. Real estate needs a strong, stable government to thrive.

6. HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY

Costs of both for-sale and rental housing are rising much faster in secondary and tertiary markets like Prescott as people flee pricier gateway markets and are able to bid up residential prices past the point that local workers can afford. Housing production overall has fallen short of new household formations as millennials approach their peak buying years and more baby boomers are aging in place. Many first-time homebuyers struggle with putting together their down payment, with only 28% receiving assistance from family or gifts. About 80% of renters earn $36,000 to $60,000 annually and only 3% of construction of rentals in the past 10 years was for B and C class units, which would be considered affordable. Millions of moderate-to-lower income families are severely housing cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing.

5. INFRASTRUCTURE

This is perhaps the biggest issue facing our Prescott area. Commercial agents working with companies looking to bring business and jobs to the area cite the distance from I-17, the lack of a rail line or port to deliver goods and even the cost to

bring utilities to an area or upgrade water mains and sewer systems to increase demand on an area. Matt Fish from BHGRE Commercial said, “Modern and reliable infrastructure is an essential building block of commercial development. Without the roads to access it, without the power to run it, without the gas to heat it, and without water and sewer, it’s not profitable to build it. Our economy is changing as fast as our society. In order to continue attracting new jobs, economic opportunities and essential services, we must constantly invest in the infrastructure needed to ensure economic growth.” There is also a social equity concern with infrastructure such as widely available broadband. As more shopping, work and school moves online, we have a great need for expanded service to rural areas.

4. LOGISTICS

The economics of the last mile of service are growing ever more important to the field of logistics as companies struggle to predict demand and manage their supply chains with significant challenges not always in their control.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL GOVERNANCE, OR ESG

ESG is at a tipping point, especially in major market areas. A reported 82% of the people making the world’s real estate decisions are considering ESG. Most of our carbon footprint comes from the buildings we live in, work in and construct. Buildings without the proper retrofitting are falling out of favor in large funds as a preference for buildings that are newer and constructed with attention to clean energy are garnering the most attention and, of course, capital. This has not been a big concern for seekers of commercial real estate

in our area, but it will be someday.

2. TECH ACCELERATION

This year has taught us that adoption of tech is a must. Some technology solutions were adopted easily, especially those that aided us in working from home and doing more business in a contactless environment.

1. REMOTE WORK AND MOBILITY A third of workers were able to work from home specifically because of the pandemic, according to the BLS, but there were sharp differences by educational level. More than half of workers with a college degree worked from home, while only 5% of those with a high school diploma did. NAR economist Lawrence Yun believes we are only in the first innings of work-from-home options. We now have “WFA,” or Work From Anywhere! The great resignation is in sectors where employees cannot work from home – in retail, hospitality and entertainment/events. Working from home is trending down as employees go back to work, but it remains elevated above pre-pandemic levels. Office occupancy levels are increasing but the vacancy rate is still high in metro areas. In downtown Prescott, we have had high demand for office space and there are almost zero available listings. QCBN

Leslie Guiley is chief operating officer at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | BloomTree Realty, which includes BHGRE Commercial and she is an area ambassador with Inman News.

Savoring Holiday Traditions By Debbie Maranville

e all celebrate our individual cultures and family food traditions as a major part of the holidays. Growing up, Grandma Scardine would prepare fresh pasta and Brajoile (pronounced Brajole) with the Thanksgiving bird. The tenderness and flavor of the meat with the fresh sauce was amazing! Garlic and parsley would get stuck in our teeth. At Christmastime, we would have fried calamari and the sauce would include “the rings of calamari also.” I remember watching Grandma while the onion and garlic cooked, she would

place the squid bodies on a cutting board and cut across each squid to make rings. The aroma in her home lingered throughout. Such a feeling of comfort and family! My mom would prepare green bean casserole with small, cubed pieces of sharp cheddar cheese and toasted slivered almonds. The stuffing would have fresh giblets, celery and onions, where she would attach that hand-turned grinder to the kitchen table and the goodies would fall into this beautiful yellow bowl, before it was mixed together with fresh dried bread, broth and herbs. Now, for dessert: Fresh pie and raspberry pretzel salad. Oh my

goodness, the thought of another bite would take me to another level. However, one could not miss out on dessert. We would have homemade pumpkin pie with whipped topping, strawberry-rhubarb and cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Now that was a culinary experience. Goods from the Garden is gearing up to offer another food concept: “Amazing Pies,” celebrating all things pie. Chef Justin leads our baking department. He brings a whole new level of taste, presentation and the wow factor. Amazing Pies will feature sweet, savory, deconstructed pizza, hand pies and many other great varieties along with fresh ice cream.

Located directly across our Garden Event Center at the Prescott Gateway Mall, you will be able to enjoy amazing pie throughout your day. We will be focusing on retail sales during the holidays and then after the start of the New Year, we will open up for lunch, take-out meals, retail items, pop-up dinners and special events. The address is: Amazing Pies, 3250 Gateway Blvd. #424, Prescott, Arizona 86301. The phone number is 928-237-3214. We look forward to our continued growth as we prepare for the next culinary adventure. Wishing you all the amazing family

traditions in your homes. Happy, healthy holidays to all! QCBN

Contact us at 928-237-3214 or email us: GoodsfromtheGarden@gmail.com. Debbie Maranville is the co-owner of Goods from the Garden, Catering and Events and The Natural Healing Garden Massage and Wellness Center.

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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Welcoming Retirees Back to the Workforce

By Teri Drew

WHY HIRE A RETIREE?

There are several reasons, including the following: any of us have seen the N Reliability and a strong work movie “The Intern,” where ethic: This includes punctualia retired gentleman seizes a ty, maturity, a willingness and chance to go back to the workforce eagerness to learn, and a strong as a senior intern. He brings a wealth commitment to quality. of knowledge and skills, work ethic and dedication, and quickly becomes N Varied work experience: Many seniors and retirees have a broadan invaluable team member. This based career, education and fictional movie has become a reality skills background, which enables for so many retirees returning to the them to bring a wide variety of workforce. knowledge and experience to the Retirees have a variety of reasons workplace. to return to work. Post-pandemic, N Job flexibility: In many cases, many individuals are looking to find seniors have accomplished their a rewarding job opportunity that will career goals and are excited and make a difference to a business and willing to take base jobs or intern community. They also have the luxuroles. Senior employees have exry to do the work they like, not what cellent attendance records because they need to do to sustain a family. they rarely miss work for the myrSome retirees are looking to earn iad of personal and family reasons extra money for travel or to have adthat other workers typically have. ditional funds to pay bills. Most just N Job loyalty: A fear about seniors want to remain active and engaged. and retirees is that they won’t stay Over the last quarter, applicants for on the job for very long. local job vacancies come from retirBut, in fact, they tend ees. According to the Arizona Office to be much less likely of Economic Opportunity, Yavapai than younger workers County currently has more than 54% to job-hop and look for of the active workforce in the age other opportunities. The range of 55-64 years and almost 14% average tenure in 2021 is are over the age of 65.

two to three years or less. N Eagerness to learn new skills and a positive attitude: Another misconception about seniors is that they are hesitant or even resistant to learn new technologies and ways of doing things. Some studies have shown that seniors and retirees are among the fastest growing demographic of social media users and online communities as well as adopters of new technologies such as laptop and tablet PCs and handheld devices and software programs. N Strong people and customer service skills: While this is obviously not true of every individual, as a group, seniors and retirees tend to interact best with customers and their co-workers because of their history of experience in resolving conflict and strong communication skills. If you want qualified, dependable, skilled workers, consider hiring quality workers by recruiting retirees! QCBN Teri Drew is the executive director of Yavapai County Workforce Development Board.

Enjoy Your Sparkling Home For the Holidays

By Lucy Leyva

our home is where memories are made. Relationships with family and friends are renewed and grown within the walls of your home and you want this season to be wonderful. Here are some tips for making your home feel comfortable and homey for the holidays. Keep up on the little daily chores during the holidays so that they don’t grow to be projects. Set a 20-minute timer to do the little stuff, make sure the bed is made and dishes are done. Keep mail in a designated place so that it doesn’t get strewn around the counters and pick up the clothes off of the floors. In the kitchen, do a quick check in the fridge to get rid of older leftovers and unneeded extra food just taking up valuable space. Don’t worry about cleaning the oven, save that task for after the holidays. Make sure that you have all the kitchen tools you will need and that they are in good working order. Sharpen knives and have plenty of large serving spoons. Do a safety check around the house for possible hazards to young children and the elderly. Replace

batteries in your smoke detectors and test them to ensure they are in good working order. Declutter and remove any unnecessary items from the guest rooms, countertops, entryway and on the floors. Less clutter equals less stress and creates a relaxed and clean feeling. Clear out space for guests’ coats and make room in the guest room for their items. Each room that your guests may encounter should have a nightlight so they can find their way easily. Make sure outdoor walkways and the address are well lit. Make the entry or the first room people see organized and pretty. This is where people come in, say their hellos, give big hugs and it is the first impression. Make it special and warm and welcoming. Get help when needed. Don’t feel guilty that you are so busy during this season. Your time is precious, so spend it with the ones you love, doing the things that contribute to the joy of the season. Schedule professional carpet cleaning, window cleaning and house cleaning to free up

your time and reduce stress. Now, decorate to your heart’s content. Some like a lot of decorations and some like a minimalist approach. Either way, make it yours, show your style and have fun! Finally, have something cooking that smells wonderful and festive as you entertain. Even “cut and bake” cookies baking or cinnamon potpourri simmering on the stove will do the trick. You’re all set! Your guests will feel comfortable and cozy, your house will feel like home and sparkle. Have a safe and love-filled Holiday Season! QCBN

Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-7720004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

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SUPPLY CHAIN continued from page 1

FARNETI continued from page 12

Many people blame a shortage of truck drivers. Supply Chain Digest says that the number of people wanting to drive trucks is down since the start of the pandemic because former drivers can find similar wages without working 70-hour weeks on the road. As if the massive delays were not enough to drive up prices in the marketplace, the ports have a new system of exponentially increasing fees for ocean vessels that are delayed in unloading containers. What does this mean for the holiday shopping season? Higher prices, says Bushman. While he thinks the supply-chain issues may be a short-term problem, he recognizes that they could be part of a new normal: long waits for goods. It’s an imperative for shopping local, says Thomas Barr, vice president of businesses development for Local First Arizona. “A lot of our businesses are not at full capacity because of the pandemic. They’re still climbing out of the revenue declines,” Barr said, adding that with Arizona’s 100,000 small businesses, individuals should support them regularly whether there are supply chain delays or not. Jerry Thomas agrees. As a legal document preparer and former chair of the networking group Prescott Power Partners, Thomas thinks a person should always try to shop locally

at the prestigious Hay-Adams Hotel in catering, which Farneti calls, “a highlight of my hospitality career.” In 1998, they moved from D.C. to Prescott, where they purchased a coffee shop on Gurley Street they renamed “Provence.” A couple of years later, Farneti accepted a position at Yavapai College, where she held dual administrative roles as a member of the Leadership Center Team and a staff member for the Office of Government for Northern Arizona. When Yavapai College downsized those units, she applied for and was hired by YCCHS, where she worked and advanced for 16 years. “As much as I enjoyed my work for the county, both at the college and most recently, health services, I confess my husband, Maurice, and I enjoyed some other marvelous experiences here in the community and the state. I especially enjoyed my community organization experiences—the Prescott Area Leadership Class, Big Brother-Big Sisters as a “big” for 14 years, the Launch Pad Teen Center and most important, the League of Women Voters for Central Yavapai County.”

CMA CGM is one of the largest private container shipping companies. It is anchored offshore in Huntington Beach waiting to unload at one of the Southern California ports. Photo by Tony Smith

first. “Many local retailers still have a large selection of gift choices. If we just open ourselves up to perhaps a more personal or hand-crafted gift, a more creative and thoughtful gift, rather than the big-buck item, Christmas would be more about giving from the heart,” she said. These ideas may become part of the long-term focus, too. Karen Scuncio, an international business development professional of more than 25 years, is concerned. “Many of the people in the freight-forwarding industry predict the supply chain problems are going

to get a lot worse before they get better,” Scuncio said. She added that many of the supply chain challenges also are affecting the way people do business in the U.S. For example, she knows of company owners who, because of the difficulty attaining needed parts and supplies, are reducing the number and variety of items offered so they can focus on a smaller assortment and keep production going. QCBN

NOW THAT I HAVE MORE TIME

I’m planning to join the U.S. Tennis Association and play more tennis, especially in league play. I’ll also remain involved in League of Women Voters.

WHERE I’D LIKE TO VISIT

Maurice and I want to climb into the Dodge Sprinter camper van we bought and see some new country – anywhere we want to go. I especially want to go back East to see friends and family we haven’t seen since we moved out here 24 years ago.

FAVORITE HOLIDAYS

How’s this for opposites: St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. I guess it’s because I love the Irish heritage I have, but I also love being incognito in my costumes for Halloween.

PEOPLE I ADMIRE

I observed so many of my colleagues these past few years putting in extra hours of work, trying to help people understand just how severe and serious these epidemics and pandemics are. Sometimes they were treated inappropriately and unfairly. The reality is, they need to be praised and admired.

UPON REFLECTION

I’ve done far more than I ever thought I would do. I’ve worked with some tremendous friends and leaders. I gained far more than I ever expected. But now it’s someone else’s turn to gather information and attend meetings and take responsibility. I just hope they are as lucky as I have been. QCBN

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

DECEMBER 2021 // Quad Cities Business News

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ACCESSIBILITY continued from page 1

Arizona Snowbowl. Joy went to the Snowbowl website and enrolled Jessica last March, not knowing how the lesson would go. “It was excitement and fear at the same time – a real mixture,” said Joy. “When it happened, it was heavenly.” Adaptive Program Ski Instructor Truman Shoaff met the family at Hart Prairie Lodge. Jessica was fitted with a helmet and ski poles, which are like braces for the arms with small skis on the ends that act as stabilizing paddles. Wearing her own snow boots, Jessica was positioned into the ski chair that sits atop a wide single ski. A safety harness with straps connected Truman to the chair, as he skied behind. “He was awesome,” Jessica said about Truman. Her dad agreed. “He was so amazing, so professional, so kind,” said John. “He happens to be the same age as Jessica and they hit it off from the start. He was trained in adaptive skiing and was clearly very well versed in how to handle people with disabilities. He made her feel safe the entire time, which is hard to do for any first-time skier anyway.” Jessica tried to use the ski poles but didn’t have the strength or balance. Instead, she learned to steer by tilting her head in the direction that she wanted to go. “We chased her down the mountain for two hours and she couldn’t stop giggling and laughing,” said John. “Now, she can’t wait to go back.” John Dillon was born into a big skiing family. His parents owned a ski shop, the Village Sports Den in Flagstaff, and his cousin, Norm Johnson, owned the Snowbowl in the 1970s and ‘80s. John has been swooshing down the slopes since he was 2. “Skiing is an important part of my life and Snowbowl is a very special place. Some of my fondest memories are on this wonderful mountain,” said John. “When I was a kid, during the winter we would pray as a family every morning and night for snow. I thought all families did that. And now, snowmaking has changed everything

Jessica learned to steer by simply tilting her head from side to side. Courtesy photo

compared to those days of total uncertainty! Not everyone understands or appreciates just how incredible these massive investments into Snowbowl and our community really are.” Snowbowl became a special place for John and Joy as a couple, too. The two met in junior high, knew each other through high school and college, and reconnected later in life. John recalls how Jessica informed him that she and her mom were “a package deal” before the couple married four years ago. Between them, the couple has five children. In addition to their day jobs and in honor of Jessica, John and Joy started a company called Package Deal Adventures. They recently partnered with their friends in acquiring the Timberline Short Nine golf course in Continental Country Club. Also, they are planning to bring an indoor trampoline park and family entertainment center to Flagstaff next year. “Jessica will play a huge role as the company’s Ambassador of Happiness. She will welcome kids and provide birthday baskets and smiles,” said John.

“We want to provide all families with clean, fun activities and especially opportunities for those kids with special features that just aren’t living lives most people consider normal – like what Snowbowl’s Adaptive Program has provided for Jessica.” Snowbowl began the Adaptive Program five years ago. “At Arizona Snowbowl, we strongly believe that there are no limits in learning to ski or snowboard,” states the mountain resort’s website. “The Ski and Snowboard School offers a specialized adaptive skiing/snowboarding program that helps you build your confidence, improve your fitness level, make new friends, and find a new passion for winter sports. Professionally trained instructors work with a range of disabilities.” Snowbowl started Jessica on the Magic Carpet and then progressed to other chairlifts. Later, General Manager Rob Linde loaded her into a cabin on the new Arizona Gondola to have a look from the top. “It blew her mind!” said John. “It was one of the coolest days ever. I never imagined she’d have that opportunity.”

Jessica, captured here at Snowbowl with her parents Joy and John Dillon, can’t wait to be back on the mountain. Courtesy photo

“The lift expanded our operation to an entirely new level and broadened our reach to serve a much more diverse audience than ever before,” said Linde. “Being able to easily enter a comfortable warm gondola cabin and be whisked to the top of Arizona is a new experience for everyone. Visitors young and old of all abilities are able to enjoy this special place at 11,500 feet, which offers some of the most spectacular views on the planet.” “We are just so grateful to Snowbowl management and James Coleman [Snowbowl owner] for making the Adaptive Program and the gondola available,” said John. “It is an enormous investment not just in capital infrastructure but also directly in people’s lives.” Helping to fund the Adaptive Program is Nackard Pepsi, which is partnering with Snowbowl in a recycling program. Money made from recycling cans and cups and other items will go to the program. “All of the products that Nackard Pepsi sells to Snowbowl are recyclable,

but it’s often a challenge ensuring those items make it into the correct recycling stream,” said Nackard Pepsi CEO Palmer Nackard. “We’ve developed an effective system to capture recyclable items from the slopes, transport the items to our facility for sorting, and deliver the items to the appropriate facilities to be recycled. We collect a small payment when delivering the recyclable material to the recycling facility and, as an added bonus, we are contributing that money to Snowbowl’s Adaptive Ski Program. This new partnership with Snowbowl is a perfect example of a circular economy for recycled materials that will benefit numerous groups in an impactful way. Look for the new recycling bins on the mountain this winter and – most importantly – be sure to use them!” “The Adaptive Program is life-changing,” said Joy. “For the mountain to have that kind of program and those adaptations is just awesome. We’ll never forget what we experienced that day!” QCBN

AAED continued from page 9

to learn and immerse yourself in the culture. Learn about the community, then keep showing up and keep trying. It’s about consistency and being visible and creating programs with them, not for them,” the social entrepreneur advised. Kumar added, “It’s not a handout. It’s not just ‘the right thing to do.’ It’s the economy – we need to drive America’s business growth, economic growth and job creation by helping these communities and businesses in these disadvantaged communities. We should reduce the barriers to access of contracting opportunities and capital.”

FINDING DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (DBE)

For a list of minority-, women- and disadvantaged-owned businesses in Arizona with Disadvantaged Business

Enterprises (DBE) certifications, go to utracs.azdot.gov/Search For information about minority-owned suppliers, go to Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council pswmsdc.org. AAED presented 10 Golden Prospector Awards and five Awards of Merit to recognize excellence, innovation and creativity in economic development at the annual fall forum. In addition, the organization presented the small population Economic Development Deal of the Year awards to the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) and the City of Flagstaff for recruiting Whitehall Industries, a vehicle manufacturer. It recognized the City of Prescott for recruiting headquarters and manufacturing operations for CP Technologies. QCBN

FINANCE continued from page 34

and No. 2. Then there is life insurance to protect your family, should you meet your demise. If you own a home, homeowner’s insurance is essential. Then you have disability short-term and long- term insurance. Do your homework here. Not every type of insurance is necessary, but some is essential. Know what your exposure is and then protect it. Net Worth What is this? This is how we keep score. You have done all the smart things as outlined above. Now, it is time to know where we are. Let’s define what net worth is. Very simply, it is all your assets minus all your liabilities. In plain English, it is everything you own minus everything you owe. Calculate this regularly and watch it grow! This has been a high level review of basic personal finance concepts that will put you

on the path to financial wealth. Apply them and watch your net worth grow! Good luck and much success in achieving your financial goals! If you want to succeed, have a plan! QCBN

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

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