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Superhosts Share Tips for Short-Term Rental Success

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  Airbnb designation attracts visitors, increases revenue.

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

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

And through their glowing reviews, they attract more visitors to her home. “It seems like a blessing for all who come, so it’s an honor to provide a welcoming space. I anticipate my guests’ needs, like bringing a cup of hot tea to a weary traveler arriving late.”

A Badge of Honor

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

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

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

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

Providing Comfort

Superhost Beth Tucker of Flagstaff is an 11-year Airbnb veteran with many repeat guests. “I enjoy meeting the guests,” she said. “I meet them and help them have an experience. I want people to come back and dig the area. It gives me great pleasure to hear, ‘I didn’t know there was so much to do here!’”

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

One way she makes guests feel at home is to turn the internet radio onto a station streaming from the guest’s home country. “I had people from the Netherlands come in, so I set the radio to an Amsterdam station. Turns out they were getting homesick, so the radio in their native language really helped. You need to think about what kind of situation your guest is in.”

Creating Experiences

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

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

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

While earning the Superhost designation can pay off with more bookings, Superhosts like Wendy Chavis say they just feel really good about welcoming and taking care of guests. “I like the idea of maintaining my home and yard for people who are appreciative,” she said. QCBN

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

Stacey Wittig is a travel journalist based near Flagstaff. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to her website at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.

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

Preparing for the Quad Cities Real Estate Market

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The code of ethics all realtors abide by may make the difference between a seamless, painless experience and potential disaster.

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

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

History matters. The market is known for certain cycles and patterns, which can aid in making educated guesses about when to buy and when to sell. Look at the record of market data in your area. Your local realtor association tracks market data and can point you in the right direction.

Know your priorities. Do you have capital tied up in your business? Do you anticipate needing to move in the near future for a new job or an expanding family? All of these factors will affect your strategy.

Check your finances. You’re going to need cash for down payments, deposits, earnest money, repairs, the list goes on and on! Have you spoken with a lender to see what you’re qualified for? Have you crafted a budget and checked your credit score? This side of things can get complicated, so lean on your realtor to point you in the right direction for your individual needs.

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

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

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

By M. Faye Humphrey

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

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

Serving Our Country: YRMC Emergency Director Promoted to Colonel

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As an organization, YRMC is an excellent example of what a strong military-civilian partnership looks like.

Rob Barth, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN, director of Emergency Services at Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center, is now also a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. That’s a rank only 2% of all Air Force officers achieve during their careers.

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

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

During a separate ceremony later that day, Barth was named commander of the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In that role, he will lead approximately 86 Air Force reservists and four active-duty airmen.

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

Years of Stellar Service

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

Commissioned as an officer in 2002, Barth was assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He has served there for most of the past 20 years. Barth began his service at the squadron as a critical care and emergency/trauma nurse and concluded as the squadron’s deputy commander.

Barth has received numerous awards throughout his Air Force career. The two most important to him are the “944th Fighter Wing, 2004 Company Grade Officer of the Year” and the “Humanitarian Service Medal.” The latter recognized Barth’s role in helping evacuate Haitian citizens who were severely injured during the country’s 2010 earthquake.

A Military-Civilian Partnership

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

“Rob brings best practices from the military and applies them to his work at YRMC,” McCollum said. “The way we triage patients in the Emergency Department is a good example of that.”

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

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

Words of Appreciation

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

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

By Bridget O’Gara

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

Risk Management: Protecting your Assets

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

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

Life Insurance

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

Homeowners

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

Make sure you have adequate coverage, not just what the lender requires. Review the limits regularly to make sure you can replace what you have. In addition, you will want to insure the contents of your home and any rare collections you may own.

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

Auto

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

Health

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

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

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

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

Umbrella

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

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

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

Disability

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

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

Long-Term Care

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

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

Malpractice

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

Limited Liability Company

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

As an example, if you had a real estate portfolio of $5 million, you may want to break down your assets into various LLCs. This will protect your assets if a case arose where only the assets in the LLC will be at risk. Assets outside that LLC will be protected separately.

Conclusion

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

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

Good luck!

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

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

By Steven Calabrese

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

Prescott Frontier Days, World’s Oldest Rodeo Honoring Bullfighters

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Often consisting of a team of two to four athletes, being a bullfighter has become one of the most important jobs at a bull riding event.

Ever wonder what stands between 2,000 pounds of solid muscle and a fallen bull rider? One guy – the bullfighter. Fearless, agile and adept at reading the bull’s next move, a bullfighter is in the arena before the bull is released from the bucking chute. Once a bull rider has been bucked off or jumped off himself, communication between the bullfighter, the barrelman and the bull itself is key to protecting the fallen rider. While he’s distracting the bull to get it away from the rider, the bullfighter is also in constant contact with his team to protect the rider as well as each other.

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

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

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

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

At the 2023 Prescott Frontier Days, Inc – World’s Oldest Rodeo, we are celebrating our bullfighters. “Dances with Bulls” will be the rodeo parade theme on Saturday, July 1, in downtown Prescott. Hunt, one of Pro Rodeo’s top bullfighters and a performer who values humans’ relationships with animals, will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Rodeo Parade.

We hope you will join us as we welcome Quirt and extend a warm welcome to Beau Schueth, our newest bullfighter and marvel at their skills as they protect our bull riders. Learn more about the World’s Oldest Rodeo purchase tickets at
www.worldsoldestrodeo.com. QCBN

By Yvonne Gibbs

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

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Red fire extinguisher on a white wall

The most common question we get is, “How do you properly use a fire extinguisher?”

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

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

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

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

  • Pull the pin – Pulling the safety pin on top of the fire extinguisher releases the locking mechanism and allows you to discharge it.
  • Aim – Point the Fire Extinguisher at the base of the flame, not at the top of the flames, as this will allow you to use it effectively.
  • Squeeze – Squeeze the handle or lever slowly and evenly to discharge the fire extinguisher.
  • Sweep – Move the Fire Extinguisher in a sweeping motion to ensure that the entire flame is extinguished.

Having your fire extinguisher checked annually by a professional is also important, as this will help you make sure it’s up to date and ready for use in an emergency. Many are rechargeable, but only a certified professional can properly service one. Most extinguishers last from six to 12 years, and if you’re like many folks, you probably have an old one lying around. It’s important to remember they are filled with hazardous material, so make sure you dispose of them properly.

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

By Jon and Jamie Aten

Jon and Jamie Aten are the owners of All West Fire & Security. All West Fire & Security, a family-owned business, has been keeping Arizonans safe in Prescott for nearly 30 years. They’ve designed and installed thousands of fire protection and security systems for industrial, commercial, residential and special hazard clients. They work closely with architects and contractors to ensure your new construction or remodeling project meets all safety code requirements. All West Fire & Security are experts in smart home automation, state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, inspections, sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, monitoring, intrusion alarms, security systems and smart home automation.

Understanding Your Customers Through Data

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Customer tracking data is extremely valuable, he says.

Knowing where Quad Cities customers are traveling from helps business owners know where to send marketing messages about their products and services. Regional Economic Development Center economist and data analyst Ryan Jones says knowledge about demographics are key to making effective business decisions. He shared information about tools that can help inform businesses with the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce last month.

Customer tracking data is extremely valuable, he says. Whenever cell phone customers download apps, companies download data about the customers and sell it to other companies.

Buxton and Placer.ai are two companies that capture such information. With information from cell phone apps, these companies can acquire customers’ marital status, income and education level.

For example, the data show that 73% of visitors to the Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott live within 25 miles of the entity, but they also come from Phoenix and Bagdad, Arizona.

“They know where you live so they can tell how much you make and have customer profiles,” said Jones. “They can tell how likely someone is to visit Founding Fathers.”

Jones points out that grocery stores like to serve a population of about 14,000 people. While Chino Valley’s population is slightly below that, the Safeway there remains one of the busiest in the country. Thus, data helps companies determine their market reach based on elements beyond simply the number of people who live in the area.

He said the data reveals that 27% of the workforce in Chino Valley and 30% in Prescott and elsewhere in Yavapai County commute to Maricopa County for jobs. Also, the Prescott area is one of the most expensive in the state for cost of living.

One of the reasons for residents working in Maricopa County is the difference in salaries. The median salary 2020, while the national wage average for job postings in the U.S. has gone up 17% during that time. in Chino Valley is $38,200, and Prescott is $38,600, while the median salary in Phoenix is $42,600, compared to $43,400 for the country.

Meanwhile, wages advertised for job postings for Chino Valley and Prescott have increased 33% since 2020, while the national wage average for job postings in the U.S. has gone up 17% during that time.

Jones says Chino Valley has more jobs than expected with workers in government, retail and construction. He said the government jobs are considered secure while construction jobs are risky. Sixty percent of the workers in Yavapai County are employed by small businesses.

Using 2020 census figures, Jones reports that Chino Valley’s population has grown by 21% since 2010, while the state has grown 14% during that time.

Fifty-five percent of the residents are 18 to 64 years old, while 29% are 64 or older.

He also reported a trend that many Chino Valley residents are moving to Wyoming, noting that Chino Valley and Wyoming both have cowboy cultures and an appreciation for freedom.

Jones moved here from Minnesota 18 months ago. His degree from the University of Wisconsin is in financial investments and banking. He also studied business and economics in China. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Stan Bindell: Regional Economic Development Center data analyst Ryan Jones shared the importance of customer demographics with Chino Valley businesses. 

Former River Runner Develops All-Natural Skincare Products for Arizona Outdoor Lifestyle

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Wandering the West collection available in Prescott and across the country.

Winter conditions in Northern Arizona can be brutal on your skin. DeeAnn Tracy, who has been developing all-natural, plant-based skincare products for the high elevation outdoor lifestyle since 1993, knows that well. The outdoorswoman grew up in the northland’s four seasons.

“Northern Arizona’s sun and wind are particularly brutal on skin because of the high elevation. We’re up on the plateau, and the elements are more intense here,” said Tracy, owner of Peak Scents.

“With so many days of sunshine here, we naturally have more exposure to the sun,” she said. “It’s that sun and wind that makes it so dry here in Northern Arizona.”

Tracy grew up in Flagstaff and spent time under the extreme sun as a river runner in the Grand Canyon. “My background as a rafting guide helped me see the need for non-chemical sun protection. I could wear sunscreen, but it would get in my eyes – I couldn’t see! Also, guests would get rashes [from some types of sunscreen], so I developed something non-chemical.”

Before her river running days, Tracy trained at Winter Sun Trading Company, a Southwest botanical shop owned by her mother, ethnobotanist Phyllis Hogan.

“Growing up in the herbal apothecary, I learned the way herbs could protect and heal our skin,” said the Flagstaff High School graduate. “After school, I ran Winter Sun. Customers would ask me for all-natural skincare products, but there were not many available at that time. So after hours, I started developing my own line.”

After graduating from Northern Arizona University, Tracy studied at the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine to learn more. Today, her experiences with her mother’s herbal apothecary, botanical medicine schooling and a love for the outdoors have come together to innovate skincare products that give people results without harmful chemicals.

“Unfortunately, the outdoors that we love so much wreaks havoc on our skin,” the herbalist said in a video on the Peak Scents website. “I drew on my background in herbal medicine and started making herbal-based, toxin-free skincare products for outdoor enthusiasts who need it the most.”

Tracy designed the plant-based skincare products to protect skin from harmful UV rays while keeping it moisturized and hydrated. The woman-owned business handcrafts creams, mists and facial serums with pure herbs, vitamins and minerals.

“We source from a wide variety of suppliers and try to source as local as possible,” she said. As a result, many of the all-natural, toxic-free ingredients are native to the area.

“A woman on the Hualapai Nation harvests the pinyon pitch [an ingredient in the Pinyon Pine Balm]. The distiller for our sage essential oil is out of Utah. Kate Waters of Wild Heart Farms in Rimrock is growing roses for us next season. I used to do foraging, but I just don’t have time to do it anymore.”

It’s no wonder. Tracy runs a business concurrently with handmaking the plant-based skincare goods and developing formulas for new collections.

Peak Scents offers five collections, including:

Power Repair is her first skincare line, created to help fellow river runners, which has a foaming cleanser, toner, serum, sunscreen and face mist.

Organic Rose Phyto³ is formulated with rare selections of restorative proprietary ingredients like plant stem cells, peptides and powerful superfruit extracts.

Body Nürish offers facial masks, body scrubs and formulas that are created to keep dry, mature, sensitive skin radiant and glowing.

The Super Salve Co., a sister company founded by Tracy’s sister, Denise, in 1990, offers natural herbal skincare for the whole body.

Wandering The West Apothecary is created with plants that grow in the American Southwest. Formulas feature the highest quality herbal extracts, oils and butters that soothe and calm dry, chapped skin.

“Wandering the West was born out of a gift line for visitors; now it’s in natural product stores across the nation,” Tracy said. That happened in 2016 when an airport gift shop group reached out to Tracy to design a collection of skincare products that would fit the needs of visitors to Arizona.

Wandering the West collection is available at Fite and Son’s Mercantile and Ice Cream in Prescott, airport gift shops at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Rainbow’s End and Winter Sun Trading Company in downtown Flagstaff, Indian Gardens Cafe & Market in Oak Creek, L’Auberge de Sedona and Xanterra giftshops in Williams and the Grand Canyon. The popular collection is also available online and in the Flagstaff shop.

The five-person team at Peak Scents includes Tracy and her husband, Eric Brown, who is involved in production.

Peak Scents has partnered with American Rivers to help protect wild rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature. The company also partners with Greenspark and Eden Projects to offset their carbon footprint. In addition, Peak Scents donates to Eden Projects to plant a tree with every online purchase.

Last August, as part of Peak Scents’ commitment to reducing waste, the business brought in a line of refillable products, including hand and body soap, lotion, massage oil, dish soap and laundry products. Shoppers can bring their own containers or buy refillable containers at the shop. “It feels good to reuse containers,” Tracy said.

What’s next for Peak Scents? “When I slow down, I want to be a beekeeper,” said Tracy with a smile. “Then we can use the beeswax in our collections.” QCBN

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

Products can be ordered online at peakscents.com. Peak Scents Plant Based Skincare Collections

1000 E. Butler Avenue, Suite 101, Flagstaff

M-Th 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sat: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

928-556-9499

peakscents.com

Two-Day Pecan, Wine Festival Returns to Camp Verde

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Fifteen of the best local wineries within the Verde Valley will be in attendance, pouring their newest releases by the glass, bottle and case.

Saturday, March 18 through Sunday, March 19 marks the 22ndAnnual Camp Verde Pecan & Wine Festival hosted by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium and the Town of Camp Verde, sponsored by Yavapai College and the Southwest Wine Center, SRP, the Arizona Office of Tourism and Larry Green Chevrolet. Celebrating two of the area’s prime tourism draws – wine and pecans – the free festival will feature 15 Arizona wineries along with a variety of pecans for pairing, a very competitive Pecan Pie contest, a Budweiser Beer Garden, food trucks and 70+ local artisans.

 “The Verde Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) has achieved so much acclaim since its designation in 2021 that we are expecting a great turnout this year,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Michael Marshall.

Fifteen of the best local wineries within the Verde Valley will be in attendance, pouring their newest releases by the glass, bottle and case.

Wine tasting tickets (for attendees 21+) are available for $20 in advance by visiting www.verdevalleywine.org or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-verde-pecan-and-wine-festival-tickets-479518782587.

Tickets will also be available at the door for $25 per person. Both include a commemorative glass provided by the Arizona Office of Tourism and six wine tasting tickets. Additional wine tasting tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

The festival runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 18 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 19 in downtown Camp Verde (75 E. Hollamon Street). QCBN

For more information, visit cvaz.org or verdevalleywine.org.

Verde Valley Caregivers Driving Healthcare Solutions

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Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition provides transportation for elderly, disabled ‘neighbors’.

Miller Bizardi loves his job as driver for Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition (VVCC), and it’s just as rewarding for him as it is for the neighbors he drives.

VVCC gives clients, fondly referred to as “neighbors,” rides for kidney dialysis, doctor appointments, grocery shopping, medication pick-up, friendly visits and
more.

“We even take care of pets when our neighbors are hospitalized,” said Bizardi. “That includes taking pets to veterinary appointments as well.”

“Caring always comes first, and we are building and rallying the entire community to care,” said VVCC Executive Director Kent Ellsworth. “That’s basically what we do, and we make sure we reach out to every little town throughout the Verde Valley to ensure we are reaching people in need and help to solve problems.”

Realizing that elderly people often want to stay in their home, the place they love, Ellsworth said, “We help those who are trying to make it on their own.”

“We don’t charge the people we serve, they’re struggling right now, they’re unable to drive due to health conditions at an advanced age, the last thing they need is somebody charging them for the next bit of help. So, what we want to do is make sure there are no barriers to getting them the assistance they need.”

Medical alert devices are also provided at no charge. “Our dispatch is available from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Ellsworth.

“They are the nicest people and I’m so grateful for them,” said VVCC client Lynn Newman, who has lived in Sedona for 23 years. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to move. They have been taking me to my physical therapy appointments every week since 2020.”

New to VVCC is a partnership with Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) to provide virtual care assistance to NAH patients who need help with telehealth appointments. The program will provide the device, software and volunteer staff assistance enabling patients to have telehealth appointments with their health care providers.

“We are grateful to be able to partner with the volunteers at VVCC on this program that will increase access to care for many patients that have difficulties leaving their homes for their medical appointments or experience challenges with technology,” said NAH Director of Telehealth Systems Travis Boren.

Transportation services extend as far north as Flagstaff and south to the Phoenix metro area. Ellsworth estimates that just this year alone, staff and volunteer drivers have driven nearly 500,000 miles.

After retiring, John Wozniak was looking for something to occupy his time, so he volunteered to be a driver with VVCC. “I wanted to help people and this opportunity came up. The people are very grateful and happy to have someone to take them places. It makes you feel like you’re giving back.” Wozniak volunteers three or four days a week and has been a volunteer driver for six years.

“We have so many people we are serving right now who need to get to dialysis. If they had to pay out-of-pocket, it would cost them at least $120 a day for a round-trip,” said Ellsworth.

“We are also funded by grantors and receive governmental and municipal contracts such as from Arizona Department of Transportation and the cities of Sedona and Cottonwood,” said Development and Communications Manager Linda Clark.

The VVCC staff includes 13 and 180 volunteers. “We cater to individuals with disabilities as well as the elderly,” said Ellsworth.

“I just love working here,” said VVCC Call Specialist Veloy Habinck, who has worked at VVCC since 2017. “I’m a team leader and my responsibilities are making sure we’re all on the same page here by keeping systems updated and distributed properly.”

Verde Valley Caregivers was founded in 1992 by a coalition of Sedona churches, City of Sedona, Kachina Point (assisted living facility), and Verde Valley Medical Center. QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

To contact VVCC, call 928-204-1238 or go to vvcaregivers.org.