July 21. 11:15-1:00. Chino Valley’s Women in Business Quarterly Luncheon at the Antelope Hills Golf Course. Speaker: Lori Robenstein, JD. Host: Cheryl Van Demark. More information at www.chinovalley.org
Mechanic Keeps Northern Arizona Clean
Have you ever known a person who let a blow out on a freeway determine where he would settle with his wife and children?
Meet Kevin Henrie, owner of Wash Worx Commercial Laundry Repair Service.
He and his wife, Kim, who had lived in Phoenix for a while, were looking for places they might like to live and decided to head north.
“The car blew a tire right on the 17 just before Lake Mary Road. While we were sitting by the side of the road, we could see the San Francisco Peaks and my wife said, ‘This is it.’ She is usually right.”
That was 10 years ago.
Now, Henrie is the owner of the commercial laundry repair service and travels all over Northern Arizona, from Prescott to Page and Window Rock to Kingman and probably knows the region better than most residents.
“I probably know more about Northern Arizona than most people who were born here because of what I do and the places I go,” he said. “This state is so beautiful. I am proud to be a tax paying resident of Arizona.”
Henrie is a native of upstate New York.
“I was in the car wash business. I had four locations and a repair shop with two trucks and a flatbed.”
He met his wife through the business when she bought a new car and used a promotion coupon for a free car wash provided by Henrie.
“She came in. I asked her out and we’ve been together ever since,” he said.
They will celebrate 20 years of marriage this October.
“She is my best friend,” he said. “My wife is an extraordinary woman. She helps me with the business with taxes and paperwork.”
She also works at Northern Arizona University in the human resources department.
The couple has four children.
Up until they decided to move to Arizona, he was working two jobs to make ends meet.
They lived in Phoenix for a while and then started looking around. Because of the blow out, they decided on Flagstaff.
He went to work for the Days Inn on Route 66.
“That is how I met the gentleman who got me started in this business,” Henrie said. “He was getting ready to retire and looking for someone to take over.”
That was about 10 years ago.
Henrie said the thought of working on washers did not phase him one bit.
“Washers are machines. All they do is wash clothes,” he said.
He repairs, services and installs all types of commercial laundry equipment, from 20 pounds all the way up to the huge 190 pound commercial machines that launder sheets and towels from hotels.
“My mainstay is on-premise laundries at hotels, long-term care facilities, hospitals, coin operated establishments and at NAU.”
If he receives an out-of-town call that is a distance to drive, he does not charge them the service call. He just charges for the labor.
In the future, Henrie says he is hoping to open up a shop where he can start selling new and used equipment and bring on another full-time tech.
Fully licensed and insured, he says he loves being an independent businessman.
“When you do what you love, it comes so easily and it is not really a job. The benefit of what I do is that it is always different. I don’t always know where I’m going, who I’m going to meet, and I have the privilege of driving all over Northern Arizona and I get paid to do it,” he said. QCBN
For more information about Wash Worx Commercial Laundry Repair Service, call
928-600-9446.
Photo caption:
Kevin Henrie travels all over Central and Northern Arizona keeping washing machines working in hospitals, hotels, laundromats and homes.
Photo by Veronica Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography
Veterans Battling for Promised Education
“I have given up everything to make this work and to pursue my education and career aspirations,” writes Senior Airman Christopher Shelby, U.S. Air Force Reserves and former active duty service member, in a plea to U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar. “Please help protect my rights and my educational benefits.”
Shelby’s dilemma also affects 39 other enrollees impacted by an admissions suspension ordered by the Veterans Administration (VA) to the Aviation Technology program at Yavapai College. These aspiring helicopter and airplane pilots, previously accepted into the college’s summer session slated to start May 11, were informed April 7.
The suspension involves an “85/15 rule” mandating that veterans comprise no more than 85 percent of VA-paid curricula.
“In the case of Yavapai College, previous program enrollment data submitted by the college did not correctly provide separate calculations for each concentration,” according to VA Spokesperson Terry Jemison. “Upon further review, it was found that the Airplane Operations and Helicopter Operations programs are not compliant with the 85/15 rule. Consequently, those programs were suspended from admitting new GI Bill students, and currently enrolled students will still be allowed to continue receiving GI Bill benefits to finish their program.”
Yavapai College, citing recommendation from legal counsel, declined to comment. However, a similarly suspended Utah university issued a statement.
“The aviation program at Southern Utah University (SUU), in partnership with Upper Limit Aviation, has been under scrutiny following an article by an investigative reporter at the LA Times on March 15, 2015,” the statement reads. “The reporter claimed that there was a ‘loop hole’ in the GI Bill that SUU and other flight schools were using to exploit the VA.”
SUU described submitting required enrollment reports for its winter and summer aviation programs, stating, “on March 23, 2015, the VA requested an alternate student count, using an entirely different methodology. Under the new method, the University is six veteran students over the allowable limit, in proportion to its private pay students.”
Prescott-based helicopter training company Guidance Aviation, partnering similarly with Yavapai College, also was included in the article. Shelby is among 90 veterans comprising the 100 percent veteran enrollees who sought entry to the summer Guidance Aviation helicopter curriculum.
“My educational benefits are solely in the hands of civilians,” Shelby stated. “I cannot pursue my education because 15 percent of my classmates are not civilians. It is not right that veterans wanting to pursue this program have to hope and rely on civilians to pursue this career as well…I was promised certain benefits when I joined and when I signed for the GI Bill, but because of the VA, the very organization sworn to protect our nation’s veterans…my educational aspirations and my life will be demolished.”
Leaving active duty and joining the Air Force Reserves in April 2014 to pursue aviation at Yavapai College, Shelby detailed “a long and arduous journey for me and my wife. We pushed through because we knew that there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. Or so we thought. Two weeks after arriving in Prescott Valley, I received the email from Yavapai College that took that light away.”
The couple since has spent more than $15,000 in savings, Shelby’s letter states, while his wife has struggled to “start completely over in a [town] that is not a mecca for jobs. We are now in Prescott Valley with no jobs, no careers and no income. Our savings – what little is left – is not going to last us very long. Had this decision been made sooner, I would not have left active duty Air Force and my wife would not have had to leave her career.”
The hardships of Master Sergeant Patrick Needham, USAF (Retired), involve resigning a $75,000 a year contract position in Omaha; listing his Nebraska home below market for quick sale; sending his wife ahead to Arizona to find a job and a new home; and writing letters to 250 members of Congress as movers packed his then-sold house.
The 85/15 rule “doesn’t make sense to me,” Needham said. “Because where are you going to find aviation experience to the level that we have been trained into? That is in the military. The Army spends $1 million to train a helicopter pilot. There is no expense that (the Army does not) incur. They can spend the money to train to the best level possible. Wouldn’t you want that for your civilian pilots flying people around?”
One reason for the rule, according to the VA’s Jemison, is ensuring that veterans are not specifically “targeted” by schools. “If [at least] 15 percent of the student body comes from the general population willing to pay for that education and those programs at those prices,” he said, “it’s a measure of acceptance and quality.”
Timing of the suspensions stems from a January review by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Jemison says, and not the California newspaper. The committee’s evaluation had revealed “the extraordinarily costly six-figure expenditures for individuals” pursuing helicopter careers.
Consequently, “VA has begun to systematically examine compliance with the 85/15 rule for all aviation-related degree programs at public institutions of higher learning,” Jemison said. “We’ve undertaken this because in the past few years, VA has noted an expansion in the number of aviation-related degree programs offered by public schools, the increasingly high costs associated with those programs, growth in the number of GI Bill beneficiaries enrolled, as well as advertising focused on Veterans for those high-cost programs. Based on those observations, VA had reason to believe that such programs may not always be compliant with the 85/15 rule.”
The VA’s suspension surfaces as military branches are training fewer aviators, the aviation industry projects a shortage of more than 20,000 airline pilot seats in the next seven years, and the Air Force Times reports exiting pilots being offered $225,000 in bonuses for an added nine-year commitment. That, too, likely has the 40 aspiring aviators at Yavapai College pondering the ways and means of politics. QCBN
Tips for Online Security
On any given day, most people “check in,” post status updates, tweet, or upload a picture on a social media platform. Most people use multiple social media sites to stay in touch with friends, family and acquaintances. However, sharing too much information can create a real risk.
We have included a quick list of tips and tricks to increase your social media safety:
- Avoid sharing personal information. Posting your home address and pictures of where you live can open you up to real-world danger when you go on vacation. Sharing information, such as your birthday or phone number, can give people pieces of information used for identity theft.
- Don’t randomly accept a friend request just because it’s there. Identity theft often starts with collection of personal information. A popular tactic is to set up fake online profiles and “friend” people in order to gather personal information from potential victims.
- Consider limiting the frequency of checking in everywhere you go. Check-ins not only allow your friends to know where you are, but others as well. Frequent check-ins may expose you to being robbed, enable people to stalk you or worse.
- Review apps carefully before you download them. It has become popular to create fake apps in order to gain personal information from users or to install malicious software on your device.
- Check your privacy settings to ensure you are not over-sharing personal information. Privacy settings help you better manage your online image.
Four Ways to Protect Your Data
Physically losing your smartphone, laptop, iPad or other mobile device is never fun, but what about the information on those devices? What can you do to protect your information and to get back to “normal” again? Here are some tips that may help you protect your digital identity, data and files.
- You are a target. Hacking, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and other approaches are becoming part of the Internet. It seems as if a new type of attack or data breach is found every week. In order to help protect yourself, be sure to back up your data. There are a number of services that automatically back up your data. If you prefer a solution with a one-time cost, an external standalone hard drive may be the best option. Storage capacity of hard drives is increasing and the costs are decreasing.
- Entry points for malicious attacks are everywhere. Gaming systems, apps and many games on mobile devices are utilizing “always on” Internet connections. This constant connection to the Internet creates a potential access point to your personal data. Anti-virus software, firewalls, passwords and data encryption should be used whenever offered on any device.
- You get what you pay for. Make sure that the security software you purchase includes all applicable security options. Review the features and functions of your anti-virus software. Make sure it keeps you safe from viruses, worms, malware, Trojans, risky e-mails and problematic websites.
- Encryption is the key. Many people encrypt their laptops and desktops but forget a key area of vulnerability – thumb drives. Thumb drives, often called USB sticks or flash drives, should be encrypted so that the data on them cannot be accessed if they are lost. These small devices are easily lost and easily stolen.
- Avoid using the “keep me logged on” option on websites. This “convenience feature” is great if you are at home, but a potential security issue if you are logging on from a public computer.
- Don’t ignore automatic updates. These updates fix vulnerabilities that hackers use to access your system.
- Never open emails from people you don’t know, or click on attachments or URL links (a website address). This is a tried and true method for delivering malware.
- Avoid searching for celebrity gossip. Malware authors know that people naturally gravitate toward gossip and plan new attacks specifically targeting people looking for gossip.
- Avoid file-sharing sites dealing with copyrighted material. They can open you up to potential hacker targeting.
- Don’t do online gaming. Many of these sites sneak adware onto your PC, and some are fronts for identity theft rings.
- Set your Facebook privacy settings so they are not “open.” If you enter your birthdate, location or even your phone number without changing the privacy setting, your information could be seen by everyone.
- Never connect to unknown wireless networks. In public places like airports and hotels, be careful about logging in – people can eavesdrop.
- Do not use the “save my password” feature. Although it is a convenient feature, anyone using your computer can then access the site with your password.
- Never surf the Web using your “admin” account – create a normal user account. Admin accounts, by their very nature, approve the installation of new programs, which can include Malware. QCBN
Written by Eric Noble, a technology expert at CenturyLink.
Are you ready to consult with an expert about cloud options for your business? CenturyLink, the third largest telecommunications company in the United States and a recognized leader in the network services market, offers global cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for businesses of all sizes. To learn more, contact CenturyLink at928-776-2581 or visit www. centurylink.com/connected
PET/CT is a Winning Combination
When it comes to high-tech imaging and tracking of cancer, nothing matches the amazing capabilities of today’s PET/CT machine. The technology combines positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with computed tomography (CT) scanning. PET uses small amounts of radiation to show how well various organs are functioning; CT provides detailed images of organs and tissues. The combined result is highly detailed 3-D images of the function and structure of various parts of the body.
The first PET/CT prototype was unveiled in 1998 at the University of Pittsburgh, and it was first introduced into clinical use in 2001. PET/CT has emerged as one of the fastest growing modalities worldwide according to the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology.
The vast majority of PET/CT imaging is for cancer (oncology) diagnosis and treatment. Oncologists use PET/CT scans to determine how fast a tumor is growing and to track how well chemotherapy or radiation therapy is working. If a cancerous tumor or mass needs to be surgically removed, a PET/CT scan can help a surgeon plan how to best treat or remove the cancer, while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.
PET/CT has been shown to have a major impact on how patients are treated. For example, a study in the July 2012 issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine showed that more than 40 percent of lung cancer (non-small cell) patients had their course of treatment changed when physicians had PET/CT information as opposed to only conventional imaging.
PET/CT imaging may also be used to diagnose and treat heart disease as well as brain disorders, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors and seizure disorders.
The procedure itself is painless and completely non-invasive. Upon arrival at a hospital, cancer center or imaging center, the patient is given an IV injection of the radioactive tracer and asked to rest quietly. The radioactive tracer can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to make its way to the part of the body being scanned. Once the tracer has reached its destination, the patient is asked to lie on the PET/CT scanner table for 30 to 45 minutes as the machine goes to work. Once the scan is complete, the patient is free to resume normal activities.
Today’s PET/CT scanners are more comfortable and faster than previous technology. Future developments promise even more accurate detection and diagnosis of disease at earlier, more treatable stages and with less radiation. QCBN
Michael J. LaBenz, M.D., is a radiologist at Northern Arizona Radiology.
QCBN Has Moved Downtown
Quad Cities Business News, the area’s only privately owned business newspaper, has opened a new office in downtown Prescott across from the courthouse, on the same level as the Jersey Lilly Saloon.“We’re thrilled to be centrally located, right in the middle of a lot of our readership and supporters,” said QCBN Publisher Troy Bix. “The QCBN team is deeply committed to the community and we believe this move will be more convenient for clients and news sources to meet with us.”QCBN also has taken on a new, more contemporary look for the newspaper. The website, quadcitiesbusinessnews.com, will have a makeover this month, too.
“The new logo and modern presentation reflect the high energy behind the publication,” said QCBN Editor Bonnie Stevens. “The Quad Cities area is full of life and optimism about the future. We are so excited and honored to be part of the business, educational and healthy living environment that makes this such a special part of Arizona.”
The new office is located at 116 S. Montezuma St. Suite F. “We are very fortunate to have such a desirable location. We thank Jersey Lilly Saloon owner Tommy Meredith for letting us know that the office was available,” said Bix.
For more information about advertising with QCBN, contact Bix at 928-864-7440 or Troy@QuadCities BusinessNews.com. For news tips, contact Stevens at 928-380-4349. QCBN
YRMC Offering IceCure
Yavapai Regional Medical Center is among the first hospitals in Arizona to introduce IceCure, a procedure to remove benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors without surgery.
“Breast fibroadenomas, as they are called, are not life-threatening, but they can be physically disfiguring, uncomfortable and cause women emotional distress,” said Nancy K. Ledoyen, RN, Director, the BreastCare Center at YRMC. “IceCure allows our breast surgeons to treat those benign tumors with minimal scarring.”
Benign breast tumors up to four centimeters – about the size of a grape – are best for IceCure, but larger tumors may also be removed using the procedure.
“IceCure has many advantages over traditional surgical excision for women with benign breast tumors,” Ledoyen said. “Some of the pluses include a minute incision, local anesthesia, and virtually no down time following the procedure.”
During an IceCure treatment, YRMC physicians use an ultrasound monitor called the IceSense3™ console to guide a probe to the center of the benign tumor. Once there, the tip of the probe is cooled to extremely low temperatures. This turns the tumor into a small ball of ice and eliminates it. Typically, this takes about 15 minutes.
To learn about IceCure treatment, contact Nancy Ledoyen at (928) 442-8647.
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Hospice Recognizes Local Nursing Assistant
The Hospice Compassus program serving Prescott Valley and the surrounding areas recognized Michele Petersen during the 38th Annual National Nursing Assistants Week June 11-18 for providing the highest level of quality hospice care for patients and their families.
“We are proud to recognize Michele for the compassionate hospice care she provides our patients and families,” said Susan Blanchard, Executive Director for Hospice Compassus – Prescott Valley. “Michele’s positive and caring attitude, exceptional ability to understand and comfort patients, and willingness to support colleagues makes her an integral part of our Hospice Compassus team.”
Nursing assistants provide as much as 90 percent of the direct long-term care delivered in the United States. Hospice Compassus nursing assistants may provide care in the patient’s own home or the home of a loved one, a long-term care or assisted living facility, or hospital.
“With their regular visits, nursing assistants become trusted sources of comfort and support for patients and families, and they play an important role in our care team by relating any concerns regarding the patient to other members of our hospice team,” said Katherine Metzger, D.O., Associate Medical Director for Hospice Compassus – Prescott Valley.
For more information about Hospice Compassus – Prescott Valley services, call (928) 775-0103.
Wells Fargo Food Drive Underway
Mayors to Speak at ED Luncheon