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Exploring New Hearing Aid Technology

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A new technology in the hearing aid industry is remote adjustment to the hearing aid. This reduces the number of trips back to the office to have fine tuning completed. An appointment is made with your audiologist to be seen remotely at your house or office. It has been an interesting option to implement during the last few months. Most of the people I have contacted remotely are happy about the process, as they can stay in the comfort of their home or go to the environment causing difficulty and have the hearing aids adjusted by their audiologist while they listen.

Technologies Inside a Hearing Aid

We now have reliable rechargeable hearing aids. The battery life is designed to last a full day, between 18 and 30 hours. The difference in the length of battery life is based on the type of technology used in that hearing aid. A person using the Bluetooth circuit while streaming the phone or other Bluetooth enabled devices will drain the battery more quickly than someone who rarely talks on the phone. The battery is charged every night and is designed to last about six years.

Hearing aids are doing a better job of adjusting sound to make it more natural and realistic. The ability to change the way the hearing aid automatically modifies and enhances the sound in a place that has significant noise competition is now more successful. The two hearing aids are able to communicate with each other to focus on what you are looking at and diminish the input from other places in the room. This uses near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) and requires little power drain. Battery life is an important consideration for anyone wearing hearing aids. The two aids will change volume and programs together automatically or with the touch of a button. This near-field signal is a safe and effective means of changing the settings and using the specialized features that require two hearing aids.

Another circuit available in hearing aids is Bluetooth, which uses a band of radio frequencies around 2.4 GHz. Bluetooth technology works well to reduce the distance restriction of near-field technology but classic Bluetooth requires more energy than the NFMI. There are a few types of Bluetooth technologies on the market with different abilities. The type of Bluetooth in your car that streams your phone to the speakers requires significant power, which hearing aids are not able to accommodate (at this time). The Bluetooth circuit in a hearing aid is called Bluetooth low energy (BLE). The earlier versions of Bluetooth used in hearing aids needed a gateway device worn near or around the neck to send the signal to the hearing aids. Today, the gateway device is not needed!

After pairing the hearing aids to the device that you want to hear, e.g. phone, computer, car phone system or TV, you are able to hear the sound in both ears. As you listen to the signal through the hearing aids, you hear the sound with the proper frequency enhancement for your particular hearing loss. To talk on a Bluetooth phone, you do not need to hold the phone in your hand, you simply touch a button on the hearing aid and magically, you hear the voice in both ears! The other person hears your voice through a microphone inside your hearing aid. The phone can be sitting up to 30 feet away from you before the signal becomes weak.

The TV will need a transmitter to send the sound to your hearing aids. The device can be programmed to automatically connect to the TV sound when you walk into the room or you push a button on the hearing aid to hear the sound. This technology is nice because the other people in the room are able to set the volume where they want and the hearing aid user can listen at the volume he or she prefers.

Remote Microphone Use

Some environments are so noisy that even normal hearing people have difficulty understanding speech. If a hearing aid wearer is in this type of environment, often a remote microphone helps increase understanding of speech. The tiny hearing aid with its two microphone openings is just not able to make a voice louder that is six or more feet away from you. The remote microphone can be placed near the person you want to hear and it streams the sound back to the hearing aids.

As with any electronic device, change/improvement is a given. Don’t give up on hearing better, try out the new technology and decide if it improves your quality of life. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net. Karon Lynn is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Five Ways to Keep Your Money Local

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In the age of two-day shipping and convenient megastores, it’s easy to think that opting for a national brand is the best use of your money. However, supporting Arizona businesses and organizations means your money stays local, through taxes, investments and more. That means that your hard-earned money, once spent, continues to work for you and improve the economy.

Thomas Barr, executive director of Local First Arizona, believes that every Arizonan can support the economy by spending money at local businesses. “Up to four times more of our dollars stay in Arizona when we choose a local business over a national chain,” said Barr, adding that this “creates more jobs, and builds hometown pride by growing relationships with owners of businesses in our communities.”

Here are a few easy ways to keep more of your money in Arizona:

Support locally owned businesses. Buying products from companies founded and run by Arizonans means much more of your hard-earned money stays in our community. “We love keeping our business as local as possible,” said Jenny Carey, co-owner of One Stop Nutrition in Scottsdale, “because our locals are the ones that have created our business and help us grow.”

Buy food farmed in Arizona. You can find meat, produce, dairy, honey and more, all right here. Whether you’re hitting the local farmer’s market every weekend or just shopping the local section at your grocery store, your grocery money will help Arizona businesses stay strong.

Bank local. Unlike national banks, local financial institutions are run in-state and decisions are made with the community in mind. From auto loans and credit cards to wealth management and mortgages, a local partner will help you achieve your financial goals, and profits will be reinvested in the local economy.

Support non-profits that improve your neighborhood. Whether your passion is helping at-risk youth or fostering rescued pets, there’s a homegrown non-profit in your area that could use your assistance. Invest your time and money in organizations that focus on Arizona’s needs and watch our community thrive!

Attend community events. This is a great way to discover new Arizona-run businesses and foster a greater sense of community. Opt for events that feature tasty treats from local restaurants or food trucks, and booths or pop-up shops from local retailers.

April is Community Banking Month, so there’s no better time than now to make the switch and take the first step toward keeping your money in Arizona. QCBN

By Miguel Maldonado

Miguel Maldonado is the northern regional president at OneAZ Credit Union.

Treating Mild Urinary Incontinence

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You’ve seen the ads (they’re everywhere). “You can be protected, stay dry and feel pretty!”  They come in many sizes and shapes! They come with flowers and beautiful designs! The ads make you think they may even be a desirable thing to buy. At the end of the day, though, let’s face it, they’re just diapers for adults. And a bit depressing, because you actually ARE thinking about buying them. Projections are that the sale of adult hygiene and protective gear such as stay dry underwear, hygienic pads and adult diapers will exceed the sale of baby diapers by the year 2020.

For those of us who have experienced it, that leaking feeling can really take the wind out of your sails. Mild to moderate urinary incontinence can be inconvenient, such as losing urine when jumping rope or interrupting your golf game to find a restroom. And the options available to deal with this issue are some combination of expensive, invasive and embarrassing. There are medicines to help your bladder relax, surgery with associated risks, or a lifestyle that includes trips to the local pharmacy to buy flowered protective hygiene materials.

You aren’t alone with this problem. According to the National Association for Continence, more than 25 million women suffer from some form of incontinence. The most common is “stress” incontinence: the leaking of urine caused by coughing, sneezing or exercise. The other common form is “urge” incontinence, characterized by an uncontrollable urge to urinate, usually on very short notice; which can result in accidents.   

Both men and women can experience “Nocturia.” which means frequent trips to the bathroom at night, which interrupts sleep patterns. Needless to say, incontinence has a negative effect on the lifestyle and confidence of those affected.

The staff at Skin Restoration is excited to announce what we think is the most promising option for those with mild to moderate urinary incontinence. The Emsella is an FDA approved, breakthrough technology that is now being offered by urology and gynecology specialists throughout the country. We are the first in the Quad Cities area to make this treatment available.  Emsella is a chair that uses high frequency electromagnetic energy to stimulate pelvic muscle contractions. Sitting on this chair for 25 minutes stimulates the body to perform over 11,000 Kegel exercises (more than most people could do in a year).

After six treatments, individuals report having stronger pelvic muscles and better control of urinary function. The usual treatment regimen is two treatments per week for three weeks, although this treatment plan is sometimes adjusted according to individual needs. An Emsella treatment is painless and noninvasive. Individuals remain fully clothed and there is no down time. This is one of the simplest procedures a woman could do for herself!

Scientific studies report that 95 percent of patients treated with Emsella report an improvement in their quality of life. After a treatment series, patients report that they reduce or can fully eliminate the use of hygienic pads. They also have fewer or no night-time bathroom trips, and frequent urges change to normal sensation. As a secondary benefit of having stronger muscles, many women report that they have stronger more pleasurable sexual orgasms. In short, their lives got easier and better!

Just a word of caution: nothing can replace the relationship you have with your Primary Care Provider. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, talk to your provider to rule out any underlying illnesses or complications. For uncomplicated urinary incontinence caused by pelvic floor weakness: Emsella can help. The Emsella treatment is available at the Skin Restoration Center at 720 North Montezuma, Suite C. You can get a free consultation and arrange treatment by calling 928-308-0519. Go ahead: Say “no” to the floral underwear! QCBN

  By Carol Johnson RN, MSN, NNP-BC, LSO

Carol Johnson, RN, MSN, NNP-BC, LSO, is a nurse practitioner and the founder and director of Skin Restoration. In addition to her practitioner credentials, she is licensed by the State of Arizona as a medical director for a laser facility. She has taken numerous courses in advanced injecting and laser treatments. Johnson particularly enjoys meeting people and helping them make good choices to care for their appearance.

Planning for Growth in Chino Valley

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Happy spring to all. Most municipalities are working on budgets right now and endeavoring to be as responsive to their citizens as possible in their fiscal year. The Chino Valley Town Council met recently in a retreat to discuss our priorities in the next year as well as for the next several years.

The challenges we face with our infrastructure have been much discussed – the town has five different water companies within our corporate boundaries, and our wastewater treatment plant was just built in the last decade. Lack of infrastructure in some key commercial areas has made robust economic development growth complicated and, in some cases, impossible. However, this dynamic won’t change by itself, and the council is committed to begin incrementally working on our infrastructure shortfalls. We will need to take several approaches to begin tackling this, but our future will make it necessary.

As we continue to grow, our citizens will demand closer access to services and retail, and it will be necessary for the town to grow both its retail base and job base to sustain the community. Planning for the growth will be better than just having it happen to us.

The focus areas that developed from our Strategic Planning Retreat remain constant with what we developed last year, and they continue to be the following: Water/Water Companies; Old Home Manor Industrial Park/Jobs; Roads/Maintenance and Funding; Infrastructure and Town Utilities; Maintaining a Rural Community and a Business-Friendly Environment.

Some of the specific action items that have been identified with respect to our focus areas include the extension of sewer or water in high density areas or in commercial areas. We have an opportunity with our Business Park at Old Home Manor to offer land to potential employers. But the employers are going to want more than just raw land, and that takes money. We were fortunate with federal grants to get utilities to the lot line of our 200 acres, but we will need to prepare about a half-dozen sites so they are ready for future employers and we can build momentum from there. Our Utility Committee members will develop a scope they consider reasonable and will bring it forward to our council for consideration of costs and level of improvements.

The town has recently hired an economic development project manager, and this person will help us create a strategic plan for our business park and identify the types of businesses or industries that might be a good fit for our community. But the business park must be ready to accept them.

As you might recall from a previous article, the town has proposed a Roads Maintenance Program to be funded by a property tax. Should this initiative pass with the voters on May 21, our road infrastructure should begin to improve, enhancing economic development and helping to maintain property values. Thus, it hits another of our focus areas and also continues to emphasize town infrastructure.

The town has many demands for development, much like our surrounding communities. We will continue to try and maintain the rural lifestyle, providing one-acre lots as much as possible, but the pressures are ever-present and difficult to accommodate. The more infrastructure we have for water, sewer and roads, helps any growth to be more responsible and less impactful upon our neighbors. We are transitioning from five-acre parcels to somewhat smaller lot, and impact on our neighbors becomes more prevalent.

Investment in infrastructure by this council will one day be considered forward-thinking and responsible. We have some work in front of us! QCBN

By Darryl Croft

Chino Valley Mayor Darryl Croft is in his second year as mayor and previously was a council member.

Growing Peppers: Hot, Hotter, Extreme

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I’m a salsa gardener, and proud of it! The bulk of my gardens are dedicated to tomatoes, tomatillos, cilantro, onions, chives and peppers.

The most exciting, tastiest, most versatile of new plants for a kitchen garden are peppers. Sweet or spicy, too hot or soothingly mild, peppers can be used for salsa, savory jelly, and for my favorite dish…stuffed and grilled.

Because Prescott and its surrounding area have a limited growing season for peppers, they should be started indoors eight to 10 weeks before our average last spring frost, around May 8. They can be transplanted to garden soil or containers when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Peppers can be sown directly into the garden two to four weeks after the risk of frost but will be slow to start without the help of a greenhouse. With a bit of protection, most of our summer fruiting plants can be started now.

Helpful Idea

I start my first crop of summer vegetables with the help of plant protectors, also called “Wall of Watters.” These mini-greenhouses are filled with water and warm the soil around plants to prevent damage from frost. We have them here at Watters Garden Center, and for less than Amazon’s price. 

From personal experience, here are some of my tips and tricks on sowing and growing the best peppers:

Fertilizer

Fertilize if your seed-starting medium does not contain fertilizer. However, no fertilization is needed until seedlings develop the second set of leaves, known as “true” leaves.

Use Watters “Flower Power 54”  at two-week intervals and your peppers will be larger and overly abundant. Fertilize regularly and your plants will develop sturdier stems and large numbers leaves. Not only do large plants have more fruit-producing potential, the luxuriant leaves provide shade for the fruit, preventing sun scald.

Color Change

Most peppers start out one color, often green, and ripen to another color. As peppers ripen to their second color, the flavor sweetens, and the nutrients increase. By picking some fruit early, in the first color stage, you send a signal that the plant should create more seeds, which guarantees the continuation of the process of flower, fruit and seed maturity.

Hot, Hotter and Extreme

A class of compounds called capsaicin gives chili peppers their spiciness. Capsaicin occurs mostly in the light-colored ribs inside the pepper. The seeds contain very little or no capsaicin but are often hot because they come in contact with the capsaicin in the ribs.

Capsaicin has several health benefits. Studies show that it can increase metabolism, support appetite suppression, decrease heart disease, reduce pain perception. Oh, and cause heartburn (believe it or not)!

Like your peppers hot? The more mature the fruit, the hotter the pepper. Stress, such as drought, will also make peppers hotter. You can cause stress to the plant by cutting back on watering after fruits have started to develop. Just withhold enough water so the soil stays dry. Don’t allow your peppers to wilt or yields will be reduced significantly.

Aqua Boost prevents milder fruits from wilting. I created this special soil polymer that retains moisture at the plant’s roots in order to reduce wilt, decrease water needs and eliminate stress for sweeter vegetables. Visit the garden center for exact details.

The Scoville Scale, named for its creator Wilbur Scoville, measures the heat of peppers and other spicy foods. Some peppers such as bell peppers are sweet with almost no heat, while others, like the banana pepper, have mild amounts of heat.

Want to kick up the zing? Then go for peppers that are REALLY hot, like the cayenne and the habanero peppers. Peppers grow so well in the summer garden that it’s fun to mix the heat levels and their signature flavors. Guinness World Records regularly ranks the world’s hottest peppers, at over 2,000,000 Scoville units!

Hot Pepper Idea

Dry your hot peppers and then grind them. Place the grind in a shaker and use to spice up pizza, pasta, burgers, etc.

All of the peppers, herbs and vegetables sold at Watters are completely organic with no genetic modifications.

  

Until next issue, I’ll be here at Watters Garden Center helping gardeners grow better organic peppers. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter

Exploring the Condition Book at the Races

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Arizona Downs’ inaugural summer horse racing season is just around the corner. Thousands of fans will show up for our Memorial Day weekend celebration, but few will know everything that has gone on behind the scenes to prepare for our summer meet. Fans will be thrilled at the thundering sound of hooves racing to the finish line, but may not consider, for instance, how horses are selected to compete in any particular race.

Because “fan education” is a top priority for the management team at Arizona Downs, we’re taking every opportunity to explain the sport, including my role as Racing Secretary. The better you understand the sport, the greater the appreciation. Knowledge is also powerful if you happen to be a betting fan.

So, how are horses selected? It’s not a simple process, and it begins with what is known as the “Condition Book.” Sounds boring, but this book is a “must read” for anyone who is serious about competing in the industry – as a racehorse owner or trainer. It’s also a great tool for a serious bettor.

The Condition Book, which is my responsibility to produce, lays out the conditions, or criteria, that horses must meet in order to compete in each of our races. The conditions include: the sex and age of horses that can enter a race; the claiming price; the distance; and finally, specific conditions that a horse is eligible for relevant to accumulated career wins. For example, a maiden race is specifically for horses that have never won a race in their lifetime. But there are also races specifically for horses that have a career win, or multiple wins, within a specified period of time.

Another important sub-condition of each race is the weight allowance. A weight allowance may enable one horse to get into a race carrying less weight than other horses. A horse that hasn’t won a race within 30 days, for instance, may get a two-pound weight allowance over a horse that has had a recent win. An extra pound or two can make a huge difference at the finish line.

The most successful horsemen spend a great deal of time studying and analyzing this data to determine which races and qualifying conditions provide the best competitive advantage for each of their horses. Like any other sport, “scouting” is key to finishing first. A savvy bettor will study the Condition Book for the very same reason – to determine which horses have the best chances to win any given race on any given race day.

When you come to our summer races, you’ll immediately begin to see which betting fans are in it to win it. They’ll spend time at the Paddock, studying horses prior to their races. Just like football players, track runners and other athletes, horses can occasionally be off their game. Serious bettors also study the trainers and jockeys, and learn who is best suited to win races based on the given conditions.

As you can see, what I do is truly a science. But my end goal is always to create a racing season that is exciting for everyone — families who are new to horse racing, and more serious bettors who will be wagering on horses.

If you’re interested in learning more about the incredible sport of horse racing, you’re in luck. We’ll be hosting “fan education” workshops throughout our summer racing season. For more information, visit ArizonaDowns.com and “Like” our Facebook page for ongoing news and updates. QCBN

By Randy Wehrman

Randy Wehrman is the racing secretary at Arizona Downs. He has been a Kentucky racing official for nearly 35 years. His career includes several years serving as racing secretary and assistant racing secretary in various states.

Understanding the Energy Code

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Enjoy the read!

Sandy:  Well, Tom, here we are once again, ready to keep our readers educated and informed. I have received several calls from homeowners asking what the energy code is all about. What do you say we talk about that?

Tom:  Great topic. We educate our clients about this exact item quite often. Especially those homeowners with older homes; often those with homes built in the early 1900s.

Sandy:  So, Tom, I know building codes in one form or another have been around for centuries, what do you say we give our readers a little history on the Energy Code? Buildings account for approximately 41% of all energy consumption and 72% of electricity usage in the United States. Building and energy code standards are in place to set minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and construction for new and renovated buildings, assuring reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions over the life of buildings. Boy, did I start off with a big statement. Now, it is your turn.

Tom:  Glad to. Around the late 1970s, the Department of Energy and the foundation organizations of the ICC (International Code Committee) began looking at ways to reduce energy consumption of the built environment and all facets of our lives. Working on updating codes and developing something that could be implemented introduced the initial IECC, (the International Energy Conservation Code) in the 1990s.

The code was developed by several organizations and the DOE basically endorsed the code. You and I are both aware that building code adoption of any kind is a local jurisdictional decision. The ICC recommends and the locals decide.

Sandy: Building codes are state laws. The United States does not have a national building code or energy code.

Tom: You are absolutely correct, Sandy. Instead, states and our local governments can choose to adopt one and/or a portion of the national energy code and or one of the many building codes, such as fire, electrical, structural or plumbing.

Sandy: Energy codes are different than appliance and equipment standards. Energy codes cover the building itself such as walls, insulation, windows, air leakage and duct leakage. Appliance and equipment standards cover energy consumption and usage of the products that go into our homes.

Sandy: Okay, Tom, how does the energy code work?

Tom: First, the energy codes are developed and as I said the International Code Council develops the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which contains chapters for both residential and commercial buildings.

Sandy: How often are new codes developed?

Tom: New codes being developed every three years. Final versions of each new edition are determined by a vote of the committee.

Sandy: Codes are developed, and then they are adopted, which is what our local jurisdictions are going through right now. Our local jurisdictions are reviewing these codes through our Advisory & Appeals Boards, then through our mayors and councils for adoption.

Tom: Code Compliance is the final step and a key issue. The key to realizing the full savings potential of building energy codes is by ensuring that builders are complying with them. Sandy, it is great what YCCA and the local jurisdictions have been doing to educate and share with our industry the changes in the codes.

Tom: Our other jurisdictions: Town of Town of Chino Valley, Town of Prescott Valley, City of Prescott, all adopted the 2006 energy code several years ago and that really changed our industry quite a bit. The Town of Prescott Valley is staying with the 2006 Energy Code as is Yavapai County. The City of Prescott adopted the 2012 Energy Code.

Tom:  For commercial construction, the compliance system is referred to as COMcheck. REScheck is for residential. That is the one I am most familiar with. These software systems will help analyze a building’s design by assigning a value to the various components. These values are added up and the overall building needs to hit established minimums to be considered compliant.

Sandy:  There are a lot of details that go into that process. The standards for construction have changed quite a bit through the years. Areas such as foundations, insulation, minimum R values for walls and roofs, window size and orientation are just a few of the components affected.

With new construction, meeting those standards is a little easier than when remodeling an existing older home. How do you incorporate these new codes into your projects?

Tom:  Great question. As you might suspect, each project can be a little different. The accepted standard by local jurisdictions is that if you touch it, you must bring it up to current codes. That includes all building codes.

Sandy:  So if you remove the drywall in a master bath remodel, will you have to change the structure and electrical if it does not meet current codes?

Tom:  Depends. If we are making a new window opening then the structure must comply. If we open the wall up for plumbing modifications and it is an exterior wall then we would need to bring the insulation of the opened area up to code. That can be a challenge sometimes, depending on wall thickness.

Sandy:  What if you can’t meet the code? Will jurisdictions look at extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis?

Tom:  Usually, yes. We have found building officials to be realistic in the application of codes.

Sandy:  Do you need to perform a REZcheck on remodels of an existing home?

Tom:  Typically, only if we are doing an addition to the home. The addition must meet the energy code standards.

The goal in adopting the Energy code is of course to reduce the energy footprint of the built environment. In developing the code, the committee looked at the areas and components of a building that typically cause energy to be consumed and created standards for these to address the specific cause.

Sandy:  Windows, Doors, Duct work, HVAC systems all those have standards based on reducing energy consumption. Not just insulation, although that is addressed.

The climate in different areas will require a different approach and different standards. Tell our readers how this is addressed. One size does not fit all!

Tom:  Very true! The codes established different zones to address the variations of climate in different areas. Yavapai County alone has 5 different zones. The standards in Camp Verde are not the same as Crown King.

Sandy:  What are some of the differences?

Tom:  Perhaps the most obvious would be insulation requirements. Less obvious would be the U value in windows.

Sandy:  Ahhhh I know what U value is – the measurement of the ability of the window to transmit heat.

Tom:  WOW, you are not just another pretty face! That is correct. The lower the U value the greater resistance to heat transfer.

Sandy:  Thanks for that, mister. So, in short, the energy code is here to stay. It has added cost to the construction of buildings. Has anyone determined the savings to the homeowners?

Tom:  Great question. I am sure they have but I am not aware of a study. Might be a google moment.

Sandy: Tom, this is a huge subject that we have just lightly touched upon. I say we continue this topic next month. The Impact of Building Energy Codes is mammoth and represents significant savings to home and business owners. What that amount is I have no idea, but to our readers – Tom and I are on it and more to follow next month!

Thanks readers for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. Until next month. QCBN

Tom Reilly, architect, contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506  renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, executive director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040. ycca@cableone.net

Recalling the Way Mom Used to Clean

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In this Mother’s Day month, our thoughts are turned to our own moms and grandmothers. I think about how things were in their day. How did mom do things differently from what we do today? How did grandma do things differently from mom?

Just for fun, I wanted to take a look way back at how “clean” was viewed and accomplished through the different eras. In the Victorian era, the luxury of a regular bath was reserved for the upper class. Family members would share the same bath water and so, as it got used over and over, by the time it got to the last family member, the baby, it was murky, so murky you could possibly lose someone in it. Thus came the birth of the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

In 1400, the Chinese invented toilet paper; thank you, China. The first electric powered vacuum cleaner was invented in 1901, and not widely used until later than that. Today, we have central vacuums, Rumbas, amazing cleaning products and polishes that make things sterile and shiny. Thankfully, most of us are able to shower or bathe regularly without having to share the water.

Do we think about all the conveniences we have now to help us with keeping clean and keeping our homes clean? I know that I am thankful that I don’t have to take the rug out to the laundry line and beat it to death. One thing I can remember was a great aunt who would wrap each clean folded towel in wax paper and carefully place it in the linen closet along with the other individually wrapped clean towels and linens.  On that same note, does anyone remember the plastic couch covers in the ‘60s? It was a terrible invention in my eyes, but nonetheless, the standard of clean in those days.

Before commercially produced cleaning sponges were invented, they would actually use sponge from the sea. Wood ash, pork fat and also lye were used to make soap. Some natural resources used then for cleaning are still popular today, such as vinegar and lemon.

The one common denominator from then to now is good old elbow grease.  Cleaning is hard work – it was then and still is now – but the reward is great and makes us feel good.

I guess, regardless of how they did it through the years, the fact is: they did it. Our great grandmothers, grandmothers and moms worked tirelessly to keep things clean and in order. I think about my own mother and how hard she worked all her life. I thank her and all of the other moms this Mother’s Day for all they do for us.

From everyone here at Prescott Maid to Order, thank you to all of the moms who came before us and all the moms here today. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day! QCBN

By Lucy Leyva

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 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Realizing a Modern YRMC Vision of Medical Care, Wellness

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Friends recently showed me photos of a garden their children had planted as a summer project. In the first photo, small bunches of broccoli sprouted strong and healthy. It was planted in spring, my friend explained.

He swiped to the next photo for a view of the entire garden. Next, he zoomed in to show me rows of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and watermelon. Garden markers staked in the dirt showed where seeds were planted. The tomatoes and peppers already looked like a promising crop.

The photos of that garden came to mind as I began writing this article about Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) vision for the future. They reminded me of two important points: First, a garden is bigger than any single plant and second, a garden grows in stages, not in unison.

Bold Vision, Strong Leadership

The same is true for an organization’s vision for the future. The best visions are bold, inspiring, clear and bound by time. They set a direction for planning that is rolled out over five to seven years. My vision for YRMC is a community in which all people achieve their full potential for health and wellness. The strategies that will make this vision a reality depend on:

Understanding, listening to and addressing our community’s health needs.

Continuing to provide leading edge, technologically advanced and comprehensive healthcare programs and services.

Focusing on programs and services that promote healthy living and wellness.

Fortifying our strong relationships with our community partners, patients, medical staff, employees and volunteers.

Continuing to act as good financial stewards and effective planners for YRMC’s future.

Collaborating as a leadership team to make YRMC’s future vision a reality.

While all of these are important to achieving our vision for YRMC, I am grateful for the support of an extraordinary leadership team: YRMC’s Administrative Council (AdCo) and our Board of Directors.

State-of-the-Art Medical, Wellness Campus

In the coming months, you’ll hear from several AdCo members who will focus on aspects of the plan to achieve our vision. Our first topic will feature the construction that is beginning at YRMC West. Our goal is to evolve YRMC West into a state-of-the-art medical and wellness campus. The campus will feature YRMC West and will include a new health center to support prevention and wellness.

The new health center on the campus of YRMC West will be an ideal home for primary care and specialty medical practices that need to be close to YRMC West. Our new state-of-the-art health center in many ways will be the hub of YRMC’s evolving focus on health and wellness. It will be home to YRMC’s Preventive Medicine and Wellness program (Pendleton Center), our Physical Rehabilitation Services and other services that help people manage their health and prevent illness.

The Evolution of Growth

Our evolution to a medical and wellness campus, like a garden, will happen in stages. In the coming years, we will add inpatient hospital beds and explore valuable specialty services.

As you would expect, our modern medical and wellness campus will also feature amenities that increase convenience for the people we serve. For example, the health center’s new parking structure – a welcome and necessary addition – will provide people easy access to the services they need. 

Ready for the Future

As we move forward, I am confident that YRMC is well positioned to fulfill our vision. As a non-profit, community-based healthcare system, YRMC does not rely on tax dollars for operating expenses. In fact, YRMC’s excellent financial health has earned us an A level bond rating. This upgrade was accomplished thanks to the entire YRMC family – our medical staff, employees and volunteers. Even more impressive, it happened as other community-based hospitals are facing uncertain financial times.

As president and CEO, I am constantly scanning the horizon to ensure I’m steering YRMC to the best possible future. With the guidance of an outstanding leadership team and your continued involvement and support, I look forward to our vision blossoming into reality. QCBN

John Amos is the president and CEO of Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio Allocations 

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In today’s uncertain financial landscape and based on the market run-up we have seen the last few years, we believe it is more important than ever to establish a well-maintained portfolio that can help you reach your financial goals. Your portfolio needs to not only meet your need for capital, but also provide you with financial peace of mind.

While there’s no simple formula to help you figure out how your portfolio should be constructed, determining the right asset allocation should be the first step in the process. In order to properly ascertain your financial situation, there are a few important things to consider: age, time horizon, amount of capital to invest and future capital needs.

Another important thing to be aware of is your risk tolerance. Would you be willing to risk funds for the possibility of greater gains? While everyone wants to reap the rewards of high returns, not everyone can handle the high stress levels it can cause.

On the other side, avoiding investment risk isn’t always a wise decision. It is possible for portfolios to be too conservatively constructed, which makes them unable to provide the necessary long-term growth that is needed to outpace inflation and build wealth. Many investors seek absolute safety and keep their money in bank accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and other financial products without realizing that these “safe” choices may incur their own set of risks.

These risks include investment opportunity loss and the destruction of purchasing power resulting from inflation. When investors fail to take advantage of returns that a portfolio of growth investments can produce over time, this is called investment opportunity loss. Inflation can also hurt your investments, as it is often regarded as the silent destroyer of low-risk portfolios as purchasing power declines over time.

You need to find the right balance for you – one that satisfies your risk tolerance while also achieving an appropriate amount of growth and income.

At American Financial Investments LLC, we can help you create a financial strategy that fits your individualized investment objectives and goals. Allow our team to utilize our knowledge and experience to help manage your portfolio during various economic conditions and investment market cycles. Allow us to help you determine your risk tolerance using proprietary surveys, analyzing your finances and discussing your retirement and financial goals in depth.

We believe that your best bet for steady, long-term growth of your investments is having a well-diversified portfolio. This can help protect your assets from the risks of large drops and structural changes in the economy over time. When you work with the right financial professional, they can help you diversify, make adjustments when necessary and help increase your odds for long-term financial success. QCBN

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Security, LLC and American Financial Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Arizona. They specialize in Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AFSprescott.com, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305