A senior center, defined
With a senior center opening soon here in Maricopa, it’s an appropriate time to consider what one should provide.
Senior centers should:
• Serve as a...
Brandenburg: Seniors, are you drinking enough water?
By Al Brandenburg
The triple digits are upon us and the summer forecast promises more scorching temperatures. The extreme heat underscores the need for seniors...
Siegel: A student assesses his MUSD education
Parents of school-age children may ask, “Can schools in the Maricopa Unified School District provide the quality education I want for my child?” This...
Smith: Relationships must be nurtured
For most of us, quality of life is likely determined by relationships, not by things,
according to research.
As we age, life can present harsh realities...
Proper storing of produce preserves flavor, extends life
Have you become a backyard gardener because of the coronavirus pandemic? Many of us have turned to growing our own food for a number...
Koczor: May is a month to celebrate older Americans
Every year in May, older Americans are recognized for their contributions to our
communities and nation.
A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy...
Smith: Steps toward a more meaningful, enjoyable life
At some point after retirement, we may start questioning what to do with our free time. We may have accomplished some anticipated travel and...
The depression danger in aging adults
By Al Brandenburg
Depression is not a normal part of aging, but can develop in later years— and it can be dangerous.
The Centers for Disease...
Siegel: As seniors graduate, plenty of others deserve recognition
It is May and time for graduation ceremonies, which are generally called “a commencement,” meaning a beginning.
This year’s ceremonies will truly be recognition of...
Koczor: preventative measures for a healthy brain
A recent article from Mayo Clinic states we are living longer than previous generations and should prepare ourselves to encounter new health risks, like...
Growing garden veggies in desert all about timing, location
By Al Brandenburg
You may have started to plant your tomatoes, peppers and cukes. Early April in Arizona’s low desert garden is one of the...
Siegel: More women wanted in engineering
For many years, efforts have been made to entice more women to pursue careers in engineering. Today, if you ask somebody to describe an...
Siegel: Solution to our STEM problem is elementary
In two previous columns, we looked at how the teaching of math in the elementary grades has reduced the number of students taking advanced...
Aging expert: More years in good health a gift, not burden
The gift of time is very real. Life expectancy has increased dramatically because people are in much better overall health than prior generations. In...
Koczor: Control diabetes before it controls you
More than 34 million Americans have diabetes and one in five don’t know they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and...
2020 tax implications for seniors
Well, 2020 is finally over and, God-willing with the new vaccines, the COVID virus will be trending downward. But there is something new to...
Son’s COVID illness was crash course on misery of isolation
Recently, my family had occasion to experience the world of isolation, one of the biggest challenges for seniors, especially in pandemic times.
Our older son...
Siegel: Expanding STEM success: 2 simple steps
Last month’s column looked at how the teaching of math in the elementary grades has reduced the number of students taking advanced math classes...
Tomatoes come in all shapes, sizes, colors
Everybody loves tomatoes.
Ninety-three percent of all American gardening households grow their own tomatoes.
Tomatoes didn’t arrive in the United States until the 1820s, but they...
American Heart Month: Taking care of your ticker
The first American Heart Month was marked in February 1964 following President Lyndon B. Johnson’s proclamation on Dec. 30, 1963. At that time, more...
Koczor: Step into new year with lessons learned from pandemic
Every great tragedy leaves its mark. WWII. The Great Depression followed the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted 10 years. The attack on...
Siegel: Preparing for rapid technological development
There are many difficult challenges facing the United States, yet one vital problem receives little coverage by politicians or the media — the growing...
3 plants to make your spirits bloom
By Harriet Phelps
The winter weather conditions outside do not matter if you have a blooming plant. I need only light and a blooming plant...
Siegel: Rewarding responsible behaviors in elementary students
This is the second of a two-part report on the lack of responsibility displayed by elementary school students. Input was obtained by querying educators...
Mistletoe: 1,300 species and a holiday tradition
By Beth Sulek-LaHousse
Everyone has heard that if you stand with a loved one under mistletoe you are supposed to kiss that person, but where...
A second COVID-19 wave? Seniors should prepare now
With the holidays upon us, the biggest threat to our health is another wave of COVID-19 cases. We already know our generation is the...
Be Awesome: Ways for families to stay connected, stay thankful
By Harriet Phelps, PsyD
It is time to be thankful. We all may be missing something from the impact of the COVID virus. Its effects...
Master gardener: Deep watering under the canopy
By Harriet Phelps
As in all things, 2020 this has been an unforgettable year for high heat and drought. The “non”soon did not produce any...
CPA: Comparing tax plans of presidential candidates
By Chris J. Scoggin, CPA
As of this writing, we are less than three weeks away from the presidential election. So, by the time you...
Realtor: Shortage of homes for sale strains supply of rentals
Everybody is talking about the seller’s market for real estate sales in Maricopa, but what happens to the local rental market at the same...