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...
What a tuition-free college would actually look like
Some politicians promise to deliver a free college education – actually it is a tuition-free public college education.
Notice it is a college education not...
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...
How will apartments impact Maricopa’s real estate market?
All housing studies completed in Maricopa have shown the need for multi-family housing, mostly known as apartments. The City’s goal is to have 5,000...
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...
Brandenburg: Long COVID may result from autoantibodies
BY AL BRANDENBURG
An increasing number of COVID-19 survivors are experiencing symptoms weeks or months after the infection has cleared in what is known informally...
Watering with a purpose
I grew up in the Midwest and our biggest concern was whether March would come in like a lion or a lamb according to...
Brandenburg: Are your end-of-life affairs in order?
We’re not getting any younger. So, you may want to make end-of-life decisions to protect your loved ones. This might not be the most upbeat...
Some of these special days will leave you in a daze
Just think about it: the opportunity to celebrate National Maricopa is a Great Place to Live Day.
Don’t laugh. You could make it a reality....
Smith: Dealing with uncertainty, leave them laughing!
Back when I was hiring employees, I would always add a couple of extra desired skills to the job description— the ability to deal...
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...
Balance physical, mental well-being in order to live a safe and secure life
Headlines today are deeply troubling and alarming. After I read about a 6-year-old taking a weapon to class and shooting his teacher, a young...
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...
Koczor: Staying active key to good health as we age
By Joan Koczor
As we age, there is a greater emphasis on fitness to maintain health, independence and functionality.
Physical activity on a daily basis is...
Algebra a tough equation to solve
Algebra (specifically, high school algebra) truly is a gatekeeper to a student’s future.
Non-technical college degrees generally require completing a college algebra course, which might...
Recognizing the crucial contributions of women, today and always
The theme of National Women’s History Month, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during...
Master Gardeners plant seeds with advice, expertise
Many newcomers and inexperienced gardeners in Arizona need advice to successfully grow flowers and vegetables in our desert climate and soil conditions.
Often, that expertise...
Maricopa seniors should be prepared for disasters to augment city plans
While images of hurricanes and wildfire destruction have been in recent news coverage, homeowners, renters and business owners can ill afford to ignore other...
Master gardener: Purslane packs a nutritious punch
I love plants. They helped save my life in their own special and unique way. They have also introduced me to some of the...
Senior Living: Time to downsize, de-clutter
Some of us are reaching that stage of our life when we are considering downsizing. Some are looking forward to removing the clutter and...
Brandenburg: Post-COVID era may present challenges for seniors
Life after the COVID-19 pan-demic is becoming increasingly evident.
New cases as well as hospitalizations and deaths are on the decline. Mask mandates have ended.
Still,...
Memory Café offered by Pinal-Gila Council for Seniors
A recent article by Ginger Fligger with Pinal-Gila Council for Seniors states 173,000 people in Arizona will live with Alzheimer’s or another condition that...
The Roselle: A tropical plant that’s found a new home in Maricopa
By Amanda Rice
Hibiscus sabdariffa or roselle, is known by a number of names across the world, including Jamaican sorrel, Flor da Jamaica, Florida cranberry,...
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...
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...
Chief: Community valued partner on police beat
It has been a few months since my last column on how the Maricopa Police Department is policing your community.
In that column, I discussed...
Master gardener: Keep poinsettias bloomin’ and beautiful through holidays
Poinsettias are one of the most symbolic plants of the holiday season.
So popular, they account for about one-quarter of all flowering potted plant sales.
With...
Koczor: Nonprofit offers variety of services to seniors
The nonprofit Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens was incorporated in 1974 and designated an Area Agency on Aging. It is part of a national...
Coping with stressful news: Keep things in perspective
Today’s news reports have been less than encouraging for exiting a globally traumatic event, such as the COVID crisis, to cope with. While feelings...
Expert: 12 tips to de-stress from parenthood pressures
The balance of work and home life may sometimes feel like being on a merry-go-round with no way off. We need to be reminded...