Columns

What is mathematics? To many readers of this column, it is subject matter you must learn in school with a series of rules and methods...

In the early to mid 1960s, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease. To heighten awareness, the first American...

When considering safety factors to adapt your home as you grow older, look for good visibility, excellent lighting, accessibility and no trip hazards. Be...

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,...

Aging is inevitable. Like other transitions in life, changes can be physical, psychosocial and mental. Understanding the differences between those changes can assist in...

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...

The effects of the pandemic continue to negatively affect learning in our public schools, and recent reports indicate the nature of the problem is...

Most everyone knows what an athletic coach does, yet many are ignorant about the duties of an academic coach. By next school year, all Maricopa...

The word “elementary” has two seemingly conflicting definitions. For some, elementary means basic or simple as when Sherlock Holmes said, “Elementary, my dear Watson.”...

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...

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...

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...

Fine arts are a funny thing. They’re often the first on the chopping block where funding is concerned, yet the movie you just watched...

What is community engagement? For some it is civic engagement, or active participation in your community, perhaps voting, volunteering or joining organizations. According to Thomas...

Readers of this column may remember a primary academic goal in elementary school was learning the three R's – Readin’, Ritin’ and Rithmetic. Today, a fourth R is required: Responsibility. Several educators...

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,...

While images of hurricanes and wildfire destruction have been in recent news coverage, homeowners, renters and business owners can ill afford to ignore other...

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...

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...

The gift of time is very real. Life expectancy has increased dramatically because people are in much better overall health than prior generations. In...

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s an ideal time to start planning for the festivities. Enjoying the holiday cheer will help maintain...

By Al Brandenburg Our heart is the hardest-working muscle in our body, and heart disease is a leading cause of death. So, it’s important to...

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...

Every great tragedy leaves its mark. WWII. The Great Depression followed the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted 10 years. The attack on...

Robocalls, those prerecorded, unsolicited annoyances that are becoming all-too-frequent in many households, have reached epic proportions. They are the largest source of consumer complaints...

Getting others to understand our needs and ideas can be complex. The desired outcome is understanding, but how do we get there? What is...

Perhaps you’ve had the same experience: onion bulbs from the big box stores that never develop into the big, dry ones like you buy...

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...

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...

French marigolds (Tagetes patula) have been a garden staple for decades because they’re easy to grow and add a splash of color to any...