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"Merle is part of Hospice of the Valley’s College Partners Program, an innovative collaboration with Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona State University and other schools to provide socialization to people living with dementia and a much-needed break to family caregivers."

The Have a Plant Movement brings us this month-long celebration not only highlighting the importance of consuming a diverse array of produce for optimal health but also serving as a reminder of the simple and enjoyable ways we can incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our meals.

When it is safe to be outdoors, hydrate adequately, wear sun protection, and choose the right time and place for your outdoor activities. Pre-hydrate before your adventure, and bring about 1 to 2 liters per hour per person when active in the heat. 

You have to understand that when I watched my first Olympics, there was no internet. The Games happened in a distant land and on the weekends Jim McKay would show recorded snippets of The Thrill of Victory and The Agony of Defeat that didn’t reach our small town paper and I, a total sports junkie with her sights set on being a sportswriter, would watch with bated breath until the buzzer. Back then, we lived with the concept of Waiting To Know Things because we had no other choice. 

On Nov. 5, our community will have the opportunity to exercise its civic responsibility by considering an override renewal ballot measure for the Queen Creek Unified School District. This critical election will have a significant impact on all schools and faculty, shaping the resources and support available to our students and staff.

The education sector has faced intense competition for talented educators and a scarcity of qualified candidates in recent years. Despite these challenges, QCUSD has excelled by implementing innovative recruitment strategies, fostering a positive and supportive culture that attracts top educators, and ensuring effective retention practices.

As the superintendent of J.O. Combs Unified School District, I recognize that sensational headlines and social media posts can sometimes create a skewed perception. However, the reality is that our schools are vibrant, supportive communities where the focus is always on our students' success.

Dogs use more energy to cool down, which reduces the amount of glucose available during training (a critical chemical for learning as well as cooling down). Dogs should not be worked outside when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, and the humidity exceeds 15%. They simply cannot adequately cool down, which inhibits their ability to learn and increases their overall stress.

Drowning is a sudden and tragic event that affects too many families each year. In Arizona, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years old, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury for children ages 5 to 14 years old.

Once a loved one has passed, families have traditionally chosen between burial and cremation, but now options have expanded. If families do choose a traditional funeral, they’re making it as unique as the person it honors.