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Flu spreading in Arizona
Phoenix Flu Shots
Flu spreading in Arizona
It’s near the end of the flu season but flu has been spreading rapidly in Arizona in recent weeks.
Nearly one-third of the 1159 confirmed flu cases in the state were reported during the week of March 11-17. Flu has been reported in all but one of Arizona’s counties—La Paz County. The state Department of Health Services says flu is now “widespread.”
Flu peaked late this year, says DHS Director Will Humble, who says that the strains circulating in the state and the nation are the ones that the vaccine targets.
Flu vaccines are still available, and DHS has a page where you can get information about flu symptoms and risks. Most health insurance policies cover the shot, including Medicare and Medicaid (AHCCCS). In addition, many clinics offer the shot for as low as $20.
Last year, five children in Arizona died from flu.
A guide to the legal challenges to Obamacare
Supreme Court Building
A guide to the legal challenges to Obamacare
The Supreme Court will hear three days of challenges to and defense of the Affordable Care Act this week. Unlike most cases, which take up all of 90 minutes to argue, the Court is giving three full days to hear four different challenges to the law.
Monday’s arguments center around whether this is even the right time to hear challenges to the entire law because one major challenge is over a penalty that has not yet taken place.
The Affordable Care Act requires almost all people to be insured, either through work or through private individual policies beginning in 2014. (This is the individual mandate that gets most of the attention.) Those who do not do so will pay a penalty beginning in 2015, which amounts to a tax. An old Federal law does not allow a challenge to a tax’s constitutionality until someone has actually paid it.
So the question here is, can the Court even rule on any challenge to the law before someone claims to be hurt by it?
Both the Obama Administration and the states and individuals challenging the law have agreed that the Court can rule on whether the law is constitutional. But the appointed a third group of attorneys to take “No” side of this—that it’s too soon for the Court to make any ruling on the Affordable Care Act.
Tuesday, the Court will hear a more central argument: can the government require the individual mandate for people to obtain health insurance?
The Obama Administration says that requiring almost everyone to get insurance coverage is central to the entire law. It argues that the current public/private healthcare system can only work when everyone can get health insurance. Without the individual mandate, the system will only become more expensive, cover fewer people, and leave more people without access to healthcare.
Opponents say that the government can’t require citizens to purchase anything regardless of how useful it may be. A lower Federal appeals court has agreed with this challenge, but says the individual mandate can be separated from the rest of the law. However, two other Federal appeals courts have ruled the tax is constitutional.
The Obama Administration will probably argue that the government is making it as easy as possible for people to buy insurance through generous subsidies to low and middle-income people. By eliminating the widespread practice of denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, more people who want insurance will be able to get it as well, which will help control costs.
Wednesday’s schedule is split: morning arguments will be over whether knocking out the individual mandate cancels the entire law or just parts of it, and which parts would stay or go. The afternoon’s arguments will address whether states can be forced to expand Medicaid to cover more people, another important part of the law.
For the morning session, the Obama Administration will argue that striking out the individual mandate makes it impossible for insurance companies to comply with the full law, including covering people with pre-existing conditions. The only way to keep insurance and health costs down is to get as many people insured as possible.
Again, the challengers agree and say that without the individual mandate, none of the law can take effect. This includes other key item already in place–permitting young people to remain on their parents’ policies until age 26 and state-supported policies for people who have been uninsured for six months due to pre-existing conditions.
The afternoon session will feature arguments about expanding Medicaid, a voluntary program for low-income people that all states now participate in (Arizona was the last one to participate in Medicaid). The federal government pays for about two-thirds of Medicaid, and states contribute one-third of their own costs.
The federal government is proposing to greatly expand Medicaid to cover more low-income people, something many states used to do but have rolled back in recent years (including Arizona). The federal government would pay all Medicaid costs for the first ten years of the expansion. After that, states would pay ten percent of their own costs.
The question here is over the take-it-or-leave-it part of the law. States have to agree to the new Medicaid expansions or be forced out of Medicaid altogether, potentially leaving millions more without insurance. The states argue that this is coercing states to participate, an argument that several lower courts have rejected.
So far, four Federal courts have heard and ruled on specific aspects of the law:
- The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional. It can be separated out from the rest of the law and leave other provisions in place discussed above. In addition, it ruled that the Medicaid expansion is legal.
- The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA ruled that the penalty cannot be reviewed until 2015.
- The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the individual mandate is constitutional.
It will be a very interesting week for people on both sides of the issue. Stay tuned for more coverage!
Summer is almost here…
It looks like our five months of combined Fall/Winter/Spring is soon coming to a close. That just means one thing to residents of the Valley of the Sun… Summer is soon coming, and with it the yearly process of each of us feeling like a cake slowly baking in a very large oven. Luckily summer means more than just an excuse to see if you can really fry eggs on the sidewalk, it also means late night BBQ’s with friends, hours in swimming pools and the population with the deepest tan’s this side of San Diego.
While you are swimming in your pool, working on that tan and getting ready to bite into a juicy burger we would like to remind you to not forget a very important element of summer.
Caring for your car…
If it’s hot for you in summer just imagine what it’s like for your car! Pavement temps in Arizona can reach over 150 degrees and 200 degrees can be hit under the hood of a running vehicle! When things get that hot it’s vital that your car has the proper fluids, belts, battery and hoses.
Below is a short list of maintenance items that Phoenix.org recommends getting checked prior to those blistering days just around the corner.
Air Conditioner:
- Check for proper function, air flow and fan operation
- Check for proper outlet temperature and refrigerant pressure
- Check for proper belt tension and condition
- Check engine condenser cooling fans
- Check condenser air flow and restrictions
- Check air filter
The air conditioning is the single greatest invention since the days of ridding on horses and in buggy’s. Its wasn’t a lawless spirit that made the west wild, it was that fact that nobody had yet found a way to cool down and in desperation they decided to start shooting each other. If you don’t believe me why don’t you try falling asleep on a windless night when the air temperature is 98 degrees. Yes, bullets were seen as a viable alternative. It was the air conditioning that fixed all these things, ushering us into the modern age and an era of prosperity. But next time you are cruising through town with your air conditioning blowing cold make sure that you haven’t forgotten your engine; it needs to stay cool as well. If it doesn’t it just might start shooting too…
Engine Cooling System Checks:
- Check coolant level and condition
- Check pressure cap
- Check belts and hoses
- Inspect for leaks
- Check for proper fan function
While the AC and engine cooling systems might be the most often thought about while summer sneaks up behind us, it’s crucial that you also take a moment and check your tires and battery. The ground in Arizona is so hot that it actually heats up the air inside your tires, which causes the air to expand, which adds additional wear and tear on the tire that places like Bangor, Maine just don’t have to deal with. To minimize the chances of a blow out we recommend you check your tread depth occasionally, it’s also a good idea to rotate your tires.
The average life span for a car battery in Arizona is 22 months. Regardless of the length of warranty on your battery, if it has been in your Arizona based car for more than 22 months you are living on borrowed time. Most car battery failures in the Phoenix area happen without warning. You don’t get the slow cranking or dim lights that cold weather states get (you also don’t get the -30 wind chills that cold weather states get, so stop whining about your battery). This means the only way to know the condition of your battery is to get it tested. If your battery is over 22 months old then you should consider having it tested next time your car is in the shop for routine maintenance.
Well here it is. Our advice to you on how to prepare your vehicle for what is certain to be another summer that is really, really hot.
If you have a heart go ahead and send this article to all your friends with cars, unless you want their AC breaking down this summer, and we all know what happens when the world has no AC.
Good luck…
This article is brought to you by “The Auto Shop”. The Auto Shop has been caring for cars since they opened in 1979. They can provide any vehicle repair, maintenance or check up service that you need. You can even print out their $25 off any Phoenix car service coupon! Quick! Print it, your car begs you.
Local Photographer and Storm Chaser Captures Time Lapse of Recent Phoenix Dust Storm caught on July 4th, 2011
Scott Wood, a local Phoenix photographer and storm chaser has captured a time lapse video of the recent Phoenix area dust storm. The 23 second clip is amazing. To view it click on the image below, it will take you to the video on his website, ScottWoodPhotography.com.
Thanks Scott!
Click on the image below to view the storm
Phoenix dust storm Time Lapse Video Scott Wood Photography
Mother’s Day at the Phoenix Children’s Museum May 2011
Image Source
Looking for something to do on Mother’s Day in Phoenix this year? If you have young children then consider taking them to the Phoenix Children’s Museum. On Mother’s Day the Phoenix Children’s Museum is offering free admission for mothers of young children (Grandparents will have to wait until “Grandparent Day” later this year for free admission).
Take the family and the mom is free. Your kids will love all the activities and special exhibits. Among the special Mother’s Day activities will be the children making mosaics for their mothers as well as using the art studio for other mother centered creations.
Children and adults are just $9 per person and children under 1 are free.
For more information visit their website at ChildrensMuseumOfPhoenix.org.
Five of my favorite things about Phoenix
Five of my favorite things about Phoenix
While planning the trip for our family camping excursion at the Grand Canyon, I finally convinced my spouse to spend a couple of days in Phoenix. We reside in Houston and my husband used to be in the Phoenix plumbing business years ago, and wasn’t too thrilled at the idea of going back for a vacation, you know, sometimes it’s hard to vacation in a place that you previously lived. However, I am usually able to get my way with him!
Knowing that tent camping for several days was in our future, we splurged and got a room at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. Again, my spouse was resistant, as we typically go for B&Bs, but the North Mountain Recreation Area neighboring the hotel sold him. Our teenaged son was wild about the pool area with forty-foot waterfalls and a 130-foot water slide. The Tocaloma Spa at the resort is spectacular and I spent an afternoon there being pampered while the guys hiked and swam.
We are a scouting family and enjoy nature and educational activities, and the Desert Botanical Garden was a treat. Exhibits contained informative plaques that explained the properties and habitats of desert plants and discussed the ways that indigenous people around the world utilize these plants as medicinal treatments. The staff was knowledgeable and they were eager to answer our questions about the herbs and peoples of the area.
In Echo Canyon Recreation Area, my husband (who recently hiked Pikes Peak), was ecstatic about the easy access to Camelback Mountain, and insisted that we conquer Phoenix’s highest peak. The Summit Trail that leads to the top is only 1.2 miles and ascends only 1200 feet, but don’t be fooled: this is one tough hike. The trek is strenuous and extremely steep in most places. I was amazed by the views but more amazed by the number of people easily running up this mountain. Some of these extremely athletic people had babies in tow while others had dogs (or both). Do this activity early, as it gets beyond hot in summer. Make certain to use sunscreen, bring water, and wear shades or a hat.
The Heard Museum was, by far, my personal favorite highlight of Phoenix. They have the most extensive Native American collection I could imagine would exist in one place. Each Arizona tribe has its own section dedicated to displaying their arts, artifacts, and preserving their cultural traditions. This setup allowed for in-depth learning while offering the visual benefits of the extensive collections of art and clothing to enhance the experience.
Our final favorite experience was a grand slam final activity before departing Phoenix. The guys were more than obliged to spend the afternoon at the Castles & Coasters amusement park after purchasing one of their day passes. They were impressed with the double loop roller coaster and swore that there were “a thousand games in there”. Both of them came out of the park looking and laughing like ten year olds loaded on cotton candy. I took my day pass of sorts across the parking lot to the Metrocenter and bargain hunted while they played.
Needless to say, we’ll be coming back to Phoenix very soon!
Author: Lucy C. from Houston, TX
Mesa Charter School: Excel Preparatory Academy
Excel Preparatory Academy
Excel Preparatory Academy will offer college and career and career prep curriculum by the John Hopkins University beginning August 2011
MESA, ARIZONA – Excel Preparatory Academy (EPA) is a tuition free, public charter high school located in the Mesa, Arizona area. The school is scheduled to open in August 2011 and will provide quality education to 100 freshmen and 100 10th graders in the first year.
Excel Prep (www.excelprep.org) is a state approved charter school that is aimed at creating a high-achieving 9 – 12 high school that will be made available to students in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The school’s innovative school model comes an experienced educational leader – John Hopkins University.
The school will feature,
A powerful college and career prep curriculum
Small class sizes
Personalized education
Academic learning expeditions
A small learning environment
High expectations of students
A results-oriented atmosphere
Dual enrollment
Competitive enrollment
Dedicated faculty and staff
The school is established by a team of dedicated educators, and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Realistic understanding and knowledge ignited the aspiration for the team of educators to provide over and above their own expectations, extending an opportunity to ready as many students as feasible for what lies ahead, be it plans for college or a career.
“Our inspiration stems from our work in charter and district schools. The need was so great and our part was too small to reach all of the students that needed a chance at a good education,” commented one team member. “We want to extend a chance and prepare as many students as possible for the future.”
Next fall, 200 new students will relish in a tuition-free school they can call their own. Besides regular educational needs, students also benefit from additional activities and support including career academies, electives, student clubs, and sports-oriented activities.
Excel Prep is FREE to attend and open to all students in the Phoenix metro area. Excel Preparatory Academy offers a small school environment dedicated to academic excellence. We are located at 6659 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85205
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About Excel Preparatory Academy:
Excel Preparatory Academy is a nonprofit organization providing rigorous college and vocational access Preparatory program to 9th – 12th graders in the Phoenix Metro Area. Excel Preparatory Academy will be structured an experienced educational organization, to work with the nation’s high schools to deliver high standards academics to the right students at the right time.
Excel Preparatory Academy will be located at 6659 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85205 and will begin providing quality, educational classes to the first 200 students in August 2011.
Contact
For more information, please contact Excel Prep at 480-648.9566 or info@excelprep.org
Fuego Bistro 50% off discount, up to $100 in value!
Sample Fuego Bistro Discount Card
Fuego Bistro and Phoenix.org have teamed up to offer residents of the Valley of the Sun with a 50% discount at Fuego Bistro’s wonderful eatery. If you have not eaten at Fuego Bistro then you are missing out. Their Latin fare will rock your mouth and send you into a state of perfection that one rarely experiences. From their signature empanadas served with homemade BBQ sauce to the mouthwatering Green Chilli Cheese Burger made with real Angus beef, Fuego Bistro is a great place for a date with your special someone or just a great local to hang out with the friends.
The deal that Phoenix.org is offering you is good for a 50% discount on your complete dinner order (up to a $100 value and excluding alcohol). To make sure that you experience as much as Fuego Bistro as possible the discount is broken up into 5 different uses. This means that you can visit Fuego Bistro, order $40 worth of food and only pay $20 for it and you can do this five different times! Lets see, that means you can try the Angus Grilled New York Strip Steak, then the Jumbo Sauteed Prawns followed by Pan Seared Blackened Ahi Tuna and then possibly the Natural Farmed Chicken Breast… the combinations and choices go on and on!
OK, so what is this $100 value going to cost…
Easy, just $9.99!
Yep, you read that right. For just $9.99 you can save up to $100 eating at Fuego Bistro, one of the tastiest restaurants in Phoenix and it is all brought to you by Phoenix.org.
- Fuego Bistro
- 713 E. Palo Verde Drive
- Phoenix, AZ 85014
- 602-277-1151
Still not sure if Fuego Bistro is the kind of food for you? Then take a minute and read some of the overwhelmingly positive reviews all over the internet.
Fuego Bistro AZCentral.com Reviews
Fuego Bistro Urban Spoon Reviews
You can purchase the discount card via paypal using the “Buy Now” link below. Because the discount card is a professionally made physical card and not simply a printable page it is necessary that you provide us with your address so we can mail it to you. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of payment.
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New Soleri Footbridge Dedicated at Scottsdale Waterfront
Soleri Bridge
New Soleri Footbridge Dedicated at Scottsdale Waterfront
By: Trevor Freeman
Scottsdale, Arizona recently celebrated the completion of one of the most ambitious public art projects in the city’s history. On Saturday, December 11th, 2010, the new Soleri Footbridge was officially dedicated in Old Town Scottsdale.
The $3.5 million dollar bridge spans the Arizona Canal near Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road in an area known as “The Waterfront.” It is the first of architect Paolo Soleri’s bridges to be completed.
The bridge is 24 feet wide at the south end and 18 feet wide at the north end. It features clean, modern lines that hang low over the water’s surface. The bridge’s basic function is to allow pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders to cross the canal safely. However, the bridge also incorporates several features which are appropriate to its desert location including a built-in solar calendar and a gathering plaza with a cast bronze windbell.
The main support for the bridge comes from a pair of 64 foot-tall columns which stand at a near-vertical 80-degree angle. When the sun reaches its highest point of the day (solar noon), its light will shine through a six-inch gap between the supports on to the deck of the bridge. The Soleri Footbridge is proof that art can be both functional and beautiful at the same time.
Paolo Soleri is an architect who is known around the world for his unique style of “arcology,” a term he coined which combines architecture and ecology. Soleri is also the founder of the Cosanti Foundation, a non-profit educational group that oversees Cosanti in Scottsdale and Arcosanti in Mayer, Arizona (approximately 75 miles north of Phoenix).
Both of these facilities aim to promote Soleri’s vision of architecture that is conscious of its environment. They are also functioning studios and galleries where artisans work in bronze casting, ceramics, and earth-formed structures. We would like to congratulate Mr. Soleri and the City of Scottsdale on their tremendous achievements!
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Trevor Freeman is a resident of the Phoenix valley and a contributing author to Phoenix.org. He also maintains his own local blog at NorthPhoenixBlog.Blogspot.com.
If you would like to contribute an article to Phoenix.org then please contact our editor at Troy@Phoenix.org.
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