1. It’s Cold Outside And The Indoor Air Is Not So Fresh. Indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor aair, and since the EPA estimates that people spend 90% of their time indoors, this is a big deal. Poor indoor air quality can threaten your family’s health, so it is important to keeps pollutants out and ensure that you home is well ventilated.
The three deadly pollutants inside the home include: Carbon Monoxide: 400 die and thou Carbon Monoxide: 400 die and thousands are sickened annually Second Hand Smoke: 7, Second Hand Smoke: 7,500 to 15,000 chidren are hospitalized or sickened with respiratory tract infections, and smoke puts older adults with cardiovascular or lung illness at higher risk for health problems. Radon gas: It is silent, odorless and found in many American homes, rising from the granite rock Radon gas: It is silent, odorless and found in many American homes, rising from the granite rock beneath your home, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoke.
Don’t let anyone smoke indoors or near an open door. There is no safe level of inhaling second hand Don’t let anyone smoke indoors or near an open door. There is no safe level of inhaling second hand smoke.
Install Carbon Monoxide dectors. Poisoning from carbon monoxide claims the lives of over 400 people each year. Never idle your car in the garage. Gas burning engions give offdangerous levels of toxins. Just Gas burning engions give offdangerous levels of toxins. Just don’t do it.
Radon: Test your home for radon which Radon: Test your home for radon which is an odorless, invisible gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock and can only be determined through testing.
If you are going to paint an interior room, use zero-VOC paint (volitile organic compounds) that can include high;y toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
Fix leaks in your roof. Dampness can produce mold and mold produces micotoxins which can seriously affect your health.
Change your heating/air conditioning filters.
Vacuum up after your cat and dog. Cat danger goes everywhere. Dog dander and saliva can result in Vacuum up after your cat and dog. Cat danger goes everywhere. Dog dander and saliva can result in different allergenic responses. and more. different allergenic responses. and more. Source:http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/g2120/indoor-air-quality47020101/?slide=13
2. Holiday Conversation Starter: Christmas Trees: Did you know that Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
3. Phoenix Technical Luncheon Program
December 8, 2015 11:30am – 1:00pm SRP Pera Club, Tempe, AZ
Topic: SROG: Sub-Regional Operating Group Presenter: John Masche, Civil Engineer, City of Phoenix Sponsors: PCL
You’ve probably heard of it…
But what is it? Or who is it? What does it do?
How does it work? And just what is SPEC? TAC? a JEPA?
The Sub-Regional Operating Group, or SROG, is a partnership between Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe to own and operate a regional wastewater system consisting of wastewater interceptors and a wastewater treatment plant.
This luncheon presentation will cover the history of this unique partnership, its current confi guration, how the partnership operates, how it is funded, what assets are owned by the partnership and how they are operated, and look at what the future may hold.
Information and Registration: http://www.azwater.org/events/event_details.asp?id=691551
Contact: Tracy Grunden, [email protected]
4. Educators Can Learn About Recycling – If you teach Grades 1-5 in the City of Tucson, sign up to schedule a free classroom presentation on recycling. If you’re a middle school teacher, the Talking Trash in Tucson curriculum is available for download at the link below. The goal of the instruction is to increase participation in recycling in Tucson (Do More Blue) and reduce contamination in the blue barrels. If you’d like more information on either program, please contact the Environmental Education Exchange’s
Outreach Education Coordinator at [email protected].
Schedule a classroom presentation/download materials: http://bit.ly/1MZAIIf
5. Wrap and Pack Packages During The Holidays With Recycled Materials. When preparing holiday gifts, package the gift with crumpled newspaper, left over bubble-wrap, blown up ballons, used styrofoam cups, corn-based packing peanuts, old clothing or one to two inch cut cardboard that is rolled up and taped to make a cardboard air cell.
When wrapping your presents, consider using old clothing, newspaper, old gift wrapping paper, or plain paper that you can draw and/or color designs on
6. How The Tradition Of The Christmas Tree Got Started. Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god and that winter came every year because the sun god had become sick and weak. They celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the sun god would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the sun god was strong and summer would return.
Early Romans marked the solstice with a feast called the Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fruitful. To mark the occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs. In Northern Europe the mysterious Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of everlasting life. The fierce Vikings in Scandinavia thought that evergreens were the special plant of the sun god, Balder.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches greens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.
It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy. of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.
In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
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By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
Canada
German settlers migrated to Canada from the United States in the 1700s. They brought with them many of the things associated with Christmas we cherish today—Advent calendars, gingerbread houses, cookies—and Christmas trees. When Queen Victoria’s German husband, Prince Albert, put up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1848, the Christmas tree became a tradition throughout England, the United States, and Canada.
Mexico
In most Mexican homes the principal holiday adornment is el Nacimiento (Nativity scene). However, a decorated Christmas tree may be incorporated in the Nacimiento or set up elsewhere in the home. As purchase of a natural pine represents a luxury commodity to most Mexican families, the typical arbolito (little tree) is often an artificial one, a bare branch cut from a copal tree (Bursera microphylla) or some type of shrub collected from the countryside.
Britain
The Norway spruce is the traditional species used to decorate homes in Britain. The Norway spruce was a native species in the British Isles before the last Ice Age, and was reintroduced here before the 1500s. native species in the British Isles before the last Ice Age, and was reintroduced here before the 1500s.
Guatemala
The Christmas tree has joined the “Nacimiento” (Nativity scene) as a popular ornament because of the large German population in Guatemala. Gifts are left under the tree on Christmas morning for the children. large German population in Guatemala. Gifts are left under the tree on Christmas morning for the children. Parents and adults do not exchange gifts until New Year’s Day. Parents and adults do not exchange gifts until New Year’s Day.
Brazil
Although Christmas falls during the summer in Brazil, sometimes pine trees are decorated with little pieces of cotton that represent falling snow. of cotton that represent falling snow.
Ireland
Christmas trees are bought anytime in December and decorated with colored lights, tinsel, and baubles. Some people favor the angel on top of the tree, others the star. The house is decorated with garlands, Some people favor the angel on top of the tree, others the star. The house is decorated with garlands, candles, holly, and ivy. Wreaths and mistletoe are hung on the door. candles, holly, and ivy. Wreaths and mistletoe are hung on the door.
Sweden
Most people buy Christmas trees well before Christmas Eve, but it’s not common to take the tree inside and decorate it until just a few days before. Evergreen trees are decorated with stars, sunbursts, and snow- and decorate it until just a few days before. Evergreen trees are decorated with stars, sunbursts, and snowfl akes made from straw. Other decorations include colorful wooden animals and straw centerpieces. flakes made from straw. Other decorations include colorful wooden animals and straw centerpieces.
Norway
Nowadays Norwegians often take a trip to the woods to select a Christmas tree, a trip that their grandfathers probably did not make. The Christmas tree was not introduced into Norway from Germany until the thers probably did not make. The Christmas tree was not introduced into Norway from Germany until the latter half of the 19th century. When Christmas Eve arrives, there is the decorating of the tree, usually done by the parents behind the closed doors of the living room, while the children wait with excitement outside. A Norwegian ritual known as “circling the Christmas tree” follows, where everyone joins hands to form a ring around the tree and then walk around it singing carols. Afterwards, gifts are distributed.
7. Climas: What’s Going On WIth Arizona’s Climate?
Precipitation: Over the past 30 days, much of Arizona and most of New Mexico recorded above-average precipitation, as a number Inch of storm systems brought moisture into the region. October rainfall was well above average across most of the southwestern U.S. November rainfall has been varied, with a mix of above and below-average precipitation.
Temperature: November has been cooler than average, been cooler than average, particularly in Arizona and most of New Mexico. These temperatures represent a stark change from October, which was warmer than average in both states. 2015 is set to rival 2014 as the warmest year on record, and we will watch to see whether early November reflects a short-term swing back towards ‘normal’ cooler winter tempertures, or whether the rest of 2015 will warm back up to make a run at
Snowpack & Water Supply: Early season snowfall has resulted in some impressive values on snow water equivalent (SWE) percent of average maps but also highlights the variability of early season snow coverage across the West. It remains to be seen whether forecasted increases to winter storm activity will occur in the Southwest, and the role that temperature will play in terms of how precipitation will fall (snow vs. rain) and how long snowfall will last before being lost to runoff or sublimation.
Drought: Drought conditions remain across much of Arizona and small portions of eastern New Mexico, but the above-average precipitation this fall and a near-average 2015 water year have helped scale back the intensity of drought characterizations across Arizona and New Mexico. If the current El Niño event brings above-average winter precipitation to the Southwest, it will further help temper the effects of years of drought.
Precipitation & Temperature Forecasts:
The Nov. 19 NOAA-Climate Prediction Center seasonal outlook predicts above-average precipitation for most of the Southwest this fall into winter, with progressively increasing chances of above-average precipitation to the south. Temperature forecasts are split, with elevated chances for above-average temperatures along the West Coast and extending to the western edge of Arizona.
Tropical Storm Activity: In the second half of October, two major hurricanes, Olaf and Patricia, formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean; Patricia escalated to a category 5 storm and made landfall in Mexico. As of Nov. 20, Rick is off the Pacific coast, and earlier models showed it had potential to push into the Southwest. The eastern Pacific tropical storm season has been very active, and the National Hurricane Center reported that accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) through the end of October was approximately 50 percent higher than the 1981–2010 median value. An above-average eastern Pacific tropical storm season was forecasted this year, with the strong El Niño event being a major component of that forecast.
Precipitation & Temperature Forecasts: The Nov. 19 NOAA-Climate Prediction Center seasonal outlook predicts above-average precipitation for most of the Southwest this fall into winter, with progressively increasing chances of above-average precipitation to the south. Temperature forecasts are split, with elevated chances for above-average temperatures along the West Coast and extending to the western edge of Arizona, and increased chances for below-average temperatures centered over Texas and extending across most of southeastern New Mexico.
Reservoirs
8. How WIll You Dispose Of Your Christmas Tree When The Holiday Is Over. Think about a green answer before you buy.
9. Holiday Conversation Starter: How many candy canes are sold in the U.S. each year? 15.2 million 513 million 47 milion 1.76 billion
