Daughter in Halloween picture by: Lisa Racz

Ahhhhh. It’s the time of the Goblins and for Witches to be dancing around the fires singing, “Double, double Toil and Trouble…….as their cauldron bubbles and ghostly figures fill the dark shadows of night!  Each year, the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve begins at nightfall on  October 31st  but, are you keeping it GREEN?? I don’t mean the slimy green or the green toad green. I’m talking environment-friendly GREEN.

You can have loads of fun on Halloween and be environmentally conscious as well. Don’t be a Vampire, sucking up unneccessary energy or Frankenstein stomping your carbon feet around! There are efficient Halloween lights, recycling ideas for costumes and green-friendly ways to decorate that reduces the use of energy which in turn uses less of our city power plants that disrupts our carbon foot print and keeps us more earth conscience.

There’s that old saying. “Waste not, want not.” That should be a moto for all who care about leaving less of a carbon print on this planet to live by!  

As decorations are put up do you consider energy-saving Halloween lights such as C6 LED Energy Saving Orange Indoor/Outdoor Halloween Lights? these are relatively inexpensive and last a little longer than the normal string of yellow and green Halloween lights. These can be purchased at your local home store such as, Home Depot or Lowes. You can also check out your super stores or your nearest pharmacy stores and check out the Halloween section or purchase on-line such as this site: http:///www.amazon.com/String-Forever-Bright-Outdoor-Halloween/dp/B001PL7XA8

Soy Candle By Lisa Racz

Want to create a little mystery or a scary ambiance? Then candle lighting is the thing. Halloween luminaries are a tradition anyways and they look good! You can lead your little goblins to your haunted door with a path of lit luminaries,using soy candles, of course. This give a cleaner burn and with Soy, there is no chemicals released into the atmosphere. If you don’t have rowdy pets, you can use your soy candles inside as well instead of using electricity and racking up that utility bill. Just be careful of your cats tales. I had a scary incident of my older cat swishing her tail too close to a candle and almost caught it on fire. I put a form of screening over my candles now. Lesson learned!

Home made Kimono costume Photo by: Lisa Racz

 and are you putting out decorations that you can reuse over the years to cut down on garbage that continues to pile up at your local dump. How about creating your Halloween costume? There are many re-sale stores that have a variety of costumes in good condition or create your own Halloween creation! Recycling clothing is just that. Recycling and we all want to participate in cutting down on waste. You can also make a costume. I have put together many costumes make from old bed skirts and sheets and a used wig that I sanitized with salt water, which is a natural sanitizer as salt eventually turns into natural bleach without harming your clothes but, that’s for another article.

Go out with re-usable bags for your Trick-or-Treat bag! You can paint those reusable grocery bags with food coloring to create a custom candy bag or buy burlap bagsat a craft store or even your local Home Depot or Lowes in the garden section. Now that’s a GREEN  idea! Burlap is sturdy, recyclable and you can paint it with eco-friendly non toxic paints. How do you paint those canvas bags? Read here. http://www.ehow.com/how_4792752_paint-canvas-bags.html

You have to do a litte homework to find some earth-friendly paints but, there’s plenty of options out there. You jus need to know what to look for.  

1. First look for earth-friendly paints that has few or no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.  Those are harsh chemicals that create harmful fumes  into the air that cause those  headaches that you get with conventional paints.
2. Second, get in the habit of using water-based paints.  Read the label and look for GREEN words such as, biodegradable  or phosphate-free and specifically VOC-free. 

Do Not Litter - Stop ”Werewolfing” around and quite littering the ground! For all you parents out there, including myself, we need to make sure our children know not to litter when their out Trick-or-Treeting and eating the candy they receive and to recycle their candy rappers  when they get home or throw them in the trash. I have no doubt that has already been told to them considering there is a law against littering and you can also receive a hefty fine of $500 per littering incident if someone makes a complaint. If the wind picks up, wrappers can be blown into the backyards or in nearby preserve lands and animals my=ight mistake the sweet-smelling wrappers as a tasty morsel, eat it and become sick or worse, choke and die. So, no littering please!

If you choose to follow a few earth-friendly tips such as these, you are on your way to having a green and clean Halloween! If you have a few green ideas of your own, please leave a comment and share your green Halloween ideas! Have a Happy and GREEN Halloween!!

“Make not your traditions a tradition of uncaring — One Earth, One Home.”

Sincerely.

Lisa Racz - Queen of Green

Your local Environment Writer

The Arizona Canal is a major canal in central Maricopa County that led to the founding of several communities. The canal is approximately 50 miles (80 km) long and  is the northernmost canal in the Salt River Project’s  131-mile  water distribution system.  It begins at Granite Reef Dam to northeast of Mesa and flows west across the Pima Indian Community to downtown Scottsdale;snakes through Phoenix’s Arcadia and Sunnyslope neighborhoods,  then to Glendale, and Peoria  before ending at New River near Arrowhead Town center. Whew!  That’s a lot of ground to cover!

The canal system provides water to neighborhood homes to water their yards once a month through irrigation systems, several water treatment plants and to  local  farm lands.In order for irrigation communities to receive water flow on their scheduled times with out interruption, an annual maintenance ritual takes place by SRP employee’s,  during the winter months, to keep the systems in good working order.

Besides the annual maintenance, done by SRP employees, a regular, everyday canal maintenance is done by a more eco-friendly friend, the White Amure fish, whose natural job is to control aquatic weed over-growth in the canals that may cause blockages. These fish are sustained with continual water flow for them during the winter maintenance ritual that closes the water flow to certain sections of the canal at a time.

 This name of this lovely fish arrises from its native area of living in the Amur River on the Siberia-China border.

The White Amure fish, also known as The Grass Carp, is farmed in China for food but was introduced in Europe and the U.S.  for environmental friendly aquatic weed control since the fish has a pretty wide range  in temperature tolerance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department provides special stock permits for these canal swimming White Amure because, these fish, eating in our canals are sterile.

The White Amur helps in controlling excessive aquatic vegetation, as shown in the picture above.  These fish are a very effective with biological control by consuming more than twice their body weight each day during their early growing years. Our useful friend also eliminates the need for humans to use chemical herbicides which can damage any underwater ecosystem.

For information on canal maintenance and when it begins in your area, call SRP 602-236-3333.

More related sites about the White Amure fish:

http://www.srpnet.com/environment/amur.aspx.    

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/1980-05-01/Weed-Eating-Fish.aspx

“All creatures have a wonderful purpose on this planet and the quicker we understand that, The more we will all live in harmony as a whole.” - Lisa Racz

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz - Queen of Green

There are many debates on the issue of protecting the global environment, but the issue that comes up in most conversations is climate changes or what is commonly known as global warming. Whether it is man-made, a natural occurance or both, there are effects within earth’s environment that comes with global warming.

With climate changes continually happening, environmental facts are to be considered when changing human habits and wildlife habitats. It is becoming more common for communities to be aware of the endless changing global environment to better prepare humans and wildlife for a better way of life on this planet.

There is much talk about how global warming is caused. There are some scientists and environmentalists who believe that it is strictly a natural process and there are those who have theories that man is the cause for the rise in the earth’s temperature. However, there are scientists who have gathered facts showing that global warming is man-made as well as a natural cycle. With all this to consider, what then are the facts on global warming?

Is global warming happening, creating constant changes in earth’s temperature as well as CO2 and oxygen levels within the earth’s atmosphere?

“Depends on how you describe global warming. Are temperatures rising? Yes. One simple reason is we have changed our environment by making cities, which causes hotter temperatures, but that’s not the main cause for global warming, per say. There’s no proof of that.” states Kurt Hill, Climatologist and division chair of Social Sciences at Paradise Valley Community College.

Many discussions have arisen as to what is causing the global climate variations and whether it is man-made, natural or is it both. Some experts believe global warming is happening and those men and nature have a role in its process. During this process of temperature changes, wildlife is affected in being forced to adapt to new ways of living.

“The planet is constantly in flux and a large part of Co2 emissions is created by volcanism. Man has a part in causing the heat blanket of Co2 with the burning of fossil fuels and cutting large portions of trees down, especially from rainforests. Your going to lose some species which will be replaced with a new evolved type of species by having to change to adapt to their new environment.” states John Douglass, professor of Geology at Paradise Valley Community College.

 There are theories as well as documented scientific facts as to how global warming will affect Earth’s climate changes by causing temperatures to be warmer and then cooler unexpectedly.

 “One natural possibility of causing global warming is the Sun which is displayed in the Malankovitch Theory. Documents and charts show that the more sun pots the sun has, the more heat is produced and the less sun spots that are present on the Sun, a quiet Sun, the less heat earth gets.” says Hill.

There have also been predictions by Environmentalists and some experts that within the next several years there will be a rapid change in our earth’s climate at the Poles, causing much change in natural ecosystems.

“Polar bears need ice, which is depleting due to the Suns rays. Glaciers have, in fact, been melting for many years, but the melting process has execrated.” says Douglass.

Many environmentalist and glacier scientist have brought to the public’s attention that ices from the North Pole and South Pole are melting yet, beliefs that the Poles themselves are melting hold variations with experts.

“The concept of the Poles melting is misinformation. There are two simple scientific facts. First, the ices that we see melting are ice jettisons and will not cause oceans to rise, because the ice is already in the water. The ice simply melts to water, taking up no more space than when it was ice. It’s like ice in your cup. Scientific groups are and have been taking temperature readings for at least 20 years and show that temperatures are actually getting colder at the Poles.” says Hill.

People have already began to realize that changes need to be made with the habits of humans lives by creating less trash, destroying less ecosystems, not polluting the air as well as prepare for planet changes that may occur in the future.

“It is a fallacy that the planet is always at a constant. Change is the only thing constant and the cycle is and will happen. Though the planet is not going to end any time soon, we should think and start acting locally about air pollutants to begin with.” states Douglass.                                                                

In today’s world, we have scientists, environmentalist and programs telling the public that we must act environmentally by using less fossil fuels, promote cleaner energy products, use less energy, conserve water use, stop methane blanketing now. All to make sure our earth is sustained for the future of humans and wildlife. Ideas and Philosophies vary between scientists as to whether humans should be actively preparing for some near future global change.

“Global warming is a “passe” so, we don’t need to rush out and do any immediate preparations. We just need to act responsibly from now on. Today we have Neomathusian’s that use a “Chicken Little” syndrome to scare the public into environmental panic and spend money. Where as scientists don’t need scare tactics in order to get the facts or theories across to the public.” says Hill.

The discussion of Co2 levels in the earth’s atmosphere is an ongoing debate whether we have too much or not and that we need to produce fewer amounts yet, plants need Co2 just as humans need oxygen to survive. The idea to release a chemical into the atmosphere to lessen Co2 levels is now a new topic.

 “When we have a rich leveled balance of Co2 in our atmosphere we have more greening. Without it we would have a “Snowball” earth so, we need some Co2 in the atmosphere for plants to survive and to prevent an Ice Age from happening.” states Douglass.

For more information on Global Warming contact Dr. Kurt Hill at kurt.hill@pvcmail.maricopa.edu. or Dr. John Douglass at john.douglass@pvcmail.maricopa.edu.

“We have ONE Earth – We live ONE life – We experience wildlife, nature and people on ONE planet – We only have ONE responsibility…… Global Caretakers”  by: Lisa Ra’cz

With sincerity,

Lisa Ra’cz

Your local environment writer

This year Easter falls on April 24, 2011 and with spring in the air; family events for Easter are popping up like bunnies. This year brings a variety of hopping Easter events around the valley that have plenty of activities for every family member to enjoy.

With the beautiful weather, spring surroundings and Easter in the air, families are on the move to celebrate the season and there are several ways to do so, such as a puppet show celebrating spring, an indoor Easter brunch then walk through the Zoo, an amusement park Easter celebration for the wild side within and a traditional annual Easter egg hunt event with a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

 The Great Arizona Puppet Theater

            The performance of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is a classic that can be enjoyed by the youngest to oldest family member. This is a tale originally told in a fable book by the writer, Beatrix Potter, which has been read to children in many households and is now being told through puppetry at one of Arizona’s last running puppet theaters, established in 1983.

            According to Natalia Ronceria Ceballos, office manager at The Great Arizona Puppet Theater, “The “Tale of Peter Rabbit” has been in our theaters repertoire for fifteen years as a  Spring and Easter celebration that was originally developed for hearing impaired children to enjoy.”

            Puppeteers are professional performers just as actors are and take their jobs very seriously for their audience. Each performer has had years of performing in the industry and/or has gone through theater schooling.

            “Our founder, Nancy Smith has a degree in theater management and our Puppeteers are long going performers with us, either with degrees in theater or have grown up in pupating,” states Ronceria Ceballos

            The performance will be showing for most of April, from the sixth through the twenty-fourth and with a special performance on the twenty-third, The National Day of Puppetry.

            “The day before Easter, performances are discounted to $5 for everyone and are shown every hour, on the hour with food and refreshments along with activities between performances followed by a finale of a puppet parade,” says Ronceria Ceballos.

            For information on pricing, Showtime’s and theater directions visit info@azpuppets.org or contact the theater at 602-262-2050.

The Phoenix Zoo’s Bunny Brunch

            Each year The Phoenix Zoo hosts an annual Easter Bunny Brunch, geared for the whole family. The Bunny Brunch will be held indoors at the Stone House Pavilion just inside the zoo, located at 455 N Galvan Parkway on Saturday, April 23, 2001 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

            According to Linda Hardwick, public relations coordinator for the Phoenix Zoo, “Each year we hold an indoor Easter brunch for families with a variety of breakfast foods such as: fresh fruits, breakfast meats, eggs and a variety of breads and toasts to be enjoyed from the menu

while children’s songs play as atmosphere music along with the Easter Bunny hopping around throughout the entire event just waiting for that photo opportunity.”

            Food and drink isn’t the only entertainment at the Bunny Brunch. Both children and adults have an opportunity to get up-close and personal with furry friends, all the children get their sweet tooth satisfied and everyone gets to stroll through the zoo for the day, if desired. 

            “At our Bunny Brunch, children will receive candy filled plastic Easter eggs then, after eating brunch, family members can get up-close with some of the Zoo’s bunnies and admission into the Bunny Brunch gets everyone into the  rest of the zoo for the day, says Hardwick.

            For more information on the Bunny Brunch at the Phoenix Zoo visit www.thephoenixzoo.com/bunnybrunch or call the Phoenix Zoo at 602-273-1341. You can also contact Linda Hardwick at 602-914-4363.

Enchanted Island Amusement Park egg hunt and Easter celebration

            Downtown Phoenix holds one of the oldest parks, Encanto Park and within that park, just off of Encanto Boulevard reveals a historical land mark; Enchanted Island. Easter is celebrated this year on April 24, 2011 and Enchanted Island is presenting their 10^th annual Easter egg hunt and festival, sponsored by Food City.

According to Sofia Castaneda, event coordinator for Enchanted Island, “This is an all day annual event with free Easter egg hunts every fifteen minutes in the morning, starting at 10:00 am through 12:15 pm with fun prizes free ride and food coupons inside the plastic eggs that can be used the same day while the rest of the activities and sightings of the Easter Bunny continue until 7:00 pm.”

The food is simple at this outdoor egg hunt event which includes such foods as hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, chicken nuggets, pretzels, etc. that is offered from the Snack Bar inside Enchanted Island.

            The rides at this event have various age restrictions and have a two ticket minimum per ride. The cost for each ticked besides the free coupons inside the plastic Easter eggs is $110 per ticket. There are several rides at this mini amusement park such as, Red Barron plane ride, the Dragon, a mild rollercoaster, bumper boats, the Rock and Roll, the traditional Carousel ride and Train that goes through the park.

“Grown-ups can also get into the amusement fun, because they too can ride some of the rides such as the train ride, the Carousel and the Rock and Roll rides,” states  Castaneda

For more information on Enchanted Island amusement park visit info@enchantedisland.com. For information on the Easter egg hunt event call 602-254-1200

The Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt presents their 35^th year in Peoria

            This year’s Easter event is in its’ thirty fifth year of hosting the largest Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 23, 2011 with the gate opening at  8:00 a.m. to noon at the Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83^rd Ave just south of Bell Rd. Parking and admission is free with a donation of canned food to benefit St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank Alliance.

According to Kelli Kincaid-Broady, recreation coordinator for the City of Peoria, “Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny will be present throughout the day for pictures with kids and to start the hunts that will start 8:20 am, each for about a half an hour and will continue until 10:40 am with the family scavenger hunt taking place from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.”

Food and beverage can be purchased from one of the several concession tents at this outdoor event including a special $5 kids’ meal of a hot dog, a small soda and your choice of chips for those family members 12 years old and under and there will be plenty of activities to keep the children occupied.

“Cottontail Lane will be open for kids to participate in carnival games and participate in fun art &   craft activities. Kids can also watch a great puppet show, visit animals at the petting zoo, take a train ride, and jump on the inflatable’s,” says Kincaid-Broady.

For more information on the events at the Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter egg hunt contact Kelli Kincaid-Broady at 623-7737137 or e-mail Kelli.Kincaid-Broady@peoriaaz.gov. To find more Easter events to participate in this year visit www.phoenix,about.com/events/easter.

“A Spring celebration with family is always priceless and memorable. Make this Easter celebration a close connection with family and friends”

With sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Your local Environment and travel writer

Photo by Lisa Racz

The sweet smell of rain showers that fill the air this Spring along with the sound of rolling thunder, brings forth all sleeping seeds waiting to burst into germination. The spring rain showers have awoken wild flowers among the many natural settings around the Valley attracting the public to view their glory and splendor.

The transformation of Arizona’s natural desert landscapes from cold dirt and barren plants into the lush desert with bountiful color is as if Arizona’s desert took one of Monet’s paintings and brought it to life.

According to Scott Hunt, phoenix district forester of 30 years with The Arizona State Forresting Division, “A cycle of above average rain fall happens approximately every 7 years which springs up the dormant annual plants and flowers in the preserves creating a carpet of green throughout the preserves.”

The Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens is one stop to visit for a bouquet of wonderfully color filled flower gardens along casual gravel paths where there are displays of Arizona wildflowers from the vibrant golden-yellow California Wild Poppies and purple flowering desert clover to the multi colored blooming barrel cactus.

If a more natural floral setting is what your looking for, the near by preserves have the tranquility of flora and fauna at its best. The nature paths lead you through the landscape with amazement and awe in the bouquet of sweet smells and sight of splashing, dancing wildflowers in the desert breeze. 

Driving south to North Mountain from Thunderbird road, you already notice the vibrant butter scotch desert poppies on the east facing side of the mountain opening for the suns warmth and all who pass by driving on 7^th street. This natural park preserve holds the trophy on its surrounding pathways for the most populated flowing sea of California Wild Poppies along with thick patches of purple flowering verbena, and Brittlebush with large yellow daisy looking flowers.                                                                                                     

The trails within Piwestua Mountain preserve holds a secret of abundant multi colored flowers along her trails. Blue, yellow, purple, white! All around you, just off the green filled path of trail 304; the quiet trail of 8B holds a color for everyone.

Looking closely at the ground covering you notice the tiny white flowers, the Pterocarya Recurvata or what some call, “desert baby’s breath”.

According to Angela Elliot, Arizona wild flower curator with the Desert Botanical Gardens, “This flower is hardly mentioned or put in articles because it’s not as showy as the larger colorful flowers yet, look closely at its small white petals and together they form a white blanket on the mountains.”

The flower is little smaller than the eraser on a pencil yet, together in mass they form what looks like a sea of mist in the evening sun. So, you need to catch them after the sun has charmed them to open each delicate petal.

“This delicate flowering ground cover will live a short life from mid March to the beginning of April and can lay dormant for Centuries depending on the rainfall so, It’s rare that people get to enjoy them this Spring.” Angela says.

Along with the tiny delicate flowers you notice the abundant violet colored Lupine flowers, like a hue of purple light hitting in spots.

The color diversity of flowers go on to Dreamy Draw Park just east of the 51 freeway on Northern which runs straight into the preserve park. Here you will enjoy either dirt natural paths or the paved path. Both take you into the color filled preserve landscape where banana yellow flowering Brittlebush is in abundance along side the path-ways with vibrant indigo blue lupines mixed within.

Dreamy Draw Park is the favorite place for the blooming Ocotillo Cactus. The tips of each of the cactus’s long thin strands burst in a flame of scarlet red flute like flowers raising its color above all the other flowers.

Amongst your floral journey of colorful eye sweets, fluttering butterflies also show off their rainbow of colors for the all to admire. You can also close your eyes to hear more closely, the faint humming of bees greeting each of Mother Nature’s brilliantly colored mater pieces. Enjoy your walk in your adventure of Arizona’s wildflowers.

For further information on Arizona’s vegetation and Spring wildflowers, contact Angelica Elliott, Curator of Arizona Wild Flowers at 480-481-8171. For information on Arizona’s natural vegetation contact Scott Hunt, Arizona State Forresting Division at, 602-542-2119 or 602-495-5540 for The North Mountain Visitors Center.

“Enjoy the fruits of nature as nature intended for all life to enjoy”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Arizona’s Environment Editor/Writer

House Cat /Picture by: Lisa Racz

Those of you who have cats know how important it is to not have your home smell like urine. So, it’s is a constant trip to the store to buy cat litter that keeps the house free from smells and isn’t going to break the bank along with keeping that sweet little feline happy with a suitable type of litter, not harmful to the environment.

Now days, most households have more than one cat as well as other pets. Some houses, such as mine, are E3 homes. These are listed intake homes that take in strays, abandoned, and un-adoptable animals that have nowhere else to go except for the few foster homes, when there’s room.

What ever type of home a cat claims as its’ home, it is important to have a litter to withstand the smell of cat waste and be as convenient to the homeowner as possible and of course, be environmentally friendly. So, when I came across a cat litter that claimed to be 100 % natural, made from natural corn kernels and was flushable, you bet I took it home and tested it out.

Cat litter made from natural corn/ picture by: Lisa Racz

The use of “World’s Best” cat litter in my zoo of a house, proved to be exactly that. I believe it to be the best litter I have ever used for the twelve, (yes I said 12) cats I have in my care. I have tested the litter for a month and a half and I have no smell, my piping is not clogged from flushing the clumped waste and the litter lasts longer so, I use less litter than I have ever done in the past.

I am not, in any way, an employee of the “World’s Best” cat litter company nor do I have any relatives or friends employed by that company. As an environment writer, I feel it necessary to write on a subject or product that truly holds to its name as an environmental asset. And that’s what this article is, nothing else. You can get this litter at most grocery stores, Target, and your local pet store.

This litter has made everyone in my house much happier and cats tend not to urinate elsewhere if the litter box is clean and the litter is good. A lot of litters are not made of natural ingredients and may have toxins. Remember, your cat constantly cleans their paws and will not use litter boxes that have toxins in the litter. Where do you think your cats paws are when they use their litter boxes? If it’s all natural, your cat will not be poisoned or become ill. Please read the label on your cat litter. If it doesn’t say 100 % natural, their might be toxins in that litter. There is enough pollutants in the earth, we don’t need to add any more.

Also, there is no harmful silica dust in this litter, like in most clay litters have that can be breathed in and no coloring. This is completely natural with out any form of toxins in case of ingestion by a pet or child.

For information on “World’s Best” cat litter visit www.worldsbestcatlitter.com or call 1-877-367-9225.

If you have any comment or opinion on this article, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

“An environment not livable, holds no life.”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

For the environment

Environment and Travel Writer

First lets learn a little lesson on the sweet little, err I ment the predicting plump little groundhog.

Groundhogs are usually large ground squirrels that are referred to as Marmots. They are same as the woodchucks and can climb trees and also swim! They are rodents and live in burrows in the winter season. The life span for these rodents is two to three years approximately but they can survive up to six years in the forests and up to ten years in captivity.

The whole life cycle of the animal is very interesting. Her’s some facts about groundhogs.

 The body clock of the groundhog is believed to be adjusted with the yearly changes in the amount of sunlight. It is said that their body undergoes hormonal changes, specifically melatonin, which is a sleep, related hormone and the secretion of this hormone also works with waking up the hibernating animal.

During hibernation the body temperature of the groundhog decreases from ninety-nine degree Fahrenheit to forty degree Fahrenheit. Don’t worry though, because  have groundhogs have two layers of fur. The outside layer is a waterproofing layer and the inside layer maintains body heat. They hibernate to save themselves from the cold weather and when they hibernate their whole body metabolism slows down, so that it consumes less energy and uses the stored body fat.

They can grow to a maximum of two feet when measured from head to toe and weigh somewhere around five to fourteen pounds. Wow! As it becomes closer to autumn, the groundhogs start gaining weight and become fatter. Groundhogs are herbivorous (they eat plants) They like grass, clover, dandelions and other low laying flowers, alfalfa, some berries and the occasional grub.

They dig their burrows with their powerful limbs and thick claws that will have many chambers and more than one entrance to escape predators or any flooding. Did you know that they have four toes on the front feet and five on their back feet??

Groundhogs can produce a whistle sound when communicating between each other. It’s actually a loud whistling sound as an alarm bell to make everybody aware that there is danger around, giving them the name “Whistle Pigs.” Groundhogs have amazing sense of hearing very sharp eyesight. They breed between March and late April, just after they wake from their long Winter sleep.

The True History and Fun Folklore of Groundhog Day

Every year Phil is pulled out of his heated burrow in a fake tree stump at 7:25 am on Groundhog Day, February 2, to make his prediction to us all about the coming of Spring. Shadow or no shadow. What shall it be? The first official Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

This tradition stems from the ancient European belief that hibernating creatures were able to predict the arrival of springtime by their emergence. Which makes sense, since there’s the smell in the air of fresh flowers and new greens. This is yum to the groundhog! In earlier european stories, it was the badger that was told in stories then it changed to the groundhog as the story moved to the east coast of the U.S.

Traditionally, it was believed that if Candlemas was sunny, the remaining six weeks of winter would be stormy and cold. But if it rained or snowed on Candlemas, the rest of the winter would be mild. If an animal “sees its shadow,” it must be sunny, so more wintry weather is predicted. Some how this doesn’t make too much sense, but it’s a fun idea that brought about some folktale poems.

This is a Scottish saying, turned poem:

The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bride,
Though there should be three feet of snow
On the flat surface of the ground.

(They reference a serpant instead of the groundhog.)

Here is the known English saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

I always thought that if the weather was nice and sunny, that was the end of  Winter and the beginning of Spring.  Of course, this is folklore and we have to honor the adorable Groundhog.

According to today’s 2011 National Geographic Daily news, by seeing no shadow as Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his ceremonial burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he said to have predicted an early spring for 2011. Of course this is just after most of the east coast has just been hit with one of the hugest storms and there is mostly cloud cover. I guess “Phil” didn’t see his shadow today!

Have fun with it and enjoy!!

“Traditions bring people and animals together along with a sense of magic.” 

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz - local environment writer

Lisa Racz

Environment and Travel Writer

Sugar plums, presents and stories fill many children’s heads as they fall asleep on Christmas Eve as they imagine dear Santa coming down the chimneys or magically opening their front doors to fill stockings and brings presents.

This spiritual tradition is not too far off, except for the coming in the house with magic and flying Reindeer. There actually was a generous Saint that came from a wealthy family who gave much generosity to those who needed it most.

Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara (Turkey). His wealthy parents raised him to be a devout Christian and Nicholas took this seriously and did as Jesus taught to help those in need. Nicholas grew up assisting  the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serve God and soon became a Bishop.

Through time, stories and legends came to be told of the many noble and humble deeds that Nicholas did and so the anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day on December 6th throughout Europe.

The reason stockings are hung  and the bag “Santa” carries over his shoulder brings one story from Europe. It was told that St. Nicholas rode a white horse, sometimes seen with a  robed figure riding it during the night. Then  bags of gold appeared in some houses of the underclass in the early morning hours of the next day and bags of gold were tossed through open windows of homes.  Some stories have it said that  some of the gold coins landed in stockings or shoes hung by the fire-place to dry. This began the custom of hanging stockings on the fireplace mantle. Gold, fruit and wooden toys that St. Nicholas whittled himself were given to children who had little, so St. Nicholas soon acquired the reputation of a gift-giver.

Other stories tell of  St. Nicholas saving his people from starvation and from cold weather with clothes and shoes.  He spared the lives the innocent who were accused and did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return, as a God serving man.

Here in America “Santa Clause” is celebrated on Christmas, December 25th. In most of Europe he is celebrated on December 6th, “Feast Day”. In Germany and Poland, boys  still dress as bishops and ask for money to give for the poor.  In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrives on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse for his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe.

Many families here in the U.S. also perform their celebrations on the Eve before Christmas just as it is in the Netherlands. St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of ”St Nicholas Feast Day” by sharing home-made candies, small gifts, and riddles told around the fire. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for St. Nicholas’s horse, hoping for an exchange  for a small gifts. This was simple, humble gift-giving, but was done with much joy and merriment.

Now you know some history of St. Nicholas, who was humble and who gave hand-made gifts and candies, how will you be celebrating your Christmas day? 

Suggestions:

• Burn natural, non toxic wood in your fire places – make sure it’s not a “no-burn” day
• Cook at home with family and friends and not burn gas driving to a restaurant
• Turn your Christmas lights off for the day and back on at night, than turn them off before ou sleep
• Use natural lighting, non toxic soy candles instead of electricity – that’s romantic
• Read and tell christmas stories instead of burning that ever going T.V.

What ever you do, make at least one thing “green”. Tell me what you think of this article by leaving a comment. Merry Christmas!

“The Earth has provided us with many gifts. Give her the gift of respect back.” (Lisa Racz)

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Environment Writer

In some households, buying a real Christmas tree is an unbroken family tradition, but what does one do with that traditional tree after all the presents are gone from underneath its branches a few days after Christmas and the needles are falling? You recycle it. Christmas Trees need to be recycled, because the city generally doesn’t pick up your tree with the regular trash and recycling.

How does one recycle their Christmas tree? Every city and town  has its own recycling plan and process. There are  drop-off points at fifteen Phoenix parks. The program is specifically ran by the City of Phoenix Green Program. At each park there is a designated sign with a large container bin for residence to dump their trees in. Make sure the tree is stripped of ALL decorations and lights before placing it in the dumpster.

© Judy Hedding

The trees, also known as “greenwaste” to the city,  are taken by the City to either the North Gateway Transfer Station or the 27th Avenue Transfer Station (south valley) where each tree is chopped up into mulch for use at City parks or to be sold. The city doesn’t chop trees for individual use for fireplaces. I know. I asked. Want your tree chopped for fireplace use?  It’s the old axe or chainsaw bit for those with fireplaces. Unless you know of someone who can cut your tree.

The Christmas tree drop off dates and times at each participating state park  are, Any time of the day or night the park is opened, From Monday December 27, 2010 through Sunday January 9, 2011. That’s a good two weeks.  

Where to recycle your real Christmas tree.

North Valley

• DearValley Park – 19th Ave. and Utopia Rd.
• Paradise Valley Park – 40th Street and Union Hills Dr.
• Sereno Park – 56 St. and Sweetwater Ave.
• Cactus park – 38th Ave. and Cactus Rd.
• Mountain View Park – 7th Ave. and Peoria Ave.

Central Valley

• Marivue Park – 59th Ave. and Osborn
• Washington Park – 23 Ave. and Maryland
• Madison Park – 16 St. and Glenrosa
• Los Olivos Park – 28 St. and Devonshire
• Desert West Park – 67th Ave. and Encanto Blvd.

South Valley

• El Reposo Park – 7th St. and Alta Vista Rd.
• Mountain Vista Park – 50th St. , north of Ray Rd.
• Desert Foothills Park – Desert Foothills and Chandler Blvd.
• Cesar Chavez Park – 35th Ave. and Baseline Rd.

Additional Drop Off Site

• A to Z Equipment Rental and Sales at 4050 E. Indian School Road or  15634 N. 32 Street.

Be part of the City of Phoenix Green Program and recycle your tree or reuse it in your fire places during “Burn Days” only. For more information on the tree recycle program call Kimber with the North Gateway Transfer Station (City disposal facility) at 602-262-7109 or call  City of Phoenix solid waste collections at 602-262-7251.

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Happy Green Holiday!

“Recycling is a natural part of the circle of life and the earth has been doing so since the beginning.” Lisa Ra’cz

With respect for nature and for all the vibrant  life that lives among it.

Sincerely,

Lisa Ra’cz

Today is the day we celebrate the man who was a famous navigator, sea voyager and global explorer, known as Christopher Columbus, born a son of a weaver in Italy in the year 1451. Columbus Day has been celebrated since the colonial time and became a federal holiday in 1937 and is held the second week in October, the same day as Canada’s Thanks Giving Day.  Hawaii, South Dakota and Nevada does not recognize Columbus Day.

Columbus, like most environmental explorers, studied the earth and determined, as we now know, that the planet was round, which motivated Columbus to explore deeper into the matter by setting off on explorations, eventually discovering the ways of new worlds and environments. He was among the first Europeans to explore the Americas after the Vikings. 

Columbus was  big in studying our earths oceans and natural waterways. He participated in several  expeditions to Africa gaining knowledge of the Atlantic natural currents flowing east and west from the Canary Islands and learning of the natural wildlife that Africa has to offer.

Around 1492, Columbus and his crewmen sailed for approximately a months time, then finally set foot on an island known at the Bahamas to our present day. On that island, Columbus and his crew meet with friendly natives who traded and exchanged glass beads, cotton , parrots, and spears. They also found gold that the natives wore as decoration on this island environment.

In traveling to new places, Columbus discovered an array of plant types, edible and inedible, as well as diseases at a time where there was no antibiotics nor inoculations to stop the spread of simple illnesses to contagious diseases. Diseases, such as  Small pox from the Old World depleted many of the Native American population. Diseases affected both hemispheres, Europe and America.

Foods from the Americas such as potatoes, tomatoes and corn became major food staples of Europeans. Wheat from Old World Europe became a main food source for people in the Americas. Coffee was discovered in Africa and the sugar cane was found in Asia. All thanks to Christopher Columbus’ environmental travels and discoveries.

He traveled to several other lands such as,  Honduras in Central America and Venezuela.  Although historians for centuries disputed his skill as a navigator and he was  judged to be vain, ambitious and desirous of wealth, traditional historians viewed his voyages as the opening of the New World to Western civilization. One definite point of agreement among historians, and environmental interpreters is that Christopher Columbus’s  voyages were among the main turning points in history and with the environment. 

Christopher died May 20, 1506 at the age of 55 yet, to this day his expeditions set in motion the diverse discovery of people, plants, animals, diseases, cultures and a display of different types of natural environments around the globe, which led to general European awareness of the hemisphere . These discoveries greatly affected nearly every society on the planet by introducing earths variety to those who have not experienced this type of knowledge in  late 1400′s and early 1500′s.

For more accurate information on Christopher Columbus visit http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Christopher_Columbus.aspx.

Happy Columbus Day!

” The earth is under constant change and exploration of the environment has inspired us and given us knowlege throughout time.”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Lisa Racz – Environment Writer