‘Way back in 1963, “Up on the Roof” was a hit for The Drifters. James Taylor recorded it in 1979, and again the song climbed the charts. The roof might be a peaceful place to go and relax when the world gets to be too much. But even 60 years later, there’s one thing you […]
The weather is warmer, and after the winter we’ve had, everyone wants to be outdoors as much as possible. Picnics are a lovely way to spend a sunny spring afternoon. As long as you allow for ants. Maybe bees. Other people’s dogs attempting to snatch a treat or two. And oh, yes, the potential for
No Picnic! Preparing for A Bio Spill … Read More »
Now that the weather is nice, it feels good to spend time outside. One of the joys of being in Nature is peace and quiet. It’s just birdsong and people chatting to their friends as they walk… oh wait, what’s that loud voice? Yes, it’s someone on their phone, calling a distant galaxy! At least,
Texting on the Trail Read More »
In March, President Biden designated 770,000 square miles southwest of Hawaii as a new marine sanctuary. That’s a lot of water. To put it in terrestrial perspective, this is an area larger than Alaska and Colorado combined, and three times the size of Texas, making it “the largest ocean area on the planet with the
Protecting the Pacific from Oil Spills Read More »
Sometimes, what we think is good can be turned on its ear. For instance, biodegradable products. We’re living in an age when compost bins grace the backyards of many conscious consumers, and people are more aware than ever of how important it is to take care of our Earth, since the next closest planet is
When Biodegradable is Bad Read More »
Life is all about cycles. In a time before Uber, before even automobiles (what? There was such a time?), people often rode two-wheeled contraptions known as bicycles. Today many people of all ages prefer scooters and skateboards, which require less human power and also don’t require fossil fuel. Upcycling has also become popular: one person’s
Bicycles, Upcycles, Recycles … Read More »
We live in an era when everything is tracked: what websites we visit, what we eat, where we go, how much we sleep or exercise. While most of this tracking is helpful — food and fitness trackers can keep us healthier, and location trackers let parents know when their kids veer off course — there’s
Tracking the Trackers Read More »
You know what a wild winter it’s been, with storms so severe they toppled trees onto cars and buildings, flooded roadways, and caused many businesses to close for repairs — which can spell its own kind of disaster, as many small businesses never recover once they’re forced to close. According to FEMA, 90% of smaller
Stormin’ the Spill Read More »
That may not be exactly what Mr. Spock used to say to Captain Kirk aboard the original Starship Enterprise. Environmental preservation wasn’t a strong focus yet in the 1960s … then again, Star Trek took place in the 23rd century, so by then, the term “eco” should’ve been ingrained in the language. Then again, this
It’s Only Eco-Logical, Captain Read More »
Have you noticed a spate of business closures — and new business openings — since the pandemic began? Maybe you’re among them. One day a restaurant or boutique that’s been on a downtown street for 20 years goes dark, with a sign on the door thanking the community for their loyal patronage all this time.
Sprucin’ Up and Movin’ On Read More »
