Since water is scarce in Arizona, drought is a natural occurrence. In fact, Arizona has been in a drought of some form since 1994. Not surprisingly, this affects the amount of water available to Arizona citizens. Because of that, cities are creating multi-tier water conservation plans to ensure we have enough water for years to come.
Since we live in the desert, it is evident that water is scarce. When rain falls, Phoenicians are known to run outside and rejoice. But when lakes are low, citizens begin to worry because water is necessary for life.
“Humanity is at the mouth of a long, dark tunnel, and right at the end of the tunnel, it’s a little star. That’s hope.” Those are the words of Dr. Jane Goodall, an English primatologist and anthropologist. She was in Arizona in June to promote her new documentary, “Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope,” playing at the Arizona Science Center through September 1. I had the opportunity to see the documentary and be part of a media panel interview with Dr. Goodall and David Lickley, the writer, producer and director.
On June 19, the inaugural commemoration of the Juneteenth federal holiday was held at the University of Arizona. Juneteenth commemorates the arrival of General Gordon Granger to Galveston, Texas, to deliver the message of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. To celebrate the 158th Juneteenth, an audience gathered at Centennial Hall to remember the history, resilience and culture of Black people and communities.
Diving into summer, for some kids, also means diving into technology. Most of the technology kids use are their phones or video games, but sometimes it is used for good. For example, texting your family in or out of state.
We have heard many stories of 9/11 in the past. I met one of the first responders who was actually a part of that day that changed America forever.
Mike Penchina joined the fire department in 1969. He decided to give it a go without knowing he would eventually wind up becoming a firefighter. On Sept. 11, 2001, firefighter Penchina and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary in Canada. Penchina was watching the news while his wife was in another room. A jet had recently struck the north tower.
A park ranger found a starving turtle washed up at a river, and he found a balloon string wrapped around its neck! Even worse, the deflated balloon was wrapped in it, too. This is the effect of balloons on the environment. It hurts humans, animals and the Earth! Balloons are one of the leading causes of wildlife deaths. Sadly, you may have been contributing to this, so, pause and think before letting go or buying balloons!
There’s a weed that has invaded our desert, and it’s called buffelgrass. Each plant lives for 20 years and grows 5,000 seeds a year. In its lifetime, it can grow 200,000 seeds in all. It was brought here from Africa in the 1930s by the farming industry to help feed cattle and control erosion.
However, buffelgrass is the villain to our native land. It fights plants for their water, nutrients and sunlight. Even if it gets caught in a fire, it can grow back while the native plants cannot. Buffelgrass can burn the size of a football field in only three minutes.
The PHX Sky Train transports travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The first line was opened in 2013, the second in 2014 and recently 2.5 miles were added, extending the line from Terminal 3 to the rental car center.
This $745 million dollar project is being paid for with rental car customer charges and airline passenger facility charges—no local tax dollars are being used.
To many people, Martin Luther King Jr. was a brave leader. King helped lead the Civil Rights movement. Today, many Americans honor him on the National Day named after him, this year on Jan. 16. Martin Luther King Day was first celebrated in 1986.
In the book “Martin Luther King Day” by Ciara Cella, the author recalls that King worked for change, to fix all that was unfair through passive resistance. Some disagreed with King.
