July 30, 2009
· Filed under Water issues, environment, health · Tagged beach water, beaches, Great Lakes, health, Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, oceans, pollution
From: NRDC – Published July 29, 2009 12:15 PM
Beach Closing Days Nationwide Top 20,000 for Fourth Consecutive Year
“The water at American beaches was seriously polluted and jeopardized the health of swimmers last year with the number of closing and advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches reaching more than 20,000 for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 19th annual beach water quality report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
“Pollution from dirty storm water runoff and sewage overflows continues to make its way to our beaches. This not only makes swimmers sick — it hurts coastal economies,” said Nancy Stoner, NRDC Water Program Co-Director. “Americans should not suffer the consequences of contaminated beach water. From contracting the flu or pink eye, to jeopardizing millions of jobs and billions of dollars that rely on clean coasts, there are serious costs to inaction.”
Using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NRDC’s report — Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches — confirms that our nation’s beach waters continue to suffer from serious contamination —including human and animal waste — that can make people sick.
NRDC’s report also provides a 5-star rating guide for 200 of the nation’s most popular beaches, based on indicators of beach water quality, monitoring frequency, and public notification of contamination.Five-star beaches included Gulf Shores Public Beach (AL), Laguna Beach-Main Beach (CA), Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach (CA), Newport Beach (CA), Ocean City (MD), Park Point — Community Club Beach in Duluth (MN) and Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton (NH). Some of the lowest ranking beaches (1-star) were Zach’s Bay at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh (NY), Ocean Beach Park in New London (CT), Venice Public Beach (FL) and Central Beach in Point Pleasant (NJ).
Article continues: http://www.nrdc.org/media/2009/090729.asp ******************
Go to the NRDC website to read their report on your favorite beach, and keep in mind that when you toss trash in the street, it runs into the storm drains which do not filter that trash but rather end up dumping it into our oceans.
July 28, 2009
· Filed under Word for the Day · Tagged Diane T., Ganges, Latin, Word for the Day, wordmeisters
Dear Wordmeisters,
there are a lot of Latin words thrown around in the English language, thought I’d share one today….
************
ad hoc (adverb, adjective) adverb
1. for one specific case; ‘they were appointed ad hoc’ adjective
2. for or concerned with one specific purpose; ‘a coordinated policy instead of ad hoc decisions’: “Instead of following a standard gift wrapping procedure for clients orders, Sheryl liked to create whimsical, ad hoc packaging for each.”
3. often improvised or impromptu; ‘an ad hoc committee meeting’
Origin: Approximately 1650; from Latin, ‘ad hoc’: to this.
A quote using ad hoc: “It was an ad hoc journey of enlightenment: Sail, row, and drag a skiff 160 miles [257 kilometers] up India’s holiest river, the Ganges. The locals said the trip was impossible, very simple, safe, dangerous. It was unnecessary, stupid, an inspired spiritual quest commissioned by Lord Siva himself.” by Charles Graeber. “Being the Boatman: Adventure on the Ganges,” Adventure Magazine (September 2002).
*** May your days ahead bring you memorable adventures, Diane T.
July 25, 2009
· Filed under general interest · Tagged CURVES, Diane Tegarden, homeless, Pasadena
- Diane Tegarden July 2009
Friends, check this out, you can help the homeless with a click of your mouse TODAY!
I’ve entered the My Curves Most Amazing Member contest, if you’re in a giving mood, please swing by the CURVES website and vote for my amazing story to win!! If I win, I’ll be donating 10% of the award to a local charity for the homeless, so let’s get the vote out!
Here’s the link-
http://www.mycurves.com/mostamazingmember/profile.php?id=991
I only have until July 31st and you can vote once a day, so please remember to get over to the website and help the homeless of Pasadena by placing your vote now!
Fit and Feisty at 52! Diane Tegarden
July 23, 2009
· Filed under Native Americans, Water issues, environment · Tagged Hopi Indians, Arizona, water rights, Diane T., Grand Canyon, mining, water management, grey water, desalination, conservation
Good News from the Environmental News Network-
“GRAND CANYON, Ariz.- Conservationists are applauding a notice issued Monday by the Obama administration to temporarily place 1 million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon off limits to new mining claims and exploration or development of existing, unpatented claims. The order complies with a June 2008 resolution by the House Committee on Natural Resources enacting the same protections across the same area. The protections do not affect three existing mines in the area slated for reopening or the exploration of existing patented claims.
Uranium prices have caused sharp increases in new uranium mining claims, exploration, and permitting to reopen old mines on public lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. Uranium development threatens to damage wildlife habitat, industrialize iconic wild lands, and contaminate surface water and groundwater feeding regional water wells, seeps, springs and the Colorado River – prompting concerns from former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Hualapai, and Kaibab Paiute tribes, Coconino County officials, and independent geologists.” For the balance of the article see: www.enn.com
**************
Our groundwater is a precious source of clean water, which is in short supply in many southwestern states. Last year 50% of the states in the US were under drought conditions, which threatens human health, as well as our food supply. Conservation can only help to a certain extent, we need to keep our water sources uncontaminated and find new ways to create fresh water supplies, as through desalination of sea water, and smaller systems like catchwater and grey water filtration systems.
May You Never Thirst, Diane T.
July 21, 2009
· Filed under Word for the Day · Tagged Diane T., light, Word for the Day
I came across this word while reading about Indian Shamanism…
Phosphene (n.) A sensation of light caused by excitation of the retina by mechanical or electrical means rather than by light, as when the eyeballs are pressed through closed lids.
[French phosph¨¨ne : Greek ph¨s, light; see phos¨C + Greek phainein, to cause to appear, to show.] source cited: www.answers.com/topic/phosphene
************
I discovered phosphenes as a kid, when I looked at a light bulb (at night) then discovered the spots floating in the air afterward. I told a bunch of other kids about it and we’d stare at the light bulb then dash about trying to “catch” the spots!
May You Never Thirst, Diane T. and furfamily
July 14, 2009
· Filed under Word for the Day, general interest, women in religion · Tagged Saint Veronica, Veronica, women in religion, Word for the Day
Word for the Day-what’s in a name?
Veronica-
1. Any of various plants of the genus, Veronica, which includes the speedwells.(Latin)
2. a.The representation or image of the face of Jesus which, according to legend was impressed upon the handkerchief offer to him by St. Veronica and on the road to Calvary. b.The handkerchief itself. c.The representation of Jesus’ face on a textile fabric similar to the legendary veronica .
3. A maneuver in bullfighting in which the matador stands immobile and passes the cape slowly before the charging bull (Spanish) *********************************************************************
What words have surprised you this week? Sometimes it’s not a matter of a word that’s entirely new to you, but rather a new meaning you have found in a word you were already familiar with, like Veronica! Post away my pretties…..
July 11, 2009
· Filed under environment, renewable energy · Tagged electric bill, hot tubs, renewable energy, solar power
A traditional hot tub (seating 3-4 people) can cost between $ 3299.00- $6499.00 installed, not including shipping costs to get the unit to your door. They increase your already sky-high electric bill (to heat the water) and use gallons of water that are used only once. You can have just as much fun soaking your bones in a self built Snorkel® hot tub. The ones that seat 3-4 people can cost as little as $2840.00, take only 3 people one day to put together and heat the water with an immersible wood fired-stove that is built right into the hot tub.
For the rest of the article, go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-14744-LA-Renewable-Energy-Examiner~y2009m7d6-Wood-fired-hot-tub-provides-energy-efficient-summer-fun-all-year-round
July 9, 2009
· Filed under Quote for the Day · Tagged Deepak Chopra, Diane T., quotes
“Discover your own discontent, and be grateful, for without divine discontent there would be no creative force.” –Deepak Chopra
This resonates with me, but then again my childhood nickname was “Wild Woman from Borneo”, go figure eh? ;>
Diane T.
July 7, 2009
· Filed under On Writing, Word for the Day, general interest · Tagged Diane T., word, Word for the Day, wordmeister
Howdeeeeeeeeeeee Wordmeister brethren,
today’s word came about when I was writing my latest article at the Examiner.com about wood fired hot tubs. The spell checker didn’t recognize the word “immersible” but gave me the choice to use…immiscible.
So, since I’d never seen that word I had to look it up and voilà, we have our word for the day!
immiscible means a substance that does not form a solution, like oil and water, it is incapable of mixing!
What’s your new word and where did you run across it? If you haven’t been exposed to one lately, how about grabbing a dictionary and flipping through it at random, pick a page without looking at it and see what you can come up with that is new to you!
See you on the flip flop,
Diane T.
