October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. There are thousands of dogs looking for homes. Even if you aren't able to give a dog a home, there are many other ways that you can help out dogs in need. Below is a list of ways created by Jane Harrell at PetFinder.com
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Happy Fourth of July! Here are some tips to keep in mind this holiday weekend (and throughout summer) to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
In the month of May, Electrical Safety Month is celebrated. As the month comes to an end, it doesn't mean that you should forget about important safety tips to stay safe all year long. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) put together a "Quick Card" list of thing to keep in mind year round.
Maria Galluci at International Business Times put together a great article on the monumental agreement that will be signed on Earth Day 2016. "Leaders from more than 150 countries are set to gather in New York City on Friday to sign the landmark climate change deal struck in Paris last year. The event will be the latest in a series of steps to transform the global accord into an actual tool for combating greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the use of cleaner energy. The signing ceremony, which coincides with Earth Day, will arrive amid a spate of troubling reports on the latest effects of global warming. Global temperatures in March smashed a 100-year heat record for monthly global averages, following warmer-than-usual temperatures in the previous 10 months, U.S. and Japanese meteorological data show. A powerful El Niño weather event is partly to blame, but scientists say much of the recent heat is due to the rise in heat-trapping emissions. Arctic sea ice, in turn, shrank to its lowest extent on record in March, a trend U.S. experts say may be irreversible. Friday’s ceremony also comes as America’s key climate policy is stuck in legal limbo. The U.S. Supreme Court in February issued a stay on the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan to cut power plant emissions, leaving the rule’s future hanging in the balance. The policy is central to President Barack Obama’s effort to make the U.S. a leader in the fight against climate change. Under the agreement, countries will be legally required to submit individual, five-year strategies for reducing their emissions, shifting away from oil, coal and natural gas and adopting cleaner energy sources such as solar and wind power or electric vehicles. The national plans are part of a broader goal to limit the rise in global average temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The Friday signing ceremony at the United Nations headquarters will mark the second step in this process. A total of 155 countries are planning to sign the pledge, which would set a record for the number of signatories on an international agreement. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea drew 119 signatories on the opening day in 1982. At the U.N. this week, participating countries will formally pledge to cement the accord into their domestic laws — the third step. “It creates the expectation that the countries will act in good faith so they don’t undermine the purpose of the Paris agreement,” said Brendan Guy, manager of international policy at the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York. The fourth and final step will happen once a minimum of 55 countries representing at least 55 percent of the world’s emissions adopt the Paris agreement at home. Only then will the global climate deal “enter into force” and hold any legal sway in international politics. Observers said this process could take until next year or 2018 to finally conclude. The U.S. and China, the world’s two biggest emitters, have vowed again to lead this process and adopt the accord domestically before the end of this year. This could pressure officials in other countries to sign up soon as well, Guy said. “It sends a very strong signal to the other countries that the race for climate action and for everyone to join the agreement is on,” he said. “The expectation is there.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will sign the Paris pledge Friday on behalf of the U.S. The State Department is working to authorize an executive agreement that would legally commit the U.S. to the Paris accord, a department official whose name was withheld told reporters on a call this week. That means the Obama administration wouldn’t have to go through the Republican-controlled Congress to adopt the measure. Still, an executive action will likely face legal challenges similar to the lawsuits opposing the Clean Power Plan. And the State Department official said a future president could formally withdraw the U.S. from the Paris pact, although the process for exiting could be just as lengthy as the process for joining. More than 100 companies — including large power companies National Grid and Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. as well as retail giants like Nike, Adidas and Starbucks — released a statement Wednesday backing the Paris deal and calling on U.S. policymakers to support the Clean Power Plan. The businesses said both climate policies would give companies more impetus to invest in low-carbon technologies and transform their operations. “One of the roles that businesses can play is to give political space, so that lawmakers will have the courage to take action and make some of these harder decisions,” said Anne Kelley, a senior program director at Ceres, a nonprofit sustainability group and one of the organizations that helped coordinate the business statement. Other environmental groups, however, said they are looking beyond the Paris agreement and its various procedures. The activist group 350.org said it is planning to stage two dozen protests at fossil fuel infrastructure projects around the globe within two weeks. In the U.S., activists will block rail shipments of crude oil near Albany, New York. Near Seattle, other groups will target the Shell and Tesoro crude refineries. In Los Angeles, activists will protest hydraulic fracturing, the oil and gas drilling process. 'Now, going home from the Paris agreement, we’re still seeing some of this [fossil fuel] infrastructure expanding,' said Lindsay Meiman, a spokeswoman for 350.org. 'You can’t sign this agreement and try to live up to those climate goals and still be offering our land and resources to these [energy] companies.'" Read the full article on International Business Times website at the following link: http://www.ibtimes.com/earth-day-2016-paris-climate-agreement-be-signed-over-150-countries-un-ceremony-new-2357556 Where do leprechauns come from? We see them every March in stores to advertise for St. Patrick's Day. Alicia McDermott at Ancient-Origins.net put together a great article about the history of leprechauns. "Those little men all dressed in green, obsessed with rainbows and treasure, trickery, and of course shoe-making. These are all common perceptions today regarding the famous characters from Irish folklore: Leprechauns. The characteristics of these mythical creatures has transformed over the years and much of what made the little people special in the original tales has been forgotten." Etymology for the Word Leprechaun "Many scholars believe that the origin of the word leprechaun is the old Irish Lú Chorpain meaning small body. Another definition has linked the modern name to luchorpán (a word from the 8th century AD) which is defined as sprite or pygmy. Finally, the word leprechaun has been connected to leath bhrógan (shoe maker). This definition is also a possibility as many stories about leprechauns have shown their profession to be the cobblers of the fairy world." The Ancient Leprechauns "Leprechauns are thought to have been one of the many types of inhabitants of the fairy forts or fairy rings in ancient Ireland. It has been suggested that the merry tricksters of today may even be a modern incarnation of the Euro-Celtic god Lugh (pronounced “Luck”). Lugh was said to be the sun god, patron of arts and crafts and leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann ("peoples of the goddess Danu"). Medieval Irish manuscripts (12th -15th Centuries) believed to be associated with leprechauns suggest that leprechauns were originally beings that lived underwater and, contrary to today’s depiction, they weren’t all male. They were depicted as warriors with voracious appetites and the female leprechauns were especially engrossed with luring away human men for secret adventures. These characteristics seemed to continue at least until the aforementioned writing in 1604. Early leprechauns were described as sly old men that wore red suits and were often found working on a solitary shoe. The word solitary was also applied to the social preferences of leprechauns who seemed to prefer time alone to interacting with other faerie creatures, or even other leprechauns. There friendless nature perhaps was also partly due to others avoiding them – early leprechauns were also thought to be particularly mischievous house-haunting drunkards. These characteristics were later passed on to the leprechaun “cousins” the clobhair-ceann or clurichaun, an Irish fairy that is always drunk and rude. The clurichaun got the blame for noisy nights and messy homes (especially wine cellars)." Changes in Leprechaun Traits: Now a Wealthy Shoemaker "By 1825, the leprechaun population was limited to only males. T. Crofton Croker's Fairy Traditions and Legends of the South of Ireland provided more insight on traits of these mythical creatures: “They are often described as bearded old men dressed in green and wearing buckled shoes. Sometimes they wear a pointed cap or hat and may smoke a pipe.” The Leprechauns of the time were thought to be particularly stylish. Both Samuel Lover, writing in 1831, and William Butler Yeats (in 1888) made mention of the importance leprechauns placed in their appearance. Lover wrote that a leprechaun was: “…quite a beau in his dress, notwithstanding, for he wears a red square-cut coat, richly laced with gold, waistcoat and inexpressible of the same, cocked hat, shoes and buckles.”' The Moral behind Leprechauns "By the 1800s the perception of leprechauns as wealthy, clever folks was a common notion. Thus the old “wee” (small) fellows were depicted in stories with a strong interest in protecting their gold from the greedy humans that sought it out. Leprechauns are supposed to offer bribes to humans if caught in order to regain their freedom. The legends about leprechauns not surprisingly focus mostly on a human catching a leprechaun then trying to attain their wealth. The most common story involves a boy or farmer who finds a leprechaun and forces him to tell where he has hidden his gold. The leprechaun is obliged to show him to the spot, which is below a tree or plant. As the human is without a shovel he ties a red cloth around the nearby tree/plant and makes the leprechaun swear he will not remove the indicator. When the person returns with the shovel he finds that there are now many red cloths and the leprechaun has vanished. Thus the leprechaun has managed to trick the human and maintains possession of his gold. Another similar story tells of a girl who catches the leprechaun and makes him lead her to his treasure, but along the way hears a noise to which the leprechaun tells her there are bees chasing her. When she turns around to look, the leprechaun disappears." The Fascination Leprechauns Continue to Hold "Leprechauns are now understood to be the fairy tales of the past and fanciful stories to tell when one sees a rainbow. However there is still a hold these little folk have on modern society. In Dublin there is even a Leprechaun museum which provides tours and detailed information on leprechauns and Irish folklore throughout the ages. Some Irish-themed sites also provide readers with tips and tricks on how to catch a leprechaun (and what to do when you have). On the other side of the pond, General Mills cereal’s Lucky Charms has “Lucky” the leprechaun to keep children entertained while they consume the sugar-filled product for which he is the mascot. There are also horror/comedy movies that are focused on a monstrous trickster of a leprechaun to torment adults. Leprechauns may not really provide us a treasure of gold and silver, but they certainly have provided richness to Irish folklore." Read the full article at the following link: http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-myths-legends-europe/leprechauns-end-rainbow-lies-richness-irish-folklore-003920?nopaging=1 Last year, 1-800-Flowers gave Fortune a peak at how they manage to deliver 5 million Valentine’s Day roses in the dead of winter. Claire Zillman put together a great article with all sorts of great pictures showing the process of getting millions of flowers ready for the big day. I found it very interesting to get to see the side of the flower industry that people don't think of. Check it out here Happy Valentine's Day from Griff's Electric! Check out these safety tips to stay safe during this season's El Niño. Carol Cotta at the Los Angeles Times It's time to get your head in the game. Preparing your house, your yard, your car and your insurance — now — can be the best hedge against an unpredictable season. Here are 28 tasks to consider to better position yourself against whatever challenges El Niño throws your way. For the Home: 1. Fix your leaks before it rains: The recent dry heat may have caused wood structures to shrink and to open up expansion joints, possibly creating leak points. Call your roofer to check for trouble spots and repair any old leaks. Most roof leaks occur at metal flashing connection points, so make sure the flashing is free of debris. Use your hose to make sure the flashing is directing water off the roof and into the gutters. 2. Clean out your gutters and downspouts — and then clean them again: Don Vandervort, founder of Hometips.com, an online home improvement information and instruction site, clears the debris from his gutters and downspouts before a potentially rainy season — and then does it again after the first rain. Also look for any breaks and make sure the gutters are tight against the roofline. While you're at it, seal up any holes from cables and other wires that penetrate exterior walls. For more information go to www.hometips.com. 3. Invest in a generator: If you are in a neighborhood susceptible to power outages, consider buying a portable generator or even a permanent standby generator that immediately kicks in if the power goes out. 4. Install a sump pump: With enough rain, groundwater can invade below-grade spaces such as basements and garages even with good drainage systems in place. If you already have a sump pump, have your plumber service it. 5. Paint the exterior wood trim of your home: Cracks in paint can carry water directly into the wood and promote dry rot and termite invasion. 6. Examine your window glazing compound: The persistent hot, dry weather may have caused the glazing compound to shrink and pull away from the glass panes. Loosened panes can allow rain penetration. Check and recaulk as needed. 7. Check balcony and deck slopes: Make sure water flows away from the walls and into the drainage system. 8. Do a preemptive strike on any potential ant invasion: If wet weather in the past has sent ants or other bugs scurrying into your house, now is the time to bring in an exterminator. 9. Store emergency repair materials (sandbags, heavy plastic sheeting) in a safe dry place. For the Auto: 10. Is it time for new tires? To maintain contact with the road in wet weather, tires "should have at least 50% of tread life left," notes Dave Skaien, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California's Approved Auto Repair Program. "Otherwise, they can't displace water through their grooves," and contact may be lost. They should also be correctly inflated. Underinflated tires "won't sit properly on the ground, and you reduce traction," he adds. "A quarter- to a half-inch of water can easily make you go into full hydroplaning mode at not very great speed." For more information, go to www.aaa.com. 11. Pop for new wipers: A rainstorm is not the time to realize they cannot effectively clear your windshield of water. 12. Check your car lights. 13. How old is your car's battery? At three years, have it checked by a trusted mechanic. At five years, "there's a lot of merit in just replacing it before it fails," Skaien says. 14. Get to know your braking system: Brakes should be checked and worn brake pads replaced, no matter the weather. Know that "cold, wet brakes do not work as well as warm, dry brakes," Skaien says. For the Garden: 15. Make sure your yard drains properly. If you've substituted impervious hard-scape, rock and decomposed granite for lawn in the last few years, the drainage pattern in your yard may have changed. Water that used to percolate through spongy grass will now flow. Landscape architect and USC adjunct professor Bob Perry advises placing 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch in beds and areas where water will drain or collect. If ponding becomes a problem, consider increasing the percentage of your yard that can absorb rainwater. Changes to the landscape may also have changed your property's grading. Consulting an irrigation and drainage specialist can short-circuit any serious problems a heavy storm might cause. 16. Turn off your automatic watering system: It's possible you won't need it until spring. 17. Consider installing rain barrels at downspouts: Rain barrels are a relatively inexpensive way — and an easy DIY project — to capture water coming off your roof for later use. Make sure you direct any overflow from the barrels away from the house. 18. Plant winter vegetables in raised beds or elevated rows: Too much water can cause vegetables to rot. 19. Loosen compacted soil: Ground that has been allowed to dry out will repel water initially. Tilling in compost and covering with mulch will enable the ground to better absorb rain. 20. Have your trees checked: With the drought taking a toll on all trees, now is the time to bring in a certified arborist — not a simple tree cutter — to do a health check and risk assessment. "Trees weigh less now because they have less moisture in them, but they are weaker as well," says Nick Araya, an arborist risk specialist at TreeCareLA. "A sudden onset of moisture may be too much weight for some branches to bear." For more information, go to www.treecareLA.com. 21. Secure your yard: Reinforce your fencing if needed. Store or tie down anything that might blow and cause damage in high wind. Store outdoor furniture or, if it cannot be moved, place wood planks under the legs to lift them off the pavement. Cover glass-top tables with plywood secured with cord. Place potted plants in a sheltered area. 22. Have materials on hand to divert water: Sandbags, concrete edgers and straw-waddle tubing can effectively channel water away from structures to drainage areas. 23. Talk to your neighbors: If your house lies below another house, you'll want to find out where their property drains. If they've changed the natural flow path, they may be liable for damage caused by storm runoff from their property onto yours. 24. Consider flood insurance even if you're not in a high-risk area: "Twenty percent of people who file claims come from non-high-risk areas," says Mary Simms, spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Region IX, which includes California. Flood insurance is not generally covered by regular homeowner policies. By congressional mandate, FEMA, through its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and along with industry partners, makes flood insurance available. For more information, to go FEMA's www.floodsmart.gov site. It takes 30 days for any flood policy to become effective. 25. Secure important documents in the cloud or on a thumb drive. 26. Put together preparedness and disaster supply kits for your home and car. FEMA, the California Department of Water Resources and the Auto Club are just three of many organizations that list important things to have on hand. For more information, go to www.floodprepareCA.com (California Department of Water Resources), www.ladbs.org (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety "Homeowners Guide for Flood, Debris Flow and Erosion Control"), www.ready.gov (National Weather Service) and www.aaa.com (Automobile Club of Southern California). 27. Check out Flood Awareness Week, Oct. 19-24: The state Department of Water Resources is sponsoring a weeklong flood awareness event in partnership with the state agency California Volunteers. In addition to encouraging neighborhood groups to coordinate emergency plans, DWR offers on its new www.floodprepareCA.gov website information, search tools and a calendar of flood-preparedness events across the state. 28. Prepare now: Experts agree that the toughest time to find solutions to rain-related issues is during a rainstorm. The holidays invite all sorts of fun activity, from lighting candles to hanging fresh greens and stringing lights. Here's how to keep your house and family safe from fire and injury. Compiled by Lexi Walters from American Baby 1. Merry and Bright: Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders, or loose connections. When replacing bulbs, unplug the light string and be sure to match voltage and wattage to the original bulb. 2. Lights Out: Always turn off holiday lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed. 3. Fresh Is Best: Try to purchase a freshly cut tree, as they are more resistant to ignition. Keep your Christmas tree watered and away from open candles. 4. Timing Is Everything: Use an outdoor timer certified by CSA International to switch lights on and off. Lights should be turned on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour. 5. Check for the Certification Mark: When purchasing light strings, extension cords, spotlights, electrical decorations, gas appliances, or carbon monoxide alarms, look for the certification mark of an accredited certification organization such as CSA International, UL, or ELT to ensure that the products comply with applicable standards for safety and performance. 6. One and Done: Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead use a single cord that is long enough to reach the outlet without stretching, but not so long that it can get easily tangled. 7. The Great Outdoors: When hanging outdoor lights, keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from metal rain gutters. Use insulated tape or plastic clips instead of metal nails or tacks to hold them in place. 8. Climbing Up: Using a ladder when you put up lights? Choose the correct ladder for the job and double check for a certification mark to ensure your portable ladder complies with applicable standards. 9. Keep the Gas Behind Glass: Do not use your gas fireplace if the glass panel is removed, cracked, or broken, and only allow a qualified service person to replace fireplace parts. 10. Sound the Alarm: Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work, and be sure to install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home -- especially near sleeping areas. 11. Filter-Friendly Furnace: To help prevent CO hazards in your home, have a qualified heating contractor perform a yearly maintenance check of your furnace and venting system, and clean or replace your furnace filter frequently during the heating seasons. 12. Clean the Clutter: Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline, propane, paper, chemicals, paint, rags, and cleaning products near your gas furnace. Gasoline or propane cylinders should be stored outside the home. Source: http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/safety/12-tips-for-holiday-home-safety/ Thanksgiving is a time where the whole family comes together. The kitchen is the heart of the home where several generations of family enjoy helping in the holiday preparations. This makes kitchen safety even more important because there is a lot of activity of people at home. Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe this season:
Halloween is a fun time for both children and adults to go out in costumes and enjoy themselves. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention put together safety tips to keep in mind when going out for any celebrations. Follow these tips for a safe and fun night of trick-or-treating with your family:
If you are throwing a party, remember to keep these tips in mind for a safe and fun party for you and your guests:
Read the full article from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention here on their website. Happy Halloween from Griff's Electric! |
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