Category: Education

Monarch Butterfly Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is Western Monarch Day! The Monarch Butterfly is a wonderful, far-traveling butterfly species. This annual event is held to celebrate the return of monarch butterflies to the central California coast as well as raise protection awareness. The monarch butterfly is facing a terrific decline in numbers that has lead to numerous conservation groups calling for it to be named and protected as an endangered species. Their migration can be tracked from north and east to south and west, and then back again. Amazingly, each leg of the migration takes four generations of the butterfly. Desire to conservation takes into account how much they pollinate, the fact that their long migration takes such a toll on their population, and the loss of their main food source due to human agriculture.

Want to help the monarch butterflies during their generational migration? One way is to share a little bit of your yard with them by planting milkweed. This plant is critical to their survival along their migration routes as it provides nectar AND is the only plant Monarch butterflies can lay their eggs in. 

Groundhog Day

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Today is the day Punxsutawney Phil will deliver a prediction for a longer winter or an early spring! Groundhog Day is a very popular North American tradition observed primarily in the United States and Canada. Historically, it is a holdover of an old Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that says a groundhog emerging from its burrow on February 2nd sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

While the in-person event has been canceled for safety, there will be an official livestream broadcast of the event offered by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. There will be a video preshow beginning at 6:30 a.m. on February 2nd with fun facts and history. The live show, beginning at 7:15 a.m., will include Phil’s emergence and an official translation of his prediction. Visit the official website HERE to stream now!

National Freedom Day

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National Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, who was the president at the time, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. However, it was not ratified by the states until December 18, 1865. Still, the anniversary is annually observed on February 1 due to the efforts of a former slave by the name of Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr. He founded National Freedom Day because he believed it was important to celebrate and remember this legal turning point. Major Wright was looked upon as a great leader in the community, and his immediate groundwork eventually culminated in (then)President Harry Truman signing a bill proclaiming February 1st as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States on June 30, 1948. 

Inspire Your Heart With Art!

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“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso

Today is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! Held annually on January 31st, this is a day to ponder how art affects you, your world, and your understanding of the world. Celebrate this annual event by appreciating art and/or your own creativity; consider the following activities to recognize this amazingly introspective day:

  • Visit an art gallery
  • Read a good book
  • Listen to music; especially an artist/genre you wouldn’t regularly listen to
  • Start your own artistic masterpiece (paint, draw, compose, create, et cetera)
  • A regular artist? Explore a new technique
  • Stream an inspirational film or art documentary
  • Share your art with others via social media 

National Florida Day

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Today is National Florida Day, an annual event held on January 25th that recognizes Florida as the 27th state to join the United States of America. Some quick history facts on the founding of the state:

  • Florida is home to the oldest established city in the country; St. Augustine is over 400yrs old and still maintains a large portion of its original colonial architecture and streets. 
  • After the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1763, control of the territory now known as Florida was returned to Spain.
  • Present-day Florida borders came through 1) the Louisianna Purchase of 1803 and 2) an 1812 transaction that merged West Florida with the Mississippi Territory in order to stop a local uprising. 

National Handwriting Day

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Today, January 23rd is National Handwriting Day! It was established in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper. The date chosen is significant because it is the birthday of John Hancock, the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Celebrate this annual event by putting a writing utensil to a writing medium: 

  • Journal
  • Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member
  • Write a short story or poem
  • Try calligraphy
  • Write a love note for someone you care about

Resume 101: Virtual Workshop

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Looking to polish up your resume? CareerSource Escarosa is hosting a virtual workshop focused on the techniques and principles of writing a resume or sprucing up an existing resume. Learn the do’s and do not’s of how to create an effective tool that will help land you interviews. The event includes tips on what resume format is most appropriate AND offers sources for free resume templates. The How-To: Resume 101 (VIRTUAL WORKSHOP) will be held each Thursday, starting tomorrow, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Unable to attend this timeslot and hoping to catch a different workshop? Visit the CareerSource calendar HERE: https://careersourceescarosa.com/job-seekers/workshops

Invasive Plant Removal

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Eager to find an event that allows you to volunteer, learn, and get outdoors all in one fell swoop? Check out the upcoming Invasive Plant Species Removal event in Tallahassee! Hosted by UF/IFAS Leon County Extension, this educational experience will occur on Saturday, January 16th from 9 a.m. CST to 11 a.m. CST (although you are welcome to leave early as needed). This cool morning event will teach you how to identify and efficiently remove invasive plant species such as camphor, coral ardisia, and more!

Coral Ardisia

Participants must wear masks during the entire event, although it will be held entirely outside and social distancing will be a natural part of spreading out to cover the work area. Please meet by 9 a.m. at Gil Waters Reserve at Lake Munson. This is a lake that drains into Ames Sink and then makes its way to Wakulla Springs. By participating in this invasive species removal, you are helping native plants and animals thrive as well as improving water quality! Children and families are welcome; please bring gloves, water, buckets, and removal tools if you have them. 

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

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National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is an annual event occurring on January 10th that encourages consumers to keep up with scheduled maintenance and improve the energy usage of their homes. Did you know that Florida’s energy prices are on the high side for the United States? Florida residents pay an average monthly electricity bill of $126.44 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s 13% higher than the national average of $111.67(source). If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, consider some of the ideas and suggestions below:

  • Check seals on windows, doors, and appliances; a bad seal allows energy to seep out.
  • Fix leaky ductwork.
  • Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature; set the fridge to 38 degrees and the freezer to 0-5 degrees. These temperatures keep your food fresh without stressing out your fridge. 
  • Take shorter showers; did you know that taking just two minutes off your shower time can cut your water usage by five gallons?!
  • Replace your showerhead; choose a water-efficient alternative to reduce your water usage by up to 2,700 gallons per year. Look for a WaterSense label(certified to meet efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency). 
  • Don’t wash clothes in hot water; use either cold or eco-warm (if your machine has the option).
  • Fix leaky faucets.
  • Adjust the temperature on your water heater; most water heaters have a standard-setting of 140 degrees. Lowering it to 120 degrees can reduce water heating costs by up to 10%!
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
  • Ask your utility providers about discounted rates.
  • Swap out your lightbulbs; save up to $75/year by swapping out the bulbs in your most-used light fixtures with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label.
  • Install dimmer switches.
  • Use smart power strips.
  • Give your thermostat a nudge; set your thermostat back 10-15 degrees when you’re asleep/away from home. Hate changing the thermostat? Consider a programmable thermostat to do the work for you. 
  • Do an energy audit; this allows utility providers to identify additional ways to reduce your energy usage.

 

Dry Winter Skin? Today is the Day for You!

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National Winter Skin Relief Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to consider how their skin is handling the harsh winter weather. Created by the makers of CeraVe Skincare, it is celebrated on January 8th and works to bring awareness to all the extra attention winter skin needs to stay healthy. Winter weather is indicative of dropping temperatures and moisture in the air decreasing. When moisture is lower, skin tends to suffer. Especially with wind chill! So how can you help protect, heal, and pamper your skin?

  • Avoid the temptation to take long, hot showers; heat strips skin of its natural oils and causes inflammation. This inflammation causes skin cells to swell up, and they then dry loose and poorly, leading to cracks in the skin. Take lukewarm showers instead; you get the warmth you cherish without causing damage to your delicate skin. 
  • Avoid harsh cleaners and DON’T scrub! Harsh cleansers mess with the pH balance of your skin, further drying it out. Scrubbing can cause additional surface damage, and irritate your skin if you’re particularly sensitive. Instead, use cleansers that are all-natural or at least contain a minimum amount of harsh chemicals like perfume (often labeled as ‘parfum’). Allow the natural lather of bar soaps like oatmeal or tea tree (amongst MANY others) to do the work so you don’t scrub your skin raw.
  • Post-shower, allow your skin to air dry if possible, or pat your skin dry with a soft towel. DON’T rub or scrub the towel over yourself; it will cause more irritation and inflammation. Post-drying is also the best time to put on moisturizer or lotion; be sure to keep the bathroom door closed so the humidity produced by your warm shower doesn’t escape.
  • When dressing for winter weather, wear layers! The layer against your skin should be made of natural fibers like flannel or cotton. This will keep your skin from being irritated by the rubbing of multiple layers, and assist with wicking away any sweat to keep from breaking out in heat rash or other skin irritations. Layers not touching your skin should be heat-trapping or more effective against cold weather.

Looking for a low-cost DIY recipe that will take care of your skin regardless of location? Try the recipe below to make a natural Epsom salt body butter:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut oil or shea butter
  • 2 tsp Epsom salt
  • 1 – 3 drops essential oil of your choice (not required)

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Apply a thin layer to your skin by massaging in circular motions. Be sure to store the remainder in an airtight container!