Archived Community Blog Posts
April Fools’ Day – How did it all start
4/1/2019 (Permalink)
April Fools’ Day – also called All Fools’ Day – is one of the most light-hearted days of the year, though the origins are uncertain. Some may see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it comes from the adoption of a new calendar.
Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a widespread exposition, many people either refused to accept the new date, or simply did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.
Additionally, It is worth noting that many different cultures have had days of foolishness around the start of April, give or take a couple of weeks. The Romans had a festival named Hilaria on March 25, rejoicing in the resurrection of Attis. The Hindu calendar has Holi, and the Jewish calendar has Purim. Perhaps there is something about the time of year, with its turn from winter to spring, that lends itself to cheerful, humorous celebrations.
April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. Practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand”, looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ludicrous things.
The French call April 1 Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish." French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.
For a list of pranks you can play, visit https://www.boredpanda.com/pranks-april-fools-day/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Did you bike to work today?
5/18/2018 (Permalink)
Get out your bicycle! Friday, May 18th is National Bike to Work Day.
Did you know - 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a reasonable, yet fun way to get to work. With an enlarged interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it’s not surprising that, from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent.
Furthermore, Hundreds of communities across the United States have been victorious in increasing bicycle commuting by providing Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day events.
In fact, among the 51 largest U.S. cities, 43 hosted Bike to Work Day events in 2010. The City of Denver reported the highest rate of contribution with 1 in 28 adults participating in its 2010 Bike to Work event. That effort makes a difference – In addition, it is more likely than people who participate in their Bike to Work Day promotion as first-time commuters will become regular bike commuters.
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day
5/8/2018 (Permalink)
Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children: the future leaders of our country. They are kind, patient, hard-working, dedicated and understanding professionals that mold our children’s lives in a positive direction. We entrust our children with the teachers, and they affect their lives on a daily basis. It is time to say “Thank You” to the exceptional teachers that you know. Let them know that they are appreciated for all that they do.
& well, today is that day! - National Teacher Appreciation Day, and some restaurants and retailers are even offering “freebies” and deals to the country’s educators ! Many of the deals and freebies are not limited to Tuesday; the celebration of teachers goes on the rest of the week, and so do most of the deals.
Note: Some of the deals listed may not be available at all locations. Check with local retailers. Also, deals require that you verify you are an educator.
Though here at SERVPRO we thank our Educators Everyday, it never hurts to say it too much - THANK YOU & YOU ARE APPRECIATED always!
Poway Spring Family Festival
4/23/2018 (Permalink)
The Poway Spring Family Festival was a blast this year ! It was so much fun seeing new faces & explaining our services to everyone ! Stay tuned for tomorrow when we announce the winner of the 2 Padre tickets! . Oh & don't forget - you can always count on SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."
Earth Day 2018
4/20/2018 (Permalink)
Ever wondered how Earth Day started? This observance arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues.
In 1970, San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22.
Common Earth Day activities include planting trees, cleaning up litter, or simply enjoying nature through hiking, gardening, or taking a stroll in a local park. Here are some fun facts about the wonderful planet we live on.
- Earth is the third planet from the sun, orbiting at a distance of 93 million miles (150 million km).
- It is the fifth biggest planet in the solar system with a diameter of 8,000 miles (13,000 km).
- Earth is around 4.5 billion years old.
- The Earth spins on its own axis every 23 hours 56 minutes and takes 365 days 6 hours to orbit the sun.
- The inner core of the Earth creates a magnetic field around the planet which protects it from solar winds, the liquid metal core is believed to be hotter than the surface of the sun.
- Life first appeared on the planet 3.5 billion years ago in the form of single celled organisms.
- Modern humans have only existed on the planet for around 200,000 years
- The Earth is less well mapped than the Moon, Venus or Mars because the majority of its surface is covered by water.
- The first picture of Earth taken from space occurred in October 1946.
- There are more than 3,000 spacecraft currently orbiting the Earth. Earth's Surface Earth's Atmosphere Earth's Temperature
- The average temperature on Earth is 13C (55F) to 17C (63F). The coldest temperatures can be found at the poles, around -34C (-30F), the hottest at the equator, around 32C (90F).
- Nitrogen makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere, while oxygen makes up 21 percent. The remaining 1 percent consists of argon and small amounts of other gases.
- 70% of Earth's surface is covered by water. The rest is made up of land covered by forests, deserts, mountain ranges, grassy plains and two polar ice caps. There are also a small amount of active volcanoes.
Happy Birthday (Month) Dr. Seuss !
3/28/2018 (Permalink)
The Original Lorax Tree in La Jolla, CA.
- Was Dr. Seuss his real name?
Not exactly. His name was Theodore Seuss Geisel - Seuss being his mother's maiden name. He started using it as a pseudonym at university. He added the Dr later, as a joke, because his father had always wanted him to get a doctorate and become a professor.
- How many books did he write?
Between 1937 and 1991, when he died aged 87, he published more than 40 books, which have sold half a billion copies between them - more even than J K Rowling's Harry Potter books. He nearly burned his first book, And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street, after it was turned down by 27 publishers.
- Did he have children himself?
No. He was not particularly fond of spending time with them either. His widow, Audrey, said in a recent interview that he was slightly afraid of them. She said he was always thinking: "What might they do next? What might they ask next?" She added: "He couldn't just sit down on the floor and play with them."
- Where did he get his ideas from?
This was a question he hated being asked. His mother was one source of inspiration: she worked in a bakery and would sing him to sleep in his childhood with her "pie-selling chants".
One of his most popular books, Green Eggs and Ham, was the result of a bet that he could not write a book using only 50 words.
These are, in order of appearance: I am Sam; that; do not like; you green eggs and ham; them; would here or there; anywhere; in a house with mouse; eat box fox; car they; could; may will see tree; let me be; train on; say the dark; rain; goat; boat; so try may; if; good; thank.
- Where did he live?
He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, where his grandparents lived on Mulberry Street - hence the title of his first book. He studied at Dartmouth College (in the US) and Oxford University (in the UK). In 1948 he and his first wife Helen bought an old observation tower in La Jolla, California, where he would shut himself away in a studio for at least eight hours a day, sometimes literally wearing a thinking cap.
- The Story of the Original Lorax Tree
In Scripps Park, near where Dr. Seuss lived in La Jolla, a lone Lorax tree stands in the sun. OK, so Lorax trees aren’t really real, but some believe the tree might have inspired the creature, since Geisel's studio faced the park. Instead of belonging to the invented Truffula species, the tree is a rare Monterey Cypress native to the California coast. Seuss could see this exact tree from the observation tower he lived in. And while there may be no plaque or official designation,– ask any local La Jollan where the “Lorax Tree” is, and they’ll surely point you there. . Hard to say - but to quote the book, "It's not about what it is; it's about what it can become.”
San Diego Flower Fields & Gardens
3/23/2018 (Permalink)
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Each spring, San Diego's flower fields bloom into seas of beautiful colors while local institutions and horticulturalists create works of floral art.
When: February - April
A spectacular display occurs annually in the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego's East County as colorful wildflowers bejewel the sun-scorched desert landscape. Since the phenomenon depends upon the timing and quantity of winter rains, the blossoms are at their peak for just two weeks. Guests are advised to call the Park's 24-hour "Wildflower Hotline" at 760.767.4684 before planning a tour of the desert flora.
When: March - May
A vibrant sea of giant ranunculus flowers transforms 50 acres of hills into rows of brilliant color. Stroll past oceans of flowers and through beautiful gardens, including a miniature rose garden, fragrant sweet pea maze, a garden featuring more than 50 All American Rose Selection winners and a spectacular display of red, white and blue flowers planted in the shape of a giant American flag.
When: All Year Round
Encompassing nearly 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is a magnificent cultural complex that includes seven major gardens:
- Botanical Building and Lily Pond - home to more than 2,100 permanent tropical plant specimens
- Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego - eleven acres with trails, a bonsai exhibit, a moon viewing deck, beautiful black pine trees, azaleas and ornamental plants such as camellias, magnolia, wisteria and cherry blossom trees.
- Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden - voted by the World Rose Society as one of the top rose gardens in the world
- Zoro Garden - a sunken butterfly garden
- Palm Canyon - an oasis which contains 450 palms
- Desert Garden - 2.5 acres of succulents and drought-resistant plants from around the world
- Marston House Formal and Primitive Gardens - five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens and rustic canyon gardens
FLORAL EVENTS
When: April 21-22, 2018
The Coronado Flower Show is the largest tented flower show in the nation. Exhibits are placed inside tents surrounding a central gazebo, which becomes the stage for continuous entertainment, announcements and trophy presentations.
When: April 26-29, 2018
A loved and eagerly anticipated tradition, Art Alive at The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park celebrates its 37th year and the stunning works of art on display in the Museum with more than 100 floral interpretations created by top local and national designers.
When: May 4-6, 2018
A wonderful spring event, the Julian Woman's Club hosts their 91st annual Wildflower Show in the historical Julian Town Hall in San Diego's East County.
National Puppy Day
3/23/2018 (Permalink)
National Puppy Day is a day to celebrate the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. It’s also a day to help save orphaned puppies across the globe and educate the public about the horrors of puppy mills, as well as further the mission for a nation of puppy-free pet stores. While National Puppy Day supports responsible breeding, the day is all about encouraging prospective families to consider adoption as a first choice.
Choosing the Right Breed & Size
When considering bringing a puppy into your home, make sure that you’ve researched the breed you’re adopting, taking into consideration their size, temperament, activity level, breed characteristics and other needs in relation to your home environment and family lifestyle. When adopting, make sure to ask if you can be alone in a more isolated area to interact with the puppy and observe his or her behavior. Also ask the shelter staff about the personality of the puppy you’re interested in, as they will have spent more time assessing their emotional and behavioral traits.
Not Just a Pet
Never adopt a puppy as a gift for a child, as this turns the puppy into a novelty but rather explain to your children about the overpopulation of pets in shelters and let them know that the puppy is a new family member and needs to be treated with love, respect and patience, just like a new baby would need.
Child/Puppy Safety
If you have small children, really young, hyper puppies are not a good match because they can scratch and chew on sensitive fingers and hands. Never adopt a puppy that is less than at least 8-10 weeks old, preferably 12 weeks or older, as they have had more time to learn social cues from their litter-mates and mother, which helps a puppy behave better in the long term. Teach young children to never pull on a puppy’s ears or tail, as both are sensitive and could injure and scare the puppy, creating a bonding problem between child and puppy.
Finances
Keep in mind that your puppy won’t be a puppy forever. Visualize how much your puppy will grow and how much they’ll eat. Make sure you know ahead of time that you can afford to feed your puppy once full grown. Veterinary trips are always inevitable at some point and time, so keeping an emergency fund for your dog is a smart idea, so you don’t get caught with major vet bills you can’t afford to pay.
Grooming
If you have an aversion to pet hair floating around your home and brushing your puppy every day seems like an abominable task, you may want to consider adopting a breed that has little to no shedding.
Exercise
Puppies need exercise every day, preferably shorter walks more often, as young puppies tire easily, especially in heat. Make sure to read about the breed or breeds of a mixed breed puppy to better understand what your puppy needs in terms of physical activity.
Nutrition
Give your puppy a great start in life! Make sure you buy an all natural, preferably organic food that is void of corn, wheat, sugar, by products, chemicals and dyes. Those ingredients can cause allergies which affect the behavior and overall quality of life for your puppy.
Teething
When your puppy is teething, he will try to gnaw on anything he can find to relieve his discomfort. The best way to quell this is with puppy teething rings that you can put in the freezer and once frozen, give to your puppy to chew on. If you can't afford products like this from the pet store, take an old washcloth, cut it into strips and tie a few small knots in it, sticking the strips in a plastic bag and placing in the freezer. Once frozen, hold a frozen strip and allow your puppy to chew on it, which will help to soothe and numb sensitive gums. Always hold it for them and never allow your puppy to chew on it unattended.
Spay & Neuter
Always plan to spay or neuter your puppy. Generally, if you adopt, which we always encourage, the shelter or rescue has most likely done it for you but if they haven't, there are many low cost spay and neuter programs in most cities nationwide. Sadly, the world is overflowing with unwanted puppies and allowing your puppy to grow up and breed is just adding to that problem. Shelters are overcrowded and because of it, millions of unwanted puppies lose their lives every year. Please don't be part of the problem...be part of the solution!
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