On The Fly

In this episode, Oh, the Sights You'll See! When the Clouds Flee! Oh, the May Gray and June Gloom, what a plight! For sky-watchers longing for stars in the night! Your telescopes sighing, all dusty and sad, "Oh, where are the heavens? This weather is bad!" The California coast, with its marine layer so thick, Plays hide-and-seek games, a mischievous trick! But good news is coming, as summer draws near, A cosmic grand show, to banish all fear! That misty old blanket, it loves to entwine, Our sunny, bright days, with a cool, foggy shine. But nature, you see, has a plan, it is true, Building anticipation for me and for you! For lo and behold, as the days stretch so long, And summer air warms, where the clouds don't belong, The core of the Galaxy, vibrant and grand, Will soon grace our skies, all across the whole land! With billions of stars, and with nebulae bright, And dark dusty lanes, a magnificent sight! From Carlsbad and Vista, when twilight fades, The Milky Way...

Beyond June Gloom: The Milky Way Awaits! ✨🌌 Has the seemingly endless marine layer got your telescope feeling neglected? For us sky-watchers on the beautiful California coast, May Gray and June Gloom have played a persistent game of hide-and-seek with our celestial views. But there's good news tonight: as summer officially arrives, a stunning cosmic spectacle is about to reveal itself, and you absolutely won't want to miss it! We know the drill: that persistent marine layer turning our sunny days into cool, misty ones. It's a hallmark of our coastal climate, and while it's kept our telescopes under wraps, consider it nature’s way of building epic anticipation for the celestial show that’s about to unfold The Return of the Galactic Core! (Photo courtesy of Gemini) As the days grow longer and the summer air warms, those stubborn clouds will begin to dissipate, revealing a breathtaking sight: the core of our very own Milky Way galaxy! That's right, the vibrant heart...

In this episode, Legoland Birthday Magic . . . By: Patrick Ball and Gemini Good morning! A grand notion, a fanciful spree! Let's twist up a tale for all folks to see! From Carlsbad, California, the clouds they did gleam, On LEGOLAND wonders, a birthday dream! Young LUCA, the lad turned precisely six years, With JULIAN, his brother, dispelling all fears! A baggie he clutched, with small figures inside, For trading and swapping, with a joyful stride! But then! A new twist, a high-energy spree! Forget little figures, let the youngsters run free! In overcast skies, the LEGO bricks gleam, But birthday boy LUCA was living a dream! Not just Luca, oh no! Two pals joined the fray, Young JULIAN, seven, to brighten the day! And their curly-haired buddy, aged eight, with a giggle so grand, Plus, one little lady skipping close at hand! No slow strolls or glances, no careful, soft tread, This crew was a whirlwind, right out of their head! Like Zappers on race tracks, they zoomed and they flew, ...

In this episode, Chapter Eight – The Disconnected Generation . . .   (Previous episode)–The Simple Switch Later that month, Marvin’s proposal came to life. The crisp morning air of Greenwood Park was filled with the sweet-smoky scent of grilling burgers and the bright, unrestrained laughter of families. A light mist clung to the tranquil lake, reflecting the vivid colors of early spring. A gazebo sat proudly by the water's edge, its white beams adorned with hand-painted wooden signs that read, Community First and Unplug to Reconnect. Around the gazebo, life unfolded. Families set up barbecue grills, their sizzles joining the rising cheers from the grassy clearing where a volleyball net had been staked. Kids and adults alike dove for the ball, their shouts rising above the occasional birdsong. Children scampered across the open field, their playful cries mingling with the plaintive strumming of an acoustic guitar near the lakeshore. At the picnic tables under the broad shade of oak...

Plugged In: Navigating the Evolution of Our Electric Grid Think for a moment about the simple act of flipping a light switch. That instant burst of light, the hum of your refrigerator, the charging of your phone – it all feels so effortless, so guaranteed . But what if I told you that the invisible system behind that switch is undergoing a revolution, one that impacts your wallet, our planet, and even your personal freedom? We're talking about our electric grid. In this week's "On the Fly," we're pulling back the curtain on this amazing, evolving world and exploring why understanding it is more important now than ever. Recently, diving into books like Gretchen Bakke’s “The Grid” and Bill Gates’ “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” got me thinking: what do most people really know about what powers their lives? And what can we, as everyday citizens, do to help shape its future? This week, I’m sharing a brief update on what I’ve learned about this critical infrastructu...