On The Fly

In this episode – Achoo! Pesky Spring Allergies . . . Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, birds are singing . . . and everyone's sniffling? Yes, sir, that's pollen allergies for you. If your eyes are itchy, your nose is running, and you sound like a foghorn, you're not alone. Pollen is pounding your immune system! Don't despair, allergy sufferers! We asked Gemini AI and Chat GPT for tips on breathing easier this season. First things first–know your enemy! Check the pollen forecast in your area. Many weather apps and websites show pollen counts. Knowing what's peaking can help you plan your day and minimize exposure. Speaking of minimizing exposure, keep those windows closed on high-pollen days. Let the fresh air in during low pollen times, but enjoy glorious air conditioning when pollen explodes. Here's a suggested hero for your home: invest in an air purifier! Look for one with HEPA filtration, which can trap those tiny pollen particles before they torture yo...

Doctor Don, at ninety-one, a mind so bright . . .  With a keyboard at hand, you chase away the night. Your stories, like rivers, through books and blogs – they flow. Keep a youthful spirit – plant wisdom seeds to sow. Here's to many chapters, laughter and good cheer. Here's to Dr. Don , at ninety-one a friend so dear.  May your words keep flowing year after year!

In this episode – Cracking the Case of the Easter Egg Hunt! . . . Hey there, young explorers! Have you ever wondered why we hide Easter eggs and then race around to find them? Today, On the Fly, we're going on an “egg-cellent” adventure to discover where this fun tradition hatched! But first, as children, remember the lyrics to the song–“ Here comes Peter Cottontail , hopping down the bunny trail. Hippity hoppity, Easters on its way.” Click the link to enjoy a segment of the Rankin/Bass animated TV special narrated by Danny Kaye. The Easter egg hunt has a long and fascinating history, much like the Easter Bunny himself! Historians believe it started in two different places, both with springtime celebrations. Let’s look at the Pagan Origins. Way back when, people celebrated spring with festivals honoring new beginnings and fertility. Eggs symbolize life because chicks hatch from them as new plants sprout in spring. Some people believe these celebrations involved hiding eggs as part ...

In this episode – Why Corned Beef & Cabbage . . . Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! And a special toast to our listeners named Patrick, Irish heritage—or not? I’m here to dig into a classic St. Patrick's Day dish (later tonight): corned beef and cabbage. But here's the thing—is it Irish? With the savory smell of simmering corn beef wafting from our kitchen I started wondering, what was the true fare of The Emerald Isle?  While corned beef and cabbage might be synonymous with St. Patrick's Day celebrations here in the US, it's not quite an authentic Irish tradition. In Ireland, the holiday is a religious feast day, often marked with lamb stew, soda bread, or some good old-fashioned bacon and potatoes. So, how did corned beef and cabbage become a St. Paddy's Day staple here? It boils down to history and immigration. In the 19th century, a wave of Irish immigrants arrived in the United States. Corned beef, a cured beef brisket, was an inexpensive and readily avai...

In this episode – California Community Solar Update . . . Today, we're diving into the ongoing saga of Community Solar in California. As you might know, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has been grappling with how to regulate this growing sector. The program is poised to launch in July of 2024,   however . . .   Net Energy Metering (NEM 3) and the Rooftop Solar Impact: Let's rewind a bit. In December 2022, the CPUC issued a controversial decision called NEM 3. NEM stands for Net Energy Metering, and NEM 3 is the third iteration of this program. Here’s the big issue – NEM 3 significantly reduced the credit that rooftop solar users' received for feeding excess energy back to the grid. This decision primarily affects those who install solar panels after April 2023. While NEM 3 doesn't directly impact Community Solar, it's an important context because it highlights the CPUC's ongoing efforts to balance the economics of solar power. So what’s the Hol...

In this episode – Spring Forward Shenanigans . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! With daylight saving time starting tomorrow, we're all about to lose an hour of sleep. But fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy – we've got a few tips to help you adjust smoothly to Spring Forward. Yes, tomorrow marks the annual Daylight-Saving Timeshift (DST). We all know the drill—clocks spring forward by one hour at 2:00 a.m., giving us an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. But let's be honest—that one-hour jump can wreak havoc on our sleep schedules and leave us groggy for days. While the energy-saving benefits of DST are debatable these days, it's still a practice followed in many parts of the world. And let's face it, those extra evening hours of sunlight can be nice! Adjusting to the Time Change: But that lost hour of sleep can mess with your body clock. Here are some tips to help you adjust to Spring Forward.  Sunlight exposure plays a crucial role in regulating your...

In this episode – Chasing Whales with Cenergy . . . Ahoy there, mates, and welcome back to On the Fly! Today, we set sail on a sunny adventure with the crew from Cenergy Power. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into Friday’s whale watching adventure in Dana Point, California! We had a picture-perfect day, California day. The sun shone brightly, the ocean was calm and sparkling, and the temperature was a pleasant 69 degrees - perfect weather for a “three-hour tour” on the water. It was obvious, excitement filled the Cenergy Power team as they gather on the dock for their whale-watching adventure. Yes, there were a few apprehensive team members. “I'm not a burly sailor, but seeing whales up close would be worth it! Here's hoping the seas stay calm.” as they chew their Meclizine Hydrochloride (“Bonnie brand” - raspberry-flavored motion sickness) tablets. The captain welcomed everyone aboard and we set sail, he shared some fascinating facts about the local marine life. The...