Repell-em Blog

Remember the days when gas was under a dollar a gallon, half your paycheck didn’t go to buying milk, and water came out of the tap instead of plastic bottles? Remember that Christmas morning you woke up to find Santa had been listening all year and finally you had that new bike you’d been begging for? I must have worn out two or three growing up. There would be days where I circled the entire town on that bike. Eventually though I did what everyone else does when the time comes…I trade those two tire in for four and never looked back.

Fast forward 17 years and I’m surprised that a number of people my age are going back to those old bikes in an effort to cut down on gas cost and maybe even help the spread of Global Warming. Tired of paying $40-$50 every time they visit the pump, commuters all across the country are looking for alternate ways to cut back on oil and gas consumption. Websites are popping up all over the place featuring ideas, tips, and bike trips for those that like to ride in groups.

The ReCYCLEry in a non-profit organization out of Carrborro, NC. that promotes cycling as an alternate source of transportation, plus goes as far as giving tips on how to repair bikes.

The Durham Bike Co-op holds events for bikers every weekend around Durham, NC.

ProBicycle is using the power of the Internet to promote bike safety. The also runs a tally of the number of bicycles being  produced every second.

Ken Kifer’s Bike Pages attempts to encourage others to go back to two-wheel transportation by highlighting the environmental, physical, and mental effects of riding.

Bike Commute Tips is a blog written by Paul Dorn out of California. Paul is a huge bike enthusiast and writes a few times a week about the surge of people putting down their car keys and picking up their handle bars as a way to get around town.

Bikeleague.org is a bicycling advocacy site, which has a membership of over 300,000!! Originally founded as the League of American Wheelmen in the late 1800’s, the site gives the latest news on cycling related issues being discussed by the government, areas around the country that are bike friendly, and encourages people to push for safer transportation laws.

Will this new wave of bicycling activism eventually lead to death of gas powered transportation? Of course not, but what many hope it will lead to is a world filled with fewer health problems, a lower dependence on oil, and a decrease in Global Warming. Now excuse me while I go take a spin around the block.

Imagine waking up in your bedroom surrounded by beautiful windows and ornate sky lights. You stumble to the bathroom where the commode is environmentally friendly, uses little water, and is chemical free. The shower kicks on with the push of a button and the water, like all the water in the home is heated/cooled using geothermal power. After a quick trip to the closet to grab some duds, you make your way to the kitchen for home grown oranges that come straight from the backyard. Finally you collect your things and trudge off to work….which happens to be located in the living room. You take a deep breath of the clean air all around you, give a quick peek out the window at the people walking from place to place (very rarely does a car ever drive by), and just before you log on to the free community internet service you thank your lucky stars for Sky, Florida.

What is exactly is Sky, Florida? Though still in the beginning planning stages, it very well could be the first “green” city in the country. Covering almost 575 acres in southern Florida, the town is estimating that 600 families will someday soon be living lives with a virtual zero carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is basically the impact your life has on the surrounding environment. The type of car you drive, how much gas you use, the food you eat, the size of your home, your electricity usage, etc….are all factors that determine what percentage of the environment you are effecting.

The town plans to use geothermal ducts under the ground all running out from a central location to heat/cool each home. A community garden estimated to be about 250 acres in size will reduce the food that will be needed to truck in . All appliances and electronics would be run by solar power. This won’t be a convent, commune, or compound though ,cars will be aloud since obviously not everyone will have the luxury of working from home or being home schooled.

At this point with several years ahead before Sky becomes a reality, not only is the idea growing in support from potential homeowners but also members of nearby Clarksville city council. While critics complain that trying to save the local environment by striping it and building a housing development makes zero sense, Sky’s designers feel that the effort it worth it since population increases demand new places to live.

 It started just yesterday, a massive wildfire that has now consumed over 4,000 acres on the tiny little island of Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California. Originally a playpen for the rich in famous going all the way back to the early 1930’s, the island with its posh resorts and luxury hotels attracts well over 10,000 people every  weekend. But don’t think that means Hollywood celebs have given up on the hot spot. Catalina is the perfect place for a quick vacation for those that need a break, but don’t have time to travel across the globe. This week the island is being transformed as firefighters from all over California attempt to control the blaze. One survivor told CNN “It was like a nightmare when we left. You couldn’t breathe, and ash was falling like snow.”

Humans aren’t the only ones facing the danger though; the island is also home to the Catalina Island Fox. While the fires burn just over the horizon and residents seek safety inland, scientists are worried that the once nearly extinct animal may be seriously affected by the recent days events. Once numbering over 1,300 the fox were suddenly stricken with a form of canine distemper in the early 90’s that left a mere 75 or fewer roaming free. Thanks to the efforts of the Catalina Island Conservancy not only is the majority of the 76 square mile island reserved for the fox, but also they have made huge comeback with numbers now close to 500 strong. Though the conservatory is also helping other previously endangered animals such as the bison and bald eagle, the fox is said to have lived there for over 4,000 years. It’s the general opinion among experts that they found their way to the island by clinging to debris during a period of severe flooding. Now scientists are wondering what affect the wildfire will have on the Catalina Fox habitat.

 As of this afternoon only 10% of the fire had been contained and the local government was busy enlisting help from the Marines stationed at nearby Camp Pendleton. Governor Schwarzenegger made it known that though his primary concern is for the families on the island, the animals were also a priority saying “Everyone is working very hard to make sure that the people are safe and the animals are safe.”

If you’re one of many (including myself) that have always dreamed of a vacation camping in the Alaskan wilderness,

there may never be a better chance than between May 13^th and June 6^th. Alaska, which is famous for it’s breath taking views and bountiful wildlife, is trying to lengthen it’s tourism season by offering package deals that include up to 30% off normal prices. The usual season which lasts between June and August normally brings in an estimated 1.63 million tourists. That means over $1.5 billion is typically pumped into the Alaskan economy within just a period of a couple months.

One main reason for the attempt to entice earlier visitors is because of the over crowding the sudden surge of vacationers sometimes causes. Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park are both dropping prices and attempting to jump-start the season.

Denali, which spans an amazing 6 million acres and is home to North America’s highest mountain Mt. McKinley, has created a “Twice As Nice” travel package that includes two nights for the price of one at a one of four possible lodges for only $199. The “Denali Dreamin” package invites visitors to enjoy a one-night stay at the McKinley Chalet, a dinner theater experience, and breakfast for only $148.99. That’s 30% OFF!!!! To rich for your blood? Denali is also offering some rooms for as low as $90 a night!!

A ferry service is also starting up this year for those who hate plane rides and want to see more of everything Alaska has to offer. A ferry ride from Juneau Bay and Glacier Bay will only cost you $70!! And don’t worry about those cold temps, who can complain about sunny days that reach highs of 50-60 degrees?

Why go to the beach yet again when you can head North (waaaayy North) and have that vacation you have always dreamed of wondering through the Alaskan Wilderness!!!

With the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina only a couple of months away, many are wondering if life will ever be the same in New Orleans again. Though changes can be seen on every corner of the city, Mother Nature may be one that takes the most time to recover.

The nations largest urban National Wildlife refuge, Bayou Sauvage says that this year it appears that over 20,000 of the estimated 30,000 ducks and birds that normally migrate to the swamp have gone elsewhere or disappeared entirely.

Bayou Sauvage was created back in 1986 and reaches across 25,000 acres of swampland just east of New Orleans. This week a report from the New Orleans Times Picayune says that not only did the storm hurt the duck population, but also wiped out 341 acres of forest that is home to owls and raptors. The marshes are often a common stop for songbirds making their way across the Gulf of Mexico from South America.

In order to bring to Sauvage back to its former glory and increase the wildlife of southern Louisiana, a major reforestation project is set to begin this summer. “This is where we go in with some heavy equipment to grind up the dead trees, both standing and the ones on the ground, as well as to grind up some of the weedy stuff that’s come up since the storm” says Supervisory Park Ranger Byron Fortier.

As a result of the damage delt by Hurricane Katrina and the repairs that are just now taking place, the wildlife refuge has taken major hit in the number of visitors it receives each year. Not only has the summer camp been canceled, but also in order for canoeing and fishing to begin again a two-mile stretch of the Bayou Sauvage waterway will have to be cleared of debris.

A wildfire that has been burning in southern parts of Georgia for over 11 days is still out of control and gaining strength. The fire, which has already destroyed 22 homes and scorched an estimated 95 square miles, is just now only 50% contained.

Over 700 firefighters (150 of which come are prisoners associated with the Georgia Department Of Corrections) are working around the clock with bulldozers and fire-retardant foam air drops in an all out war to stop the blaze from crossing U.S Highway 1. If they fail 16 miles of dry forest will most certainly be engulfed in flame. Not to mention at least three towns are being evacuated as I write this. “They told me it was mandatory, not like the other ones. The fire was so close, the sky was blood-red. I couldn’t just taste the smoke and smell it. I could feel it. It was terrifying. It was a nightmare.”, recounts Marie O’Berry who was rushed out by a Ware County sheriff’s deputy along with her two daughters in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Residents from Astoria, Hoboken, and Nahunta are being put on high alert and 5,000 people have been told to leave at once. Officials covering the increasingly volatile situation released this statement “Though firefighters have made progress on fire breaks, the fire continues to pose a threat to community of Astoria, as well as the northwest portion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge”

With the fire raging out of control, Mother Nature is not helping the situation. The weekends forecast for the area calls for gusty winds and possible severe thunderstorms. Fire spokesperson Jerry Rohnert told reporters “With thundershowers there’s usually lightning. It’s one of those things. With the weather you just wait and see.” Many are predicting those thunderstorms could produce winds of 25-30mph. The fire is said to have started when a large tree limb broke loose and fell onto a power line.

With the fire now engulfing 61,000 acres of land, firefighters fear the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge may be in serious danger. The refuge covers an area of 395,080 acres and is visited every year by almost 300,00 people. With it’s Indian name meaning “Land Of Trembling Earth” the swamp is home to over 1,045 different species of plants and animals included several that are on the endangered species list.

A month ago flowers were begining to bloom, grass was starting to turn green again, and the sound of children playing outside echoed through the neighborhood. Spring had finally arrived and outdoor lovers everywhere began taking the camping equipment down out of the attic. All across the country the weather was perfect.  Highs in the upper 70’s, lows dropping down to about mid 40’s every night. Gone were the gray clouds, blizzards, and freezing temps experienced by all during this past winter. Sun was shining and a new season had finally arrived…or had it?

Just about the time sweaters were boxed up and shorts  once again became the fashion, a cold front swept in and an old legend once again reared its frosty head. Blackberry winter had arrived. The term is often used to describe a sudden shift in temperatures to the cold side that often corresponds to the blooming of blackberry bushes. Other names for the event are Dogwood winter, Redbud winter, or Sarvis winter regardless of what you call it though, the fact remains it got cold there for a couple of weeks. Cold isn’t the only problem associated with a Blackberry winter, it’s often the case severe storms are seen sweeping across the country. An angry Nor’easter hit much of the East coast this past weekend knocking out power to several thousands of families and an estimated 50,000 businesses. Now reports are coming in that the freeze experienced by much of Florida last week, may have killed a large portion of this season’s citrus crop. That means you can guarantee a hike in juice prices this time next year.

With temperatures returning to their regular Spring Time temperatures. Many are hoping we’ve seen the last of Blackberry winter for quite some time.

According to the National Climatic Data Center 2006 was the warmest year on record and we may be feeling the effects of it well into 2007. Specifically when it comes to the mosquito population. It’s no secret that mosquitoes commonly flourish in places where the climate is warm and muggy. Each year they lay their eggs and most of these eggs are killed off by cold temperatures during the winter months. Many scientists are fearing that since most, if not all of the United States experienced a milder than normal winter and that there is currently a drought sweeping across the country this could lead to a boom in mosquito related diseases. It’s often the case that an area experiencing a drought will also eventually see an increase in the number of mosquitoes buzzing around. The reasoning behind this is that once the area is flooded by heavy downpours, then does not see rain again for some time the mosquito larva are more tightly compacted into what puddles remain and thus the disease they carry are more easily transmitted.

Mosquitoes can carry any number of diseases including West Nile, Malaria, Ross River Virus, and Denuge Fever all of which can be deadly and sometimes fatal. According to a recent article on MSNBC: “One study found that temperature increases from 0.5 degrees to 3 degrees can double the population of Anopheles mosquitoes, which carry malaria, and double the speed at which dengue incubates in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, suggesting that its infectious life would increase. And temperature rises can extend a mosquito’s range and lengthen the biting season. Climate models have the risk of catching dengue rising to 74 percent by 2050 and the number of malaria infections by 50 million to 80 million cases per year by 2100.”

With temperatures dipping into the low 30’s all across the country in what is now the second week in April, is it just matter of time before we are swarmed by the insects? Some scientists say no. Recently Wayne Andrews, superintendent of Briston County Mass. Mosquito Control Program had this to say, “ It’s still early to say how the mosquito season will turn up this year.”It’s really a difficult thing to predict. We had a cold end of the winter,” he said. “The question is, was it cold enough?”  The fact that we’re getting a lot of rain now will have more impact than the cold,” he added. Mr. Andrews said that in about four weeks larval counts will start coming in from the field, giving officials a better idea about what lies ahead for the spring and summer.”

With more and more people every year being infected with mosquito related diseases, it’s important to take action now and make sure you are prepared to ward off the deadly insects. Make sure there is are no sources of standing water in your yard and you have the proper repellent on hand.

For more articles about this subject check out these blogs:

• Thatsfit.com
• Nevadaappeal.com
• Mutiny.wordpress.com
• Pillfreevitamins.com

One thing to remember while camping is that you are not always alone. Yes you picked a perfect spot to set up camp and yes it is the perfect weather for smores and ghost stories. However, many campers often get so relaxed and comfortable while vacationing outdoors they forget that hiding just around the next tree may be any number of wild animals. It’s important to learn the best ways to react to possible confrontations in advance so that you have a better chance of living to camp another day.

According to “How To Survive A Bear Attack” the following list just my save your life:

• Never sneak up or surprise a bear. Bears often attack because they feel they are in danger.
• When walking through a dense area make sure you sing or talk out loud every few minutes to alert any nearby animals of your presence
• If you come upon a bear, raise your arms above your head to appear bigger
• Do not run. Instead slowly walk facing the animal in the opposite direction
• If the bear charges
  • find a tree to climb
  • if a tree is not available assume the fetal position and play dead
• Make as much noise as possible
• Whenever camping make sure to take with you a can of bear spray that can be used to spray on the bear and possibly deter it.
• Keep all food and trash in Repell-em bags

Remember before you go on your next camping trip to plan in advance for such situations and always keep safety on your mind.

Take a look at other blogs that deal this subject:

• Chinagirl.vox.com
• Inneed-info.com
• Alfin2100.blogspot.com
• Troop826.wordpress.com

Are you afraid to go outside? Does the very thought of take a nature walking make your nose run and eyes water? Do you find yourself staring out the window on a beautiful spring, wishes you could enjoy it without having to stop every few steps to stifle a sneeze or blow your nose? Then you must be just one of over 35 million people that suffer from hay fever and other pollen related allergies. Hay fever is defined as any reaction to dander, pollen, or dust.  Does this mean those pretty yellow and red tulips growing along your front porch are making you sick? No, contrary to what people normally think plants that produce colorful blooms are often not the ones that cause those affected by hay fever to have problems. According to achooallergy.com and allergist Dr. Jason White:

“The maple tree doesn’t have any flowers on it, and the maple tree requires the wind to blow the pollen far away, and that’s what makes allergy sufferers so miserable. The dogwood, it attracts bees; it attracts beetles, and it carries the pollen on the bee. So, it’s not as allergenic because you don’t get exposed to it.”

If your house has several pine trees or other pollen producing trees around it, then Dr. Jason says you just might want to consider leaving the outdoors outside “Take off your shoes, so you don’t track those things in the house. Change your clothes in the laundry room and leave those clothes in the laundry basket. Don’t carry them throughout the rest of the house. Wash your hair before you go to bed at night so the pollen doesn’t get on your pillow at night“.

Unfortunately with today’s hectic pace many people just don’t have the time to do all that is required “de-pollen” themselves every time they enter the house. The result is we often find ourselves searching for the best way to handle our allergy attacks. Depending on how you feel about taking medicine, there are two basic treatments for allergies. Natural methods and over the counter/doctor prescribed medication.

Natural Methods

• Allergizer.com recommends honey as an effective solution. It’s really a simple theory that just might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Bees collect the go around looking for nectar and collecting pollen. The pollen is inadvertently put in the honey. People eat the honey and the body begins to build a resistance. There just a few things you need to be aware of if you are thinking of going with this method “First, commercially produced honey most likely WON’T contain pollen as these are filtered prior to bottling. Honey from small backyard producers are your best bet. Next, the honey must be locally produced, such that the honey will contain pollen that are common in your area, and are therefore those which you’ll have to build your resistance to. Lastly, you’ll probably have to eat the honey all winter long, to build enough resistance for the coming spring. Yeah, sorry, it’s too late now, but hey, you can start preparing for next year’s bouts of allergies!”
• This site claims that all you need to do is start eating more garlic, herbs, and spices along with drinking green tea and taking vitamin C supplements.

Four Most Common Allergy  Medicines

• Oral antihistamines-though not effective for the relief of nasal congestion, these do sneezing, itching, and runny nose
• Nasal anithistamines- According to Allergyescape.com this type of nose spray may just be the most effective form of antihistamine. Though side effects include headache and drowsiness
• Decongestants- help loosen up the nasal passages but have little effect on the sneezing and other hay fever symptoms
• Nasal sprays- tend to be the most effective form of allergy relief. Nasal sprays combine the effects of decongestants and antihistamines the downside is that users sometimes complain of insomnia, mood swings, weight gain, and ulcers.