Bob Ross: Christmas Eve Snow

Staff Writer, Katrina Chisveski
Art / Holidays
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Bob Ross when he was teaching painting on PBS. 

 Bob Ross: Christmas Eve Snow

The finished painting:

 You are missed.


Source: Youtube

The Holiday Reminder

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Holidays / Materialism
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It’s the holidays again

and you are feeling blue

There are no presents

There is no tree

There is nothing around for you

The bitterness is not from the cold outside

but from your endless empty heart

Hopelessness has taken hold inside

Instead of sitting there wishing

for objects that do not matter

Be thankful for what you do have

for it is probably more than most

Look around and invite friends over

and raise such a clatter!

Drink with a merry toast to all

You do not have to have what is material

or need to feel discontent

As long as love and good cheer

is in everything you do everyday

So open your heart with happiness

and brighten the holidays with a smile

All you need is there for the taking

It is real and alive and waiting

but only if you believe in the goodwill

of all the inhabitants of the Earth

It’s not about religion

It’s not about money

It is the idea that we are more

than a shell of flesh and blood

we are so below as above

spirits with an abundance of love

so throw off the yoke of taking

and begin to receive what is yours

The holidays are not about things

It’s about if you care more for others

than what can be purchased from the stores.

Thank you

Have a wonderful Holiday Season 

Fireplace and Woodburning Harms Valley Residents' Health

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Community Interest / Medicine

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People with respiratory issues have a hard time breathing this time of the year. Not because of the cooler temperatures, but because of the burning activities of Valley residents. 

Imagine if you had asthma, emphysema, or worse, then looked at the smog lacing the metro area's sky. It's not fun to be unable to breathe. It's even worse when someone has to visit the hospital for an emergency intervention.

Here is a snippet from Phoenix's AirNow:

We are closing on some worst days for pollution historically. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day see some of the worst pollution that is entirely preventable here in the Valley. Festive fireplace and fire pit activity on these nights and days leave a blanket of smoke over the Phoenix metropolitan area that gets trapped by inversions. Unfortunately, these levels of pollution are so extreme that Health Watches and High Pollution Advisories are issued, triggering No Burn restrictions from Maricopa County. We can reverse this trend, but we need your help.

For more, visit: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/ozone/Holiday%20Burning.pdf. Check back tomorrow for more. Until then, have a good day! -J.Paul

Give more than material gifts this holiday season. Give the gift of breathing. Limit your festive burning activities and let others enjoy the holidays as well.

Source: Airnow Phoenix

Let's Play Hardball...

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

News / Government

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It was so nice knowing all of you... No, really. 

A friend posted this link on my facebook page: Play Hardball with Chris Matthews and the President, so I did. This comment is what I left:

I would like to know when are we going to get back to American values? The government routinely ignores the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Journalists are targeted. Protestors and Free Speech Advocates are shot, kettled, and abused by police without cause. Our skies, water, air, and food are poisoned with chemicals, gmo's and more. Education has become laughable. All government agenices are spying on us for no probable cause. Cities and states are getting into treasonist agreements with iCELI (Agenda 21). And, the US Government keeps putting corporations and elite technocrats above the people and Constitution they purport to serve... so the question remains: when are going to get back to American values, the Constitution and Bill of Rights? ... oh, and you cant use 9/11 or Terrorism in your answer since the federal govt now funds those terrorist organizations, so they cannot be used as an excuse for the criminality being perpetrated on the American people... 

I wonder if I am going to get that Secret Service visit before or after the holidays? Hmm, well have a great day and remember, you cannot complain if you are not making an effort to return our Democratic Republic to the way it is supposed to be.

Enter your question to the President today!