August is Water Quality Month!

The United Nations has declared August to be National Water Quality Month in order to bring awareness to the importance of water. This time is created to remind us to appreciate and protect our water resources. Water is the basis of all life and important to sanitation, human rights, urbanization, sustainability, economic growth, etc. Water pollution is a major problem in today’s world, and declaring August Water Quality Month is our nation’s effort to reduce pollution and raise awareness.

Some Facts:

• According to the EPA, 40% of the nation’s waterways are suffering from water quality problems
• Every second, the urban population grows by 2 people.
• In Africa and Asia, the urban population is expected to double between 2000 and 2030.
• The poor pay more. A slum dweller in Nairobi, Kenya pays 5 to 7 times more for a liter of water than an average North American citizen.
• 828 million people live in slum conditions, lacking basic services such as drinking water and sanitation. This number is increasing by 6 million each year to hit a total of 889 million by 2020.
• 62% of the sub-Saharan Africa urban population and 43% of the urban population of south-central Asia lives in slums.
• One of four urban dwellers does not have access to improved sanitation facilities.
• 27% of the urban dwellers in the developing world does not have access to piped water at home.

*Source- http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cities.shtml

So how can we help?

• Be Aware— Learn about the current water crisis and water pollution issues. Tell others why you’re participating in National Water Quality Month.
• Get Involved— Reduce your household’s water usage by not wasting water while washing dishes, showering, or brushing your teeth. Take steps to save water by avoiding over-watering your lawn. Pick up trash and pet waste to avoid water pollution.
• Be Used—Volunteer in a local cleanup/restoration project. Find ways that you can help with the water crisis locally, or start your own efforts.

Together we can make a large impact this month. Spread the word that all of August is National Water Quality Month! To learn more about this essential life resource, visit National Water Quality Month and the American Public Health Association.

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August is Romance Awareness Month!

February isn’t the only romantic month on the calendar.  Check your relationship’s pulse during Romance Awareness in August. If it needs a jump start, there are lots of ways to put some spark back into the relationship. Add excitement by planning the unexpected. Surprise your significant other with a date night with only a few clues as to the destination. None of it needs to be expensive or elaborate, but making an effort to make the evening fun, spontaneous and memorable will be worthwhile. Maybe it’s a note clipped to a single flower saying you’ll pick them up at 7 PM and to wear sandals. It ends up with a picnic on the beach; or it could be a text to them that you’re in the mood for takeout, be ready in an hour – a three-hour road trip later and you’re at the nearest drive-in theater eating hot wings under the stars.

The simple things mean so much more than elaborate gifts. A wrapped mint slipped into a pocket with an encouraging message on the day of big presentation sends waves of support and love when it’s needed most. Sharing our successes with those we love is another way of enhancing the romance. Toast each other’s success and bask in the glow. Spend quiet time with each other. Read books, do chores, sleep. Just be. Sometimes, just being together in the same room generates energy that may have been missing. Cultivate activities as a couple you enjoy doing together. Whether you enjoy games, biking, sports, antiquing, travel, music or haven’t discovered your interest yet, get out there and explore.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Being aware of and adding more romance into your relationship will be a win-win for both you and your significant other. Passion has always been an essential part of relationships. Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference, such as; holding hands, a shoulder rub, a flower, making dinner together, playing your favorite song, leaving a personal note, or watching a movie together.

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August is National Catfish Month!

Oregon Votes 2020!

Don Merrill has been busy recording interviews from Oregon political candidates in advance of the November 2020 election, speaking with candidates for county district attorney, state legislature, state courts, Secretary of State, US Congress, and those Oregon residents aspiring to the presidency. They are conversations with candidates from across the political spectrum under the desired purpose of letting Oregonians hear directly from those who would represent them.

The approximately 30-minute long conversations explore candidate’s personal and professional views on current issues, based on questions complied from examining their voting and campaign finance records, social media and news reports. Interviews are shared throughout the Oregon Community Media network, which is a consortium of nearly 30 non-profit radio stations in the state. All of these interviews are available at http://Oregon2020.org and will be updated periodically.

Get Informed, Your Vote Matters!