| Solar power eliminates utility bills in U.S. home
Michael Strizki heats and cools his house year-round and runs a full range of appliances including such power-guzzlers as a hot tub and a wide-screen TV without paying a penny in utility bills. His conventional-looking family home in the pinewoods of western New Jersey is the first in the United States to show that a combination of solar and hydrogen power can generate all the electricity needed for a home. The Hopewell Project, named for a nearby town, comes at a time of increasing concern over U.S. energy security and worries over the effects of burning fossil fuels on the climate. "People understand that climate change is a big concern but they don't know what they can do about it," said Gian-Paolo Caminiti of Renewable Energy International, the commercial arm of the project.
Boy's curiosity about his body is normal
Dear Ellie: My grandson, aged four, has developed a unique symptom that whenever he's alone he takes off his pants and witnesses his private parts. What sort of psychology works in him that he's doing this nonsense behavior? -- Concerned Grandparent Dear Concerned Grandparent: It's called curiosity, and is a normal part of a child's self-discovery. If overreacted to by adults as something wrong or bad, the behavior may increase out of confusion, or because others have made it seem so important. He may also be left alone too much and therefore bored. I recommend that his parents and anyone involved frequently with the boy make sure he's getting enough socializing time with other children, outdoor play, and learning stimulation through games and teaching tools. All the above deals with the most likely situation.
Criminals and celebratory shooters ignore basic rules
Several readers responded to my article two weeks ago about the dangers of celebratory gunfire. Their comments expressed a mix of appreciation, detailed explanations of how a bullet works and displeasure toward my saying guns have but one purpose: to kill.I'll address the latter first.Many people around the world use firearms to shoot clay pigeons, bulls'-eyes or other inanimate targets as a means of competition or sharpening their skills. No doubt, some of the letter writers are among them and, understandably, took exception to the “kill" line.There was no intent on my part to disparage your pastime.
However, firearms were first created as a weapon for warfare. That people have adapted to using them for skills competition is a technicality that strays from the point of that article: that if you fire a gun into the air without regard to where the bullet falls, you're recklessly endangering yourself and others.If you do it in a municipality, you can be charged with discharging a firearm.
A versatile canine can aid with all types of hunting
Mattie, an English lab, is getting ready to join Paul Ropolo of Sarver for a day of duck hunting. While labs are equally at home, in the field or on the water, dog trainer Denny Linkes said that almost any sporting breed can be trained for both waterfowl and upland bird hunting. When it comes to dogs, we have upland bird dogs, waterfowl dogs and house pets. Can one dog fit all bills? The answer is a resounding yes, Armstrong County dog trainer Denny Linkes said. Linkes has gained a reputation for training dogs to do the difficult -- or the nearly impossible. He has qualified a three-legged dog, his beloved Buddy, to place high in a national pheasant hunting championship, and qualified his Labrador retriever, Miasha, for a top spot in the nationals at 6 months of age. He also qualified Ruby, a golden retriever -- a breed not noted for speed -- for national ranking.
|
