Fire Mitigation is
Everyone’s BusinessBy Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO
Everyone’s Business
Recent wildfires, particularly those close to home, demonstrate the reality – and unpredictability – of wildfires in Colorado. Now more than ever it is important to have a plan and be as prepared as possible. United Power serves a territory that includes the plains of eastern Colorado and two rugged mountain canyons in the Foothills with dense forests and ample fuel for wildfires. Thanks to the dedicated effort of your cooperative’s operations team, we implemented a robust and aggressive fire mitigation plan to protect our members. This plan is reviewed and revised every year to make sure your cooperative is taking advantage of the most up-to-date and innovative technology, which can proactively alert us to equipment failure or heat warnings. We encourage all United Power members to read the plan, found on our website at www.unitedpower.com/fire-mitigation, to understand how your cooperative is working to mitigate the possible loss of life and property from wildfires. The fire mitigation plan identifies three core areas of focus: vegetation management, system improvements, and situational awareness.
Astrology with
Divine Androgyne
By: Hollis Taylor
Astrology is an ancient science, with evidence of its use dating back to the time when the Bible was written—possibly even earlier, during the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. It has been integral to medicine for thousands of years, beginning in Mesopotamia in the second millennium BCE and continuing into the 18th century. The practice was most prevalent in Europe during the late medieval and early modern periods, from around 1450 AD to 1700 AD. Over time, astrology has evolved, and today it offers an alternative view of the world, helping to soothe the restlessness that often arises after watching the news.
Friday, May 1 — Full moon
May 2026 is one of those rare months that feature two full moons. Today’s full moon is also known as the “Flower Moon.” The expression comes from a blend of Native American, Colonial American, and European traditions, where the lunar cycle, rather than the solar calendar we use today, was used to track the seasons. For early Native American tribes, tracking the full moons was a vital way to monitor the agricultural season. When the May Full moon rose, it signaled that the frost was finally gone, and the landscape was exploding with color and new plant life. Today’s full moon is also known as a “micromoon” (sometimes called a “minimoon”). Since the moon’s orbit is not circular (it’s actually elliptical), its distance from the Earth is not constant. A micromoon occurs when the moon is at (or near) its apogee (the furthest point in its elliptical orbit). Today’s “Micro Flower Moon” will reach peak illumination at 1:23 p.m. EDT (1723 GMT). In the North American eastern skies, the moon will rise around 8:12 p.m. EDT. This is not the best time to observe the moon or the night sky. Since the sun, Earth and moon are aligned, the sun’s light is hitting the lunar surface directly head-on from our perspective. The moon’s brightness washes out not only the rest of the sky, but its own features. The fact that the moon’s brightness is reduced by as much as 30% is a slight benefit offered by a micromoon. The use of a lunar filter is highly recommended if you still want to observe the moon through a telescope this evening.