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.
Wednesday, Jan. 1 – The Pleiades (all night)
In the evening during early January, the prominent open star cluster known as the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is climbing the southeastern sky. The stars of its home constellation Taurus, the Bull, will be below the cluster. This year, the brilliant planet Jupiter will be shining about 1.3 fist diameters to the lower left (or 13 degrees to the celestial east) of the cluster. The “sisters” are medium-bright, hot blue stars named Asterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygeta, Celaeno, and Alcyone.
In Greek mythology, those characters were the daughters of Atlas, and half sisters of the Hyades. They are indeed related – born of the same primordial gas cloud. To the unaided eye, only six of the stars are usually apparent, including their parents Atlas and Pleione huddled together at the east end of the grouping. In binoculars (inset) and backyard telescopes, hundreds of fainter stars surround them. Not surprisingly, many cultures, including Aztec, Maori, Sioux, Hindu, and more, have developed stories about those stars. In Japan, it is called Subaru, and forms the logo of the eponymous car maker. Due to its shape, the cluster is sometimes confused with the Little Dipper.