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.
Monday, June 1 — The moon’s terminator and Ocean of Storms
The moon (the remains of May’s Blue Moon) is no longer full, but it still shines brightly at roughly 97% illumination. While the waning, gibbous moon looks like a solid disk to the naked eye, a telescope will reveal a sliver of shadow (called the sunset terminator) creeping onto the eastern limb (the right side of the moon from the perspective of a naked-eye observer located in the Northern Hemisphere). That tiny shadow is still enough to transform “flat” features into 3D landscapes. Since the terminator is just starting its journey, it will be grazing the far eastern edge of Mare Crisium (the Sea of Crises). Instead of a flat, gray “sea,” observers will see the eastern edge of the mare floor falling into shadow, punctuated by long, jagged, knife-like shadows cast by the surrounding mountain peaks.
In binoculars, observers can easily see the darkening of the basin’s rim. Advanced observers should look for the tiny craters Yerkes and Picard on the mare floor; their low rims will cast disproportionately long shadows westward.