This season is often associated with rebirth, renewal and regrowth.
The Sun rises in the earlier hours of the morning and sets later on in the afternoon.
Spring days get slightly warmer.
First day of spring is also called the vernal equinox. 'Vernal' and 'equinox' are Latin terms meaning 'spring' and 'equal night' respectively. Hence, the day exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, though not exactly technically so. This generally falls on March 20 / 21 every year.
In spring, the Earth's axis is tilted toward the sun, increasing the number of daylight hours and bringing warmer weather that causes plants to bring forth new growth.
Hurricane season also begins in late spring.
Tornado Alley is most active this time of year.
March Holidays
Mardi Gras
Ash Wednesday
St. Patrick's Day
April Holidays
Good Friday
Easter
Earth Day
Arbor Day
Fun Spring Activities
Check List
Plant something green
Enjoy a Picnic in the Park
Go Jogging
Take a Hike
Ride a bike
Visit Local Farm
Play a Round of Golf
Fly a Kite
Look for four-leaf clovers
Feed the ducks at a pond or lake
Wade in a creek
Go stone skipping
Plan a Spring Break Vacation
Visit your local farmers market and purchase seasonal area produce
Employee Spotlight
Cheryl Tate
Information Technology
Read about the connection that Cheryl has made with the Columbus Consolidated Government and her bond with the employees.
Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is one of the four solar festivals of the year. The equinox - which translates roughly in Latin to "equal night" - is when the sun sits vertically above the equator, making day and night equal across the planet. The Spring Equinox officially marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and there are celebrations around the world to usher in longer days and springtime. In some cultures, this day also marks the beginning of the new year, which in Iranian culture is called Nowruz. The Spring Equinox is a brilliant time for new beginnings, no matter how you celebrate.
Spring Fitness Tips
Book a Physical
Believe it or not, only about 20 percent of Americans get an annual check-up. Be one of them! While you might look and feel just fine (or really hate needles), it's important to keep tabs on things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and vitamin deficiencies before designing your workout program.
Set a Schedule... but Be Realistic
If you haven't been working out much this winter, don't write down that you'll do outdoor cardio exercises for 30 minutes a day, six days a week. You'll only find yourself getting frustrated and will be more likely to give up on your workout program. Post your exercise plan in places you'll look frequently, like the calendar app on your smartphone or at your desk at work.
Team Up
You're more likely to stick with your plan if you've got a partner in crime. Choose someone who has similar goals who's schedule fits with your own. Your best bet: Get together at the same time four days a week, whether it's before work or just before dinner.
Plan a Trip
Change your way of thinking
Stretch Out before and after workouts
Most importantly.....
Reward Yourself!!!
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which affects the central nervous system (directly affects the brain and spinal cord).
This is a chronic and unpredictable condition. Along with this disease comes many symptoms:
Problems with bladder control, speech and vision.
Numbness
loss of muscle control
weakness
problems with muscle coordination
tremors
depression.
In all about 50,00 Americans are effected by this disease. On average about 3 Americans are diagnosed daily.
Although there is no cure, with proper medical care, plenty of rest, exercising and a balanced diet, more people are fighting back this silent terror.
Autism Awareness Month
Autism Is Widespread, Awareness About This Condition Is Not
In the United States, autism affects 1 in every 110 children. National Autism Awareness Month aims to make the public more aware about this widespread disability and the issues which arise in the autism community. As about 1 in 150 people in America have autism, the chances are that you know someone with this disability. A better informed public will be more empathetic and supportive towards people with autism.
People with autism are classed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the terms autism and ASD are often used interchangeably. A wide spectrum disorder, people will autism have set of symptoms unique to themselves; no two people are the same.
Whilst no two people with autism will have the same set of symptoms, there are common characteristics found in those with this complex disability.
Brief Characteristics:
Social Skill Imbalance- Lots of people with Autism have problems with interacting with others. Autistic children lack adequate social and speaking skills that may alter their ability to interact with others.
Empathy- This is the ability to recognize and understand others emotions and feelings. Autistic people find it harder to show these feelings toward others, although they can be taught to acknowledge them.
Physical Contact- Not all people are not for natural embraces. Most but not all people living with Autism find it difficult to engage in physical contact such as: hugs, tickling or physical play with others.
Sudden changes in their environment- Loud noises, smells or even abrupt changes to their person can also be a trigger for someone with Autism.
Speech- can be affected in people with autism. 'Echolalia' is a typical speech symptom in which the person repeats words and phrases that they hear. The speech tone of an autistic person may be monotonous. Where symptoms are more extreme the person may not speak.
Autism can be be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.
St. Patrick's Day Facts
Saint Patrick Was British
Although he made his mark by introducing Christianity to Ireland in the year 432, Patrick wasn't Irish himself. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century.
There's a Reason for The Shamrocks
According to Irish legend, the saint used the three-leafed plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland.
It Could have Been Saint Maewyn's Day
According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick wasn't originally called Patrick. His birth name was Maewyn Succat, but he changed his name to Patricius after becoming a priest.
There Are No Female Leprechauns
Don't be fooled by any holiday decorations showing lady leprechauns. In traditional Irish folk tales, there are no female leprechauns, only nattily attired little guys.
The Lingo Makes Sense
You can't attend a Saint Patrick's Day event without hearing a cry of "Erin go Bragh." What's the phrase mean? It's a corruption of the
Irish Éirinn go Brách, which means roughly "Ireland Forever."
St. Patrick died on March 17th
St. Patrick's Day, which takes place on March 17 each year, is a celebratory time marked by parties and festivals. But it is actually
to mark St. Patrick's death - he is believed to have died on this day around 460 A.D., according to History.com.
The Signifigance of Easter
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which adheres to the Julian calendar, Easter falls on a Sunday between April 4th and May 8th each year.
Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations-particularly the pagan goddess Eostre (or Ostara), the ancient Germanic goddess of spring-and in the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Easter Traditions
Easter Eggs-
It's believed that eggs represented fertility and birth in certain pagan traditions that pre-date Christianity. Egg decorating may have become part of the Easter celebration in a nod to the religious significance of Easter, i.e., Jesus' resurrection or re-birth.
Easter Bunny-
The exact origins of the Easter Bunny tradition are unknown, although some historians believe it arrived in America with German immigrants in the 1700s. Rabbits are, in many cultures, known as enthusiastic procreators, so the arrival of baby bunnies in springtime meadows became associated with birth and renewal.
Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
2 Lemons
1 Cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 medium seedless watermelon
Instructions
1. Squeeze lemons into a large pitcher.
2. Add lemon quarters.
3. Add mint and sugar, mash with wooden spoon until order mint is bruised and sugar is dissolved.
4. In a blender, puree watermelon in small batches until smooth; pour through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher. This should be about 8 cups of juice.
5. Stir to combine and refrigerate.
This drink can be stored for up to 3 days. Serve over Ice.
Enjoy!!!
Spring Vegetable Soup with Pesto
Ingredients
1 cup dried Navy Beans
1 Bay Leaf
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 medium leeks, diced
2 medium carrots
8 ounces Yukon Potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 pound plum tomatoes, cubed
2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
4 ounces green beans, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 small zucchini
1 cup fresh shelled or thawed peas
Seasoning
1 teaspoon coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 small garlic cloves
2 cups loosely packed fresh Bay leaves
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Cover beans with 6 cups cold water in a large pot. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 1 hour.
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
8 ounces bacon
Salt
5 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup
sugar
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
Instructions
Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook over medium heat just until crisp; drain on paper towels.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and blanch until bright green and slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Drain well, run under cold water to stop the cooking, and drain again.
In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, onion, sugar and raisins. Add the broccoli and toss the coat with the dressing. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Just before servings, fold in the sunflower kernels and the bacon pieces. Serve immediately.
CCG Employee Recognition Program (ERP)
CCG Employee Recognition Program recognizes employees who make consistent contributions to the CCG through outstanding job performance via two categories: PEER Award & Individual Excellence Award
PEER Award (Promoting Employee Excellence through Recognition)
Employees are nominated by their peers and winners are selected by past recipients of this award
Individual Excellence Award
Nominations must originate from a person in a supervisory relationship to the nominee and have approval of their department head
