March 7, 2025

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. It's time for Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color, a joyous festival held worldwide where participants welcome spring by singing, dancing, and splashing each other in bright colors.

2. The springtime is a busy time for Religious Holidays, I have a calendar for March.

3. March's full moon, the Worm Moon, is special this year because it will also be a Blood Moon and turn a deep red during next week's lunar eclipse.

4. In Birds, I'm featuring Grandalas, a beautiful blue bird that is native to the steep hillsides of the Himalayas.

5. The University of Arizona’s Spring 2025 College of Science lecture series is under way. I have a preview of this week's lecture that you can attend for free or stream online from anywhere.

6. In the Artist's Corner, I'm catching up with Calley O'Neill, who is placing works from her personal collection on the market for the first time. You can click through to preview her four-series online exhibition.

7. In Around Town, I catch up with what's new at the Reid Park Zoo, including the first birthday of baby elephant Meru.

8. In Wellness, I have some advice about supplements from Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

9. In the Pet's Corner, the Flock's favorite mouser, Fern, is back with her winter friend Chip, plus we get a visit from a rescue pup, Oliver.

Now, to this week's Flock.

Next Friday, March 14th, is the Hindu Festival Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, love, and the arrival of spring. The festival is popular across India, Nepal, and worldwide wherever the Indian diaspora reaches. Typically, celebrants gather together and throw brightly colored powders, paints, and colored water, covering each other in bright colors from head to toe. European capitals all host large Holi celebrations. In the US, most large cities host a Holi festival, but the Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork, Utah, is the oldest and largest celebration of Holi in America.

From: MPR News, March 23, 2024

Holi, widely known as the Hindu festival of colors, is a joyful annual celebration at the advent of spring with cultural and religious significance.

Typically observed in March in India, Nepal, other South Asian countries and across the diaspora, the festival celebrates love and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation — a time to embrace the positive and let go of negative energy.

For one of Holi's most well-known traditions, celebrants clad in all white, come out to the street and throw colored powders at each other, leaving behind a kaleidoscope of pigments and joy. Festivities with music, dancing and food ensue.

How is the Festival of Colors Celebrated?

In many parts of India, people light large bonfires the night before the festival to signify the destruction of evil and victory of good.

On the day of Holi, entire streets and towns are filled with people who throw colored powder in the air. Some fling balloons filled with colored water from rooftops and others use squirt guns. For one day, it’s all fair game. Cries of “Holi hai!” which means “It’s Holi!” can be heard on the streets. Holi has also been romanticized and popularized over the decades in Bollywood films.

The colors seen during Holi symbolize different things. Blue represents the color of Lord Krishna’s skin while green symbolizes spring and rebirth. Red symbolizes marriage or fertility while both red and yellow — commonly used in ritual and ceremony — symbolize auspiciousness.

From: Explore Utah Valley

The Holi in Spanish Fork, Utah continues year after year to successfully defend its title as the biggest event of its kind in The United States.

Several years ago, the Wall Street Journal did an article in which they mentioned the worldwide phenomenon of Color Festivals and Color Runs started in Spanish Fork, Utah. With that in mind, we have a big reputation to uphold. 

That’s not as hard as you might think when you consider the backdrop of a unique Rajasthani Style temple building and surrounding beautiful mountains. Another thing that contributes to the event's popularity is the youthful and pious population.

Given that the Spanish Fork Festival is a high-energy dance, music, and yoga event, centered on the glorification of God, it’s the perfect venue to let off some steam in a good and exuberant way.

The Holi Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork, Utah

Holiday Dates From: Drexel University

Ramadan

February 28 - March 30

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Affiliation: Islam

Source: Wikipedia

Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti

March 1

Ramakrishna Jayanti is a sacred occasion that marks the birth anniversary of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, one of the most prestigious spiritual leaders in India. He was born on 18th February 1836, in a small village of Kamarpukur in West Bengal. His intensive spiritual journey was dedicated to Goddess Kali, and the universal message of harmony among religions made him a beacon of divine knowledge.

Affiliation: Hindu

Source: Diviniti

Lent

March 5

Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year in preparation for Easter. It echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.

Affiliation: Christian

Source: Wikipedia

Ta'anit Esther

March 13

The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Esther) is a fast on Purim eve commemorating two communal fasts undertaken by the Persian Jewish community of Shushan in the Book of Esther, for the purpose of praying for salvation from annihilation by an evil decree which had been instigated by Haman, the king's royal vizier, an anti-jewish enemy from the Amalekite nation.

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Purim

March 13 - 14

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther. Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus.

Affiliation: Jewish

Source: Wikipedia

Holi

March 13-14

Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu.

Affiliation: Hindu

Source: Wikipedia

Nowruz

March 20

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. Historically, it has been observed by Persians and other Iranian peoples, but is now celebrated by many ethnicities worldwide. 

Affiliation: Persian

Source: Wikipedia

Naw Rúz

March 20

Naw-Rúz is the first day of the Baháʼí calendar year and one of eleven holy days for adherents of the Baháʼí Faith. It occurs on the vernal equinox, on or near March 21, which is also the traditional Persian New Year. 

Affiliation: Baháʼí

Source: Wikipedia

Feast of the Annunciation

March 25

The Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Affiliation: Christian

Source: Wikipedia

Eid al-Fitr

March 30-31

Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. 

Affiliation: Islam

Source: Wikipedia

March's full moon, the Worm Moon, is special this year because there will be a total lunar eclipse between March 13th and 14th. As the moon passes into the Earth's shadow, it will appear to turn a deep red, a phenomenon known as a Blood Moon.

From: The Old Farmer's Almanac, By Catherine Noeckmnann, March 5, 2025

The Surprising Truth Behind the Worm Moon Name

March’s full Moon goes by the name Worm Moon. For many years, we thought this name referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring. This invites robins and other birds to feed—a true sign of spring!

However, more research revealed another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.

From: NASA, By: Wayne Smith, March 7, 2025

Just step outside on the evening of March 13 or early in the morning of March 14 and take a look at the total lunar eclipse for yourself. And you can count NASA’s Dr. Renee Weber among those who will be checking it out – weather permitting and sleep not withstanding.

“As a child I remember begging my mom to wake me up to see a lunar eclipse,” said Weber, the chief scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “The next morning I was mad because she didn’t wake me up – except she DID, but because I was so sleepy I don’t have any memories of it! Fortunately I’ve gotten a few chances to see lunar eclipses as an adult, including the one that occurred on Jan. 20, 2019, which I also photographed.”

Given its nickname, a Blood Moon may not sound as appealing as a Blue Moon or Harvest Moon. But this one lives up to its name – at least when it comes to its potentially deep red color during a total lunar eclipse.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra. When the Moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called “Blood Moons” because of this phenomenon.

In Huntsville, the eclipse will begin in partial phases at 10:57 p.m. on March 13, and end at 5:00 a.m. on March 14. Totality will begin at 1:26 a.m. and end at 2:31, with maximum eclipse occurring at 1:58. View more information on times to observe the eclipse in the Western Hemisphere.

What's Up: March 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA

One of the most beautiful blue birds lives in flocks that swirl in front of the Himalayas.

From: Roundglass Sustain, By: Dr Asad Rahmani, February 20, 2023

Nature has distributed its beauties equally, from biodiversity-rich tropical rain forests and coral reefs to barren deserts and alpine regions. It is for us to find and enjoy these splendours. In the Western Ghats and parts of Central Indian forests, we have the deep-blue Malabar whistling-thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii), well-known for its melodious song. Its counterpart, the blue whistling-thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) of the Himalayas, is larger, with a deep yellow bill. It can also defeat any songster in the singing competition. Still higher up, on the interface of forest and subalpine regions, we get the purplish-blue grandala (Grandala coelicolor), a single member of the genus. A grandala cannot compete in music with the two mentioned species. Still, its royal blue apparel, black wings, black-tipped tail, and flocking behaviour mesmerises anyone lucky enough to see these cheerful birds.

Like rare blue diamonds, priced higher than other diamonds (except the red), the grandala is a gem of a bird. Fortunately, they are not rare and are quite widely distributed in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and China. BirdLife International, which annually assesses the conservation status of birds for the IUCN Red List, considers it of “Least Concern”. Its breeding and resident range could be 2,770,000 sq km.

In summer, flocks of grandala can be seen between 3,900 and 5,500 m, where they breed on sharp cliffs and forage around rocky slopes and stony alpine meadows. Winter brings them down to 3,000-3,960 m, sometimes as low as 2,000 m in a severe winter.

The spring 2025 University of Arizona’s College of Science lecture series is underway. These entertaining and educational lectures are delivered by UA faculty and are free and open to the public. RSVP through their website to attend at Centennial Hall, or livestream the lectures on the UAZScience YouTube channel.

From: University of Arizona College of Science

Join us for the 20th annual College of Science Lecture Series at Centennial Hall!

• All lectures are free and open to the public. RSVP here.
• Doors open at Centennial Hall at 6:15 p.m.
• The lectures begin at 7:00 p.m. and last approximately one hour.
• The lectures will be livestreamed on the UAZScience YouTube channel.

March 13, 2025

Genesis Arizmendi

Two Languages, One Mind: What Science Reveals About Bilingual Communication

In a place like Tucson, where diverse cultures and languages intersect every day, bilingualism isn’t just common—it’s a powerful asset. In this talk, Dr. Genesis Arizmendi will explore how being bilingual shapes how we think, communicate, and connect within our communities. Drawing from the latest research, we’ll discuss how bilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility, fosters cultural understanding, and strengthens social ties.

Whether you speak one language or five, understanding and appreciating bilingual communication enriches our collective perspective, strengthens community ties, and highlights the linguistic wealth we all share. By exploring these dynamics, we can all better understand how language, in any form, connects us and strengthens our communities.

Calley O’Neill is a precious friend and one of my favorite artists on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I first featured her in the sixth issue of the Flock. Her art honors the ancestral wisdom of the Hawaiian people, evolution, transformation, and reverence for the land and the conservation of nature. Since June of 2023, I’ve been periodically updating you on the progress of her 300' long Mālama 'Āina Mural Project for the Kona Airport that will include eight 12’by 40’ mosaics and be viewed by the three to four million travelers who pass through the airport each year.

Due to circumstances outside her control, Calley has had to face the daunting task of relocating her glass shop, the Mālama 'Āina mural workspace, and her studio of 35 years. To help facilitate these unexpected interruptions to her work and secure a new space, Calley has decided to place works from her personal collection on the market for the first time. Click through at the bottom of this post to view Calley's art.

Calley’s team working on mosaic pieces for the mural from the February 16, 2024 issue of The Flock.

The eight mural panels in progress

An example of the intricate planning that goes int each element of the mosaic from the July5, 2024 issue of The Flock.

From Calley:

I hope you enjoy seeing the four-series online exhibition featuring once-in-a-lifetime masterpieces, including two interspecies works with Rama the Elephant… Each piece has a fascinating story and a special connection to our conservation efforts and our healthy future. Every sale moves us closer to securing a place to live and work in Waime…a Every sale speaks to our community’s support of local art, Mother Earth, and the common good.

My life’s work is a conservation effort, and to continue my work, I am offering my private collection of rare, museum-quality originals for sale… The proceeds from this sale will make our next chapter possible… My family and I have lived with these beloved art pieces for many years, and now we are ready to share them with others.

A lot is going on at the Reid Park Zoo this March. The Zoo has a new monumental elephant sculpture, 'La Professora,' donated by artist Pat Frederick. Baby elephant Meru, whose birth The Flock announced last March, turned one on Thursday, March 8th. She shares her birthday with her older sister Penzi, who turned five. The siblings celebrated together, along with their care team and Zoo visitors. The Zoo will feature extended hours and stay open until 6:00 pm through the middle of the month.

Artist Pat Frederick donated her sculpture 'La Professora' to Reid Park Zoo to stand up for wild elephants. You can see the sculpture on Randolph Way near the entrance to the Zoo’s new parking lot. Hear the artist talk about the meaning behind this incredible public art piece.

La Professora Elephant Sculpture By Artist Pat Frederick

Saturday, March 8, 2025

9:00 am — 12:00 pm

It’s a pachyderm party!

Put your trunks up for beloved elephants Meru and her big sister Penzi as we celebrate the 1st and 5th birthdays of the members of the elephant herd. Enjoy free cookies (while supplies last), sing “Happy Birthday” to our dynamic duo, and watch while the herd receives some elephant-sized fun! Their care team will be answering your questions about Meru and Penzi’s unique personalities and how you can join the Zoo in helping to protect wild elephants.

When we celebrate the herd we celebrate all elephants across the world! Reid Park Zoo is a proud supporter of the Tanzania Conservation Research Program, which works to create habitat corridors for elephants in Africa. Learn more about this program and other conservation projects Reid Park Zoo supports here.

Saturday, March 8, 2025 — Sunday, March 16, 2025

9:00 am — 6:00 pm

Stay longer with your flock!

Reid Park Zoo will remain open until 6 p.m. from March 8 – 16 for you and your flock! Enjoy the cooler afternoons with your family as the sun sets over the elephant habitat. There’s time for one more spin on the Carousel or to swing into the World of Play adventure zone. Take a break, grab a pretzel, and stay a bit later with your favorite Zoo animals.

Many take supplements to fill the gaps they might miss in their daily diet. Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has compiled a helpful outline of five things you should know before taking any supplement. Supplements can be beneficial, but they also have risks, such as interactions with medications you may already be taking or risks specific to your health. Before adding any supplement to your diet, discussing its effectiveness and safety with your healthcare provider is essential.

From: Penn Medicine, March 31, 2022

What Do Supplements Do?

Whether they’re spilling out of your medicine cabinet or filling your bathroom countertop, you’re not alone if you’re one of the millions of Americans who take a vitamin or supplement each day.

You may be trying to combat a vitamin deficiency or lower your risk of certain diseases —- or you may just feel proactive about your health after popping a supplement that promises to improve your health.

From vitamin A to zinc, Americans have been taking dietary supplements for decades. When supplements first became available in the 1940s, people flocked to local drug stores to stock up on these supposedly magical pills to improve their overall health and well-being — and they never stopped.

A Look At Dietary Supplement Usage Statistics 

More than one-third of Americans take supplements.

Multivitamin or mineral supplements make up 40% of all vitamin sales. 

The most common supplement contains fish oil, omega 3, DHA, or EPA fatty acids.

About 30% of adults age 65 and older take 4 or more supplements of any kind.

Dietary supplement recommendations can be found everywhere — on commercials, through social media influencers, and from your neighbors, friends, and family. Amidst the noise, it can be hard to know which supplement — if any — is right for you.

Though many supplements are certainly beneficial to your health, evidence varies widely, and it’s important to know which can benefit your health and which may be harmful

Aspen mouser Fern gets a visit from her winter friend Chip.

The Flock's favorite nutritionist Kimberly Gomer has a new rescue pup, Oliver. Here, he is living his best life.

credit: NASA, ESA,STSci, and hubble Space Telescope

Revisiting the Veil Nebula

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD/LDN

Registered and licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. Find me on my website at KimberlyGomer.com for information about nutrition coaching.

Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair ArIzona

– Sign the petition here

Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help in understanding testing knowledge and how it's being applied.

Kyria Sabin of Fletcher Pilates,

(520) 323-7070

The Fabric Jeanie!

Tap to learn more. 

(520) 245-0589

Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano

for piano and voice lessons

Andres Valbuena, drum selection, drum basics, and more.

Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.

The institute of Personal andTranspersonal Knowledge

Tucson Village Farm:

Vegetaable growing in the summer heat.

The Physio Shop,

Elite physical therapy services and more.

Icebox Cryotherapy,

Icebox Tucson’s unique enhancers allow you to be your best version! 

Nathan Anderson of Catalina Acupuncture

(520) 999-0080

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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