January 12, 2024

Overview for this week.

1. There's a great event that I've gone to in previous years, the Aspen Ideas Festival. The 2024 festival is open for registration, we have a preview of what to expect this year. I also included their top five big ideas for getting a new start in 2024. 

2. In the Next Gen, I catch up with young data analyst William George and look at how he helps journalists break important stories. We will be following more of his efforts in future issues of The Flock.

3. Migration season is just around the corner for many species of birds. You all know we love birds, that's why we're The Flock. Here we preview the best locations around Tucson to spot some ducks, and just which species you might get to see.

4. It may still be winter, but it's also a good time to get an early start on planning your spring plantings. We look at how to grow Pentas, a beautiful and warm climate tolerant plant that attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds.

5. This week we give a special Flock shout out to Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, who at 92 has set a new world record for hiking rim to rim in the Grand Canyon.

6. In the Book Corner, I feature a new comprehensive guide to keeping your body young and your mind sharp, the Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging.

7. We have a musical Reader Submission from Dino DeConcini, who recognized this as the background music in a video we posted in December, J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.

8. I’ve included some hearty soup recipes from Martha Stewart to keep you warm on these cold January nights.

9. I wanted to give everyone a heads up for a fun family-oriented event, the LEGO Brick Fest, that is touring select cities across the country this Spring. I also look at the trail of setbacks and the perseverance that LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen exhibited in following his dream.

10. Finally, in the Pet's Corner, I share a sweet video of an outgoing Sulcate Tortoise.

Now, to this week's Flock.

Registraton has opened for the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival, the flagship gathering of the Aspen Institute. The festival brings in over 300 speakers who lead hundreds of discussions over a seven day period. I've attended many times and it has always been a very rewarding experience. If you are unable to attend, the festival makes some of its discussions available online through their YouTube channel, podcasts, and through PBS.

From: Aspen Ideas

Program Overview

From sunup to sundown, the Aspen Ideas Festival packs hundreds of fascinating discussions into seven days. We explore critical issues as well as uncover ideas that spark wonder. Panels, interviews, lectures and interactive sessions will delve into topics shaping the 2024 election, business and the economy, the role of art throughout all aspects of our lives, geopolitics, sports, leadership, and more.

Highlights from the 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival

I hope your New Year's resolutions are going well, if not, there is always the option of a restart! Just do it! Here are some suggestions from Aspen Ideas.

From: Aspen Ideas

Whether you love setting New Year’s resolutions or ignore them entirely, there’s still a certain mix of nostalgia and excitement over the ending of one year and the possibilities that lay ahead. We’ve gathered five big ideas that offer some food for thought as you head into 2024, including a new mindset for thinking about careers, a glimpse into the history of the cosmos, and some tips for cultivating more connection and laughter in the year to come.

We first featured William Scott George in The Next Gen section of our Apil 7, 2023 issue. William directs the research department at Import Genius, a trade data aggregator. He analyzes trade and shipping data worldwide, identifying trends and patterns.  He either pitches his findings to journalists to cover, or they come to him for assistance with their reporting. His analysis often underpins and enhances their reporting. The article below from Fortune is an example of how his work is used. In the following weeks we will feature more reporting that William has contributed to.

From: Fortune, By: Matthew Perrone and The Associated Press, December 19, 2023

In only two years, a small, colorful vaping device called Elf Bar has become the most popular disposable e-cigarette in the world, generating billions in sales and quickly emerging as the overwhelming favorite of underage U.S. teens who vape.

Last week, U.S. authorities publicly announced the first seizure of some of the company’s products, part of an operation confiscating 1.4 million illegal, flavored e-cigarettes from China. Officials pegged the value of the items at $18 million, including brands other than Elf Bar.

Many birds will be beginning their northern migration soon and depending on where you are, the next few months are a great time for birdwatching. Be sure to keep your wits about you if you go tromping through the woods looking for your favorite pond to spot migrating ducks or other birds. Just the other day, I was taking the dog for a walk in Colorado and ran into a rather stout coyote, no worries, we exchanged glances, and he was on his way. Many of the ducks on the list below winter in Tucson and can be spotted at several parks around town.

From: Birds & Blooms, By:Rob Ripma, March 17, 2021

Many ducks are already migrating toward their breeding grounds. Here are some of the types of ducks that you are likely to see during spring migration.

Although it might not feel like spring migration should be starting up, many types of ducks are already beginning their trek northward. As soon as lakes and reservoirs have open water, you can count on many ducks, geese, and other waterbirds to start their migration back to their breeding grounds. These 20 types of ducks are some of the ones you are likely to see if you head out to your local lake, reservoir, or marsh with a spotting scope this spring!

While most people might associate Tucson with roadrunners, vultures, hawks, and hummingbirds more so than with ducks. The area has several parks that offer excellent habitat for waterfowl.

Reid Park Duck Pond

The Reid Park duck pond sits next to the Reid Pak Zoo in the southwest corner of this 131-acre city park in the heart of central Tucson. The duck pond is a popular picnic spot for locals, but please don't feed the ducks. It's not good for them and they’ll never leave you alone.

Agua Calient

12325 E. Roger Rd.

Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, is a unique 101-acre park that features a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mix of plants and animals. Agua Caliente Park has a long and interesting history with evidence of human habitation dating back about 5,500 years

Silverbell Lake

4600 N. Silverbell Rd.

Silverbell Lake is a 13-acre lake located in Christopher Columbus Park on Tucson's west side. In addition to being a great park to spot waterfowl, Silverbell Lake is stocked with several species of game fish.

Sweetwater Wetlands

511 W. Sweetwater Dr.

Sweetwater Wetlands is a man-made wetland that is part of the City of Tucson's reclaimed water system. The wetlands have more than 2.5 miles of pathways and several observation platforms that extend out over the ponds. A large variety of waterfowl make the wetlands their home.

Setting up a bird feeder is a great way to enjoy bird watching in your own yard. Squirrels can be quite ingenious when it comes to getting the birdseed in the feeder. At the minimum, you should use a feeder with some type of baffle to help discourage the squirrels. The article below reviews some of the top-rated ones. The video below by NASA engineer Marc Rober demonstrates that keeping squirrels away from the birdseed may be a little more complicated.

From: Birds & Blooms, By: Lori Vanover, March 21, 2023

If critters are raiding your feeders, try a squirrel baffle. We found top rated squirrel baffles that backyard birders recommend.

Backyard Squirrel Maze 1.0- Ninja Warrior Course

Pentas are a great plant to grow in your backyard or garden to attract butterflies. They are easy to grow and do well in many climates, including the Southwest. Better yet not only do Pentas attract butterflies, but they also attract hummingbirds as well.

From: Birds & Blooms, By: Jill Staake, August 16, 2023

Learn how to grow pentas, also known as starflower. This colorful, easy-to-grow annual is a swallowtail butterfly and hummingbird favorite.

At the butterfly garden where I work, I get asked pretty much every day which nectar flowers are best for butterflies. There are many ways to define “best,” of course, but what most of my guests are looking for is a plant that’s easy to grow, easy to find at plant nurseries, and attractive to both people and butterflies. Few plants fit this bill. At the top of the list is Pentas lanceolata, known more commonly as pentas or starflower.

photo: Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, who currently resides in Berlin, completed his record-setting trek across the Grand Canyon on Oct. 15, 2023. (Guinness World Records)

From: Fox News, By: Kyle Morris, January 7, 2024

A 92-year-old man is making headlines and setting records after he successfully took on a nearly 24-mile hike across the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, who currently resides in Berlin, completed his record-setting trek across the Grand Canyon on Oct. 15, 2023. That journey led to Burdio claiming the title of oldest person to cross the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim on foot (male), according to an announcement on New Year's Day by the Guinness World Records.

Burdio's journey, which lasted for a total of 34 hours and 2 minutes, included 21 hours and 15 minutes of actual hiking time

Healthy aging isn’t simply a roll of the dice. How people age is a choice. Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging discusses the biology of aging — why we age and how to slow the aging process. It delves into common health and lifestyle concerns and outlines steps that readers can take to enjoy longer and more purposeful lives.

Flock reader and contributor Dino DeConcini recognized the background music in one of the video clips we posted in December. He identified the music as J.S Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and thought that it would be nice to share it with The Flock. I absolutely agree. 

Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Bach (With Lyrics)

From Martha Stewart, By: Madeline Buiano, February 13, 2023

A bowl of one of our winter soups will warm you when you come in from the cold—and ease that lingering chill of a frosty day. For that reason, these filling soups are bowls of comfort. Some, like chicken noodle soup and cream of tomato soup, are time-honored classics. Others are creative new takes on coziness that achieve deep, smoky flavor in record time thanks to carefully chosen ingredients and a streamlined technique. Make one on a weeknight when you need a soothing, but quick meal.

Our collection of winter soup recipes includes meaty broths, smooth purées, and vegan options—all are guaranteed to make you feel cozy and satisfied

We've covered LEGOs in the past. Last February we featured artist Sean Kenney's LEGO sculptures exhibited at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and looked at the Legoland Theme Park and the Legoland Discovery Centers.

From: Awesome Family Events.com

Brick Fest Live is one of the the largest LEGO events in America and a nationally-acclaimed festival. Brick Fest Live travels from city to city around the country and offers an unforgettable experience for the entire family

Whether you have loved LEGO bricks since a young child or you will accompany a LEGO lover, you won’t be bored. As you walk around, you will observe some of the most amazing LEGO builds. These professional builds are not only impressive, but they may leave you with a few building ideas of your own.

Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of the LEGO company, faced many challenges, including two shop fires, the great depression, and the loss of his wife. After each setback he returned and redoubled his efforts. Christiansen never gave up. He kept building toys to his own high standards and through perseverance built the successful company we know today.

The LEGO story started in a Danish woodworking shop in the days before electricity. At the time, Billund was an obscure village, and Ole Kirk Christiansen was just a simple carpenter with ambition. As a young man, Christiansen turned his love of whittling and playing with wood into a business and, in 1916, he opened his own shop.

At first, Christiansen’s shop produced furniture like ladders, stools and ironing boards. But in 1924, just as he was looking to expand his successful business, his sons accidentally set a pile of wood chips in the shop on fire. The flames it produced destroyed the entire building—and the family’s home.

Others might have given up with a total loss, but Christiansen saw the fire as an excuse to simply build a larger workshop. Tragedy continued to strike, however. In 1929, the American stock market crash plunged the world into depression, and Christiansen’s wife died in 1932. Bowed by personal and financial disaster, Christiansen laid off much of his staff and struggled to make ends meet.

Christiansen's first bestseller, a wooden duck whose beak opens and closes when pulled, is now a coveted collectible.

Outgoing Tortoise Asks Strangers For Butt Scratches | The Dodo

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 second 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

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