January 17, 2025

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. This Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday meant to celebrate Dr. King's legacy and to inspire volunteerism and community involvement.

2. I love the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition hosted each year by London's Natural History Museum. This year, through the end of January, you have a chance to vote for your favorite photos from 2024's 25 finalists and help pick the People's choice Award winner.

3. In The Heaven's this week, I have more planet gazing with Saturn and Venus passing closely by each other this weekend in their path across the night sky.

4. In Nature, cuttlefish, members of the Cephalopod class of invertebrates have been shown to pass a cognitive test designed for human children. 

5. I have an update on the California wildfires and the efforts of volunteer groups who have stepped up to help rescue and care for pets and livestock in the communities affected by the fires.

6. In Wellness, I have some tips to help you identify if you are at risk for iron-deficiency anemia and iron-rich foods that you can add to your diet to help maintain a healthy red blood cell count.

7. Much of the continental U.S. is about to be hit with a frigid polar vortex, sending temperatures below freezing across wide swaths of the country and well below zero in northern states. 

Now, to this week's Flock.

This coming Monday, January 20th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday intended to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to inspire all Americans to volunteer to contribute to the improvement of their own communities. Dr. King's, 1963 March on Washington and the "I have a Dream" speech he gave on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was a defining moment of Dr. King's legacy and a watershed moment for Americans. I included a video of that speech in last year's January 19th issue of the Flock. This year I am including a video of a 22-year-old Bob Dylan performing on those same steps before Dr. King's speech.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have celebrated his 95th birthday. We commemorate his life, legacy, and steadfast commitment to fighting for freedom, civil rights, and equality for all people.

In the spirit of Dr. King, the W.A. Franke Honors College is inspired to activate our values: Seek. Connect. Create. Evolve. Celebrate. We encourage students to seek opportunities to learn more about Dr. King and the history of his work and the impact it has had on our country and community. Connect with others to learn and experience new things. Create new experiences that will bring new ways to express information and ideas. Evolve and grow by doing things that may be new or uncomfortable with the hope that it will strengthen individual growth. And celebrate the successes.

Because Dr. King was a person of action, you are encouraged to do something, big or small, to contribute to realizing his dream. In the spirit of Dr. King’s family, they hope that the holiday, January 20th, is a day on, not a day off. Do what you can.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Bob Dylan - Only A Pawn In Their Game (March On Washington 1963) 

"I was up close when King was giving the 'I Have a Dream' speech. To this day, it still affects me in a profound way"

– Bob Dylan

photo: Annoying Neighbor. Bence Máté / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

I've covered the Wildlife Photographer of the Year hosted by London's Natural History Museum and its companion People's Choice Award going back to December of 2023. At the end of November of last year, I included the announcement of 2024's People's Choice finalists, and in December the winner of the year’s professionally judged Wildlife Photographer of the year. The Natural History Museum has posted a gallery of the 25 finalists for 2024. You can vote for your pick for the People's Choice Award through January 29, 2025. I know who I'm voting for. Look through the gallery and cast a vote for your favorite.

This year’s stunning images vying for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award offer unusual and fascinating peeks at the natural world. Stare into the eyes of a tree frog preparing to sing, admire the acrobatic dives of a territorial bird and get a front-row seat to a skirmish between a porcupine and a very determined honey badger.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London, is considered the most esteemed competition of its kind—that’s why it’s been nicknamed the “Oscars of wildlife photography.” For 60 years running, its jury of experts has picked the most stunning shots to win and earn accolades.

But for one prize, the honor of judging goes to the public: Until January 29, a selection of 25 images are being put to a vote for the People’s Choice award.

Opening up the judging is a way of “inspiring everyone to connect with the natural world,” Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum in London, says in a statement.

My choice: Scanning the Realm. Aaron Baggenstos / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

This Friday and Saturday nights, if you look to the west in the early evening, Venus and Saturn will appear almost next to each other as they pass with Venus moving away from the horizon and Saturn approaching it along the plane of the ecliptic. Throughout January, if you follow the pane of the ecliptic eastward, you can spot Jupiter high in the sky and Mars far to the east.

From: WTTW-PBS Chicago, By: Patty WeITLI, January 16, 2025

Outer space is often depicted as a vast and lonely place. But Venus and Saturn are making it look downright cozy these days.

For weeks, the two planets having been hanging out near each other in the western sky after dark, moving closer and closer together. 

On the evenings of Jan. 17 and 18, they’ll appear to be virtually side by side, in what’s called a “planetary conjunction.” The “great conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn back in December 2020 dazzled skywatchers, with the giants the closest they’d been in 400 years.

Keep in mind, when it comes to objects in space, “close” is relative. While Venus and Saturn might look like they’re separated by just a finger’s width, the two planets are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart, according to the folks at NASA.

To view the conjunction, look to the west/southwest after sunset and locate Venus. It should be easy to spot — it’s the brightest thing in the night sky, apart from the moon. Saturn, also bright enough to see with the naked eye, will be immediately next door.

Don’t worry if the skies are cloudy on Friday — the show will repeat Saturday. In fact, the two planets will continue to pal around through the end of January, though they will be moving farther away from each other.

Venus and Saturn Cozy Up in the January Evening Sky

Cephalopods, a class of invertebrates that includes octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish are remarkably intelligent creatures that have been known to demonstrate advanced cognitive skills including problem solving self-restraint, and even tool use.

From: Science Alert, By:Michelle Starr, January 10, 2025

From: Science Alert, By:Michelle Starr, January 10, 2025

Back in 2021, a test of cephalopod smarts reinforced how important it is for us humans to not underestimate animal intelligence.

Cuttlefish were given a new version of the marshmallow test, and the results may demonstrate that there's more going on in their strange little brains than we knew.

Their ability to learn and adapt, the researchers said, could have evolved to give cuttlefish an edge in the cutthroat eat-or-be-eaten marine world they live in.

The marshmallow test, or Stanford marshmallow experiment, is pretty straightforward.

A child is placed in a room with a marshmallow. They are told if they can manage not to eat the marshmallow for 15 minutes, they'll get a second marshmallow, and be allowed to eat both.

This ability to delay gratification demonstrates cognitive abilities such as future planning, and it was originally conducted to study how human cognition develops; specifically, at what age a human is smart enough to delay gratification if it means a better outcome later.

Because it's so simple, it can be adjusted for animals. Obviously you can't tell an animal they'll get a better reward if they wait, but you can train them to understand that better food is coming if they don't eat the food in front of them straight away.

Some primates can delay gratification, along with dogs, albeit inconsistently. Corvids, too, have passed the marshmallow test.

In 2020, cuttlefish also passed a version of the marshmallow test. Scientists showed that common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) can refrain from eating a meal of crab meat in the morning once they have learnt dinner will be something they like much better – shrimp.

Can this Cuttlefish Pass an Intelligence Test Designed for Children?

In the aftermath of the California wildfires, volunteer groups have rushed to the affected areas to help rescue and care for pets and livestock.

From: The Guardian, By:Gabrielle Canon, January 14, 2025

As flames roared into communities on all sides of Los Angeles last week, and tens of thousands of residents rushed to evacuate, trailers across southern California were being hitched and trucks fueled. A network of volunteers was preparing to descend on the fire zones, ready to risk it all to save pets and livestock in need.

In the rural enclaves tucked close to the canyons most prime to burn, scores of animals – horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and even emus among them – were in danger as the fast-moving fires swept closer. Some had been left behind during chaotic evacuations. Others required large trailers or a gentle hand to calmly coax them through the terror caused by howling winds, ashen air and the very strangers desperately trying to get them to safety.

These strangers had quickly stepped up to answer calls for help. Mobilizing through social media pages or elaborate phone trees, they worked through the nights, driving into burning hillsides and through scorched wreckage. For some, it’s not the first time they’ve gone willingly into the fray.

Wildfires across California have surged in intensity in recent years, accenting the need for rapid response for animals and people alike. The work is fraught with danger and laced with heartbreak, but it speaks to how willing some are to help in times of unspeakable need.

Wildfires across California have surged in intensity in recent years, accenting the need for rapid response for animals and people alike. The work is fraught with danger and laced with heartbreak, but it speaks to how willing some are to help in times of unspeakable need.

“I have been talking nonstop to people I have never even met,” said Brittany “Cole” Bush, the founder of Shepherdess Land & Livestock, a ranch in the Ojai Valley that uses grazing animals to reduce the risk of wildfires in southern California, describing the groundswell of action from far and wide that coalesced around the emergencies in LA this week.

Her phone was ringing off the hook after she posted on social media offering her trailers and herding expertise last Wednesday, just as new fire starts erupted into behemoths. Bush and one of her shepherds headed into the night, traversing precarious winding roads in an evacuation area, darkened by power outages. An entire farm needed to evacuate, including a herd of sheep that had spent little time around people, in remote hillsides they called home.

Firefighter helps rescue dog while battling Eaton Fire

I have personally experienced exercise-induced anemia from over training and not paying enough attention to the amount of iron-rich foods in my diet. For me, I was able to add iron packed liver cooked medium rare to my diet, and my red blood cell count returned to normal in a matter of weeks. Liver is not the only answer, when it comes to iron-rich foods, you have many options.

From: American Society of Hematology

Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.

Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow. When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are re-absorbed by the spleen. Iron from these old cells can also be recycled by the body. 

Am I at Risk?

Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. The following groups of people are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia:

• Women who menstruate, particularly if menstrual periods are heavy
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those who have recently given birth
• People who have undergone major surgery or physical trauma
• People with gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease (sprue), inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease
• People with peptic ulcer disease
• People who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations
• Vegetarians, vegans, and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods (Iron from vegetables, even those that are iron-rich, is not absorbed as well as iron from meat, poultry, and fish.)
• Children who drink more than 16 to 24 ounces a day of cow's milk (Cow's milk not only contains little iron, but it can also decrease absorption of iron and irritate the intestinal lining causing chronic blood loss.)

From: Terranics, By: Theresa Thompson, January 12, 2025

Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. It is a key component of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Iron also supports the immune system, aids in energy production, and promotes cognitive function. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, and impaired immune function. To ensure you meet your daily iron requirements, incorporate these delicious and nutritious foods into your diet.

• Lean Red Meat: A Wholesome Source of Iron
• Shellfish: A Seafood Delight Packed with Iron
• Legumes: Powerhouse of Plant-Based Iron
• Spinach: A Leafy Green Iron Champion
• Nuts and Seeds: Iron-Packed Snacking Options
• Quinoa: A Versatile Grain with Iron Power
• Dark Chocolate: A Surprising Iron-Rich Indulgence

Much of the U.S is about to be hit with a frigid polar vortex. Brace yourself for the cold and be sure to keep some extra warm clothes in the car when going out.

Temperatures are expected to plummet over the weekend, bringing life-threatening conditions to large stretches of the United States.

The polar vortex will send temperatures below freezing for much of the country starting this weekend and stretching into next week, including for two major national events Monday: President-elect Trump’s inauguration and the college football national championship.

The northern part of the country will experience the Arctic temperatures first, beginning Friday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Very cold air from the Arctic Circle will come down over Canada and rush over the U.S. Friday night into Saturday morning. It will expand over much of the country and could be some of the longest-lasting Arctic air to hit the country in years, with temperatures that could feel like -40 degrees, CNN reported.

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! 

In coming weeks: we'll be sharing more investigative articles from our roving reporter William George, original writing from Flock favorite Dino DeConcini.

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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