REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED | | |
1. Holidays: I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Halloween, giving out lots of candy to young trick-or-treaters at your door. I have some tips on how to handle the extra candy you may have accumulated over the holiday.
2. Dance: I have a preview of the UA School of Dance performances scheduled for November and December.
3. Performing Arts: I'm featuring a local, family-friendly venue that's new to the Flock: The Gaslight Music Hall, and the upcoming performance of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
4. Travel: The U.S. Department of State has an excellent online resource to help you plan international travel, identify risks through travel advisories, and find support if needed while overseas.
5. Trekking: I have a story of 20 day hikers who got caught unprepared in severe weather on the summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington, one of the windiest mountaintops in the country.
6. The Heavens: This coming Wednesday's full moon, the Beaver Moon, will be the second and largest of three supermoons for 2025.
7. Bragging Rights: This week, I'm bragging on my daughter Violet and the beautiful chandelier she created for the Tucson Botanical Gardens rotunda.
8. Around Town: Next weekend, November 7–9, is Tucson's annual All Souls Procession, our local celebration of Día de los Muertos.
9: Wellness: The latest issue of Sensitive and Specific: The Testing Newsletter is out. In it, we find that the color of your tongue can be an accurate indicator of several conditions.
I hope you will pick and choose, and read what might touch your heart, and that in a small way, I have been able to add a bit of comfort to your day. Please feel free to share the Flock…
| | Now, to this week's Flock. | | 1. Holidays: How to Handle Leftover Halloween Candy | | In last year's Halloween newsletter, found here in The Flock Archives, I included this article in the Wellness section with tips to help you avoid overindulging on the surplus of Halloween candy you might find yourself with. I'm reposting that article here. | | The trick to avoid eating your kids’ Halloween treats | | |
Halloween may be every child’s dream, but the days that follow can be a parent’s nightmare. Candy, in every shape and size, seems to linger for weeks — creating an echo of temptation from your kids’ not-so-secret stash.
“On one hand, parents want to limit their kids’ consumption of candy,” says Holly Moyer, a registered dietitian nutritionist and wellness education specialist for the Sharp Rees-Stealy Center for Health Management. “On the other hand, parents want to limit their own candy consumption. So overall, having that much sugar in the house can be problematic.”
If you tend to dig a little too deep into your kid’s Halloween candy hoard, Moyer offers the following tips to keep temptation at bay:
1.Consume enough protein and fiber.
Protein and fiber help keep us full. If we are not eating enough of these nutrients, we will often have cravings for sweets and processed foods.
If you have a strong craving for Halloween candy, consider how much protein and fiber you have eaten that day. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 20 to 30 grams of protein at meals, and 10 to 15 grams when snacking. The USDA recommends women consume 25 grams of fiber daily and men consume 38 grams.
If you suspect you are nowhere near these protein targets, you may want to opt for something different. Consider eating a hard-boiled egg and some berries rather than a chocolate bar.
2. Sort out the kids’ favorites.
Help your child pick their favorite candy from the total bounty they received. Keep their favorites and consider discarding, or donating, the rest. If it's out of sight, it's out of mind.
You can even freeze their favorites and allow them to have the candy after eating a balanced meal. This should include appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fat for optimal blood sugar balance.
3. Pay attention to portion size.
Candy comes in all shapes and sizes. If you choose to indulge, avoid full-size candy bars, which can lead to overeating. One full-size candy bar can equal three to four servings. Opting for a mini or snack size is a better bet. In general, reducing portion size is key when eating high-calorie desserts.
4. Be a last-minute buyer.
Avoid buying candy or sweets in the weeks leading up to Halloween, as you are more likely to indulge in them. Try to buy candy closer to Oct. 31 and only buy what you think you will need. The same rule applies for other holidays or celebrations to help eliminate sweet tooth triggers around the house.
5. Time candy consumption around physical activity.
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of fuel for exercising. A small piece of candy — a chocolate “mini” or a few fruit chews — can be a carb-rich snack that digests easily when eaten within 30 minutes of a workout. Keep in mind that the workout should be a resistance, weight or high-intensity training workout as opposed to an easy walk around the block.
Consuming a small, high-sugar food before a workout helps the body metabolize it for fuel and energy. Consuming high-sugar foods without exercise can cause a drastic blood sugar spike and ultimately lead to a “crash.”
6. Plan ahead.
If you feel a sugar craving coming on, think about how candy will make you feel later in the day. Take a second and reflect on whether you have better options at hand.
Consider stocking your kitchen with healthy snacks, such as vegetables and hummus, cottage cheese and fruit, protein shakes, or small slices of cheese and some grapes, so you are less tempted to eat candy as a fuel source.
| | An even better idea than following the above tips to resist overindulging in leftover candy is to eliminate the temptation by donating your excess wrapped Halloween candy to an organization like Soldiers' Angels and their Treats for Troops campaign. Soldiers' Angels assembles and distributes care packages to troops stationed around the world, using candy donations gathered by clubs, businesses, and dental offices, as well as smaller household donations dropped off at collection sites nationwide. | | |
What is Treats for Troops?
Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops is a Halloween Candy collection program where local businesses and organizations register to collect excess Halloween candy. In most cases, collection sites accept excess Halloween candy from kids in exchange for goodies, once Trick-or-Treating season is over, but businesses and organizations can also register to collect internally among employees or customers as well! The most popular businesses that participate are dental offices— but it is a great program for any location— gyms, schools, churches, companies, and more!
How can I participate?
Families with too much candy after Halloween can donate excess candy to support a good cause. Kids may even earn buyback prizes for their generosity and families will receive a tax-deductible receipt for their donation.
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2. Dance: UA School of Dance
| | Here's a reminder about upcoming performances by the UA School of Dance in November and December. I'm a dance enthusiast and have attended many performances by the University of Arizona School of Dance. The students, under the direction of Duane Cyrus, put on energetic and exhilarating performances. We are lucky to have such talent here in Tucson. | | Nov - Dec, 2025 School of Dance Performances | | | | |
Fall For Dance
Thursday, Nov 13 - Sunday, Nov 23, 2025
Venue: Stevie Eller Dance Theatre
Our signature fall concert brings together thrilling new work and world-class talent. With choreography by award-winning guests and esteemed faculty, Fall For Dance is a bold, beautiful celebration of the artistry cultivated at the University of Arizona.
More Info & Tickets »
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Fall Student Spotlight: Challenge
Friday, Dec 5 - Sunday, Dec 7, 2025
Venue: Stevie Eller Dance Theatre
Presented each semester, this concert showcases original works choreographed by our BFA & MFA students. It’s a vibrant platform where emerging artists develop and share their unique voices through movement. Bold, fresh, and imaginative – these performances celebrate the next generation of choreographers shaping the future of dance.
More Info & Tickets »
| | 3. Performing Arts: Family-Friendly Theatre | | I've not included The Gaslight Music Hall in the Flock before; they are a family-friendly venue hosting musical and theatrical performances on the northwest side of Tucson, in the town of Oro Valley. Next weekend, the Oro Valley Theatre Company will be performing a production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. This looks like a fun evening for the whole family. | |
The Gaslight Music Hall
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
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November 7, 6pm show
November 8, 2pm & 6pm shows
November 9, 2pm & 6pm shows
| | At last! Charlie Brown and his beloved friends come to Oro Valley! The wonderful musical, "You're a good man, Charlie Brown", which first opened on Broadway in 1967, and was revived with an all-star cast starring Kristen Chenoweth in 1999, will have a 2025 revival by the Oro Valley Theatre Company. You won't want to miss this production! Charlie Brown and his lovable friends, created by the talented Charles Schulz, will come to life, to sing and dance and explore life's greatest dilemmas. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Schroeder, and the whole gang, will play baseball, struggle with homework, and explore the joy of friendship. The talented cast of adults will perform a show for all ages. | | 4. Travel: Prepare to Travel Safely | | I love to travel and explore the world. The U.S. Department of State's travel website is a valuable resource for planning a trip abroad and for accessing advice and support while you are at your destination. The website provides up-to-date travel advisories that include warnings about potential crime, scams, political unrest, terrorism, health risks, and natural disasters. You can also find general guidelines for international travel, visiting high-risk areas, or attending overseas events. Once you arrive at your destination, you can use the site's interactive map to locate U.S. embassies and consulates for support when needed. | | A Travel Advisory is a report from the U.S. Department of State that describes the risks and recommended precautions for U.S. citizens—not foreign nationals—in a foreign destination. The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. Information contained in these advisories reflects an assessment of threats only insofar as they may impact U.S. citizens, nationals, and legal residents. | | The U.S. Department of State's interactive International Travel Advisory map | | |
International Travel
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad.
Planning Your Travel
Before traveling, review the International Travel Checklist, check the latest Travel Advisory for your destination, and learn about the local laws and customs. You can also learn about entry and exit requirements, if you need a visa, and review travel tips from the U.S. embassy.
International Travel Checklist
1. Learn about your travel destination
2. Sign up for alerts through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
3. Organize your required travel documents
4. Review your personal travel needs and safety tips for activities
5. Consider buying travel insurance
| | Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest point in my home State of New Hampshire. It's a relatively short mountain to climb, and I've been up it a few times. On a late spring day, it's heaven with budding trees and fresh, cool mountain air. The weather can move in fast, and it can be very windy anytime you visit the summit. The mountain top holds the world record for the highest directly measured wind speed at 231 mph, and records wind speeds in excess of 100mph on over 100 days per year. Needless to say, as this group of day hikers discovered, it is not a place to visit unprepared, especially during the late autumn and winter months. | |
Over 20 'ill-prepared' hikers, some with hypothermia, rescued from snowy Mount Washington
Officials: Some of the hikers told officials this was "their first hike ever."
| | From: ABC News, By: Megan Forrester, October 27, 2025 | | |
Over 20 "ill-prepared" hikers were rescued from New Hampshire's Mount Washington after they were trapped in "full winter conditions" without the proper gear, with some developing hypothermia, according to the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
The hikers, who were rescued on Saturday by railway officials, had reached the mountain's 6,288-foot summit, but "most had no idea that summit services would be unavailable and that the state park was closed for the season," Andy Vilaine, the assistant general manager for the Mount Washington Cog Railway, said in a statement on Saturday.
The train was heading to the summit as normal when crew members discovered "several distressed hikers," Vilaine said in a statement to ABC News.
After the hikers were rescued, New Hampshire State Parks released a statement on Sunday urging those hiking in the winter conditions to be responsible as "multiple people have arrived at the summit the last few days very unprepared for winter and required assistance."
| | After that story of ill-prepared hikers, I think it's appropriate to remind everyone of the ten essentials that you should carry with you on every hike, as illustrated in the following infographic. | | The Ten Essentials Infographic | | |
The 10 essentials are ten types of gear you should bring with you on any trip to the mountains. The list is designed to allow you to respond positively to any emergency – this means you are able to take some kind of action to resolve it instead of relying on help. In situations where search and rescue responses are hours or days away, this makes all the difference. Remember to adjust the specific gear you bring in each category to fit the situation. For example, in summer a light bivy is adequate for emergency shelter, while in winter a tent and sleeping bag would be best.
The origin of the Ten Essentials dates back to early climbing courses in the 1930s, and the purpose has always been to answer two basic questions:
1. Can you respond positively to an accident or emergency?
2. Can you safely spend a night (or more) outside?
Certain equipment deserves space in every pack. Mountaineers will not need every item on every trip, but essential equipment can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Exactly how much equipment “insurance” should be carried is a matter of healthy debate.
Ten Essentials: The Classic List
1. Map
2. Compass
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp or flashlight
6. First-aid supplies
7. Firestarter
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food
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6. The Heavens: The Beaver Moon
| | Don't miss November's full moon, the Beaver Moon, next Wednesday night. This full moon will also be the largest supermoon of 2025. | | Beaver Moon 2025: How To Best See November’s Supermoon | | From: Newsweek, By: Hannah Millington, October 29, 2025 | | |
The largest full moon of the year—the "Beaver Moon"—is set to grace the skies on Wednesday November 5, appearing both bigger and brighter than a normal full moon.
The display will be what is known as a "supermoon", a phenomena which occurs when the the full moon appears near or at the time when the moon's orbit brings it closest to Earth, at the so-called "perigee."
The Beaver Moon is set to reach peak illumination at 8:19 a.m. EST on November 5—although it will be below the horizon for U.S. viewers at this time, meaning there will be better times around this to catch the spectacle.
November's full moon is thought by some to have been given its nickname from how it appears at the same time that Native Americans and trappers traditionally set beaver traps to make fur from the animals' pelts, while others associate it with beavers building their dams, or similar general preparation ahead of he coming winter.
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7. Bragging Rights: Violet's Chandolier
| | In this photo, my husband, Michael, and I pose in front of a beautiful chandelier hanging in the Tucson Botanical Gardens' rotunda, which our daughter, Violet, created. She's incredibly talented, and we're so very proud of her. | |
8. Around Town: All Souls Procession Weekend
| | Tucson's annual celebration of Día de los Muertos, the All Souls Procession Weekend, is taking place next weekend, Friday, November 7th – Sunday, November 9th. The celebration includes three days of dances, concerts, and performance artists, culminating in Sunday's All Souls Procession, where over 100,000 people will walk together through downtown Tucson, honoring lost loved ones, and culminating with the burning of an urn filled with written remembrances from procession participants. | | All Souls Procession Guide | | |
We are pleased to announce The 36th Annual All Souls Procession on Nov. 9, 2025 on Tucson’s Westside. Assembling on Grande Avenue at 4pm-departing at 6 pm. Culminating in the “Restoration of Care” Ceremony and burning of the URN in The Mercado District.
Mayor Regina Romero has implicitly stated that Tucson Police’s mission is to protect and serve the people of Tucson- that’s you and me- all our friends, families and neighbors.
| | 9. Wellness: Sensitive and Specific Newsletter | | I'm always delighted to find a new issue of Sensitive and Specific: The Testing Newsletter in my inbox. Fresh from this week, I have a new article here where Mara and Liz explain the melding of a traditional diagnostic technique rooted in Eastern medicine with the latest machine learning technology, which is returning impressively accurate results. All you need to do as a patient is stick out your tongue. Stay up on the latest testing methods in medicine by subscribing. | | Your tongue has things to say about your health | | |
Your tongue has things to say about your health
When doctors trained in Western medicine ask you to say “ah,” they’re usually trying to see the back of your throat. The tongue, in this situation, is a nuisance. It blocks the view. For folks who practice traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), however, that may not be a problem. The tongue is often the view they want.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the tongue’s color is useful for diagnosing conditions from diabetes to anemia to stroke. But assessing that color can be very subjective - plus, it depends a lot on the lighting in the room. That subjectivity has been a roadblock for the technique’s acceptance in the Western medicine community.
Researchers were able to train a machine-learning system to recognize seven tongue colors (red, yellow, green, blue, gray, and white, each of which TCM associates with different disease states, and pink, which is considered healthy) under a range of lighting conditions. When they tested the system against a small set of tongue images, its diagnosis was correct 58 out of 60 times.
The scientists involved with the research caution that tongue color is just one factor out of many that TCM practitioners evaluate when diagnosing a patient. They also note that many more studies may be necessary before the world of evidence-based medicine is willing to use the technique.
| | These Flock regulars are always here for you: | | 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. | | Subscriptions & Idea Submissions
Reminder: Your submissions are always welcomed. | | |
Feel free to forward this email to a friend. If this was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your very own Flock Newsletter, you can sign up here. If you have any questions or suggestions for future Flock resources, don't hesitate to contact me.
Your fan and friend,
Beth
| | | The information and materials contained or referenced in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before beginning a new health care regimen. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical advice or care based on anything contained in this newsletter. | | | | |
