June 15,2005
Solar Energy Systems
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Julian
Log Home sales i
i.
"Cabin Kits" start in the Low $40,000
Free Shade Trees Still Available
Through San Diego Regional
Energy Office Program
The Cool Communities Shade
Tree Program is a $1.8 million
program managed by the non-
profit San Diego Regional
Energy Office and is designed
to plant 17,000 trees at single-
family residences, K-12 schools,
and condo and apartment
buildings in the SDGE service
territory (all of San Diego County
and southern Orange County).
The trees are free to single-
:family detached homeowners,
' condo associations, and
i apartment 'building owners
',the only requii'ement is that
i homeowners/landlords attend
ia short training session, held in
:the neighborhood, focused on
:maintaining the trees. There is
no limit to the number of trees
'that schools can receive, I still
have more than $1.2 million
left and 13i600 trees to plant
between now and March 2006,
specifically [more than 3,300
trees to plant at schools.
Applicants~ to the program can
choose among 20 different kinds
of trees and can get up to five
trees at planted at their homes.
The organization People For
;Trees, our~subcontractor, will
deliver treesI to homes as well as
~plant them. i
The purpose of the program
is to reduce homeowners' and
SchoolS' eleCtric bills by shading
hOmes with trees and reducing
their air conditioning costs. The
program is Paid for by a surcharge
on SDGE electric bills.
The link to the program website
is below:
http://trees.sdenergy.org
Free tree eligibility is as
follows:
1) Owners or renters of single-
family detached houses. If ygu
rent your home, the owner mqst
provide his/her permission Jto
receive trees. Single-family
detached homes can receive UP
to five free trees each; i
2) There are three ways
condominium owners can
apply for trees: 1) through
one application from their
Homeowner's Association
(HOA); 2) through one appl!cation
from their complex manager/
landscaper/arborist; or 3)by
applying individually. Please
ensure that the trees you sel$ct
are in accordance with your
HOA guidelines. Condominium
complexes can receive up to 2
trees per unit;
3) Residents of apartment
,buildings can either apply for
trees individually as long as the
building owner provides his/her
permission, or the owner may fill
out one application for the entire
complex. Apartment buildings
can receive up to 2 trees per
unit;
4) K-12 schools can receive an
unlimited number of trees. If you
are a parent, teacher, or district
administrator, please contact
People For Trees directly for
more information on applying to
receive trees for your school.
The Julian News
Clinton Powell
Naturalist
Glow Worms That Radiate Like,
The Milky Way
Each summer, starting in early June, or when nighttime
temperatures are 50 to 55 degrees we are treated with a remarkable
show on dry hillsides. A small, faint but astounding glow is one of the
primary reasons to take a casual evening walk.
This summer treat is created by two species of glow worms. In
San Diego County, the pink glow worm, (Microphotos angustus) and
the California Phengodid, (Zarhipis integripennis) are commonly
found. The females are remarkable because they are larviform,
they stay in their larvae form, are bigger than the males, and have
two rows of luminescent spots. These 'hot flashers' attract males
with pheromones. Pheromones are very similar to what occurs
at the junior-senior dance: chemicals are secreted -by you know
who-that influence the behavior or development of another of the
same species. In other words the females say, 'let's get going'. The
males of this species, like most of us in high school, wander around,
wondering anyway, that's beyond this article.
The Pink Glow worm is 10-15mm long ( " to5/8"), has a flattened
shape, pinkish in color with luminance with a bright green light.
The champion Julian glow worm man is Dennis Winship. He holds
the record for one night: twenty-six pink glow worms in June of 1995.
Not bad for one casual walk. Where did he see them? You might as
well ask him his favorite fishing spot and lure. 'He can't be bought.
Winship, although not an entomologist, is a true sportsman. Raised
as a student of radiance, he does not disturb these glowing gems;
he admires them, notes them, and continues his nightly walk.
The California Phengodid is larger (30-80 mm) (1 1/4" to 3") than
the Pink Glow worm. It is amber or buff colored with black markings
on the back. They are active the same time of year as the pink Glow
worm, but my only reference is from Palomar Mountain in August
of 1995.
In the eastern United States lives several species of spectacular
fireflies. Why do we have glow worms in the west and the east its
fireflies? I don't know. We just have to be content with glowing bugs
rather than flying bugs.
I contacted the Sigma Firefly Scientists Club in Missouri, and they
sent me a small fact sheet. "The lantern of the firefly is a fascinating
study. These amazing beetles turn electricity into visible light with
an efficiency of nearly 100% (an ordinary light bulb has an efficiency
of about 10%). The secret lies in two chemicals: a compound called
luciferin, from Latin meaning, "light bearing", and an enzyme called
luciferase. These two chemicals alone produce no light. But, in
the presence of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and oxygen, light is
emitted,
How is this important to the scientific world?
First, you must know that ATP is present in every living cell.
Cancerous cells contain lower levels of ATP. Through a sensitive
luciferin-luciferase light producing system, levels of ATP can be
determined.
The more light emitted, the greater the level of ATP. Researchers
can test for very small amounts of bacteria in milk or water. In fact,
this light producing system is so sensitive it would enable a technician
to detect a single drop of contaminated water in a swimming pool.
This very versati!e testing method can be used for a wide range of
scientific assays from analysis for the presence of cancerous cells,
to the detection of life on other planets."
Glow worms are a tremendous source of income in the southern
hemisphere. At the Springbrook National Park in south-east
Queensland, Australia, a rocky overhang known as 'Natural Bridge'
attracts over 300 summer tourists a night. This accounts for over six
million dollars for the Australian Park." Bugs are big bucks." as one
park ranger claimed. Bumper stickers, tee shirts, coffee mugs, and
the biggest seller, 'glowing boxer shorts" radiate throughout Australia
and of course, throughout the world. Research is now feverishly
directed to create 'glowing bras and bikini underwear." Life is alive
and well in the southern hemisphere.
According to Australian PhD student Chris Baker, the species of
worms (Arachnocampa flava) and (AI richardsae) are commercially
attractive because the glow worms bioluminescence does not fade
in repeated washing, except With heavy bleach. Sales figures were
not disclosed, but the income is staggering, according to a park
official. One biologist referred to the underwear as 'Shining like the
Milky Way!" Can you imagine?
Professor Elwood Oaks claims the bioluminescence of glow
worms in North America fades faster than a dollars worth of gas in
a Ferrari.
Enjoy an evening walk anywhere in our mountains. Don't shine
a light on them and above all, don't collect them or step on these
bugs! Enjoy our glowworms and leave them alone. Perhaps you will
find the soul of light right here in your own hometown. And, I'm sure
after seeing our native glow worms; your mind is ablaze with the
thought of traveling to the southern hemisphere.
t
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We build strong kids, strong families,
At( Classes heald at the Hillside Community Church
Sport Walk meets in front of the church. Dress
Editor's note:
From the website of Ohio State's Education Projects -
If you live in the United States, west of about the middle of Kansas, you
are not apt to have the flashing type of fireflies in your area. Although
some isolated sightings of luminous fireflies have been reported from time
to time from regions of the western U.S fireflies that glow are typically
not found west of Kansas. The reason for this phenomenon is not known.
"You can be discouraged by fail-
ure, or you can learn from it. So go
ahead and make mistakes, make all
you can. Because, remember that's
where you'll find success - on the far
side of failure." - Thomas J Watson
Ken Dower of the
Tyndall with her
Ramona Rotary Club presenting Heather
scholarship award from the club.
y
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