Features

Word of the Month – December 2014

David Zapatka The October Word of the Month article highlighting the difference between the words “historic” and “historical” sparked this question from reader Marilyn Conner. “What is the difference between ‘illegal’ and ‘unlawful’?” According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the word illegal means not “allowed by law; not legal.” The word unlawful means “not lawful; illegal.”…

Conservation Corner – December 2014

LED Lighting Pauline Lee Early in December, the Nobel Committee will award three scientists the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for their research in the 1990’s that has made possible the creation of modern white-light light emitting diode (LED) lamps. With 20 percent of the world’s electricity used for lighting, it’s been calculated that optimal…

The Wine Life – December 2014

The Harvest Andrew McCreery, d’Vine Gourmet Many eloquent words have been used to describe the annual grape harvest. All of the elements coming together to determine when the moment is just right for the grape to be plucked from the vine thus ending natures role in the process of filling your glass. The handoff from…

Desert Hiking: What I didn’t learn in kindergarten

Check your hiking boots after being stored over the summer in Arizona heat!

Roberta Arpan Having completed three 10-day hiking treks in Europe and New Zealand, helicopter hiking in the Canadian Rockies and hiking with two wonderful clubs for the past 14 plus years, I considered myself to be experienced. I’d been hiking all summer with the online-knowledge of Zero Expedition, I found myself in the Enchanted Forests…

Veterans’ Voice – December 2014

Art Sloane Did you know that you can make a contribution to a statewide charity to support homeless and in need veterans and reduce your taxes? The qualifying charitable tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction of your tax liability and it is better than a tax deduction and is available to all Arizona…