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Show The Emery County Review, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 B1 VOICES Celebrating the People and Lifestyle of the San Rafael Swell Area EARTH AIM Beat High Gas Prices with Foot Power Denise Reid A great way to take control of high fuel costs and improve health is to walk. A good start is to replace short trips, those that take five minutes or less, with a nice walk. You may find that even at a leisurely pace, you will arrive at locations only minutes later than usual. If drivers observe the lawful pedestrian right of way, you will zip through traffic on feet alone. The more I feed my car, the less I exercise. I stopped feeding my car the summer of 2006, and I did not buy gasoline for an entire season. It helped that the vehicle was in a moment of mechanical failure, and I had no interest in reviving it. In fact, I had come to see my own shoe collection as more valuable than any car’s shoe collection. So long as my car remained parked, my health was at its best. Now, I buy gasoline more often than I did then, but I don’t necessarily wish for lower fuel costs. Not if it means everyone will resume old driving habits and less fuel efficient vehicles will still be sought after and admired. While grocery shopping on foot, I found that I was more careful about purchases, choosing the healthiest options for my dollar and avoiding heavy, sugary, over packaged products. There was simply no room in my carry-all tote. Take that, impulse purchases. Not using a shopping cart is a useful idea. The added weight while walking through the store creates mindfulness, and when the hand basket gets heavy, it is time to leave. It helps to acquire a sturdy canvas tote, backpack, or the collapsible basket/bag that resembles the hand baskets used in grocery stores, the Reisenthel Market Basket. The basket is available from reusablebags. com. It features light weight aluminum frame, tear proof fabric, rubber footed bottom, soft rubber grip handle and zip pocket inside. Without all those lingering plastic grocery bags, how will all those trash cans get lined? There is the option to buy biodegradable, corn-based trash can liners. Biobags are available from a variety of retailers. Check local area stores for availability. Visit biobagusa.com for a list of on-line retailers. Photos by Casey Wood Emery High students hit the dance floor at the Star Grill and Fun Center in Huntington. Blackout Students treated to a night of fun and games as school year comes to an end B Kaitlin Potter goes for the knockout punch against Justin Cox. lackout 2008 occurred on May 22 and was held to give high school students and graduates the opportunity to have a fun and wholesome graduation party. Sponsored by Four Corners and Peer Helpers, the event began at 9 p.m. and lasted until 2 a.m. and took place at the Star Theater and Grill, and at Huntington Elementary. Many activities were available, including: boxing, bungee running, dancing, the video game Rock Band, a rock climbing wall, twister, and a bounce house. Anyone from Freshmen to Seniors were aloud admittance with free food, drinks, and activities. Following the activities there was a free late night viewing of the movie Iron Man, screening from Midnight to 2 a.m. Many people showed up and it turned out to be a fun night for all. James Giles, Shelby Huntington, Kameron Stilson and Jaydon Mead play twister. Colton Miller and Skylar Carpenter race to the finish in the bungee run. CASEY’S WORLD Making the Best of the Changes that Come with Good Friendships Casey Wood As I have experienced the rush of graduation I have had to learn, in the hardest way possible, that at some point you have to say goodbye to everyone in your life. The most important thing I have learned from this is that it is of the utmost importance to make the best of the time you are given. With some you have years, with others you have less time, and with some you have a lifetime to get to know each other, spend time together, and experience what could be a once in a lifetime friendship. As I see my friends leaving, and as I have watched them disappear in the past, I realize and have realized all of the things they have done for me and all the great things there are about them. I realize that they have all added something to my life that has created the person I am. I more fully appreciate them. At this point I experience the deepest despair at their leaving. Everyone at some point experiences a time when they must let go of someone who is very influential in their life and let them move forward in their effort to succeed. If we have given the friendships the time they deserve and we are truly their friends, then at the point in which they must leave, it is our responsibility to support them and make them comfortable and ready to go, but to always be there when they need us if they return. On the other end of the spectrum, it is important that, when the time comes, you must be prepared to move forward and say goodbye. We must take all the opportunities we are given to help others through their lives and to teach and share what we know, because just as we may never have another opportunity to say goodbye and to be taught, we may never have another opportunity to say hello, and teach someone something to prepare them for their future. Consider single words, phrases from certain people or actions that have changed your life. In considering these, also consider how much these things have meant to you. Many people need the same teachings, the same words, phrases, actions and encouragements, and the same love. So, as those around you leave, or as you yourself do, consider all you’ve done or could do and all others have done for you, to help you through your life, and make your final goodbye reflect that difference. |
