Author: Susan Hayes and Penny Arlon Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself is a truly unique children’s book, intended for ages seven and up. Through 30 different projects, this book aims to introduce youngsters to simple ways they can help our planet. What makes this book so unusual though is that it is meant to be disassembled. The projects use the pages themselves – and even the cover and spine are reusable or recyclable too.
The activities range from building a worm bin and bug hotel, to planting an apple tree and wildflower seeds. For the worm bin, for instance, the page teaches how to make it, explains the how and why, and then the page itself becomes a wrap for the outside of the bin to keep the inside dark and cool. For the seeds, that page teaches about the relationship between wildflowers and butterflies, and then the page can be folded into a seed collection pouch. Not to mention, an origami bird that reminds children to put out bird seed and a raindrop mobile that reminds them to conserve water.
This activity book is colorful and cheery and just wonderful fun. It allows children to learn about science and nature in a very simple, accessible way and then immediately jump into action with that knowledge. It teaches them that they – however small and young they are – can still make a difference.
Call (580) 297-5089 to get your copy of The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself today!
Warning: what you are about to read may lead to unscheduled and ravenously rapid mind disassembly. Some readers may find this material too wondrous to comprehend and may require a neurological reset. Continue reading at your own risk. On this special episode of The Cosmic Mariner, we’re traveling into the deepest, most mind-boggling recesses of the cosmos as we count down the top 4 astronomical facts/theories that will blow your mind!
No. 4
TV static, while mostly interference, contains radiation that originated at the beginning of the universe over 13.8 billion years ago.
Did you ever find yourself staring at the static of analog televisions in hopes of seeing something take shape? Well, what if I told you you were watching a performance 13.8 billion years in the making? The static that you see is partly produced by a byproduct of the so-called Big Bang. When the universe emerged from this mysterious event, photons of light were unable to freely flow through space as it was so hot it was rendered opaque. However, as the universe cooled about 380,000 years later, light was finally able to move throughout the cosmos. This light is the oldest we will ever see and is colloquially known as the Cosmic Microwave Background. Today, billions of years later, that radiation produces a small portion of the static that you see on analog televisions. So, when you watched the static on the television as a kid and exclaimed “they’re here,” you were actually referring to the first photons of light that originated in our universe, not the ghosts.
No. 3
Are you a savvy entrepreneur with a hearty interest in space and cosmic cocktails? Well, you’re in luck! Approximately 10,000 light-years away, roughly 58 quadrillion miles, is a space keg just waiting to be tapped. With a diameter of roughly 1,000 times greater than the size of our solar system, this cloud has enough ethyl alcohol to brew 400 septillion pints of booze. To put that another way, everyone on Earth would have a near-endless supply of alcohol for billions of years to come. At that point, the sun will have consumed the Earth. I guess that means we’ll have to get our end of days party started! With all this being said, the alcohol is mixed into a cosmic soup of dangerous gases and compounds like methanol; so you can’t just slurp it down the gullet. These clouds aren’t from alien keggers. Instead, they’re part of the star-forming process. Who knew that consuming alcohol leads to astrophysics…
NO. 2
This is an artists depiction of the observable universe with the outside of the “eye” as the Cosmic Microwave Background” and the interior as the Earth.
If you look into the vastness of space from any point on Earth’s surface, you will eventually reach a point at which light becomes a hot soup of microwave radiation. This soup makes up the edge of our observable universe and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) as mentioned above. The most fascinating aspect of the CMB is that it’s a sort of wall in time which prevents us from viewing anything beyond it. No matter where you are in Earth’s timeline-past, present, or future-we will never be able to view anything beyond this wall. Why? Because the age of the universe is 13.8 billion years and we cannot see light beyond that age because the light has only been able to travel for that amount of time. However, if you warp to the edge of the CMB, it would transform into a section of space similar to ours whereas our sections of space, the Virgo Super Cluster, would appear as the CMB. Why? Because you’ve traveled 13.8 billion years away from Earth which, in turn, means that Earth’s light has not yet reached that location in space. On top of this, you would likely see a whole new observable universe as new galaxies, solar systems, and stars would appear that were previously so far away that, no matter the age of the Earth, we would never see them due to the constraints of time and light speed. This means that the universe could theoretically extend to infinity.
NO. 1
Have you heard the phrase “curiosity killed the cat”? Well, in quantum physics, curiosity either killed or didn’t kill the cat. Or, more surprisingly, curiosity saved and killed the cat simultaneously! Schrödinger’s cat, a famous thought experiment devised by Erwin Schrödinger, is best known for describing how reality branches with each entanglement of quantum particles. Unfortunately, this experiment has been taken out of context for decades and does not, in fact, state there are branching realities. However, quantum physics does have the mysterious property known as entanglement. Essentially, quantum particles can become entangled in a way that means their states, regardless of distance, are intertwined and identical. When this occurs, the observation of one of these particles can tell you the state of the other particle. However, more surprisingly, the observation and interaction with this particle immediately change the state of the other particle regardless of distance. Theoretically, two particles on opposite sides of the universe could instantaneously change states together. Why is this important? For one, the exchange of information breaks the speed of light. More practically, however, if we could send messages through quantum particles we could theoretically do so without fear of spying as an unwanted viewer would change the state of the entangled particles. Talk about a secure channel. Quantum mechanics is strange…
Schrodinger’s Cat experiment is often misinterpreted as meaning that a cat inside of a box with poison is both dead and alive simultaneously and that reality branches whenever entanglement occurs. This cat obviously believes that.
Kem Keithly, former Enid Superintendent of Schools is this month’s Local Legend. Keithly was superintendent of schools in Enid for 24 years and has now lived in the community for 37 years.Originally from Nevada, Mo., he received his first Master’s degree at Central Missouri State and his second master’s at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He also received an Educational Specialist Certification from Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh. Keithly received his doctorate in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. “I thought I was going to go to school for the rest of my life,” he said. He then went into administration and was eventually hired as Enid superintendent, retiring in 2008. Commenting on the state of Education today, Keithly said the biggest change he has seen is the increased influence of state and federal governments in the educational process, which he called “politics.” “All of the decisions used to be made at the local level” then the state and federal governments began stepping in. That started after the Russians put a man in space. The federal government began demanding more concentration on math and science,” he said. Today’s teachers are better trained and exposed to more educational theories than they have ever been. Among the problems in today’s educational system are teachers leaving the profession because of low salaries and a lack of parental support for teachers. Keithly and his wife Karin have two children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Painted brick is having a major moment, and rightfully so. It can instantly refresh an exterior without having to undergo an extensive (and expensive) renovation. Magazine pages and Instagram feeds are dripping with jaw-dropping before and afters, from creamy white cottages with a new lease on life to handsome charcoal Craftsmen with “New number, who’s this?” energy. But on the flip side, the vocal unpainted brick contingency clutches their pearls when beautiful brick homes, often historic, are permanently covered with an of-the-moment hue. Which leads us to this timely design dilemma: Should you paint brick? The short answer: It depends. Before committing to this long-term relationship, it is important to examine the pros and cons. Southern Living magazine offers the following advice to guide you through this trending yet almost irreversible dilemma.
When To Paint Brick Paint is the magic eraser of the design world. It’s a reno-free refresh with big wow-factor results that’s relatively easy and affordable. So when do you know that paint is the best choice for you? Deciding factors should include such items as if the home looks tired or ugly, architectural interest, or was built with inexpensive and unattractive bricks. If so, it’s probably time to paint!
When Not To Paint Brick If the brick is appealing, hit pause and ask yourself why you want to paint it. Just because it’s trending doesn’t mean it’s right for your home. If it’s a beautiful Tudor or colonial-style home, consider leaving it to preserve the integrity of the design. Paint is used as a remedy for an unattractive or outdated brick home.
Not all Bricks are Created Equal While most bricks today are mass produced, there is a subset of reclaimed bricks salvaged from historic structures across the country. . If the brick is beautiful but not your speed, consider other updates first, like painting shutters, refreshing the front door, or if it’s in the interior, lightening up the adjacent walls. While there are expensive chemical treatments to remove the paint, it’s not a flawless process and the bricks will never be the same, so it’s best to consider it an irreversible design decision.
Final Answer Still undecided? If you like your brick facade but good-intentioned yet opinionated friends are nudging you to paint it white and bright, pause and think. If you’ve always daydreamed about a little white house, live your dream and paint that brick! The best rule of thumb is also the simplest one: Do what you love.
As we trade beach bags for backpacks and temperatures begin to drop, the Chisholm Lady Horns volleyball team is eagerly preparing for their season. The Chisholm High Lady Horns will kick off their season on August 9th at Oklahoma Union. This season, the Lady Horns will face many new challenges with new coaches and new team lineups.
With plenty of new faces and positions being introduced at Chisholm, a familiar name in the Chisholm volleyball community, Jonathan Robbins, was asked a few questions about the upcoming season. Robbins has been involved with the Chisholm volleyball association for many years, and he has recently been promoted to Varsity head coach after previously being JV head coach and assisting the Varsity team. Robbins exemplifies what it entails to be a true Chisholm Longhorn on and off the court, as well as teaching at the high school. In addition to Coach Robbins, Amy Barnes will be providing assistance to the Varsity squad as well as coaching the JV, freshman, and middle school teams.
When questioned about the upcoming season, Robbins responded, “I have high expectations: greatness.” Robbins continually pushes his team to strive for better. The Chisholm Lady Horns have made a State Tournament appearance for many consecutive years, and Robbins is not going to stop until that reputation is upheld. “Communication is key on and off the court,” Robbins stressed during a team huddle. Team communication is going to be a huge part of the season with the new coaching staff and the new faces on the team. With the loss of many key players and some good athletes, the Lady Horns will be working overtime this season to make it back to State; however, the girls are pumped and ready to take on the role and play. It will be an exciting season as the girls learn to adapt and prosper with the new challenges they are faced with. Come cheer on your Lady Horn Volleyball team!
It’s Sophia and Mallie back at again writing the September Tween Scene column in Enid Monthly This month we are going to be writing about our top 5 favorite back-to-school sneakers! Let’s get to it!!
To start off our top favorites is Jordan 4’s, specifically the light mochas and white Oreos because they match with everything, and they last a long time depending on how well you treat them. Jordan 4s are also really in style right now and a lot of people own them.
Our second favorite pair is Jordan 1s because they are very cute, stylish shoes for everyone. Mallie owns 2 pairs but would like to buy more. Our favorite style is Jordan 1 mids.
If you want a super cute tennis shoe, Nike Airmax 270s are the way to go. These are Sophia’s favorite because they are super comfy, pretty and are really easy to clean. They feel like you are walking on clouds and are good workout shoes.
Another great shoe is Adidas ultra boosts. They give you lots of comfort while running, walking, etc. and can go with literally all your clothes depending on what color you get. Just be careful because once you buy one pair you’ll want more.
Last but not least, Nike Air Force 1’s have to be on the list. These shoes give you a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from. They can be worn with dressy cloths, workout clothes and everyday clothes. Sophia’s favorites are the tear-away and color changing. Mallie’s favorite are the plain white ones.
We hope our readers enjoyed this month’s article. Let us know what your favorite shoes are by emailing us at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. Feel free to also email us with any questions, comments, concerns or any ideas for our upcoming articles. Have a great September!! Bye for now!!!!!
Why do you want to start your fitness journey? There are many reasons. You may want to be healthier, you may want to lose some weight, or you may want to step into some body building. Whatever the reason is a workout program can be designed for you and your goals. Here are two amazing ladies with different goals that are both killing it
Kara Bergdall
“I’ve always been into fitness, just not quite on the competition level. A friend of mine brought up the idea one weekend so we met with Kat that following Monday and started the meal plan and training. Working out is definitely the easier part. The meal plan can get old after months of eating the same kinds of things but it’s fun to see what your body is capable of when you push it that hard. I feel like if you’re into fitness at all, you should definitely give competing a try just one time! We had the best time training and the support during the entire process was pretty awesome!” – Kara Bergdall
Samantha Noteware
“After losing over 100lbs having the gastric sleeve surgery in 2018, I wanted to make sure that I continued on a healthy path by not only eating better but working out as well. I started weight training 3x a week in 2020 and have witnessed some awesome changes not only in my muscle toning but in my endurance while running! My trainer continues to push me every week focusing on different muscle groups and guides me with healthy meal plans. I’m so thankful I made the decision to start training and pursue a healthy lifestyle!” -Samantha Noteware
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Kristi Bolin, owner, and chef of Kristi’s Kitchen. I grew up in Enid, OK, and graduated from Enid High in 1997. I have lived in many places throughout my adulthood but finally settled back in Enid. I met my husband in 2007 and we married in 2008. We have 2 ornery, yet beautiful, daughters, ages 7 & 9. I am a surgical technologist by trade but have always loved to cook. My parents owned restaurants as we were growing up and my grandmother was an excellent cook, as well. I watched and helped and learned.
I was honored when Robert asked me to contribute to the monthly recipe column. I get my love of cooking from my grandmother. Growing up and being in the kitchen with her are some of my fondest childhood memories. One of the many reasons I love cooking so much is because there aren’t many rules you have to follow. You can get as creative as you want. I love reading cookbooks, but very rarely do I follow a recipe when cooking, so feel free to play around with mine.
The recipe I chose for this month features cherry tomatoes that a dear friend of mine brought me. It is fresh, clean, and vibrant. It’s about as “summer” as you can get.
Ingredients:
1. Fairly large cherry tomatoes. As many as you want. 2. Basil leaves. 1 per tomato. 3. Mozzarella pearls. 2-3 depending on the size of your tomato. 4. Good quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 5. Kosher salt.
Start by slicing off the very tops of the tomatoes. Using a corer, scoop out the core of the tomato. Take 1 basil leaf and stuff it down into the tomato, followed by mozzarella pearls. Drizzle the top with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Finish with Kosher salt. These are perfect as a snack or garnish.
I have to admit, knowing the cover subject this month, I had a really difficult time knowing what to write about. We all have an individual story about where we were 20 years ago, and what we were doing. I was waiting for a law school class to begin when in the lunch area we saw breaking news on the TV. We spent most of the day glued to the TV, but frankly, no one really cares what I was doing.
What is important was the work of the first responders that both gave their lives that day, that died afterward from the horrible aftereffects, and those that saved lives. In this month’s issue, we talk to two first responders who have spent their lives doing their part to make our community a better place. When you see a first responder, don’ forget to thank them for their service, and when you think about that fateful day 20 years ago, don’t forget to remember those who gave everything for their community.
