“Es inmensamente triste ver cómo la naturaleza nos está hablando, y los seres humanos no escuchamos.” – Víctor Hugo.

¡Hola Nevadenses! 

Have you heard of Green Our Planet? Green Our Planet was started by filmmakers and entrepreneurs Ciara Byrne and Kim McQuarrie, who were on a mission to support teachers and schools with their desire to build school gardens. They empower students through the joy of STEM learning outside in a school garden or a hydroponics laboratory. 

Their curriculum exposes students to STEM concepts by growing veggies and encourages them to sample what they grow too. Where was this type of programming when I was a kid and thought fruits and vegetables were grown at supermarkets? 

Last year, Green Our Planet was able to secure their future Compassionate Gardens Headquarters in Northeast Las Vegas with the help of Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick. Their dream is to bring a space to the community where learning can thrive to create a greener world. 

Some of the spaces they hope to build out in their future headquarters include a hydroponic lab that can grow food with 80% less water, a teaching kitchen to whip up healthy meals with fresh ingredients, and a half acre community garden. They plan to donate food they harvest to nonprofits that help combat food insecurity in our community. 

Did you have any hands on learning programs like this when you were in school?

Are you tired of the same old routine, day after day? Do you want to get out of the house, try something new, and explore the Biggest Little City in the World in the process?

From searching through clothing racks, seeing art, and smashing things to riding a bike, enjoying nature, and “crawling” to a pub by the Truckee River, here are 10 things to do in Reno that are off the beaten path.

.• Go on a modern-day treasure hunt

• Immerse yourself in art

• Go to the theater

• Ride your bike

• Expand your mind

Last week we asked you what was giving you hope. One of our readers, Kathleen Myers shared, “Hopefully the next four years bring us closer together and hopefully the people will come together.”

I hope so, too.

In this week’s question, let’s talk taxes: Do you file your taxes as soon as possible, or do you wait until the last minute? 

• Way more Americans are getting sterilized since Roe was struck down, research finds. A new study has found that from May to August 2022, vasectomies surged by 95% and tubal sterilizations increased by 70% among adults ages 19 to 26. Health care professionals across the country have seen this in real time. (Read more here)

• Trump administration rescinds memo after executive order on funding causes confusion. The Trump administration has rescinded a memo that called to freeze federal grant, loan, and aid funding, reversing a move made earlier this week that caused instant backlash from Nevadans and other Americans who depend on programs funded through those grants like Medicaid, childcare, and other services. (Read more here)

• Washoe County Detention Facility first in Nevada to earn opioid treatment certification. A groundbreaking development in correctional healthcare: Washoe County Detention Facility has become Nevada’s first jail-based certified opioid treatment program. Through partnership with NaphCare, the facility has demonstrated significant success in reducing recidivism rates to 29.1%, substantially below the national average of 45.8%. (Read more here)

Travesía de la mariposa monarca. Los usuarios de Google Maps en Estados Unidos pueden ver la masa de agua conocida durante siglos como el Golfo de México y rebautizada como Golfo de América, en consonancia con los términos de la controvertida orden ejecutiva del presidente actual. San Pascual Bailón, patrono de las obras, asociaciones y las cocineras, observa atónito cómo las mariposas monarca deben cruzar el nuevo golfo de Trump. El mural fue pintado por Nelly Tobon, mucho antes de que el titular de La Casa Blanca se instalara en lo que él considera su trono. La bella obra se ubica en Eastern y Bonanza, al este del valle.