News

Frozen wind turbines in Texas caused some conservative state politicians to declare last month that the state was relying too much on renewable energy. But in reality, the wind power was expected to make up only a fraction of what the state had planned for during the winter.

Technology has become such a part of the fabric of daily life that it’s easy for anyone to take their favorite gadgets and gizmos for granted. It’s only when power outages strike or batteries run out of power that people stop and realize just how vital a role technology plays in their daily lives.

Tech afficionados often know when the latest gizmos and gadgets are slated to hit the market and be made available to consumers. Anticipation tends to build around everything from the latest version of a popular smartphone to a new incarnation of a beloved gaming system. But perhaps no advancement in technology is as highly anticipated as the self-driving car. Industry experts note that the hype around selfdriving cars, sometimes referred to as autonomous vehicles, has existed since 2004, when United States military experiments involving self-driving vehicles in the Mojave Desert garnered both attention and excitement. That anticipation and excitement waned as 2004 was left further and further behind in the rearview mirror, but the race to become the first auto manufacturer to build and offer driverless vehicles is still very much on. For example, in 2018 General Motors indicated its intent to make a fleet of self-driving taxis available in San Francisco by 2020. That did not come to fruition, though other auto manufacturers, notably Tesla, have indicated they have their eyes on potentially offering autonomous taxis in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated, and likely delayed, the arrival of selfdriving automobiles, though it remains to be seen just how much the pandemic affected the arrival of driverless vehicles. A recent report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance noted that many auto manufacturers who have worked on selfdriving technology had initially set their sights on deployment in 2021. However, lab closures and social distancing measures enacted in response to the pandemic may have made it highly unlikely that 2021 will be the year the world sees its first fleet of selfdriving taxis hit the road.

Gaming may be the world’s most popular pastime. Data from the games market and analytics experts at NewZoo estimates that roughly 2.7 billion people, or about 35 percent of the global population, participates in gaming. And gamers aren’t generally casual about their passion for playing, as the “State of Online Gaming 2020” from Limelight Networks found that gamers spend an average of nearly 6.5 hours per week playing.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of flavor and can make for wonderful additions to anyone’s diet. But as many foodies know, it’s not always easy to find your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.

During the first part of February, I read/heard that MARY WILSON had died rather suddenly of unknown causes at the age of 76. I, at first, did not know why that name “rang a bell with me,” but it stayed in my mind. A few days later, I heard on a television broadcast the news that “a founding member of the singing group, “The Supremes,” had passed on and that a memorial would be held later on in 2021—and then I remembered! Mary active in public life as she appeared Wilson was the main force behind the continued success of “The Supremes,” even though many people first think of Diana Ross when hearing their songs or group name on the “oldies” program of a radio station!

Barbecues in the backyard or cocktails on the patio provide some fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors from the comforts of home. While friends and family flock to such entertaining opportunities, some unwanted guests may want to crash the festivities.

Sugar is often seen as a guilty pleasure that’s only to be enjoyed on rare occasions. But that reputation is not entirely accurate, as sugar is naturally occurring in many healthy foods, including fruit.

When climbing into bed, no one wants to endure a snore-filled night of fits and starts. Snoring may be inconvenient, but it’s more than just disruptive. Snoring may indicate a serious health issue.

The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was an annual gathering that began in 1825 at various locations held by a fur trading company at which trappers and mountain men sold their furs and hides and replenished their supplies. The fur companies assembled teamster-driven mule trains which carried whiskey and supplies to a pre-announced location each spring-summer and set up a trading fair—the rendezvous—and at the season’s end, packed furs out to the British Company to Ft. Vancouver in the Pacific Northwest, and to one of the northern Missouri River ports such as St. Joseph, Missouri.

Individuals who are approaching retirement or those who already have said goodbye to the working world may find they are ready to make some life changes. Travel is something many older adults enjoy when they have much more free time to see the sights.

Leaves that fall from trees can be a marvel to behold. But leaves can stain exterior surfaces when they eventually settle on vehicles, concrete driveways, patios, and other surfaces, become wet and/or are not cleaned away in a timely fashion. Leaf stains are caused by tannins in the leaves. The pigments can be absorbed by porous materials like concrete and leave stains behind. While these stains may wash away over time, homeowners may prefer a faster way to get rid of unsightly stains. To remove moderate leaf stains, mix oxygen bleach with hot water and apply to stains using a scrub brush. Dark stains may require a tougher cleanser, such as one that contains trisodium phosphate. Some homeowners find success using a pressure washer to clean away leaf stains, while others rely on commercial leaf-stain removers.

As much of Texas has experienced historic winter weather, native wildlife populations throughout the state have also felt the impact. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds the public that many native wildlife species will be able to survive short durations of historic low temperatures and snow events. However, long-term impacts on a variety of wildlife and their habitats, especially on vegetation, may not be known for weeks.