1. Our lawns.
The August heat wave is here, with temperatures expected to hover around the 80s this week.
Lawns or gardens may suffer as a result. Mitigate the drawbacks and be responsible with your water use by following these tips from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
It’s OK if your grass turns brown. Once the rains return — and they always do around here — the grass will green up again. Save your water for your most delicate plantings, especially those vital to birds, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Practice grass-cycling — using a mulching mower to leave grass clippings on your lawn — to trap moisture, keeping the lawn cooler and better hydrated.
More tips at www.savelivinglandscapes.com.
2. Our skin.
Speaking of taking care of things, our skin is also at risk in the summertime.
Preventative measures should never go unmentioned.
Use sunscreen — available in lotions, creams, ointments, gels, wax sticks and sprays — to reduce your risk for sunburn and skin cancer.
Protect your scalp and ears with broad-brimmed hats or wear clothing with a UPF rating. Wear unbleached cotton, high-luster polyesters, thin silk and dark garments, which absorb ultraviolet radiation.
Parents: Keep babies younger than 6 months out of the sun, or make sure to use the above-mentioned tips. Kids older than 6 months should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Use SPF 30 for kids who are especially active.
More at www.webmd.com.
3. Our future.
Say “hello” to the future — 50 years from now.
The Imagining Everett’s Future event is at 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett. A time capsule, celebrating the city’s 125th anniversary, will be sealed with postcards featuring stories, poems, art and memories contributed by community members and opened in 50 years.
Make your own contribution using postcards available at the library or the day of the event.
Call 425-257-8000 or email libref@everettwa.gov.
— Evan Thompson, Herald writer
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