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At Home with Arizona PBS brings you local news and free resources for families and educators.

News Updates

Are we ‘normal’ again? Answers on changes in COVID-19 protocols
As Arizona eases into a hopeful, post-pandemic life, here are 13 frequently asked questions about rules and regulations governing schools, businesses, activities and programs.

Climate change explained
What is human-caused climate change and what sort of activities have become contributing factors? “Break It Down” co-host Swapna Reddy chats with Dr. Gregg Garfin, associate professor at the University of Arizona, about how climate change is impacting Arizonans and the political discussion surrounding the topic.

Arizona’s economy shows signs of improvement
The Office of Economic Opportunity released the March 2021 employment report, showing more than 16,000 jobs added and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 6.7%. Watch this segment of Arizona Horizon to learn more about the findings.

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Activities & Resources

Join us in celebrating Daniel Tiger’s Be My Neighbor Day!
RSVP today for our free virtual celebration with Daniel Tiger taking place this Saturday, May 1! Prepare for the event by downloading the kindness activity bookletand learn how you can give back to the community in honor of the event.

Community Helpers Bingo
Learning how to work together helps communities grow stronger. These bilingual “Learn Along” Bingo cards include a range of learning opportunities for children. (PreK and K)

Free standards-aligned content for teachers, students and parents
Engineering, science, math, social studies and language arts resources are available via WORLD and online. These lessons follow the PBS favorites: “The Story of China,” “Poetry in America,” “Great Performances” and “Illustrative Math.” (Grades 6-12)

Get ready for ‘Thank Your School Superhero’ week
Find fun ways to say thank you to those working in education May 3-7. Use the materials from around your home to create a special message and show your School Superhero how much you care. We have lots of great ideas for you on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook page!

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Family Favorites on Friday Nights! 

Friday, April 30, 2021

Arizona PBS KIDS Family Night will feature “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum!” Yadina goes on a journey to meet some of history’s boldest women. Learn more about historical heroes with these puzzles.

Follow Arizona PBS KIDS and explore this page for more activities.

Pray for America’s Leaders

AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ON PRAYING FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Praying for elected officials is foundational to the ministry of Intercessors for America. What prayer points do lawmakers give when asked how we as intercessors can be praying? Recently former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appeared on IFA’s Pray for America’s Leaders webcast and here is what he had to say… Click in to watch!

We encourage you to pray these three prayer points for your elected officials today. When you click into the map at Pray for America’s Leaders you can add your prayer to those of other intercessors. You can even share your prayer in your state forum! Click here to visit your state’s page and connect with other intercessors.

Click TAKE ACTION to visit the Pray for America’s Leaders map and pray for your leaders–from local to federal–today.
GO THERE NOW

Life is such a critical issue in our nation. Join Kris and Camille on Thursday’s webcast as they host Pastor Mark Lee Dickson (proponent of Sanctuary Cities for Life) and Terry Beatly from Hosea Initiative discussing opportunities to support life at every level in our government. See the webcast information below–plan to join us to learn and pray.

Upholding life-

Dave Kubal
President/CEO

Beaches of Normandy Tours

The dress rehearsal of D-Day gone terribly wrong

Exercise Tiger

American soldiers at Slapton Sands during the exercise 
(Wikipedia)

Operation Tiger, also known as “Exercise Tiger” was one of the large-scale dress rehearsals prior to D-Day set on Slapton Sands, Devon in southern England. This exercise, which took place 77 years ago between April 22 and April 30, 1944, ended in disaster as the Allied convoy carrying the soldiers preparing for the mock landing was attacked by real German E-boats, killing around 800 American servicemen.
 
As part of the build-up to D-Day, Force “U”, comprising American troops tasked with landing on Utah Beach, started training the different phases of landings at Slapton Sands. The location was chosen for its similarity to Utah Beach. The residents who lived near Slapton were evacuated in late 1943 to ensure complete secrecy. The purpose of these exercises was to give U.S. troops training in conditions very much resembling the ones awaiting them in Normandy. To make it as realistic as possible, Eisenhower even ordered troops to be landing under live fire over their heads on April 27. Due to uncoordinated changes in timing, many soldiers were killed on the beach by the naval bombardment that was supposed to take place before the landing, thus constituting the first friendly fire accident of the exercise. This was already a bad omen for the outcome of the operation.Soldiers laying bootprints in memory of the fallen on Slapton Sands
(www.thetimes.co.uk)WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTube

In the early hours of April 28, approximately 30,000 American servicemen were heading towards Slapton Sands through Lyme Bay to simulate a landing when they were spotted by German reconnaissance planes and E-boats. The German Kriegsmarine had a base across the English Channel in Cherbourg, where they kept a flotilla of E-boats. These highly maneuverable small ships made of aluminum and timber were called Schnellboot (S-Boot for short) in German, literally “fast boats.” In Britain they came to be known as E-boats, with “E” standing for enemy. These German ships armed with torpedoes and guns and with a top speed of up to 40 knots patrolled the English Channel at night.A German E-boat 
(www.boatingnz.co.nz)

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Nine German E-boats under the command of Lt. Commander Bernd Klug intercepted and opened fire on convoy T-4 of eight U.S. LSTs (Landing Ship Tank, nicknamed also Large Slow Target due to its low speed) sailing in a straight line and packed with equipment and troops. Two British ships, the destroyer HMS Scimitar and the corvette HMS Azalea were supposed to secure the area. The destroyer, HMS Scimitar had to return to the dockyards in Plymouth for repairs due to a collision with one of the LSTs. Its replacement, HMS Saladin, arrived too late. The other ship, the slow and outdated WWI-era HMS Azalea, had not much chance to repel the attack of the fast German boats in the darkness. The situation was exacerbated by communication problems caused by the American and British being on different radio frequencies. The slow-moving LSTs offered easy targets for the German E-boats. Many sailors believed their green tracers were part of the exercise. Three of the LSTs were hit by German torpedoes, two of them sank, resulting in hundreds of casualties among Army and Navy personnel. LST-289 was seriously damaged but made it back to the port in Dartmouth. The E-boats retreated to Cherbourg when the Allied vessels fired back. In the chaos, some of the LSTs started firing upon each other. Many servicemen drowned or died of hypothermia in the icy water while waiting to be rescued. An additional reason for the many casualties was the poor training on wearing the lifebelts. Due to the large backpacks, many soldiers placed them around their waist. When they jumped into the water, their heavy gear flipped them upside down, forcing their heads under water and drowning them.The stern of LST-289 hit by a torpedo
(www.cnn.com)

A British officer, Julian Perkin, had horrifying memories of the disaster: “The sight was appalling. There were hundreds of bodies of American servicemen, in full battle gear, floating in the sea. Many had their limbs and even their heads blown off…. Those the doctor pronounced dead were pushed back into the sea [where] small American landing craft with their ramps down were literally scooping up bodies. It was a ghastly sight!”
 
Among the casualties were ten officers with BIGOT-level (standing for British Invasion of German Occupied Territory) clearance for D-Day, meaning that they had prior knowledge of the invasion. Their capture by the Germans could have compromised the landing. So serious was the situation that, fearing they were taken prisoner by the Germans, the invasion was nearly called off until the bodies of all ten victims were recovered.WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeBIGOT security classification stamp
(www.bbc.co.uk)

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The tragedy directed attention to a number of major issues that needed to be addressed before D-Day. One of them was the necessity to standardize radio frequencies to facilitate communication between escort vessels and landing craft. Those storming the Normandy beaches got better life-vest training, too. Friendly fire incidents were also to be avoided by means of better communication and coordination in the future. Allied leaders were furious and kept the debacle secret so as not to undermine morale, and the details were not made public until years later. The fallen were buried in military cemeteries in England. More Americans died during Exercise Tiger than on Utah Beach itself. The 4th Infantry Division lost fewer than 200 men on D-Day, while nearly 800 servicemen lost their lives on Slapton Sands.
 
There are several monuments remembering the casualties of the exercise. Devon resident Ken Small discovered several items from the exercise, including a Sherman tank, on the beach while beachcombing in the early 1970s. In 1974, he purchased the tank from the American government for $50 USD. In 1984, with the aid of locals, he raised the tank, which became a memorial to the incident. Another example to mention is a memorial plaque installed at Utah Beach on the wall of a former German bunker in 2012.The memorial plaque at Utah Beach

One of the German E-boats (S-130), considered the last of its kind, still exists and is being renovated by collector Kevin Wheatcroft in Mashfords, Cornwall. In the Cold War era, it was used to smuggle MI6 agents into the Baltic states, then it was handed over to the German navy for training purposes. Currently, it is hoped that after the renovation the boat will be on display in a dry dock bought by the Wheatcroft Collection in North Devon.E-boat S-130 being renovated by the Wheatcroft Collection
(www.boatingnz.co.nz)

Gosar Adds Border Crisis Countdown Clock, Asks “Where is…

PRESCOTT, AZ – Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) issued the following statement after launching a new countdown clock on his official website, highlighting Mr. Biden’s absenteeism at the southern border. 

“This week will mark the 100^th day of the Biden Administration, yet Mr. Biden refuses to visit the southern border to see first-hand the crisis his open border policies have created.  

Where is Joe Biden? What is he hiding from? I’ve invited him to the border TWICE. He has not accepted.  

With each passing day, the health, security and humanitarian crisis grows worse as the surge in illegal aliens trying to enter the country still rages. In fact, it appears to be getting worse because the Administration refuses to take action to address it. It is a complete failure of leadership.  

I added the Biden-created border crisis countdown clock to my website so every American will know how many days have passed with no visit to the southern border by Mr. Biden. 

How many more days must pass before Mr. Biden’s visits the border to see the crisis?” concluded Rep. Paul Gosar.  

Click here to view the Biden-created border crisis countdown clock.

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Arizona Redistricting

Hello Fair Maps Advocates! Welcome to our April Newsletter, here’s what new this month. 

Arizona Redistricting Updates

The Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays. Check out their new website here, where you can find the minutes from previous meetings, agendas for upcoming meetings, and the public comments portal. 

After hiring legal counsel and gearing up to hire administrative staff, the IRC is on the verge of a crucial decision. They will vote next week to decide who their mapping consultants will be. The mappers will use 2020 Census data to draft electoral maps that the Commission will put forward. 

One particular pair of firms that is being considered together is incredibly concerning. A firm called Timmons Group is slated to work with National Demographics Corporation (NDC), a consultant with an alarming track record across the country. NDC’s maps have been rejected or re-done by several courts and redistricting bodies. Here’s just a few examples:

• In North Carolina, NDC’s president provided testimony about gerrymandered maps. The judge wrote in the final opinion: “The Court finds Dr. Johnson’s analysis unpersuasive and gives his opinions little weight. Dr. Johnson has testified as a live expert witness in four cases previously, and the courts in all four cases have rejected his analysis.
• When, in Kern County, California, Latino voters were found to have been deprived of an equal opportunity to elect the representatives of their choice, because of under-representation, Doug Johnson submitted testimony to defend those maps, which were overturned for failure to follow California’s laws and requirements for map drawing.

Before the IRC makes a decision, they will allow the public to respond to issues raised through submitting public comment. This is an important opportunity for us to get public comment in the form of questions that mapping consultants must respond to. The IRC is accepting public comment until Thursday, 4/29 at 5 p.m. More info below.

Take Action

1. Submit a public comment to the IRC. Email your comment to ircadmin@azdoa.gov

• The deadline for public comments is 5:00 p.m. MST on Thursday, April 29th
• Utilize information in the petition and letter to the editor to personalize your comment

2. Sign our petition to demand the IRC not hire Timmons Group 

3. Submit a Letter to the Editor to get the word out to your community about NDC

       If your newspaper doesn’t appear, manually search the name

4. Submit a Letter to the Editor about Arizona Apportionment and fair maps 

Volunteer Updates

Thank you to everyone who has signed our previous petitions. We gathered over 500 signatures last month from folks in 12 counties across Arizona to demand that the IRC commit to transparency in future hires. Read our press release about submitting that petition to the IRC here. 

Apportionment Day has come and gone. The apportionment process is the first step of redistricting. We had expected gaining a 10th district, but after the release of data Arizona will not be getting any additional seats. Despite this, we will continue to engage on redistricting because voters deserve a map that gives them an opportunity to elect representatives that represent our growing population in every corner of the state. 

To get even more involved with the fight for fair maps join our volunteer call. The next AOTL AZ Monthly Volunteer Zoom Call is on May 11 from 5:15-6:00 p.m. 

Join us for a monthly community discussion about redistricting and how you can get involved!Sign Up Here 

Redistricting In The News

AZ Mirror: Arizona census stunner: No 10th congressional seat

Democracy Docket: The Redistricting Fight Starts Now

AZ Mirror: Redistricting commission chooses Democratic, Republican attorneys

Thank you!

Thanks for volunteering with us! If you have any questions/comments or would like to set up a time to talk and get more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Laiba Waqas

Arizona Digital Organizer | All On The Line 

480-253-9776 | allontheline.org

The Mayo Clinic Diet

APRIL 28, 2021″Everyone has setbacks, disappointments and missed opportunities. But wallowing in the past and focusing on the negatives is a sure way to doom your future. So put the past behind you and embrace today as the beginning of your new season.” — Edward T. Creagan, M.D.Healthy EatingReal food on a budgetAre you concerned with the cost of good-for-you foods? Some healthy foods — such as fresh produce and fish — can be expensive. But your overall grocery bill may actually be lower because you’re eating less of other costly foods, namely all those pricey processed offerings: chips, cookies and ice cream. Read on to learn how you can stick to your grocery budget and eat well at the same time.Try these simple tips »Weight Loss
Are you ready to lose weight?
It’s easy to say that you want to lose weight, but do you have a burning desire to reach your goals? Set yourself up for success by assessing your readiness for change and weight loss. Answer these questions as honestly as possible and take note of any patterns or observations that surface. 

Take the quiz now »Today’s Meal-Planning Tip
Cooking tip: Cook once, eat twice! 
Plan meals that will use up perishable ingredients in a variety of dishes. For example, plan to roast a chicken for dinner one night. Then, use the leftovers for a chicken salad sandwich or a pot of chicken soup later in the week. 

Health eHeart News and Updates

April 2021 Newsletter

Earth Day and Your Health

As the annual spotlight on Earth approaches, i.e., Earth Day, and we take stock of the health of the planet, recent research seems to indicate that the health of the earth is also tied to our own health. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that at least 12.6 million deaths a year can be attributed to environmental risks which serves to highlight the importance of the mission statement behind Earth Day. From a cardiovascular perspective, climate change also directly impacts heart health.

Climate change has led to higher global temperatures which brings about frequent heat waves increasing the chances of heart attack or even stroke, particularly for those with cardiovascular health problems. This does not even factor in that heat waves are also bad for one’s mental health which can only exacerbate many underlying medical conditions. Persistent mental illness (from chronic stress, mood disorders, PTSD, etc.), research shows, can lead to a variety of cardiovascular issues: increased heart rate and blood pressure, higher levels of cortisol, and even reduced blood flow to the heart. These physiological effects can actually lead to calcium buildup in the arteries and even contribute to heart disease.

Additionally, individuals who struggle with chronic mental health, and do not have healthy coping mechanisms, have an increased chance of turning to unhealthy mechanisms like cigarettes or alcohol which can be especially detrimental to heart health, especially those with AFib. There is a growing body of research that is illuminating a close interaction between psychological factors and AFib disease conditions. So, in keeping with the spirit of Earth Day, keep in mind how you treat the environment because our health is partially dependent on it.New Research on Sheltering-in-Place and Weight Gain

With the help of Health eHeart participants, Gregory Marcus, MD, the Associate Chief of Cardiology for Research at UCSF, has recently published a paper looking at the unintended health consequences of government issued shelter-in-place orders across the United States during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Marcus and his co-authors looked at data provided by 269 HeH participants from February 1st to June 1st, 2020. Participants showed an average weight gain of 1.5 lbs per month. He noted to the New York Times that “many of these people were losing weight before shelter-in-place orders were issued in their states. It’s reasonable to assume these individuals are more engaged with their health in general.” Yet, these participants gained weight on average during the lockdowns. “Although this may not appear clinically important, prolonged effects as have occurred with the pandemic might lead to substantial weight gain,” the authors concluded in the study.

What does this mean for us? In the past year, it has been widely reported that shelter-in-place orders may discourage physical activity and encourage increased snacking and overeating. Even if we are advised to stay home and avoid going out for all but the most essential activities, we should strive to find ways to eat healthy and stay active. Here are some ideas: 

1.) Stock your home with healthier snack foods such as fruits and veggies. 

2.) If you are working from home, take breaks to do light exercises such as floor exercises, yoga, or walking or jogging in place (these are also easy to do while you are watching television!). 

3.) In many places, exercise is considered an essential activity for our physical and mental well-being, so go for a stroll, hike, or jog outdoors while observing mask wearing and social distancing if there are many people around. But be sure to always check your local advisories before you go!
 Read more about this study here or the full article in JAMA here.Supporting Mothers This Day, and Every Day

Mother’s Day is just around the corner – May 9th to be exact! A day where we get to pamper mom with hugs, flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt cards. Showing moms and motherly figures we care and telling them how much they mean to us can make all the difference. Dr. Norrina Bai Allen, who specializes in cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, comments, “‘Being connected to the people you love and having a sense of purpose can be really impactful for our health and well-being.”’ While having a day dedicated to mom is great, why should it happen just once a year? Dr. Allen also discusses the importance of bringing mindfulness into our lives daily. “That can reduce stress, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease as well, which is probably driven by the fact that you make healthier choices,’” says Dr. Allen. For moms who are pulled in a million different directions, this is crucial. So, what does it look like to celebrate mothers 365 days a year? Perhaps it means helping out around the house or cooking a few meals. It can also mean supporting mental health for mothers to prevent burn out, supporting affordable childcare, and supporting prenatal and perinatal healthcare, especially for women of color, and women around the globe. So, yes to flowers, yes to hugs and cards on this special day. But remember, we can show moms we care every day.

Read more about how to make mother’s day last all year from the American Heart Association. 
 

Black Maternal Health Week: April 11 – 17th Did you know that the month of April is recognized as National Minority Health Month in the U.S., and that the United Nations recognize April 11th as the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights? Black Maternal Health Week is intended to raise awareness, spark conversations, and amplify voices of Black mothers. Community organizers and national platforms are working together to improve health policies, research, and reproductive justice. You may ask, ‘Why do we need a week for Black maternal health?’ According to the CDC1, Black mothers in the U.S. die at 3 to 4 times the rate as white mothers. Cardiovascular complications are cited as the most common complications. Realities such as these are why we center the voices of Black mothers. As you prepare for Mother’s Day this year, read more from the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and learn about what UCSF’s Black Women’s Health & Livelihood Initiative are doing to be a part of that conversation.May is National Pet Month!

Many pet owners may know the positive mental health benefits that come with having a furry or scaly friend. They may not know, however, that a growing amount of evidence suggests that having a pet can also improve their heart health.

Numerous studies have explored the relationship between pet (primarily dog or cat) ownership and cardiovascular disease, with many reporting beneficial effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including lower blood pressure, lower total cholesterol, increased physical activity, and lower heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress.

If you own a pet or are thinking about it, the potential benefits for your heart health are certainly a nice plus. However, the primary purpose of adopting or purchasing a pet should not be to achieve a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. Simply getting a pet, without a plan of regular aerobic activity (such as walking a dog) and the use of other preventive measures, is not an advisable strategy for reduction in CVD risk. With all of this in mind, owning a pet can be helpful for your mental and physical health, and, of course, to have a fun companion to have around!
Read the full article here.

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