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Upcoming food events are breaths of fresh air

Upcoming food events are breaths of fresh air

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Event: Fresh Air Fitness Workshop

Event: Fresh Air Fitness Workshop


This is one of a few mini workshops we will be holding at Fresh Air Fitness. This one will show you how to use the equipment and get the full experience at Fresh Air Fitness. This event is Free to all participants.

Contact Info

Name Peggy Rohatyn
Phone 1(306) 415-0040
Email prohatyn@accesscomm.ca
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How humid air, intensified by climate change, is melting Greenland ice

How humid air, intensified by climate change, is melting Greenland ice
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Jason Box waited for the skies to clear. The climatologist’s team was already in southern Greenland to begin their research project, but he was stuck in Nuuk, the country’s capital, because weather delayed his travels. Dark clouds loomed overhead, while the patter of rain echoed loudly as it fell onto the ocean.

Unbeknown to him, this same weather system was causing a historic melt event 660 miles away at the summit of Greenland. On Aug. 14, 2021, the system drew exceptionally warm and moist air from southern latitudes northward, increasing temperatures around 32 degrees (18 Celsius) higher than normal. Rain, not snow, fell on Greenland’s summit for the first time on record. Melting persisted over the next two weeks, covering 46 percent of the ice sheet. This was the largest melt event to occur so late in the year.

“The weather was atrocious,” said Box, a professor at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. “I didn’t know that it was as big as it was.”

The “atrocious” weather was caused by a warm, narrow band of water vapor in the sky, known as an atmospheric river. The term “atmospheric river” has recently become popularized in media due to its role in extreme weather. As the plume of water vapor makes landfall, it precipitates as rain or snow. In the fall and winter, atmospheric rivers bring much of California’s annual precipitation but can also unleash intense flooding. In July 2021, an atmospheric river brought flooding to Germany, which killed more than 200 people.

In Greenland, these warm rivers in the sky also play a role in melting the ice sheet. In a study released Thursday, Box and his colleagues illuminate how an atmospheric river caused the August 2021 melt event and brought rain to the summit. The explanation foretells a future that could be increasingly common as global temperatures rise due to human-caused climate change.

“What we realize is that the atmospheric river is much more about the heat. And the heat did a tremendous amount of melting,” Box said. “What I would argue unnatural is there’s more heat in the system and you’re getting greater extremes.”

The Arctic could get more rain and less snow sooner than projected. Here’s why that matters.

Atmospheric rivers tend to originate from southern latitudes far removed from Greenland, where warm air causes ocean water to evaporate into the atmosphere. Atmospheric steering winds help transport the vapor great distances. Box described the rivers as a natural process to transfer energy from the tropics to the pole. “There’s a tremendous amount of heat in these circulation systems,” he said.

As an atmospheric river landed over Greenland in August, the study found the majority of melt resulted from elevated air temperatures, which darkened the ice sheet surface and increased the absorption of sunlight. Satellite data showed melting snow crept up to higher elevations and exposed relatively dark bare ice. Where snow remained, surface melting deformed the snow crystals and made them darker, which led to additional melting under sunny skies in the following days.

“The surface is in a darkened state and stays like that for more than a week. And so that effectively doubles the melting,” Box said.

Box and his colleagues determined that the darkened snow increased melt by 28 percent in one location at an altitude of 6,036 feet. At a location 4,167 feet high, they determined that melting would have been cut in half if the bare ice were not exposed. Discharge from the Watson River, in the Kangerlussuaq region in central-western Greenland, was also the highest for this period in August in 16 years of records.

“One of the major things they point out … was how you get these sequence of these events where warm air comes in and gets rain on snow,” said Bill Neff, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder who was not involved in the study. “The warm air and the radiation from warm clouds can melt the snow and it changes the properties of the snow so that when the sky is clear and the sun is shining, it keeps melting.”

Neff said the August melting was similar to other recent major melt events. In the past decade, Greenland experienced three major melt years, 2012, 2019 and 2021, which were all tied to atmospheric rivers. Before 2012, he said the last major melt event connected to an atmospheric river was more than 100 years ago.

The number of atmospheric rivers over Greenland “hasn’t really changed that much. They go up and down a lot over the last hundred years, but what they’re doing is tapping into hotter regions of the Earth,” he said. “You can have the same number of atmospheric rivers bringing warmer air from all over the place. If there are more places getting hotter, then there’s more chance to be more melting.”

Record heat wave in Antarctica brought exceptional snow, rain and melting

Neff’s research looks at how heat waves have played a part in Greenland melt events. He previously found that Greenland’s 2012 melt season, which is still the largest melt season ever observed, was partly spawned from warm air originating from a record heat wave in North America. A heat wave developed suddenly in the Midwest, which created a pulse of hot air that was transported to Greenland via an atmospheric river.

In July 2019, warm air from a heat wave in Europe headed to Greenland and helped trigger one of the biggest surface melt days on record.

Neff said the August 2021 melt event was associated with warm air masses moving across North America that probably combined with moisture from the south Atlantic, before moving to the southwest coast of Greenland.

Climate change is intensifying these events by increasing the amount of water vapor an atmospheric river can hold, said Kyle Mattingly, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A warmer atmosphere increases the rate of evaporation and allows for more water to enter the vapor phase. His research found the amount of moisture transported over the summer melt season in Greenland has been increasing in recent decades.

“If you sum up the amount of moisture that atmospheric rivers transport during each melt season, that is showing an increasing trend,” said Mattingly, who was not involved in the study released Thursday. “I feel pretty certain that there is a link there between increasing atmospheric river moisture transport and increases in Greenland melt.”

Record ‘bomb cyclone’ brings exceptional warmth to North Pole

As this year’s melt season begins in Greenland, researchers are unsure what to expect as predicting events more than a week or so in advance is challenging. Melt activity has been close to normal so far, aside from slight melting in late May on the ice sheet’s periphery.

“There’s nothing so far to indicate that we’re going to have a particularly really large melt season,” Mattingly said.

But then again, Mattingly said the record 2012 melt season also started out slow before accelerating in the middle of the summer.

“You never quite know until it happens,” Mattingly said.

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Air Canada Has Lots To Celebrate At In-Person Events

Air Canada Has Lots To Celebrate At In-Person Events

Reconnecting in person is worth a party in itself, but as Air Canada prepares to host travel partner events in Toronto and Montreal, Lisa Pierce, VP Canada/USA Sales, says there are multiple reasons to celebrate.

“We’re getting together with a lot of our partners to celebrate travel agent month, to celebrate that travel is returning and to celebrate our summer schedule,” said Pierce in a conversation with TravelPulse Canada.

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“We’ve been through a lot together and we’re just getting our sea legs back.”

The 35-year Air Canada employee says the past two years have been a true test of partnership. “We hope we’ve expressed our gratitude to our travel partners. We couldn’t have gotten through it without them.”

Pierce says the pandemic and the world’s response took the airline and the travel industry “lower than we ever thought we’d go,” but she sees strong signs of recovery and believes important lessons have been learned.

The turbulent period gave Air Canada a deeper appreciation for the value of the service travel advisors provide, Pierce says, rather than simply measuring by their sales.

“We learned a lot. We’re a complex industry. There’s lots of information and we have to be good at sharing it.”

She’s proud of the Travel Ready hub at aircanada.com, which presents all the latest information about COVID testing, vaccination and destination entry requirements in one place – and in a clear and easily understandable format.

“I’m excited about many of the changes we’ve made,” says Pierce. But mostly, she’s excited about the world opening up again.

“We’re all so happy travel is coming back.One of the big things we’re celebrating is the return to many markets. We’ll soon be at 90% of pre-pandemic North American capacity, and that’s encouraging and inspiring,” Pierce said.

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Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Smoke Events: Academic Minute | Inside Higher Ed

Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Smoke Events: Academic Minute | Inside Higher Ed

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Today on the Academic Minute, part of Portland State University Week: Elliott Gall, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, examines how best to live with the effects of wildfire smoke. Learn more about the Academic Minute here.

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Citing ’recent events’, IAF says withdrawing from Cobra Warrior air exercise in U.K., but later deletes post

Citing ’recent events’, IAF says withdrawing from Cobra Warrior air exercise in U.K., but later deletes post

In the backdrop of ongoing Ukraine crisis, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on social media that it has decided not to participate in the multi-nation exercise Cobra Warrior scheduled to be hosted by United Kingdom in March citing “recent events”, a post which was subsequently deleted.

However, according to diplomatic sources the UK has decided to cancel the exercise in view of the Russian invasion and offensive in Ukraine.

“In light of the recent events, IAF has decided not to deploy its aircraft for Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 in UK,” the IAF said in a post on Twitter Saturday morning but was deleted in a few hours.

The UK informed IAF last night that the exercise was cancelled, diplomatic sources told The Hindu on the status of the planned exercise.

Earlier this week, IAF announced that it would deploying the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the exercise at Waddington, U.K., which would have been the maiden deployment in an international exercise for the indigenous fighter. “IAF will participate in multi-nation air exercise #CobraWarrior at RAF Waddington, UK from 06 to 27 March 2022,” it had said in a tweet on February 23.

The exercise was also to see the participation of Air Forces of Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the US. “The decision to cancel the exercise makes sense with the situation in Ukraine,” an official from one of the participating countries said.

Five Tejas aircraft were to fly to the U.K. with the necessary transport support for induction and de-induction provided by C-17 transport aircraft.

This year, UK was to host India for the bilateral air exercise Indradhanush, and instead of which had asked the IAF to join the multi-nation exercise Cobra Warrior. IAF was keen to join it as a multi-nation exercise offers better “operational exposure and sharing of best practices.”

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Love is in the air at these Valentine’s events around North Texas

Love is in the air at these Valentine’s events around North Texas

Swap out those roses for one or more of these fun things to do on Valentine’s weekend. You can enjoy V-Day with a sweetheart, a friend or all by your swell self. Some events are outdoors, so check for any changes due to weather before you go.

‘LOVE AT LEGACY WEST’ POP-UP INSTALLATION

Smile pretty for a photo at this flower-filled installation at Legacy West. The Valentine’s-themed backdrop is open for free selfies all month, or book a professional mini shoot on Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. Additional Valentine’s pop-ups at Legacy West include Build Your Own Bouquet sessions at the Sand and Soil Flower Truck (Feb. 12-13, noon to 4 p.m.), a tasting of Latin American-tinged bonbons and confections from Maravilla Cacao (Feb. 12, noon to 4 p.m.) and a Kids Club DIY Valentine’s Day Cards craft (Feb. 12, noon to 3 p.m.). Check the website for more Valentine’s events and pricing.

The installation continues through Feb. 28, daily during shopping center hours at Legacy West, 5908 Headquarters Drive, Plano. Free for selfies. legacywest.com/events.

‘EL CORAZÓN’ EXHIBITION AT THE BATH HOUSE

This marks the 27th year for “El Corazón,” an exhibition curated by Jose Vargas and featuring a variety of works by North Texas artists. All the pieces are inspired by the human heart. An opening reception with music and more is planned for Feb. 12.

Through March 12, Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m., with an opening reception Feb. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas. Free. bathhouse.dallasculture.org.

Reunion Tower lights up for Valentine's Day.
Reunion Tower lights up for Valentine’s Day.

VALENTINE’S AT REUNION TOWER

Music and magic are happening at Reunion Tower’s observation deck. Saxophone player Alex Styer will set the romantic mood nightly Feb. 11-14. Magician Grant Price will also be on deck Feb.14. If you’re in the mood to pop the question from 470 feet above street level, book a Love Is in the Air package on Feb. 13-14. If you prefer to keep your feet planted on the ground, you can still look up after dark to see the twinkling lights on the Reunion Tower ball.

Feb. 11-14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Feb. 13-14) at Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas. $9-$35 for ages 4 and older, free for ages 3 and younger; call 214-712-7040 for Love Is in the Air information. reuniontower.com.

Comedian Paul Varghese performs at Backdoor Comedy club.
Comedian Paul Varghese performs at Backdoor Comedy club.

CHAMPAGNE, CHOCOLATES AND COMEDY

For a lighter look at love, laugh along with Paul Varghese and Linda Stogner and a lineup of more Backdoor favorite comics. Your ticket to any of the three Valentine’s shows includes a glass of Champagne, a box of chocolates and a ticket to a future show at the Richardson comedy club. Call 214-328-4444 for reservations.

Feb. 12 at 7:15 and 9:45 p.m., Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Backdoor Comedy, 940 E. Belt Line Road, Richardson. $30. backdoorcomedy.com.

LOVE ON THE RUN RACE/WALK AND AFTER-PARTY

Get a healthy start to the weekend with a 5K run, 10K run or family-fun walk that winds through Las Colinas and returns to the Texas Lottery Plaza for a beer and pancake after-party. The event benefits the Irving Schools Foundation.

Feb. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. $15-$69.99 for participants, spectators and after-party. irvingmarathon.com/love-on-the-run-5k.

CHOCOLATE AND WINE WALK

Stroll through downtown McKinney and enjoy a day of wine and chocolate tastings and shopping with participating merchants. Your timed general admission ticket includes a souvenir wine glass, 10 wine samples and four chocolate samples. Plus there will be a bonus taste waiting for you at Lone Star Cellars (103 E. Virginia St., McKinney).

Feb. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown McKinney. $30-$45. eventbrite.com.

JUST THE GIRLS GALENTINE’S DAY AT GRANDSCAPE

Grab a group of gals for an afternoon of wine tasting, waffle bars, massages and DIY creations at the shops and restaurants of Grandscape. There’ll be shopping, pop-ups, live music and swag bags.

Feb. 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony. $50 (alcohol-free)-$65. eventbrite.com.

RICKI DEREK VALENTINE’S SHOWS

Crooner Ricki Derek will turn up the romance during two evenings of classics by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the Feb. 12 show at Legacy Hall, where a spin on the dance floor is highly encouraged. Standing room and reserved table reservations were still available at press time. On Valentine’s Day, Derek is back for an 8 p.m. show at the Granada Theater.

Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. at Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. Tickets start at $10. eventbrite.com.

Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., Dallas. $25-$40. prekindle.com.

Stephanie Mills performs a Valentine's concert at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
Stephanie Mills performs a Valentine’s concert at the Music Hall at Fair Park.(Al Pereira / WireImage)

VALENTINE’S LOVE JAM

Grammy-winning vocalist Stephanie Mills and R&B group the Whispers take the stage for a Valentine’s concert of their biggest hits.

Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 First Ave., Dallas. $55-$75. ticketmaster.com.

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About those cooling towers next to big air events …

About those cooling towers next to big air events …

The most striking venue at the Games sits in the formerly industrial western edge of Beijing. There, the towering ski jump for big air events is juxtaposed by four large, drab concrete cooling towers from an old steelworks that to many viewers looks like something from a nuclear plant.

The Big Air Shougang Park, the only venue for a snow event in downtown Beijing, is part of an urban redevelopment project and is described by Olympics officials as the world’s first permanent venue for big air.

The athletes will compete in big air freestyle skiing and big air snowboarding.

The venue was constructed at the site of a 100-year-old former steelworks of Shougang Group, which had another connection to the Olympic Games: It was shut down before the 2008 Summer Olympics because it was a source of the air pollution that once choked the city.

The industrial site is being turned into a complex of office buildings, cafes, and sports facilities, including the headquarters of Beijing 2022.

The design of Big Air Shougang’s curves incorporated the elements of the “flying apsaras” ribbon in the Dunhuang murals, a well-known world cultural landmark in China.

— Claire Fu contributed research.