Lofty Matters

Happy Weekend to you! The first weekend of fall. How’s the weather where you are? Still summer-like….or is autumn taking hold? We’ve been quite warm where I live but a front is moving through today some time and on the other side they are promising crisp, fall weather. I have to say I’m looking forward to it!

Here is some good news to start your weekend off right! Enjoy…

Georgia Superintendent Donates $1M Prize to Schools

Georgia Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox proved she is smarter than a 5th grader by winning $1 million for her school system on the third season debut of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”

She is the first contestant to win the big $1 million.

MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: “Who was the longest reigning British monarch?”

Answer: Queen Victoria (63 years)

Solar Stocks Set to Shine After Senate Measure

Solar stocks rallied after the Senate voted to continue tax breaks amounting to $18 billion for renewable energy sources. This includes an eight-year extension for solar.

Federal renewable energy tax credits had been set to expire at the end of this year. This is considered critical to helping solar power compete with electricity from coal and fossil fuels. The Senate refused to extend the subsidies eight times earlier this year and this hurt solar stocks because investors didn’t like the lack of government support.

This bill eliminated a $2,000 cap on tax credits for residential solar systems.

A ‘Miracle Tree’ That Could Feed Sub-Saharan Africa

The seedpods from the Moringa Oleifera tree are locally known as “drumsticks” and this sub-Saharan tree is now being called a “miracle tree.”

Moringa leaves contain more beta carotene than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas. Its protein content compares to milk and eggs and its leaves are still available for harvest after the dry season (other food is often scarce). Malnourished children gained weight when supplemented with the leaves.

Its leaves are boiled like spinach. The long seedpods are stewed or cooked like green beans. Laboratory analysis has confirmed the traditional knowledge about the plant.

The leaves and the seedpods and seeds all being edible makes moringa a desirable crop. The seeds also can provide an oil that could be used as biofuel, and the ground seeds may help purify water. Parts of the tree are also used in traditional medicine. It grows quickly which means it would be good for reforestation and reaches a mature height of 30 feet.

All-in-all this seems like a truly “miracle tree.”

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