BUENA VISTA DRIVE, Glenn Tugwell, Kathy Tugwell 707235-8233
CHIQUITA CAMINO, Carol Anderson 707-529-9244
PAS PAJAROS Sue Weingarten 707-938-4444
DEL RIO PASEO, Dee Weaver 707-332- 9253
CAZARES CIRCLE, Kathy Sandoval, Bruce Olsen 707343-1750
MANUELLA LANE, Jerrilyn Moorehead 707-695-1389
Mark: 707-980-2097
LA SERENA WAY, Carol Bojarsky 707-338-6742
JANERO PLACE, OPEN
EL CASTILLO VISTA, Lorie Granero 707-235-1101
Recent Board Members
Bonnie Joy Kaslan, President
• 707-695-7576
Jerrilynn Moorhead HOA Secretary
• 707-695-1389
Dee Weaver,Backup Secretary/ Director
• 707-332-9253
Kathy Sandoval, Treasurer
• 707-343-1750
Carol Bojarsky, Director
• 707-388-6742
KathyTugwell/GSMOL Rep, Whisperings Editor
• 707-235-8233
SONOMA VALLEY GSMOL
Golden State Manufactured Home Owners League
Rodent Program
Program objectives:
This program strives to provide residents with the knowledge necessary to prevent/manage rodent infestations and prevent the spread of diseases associated with rodents.
Scope
of program:
The District provides the public with information about rodent management and encourages residents to adopt an integrated approach to rodent control that results in better long-term management of the rodent population. This approach includes:
• Recognizing an infestation and identifying the pest that is present
• Adopting practices that reduce the harborage, food and water sources available to rodents
• Excluding or "rodent-proofing" buildings (interior and exterior)
• Trapping rodents (when necessary)
• Cleaning up messes associated with rodents
The District provides free rodent inspections to residents of Marin and Sonoma counties. During these inspections, District staff attempt to locate rodent entry points to structures, identify sources of harborage, identify the rodent species that are present, and provide recommendations to residents about how to make their property less attractive to rodents.
We do not trap, poison, remove dead rodents, or do exclusion work.
Free services available:
• Residents may call for advice about rodent issues or to schedule a free inspection of their residence.
• Presentations are available free of charge for neighborhoods/associations that want to learn more about how to prevent/manage rodent infestations.
1.707.285.2200/www.msmosquito.org
Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
Rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter
LET IT BEE KNOWN………..
Love your mixed-berry smoothies and avocado toast? Then it’s time to share some love for native bees that pollinate many of our favorite foods.
Say bee, and most picture a European honeybee—a non-native species used in commercial honey production worldwide. Honey bees definitely have an important place in the economy, not only in the production of honey but in pollinating non-native crops such as almonds. The fact that honey bees can be transported to crops where and when they are needed increases their value. But don’t forget that North America is home to around 4,000 species of wild bees.
Most of us don’t realize that since honey bees aren’t native insects, they’re not good pollinators of native plants. They don’t pollinate tomatoes, eggplants or native azaleas and do very poorly with other natives, such as pumpkins, blueberries and cranberries. Native bees pollinate 80% of flowering plants and 75% of fruits, nuts and vegetables in this country.
In her lifetime, the southeastern blueberry bee pollinates enough flowers to produce 6,000 blueberries. The retail value of these berries is approximately $20. It doesn’t take much calculating to estimate the economic value these bees contribute to not only blueberry farmers, but other crop growers.
These diverse insects vary greatly in size, from the Sonoran Desert’s tiny Perdita minima, about the size of a crayon tip, to inch-long carpenter bees, which pollinate popular foods such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. About 70 percent of U.S. native bees nest in the ground, not in hives, which also contributes to their relative anonymity. Some native bees are generalists, visiting different types of flowers. Other native bees specialize in specific plants or family of plants. For example, squash bees concentrate on cucurbits, and they often build their nests under the plants they pollinate.
Unfortunately, like other pollinators, native bees are in decline and for many of the same reasons: habitat loss, climate change, parasites and disease, pesticides and invasive species. Some scientists think honey bees are contributing to the extinction of native bees. Honey bees can out-compete native bees and can extract huge amounts of pollen and nectar in every habitat. If there is an abundance of flowers, there is plenty of nectar for both honey bees and native bees. The problem occurs when there are not enough flowers to provide for the needs of both. Some scientists compare honey bees to other agricultural animals, such as cattle or sheep. As an agricultural business, honey bees have government agencies and corporations researching colony collapse disorder and other problems of honey bees. Who is looking out for the native bees?
In the Midwest, 50% of the native bees have disappeared in the last 100 years. Four species of bumblebees have declined 96% in the last 20 years. Much of this decline has been attributed to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides used to pre-treat seeds to repel insects that attack the plant. This pesticide remains in the plant and bees pick it up in the pollen and nectar. The use of these pesticides has negatively impacted native bees.
Is there anything that the average person can do to help native bees? Fortunately, yes!
• Planting a garden with native flowering plants gives the native bees the pollen and nectar they need.
• Be sure to plant a variety of flowers with various flowering times so bees will have food throughout the growing season.
• Plant flowers in clumps rather than singly. This makes it easier for the bees to find and encourages them to stay longer.
• Allow lawns to grow longer and allow the clover to bloom.
• Native bees also need a place overwinter to lay their eggs. Leave some wild spaces. At the end of the growing season, leave the stalks and stems of spent flowers to remain.
• There are bee houses that you can make or purchase to give the bees a place to lay their eggs and
overwinter.
• Don’t use chemical pesticides.
• Avoid buying plants and seeds which contain neonicotinoids.
Hopefully, as people become aware of the value of these pollinators, steps will be taken to protect them from the threats they are now facing. Sources: https://tylerarboretum.org/north-american-native-beesthe-real-unsung-hero/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/native-bees-pollinators-world-bee-day https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/north-american-native-bees-photos
If you spend a lot of time out in the garden it's smart to have the skills to identify the different types of bees plus wasps and other insects that mimic bees that you're most likely to encounter.
All U.S. native bees and honeybees are capable of stinging but likely won't go after you unless provoked. In fact, if you have ever been stung, there's a good chance that it was not a bee but a wasp such as a yellow jacket. Bees are truly not interested in people at all. They are interested in plants and flowers.
Get the buzz on everything you need to know about some of the different types of bees as well as wasps and hornets with this guide.
Western Honeybees were imported to North America to pollinate agricultural crops, and are easy to distinguish from native bees by their coloring: golden brown with black abdominal stripes.
The honeybees you'll see are female workers. Look closely at them, and if they've been visiting flowers you will notice yellow pollen on their legs. As the bees collect pollen, they move it across their bodies and to their legs, where they place it in little pollen baskets
In the U.S., most honeybees live in artificial hives maintained by professional or hobbyist beekeepers. Only rarely do they live in wild colonies. Even if you don't think you have a beekeeper in your neighborhood, you may still see honeybees. They can fly 3 miles or more from their hive to find what they need. Pollination by honeybees only occurs when pollen, for whatever reason, doesn’t get into their pollen baskets.
On the rare chance a honeybee might sting you, she can only do it once. That's because honeybees have a barbed stinger that is attached to their abdomen and digestive tract. Consequently, when the bee pulls away after stinging, her stinger remains with the victim. In doing so, she literally rips her guts out.
Bumblebees are particularly furry bees. There are 49 species of bumblebees native to the U.S. These bees are larger than honeybees and have a black body covered with dense yellow and black hair. They can be confused with carpenter bees, according to certified beekeeper Becky Griffin but Griffin says there's an easy way to tell the difference: Carpenter bees are noticeably larger than bumblebees.
"I tell my classes that the carpenter bee is like a Mack truck, while bumblebees are more like a pickup," Griffin says. Carpenter bees, for instance, have a broad head, whereas bumblebees have a smaller head. Bumblebees also have more hair on their abdomens than carpenter bees. If you're thinking you don't want to get close enough to a bee to look at its abdomen, Griffin encourages you to remember these bees are looking for pollen, not for you.
Bumblebees get their name from the noise they create inside a flower. They make the noise by moving around so quickly they sonicate the pollen off the flower and onto the hairs on their body. Like the honeybee, the bumblebees you see are female workers who groom the pollen back and into pollen baskets on their legs. They live in colonies, residing in nests they build in the ground, often in abandoned mammal holes.
Bumblebees pollinate a wide range of native wildflowers, and they're also important pollinators of certain agricultural crops, including tomatoes. They can sting but rarely do unless you handle them or get too close to their nest. Bumblebees are non-aggressive bees that tend to form small colonies with just a few dozen bees. Avoid killing them, since many native bumblebee species are already in decline.
Carpenter bees are the ones (the female workers, again) that bore into your wood and make a hole as neat and clean as if it was bored out with a power drill. The California carpenter bee or Western carpenter bee, Xylocopa californica, is native to western North America The presence of sawdust on sills or stoops is an indication you should look for a hole, which is the female's reproductive nest. She lays her eggs, females first and males last. The bees emerge from the hole in the spring, leaving in single file. The males go out first so they can be ready to mate with the females when they leave the nest.
Carpenter bees are excellent pollinators. Like honeybees and bumblebees, they have pollen baskets on their legs. They also have a black body with dense yellow and black hairs on their head and thorax and a bald abdomen. Do they sting? Females can sting in defense but rarely do. Males appear a little more aggressive and territorial but cannot sting.
Mason Bees (Genus: Osmia) Mason bees are sleek members of the bee family. These are small, fast-flying bees that have the agility of a tiny fighter jet and have metallic colors including blue, dull green, and black. They do not have pollen baskets on their legs. Instead, they carry pollen in hairs on the underside of their abdomens.
Mason bees are most active in the spring and get their name from their habit of using mud to close nest cavities. In nature, they look for a hollowed-out stem or a twig. They also readily come to bee hotels where environmentally conscious gardeners have pre-drilled holes for them.
Like the carpenter bees, a mason bee lays female eggs in the back of the nest first and then the male eggs. After that, she gathers nectar and uses enzymes to create a food source for the offspring, which will be born the next spring. Finally, she uses mud to seal the opening to the nest. In the spring, the males emerge first and are ready to mate when the females are born and leave the nest.
If you are trying to attract mason bees to a bee hotel, do not cover every bare spot in your landscape with grass or a ground cover. Leave some areas that can become a little muddy after rain or watering. Do they sting? Male mason bees can't sting. Females technically can, but they're even more docile than honeybees, stinging people only when they're handled roughly or trapped under clothing.
Wasps (Suborder: Apocrita) There are more than 100,000 species of wasps, and many resemble bees in appearance. In general, wasps have little hair, bright colors, and a very narrow waist (the junction between the thorax and abdomen). Most species have black and yellow color patterns. Unlike bees, wasp legs tend to hang down during flight. They are much more aggressive than bees and far more likely to sting. Also, most wasps provide no pollination services. Here are four common types of wasps.
Yellow Jackets (Genus: Vespula or Dolichovespula)
Yellow jackets, like Vespula squamosa, can sting multiple times. Yellow jackets are a carnivorous type of wasp and, in general, you will not see them in vegetable or flower gardens unless there is a nearby nest.These can be dangerous insects for humans because individuals are aggressive, the colony will aggressively defend the nest, and because of the structure of their stinger. Yellow
jackets have a lance-like stinger with only a small barb that doesn’t remain in its victim. A yellow jacket can sting multiple times in succession. The sting is painful, and the pain doesn't go away quickly.
Typical yellow jacket workers sometimes can be confused with honeybees. They are about the size of a honeybee, but in contrast to honeybees yellow jackets have yellow or white markings, their bodies are not covered with tan-brown dense hair, and they do not have pollen baskets on their hind legs. They are generalists in the food they seek, often showing up at outdoor meals or picnics, especially if you are grilling hamburgers or hot dogs. In nature, they are looking for any kind of "meat" they can find. Ants are just one example of the prey they seek.
Paper Wasps (Family: Vespidae) Paper wasps get their name from the way they build their nests, which are made from their saliva and plant material and have a papery appearance. Because the nest looks somewhat like an umbrella, they are sometimes called umbrella wasps. They like to build their nests in protected areas of homes such as door frames, windowsills, and eaves. Like other wasps, if their nest is threatened they will aggressively defend it. Their sting is painful, and their nests may need to be removed. For the garden, paper wasps are considered beneficial because they are pollinators that feed on nectar and other insects, including caterpillars, flies, and beetle larvae. They tend to collect less pollen than bees.
Potter Wasps (Family: Vespidae) Potter wasps are related to mud daubers. They get their name from the way they build their nests, which are small, pot-like structures placed on vines and twigs. Like paper wasps, these are beneficial wasps because they pollinate flowers and feed on a variety of caterpillars, which they paralyze with their sting and then feed to their own larvae. Unlike paper wasps, these wasps are not aggressive toward humans.
Hornets (Family: Vespidae) Hornets are a type of wasp. One way to distinguish hornets from other wasps is that hornets have a thick body and lack the distinctive thin waist generally found in other wasps. They are in the same subfamily as yellow jackets, but are larger and often colored black and white, whereas yellow jackets are black and yellow.
Hornet nests are papery and often located high in trees. If hornets believe the nest is threatened, they mobilize the entire nest to defend it. Homeowners should be aware that these are dangerous insects. Killing even one individual can release pheromones that alert the nest and may cause more hornets to attack. These pheromones can even stick to clothing.
Are they pollinators? Yes, hornets provide some pollination. They may not be the most efficient pollinators, but like other wasps, they also provide pest control services by preying on a variety of insects and other invertebrates. Source: https:www.treehugger.com/how-identify-different-types-bees-4864333
Note: A wonderful documentary can be streamed on NaturePBS Official site: https://bit.ly/3RV1KuP | #NaturePBS
My Garden of a Thousand Bees | PBS Nature Documentary
A story of surprise and revelation. A wildlife filmmaker spends his time during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown filming the bees in his urban garden and discovers the many diverse species and personalities that exist in this insect family. "My Garden of a Thousand Bees" premiered on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Celery Salad with Apples and Blue Cheese
By Alexa Weibel
Celery is perhaps at its best in salad: Its flavor is at its brightest and its crunch is unapologetically assertive. Celery root complements the chopped stalks; apples add sweetness and blue cheese celery’s classic cohort provides punch. The crunchy salad ingredients are strong enough to stay sturdy if refrigerated overnight. Yield:8 servings
INGREDIENTS
• 5tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼cup finely chopped shallot
• 4teaspoons coarse mustard
• 1teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest, plus 4 teaspoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1teaspoon granulated sugar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1head celery, trimmed, stalks peeled and thinly sliced on the diagonal, leaves reserved
• 2tart red apples, such as Pink Lady
• 1small celery root (about 12 ounces)
• 1packed cup fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
• ½cup coarsely chopped roasted, salted almonds
• 1cup crumbled bold, creamy but firm blue cheese (4 to 5 ounces)
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Preparation
1. Prepare the vinaigrette: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, shallot, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and sugar; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add sliced celery and toss to coat.
2. Core the apples, then slice them lengthwise into very thin wedges using a knife or mandoline. Add sliced celery and toss to coat. Peel or slice off the outer skin and layers of the celery root until no brown skin remains. Cut the celery root in half lengthwise, then slice into very thin half-moons using a knife or a mandoline. Add celery and apple mixture and toss to coat. (The salad will hold up fairly well refrigerated for 1 to 2 hours or even overnight from this point.)
3. Just before serving, add the parsley, almonds and half the cheese, and toss to combine; season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer to a shallow serving bowl or platter; top with the remaining cheese, the reserved celery leaves and fresh parsley leaves. Serve immediately.
Celery root, also known as celeriac, is a root vegetable that's the large, bulbous root of a type of celery plant. It's a different variety from the stalk celery we commonly eat, but both are part of the same species (Apium graveolens). Celeriac has a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor with a hint of celery, and it can be eaten raw or cooked.
11 Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites To Battle The Itch
Don't let a mosquito ruin your summer.
Debbie Wolfe
Mosquito bites can be bothersome and itchy, especially during warm weather months when the pesky insects are most active and your skin is most exposed. Although over-the-counter treatments are available, some people prefer solutions that don’t require a trip to the pharmacy.
Home remedies for mosquito bites can match the effectiveness of commercial alternatives and can be gentler on the skin, making them suitable for different age groups. You can create your own anti-itch balm or spray at home to relieve itching and swelling using ingredients commonly found in your pantry, kitchen, or garden.
Home remedies are popular because of their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects. These natural treatments often use ingredients you already have around your home, providing a quick and convenient solution. Additionally, home remedies are free from the chemicals found in many commercial products.
ALOE VERA Aloe vera is renowned for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. The gel from the aloe vera plant can provide instant relief from mosquito bites by cooling the skin and reducing swelling. To use aloe vera, break off a leaf, extract the gel, and apply it directly to the bite.
BAKING SODA (Note from Wjisperigns editor: My Mom used this on our itchy chicken pox spots when we were kids. Very effective!)Baking soda is a versatile household item that can help neutralize the itchiness caused by mosquito bites. This is because baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) possesses properties that may neutralize pH imbalances on the skin and reduce inflammation, which are common causes of itching. To use baking soda to relieve the itch from a mosquito bite, create a paste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of water. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Apple cider vinegar possesses antiseptic properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation. No special preparation is required; it can be used straight from the pantry. Simply dab a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the mosquito bite. The acidic nature of vinegar can also help balance the skin’s pH, relieving itching.
HONEY Honey acts as a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. Applying a small amount of unprocessed honey to the bite can reduce swelling and prevent infection because its osmotic effect draws out fluids from the wound, thereby cleaning it and protecting it against further bacterial invasion. Additionally, honey’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin, reducing irritation and discomfort, making it a beneficial treatment for minor bites and skin conditions. To avoid a stick mess, apply a band-aid over the honey.
ESSENTIAL OILS Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, and peppermint possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. These oils can reduce swelling and alleviate itching caused by mosquito bites. To use these oils, dilute them with a carrier oil, such as argan or jojoba oil, before application to the skin.
COLD COMPRESS A cold compress may offer immediate relief from the discomfort associated with mosquito bites. The cold temperature numbs the affected area, thus diminishing both itching and swelling. Either wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth or apply a cold pack to the bite for 10 to 15 minutes.
OATMEAL Oatmeal is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and is frequently used to alleviate various skin irritations. An oatmeal bath can offer relief from numerous mosquito bites. To prepare an oatmeal bath, grind one cup into a fine powder and add it to a lukewarm bath. Soak in this bath for 15 to 20 minutes to alleviate itching and soothe the skin.
BASIL Basil leaves contain compounds such as camphor and thymol, which can relieve itching. Crush fresh basil leaves to release their juices and apply them directly to the mosquito bite. Alternatively, you can make a basil-infused tea, let it cool, and apply it to the affected area with a cotton ball.
TOOTHPASTE Toothpaste can quickly relieve mosquito bites, especially those containing menthol or baking soda. Apply a small dab of toothpaste to the bite and allow it to dry. The cooling sensation from the menthol helps reduce itching and discomfort.
CHAMOMILE Chamomile is widely recognized as a natural treatment for various health issues. Its oils effectively soothe the skin by reducing the itching and inflammation associated with mosquito bites. For a quick home remedy, save your chamomile tea bag and place it in the refrigerator after brewing. When needed, apply the chilled tea bag to your itchy bites. The coolness of the bag, combined with chamomile’s soothing properties, will help alleviate itching and pain.
WITCH HAZEL Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can reduce itching and swelling. Apply witch hazel extract to the bite using a cotton ball. Its anti-inflammatory properties provide quick relief from discomfort.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS WITH USING HOME REMEDIES FOR MOSQUITO BITES?
Most home remedies are safe, but it’s important to do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction. Avoid using potent substances like undiluted essential oils directly on the skin.
CAN HOME REMEDIES PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES?
Some home remedies, like basil, can help repel mosquitoes but are not as effective as commercial insect repellents.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I APPLY THESE HOME REMEDIES TO MOSQUITO BITES?
You can apply these remedies several times daily until the itching and swelling subside. Mosquito bites can be an itchy and uncomfortable nuisance, but you can find quick and effective relief
Source: https://www.popsci.com/diy/home-remedies-for-mosquitobites/?utm_term=pscene062625&utm_campaign=PopSci_Newsletter&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=e mail
"The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest ... It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become."
- Lady Bird Johnson
ACTION NEEDED: MOBILEHOME PROTECTIONS IN SONOMA ARE AT RISK
The City of Sonoma has three mobilehome parks that, due to the protections provided by the City's Mobilehome Park Rent And Park Closure And Conversion Controls, provide a significant portion of the City's remaining affordable housing to more than a thousand mostly senior citizens, veterans, and working families.
The affordability of this housing is now more than ever threatened by a new breed of park owners and management that use legal and extralegal means to get around these protections. They file expensive arbitration and subsequent appeal proceedings, intended to financially exhaust mobilehome owners and local jurisdictions, never expecting to be awarded the huge rent increases they sought. When this scheme fails, they threaten and pursue the closure of the targeted mobilehome parks to extort the rent increases they were unable to obtain in their rent increase proceedings.
We have seen this happen in Petaluma. At Youngstown MHP, starting in 2023, its senior citizen mobilehome owners faced rent increases of up to 159%, leaving many uncertain about their ability to afford to stay in their homes. At Little Woods MHP, residents were stunned when their space rents were set to rise from about $500 to more than $2,200-a jump of over 300%. After this increase was denied, the park owner-initiated proceedings to close the park In Santa Rosa, in 2024, mobilehome owners in Carriage Court MHP were informed that their park would be closed unless they agreed to a rent increase far exceeding the city's rent control limit. They chose not to fight and voluntarily agreed to an immediate rent increase followed by additional increases over the next several years.
WHY MOBILEHOMES IN SONOMA CAN BE TARGETED NEXT
In 2016, Sonoma adopted very strong mobilehome park rent controls, which, while allowing park owners to receive lawful and fair rent increases when needed, prevents park owners from pursuing the above unfair tactics that they have used in Petaluma and many other jurisdictions. California also enacted AB 2782 that, for the first time, now enables local jurisdictions to adopt the mobilehome park closure and conversion controls that are needed to ensure that they do not result in the worsening of a local community's affordable housing shortage and, if a park closure or conversion is approved, that adequate mitigation benefits are provided to displaced mobilehome owners that will enable them to actually obtain adequate replacement housing in their communities. However, AB 2782 requires local jurisdictions first to adopt implementing regulations that are needed to provide for this, and Sonoma's current mobilehome park conversion and closure ordinance does not contain them!
WHY WE CANNOT WAIT AND IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NEEDED NOW!
The AB 2782 protections are only available if Sonoma amends its current ordinance. Sonoma cannot wait to do this until a park closure or conversion application is filed or threatened because under state "vesting" law, once such an application is filed, any new local protections that are then enacted will not apply to it. If this were to occur, a park owner could avoid all of the above protections and obtain approval for park closure, and then close it or use it to extort an unaffordable rent increase, as is now occurring in Carriage Court and many other unprotected parks.
The Differences Between Ice Cream, Sorbet, Italian Ice, and Gelato, Explained
The world’s love affair with icy delights is centuries old. The earliest evidence of frozen dessert can be traced back to ancient China, where people consumed ice flavored with various syrups and extracts. During China’s Tang period (which lasted from the early 600s to early 900s A.D.) the original purveyors of pseudo-ice cream heated buffalo, cow, and goat milk and fermented the stuff into a yogurt. Then, they would thicken it with flour, flavor it with wood extract, and chill it before serving.
A few hundred years later, the practice made its way to Italy and morphed into sorbet and gelato. There are many different stories as to how these transformations actually happened, though none have been officially confirmed. Some say Marco Polo played a hand, while others point to Florentine stage designer Bernardo Buontalenti as being the alleged inventor of gelato. Regardless of who was responsible, one thing we can all agree on is that frozen desserts take many forms, and they’re all tasty.
That said, what are the actual differences between ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and Italian ice other than their origins? We’re here to dish up the inside scoop pun intended on some of the most popular frozen desserts out there.
What Is Ice Cream?
The main component that defines ice cream is its inclusion of eggs. Traditionally, it contains a custard base of eggs, milk, cream, and sugar that’s frozen and then rapidly churned to infuse air into the mixture. This churning process happens at such a rate that detectable ice crystals are not present in the final product.
In addition to sugar, ice cream manufacturers add hundreds of different flavors and sweeteners, from fruit to cocoa to vanilla. Overall, ice cream has a higher fat content than gelato or sorbet, and it’s usually served at colder temperatures, giving it a thicker texture.
What Is Gelato?
There are exceptions to the rule, but unlike ice cream, gelato almost never contains eggs. It does, however, contain milk, cream, and sugar just in different proportions. Gelato also has less cream in its base than ice cream, but it includes more milk and sugar.
That said, gelato’s ingredients alone aren’t what make it so dense, rich, and smooth. Its silky texture is due in large part to its slow rate of churning, which incorporates less air into the final product. Gelato is also served at higher temperatures than ice cream, making it both creamier and more nuanced in flavor. You’ll find this treat all over Italy, in flavors from pistachio to coffee to lemon.
What Is Sorbet?
Sorbet, which is essentially a variation on Italian granita, does not contain any dairy products. Its composition is simple: water, sugar, and a flavoring agent (typically fruit purée or fruit juice). Its smooth consistency comes mainly from its churning process, which is near-identical to that of ice cream. Sometimes, producers will even put alcohol into sorbet to give it a smoother texture, due to alcohol’s low freezing point. Compared to its sibling Italian ice, sorbet is much richer and packs roughly twice the calories. That said, both sorbet and Italian ice are low in fat, given that no dairy is in the mix.
What Is Italian Ice?
Despite its name, Italian ice is an American invention, created by Italian immigrants in the early 20th century. Italian ice contains water, sugar, fruit purées or juices, and sometimes natural or artificial flavoring. The key difference between sorbet and Italian ice is the ice itself: The latter contains larger chunks and is churned at a slightly slower rate than sorbet, giving it a more grainy, slightly crunchy texture. Italian ice is less dense than sorbet, which explains its lower calorie count — there’s simply more ice in it.
Water ice is another form of Italian ice, native to the Philadelphia area. It’s slightly chunkier than standard Italian ice, but it’s more or less the same thing — unless you ask someone from Philly.
August 9 - Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 07:56 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Sturgeon Moon because the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon.
August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The waning gibbous moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. But if you are patient, you may still be able to catch quite a few good ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
August 19 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 18.6 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
August 23 - New Moon. The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 06:08 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
Got Banana Peels?
Make Fertilizer Tea for Your
Plants
Spot of tea, anyone? How about for your plants? Homemade fertilizer teas, like “banana peel tea,” are all the rage right now because green-thumb gardeners know that these organic liquid fertilizers are the best way to get nutrients to your plants. While dry, granular fertilizers are a common way to add nutrients to your soil, liquid versions administer nutrients quickly, ensuring your plants get what they need to grow faster, have increased yields, and improved overall health. Luckily, you probably have everything you need to “brew” any one of these fertilizer teas which are easy to make right at home.
Homemade Garden Fertilizer Teas
• Banana Peel Tea
Another way to use banana peels! These slippery coverings are loaded with nutrients, such as potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, and when used as a fertilizer, help improve overall plant strength, stronger stems, stronger root development, and more robust fruits. While you can toss your banana peels directly into your garden (like in trench composting), making banana peel tea is a much more effective method of delivering those needed nutrients to your plants.
To Make: Keep a pitcher of water in your refrigerator about ¾ full. As you eat bananas, place your discarded peels in the pitcher until it’s full. After about a week, strain out the liquid and reserve for your tea.
To Apply: Dilute this concentrated liquid solution 5:1 (five parts water to one part tea) and apply to the base of your garden plants—this mixture is good for potassium-loving plants such as tomatoes and peppers. Note that this tea does not contain nitrogen, so it is not a complete fertilizer.
Bonus: Adding this liquid fertilizer to your garden is also great for deterring aphids, as they detest the smell of bananas!
• Eggshell Tea
The benefits of eggshells are no stranger to the gardener. They can be crushed, used to start seedlings, and yes, even made into a fertilizer tea! Eggshell fertilizer tea is an inexpensive, nutrient-rich, all-natural addition to your garden stockpile as it feeds your plants a hefty dose of calcium, an essential plant nutrient.
Broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, and spinach thrive with an extra dose of this calcium-packed fertilizer. Your tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants will benefit too, as the calcium boost helps prevent blossom-end rot.
To Make: Collect your empty (clean) eggshells. Boil a gallon of water in a large pot and add 10 to 20 eggshells. Turn off heat and allow the brew to sit overnight. Strain the cooled liquid and use it to water your plants.
To Apply: This tea can be applied weekly. No need to dilute. You can alternatively save the cooled water left over from hard boiled eggs, provided you don’t add salt to the water.
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August Sudoku
How to solve sudoku puzzles
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only
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