Kitchen Scrap Gardening for Kids (and You)
Ellen Iwamoto, APPC-V
Repurpose a yogurt container

Here’s a preview of the Monthly Green Tip for ASC’s March/April staff newsletter.

Spring is here, and during this surreal time, gardening is huge. Swamped with orders, thousands daily,  online seed companies are telling buyers to expect delays as they catch up and let their staff take needed breaks. But you don’t need to order seed starter kits or special pots to get your kids or yourself into growing plants. What you have around the house works: repurpose yogurt containers or the plastic containers that hold lettuces or roast chickens. Just puncture holes in the bottom for drainage. And, surprise, you can plant seeds that are in your kitchen scraps: orange or lemon seeds, avocado pits, carrots, scallions, and more. Check out this website, Kids Gardening, to learn more about kitchen scrap gardening. The site also offers lesson plans and ideas for teachers. Note: If you need potting soil, some  grocery stores carry small bags as well as vegetable and flower plants. Avoid using soil from a yard because it can have diseases and pests.
If you are looking for gardening supplies in the area, check out this Inquirer article.


The Nine Best Non-fiction Books I’ve Read This Week
Zachary Reese, APPC-V

Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets

When Gorbachev dismantled the Communist Party in ’91, apparently there were tons of people who were so alienated by capitalism that they yearned to go back to the gulags. Spooky!

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

Was salted cod the catalyst for all human progress? The dude who wrote an entire book about it seems to think so.

Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright

If you’re lacking in quirky anecdotes about historical pandemics for your next Zoom call, this is the book for you.

Unselfie by Michele Borba

How do you foster empathy in children? Beads and sequins. There, now you don’t have to read this book.

Astroball by Ben Reiter

The Houston Astros credit their 2017 World Series win to employing big data tactics for talent scouting. It took baseball until 2017 to learn that relying on data is better than gut feelings. Astonishing.

Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

This self-help book from the 60s is really cute. It’s an antiquated look at how “machine logic” can improve your life. Nothing in here is revelatory, but it’s fun to read in 2020.

Ultralearning by Scott H. Young

The ‘deep work’ methodology is so last year. Now we’re all about ultralearning, which is just deep work with a different name. This book is slightly better than Cal Newport’s Deep Work because it dedicates an inordinate number of pages to Stardew Valley.

Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History

Man… it sounds like the people of Palestine have had a pretty rough time!

NBA Jam by Reyan Ali

If you read only one book that chronicles the development of Midway’s 1993 licensed basketball 2-on-2 arcade game NBA Jam, make it this one.


Hey, It’s Arthur!
Ellen Iwamoto, APPC-V
If Arthur doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what will.
Meet Darien’s #newcoworker, 10-week-old Arthur!

How to not meld into the couch completely
Zachary Reese, APPC-V

I do this thing called StepBet. It syncs with my Fitbit (you can use Garmin or Apple Watch) and if I don’t get enough steps, I lose my $40 deposit. The step goal is personal to me and I’m not racing against other people. At 8k steps, it’s not exactly training for a marathon but it does help me choose to take more walks during the 6-week “game.” Find it it the app store. Let me know if you try it out~~

StepBet screenshot. Still need another 2k before bed.

I’m just sad there isn’t a version that makes me stand up every hour. Unless, is there? Do you know of something?


Not the first quarantine…
Gary Gehman, APPC-V

For ye Civics fans:
The Germantown White House. Twice this house sheltered George Washington. In 1793, he took refuge here from the deadly yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. The following summer, it was a welcome retreat from the heat of the capital city. Ironically, Washington’s nemesis, British General William Howe, occupied this home during the Revolutionary War in October 1777. Also known as the Deshler-Morris House, the home gets its name from its first and last owners. David Deshler built the home beginning in 1752. Elliston P. Morris donated it to the National Park Service in 1948. Today, the home has been restored to its 18th century appearance. Interactive exhibits in the nearby Bringhurst House provide a glimpse into the life of Washington and his household, including his enslaved servants. Planning a visit? The site has limited hours; please consult this visiting information.


Message to Penn Faculty and Staff – Extension of Onsite Operations Suspension
Ellen Iwamoto, APPC-V

March 27, 2020 – Today we are announcing that the University of Pennsylvania’s interruption of all onsite operations, except for those that are life-sustaining essential employees, will continue until further notice. We will keep you updated well in advance when more information is available on an exact date for returning to onsite operations.

During this period, those employees engaging in life-sustaining activities will continue to work onsite, following social distancing guidelines and taking other recommended precautions. (Please refer to the University Notification from March 20, 2020 for additional information about life-sustaining activities at the University.)

All other employees should continue to work remotely, if possible.  Those who are unable to work remotely will continue to remain in paid status.

When scheduling those employees expected to be onsite, staffing should not be in excess of what is necessary to support life-sustaining operations. Practice social distancing and other healthy habits.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation during this very challenging time. Your commitment to Penn and to the broader community is commendable, for that we are truly grateful.

Best,

Wendell E. Pritchett, Provost

Craig R. Carnaroli, Executive Vice President


A Suburban Nature Walk
Jessica Erfer, APPC-V

The Erfer-Gonen family is lucky enough to live right near Shortridge Memorial Park in Wynnewood. Even on grey days, it’s a beautiful place.

Jack checking out the water striders
We check out the creek almost every day looking for frog eggs

We are also anxiously awaiting our tulips to bloom, and our neighbors peach tree is starting to show its beautiful blossoms. The squirrels are awaiting the peaches, no doubt.

We are taking bets at home whether they are red or pink flowers
Odds are, the squirrels will get the peaches before anyone in the neighborhood!


Yoga Lite, 7-minute workout
Ellen Iwamoto, APPC-V

Like everyone else it seems, I’ve been walking, and walking, and walking these days. But to change things up, especially on rainy days, I’m trying two other exercises. Over the years, I’ve taken yoga classes off and on; mostly off recently. But during quarantine, I found a 10-minute beginner yoga app that’s a nice break mid-morning or mid-afternoon. A little relaxation, a little stretching, a little balance practice. It works for me. Although the first pose has the unfortunate name of “corpse pose.” On the other hand, there’s the Scientific 7-Minute Workout app, which is more like the 4-minute workout for me. Jumping jacks, fine; side plank, not happening. Ab crunches, maybe a few. I guess I’ll be working my way up to the full 7. Sigh.


Quarantine Breakfast
Gary Gehman, APPC-V

Not recommended for every day, but once in a while…


Meet Jola #meetmynewcoworker
Dominik Stecula, APPC-V

My wife and I have been wanting to adopt a second dog for a while now. We’ve had our original fur baby, Zosia (pronounced Zo-sha, it’s Polish for Sophie), since we adopted her from a shelter in Montreal in 2011.

Zosia, as a very sassy puppy

For various reasons, we did not have the opportunity to do it until earlier this year, we came across an organization that saved street dogs, mostly from Russia. We had every intention of rescuing a dog from a local shelter but every dog that would have been a good fit got adopted before we set foot in the shelter (sad for us but great that dogs in the area are getting new homes!). So we were excited that a two and a half year old dog was already coming from Moscow. She arrived in the evening of the 14th of March, and has been settling in very quickly.

Jola, settling in her new home.

In many ways, it has been a perfect timing to get a new dog, having to work from home. We didn’t plan it like that, but it has certainly worked out well, with Jola (pronounced Yo-Lah, which is a Polish name) getting extra attention and help to settle in.

New sisters playing tug.
Jola spends about 25% of the day looking outside the window, making sure people in West Philly are flattening the curve and staying home.

So far my new coworkers have been getting along just fine. Zosia loves her new sister, and Jola is feeling quite confident at her new home.