Who would have thought that there was any connection between a cup of coffee and a bird, butterfly, or even a bat? Such seems to be the case, however, as methods for growing coffee plants have gradually changed over time.

Coffee plants were first discovered growing in Africa hundreds of years ago. The plants grew under a wide cover of forests, which protected the coffee plants' leaves from the burning sun. As coffee was introduced to other countries, farmers would naturally try to grow the plants in the shade of tall trees. These trees provided more than shade for coffee plants; they were also home for many species of birds, insects, and other plants.

Over the past 30 to 40 years, people developed a new kind of coffee plant, one which grows well in open sunlight. Sun-grown coffee produced two times more coffee than shade-grown coffee in the same amount of time and space. As a result, the growing need for coffee makes the sun-grown method appear to be the best way to grow coffee.

However, this newer method has some unexpected results. First, the lack of tree cover leaves the land open to heavy rainfall, which can wash away the soil's nutrients (营养物质). This necessitates an increased use of fertilizers (化肥) and additives, which is likely to create health risks. Second, as forests are taken down to make way for sun-grown coffee plants, native and migratory birds no longer have a home. This is threatening many species, and the effect is now being examined and recorded by ornithologists, who are discovering sharp falls in some species that travel to the northern United States each year. Finally, more pesticides (农药) are used in the sun-grown method, all of which have a bad influence on both the environment and the long-term health of the coffee plants themselves.

Today, as more people recognize the problems of coffee grown in the sun, perhaps they will be willing to pay the higher prices, encouraging coffee growers to return to the more natural method of producing this worldwide product.

When disaster strikes a community, it is often critical that assistance be provided right away. The best first responders are the people who call that area home. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches civilians how to prepare themselves for dangers that might affect their communities. Teams of volunteers are trained in basic skills such as fire safety and prevention, search and rescue, and first aid. After training, these volunteers can begin to provide immediate assistance in the consequence of disasters before professional rescuers arrive.

A CERT team can make a huge difference to a community. During the early stages of a disastrous event, citizens will likely face extreme challenges on their own. Emergency services are usually overwhelmed, and communities may be isolated because of blocked roads. A CERT team can size up the situation in their neighborhood and provide help right away. In 1986, untrained volunteers saved more than 800 lives in the Mexico City earthquake. Unfortunately, at least 100 volunteers also died in the process. To ensure their community was better prepared in events like this, Los Angeles piloted the first CERT program in 1986, and many cities followed their lead.

People of all ages can participate in a CERT program-there is even a teen program for adolescents. Local CERT trainers hold an annual training class and provide subsequent classes throughout the year to consolidate skills.

CERT programs are useful on many different levels. Volunteers are trained to act as eyes and ears, locating trapped victims for uniformed emergency responders who arrive later. They learn to put out small fires, shut off equipment, rescue survivors and provide basic medical treatment. Volunteers also create disaster plans to evacuate families as well as collect and store disaster supplies such as water, food and first-aid kits. Working with professionals, a CERT team can help reduce injuries, loss of life and property damage.

There are now CERT programs throughout the United States, and more than 600,000 people have trained as volunteers. Brazil, New Zealand and Turkey have similar programs. Citizens participate because they believe that everyone in a community has a role in disaster preparedness. By working competently as a team, CERT volunteers protect not only themselves but also the people around them when disasters occur.

When was the last time your family sat down together to have a dinner?

The speed at which we live today no longer allows for slow eating habits. Most people work long hours. There is lots of fast food and eating out is now on the increase. Often, food is eaten in front of the television in silence, or a child eats alone in front of the computer.

When I was a child, every evening around the same time, one of the children would be asked to set the table, and then we’d go and wash our hands before the meal. This was the time of day when we would talk about our day at school. But now things have changed a lot.

A family environment plays an important role for children in learning to communicate with others and understanding table manners, such as waiting for others to finish before leaving the table and not speaking with a mouth full of food. Parents’ likes and dislikes of a certain food will also influence a child’s own likes and dislikes. Studies have shown that children who often eat with their families have better results at school than children who eat with their families less than twice a week.

Regular meal times give children the chance to discuss their problems with family members. They can also learn to respect others around the table. Talking to your children over dinner is the best way of having their trust. Children learn good eating habits from their parents at a very young age. Family meals are important. Prepare them for your children.