The Durango Herald

recent columns from the Extension Office

• Chilling effects come from tempting fate here

The Walls of Water are filled, the modified and jerry-rigged greenhouses are up, the black plastic is laid down on top of the soil.

These are all ways that we gardeners try to get a jump on the vegetable-growing season, tempting Mother Nature with a sheet of plastic 6 millimeters thick.

Awfully brave, aren’t we?...

• Celiac disease a hard one to keep up with

Celiac disease continues to be an increasing issue for local residents. It’s not our imagination, it is increasing. Based on 2012 information from the Mayo Clinic, 1 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to have this disease, but only 5 percent realize it.

Typically, it is a clinical diagnosis rather than a definitive one.

• Students talk about benefits of 4-H before moving on

The end of the school year is near. Many La Plata County youths are buckling down to finish off strong. I suggest that students get good sleep at night, eat a healthy breakfast and stay positive and confident. In addition, I encourage parents and guardians to support youths in staying focused. Summer will be here soon enough.

The La Plata...

• My favorite month? Definitely not April

Topic of conversation at Sunday’s dinner: What are your favorite and least-favorite months of the year?

Both kids quickly said December as their No. 1 favorite. Perhaps it’s because that’s typically the first day of skiing or the end of the school semester. Or wait. Could it be because of Christmas?

Yet when...

• Apps are here to build your healthy diet

Smart phones, tablets, notebooks – take your pick. You have probably found that apps have an important place, be it radar weather alerts, changes in times and gates for flights, money budgets, resources, finding the best buy, food content – the list goes on.

Today’s article focus gives some quality applications that...

• Media campaign targets youths to make positive choices

Animation films usually are not my cup of tea. However, at “4-H Movie Night” on Friday, I enjoyed watching “Despicable Me.” I am a sucker for good-overcoming-evil themes, and this movie nailed it.

• Organic stuff, mulch, water make excellent birthday gifts

Three weeks ago, I lamented about the poor snowpack, the dismal drought forecast and the potential ramifications that these situations could have on our growing season.

• Certain papers very important this time of year

This is the time of year we go through those stacks of papers to find critical receipts, bank statements and tax returns, and then wonder what we need to keep.
A handy chart can help guide you on what to keep and for how long (www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/how-long-to-keep-financial-records.aspx).

• Going abroad can broaden outlook

Ten years ago, I took my first big adventure outside the United States. I grabbed a backpack and headed for New Zealand.

• Time to start planning for more dryness

So yes, Hawaii was nice. It’s nice to sleep with the doors and windows open in February. It was pleasant to eat bananas, avocados and mangoes right from the trees. I found it enjoyable to go snorkeling in the morning and then go to a different beach and teach the kids how to (with moderate success) boogie board without plowing one’s face into the...