Author: Lisa Mungovan

Half of the olive oil in the European Union, is produced in Spain, resulting in 400,000 tons of olive pits. Instead of throwing them out, Spain uses the pits to create biofuel. The dried pits are turned into something similar to wood pellets, and used to heat homes and power oil mills.

Today is Alpaca Day. The furry mammal is a camelid, and looks like a llama. They are native to South America, and were raised by the Incas for their soft fleece, 6000 years ago. Alpacas will use a common dung heap, so some people keep them in the house! You can also take alpaca-yoga classes.

Today is Save The Koalas Day. The adorable animals live in Australia, but their habitat is threatened by humans and bushfires. They only eat eucalyptus leaves, which also gives them nearly all their moisture. When the forests are cut down, the koalas have nowhere to live and nothing to eat. They need our help.

Food is more fun, when it’s in an edible wrapper. If you roll fillings into a flour tortilla, like a burrito, and then fry it, you have a chimichanga. If you fold fillings into dough, then steam or boil them you have dumplings. Celebrate Chimichanga Day and Dumpling Day, with lots of yummy food.

Today is Johnny Appleseed Day, the birthday of John Chapman in 1774. He traveled around the United States, planting orchards of apple trees. He ate out of his tin hat, which is why he’s often depicted with a pot on his head. It’s also Lumberjack Day, originally created as an excuse to eat pancakes!

California has completed their first solar canal project. The canal, which helps irrigate crops, was covered with solar panels. The panels will shade the flowing water, saving more than 63,00,000,000 gallons of water from evaporating, as well as generate 1.6 megawatts of power. The shade will also prevent the growth, of harmful algae.

A newly discovered species of deep-sea coral has a shiny surface, and long, flexible branches, that look like hair. The coral reminded researchers of the hairy Wookie of Star Wars fame, so they named it Iridogorgia chewbacca. The bottom of the ocean is largely unexplored, so maybe there’s a fish that looks like R2-D2

Did you know, it’s Daughter’s Day? You deserve an extra-big hug, and maybe an extra-big dessert too! It’s also “If You See Something, Say Something” Awareness Day. Whether it’s an unattended suitcase at the airport, someone with a weapon at school, or a situation that just doesn’t feel right, tell an adult about it.

Don’t you just love word problems in math class? Today is Math Storytelling Day! See who can write the most entertaining story using math. It’s also World Dream Day. What do you dream of doing during your lifetime? Don’t forget Comic Book Day! Maybe you can create a comic book about your math dream!

Today is Binge Day, so watch every episode of your favorite TV show at once. But since it’s also Cooking Day, and Quesadilla Day, make sure you have plenty of snacks. Start your day with a cheesy breakfast quesadilla, then have a popcorn quesadilla. Anything tastes good folded into a tortilla.