2021 JAN-JU RC

2021 JAN-JU RC

Sponsored in part by the TDOT Litter Grant & The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2021 Let’s Talk Trash! news ©2020-2021 The Keenan Group, Inc Thank You to our PREMIER Sponsors!

WELCOME TO Let’s Talk Trash! news, - LARGEST circulated newspaper in Robertson County

What’s it like to be Sheriff Van Dyke?

10 Ways to be a Great Student 6 Pillars of Character Are Dragons Real? Cookies & Cream Popcorn MOONS

Cursive Corner! GERM FARM... ...and much more!

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Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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Welcome to Let’s Talk Trash News!, to become the largest circulated newspaper in Robertson County publishing 17,000 copies bi monthly during the school year. With the partnership of the Robertson County Sheriff Department’s T.D.O.T. Litter education grant and local business sponsors, this 24 page educational newspaper will deliver to all public schools, grades Kindergarten through 8th grade as well as inserted into the Robertson County Connection. Designed to enhance litter education and awareness, Let’s Talk Trash! news promotes good citizenship, provides environmental awareness, and stresses the importance of personal responsibility. It is a fun and valuable educational resource for teachers and kids with each issue packed with fun activities and stories within subject areas of Literature, Art, Science, Math, Geography, and more... Let’s Talk Trash! news has been publishing for six consecutive years in Cheatham County. See Testimonials that follow below!

PUBLISHER / EDITOR Debbie Keenan The Keenan Group, Inc. P.O. Box 458 / Pleasant View, TN 37146 615-746-2443 [email protected]

Dear Students, Welcome back!

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Heather K. Wolfe [email protected] The Keenan Group, Inc. P.O. Box 458 / Pleasant View, TN 37146 615-746-2443

I know this school year has been different than any other but we are halfway through! This year, we have had to learn differently, connect differently with our teachers and friends, and have spent many hours at home. We all look forward to a time without masks and social distancing. I am excited to welcome you to the first issue of “ Let’s Talk Trash! news” in Robertson County. This newspaper will give you great information on lots of different subjects, and we are very thankful to the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, The Keenan Group, and other sponsors for bringing it to your classroom. This excellent resource will also show you different ways to protect our environment and keep Robertson County clean for years to come!

©2021 by Let’s Talk Trash News! All rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publisher reserves the right to edit any submitted material. Children’s submissions should include name, address telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian. Let’s Talk Trash-News! is distributed FREE to Robertson County Public schools K-8th gradel. You can also find this issue at Sponsor locations as well as: grocery stores, post offices, library, School Board Office, etc.

Have a great start to 2021 and expect success in all that you do!

Dr. Chris J. Causey, Director of Schools

Let’s Talk Trash! news Testimonials from Cheatham County

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Let’s Talk Trash News! , is a gift to our entire community! This resource rich newspaper delivers relevant non- fiction text for our students to read and enjoy. The newspaper offers our high school students the opportunity to be published authors giving them an authentic audience for their writing. We look forward to each edition in Cheatham County School District. - Dr. Cathy Beck, Dir of CC Schools Let’s Talk Trash News! is a valuable asset to the communities where it is distributed as the paper encourages the student to be responsible and teaches character building skills to our youth. The paper has been a great tool to reach all kids, parents and the teaching community. In fact, we look forward to the Bi-Annual Museum of Litter project. At this event, the kids get to participate by displaying their creation of litter which they have accumulated and made into a beautiful piece of artwork. It truly is litter education at its finest! - Debbie Small, (former Pres & CEO Community Bank & Trust) I have witnessed first hand the positive effect this publication has on the youth of our community. Not only is it distributed to all of the local elementary schools, but is

placed in businesses such as mine throughout the area. When parents with small children come to our office for meetings, often times we will provide crayons and the current issue of Let’s Talk Trash News to the children to keep them occupied while I meet with their parents. It keeps their attention and seems to be of interest to these children. In some cases, I have been asked questions about a particular article by the children at the conclusion of meeting with their parents. I am proud to be a sponsor of Let’s Talk Trash News! and look forward to its continued growth and impact on the children of the area. - Franklin J Luppe, CPA, CFE United Structural Systems, Inc. considers it an honor to partner with Debbie Keenan in sponsorship of Let’s Talk Trash News!. As a childhood reader of Highlights Magazine, I would have loved to have had a publication like this growing up. The activities and articles cover a broad student demographic audience, it’s regionally educational and relevant, and the uniqueness of allowing student article participation is a wonderful opportunity for our young local readers (& teachers & parents)! USS is proud to help support our community

Dr. Cathy Beck

Debbie Small

Frank Luppe

through this creative resource! -Shannon Carter, Co-Owner/USS

Shannon Carter

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COUNTERTOPS, INC. BISON

Office: 615-792-8812 Email: [email protected] 1929 Hwy 12 South Ashland City, Tennessee 37015 GRANITE • MARBLE • QUARTZ

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www.keenangroup.com [email protected] P.O. BOX 458 • Pleasant View, TN 37146 Ph: 615.746.2443 Advertising & Marketing Experienced • Innovative • Creative • Service The Keenan Group, Inc.

Help Support Education! Become a sponsor of Let’s Talk Trash! news delivered to all Robertson County Public Schools, grades K-8th by becoming a Calendar Partner for only $85 per issue. Five issues per school year commitment

Help Support Education! Become a sponsor of Let’s Talk Trash! news delivered to all Robertson County Public Schools, grades K-8th by becoming a Calendar Partner for only $85 per issue. Five issues per school year commitment

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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Add your own special days! 2021

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Amanda L Bell - TN lic#287001 At Home Realty TN lic#260174 124 N Main St •Ashland City TN 37015 615-406-9988 cell • 615-792-6100 office www.amandabellsells.com

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1: What sound do you hear when dragons eat spicy salsa? 2: Why did the chef feed the dragon spicy salsa?

3: What eats more tacos than one dragon?

dragon jOKES 4: What game do 4 dragons play in a car? 5: Why did the dragon wear sunglasses? 1. Fire alarm 2. She needed to barbecue some chicken. 3: Two dragons. 4: Squash. 5: With all the silly jokes going around it did not want to be recognized.

6 10 Ways to be a Great Student Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

6. Follow directions.

5. Complete assignments on time.

7. Ask for help when you need it.

Help Support Education! Become a sponsor for this page of Let’s Talk Trash! news 17,000 delivered to all Robertson County Public Schools, grades K-8th every other month and as an insert in the Robertson County Connection. Page Sponsorship for only $525 per issue (3¢ per contact) for this large page presence. Five issues per school year commitment - call 615-746-2443

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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Answer the questions below: How, Why, & When...

Let’s Talk About RESPONSIBILITY Litter impacts roadway safety. Not only is litter a hazard to drivers, it also presents a danger when mowing the right-of-way. Litter impacts our community image and criminal activity. Litter can send an unintentional message that we do not care about our community which could foster other criminal activity endangering public safety and property value. Litter impacts the health of the environment and water quality. Paper, plastic, and aluminum pose a threat to wildlife, soil, and water quality. Trash travels into storm drains with each rain event and flushes into local waterways. In fact, 18% of litter ends up in streams and waterways as pollution. Accumulated trash results in serious environmental contamination and can cause blockages that create hazardous flooding conditions. Litter impacts potential income through tourism and business recruitment. Tennessee is a tourism friendly state and litter detracts from the scenic beauty of the state, which can have negative financial consequences for private enterprises and the state. A community with excessive litter may have a more difficult time recruiting new business and industry. Litter is PREVENTABLE when everyone takes personal responsibililty. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/ environmental/2019%20Litter%20Grant%20Report_ P08(email).pdf

Do what you are supposed to do - When? Plan ahead - How? Be diligent - Why? Persevere - When? Do your best - How?

Use self-control - When? Be self-disciplined - Why? Think before you act - When? Be accountable for your words, actions & attitudes - Why?

Set a good example for others - How? Choose a positive attitude - When? Make healthy choices - How?

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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HUMANS WRITES! SOLUTION ON PAGE 20

Kids Across 1. These are the letters you use to write a letter 5. What a person in a dark room must turn on before she can write a letter 8. It doesn’t have to rhyme every time: Just ask Margaret Britton Vaughn, who wrote “Who We Are,” the official bicentennial ____ of Tennessee 9. It’s the color of the seal on the Newbery Medal-winning book, “You Are (Not) Small” by Anna Kang 10. To use a machine to duplicate what you wrote 11. The word that comes just before your name when you write a letter to your grandmother 13. Because the back of Tennessee’s state quarter features a fiddle, a guitar and a trumpet, the state’s rich musical heritage is on the _____ 14. What’s in your hand (instead of a pencil) if the message you’re writing is a text 16. An eraser can make an _____ disappear 17. Low-tech tablets: What Moses used to carve the Ten Commandments in stone 19. Initials of the Ms. Rowling, whose awesome book series told tales about Harry Potter (or abbr. a texter uses when he was only joking) 21. Its pulp is used to make paper 22. What an artist writes or performs that could win him a Country Music Award 23. Creative writing: If you see a composer is writing a short 22 Across, you might say that she’s making a few ____ Teachers OR Parents Down 2. Alexander, the most prolific of our Founding Fathers, who in 2015 became the toast of Broadway 3. What a mom scrawls her child’s name on before he heads off to school 4. Words often seen on a ghost writer’s line of credit: “As ____ to...” 6. One more thing: Word that just popped into the mind of the letter writer who finds herself writing “P.S.” 7. What the pages of Cleopatra’s diary were probably made of 8. What a writer uses to write in longhand (or flowery way to say “write”)

10. One whose autograph has star power 12. Personal banking is a matter of _____ and balances

13. Valentine card’s mode of transportation to reach a faraway 11 Across 15. It’s a long story. like Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” 18. You can write hundreds of 12 Downs, but they’re not worth a dime unless you ___ them 20. Text of the world’s briefest farewell letter

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Project Manager AARON WOLFE (615) 227-2275

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Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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Fact vs Fiction: Are dragons real? Did you know that there are many real life dragons from an insect to a large reptile? Dragon millipedes are found in South East Asia and also live in Chinese caves. Its name comes from its spiky protrusions. It was discovered in 2007 in Thailand. Only three centimeters long, it measures less than one inch. The Dragon millipedes’ scent is poisonous and produces toxic hydrogen cyanide to ward off predators. Six new species of Chinese dragon millipedes, including species living exclusively in caves, are described as a result of an international cooperation of research institutes from China, Russia and Germany. These cave species have unusually long legs and antennae, with one of them resembling a stick insect, only with a lot more legs. Others appear ghostly white and semi- transparent. Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2016-04-dragons-dark-species-dragon-millipedes. html#jCp

Shocking Pink Dragon Millipede (Desmoxytes purpurosea)

Let me tell you about Komodo Dragons

https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/5-fun-facts-about-komodo-dragons

The Mythical Dragon is also known as long, loong, or lung, is a symbol of great power in China. The Chinese believe that they not only control the weather, but the element water. There are four seas that are controlled by four different dragon kings. The East Sea is controlled by Azure, the blue- green dragon. The Cinnebar dragon, also known as the Red dragon, controls the South Sea. The other two seas are the West Sea, restrained by the White dragon and the North Sea controlled by the Black Dragon.

Loong has been known to take more than the form of the original mystical dragon. They have been known to have the body of a silkworm or a powerful person such as an emperor. Though dragons are a symbol of good luck, if the dragon is seen facing downward in a picture then it is very bad luck. Many pictures depict dragons with a flaming pearl. This particular pearl associates with spiritual energies such as wisdom, prosperity, power, and immortality.

The Mythical Dragon...

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon

10 China China is the most populated country in the world with almost one fifth of the world’s population. China is slightly smaller in size than the USA. Although China is so large, there is only one timezone! Most people in China live in the eastern parts of the country, the western parts are only sparsely populated. The Pacific Ocean forms the natural border in the east and southeast and southwest of the country. In the west, there are the Himalayas Mountains, which is the highest mountain range in the world. Most of the western parts of the country lie on the Tibetan mountainous plateau and in fact, mountains make up the majority of the landscape, dominating over 70% of the landmass. In the north, there is the vast Gobi Desert. Deserts are making up about 20% of the country. The huge country has many different climate zones ranging from tropic zones to arctic zones. Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

The highest mountain on the border with China is Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountains, with 8,848 meters (29,000ft). The longest river in China is the Yangtze River with over 6,300km (3,914miles) in length. Shangahi: This photo was taken in March 2003. The air quality throughout the Editor’s travels from southern to northern China met with consistent poor air quality as a result of limited Government regulations. https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/china-facts.html

Littered waterways in southern China

This is a typical school classroom in the South Eastern Province of China - Fujian

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With every step, you hear the crunch of a plastic bottle, and garbage floats through the air. Cars drive by, and more trash flies out their windows and onto the sidewalk. Trash cans sit on every corner, but the gentleman sitting next to you drops garbage onto the ground instead. This is modern urban China, where waste is abundant and littering has become the norm.

Imagine a place where trash covers the streets like a thin blanket of dirty snow.

https://allthatsinteresting.com/ littering-in-china/2

Field studies have also shown that people are more inclined to litter in already littered areas. This, in combination with a lack of public moral education, has led to a prevalent copycat behavior. If one well-to-do resident can throw his trash in the streets guilt-free, so can the next. This attitude is so common, Chinese residents refer to the behavior as “Suibian,” a word that translates to “doing as one pleases” or “without concern.” A survey on China’s highway littering problem in Shanghai displayed that 68% of car drivers and 95% of truck drivers throw their trash out the windows of their moving vehicles. Participants in the survey claim to do it simply out of convenience. Imagine if everyone takes pride and responsibility in their communities all over the world, littering could be part of our past and NOT future!

Remember, Littering is Lazy, Obnoxious Behavior!

Help Support Education! Become a sponsor for this page of Let’s Talk Trash! news 17,000 delivered to all Robertson County Public Schools, grades K-8th every other month and as an insert in the Robertson County Connection. Page Sponsorship for only $525 per issue (3¢ per contact) for this large page presence. Five issues per school year commitment - call 615-746-2443

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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What’s it like to be Sheriff Van Dyke?

Where were you born? I was born in Nashville, TN. What school did you attend? I graduated from Jo Byrns School, and from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. What was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was history. I had great history teachers such as Mrs. Heard, and Ms. Owens who gave us an understanding that where we come from as a nation can help us make better decisions for a more successful future. Did you play any sports? I played little league baseball, and was on the 1st high school bowling team for Jo Byrns. I participated in a lot of outdoor high adventure activities like horseback riding, backpacking, boating, fishing, and hunting. I was also an Eagle Scout. When did you decide to become a Deputy Sheriff? I decided I wanted to be in Law Enforcement my senior year of high school where I had gotten to know my School Resource Officer. After my 18th birthday, I went and rode as an observer at the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office on weekends until I graduated high school.

schools safer for our children to grow. It is also demanding, stressful, and you have to make split second life and death decisions. Each day is unique, and you can build relationships with many people. You have to use a lot of skills that are learned in school like reading, writing, math, com - puter skills, and communication. Overall, a Deputy Sheriff is a highly skilled position that has strict professional, physical, and strong character requirements. You have to be willing to sacrifice working week- ends, holidays, nights, and missing special events like birthdays with your family to keep the community safe. How much training does a Deputy Sheriff need? A Deputy Sheriff receives 480 hours of training at a State Certified Law Enforcement Academy. Additionally, at the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, they receive 576 hours of field training, and an additional 50-100 hours of ongoing training each year. There is also additional training for specialized assignments such as the Emergency Response Team, K9 unit, and the Negotiations Team. Deputy Sheriffs receive more training than many other careers. What is the coolest thing about being a Sheriff? Being able to help people in our community, and being able to help make a change that improves the quality of life of our friends and neighbors, and helping our citizens feel safer are some of the greatest things about being a Sheriff.

What was your first job after school? My first job after school was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office. I then became a full time Police Officer for Austin Peay State University while attending College. Is there a difference between a Sheriff Deputy and a Police Officer? Yes, a Sheriff is elected by the citizens of the County in which they serve. A Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer and the Chief Law Enforcement Official for the County. The Sheriff is responsible for all the duties that a Police Department performs such as patrolling, detecting crime, and enforcing laws. Additionally, the Sheriff is responsible for operating the County Jail, attending and providing security to the Courts, serving legal process for the Courts, and training and employing School Resource Officers. Sheriffs have the most statutory duties under law than any other elected official. What is it like to be a Patrol Deputy? Being a Patrol Deputy is very reward - ing because you get to help citizens who are in need, and improve citizens’ quality of life by making the neighborhoods and

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the highest levels of character and integrity. I can’t do everything by myself. The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office serves as a team. Are there laws for people who throw trash in ditches and littering our roads? Yes, littering is illegal. It is a crime and those who litter can be given citations or

How do you feel about how the public perceives Police Officers around the country? I feel blessed to serve as a Law Enforcement Official in Robertson County where a majority of our citizens support the very dangerous job that we do. I think too many people try not to see Law Enforcement Officers as people.

. Litter Laws in Tennessee

Tennessee has an average of 5,100 pieces of litter per mile on urban freeways. Thirty percent is deliberate litter from people in vehicles and 70% is negligent litter from unsecured loads. Littering Must Stop . Litter weighing less than five pounds is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $50, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both, and up to 40 hours community service. The court may also require work in a recycling center up to eight hours. . Litter weighing between five and 10 pounds is a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500, six months imprisonment, or both, and up to 80 hours community service. The court may also require work in a recycling center up to eight hours. . Litter weighing more than 10 pounds or for any commercial purpose is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,500, imprisonment up to 11 months and 29 days, or both. . If third conviction in any amount exceeding 10 pounds or upon the second conviction in any amount exceeding 1,000 pounds or in any amount for any commercial purpose, class E felony. Imprisonment between one year and six years, and possible fine up to $3,000. The court must also require community service litter removal for up to 160 hours. (see §40- 35-111)

We are not robots. We are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors. We are real people who love our community. Too many people try to blame those that hold them accountable for their actions instead of taking responsibility for their own actions.

arrested and brought before a court of law where they will be held accountable for their actions and pay a fine. People who litter are destroying the image of our community, and endangering our environment. It puts a burden and cost on innocent people that

have to clean up their mess. Don’t be a litter bug, show pride in the community that you live in. What would you like to say to the kids? Think about the consequences of your decisions before you put them into action. Work hard in school. A good education will open up many opportunities for your future. You can be and achieve anything you want if you put in the work, time, and dedication. Remember that lots of people in our community care about you and want to see you succeed.

Are we safe in Robertson County? Compared to other communities in our State and Country, Robertson County is an extremely safe County. Our Sheriff’s Office team along with the other Law Enforcement agencies in the County work hard each day to keep Robertson County citizens safe.

Tell us more about your experience of being the

Sheriff of Robertson County The Sheriff is not only a Law Enforcement Official. A Sheriff is also a manager, and a leader. A Sheriff must have experience and knowledge in business, accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and project management. A Sheriff is always on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Sheriff constantly has to be a problem solver for the community and within their office. The best experience is being able to work with some of the most dedicated and professional Deputies who have

Mike Van Dyke was once a kid just like you!

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Name 3 things you can do to NOT BE A LITTER SPITTER:

1._______________________________________________ 2. ______________________________________________ 3. ______________________________________________

Are You A Litter Spitter?

Legally, if you throw or eject “unauthorized” spit onto PUBLIC property (at least in the USA), it is considered a form of “littering.” That’s why many governments (cities, counties, states) have signs with the wordage, “NO SPITTING,” posted (parks, sidewalks, bus stops, waterways, etc). On rare occasions it can be an exception if one is sick; not intentional and in need of immediate medical attention. The charging-witnessing

enforcement official(s) would make that decision. Moral: be careful where you spit those seeds and “where they land” after spitting. -ALSO- This would also include anyone who spits nasty words to hurt another!

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“We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ back in my earlier days.” From a Facebook

post February 2016 by Debbie Donivan

didn’t have the “green thing” in its day. The older lady went on to explain: Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so these same bottles could be used over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the “green thing” back in our day. Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things. Most memorable, besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, too bad we didn’t do the “green thing” back then.

have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right; we didn’t have the “green thing” back then. We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blade in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family’s $45,000 SUV or van, which costs the same as a whole house did before the”green thing.” We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. We didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. Isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the “green thing” back then? We didn’t have the “green thing” in our day This would be funny if it were not so true!

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment. The woman apologized to the young girl and explained, “We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ back in my earlier days.” The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.” The older lady said that she was right -- our generation

We walked up stairs because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the “green thing” in our day. Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throw away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy- gobbling machine burning up 220 volts. Wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me- down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. We had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t

16 Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

What currency does China use? The main unit of Chinese money, what we could call the Chinese “dollar”, has several interchangeable names, which can be confusing. You may hear Chinese money referred to as Renminbi, or RMB, which means simply “Peoples Currency”. So in this case you may see prices quoted like this: RMB 10 You may also hear the Chinese dollar referred to as “Yuan”. The abbreviation CNY is used, sometimes written as CN¥ or just ¥, and so you may see the same prices quoted as CNY 10. You will commonly hear people use the word “kwai”, which is still exactly the same thing. The price would be stated as “10 kwai”. There are also names for denominations smaller than an RMB / Yuan / kwai: Jiao or mao are both the name for a tenth of a yuan. A fen is a hundredth of a yuan.

https://www.chinaeducationaltours.com/guide/article-your-china-money-questions.htm How much would it cost for a hamburger in US currency in China?

1 Chinese Yuan equals 0.15 United States Dollar (exchange rate is subject to change) CHINESE MONEY VS US MONEY ¥ 100 CNY $ 15.27 USD ¥ 250 CNY $ 38.19 USD ¥ 500 CNY $ 76.37 USD ¥ 1,000 CNY $ 152.75 USD

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QUESTION:

If one Chinese Yuan is worth 15¢ in US Currency and it costs the State of Tennessee $11,000,000 to clean up our highways to be litter free, how much would this be represented in Chinese Yuan?

WORK IT OUT!

The Lunar Calendar has a 12 year cycle with a different animal each year. ..In order: rat, buffalo, tiger, rabbit, cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Lunar New Year occurs between January and February. It lies on a different date each year because the calendar goes by the cycle of the moon. Lunar New Year is not the only meaning of year for Chinese people. Lunar New Year refers to new year celebrations wherever the lunar calendar is used.

18 Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

PANDAS

The first panda came to the United states in 1936. They are omnivorous (feeding on food of both plant and animal origin) but sometimes eat small animals and fish. Bamboo counts for 99% of their diet filling their tummies up to 12 hours snifting (to draw in air audibly through the nose to detect a smell,) 12 kilograms of bamboo. The panda actual name is Ailuropoda Melanoleuca which means “black and white cat-foot.” Females give birth to one to two cubs every two years and cubs stay with their mothers for eighteen months before going out on their own. Pandas play a crucial role in China’s bamboo forests by spreading seeds and helping vegetation grow. They are only found in the mountainous regions of central China, in Sichuan, Shaanixi, and Gansy provinces. There are only about 1,000 giant pandas left in the wild and can reach up to six feet in height in the wild and can weigh around 220 to 250 pounds. Adult males can weigh up to 350 pounds.

Pandas mate in the spring from March to May and give birth five months later in a nest of bamboo. In the wild it is rare for giant pandas to give birth to twins, however it has been known

to happen in captivity. Giant pandas are born blind and are approximately 1/900th of the size of their mother! If 1 kilogram = 2.20462 pounds and a mother panda weighs 250 pounds, how much does the newborn cub weigh?

What does the panda mean to the Chinese? Far Eastern Panda Bear Symbolic Meanings. China is the home to Panda Bear. This is where much Panda’s symbolism stems from as it is an auspicious symbol of peace, harmony and friendship. ... The black and white markings of the Panda Bear give it an association with a harmony of yin and yang energy.

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

19

MOON PHASE COOKIES

Cookies & Cream Popcorn

FUN MOON FACTS:

YOU WILL NEED: • 8 Oreo cookies • A popsicle stick or other tool for scraping thefrosting WHAT TO DO: 1. Slowly twist an Oreo to maximize the amount of frosting on one side when you separate the halves. If if doesn’t work, you should probably eat the cookie…and then try again. 2. Use the popsicle stick to create the phases of the moon out of the frosting. 3. Arrange the phases of the moon in order.

Only 3 ingredients, making it not only delicious, but super easy! INGREDIENTS

• The moon moves away from the Earth about 2.8 cm every year • 12 humans have walked on the moon • The gravity on the moon is 1/6th the gravity of the Earth • The moon averages about 238,600 miles from Earth

9 cups popped popcorn 20 Oreos, finely crushed 24 oz. White Vanilla Almond Bark INSTRUCTIONS

Melt white vanilla almond bark according to package directions until completely melted and smooth consistency. Drizzle almond bark over popped popcorn. Sprinkle finely crushed oreo crumbs through out popcorn to evenly distribute. Let almond bark set up and dig in! source: https://www.chef-in-training.com/cookies-and-cream-popcorn/

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20 Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

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China has more English- speaking inhabitants than England.

The earliest New Year festivities date back about 4,000 years. At that time, the people of ancient Babylon began their new year in what we now call March. They would have an 11-day festival to celebrate the beginning of spring and the fact that crops were being planted for the coming year.

Ice cream was invented in China around 2,000 BC when the Chinese placed a milk and rice mixture in the snow. New Year’s wasn’t always celebrated on January 1.

https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/whats-the-story-new-years-day

Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc

21

MOONS...

Traditionally, the Moon we see in February is called the Snow Moon because usually the heaviest snows fall in February. This name dates back to the Native Americans during Colonial times when the Moons were a way of tracking the seasons. And the Native Americans were right. On average, February is the USA’s snowiest month, according to >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72

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