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November brings a range of fresh, nutrient-dense produce that’s perfect for comforting, hearty meals. Here’s a look at what’s coming into season:

Fruits

• Cranberries: Essential for holiday dishes, fresh cranberries have a tart flavor and are great in sauces, baked goods, and salads.
• Pomegranates: Known for their juicy, jewel-like seeds, pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and add color and flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
• Pears: Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears are at their best, perfect for snacking, poaching, or baking.
• Persimmons: Sweet and slightly spiced, persimmons are delicious on their own or added to salads, oatmeal, and desserts.
• Citrus (Oranges, Mandarins, Grapefruits, Clementines): Early winter citrus is just starting to appear, bringing refreshing, vitamin-rich options to brighten up cold days.

Vegetables

• Squash (Butternut, Acorn, Delicata, Spaghetti): A staple in fall and winter cooking, these versatile squashes are great for roasting, soups, and stews.
• Sweet Potatoes: Perfect for mashing, roasting, and baking, sweet potatoes are nutritious, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins A and C.
• Brussels Sprouts: These miniature cabbages are ideal for roasting and pair well with savory flavors like bacon, garlic, and balsamic glaze.
• Cauliflower: A cold-season vegetable, cauliflower can be used in everything from soups and purees to grain substitutes and roasted sides.
• Turnips and Rutabagas: These root vegetables are hearty and great for mashing, roasting, or adding to stews.
• Kale and Collard Greens: These greens are more tender and flavorful after a frost, making them perfect for salads, sautés, and soups.

Herbs

• Sage: A warming herb that pairs perfectly with root vegetables, poultry, and squash dishes. Fresh sage is a must for many holiday recipes.
• Rosemary and Thyme: These hardy herbs are ideal for roasting meats and vegetables, infusing them with earthy, comforting flavors.

Nuts and Seeds

• Chestnuts: Available fresh in November, chestnuts have a slightly sweet flavor and are delicious roasted or used in stuffing and baked goods.
• Walnuts and Pecans: These nutrient-dense nuts are in season and widely used in holiday baking, savory dishes, and as toppings for salads or oatmeal.

How to Use November Produce

• Roasted Vegetable Platters: Combine Brussels sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots for a colorful, warming side dish.
• Soups and Stews: November is the ideal time for hearty soups, with cauliflower, root vegetables, and kale or collard greens as key ingredients.
• Fresh Salads: Pair persimmons or pomegranate seeds with dark leafy greens like kale, adding crunch with nuts and tang with a citrus vinaigrette.
• Festive Desserts: Pears and apples are in season, and they work wonderfully in crisps, pies, and cobblers for cozy, fall-inspired treats.
• Holiday Sides: Sage and rosemary add classic fall flavors to stuffing, roasted meats, and mashed root vegetables.

With this seasonal produce, November's grocery offerings support comforting, nutrient-rich meals perfect for the colder days ahead.

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Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is an electoral system in which voters rank candidates by preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) rather than voting for a single candidate. If no candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first choices is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are transferred to voters' next choices. This process continues until a candidate earns more than 50% of the vote.

Benefits of RCV over Popular Vote or Electoral College:

1. Greater voter representation: RCV ensures that the winner reflects a majority preference, which may better represent the will of the voters. It helps to prevent a candidate from winning with only a small plurality in a multi-candidate race.
2. Reduces “spoiler” effect: In traditional voting systems, third-party or less popular candidates can split votes, leading to a winner that doesn’t have majority support. With RCV, voters can rank their true preference without fear of "wasting" a vote, since their secondary choices still count if their first choice is eliminated.
3. Discourages negative campaigning: Candidates benefit from being ranked second or third by opponents' supporters. This can promote more civil and cooperative campaigning, as candidates seek broader appeal beyond their core base.
4. Greater choice: Voters can express support for a wider range of candidates without the pressure to “strategically” choose only between the frontrunners. This allows for more diverse candidates, including independents and third-party contenders.
5. Addresses gerrymandering: While RCV doesn't directly combat gerrymandering (the manipulation of district boundaries), it can make races in gerrymandered districts more competitive by ensuring winners have broader support, potentially mitigating its effects.

In conclusion, Ranked Choice Voting can offer a more representative, inclusive, and fair system of voting compared to both the popular vote and Electoral College models. However, its adoption at a national level would require considerable legal, political, and logistical changes.

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Musical Memories of Halloween
”H – A – double L – O – W – double E – N” spells Halloween

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What does download data from 7 continents over 4 years say about the host and listeners of a podcast? This deep dive analyses of the data is interesting and paints a picture of people who are interested in learning about the world around them.

This is an AI generated episode created at the direction of Everett McConnaughey using NotebookeLM which is a new Google AI platform.

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What happens when you give AI the websites of two candidates going head to head in the USA 2024 presidential election? Listen to this!

This is an AI generated episode created at the direction of Everett McConnaughey using NotebookeLM which is a new Google AI platform.

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This is an AI generated episode created at the direction of Everett McConnaughey using NotebookeLM which is a new Google AI platform.

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Personal Wellbeing Tips for October

As October ushers in cooler weather and shorter days, it's important to focus on physical, mental, and emotional well-being while adapting to the seasonal changes.

1. Boost Immunity

• Prioritize Nutrition
• Hydrate
• Vitamin D

2. Maintain Physical Activity

• Outdoor Walks
• Layer Up
• Mindful Movement

3. Mental and Emotional Health

• Stay Connected
• Embrace Fall Traditions
• Practice Mindfulness
• Set a Sleep Routine

4. Prepare for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Light Therapy
• Create a Cozy Space

Seasonal Maintenance Advice for October

As autumn progresses, it’s important to prepare your home and surroundings for the colder months. These tasks not only maintain your environment but can also bring a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the season ahead.

1. Prepare Your Home for Cooler Weather

• Heating System Maintenance
• Seal Windows and Doors
• Inspect the Roof and Gutters
• Chimney Cleaning

2. Garden and Lawn Preparation

• Rake Leaves
• Winterize the Garden
• Plant Bulbs
• Prune Trees and Shrubs

3. Vehicle Maintenance

• Check Tires
• Fluids and Battery
• Prepare a Winter Emergency Kit

4. Home Décor and Comfort

• Change Bedding
• Fall Scented Candles
• Seasonal Decor

Summary

In October, focus on maintaining both physical health and mental well-being as the season changes. Stay active, eat nourishing foods, and keep social connections alive. Preparing your home and surroundings for the colder months ensures both comfort and safety. By embracing seasonal changes, you can stay healthy, warm, and positive as you transition into winter.

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Interesting Article: Pew Research Center: Voter Turnout 2018-2022

The average lifespan in the USA varies slightly based on demographic factors, but as of the most recent data (2021), the overall life expectancy is approximately 76 years (73 for males and 79 for females). This is slightly lower than in previous years, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential Elections

In the U.S., presidential elections occur every 4 years. Assuming someone lives for about 76 years, they would have the potential to experience approximately 19 presidential elections during their lifetime.

However, the actual number depends on when the person becomes eligible to vote (at age 18). So if someone turns 18 and lives to 76, they could participate in around 15 presidential elections.

Midterm Elections

In addition to presidential elections, there are midterm elections every 2 years, which take place halfway through each presidential term. In a lifetime of 76 years, an individual could potentially participate in about 29 midterm elections, starting from age 18.

In summary, an American voter can potentially participate in around 15 presidential elections and 29 midterm elections in an average lifetime, along with numerous state and local elections.

As of recent data, there were approximately 168 million registered voters in the U.S. during the 2020 general election, out of a total eligible population of around 239 million people. Voter registration and turnout fluctuate slightly from election to election.

Here’s an overview of voter turnout in major elections from 2016 to 2022:

• 2016 Presidential Election: About 60% of the voting-eligible population cast ballots (around 138 million voters).
• 2018 Midterm Elections: The turnout surged to 50% of eligible voters, which was unusually high for a midterm.
• 2020 Presidential Election: The voter turnout was historic, with 66.8% of the eligible population voting (about 158 million voters).
• 2022 Midterm Elections: The turnout was lower than in 2020 but still high for a midterm, with around 47% of eligible voters participating.

Why Doesn't Every Eligible Person Vote?

Several factors contribute to why many eligible voters do not cast ballots:

1. Disengagement or Apathy: Some people feel disillusioned with the political system, believing their vote won’t make a difference or they don’t trust political institutions.
2. Barriers to Voting: Obstacles like strict voter ID laws, long wait times at polling places, or difficulty in accessing absentee ballots can prevent people from voting.
3. Lack of Awareness: Some eligible voters may not know how to register, where to vote, or miss key deadlines.
4. Scheduling Conflicts: Election Day falls on a Tuesday, a workday, which can make it hard for some to find time to vote, especially if they lack paid time off.
5. Voter Suppression: In some areas, certain policies or practices might be seen as restricting access to voting for certain groups (e.g., gerrymandering, polling place closures).
6. Felony Disenfranchisement: Many states restrict voting ri

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