u/PlantyHamchuk

Hi all, just a PSA regarding Manna Foodbank, who does absolutely incredible work for our community. Their summer newsletter mentions this:

"Today, a $10 gift to MANNA helps provide 16 meals.

This change reflects today's environment - not a change in our mission. The need for food assistance has reached historic levels, with more than 220,000 monthly visits across MANNA's network, while donated food from many traditional sources has declined. In just two years, food support has decreased by 24%, while MANNA's purchased food pounds have increased by 156% and food purchasing costs have risen by 142% to meet the growing conditions."

I'm not affiliated with them, but encourage anyone who can afford it to consider donating $10 (or more) monthly. You can donate food as well, but food banks can purchase food at wholesale prices, so it actually makes more sense to donate money vs stuff you're buying at retail prices from the grocery store (although that is gratefully accepted as well, in addition to fresh garden produce).

They can also always use volunteers.

Learn more at their website.

BTW if you are in need of any kind, please also check out their website as they have many connections to all kinds of services.

Utah’s biggest source of electricity is now the Sun.

Solar panels produced nearly 1 terawatt-hour of electricity in May 2026, accounting for almost one-third of all power generated in the state that month.

Natural gas produced about 32%, coal generated 28% and wind contributed 2%.

The milestone represents a dramatic change for a state that historically depended heavily on coal. In 2017, coal generated between 64% and 78% of Utah’s electricity, depending on the month. This spring, its share fell below one-third.

I bought one of those discounted produce boxes for $6 and it ended up being mostly limes. Like an unreasonable amount of limes. I kept a few, then put the rest in a grocery bag by the mailboxes with a note saying free.

The next morning the limes were gone and someone had left a bag of potatoes in the same spot. Then another person added two unopened boxes of pasta. Its been about three weeks now and the little corner basically turned into an unofficial food exchange. Yesterday I traded some instant oatmeal I hated for canned tomatoes.

My favorite part is getting rid of stuff without wasting it. Our landlord hasn’t said anything yet and everyone keeps the area clean.

We are having air quality problems in my State due to the wildfires. We don't own an air cleaner. Was thinking of going to get one but i want to do my research first. Also, I hate modern things that are electronic. Probably has blue tooth, an app and have to register and so on. And modern air cleaners have expensive filters. I figured there must be a way to filter with a simple fan.

So, did some research and came across a Corsi-Rosenthal box. It consists of four 20x20x1 inch Merv 13 filters and a 20 inch box fan. You create a cube and set the fan on top of the cube. The cube is the four filters with the air intake pointing inside. On the bottom, seal with a piece of cardboard. Duct tape the bottom and sides so they are enclosed and no gaps. Also, helps to make sure the pleats of the filter are running vertically rather than horizontal which tends to make them more likely to sag or collapse. Then you set the 20 inch box fan flat on top of the cube with the back of the fan on the cube and air flow blowing out. Then you tape around the fan edges and everywhere to seal and prevent air escaping or entering. You can take a piece of paper to see if it sticks to the filter and verify that it is pulling air.

I just made one and it's running.

https://preview.redd.it/enu78cedetdh1.jpg?width=1812&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b469eaf94284bc11adc2424ada641bc81a55d4fd

Hello local car and/or ebay people. A friend of mine has come across a large amount of old, old car parts, most still in original boxes. I'm guessing (really guessing) that many of these little parts go to things like Chryslers from the 1980s. Most if it is pretty small, so they'd be easy to ship.

Is there any sort of market or interest in these sorts of things, could one find a local ebay seller who'd help sell these things in return to get a chunk of the proceeds? Or is this all antiquated junk that needs to go to Bimco or the landfill?

Thanks for any input!

We have a TON of great little plant nurseries and garden centers and they are stocked to the gills! This is arguably the best day of the year to look for interesting plants and help our little indie places survive. Plus it's gonna be a beautiful day.