What does Dogtopia Mean? - Sign 32

When we saw the word “Dogtopia” for the first time about couple days ago, we think hard: what does this word mean?

Fig 01- The word of Dogtopia

We tried to search the meaning of “Dogtopia” in an online dictionary, then the dictionary said:

- “sorry, no definitian found.”

- “sorry, no etymologies found.”

After searching with other several key words combines: Bingo! We find that Dogtopia is included in “the pet industry.”

The booming industry with worth no less than US$ 110 billion in the USA.

Fig 02- The pretty dog looks at you

Dogtopia was founded in 2002, developed to be franchised since 2005. It is estimated more than 250 franchises all over America.

Fig 03- He looks so sad and lost

In addition to USA, Dogtopia also opens 18 locations in Canada, and might be expanded to several other countries in coming future.

Fig 04- The sign of Dogtopia on the door

This franchise provides many services that relate to dogs, include daycare, spa and boarding services.

Do you know Dogtopia? And have you treat your dogs in the Dogtopia?

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Crisis of Chicken’s meat and Eggs – Sign 31

Our neighborhood’s little groceries sell both chicken meat and eggs with unbelievable price tag.

Fig 01- A sign of arriving of little chicks for raising

I believe the price increases by 500% for eggs and 200% for chicken meat compared to last year.

The fact that the availability stock of these two items is uncertain in recent days even in the big groceries.

We just visit the big grocery, Walmart, and found almost empty chicken meat. Out of stock for eggs.

Fig 02- Chicken eggs at a grocery

In case of eggs, there are at least three reasons:

- millions of hens are slaughtered due to bird flu.

- increasing cost of chicken’s feed

- slowing egg production due to fall and winter seasons

Fig 03- Price extremely expensive, reaches US$ 11.09 for 18 eggs

To solve this temporary problem some of my neighbors try to raise chickens

for eggs and meat at their backyard.

Fig 04- A white rooster for meat

They ordered the variety of chickens through neighborhood groceries, the chicks will arrive by next week.

The breeders include white leghorns, Rhode Island red and Buff Orphingtons (please see sign at Fig 01 above).

How about the price of eggs and chicken meat at your place?

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The United States Import Ginger the most – Sign 30

We just understand that Ginger plants grow well in the USA when we saw a vendor sold Ginger plants in our city garden.

Fig 01- Ginger plants are sold by a vendor

Ginger with scientific name Zingiber officinate comes from tropical areas, especially Southeast Asia countries such as Philippine, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.

Then, this spicy plant was brought and domesticated to Indo- Pacific regions, include Hawaii.

Nowadays, we may find Ginger in the states such as California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Alabama and Louisiana.

Fig 02- Ginger roots, sold in the Walmart

In addition to own production, America imports Ginger the most in the world. Amount of import about 80,000 tons per year, and increase year by year.

Fig 03- The pumpkin, just illustration

The Ginger in the USA market comes from countries such as:

- China

- Brazil

- and Peru.

Fig 04- Ginger plants for sale

Sure, Ginger is one of popular ingredients for many American foods, just few examples are cookies, pies (apple or pumpkins) and curry mixes.

Do you like the Ginger taste?

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The 24 Hour Emergency Service - Sign 29

I know many companies or business provide “a 24 hour service.” What make me wonder is the word of “emergency.”

Fig 01- A sign for emergency service.

As far as I know, some businesses which provide a 24 hour service for their customers may include:

- IT companies

- Finance businesses

- Real estates

- Plumbing companies.

So, what is company relate to “The 24 Hour Emergency Service?”

Fig 02- Propane from AmeriGas

AmeriGas sold 15 LBS (6.8 kg) propane or Liquefie Petroleum Gas (LPG) with following price:

- refill for US$ 19.92

- LPG + a tank for US$ 54.00

Fig 03- Refill cost for propane

The company opens their self-serve small “retails” or “automatic vendors” for 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7).

The customers, mainly college students may call for emergency services in case no supply due to “natural disasters” such as hurricanes or tropical storms.

Do you have this kind of service in your place?

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The Yaupon Holly Plants Produce Attractive Berries – Sign 28

We always see the attractive red berries when we walk in the city garden. We saw the sign “Yaupon” under the plants.

Fig 01- Sign of Yaupon Holly Plants.

After searching through internet, we understand the name of plant is “The Yaupon Holly Plant.”

This plant includes in evergreen shrubs that why we found the plant produces a lot of fruit even in the winters.

The berries attract to several types of birds and wildlife. However, the berries are “dangerous” to children and pets.

Fig 02- Red fruits are hanging on the branches

As reported by naturallysavvy (2020: Yaupon Leaves Are Safe, but Don’t Eat the Berries) that Yaupon Holly berries dangerous to human, especially kids.

Fig 03- Berries look very attractive

Kids who consume 6 berries may vomit. If children consume up to 30 berries, they will get fatalities, in respect to their “central nervous system.”

In case of pets such as dogs and cats, the berries may cause vomit, diarrhea, and pain on their mouth.

Do you know this Yaupon Holly Plant? Have you seen in nature?

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Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27

Suicide rate at alarming rate in the USA, and it occurs to all ethnics, sexes and age groups.

Fig 01- Storing your firearms

You may read previous postings relate to suicide:

- Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only? | Tanza Erlambang Update

In fact, more people death due to suicide by using gun in the USA. In percentage, about 54% of US gun relate death was due to suicide in 2020 (please see Fig 02 at below).

Fig 02- More people death due to suicide in 2020

(credit to Pew Research Center)

Rate of suicide increases year by year due to multiple factors. Sadly, there is no end in sight yet.

The sign that I saw (please see Fig 01) to ask people to store their gun securely in order to help prevent suicide.

Fig 03- Fruit of a Pine tree

This is one of important strategies to limit access to firearms, especially to who has higher risk to perform suicide, such as:

- individuals in mental crisis

- teenagers

- and even gun owner who has personal history of suicide risk.

What do you think?

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A Small Vendor for Christmas Gifts – Sign 26

Small vendors start selling or offering services relate to Christmas celebration several weeks before January, every year in our city.

Fig 01- Sign of D’s Wreath Designs

Customers search “specific” items, hence small vendors will provide the market demands.

I think, these four items are favorite for Christmas celebration:

- Christmas tree

- Christmas light

- Wreath decorations

- and Christmas crackers

Fig 02- Several wreaths, hang on

Fig 03- Middle size wreaths

Fig 04- Plenty wreath on display

In addition to above four items, we saw some vendors sell “gift cards” as well, it locates at around our neighborhood.

We found one vendor called as “D’s Wreath Design” both sell wreaths and provide services for wreath designs. A design service could take several days, depend on “difficulty” of designs. Sure, with affordable prices.

What items do you buy for Christmas celebration?

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Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25

We have talked about herb society in our city at previous post:

- Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Rose society of our city

Like other societies, not surprising that Rose society has public education about anything relate to this flower.

However, what special for me that this society opens consultation to whoever interest in roses.

Common people may consult about growing rose and the problems they may face with having roses. Even-thought consultation is a kind of simple matters only, but free of cost and helpful for beginners.

Fig 02- Plants show, illustration

As you may know that roses have no more than 10 different colors in nature, but industries have developed at least 60 colors and its combines.

Fig 03- Roses in the garden

There are many favorite colors in the market, few of them:

- pink and red

- orange and yellow

- lavender

- white cream

- coral and peach

We love red, pink, yellow and white roses. Do you love roses? What color do you prefer?

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Do you Know Cardio Kickboxing? - Sign 24

The words “Cardio Kickboxing” is new for me. I saw a sign from an organization to give a class in the public park

Fig 01- A sign of Cardio Kickboxing

I don’t know the words of Cardio Kickboxing. After searching through internet, I found interesting things.

In fact Cardio Kickboxing is created by Frank Thiboutot in 1992, about 30 years ago. Thiboutot was from Maine, and living in Kansas now.

Cardio Kickboxing is workout that mix between fast moving cardio and martial arts, hence this is a kind of high energy exercises.

Then, is Cardio Kickboxing popular?

Fig 02- Painting by local artist

Yes, Cardio Kickboxing is popular workout in the USA recently.

Data from Statista (2017) showed the participants was 6.7 million people across America in 2017. The number fluctuates year by year.

Fig 03- Two kids, just for illustration

Comparing to “martial arts,” the number is not bad. From the same source (Statista, 2021), there are about 6.3 million participants.

Fig 04- Two dogs, illustration only

As you know, the martial arts include:

- Karate

- Taekwondo

- Judo

- Ju Jitsu

- and others

Do you familiar with Cardio Kickboxing?

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