Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Start Planning Now for a Thriving Spring Garden

(Family Features) While winter weather puts outdoor gardening on pause in most parts of the country, the colder months offer a perfect opportunity to begin preparing for a lush garden come springtime.

With a little creativity, and some extra time spent creating a plan, you can set yourself on a path toward success before the growing season even begins.

Assess Your Space and Research Ideas
Evaluate your current garden, taking note of what worked well last season and where improvements can be made. Use this downtime to sketch an updated layout, research companion plants and decide which fruits, vegetables or flowers you want to grow next based on what did (or didn’t) work last spring.

Build an Updated Blueprint
Winter is the ideal time to upgrade your garden design and make tweaks for efficiency. Use the offseason to consider crop rotation patterns for optimal soil health as well as ways to maximize your space such as raised beds, trellises or containers. You can also make a list of materials needed for any new features you may be adding, such as an irrigation system, and map out their placement so you’re ready to build as soon as the weather allows.

Nourish the Soil
Even if the ground is frozen, you can prepare your garden beds by adding compost, leaves or organic matter in late winter, ensuring nutrients are available when spring arrives. Also remember to test your soil’s pH level now, which can help guide your fertilization plan.

Start Seeds Indoors
If you’re eager to get your hands dirty, consider starting your seeds indoors. Early seed starting gives plants a head start, allowing you to transplant stronger seedlings outdoors when temperatures warm.

Get Organized
Use the slower pace of winter to clean and sharpen your garden tools, sort through leftover seeds and make a supply checklist so you’re ready to dig in when warmer days arrive.

Find more advice to get your garden ready to burst to life in spring at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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eLivingtoday.com

Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Traveling to Mexico this spring? Here’s what to know about current advisories

(Tiffany Miller for ALG Vacations) For some travelers counting down to spring break, recent headlines about violence in parts of Mexico have sparked a new question: Should I cancel my trip? Travel advisors say they are seeing a surge in calls and emails from clients trying to determine whether developments in one region affect major resort areas elsewhere.

The questions follow several days of unrest in parts of Mexico after security operations targeting organized crime leaders prompted temporary flight disruptions and shelter-in-place guidance for U.S. government personnel in areas including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. In this article, ALG Vacations explains what current travel advisories mean for spring break travelers heading to Mexico.

The U.S. State Department evaluates Mexico state by state, not as a single destination, and advisory levels vary by region. Many major beach destinations, including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Los Cabos, are currently under a Level 2 advisory, which encourages travelers to exercise increased caution. It does not discourage travel.

Part of the confusion stems from geography. Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, is roughly 1,300 miles from Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean side, about the distance between New York and Miami. Because advisories are assigned state by state, developments in one region do not automatically alter another.

In recent days, that uncertainty has translated into additional inquiries about whether specific resort areas are experiencing disruptions. U.S. Embassy security alerts issued this week indicate that temporary shelter-in-place guidance affecting Puerto Vallarta was lifted and that flight operations resumed. The advisory level for the Mexican state of Quintana Roo remains unchanged.

Some clients are asking about alternatives, advisors say, but many are continuing with their plans after reviewing official updates. Travel patterns often shift in response to breaking headlines, they add, before stabilizing as clearer information becomes available.

The State Department assigns travel advisories on a four-tier scale ranging from Level 1, exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, do not travel. While Level 2 encourages increased awareness, Level 3 and Level 4 carry stronger language discouraging or restricting travel.

Advisories are reviewed regularly and can be updated as conditions evolve. The State Department’s Mexico advisory page breaks down conditions by state, reflecting the country’s federal structure rather than issuing a single national designation. Travelers can also enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides real-time security updates and allows U.S. officials to contact citizens in an emergency.

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Embassy notices state that airports, hotels and tourism services in Quintana Roo are operating normally. Security conditions across Mexico vary widely by state, with some regions carrying higher advisories and others designated Level 1. Most destinations popular with U.S. travelers are currently classified as Level 2.

As spring break approaches, advisors say informed decision-making depends on reviewing the advisories assigned to a specific destination and monitoring official updates, rather than reacting to national headlines alone. Travel decisions ultimately depend on individual comfort levels, they add, but advisory levels are assigned regionally and should be evaluated accordingly.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

ALG Vacations

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Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Millions of people around the world looked to the sky in the early hours of March 3, 2026 to witness one of the most striking astronomical events of the year — a total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a “Blood Moon.” As the Moon passed completely into Earth’s shadow, it transformed from its familiar silver glow into a deep copper-red color, captivating observers from North America to Asia and across the Pacific.

Blood Moon Aftermath: Scientists and Skywatchers React to the March 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse

For viewers in the western United States, including Arizona and California, the eclipse occurred just before sunrise. The timing created a dramatic scene as the reddish Moon hovered low in the western sky while the eastern horizon began to brighten with dawn.

A Global Skywatching Event

Total lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon. During the March 3 event, the Moon spent nearly an hour fully inside the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. During this phase, sunlight filtered through Earth’s atmosphere projected reddish light onto the Moon’s surface, creating the dramatic “blood moon” effect.

Astronomers noted that the event was particularly significant because total lunar eclipses are relatively infrequent. While partial eclipses occur more often, a full eclipse visible across large portions of the globe remains a memorable experience for both scientists and casual observers.

Scientists Explain the Phenomenon

According to researchers at NASA, the reddish color seen during totality occurs because Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of sunlight — such as blue — while allowing longer red wavelengths to pass through. This filtered light is then bent, or refracted, into Earth’s shadow and projected onto the Moon.

Planetary scientists say lunar eclipses provide a powerful visual demonstration of the geometry of the Earth–Moon–Sun system. The curved shadow moving across the Moon also historically served as one of the earliest pieces of evidence that Earth is spherical.

Researchers also point out that lunar eclipses offer opportunities to study Earth’s atmosphere. Variations in dust, volcanic particles, and atmospheric conditions can influence how dark or red the Moon appears during totality.

Amateur Astronomers Share Their Views

While professional observatories monitored the eclipse with precision instruments, amateur astronomers and astrophotographers helped document the event from countless locations worldwide. Social media platforms and astronomy forums quickly filled with images showing the Moon’s color shifting from pale gray to orange and deep red.

Many skywatchers in the southwestern United States described the experience as particularly dramatic because the eclipse occurred just before moonset. Observers reported seeing the Moon glowing red above desert landscapes and city skylines before gradually fading into the brightening morning sky.

Astrophotographers also emphasized that lunar eclipses are among the easiest astronomical events to capture. Unlike solar eclipses, they can be photographed safely without special filters, making them accessible to beginners using smartphones as well as professionals using telescopes and high-end cameras.

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A Rare Pre-Dawn Sight

In parts of the western United States, some observers were able to witness a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a selenelion, when both the eclipsed Moon and the rising Sun appear in the sky at the same time due to atmospheric refraction. The effect added an unusual visual element to an already impressive celestial event.

The combination of a deep red Moon and the approaching dawn created striking photographic opportunities and memorable moments for early-morning skywatchers.

When Is the Next Total Lunar Eclipse?

Although partial eclipses occur periodically, the next widely visible total lunar eclipse will not occur until late 2028. That makes the March 2026 eclipse one of the most notable skywatching events of the decade.

For many observers, the event served as a reminder that some of the most spectacular astronomical experiences require nothing more than stepping outside, looking up, and taking a moment to appreciate the universe above.

References and Further Reading

• NASA – Lunar Eclipse Science Overview
• Time and Date – March 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse Details
• Sky & Telescope – Astronomy News and Observing Guides
• Space.com – Guide to Lunar Eclipses
• STM Daily News – Science Coverage