Each year on April 22, over a billion people come together for Earth Day. It’s a global effort; people are standing up against pollution, fighting deforestation, and working to keep our planet healthy. Simple acts like picking up trash or planting a tree really do matter. Every bit helps.

So, how did Earth Day begin? Back in 1970, a senator from Wisconsin organized rallies across the United States to spotlight environmental problems. The country responded, as people turned out in huge numbers, and by the end of that year, the government established the Environmental Protection Agency. Twenty years later, Earth Day had gone global, celebrated in over 140 countries.

You don’t have to wait for April 22 to make an impact. Try these ideas and keep Earth Day going all year long:

1. Turn Into a Waste Warrior

You wouldn’t believe how much trash we create. Americans fill so many garbage trucks every year, you could line them up halfway to the moon. Some things, like toilet paper rolls, break down in about two months in a landfill, but a plastic bottle? That can stick around for 450 years. Instead of just tossing stuff, think about what you could recycle or use again. Perhaps you can repurpose that bottle into a planter. Want to really cut back on waste? Buy less. If you need a book, check it out from the library first.

2. Plant a Tree

We lose about 15 billion trees each year. You can help by planting one yourself. Trees do a lot—they suck up carbon dioxide, give us oxygen, help keep animals fed and sheltered, and their shade can even cool down buildings, which means less air conditioning and less energy used. One small act, a ton of benefits.

3. Use Less Electricity

Ask yourself: does every light really need to be on during the day? Electricity usually comes from burning fossil fuels, which speeds up climate change. But it can also come from cleaner sources, like wind, water, sunlight, even, believe it or not, elephant dung. No matter where it comes from, using only what you need makes a difference. 

4. Save Water

Water seems endless, but only about one percent is drinkable and easy to get. Here’s something simple: turn off the tap while you brush your teeth. That tiny action saves up to eight gallons of water a day. Curious how much more you can do? Try timing your showers and make them quicker.

5. Donate Your Time

There are so many ways to get involved. Ask a parent, then volunteer to pick up litter at a park, organize a collection for recyclables, or get people together to watch a documentary about the environment. When you pitch in, you help your community, and you might make some new friends, too.

6. Spread the Word and Work Together

Don’t keep your efforts to yourself. Talk to your friends and family. Invite them to join you. People love a challenge, so why not take everyone outside for a hike or try out other eco-friendly tips? The more people join in, the stronger the movement becomes.

Protecting the planet isn’t about giant gestures; it’s about all of us making small, smart choices, day after day. Earth Day is just the beginning.

The post Small Acts, Big Impact: 6 Ways You Can Help Save the Earth appeared first on Englewood Review.

Let’s start with the cars. Pollen is a little acidic, and if it’s left on your car’s surface long enough, it eats at the clear coat. Depending on how healthy your paint is and whether you park outside, it can really dig in, leaving behind marks that don’t always come off easily, even if you scrub by hand or run through an automatic wash.

It gets worse when pollen mixes with rain or morning dew. That combo turns it abrasive, so if you clean it off the wrong way, you risk scratching or swirling the paint. Fixing that kind of damage costs a lot more than a quick wash. If you’re cleaning it yourself, use a microfiber mitt or sponge; don’t drag it off with a dry rag.

What’s good for your car is good for you, too. Health experts recommend showering before bed. If pollen coats your vehicle, it’s also riding on your hair, your skin, your clothes. And don’t forget the animals. Your pets can drag in pollen, so keep outdoor animals out of the bed if allergies are bothering you.

Here in Florida, pollen allergies hit especially hard. A lot of folks in Southwest Florida come from other states, so their bodies aren’t used to the mix of plants native to the region. It’s not unusual to develop new symptoms after moving here, even if you skated by allergy-free up north.

So, what’s stirring up all this pollen? The usual suspects this time of year are slash pines, bald cypress, and live oaks. Slash pines, in particular, throw off the most visible yellow dust you’ll see on cars and patios. As the bald cypress trees refoliate and bloom, they add their share, too, and the live oaks, another Florida staple, chip in as well.

The problem feels worse this year because of a drier spell since last summer. The conditions have made pollen more noticeable everywhere you look. Whatever the reason, this spring’s pollen is sticking around, and Southwest Florida is feeling it.

Allergy Hotspots in the United States

If you’re sneezing a lot more in recent years, you’re definitely not imagining things. Pollen allergies are really getting worse. Longer, stronger pollen seasons, thanks to climate change, mean that if you struggle with allergies, those symptoms stick around and hit harder. Some parts of the country barely catch a break; they deal with tree, grass, or weed pollen nearly all year. Cities get it even worse, since warmer air trapped by urban heat boosts both pollution and pollen production.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) tracks all of this in its Allergy Capitals® report. Each year, they rank the 100 biggest cities in the lower 48 states by just how tough they are for people with pollen allergies.

AAFA isn’t just sharing numbers. They want to help people recognize and manage their symptoms. Yes, it’s possible to get a handle on allergies. The report offers real tips and treatments, breaks down info on tree, grass, and weed pollen, explains how mold plays into allergy season, and spells out the role of climate change. There’s also plenty of data to back up community solutions for the bigger problems causing seasonal allergies.

Allergy Capitals 2026

This year, shifting weather patterns caused some big changes in the rankings. Out West, intense rain, warmer days, and drought sent pollen counts soaring and stretched out the allergy season far longer.

Here’s AAFA’s Top 20 out of 100

These cities are the toughest places to live with pollen allergies:

1. Boise, ID
2. San Diego, CA
3. Tulsa, OK
4. Provo, UT
5. Rochester, NY
6. Wichita, KS
7. Raleigh, NC
8. Ogden, UT
9. Spokane, WA
10. Greenville, SC
11. San Francisco, CA
12. Minneapolis, MN
13. Salt Lake City, UT
14. Richmond, VA
15. Colorado Springs, CO
16. Little Rock, AR
17. Toledo, OH
18. New Orleans, LA
19. Winston-Salem, NC
20. Lakeland, FL

For information and tips check out aafa.org.

The post Living With Pollen: Insights Into Florida’s Spring Struggles and America’s Allergy Hotspots appeared first on Englewood Review.

Since The Concession Golf Club announced it would bring the tournament back to Florida for the first time in over two decades, it’s been a sprint to get everything ready. The golf course team has been working long hours, sometimes twelve a day, clearing 25 acres, added grass, and made extra space for spectators because thousands are expected.

Tournament mornings start early, well before sunrise. The greenskeepers roll in at 3 a.m., often working until 10 p.m. Eighty-two people are involved, including nearly forty who drive in from other clubs around Sarasota and Manatee counties to help. Preparing the grounds isn’t the only collaborative effort. Sarasota and Manatee counties both invested heavily, each pitching in $4.5 million, money raised through a 6% tourist tax on hotels and short-term rentals, not from residents. 

The tournament’s economic impact extends beyond the golf course. Senior PGA Championship Director Eric Nuxol is optimistic. He expects visiting staff, vendors, and fans to fill hotel rooms and restaurants, boosting local businesses. 

Looking ahead, officials want to plant roots on the Gulf Coast and see the tournament become a tradition, growing bigger each year. If you want to catch the oldest major in men’s senior golf up close, it’s not too late. Tickets are available for this weekend’s play at The Concession Golf Club, dates Thursday through Sunday, April 16 through 19, 2026.

For more information about The Concession Golf Club, click here.

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But they’re not letting their guard down. Most of Sarasota County is still dealing with drought, and rain isn’t in the forecast. There’s a real chance they’ll bring the ban back if conditions get worse.

The original ban went into effect on October 11, 2025, when the county’s drought index hit 500, as specified in county code. Now that wildfire risk dipped, fire department officials lifted restrictions, but they’re still watching things closely. They’re asking everyone to stay careful, keep up with the open burning rules laid out in county regulations, and don’t take unnecessary risks.

If conditions get dry again and the KBDI climbs back to 500 or higher, the county will automatically reinstate the ban. It’s smart to keep checking county updates for the latest status.

Meanwhile, there has been some confusion as to whether or not North Port has lifted its burn ban. Englewood REVIEW reached out to the North Port Fire Rescue for comment. They say that in accordance with the city ordinance 26-28, Fire Chief Scott Titus has rescinded the burn ban, and it no longer exists. A public notice will be posted on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Officials recommend the Ready, Set, Go!approach for wildfire safety:

Ready: Plan for possible evacuations and create defensible space around your house to help protect it.

Set: Pull together emergency supplies, talk through your plan with family or roommates, and stay up to date through news sources and the county’s website or social media.

Go: If you’re told to evacuate, do it right away and follow your emergency plan.

For more details on wildfire safety and how to protect your home, visit scgov.net/fire.

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Over the last decade, the cost of living in The Sunshine State has jumped nearly five times faster than it did in the 2010s. A cause is soaring expenses for housing, insurance, and rent. Wages simply aren’t keeping up, and some Floridians are now thinking about packing up and moving elsewhere.

Florida TaxWatch’s latest report lays it all out. During the 2010s, prices in the state grew at a pretty modest 1.3% a year. But in the 2020s, that average exploded to around 5.8% annually. This difference shows up almost everywhere you look: rising rents, pricier groceries, higher child care bills, bigger utility payments. Still, housing stands out as the single biggest concern.

Look at insurance. Florida homeowners now pay some of the highest rates in the country: by 2025, average annual property insurance will hit $2,794, a 63% jump since 2020. Add rising property taxes, and many homeowners now spend more than $10,000 a year just to keep a roof over their heads.

Renters have also faced difficulties. In 2015, the average rent was $1,194. By 2025, it shot up to $2,208, an 85% increase. That leap bumped Florida from the 14th to the sixth most expensive rental market nationwide. Rent spiked fastest after 2020, tracking broader inflation but outpacing neighboring states.

It’s not just housing, either. Basic goods and services have gotten pricier:

Eggs are up an astonishing 135% over the last ten years. 

Rice? Up 46%. 

Bread has climbed 30%. 

Child care now tops $42 an hour in 2025. 

Even electricity and gas keep creeping higher.

Prices like these mirror national inflation, but in Florida, wages lag. That gap leaves people squeezed month after month.

The good news is Florida has experienced impressive growth and now ranks fourth in the U.S. GDP and third in population. The bad news is that many Floridians aren’t feeling the benefits. New residents keep pouring in, pushing up demand and prices, while longtime locals get edged out. Even though inflation cooled a bit after its 2022 peak, prices are still much higher than before the pandemic.

Florida TaxWatch isn’t optimistic about affordability without real policy action. The report points to both federal money policy and state-level changes in housing, insurance, and taxes as crucial. Without intervention, the gulf between what people earn and what it costs to live here just widens, changing who gets to call Florida home.

Looking toward early 2026, Southwest Florida shows a cautious recovery. 

The region benefits from strong job growth but still faces high inflation and sky-high insurance. Homeowners struggle with some of the priciest property insurance rates in the nation, and that pushes many to consider moving inland. The real estate market is settling into a new normal. We see more activity these days, though the wild days of the pandemic are over.

Tourism remains a major engine, but travelers are watching their spending, especially with dining and entertainment. That caution ripples through local businesses. Florida’s broader economic growth should hit about 2.3% in 2026, with a sturdy labor market supporting the region. While growth is slower than the big post-pandemic boom, no one expects a recession, just a more moderate, healthy pace.

Challenges remain. Recent storms still cast a shadow, affecting businesses and changing travel habits. Persistent high inflation and insurance costs put pressure on families and companies alike. For many, the dream of Florida sunshine now comes with a much higher price tag.

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Floridians feel a strong connection to nature. It’s part of who we are.

Here’s something interesting: Florida is closely connected to Earth Day’s beginnings and boasts the world’s highest concentration of freshwater springs, numbering over 600. 

The Keys are another gem; they formed from ancient coral reefs, and their ecosystems are truly one-of-a-kind. In 1970, Florida Technological University students held a mock trial for pollution, putting environmental concerns in the spotlight from the very start.

Florida Earth Day & Environmental Facts

– Springs: With over 600 freshwater springs, including 33 first-magnitude springs, Florida’s natural waters play a huge role in keeping water clean throughout the country.
– Coral Roots: The famous beaches in the Keys sit atop fossilized coral, leftovers from long-ago higher sea levels.
– Seagrass Beds: These underwater meadows in the Keys matter for wildlife. State park biologists use rocks to fix propeller scars and add perches so birds can fertilize the areas naturally.
– Sunscreen Origins: The first sunblock came out of Miami Beach in 1944. Benjamin Green, a pharmacist, created “Red Vet Pet,” a red gel that kicked off a new era in beach culture.
– Biodiversity: Greater Miami stands out, as it’s the only U.S. metropolitan area bordering two national parks: Everglades and Biscayne.

Florida Historical & Eco-Trivia

– Student Activism: On the first Earth Day, students at Florida Technological University staged a mock pollution trial.
– Protecting Wildlife: Florida-Friendly Landscaping encourages folks to cut down on fertilizer and water use, which helps local plants and animals and keeps groundwater safe.
– Coastal Cleanup: Ocean Conservancy has hauled away over 350 million pounds of plastic since 1986. Floridians are actively involved in cleaning up our coastlines.

There’s so much to celebrate, and even more to protect. Earth Day isn’t just a date; it’s a reminder of Florida’s rich, fragile environment and the role we all play in caring for it.

Be sure to check out Englewood REVIEW’s calendar, where you’ll find details about special Earth Day celebrations happening nearby.

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So what does all this mean for Florida? El Niño usually ramps up wind shear over the Atlantic, which keeps hurricane numbers down. Still, that doesn’t guarantee Florida escapes a powerful storm.

Expect Florida’s weather to shift if El Niño strengthens. Winters turn cooler and wetter, sometimes much wetter, with greater odds for severe weather, including tornadoes. 

Super El Niño

If a super El Niño ramps up during the 2026 hurricane season, history gives us a few obvious clues about what to expect. 

While El Niño isn’t the only factor that shapes a hurricane season, a strong one does influence weather patterns, especially where hurricanes track.

Looking back, typical El Niño years keep most hurricanes spinning over the central Atlantic. Some slip into the Caribbean, and a noteworthy number make it into the Gulf of Mexico.

But super El Niño years, those rare and extreme events, paint a different picture. Across the last four super El Niños, hurricane activity drops sharply. Only twelve hurricanes formed in these years, averaging three per season, less than half the norm. Not a single hurricane has reached the East Coast during these periods. The Gulf of Mexico saw a couple, both only Category 1: Danny in 1997 and Agnes in 1972.

Breaking down the three main patterns:

1. Most hurricanes curve away from the U.S. East Coast during super El Niño years. Track maps show storms heading west, then turning north or northeast, steering clear of the coastline. This happens because the Bermuda High, usually the main steering “wheel” for Atlantic hurricanes, weakens and shrinks during El Niño. Meanwhile, persistent low pressure over the Southeast U.S. nudges storms north and east, away from land. Meteorologists call this turning movement “recurving.”

2. The Caribbean gets a break. Strong upper-level winds and sinking air over the Caribbean during El Niño seasons make it tough for hurricanes to thrive. Wind shear, those layers of wind moving at different speeds, disrupts storm development. As a result, hurricane tracks in the Caribbean have been scarce to nonexistent during super El Niño years. Take 2015’s Hurricane Danny: it hit Category 3 strength east of the Windward Islands, but once it reached the Leeward Islands, strong winds tore it apart.

3. A quiet season can still be dangerous. Even when El Niño tamped down hurricane numbers, all it takes is one storm to upend everything. In 2015, Category 4 Hurricane Joaquin stalled over the Bahamas, causing severe flooding and destruction. That same year, Erika didn’t even become a hurricane but still triggered catastrophic floods in Dominica. And back in 1972, Hurricane Agnes started in the Gulf and brought massive flooding to the Northeast as a tropical storm, claiming 122 lives and racking up what was then the biggest storm-related bill in U.S. history.

While a super El Niño helps shape hurricane paths, keeping them away from the East Coast and Caribbean, the risk never disappears. Every season develops its own surprises. 

Don’t let a super El Niño lull you into complacency. Assume each hurricane season is the one that will matter where you live. Get ready, stay alert, and monitor the forecasts, no matter what the seasonal outlook says.

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From sunny St. Thomas to your local coffee shop, our beloved newspaper is truly a globetrotter. Just look at Manwela and Hans Picinich, who enjoyed their Englewood REVIEW while soaking up the sun during spring break in March 2026. That’s one well-traveled paper!

Now it’s your turn. We want to see where you’re taking the REVIEW on your adventures. Snap a pic of yourself with it in an exciting location, whether it’s by the beach, on a mountain hike, or even at a cozy café, and share it with us.

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Nihal, who attends Cypress Lake Middle School, clinched his win in round thirteen with the word “carabiner.” He felt relieved when he heard that word, because he knew it cold. Still, he walked into the competition anxious, knowing some of his peers had been prepping for years. “Not really confident because I knew there were people who studied for years and years to do this. Some people here were just really prepared,” he said.

He hadn’t put in years, but he didn’t slack off either. Nihal spent his spring break drilling word lists and reading, something he loves to do. Ask him about his favorite subject, and he lights up: math is the winner, thanks to a wonderful teacher who hands out treats when students get answers right. Looking ahead, he has his sights set on neurosurgery. “Well, I kind of want to get rich. And I just enjoy stuff with brains and all that,” he said.

Nixon Diveley, from Pine Ridge Middle School, captured victory on the word “domiciled.” He put in at least six hours of study leading up to the event and admits he was a bundle of nerves. “I was pretty confident, but at the same time I didn’t know who the other schools were going to send,” he said. “I was shaking,” he confessed.

Nixon loves Civics but doesn’t see it as his future. “I like Civics, but I’d really like to be a scientist, preferably like a quantum physicist or something.”

Both boys will represent their districts at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., during the last week of May.

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