Some good recommendations have come out of the work of the commission appointed by Gov. Malloy to study the long and excruciating electric power outages after the tropical storm in August and the freak snowstorm in October. The governor has followed up with his own recommendations.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”
It’s a question worth asking, for the idea of helping others is so much a part of what life is all about. And there’s no better time to ponder the question than now, while we’re celebrating the beloved civil rights leader. Monday, Jan. 16, was Martin Luther King Jr. Day — a federal holiday to celebrate his birthday that provides the ideal opportunity for us to look at ourselves and our world.

It is January and the geese keep on going over. I thought they all went south for the winter. Are these the ones from north of us that think we are the balmy climate? I know that my brother, who lives in Alaska, thinks so. He came for a visit in January a few years ago, and while I was in my down coat and fur hat he was walking around in just a T-shirt. Eventually I convinced him to put on some pants. The point is that it is all relative. Maybe those geese are visiting their brothers?

American practices of slavery continued beyond what could be seen as an historical commonplace (as onerous as that may be). It took a Civil War to outlaw slavery here — a war that caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of our best men and women. And certainly our practices of institutionalized racial inequality were then permitted to continue well into what was called an age of enlightenment (we stood on the moon before we outlawed racial discrimination).

Folks were so supportive
We want to sincerely thank the many people who showed their support for our family during our recent loss.
The food, cards, flowers, visits, hugs and other expressions of sympathy meant so much to all of us. It is a real comfort to know we have such a network of friends helping us through our grief by sharing our sorrow.
Steven and Walt Killmer  
Hillsdale
Freda Harpp  

Dear EarthTalk: Are there healthy, green-friendly mouthwashes? I’ve heard that some contain formaldehyde and other nasty substances.

Marina Sandberg

Albany, N.Y.

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we were knee-deep in snow. This year, until perhaps recently, we were on target for one of the warmest winters on record.