Notes & News

Nature’s Clean Sweep

Rain can dampen plans for outdoor activities, but it’s one way Mother Nature cleans the air. According to scientists studying the effect, as a raindrop falls through the atmosphere, it captures particles of dust, soot and other airborne pollutants, which can help improve air quality.

Stress Relief

Deep breathing, also known as belly breathing, can help alleviate stress, increase relaxation and lower heart rate and blood pressure. You can do it almost anywhere: Breathe in slowly through your nose until your abdomen feels fully expanded, then breathe out. Repeat several times.

Travel Tip: Be Sure

Because museums, national parks and historic sites sometimes undergo renovations or are closed for special events, check their websites before planning a trip. You don’t want to arrive at an attraction only to find you can’t go in.

Highlights

3 Things You Need To Know

You don’t have to go to charm school to learn good manners and proper etiquette. Much of it comes down to showing respect for yourself and others. Here are a few ways to be polite and show thoughtfulness. 1) Let people get off the elevator before you get on. The same goes for trains and buses. 2) Wait until everyone at your table has been served before you start eating. 3) Push in your chair when you leave a table.

Take Me Out to the Minor Leagues

Minor League Baseball teams across the country are on deck for a new season. Their turn at bat begins April 9.

Attention, Skygazers

Venus will light up the night sky and put on its most brilliant show of the year on April 27. Look to the west about an hour after sunset to see the planet, nicknamed the “evening star,” rise, and it will shine at its brightest. Astronomers say Venus will be impossible to miss, even without a telescope.

College Hoops Finale

The Final Four heads south this year as the city of Atlanta hosts the matchups for the best in NCAA men’s basketball. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 4, with the advancing teams playing for the championship on Monday, April 6.