Before you grew up and grew into adult worries and distractions, Fall probably meant raking huge piles of leaves in the yard... and then taking a running jump into the pile.  So what if you had to rake them up again, the jump was worth it.  The earthy smell of the leaves, the crackle of them when they got inside your hat or collar, the fantastic color ranges of leaves carefully pressed between sheets of waxed paper.  It was a ritual.

For many people, the need for the ritual of seeing the seasons change clings to them even as adults who may have moved to more temperate climates.  Today you'll read about what actually makes leaves change, and the people who are willing to pay to see the free show Mother Nature puts on each year.

The stores are full of Autumn-colored clothes now, and it won't be long until trees begin to show off yet again.  Happy Fall to you, from all of us!

As for myself, I'm off to Vail for a wonderful week at my time share... eat your hearts out... unless I see you at Sweet Basil.

Jim Nixon,
The Cleaners

What Do You Know?

You probably think of changing leaves as an American phenomenon.  But actually, they happen in other places, as well.  See how good your geography memory is -- pick out the countries and regions listed below that have Autumn leaf changes:

Brazil                             Northeast USA
United Kingdom          Lebanon
Canada                         Japan
Russia                          China
Mexico                          Western Europe

Answer:  United States, Canada, the U.K., Western Europe, China and parts of Japan.  The other areas listed above are either too far North or too close to the equator to have the necessary temperature fluctuations and deciduous trees.

Corduroy Special

As the temperature cools down, you'll want to stay cozy in this year's favorite fall fabric -- Corduroy.  Let us clean and professionally finish your corduroy this year.  Have one regular items drycleaned and we'll clean a corduroy item at no charge. (Include the first page of this e-mail with your order.  Offer expires Oct. 4, 2003.  Cannot be combined with other offers.)

How do they do that?

For thousands of years, people have used the changing of the seasons as a cue that weather is going to warm up or cool off, and they plan their lives accordingly.  One of the most dramatic things that nature does in some areas of the world is to dress the trees in gowns of gold, scarlet and orange as the Autumn passes and the days shorten toward winter.  But how do leaves actually change color?

A Simplified Explanation

There are three chemical pigments in leaves that determined their color: chlorophyll, carotene and anthocyanins.  Each pigment absorbs some wavelengths of light, and reflects others, making the colors of the leaves change.

In spring and summer, chlorophyll is dominant, since it handles the chain reaction that turns sunlight into food for the trees.  It gives leaves their green color, and as long as the days are warm and the pathways from the leaves to the rest of the tree are wide open for transmitting the nourishment, the green blocks our ability to see the other pigments.

Closing the Door on Summer

Trees have to be ready to weather harsh conditions through the winter, and they do whatever is necessary to protect themselves.  In the case of deciduous trees (those that lose leaves in the Fall) the tree creates a corky plug at the base of each leaf stem.  This seals off the fragile leaves (which are just water-filled cells, and easily frozen or damaged) so that the branches and trunk of the tree can survive the cold to come.

When this happens, it disrupts the flow of chemicals to and from the leaves, and the chlorophyll dies out, allowing the carotene pigment to shine through -- and we see golden yellow pigment that's been hiding in the leaves all year as a result.  Trees that produce anthocyanins pigments will have red or purple leaves as the sugar builds up in the leaves and can no longer be transported to the branches and trunk because of the plug at the end of the leaf stems.

Why are some years better than others?

The very best Autumn colors are generated by a string of warm, sunny Fall days with cold (but above freezing) nights.  The sunshine increases the production of sugar in the leaves, bringing out more color.  If a freeze happens too early, leaves will simply turn brown and fall off, shortening the display time we all so enjoy.

The amount of sunlight is crucial to the color of the leaves, and this is why you will frequently see taller trees turn color before their overshadowed neighbors, or the South side of a tree turn color first -- it's getting more sunlight than the rest of the tree.  As the early-turners reach their peak and then turn brown and fall off, lower branches and shorter trees then receive more sunlight and repeat the color cycle.

Evergreens stay green throughout the year because they take a different approach to protecting themselves.  Instead of sealing off the needles from the rest of the tree, the needles have a waxy covering on them, and the sap in them actually resists freezing.  Since the chemistry of the needles does not change with the seasons, neither does the color of the needles.

Ecotourism

As people migrate around the country and find themselves living in areas that are ecologically different than where they grew up, many have a longing to go back and see the Fall leaves they remember from childhood.  As a result, an entire industry has grown up around people who travel for reasons such as seeing Fall leaves or watching whales or seeing migratory birds returning -- it's called Ecotourism.  If you think it's no big deal, consider the fact that the Wisconsin Division of Tourism estimates that fall-color tourists spend over $1 Billion in their state alone!

Autumn Fashion Colors

Our craving for Autumn colors extends to our wardrobes, as well.  With the end of Summer, we move from bright hues to deeper and more subdued colors.  This year's prime colors appear to be chocolate brown, burgundy, cream, dusty dark green and black.  You'll see them everywhere, but the good news is that Fall wardrobe colors and styles are usually more classic than summer fads, and what you buy this year will be just as welcome on the scene next year and the year after.

No matter what colors you wear, or where you choose to go in them, we'll be here when you get back to look at the photos you took and bring your travel clothes back up to like-new standards.  We'd never "leaf" you in the lurch, would we?

Go Chase Some Leaves Yourself!

It's easy to keep up with where the best displays of leaves are likely (not guaranteed) to be by going to websites that update predictions throughout the Fall.  Try these sites to learn more about the incredible display nature puts on each Autumn, and then head out.  Don't forget your camera!

• Regional Reports -- This site includes a sidebar with a list of 15 states, plus the US as a whole, so that you can zero in your search for the right time to view leaves this year.
• Become an Ecotourist!
• The Chemistry behind the Change
• A simplified description of why leaves change color.
• For the kids -- an explanation any of us can understand.

Present this certificate at one of our stores and receive $5.00 in drycleaning or laundry service.
Coupon expires October 11, 2003. Not valid with other coupons, specials or VIP.