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Amazon shuns the perks that are now standard at most big tech companies and startups.
There is no free food at the company, and salaries are relatively low.
CEO Jeff Bezos tells Fortune, "We pay very low cash compensation relative to most companies ... We also have no incentive compensation of any kind. And the reason we don't is because it is detrimental to teamwork."
How low are the base salaries? The second highest paid employee at the company, Jeff Wilke, who runs the North American consumer business, has a base salary of $165,000 per year.
Why does he stick around then? Well, Amazon believes people work there because they work on big ideas, and big projects.
Also, employees can get big compensation packages from restricted stock units. Wilke may have a low salary, but he's got $20 million in stock, according to Fortune.
So, the pay might be low, but it's not like people are going poor at Amazon.
Don't Miss: Apple's Biggest Mistakes


text:
OPEC daily basket price closes higher again
Vienna, May 23 : The basket of 12 crude oils of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stood at $107.00 a barrel Thursday, against $106.82 Wednesday, according to the OPEC Secretariat.
The new OPEC reference basket comprises Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (United Arab Emirates) and Merey (Venezuela). A barrel is equal to 159 litres.(IANS)

subset: commoncrawl


text: "With Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, we are giving gamers the chance to express their personal style like never before," said Joel Jewett, president, Neversoft Entertainment. "They can do everything from skating the way they want, and producing their own classic videos, all the way to pulling-off the newest Nail the Trick maneuvers and tricking out their skate lounge to hang-out with friends."Check out GameSpy's reviews across the board later this week.


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"What reaction do you usually expect from banks?" Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked a reporter last week.
It was classic Warren. Appearing at a news conference with fellow Democrats and D.C.-area college students to roll out legislation she spearheaded that would let borrowers refinance student loans, the Massachusetts Democrat dismissed a question about financial institutions losing profits from older, high-interest loans.
"There's a real question here. Does Congress work for the rich and the powerful, for those who can hire armies of lobbyists and lawyers, or does Congress work for the rest of America?" Warren asked. "We believe the rest of America should get a fair shot at an affordable education." The Democratic senator is well known for her populist criticism of big banks, and the financial services sector more generally, as well as for being the driving force behind the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And she's raised her profile with a tour for her recently-released book "A Fighting Chance," during which she's been greeted by largely adoring audiences and no shortage of calls for her to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2016.
Her national profile makes her a natural to lead Democratic efforts to rally their progressive base — like with the student loan bill — but her status as a star on the left doesn't seem to have hampered her ability to work with GOP senators under the Dome.
Warren has worked with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on an effort to help keep veterans from falling victim to scam artists, and she's working with Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., on the issue of transparency when the federal government's various enforcement agencies settle cases.
Coburn working with a potential Democratic presidential candidate on transparency issues is, oddly enough, not new. A bill that Coburn introduced with then-Sen. Barack Obama related to transparency in federal funding decisions was signed into law by President George W. Bush back in 2006.
Sen. Michael D. Crapo, R-Idaho, the ranking member on the Banking Committee, said he doesn't believe there would be any political repercussions for Republicans working with Warren.
"I don't think so. I know people are always speculating about that, but no I don't think so," Crapo said. He noted he had worked with Warren on legislation that would overhaul Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
"We are always looking for opportunities to work with any of our colleagues. I don't think there is blow-back or anything when we work together from different perspectives," he said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., co-sponsored a bill with Warren last July that would reinstate portions of the Glass-Steagall Act.
"I think she's adjusted well to the Senate and she speaks very strongly and candidly as one might expect," McCain said. "So I think she represents her point of view in a very articulate fashion."
Of course, that does not mean Republicans often agree with Warren's point-of-view. Including, it seems, on the student loan measure that is going to be the next piece of the Senate Democrats' "fair shot" agenda. Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin, a fellow Democratic freshman, said the issue of the cost of college was a natural for Warren to take the lead on.
"Well I think she's a great colleague and a lot of fun. And I think this issue has given her advocacy for consumers over her career as a law professor and in particular a cognizance about bankruptcy laws and how families burdened with debt don't really have a fair shot at the American dream. She's been really great about not only speaking out on that but also offering constructive legislation like this bill," Baldwin said.
Since the bill as currently drafted is paid for using the so-called Buffett rule millionaire minimum tax, it's almost certainly headed for a GOP filibuster when it comes up for a test vote next month, though Democrats say they are open to other offsets .
Having Warren front and center, meanwhile, gives the issue some extra muscle with progressives beyond the Beltway.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, for instance, has touted a series of grass-roots events backing the student loan proposal.
Although Warren's bill faces an uphill battle in the the divided Senate, her fellow Democrats see her as an effective member of their caucus. She joined Sen. Patty Murray of Washington on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon to outline the way priorities of Senate Democrats affect women. "This is a question I know Sen. Warren cares deeply about," said Murray. "She's brought an enormous amount of leadership and focus to this debate."
"I support her policies because I think she's on the right track to help our students and I think she's pursuing the right strategy," said Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., dean of the Senate women, in a brief interview earlier in the week.
Warren has not secured a signature legislative achievement since taking office, but that's no surprise in the current Senate atmosphere where legislative productivity has almost ground to a halt.
But her profile could work to her favor in the Senate. "Her voice is respected," said fellow Massachusetts Democrat Edward J. Markey, who added that her "stature" helps focus attention on her signature issues.
Mikulski also works with Warren on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
"What I see is that she's really working hard on the agenda that she campaigned on and not worrying about her national profile, and because of it she has a very good one," she said.
Humberto Sanchez contributed to this report.


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Explainer Videos Engage Your Customers in Your Products and Services!
SimplyExplainIt.com is Launched!
We have recently launched our new site at SimplyExplainIt.com. Same great service, focused on serving you and your business needs! You're cordially invited to visit and learn about how we have been of service to clients and how we can help you and your organization!
Videos Tell Your Stories
We help you better communicate your big idea to your community! Explainer videos instruct, inform and entertain.
We solve your explanation problems. We help you explain what makes you so special!
Your business is online. You've got great copy on your site. And, you know you need video! You can sense it. Your customers are asking, "Where's the video?" Your search engine optimization (SEO) team is demanding video. Now is the right time for video to enhance your online presence!
Your Brand, Your Story Deserves Video!
We Produce Your Videos
We take your ideas and turn them into videos that inform your buyers about the benefits of your unique products and services.
Our instructional videos train your customers how to use your products, services, software, or apps.
You're invited to contact us about your screencast video needs and a free quote.
Connect with us at firstname.lastname@example.com and (360) 901-1915.
- Video's Competitive Edge:
- Video personally engages your customers with your products.
- Video dramatically improves your SEO.
- Video significantly increases your conversion rates.
- Video appreciably reduces customer support costs.
- Screencast Videos: Teach, Train and Sell.
What Are Screencasts?
I'm often asked "What Are Screencasts?" and "What can Screencasts do for my business?"
- Top Five Benefits of Screencast How-To Videos
- You can learn at your own pace.
- You can review what you want to review.
- You don't have to fly around the country for training.
- You can follow along while doing the task you are learning.
- The content is consistent for everyone who takes the course.
Introducing Staff Members Screencasts: Wheat Marketing Center
Screencasts Teach: The Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, Oregon redesigned their Web presence, including reaching out to their Web visitors with a series of video introductions of their staff. Videos bring a sense of personal connection.
Client Software Demonstration Screencast: OI Software Limited
I'm so very grateful to our great client, OI Software, based in the UK, for giving me permission to share their screencast with you. This one is also on my public Web site. Their CEO shared some very kind words about me; you can read what he said in the right sidebar!
Screencasts Sell: In this project, my client wanted to convey to his prospective clients their UK character, so their CEO recorded and provided the voice-over for their screencasts. I brought together their voice-over audio recording, graphics, screencast recordings of their software, edited all of the elements and produced the screencasts in Techsmith Camtasia Studio 7.1. I had great fun coaching them on recording techniques, storyboarding, and audio scripts.
Visit OI Software Limited to learn that nGage is a family of software tools and applications that maximize value from Microsoft SharePoint as the Business Collaboration platform for the Enterprise. This screencast video showcases their nGage Prime for Sharepoint 2010 product.
Sample Screencast Training Video: Microsoft Word 2007 Hanging Indents
Screencasts Train: I produced this screencast to help my business network, and my prospects see how a screencast can train customers. This is my voice helping you learn the fine points about hanging indents. After this screencast, I hope you'll be ready for a pop quiz!
Sample Screencast Training Video: How-To Embed Video In Your Website.
Screencasts Train: I produced this screencast to help one of my clients learn how to embed their screencasts onto their web pages. This is a good example of a screencast that can reduce helpdesk support costs.
Sample Screencast Training Video: Changing iPhone Screen Background Images
Screencasts Train: A friend asked me how to do this, and I couldn't remember until later. This is a good example how Help Desk teams can reply to customer questions! When customers master their mobile devices and the software on them, they spread the good word about the product to thier friends and colleagues. How cools is that!
Client Training Screencasts: Fios, Inc.
Screencasts Train & Reduce Costs: While on staff at Fios, Inc., based in Portland, Oregon, USA, I produced over 25 screencast videos to reduce help-desk costs by diverting "How-To" calls from clients. Their Electronic Discovery services include their Web-based Fios Prevail® application. You can sample my work at: Fios Prevail® Training -- Narrated Tutorials
Entertaining Screencasts: Poetry
Screencasts Can Be Fun: One of my hobbies is learning poetry and reciting them from my heart. This is The Man From Ironbark by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson (who wrote the original words to Waltzing Matilda). I used Audacity, an application available both for the Macintosh and Windows platforms, to record and edit my audio. View more of my poetry humble offerings at Rich's Poetry Recitation Playlist out on YouTube
RJW Consulting Core Approach
Rich's approach is embodied in something Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers) once said:
As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is,
that each of us has something that no one else has—
or ever will have—
something inside that is unique to all time.
It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.
—Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers)
Updated: 22-Apr-2015


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DURHAM, N.C. — To 8-year-old Jabari Parker, everything looked like a basketball court.
Sometimes, he played in actual gyms, like the one he and his brother loved at the Mormon church in Hyde Park. Or he'd play elsewhere with some of the kids his father coached.
But by far the most convenient place for showcasing his moves was at home. He'd spend hours watching his father's tapes of basketball games from the '70s or NBA Hardwood Classic documentaries on NBA TV. He'd read articles on basketball stars from decades past and memorize their signature moves.
COACH'S CORNER: Duke's Mike Krzyzewski
Then, he'd go downstairs. He'd jump up and hit the top of the entrance into the living room or the kitchen when he walked in. He'd pass his mother in the hallway and do a quick spin move to get around her. He'd do the same to his sisters.
"We were used to it," Jabari's mother, Lola, says laughing. "We always knew in his mind he was always mimicking what he was watching."
Once a month, Lola would wipe her son's fingerprints off the walls. A couple of years ago, she had to put moulding over the entrance to the living room. A big crack had started to show. "Jabari had hit it over and over and over again, I don't know how many times," she says.
For now, the moulding is safe. Ten years later, Parker is nearly 800 miles away, starring on a different — yet very famous — court at Duke.
RANKING: Top 10 players in the country
Jabari remains much the same. He still loves basketball and calls himself a student of the game. He still mimics moves he sees other talented players do, which has made him college basketball's most versatile player. He still appears destined for NBA stardom, something his older brother has been predicting all along.
Through nine games, he's averaging 22.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. He is considered a top-three draft pick for June's NBA draft, and he's drawn comparisons to some of college basketball's greatest stars, such as Duke's Grant Hill. His older brother, Christian, puts his television on ESPN and leaves it there all day, every day. "There's always going to a be clip every time they talk about college basketball," Christian says.
Oddly enough, that's a recent development. Entering this season, much of the attention and hype surrounded Kansas freshman phenom Andrew Wiggins. The rest went to Julius Randle, the headliner of an impossibly talented freshman class at Kentucky. Jabari, a top-five recruit and the jewel of Duke's class, entered quietly into the realm of college basketball.
FOR THE WIN: Parker impressive in opener
"In our profession, and especially with these young guys in high school, it's a little like 'out of sight, out of mind,'" Duke associate coach Jeff Capel says. "That's what happened to him. I think people really forgot how good he was."
That won't happen anymore.
Jabari got his love for basketball from his father and his faith from his mother, the Parkers like to say.
Surely it makes sense, then, that in the place where those two important pieces of Jabari's life intersected — on a basketball court inside the Mormon Church in Hyde Park — Parker began to blossom into the player and young man he's become.
A 10-minute drive from the Parkers' home on Chicago's South Side, the church became significant on multiple levels for Parker. A devout Mormon, he'd spent many hours there in prayer; it was where he was baptized. A basketball player in a neighborhood filled with drugs and violence, he relished the opportunity to play in a safe environment.
Christian would drive him over to the gym so they could play. A bishop had given Christian a key, so the brothers would sneak in to play — sometimes in the middle of the night. The boys would play one-on-one, and Parker would lose to his brother. It'd upset him, over and over again, as he struggled against his brother's athleticism and speed.
"The reason we'd be there all night is when Jabari loses, he just wants to play again," Christian says. "He loses again, he wants to play again. I'm like in high school, and he's, like, 9."
After Christian left home — first to complete his mission, then away to college — Jabari returned to the gym. It helped him through the ups and down of high school, too. "That was and is his sanctuary," Sonny Parker, Jabari's father, says. "Whenever he wants to get away from everything, he goes there."
JABARI PARKER: Lands Grant Hill-esque dunk
Sonny spent six years in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. After his career ended, he came back to Chicago to create and run a non-profit youth foundation — something that's impressed and inspired both Christian and Jabari.
"A lot of his work was behind closed doors," Jabari says. "That's what I want to do with my life. Be a good person when all the lights are off. When everybody doesn't need to see you, shine and know that you know you did the right thing at the end of the day."
The basketball community in Chicago is close-knit and fiercely competitive. Sonny knows everybody, and everybody knows Sonny.
Which means everyone knows Sonny's sons.
"My dad is like a basketball god in Chicago," Christian says. "He's like the only guy to go pro and come back and give so much back. ... We stepped on the court with expectations. It's a smaller version of being Michael Jordan's kid."
Sonny often talks to Jabari about the meaning behind his name; Jabari means "valiant" in Swahili. Ali, his middle name, comes from Muhammad Ali.
"Sonny didn't want to name him after him," Lola says. "He didn't want people to compare him to him. Those are hard shoes to be filled. You're always going to be labeled."
Still, Jabari Parker became a household name by age 17.
Last spring Jabari made the cover of Sports Illustrated, hailed as the best high school player since LeBron James. He and his family appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his faith.
He had just finished his junior year at Simeon Career Academy, having led the team to a third consecutive state championship. His stock had risen so high so quickly — but then it stopped.
In July, while playing at the FIBA U-17 World Championships, Jabari broke a bone in his right foot. The injury kept him sidelined for months. When he finally returned to the court for Simeon in December — after somehow conning his way into the game after wearing a boot, Capel jokes — Jabari was out of shape. He wasn't the same player he'd been before the injury. "He wasn't Jabari," Capel says. "He was a shell of himself."
"I was at the first game he came back," says Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who recruited Jabari heavily. "He wasn't even supposed to play. He'll play hurt. He just does the things that superstars don't do."
Jabari took time to get healthy and get into better shape. He eventually averaged 18.4 points and 10.4 rebounds and led Simeon to a 30-3 record and his fourth state title — but was somewhat overshadowed by other top recruits (Wiggins, for example) who played well and created a buzz around them during their senior seasons.
"As I think about it, last year was probably one of the biggest blessings that I had," Jabari says. "I had a break from basketball. I had a break from everything that was going on. I hit the media at an early age — the end of my sophomore year and early junior year. I was giving a lot. I didn't know how to deal with it. I was kind of stressing because I wanted to do everything at once.
"But my injury kind of sat me down. It gave me patience. It wanted me to focus on my senior year, having fun as a kid. … It just prepared me mentally for the things I'm facing right now."
Says Capel: "Talk about a testament of character, of strength — you go from being that guy, to being that good, that celebrated, that talked-about, to now, all of the sudden, people have forgotten about you. To experience that at 17, and to be able to have the mental capacity and the strength to not let that really (mess with you)."
At Duke Jabari has become the face of one of the nation's top teams. He shoulders the scoring load, recording 26% of Duke's points. His coaches are challenging him to develop as a post player, adding another dimension to his versatile game.
Meanwhile, back at home, his father has been slowed by a kidney disease that requires dialysis three times a week. The Parkers try to downplay Sonny's illness, feeling that the subject matter is and should be kept private.
Lola knows it's on her son's mind, however. When they speak on the phone, he always asks how his dad is doing. In New York over Thanksgiving, Jabari asked his mother to give Sonny a big hug for him when she got home.
Sonny, like Lola, has traveled to some of Duke's games this season, reminding Jabari they're never too far away. Both parents tell their son they don't want the illness or what's going on at home to weigh on him.
"It doesn't affect me," Parker says. "I know my dad is doing good. Of course, I'm worried about my family but I'm also worried about college. If they tell me they're all right, I have faith that things are going to go smoothly."
Lola has traveled to games in Durham and New York. When Jabari was growing up, Lola was usually the one driving him to games and practices; her nerves are acclimated. Sonny gets anxious. He often DVRs Jabari's games while watching something else in his son's bedroom. When it's over, he'll watch the game.
Considering Jabari's hot start to the season, there's not much to be nervous about. He continues to improve as both an athlete and a skilled basketball player, which is exactly what he hoped to do here in Durham.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski wants his program to prepare players for the NBA. He's seen what it takes to get to that level and how to sustain it after summers spent coaching the world's best basketball players with USA Basketball.
"Look, a lot of the guys you recruit, they're pros already," Capel says. "We don't make people pros. Wiggins, Randle, Gordon, Parker — these guys are pros. When they come to you, they are pros.
"The thing we try to do here is teach guys how to be pros, best practices."
That includes trying to make Jabari wear contact lenses ("It's funny watching him trying to get the contacts in," Capel says. "It takes forever.") as well as orthotics for his feet.
"Jabari has a chance to be one of the elite guys," Capel says. "I'm not talking about in college; I'm talking about as a pro and forever. He should be that. One of our jobs is to help him understand how to become that."
Sometimes that's the little things, like the contacts or orthotics. Or the on-court lessons, like where to best position yourself to get the ball in the post. Or even off-court stuff, like presenting yourself professionally at all times.
"Jabari, where he's at right now and where I hope he'll be by the time he leaves here are really two different places," Krzyzewski says. "Once he learns more and because we're dependent on him, we're going to need him to do that. … I just feel he's got so much more. He's a great kid to work with. When he has the ball, he's so excited and he can do things you don't teach. If he learns to play without the ball to the level I think he can, I think he'll be, in the NBA, a franchise player. I think he's going to be unbelievable."


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Having a more effective teacher or principal can substantially improve students' academic outcomes. This brief examines the effects of using research-based performance measures to evaluate educators and provide them with feedback, and of offering them bonuses based on their performance ratings.
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text:
Last Christmas my 91 year old Grammy made the trip from Truro, Nova Scotia to Montreal to spend the holidays with us. Seeing as how she is my knitting mentor I thought it only fitting to give her a sweaters worth of yarn for Christmas. She started working on it right away.
She happily knit away at it over the holidays and then continued working on it when she got back home to Truro. She had to take a break from it when she had surgery on her eye, Grammy was almost blind when she started this sweater, and despite still having very poor vision after her surgery she was able to feel her way through the process. Knitting is so instinctual to her and is such a part of the way her hands move that she didn't need to be able to see to finish her sweater. She does know her limits though, I know it was hard for her but she asked me to sew up her finished cardigan pieces and then pick up the stitches for the collar, the fiddly work is just too hard on her (now 92 year old!) eyes.
I was able to finish it for her this summer at the cottage, and man, I don't know that I've ever been so happy about a knit in all my life! When Grammy put on her finished sweater she smiled from ear to ear. I can just picture her walking around her seniors apartment residence strutting her stuff in her Peacock sweater. She is very, very proud of it, and she beams when she wears it. My Grammy is a star, and to think that my simple gift of yarn could bring her so much joy just warms my heart.
Because Grammy and I share a deep, devoted and undying love of all things blue, here are some shots of my Aunt Linda's gorgeous blue hydrangea.


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Hey there, I'm James Pizzurro, probably known to you as 'Grey Echo' or 'madkowa', if at all. I specialized in programming for the Source engine under the now defunct Agent Red Productions, but I did some compiling, mapping and animating work from time to time too. I was also an occasional guest host for Podcast 17.
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
Used in ModDB news announcement for SO v1.61


text:
They have 5-1/4" of lateral adjustment relative to the cutter and lock in position using two 1-1/2" wing knobs. The single featherboard includes 3/4" table bars for use with most miter slots, plus bolts to fit a 1/4" T-track.
The double featherboard system comes with two stand-alone featherboards (each with 3/4" table bars and 1/4" T-bolts), as well as spacers and hardware to stack them for thick workpieces or those that must be supported on edge.
Each featherboard measures about 6-1/2" long, 7-1/4" wide, and 5/8" thick.
Made in USA, they are essential equipment for improving safety and workpiece control.


text:
Science Education
Use the clues provided to solve each crossword puzzle. To place letters on the puzzle, first select the clue you are answering from the pull-down menu and then enter your answer in the text box. Press the 'return' key on your keyboard when you are done. Correct letters will be green while incorrect letters will be red. Good luck and have fun!
This page is maintained by Steve Gagnon.


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'Teen Mom' Amber Portwood -- Allegedly Evicted for Conning the Government
Amber Portwood Allegedly Evicted For Conning the Government
"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood was tossed out of her Indiana home last month for scamming the government and mooching off taxpayer money -- this according to law enforcement sources.
Here's how it breaks down -- according to Amber's lease agreement, obtained by TMZ, the house she was renting in Anderson, Indiana had been subsidized by the state's "Low Income Rental Housing Tax Credit Program."
Problem is, in order to enroll in the program -- a prerequisite for moving in -- the reality star claimed she made roughly $10,000 a year ... MUCH less than what she actually earned in 2010 ... $280,000.
According to sources, Amber's massive income rendered her ineligible for subsidized housing -- no duh -- and that's the reason her landlords evicted her.
It doesn't really matter though -- Amber's still locked up in jail, awaiting final approval to enter a court-appointed drug rehab program.
Mary Ann from "Gilligan's Island"
Dawn Wells became famous for playing Mary Ann on the '60s hit TV series, "Gilligan's Island." Guess what she looks like now!
J.Lo & Boy Toy
Valentine's Day Is for Swingers
Jennifer Lopez and her 24-year-old boyfriend Casper Smart were quite the lovebirds and enjoyed a Valentine's Day frolicking on the sand in Santa Barbara on Tuesday.
Besides holding hands and taking long walks on the beach, Jen even climbed up on top of Casper to ride the swing together.
In related news, Marc Anthony VD pics should surface in 5 ... 4... 3 ...
"The Mickey Mouse Club"
Then & Now
Justin Timberlake celebrated his 31st birthday this week -- and he's come a long way since his days on "The Mickey Mouse Club."
JT was one of many who hit it big after starring on the Disney show, coming from a crop that included Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, JC Chasez, Keri Russell and even Ryan Gosling.
Check out how well has the rest of the MMC held up over the years!
Smoochin' Stars
Love is in the air... and these celebs aren't afraid to show a little PDA. Can you guess which stars are behind these puckered pics?
Stars Who've Admitted to
Hollywood is no stranger to plastic surgery -- but which stars have come clean about having it?
Check out which stars have been lifted, tucked, inflated or pulled ... and aren't afraid to talk about it!
Guess Whose Celebrity Spawn...
This gorgeous dirty-blonde babe is actually the daughter of one of Hollywood's BIGGEST names -- can you guess which star she calls "Dad?"
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Essential Science for Teachers
Life Science
How would you answer the question: "What is
Life Science is one of three courses focusing on helping teachers build understandings of fundamental science concepts.
Site Special Features
Bottle Biology How to use bottles and other recyclable materials to create classroom systems for exploring science and the environment
Workshop Sessions
- Session 1: What Is Life?
- Session 2: Classifying Living Things
- Session 3: Animal Life Cycles
- Session 4: Plant Life Cycles
- Session 5: Variation, Adaptation, and Natural Selection
- Session 6: Evolution and the Tree of Life
- Session 7: Energy Flow in Communities
- Session 8: Material Cycles in Ecosystems


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Immediato's Italian Specialties
- 39 W. Main St.
- Middletown, DE 19709
- Phone: (302) 378-8326
- Visit Website
- |
Immediato's Italian Specialties was founded in 2005 by Tony Immediato. We started out as a small sub shop that offered great tasting subs and steaks at great prices. Today, we offer catering and have just added a state of the art bakery continuing over 100 years of family baking history


text:
Noticing a mistake in St. Peter's roster, God calls Satan; "It seems you accidentally received some of my professionals down there: a teacher, a doctor and a farmer."
God replies, "You better send them up here immediately."
God says, "Send them up here, or I'll sue the horns right off you."
Satan laughs uproariously, "Yeah, right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?"


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The Atlantic Coast Conference has almost certainly not heard the last about the hit that leveled Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown during the Terps' loss to Florida State.
The hit sent the quarterback to the bench with a concussion and makes his status uncertain this weekend, when the Terps (4-1, 0-1 ACC) will play host to Virginia (2-3, 0-1) on Saturday.
ACC coaches routinely note plays that might have been officiated differently, and relay their concerns on Sundays to Doug Rhoads, the ACC's coordinator of officials. The hit on Brown -- by fifth-year senior defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel in the second quarter of No. 8 Florida State's 63-0 win -– did not draw a penalty.
Although he wouldn't say so explicitly, there was little doubt Sunday that Maryland coach Randy Edsall would forward the hit on Brown to Rhoads.
"I had a chance to see it on tape, and I'll handle it the way I feel is appropriate," Edsall said.
In the past, Rhoads has been willing to speak publicly after his review about whether he believes a controversial call -- or lack of a call -- was correct.
Maryland was trailing 14-0 when Brown attempted a second-down pass to wide receiver Nigel King.
Brown had completed his release and his right arm was at his side when McDaniel, who is 6-feet, 295 pounds, seemed to launch into the quarterback's upper chest.
McDaniel's helmet hit Brown high enough that its top may have struck the quarterback's chin, or just below it.
Brown's head snapped backward and he twisted in the air, landing face down.
Brown seemed vulnerable because he was being held around the waist by Florida State linebacker Christian Jones before McDaniel arrived.
On the sideline, Edsall pointed to his head, appearing to suggest he believed McDaniel had led with his helmet. Brown remained on the turf for several minutes before being escorted into the locker room.
"We'll evaluate him day-to-day," Edsall said of Brown.
After suffering concussions, players' responses are typically measured against a baseline to determine if they are symptom-free.
"There's a protocol that any of our players have to go through," Edsall said Sunday. "We always follow that protocol. We'll do that with C.J. just like we're doing with Tyrek Cheeseboro."
Cheeseboro, a redshirt sophomore receiver, suffered a concussion last week when his bicycyle collided with a bus.
The NCAA has placed new emphasis on targeting "defenseless" players this season. Before the season, the NCAA distributed a memo to coaches about the consequences -– including ejections -– for players who target others above the shoulders.
On McDaniel's hit, the ACC may also look at whether the lineman took more than one step after Brown's release before making contact.
"I hope he is all right," McDaniel told reporters after the game. "When he threw the ball, I just continued to go through the play."
Brown, who has endured two season-ending injuries in previous years, is off to the best start of his career.
Limited by Maryland's inability to run, Brown was 6-for-14 for 82 yards before departing Saturday. The Seminoles seemed to key on Brown when he ran read-option plays, and held the quarterback to three yards on three carries.
Sophomore Caleb Rowe was 9-for-17 for 119 yards in relief of Brown.
In other potential injury news, Edsall declined to discuss the condition of Maryland's three starting receivers -- Stefon Diggs, Deon Long and King -- all of whom were slow getting up at the end of plays on Saturday. It was unclear if all of the receivers would be healthy for the Virginia game.
Edsall said he was confident his team could move on from the loss and not harp on its worst defeat -- by point margin -- in 20 years.
"We've just to look past it," nose tackle Darius Kilgo said after the game. "The game is over. We've still got a lot of goals in the future that we want to reach."


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Library of Secrets LIVE! (CheltSciFest)
Producer: Ahmed Salim
Prof. Jim Al-Khalili and Dr. Andrea Sella are on hand to introduce a sold-out crowd at the Cheltenham Science Festival to the history of science from the Middle Ages, in Muslim Civilization, that has a huge but hidden impact on modern science.
This event was part of the Cheltenham Science Festival and took place on the 12th of June 2011, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The award-winning educational film "1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets" starring Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley in the role of The Librarian is part of the world-renowned "1001 Invention" global touring exhibitions. This astounding movie provides an eye-opening introduction to the 1001 Inventions brand and is the official introduction for the exhibition. View our YouTube channel to watch the original film in widescreen HD.
Please click here for more information


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If you wait to get the sample, the next version will be much better. If you get the sample now, it's obsolete by the time it arrives.As you request the sample, remind yourself that a much better one awaits.
Whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM DUMPSTERS !
If you told me I would find 100msps ADCs in there I would happily dive.


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Byron & Byron 35mm and 45mm Acrylic curtain pole with the Celeste finial and Acrylic rings. This curtain pole range is a contemporary curtain pole using Chrome as an accent to highlight the modern lines. Available in both solid and hollow Acrylic this collection is a simple yet truly stunning solution to any interior. * Available in 35mm and 45mm diameter. * Available with a Hollow or Solid Acrylic curtain pole. * Curtain poles are sold complete with all fittings including finials, chrome brackets and acrylic rings. * Curtain pole is also available with Chrome curtain rings. * Recess brackets, double brackets, passing brackets, passing rings and end caps available to purchase separately. * Curtain poles can be cut to exact size required for a small charge. * Available in lengths up to 3.0m long. Longer lengths can be achieved by using passing brackets and passing rings.If you are unsure of colour or finish please request a sample, this will then be added to the basket.Please note Made to Measure/Order Terms apply on all Byron & Byron products. Please allow 10-14 working days for delivery.Visit our Showroom to see this delightful and amazing collection.
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INDIAN LAND - Continental Tire North America is picking up and moving 12 miles from its Charlotte headquarters to a new building in Indian Land next year.
The new facility will house 300 Continental employees. It means an $11 million investment in land and development of a new 75,000-square-foot building, now under construction at MacMillan Business Park on S.C. 160. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2009.
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Cooking and entertaining go hand in hand, and the personal tastes of home chefs are driving the demand for features that both simplify and personalize the cooking experience.
Figure Skating Icon Brian Boitano Joins All-Stars
Posted: May 14, 2019 We are proud to announce that Chef Boitano has joined our illustrious group of All-Star Chefs. Brian Boitano, has had a long career of accolades both […]
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For the second year, BlueStar® was selected as the leading kitchen partner for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, a longtime fundraiser for San Francisco University High School's Financial Aid Program. […]
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Family Planning and Environmental Sustainability Assessment
|A Collaborative Assessment of the Evidence
Does scientific research support the claim that family planning brings environmental benefits and is worth supporting by those who care about environmental sustainability?
About us
The (FPESA) project, directed by the Worldwatch Institute (USA), seeks to develop a network of research collaborators around the world working to better understand and to document evidence that this often-controversial linkage is real and that it matters.
What we do
The project is surveying the field of health and environmental research for well documented and evaluated data shedding light on how the use of family planning might relate to climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable water supply and food production, the maintenance of biological diversity, the future of forests and fisheries, and more. Exploring multiple pathways of causation, we will assess whether and to what extent global investments in family planning services and removal of barriers to their use can influence environmental trends.
How to join us
We are especially interested in engaging researchers who are women or are based in developing countries. Collaborating partners are encouraged to suggest published research for consideration and to contribute to the collaborative assessment of existing research that we will facilitate. We aim to produce a jointly-written report on our findings in February 2015 and hope to continue this work through 2015 and beyond.
For further information
The Worldwatch Institute can be reached by mail at 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 430, Washington, DC 20036 USA, and by telephone at +1 202 745 8092.
Senior Fellow
Yeneneh Terefe Research Assistant
|FPESA in the News:
|Related Materials:
Making the Connection: Population Dynamics and Compatible Development


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Dual DC MAX 600V
Dual DC MAX 600V
How Does EMP Shield Work?
The EMP Shield can see and protect all the electronics and equipment connected to your electrical system. This is accomplished by shunting (shorting) the over voltage coming in from the Grid and the voltage surges that are collected within you home. Whether the electrons are collected in the home or attempt to come into the electrical system from outside the home, the EMP will see the surge and shield your electrical system, smart meter, and all devices plugged into your homes system. The EMP Shield reacts in less than 1 billionth of a second. Since the shunting is completed incredibly fast, the over voltage is drained away from the equipment before the voltage can rise high enough to damage any equipment. We call this new technology SightSpeed™
Key Features and Benefits
Military Grade Protection from EMP (Electromagnetic Pulses), CME (Coronal Mass Ejections), Lightning, Power Surges and Smart Meter Fire Protection.
Features and Benefits
▪ The World's fastest, Keystone Testing Approved, Military Grade EMP Surge Devices on the market today. Starts shunting overvoltage in less than 1 Nanosecond to protect your home
▪ Surpasses MIL-STD-188-125-1 requirement. Overvoltage spike protection through E1-E3 energy spikes
▪ Approved and Listed to protect standard residential split phase 120/240, 60Hz system voltage.
▪ Protects over 100 kA (100,000 Amps) per line surge current rating!
▪ Withstood 44 EMP/Surge bursts of energy in testing with ZERO degradation! See testing results below.
▪ Weatherproof, Commercial grade, IP65 NEMA 4X enclosure can be installed indoor or outdoor
▪ Integrated Easy View LED Indicator ensures that EMP Shield is monitoring your electrical supply for over-voltage.
▪ 100% Smart Meter Fire Protection for Home Applications.
More About the EMP Shield
EMP Shield offers the fastest over-voltage protection on the market today. Each of our models are very exquisitely and robustly designed to meet and exceed current Mil-Spec standards. Electrical surges move along your household wiring very quickly, however our EMP Shield is capable of shunting away overvoltage before the energy can move farther than 12 inches from your breaker panel and will also prevent smart meter fires in home applications.
EMP Shield Home and Small Business models are designed to protect your assets while they are connected to the Grid or Homestead's power supply. Each of these models will start shunting (removing) overvoltage in less than one nanosecond. That is less than one billionth of a second. Each EMP Shield utilizes three specialized distinct and proprietary overvoltage protection technologies to protect your home and assets from any overvoltage, including Lightning, Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). We believe EMP Shield products will be pivotal in in ensuring national defense and national security should a high-altitude nuclear weapon be detonated producing an incredibly dangerous electromagnetic pulse.
"Whole Home Electrical System Surge and EMP Protection"
Why Do I Need an EMP Shield?
Our Most Common Question is:
If the Grid is Down and I Have No Electricity, Why Do I Need an EMP Shield?
1. You will save thousands of dollars and potentially years of time. Electrical surges will destroy electrical equipment if not protected. In most cases, EMP Shield is cheaper than most home deductibles.
2. Power may go out for a day or a year. However, when the power is restored, your home electrical system and electronics will still be operational. You will be able to assume your previous lifestyle.
3. If you have a backup power system, you will still be able to use your electrical system and electronics normally. Common backup power systems can include generators, solar power systems, and wind turbine systems.
4. Reduce your chances of fire. As seen in the Carrington event in 1859, many people were injured from electrical surge and fires produced from this CME (coronal mass ejection). The EMP Shield removes this excess electricity from your home and reduces your risk of fire.
5. EMP Shield can also protect your backup power systems.
6. EMP Shield protects against more than just EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse). Our technology also protects against CME (Coronal Mass Ejection / Solar Flares), Lightning, and Power Surges. We offer the World's most robust, durable and proven EMP Protection systems. 2x locations in 2018 were struck with lightning with the EMP Shield Installed. Each home had ZERO damage and witnessed ZERO fire.
7. We offer 40 types of EMP Shield that can be used for homes, vehicles, backup power systems, industrial facilities, and DOD/DHS applications. If you need to protect an electrical system, EMP Shield has or will develop a device for you.
8. The EMP Shield Home Models can assist in preventing smart meter fires.
Military Testing
Military EMP, EMI and Lightning Standards Surpassed
EMP Shield is the World's First Whole Home and Vehicle EMP Defense Technology to Surpass All Military EMP Testing Standards:
EMP Shield has been rigorously tested at the Keystone compliance facility which is a federally approved facility that is used to conduct many of today's most advanced and rigorous technological tests. Out testing and evaluations conducted at the facility have been documented in depth to show the true ability and durability of the EMP Shield. The testing results derived from Keystone compliance testing facility highlights EMP Shields true strength and capability. Below you will find the complete Keystone Compliance testing results of the EMP Shield.
More About EMP Shield
Far Surpassing DOD Standards. We are Now Setting a New Standard
DOD standards require E1 spikes begin shunting at 20 nanoseconds. EMP Shield will shunt excess electricity in 1 billionth of a second. This makes EMP Shield not only the World's first whole home EMP protection device but also, one of the World's fastest surge arrestors. EMP Shield is dependable, durable, and trusted globally.
Ultimate Lightning Protection
Designed and proven to be a world class lightning defense technology! EMP Shield has withstood real world lightning strikes in 5x homes across the nation. At less than the cost of most home insurance deductibles, EMP Shield will safeguard your home from a powerful lightning strike as well as an EMP act of terrorism.
Listed by the Department of Homeland Security in Their EMP Resillience Report
EMP Shield is listed by the Department of Homeland Security in their February 5th EMP Resillience Report. One of our major goals is to Strengthen our countries most valuable assets. EMP Shield is built to exceed military standards and the EMP Shield will provide you with protection that has not been seen before. Invest in our technology and feel have peace of mind knowing you are protected.
SightSpeed™ Technologies
At the core of the EMP Shield is a technology created by Tim Carty, a Founder of EMP Shield. This new technology named SightSpeed™, allows the Shield to withstand more than 40x EMP strikes without degradation. After every EMP Strike during military testing, our device maintained an even and safe flow of electricity in the electrical system.
Need help with installation? Download our easy installation guide and follow our step by step instructions.
EMP Shield Warranty Information
100% Sourced and Hand Built in AMERICA
Return Policy
We offer a 14 day no questions asked return policy. We also accept returns on any product with deficiencies. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, call us at 620-412-9978 or email us at email@example.com. We will do everything in our power to ensure you are satisfied with your purchase.
Privacy Policy
Our customers request the highest level of privacy and we are happy to provide that level of privacy for them. Our website is SSL secured and is protected using several layers of advanced encryption technology built by some of the best companies in the security industry. Click HERE to view our websites privacy policy.
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EMP Shield – Vehicle EMP Protection 12 Volt DC for Car and Truck (DC-12V-WV)$339.00 Add to cart
EMP Shield – Home EMP & Lightning Protection + Solar Flare & Smart Meter Defense (SP-120-240-W)$349.00 Add to cart
EMP Shield – Home EMP & Lightning Protection (Concealed Model) + Solar Flare / Smart Meter Defense (SP-120-240-RL)$359.00 Add to cart
EMP Shield Portable for RV's, Renters, Travel Campers, and Camping$359.00 Add to cart


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I have a few things to share today. This is my Ric Rac quilt made from a Simply Color Layer Cake. I loved quilting this one with feathers and paisley.
Feathers are soooo addictive!!!!
My next Quilt will eventually end up on my wall
This quilt grew very organically;
it is actually the first block from Toes in the Sand by Jaybird Quilts. I got a bit waylaid and kept making the blocks and this is what happened, I Love it!
This quilt top is made from Me & My Sister's new range Shades of Black. Thanks Kelli for the math on the Scrappy trip along with no wastage!
If you are using Social Media make sure you follow me on Instagram and Like me on Facebook, see sidebar for details!


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How to Use The Images Drawing 1
Drawing 1
This image was well known in the African American community. First published in 1925, it was reprinted four years later in The Negro in Chicago. This area of State Street (just off the top of Map 3) was located in an older section of black businesses closer to the downtown area than Thirty-fifth Street.
1) Which of the following black-owned businesses that occupied this stretch of buildings would you expect to find in a neighborhood shopping center today: a drugstore, a barber shop, a florist, a tailor, a music store, a photographer, a millinery shop, and a fish market? How might shopping here in the 1920s differ from your shopping experiences today?
2) List the most obvious differences between the buildings pictured here and those found in Drawing 1. What might account for these differences?
* The image on the screen has a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi), and therefore will print poorly. You can obtain a high quality version of this photo, but be aware that the entire file will take about 90 seconds to load with a 28.8K modem.


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Do Nothing You'll Live Longer - Badge Card
per item
One Limited Edition Greeting Card with Button Badge attached.
- This card measures 120mm x 170mm and is Blank Inside.
- Button Badge atatched (32mm x 32mm)
- All of our Cards are supplied with a colour matched envelope and sealed in a cellophane bag.
- All of our cards are printed using very high quality card stock.
- Orders are dispatched same day when ordered by 2pm (Mon-Fri)
- All orders (unless specified) are sent via Royal Mail First Class Post and should be received by you within 24/48 hours.


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University ranking
The University of Victoria is recognized annually as one of Canada's top universities by external surveys and UVic students alike.
Leiden University rankings
UVic is a major hub for global research—and the data proves it.
Every year since its inception in 2011, UVic has also been recognized in the Leiden University Rankings for the highest proportion of internationally co-authored research of any Canadian university. Globally, Leiden's 2016 rankings put UVic in 148th place for all sciences. It ranks 58th for research impact in math and computer science, and 67th in physical sciences and engineering.
Those scores put UVic second in Canada for math and computer science and for physical sciences and engineering. UVic placed fourth in Canada for its proportionate research impact in all sciences—just behind the University of Toronto, UBC and McGill—and third for collaboration.
Additionally, UVic was the top Canadian university without a medical school in four of the ranking's five categories—including biomedical and health sciences.
UVic retains its place in the top one per cent of universities in the world and among the top-ranked in Canada for scientific impact.
QS World University Rankings
The 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject recognize UVic's leadership in a broad mix of academic fields. The QS rankings also suggest that UVic's rising international reputation stems from extraordinary programs across the institution.
UVic is identified in the top 200 institutions globally for research in five QS subject areas: English language and literature, earth and marine sciences, geography, law and philosophy.
Of those, earth and marine sciences and English language and literature were in the top 150. In addition, UVic programs in computer science, education, electrical engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics, and physics and astronomy placed in the top 300 for global subject leadership.
In total, the university is ranked for world-class performance in 35 of the 42 subject areas that QS measures. (Most of the rest—including dentistry, pharmacology and veterinary sciences—are fields where UVic doesn't have established programs.)
The QS subject ranking studied nearly 3,000 of the world's top universities—approximately 15 per cent of all institutions—and ranked fewer than 700 of them for statistically significant subject-specific leadership.
Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education (THE) placed UVic at 175 on its January 2016 list of the world's 200 most international universities.
In early 2013—as UVic's 50th anniversary approached—THE also ranked UVic number 20 globally and first in Canada among universities less than 50 years old.
The THE global ranking is the only system that includes a section dedicated to the teaching and learning environment, including the first-ever global survey of institutions' teaching reputation.
For more information visit the Times Higher Education website.
Research strength highlighted in global ranking
The combined efforts of our campus researchers have put UVic in fourth-place among all Canadian universities in Canada in two key research indicators—citation rate and top-cited publications—according to newly released data from U-Multirank, a global university ranking consortium funded by the European Union. UVic also placed second in Canada for international joint publications. UVic is the only Canadian university to receive top marks in this area without the advantage of a medical school and affiliated research hospital, which tend to increase research intensity. More at U-Multirank.
Shanghai Jiao Tong /ARWU
The 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities, created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, also ranks UVic as one of Canada's leaders in research intensity and an area-specific leader in physics, science and mathematics.
Among universities ranked by ARWU—whose methodology favours older and larger institutions—UVic appears in the 201-300 band of institutions. Within Canada, only six large medical/doctoral universities are ranked higher.
In the broad field of science, UVic is tied with McGill for third place in Canada, behind only the University of Toronto and UBC.
UVic is also consistently ranked among the top Canadian comprehensive universities by Maclean's magazine, rising to second place in their 2018 rankings.
Among various categories and distinctions, UVic topped all comprehensive universities in medical and science grants; ranked second in scholarships, bursaries and student awards; and ranked third in faculty awards, citations and total research dollars.
Maclean's comprehensive category comprises the 15 Canadian universities that combine a significant amount of research activity with a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including professional degrees.
Re$earch Infosource
UVic has been named a Canadian Re$earch Infosource "Research University of the Year" for 12 of the past 14 years. This designation indicates that UVic "demonstrates superior achievement in earning research income and in publishing research in leading scientific journals."
In the most recent Re$earch Infosource decade-in-review summary of Canada's research universities, UVic outscored all other comprehensive universities in two out of three measures of research performance from 1999-2009.
In 2016, UVic was also recognized in the ReSearch Infosource "Winners Circle" for sponsored research income from 2000-2015.


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Guide to Planting Waterwise
Trees, Shrubs and Perennial Flowers
1. Planning a Water-wise Landscape
a. Working With Our Soil Type:
Most of our local soils are high in clay content. Unfortunately, this reduces the water infiltration rate and increases waste water runoff. Water slowly, deeply and less frequently. Frequent and light watering results in shallow root systems, making plants less drought-tolerant.
Incorporate organic matter into your soil to increase water absorption, ease root growth and achieve healthy levels of soil moisture retention. Check with your local landscape professional for recommended organic materials and incorporation rates.
b. Planting With Purpose:
Choose plants that are appropriate for the specific location in which they are to be placed, (wet, dry, sunny, shady). Follow USDA planting zone recommendations.
Use landscape plants with greater drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Mulch large areas around landscape plantings to keep turfgrass away from feeder roots.
2. Watering Landscape Plants
a. To Water or Not to Water?
To check, pull mulch back from around the center of a plant and pick up a small amount of the soil. Squeeze the soil in your hand, and attempt to make a ball. If the soil is sticky and muddy, the plant has excess moisture. If the soil stays in a ball but is not sticky, the moisture is sufficient. If the soil does not stay together, the soil is dry, and moisture should be applied. If your soil has not been modified with organic amendments and is high in clay content, the soil ball may not break apart when dry.
Most plants in our clay soils fail due to over-watering. Landscape plants need about one inch of moisture per week.
Check plants on a consistent basis. Test at least every seven to ten days if we are experiencing drought conditions. Smaller shrubs and perennial flowers with smaller root balls often dry out faster than the surrounding soil and these may require more frequent checks.
b. Recognizing Drought Stress
Drought can impose visible stress on plants quickly, or the damage may take years to appear.
Deciduous leaves may develop brown edges or browning between the veins. They may also grow smaller than their normal size. Premature leaf drop is common.
Evergreen leaves and needles may turn colors such as yellow, red, purple and brown.
c. New vs. Established Plantings
Most established plantings have well developed root systems, which allow them to find and utilize moisture more efficiently than newer ones.
New plantings possess a limited root system and require more monitoring during the first few years. They are easily drowned by too much moisture and show drought stress quickly.
d. Winter Watering
Winter watering during drought conditions can be an advantage for many plants, especially those with evergreen foliage. Water them when temperatures reach 40 degrees and above.
3. Watering Methods and Tips
Whatever method you choose, keep in mind the following:
Apply moisture slowly and deeply. Remember, our heavy clay soils will only accept so much water at a time.
All watering recommendations should be adjusted in relation to the current weather conditions. If you have an automatic irrigation system, DO NOT let the automatic timer be your only guide. For example, reduce water applications to compensate for sufficient rainfall already received.
Water primarily near the center of a plant.
Avoid using watering methods that spray water up into the air. Much of the water is lost to evaporation. Low trajectory watering pattern sprinklers, open hose ends, or drip systems are the most efficient.
Periodically inspect your watering system for needed repairs. Fix leaks and poorly adjusted sprinkler heads. Avoid wasting water on concrete surfaces and streets.
Avoid moisture on landscape plant foliage. This promotes disease and stress. Watering early in the morning will allow foliage moisture to dry off before the heat of day and reduce evaporation loss. If you must water later in the day, do so early in the evening so foliage can dry off before the coolness of evening when fungus and other disease problems can occur.
Examine the water needs of various areas on your property, and water accordingly. For example, water those areas that are drier more often, and those known to be regularly moist, less often.
4. Drought Management
Unlike some turfgrasses, our trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers cannot be "weaned" into a dormant state during the growing season. Stress and tissue damage can incur. Here are some practices that will help in drought or any conditions.
a. Balanced Watering Plan
Fluctuation from excessive to little or no soil moisture causes plant stress. Checking your plants on a consistent basis and applying the appropriate amount of water is best.
b. Mulch
Use some type of organic mulch in your planting beds and around newly planted trees. Mulches reduce moisture evaporation, keep the soil surface cooler and protected, and assist in the control of unwanted weeds.
Apply mulches in a 3- to 4-inch depth.
Wood mulches are commonly used and can improve our clay soil over time as they decompose. Do not place wood mulch directly against the plant trunk.
c. Keep Plantings Healthy and Weed Free
A vigorous, healthy plant is more likely to endure periods of stress such as drought and be less susceptible to disease.
Weeds compete for moisture, nutrients, root space and light, so it is important to keep weed growth under control.
Fertilize plants at proper times, primarily spring and late fall. Do not fertilize plants under drought stress. This may burn root systems or stimulate new top growth, which the plant cannot maintain during times of limited moisture.
1. Cool-Season Grasses
a. Soils:
Much depends on the type of soil below your lawn and landscape plantings, and it's usually the most overlooked factor in lawns and lawn maintenance. For optimum plant growth, soils should be a balanced clay-loam-silt type. However, most people don't have a choice on lawn soils, and once it's there, you're usually stuck with it. Most soils in Lincoln are a heavy clay or clay-loam. They are not ideal for growing grass or other plants because they tend to compact easily and water infiltration is slow. But understanding how soils work can greatly affect your ability to work with them for the health of your landscape.
b. Lawn grass species:
In most Lincoln landscapes, the largest amount of water used during the summer is on the lawn. The majority of lawns are cool-season grasses: Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue or blends of these with other grasses like perennial ryegrass.
Kentucky bluegrass is a resilient, sodforming grass that tolerates heavy use, but requires more water than most others to remain green during the hot summer months. A general rule is to water Kentucky bluegrass lawns one to one and one-half inches per week during the growing season. However, to conserve water during periods of drought and watering restrictions, Kentucky bluegrass can be allowed to go dormant. Supplemental irrigation is needed only if sustained drought occurs (more than 3 weeks without rain) to keep the plant crowns alive. Kentucky bluegrass lawns will green up with late summer and fall rains.
Turf-type tall fescue is a bunch-type wear tolerant grass that has the advantage of drought-tolerance as well as drought resistance. It usually requires little supplemental irrigation during the growing season. Once established, its deep root system can make use of water available at lower soil depths than Kentucky bluegrass. However, unlike Kentucky bluegrass, once the subsoil moisture is depleted, tall fescue cannot go dormant, and plants may die. During extended drought, some supplemental irrigation may be required to keep the plant crowns alive. Because it is not a sod-forming grass, dead spots in the lawn will require over-seeding to fill back in.
c. Cultural Practices:
This publication will not go into lawn pest control or fertilization except to warn against applying excessive nitrogen any time and fertilizing during the summer. For complete guidelines on grass species' disease, insect and weed control and fertility requirements, contact the Lancaster County Extension Educator.
To promote rooting and stress tolerance, maintain high mowing heights throughout the season. Longer grass shades the soil, keeping it cooler and causing less stress during periods of drought. Also, mow less frequently during periods of drought, and minimize traffic on the grass if possible.
Higher mowing heights promote deeper rooting. Deeper roots are more resistant to drought. Do not remove more than one-third of the top growth at one time to prevent injury to the grass.
Heavy soil and high-traffic lawns should be aerated in spring and fall to control thatch, to relieve soil compaction for better water, oxygen and nutrient infiltration and to promote root growth.
d. Watering:
Most lawns in Lincoln are watered too frequently. Lawns, no matter the species or soil type, should not be watered daily or lightly, which encourages shallow rooting. The general rule is to water only as needed to prevent wilting. This requires property owners to be vigilant, plan ahead and allow for changes in weather conditions. Do not turn the automatic irrigation system on in the spring and then forget about it, especially during rainy periods. Become knowledgeable and active in your landscape in order to use water only as needed.
Irrigating lawns every three days is usually sufficient, and many lawns can be watered once a week without damage. Others will tolerate even longer periods without supplemental irrigation. Always water during the cool part of the day!
Know the grass species in your lawn and the soil type. Measure the amount of water applied and the depth of infiltration into the soil. Do not water deeper than the root depth, and stop watering if it runs off the lawn. Very heavy clay soils may require you to water, wait, and then water again.
Many property-owners spend the most time and money maintaining a green lawn. But lawns can be replaced easier than trees, shrubs and perennial beds and should be considered a lower-priority for irrigation.
2. Warm-Season Grasses
In this website, we are advocating the use of buffalograss for new lawns. For zoysiagrass or other warm-season grass species, contact the Lancaster County Extension Educator.
Buffalograss Plugs Planting and Establishment
a. Planting
- Soil Preparation
- Apply Roundup to kill weeds according to label directions.
- Spacing and Planting:
- Space plugs 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Dig a hole for the plug no deeper than the plug.
- Plant plugs and lightly roll with lawn roller.
- Make sure the plug sides are in direct contact with surrounding soil.
- Fertilization:
- Fertilize with sod/seed starter according to label directions.
- Watering:
- Soak thoroughly after planting, and keep area moist for the first two weeks without "run-off."
- Slowly reduce watering. After the fourth week, soak area once or twice per week until plugs have covered the area.
- Weed control:
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide as recommended by your local nursery.
- Mowing:
- Mow at a height of two to three inches as frequently as necessary to control weed growth.
b. Care After Establishment
- Fertilization and weed control:
- Fertilize in spring and late summer with a fertilizer containing slow release and preemergent herbicide. Contact your local garden center or nursery for specific application rates and requirements.
- Watering:
- Water only in times of extreme drought to keep green. If you choose not to water, the grass will not be harmed.
- Mowing:
- In early spring, mow to a height of two inches, and remove dormant thatch. Mow at a high setting as needed.
Buffalograss Turf Seed Planting and Establishment
a. Planting
- Soil preparation:
- Apply Roundup to kill weeds according to label directions.
- Roto-till four to six inches deep after five days.
- Seeding:
- Seed in late spring or early summer.
- Apply three to four pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.
- Broadcast or drill seed one-fourth inch deep, and rake soil lightly if broadcast.
- Pack the area with a roller to maintain soil contact with seed.
- Watering:
- Soil should be kept moist not wet.
- Irrigate every other day, and continue this 14 days following germination.
- Reduce watering to twice per week, and gradually reduce watering as sod develops.
- Mowing and Weed Control:
- Mow just above the height of the buffalo grass, and do not apply herbicides.
b. Care After Establishment
Care after establishment is the same as the plugged Buffalo grass.
Irrigation Management Practices
As the demand for available water resources increases in the future, proper and efficient water management practices will become even more crucial for all of us. At the same time, the environmental, recreational, aesthetic, and economic benefits of beautiful well-managed landscape, turf and garden areas will grow in importance.
Ideally, we should be using drip irrigation (low volume) for all ornamental and landscape plant material; pressure regulated spray heads; and automatic rain sensing devices that shut down irrigation systems during a rain event.
Along with these mechanical devices, it is important to have a properly designed irrigation system from a reputable contractor. In all states, contractors may also have a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) or Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) designation through the Irrigation Association of America.
1. The Spring Start-Up:
An underground irrigation system is like any other mechanical device and should have a tune-up every spring. A proper maintenance program will insure that your system will operate for years without any major problems.
A proper spring tune-up will include an inspection of each individual zone and controller setting. The trained service technician will also check the nozzle and arc adjustment as well as any leaks and or weeping valves.
A spring tune-up is also a good opportunity to check backflow prevention devices that protect our drinking water supply. These devices can only be tested by a grade 6 water operator; ask your service company if they qualify.
2. Irrigation Audit:
Another beneficial service your qualified irrigation contractor can provide for you is an irrigation audit. This procedure can also be performed by the homeowner. The goal is to eliminate waste and run-off by determining the precipitation rate of each individual zone for a specific run time to ensure the correct amount of water is being applied.
By determining the precipitation rate (PR) of each individual zone, you can calculate the inches per hour. In our area of the state, the soil is clay or clay loam and will absorb about .32 inches of water per hour. Any more fills the pores in the clay and becomes run-off.
Setting up an audit field differs for each type of sprinkler being tested as well as how they are spaced. The three major types of sprinkler heads are spray heads, rotary/impact and stream sprays (finger spray) and the three major spacings are single row, triangular and square.
Various parts of your landscape require different patterns.
3. Measuring Application Amount:
Supplies needed to set up an audit field are catch cans (a minimum of 16) or ground staked rain gauges and flags to mark the individual heads.
Run the zone for 15 minutes. Then, using a larger rain gauge, pour the water from all catch devices into that measuring device and divide by the number of catch devices used. This will give an average of precipitation for that zone. Then multiply by four to determine how many inches per hour that zone is delivering.
NOTE: To measure your specific irrigation installation patterns, work directly with your irrigation contractor.
4. Run-Off Prevention:
After each zone has been calculated, determine the run times for each zone where the precipitation rate does not exceed .32 inch per hour. It is better to apply the water in two .16- to .17-inch applications so the first application has time to absorb into the top layer of soil and pass into the root zone, which encourages deep root growth.
For hand watering, you may want to take your measurements in 30-minute increments, and place your catch cans in a 10-foot by 10-foot grid. After you have established your run times, it is a good idea to use battery-operated timers on the faucet or a baking timer to prevent overwatering.
Once the audit is complete, locate your irrigation controller, and program each individual zone with the information from the audit. When setting up your controller, take into account the turf type to be watered.
5. Controller Programming Tips:
Water turf during the cool part of the day.
Never water during the heat of the day.
Water plants and vegetable gardens after the heat of the day to replenish transpiration losses.
Be sure to use the A/B program on the controller to separate start time for turf and landscapes.
6. Upgrading Irrigation Systems
Newly planted and landscape beds should be irrigated with drip irrigation (low volume). A professionally designed drip zone will be tailored to give each plant, shrub and ornamental the exact amount of water needed. It also prevents the over-watering of some plants and the under-watering of others and uses far less water to perform the same duty as an aerial system. Drip systems should be run about twice a week in the spring and the fall and three times a week in the summer. Drip systems emit water on an hourly basis and if designed correctly, the entire zone should be able to run for one hour.
Pressure regulated spray heads are designed for high pressure areas with a static water pressure of 60 to 100 psi, reducing evaporation losses and wind drift and ensuring that a larger water droplet reaches the ground. Pressure regulated spray heads can save between 50,000 and 120,000 gallons of water per year, per residence and even more at commercial sites.
The automatic rain sensor is adjustable for one-eighth inch to 1 inch of rainfall. A recommended setting for our area is .25 to .5 inches.
Special thanks to the Mayor's Water Conservation Task Force and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
PDF Version of Brochure (216 K)


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New Products - August 2013Posted in Product Reviews on July 22, 2013
Land Cruiser LCAs
If you've got a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser, you know that you've got a reliable, competent vehicle. You also know that performance aftermarket suspension parts aren't as plentiful as those offered for the Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner. Total Chaos Fabrication now offers stock-length lower control arms (LCAs) for the 200-series 'Cruiser that are stronger than stock, better performing, and feature serviceable, replaceable pivot bushings.
• Boxed plate construction is rendered in chromoly and mild steel. Internal gussets add strength. MIG-welded in-house by the Total Chaos welding crew
• One-inch uniball is stronger than the stock lower ball joint. Total Chaos custom-adapts the uniball into the stock steering knuckle so knuckle modifications are not needed. Control arms are compatible with stock shocks and sway bar. Bolt-on skidplates are included
For more information, contact:
Total Chaos Fabrication
(951) 737-9682
DIY Chill
Getting your air conditioning system serviced can be expensive, but A/C Pro offers an alternative to taking your truck into the shop. Save some cash and gain valuable DIY experience.
• New A/C Pro with Max-Seal offers 25 percent more additives to recondition gaskets, O-rings, and seals. This is a way to stop leaks without replacing components
• Recharges R-134a systems with new refrigerant
For more information, contact:
A/C Pro
Lumens, Not Rope
If you need lights more than you need a winch, Winch Ready Bumpers offers its Light Ready option. Install a Rigid Industries 20-inch LED lightbar where you'd normally install a winch.
• Bumper is made from 3/16-inch-thick steel. Fits 2008-to-2010 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500
• Additional lights mount in two side-mounting cans and may also mount on an optional prerunner hoop
For more information, contact:
Winch Ready Bumpers
(530) 222-5005
Wurton LED Lightbars
Wurton LED lightbars are brought to you by Viair, a veteran company in the off-road industry.
• Eleven model sizes range from 5- to 50-inch lengths. Bulbs are incredibly rugged and have a 50,000-hour life expectancy. Wurton 10-watt lightbars have the brightest output in the industry, rated at 900 raw lumens per bulb
• Covered by a limited lifetime warranty and come with clear, amber, and black secondary lenses to adapt the lightbars to various situations. Water- and dust-resistant
For more information, contact:
(949) 753-6006
Bushwacker Pocket Style 2012 Tacoma Flares
Bushwacker has redesigned its Pocket Style fender flares for the revised front treatment on the 2012 Toyota Tacoma.
• New two-piece system is built to accommodate aftermarket front bumpers. Bolt-on installation adds 2 inches of tire coverage
• Made from Duraflex material in matte black. Can be painted to match the truck by using proper flex additives in the paint mix.
For more information, contact:
Super C-6 Servo
The Ford C-6 automatic has done duty in everything from muscle cars to desert trucks. It's heavy-duty, simple, and proven. Performance Automatic offers its Pro Shift Super Servo to add more armor to the C-6 arsenal.
• Replaces the factory Ford "R" servo and is American-made using 6061-T6 billet aluminum. Fits C-6 automatics from 1967 to 1990
• Lip seal replaces the OEM O-ring seal. Positive shifts, up, down, or kick-down are the result
For more information, contact:
Performance Automatic
Serious Wrangler Axleshafts
Jeep JK and TJ Wrangler owners don't have to swap out entire axle assemblies to gain strength and performance. RCV Performance Products offers replacement rear axleshafts for JK- and TJ-model Dana 44 rear axles.
• Axleshafts are made from 300M material—perfect for rock crawling and other high-stress applications. These axleshafts are two and a half times stronger than stock 'shafts
• The stiffness of 300M prevents the 'shaft from bowing, thereby preventing a bent outer flange
For more information, contact:
RCV Performance Products
(815) 877-7473