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Eaton Conservation District | Promote Your Page Too
ECD has a new Website - Visit us at www.EatonCD.org to visit the site.
ECD recognized for Statewide Excellence
Eaton Conservation District is both excited and humbled to be recognized as a leading provider of conservation programs locally and statewide. ECD received multiple awards for excellence at the recent Michigan Association of Conservation Districts annual convention held in Lansing, MI from November 7th-9th.
Andrea Stay received the MACDE award for "Administrator of the Year". Jennifer Silveri received the MDARD award "Most risk reductions completed on farms" through the MAEAP program and ECD won Grand Host of the Year for support and leadership to our local MAEAP Program. For more information, please read the full release here.
Keith Moss awarded Statewide "Friend of Conservation" award from Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Click here for full release
Notice: Annual Meeting and Election, January 24th, 2013.
To all residents of the Eaton Conservation District, notice is hereby given that on the 24th day of January of 2013, between the hours of 12 noon and 3 p.m., at the Eaton Area Senior Center at 804 S. Cochran in the City of Charlotte, an annual meeting will be held. For more information, please contact the Conservation District Office located at 551 Courthouse Dr., Charlotte, phone 517-543-5848 x 5.
On the 11th of December, 2012, being 45 days prior to the date of the annual meeting, absentee ballots are available for voting in this election by writing or calling the Conservation District Office located at 551 Courthouse Drive, Ste 3, Charlotte, MI 48813, (517) 543-5848 x 5 during the regular business hours of the district which are between the hours of 8am and 4:30 pm.
Notice is also hereby given to all residents who are desiring to run for Conservation District Director in this election: petitions signed by at last five (5) residents of the Conservation District must be filed at the Conservation District Office before close of business on November 26th, 2012, being sixty(60) days prior to the annual meeting.
Residents are individuals of legal age who can demonstrate residency in the Conservation District via one (1) piece of identification.
Bill Bradford, Chair of the Board of Directors, Eaton Conservation District
Enter the photo contest today! Click here for more info. Entries due Oct 5th.
Watershed Position Posted!
ECD has posted a watershed position Click here to learn more.
Soil to Spoon Poster Contest
ECD is looking for artists! Please enter the Soil to Spoon Poster contest View Flyer or download entry form.
River Clean Ups announced!
ECD has posted the dates for the fall River Clean-ups! Click here to learn more. While you are at it, stop over to the www.miwaterstewardship.org site to learn about why it is so important to protect your watershed!
GM Foundation Supports MACD and ECD Conservation Programming
Lansing, MI: With the help of GM Lansing Operationsthe General Motors Foundation will provide $5,000 to support the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) and the Eaton Conservation District to focus on the care and management of Michigan's natural resources. Click here to learn more!
Free Water Testing for Nitrates at Eaton County Fair Click here for water sampling form
Free Drinking Well Water Sampling!!
Drop your samples off at Farm Bureau Tent at the County Fair
Monday July 9th
The Eaton Conservation District, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and Eaton County Farm Bureau will sponsor a free domestic drinking water well screening during the Eaton County Fair, July 9th from 1-5:30 pm. Those that wish to have their well water tested free of charge can bring water samples to the Farm Bureau Tent at the county Fair.
Samples from drinking water wells will be screened for nitrate and nitrite. The screening is open to everyone who uses a personal well for drinking water. Bring your samples to The Farm Bureau tent at the Fair on July 9th. Information and forms should be filled out in advance and are available at: the Eaton Conservation District office, the Eaton County Farm Bureau office and online at www.eatoncounty.org. This service is for private drinking water wells only. Public water supplies are tested regularly. Please do not bring samples from public water supplies or non-drinking water sources. Only drinking water well samples will be tested. You do not have to use a special bottle for this screening. Any small clean jar will work—one ounce of water is enough.
Please follow the directions below to sample your well. Collect samples just before getting them to the sample drop-off. Samples must be less than 48 hours old for a valid nitrate result.
1.Fill out the water Sample Information Sheet.
2.Pick a tap that supplies water that has not run through any treatment devices (water softener, carbon filter, etc.). An outdoor faucet often works well.
3.Run the water for 20-30 minutes before collecting the sample. This will give the pump time to flush the water pressure tank and plumbing so you can collect a valid sample. Disconnect any hoses before collecting the sample; do not sample through a hose. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled; then fill and cap the bottle.
4.Label the bottle clearly with your name, the sampling date, and the well name (cottage well, Mom's well, etc.) using a waterproof pen. Put the sample information sheet into a waterproof bag, and then seal the water sample and the information into a second waterproof bag.
5.Keep the sample dark and cold (on ice or refrigerated) until it is dropped off.
All results are confidential. You will get your results onsite at the Farm Bureau Tent as well as information on what to do should nitrite or nitrates show up in your drinking water. If you are perusing MAEAP verification brings your water samples in for screening. If no Nitrates are detected you may be exempt from having to pay for Nitrate sampling at the State Lab. Ask Jen for more details.
Please fill out the Sample Information Sheet completely and bring it with your water sample to the drop-off. You can get more information from The Eaton Conservation District Office at 517-543-5848 ext 5, or from your local MAEAP technician, Jen Silveri at 517-543-5848 ext 112 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Native Plant Sale June 7th
Volunteers needed for Macroinvertebrate Sampling and ID - Volunteers from the community are asked to help us identify the health of our local streams. Help is needed in collecting samples and sorting the samples. Click here for more information.
Planting with Natives - workshop May 31st - 7-9pm call to register!!
Tree Sale order form available Place your order today for trees and shrubs. Visit the Trees and Native Plant Sales Page to learn more!
Eaton CD announces Workshops ECD is organizing several workshops. The Wildlife Habitat workshop will take place March 20th from 7-9 at the basement conference room at 551 Courthouse Drive, Charlotte, MI. Pruning will be March 13th from 6-8:30 at the Country Mill in Charlotte. We are also planning a workshop on invasives and native plants for late May.
Buffers Make Dollars and Sense! Enroll Today!
There is no time like the present to enroll sensitive areas of your field in the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). A common practice used by many farmers in this program is the installation of grass filter strips along a stream bank, county drain or wetland area. The filter strips can range in width from 30 feet to maximum of 120 feet, depending on the landowner's preference. By installing permanent grass strips along these sensitive areas, you are not only taking marginal ground out of production but you are also being a good steward by improving water quality from runoff in the adjacent field. The CCRP program will pay a per acre annual rent, up to 90% cost-share to plant and a bonus for signing up. Why not get paid for doing your part in improving water quality and keeping soil on the field where it belongs? Contact the Charlotte NRCS office for more information (517) 543-1539 ext.3.
Conservation Reserve Program
Sign-up from March 12th-April 6th.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners. Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. To sign-up or learn more, contact the Eaton County FSA office at (517) 543-1512
Eaton CD announces deadline for Photo Contest
October 12th is the deadline for this years photo contest. View form under "programs" then "photo contest".
River Clean-ups announced
Click here for more info
Eaton CD featured in national award winning video
The Michigan Farm Bureau was recently awarded the "Best Communication Tool" award for a video produced to describe NRCS conservation programs. Featured in the program: Eaton CD staff Andrea Stay and Rachel Smith, NRCS District Conservationist Karry Trickey, and ECD board member Jim Droscha. Congrats Michigan Farm Bureau!
Down The Drain you GO! is a new game on the Michigan Water Stewardship Program Website
Ever wonder what happens to all of that water going down the drain from your kitchen sink, bathtub, and toilet? Put on your snorkeling gear and join "squeaky" for this fantastic adventure through your home's drainage system. Play today! www.miwaterstewardship.org/youthstewards/OurWaterGames
Hunter Access And Pheasant Initiative Workshop
Please join us August 10th, 2011 from 6-8pm at the Castleton Twp Hall 915 Reed St, Nashville, MI to learn more about the opportunities in the Hunter Access Program and Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative. More info
GM LDT to raise Funds for ECD programs
Click here to find out more information about the upcoming Woods and Water 5K to be held August 28th at 8am. This is a great chance to experience the beautiful habitat on site.
Paul Henry Trail Dedication
Please join us July 19th to celebrate this new section of trail between Vermontville and Nashville, MI. More information here
Poster Contest Announced
ECD is sponsoring local submissions for the statewide and national poster contest "Forests for the People". Click here to learn more!
Garlic Mustard Pulls planned for Area
Springtime means garlic mustard will begin to pop up throughout Michigan. Please consider participating in a local pull event, or pulling on your own. Contact your local park or nature center to see if they need help! Help us protect our natural arease by pulling as much garlic mustard as possible before it goes to seed. For more info, click here
ECD hiring program Technician
This Conservation District position will deliver the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) through on-farm technical assistance, using farm specific risk assessments, education and conservation plan development to implement practices, and coordinate local, state, and federal agency resources to help reduce identified environmental risks, and make progress toward MAEAP verification. This position was formally known as a Groundwater Technician or Water Stewardship Technician for the Michigan Water Stewardship Program. Recent legislation has combined MWSP and MAEAP. For full posting, click here
Spring Plant Sales
We are gearing up for our Aprl 2011 Tree and shrub sale and have recently announced our May Native Plant Sale. Please visit the plant sales page to find out more!!
Resource Assessment Survey
The Eaton Conservation District is currently working on a Natural Resource Assessment. This endeavor takes place every 5 years. The District is seeking public feedback in order to complete this process. Those who participate will be entered into a drawing for a $50 and $25 Gas Card. Your identity will be kept strictly confidential. To take the survey CLICK HERE
Interactive Water Stewardship Website Launched for Michigan Residents
LANSING, Mich. – March 22, 2011, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Eaton Conservation District launched an interactive website – www.MiWaterStewardship.org– aimed at Michigan residents encouraging them to take voluntary proactive steps to protect Michigan's water quality. "The site and its free online training program assists homeowners across Michigan on how to make simple changes in their daily routine which in turn benefits our water resources," said MDARD Director Keith Creagh. "The Michigan Water Stewardship website showcases the state's overall effort to protect Michigan's abundant water resources and we are pleased to partner with our statewide conservation districts in utilizing this tool locally." The interactive site features a virtual water cycle flow model showing residents the impacts of real life scenarios as a result of their every day actions on Michigan's water resources. Also, the local resource section provides a gateway to local environmental events and volunteer opportunities statewide.
March Workshops Coming Up
- Selecting Trees & Shrubs for your Landscape – ECD Workshop: March 1st
- Quiet Water Symposium: March 5 East Lansing, MI
- MSU Ag & Natural Resources Week – March 4-12th East Lansing, MI
- Farming for the Community Workshop: Alto, MI March 12th Call (616) 942-4111 ext 100 to RSVP
- Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop: March 15th, 2011 @ Country Mill (call ECD to sign up)
- ECD Wildlife Workshop: March 29th, 2011 Basement Conference Room
Call our office to RSVP
Spring Tree Sale Catalog Available
Click here to go to the tree sale page and to view catalog and information about upcoming workshops, programs, and events!
ITC Sponsors "Go Green Youth Challenge"
ITC Corporation has stepped up to contribute $10,000 to the youth tree planting campaign. Eaton CD administers the statewide Michigan Arbor Day Alliance program. Click here for more information
Great resource about water quality!
Water Stewardship Program has created a great resource at www.miwaterstewardship.org
2010 Photo Contest Winners Announced
Click here for information. Top 13 pictures are posted on ECD facebook page!
Annual Meeting Scheduled for Jan 28th, 2011
The Board of Directors cordially invite you to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting and luncheon. The annual meeting will take place from noon-3pm at the Charlotte Senior Center. The guest speaker will be Jim McGrath from Nature Discovery. Tickets are $12 please RSVP by January 17th, 2011.
Online Auction - Make Your Dollar Holler for Conservation
Visit www.biddingforgood.com/eatonconservation to bid on great items and help raise funds for conservation projects. Auction Items include gift certificates to restaurants, local businesses, and family activities. Auction will run Nov 1st-14th, 2010
Photo Contest
Click here to see info and find entry form
Sep 30th from 6-9pm at the GM Lansing Delta Township Habitat Area
Cost: Free
This will be a great workshop for educators interested in learning ecology and how to incorporate hands-on activities. RSVP to email@example.com or call (517) 543-5848 x 5
River Clean-ups Scheduled
Thornapple River Clean-up September 18th email firstname.lastname@example.com to volunteer
Charlotte River Conservation Day - October 2nd email firstname.lastname@example.com or call (517) 543-5848 x5. Click here for more information about River Clean-up activities.
Woods and Water 5K a Success!
The 5K Run/Walk was a great success. Pictures are posted on our facebook page. Click here for race results and more information
Autumn Farm Field Day - Friday Sep 24th, 2010 9am-2:30
This workshop will provide agricultural producers with knowledge and skills for proper pesticide storage, information about Farm Bill Programs and MORE. Eligible for MAEAP Phase 1 credit and 3 RUP credits . Cost $10 Call (517) 543-5848 x 5 to sign-up
Eaton CD to recieve Watershed Planning Grant
Eaton CD has been selected by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to be funded to develop a watershed management plan for the middle section of the Grand River. Eaton CD will be hiring a full time watershed coordinator to complete this. More info will be coming soon!
Woods and Water 5K Run/Walk
Eaton CD is partnering with GM Lansing Delta Twp on a 5K Run/Walk to benefit conservation programs. More information about the race can be found here
Free Well Water Sampling - June 2010
The Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) will screen drinking water well samples for free during 2010.
The screening is open to everyone in Eaton County who uses a personal well for drinking water; however, the number of samples that can be tested is limited to 68. The local sample drop-off will be held on 6/15/2010, at Eaton Conservation District. For more information call Rachel Dennis, 517-543-5848 ext. 112. For information on how to submit your sample click here.
Charlotte Raingarden Thriving! - May 2010
The Raingarden that was planted along paved areas near the Charlotte Wastewater Treatement last fall is thriving. Over 53 volunteers lent a hand to plant over 500 native plants at the site. This summer we will be mulching and weeding the site and adding an interpretive sign that teaches about the benefits of raingardens and native plants.
Native Plant Sale - May 15th
The Eaton Conservation District is partnering with the Dimondale farm market for our Native Plant Sale May 15th from 10-1pm. This is a great opportunity to get purple coneflower, trillium, Indian grass, and much much more!! Check out the order form on our website at www.eatoncounty.org/departments for a list of available species. The pre-order deadline has passed - but there will be a TON of extra plants available for purchase. The Farm Market is located at 136 N. Bridge Street, Dimondale, in the Village parking lot.
Trees and Shrubs planted to stabilize Butternut Creek - May 2010
The Eaton CD hosted 3 volunteer work days in May 2010 to plant trees/shrubs and remove invasive species along the Butternut Creek in Charlotte. Butternut Creek is a tributary to the Thornapple River. Volunteers from the community and Charlotte High School helped to plan over 1,200 plants!
This project also includes planting trees and shrubs in Nashville area at the site of the Dam Removal. If you would like to learn more about upcoming volunteer dates - call (517) 543-5848 x 5
Over 1,100 Students attend Statewide Arbor Day Celebration
The ECD and Michigan Arbor Day Alliance coordinate this annual event at Potter Park in Lansing. Students learn about trees, soil, water, and wildlife. This event is made possible through many partners and sponsors. For more information, visit www.miarbordayalliance.com
Eaton CD Donates Tree Seedlings to Local Schools and Community Groups
Eaton CD donated trees to the following communities this spring. Donations were made to community gardens and to schools to help students understand the benefits of trees to the environment.
- Potterville
- Charlotte
- Eaton Rapids
- Olivet
- Bellevue
- Grand Ledge
- and MORE!!!
Spring Tree Sale
The Spring tree sale will be April 23rd, 2010 and this year will include booths from Eaton County Resource Recover, Pheasants Forever, and Eaton Farm Bureau Co-op. For more information, click here
Online Auction Raises over $6,000 for local projects
The "Make Your Dolla Holla Online Fundraising Auction" was extremely successful and raised over $6,000 for the Eaton Conservation District and Michigan Arbor Day Alliance. We are considering repeating this fundraiser in the fall. Please contact us at (517) 543-5848 x 5 for more information or to become a donor/sponsor.
Annual Meeting a success!
The Eaton Conservation District's annual meeting was held on January 28, 2010 at the Charlotte Senior Center. The meeting was a great success with 107 people attending. The theme of this year's meeting was "Barn Preservation" and also included updates on the Conservation District's many programs. Awards were given to Charlie Harag, Craig Snyder, Kathy Brown, and Rita Black. Door Prizes and Silent Auction items were contributed by MANY local businesses and organizations.
2010 Tree/Shrub Order Form Online!
Click here to see information regarding 2010 Spring tree sale!
2010 Annual Meeting and Luncheon.
The guest speaker will be Jack Worthington from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.
When: January 28th, 2010 at noon.
Where: Charlotte Senior Center (New location!)
804 S Cochran Ave Charlotte, MI
TICKETS are $12.00
Please RSVP by January 19th, 2010. (517) 543-5848
Online Auction Announcement
Eaton Conservation District is pleased to announce the launch of an online auction.Auction funds will support conservation programs in Eaton County as well as, the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance program.Due to the extreme funding situation of the State of Michigan, all funding has been cut to Conservation Districts.The funds raised by the auction will allow Eaton Conservation District to offset this funding situation and continue providing programs for the residents of Eaton County.Auction funds will allow the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance program to grow by sponsoring Project Learning Tree Workshops (environmental education curriculum for K-12 educators), plant trees, free education materials and much more!
Eaton Conservation District will open the auction for bidding beginning March 1st, 2010.The auction will run through the month of March with bidding closing on March 31st, 2010.The goal of the auction is to raise $10,000!!!
Items up for bid may include:
Behind the Scenes WILX News Tour with Jason Colthorp
Landscape Consultation
Civil War Reenactment
Framed and Unframed Wildlife Prints
1 Week Stay in Grand Marais
Gift Basket from Van Atta's
Certified Arborist Consultation
Job Shadow a Veterinarian
General Motors Plant and Habitat Tour
Once the auction is up and running, Eaton Conservation District will provide the web link for the site.Supporters can receive email announcements regarding the auction.If you would like to be on the list please send and email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Currently, Eaton Conservation District is searching for auction items.There is no limit to the amount of items or the type of items.Ideas for items include: gas cards, gift baskets, sports paraphernalia, experiences (tours, tickets to events, cooking lessons, wine tasting, etc.), collectibles, vacation stays and anything you can think of!
Supporters of Eaton Conservation District can log on to the online auction and bid on items, make monetary donations, become an auction sponsor and/or provide items for the auction.If you would like further information about auction involvement please contact Rachael Wood, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Coordinator at (517) 543-5848 x5 or email@example.com.
Bill Bradford Awarded MACD Director of the Year
For the time and effort that he spends promoting the District he serves and the field of conservation, the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) recently named Bill Bradfor
d, Vice Chair of the Eaton Conservation District Board of Directors, as the MACD Director of the Year..more information
Volunteers help to Install Raingarden
(Charlotte MI) Fifty three volunteers lent a hand to protect water quality in the Charlotte area. The volunteers worked with the Eaton Conservation District (ECD) and the City of Charlotte to install a raingarden and riprap ditch near the site of the City of Charlotte's Waste Water Treatment Plant. Learn more
Thornapple River Clean-up a Success
9/19/09 Eaton Conservation District helped organize the Nashville/Vermontville section of the Thornapple River Clean-up. We had over 50 volunteers come out and help. Big thanks to Karen and Mike Snyder and the Maple valley students.
Eaton CD seeks award nominations
Conservationist of the Year (Organization, Business, etc)
District Cooperator of the Year (Landowner that has worked with District/NRCS programs)
Educator of the Year NEW
Click here for more info
ECD now on Facebook and Twitter!
Visit us on Facebook or Twitter "EatonCD"
2009 Fall Events Planned
Renewable Energy for the Home and Farm Thursday September 10, 2009 9- 5 PM
There will be speakers in the morning session covering grants for Renewable Energy (RE) Systems for farms, tax credits for farms, small business and home owners and other economics, and to explain the different types of RE systems and how well each works in this area.
Clean Sweep September 11, 2009 9AM-12 Crop Production Service, Woodbury
Clean Sweep is a voluntary program designed to help reduce the human and Environmental impacts of pesticides that are no longer usable. Anyone who has old, banned, unregistered, or otherwise unusable pesticides that need to be disposed of can participate.
Pesticide Education and Recertification Credits Class—MAEAP phase 1 Tuesday September 29, 2009 1-5 PM Clarksville Research Station
Includes: MAEAP Verification information, Indentifying and mapping the environmental sensitive areas around your farm, Pesticide management for Farm Market Crops, Pesticide Storage and Poly tanks, Pesticide Exam Review Questions and Answers.
Fall Tree Sale
The Eaton Conservation District will be offering our second tree sale on Sunday, September 27th, 11AM - 3PM at the General Motors Lansing Delta Township Plant. more info
Inaugural Michigan Sustainable Stoup* Competition Sunday, October 25th, 2009 1 pm to 5 pm, Grand Ledge, Michigan*Stoup can be a soup or a stew, or even chili. Hosted by Michigan Envirothon
The Inaugural Michigan Sustainable Stoup statewide cooking contest is open to individuals and restaurants with a focus on local, sustainably raised foods. And it's for a good cause: a fundraiser for the Michigan Envirothon Program. What could be better than Sustainable Stoup? A Sustainable Stoup Competition along with a Michigan wine, hard cider and beer tasting!
We will have samples from Michigan wineries and breweries along for the event to give everyone attending the full circle Michigan experience. Join us for a taste of Michigan and purchase your ticket online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/71894 Ticket includes as many stews and soups as you would like to taste, a souvenir tasting glass and 4 beverage tasting tickets. Tickets are $25 online and will be $30 at the door. If you know of a winery, brewery or cidery that would like to add your taste of Michigan to this event, contact: Ginger Bardenhagen at firstname.lastname@example.com or 517-930-2121.For more information, please email email@example.com or visit www.michiganenvirothon.org.
Public Meetings Announced for Thornapple River Watershed Management Plan
A draft of the Thornapple River Watershed Management Plan was submitted for review to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on July 10, 2009. The TRW Management Plan assesses water quality conditions throughout the watershed to determine pollution levels, their sources and causes. Where pollution levels impair or threaten water uses, such as drinking water, fisheries, swimming, boating or wildlife habitat, critical areas have been defined and targeted for improvement.
The Draft TRW Management Plan outlines both a strategy for citizen education about watershed issues and a strategy for implementing management practices and policies to reduce non-point source pollution in the watershed. In order to reach the goals identified in the TRW Management Plan, cross-jurisdictional cooperation and support are necessary from agencies, organizations and citizens in the Thornapple River Watershed region.
To best introduce and solicit comments on the Draft TRW Management Plan, a series of informational meetings has been scheduled in August, 2009. All stakeholders and interested citizens are encouraged to attend. Times and locations are as follows:
Tuesday, August 4 Wednesday, August 5
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Barry County Courts Charlotte USDA Service Center
and Law Conference Room Basement Conference Room
206 W. Court Street 551 Courthouse Drive
Hastings, MI 49058 Charlotte, MI 48813
Thursday, August 13
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ada Township Hall
7330 Thornapple River Dr.
Ada, MI 49301
MDEQ Neightborhood Environmental Partnership Award July,09
Eaton Conservation District was recognized for their work with GM Lansing Delta Township (LDT) Facility during the MDEQ's 2008 Neighborhood Environmental Partnership Award Ceremony on July 23rd, 2009. The award is to recognize organizations that team up in the community for environmental conservation and education activities. From left: Senator Patricia Birkholz, Keith Wilson and Bridget Burnell from General Motors, Andrea Stay from the Eaton Conservation District, Steve Chester DEQ Director, and Michael Young NEP Program Director.
Free Water testing at Ag Expo in July 2009
Project Learning Tree Workshop offered for Educators
Eaton CD is partnering up with the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, General Motors, and Project Learning Tree to offer a workshop July 27 & 28, 2009 for educators.
Nashville Dam to be Removed Later this Summer
For information about this project, click here
Interested in Fresh Produce? Head over to a local Farm Market
For a list of Eaton Co Markets and times, click here
RUP Credits Available
The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) makes available several important services. We can offer you up to 9 Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Credits, help you fulfill your SARA Title III requirements and provide Emergency Planning for your farm, which may save livestock, equipment and lower your insurance rates.
The Farmstead Assessment System (Farm*A*Syst) is a book of work sheets that will help you assess how effectively your farmstead structures, management practices and site conditions protect your water resources. Normally a Farm*A*Syst is conducted about every 3 years, completing a FAS for the first time will get you 4 RUP Credits.
The Crop Assessment System (Crop*A*Syst) will assist you to develop and implement a management plan that prevents contamination of groundwater and surface water resources and maintains economic crop production. Completing a C*A*S will give you 4 RUP Credits.
Completing the Emergency Plan for Farms the first time will provide 1 RUP credit. To find out more, call Kim at the District at 517-543-5848 x 5.
Eaton Conservation District Encourages Soil Stewardship
Eaton Conservation District encourages you to think about your personal responsibility to be a good steward of all natural resources, including soil, during its annual Stewardship Week celebration. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 26 – May 3, 2009 as Stewardship Week. For more ideas and educational materials, click here
District gears up for a busy month
April is a busy time for the Eaton Conservation District with our Spring Tree Sale, Earth Day, and Arbor Day. Look for us at many events in the community including: organizing the Statewide Arbor Day celebration at Potter park, and participating in Greener Delta and the Eaton Rapids Earth Day celebration, displays set up at local libraries, and much more. We are participating with Greener Delta, Relay for Life, and many local schools to provide seedlings to kids. The Eaton Conservation District houses the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Program that works statewide with teachers, schools, municipalities to promote Arbor Day. For more info about arbor day, please go to www.miarbordayalliance.com
2009 Native Plant Sale Order Form Available (click here)
Nashville Dam Slated for Removal
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has awarded the Barry Conservation District (BCD) a $200,000 Inland Fisheries grant for the removal of the Nashville Dam, located just west of M-66 in the Village of Nashville. The dam is one of six on the main stem of the Thornapple River, the others being operational hydroelectric power-producing structures. Dam removal is tentatively scheduled for 2009, pending the receipt of necessary permits and completion of engineering studies. The dam will be replaced by a weir system that will provide a gradual slope to compensate for the height of the existing dam and will allow for fish passage from the upper to lower reaches of the watershed. Questions about the project can be directed to the Barry Conservation District office at (269) 948-8056 ext. 3, or to email@example.com.
2009 Spring Tree Sale Order Form Available (click here)
Upcoming Project Learning Tree Workshop
The Eaton Conservation District and Michigan Arbor Day Alliance are partnering with General Motors LDT to offer a project Learning tree workshop at the GM site and habitat area.
Eaton CD produces 2008 Annual Report
The district has been VERY busy in 2008. Click here to view our annual report.
Eaton CD WINS Community Partner Award
Enhancing a wildlife habitat in the middle of a corporate site is no small feat. That is exactly what Eaton County Conservation District accomplished and its efforts were rewarded with a national recognition. (more)
Annual Meeting planned for January 29th, 2009
The 63rd Annual Meeting of the Eaton Conservation District will take place January 29th, 2009 from noon-3pm at the VFW Hall in Charlotte. The meeting will consist of a wildlife habitat expo, luncheon, and guest speaker. The guest speaker will be Paul Kindel from the Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy.
Tickets are available for $12 (to cover meal) and may be purchased at the District office at 551 Courthouse Drive, Suite 3, Charlotte, MI 48813 or contact us at (517) 543-5848 x 5. Reservation must be received by Jan 21st.
Conservation District Staff and Volunteers monitoring Thornapple River Water Quality
(November 08) The district spent a nice warm November day out near vermontville collecting Macroinvertebrates to monitor river quality. Macroinvertebrates are the insects, crustaceans, and other small "bugs" living on and under rocks and sediment in our local streams. They are relatively immobile and short-lived (less than a year to several years), are sensitive to changes in their environment, and are a powerful indicator of chronic human disturbance. These organisms include insects such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. As conditions change in a watershed (such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, amount of shade, water velocity), changes in the macroinvertebrate community result. Macro Invertebrates make good indicators of habitat conditions, water quality, and overall ecosystem productivity.
Eaton County Conservation District nominated for Wildlife Habitat Council Award
(October 08) The Eaton County Conservation District has been selected as one of five finalists by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for its Community Partner of the Year Award. The WHC will announce the winner at an awards banquet on November 18, as part of their 20th Annual Syposium in Baltimore, Maryland. Read More
Deadline approaches for Fall Photo Contest
Attention: 5th Grade Teachers - Arbor Day Poster Contest!
Encourage your 5th grade students to design an original poster depicting the 2009 contest theme: "Trees are terrific… in cities and towns!"
State prizes will be awarded to the top three posters and each winner's school will receive a tree. To be eligible for the State Competition posters must be postmarked by: January 31st, 2009
If you would like additional information, contact Rachael Wood, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance State Program Coordinator at the Eaton Conservation District at 517-543-5848 x 5 or by email at email@example.com www.miarbordayalliance.org
Battle Creek River River Conservation Day a Success! October 4th 2008
Participants included the Frontier City Flycasters of Charlotte, Eaton Conservation District, City of Charlotte, Battle Creek River Watershed Project, Courthouse Square Association and Charlotte Public Schools. Volunteers were busy in Charlotte picking up litter, removing logjams, labeling storm drains, landscaping, and MORE!
Free lunch and t-shirts were provided and it was a fun and rewarding day. If you are interested in volunteering for this event in the future, please call us at (517) 543-5848 X 5
Cost Share Available for Kalamazoo Watershed Producers
An EPA targeted Watershed Grant has been obtained to install conservation practices in the Battle Creek Waterhsed (part of the larger Kalamazoo river watershed). Conservation practices installed can receive 75% of the cost paid. Conservation practices can make your farm a more productive and competitive business and help conserve Natural Resources. No red tape, no waiting period, simle selection process based on the geographical location of your farm.
Call Rick Pierson at (269) 781-4867 X 37 to learn more!
Fall Conservation Tour - September 12th, 2008
This year's annual Fall tour consisted of a morning Clean Sweep pesticide collection, a tour of the woodbury ethanol plant, discussion of Slow Release Nitrogen, MEAEP Demonstration, and Groundwater Program updates.
- Sponsored by:
- Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
- Eaton & Barry Conservation Districts
- Michigan State University Extension
- Ionia County Resource Recovery
- Crop Production Services, Woodbury
Eaton Conservation District Partners with General Motors LDT and is awarded DEQ Neighborhood Environmental Partners Award - July 31st, 2008
GM Lansing Delta Township and partners - Michigan State University Dept of F&W, and Eaton County Conservation District - received this award for the 2007 Bio-Blitz held at the GM wildlife Habitat Area.
GM worked in cooperation with the Conservation District and Michigan State University to host their first Bio-Blitz August 17th-18th, 2007. The Bio-Blitz was a 24 hour event where local experts and volunteers come out to the Habitat site to survey for all the species they could identify. This gave a "snap-shot" species inventory of the area's birds, mammals, insects, plants, etc. The final tally was 359 species. The Bio-Blitz was also open to the public and featured three wildlife presentations, guided nature walks, and educational displays and booths. There were over 500 people involved in this event, including attendees, volunteers, and scientists.
Attention Community Leaders and Partner Organizations
Re: The NEW Eaton Conservation District - Jan 08
The Thornapple Grand Conservation District has changed its name to the Eaton Conservation District. This name change was announced and went into effect at the district Annual Meeting on January 24th, 2008. Since 1946, the District has covered Eaton County, MI. The name change does not change the area covered. The district changed its name to the Eaton Conservation District for several reasons:
- Better name recognition and visibility in Eaton County.
- Conformity - Each of the other 78 conservation districts in Michigan are known by their county name.
- Better ability to market and fundraise which will result in more dollars brought to Eaton County for Conservation practices.
The new name, Eaton Conservation District, will be used immediately on letterhead, brochures, tree sale catalogs, and newsletters. The signs on the county borders will not be changed immediately due to funding, but will gradually be changed.
The Eaton Conservation District will continue to offer existing services and will be constantly seeking new projects, funding opportunities, and ways to serve Eaton County's Natural Resources.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (517) 543-5848 x 5, email: email@example.com
Up Coming Workshops:
The Eaton Conservation District hosts a variety of workshops throughout the year. Please check the Conservation Calendar to see upcoming workshops. Some of our past workshops have included:
- Wildlife Habitat
- Horses and the Environment
- Landscaping with Native Plants
- Basics of Beekeeping
- Advanced Beekeeping
- Well and Septic Workshop
- Fall Ed-Demo Farm Tour
- Forestry Tour
- Nature Photography
Send resume, list of references, and letter of interest to:Andrea Stay, 551 Courthouse Drive, Suite 3, Charlotte, MI 48813
Attn: Andrea Stay or email: email@example.com Please let us know if we may contact your current and/or previous employers.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Application must be received by 4 pm on May 2nd to be considered.
Ecology Workshop for Educators


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Legendary Parliament/Funkadelic guitarist Phelps "Catfish Collins died after a long battle with cancer, becoming the second alum of the landmark band to succumb to the disease in the last month.
Collins, who also played with James Brown, died Friday in Cincinnati at age 66, reported Rolling Stone.
"My world will never be the same without him," said his brother Bootsy Collins in a statement. "Be happy for him, he certainly is now and always has been the happiest young fellow I ever met on this planet."
As a kid, it was Catfish who persuaded Bootsy to use bass strings on a six-string guitar, helping to forge Bootsy Collins' signature funk sound. The brothers first played together in a band called the Pacemakers in 1968. One year later, James Brown recruited them to join the original lineup of the J.B.'s, Brown's touring band. Catfish's clean, funky strumming was integral to Brown classics like "Super Bad," "Get Up," "Soul Power," and "Give It Up."
"It was like playing a big school with James [as the teacher], like psychotic bump school, only deeper," Bootsy told Rolling Stone in 1978.
The Collins brothers joined George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic in 1971, playing on albums like 1972's classic America Eats Its Young. In 2007, Catfish Collins contributed guitar to the soundtrack for the hit movie "Superbad."
Collins' death came one month after fellow Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist Garry Shider died of cancer at 56.

subset: commoncrawl


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Herdsman Dry Cleaners is dedicated to making a difference, for Churchlands and the environment. It all starts with our unique GreenEarth® Cleaning process. It is safer for people and the environment because it uses no hazardous chemicals and is non-polluting and non-toxic. Our eco-friendly technology is one of the many ways we try to be a green dry cleaner!.
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We understand you want to wear what you want, when you want it. That's why we guarantee your dry cleaning will be ready on time and ready to wear, every time. We strive to give our customers the same personal attention we give your clothes, so count on a smile and a pleasant service experience each and every time!
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Dry cleaning hasn't always been easy on garments, or the environment. That's because traditionally, dry cleaning has used petrochemicals. GreenEarth Cleaning is different. Watch our video to learn why GreenEarth Cleaning's unique silicone technology helps protect the clothes we wear and the communities where we live.
March 26Composting? Be sure to use red worms. They can consume ½ pound of food waste every single day. How many do you need? Figure on a worm to daily food ratio of 2:1


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Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
Question for John Z:Were the press set ups for say running a quarter panel run with same setup and for the same part for an entire production year? Or were they changed occasionally to run different parts? I know some of these setups had as many as 6 presses to make one part. How long would a setup take? Had to have been quite a while. I have seen the video of parts stamping for the new Camaro where the setup is changed for a different part in 5 minutes or so without a human involved. Amazing. I know where a lot of the automotive jobs have gone. To technology.


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For many years, pilots and mechanics with a good understanding of the operation of internal combustion engines have known that the fuel/air distribution in our aircraft piston engines has been less than optimal. With the invention of multi-cylinder engine monitors, many pilots started watching an unsettling graphic display of just how far from "optimal" or "uniform" the cylinders were running in their engines.
GAMI has developed and certified specifications for a set of precision fuel injectors for almost all engines in the current Continental and Lycoming fleet of fuel injected engines. We have STCs and PMAs on over 300 different engine models!
In the process of getting the FAA approval for the detonation test plan, GAMI ended up having to do a lot of fundamental Research and Development work. That testing resulted in some genuinely new discoveries with respect to comparative detonation testing of unleaded verses leaded aviation gasoline fuel chemistries.
These discoveries at this late stage are truly astonishing given that the automotive and aircraft piston engine world has been doing extensive formal detonation testing since WWI.
Read more...
In this article from SA Flyer Guy Leitch and Paul Ferraris cover the basics of how GAMIjector® balanced fuel injectors enable you to properly operate your engine leak of peak EGT and provide insights into the myriad benefits of doing so.
... to summarise, we were going two knots faster on 6.6 GPH less fuel. The hottest CHT was 22°F lower than when operating RoP...
GAMIjector® and turboGAMIjector® fuel injectors, when properly tuned using the GAMI Lean Test procedures and with the aid of an every-cylinder EGT/CHT engine monitor, will allow the engine to operate in a wider range of fuel/air mixture settings than originally available when the Aircraft Flight Manual or Pilot Operating Handbook was first published.
Download AFMS
We recently had an email from one of our customers who uses a 1969 Cessna 206, with a Continental IO-520-F to perform repairs and haul parts to remote villages in Alaska for a plumbing and heating company. He has calculated that GAMIjector® fuel injectors saved his business a total of $6,786.00 from March to August of 2012 alone!
Read more...
More great feedback. Some of our favorites are from people experiencing the magic of our fuel injectors for the first time:
"I sent my JPI files to John-Paul and my current spread was .9gph, 3 days later my new injectors show up, we installed that day and went up for a quick flight, noticably smoother and a new spread of .5gph. Talked to John-Paul again and he is sending out 3 more injectors to fine tune her to what we hope will get us to a .3gph spread or better." Read more...
We have received all the FAA approvals for the ALEC modification including an STC, PMA and an AMOC to A.D. 2004-25-51, completing the certification requirements for returning the T-34A/B airplanes to their originally certificated flight envelope and establishing long-term reinspection intervals for any required inspections.
Click here for more details.
How lean of peak can save on more than your fuel bill. There are precious few circumstances in which pilots can cut their fuel burn, reduce costs, and extend the lives of their piston engines at the same time but lean-of-peak engine operations is just such a rarity. Reprinted with kind permission from AOPA Pilot magazine. Read more...
A review of recent articles in various publications on the subject of leaning piston aircraft engines, and extensive conversations with pilots and mechanics, continuously reveals more misinformation, consistently presented as "gospel," than any subject this writer has observed in some 30 years as a pilot, flight instructor, and aeronautical engineer. Read more...
Just got a new Continental Motors engine? Happy about having their new "tuned" nozzles? We get calls here everyday from people who want to order GAMIjectors because they're just not happy with the new Continental Motors set. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself with actual flight test data that was submitted by some of our customers. We'll let you be the judge.
We can modify your engines for FTLR™! Full Time Lean Run™ will provide.
Continuing our tradition of combining excellence in engineering with a dedication to developing innovative, high-performance and quality products, we are working with the FAA to bring new and exciting advances to the field of general aviation. Two of these innovations, like our supplemental alternator and electronic ignition system, are featured here on our web pages.


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10:30 pm
Music Voyager "Eastern Tennessee: Cradle of Country Music" Host Jacob Edgar begins his Tennessee journey in Bristol, the city in the northeast corner of the state that proudly calls itself the birthplace of country music. He visits 96-year-old Georgia Warren, the last surviving participant of the legendary "Bristol Sessions" of 1927, which introduced the sounds of Appalachia to a wide audience. While in Bristol, he catches a street performance by musical nomads Megan Jean & the KFB and checks out Knoxville-based The Black Lillies performing at one of Bristol's many outdoor concerts. D
11:00 pm
Austin City Limits "The Civil Wars/Punch Brothers" A program of new American acoustic music begins with The Civil Wars playing tunes from their Grammy-winning album Barton Hollow. Then Punch Brothers showcase their latest recording Who's Feeling Young Now?.G


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We have followed the saga of Obama's Uncle Onyango since he was apprehended for drunk driving in Framingham, Massachusetts, in mid-August. Uncle Onyango had a near collision with a Framingham police car outside the Chicken Bone Saloon a block from Uncle Onyango's Framingham home. "I think I will call the White House," Uncle Obama said when the the arresting officer offered him his one phone call. Uncle Onyango apparently hadn't heard that his nephew was vacationing over on the Vineyard.
The saga of Obama's Uncle Onyango is interesting in itself. Taken together with the saga of Obama's Aunt Zeituni, it also tells you just about everything you need to know about the farcical non-enforcement of our immigration laws. Running a background check upon his apprehension, the Framingham police discovered that Uncle Onyango had been subject to a deportation order since 1992. The police turned him over to immigration authorities, who detained him in the Plymouth County House of Correction. Uncle Onyango was released without comment by the immigration authorities last month and then mysteriously dropped from sight.
Uncle Onyango reappeared this week for his arraignment in state court on the drunk driving charge. At court Uncle Onyango was amused by the scene. Accompanied by two attorneys and an unidentified male supporter, Uncle Onyango giggled his way through the proceedings.
Why is this man lauging? Hey, life is good. Uncle Onyango is back on the job at Conti Liquors in Framingham, where he can presumably take advantage of the employee discount. There's a joke or two here somewhere alright.
Is Uncle Onyango working legally? That is a a great question, one to which the Boston Herald has unsuccessfully sought the answer. But thanks for asking!


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Here at Leeds, there's one thing we can be sure we're lacking: plastic fans. If you're a Leeds fan, you're one through and through. We're not a club that attracts the hipster fans that support whatever club is currently in vogue. We're a club that you're born to support, so when we find a Leeds United fan no matter where they hail from, we appreciate their love for the club.
And so, after hearing that Leeds fan Katie Taylor is lined up for her American debut as a pro in July, we got to thinking about other sports where you might uncover a Whites fan, and that train of thought led us to these few gems right here.
First, we head for a bit of cross-country skiing and the retired Norwegian legend that is Frode Estil, who incidentally also happens to support our mighty club. Nope, we hadn't heard of him either, but then again, cross country skiing isn't really a sport on the rise in West Yorkshire, is it?
So, let's move onto a sport with a better following in the area: Rugby League. Yes, it's still lads chasing an egg around a pitch, but at least for this sport, we can boast a fan who was born and raised in Leeds: Karl Harrison. He's a former rugby league pro that played for Hull and was on the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. Not bad for a bloke we've never heard of, and to be honest, we feel a bit bad for not knowing about him. But it's still Eggby isn't it!
We also found a couple of tennis players that you've definitely heard of if you've ever even glanced at the back pages during Wimbledon. Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg are both out and out Leeds fans. Can you believe that? There must be a seriously good supporters club over there in Sweden if we can boast two multiple Grand Slam winners as Whites fans.
It's been a while since Stefan or Mats were at Wimbledon and we're wondering what kind of odds BetStars would give them alongside the powerhouse players of today such as Federer and Nadal. But we're a loyal lot here, so we'd put all our money on the Swedes who love Leeds to destroy today's pretenders.
We thought we hit the jackpot with tennis and then we had a look at golf. Don't ask us why we looked at it, but we did, and lo and behold we found not one, not two, but five golfers who are Leeds fans.
Colin Montgomerie, golf's nearly man (he finished second a lot) has himself campaigned for the club and shown his support on many an occasion. He spent some time here studying and, well, he got the bug and has supported us ever since.
Howard Clark is a local lad born and bred here in Leeds and a pro golfer for decades. He didn't win much in his time, but he's a true White. Paul Broadhurst is another pro with a similar career and if you haven't heard of him don't feel bad, we hadn't either.
Now here's a name you're probably familiar with, Padraig Harrington, the two-time British Open winner who loves to rile up Sergio Garcia whenever he gets the chance is definitely a fan worth having. He's a bit of a laugh that Harrington, and we imagine he'd be up for a few pints down the Old Peacock. We also reckon he'd be much more fun down at the pub than the last golfer on our list, Nick Faldo.
We've never seen him at the ground or heard him say anything about the club, so we're not entirely convinced on that one. Have we missed any? There have to be a few darts or snooker players we've overlooked, so let us know in the comments below.
Famous Leeds Fans from Other Sports


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If you're not already obsessed with Vine hottie with the beautifully amazing voice, Shawn Mendes, you seriously need to get on board. He's been recording 6-second clips of covers for the past year, but now he's coming out with a single of his own on June 26th—and you can get a first look at the cover art for "Life of the Party" right here!
First, we know what you're thinking—"Life of the Party" has to be an upbeat, super fun dance mix, right? Not exactly. "The song is a slower song…it's not super happy, but it's also not depressing," Shawn says.
While Shawn didn't write "Life of the Party," he felt so connected to the lyrics, he knew he had to make it his. "The first part is 'I love it when you just don't care, I love it when you dance like there's nobody there.' It's about being happy with who you are," he explains. "As a 15-year-old going through high school, that's what we struggle with—figuring out who we are and who we want to be."
To find cover art that really fit the vibe of the track, Shawn went through dozens of pics and finally landed on this thoughtful one. "Once we got to this one photo where I'm looking off into the distance and not smiling and I don't look too serious and upset, I knew it was the perfect choice," he says.
Get ready to hear a lot more from the Vine cutie. Shawn co-wrote some of the songs on his upcoming EP, and judging by his major fandom on Vine, it's sure to be a huge success.
Plus, Shawn has a good mentor to help him through the process—Ed Sheeran! The two connected, and Ed flew him to LA to have dinner. "He wanted to meet me, because he saw a lot of himself in me and he wanted to give me as much advice as he could," Shawn said. "It felt completely normal, he made me feel like a friend."
Stay tuned for more Shawn music news this summer, and feel free to bury yourself in his vines and YouTube vids to tide you over!
Are you a fan of Shawn's vine covers? What other Vine stars are you obsessed with now? Sound off in the comments!
5 Amazing Vine Magicians That Will Blow Your Mind
7 Best Apps For College Students!
5 Hot Guys You Should Be Following On Vine!
Photo Credit: Andrew Zaeh; Anthony Blue, Jr.


text: Liu Yan, considered one of the top classical dancers in China, was seriously injured while practicing a solo routine for the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Beijing, and she may be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of her life. On July 27, the 26-year-old dancer was practicing in the National Stadium when a platform malfunctioned and she fell 10 feet, landing on her back and suffering nerve and spinal damage. At the moment, she cannot feel anything below her chest, and she cannot move her lower body. Organizers for the opening ceremonies initially told witnesses and friends to not disclose the accident until after the Olympic Games, but news began to leak after several newspapers began inquiring about Liu. [NY Times]


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another watercolorist find! I have to go paint now.
Originally posted on Paintings By Mary Jo:
Watercolor of a Titmouse – Paintings by Mary Jo
another watercolorist find! I have to go paint now.
Originally posted on Paintings By Mary Jo:
Watercolor of a Titmouse – Paintings by Mary Jo
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Deaf pit bull shares new owner's disability
VINELAND -- Daniel Kohr knows what his new pet is going through.
Kohr and his fiancée Andrea Parkhill adopted a deaf, white pit bull they named Bali from the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on April 21. Kohr, who is deaf, and Parkhill, a sign language instructor in the Atlantic City school district, have already begun teaching him American Sign Language.
Parkhill said Bali has already learned sit, lay down, food, come here and bathroom.
"He's picking it up really fast," she said. "So far, everything's been good."
The Atlantic City couple has another pit bull and four Chihuahuas that also have been taught sign language. Kohr said he's excited to teach Bali and noted it's more difficult because he has to get the dog's full attention to communicate with him.
"Being in this environment, he'll pick up the signs fast," he said in a phone interview through Parkhill. "He'll have a big vocabulary in a few months."
Parkhill said Bali compensates for his lack of hearing with his awareness of his surroundings, but the puppy, who is less than four months old, has some things to learn.
"He depends on the other dogs a lot. He feels their energy," she said, but added Bali got into a minor fight with another dog because he tried to take a bone and didn't hear the other dog growl. "He should be more receptive to body language and he's learning.
SPCA executive director Bev Greco said it's not uncommon to have animals with disabilities. The office has had other deaf animals and animals with partial or no sight, she said.
Michelle Boudreau, SPCA volunteer coordinator, said Bali came to the SPCA as a stray from Millville.
The society initially named the dog "Keller" after Helen Keller the famous author and political activist who was blind and deaf. The SPCA had a deaf pit bull a few years ago they named Helen.
The SPCA warned potential owners Bali must live in a home that is fenced in and remain on a leash at all times in public since he can't hear oncoming traffic.
But despite the difficulties, Boudreau said Bali was a very sweet and gentle dog.
"He's calmer and settles down quicker, because he's not stimulated by noise," she said. "We'd have to wake him up in the morning because he couldn't hear when a member of the staff came in. The other dogs were all barking and he was sound asleep."


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- Written by webmin
The Antique Automobile Club of America will hold its first-ever regional meet in Vermont on May 19-21. The Eastern Division Spring Meet will be hosted by the Green Mountain Region and will be held at the breathtaking Stowe Mountain Lodge resort in the idyllic northern Vermont town of Stowe. More than 400 finely restored collector cars and trucks are slated to be in attendance, many of which have never been seen before. To take part in this very special event, contact chairman Richard Pignatello at 802-496-5097, or e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com. Only club members may enter their cars in this spectacular show, so if you are not a member, now's the time for you to join the hobby's most significant organization. For all the details, go to www.aaca.org.
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Tagged AACA, Antique Automobile Club of America, clubs, Hemmings Daily, shows, exhibitions and events


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NATAL, Brazil — Jozy Altidore has left the Americans' World Cup opener against Ghana after appearing to hurt his left hamstring in the 21st minute.
The 24-year-old forward was running down a ball with Ghana's John Boye on Monday night when he lowered his head to attempt to control it, grabbed the back of his left leg and fell to the ground.
Wincing in pain, Altidore was taken off on a stretcher and replaced two minutes later by Aron Johannsson.


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A young quarterback making his first NFL start is taking on the NFL's best defense on Monday Night Football. Obviously, it's a mismatch.
And by that I mean the Bears' defense is no match for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick got off to a brilliant start on Monday night against the Bears, showing a strong arm, the patience to read through his progression, and perfect touch on his passes.
Kaepernick completed seven of his first eight passes, for 114 yards, as the 49ers jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Kaepernick's 57-yard pass to Kyle Williams was an absolutely beautiful deep ball — one of the finest passes you'll ever see from any quarterback, let alone a quarterback who has never started an NFL game before.
There's still a lot of football left to be played, but in the early going Kaepernick is absolutely shredding the Bears' defense. Chicago better answer in a hurry.
UPDATE 9:21 p.m. ET: The 49ers stretched the lead to 17-0 early in the second quarter.


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No. 92,125
1. In reviewing jury instructions the appellate court's task is to consider the instructions as a whole, and not to focus on any one instruction, in order to determine if they properly and fairly state the law that applies to the facts of the case. If the instructions accurately state the law and could not reasonably have misled the jury, the court will not reverse even if they are in some way erroneous.
2. No specific intent is necessary to establish a violation of the Kansas Securities Act except the intent to do a prohibited act.
3. K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253 closely follows § 17(a) of the Federal Securities Act of 1933. The Kansas appellate courts pay particular attention to cases interpreting the federal act, after which the Uniform Securities Act and the Kansas Securities Act were patterned.
4. Under the facts presented, the court's instruction to the jury on aiding and abetting did not conflict with the instruction that specific intent need not be shown for a violation of the Kansas Securities Act, and was not a source of potential juror confusion.
5. For a defendant who acts as a principal in a scheme to defraud investors, the mere doing of the act prohibited by the statute supports a conviction without a showing of specific intent. However, for a defendant who aids and abets another in the fraud, an aiding and abetting instruction gives the jury proper guidance on the specific intent needed to support such a finding.
6. Specific intent may be established by inferences reasonably deduced from the facts and circumstances of the case.
Appeal from Leavenworth District Court; FREDERICK N. STEWART, judge. Opinion filed July 15, 2005. Affirmed.
Virginia A. Girard-Brady, assistant appellate defender, for appellant.
Scott M. Schultz, special assistant attorney general, and Phill Kline, attorney general, for appellee.
Before GREEN, P.J., MARQUARDT and McANANY, JJ.
McANANY, J.: Elizabeth A. Mehling appeals from her convictions for three counts of unlawful acts in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of securities in violation of K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253. We affirm.
Elizabeth, a financial planner from Scotland, met Michael Mehling while he was stationed in the United States military in Germany. They married in September 1992.
In June 1994, the Mehlings were stationed in El Paso, Texas, where Elizabeth was involved in a multi-level marketing company known as Jewelry International. They were transferred to Leavenworth, Kansas, in January 1995 where Michael served until his retirement from the military in July 1996.
The Mehlings became involved in Investors International, apparently another multi-level marketing operation, where they learned about a program that claimed to give individuals the opportunity to pool their funds with others in order to invest in overseas bank debentures for very high returns in a very short period of time. The Mehlings began selling these overseas investments. They set up a partnership named Dunromin and opened a bank account for the partnership at the Ft. Leavenworth Credit Union. Both of the Mehlings were listed as owners of the account.
In 1995 Elizabeth met and befriended Inge Cochran, a Leavenworth real estate agent. She told Cochran about the Dunromin business and that she was a financial broker. The Mehlings sold Cochran Investor International materials and helped her make some sales. They also explained to her the European investment program. Michael told Cochran that their overseas investments were guaranteed safe and lucrative. The Mehlings told her that she would not lose her money and that they had invested in the program themselves. They provided documents to her that indicated that the investment was risk-free. They told Cochran that if she invested $15,000, she would receive $1,000,000 in 2 months.
Based on these outlandish representations, Cochran withdrew $15,000 from her IRA account on November 19, 1996, and gave Michael a cashier's check made payable to Dunromin. Cochran's $15,000 investment was deposited into the Dunromin account on November 21, 1996. On the same date, $13,000 was transferred into the Mehlings' personal account. The remaining $2,000 was withdrawn as cash on November 26, 1996.
Cochran later asked Elizabeth whether the people she was dealing with were honest. Elizabeth assured Cochran that they were.
Abdul Ghafoor also invested with the Mehlings in November 1996. The Mehlings told him he could double a $5,000 investment in 3 or 4 months. He gave the Mehlings $5,000 to invest in the form of money orders paid to the order of Dunromin. Ghafoor's $5,000 was deposited in the Dunromin account on November 20, 1996. The funds were immediately transferred to the Mehlings' personal account that same day and then immediately withdrawn as follows: $1,800 in cash plus three money orders totaling $3,000. Two of the money orders were made payable to Investors International. The other was made to a travel agency. Ghafoor's entire $5,000 investment was expended on the day it was deposited.
Several months after making his investment, Ghafoor began a series of almost daily telephone calls demanding his money. The Mehlings ultimately returned Ghafoor's original $5,000 investment in July 1998 by means of a check drawn on their personal account.
By January 20, 1997, 2 months after her investment, Cochran had received neither the return of her $15,000 nor her $1 million. The Mehlings told Cochran that she would eventually receive her money. From 1997 through the early part of 1999 Cochran made numerous phone calls to the Mehlings regarding her investment. Cochran was continually assured that her investment would pay off.
In August 1998, Juli Rhame, a real estate agent in South Carolina, met the Mehlings when they came to South Carolina to look for a house. The Mehlings had been referred to Rhame by Cochran. Michael told Rhame that they sold debentures overseas. The Mehlings told her about the overseas debenture program and made the modest claim that she could invest from $1,000 to $50,000 and would receive from 10% to 1,000% on her investment in approximately 10 international banking days. Both Elizabeth and Michael told her that the investment was risk-free.
In January 1999, Rhame participated in a conference call with the Mehlings. Michael told her that Cochran had invested $100,000 in the program and done well. Rhame later spoke to Cochran who told her that she had only invested $15,000 and had not received back her original investment, let alone any profit. Rhame decided not to invest with the Mehlings.
Cochran eventually complained to the Kansas Attorney General, and the matter was referred to the Office of the Securities Commissioner, which led to an investigation and charges being filed against the Mehlings in November 2000.
Elizabeth was charged with four counts of unlawful acts in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of securities in violation of K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253. Michael negotiated a plea agreement with the State. He pled no contest to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Elizabeth was identified as his coconspirator. John Runnberg, an investigator with the Kansas Securities Commissioner's office, analyzed the Mehlings' financial records and tracked the money in both the Dunromin account and the Mehlings' personal account. He testified that it appeared all of Ghafoor and Cochran's investments were used to pay the Mehlings' personal expenses and that none was pooled with other funds for investment as promised. Elizabeth was found guilty of the three counts involving Ghafoor, Cochran, and Rhame. She was sentenced to 60 months' probation. She now appeals.
Jury Instructions
Elizabeth claims the district court erred in instructing the jury. Our task is to consider the instructions as a whole, and not to focus on any one instruction, in order to determine if they properly and fairly state the law that applies to the facts of the case. We must then determine if the jury could reasonably have been misled by them. If they accurately state the law and could not reasonably have misled the jury, we will not reverse even if they are in some way erroneous. State v. Mays, 277 Kan. 359, 378-79, 85 P.3d 1208 (2004).
Specific Intent
Elizabeth claims the district court erred in instructing the jury that specific intent was not required to prove a violation of the Kansas Securities Act. The district court instructed the jury, over Elizabeth's objection, "No specific intent is required where one violates the Kansas Securities Act, except the intent to do the act denounced by statute."
Notwithstanding the holdings in various Kansas cases to the contrary, Elizabeth claims that securities fraud under K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253 is a specific intent crime. The rule in State v. Hodge, 204 Kan. 98, 107, 460 P.2d 596 (1969), still applies: "No specific intent is necessary to constitute the offense where one violates the securities act except the intent to do the act denounced by the statute. [Citation omitted.]" See State v. Ribadeneira, 15 Kan. App. 2d 734, 750, 817 P.2d 1105, rev. denied 249 Kan. 778 (1991); and State v. Kershner, 15 Kan. App. 2d 17, 20, 801 P.2d 68 (1990).
This rule was found in Ribadeneira to apply to the particular statute under which Elizabeth was convicted, K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253(a). Elizabeth urges us to reconsider Ribadeneira because the court used the reasoning in Hodge. Elizabeth claims Hodge is not applicable because it did not involve a securities fraud violation under K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253. The defendant in Hodge was convicted of selling unregistered securities and of failing to register as a broker-dealer for their sale. With regard to the issue of intent, this is a distinction without a difference. The Supreme Court couched its language in Hodge to apply to the entire Kansas Securities Act, not just the sale of unregistered securities by an unregistered broker. We are duty bound to follow Hodge absent an indication that the Supreme Court is departing from its position. State v. Jackson, 30 Kan. App. 2d 288, 299, 41 P.3d 871 (2002). We see no such indication. The general-intent principle in Hodge applies to Elizabeth's crime of securities fraud.
Further, this interpretation is consistent with the opinion of the United States Supreme Court in considering § 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 in Aaron v. SEC, 446 U.S. 680, 64 L. Ed. 2d 611, 100 S. Ct. 1945 (1980). Our Kansas statute at issue closely follows § 17(a) of the 1933 Act. The Supreme Court found no scienter requirement in the subsections comparable to those under which Elizabeth was tried. We pay particular attention to cases interpreting the Federal Securities Act of 1933, upon which the Uniform Securities Act and the Kansas Securities Act were patterned. Kershner, 15 Kan. App. 2d at 18. Thus, pursuant to the provisions of the statute upon which Elizabeth was convicted, scienter was not required.
Aiding and Abetting
The district court also gave the following instruction on aiding and abetting:
"A person who, either before or during its commission, intentionally aids, abets, advises, hires, counsels, procures another to commit a crime with intent to promote or assist in its commission is criminally responsible for the crime committed regardless of the extent of the defendant's participation, if any, in the actual commission of a crime."
Elizabeth does not claim there was insufficient evidence to support the giving of this instruction. Rather, she claims that even if scienter is not required in order to establish a securities violation, the "no specific intent is required" instruction we discussed earlier should not have been given because it conflicts with the jury instruction on aiding and abetting, which is a specific intent crime.
In State v. Amos, 271 Kan. 565, Syl. ¶ 2, 23 P.3d 883 (2001), the court stated:
"The State need not charge aiding and abetting in the charging document in order to pursue an aiding and abetting theory at trial. If, from the totality of the evidence, a jury reasonably could conclude that the defendant aided and abetted another in the commission of the crime, then it is appropriate to instruct the jury on aiding and abetting."
Elizabeth was not charged with aiding and abetting. Nevertheless, this instruction on aiding and abetting properly sets forth the law that supported one of the State's trial theories: that Elizabeth is guilty of illegal conduct in the offer, sale, or purchase of securities in violation of K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 17-1253 because she aided and abetted Michael in the scheme to defraud investors.
If the jurors properly determined from the facts that Elizabeth acted as a principal in the scheme to defraud investors, then the mere doing of the act prohibited by the statute supports a conviction without a showing of specific intent. If, on the other hand, they determined she merely aided and abetted Michael in the fraud, this instruction gave them proper guidance on the specific intent needed to support such a finding. Thus, the instruction properly states the law, was warranted under the facts, and was not the source of potential juror confusion.
Sufficiency of the Evidence -- Guilt as a Principal
Elizabeth argues that she should have been charged with the crime of aiding in a felony, rather than as a principal. The essence of her argument appears to be a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support her conviction as a principal. In considering this argument, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the State to determine if there is substantial competent evidence to support Elizabeth's conviction. See Mays, 277 Kan. at 377.
As disclosed in the amended information, Elizabeth was charged with securities fraud in connection with transactions involving Nathela Crooks, Abdul Ghafoor, Inge Cochran, and Juli Rhame. She was found guilty of the charges involving Ghafoor, Cochran, and Rhame. With respect to Rhame, the jury found Elizabeth guilty based upon the offer of the securities since no sale was completed.
There was substantial competent evidence that both Ghafoor and Cochran invested their money with the Mehlings based on statements made by Elizabeth. Ghafoor made references to statements "they" made, referring to statements by Michael and Elizabeth. Viewed in a light most favorable to the State, these included statements by Elizabeth that Ghafoor would be investing in a good project that the Mehlings had faith in, that they would pool Ghafoor's money with money from other investors, and that Ghafoor would double his money in 3 or 4 months.
Elizabeth told Cochran that the program to invest overseas was wonderful and would be a good thing for Cochran to invest in. She told Cochran that she and Michael had made investments through the program, and she guaranteed to Cochran that there was no risk of Cochran losing her money. She described to Cochran the details of overseas investing. She assured Cochran that the overseas traders involved in the program were honest, and Cochran did not have to worry about it. Cochran was promised $1 million in a period of 2 months following a $15,000 investment.
Though Juli Rhame did not invest in the program, in an effort to get her to invest Elizabeth and Michael described the overseas investing program to her as an elite, invitation-only program. They told her that if she participated she would receive a return on her investment of 10% to 1,000% within 10 international banking days and that the program was risk-free.
There was substantial competent evidence to support Elizabeth's convictions as a principal on these three counts.
Sufficiency of the Evidence -- Guilt as an Aider and Abetter
Elizabeth claims there was insufficient evidence to convict her of aiding and abetting securities fraud, which involves specific intent, because the State did not present any specific evidence regarding her intent. Specific intent, however, may be established by inferences reasonably deduced from the facts and circumstances of the case. State v. Pratt, 255 Kan. 767, 769, 876 P.2d 1390 (1994).
Were there facts and circumstances here from which the jury could have reasonably concluded that Elizabeth acted with the requisite intent? Clearly, there were. Elizabeth had experience as a licensed mutual funds sales person and financial planner even before she met and married Michael. She and Michael operated as a team in their overseas investment program. Together they made representations to prospective investors to solicit funds. They were partners in Dunromin, through whose account they funneled investor funds. They transferred investor funds to their personal account. Elizabeth can be found guilty of securities fraud as an aider and abetter if she intentionally assisted Michael in defrauding investors or soliciting investors through fraudulent means. Elizabeth does not question Michael's guilt. Nor do we. There was sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that Elizabeth had the specific intent necessary to aid and abet Michael in the commission of their criminal acts.
Cumulative Errors
There being no errors to accumulate, Elizabeth's claim of cumulative errors that require reversal fails.


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AVN Wins Dubai International Award for Best Practices!
Association La Voûte Nubienne (AVN) was awarded a DM grant in 2009 to test an innovative strategy for scaling up and accelerating the recruitment and training of Nubian Vault (NV) apprentices and the growth of a self-sustaining market in NV houses in Burkina Faso. The Nubian Vault is an ancient Egyptian technique of building vaulted roofs made from local bricks without using any wood, instead of typical tin roofs that are more expensive and use scarce wood during construction. AVN is transforming traditional housing available in the harsh climate of the Sahel region by providing a sustainable housing alternative and helping to avoid further deforestation.
AVN has won one of the Dubai International Award for Best Practice (DIABP) to Improve the Living Environment. The Award, co-sponsored by UN-Habitat, specifically recognised the program in Burkina Faso for 'best practice transfer'.
The DIABP was established under the directives of late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the United Nations International Conference in Dubai in November, 1995 with 914 participants from 95 countries, to recognize the best practices with positive impact on improving the living environment.


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You are here
PART 140--Debt Collection Through Offset
Code of Federal Regulations(CFR) #:
Type of Policy Regulation:
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is a public record of all permanent rules and regulations published by the executive departments and federal agencies of the U.S. government.
The code is broken up into 50 titles that cover a broad range of topics subject to federal regulation.
To read this section of the CFR, follow the link provided here.


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The whining, rumbling echoes of several motorcycles rebounded off the cavern walls around me. I was in a mine shaft, cold and dark except for small pools of light spilling from lanterns sporadically spaced along the walls. The biker gang had been chasing me for what seemed like hours, and they were catching up. With no choice left, I stood to the side and hid behind a wooden support column.
The sound of a throttled engine grew louder from down the tunnel, and I crouched in anticipation. As the biker came into view around a corner I leaped, thrusting my foot out in a vicious ninja kick that launched him from his seat and into the wall with a crunch. Barely pausing as I landed, I picked up the bike and jumped on, twisting the accelerator hard for more speed. The rest of the gang was in close pursuit.
Lanterns on the tunnel walls blurred past as I accelerated to extreme speed. The motorcycle began to shake violently. The wheels suddenly flew off and the handlebars came apart in my hands. I cringed, awaiting the brutal crash, but it didn't come. I continued flying down the dark tunnels, the now silent and dead engine the only thing beneath me. I realized I didn't need the motorcycle at all, I could fly! The concentration required to stay aloft was intense.
There were no more lanterns now, but I could still barely make out my course through the mostly straight tunnel via the glowing veins of amethyst minerals in the walls. Soon I caught a faint glimpse of daylight ahead. The tunnel was ending. As I blasted out of the end of the tunnel, I rescued an old friend sitting stranded on the mountainside. She clung to my feet and we flew off, now at a much slower pace with the added passenger.
With a jolt of inspiration, I realized I could collect water from clouds around myself, forming a water bullet that propelled me at super speeds. My friend and I could still breathe easily in the water, and we used my new water bullet flying technique to scream over the countryside at supersonic velocity.
In short time I was flying over the ocean alongside an African port. I skimmed just above the water and reveled in the exhilaration. I whipped up over a large cargo ship, its deck covered in many different colored containers. Descending once more to fly just above the water's surface I noticed some large fishing nets in the water. Seabirds took to the air as we approached. With growing concern I watched the birds begin to lift the nets out of the water directly in our path.
There was no way to avoid the nets, and they enveloped us as we flew into them. My friend somehow managed to escape their grasp, but my hands became knotted in tough nylon strands and I was dragged down into the water. A nearby fishing boat began hauling in the nets.
We were caught. These weren't fishermen, they were pirates, and they were intent on chopping up our body parts for sale on the black market. They hauled me into the boat and looked down at me with malevolence. I lay huddled, soaking wet with a hole in my shirt. They thought I was poor.
At this point the dream inexplicably changed to third person, with me observing everything like it was a movie. I was no longer "me". Instead a late teens/early-20's kid replaced me.
The pirate captain raised his machete and asked one of his several prisoners who would be missed the most. Snatching the young man's arm, the corsair slammed him up against a shipping container. Whatever answer to the pirate's query that may have been coming was interrupted by the violent descent of the machete into the cringing man's head. A fountain of blood cascaded down the victim's face, nearly as terrifying as the scream that issued from his lips. The captain savagely ripped the machete back out and struck again.
Instead of spraying yet more blood from a grievous wound, the kid's head began to turn black as soot. What had so recently been a smug look on the captain's face turned to one of utter confusion. The kid no longer screamed, but seethed with anger. He grabbed the pirate's wrist and squeezed. Acrid smoke curled up where the fingers grasped and before the captain could speak his skin was graying to ash and flaking away. Without a sound, the captain's charred body collapsed to the ground.
Now fully healed of the machete wound, the enraged youth calmly walked from one shocked captor to another, briefly touching them. With each touch a pirate burst into flame and was reduced to ash. Buildings joined in the inferno and struggled to reach a heat as intense as the young man's rage. Turning, the kid noticed a battalion of soldiers drilling on a parade ground beyond a nearby chain link fence. Their feet struck the pavement in perfect unison as they marched, clapping hands to rifles.
The fury boiling within the man reached a point beyond heat. It chilled with a cold to freeze magma. A raging blizzard picked up around him and somewhere in a distant corner of his mind he realized the very weather was his to command.
He extended his arms to the sky and black roiling clouds simply appeared. With a violent thrust of his hand, columns of lightning erupted from the heavens, plummeting down into the soldiers. White hot death split the air as thunder threatened to crush everything near. When the lightning finally cleared nothing remained of the soldiers, only a scorched patch of barren earth.
His revenge sated, the young man lowered his arms. "This is a fishing town, they should have no problem," he said.
And with a blast of wind he took to the skies.


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There's a little something making me happy these days. I call it the TSM. And I'm not talking about the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. In my world, TSM is short for Thrift Shop Miracle. I experienced one just a couple of weeks ago.
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Parent Directory | Revision Log
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Moved too https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Xfce/HOWTO
xorg-config is now at https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Xorg/Configuration
replace leafpad with mousepad, now that it's back in portage. bug 472314
remove references to openoffice.org, replace with libreoffice. bug 451194 and others.
Fix bug #449002 - terminal is now called xfce4-terminal
Fix bug #427860 - Use /etc/portage for make.conf and make.profile. Old location (/etc) is still supported, this is a heads up (new default)
Fix bug #424039 - Be less about a specific version so the guide remains up2date when a new major version is released
xfce seems to finally come with an application menu by default
Fix bug #411437 - Update instruction on consolekit xfce4
squeeze has been removed from portage. also update homepage for thunar plugins.
Fix bug #389089 - It is not pure cache, but also profile information that is removed. Upgrades however are not supported that we know of (migration). Thanks to Sergey S. Starikoff for reporting.
remove xfapplet reference; no existing replacement for it. bug 389349
Fix bug #383459 - remove reference to plugdev as it is not used/common anymore. Thanks to Markos Chandras for reporting and patch
remove abiword-plugins, since it has been removed from portage
Add a note on removing old cached sessions when upgrading to 4.8 -- bug 354103
remove branding flag from the meta USE flags; no longer used
update xfce guide for 4.8 stuff, still waiting on a full list of package drops/suggested replacements, but this should be good in the mean time
fix trash plugin description, thanks to ssuominen for the email notice
add xfce4-power-manager info. add XFCE_PLUGINS variable and explanations per bug 334181.
firefox packagemove by nirbheek
update opera USE flags; now has a gtk flag, no need for qt-static. bug 328087.
more terminal info, etc. per bug 323801
thunderbird package name change
Add gnome/kde links just for comparison. Also add info about startx with ck-launch-session if ConsoleKit is installed, so that apps don't break.
remove qt3 USE flag now that nothing uses it
Use env.d for the xsession variable location, not rc.conf. bug 295180.
fixed email to use the new guidexml goodness; no content change so no revbump
#288075 List jpeg in USE flags
the minimal flag is back in, and it is assumed users have it disabled for the guide. the flag only controls whether xfce4-icon-theme and dejavu fonts are pulled in, as otherwise things can break unless you're installing your own font packages and icon theme from the get-go. i.e. power users who've done a hundred xfce installs. thanks to ssuominen for the heads-up on IRC
overhaul the xfce guide for all the crazy unannounced changes to the xfce package names, categories, USE flags, and dependencies. i think i managed to cover them all. i also added some recommended apps and utilities.
the xfce team removed xfce4-settings from the dependency lists, so it has to be manually merged if you want to be able to change important stuff. added it into the install instructions, since basically everyone will want this.
update xfce guide for 4.6, other app changes too
package has a new name
upon further reflection, abiword does not need its own code listing. instead i trimmed it down and briefly mentioned abiword-plugins.
punt GDM and its numerous gnome dependencies in favor of the much more appropriate lightweight SLiM (Simple Login Manager)
removed 4.2 to 4.4 upgrade section. 4.2 has been gone from the tree for months. some parts of it may be relevant in the future in case of a major ABI/API break from some Xfce point release, if so then that's what CVS history is for, right?
better USE flag additions
more guidexml coding style changes as per xml-guide.xml, no content change. (i'm really doing a lot of these today, aren\'t i\?)
added xscreensaver USE flag to pull it in, so removed explicit emerge instructions
whitespace, no cntent change
gaim is being deprecated in favor of pidgin, its renamed, up-to-date replacement
sylpheed-claws has been masked for removal
added note about following xorg-config as requested by drac on IRC
pointed users to the actual documentation location, after some discoveries i made that were pointed out to me on IRC. thanks to drac for suggesting.
added a bit on focus stealing prevention, thanks to nichoj and kingtaco for experimenting
Fixed $Header$
Updated my xfce guide for 4.4. lots of new fixes, changes, additions, etc. 4.4 rox your sox.
fixed adding users to groups section, thanks to a forwarded email from drac
added extra bit about per-user .icons and .themes installation to my xfce guide
new guide: xfce-config guide, bug 161107
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Internet Safety
As an educational tool, the Internet offers users the ability to learn about virtually any topic. Children in particular are eager to explore this new world and the relationships it brings.
Although our youth can get a lot of benefit from being on line, the World Wide Web is not without risks. Parents should be aware of this and not view the Internet as simply a benign, entertainment medium.
The fact that crimes are being committed on-line should not make you avoid using Internet services. A better strategy would be to ensure your children learn how to safeguard themselves from the potential dangers that lurk on the Internet.
Children need parental guidance, supervision and common-sense advice on how to make their experiences in "cyberspace" happy, healthy and productive.
As a parent, you first need to understand the nature of on-line systems.
- The Internet, a global "network of networks," is not governed by any authority. There are no limits or checks on the kind of information that is maintained by, and accessible to, Internet users.
- On-line services are maintained by commercial, self-regulated businesses that may screen or provide editorial/user controls, when possible, of the material contained on their systems.
- Computer bulletin boards, called BBS systems, can be operated by individuals, businesses or organizations. The material they contain is usually theme oriented offering information on hobbies and interests. While there are BBS systems that feature "adult" material, most attempt to limit minors from accessing the information.
- On-line services, computer bulletin boards and networks are made up of many different people and interests. Like society in general, most are good and decent people; some, however, are rude, obnoxious or have criminal intent. These services cover subjects from education, entertainment and religion to anarchy, pornography and pedophilia.
To understand the full benefits of these systems and alert you to any potential problems that may occur with their use, talk with other users in your area, become familiar with literature on these systems and get on-line yourself.