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Week of February 28, 2002
Week of February 21, 2002
Week of February 14, 2002
Week of February 7, 2002
New quail season dates established
At its regular monthly meeting, held Feb. 4 in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to change quail season dates to run from the second Saturday in November through Feb. 15. The changes become effective this coming fall.
Opening the season later will not have any significant biological impacts, according to Wildlife Department personnel, but rather is designed to better align hunting opportunity with bird hunters' preferences. Two sets of public hearings and several scientific surveys of hunters' preferences yielded the recommendation for adjusting the season dates.
"Nothing we do regarding season dates, within reason, will impact the quail population one way or another," said Alan Peoples, wildlife chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "About 80 percent of all quail die in a given year, and that number is the same whether there is a three-month season or no hunting at all. That means habitat and weather conditions drive yearly quail numbers, and because we can't do anything about the weather we must focus on habitat.
"With more than 95 percent of Oklahoma being privately owned, our habitat solutions must be focused at landowners and they must include educational and financial incentives. We have outlined a $40 million habitat-based quail initiative that we believe is the best recovery plan for Oklahoma's quail."
One potential source of additional revenue may be a bird stamp, similar to the duck stamp, for birds like quail and dove. Many other states have similar bird or habitat stamps. The stamp could even be a combination license for waterfowl and upland birds, with funds being allocated between waterfowl projects and upland bird habitat enhancement. Also discussed as possible funding for quail projects included legislative appropriations and corporate partnerships.
In other action, Commissioners voted to table a proposal to allow feral hog hunting on Honobia Creek, Three Rivers and Broken Bow wildlife management areas during the nine-day muzzleloader deer season. Commissioner Lewis Stiles, from Broken Bow, was unable to be at the February meeting and had requested the discussion be moved to a future meeting so he could participate. Currently, the only time when feral hogs may be hunted on these areas is during the nine-day gun deer season.
Commission members did approve a $55,000 budget transfer from existing funds to purchase 120 Glock 40 caliber semi-automatic pistols for Department game wardens. Wildlife officers have been issued revolvers in the past, but safety and effectiveness concerns prompted the recommendation to replace the older models.
Several fishing regulation changes for 2002 were adopted at the February meeting. These include:
- Changing the daily limit for largemouth bass at Konawa Lake to six fish per day, with only one 22 inches or longer. Body condition of bass in the lake has been poor and the numbers of trophy bass have decreased. The change is designed to encourage anglers to harvest bass, allowing those that remain to grow larger.
- Prohibited trotlines, throwlines, limblines, juglines, yo-yo's and bowfishing in the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River from the spillway of Great Salt Plains Reservoir downstream to the Hwy. 38 bridge.
- Establishing a protective nine- to 12-inch slot limit on smallmouth bass in Baron Fork Creek, Flint Creek, the upper Illinois River, Lee Creek and Little Lee Creek. The daily combined bass limit is six, only one of which can be a smallmouth 12 inches or longer.
- Establishing a 12-inch minimum size limit on smallmouth bass on the Glover River, from where it joins Little River upstream to the forks of the Glover River. The daily combined bass limit in this portion of the Glover is six fish, only three of which can be smallmouth.
- Adjusted the Skiatook white bass and striped bass hybrid limits to allow unlimited harvest of white bass, with the striped bass hybrid limit being set at five hybrids per day, only two of which can be 20 inches or longer.
- Adding Zoo Lake in Oklahoma City to the list of "Close to Home" fishing areas.
- Opening the Arkansas River below Zink Dam to year-round fishing.
In other business, the Commission:
• Adopted rules to open the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area to quail hunting after deer gun season. Controlled quail hunts will continue to be offered before the deer gun season.
• Gave its approval to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to purchase 160 acres in Okmulgee County for the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. The property will be purchased from a willing seller by the USFWS using federal duck stamp funds.
• Received an update from Administrative Chief Melinda Sturgess-Streich on the upcoming controlled hunts application process and pending Internet license sales. Sturgess-Streich advised the Commission that a $5 processing fee will be charged to each applicant applying for controlled hunts, and those applying through the Department's Web site will need to submit a VISA or MasterCard when they apply. Credit card processing cost will run around 60 cents per transaction, but that cost will be offset by data entry savings, she added.
• Accepted a $10,000 donation from NatureWorks, Inc., for the Department's Hunters Against Hunger Program.
The Commission's next monthly meeting will be Monday, March 4, at 9 a.m. at the Wildlife Department's headquarters in Oklahoma City.
First special antlerless season a success
State deer hunters took advantage of the new Special Antlerless Deer Gun Season held last December, harvesting more than 7,500 antlerless deer, according to check station data. Wildlife officials say the antlerless harvest boosted the total deer harvest to levels approaching year 2000's record harvest of 102,000 deer.
"We won't know for certain what the final deer harvest was for several more weeks, but I suspect we will end up with around 101,500," said Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Considering that our harvest totals at the close of the regular gun season were down nine percent, the Special Antlerless Season was excellent from a management standpoint. Our earlier deer seasons suffered from poor weather, but thanks to hunters returning to the woods in late December we have a healthier, more balanced herd."
In an effort to curb the state's exploding white-tailed deer herd, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission authorized the Special Antlerless Deer Gun Season last year. The Commission passed the measure to increase hunter opportunity to harvest does, which will better balance the population with available habitat, reduce agricultural depredation, reduce deer/vehicle collisions and improve buck to doe ratios for better herd health.
Unusually mild and windy weather during the regular deer gun season diminished hunter success in many areas of the state. However, weather conditions during the Special Antlerless Season were regarded as ideal by many. Although much of the Panhandle, far southwest counties and far southeast counties were closed for the special season, hunters in the rest of the state had three days between Christmas and New Year's to harvest an antlerless deer. Additionally, hunters in north-central and northwestern counties had another three days prior to Christmas. Top harvesting counties for the inaugural season were Osage, with 608 antlerless deer taken, Cherokee, with 316, Craig, with 272, Caddo, with 223 and Sequoyah, with 213. Twenty six additional counties each checked more than 100 deer for the season.
"To all of our hunters who harvested a doe during the Special Antlerless Deer Gun Season, we say a big thank you," said Shaw. "Thanks to them, the overall percentage of antlerless deer harvested will probably rise close to 45 percent (compared with 40 percent in 2000). That is a significant increase, which shows that many hunters are embracing the slogan - Hunters in the Know . . . take a Doe."
In addition to establishing the Special Antlerless Deer Gun Season last year, the Commission also extended the second half of archery season by 15 days. Archers could hunt from January 1 through 15 for antlerless deer only. Shaw said the extended archery season also contributed to the increased antlerless harvest.
"Of the approximately 2,000 deer that were taken by bowhunters after the close of gun season, more than 60 percent were antlerless deer. Although we don't yet know exactly how many were taken in January. An increase in the harvest during the second half of the archery season compared to the previous year may indicate a significant number were taken," he said.
Shaw said it would be several weeks before final check station results are counted and analyzed. Hunters who wish to obtain each year's final deer harvest results can do so by subscribing to Outdoor Oklahoma magazine. Each September/October issue of the magazine includes the Annual Big Game Report. For subscription information, call 1-800-777-0019.
Funds available for habitat
Landowners interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property can get assistance in the 2002 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). The sing-up period for 2002 funding has been set for February 4 through February 22.
EQIP provides technical, educational, and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. Counties eligible for EQIP include Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Ellis, Harper, Roger Mills, Woods, Dewey and Woodward.
"EQIP is just one of several cost-share programs available to private land owners who need assistance to improve their wildlife habitat," said John Hendrix, private lands biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). "Grass plantings to improve nesting habitat, fencing to protect travel corridors and riparian zones are just a few examples of eligible projects. Other range management objectives can also be met such as eastern red cedar control and native grass restoration."
Applications for EQIP contracts will be evaluated, ranked, and approved for contact development in early spring. The purposes of the program are achieved through the implementation of a conservation plan, which includes structural, vegetative, and land management practices on eligible land. Five- to ten-year contracts are made with eligible producers. Landowners can receive up to 75 percent cost-share payments to implement one or more eligible practices.
Additional EQIP information can be obtained through local Natural Resources Conservation Service offices or by contacting John Hendrix, ODWC private lands biologist at 405-742-1278. Additional information can be found by logging onto: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/NRCSProg.html#Anchor-Environmental.
Conservation order set
A number of special snow goose provisions, including one-half hour after sunset shooting hours, no bag limits, electronic calls and unplugged shotguns, take affect February 11 and run through March 31. The provisions are part of the Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS) designed to reduce the mid-continent light geese population.
Snow geese have become so numerous that they are causing severe habitat destruction to their Arctic breeding grounds. Since 1999, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has cooperated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the COLGS.
"Hunting is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce the overpopulation of snow geese," said Alan Peoples, ODWC's chief of wildlife division. "The special COLGS regulations are designed to enhance hunter success while afield."
Due to land-use practices in the south-central U.S., which are beneficial to snow geese, adult survival rates have increased significantly. The mid-continent population of snow geese (breeding west of Hudson Bay, and wintering on the southern Great Plains and western Gulf Coast) has grown by almost 300 percent since the 1960s, and is now conservatively estimated at over three million. Their burgeoning numbers are now in the process of destroying their own Arctic breeding habitat. Because they pull out plants by the roots, large numbers of them can literally destroy the tundra.
"Not only are Canadian waterfowl managers concerned, but those of us in the Central Flyway of the U.S. and other areas are also concerned. Continued habitat destruction to fragile arctic and subarctic habitats also affects a variety of other migratory species," said Peoples. "Hunters are always the first group to step up and support conservation, and the COLGS presents a unique opportunity for hunters to contribute to this important conservation effort."
For more information and regulations on the COLGS, hunters should consult the 2001-2002 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide and Regulations, available at license dealers across the state, or by downloading from www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Editor's note: The following information regarding hunter's registration for the COLGS season is a companion to the above story.
Light goose hunters: please sign up!
Federal law requires that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation estimate the harvest of light geese during the Conservation Order Light Goose Season. Hunters who plan to pursue snow, blue and Ross' geese during the Conservation Order are asked to register with the Department and provide their name, address and telephone number so a harvest survey can be administered when the COLGS ends.
Hunters can register for the season by going to the Department's Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com.com/Survey/COLGS/COLGS.htm or they may mail a letter or postcard to:
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Attn: COLGS; P.O. Box 53465; Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
TV show features fish cooking
To many Oklahoma anglers the one and only way to prepare crappie or catfish fillets for the table is deep-frying them in oil. However, many other techniques such as grilling, baking, and smoking are becoming popular particularly with the health conscious. Demonstrations of several fish cooking methods will be the topic of an upcoming episode of "Outdoor Oklahoma."
"Like a lot of anglers, I love eating fried fish, but there are so many other ways to cook fish that are lower in calories than frying," said Rich Fuller, information supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We got several of our fisheries biologists together to show off their favorite fish cooking techniques and recipes. Anyone who likes to eat fish ought to watch this show to learn how easy it is to grill, bake or smoke fish. Not only are some of these techniques healthier, but in many cases they are also much easier than frying."
Cooking techniques using crappie, catfish, striped bass and even grass carp will be covered on the program scheduled to air Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 a.m. on OETA-The Oklahoma Network.
Outdoor Oklahoma features such topics as fishing, hunting; and fisheries, game and non-game wildlife management. The 30-minute program can be seen on OETA-The Oklahoma Network Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. Outdoor Oklahoma can also be seen on the following television stations: KSBI Network (greater OKC metro area), Mondays-5:00 p.m., Thursdays-10: 30 p.m., Saturdays-1:30 p.m., KTEN (south-central and southeastern Oklahoma) Sundays-5 a.m., KWEM (Stillwater), Wednesdays-8:00 p.m., Fridays-7:00 p.m. and Sundays-8:00 p.m.
For a complete listing of show times and channels in your viewing area, consult the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com or your local TV guide.
NatureWorks not just an art group
Since 1991, the first weekend of March has brought some the country's most talented wildlife artists to Tulsa. The annual Wildlife Art Show and Sale sponsored by NatureWorks, a non-profit organization, has generated matching grants to assist a variety of organizations for use in state wildlife conservation projects.
"NatureWorks has a proven track record in the field of wildlife conservation," said Alan Stacey, wetland development biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Their funding assistance with the Harold Stuart Waterfowl Refuge Unit within the Deep Fork WMA (wildlife management area) and the Grassy Slough WMA are prime examples of projects where NatureWorks provided key funding for wetland habitat enhancement."
Other recipients of NatureWorks' conservation grants include the Prairie Earth Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County; landscaping of the Tropical Rain Forest at the Tulsa Zoo; an outdoor classroom at a Broken Arrow school; Sally Jones Lake waterfowl enhancement at Robert S. Kerr Reservoir; printing of Oklahoma Wetland Development Areas Atlas; providing grain drills for planting wildlife food plots; and cooperating with the National Wild Turkey Federation to relocate Eastern wild turkeys near Grove.
Tulsa area wildlife art lovers may not know that another project of NatureWorks has beautified many area parks. Each year in conjunction with the wildlife art show, NatureWorks presents the Wildlife Stewardship Award to recognize and honor persons in the community who have promoted conservation. Each award is then memorialized with a bronze wildlife sculpture that is put on permanent display within a city park. So far, 12 monuments have been funded by NatureWorks patrons and friends of NatureWorks.
"These bronze wildlife sculptures have really improved the aesthetics of our parks," said Jackie Bubenik, director of River Parks Authority. "We are especially looking forward to our newest sculpture which will be located in Riverside Park at 71st Street and Riverside Drive. It's going to feature a family of grizzly bears."
NatureWorks has scheduled this year's art show for the Tulsa Marriot-Southern Hills, Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3. Friday evening's Patron Night (5:30 -9:30 p.m.) is open to the public for $15 admission. General Admission for Saturday (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is $5 for adults, with students admitted free.
"The Tulsa show has become one of the top five wildlife art shows in the country," said Ken Greenwood, senior director of NatueWorks Inc. "Several prominent wildlife art shows around the country have disbanded. The reason for our continued success however, is that we are a totally volunteer organization with much less overhead."
Greenwood said this year's show will host renowned English painter Matthew Hillier. The featured artist is Jocelyn Lillpop Russell, who is the sculptor of the elk monument in River Parks.
Fur sale slated for Chandler
Hunters and trappers wanting to sell their furs will get the opportunity at an upcoming sale. Chandler's Agri-Civic Center will host the sale Saturday, March 2. The sale is sponsored by the First Oklahoma Trappers and Predator Callers Association.
"Furs can be sold in a stretched or green condition, and all sellers must have a valid hunting or trapping license from Oklahoma or their respective state," said Bill Jackson, sale coordinator. "Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation personnel will be on hand to tag bobcats, which must have an export tag affixed to the pelt before it can be sold. Bobcats from other states must have export tags on the pelts before entering Oklahoma."
Actual sales of furs begin at 9 a.m., with viewing allowed at 8 a.m. Reservations should be made in advance, but sellers will also be allowed to sign in the day of the auction. Sellers must be members of the First Oklahoma Trappers and Predator Callers Association to participate in the auction. Memberships can be purchased at the auction or applied for in advance by contacting Bill or Dee Jackson, 918/336-8154.
Jackson said results from a fur sale held February 2 in Chandler showed fur prices are stable overall. Pelt prices were as follows: bobcat $46 averaged with a $101 high; raccoon $7.50 averaged with a $17 high; skunk $2.10 averaged with a $2.25 high; beaver $6.60 averaged with a $18 high and coyote $6 averaged with a $ 9 high.
Track legislation on Department Web site
Hunters and anglers interested in new fish and wildlife laws currently being considered by the Oklahoma Legislature should be sure to bookmark the Wildlife Department's Web site (wildlifedepartment.com).
The agency has established a section to track pending legislation, with status updates being made daily to keep interested sportsmen appraised of changes in the bills. To find the legislative tracker, go under "Weekly Wildlife News" on the Department's index, or first page. From there, click on "Wildlife Legislation Updated Daily." The exact URL is www.wildlifedepartment.com/legislation.htm.
"Several bills are already beginning to see action," said Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Wildlife Department. "One promising development is the growing support for funds to begin addressing Oklahoma's declining upland bird populations and habitat. In fact, specific legislation is currently awaiting action in the House that would create a game bird license. Funds from the license would be used for game bird habitat enhancement."
House Bill 2329 by Elmer Maddux and Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate would expand the state waterfowl license to be required of all game bird hunters. The license, set at $7.50 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, would be required of all game bird hunters. Only persons holding a lifetime hunting or combination license prior to the bill's effective date and persons who qualify for a disability or nonambulatory hunting license would be exempt from having to buy the game bird license. The bill has passed the House Wildlife Committee and is currently awaiting action by the full House.
Other bills beginning the legislative process include:
House Bill 2150 by Joe Hutchison of the House and Jeff Rabon of the Senate would establish a three-day special use permit for lands leased and administered by the Department for non-hunting and non-fishing activities. It would set the fee at $5 for residents.
House Bill 2203 by Smith and Shurden would authorize the Wildlife Department to administer a program to distribute the meat from lawfully harvested fish and game animals to charitable organizations.
House Bill 2374 by Paul Roan, Wayne Pettigrew and Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a special use permit for the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. It limits the fee to $1 more than the cost of a current annual hunting or fishing license and exempts persons holding hunting or fishing licenses. It also exempts students participating in educational tours and those participating in events sanctioned by the Wildlife Department.
Senate Bill 937 by Shurden would increase resident lifetime license fees to $175 for a lifetime fishing license; $625 for a lifetime hunting and $750 for a lifetime combination license.
Senate Bill 965 by Shurden would create a $230 combined deer hunting license for nonresidents that provides for one antlered and one antlerless deer. It also would set the fee for nonresident antlerless deer licenses at $50.
A number of other wildlife-related bills have also been introduced, all of which are listed in depth on the Wildlife Department Web site (wildlifedeparmtent.com).
Outdoor Oklahoma calling turkey hunters
More than 50,000 hunters will soon take to the fields and forests of Oklahoma to experience the thrill of calling in a wild turkey gobbler. Along with scouting and practicing various turkey calls, other helpful tips to increase your spring turkey season success can be found in an upcoming issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.
By subscribing now, hunters can receive the March/April 2002 issue of Outdoor Oklahoma, which will include a special insert, The Turkey Hunter's Handbook. Subscriptions to Outdoor Oklahoma, the official bi-monthly magazine of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), are $10 for one-year, $18 for two years, or $25 for three years. Hunters can subscribe to the magazine on the same Universal License Form that they receive when they purchase this year's turkey license, or, they can call 1-800-777-0019 to subscribe via credit card.
"Avid turkey hunters who also subscribe to Outdoor Oklahoma may remember our special Turkey Hunters Handbook from 1993," said Nels Rodefeld, ODWC's assistant chief of Information & Education. "Since that issue was so popular and since both hunter numbers and turkey populations have grown, we wanted to revive the handbook and provide all the latest information."
Rodefeld said the special section will include updated biological data and information that wasn't available at the time of the first handbook. There will also be information covering both the basic and advanced tactics for bagging a wily longbearded gobbler. Another part of the handbook will be devoted to the remarkable population rebound of the Eastern wild turkey in southeast Oklahoma.
"In the early 90s, Easterns had suffered severe population declines due to several consecutive years of poor hatches," said Bill Dinkines, ODWC assistant chief of the ODWC's Wildlife Division. "Numbers were down, and hunting for Easterns decreased in popularity among many hunters. However, during the late 90s several years of good weather for poult production helped the population recover."
The comeback of the Eastern subspecies resulted in the Wildlife Conservation Commission allowing hunters to harvest two gobblers this coming spring within the southeast region (southeast eight counties). Atoka, Coal, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg and Pushmataha counties have a two-tom limit, while Choctaw remains as a one-tom limit county. The season in the southeast region runs April 6 through April 28.
Hunters in the northeast, central and western parts of Oklahoma will have from April 6 through May 6 to bag a gobbler. Bag limits vary between counties, and full details of the upcoming spring turkey season can be found in the 2001-2002 Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations. Hunters are reminded, however, that the statewide spring turkey season limit is three tom turkeys. With favorable weather conditions, ODWC biologists say turkey hunting across the state has the potential to be excellent this coming spring.
Rodefeld added that the upcoming March/April issue of Outdoor Oklahoma will also feature the annual Angler's Guide, which covers all aspects of fisheries management in the state.
Bids accepted for elk hunt
Hunters have just a few more weeks to submit their bid for a special elk hunt offered at Cookson Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA). For the fourth year in a row, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) is auctioning a permit for a fully guided bull elk hunt.
Through a sealed bid auction, the hunter with the top bid has successfully harvested a trophy bull for the past three years consecutively. The hunt, which generated $11,000 last year, is a guided three-day hunt anytime in September, October or November (subject to availability). The hunter can choose to use a bow and arrow, muzzleloader or modern rifle. Hunters have harvested bulls ranging from 5X6 points to 7X8 points in the past three years.
"Harvesting a trophy bull elk, particularly within Oklahoma, can be the pinnacle of achievement for a state sportsman," said Richard Hatcher, assistant director for the ODWC. "Unlike many western states, Oklahoma has a small population of elk which only allows for a small level of harvest," said Hatcher.
"When you consider the long-shot odds of drawing a bull elk permit through our controlled hunts program, it's easy to see why elk are valued as such a desirable game species."
Hunters who wish to submit a bid should fill out their name, address, day & evening phone numbers with their bid amount on a card or letter, which should then be sealed in an envelope. Bids can be dropped off at ODWC headquarters or mailed to Oklahoma Auction Elk Hunt, P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152. All bids must be received at ODWC headquarters in Oklahoma City by 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 8. The bids will be opened and the winner notified Monday, March 11.
Bidding is open to individuals and organizations. The permit may be transferred one time by the successful bidder. Payment must be received within 10 days of notification.
Proceeds from the elk hunt auction will assist the ODWC's Hunters Against Hunger program. Through a network of statewide food banks who distribute donated venison to local shelters, the program has served meals to thousands of needy Oklahomans.
For additional information about the Hunters Against Hunger program, consult the 2001-2002 Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations, available wherever hunting licenses are sold or the Department's Web site www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Wanted: boating and fishing businesses
Persons planning vacations involving fishing or boating will soon have a valuable source of information. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), based in Washington D.C., is offering boating and fishing related businesses free space to advertise on their Web site. www.WaterWorksWonders.org.
Fishing and boating related services such as marinas, tackle shops,
fishing clubs, boat and equipment retailers, fishing charters and
guides, boat rentals, canoe and kayak liveries, campgrounds and
conservation organizations can list their businesses on the site for no cost.
"Boating and fishing related businesses, will get tremendous exposure through our advertisements and related public relations efforts." said Bruce Matthews, RBFF's president and CEO. "This one-of-a-kind Web site is part of the "Water Works Wonders/Take Me Fishing" national awareness campaign, which is designed to increase angler and boater participation by positioning boating and fishing as unmatched leisure activities for true connection with family, friends and the natural environment."
RBFF began the Water Works Wonders/Take Me Fishing campaign in 2001, which included several television spots that debuted during the NCAA basketball tournament. The RBFF plans to continue the ads, which will encourage the public to visit the Web site. A major component of the new Web site is a where-to section featuring a database from the U.S. Geological Service. The database will include a listing of every body of water in the country with information such as access points, launch ramps, marinas and fishing information. Matthews said the site will make it easy for beginning anglers and boaters to find out how and where to boat and fish, and it will provide tips for protecting the nation's aquatic resources.
Boating and fishing related businesses can list themselves on the Web site by logging onto www.WaterWorksWonders.org and clicking on the "submit your listing" icon. You can also find a link to the RBFF through the Wildlife Department Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Bird watchers owe thanks to duck hunters
Through the sale of the Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting License, waterfowl hunters have funded dozens of wetland habitat projects across Oklahoma. Not only have wetland restoration areas such as Hackberry Flat and Red Slough wildlife management areas (wma) benefited waterfowl during fall migrations, many are also becoming major springtime destinations for uncommon shore and wading bird species. The opportunity to view uncommon visitors to Oklahoma such as black-necked stilts, American avocets, long-billed curlews and king rails have bird watching enthusiasts flocking to the areas as well.
Beginning in 1980, duck and goose hunters have been required to purchase an Oklahoma Waterfowl License. When matched with Federal Wildlife Restoration funds (generated through excise taxes placed on firearms, ammunition and hunting accessories), the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has funded projects to restore thousands of wetland habitat acres.
"Thanks largely to waterfowl hunters, we have a growing number of places in the state that are truly multi-use destinations for hunters and bird watchers alike," said Julian Hilliard, natural resource information specialist. "Hackberry Flat and Red Slough WMAs, in particular, are developing into popular bird watching destinations. Because of the wetland restoration project at Hackberry, the diversity of wetland-related birds has increased more than 25 percent in the last six years. Similar increases have been seen at Red Slough, and both have attracted many visitors from inside and outside of Oklahoma."
Hilliard said that Oklahoma has a growing number of "serious" bird watchers and groups devoted to bird watching. Hackberry Flat WMA, located seven miles southeast of Frederick in Tillman county, has become a favorite destination for birders in the spring. Birders equipped with strong binoculars or spotting scopes can easily access the area's 7,000 acres to get exceptional views of wading birds.
"Recently, we had an unusual visitor to Hackberry - a snowy owl," said Hilliard. "Once the word got out, birders from across the state showed up to catch a glimpse of the beautiful and rare arctic visitor."
Another area becoming renowned in birding circles is Red Slough WMA. Located 17 miles east of Idabel in McCurtain County, Red Slough represents the far-western edge of the gulf coastal plain. Saw palmetto and bald cypress trees can be found on the area, which reminds visitors of areas in Louisiana or Florida. More than 230 species of birds have been identified on the 3,500-acre area including white ibis, roseate spoonbills and black-bellied whistling ducks. A bird watching tour of Red Slough WMA is the topic of an upcoming episode of "Outdoor Oklahoma" on Sunday, February 24, at 8:00 a.m. on OETA-The Oklahoma Network.
Outdoor Oklahoma features such topics as fishing, hunting; and fisheries, game and non-game wildlife management. The 30-minute program can be seen on OETA-The Oklahoma Network Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. Outdoor Oklahoma can also be seen on the following television stations: KSBI Network (greater OKC metro area), Mondays-5:00 p.m., Thursdays-10: 30 p.m., Saturdays-1:30 p.m., KTEN (south-central and southeastern Oklahoma) Sundays-5 a.m., KWEM (Stillwater), Wednesdays-8:00 p.m., Fridays-7:00 p.m. and Sundays-8:00 p.m.
For a complete listing of show times and channels in your viewing area, consult the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com or your local TV guide.
Controlled burning benefits wildlife
Once regarded as an ecological catastrophe, fire is being seen more as a beneficial land management tool. Due to several factors, February and March are the most preferred months for conducting prescribed fires in Oklahoma.
Landowners burn for a variety of benefits, including controlling eastern red cedar, improving wildlife habitat, increasing cattle forage production and for managing fuel loads to reduce uncontrolled wildfires.
Oklahoma's native plant communities evolved under a regime of periodic fires. Prior to settlement, natural wildfires encouraged "prairie" plants such as big bluestem and other tall grass varieties that fed wandering herds of bison. Conversely, wildfires deterred the expansion of woody vegetation such as eastern red cedar which historically only grew in locations that were protected from fires such as stream banks, rock bluffs, and rugged canyons. Beginning with settlement, however, Oklahoma's plant communities have changed dramatically due to fire suppression.
Infestation of cedar is perhaps the best example of how fire suppression has resulted in changing Oklahoma's landscape. In the 1950's cedars had taken over 1.5 million acres and was advancing at a rate of seven percent per year. Today eastern red cedars have invaded approximately nine million acres of rangeland.
"The really alarming thing is that the amount of acres invaded in Oklahoma is doubling every 18 years, " said Mark Moseley, state range conservationist with Natural Resource Conservation Service. "Not only are many areas becoming more densely populated with cedar, but the trees' range is expanding to places like Beaver County in the panhandle, where there hasn't been any before."
Mosely said that in order to curb the spread of eastern red cedar, landowners are adopting a variety of removal measures, with prescribed burning being the most preferred method.
"Prescribed fire is by far the most cost-effective control measure for eliminating eastern red cedars that are 10 feet tall or smaller, but you have to use either mechanical or herbicide measures for bigger trees which can get very expensive.
"If landowners can implement a prescribed burning program before their trees get big, then they'll certainly be ahead in the long term," Moseley added.
Although cedars do have some benefit as a wildlife cover, they are not a significant food source for wildlife. They also tend to suppress other plants within the same area.
Reducing cedar infestation is just one aspect of burning's benefit to wildlife habitat. For many years, wildlife biologists have periodically burned wildlife management areas during late winter and early spring in order to encourage plant diversity and forb production.
"Forbs are essentially weeds, and weeds are excellent producers of wildlife foods," said John Hendrix, private lands biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Sunflowers, ragweeds and croton, are prime examples of forbs that are beneficial to quail, and several other wildlife species. These and other forbs can be enhanced through prescribed fire."
Landowners who would like more information about the benefits of prescribed burning can contact their county's Natural Resource Conservation agent. In addition, Internet users can get prescribed burning information by logging onto: www.OK.nrcs.usda.gov.
Hunters reminded to tag bobcats
Oklahoma's winter weather has been beneficial to state hunters and trappers, allowing them to spend more time pursuing furbearers, especially bobcats.
The 2001-2002 Oklahoma bobcat season closes Feb. 28, and the Wildlife Department wants to remind anyone who has harvested a bobcat that they must have it tagged by March 14, 2002. All bobcats must be tagged within 10 working days of the close of the season by an authorized Wildlife Department employee or at a designated bobcat tagging station. A list of designated private bobcat tagging stations are available on the Department's Web site. Stations may charge a fee of 75 cents per tag. The tags need to be on the pelt to verify its legal harvest.
Bobcats are very common in Oklahoma, and pelts from cats harvested in the state may be sold on a worldwide market. But, bobcats are not as common in other parts of the nation. Therefore, an international law was developed to keep track of where animals were harvested. The law created in 1975 is known as the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).
"The law requires states which allow the hunting or trapping of bobcats to monitor their harvest and document their origin of take. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may use the tags to detect if a species is being overharvested and where problems with trade may occur," said Dennis Maxwell, law enforcement assistant chief for the Wildlife Department. "By meeting the law's requirements, our hunters and trappers are able to enjoy one of the most liberal bobcat seasons available and have the opportunity to export and sell the pelts they harvest."
Outdoor Oklahoma wants your best shot
If you love outdoor photography, Outdoor Oklahoma's annual Readers' Photography Showcase offers a great chance to display your color slides in a magazine that consistently receives national recognition for its photography. Photographers, either professional or amateur, will have until March 29 to submit their best photos.
"Photographs can be of anything found in Oklahoma's outdoors from scenics to nature to people hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities," said Nels Rodefeld, editor of Outdoor Oklahoma. "The readers photography issue (July/August) is very popular among photographers, as evidenced by the fact that we receive hundreds of outstanding slides."
Rodefeld said that due to the reproduction and printing requirements, all entries must be original 35mm slides. Color prints, color negatives and larger format transparencies cannot be considered. The photographer's name, address and phone number need to be printed on each slide using a fine point pen or rubber stamp. Slides should not be encased in glass.
People wanting to obtain their own copy of the July/August Readers Photo issue can subscribe to Outdoor Oklahoma, on the Universal License form wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold; or via credit card by calling 1-800-777-0019. Subscriptions are $10 for one-year, $18 for two years, or $25 for three years.
Each participant may submit up to five color slides and all entries will be returned undamaged. Photographers can mail their submission to Paul Moore, Photo Editor, Outdoor Oklahoma, Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Crab Accounting at Next Clarkson University Science Cafe
"Crab Accounting: Reducing Dredge Impact on Fishery" will be discussed by St. Lawrence University General Biology Non-Majors Specialist Eileen Visser at the next Science Café on Tuesday, October 1, at 7:15 p.m. in the Park View Common Room, above the Blackbird Cafe, 107 Main St. in Canton, and on Wednesday, October 2, at 7:15 p.m. in the Potsdam Civic Center Community Room in Potsdam, N.Y.
Periodic dredging of the shipping channel through Grays Harbor estuary along western Washington coast kills many Dungeness crabs. Juvenile survival rates improve with the construction of intertidal oyster shell habitat, replacing population losses and relieving opposition from crab fishermen and ecological advocates alike.
Join Visser as she discusses crabby behavior, mud-slogging, and the promising mitigation efforts in this western estuary.
Science Cafes bring together engineers, scientists and townspeople in a relaxed, informal setting, such as coffeehouses and pubs. The speaker makes a short presentation about a topic in his or her field, and then opens up the floor to discussion.
Find out more about Clarkson's Science Cafe at http://www.clarkson.edu/sciencecafe.
E-mail Daniel ben-Avraham at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions or suggestions for future Science Cafe topics.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/evisser.jpg .]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hey, yeah, we the same brothas from a long time ago
We was talkin' about television and doin' it on the radio
What we did was to help our generation realize
They had to get out there and get busy cause it wasn't gonna be televised
We got respect for you rappers and the way they be free-weighin'
But if you're gon' be teachin' folks things, make sure you know what you're sayin'
Older folks in our neighborhood got plenty of know-how
Remember if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't be out here now
And I ain't comin' at you with no disrespect
All I'm sayin' is that you damn well got to be correct
Because if you're gonna be speakin' for a whole generation
And you know enough to try and handle their education
Make sure you know the real deal about past situations
It ain't just repeatin' what you heard on the local TV stations
...Sometimes they tell lies and put 'em in a truthful disguise
But the truth is that's why we said it wouldn't be televised
They don't know what to say to our young folks, but they know that you do
And if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
The first sign is peace, tell all them gun totin' young brothas
That the man is glad to see us out there killin' one another
We raised too much hell when they was shootin' us down
So they started poisoning our minds tryin' to jerk us all around
And they tell us they got to come in and control our situation
They want half of us on dope and the other half in incarceration
If the ones they want dead ain't killed by what they instigated
They put some dope on a brotha's body and claim it was drug related
Tell them drug related means there don't need to be no investigation
Or at least that's the way they're gon' play it on the local TV stations
All your 9-millimeter brothas...give them somethin' to think about
Tell them you heard that this is the new word, they got to work that stuff out
But somehow they feel in the wrong way with a gun in their hands
They feel real independent...but they just pullin' contracts for the man
Five and five will tell you it's hopeless out there on the avenue
But if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
And if they look at you like you're insane
And they start callin' you scarecrow and say you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks had finally co-opted your game
Or worse yet implying that you don't really know...
That's the same thing they said about us...a long time ago
Young rappers, one more suggestion before I get out of your way
But I appreciate the respect you give me and what you got to say
I'm sayin' protect your community and spread that respect around
Tell brothas and sistas they gotta calm that bullshit down
Cause we're terrorizin' our old folks and brought fear into our homes
And they ain't got to hang out with the senior citizens
Just tell them, "Dammit...leave the old folks alone"
And we know who rippin' off the neighborhood, tell them, "That BS has got to stop!"
Tell them you're sorry they can't handle it out there
But they got to take the crime off the block
And if they look at you like you're insane
And they start callin' you scarecrow and say you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks had finally co-opted your game
Or worse yet saying that you really don't know...
That's the same thing they said about me a long time ago
And if they tell folks that you finally lost your nerve
That's the same thing they said about us, when we said, "Johannesburg"
But I think the young folks need to know, that things don't go both ways
You can't talk respect of every other song or just every other day
What I'm speakin' on now is the raps about the women folks
On one song she's your African Queen on the next one she's a joke
And you ain't said no words that I haven't heard, but that ain't no compliment
It only insults eight people out of ten and questions your intelligence
Four letter words or four syllable words won't make you important
It'll only magnify how shallow you are and let everybody know it
And if they look at you like they think you insane
Or they call you scarecrow thinkin' you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks have finally co-opted your game
Or you really don't know...They said that about me a long time ago
If they finally start to tell people that you lost your nerve
That's what they said about Johannesburg
You ain't insane...you have got a brain
You haven't gone lame; you have got your game
Remember...keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
...I'm talkin' about peace
Message To The Messengers was a record dedicated to the rappers of the time and rap music in general. Gil-Scott is regarded as the "Godfather of Rap" and his influence can be seen in many hip hop records if you know what to look for.
In this poem, Heron is advising his progeny, hip hop, to be conscious of what is going on. The OG, Gil is trying to give rappers game to avoid the pitfalls and traps that the establishment has laid to prevent growth of the black community.
It is clear that Gil-Scott has great respect for hip hop and sees it as having high potential to influence revolution and bring black consciousness to a higher level. As the Godfather he naturally has wise game to kick to the young brothers.
It will not be televised.


text:
Pil & Galia Kollectiv
Pil & Galia Kollectiv are London based artists, writers and curators working in collaboration.
Their work addresses the legacy of modernism, exploring the promises and ruins of the avant garde discourses of the twentieth century. It deals with the way these failed utopias operate in the context of a changing landscape of creative work and instrumentalised leisure. They are interested in the relationship between art and politics, and the role irony and belief play in its current articulation. They often use choreographed movement and ritual as both an aesthetic and a thematic dimension, juxtaposing consumerism and religious ceremonies to find the underlying rites and convictions of a secular, post-ideological society. Reading dada, Constructivism, and the Bauhaus backwards through punk and new wave, Pil & Galia find new uses for futures past.
Pil & Galia also run xero, kline & coma, an artist run project space, are the London editors of Art Papers, and teach fine art at the University of Reading and elsewhere.
- Pil & Galia Kollectiv features in a project.


text:
tifosi77 wrote:I know it's a fairly popular method, but I'd be worried about the mixer blade cutting the gluten strands into tiny fragments and not coming together properly. Also, dough is very thick and wet and can put a ton of strain on the processor's motor... and I've already killed one food processor.
I wouldn't do real bread in a food processor, just for that reason. For pizza or "flat" bread, it's fine. My food processor is stronger than my stand mixer, for some reason.


text:
A Win for Medicare Beneficiaries: Maintenance Therapy Cannot Be Denied
It's not a secret that skilled therapy, under the guidance of a licensed therapist, is helpful to maintain function, increase strength and prevent regression/deterioration. Yet for decades, Medicare beneficiaries have been denied care based upon their condition being deemed "unlikely to improve."
Thankfully, the winds of change have prevailed. In January 2013, a win in the Medicare Improvement Standard case, Jimmo v. Sebelius, was not just a victory for the plaintiffs in the case, but for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide.
As a result of the settlement, Medicare beneficiaries – particularly those with long-term or debilitating conditions and those who need rehabilitation services – cannot be denied coverage for critical services like maintenance therapy because their conditions are not likely to improve.
The settlement reflects what we have long known to be true – ongoing, skilled intervention can make a world of difference for a patient who suffers from a debilitating, chronic condition, like:
- Arthritis
- Balance/Fall risk
- Degenerative joint disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Physical decline from age
- Spinal cord injury
- Spinal stenosis
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
If you or a loved one has been denied Medicare coverage for skilled therapy in the past, embrace your victory. Medicare patients with chronic conditions can maintain function and prevent decline with Good Shepherd's Stay Strong Program. Request an appointment or contact us today!


text:
Robert Calderbank
- Charles S. Sydnor Professor of Computer Science
- Professor of Computer Science
- Director of the Information Initiative at Duke
- Professor of Mathematics (Joint)
- Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Joint)
- Professor of Physics (Secondary)
Research Areas and Keywords
Algebra & Combinatorics
Computational Mathematics
Number Theory
Physical Modeling
Signals, Images & Data
Robert Calderbank is Director of the Information Initiative at Duke University, where he is Professor of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. He joined Duke in 2010, completed a 3 year term as Dean of Natural Sciences in August 2013, and also served as Interim Director of the Duke Initiative in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2012. Before joining Duke he was Professor of Electrical Engineering and Mathematics at Princeton University where he also directed the Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics.
Before joining Princeton University Dr. Calderbank was Vice President for Research at AT&T. As Vice President for Research he managed AT&T intellectual property, and he was responsible for licensing revenue. AT&T Labs was the first of a new type of research lab where masses of data generated by network services became a giant sandbox in which fundamental discoveries in information science became a source of commercial advantage
At Duke, Dr. Calderbank works with researchers from the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, developing information technology that is able to capture a full spectrum of behavior in very young children. By supporting more consistent and cost-effective early diagnosis, the team is increasing the opportunity for early interventions that have proven very effective.
At the start of his career at Bell Labs, Dr. Calderbank developed voiceband modem technology that was widely licensed and incorporated in over a billion devices. Voiceband means the signals are audible so these modems burped and squeaked as they connected to the internet. One of these products was the AT&T COMSPHERE® modem which was the fastest modem in the world in 1994 – at 33.6kb/s!
Together with Peter Shor and colleagues at AT&T Labs Dr. Calderbank developed the group theoretic framework for quantum error correction. This framework changed the way physicists view quantum entanglement, and provided the foundation for fault tolerant quantum computation.
Dr. Calderbank has also developed technology that improves the speed and reliability of wireless communication by correlating signals across several transmit antennas. Invented in 1996, this space-time coding technology has been incorporated in a broad range of 3G, 4G and 5G wireless standards. He served on the Technical Advisory Board of Flarion Technologies a wireless infrastructure company founded by Rajiv Laroia and acquired by Qualcomm for $1B in 2008.
Dr. Calderbank is an IEEE Fellow and an AT&T Fellow, and he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2005. He received the 2013 IEEE Hamming Medal for contributions to coding theory and communications and the 2015 Shannon Award.
Selected Grants
IUCRC Proposal Phase 1 Duke: Center for Alternative Sustainable and Intelligent Computing (ASIC) awarded by National Science Foundation (Participating Faculty Member). 2018 to 2023
NSF - IGE: Enhancing Data Skills and Professional Readiness through Vertically-Integrated Interdisciplinary Data Science Capstone Projects awarded by National Science Foundation (Co Investigator). 2018 to 2021
CIF:Small:High Performance Memories that Integrate Coding and Computer Architecture awarded by National Science Foundation (Principal Investigator). 2017 to 2020
Modern Tools for Classification and Clustering awarded by Princeton University (Principal Investigator). 2017 to 2020
Oak Ridge National Lab GO Program awarded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Principal Investigator). 2014 to 2019
Optimal Online Data-Driven Optimization with Multiple Time-Varying Non-Convex Objectives awarded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Co-Principal Investigator). 2018 to 2019
Planning IUCRC Duke University: Center for Alternative Sustainable and Intelligent Computing awarded by National Science Foundation (Co-Principal Investigator). 2017 to 2018
SHF:Small:Using Coding Theory to Optimize the Representation of Information in Computer Architecture awarded by National Science Foundation (Co-Principal Investigator). 2014 to 2018
Wide-Area Persistent Energy-Efficient Maritime Sensing awarded by Office of Naval Research (Principal Investigator). 2013 to 2016
Discovery of Empirical Components by Information Theory, Random Matrix Theory, and Computational Topology awarded by Princeton University (Co-Principal Investigator). 2013 to 2016
Calderbank, R, and Jafarpour, S. "Finding needles in compressed haystacks." Compressed Sensing: Theory and Applications. January 1, 2009. 439-484. Full Text
Wang, L, Chen, M, Rodrigues, M, Wilcox, D, Calderbank, R, and Carin, L. "Information-Theoretic Compressive Measurement Design." IEEE transactions on pattern analysis and machine intelligence 39.6 (June 2017): 1150-1164. Full Text
Campbell, K, Carpenter, KLH, Espinosa, S, Hashemi, J, Qiu, Q, Tepper, M, Calderbank, R, Sapiro, G, Egger, HL, Baker, JP, and Dawson, G. "Use of a Digital Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers - Revised with Follow-up to Improve Quality of Screening for Autism." The Journal of Pediatrics 183 (April 2017): 133-139.e1. Full Text
Thompson, A, Robles, FE, Wilson, JW, Deb, S, Calderbank, R, and Warren, WS. "Dual-wavelength pump-probe microscopy analysis of melanin composition." Scientific Reports 6 (November 11, 2016): 36871-null. Full Text
Vahid, A, and Calderbank, R. "Two-user erasure interference channels with local delayed CSIT." Ieee Transactions on Information Theory 62.9 (September 1, 2016): 4910-4923. Full Text
Sokolić, J, Renna, F, Calderbank, R, and Rodrigues, MRD. "Mismatch in the Classification of Linear Subspaces: Sufficient Conditions for Reliable Classification." Ieee Transactions on Signal Processing 64.12 (June 15, 2016): 3035-3050. Full Text
Huang, J, Qiu, Q, and Calderbank, R. "The Role of Principal Angles in Subspace Classification." Ieee Transactions on Signal Processing 64.8 (April 15, 2016): 1933-1945. Full Text
Qiu, Q, Thompson, A, Calderbank, R, and Sapiro, G. "Data Representation Using the Weyl Transform." Ieee Transactions on Signal Processing 64.7 (April 1, 2016): 1844-1853. Full Text
Carpenter, KLH, Sprechmann, P, Calderbank, R, Sapiro, G, and Egger, HL. "Quantifying Risk for Anxiety Disorders in Preschool Children: A Machine Learning Approach." PloS one 11.11 (January 2016): e0165524-. Full Text
Hashemi, J, Campbell, K, Carpenter, KLH, Harris, A, Qiu, Q, Tepper, M, Espinosa, S, Borg, JS, Marsan, S, Calderbank, R, Baker, JP, Egger, HL, Dawson, G, and Sapiro, G. "A scalable app for measuring autism risk behaviors in young children: A technical validity and feasibility study." Mobihealth 2015 5th Eai International Conference on Wireless Mobile Communication and Healthcare Transforming Healthcare Through Innovations in Mobile and Wireless Technologies (December 22, 2015). Full Text
Wang, L, Huang, J, Yuan, X, Krishnamurthy, K, Greenberg, J, Cevher, V, Rodrigues, MRD, Brady, D, Calderbank, R, and Carin, L. "Signal recovery and system calibration from multiple compressive poisson measurements." Siam Journal on Imaging Sciences 8.3 (September 17, 2015): 1923-1954. Full Text
Thompson, A, and Calderbank, R. "Sparse near-equiangular tight frames with applications in full duplex wireless communication." March 7, 2018. Full Text
Mappouras, G, Vahid, A, Calderbank, R, Hower, DR, and Sorin, DJ. "Jenga: Efficient Fault Tolerance for Stacked DRAM." 2017 IEEE 35th International Conference on Computer Design (ICCD). November 5, 2017 - November 8, 2017.: IEEE, November 2017. Full Text
Hadani, R, Rakib, S, Molisch, AF, Ibars, C, Monk, A, Tsatsanis, M, Delfeld, J, Goldsmith, A, and Calderbank, R. "Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) modulation for millimeter-wave communications systems." October 4, 2017. Full Text
Kadhe, S, and Calderbank, R. "Rate optimal binary linear locally repairable codes with small availability." August 9, 2017. Full Text
Michelusi, N, Nokleby, M, Mitra, U, and Calderbank, R. "Multi-scale spectrum sensing in small-cell mm-wave cognitive wireless networks." July 28, 2017. Full Text
Cnaan-On, I, Harms, A, Krolik, JL, and Calderbank, AR. "Run-length limited codes for backscatter communication." June 16, 2017. Full Text
Hadani, R, Rakib, S, Tsatsanis, M, Monk, A, Goldsmith, AJ, Molisch, AF, and Calderbank, R. "Orthogonal time frequency space modulation." May 10, 2017. Full Text
Reboredo, H, Renna, F, Calderbank, R, and Rodrigues, MRD. "Bounds on the Number of Measurements for Reliable Compressive Classification." November 15, 2016. Full Text
Renna, F, Wang, L, Yuan, X, Yang, J, Reeves, G, Calderbank, R, Carin, L, and Rodrigues, MRD. "Classification and Reconstruction of High-Dimensional Signals from Low-Dimensional Features in the Presence of Side Information." November 1, 2016. Full Text
Kumar, S, Calderbank, R, and Pfister, HD. "Beyond double transitivity: Capacity-achieving cyclic codes on erasure channels." October 21, 2016. Full Text
On June 4th, 2018, Professor Ingrid Daubechies was the first female recipient of the William Benter Prize in Applied Mathematics. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding mathematical contributions that have had a direct and fundamental impact... read more »
With math equations that analyze brush strokes, new discoveries about the world's greatest art are possible. It took X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and a painting algorithm to reveal the hidden portrait of a peasant underneath the painting of... read more »


text:
Report: Millions of girls still at risk of female genital mutilation
The largest report yet into the
extent of female genital mutilation, or
cutting, has shed new light onto a practice
that affects tens of millions of women and
girls worldwide, U.N children's agency
UNICEF said.
There is some positive news in the new
UNICEF report, with data on trends revealing
that the practice is becoming less common in
more than half of the 29 countries where it is
U.N. director: 'Women will change the world'
But some 30 million girls remain at risk of
being cut in the next decade unless efforts to
eliminate the practice make more headway.
More than 125 million girls and
women alive today have
undergone some form of
female genital mutilation in 29
countries across Africa and the
Middle East, according to the
report, "Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical
overview and exploration of
the dynamics of change."
The practice -- which can carry serious health
risks and is seen by the United Nations as a
human rights violation -- is found to a far
lesser degree in other parts of the world,
though the exact number of girls and women
affected is unknown, said the report,
published Monday.
Social acceptance and preservation of
virginity are the most commonly cited reasons
for carrying it out in most countries, among
men as well as women.
The adoption by the U.N. General Assembly
last December of a resolution intensifying
global efforts to eliminate female genital
mutilation marked "a milestone in global
efforts to end the practice," the report said.
CNN Special: Impossible odds, unstoppable
But cutting continues in some countries and
ethnic groups, despite decades-long efforts
to eliminate it -- and despite the fact that
laws banning female genital mutilation at all
ages have been passed in the majority of
African nations.
In some communities it is seen as a religious
requirement, while in others it's dictated by
"In many countries, prevalence is highest
among Muslim girls and women. However,
the practice is also found among other
religious communities," the UNICEF report
Cutting is nearly universal in
Somalia, Guinea, Djibouti and
Egypt, according to the report,
but affects only one in 100
girls and women in Cameroon
and Uganda.
Some girls undergo the
practice while still babies,
while others are cut as young
girls or in their teens.
The degree of harm inflicted
by the practice also varies
across communities.
Opinion: 'Women's rights violations not just
developing nation issue'
"In Somalia, Eritrea, Niger, Djibouti and
Senegal, more than one in five girls have
undergone the most radical form of the
practice, known as infibulation, which
involves the cutting and sewing of the
genitalia," the report said.
The downward trend in the practice is most
marked in countries where it is less
prevalent, the report said.
In Kenya and Tanzania, women age 45 to 49
are about three times more likely to have
been cut than girls age 15 to 19, UNICEF
found. In Benin, Central African Republic,
Iraq, Liberia and Nigeria, adolescent girls are
about half as likely to have been cut as
women age 45 to 49.
Other countries where the practice is more
widespread have also registered declines.
They include Burkina Faso and Ethiopia and,
to a lesser extent, Egypt, Eritrea, Guinea,
Mauritania and Sierra Leone, the report said.
It also highlighted a gap between the
support among women for female genital
mutilation and its prevalence.
"In most of the countries surveyed, (the)
majority of girls and women who have
undergone the practice do not see benefits
to it and think that the practice should stop,"
UNICEF statistics and monitoring specialist
Claudia Cappa is quoted as saying.
"More mothers are aware" that female
genital mutilation and cutting "can lead to
their daughter's, or a girl's, death," she says.
"So, there is a better understanding of the
consequences, which, in itself, is very
important progress."
Give African women a voice,' say activists
But many mothers who oppose the practice
still have their daughters cut because of
societal expectations, the study said,
indicating that "efforts to end the practice
need to go beyond a shift in individual
attitudes and address entire communities."
The study also found that efforts by the many
agencies campaigning for change are
differentiated for various ethnic groups, some
of which cross national boundaries, since
cutting is much more common in some groups
than others.
Men and boys, as well as girls, should be
encouraged to talk about the practice, the
report said. "This is especially important
since the data indicate that girls and women
tend to consistently underestimate the share
of boys and men who want (female genital
mutilation) to end."
Another factor in eliminating cutting is
promoting education and exposure to other
communities, it added, with urban, wealthier
and more educated families less likely to
impose the practice on their daughters.
"As many as 30 million girls are at risk of
being cut over the next decade if current
trends persist," said Geeta Rao Gupta, deputy
executive director of UNICEF.
"If, in the next decade, we work together to
apply the wealth of evidence at our disposal,
we will see major progress," she said. "That
means a better life and more hopeful
prospects for millions of girls and women,
their families and entire communities."


text:
Ronald Wojcik
Ronald Wojcik with his daughter Dolly
Thank you Dolly for sharing your photos with us!
Some time after midnight on June 3, 1982, Ronald Wojcik and Sandra Sowash were awakened and forced by knifepoint from Wojcik's Biloxi apartment by Attina Cannaday, David Gray, and Dawn Bushart. All five got into Wojcik's van and Cannaday drove to a remote wooded area north of Gulfport.On the way, Gray raped Sowash at knifepoint in the rear of the van.After the van stopped, Cannaday told Wojcik to get out. When he hesitated, Gray pulled him out. Holding a butcher knife to Wojcik's back, Gray marched him 50 to 60 feet into the woods. Cannaday yelled "Kill him", and Gray yelled back for Cannaday to bring Sowash into the woods to him.Sowash turned and ran down the road. Cannaday threw her knife at Sowash but the handle hit her in the back. Sowash hid at a nearby house, while Cannaday, Gray and Bushart fled to Slidell, Louisiana. At sunrise, the body of Ronald Wojcik was found with 19 stab wounds to the head, hands, upper body, and back.Gray stated that after he yelled for Sowash to be brought out, Wojcik hit him. Dropping the knife, Gray had a fist fight with Wojcik in which Gray knocked him to the ground, breathless. Picking up the knife, Gray suddenly saw Cannaday who asked for the knife and said she wanted to talk to Wojcik. Gray did so, telling her to say what she had to, but to make it fast. Gray then returned to the road. About five minutes later, Cannaday returned. He asked her what happened, and she replied, "Nothing, he got up and ran off." Gray denied using the butcher knife against Wojcik at any time during or after the fight. He said Cannaday did not return with the butcher knife. He likewise denied ever using either of the folding knives in his possession against Wojcik.Sowash gave the police a detailed description of Wojcik's white van, as well as the name of Tina as a participant. Sheriff's deputies knew that Cannaday had connections in Slidell, Louisiana, and informed the Louisiana authorities to be on the lookout for the white van and occupants. Wojcik's wallet was found on the highway near Slidell.Wojcik's van was sighted near Slidell, and Gray and one Timmy Page were arrested. Cannaday was arrested at Page's residence
Murderpedia: Attina Marie Cannaday
Attina Marie Cannaday appeal 1984
David Randolph Gray appeal 1985
David Randolph Gray appeal 1987
David Randolph Gray appeal 1992
Death Row inmate wins ruling
Wikipedia: Attina Marie Cannaday
Wikipedia: Too Young to Die?
Women and the Death Penalty in the United States, 1900-1998
Kids Who Kill
Too Young to Die?
Important news for this case:
One of the defendents, Attina Cannaday, is coming up for parole. The victim's family does not want her to receive parole. I am trying to get the information on when the parole hearing is and the address to send letters in support of the family. I hope to update this on Monday.
*update 3/5/2008*
Attina will be released on parole on 3/7/2008
Name: DAVID GRAY
Race WHITE
Sex MALE
Date of Birth 5/29/1954
Height 5′ 10"
Weight 205
Complexion FAIR
Build LARGE
Eye Color GREEN
Hair Color GREY OR
Entry Date 8/19/1982
Location SMCI
Unit SMCI 2
Location Change Date 2/11/2013 4:41:59 PM
Number of Sentences 3
Total Length LIFE
Offense 1
Sentence Length 1 3 YEARS
County of Conviction 1 JONES
Sentence Date 1
Offense 2
Sentence Length 2 2 YEARS
County of Conviction 2 JONES
Sentence Date 2
Offense 3
Sentence Length 3 LIFE
County of Conviction 3 HARRISON
Sentence Date 3
Tentative Release
Please read my comment policy before commenting. If you are here to just praise or talk about the killers, please go elsewhere. This is a place to remember the victim, not the killers. Think of the victim and his loved ones. Here, they are the ones that matter. ANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE VICTIM WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Also, you need to leave a real name, not anonymous, just me, Amanda Sue Bradley, etc. My blog, my rules.
Filed under: crime, high profile, murder, murder in the 20th Century | Tagged: 1982, Attina Cannaday, David Randolph Gray, death penalty, homicide, kidnapping, Mississippi, Movies Based on True Crimes, Ronald Wojcik, stabbing |


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This Weekend in Sports — Las Vegas Bowl
College bowl season kicks-off with a matchup of ranked teams. Here's what to watch this weekend:
Friday, Dec. 20
Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis; 8 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
James Harden leads Houston (17-9) against Paul George and Indiana (20-5). The Pacers have been the Eastern Conference's best team through the first quarter of the season thanks to a defense that keeps opponents to a league-low 90.2 points per game.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Georgetown at (18) Kansas
Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.; 12 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
Traditional college basketball power Georgetown (7-2) finds itself unranked heading into an early season battle with No. 18 Kansas (7-3). D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Markel Starks are the Hoyas long-range shooters. Super-freshman Andrew Wiggins is the player to watch for the Jayhakws.
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl — (20) Fresno State vs. (25) USC
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas; 3:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC
Two West Coast schools with high-powered offenses meet in Sin City when 20th-ranked Fresno State (11-1) faces 25th-ranked USC (9-4) in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Quarterback Derek Carr leads the Bulldogs, while wide receiver Marqise Lee is the centerpiece of the Trojans' offense.
(5) Michigan State at Texas
Frank Erwin Events Center, Austin, Tex.; 4 p.m. (ET) on CBS
Fifth-ranked Michigan State (9-1) visits Texas (10-1) in a cross-conference battle. Center Adreian Payne has been a standout for the Spartans, while freshman guard Isaiah Taylor has led the Longhorns to several early season wins, including one over North Carolina on Wednesday.
(7) Oklahoma State vs. (21) Colorado
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV; 11:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
Seventh-ranked Oklahoma State (10-1) meets No. 21 Colorado (10-1) as the second-half of a Coaches vs. Cancer benefit doubleheader in Las Vegas. The former Big 12 foes are now in separate conferences. Marcus Smart leads the Cowboys in scoring, while Spencer Dinwiddie paces the Buffaloes.
Sunday, Dec. 22
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte; 1 p.m. (ET) on Fox
New Orleans (10-4) travels to Carolina (10-4) to face the Panthers after dismantling them 31-13 two weeks ago in the Superdome. If Saints' quarterback Drew Brees gets protection — and Carolina's Cam Newton doesn't — we may see a replay of the Week 14 rout. New Orleans will clinch the NFC South and a first-round bye with a win, while the Panthers can punch their playoff ticket with a victory.
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore; 4:25 p.m. (ET) on CBS
New England (10-4) visits Baltimore (8-6) in a match-up of teams who have split the past two AFC title games. The Patriots clinch the AFC East with a win or a Dolphins loss or tie. They'll lock up a playoff spot with a Bengals' loss or tie. The Ravens clinch a playoff spot with a win and losses by the Dolphins and Chargers.
Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia; 8:30 p.m. (ET) on NBC
NFC divisional leaders duel when NFC East-leading Philadelphia (8-6) hosts NFC North-leading Chicago (8-6). If Dallas loses to Washington prior to Sunday night, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title and a playoff spot with a win. The Bears can clinch the NFC North title with a win if both Detroit and Green Bay lose.


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The Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the oldest and most famous museums in the world. The entrance is at the corner of the Piazza della Signoria, which for centuries has been the lively centre of Florentine life. At the Galleria degli Uffizi you will find masterpieces by Caravaggio, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, spread over 50 rooms.
Florence itself is a living museum, packed with centuries-old palazzi and Renaissance treasures. A simple stroll through the city is a museum-like experience. And if you decide to visit one, make it the Uffizi Galleria. The Uffizi fits into the category of the Louvre, the Hermitage and the Prado: its classical masterpieces are some of the most impressive in the world. The collection is huge and you can easily spend an entire day here. As a starting point, below are 3 highlights that you must not miss.
Sandro Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' is without a doubt one of the most famous paintings in the world. The painting depicts the birth of love: Venus, the naked Goddess of Love, emerges from a shell with servant Ora at her side. Venus shyly covers her modesty with her hand, while Ora is ready to cover her nakedness with a beautiful piece of cloth. Before creating his painting, Botticelli studied the famous marble sculpture Venus de Medici, on display elsewhere in the museum.
Caravaggio had an intimate relationship with Bacchus, the god of wine, intoxication and drunkenness portrayed here. The painter was known for his fiery temperament and immodest lifestyle. In his revolutionary paintings Caravaggio liked to emphasize the humanity of his subjects. The portrait that he painted at the end of the 16th century hardly idealizes the god: he is depicted as a man with whom Caravaggio caroused in the pubs and brothels. The artist also deviated from the traditional norm by forgoing the usual landscape in the background.
The altarpiece Ognissanti Madonna is another example of a new approach. Giotto painted the piece circa 1310 and it marks a turning point in painting as the first time that a medieval painter used perspective. With this work, Giotto stood on the cusp of one of the biggest revolutions in art history. He is also regarded as the 'father' of the Renaissance because of this style of painting. The altarpiece depicts Mary, seated on a throne. The apparent depth in her clothing and throne makes her much more human – something unheard of in those days.


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Comment for "Home Birth Plan"
Note: As I am set to publish this, Emma sounds like she might be in labor. She's having a breech homebirth, so I'm eager to watch along her process. Much of this post becomes irrelevant for her and wasn't a critique at all of her birth plan, but I wanted to offer other thoughts and ideas; now they can sit out there for others to read.
Sending love, Emma!
I read "Home Birth Plan" on the Ramblings of a kajira blog today and wanted to make a few comments. Blogger has been irking me no end not automatically allowing Name/URL as a commenter's option, so I'll just chat with Emma here in my blog!
Emma, the author of the blog, is a kajira… a slave in the Gorean style of Dominance/submission, what many would classify as kink, but others find it a lifestyle choice instead. Her D/s world is irrelevant to her birth plan (on the outside, anyway), but when you go to her site, you'll have questions; thought I'd give you a head start. Oh, and lowercase "i"s instead of the capital I is a sign of submission, not a typo.
Emma! I'm so excited for you having a homebirth. I love that you have Jake as such a vital part of your needs and desires. That speaks well for your relationship.
There're a couple of things I wanted to mention about your birth plan, clarifications, really. I know you have a midwife and she's obviously guiding you along nicely, but thought I'd point out a couple of things that caught my eye.
- I'll need antibiotics for GBS. Once the series is done, i'd like the IB removed.
When antibiotics are given in labor, they are given every 4-6 hours (depending on the antibiotic) until delivery. But, inbetween infusion times, the tubing can all be set aside and you capped off with a saline lock. You'll still have the IV threaded in your vein (no needle, of course), but you will be able to move around fine, shower and such without a problem.
Have you talked to your midwife about doing the Hibiclens wash instead of the IV antibiotics? It is what many homebirth clients do and is what most of my clients choose to do as well. It is easy and the research is very positive about the efficacy of its treating/"washing" GBS so the baby isn't infected as s/he goes over the perineum. If you want the list of studies and my protocol for the Hibiclens, email me and I'll send it right over. (Navel gazing Mid wife at g mail dot com)
- No episiotomy, i'd prefer natural tearing. - and if a tear does happen, PLEASE use a topical numbing agent to stitch it.
It is extremely rare for a midwife to do an episiotomy. I've done two in 15 years! (and might not even do those again if it were today) Hopefully, that will ease your mind. And not sure why you are asking for a topical numbing agent. Instead of injectable lidocaine? Many of us will put the topical on for a minute or two, letting it numb the area a little and then use the injectable lidocaine to really numb the area. I cannot imagine suturing with just the topical lidocaine. Owie, zowie!
There are midwives that suture without meds, but they almost always will suture immediately after the birth when the birth hormones are raging high and the perineum is still pretty numb from pushing. It's a philosophical discussion about when to suture, but I find that suturing that close to the birth doesn't allow mom and baby an uninterrupted time to see and feel and smell each other. When moms are being sutured, it isn't unusual for her to be so distracted she cannot hold the baby or, if she can hold the baby, have a difficult time nursing. I'd rather wait awhile (45-60 min or so) and let mom and baby settle in before suturing.
Each midwife does have her own style and preferences, though, so this is a great question for your own midwife.
- Regarding being told what to do versus listening to your own body as well as Jake, I think you're going to find that exactly as you picture it. When everything is going great, the usually tact is to be gently encouraging. It is when guidance is needed that a midwife will step in. (It's what you're hiring her for, right?)
- Vitamin K shot is not needed, but eye drops after a couple hours are fine if required due to the GBS positive factor. I want that bonding period first though, and if eye drops aren't required, i'd like to skip them.
Actually, there are times the Vitamin K shot is needed (in my and others' opinion). If there is bruising at birth or if there's been some trauma to the baby as s/he is being born… shoulder dystocia for example… or if there is a caput (neither of which a breech baby will have). However, it is very common for a breech baby to have bruising on the butt, swelling and/or bruising on the genitals or if any manipulations need to be done, on that body part. As a midwife, I would encourage my clients to seriously consider getting the Vitamin K shot for a breech birth.
Regarding the Erythromycin eye ointment, it is given for chlamydia and gonorrhea, not GBS, if that helps your decision.
"According to the 2005 Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy, the ophthalmic ointment is indicated for use in all newborns for the prevention of a bacterial eye infection known as ophthalmia neonatorum due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis."
- Baby will need hep B vaccine AND hbig immuglobulin at birth with in 12 hours of delivery....
It's so interesting you don't want the Vitamin K or the erythromycin, but you do want the HepB injection. If moms pick and choose, it is very often the other way around. If, however, you are in a high-risk category, ignore this comment.
- Mom will need Rhogham. She's RH negative - baby is most likely positive.
Not sure why you think the baby is most likely positive, but care providers almost always (should!!) test the baby right after the birth and then you can get the RhoGam® (aka Anti-D) if the baby is positive. (And yes, readers, I am aware not all mothers choose the RhoGam® even if their babies are negative.) Even in a homebirth, labs can come get the blood stat and let the midwife know so she can get you the RhoGam® before 72 hours postpartum. There are even home tests to determine what type the baby has.
I've poked around and can't find a percentage of babies that are positive to moms who are negative; do you have a site I can check out? I did find that 85% of Caucasians have Rh positive blood, so maybe that's what you are going by?
And do you know if the dad is Rh positive or negative? If he's negative, then you don't need a shot at all!
(For the geeks in us, I came across this interesting (cool!) site that scientifically explains the Rh factors in more depth –and reminds us providers it isn't just a case of positive and negative, but there are variations on the negatives we need to be aware of. Plus, MoonDragon has a great explanation of the variants of Rh negatives [Kell, Duffy, etc.])
I really do look forward to your upcoming birth, Emma. I know there are now many of us sending you birth vibes and anticipate seeing your precious baby. Thank you for being so out there.


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About the Association
Supporting Association
The Central European Cognitive Science Association, CECOG is a civil association to promote cooperation in the field of cognitive science in Central Europe, taken in its traditional sense in the geogrpahic sense, and taken in its broadest interpretation in the intellectual domain.
The association aims to foster cooperation between universities and research institutions dealing with cognitive science in the region including such countries as: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
The main activity of the association is to organize the yearly DUCOG conference series, share graduate training information, and to initiate invited lecture series and summer schools.
Organizing Committee of CECOG
and the Dubrovnik series in Cognitive Science
Melita Kovacevic, University of Zagreb
Ilona Kovács, Budapest U of Technology and Economics
Csaba Pléh, Budapest U of Technology and Economics
Managing organizers and local hosts of the conference series
Nevena Padovan, University of Zagreb
Dora Kampis, Budapest U of Technology and Economics
Managing secretary of the association Dora Kampis, Budapest U of Technology and Economics
The organization of the association was initiated at a meeting in August 2008. There, the first organizers responsible for reviewing, organizing, invitation of the tutors, and the like were proposed.


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News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, email@example.com, 512-389-8030
April 19, 2010
Texasinvasives.org Empowers Citizens To Stop Plant, Animal Pests
Redesigned Web Site Supports "Hello Giant Salvinia, Goodbye Texas Lakes" Awareness Effort
AUSTIN — The invasive species Web site http://www.texasinvasives.org/ debuts a complete redesign this month, featuring new interactive features enabling people to report sightings and take action to stop the spread of invasive plants and animals that threaten the state's economy, environment and quality of life.
Invasive species are plants and animals that invade and take over, pushing out beneficial native plants and animals and causing problems for people. Nationwide, invasive species cost the U.S. economy an estimated $137 billion per year. In Texas, just one species, the red imported fire ant, causes more than $256 million in damages per year, not to mention the cost in human misery from its painful bites.
The redesigned Web site emphasizes public interaction, including a new "Report It" function where people can log sightings of invasive pests, an "Eco Alerts By Region" feature that provides geographically-specific information on problem species in different areas of the state, and new social media features like YouTube videos.
Also new: the site used to focus solely on invasive plants, but it is being expanded to include aquatic and terrestrial insects and organisms like zebra mussels, and will ultimately feature feral hogs and other problem animals. The site still offers a comprehensive database of invasive plant species, with photos to identify them and ways to report them or control their spread.
"The Report It feature will enlist the aid of Texans to help keep out the worst of the worst," said Damon Waitt, senior botanist with the Wildflower Center, part of the University of Texas at Austin. The Wildflower Center rebuilt the Web site and manages it on behalf of the larger partner group. "We see time and again that citizens are our first line of defense to help stop new introductions."
Besides telling people what to avoid, the Web site also shows what to do. It links to resources showing how to "go native" with hardy, drought-tolerant native plants that help conserve water, reduce mowing and upkeep costs, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil and save money on water, fertilizer and pesticides.
People can learn how to become Citizen Scientists by clicking the Invaders tab of the new Web site, where they can see a list of training workshops offered by 34 satellite groups now keeping an eye out for invasive species across Texas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's marketing group and its ad agency Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing worked with the Wildflower Center to make the site more visually appealing and easier to navigate and more accessible to non-scientists, while still featuring a separate robust section for professionals.
"We made a conscious effort to make it public-friendly by strengthening the education and outreach components," Waitt said.
Since the redesigned site launched, visitor traffic has grown to 26,000 page views from April 1-14, compared to an average of about 21,000 views in an entire month last fall.
The Report It feature lists nine invasive species that are "on or at the doorstep of Texas" and already pose huge problems in other states. "Some are here, others aren't here yet, and we want to know if and when they arrive," Waitt said.
Waitt said various state and federal agencies actively follow reports on the Web site about invasive species sightings. Texas Parks and Wildlife is interested in problems like giant salvinia and zebra mussels. APHIS is watching the cactus moth. The Texas Forest Service is tracking the emerald ash borer and soapberry borer.
"These agencies have some control and management options, and if they can catch invasive species early before they become established, that's the most effective and cost efficient strategy," Waitt emphasized.
TPWD helped fund the texasinvasives.org redesign to support a major public awareness campaign that launched this month to combat giant Salvinia, which has been reported in 17 Texas lakes, including popular recreation spots like Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Caddo Lake, and Lake Conroe. Left unchecked, giant salvinia can choke off boating and fishing access to an entire lake and displace native plants, fish and other wildlife.
"We viewed this new website as critical for our 'Hello Giant Salvinia, Goodbye Texas Lakes,' awareness campaign because we needed a user-friendly website to provide detailed information on how boaters, anglers and Texans can help," said Darcy Bontempo, TPWD marketing director. "We couldn't have asked for a better partner than the Wildflower Center to create this invaluable online resource."
Partners behind texasinvasives.org include the nonprofit Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, NationalBiological Information Infrastructure, and Texas AgriLife Extension.
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Car News
ProPickup Expo Introduces New Pickup Lines
For those using the truck as a tool, Dallas' ProPickup Expo provided course after course of aftermarket fare. And since time is money for commercial truck users, there's an ongoing emphasis to save them both time and money. Although those savings are more important for those driving 1,000 miles a week than those driving 1,000 miles a month, we've selected a handful of options or services equally attractive on the daily commute or weekend getaway. Here are our choices for pickup lines worth using.
The Garmin dezl is the navigation tool for commercial truck drivers driving the interstates. But those features working for the long haul are easily applicable for the long weekend or extended vacation. As Garmin notes, the dezl provides a screen that is easy to see and, with extra loud speakers, easy to hear. And for those wanting to get in and out of big-city confusion with a minimum of freeway-induced angst, Garmin helps navigate complicated interchanges (with what they call Active Lane Guidance) and keeps you informed of any changes in road conditions. Again, the nav unit is intended for commercial drivers, but could make a big difference in your ability to enjoy a holiday over a long weekend.
With volatile changes in fuel prices this summer, we've all wanted to fill up when prices are low and avoid the pumps when prices tend to spike. That's easier to do if your diesel pickup is equipped with a Titan fuel tank. With capacities of between 50 and 60 gallons, the Titan tanks retail for $1,200 to $1,500, requiring between two and four hours for installation. That 20- to 30-gallon capacity increase, of course, can provide another 200 to 300 miles of driving. If your truck provides little more than Point A to Point B transportation, the extra capacity will get you to Point C or D. And if you're waiting for a drop in fuel price, an extra week's worth of driving might make that wait worthwhile.
If time is money, then time lost is money lost. Reducing lost time is the goal of Chrysler Group's BuinessLink, a proactive approach to commercial service from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM dealerships. With special services, such as priority next-available bay service, extended hours and free loaner vehicles, BusinessLink looks to iron out the kinks in what is often a contentious business relationship. Membership is complimentary.
With the exception of Brad Pitt's Benjamin Button, none of us are getting any younger. And if you've climbed up and out of your last pickup bed you might be ready for the Bedslide, a "why-didn't-I-think-of-that?" solution to loading and unloading a pickup bed. The slide is a reinforced platform resembling a drawer, and it's sized to fit a variety of mid-size and full-size pickups. With a load capacity of up to 2,000 lb, it can haul virtually anything--or everything--you'd put in the bed of a pickup. Bedslide prices start under $1K.
Of course, one of the more significant expenditures associated with truck ownership is tire replacement. As demonstrated at the ProPickup Expo, Toyo's Open Country A/T works to minimize that cost with an aggressive tread design, a quieter ride and a 65,000-mile warranty. With a wide range of sizes available, Toyota's new treads look like just the deal for your next on-road/off-road adventure.


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WOW! Food & Wine Events
Affairs of the Vine is delighted to have the opportunity to work with you to create and conduct an outstanding wine experience that will stimulate, educate, and entertain. We welcome the opportunity to help you create a memorable and dynamic event.
Bring your team to Wine Country or let us bring the Wine Country to you.
Affairs of the Vine is prepared to exceed expectations while assisting you in producing a flawless program.
For a customized proposal contact
Chief Wine Evangelist, Barbara Drady
Affairs of the Vine
Phone: 707-874-1975
Email: email@example.com
Leave a Comment


text: Hi Everyone I bet you are wondering what on Earth this new 'Introduce Yourself' area is all about eh... Well, at the recent Moderators meeting we all thought it would be a great idea to have an Introduce Yourself forum area where people could tell us a little more about themselves and what they get up to in their lives etc... However, tMP as you are well aware, will be three years old in November this year - and some might think that introducing a forum category such as this is a little... shall we say... belated... :biggrin: We do appreciate this, but still we feel it would be a great place for people to make one of their 1st posts on tMP and will help to proactively welcome more people onto the forums in the hope that they may then feel more comfortable in contributing to the excellent ongoing discussions already on the site. So, we decided to start this new forum, but to phase its introduction over a period of a month or so. We felt that new tMP'ers, on seeing that there were no posts within this new category, may not wish to post in it themselves and thus this new section wouldn possibly not work. Voila... this is where you good folks come in. :biggrin: Presently, only those tMP'ers who have been members with us for over 500 days and who also have over 500 posts will be able to see this category and will be able to post within it. We are hoping that we can encourage you to make your very belated Introductory Post over the next 2 to 3 weeks, when I will then make it such that tMP'ers who have been a member for 300 days and 200 posts can see the category... et al... until we are ready to open up the category to all visitors to us. This way we hope to have had many of your introductory posts made during this short time such that when a new members sees this new area, they are inclined to make an introductory post themselves and start contributing to the forums more and more. So, can we count on your support here folks...? Are you OK to make your belated introductory post...? We hope so... feel free to start posting away in here... and thanks for your ongoing support.:tup John and the team


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*Don't miss out on the Favor Affair Giveaway! Be sure and leave your comment!!
In honor of Mother's Day, try hosting a Mother's Day Tea Party. Country Living has some great ideas on an outdoor tea party.
This table looks beautiful and I love the chandelier hanging from the tree branch.
Serve special teas along with tea sandwiches.
Fruit tarts will be a tasty dessert after the tea.
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper