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After 5 years we've decided to start another business and have made the difficult decision to stop manufacturing the RocLok for the time being. If you are an existing customer, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may experience. We sincerely appreciate everyone's support over the years.
If you are of legal age and enjoy alcohol, check out our new venture Bootleg Botanicals. An all natural, organic way to transform Vodka, Rum, Everclear and Whiskey into your own handcrafted spirits without distillation! Make your own Bathtub Gin, Absinthe, Old Fashioned Cocktail, Cinnamon Whiskey and more.
A key safe that is disguised as a natural landscaping rock, the RocLok St. Helens lock box stores more than six keys at one time. Constructed from a concrete material, the St. Helens is a durable fake rock with a realistic look, weight and feel. Hidden on the underside of the rock, a large key storage box guarded by a three digit set-your-own combination lock safeguards keys with 1,000 possible code possibilities. Unlike traditional lock boxes that can draw unwanted attention to hidden keys or fake rock hide a keys that offer no security, the RocLok key safe guards spare keys discreetly and securely keeping your family and home safe.
Weather and impact resistant concrete rock exterior ages naturally within its environment
Locking key storage box designed to displace water, keeping keys safe and dry
Tumbler style combination lock is rated for outdoor use
Personal code can be changed as needed for added security
No batteries or power required, a great backup to keyless entry systems
Ideal for school-aged children, in-home care, pet nanny's, home service providers, contractors,
real estate professionals, rentals and frequent travelers
Made exclusively in the USA from over 90% domestic materials
Also available with LokDown ground anchoring system to prevent possible unapproved relocation of your key safe
Width: 9 inches
Length: 7 inches
Height: 7 inches
Weight: 10 pounds / 6.4 ounces
Width: 2 inches
Length: 3 inches
Depth: 3/8th of an inch
Holds six large house keys at one time including those made by Baldwin, Emtek and Medeco
Do you love the RocLok key hider but fear it might walk away?
The exterior shell of the RocLok Lock Box is made of a polymer modified concrete blend. Special additives used in our concrete mix prevent moisture from getting through the hard outer shell of the rock. The additives also keep the shell of the RocLok from breaking apart during temperature changes.
Our key hiding chamber has been engineered to form an inverted cup shape when in the downward position. If you've ever tried to sink a drinking cup in a tub of water with the mouth down, you know that the air inside the hollow cup keeps it from filling with water. Our key chamber uses the same principal. The inverted chamber forms an air pocket around your keys keeping water out.
Watch it in Action
Just like a driveway changes with time, your RocLok lock box will adapt with its environment as years go by. Unlike plastic or resin key hiders whose coloring tends to fade with prolonged exposure to UV rays, the RocLok is tinted using a concrete stain that is rated for outdoor use. The color will not fade however UV rays can alter the original shade. Additionally, like a natural stone, the RocLok will collect dirt from its surroundings and can even grow moss if desired to enhance its camouflaging power throughout the years.
Every RocLok lock box has a large key hiding chamber that measuring 2" wide x 3" long x 3/8" deep. We have tested the capacity of the chamber with the largest door keys available on the market from Baldwin, Emtek and Medeco and were easily able to fit 6 different models at one time!
We now offer a way to safely anchor your RocLok lock box to the ground called the LokDown System. For an additional $20 we'll embed a 20" stainless steel cable into the RocLok style of your choice. At the end of the cable a DUCKBILL Earth Anchor will secure your rock to the ground just as a toggle bolt works in drywall. The anchor is driven into the ground 11 inches leaving 9 inches of cable that discreetly tucks underneath your rock.
Setting the personal code on your RocLok is an easy 4 step process. Code Instructions


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Deb (Benakis) Hockemeyer
Director of Coaching- Select Girls
Deb has served as the Director of the CAP (College Advisory Program), Programming, Webmaster and Social Media Director and Assistant ETP Staff Coach with the Iowa Rush as well as coaching different select teams for the club. Hockemeyer is currently the Iowa Rush Director of Coaching- Select Girls and holds a USSF "B" license.
Prior to arriving to the Rush, Deb was coaching in the women's collegiate game at both the Division 1 and Division 2 levels for a total of 4 years. A native of St. Charles, Illinois, she played at Iowa State University where she guided the team to it's first and only NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005 in her senior season.
Deb also continues to be active with the non-profit organization, Soccer Without Borders, after volunteering at SWB's project site in Uganda in 2010. Deb is married to her husband, Kevin, who works at Principal Financial Group and they live in West Des Moines. Their first son, Tyler, was born in July of 2013.

subset: commoncrawl


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The MMHPA will give out back-to-school supplies, on a first come first serve basis.
Bishop Carley L. Sparks said, "I'm a Cleveland native and have always done a back-to school-rally. The Hospice and the MMHPA wanted to reach out because so many kids in the Mississippi Delta did not pass the state civics test.
"So this is not only a backpack giveaway but it is an educational opportunity," he said.
Sparks has invited state senators, county supervisors and mayors to come out and participate in order to allow the children to see and understand who the officials are.
Sparks also mentioned he had a surprise guest for the children.
There will also be free food, a watermelon eating contest, live music, and gift giveaways.


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Free Entry
The Simpson Desert is undoubtedly Australia's most loved desert with large numbers of visitors each year accepting the challenge of crossing the Simpson. Winter rains carpet the desert in wildflowers and the night skies are a star gazers delight. Visiting the desert is a memorable experience but requires careful preparation and extreme care.
... moreHighlights of the French Line - Simpson Desert Four Wheel Drive Track include: Big Red Sand Dune; Eyre Creek; Poeppel's Corner; Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia Border; Purnie Bore; Balhousie Springs; and Mt Dare Hotel. The track is 430 kilometres long and will take approximately four days to complete. This road is only suitable for four wheel drives.
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Children are welcome.
* Please note: These rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available costs of listed products and services. To obtain a firm price from the provider, please use the contact the operator. All prices are quoted in Australian dollars.


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You're leaving Wedding Paper Divas to see the Deal of the Day at our parent site, Tiny Prints.
You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"I changed the table number Font to match the other paper items that will be issued to guests at the wedding. It was extremely easy and it works perfectly! I wish I could have personalized it a bit more but I am very happy with my experience and the finished product. These place cards are absolutely beautiful."
"These place cards are PERFECT and 100% what I was looking for! They look amazing in person and I was able to pick three colors of the star fish for our three different dinner options. The best part was the customer service that I received when ordering. The process was easy and stress-free. THANK YOU!"
"I requested the table line to be omitted as we only had one table, and it was done immediately. They also caught that I hadn't selected the pearl shimmer paper to match our menus. Great customer service!!"
"WPD had tons of styles and options to choose from. Finally settled on this design. We had some customization requests on what text was printed on the cards. The designers emailed me the next day with a proof and it was perfect. Thanks for a great experience and hassle free purchase."


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Chapter 1: The Urban Forest Possible
The Urban Forest Possible
What is a forest? A forest is made up of trees, of course, but it's also the plants— including fungi and microflora such as lichen—that grow under and around the trees. It's the birds and animals; the bugs and microorganisms; the air; the streams, rivers, and lakes; the rain, fog, and snow; the soil, the rocks, the mountains, and the minerals. It is the products of the forest: the fresh air, clean water, protected soil, recreation, fish, game, edible seeds and nuts, and of course fiber, both timber and pulp.
The forest creates less tangible products as well, which are rarely valued and hard to quantify. These include wilderness and wildness; solitude, emotional and physical restoration, beauty, nature, and a reconnection with one's spirit and spirituality as well as one's sense of adventure.
You can guage a country's wealth, its real wealth, by its tree cover. |
It's right before dawn. You slip out of bed, pull on your sweats, and go for a walk through the forest. The birds get up just before you to herald the sunrise. It's hard to see them, but they're everywhere in the lacy and varied canopy overhead. The cacophony of sound is bracing. The air too is crisp, fresh, and clear. You take a deep sniff. Is that wet pine leaves or eucalyptus? There's a rustle in the tree above. A squirrel leaps three feet, clutching an acorn in its teeth. How peaceful and calm it is here! You feel nurtured and relaxed, yet delightfully exhilarated. What a way to start the day! There's a new smell—of bacon frying and coffee brewing. It's feeding time for the dominant animal species of this, the urban forest.
Many agencies have spent years trying to define it. Most differ somewhat in their opinions, but they generally agree on what constitutes an urban forest: trees and vegetation in and around a town or city environment.
In the city, the only part of the forest managed by public agencies is that which grows on public land such as streets, highways, parks, and public buildings. But like the natural forest, the urban forest is actually an entire ecosystem. All areas—private homes, condos, apartments, roof gardens, commercial and retail property (including their parking lots and landscaped areas), flood-control channels, hillsides, utility rights of way, abandoned rail lines and the edges of active lines, airports, and spandrels (the no-man's-land open spaces covered by trees, weeds, or trash)—are parts of the urban forest. It is a whole system. If a disease infects the trees on your street, it will likely spread to the vegetation around your home, and vice versa. You can't effectively help the urban forest without dealing with the whole, including factors outside your city and somewhat outside your control. If your water is imported, weather patterns hundreds of miles away might have an impact on you. Likewise, laws and public policies legislated thousands of miles away can affect your forest.
I never saw a disconcerted tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted, they travel about as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day. JOHN MUIR |
An urban forest would function like a rural forest if it weren't for the rather inconvenient (for the trees) existence of the city and its human activity. Because the natural cycles that guarantee its functioning have been broken, the urban forest needs us to survive. For example, new trees are always being planted in natural forests through the process of natural seeding. There is a mix of ages of trees. When older trees die, the maturing younger ones are right there to fill in. Since concrete and the lack of a natural ecosystem prevent trees from reseeding themselves in most parts of the urban forest, it becomes our job to constantly plant new trees. We must interplant along our streets and in our parks to guarantee that there's a generation ready to succeed our old beauties. It's the same story with nutrients, water, and pest control; we must provide that which does not occur naturally in cities.
Elm Action When Dutch Elm Disease hit Minneapolis, Don Willeke, lawyer and cofounder of the Twin Cities Tree Trust, mobilized a massive citizen lobby that resulted in a state matching fund of $60 million to help cities organize a war against the disease. Most other stricken cities lost nearly all their trees, but by acting quickly, the people of Minneapolis slowed the spread of the disease and saved nearly half of their old elms. They have also planted nearly 1 million large trees in the past fifteen years to ensure a dense urban forest canopy. According to Don, the key was to involve politicians: "People underestimate their power to move government to action. They think as long as they're doing tree work, they don't need to get their hands dirty with politics." During the effort, citizens visited their representatives to plead for the trees. Now 100,000 mature elms lining the streets of Minneapolis stand as testimony that their strategy worked. |
Take a Peek
Perhaps the best way to view your urban forest is to look at it from above. If you're afraid of taking off or landing, checking out your forest is a great airplane activity for those tense sixty seconds! For a longer, more studied view, find the tallest building in town, a good hillside, or a detailed aerial photo. Notice the elements that we label city: the buildings, streets, parking lots, cars, and freeways. Now look at the forest instead of the city. The trees are probably obvious, but what about the meadows and clearings? Lawns, gardens, parks, parkways, golf courses, and cemeteries play a major role in the city forest, along with the wildlife, birds, bugs, and bees.
Now that you've mentally checked it out, what have you found? Was your city carved out of the forest, or was the forest planted into your city? If you don't have much of a forest at all, then your role is clear. You need to help create it wisely and establish it firmly. If your city or community is blessed with heavy forest cover, your job is just as magical, only different. How old are the trees? How well have they been maintained? Is there an inventory on them? What's the replacement plan? What's the ratio of trees lost to trees planted each year? (The national average is four trees lost for every tree planted.) Trees grow old and die. Disaster strikes communities who've become complacent about tree cover and have dropped planting from their list of priorities. Can a tiny sapling adequately replace a 100-year-old elm? Foresight will keep your community shaded in the manner to which it has become accustomed.
Who is taking care of your forest? Who's the guardian of the whole ecosystem? Who's monitoring what's happening? Who's reporting what to whom, and when? Where do government agencies, landscape professionals, and gardeners go for reliable information on what to do? How and where do lay people plug themselves in? Are there gaps between that which the agencies are able to manage well and that which is clearly the jurisdiction of private individuals? If you've never really seen the forest from this perspective before, you've probably not clearly been able to see your stewardship role.
Trees Release Me Trees can't be used as the scapegoat for unrepentant polluters. For instance, although many studies have shown trees to be valuable as sinks for trace contaminants—trees lining freeways are especially valuable in absorbing lead and exhaust fumes—we need to consider what happens to the leaves after they've taken up particulate matter from the air. If leaves are removed and burnt, the contaminants end up back in the atmosphere. If they're buried in landfills, the pollutants may leach into soil or ground water. If the leaves are used for mulch or compost (in the case of evergreens; leaves stay on the tree but are cleaned by rainfall), the soil eventually gets the pollutants back again. What's more, some trees cannot withstand air pollution and will die or suffer chronic stress. The message? Give trees a break. Don't ask them to clean a mess that was avoidable in the first place. |
Already the forests in our cities contribute a lot to our lives, physically, aesthetically, emotionally, and spiritually. Everybody has a tree story in their past. If we now contribute a little extra energy to them, they'll give us even more.
Trees shade and cool our streets and buildings, creating beautiful green towers to soften the harsh urban environment. A big tree can provide a day's oxygen for up to four people. Trees contribute to a community's sense of place. They increase property value. They provide fruit. They give us beautiful shapes, flowers, fall colors, and scents, and they provide homes for birds (who sweeten the air with their voices), butterflies, squirrels, and other wildlife. Their flowers are a food source for bees, and their branches hold many a tree house. In colder climates, trees can help insulate homes from cold winds as well. Trees catch rainfall, slow storm runoff, and prevent soil erosion. (See Chapter 2 for a complete list of the benefits of trees.)
Not so obvious are the emotional and healing benefits to people. A study at a hospital in Pennsylvania revealed that surgical patients whose rooms had a view of trees and greenery took fewer painkillers and recovered quicker than those whose windows faced a brick wall. Is there any doubt that an abundance of trees in the city makes it a saner place and keeps its residents a little more balanced?
The entire urban forest canopy plays a leading role in cooling our cities and keeping our energy costs down by breaking up heat islands, thereby lowering peak summer temperatures by five to nine degrees. A heat island, primarily an urban phenomenon, is an area of exposed, heat-absorbing surfaces, such as tarmac and concrete, that without tree cover absorb the sun's energy and radiate it back as tremendous heat. They can be found all over the city—in our parking lots, streets, and buildings.
Mental Tarzan As you begin to know trees by name, you'll almost unconsciously start labeling them as you walk or drive through the city. Your attention will be drawn to them rather than to the urban hardscape. Ultimately, you may find yourself mentally swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan in the urban jungle. |
According to research conducted since 1988 at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL), proper planting and shading of these urban surfaces can achieve an energy saving of up to 50 percent of the electricity used for summer air conditioning. Used in this way, an urban tree becomes an effective machine for combating global warming and cutting utility costs. Hashem Akbari and Arthur Rosenfeld, researchers at LBL, report that one urban tree does the job of between ten and fifteen rural forest trees in keeping greenhouse gases from the air.
Just as global warming and the hole in the ozone layer are linked, so too are trees in their ability to combat these environmental ills. The shade produced by trees on city streets and campuses can help shield us from harmful ultraviolet rays, which are more prevalent without the protective ozone layer.
Exploiter vs. Exploited "You're from Los Angeles, huh? (Sympathetic sigh.) Oh, they really need you down there. You know, our son went down there; he built three shopping centers, and we were ready to go down and see the job he'd done. Suddenly we had a call from him saying he was coming back to Spokane; said there were no trees down there and too much traffic and congestion and people and buildings and . . . well, the trouble is, you lose hope in a city like that. It doesn't seem like anyone can affect anything at all. . . . Now he's building houses in Spokane." |
Imagine the earth is a ball you're holding in the palm of your hand. Look at its precious resources: clean air, clean water, energy, abundant food, animal life. Notice that all the elements on the earth seem to coexist in a state of balance. This rule applies not just to the whole but to its parts. The forest ecosystem in its natural state is a perfect example of nature in balance.
This state of balance is actually a dynamic set of processes that make up cycles. In natural ecosystems, everything—energy, information, nutrients, water—flows in a cycle.
Let's follow an energy cycle. Plants grow using energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and nutrients from the soil. During photosynthesis, plants transform the sun's energy into biomass: leaves, stems, and wood. Anything that falls to the ground, be it leaves, broken branches, or the plant or tree itself when its life is through, decomposes and returns the energy to the soil, making it available for the growth of other plants. One simple and complete cycle.
The cycle expands to include the animal kingdom, which consumes the food the earth produces. Animals—humans included—are a part of the bigger cycle. We eat plants, convert and use some of the plant energy, and then, through elimination or death, pass the remainder of that energy back to the earth to be used as fertilizer for the growth of more plants. Another complete cycle.
If a cycle is broken, the energy is diffused. For instance, during a forest fire, heat, carbon dioxide, and smoke are produced as waste products. That waste, or diffusion, is what scientists define as pollution.
For millions of years, humans were able to live on the earth as a part of natural cycles and systems. Whatever damage or disruptions people caused could be handled by nature. As technology advanced, people learned how to manipulate the environment and to disrupt cycles permanently.
Instead of recycling the energy we use back into nature, we break the cycle and think we can throw away that energy. Our waste becomes pollution: sewage fouling rivers, lakes, and oceans; litter making our common land look like a trash can; and garbage filling our canyons and turning them into ever increasing and harder-to-reach landfills. The level of pollution—poison—has risen to the point where it is affecting our health and killing off forests and animals.
Human energy has more than just a physical presence. We also express and recycle our energy in the form of love, service, art, dance, prayer, and so on. Likewise, wasted human energy is represented by more than just physical pollution. We feel boredom, frustration, anger, alienation, depression, and pain. Until recently, our physical pollution has been out of sight and therefore out of mind—flushed or buried from view. On the nonphysical plane, ridding ourselves of our deep boredom, anger, or pain has required sophisticated distractions, such as harmless spectator sports or, more drastically, gang activity and drug abuse. No wonder we're an addicted society!
Our role in the breaking of cycles began when technological advances made it possible for humans to manipulate the environment. It gained new proportions when we moved beyond villages into large cities, where a degree of anonymity could be translated into not being accountable and not counting. Aside from breaking the energy cycle on a massive scale, urban dwellers broke the negative feedback loops. As long as we could put our waste somewhere else, we didn't have to face the damage it was causing and so didn't change our behavior.
Now that we see a crisis before us, both environmentally and socially, we have a chance to get back in touch with our personal power and responsibility to change our ways. Imagine what can happen when that human energy is focused! The answer doesn't lie out there. There will never be enough money to hire teams to clean up the planet for us, any more than there will be enough money to rid us of the scourge of drugs. The answer lies in mobilizing every single one of us to heal—not as a punishment, but as a powerful gift to ourselves. Tending our own mess, like tending our own trees, is a continuing discipline. As with most messes, once we get involved in cleaning up, we can appreciate the need for prevention.
Humans are the only creatures capable of comprehending and relinking the earth's cycles. From an ecological perspective, we do have a role to play above enjoying ourselves, consuming the earth's resources, and destroying its life-support systems. Consequently, the three Rs many of us remember from childhood have become the four Rs for the nineties: reduce, reuse, recycle, and replant.
Look at the number of possible players in the urban forestry game! Just trying to find who's responsible can be a massive undertaking. Here's a starting point.
- individual citizens
- youth
- politicians
- organizations such as churches, clubs, and homeowner groups
- government agencies such as city or urban forester; public works department; street tree, roads, or highway department; parks department; fire department; county, state, and federal forestry agencies; environmental quality department; planning, building and safety, or engineering department; and agriculture commissioner
- citizen commissions on trees, public works, and parks
- urban forestry professionals such as arborists, landscape architects, landscape maintenance firms, and home gardeners
- telephone and electric utilities (for line clearance)
- businesses
- environmental organizations
- the nursery industry
Lines of authority differ in every town. There are often major gaps in coverage, and many opportunities to enhance the urban forest are missed. With the rise of the profession of urban forestry, some cities are now making an effort to coordinate diverse agencies and activities. A city will benefit by having an urban-forest management system planned or in place before it takes on a major planting effort. However, take heed of Marcia Bansley of Trees Atlanta who said their planned-management system fell apart because no one could agree on a species selection list! Trying to coordinate efforts can be very hard work. There's no rule on what a system should look like, but there are a number of ideal components.
City forester: Overall program manager whose role is to integrate the work of public agencies and the private sector.
City or government agency: Has planting, management, and maintenance responsibility and funding to do it.
Ordinances: Some ordinances protect trees or prescribe minimum legal tree cover in, for instance, commercial parking lots. Others may mandate certain densities of plantings with development projects or percentage of sun required on city streets. Some city ordinances even mandate tree-pruning standards and require certification of tree care professionals. (Contact the American Forestry Association, TreeNet, or the International Society of Arboriculture for information. See Resources.)
Citizen tree commission: Holds the vision of a city forest, provides community input, and contributes to the planning and management process. Can be set up in a policy-making or advisory capacity.
Citizen action component: Includes youth involvement in planning, planting, light pruning, and care; advocacy; and the contributions of citizens through environmental or community-service private nonprofit groups.
Public education: Handled by public or private sector.
Neighborhood-level outreach, organizing, training, and action: Best handled by a private organization.
Tree inventory: Organized list of all trees on public lands. Should include maintenance history and prescribed policy and schedule for maintenance and replacement.
Tree or forest master plan: A planning document that guides selection of species, planting styles, sizes, and formats. Could include special neighborhood identities. The creation of this document can be a profound process for building community involvement and commitment.
Just how these components come together can be tailored to the needs, resources, size, and spirit of a given community. Depending on the players, much can be the responsibility of local government or a local nonprofit.
Current Emission of C02 by Source Fossil fuel combustion Deforestation Top Three Sources Fossil fuel combustion 1. United States Deforestation 1. Brazil Cement production 1. China |
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases form a natural shield in the earth's atmosphere and behave in a similar way to the glass in a greenhouse. The sun's rays penetrate the shield, hit the earth, and are reflected as longer-wave heat. The shield then traps some of the reflected heat that would otherwise radiate into space.
This process is a natural phenomenon. Without this greenhouse effect, global temperatures would be sixty degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler—unlivable for us. However, with the overabundance of greenhouse gases, which include water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide, as well as carbon dioxide, the natural blanket surrounding the earth is thickening and, as a consequence, global temperatures are rising slowly but dangerously.
We are losing tropical rain forests—the lungs of the earth that along with other plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen—at an alarming rate. An area roughly the size of a football field is cut down and burned every second; an area the size of a city block is cut down every minute. We're not only losing the forests' ability to absorb and store carbon but are also releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during the slash-and-burn process.
World energy use is the main contributor to increased atmospheric CO2. Conservative estimates say that each year we burn enough fuel to release nearly six billion tons of carbon dioxide into the air. The United States, with only one-twentieth of the world's population, produces nearly one-quarter of the annual global CO2 from burning fossil fuels.
The 1980s have witnessed the four hottest years this century, with 1988 being the warmest year on record. Present global temperatures are the highest since mankind has been keeping records. The rate of global warming in the past two decades is higher than at any earlier recorded time. Moreover, in addition to destroying the ozone layer, which protects the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—widely used in aerosols, refrigerators, air conditioners, and foam packaging—are responsible for 15 to 20 percent of the global warming phenomenon.
Thousands line a major boulevard in teams of four to ten people, removing concrete from neatly trimmed, square holes cut in the sidewalk. They dig, measure, determine the sun's direction to enable them to orient the tree's limbs, and mix soil amendments and nutrients into the native dirt.
When the preparation is done, they assemble around a waiting tree. They move it toward a hole, and while some support its branches, others quickly and gently remove the pot from the tree's rootball. All help lower the tree into its new home, steadying it while the hole is filled. The soil is packed in, and stakes are pounded into position on either side. The people use special rubber ties to secure the tree between the stakes—loose enough to allow the tree to sway in the wind and build its own trunk strength, but tight enough to provide protection from a host of urban stresses it will encounter in its first, most vulnerable years.
Then the final touches. While some sweep and clean up the surrounding area, others fashion a basin around the tree's base using surplus soil from the hole. The team gathers to inspect the work for quality. They take turns pouring buckets of water into the basin. To complete their work, they dedicate the tree by giving it a name, which they write on a small strip of bumper sticker material. They sign their names to another sticker, then affix both stickers to the stakes. Before moving on to the next tree, they commit to plans for watching over and caring for this one. Stepping back, one can see the boulevard in the midst of a profound transformation. As teams complete their planting, they polish the job by collecting and recycling litter, and sweeping the sidewalks. Tomorrow they'll be back to paint out the graffiti.
Down the road at the shoe warehouse, on company time before the lunch break, employees are pruning and weeding the trees they planted eighteen months before around their parking lot. Some of the faster-growing species they selected are already beginning to shade the building and reduce air-conditioning needs and every day the early birds get the pick of the cool, shaded parking spaces. The employees then sit down to enjoy lunch in the scented herb-and-fern-garden picnic area they created just off the parking lot.
The bell rings. It's the end of another school day. Students flow out of the classroom doors. While most leave, a couple go to the bicycle compound. Mounted on specially engineered forest-care bikes, they ride to the boulevards and business districts in their assigned territory. One student checks with a local shopkeeper before hooking up a hose and filling the fifty gallon tank on his bike. He adds some nutrient concentrate and pedals up the sidewalk to feed and-water the trees. Another loosens tree ties that are beginning to strangle their charges and prunes suckers that have sprouted. She then rides to the neighborhood compost station to deposit the prunings before riding home.
On another day, students are making preparations for future forests that will shelter their schools and surrounding communities. Working with neighbors and local businesspeople, they survey streets, parking lots, and open spaces to determine the number and species of trees required to form a green canopy. They receive guidance from city foresters and planners and will ultimately gather the whole community to shape their collective dreams into action plans.
They plan to collect funds, materials, and supplies to plant seeds, transplant seedlings and then raise thousands of trees in nurseries built in school yards. Students will spend a portion of every day working in the nursery and caring for the larger trees they've planted around their campuses and communities.
Street Trees Bear Fruit It's not common, but in Coral Gables, Florida, the avocados that line some streets are tended by civic and church groups who glean and distribute the fruit to the needy. The trees are well mulched to prevent the avocados from splattering if they fall. From 1980 to 1985, Massachusetts had a state-mandated fruition program that also relied on gleaning groups to keep the trees clean. However, a city in California just removed its fruit-bearing street trees because citizens (adjacent owners) weren't harvesting or cleaning up the fruit that had dropped and become a hazard. If you can provide solutions to the problems your city might face, this fruity idea bears thinking about! |
On Sunday after the service, several families gather to harvest peaches, plums, and apricots from the trees they planted in the community orchard at their church. They each take their share, then deliver the remainder to a local food bank for distribution to clients. Just a month before, this part of town held its annual Jacaranda Festival to celebrate the brilliant display of the purple-flowered theme tree planted by residents along the length of the streets in a square-mile block. The festival attracts tourists from around the country, drawn to the town not only by the beautiful floral display but also by the general aesthetic quality and high standard of care of its well-planted streets.
This is not Ecotopia nor even a futuristic community-living complex in Scandinavia. It's what is possible in cities throughout the United States and the world as citizens take back their power and begin to take responsibility for the urban environment.
The sky's the limit in this urban forest. The number of trees lining highways and freeways, in parks, parking lots, streets, school yards, and private homes can be increased dramatically.
Trees For Life Balbir Mathur says he is simply an observer of miracles. Since 1983, his organization, Trees For Life, has planted more than one and a half million trees in India. "Trees For Life is not really about planting trees but about regenerating the spirit of people," he says. Trees For Life was the result of a childhood promise Mathur made to the generous lemon tree in his back yard: to plant thousands more like it so that others could enjoy its fruit. Although its focus is India, Trees For Life is based in Wichita, Kansas, where its Grow-A-Tree kit provides school children with fruit-tree seeds and the instructions to plant and care for them. |
We know urban trees grow old and eventually die, just like rural forest trees. But why do they end up in our landfills, or simply sold as firewood, instead of being used to provide the more typical forest products we know? There are inspiring examples in Northeastern cities where tree trimmings are recycled as mulch. And now with the advent of portable, mini sawmills, urban trees can be turned into usable wood and lumber. A mill can be pulled with a pickup truck right to the site of a cut or fallen tree, or can be used in a municipal equipment yard where trunks and debris are hauled. Lumber from these mills, some of which are almost fully automated, can be used for furniture, crafts, toys, and small construction projects.
The lumber from a city-owned mill could be made available to inner-city high-school and junior-college wood shops and carpentry-training programs. In Los Angeles city schools, students must pay for the wood they use for projects in shop classes. One inner-city wood-shop teacher at Jordan High School, upon receiving an award for his outstanding work with students, commented that if he could only be given enough wood for student projects, he could keep them all out of gangs and off the streets! This wood could help develop carpentry and job skills, as well as supporting cottage industries for small crafts.
Recycling urban wood is not just an opportunistic idea. Can you imagine growing trees on abandoned urban land parcels with the specific intent of selectively harvesting the wood and replanting the crop? Think of the places, such as along highways and freeways, where trees could be doing double duty!
In Oslo, Norway, some of the parks are also well-managed, lumber-producing forests. People play and ski in them, but the city foresters also harvest mature trees and sell them for lumber. The true value of this program lies not with the wood harvested but the example of sustainable forestry that's set and the reminder to urban dwellers that we should be able to protect far off, unseen tropical hardwoods.
As our cities continue to sprawl, the increase in paved areas causes enormous runoff, erosion, and storm-water problems. Instead of rainwater being caught and slowed by trees and shrubs and slowly percolating into the ground, rainwater hits asphalt, concrete, or bare, compacted ground with full impact and rushes off wherever gravity takes it.
Most cities have developed complex and expensive flood-control systems to carry away the resulting runoff. Once done effectively, continued urbanization now threatens to outstrip the ability of the flood-control system to handle the runoff. In Los Angeles, the Army Corps of Engineers is in the midst of planning an emergency project to raise by ten feet the walls of the Los Angeles River and the bridges that cross it. The Corps has determined that, because of increased paving and construction, major portions of the city will be threatened during a one-hundred-year flood (or greater), because the Los Angeles River at its current capacity could surely overflow its banks.
Man alone of all the creatures of earth can change his own pattern. Man alone is the architect of his own destiny. WILLIAM JAMES |
What's more, the runoff from urban areas carries with it toxic substances, such as oil from the streets, which go on to pollute our waterways and lakes and the bays and oceans into which they feed.
The polluting of our water in this way is as tragic as the loss of the urban watershed to development. In areas like Los Angeles, where water must be imported, it's folly to send valuable rainwater to the ocean when it could be captured and used where it falls, channeled into tanks or swales (minidams) for irrigating the local urban forest. Forestry is also known as watershed management. It therefore follows that urban forestry can be used as urban watershed management, saving on importation of water and protecting waterways downstream. Proper planting and design of parking lots and sidewalks, along with the installation of devices to trap and store rainwater, can help solve the problem.
River Birch
Jean Giono writes of a humble shepherd named Elzeard Bouffier who lived alone in a deserted and barren region of the southern French Alps in the early part of this century. It was his opinion that the land was dying for want of trees. Confessing to no pressing business of his own, he had resolved to remedy this state of affairs. Every day, while tending his sheep, he planted acorns. When the author met him, he was growing beech trees in a nursery near his cottage and was considering birches for the valleys. Ten years later, the oaks and birches had formed a young forest. Formerly dry streams now ran with water. The wind scattered seeds and, with the water, willows, rushes, meadows, gardens, and flowers reappeared. The transformation took place so gradually it caused no astonishment other than the delight of discovery by the local administration of what appeared to be a natural forest. Thirty years later, the earlier barren landscape was unrecognizable. Along with the forest and water came a changed climate, a healthy agriculture, and a new, energetic population. One unlearned peasant, armed with a greatness of spirit and the tenacity of benevolence, had completed a work worthy of God. |
Australia suffers the effects of drought regularly on a countrywide basis. Not coincidentally, it's also badly devoid of tree cover. Coastal and inland areas have been largely deforested to make pastureland for the wool and cattle industries; Water is a precious commodity. In most semirural areas, mains water is way too expensive for anything but drinking. In extreme circumstances it has to be trucked in. Many households—even in the suburbs—collect rainwater for their own use. Australians are conscious of the value of water and use a variety of simple rooftop collection systems to supply themselves with drinking and bathing water, as well as water for animals and irrigation.
Whether you put a ficus in a pot in your living room or launch a grass-roots action group in your city, your energy, inspiration, love, creativity, time, talent, resources, and your concern for this earth are crucial right now. The need is clear. The way forward is simple but certainly not easy.
In Los Angeles, a Citizen Forester is a person who has taken very specific TreePeople training. Citizen Forester is a term trademarked by TreePeople. It is used to represent an individual citizen who is volunteering to serve the community. The term is specific and is in no way meant to imply possession of professional forestry skills or license to practice professional forestry. TreePeople expects its graduates to join in the task of fostering environmental stewardship in the community, and the organization is committed to that task. Reading this book is a different matter. We don't have your name and address, and no one is there to cajole you to pick up a shovel. In this book the term citizen forester is used in a broader sense. Here are a few examples, from the simplest to the most gung-ho, of what might happen to you as a result of reading this book.
The Backyard Forester
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. And people in any sort of house with land around it should start their planting right outside their door. It's the simplest way to start. It will involve you in the wonderful discovery of your favorite trees, and you won't have to deal with permits, volunteers, fund raising, publicity, or any of the other things that can sometimes stump even the most fervent planter. But you will learn what it takes both to plant and care for trees.
Your own home, or a nearby vacant lot, can provide you with tons of opportunity to create a highly diversified and intensive urban-forest microenvironment. You can turn your yard into a wildlife or bird refuge—the National Wildlife Federation has a special program to encourage exactly that—or create an orchard that produces a surplus to share with food banks.
Don't discount this idea if you're a renter. Not all landlords will pay for your garden improvements, but many will welcome your work. They may ultimately benefit, but you're the first beneficiary, and approaching life with a giving spirit invariably sets you up to receive at least as much as you give.
The Multiunit Forester
Whether it's patios, common areas, window boxes, terraces, rooftops, outside the parking garages, or around the building itself, there are plenty of areas with landscape potential around apartments and condominiums. With the permission of the owners, it's possible to cut concrete to make room for planting. Obviously a little less satisfying, but also less threatening, is to use containers, such as pots, boxes, and large planters.
The Neighborhood Forester
Once you've done the work for yourself and your family, think about moving beyond your own property to take on the role of creating community around tree planting. Having learned the basics, you can help get your neighbors started in planning, planting, or in taking extra care of the trees around their homes.
It will depend on the layout of your properties, but you might want to coordinate the planting of a particular species right inside the property line, all the way along the street. Whether you aim to line your street with trees, or populate your neighborhood with a tree species that will attract specific birds, there are many opportunities for action.
The Scout
At some point, it's a good idea to inventory the needs and resources that exist in your area. Look out for vacant lots, parking lots, graffiti-covered walls, traffic islands—neighborhood eyesores. City hall likely has no clue about the specific blights or needs of your community.
Scouts Honor Scouts love merit badges. It's only logical that when a scout learns the terms and principles of urban forestry and carries out a tree-planting-and-care project, he or she should be honored with a badge. In the early 1980s TreePeople worked with the Angelus Girl Scout Council to develop Urban Forestry Merit Badges. Hundreds of girls participated in an educational program with TreePeople, then went on to work with the Los Angeles County Forester and Fire Warden to plant a special grove in an inner-city regional park. Completion of both phases of the program earned each scout a special urban-forestry badge. Senior scouts, too, commonly take on special projects with TreePeople to earn their final title of Eagle Scout. |
The Citizen Pruner
In New York, Citizen Pruners are trained by the Street Tree Consortium and certified by the city to carry an ID card that authorizes them to prune trees whenever and wherever needed and to liberate trees girdled by tight support wires.
Perhaps you can create something similar. Bone up on pruning techniques (see Chapter 7 and Resources or sit in on a nursery demonstration or community-college class) and begin with your trees and with your neighbors' trees—with permission, of course, or on request. Carry with you wire cutters and pruning shears. Where you can't assist a needy tree, or if you don't feel your work would be appreciated, carry a notepad so that you can mail in problem reports to the proper authority. We don't encourage vigilante action. However, if your local agency is overburdened, it may welcome responsible maintenance action on the part of trained citizens. What's more, all agencies appreciate hearing about disease and pest problems so they can head off a potentially deadly infestation before it takes hold.
The Citizen Activist
Get involved in local politics. Sit on a tree board, work with your city to create or enhance a professional urban-forestry management program, be a guardian of your forest by watching out for inappropriate tree removal or bad pruning techniques. Help organize a way to protect them. One long-time TreePeople volunteer digs in the city's capital-improvement plans, discovers where street widening (and tree removal) is proposed, and notifies neighbors so that they can respond accordingly. He also pays close attention to notices of public hearings, spreads the word about them, and attends to speak on behalf of the trees. He is one man operating alone. In Seattle, one woman has formed an organization called Plant Amnesty "to end the senseless torture and mutilation of trees and shrubs that many people incorrectly refer to as pruning." With a sense of humor- but a serious mission, Plant Amnesty delights in telling bad horticultural jokes and tales of hope and horror. Remember, angels can fly because they take themselves lightly!
Tree Huggers When commercial loggers began large scale felling of trees near Reni in northern India, their chainsaws were slicing through the very roots of local society and threatening the livelihoods of local communities. In an astonishing display of courage and determination, the women of Reni wrapped their arms around the trees to protect them from felling, sparking off the Chipko Andolan movement (the "movement to hug"). Eventually, following an inquiry, the government declared 12,000 square kilometers of the sensitive watershed region of the Alakananda basin off-limits to loggers. Today, the Chipko movement runs reforestation programs in other villages where livelihoods are threatened. |
The ReLeaf Coordinator
Once you've been doing this for a while, you may be ready for the big league. New groups are popping up all the time, responding to their founders' inner calls and to the growing need for citizen involvement in urban environmental healing. The American Forestry Association is running a campaign called Global ReLeaf and provides guidelines for new local groups. There's a lot of support out there. There are also many other people with great ideas.
Sooner or later you'll bump into someone in your city who's in the same situation or, maybe even better, has already got something together on a bigger scale. Perhaps your city already has a tree-planting organization, or an urban forester. (If so, put this book down now and go work with them!) Try not to act too much like the newly converted around the old salts. Your role may be as facilitator or problem solver. Perhaps you'll be a leader or simply a planter. Maybe the most important thing you can do will be to put forth your ideas and get out of the way. Look to nature for guidance. There's room for a wide variety of ideas. They don't have to compete. Diversity is the strength of the forest. Cooperation is the key. Have fun!
GLOBAL RELEAF In the summer of 1988 the American Forestry Association and TreePeople sat around a conference table in Washington, D.C., to discuss how the American people could be moved to take a stand against the growing gloom of global warming. The result of that meeting (and an inordinate amount of research, coordination, and fund raising on the part of Neil Sampson and Gary Moll) was the launch of Global ReLeaf, a national campaign to encourage the planting of 100 million trees in U.S. cities by 1992. Recognizing the essential role of community groups in the realization of the goal, AFA has built a network of local and regional organizations under the ReLeaf banner, providing fledgling groups with information on how to get started and acting as a clearinghouse to link individuals with their nearest organization. (See Resources.) |


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Cooley, who's most recent coaching stint was as a offensive coordinator at Northwestern Louisiana, succeeded previous head coach Jamey Chadwell who left earlier this month to become the head football coach at Charleston Southern University. DSU first announced the hiring on Friday.
Cooley's introduction was met with a warm reception as he was fired up about taking the job at a school that has made the NCAA Division II Playoffs seven times with six Gulf South Conference Championships and a national championship in 2000 with a trip to the title game in 2010.
"We have tradition," Cooley, 37, said. "I'm not a big slogan guy. My only thing is when we're trying to build a football team, we want to build a family. We already have a family in the athletic department. I can tell you that after three days. We have a family on this university. This is a family atmosphere, and I'm proud to be apart of it, but we're going to build a family football team.
"In order to build a family, you have to realize where you came from. Since 1998, we've had six conference championships, a national championship and been in the national semifinals three times. We have tradition. We're going to sell that tradition. We're going to embrace that tradition and build upon it," Cooley added.
Cooley is familiar with the GSC as he played quarterback at Arkansas Tech in 1996 and 97 and was an assistant coach at Ouachita Baptist (2001-03), Arkansas Tech (1998-99 and 2004) and the University of Central Arkansas (2005-08).
Cooley said he has always had respect for DSU.
"For four years as a football player and seven years as football coach in the Gulf South Conference, I knew how special it was when you played Delta State University," Cooley said. "I knew what their athletic programs represented. When you played them in basketball, when you got after them in swimming, you better be ready to go especially in football. When you got that schedule out in the summer, you better have that game circled."
Cooley wants to play for championships and play with that winning swagger, but he also wants to make sure the players take care of their work in the classroom and set a good example in the community.
"We're going to constantly strive to be champions on and off the field," Cooley said. "We're going to build that family environment to where our young men can come in and look at our coaching staff as father figures and they can share their problems with us and we can help them with those problems. My whole reason that I coach football is to mentor young men and that's what we're going to do here."
Cooley comes to DSU at a tough time as national signing day is just eight days away on Feb. 6.
Cooley said the players on the campus are his most important concern right now.
"The first thing, I'm going to do is I've got to recruit the team that is on this campus first," Cooley said. "I'm their third head football coach they've had in three years. For some of these young men, I'm the third father figure they've had in three years. I've got to recruit them first. I want to make sure that these guys know I'm important they're important and I'm going to be here."
According to Cooley, recruiting the state, especially the local area, will be another one of his main goals.
"We want to keep our homegrown talent in our backyard," Cooley said. "The state of Mississippi will be a priority, especially here locally. It's who we are. That's what we've got to do."
Cooley said his coaching staff hasn't been finalized but would like to be able to get his staff in place immediately after signing day.


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MediaInfo is a convenient unified display of the most relevant technical and tag data for video and audio files.
- Media file analysis
Update Notifications
User Ratings
User Reviews
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Imagine stepping inside your favourite painting, walking around the light-filled music room of Vermeer's "The Music Lesson" or exploring the chapel in the "Trinity" painted by Masaccio in the 15th century. Using the mathematics of perspective, researchers are now able to produce three-dimensional reconstructions of the scenes depicted in these works.
It was Euclid who first defined the Golden Ratio, and ever since people have been fascinated by its extraordinary properties. Find out if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and how the Golden Ratio crosses from mathematics to the arts.
To make hard decisions, you need hard facts. Medical statistics can help us to decide what treatment to look for when we are ill, and to estimate our chances of recovery.
When it comes to the science of the very small, strange things start happening, and our intuition ceases to be a useful guide. Plus finds out about the crazy quantum world, and spin that a politician would die for.
Just over 220 years have passed since the death of one of the most distinguished mathematicians in history: Daniel Bernoulli, who died on March 17th, 1782. The name of Bernoulli asks for precision since the family from Basle produced no fewer than eight outstanding mathematicians within three generations. |
A new series of More or Less, BBC Radio 4's series devoted to all things numerical, starts on November 12th. Presenter Andrew Dilnot tells Plus about the motivation behind the programme.


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This will probably make make many folks happy, but I am done for a while. I'll stop back from time to time to check things out, but in the last few days "blegles" has posted my contraptions as his own wins. When things get this silly, it is time to lay low.
Take care and have fun!


text:
(09-17-2012 10:05 PM)robsvideos Wrote: I have some in my org. If you wanna check it out.
(09-18-2012 07:43 AM)sconnienation3 Wrote: Hey bud-- My nephew has the Peyton Manning. If you still need it, I can try and trade him for it.
(09-18-2012 09:04 AM)redskins316 Wrote: looking good, make sure, when you have the complete set, you post it up together, btw, Thank you for the extras!!!
(09-18-2012 01:30 PM)BayAreaJavy Wrote: I have a Brian Dawkins one. It's not added to my org yet. Let me know if you need it.


text:
(The Hobbit)
-Star Wars
(Star Wars)
Just in case you weren't excited enough for The Dark Knight Rises already. Who's going at midnight tonight?
This Archer Uses Ancient Techniques That Put Legolas and ...
Doctor Who Custom Wedding and Engagement Set For The Whovian ...
This Comic Sums Up What's Its Like to Have an Active Imagination
No One Can Be That Dumb, Right?
As the Modern Posterboy for Atheism and Evolution, Richard ...
Video Games These Days...
An Activist Writer Completely Disarms a Foul Troll Over Twitter ...
Another Fruitful Thought From The Brain
This Story About Dating a Team Magma Grunt is Too Darn Cute
Woman Fakes Death to Get Away From a Creeper She Met Online
Pick Your Site Name
Tell me more


text:
Crystal blue skies, temperatures
in the high 70's, and the glorious aroma of orange blossoms in bloom. Spring Training in Arizona may not be heaven, but according to
reliable sources, you can at least see
heaven from here. That being said,
spring camp is anything but relaxing and carefree for some A's players. These final days in the desert represent
"crunch time" for a select few veterans and prospects who are still trying to
earn a spot on this year's Opening Night roster.
Tonight as I peer out of the Scottsdale
Stadium press box, I see a 31-year-old right-hander named Jason Jennings who is
pitching for his baseball life. Signed
to a minor league contract Feb. 28, Jennings
is far removed from his 2002 Rookie of the Year season with the Colorado
Rockies. He brings a rotund 12.27 ERA
into tonight's game against the Giants–not exactly the kind of spring he needs
to turn heads among Oakland's baseball brass as they consider him for either a
fifth starter or middle relief role.
Depending on how he does tonight, he may or may not get another start in
Arizona. So, Jason knows the deal. He needs to step it up, and he needs to step
it up now.
There are other players in camp who must
play "the game within in the game" as well.
There's the versatile Eric Patterson, primarily an outfielder and second
baseman, who is out of options. With
veterans like Jack Cust, Gabe Gross and even Travis Buck offering more big
league experience as backup outfielders, and Adam Rosales apparently the club's
primary utility infielder, Patterson is battling steep odds to land a job on
the 25-man roster. However, you can't
say Eric isn't doing everything possible to make the A's final decision difficult. He's hit .364 with six RBI and four walks in
his last eight games and is tied for fifth in the Cactus League in triples. And there's Jake Fox, an off-season
acquisition from the Cubs who has yet this spring to exhibit the power the A's
coveted when they made the trade. Will
Fox's miniscule .063 average this month have much bearing on his chances of
making the cut? Or will his 11 home runs
and 44 RBI in only 82 games last year with Chicago–not to mention his no-option
status–carry the most weight?
While Jennings, Patterson and
Fox live in a more pressurized world due to the precarious stage of their
careers, there are a few younger players who tasted the major league lifestyle
last year and are embroiled in daily competition for their second season with
the big club. Gilded armed starters
Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and Vin Mazzaro fall into that category, as all
three continue to compete for the A's fifth slot in the rotation. Without question, all three have promising
futures. But while Ben Sheets, Justin
Duchscherer and Dallas Braden take the mound this spring to merely work on new
pitches or raise their pitch counts, the aforementioned young guns are trying
to hang zeroes in every inning they toil.
They all know that per diem and salaries–not to mention travel
accomodations–are vastly different in Oakland
than they are in Sacramento.
Tonight, Jennings
made progress, striking out four batters and allowing two runs in three innings
of work. Patterson, a late-inning
substitution at second base, booted a routine grounder hit by Pablo Sandoval in
the seventh which opened the door for a game-deciding two-run rally by the
Giants. As the days dwindle here in Arizona, both men know a
life-altering decision is on the horizon.
The window of opportunity is closing quickly.


text:
Golden Globe nominations for TV drama series
December 13, 2012 - 9:33 AM
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The Golden Globe nominations for best television drama series have been announced in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
The nominees announced Thursday morning are: "Boardwalk Empire," ''Breaking Bad," ''Downton Abbey," ''Homeland" and "The Newsroom."
The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards will be presented Jan. 13 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and airing live on NBC.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Featured Video


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Napoleon Mirage Grill w/ Infrared Rear & Side Burner - Stainless Steel Model:M730RSBIXSS-1
Napoleon Mirage Grill w/ Infrared Rear & Side Burner
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Outside of the burners, this grill is packed with user friendly features that will make your grilling life much easier. Wrap around condiment trays allow you to store all of your condiments and spices, keeping them organized, clean, and just a reach away. These trays also have hooks to hang your grilling utensils so you wont have any trouble finding them when you come back to grill another time. On the side opposite of your side range burner is an integrated ice box that has a lid that doubles as a cutting board, so you can cook, cut, and prepare your food all in one convenient and easy location. The temperature knobs on the grill are not only easy to read and adjust, but also come with Napoleon i-GLOW technology that makes setting your temperature levels easy even in the dark. Underneath the grill is a massive storage area that includes two (2) pull out drawers, and two (2) cabinet doors, making storage of all of your grilling accessories easier than ever. This feature packed grill is durable, functional, and will help you grill foods that will impress all of your friends and family
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Bear Arms Field Ammo Box ACGRN
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Protect your valuable ammunition from moisture and water damage by using the Plano Molding 1312 Field Ammo Box. With outside dimensions measuring 11.625" x 5.125" x 7.125" and interior at 9.5" x 4.25" x 6" it provides the avid sportsman with plenty of room to store and transport ammo (6-8 boxes) on any hunting trip or range.
Field friendly green color and sturdy handle make this box easy to add to any existing hunting equipment. Built and Made in the U.S.A, consisting of a high quality plastic, water resistant O-ring seal and brass latch, this durable container can also be used to protect range finders and small electronics like cell phones and trail cams.
The ability to keep valuables with you at all times is important and the hidden compartment in the lid is a small storage area that could be used to protect your hunting license, driving license, vehicle keys or money. When finished in the field, label the boxes with the calibers they contain for easy identification, then stack and store them in your own private storage area assured the ammunition will be kept clean and dry, ready for the next time out.
Learn More -
Green Metal Ammo Can - .50 Cal. M2A1
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This steel Ammo Can holds hundreds of ammo rounds or other hunting items. It is stackable, with a fully removable lid. It has a fold down handle on the top that lays flat when not needed for easy storage. The lid also features a rubber gasket to keep the contents of the box sealed from water and dirt. This box features a Forest Green finish.
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Jaguar 175 lb Recurve Camo Crossbow CR-013A2
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Learn More -
Tannerite 10 Pack 1/2 lb. Exploding Binary Target
$29.98This 10 pack of Tannerite targets are shrink wrapped with 1/2 pound targets, individually packaged and pre-measured catalysts, a free set of shooters ear plugs, a mixing jar, and instructions for use written on each target. This is the perfect package for a gift or if you're trying out Tannerite for the first time.
Tannerite is a binary explosive used primarily as a target for firearms practice, and is unique in that it is exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces such as a hammer blow or being dropped. It is supplied as two powders which are combined to produce the explosive. Tannerite is a trademarked name, and binary exploding targets are a patented invention.
Tannerite company recommends using 1/2 pound charges (0.23 kg), which should detonate when shot by a high-powered rifle. Small caliber rim-fire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation.
Tannerite is used by shooting clubs to provide explosions for their participants in large-scale shooting events, tactical teams, fire authorities, as well as members of the general public who wish to have a shot indicator for extreme long range shooting.
Tannerite detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud of water vapor. It may be useful for persons who are firing at long ranges; in this scenario, a long-range rifle shooter em-places targets, retreats to his firing position, and fires. The shooter does not wish to have to walk down range to see if he has a hit, the Tannerite will detonate and serve as an indicator.
Since the two components are not explosive until mixed, they can legally be purchased and used in the USA without any kind of license. Storage of the mixed Tannerite for commercial purposes may fall under federal regulation unless stored in approved magazines.
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MTech USA Fiberglass 80 LB Draw Weight Pistol Crossbow DX-70
$19.98Designed for target practice and game hunting, this pistol crossbow from MTech has an 80-lb. draw and shoots 160 F.P.S. This self-cocking crossbow has an ABS construction body and High-Tech fiberglass limb and includes 3 aluminum bolts.
- Self-cocking feature, simple and safe while ensuring precise string alignment
- ABS construction
- High-Tech fiberglass limb
- "Auto" safety that engages when cocking
- Adjustable pin sight
- Bolt retailer
- Includes 3 bolts
Youth 20 lbs. Pink Camo Compound Bow Set CO-009PC1
$39.99Don't let your daughters be left out of the action, this youth compound bow set is specifically designed and geared to fill the needs of the girls in your archery shooting family. With it's striking pink camo finish and full featured performance and accessories, it makes the perfect gift for the little girl in your life.
- Recurve Compound Bow
- Full Size Integrated Quiver
- Sight Bracket
- Adjustable Brass SightPin
- Replaceable Arrow Rest
- Finger Tab
- Arm Guard
- 20LB Draw Weight
- Adjustable Draw Length
- Target Arrows (2)
- Lightweight Molded Limbs
- Lightweight Molded Riser
- Dipped Camo Finish
Ameristep Screw In Climber Tree Step 101/101D
$0.99- Model #101
- Self-Tapping Threaded Point /Easy Installation
- Step Area: 4.25"
- Thread Length: 2"
Bear Archery Encounter 29/70 Ready To Hunt Compound Bow Package A25527327
$299.98Bear Archery does not cut corners. When they develop new technology, they make sure it finds its way into Bear's entire bow lineup. The Bear Encounter single cam compound bow is no exception. This lightweight bow is heavy on features. From its smooth drawing and fast E2-Cam – spinning on dual sealed ball bearings – to its refined, thinner grip that reduces hand torque and increases accuracy, the Encounter was designed to take fewer bucks from your wallet so you can take more bucks down in the field.
Specifications Bow Weight 3.7 lbs. IBO Rating 310 fps Brace Height 7.75 in. Axle to Axle 30.5 in. Peak Draw Weight 70 lbs. Minimum Draw Weight 60 lbs. Draw Length Range 27" - 32" Let-Off 80% Camo Pattern Reattree APG String Length 92 7/16" Bus Cable 31 13/16" Hand Right Hand Ready To Hunt Package Includes:
- Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit
- Trophy Ridge 3-Pin Fiber Optic Sight
- Trophy Ridge Stabilizer & Sling
- Peep Sight
- Trophy Ridge Quiver
- Nock Loop
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Universal Crossbow Auxiliary Cocking Rope B100215
$6.99This rope cocking device may be used with most crossbows.
- Compact design allows you to store in pockets
- T-Handles for comfortable and easy pulling
- Easily attaches and detaches
- Bearing up draw weight 250 lb
- Color: Black
Stealth Cam P18 Camo Camera Combo STC-P18CMO
$59.93Do you have that hunting spot that you think is going to be perfect? Finding out if it is or not has never been easier. Placing the P18 Camo Camera Combo on a tree will show you just how many big bucks there are in your area!Product Features:- 7-megapixel image resolution
- 18 infrared LEDs with 50-ft. nighttime range
- Rapid-fire burst mode captures 1-6 images per trigger
- Delay settings from 5-120 seconds in 5-second increments
- Sets up in seconds with 3 pre-programmed options, or configure it manually
- Energy-efficient design extends battery life
- Mini USB output for quick downloading capability in the field
- Tree bark camo keeps Camera well-hidden
- External LCD display
- Includes: 1 Camera, 8 x AA batteries, 4GB SD card, and mounting strap.


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Board Of Directors for the period 2011-2015
President | ||
Senior Vice-President | ||
Secretary General | Treasurer | ||
Vice-president | Vice-president | ||
Master Clint Norman
email@example.com |
Director | ||
The Executive Committee is composed of the President, the Senior Vice-President, two (2) vice Presidents, Secretary General, Treasurer and Director.
Continental Representatives
Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the ITF (period 2011-2015) appointed by the Board of Directors.
Technical Instruction Committee | |
Mission: |
Umpire Committee | |
Mission: Master Ruben Suarez, USA |
Tournament Committee | |
Mission: to ensure the quality of the organization at World Tournaments Chair: Master Coos van den Heuvel, Netherlands E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Members: Master Giovanni Cecconato, Italy Master Harry Vones , Germany |
Ethics & Discipline Committee | |
Mission: Master Carlos Ramirez, USA |
Masters Promotion Committee | |
Mission: to examine and promote qualified candidates for 7th, 8th, and 9th Degree Black Belt Chair: Grand Master Van Binh, U.S.A. E-mail: email@example.com |
Medical & Anti-Doping Committee | |
Mission: to assist and educate the ITF community, its national members, and its Instructors in standardising medical and anti-doping practices Chair: Dr. Richard Aboud, Ireland www.itfadu.org Members: Mr. Adrian Byrne, Ireland |
Development and Marketing Committee | |
Mission: assists the ITF, its national members, and its Instructors to develop and manage their business. Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com Chair: Mr. Stephen Ryan, Ireland Members: Mr. Fabian Izquierdo, Argentina |
Youth and Students Committee | |
Mission: to create a forum for all young members and to ensure the follow-up of the pertinent suggestions and opinions to the ITF Board of Directors Chair: Mr. Ruaridh MacCallum Members: pending |
Children´s Development Committee | |
Mission: Mr. Philip Lear, England Mr. Fabian Izquierdo, Argentina |


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Castellano joined the company in early October.
Castellano had been with Herb Thyme Farms of Pico Rivera, Calif., for several years until 2009 after having owned her own company, New England Herb Co., in Claremont, N.H., for 28 years.
Castellano succeeds Mike Henry, who shifted to Special Projects with Harvest Sensations.
Homegrown Organic Farms hires two
Porterville, Calif.-based Homegrown Organic Farms has added two employees, said Cherie France, sales and marketing assistant.
Craig Morris is now citrus category manager, and Gunnar Avinelis is sustainable systems/business intelligence coordinator.
Morris replaced Seth Tillery, who is the company's regional grower and operations manager for the San Joaquin Valley.
Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo shipping Fair Trade
Pescadero, Calif.-based Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, a grower of organic specialty produce and culinary herbs, is shipping organic and Fair Trade-certified Cavendish bananas grown in Peru year-round.
Bananas and other Fair Trade-certified items, such as avocadoes, mangoes and limes, were introduced in 2012, said Marina Pace, marketing director.
Lakeside Organic Gardens hires staff
Watsonville, Calif.-based Lakeside Organic Gardens has hired Fernando Marquez, a Watsonville native, to its sales staff, sales manager Brian Peixoto said.
"We continue to grow as our acreage steadily increases," Peixoto said.
Marquez is new to the produce industry, Peixoto said.
The Nunes Co. expands organics
The Nunes Co., based in Salinas, Calif., is making a major push with organic vegetables, said Matt Seeley, vice president of marketing with the grower-shipper, which markets product in the Foxy brand.
"We've been converting ground and continue to do that, step by step," Seeley said.
The Nunes Co. recently added clinatro, kale, parsley and other bunching vegetable items to its organic line, Seeley said.
"As items come on, and we feel they make a good fit, we'll continue to grow and add them to the category," he said.
Wish Farms ramps up berry production
Wish Farms, based in Plant City, Fla., is increasing its Florida strawberry production and, this year, is moving into domestic organic blueberry production, said Amber Kosinsky, marketing director.
"Last season, consumers were asking for more organic product, general questions about it, and that led us to plant more acreage of organic strawberries," she said.
The company is adding Florida-grown organic blueberries to its established volume of Chilean product, she said.
Wish Farms will highlight its U.S.-grown product by adding a U.S. flag to its label, Kosinsky said.


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flap pocket collegiate
by STEVEN ALAN
Having spent the past 20 years creating a mini fashion world grounded in classic American roots - fashioned with a twist - Steven Alan has quietly emerged an uncommon fashion pioneer. Upon opening his first retail store in 1994, Steven sold pieces from an eclectic group of emerging designers, becoming known for his keen eye. In 1999, Steven launched his first men's collection, including his now signature Reverse Seam Shirt, followed by a women's collection soon after. The collections build upon the same curatorial point of view using authentic fabrics and precise tailoring along with thoughtful details- resulting in easily wearable, refined casual looks.
Back To Product View All From This DesignerMen's Size Chart
Product Details
Our Flap Pocket Collegiate shirt features a single front flap pocket, button down collar, and slightly longer cuffs. This style runs slim just like our reverse seam shirt, but has a straighter cut hem similar to our single needle shirt. Comes in custom camo printed, soft lightweight cotton.
• detailed stitching on placket
• seamed yoke with 2 inverted pleats at back
• machine wash cold
• 100% cotton
• made in USA


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Don't expect a hight quality winder. It does not maintain accurate time in any of the setting for any of my watches, however it does keep them running which was the reason I bought it. It does not have enough setting modes.
I like it because it's not only cheap but very useful....
this puppy just WORKS! multiple settings to accommodate any automatic watch... and VERY quiet... i sometime wonder if it's even on!!! i've had more than a few winders over the years - this one is worth every penny and more!!!
A very good product looks nice and runs quietly a good purchass.
I am completely satisfied with this product. My rolaids quits running if I put it down for an hour, so as long as I keep it in this, we're good. I thought it was quite simple to set up, turn on, and begin using. Highly highly recommend it.
Although not fancy, this winder does exactly what it is supposed to do. Keeps my watches wound and is quiet. You could spend more but the for the price it was just what I needed!
I bought this to keep my automatic watch wound up and ready when I do wear it. However, after a few weeks of trying each setting, my watch still goes dead in a day. This winder does not seem to even wind up the watch enough to keep it going in-between the cycles of movement. I am going to return this item.
I have two watches that need this. And before I invest in a more expensive unit I have tried this one. It came today. Instructions were good. its quiet and my watches fit in nicely. I will update this in about a week. One note to take into consideration it that it is large.
Depending on the quality and value of your watch, It's a very good choice.
Reliable and good-looking, this little workaholic wonder goes about its daily routine as a friendly silent performer.
Usually leaves our warehouse in 1 business day. *
Items must be returned in new or unused condition and contain all original materials included with the shipment.
More details
Our standard shipping method is ground shipping. We also offer expedited shipping for most items. Your final shipping cost and estimated delivery timeframe will be available at checkout.
Standard shipping details
Expedited shipping details
* For your protection, all orders are screened for security purposes. If your order is selected for review, our Loss Prevention Team may contact you by phone or email. There may be a two business day delay to process your order.
** Most Oversize orders are delivered within 1-4 weeks. Some orders may take 6 weeks to be delivered.


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- May 3:
- Shifting grades approved for Brookside and Blosser
- Apr 25:
- Parents, district staff debate school reconfiguration
- May 1:
- Sixth-grade WCS students will have help in making transition from elementary school
- Sherwood students raise field trip funds with walk-a-thon
- Apr 25:
- Sherwood School: Dixie chicks
- Saturday Sock Hop raises funds for senior prom and trip
- Apr 23:
- Students strike gold at Willits Elementary Charter School
- Apr 18:
- Every 15 Minutes: Role-playing exercise points out danger of teen drinking
- Apr 17:
- Action-packed science at Brookside Elementary School
- Willits High School's former media center gets a new, tougher lease on life
- Brookside plans kindergarten open house Thursday
- Apr 11:
- Time to think tri-tip take-home: Sober Grad fundraiser tickets now on sale
- Apr 4:
- Art Under 20: The 'big moment' for Willits teens
- WECS kindergartners study the 'circle of life'
- Brookside Elementary School first-graders get their Science Fair rewards
- Apr 4:
- Brookside Elementary School first-graders get their Science Fair rewards
- Mar 12:
- Science Fair qualifiers announced for WHS, BGMS, Blosser Lane, and Sherwood School
- Mar 7:
- WECS and WCS Science Fair winners announced
- Feb 28:
- Willits Science Fair shatters records for project numbers and quality
- Feb 26:
- Willits Science Fair opens to public today
- Feb 21:
- Willits Science Fair opens Wednesday at Community Center
Some 247 students from 16 Mendocino County schools competed in the 27th Annual Mendocino County Science Fair in the Mendocino College gymnasium on Saturday, March 23.
The event showcased185 projects by students in grades 3 through 12 who had qualified in local science fairs.
Students worked independently, or in teams of two to three, to address questions in the various fields of earth, physical, and/or life sciences.
Area students advancing to the April 15 and 16 California State Science Fair at the California Science Center, Exposition Park in Los Angeles include: Oliver Hill-Willits Charter School; Alicia Hoxie/Hanna Erquiaga-Willits Charter School; Trinity Barrett-Willits Charter School; Marcus Burke-Willits Charter School; Stephany Brundage-Willits Charter School; Alexis Krauss-Willits Charter School; Eli Erlick-Willits Charter School; Gaelan Skye/Caelan Creekmur-Willits Charter School; Olivia Cooper-Willits High School; Anthony Sorace-Willits High School.
Alternate: Teo Palmieri-Willits Charter School.County Science Fair winners from Willits included:
Life Science Grades 3 and 4
1st place: Katrina Bergmann-The Veggie Taste Test-Blosser Lane.
3rd place: Manuel Banuelos and Tristan Wartell-Vinegar vs. Saltwater: The Chocolate Mint Plant Test-Blosser Lane.
Physical Science Grades 3 and 4
1st place: Cecila Cramer and Jada Smith-Candle Wicks-Blosser Lane.
3rd place: Kyren Anderson and Dylan Gijon-Magnet Madness-Sherwood School.
Life Science Grade 5
2nd place: Spencer Copperfield-To Taste or To Taste Not-Willits Elementary Charter.
3rd place: Emerald Waters-Mozart Wins-Blosser Lane.
Physical Science Grade 5
1st place: Beau Ryan Roberts-Moving Solids Through the Ice-Blosser Lane.
3rd place: McKenna Buckingham-Spot This-Blosser Lane Elementary School.
Earth Science Grades 6-8
2nd place: Trinity Barrett-Build Destroy Build-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Jesus Ruiz and Yutaka Tso-Remote Control Light Bulbs-Baechtel Grove.
Life Science A Grades 6-8
2nd place: Alicia Hoxie and Hanna Erquiaga-The Battle of Chlorhexdine vs. Betadine-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Jessica Cronin-The Effects of Detomidine on the Equine Physiology-Willits Charter.
Physical Science Grades 6-8
1st place: Oliver Hill-Surface Tension-Willits Charter.
2nd place: Marcus Burke-To Switch or Not to Switch-That is the Question-The Monty Hall Program-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Stephany Brundage-Water B Gone-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Camryn Christensen-Oily Bubbles-Baechtel Grove
Earth Science Grades 9-12
1st place: Anthony Sorace-e-Road-ed-Willits High.
2nd place: Teo Palmieri-Soil Compaction-Willits Charter.
3rd Place: Will Smith-Hydro Power House-Willits High.
Life Science A Grades 9-12
1st place: Eli Erlick The Effects of 17B Estradiol on Embryonic Danio rerio Hatchling Rates when Exposed to UV Radiation -Willits Charter.
2nd place: Alexis Krauss-BPA Babies Reproduction at Snail Speed-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Jessica Tyrell-Toying Around-Willits High.
Life Science B Grades 9-12
1st place: Olivia Cooper-Ocean Acidification: Its Effects on Mussel Shells-Willits High.
2nd place: Tara Logan-A Poisoned Heart or Blown Out Belief-Willits Charter.
3rd place: Dalton Beals-How would you like to stand? -Willits Charter.
Physical Science Grades 9-12
3rd place: Gaelan Skye and Calen Creekmur: Attraction/Repelling-Willits Charter.
Special awards
Evelyn Smith Excellence in Science 9-12: Anthony Sorace-Willits High School; Outstanding Jr. Scientist: Sponsored by Baechtel Creek Medical Clinic: Spencer Copperfield- 5th Grade - Willits Elementary Charter School; Sustainability Awards (Sponsored by Real Goods): Gift Certificate-Teo Labus-Willits Elementary Charter School; Gift Certificate-Will Smith-Willits High School; Scholarship to attend Photovoltaic 100 Course through the Solar Living Institute-Mateo Rudich-Willits Charter School.


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News Finance Minister Babiš earmarks more state firms for contributions to state budget
Minister of Finance Andrej Babis has extended the list of state companies whose bank account surpluses could be used to help the state budget. Babis told journalists that Czech Post, oil pipeline company MERO, fuel distribution company ČEPRO, and the State Institute for Drug Control could all contribute to the state coffers. He has already said that almost 70 percent state controlled power company ČEZ could pay out its total profits for 2013 in dividends and that he is counting on around 4 billion crowns from the state forestry company. Former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek on Tuesday attacked Babiš for raiding the accounts of state firms saying that funds should be left with them to develop the firms.
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For the daily news summary, available after 8pm CET, click here.
All stories
Archbishop of Prague calls for interreligious dialogue
The Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka has stressed the need for interreligious dialogue as a means of diffusing the tension in Europe in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Speaking on a visit to Belgium, the cardinal said dialogue was the way to greater understanding and tolerance but noted that at a time of heightened emotions attempts at such dialogue often failed. He said that some of the public exchanges he had heard at home showed a basic lack of understanding of both Christianity and Islam.
Czech Helsinki Committee calling for better conditions in Czech prisons
The Czech Helsinki Committee has called for better conditions in Czech prisons. The committee has given MPs in the lower house a list of problem areas which it says should be given consideration in the process of drafting amendments in the law on prison service. Among the improvements suggested are the right to a shower daily, better quality food and a radio in every cell.
Austrian anti-nuclear organizations determined to prevent Temelín expansion
Anti-nuclear organizations in Upper Austria have jointly filed a complaint against Czech plans for the expansion of the Temelín nuclear power plant by another two reactors, the APA news agency reports. The news was confirmed by Upper Austrian Environment Minister Rudi Anschober who said that all possible steps would be taken to prevent the project. Anti-nuclear organizations on the Czech side –South Bohemian Mothers Against Temelín, the Civic Initiative for Environmental Protection and Calla – have also filed a complaint against the State Institute for Nuclear Safety for approving the expansion plans. For the present time the project has been put on hold for financial reasons.
Food Inspection Office warns against consuming Alnatura sesame paste
The Food Inspection Office has issued a health warning about a sesame paste sold on the Czech market which was found to contain salmonella bacteria. The product, sold under the name Alnatura Tahin Bio Sesammus, sells in the Globus supermarket chain.
Petr Václavs social drama The Way Out dominates Czech Film Critics' Awards
Petr Václav's social drama "The Way Out" (Cesta ven) won the fifth annual Czech Film Critics' Awards on Saturday night, picking up prizes for Best Film, Best Direction and Best Screenplay. Klaudia Dudová, who is not professionally trained, won the award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a young Roma woman seeking security and a better life. The award for Best Documentary went to director Martin Dušek and producer Kamila Zlatušková for their story about people who customize cars, "Into the Clouds We Gaze" (K oblakům vzhlížíme). The award for Discovery of the Year was given to Jiří Mádl for his directorial debut "To See the Sea" (Pojedeme k moři).
Snow warning issued for Moravia and Silesia
Meteorologists have issued a snow warning for Moravia and Silesia. Heavy snowfall is expected overnight with up to 20 centimetres of fresh snow in places. Drivers have been warned to expect snowdrifts and the fact that less frequented roads may be impassable. Night time temperatures should fall to minus 6 degrees C and day temperatures are expected to remain below freezing point.
Newly-elected head of Green party wants to convince people Green solutions work
The newly elected head of the Green Party Jana Drápalová has said she wants to unite the party and lead it to success in next year's regional elections. Ms. Drápalová, who is mayor of the Nový Lískovec district in Brno, said the party must convince people that Green solutions are beneficial and would improve the quality of life for them and their children. Her chief rival for the post Petr Štepanek was elected deputy chairman. At its weekend conference the Green Party also voted to change its statutes to open the way for dual party leadership as of next year.
Jana Drápalová elected head of Green Party
The Green Party elected Jana Drápalova party leader at a two-day conference in Brno over the weekend.Ms.Drapalova was elected by 115 out of 198 votes. The party has been without a proper leader since Ondřej Liška resigned as its head in June of last year following the Greens poor showing in elections to the European Parliament, where they won a mere 3.7 percent of the votes. The Green Party participated in the centre-right coalition government between 2007 and 2009, but their influence on Czech politics has been marginal since and they failed to win a single seat in the lower house in the last general election.
Prague mayor moves to dispel concern over possible reintroduction of paper coupons in city transport
Prague Mayor Adriana Krnáčová has moved to dispel public concern with regard to the possible re-introduction of paper coupons in the city's public transport. The mayor said that all present holders of Opencard could rest assured that nothing would change for them and that if Prague City Hall were to re-introduce paper coupons for a certain period, as a last resort, it would only be for new clients. City Hall only has licensing rights to issue another 60,000 Opencards after which it would be forced to resort to paper coupons. According to Prague City Hall the 60,000 Opencards should last until mid-summer by which time the leadership hopes to have found a solution to the drawn-out dispute over rights with the company eMoneyServices.
Over 500 foreign guests to join Prague events marking Auschwitz liberation
Over 500 foreign guests, including 30 heads of parliament, diplomats and cultural figures are expected to take part in next week's commemorative events marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at the end of World War II. The events include an international forum on anti-Semitism and extremism to be held at Prague Castle on Monday and a tribute to Holocaust victims in Terezin, north Bohemia on Tuesday. Extensive security measures involving hundreds of police will be in place at both venues.


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Amy's Pick of the day is a page of sheet music from 1919. Who doesn't love to craft with vintage sheet music?? Here are some project directions for this darling picture frame:
Looking for more images of sheet music? Browse our selection! See more project inspiration on our Pinterest page. Be sure to click on the image first to see the full size image. Then right click (Mac: control+click) and "save to" your computer desktop or a folder of your choice. This process will ensure you get the best quality of the image.
We would love to see what you create. Send us images of your projects so that we may post them on our Facebook page. Please post your comments and feel free to email me your project images to email@example.com.