The Catalpa Tree Appreciation Society needs fresh blood.
There are no meetings to attend and no dues to pay. All you have to do is
appreciate the catalpa tree. Maybe plant one in the yard.
And that’s the hitch. Almost no one appreciates the catalpa
tree, and few gardeners have planted one since the financial crisis. The one in
the 1930s.
So why should the “cigar tree” have become less popular than
a cigar? And if a plant as congenial and durable as the catalpa could vanish
from the country’s nurseries and catalogs, what other horticultural treasures
might have faded with it?
[…]
In a broad sense, American homeowners have stopped spending
money on all types of trees and shrubs. Bruce Butterfield, the market research
director for the National Gardening Association, recorded a 46 percent drop in
landscaping purchases in the four years after the financial panic (the 2008
edition). During roughly the same period, food-gardening sales increased 40
percent.
I’ll be honest—I’m not a big fan of Gmail’s Web interface. It’s clumsy, it’s awkward, and it takes quite a bit of getting used to. But if a set of apparently leaked screenshots are any indication, Google might be about to update Gmail in a big way.
MicroSD, MiniSD, SD, SDXC, SDHC? Not sure which card do you need for your camera, phone, or other mobile device? Here's how to make sense of flash memory formats, sizes, and speeds.
With most people carrying around smartphones, MP3 players, digital cameras, pocket camcorders, or all of them, flash memory cards have become a requirement for keeping your digital life running smoothly. If you got a shiny new device that can snap photos or play music, odds are (unless, of course, it's an Apple product) it's going to use a flash memory card to offer additional storage capacity. To get more granular, it's most likely going to use some variety of Secure Digital (SD) card. SD has emerged as the dominant flash memory format, but it's not that simple. There are scores of SD cards of all shapes, sizes, and speeds available, so picking the right one for each device can be slightly confusing.
When it comes to flash memory cards, there are three aspects you need to consider: physical format, size, and speed. Each of the three variables has its own set of classes, so you can have anything from a 1GB Class 2 microSD card to a 32GB UHS-1 SDXC card. We'll explore the distinctions below.
Apple retires Snow Leopard from support, leaves 1 in 5 Macs vulnerable to attacks
Twice now that Apple's bypassed Snow Leopard when it patched newer editions
By Gregg Keizer February 26, 2014
Computerworld - Apple on Tuesday made it clear that it will no longer patch OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, when it again declined to offer a security update for the four-and-a-half-year-old operating system.
As Apple issued an update for Mavericks, or OS X 10.9, as well as for its two predecessors, Mountain Lion (10.8) and Lion (10.7), Apple had nothing for Snow Leopard or its owners yesterday.
'via Blog this'Technology, Technology Apple, Technology Apple Mac, Technology Apple Mac OS X Mavericks, Technology Apple OS X Snow Leopard, Technology Computers
Now that it seems Apple's finally ended support for Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6, its fourth-oldest operating system, it's time for users to upgrade. Using an unsupported operating system means that Apple will no longer release security patches and other software fixes, leaving it vulnerable to hackers.
Mr. Selfridge | Mr. Selfridge | Programs | Masterpiece | PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/mr-selfridge/ At the unfashionable end of Oxford Street in 1909 London, an American retail tycoon arrives to jettison fusty British tradition and open one of the finest department stores the world has ever seen: Selfridges. Three-time Emmy® winner Jeremy Piven (in his first television appearance since his iconic role as Hollywood agent Ari Gold inEntourage) stars as Harry Gordon Selfridge, the flamboyant entrepreneur and showman seeking to provide London's shoppers with the ultimate merchandise and the ultimate thrill. Emmy® Award-winning writer Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House) conjures the opulence and excitement of Selfridges and the story of its founder, a man of exuberant, outsized, and potentially dangerous, appetite. Behind Selfridges' lavish shop windows, gleaming counters, and majestic doors, appetite intersects with ambition and desire not just for Harry, but for his staff, his family, and the various women drawn to the store and the man. Zoe Tapper (Stage Beauty) is showgirl and temptress Ellen Love; Frances O’Connor (Madame Bovary) as is Harry's loyal wife, Rose; Grégory Fitoussi (Spiral) is the mercurial window designer extraordinaire, Henri Leclair; and Aisling Loftus (Case Histories) is the spunky shop girl Agnes Towler. Mr. Selfridge airs Sundays, March 31 through May 19, 2013 at 9pm ET (check local listings) on PBS' MASTERPIECE Classic. 'via Blog this'
And there are certainly some nice goodies that would make this a worthwhile update. There's a fresh, new look along with potentially longer battery life. And along with new features such as iBooks, some stalwarts like Safari, Maps and Calendar all get some snazzy improvements.
End of the line, Snowy. Apple Apple offers no end-of-life roadmaps for its operating systems, and it doesn't officially comment on whether support has dried up for this or that version of OS X. The best you can do is look at historical data. Since switching to a yearly release cadence with Lion back in 2011, Apple seems to be willing to support whatever the latest version is, plus the two preceding versions. When OS X 10.9.2 was released earlier this week, it was accompanied by security updates for OS X 10.8 and 10.7 but not for 2009's OS X 10.6.
It's the first major security update that Snow Leopard has missed—the OS is still getting iTunes updates, but its last major security patch happened back in September. This has prompted a flurry ofposts from various outlets. All point out the same Net Applications data that says 10.6 still powers around 19 percent of Macs. Most compare the OS X support cycle to the much longer Windows cycle. Some make a bigger deal about it than others. None really tell anyone in that 19 percent what to do next.
BALTIMORE, MD (April 30, 2014) – Public Works Director
Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., reminds everyone that the Baltimore City Department of
Public Works (DPW) will be holding Prettyboy Day on Saturday, May 10, from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prettyboy Dam.
The event is to celebrate and educate attendees about
Prettyboy Dam and Reservoir, one of Baltimore's three raw drinking-water
reservoirs. The event will feature live musical entertainment by
singer/guitarist Dave Huber, face painting and balloon animals for the kids,
educational displays, a surprise competition, and food.
Attendees of all ages can take a tour inside the Dam which
will be open to the public only for this special day. Learn about Baltimore's
drinking water system, resource issues and conservation efforts. Rescued native
wildlife from Scales and Tales will be on display and experts from the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to tell all about them.
Last year 150 new trees were planted near the Dam. This year
attendees can participate in applying protective wrappings on them. Local
historian George Lang will also be on hand again with his historic archives.
“We are very happy to be able to showcase Prettyboy
Reservoir and Dam, vital elements of our drinking-water system,” said Director
Chow. “This is a tremendous opportunity to have fun while learning at a beautiful,
outdoor location.”
Prettyboy Day is sponsored by the Baltimore City Department
of Public Works, the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance and RK&K. Additional
support is provided by Baltimore County. The dam is located at Prettyboy Dam
Road, 21120.
Prettyboy Day celebrates National Drinking Water Week, May
4-10. The theme is “What do you know about H20?” and encourages all citizens to
learn more about the critical role water plays in our lives and the quality of
life we enjoy because of clean drinking water.
The event and parking are free. For more information about
Prettyboy Day call 410-545-6541.
Since the 1930s, warm weather and sunshine is a signal for
many in Carroll and Baltimore counties to venture outdoors for biking, hiking
fishing and boating trips in the Gunpowder River and Prettyboy watershed in the
Hereford area. Spring has arrived just in time to help celebrate Prettyboy
Reservoir Day this Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year the
Baltimore City Department of Public Works, the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance,
Carroll and Baltimore County have joined forces for the one-day event as a part
Earth Day celebrations and Baltimore Green Week.
Some communities have festivals in early May to sell plants
and flowers for Mother's Day. Others celebrate the start of kids' baseball and
softball seasons. Only North County would hold a festival for a dam.
The public is invited to attend Prettyboy Day at the dam on
May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. …
[…]
"Last year's Prettyboy Day was quite a success. There
were cars parked on either side of the dam as far as the eye could see,"
said Kurt Kocher, Baltimore City Department of Public Works public information
supervisor. He estimates 1,000 people attended last year's festivities…
[…]
The nonprofit Alliance, formed in 2003 to protect and
restore the land and streams draining into the reservoir, will have several
displays, said the group's president, Sharon Bailey.
[…]
The event will be held rain or shine. Prettyboy dam is at
18100 Prettyboy Dam Road, Parkton.
Announcing ‘The Civil War in Carroll County 1864’ on May 17,
2014 at the Historical Society of Carroll County
The Civil War in Carroll County 1864
The Historical Society of Carroll County (HSCC)
216 East Main Street, Westminster, MD
Partners: Carroll County Public Library and Dave Shuey of
History Teller Productions
Westminster, MD - The Civil War comes alive this month at
the Historical Society of Carroll County, Maryland, Inc. (HSCC) with a
revealing new exhibit at Cockey’s, 216 East Main Street, Westminster, Maryland.
The exhibit opens to the public for the first time at 10 AM
on May 17.
Special programs will be presented at 10:30 AM and 2:30
PM. Admission is free. The exhibit will remain through 2014, Tuesday
through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
‘The Civil War in Carroll County: 1864’ commemorates Carroll
County’s prominent role in the War.
Visitors will see artifacts, photos and documents that showcase
Lincoln’s presidential election of 1864, Civil War era conscription, United States
Colored Troops from Carroll County, the Johnson-Gilmor raid of New Windsor and
Westminster, the personal effects of Civil War soldiers, and Civil War weapons.
Visitors also will enjoy a sideboard that survived the July,
1864, burning of Chambersburg, PA, when Brigadier General John McCausland, Jr.
demanded ransom money for the Confederacy.
David Shuey of History Teller Productions will present
General John McCausland in period attire, describing his ride through Maryland
150 years ago.
The General’s horse will be on hand to delight children of
all ages. Shuey’s appearance is
sponsored by the Carroll County Public Library (CCPL) and History Teller
Productions.
The historic Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House Museum at 206
East Main Street and the Shriver-Weybright Gallery in Kimmey House at 210 East
Main Street will be open for tours.
Admission to the Shriver-Weybright Gallery is free.
Admission to the Shellman House is free for HSCC members, $
5 each for others.
Visitors may participate in a special raffle for gifts from
HSCC’s Shop at Cockey’s, while the CCPL Bookmobile will help visitors peruse
and borrow books and other media about the Civil War.
HSCC is celebrating 75 years of service to the community in
2014. Founded in 1939 to preserve and restore
the Mary Shellman house, HSCC today exists to collect and preserve artifacts
and documents about Carroll County history and educate the public about local
heritage. The Society is a partner with
the City of Westminster in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of
the City of Westminster.
Born June 30, 1946 in Catonsville, he was the son of the late Gordon F. Wickes, Sr. and Hilda Stull Wickes. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margaret Smith Wickes.
Gordon was a graduate of LeMalay Arts School and president of Cross Countries Travel in Westminster.
He was a member of Westminster Church of the Brethren and the Carroll County Arts Council and was a contributing artist for Off-Track Art. Gordon was a world traveler, travelling over 15 times to his beloved Ireland.
He enjoyed dancing, photography and spending time with his family and beloved grandson, Ethan. He also enjoyed talking to everyone he met.
Surviving in addition to his wife is a son and wife, Ian R. and Marina Wickes of Taneytown, daughter Leah T. Wickes of Finksburg; brothers, Wesley Wickes and wife, Judi, of Dagsboro, DE and Richard Wickes of Lewes, DE; and a grandson, Ethan V. Wickes. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Annette Noel Snyder.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster, with Pastor Herb Ruby officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. There will be a gathering of friends after the service at 2056 Brown Road in Finksburg.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM.
Contributions may be made in his name to the Carroll County Arts Council, 91 W Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 or to the ARC of Carroll County, 180 Kriders Church Road, Westminster, MD 21158.
