Welcome to the 35th annual Spring Garden Packet from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Written by CAES faculty, news editors and graduate and undergraduate students, these articles are provided to help you with timely, valuable gardening information for wherever you live in Georgia.This year’s edition is split into sections. First, you’ll find articles on general gardening, followed by vegetables, organic gardening, gold medal winners and trees. Happy gardening!General gardening1. Spring maintenance in the landscape – Bob Westerfield2. What’s in, what’s out for 2010 landscapes – Forrest Stegelin3. Tips on gardening for Georgia newcomers – Andrea Gonzalez4. Mulch plants, but not too much – Sharon Dowdy5. Turn ‘trash’ into plant food and improve garden soil – April Sorrow6. Propagate your landscape – Westerfield7. Turf battles reduce pesticide use, pit wasps against crickets – Cheri Abraham8. UGA offers free gardening publications online – Amanda SwennesVegetables9. Avoiding common vegetable problems takes a little planning – Amanda Tedrow10. Stop veggie diseases before they start – Brad Haire11. Save green with bare-root vegetable transplants – George BoyhanOrganic gardening12. Organic alternatives for soil care and fertilizers – Westerfield13. Control insects organically – Westerfield14. Organically control weeds, diseases – WesterfieldGold medal winners15. And the Georgia Gold Medal winners are… – Stephanie Schupska16. Diamond Frost Euphorbia puts on snowy summer show – Gary Wade17. Herbaceous perennial winner is a butterfly magnet – Wade18. Evergreen groundcover a cheery garden edition – Wade19. Hydrangea adds limelight to gardens – Wade20. Giant tree adds impact to large landscapes – WadeTrees21. Risky trees should be removed – Kim Coder22. Fox-fire makes forests glow – CoderFor more information on gardening in your county, call your UGA Cooperative Extension agent at 1-800-ASK-UGA or visit ugaextension.com.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrint分享New Straits Times:Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and NE Suria Satu Sdn Bhd (NESS) have entered into the largest long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar energy in Malaysia.NESS is a collaboration between Petronas through its New Energy business unit and NEFIN Group, a regional bespoke solar developer and asset management group.In a joint statement today, Tesco Malaysia and NESS said the first phase of the PPA would see the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftop spaces of 15 Tesco stores nationwide.The PPA will run for 20 years until 2040.“Once the installation is completed in October 2020, the solar PV panels will collectively generate about 18 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy per year, thus reducing approximately 13,624 tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The power generated from the solar PV panels can also light up as many as 104 Olympic-sized stadiums simultaneously or 804,905 three-bedroom homes for an entire year,” they said.Tesco Malaysia chief executive officer Paul Ritchie said the installation of the solar PV panels in 15 out of 62 of its stores was the first phase in Tesco’s renewable energy push. Eventually, Ritchie said it would be able to generate clean, renewable energy at most of its stores and in the process, reduce carbon emissions.[Azanis Shahila Aman]More: Tesco seals largest solar power deal in Malaysia Tesco signs largest solar power purchase agreement in Malaysia
96SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Michael Hudson Dr. Michael Hudson started his first business when he was just 7 years old…riding his bicycle from house to house selling greeting cards and holiday gifts. Since then he … Web: michaelhudson.com Details It’s that time of year again. Fall colors are appearing, temperatures are dipping, and credit union strategic planning season is coming to an end.For me that means less time in airports, more time in my own bed, and fewer sketchy meals on the run. It also means that I have some time to reflect a bit on my recent experiences with clients and consider how to increase the impact of future engagements.That means it’s time to answer some key questions—which is exactly what you should be doing in your strategic planning process. Here are the 7 questions I answer every year to set my business direction for the next year (and beyond)…Step One: Answer These 3 Questions to Assess Progress and ImpactIt starts with a simple 3-Question Debrief:What Worked? The objective of this question is to surface specific examples, not general observations. Try to identify specific things that went well in the process and think through them to understand why it worked well and what it means for the future.What Didn’t Work? Here the objective is to be brutally candid and honest about what didn’t go the way it was supposed to or what didn’t produce the desired result. Probe the process a bit and seek to understand why it didn’t work so that your mind starts thinking about how to adjust it to make it work next time.What’s Next? Here you want to use the information from the first two questions to identify improvements that you will make in the future. Be specific and evaluate the options that you come up with and sort through them to define the changes you will actually make.By the way, I highly recommend using this process on a regular basis to debrief every project and process, and as a starter for your next planning session. It’s a great way to teach people to think through things and look for solutions.Step Two: Answer This Question to Confirm Your DirectionGetting everyone on the same page and creating a shared commitment to where you are going in the future is the underlying premise of strategic planning. Answering this questions will help you do that:Why does our credit union exist and where are we heading? Even though there are actually two questions here, they align to support a critical discussion regarding the strategic direction for your credit union. The key is to go deeper than the surface responses—the ones that every credit union (and many other financial service businesses would identify)—to reveal the real underlying WHY? that connects to your members and the unique things about your business. Ask WHY? several times, and keep pressing the issue until you have a clear answer. Then use that answer and your shared understanding of the credit union to map the future destination that fulfills that why.Step Three: Answer These 3 Questions to Define Your FocusIt is all too easy to commit to doing more than you actually can accomplish; and based on my experience working with credit unions across the past 16 years this is a common problem for many. Here are three questions that can help you define your focus:What are we not going to do? This is, in my opinion, the single most important strategic question to answer. But too often it is ignored because of the assumption that ‘we need to do it all.’ That makes about as much sense as assuming that everyone is your customer. You simply cannot be all things to all people and you cannot do everything and do anything really well.What should we stop doing? Though this is a difficult question to ask, particularly of people who excel in execution, it needs to be answered seriously. The low hanging fruit will provide the first action steps, but going deeper will reveal opportunities to free up resources (time, money, and people) to do the important work that will drive success. Making the list, prioritizing it and taking action are the keys!If we weren’t already doing “______” would we start? Legacy issues often derail serious discussion regarding this question, but it is a powerful question. Every business that has been around more than a month is doing some things that it would not start doing today. Having the fortitude to work through this and make commitments to stop doing things you wouldn’t start doing is a powerful driver of focus.
8SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr continue reading » NAFCU-member credit unions and association and NCUA staff will meet today to discuss the progress on the agency’s upcoming asset securitization guidance and to go over various credit union questions and concerns on the topic.NAFCU-member credit union representatives from Navy Federal Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union and State Department Federal Credit Union will participate in today’s meeting. NAFCU Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Carrie Hunt, Director of Regulatory Affairs Alexander Monterrubio, Senior Regulatory Affairs Counsel Michael Emancipator and Regulatory Affairs Counsel Ann Kossachev will attend.Several members from the NCUA’s Office of Examination and Insurance are also participating.Regarding the NCUA’s upcoming guidance, NAFCU-member credit union representatives and the association will reiterate that the industry needs various aggregation mechanisms in place so that credit unions of all sizes can participate in the securitization program. The group will also discuss permissible investments related to a securitization retained interest, borrowing limit applicability and permissible transaction structures.
7SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,John Pettit John Pettit is the Managing Editor for CUInsight.com. John manages the content on the site, including current news, editorial, press releases, jobs and events. He keeps the credit union … Web: www.cuinsight.com Details 4. An update on the Awareness Initiative . . . How do you plan on opening America’s eyes to credit unions?CUs at @CUNA GAC get update in Open Your Eyes campaign and are told the challenge comes down to this: How to make more people choose credit unions more often for more financial needs. Campaign has now rolled out in 3 states following $2M in consumer research. #CUNAGAC pic.twitter.com/qVkecB6taN— Frank J. Diekmann (@FrankCUToday) March 12, 20193. Newly appointed @CUNA board chair Brett Martinez makes his first appearance on the #CUNAGAC stage on Tuesday afternoon!The man of the hour! Introducing newly elected @CUNA board chairman and @RedwoodCU President/CEO Brett Martinez! #CUNAGAC pic.twitter.com/1zLTgKQqeV— CUNA (@CUNA) March 12, 20192. “There is magic in this room. It is up to you to share that with the world.” Malcolm Gladwell with a fantastic keynote on the power of storytelling…Malcolm @Gladwell onstage at #CUNAGAC pic.twitter.com/EwtfTPmyYu— John Pettit (@John_CUInsight) March 12, 20191. Vice President Mike Pence thanks credit unions for giving members a chance to live the American dream and encourages them to keep doing good in cities large and small…Thank you to @VP Mike Pence! @CUNA #CUNAGAC pic.twitter.com/Xtzc2jsD1H— Jenna Schwerdtle (@Jenna_CUInsight) March 12, 2019 Vice President Mike Pence at CUNA GAC 2019
209SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Jackson Bolstad Details Let’s face it, life as an adult can be downright expensive and frustrating, especially during tough times like these. While your credit card has likely provided some additional freedom and flexibility lately, both in your personal and financial life, it’s important to remember that your credit card is not free money. You will have to pay it back eventually! With U.S. credit card debt hitting a staggering all-time high of $930 billion earlier this year, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, it’s clear that we could all probably use a little refresher on how to effectively use and manage our credit cards – myself included. For that, I turned to my colleague, Pamela Redleaf, a personal financial associate at Highmark Federal Credit Union, who regularly works with Highmark’s members to educate them on the importance of properly managing their credit cards and finances. Here’s some of the important advice and tips she had to share with me: Always pay your credit card off ahead of time. There are a number of reasons you should always pay your credit card off ahead of time, according to Pamela, but the most important is to avoid interest payments. Accounts that are paid-in-full are given an interest-free grace period, which usually lasts until the next due date. If you can’t pay in full, be sure to pay as much as you can, as far ahead of the due date as you can, in order to reduce your interest payments and make room for other needs and potential emergencies, she said. In addition to avoiding interest payments, paying your credit card off ahead of time can also help to improve your credit score as it reduces the amount of your credit limit you use, also called your credit utilization. This, along with payment history, can account for up to 65% of your credit score. Don’t overextend yourself or your walletYou should avoid maxing out or spending anywhere near your credit limit, Pamela advises, as it could cause long-term financial issues, including fees, debt, and damage to your credit score. A good practice is to always use less than 40% of your available credit. She recommends treating your credit card similar to a debit card or checkbook. If you don’t have the money currently or can’t save to pay it off later, that should be a sign that you can’t afford to make a purchase. CONSTANTLY monitor your balance If you’re using your credit card for everyday purchases, it can be easy to forget how fast those day-to-day transactions can add up, Pamela says. That’s why it’s essential to regularly monitor your balance. One of the best ways to do this is to download your credit union or card issuer’s mobile app and put it front and center on your phone’s home screen. By doing so, the app will serve as a consistent reminder to check your credit card balance. Also, if available, be sure to set up weekly account balance updates/notifications that can be sent directly to your phone or email. You can often do this right from the mobile app, or through your online account. Or, like me, consider creating a monthly calendar event on your phone that reminds you to make your payment. Make sure you’re taking advantage of rewards/benefits Lastly, Pamela strongly encourages that you take full advantage of any rewards or benefits programs offered through your credit card. From gift cards, cash back, and electronics to entertainment and airline miles, the right credit card can help you save money on the places you visit and things you do most. If you’re contemplating a new credit card, make sure to choose the credit card that best suits your needs and lifestyle. There’s a lot of responsibility and management that comes with a credit card. If you find yourself constantly in trouble with your credit card, don’t be afraid to lock it in a drawer and use only your debit card or cash. Just make sure not to close it, as doing so could negatively impact your credit score. Additionally, don’t be afraid to shop around for better interest rates and balance transfer promotions, especially if you consistently carry a balance from month to month. Pamela says your local credit union is always a great place to start!
Gerywn Price bigged up his partner Jonny Clayton as Wales finally claimed the World Cup I also reminded Clayton he no longer needed to rush to Coventry for the Grand Slam qualifiers on Monday morning.He insisted it wasn’t on his mind, just being a World Cup winner. I left the arena for the final time in freezing conditions, Michael Smith 20 yards in front of me. In just his England shirt, pure frustration and adrenaline keeping him warm as he pondered another final defeat. It’s coming, Michael, it’s coming.So, as I leave Salzburg via coach to Munich eventually flying back to London, what did I take away from this tournament? 
1:25 Germany’s Gabriel Clemens and Max Hopp were proud of their performance after they won the doubles decider in their World Cup Quarter-Final against the Netherlands. The World Cup of Darts delivered plenty of tunsgten tension, Michael Bridge was in Austria to watch it all unfold 
0:43 The joy was evident as Wales claimed the title 
– Advertisement – 0:59 Wales were victorious on a dramatic final day 
Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property after renovation. Picture: CoreLogic“We probably paid a bit too much for the property initially, but we recognised its potential, because it was acreage living just 10 minutes from Broadbeach.“With the Commonwealth Games coming up, and being right around the corner from Metricon Stadium and private school Emmanuel College, the area is also poised for major growth.More from newsMould, age, not enough to stop 17 bidders fighting for this home4 hours agoBuyers ‘crazy’ not to take govt freebies, says 28-yr-old investor4 hours agoMr Balemi’s Davidson Place property before renovation. Picture: CoreLogic Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property before renovation. Picture: CoreLogic Grant Balemi renovated his rundown acreage property using a barter system. Picture: SuppliedA QUEENSLAND man has transformed his home into a million-dollar-plus proposition by paying for half the renovation costs by bartering with tradies.Grant Balemi, a car dealer by trade, transformed a Carrara acreage property into a million-dollar-plus listing, after completing $230,000 in renovation work on the home.Mr Balemi and his wife Deborah had bought the 7,930sq m property for $515,000 three years ago when it was in need of some major upgrades and improvements. Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property before renovation. Picture: CoreLogic Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property after renovation. Picture: CoreLogic“It’s quite amazing how much of the renovation I’ve been able to do through Bartercard, and it’s turned out beautifully.”The “big ticket items” were the ones that he bartered including tiling, concreting, plumbing, electrical fittings, plants and bathroom products.He even paid for a sandstone retaining wall via barter.
Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property after renovation. Picture: CoreLogic“The plan from the outset was always to use Bartercard to help fund the improvements that this property desperately needed. It would have been impossible to carry out a renovation of this size without the Bartercard element.”He had signed up for a Bartercard, then traded services like towing, dent repair and car detailing for renovation work on his property. Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property before renovation. Picture: CoreLogic Mr Balemi’s Davidson Place property after renovation. Picture: CoreLogic“If you want to save cash, it’s definitely the way to go. It’s a no brainer for someone who wishes to do a renovation but may not have the cash or the borrowing capacity to do it.”He said the property was now significantly better than when he first bought it.“It’s a beautiful property now and we wouldn’t really be selling it under other circumstances. But it will allow us to get on top of debt and buy more real estate.”Bartercard co-founder Andrew Federowsky said the renovation project was a “great example of just how much value can be extracted from Bartercard, both professionally and privately”.
Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS has decided to close its Rosyth – Zeebrugge route following a fire which broke out aboard the company’s Ro-Ro freight ship Finlandia Seaways on April 16.The ship was towed to DFDS’ terminal in Immingham for cargo discharge operations. An inspection was also undertaken aboard the ship.“The inspection revealed substantial damage to the ship’s engine room, and we estimate that it will be out of service for several months for repairs. Furthermore, our search for a replacement vessel was fruitless and revealed that there are no suitable ships available,” Kell Robdrup, Senior Vice President of DFDS’ routes connecting to the southern part of the North Sea, said.“Unfortunately, this will bring about further losses on the route, and it means that we have lost all hope of being able to turn around the route’s loss-making situation. Therefore, we have no alternative but to close the route as we undoubtedly will lose clients who will be forced to seek alternative solutions for their transport,” Robdrup added.With the new situation with the ship out of service for months, the market, the customers and the financial situation “will be negatively affected, and make a turnaround and a reopening unrealistic.”DFDS informed that the closure will affect a limited number of people employed by the company as port handling was performed by external companies.The company has not made any decisions yet as regards the deployment of Finlandia Seaways when it returns from the repair docking.Following the closure of the Rosyth – Zeebrugge route, DFDS connects the UK with the continent via ten routes.
Mr Nash said in January the move would save lives and hospitalisations, but has now said his plan to get it legalised has failed.Festival owners are currently reluctant to openly back the drug testing as it is still illegal, but some events have the testing on-site.“It is something I’m passionate about – I just can’t get it across the line,” Mr Nash said. NZ First law and order spokesperson Darroch Ball said drug testing could legitimise and encourage drug use. “We’re acting at the wrong end here. We’re being very reactionary if we think it’s okay to start saving lives or to start protecting people after the drug has been taken or after it’s been purchased,” he said.READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/police-ministers-plan-legalise-pill-testing-summer-festivals-derailed-nz-first-says-encourages-drug-useNZ First block drug checking: ‘Stick to things that are safe’Radio NZ News 1 October 2019Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says a proposal to legalise drug checks at music festivals would send the wrong message about drug use, which he believes is a “thoroughly bad idea” and should not be condoned.New Zealand First put the brakes on the Labour and Green-supported plan, which would have allowed pill testing services at events this summer.“Taking pills at festivals is a thoroughly bad idea,” Mr Peters said.“Now it’s been suggested that we should provide all the mechanisms for people to take a whole lot of pills down there to find whether pill taking is safe or not.“We at New Zealand First say it’s not safe, don’t do it. If you want to live, then stick to things that are safe,” he said.“I think it’s better to tell people that drugs and drug experimentation is an awfully risky and dangerous thing to do.”READ MORE: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/400088/nz-first-block-drug-checking-stick-to-things-that-are-safeKeep up with family issues in NZ. Receive our weekly emails direct to your Inbox. TVNZ One News 29 September 2019Family First Comment: Well said, NZ First NZ First law and order spokesperson Darroch Ball said drug testing could legitimise and encourage drug use. “We’re acting at the wrong end here. We’re being very reactionary if we think it’s okay to start saving lives or to start protecting people after the drug has been taken or after it’s been purchased,” Drug testing at music festivals will not be legal in time for the summer season, with Police Minister Stuart Nash struggling to get backing from New Zealand First.
Drug testers are particularly worried about high-dose MDMA pills this summer, which has already led to deaths overseas. “It doesn’t mean I stop. It just means that we probably are not going to get it in place legally for this coming festival season.”