Pinellas County Extension's Timely Topics

Before You Shop for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Vestina F. Crayton, Extension Specialist – Urban Sustainability, Pinellas County Extension

Whether you believe that we are in a recession or not, most will agree that being an informed and smart consumer is important. With the overwhelming media coverage on climate change, being ‘green’ and the need for renewable energy sources, an increasing number of consumers are becoming more aware and concerned about the impact their daily activities are making on their health, finances and the environment. To address these growing concerns, buyers are diligently searching for ways to improve their quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Research has shown that if everyone on the planet consumes at the rate that the United States is, it will take four earths to replenish the resources to sustain one earth.

This holiday season, buyers can make a difference by simply making better purchasing decisions.

From fruit to hand lotion, retailers are boasting the environmentally friendly benefits of their goods. While these claims are good and will excite the eager buyer, you must be aware of the possible shortcomings of these claims. Always remember, the retailer’s main objective is to sell their goods.

Here are a few key things to consider before you make that purchase. Whenever practical and possible remember to:

~ Buy locally.

~ Buy fair trade products.

~ Buy low volatile organic compound (VOC) products. If it is time to replace living room furniture or flooring, make sure you look for products that use low VOC coatings and sealants.

~ Buy Energy Star appliances and electronics.

~ Don’t forget to take your own reusable bags to the store.

~ Buy in bulk. In addition to saving you money buying in bulk reduces the amount of packaging needed.

~ Buy recycled products.

Products should have the above mentioned attributes clearly visible on the label. If it does not, ask the sales person to assist you with finding these products.

Think outside the box and be creative with your gift giving this holiday season. For example:

Charitable Contributions – There are many reputable organizations that can help you give your hard-earned dollars to a worthy cause. You can contribute in your name or in a friend or family member’s name. The possibilities are endless. From helping to drill a well for underserved countries where clean water is a luxury, to donating funds to help fight global warming.

Re-Gift - Newlyweds often receive two of the same thing or a gift that does not meet their current needs. Consider giving that extra toaster or those plaid shower curtains to someone on your list.

Donate Your Time – As a family, you can pledge to donate a determined number of volunteer hours to a local organization in need. There are many opportunities right in your own backyard. If you are having trouble identifying a place to volunteer, contact your local Extension office for assistance. Volunteerism is the perfect gift to give to your community and it will also strengthen your family bond by enhancing your teamwork skills.

Before you shop this holiday season, take a moment to think about the potential impacts your purchases can make, do your research, and be innovative.

References/Resources
Hammer. M. & , Papadi. J. 2002, Enviroshopping: Buy Smarter FCS 3158 Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HE790

Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/

Energy Star http://www.energystar.gov/

Charity Navigator http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Tis’ the Season- Food Safety Tips for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

By Nan Jensen, Families & Consumers Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Soon the smell of turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie will fill the air. Family and friends will be gathering around the table for those special holiday dinners. Food safety is something we normally don’t think about when we are busy preparing for the holiday feast. But handling and serving food safely is important to prevent to keep you and your guests healthy during the holiday season.

Here are some simple food safety tips to keep in mind.

Plan ahead and properly defrost your turkey. The rule of thumb for defrosting a turkey is 24 hours for every 5 pounds of bird. Always defrost in the refrigerator and not on the kitchen counter. You can always choose a fresh turkey which should be purchased no more than a day or two ahead of when you plan to cook it.

Cook to proper temperature and use a thermometer. This is the best way to when food is done and to ensure that any potential bacteria are destroyed. For more information on thermometers and internal cooking temperatures check out the following publication. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Kitchen_Thermometers.pdf

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparation. Leaving food out too long is one of the biggest holiday food safety problems. After dinner is finished, many of us enjoy catching up with family and friends that we haven’t seen in awhile and forget about the time. However, when food sits out for more than two hours above 40 degrees it is prime for bacterial growth. Therefore, it is important to get food in the refrigerator as soon as the meal is finished. When storing leftovers put them in 2-inch deep, shallow containers and make sure the refrigerator is not over-packed so there is plenty of air circulating around the food so it can be properly cooled. When storing the leftover turkey, cut the meat off the bone. This will allow it to quickly cool to the proper temperature, as well as make it easy to store.

Wash your hands thoroughly and often throughout food preparation. Washing hands is one of the easiest ways to minimize bacterial contamination and keep your food safe. Aim for washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Use a water temperature that is comfortable for you. Research has shown that water temperature is not as important as the actual mechanical action of hand washing.

Wash all fresh produce. All produce should be thoroughly washed before eating. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home, or produce that is purchased from a grocery store or farmer's market. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended.

Use care when reheating leftovers. One of the best parts of the holidays is enjoying the leftovers. Always reheat the leftovers to 165 degrees to make sure any bacteria are destroyed. Use those leftovers within 2 to 3 days or freeze them for longer keeping.

For more information on food safety go to http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/fcs/foodSafety.shtml

Our best to you and your family for a happy and safe holiday season.

Safety Net

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Janet Golden, 4-H Agent III, Pinellas County Extension

Today's youth are as comfortable on the internet as previous generations were in brick and mortar gatherings. Youth not only look for information but also develop their own web sites and pages providing information about themselves. In fact many youth know much more about the internet than their parents, especially the social networking aspects. Think about internet as a big city or town with lots of places to go and things to do for young people. Now as a parent would you ever let your child wander free in any city or town without some guidelines or without you there depending on age? I am sure your answer is ‘no’, so the same should hold true for the internet. The following are a few guidelines to teach your youth safety on the web.

~ Make sure your child understands that the internet is not anonymous. Many times young people have email addresses and/or screen names that give away too much information about themselves. Be sure that these never contain their name, town, school, school mascot, favorite sport or activity, or family member names.

~ Chat rooms are very popular with tweens and teens. Remind your child that people online are not always who they say they are. There are many predators that use the internet to engage youth, so just because they say they are a 12 year old girl does not mean it is true. It is important to monitor your child’s chat sessions and/or talk to them about who they are chatting with online.

~ Keep the computer in a family area of the home and not in the child’s room. This allows the parent to monitor and provide support while their child is on the internet. Remember there are not only sexual predators online, but also predators looking to steal identities. Youth are a popular target because they or their parents are less like to run a credit check to see if their identity has been stolen.

~ Understand copyright regulations. Parents are responsible if their child is downloading music and movies without paying for them. It is illegal and you and your child need to understand the regulations.

~ Explore the internet with your child. As I mentioned before, many youth know the internet better than adults so take them time for them to teach you a few things.

If you would like to explore this topic further join me on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 12:15-12:45 for a free webinar called Safety Net.

Resources:
http://www.safeteens.com/
http://www.isafe.org/

Give Thanks for a Crop of New Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Attend Pinellas County Extension’s November Classes

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions.

Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30. Each week this month you will learn or rediscover ways to make your life Greener

Solutions in 30:
November 4 - When Vegetable Gardens Go Bad
November 18 - Protect your Credit During the Holidays
November 25- Safety Net

Commercial (Pesticide/FNGLA/ISA) CEUs:
November 4 - Best Management Practices
November 16 - Best Management Practices @ PTEC in St Petersburg
November 20 - Limited Pesticide License Training and Testing

Lawn & Garden:
November 7 - Compost Happens
November 7 - The Good the Bad and the Ugly of Vegetable Garden
November 11 - Orchids @ Palm Harbor Library

Sustainable Living:
November 17- The Basics of Climate Change
November 17- Green Job Market in Pinellas County

Pathways Adventure Series:
November 7 - Going Native

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/ Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

An Ocean of Change

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent, Pinellas County Extension

There are many environmental impacts attributed to climate change. As scientists begin to understand all the impacts caused by the burning of fossil fuels and build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere, changes are occurring within our oceans.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been researching the impact of CO2 on marine ecosystems. The oceans have absorbed about 50% of the CO2 released from the burning of fossil fuels. This causes chemical reactions that lower ocean pH (measurement of acidity). This has caused an increase in acidity of about 30% since the start of the industrial age through a process known as “ocean acidification.” A growing number of studies have demonstrated adverse impacts on marine organisms.

When CO2 reacts with seawater, the reduction in seawater pH reduces the availability of carbonate ions, which play an important role in shell formation for marine organisms such as corals, marine plankton, and shellfish. This could have profound impacts on some of the most fundamental biological processes of the sea in coming decades. Some of the smaller calcifying organisms are important food sources for higher marine organisms. Declining coral reefs due to increases in ocean temperature and acidification would have negative impacts on tourism and fisheries. Abundance of commercially important shellfish species may also decline and negative impacts on finfish may occur. This rapidly emerging scientific issue and possible ecological impacts have raised serious concerns across the scientific and fisheries resource management communities.

As human processes of energy production and transportation continue to build CO2 levels in the atmosphere, scientists are uncertain what the continuing impacts of ocean acidification will be. We do know that CO2 will continue to build up and oceans will continue to absorb it without intervention. The U.S. is the third largest seafood consumer in the world. Coastal and marine commercial fishing generates as much as $30 billion per year and nearly 70,000 jobs. Healthy coral reefs are the foundation of many of these viable fisheries, as well as the source of tourism and recreation revenues.

Reduction of the use of fossil fuels is a key to reducing the impacts of climate change. Energy conservation, renewable energy production, new transportation options, and better gas mileage for cars are just a few of the solutions. Preserving the health of our oceans is critical to maintaining critical food production for the world.

Climate Change Basics Webinar: November 17, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm – On-Line Registration

Resources
NOAA Ocean Acidification - http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/plans_docs/2008/Ocean_AcidificationFINAL.pdf
What is Ocean Acidification? http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/OA/background.html
EPA Climate Change http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

Green at Work: Special Online Series, October, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Join us every Wednesday in October from 12:15-12:45 for an informative series of presentations on being green at work. Experts from various Pinellas County Government departments will share information and tips on how to reduce your environmental impact at work. Many of us are already in the habits of saving water, electricity and recycling at home, but those same practices are just as important in the workplace. Problem is, there is often a lack of resources and commitment in a shared environment. These free presentations will help identify barriers to green practices and suggest ways to overcome them.

On October 7th join Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste education specialist Tom Roberts for “Cutting Waste at Work.” PC Utilities already has a successful and popular program of the same name in place, and this is available to businesses throughout the county. Tom will explain how this free program works, and will also review the updated Pinellas County Recycling Program.

Some of the benefits of Cutting Waste at Work include: saving money by lowering disposal costs, enhancing your company’s image by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and improving environmental quality by reducing litter and pollution.

Pinellas County Extension Urban Sustainability Specialist Vestina F. Crayton will provide research-based insight on green purchasing at the office on October 14th. Facts about the value of using green products, how to identify a green product and what the real costs of common materials used at work will be revealed.

These live, online classes are interactive, and you will be able to ask specific questions of our experts throughout.

Are you aware of the air quality in your office or workplace? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend 90% of our time indoors, yet the quality of the indoor environment is often overlooked. One of the factors that contribute to the quality of indoor air is the presence of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. In addition, handling of these materials can cause problems. Rodney Bolt, Safety Specialist with Pinellas County’s Risk Management Department will provide an overview of where hazardous chemical may be hiding in your workplace, how to safely store, handle and dispose of them, and how to avoid having them in the first place!

On October 28th, James Stevenson, Pinellas County Extension Urban Sustainability Specialist will cover energy conservation in the workplace. Did you know that a PC left on overnight wastes about $50 a year? How many PCs are in your office? Do the math and imagine what you could do with that saved money!

To register for these classes click the “Online Class Registration” button on the front page of pinellascountyextension.org and select the “Solutions in 30” tab. You will be walked-through the easy registration process for each class you wish to attend.

We recommend signing-on about 15 minutes prior to the class’ starting time in order to make adjustments to your PC or Mac’s volume settings (you will need speakers or headphones to hear this presentation.)

We look forward to welcoming you to our Green Office Series.

4-H National Youth Science Day

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By Andrew Yuan, 4-H Youth Mentor, Pinellas County Extension
Next Sunday marks the start of National 4-H Week, the one week out of the year where 4-H is given even more attention and extra celebration. The event is from October 4th to October 10th so mark your calendars.

If you don’t already know, 4-H is a national youth organization dedicated to teaching youth invaluable life skills with a focus on “hands-on” learning. With a motto of “to make the best better” and the popular slogan of “learn by doing” the Florida 4-H program has been going strong for 100 years with the celebration of the Florida 4-H Centennial this year of 2009. 4-H has always been evolving with the times which can clearly be seen with its most recent initiative of the 4-H SET programming which consists of curriculum and events focused on science, engineering, and technology. The 4-H SET programming is still reaching numbers of about 5 million youth a year after its launch and a new curriculum developed by the University of Florida titled “Butterfly Wings” was recently released. The new curriculum teaches youth ages 9-13 about environmental science, citizen science, butterfly biology, identification, habitats, and monitoring.

National 4-H Week will also be off to an interesting start with the 4-H Emblem making its debut appearance in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race, sported on the back of car driven by Jeff Gordon. This exciting event is just of the tip of the week’s celebration. The real highlight of the week will be the highly anticipated second annual

4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD) on October 7, 2009. This one day out of the year exemplifies all of the goals of the 4-H SET initiative as youth in 4-H all around the country do the same experiment to learn about a relevant topic. This year’s experiment is called “Biofuel Blast.” Youth all around the country will have the opportunity to learn about alternative energy sources, an extremely important topic in the current global situation. Through the experiment, youth will be making their own biofuel, ethanol, through the simple reaction of yeast and sugars. The main materials for the experiment are balloons, yeast, a plastic container, and corn syrup. Complete kits were available through the National 4-H Mall for any 4-H groups interested in the experiment but the procedure can even be carried out safely from the home with all materials available in local grocery stores.

4-H is well on its way to another successful National Youth Science Day and another successful year with National 4-H Week and new developments always on the horizon.

National 4-H Website http://4-h.org/
“Butterfly Wings” Curriculum News http://4-h.org/news/?p=387
4-H Emblem NASCAR News http://4-h.org/news/?p=439
4-H National Youth Science Day https://www.4-h.org/NYSD/
4-H SET http://4-h.org/programs_mission_mandates/set.html

Don't Get Spooked!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Deller) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Attend Pinellas County Extension’s October Classes

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions.

Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30. Each week this month you will learn or rediscover ways to make your office Greener

Solutions in 30:
October 7th - Cutting Waste at Work
October 14th - Green Purchasing
October 21st - Chemical Hazard Reduction
October 28th - Energy Conservation

Commercial (Pesticide/FNGLA/ISA) CEUs:
October 3rd - Best Management Practices

Lawn & Garden:
October 20th - Rain Harvesting Workshop
October 28th - Compost Happens

Sustainable Living:
October 15th - The Basics of Climate Change

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/ Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Mold Happens

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Vestina F. Crayton, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

For those of us who love sunny days and sandy beaches, Florida is the perfect place to live, work, and play. Not only does Florida provide one of the best environments for water and sunshine loving people, it also provides the perfect place for mold to live, work, and play.

What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus. It needs warm temperatures, moisture and nutrients to grow and thrive. In order for mold to reproduce, it must produce spores. These spores are released into the atmosphere and are circulating almost all the time. This means, the risk of breathing in these spores is high.

Prevention
Mold is a fact of nature. Implementing the following four control measures will help minimize mold problems:

*Temperature Control - Keep your indoor temperature below 77 degrees. The optimum temperature for mold growth is between 77 and 86 degrees.

*Moisture Control - Moisture can originate from outdoors and indoors.
o Although you can not control outdoor sources, you can make sure water spills are dried immediately or within 24-48 hours.
o Consider the relative humidity (RH) level. Keeping the RH level below 60% is best. You can purchase a budget-friendly ($10-$50) RH meter from your local home improvement or hardware store.

*Particulate Control – Mold, like any living organism, needs a nutrient source to survive. Soap scum, dirt, and organic materials found in paper products provide a smorgasbord for mold. Dusting, vacuuming with a HEPA filter and cleaning with environmentally preferable products frequently will keep the particulates under control.

*Ventilation – Introducing outside air into your interior spaces is an option if the nighttime temperature outside is 55 o F or below. Check your local forecast. If you live in a naturally humid climate, use air conditioning.

Moisture Removal
Alternating between cycles of heat and air conditioning will help take the moisture out of the air.

*Use 80 o F for the heat followed by two to three hours of 65 o F air conditioning. Continue repeating the alternating cycles until optimum indoor air quality is achieved.

*Dehumidifiers can be used. See the Energy Star chart below for a quick operating reference.According to Energy Star “Dehumidifier capacity is usually measured in pints per 24 hours and is determined by two factors: the size of the space that needs to be dehumidified and the conditions that exist in the space before dehumidification. Use the chart below to estimate the capacity you are looking for.”

Condition without Dehumidification	Area (Sq. Feet)
Condition without Dehumidification	500	1,000	1,500	2,000	2,500
Moderately Damp (space feels damp and has musty odor only in humid weather)	*10	14	18	22	26
Very Damp (space always feels damp and has musty odor. Damp spots show on walls and floor.)	12	17	22	27	32
Wet (space feels and smells wet. Walls or floor sweat, or seepage is present.)	14	20	26	32	38
Extremely Wet (laundry drying, wet floor, high load conditions.)	16	23	30	37	44

* Numbers indicate the capacity in pints per 24 hours. Read the label to determine what capacity you will need based on the area.

Tips for Rooms in the Home
Bathrooms

*With all the shampoos, conditioners, body washes and skin exfoliating products we use it is important to clean and dry our bathroom surfaces. The residue and soap scum buildup provides a buffet for mold and mildew

*To keep the relative humidity low, take cooler showers. This can also help to reduce the amount of energy required to heat the water for that must have hot-shower.

Kitchens

*Identify and repair leaky pipes
*Wherever water comes in contact, apply caulking to keep the water out. Such areas would include around the perimeter of the sink.

Closets

*Consider louvered doors to allow the flow of air.
*Moisture absorbing material such as desiccants can be used. However, it may not be practical if high humidity is a problem in the rest of the home.

According to the experts, homeowners should check their water heater, washing machine hoses, and bathroom tile grouts for water leaks. These are the main three areas for water damage in the home (Lankarge, 2003).

For Renters
Report all leaks to the appropriate personnel-building owner or manager. Although there are no federal standards for mold or mold spores to measure compliance, sampling can be done to ensure adequate removal and remediation. Sampling should follow the guidelines issued by a professional organization such the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

References
Hyun-Jeong, L., Pearl, V. (2007). Moisture Control in Your Home. Part 1: The Basics. UFIFAS EDIS publication FCS3256

Hyun-Jeong, L., Pearl, V. (2007). Moisture Control in Your Home. Part 2: Room by Room. UFIFAS EDIS publication FCS3257

Hyun-Jeong, L., Pearl, V. (2007). Basic Mold Prevention. UFIFAS EDIS publication FCS3255

United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/mold/preventionandcontrol.html

Energy Star
http://www.energystar.gov/

Toxic Plants

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Jean Field, Extension Specialist, Horticulturist II

Poisonous plants have been on the planet since time began, providing us with properties used in medicines and poisons alike. Our contact or ingestion of poisonous plants can cause varying results from a minor skin rash or itchy eyes to difficulty breathing, coma and even death.

How can people and their pets be poisoned by plants?

*Eating plant parts: seeds, roots, flowers, bark, sap, leaves
*Touching plants, their leaves, sap, seeds, flowers, etc...
*Inhaling the pollen from blooms or smoke from burning plants
*Cooking food on the branches of poisonous plants

Let’s take a look at some of the more common plants found in our landscapes that are poisonous to us and our pets.

Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) One of the worst invasive exotic plants in central and south Florida, the Brazilian pepper causes more damage than simply choking out native ecosystems. Contact with this plant produces a rash similar to its cousin, Poison Ivy. When it blooms, it causes breathing difficulty in some people. The rash can cause inflammation of the eyes and face. Pruning the plant while in bloom is especially irritating. Eating the berries can cause vomiting and stomach irritation.

Cycads: King Sago (Cycas revoluta) is a favorite palm-like plant that is popular in Florida landscapes. Female plants produce red seeds and, if eaten, can cause bloody diarrhea, coma and paralysis. A local veterinarian explained how dogs that eat Cycad seeds go into liver failure. If eaten by humans, seeds of all Cycads are highly toxic and protective gloves should be worn when handling them. Crushed seeds have been used as a fish poison in Australia, the native country of these Cycads.

Lantana (Lantana camara) This popular butterfly-attracting perennial contains poisonous compounds in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and green berries. A reported death of a child in Tampa resulted from eating the green berries. Handling the new leaves cause a skin rash in sensitive people. Livestock and pets are vulnerable to poisoning from eating leaves, stems and fruit.

Oleander- (Nerium oleander) I am always thankful when new residents to Florida ask me about the toxicity of the Oleander as this showy plant is quite deadly. Always keep children and pets away from eating any part of this plant! Eating one leaf can kill an adult human and children may be poisoned by carrying flowers around in their mouths in play. Skin rashes can occur on sensitive individuals who come in contact with either the green or the brown leaves. Deaths have occurred in people who roasted food on Oleander stems. It is a beautiful and tough plant for the landscape that should be used with extreme caution.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) A great source of wildlife food and brilliant fall color, Poison Ivy has driven many a hiker to an itching frenzy after brushing against the leaves. The oily sap found in all parts of the plant spreads easily by either direct or indirect contact. Direct contact results from touching the plant. Indirect contact, perhaps the trickiest to avoid, comes from touching animals or clothing that have sap on them. Touching someone’s gardening gloves or their clothing can transfer the Poison Ivy sap to you. Itching and swelling may appear in a few hours to a few days. Approximately 25% of people are not susceptible to poisoning from Poison Ivy, but repeated exposure may cause sensitivity. Eating of the berries and leaves has caused stomach upsets and even death. It’s a good idea to learn what Poison Ivy looks like, especially as a seedling, so you can avoid it at all costs.

Yellow Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica) This ever-blooming plant can be found in either vine or shrub form. The spiny, porcupine-like round seed pods are poisonous if eaten and the white sap can cause skin rashes in sensitive people. If you plant this beauty in your garden, be sure the non-sensitive person does the pruning. Keep fallen seed pods out of the reach of pets and young children

Protect your pets: Make a list of the plants in your landscape to determine if they are toxic to you and your pets. If you are unsure, contact us at the Pinellas County Extension: 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo (727) 582-2110 or check the web resources below. A local veterinarian described the symptoms of plant poisoning in pets: “Most of our plant poisonings are due to ingestion. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, yellow mucous membranes (gums, whites of the eyes) and lethargy”.

If you suspect someone has been poisoned, immediately call the local Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. Their website contains information on poisonous plants, insects and snakes. http://www.poisoncentertampa.org/poisonous-plants.aspx
Post this information on your refrigerator to have it in a pinch.

We may not be aware that many plants in our own back yards have toxic properties. Until you know if you have toxic plants, keep pets and children from eating suspect leaves, seeds, fruit and other plant parts. Wear long sleeves when pruning or carrying vines and branches to protect your skin. A little research up front can prevent itching, burning and the potential of severe illness from affecting your family and beloved pets.

Printed Materials Referenced:
Cycads, David L. Jones, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993
Guide to the Poisonous and Irritant Plants of Florida, Fl. Extension Service, Circular 441
Poisonous Plants of the Southern United States, Florida Extension Service
Poisonous Plants around the Home, University of Florida, Bulletin 175D

Web Sites Referenced:
http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu/Forms%20and%20Publications/PDF/plants%20poisonous%20to%20pets.pdf

http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu/Forms%20and%20Publications/PDf/poisonous%20plants.pdf

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/17-common-poisonous-plants.html

Plant Health Starts With the Soil

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By Jane Morse, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Did you know there are more than 70,000 different kinds of soil in the United States?

With all these different kinds of soil you can imagine the variations of their soil properties. How much water or nutrients they hold, their pH and drainage can all be wildly different. Unfortunately for most Florida gardeners our soils are mainly sand. Sand does not hold on to much of anything, so water, nutrients and pollutants flow right through and into our ground water.

Soils are also characterized by their alkalinity (high pH) or acidity (low pH). Most plants prefer soils in the 5.5 to 6.5 pH range, which is slightly acidic. This is also the pH range where most plant nutrients are easily available to plants. When soil pH is either above or below this optimum range plants may start to show nutritional deficiencies (hunger signs) or toxicity symptoms.

Our Florida coastal soils tend to be very alkaline, whereas soils that formed under pine flatwoods can be very acidic. Sea shells, marl and limestone are very high in calcium and are the main reason for our coastal soils being so alkaline. Some calcium-rich building materials such as concrete and stucco can also raise the soil pH. Plants grown in alkaline soils are commonly lacking these plant nutrients: iron, manganese, zinc and boron.

To determine your soil pH you can send a sample to a trustworthy lab such as the University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (http://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/). Once you know the pH of your soil you can choose the plants best suited to your soil, or understand why some plants are not growing well. Strongly alkaline soils are generally a greater problem in landscapes and proper plant selection is very important. Acid-loving plants such as azalea, ixora, gardenia and blueberry will never do well in an alkaline soil. There is no way to permanently lower the pH of soils formed from high calcium materials, so proper plant selection is critical for plant health.

The University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL) can also provide a fertility analysis. This test tells you how much phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are in your soil. This report also includes pH, lime and fertilizer recommendations for selected lawn and landscape plants based on your soil sample.

To avoid damage to your landscape plants, always have your soil tested for pH and/or lime requirement before adding lime or sulfur to the soil. If you want to grow plants that are not suited to your soil pH, consider growing them in pots with another soil amended to provide the proper pH.

How to Collect a Soil Sample

1. Identify the area to be sampled. Turf areas, vegetable gardens and ornamental beds should all be sampled separately. Also, any problem areas (such as depressions, rocky areas, etc.) should be sampled separately to avoid contaminating samples from good areas.

2. Using a shovel (or soil probe), remove soil from 10 to 15 locations within the sampling area. Soil should be removed from the top 6 inches. Walk in a zigzag pattern, stopping occasionally to remove soil for the sample.

3. After taking each sub-sample, remove any plant material or mulch and deposit the soil into the plastic bucket. Mix the soil in the bucket to ensure it is well blended.

4. Spread the soil out on a newspaper or paper grocery bag and allow it to dry thoroughly.

5. Once dry, pack approximately 1 pint of soil (fill to the dotted line) into a soil sample bag (available free from your county Extension office). Alternatively, you may pack soil into a zip-top plastic bag.

Soil samples being submitted to the Extension Soil Testing Lab (ESTL) should be accompanied by a completed Landscape & Vegetable Garden Soil Test Information Form (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS187 ) or you can pick up the form at the Extension Office, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The ESTL offers two soil tests for the home lawn, landscape and vegetable garden. Test A ($3) includes soil pH and lime requirement analyses; Test B ($7) adds analysis of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Include your check or money order for the test you’ve chosen, along with the form and your soil sample.

If using another soil testing lab, you should contact it first to obtain instructions on how to submit soil samples. Be aware that private laboratories may not use soil tests that are calibrated for our region.

Fall into Knowledge!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Deller) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Attend Pinellas County Extension’s September Classes

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in September are:

Solutions in 30:
September 2nd - Incentives for Saving Energy
September 9th - Healthy Home, Healthy Family
September 16th - Don’t get Scammed!
September 23rd - Saving Money by Going Green
September 30th - Green Office

Lawn & Garden:
September 9th @ 2:00pm and 6:15pm - Exploring the World of Bromeliads
September 9th - Landscaping for Wildlife
September 16th - Hurricane Preparedness for the Landscape
September 23rd - Gardening with Wildlife
September 24th - Drought Tolerant Plants
September 26th - Compost Happens
September 30th - Managing Common Landscape Problems

Sustainable Living:
September 12th - Healthy Home, Healthy Family

4-H Youth Development:
Starting September 17th – Embryology 101

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

An Alien Invader

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By Dale Armstrong, Coordinator Florida Yards & Neighborhoods

Brazilian pepper, Schinus terebinthifolius, is a fast-growing, multi-trunked shrub or tree that can grow to 30 feet or more in height. In the past, it has commonly been called “Florida Holly”, probably because of the attractive clusters of red berries produced in winter. However, it is neither from Florida nor is it a holly. It is in fact, an alien species from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Actually, we refer to a non-native species as an exotic rather than alien. And when an exotic has the ability to outgrow native species in Florida, we call it invasive. Brazilian pepper certainly qualifies as invasive. Most likely everyone has seen thick growths of Brazilian pepper where virtually all other plants have been smothered and died. Since there are no natural controls here other than freezing temperatures, Brazilian pepper grows unrestrained in south and central Florida.

Controlling this runaway plant in natural areas is difficult and costly, especially in large, remote areas. There isn’t a park or preserve in Pinellas County that does not have to deal with controlling Brazilian pepper and other non-native invasive species. In the home landscape many homeowners do not realize that their Brazilian pepper tree may be spreading thousands of seeds throughout their neighborhood and into natural areas via birds and other wildlife. And when an owner does become aware of the nature of this tree and is interested in getting rid it, the process tends to be expensive. Trees can be cut down and removed, but the stump and roots will re-sprout if not completely removed or treated with herbicides.

You can help by learning to identify Brazilian pepper, both seedlings and mature plants. Many seedlings grow amongst existing landscape plants and are watered, fertilized, and pruned along with other plants in the bed by unsuspecting homeowners and landscape company personnel. Removing seedlings while small is much easier and less costly than dealing with a large tree or shrub later. Brazilian pepper is in the same family as poison ivy, so use caution if you personally handle any part of the plant.

There is much information available to you about Brazilian pepper and other invasive plant species. Certainly Pinellas County Extension is an excellent source for literature and advice from staff, but in addition I have included other resources below.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AA/AA21900.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AG/AG10800.pdf
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/conclusions.html

Back to School on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By: Karen Saley, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Summer fun is almost over and it’s time to start thinking about getting the kids ready for school again. With all the other bills you may be having to deal with right now, the thought of buying all those school supplies, books and clothes may being weighing heavy on your mind.

According to the National Retail Federation, the economy has changed some of our shopping habits. We’re looking for more sales, using more coupons, buying more store and generic brands and overall spending less.

To help you keep back to school spending to a minimum here a just a few tips.

First and probably most important…have a plan and a budget. Make a list of all the things that your kids need to get them in shape for the new school year. A list will help you remember what you need to buy and keep you from making those impulse purchases. Then make sure you set a dollar amount. Setting a dollar amount and discussing it with you kids will keep all of you on the right track to staying within your budget. Having a plan and budget will save you time and energy. Another little tip is pay with cash. There is no point in doing all the bargain hunting only to charge the items and pay interest on the purchase. Paying with cash will also help keep you from overspending; handing over the greenbacks always hurts a little more than whipping out the credit card.

Before you head out the door and start trekking through all those stores, start at home. Take an inventory of what you already have laying around the house. Gather up all those pens, pencils, erasers and half used notebooks. You probably already have a calculator, backpack and other durable goods from previous years. Remember, recycling is an easy way to save money.

Now it’s time to actually start shopping…but where to start?

Those wonderful dollar stores are a favorite of mine. You can load up on notebooks, pens, pencils and all the other classroom paraphernalia you need for a fraction of the cost of buying it at drug stores and box stores.

Thrift stores are a good source for note books, binder, calculators and sometimes, even books. While you’re there, you can probably find a bargain on a backpack, lunch box or water bottle.

Garage sales are another place to find some great deals on everything from small electronics, to school supplies to clothing.

Speaking of clothing, thrift stores are a goldmine where you can find some real bargains. Shirts, slacks, dresses, jackets and more can be had for as little as a couple of dollars. Many of these stores even carry the latest name brand clothing. So if you have a child that likes the latest fashions, you may be in luck.

Discount outlets can be a great source for inexpensive clothing. Again, name brand clothing as well as off names can be found in these stores at significant savings. In exchange for the great prices, you may just need to invest a little time to search the racks for those great pieces of clothing.

Consignment shops are another great resource for finding trendy clothing. Some people just get tired of wearing the same clothes and decide to get a little cash for those items. Many times clothing in consignment shops shows very little wear and tear.

Trading with friends is another way of saving some big bucks. Kids have been lending their clothing to each other for years. Why not make it a game involving a bunch of friends and trade some of those clothes you’re a little tired of. What may be old and boring to someone else can be fresh and new to your kids.

Thankfully, there are not too many electronic devices that are essential for school. Calculators can be found at a reasonable price at many discount stores or you may know someone who has a slightly used one sitting in a drawer. Computers are another electronic device that can be found for much less than the going retail price if you do a little shopping. Manufacturers recondition some models due to small design flaws that do not really affect the overall performance of the machine. These reconditioned models can sometimes save you a substantial amount of money.

Don’t forget to check newspaper circulars and internet sources for sales and coupons. If you plan on shopping at one of the popular retail stores, check their website for coupons and sales before you go.

Get your kids involved in the back-to-school shopping experience. Just think. They will have had their first lesson in reading, writing, and arithmetic before the school bell actually rings.

Solar Power in the Sunshine State (Part II)

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:59:00 +0000

By James Stevenson, Extension Specalist, Pinellas County Extension

Photo-voltaic Electricity Generation

In Solar Power in the Sunshine State (Part I), we explored the benefits of including solar power in your overall energy-efficiency package. We then looked closely at the various water-heating systems that can save you approximately 20% of your monthly power bill.

This time we will cover making electricity from sunlight and some of the many ways switching to solar can make you money.

Converting sunlight is to electricity is a fascinating and only slightly complex process.

Light from the sun is referred to as solar electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is made up of little bundles of energy called photons which can behave like waves (think: microwaves and radio waves) as well as behaving like an object with physical properties. The wave-like radiation is broken down into five categories based on the wavelengths; these include familiar UV radiation as well as visible light.

When the photons behave like objects they can produce electricity. When these “solar fastballs” strike certain atoms, they can knock them with such force as to disrupt the electrons associated with those atoms. This disruption causes a release of energy and makes the electrons “excited”. When these “excited” electrons move in a particular direction this is referred to as “current.” Sound familiar?

The current produced is Direct Current (DC), which needs to be converted to Alternating Current (AC) for practical use. In order to do this you need a photovoltaic (PV) device. PV converters have very few parts: a surface covered with a material made up of “excitable” electrons, a simple magnet to move those electrons in one direction, a converter that will change DC power to AC, and the most important part: the Sun.

Currently the most popular material used to provide electrons for knocking about is silicon. Now, silicon is a pretty abundant material, it is what sand is made of. But getting PURE silicon is a tricky and expensive procedure. This makes PV systems costly. Other concerns with silicon are the production process and environmental impacts. However compared to the environmental, social, and geo-political impacts of our dependence on oil as our primary energy source, and solar comes up looking pretty good! In addition, materials other than silicone are being researched, with some success.

Some think that the heat of the sun is somehow a factor in producing PV electricity. Interestingly, the system works a bit less efficiently in extremely high temperatures. Therefore, even though the desert southwest of the US may receive more hours of daylight than Florida, the heat there makes PV systems much more inefficient, therefore making Florida nearly perfect for efficient solar energy production.

There are incentives for including solar energy, both thermal and photo-voltaic into your energy system. Any solar energy system, including the more affordable water-heating systems, is not subject to sales tax. In addition, you can claim 30% of the total cost of the project (including installation) as an income tax write-off as long as the system is operational by December 31st 2010. There is currently a measure before the Florida lawmakers that would prevent the addition of solar technology from adding to a home’s value and driving up the taxable value of that home.

If you are interested in learning more about Solar Power in the Sunshine State, please join us on Saturday, August 22nd here at Pinellas County Extension for a solar energy workshop. Experts from Progress Energy and the Solar Source Institute will be giving lectures and answering questions from 9:30 – 12:00. In addition several local vendors of solar products and services will be displaying their good in a mini-trade show, all right in our main auditorium.

This class is $15 and registration is required by Thursday, August 20. We can not accept walk-ins on the day as space is limited. To register, visit pinellascountyextension.org and select the “Online Class Registration” button. Then look for the Sustainable Living tab. We hope to see you there!

Embryology or Egg to Chick

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By Betty Lipe, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Have you ever thought about hatching fertile eggs for the educational experience? Embryology is an established way to teach the life sciences. Here are some things you need to consider:

~Setting up the incubator - The incubators commonly used in home or classroom operations are small Styrofoam units with a wafer or controller that regulates when the unit turns on and off. These can be purchased at the local feed store or on line at numerous sites. By doing a search for “incubator” you get a number of different suppliers. A thermometer is placed in the incubator so that it is resting at the height of the center of the egg. This allows the incubator to be run at 100 degrees which is a good hatching temperature. Water is placed in the center portion of the bottom to add humidity.

~Setting the eggs and how to care for them – when setting the eggs in the incubator, place a pencil mark on each side such as an “X” and “O”, this way you can tell when the eggs have been turned. Marker is not used as the ink can be toxic to the unborn chick. Eggs are then turned 3 times a day until day 18. Keep records of the time the eggs were turned and the temperature in the incubator at the time of turning. This is very important if you ever have to trouble shoot a problem with the incubator. The first 4 days are critical that the temperature, turning, humidity, and air flow are kept at the optimum level. The last 4 days are as important that the extra humidity and added airflow will make for a better hatch.

~Types of eggs - The easiest eggs to incubate are chicken eggs particularly those from white leghorn varieties. These are easy to candle and hatch in 21 days. Duck eggs which are larger and heavier, take a longer period (28) days and require much more humidity than chicken eggs. Whether you choose chicken, duck, quail, or any other species of bird, be sure you understand the hatch time and temperature needed for a good hatch.

~Development of a chick – In just 21 days, the embryo goes from a white germinal disk on the yolk to full grown chicks. To see the day-by-day development, go to: http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H/presentations/Embryo%20development%20and%20hatching..pdf

~Hatching – On the day of hatch the chick begins to opens the egg from the inside with its egg tooth. At first you will see a small hole and as the day goes by the hole will get longer and longer. The chick is also pushing with its legs and back which is necessary so that it will be strong enough to survive when it gets out of the egg. After struggling for up to 24 hours the chick finally gets out of the shell. It is wet and tired, but within a few minutes will struggle to its feet. If a chick was in a poultry yard this would be a necessity as predators wait to prey on weak hatchlings.

~Brooder box - When the chicks are completely dry they are transferred to a brooder box. This is a large container of wood, plastic, or cardboard with food, water and a light to keep them warm. Always check the requirements of the chicks you are hatching. The chicks stay in the brooder box or brooder area until the temperature in the brooder is the same temperature as the outside air. Since the brooder starts out at 95- 98 degrees and only is lowered 5 degrees per week, it will be several weeks before the chicks are ready to join a flock. In the mean time they are getting their wing feathers and flight feathers and after about a week they can even hop out of a good size box unless it has a lid. The young birds are fed starter feed until they are ready to lay eggs at about 6 months. Then they are switched to a Laying mixture. For more information on raising a backyard flock check out the University of Florida website. http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/agriculture/livestock/poultry.html#backyardFlocks

The embryology program can be done anywhere. Fertile eggs are available from commercial websites and can be ordered on-line.

On September 17 and 24, 2009 Pinellas County Extension http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/ will offer a two day workshop entitled Embryology 101. Everything you wanted to know about hatching eggs in two days. When you leave this program we hope that you will be comfortable with the process and interested enough to try it yourself. Go to the website and click the on-line registration button and look for Sept. 17.

Additional sources of information
http://www.aragriculture.org/poultry/Fun_with_Incubation/default.htm
http://poultryextension.psu.edu/Incubation.html

Solar Power in the Sunshine State (part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

By: James Stevenson, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Solar Thermal

Using the sun’s energy to power our lives is really nothing new; it has been around since the 70s, right? Actually humans have been using solar power as long as we have been human. Using the sun to warm our homes, dry our clothes, heat water and even defeat foes are only a few ways humans have harnessed solar power throughout the centuries. Every hour, enough sunlight reaches the earth to meet the world’s energy needs for a year.

With almost too-late attention being paid to renewable energy sources, the sun is again front-and-center in Florida’s energy future.

We enjoy an average of 200 sunny days here in the Sunshine State. In addition, Florida has 85% of the maximum solar resource available in the US, only being outdone by the southwestern states.

Yet with all this free solar energy, we still depend on non-renewable resources that are not even produced in Florida. 37% of our energy comes from burning coal. Although coal is very abundant in the US, it still needs to be transported to Florida’s power plants. In 2008, the US IMPORTED 34,000 tons of coal from countries as far away as Australia, Indonesia and China.

Next on the list is petroleum. It is no surprise that we depend on foreign oil to power our lives. But did you realize the scale? In April 2009, the US imported 360 million barrels of oil. Just in April.

21% of our power plants are fueled with natural gas. Our very own Progress Energy just this year switched from its oil-fired units to a combined natural gas/steam turbine system. The pipeline that supplies our natural gas stretches from Mobile Bay in Alabama, across the Gulf of Mexico and into Manatee.

Florida has several nuclear power plants as well, and combined they provide 18% of our energy needs. This leaves us with 3%; the amount of renewable energy that is consumed in Florida. This is a combination of solar, wind and geothermal.

Solar energy comes in the form of light and heat. Energy produced from light is called photo-voltaic and the sun’s heat is referred to as solar thermal.

It is possible to take advantage of solar thermal power and depend less on your local service provider. 20% of your energy bill goes for the heating of water. A solar water heater can bring that percentage down to 0.

There are three basic types of solar water heaters available in Florida; the pumped, or direct circulation system, the integral collector storage (ICS) system and the thermo-siphon system.

All these systems involve some sort of solar heat collecting device usually placed on the roof. Within this structure (flat rectangular metal boxes) are pipes containing the potable water supply from the household.

A pumped, or direct circulation system, uses an electric pump to bring the water into the rooftop heating unit, and then, once heated, into a holding tank back on the ground. A controller regulates the movement of water through the system, using a series of thermostats and valves.

The integral collector storage (ICS) system uses the home’s water pressure to circulate water through the system. With this set-up the rooftop unit actually serves as a storage unit, not just a heating chamber. On demand, water is pulled from this rooftop tank into a small auxiliary tank.

The thermo-siphon system uses thermophysics (!) to work. Cool water is introduced into the collector on the roof, at the bottom of the collector. As the water is heated it expands and rises to the top of the chamber and out into a holding tank, also on the roof. Then, just as the ICS system, the home’s water pressure drives the system and brings heated water back down to ground level.

ICS and thermo-siphon systems do not require the electric pump or controller to keep things moving. Those two components may also be powered by sunlight as well, with the light being transformed directly into electricity, or by photo-voltaics. This fascinating and very modern technology will be our next Timely Topic.

Preparing Your Financial Records

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Having your financial records organized is important for a variety of reasons. They are a key to getting your life back to normal after a hurricane, fire, tornado or theft. Having a record of what you lost will be helpful in settling insurance claims and documenting losses for tax purposes. An organized system can help in settling an estate, obtaining insurance or benefit claims and reducing some stress for loved ones in case of death. These records can indicate the monetary value of your belongings for a net worth statement, and provide proof of ownership in the case of separation or divorce.

Setting up a recordkeeping system includes:

Gathering and organizing financial information
Deciding where each type of record should be kept
Reviewing and discarding unneeded records

Organize Financial Information
Begin by locating documents and related information such as phone and account numbers. Categories include:

Personal papers such as birth, marriage and death certificates, divorce decrees, adoption papers, passports, citizenship papers, military service records

Automobile and other titles

Certificates of deposit or bank savings certificates

List of insurance policies and their numbers

Property records title and deeds

Records of home improvements

Legal papers, leases and contracts

Copy of household goods inventory with photos or video

Names and addresses of your financial advisors and financial institutions

Copy of financial plans, net worth statements

List of checking and savings accounts by financial institution

Papers pertaining to valuable property such as jewelry, silverware

Decide Where to Store Your Financial Records
Financial records can be kept either in a home file or in a safe-deposit box at a financial institution. A home file can be used to store active records and those of limited value. If you have records that would be difficult to replace, store those in a safe-deposit box. Review personal financial information annually and make adjustments when there are major changes such as marriage, divorce, or death of a family member.

Select a convenient place such as a home office area to keep important household financial documents. Using a file cabinet that is fire and water resistant is a good idea. Or you can simply use an inexpensive cardboard box that holds file folders. Keep records handy, where they can be accessed easily. Store duplicates of important household papers in a safe place outside of your home. Your personal information can be entered into the Record of Important Papers and saved on your computer hard drive as well.
http://pubwiki.extension.org/mediawiki/files/b/b9/Record_of_Important_Papers.rtf

At least one other person should know where all important records are kept and how they are organized, so that in an emergency that person can locate information quickly.

Review and Discard Unneeded Records
Knowing how long to keep documents is important. Review your immediate and long term files annually. If you are disposing of any items, be sure to shred any sensitive documents, especially those with account numbers, Social Security, and/or date of birth information. For information on how long to keep records refer to the following publication. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/money2000/pdf/organizing.pdf

For more information on this topic refer to these University of Florida publications.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE16200.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY61900.pdf

Looking for a Way to Make the Dog Days of SummerBetter?

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Deller) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Attend Pinellas County Extension’s August Classes

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in August are:

Solutions in 30:
August 5th - Get Organized with a Household Inventory
August 12th - Losing Your Home?
August 19th - Healthy Home, Healthy Family
August 26th - Financial Incentives for Home Energy Savings

Lawn & Garden:
August 1st - Compost Happens
August 12th - Landscaping for Wildlife
August 12th @ 2:00pm and 6:15pm - Growing Fruit on Florida’s Suncoast
August 19th - Keeping Palms Healthy
August 20th - Salt Tolerant Plants

Sustainable Living:
August 4th - Green Office Webinar
August 18th – Green Purchasing Webinar
August 20th – A Home Owner’s Guide to Lighting Efficiency Webinar
August 22nd – Solar Power in the Sunshine State
August 25th – Green Home Webinar

Family Programs:
Starting August 8th – 4-H Family Teening UP
August 27th – Let's Get Growing with Family Vegetable Gardening

NOTE CHANGE EFFECTIVE July 2, 2009 Registration for all classes closes 24 hours prior to the class. No “Day of” registrations will be made.

You can register for classes on-line at www.pinellascountyextension.org Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Local Wildlife in Abundance

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Wilma J. Holley, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Educator

Living in such an urban area, people often think that we don’t have much wildlife; but it is all around us. However, sometimes we have to look harder to find it. With proper landscape planning and improved maintenance practices, we can just walk out into our backyard and see an abundance of creatures. Naturally, I’m not talking about deer, and other large mammals, unless you live next to a preserve. There are a myriad of songbirds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, beneficial insects and others. Florida is the third most diverse state in the nation with over 1200 species of animals. Now, I’m not suggesting that anyone try to attract all 1200 species, as that would be a futile endeavor, since some have very limited ranges in North or South Florida.

In less than one and a half years, I have attracted at least 15 butterfly species to my backyard as well as many songbirds, owls, snakes, frogs and toads and a host of beneficial and non-beneficial insects. In other words, the good the bad and the ugly but, oh, what entertaining observations I’ve made. Hint: if it is a harmful insect and is causing limited damage, you don’t need to kill it--watch it awhile--natural predators may devour it. It is not an overnight process but, enlarging plant beds, removing some grass and gradually changing out “old-fashioned” hedging materials with plants that provide nectar and fruit will be a step in the right direction. Obviously, in addition to food, wildlife must also have water, shelter and space to raise young. Different plants offer different qualities so a change-out would require more than one species.

Research is the key to any good landscaping plan. A good place to start is “A Guide to Florida-Friendly Landscaping Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook” which can be downloaded at: http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/fyn/fyn_publications.shtml or ordered from the Southwest Florida Water Management District at: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/type/all. It includes the “Florida -Friendly Plant List”. This list shows what part of the state a plant grows best in, if it’s a Florida native, height and spread, soil type, moisture needs, sun or shade requirements, salt tolerance and whether it attracts wildlife. Another great source of information is the University of Florida Wildlife Extension at: http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/landscaping.

Clearly everyone develops favorites. I love many of the native wildflowers and shrubs because over time wildlife has evolved with these plants. Also, it prevents the introduction of invasive exotics. My favorite of all shrubs, the biggest bang-for-the-buck, is Firebush Hamelia patens, a favorite of nectaring butterflies and hummingbirds. Later when the fruit ripens, the songbirds are attracted to it. Other great species are Beauty Berry Callicarpa americana, Rouge plant Rivina humilis, Simpson’s Stopper Myrcianthes fragrans, Florida Privet Forestiera segregata and many of the Hollies Ilex spp. Butterflies, besides the nectar plants, need plants for the larval stage. Caterpillars are eating machines, so you must remember you will have plant damage and you cannot use pesticides in a butterfly garden. Milkweed, Cassias, and Passionvine are good to start with as they each attract more than one butterfly species.

I could list plants and what they attract for days. That is not the point. You plant it and they will come. Not only does this help provide wildlife habitat in a state where it is dwindling at an alarming rate, it is the right and sustainable thing to do. We all want future generations to enjoy birds, butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, owls, hummingbirds, frogs, toads, snakes (I know not everyone wants snakes!), and countless other species. We can create corridors for the wildlife by starting in our yards and maybe convincing neighbors to make a few changes. Many of the plants that are attractive to wildlife are drought tolerant and require very little pruning, fertilizing or pesticides. With the possibility of saving time, money and helping the environment by keeping landscape chemicals out of the ground water, what better decision could you make? Just provide the basic needs of food, water, shelter, and space. You can attract all of the above and more depending on space and nearby water bodies. I did and what fun I’m having!

Pinellas County 4-H Teen Council

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:03:00 +0000

By: Melissa Sharp & Andrew Yuan, Teen Mentors, Pinellas County Extension

Are you looking for a good reliable place where your teens can volunteer, one which will offer them leadership roles, help the community, and teach them to make responsible decisions? Then you should consider the 4-H Teen Council for your teens where we will be applying all of the above in a fun and safe 4-H environment.

The Teen Council will be an all year volunteering organization open to all 4-H members ages13 and up. Teens who are not currently 4-H members are encouraged to enroll in 4-H and become members of this exciting group. If you are familiar with the 4-H District Council, then you can expect the same types of activities from the 4-H Teen Council. These activities can include community service projects, working with younger youth in the 4-H clubs, and helping with county-wide events. The youth will learn and apply parliamentary procedure in every meeting so that they will become proficient in it. While the Teen Council is a youth adult partnership, it will be up to the youth to organize and run the meetings. Also if any 4-H’er was thinking of becoming a part of District Council, Teen Council would be a great segue because Teen Council will teach the youth the importance of leadership and give them hands-on skills to advance to the District or State levels.

The teens joining the Teen Council, whether they hold office or not, are a part of Teen Council and thus responsible for the workings of Teen Council. Everyone will be expected to participate, share their ideas, and come to meetings. This will teach youth the value of being in a group as well as being reliable. All decisions will be put to a vote so the youth must choose whether they’re for or against a topic and then act on that decision.

A very important concern for parents of teens is Bright Futures and volunteer hours. Because 4-H is a non profit organization, youth can receive credit for volunteering with the Teen Council. 4-H Teen Council is really trying to boost leadership, community service and responsibility in our teen 4-H members. Any teen age 13 or up in Pinellas County should consider becoming a member of our council. If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact us with the information below.

Andrew Yuan (ayuan@pinellascounty.org)(727) 582-2103 or Melissa Sharp (msharp@pinellascounty.org)(727) 582-2514

Build Your Brain this Summer! Attend Pinellas County Extension’s July Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Deller) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in July are:

Solutions in 30:
July 1st - Coping Strategies for Stress
July 8th - Managing Credit in Tough Times
July 22nd - Solar Power in the Sunshine State
July 29th - Healthy Home, Healthy Family

Lawn & Garden:
July 8th, 2 pm and 6:15 pm - Butterflies 102
July 28th - Save Water with Drip Irrigation
July 28th - Drought Tolerant Plants

Sustainable Living:
July 16th - The Basics of Climate Change Webinar
July 16th – Lighting Your Way to Energy Efficiency Webinar
July 21st – Green Purchasing

Family Programs:
Starting July 16th – Step into the Kitchen: Families Cooking Together
July 23rd – Let's Get Growing with Family Vegetable Gardening
Starting July 28th – Step into the Kitchen: Families Cooking Together

Commercial (Pesticide/FNGLA/ISA) CEUs
July 8th - All About Trees
July 10th - Limited Pesticide License Training and Testing

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org. Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Think Your Drink and Save!

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:43:00 +0000

As the summer heat rolls in, it is very important to drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Buying bottled drinks may quench your thirst, but leave you empty pocketed and may pose a risk to your waistline and the environment.

Save money!
Invest in an eco-friendly reusable water bottle. Bottled beverages can become a large expense quickly! If you were to buy a bottle of water, soda, tea or other beverage everyday for a year, you would spend almost $550!

Did you know that when you buy a bottle of water you are actually paying mostly for the bottle, lid and label? Only 10% of what you pay is for the water itself!

Reusable bottles can be purchased at grocery stores, department stores and sport/outdoor stores. Prices will vary based on the materials used to make the bottle and the size of the bottle. Some eco-friendly bottles to consider are bottles made from stainless steel or recycled plastic. Fill your bottle before you leave your house to avoid costly stops at convenience stores!

Save the earth!
Studies suggest that only 10% of plastic bottles that are created are recycled. This means that the majority of plastic bottles are either being burned or sent to our landfills. Plastic can release harmful chemicals into the air when burned. Landfills are reaching maximum fill capacity, as we continue to deposit plastic bottles and other recyclables into the landfill. About 11% of the landfill content is made up of plastic bottles. Scientists think that is takes hundreds of years for plastic to break down all the way.

Plastic and other trash is being dumped into the ocean in some areas, because landfills have been forced to close as they cannot hold any other waste. Plastic in the ocean causes many fish and sea creatures to die. This also causes beaches to become polluted. Recycling can help to save energy, money and the environment! For more information on kicking the bottled water habit check out http://pcethinkinggreen.blogspot.com/2008/09/kick-bottled-water-habit.html.

Save your waistline!
Bottled drinks such as juice and soda can have nearly 300 calories per bottle. So if you are looking to control your weight or even lose a little, think about what you drink. One recently published study suggests that liquid calories, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, may have a bigger impact on weight than calories from food. Researchers discovered that drinking just one fewer soft drink or sugary beverage a day was associated with significant weight loss in a 6 month period. The findings of this study really support the fact that cutting sugary drinks is a very easy and simple way to help you lose weight or avoid additional weight gain. Choose sugar free or unsweetened beverages such as water, unsweetened tea, or a powdered drink mix like Crystal Light or Wyler’s to cut back on calories.

For information on buying healthy beverages check out this publication from the Centers for Disease Control.http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/pdf/rethink_your_drink.pdf

You May Have Indoor Air Quality Issues If…

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Vestina F. Crayton, Urban Sustainability Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Your indoor space exhibits any of the following:

1. You feel better when you are outside of the space
2. The air is stagnant
3. Obvious odors are present
4. Mold is present
5. High humidity

Many times these symptoms are produced by the release of toxins into the air by objects in our indoor spaces. Some of the main air pollutants are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted from many man-made products such as carpeting, paints, furniture, remodeling materials, cleaning products, and pesticides.

Now that you have identified that there is a problem, and the source of the problem, what is the solution? The solution depends on the source. Depending on the situation, the solution can range from a simple behavior change such as only smoking outdoors (not smoking at all is strongly encouraged) to a costly plumbing job due to a water leak that resulted in mold growth.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

It is virtually impossible to anticipate and plan for all of the unexpected events or elements that can compromise your indoor air quality; however, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has identified the following three basic ways to improve your indoor air environment (ranging from most to least effective): control the source, ensure proper ventilation, and utilize air cleaners.

Control the Source

Choose low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products.
Although VOCs naturally occur, as mentioned above, many are man-made. Volatile refers to the way the compound behaves. It is released into the atmosphere at room temperature. This characteristic is of special concern because the average person spends most of their time indoors. The higher the temperature the quicker the evaporation or release into the atmosphere. Organic refers to the carbon element in the compound. Consumers are becoming more diligent about improving their indoor environment. Retailers are becoming more tuned in to the needs of their consumers and are providing low or no VOC products. Businesses are making sure that these products are highly visible.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Open the Windows
According to the USEPA, “Ventilation, either natural or
mechanical, is the second most effective approach to providing acceptable indoor air.” Generally speaking, an HVAC system is designed to push a certain amount of outdoor air inside. However, when there are periods of extreme hot or cold temperatures, the expense of cooling hot air and warming cold air is costly. To address the cost issue, some HVAC systems are designed to restrict the flow of outdoor air into a space. The result is increased levels of indoor air toxins. Since it is necessary to have a sufficient amount of fresh outdoor air into an interior space to control pollutants, opening a window allows the admittance of fresh air.

Get the Air Moving In New Constructions
Many new constructions are built with energy efficiency in mind. Creating a structure that is air tight ensures that excessive air does not slip in or out which directly effects the operation of the HVAC system. Unfortunately, being air tight can present its own challenges. An air tight space does not allow the proper flow of outdoor air into a space which helps to reduce the levels of indoor toxins. The USEPA created the Indoor airPLUS Label for New Homes for builders to address this concern. Builders that implement products and practices that serve to ensure healthy indoor air quality as well as energy efficiency can then designate the home Indoor airPLUS.

Utilize Air Cleaners

Clear the Air
In conjunction with source control and proper ventilation, using an air cleaner is an option. An air cleaner physically removes varying sizes and types of pollutants from the air. There are three types available: Mechanical filters, Electronic air cleaners, and Ion generators. In addition to the size and type of toxins being removed, flow rate, and how the equipment functions influences the effectiveness of the air cleaner.

Other Strategies

Regular Maintenance of HVAC Systems
Following the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer will help minimize the introduction of indoor air pollutants. Many companies will send a reminder for the annual inspection. Whether you are moving into a previously owned home or a rented space, ask about the maintenance history of the HVAC system.

Change Air Conditioning Filters Monthly
Make it a habit to change your filter each time you receive your power bill. A properly maintained filter will operate at its optimum by restricting the release of air pollutants into a space. A clogged filter allows air to pass into the space carrying pollutants.

This article simply highlights the basic approaches to achieving a healthier and safer indoor air environment. Make sure you do your research and evaluate the associated pros and cons before determining which method meets your needs. By far, source control is the most effective and cost efficient way to enjoy quality indoor air.

For more in-depth information about how to minimize indoor air toxins and create a healthier indoor environment, Pinellas County Extension will be offering a Healthy, Home, Healthy Family seminar September 12, 2009. Please check back for more details and to register at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/.

References
USEPA http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

GREENGUARD http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=118

UF IFAS My Florida Book 2.2: Keeping Your Home Healthy http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CD047

Healthy Indoor Air for America Homes http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/indoorair-hazards/main.htm

Weed Control Made Easy

noreply@blogger.com (Pinellas County Extension) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:43:00 +0000

By Jane Morse, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Weeds in Florida can be a nightmare. Abundant summer rains and scorching sunshine lead to lots of germinating (sprouting) weed seeds. Weed control in the fall isn’t too bad, but trying to keep up with weeds in the blistering heat of summer, while dodging rain storms, sweating, and swatting mosquitoes is miserable.

To control weeds we need to have a basic understanding of some of their differences and how we can use these differences to our advantage.

First, let’s learn about the types of weeds. There are broadleaf weeds. These types of plants generally have net-like veins in their leaves and many have showy flowers. Some examples are dollarweed, creeping beggarweed and Florida pusley. Grass weeds have hollow, rounded stems and nodes (joints) that are closed and hard. The leaf blades have parallel veins and they are much longer than they are wide. The leaf blades also alternate on each side of the stem. Some examples are crabgrass, torpedograss and sandbur. Sedges are “grass-like” weeds, but they are not true grasses. Sedges have a solid, triangular-shaped stem with leaves that extend in three directions. Examples include yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge.

Plants are also distinguished by how long they live. Some are annual (they germinate, grow, flower, seed and die in one year). Others are biennial (it takes two years to complete their life cycle). The hardest to control plants are perennial (they live more than 2 years) because they have several means of reproducing. Not only may they reproduce by seed, but they may reproduce vegetatively by bulbs, rhizomes, stolons, or tubers.

There are two basic methods of weed control -- physical control and chemical control. Usually the best control is achieved using a combination of these two methods.

Physical weed control includes mowing, hand pulling, hoeing and mulching. Many weeds in turf can be controlled by proper mowing. In general, Bahia and St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 4 inches and mowed frequently enough so that only 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed each time. Hand pulling can be used if there are a small number of weeds. Mulching is a good weed control method for flowerbeds, footpaths and other areas where there is no grass. Mulch works by smothering out weeds by excluding light. Mulch should be applied about 2 inches thick and kept away from the bases of plants.

Chemical weed control is the use of herbicides. There are different types of herbicides. Selective herbicides control certain plant types without seriously harming other plant types. A selective herbicide might kill broadleaf plants while not seriously harming grass plants, or vice versa. Non-selective herbicides kill most plants regardless of type. Roundup® (Glyphosate) is probably the most widely known and used non-selective herbicide. Then there are pre-emergent herbicides that prevent seedlings from growing and post-emergent herbicides that are applied to existing weeds when they are small and actively growing.

Selective herbicides can be very useful if, for example, you are trying to control grass weeds in a broadleaf planting, or trying to control broadleaf weeds in a grass planting. Grass-B-Gon® (Fluazifop) is a selective herbicide that kills unwanted grasses in and around broadleaf ornamentals. Manage® (Halosulfuron-methyl) is a selective herbicide for controlling nutsedge in turfgrass and landscaped areas.

Non-selective herbicides are most commonly used for killing plants in a large area. For example, if you were replacing a turfgrass area and wanted to clear the area of all plants a non-selective herbicide would be a good choice.

Pre-emergent herbicides offer very good weed control because they keep the weeds from sprouting and growing. Some weeds like crabgrass can only be effectively controlled with a pre-emergent herbicide. Pre-M® (pendimethalin) is a pre-emergent that controls some annual grasses (crabgrass, etc.) and certain broadleaf weeds. It can be used on St. Augustine or Bahia grass and on many ornamentals for weed control. The most important thing about pre-emergent herbicides is timing. They must be applied before the weed seed germinates. Therefore it is important to know the identification of the weed you want to kill and when it germinates.

Post-emergent herbicides are applied to already existing weeds. They work best on young, rapidly growing plants. Some herbicides control some weeds better than others. Again, it is important to correctly identify the plant you want to kill so the best herbicide can be selected to obtain effective control.

Whenever chemicals are used it is extremely important and crucial to read the label and follow the directions exactly. Not following the label directions can be harmful to the environment and people, and is against the law.

For more information or help selecting herbicides contact your local University of Florida Extension Service in Pinellas County at 727-582-2100. Visit our website at: http://pinellascountyextension.org or come to our office at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL. Office hours are M-F from 8AM to 5 PM.

Note: Use of brand or trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement of the products or criticism of similar ones not mentioned. Trade names are used herein for convenience only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the author.

Information for this article came from these publications: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG071 ; http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP141 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_wg058