Stink Bug News

There’s a new sheriff in town for stink bugs. The EPA is temporarily permitting orchards to use the pesticide dinotefuran. Dinotefuran is normally used on leafy plants but the EPA is allowing orchards to use this weapon to combat stink bugs in PA, MD and NJ. The pesky bugs have been responsible for destroying as much as 40% of some orchards crop!

Back at the ranch, the USDA is working away on a biological weapon but that is at least a year away from being ready. This temporary pesticide exemption is to help farmers combat the voracious stink bugs until the biological weapon can be deployed.

For more information on dinotefuran, click here:
http://www.mitsuichemicals.com/dinotefuran.htm

 

Presque Isle State Park Ranks Second On Great Lakes Top Beaches List

Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, has released his first Great Lake Beaches list.  Leatherman has been ranking U.S.beaches for 21 years.  This year he decided to expand his list to include non-ocean beaches.  Leatherman has received countless emails over the years from fans of Great Lakes beaches to include them.

Leatherman received 30 nominations for best Great Lakes beaches.  The winners were:

1. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
2. Presque Isle State Park, Erie
3. Sand Point Beach, Michigan
4. Bayfield Beach, Ontario
5. Oak Street Beach, Chicago

To learn more about Dr. Beach and see the ocean beach list, click here:

http://www.drbeach.org

Presque Isle State Park is a natural wonder.  The seven mile peninsula includes 11 primary swimming areas, hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing, lighthouses, the Perry Monument and the Gull Point wildlife preserve (bird watching).  Presque Isle is accessible from the city of Erie by a paved road which runs through most of the park.  At the entrance to the park is the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (great for kids and adults).  It’s an amazing place!

 

Customer Service For Nonprofits – July 15, 2011

Family Services Project ECO Workshop: Customer Service for Nonprofits

Family Services Project ECO is pleased to offer TCN members a FREE capacity building workshop, Customer Service for Nonprofits, on July 15, 2011 in collaboration with Penn State Cooperative Extension. In a nonprofit organization the recipients of good customer service include program participants, volunteers, donors, and the general public. Participants who attend this workshop will learn why customer service is important to their organization and how to deal more effectively with multiple customer groups, including those from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and economic circumstances. Participants will strengthen verbal and non-verbal communication skills through role play and situation analysis and learn how customer service impacts marketing an organization.

For more information about this free workshop and other capacity-building services for eligible nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County, please contact Alicia Verleysen, Project ECO Community Liaison, at 610-630-2111, Ext. 229 or averleysen@fsmontco.org.

Are You Over The Age Of 40 And Need A Mammogram?

Image via Wikipedia

Are you over the age of 40 and need a mammogram?

 ACLAMO Family Centers with the help of Fox Chase Cancer Center, will be offering free mammograms on

July 15, 9:00 am – 4:40 pm

515 Walnut Street, Pottstown
You must pre-register in order to participate due to limited space.

No medical insurance necessary.

 For more information or to pre-register please call Glenda at 610-970-2134.

To learn more about ACLAMO, click here: http://www.aclamo.org/index.html

Record Setting Month Here At Roy’s Rants

June was a record-setting month and since you all are responsible I figured it was only fair to share the good news and say thanks much!

Records set in June were:

New daily high (views): 611

New monthly high (views): 6,556

New daily average high (views): 219

Eight of the past nine months have had increased views.

During the first six months of 2011 the total number of views have surpassed all of 2010!  We are on track to double the number of views over last year.  That would be fantastic!

Many thanks to all our readers, new and old.  Your support is invaluable.  Come back often and tell your friends about Roy’s Rants.  Your source of news and information with no-nonsense!