If you have ever seen a wild persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana L.) that is fully loaded with fruit, it is a sight to behold. These trees grow wild over much of the Ozarks and other areas as well. If left uncut and unpruned, a persimmon tree may reach great height, with few side branches. On the other hand, a persimmon tree that has been cut down after several years of growth, often regrows as a multi-branched tree, and these are often loaded with what appears to be thousands of fruits.

There is a green leafy vegetable that goes by several names: Bok Choy, Bok Choi, Pok Choy, and Pak Choi. There may be other variants, but you get the idea. Because my seed-saving "Bible" book, SEED TO SEED by Suzanne Ashworth, lists the vegetable as Pak Choi, that is what I'll call it.
It is relatively easy to grow, can grow in spring, summer, and fall outdoors. It also grows indoors in a sunny window in winter and seems to grow faster than most leafy greens. This beauty is scientifically known as a variety of Brassica rapa.

This proposed listing was the result of a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity. The hellbender has languished on the state and federal proposed lists since the late 1990's but no action has been taken because of a lack of funding from Congress and administations going back through the Clinton Admiistration. The only way to get FWS to get off of their duffs is to sue them. Charles
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 9, 2010
Ark., Mo. salamander proposed for endangered list
By Tom Parsons

Screening of the Award Winning Documentary 'Gasland' Aug 19 with the film maker, Josh Fox, in person.

Thursday, August 19, 7:00pm at the University of Arkansas Continuing Education Center Global Campus
2 East Center Street, Fayetteville, AR

A donation of $5+ is suggested.

LIMITED SEATING

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, OMNI Center, Ozark Highlands
Group of the Sierra Club

Huoma Today [LaFourche Parish, Louisiana]

July 15, 2010

Why Louisiana’s ecosystems should sue BP
By Thomas Linzey, Guest Columnist

For months, BP’s oil spill has dominated the news.

The blame game between the government and the corporation began mere minutes after the Deepwater Horizon explosion — the corporation blaming the regulators, the regulators blaming the corporation.

Been there, done that.

The only exceptional thing about the finger-pointing is that it isn’t exceptional at all.

A common sight along roadside ditches, as well as in carefully tended residential flower gardens, is the Day Lily, known to the botanist as (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus).

This time of year one can see along roadsides, in and on both public and private lands, a beautiful wildflower, commonly called Yucca, Adam's Needles, or Spanish Bayonet. It is Yucca filamentosa L. and every single part of the plant is said to be useful.

Long, green sword-like leaves 12-32" in length, 1-3.5" wide, comprise most of the green portion, while the flower stalk arises centrally, erupting in a tall and beautiful display of large white blossoms having plenty roomy for a bumblebee. The plant may reach 4-5' in height.