On God's side
Posted on May 8 at 7:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
How is it this story is the No. 1 popular discussion with one comment? Don't these types of articles create enough redundant, ugly bantering without rigged ratings, Gazette?
Posted on May 7 at 7:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just one more example of how messed up our society is.
On 150-year-old oak tree felled to make way for highway
Posted on May 5 at 8:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's not just "ONE tree", it's one MORE tree, and one majestic and bodacious tree at that.
On Saying goodbye to our beautiful backyard Redpolls
Posted on May 4 at 8:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Has anyone in the Stateline area seen a hummer yet? The online migration map says they being spotted.
On Saying goodbye to our beautiful backyard Redpolls
Posted on May 4 at 8:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
May 1 brought an Oriole to the orange I already had out for the finches (or redpolls?), along with a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a Wren, all welcome return visitors.
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More unusual this year is a pair of Brown Thrashers taking up residence and last evening the yard was full of Myrtle Warblers, busily feeding on bugs caught in mid-air. No sign of the warblers this morning. Also spotted quite a few Yellowthroat Warblers along the roads yesterday.
On Watch out for those motorcycles!
Posted on May 2 at 8:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
http://www.lowertheboom.org/links/v02_lo...
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Link to article "Loud Pipes Do What?" by Pat Hahn, certified motorcycle safety instructor with the state of Minnesota's Motorcycle Safety Center and author of the book, "Ride Hard, Ride Smart". Excerpts below:
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"The pressure wave emitted from an exhaust pipe is pointed away from and behind the motorcycle. To hear it from anywhere other than directly behind the bike, you rely on the resonance of the pipes and reflection of the sound waves off of other objects, like cars, signs, buildings, etc."
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http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/hurt....
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"Conversely, the Hurt Report found that 77% of all accident hazards approach the motorcycle from in front of the rider (specifically, the eleven to one o'clock range). To have any chance of alerting those motorists to the presence of a motorcycle with exhaust noise would require that the tailpipe be pointed forward. The chances of rearward-facing straight pipes making a bike more obvious are very slim. The reality of the loud pipe is that all you'll succeed in doing is irritating all the people behind and beside you who don't pose much of a threat anyway."
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"In light of the negative effect that loud pipes have on motorcyclists' image, I simply can't buy the "loud pipes save lives" argument. It's especially hollow coming from someone who disregards traffic laws, doesn't use a riding strategy, has never taken rider training, doesn't wear a helmet, or doesn't wear protective gear. Do all these things as a rule, because you're honestly trying to reduce your risks, and the argument might hold water. It's possible that a loud pipe may, in some unlikely combination of events, save your life, but it's doubtful. There are far more effective ways to reduce your risks. The crux of it is that, until you've covered absolutely every other base, that worn-our battle cry is just a way to rationalize your flagrant self-indulgence. You'll not be fooling anybody but yourself."
On A new machine to fight park geese
Posted on April 27 at 10:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually, janesvillecomments, I think the fun of operating the gadget and spooking the geese would wear off after about 20 minutes or so. Anything that requires a lot of man hours, including hunting them, doesn't make sense. And shooting them presents additional problems. Most of these areas are in city parks, golf courses, etc. So, I just don't see that ever happening or it making a significant dent in their presence in the long run, at any rate.
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Bass: I agree with the point you made about the geese flying back as soon as the harassment ends. In fact, in the video they don't fly off until the gadget is right on top of them.
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The idea of the barrier seems to make sense, as I've read that tall/thick plantings along the waters edge will deter them, as well. If it's hard for them to access the water, especially with their young, they don't like it.
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In addition to plantings along the lagoon and river, Beloit has supposedly had some success with this method:
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/hell...
On A new machine to fight park geese
Posted on April 27 at 7:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yeah, yeah, we're all so impressed by the ever present and oh-so-eager poster who boasts of their fire-power and killing skills. How much time do you have to invest? One shot, maybe a hit, the rest all fly off. If you're able to hang around all day, every day, and kill several, then what's your plan for the carcasses? I'm sure you're going to clean and donate them to a food pantry, too, right?
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Realistically thinking, this gadget could deal quickly and effectively with flocks of all types...plus it looks like it would be kinda fun to operate. Wonder how often you have to replace the skids and what they cost.
On Massive oak will be casualty of 'progress' on Highway 26
Posted on April 26 at 2:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
There should be plenty of acorns on the ground around the tree. Now would be the time to go collect them and either start them in pots and replant, or plant directly in the earth. It's not hard to do and the more folks who do it, the more chances of this majestic tree living on through its descendants. It's possible some acorns may have already sprouted and are awaiting their adoptive parents!
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I watched the video of the tree being moved, very awesome sight. But, I've tried to dig up tiny two or three year old oaks to transplant and the tap root was so long, I couldn't dig deep enough to get it all. So, I can't help but wonder at the relatively shallow base shown in the video and if the tree actually survived the move.
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On Goodbye, Mom: Family sends mother on final journey with hospice
Posted on May 13 at 8:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
First of all, my condolences to Dan and the entire Lassiter family for your loss.
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I have mixed feelings about the article appearing on Mother's Day, and some of the pictures are not easy to see. But, doing this was a way for Dan to express his grief and love for his mother and work through his emotions.
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It was also a different spin on Mother's Day, one that many of us who have lost our parents can totally relate to. Kudos to the Gazette for going there. What's in the works for Father's Day?!
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How does the rest of the Lassiter family feel about the article and pics? Was there previous discussion? (I would think/hope there was.) If so, I think they would have made a decision based on what they know their mother would have felt and thought about it all.
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The picture looking down on the entire family holding hands and surrounding their mother's bed is heart-breakingly beautiful.
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Conclusion, not an easy subject and one that obviously sends many people way out of their comfort zone, but definitely a work of honesty and love.