Climate change alarmists

What’s a crevice garden? It’s a rock garden taken right to the edge — an extreme design inspired by dramatic, impossible places like alpine ridges, windswept seacoasts and sun-baked deserts. Closer to home, you need only look underfoot to grasp the operating principle: See that single dandelion with its foothold in a tiny crack between curbstones or sidewalk pavers, no soil in sight? Its vibrant blooms scream in defiance of everything gardeners think they know about what plants want — just as a Saxifraga or Silene clinging to mere fissures in a vast, rugged landscape do. A new book, “The Crevice Garden: How to Make the Perfect Home for Plants From Rocky Places,” encourages us to emulate what’s at work in such scenes, large and small. Its authors, Kenton J. Seth , from Colorado, and Paul Spriggs, from British Columbia, are rock-garden designers who sometimes collaborate. With an ambitious lecture schedule, their 5,000-plus-member Modern Crevice Gardens Facebook group and … [Read more...] about Why You Should Try Crevice Gardening: ‘This Is the Future’

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s prime minister said Monday he was unaware that the country’s intelligence service had been bugging an opposition politician's mobile phone for three months, insisting that he wouldn't have allowed it had he known. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who faces elections next year, made the remarks in a televised address to the nation three days after a wiretapping scandal led to the resignations of the head of the National Intelligence Service, Panagiotis Kontoleon, and the general secretary of the prime minister’s office, Grigoris Dimitriadis. “What happened might have been in accordance with the letter of the law, but it was wrong,” Mitsotakis said. “I didn’t know about it and obviously, I would never have allowed it.” The National Intelligence Service, known by its acronym EYP, answers directly to the prime minister’s office, a change Mitsotakis brought about himself after winning 2019 elections. Mitsotakis said the mobile phones of Nikos Androulakis, who had … [Read more...] about Greek PM ‘unaware’ of prominent politician’s wiretap

DALLAS — It all started at brunch, when Dallas women Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith would order an espresso martini — just the right mix of caffeine and booze for a weekend cocktail, they say. When the pandemic struck and the workout buddies turned to hosting small dinner parties instead of going to restaurants and bars, they found that making an espresso martini at home just wasn’t the same. Why isn’t this available for sale in a can, they wondered? They quit their jobs in public relations and formulated their own canned espresso martini, a yearlong process that involved going into a “flavor house” in California to taste concoctions mixed up by people in lab coats. Their boozy-brew dream worked, and now, three gluten-free, dairy-free espresso martinis are available for sale online in 40 states. Their new company Après Hours has cans for sale now in about two-dozen Dallas-area retail stores like Pogo’s Wine & Spirits, Lucky’s Liquor, Buddy’s Booze and Uptown Liquor. … [Read more...] about Mimosas out, espresso martinis in? 2 Texas women launch boozy coffee in a can

BERLIN (AP) — BioNTech, which teamed with Pfizer to develop a powerful COVID-19 vaccine, has reported higher revenue and net profit in the first half of the year and expects demand to grow as it releases updated vaccines to target new omicron strains. The German pharmaceutical company said Monday that revenue hit about 9.57 billion euros ($9.76 billion) in the first six months of 2022, up from nearly 7.36 billion euros in the same period a year earlier. But revenue dropped to about 3.2 billion euros in the second quarter from 5.31 billion euros in April through June of last year. BioNTech said the dynamic nature of the pandemic has led to changes in orders and revenue but that it expects a strong end to the year. It said it plans to release revamped vaccines tailored to the latest omicron variants as early as October, which could lead to a fall booster campaign. “With our initiatives around variant-adapted COVID-19 vaccine candidates, we expect an uptake in demand in our key … [Read more...] about BioNTech reports strong first half, expects demand to grow

0 Schools Parents in Orland Park can mark the first day of school coming later this month. Lauren Traut , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply ORLAND PARK, IL — Back-to-school planning has already begun in Orland School District 135 for the 2022-2023 academic school year, with calendars available to help parents prepare their children for a smooth transition into the new school year. The first day of school for K-8 students in Dist. 135 is Aug. 24. Heading into the upcoming school year, some dates are subject to change as the coronavirus pandemic nears its year-and-a-half point. A mix of in-person, virtual and hybrid learning is still possible in Orland Park. We also suggest that you check the Dist. 135 calendar for late starts, early dismissals, exams, open houses, athletic and school events. Here is the list of dates to know for this school year: Orland District 135 First Day: Aug. 24 Election Day, … [Read more...] about Back To School: Orland District 135 School Calendar 2022-2023

57 Schools The CDC is likely to announce changes in testing and social distancing recommendations for Illinois schools in the coming days. Shannon Antinori , Patch Staff Posted Replies ILLINOIS — Federal health authorities are expected to soon ease COVID-19 guidelines for schools, according to a new report. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could announce the changes in the coming days , CNN reported. The CDC is expected to ease guidelines that address screening for the virus, as well as social distancing recommendations. Regular COVID-19 screening in schools will likely be de-emphasized and the new measures are expected to loosen quarantine guidelines for those exposed to the virus, according to a preview of the plan obtained by CNN. The agency also reportedly plans to de-emphasize the 6-foot social distancing rule. Instead of consistent screenings in schools, the CDC will likely suggest that … [Read more...] about CDC Expected To Ease School COVID Guidelines: What It Means In IL

0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Kids & Family It's the 100th Anniversary of the longest-running literary initiative in the country Christine Ricker , Community Contributor Posted | Updated Reply Vote for your favorite children's book during Children's Book Week, April 29-May 5, at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library : Browse through a captivating assortment of picture books with your little ones, cast your ballot, and check back to see the results! While you're there, take a look at all the renovations in Youth Services. One very popular change is that Easy books are now front-facing, making browsing even simpler and more fun. Engage with us as we join with libraries across the nation to promote the power of reading and the difference it makes in the lives of children, and all of us. Thomas Ford Memorial Library http://fordlibrary.org … [Read more...] about Thomas Ford Library Celebrates Children’s Book Week APR 29-MAY 5

6 Weather AccuWeather released its 2022 fall forecast, which can be summed up in one word: warm. Shannon Antinori , Patch Staff Posted Replies ILLINOIS — As much of the country swelters through the dog days of summer, it's hard to fathom that meteorological autumn is less than a month away. But forecasters are already releasing their predictions for when YOUR STATE residents can expect weather perfect for hoodies and pumpkin spice everything. Meteorological autumn kicks off Sept. 1 and continues through Nov. 30. While autumn doesn't officially start until the Sept. 22 equinox, forecasters use consistent dates each year to easily compare one season to another. AccuWeather recently released its 2022 fall forecast. Is Illinois in for a delightfully cool autumn packed with bonfires and trips to the apple orchard? Let's just say we may be in for a few extra weeks of unseasonably warm temperatures. Those of us in the … [Read more...] about 2022 Fall Forecast: See What’s In Store For Illinois

(CNN) — Kevin Spacey will have to pay almost $31 million to Media Rights Capital, the production company behind “House of Cards,” a judge has ruled. The actor starred in the Netflix series for five seasons before he was fired in 2017. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mel Red Recana made the ruling earlier this week, confirming an award that had been decided by an arbitrator last year. CNN has obtained the court documents. READ MORE: China Launches Long-Range Airstrike Drills Around Taiwan On Fourth Day Of Military Exercises Spacey and MRC have been battling in the years since the actor was dismissed from the production over allegations of misconduct on and off the set. Spacey starred as Frank Underwood on the Emmy-winning show, and MRC claims that having to cut him out of the sixth season of the show cost them millions of dollars and “rendered him (and his affiliated entities) liable.” Spacey was fired from the TV show the day after CNN published its report in 2017, in … [Read more...] about Kevin Spacey Ordered To Pay Nearly $31 Million To ‘House Of Cards’ Production Company

(CNN) — James Franco has reportedly been cast as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, and many Latino actors aren’t happy. Most notably, the prolific John Leguizamo, who recently voiced Bruno in Disney’s “Encanto,” blasted Franco’s casting on Instagram. Leguizamo argued that the role should have gone to a Latino actor instead. READ MORE: China Launches Long-Range Airstrike Drills Around Taiwan On Fourth Day Of Military Exercises “How is this still going on?” Leguizamo asked on Friday. “How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well? No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott! This F’d up! Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement, which would (be) wrong! I don’t got a (problem) with Franco but he ain’t Latino!” Franco is set to star as Castro in the upcoming “Alina of Cuba,” with production set to start later this year, per reports. The movie follows the life of Alina Fernandez, Castro’s daughter. Leguizamo isn’t the only … [Read more...] about James Franco Has Been Casted As Fidel Castro And Many Latino Actors Are Upset Says John Leguizamo