samhexum

Near the towering border wall flanked by a US Border Patrol vehicle, botanist Sula Vanderplank heard a quail in the scrub yelp “chi-ca-go,” that toddlin' town... a sound the birds use to signal they are separated from a mate or group.

Then silence.

A quail on the Mexican side called back, triggering a back-and-forth soundtrack that was both fitting and heartbreaking in an ecosystem split by an artificial barrier.

Vanderplank was among several botanists and citizen scientists participating in the Border Bioblitz near the Mexican community of Jacumé, about 60 miles east of Tijuana.

Roughly 1,000 volunteers armed with the iNaturalist app on their smartphones are documenting as many species as possible along the US-Mexico border in May.

Uploading photos to the app helps identify plants and animals, and records the coordinates of the location.

The hope is the information could lead to more protections for the region’s natural richness, which is overshadowed by news of drug trafficking and migrant smuggling.

On a recent day, Bioblitz volunteers scrutinized a bright yellow blooming carpet of common Goldfields, a sharp contrast to the imposing steel bollards of the border wall topped with rolls of razor wire.

Some navigated their way around piles of empty water jugs, a gray hoodie and empty cans of tuna fish left under the branches of native flora like the Tecate Cypress.

“There’s a fabulous amount of biodiversity here that’s traditionally been overlooked,” Vanderplank, of the binational program Baja Rare, said.

The efforts started in response to former President Donald Trump adding hundreds of miles of border walls that toppled untold numbers of saguaro cactuses in Arizona and passed through the biodiversity hotspot of Baja California.

“When the border wall construction began, we realized how little hard data we had, especially when it came to plants and small organisms,” Vanderplank said. “We don’t know what all we could lose.”

Since then, there has been a groundswell of initiatives to document the borderland’s flora and fauna as climate change coupled with habitat loss, pollution and development have hammered the world’s biodiversity.

One estimate in 2019 warns that a million plant and animal species face extinction within decades, a rate of loss 1,000 times greater than expected.

The United Nations is expected hold a high-level meeting in Colombia of signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October aiming to protect 30% of land, freshwater and oceans considered important for biodiversity by 2030, known as 30 by 30.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries are expected to present plans on how they will meet conservation targets agreed upon in 2022.

Currently, 17% of terrestrial and 10% of marine areas are protected.

Baja California peninsula, which borders California and is home to Tijuana with one of Mexico’s highest homicide rates, has more than 4,000 species of plants.

A quarter of them are endemic and at least 400 plants are considered rare with little to no protection.

Flora and fauna that have gone extinct or are in danger of disappearing in the US, like the California red-legged frog, are thriving south of the border, producing specimens that are being used to bring back populations.

But the region’s crime deters many US scientists from crossing the border. Mexico also is restricting permits for botanists and not allowing seeds to be collected, further curtailing the work, scientists say.

Bioblitz organizers work with local communities and say they take people only to areas deemed safe.

“You have to be really careful because of the violence,” said Jon Rebman, a curator of botany at the San Diego Natural History Museum, who has named 33 new plants for science from the southern California and Baja California region.

“It’s scary from that standpoint, yet those are the areas where we really need more information because there’s hardly any protected area on the south side,” he said.

Using the museum’s collection, Rebman made a list of 15 plant species endemic to Baja California and not seen since being collected nearly a century ago. He created a binational team to find them. So far, they have located 11.

Rebman also discovered two new plants to science in 2021 in a canyon off a Tijuana highway: the new species, Astragalus tijuanensis, and a new variety of the Astragalus brauntonii named lativexillum.

“I was worried they would go extinct before we even got them named,” Rebman said. “That tells you what type of area we’re working in.”

Tijuana-based botanist Mariana Fernandez of Expediciones Botánicas periodically checks on the plants.

Working with Rebman, she is pushing Baja California to adopt more protections for its native plants. Currently only a fraction are on Mexico’s federal protection list.

She hopes the state will step in, while she also tries to build support by taking Tijuana residents and Baja officials on hikes.

“People are amazed that these things exist in Tijuana, and I hope to show more and more people so they can see the beauty, because we need that,” Fernandez said. “It’s important to not be impeded by the barriers that humans create.”

As border security increases with the number of people being displaced by natural disasters, violence and wars at record levels worldwide, more migrants are traipsing out to areas like the stretch near Jacumé.

The tiny community of about 100 families includes members of the Kumeyaay tribe and sits across the border from an equally sparsely populated desert near the California town of Jacumba Hot Springs. Population: about 1,000.

The area has seen thousands of asylum seekers who wait for an opportunity to cross, usually in the cloak of darkness, and then camp again on the US side after turning themselves in to US Border Patrol agents.

Fernandez was among the botanists helping Bioblitz volunteers on the Mexican side near a crumbling crossing station from the 1920s.

“I never would have thought that there would be so much biodiversity on the border,” said Jocelyn Reyes, a student of Fernandez at La Universidad Autónoma de Baja California who stopped every few feet to hover over a plant and photograph its details. “It’s so interesting and makes you realize there’s so much worth saving.”

https://nypost.com/2024/05/19/us-news/botanists-are-scouring-the-us-mexico-border-to-document-a-forgotten-ecosystem/

One slideshow showing Morgan wearing a bike helmet, pale green cycling T-shirt and moss-colored Spandex shorts has gotten over 9,500 likes.

“Sir, we can see your… NVM [nevermind], great pics!,” wrote one Instagram user.

“He knows,” replied another.

“Son! U just showing thangs!,” wrote another fan.

“A complete package,” another deadpanned.

Shouldn't it be headshrinker?

Off the southern coast of mainland England, floating in the Solent straight about a mile from the Isle of Wight, two eye-catching former military forts are drifting to auction. 

Known as the Solent forts, the circular granite islands were constructed in the 1860s to defend the city of Portsmouth from the French and have, more recently, been renovated into lavish nautical hotels, Mansion Global first reported.

Now, after 12 years under the same ownership, the extensively built-out parcels are set to hit the auction block on June 18 with a guide price of $1.27 million each.

The larger of the two, No Mans Fort, features 99,000 square feet spread over four floors containing 23 ensuite bedrooms, crew quarters, multiple bars, restaurants and a spa. There’s an “entertaining space including laser battle” on the lowest level, and hot tubs and a fire pit on the roof deck.

The second is Spitbank Fort, with approximately 33,000 square feet spread over three floors offering nine guest suites, staff accommodation and event spaces such as the 60 Covers Restaurant and Crows Nest Function Suite. It’s slightly closer to the mainland and, like its counterpart, is also equipped with self-sufficient power and water sources, a fire pit and a hot tub. 

While No Mans has a helipad, Spitbank is only accessible by boat.

As of the present, both are currently being used as hotels, but press materials suggest a buyer could also utilize them as a vacation home, for medical research, a casino — or a prison. 

“Throughout my career as an auctioneer I’ve seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets,” said Savills head of auctions Robin Howeson, who holds the listings. I anticipate there to be a global interest from multiple buyer types looking to take the forts into their next chapter, whether that’s as a new commercial venture or residential home.”

Max, a friendly tabby living adjacent to Vermont State University’s main entrance in Castleton was named a “doctor of litter-ature” — after spending a string of semesters wandering the halls of the institution of higher learning, charming students and staff with his positive energy.

“Max the Cat has been an affectionate member of the Castleton family for years,” the school said in a Facebook post.

The curious kitty first wandered down the street in search of a social life roughly half a decade ago — and the rest was history 101.

“So he decided that he would go up on campus, and he just started hanging out with the college students, and they love him,” owner Ashley Dow told the Associated Press.

Everybody knows Max, who laps up the attention he’s given, allowing himself to be picked up and played with, and even posed for selfies.

The social creature also loves to join campus tours, designed to show prospective students the ropes, running across the street to the meeting point at the right time.

“I don’t even know how he knows to go, but he does,” Dow said. “And then he’ll follow them on their tour.”

Dow, known as “Max’s mom” around Castleton, said that she’s spoken to graduates who return to town and want to know how Max is doing.

On 11/21/2023 at 2:47 PM, samhexum said:

The John Bowne Agricultural Program, also known as the Agri-Science program, is recognized nationally as an exceptional urban agricultural education for its students. It has been running since 1964 and currently consists of more than 500 students and eight teachers. 

Local high school students bid farewell to trout they nurtured as part of a conservation effort

Twenty-two High school students from John Bowne High School in Flushing took a trip to the Cross River to release nearly 230 juvenile trout that they had raised in their classrooms. The students had been taking care of the fingerlings since October of last year and cheered on their journey through the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County and the Cross River Reservoir. 

In October 2023, over 125 classroom educators joined the “Trout in the Classroom” program’s Fall Teacher Conference and received trout eggs from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Thousands of students across the state worked on an eight-month-long program to incubate the trout eggs and raise them into fingerlings. The program concludes with field trips between March and June of this year, where the students have the opportunity to release the fingerlings into streams. Students also have the opportunity to share their experiences about raising the trout and participate in other environmental activities.  

Since 2002, the DEP and Trout Unlimited have worked together to educate students across New York State about the importance of protecting shared water resources through the Trout in the Classroom program. The program teaches students from pre-K to 12th grade about connections between trout, the New York City water supply system and water quality. Trout Unlimited is a national non-profit organization that works to conserve and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watershed. 

The DEP manages the city’s water supply, providing about 1 billion gallons of drinking water daily to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City.

On 5/16/2024 at 2:03 AM, samhexum said:

How's this for some organizational pitching…

The Twins entered their series against the Yanks having won 17-of-20.

Carlos Rodon gave up a homer on the second pitch he threw in the first game.

The Yanks proceeded to shut them out for the rest of the 3 game series.

Aaron Judge's last 2 games:  6-7, 5 doubles, 1 HR, 1 ball caught at the wall, 2 walks.  His slump may be ending.

On 5/12/2024 at 1:49 PM, Ali Gator said:

'JLo is over exposed and has put herself out there way too much,' they continued. 'First it was her marriage, then her never-ending honeymoon, followed by a movie, then an album release... 'Then she felt the need to tell her and Ben's love story in a documentary that she funded called The Greatest Love Story Never Told...

Lopez's former publicist, Rob Shuter, uttered similar sentiments during an interview with the The New York Post, claiming her mistake was thinking people still care about her love story with Affleck. 'But no one cares about Bennifer anymore. The world has moved on.'

On 5/12/2024 at 10:33 PM, BuffaloKyle said:

It's cheaper to see her live in concert than to go see her in a movie! 🤣

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are reportedly on “two different pages” in their marriage amid rumors they are headed toward divorce.

“Jen and Ben are having issues in their marriage,” a source told Us Weekly Thursday. “They started having issues a few months ago as Jen had started ramping up work commitments and prepping for her tour.”

Per the insider, the “On the Floor” songstress “is very focused on work” as she is set to start her “This is Me … Now: A Love Story” world tour in Orlando, Fla., next month.

“They are on two completely different pages most of the time,” the source added.

While Lopez, 54, was recently spotted house hunting in Los Angeles, Calif., on Tuesday, the insider insisted she was merely searching for an investment property.

However, another source told the outlet that Affleck, 51, was living in a separate home from the “Let’s Get Loud” singer.

They also alleged the A-list couple isn’t ready to throw in the towel yet as another echoed they are working on their marriage.

On 4/29/2024 at 10:32 AM, pubic_assistance said:

Jewish Deli and Kosher Jewish Deli aren't the same thing.

I love a good reuben sandwich.

I can get one at a Jewish Deli but not a Kosher Deli.

On 4/29/2024 at 6:00 PM, ShortCutie7 said:

@pubic_assistancein my experience “kosher-style” means that the restaurant or catering hall follows all of the basic rules of what “kosher” means except for the way the animal is killed and the presence of a mashgiach/rabbi.  A kosher-style deli would not be actually kosher but would not serve dairy, shellfish, or pork.

On 4/29/2024 at 11:30 PM, pubic_assistance said:

Like I said before .."kosher" is a religious practice, not a fashion choice.

Either you are or you are not.

On 5/1/2024 at 2:22 PM, edinbrooklyn said:

I’ve know people who were kosher adjacent. Even if that’s not exactly kosher.

Sandwich icon Katz’s Delicatessen and beloved Ukrainian East Village eatery Veselka have teamed up to create a new menu mashup: the “pastrogi,” a pastrami-stuffed pierogi.

The city’s oldest deli provides its signature deli meat, and Veselka works the pastrami into its classic Eastern European dumplings.

The one-of-a-kind “flavorful fusion” will only be available for one month at Veselka’s new Williamsburg location at 646 Lorimer St. starting on its opening day, Wednesday, June 5.

The “innovative” pastrogi — available either boiled or fried — emerged through trial and error, with the restaurants saying it took weeks to perfect. In the end, “we couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with both our customers and theirs,” Veselka owner Tom Birchard said, adding that the partnership was a way “to showcase our Ukrainian heritage while celebrating the diverse culinary landscape of NYC.”

An appetizer portion of four is $12, while an entree portion of eight costs $22.

Adding to the hype, the 1954-born Ukrainian spot and Katz’s — the latter oft-remembered as a filming location for the 1989 hit rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” filming location — are also offering a super-stuffed “New York Classics” combo package that can be shipped nationwide for the next three weeks.

For $160, it includes a pound of each of hand-carved pastrami and corned beef; a 12-pack of potato pierogies; a 16-slice half-loaf of deli rye; 2 quarts of sour pickles; 8 ounces each of deli mustard, ruben dressing and sauerkraut; a pound of Swiss cheese; and a dozen Veselka potato pierogies.

“We love having the capability to ship these exclusive and iconic tastes across the country, making it possible for everyone to experience and provide a bit of nostalgia to those who may have moved away from the city,” said Jake Dell, owner of Katz’s Deli.

Two years ago, Katz’s teamed up with Italian sandwich shop Alidoro and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a subway-themed pastrami Ruben sandwich.
 

What's your favorite fast food?

 

Raising Cane's

I tried Raising Cane's for the first time last week.  I approve.   Great fries.

dipped in that sauce! oooh, yum!

I tend to favor Raising Cane's, Cafe Rio, and Chick-fil-A

Raising Cane’s to open its first Queens location in Flushing this summer

opening 7/2 @ 39-20 Main St; previously Burger King

On 7/11/2021 at 10:39 PM, MysticMenace said:

Raising Cane's

On 8/26/2021 at 7:28 PM, BlueSky said:

I tried Raising Cane's for the first time last week.  I approve.  Great fries.

On 8/26/2021 at 9:04 PM, MysticMenace said:

dipped in that sauce! oooh, yum!

On 9/28/2021 at 5:04 PM, Vegas_Millennial said:

I tend to favor Raising Cane's, Cafe Rio, and Chick-fil-A

Raising Cane’s to open its first Queens location in Flushing this summer

How's this for some organizational pitching…

The Yankees won 4-0 tonight and all four of their minor-league teams won, three of them by shut out. 

Including the major league team, the organization gave up three runs in five games tonight. 

It means absolutely nothing, of course, but I thought it was kind of cool, nevertheless

Dude, do you think anyone has noticed the Rockies have given up only 14 runs in their last 7 games?

BREAK UP THE ROCKIES!  7 IN A ROW!

BATTLE OF THE BULGE

ABC execs alarmed over ‘GMA3’ host’s skin-tight biker shorts pics: ‘Little to the imagination’

The images of Morgan show the affable anchor’s “package” is on full display — and make for an uncomfortable fit with ABC’s corporate parent Disney, sources said.

They should really up the ante...

Loser gets full custody of both kids 

On 1/19/2017 at 3:36 PM, Charlie said:

I haven't felt so emotionally violated since Lucy and Desi split. How can I go on believing in HGTV (my substitute for organized religion)?

On 1/19/2017 at 8:07 PM, bobchitown said:

Tarek always gave me the willies.

On 1/20/2017 at 1:22 AM, sync said:

Me too, and I don't know why.

On 1/20/2017 at 9:22 AM, rvwnsd said:

Me three.

ALL YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!

More than six years after their divorce was finalized, Flip or Flop hosts Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall are set to reunite for a new HGTV series.

It was announced on Wednesday morning as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront presentation to advertisers that El Moussa and Hall will challenge each others’ flipping skills in (heh) The Flip Off.

“Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall built a home-flipping empire and top HGTV series with Flip or Flop. But it all came crashing down after their much-publicized divorce,” reads the official synopsis. “Now, the exes are back — along with their new spouses — for a throwdown competition to see who can find, buy, renovate, and flip a house for the biggest financial gain, and the chance at bragging rights.”

The Flip Off is on track to launch in early 2025 with a “super-sized premiere.”

South Park Wants to Put Cartman on Ozempic in The End of Obesity Paramount+ Special 

6 minutes ago, WilliamM said:

You are essentially making fun of people who need advice 

It took you until now to understand the point of this thread?

Wearing a pair of ankle socks right now