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MARK ALTEKRUSE JOINS ABALTAT AS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

DMN Newswire--2008-5-22--Abaltat is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Altekruse to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing for Abaltat worldwide. In this role, Mark will be responsible for establishing global sales channels, building brand awareness and market adoption for the first ever video-driven soundtrack technology. Joining Abaltat from Apple® Inc., Mark brings a wealth of experience in managing business units, building sales channels, and deploying new digital creative solutions for both postproduction and broadcast markets.

This appointment is a significant step forward for Abaltat. Mark Altekruse has in-depth creative domain expertise combined with a long, successful track record in worldwide business development. Few professionals in the industry possess this level of knowledge, capability and lifelong dedication, comments Siun Ni Raghallaigh, co-founder and CEO, Abaltat. more

Ziraat considering options to return to insurance business

The commission discussed a business partnership between the bank and the French Groupama, which acquired the two Ziraat affiliates -- Başak Insurance and Başak Pension Fund -- in the insurance sector. During the meeting, Republican People's Party (CHP) Amasya deputy Hüseyin Ünsal asked why Ziraat Bank still carried out its insurance transactions using Başak Groupama.

Speaking at the commission meeting, Uludağ noted that there is no other bank in the world that does not administer an insurance company, adding that the board of the bank has been working to found a new insurance company or acquire or partner with an existing one since 2006. Recalling that they have the capacity and potential to found a new insurance company as soon as they are granted permission to do so, Uludağ said the bank is now focused on acquisition of an existing insurance company after the Treasury rejected their proposal to establish a new one. more

Motorcycle ride aims to fight ovarian cancer

Vicki worked in the creative writing department of Hallmark Cards for 17 years. She drew the sketch of the woman on the Web site www.thevickiwelshfund.org.Welsh said he met Whalen two years ago. The two men said they have helped each other through difficult times."It’s a blessing that we’ve met each other," Welsh said. "I feel like I’m kind of reliving it again with him and his wife."Welsh said he encourages women of all ages to check out the warning signs and get thorough physical examinations."When you go in for a physical, get a thorough physical," Welsh said. "Also, some women think because they’ve had a hysterectomy, they can’t get the disease. That’s not true, my mother had a hysterectomy and she had ovarian cancer."Peggy Whalen started the ROAR ride last year. more

It's back to business at city malls

If the summer sun kept people away from city's malls during the day time, Sunday evening saw crowds as usual at their favourite hang-outs -a sure indication that gradually the city is bouncing back to its earlier charm, as vivid and vibrant a place as it used to be before the deadly Tuesday.

And there is hardly anything to worry now. All the city malls have beefed up their security arrangements with added security personnel and high-end gadgets.

If the Kumars, after being recently relocated to the city, were busy shopping for their new house, 21-year-old Hem Singh was looking for an apt message on his T-shirt at Tantra. For several others, memories of the blasts seemed to have faded into the past.

Most malls, which were witness to the phenomenon of jostling crowds and cars vying for parking space, have now an added feature of vigilant security. more

Latest Starting A Greenhouse Business News

City, county officials debate ban on plastic bags - Garden City Telegram

Brad Nading/Telegram Garden City High School senior Mariela Chairez picks up a plastic bag off the ground at 12th and Fulton streets as she and other GCHS students participate in a Neighborhood Improvement Project cleanup in November 2009. Along ...

The Mayor & The Mogul - Texas Observer

On Dec. 4, the day that three-term Houston mayor Bill White jumped into the race for governor, many Texas Democrats started dreaming big. Their perfect scenario goes like this: Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison slug it out in an ...

The common sense diet - StarPhoenix

It seems fairly pathetic, even now. In a vague attempt to improve our diet several summers ago, I banned hot dogs from our house. Sure, they were still allowed at birthday parties, amusement parks and on camping trips. But in the meat drawer of the ...

Oregon could be home for alternative-fuels industry, but key is ... - OregonLive.com

... September 2008, Gov. Ted Kulongoski created a 13-person task force to look at alternative fuels and how Oregon might use new technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs. During a year of meetings, the group talked about cars ...

B.C. is losing the war of the roses - Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER -- Bouquets of long-stemmed red roses will bring romance to many on Valentine’s Day next weekend, but in B.C. the sale of millions of inexpensive imported roses will spell yet another devastating blow to local cut-rose growers. What was a ...

January 2010 - Posts - MSNBC Firstread

President Obama made an appearance as a third CBS commentator at the Georgetown-Duke men's college basketball game here at the Verizon Center. The president looked like he was having fun, joked that he was coming after Clark Kellogg's job and about ...

School Board Continues Budget Deliberations - Newtown Bee

Adoption of the budget by the school board is scheduled for a special meeting at the Newtown Municipal Center on Tuesday, February 9, starting at 7 pm. Before the board discussed separate portions of the 2010-2011 budget, Joe Costa, with the ...

Forest conservation in U.S. climate policy: an interview with Jeff ... - News.Mongabay

The Copehangen Accord signed in December is widely seen as a failure. The Accord sets no binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions targets and did not even commitment to a legally binding treaty in the future. But some progress was made. Countries ...

Horse & Farm Management - Seattle Post Intelligencer

I'm embedding this video that a visitor for the Austism Center linked to in a comment on a previous post of the Dr. Temple Grandin appearing at the Chicago Premiere of the film. Towards the end of the clip, she mentions that taking care of the horses ...

Obama’s Remarks on His Small-Business Plan - New York Times

And while we're at it, we should eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment, so these folks can get the capital they need to grow and create jobs. And when they start making ... ve already increased Pell grants, and we want to ...

Resolved Question: URGENT action needed to reduce pollution. Is it time to end free trade?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/science/earth/08climate.html Meeting on Climate Opens With Calls for Urgent Action In the spirit of international cooperation, world leaders agree that urgent action is needed to curb pollution. So I, for one, finally agree that we have no choice but to end free trade. How can we possibly justify the unneccesary burning of fossil fuels and the resulting pollution from all those ships crossing the ocean to bring cheap imports to Walmart, when the same items could be made right here in the USA for only a few dollars more. We can no longer sit silently as these huge vessels cross the ocean belching pollution and all those greenhouse gas emissions. How much longer must we continue the insanity of free trade, while it is contributing to global pollution and consuming fossil fuels? SECONDLY, bringing those jobs back to the USA would cut down on unemployment, which is another issue President Obama is addressing. The time for complacency is over. We can no longer sit back and say there's nothing we can do to end free trade. We can no longer idly stand by saying we care more about cheap prices at Walmart than we do about saving the environment. The time has come to limit imports, and cut the cord of dependency on foreign sweatshops to supply the household items we need for our daily existence. THIRDLY, if we cut imports by applying a tariff, the tariff would generate desperately needed revenues that would reduce our ruinous deficit, while reducing the trillion dollar trade deficit that increases our debt and weakens our currency. Deficit reduction is another one of the issues President Obama says we must address. In fact, during the campaign Obama himself said we must reform free trade: http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Free_Trade.htm OBAMA: For far too long, certainly during the course of the Bush administration with the support of Sen. McCain, the attitude has been that any trade agreement is a good trade agreement. And NAFTA did not have enforceable labor agreements and environmental agreements. And what I said was we should include those and make them enforceable. In the same way that we should enforce rules against China manipulating its currency to make our exports more expensive and their exports to us cheaper. And when it comes to South Korea, we’ve got a trade agreement up right now, they are sending hundreds of thousands of South Korean cars into the US. That’s all good. We can only get 4,000 to 5,000 into South Korea. That is not free trade. We’ve got to have a president who is going to advocate on behalf of American businesses and American workers and I make no apology for that Source: 2008 third presidential debate against John McCain Oct 15, 2008 Global trade is unsustainable if it favors only the few This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all. Source: Speech in Berlin, in Change We Can Believe In, p.268 Jul 24, 2008 Isn't it time, then, to make meaningful changes in our foreign trade policy, and start reducing our $2 trillion dollar a year habit of reliance on imports?Shovel Ready, correct! We have relocated our manufacturing pollution to other countries, where the same manufacturing creates even more pollution because of their lax or non-exitent environmental protections, PLUS we create the extra pollution of shipping the products back to the USA. So we cut down our pollution here and increased global pollution by two or three times as much. How smart was that?Terry, good point! Much of air travel is totally unnecessary business travel, and much of that is businessmen flying overseas to keep up with their outsourced production or to shop for a foreign sweatshop that makes the cheapest imports. We could cut way down on air travel by curtailing imports.Gee, I would think I would get a lot of answers from all those liberals who are so dedicated to saving the environment. Where are they today? more

Resolved Question: Why do some denialist frame questions so that scientists positions are mis-characterized?

It seems that if denialist used actual scientific information, they can't make a good argument. For example, does any scientist really believe that killer heatwaves are going to start in 50 days if the UN doesn't come to a consensus on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? This is totally wrong and looks like an attempt to mis-represent the scientific stance to scare ultra-conservatives into blindly following denialist brainwashing. Is this just a "business-as-usual" scare tactic of denialists to ensure obedience of a small, paranoid group of ultra-conservatives that distrust science?I have to agree with you Rich, it is good to look at many angles when considering a solution. That is what is being done in the political area. However, the science has already been looked at from many angles and the vast majority of scientists agree that AGW is real and should be addressed. Why is this fact so hard for the denialist community to accept? Could it be they hope for more political clout by denying the science? Is it all about what they can get in exchange for admitting what scientist already know? more

Resolved Question: Obama the Impotent - How can anyone say this about our president?

Obama the Impotent - The Disappointment with Barack Obama is Tangible – on Climate Change and Financial Reform Europe Leads While the US Lags Steven Hill Barack Obama's ability to strike a new course for the US following eight years of Bush administration unpopularity. Yet many in the US and abroad are impatient with the pace of progress under the Obama administration. The president made the rounds on five news talkshows on Sunday as he pressed his policies and vision, preparing for what is likely to be a difficult week. Besides the ongoing battle over healthcare, this week sees two showdowns between Europe and the US that will reveal further slippage in American global leadership. The first showdown comes today at a UN special session on climate change in New York City; the second will come at the end of the week at the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, where America and Europe will butt heads over financial system reforms designed to ensure that the AIGs of the world can never again cause an economic collapse. Europe has been increasingly critical of America's failures to live up to its global responsibilities. The US is not only the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases but is by far the largest per capita emitter of carbon and other pollutants. China comes close to the US in terms of total carbon emissions, but it has four times more people, who each belch far less individually. Europe, while having much the same high living standard, has an "ecological footprint" that is only half of America's, since Europe has taken leadership in implementing renewable technologies and conservation practices. On the campaign trail, Barack Obama promised to reverse the Bush administration's terrible ecological record. Yet so far the world has seen more symbolic gestures from the Obama administration than accomplishments. Its biggest achievement so far has been an example of disappointment. President Obama signed an executive order to increase US motor vehicle mileage standards – but only to a level that will push fuel efficiency by 2020 to a level that European and Japanese cars reached several years ago, and even China has already achieved. Europe has announced donations of $2bn to $15bn a year for the next decade to help developing nations cope with climate warming, yet the Obama administration has not offered anything close to that amount. Europe also wants binding, near-term targets for developed nations, proposing a 20% reduction from 1990 levels by 2020, or 30% if everyone agrees. The Bush administration of course rejected such targets – but now it looks like the Obama administration is not willing to go any further. It has said such targets should be voluntary but verifiable. With the US Senate is bogged down in the fight over reforming healthcare, American leaders have said that the senators might not move on climate legislation until 2010, well after the global climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. That drew a sharp response from John Bruton, head of the European Union delegation: "The United States is just one of the 190 countries coming to this conference," Bruton said, "but the United States emits 25% of all the greenhouse gases that the conference is trying to reduce. I submit that asking an international conference to sit around looking out the window for months, while one chamber of the legislature of one country deals with its other business, is simply not a realistic political position." Even Europe's conservative politicians, such as Connie Hedegaard, Denmark's minister of climate and energy, are expressing impatience: "It's rather crucial that the US can show a credible pathway," Hedegaard said, pointing out that the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide per capita as Denmark, without gaining anything in improving its quality of life. That's the start of President Obama's week. At the end of it, President Obama will appear at a meeting in Pittsburgh of the G20, a bloc of both developed and developing nations, representing 85% of the world's economic output and most of its population. On the table will be what reforms to help avoiding a repetition of the financial panic and global economic collapse that is perceived as having originated on Wall Street. Despite immense, taxpayer-financed rescue packages needed to overcome the crisis, the financial sector in the US is rapidly returning to business as usual. Indeed, three US banks – Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan – which received some $45bn of bailout aid, each paid billions of dollars more in bonuses in 2009 than they earned in 2008. Here again, Europe is leading, while the Obama administration is dragging its feet. Europe has proposed far-reaching reforms designed to impose new rules on executive pay and bonuses, requiring that banks link pay to long-term rather than short-term performance, and that they "claw back" any bonuses received in the face of losses. Europe wants a financial police more

Resolved Question: What to do with lots of land?

My parents have recently purchased 60 acres of land for when they retire. Since they only plan to use only a few acres to build their home along with a barn and miniature greenhouse they will give the rest of the land to me, I want to use this land to start my own business but I'm not sure what to do with it. I was thinking of using it for growing my own crops but the soil seems to hold water since orchids grow on certain parts of the land but we havn't tested the soil yet. The land is on a south-facing hillside towards a bay and not close to any major cities, is there anything reasonable that i could do to have a business? more

Resolved Question: starting a small greenhouse business?

I would like to grow starters and sell them localy, and perhaps sell vegetables in the fall. I am thiinking small to begin with, just a structure I can erect in the back yard. A hobby, a little extra cash. Any ideas who I would sell the plants to or other input would be appreciated greatly! thank youI am renting the house, does this mean I cannot put a greenhouse in back? more

Resolved Question: Would you be shocked if media was wrong about global warming? Two articles below state to different thoughts..?

ARTICLE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20090609/sc_mcclatchy/3249010 Scientists: Global warming has already changed oceans WASHINGTON — In Washington state , oysters in some areas haven't reproduced for four years, and preliminary evidence suggests that the increasing acidity of the ocean could be the cause. In the Gulf of Mexico , falling oxygen levels in the water have forced shrimp to migrate elsewhere. Though two marine-derived drugs, one for treating cancer and the other for pain control, are on the market and 25 others are under development, the fungus growing on seaweed, bacteria in deep sea mud and sea fans that could produce life-saving medicines are under assault from changing the ocean conditions. Researchers, scientists and Jacques Cousteau's granddaughter painted a bleak picture Tuesday of the future of oceans and the "blue economy" of the nation's coastal states. The hearing before the oceans subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee was expected to focus on how the degradation of the oceans was affecting marine businesses and coastal communities. Instead, much of the testimony focused on how the waters that cover 70 percent of the planet are already changing because of global warming. Ocean acidification or diseases that thrive in acidified, oxygen-depleted seawater could be responsible for oysters not reproducing in Washington state , said Brad Warren , who oversees the ocean health and acidification program of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership in Seattle . A federal study found that two-thirds of larval blue crabs died when exposed to acidity levels like those currently measured off the West Coast , he said. Federal studies also found acidity levels in the North Pacific and off Alaska are unusually high compared to other ocean regions. The high acidity is already taking a toll of such tiny species as pteropods, which are an important food for salmon and other fish. As greenhouse gas emissions increase, billions of tons of carbon dioxide from smokestacks and vehicle tailpipes are absorbed by the oceans. The result is carbonic acid, which dilutes the "rich soup" of calcium carbonate in the seawater that many species, especially on the low end of the food chain, thrive in, Warren said. "If we lose it, it is gone forever," Warren said of the oceans' delicate chemical balance. In the Gulf of Mexico , Alexandra Cousteau said, the runoff down the Mississippi River from farms in the Midwest has created a dead zone the size of New Jersey where few species can survive. Wetlands in Louisiana are disappearing at the rate of 33 football fields a day as hurricanes grow in strength and frequency because of climate change, she said. "We must start to realize that there can be no standalone policies, especially as they relate to our water resources," Cousteau said. "Energy, transportation, climate change, infrastructure, agriculture, urban development: this is where our ocean policy must begin. It is all interconnected." Others testified that the economic toll eventually could be enormous for fishing and other ocean-related industries and for the nation's coastal communities. Taken together, the ocean and coastal economies, including the Great Lakes , provide more than 50 million jobs and make up nearly 60 percent of the nation's economy. "Significant environmental changes, such as sea level and sea temperature rise, oxygen depletion and ocean acidification, will dramatically change the landscape, restructuring an array of natural and physical assets as well as cultural and economic," said Judith Kidlow of the National Ocean Economics Program. "Over the next 30 years, the nation will see the most significant changes in the ocean and coastal economies since the arrival of industrialization and urbanization." The subcommittee's chairman, Sen. Maria Cantwell , D- Wash. , suggested a doubling of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration budget, which is now about $4 billion , and giving the agency additional responsibilities. Cantwell, however, said the key has to be passing comprehensive climate change legislation to reduce carbon emissions. "Protecting our oceans is an environmental and economic imperative," Cantwell said VERSUS ARTICLE : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/globalwarming/4029837/Global-warming-Reasons-why-it-might-not-actually-exist.html Global warming: Reasons why it might not actually exist 2008 was the year man-made global warming was disproved, according to the Telegraph's Christopher Booker. Sceptics have long argued that there are other explanations for climate change other than man-made CO2 and here we look at some of the arguments put forward by those who believe that global warming is all a hoax. Some icebergs are melting -but not necessarily because of mankind's actions Temperatures are falling, not rising As Christopher Booker says in his review of 2008, temperatures have been dropping in a wholly unpredicted way ove more

Resolved Question: Are you tired of all the pessimistic drivel about the economy and how government is "failing" us?

I sure am! I started in the greenhouse/nursery/garden center business in 1997. The most important period in my business is March-April-May. That accounts for about 50% of my sales and profits for the year. It is a very good indicator how that year went for me. The first number is sales to the nearest $1,000 the second is what it is in today's dollars. For the period in 1997 $23k / $30.5k 1998 $37k / $48.4k 1999 $51k / $65.3k 2000 $56k / $69.3k 2001 $54k/ $65.0k 2002 $51k / $60.5k 2003 $54k / $62.6k 2004 $56k / $63.2k 2005 $57k / $62.2k 2006 $59k / $62.4k 2007 $61k / $62.7k 2008 $61k / $60.4k 2009 $68k $68.0k Some conclusions: Starting a business was very hard, left me more or less broke for 2 years, in the "good times" of the late 1990's. Had I started say in 2003, with the so-called real estate boom, I probably would not have made it. A lot of the stuff I sold in 2003-07 was to landscapers decorating new construction. If it was such a "boom" how come it was a mere 5% increase for all those years, except 2004, Bush's re-election year? Then we flat lined again. 2008's drop was due to the slowing economy and the huge drop in construction. This year, it's not like construction rebounded, but I am on pace to have my 2nd best year ever. Consumers are spending. Instead of buying and filling 10-12" pots, they are going for 18" pots. Instead of a $5 plastic pot, they are buying a $25-50 fiberglass or terracotta pot. They are fixing up their lawns. They are taking pride in how their homes look. I serve lower middle class to middle class suburbs of a small-medium sized city of about 125,000. Driving around the community looks better, feels more optimistic than they have in quite some time. I know that how I feel. I hope you do too. I actually feel a little sorry for the miserable souls who are so negative here. Can't you find anything to be upbeat about? more

Resolved Question: Why is the heck would we want to legalize marijuana when it will just force the price up and the quality?

down? Thanks to Ronald Reagan, most of the pot coming from south of the border was stopped and now most all of it is grown in greenhouses by old hippies. The quality went through the roof after Reagan stopped the Colombian and that awful Mexican Dirt Weed. Although I do miss Panama Red and Thai Stick. If if is legalized big tobacco will take over and screw up the quality while the government taxes it to death. The pot business is one of only a few vestiges of free enterprize left in America. The average baby boomer pot smoker buys his pot from someone he has known since college, not a bunch on criminals so leave this alone. It is amusing that after all these years of trying to scare everybody about the stuff that now that the country is bankrupt legalization talk starts. I have been selling pot to my buddies since 1973 so leave us the hell alone. LONG LIVE TOMMY CHONG more

Resolved Question: What kind of small business would you have if you could start one of your own?

I'm thinking a herbal shop, or a fruit stand that sells produce plus fresh herbs, and other country stuff, or a greenhouse? What would you do if you could start a small business?I've thought of a little coffee shop too, but I would also sell herbal teas and a variety of drinks and some fresh-made snacks to go along with it. It would have a colorful ecletic decor. more

Voting Question: Nursery Requested me to grow for them....how can I label?

I just got the chance of my dreams. A huge landscaping and nursery company just asked me to start growing vegetables and bedding flowers for them. Well thats all fine. I have a small greenhouse 12x16 and for another $100 I can easily build another one. Meanwhile, I know it will take a month or two to get all theses seeds in and ready. Mean while how can I go about labeling them. I have my business that I am trying to start...its called "Stephanies Garden" Nursery and Landscaping. Any cost effective way to lavel thousands of plants with out spending a fortune and how could I encorparate my business name on the plants? ANY other suggestions for growers selling to nursery would be greatly appreciated! more

Resolved Question: How many Americans are happy w/ Obama's "All-in" POKER STANCE w/ the future of AMERICA at STAKE?

In poker, there's a maneuver called "all-in," in which a player pushes all his chips to the center of the table in one big bet. By that standard, President Barack Obama is conducting an all-in presidency. The big bet is Mr. Obama's first budget, which he has spent this week selling hard, from closed rooms on Capitol Hill to open forums on the Internet. It's an all-in policy statement. The budget attempts to launch at the outset most of the big policy initiatives the president has in mind for his term. It has money for a new health plan, envisions a cap-and-trade system for limiting so-called greenhouse gases, invests big money in alternative energy, and continues the flow of dollars into education started in the economic-stimulus package. Its sweep is striking, which cheers Obama partisans who want bold strokes. But it also is a real gamble. It has scared some important constituencies, including moderate Democrats who fear the deficits it could create, and business backers such as Warren Buffett, who worry its broad ambitions will divert attention from core economic problems. It has drawn new attention to deficits, united Republicans in opposition, and made it easier for critics to paint the president as a traditional big-spending liberal.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123809866473851063.html more

Resolved Question: Isn't "CAP AND TRADE" just a way to steal more money from business by the government?

My understanding is that the government is going to force businesses to purchase from the government a permit to operate that says that the business can only produce a certain amount of "greenhouse" gasses. If this is true, if the government can just start taxing based on some imaginary "greenhouse" effect that the government gets to make up on a whim.. isn't that going to hurt the business and drive up costs for us the consumer?? Won't these business just leave the USA if they can? I mean, it is one thing to debate global warming, it is another to say, now we are going to tax you for it. It seems to me like just another way for the government to steal our money. more

Voting Question: Starting a retail greenhouse business Need suggestions?

My husband and I are considering starting a commercial greenhouse business, but we're actually thinking of renting out the greenhouses for others to be able to grow what they want and also sell what they grow. I'm looking for any help and advice on how we could make this a reality. How much could be charged? I was thinking we would make these hoop houses. I think we might have to take the plastic off when it gets hot and put a shade fabric on. I'm just looking for ideas that would make this work. Thanks more

Resolved Question: I want to start an organic farm and greenhouse business in northern michigan. Possibly to succeed?

I want to start a greenhouse and organic farming business. Is it possible to be successful at this in northern michigan. Have a career/make enough money to live? What is the estimate profit someone could earn at this? more

Resolved Question: What should I do if I want to become a horticulturist but I'm already half through college?

Hey. I go to an art university in Philadelphia. It's a really good school and I love it. I'm currently a Sophomore Ceramics major, but as a career I want to be a horticulturist. I want to have my own greenhouse and sell plants. I have a lot of experience and took horticulture all through high school. But, of course I need to have some college experience as well. I want to end up in Tennessee. I am considering transferring down there next year because I really just want to do it already. But since I have mostly only taken art courses, I don't think much would transfer over. I would like to be an ceramist as well , so I think the most logical thing to do is stay in school until I graduate then go to school for horticulture after I am done. How much schooling would be required to start my own business? Do you know of any good Horticulture schools, particularly around Chattanooga? And do you have any creative ideas on what can prepare me while I'm still in school in a VERY urban area?Yes, horticulture was my initial reason why I picked ceramics, because I want to make pots and outdoor sculptures and things for gardening. I'm also a little hesitant to transfer because I'm doing really well in the school I'm now and I have scholarships that pay for all my tuition and my RA job that pays for my housing. Only problem is my school doesn't offer any type of horticulture, or even biology really. I think I might try volunteering as much as I can and take some classes in other colleges before I'm finished with this school. Then go do my horticulture thing. I just don't know if I'm waiting too long. more

Resolved Question: Greenhouse owners! Help!?

If you own a greenhouse business i need some help! Call you tell me what you would consider a great area to start up a green house business. I’m referring to the state in general. I live in the Thumb of Michigan and I’m concerned that if i were to move to north in the state the winters would affect my future business. If I go that way (north) does the sparse population, as well as a declining population increase the odds of my business failing? How far south do you think i can go? Ohio? Kentucky? Would this drastically change my business because of the climate? Any help would be awesome!!! Could i go west? Thanks more

Resolved Question: Can anyone give me a fun catchy name for a Greenhouse business?

I want to start a small greenery and cannot come up with a nice name for a business. Please give me a hand. It cannot be "The Greenery" because there is one the next town over. Thank you!! more

Resolved Question: How is it that the U.S.A. is the ONLYindustrialized country to NOT sign the Kyoto Protocol?20yrs intl.research?

the Kyoto Protocol is based on a group of international scientists who have pooled their knowledge to determine if global warming is indeed man-made or not. After two reports, the group states that "the balance of evidence suggests a discernable influence on the global climate " and global warming is "unlikely to be entirely due to natural causes." ALL OTHER NATIONS have ratified the KYOTO PROTOCOL, which means that they have all agreed to reduce emissions sets target reductions for each country. The U.S., for example, had a target of 5% reduction by 2008-2012, (the U.S. emits over 30% of all greenhouse gases). The U.S. withdrew its support, citing, "potential harm to the economy," even though 122 Nations, or 44% of all remaining CO2 greenhouse emissions, had signed on the bottom line. It is time for the government to start giving BUSINESSES who make our planet a noxious waste chemical dump INCENTIVES to turn this around. Hybrid cars in all garages of the U.S. do not compare to industrial emissions. Why doesn't anyone ask presidential candidates about this and hold their feet to the fire? more

Resolved Question: Do you agree with the carbon tax provisions in the bailout bill? ?

That's right … carbon tax is coming to an America near you. With the bailout bill package, they bundled a program to audit the tax code to identify exactly what will be subjected to carbon tax. See Section 117 --CARBON AUDIT OF THE TAX CODE. "(a) STUDY.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to undertake a comprehensive review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects." If you have anything left after the bailout causes the dollar to dive, they will come for it in the form of a carbon tax. With or without the carbon tax provisions, the bailout bill is a fraud on the part of the bankers. IF there is any doubt in your mind whether that is so, read this excellent short independent media analysis. It explains in layman's terms why the Paulson program is a fraud. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20915.htm That article also briefly explains the real motivation behind the recent bank mergers - including Citigroup's acquisition of Wachovia. There is a gaping loophole in the bill that will allow the acquiring institutions to be unjustly enriched. The owners of the media want this bailout. They have been covering up the aspects of the bailout that expose it for the fraud that it is. They know they can get away with that because most people will not bother reading the bill. IT WILL PASS unless we show an unprecedented outpouring of opposition TODAY. Already some of the nay votes have changed colors. Any calls and emails you made last week are "stale". You must renew the contact. The bailout bill is the same pig it was a week ago, but they see it as new bill because it was packaged with a bunch of other things (including a carbon tax program, as we see). That vote will happen as soon as the yes side feels confident they can win. That may be today and it will certainly be before next week's business cycle (which starts Sunday evening). If your representatives do not hear from you again, they will assume you are OK with the package or that you bought the fear mongering propaganda. If you oppose it, will you email your representatives RIGHT NOW and get on the telephone right after that. Here is the link. Scroll down past the senator links to find the links for the House of Representatives http://70.32.73.101/contactcongress.php#. Will you rally five of your friends and family to do the same? If you oppose the bailout but have not done the emails and phone calls yet, then why not? Is there anything to lose by making one last effort to try to stop this fraud? If we all leave it up to others to act, how can we expect anything to ever change? more

Resolved Question: Who knew the bialout bill contains carbon tax provisions?

They snuck into the package a program to audit the tax code to identify exactly what will be subjected to carbon tax. See Section 117 --CARBON AUDIT OF THE TAX CODE. "(a) STUDY.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to undertake a comprehensive review of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to identify the types of and specific tax provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects." That's right ... if you have anything left after the bailout causes the dollar to dive, they will come for it in the form of a carbon tax. With or without the carbon tax provisions, the bailout bill is a fraud on the part of the bankers. IF there is any doubt in your mind whether that is so, read this excellent short independent media analysis. It explains in layman's terms why the Paulson program is a fraud. It also shows the real reason behind the recent acquisitions - including Citigroup's acquisition of Wachovia. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20915.htm IT WILL PASS unless we show an unprecedented outpouring of opposition TODAY. Already some of the nay votes have changed colors. Any calls and emails you made last week are "stale". You must renew the contact. The bailout bill is the same pig it was a week ago, but they see it as new bill because it was packaged with a bunch of other things (including a carbon tax program, as we see). That vote will happen as soon as the yes side feels confident they can win. That may be today and it will certainly be before next week's business cycle (which starts Sunday evening). If your representatives do not hear from you again, they will assume you are OK with the package or that you bought the media brainwash. Will you email your representatives right now and get on the telephone right after. Here is the link. Scroll down past the senator links to find the links for the House of Represenatives http://70.32.73.101/contactcongress.php#. Will you send the email NOW and make the call too, or were you affected by the fear mongering propaganda? Will you rally five of your friends and family to do the same? Is there anything to lose by making one last effort to try to stop this fraud? more

Resolved Question: I just watched"Stuff Happens"on the "Green" channel&they say that Cows produce 20% of ALL Greenhouse Gasses?

Question: How can you believe that Global Warming is a man made 'disaster' when we are, basically, a grain of sand on the beach according to the "Green" people's own statistics? OK, so humans, ALL HUMANS, produce 3% of the total world's green house gasses. I have heard this stated MANY places, all legitimate scientific sources. Yet I just heard on the "Planet Green Network" (Channel 194 Chicago Dish Network) that Cows product 20% (TWENTY PERCENT, no typos here!) of the WORLD'S green house gasses. Now, I'm not parroting something I got from some nut-job, "anti for the sake of being anti" organization... I'm doing a direct quote from episode 2 of "Stuff Happens", Green Planet Network, air date 09-16-2008, approximately 3 min's in to the episode. Yeah... Humans = 3% Cows = 20% And one small volcano erupting sets back the healing of the Ozone Hole by 3 years... I'm not saying humans don't have an impact on the environment but HOW ON EARTH can it be said that Humans are THE ONE AND ONLY PROBLEM when NATURE ITSELF seems to be doing a LOT more "Damage" to itself then humans ever could? Then you take in to account how NOW they are saying that "Global Dimming" is an even greater threat to the planet, how can we justify the political movement that "Environmentalism" has turned in to? ESPECIALLY considering how the "Spokesman" for Global Warming, Al Gore, has been shown to OWN the "Carbon Credit" company that he purchases 'Carbon Credits' from? He set up the company TWO YEARS before he started his "quest" to warn mankind of the dangers of Global Warming! Can we trust a man that sets up a business to profit from the hysteria that he creates? If he were a Republican, we would have found his corpse swinging from a tree by now! more

Resolved Question: did you know Obama has Written 890 Bills and Co-sponsored Another 1096 since he started serving in the senate?

That's for all of those who claim he hasn't done anything Amendments, that have all passed: S.Amdt.159 to S.Con.Res.18 - To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu. S.Amdt.390 to H.R.1268 - To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. S.Amdt.670 to H.R.3 - To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. S.Amdt.808 to H.R.6 - To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal. S.Amdt.851 to H.R.6 - To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes. S.Amdt.1362 to S.1042 - To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II. S.Amdt.1453 to S.1402 - To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic. S.Amdt.2301 to H.R.3010 - To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports. S.Amdt.2605 to S.2020 - Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting. S.Amdt.2930 to S.2349 - To clarify that availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days. S.Amdt.3144 to S.Con.Res.83 - To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans S. Amdt 41 to S. 1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged. First legislation, the HOPE Act, which increased Pell Grants to $5100, and later joined Senator Kennedy on the Higher Education legislation that passed July 20, by a vote of 78-18. That legislation also included funding for Predominantly Black Colleges to assist with counseling, tutoring and other needs of low income students. It also creates the Teaching Residency Act which will create a school-based teacher preparation program in high needs schools to provide each teacher with a mentor, content instruction, classroom management skills, a master’s degree and state certification, and a 2 year follow-up program. The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 is an act that requires the full disclosure of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2007 on a website maintained by the Office of Management and Budget. The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act Authored by U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL), the Lugar-Obama initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. Signed into Law on January 11, 2007. The 2007 Government Ethics Bill The “Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act. Summer Learning demonstration project to provide summer learning grants and encourage new teaching methods Obama's Global Poverty Act of 2007, passed out of committee just a few days ago WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) today hailed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of the Global Poverty Act (S.2433), which requires the President to develop and implement a comprehensive policy to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015 through aid, trade, debt relief, and coordination with the international community, businesses and NGOs. This legislation was introduced in December. Smith and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) sponsored the House version of the bill (H.R. 1302), which passed the House last September.I only wrote a few of the ones that have actually passedNow what has Sarah palin done?No, thothose are in the US senate, not the IL state Senateby the way i posted the bill numbers so you can go check themNo Darling, not exagerated, just took a while to research, which not too many people are willing to dosorry but the research was not from the DNC it was from the Senateno, the ones I wrote have all passed, there is more, but I got tired of writing more

Resolved Question: Please Help Me: I need some idea's on how to organize in Power Point With some nice Pictures?

I need help on finding gooe pictures for each of my ideas posted here; perhaps i can help you with something? i am in South Korea; just ask. I am doing a Power Point Presentation on Protect the Enviroment; and i have the following ideas; however i could use great help on pictures for each idea. Please help me? To Stop Global Warming (Protect our Environment) 1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 2. Install a programmable thermostat Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill. 3. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling. 4. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 5. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models available. 6. Do not leave appliances on standby Use the "on/off" function on the machine itself. A TV set that's switched on for 3 hours a day (the average time Europeans spend watching TV) and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode. 7. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket You'll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 50°C. 8. Move your fridge and freezer Placing them next to the cooker or boiler consumes much more energy than if they were standing on their own. For example, if you put them in a hot cellar room where the room temperature is 30-35ºC, energy use is almost double and causes an extra 160kg of CO2 emissions for fridges per year and 320kg for freezers. 9. Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly Even better is to replace them with newer models, which all have automatic defrost cycles and are generally up to two times more energy-efficient than their predecessors. 10. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period When airing your house, open the windows for only a few minutes. If you leave a small opening all day long, the energy needed to keep it warm inside during six cold months (10ºC or less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions. 11. Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing This requires a bit of upfront investment, but will halve the energy lost through windows and pay off in the long term. If you go for the best the market has to offer (wooden-framed double-glazed units with low-emission glass and filled with argon gas), you can even save more than 70% of the energy lost. 12. Get a home energy audit Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist. 13. Cover your pots while cooking Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%! 14. Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full If you need to use it when it is half full, then use the half-load or economy setting. There is also no need to set the temperatures high. Nowadays detergents are so efficient that they get your clothes and dishes clean at low temperatures. 15. Take a shower instead of a bath A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To maximise the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are cheap and provide the same comfort. 16. Use less hot water It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot. 17. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year. 18. Insulate and weatherize your home Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. Energy Efficient has more information on how to better insulate your home. 19. Be sure you're recycling at home You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area. 20. Recycle your organic waste Around 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions through the methane is released by decomposing bio-degradable waste. By recycling organic waste or composting it if you have a garden, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul. 21. Buy intelligently One bottle of 1.5l requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5l. As well, buy recycled paper products: it takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide. 22. Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can You will also cut down on waste production and energy use! 23. Reuse your shopping bag When shopping, it saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil. 24. Reduce waste Most products we buy cause greenhouse gas emissions in one or another way, e.g. during production and distribution. By taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one, you save the energy needed to produce new lunch boxes. 25. Plant a tree A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership. 26. Switch to green power In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what's available in your area. 27. Buy locally grown and produced foods The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community. 28. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce. 29. Seek out and support local farmers markets They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer's market in your area at the USDA website. 30. Buy organic foods as much as possible Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we'd remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! 31. Eat less meat Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath. 32. Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Look for transit options in your area. 33. Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers. 34. Don't leave an empty roof rack on your car This can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10% due to wind resistance and the extra weight - removing it is a better idea. 35. Keep your car tuned up Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere. 36. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel You can reduce CO2 emissions by readjusting your driving style. Choose proper gears, do not abuse the gas pedal, use the engine brake instead of the pedal brake when possible and turn off your engine when your vehicle is motionless for more than one minute. By readjusting your driving style you can save money on both fuel and car mantainance. 37. Check your tires weekly to make sure they're properly inflated Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference! 38. When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency on FuelEconomy and on GreenCars websites. 39. Try car sharing Need a car but don't want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies - such as Flexcar - offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar. 40. Try telecommuting from home Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition. 41. Fly less Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects. 42. Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions You can extend your positive influence on global warming well beyond your home by actively encouraging other to take action. 43. Join the virtual march The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-political effort to bring people concerned about global warming together in one place. Add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other people urging action on this issue. 44. Encourage the switch to renewable energy Successfully combating global warming requires a national transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. These technologies are ready to be deployed more widely but there are regulatory barriers impeding them. Take action to break down those barriers with Vote Solar. 45. Protect and conserve forest worldwide Forests play a critial role in global warming: they store carbon. When forests are burned or cut down, their stored carbon is release into the atmosphere - deforestation now accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Conservation International has more information on forests and global warming. 46. Consider the impact of your investments If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that your investments and savings will have on global warming. Check out SocialInvest and Ceres to can learn more about how to ensure your money is being invested in companies, products and projects that address issues related to climate change. 47. Make your city cool Cities and states around the country have taken action to stop global warming by passing innovative transportation and energy saving legislation. 194 cities nationwide representing over 40 million people have made this pledge as part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Find out how to make your city a cool city. 48. Tell Congress to act The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act would set a firm limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then use free market incentives to lower costs, promote efficiency and spur innovation. Tell your representative to support it. 49. Make sure your voice is heard! Americans must have a stronger commitment from their government in order to stop global warming and implement solutions and such a commitment won't come without a dramatic increase in citizen lobbying for new laws with teeth. Get the facts about U.S. politicians and candidates at Project Vote Smart and The League of Conservation Voters. Make sure your voice is heard by voting! more

Resolved Question: Please Help Me: I need some idea's on how to organize in Power Point With some nice Piictures?

Resolved Question: Why doen't the US make oil from coal, South Africa's been doing this for years. Don't we have alot of coal ?

SECUNDA, South Africa -- Every day, conveyor belts haul about 120,000 metric tons of coal into an industrial complex here two hours east of Johannesburg. The facility -- resembling a nuclear power plant, with concrete silos looming over nearby potato farms -- superheats the coal to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It adds steam and oxygen, cranks up the pressure, and pushes the coal through a series of chemical reactions. Then it spits out something extraordinary: 160,000 barrels of oil a day. For decades, scientists have known how to convert coal into a liquid that can be refined into gasoline or diesel fuel. But everyone thought the process was too expensive to be practical. The lone exception was South Africa, a one-time pariah state that had huge reserves of coal and, thanks to anti-apartheid sanctions, limited access to foreign oil. Sasol Ltd., a partly state-owned company, built several coal-to-liquids plants, including the ones at Secunda, and became the world's leading purveyor of coal-to-liquids technology. Now, oil prices are above $70 a barrel, and Sasol has emerged as the key player at the center of the world's latest alternative-energy boom. China is building a coal-to-oil plant costing several billion dollars in Inner Mongolia and may add as many as 27 facilities -- including some with Sasol's help -- over the next several years, according to a recent tally by Credit Suisse. In the U.S., the Defense Department is studying coal-to-oil technology as a way to reduce the American military's dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil. And the National Coal Council, an industry association, is pushing for government incentives to help generate some 2.6 million barrels of liquid fuel a day from coal by 2025. That would satisfy some 10 percent of America's expected oil demand that year. The plan would require 475 million tons of coal a year, which represents more than 40 percent of current annual U.S. production. Industry officials believe America's coal reserves are big enough to allow for the extra production. Coal-to-liquids "is not going to replace oil," says Lean Strauss, a Sasol executive who directs the company's overseas energy business. "But it's an important substitute. It is one of the solutions to energy security." In June, two senators from coal-producing states, Barack Obama of Illinois and Jim Bunning of Kentucky, introduced a bill to offer loan guarantees and tax incentives for U.S. coal-to-liquid plants. Sasol has found a particularly receptive audience in Montana's Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, who says he carries a lump of coal and a vial of liquefied coal with him at all times. He is lobbying coal companies and others to build coal-to-liquid plants across his state, which has some of the biggest coal reserves in the U.S. Current estimates indicate the world has just 41 years of known oil reserves and 65 years of natural-gas supplies. It has enough coal reserves to last an estimated 155 years, with some of the largest reserves in the two biggest oil-consuming countries, the U.S. and China. It's far from clear, however, that the world would be better off -- economically or environmentally -- by burning more coal to fuel cars and trucks. One problem is that coal-to-oil projects are extremely expensive. A single plant capable of producing about 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day -- less than 0.5 percent of America's daily oil diet -- would cost an estimated $6 billion or more to build. Energy analysts reckon that some coal-to-liquids projects can offer an acceptable return on investment when oil is priced as low as $30 or $35 a barrel, though such ventures might require government tax incentives to reduce operating costs. It seems likely that oil prices will stay above that level for a while, but the longer-term outlook is anyone's guess. An earlier flurry of interest in coal-to-oil facilities in the U.S. during the Carter administration in the late 1970s died after oil prices collapsed. Coal-to-oil projects also pose serious environmental questions. When the South African facility superheats coal and turns it into a gas, one of the main waste products is carbon dioxide, thought to be a significant cause of global warming. The Natural Resources Defense Council, a U.S.-based environmental advocacy group, estimates that the production and use of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other fuels from crude oil release about 27.5 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon. The production and use of a gallon of liquid fuel originating in coal emit about 49.5 pounds of carbon dioxide, they estimate. Even some boosters of the coal-to-oil plants describe them as carbon-dioxide factories that produce energy on the side. "Before deciding whether to invest scores -- perhaps hundreds -- of billions of dollars in a new industry like coal-to-liquids, we need a much more serious assessment of whether this is an industry that should proceed at all," said David Hawkins, director of the Climate Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council, at a recent U.S. Senate hearing. Coal-to-oil is one of several promising but potentially polluting technologies that are receiving new attention amid high oil prices. Energy companies are trying to unlock natural gas trapped in shale and other difficult rock formations. They're also tapping oil-soaked sands in Canada and so-called heavy oils in politically challenging places such as Venezuela. Environmentalists fear these new sources will outshine conservation as the way to address the world's growing thirst for energy. In South Africa, environmental groups say Sasol's facilities have emitted huge volumes of carbon dioxide and pollutants, including sulfur dioxide. They say these have caused a host of respiratory problems in nearby communities. Sasol says its emissions of these pollutants are small compared to emissions by other companies' coal-burning electricity plants in the region. Sasol officials acknowledge their facilities emit greenhouse gases and that building more coal-to-liquids facilities around the world "could have potentially significant implications, in the long run, for our commitment to reducing carbon intensity," according to a recent company report on its social and environmental programs. Sasol says it plans to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions per ton of product by 10 percent by 2015. Sasol and many other coal-to-oil proponents say that future coal-to-liquids plants can be built with newer technologies that trap carbon dioxide and store it, sharply reducing their emissions. To many South Africans, Sasol is a huge success story. The company's daily production now meets about 30 percent of South Africa's transport-fuel needs. The country's 50-rand bank note even features a picture of one of Sasol's plants. Sasol's share price has more than tripled over the past three years. Analysts estimate it earned about $2 billion in the year ended June 30, about 35 percent higher than the year before -- such a sharp rise that South African authorities are contemplating a "windfall tax" on the company. Coal-to-oil technology dates back to the 1920s, when two German chemists, Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch, developed a process to convert coal into a gas and then use it to make synthetic fuels. Coal-to-oil technology helped fuel the Nazi war machine, which lacked access to sufficient crude oil. International oil companies also experimented with the process but put it aside because oil was cheaper. South Africa took a different view. The country lacked oil, but had enormous deposits of coal, much of which had limited market value because of its poor quality. In 1950, the government set up Sasol as a state-owned company and authorized funding for its first project, a coal-to-liquids facility called Sasolburg in the South African countryside. When oil prices soared in the 1970s, South African officials decided to up the ante. They lent Sasol $6 billion to build two new facilities at Secunda -- each 10 times as large as Sasolburg. The government also privatized the company, listing it on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1979. (The government maintains a 23.5 percent stake). By the time the facilities were completed in the early 1980s, international oil prices were collapsing. The project was nonetheless a success for the white-dominated apartheid government because international sanctions were restricting South Africa's ability to buy foreign oil. The plants managed to stay profitable by continually boosting efficiency and expanding their end products to include plastics, fertilizers and explosives. Besides the government loans, Sasol at various times received cash payments from the government when oil prices fell below a certain level. It eventually paid back the loans and stopped receiving subsidies for its coal-to-oil business by 2000. Today, Secunda is a buzzing industrial hub with 16,000 employees, miles of interlocking pipes and cables, and eight colossal silos. The silos, each big enough to contain a football field, cool steam involved in the conversion process. Fuel trucks wait along the edge of the facility to fill up with gasoline. Nearby mines produce more than 40 million metric tons of coal a year -- as much as all of Illinois. Outside the plant gates, Secunda has a boomtown feel. It has some 35,000 people, a BMW dealership and a multistory casino hotel called Graceland designed to evoke the "grand old age of Colonial America." A growing focus for Sasol is marketing its technology overseas. The company first tried to do so in the 1990s, after apartheid ended, but executives found doors slammed in their faces. Oil was trading for less than $25 a barrel at the time. "We sat in corridors waiting for meetings that never happened because they didn't even know who Sasol was," recalls Pat Davies, Sasol's chief executive. Sasol made its first inroads in countries such as Qatar that have big stockpiles of hard-to-transport natural gas. These countries were interested in Sasol's technology for turning natural gas into liquid fuel. As oil prices began to perk up, Sasol drew interest on the coal front from China, with its big coal reserves and energy needs. In marketing materials produced for Chinese government officials and investors, Sasol offers a simple message: By 2015, 70 percent of China's oil imports will come from the Middle East. Yet the country has coal reserves equivalent to more than half the oil in the Middle East. By 2004, Chinese energy planners began meeting with Sasol executives in Beijing to discuss the coal-to-oil process. That was followed by a series of meetings with policy makers and Chinese companies, capped by a gathering in Cape Town in June attended by visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Coal-generated pollution is emerging as a major environmental crisis in China. Yet Chinese officials are apparently willing to accept more coal use if it means improving the country's energy security, especially if local companies can design facilities to use relatively clean-burning varieties of coal. Shenhua Group, China's largest coal producer, has started work on China's first commercial coal-to-oil facility, designed eventually to produce as many as 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day. Although that plant uses a different process from Sasol's at Secunda, Shenhua officials are in negotiations with Sasol to jointly build at least one additional 80,000-barrel-a-day plant using the South African company's technique. While Sasol would charge a fee for licensing its technology, its main interest is to share ownership in the facilities once they're built because it wants a share of the long-term profits. In China, Sasol is asking for a 50 percent equity stake in the projects. A Shenhua official says negotiations are going smoothly and the company hopes to begin construction soon. In Montana, at least two companies, including the world's largest private-sector coal company, Peabody Energy Corp. of St. Louis, have said they are looking at potential coal-to-oil sites. Montana's Gov. Schweitzer says any excess carbon dioxide from a facility could be given to oil companies to be injected back into the ground to enhance recovery from old wells. Bringing Sasol on board is critical, says Gov. Schweitzer. He says Wall Street banks want the South Africans to play a role because Sasol is the only company with a track record in the business. To woo Sasol executives, he says, he took them on a flight over Montana coal country last year. "These are the guys everyone wants to take to the prom," Gov. Schweitzer says. Sasol officials say they're interested in Montana and other potential sites in the U.S., provided they can find a suitable partner and receive tax or other incentives. Coal-to-oil "is coming to the United States," Gov. Schweitzer proclaims. When it does, he says, other countries "will be scrambling to protect their oil supplies -- and we'll be energy independent." First published on August 17, 2006 at 12:00 am Shai Oster in Beijing contributed to this article. more

Resolved Question: Why doen't the US begin using coal to produce oil? South Africa has been doing do for years!?

Voting Question: we live in a small town, what would be a good business to start? Any ideas, please. A list of what we have:?

greenhouse, restaurants, gas stations 2, antique mall, grocery store, bars, video stores, hair salons, flower shops, ins. real estate etc., had a few consignment shops but they never stayed open, mexican grocery, mexican restaurants, hallmark, massage therapy, small used furniture store, pharmacy, dollar stores. What are we missing you think would do well? Would like to have a reasonable start up price not something that costs an arm and a leg. more

Resolved Question: How can I start my own greenhouse business?

I love flowers and plants. How can I start a business with minmal money to make a greenhouse? more

Resolved Question: Where can I find funding for my new business of converting gas cars to electric power?

I am in the prosess of starting a new business of converting older gas cars and small pick-ups to electric power. I have the technology and a source for all the parts needed, I just don't have the money to get off the ground. My credit is not so good, so I am looking for private investors. This is a much needed product that will help reduce the usage of fossel fuels and greenhouse gases. If anyone out there can help, please let me know. more

Resolved Question: I need help on building a proper greenhouse.?

Ok i found a greenhouse at home depot i am looking to buy and that costs $2,200, now i need help on the rest of the mathematics. Now I need proper soil, for like the proper dirt, about enough seeds to make a business off of for a living, I need many seeds but greenhouse I found is only 8x16 so i have to work with that, and I have a budget cap of $10,000 to start with and I need enough money to make a money with every month, if someone could give me the price of everything needed and nessicary just for two months that would be great (an air conditioning and heating source included). more

Resolved Question: Methane cows !! I kid you not !! Question is WHEN will Nanny PC tell us not to eat meat?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/countryfile/ QUOTE - "Methane cows.. Burping cows and sheep could be making as big a contribution to global warming as our love affair with cars and air travel, because of the amount of methane they produce. Farmed ruminants are thought to be responsible for a quarter of 'man-made' methane emissions worldwide and in the UK around 60% of methane comes from cows and sheep. Changing what they eat is thought to be the key to reducing their methane output. This is the aim of a Defra-funded project that started last April. A few farmers across the country have started to harness methane from slurry and manure in anaerobic digesters, but with 90% of emissions coming from the animals themselves, the research project could be vital in creating solutions to reduce this greenhouse gas." UNQUOTE Scientists want to add garlic, pro-biotics, and essential oils to the feeds... and the farmers are using the manure to fuel thier homes and business !!. Statistic - 1 cow Global Warming methane akin to running a large 4X4 for a year…!!Methane useful - warms homes, gas made from manure - useful fuel for future? The farmer can heat 2 houses and milking parlour - heated up in a digester machine until the gases produces methane to use on the farm. - free energy ! and a help to climate changes Should they Make changes or should we accept these problems and make changes elsewhere,.. Producing meat and milk with methane reduction - well within our means… by policy or demanding climate friendly meat on the shelves?Talk about having your cake and eating it... no wonder ppl end up getting confused.. http://style.uk.msn.com/wellbeing/healthyeating/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6496137 QUOTE " Which all begs the question, what’s so bad about raw milk? The answer, according to those who queue at English farm gates or in New York alleys, is nothing at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. Not only does raw milk taste far better than its pasteurised counterpart, it’s much better for you, too. ...Milk proteins…carry vitamins and minerals through the gut into the blood stream; they enhance the immune system and protect against disease,” she says. Pasteurisation distorts these proteins... In this country, too, raw milk producers are sensing an opportunity... Jst w8 till Nanny PC sees BENEFITS to PUBLIC.."In the UK, raw milk even has to carry a cigarette-style health warning. “This milk…may contain organisms harmful to health”, states the Government message." UNQUOTE more

Resolved Question: How do you feel about this article in today's newspaper?

Just wondering if the Global warming myth is starting to unravel Friday, October 19th, 2007 Harper advocating unfounded eco-salvation Fri Oct 19 2007 By Tom Harris ALTHOUGH environmentalists complain bitterly about the Harper government's admission of the obvious -- we will not meet our Kyoto Protocol targets -- climate campaigners have in fact won over the House of Commons. The throne speech showed that, rather than opposing the unfounded rhetoric of David Suzuki and Al Gore, the government has embraced it. The throne speech asserts: "Threats to our environment are a clear and present danger that now confronts governments around the world." The most significant "clear and present danger" is widespread public ignorance of basic climate science, a problem that provides fertile ground for the unfounded eco-salvationism of politicians and activists driving today's agenda. Next we are told in the throne speech, "This is nowhere more evident than in the growing challenge of climate change." Climate change is not a growing challenge; it is a shrinking one. As the Earth has warmed slightly in the past century, the "challenge" to society is considerably less than it was during previous cold periods. The throne speech continues: "Our Government believes that action is needed now to ensure our quality of life, particularly for those most vulnerable to health threats from the environment --our children and seniors." Neither children nor seniors are threatened by global warming. They may be threatened by funding diversions from social programs to the supposed "climate crisis." And they definitely would be threatened by global cooling, something the government steadfastly refuses to plan for. "Climate change is a global issue and requires a global solution." This nonsense line is repeated often -- the only "global solution" to climate change is adaptation. "Our Government believes strongly that an effective global approach to greenhouse gas emissions must have binding targets that apply to all major emitters, including Canada." "Greenhouse gas emissions" sound dangerous but, in Canada and most of the developed world, it is essentially code for carbon dioxide, a benign gas that is increasingly being shown to not be a significant cause of climate change. "Canada has already engaged the international community at APEC, the G8 and the United Nations and will continue to press for a new international agreement that cuts global emissions in half by 2050." Lead pipe APEC's approach is not as bad as the UN's (i.e. Kyoto), much as hitting ourselves in the head with a stick is not as bad as using a lead pipe. However, both are based on the false premise that we need clobber ourselves with CO2 emissions restrictions. Cutting global emissions by 50 per cent would require global energy rationing on a scale never before seen, a ticket to mass starvation. "Our Government will implement our national strategy to reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions 60 to 70 per cent by 2050. There will be a 20 per cent reduction by 2020." Like Jean Chrétien's original endorsement of Kyoto and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's 2002 promise to close the province's coal stations by 2007, the Harper government must know this will not happen. "This strategy will institute binding national regulations on greenhouse gas emissions across all major industrial sectors -- with requirements for emissions reductions starting this year." Such a plan, carried out at levels even remotely close to those demanded by environmentalists, would cost of tens of billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs. This would ultimately be the government's undoing. "Our Government will also establish a carbon emissions trading market that will give business the incentive to run cleaner, greener operations." This confuses carbon emissions (namely CO2) with pollution. A carbon dioxide emissions trading market would make some companies and market traders rich but would do little to help the environment. "Canada's emissions cannot be brought to the level required under the Kyoto Protocol within the compliance period...." The solution to the problem of non-compliance is obvious -- rather than breaking international law by violating the terms of a treaty Chrétien made the mistake of ratifying on our behalf, Canada must simply withdraw from the protocol in February 2008. Article 27 of Kyoto states, "At any time after three years from the date on which this Protocol has entered into force for a Party [February 2005], that Party may withdraw from this Protocol by giving written notification to the Depositary." Instead of looking to replace Kyoto with alternative carbon dioxide reduction schemes, government must acknowledge that climate science is still an immature field in which our major discoveries lie ahead of us. In April 2006, 61 climate experts wrote a public letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper requesting open, unbiased hearings into the science of climate change, something that has never happened in Canada. The scientists said, "We believe the Canadian public and government decision-makers need and deserve to hear the whole story concerning this very complex issue." Harper completely ignored them. He must do so no longer. Tom Harris is an Ottawa-based mechanical engineer and Executive Director of the Natural Resources Stewardship Project (www.nrsp.com). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2007 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. more

Resolved Question: With Hollywood becoming environmentally-friendly....?

Will this lead to the end of big-budget, blockbuster movies and the end of action movies. Will they be replaced by smaller, more family-friendly films that don't require a huge amount of money and resources to produce? By GARY GENTILE, AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES - From "green carpets" at awards shows to organic fruit served to actors on sets, Hollywood is going all out to promote itself as being environmentally hip. But is it all just show? No amount of public service announcements or celebrities driving hybrid cars can mask the fact that movie and TV production is a gritty industrial operation, consuming enormous amounts of power to feed bright lights, run sophisticated cameras, and feed a cast of thousands. Studios' back lots host cavernous soundstages that must be air- conditioned to counter the heat produced by decades-old lighting technology. Huge manufacturing facilities consume wood, steel, paint and plastic to build sets that are often torn down and tossed out after filming ends. The energy guzzling continues on the exhibition side, too, with multiplexes drawing millions of kilowatts to power old-school popcorn makers and clunky film projectors that cash-strapped theater owners are reluctant to replace. A two-year study released last year by the University of California at Los Angeles concluded that special effects explosions, idling vehicles and diesel generators make the entertainment industry a major Southern California polluter, second only to the oil industry. Still, financial and public pressures have resulted in many studios expanding their environmental efforts, doing everything from using a biodiesel fuel mixture to run the generators on the set of the Fox show "24" to converting Warner Bros.' enormous set-building facility to solar energy. "Public consciousness on this issue has changed dramatically," said Kyle Tanger, a principal at Clear Carbon Consulting. "The talent themselves are requesting it from some of the studios. And a lot of these things make economic sense." Economic benefit can come to studios directly, by switching to more efficient lighting or cooling systems or driving hybrid cars on location, which can save gas. Other projects, such as installing solar power, can take decades to pay off. But there are other benefits that are harder to quantify. Besides the public relations angle, many performers and other employees want to work with eco-friendly companies, so it also helps in recruiting and retaining employees, Tanger said. Form and function merged at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards show. To symbolize its commitment to energy conservation, Fox had wanted to replace the traditional red carpet with a green one. The tradition-bound Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which gives the awards, politely said "no." But the carpet that ended up cushioning the heels of such stars as Sally Field and America Ferrera was made from recycled plastic bottles and later cut into pieces and donated to several local schools. "No doubt some efforts have been window dressing. But I actually think Hollywood is doing far more than people are giving it credit for," said Terry Tamminen, who served as an adviser to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before starting his own environmental consulting company. One convenient yet controversial method is the purchase of carbon credits by studios and producers to offset the greenhouse gases from their production activity. The credits attempt to counter such pollution by investing in environmentally friendly projects such as planting trees or funding wind power. Studios and a growing number of other industries calculate their emissions, then write a check to one of several brokers who funnel the money to projects around the world. The goal is to become carbon neutral by funding activities that reduce an equal amount of emissions. The 2004 Fox film "The Day After Tomorrow" and last year's Al Gore documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" offset all or some of their pollution. This year's "Evan Almighty," from Universal, donated money to the Conservation Fund to plant 2,000 trees, enough to "zero out" the greenhouse gases produced. But the practice has come under fire by some who say it is an easy way to avoid the hard work of directly reducing pollution. Others question whether carbon credit payments are actually going to projects that make that much of a difference. "If you're going to drive around in a big ol' Hummer and then buy carbon offsets to mitigate that, that's like getting drunk on the weekends and throwing some money through the window of an AA meeting and thinking you're doing something," said Ed Begley Jr., who was a poster child for energy conservation long before Al Gore made it trendy. The Federal Trade Commission, meanwhile, has begun examining claims made by the nascent multimillion-dollar carbon credit industry. Warner Bros., which bought carbon credits for the 2005 film "Syriana," has also become more aggressive at reducing emissions during all phases of production. In addition to solar-powered set-building, the studio is recycling sets, using recycled plastic lumber in the construction of some buildings, and printing double-sided scripts where feasible. Pieces built for the 2001 film "Ocean's 11" now sit in the Santa Monica offices of the National Resources Defense Council. Sets from this year's sequel "Ocean's 13" were donated to decorate the halls of local community colleges. "You have to start by measuring your own footprint, then reducing it, whether through using alternative fuels, reducing electrical loads or combining trips," said Shelley Billick, vice president of environmental initiatives at Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It's too easy to write a check, pay thousands of dollars and say, 'I'm climate neutral.'" Last year, Fox parent News Corp. set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2010. To further that goal, Fox Broadcasting chose its popular "24" series as a case study and to serve as a model for other television productions. Diesel generators that power the show's lighting were switched to a mixture that uses 5 percent biodiesel fuel. That percentage will be increased in coming years. The show also has secured energy from solar and wind generation from a local utility for its soundstages. But News Corp. has a more ambitious goal than simply reducing its own carbon emissions. "We knew from the beginning that if our goal is to make as many carbon reductions in the world as possible, probably the best way we can do that is through our audiences," said Rachel Webber, director of energy initiatives for News Corp. The company concluded that worldwide, it produced the equivalent of 641,150 tons of carbon dioxide. But a rough estimate revealed that the people who read its newspapers, watch its TV shows and browse its Web sites use about 7 billion tons. "That's the greatest potential to reduce carbon, but we have to get our own house in order first," Webber said. To reach the wider audience, Webber and a climate expert from Harvard University met with show writers and executive producers earlier this year to brainstorm on ways to integrate environmental messages into show plots. But Webber said Fox is not forcing "tacked on" messages into its shows, but rather offering resources should writers choose to address the issue. "We can't use this in a way that doesn't fit into the show," Webber said. "It can't be Jack Bauer driving in a car he otherwise wouldn't drive in." Ultimately, any steps Hollywood takes, big or small, to reduce emissions are positive, Begley said. "There are different shades of green." more

Resolved Question: Catchy Name ideas For Greenhouse/Grill/Cafe'?

My life partner and I would like to start a unique business: she is a manager for a greenhouse and does landscaping, I also work partime seasonaly at the greenhouse and help with the landscaping on the side, we would like to combine the two to start a unique business that we would both be happy and productive at..we need a catchy name for it...we thought of Ground Covers & Grill but that doesn't seem catchy enough, any ideas out there? more

Resolved Question: Catchy Name Ideas For Greenhouse/Grill/Cafe?

My life mate and I want to start up a business that we would both be happy and productive at: she is a greenhouse manager and does landscaping, i work part time seasonally at the greenhouse and help with the landscaping on the side....I have worked as a line cook, grill cook, buffet cook etc etc and am very very good....so we would like to combine the too as a unique business.....we thought of something like Ground Covers & Grill, but that does not seem very Catchy to me...any ideas out there? more

Resolved Question: How to start a garden nursery and fruit tree orchard?

I'm going to be buying about 100 acres for about 2 million dollars in central Ohio. I've always wanted to start my own nursery but I have a few questions about doing so. First of all where do I get the plants and trees? Also things like flowers and tropical house plants to sell. I'd also like to sell mulch, garden decorations, seeds, and also things like stone and patio pavers. Where do I get this stuff from, and probably in wholesale? I'd also like to plant peach, apple, nectarine, etc. trees so people can come and pick the fruit and stuff. I'd also like to try grapes and banana, lime, orange, and lemon tree in greenhouses. Where can I get the things like greenhouses from also. I'd also like vegetables and things. How much will all of this cost and how much money can I make a year from this business. There would also have to be like a water pond and a system to water all of the plants. Now I'd probably only want to use about 50 of the acres, maybe 75 alltogether of the 100 more

Resolved Question: Buying home with owner financing.?

I am buying a home through owner financing. Please don't tell me not to, I must. The down pay is only $1000.00, and the payments are less than the rent I've been paying on the house. I have been living in the house for 8 months. The seller is well known in the community for buying tax sale properties and reselling owner finance at 10% interest for 20 years. I know several people who buy from him, and he is very patient with people who are late. I need to own my property, because I may be getting a grant to start a wholesale greenhouse and nursery business. My part of the investment is providing the land, the utilities, and the labor. My question is what should I look out for? Are there particular pitfalls I should look out for? And I can't pay $1500.00 for a title search, can I do that myself & how? I do know better than to do a rent to own. What else should I know?We have been renting home from man doing rent to own with him. Despite the fact we pay $500.00 month on time, landlord hasn't been paying his $350.00 month for 2 properties & 2 homes. Owner is repoing our part, and selling it to us. I've told him I must own property. The grant is holding on us owning property, and me writing business plan. It is 80% done deal. Business will be nursery business, so I must make sure I won't lose property through stupid mistake. I can't afford title search, but I am good with internet & not afraid of legwork. more

Resolved Question: Homeschooling Schedule?

I am planning on homeschooling my children (ages 2&3) and I would like to get into a routine soon so I can be ready. Does anyone know any great resources of how to juggle cleaning, cooking, homeschooling, basically, being a stay at home mom and teaching her two children? I am in DIRE need of order in my life! On top of having 2 toddlers, I also am starting an at home business of running a greenhouse and raising plants. Any personal tips would be appreciated, as well as any resources on how to juggle my daily tasks. more

Resolved Question: can vermicomposting be a good business practice for a "green" waste solution and be profitable?

I'm just toying with the idea, and I know it isn't a get rich quick thing. I just like the idea of it, and think of it as a great business idea that is very earth friendly. I was thinking that with all this talk lately about greenhouse gasses and the enviroment, people are thinking about eco-friendly, and it would be easier to get people to help in a recycling program like this. Maybe start with local resturants and grocery stores. I live in the midwest i'm close to lots of farming and ranching. There is even a fish farm a few miles away from me. What would I need to really look into the idea as a serious idea? more

Resolved Question: is there a place on the internet where i can find prices for bedding plants?

we are starting a greenhouse business and this would be very helpful....thanks more

Resolved Question: can anyone help me finish off the conclusion at the bottom......?

Global Warming The world is presently facing a crisis called Global Warming that should be stopped. It is important that people must get to know about this crisis that will affect the whole humankind, and try to stop it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has states and local governments and businesses play an important role in meeting the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012. Al Gore and other scientific experts can’t change global warming but we can take steps in order to decrease global warming: 1. Conservation and greater efficiency in the way you use your energy and resources. 2. Being a conscious consumer and being aware of the environmental implications on everything you buy, and every transaction you make in the marketplace. 3. And then becoming politically active regardless of what party you may be aligned with by insisting that the politicians of all parties take this as their top priority. Agricultural output in many poorer countries could be significantly reduced. An additional 80-90 million poor people could be at risk of hunger and malnutrition later in the 21st century; hundreds of millions of people will be at increased risk of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, and other infectious diseases because of global warming. Another fact, is contributing to the problem is a phenomenon known as Thermal Expansion- as seawater warms, it takes up more space so as higher temperatures from global warming heat the oceans and melt ice, the oceans will rise and encroach on what is now land. Also global sea level has already risen by four to eight inches in the past century, and scientists’ best estimate is that sea levels will rise by an additional 19 inches by 2100, and perhaps by as much as 37 inches. Of course, CO2 is 30% higher than it has been for 650,000 years. Methane is 130% greater. They are looking at pumping liquefied carbon underground into old gas fields and oil wells. And, doing so might help get more oil from oil fields. These are two of the main pollutants humans put into the atmosphere in excess, and they are two of the primary greenhouse gases. Another example is might be due to normal natural events but it could be also be that humans are accelerating the natural process by creating excessive amounts of pollutants. Global temperatures are expected to continue to rise as human activities continue to add carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other green house (or heat-trapping) gases to the atmosphere. Most of the United States is expected to experience an increase in average temperature. Unless we act now, our children will inherit a hotter world, dirtier air and water, more severe floods and droughts, and more wildfires. Most frequent and more intensive heat waves could result in more heat-related deaths. These conditions could also aggravate local air quality problems, already afflicting more than 80 million Americans. Global warming is expected to increase the potential geographic range and virulence of tropical disease as well. Therefore if the world does not start to take steps to end global warming soon, the outcomes will prove to be castrophic. more

Resolved Question: can anyone grammer check this for me?

Resolved Question: How can I start a greenhouse as a business?

Resolved Question: Global warming- Is it the fault of the most powerful Governments?

I remember jumping up and down years ago about global warming.. and all we ever got from our top leaders in UK, USA and Australia.. was that it wasn't a real issue.. NOW FINALLY.. an acknowledgment.. for the first time and despite we still havnt ratified the Kyoto protocal.. My view is one of anger.. anger that the people in society are being totally ignored.. EVERYONE knows about global warming!! YET our Governments have until this week.. ignored it even existed.. Does this fact represent a total failure of Government and all but prove that anarchy is a better way to go.. The Governments set us on societies path.. so one cannot blame individuals who use greenhouse gases.. plus most greenhouses gas is produced by business.. not individuals.. Is it time perhaps that we abandon the pursuit of wealth.. and start fixing the environment?? Start helping the poor and healing the sick?? Or are we all going to try outdo each other forever?? STUPID HUMANS!!! more

Resolved Question: How big of pot do I need?

I am trying to start a greenhouse business. I need to know how big of pots I should buy to sell the plants in. It will be a wide variety of plants from flowers to veggies. Probably no trees or bushes lol. I can get a bunch of pots that are a little smaller than 3" square, and are about that tall too. Will this be suficient for about 3-6 months? They are starting as seeds. Thanks for all your help!! more