NASA on El Nino
As a dry Southern California braces for a possible return to wet weather next
week, a NASA oceanographer known for studying how Earth's oceans affect our
weather and climate and govern the El Niņo/La Niņa phenomena will present a free
public lecture titl ed, "When the Pacific Speaks, the World Listens," at 2:45
p.m., Sunday, February 9, at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.
Dr. Bill Patzert of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will
explain how JPL satellite technology is used to map Earth's oceans. These data
are a vital tool for oceanographers, meteorologists and climatologists.
Monitoring the formation and progress of phenomenon like this year's moderate El
Niņo has improved long-term global weather and climate forecasts. Patzert will
discuss impacts of El Niņo, La Niņa and even longer-term climate trends on
Southern California, the United States and the world.
Patzert began his oceanography career in the early 1970s. A 20-year JPL
employee, he was formerly on the faculty of the University of California's
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. He holds a bachelor's
degree in mathematics and phy sics from Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., and
master's and doctorate degrees in oceanography from the University of Hawaii.
The author of numerous oceanography publications, he has been honored several
times by NASA and other organizations for his c ontributions to satellite
oceanography. He regularly works with students around the world and his climate
expertise is often sought by reporters.
Patzert's presentation is part of the American Meteorological Society's
WeatherFest weather and science fair, dedicated to exploring the fascinating
field of meteorology and oceanography. This free event is open to the public and
runs from Noon to 4 p.m . JPL and other NASA centers will be among the
exhibitors. The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center is located at 300
East Ocean Boulevard. Parking is available at the Center for $8.00 or you may
use the free Long Beach Passport Bus. For mo re information, see:
http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/meet/83rdannual/2ndweatherfest.html .
The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena manages JPL for NASA.
MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
Alan Buis (818) 354-0474 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
News Release: 2003-015 February 7, 2003
Seed Savers Network (Australia)
Below is the standard response we give to people who make an email enquiry
about LSNs. Scroll down to the questionnaire for people running or starting a
group. If you would like us to promote HDRA in this way please fill it in and
send it back by next Wednesday 13th. (I am saying this to get an early response
from everyone but can extend that, Penny, if you need to consult with others on
this).
Jude Fanton
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STANDARD REPLY TO LSN ENQUIRIES Thank you for your enquiry about local seed
networks. You will find a list of them in the website. As we started collecting
their contact details only in September 2001, there may well be others in
existence that we have not heard of yet. If you have started one, or would like
to start one yourself, please fill in the form below. We are collecting names
and contact details of all those who make an enquiry about local seed networks
in order to put you in contact with one another as time goes along. At some time
we hope to let you know of other people in your region interested in seed
saving. Best wishes, Jude Fanton
QUESTION LIST FOR THOSE WHO RUN, OR ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING, A LOCAL SEED
NETWORK
Please put your answers in capital letters.
What is the full name of the group? - If you are just forming a group, try to
choose something that indicates the area and for the sake of consistency put the
words "Seed Network" or "Seed Savers" in there.
Are you prepared to have some details of your group published on the web and
yourself as the contact person, along with your email? YES/NO
If so, please fill in this form and return it. We would like to have an email
address for the group to publish on our website. While we ask for your telephone
and postal address, we do not publish private telephone numbers and addresses on
the net, unless you give us permission.
CONTACT DETAILS Contact person/people: Tel not for publication on net: Postal
address not for publication on net: Nearest large town/city (this is to give a
clear idea of your location): Email: www:
STRUCTURE Structure: Part of an organisation? If so, which organisation?
MEETINGS: How often: Location(s) of meetings:
TARGET GROUP: Is it open to all, or aimed at a specific group of people?
ACTIVITIES (for example): Seed swapping
Swapping cuttings and other planting material
Swapping info on gardening, seed saving, preparing and cooking
Seed stalls at events
Activities in schools
Packing seeds
Training
Giving talks
Others
SEED LIST Has your group compiled one?
If so, please send it to us for publication - let us know if the seeds are
available to others over the net, and your terms (this is not open to commercial
concerns, but postage and handling costs should be recouped).
FUTURE PLANS:
END OF FORM ---------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTOS Please send us photos of the group and their activities. Note action
shots and closeups of seed savers, of specific varieties, handling seeds and
tend to be the most useful shots. We will scan them for the website and return
them on request.
SEED SAVING PRODUCTS We have available some products that facilitate seed
saving. Your group may like to buy them in bulk, distribute them to your members
and sell them on at events. Email or phone us.
- The Seed Savers' Handbook (recommended retail price $25 - minimum 5 at $15
each) 176 pages on the cultivation and propagation of 112 vegetables, culinary
herbs and flowers.
- Silica gel - self-indicating blue gel that helps to keep seeds dry in storage.
Can be redehydrated in the oven. Comes with a set of instructions. Packs of 100g
(at) AUD$4.40 post paid Packs of 450g (at) AUD$14.30 post paid
- Printed seed saving envelopes measuring 55mm x 85mm and laid out in boxes with
prompts for information on history, grower, growing conditions and performance:
Bundles of 25 .......... AUD$4.40 post paid --=20 Jude and Michel Fanton,
Directors The Seed Savers' Foundation Box 975 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia
T (61) 02 6685 7560 F (61) 02 6685 6624
http://www.seedsavers.net