In a victory for dog lovers, Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock has ruled in favor of two dog-friendly bars in Tampa and Orlando. These establishments can now keep welcoming four-legged patrons after the Florida Department of Health's attempt to block dogs was overruled. The judge's 29-page order highlighted that the Department had failed to properly revise a rule to enforce the ban.
The case revolved around sanitation certificates issued by county health departments, overseen by the state Department of Health. Pups Pub Tampa and Pups Pub Orlando had received sanitation certificates with the condition that they wouldn't serve food. The bars had also implemented measures, like installing gates, to keep dogs away from drink-service areas.
Despite complying with the guidelines, Pups Pub Tampa received a violation citation in June 2022 for allowing dogs on the premises. Similarly, Pups Pub Orlando, which got its sanitation certificate in July 2022, faced a violation citation less than a month later.
Judge Quimby-Pennock noted that the Department had allowed dog bars to operate in other counties previously, such as Duval and Palm Beach. She underscored that the Department didn't properly follow the process to adopt a rule prohibiting dogs in bars.
The judge's order stated that the Department must stop relying on the revised interpretation of the rule. It revealed that evidence clearly showed the Department had previously interpreted the rule to allow dogs in bars, with specific restrictions. However, in mid-2022, the Department changed its stance to ban dogs in bars.
The Department of Health, in a document dated May 22, argued it hadn't altered its interpretation, claiming actions against the bars were based on the existing rule's plain language, not on a new rule.
The ruling is a significant win for the dog-friendly bars and their customers who enjoy spending time with their furry companions while sipping on a drink. With Judge Quimby-Pennock's decision, these bars can continue operating with their dog-friendly policies intact.
Tarn Coffey, an Alaskan businessman with a deep love for Nenana, a small community in Alaska, is embarking on a farming venture that could change the face of agriculture in the region. Coffey, who owns an automobile service business in Anchorage, commutes from Nenana and has now set his sights on cultivating corn in the Nenana-Totchaket Agriculture Project.
The Nenana-Totchaket Project has been in the works for decades, and Coffey secured five parcels of land, totaling about 225 acres, in a recent state agricultural land sale. Nenana has long been recognized for its agricultural potential, and Coffey's innovative approach could open up new possibilities for the region.
To achieve this, Coffey is experimenting with Gaspe corn, a hardy northern variety known for its resilience and nutrition. Unlike traditional sweet corn, Gaspe corn is not for human consumption but serves as excellent animal feed, an essential factor in Alaska's farming ventures.
With the state's next Nenana-Totchaket land sale planned in 2024, other farmers have an opportunity to explore the possibilities of agricultural growth in the region. By learning from past projects, the state is taking a phased approach to ensure the success of future farming endeavors.
Coffey is eager to share knowledge with Canadian farmers, who have extensive experience in northern agriculture. He believes that Alaskans can draw inspiration from Canada's success in producing protein-rich food plants like lentils, which have the potential to thrive in the northern climate.
Alaska's farming potential is often underestimated, according to Coffey, who is confident that with the right approach, the region can become a significant player in the agricultural landscape. As he continues his experiments with corn and other vegetables, Coffey's vision is to demonstrate the untapped potential of Alaskan agriculture and pave the way for future generations of farmers.
HARVEL, Ill. — A massive cloud of soil, carried by winds exceeding 40 mph, blanketed a busy stretch of Interstate 55 south of Springfield on May 1, causing an 84-car pileup that killed eight people, injuring at least three dozen others. The incident has brought the state's farming practices under scrutiny, raising concerns about soil conservation and its impact on public safety.
At Richard Lyons' 300-acre family farm, the techniques developed over his half-century of experience, including cover crops and minimal-till practices, have kept his soil fertile and crop yields high. While some farmers have adopted such methods, Illinois lags behind other states in implementing soil conservation practices, exposing farmland to erosion risks.
Farmers face challenges in adopting conservation practices, given thin profit margins and volatile weather patterns due to climate change. Reluctance to invest in expensive changes stems from the fear of potential yield dips that could threaten livelihoods. Additionally, state and federal agencies tasked with supporting farmers have struggled with limited resources.
The tragic event in May has sparked renewed calls for farmers to reevaluate planting practices. Farm fields regularly tilled and left bare are more susceptible to soil erosion. Methods like no-till and cover crops can reduce erosion risks and boost soil health. However, only 24% of Illinois fields used no-till in 2018, and cover crops were planted on just 2% of surveyed farms.
Farmers and conservationists agree that greater investment in programs and incentives is crucial to drive change. The federal Environmental Quality Incentive Program aims to support farmers adopting conservation practices, but Illinois ranked 37th in program funding from 2009 to 2019. Organizations like the American Farmland Trust advocate for increased funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt soil conservation methods.
The road to adopting such practices won't be without challenges. Farmers might resist change due to cultural pressures or financial concerns. However, there are efforts to incentivize change, like the incentive program that offers farmers a $5-per-acre discount on insurance premiums for planting cover crops. Still, any move towards regulating farming practices may face resistance.
Illinois must strike a balance between preserving its farmland and implementing conservation practices that protect both the environment and public safety. As debates continue, farmers like Richard Lyons strive to preserve their land's legacy and promote sustainable practices for future generations.Source
The iconic Big Boy restaurant chain, deeply rooted in U.S. history, is adapting to changing dining preferences with the introduction of a fast-food spin-off named Bob's Big Boy. The nearly 90-year-old company, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, has seen a significant reduction in its presence from almost 1,000 establishments nationwide to only 60, primarily in Michigan.
Bob's Big Boy is an experimental venture aimed at cost reduction, according to franchisee Ali Baydoun. The inaugural location is set to open at 32704 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, Michigan. The site, previously occupied by Burger King and Detroit Eatz, will retain a drive-thru and offer indoor seating for approximately 60 patrons.
Differing from traditional Big Boy locations, Bob's Big Boy will forego table service, breakfast, and salad buffets. Instead, customers will place orders at a counter. The menu will feature a scaled-down selection, including signature items like the Classic Big Boy double-decker burger, Slim Jim Sandwiches, fish and chips, shakes, and hot fudge cake.
Ali Baydoun, owner of a traditional Big Boy restaurant in Garden City, acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business, citing a substantial decrease in sales. The new format, requiring fewer workers, aims to enhance competitiveness in the challenging economic landscape.
The name "Bob's Big Boy" pays homage to the chain's first restaurant, Bob's Pantry, established in 1936 in Glendale, California. Over the years, the brand has undergone various iterations, including Bob's, Bob's Big Boy, and Bob's — Home of the Big Boy Hamburger. Corporate transitions, bankruptcy, and changes in ownership characterize the company's recent history.
Ali Baydoun, an immigrant from Lebanon, traces his connection to Big Boy back to his teenage years when he started working at a local establishment. His journey within the company led him to become a manager by age 17. Expressing gratitude for the "land of opportunity," Baydoun fulfilled a personal goal by acquiring a closed-down Big Boy in Garden City in 2018.
Despite recent challenges, Baydoun is optimistic about the fast-food concept's potential to revitalize the brand. The experimental model, if successful, could lead to widespread adoption, he suggests, emphasizing the brand's familiarity to those over 50 or 60 who grew up with Big Boy as a ubiquitous presence.
Amid reports of Big Boy facing financial difficulties and a potential bankruptcy risk, franchisees like Baydoun remain focused on the new venture's prospects. The fast-food format, with its potential for reduced labor costs and overhead, presents an opportunity for adaptation and growth in an evolving market. Baydoun envisions a future where successful models like Bob's Big Boy could proliferate, bringing a fresh perspective to an established brand.
In a significant stride in the realm of sustainable agriculture, Plenty has officially opened the Plenty Compton Farm, positioned as the West Coast's sole commercial-scale vertical farm. Situated in Compton, California, this state-of-the-art indoor vertical farm boasts a cutting-edge design facilitating the annual production of up to 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens within a single city block.
Plenty, a pioneer in indoor farming, utilizes a unique 3D vertical architecture that stands as a key factor behind its impressive yield, reaching up to 350 times the output per acre compared to traditional farms. The farm's establishment marks the fruition of nearly a decade of research and development by Plenty, culminating in what CEO Arama Kukutai describes as a scalable platform for indoor farming. Kukutai highlights the farm's potential to provide a consistent, year-round supply of fresh produce with economically favorable unit dynamics, emphasizing the significance of this advancement for the global food supply.
Distinguishing itself from conventional greenhouses and "vertical" farms operating on flat planes, Plenty's innovation resides in its 3D growth approach, employing vertical towers that extend almost two stories high. This distinctive architecture enhances efficiency, enabling increased produce yields in less space while facilitating full automation throughout the growth cycle—from planting to harvest. Such advancements contribute to the reduction of production costs, aligning with Plenty's commitment to making affordable produce accessible across diverse communities.
Mayor Emma Sharif of Compton lauds the project, citing its role in reintroducing field-scale farming to the community. Over 30% of the farm's workforce hails from Compton, presenting job opportunities and cultivating interest in agriculture careers. Sharif sees the Plenty Compton Farm as a model for enhancing access to fresh, locally grown food in urban settings and supporting economic development in cities.
Plenty's approach to indoor farming addresses future challenges in the agricultural landscape. With an anticipated 50% surge in food demand by 2050 and a concurrent threat of soil degradation, Plenty's method proves resilient. By utilizing minimal land and water compared to conventional farming, the Plenty Compton Farm aims to save millions of gallons of water annually. Secretary Karen Ross of the California Department of Food and Agriculture applauds this innovative farming model, emphasizing its role in building climate-resilient food systems.
The initial produce offerings from the farm include four varieties of leafy greens: Baby Arugula, Baby Kale, Crispy Lettuce, and Curly Baby Spinach. Notably, the spinach, released as Plenty's newest product, is among the world's few vertically grown, pesticide-free spinach varieties. The meticulous development process involved designing a new filtration system and analyzing vast data inputs to create a spinach environment with a distinct sweet flavor and unique crunch.
Plenty's pesticide-free leafy greens are currently available at Bristol Farms, select Whole Foods Market stores in Northern California, local grocers in Compton, and as a featured ingredient on Singapore Airlines flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Additionally, a collaboration with Walmart has introduced a new brand for indoor-grown, pesticide-free produce supplied by Plenty in Southern California Walmart stores. Plans for expanding Plenty's retail presence throughout California and beyond are set to unfold in the coming summer months. For updated availability, interested consumers can refer to the store locator on Plenty's official website.
Jack Porter, an associate of Harvard's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, received a distressing letter from Harvard on Wednesday, suggesting that his late wife Raya's remains may have been impacted in a body part trafficking operation. The shocking news coincided with the indictment of a former Harvard Medical School employee, Cedric Lodge, who was charged with stealing and selling organs and body parts before they were meant to be cremated. In total, seven individuals were named as participants in the illegal operation.
Harvard has been cooperating with federal authorities and investigating its records to determine which donors may have been affected. Unfortunately, they could not rule out the possibility that Raya Porter's remains might have been impacted. As more information emerges, the university will keep in touch with the affected families.
Jack Porter was shocked by the news, recalling that he received his wife's cremated remains in February 2019 and had distributed them respectfully. Harvard had handled the donation appropriately and covered the funeral costs. However, Porter is now concerned that security protocols may not have been strictly followed.
He revealed that most families are deeply distressed by the situation, and he might be among the few who have agreed to interviews. Despite his shock, Porter doesn't hold hatred for Mr. Lodge, expressing pity for him instead. He shared that several factors are helping him cope, including the fact that his wife passed away six years ago and that he is a sociologist, trying to understand the mindset of those involved.
Raya Porter, a talented gynecologist in her native Ukraine, had donated her body to Harvard Medical School to further scientific and medical training for future doctors. Unfortunately, her generous decision has left her husband and other bereaved family members with many unanswered questions. The federal investigation into the body part trafficking ring is ongoing, and Porter and others affected hope that some of the missing parts can be recovered.
Jack Porter's wife, Raya, passed away in 2017 after battling colon cancer that had spread to her liver. Her body was in Harvard's possession for about a year and three months, which coincides with the period when Lodge allegedly started the operation.
Harvard terminated Lodge's employment in March 2022 after the federal investigation came to light. Lodge had been working at the university since 1995, and his responsibilities included handling anatomical donors' bodies and coordinating embalming and storage.
As the investigation continues, the affected families are left to grapple with the horrifying consequences of this illegal operation, hoping that justice will be served and some closure can be found.
In the early 1980s, Maine was a place where gays and lesbians faced discrimination without any legal protection. It was a time when the murder of a young gay man, Charlie Howard, sent shockwaves through the community and ignited a movement for civil rights. But amid these challenges, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of "Our Paper," a pioneering LGBT newspaper founded in 1983.
At a time when the LGBTQ+ acronym was not widely recognized, "Our Paper" aimed to bring together a community that often felt like outsiders. Many individuals were still in the closet, fearing the consequences of being open about their sexual orientation, such as losing their jobs or homes. The newspaper provided a crucial connection for these individuals, offering information and acting as a forum for expressing their outrage in the aftermath of Charlie Howard's murder.
The early founders of "Our Paper" faced significant obstacles. After only two issues, the paper was refused publication by The Kennebec Journal due to what they deemed "tasteless content," particularly information on AIDS risk-reduction. The newspaper also faced a temporary ban from the Portland Public Library for printing a "safe-sex test" with objectionable material.
Yet, despite these challenges, "Our Paper" persisted. It chronicled the struggle for state civil rights legislation, including the addition of "sexual orientation" to the Maine Human Rights Act. The paper reported on significant events like the firing of Rev. Barry Wood from Saint Luke’s Cathedral for performing a commitment ceremony for two women. It also exposed instances of discrimination, such as an inn on Mount Desert Island refusing to rent a room to two women who wanted to share a bed and frequent assaults against gay men at Denny's Restaurant.
One of the driving forces behind "Our Paper" was the unfolding AIDS crisis, which was claiming many lives without effective treatments. The newspaper fought to provide essential health information during this crisis, even facing attempts to prevent distribution and printing of such material.
Fred Berger, one of the early founders, highlighted the newspaper's impact in shaping public perception of AIDS. An interview with an AIDS patient published in "Our Paper" helped bring the issue out of the closet, and the paper was ahead of its time in addressing the personal impact of the crisis on the community.
Today, as we look back almost 40 years later, we can see how "Our Paper" played a pivotal role in Maine's journey toward progress and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. From fighting discrimination to shedding light on the AIDS crisis, this upstart newspaper left a lasting legacy, paving the way for increased acceptance, same-sex marriage, and a clearer understanding of transgender issues.
In an effort to tackle the pressing water crisis in the Western United States, the Biden Administration, along with the states along the Colorado River, has reached a groundbreaking agreement to conserve an unprecedented amount of the river's precious water supply.
The deal, announced on May 22, sees the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada pledging to save an additional 3 million acre-feet of Colorado River Water by the end of 2026. This amounts to about 13 percent of their total water allocation from the river. In exchange for their commitment, the federal government has agreed to compensate the three states for three-quarters of the water savings, a sum of around $1.2 billion. The funds will be sourced from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and will be used to support Native American tribes, farmers, cities, and other stakeholders who voluntarily forgo their water supplies.
The Colorado River is a lifeline for the region, but it has faced immense challenges over the last two decades. Severe droughts, population growth, and climate change have taken a toll on its water supply. The three Lower Basin states, recognizing the gravity of the situation, have agreed to temporarily reduce their water usage to prevent water levels from plummeting to a critical level that could jeopardize major cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix, as well as productive farmlands.
The negotiations leading to this agreement were not without their hurdles, with almost a year of talks and missed deadlines. The plan aims to safeguard two of the largest reservoirs in the US, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which have suffered from the river's diminished natural water flow, down by approximately 20 percent due to recent droughts. In fact, during the summer of 2022, water levels fell so drastically that officials were concerned about the functioning of the hydroelectric turbines.
Earlier, in June 2022, the federal government urged the seven states that rely on the Colorado River, including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming, to find ways to reduce their water usage by two to four million acre-feet per year. However, no consensus was reached among the states, and the federal government even considered unilateral water cuts last summer. Fortunately, behind closed doors, negotiations were underway to avoid imposing cuts that could lead to legal challenges and further delays.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland praised the agreement as a testament to the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to finding consensus solutions amidst climate change and persistent droughts, emphasizing the importance of water access to millions of people, tribal nations, and communities in the Colorado River Basin.
Although this agreement is a significant step forward, it is not the final outcome. The deal still needs formal adoption by the federal government, and parties have also agreed to a new proposal that will undergo analysis by the Interior Department. The ultimate challenge lies ahead as all seven states relying on the Colorado River may face an even deeper water reckoning by 2026.
While a wet winter helped alleviate the crisis to some extent, it is not a long-term solution. The demand for water still far exceeds its supply. Climate scientist Wei Zhang highlights that the heavy snow and rain from the past winter will boost the river's stream flow, but it won't be sufficient to address the underlying water problem.
As the negotiations continue, the future of the Colorado River remains uncertain. It's a battle against time and nature, and all parties involved must strive to find sustainable solutions to ensure this vital waterway doesn't run dry.
Dimeo Lane Resource Recovery Center is a bustling hub where trash is transformed through a remarkable process. A dedicated team of three navigates the challenges of backing up a trash truck onto the Food Scrap Pre-Processor's narrow ramp. The truck unloads its contents into the processor, initiating a conversion that yields a brown mash resembling a unique blend of applesauce. Leslie O'Malley, the waste reduction program manager for the City of Santa Cruz, humorously explains that mixing all the colors of the rainbow results in brown.
The Food Scraps Recovery Program, operational for nearly a year, is a response to the SB1383 mandate to reduce organic waste by 75% compared to 2014 levels by 2025. This reduction is critical for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, with landfill methane and food scraps being the third-largest contributors.
Every week, an astonishing 33 to 40 tons of raw food scraps arrive at the facility from commercial and residential units in Santa Cruz. After undergoing pre-processing, the material continues its journey in tanks aboard another truck to Sustainable Organic Solutions in Santa Clara, where it is transformed into animal feed. O'Malley clarifies that the waste is not pig slop, but rather processed into pellets for animal consumption, with some portions utilized for biodiesel and fertilizer production.
Unlike nearby Watsonville, which combines food scraps with yard waste and transports it to an industrial composter in Marina, Santa Cruz has chosen a different approach. The city utilizes the food-scrap processor to minimize the carbon footprint associated with transportation. O'Malley explains that commingling yard waste and food scraps would have required seven trucks a day to Marina solely for that purpose, adding the complexity of collecting recycling and garbage. With the current system, Sustainable Organic Solutions collects the waste every ten to fourteen days.
Furthermore, the food scraps processor paves the way for a future transition to a localized solution—digesting the food waste at Santa Cruz's Wastewater Treatment Facility. O'Malley envisions incorporating food waste digestion and energy capture in the city's own "waste-shed," considering the facility's proximity within six to ten miles of the processor.
However, challenges persist. John Lippi, a former sanitation supervisor overseeing operations at the Resource Recovery Center, faces ongoing issues. Plastic bags, both conventional and compostable, frequently entangle the machinery, causing disruptions. Lippi emphasizes the need to avoid their usage to ensure smooth machinery operations. Maintaining the optimal moisture content in the mash also poses a concern, requiring meticulous monitoring and occasional adjustments using agricultural material.
Santa Cruz has implemented an extensive outreach program to educate residents about the system. Last August, single-family homes received postcards explaining food scraps collection, along with six-gallon brown pails for convenient participation. Implementing the program in multi-family residences presents additional complexities. Residents in buildings with five or more units coordinate with property managers, who then arrange for counter-top pail collectors and central food scrap collection containers in collaboration with the city. Additional staff members have been hired to streamline enrollment for over 400 multi-family residences in Santa Cruz.
The success of achieving the 75% reduction goal will be evaluated through a Waste Characterization Study, categorizing and measuring waste in representative trash truck loads by third-party contractors. Despite challenges and occasional reassessment, O'Malley remains optimistic about the dedication and momentum in meeting the SB1383 targets.
While the Food Scraps Recovery Program is a positive step, O'Malley emphasizes prevention as the most effective means of combating food-waste-related greenhouse gas emissions. She urges individuals to reconsider their relationship with food, shifting from reliance on disposal methods to reducing food waste at its source. O'Malley advocates for the three Rs of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, emphasizing the importance of working together to make a significant impact.
In a case of real estate gone wild, the owners of a vacation rental in Glen Ellen were in for a nutty surprise when they discovered that acorn woodpeckers had transformed their property into a giant storage unit. Exterminator Nick Castro stumbled upon this astonishing sight while inspecting the home for mealworms in December, revealing a whopping 700 pounds of acorns tucked away within the home's chimney.
Castro, the owner of Nick's Extreme Pest Control in Santa Rosa, was left dumbfounded by the sheer scale of this unconventional hoarding endeavor. "I've never seen anything like that," he remarked. "The more acorns I pulled out from the wall, the more there were. It felt like it wasn't going to end."
The culprits behind this spectacle were a pair of acorn woodpeckers, renowned for their clownish faces and striking red caps. These big-eyed birds are notorious for squirreling away vast amounts of acorns, but their choice of storage location left the homeowners flabbergasted. The woodpeckers had pecked holes in the chimney stack and ingeniously concealed their treasure trove inside.
The previous owners of the house had taken measures to protect their abode after the woodpeckers wreaked havoc on its wood siding. They wrapped the structure in vinyl, hoping to deter further mischief. However, it appears that the determined birds were undeterred by this defensive barrier. Instead, they ingeniously dropped their precious oak nuts down the chimney stack, bypassing the vinyl blockade.
Castro and his crew embarked on a mission to liberate the rental property from this unconventional storage solution. With sheer determination and a dash of laughter, they managed to extract over 700 pounds of acorns from the chimney. "We could barely pick up the bags," Castro chuckled.
According to Castro's estimations, the woodpeckers had been amassing their stash for a period ranging from two to five years. Unfortunately, the accumulated stockpile had been rendered unusable due to the presence of fiberglass and rat droppings, so it was swiftly discarded.
Acorn woodpeckers are commonly found in oak and mixed oak-evergreen forests along the West Coast and in the Southwest. These resourceful birds usually drill small holes in dead trees during the fall, collecting acorns and storing them in the holes to sustain themselves throughout the winter. Some trees become multi-generational storage units, boasting up to 50,000 holes.
However, as Castro's peculiar discovery demonstrates, these birds sometimes exhibit unusual storage habits. Scott Jennings, an avian ecologist with Marin County nonprofit Audubon Canyon Ranch, suggests that this behavior could be attributed to the woodpeckers adapting to an ever-changing landscape. When their natural habitats are encroached upon by human infrastructure, these resilient birds find innovative ways to accommodate themselves.
"It's an anecdote I've heard a lot," Jennings commented.
In the end, the homeowners can rest assured that their vacation rental is now free from acorn-infested walls. The acorn woodpeckers have left behind an indelible mark, serving as a reminder that even the most seemingly ordinary creatures can surprise us with their resourcefulness and penchant for unconventional real estate ventures.