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Luxury Travel, Austin-style
Does a luxury travel and wine bar belong in Austin? Ask the guy who started The Departure Lounge
On a recent Friday downtown, the new Departure Lounge at Fifth and Guadalupe Streets is mellow, except for founder Keith Waldon, who is talking very quickly as we sit on black, leather, armless chairs that — to my surprise — tilt backward as you settle into them. Concentrating on staying upright as I pour hot tea from an elaborate, oversized bronze teapot designed like a vintage airplane, I’m distracted by the flat-screen TVs surrounding me, depicting “travel” images. Grinning Caribbean children in Carnaval colors and miles of white beaches fill up the Anguilla screen, while another monitor broadcasts huge orange sunsets and friendly looking large lions to promote an upcoming event at the lounge: "A Taste of Africa with Condé Nast Traveler Specialist Ryan Hilton."
The Departure Lounge — a luxury travel agency that doubles as a coffee and wine bar — would be a strange concept anywhere, but it seems like an especially strange one here in Austin. It’s hard to imagine a luxury travel agency and chi-chi wine bar concept fitting into the identity of our quirky, DIY, local-centric and not necessarily one-percenter-friendly city. It seems like it might be a more coastal fit — perfect for, say, New York or Los Angeles. Or at least neighboring, wealth-driven Dallas?
The Departure Lounge — a luxury travel agency that doubles as a coffee and wine bar — seems like an especially strange concept in Austin.
But Waldon did his research, and he insists that Austinites need a place like the Departure Lounge — and not because he’s trying to "Dallas Our Austin." Waldon — who has been in the luxury travel field for more than 25 years — conducted a full market study and found 85,000 Austin households that fit his specific target income market and were also frequent luxury travelers. Surveying about 220 Austinites who are active and avid travelers, Waldon asked them what they would want from a travel company.
“'It needs to be upscale, but not Dallas' — probably 80 percent of the people I interviewed said almost those exact words,” said Waldon, who took that to mean they didn't want something stuffy. “But they also told me they wanted upscale, which told me they were missing that,” Waldon explained.
The Internet may have made a brick-and-mortar travel agency seems like a relic, but Waldon says that not having "some way for the community locally to engage with the subject of travel bothered me,” and a bar setting seemed like a logical place for that. His follow-up question for the Austinites he surveyed was “Where are you when you’re talking about travel?” Answers varied — from friends’ houses to bars to cocktail parties — but the answer almost “always involved some form of drinking.”
There’s a business advantage in Waldon’s blended concept, too: while the travel advisory business typically has a low profit margin, using the space as a restaurant allows him to afford the high rent at the location; he also rents out the space for private events, especially during SXSW.
“'It needs to be upscale, but not Dallas' — probably 80 percent of the people I interviewed said almost those exact words.” — Departure Lounge founder Keith Waldon
Waldon estimates that about 60 percent of the people who have used the Departure Lounge’s travel services have just wandered in, for coffee or a glass of wine, and have been convinced — by servers who are trained to “subtly engage” guests on the travel services offered — to book through the Departure Lounge. Many clients come from the W residencies and other downtown residential buildings nearby. While the majority of Waldon’s clients are in their 40s to 60s, they have also catered to plenty of young, well-off twentysomethings planning "guys' getaways" or honeymoons — many coming from nearby tech office buildings, such as Facebook’s headquarters across the street.
When I was sitting in the lounge and leafing through the hotel look book Waldon offered me — an awe-inspiring spread on the world’s five-star hotels — the Departure Lounge felt like a novelty for my twentysomething, freelancing self; it was a place to experience wanderlust and fantasize — sort of like reading Condé Nast's travel magazine. I’m probably not going to any of the places any time soon, but I’d like to think I will some day.
The coffee, “boutique” wine selection and truffles — designed to evoke sense of other cities (Eiffel Tower-shaped chocolate with Champagne-flavored filling being a prime example) — are not out of the ordinary for our foodie city. Though the sorts of people who are frequent “luxury travelers” might not fit the mold of a typical Austinite, if Waldon’s early success is any marker, there are plenty of Austinites looking to travel well, and often, and be advised about it over wine.
Downtown — and our city — might be changing, and the Departure Lounge might not be a typical Austin scene on the surface. But Waldon seized on a target market and, focusing on technology and design, created a new way of doing local business that’s like nowhere else in the world. That’s about as Austin as it gets.


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Digital canteens, green veggies and boiled food: Workplace eating habits will change in 2021
The focus on immunity-boosting menus has increased.
When Covid crisis hit, this company excelled by putting its workforce & employees first
Dinesh Deo on how organisational culture can make all...
Silicon Valley has its eyes on start-up that makes whisky age in days with same aroma, colour & taste
Bespoken Spirits's patent-pending syste...
Phasing out plastic: what is the alternative?
Compostable, eco-friendly bagasse is great for replacing plastic when you need disposable plates, cups or takeout boxes. Bagasse is made from the pulp that is leftover when the juice is extracted from sugarcane or beets. It can be used for other purposes, such as a biofuel.
Google's green move: New Nest Mini, made from recycled plastic, comes to India at Rs 4,499
The company claims to brings twice the bass in the same compact size.
Early work on for safe replacement of plastics
Small steps point to a completely new science in dealing with the plastics problem.
A 'superb gesture': PM Modi lauds Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan's 'Coolie No. 1' for going plastic-free on set
Dhawan had shared a picture of the cast and crew with steel water bottles instead of plastic ones.
India goes green: Khadi stores get new paper bags, made with recycled single-use plastic waste
The first-of-a-kind product is made with 20% recycled single-use plastic waste.
Top market trend: Bottle cap challenge
Never mind the ‘$5 trillion economy by 2024’ challenge. Try this for kicks.
PM Modi goes green for swearing-in ceremony; 7K handmade paperbags made from waste plastic distributed
The bags were given to the dignitaries to keep their water bottles.
Plastic addiction, a worldwide epidemic
As that is what restaurants spend on takeaway packaging anyway, it’s a win-win option.
Glass bottles, paper straws check in as Hotel chains go plastic-free
Hotel chains such as Hilton, Hyatt and ITC Hotels said they have adopted measures such as replacing plastic straws with paper, restricting food takeaway packaging to cardboard.
Meet Sangeetha Ramanuj, the 15-year-old who uses plastic bottles to make musical instruments
The student wants to promote the message of recycling through her music.
Now, recycle plastic bottles at Railway station and get Paytm cashback
Under the scheme, passengers will get a cashback of Rs 5 in their Paytm wallet for dropping a plastic bottle into the crushing machine
Seaweed solution to plastic bottle crisis
London, April 9 (IANS) Pointing at a solution to plastic packaging, Narayana Peesapaty from Hyderabad has designed an edible spoon made of millet flour that can be a proxy dessert after one's lunch or dinner, a media report said.
Indian companies contest plastic in water bottles study
The findings suggested that a person who drinks a litre of bottled water a day might be consuming tens of thousands of microplastic particles each year.
World Cancer Day: Here's why you should stop drinking water from plastic bottles
When the plastic bottle comes in contact with heat, it releases toxic chemicals which mixes with the water.

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Subaru Corp. on Aug. 5 slightly raised its basic EPS guidance for fiscal 2020 after reporting first-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations.
The Tokyo-based automaker now expects basic EPS for the year to be ¥273.88 compared with the previous guidance of ¥273.68.
For the first quarter ended June 30, the company's basic EPS came in at ¥86.67, beating the S&P Global Market Intelligence GAAP EPS estimate of ¥72.24.
Operating profit also jumped 48.4% year over year to ¥92.21 billion for the three-month period, while revenue totaled ¥833.42 billion, up 16% year over year.
As of Aug. 2, US$1 was equivalent to ¥106.67.


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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka should restrict imports of milk powder and dairy products as the island was cable of meeting most of its needs domestically, Harry Jayawardena, chairman of Stassen group, who also heads several other firms, has said.
“We spent millions of dollars to import milk powder and dairy products,” he said.
“And ultimately we went to buy cows but all those cows were sick. We are wasting so much money on these things and we should stop this.
“We can produce these products in our country for consumption and also to export,” Jayawardena told a forum held by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.
“We have all the resources we need inside the country. We have everything we want to build our economy. The problem is why we haven’t done anything yet.”
In export markets however there are no governments to restrict freedoms of children and others to drink milk, and big dairy businesses have to compete with similar firms in other countries to win business.
Jayawardena gave the example of Ceylon cinnamon which he said was seen as the world’s best cinnamon.
“ . . . but what we do is we import them and resell. These things happen because decision makers do not take decisions correctly.”
Jayawardena said the main problem in the country is politics.
“It has corrupted everything including me.”
He also criticized lack of consistency in government policies, saying it was bad for business.
“There are no fixed policies, policies change every five years. There is no discipline.”
Jayawardena said the reason neighboring countries are ahead of Sri Lanka is that they have got their act together with their politicians have understood what their countries need.
“So the first thing we must have is proper policies and laws that don’t change from time to time.”
His business tactic is to monopolies. He failed in liquor, banking and the port. Now trying with milk. The ultimate sin stock proprietor.


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LG had essentially released two flagship devices in 2015, the LG G4 and the LG V10. The LG G4 is more of a regular device that everyone expected LG to introduce, while the LG V10 was a breath of fresh air, in a way. This is a 5.7-inch phablet which actually comes with a secondary ‘ticker’ display, which is placed above the phone’s main panel. The LG V10 was actually a well-built, sleek-looking smartphone which managed to intrigue quite a few people, and some people are eagerly awaiting to see what will the LG V20 have to offer.
The LG G5 sales are not exactly going according to plan for the company, so LG is hoping that the V20 is going to improve their smartphone sales for this year. The company had already confirmed that the device will arrive next month, and that it will ship with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, but we had no idea when exactly is the company planning to release their newest phablet, until now, that is. The company has just confirmed that the LG V20 will be announced on September 6th in San Francisco, and September 7th in Seoul. LG has also released a teaser image for the LG V20’s launch, as you can see, and it contains the ‘Play More’ and ‘the second story begins’ taglines. This teaser image does not reveal any additional details when it comes to the LG V20, but that was to be expected.
Now, according to leaked specs, the LG V20 will sport a 5.5-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080), which seems quite odd actually, not only will its display be smaller than the one utilized in the V10, but the resolution will also be 1080p instead of QHD. Keep in mind this is just a leak, and the only leak we have at the moment, but take it with a grain of salt, it seems odd LG would backtrack to a fullHD panel. Anyhow, in addition to this, the leak also said that the phone will be available in both 3GB and 4GB RAM variants, while those models will ship with 32GB and 64GB of storage, respectively. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 64-bit quad-core SoC will fuel the LG V20, while a 4,000mAh battery will also be a part of this package. The 20-megapixel camera is expected to be located on the back of the LG V20, at least according to the leaked info, while an 8-megapixel shooter will be available up front.


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The Jakarta Post
Those looking for affordable, ready-to-assemble furniture products of world renowned IKEA shall no longer be bound for Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, as the company will set foot in Indonesia from 2014.
Indonesian publicly-listed retail giant PT Hero Supermarket (HERO) was the one tapping the opportunity to secure the franchise of IKEA, whose concept and trademark are owned by Netherlands-based Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
Both companies inked the franchise development deal last Thursday, according to a statement submitted to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) on Monday.
“According to the franchise development agreement, IKEA gives rights and responsibilities to the company [Hero] to open and operate IKEA stores in Indonesia,” the statement said, without providing details on the investment value and store locations.
“The company [Hero] must establish IKEA stores ...


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HP Inc. has announced HP Indigo Secure, a new suite of security and brand protection solutions.
The company hopes that these solutions will help security printers and print service providers protect their customers from counterfeiters and other product threats, the impact of which is estimated to reach $4.2 trillion, globally, in the next few years.
In tandem with this announcement, HP has also unveiled the HP Indigo 6K Secure Press, the first HP Indigo digital press designed especially for the security printing market, delivering end-to-end security solutions featuring multi-security layers printed in one pass.
The HP Indigo Secure suite includes hardware, software, media, and inks for security printing and brand protection, based on proprietary HP Indigo LEP technology and partner solutions.
According to the company, its new suite offers printers the ability to mix and match a wide range of innovative and advanced security elements and designs that are easy to print and hard to copy.
Capabilities include multi-layered measures of overt and covert elements, with any combination of invisible inks, infrared inks, variable data printing, unique serialized IDs, QR codes, serialized microtext, guilloche patterns, and cloud-connected track and trace.
HP Indigo Secure is designed for governments, financial institutions, and other institutions that handle currency, personal identifications, and other secure documents as well as documents worth money, such as tax stamps, gaming documents, and more.
Meanwhile, the brand protection solutions are designed for brands that are increasingly forced to confront counterfeiting issues.
“With the rise in counterfeiting, brands and governments are searching for new ways to help reduce intellectual property violations, losses, and keep the general public safe,” says Ronen Yancu, head of strategy and business management at HP Indigo.
“The new security printing options enabled by LEP digital technology and our solution partners will help meet these needs in ways that were not possible before.”


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After a nearly a year-and-a-half at anchor following a delayed launched, Virgin Voyages is finally [...]
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A company selling custom puppy socks struggled to meet holiday season orders.
MoviePass claims you can see unlimited movies for $9 a month, but what's the catch?
Before you hand a baby stroller or car seat to a gate agent, hear what happened to one couple with a young child.
When getting rid of your old electronics, like cellphones and computers, whether selling them or throwing them away, do you think twice about…
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has the power to force the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative to…
Turnpike critics are calling the state’s toll roads a scam— and groups rallying for an end to the turnpike authority are gaining…


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In order of likelihood.
Is the NSA tracking you? Here's a cheat sheet The government can track where we go based on our cell phones.That's the latest revelation from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who has leaked details about so many spying programs since last June, it can be hard to keep track.Here's a cheat sheet of what we've learned so far, in order of how it impacts the average American. Very likely An Apple retail store in Shanghai, China. (AP)The revelation: The NSA is collecting search data, emails and website visits of ...View "Is the NSA tracking you? Here's a cheat sheet " on Spundge


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At its Media conference in Cupertino, San Francisco, Apple unveiled the iPhone SE, it’s one of the cheapest iPhone model to the date. The starting price of iPhone SE is expected to be somewhere around Rs. 30,000 INR Rs. 39,000 INR, and Apple also said that iPhone SE will be available to order on March 24 and go on sale on March 31.
The iPhone SE packed with a 4-inch display and comes in two storage options as 16GB and 64GB. It has the similar features and specifications as the iPhone 6s, which Apple launched last year. Apple also unveiled that the new accessories such as leather cases in black and midnight blue, which will be available at Rs. 2,900 INR. The Lightning Docks will be available at Rs. 3,700 INR.
The new Apple smartphone is meant to address both the demand for a smaller screen iPhone, as well as the demand for a cheap iPhone. The Apple iPhone SE features and specs are similar to the iPhone 6s, but comes with a design and form factor that’s reminiscent of the iPhone 5s; the company’s last 4 inch iPhone.
Looking almost identical to the iPhone 5s, the iPhone SE comes with the same colour variants introduced with the iPhone 6s including Rose Gold. It also features more rounded edges on the top and bottom panels, more like the iPhone 6 than the iPhone 5s.
So, if you are looking for the perfect smartphone with leading brand then iPhone SE is something you should look once.


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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and U.S. tech company Akamai Technologies have partnered to develop a blockchain technology service.
The service according to the firms, will drastically reduce transaction times without compromising security.
The news marks the latest plunge by a large corporation in the blockchain space, as leaders across industries.
Akamai Labs Chief Technology Officer, Andy Champagne said the new blockchain service is best-suited for making traditional payments online.
He said the service could also pave the way for “micropayment-type transactions” in a world where connected devices on the Internet of Things (IoT) operate autonomously.
He revealed that the payment network application with Mitsubishi should roll out in early 2020.
Report by: Stephanie Horsu


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Shoppers around the world value privacy and security most when buying online, and are most likely to abandon a shopping cart simply because they’ve changed their mind about buying the product—not so much because of factors like long delivery times or non-acceptance of preferred payment methods.
These are among the results of a global survey released Friday by online payments provider 2Checkout.com Inc., which says it canvassed more than 1,000 consumers across 130 countries between May and July.
While the most frequent cause of cart abandonment, at 39%, is a change of mind about the product, unexpected fees at checkout comes in a close second, at 37%, while “insufficient product details” also ranks high, at 31%. And though the absence of a preferred payment method doesn’t make the top three, it was cited by more than a quarter of respondents (27%).
A change of mind is something retailers can’t control, but they can do something about the other factors, 2Checkout advises. “According to respondents, cart abandonment can be curbed by offering discounts (preferred by 38 percent) or by simply sending reminders (effective for 34 percent),” the company says in a release disclosing the survey results.
The “Online Shopper Behavior” survey also shines a spotlight on the importance of security to consumers worldwide. At 76%, data security and privacy rank highest among factors that consumers consider when deciding to buy from an online merchant. However, reputation and clear policies also register at more than 70%. And acceptance of “my preferred payment method” comes close, at 69%.
Consumers’ emphasis on security shouldn’t surprise vendors in an industry that has seen repeated data breaches in recent years, including a massive one at the credit-reporting agency Equifax Inc. in 2017 that saw the theft of 148 million records. “This is yet another reason why merchants need to carefully select their digital- commerce partners and pay closer attention to compliance and industry standards,” said Erich Litch, president and chief operating officer at Atlanta-based 2Checkout, in a statement.
PayPal ranks high among preferred payment methods, used by 39% of respondents. Only credit and debit cards, at 63%, rank higher. Even in online shopping, cash continues to appeal to consumers worldwide. It places third at 16%.


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Siddharth Parekh, managing partner of Paragon Ventures and an existing investor, has also invested an additional $150K (INR 1 Cr) in his personal capacity.
Founded in 2013 by Abhishek Agarwal and Rajiv Raj, CreditVidya is a B2B technology platform that uses big data and advanced machine learning techniques to provide credit scores to consumers, banking and financial institutions. According to the founders, more than 10,000 data points are collected and referred to, before arriving at a particular score. CreditVidya counts financial institutions, such as, Fullerton India, Bajaj Finserv, IDFC Bank, Tata Capital and Shriram Housing Finance among its clientele.
The startup typically earns its fee by charging lenders for every credit score requested by them..
Abhishek Agarwal, founder and CEO of CreditVidya, said, “Our big data platform leverages over 10,000-plus such unique digital data points to assess the creditworthiness of a potential borrower. We work very closely with our lending partners to develop customised scorecards for their product offering so that they can approve more creditworthy customers.”
The startup plans to use the proceeds to further build its technology platform, launch new products and expand its headcount, with a particular focus on ramping up its data sciences team.
CreditVidya is in direct competition with startups like CrediWatch and KredX. Moreover, with the P2P platforms enrooting the lending landscape CreditVidya also competes with startups like i2ifunding and Faircent.
Welcome to Flash Feed, your essential source for breaking news and innovation from around the web – bite-sized and updated all day.


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Hewlett-Packard has released a tool designed to simplify the back-up and recovery of data from laptop PCs.
With a growing volume of information stored locally on notebook and desktop PCs, business risk data loss if local hard discs are not backed up.
HP Data Protector Notebook Extension allows businesses to back-up and recover data outside the corporate network, even while working remotely and offline. It expands back-up policies so local data is protected, even when a user is working offline.
Data is captured and backed up automatically each time a user changes, creates or receives a file. Data is then stored temporarily in a local repository pending transfer to the network data vault for full back-up and restore capabilities.
HP said the technology provides nonstop, transparent and automated protection for information created locally. With single-click recovery, users can recover their own files without initiating help desks calls, thereby minimising the burden on IT resources.
Businesses also can maximise bandwidth efficiency and better ensure security of information through HP Data Protector Notebook Extension's deduplication, data encryption and compression techniques, HP claimed. The user's storage footprint is reduced by deduplication of multiple copies of data. All of the user's data is then stored encrypted and compressed and the expired versions are cleaned up.


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If your healthcare organization isn’t considering mHealth in its efforts to improve treatment outcomes, promote patient engagement and increase profitability, chances are you’re falling behind the times. Mobile health isn’t just the future of healthcare anymore – it’s here now, patients are increasingly asking for it, and the big players in the industry have taken note.
With the success of health and fitness trackers like Fitbit and diet and exercise apps like MyFitnessPal, it’s obvious that consumer priorities are shifting. Patients want to be more active participants in their health and they’re looking for ways to do so by leveraging mHealth technologies – not surprising, considering 79 percent of smartphone users have their phone on or near them for most of the waking day.
It’s because of this that companies like Apple, Samsung and Google (not typically considered authorities in healthcare) are investing heavily in mHealth technologies and toolkits for developers to easily build healthcare-related mobile apps.
Here’s some of what the big players have in store:Apple
Apple entered the healthcare space earlier this year with the release of iOS8 and its HealthKit platform, which aggregates health, fitness and medical data from third-party devices and apps. The technology giant also announced strategic partnerships with software vendors Epic, Cerner and Athenahealth to develop applications that connect HealthKit to the vendors’ EHR systems, making it easy for for patients to share HealthKit data with their physicians and vice versa.
The company also announced the highly anticipated Apple Watch, a high-end wearable device that is set to go on sale in 2015 which will allow users to measure body movement, take their heart rate, and track health and fitness goals.
The biggest challenge for Apple and its foray into healthcare will be getting people to pay upwards of $400 for the Apple Watch. Their alliance with major EHR vendors, however, will almost certainly ensure success.Samsung
Samsung’s no newbie to the healthcare scene – they’ve been developing medical devices and healthcare solutions for years. They had a health app before Apple did, they released their Galaxy Gear watch last year, and they were also first to introduce a fitness wristband, the Gear Fit.
Plus, almost as an anticipated response to the Apple Watch, Samsung unveiled plans this year for a futurist health tracker it’s calling Simband. There’s no release date in sight yet, but the buzz surrounding the wearable band is huge. According to the company, Simband will be able to track things like blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, hydration level and the amount of carbon dioxide in the wearer’s blood by using wavelengths of light beamed at the skin.
Let’s face it, Simband sounds a lot cooler than the Apple Watch. But will Samsung users be ready to pay what is likely to be a hefty sum just to better monitor their health and fitness?Google
When it comes to healthcare, Google’s been there and failed (see: Google Health) – but they keep trying. And if anyone has the res to succeed, it’s Google.
In response to the release of Apple’s HealthKit, Google announced its own health data platform earlier this year called Google Fit, an open platform that will allow users to control their fitness data. The Internet giant is working with companies like Nike, Adidas, Polar, Intel and Runkeeper to develop fitness apps and devices that will integrate with Google Fit.
With Apple and Samsung being more established players in the mobile app game, it won’t be easy for Google to break in. Plus, the biggest problem with their app is that it won’t track health data, just fitness, making it an incomplete solution compared to its main competitors.Using mHealth to Improve Health Outcomes
Has your healthcare organization implemented or considered implementing an mHealth program? Studies show that even something as simple as text message reminders can go a long way towards improving patient care and increasing medication adherence. It can also improve profitability – just ask Kaiser Permanente. The healthcare provider conducted a pilot program a few years ago and reduced no-shows by 0.73 percent just by sending appointment reminders via text message, totaling over $275,000 in annual savings at one location alone.
Do you think mHealth has what it takes to get patients more involved in their health? If so, which health and wellness goals would you be most willing to encourage patients to track?
See more at: http://www.bridgepatientportal.com/blog/mhealth-the-game-changer-driving-patient-engagement/?utm_=Bridge+Patient+Portal+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7b556ea1c5-Mailchimp_Newsletter_10-28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff8f00dd0f-7b556ea1c5-220821133#sthash.xzBxgwXL.dpuf


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New logo to appear on Brembo products
The next time you use a Brembo product and see a slightly different logo, don't worry. It's not a fake.
Brembo has unveiled its new visual identity with a simpler and more modern design to reflect the brand's new direction. The new logo is softer, more rounded, and easier to read at any size, which is exactly what Brembo is aiming for in its digital activations.
Meanwhile, the trademark red color stays to embody the company's passion with its modernized shapes, ensuring Brembo's status as a staple braking systems brand.
Since the launch of the brand's new vision in 2020, Brembo aims to continue shaping the future of mobility. In case you didn't know, Brembo is transitioning from just being a brake systems supplier to a complete solutions provider with their pioneering AI-based intelligent braking system.
“The core element of this new identity is the restyling of our logo, which is recognized all over the world and has contributed to our company’s success. Now it embeds the notion of simplicity, with a modern and digital soul capturing Brembo’s forward-looking attitude. The new visual identity expresses both the company’s heritage and its evolution and it will inspire our future” said Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer.
Brembo's new logo will roll out globally across all of its digital and physical assets, including Brembo brake products.


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DEOS-UK BCIA Membership
We are now a member of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA)
DEOS-UK is pleased to announce they are now a member of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). Navid Mehr, Managing Director of DEOS-UK says: “We are delighted to be a part of a successful and dynamic association, …
B-AWS certified OPENweb 9
OPENweb 9 sales launch: now available in the Partner section
The latest version of the DEOS proprietary software for BACnet building management systems, OPENweb 9, which is now B-AWS certified and BTL listed, is available immediately in the DEOS Partner section.


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A theme park in Japan is opening a high-tech hotel that will be staffed by robots, according to the hotel's website. » Read More
Airline Virgin Australia has coughed up a whopping one Australian dollar to buy the 40 percent of Tiger Australia it didn't already own.
CNBC's Meg Tirrell reports some lawmakers are calling for travel restrictions to limit the potential spread of the deadly virus.
Hurricane Gonzalo struck Bermuda, knocking out most electricity as it lashed the tiny island chain with sustained winds topping 100 miles per hour.
CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports Frontier Airlines has removed from service the aircraft carrying the health care worker diagnosed with Ebola.
Taxi hailing app Hailo has decided to shut down its operations in North America in the face of "astronomical" marketing costs.
Flying business class from Asia to London or New York is expensive, but a new index highlights large differences in the cost of buying a ticket in different Asian cities.
Experts in the killer virus warned CNBC that airport screening was unlikely to prevent another potential victim from entering the U.S.
E-cig consumption is on track to pass regular cigarettes in a decade, but for now, rules on where you can smoke are often unclear.
An airlines passenger claimed he was infected with the Ebola virus. Once on the ground, hazmat-suited medics escorted the man off the plane, reports CNBC's Joe Kernen.
Those with a few million to spare should consider investing in ski chalets, for which prices have risen by nearly 6 percent over the last year.
CNBC's Meg Tirrell provides an update on screening measures at airports, including an increase in passport checks and a strike at New York's LaGuardia Airport over Ebola concerns.
Authorities are investigating a burglary at a museum honoring New York Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra.
Manji Cheto, vice president at Teneo Intelligence, says Ebola is still "contained" but travel bans will be ineffective to stop its spread.
Bedbugs have not gone away, they've just found new places to hide. But the answer to the problem might be closer than you think.
Prices are going up for business travelers and, at least for now, they're willing to spend, according to a new report.
A smoking ban in Asia's Las Vegas is sparking concerns that the policy could stub out the city's gaming outlook.
The famed Waldorf Astoria hotel, famously called "the greatest of them all," is now the most expensive of them all, after selling for $1.95 billion.
Britain's Virgin Atlantic Airways is to close its Little Red domestic airline next year, less than two years after it was launched.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings announced on Monday it has sold the Waldorf Astoria New York to Anbang Insurance Group for $1.95 billion.
The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 resumed in the Indian Ocean on Monday following a four-month pause.
Millennials are increasingly spending money on novel, experience-driven events, leaving retailers to adapt.
The 142nd running of the Derby is almost here. And if you think you'll ever go, you should know how to do it right.
Expedia Chairman Barry Diller reflects on buying Expedia shortly after the September 11th attacks, and the impact of Airbnb's business model.
The updated version of Tesla's Model S car has a secret just waiting to be unlocked, reports The Verge.
Two major auto-centric companies are teaming up to change the way we use taxis, reports The Wall Street Journal.
San Francisco Fed President John Williams said Thursday two or three interest rate increases this year is "reasonable."


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General Motors couldn’t wait to reveal the new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra at the Detroit Auto Show in January. They pulled the sheets off their new full-size stallions this week at a film studio in motor city with a bold message to the truck world.
"Our competitors may think they have smooth sailing ahead but the weather is about to change," said Mark Reuss, President of GM North America while introducing the new Sierra and Silverado. "This is different from our competition and we think it will work.” (1)
Those are fighting words from General Motors, who for years has trailed Ford and their F-150 for the title of best-selling truck in America. For 2014 GM decided to draw a line in the sand, and cliché as it might sound, basically declare that their new pickups are flat-out the toughest, most capable on the road.
General Motors’ game plan is to "go after the traditional, core pickup buyer who doesn't want some newfangled powertrain or air-suspension system,” saidDave Sullivan, a product analyst at consulting firm AutoPacific Inc. (1)
"Our customers rely on their trucks to meet the day-to-day challenges of earning a living, running a business," said Reuss,"Chevrolet is committed to giving truck customers the most refined, best-engineered pickups in the market." (1)
The new angle is a direct reaction to the king-pin F-150, which has been breaking with traditional pickup truck standards recently in heavily-marketed attempts to keep power ratings up while significantly improving fuel economy.
It’s been hard to watch an NFL football game recently without seeing a commercial advertising Ford’s V8 alternative, the turbocharged EcoBoost V6 now available in the F-150. Soon Dennis Leary will be chain smoking cigarettes in the press box next to Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth.
The 2014 Sierra and Silverado won’t use a turbo charged V6 of their own to compete with Ford’s EcoBoost and GM is proud of it. Instead they plan to hang their hat on improving efficiency without compromising the utilitarian standards truck owners have come to expect.
At the heart of the mission are three new engine options which are part of GM’s new Eco Tec3 family: A 5.3-liter V-8, 6.2-liter V-8 and 4.3 naturally aspirated V-6. GM expects each engine to achieve better fuel economy than its predecessor when the EPA mileage ratings are released early next year.
“We believe these are the most technologically advanced engines ever offered in light-duty pickups, and they are 100 percent truck – specifically designed for the way customers use trucks in the real world,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer and program manager. (2)
Fuel-saving technologies in the new Eco Tec3 engines include:
- Direct fuel injection.
- Continuously variable valve timing.
- Cylinder deactivation, which under light loads will turn both the V6 and V8’s into V4’s. (3)
Each engine in the trio use aluminum blocks and cylinder heads for weight reduction and will be mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. Sources say GM is working on an 8spd transmission but it likely won’t be offered for at least another year. (2)
“This is technology no other truck maker can match, and we offer it in every one of our EcoTec3 engines, for every one of our customers,” said Lee. “It is not an extra cost feature. You get our best and most sophisticated technology regardless of trim level.” (2)
Although no official specifications have been released for the Sierra or Silverado as of yet GM is already talking with a lot of “toughest truck on the road” confidence. The new V-6 will claim best-in-class-torque of any base V-6. This year’s more powerful 5.3L V8 is expected to increase its fuel economy lead over competitors’ V-8’s and engineers claim the 6.2L V8 will earn top power, torque and tow ratings of any true half-ton truck. (4)
While GM has been very clear their new Eco Tec3 engines will be more efficient than the engines they replace they haven’t been as specific as to how they will stack up to competitors’ fuel economy ratings. They did however challenge Motor Trendto compare the fuel economy of all their truck models against similarly equipped competitors while towing and hauling, claiming that their non-turbo engines will be more efficient in real world use and have lower ownership costs.
GM is sending a clear message they believe their customers want trucks that put real-world capability before fuel economy, the kind of trucks that live up to commercials where forklifts drop smaller forklifts into their beds from six feet in the air. That’s a serious stance to take as the Silverado and Sierra are the company’s best-selling model line and biggest profit source. (1)
Will keeping it pickup truck real work for GM? Only time will tell.
(2) General Motors
(4) Motor Trend


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July 14, 2022
BEIJING – Virtual and augmented reality technologies, which are vital components to creating a virtual presence in the metaverse, are expected to witness rapid growth in the next few years and inject fresh impetus into a wide range of sectors like education, healthcare and entertainment, said a report released by market consultancy International Data Corp.
Data from IDC showed that the investment scale of the global AR and VR market was close to $14.67 billion in 2021, and is expected to increase to $74.73 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 38.5 percent. Specifically, the CAGR of the Chinese market is expected to reach 43.8 percent during this period, ranking first across the globe.
IDC said the IT-related expenditure in China’s AR and VR market reached about $2.13 billion in 2021 and will increase to $13.08 billion in 2026, making it the second-largest market in the world. Specifically, AR expenditure will increase rapidly with a 49 percent CAGR, while VR expenditure will maintain steady growth with a 41.5 percent CAGR.
AR/VR hardware products will grow steadily with a CAGR of 47.8 percent in China, which is likely to occupy more than half of the country’s AR/VR expenditure, the report said.
IDC predicted that over the next five years, VR games will account for 30 percent of the country’s total VR market. Games, training and collaboration are expected to become the main application scenarios of VR in 2026.
A hot tech buzzword, metaverse promises a future in which the virtual and physical worlds are inextricably interconnected. The concept of metaverse refers to a shared virtual environment or digital space created by technologies including VR and AR.Tech giants have jumped on the metaverse bandwagon and invested heavily in the state-of-the-art VR and AR technologies, such as Chinese tech behemoth ByteDance and major foreign names like Meta and Apple.
Global shipments for VR headsets jumped 241.6 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, said IDC.Meta captured 90 percent of the market, followed by ByteDance’s Pico with a 4.5 percent share.
VR and AR devices will benefit massively from 5G’s high bandwidth and speed of transmission. The country is ratcheting up efforts to foster emerging consumption models such as 5G plus VR/AR and immersive gaming and promote the integration of 5G into life services, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
More efforts will be made to speed up the integration of VR with 5G, ultrahigh definition video and artificial intelligence, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the VR field and jointly explore new areas to bolster technological advancement, said the ministry.
Claire Zhao, market analyst at IDC China, said China’s VR/AR sector has promising prospects, along with the advancement of consumer-level hardware products and a more abundant content ecosystem.
“VR headset shipments will continue to increase and are expected to exceed 10 million units in 2026. Commercial, education, office, and healthcare will be the main application scenarios,” Zhao said.
He Lizhong, an analyst from Capital Securities, said VR/AR is considered to be a core application scenario of 5G in the future and another important end-use product after smartphones.
Superfast 5G mobile network also represents an opportunity to accelerate the adoption of AR and VR by shoppers and marketers, He said.


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Updated: May 19, 2020
The recent observations indicate that we have accelerated digital adoption in the past eight weeks. Online transactions of the banks have gone up. Grocery stores have shifted to online ordering and delivery as their primary business. Universities, state and non-state have pivoted to 100 % online learning and digital classrooms. Doctors have begun delivering telemedicine, while pharmacies arrange orders online. Every sector is digitalised, may be wholly or partly.
A person, who does not use a computer, is now operating a computer, who used a smartphone to call, is now using the internet to order items, all levels of the society are changing with the digitalisation today. It takes more years to convert this level without a pandemic situation like this.
Most of the companies and their customers have already migrated to digital. Employees are already working at home. Some companies have already launched analytics and artificial-intelligence initiatives in their business operations. But most of the companies have taken few steps to date, represent only in digital, but there are several steps ahead.
We have to do proper forecasting and planning models to guide our business. Also, It is essential to analyse the financial risk what we are in, with the comparison of the 2008 financial crisis. However, do not cut the IT infrastructure and investment cost, but re-think if it is going over 40% of your total cost.


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MRA Seals 8 Shops in 2 Days
Eight shops have been closed in Blantyre and Limbe by Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) for non-issuance of Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) receipts.
MRA Head of Corporate Affairs, Steve Kapoloma, told Zodiak on Tuesday that the law will continue to take its course.
“All businesses that were penalized for no issuance of EFD receipts and have not paid their due tax will be closed.
“We are reminding all VAT registered traders that under Section 46 of the VAT Act, failure to issue an EFD receipt attracts a minimum penalty of K500, 000,” said Kapoloma.
On Tuesday, MRA sealed two Limbe based VAT registered operators, Wang Trading and Olympic Bakery.
The Kuiphula Lisiti Langa campaign is aimed at encouraging VAT registered traders to issue EFD receipts all the time.
The campaign disbursed K25.9 million in cash rewards with a total of 1, 094 reported cases and a total 347.6 million kwacha in revenue collected.


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The Federal Government approved the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement in November 2020 and deposited the instrument of ratification on Dec/ 15, 2020, thus becoming the 34th state party to ratify the treaty.
AfCFTA is projected to benefit the country by creating larger market access, free movement of labour, goods, services, and capital. It is also expected to boost the country’s revenue through economic diversification from crude oil to value-added goods and services.
The AfCFTA agreement is expected to, among others; motivate Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises to expand their businesses to other African countries, foster business growth and increase profit.
It will also contribute substantially to the development of the manufacturing sector, and increase job opportunities and the demand for labour that will ultimately lead to a reduction in unemployment and create opportunities for Nigerian professionals to seek employment in other African countries.
While agreeing that AfCFTA will benefit the country immensely by creating enlarged, continental markets for trade in goods and services, the Central Bank of Nigeria is playing a critical role to facilitate the successful participation of Nigerians in the initiative.
The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, says when fully implemented, AfCFTA will afford Nigerian companies preferential access to African markets worth 504.17 billion dollars in goods and 162 billion dollars in services.
At the Zenith Bank’s 2021 Export Seminar recently in Lagos, Emefiele urged Nigerian businesses to seize the AfCFTA opportunity to ensure that Nigeria served as a significant hub for international and domestic manufacturing companies seeking to serve the West, Central and East African Markets.
CBN’s Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Dr Kingsley Obiora, said that the apex bank had been implementing various development finance programmes aimed at stimulating the real sector activities and diversifying the economy particularly in the agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and other non-oil sectors.
Obiora, at a Town-Hall Meeting with Financial Sector stakeholders, said: “The interventions include the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the Real Sector Support Facility, Export Stimulation Scheme and the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme
“These examples are indications of CBN’s involvement and commitment to growing our domestic industries and boosting international competitiveness, particularly in preparation for the AfCFTA.”
He said that the financial sector stood to reap immense benefit from the agreement due to the removal of certain barriers.
“We believe that the financial sector has the potential to accrue substantial benefits from the AfCFTA in view of the intermediary role of finance in facilitating growth and engendering sustainable growth.
“The critical advantage of the AfCFTA to the Nigerian financial sector would be the removal of barriers for the expansion of financial institutions and services. This advancement will foster the provision of financial service in the continental market at a reduced cost,” he said.
According to Dr Hassan Mahmud, CBN’s Director, Monetary Policy, the apex bank has a leading role to play in positioning the Nigerian financial sector to harness the potential benefits of the agreement.
Mahmud said that the CBN’s monetary and trade policies were aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability, and promoting non-oil exports.
He said that the success of AfCFTA would depend on the ability of Africa’s financial service industry to serve as effective intermediaries.
So far, Nigerian banks are currently ranked among the largest banks in Africa, with branches across countries.
“These banks with branches across the continent have an advantage that can be used to strengthen the participation of other sub-sectors. For instance, the banks can broaden their activity sphere into other areas of finance,” he said.
CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision Department, Mr Haruna Mustafa, said that the apex bank saw AfCFTA as a vista of opportunities for the Nigerian banking sector, which has a crucial role to play in the successful implementation of the agreement.
“But they need to be well capitalised to be able to finance big ticket transactions. They also need to scale up in terms of their payment infrastructure to be able to reach out to Pan-African market.
In addition, they should operate at the highest standard of their businesses to gain the confidence that will attract patronage to them,” he advised.
Mustafa said that AfCFTA would boost intra-African trade and global trade with 90 per cent tariff liberalisation, adding that it would enhance growth potential for intra-African Trade by 52.3 per cent and global trade by six per cent by 2022.


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News Release Distributed 11/29/10Many consumers are experiencing an off year due to a “bah humbug” economy, but LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker says holiday spending is expected to be up this year. Americans will spend about $688 per household on gifts, decorations, food and other purchases this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation – a 2.3 percent increase over 2009 sales. If this amount was put on a credit card at 18 percent interest – and assuming only minimum payments at 2 percent were made – it would take more than six years to pay off the balance. Tucker points out consumers would also pay $485 in interest charges. “Considering the current economic climate, families are encouraged to plan their holiday purchases more carefully than ever,” she said, advising families to avoid allowing holiday spending to cause their financial security to backslide. Tucker says it’s best to say “no” to gifts and other purchases that you truly cannot afford. “The greatest gift you can give your family is financial stability.” From gifts and parties to decorations and travel, the holiday season brings a multitude of financial pressures. “Don’t let this pressure, often combined with enticing sales and impulse purchases of last-minute items, cause you to lose perspective,” Tucker says. “Remember, spending money you don’t have to save money on a sale item is no savings at all.” The LSU AgCenter expert offers these tips to manage spending during this holiday season: – Make a budget and commit to following it. Identify and list all the gifts and decorations you plan to buy, the parties you will attend and the travel expenses you anticipate. Calculate how much you can realistically afford to spend on each of these items. Do not exceed your preset limits. – Make a gift list and check it twice. Like Santa, list all family members, friends and co-workers for whom you plan to make purchases. Be flexible in cutting the list to accommodate your budget. – Comparison shop. Consider online shopping to compare products and costs to find the best deals, but be sure to figure in shipping costs. Check sale ads regularly, and be selective in your shopping. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, not the price. Once you have purchased a gift for someone, cross them off your list. Avoid adding last-minute impulse items just to make your gift seem more meaningful. – Trim your list. To maintain your budget, you may have to cut down your list of recipients and gifts. Discuss alternative options with close friends and family members. Consider drawing names; exchanging “homemade” gift certificates for babysitting, home repair, yard work or other services; sharing a photograph of the gift giver and recipient; substituting “family’ gifts for individual gifts; mutually agreeing to limit gifts to something personal, meaningful but inexpensive or even suspending some gift exchanges this year. You also may have to be selective in the parties you attend. Many people will add substantial costs with other expenses, such as elaborate gift wraps and sending holiday cards. Avoid costly wrapping and consider sending a letter or personalized electronic greeting rather than individual cards. – Begin saving for next year. Although it may be late this year, remember, holiday spending is an annual expense. Consider establishing a savings account that you regularly contribute to throughout the year. Check to see if your bank or credit union offers “Holiday Club” accounts that allow you to make regular, automatic deposits. Savings will help reduce your dependence on credit when the holidays roll around. But if you turn to credit cards, be sure to use them responsibly, Tucker says. Designate one card to use for holiday shopping and leave the others at home. Be sure to select a card with a low interest rate – check for zero percent interest offers. Finally, keep a record of all expenses and stay within your budget so you can pay off the bill when it arrives in January. “Remember, those ‘bargains’ that are so tempting in the store are not really bargains if you end up paying interest on them,” Tucker says.
News Release Distributed 11/19/10When it comes to preparing a holiday turkey, cooks can choose from a variety of methods, including marinating, brining and basting. These methods involve the use of a liquid to change or improve the flavor, taste, tenderness or texture of poultry, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. They can be done at home, or birds may be purchased already marinated, basted or brined. Marinating means to steep food in a marinade – a savory, acidic sauce in which a food is soaked to enrich its flavor or to tenderize it. The acid in marinades causes the tissue to break down and has a tenderizing effect. “The breaking down of the tissue also causes the poultry to hold more liquid, making it juicier,” Reames says. “Too much vinegar or hot sauce in a marinade, however, can have the opposite effect and cause the meat to be stringy and tough.” Poultry may be marinated by completely immersing it in the marinade. To help infuse the marinade, you may use a fork to make holes in the meat or use a needle-like injector. Poultry can be refrigerated for up to two days in a marinade. For easy cleanup, use a food-grade plastic bag and discard it after use. Or you can use food-grade plastic, stainless steel or glass containers. In any event, cover poultry while marinating in the refrigerator. For safety’s sake, Reames says, don’t use marinade from raw poultry as a sauce unless it is boiled first to destroy bacteria. Brining means to treat with or steep in brine – a strong solution of water and salt. A sweetener such as sugar, molasses, honey or corn syrup may be added to the solution for flavor and to improve browning during cooking. Salt in the brine dissolves protein in the meat, and the salt and protein reduce moisture loss during cooking, Reames says. This makes meat juicier and more tender. To prepare a brine solution for poultry, add 3/4 cup of salt to one gallon of water or three tablespoons of salt per quart of water. Add sweetener, such as sugar or molasses, if you wish. Place the brining solution in a food-grade plastic, stainless steel or glass container and totally submerge the turkey. Store it covered in the refrigerator. “For best results, refrigerate at least overnight,” Reames says. “Poultry may be left in the refrigerator up to two days after it’s thawed or purchased fresh.” If you’re stuffing a marinated or brined turkey, marinate or brine the bird first and then cook it immediately after stuffing. A third way to cook a turkey is by basting it in the oven. “Basting adds flavor and color and prevents poultry from drying out,” Reames says. Basting means to moisten meat or other food while it’s cooking, generally with melted butter or other fat, meat drippings or liquid such as a stock. The basting liquid can be spooned or brushed on the turkey or drizzled with a bulb baster. If you’re basting a bird, remember that each time the oven door is opened, the oven temperature is lowered and additional cooking time may be needed. And always use clean utensils to avoid cross-contamination, Reames says. However you prepare it, be sure to cook your turkey safely. Set the oven temperature no lower than 325 degrees, and cook whole birds or parts to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees as measured with a meat thermometer. Stores may sell raw poultry products that already have been marinated, basted or brined, Reames says. These products have been injected or marinated with a solution containing butter or other edible fat, broth, stock, or water, plus spices, flavor enhancers, colorings, or other approved substances. “If you see terms such as basted, self basted, marinated or for flavoring on a raw-poultry label, a solution has been added during processing – up to 3 percent by weight for bone-in poultry and up to 8 percent by weight for boneless poultry,” Reames says.
News Release Distributed 11/19/10By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen Owings Whether renovating an existing landscape or working on a new landscape, we need to remember that soil pH and proper preparation of landscape beds will be essential in determining the performance of your ornamental plants. A Louisiana landscape planned for long-term success includes these important considerations. Optimum soil pH is critical for landscape success. Louisiana has soils that are somewhat variable in pH ranges. Ideally, a perfect soil pH for most ornamental plants in Louisiana is 5.5-6.5. Soil pH is a measurement of its acidity or alkalinity. A pH value of 7 is neutral while a pH value less than 7 is acid and a pH value greater than 7 is alkaline or basic. Soil pH is raised by using lime (normally dolomitic lime in landscape situations) and is lowered by using sulfur. Always adjust pH based on the results of a soil test. Some plants in Louisiana landscapes and home gardens are classified as acid-loving. These plants do best with a soil pH slightly lower than other plants that we commonly grow. A soil pH in the 5.0-5.5 range is preferable for plants that require more acid growing conditions. Common examples are blueberries, camellias, sansanquas, dogwoods, azaleas, periwinkle, petunias and pansies. In turfgrass, centipede grass prefers acid soil, while St. Augustine grass prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. The LSU AgCenter Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Lab can conduct soil testing for you. It will provide a report with information on soil pH and also the levels of many essential nutrients present in your soil. A routine test is $10. You can access information from the LSU AgCenter Soil Testing Lab at www.lsuagcenter.com/soillab. Once you know your soil pH, you can move on to bed preparation. Several factors need to be carefully considered when you are developing beds for ornamental plants. Improving internal drainage should be the first priority. This can be accomplished by amending some of our existing soils, but more intensive work may be needed in more poorly drained soil types. French drains can remove water from poorly drained areas by providing subsurface drainage. You can construct a French drain by first selecting an area lower than the landscape site. Dig a trench, fill it partially with gravel and lay pipes to carry water away from the planting site. Sometimes lawn areas benefit from French drains, and landscape beds may need French drains depending on the individual situation. Raised beds are almost essential for successful landscape plant establishment if French drains or “pitcher’s mounds” are not used. A raised bed at least 6-8 inches deep can be enclosed with decorative bricks, concrete edging, landscape timbers, railroad ties or 4x4s. Chemically treated wood is safe for use around ornamental plants. A raised bed does not necessarily have to have a physical border on the edge. If properly prepared and well mulched when completed, the soil should hold in the bed and not wash away in heavy rainfall. We recommend a “pitcher’s mound” or berm when planting an individual tree or shrub. This accomplishes the same thing as a raised bed, but it’s done for an individual plant. The berm should be 1 foot tall and needs to come out from the center gradually and slope down to the surrounding soil level. If you’re planting directly in a heavy clay soil, incorporate a 3-inch layer of new soil to form a transition layer between the existing soil and any soil that is added. A sudden change in soil texture disrupts the flow of water and causes a stagnant area beneath the new soil. It’s highly likely that roots of a newly planted tree or shrub will not move out of the planting hole if you don’t follow proper planting procedures. Soil preparation, drainage and pH are very important in landscape gardening success. Do not overlook this important factor. Visit LaHouse in Baton Rouge to see sustainable landscape practices in action. The home and landscape resource center is near the intersection of Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) in Baton Rouge, across the street from the LSU baseball stadium. For more information, go to www.lsuagcenter.com/lahouse and www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn.
News Release Distributed 11/17/10Pies are traditionally served at holiday feasts, but some need to be treated carefully, according to Beth Reames, a nutritionist with the LSU AgCenter. To prevent foodborne illness, pumpkin, custard and cream pies and others containing eggs and milk and pecan pies made with eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of preparation, Reames says. And they shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than two hours when they’re being served. Holiday cakes, cookies and breads with perishable fillings or frosting also should be refrigerated. “Eggs and milk have high protein and moisture content,” she says. “Bacteria can multiply rapidly when foods containing these perishable items are left at room temperature. Refrigerate perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours.” Pies containing eggs and milk should be baked to at least 160 degrees, cooled quickly and refrigerated until they’re served, Reames says. Leftovers should be returned to the refrigerator. “Commercial pumpkin pies have preservatives and other ingredients added to make them shelf-stable,” Reames says. “They may be displayed and stored at room temperature, but once cut, they should be refrigerated. Check the label on commercially baked pies for storage requirements.” Leftover fruit pie, which typically is prepared without eggs, can be covered and stored unrefrigerated for up to two days. To maintain best quality, however, refrigerate them. The nutritionist recommends storing fruit pies in the refrigerator during warm weather.
News Release Distributed 11/15/10For most Americans, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without turkey. But cooking a big bird requires care, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. “There is no quality difference between a fresh or frozen turkey, although fresh turkeys have shorter shelf lives,” Reames says. “By purchasing a frozen turkey, you can often take advantage of special sales.” To make sure you have enough turkey for the feast and for leftovers too, purchase at least one pound of uncooked turkey per person, If you choose to buy a frozen bird, make sure you have adequate storage space in your freezer. If you buy a fresh turkey, be sure you purchase it only one to two days before cooking. Proper thawing is important to prevent growth of harmful bacteria that may have been present prior to freezing a turkey. Reames says three safe ways to thaw a turkey safely are in the refrigerator at 40 degrees or less, in cold water and in a microwave oven. When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey, she says. Place a frozen turkey – still in its store wrap – in a baking sheet with a lip or a shallow pan on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. To thaw a bird in cold water, keep the turkey in the original packaging, place it in a clean and sanitized sink or pan, and submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. For microwave thawing, follow the oven manufacturer’s instructions. “Plan to cook the turkey immediately after thawing in a microwave because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwave thawing,” Reames says. For safety’s sake, wash your hands for 20 seconds in hot, soapy water after handling raw poultry or meat, she says. Also, be sure that utensils, plates, work surfaces, etc. have been thoroughly cleaned. Keep raw foods separate from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination, Reames warns. It is important that the juices from raw meat and poultry do not come into contact with food that will be eaten without cooking. Also, never place cooked food on an unwashed plate that previously held raw meat or poultry. To cook a turkey safely, set the oven temperature no lower than 325 degrees, Reames says. To make sure a whole turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees, use a food thermometer to check the innermost part of the thigh and wing and thickest part of the breast. An unstuffed turkey that weighs 14 to 18 pounds will need to cook approximately 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours in a 325-degree oven. “The color of cooked poultry is not always a sure sign of its safety,” Reames says. “Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.” If you decide to stuff a turkey, prepare the stuffing and stuff it into the cavity immediately before it's placed in the oven. When you cook a stuffed turkey, use a food thermometer to check the internal temperatures of both the turkey and the center of the stuffing, the nutritionist says. If the turkey is done and the stuffing has not reached 165 degrees, remove the stuffing from the turkey and place it in a greased casserole dish to continue cooking. For optimum safety, cook stuffing separately from the turkey, Reames says. Cooking stuffing separately also will help prevent overcooking the bird. Take care of leftovers promptly to keep foodborne bacteria from growing. Cut the turkey into small pieces and refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers. Use leftover turkey and stuffing within three to four days and gravy within one to two days, or freeze these foods. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time Monday–Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
News Release Distributed 11/12/10By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen OwingsNovember and early December are excellent times for planting trees in Louisiana. We have many excellent species of trees recommended for the state, including our native trees, such as the Louisiana state tree – the baldcypress – and the Louisiana state flower – the Southern magnolia. During late fall and through the winter months, the soil is still warm enough to encourage vigorous root growth, and trees will have several months to get established before next summer’s heat. At the same time, the weather is cool, and the trees are going dormant, helping reduce stress. Normally generous rainfall during winter also makes constant attention to watering unnecessary. Planting at this time of year is especially beneficial for balled-and-burlapped trees because they lose so much of their root systems when they are dug. You can plant trees properly by following these steps: – Dig the hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball and no deeper than the height of the root ball. – Remove a container-grown tree from its container. If the root ball is tightly packed with thick encircling roots, try to unwrap, open up or even cut some of the roots to encourage them to spread into the surrounding soil. Place the root ball in the hole. – Place balled-and-burlapped trees into the planting hole. Remove any nails, nylon twine or wire basket that has been used to secure the burlap. Then fold down the burlap from the top half of the root ball or remove the burlap. – Make the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. It is critical that you do not plant trees too deep. – Thoroughly pulverize the soil dug out from the hole and use this soil, without any additions, to backfill around the tree. Add soil until the hole is half full. Then firm the soil to eliminate air pockets, but do not pack it tightly. Finish filling the hole, firm the soil again and then water the tree thoroughly to settle it in. – Generally, do not fertilize trees planted during fall, although you can apply some slow-release fertilizer next spring. The use of a root stimulator solution is optional. – Stake the tree if it is tall enough to be unstable; otherwise, staking is not necessary. If you use stakes, drive two or three firmly into the ground just beyond the root ball. Use strips of cloth or nylon stockings – or use wire covered with a piece of garden hose where it touches the trunk – tied to the stakes and then to the trunk of the tree. Leave the support in place no more than nine to 12 months. – Keep the area 1 to 2 feet out from the trunk of a newly planted tree mulched and free from weeds and grass. This encourages the tree to establish faster by eliminating competition from grass roots. It also prevents lawn mowers and string trimmers from damaging the bark at the base of the tree, which can cause stunting or death. The mulch should be 2 to 4 inches deep and pulled back slightly from the base of the trunk. Follow these steps and you’ll be successful with your tree-planting efforts. Visit LaHouse in Baton Rouge to see sustainable landscape practices in action. The home and landscape resource center is near the intersection of Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) in Baton Rouge, across the street from the LSU baseball stadium. For more information, go to www.lsuagcenter.com/lahouse and www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn.
(Distributed 11/05/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – AgMagic at the State Fair answered a question that has been bugging one Bossier City student for years. “What happens if a bug gets into cotton?” asked Dallas Kaiser, 10, a student at Meadowview Elementary School in Bossier City.
(Distributed 11/23/10) Six 4-H’ers represented Louisiana at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 17-18, 2010, according to Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist and leader of the 4-H poultry project.
(Distributed 11/04/10) A work of love to honor a Jackson Parish 4-H’er killed in an automobile accident was auctioned at the State Fair of Louisiana Junior Livestock Sale in Shreveport on Oct. 27. 4-H’er Tyler Wayne Ledford, 17, of Eros, was killed on July 31 in Marion. He was a senior at Quitman High School.
(Distributed 11/12/10) POLLOCK, La. -- The closing on 10.77 acres of land donated to the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center by RoyOMartin is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m.
(Distributed 11/30/10) MANSURA, La. – The LSU AgCenter 4-H program helped students participate in a statewide robotics competition in New Orleans, and one of the teams received an award for its rookie performance.
(Distributed 11/11/10) START, La. – A panel of farmers practicing agritourism shared their successes at a natural resource enterprises workshop sponsored by the LSU AgCenter on Nov. 9 at Curry Farms near Rayville.
(Distributed 11/17/10) NEW ORLEANS – LSU AgCenter scientists have discovered fusarium wilt of Canary Island date palm trees in the city for the first time. The disease is previously known to occur in Florida, California and Nevada.
(Distributed 11/16/10) FRANKLINTON, La -- Improved forages, improved prices and improved management practices were three of the highlights at the LSU AgCenter diary field day on Nov. 11.
(Distributed 11/02/10) The LSU AgCenter has received a major award from the National Science Foundation to support developing a database and image library at the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum and consolidating data from five additional arthropod collections.
(Distributed 11/30/10) Following several years of hurricanes and freeze damage, the number of citrus growers in Louisiana has continued to decline, but citrus remains a valuable commodity, according to Alan Vaughn, LSU AgCenter agent in Plaquemines Parish.
(Distributed 11/2/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – The first bale of cotton ginned this year in Caddo Parish was sold to a group of bidders for $4,100 on Oct. 28 at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum during a producers luncheon at the State Fair of Louisiana.
(Released 11/15/10) Two international forest products marketing groups recently launched a collaborative, global forest products marketing “current issues” website, according to officials with the two organizations.
(Distributed 11/17/10) Four of 16 students who received Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards in Caddo and Bossier parishes were 4-H members.
(Distributed 11/1/10) Many gardeners get caught up in using the same bedding plants year after year. Pansies are very popular for the cool season, but the LSU AgCenter also recommends other cool-season bedding plants for home landscape use.
(Distributed 11/04/10) Fish and other seafood are rich sources of the omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA and EPA, which have been found to provide protection from chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, said LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.
(Distributed 11/05/10) Some of the most popular plants being sold in Louisiana these days are Encore azaleas. These multiseasonal blooming azaleas debuted in the late 1990s and have tendencies to bloom during spring, summer and fall.
(Audio 11/01/10) Found in the bayous and estuaries of coastal Louisiana, the cocahoe minnow is a prized marine bait fish used for fishing in coastal waters. These minnows usually are caught from the wild, but their population isn’t consistent. The LSU AgCenter's Aquaculture Research Station conducted a cocahoe minnow workshop to discuss the fish and the possibility of farm-raising them. (Runtime: 1:46)
(Radio News 11/01/10) Cocahoe minnows are a favorite live bait for anglers fishing in or along the Louisiana coast. The one drawback to the minnows, however, is that their population is seasonal, says LSU AgCenter aquaculture researcher Christopher Green. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 11/29/10) More schools are planting gardens and incorporating them into the curriculum. LSU AgCenter gardening specialist Kathryn Fontenot says gardens offer many benefits, including nutrition, to school children. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 11/22/10) A sweet potato processing facility opened recently in north Louisiana. The ConAgra Lamb Weston facility in Delhi will make frozen sweet potato French fries. LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith says this is good news for growers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/22/10) Fourteen high school juniors and seniors from across the state are participating in the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producer Program. Bradley Leger, who coordinates the program, says participants started with an institute aimed at giving them a broad view of Louisiana’s agricultural industry. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 11/15/10) Researchers with the LSU AgCenter Pecan Research Station are working on new ways to combat pecan scab disease. Randy Sanderlin, the resident coordinator at the station, says pecan scab disease is a fungus that can attack any growing part of the tree, and has the potential to completely destroy the crop. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/15/10) The turkey is the star on Thanksgiving tables. Most people buy their birds frozen, so to get it ready for the big day, it must be thawed properly, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/01/10) Fall is a great time to enjoy Louisiana sweet potatoes, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames says they are loaded with nutrients. (Runtime: 1:10)
(Radio News 11/01/10) Found in the bayous and estuaries of coastal Louisiana, the cocahoe minnow is a prized marine bait fish used for fishing in coastal waters. LSU AgCenter aquaculture researcher Christopher Green conducted a cocahoe minnow workshop. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 11/22/10) Cade Heinen is hoping for a future that includes big farm equipment and lots or rice acres. But before this high school student embarks on a career in agriculture, he wants to learn more, so he is participating in the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producer Program. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 11/01/10) Students at Fannie C. Williams School in New Orleans recently learned what bullying is and what makes a bully, and during the process many students recognized they may be bullies. The students were participating in an anti-bullying program presented by the LSU AgCenter. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 11/22/10) After two dismal years where Louisiana sweet potato farmers watched their crops rot in the field from too much rain, they finally got the harvest they’ve been hoping for this year. The dry fall allowed for a smooth harvest and a good crop, says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith. (Runtime: 1:15)
(TV News 11/22/10) Ideal weather during the 2010 harvest season helped Louisiana sweet potato farmers get their crop in just in time for Thanksgiving. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that this year's crop may help some farmers to stay in business after devastating seasons the past two years. (Runtime: 1:33)
(Radio News 11/08/10) Much of the expenses for poultry producers come from heating the houses, which is critical for young chicks. Researchers at the LSU AgCenter's Hill Farm Research Station will be testing two different types of heating systems in poultry demonstration houses – brood and tube heating. Hill Farm Research Coordinator Bill Owens explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 11/15/10) A set of poultry demonstration houses will help growers raise chickens more efficiently. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited the houses to learn more about the research taking place in them. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Radio News 11/08/10) Demonstration houses at the LSU AgCenter's Hill Farm Research Station at Homer will be used to test equipment and techniques for raising chickens. LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Resident Coordinator Bill Owens explains. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 11/08/10) This fall’s drought has been good for harvesting some crops but has taken a toll on young pine trees. This makes two bad seasons for establishing forest plantations, says LSU AgCenter forestry researcher Michael Blazier. (Runtime: 1:10)
(Radio News 11/01/10) Bullying is a prevalent problem in many schools, and recent teen suicides resulting from bullying have shown how dangerous it can be. LSU AgCenter agents in Orleans Parish are trying to do something to curtail it. 4-H agent Traig Varnado hosted a weeklong anti-bullying program at the Fannie C. Williams School. (Runtime: 1:30)
(TV News 11/29/10) About a dozen high school students are spending a year immersed in agriculture. The students are participating in the Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:35)
(Radio News 11/22/10) The cost of the typical Thanksgiving meal is up by 9 percent this year. An LSU AgCenter survey shows it will cost about $40.64 to feed 10 people turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and other traditional parts of this holiday dinner. LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/08/10) Pecans are a fall favorite, filling pies and topping sweet potato casseroles. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that this year’s crop is late, but with a little rain, can rebound. (Runtime: 1:43)
(Radio News 11/15/10) Whether you brine or baste, roast or fry, an LSU AgCenter nutritionist says the one important point when cooking a turkey is to use a meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked thoroughly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/08/10) Pecan exports have increased dramatically in the past year. LSU AgCenter pecan expert Charles Graham says the pecans grown in the United States generally stayed close to home. But good news for growers is the increase in exports to Asian countries, particularly China. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/08/10) Outbreaks of salmonella in nut crops have raised concerns about food safety. LSU AgCenter pecan expert Charles Graham says the LSU AgCenter is working with growers to keep their crop from becoming contaminated. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/08/10) Clusters of pecans stayed in trees longer than usual this year. Dry weather throughout summer and into fall kept them in place, causing several problems for pecan producers. Randy Sanderlin, research coordinator of the LSU AgCenter's Pecan Research Station, explains. (Runtime: 1:10)
(Radio News 11/15/10) The nation’s recession has hurt the forestry industry, but LSU AgCenter researchers are looking for ways to help forestry remain profitable. Forestry researcher Michael Blazier has several studies that are aimed at helping forest landowners grow trees faster and better. (Runtime: 1:35)
(Radio News 11/29/10) An Environmental Protection Agency environmental education grant has helped establish 11 school gardens across Louisiana. Kathryn Fontenot, LSU AgCenter gardening specialist, is administering the grant and recently held a workshop for teachers participating in the program. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Audio 11/15/10) Amaryllis flowers are hardy in the Deep South and will bloom each April. The bulbs you see in garden centers are not ready for the ground. They've been forced into dormancy and should be planted in a flowerpot first. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/29/10) Louisiana has many Christmas tree farms across the state. A trip to one can be a fun family activity and a great way to get a fresh Christmas tree. Listen for tips on picking out and caring for Christmas trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/01/10) The Camelot foxglove series is a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2010. This series comes in white, cream, rose or lavender. Get them planted during the fall to have robust, beautiful plants this spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/29/10) Louisiana gardeners use cool-season bedding plants to add color to our flower gardens during winter. Plants such as dianthus, pansies and violas will bloom from fall into spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/22/10) Keep your landscape neat and clean during the fall and winter seasons. Start by cleaning out dead or dying material. Then make sure beds are mulched. You can even consider adding cool-season winter plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/01/10) The Louisiana Super Plant program promotes tough and beautiful plants proven to grow extremely well in all parts of the state. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the beautiful shrub, ShiShi Gashira camellia. (Runtime: 1:35)
(Video 12/6/10) Even though it’s getting colder, fall is a great time to plant vegetables. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about growing, harvesting and caring for asparagus. (Runtime: 1:33)
(Audio 11/01/10) Most of the shade trees we use in our landscapes are deciduous and will lose their leaves this month. Hear suggestions about what to do with falling leaves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/15/10) Now through February is the best time to plant hardy fruit trees and shrubs. Planted now, they have a chance to settle in and get established before their first summer in the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/08/10) Camellias are popular in Louisiana landscapes. The insect known as tea scale can be a problem on these plants, however, and it is hard to diagnose because it doesn't look like insects. Hear more to learn about this pest. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/22/10) If you’re looking for a cool-season bedding plant that blooms nicely most of the year, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has a suggestion. The Snow Princess is a beautiful plant, but as you’ll learn on this edition of Get It Growing, you won’t need a magic wand to keep it alive. (Runtime: 1:39)
(For Release On Or After 11/27/10) November through early December is about the best time to plant trees in Louisiana. The soil is still warm, which encourages vigorous root growth, and trees will have several months to get established before next summer’s heat.
(Audio 11/15/10) Many plants shouldn't be fertilized this time of the year. These are preparing to go dormant for the winter and do not need to be stimulated. Perennials in active growth and cool-season bedding plants can be fertilized this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/22/10) As the weather gets chilly, some container plants you've got outside may have to be moved indoors. It's best to move plants to a shady place first for a few days before bringing them into the house. This will help them adjust to the lower light conditions they'll have inside. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/29/10) Many people use plants to decorate their homes during the holidays. Choose good quality plants and be careful when transporting them. Take care of them, so they will stay beautiful throughout the season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(11/08/10) Louisiana gardeners use many evergreen plants in the landscape. To keep your lawn green in the winter, try ryegrass. But remember that planting ryegrass in your lawn means you will need to mow during the winter months to keep your lawn neat and attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/08/10) Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in November -- with the exception of tulips and hyacinths. Put those bulbs in the vegetable bin of a refrigerator for about eight weeks, so they can "chill.". (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/29/10) Louisiana's mild winters allow us to grow vegetables year-round. Consider planting some cool-season vegetables such as leeks, shallots, spinach and turnips. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/22/10) Many herbs do well in our gardens during the cool weather of fall and winter. Herbs like to have sunny and well-drained locations. You also can grow herbs in containers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 11/19/10) Insect outbreaks on indoor plants can be disastrous. Indoors, insect pests can reproduce rapidly and cause tremendous damage because of the environment.
(Audio 11/01/10) Many deciduous trees drop their leaves during November, and at this time of year, it's also not unusual to see some leaves on evergreen shrubs change colors and drop off. This is not a reason for concern. It's just part of the natural life cycle of the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/08/10) November is a great month to plant cool-season bedding plants. When planted now, they will provide beautiful color and flowers in the fall, winter and spring. Have an idea of color scheme and plant spacing and height before you purchase plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/15/10) Black is not a color you typically think about for flowers. When you visit your nursery, however, you will find you do have various choices of beautiful flowers in that unique color. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill warns, you want to make certain you use them correctly in your landscape. (Runtime: 1:52)
(Audio 11/15/10) November is a great time to plant flowering bedding plants into your landscape. An outstanding plant to choose is the Amazon dianthus. This Louisiana Super Plant comes in several colors and will bloom throughout the fall, winter and spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 11/05/10) This fall the LSU AgCenter announced a new plant marketing and promotion program called Louisiana Super Plants. The purpose of the program is to identify superior plants for Louisiana landscapes, make sure wholesale growers are growing and retail nurseries are carrying the selections and get the word out to the gardening public about these outstanding plants.
(Video 11/08/10) Louisiana Super Plants are beautiful plants chosen by the LSU AgCenter as superior ornamentals for Louisiana landscapes. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to one of the most recent fall Super Plants. It’s called Camelot foxglove. (Runtime: 1:43)
(Video 11/29/10) If you like herbs, fall is a great time to get them planted. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests some of the herbal plants best known for their zesty culinary contributions. (Runtime: 1:43)
(Audio 11/22/10) Insect pests are not as common in winter as they are in summer, but some will still be around during the cool season. Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, snails and slugs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/08/10) Lettuce is one of the easier and more productive cool-season crops we can grow in our Louisiana gardens. Lettuce can be directed-seeded or grown from transplants, and now is a good time to plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/01/2010) Louisiana gardeners can plant a variety of cool-season vegetables during November. Root crops and cole crops grow well during our winter. Hear more about what to plant this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 11/12/10) November is a great time to remove summer bedding plants and add cool-season bedding plants to your flowerbeds.
(Audio 11/22/10) After raking up autumn leaves, don't bag them and put them at the curb. These leaves are valuable organic matter and can be used as mulch or compost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/01/10) Smart vegetable gardeners planted fall tomatoes back in August. Plants should have good fruit set now, but it can be a race between the weather cooling down and getting ripe tomatoes. You can ripen these indoors if outdoor temperatures aren't cooperating. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio11/29/10) Many gardeners may still have warm-season vegetables in their gardens. If a freeze does threaten, it's important to harvest these crops. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/15/10) One of the most outstanding, evergreen fall and winter shrubs for Louisiana landscapes is the ShiShi Gashira camellia. This Louisiana Super Plant is low-growing and will work well in full sun or partial shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Distributed 11/18/10) The LSU AgCenter’s 2010 poinsettia open house is set for Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Burden Center located at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.
(Distributed 11/16/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – As 2,000 students toured the LSU AgCenter AgMagic exhibit at the State Fair of Louisiana, another 1,190 from Head Start and elementary schools saw an educational nutrition show.
(Distributed 11/29/10) The LSU AgCenter recently received a grant of $21,350 to support a one-day conference for farmers markets in Louisiana.
(Distributed 11/03/10) The LSU AgCenter has received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to study weed management options in commercial sweet potato production.
(Distributed 11/17/10) CROWLEY, La. – The Louisiana Rice Research Board learned Tuesday (Nov. 16) that farmers will have three new varieties of rice, developed by the LSU AgCenter, to consider for planting.
(Distributed 11/24/10) The National Science Foundation has awarded the LSU AgCenter a $600,000 grant to make upgrades in the biotechnology laboratories in Harry D. Wilson Laboratory building on the LSU campus.
(Distributed 11/15/10) The LSU AgCenter has received a grant from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to fund public awareness programs on specialty crops directed at Louisiana residents, particularly children and youth.
(Distributed 11/22/10) The LSU AgCenter is seeking photos for its 2012 Get It Growing Calendar and has issued the call for entries in the contest that selects photos for the annual calendar. Both garden lovers and photography enthusiasts have the opportunity for their work to be chosen for the Get It Growing Calendar by submitting entries in the contest, which closes Jan. 31.
(Distributed 11/11/10) Louisiana cooks shopping for Thanksgiving will find the costs of basic dinner items up this year. The 2010 Thanksgiving market basket will average $40.64 for 10 people, according to an LSU AgCenter survey.
(Distributed 11/04/10) TransGenRx, a Baton Rouge biopharmaceutical manufacturing company started through licensing agreements with the LSU AgCenter, has been awarded a $244,479 grant under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) for its project “Engineered Gylcosylated Interferons for the Treatment of Viral Disease, Melanoma and MS.”
(Distributed 11/17/10) Clusters of pecans stayed in trees longer than usual this year in Louisiana. Dry weather throughout summer and into fall kept them in place, according to Randy Sanderlin, coordinator of the LSU AgCenter Pecan Research and Extension Station at Shreveport.
(Distributed 11/24/10) A free Internet marketing tool offered by the LSU AgCenter for Louisiana agriculture-related businesses provides an avenue to increase opportunities to buy and sell locally produced food. John Westra, LSU AgCenter economist, said the MarketMaker website is like a sign that says, "We are open for business."


text:
- Consumer Electronics
- 2 min read
Unseasonal rains cool off AC, fridge sales this summer
According to industry estimates, AC sales have plunged by more than 15% between March and April third week over the same period last year, while refrigerator sales have been flat.
KOLKATA: Air-conditioner and refrigerator sales this summer — from March till now — have been a washout of sorts with intermittent rains in the North, South and East playing spoilsport, top companies and retailers said.
According to industry estimates, AC sales have plunged by more than 15% between March and April third week over the same period last year, while refrigerator sales have been flat. Primary sales — from companies to retailers — were completely washed out in April since retailers have been saddled with unsold inventory.
Retailers and companies are coming up with promotional offers to tackle poor sales next month, three senior industry executives said. “The meteorological department’s prediction of higher temperature this summer hasn’t really happened. As a result, the trade is stuck with inventory,” said Godrej Appliances business head Kamal Nandi.
Carrier Midea India MD Krishan Sachdev echoed similar sentiments, though he said there has been some positive movement in some pockets last weekend. Appliance makers had, in fact, increased their production last month after the meteorological department’s prediction of hotter days ahead. Air-conditioner sales surge when night temperature climb above 28-30 degrees centigrade which makes it difficult for people to sleep, while refrigerator sales increase when both day and night temperature rises. Panasonic India CEO Manish Sharma said sales are down in excess of 20% over last year for the industry.
“The temperatures so far have been comforting. Besides, intermittent rains have been delaying sales,” he said.
The March to May period accounts for almost 45-50% of annual sales of refrigerators and air-conditioners. As a result, the industry has started consumer promotions such as free installation, extended warranty, cash back and gifts like free LED TV and microwave oven to bring consumers back to the stores.
Voltas vice president (marketing and key accounts) Deba Ghoshal said promotional offers are at their best in the industry right now. He, however, said it’s early to give a definite trend since some parts of the country are witnessing good traction while others are yet to peak.