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November 29, 2007

Send in the Clones

Send in the Clones – Cuttings of Rare Plants and Hopes of Repopulation

You might have clones living in your home. No, you don’t have to check the basement for “pods”. (The science fiction film Invasion of the Body Snatchers featured alien invaders who hatched clones from pods). If you have cuttings that have matured into rooted plants you have cloned a houseplant.
In an effort Olmsted would applaud 900 cloned giant redwood trees have been created in an effort to reestablish the endangered tree.
This story and audio clip from National Public Radio’s All Things Considered presents another example of scientists seeking to preserve a rare wild coffee plant. It’s the story of the impact of alien species on the island of Rodrigues. Douglas Adams’ Last Chance to See provides some of the source material for the radio story and is available at Hinsdale Public Library.

Posted by hinsdalereference at 6:39 PM

November 15, 2007

Improvements to Ease the Travel Holi-Daze

An estimated 27 million people will fly to their Thanksgiving celebrations and the FAA and the airlines are taking action that should result in faster and safer trips. President Bush announced the creation of ‘express lanes’ in the air. During the Thanksgiving rush, November 21-25, 2007, the FFA will authorize temporary use of military flight paths over the continental United States in an effort to reduce flight delays.
But will the weather cooperate? Not according to WGN’s Tommy Skilling.
Check your guests’ flights with this universal flight tracker.

Posted by hinsdalereference at 7:38 PM