Sentinel Spectrum

As for voting, well, Tampa City Council sent a pretty loud message to the Mayor’s office.

Here’s a fascinating advancement in local garden development: the Arboretum & Botanic Garden at the University of California, Santa Cruz has launched a complete renovation of its South Africa Garden. Over at least the next seven months, this project will include restoring the garden’s unique plantings, recovering lost rare specimens, and adding new plants for display. The South Africa collection was established early in the Arboretum’s history, as long ago as 1965. It soon emerged as one of the Arboretum’s principal collections, along with the California and Australia Gardens. The South Africa Garden has always been open for visitors, but when its curator retired some ten years ago, during a period when the Arboretum was going through administrative changes, the growth of this collection stalled. In public gardens, collection development is a continuing, never finished process, but this work requires leadership, vision, energy and critical resources. In mid-2016, Martin Quigley joined the Arboretum as its Executive Director and soon began planning to reactivate the South Africa garden. The new plan includes the installation of four new specialty gardens, each of which highlights important and very interesting plant groups. These specialty gardens will serve as focal points within the overall collection of exceptional plants of South Africa. A Succulent Rock Garden, featuring the juicy Aloes, gnarly Euphorbias, and other fantastic succulents. This installation will constitute a South African version of the dramatic and very popular rock garden in the Arboretum’s Australia Garden. South Africa is the native home of about 50 percent of the world’s succulent plants, which have in recent years become very popular in private gardens. The Arboretum’s existing Succulent Garden focuses on succulent plants from the coastal areas of Mexico and California, so the establishment of the Succulent Rock Garden will draw attention to that category of plants that are native to South Africa. A South African Bulb Garden will be encircled by bright and vibrant amaryllids, and highlighted by the full spectrum of fire-adapted geophytes in mass bloom! The “amaryllids,” which we assume refers to South African members of the Amaryllis family, includes genera that some Monterey Bay area gardeners already know and treasure, e.g., Amaryllis, Clivia, Crinum, Nerine, and others. South Africa’s Cape Region is also the home of 2,100 species of geophytes, includes some that only flower or germinate after burning. The fire-adapted geophytes occur within six plant families; we will have to see which species the Arboretum selects for this colorful Bulb Garden. A Maze Garden, in which 6- to 8-foot-tall Restio species form a traditional labyrinth. Restios are perennial rush-like flowering plants native to South Africa. This unique feature promises an intriguing experience for garden visitors of all ages. A Grove of Silver Trees, growing among colorful waves of heathers. Silver Trees (Leucadendron argenteum) are striking evergreen trees with silky leaves that have a distinct silvery sheen produced by dense velvety hairs. These trees are short-lived and are now a rare and endangered species in South Africa. For many years, the Arboretum has grown Silver Trees in the South Africa Garden. A new grove of these extraordinary trees will present a magical environment. It could be a very appealing site for Weddings in the Arb! The Arboretum is hosting a special event to launch this renovation project. The South Africa Garden Party will happen from 5-7 p.m. on UCSC’s Giving Day, Wednesday, in the Arboretum’s Hort II Building. Reserve a spot to hear the Arboretum director’s inspiration and vision for the project. Alice in Wonderland costumes and games will spark your creative, whimsical side. You might even come home with a wild hat. Donations will go towards the education of 20 UCSC students in horticulture, plant biodiversity, and the practice of public garden management. Their work will be advance the completion of this important project. In September 2019, donors will be invited to a special reception showcasing the artfully and expertly constructed garden displays, along with an insider’s peek at how it all came together. To register for the South Africa Garden Party, browse to https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/news-events/events/giving-day.html. The extraordinary project will revitalize a significant horticultural resource for the Monterey Bay area and all of California. Tom Karwin is president of the Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society, past president of the Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, and a Lifetime UC Master Gardener (Certified 1999–2009). Visit ongardening.com for more information on the topics in this column, and send comments or questions to gardening@karwin.com.

“Reading the News,” by Erwin E. Smith, c. 1908 from The Library of Congress We receive and come across all sorts of interesting information from a wide range of sources. Below, we gather some quick links to news stories, web features, and other items of interest gathered from the web, social media, and from you, […]

CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device[dfm_iframe src=”https://apps.mercurynews.com/newsletters-signup/?campaign=raiders-hq” width=”100%” height=”220px” allowfullscreen=”yes” scrolling=”yes” /] ALAMEDA — If we learned anything about the Raiders last season it’s that that they’re going to be conscious of their budget. How else do you explain trading away Khalil Mack because his asking price on a new contract far exceeded what the Raiders were willing to pay? With that in mind, go ahead and expect the Raiders to be wary of unrestricted free agents, even those at a position of need. Free agency doesn’t get underway until March 13, but NFL teams were able to place franchise and transition tag designations on players Tuesday, although none have been applied as of yet. The good news is there are at least four players with the ability to rush the passer that who could help an area that has been a problem for the Raiders even when Mack was on the roster. The bad news is all four — DeMarcus Lawrence (Dallas), Jadeveon Clowney (Houston), Dee Ford (Kansas City) and Frank Clark (Seattle) — could be tagged and essentially be taken off the market. The cost, aside from the bloated contract, would be prohibitive — two first-round draft picks. Considering what the Raiders declined to pay Mack (the Bears gave him six years, $141 million with $90 million guaranteed) it’s hard to see them anteing up for any of the above players even if they weren’t franchised. All will be looking at Mack’s deal as their guide and none are as good as Mack. To a lesser extent, wide receiver Amari Cooper was also dealt because of financial reasons, given his scheduled free agency for the 2020 season and likely wish for a salary which wouldn’t have been commensurate with his production as a Raider. For complete Oakland Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard. The addition of Mike Mayock as general manager to assist coach Jon Gruden lends an air of mystery. Mayock is a first-time G.M. and his influence with the head coach will be gauged over time. But just because the Raiders are projected to have the sixth-most salary cap space in the NFL at more than $70 million (according to overthecap.com) it doesn’t mean they’re going on a spending spree. Seattle defensive end Frank Clark (55) could end up being franchised by the Seahawks. “We know what kind of money there is,” Mayock said the day he was hired. “We also know there are a lot of mistakes made in free agency. We’re going to go after it with a pragmatic and practiced approach.” Gruden’s approach is also measured, something along the lines of former NFL executive Bill Polian, who has long been critical of teams that overpay for quick fixes in free agency. “What’s a tier one free agent? It’s a guy that’s age appropriate, clean medically, already a starter in the league and a difference-maker,” Gruden said following the season. “How many of those guys hit the market? Very few . . . you want to call some of those guys tier one guys but they’re really not. You have to be careful with the major ticket guys. “Bottom line for me is it’s buyer beware.” [related_articles location=”left” show_article_date=”false” article_type=”automatic-primary-section”]So expect the Raiders to follow more of a New England Patriots model rather than being a wheeler-dealer in free agency. Tight end has the lowest franchise tag number of any position except for specialists (punter, kicker, long-snapper) at just over $10.9 million, but still the Raiders aren’t expected to use it on Jared Cook, who is 31 and coming off a career year. While the Raiders were roundly criticized for letting Mack get away, they weren’t the only team in the league that would have balked at signing him at the price he got from the Bears. Bill Belichick wouldn’t have paid it, nor would have several other teams which have franchise quarterbacks signed to their second deals. The Patriots, of course, get a pass because of their unprecedented run of success. The Raiders do not because they’re at the opposite end of the spectrum — and because they had the rights to Mack under his fifth-year option and then backed down and traded him rather than playing hardball to get him back in the building. What the Mack trade revealed was the Raiders reluctance to overpay and the value they put in the draft. With that in mind, it’s likely to be an unsatisfying free agency period for fans who want to see big-name, big-money players in silver and black when the new league year starts on March 13. Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation.

With every day that passes, the Alliance of American Football is cementing itself as the sports world’s new favorite professional league. A band of misfits — 80 percent of whom were in NFL training camps last season — are competing for a legitimate shot back into the National Football League. The AAF received a massive […]

Here’s something strange. The state of Florida’s exclusion of professional athletes from receiving workers compensation insurance coverage is forcing the Orlando Apollos to start practicing in Georgia at the beginning of March, Alliance of American Football officials told the Orlando Sentinel. Although the situation admittedly isn’t ideal, league co-founder and CEO Charlie Ebersol said, “We […]

In a strange turn of events for Steve Spurrier’s team, the Orlando Apollos are being forced to practice in Georgia. As first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, the Orlando Apollos are being forced to practice in Georgia due to the inability of finding an insurance provider. The state of Florida currently excludes professional athletes from […]

Roy Alan and Heather Alexander started out with 50 metal folding chairs and a dream. Today, they run a theater that not only entertains but strengthens the sense of community in Winter Park, especially for underserved groups. “I don’t think in the early days we thought we would be able to build something that was […]

The state of Florida’s exclusion of professional athletes from receiving workers compensation insurance coverage is forcing the Orlando Apollos to start practicing in Georgia at the beginning of March, Alliance of American Football officials told the Orlando Sentinel. Although the situation admittedly isn’t ideal, league co-founder and CEO Charlie Ebersol said, “We really need to […]

“Every time a French person, because he or she is Jewish, is insulted, threatened — or worse, injured or killed — the whole Republic” is attacked, Macron said at a press conference in Paris after meeting with Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili.

SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove has become the company’s second park in Orlando to receive certification deeming it friendly for autistic customers, it said Tuesday. Discovery Cove, which allows customers up-close interaction with dolphins and marine life, follows SeaWorld’s Aquatica waterpark in getting the distinction as a “Certified Autism Center,” meaning employees take additional training to help […]

Royal Caribbean is planning on growing its fleet of the world’s largest cruise ships to Brady Bunch size levels. The company announced Monday it has entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build a sixth Oasis-class vessel that would debut in fall 2023. The agreement made by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent […]

Royal Caribbean is planning on growing its fleet of the world’s largest cruise ships to Brady Bunch size levels. The company announced Monday it has entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build a sixth Oasis-class vessel that would debut in fall 2023. The agreement made by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent […]

The Sentinel Human Rights Action :: Humanitarian Response :: Health :: Education :: Heritage Stewardship :: Sustainable Development __________________________________________________ Week ending 16 February 2019 This weekly digest is intended to aggregate and distill key content from a broad spectrum of practice domains and organization types including key agencies/IGOs, NGOs, governments, academic and research institutions, consortia […]