University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County Extension August 2003 The NEBLINE, August 2003 The NEBLINE, August 2003 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/neblines Part of the Agriculture Commons "The NEBLINE, August 2003" (2003). The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County. 25. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/neblines/25 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Transcript
University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County Extension
August 2003
The NEBLINE, August 2003 The NEBLINE, August 2003
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/neblines
Part of the Agriculture Commons
"The NEBLINE, August 2003" (2003). The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County. 25. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/neblines/25
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in The NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from UNL Extension in Lancaster County by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Elbert C. Dickey, Director of Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute ofAgriculture and Natural Resources. University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
We assure reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act; for assistance contact Lancaster County Extension, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528-1507, 402-441-7180. TDD capability available.
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
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Farm Views . . . . . . . . . 2
Urban Agriculture . . . . . 3
Food & Fitness . . . . . . 4
Family Living . . . . . . . . 5
Horticulture . . . . . . . . . 6
Environmental Focus . . . 7
4-H & Youth . . . . . . 8�9
Community &Home Living . . . . . . . . 10
Miscellaneous . . . . 11�12
In This Issue
"Helping Nebraskans enhance their lives through research-based education."
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu
August 2003Vol. XVI, No. 8
Trash! Trash! Trash! It�severywhere! In Lincoln, eachperson generates around 4.5pounds of garbage per day. Thisincludes all paper, table scraps,plastic, glass and more. Loads ofthese items go to the Bluff Roadlandfill. And � it is filling up. Itis estimated the landfill will befull by 2024.
What can we do differently?Are there other options?Lancaster County secondgraders are finding out. They arelearning to reduce, reuse andrecycle through the 4-H SchoolEnrichment Garbology program.
Garbology: a Waste-Watchers Guide is a curriculumand kit with hands-on activitiesdeveloped in 1990 by severallocal organizations, includingUNL Cooperative Extension inLancaster County. Garbology isincluded in the Lincoln PublicSchools (LPS) science curricu-lum as a core subject for secondgrade and also is taught in manyother Lancaster County schools.
In the fall of 2001, LoisMayo, LPS Science CurriculumSpecialist, Gene Hanlon, City ofLincoln Recycling Coordinatorand I decided Garbology neededto be updated. With the help ofLPS teachers, we completelyrevised it. New activities weretested and set to the Nebraskaand National Learning Standardsof Excellence. Six LPS teachersand their students piloted theprogram during the 2001-2002school year. After some revi-sions, the curriculum wasfinalized.
The next step was to create50 learning kits � one for eachLPS second grade classroomand a few to be rotated amongother Lancaster County schools.The kits contain supplies andmaterials for all activitiesincluded in the curriculum.
Each kit contains a 4.5pound bag of clean garbage.This meant 225 pounds ofgarbage needed to be collected,cleaned and sorted! I choseitems that could be reused orrecycled, but added things thatonly could go to the landfill,such as broken toys. Of course,I didn�t include glass because ofsafety concerns.
Then, purchasing andgathering the supplies andmaterials for the kits took anamazing amount of time. Forexample, I purchased 650 cottontowels and extension staffmember Chuck Jungbluthconstructed 200 screens and200 frames for the papermakingactivity. The kits contain every-thing from books to sponges,from soil to cereal. At comple-tion, each kit has about a $250price tag. But it�s worth it! Eachyoungster in Lancaster Countyhas a chance to make a differ-ence in solving the solid wasteproblem.
After kits were delivered toschools in the fall of 2002, Loisand I trained 130 LPS teachersand administrators to use theGarbology teacher�s guide. Weexplained, directed and demon-strated activities from thecurriculum. Teachers also wereinvited to schedule an introduc-tory presentation for students. Inteaching this lesson, I introduceyoungsters to garbage, the
landfill and more.It�s a delight to watch young
minds come up with creativeanswers when I ask how wecan reuse an item. When askedhow to reuse an old shoe, onestudent suggested we fill it withdirt and plant flower seeds.Another suggested using it for adog toy. Still another wanted touse it to hold his marbles.
Teachers usually spendabout 15 classroom hoursteaching the Garbology unit. Inthat time, students learn toidentify garbage as natural ormanufactured, to describe howgarbage impacts the environmentand to describe ways to reduce,reuse and recycle.
Parents report their childrenare checking the codes onplastic bottle at home. In fact,students are teaching theirfamilies to recycle. �Reducing,reusing, recycling has become afamily project,� says GeorgiaRoss. �We recycle aluminum,paper, plastic and cans. We�velearned how to prepare plasticfor recycling and so have theneighbors.�
In the culminating activity inGarbology, students apply thescientific process to a reducing,reusing or recycling issue atschool. By observing theirclassroom or other areas in theirschool, students may realizereducing, reusing or recyclingproblems exist.
At the end of the unit, LPStests each second grader on theinformation learned from theprogram.
Lois Mayo says, �The newGarbology curriculum and kitare having a tremendous impacton the LPS second graderecycling unit. The guide isteacher-friendly and closelycorrelates with the LPS sciencecurriculum. The wide variety ofmaterials in the kit, the relevant
Lessons Learned Through GarbologyArlene Hanna
Extension Associate
activities, the printed resourcesand the videos support thecurriculum and make it trulycome �alive.� Students arelearning to become responsiblestewards of the environment bypracticing the 3 R�s: Reduce,Reuse, Recycle.�
The Garbology kits include a 4.5 bag of garbage. 225 pounds ofgarbage had to be collected, cleaned and sorted for 50 kits.
Arlene Hanna (shown at top) and Lois Mayo held a teacher�s trainingto teach LPS teachers to use the new Garbology teacher�s guide.
�The new Garbology
curriculum and kit are
having a tremendous
impact on the LPS second
grade recycling unit. The
wide variety of materials
in the kit, the relevant
activities, the printed
resources and the videos
support the curriculum
and make it truly come
�alive.��
Lois Mayo, LPS ScienceCurriculum Specialist
According to Gene Hanlon,�With programs such asGarbology, the city has addedthree years to the life of thelandfill.�
I really enjoy working withthe Garbology program. Theprocess of developing thecurriculum and activities withsuch a talented and dedicatedgroup of professionals was agreat experience. I enjoy theinteraction with the students andtheir sincere desire to make adifference is inspiring.
Garbology is a wonderfuladdition to UNL CooperativeExtension�s 4-H School Enrich-ment programs. It brings 4-H�sphilosophy of �learning bydoing�into the classroom.
2003
LANCASTER COUNTY FAIR
View county fair photos onpage 12 of this issue. Morephotos and 360-degreepanoramics are online atlancaster.unl.edu/4h/Fair.
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Farm Views Page 2
Generally, the turnover ratefor rental land is very small inNebraska, averaging about 8percent. On average, leases onagricultural land run for 15years. This reflects the high levelof communication betweenlandowners and tenants and thehigh regard most landownershave for the ability of theirtenant to produce top yieldswhile being a careful steward ofthe land. Usually changes thatoccur are because of producerdownsizing or expanding. Onlyin a few cases does a landlordterminate a lease because ofpoor management practices.
Under Nebraska law, oral(unwritten) leases are legallypresumed to be year-to-yearleases. A year-to-year lease hasno fixed time period and isautomatically renewed foranother year until proper noticehas been given to the tenant bythe landowner (or vice versa)that the lease is terminated.
Written leases are in effectonly for the period specified inthe lease itself, which may beone year, five years, etc. Forwritten leases, no notice is
Summer weather bringsout the mosquitos and withthem comes the increasedpotential for horses to con-tract West Nile Virus. Firstdocumented in the UnitedStates in October 1999, WestNile Virus is an arbovirustransmitted by mosquitos. Ittypically affects birds, horsesand humans, but any type ofmammal is susceptible. WestNile Virus is generally spreadwhen an infected bird, such asa crow or blue jay, is bitten bya mosquito. When thatmosquito bites horses,humans or other mammals,they can come down with thevirus. It�s not spread byperson-to-person contact.
Some of the neurologicsigns present in horses that
An old proverb states,�Good fences make goodneighbors.� While this is gener-ally accepted as a true statement,who must pay the cost of thefence constructed between twoneighbors? Nebraska lawaddresses the subject of fencesbetween neighboring properties.David Aiken, University ofNebraska water and ag lawspecialist, has written extensionpublication �Nebraska FenceViewer Statutes� (NF98-390).The following information isbased on this publication.
Nebraska statutes provide
Fertilizing CropLand with BiosolidsAn Educational Workshop about
Lincoln�s Biosolids Program
WEST NILE VIRUS NEWS
have contracted West Nile Virusinclude loss of coordination,stumbling, muscle tremors andeven death. There is no reasonto destroy a horse infected withthe virus. Many horses haverecovered from it.
There is no treatment forWest Nile Virus, other thanstandard veterinary practicesused on animals infected withany other virus. However, thereis a vaccine available that mayhelp prevent the virus but mustbe given by a veterinarian. Theinitial vaccine is a two shotseries given three to six weeksapart. Both injections must begiven to provide protection fromWest Nile Virus. Maximumprotection occurs four weeksafter the second shot. Foals maybe vaccinated at 12 weeks of
West Nile Virus is of Concern to HorseOwners During the Summer
required from the landlord to thetenant that the lease will not berenewed unless the lease specifi-cally states that notice oftermination is required. Unless itcontains a renewal clause, thelease automatically terminates atthe end of the lease period. Thetenant generally has no right tohave a written lease renewedunless the lease contains arenewal clause.
If a tenant �holds over� bynot leaving after a written leasehas ended, the tenant is legallyconsidered to be a trespasserwhom the landlord may removeby going to court. If the land-owner does not remove thetenant, however, a year-to-yearlease is automatically establishedby implication. If a holdovertenant begins to work and incursexpenses for the next year�scrop, the courts generally haveruled the landowner has agreedby implication to the tenant�sholding over.
The most common legalissue associated with verbal farmleases is how a lease may legallybe terminated. For year-to-yearleases and holdover leases, six
months advance notice must begiven to legally terminate thelease. However, the lease date(the date from which the sixmonths is counted) is different.
Oral year-to-year leasetermination. For year-to-yearleases, the Nebraska SupremeCourt has ruled the lease yearbegins on March 1. Notice to atenant to vacate under an oralyear-to-year lease (legallyreferred to as a �notice to quit�)must be given six months inadvance of the end of the lease,or no later than August 31.
Holdover lease termina-tion. On holdover leases, thelease date is established whenthe lease began in the originalwritten lease rather than auto-matically being March 1. If theoriginal written lease began Jan.1, the notice to quit from thelandlord to the holdover tenantwould have to be given at leastsix months in advance of theend of the lease, or no later thanJune 30.
To make a lease terminationprocess go smoothly, followthese tips:
that a person may collect aportion of the cost of a divisionfence from the neighbor if thestatutory fence viewer proce-dure is followed. Under thefence viewer procedure, if oneor both parties desire a divisionfence, the cost of constructionand maintenance of a lawfulfence shall be borne by bothlandowners. The law defines alawful fence. Six basic fencetypes, including minimumstandards for constructionmaterials and post spacing, aredescribed in detail within thestatute.
Nebraska Fence Viewer StatutesCover Fence Issues
The law further describeshow disputes are to be settled.Either party can request thecounty clerk to call a panel offence viewers to settle disputes.The duty of the fence viewers isto distinctly mark and define theproportion of the fence to bemade or maintained by eachparty. The qualifications of theindividuals on the fence viewerpanel are carefully spelled out inthe statute.
Nebraska Fence Viewer Statutes can be pickedup at the local extension office or accessed onthe Web at: www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/farmmgt/nf390.htm. (TD)
At this workshop you will learn:� How wastewater is processed and made safe for application� How regulations determine application rates and locations� How GPS and GIS technology is used in Lincoln�s Biosolids
Program� How you can reduce your out-of-pocket fertilizer costs� Biosolids improves soil tilth, especially on poor or eroded soil� Biosolids increases organic matter and water holding capacity� Biosolids usually increases crop yields for several years after
just one application.Meet at 3:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education
Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road, and travel to the TheresaStreet Wastewater Facility at 4 p.m. for a tour. Educationalprogram is back at the Lancaster Extension Education Centerfrom 6�8:30 p.m.
Please preregister for this workshop before Sept. 26 bycalling 441-7180. (BPO)
Tuesday, Sept. 30 � 3:30�8:30 p.m.
Pesticide DisposalCollection Aug. 18
age and require a second dosethree weeks later. If foals arevaccinated prior to 12 weeksof age, a three dose series isrecommended.
Another way to helpprevent West Nile Virus is tocontrol mosquitos. This can bedone by eliminating standingwater, decreasing exposure andusing repellents and insecti-cides. To help prevent mosqui-tos from affecting horses,avoid turning on lights in thestable during the evening andovernight. Place incandescentbulbs at the perimeter of thestable to pull mosquitos out ofthe barn. Remove all birds,including chickens close to thestable.
A pesticide disposal collection will be held Monday, Aug.18, 8 a.m.�Noon at the Farmers Cooperative Company fertilizerplant on North 148th Street, Waverly. All types of pesticideswill be accepted except those in pressurized cylinders.
No appointment is needed and there is no charge forturning in less than 1,000 pounds of pesticides. There is acharge of $1 per pound for each pound of product over 1,000pounds. If you plan to turn in quantities of 1,000 pounds ormore, contact Rich Reiman in advance at 471-2394 to makearrangements.
Pesticides should be brought in their original containerswith label intact, if possible. Remember to protect yourself andyour surroundings when handling waste pesticides. You mayneed to wear personal protective equipment or, as a minimum,unlined neoprene gloves.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture, University ofNebraska Cooperative Extension, Nebraska Fertilizer & AgChemical Association, Nebraska Department of EnvironmentalQuality, and the Environmental Trust Fund are sponsoringpesticide collections at nine sites across Nebraska.
It is anticipated there will not be any pesticide collectionsin 2004 due to budget constraints. This may be the last oppor-tunity to dispose of unwanted pesticides for some time
For more information, contact the NDA at (402) 471-2394,NU�s Pesticide Education office at (402) 472-1632, or visitonline at http://pested.unl.edu/pat.
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Urban Agriculture Page 3
CollectingPINE � Pine cones should
be collected in the fall when thecones begin to crack and open.See Table I for specific dates.Place the cones on a dry surfacein the sun until they open. Theexception to this is jack pine.While some jack pine conesopen each year, especially thosein full sun, most of the conesrequire additional heat to open.Jack pine cones will need 2�4hours in a 150°F oven.
Shake or tumble the conesover a screen to remove theseeds. The wings on the seedsmay be removed. Rub the seedsbetween your hands and blowthe wings away. Dewinging isnot necessary but will makestorage and planting easier whenprocessing large amounts ofseed. Scotch pine seeds aredelicate and should be handledcarefully.
If the seeds are to be storedbefore stratification, they shouldbe put in clean sealed jars andkept at 35�40°F, a commonrefrigerator temperature.
SPRUCE � Spruce conesshould be collected when theybegin to open in the fall, midAugust�October. Dry the conesin the sun until they are fullyopen and the seeds fall out easilywhen the cones are shaken, orplace in an oven at 100�120°Ffor 6�24 hours. Use a thermom-eter to check the temperature, ashigher temperatures will kill theseeds. Spruce cones often havea high percentage of emptyseeds. The empty seed can beseparated from the good seed byputting the seeds in ethylalcohol. The empty seed willfloat and should be discarded.The seeds can be dewinged andstored by the same methodsdescribed for pine.
CEDAR AND JUNIPER �Cedar and juniper seed should becollected from Septemberthrough early December. Theberry-like cones are blue whenripe. Rocky Mountain juniperseeds take two years to mature,so do not pick the immaturegreen cones.
Soak the cones in a weaklye solution (one teaspoon of lyeper gallon of water) for one ortwo days, then rinse well with
water. If the cones are stillsticky, repeat the lye soaking andrinsing. Dry the fruits, thenseparate the seeds from the pulpby rubbing on a screen. Nextsoak the seeds and pulp in water.The pulp and empty seeds willfloat and can be discarded. Thegood seeds should be stored inthe same way as pine seeds.
Stratification
PINE AND SPRUCE �Stratification for pine and spruceis a fairly easy process. Theseeds have mild internal dor-mancy. Soak the seeds in roomtemperature water for two days(change the water after 24hours) place in moist sand in aclean plastic bag and store at35�40°F. The bag should beloosely tied. The length of timeneeded for stratification is listedin Table II.
CEDAR AND JUNIPER �The junipers have both internaland seed-coat dormancy.Soaking eastern redcedar seed in
a weak solution (1 percent) ofcitric acid for four days beforestratification will increasegermination. Rinse the seedswell with water before stratify-ing. Stratify the seed by layeringin moist sand or peatmoss in aclean plastic bag and keep it at35�40°F for 30�120 days.
Rocky Mountain juniperseed should be stratified for sixmonths before planting. Layerthe seeds in damp peatmoss in aclean plastic bag. Loosely tie thebag and keep it at 35�40°F forsix months. Begin stratifying theseed in January and plant in July.The seed will germinate thefollowing spring.
Planting and CareSeeds should be planted
promptly after stratification. Ifthe seed is allowed to dry out,dormancy may be triggeredagain and your efforts will bewasted.
A large seed bed is notneeded for a home operation, butthe area should be selected
Growing Conifers from Seedcarefully.The areashould bewell-drained andfairly open,close to asource ofwater andprotectedfromanimals. Anacid, sandyloam is bestfor mostconifers.Theaddition of peatmoss will helpmake the soil more acidic. Addfertilizer to a poor soil. A 4� x 8�seedbed would need about half apound of commercial fertilizerlike ammonia nitrate 33 percentor ammonium phosphate 12-20-0. The fertilizer should beworked into the soil well beforeplanting.
The planting times for themost common conifers grown inNebraska are given in Table II.
SPECIES
Ponderosa Pine
Austrian Pine
Scotch Pine
Jack Pine
White Pine
Black Hills Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Eastern Redcedar
Rocky Mountain Juniper
PRE-RIPE CONE COLOR
green
yellowish-green
green
green
green
green
green tinged with red
green
green (with bloom)
RIPE CONE COLOR
brown
yellowish brown/light brown
grayish or dull brown orcinnamon brown
tawny yellow to brown
yellow green to light brown
light brown
shiny light brown
blue
blue (with waxy white bloom)
WHEN TO COLLECT CONES¹
August�September
September�November
September�October
September
August�September
Mid August�September
September�October
September�November
Mid September�Mid December
Table I. Cone collection dates.
COMMENTS
Stratify for 20�30 days before planting.
Stratify for 35�56 days before planting.
Stratify for 30�60 days before planting.
No stratification necessary.
Stratify for 30�60 days before planting.
Stratify 30�50 days before planting.
Stratify 30�50 days before planting.
No stratification needed if planted in August. Stratify 30�120 daysbefore spring planting.
Start stratification in January. Plant in July.
SPECIES
Ponderosa Pine
Austrian Pine
Scotch Pine
Jack Pine
White Pine
Black Hills Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Eastern Redcedar
Rocky Mountain Juniper
WHEN TO PLANT
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
August or Spring
July
Table II. Stratification and planting instructions.
When planting in the spring, waituntil all danger of frost is past.
The best method of seedingis in uniform rows. Space therows six to eight inches apart,leaving two foot walkwaysabout every six rows.
For further information onplanting, disease and insectcontrol, read Growing Conifersfrom Seed, www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/forestry/g380.htm (DJ)
The lingering drought makes itnecessary to know how to properlyprovide supplemental water to trees.
Water should be placed where theroots are growing. Research showsmore than 70 percent of tree roots arein the top 24 inches of soil. Waterplaced below that cannot be absorbedby the roots.
Trees require variable amounts ofmoisture. In addition to tree size andamount of competition around thetree, the type of soil the tree is plantedin is one of the main factors affectinghow much moisture is needed.
Sandy soils release stored mois-ture easily to plants but the amount ofwater the soil can hold at any one timeis low. Clay soils can hold a lot ofmoisture, but the clay particles holdthe water too tightly, making the water
Water Trees According to Soil Typeunavailable for plants to absorb.
Frequent watering in low amountsis the best way to water trees in sandysoil. Ideally, soil should be moist 18inches into the ground for as long asthe tree is growing. Watering everyfive to seven days may be necessaryto maintain adequate moisture in hightemperatures and high winds.
It is almost impossible tooverwater trees in sandy soil, thoughit can be wasteful. When too muchwater is applied to sandy soil it passesthrough the soil and isn�t available totree roots.
Proper watering is more difficultin clay soils because water can�t easilyenter the small pores in clay soils.However, once they are wet, clay soilshold moisture for long periods of time.(DJ)
1After these dates the cones open and disperse seen naturally.
Cones of some conifers grown in Nebraska. (Top row,L�R) ponderosa pine, Black Hills spruce and Colorado
blue spruce, (middle row, L�R) Scotch pine and jackpine, (bottom row, L�R) eastern white pine, Austrian
pine and limber pine.
A hazard tree may have one ormore defects which decreases itsstructural integrity and gives it anincreased potential for failure. One ofthese treatments may help make yourtree safer. Reducing the risk associ-ated with hazardous trees can takemany forms. An arborist familiar withhazard tree evaluation may suggestone or more of the following:
REMOVE THE TARGET �While you can�t move a home or anearby power line, you can sometimesmove picnic tables, cars, landscapefeatures, etc. to prevent them frombeing hit by a falling tree.
PRUNE THE TREE � Removethe defective branches of the tree.Since inappropriate pruning may alsoweaken a tree, it is best done by aCertified Arborist.
CABLE AND BRACE THETREE � Provide physical supportfor weak branches and stems toincrease their strength and stability.
PROVIDE ROUTINE CARE� Mature trees need routine care inthe form of water, fertilizer (in somecases), mulch and pruning asdictated by the season and theirstructure.
REMOVE THE TREE � Somehazardous trees are best removed. Ifpossible, plant a new tree in anappropriate place as a replacement.
Recognizing and reducing treehazards not only increases the safetyof your property and that of yourneighbors, but will also improve thetree�s health and may increase itslongevity! (DJ)
Recognizing Tree Hazards
Alice Henneman, RD, LMNT, Extension Educator
Enjoy the fresh ingredients in this homemade salsa. It�s lowerin sodium than many commercial salsas, especially if made with ano-salt-added tomato sauce. Let the salsa refrigerate for an hour orso before serving to allow flavors to blend. This recipe is providedcourtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 5 A DayFruits and Vegetables of the Month.
Homemade SalsaMakes 8 servings
1 cup finely chopped, peeled tomato1/2 cup tomato sauce1/4 cup yellow or red onion1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper2 tablespoons vinegar2 cloves garlic, minced1 to 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (use
caution; wear rubber gloves and do not rub youreyes when chopping peppers)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl. Refrigerate until ready toserve.
COOK�S TIPS:� Consider using lemon or lime juice in place of vinegar.� To reduce the sodium content further, use a no-salt-added
tomato sauce. These frequently are available in the cannedtomato section of your grocery store or in a health foodstore. Serve with unsalted tortilla chips.
for Limited Resource Families
Karen WobigExtension Assistant
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Food & Fitness Page 4
During the 2002�03 schoolyear, over 1,500 students fromincome eligible schools partici-pated in the Nutrition EducationProgram�s School EnrichmentProgram. Our initial visit to eachof the 87 different classroomsinvolved a demonstration andhands-on learning about properhand washing. Using a speciallotion which reacts to an ultra-violet light, students rub thelotion on their hands, are taughtthe five steps of proper handwashing, look under the light tosee all the lotion on their hands(which indicates where germscould be also), wash their handsand then check again under thelight to see how much lotionthey washed off. If any is left,that could indicate germs are left
FREE class: HealthyCooking for 1 or 2
If you�d like to preservepeppers and tomatoes withoutcanning them, here are someguidelines on freezing them fromthe National Center for HomeFood Preservation, hosted by theUniversity of Georgia Coopera-tive Extension Servicewww.uga.edu/nchfp.
Bell and Hot PeppersPeppers are one of those
foods you can quickly freezeraw without blanching themfirst.
Bell or Sweet PeppersPreparation � Select crisp,
tender, green or bright red pods.Wash, cut out stems, cut in halfand remove seeds. If desired,cut into 1/2-inch strips or rings.
Heated � Good for use incooking. Water blanch (seesidebar at end of article) halves 3minutes, strips or rings 2minutes. Cool promptly, drainand package, leaving 1/2-inchheadspace. Seal and freeze.
Unheated � Good for usein uncooked foods because theyhave a crisper texture, or incooked foods. Package raw,leaving no headspace. Seal andfreeze.
Hot PeppersPreparation � Wash and
stem peppers. Package, leaving
no headspace. Seal and freeze.NOTE: To make it easier to
remove only the amount offrozen bell or sweet peppersneeded at one time, freeze slicedor diced peppers in a single layeron a cookie sheet with sides.Transfer to a �freezer� bagwhen frozen, excluding as muchair as possible from the bag.
TomatoesIt is possible to quickly
freeze raw tomatoes withoutblanching them first. Frozentomatoes are best used incooked foods such as soups,sauces and stews as theybecome mushy when they�rethawed.
Preparation � Select firm,ripe tomatoes with deep redcolor.
Raw � Wash and dip inboiling water for 30 seconds toloosen skins. Core and peel.Freeze whole or in pieces. Packinto containers, leaving l-inchheadspace. Seal and freeze. Useonly for cooking or seasoning astomatoes will not be solid whenthawed.
To extend the time frozenfoods maintain good quality,package foods in materialintended for freezing and keepthe temperature of the freezer at0°F or below. It is generally
Freezing Peppers and Tomatoes
as well. Moststudents and teachershave areas of lotionremaining, whichleads into talkingabout how hard it isto get hands clean.
The studentsreally enjoy thisactivity and teachersindicate what apositive change it hasin the thoroughnessof their hand wash-ing. Following is asample of somewritten teacherevaluations:� �Washing hands
much more often.�� �My hand washing
awareness hasincreased and I amtrying to be morethorough.�
� �Longer time handwashing before lunch, espe-cially.�
� �Washing better at rest roombreaks.�
� �They have a fit if they do notget to wash their hands before
Teaching Proper Hand Washing to School Children
Directions forblanching
For home freezing, themost satisfactory way toheat all vegetables is inboiling water. Use a blancherwhich has a blanchingbasket and cover, or fit awire basket into a large potwith a lid.
Use one gallon waterper pound of preparedvegetables. Put the vegetablein a blanching basket andlower into vigorously boilingwater. Place a lid on theblancher. The water shouldreturn to boiling within 1minute, or you are using toomuch vegetable for theamount of boiling water.Start counting blanchingtime as soon as the waterreturns to a boil. Keep heathigh for the time given in thedirections for the vegetableyou are freezing.
recommended frozen vegetablesbe eaten within about 8 monthsfor best quality.
For more information onfreezing and canning freshproduce this summer, check ourWeb site at lancaster.unl.edu/food/foodpres.htm.(AH)
lunch. . . 100 percent betterwashing.�
When children are out ofschool, they often prepare theirown snacks/meals. Encouragethem to not only prepare nutri-
PinwheelsSlices of breadSandwich fillings, such as tuna, egg, or chicken salad,
cheese, peanut butterFresh vegetables or fruits
1. Wash hands.2. Flatten each slice of bread with a rolling pin.3. Spread a sandwich filling on each slice of bread.4. Cut up vegetables or fruits in small pieces and put on
sandwich filling.5. Place a cheese slice or shredded cheese on top.6. Starting with one end, roll the bread.7. Slice into one inch pieces.8. Refrigerate leftovers.
Be adventurous in trying different food combinations.Sometimes the most unlikely combinations taste the best.Tortillas can be used in place of the bread.
Alice Henneman, registered dietitian and extension educator, will help youlearn how to prepare quick, delicious and nutritious meals for one or twopeople on Nov. 4, 7�8 p.m. in cooperation with BryanLGH Medical Center.The emphasis will be on using just a few common ingredients per recipe andas few dishes to wash as possible! Participants will receive an extensivehandout which includes tips and recipes. More information on location andhow to register will be provided in the next NEBLINE. (AH)
Learn the latest �Cook It Quick Tip of the Month� atlancaster.unl.edu/food/ciqtips.htm
Find directions for canning and freezing summer produce atlancaster.unl.edu/food/foodpres.htm
Discover 12 easy ways to add extra taste and nutrition to summersalads at lancaster.unl.edu/food/ftj-a03.htm
Check out our summer food safety tips on the Food Safety for HomeCooking section of our Web site at lancaster.unl.edu/food/foodsafety.htm#summer
Web Resources of the Month
tious foods, but to alwaysremember to wash their handsbefore touching or eating anyfood. Below is a recipe appropri-ate for school-age children tomake, but since it requires a lotof handling of foods, be sure toremind your children to followthe five steps of proper handwashing:
An Elliot School student practicesproper hand washing.
1. Wet hands with warm,running water.
2. Add soap.3. Scrub (away from running
water) hands together, frontand back, between fingersand under nails for about 20seconds.
4. Rinse.5. Dry, turning off faucet with
paper towel.
Lines from LynnLynn Bush
FCE Council Chair
This year has goneby so quickly. I can�tbelieve I�m writing forthe August NEBLINE
already. The good part iscooler weather is closer! Iam not a fan of heat andhumidity. I guess it�s true, �Youcan take the girl out of Minne-sota but you can�t take Minne-
sota out of the girl!�I hope everyone is managing
to stay cool and thinking aboutthe upcoming year.
Presidents � don�tforget the pick upreorganizational packetswhich should be ready
at the end of August.The Sizzling Summer
Sampler was a success. Around100 people attended. Basketswere raffled off and raised justunder $300 for the Scholarship
by Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
TrustworthinessThe four ethical principles of trustworthiness are integrity,
honesty, promise-keeping and loyalty. Trust is essential tomeaningful personal relationships, enduring and rewardingfriendship and successful associations in school, extracurricu-lar activities and the workplace.
Trust is an essentialfactor in achieving sustain-able success. People ofcharacter understandthe importance oftrust and pursue alife that makesthem worthy oftrust. (LB)
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Family Living Page 5
Although times are difficultnow for many people for manyreasons, there are still somethings we can do to help our-selves. Economic hardship,drought conditions, and the warsituation are stressors that affectmany of us. Life is not easyanyway, and when additionalstressors are added to thedemands of daily life, it canalmost seem too much to handle.Each person has a limit with thelevel of stress that can behandled effectively. Then eachperson has a breaking point. It isessential that before we get to
When Times are Tough: WhatCan I do to Help Myself?
the breaking point, we stop, doan assessment, and make a plan.The plan may involve somechange, getting some help fromothers, and may involve somedifficult decisions. Whatevermust be done to avoid a breakingpoint will vary depending onyour personality, your capabili-ties, and your support network.It essential that you are willing toask for help from others whenyou need it. Too often it isassumed that those who loveand care for you should be ableto read your mind. Peoplecannot read your mind. Let
FAMILY COMMUNITY EDUCATION (FCE) NEWS
CHARACTER COUNTS! CORNER
Store cleaning supplies where you use them (in the kitchenand bathroom), so you don�t have to keep going from room toroom to find them. By cleaning as you go (wiping the bath-room vanity after each use, etc.) dirt won�t accumulate andclean ups will be faster.
September Council MeetingThe September FCE Council meeting will be Monday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m. at Lancaster
Extension Education Center. The program will be presented by Stephanie Bowers with her�angel� dog that is trained to go to nursing homes and other facilities to visit residents. Therewill be election of officers and reports of the State Convention. All FCE members are invited toattend. Call Pam at 441-7180 if you plan to attend.
Achievement MeetingMark your calendars for the 2003 Achievement meeting, Monday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. at the
Lancaster Extension Education Center. An interesting program on vests will be presented byRose Marie Tondl after dessert and beverage. Clubs and members will be recognized for yearsof membership. Everyone is asked to bring food or a donation for the food bank for FCE�sannual collection. All FCE members are invited. Call Pam at 441-7180 if you plan to attend.
Leader TrainingThe FCE and community leader training lesson for October will be Tuesday, Sept. 30 (note
the date change). The 3 R�s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) will be presented by ExtensionEducator Lorene Bartos.
Recycling is not mandatory in Nebraska at the present time but it could happen if thelandfills continue to fill at the present rate. Following the 3 R�s in our daily lives will help lowerthe amount of trash that goes to the landfill. This lesson will give participants information onrecycling, Shop S.M.A.R.T. (Save Money And Reduce Trash) and ideas of how to maketreasures from trash.
If you have an article that has been made from recycling an item(s) please bring it to share.If you are not an FCE member call Pam at 441-7180 so informational packets can be prepared.
Re-Organizational PacketsPresidents of FCE Clubs: Your re-organizational packets will be ready for you to pick up
the end of August. It will include the dues information for your club treasurer which has a duedate of Oct. 1. There are other October deadlines within the packet. It is time to look forwardand plan an exciting and educational year for FCE. If you have questions, call Lorene or Pam at441-7180. (LB)
The loss of sleep affectshow you think and feel. A recentstudy found when you lose onenight�s sleep, you can stillrespond to familiar situations anddo routine jobs if you concen-trate hard and push yourself. Butyou�ll find it hard to come upwith a creative solution to aproblem or task where there arenot familiar rules to guide you.
1. Evaluate your time. Thedemands made on a marriageand family are countless:children, church, community.You need time for just the twoof you as well. Make a list ofthings your family does each dayand week.
2. Prioritize your activi-ties. Which activities are vital toyour marriage and family?Which build up and strengthenyour primary relationships?Which are not really important?List your activities in order ofimportance.
3. Decrease nonessentialactivities. Although we like tothink everything we do isimportant, it isn�t. Some activi-
Getting yourself and yourchildren up and out of the housein the morning can be a realchallenge. And if the day startswith a hassle, parents end upgoing to work�and children toschool�feeling upset. Here aresome tips for the morning rushthat can be adapted to your ownsituation.� Set the stage for a stress-
free morning. Set the tablefor breakfast the night before,organize lunch boxes andcheck whether you have pettycash available for last-minuteneeds.
� Involve children in prepara-tions for the next day. Layout clothes the night before.Encourage school-age kids tolisten to the weather report sothey can decide what to wearthe next day. Get them to thinkabout what special things they
Fund. Thank you to all whoattended.
Just a couple of dates topass along to you. Sept. 22 willbe the next Council Meeting. Itwill be hosted by Emerald andHome Service Club. Oct. 20 isAchievement Night hosted byBusy Bees and Helpful Home-makers.
Enjoy the rest of yoursummer. Hope to see all of youat the September Councilmeeting.
ties can be eliminated, othersdone less frequently. Cross offyour list those activities whichare not essential.
4. Delegate. Parents don�thave to do everything. Often anolder child is capable of takingresponsibility. Younger childrencan do small tasks. Sometimesyou can pool resources incooperation with friends andneighbors.
5. Take time for yourself.Everything you do is conditionedby the energy you bring it. To bethe best spouse and parent youcan be seek ways to renewyourself through prayer, play,exercise and good nourishment.(LB)
If you were a student, forexample, and you had stayed upall night to study for an exam,you might do well on multiplechoice or true-false questionsbut find it difficult to writeanything that required analyticskills. Similarly, at work youcould manage on �automaticpilot� but not be able to tackleanything that required originality
How Sleep Loss Affects Your Ability to Think
Five Steps to aHassle-less Family
others know how they can helpyou. Sharing feelings, expecta-tions and concerns puts you in avulnerable position and so isoften avoided. But without thishonesty and trust, it will bedifficult to develop relationshipsthat build and support you.Knowing your personality, yourlimitations, and your needs willallow you to better communicateyour needs to others. This isespecially important to those inyour close support network whocan help you help yourself.
Source: Kathy Bosch, Extension Specialist,Family Life Education (LB)
will need for a class trip orscience project.
� Build in a time cushion. Getup a little earlier so you havesome time to yourself. Youmay be on �fast forward� butthe kids will probably be in�slow motion,� so a little extratime makes it possible foreveryone to wake up, getdressed and enjoy breakfastwithout feeling so frazzled.
� Create schedules androutines. Specify times forthe major events such asgetting out of bed, eatingbreakfast and leaving thehouse. Within that framework,be clear about the sequence ofsteps in each part of themorning routine.
� Talk over plans for the day.Since family routines are not
Have a Good Start to the Day
or spontaneity. With the loss oftwo nights� sleep, even yourability to function in familiarsituations will be greatly impaired.
If you lose sleep for what-ever reason � a crying baby, asick family member or anoccasional attack of insomnia �try to be realistic about what youexpect to accomplish the nextday. (LB)
see GOOD START on page 11
GardenGuide
Things to do this month
Check on water needs of hanging baskets daily in thesummer. Wind and sun dry them more quickly than othercontainers.
Clean up fallen rose and peony leaves. They can harbordisease and insect pests over the winter if allowed toremain on the ground.
Mound soil over the lateral or brace roots of corn stalks forextra support against strong winds.
Pick summer squash and zucchini every day or two to keepthe plants producing.
Remove old vegetable plants which have stopped producingto eliminate a shelter for insects and disease organisms.
Water the garden early in the day so plants can absorb themoisture before the hot sun dries the soil. Early wateringalso insures the foliage dries before night. Wet foliage atnight increases susceptibility to fungus diseases.
Many herbs self-sow if the flowers are not removed. Dillproduce seeds that fall around the parent plant and comeup as volunteers the following spring.
To reduce the number of pests on your fruit tree for thecoming year, pick up and destroy all fallen fruit.
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is used by many gardeners toprotect cole crops from chewing caterpillars.
White flies are attracted to yellow, so use yellow stickyboards to reduce their populations.
Every weed that produces seed means more trouble nextyear. Control weeds before they go to seed.
Do not add weeds with mature seed heads to the compostpile. Many weed seeds can remain viable and germinatenext year when the compost is used. (MJF)
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Horticulture Page 6
The National Garden Bureaudesignated 2003 as the Year ofthe Poppy. Poppies deserve aplace in any garden: in wild-flower and meadow plantings,perennial borders, cuttinggardens or mixed-shrub borders.Their flower colors range fromdeepest crimson, bright orange,yellow, soft pink, peach, rose,lilac and cream. Flowers may besingle, double or semi-double,with amazing texture and size.
In a border garden, poppiescombine beautifully with lamb�sears, cornflowers, larkspur,Shasta daisy, and veronica. For ameadow look, you cannot go
Nimblewill, Muhlenbergiaschreberi, is a native, warmseason, weedy grass that ofteninvades home lawns. It growsbest during the warmest summermonths. It is objectionable incool season turfs like Kentuckybluegrass and tall fescue becauseof its delayed green up in thespring and early fall dormancy.Many homeowners also dislikethe fine-bladed texture ofnimblewill and its habit to lievery flat on the ground, makingit difficult to mow. Unfortu-nately, nimblewill is also aperennial grass that cannot becontrolled with a pre-emergentherbicide; its root systemsurvives Nebraska�s cold wintertemperatures enabling existingplants to regrow each year. It isspread primarily through theseeds that are produced eachyear in early fall.
Nimblewill is a thin, wiry,pale green grass. The leaf bladesare short and emerge at 45degree angles from the stems,which are slender, smooth andtend to lie flat on the ground. Itspreads by short stolons, orabove ground stems, that root atthe nodes. Nimblewill forms
Seeds can survive severalyears when given the properenvironment. Although optimumstorage life varies amongspecies, most seeds will surviveat least two years with somelasting for centuries. Whetherthey are leftovers from the seedyou purchased or seeds youhave gathered from your ownplants, with a little care andthought, it is a simple task tosave seeds for use in next yearsgarden. Unused seeds that keep
for at least five years arebroccoli, cabbage, cauliflower,cucumber, kohlrabi, lettuce,pumpkin, radish and squash.
The most important storagefactor is low moisture content.Most seeds readily absorb waterif stored in a damp environment.In a proper planting environmentthis would lead to germinationand growth. In storage this leadsto molding and rotting. Storeseeds at a relative humidity ofless than 65 percent.
Seed life can be furtherextended by placing seeds in asealed container. This reducesthe oxygen content and creates acontrolled atmosphere. The bestcontainers for seed storage arezip lock plastic bags or glass jarswith tight-fitting lids. To avoididentification problems, leaveseeds in their original packets orenvelopes. Seeds may be storedin any cool, dark, dry place.(MJF)
Storing Extra Seeds
wrong with asowing ofpoppies amongcoreopsis andbachelor�sbutton. Thecolors comple-ment each otherand the variousplants extendthe floweringseason into fall.
Flowersappear primarilyin the spring orfall when cool temperaturesprevail. Poppies vary in heightfrom 2 to 3 feet tall, although
there are dwarf strains of theIceland poppy that reach only 12inches. The latter workwell in rock gardens, incontainers and at thefront edge of a border.Most poppies look goodin the middle or towardsthe rear of perennialbeds.
AnnualsCorn poppy (Pa-
paver rhoeas), grows 2to 3 feet tall, bloomsfrom late spring throughsummer and bears red,purple, lilac, white,salmon, peach, pink ororange flowers with a
2003 is the Year of the Poppy
Controlling Nimblewill
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circular patches as a result of itsstoloniferous growth pattern,which grow larger each year.
There is no easy method forcontrolling nimblewill, becausethere is no herbicide that will killthis weed and not kill theexisting turfgrass too. Theeasiest means of control is tospray patches of nimbleweedwith a total-kill herbicide likeRound Up. Spray a circle 10 to12 inches larger on each side
than the existing patch, to ensureall stolons are killed. Allow thegrass two to three weeks to dieback, then reseed or resod thearea.
A common mistake made byhomeowners is not killing a largeenough area of grass initially,and inadvertently leaving somenimblewill alive. When thishappens the patches will re-grow and the control processmust to be repeated. (MJF)
distinctive dark blotch at thebase of each petal. Shirleypoppy, a selection from thespecies, grows to 4 feet tall; itspastel blooms lack the blotch buthave a narrow white or tintededge on each petal.
PerennialsAlpine poppy (Papaver
alpinum), grows 5 to 10 inchestall, blooms from late spring tosummer and bears white, yellow,or occasionally orange or redflowers. It is hardy in Zones 5 to8.
Iceland poppy (Papaver
As of July 29, Lancaster County is in moderate drought conditions.
Corn Poppy
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Oriental Poppy
Alpine Poppy
nudicaule), grows 1 to 2 feettall, blooms from late springthrough summer and producesorange, red, yellow, apricot,pink, salmon or white flowersup to seven inches across andhas attractive blue-greensegmented foliage. It is hardy inZones 2 to 8.
Oriental poppy (Papaverorientale), grows 2 to 4 feet tall,blooms from late spring tomidsummer and bears scarlet,salmon, pink, peach, white orrose blooms, usually with ablack blotch at the base of thepetals. The foliage dies backafter flowering but begins toregrow in fall. It is hardy inZones 4 to 9. (MJF)
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Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map
For the most recent map, visitwww.drought.unl.edu/dm
Source: National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Environmental Focus Page 7
The Salt Creektiger beetle, Cicindelanevadica lincolnianaCasey (SCTB), (Figure1) is one of the rarestinsects in NorthAmerica. It is onlyfound in a few rem-nant saline marshes inLancaster County.
In the 1980�s,Mark Carter, UNLentomology graduatestudent, researchedtiger beetle ranges. The earliest collec-tions of the tiger beetle dating back to1900 were found in the Nebraska StateMuseum collection. One area with anapparently large population was near oldSalt Lake, now known as Capitol Beach.Carter compared the type locality withexisting saline wetland areas and realizedthat the habitat of the SCTB had de-creased so much that it was likely thebeetle population was very small. It hasbeen determined that over 90 percent(16,000 acres) of eastern Nebraska Salinewetlands, probably the original historicrange of the beetle, is no longer inexistence.
Steve Spomer, UNL research tech-nologist, accompanied Mark on severalcollecting trips and became interested intiger beetles. In 1991, Spomer decided tobegin an intensive survey to determine thedistribution and abundance of the SCTB.With help from the Nebraska Game &Parks Commission�s Natural HeritageProgram, he was able to identify andlocate additional, potential sites. Areasinclude the saline flats remaining byCapitol Beach in Lincoln, two separatepopulations near North 27th Street,including Cracker Barrel Marsh and afourth population southeast of Ceresco(Figure 2).
Spomer and his colleagues havecontinued to monitor sites on a yearlybasis. The number of SCTB range from alow of 115 individuals in 1993 to a highof 637 in 1995 (Figure 3). Spomerbelieves the beetle�s population is lessthan 500, which is extremely low for aninsect.
The Nebraska Game and ParksCommission listed the SCTB on itsthreatened and endangered species list inMarch 2000. The U.S. Fish and WildlifeService upgraded the beetle as a candi-date for the federal endangered specieslist. It is expected to be federally listedsoon.
Life HistoryMost aspects of the life history of the
SCTB are unknown. Adults appear asearly as the end of May or as late as mid-June and disappear by mid-to late-July(i.e. for about five or six weeks). Popula-tions peak about two weeks after the first
Fig. 4 � After mating, the male rides on topof female to keep her from mating with
another male.
individuals appear.Adults mate throughouttheir life and may matemultiple times. Aftermating, the male ridesatop the female,presumably to preventher from immediatelyre-mating. This phe-nomenon is known asmate-guarding (Figure4).
Eggs are laid alongthe salty, muddy banks
of Little Salt Creek, where the soil issloping. As the egg hatches, the younglarva digs a burrow, using its head toscoop out soil. It takes these small �mudclots� to the burrow entrance and flipsthem outside the hole. The small larvawaits at the top of the burrow andambushes preythat happens toonear its burrowby grabbing theprey and pulling itinto its burrow.As the larvagrows, it molts toa larger stage, orinstar, enlargingand lengtheningits burrow. Tigerbeetles probablyhave threeinstars. It isunknown ifSCTB has a one-or two-year lifecycle.
Beforepupation, thelarva seals itsburrow entranceand digs a side chamber about two orthree inches below the soil surface. Afterthe adult emerges from the pupa, itremains in the chamber for a length oftime while its cuticle hardens. AdultSCTB prefer the wetter areas of the saltmarsh, like the edge of temporal ponds orseeps along the creek bank, in contrast tothe three other species of salt-marsh
Tiger Beetles are predacious insects that live in a variety of habitats includingstream edges, forests, beaches and deserts. Tiger beetles are highly active and arewell-known for their quick running and agile flying abilities. Some have beenclocked at 5.4 miles per hour. Many species of tigers beetles are brilliantlycolored. Others are camouflaged, blending well into their habitat. About three-fourths of the tiger beetles in North America belong to the genus Cicindela � thesame genus SCTB belong to. Species are distinguished by differences in size,coloration and markings on their wing covers.
Tiger beetles are important components of the ecosystem. They are animportant part of the food chain and are also bioindicators of the environment.The presence or absence of certain species can provide information on the qualityof the habitat, successional stage of the habitat and/or alterations to the habitat.
Salt Creek Tiger Beetle � Found Onlyin Lancaster County�s Saline Marshes
What are Tiger Beetles?
Fig. 1 � Salt Creek tiger beetle
Fig. 2 � Locations whereSalt Creek tiger beetlepopulations havebeen found.
endemic tiger beetles,which prefer the drier �flats�.
Food SupplyTiger beetles are voracious predators
and eat almost any other insect of similarof smaller size. Tiger beetle larvae cannotleave their burrow and must wait for aninsect to stumble across their burrowentrance. Researchers have found that
low food levels cause up to 75 percentmortality in larvae of some species oftiger beetles.
Human InterventionBecause 90 percent of the original
saline wetland beetle habitat has beendestroyed, the present beetle range isgreatly restricted. Because of increasedgrowth of north Lincoln, commercial andresidential development pressure contin-ues to threaten its habitat. This is onereason why the city of Lincoln, usingstate and federal grants, has bought 160acres of saline wetland. It is located 1-1/2miles north of North 27th Street andInterstate 80 and includes a section of theLittle Salt Creek and is in the heart of thebest remaining tiger beetle habitat inLancaster County. The area will bemanaged by Nebraska Game and ParksCommission. Sources: Steve Spomer andLeon Higley, UNL Entomologists, Ne-braska Game and Parks. More detailedinformation can be found at the followingWeb site: http://entomology.unl.edu/lgh/sctb. (BPO)
Fig. 3 � Yearly population estimates of adult Salt Creek tiger beetles.
In early July, a Lincolnhomeowner called the police,reporting that his chain linkfence had been vandalized. Mostof the aluminum wires used tohold the top of the fence to thesupporting pipes had beenground down (see picture atright) and a couple wires hadeven been sheared in two. The
The Case of the Vandalized Fencehomeowner thought this damageoccurred at night because hedidn�t notice anything unusualduring the day.
Officer Mike Davis wroteup a vandalism report and tooksamples of the wires andpictures, but was puzzledbecause the damage didn�t seemto make sense. What could havebeen the motive for this type ofvandalism? Nothing else wasdamaged. He started wonderingwhether a rodent could have
made this type of damage.He brought the damaged
wires to the extension office.The verdict was that the vandalwas a destructive neighborhoodsquirrel! This type of damage isa little unusual, but squirrelshave been observed sitting onthe chain link fence grindingtheir teeth on aluminum wiresthat are soft enough they cangrind it down in no time. Miceor rats were discounted because
Barb OggExtension Educator
see FENCE on page 11
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
4-H & Youth Page 8
Nebraska 4-HState HorseExposition
The Nebraska State 4-H Horse Exposition washeld July 13�17 in Grand Island. Lancaster Countysent 40 exhibitors and brought back three trophies,with many Lancaster County 4-H�ers placing verywell in different classes.
Reserve championship trophies were won byAmanda Essink (with her horse, The Lady Can Skip)in Junior Barrel Racing, Micah Messick (with herhorse, Chick Colonels Chick) in Senior Reining andMelissa Raisch (with her horse, Miss Drifter Creek)in Yearling Fillies � Lunging Halter.
Placing third in their classes were RachelBraunsroth (with her horse Barts Patty) in YearlingFillies � Lunging Halter, Ashley Schoneweis (withher horse Chargetoonight) in Senior Barrel Racing,Taylor Holliday (with his horse HF Chief Cougar) inJunior Pole Bending and Sierra Fredrick (with herhorse Heza Secret Impulse) in Junior Showmanship.
The Lancaster County Horse Judging Teamconsisting of Dana Hahn, Melissa Raisch, Katie
Cookerill and Ester Anderson placed third.For a complete list of results, go to
4h.unl.edu. Congratulations to allexhibitors!
ORSE BITS
2003
LANCASTER COUNTY FAIR
COUNTY FAIR 4-H NEWS
Working Ranch Horse was a new State Horse show class this year with 68 entrants.Exhibitors were given five minutes to guide a steer between a panel and the rail, around a barrel,
into a holding pen for five seconds and out the gate. The Lancaster County Fair also had aWorking Ranch Horse class for the second year in a row.
We apologize for any inaccuracies. If younotice any corrections, please call us andwe will include the information in nextmonth�s Nebline.
Lancaster County 4-Hwould like to thank all of thebusinesses and individuals thatsponsored 4-H events,activities, programs andtrophies at this year�s countyfair. This support enhancesthe educational experience ofthe 4-H�ers who participate inthe county fair.
4-H ThanksSponsors
For 4-H fair results, go to lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Fair.See page 12 for photos. More photos online at the aboveWeb site. Congratulations to all participants!
Thank Youto Volunteers
The county fair wouldnot be possible without thededicated work of hundredsof volunteers. The LancasterAgricultural Society andLancaster County 4-H thankall of the people who donatedtheir time and talents to helpmake this community eventa success!
Animal Care ClinicAnimal Pet Haven HospitalAnonymousJoel ArmstrongRebecca L. Arnold, D.V.M, Ph.D.Applebee�sAwards UnlimitedChet Axthelm Memorial CupGrimm-Axthelm MemorialJim and Cindy BaumanBauman Livestock Feed &
Supply - MartellBeacon HillsBelmont Veterinary ClinicKrystal BloomquistBlue Stem Valley FarmBuzzard Billy�sCabin Realty and Ag Services
Capitol Animal Clinic, P.C.Capitol Pork ProducersKathy Calvert, D.V.M.Chapelle Polled HerefordsDavid and Kim Cheney FamilyWarren Cheney FamilyCircle D RanchComfort InnCondon FamilyCook�s Family FoodsThe Cookie CompanyCrawford Family ShorthornsDJTJ AngusTed DeHass & SonsDesigns By YvonneTed and Alice DoaneDon Dierberger FamilyDorchester Farmers CooperativeDouglas Theatre CompanyRon Dowding FamilyRobert & Sandra DresserEagle State BankEarl May Nursery & Garden CenterExperian4H Council4H Teen Council4N AngusFamous Dave�sFarm Credit Services of AmericaFarmers Bank of CookFarmers Cooperative Co. - WaverlyFirst State Bank - HickmanFirth Cooperative Co.Fitch Trucking, Inc.
Forney Animal CenterThe Fort Western OutfittersFour Winds FarmJoe, Lois and Julia FrenchJulia French Show CattleMelvin and Linda GagnerGagner ConstructionGana/Nisley Show CattleThe Garden CaféGateway BowlBlayne Glissman FamilyGodfather�s PizzaGoodrich DairyLaKaBrTyDe FarmsLaverne Grage FamilyHaes Contracting, IncHancock FabricsLinda HaniganHarlan�s Automotive, Inc.Heidtbrink FeedsIrene Heidtbrink MemorialRod HollmanHolthus FamilyHoppe & Harner, Attorneys at LawWayne, Joyce and Eric HouseLarry and Senator Carol HudkinsHusker Electric SupplyDeanna and Steve Karmazin FamilyJaycees of WaverlyDavid and Tina JohnsonKeech TreesKent FeedsLancaster County Agricultural
SocietyLAN-OTOE FarmLazlo�sMr. and Mrs. Mike LessmannLincoln Paint Center, Inc.Lincoln Women�s Chamber of
CommerceMisty�s Restaurant & LoungeMacaroni GrillCleo and Don MaddenMerle�s Food & DrinkMessick Quarter HorsesModern Methods
Tom Filipi, agent - DaveyLarry PershingThe Pet ArkPet Pals 4-H ClubThe Pet StopPitt�s Veterinary HospitalLois PrincRadio ShackRainbows EndRaymond Central FFA AlumniRick, Tammy, Nick and Andra
RasbyRixstine Trophy Co., Inc.Roberts Dairy Co.Rock Creek RanchersErvin Rolofson/Raymond GrandRotellas BakeryRuby TuesdayRussell Princ Registered Angus.Pat and Larry RuthSaline State Insurance Agency/
Dan James, agentSalt Valley Grange #413Schaefer�s TV and Appliance CenterSew CreativeAllen and Charlene SieckSieck Show CattleShepherd of the Hills Church -
HickmanDeb Snell MemorialRon and Donna Snover
Sprague Country ClubStaybridge SuitesSteele Business ServicesTGI Friday�sKaye ThurstonTierOne BankTriple RRR FarmsUnion Bank & Trust Co., Ag
Loan Dept.UNL Department of Animal
ScienceMichael Vaughn FamilyVo-Acres DairyWachal Pet Health CenterWal-MartWaverly FFAWaverly Grange #369Welp, Inc.Westfield Shopping Center -
GatewayWether-Ewe Farm � Doug and
Cheryl JohnsonWilkinson Sheep FarmDwayne and Joan WittstruckWolfe Ace Hardware
AUGUST
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
4-H & Youth Page 9
LancasterCounty 4-H and4-H Council areproud to announceMerlin Dana aswinner of August�s�Heart of 4-HAward� in recogni-tion of outstandingvolunteer service.
A 4-H volun-teer for more than20 years, Merlinhas judged severalrabbit shows andconducts rabbitclinics for 4-Hclubs in Lancasterand Gage Counties.He also sellsrabbits from his rabbitry to many 4-H�ers.
Ken Majors nominated Merlin and said, �Merlin is greatwith the 4-H�ers. He not only provides bunnies, but provides4-H�ers with a lot of information on how to take care of them,grooming, breeding and actually any question they may havefor him. He shows up at most of the rabbit shows to cheer onthose that have bought rabbits from him and to provideinformation to any others that may have questions. He is aremarkable person, at 85 years of age, and still going strong.�
Merlin said he likes being a 4-H volunteer because, �Thefuture progress and success of 4-H depends on the dedicatedwork of 4-H youngsters of today�s world.�
His favorite experience volunteering at the County Fairwas a number of years ago. �I was called upon to judge thePet Rabbit Class,� he said. �One of the youngsters showingher pet rabbit was a little handicapped girl. As she struggled towalk up to the judging table, everyone could see the great lovethat existed between the rabbit and the little girl. The rabbit laycontent in her arms as she carefully placed it on the table.When I later announced she was the winner, the wide grin onher face was a sight to see!�
Merlin and his wife of 51 years, Jean, have three children:Jeanette, Greg and Rick. He is a retired minister of the Have-lock Christian Church and also volunteers for nursery schools,public schools and retirement centers. His favorite way torelax is to cradle one of his Holland Lops and feed it raisins ordandelion greens.
Congratulations to Merlin. Volunteers like him are indeed,the heart of 4-H!Nominate your favorite 4-H volunteer by submitting the form online at lancaster.unl.edu/4h.
Merlin Dana
Community Service Corner
Farley Wins �Kohl�s KidsWho Care� Award
Grace Farley was chosen as a Store Winner for theKohl�s Kids Who Care® Recognition Program. She will bementioned in a Kohl�s in-store poster at the Lincoln Kohl�sstore during the months of August and September.
The Kohl�s Kids Who Care® volunteer recognitionprogram recognizes the efforts of young people who contrib-ute in special ways to their local communities. Kohl�s createdthe program in 2001 to reward youth for their outstandingvolunteer efforts and to encourage others to follow their lead.
4-H Scholarships AvailableThe Lancaster County 4-H program offers a variety of
scholarships to active senior 4-H members in LancasterCounty. The following lists the scholarships available for the2003�2004 school year. To obtain an application for any ofthese scholarships, please contact the Lancaster CountyExtension office or call Deanna Karmazin at 441-7180. (DK)
4-H Council � awards six $500 scholarships to anyactive Lancaster County 4-H�er.
Amy Countryman Memorial � $1,000 to a senior atWaverly High School currently enrolled in 4-H. Amy Country-man was active in the 4-H horse program and this scholarshipis given in her memory.
Lincoln Center Kiwanis � awards two $1,000 scholar-ships to a current high school senior who is active in 4-H.
Teen Council � two scholarships to a current 4-H�erwho is active in Teen Council and helps with at least one majorfundraiser during their senior year.
Lane Scholarship � one $200 scholarship is awarded toa current 4-H�er who attends Raymond Central High School.
Volunteers Needed!Volunteers are needed in
EVERY area of 4-H-relatedactivities and events at thefair. Help is especially neededin the Exhibit Hall. Shifts aretwo to three hours. One-dayState Fair passes are pro-vided. To help, contactRobyn Yule, 4-H VolunteerCoordinator at 472-2805 ore-mail [email protected].
The 4-H DiscoveryCenter, which providesengaging and fun activitiesfor youth to experience at theFair, also needs volunteers,especially for the weekends.One-day State Fair passes areprovided. To help, contactBrooke Levey at 472-1478 orBernie Lorkovic at 472-6717.
4-H FriendshipDance
UNL Collegiate 4-H issponsoring a 4-H FriendshipDance on Sunday, Aug. 31,8�11 p.m. at the ColoredSeat Arena at the NebraskaState Fairgrounds.
Aug. 23-Sept. 1www.statefair.org
Aug. 23 9 a.m. 4-H Exhibit Hall Open (Hours: 10 a.m.�9 p.m. on week days and 9 a.m.�9 p.m.Aug. 23, 24, 30, 31 & Sept. 1)
Aug. 31 8 a.m. Presentations continued8 a.m. Market Steer and Heifer Show8 a.m. Market Lambs Show11 a.m. 4-H All Stars Celebrity Autograph
Session6 p.m. Swine Showmanship8 p.m. 4-H Friendship Party
Sept. 1 8 a.m. Presentations continued thru morning8 a.m. Dairy Cattle Show8 a.m. Breeding Heifer Show as time permits
before selection of Grand ChampionMarket Animal
8 a.m. Market Gilts, followed byMarket Barrows
2 p.m. Continue Breeding Heifer Show,followed by Beef Showmanship
Partial 4-H ScheduleFor complete 4-H schedule visit online at
4h.unl.edu/fair/2003/schedule.pdf
There was a very specialtreat at the Lancaster CountyFair�s Household Pets Showthis year. Barbara and ClydeOgg donated a pair ofBourke�s parakeets with all ofthe trimmings � including abird cage � to an exhibitor inthe pets show. Josh Bivinswas the lucky winner!
Josh is a member of thePet Pals 4-H Club andshowed a cavy or guinea pigthis year. �I intend to takevery good care of thesebirds. I knew I was going towin because I am verylucky,� said Josh. And indeedhe is! There were around 30exhibitors who wanted theparakeets.
Bourke�s parakeets(Neophema bourkii) arenative to Australia and are theonly Australian parakeets that do
4-H�er Wins Pair O� Keetsfully colored with pinkbackground, and withbrown-black scalloping andblue accents on their wingsand under the tail. It is easyto distinguish mature malesfrom females as males havea blue brow � the area justabove the eyes.
Bourke�s parakeets aregood pets for beginners andexperienced persons alike,because they are hardy,gentle and have a soft,pleasant chirp. They aregood-natured and peaceful.Bourke�s are quiet duringthe daytime, but are activeat dawn and at dusk.
If you are caring forBourke�s parakeets, treatthem as you wouldbudgies.Thanks Barb and Clyde!
You made our day. (ALH, BO)not have green as their back-ground color. They are beauti-
Josh Bivins won a pair of Bourke�sparakeets at the Household Pets Show.
Fair�s Over, Now What? �Parent and Leader Training
Leaders, parents andinterested volunteers are invitedto attend this 4-H training.Discover how to finish the
current 4-H year and how toprepare for the next 4-H year.Awards, project completion/selection and club reorganization
will be covered. See youTuesday, Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. or7 p.m. MUST call 441-7180 toRSVP by Friday, Sept. 26. (TK)
Dine Out for CWF at Don & Millie�s on Second SundaysOn the second Sunday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Don & Millie�s hosts Dine
Out for 4-H Citizen Washington Focus (CWF). When people indicate they are eating for 4-H, Don& Millie�s donates 20 percent of the profits of those meals. Don & Millie�s is located at 5200 S.56th Street. You and your family can support CWF by dining out at Don & Millie�s during thesetimes and telling them you are eating for 4-H. Mark your calendars with these dates: Sep. 14,Oct. 12 and Nov. 9. Thanks to Don & Millie�s and to those who �Dine Out for CWF�!
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Community & Home Living Page 10
For work or fun, riding anall terrain vehicle can be anenjoyable experience. Properlyused, ATVs are highly functionalmachines and perform manytasks for farmers, ranchers andrecreational outdoorsman.However, reckless or unsafe useof an ATV can result in danger-ous situations for riders and theenvironment.
Many people have beenseriously injured or have losttheir lives as a result of ATV-related accidents. This isespecially true for young people.According to reported informa-tion (since 1985) to the U.S.Consumer Product SafetyCommission, approximately 35percent of all victims were under16 years of age and 15 percentwere under 12 years of age.
To help reduce ATV acci-dents resulting in serious injuryand lost lives, the National 4-HCouncil has developed an ATVRider�s Handbook using sourcematerial from the SpecialtyVehicle Institute of America(SVIA). The handbook containschapters on becoming familiar
Benjamin Franklin once said,�An ounce of prevention isworth a pound of cure.�
When it comes to pollutionprevention (P2), that statementcouldn�t be more accurate.
The idea with pollutionprevention is if the pollution isprevented in the first place,there�s no need to worry abouthow to deal with the pollution.Pollution prevention isn�t dealingwith the pollution after it�salready happened.
Pollution prevention hasmany benefits. By looking aheadto the future, pollution preven-tion reduces both financial costsas well as environmental costssuch as health problems andenvironmental damage.
Pollution prevention isn�tjust recycling. While recycling isa form of pollution prevention,
Reduce, Reuse and RecycleTraining on Sept. 30
A train-the-trainer lesson on the 3 R�s (Reduce, Reuseand Recycle) will be given Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m. Recy-cling is not mandatory in Nebraska at the present time but itcould happen if the landfills continue to fill at the presentrate. Following the 3R�s in our daily lives will help lower theamount of trash going to the landfill. This training will giveparticipants information on recycling, Shop S.M.A.R.T.(Save Money And Reduce Trash) and ideas on how to maketreasures from trash. Call Pam at 441-7180 to register forthis training. (LB)
more can be done.The Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) definespollution prevention as �sourcereduction.� Source reduction isany practice that reduces,eliminates or prevents pollutionat its source.
Each state also has its owndefinition of P2. Nebraska�sdefinition of pollution preventionis �all activities that lead to theelimination or reduction of wastequantities and toxicity at the siteof generation.�
While those definitionsmight seem to mainly apply tobusinesses, preventing pollutionisn�t just for the big industries.It�s something every individualcan take part in. Everybody �big businesses, small businessesand even individuals � gener-ates wastes, which meanseverybody can help preventpollution.
At home, you can preventpollution in many ways. Forexample, pollution prevention
can be achieved by: turninglights off; saving water;carpooling, taking public trans-portation or riding a bike; closingshades in the summer andopening them in the winter andrecycling.
At work, many of the sameP2 practices can be performed.You can also use double-sidedphotocopies, work toward apaperless office and substitutenon-hazardous materials forhazardous materials.
In Lancaster County andthroughout the state, Universityof Nebraska-Lincoln studentinterns are taking part in aninternship called Partners inPollution Prevention (P3).
Over the years, P3 internshave worked out of theLancaster County Extensionoffice. Usually one or twointerns work each year at theextension office with the rest ofinterns spread throughout thestate.
The interns visit Nebraska
businesses and provide themwith technical assistance reportsthat detail ways to reducewastes.
Waste awareness oftencomes only after someone hashad the time and inclination tostudy the situation and point outgreater efficiencies, said BruceDvorak, a UNL engineeringassociate professor and an intern
Vince KuppigPartners in Pollution Prevention
Intern
adviser. The internship providesthis opportunity.
�Students have the enthusi-asm, the fresh perspective.They�re not beaten down by therush of the day,� Dvorak said.
For more information on theprogram, call Dvorak at 472-3431 or visit www.ianr.unl.edu/P3.
Preventing Pollution Has Many Benefits
with your ATV, protectiveequipment, basic riding tech-niques, effects of alcohol anddrugs, respecting the environ-ment, handling emergencysituations and riding strategies.
A single copy of the ATVRider�s Handbook is availablewithout charge from:
Specialty Vehicle Institute ofAmerica
2 Jenner Street, Suite 150Irvine, CA 92718
Stressing these additionalpoints when working withyoung people could helpprevent ATV-related injuries:� ATVs are designed for one
operator only. Never carrya passenger.
� ATVs are for off-road useonly. Never operate anATV on paved surfaces orpublic roads.
� Protective clothing is thebadge of responsible, saferiding. Always wear anapproved motorcyclehelmet, eye protection,gloves and protectiveclothing.
ATV Safety Tips� Substance abuse is espe-
cially dangerous whenoperating an ATV. Neverconsume alcohol or drugsbefore or during theoperation of an ATV.
� Speeding and stunts(wheelies, jumps, etc.) arestrong temptations amongchildren, especially if peerpressure is involved. Thiswill increase the risk oflosing control with poten-tially disastrous results.Never operate an ATV atexcessive speeds.
Source: ATV Rider�s Handbook
ATV Rider�s HandbookAvailable to All
Safety Course for Drivers 50 and OverScheduled for Sept. 16 & 17
UNL CooperativeExtension in LancasterCounty is co-sponsoring a 55ALIVE Driver Safety Coursescheduled for Tuesday, Sept.16 and Wednesday, Sept. 17,12:30�4:30 p.m. Cost is $10payable at the first class. Call441-7180 to register.
Drivers aged 55 andover, compared with driversaged 30�54, are involved inmore accidents per miledriven. The number ofaccidents per mile risessharply at about age 75.
The AARP Driver SafetyProgram is the nation�s firstand largest classroom driverrefresher course speciallydesigned for motorists age50 and older.
The eight-hour course istaught in two, four-hour
sessions spanning two days. Thecourse helps drivers refineexisting skills and develop safe,defensive driving techniques.AARP members and non-members alike may take thecourse. There are no tests.
The AARP Driver SafetyProgram course covers thefollowing topics:· Vision and hearing changes· Effects of medication· Reaction time changes· Left turns and other right-of-
way situations· New laws and how they affect
you· Hazardous driving situations
Research shows a direct linkbetween the kinds of drivingproblems experienced by oldermotorists and the physicalchanges that can occur in allolder persons. The loss of
vision, hearing and physicalstrength is gradual and can govirtually unnoticed until olderdrivers are faced with a drivingemergency that they are nolonger able to handle.
For example, the gradualfailure of sensory acuity associ-ated with aging reduces thequantity and accuracy ofinformation capable of beingprocessed. This reduces theability of the individual torespond or react to his/herenvironment with speed andjudgment current traffic oftenrequires.
By being aware of thesenormal age-related changes andlearning how they affect driving,older motorists can compensatefor them and become betterdrivers.
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Miscellaneous Page 11
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THE NEBLINE articles may be reprinted without special permission if the source isacknowledged as �University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster CountyNEBLINE.� If the article contains a byline, please include the author�s name and title.
Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsementby the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County.
This contest is to promotethe beauty and versatility ofwool fabric and yarn and toencourage personal creationsand skills in sewing, knitting,crocheting, spinning and weav-ing of wool fabric and yarn.
This year, they are promot-ing the category of �made forothers� at the district and statelevels. The ages are as follows:� Pre-teen, 12 and under� Junior, 13 to 16� Senior, 17 to 24� Adult 25 and over
If you are a student in acollege program of design, there
is a contest you may enter asidefrom this contest at the Nationallevel. If you are in need of anyfurther information, please feelfree to contact the NebraskaState Director, Alice Doane,17705 Bluff Road, Waverly, NE68462; phone (402) 786-3555 orthe director for the district youare interested in.
You may enter any districtcontest. Dates, locations anddirectors are as follows:
District I � Oct. 18 inScottsbluff. Doris Rush(308) 635-0156 and RosaleneTollman. Entry deadline, Oct. 4.
District II � Oct. 11 inLexington. Terri Uden(308) 324-3175. Entry deadline,Sept. 27.
District III � Nov. 1 inLincoln. Pam Schlickbernd(402) 372-3658 and LaraGrundman (402) 264-4825.Entry deadline, Oct. 25.
Application forms areavailable at the LancasterExtension Office, 444Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE68528-1507. For more informa-tion, call Lorene at 441-7180.(LB)
Make It Yourself With Wool Contest
the same each day, adults needto check each other�s sched-ules and make sure they agreeon the day�s plan. To cut downon the anxiety level, be sure toshare schedule informationwith the children.
� Establish some pleasantrituals. Mornings are oftenhard for kids because thefamily is going off in differentdirections at the same time �to work, to school, to childcare. Try to spend at least afew minutes as a family eatingbreakfast. A good-bye ritual isimportant for younger children� three kisses and a �see youlater� or whatever you estab-lish together.
� Keep things in perspective.Try to avoid power strugglesin the morning, it�s usually notworth it. Be prepared for theunexpected. Your child maywake up with a fever, or yourchild care provider is sick, orwhatever. In these situations,staying calm may not be easybut it is the only way to cope.
Source: Susan Ginsberg. Work and FamilyLife. Vol. 7, N. 7-8. (LB)
GOOD STARTcontinued from page 5
of the location of the damage.Squirrels are active during
the daytime, but this meansactive from daylight until closeto dusk. So, the homeownermay not have been around whenthe damage was being done.Squirrels have a need to weardown their teeth because theirteeth continue to grow as theyage. They can also chew intoelectrical cables, which can be afatal mistake for them and aproblem for utility companies.
The homeowner might wantto replace the aluminum wirewith heaver gauge, galvanizedwire. This will be more difficultto install, but will do a better jobwithstanding squirrel damage.
This case was a littleunusual, but was interesting.Extension staff are glad to workwith the Lincoln Police Depart-ment whenever we can.
FENCEcontinued from page 7
� Usually a tenant will knowabout the termination of arental contract before thedeadline, but notification stillneeds to be done formally andlegally. The landlord needs toprove he or she has sent thetenant a notice of termination.This notice should be aregistered letter written by anattorney. Be sure the noticearrives by Aug. 31 and haveproof it was sent.
� An attorney should be involvedin all stages of the terminationprocess. It�s easy to make amistake, and something donewrong won�t stand up incourt, if a disagreement occurs.
� A tenant should never let arental agreement reach termi-nation due to poor manage-ment practices. Keep the lineof communication open andvisit with the landlord regularly.
� If the tenant disagrees with thetermination, he or she shouldvisit with the landlord to seewhat can be done or thereason for the termination.
This article was taken from extensionpublication Farm Lease Termination(NF91-42 revised 1997) authored byExtension Water and Agricultural LawSpecialist, J. David Aiken. Aiken has reviewedthis article for correctness. NF91-42 can beaccessed on the Web at: www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/farmmgt/nf42.htm. (TD)
FARM LEASEScontinued from page 2
Free ConcertThe Lincoln Municipal
Band will present a freeconcert Sunday, Aug. 24, 7�8p.m. at the Antelope ParkBand Shell. The concert is atribute to youth organizations.4-H�ers are encouraged toattend!
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu August 2003
NEBLINEThe
Miscellaneous Page 12
If you are unable to attend but wouldlike to find out more about 4-H
Name ___________________________________ Age ___________ ❏ Male ❏ Female
or fill out form online at www.lancaster.unl.edu/4H
Food!
LANCASTER COUNTY FAIR4-H is forages 5–19
4-H is a learn-by-doing program with more than 150 projects fromwhich to choose. Many 4-H�ers exhibit their projects at the county
fair! 4-H also develops life skills such as thinking critically, solvingproblems, respecting self and communicating.
Learnabout 4-H!
Prizes!
Fun!
Lancaster Event Center, 84th & HavelockExhibit Building
Lancaster County 4-H kicks off the
4-H year with an Open House for youth
and their families to discover 4-H!
2003
LANCASTER COUNTY FAIR
More than 50,000 people discovered the fun at this year�s LancasterCounty Fair held July 30�Aug. 3 at the Lancaster Event Center.
4-H�ers were involved in many aspects of the fair. An estimated 1,0004-H�ers exhibited projects at the fair. Many volunteered at the 4-H Corner Stopor as guides for Fair Fun Day. 4-H Teen Council ran the 4-H InformationBooth, Ice Cream Social, Cookie Eating Contest and Teen Dance. CitizenWashington Focus did face painting and other fund raising activities. TheRabbits �R� Us 4-H Club ran a Dunking Booth to raise funds for landscaping atthe Lancaster Event Center. 4-H Council sponsored Spudfest.
Hundreds of 4-H volunteers worked behind the scenes to make the 4-Hshows, contests and activities run smoothly. Members of the LancasterExtension board helped serve at the Watermelon Feed.
UNL Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County is proud to participate inthis community event!
