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What's the oldest article of clothing you own? Bonus points if you show us a photo!
That still actually fits? Doc Marten Mary Janes that I just can't part with..........
Britain's population of gray squirrels exploded after North Americans introduced them in the 19th century. But now the Isle of Anglesey is fighting back - by mass extermination of grays and bringing back the native reds.
By Ben Quinn | 11.05.09
* CS Monitor correspondent.
LONDON - They're small, furry, and undeniably cute - and yet the explosion of Britain's nonnative gray squirrel population has long been regarded as a conservation crisis.
But now nature lovers are looking with hope toward the Isle of Anglesey, an island off the northwest coast of Wales, which is the setting for a successful local reintroduction of Britain's native red squirrel.
An endangered species, their numbers nationwide have been ravaged by a pox carried by the larger, more aggressive grays, which were introduced as living garden ornaments from North America in 1876 by upper-class families.
A project on the island has seen thousands of grays, which are highly destructive of hardwood trees, trapped and removed. Reds (which also have their detractors) have been simultaneously brought back, and conservation groups are hoping to do the same in other peninsulas and islands.
Dr. Craig Shuttleworth of the Anglesey red squirrel conservation project said: "There has been pessimism about how the red squirrel can be brought back, but we are close to succeeding here. It's true that we have been helped by geography - the fact that we are on an island - but there are lessons that can be applied elsewhere."
Such projects have not been without controversy, however. Some animal rights supporters opposed the mass killing of grays. Nevertheless, public support has been forthcoming for projects such the Anglesey one.
Dr. Shuttleworth, whose work is supported by the Prince of Wales, added: "People sometimes ask, 'What is the point?' and say that reds are common on the European continent.
"But we can't lose sight of the fact that reds are a very popular part of our natural fauna here in Britain. If we can't safeguard them, then what hope do we have in protecting other species which are less popular with the public?"
My husband's girlfriend crush is ...
From Yahoo News:
Singer Morrissey in hospital after collapsing on stage
The 50-year-old former frontman of 1980s pop band The Smiths fell ill just one song into his concert Saturday at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, southwest England.
Morrissey's knees buckled and he slumped to the floor as he came to the end of opening song "This Charming Man", The Smiths' 1983 breakthrough hit, The Daily Telegraph newspaper's website said. He was then dragged offstage.
"Just after 9:00 pm we got a call to a 50-year-old man who was reported to be suffering from respiratory problems and was unconscious," said a spokeswoman for the Great Western Ambulance Service.
"We sent a paramedic in a doubled-crewed ambulance.
"When they arrived they found a conscious patient who was not feeling well at all. They made an initial assessment and took him to the Great Western Hospital (in Swindon) for further assessment."
His condition was not thought to be life threatening, she added.
"The stage went dark and he was taken off the stage and then his band all left the stage," The Daily Telegraph's website quoted 40-year-old eyewitness Mark Taylor as saying.
"There was a wait of about 25 minutes before one of the stage crew came on and said Morrissey had left the building, and that he was seriously ill.
"Everybody started booing, thinking 'here we go again'. He has a bit of a poor track record for cancelling his concerts."
The Mancunian singer has been touring North America and Europe since releasing his ninth solo album, "Years of Refusal", in February.
He has cancelled several concerts during the tour, including dates in Florida, North Carolina, California, Britain and France.
"Morrissey was brought in to the Accident and Emergency department," said a Great Western Hospital spokeswoman.
"He has been seen by the medical team. At this stage his condition is stable."
* and I was hoping to see him December 5th out at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio,CA. Anyone who been to a Morrissey concert knows that the show depends on his mood ~ been to one that was real short since he got pissed off at someone in the crowd and then another show that was awesome.
... and he was so handsome ~ Mr. White Breasted Nuthatch
(though the photos below are of a different Mr. WBN and of course taken by way better photographers)
Congrats Ivana!
"2009 Worlds Beam Bronze Medalist"
2009 was just not the year for Ksenia Semenova to medal in the All-Around.
The United States went 1-2 and a total surprise ~ Japan scores a bronze!
Rebecca Bross (2nd), Bridget Sloan (1st) and Koko Tsurumi(3rd)
Women's qualifications was all over the place ~ Sadly, Beth Tweedle (UK) fell on the Uneven Bars (UB), where she was a favorite to win gold! Ksenia Semenova (RUS), also a favorite to medal on UB and the reigning Worlds UB Champ (2007) didn't qualify for the UB final! On the bright side - Ivana Hong did qualify for the Beam (BB) final.
Good luck tomorrow Ksenia!
Ivana Hong is one of the remaining few ARTISTIC gymnasts. Best of Luck in London!
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