Crying Wolf

Author Chip Ward has written a smart essay about wolves, the role they play in healthy ecosystems, the strong emotions that they evoke in people, and the battle lines that are inevitably drawn by any talk of wolf conservation. A brief sampling:

Just as American farmers once realized that erosion follows ignorance and learned how to plow differently, just as most of us finally learned that rivers should not be used as toxic dumps, so today we must learn that environments have the equivalent of operating systems. Predation by large carnivores is written deep into the code of much of the American landscape. Today, a rancher who expects to do business in a predator-free landscape is no more reasonable than yesterday’s industrialist who expected to use the nearest river as a sewer. Living with wolves may be a challenging proposition, but it’s hardly impossible to do -- as folks in Minnesota or Canada can attest.

These sentiments would have been heartily endorsed by Aldo Leopold.

nerd tagger

 

I don't know who this dude is. But I think we could be friends.

free to a good home

well, $549,000 free. 

 

And  cash only.  Don't you just want to get your hands on this old, Los Feliz,  beaut and restore her with an endless budget?  Built in 1923 and being marketed as "Grey Gardens" - a bit of a stretch but they know their market. see more here.

via curbed

desktop hoarder

I think I may have,  latent hoarder tendencies. On my desk top ( this one, not that one ) sits a full window of images that I pulled off of the net. Just in case I might need it someday. My friend Leah ('more ways to waste time') told me once, that she knows that she can always find something again if she needs to. Not me. If I don't see it, it goes away.



In an effort to clean things up around here, I'm posting a few of the images. Moving them from one pile to the next. Like a good hoarder.





 

 Love the patches on these jeans found over at Saffron + Genevieve - paired with the Orla Kiely bag and Hadley Pollet belt ( I sort of forgot about those ) Check out this Santa Cruz based site; lots of cute, beachy, linen-y, organic things for the home.

 

Saving this one for inspiration as I help pull together a Napa Valley, birthday party tabletop for a friend. Simple, beautiful, attainable. done. from 'Snippet + Ink'

 

 

Rolexes in technicolor. Thumbs up.

Baby steps.

LA Design Mart opens its doors to the public this weekend

A little insiders' shopping opportunity for those of you not able to shop, 'to-the-trade'. LA Design Mart is having their bi-annual, open to the public sample, sale.

A great way to pick up some pieces at significantly discounted prices (up to 70% off) and have the opportunity to receive free designer consults (10/2 9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

public:

Saturday,October 2 10:00-5:00

Sunday, October 3 11:00-4:00

trade preview:

Friday, October 1 9:00-5:00

L.A. Design Mart

1933 South Broadway

Los Angeles

Julia Leach :: founder & creative director of Chance

Last week, after I posted about the new web site, 'Chance', I started realizing that I had a lot of questions for the master mind behind this little slice of wonderful. The real Chance Girl, founder & creative director Julia Leach, was kind enough to indulge me.....

....................................................................................................................................

I'd love to know a little more about your background. Most of us know that you are the former Creative Director at Kate Spade, how did you come into that position ?


I've been interested in graphic design and the collision of art and commerce since I was in my teens, which led me to begin my career in advertising. I'd also developed a distinct sense of style inspired by my mother's bohemain sensibility and my more traditional grandmother. Straight out of college I worked at a very dynamic ad agency, Chiat/Day, where I met my mentor, Jay Chiat. I spent six exciting and enriching years there and established a great network of friends and colleagues while building the foundation for everything that's followed professionally. After C/D, I went on to work at PAPER Magazine, launching their website and, once again, being surrounded by amazing creative people. After a year there, Andy Spade called - we'd met while we were both working at Chiat - and asked if I'd be up for joining him, Kate, and their two partners at kate spade. Even though the company was quite young, I saw its potential and decided to jump on board. It was a great eleven year adventure. I'm very happy that now all of my interests and experience can be channeled into Chance.


Your new online business, Chance, has quietly hit the internet with storm. How long has this been in the making?



I had the broad idea - a brand that starts with the signature striped t-shirt and radiates out from there into a whole world of product and creativity - seven years ago when I found a red & white wide striped t-shirt in a vintage shop in Paris while visiting my mother, who's lived in France for many years. Like many others before me with entrepreneurial ambitions, I turned the idea over in my mind, put it on the shelf for a while, let it evolve and clarify, then decided it was time to take it from a concept to a business in late '09. I sketched out the stripe patterns on Christmas Day in Mexico, and started working with a technical designer and production person in January 2010. It was an intense eight month sprint to create a collection from scratch - all the fabrics are custom - and develop the ancillary products (beach towels, espadrilles, scarves, etc.), especially as I don't come from a formal apparel design background. I learned, though, that if you have a clear vision and enjoy team building, that and "intelligent naïveté" can be an advantage. That and a strong work ethic, which I have thanks to my parents.

"...if you have a clear vision and enjoy team building, that
and "intelligent naïveté" can be an advantage."

Was it intentional to create a site without much press or an apparent campaign leading up to it and then hope that folks would find it on their own?



For the most part, yes. Originally, I had hoped to launch by Memorial Day so I'd have the summer to seed the concept, but by March (or was it April?) it became clear that this goal was completely unrealistic.  Usually it takes at least twelve months, if not more, to build out a line, so I revised the schedule and set the launch for resort '10. This has turned out to be one of the most advantageous shifts of the start-up process. Soft launching in August has allowed me to quietly get the word out, get product into people's hands and hear their feedback, meet with editors, and generally prepare for the official debut during the holiday season. I've always wanted Chance to be a discovery brand - the type of business that people happen across without a big marketing blitz - and that's turning out to be the case, which is very rewarding. I think I've also avoided some of the pitfalls that come with debugging a website and managing customer service when there's a big campaign from Day One.

 Where did the name 'Chance' come from?



I'd been thinking about names for several months, and then while watching "Being There" I heard someone say of Chance, the Peter Sellers character, "He has a peculiar brand of optimism." In that moment, it clicked. Chance and my point-of-view is all about optimism, adventure, independence, a simple kindness, so there's a parallel to the movie's message, generally speaking. It has nothing to do with the character's style (he wore a top hat and overcoat for much of the film) and a lot to do with the film's attitude and perspective.

"Chance and my point-of-view is all about optimism, adventure, independence, a simple kindness..."

The site has so many aspects, music, video, photography, that you don't realize that it's an "e-commerce site".  A site on which you can actually buy something. How often are you updating the content?



The product will be updated with a tight assortment of holiday items in early November, but the product that's there now is very much a debut statement (see previous note about the resort launch timing). Of course, going forward into Spring '11, there will be perpetual newness in terms of seasonal collections. As for editorial content, I'm posting Discoveries in batches of four once a week or so, more often if I'm excited about something, and the home page and other elements will rotate roughly once a month.  Since the concept is still so young, I don't have an urgent or specific schedule, although I definitely want the content to stay fresh. I think it's nice to let it happen organically and surprise people who have started to come back for more. It's been fun to sense a following developing around Discoveries, the product, and the brand in general.

 

Did you really begin the collection with basic, striped shirt? Can you tell us a little about that?



Yes, I did. I found a great old vintage piece (see above) that's similar to the red & white stripe classic t-shirt in the launch collection. I'd been wearing striped t-shirts for years and realized that other than St. James, a classic French company, there isn't a modern brand that owns this item as a core product. To me, it symbolizes a creatively lived life and an appreciation for design, simplicity, and travel - all of which inform my own lifestyle, and being a narrative thinker, I knew I could build a world around it. I really love how elementary a great, classic striped t-shirt is, yet it also represents endless possibility.

"I really love how elementary a great, classic striped t-shirt is, yet it also represents endless possibility."

 

Chance, represents such a specific lifestyle. It seems to package that concept of the well traveled, waspy, bohemian artist who enjoys good solid, simple design. Is the Chance girl an extension of you and your lifestyle?



Yes, she is - the Chance girl and the Chance woman. I was blessed with wonderful, creative parents (my father was a potter and my mother is a writer and artist) who, despite our modest means, provided me with a very rich childhood. They didn't spell it out, but they always made me feel like a much bigger world existed outside the tiny farm town where I grew up. Being from Minnesota, I was also exposed to great Scandinavian design from an early age, and my mom and dad appreciate both the fine arts and solid craftsmanship. In fact, my mom was a docent at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and my dad was on the verge of becoming an architect when he discovered pottery in the '60s. The only word I'm not so comfortable with is "waspy." I view Chance as a very international sensibility and want to ensure that, over time, it's very inclusive of different cultures and ethnicities.



The site is Beautifully art directed. Did you have a hand in the design of the site?



First off, thank you. I couldn't be happier with the site, and even more importantly, visitors and shoppers seem to like it. To your question, I'm not a formal graphic designer, but it really is my passion, and I come to all projects with a strong sense of design at the forefront. I brought a sketch for the structure and spirit of the site to Mindy and Danny at The Bear Cave (thebearcaveweb.com), and they took my direction and ran with it. I love the process of collaboration and have Mindy and Danny to thank for interpreting the Chance sensibility so perfectly. I'll have an on-going creative dialogue with them, for sure.



It seems to me that the sky's the limit on what you could create from this platform. A children's line, a store front, a magazine, a book.....Do you have anything in the works that you can share with us at this time?



It's true...I have so many ideas for how to continue telling the Chance story, but it's important to take it one step at a time...to let the brand's arc happen naturally and in an authentically inspired way. For now, I'm excited about introducing a few special items for the holiday season. Perhaps the most special is a limited edition series of photos by Jarret Schecter. He captured a side of Paris that's very intimate and poetic. Not postcard perfect, but very personal. The prints will make a very special gift. Beyond that, the priority is finding and opening a small store front. I can't wait to find the perfect imperfect small space to call home...a place the will allow people to get to know Chance in all its dimension. Beyond that, yes, I really do believe the sky's the limit.

Thanks so much, Julia! I,  for one, cannot wait to see where this all goes. It's everything I love, packaged in one place.



If you haven't been over there, go. now. It's truly an 'experience'

Chance

blog crawl - blog it forward

 

I've sort of quit doing the ' you've been tagged '  and other blogging, 'getting to know you' games that used to go around. Mostly because, really, I don't think my life is terribly exciting enough to devote  to a post. That and I've become sort of a jaded, stick in the mud.



But my friend Beth over at hello, splendor has come up with a concept that, helps spread the word about other blogs, while answering a few questions about me. I like that. The community of blogging has given to me so much and I'm happy to spread the word about some great bloggers.  It's called 'Blog Crawl'. Each day, a blogger links to the blogger before them, and the one after them in the post.



Friday's Blog Crawl blogger was, Kristen over at Simply Grove a super hip chic, living in Boise, Idaho.

.................................................................................................................................................................

The theme that was given to us: "My Life Is An Open Book"

(which, by the way, I try to keep 'not so open', on this here b to the log )

Author:

That would be me, Megan Arquette. I live with my family, in the beach town of Los Angeles, called Manhattan Beach; in a little beach bungalow built in 1947. It's been my design lab and I'm constantly redoing it. It's a never ending process. 

I started this blog 3 1/2 years ago as a place to catalog cool, creative, design centric things that I find. I've been working as an interior decorator/ stylist for the past 10 years, with a hiatus here and there to take care of the real business in life: children. So my content, does have an interior design bent, but I believe design is in everything, Music, Fashion, Photography, Fine Art.... So you'll find a bit of it all on here. Some you may love, some you may think is completely, a 'not'. But that's the beauty of creativity. It's all individual, self expression.

Along the way, I've made some wonderful friendships. One of which, led to my doing a weekly podcast called The Skirted Round Table, with fellow design bloggers, Linda Merrill and Joni Webb.

Through this medium, I've been given the opportunity to speak with people, that never in my wildest dreams,  would I think I'd be chatting it up. Blogging has opened doors, and created a great network of people in my life. Like Beth! (thank you for asking me to do this)

The Setting:

As I've mentioned (above) I live in Manhattan Beach. What was once a middle class bedroom community of modest homes and incomes, has become a Bastian, of new wealth. Along with that new wealth, has come the mass intrusion of over sized homes,  painted velveeta yellow with giant columns (that's 'Mediterranean',  right? ). Big bloated houses sitting on tiny lots. Which most love. I do not. Personal preference.

The only shot I could find of the bungalow, with the Christmas tree waiting to go inside.....and the mail needing to be taken in.





On the other hand, the house that I live in, is one of the few remaining originals, built as a vacation bungalow for a family living inland, to visit in the hot  summer months.  It's only about 1,800 feet. It's tiny. But, we live a very casual life, close to the water, no need for big or fancy. And I love it for it's charm (don't love it for its lack of closet space and tiny kitchen)

The Characters:

In order of appearance:

Delilah- as the oldest daughter

Charlotte- the youngest daughter

Nick-the newish husband

George -the step dog

Fred - the step dog rescued from a South Central pound (who on occasion, gets threatened to be thrown back into the hoosgow )

Fred, on the left, focused on something he might need to kill. like a cat. George, on the right, is a mellow old soul. A bit like Eeyore.

The Plot:

The five of us, living in a small space - which has its own drama & "crazy antics". Trying really hard, not to make life  more difficult than it need be, thus our choice of 'living at the beach'. Doing what we love and knowing that this is our time to climb the proverbial, "Mount Everest".

The Twist:

The unforeseen bumps in that climb. Like the approaching of adolescence, an insane Labrador retriever who eats everything from sticks of butter to bars of soap, and my inability to not over load my plate ( metaphorically- although I do like large quantities of Mexican food)

enough about me....tomorrow the talented, Melissa of Oh, My Darling will be taking the torch....

it's what you're doing right now....

Birds and Drought: Crop Damage

In the wake of a drier-than-normal summer—with some areas experiencing a rainfall deficit of 5 or 6 inches—the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought warning for 24 counties, and a drought watch for 43 more.
http://citizensvoice.com/news/dep-issues-drought-warning-for-county-1.1017885

Among the problems caused by the drought were reports of crop damage caused by birds. Ted Dymond, the owner of Dymond Farms in Luzerne County’s Franklin Township, had this to say:

The biggest problem we had, the dry weather created a shortage of moisture for birds. We had a lot of bird damage this year, and I kind of relate that to the drought.

This anecdotal report fails to identify the crops damaged (cucumbers and beans are mentioned in the context of the report, but neither is specifically identified as a crop damaged by birds), the type or extent of damages, or the species of bird(s) responsible for damages.

* p e a c e * o u t *

Summer's finally made it to the beach. Supposed to be in the upper 70s tomorrow. And sunny. And, I'll take it. I'll take it lying prone in the warm sand, arms dead to the side, towel over my face (because I've leathered the facial hide but good at this point) doing nothing for a few hours but listening to the waves crash. 

Hope your weekend full of nothing to do, too.

crosscut boards

Thinking these would be a great hostess gift. Crosscut slices of fallen, Minnesota hardwood that's been treated with a penetrating, moisture resistant mineral oil finish, which is safe for food and which brings out the natural grain of the wood. 



How beautiful would these be, piled with artisanal cheeses and fresh fruits for an autumnal get together.



found at canoe

Super Harvest Moon

If you care about things like giant glowing moons illuminating the sky, check out your night sky at 8:10, for the Super Harvest Moon that will be at optimum viewing capacity. The last one of this kind was in 1991 and then next one will be in 2029.  For the rest of you, the final episode of Real Housewives of D.C is airing tonight.

The kitchen that vimeo bought.

 20 something, video site founder, zach klein's kitchen in nyc.

Trees of Berrien County, Michigan

Trees constitute a particular growth form (or habit) of vascular plants. Plants USDA defines a tree as follows:

Perrenial, woody plant with a single stem (trunk), normally greater than 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) in height; under certain environmental conditions, some tree species may develop a multi-stemmed or short growth form (less than 4 meters or 13 feet in height).

The trees of Berrien County constitute a subset of the conifers and dicots known from the county.

Of the 131 species listed below, 57 occur only as trees, while 74 can also be shrubs under certain conditions. These 131 species represent 54 genera, 30 families, 16 orders, and 2 classes.

Scientific and common names follow the online USDA Plants database. Species known to occur in Berrien County only as a result of human Introduction are denoted by [I]. Species for which there is a question as to their Native or Introduced origin are denoted [I?].

Species that have been determined to be of Special Plants in Michigan are denoted as follows: [E} = Endangered, [SC] = Special Concern, [T] = Threatened.

Growth habits are denoted as follows: {s} = shrub, {t} = tree. Species known to have woody stems are denoted with a {W}.

CLASS PINIPSIDA (conifers)

ORDER PINALES (pines et al.):

Family Cupressaceae (cypresses):

Juniperus communis, Common Juniper {s/t}

Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar {t}

Thuja occidentalis, Arborvitae {t}

Family Pinaceae (pines):

Larix laricina, Tamarack {t}

Pinus banksiana, Jack Pine {t}

Pinus strobus, Eastern White Pine {t}

Tsuga canadensis, Eastern Hemlock {t}

CLASS MAGNOLIOPSIDA (dicots)

ORDER CELASTRALES

Family Aquifoliaceae (holly family):

Ilex (=Nemopanthus) mucronata (=mucronatus), Catberry {s/t}

Ilex verticillata, Common Winterberry {s/t}

Family Celastraceae (bittersweet family):

Euonymus europaeus (=europaea), European Spindletree [I] {s/t}

Euonymus hamiltonianus (=hamiltoniana), Hamilton’s Spindletree [I] {s/t}

ORDER CORNALES

Family Cornaceae [including Nyssaceae] (dogwood family):

Cornus alternifolia, Alternateleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus foemina, Stiff Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus rugosa, Roundleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus sericea (=stolonifera), Redosier Dogwood {s/t}

Nyssa sylvatica, Blackgum {t}

ORDER DIPSACALES

Family Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family):

Sambucus nigra (=canadensis), Black Elderberry [I?] {s/t}

Sambucus racemosa, Red Elderberry {s/t}

Viburnum dentatum, Southern Arrow-wood {s/t}

Viburnum lentago, Nannyberry {s/t}

Viburnum nudum (=cassinoides), Withe-rod {s/t}

Viburnum opulus, American Cranberrybush {s/t}

Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhaw [SC] {s/t}

ORDER FABALES

Family Fabaceae [=Leguminoceae] (pea family):

Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud {s/t}

Gleditsia triacanthos, Honeylocust {s/t}

Gymnocladus dioicus, Kentucky Coffeetree [SC] {t}

Robinia hispida, Bristly Locust {s/t}

Robinia pseudoacacia, Black Locust {t}

Robinia viscosa, Clammy Locust {s/t}

Family Betulaceae (birch family):

Alnus incana, Gray Alder {s/t}

Betula alleghaniensis, Yellow Birch {t}

Betula papyrifera, Paper Birch {t}

Betula pendula, European White Birch [I] {t}

Carpinus caroliniana, American Hornbeam {s/t}

Ostrya virginiana, Hophornbeam {s/t}

Family Fagaceae (beech family):

Castanea dentate, American Chestnut^ [E] {t}

Fagus grandifolia, American Beech {t}

Quercus alba, White Oak {t}

Quercus bicolor, Swamp White Oak {t}

Quercus imbricaria, Shingle Oak {t}

Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak {s/t}

Quercus muehlenbergii, Chinkapin Oak {t}

Quercus palustris, Pin Oak {t}

Quercus rubra, Northern Red Oak {t}

Quercus velutina, Black Oak {t}

ORDER HAMAMELIDALES

Family Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family):

Hamamelis virginiana, American Witchhazel {s/t}

Family Platanaceae (plane-tree family):

Platanus occidentalis, American Sycamore {t}

ORDER LAURALES

Family Lauraceae (laurel family):

Lindera benzoin, Northern Spicebush {s/t}

Sassafras albidum, Sassafras {s/t}

ORDER MAGNOLIALES

Family Ammonaceae (custard-apple family):

Asimina triloba, Pawpaw {s/t}

Family Magnoliaceae (magnolia family):

Liriodendron tulipifera, Tuliptree {t}

ORDER MALVALES

Family Tiliaceae (linden family):

Tilia americana, American Basswood {t}

ORDER RHAMNALES

Family Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family):

Frangula (=Rhamnus) alnus (=frangula), Glossy Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

Rhamnus cathartica, Common Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

ORDER ROSALES

Family Rosaceae (rose family):

Amelanchier arborea, Common Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier interior, Pacific Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier sanguinea, Roundleaf Serviceberry {s/t}

Crataegus calpodendron, Pear Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus crus-galli, Cockspur Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus dodgei, Dodge’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus holmesiana, Holmes’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus margarettiae, Margarett’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pedicellata, Scarlet Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pringlei, Pringle’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus punctata, Dotted Hawtorhn {s/t}

Malus coronaria, Sweet Crab Apple {s/t}

Malus ioensis, Prairie Crab Apple {s/t}

Malus pumila, Paradise Apple [I] {t}

Prunus americana, American Plum {s/t}

Prunus avium, Sweet Cherry [I] {t}

Prunus domestica, European Plum [I] {t}

Prunus mahaleb, Mahaleb Cherry [I] {s/t}

Prunus pensylvanica, Pin Cherry {s/t}

Prunus serotina, Black Cherry {s/t}

Prunus virginiana, Chokecherry {s/t}

Pyrus communis, Common Pear [I] {t}

ORDER RUBIALES

Family Rubiaceae (madder family):

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Common Buttonbush {s/t}

ORDER SALICALES

Family Salicaceae (willow family):

Populus alba, White Poplar [I] {t}

Populus balsamifera, Balsam Poplar {t}

Populus deltoides, Eastern Cottonwood {t}

Populus grandidentata, Bigtooth Aspen {t}

Populus heterophylla, Swamp Cottonwood [E] {t}

Populus nigra, Lombardy Poplar [I] {t}

Populus tremuloides, Quacking Aspen {t}

Salix alba, White Willow [I] {t}

Salix amygdaloides, Peachleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix bebbiana, Bebb Willow {s/t}

Salix discolor, Pussy Willow {s/t}

Salix eriocephala, Missouri River Willow {s/t}

Salix exigua, Narrowleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix fragilis, Crack Willow [I] {t}

Salix lucida, Shining Willow {s/t}

Salix myricoides, Bayberry Willow {s/t}

Salix nigra, Black Willow {t}

Salix pentandra, Laurel Willow [I] {t}

Salix petiolaris, Meadow Willow {s/t}

Salix purpurea, Purpleosier Willow [I] {s/t}

Salix sericea, Silky Willow {s/t}

Salix serissima, Autumn Willow {s/t}

ORDER SAPINDALES

Family Aceraceae (maple family):

Acer negundo, Boxelder {t}

Acer platanoides, Norway Maple [I] {t}

Acer nigrum (=saccharum nigrum), Black Maple {t}

Acer rubrum, Red Maple {t}

Acer saccharinum, Silver Maple {t}

Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple {t}

Family Anacardiaceae (sumac family):

Rhus pulvinata, Northern Smooth Sumac {t}

Rhus copallinum (=copallina), Winged Sumac {s/t}

Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac {s/t}

Rhus typhina, Staghorn Sumac {s/t}

Toxicodendron vernix, Poison Sumac {s/t}

ORDER SCROPHULARIALES

Family Bignoniaceae (trumpet-creeper family):

Catalpa speciosa, Northern Catalpa {t}

Family Oleaceae (olive family):

Fraxinus americana, White Ash {t}

Fraxinus nigra, BlackAsh {t}

Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash {t}

Fraxinus profunda, Pumpkin Ash [T] {t}

Fraxinus quadrangulata, Blue Ash {t}

ORDER URTICALES

Family Moraceae (mulberry family):

Maclura pomifera, Osage Orange {s/t}

Morus alba, White Mulberry [I] {s/t}

Morus rubra, Red Mulberry [T] {t}

Family Ulmaceae (elm family):

Celtis occidentalis, Common Hackberry {s/t}

Ulmus americana, American Elm {t}

Ulmus pumila, Siberian Elm [I] {s/t}

Ulmus rubra, Slippery Elm {t}

Family Hippocastanaceae (horse-chestnut family):

Aesculus glabra, Ohio Buckeye {t}

Aesculus hippocastatum, Horse Chestnut [I] {t}

Family Rutaceae (rue family):

Ptelea trifoliata, Common Hoptree {s/t}

Xanthoxylum americanum, Common Pricklyash {s/t}

Family Simaroubaceae (quassia family):

Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven [I] {t}

Family Staphyleaceae (bladdernut family):

Staphylea trifolia, American Bladdernut {s/t}

+ chance +

Have you stumbled across Julia Leach's new endeavor, Chance?

Leach, former creative director of Kate Spade, is the force behind this beautiful site. To say 'force' almost sounds too aggressive to describe the subtle, balance of design perfection in this lifestyle project.

If the Kate Spade had a bohemian, artist sister who was wordly but never forgot her waspy roots, Chance would be she.

Inspired by the striped shirt- a staple in everyone's wardrobe, for it's perfect design.

She compares it to the simple paper clip. An item used everyday but is design perfect, both in form and function. From the elegant Citroen DS car to the humble Ticonderoga pencil.

The site sells product - striped french fisherman shirts, espadrilles, jewelry......

but as you click through, it's more about living the life of classic design. Leach seems to be branding a lifestyle of living with and in, thoughtful design

including all aspects - graphics, textiles, industrial design and architecture as key inspiration points. She does so through video, imagery and music.

And , I for one, have totally fallen into it. I've had her site up, for 2 weeks, hopping on to discover a new song, video or just peruse the photography. Chance, I take, is going to be big.

Vines of Berrien County, Michigan

Credit: Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculata), courtesy of USDA Forest Service.

Vines constitute a particular growth form (or habit) of vascular plants. Plants USDA defines a vine as follows:

Twining/climbing plant with relatively long stems, can be woody or herbaceous.

The vines of Berrien County constitute a subset of the monocots and dicots known from the county.

Of the 48 species listed below, 13 occur only as vines; 27 can also be forbs/herbs under certain conditions; 3 can be subshrubs; 2 can be shrubs; 1 can be a forb/herb or subshrub; 1 can be a subshrub or shrub; and 1 can be a forb/herb, subshrub, or shrub, depending on conditions. These 48 species represent 27 genera, 19 families, 16 orders, and 2 classes.

Scientific and common names follow the online USDA Plants database. Species known to occur in Berrien County only as a result of human Introduction are denoted by [I]. Species for which there is a question as to their Native or Introduced origin are denoted [I?].

Species that have been determined to be of Special Plants in Michigan are denoted as follows: [SC] = Special Concern, [T] = Threatened.

Growth habits are denoted as follows: {f/b} = forb/herb, {ss} = subshrub [=dwarf shrub], {s} = shrub, {v} = vine (woody plus herbaceous). Species known to have woody stems are denoted with a {W}.

CLASS LILIOPSIDA (monocots)

ORDER LILIALES

Family Dioscoreaceae (yams):

Dioscorea vollosa, Wild Yam (f/h/v}

Family Smilacaceae (catbriers):

Smilax ecirrhata, Upright Carrionflower {f/h/v}

Smilax illinoensis, Illinois Greenbrier {f/h/v}

Smilax lasioneura, Blue Ridge Carrionflower {f/h/v}

Smilax rotundifolia, Roundleaf Greenbrier (s/v}

Smilax tamnoides, Bristly Greenbrier (s/v} {W}

CLASS MAGNOLIOPSIDA (dicots)

ORDER CELASTRALES

Family Celastraceae (bittersweet family):

Celastrus orbiculata, Oriental Bittersweet [I] {v} {W}

Celastrus scandens, American Bittersweet {v} {W}

Euonymus obovatus (=obovata), Running Strawberry Bush {ss/s/v}

ORDER DIPSACALES

Family Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family):

Lonicera dioica, Limber Honeysuckle {v} {W}

Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle [I] {v} {W}

ORDER GENTIANALES

Family Apocynaceae (dogbane family):

Vinca minor, Common Periwinkle [I] {f/h/v} {W}

ORDER PAPAVERALES

Family Fumariaceae (fumitory family):

Adlumia fungosa, Allegheny Vine [SC] {f/h/v}

ORDER POLYGALALES

Family Polygonaceae (buckwheat family):

Polygonum arifolium, Halberdleaf Tearthumb {f/h/v}

Polygonum cilinode, Fringed Black Bindweed {f/h/v}

Polygonum convolvulus, Black Bindweed [I] {f/h/v}

Polygonum sagittatum, Arrowleaf Tearthum {f/h/v}

Polygonum scandens, Climbing False Buckwheat [I?] {f/h/v}

ORDER RANUNCULALES

Family Menispermaceae (moonseed family):

Menispermum canadense, Common Moonseed {v} {W}

Family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family):

Clematis virginiana, Devil’s Darning Needles {v} {W}

ORDER RHAMNALES

Family Vitaceae (grape family):

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (including inserta), Virginia Creeper {v} {W}

Vitis aestivalis, Summer Grape {v} {W}

Vitis labrusca, Fox Grape {v} {W}

Vitis riparia, Riverbank Grape {v} {W}

Vitis vulpina, Frost Grape [T] {v} {W}

ORDER ROSALES

Family Rosaceae (rose family):

Rosa multiflora, Multiflora Rose [I] {ss/v} {W}

Rosa setigera, Climbing Rose {ss/v} {W}

Rubus laciniatus, Cutleaf Blackberry [I] {ss/v} {W}

ORDER RUBIALES

Family Rubiaceae (madder family):

Galium aparine, Stickywilly {f/h/v}

Galium trifidum, Threepetal Bedstraw {f/h/v}

Galium verum, Yellow Spring Bedstraw [I] {f/h/v}

ORDER SAPINDALES

Family Anacardiaceae (sumac family):

Toxicodendron radicans, Eastern Poison Ivy {f/h/ss/s/v} {W}

ORDER SCROPHULARIALES

Family Bignoniaceae (trumpet-creeper family):

Campsis radicans, Trumpet Creeper {v} {W}

ORDER SOLANALES

Family Convolvulaceae (morning-glory family):

Calystegia sepsium, Hedge False Bindweed [I?] {f/h/v}

Calystegia silvatica, Shortstalk False Bindweed [I?] {f/h/v}

Convolvulus arvensis, Field Bindweed [I] {v}

Ipomoea pandurata, Man of the Earth [T] {f/h/v}

Ipomoea purpurea, Tall Morning-glory [I] {f/h/v}

Family Cuscutaceae (dodder family):

Cuscuta campestris, Fiveangled Dodder^ [SC] {f/h/v}

Cuscuta cephalanthi, Buttonbush Dodder {f/h/v}

Cuscuta glomerata, Rope Dodder [SC (last observed 1906)] {f/h/v}

Cuscuta grovoni, Scaldweed {f/h/v}

Family Solanaceae (potato family):

Solanum dulcamara, Climbing Nightshade [I] {f/h/ss/v}

ORDER URTICALES

Family Cannabaceae (hemp family):

Humulus lupulus, Common Hop [I?] {f/h/v}

ORDER VIOLALES

Family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber family):

Citrullus lanatus, Watermelon [I] {f/h/v}

Cucurbita foetidissima, Missouri Gourd {f/h/v}

Echinocystis lobata, Wild Cucumber {f/h/v}

Sicyos angulatus, Oneseed Bur Cucumber {f/h/v}

kevin cyr :: vehicles

Combining a lot of things I love: photo realism, color, typography, interesting old vehicles and yes, tagging. Artist Kevin Cyr, has created a series including all of this and more ..... I have no idea how big these are, but I really hope they're huge.

please inflate, save-the-date

I came across a post over on one of those blogs that I like to index under, 'bloggers that are cooler than you'll ever be' you know the type: petulant + cool teenager, smoking behind the blogosphere, blogger. The post had something to do with a dislike for 'theme weddings' ( so not cool. )

Anyway, I for one love all of the tremendously creative play on theme weddings out there - of which I like to index under, 'creatives that are more creative than I'll ever be'.

Check out this super cute (which is so not cool) save-the-date created by artist, Jennifer Lopardo.

The couple was engaged in Paris, thus The Red Balloon inspired theme.

Blow up the balloon...

and you have all of the relevant information.

btw, I love all of the activities they have lined up.

Birds and Drought: Palila Follow-Up

As a follow-up to my previous post about the Palila (an Endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper) and drought, I here present quantitative data on the impact of drought on Palila breeding efforts.

Lindsey et al. (1995) presented the results of a 7-year (1987-1993) study of annual survival, age, and sex ratios of the Palila on Mauna Kea, and offered the following observations on the impacts of drought:

The number of nesting attempts by Palila appeared to be influenced by annual differences in precipitation and differences in the availability of immature mamane pods [the principal food source] prior to and during the Palila breeding season (van Riper 1980; P. Banko, unpubl. data). For example, we located 71 Palila nests in our study area during 1991, a year of relatively high mamane pod production, compared to 52 nests during the previous year when mamane pods were moderately available (T. Pratt, unpubl. data). In 1992, when the drought caused an almost complete failure in the mamane crop, we located only five Palila nests [a 92 percent reduction from the average of the previous 2 years]. Adult Palila had higher survival in years when mamane production [and presumably precipitation] was relatively high.

"Hawaii is suffering through an unprecedented drought", with El Nino conditions the last two years having "added new misery to a half-century of declining rainfall on the tropical island chain."

Firefighters fear that "extreme wildfires could destroy native ecosystems and create devastating long-term environmental damage."

Sources:
Lindsey, G. D., S. G. Fancy, M. H. Reynolds, T. K. Pratt, K. A. Wilson, P. C. Banko, and J. D. Jacobi. 1995. Population structure and survival of the Palila. Condor 97: 528-535. URL:
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v097n02/p0528-p0535.pdf

van Riper, C., III. 1980b. The phenology of the dry-land forests of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and the impact of recent environmental perturbations. Biotropica 12: 282-291. URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/2387700 [Abstract only]

brittany stiles, styles

I had a therapist once whose name was B. Fine. That's right. Doctor B Fine. If the name somehow steers the career, Brittany Stiles is a great example of this curious coincidence.

Brittany and I met a few years ago, when working on a little design project. Fresh faced (seriously, the best skin, ever. I used to have to stop her mid convo and tell her so ) and right out FIDM, her work was polished and sophisticated. Far from a 'fresh out of design' school aesthetic. I ran into her Tuesday at the Kravet's showroom and she told me that she was keeping very busy (no surprise) and so I asked her to send me over a few pics of what she's been up to......

Brittany has a great blog which you can find here and then check out her design site here
and then go out and hire her.

Shrubs of Berrien County, Michigan

Shrubs constitute a particular growth form (or habit) of vascular plants. Plants USDA defines a shrub as follows:

Perennial, multi-stemmed woody plant that is usually less than 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) in height. Shrubs typically have several stems arising from or near the ground, but may be taller than 5 meters or single-stemmed under certain environmental conditions.

The shrubs of Berrien County constitute a subset of the conifers, monocots, and dicots known from the county. The stems and roots of shrubs are typically woody in texture rather than herbaceous.

Of the 129 species listed below, 36 are known only as shrubs; 69 can also be trees under certain conditions; 14 can be subshrubs; 5 can be forbs/herbs or subshrubs; 3 can be a subshrubs or vines; 2 can be forbs/herbs, subshrubs, or vines, depending on conditions; and 1 can be a graminoid or subshrub. These 130 species represent 62 genera, 24 orders, 32 families, and 3 classes.

Scientific and common names follow the online USDA Plants database. Species known to occur in Berrien County only as a result of human Introduction are denoted by [I]. Species for which there is a question as to their Native or Introduced origin are denoted [I?].

Species that have been determined to be of Special Concern in Michigan are denoted as [SC].

Growth habits are denoted as follows: {f/b} = forb/herb, {g} = graminoid, {ss} = subshrub [=dwarf shrub], {s} = shrub, {t} = tree, {v} = vine (woody plus herbaceous).

CLASS PINOPSIDA (conifers)

ORDER PINALES

Family Cupressaceae (cypresses):

Juniperus communis, Common Juniper {s/t}

ORDER TAXALES

Family Taxaceae (yews)

Taxus canadensis, Canada Yew {s}

CLASS LILIOPSIDA (monocots)

ORDER AGAVALES

Family Agavaceae (century-plants):

Yucca filamentosa, Adam’s Needle (f/h/ss/s}

ORDER CYPERALES

Family Poaceae (grasses):

Phragmites australis, Common Reed (g/ss/s}

ORDER LILIALES

Family Smilaceae (catbriers):

Smilax rotundifolia, Roundleaf Greenbrier (s/v}

Smilax tamnoides, Bristly Greenbrier (s/v}

CLASS MAGNOLIOPSIDA (dicots)

ORDER CARYOPHYLLALES

Family Cactaceae (cactus family):

Opuntia humifusa, Devil’s-tongue {s}

ORDER CELASTRALES

Family Aquifoliaceae (holly family):

Ilex (=Nemopanthus) mucronata (=mucronatus), Catberry {s/t}

Ilex verticillata, Common Winterberry {s/t}

Family Celastraceae (bittersweet family):

Euonymus alatus (=alata), Burningbush [I] {s}

Euonymus europaeus (=europaea), European Spindletree [I] {s/t}

Euonymus hamiltonianus (=hamiltoniana), Hamilton’s Spindletree [I] {s/t}

Euonymus obovatus (=obovata), Running Strawberry Bush {ss/s/v}

ORDER CORNALES

Family Cornaceae [including Nyssaceae] (dogwood family):

Cornus alternifolia, Alternateleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus amomum, Silky Dogwood {s}

Cornus canadensis, Bunchberry Dogwood {f/h/ss/s}

Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus foemina, Stiff Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus rugosa, Roundleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus sericea (=stolonifera), Redosier Dogwood {s/t}

ORDER DIPSACALES

Family Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family):

Diervilla lonicera, Northern Bush Honeysuckle {s}

Lonicera canadensis, American Fly Honeysuckle {s}

Lonicera maackii, Amur Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera morrowii, Morrow’s Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera tatarica, Tatarian Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera xylosteum, Dwarf Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Sambucus nigra (=canadensis), Black Elderberry [I?] {s/t}

Sambucus racemosa, Red Elderberry {s/t}

Symphoricarpos albus, Common Snowberry {ss/s}

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Coralberry {s}

Viburnum acerifolium, Mapleleaf Viburnum {ss/s}

Viburnum dentatum, Southern Arrow-wood {s/t}

Viburnum lentago, Nannyberry {s/t}

Viburnum nudum (=cassinoides), Withe-rod {s/t}

Viburnum opulus, American Cranberrybush {s/t}

Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhaw [SC] {s/t}

Viburnum rafinesqueanum (=rafinesquianum), Downy Arrow-wood {s}

ORDER ERICALES

Family Ericaceae (heath family):

Andromeda polifolia (=glaucophylla), Bog Rosemary {ss/s}

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Kinnickinnick {ss/s}

Chamaedaphne calyculata, Leatherleaf {s}

Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus {ss/s}

Gaultheria procumbens, Eastern Teaberry {ss/s}

Gaylussacia baccata, Black Huckleberry {s}

Vaccinium angustifolium, Lowbush Blueberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush Cranberry {s}

Vaccinium macrocarpon, Cranberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium oxycoccos, Small Cranberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium pallidum, Blue Ridge Blueberry {ss/s}

ORDER FABALES

Family Fabaceae [=Leguminoceae] (pea family):

Amorpha canescens, Leadplant^ [SC] {ss/s}

Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud {s/t}

Gleditsia triacanthos, Honeylocust {s/t}

Robinia hispida, Bristly Locust {s/t}

Robinia viscosa, Clammy Locust {s/t}

Family Betulaceae (birch family):

Alnus incana, Gray Alder {s/t}

Betula pumila, Bog Birch {s}

Carpinus caroliniana, American Hornbeam {s/t}

Corylus americana, American Hazelnut {s}

Ostrya virginiana, Hophornbeam {s/t}

Family Fagaceae (beech family):

Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak {s/t}

ORDER HAMAMELIDALES

Family Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family):

Hamamelis virginiana, American Witchhazel {s/t}

ORDER LAURALES

Family Lauraceae (laurel family):

Lindera benzoin, Northern Spicebush {s/t}

Sassafras albidum, Sassafras {s/t}

ORDER MAGNOLIALES

Family Ammonaceae (custard-apple family):

Asimina triloba, Pawpaw {s/t}

ORDER MYRICALES

Family Myricaceae (bayberry family):

Comptonia peregrina, Sweet Fern {ss/s}

ORDER MYRTALES

Family Lythraceae (loosestrife family):

Decodon verticillatus, Swamp Loosestrife {ss/s}

Family Thymelaeaceae (mezereum family):

Dirca palustris, Eastern Leatherwood {s}

ORDER RANUNCULALES

Family Berberidaceae (barberry family):

Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry [I] {s}

Berberis vulgaris, Common Barberry [I] {s}

ORDER RHAMNALES

Family Elaeagnaceae (oleaster family):

Elaeagnus umbellata, Autumn Olive [I] {s}

Shepherdia canadensis, Russet Buffaloberry {s}

Family Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family):

Ceanothus americanus, New Jersey Tea {ss/s}

Frangula (=Rhamnus) alnus (=frangula), Glossy Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

Rhamnus alnifolia, Alderleaf Buckthorn {s}

Rhamnus cathartica, Common Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

ORDER ROSALES

Family Grossulariaceae (currant family):

Ribes americanum, American Black Currant {s}

Ribes aureum (=odoratum), Golden Currant {s}

Ribes cynosbati, Eastern Prickly Gooseberry {s}

Ribes hirtellum, Hairystem Gooseberry {s}

Family Rosaceae (rose family):

Amelanchier arborea, Common Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier interior, Pacific Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier sanguinea, Roundleaf Serviceberry {s/t}

Crataegus calpodendron, Pear Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus crus-galli, Cockspur Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus dodgei, Dodge’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus holmesiana, Holmes’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus margarettiae, Margarett’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pedicellata, Scarlet Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pringlei, Pringle’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus punctata, Dotted Hawtorhn {s/t}

Malus coronaria, Sweet Crab Apple {s/t}

Malus ioensis, Prairie Crab Apple {s/t}

Photonia (=Aronia) floribunda (=prunifolia), Purple Chokeberry {s}

Physocarpus opulifolius, Common Ninebark {s}

Prunus americana, American Plum {s/t}

Prunus mahaleb, Mahaleb Cherry [I] {s/t}

Prunus pensylvanica, Pin Cherry {s/t}

Prunus pumila, Sandcherry {s}

Prunus serotina, Black Cherry {s/t}

Prunus virginiana, Chokecherry {s/t}

ORDER RUBIALES

Family Rubiaceae (madder family):

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Common Buttonbush {s/t}

ORDER SALICALES

Family Salicaceae (willow family):

Salix amygdaloides, Peachleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix bebbiana, Bebb Willow {s/t}

Salix candida, Sageleaf Willow {s}

Salix cordata, Heartleaf Willow {s}

Salix discolor, Pussy Willow {s/t}

Salix eriocephala, Missouri River Willow {s/t}

Salix exigua, Narrowleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix humilis, Prairie Willow {s}

Salix lucida, Shining Willow {s/t}

Salix myricoides, Bayberry Willow {s/t}

Salix petiolaris, Meadow Willow {s/t}

Salix purpurea, Purpleosier Willow [I] {s/t}

Salix sericea, Silky Willow {s/t}

Salix serissima, Autumn Willow {s/t}

ORDER SAPINDALES

Family Anacardiaceae (sumac family):

Rhus copallinum (=copallina), Winged Sumac {s/t}

Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac {s/t}

Rhus typhina, Staghorn Sumac {s/t}

Toxicodendron radicans, Eastern Poison Ivy {f/h/ss/s/v}

Toxicodendron vernix, Poison Sumac {s/t}

Family Rutaceae (rue family):

Ptelea trifoliata, Common Hoptree {s/t}

Xanthoxylum americanum, Common Pricklyash {s/t}

Family Staphyleaceae (bladdernut family):

Staphylea trifolia, American Bladdernut {s/t}

ORDER SCROPHULARIALES

Family Oleaceae (olive family):

Ligustrum obtusifolium, Border Privet [I] {s}

Ligustrum vulgare, European Privet [I] {s}

Syringa vulgaris, Common Lilac [I] {s}

ORDER SOLANALES

Family Polemoniaceae (phlox family):

Phlox divaricata, Wild Blue Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox nivalis, Trailing Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox pilosa, Downy Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox subulata, Moss Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Last Revised: 9/21/2010.