Palo Alto $100/day Fines for Water Wasters

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_26542237/palo-alto-city-council-approved-100-per-day

Composting Tips

Compost Happens: tips for making it happen right http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268802/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=MUiV4i9F (from @AP)

USDA seizes more than 1,200 illegal giant snails

USDA seizes more than 1,200 illegal giant snails http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=I8ykpyfi (from @AP)

Water Bottle Drip System

I cut back on watering my garden due to California's drought, and my plants have been suffering for it.  In an attempt to be even more water-wise, I recently installed a make-shift water drip system.  

I made a single 1/16-inch hole on the bottom of an empty Organics plastic soda bottle and buried it right-side up in the ground next to a plant.  After filling the bottle with water, I replaced the cap and close it tightly.  Using a funnel makes refilling these bottles a quick and easy task. 

I can go days without refilling these bottles.  And by delivering water directly to the roots, I am minimizing water that is  lost by evaporation. 

Lawn removal in parched California draws fine

Lawn removal in parched California draws fine http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=dON8FRQt (from @AP)

50,000 bees living in NYC ceiling

Un-bee-lievable: 50,000 bees living in NYC ceiling http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268744/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=pNDwbbxd (from @AP)

New go-to career for New England's young: Farming

New go-to career for New England's young: Farming http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268773/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=4IL6YQl7 (from @AP)

California drought: 17 communities could run out of water within 60 to 120 days, state says

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25013388/california-drought-17-communities-could-run-out-water

Fall Planting Tips

Summer veggies were just the first round http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268802/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=L65iglCz (from @AP)

California cemeteries work to cope with drought

California cemeteries work to cope with drought http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=8U8CG7ln (from @AP)

7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Figs

7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Figs - http://huff.to/1Bq6DOW

Garden Vegetable Pizza: From Garden to Table

There is nothing more satisfying than tasting the fruits of your labor...literally.  The garden is booming this year and this simple pizza recipe makes it easy to present a medley of your fruits and veggies. 

Garden Vegetable Pizza
Makes 1 pizza

Ingredients

• Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
• Garden Vegetables and Herbs on Hand (e.g., bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic cloves, parsley)
• Olive oil (for sauteing)
• 3/4 c. Pizza Sauce or Red Pasta Sauce
• 8 oz. Shredded Cheese Blend of your choice  
• Mozzarella (optional) 

Directions

1. Set rack to lowest position and heat oven to 500 degrees F.
2. Divide dough in half on lightly floured counter.  Place one half of dough under plastic wrap, and work the other half of dough into 8-inch disc.  Then continue to work and stretch the dough (flipping dough occasionally) until dough is 12 to 14 inches in diameter.  
3. Place dough on pizza stone or overturned rimmed baking sheet.  Place dough in preheated oven, and bake for 8 minutes.
4. In the meantime, slice garden vegetables into 1/4-inch thick slices, and chop herbs.  Heat oil in frying pan, and saute vegetables and herbs until vegetables are tender.
5. Pour sauce on the center of the cooked dough and use back of large spoon to spread sauce evenly around the pizza, leaving about 1/2-inch border free of sauce.  
6. Add shredded cheese and bits of mozzarella.  Spoon sauteed vegetables onto pizza. 
7. Return pizza to oven for 3 more minutes or until cheese has melted.  
8. Transfer pizza to cutting board.  Slice and serve immediately.  Repeat these steps for 2nd pizza or save the 2nd dough in refrigerator for tomorrow.

Pizza Dough Recipe
Makes dough for two 14-inch pizzas

Ingredients

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 c. wheat flour (and extra flour for shaping dough)
• 2 1/4 tsp instant or rapid-rise yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 c. water, heated to 110 degrees

Directions

1. Pulse 4 c. flour, yeast, and salt together in food processor (fitted with dough blade) until combined, about 5 pulses.  With food processor running, slowly add oil, then water; Process until rough ball forms, 30 to 40 seconds.  Let dough rest for 2 minutes and then process for 30 seconds longer. 
2. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and knead by hand into smooth round ball.  Place dough in a large, lightly greased bowl.  Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap, ad let rise at room temperature until doubled in size (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours).

Lake Mead Water Impacts

A look at Lake Mead's water levels, impact http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268743/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=qVgNvHYN (from @AP)

Wildlife refuges phasing out GMO crops, pesticides

Wildlife refuges phasing out GMO crops, pesticides http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=FLy50TeL (from @AP)

National wildlife refuges around the country are phasing out genetically modified crops and a class of pesticides related to nicotine in programs meant to provide food for wildlife.

Q & A About Lake Erie Toxic Algae

Questions and answers about Lake Erie toxic algae http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=OzEtFk21 (from @AP)

Ohio Water Ban Lifted

Tainted Ohio water coming under increased scrutiny http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268808/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=059JWJN9 (from @AP)

"Toledo's mayor lifted the water advisory Monday morning after dozens of tests over the weekend showed an algae-induced toxin contaminating Lake Erie had dropped to safe levels following intensive chemical treatments."

'Gluten-free' labeling standards kick in

'Gluten-free' labeling standards kick in http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=702DB4Nd (from @AP)

Tree of 40 Fruit

The Gift Of Graft: New York Artist's Tree To Grow 40 Kinds Of Fruit http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/08/03/337164041/the-gift-of-graft-new-york-artists-tree-to-grow-40-kinds-of-fruit?sc=18&f=

Ohio Water Ban Due to Toxins from Algae Blooms

Ohio water ban enters 3rd day http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=b5bC4mee (from @AP)

"Water plant operators along western Lake Erie have long been worried about this very scenario as a growing number of algae blooms have turned the water into a pea soup color in recent summers, leaving behind toxins that can sicken people and kill pets.

In fact, the problems on the shallowest of the five Great Lakes brought on by farm runoff and sludge from sewage treatment plants have been building for more than a decade."