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)