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Sweet allysum attracts the good bugs (who will eat the bad bugs)

Written by Doug Oster on .

blog sweet allysumSweet allysum brings in the good bugs. Photo by Doug OsterSweet allysum is just one plant which will attract beneficial insects.

This easy to grow annual comes in a few colors, most popular are white and purple.

Ladybugs love the flowers and will mate around the plant. As their eggs hatch the hungry larvae will feed on aphids.

If you have a plant which gets aphids every season, plant allysum close by for a cheap, beautiful organic control.

My garden is filled with allysum and other plants to bring in the good bugs.

Dill, oregano, thyme, fennel and many other varieties will attract beneficial insects.

Organic gardening practices are a must as we don't want to kill the good bugs. Did you know over 90 percent of insects in the garden are either benign or good for the garden?

When you let the good bugs eat the bad bugs, yo're perpetuating the cycle of nature.

 

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Gitmo

Written by Rob Rogers on .

Guantanamo Bay is a black mark on this country. Locking up prisoners for decades with no due process makes us no better than North Korea or China when it comes to human rights. It is time for Obama and the do-nothing congress to do the right thing and shut it down. I know everyone is ringing their hands over what harm may come from transferring or releasing the prisoners. The bigger question is: what harm will come from leaving them in there? 

050313 Gitmo

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Mac Miller album coming June 18

Written by Scott Mervis on .

macmillerMac Miller announced on Twitter today that his new album, "Watching Movies with the Sound Off," will be released on June 18.

It's the second album from the Pittsburgh rapper who topped with the charts in November 2011 with "Blue Slide Park."

This one is loaded with guests, including Tyler, the Creator, Schoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, Cam'ron Action Bronson and Gucci Man. He's already released the trippy first single "S.D.S.," produced by Flying Lotus.

Pharrel Williams and ID Labs are among the other producers.

Earlier on Thursday, Kanye West tweeted "June Eighteen," which may indicate the release date of his new album, which would certainly own the charts that week.

 

 

 

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Twenty Years Later - Islanders 3, Penguins 2 - 05-02-13

Written by Seth Rorabaugh on .

"Twenty Years Later" is a segment with a highly unimaginative name which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2012-13 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1992-93 season which led to the only President's Trophy in franchise history. The 1992-93 squad is commonly regarded as the most talented in the history of the Penguins. We will look back on games on the date they happened.

Today, we look at the Penguins' 3-2 win against the New York Islanders in Game 1 of the Patrick Division final series, May 2, 1993.


The Islanders took a 1-0 series lead at the Civic Arena. Right winger Mike Needham gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead with a goal against goaltender Glenn Healy 8:19 into the contest. Left winger Troy Loneyhad the only assist.

At 12:20 of the first period, New York tied the game, 1-1, when defensman Vladimir Malakhov scored against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to left winger Derek King and defenseman Dennis Vaske.

The Islanders took a 2-1 lead at the 17:09 mark when center Ray Ferraro scored a short-handed breakway goal. The lone assist was credited to center Tom Fitzgerald.

Center Benoit Hogue scored the eventual game-winning short-handed goal at 5:02 of the second period off assists from defenseman Darius Kasparaitis and Fitzgerald.

A goal by left winger Jeff Daniels at the 15:10 mark made it a 3-2 game. The only assist was recorded by defenseman Larry Murphy.

Notes:

-Barrasso made 28 saves in the loss.

-Penguins center Mario Lemieux left at 2:34 of the first period due to back spasms.

-Dating back to 1992, the Penguins had a nine-game home postseason winning streak snapped.

Statistics:

Player
Position
Games
Played
Goals Assists Points
Mario Lemieux, C 5 5 4 9
Ron Francis, C 6 2 6 8
Kevin Stevens, LW 6 2 5 7
Rick Tocchet, RW 6 3 3 6
Larry Murphy, D 6 1 5 6
Jeff Daniels, LW 6 3 1 4
Shawn McEachern, LW 6 3 1 4
Jaromir Jagr, RW 6 2 2 4
Dave Tippett, C 6 1 3 4
Mike Ramsey, D 6 0 4 4
Joe Mullen, RW 6 1 2 3
Ulf Samuelsson, D 6 0 3 3
Peter Taglianetti, D 6 1 1 2
Troy Loney, LW 4 0 2 2
Mike Needham, RW 3 1 0 1
Martin Straka, C 6 0 1 1
Kjell Samuelsson, D 6 0 1 1
Mike Stapleton, C 5 0 0 0
Grant Jennings, D 6 0 0 0

Also in the news that day:

-A goal and an assist by center Paul DiPietro led the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres in Game 1 of the Adams Division final at the Montreal Forum.

-Goaltender Kirk McLean made 25 saves for the Vancouver Canucks in a 5-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Smythe Division final at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.

-Third baseman Jeff King went 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs for the Pirates in a 6-2 win against the Houston Astros at the Houston Astrodome.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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(3) Capitals - (6) Rangers preview - 05-02-13

Written by Seth Rorabaugh on .

(3) Capitals vs. (6) Rangers

Capitals Leading Regular Season Scorer: Alex Ovechkin (right), 56 points (32 goals, 24 assists).

Rangers Leading Regular Season Scorer: Derek Stepan, 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists).

Capitals Expected Starting Goaltender: Braden Holtby, 23-12-1, 2.58 GAA, .920 SV%.

Rangers Expected Starting Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist, 24-16-3, 2.05 GAA, .926 SV%.

Capitals Regular Season Statistics

Rangers Regular Season Statistics

Capitals Injuries: Right winger Joel Ward (knee) is probable. Center Brooks Laich (groin) is out. Defenseman Tom Poti (bacl) is on injured reserve.

Rangers Injuries: Left winger Ryane Clowe (leg) and center Brian Boyle (leg) are out. Defensemen Michael Sauer (concussion), Marc Staal (eye) and right winger Derek Dorsett (left winger) are on injured reserve.

Capitals with Stanley Cup bling: Troy Brouwer, RW.

Rangers with Stanley Cup bling: Brad Richards, C.

Something worthwhile about the Capitals: The Capitals had the league's best power play at 26.8 percent this past regular season.

Something worthwhile about the Rangers: The Rangers were the least penalized team in the NHL this past regular season with 183 penalties.

Something useless about the Capitals that is vaguely connected to the Penguins: Former Penguins center Mario Lemieux holds the record for most points in a postseason game against the Capitals. He had four points in a 6-4 win for the Penguins in Game 3 of the 1992 Patrick Division final.

Something useless about the Rangers that is vaguely connected to the Penguins: Lester Patrick, grandfather of former PEnguins general manager/coach Craig Patrick, holes the Rangers' record for most postseason series wins with 15.

Former Penguins on the Capitals: None.

Former Penguins on the Rangers: Arron Asham, RW; Rick Kehoe, professional scout; Glen Sather, general manager..

Who needs to be the difference for the Capitals: Alex Ovechkin. A Hart Trophy candidate, Ovechkin sparked Washington's push to the postseason in the second half of the regular season. He needs to maintain his level of play for the Capitals to beat the Rangers.

Who needs to be the difference for the Rangers: Dan Girardi (above), Ryan McDonagh. They will routinely be matched up against Ovechkin throughout the series. They need bring their usual brand of tenacious, collapsing defense to give the Rangers a chance.

Best Capitals YouTube Video We Could Find: Former Capitals forward Dale Hunter's overtime goal in Game 7 of a 1988 Patrick Division semifinal series:

Best Rangers YouTube Video We Could Find: Former Rangers left winger Esa Tikkanen's overtime goal in a series-clinching 3-2 win against the Panthers in Game 5 of a 1997 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series:

EN Prediction: The Capitals enter the postseason on a tear while the Rangers enter the postseason with several key players sidelined due to injuries. With the Capitals finally settling into the system of new coach Adam Oates, they will advance to the semifinal round. Capitals 4-2.

(Photos: Ovechkin-Rob Carr/Getty Images; Girardi-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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