1) Community Cleanup Workshops Offered

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas’ PRIDE Program is sponsoring community cleanup workshops prior to a statewide push for spring cleanups, April 21-28, 2007.

Communities do not need to be enrolled in the PRIDE Program to be eligible to attend, said Connie Hoch, associate PRIDE Program coordinator, who is organizing the free workshops.

“Litter detracts from a community’s overall appearance, may lead to lower property values and also is a fire and safety hazard,” she said.

The 90-minute workshops will offer cleanup tips, suggestions for working with local trash haulers and instructions for disposing of hazardous household waste, such as old paint. They are scheduled:

* Feb. 20 at the Norton County 4-H Building, East Park Street, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

* Feb. 22 at the Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W. 21^st Street N, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

* Feb. 27 at the Coffey County Library (in Burlington), 410 Juniatta, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

* March 1, at Pottorff Hall, Cico Park  (in Manhattan), 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The workshops are free, but registration is encouraged to ensure adequate handouts and notification of schedule changes due to weather.

Registration and more information is available from Kansas’ PRIDE Program, 101 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66502-3405 or 785-532-5840 and K-State Research and Extension county offices in host counties.

 

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2) Tips for Parents: Don’t Expect Valentine from Teens

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Parents who once made sentimental valentines for their parents may be pleasantly surprised now by getting a Valentine from their own child. But, they shouldn't expect a flowery card or otherwise sentimental effort from teenagers in the family, said Elaine Johannes, Kansas State University Research and Extension youth development specialist.

With today’s teens typically waiting longer to choose a steady date -- and Valentine’s clearly identified with celebrating relationships -- shopping for flowers or a sentimental card is unlikely to be on their to-do list, she said.

More information about adolescent development and on managing family life is available at Kansas county and district Extension offices and on the K-State Research and Extension Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu.

 

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3) Water in Winter Can Be Strange, Dangerous

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Water has amazing properties that can make it a hazard and a curiosity.

“Water is the major reason repeated cycles of freeze and thaw can cause so much damage,” said Mary Knapp, state of Kansas climatologist, based with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Water is one of the few substances that always expands when it shifts from its liquid state. It generally expands into a vapor during warm weather. It expands into a solid in cold, Knapp explained.

The expansion when water becomes solid is why freeze-thaw cycles can crack driveways, sidewalks, roads and building foundations. The same effect also can heave landscape plants out of the soil, exposing their roots to damaging winds and cold.

“Unfortunately for us, freeze-thaw cycles are more common in Kansas than in Missouri, where winter temperatures tend to be milder,” Knapp said. “However, Kansas experiences more cycles than North Dakota does, too. Once temperatures get cold up north, they can stay cold for quite some time.”

Of course, cold water also can translate into slick streets, damaging ice storms, snow-covered sidewalks and dangerous blizzards. These frozen forms won’t even yield the amount of actual soil moisture that their bulk suggests. Water not only expands as it freezes but also shrinks when it melts.

Strangely, though, water can go from solid to vapor, totally bypassing its liquid (melted) stage.

“I once got a call from someone who had gone to bed feeling guilty that she hadn’t used melting chemicals on her icy driveway. But, when she got up, the pavement was dry – even though temperatures had remained below freezing,” Knapp said. “I suspect her driveway had experienced a process called sublimation. When the temperature and pressure are just right, a little snow or ice can seem to just disappear.”

Knapp heads the Kansas Weather Data Library and its Web site at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/wdl/.


 

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4)  K-State Jr. Swine Producer Day Slated for March

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University’s Kansas Junior Swine Producer Day will be March 24 at Weber Hall Arena on the university’s Manhattan campus.

The event provides youth, parents and 4-H swine project leaders an opportunity to learn more about swine programs for youth in an interactive and hands-on atmosphere, said Joel DeRouchey, K-State Research and Extension livestock production specialist.

The program will feature information for all age groups from beginner showman to parents and project leaders.  Discussion topics will include available educational resources, as well as pig selection, facilities, nutrition, management in the first 30 days after purchase, and showmanship.

Beginner swine producers will also learn about ear notching and swine breeds, while the adults learn how to improve a swine project experience for youth and their families. 

“This year, we’ll also be giving away more than $500 in show equipment as door prizes throughout the day,” DeRouchey said.

Registration is $10 per person until March 16 and $15 thereafter. All participants will receive a “Show Pig Information” booklet and lunch. The registration packet will also include a T-shirt, but the organizers can’t guarantee a shirt for late registrants. 

Registration forms are available though all local Kansas Extension offices and on the Web at www.asi.k-state.edu/swine. For more information, interested persons can call DeRouchey at 785-532-2280 or send an e-mail to jderouch@ksu.edu. 

The Kansas Pork Association; Suther Feeds, Inc.; and Showtime Show Supplies are sponsors of the K-State event.