MANHATTAN, Kan. - Suburban homeowners’ rapidly spreading habitat is creating deer problems that used to be confined to crop farmers.

"Our population shifts already have proved deer adapt easily to suburban areas. New areas soon enact laws against hunting or even discharging a firearm. Most of the natural enemies for deer won’t live around people. So, the suburbs turn into a deer haven with a restaurant in every landscape," said Ward Upham, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Combined with mild winter weather, such havens can bring an explosion in deer numbers, just as zoning restrictions against the better non-lethal controls go into effect -- high fences and barking dogs.

Still, deer have preferences. Upham identified the following as plants rarely damaged or killed:

* Trees - blue spruce, Russian olive.

* Shrubs - barberry, boxwood, Redosier dogwood, American holly, Rose of Sharon, Russian olive, European privet, common yew.

* Bulbs, perennials and annuals - ageratum, sweet alyssum, purple coneflower, daffodil, lamb's ear, lavender, lily of the valley, marigold, Russian sage, snapdragon, thyme, yarrow, yucca.

In contrast, Upham said, Kansas Master Gardeners have reported that deer love:

* Trees - any fruit bearer, Cornelian dogwood, Norway maple, eastern redbud.

* Vines - clematis, wintercreeper, English ivy.

* Shrubs - American arborvitae, winged euonymus (burning bush), azalea, rhododendron, hybrid tea rose, the less common yews (English, Western, Japanese and English/Japanese hybrids).

* Bulbs, perennials and annuals - Bishop’s weed, candytuft, columbine, hosta, geranium, lily, Japanese painted fern, pansy, periwinkle, Solomon’s seal, stock, sunflower, tulip, trillium, viola.



 

2) K-State Leadership Seminar Announced

MANHATTAN, Kan. – "Inclusive Leadership: Leading from Within" is the topic of the 2006 Kansas State University Leadership Seminar scheduled March 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in K-State’s Student Union. The cost to attend is $25, which includes registration, seminar packet and lunch.

"The topic, which focuses on developing cultural competencies to build community, reflects our changing society and a universal desire to be productive, contributing citizens," said Dan Kahl, co-chair of the seminar.

Keynote speakers, Shah Hasan, director of capacity development for Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio, and Ata Karim, president of Global Leadership Solutions in Seattle, Wash., will offer the essentials of cultural competency and tips for putting them into action to live and work successfully in a multi-cultural society.

For registration or more information, contact K-State’s Division of Continuing Education at 785-532-5569 or http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/leads/Seminars/seminars.htm. The seminar is expected to fill quickly. Early registration is recommended. Deadline for registration is March 17.



 

3) To Save, Think Before Spending

MANHATTAN, Kan. – If you have $50 on Monday, but are empty-handed by Friday, track spending for a week or two, said Carol Young, Kansas State University Research and Extension family financial management specialist.

"Carry an index card or small notebook and jot down what you spend. At the end of the week, start looking for ways to save," said Young, who offered these examples:

* If you buy a snack such as a granola bar for $1 from the vending machine at work each day, buy a box of eight granola bars at the supermarket (about $3) and save about $3 a week – $156 a year.

* Attending a less costly movie matinee (often at a savings of $2 to $3 per ticket) rather than a prime time viewing twice a month will yield an annual savings of $50 or more per person. For still more savings, rent a movie for home viewing.

* Cable extras? Trim features to save $10 or more a month, $120 or more a year.

* Shop for groceries with a list to reduce impulse purchases.

* Reserve eating out for special occasions. Eating at home is typically less expensive.

"Learning to weigh wants versus needs can put money in your pocket," Young said. "Ask yourself: ‘Do I want more stuff sitting around? Would I rather save for a down payment on a house? Or a newer, more dependable vehicle?’"

New to Extension this year is Kansas Saves, a campaign to encourage saving, reduce debt and build wealth. For more cost-saving tips and money management strategies, visit the county or district K-State Research and Extension office or the Web site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/financialmanagement/.



 

4) Ever Wonder What Those Weather Terms Mean?

MANHATTAN, Kan. – NEXRAD or Doppler radar are terms frequently heard on weather reports, but have you wondered what they mean?

"Both refer to newer (or next generation) radar that is capable of measuring both precipitation and wind," said Mary Knapp, climatologist for the State of Kansas. "Radar emits a short pulse of energy. If that energy hits an object (such as rain, bugs, or dust), the energy is scattered. A small portion is directed back to the radar."

Computers then analyze the return signal for strength, the time it took to return and the frequency shift of the signal, said Knapp who heads the state’s Weather Data Library at Kansas State University. This frequency shift changes based on the motion of the object the radar energy hit, and is known as the "Doppler Effect". It was named after the Austrian physicist, Christian Doppler, who discovered it.

Information about the Weather Data Library is available at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/wdl/.



 

5) Kids a Cookin’ - Three Bean Bake

This recipe jazzes up an all-time favorite by combining the flavors of three different kinds of beans before baking. It creates a good source of dietary fiber and protein by itself, but also makes a great side dish for hamburgers. Kansas State University Research and Extension’s Family Nutrition Program considers the recipe medium-difficult for children to fix. It yields 10 one-half cup servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15-ounce) Great Northern beans, drained
• 1 can (15-ounce) pork and beans
• 1 can (15-ounce) light or dark kidney beans, drained
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced onion

Directions:

1. Remember to wash your hands.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Coat inside of large baking dish with cooking spray.

4. Combine all ingredients in the dish.

5. Bake uncovered 30 to 40 minutes, stirring twice as it cooks.

Helpful Hints:

Substitute spicy chili beans for the pork and beans and you’ll have a dish with even more zip. Or, add cooked ground beef or ham for a main dish kids of all ages will gobble up.

Most 15-ounce cans of beans equal about 1 ¾ cups cooked beans.

Cooked beans freeze well. If you won’t be serving 10 soon, freeze half of this bean bake to use later.

Safety Tips:

Remind children to remove dirt and germs by washing the top of can lids before opening. Make sure the can opener is clean, too, since germs and bacteria can hide on the blade.

Keep dry hot pads handy, so kids get in the habit of grabbing them before they grab a hot dish.

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Per serving: 170 calories, 1 gram of fat (0 grams saturated), 5 mg cholesterol, 8 grams protein, 34 grams carbohydrate, 9 grams dietary fiber, 440 milligrams sodium.

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Kids a Cookin' is an educational program produced by Kansas State University Research and Extension's Family Nutrition Program and funded by USDA's Food Stamp Program through a contract with Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). More information, more recipes and cooking tips, and a link to a Spanish version are available on the Kids a Cookin' Web site: http://www.kidsacookin.ksu.edu.

– Source: Kathy Walsten, Family Nutrition Program, K-State Research and Extension



 

6) Kids a Cookin’ - Tool Kit

• Large baking dish
• Cooking spray
• Can opener
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons