Category Archives: Progress

By JESSICA PETERSON

The Progress

Local librarian Naomi Harris reads a book about monsters to kids attending the weekly reading hour at the Moapa Valley Library last week. PHOTO BY JESSICA PETERSON/The Progress

Children gathered at the Moapa Valley Library branch in Overton to participate in the librarys Storytime event on Wednesday morning, July 6. The library has been hosting weekly themed events for kids all through the summer as part of its Summer Challenge 2022. This weeks storytime theme was Monsters.

Around twenty kids with their mothers gathered in the Storytime Room at the library. A number of monster-themed books were on display at the head of the room. Chairs and benches were prepared for adults and most of the children sat on the floor in the front. At the back of the room, several tables were set up, covered with craft supplies.

Librarian and storyteller Naomi Harris, who is known by the kids as Miss Naomi, sat in the front of the room. She captivated the kids attention with a large blue and orange monster puppet. The monster enthusiastically greeted everyone and asked the kids if they liked monsters, to which most of them shook their heads or mumbled no.

Miss Naomi then played the song The Monster Mash to get the kids more excited and energetic.Once everyone sat back down, she read There was an Old Monster by Rebecca Emberley. In this book, the monster swallows a number of silly things. When the monster swallowed something, Miss Naomi had the kids wiggle as if they were being tickled.

Local librarian Naomi Harris helps kids create their own monster in a craft project completed during Reading Hour at the Overton Library last week. PHOTO BY JESSICA PETERSON/The Progress

She also read The Little Shop of Monsters by Marc Brown and R.L. Stine. In this book, the kids were shown a variety of different monsters and encouraged to choose their favorite before one of the monsters chose them!

After the books, Miss Naomi showed the kids how to make their very own monsters to take home. The kids decorated a latex glove with scary eyes, spooky mouths with sharp monster teeth. Then the glove was secured onto a paper cup with a rubber band. The kids pushed a straw into a pre-cut hole in the cup and, when blown into, the glove monster emerged from the cup.

The librarys summer challenge will continue through the end of July. Upcoming storytime themes include Birds on July 13 and Oceans on July 20. Other fun events include the Summer Shadow Puppet Show Tour on July 14, Crafternoon on July 19 and 26, and the Summer Challenge Finale Water Day on July 27. All events begin at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, contact the Moapa Valley Library at 702-397-2690 or visit LVCCLD.org/SummerChallenge.

View original post here:

Kids' Monster Mash At Overton Library - The Progress - mvprogress

"Our aim is to decouple, so our business can grow sustainably, while decreasing environmental impacts,"saidJim Andrew, chief sustainability officer, PepsiCo, in the firm'sESG summary report

"There is still much more work to be done, and we cannot do it alone, so we in partnership with our value chain partners, communities, NGOs and government leaders will continue investing in action, innovation and partnerships that enable us all to realize a more sustainable future."

Defined as a set offarming principles and practices that improve and restore ecosystems while building resilience, regenerative agricultural practices have become a priority for PepsiCo and its more than 7 million acres of agricultural farmland across the globe.

"Our approach is outcome-oriented, and to some extent, we are practice agnostic.Were supporting regenerative agricultural practices that aim to make soil healthier, sequester carbon, improve watershed health and biodiversity, and strengthen farmer livelihoods. Were working closely with our farmers and intermediary suppliers to embed these practices throughout our agricultural supply chain," said the company.

So far, PepsiCo has transitioned more than 345,000 acres to regenerative agriculture practices in the US and Canada, on its journey of converting all seven million acres of its farmland to regenerative farming methods by 2030.

Farmer adoption has been strong with 100% of participants in demo programs adopting regenerative practices, thanks to a $2m co-investment fund to continue to incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative practices.

"Regenerative techniques not only protect against soil erosion and water depletion, but they can also help farmers grow more food on the same amount of land. These techniques typically require fewer inputs, so they can also lead to higher margins and greater profitability for our farmers," noted the company.

The company also reported that it reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from a 2015 baseline supported by renewable energy sources.In 2021, Scope 3 emissions which account for 93% of the company's emissions increased by 5%, however,from a 2015 baseline, due largely to unprecedented business growth.

In its water conservation efforts, PepsiCo improved its operational water-use efficiency by 18% in high-water risk areas from a 2015 baseline against a target of 25% by 2025 and replenished 34% of water used in operations to local watersheds in 2021 -- a total of more than 6.1 billion liters of water.

In an effort to expand its portfolio to provide consumers with more product choices with improved nutrition, PepsiCo has set several ingredient reduction goals pertaining to saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium.

Four years ahead of schedule in 2021, PepsiCo achieved itssaturated fat reduction goal of 75%of its convenient foods portfolio (i.e.not exceeding 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories).

In addition, 53% of PepsiCo's beverage portfolio volume now has fewer than100 calories from added sugarsper 12-oz serving. Two-thirds(66%) of its convenient foods portfolio volume does not exceed1.3 milligrams of sodiumper calorie.

The company noted that it is also making an effort to include more nutrient-dense ingredients in its products as part of its 'diverse ingredient goal' emphasizing more plant-based ingredients.

In 2021, for instance, PepsiCo and Beyond Meat's Planet Partnership debuted Beyond Meat Jerky (which includes pea and mung bean proteins), the joint venture's first product.

"We are purposely incorporating more diverse ingredients in both new and existing products that are better for the planet and deliver nutritional benefits," said PepsiCo.

"We are prioritizing chickpeas, plant-based proteins, and whole grains, and expanding our positioning in the nuts and seeds category."

Read the original post:

PepsiCo makes progress on regenerative agriculture and nutrition commitments - BeverageDaily.com

Home AK Fire Info Firefighters make progress on multiple fires in the Upper YukonZone

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 11, 2022

A new record was set today for the number of consecutive days of red flag warnings for lightning. With 3,323 new strikes reported, and 53 active fires across the Upper Yukon Zone, firefighters are making progress on the 5 staffed fires and are pivoting to new priorities.

Biederman Fire (#458) Fire activity remains low with dense fog and smoke laying over the fire last night. The 10 firefighters assigned to the incident will continue moping up for the next 3 days to insure that the fire is secure. Some natural sections of fire resistant hardwoods will help to maintain containment within the existing footprint.

Bearman Fire (#444) Firefighters are close to completing work around the structures and allotments. This work will continue for another 2 days as opportunities to move firefighters directly to the fires edge and attack the fire directly are evaluated. An incident management organization is in place in Fort Yukon to coordinate resources and oversee the incident.

Cottonwood (#530) This fire has been contained and the smokejumpers are working to move equipment and return for a new assignment later this afternoon.

Schilling Creek Fire (#294)/ North Fork (#340) Work is continuing to cut and place hose lines around allotments. Both crews from the East and West ends will joining together tomorrow. Work is anticipated to be completed in 4-5 days.

Goose Fire (#395)/ Belle(#398) Good progress was made yesterday to protect an allotment on the North end of the fire. Firefighters are completing their work along the eastern edge of the fire and will be joining other resources on the North end later today. Work is anticipated to continue through Wednesday before firefighters can be reassigned to other fires.

Like Loading...

Categories: AK Fire Info

Tags: 2022 Alaska Fire Season, Bearman Fire, Biederman Fire, Cottonwood Fire, Fire Year 2022, Goose Fire, Schilling Creek Fire

See more here:

Firefighters make progress on multiple fires in the Upper Yukon Zone - akfireinfo.com

Chile is getting every closer to being able to export fumigation-free grapes to the U.S. as it makes progress on an Atacama-based inspection site, fruit export associaiton Asoex said.

USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published a Pest Risk Analysis associated with the long-awaited Systems Approach on Feb 14, 2022. The comment period ended on March 29, 2022, and regulators are understood to be currently reviewing the comments.

One of the key conditions for the implementation of the Systems Approach is having a Chile-based facility where inspectors from the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), under the supervision of USDA-APHIS officials, can ensure that the fruit complies with the respective fruit safety regulations.

A delegation recently visited the current facilities of a cold storage plant in the Pabellon area in Tierra Amarilla, which will be refurbished to carry out quality control work and export fruit in compliance with the protocol.

"The delegation that made the visit was composed of representatives of [grape association] APECO, ASOEX, along with public and private actors and marks an important milestone in the materialization of this project that has been on the agenda of farmers and public agencies in Atacama for years," Asoex said in a release.

Miguel Canala-Echeverra, the General Manager of Asoex, said: "We have all concluded that the best location is in the Pabelln sector, towards the interior of the valley, because it is close to the production areas and cold storage facilities where the samples would be obtained to be sent to this inspection point."

"We are very pleased. We have had meetings with the Regional Government, with representatives such as the Regional Ministerial Scretretary of Agriculture, with the Director of [phytosanitary watchdog] SAG, and there is total consensus regarding its importance and the Regional Government's desire to be able to contribute to materialize the construction of this place."

Subscribe to our newsletter

Here is the original post:

Chile making progress in grape inspection site for Systems Approach exports - Fresh Fruit Portal

Both President Biden and Manuel Oliver, the father of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre victim who heckled him Monday, are right. As Biden said, the new laws represent the most significant federal gun-safety step in decades and, as Oliver effectively expressed through his pain, it is woefully insufficient to stem the rising tide of gun killings.

Which is to say, the progress just notched should be far more a moment for galvanizing public support for bolder measures than cause for back-patting and self-satisfaction.

The package provides more mental health services to people in psychological distress, incentivizes state passage of red flag laws, tightens background checks and more, likely saving hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives. But given that an America awash in guns is suffering record highs in firearm deaths suicides, homicides and others there will still be a steady drumbeat of killings on street corners, and a steady accretion of bodies killed or maimed by mass shootings in schools, malls and other common spaces.

Manuel Oliver, father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, interrupts President Joe Biden speaking during an event to celebrate the passage of the "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," a law meant to reduce gun violence, on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, July 11, 2022, in Washington. Oliver was escorted out of the event. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Because Republican elected officials and their allies in the courts almost uniformly reject anything that might chip away at what they perceive as a near-absolute guarantee to be armed almost anywhere, its on Biden and his party to keep pushing for more robust gun safety statutes, and to use public powers creatively. A short list of next targets:

Repeal the gun industrys horrendous federal liability shield.

Move a new ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines to the Senate floor, to see who, after so much additional madness, will go on record again as defending their legal sale.

Press again to ban gun sales to any civilian under the age of 21.

Ensure genuinely universal background checks, and prevent gun sales from going forward when their check cannot be completed in three days, and require microstamping federally to better track crime guns.

Use executive authority to pressure gun makers to stop selling their products through problem dealers.

Guns kill nearly five Americans every hour. Do not rest until the carnage calms.

Read this article:

The long fight ahead: Gun progress and the lack thereof in America - New York Daily News

A man attempting to push a peanut to Pikes Peaks summit with his nose has about 10 miles to go to reach his goal, according to a tracker on the city of Manitou Springs' website.

Using an undisclosed apparatus, Bob Salem has trekked 3 miles up the steep slopes, according to the tracker. Because of the heat, he is reportedly resting during daylight hours and moving during the evening and early morning when its cooler, according to the website update.

If he makes it to the summit, Salem will be the fourth person to achieve the feat and the first to do it in the 21st century. The first to do it was Bill Williams, who pushed the peanut up Americas Mountain in 1929 to win a $500 bet. Adjusting for inflation, $500 back then would be equivalent to more than $8,000 today.

New book chronicles colorful, lesser-known stories on Pikes Peak

Ulysses Baxter replicated the feat in 1963, using a spoon attached to his nose. The peanut he used is currently on exhibit at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center.

The last peanut pusher was Tom Miller, who reportedly made it to the summit in 5 days.

Manitou Springs spokesman Alex Trefry said people have been following Salems journey with interest since he began on Saturday. Salem hopes to reach the summit with his legume by July 17.

Itssomething, said Manitou Springs spokesman Alex Trefry. I love it, though. It gives people someone for root for. Its cool to see.

Click or tap hereto see a segment on the Travel Channel about the history of the peanut push.

Manitou Springs launches website tracking progress of Pikes Peak peanut pusher Bob Salem

Colorado Springs man attempting to push peanut up Pikes Peak

Here is the original post:

'Peanut pusher' making progress up Pikes Peak long trip remains - Out There Colorado

Our home is planted on Carriage Court Place among a row of homes, each separated by a courtyard. Our original owner chose to reduce a bit of the house size so that the courtyard would provide a larger space. Even though a more spacious kitchen and dining area would be an added luxury, our roomy courtyard has provided me much joy and physical exercise.

Our courtyardgardenexperiment station has undergone a lot of changes. The original space was home to large azaleas, a small verbena flowerbed and a pebbled pathway. I relocated the azaleas to other areas of our backyard, and a summer drought sucked the life out of the verbena bed.

That left me space for climbing vines, a few rose bushes and two stone encircled flower beds. Ive had such enjoyment in experimenting with a variety of annuals in the different seasons. This year I scooted flowers over to plant some squash and a trio of okra plants. Now my courtyard affords me some bouquets of flowers and a bit of produce. About three years ago I discovered a strange problem. One of my beds was slowly sinking. The large stones encircling one bed were gradually disappearing. Othel checked it and joined my concern. Yes, my courtyard was facing a dilemma.

We called various experts from the city and county to examine the area. They discovered the problem but had no real solution. A street drain at the front of our house ran under our courtyard via large underground pipes and emptied rainwater into a ditch along the back of our property.

One expert said, These drainage pipes are old and overtime will deteriorate and shift due to the soil composition. That leaves a crack or opening for rainwater to make its own underground path under your courtyard which causes the soil to begin sinking into those washed-out pockets.

Another expert said, You can add dirt to rebuild the level of your flower bed, but the problem will continue. Theres no way for equipment to get in this courtyard to excavate that very deep drainage pipe in order to replace it. It would do more damage than your present issues.

We brought in dirt that year, packed and poked, trying to fill the underground washouts. It was successful until the influx of heavy June rains this year. The sinking-rocks problem is back. Othel will be checking on more dirt to pack and poke.

Ive realized for a long time that God speaks through our everyday experiences. He pointed this out to me sin, like the flood rainwaters, can run hidden in our lives. We think we can camouflage or overlook it. After all, no one sees what Im doing or thinking privately in my home or mind.

But the nature of sin is to erode and destroy the framework of our lives. Little by little it grows in the depths of our hearts until its destructive evidence shows up on the surface. Unlike my courtyard problem, there is a cure for our sin problem. Jesus came to remove the old heart so He can replace it with the new. And yes, the solution meant catastrophic upheaval Jesus dying on the cross. He became our indestructible conduit to remove our sin as far as the east is from the west.

My courtyard continues to be a work in progress just like all of Gods children.

Camille Anding, P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS, 39602.

Link:

We are all works in progress - Daily Leader - Dailyleader

Home AK Fire Info Upper Yukon Firefighters Make Progress on Active Fires In Spite of Continued Red Flags forLightning

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 10, 2022

Firefighters across the Upper Yukon Zone are making significant progress on the active fires in the region. Precipitation has accompanied many of the thunderstorms and helped to temporarily temper fire activity. The National Weather Service has extended the Red Flag warning for lightning through Monday 7/11 at midnight.

Biederman Fire (#458) Precipitation fell over the fire last night resulting in reduced fire activity. Firefighters are continuing to mop up and improve containment lines. Ten smokejumpers are returning to Fairbanks to respond to other fires are are being replaced on the fire by a 10 person crew.

Bearman Fire (#444) Fire activity increased on the incident yesterday. Crews have cut the allotment boundary lines and are now installing hoses and pumps. The new structures and cemetery that were found by firefighters have been mapped and crews are working to protect those sites. This work will continue for 2-3 more days. The fire remains just under 200 acres with a recon flight anticipated today to update the current perimeter and acreage. An incident management organization is in place in Fort Yukon to coordinate resources and oversee the incident.

Christian Fire (#528) 12 Smokejumpers responded to this new start yesterday. The fire is reported at 80 acres. The vegetation is thick and tangled and will be extremely difficult to work through efficiently. Two firefighters are being assigned to a nearby cabin to begin structure protection and remaining resources are being returned to Fort Yukon for assignment to other priority fires.

Cottonwood (#530) Four Smokejumpers were flown to this new start on July 9th. The fire is currently reported as active and 1/2 acre in size. The 4 firefighters assigned anticipate that they will be able to contain and extinguish the fire in the next day or two.

Schilling Creek Fire (#294)/ North Fork (#340) Firefighting efforts have been successful along Flat Creek and firefighters are moving North to another allotment to begin cutting out around structures. Work on the East end of the fire where crews are continuing to remove vegetation around the allotment boundaries. Work is anticipated to be completed today and firefighters moved to the northern allotment.

Goose Fire (#395)/ Belle(#398) Firefighters received additional equipment and supplies on the fireline yesterday and are moving to a direct attack on parts of the fire. Crews are working directly along the black edge to contain the fire and reduce spread.

Like Loading...

Categories: AK Fire Info

Tags: 2022 Alaska Fire Season, Bearman Fire, Belle Fire, Biederman Fire, Christian Fire, Cottonwood Fire, Fire Year 2022, Goose Fire, North Fork Fire, Schilling Creek Fire

Continued here:

Upper Yukon Firefighters Make Progress on Active Fires In Spite of Continued Red Flags for Lightning - akfireinfo.com

Fifth in a series

It's hard to say which group will be more critical to the offense and the development of quarterback Justin Fields: the tackles or the wide receivers?

There are more solid prospects at tackle, but whether or not there is more NFL talent is still an open question.

Physically, Teven Jenkins has everything you want in a high-end NFL right tackle. It's also still a possibility his best position could be guard.

What is worrisome is that in a year he has gone from a Day One draft prospect to not worth considering at left tackle and running with the second string behind Larry Borom, who was taken three rounds later in the same draft.

Biggest plus: Jenkins does seem to have the nasty attitude that Ryan Poles wants in his offensive linemen.

Biggest concern: He had his first back surgery before participating in a single NFL training camp practice, and we know the history of back issues with Bears tackles.

Borom appears to have a bright future somewhere on the offensive line, but whether it's at left tackle, right tackle or right guard is the question.

Before last year's draft, he was rated most highly at guard, and the Bears have a huge hole at right guard right now. But a dramatic body makeover between the end of his college career and the draft revealed the feet and athleticism you need at left tackle.

Biggest plus: He is one of the Bears' five best linemen and will start somewhere.

Biggest concern: Will moving him up and down the line keep him from fully developing in one spot?

Jones is the truest left tackle of the group. He has all the intangibles for the position and appears to have an excellent attitude and desire to be great. He's long, athletic and has a huge wingspan and massive hands.

He dominated at times in college but needs a lot of work on technique.

Biggest plus: Jones is built and looks like a prototypical left tackle and seems to get the nuance of the position.

Biggest concern: It's a very long journey from Southern Utah to starting in the NFL.

Davenport is a solid NFL journeyman who you'll never be satisfied with as your No. 1, but he can play either left or tight tackle and is fine starting a few games here and there as your swing tackle.

Biggest plus: He's a dependable insurance policy.

Biggest concern: The Bears are his fourth team in six seasons for a reason.

Coleman was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2016 draft and started all 16 games at right tackle for Cleveland in 2017. He hasn't played in an NFL game since being traded to the 49ers in 2018. Between injuries and opting out of the 2020 season, he has been stuck on the bench ever since.

Biggest plus: He was once a highly regarded prospect and has one season as a starter.

Biggest concern: He's 30 and hasn't played in a long, long time.

A seventh-round pick in 2020, he was drafted as a project out of Tennessee State.

Biggest plus: He has the flexibility to play left or right tackle and claim the swing tackle spot.

Biggest concern: Simmons hasn't shown much his first two years with the Bears.

Where they fit in NFL: There is potential in Jenkins, Borom and Jones, but no proven starter on either side. That makes this position bottom five in the league now.

Potential: It's easy to see all three youngsters eventually becoming solid NFL starters, if everything goes right.

Surprises: Jones (LT), Jenkins (RT) and Borom (RG) all end up starting opening day.

Disappointments: It won't be shocking if both Jenkins and Jones start the season on the bench with one or both possibly even inactive.

Outcome: Borom, Jenkins, Jones and Davenport all appear to be locks for the final 53, unless the Bears bring in more street vets. Simmons could see one more year on the practice squad.

Read this article:

Bears training camp preview: Offensive line still a work in progress - Daily Herald

Increasing the population of homegrown talent on the Wild is how the team can cope with the frugal budget that's taken over its finances, and the Wild's draft habits have reinforced as much.

A year after loading up on defensemen and a goaltender who is progressing toward to the NHL, the team selected forwards with six of its eight picks on Thursday and Friday in Montreal. This now gives it a balanced buffet of options to consider but in the future, not the present.

That means the Wild still has work to do to ready its lineup for next season, even if there is a chance for some of its youth to make the cut.

"As much as we need that help, we're not going to rush them," General Manager Bill Guerin said of the team's latest draft class. "When they're ready, they're ready. And if it takes a little extra time, we'll find other means. But the last thing we want to do is rush these young guys along."

In the two weeks since the NHL season ended with Colorado lifting the Stanley Cup, the Wild has been busy.

After trading Kevin Fiala to Los Angeles because the Wild couldn't afford to pay him a new contract, the cap-strapped team did put what spending power it does have to use.

Defenseman Jake Middleton re-signed and so did goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, although him sticking around on a two-year contract has put into question the viability of a Fleury-Cam Talbot tandem in light of Talbot being disappointed he didn't play more in the postseason where Fleury started five of the six games.

Then there's also the uncertainty surrounding Kirill Kaprizov and whether he and other Russian NHLers will be able to return for the season amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In the meantime, what the Wild can do is keep tweaking the roster.

The team is looking to bring in another forward, which it can accomplish when free agency opens for business on Wednesday.

Currently, the Wild has around $1.4 million in cap space but could create more by trading someone; the team has seven defensemen and 11 forwards signed, but keep in mind Jordan Greenway and Jon Merrill are on the mend from surgery and might not be ready to start the season. Nick Bjugstad and Nic Deslauriers are on expiring contracts, and Guerin said it's likely the two forwards reach free agency.

Regardless, the Wild will have internal candidates to evaluate.

Depending on how the defense shakes out, Calen Addison might be in line for more NHL action. He spent a second straight season mostly in the minors, appearing in just 15 games with the Wild, but the right-shot puck mover could be appealing for a power play seeking to improve.

"Addy's still going to have to push for a spot," Guerin said. "He's definitely capable of doing it. It's a matter of just making our decisions hard, and he's just gotta push. He's got all the tools to do it.

"I'm sure he'll be ready for the challenge."

Up front, Marco Rossi could help the Wild's remodel in the aftermath of Fiala's departure, but he will have to prove he merits the minutes.

"I expect him to that rise to that occasion," Guerin said. "He's a character kid. He knows what he's doing. So, I expect him to come in in great shape and ready to go."

Rossi, the ninth overall pick from 2020, is coming off his first season with Iowa in the American Hockey League where he scored 18 goals and finished with 53 points in 63 games.

He can preview his audition at the Wild's development camp when it begins Tuesday at Tria Rink in St. Paul, a summit for prospects that culminates in a 3-on-3 tournament.

Others in attendance will be Adam Beckman, Brock Faber (the Gophers captain who was acquired in the Fiala trade) and Jesper Wallstedt, the Swedish goalie the Wild drafted last year who's poised to debut with Iowa.

Most of the team's recent picks are also expected to participate.

They don't address the Wild's current situation, but the players do show the way the organization is trending with director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett feeling the Wild added offense, size and competitiveness.

"We're really excited," Brackett said, "and it's just the beginning."

See the rest here:

Roster tweaks remain in progress for cash-strapped Wild - Star Tribune