#homegrown national park

[thoughtportal]

Homegrown National park on patios and balconies

https://linktr.ee/homegrownnationalpark

#tiktok #solarpunk #solar punk #homegrown national park #native plants #community garden #gardening #garden #native garden #DIY Garden #DIY

[tinyurbanwilderness]

I'm so glad Doug said this because this is exactly how I see the world these days.

#nature #environment #pollinators #usa native plants #native plants #save the bees #midwest #birds #homegrown national park #backyard wildlife #doug tallamy #saving the environment #environmental destruction #climate disruption #climate change

[pnwnativeplants]

The good news is, if every household replaced just half of their lawn with native plants, we could create 20 million acres of quality habitat for native bees, butterflies, moths, birds and more. Dr. Doug Tallamy calls this initiative ‘Homegrown National Park’ and even a single flower in a pot on a patio can help contribute. These stickers are 100% free for non-commercial use. Feel free to print your own to share this message. You can also buy them and help support us in printing more educational native plant stickers over on Redbubble! Or you can donate to the cause directly!  This sticker was illustrated by my good friend @ravefurs

#save the bees #ecology #native plants #wildlife restoration #art #stickers

[allthingsfook]

Hi there - I'm wondering if I can get a ship please?

I am 5' 7", a little on the curvy side, long dark brown hair cut in a shag (I had it before Jake, so there). I have freckles everywhere and my eyes are green.

I love being out in nature - hiking, exploring, and just absorbing the stunning beauty of a variety of landscapes. At home, I'm typically curled on the couch though, learning about something that has caught my attention. My typical interests involve history and cultures. I'm a bookworm and usually can be found with either a book or laptop in my hands as I read constantly. I'm one of those people who can rattle off strange historical events. When I vacation, I love going to either national parks or cities for museums, parks, learning. I'm a plant mama and do garden when the time strikes. I love music. I can listen to anything from classical and opera to death core, and everything in between - with just a few exceptions. *cough, cough* pop *cough, cough*

I am a weirdo (meant lovingly) for long haired men who have confidence, but also are adventuresome. A man who is not limited by always having to look a certain way and can laugh at himself. I love to cook and bake with my partner - and cook huge for family and friends. Holidays would wipe the kitchen out for weeks!

I'm typically the quiet one in the group of friends, though my laugh can be mighty. I'm a bit shy, but can be counted on and have been know to be too loyal. I love quickly and deeply. I try to find joy in the little stuff always. I'm a family centered person, although most of my family right now happen to be found in friends as I live quite a distance from my family.

Thank you ahead of time! 😘

Howdy! You most definitely can get a ship!!! I’m sorry for not getting back to you promptly, but I hope that this ship will make it up to you and find you well!!!

Without further ado, I ship you with….

Sammy!

This was tough deciding between Jake or Sam, but my gut said Sam for various reasons. Let’s dive in!

First off, Sammy does not have a type! I think he’s in love with women as a whole and those who are more than what meets the eye grip him. I think Sam would swoon over your curves and emerald hue eyes.

One of the many things you and Sammy could enjoy together is basking in Mother Nature!!! He would always be game for getting out of the city to hike the hills and explore the country side. I can imagine Sam being extremely in touch and loving on those trips. Mostly because he is escaping from all the distractions of his career. He can bask in life’s beauty as well as yours! Sammy is definitely one to tell you that too! I can see the both of you spending the afternoon hiking in the hills with Rosie leading the way. You’d come to a break in the trees, leading out to a rock overlook. Extremely breathtaking. The both of you would stand in silence for a moment, until Sam breaks the silence and comments on how the view doesn’t compare to you. He’d then embrace you until Rosie barks with jealousy.

You’ll meet your match when it comes to diving into history and culture. I think we often forget how smart and inquisitive Sam is. He puts himself off as a goofball, which he is, but he’s much deeper than that. You’d be shocked by the knowledge he’d contribute to the conversation and fun facts he’d randomly blurt out of no where. Sammy is much like a sponge, always looking for an opportunity to learn and expand his mind. Sometimes it’s great and sometimes not 😂

The garden and house plants the both of you would care for would be both of your prides. Between the plants and Rosie, it’s like having kids!!!! It would make your morning to wake up to him hunched over dainty plants; pruning and carefully packing soil. He’d be so enveloped that he wouldn’t notice you standing in the doorway until you say good morning in a groggy voice. He’d startle and greet you with a warm hug and invite you to try some homegrown produce.

One statement that solidified the Sammy ship was your vast music taste with the exception for pop 😂 such a Sammy move. ALTHOUGH I think that’s a facade for him. I truly do think Sam loves select songs from every genre, it’s just a matter of finding one that resonates. Shockingly Sam might be the one that turns you on to a great pop song….. who knows!!!

And the mold you have created for your dream man, how well does Sam fit into that?

Long hair ✅

Confident and Adventurous ✅

A man that doesn’t take himself too seriously ✅

Someone who enjoys to cook/bake ✅

If you weren’t sold already, are you now? I mean no matter the style or length, Sam’s hair has always been beautiful, but I must say his current facial hair to hair length ratio is hitting different 🤌 Sam has such a secure outlook on himself. Not that he’s cocky… far from it, but he is so authentically himself and not ashamed of it. Building on that he’s always living! Sam is certainly a person who takes advantage of his time on earth and wants to leave nothing unwritten. How excited life would be with him 💕

As outgoing and theatrical Sam is, he certainly needs a little balance. No doubt you could be the source of that. Don’t get me wrong, I think you guys would compliment each other well. I think Sam sometimes might need a reminder to come home and take care of himself, and you may need a reminder to go on that impromptu trip you’ve always wanted to take.

Another key point that made me decide on Sam was the fact that you said you often love quickly and deeply. That screams Sam. He’s so sure of people and willing to find them a special part of his life. His love seems like a whirlwind experience. Though it might be chaos at times, it’s the most beautiful and pleasurable relationship you’d share.

I so hope you enjoyed the ship! As usual, pleaseee let me know what you thought and if it correlates to your lane (if you have one). I will also include a collage and song ship that reminds me of Sam!!!

#greta van fleet #gvf #gvfships #gvf moodboard #songships #greta van fluff #gvf imagine #joshkiszka #jake kiszka #sam kiszka #danny wagner #josh gvf #jake gvf #samgvf #danny gvf #samkiszkaship

[zoeology31]

Which MLB team is most like the Yellowstone Magic?

Blaseball is back, baby! Sort of. First we’re finishing up a multi-week expansion draft-style period where all the old players fall out of the black hole that ate the league last year and onto their new teams. If you want to follow along, enter your email on Blaseball.com so we can unlock more prizes together.

But anyway, with the baseball season wound down and the blaseball season winding up, I thought I’d do a little crossover comparison to see which MLB team best matches the history, style, and vibes of my Yellowstone Magic.

Part 1: Historical Performance

The Magic have spent much of our history as an average-to-bad team, interspersed with occasional 0 No-powered playoff runs that always fall short of the Internet Series. We found consistent success with above-.500 records from seasons 13-18, but suffered a narrow MLCS loss to the Moist Talkers in season 14. After that, our playoff core was lost to redaction, and our “Magic 8 Ball” 8-player roster was bounced in the first round of the season 17 playoffs by the Fridays.

This lack of playoff success characterizes the Magic; in fact, the Magic and Dale are the only non-expansion teams to never appear in an Internet Series (both have, however, won the Underbracket Series). The MLB teams most like this are, of course, the six teams that have never won a World Series: the Brewers, Mariners, Padres, Rangers, Rays, and Rockies.

Part 2: Natural Vibes

Being the only team based in a national park, the Magic have cultivated an air of mysticism and the natural environment. Much of the lore for our homegrown players has developed around one or both of these two concepts: a geyser, a coyote, a cyanobacteria colony, a wizard, a devilish goatman, a shadowy, unquantifiable being, multiple rock formations. Among the fanbase, the focus on nature also encourages a balanced, mossy mood, promoting good vibes and an appreciation of the world around us.

The Magic are a team with a rich history, but one of nature and ancient forces rather than urban environments and industry. Obviously every MLB team is based in an urban area, but western teams tend to lean into more natural aesthetics. In particular, the Angels and Rockies ballparks both feature forested natural landscapes in center field.

Part 3: The Starpark Stats

Stats and strategy discussion for the Magic usually centers around improving pitching and defense. The team has always had a decent lineup, built around 0 No and boosted by a well-sequenced top of the batting order and various short-lived combos like the Coven. Aside from very early seasons, though, the team had major holes in important defensive stats. This hurt less optimized pitchers like Inky Rutledge, and even our best pitchers in Curry Aliciakeyes and King Weatherman didn’t stack up to powerhouses on other teams.

Defense in MLB is hard to quantify over multiple seasons, but as far as pitching: the Orioles, Pirates, and White Sox all have 30+ year Cy Young award droughts, while the Rangers, Reds*, and Rockies have never won a Cy Young. 

*By order of me, the 2020 NL Cy Young winner is now Yu Darvish by virtue of he deserves one and fuck the other guy.

Conclusion:

The MLB team most like the Yellowstone Magic is... the Colorado Rockies!

Located in Denver, Colorado, the Rockies are the closest geographical team to Yellowstone National Park, and the park lies within their eponymous mountain range. They have made only five trips to the playoffs since being founded in 1993, and only once made it past the division series: during the 2007 “Rocktober” campaign where they swept the NLDS and NLCS only to be swept in the World Series.

Like the Magic, the Rockies are known as a high-offense, low-pitching team; the large dimensions of their home park, Coors Field, are offset by the offense-boosting high altitude. In their 30 years of existence, they have won 11 NL batting titles. Coors Field is extremely well-attended despite the Rockies’ mediocre performance, consistently placing in the top quarter of league attendance, similar to the Magic’s comparatively large fanbase among blaseball teams.

Some other facts about the Rockies that fit the vibes of the Magic:

They have a unique color scheme in MLB: purple and black

They have only one representative in the Hall of Fame

16 players have won a combined 32 Silver Slugger awards

The altitude of Coors Field requires unique strategies for pitching, hitting, and fielding

Coors Field has a row of purple seats representing the mile-high altitude line

The Coors Field bullpen contains a small forest and water feature

There have been several viral instances of opposing pitchers hanging out in said forest

Dinosaur bones were discovered when constructing Coors Field

Because of this, the Rockies’ mascot is a purple triceratops named Dinger

Their triple-A affiliate team is the Albuquerque Isotopes

#baseball #blaseball #my stuff

[hillbillyoracle]

Ordered my CoCoRaHS rain guage.

Researched native seed mixes for the front yard to possibly join the Homegrown National Park project. I talked to my dad a while back about seeding the section of the fence closest to the neighbor with the bees so my parents wouldn't need to mow as much next year. Hoping they might agree to go no mow eventually.

Also checked out some bird house and bat house building plans. We have some good spots to hang them. I want to get a good feeder set up where I can watch it in the winter. I want to try to do the Great Backyard Bird Count this year too.

Long term dream is to make a little free library and mount it close to the road. Maybe put a little geocache in it.

I got plans yall.

[velvexlubricants]

Superior Lubricant Oil  Company Produced by Velvex

India is the world’s third-largest lubricant market, next only to the US and China, ahead of Japan, Russia, and Brazil, with a total consumption of approximately 2.4 billion liters.

The Indian lubricants market remains one of the growth prospects in an otherwise flat global market; however, it has its challenges. The year 2019 was significant for the Indian economy; however, the slowdown in the global economy has caught up with the Indian economy, as it consistently registered downward revisions in its economic outlook. This directly impacted automobile production, with the most severe shrinkage, observed in commercial vehicles production. This immediately impacted first-fill demand; a cascading effect on the service-fill market is anticipated.

Velvex formed by the Nandan group of companies is the fastest growing Lubricants oil company that provides petroleum derivatives, and food products catering to multi-disciplinary industries. The Nandan group of companies works with a mission to provide quality products and services to the customers through efficient systems. The group works with a vision to become leaders in manufacturing genuine oils, greases, and specialty oils with a momentous presence in the industry.

About Us : 

Velvex formed by the Nandan group of companies is the fastest growing company that provides lubricants, petroleum derivatives, and food products catering to multi-disciplinary industries. The Nandan group of companies works with a mission to provide quality products and services to the customers through efficient systems. The group works with a vision to become leaders in manufacturing genuine oils, greases, and specialty oils with a momentous presence in the industry. The group works enthusiastically to bring change in the oil sector by ensuring growth and progress with growing time. The group works to provide innovative ways to enhance the stockholder values and create growth opportunities for the employees. The NPL BlueSky has been awarded as the supplier of the year by the TATA MOTORS in the Annual Vendor meet for the year 2018-2019. Winning many accolades Nandan group of companies works towards building a positive future. It is one of the oldest and the largest contract blending and filling specialists in India.

The Overview Of Lubricant Or Engine Oil Companies In The Perspective Of India :

India is the world’s third-largest lubricant market, next only to the US and China, ahead of Japan, Russia, and Brazil, with a total consumption of approximately 2.4 billion liters.

The Indian lubricants market remains one of the growth prospects in an otherwise flat global market; however, it has its challenges. The year 2019 was significant for the Indian economy; however, the slowdown in the global economy has caught up with the Indian economy, as it consistently registered downward revisions in its economic outlook. This directly impacted automobile production, with the most severe shrinkage, observed in commercial vehicles production. This immediately impacted first-fill demand; a cascading effect on the service-fill market is anticipated.

The Indian lubricant market is fiercely competitive, characterized by the presence of nationalized oil companies (NOC) such as Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Indian Oil (IOCL), and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL); international lubricant marketers such as Shell, Valvoline, Total, and ExxonMobil; and, homegrown marketers including Gulf Oil, Raj Petro, Savita, Columbia, and Apar falls under top 20 lubricant companies in India. Over the past five to six years, HPCL has swiftly expanded its market share in addition to lubricants and the process oil segment over the past five to six years.

Contact Us  Today :

Address :   C-201, Lotus corporate park, Ram Mandir Lane, Jay coach junction, Western express highway, Goregaon east, Mumbai - 400063

Contact Info :    [phone]

Facebook   :       https://www.facebook.com/Velvex.in/

Twitter        :       https://twitter.com/velvex_in/

Linkedin     :      https://in.linkedin.com/company/velvexmotoroil

Instagram  :      https://www.instagram.com/velvex.in/?hl=en

Website     :       https://www.velvex.in/

#engine oil manufacturers #lubricant manufacturers #Lubricant Suppliers #lubricant oil #bike engine oil #engine oil for bike

[kashicloud]

[ad_1] On July 16, 2022, more than 37,000 fans crammed into Nationals Park on a muggy midsummer afternoon. Washington already had 62 losses by that point — still days before the All-Star break — and there was little hope that a second-half surge was coming. Fans were there to see their homegrown prodigy, Juan Soto, and because of a Star Wars-themed bobblehead giveaway: “Juan Solo.”Soto had helped the franchise win its first World Series in 2019, and became the youngest player to win an NL batting title the following season. On that afternoon, fans clutched their bobbleheads and rose to their feet every time Soto stepped to the batter’s box, as they had for five years. It would have been a mundane 6-3 loss to the Braves — except that a few hours before, The Athletic reported that Soto declined a $440 million extension and the Nationals were going to try to trade him.Soto, who had been mired in an uncharacteristic slump, had been angry and withdrawn all day. As the game wore on, the MegaMillions jackpot — now north of $500 million — flashed on the JumboTron. In the dugout, one of the Nationals staffers let out a low whistle, turned to one of the coaches and nodded in Soto’s direction.“Imagine turning down that kind of money?”Less than three weeks later, Soto was shipped to the San Diego Padres. He cried when he heard the news.Twenty months after the trade, Soto smiles as he reminisces about his time with the Nationals. He is wearing a three-quarter sleeve gray t-shirt with the Yankees logo scripted on the front, sitting in front of a neat locker filled with gloves and Under Armour shoes ahead of the 2024 season opener. It has been three months since his trade from the Padres to the Yankees, his third team in three seasons.“That was a real family,” Soto says of the 2019 team. Then his smile faded. “And it will never be that way again.”Soto was bothered by the criticism he received after turning down the Nationals offer, a decision that caused a rift among some of his family members. But since Soto turned down that $440 million, Yankees teammate Aaron Judge signed a $360 million deal and Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers for $700 million. Soto is about seven months away from a free-agent payday that, given his age (still only 25) and his skills — which have been compared to Ted Williams’ — could reset the market.He seems happier with New York, playing in a stadium ideally built for him to launch baseballs into the stands, for the richest franchise in baseball. He has moved on from his tumultuous time in San Diego, where he endured a lengthy slump, struggled to connect with teammates and coaches, and knew the Padres were never going to give him the contract he wanted.Soto made a historic bet on himself. Now, he seems primed to cash in. Through his first five games in New York, Soto has nine hits and a 1.210 OPS. (Tim Warner / Getty Images)Soto, multiple team sources believe, never thought the Nationals would actually trade him, even though general manager Mike Rizzo had made it clear when Soto turned down the $440 million that the team would have to explore the possibility. Still, Rizzo might not have pulled the trigger, or been able to justify the return, if it wasn’t for Padres general manager A.J. Preller.Preller, known as one of the sport’s most active GMs — his 2014 hiring was followed by such an onslaught it was nicknamed “Prellerpalooza” — had long coveted Soto. Rumors flew about other teams’ interest, but the Padres were the only ones willing to part with a handful of top prospects. A deal came together just hours before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.By his own standards, Soto was already having a down year in D.C the first half of 2022. The 2019 team, on which he’d been the talented wunderkind, had slowly been dismantled. Gone was Howie Kendrick, who retired after the 2020 season, and who Soto and Victor Robles jokingly referred to as their baseball dad. Gone was veteran leader Ryan Zimmerman, who retired after ’21. The franchise-altering trade of stars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers six months before had made it crystal clear: The 2022 Nationals were rebuilding.Perhaps the toughest loss for Soto was hitting coach Kevin Long, who left to take the same position with the Phillies before the 2022 season. The Nationals replaced him with Darnell Coles, who had spent the previous three seasons with Arizona. Multiple team sources said it wasn’t a good fit with Soto.“He didn’t connect with Darnell at all,” said a former Nationals coach. “There’s nothing worse than being a player and feeling alone and like the only guy who can help you is Kevin, who is on the other side of the field. I think it hurt Juan and pushed him into seclusion.”As the losses piled up, Soto — for the first time in his life — couldn’t slash his way out of a slump. On June 25, nearly 75 games into the season, Soto was batting .215 with a .795 OPS. In the four seasons prior, Soto had never hit under .280. His worst prior OPS? A staggering .923 as a 19-year-old rookie. He became “quiet, more distant” as the season wore on, Nationals sources said. And then the extension offer leaked.Two days later, Soto was in front of hundreds of media members after a red-eye coach flight to the Los Angeles All-Star game. He answered question after question about the $440 million he turned down, his future, where he could be traded. For the first time in his professional career, Soto was faced with a story that didn’t center on glowing praise about what he could do on the field.“I think that number leaking out really burned him,” said a Nationals source. “Once it was out, he felt like he was already gone. He’s always been a big trust guy, and he was really hurt that the Nationals did that. I think he felt betrayed.”“Why is Juan wearing headphones?”Some of the Padres coaches were at their wits’ end. They had called former Nationals coaches, teammates, anyone who knew Soto and might have any insight into how to assimilate him into San Diego’s system. Some of Soto’s teammates also sensed that he was distant.When closed-doors hitters’ meetings began before each series, Soto would often have his AirPods in his ears, three team sources told The Athletic. Teammates were perturbed, even though he had a legitimate reason: The early minutes were often spent on opposing pitchers’ “tells,” or signs they might be tipping pitches. Soto, who has always been a cerebral hitter, told the coaches he didn’t want those details floating around his brain in the batter’s box.The headphones were a small oddity, but the situation reflected the Padres’ broader issues, which ranged from the clubhouse to the top of the front office, as detailed by The Athletic last year. No one could agree on how to reach their newest star. Some in the organization thought Soto should be left alone, that a hands-off approach was best. Others thought they should be in more contact with Soto, checking in with him daily, assessing his moods and trying to find workarounds in hopes of a breakthrough.In D.C., Soto had been the only star remaining. In San Diego, he was initially unsure of his place, sources say. And he saw the writing on the wall, given the team’s other financial commitments: The Padres were just going to be a pit stop.“There’s no money for me here,” Soto said, according to numerous sources within the team, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. He was referring to the trio of $300 million contracts the Padres already had on the books in Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis and Xander Bogaerts.The blockbuster deal to land Soto immediately improved the Padres’ playoff odds. But the problem, at least initially, was that Soto wasn’t Soto.“It was all still on my mind,” Soto said of the way his Nationals tenure ended. “I didn’t know, in San Diego, how was it going to be? Was it going to be three years or two ? Are we going to be talking about trades again?”In 52 games with the Padres in 2022, Soto hit .236/.388/.390, for a .778 OPS. It was easily the worst stretch of his career. Regardless of how he hit, Soto’s positive energy in the dugout was still infectious, according to multiple sources who were there. If you didn’t know Soto was struggling, you wouldn’t have guessed by watching him interact in-game.“It would be easy to sit here and say, ‘He’s an a——, but he’s really good’. He’s not. He’s got a heart of gold,” said one Padres source. “He just has trouble trusting people.”Soto denied having issues trusting Padres people, but said the distance away from his family in the Dominican Republic was a major drawback of the trade. In D.C., his parents would often visit for long stretches of time. His mom would cook for him. Soto’s dad was his earliest coach.After a sluggish start in 2023, Soto, who played in all 162 games, ended the season with a .275/.410/.519 line, good enough to finish sixth in NL MVP voting. But the Padres, a legitimate World Series contender, watched the losses pile up and missed the playoffs. Soto took losses particularly hard.“I always try to be the happy, carefree Juan. I always tried to have fun,” Soto said. “They were a great group of guys and a very talented team. The thing is, we were losing big games that we shouldn’t have, and it’s tough to smile when that happens.”It’s the million-dollar — or the $440 million-dollar — question: If Soto really was so upset to leave D.C., a place where he had bought a house, where he knew everyone and was beloved, why didn’t he just take the Nationals’ offer?“He could have had a key to the White House without telling the president he was coming over,”  said a Nationals executive. “That’s what he meant to those people (in DC).”Asked if he ever regretted not taking the money, or wondered how life would have been had he stayed in D.C., Soto said no. He gestures a few lockers down to Aaron Judge, who turned down the Yankees extension offer in the spring of 2022, set a new American League record in home runs and then cashed in with his nine-year deal.“You cannot be selfish. You have to think about the guys who come in behind you,” Soto said. “That’s what Judge did (in opting to test free agency). He made a great deal. Corey Seager, Ohtani, all these guys are setting the market for the guys after them. And if I were to take anything down there (with what the Nats offered) it would make it different, tougher for guys coming up.”“Setting the market” is popular agent-speak, and Soto is represented by Scott Boras, one of the game’s most powerful –and controversial– agents. There is a faction of executives who believe Boras wields perhaps too much influence over Soto, that believe he has significant input on, for example, where Soto should hit in the batting order and what Soto should say to the media.Said a San Diego source: “He’s been fully Boras-ized.” In 2021, Soto and Long (left) attended a Dodgers playoff game, wearing Nationals jerseys and cheering on Scherzer and Turner, along with Boras (right).In New York, when the subject of forgoing free agency came up, Soto told reporters the Yankees “know who to talk to.” Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said several times on the record that the organization knows Soto is almost certainly headed to free agency this fall.Asked how he dealt with the tumultuous past two seasons, Soto said: “I really trust my agent. It was a really tough time when I was in DC when they (leaked) the offer. (Boras and I) want to do everything together and push together.”Boras pushed back on the idea that he has a strong influence on Soto. “Juan Soto makes his own decisions and own choices,” he told The Athletic. “He’s a man beyond his years and is more than capable of making decisions his own way.”Boras, who estimated he’s had about 50 meetings with Soto about his future, said as an agent his job for clients is to give them information. “We operate as lawyers and let them decide what they chose to do,” he said. “And Juan is very much an in-depth and independent thinker.”“I was hoping to keep negotiating (with the Nationals),” Soto said. “But they just told us, that’s it. At least they were clear about, if you don’t take it, we are trading you.”Things weren’t as clear in San Diego, even as rumors swirled this past offseason that the Padres, tasked with cutting payroll, would have to move Soto and his $31 million salary, a record amount for an arbitration-eligible player.“I kept asking and they were (saying) no, no, no,” Soto said of being traded out of San Diego, “and then out of nowhere, it’s done.”Asked what he would tell the Soto of two years ago, he says: “Be prepared. Be prepared for anything.”Other position players who have received $300-million plus deals — stars such as Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Judge and Machado — are players who can impact the game on both sides of the field. But if Soto gets paid, it will be for one thing: his bat.He has long been obsessed with his swing, meticulous about every detail. When Soto struggled in the early part of the 2019 playoffs, he made Long and a team staffer stay at the park until after midnight so he could get extra reps. When he had COVID in 2020, Soto spent his time quarantining watching Nationals games on TV with a bat. He would dig in and pretend to face each pitcher.  His swing is a work of art, his preparation invokes surgical precision. Soto doesn’t keep physical notes on pitchers. Everything is in his head.That Soto opted out of the Yankees spring training exhibition games in Mexico City to fine tune that swing is not a surprise. Never mind that he hit .529 with a 1.365 OPS in 17 spring games; Soto is a perfectionist.In D.C. he would sometimes fly in Jorge Mejia, who coached Soto in the Nationals Gulf Coast League and now trains athletes in the Dominican. “He wants someone who knows him as a hitting coach or assistant,” said a Nationals source. “He likes familiar faces around him. He doesn’t trust a lot of people.”Perhaps the shrewdest hire the Yankees made this offseason, then, was the addition of Pat Roessler as an assistant hitting coach. Roessler, who spent nearly a decade working in Yankees player development, from 2005-14, was the Nationals’ assistant hitting coach for the past four years. In the time he overlapped with Soto, the outfielder won three Silver Slugger Awards, twice finished in the top five in MVP voting and twice led the National League in on-base percentage.The Yankees, who traded five players for Soto and Trent Grisham, need Soto to have a monster year, and he’s off to a sensational start with a .450/.560/.650 line and 1.210 OPS in the first week. A career season would certainly drive up his price, but it also could endear him to the organization and give the Yankees a leg up in the open market, where Cashman and Co. figure to be interested in signing Soto long-term.Soto has family in New York, and expects his parents to visit frequently. With a move back over to right field — where he played the last two seasons in DC — Soto has showcased improved defense; Yankee Stadium’s shallow dimensions could be another selling point.Ultimately, it seems Boras and Soto are after records. The number, many in the industry expect, will start at $500 million.“He’s got big eyes,” said a source who was with Soto in D.C. “I think he’s after the AAV (average annual value) Ohtani has, without the deferrals.” (Ohtani’s current contract, accounting for its record deferrals, is valued at $46 million a year, good for the highest AAV in the sport this year.)How many teams will be interested in that kind of a mega-deal? On one hand, clubs have grown increasingly wary of mammoth contracts that can weigh down a payroll for decades. But Soto projects to age well because of his eye, his  steady on-base percentage and the ripple effect his at-bats have. Teammates marvel about the way Soto works, how he never seems to take a pitch off.Of the half-dozen executives The Athletic polled, only one was wary of committing that much money to Soto, whose age and skill set — he already owns a 28.5 WAR — have virtually no free-agent comparison.Boras is coming off an uncharacteristically brutal offseason in which several of his most notable clients had to settle for shorter, cheaper deals than projected. It’s difficult to imagine that happening to Soto, barring a disastrous injury.“If his OPS has the number 1 in front of it,” said one executive, “he will get paid.”Soto is months away from a massive payday somewhere. Of course he’s smiling.He bet on himself two and a half years ago. And, now, here comes the payoff.(Top image: John Bradford / The Athletic; Photos: Denis Poroy / Getty Images; Julio Aguilar / Getty Images; G Fiume / Getty Images) !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '207679059578897'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[coherentmarketinsights]

The Bio-Chemical Renaissance: Transforming Industries

The Growing Middle East Bio-chemical Market

Emergence of a New Sector The Middle East bio-chemical market has grown significantly over the past decade. With many oil-rich Gulf nations looking to diversify their economies and focus on knowledge-based sectors, substantial investments have been made to develop world-class bio-chemical facilities and research centers in the region. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Israel have emerged as hubs for this important industry. Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars to cultivate its domestic bio-chemical industry. In 2017, Saudi Aramco partnered with SABIC to build a large bio-chemical plant in Jubail Industrial City capable of producing various polymers, petrochemical intermediates and fertilizers. The $20 billion project has created thousands of jobs for Saudi nationals and helped establish the Kingdom as a leader in bio-manufacturing. Other Gulf states like Abu Dhabi and Qatar have followed suit, recognizing bio-chemicals as a strategic sector for the future. Driven by Research Excellence What has driven this rapid growth of the Middle East bio-chemical market? A key factor has been significant investments in research and development by both public and private entities. For example, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) in Saudi Arabia has emerged as a top global research institution for bio-engineering and life sciences. Its research collaborations with international pharmaceutical giants and startups has helped put the Kingdom on the map as a bio-research powerhouse. Israel's strong focus on R&D is another major reason for its success in bio-chemicals. Tel Aviv has become one of the most prolific startup ecosystems globally, with over 1200 life science companies developing innovative solutions ranging from new drug therapies to agricultural biotechnologies. I Israeli universities like the Weizmann Institute and Hebrew University regularly produce world-class research helping the local industry. This has attracted many multi-national corporations to set up advanced R&D centers in Israel. Specialized Clusters Driving Collaboration A defining development has been the emergence of specialized bio-chemical clusters across the region which are driving collaboration between stakeholders. These dedicated innovation hubs bring together government agencies, academia and industry under one roof, fostering synergies. One prominent example is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, which hosts the International Biomedical Research Center focused on areas such as regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing. Another is the Qatar Science & Technology Park which has over 50 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies working on projects. Saudi Arabia too is developing specialized clusters like KACST Techno Valley to promote R&D commercialization. These clusters serve as living labs where bench-to-market innovations can be rapidly tested and scaled up. Their open innovation models encourage partnerships between global and local players. As a result, they are attracting more private sector investments into the high growth sectors of agriculture-biotech, pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing and healthcare. Bolstering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Nurturing homegrown bio-tech entrepreneurs has emerged as a priority to fully leverage these opportunities. Countries are launching various accelerator programs, incubators, pre-seed funding mechanisms and mentor networks specifically focused on life sciences startups. A successful example is Dubai Science Park's 'In5' incubator which provides laboratory facilities, funding and business support to select seed-stage companies. Another is KBMC (King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Medical City) in Riyadh which operates a bio-entrepreneurship hub assisting Saudi scientists and clinicians to commercialize their innovations.

[whisperial]

CHAPTER ONE (WHERE IT IS NOW).

how or why birdie haunts the woods outside salem, massachusetts isn't really known. she isn't always there, either. how or why her family got here? a mystery. what made them leave scotland? how many of them came over? that isn't known. they don't often come into town. much like the family still lingering in their home country.

a few of them have adapted and run an esoteric shop inside the city itself. there are rumors in salem that they have family in the country that didn't get here by 'legal' means but no one really can prove it. and they don't bother anyone. so they're left alone. their shop is in the downtown blocks catering to different facets of witchcraft and offering supplies like homegrown herbs, hand-dipped candles, original art, tarot cards, stones, crystals, etc. the three women live upstairs and blend well enough with the inhabitants of the town. but don't quite go out of their way to make outright friends. they do offer remedies, potions and cures to certain ailments for a price. and dress candles as requested.

because it is their family that is not known that they are here for, the women keep themselves guarded and aren't welcoming to many who come prodding for information about their history or their magic. in ones in the mountains are the truly powerful. from pennsylvania to massachusetts is where they often roam. because of this, birdie can be encountered in any of these places. mostly near the smaller towns of the appalachian mountain regions rather than any of the larger cities. you'll find her on the outskirts, keeping near the woods.

there are some in upstate new york who think she is a ghost. a phantom that haunts the woods. others believe her to be a woman who occupies a rundown and abandoned house in rural pennsylvania that she's turned into her own home and made hers. with no living family to claim the property and no one really caring to report her, she's left alone. in vermont, they think she's a hippy vagrant who camps somewhere in the national park but no one can pinpoint where. she's a phantom. she's a witch. a hippy. or a woman who takes lost places and makes them hers. it all depends on where you are.

AND WHICH VERSION OF HER YOU SEE (STATS).

#ooc; chapter one (where it is now)

[thoughtportal]

Homegrown National Park

Grassroots call-to-action to REGENERATE BIODIVERSITY by PLANTING NATIVE.

https://linktr.ee/homegrownnationalpark

#tiktok #Homegrown National Park #valentine's day #biodiversity #plant native #DIY garden #gardening #community garden #garden #solarpunk #solar punk #native plants #garden plants #house plants #plants

[tinyurbanwilderness]

#usa native plants #native plants #midwest #pollinators #homegrown national park #insects #save the bees #nature #environment

[breakersmansh]

Some of the main social ills Ann Coulter sees in the world:

”children living in poverty, childhood obesity, teen pregnancy, out-of-wedlock births,1 abysmal high school dropout rates,2 income inequality, “homegrown” terrorists, massive Medicare frauds, internet crime, identity theft, prison overcrowding, the vast number of uninsured used to justify Obamacare,3 sex trafficking, the epidemic of child rape, the destruction of our national parks, drunk driving casualties, drug-resistant tuberculosis, measles and other viral outbreaks, bankrupt government pensions, lower reading and math scores, and shorter “Americans.””

[dandeliresorts1]

What is the best wildlife resort in india?

India is a nation that boasts the best wildlife trips because it is endowed with a wealth of wildlife treasures. There are numerous preserved areas, sanctuaries, and natural parks. In addition to flora and fauna, India is home to numerous bird species that pique the interest of wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. In fact, some species are extremely exotic because they stopped in India during their migration flight.

If you want to go on a trip to see wildlife soon, India has a lot of options for you to choose from. You can relax in peace when you return to your resort after spending the evening spotting rare animals in their natural environment. They combine the best aspects of both worlds by providing numerous amenities and making the most of the natural setting in which they are constructed.

If you love nature, you will be thrilled to see a wide variety of plants in all of our natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Be it tropical woodlands like blended deciduous, Southern tropical dry deciduous or even evergreen backwoods, the thick foliage will invigorate any nature darling. What's more, plants like rosewood, teak and lendia can be tracked down in overflow.

The best wildlife resorts in India

Dandeli jungle resorts

Located on the banks of the Kali River, this resort has an outdoor pool and attractive gardens. Jungle Resort Dandeli is 2.3 km from Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. With its treehouses and exclusive tents, Shikhra  Jungle Resort  goes on to give an experiential stay to its guests.  Indeed the experience doesn’t end at the accommodation, but also activities that are offered at reasonable prices. All the activities offered here, come with guide and safety equipment's as per necessity, making it among the best Dandeli Resorts and hotels for adventure-lovers.

Panther Stay Dandeli

The Panther Jungle Stay is surrounded by wilderness on three sides and a grassy field with a pond on one, making it a peaceful place to stay close to nature. Right from Panther Stay, you can recognize incalculable transitory and homegrown birdlife; this makes it the best jungle resort in Dandeli for bird-lovers. You can opt to stay in the rooms, or get yourselves tented accommodation for that real jungle camping experience.

Corbett Leela Vilas, Corbett: Luxurious resort

One of India's most opulent wildlife resorts is Corbett Leela Vilas. After a busy day, it's the best place to let your stress go. The tiger reserve at the Jim Corbett, which opened in 1936, is famous. Among their amenities are deluxe cottages with attached bathrooms, a mini bar, coffee and tea makers, and room service.

Orange County, Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka: Aesthetic beauty

This location, which is on the outskirts of the Nagarhole National Park, is well-known among tourists for its scenic beauty and location. Nighttime views will undoubtedly make your stay memorable. The property has a Jacuzzi, pool huts, and a lot more than just basic amenities. It is without a doubt the best forest resort in India on our list.

Baghvan Jungle Lodge: Exotic wildlife resort

India's exotic wildlife resort is Baghvan Jungle Lodge. Tourists flock to its high decks and open rooftop machans. The trees that overhang your machan are home to a wide variety of birds, and monkeys chirp excitedly in the thick foliage. Pench National Park is a five-minute drive from the lodge.

Tree House Hideaway Resort, Bandhavgarh: Countryside experience

Lodging Tree House Hideout, Bandhavgarh offers an interesting field experience that causes one to feel nearer to nature. It is amongst the best luxury jungle resorts in India. A memorable experience is spending time in these custom-built tree houses surrounded by lush greenery. The cozy dining hall serves delicious Indian, Continental, and barbecue meals, and the Watering Hole bar serves high-quality drinks.

The Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary's Udai Vilas Palace: Positive experience

One of India's most opulent wildlife resorts is just a short drive away from Keoladeo National Park and Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary. This hotel is preferred by thousands of wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists, and jungle trekkers primarily due to its strategic location, super-deluxe accommodations, and rejuvenation services like spa and steam bath and close proximity to nature.

[southjerseyweb]

The State We’re In: A message of hope for Earth’s future (New Jersey Conservation Foundation Column)

Douglas Tallamy, author and University of Delaware professor, advocates for individual action against climate change through creating ‘Homegrown National Parks.’ By planting native species, individuals can enhance biodiversity and tackle environmental issues, directly contributing to a collective impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Tallamy’s approach is inspired by E.O. Wilson and emphasizes the…

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[nickgerlich]

A Place I Want To Visit

Well, it’s about time.

How’s that again, DrG?

It was back on the 4th of September 1998 that Google launched. No one knew then that the upstart search engine would become not just a household word but a verb in its own right. Founded in a garage like so many other tech start-ups, it crushed its multiple competitors by simply doing the job best. It’s hard to argue with the jury of public opinion, as well as consumer choice.

So powerful is Google that it has about a 90% share of the search market, and has attracted DOJ scrutiny. But that’s a story for another time, because our focus today is that Google finally got around to doing something it should have done years ago: open a visitor center. Actually, it is more than just that, as it includes a cafe and retail store. It’s all at their corporate headquarters in Mountain View California.

And while visitors won’t be able to peak into the nerve center behind the curtain to see Googlers in their native habitat, it should suffice to at least let folks feel like they are welcome at the brand that has become so deeply entrenched in everyone’s lives.

Who knows, people may also leave money. Those shiny new phones, door bells, and digital home assistants may be hard to resist.

Now please know that I am not saying Google should plunge into retail. Actually, last year it opened a store in New York City, so its big toe is already in those waters. But Google knows nothing about retail, unlike Apple, which has long been a symbol of marketing success in that arena. There’s always a crowd inside an Apple Store. Microsoft tried and failed to emulate Apple’s success, and I bet Google would flop similarly were it to open a slew of shops across the land.

But a Visitor Center? That’s golden. The very phrase sounds welcoming. Of course, it’s not like you’re going to meet Sergey Brin or Larry Page as they grab a coffee, but it will no doubt evoke warm fuzzies. It’s almost like going to Tupperware headquarters in Orlando, because who among us doesn’t have at least one of their bomb-proof plastic storage containers in their cabinet?

This is also a shrewd move given the DOJ investigation, even though Google swears they have had this thing cooking for a while on a back burner. It shows a level of transparency at a time when others swear Google’s opacity is evidence of their guilt. Visitors may not see much, but at least they see something.

As for the retail, once again I must say that whenever any company ventures into uncharted waters thinking their good name will keep them floating along merrily in the current, they better be watching for icebergs. Retail is a very different animal, and Apple was lucky to find the secret sauce and run with it. I don’t think there is anywhere near the demand for Google products that there is for Apple’s.

Here is the difference. Google is a service that happens to dabble in hardware. Apple is hardware with just a smidge of homegrown software. When you say Apple, you think of phones, laptops, ear pods, and the like. When you say Google, you think of search. It’s hard to package and sell that.

Still, next time I find myself in Silicon Valley, count me in. This will become a pop culture shrine for many, even if all they buy is a t-shirt. It will be the national park of search. Let the pros handle the real retail, and have just enough on display to satisfy visitor curiosities.

And as for Google, maybe they can keep the DOJ off their back for another 25 years.

Dr “A fridge Magnet Would Also Be Nice” Gerlich

Audio Blog

#marketing #Google #Visitor Center