July, 2002

Cheap Flower Mixes = Expensive Problems
Some folks get more than they bargain for when purchasing low-cost wildflower seed mixtures, according to University of Washington researchers. After cultivating 19 packets of seed mixes produced by or distributed from several U.S. and Canadian locations, the researchers discovered each mix contained from 3 to 13 invasive species. In addition, 8 packets had seeds for plants classifed as noxious in at least one U.S. state or Canadian province. The press release detailing the research conducted at U.W.'s Center for Urban Horticulture has come under some scrutiny by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). ASTA CEO Richard Crowder stated that "ASTA does not condone labeling practices that are inaccurate in any respect." Sandra Hines of the University of Washington's Office of News and Information recommends visiting
http://www.washington.edu/newsroom/news/2002archive/04-02archive/k041802a.html for more on the university's findings. S&S Seeds customers can call us at (805) 684-0436 with any questions or concerns.

Disasters of Hollywood Proportions
The International Panel on Climate Change reports that human activity and its effect on the warming atmosphere will eventually cause extreme changes that will affect the entire earth. According to the Environmental News Network, http://www.enn.com, "more frequent and extreme weather events can be expected, including floods, heat waves, windstorms, droughts, and disruption of water supplies." This, in turn, will cause serious diseases, and will impact agriculture, fishing and forestry. Coastal flooding, says ENN, will cause homelessness, and even the disappearance of island nations. Attention Stephen Spielberg: This sure sounds like the makings of a good disaster film.

Are You Sure You Want Fries With That?
A Swedish study claims that potato chips, French fries, and certain types of bread contain acrylamide, a substance that may cause cancer. Acrylamide, which has been found to be carcinogenic in animal experiments, is used to produce plastics and dyes. Swedish researchers report that "fried, oven-baked, and deep-fried potato and cereal products may contain high levels of the acrylamide." The same results, however, were not found in boiled products. Seems mom was just looking out for our best interests when she boiled the flavor-and, possibly, the acrylamide-out of everything.

Sigourney Weaver Where Are You?
Fictional aliens are handily taken care of in the sequel "Men In Black II." We could use Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith-or better yet, Sigourney Weaver of "Alien" fame-when it comes to eradicating some real-life invaders. An estimated 7 million species of non-native plants, fish, mollusks, and land-dwelling vertebrates are said to be invading U.S. territories via airplane, ship and truck cargo. Once they arrive, up to 10 percent become pests, spreading due to the absence of natural predators.