4th, 5th, and 7th gets my vote, flower wise. They are all beautiful though. I also have a Charisma X Ludwig's Dazzler seedling that is putting out a scape...finally! Took me almost 4 years here in my growing conditions. Ughhhh! It is one of my 2006 seedlings that I decided to keep as I gave away most of my older "newbie cross" seedlings. With all that loving and caring and patience I poured in these seedlings, I bet it will be the "most beautiful flower" in my eyes once it's flower opens. LOL!!! As Carl has stated in his post, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". I kinda like full formed flowers,overlapping petals with good "wings" and colors (if more than one) that blends in a nice way. Of course the #1 category that I look into a Hippie is it's vigor as a whole plant. The flowers comes next. CHARISMA is a very good mother!!! My oldest Charisma, mother of the above mentioned seedling, waaaayyyy back in 2006.

UMass Extension just sent out an email concerning the ALB. Serious action being taken. Claire From: eweeks@umext.umass.edu Subject: Asian Longhorned Beetle found in Massachusetts Date: August 15, 2008 4:54:19 PM EDT To: greeninfo-all@umext.umass.edu From UMass Extension: Asian Longhorned Beetle found in Massachusetts The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has been positively identified in an infestation in the Greendale section (northeast sector) of Worcester, MA. Personnel from the USDA PPQ and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) inspected the site on Saturday August 2, 2008 and discovered the infestation. The inspection was prompted by the keen observations and persistence of a local resident who suspected the presence of this exotic invader. Positive verification occurred on Tuesday (8/5/08) from the authority at the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD. The USDA APHIS and Forest Service, MDCR and MDAR have been meeting frequently with Worcester City officials to formulate the plan for the management and eradication of this pest population. A press conference was held in Worcester late Wednesday (8/6/08) to announce the find. As result of the detection, portions of Worcester and portions of the towns of Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and Holden are now a regulated area for the movement of woody plant material. A Federal Order will be issued soon that parallels the state regulated area. As part of the process of eradicating the ALB from Worcester, the movement of woody debris, lumber, firewood, and nursery stock that could host ALB infestations will need to be contained. This will keep the beetle from moving via human transport. Companies that work with host material will be contacted by officials. Only cursory surveys have been conducted thus far and the exact area regulated would change if more infested trees are found. Organized and thorough survey work will begin soon. The estimation, right now at least, for how long this beetle may have been active at this location is thought to be 5 years given its range and visible damage. Affected trees will be cut down and either chipped or burned in the regulated area. This will not begin until after the first hard frost kills any remaining adult beetles. To take trees down before the hard frost risks spreading the infestation. This is a sound practice, as adult beetles tend to stay on the same tree unless that tree is severely infested. Once the exact details of the federal quarantine are published a link will appear at this web site (www.umassgreeninfo.org). UMass Extension will remain on the forefront for the dissemination of information as it becomes available. MDAR will continue to respond to any reports of suspected new findings and the City of Worcester has set up a Hotline FAQ , see below: Resources for Asian Longhorned Beetle Information in Massachusetts o Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Report ALB sightings at: www.massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or call 6176261779 (Pest Alert Hotline) o City of Worcester: Office of the City Manager http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/cmo/beetles.htm 5089291300 o UMass Extension www.umassgreeninfo.org Ellen Weeks UMass Extension Landscape/Nursery/Urban Forestry Program French Hall 230 Stockbridge Rd. Amherst, MA 01003 Tel. (413) 545-2685 Fax. (413) 577-1620 www.UMassGreenInfo.org _______________________________________________

There's a time and place for all of them. I really like email. Any time I can take business away from the post office I'm thrilled. Instant messaging is very handy for chatting with people you don't see too often who happen to be online when you are but it's also a good way to leave a quick message. Texting is a little quicker in some respects since the person usually has the phone on them. I really think it's rude when you're with someone talking, dining or whatever and in comes the signal and they drop everything to look at the text message. Then they usually have to give a quick text back. Then there's usually at least one or two more repeats. It's like the ones who constantly answer the cell for unimportant calls. I've started getting up and walking off and say obviously they're/that's more important than what we're doing so finish that up and let me know. I really find it hard to justify all these kids of all ages having expensive cell phones so they can be notified of terrorists! Isn't that going a bit overboard? No wonder the kids aren't learning! I have a prepaid cell and will not give out the number to too many since I know I'd be bombarded with spam. Cute little quotes, 150 "hi!" messages and other worthless garbage. I give out a forwarding number so they can't text me when I want them to be able to call me. I use Yahoo Instant Messenger to text people. It's great. I have the keyboard, a decent size monitor and it doesn't cost anything. There's 154 character limit to a text so sometimes you need to abbreviate. There's nothing wrong with that in my bood. I do get annoyed with some of the more obscure phrases and it bugs the daylights out of me when people have to use instant messenger abbreviations on forums. There was one guy in another forum who insisted on all abbreviations. "u ppl sh And I don't have picture messaging and don't want it. Email me the pictures if you want to send them or transfer them by instant messenger. There's definitely purposes for it, I agree. I think it's good for history to have the hanging of Saddam Hussein recorded, even as poorly as it was and I find it no more offensive than the Zapruder film. The pictures of Whacko Jacko on the stretcher, and even the shots of David Carradine to show that what was being said wasn't true, are some valid uses. But there's abuse too. The more technology, the more chance for abuse. I do find it hilarious when people can't make a phone call when the power goes out because they have only cordless phones or rely on cell service and are in a dead spot. But then again I laughed so hard I nearly drove off the road when I saw a tow truck on the side of the road with its hood up! I thought about stopping and offering to help for about $250. But that wouldn't be nice, would it?

Does anyone know why trade lists aren't visible when I click on "duane456"? I have allowed anyone to message me. We cannot see our tradelists as others see them, just as we cannot see our own page with the MESSAGE and FOLLOW links and the personal blurb and join date and zone. I replied to your message and sent you my email address. If you will message or email me your address, I will attach screen shots of your page and your trade list as others see them.