#Texas Tree Expert

[texastreeexpertss]

For reliable tree services in Houston, TX, trust Texas Tree Expert. Our team offers expert tree trimming, removal, and maintenance to keep your property looking great and safe. Whether you need emergency tree removal or routine care, we provide professional and affordable solutions. Contact us today for all your tree care needs in Houston!

[texastreexpert]

Do You Need Houston's Best Tree Trimming Service?

Looking for the absolute tree trimming service in Houston? You've come to the right place! Our tree trimming service stands out for its meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each tree not only looks its best but also remains healthy and robust. With a team of experienced and passionate arborists, we are dedicated to providing unparalleled care for your trees. Leveraging advanced tools and techniques, we cater to the specific needs of each tree, fostering growth and enhancing aesthetic appeal.

[texasexperttree]

Tree Services in Houston TX | Tree Care Experts Houston | Texas Tree Expert

Texas Tree Expert is a family-owned tree service with over 20 years of experience. We provide affordable tree service, tree cutting service, tree trimming service, tree removal, tree landscaping, tree demolition service, tree emergency, and tree pruning in Houston, TX. Call Us at +1-8325518438.

[solarpunkani]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas began walking picket lines early Tuesday in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks.

The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike. The strike affecting 36 ports is the first by the union since 1977.

Workers began picketing at the Port of Philadelphia shortly after midnight, walking in a circle at a rail crossing outside the port and chanting “No work without a fair contract.”

The union had message boards on the side of a truck reading: “Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands For Job Protection.”

Local ILA president Boise Butler said workers want a fair contract that doesn’t allow automation of their jobs.

Shipping companies made billions during the pandemic by charging high prices, he said. “Now we want them to pay back. They’re going to pay back,” Butler said.

He said the union will strike for as long as it needs to get a fair deal, and it has leverage over the companies.

“This is not something that you start and you stop,” he said. “We’re not weak,” he added, pointing to the union’s importance to the nation’s economy

At Port Houston, at least 50 workers started picketing around midnight local time carrying signs saying “No Work Without a Fair Contract.”

The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers. But no deal was reached.

The union’s opening offer in the talks was for a 77% pay raise over the six-year life of the contract, with President Harold Daggett saying it’s necessary to make up for inflation and years of small raises. ILA members make a base salary of about $81,000 per year, but some can pull in over $200,000 annually with large amounts of overtime.

But Monday evening, the alliance said it had increased its offer to 50% raises over six years, and it pledged to keep limits on automation in place from the old contract. The union wants a complete ban on automation. It wasn’t clear just how far apart both sides are.

“We are hopeful that this could allow us to fully resume collective bargaining around the other outstanding issues in an effort to reach an agreement,” the alliance statement said.

In a statement early Tuesday, the union said it rejected the alliance’s latest proposal because it “fell far short of what ILA rank-and-file members are demanding in wages and protections against automation.” The two sides had not held formal negotiations since June.

“We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve,” Daggett said in the statement. “They must now meet our demands for this strike to end.”

The alliance said its offer tripled employer contributions to retirement plans and strengthened health care options.

Supply chain experts say consumers won’t see an immediate impact from the strike because most retailers stocked up on goods, moving ahead shipments of holiday gift items.

But if it goes more than a few weeks, a work stoppage would significantly snarl the nation’s supply chain, potentially leading to higher prices and delays in goods reaching households and businesses.

If drawn out, the strike will force businesses to pay shippers for delays and cause some goods to arrive late for peak holiday shopping season — potentially impacting delivery of anything from toys or artificial Christmas trees to cars, coffee and fruit.

The strike will likely have an almost immediate impact on supplies of perishable imports like bananas, for example. The ports affected by the strike handle 3.8 million metric tons of bananas each year, or 75% of the nation’s supply, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

It also could snarl exports from East Coast ports and create traffic jams at ports on the West Coast, where workers are represented by a different union. Railroads say they can ramp up to carry more freight from the West Coast, but analysts say they can’t move enough to make up for the closed Eastern ports.

“If the strikes go ahead, they will cause enormous delays across the supply chain, a ripple effect which will no doubt roll into 2025 and cause chaos across the industry,” noted Jay Dhokia, founder of supply chain management and logistics firm Pro3PL.

J.P. Morgan estimated that a strike that shuts down East and Gulf coast ports could cost the economy $3.8 billion to $4.5 billion per day, with some of that recovered over time after normal operations resume.

The strike comes just weeks before the presidential election and could become a factor if there are shortages. Retailers, auto parts suppliers and produce importers had hoped for a settlement or that President Joe Biden would intervene and end the strike using the Taft-Hartley Act, which allows him to seek an 80-day cooling off period.

But during an exchange with reporters on Sunday, Biden, who has worked to court union votes for Democrats, said “no” when asked if he planned to intervene in the potential work stoppage.

A White House official said Monday that at Biden’s direction, the administration has been in regular communication with the ILA and the alliance to keep the negotiations moving forward. The president directed Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard to convene the alliance’s board members Monday afternoon and urge them to resolve the dispute fairly and quickly — in a way that accounts for the success of shipping companies in recent years and contributions of union workers.

[thepartyresponsible]

today i discovered febuwhump, and idk how many of these i will write, but i wrote one for today.

so here’s a short fic about bucky and clint for the prompt “difficulty breathing.” it’s not particularly whumpy, so i’m not sure it qualifies, but we’re all doing our best out here.

if anyone has any requests for the other prompts, send them in.

- - -

They lose Bucky in Alaska, which is bullshit, because Clint warned everyone that they should’ve let him stay home. “Fucking Alaska,” he says, to no one, to the inquisitive squirrel in the tree he passed half a mile back. Alaska, so close to Russia that it used to be Russian territory, snow-infested, grizzly-riddled, bleak, brutal, cold. Alaska.

They’re here chasing down some Hydra holdout, spending their free time unofficially avenging through a hitlist Steve doesn’t like calling a hitlist. Two days ago, as Clint reviewed the general typography of the situation, studied potential sightlines, prepared a packing list of all his favorite base layers, he’d said, “Maybe Bucky stays home, huh?”

And Steve, of course, had whirled around like a scandalized meerkat, and Bucky had sulked in the corner like someone just forcefed him a wheelbarrow of rancid lemons, and Nat patted him on the shoulder and gave him a look like You’re right, and nobody cares.

And now Barnes has fucked off into the wilderness, and Clint’s going after him because the others are busy Sticky Bandit-ing their way through Home Alone Hydra’s inventive series of booby traps, and Clint, because he didn’t grow up in Brooklyn or a bunker or fucking Manhattan, is somehow the designated wilderness expert on the team.

At least he’s been spared the indignity of nearly getting obliterated by a deadfall in the woods. Tony seems to be taking that incident fairly personally.

“That’s what I’m saying about Alaska,” Clint says, to the rock he’s passing. “Everybody’s got fuck all to do up here.”

Death pits, with hand-sharpened stakes. Christ.

It’s the mountains, he thinks, and the height of the trees. The way the landscape looms and shades and suffocates. Same reason so many serial killers ooze up from the undergrowth in the Pacific Northwest, like creepy little murder mushrooms feeding on death in the dark.

Clint’s from good, wholesome country, the far west of Iowa, where the land has the grace to lie flat and let you get a good look around. Not a damn thing sneaks up on you back there. But here, in the Godforsaken Saint Elias Mountains, even the air is hard to find.

The altitude sickness kicked in about three miles back. He’s got a headache like his skull’s imploding, and he keeps reaching up to tug at his coat and the layers of shirts beneath, trying to break free from the building pressure around his throat.

He hated the stupid spindly stretched-out trees until he left them, moved from forest to tundra, and then it was like the trees kept all the air with them. “Baby, come back,” he mutters, really leaning into the stupid, dizzy way he feels, luxuriating in getting dumber the higher up he gets, because the only thing up here that’s going to kill him is Barnes, and Barnes could do that at any damn elevation he wanted.

Well, maybe there’s bears. Probably there’s bears. But he feels pretty good about his odds against most of them.

Clint tries to remember which bears are endangered. One of the other STRIKE teams got in serious shit once for annihilating a nesting pair of whooping cranes during an emergency landing in Texas, and Clint doesn’t want to end up with that kind of note in his file.

Clint Barton, Avenger, known enemy to the animals.

Anyway, he’s not overly worried about the bears. He’s carrying enough firepower to crater several of them into the side of this mountain, and he’ll lie about it later if he has to, say it was whichever type isn’t endangered.

Used to be, he never lied on a SHIELD form. Since Coulson died, it hasn’t seemed to matter.

“Shit,” he says, suddenly breathless, and he slides into a crouch, chest to knees, heart beating like he’s been feeding his lungs through a straw. He wonders about his aim, about what this dizzy lightheaded feeling will do, but he doesn’t worry about it much.

If it’s Barnes coming after him, he’s dead anyway. If it’s a bear, a centimeter or two of variance isn’t going to matter much.

“What are you doing?”

That’s Barnes, of course. Appearing outta nothing, like the ghost of failed missions past.

“Fuck’s sake,” Clint tells him. And then, half-laughing, “I’m here to rescue you.”

Barnes crouches down in front of him. He’s always a little wild-eyed when the target’s Hydra, but the desperation on him now is quite the throwback. Clint hasn’t seen that kind of fear in months. “‘Rescue me,’” he repeats. “You can’t breathe.”

Clint rolls his eyes. He can breathe just fine. “Made it this far.”

Barnes nods, slow, and then tips his head. “Yes,” he says. “How’d you find me?”

Clint scoffs. It’s a real allocation of scarce resources, that scoff, but he commits to the things that matter. “Yeah, maybe you don’t need oxygen, but supersoldiers still leave footprints.”

“Barely,” Barnes says. “And I need oxygen.”

“Barely,” Clint says, just to be an asshole.

Barnes’ stern almost-scowl breaks apart, splintering with a quickfire smile, and then he’s Bucky again.

Steve wouldn’t get it. Neither would Tony. Both of them, they’ve been remade, but never unmade.

Hydra, tundra, cold. They should’ve left Bucky at home.

“It’s not that I think you can’t handle it,” Clint says. He takes a break in the middle for a quick gasp at the useless cotton candy air. “Just maybe I kinda hate that you think you have to.”

Bucky shrugs. If the cold bothers him, he’s forgotten that he’s allowed to show it. He squints toward the skyline and then tips briefly into Clint, shoulder-to-shoulder, before he hauls him to his feet. “Then let’s go home,” he says.

They should check on the others. But, judging from the radio silence and the plume of smoke rising in the southwest, they aren’t needed.

“Yeah,” Clint says, leaning into him. “Let’s go home.”

[rjzimmerman]

These ‘Trash Trees’ Are Actually a Banquet for Wildlife. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this New York Times Op-Ed from Margaret Renkl:

Hackberries are native to Alabama, where I grew up, but I was a child born of the piney woods, and I don’t recall ever noticing a single hackberry in my youth. The trees also grow in South Carolina, where I went to graduate school, but they didn’t register with me there, either. I was a newly transplanted Tennessean before I learned about “trash trees,” as people here call them.

The common hackberry is widespread from New England across to the Dakotas and down through the Midwest and Upper South. The Southern hackberry, a species also known as the sugarberry, blankets the Southeast down through Florida and west into Texas and northeastern Mexico. The two species overlap — and sometimes self-hybridize — in Tennessee. The Nashville naturalist Joanna Brichetto, author of the new book “This Is How a Robin Drinks: Essays on Urban Nature,” calls Nashville “the hackberry capital of the world.”

I don’t know if people call them trash trees in other places, but hackberries are widely disdained in the hackberry capital of the world. Their bark is a rough swath of warts. Their pocked, wrinkled, gall-infested leaves always look a little sick. In spring, their flowers drop to the ground and cover the sidewalks, and in fall their berrylike drupes do the same, without any gorgeous fall color to compensate for the mess.

One of the hackberries’ least desirable characteristics is not, strictly speaking, a feature of the trees themselves. Hackberries are targeted by the invasive Asian woolly hackberry aphid, which like all aphids excretes a sticky form of waste called honeydew. In wet summers, rain washes the honeydew away, but in dry years, the honeydew can accumulate and promote the growth of a soot-colored mold on whatever — car, sidewalk, patio furniture — happens to lie beneath the branches of a hackberry tree. “The mold is absolutely harmless,” Ms. Brichetto said when I asked her about it, “but people freak out.”

Unluckiest of all for a tree trying to survive the built human environment, hackberries have a growing habit that also freaks people out. Hackberries can grow giant horizontal branches that sprawl out across great expanses. Left unpruned, those heavy old limbs sometimes drop onto houses during storms.

Sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter  Get expert analysis of the news and a guide to the big ideas shaping the world every weekday morning. Get it sent to your inbox.

By now you’re thinking, “Yeah, that’s totally a trash tree.” I spent my first years here thinking the same thing.

But then, one fall, I started noticing something about those drupes and those gnarly, pitiful-looking leaves: They were feeding a vast array of my wild neighbors at a time when everybody desperately needs to eat. The locals need to fatten up for the cold winter ahead. The migrators need to fatten up for their long journey.

The hackberry is the host plant for dozens of lepidoptera species: 49 here in Middle Tennessee, according to Ms. Brichetto. Butterflies who use hackberries as a nursery include the tawny emperor, the question mark, the mourning cloak and, of course, the beautiful hackberry emperor. It’s impossible not to love a hackberry emperor butterfly. These gentle creatures will land on your skin to partake of the salt and other minerals in your sweat. The behavior is called puddling, and many butterfly species can be found puddling in the mud. Hackberry emperors will puddle right on your hand.

Combine all the juicy caterpillars dining on hackberry leaves and all the tiny, protein-packed bugs inhabiting the galls and all the fruit the hackberry itself produces, and it becomes clear that a hackberry tree is a banquet set with something for everybody. Including us.

[soapsdish]

tag gamerules: favorite: movie, hobby, animal, character, color, place, season, album, food

movie: attack the block - 2011 had some banger movies and this was one of them. it's got everything one could hope for: great actors, superb acting, action, quirky weirdness, kickass aliens, and john boyega's movie debut! I could rewatch this right alongside the abyss ('84), the thing ('82) and battle los angeles (2011).

hobby: gaming! I'm a hardcore gamer that likes just about every genre on the market but I'm particularly in love with horror/zombies (multiplayer so I can play with friends), action-adventure, and looter shooters.

animal: cats! I love pretty much all animals but these little land sharks hold a special place in my heart and my life. I've got two right now but I want more. My husband has to reign me in...even though he's just as bad. What can I say? we're cat parents.

character: g.i. joe was one of my favorite cartoons growing up and thus my love for military men and women bloomed. at first I had all the love for shipwreck and lady j but then this man appeared: sgt. ronald tadur aka Dusty (Rudat). he's a desert survival expert/specialist who is so damn good and loyal and wonderful that I still simp for him decades later. he will always be in my heart.

color: usually i'd just say black but, well, midnight blue is simply gorgeous and I've got an accent wall in my bedroom with gold leaves dotting it. it's such a pretty color.

place: the woods! I cannot live without trees surrounding me. I basically forced my husband (then bf) to move up with me because I refused to live in a city of any kind. before I really lost the ability to walk unaided I used to trek through the woods behind my grandparents house on the mountain and through the woods behind the little places I grew up in. (we moved a lot when I was younger). I still like taking a trail or two in a state park but I so freakin' miss being able to just get lost in the thick of'em and spend hours just exploring.

season: fall! i love watching the leaves and brush change, the pumpkins and gords starting to adorn street corners and window displays, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, the cooler temperatures (sweater weather!!), and the coming of Halloween!

album: needtobreath's hard love - this album saw me through a rough patch and kept my heart filled with a soft kind of wonder. all the tracks are excellent but I've got such a hardon for HAPPINESS and the signature song hard love. honestly, i pretty much have a love affair with all their albums. Bonus: HAPPINESS, Bottom of a Heartbreak, I am Yours, and West Texas Wind are 100% blorbo songs.

food: stromboli!! omg I could eat this deliciousness every single day and not tire (not with how many combinations you can make). it's so good ;A;

Thanks so much for the tag: @gamergirlbonestaskforce141riot

tags (if you'd like): @caroll-in @ex-umbra @tacticalanxiety @starlight-shades @deadbranch @losersimonriley (honestly I'd tag every single follower and mutual I have because I love learning things about people!)

[weather-usa]

Texas requires funding to ensure continuous electricity supply during severe weather conditions. As a result, it is allocating more resources to support fossil fuels.

Ensuring continuous electricity can mean the difference between life and death, a reality underscored this week in Houston. As temperatures soared, hundreds of thousands endured brutal heat without air conditioning.

The city faced consecutive severe storms: first, a powerful derecho in May shattered skyscraper windows and plunged downtown Houston into darkness. Then, an early-season Category 1 hurricane, Beryl, knocked out power for over 2 million customers.

See more:

Texas's electric grid struggles to keep pace. Downed trees and strong winds toppled local power lines, and the May derecho even twisted massive transmission towers into mangled metal. Despite these challenges, instead of bolstering grid resilience to maintain lights and A/C during increasingly extreme weather, Texas is investing billions in new natural gas-fired power plants.

Doug Lewin, a Texas energy expert, acknowledges the necessity of adding electricity capacity due to rising demand. However, flooding the grid with fossil fuels won't fortify power lines against severe storms. "Large-scale gas generation offers no help in hurricane scenarios," Lewin explained to CNN. "The issue lies with transmission capacity. Having surplus power means nothing if it can't reach those in need."

This push for natural gas plants follows the devastating February 2021 deep freeze that claimed over 200 lives and left millions without power or heat. Despite political rhetoric against wind energy, it was natural gas plant failures that caused most outages.

Recent mass outages, including those from downed lines, highlight vulnerabilities. "The weak link has always been the wires and poles," noted Michael Webber, an energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin. "Yet, the state prioritizes natural gas power over grid hardening."

Just months before Beryl struck, Houston's Centerpoint Energy projected needing $2 billion to weatherproof its system against worsening weather extremes. Since 2015, the city has weathered multiple hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather events, stressing its infrastructure.

Weather Forecast For 05446 - Colchester VT:

Joshua Rhodes, an energy research scientist at UT Austin, pointed out the cumulative toll on aging infrastructure from successive storms. "This region has endured three major events recently," Rhodes said. "Each storm leaves its mark, potentially compromising infrastructure still recovering from previous hits."

In essence, while Texas faces mounting weather challenges, its focus on natural gas expansion over grid fortification raises concerns about its readiness for future storms and extreme conditions.

According to Rhodes, much of Texas's electrical infrastructure dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, a time when weather conditions were less severe. A significant portion of the electrical poles are constructed from wood, which becomes increasingly brittle under extreme heat and subsequent flooding. With Texas now experiencing consecutive storms, this infrastructure is showing signs of strain.

"It's not surprising that infrastructure designed for milder weather is failing more frequently," Rhodes noted. Some utilities are beginning to replace wooden poles with stronger fiberglass materials, while others are considering the costly option of burying electrical lines underground.

CNN's conversations with experts highlighted another issue among Texas officials: a reluctance to acknowledge the significant impact of a warming climate on intensifying storms.

State authorities have mandated that utilities like Centerpoint draft weather resilience plans but have provided limited financial support to implement these improvements.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 44067-Northfield-OH:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/200370647/Weather-Forecast-For-44067-Northfield-OH

"Since Texas's political leadership does not acknowledge climate change, utilities can discuss extreme weather events but cannot explicitly tie them to climate change or outline proactive measures," explained Alison Silverstein, an independent energy consultant in Texas. "Addressing these challenges requires substantial investment, ultimately funded by customers."

Lewin emphasized one potential solution: microgrids powered by a combination of solar energy and natural gas. These smaller, independent power networks can supply critical facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals during major events like hurricanes.

Despite being allocated over $1 billion alongside funding for natural gas plants, Lewin highlighted that these funds have remained untapped at the Texas Public Service Commission.

"We must ensure that vulnerable populations, like elderly individuals during extreme heat, have continuous access to power," Lewin stressed. "This is non-negotiable. Anything less than complete reliability is unacceptable."

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80013

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80014

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80015

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80016

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-80017

[xtruss]

Solar Eclipse Path Map Shows States Where Sun Will Be Blocked Out

— March 16, 2024 | Newsweek

A rare total solar eclipse will take place next month and will be the last chance for Americans to view the natural phenomena for two decades, astronomy experts have said.

A total eclipse will be experienced by millions of Americans on April 8 this year—a rare astronomical event in which the skies briefly turn dark during daylight hours. Next month's eclipse is a rare event, with the last one taking place over the U.S. in 2017.

"You definitely want to be looking at the sky on April 8th because if you miss the solar eclipse this year, you have to wait two decades until the next chance to see a total solar eclipse from the contiguous United States," Brian Lada, AccuWeather astronomy expert, told Newsweek.

"Total solar eclipses themselves are not rare. They happen every year somewhere around the world. What is rare is to have them visible here in the United States."

Total eclipses occur once every other year somewhere on the planet, but for each individual community, they occur once every few centuries with some exceptions, Lada explained.

A solar eclipse is seen at Liberty Island in on August 21, 2017, in New York City. While New York was not in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, around 72 percent of the sun was covered by the moon during the peak time of the partial eclipse. Noam Galai/WireImage/Getty

What Is A Total Solar Eclipse?

According to Jonathan Belles, digital meteorologist for The Weather Channel, a solar eclipse takes place when the moon's orbit "takes it into the same plane as the sun, blocking out the sun."

There are numerous things to look out for - aside from the skies turning dark in the middle of the day - during a solar eclipse. Belles told Newsweek: "During a total solar eclipse, you can see explosions of matter being launched from the sun on some occasions. You'll likely see some eerie shadows in the form of eclipsed discs or even slithering snakes on the ground under trees and other objects. You might see bats and birds head out for food thinking that the sunset has arrived."

"If you look at the horizon, you may see thin clouds of ice that are usually invisible to the naked eye. You may also see clouds shrink over land or grow over the ocean. In elevated locations, you might also be able to tell where the sun is still shining."

Where Can I See The Total Eclipse?

A Map, Provided by NASA, Showing the Trajectory of the Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. NASA

According to Lada, those wishing to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon will need to be "in a narrow area called the path of totality", stretching from Texas all the way to Maine in the northeast.

A NASA map shows the full trajectory of the eclipse across the states, including times it will occur on April 8. Starting in Texas at around 1:30 p.m. CDT, the eclipse will occur in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally in Maine at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan may also experience the total solar eclipse.

"Everywhere outside of the path of totality will only experience a partial solar eclipse, of course, as long as it's not cloudy," Lada told Newsweek.

Americans in 13 States Will Experience a Rare Total Solar Eclipse Next Month. Getty Images/Newsweek

If you're planning to look skyward to see the event, you need to be prepared. NASA advises using the correct equipment to prevent causing serious damage to your eyes.

"When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses ("eclipse glasses") or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times," NASA explains. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector."

[dr-dealswiththedevil]

Hello everyone. Mod Kakera here. 

As we prepare to continue the fangan, there’s going to be some story elements requiring new sprites. And there’s a lot of sprites that will be needed. So I’m reaching out to see if anyone would be interested in helping with sprite edits and creation of OC sprites. 

If you’re interested, message me over at @fragments-of-despair or drop your commission info here on this post, and I can reach out to work with you. 

Below the cut are descriptions of the OCs we’ll need help with, for those curious as to what we’re currently looking for. Feel free to ask any additional questions if you’re interested. 

Thank you!

DIVISION 1: 

Ringo Kaminagi: Former Ultimate Prosecutor, Class 76

Hair: Black

Eyes: Golden/Red

Age Range: between 18-21

Pronouns: She/Her

Birthday: October 13

Hometown/Birthplace: Hokkaido 

Talent: Prosecutor

Likes: Studying law

Dislikes: Theft

Personality: Stern yet kind, very serious about her job, gets flustered easily by friends. Can be described as a cross between Ishimaru and Kirumi in personality.

Song Associated with them: Little Miss Perfect by Taylor Louderman

Sachie Kozui: Former Ultimate Lucky Student, Class 76

Hair: Lavender

Eyes: Light Gold

Age Range: between 18-21

Pronouns: She/Her

Birthday: August 4

Hometown/Birthplace: Hokkaido

Talent: Lucky Student (ironically)

Likes: Climbing Trees, Ringo

Dislikes: Messing up, being unlucky

Personality: Sweet, playful, a bit of a clutz, gets nervous and panicked easily due to her talent having a Murphy’s Law type affect on those around her. A bit superstitious due to wanting to better her luck. 

Song Associated with them: A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton

DIVISION 2: 

Hildegard “Hilly” Pierrot, I.T. Expert/Technical Assistant

Hair: Red

Eyes: Green

Age Range: Mid 20s

Pronouns: He/She/They/Wumbo

Birthday: June 17

Hometown/Birthplace: Texas

Talent: Not Applicable

Likes: Cows, Ladies, Workouts

Dislikes: Romance, Sunburns

Personality: Applyjack from My Little Pony, but more sassy. A fun older sister type. Born and raised in the south on a farm, became I.T. expert to help with work. Determined and funny. Boisterous. 

Song Associated with them: Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

DIVISION 4

Alphonso Carlyle, Doctor and Therapist and former professional student

Hair: Dark purple with lavender streaks

Eyes: Dark purple

Age Range: Mid 40s

Pronouns: He/Hum (paperwork typo)

Birthday: December 31st

Hometown/Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain

Talent: Not Applicable

Likes: Studying, messing with Haruka

Dislikes: Bourbon

Personality: Calm, fun uncle energy. Knows he’s good at what he does, and knows how to ride the chaos train. Will cover for you if you sneak out after hours for teen-movie shenanigans. Very family oriented due to mother’s side of the family (large family from Spain), but also very dry humored from dad’s side (smaller family from Great Britain). Loves to nap.

Song Associated with them: Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads

DIVISION 6

Haruka Yoshida, Former Ultimate Police Officer (?), Class 75

Hair: Dark brown/reddish brown

Eyes: Blue-Grey

Age Range: Early/Mid 20s

Pronouns: He/Him

Birthday: January 27th

Hometown/Birthplace: Kyoto

Talent: Police Officer (on record)

Likes: Following Rules, Espionage, Banana Laffy Taffy

Dislikes: Shenanigans, being called by his given name

Personality: Has a lot of repressed emotions. Very proud of himself, his family, and the mission of the Future Foundation. Very loyal to causes he sees as just. Very quick to annoy. Deep down is rather sweet and kind.

Song Associated with them: Snake Eater by Cynthia Harrel

DIVISION 10

D’Andre “Rex” Sukimoto, Tech Prodigy and Resident Nerd of Culture 

Hair: Black (natural), Green (dyed)

Eyes: Brown (left), Hazel Green (Right)

Age Range: 15-18

Pronouns: He/They (experimenting)

Birthday: November 29

Hometown/Birthplace: Canada

Talent: Would have been Ultimate Play-Tester (Tragedy prevented Admission to Hope’s Peak)

Likes: Video Games, Coding, Experimenting

Dislikes: Homework, enforced bedtime

Personality: Classic little brother type. Loves getting into mischief. Very bright and very quick to learn. Sassy and savvy. Can and will prank you if given the chance. Strong sense of what is right and wrong. 

Song Associated with them: Robot Rock by Daft Punk

DIVISION 12

Haruhi Ortiz, Infrastructure Expert and OSHA Fan

Hair: Black with yellow tips (dyed)

Eyes: Black

Age Range: 16-19

Pronouns: He/She/They (genderfluid)

Birthday: June 21

Hometown/Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Talent: Not Applicable

Likes: Architecture, Public Transit, Trees

Dislikes: Incorrect Lab Safety precautions, [REDACTED]

Personality Type: Withdrawn but calm and warm. Takes a lot to get them to open up. Not quick to anger. Hard to fluster. Hardworking. Often flies under the radar but can and will hold you hostage if you ask about how to better lay out a city. If truly angry, swears in their first language. 

Song Associated with them: Turnabout Sisters 2016 from Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice

Bonus: DIVISION 7

M.A.L.L.A.R.D. [ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SPOILERS]

Hair: None (chrome body)

Eyes: Light Bulb (changes color)

Birthday: December 21

Likes: Helping in the lab, Grapes, Chap Stick

Dislikes: Duct Tape, Glue, Bread Crumbs

Personality: Think Goddard from Jimmy Neutron, but a duck. 

[texastreeexpertss]

Tree Removal in Houston: Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Landscape

Tree removal in Houston is something that needs to be taken seriously. Whether it is for the sake of safety, in control of disease, or making way, it is crucial to hire the best tree company possible to ensure that it is done right and without risks. With a certified and experienced crew, homeowners can protect their property and make their landscape look more aesthetic.

[solarfortworth97]

SELECTING THE PERFECT FIT: PICKING THE RIGHT SOLAR OPTION FOR YOUR FORT WORTH, TEXAS HOME SIZE

With the rising popularity of solar energy as an eco-friendly and cost-efficient power source, homeowners in Fort Worth, Texas, are increasingly exploring solar solutions for their residences. The key to success lies in selecting the optimal solar system size that ensures maximal energy generation, financial optimization, and alignment with your energy requirements.

In this article, we will navigate you through the process of choosing the ideal solar solution for your Fort Worth home, providing you with the information needed to make an informed decision that suits your objectives and budget.

ASSESSING YOUR ENERGY DEMANDS

Grasping your existing energy usage

The initial step involves analyzing your monthly electricity bills to gauge your average energy consumption. Identify consumption patterns and pinpoint energy-intensive appliances or systems that contribute significantly to your bills.

Anticipating future energy prerequisites

Contemplate any potential lifestyle changes that might heighten your energy consumption, such as the addition of new appliances or the procurement of an electric vehicle. Moreover, consider any planned expansions or home additions that could impact your forthcoming energy needs.

EVALUATING SPACE AVAILABILITY AND SOLAR POTENTIAL

Evaluating roof suitability for solar panels

Thoroughly assess your roof’s orientation, tilt, and available surface area to determine its suitability for solar panel installation. Take note of any obstructions casting shadows, such as nearby buildings or trees, that might influence your roof’s solar potential.

Calculating solar viability

Leverage online tools or consult with solar experts to estimate the solar energy potential specific to your location. Evaluate average sunlight hours and regional solar resources in Fort Worth, Texas, to gauge the efficacy of solar panels in your vicinity.

UNDERSTANDING SOLAR SYSTEM DIMENSIONS

Determining the suitable system size

Optimal system sizing relies on comprehending kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your energy consumption, available roof space, and financial means should all factor into your decision on the system size that aligns with your needs. Enlisting the guidance of a solar professional can aid you in this assessment.

Exploring diverse solar system magnitudes

Various system sizes carry distinct merits and considerations.

Smaller solar setups are fitting for homes with modest energy requirements or limited roof space.

Medium-sized systems strike a balance between energy production and affordability.

Larger installations suit energy-intensive homes or those with ample roof space.

Understanding the impact of system size on energy output, financial savings, and return on investment equips you to make a well-informed choice.

CONSULTING SOLAR EXPERTS

Researching Fort Worth, Texas solar firms: Read reviews, seek recommendations, and verify certifications. Thorough research is essential prior to selecting a solar provider. Consult online rankings of the finest solar companies in Fort Worth, Texas, based on customer satisfaction and expertise. Reputable firms are more likely to deliver quality installations and dependable customer support.

Seeking professional guidance: Connect with multiple solar companies for solar assessments and quotes. Gathering insights from various professionals allows you to gain perspectives on the ideal system size for your home. Solar experts furnish invaluable advice based on their proficiency, aiding you in making an informed decision that aligns with your energy objectives.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Opting for the appropriate solar solution for your Fort Worth, Texas home entails comprehending solar system sizing and considering financial elements. By determining the right system size, researching solar providers, seeking expert counsel, comprehending expenses, and evaluating long-term financial advantages, you can arrive at an informed choice. Embracing solar power not only minimizes your environmental impact but also yields financial gains and bolsters your property’s value. Embrace solar energy and relish its myriad benefits in Fort Worth, Texas.

[texasexperttree]

Tree Removal in Houston TX

Looking for tree removal Houston TX? Texas Tree Expert is your trusted partner! Our certified arborists provide safe and efficient tree removal services, ensuring your property remains hazard-free and beautiful. From large-scale removals to selective tree cutting, we handle it all with precision and care. Don't let unwanted trees compromise your safety and landscape. Call Texas Tree Expert for professional tree removal in Houston TX, and let us make your property safer and more appealing.

[conroetreepros]

Tree Removal in Conroe TX

Conroe Tree Pros offers a range of effective and safe tree removal services that may help you quickly and effectively clean up your yard since we recognize the value of tree removal services in Conroe, Texas. With the right equipment and knowledge, our staff can remove any size tree without endangering your home or property.

Whether you need help removing a diseased oak Tree or want expert advice on proper trimming techniques for your small fruit trees, our team can provide the services you need. Our removal crew is fully insured and licensed, so you can be confident that your property will be handled with care while we work on it. We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our Tree Removal Services to ensure you are getting the best service possible.

[sciencespies]

‘Extremely Rare’ Snowy Owl Sighting Transfixes a California Suburb

https://sciencespies.com/news/extremely-rare-snowy-owl-sighting-transfixes-a-california-suburb/

‘Extremely Rare’ Snowy Owl Sighting Transfixes a California Suburb

What brought the owl to the city of Cypress, in Orange County, remains a mystery.

The forbidding frozen wilderness of the high Arctic tundra is the natural home of the snowy owl, a great predator perfectly adapted to hunting its primary food source, lemmings.

But sometime over the last few weeks, one snowy owl in particular made a surprise appearance in noticeably less harsh terrain — the shingled roofs and white chimneys of suburban Southern California.

What brought the owl to the city of Cypress, in Orange County, about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles, remains a mystery and the subject of impassioned debate among the scores of bird watchers and curious neighbors who have come out to marvel at the bird.

Whatever the owl’s journey may have been, the sight of such an unusual raptor set among streets lined with palm trees has been “amazing,” said Nancy Caruso, a neighbor who has seen the owl.

“It’s like seeing Santa Claus on a beach,” said Ms. Caruso, a marine biologist. “Like that out of place, but cool.”

More on California

U.C. Employee Strike: Academic employees at the University of California voted to return to work, ending a historically large strike that had disrupted research and classes for nearly six weeks.

Wildfires: California avoided a third year of catastrophic wildfires because of a combination of well-timed precipitation and favorable wind conditions — or “luck,” as experts put it.

San Francisco’s Empty Downtown: Tech workers are still at home. The $17 salad place is expanding into the suburbs. Today San Francisco has what is perhaps the most deserted major downtown in America.

Los Angeles’s New Mayor: Karen Bass was sworn in as the first female mayor of the nation’s second-largest city in a ceremony that celebrated her historic win but also underscored the obstacles ahead.

Neighbors have come to notice a pattern with the bird, which seems to take off around 5 p.m. before reappearing sometime later, like a commuter, to its suburban roost.

“I have been hanging out with him a couple of times a day, and I’m not a bird guy in any way, shape or form,” said Joshua Lindsay, a general contractor who lives nearby.

He said the “absolutely ginormous” owl had been “divebombed by hawks and robins” and “would look over at them, like, ‘Really? What the hell are you going to do?’”

Lori Arent, the assistant director of the Raptor Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, said that snowy owls are known to migrate from northern Canada to the Midwestern and northeastern United States during the winter. Some have been spotted as far south as Texas, she said. (In January 2021, one visited Central Park, creating a frenzy among urban birders.)

But it was “extremely rare” to find one as far south and west as Southern California, Ms. Arent said.

She said it was possible that the owl may have simply flown thousands of miles to Orange County. Or it may have “hitched a ride” on a ship, she said, maybe from somewhere along the Canadian coast, like the port of Vancouver, or Alaska. Others have speculated that the bird may have been kept as an exotic pet and escaped.

“It will be interesting to see how long this bird stays,” Ms. Arent said. “The question will be: Will this bird be able to find enough food to eat?”

She said snowy owls that fly south often prefer flat, open terrain such as airports where they can more easily hunt small prey. That could make Cypress an appealing destination: The Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, a National Guard facility with an airfield, is only a few miles away as the owl flies.

Bird-watchers and photographers on the lookout for the snowy owl.Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register.

When the owl returns, joy fills the neighborhood.

“The most exciting thing for me is that the public is reacting so positively,” said Victor Leipzig, who teaches birding at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., and is a past president of the local chapter of the Audubon Society.

“I was there on Tuesday of this week, and there were people from the local neighborhood who were just thrilled and people who had driven from a hundred miles away to see the bird,” he said.

Scott Thomas, the raptor research chairman at the local Audubon chapter, said the owl had recently been spotted coughing up a pellet of bones and fur, a sign that it had found a small animal to eat.

But there are dangers in the area, such as cars, rodenticide and airplanes landing at the military base. At some point, he said, the most popular raptor in Cypress may simply move on, headed north to the Arctic.

“The thing I can say for sure is people are going to continue to watch it — a lot,” Mr. Thomas said. “And one day it will disappear, just fly off.”

#News