"Grevillea maxwellii is a shrub which is endemic to the south west region of Western Australia. It grows to between 0.2 and 1.2 metres in height. The flowers, which have a pink-orange or pink-red perianth and pink-red style, appear in May and from September to November in the species native range. The species was first formally described by Donald McGillivray in 1986, his description published in New Names in Grevillea (Proteaceae). It is classified as "Declared Rare Flora" under the Wildlife Conservation Act in Western Australia."
"The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex - within which the cloud L1688 is the most active star-forming location. Although hidden by dust, it is possible to study star formation by sub-millimetre astronomy. Credit NASA.
Molecular clouds are called so because they have sufficient density to support the formation of molecules, most commonly H2 molecules. Their density also makes them ideal sites for new star formation – and if star formation is prevalent in a molecular cloud, we tend to give it the less formal title of stellar nursery."
"The uncut gem weighs around 2.27 kilograms (5 pounds) and has up to 15,000 carats. It was found 12 years ago in the Muzo mines in Boyaca, 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of Colombian capital Bogota.
The precious stone kept in its original form and named after an indigenous god whose tears turned into emeralds, Fura is said to be valued at around 45 million dollars. It is owned by a firm called Coexminas.
According to reports, only up to 15 people at a time are allowed to view Fura, with five guards looking on.
Colombia produces most of the world's emeralds. More than half of the world's emeralds are mined in the South American country. In 2008, Colombia produced 2.7 Mcarats (540 kg) of the said stone."
The Red Violin is a 1998 Canadian drama film. It spans three centuries and five countries as it tells the story of a mysterious violin and its many owners. The film was an international co-production between companies in Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
A perfect red-colored violin inspires passion, making its way through three centuries over several owners and countries, eventually ending up at an auction where it may find a new owner.A perfect red-colored violin inspires passion, making its way through three centuries over several owners and countries, eventually ending up at an auction where it may find a new owner.
"In present day Montreal, a famous Nicolo Bussotti violin, known as "the red violin," is being auctioned off. During the auction, we flash back to the creation of the violin in 17th century Italy, and follow the violin as it makes its way through an 18th century Austrian monastery, a violinist in 19th century Oxford, China during the Cultural Revolution, and back to Montreal, where a collector tries to establish the identity and the secrets of "the red violin." Written by Sean Gallagher <naes@cgocable.net>
The film was inspired by one of Antonio Stradivari's violins, the Red Mendelssohn (1721), which is currently played by Elizabeth Pitcairn, heiress to the PPG fortune, whose grandfather purchased it for her 16th birthday for $1.7 million at auction at Christie's London. She is one of the few soloists who performs the Red Violin Chaconne composed for the film by John Corigliano. The notion that the violin is red because it is painted with the blood of the maker's wife, who died during childbirth, is a creation of the filmmaker. It is called "The Red Mendelssohn" because of a unique red stripe on its top right side, but how the stripe came about is unknown.
This is the book that started the hemp revolution. More than 600,000 copies have been sold to date. Jack wanted this information to be available to everyone, so he published the text of the book here on the internet for free.
This is the film that the United States government does not want you to see. This is the film that contains the facts about one movement... one man... and one miraculous plant that could revolutionize the world. The best-selling book The Emperor Wears No Clothes blew the lid off the anti-hemp conspiracy and explained all there is to know about an easy-to-grow plant with infinite, non-intoxicating uses. Why is hemp illegal ? The information is in this film, and you won't believe it !
"Hemp for Victory is a black-and-white film produced in 1942 by the USDA outlining a plan to distribute 400,000 lbs. of cannabis seeds to American farmers with the goal of producing 350,000 acres of cannabis by 1943 -- all for the war effort. The USDA even went as far as to urge 4-H clubs to grow at least half an acre, but preferably 2 acres of cannabis. All American farmers were required to see the film, sign a paper saying that they had viewed the film, and read a booklet on the matter. Farmers who agreed were waived from serving in the military, and all their family members were also exempt. They received farm equipment at a discounted price, and sometimes for free. However, before and after the war -- the same plant was considered "demon weed" and the killer of the same kids that were pressed into service to grow it during the war. Furthermore, the USDA and Library of Congress denied the creation or existence of such a film until 2 copies were found and sent in to the Library of Congress. Talk about hypocrisy"
..."Was photographing one of the arches in Arches National Park when this tree caught my eye. It was an overcast evening, and I set up and waited for a break in the clouds for a few rays of sun."
