C O M P U T E R   C O R N E R

by Terry Tanner,
Master Gardener

MOUNTAIN STATES NURSERY
Mountain States Wholesale Nursery (a generous donor to the Master Gardener program) has completed work on their web page. It looks great, and has links to plant photos and cultural information. http://www.mswn.com

DROUGHT ISSUES
Extreme to severe drought conditions have been developing over the past three to four years, and the effects are increasingly being felt over much of the Southwestern United States. El Nino conditions have developed in the equatorial Pacific, but what impact the 2002-2003 El Nino event will have on the Southwest still remains uncertain. Deborah J. Young, Ph.D., Associate Director, Programs, Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona, says the Arizona Cooperative Extension has brought together faculty from campus and counties to address drought issues. Topics include households, climate, finances, animal, fire, and range management.
http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/drought/

FAT CONTENT
You can go to this site and find the fat content of any food. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

AVOID MEDICAL ERRORS
The government has been tracking the increase in medical errors and has come up with a list of tips. The federal Agency for Health Care Research and Quality developed the list to help people make informed decisions and improve communication with providers. www.ahrq.gov

AREA ROADWAYS
An innovative program offered by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) offers road conditions, plus links to live video of Phoenix freeways, statewide weather, the online Bus Book, carpool/vanpool matching, and more. www.az511.com

PLANT ID
This site features resources on plant identification, nomenclature, and new cultivars. www.cultivar.org

STOCKING YOUR PANTRY
In the aftermath of Sept 11, the following t hree sites give information on stocking a pantry to have an emergency supply of food and water in case of disruptions in transportation, electricity, or water supplies, including those caused by tornadoes or other extreme weather conditions.
www.fema.gov/library/emfdwtr.htm
www.fema.gov/library/diskit.htm
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/food.html


Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer Information
Last Updated January 25, 2003
Author: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 301, Fax (602) 470-8092