Articles

Article posted by Leigh Smythe of Golden Acre Garden Sentre & Mother Nature's Cafe

Is there such a thing as a nonchemical weed control for the lawn?

Yes there is and it is natural product that is formulated to be used on your lawn in early spring and late fall and has been available for the past few years. Corn gluten works by preventing the weed seeds from germinating, so it must be applied before the dandelions and plantain have emerged. If you miss that period, it then just becomes a very good nitrogen fertilizer and will improve the look of your lawn. Corn gluten was discovered as a weed and feed by accident by Dr. Nick Christians and his research team. They were studying the effects of a fungus on turf grass and used corn gluten as the growth media for the fungus. The original tests were a failure but they found the corn gluten was suppressing the development of bent grass, an annual seed. It was eventually determined that the corn gluten prevents germination by inhibiting the development of new root hairs.

It is critical that corn gluten be applied before the weeds develop in lawns but it can be used in vegetable plots after the garden is up and growing. Cultivating all the weeds and then applying corn gluten may help reduce annual weeds such as lambs quarters, pigweed, plantain and dandelions.

It will not prevent the development of quack grass because it is a perennial grass and does not need to germinate in the spring. But we may see good control on Poa annua or annual bluegrass/bentgrass infestations. The corn gluten should prevent the annual grass seed from germinating and then allow the desirable perennial grasses to grow back in those areas, as it will also act as mild nitrogen fertilizer. Corn gluten as a weed control is perfectly safe for children and pets.

Leigh Smythe, Golden Acres

Article by Marianne Reeder, A.S., RDH of Finesse Dental Hygiene Clinic Ltd.

Losing a tooth is a big deal for most children.  Just as important is the arrival of the tooth fairy, who marks this passage with a secret visit and some hard cash.  Note: a toonie seems to be the going rate nowadays.

But what if she forgets to come? Considering that children lose about 20 baby teeth between the ages of 5 and 12, it's hard to remember each one (the tooth fairy is a busy lady, after all).  If you do forget, here are strategies that will dry the tears.

• Website 123toothfiary.com suggest enlisting the help of an older sibling who has outgrown the sparkling fairy.  Have the older sibling come out of their room with the loot, and say, "Gee it must have been delivered to the wrong room."
• Website toothfairyshoppe.com suggests using the strategically placed toonie routine. Tuck the toonie in the palm of your hand and pretend to check around the bed.  Surreptitiously drop it on the floor and blame its misplacement on your child's restless sleep. suggest that the tooth fairy must not have had room in her sack for the tooth.

Recently launched, is a new Medicine Hat website dedicated to featuring great local businesses videos around town. In partnership between Medicine Hat and District Chamber Of Commerce, TriCube Media, MyLocalTV.ca and Medicine Hat News, have been able to produce and promote business videos; showcasing local retailers, companies and organizations. The new site focuses on viewers being able to see this weeks feature as well as browse older features.

http://www.mhfeaturedbusiness.com/

Article by Marianne Reeder, A.S., RDH of Finesse Dental Hygiene Clinic Ltd.

When a dental hygienist asks you to stick out your tongue, it's not rude to comply...they are screening for changes to the tongue and tissues inside the mouth that could be signs of oral cancer.

You know the drill, or hopefully you have had the experience of an oral cancer screening, they grab the end of your tongue with that gross tasting gauze...

If your hygienist or dentist doesn't do this - ask for it.  Some dental hygiene and dental clinics have cool equipment like velscope - that incorporates fluorescence visualization technology to help detect abnormal tissue, including cancer and precancer.  Again more dental lingo I know - basically they shine a light inside your mouth and abnormal tissue fluoresces differently than normal tissue.

Often patients think hygienists are a bit overboard with concern and it requires the attention of a Hollywood star being diagnosed to increase public awareness.  Academy Award winner, Michael Douglas, was diagnosed with oral cancer this past year.  This big profile case brought oral cancers into the limelight.

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