| Transcript of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Remarks to the ...
SEC. MIKE JOHANNS: Let me just tell you I've always appreciated the opportunity to talk about a topic that is getting so much attention these days, and that's the topic of renewable energy. You are here, I suspect, because you share with me the belief that there's an extraordinary potential for renewable fuels. I believe that. I can tell you that our President believes that. He has spoken about it publicly, and I can tell you in the meetings I've had with him privately the enthusiasm is the same. In his State of the Union Address, the President set a national goal of raising our annual production of renewable fuels to 35 billion gallons over the next 10 years. He has also tasked us with reducing our annual consumption of gasoline by 20 billion gallons. Ambitious goals. I believe that cutting fossil fuel use and boosting renewable fuel production are both vital goals for the good of our nation, for a whole host of reasons.
BBB issues warning of surge in bogus loan websites
FORT WAYNEThe Better Business Bureau warns of a proliferation of websites impersonating legitimate lenders to steal money from consumers. Victims across the U.S. and Canada report losing money, sometimes more than $1,000 each. The websites in question promise loans to anyone, regardless of the person's previous credit history. "People with the poorest finances are being victimized. Many mistakenly believe they have no other option," said Michael Coil, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana. According to BBB experience, victims used Internet search engines to locate lenders that "guaranteed" low-interest rate loans for people with bad credit histories. After submitting the online loan application, they were contacted by a company "representative" who said they were approved.
• Garden Q & A
I get many letters about amaryllis bulbs at this time of year. To sum the letters up: The bulbs bloomed (or perhaps not). Now what? Amaryllis bulbs are commonly sold as gift plants in the fall. They send up tall bloom stalks with two, four or even six flowers. Large vigorous bulbs may send up a second or even a third set of flowers. The long, strappy leaves may start to appear before or after the flowers. In time, the flowers fade. Unless you are hybridizing and want to set seed, the flower stalks should be cut off near the top of the bulb when they shrivel. The plants then need bright light, plenty of water and fertile soil mix so that they grow as well as possible all spring and summer and make new flower buds for next year. These plants aren't hardy here, so they need to stay indoors until the end of May.
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