A long list of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs [including benzene, xylene, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, trichloroethylene (TCE), and methylene chloride], have been shown to cause illnesses in people who are exposed to the compounds in indoor spaces. Acute illnesses like asthma and nausea and chronic diseases including cancer, neurologic, reproductive, developmental, and respiratory disorders are all linked to exposure to VOCs. Harmful indoor pollutants represent a serious health problem that is responsible for more than 1.6 million deaths each year, according to a 2002 World Health Organization report.

It's not the first time this has been studied, I guess a little refresher course is a handy way to keep reminding us to get outside and grab a couple of lung fulls of fresh air. Preferably in the great open spaces of our Canadian Prairies,
   --- in mid winter at forty below zero!!

• Building permits issued by the City of Regina for the past five years:
• $241 million in 2005,
• $276 million in 2006,
• $338 million in 2007
• $342 million in 2008 and,
• $377-million in 2009 as of the end of October.

Last minute entries were two permits — $31.5 million & $3.5 million — for warehouses at the Loblaw's warehousing and distribution centre being constructed in the new inter-modal terminal located in west Regina.

With a $50-million surge in the last week of October, Regina's building permit values for 2009 surpassed the $377-million mark — smashing the previous record of $342 million set last year with two months remaining in the construction season.

Is it any wonder Mayor Pat Fiacco has just been elected for his fourth consecutive mandate. It's simply called rewarding success. He promotes the inflow of business (read as cash & jobs) over internal taxes.

Regina has a multitude of projects underway, and my favorite is:
A $9.8-million building permit, for an addition to Consumers' Co-operative Refinery, which of course also helps the numbers,
    ---  plus creates well paid jobs in our oil industry!

For your interest, the 'pseudo' in pseudosieboldianum means 'a false or not' in reference to a Japanese maple.

While the species tolerates full sun and wind, it really is much happier with protection from a heavy afternoon sun/wind combination. Korean Maples will grow in shade, but show the best fall color in sunny locations. The Korean maple is sold as  single stemmed grafted tree, or as a multi stemmed large shrub. In it's native home, it grows as a large shrub.

Like any garden plant, the species is not problem-free. Although individual trees are reported to be winter hardy in Zones 3 and 4, some seed lots have been found to be considerably less winter hardy. Similarly, while the species has been reported to have vivid fall colors, the literature contains reports of the species displaying muddy greenish-brown fall colors. Like many maples, Korean maple is thin barked, rendering it susceptible to mechanical damage and winter sunscald damage, the latter most often occurring at the site of mechanical damage. Mechanical damage to the trunk and stems can also provide sites for disease infections. Currently, the main liability of the species appears to be it's susceptibility to a canker disease (Nectria, Eutypella, Valsa and/or Cryptosporiopsis) which enters the tree at wound sites, causing dieback of the infected branches or stem. Fungicides can be used in conjunction with pruning or at wound sites to protect against infections, although there are no fungicides labeled for such use. The principle management strategies include maintaining plant vigor with adequate water and fertilization and the removal and destruction of infected twigs and limbs to prevent the spread of additional inoculum.

I would add, "Watch for aphids, as they do tend to like this small tree."

Several Garden Centres have attempted to market Korean Maples in the Canadian Prairies, they have had little success. Our occasional -40°C early winter days without a snow cover,
   --- usually sends them to tree heaven rather quickly!

Hey I remember the first time I saw a Purple Wave trailing over the raised brick beds surrounding our Provincial Legislative buildings. I was so impressed I had to drive around the block, park and get out to see what the devil they were.

Back then the Ad Campaign was 'Ride the Wave', as the chintzy 'Surfing Movies' were all the rage at the time.

Today we have:

• The Original Spreading Wave in six colours,
• The Tidal Wave in four colours,
• The Easy Wave in twelve colours,
• The Shock Wave in six colours,
• The Double Vegetative Wave in eight colours,
• The Vegetative Ruffle Wave in five colours,
• And each type has several mixes.

How's that for choice?

I liked the original waves then, and I still do,
   --- but I now have a multitude of types to chose from!