Wednesday 21 June 2017

Troubleshooting Sprinkler Systems | hubpages

An irrigation system should work perfectly for many seasons without any trouble. However, every sprinkler system eventually malfunctions. Luckily changing a single part usually returns the system to full working condition. With a little troublestooting advice, a typical homeowner often repairs their own sprinkler system without calling a professional contractor.

A sprinkler system consists of a few basic parts: a water source, pipes, timer, valves and the sprinklers. Many homes use city water as the water source, while others take advantage of a well or lake. A home using a lake or well as its water source needs a high-voltage pump. A timer wires directly to the pump motor. When the timer activates, the pump motor draws water from the source and forces it into the irrigation pipes. A sprinkler system connected to city water uses a low-voltage timer. A low-voltage timer's transformer taps into the home's 120-volt circuit. The transformer converts high voltage into the low volta ge power source the system requires. When the timer activates a zone, it sends the low voltage power source to the appropriate valve solenoid. Once activated the solenoid opens the valve, letting the water pass. Once it reaches the sprinkler heads, it is distributed across the landscaping.

Locating and Repairing Broken Sprinkler System Pipes

Eventually every sprinkler system suffers an underground broken pipe. Isolated areas of excessively moist soil, visible geysers and a water meter that runs with the sprinkler system off indicate that a sprinkler pipe has broken or cracked. In the worst cases, this problem can waste thousands of gallons of water each month. Finding the break often becomes frustrating. Common culprits include tree roots and careless shovel work.

If the break occurs before the valve, the broken pipe needs immediate attention. A break in this location leaks constantly and left unattended the damaged pipe will rupture. If a small area of the lawn turns exceptionally green or the soil seems spongy, check for a sprinkler pipe with a small leak. Once the pipe ruptures the constant water pressure bubbles up to the surface, clearly identifying the broken pipe's location.

Leaks after a valve will only appear when the timer activates the zone with the damaged pipe, resulting in a hard to find problem area. To find this type of leak, close or cap each sprinkler head and turn on the respective zone until the soil becomes wet. Carefully probe the wet area with a shovel to find the pipe. To close an adjustable fan-spray sprinkler head, pull up the sprinkler head's stem. Twist the top of the nozzle counterclockwise with one hand while holding the bottom of the nozzle still with your other hand. To close a rotor or gear driven sprinkler head, place the appropriate tool into the grove next to the arrow. Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise. If the sprinkler head will not turn off, remove the soil surrounding the sprinkler he ad. Unscrew the sprinkler head from its male adapter. Place the correct sized threaded cap, either 1/2 or 3/4 inch NPT, on the exposed male adapter and hand tighten the cap.

The materials needed for repairing a broken or cracked sprinkler pipe include a can of wet-or-dry PVC cement, a small section of the correct size PVC pipe and a few fittings. Turn off the sprinkler system's water source. Remove at least 6 inches of soil underneath the broken pipe. Cut out the damaged section of pipe and let the residual water drain into the hole under the break. Clean the debris from the ends of the pipe. Replace the missing section of pipe, using the appropriate fittings and pipe. To avoid digging up large lengths of pipe, finish the repair with an expandable coupling or flexible tubing.



Repairing or Replacing Damaged Sprinkler Heads

Broken and incorrectly adjusted sprinkler heads do not distribute water correctly, leaving large areas of a lawn dry. Returning a sprinkler head to its proper adjustment setting often fixes the problem. Due to a new sprinkler head's relatively low cost and the variations between manufacturers, homeowners often find a complete replacement of a broken sprinkler head the easiest and most cost effective solution.

All fan spray sprinkler heads have a distance adjustment screw, the screw located on the top of the nozzle. Many nozzles throw water between 10 and 15 feet, assuming 25 PSI of water pressure Sprinkler System Installation Fort Worth at the nozzle. Turning the distance screw clockwise increases the water throw. Twisting the top of an adjustable nozzle changes the arc. Rotor sprinkler heads have distance and arc adjustments. The adjustment procedure depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers supply an adjustment key, while others use a small slotted screwdriver.



Lawnmowers cause extreme damage to a sprinkler head. Cement landscaping donuts help prevent the lawnmower blade from hitting the sprinkler head. If the lawnmower broke the sprinkler head's body, replace the entire sprinkler head with an exact replacement. If the lawnmower blade damaged the top of the sprinkler head, either replace the entire sprinkler head or try to identify the brand of sprinkler head and replace just the broken part from a new head. Replacing a broken cap and stem, sometimes called the shaft, eliminates the need to dig up the body.

Automobiles often drive over sprinkler heads positioned next to a driveway, usually breaking the sprinkler head or pipe below. Often the best solution involves digging up the sprinkler pipe and replacing the short section of hard PVC directly below the sprinkler head with a flexible PVC pipe, then installing an exact replacement sprinkler head.

When a sprinkler head's shaft extends but water does not spray out of the nozzle, debris has clogged the nozzle or its screen. Turn the system off and remove the nozzle and clean all debris from the nozzle's screen. To remove the a fan-spray sprinkler head nozzle, pull the stem up out of the body with one hand and grip the nozzle with the other. Hold the shaft still and turn the nozzle counterclockwise. Many rotor sprinkler head manufacturers use a nozzle that is locked in place with a set screw. To access the nozzle and set screw, unscrew and pul l the rotor's cap and stem from its body.

One or More Zones Will Not Turn On or Stays On

A system with a zone that will not turn on or off has a malfunctioning timer, zone valve or a short in the low-voltage wire. Troubleshooting a low-voltage circuit requires a multimeter. A technician uses the multimeter to read voltage and continuity across the individual system parts, isolating the faulty device.

If the timer does not work at all, check the timer's transformer for proper input and discharge voltage. Some transformer's plug into a standard 120-volt receptacle, others are wired directly into the home's electrical circuit. If the transformer receives the proper voltage but its output voltage does not match http://georgialawns.com/ its stated output voltage, replace the transformer. If the transformer works properly, replace the timer.

If only one zone will not turn on, check the timer's output voltage between the re spective zone and common terminals. Activate the malfunctioning zone. Turn the multimeter to its lowest AC-voltage setting. Place one multimeter probe on the malfunctioning zone terminal and the other multimeter probe on the common terminal. Compare the multimeter readout with the timer transformer's stated output voltage. When activated, the timer allows low voltage to pass on the valve's solenoid. If the multimeter reads zero, replace the timer. If the multimeter shows voltage, turn off the timer and troubleshoot the valve's solenoid. Remove the wires connected to the valve's solenoid. Turn the multimeter to its resistance setting. Place a probe on each solenoid lead. If the solenoid does not have continuity, replace the solenoid. If the solenoid has continuity, check the low-voltage wires between the solenoid and the timer for a short. To check for a short, twist the two low-voltage wires at the solenoid together. Disconnect the common wire and the malfunctioning zone's wire at t he timer. Using the multimeter, check for continuity through the wires. If the wires do not have continuity, replace the low voltage wires. If the wires do have continuity, reconnect everything. Tighten all electrical connections and test the zone.

If water seeps from the sprinkler heads in a particular zone after the timer turns off the zone, check the zone valve's diaphragm for debris or damage. To inspect a valve diaphragm, first turn off the irrigation system's water supply. Remove the valve's top. The removal procedure depends on the valve type and manufacturer. Lift the diaphragm and its spring from the valve body. Clean any debris from the valve body and inspect the diaphragm and spring for damage. Many home improvement stores sell replacement diaphragms for the various valve manufacturers.

High-Voltage Timer and Pump Issues

Because of the inherent dangers involved with high voltage, only individuals trained and experienced with high-voltage equipment sh ould work on or repair the motor and timer. However, a basic understanding of how to troubleshoot this type of system works never hurts.

A sprinkler system drawing water directly from a pond or well usually uses a 240-volt pump motor, although, a few systems operate on a 120-volt circuit. A dual voltage pump motor uses a switch, located inside its electrical compartment, that allows operation with either voltage. Sprinkler systems that take water from a pond usually use a jet or transfer pump. Well pumps come in many configurations, including shallow well, deep well and submersible type pumps. Some systems use Sprinkler System Fort Worth a pump start relay, while other pump motors are wired directly to a high-voltage timer. Many submersible pumps need a start capacitor as well as a run capacitor. A capacitor holds its voltage even after turning off the circuit breaker, making it a dangerous component until the technici an releases it's charge with a screwdriver.

Some of the possible reasons that a pump motor will not turn on include a malfunctioning timer, incorrect voltage, faulty capacitor or a dead short. A dead short trips the pump motor's circuit breaker immediately. The dead short often occurs either in the motor's winding or along a stretch of a wire with worn insulation. The repair depends on the location of the short. A service technician always compares the actual voltage at the motor with the motor's stated operating voltage. If the irrigation system uses a dual-voltage pump motor, the technician will verify the motor's voltage switch setting. Good signs a careless installer left the switch in the 240-volt position on a 120-volt system include a pump motor that struggles to reach speed and one whose housing gets hot quickly. If the measured voltage and the stated voltage do not match, the technician will trace the electric supply back to the timer and then to the circuit breaker . If the measured voltage and the stated voltage match, the technician should test the capacitor and look for a debris lodged between the impeller and the motor housing before changing the motor.

https://hubpages.com/living/Troubleshooting-Sprinkler-Systems

Monday 19 June 2017

John Deere Landscapes Unveils New Name as SiteOne Landscape Supply

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Deere Landscapes today unveiled its new name and logo as SiteOne

Landscape Supply, effective October 19. The new brand represents the

next step for SiteOne as an independent company after its acquisition by

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in December 2013. With over 460 locations in

the U.S. and Canada, SiteOne is the largest wholesale distributor of

landscape supplies for green industry professionals in North America,

including irrigation supplies, fertilizer and control products,

landscape accessories, nursery goods, hardscapes, and outdoor lighting,

along with a broad array of services designed to help green industry

professionals operate and grow their businesses. SiteOne will formally

introduce customers to the new brand at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville,

Kentucky.



"As a market leader, our vision is to make our customers the most

successful landscaping professionals in the green industry--and that's

what our new brand represents," said Doug Black, SiteOne's chief

executive officer. "We have over 2,500 passionate and knowledgeable

associates across North America, all focused on the success of our

customers. The new brand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ reflects our unique position as the only

national full-line provider of landscaping products which, along with

the deep knowle dge and state-of-the-art solutions that we offer, will

form our foundation for future growth."



SiteOne's tagline, "Stronger Together" defines its partnerships with

customers, associates, suppliers and communities, and its commitment to

excellence in product offerings and service delivery. "By working

together with our suppliers and customers we can achieve great things

for all stakeholders," said Black.

The rebranding effort began shortly after the purchase of John Deere

Landscapes by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. SiteOne performed an extensive

18-month branding process, which included gathering input from

associates, suppliers, customers and key stakeholders. The brand roll

out will be completed by December. "We have an exciting new look, with

the sam e exceptional associates who will continue to deliver the high

quality products and services our customers know http://www.rainbird.com/ and trust," Black said.

About SiteOne Landscape Supply LLC

SiteOne Landscape Supply

(formerly John Deere Landscapes) is North America's leading wholesale

distributor of landscape supplies for green industry professionals

including irrigation supplies, fertilizer and control products,

landscape accessories, nursery goods, hardscapes, and outdoor lighting,

along with a broad array of services designed to help green industry

professionals operate and grow their businesses. With over 460 locations

in the U.S. and Canada, the broadest product and service offerings, and

over 2,500 knowledgeable associates, SiteOne is committed to making its

customers the most successful landscape professionals in the green

industry.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150814005051/en/John-Deere-Landscapes-Unveils-SiteOne-Landscape-Supply

Sunday 18 June 2017

How To Landscape A Sloped Lot

While a house in a hilly area comes with a promise of stunning panoramic views of the surroundings, to their utter chagrin, homeowners quickly realize that working on a sloping backyard can be a harrowing task. However, the old adage, "More work equals to better results" certainly holds true in case of landscaping a sloping yard which presents innumerable opportunities for aesthetically pleasing inclusions that would otherwise look mundane.

When planning a landscape Sprinkler System Installation Arlington for a hilly yard, it is quintessential to include this topographical feature as a crucial consideration when deciding on every aspect of the landscape, from the type of plants that you intend to use to the design of the garden. Preplanning will help you to tackle the more cumbersome aspects of landscaping a slope while yielding astounding results. So, here are some tips on how you can landscape your sloping backyard to create a stunning medley of colors and textures.

Get to know the terrain

Grading the terrain: Before you draw up plans for landscaping your sloping backyard, it is imperative to study the terrain and the slope to ensure that your landscape will be able to efficaciously handle the drawback of gardening on a slope, while making the most of the natural features of the terrain.



A simple thumb rule to understand how the extent of slope will impact your gardening efforts is that the steepness of the slope will be directly proportional to the wate r you will need for your plants. Because steeper slopes tend to funnel moisture away from the plants, forcing the water and soil to flow downhill, it is vital to get the slope graded. As a matter of fact, most experts suggest that getting a sloping yard professionally graded can help you to save a significant amount of money on watering the steep terrain in the future.

Visual analysis: Alternatively, you could also do a visual analysis of the area. Gauge the severity of the slope and create a quick diagram labeling the steepest portions of the yard; make a note of the amount of sunlight that the different portions of the yard receive. You may also want to include comments on any drainage problems that may be encountered in specific areas.

List the various elements of the landscape: With the diagram in hand, you will be in a better position to place the various landscaping elements in the drawing such as tress, flower beds, fountains, walkways, boulders etc. It is cruci al to accurately anticipate the area that the plants and shrubs will cover at maturity so that the landscape does not look too crammed.

Mark the areas for planting: Ideally the trees should be planted at the bottom half of the slope so that they can add stability to the landscape and prevent soil erosion. The steepest sections should have shrubs with deep reaching fibrous roots that will hold on to the soil while the wider plants that will cover large areas at maturity should be planted at the bottom of the slope so that they can create a neat hedge while affording you all the privacy that you need to enjoy your garden.

Preventing soil erosion

Stability and accessibility: Soil erosion is a huge concern when gardening on a slope; however, depending on the steepness of the area, you will also need to give a thought to accessibility requirements such as a ladder or other forms of assistance for climbing. The type of soil and the steepness gradient will also impact the stability of the yard.

Drainage and soil erosion: The direction in which the water drains from a slope will have a bearing on the extent of soil erosion; for instance, if the water runs down straight to the lower ground, there will be massive erosion. Using non porous material for landscaping on a steep terrain will further augment the soil erosion problem.

Solving the soil erosion problem: There are several anti erosion measures that can yield remarkable results such as:

Terracing

Laying garden paths across the slope

Using boulders and logs to reduce drainage

Building retaining walls with small rocks

Planting specific types of grass

Interlocking walls etc

Using the right types of plants can not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also help to reduce soil erosion. As a matter of fact, mixing different types of greenery is the ideal way to reduce the water from draining away too quickly. Plants such as deep rooted shrubs combined with trees like manzanita and juniper will hold the soil tight for the shallow rooted perennial shrubs and flowering plants like clematis and day lilies.

Preparing the ground

With a list of plants that you intend to use to reduce soil erosion, you are all set to prepare the ground for your landscape

The compass points need due diligence: Knowing the direction in which your yard faces will prove immensely useful when choosing plants for the landscape. Slopes that face to the south or west tend to drain faster and will have to be watered more than yards facing the east or north. So, if you are handling a western or southern slope, pick drought resistant shrubs or your water bills may go through the roof.

Ground cover will help: Although for regular areas, bare soil will be adequate to grow a bountiful flowerbed; the story will be different with sloping surfaces where the soil will dry up and erode quickly due to the slant. Use g round cover plants https://www.landscapingnetwork.com/plants/ such as Vinca, Sedum and Liriope muscari for best results.

Use good ol mulch: This is a natural and affordable way to deal with soil erosion; also it helps to fertilize the soil. However, it is certainly not a permanent solution as the soil will drag the mulch away slowly, leaving bald spots in your landscape. Another issue is the fact that dry and dead leaves, twigs and branches are not exactly a visually pleasing sight.

Choosing plants for your sloping yard

Ornamental grasses: Local, ornamental grass varieties with their deep reaching root system Sprinkler System Installation Arlington that spreads horizontally is ideal for controlling erosion. Since grass is low maintenance, you will not have to worry about fertilizing the ground. Some attractive ornamental grass species include:
Little bluestem

Inland sea oats

Plains lovegrass

Texas beargrass

Estern woodland sedge

All of these grass varieties thrive when planted on hilly terrain.

Ground cover plants: For a slope that receives a fair mount of sunlight; prostrate juniper should work just fine while for a shady area, you might want to use creeping boxwood, also known as pachysandra. Other ground cover plants include wintercreeper and periwinkle which also flourish on hilly grounds.



The decorative varieties: Plants that can be used in different areas of the landscape include:

California Privet: This is a tall shrub that can grow to a height of 10 feet and has a foliage width of almost 4 feet; the shrub grows in part sun and part shade producing cream colored flowers. The plant is hardy and drought tolerant so it's an ideal choi ce for steep slopes.

Japanese Spirea: This is another plant that is a fabulous choice for a sloping yard; the deciduous shrub grows almost 6 feet tall with a foliage width to match. The leaves grow in a riot of colors from rich burgundy to bright green and every hue in between. The flowers are equally beautiful, an eclectic mix of purple and pink. However, the plant does need full sun and flourishes in warmer weather

Verbena: With its airy stems, the shrub can be coupled with plants that sport dense foliage. The plant is a superb choice for a sunny slope and works well as a foreground shrub. It grows about 6 feet tall with a foliage width of 3 feet. Its drought tolerant and the purples flowers can add a touch of color to your landscape.

Oleander: A favorite with homeowners all over, few plants can create a Mediterranean ambience like Oleanders in white and pink. The plant can grow tall to almost 20 feet with a foliage width of 12 feet. The flowers bloom in bunch es almost continuously and are available in a myriad of colors such as yellow, white, pink, red and apricot. It's extremely drought tolerant and easy to grow.

You could also try growing hibiscus and roses on a terrace. Remember to water a slope; a drip hose will be more appropriate than overhead sprinklers.

Innovative planting ideas

Bordered Tiers: Use boulders or landscape timber to create the appearance of tiers. When using timber, you will need to stick the pieces together and drive a rebar through them to hold the wood in place. Use glue to stick pavers on the timber and your tiers will be all ready. Use plants such as day lilies, lavender or other flowering perennial shrubs. You can use decorative stone or mulch to hold the moisture in.

Planted slope: You could also use a combination of flowering shrubs, evergreens and perennial flowers scattered all over the yard. Alternatively, create neat rows of greens and flowers for a formal look.

A flow ing deck: You could also build a series of decks, each falling successively with the slope of the yard. Try building a series of walkways and steps connecting the decks. Use flowering shrubs and solar lighting to create an enthralling ambience.

Plant in basins: Another innovative approach is to chuck the traditional rows of shrubs in favor of basin like formations. Each basin will serve as an exclusive spot for certain types of plants.

Completing the landscape

To add the finishing touches to your landscape: Remove the grass and other growth from the areas designated for the walkway. Use gravel, stone or any other type of hardscape material to cover the surface and pack pea gravel or sand in between.

Use large boulders placed across the yard to create a natural and earthy appeal; the large stones should be placed at the bottom of the slope away from the steep areas for safety. Once all the stones have been placed as desired; bury them one fourth of the way into the ground, so that you get stability along with a natural look.

Finally add the finishing touches with a fountain placed in a central location, you could also use ornamental lights or antique wooden benches or wrought iron furniture to complete the landscape.

By: Ella Schwartz

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ella C Schwartz is a writer for Hunterstruct Construction, offering design, building, structural repair and home renovations in Vancouver and throughout Southwest British Columbia, including the BC interior and Sunshine Coast. Best known for its functional and great looking sundecks, Hunterstruct showcases its best Vancouver decks on the Hunterstruct.com website. We love building, and it shows!

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/How-To-Landscape-a-Sloped-Lot/2913380

Saturday 17 June 2017

In Mexico, fears a new plant will kill wastewater farming

TEPATEPEC, Mexico - For more than 100 years, most of what gets flushed down Mexico City's toilets has resurfaced two hours to the north in the rivers and reservoirs of the rural Mezquital Valley. A massive new water treatment plant is about to change this.

But rather than welcoming the prospect of cleaner water, angry farmers are demanding the government honor an 1895 presidential decree granting them the right to the capital's untreated sewage, which they see as fertilizer-rich, if foul, irrigation water.

It's a standoff that pits public health concerns -- not just for valley residents but for the Mexicans elsewhere who eat the crops -- against fears that family farms will go under if they lose access to the raw sewage after the $530 million Atotonilco plant in Hidalgo state, billed as the largest of its kind in Latin America, goes online.

"My grandparents went with a pickaxe and a shovel opening the (irrigation) canals," said Teresa Alvarez, a 69-year-old grand mother who farms alfalfa, corn and wheat in the town of Tepatepec. "So it's not fair that all of a sudden they are taking away the waters, and we are going to fight."

The capital's waste was hardly seen as a boon when it first began arriving in the poor, semi-arid valley traditionally inhabited by the indigenous Otomi people. But over the decades, the "aguas negras," or "black waters," transformed the region into one of Mexico's most productive breadbaskets. Today, a vast network of low-tech, gravity-based canals irrigates more than 90,000 hectares (220,000 acres).

According to Fernando Sanchez, a 37-year-old opponent of the plant, corn fields here yield an average of 15 tons per hectare (6 tons per acre) and some produce as much as 18 tons (7.3 tons). Once they switch to treated water, he predicts that could fall by nearly half.

Costs are also likely to rise as farmers switch to fertilizers and agrochemicals, which entail their own environmental risks, to make up for the loss of the sewage. Without government support, they say agriculture in the region could become unsustainable and spur migration to the United States and elsewhere in Mexico.

Farmers have been meeting with elected officials and the National Water Commission, known by its Spanish initials Conagua, to present their concerns. But suspicions run deep, especially since water has long been a scarce resource in central Mexico.

_Botanic_Gardens

So far officials have been willing to listen, Sanchez said, but "what there is not, is an openness to find a solution for us."

Conagua declined multiple requests for comment. In brochures promoting the plant, which is in its testing phase and expected to come online later this year, the Sprinkler System Installation Denton commission called the use of untreated sewage for farming "a public health problem."

It argued the plant will preserve many of the nutrients in the water, improve conditions for the valley's 700,000 residents, gradually reduce pollution in the region's waterways and allow the cultivation of currently banned crops.



"Hopefully we will see fewer diseases and there could be less sickness among humans," said Silvino Garcia, 62, who grows barley alongside the Endho reservoir in the valley. But the farmer fears the plant will lower farm output, adding "there are pros and cons."

The Mezquital Valley is a green-and-brown patchwork of small plots, most of them a single hectare (2.5 acres) or less, traced by narrow canals. From a distance the landscape looks bucolic; up close, in some parts, plastic bags and bottles choke the canals and foam billows several feet above the water. The sewage smell is faint in most places except near the Endho reservoir, where a fetid stench permeates homes and makes residents ashamed to invite outsiders to visit.

During wastewater flood irrigation, bacteria can contaminate low-lying crops and later invade consumers' digestive tracts if the produce is not Sprinkler System Installation disinfected or cooked. The World Health Organization says risks to consumers include increased rates of cholera, typhoid, diarrhea and roundworm infections.

Most of the crops grown in the valley are low risk to humans: Alfalfa, for example, is used for animal feed, and corn grows several feet above the water in protective husks.

But there are also plots of prohibited, grou nd-hugging produce such as http://centralnylandscaping.com/index.html cauliflower, broccoli and cilantro, all of which flow from the valley to Mexico City's Central de Abastos wholesale market and from there to street stalls, taco stands and dinner tables.

Efrain Gonzalez, who represents farmers from five towns around the city of Tula, has reservations about the plant but acknowledges there's something absurd about "waiting for 10,000 residents of the capital go to the bathroom so that I can fertilize my field."

Farmers who irrigate with wastewater also face health risks, including roundworm and other parasite infections, according to the WHO. Their children are more vulnerable to diarrheal disease and salmonella.

But most of the Mezquital farmers downplay the risks, claiming that generations of families have not suffered. In fact they often wash their hands in the brown water before settling down to eat l unch in the fields.

Manuel Ortega, an 89-year-old farmer, said he was raised on leafy greens, beans and zucchini grown here.

"It never gave me the runs," he added with a laugh.

Christina Siebe, a geologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico who has spent decades researching farming in the Mezquital Valley, said while there are obvious problems with wastewater farming, it can reduce demand for scarce freshwater resources, keep organic waste from ending up in rivers and oceans, and recycle nitrogen, phosphorus and organic material.

She says it's not clear a treatment plant like Atotonilco is worth the cost.

"There are simpler and cheaper methods to reduce the risks. ... How you manage your land, what type of crops you produce and what hygiene practices you as a farmer use," Siebe said.

Another point of contention with locals is that Atotonilco lacks the capacity to treat all the capital's wastewater, with the part that currently f ertilizes the fields getting cleaned and what's left over going into the valley's already-polluted waterways.

When the much-delayed plant is up and running, the portion of treated sewage produced by the metropolis of 20 million-plus people will rise to 57 percent, compared with 11 percent when construction began in 2010.

Mezquital farmers want to see no drop in the amount of water they receive or how much organic material it contains. If they don't get that, they vow to surround and occupy the plant.

"They are trampling on a historic right," said Juan de Dios, a farmer from Mixquiahuala.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/24/in-mexico-fears-new-plant-will-kill-wastewater-farming.html

Friday 16 June 2017

Wal-Mart is buying online men's clothing retailer Bonobos for $310 million

Wal-Mart is buying online men's clothing retailer Bonobos for $310 million - LA Times

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is buying online men's clothing retailer Bonobos for $310 million in cash, showing that its appetite for hip clothing brands shows no sign of abating as it looks for ways to gain on Amazon.com Inc.

It's a sign of the aggressive direction Wal-Mart is taking since buying Jet.com last year and keeping that company's founder as head of its online division. Wal-Mart has since bought clothing seller ModCloth, footwear retailer ShoeBuy.com and outdoor gear seller Moosejaw as it focuses on brands appealing to younger shoppers.

Bonobos, which started out selling pants online, caters to male shoppers looking for help putting together a wardrobe.

Targeting Bonobos is a good move for Wal-Mart as it tries to compete with Amazon, which has been quickly expanding its clothing business, Internet consultant Su charita Mulpuru-Kodal said.

"If you roll up enough of these online startups, you create a meaningful share" of business, she said. She also said Wal-Mart can learn from millennial customers.

While Wal-Mart keeps trying to compete against Amazon by pushing harder into the online space, Amazon announced a bold move into bricks-and-mortar stores Friday by saying it would buy Whole Foods in a deal valued at about $13.7 billion.

Amazon is buying Whole Foods Market in $13.7-billion dealJames F. Peltz and Makeda Easter

Dropping a bombshell on the U.S. grocery industry, online shopping giant Amazon.com Inc. said Friday it has agreed to buy Whole Foods Market Inc. for $13.7 billion in cash.

The deal's announcement instantly sparked a selloff in the sto cks of other major U.S. supermarket and big-box chains on expectations...

Dropping a bombshell on the U.S. grocery industry, online shopping giant Amazon.com Inc. said Friday it has agreed to buy Whole Foods Market Inc. for $13.7 billion in cash.

The deal's announcement instantly sparked a selloff in the stocks of other major U.S. supermarket and big-box chains on expectations...

(James F. Peltz and Makeda Easter)

The Bonobos deal, announced Friday, is expected to close at the end of the second quarter or the beginning of the third quarter of this fiscal year. Bonobos Chief Executive and founder Andy Dunn will report to Marc Lore, the CEO of Wal-Mart's U.S. online operations.

"Adding innovators like Andy will continue to help us shape the future of Wal-Mart," Lore said. "They've created an amazing product and customer experience, and that will not change."

Bonobos sought to reassure customers that the deal wouldn't hurt its brand. "Everythin g from our product quality, to design, to our customer service will stay the same," it said on Twitter.

Bonobos started online but, like many similar startups, has also opened some showrooms. Customers at the Guideshops can try on pants, shirts, ties, belts and jackets with suggestions from stylists. They can order online at the store and have their clothes delivered to their homes or offices a few days later.

The companyoperates more than 30 stores in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Atlanta, and it has planned to have 100 by 2020. The acquisition by https://www.justia.com/lawyers Wal-Mart will help Bonobos expand its business.

Still, Mulpuru-Kodal said, it is a bit of "a game of Monopoly."

"Wal-Mart has huge coffers. Even if one of them shows promise, it pays for the rest," she said.

Wal-Mart charges ahead in online retail market dominated by AmazonJames F. Peltz

Dissenters were quick to react when ModCloth, an online seller of trendy women's clothes and accessories, was acquired by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. last month.

"You have disappointed us all," one reader commented under a blog post by ModCloth co-founder Susan Gregg Koger announcing the...

Dissenters were quick to react when ModCloth, an online seller of trendy women's clothes and accessories, was acquired by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. last month.

"You have disappointed us all," one reader commented under a blog post by ModCloth co-founder Susan Gregg Koger announcing the...

(James F. Peltz)



Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart's online business is gaining momentum but remains a distant second to Amazon. It increased 63% in the fiscal first quarter, up from 29% growth in the previous period. That marked the fourth straight quarter of gains.



Under Lore's direction, Wal-Mart also has been working to accelerate the integration between Walmart.com and Jet.com, and trying to take advantage of its scale in areas such as shipping and sharing its products. Wal-Mart also is starting to offer discounts on thousands of online-only items when customers elect to have them shipped to one of the company's stores for picku p rather than shipped to their homes.

Wal-Mart is also launching an incubator lab focused on projects in robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence as it aims to compete more aggressively with Amazon.

90 seconds: 4 stories you can't missCAPTION

California can breathe a little easier -- for now. Since Trump's election, members of Congress report receiving more death threats than ever before. Baseball doesn't stop for tragedy. 'Com thang' is a popular practice in neighborhoods like Little Saigon.

Credits: Mark Boster / Getty / KTLA

California can breathe a little easier -- for now. Since Trump's election, members of Congress report receiving more death threats than ever before. Baseball doesn't stop for tragedy. 'Com than g' is a popular practice in neighborhoods like Little Saigon.

Credits: Mark Boster / Getty / KTLA

90 seconds: 4 stories you can't missCAPTION

California can breathe a little easier -- for now. Since Trump's election, members of Congress report receiving more death threats than ever before. Baseball doesn't stop for tragedy. 'Com thang' is a popular practice in neighborhoods like Little Saigon.

Credits: Mark Boster / Getty / KTLA

California can breathe a little easier -- for now. Since Trump's election, members of Congress report receiving more death threats than ever before. Baseball doesn't stop for tragedy. 'Com thang' is a popular practice in neighborhoods like Little Saigon.

C redits: Mark Boster / Getty / KTLA

Bat-signal lights up Los Angeles City HallCAPTION

Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles to watch the Bat-signal light City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles to watch the Bat-signal light City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

'Very unhealthy' smog levels expected during heat wave, Southern California regulators warnCAPTION

Air quality officials warned June 15 of "very unhealthy" smog levels in the coming days as a heat wave envelops Southern California. (June 16, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Air quality officials warned June 15 of "very unhealthy" smog levels in the coming days as a heat wave envelops Southern California. (June 16, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Senate passes sweeping sanctions bill targeting Iran, RussiaCAPTION

Republicans and Democrats joined forces to approve a sweeping sanctions bill that uses an array of financial penalties to punish Iran and Russia. (June 15, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Republicans and Democrats joined forces to approve a sweeping sanctions bill that uses an array of financial pe nalties to punish Iran and Russia. (June 15, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Rams make progress during summer OTAs and minicampCAPTION

The Times' Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry discuss the progress the Rams made during offseason organized team activities and minicamp.

The Times' Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry discuss the progress the Rams made during offseason organized team activities and minicamp.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-walmart-bonobos-20170616-story.html

Thursday 15 June 2017

Edward Burtynsky on 'Water' and the future of 3D

He applies a journalist's discipline to his work, spending years at a time with one project -- researching, conducting interviews, and scouting locations.



"What is modern man's relationship to nature? How do we see it?" he asks, when describing his work.

"With photography, I'm able to connect people to landscapes that we wouldn't be (otherwise) exposed to."

Water, how our 'thirsty civilization' is reshaping the Earth



Burtynsky's newest work, "Water," is an example of how he challenges audiences to think differently about the earth's natural resources, and the consequences of our usage.

The series, which took years to make, is split into several chapters, including one focused on the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010, he traveled to the area to document the BP oil spill disaster.

The explosion and sinking of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, resulted in the largest underwater blowout in U.S. history, with estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey putting the volume Sprinkler System Installation Richardson of oil spilled between 35,000 to Sprinkler System 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, for 87 days.

The photos show colorful, bleeding bands produced by oil slick, and its devastating effects on the green-blue sea.

In another chapter in that s ame series entitled "Distressed," he explores how factors like drought and the building of dams can drastically impact the land.

The alarming consequences are depicted within his images of the Colorado River Delta. The US' 7th longest river once flowed to the sea, but has since been reduced to dried-out, thirsty-looking arteries, and barren patches.

Expanding into film

In 2013, Burtynsky released "Watermark," a documentary he co-directed with Jennifer Baichwal. In 2006, Baichwal had made Burtynsky the focus of her film "Manufactured Landscapes."

The film features diverse stories from around the world about our relationship to water -- and brings to life the stories behind the stills from "Water."

"In film -- you can create the illusion of time and space. People speak, characters reveal their feelings. You can use music, which informs how you should be feeling, and it carries you to the right emotional space," he observes.

"I have had p eople approach me (at the "Water" exhibition), and say 'I saw the film before I came to see the show, and now that I look at the work, the photographs mean much more to me.'"

The future of photography

Last year, Burtynsky founded Think2Thing, a Toronto-based 3D printing atelier.

"I have always been interested in following the technology that I feel are presenting themselves as true industry and innovation," he explains, of his decision to venture into the realm of 3D.

"I like to think of Photography 1.0 as the invention of photography. Photography 2.0 is digital technology and the move from film and paper to everything on a chip. Photography 3.0 is the use of the camera, space and color, and to capture an object in the third dimension."

Comprised of a team of artists, engineers, and designers, and partnered with Ryerson University, the lab specializes in 3D research and transforming concepts to actual objects.

One of their first projec ts was printing an exact replica of a bell, excavated from a shipwreck found in 2014.

The bell belonged to the HMS Erebus ship, one of two ships lost https://www.landscapingnetwork.com/arizona/ in the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845, a British voyage to the Arctic.

"We went to a lab in Ottawa, and they pulled it out for the first time for 5 hours. We had to scan the bell, and capture it as it existed on the sea floor, a moment in time," he explains.

The surface is of photographic quality, a millimeter of powder gypsum (which absorbs the colored ink) wraps around the object, and is mapped with the exact contours of the original bell.

"It's uncannily like the original," says Burtynsky.

Can Instagram change the industry?

Discussing the future brings about the topic of Instagram, and whether Burtynsky feels his industry is threatened with the ability of millions to take photos without, as a previous requisite, needing to be technologically astute.

"It has become far more ubiquitous. But, I'm not afraid of billions of photographs. That's like being afraid of too many words. There's a difference between a writer, and someone who makes a shopping list."

"It's a medium," he continues. "It's treated differently in the hands of someone that has a vision, authenticity, and craft. There are still people who can take it, and make something extraordinary."

Next stop, Africa

The prolific photographer is now in the middle of shooting his next series in Africa, and hinting at themes such as extinction and studying planetary shifts.

"I'm interested in the fact that now we're moving so many molecules on the planet. There are billions moving towards a comfortable lifestyle. So, what's the balance of us and nature? As an artist, everything points back to that question."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/01/arts/edward-burtynsky/index.html

Tuesday 13 June 2017

Botanic gardens to surround red clay of Roland Garros

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","descriptionText":"Venus and Serena Williams have won a combined 29 grand slam singles titles but their beginnings were humble, as their father Ric hard Williams told CNN. ","title":"Federer: Tennis is doing well in doping fight","duration":"02:25","sourceName":"CNN","sourceLink":"http://www.cnn.com/?refresh=1","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170425130145-federer-intv-davies-00002325-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"As Maria Sharapova ends her 15-month ban, Roger Federer tells CNN Sport's Amanda Davies that in comparison to other sports, tennis is "doing a lot" to combat the scourge of doping. 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","title":"Andre Agassi to coach Novak Djokovic ","duration":"02:51","sourceName":"C NN","sourceLink":"http://www.cnn.com/","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/world/2017/05/22/tennis-brad-gilbert-on-agassi-coaching-djokovic-bpr.cnn/index.xml","videoId":"world/2017/05/22/tennis-brad-gilbert-on-agassi-coaching-djokovic-bpr.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/121008102601-agassi-french-1999-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/world/2017/05/22/tennis-brad-gilbert-on-agassi-coaching-djokovic-bpr.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"Tennis coach Brad Gilbert tells CNN that it's an "exciting opportunity" for both Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic to work together as soon as next week.","descriptionText":"Tennis coach Brad Gilbert tells CNN that it's an "exciting opportunity" for both Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic to work together as soon as next week.","title":"Serena Williams sneaks up on fans during match","duration":"00:59","sourceName":"CNN","sourceLink":"http://www.cnn.com/","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/02/28/ serena-williams-surprises-fans-tennis-court-es.cnn/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/02/28/serena-williams-surprises-fans-tennis-court-es.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170228065015-serena-williams-snap-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/02/28/serena-williams-surprises-fans-tennis-court-es.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"Serena Williams randomly surprised two fans who were playing tennis in San Francisco while she was on a night stroll. ","descriptionText":"Serena Williams randomly surprised two fans who were playing tennis in San Francisco while she was on a night stroll. ","title":"The tennis-loving iguana at the Miami Open","duration":"00:57","sourceName":"Tennis TV","sourceLink":"","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open-tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis-tv/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open-tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis- tv","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170324145411-iguana-miami-open-tease-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open-tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis-tv/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"It was an usual day at the office for Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely in their 1st round match at the Miami Open, until an unusual fan dropped by -- an iguana.","descriptionText":"It was an usual day at the office for Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely in their 1st round match at the Miami Open, until an unusual fan dropped by -- an iguana.","title":"Australian Open 2017: the best ever?","duration":"02:13","sourceName":"CNN","sourceLink":"","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/ 170128102546-serena-williams-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"The 2017 Australian Open was full of drama with some of the favorites losing early and two of the greatest of all-time winning. Was this the best ever?","descriptionText":"The 2017 Australian Open was full of drama with some of the favorites losing early and two of the greatest of all-time winning. 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","descriptionText":"Venus and Serena Williams have won a combined 29 grand sla m singles titles but their beginnings were humble, as their father Richard Williams told CNN. ","title":"Federer: Tennis is doing well in doping fight","duration":"02:25","sourceName":"CNN","sourceLink":"http://www.cnn.com/?refresh=1","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170425130145-federer-intv-davies-00002325-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/04/25/federer-intv-davies.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"As Maria Sharapova ends her 15-month ban, Roger Federer tells CNN Sport's Amanda Davies that in comparison to other sports, tennis is "doing a lot" to combat the scourge of doping. ","descriptionText":"As Maria Sharapova ends her 15-month ban, Roger Federer tells CNN Sport's Amanda Davies that in comparison to other sports, tennis is "doing a lot" to combat the scourge of doping. 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","descriptionText":"Serena Williams randomly surprised two fans who were playing tennis in San Francisco while she was on a night stroll. ","title":"The tennis-loving iguana at the Miami Open","duration":"00:57","sourceName":"Tennis TV","sourceLink":"","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open- tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis-tv/index.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open-tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis-tv","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170324145411-iguana-miami-open-tease-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/03/24/iguana-miami-open-tommy-haas-jiri-vesely-atp-tennis-animals-orig.tennis-tv/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"It was an usual day at the office for Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely in their 1st round match at the Miami Open, until an unusual fan dropped by -- an iguana.","descriptionText":"It was an usual day at the office for Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely in their 1st round match at the Miami Open, until an unusual fan dropped by -- an iguana.","title":"Australian Open 2017: the best ever?","duration":"02:13","sourceName":"CNN","sourceLink":"","videoCMSUrl":"/video/data/3.0/video/sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn/inde x.xml","videoId":"sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn","videoImage":"//i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170128102546-serena-williams-large-169.jpg","videoUrl":"/videos/sports/2017/02/01/australian-open-2017-review-serena-williams-roger-federer-lok.cnn/video/playlists/intl-sports-tennis/","description":"The 2017 Australian Open was full of drama with some of the favorites losing early and two of the greatest of all-time winning. 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http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/01/tennis/paris-roland-garros-renovation-gardens/index.html



Thursday 8 June 2017

Green lawns - Video

Mud rooms save you money

By blocking cold air from entering Sprinkler System Installation Mckinney your living areas, mud rooms cut your heating Sprinkler Installation costs.

Clean your A/C to save cash

Regular maintenance of our air conditioner produces significant energy savings.

High tech helps save on heat

Programmable thermost ats help manage your energy use.

Warmer pipes, fatter wallet

Insulating water pipes is cheap, easy to do, and one of the best ways to save on energy costs.

Seal windows to save money

A lot of heat is lost through poorly sealed windows; upgrading can help you save.

Save money with 'green' lighting

Compact fluorescent and LED lights cost more than regular lightbulbs, but they save money over the long run.

Green lawns

Collecting rainwater during stormy spring months will give you plenty to use on your lawn during the summer.



'Gray water' saves green

Water recycled from your drains can be used to water plants or wash your car.



Hot water, cool technology

Tankless boilers heat water on demand, saving energy.

Don't lose money in the laundry

Older appliances http://www.hunterindustries.com/ are very inefficient; newer models save both water and energy.

http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2009/06/02/pf.hw.rain.water.moneymag/index.html

MetLife U.S. Retail Business to Rebrand as Brighthouse Financial

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) ("MetLife" or the "Company") today announced

that it will rebrand its U.S. Retail business as Brighthouse Financial

after it is separated from the Company. In January, MetLife announced it

was planning to separate a substantial portion of its U.S. Retail

business. It continues to evaluate options regarding the structure and

timing of the separation.



"This marks an important step in MetLife's efforts to separate our U.S.

Retail business," said Steven A. Kandarian, MetLife chairman, president

and CEO. "As a separate entity, Brighthouse will benefit from greater

focus and more flexibility in products and operations.

"At the same time, this separation will also bring significant benefits

to MetLife as we focus even more intently on our group business in the

U.S., where we have long been the market leader, as well as on our

international operations. Our goal is to complete the separation process

with both the separated business and MetLife well-positioned for success

in the years to come."

Brighthouse Financial will be led by current MetLife Executive Vice

President Eric Steigerwalt.

"Our optimistic outlook on what we will create for people's financial

futures, coupled with our guiding principles of simplicity and

transparency, are captured in our name, Brighthouse," Steigerwalt said.

No shareholder approval is expected to be necessary. The MetLife Board

of Directors would have to approve any separation transaction; certain

insurance and other regulatory approvals would also be necessary. The

transaction would also need to comply with any U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements. No assurance can be given

regarding the form that a separation transaction may take or the

specific terms thereof, or that a separation will in fact occur.

This news release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer

to buy, any securities.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates

("MetLife"), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the

world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance,

annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately

100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and

holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin

America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain or incorporate by reference information

that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the

meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future

events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not

relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as

"anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan,"

"believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to

future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or

financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating

to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance

or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales

efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal

proceedings, trends in operatio ns and financial results.



Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can

be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and

uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the

actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates.

These statements are based on current expectations and the current

economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties

that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guaran tees of

future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those

expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks,

uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences

include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified herein

(including that no assurance can be given regarding the form that a

separation transaction may take or the specific terms thereof or that a

separation will http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/AZ.html in fact occur) and in MetLife, Inc.'s most recent Annual

Report on Form 10-K (the "Annual Report") filed with the U.S. Securities

and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q

filed by MetLife, Inc. with the SEC after the date of the Annual Report

under the captions "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk

Factors," and other f ilings MetLife, Inc. makes with the SEC. MetLife,

Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any

forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such

statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further

disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the

SEC.

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