The link I posted yesterday about this lab in Chester county was in the Philadephia Inquirrer now they know very little about this disease But they did notice it's on the decline in New Jersey and Pennsylvania here's the article not a word about robins.Sarah Posted on Mon, Aug. 01, 2005 A new lab is dedicated to disease on the decline Pa. scientists take a closer look at West Nile virus. By Dawn Fallik Inquirer Staff Writer At Pennsylvania's new West Nile virus lab, they unpacked the microscopes first. The team of environmental biologists, entomologists, and summer interns moved into the new digs in Harrisburg in June, just as the virus season began to hit. Almost two months later, there are still a few unpacked boxes waiting in the conference room, but there's no time to dig through them. The mosquitoes have started arriving. They come in coolers packed with dry ice - thousands of mosquitoes in jars - red caps for adults, green for larvae. They come from the counties, where officials hope to get a head's up on any impending outbreaks. So far, so good. "There's only been one human case, in York County," and five positive mosquito pools, said Andy Kyle, the head of vector management for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. It's only been six years since West Nile virus first appeared in New York City, and scientists have not figured out what to expect from the disease. In New Jersey, there were 34 human cases in 2003, but last year only one. As of last week, eight mosquito pools tested positive, including one in Atlantic and one in Burlington County, but no human cases. In Pennsylvania, there were 237 human cases two years ago, the highest in the five years since the virus hit Pennsylvania. Last year there were 15. So why have a West Nile virus program when so few people are being infected with the disease? Because who knows when and if it will return, said Kyle. "We don't know if what we're doing as far as mosquito control is the reason it hasn't come back," he said. The $7 million Pennsylvania budget goes to the counties for larvacide, equipment and personnel, Kyle said. In New Jersey, the counties have their own budgets, which total about $12 million, including the state's $1.5 million. Starting in June, the counties start sending in vials of mosquitoes, barcoded with date, collector and site information. (STP, which stands for sewage treatment plant, for example.) In Pennsylvania, each county sends about 80 bottles with one to 10,000 mosquitoes a month. The lab scans in the vials, much like bread at the grocery store. Then each is dumped onto a "cold table," literally a frozen slab, and separated by tweezer by species. "You've got to keep the mosquitoes frozen because otherwise the virus starts to disintegrate," said Mike Hutchinson, lab manager. There are more than 50 different kinds of mosquito in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but only certain kinds carry West Nile. So only those host bugs - particularly the Culex species - get sent to the state Department of Health in Lionville, Chester County, for testing. The DEP handles the overflow. So far, more than 5,000 samples have been shipped to the health department and tested this summer alone. Last summer, more than 21,000 pools were tested in Pennsylvania. Officials say the season has just begun, and they're reluctant to say what August and September will bring. "It's really too early to say there's anything like a pattern," said Bob Kent, head of mosquito control coordination for the Department of Environmental Protection in New Jersey. "Is it down because of the weather? Is there resistance developing? Is it because of mosquito control or that people are more aware of it? "I think it's all of those things, but it remains to be seen." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post a question for Dawn Fallik at http://go.philly.com/askdawn. She can be contacted directly at dfallik@phillynews.com or 215-854-2795. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.philly.com

Hi Cathy and other embroiderers - I have tried embroidery on greeting cards a few times. The effect is stunning and certainly different from most other cards I make. But golly, did my fingers get sore poking all those holes! What do you use to make the holes? (I was using a large needle.)

I'd have to say Ruth McDowell too. I have always loved her landscapes particularly the plaid ones. There's also a local quilter named Sue Rasmussen. I don't believe she's ever had a book published and I don't know if she has a website but I linked to some photos I found of a couple of her quilts. She works in so many styles it's amazing. Many of her quilts are highly detailed and many others are very whimsical. They're all knock outs and beautifully made. Here is a link that might be useful: Sue's professional photographer's site

Darn, I wish I didn't have so much going on already!! I really need to quit working at a job so I can do more of these fun projects! I love this pattern, and have also wanted to do some redwork. When I trace patterns for my BA quilts (and most of my applique work), I also use a "light box". I had my dh make me one of sorts. I had him build me a frame (using 2x 4's) that is open on the top. Sort of like a table without a top. Then I found a piece of plexiglass to use as the table top. Then I put a small lamp (without the shade) on a stool (or something short) under the table. This gives me plenty of room to tape my pattern to the plexiglass and then my fabric on top. It helps to do the tracing at night, too. And I use a washable pen. I'd love to see how this one comes out, so let us know how it goes (with pictures!!). Robbi