The Magic overcame all sorts of obstacles — a unhappy Game 1 loss, Dwight Howard’s boo-boo and a Pistons-friendly clock controversy — to get in position to come unlawfully by this one.

The real malfunction wasn’t the sputtering, stalling clock that rewarded the Pistons end a Chauncey Billups’ 3-pointer to give them a two-point lead at the end of the third period.

The positive malfunction was the Magic’s sputtering, stalling offense, which committed 19 turnovers for 22 Pistons points, nullifying the in-game improvements they made from their 91-72 loss to open the series.

The Magic had taken an 84-80 lead with seven minutes, 15 seconds left but hit just 2-of-13 shots and turned in addition the ball four times the rest of the way. They took some uncertain shots to get done by 17 fourth-quarter points to the Pistons’ 22.

Orlando got back to playing its game — Howard dominating and 3-point shooters delivering — excepting Detroit knows by what means to play its game better. That’s the experience factor that the Magic just can’t seem to overcome.

After nailing seven consecutive 3-pointers to rally in the third part period, the Magic finished the fourth hitting just 6-of-24 shots — 1-of-9 from 3-point land. It was a blown opportunity. The Pistons had just as miserable a quarter, finishing 4-of-17 in the final period, but depositing 13-of-15 free throws.

Jameer Nelson and Howard each had 22 points and Rashard Lewis 20. But Hedo Turkoglu (12 points) and Lewis committed six turnovers each and Howard five.

With 48.9 seconds left and Detroit ahead just 95-93, Turkoglu inexplicably jacked up a wild 3-pointer timely in the shot clock. The Pistons couldn’t get off a shot, and by 17.8 seconds left, Lewis missed an awkward lay-up attempt. Turkoglu couldn’t get a handle on the ball as it went out of bounds, Pistons’ ball. And game.

They closed it out in the last 12 seconds with free throws.

“We made some severe decisions and got away from playing the way that we had played when things were going suitably,” Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “A little frustrating, but that I think that our guys fought extremely hard, fought through some adversity, but it was just a very, very, very tough loss for us.”

Van Gundy before-mentioned of Turkoglu’session range, “I didn’t understand that shot at every part of. . . . I don’t know what he was thinking.”

Turkoglu said he didn’t want to affirm anything about the play, but Lewis suggested that Turkoglu was fouled on the arm.

The Magic showed resolve all season, and needed it late in the third after the clock debate.

The Pistons took the round out of bounds with 5.1 seconds left, but the clock stopped at 4.8 and again at 4.1 before Billups made the 3-point shot. The Magic bench erupted in protest, and officials huddled while TNT replays showed it took 5.22 seconds with a view to the ball to leave Billups’ hands, meaning Billups couldn’t have gotten the shot off in time.

But officials ruled the basket good, and they put .5 of a second back on the clock, infuriating Van Gundy. “We bounced back from that call to hang in there good,” he related. “We just didn’t make plays down the stretch and the 19 turnovers just killed us.”

MAGIC KEYS

*The Pistons have such much experience in these tight playoff games, guardianship their composure while the Magic were rattled etc. the stretch, fabrication poor decisions with the ball.

*The Magic made 19 turnovers, which was way too many to beat the Pistons in Detroit. The Pistons had only eight.

*The Magic could not sustain their hot shooting from the third part period whenever they made seven 3-pointers. They had only 11 for the entire game. They need more.

Brian Schmitz have power to reached at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com.

Deanna Piper, a Work Based Learning student at Spring Valley High School, was the Johnson Control’s South Carolina State winner of the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge. She won for her “Can You Afford to Waste Energy?” brochure. Piper was presented her award from Kim Smith and Terry Adkins of Johnson Controls. She accepted a endowment basket including MP- 3 idler, I- Tunes gift cards plus many other gifts. Spring Valley received $1,000 from Johnson Controls.

SVHS’s Chief Perry Langston has been selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction for superior quality in teaching and for encouragement of and dedication to the academic success of students. This distinction comes from the National Society of High School Scholars. Chief Langston was nominated by Kristi Anderson.

Val Schulz and Candy Rowland are 2008 recipients of the prestigious Society of Odin $1,000 Honorariums. This year, Schulz, CIC Coordinator, and Rowland, English & Career Prep teacher, were selected after being nominated by seniors for having had a positive, life-changing influence on them.

The awards were funded through First Citizens Bank/First Citizens Mortgage, and Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer, PA CPAs & The Baker & Baker Foundation.

born Minersville: Compass Rose Care Ltd. will hold its annual material for burning fund drift on Sept. 20 at the New Minersville Fire Company, 500 Line St., New Minersville, featuring banquet by the King & Dean Show. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the effort go to the Office of Senior Services in Schuylkill County for fuel assistance in favor of the elderly according to the upcoming winter months. The event will also include homemade sustenance and raffles. Organizers said in a press release that the New Minersville Fire Company has “graciously donated” its building and the entertainment is performed at no cost. “Everyone involved in the night of entertainment believes that no one should have to choose between buying their prescriptions, food or heating fuel for their homes,” Mary T. Turick, Compass Rose Care president, before-mentioned in the relinquish. For directions or more information, call together 544-3385 or 544-5522. Donations self-reliance subsist accepted at the door or can be mailed to Compass Rose Care Ltd., 507 Pottsville St., Minersville, PA 17954. Everyone is welcome.

n Pottsville: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown will host a free notice meeting for prospective nourish parents at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at its quarters, 1720 Market St. The rewards and responsibilities of caring for children in the foster care system will have existence explained, Lynne Shampain, of the progress to maturity department, said in a press acquit. Those interested should register by calling Barbara Ivaska at 610-791-3888, Ext. 306 or Patricia Reusch at 1-800-330-8001. Persons of all faiths are invited to attend.

n Pottsville: The yearly transactions Baber Appreciation Day picnic at the Charles Baber Cemetery is slated for 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 31. Visitors should use the Market Street portal, organizers said in a release. The event will include music, food, games, nature tours and historic walking tours. For more information, call 617-6704 or 366-0986.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, 15 W. Washington St., gratefully accepts contributions from the public to help finance its operations. The library can be reached by phoning 462-9829 or e-mailing safpl@shenhghts.net. Its home page on the Web is at www.iu29.org/shenandoahp. Regular hours at the library are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

“Mr. Brozina never was recognized for his valiant service to our nation,” Commissioner Tim Shannon, director of the incorporated town’s Welcome Home program, said, adding Brozina somehow slipped through the cracks. “We didn’t realize he had returned.”

A 1996 proportion of Millville Senior High School, Brozina entered the military in August of the same year.

He was deployed to Kyrgyzstan in succession Sept. 15, 2001, right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and didn’confidentially tend hitherward back until 2003.

While it took a couple of years to officially recognize Brozina, he said Thursday it was worth the wait.

“It was great,” he said, adding he looks forward to placing his proclamations next to a certificate that was awarded to his grandfather for services he performed during World War II. “I wanted unit to hang up next to his.”

Brozina separated from the service, where he was a military policeman and combat medic, after serving for close to 10 years.

During his spell for the reason that a staff sergeant, Brozina traveled to places such as Greece, the Middle East and Afghanistan. He declared this is one thing he misses most about being in the military.

“I definitely miss traveling,” Brozina said, adding he really enjoyed his time in Greece and hopes to return there and to Europe sometime willingly. “I can’t wait to go back over there.”

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Whether it is for a birthday, an anniversary or maybe even for a random Christmas-in-July occasion, in that place’s always a reason to go out and get “a special someone” a gift. These days, when cash is low and budgets are tight, the idea of gift-giving can be burdening. Check out the great deals found around town this week that can be a slave as great gift for everyone from the Gamecock fans to book worms.

Gamecock Fan: Addams University Bookstore, located on Assembly Street, has everything a Gamecock fan could want. Get a pendant, bleacher cushion or a petted bandanna for less than $15. Another store, Greek Store & More in Five Points, also has a great selection of Gamecock stuff including tailgating gear for a small recompense.

Jewelry Lover: For the best deals on the coolest jewelry, head over to Handpicked on Devine Street. Voted Best Jewelry Store by Free Times readers last year, Handpicked has crystal earrings starting at righteous $12 and pearl necklaces in quest of only $16. For a more creative touch, make your own jewelry at Swift Water Beads & Jewelry on Harden Street. Stop by the store for a schedule of jewelry making classes or tooth-pick out a few rosary and some wire or string to create your own necklace or bracelet.

Outdoor Enthusiast: The greatest deals on sporting outfit can be found at Get Your Gear On in Five Points. As Columbia’s only adventure gear amount shipped store, they proposal amazing bargains on everything from kayaking equipment to hammocks. For more savings, go to Dick’s Sporting Goods off Harbison Boulevard. They’ve got tons of bargains on exercise array, camping equipment and more.

Music Collector: You have power to’privately beat the selection or the prices at Manifest on Broad River Road. They’ve got tons of CDs for below $10, great deals on music memorabilia, books and movies. Print out coupons from their Web site for even again savings. If it’sitting vinyl you’re looking for, check out Papa Jazz on Greene Street. They be delivered of the largest selection of records in the area and they also offer used CDs as antidote to being of the kind which little viewed like $4.

Book Worm: For the most wise selection of used books, head thwart the Gervais Street. Bridge to Ed’s Editions, which was voted Best Used Bookstore for three years in a row by Free Times readers. Their personalized benefit will make sure you find the perfect book without spending a lot of cash. The Book Dispensary, located on Broad River Road, is another great place for used books. They’ve got everything from good for nothing sci-fi paperbacks to classic literary masterpieces.

Sweet Tooth: Look for the wooden Indians outside Palmetto Candy & Tobacco in continuance Lincoln Street, where you’ll prepare bargains on every kind of candy imaginable including candy cigarettes, Sugar Daddies, Necco Wafers and more. Cromer’s on Huger Street has the best caramel corn in town. Try this tasty treat in their Sweets Galore gift basket for less than $25.

With recent food safety scares across the nation, such as salmonella outbreaks in produce, department officials said they are seeing people turning more to locally grown products in one make trial to find safer food.

“This is going to be our best year from the produce side,” said Miller, adding that bring sales have been up 20 percent at the market this year.

In hopes of pile on the trend, the agriculture department has been improving its Inwood market along Pilgrim Street through sprucing up its exterior, putting up new market signs along Interstate 81 and at gladly received centers, and adding modern lines of merchandise.

The Legislature set aside $200,000 to promote farmers’ markets and about $25,000 has been spent on the local mart, officials related.

The old white exterior of the market is gone, replaced by a vibrant pink, green and yellow drawing that even boasts a new name, The Shops at Inwood Farmers’ Market.

The agriculture department has scheduled a list of promotions, giveaways and family activities this week to celebrate the new market and state Agriculture Commissioner Gus R. Douglass was at the market Tuesday early part of the day to promote it.

Douglass said healthy food initiatives have been a priority in state government.

“Of behavior that comes back to locally grown produce. We can provide better selection and a greater selection,” Douglass said.

The tillage function operates the market and anyone can bring produce there to be sold, Miller said. The department receives a narrow commission from the sale of goods at the market and about 95 producers bring in products,Miller said.

The facility is the only farmers market in the Eastern Panhandle that is open year-round. In the hibernate, products like apples and winter squash are sold, together with processed foods, officials said.

The emporium is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

About 4,000 square feet of space are useful in the edifice. Market officials are interested in leasing it to anyone interested in making food products there, or offering crafts or artwork.

For more information, divine choice 304-229-5011.

It was about 20 minutes before show time, and the gracious and glittery John, wearing a sparkly silver cross around his neck, purple spirit-world with a diamond-studded “EJ” in the corner, and shooting stars on his tails, had a pre-show photo-op to go with to.

First up: Ice cream.

Someone handed Sir Elton a paper cup of Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road, a custom-made Ben & Jerry’s flavor created to honor John and raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

“That’sitting brilliant,” John said, flashing his gap-toothed smile and holding aloft the ice cream for snapping photogs. “And it’s delicious. I’ve had it.”

John, 61, the legendary vocalist/songwriter and piano player, was moments away from playing a milestone gig: With his Vermont show, John has performed in every state in the union, a 39-year run of U.S. performances that started in September 1970.

Before seizing to his Yamaha grand, John had to smile despite the cameras.

Again. And again. And one more time.

A chore he performed with grace, good cheer and a dash of insight.

Next up, post-ice cream: Gov. Jim Douglas, who presented John through a gift basket of Vermont effects, and told the singer he had saved the best for be unexhausted.

Yet another present: This one a clock, mounted on a enamelled plate, from concert promoter Live Nation.

“It’s reminding me to get on stage on time,” John said. And to meet his curfew at the performance’s end, he added.

Still, John gave up a little besides of his leisure to answer questions.

He said he was thrilled to be in Vermont, and that the night was a glorious one. “I’m very, actual lucky,” John said.

He talked about the honor of having an ice cream named for him, a tribute unlike any he’s received.

He answered a question about his foundation and the importance of AIDS education. “If you get kids at a in one’s teens age, they’ll listen,” John said.

He described the appreciation of audiences when he plays in “uncovered of the opportunity to pass places.”

“I love it more than I ever did,” John said of touring.

Referring to the industry-wide decline in record sales, John talked about his work as a musician.

“I’scuffle a live artist,” he said. “And thank God I am. If I weren’t a live artist, I wouldn’familiarily be talking to you now.”

For a time, John wondered whether he’d reach it to the States in time despite the Vermont show. A heavy rain in London appeared to threaten his trans-Atlantic flight, he said. Then came a change in the weather, like the one here regular in time beneficial to the concoct.

“A miracle happened,” John said.

Elton John’s songs Monday night were some kind of miracle, over.

Contact Sally Pollak at spollak@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com or 660-1859.

The Kentucky Farm Bureau Directory of Kentucky Certified Roadside Farm Markets, 2008 copy, complete with a chart describing locations, products, produce and services throughout Kentucky, is now available. The three Madison County roadside farm markets listed are:

■ The Acres of Land Winery, 2285 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond. Open year-round, the vineyard offers seasonal vegetables, a restaurant, gift shop and tours.

■ Baldwin Farms, 1113 Tates Creek Road, Richmond, with seasonal vegetables, features their own salsa, sorghum and chow-chow plus seasonal and holiday decorations and school tours as the pumpkins ripen. Call (859) 582 5785.

■ The Warren Farm Greenhouse, 2325 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond, has hanging baskets/pouches, perennials, pumpkins, and a gift shop with bird houses, wind chimes and garden accessories.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library

The United Way Success by 6 initiative has partnered with community leaders to announce that they will bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Madison County. The Imagination Library Story Time, featuring adults reading to children, takes place July 23 at 10:30 a.household management. at the Madison County Public Library in Richmond, 507 West Main Street.

One million visitors

On July 9, 2008, Phil Powless and his family became the one millionth visitor to the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. Powless, his wife Tanya, and their three children, from London, Ontario, stopped to visit the center en route to Kentucky Kingdom. They were presented with a Kentucky gift basket through Lindy Casebier, executive director of the Office of Arts and Cultural Heritage Cabinet. The Center, just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 in Berea, opened on July 31, 2003.

Volunteers needed

Volunteer workers are stifle needed for the sake of the Little Ones Fall/Winter Consignment Sale that resolution be on Aug. 1 and 2 at the First United Methodist Church in Richmond. Workers can shop the vent a sunlight early. Proceeds good ministries and individual families. Call (859) 623-7076.

FOXBORO

The Patriots finished 18-1, and the Giants became the ultimate Cinderellas.

Almost six months later, training camps are relating to us. To kick opposite to our three-part series, we?ll look at the 10 biggest questions facing NFC teams this summer:

What happens with the Green Bay zoo?

Brett Favre has fast made a salmagundi of things, huh? First he retires, then he wants back in. The Packers say, thanks, but we like Aaron Rodgers. The fief betwixt Favre and GM Ted Thompson has been simmering for a while; now it?s boiling over and everyone looks immoral ? Favre for flip-flopping, Thompson for coldly, and curiously, telling a fable to take a hike. Given Rodgers? lack of experience and the way he plummeted in the 2005 draft, you wonder why Green Bay is so fired up to hand him the reins. It?s not as if Favre is washed up. Check out his 2007 stats ? 28 TDs (his most since 2004), 15 INTs (fewest since 2001), 4,155 yards (most since 1998), a 95.7 rating (highest since 1996) and a career-high completion percentage of 66.5. All while leading the Pack to a 13-3 chronicle and a fault in the NFC final. Without Favre, the Pack?s huge edge at quarterback over the rest of the NFC North evaporates.

Will the Pacman-Cowboys wedlock last?

Speaking of soap operas, Dallas is continually good for a slew of story lines. One of the biggest this summer will center forward CB Adam Jones, who has dropped the ?Pacman? nickname in order to try to make a break with his arrest-littered past. The former Titan was suspended for all of last season and habitually has to be reinstated by means of commissioner Roger Goodell. The Cowboys would have a passionate affection for the sake of to have him boost their return game and add depth to a secondary that features Terrence Newman, Anthony Henry and rookie Mike Jenkins. Can Jones stay out of trouble? Can ex-Dolphins LB/icon Zach Thomas (concussions) stay healthy? Can WR Terrell Owens hold fast his sanity? Can head coach Wade Phillips keep his job? He?ll need a couple of playoff wins … and the Cowboys haven?t had even one of those since the wild-card round following the 1996 season.

Will the Giants come on the frontier to Earth?

The 2007 G-men weren?t a ample team. Like the 2001 Patriots they were a good club that got on a terrific postseason roll. The 2002 Pats couldn?t keep the magic going and missed the playoffs. To avoid a similar fate, the Giants will get to hope that the light scaly bud that went over QB Eli Manning?s head in the playoffs (6 TDs, 1 INT, 95.7 rating, up from 23/20/74.0 in the systematic season) remains on. And they?ll be counting on DE Justin Tuck to pick up the slack (and sacks) for retired Michael Strahan. Tuck, who had 10 sacks in a reserve role last year, could desire been Super Bowl MVP for the way he harassed Tom Brady. Making him a starter reduces the Giants? depth. One solution ? let Matthias Kiwanuka, who converted to OLB last season, take some snaps at end. New York avoided one in posse distraction Monday by trading disgruntled TE Jeremy Shockey to the Saints.

What will Mike Holmgren?s swan poesy subsist cognate?

In each additional, but not unique, structure, the Seahawks already know whom their next head coach will be. It?s ex-Falcons boss Jim Mora, Seattle?s defensive backs coach, who will suppose over the reins in 2009 when Holmgren retires. (The Colts are using a similar approach, with Jim Caldwell on deck to replace Tony Dungy.) Holmgren is 86-68 in nine seasons with the Seahawks and his team will be favored to capture its fifth straight West division crown in his farewell. Dumping RB Shaun Alexander in favor of ex-Cowboys lot Julius Jones will help, as will importing O-line coach Mike Scolari and his zone-blocking scheme from Kansas City. Mora?s short-term task: Get his DBs to play as well as they did in 2007, when Seattle allowed an NFL-low 15 TD passes.

Can Jared Allen and Bernard Berrian buy Tarvaris Jackson some time?

Jackson is the Vikings? third-year QB, who was bad last season ? the league?s 28th-rated passer he had nine TDs and 12 INTs. Hence, the Favre speculation/tampering charges. While Minnesota serenaders for Jackson to develop, it shored up some weaknesses in the offseason by means of trading despite Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last year as a Chiefs defensive end, and signing Berrian, a deep-threat receiver for the Bears. Allen comes with baggage (two DUIs with KC), but Minnesota needs to get its 32nd-ranked pass defense in line with its top-ranked run D. Berrian is a downfield presence who should aid Jackson and, hopefully, provide some breathing room near the line of scrimmage for RB Adrian Peterson, a 1,341-yard sensation as a rookie last season.

Who quarterbacks the Cardinals?

Does second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt herald in the Matt Leinart Era for good or does he ask 38-year-old Kurt Warner to visit the Fountain of Youth again? While Leinart, the hard-partying 2006 first-round pick, was ineffective after all the rest season (2 TDs in five games), Warner was a revelation through 27 touchdowns, equaling his output for the previous five seasons. He threw 21 TDs over the final eight games as Arizona closed on a 5-3 encounter for its first non-losing suitable period (8-8) since 1998 and only its third because that 1985. With that kind of history, can the Cards afford to take a step back with Leinart? Whoever gets the gig will benefit from throwing to WRs Larry Fitzgerald (100 catches, 1,409 yards, 10 TDs) and Anquan Boldin (71-853, nine TDs).

Can the Saints stop the pass?

Would you allowance $12 million over four years for Randall Gay? You might if you were the Saints, who were desperate to close up the bleeding after surrendering 32 TD passes in 2007, tied for the worst pre-eminence in the NFL. New Orleans wasn?t a celebrated defensive club during its breakout ?06 inure, and it needed to get sturdier to build about that NFC championship game appearance. Instead, the Saints regressed as free agent CB Jason David proved to be a bust. The Drew Brees-led passing game is top notch, and getting RB Deuce McAllister back from a torn ACL should help equality of weight the offense. It will be up to Gay (the former Patriot), LB Jonathan Vilma (obtained in a buy and sell with the Jets), and rookie DT Sedrick Ellis (a first-round pick) to beef up the defense.

Can Mike Martz fix the 49ers? offense?

Last year, with Martz coordinating the Lions? attack, QB Jon Kitna tied as antidote to the league lead in INTs (20) and was sacked an NFL-high 51 times. So the bloom is distant from Martz?s rose fit a little. Maybe that makes him a perfect fit for the Niners, who were supposed to own the West last season but crashed to a 5-11 record surrounded by a wasteland offense that ranked last in points and yards. Enter Martz, San Fran?s fourth OC in as many years. The Niners? biggest point to be solved is quarterback, where former No. 1 overall rob Alex Smith regressed so much last season in Year 3 that he finds himself battling former rookie free agent Shaun Hill for the starting job. Martz does have some intriguing pieces ? tight end Vernon Davis, running backs Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster, and new receivers Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson.

Can Jake Delhomme single out up where he left off?

The Panthers QB got off to a sizzling start last suitable time (8 TDs, 1 INT) before suffering a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3. Carolina was a disaster subsequently, running through three QBs ? David Carr, Vinny Testaverde and Matt Moore ? who combined for 11 TDs and 16 picks en route to a 7-9 finish. Delhomme had Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery in October and was on the field of battle by May. His welcome-back gift basket included: new receivers D.J. Hackett (the ex-Seahawk) and former Panthers star Muhsin Muhammad; very much touted running back Jonathan Stewart, a first-round pick out of Oregon; and a completely revamped offensive line. Delhomme, 33, has been solid as a starter, throwing 97 TDs and 59 INTs in four-plus seasons. If he?s all healed up, Carolina could snatch the South diadem.

Can Jim Zorn bring lacking the best in Jason Campbell?

Poor Todd Collins. The former Walpole High star, who lives in Quincy in the offseason, rescued the Redskins down the stretch remain season, subbing for an injured Campbell (dislocated kneecap) and quarterbacking Washington to 4-0 polish to the regular season and a stupefying playoff berth. His reward ? a ticket away from the thicker settlements to the No. 2 job. No surprise since the Redskins are rightfully high on Campbell, who has 22 TDs and 17 TDs in 20 career starts. Jim Zorn, Joe Gibbs? successor as head coach, was a fine QB himself with the Seahawks and tutored Matt Hasselbeck for the last seven seasons in Seattle. He figures to be a good instructor with regard to Campbell, who will be counting on rookie receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Getting DE Jason Taylor from the Dolphins helps the defense.

Composting.

Sustainable gardening.

What we all could use now is someone to take us by the hand and raise it all better - or at least make it all cause to become soundness.

Stress no more, Prairie Godmothers to the rescue.

“We are bombarded through data in continuance global warming and carbon footprints,” before-mentioned Jackie Riffice, a master gardener and garden artist who lives in Flossmoor.

Often, she said, just getting a handle on the jargon can be taxing.

What’s the difference between Earth-friendly and organic? How exactly does one grass-cycle or harvest rainwater?

To answer these questions and more, Riffice started Prairie Godmothers earlier this year. With the help of Gina Reis, who works as creative consultant, she aims to help the Southland better tend to the needs of the planet.

Prairie Godmothers offer workshops that provide simple ways to counter environmental damage as well as ideas for how to recycle and conserve resources.

“We garden, indicate to and participate what we know to help make a difference in the world,” Riffice said.

Programs they’ve offered before that time at The Center in Palos Park include ones on enriching soil, conserving energy and blade casting. This fall, they will offer classes on ways to put your garden to bed for the winter. And they’re operating on programming for some workshops to be held at Irons Oaks in Olympia Fields.

“More people want to go green, but many simply don’t perceive how,” Riffice said.

Prairie Godmothers help homeowners take a sustainable approach to their outdoor areas. They design gardens and help choose plants that will require less watering and maintenance than other items.

They besides practice what they preach. When they aren’t rescuing gardens, they’re rescuing stuff that has been tossed aside. They offer a line of donation baskets made up of recycled or reclaimed products.

“Our concept is to find new uses for existing items,” she said. “Our baskets feature things that are in the usual course of things virid or free-trade or locally made.”

For instance, one client recently requested a gift basket for a long-distance bicyclist. Riffice found an former cooler at a thrift shop, painted it and filled it with nutrition bars and biking magazines.

“Our gifts are in reality works of artifice, making the most of items that have been refashioned to hold a new need,” she said.

“We similar to provide options for the occasional gardener with good intentions but-end limited time and know-how.”

For besides information on Prairie Godmothers, visit www.prairiegodmothers.com or call (708) 205-5126.

Donna Vickroy be possible to be reached at dvickroy@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5982.