The Lubin Files

Trees around FAO HQ

Ever taken a walk around the FAO grounds and noticed the numbers on the trees?  One of our library patrons asked about them a few days ago.  The area is called the FAO Tree Park, and FAO InTouch featured an article about it on May 6, 2009.

Staff members of the Forestry Division created a leaflet that describes and maps the various species of trees, noting the corresponding number noted at each tree. The leaflets are available in the Forestry Information Centre and at the entrance to Building A.

Here is tree #137.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz splat

Suddenly summer is here. Warm weather brings with it the arrival of those irritating Tiger Mosquitos. I was curious to find out more about these little creatures, some of whom are now blood stains on the wall. The Comune di Roma has several informative web-pages, including suggestions of all the things we can do to help control the infestation listed in the Ordinanza. But I wanted to know more about the presence of the Aedes Albopictus in Italy. I turned to that excellent database CAB Abstracts and did an Advanced Search which lets me combine search terms. I found just what I wanted in PARASSITOLOGIA Volume 50, No. 1 June 2008 p. 97-132, and it is in English.

A spring treat

Close to FAO we are lucky to have one of the most beautiful gardens in Rome, the Roseto comunale. The gardens are usually open 8.00 to 19.30 from the second week of May and remain open until early July. What a wonderful place to refresh the spirit during lunch, and get some exercise.

National Geographic at Palazzo delle Esposizioni

After the first successful exhibition of the last year, which was organized on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its Italian edition, the National Geographic Italia has set up at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome (entrance from via Milano, 13) a second exhibition of photographs dedicated to the protection of our planet entitled: ‘Madre Terra’.

There are 101 works from 58 authors that collaborate with National Geographic, considered among the best photographers at the international level.

The exhibition coverage goes from Africa, Asia and the Americas to Europe, Oceania and the Polar regions, showing through suggestive and often spectacular images the beauty and richness of our planet, as well as the most dramatic consequences of climatic changes all over  the world. 

In the exhibition pamphlet, the editors admit that even though photographs don’t have the power to initiate or dictate effective programmes in international policies, they can highlight the importance of conserving biodiversity for the survival of human and animal populations.

The exhibition closes on 29 March 2009.

Entrance is free.

2008 Calendar for Alternating Plates in Rome - Fascia Verde

Starts: 10/01/08 Ends: 27/03/08 [every Thursday]

Duration: 15:00 - 21:00

Range: Fascia verde

Vehicles excepted from the ban: GPL; methanol; electric; hybrid; petrol-driven Euro 4 cars, and diesel-fed Euro 4 cars if they have the special anti-particle filter mounted during factory assembly.

All other cars are prohibited from the Fascia Verde according to following schedule:

Even numbered plates:
January 10 and 24
February 7 and 21
March 6 and 20

Odd numbered plates:
January 17 and 31
February 14 and 28
March 13 and 27