Abstract: Information on beach water quality (and water quality generally) is collected and stored in a relational database with geographic information, such as zip codes. Information on the water quality of particular beaches is formatted and provided to the public through a website. In addition, subscribers may sign up to receive alerts on the water quality of particular beaches when the water quality status of each particular beach changes. A handheld device, wirelessly or manually, may be used by water monitors to collect and upload water information to a remote server to facilitate making water quality information available to the public in real time. The server may collect and format the information to fulfill local and federal reporting requirements.

Abstract: Information about emergency situations is securely collected and processed by an agency, such as the local police force. When the information is approved for distribution as an emergency alert of a particular type, the alert is transmitted to a server. The server in turn facilitates the distribution of information widely to the public, and on a locality by locality basis. The server may format the emergency alert message or information for a variety of devices and send the information to those devices to convey the information to the public. The devices may include, for example, wireless devices, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants or any other type of wireless device; computers; electronic road signs; EAS equipment; computers and webpages; and any other type of output device.

Abstract: Information about pets presently in shelters or otherwise available for adoption is collected and stored in a centralized database that is accessible through, for example, a website. Each pet may be identified by type, a photograph, a locality where it is located, and other convenient information. Users who wish to locate a nearby pet register with a website and may set up an alert profile describing the type of pet they desire to look for or adopt, a geographic area within which they expect to find the pet, and the type of device on which they would like to receive an alert when a matching pet becomes available. Periodically, the alert profiles are processed and any matching pets within the geographic area defined by the user are identified and sent to each devices specified by the user.

Abstract: A light fixture having a relatively narrow light emitting aperture in a bottom thereof, includes a pair of elliptically shaped reflectors mounted therein, wherein first terminating ends of each reflector are connected, the elliptically shaped reflectors extending in parallel along the housing. Disposed inwardly from each reflector and spaced therefrom are light sources, each said light source extending in parallel relation. The ellipsoidal reflectors being positioned to reflect light through the narrow width aperture.

Abstract: A new variety of Shrub rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of pastel pink coloration.

Abstract: A new and almost continuously and profusely blooming rose plant, of the climbing miniature class, having conspicuous, open-faced flowers with petals gently rounded shape but having a minute point on the centerline; such petals of brilliant orange with yellow at their base; the flowers being pleasantly highlighted by their placement over a healthy and dense crop of rich red-toned new foliage and glossy green mature foliage on a tall upright vigorously growing, well branched plant.