Deirdre Shesgreen, dshesgreen@usatoday.com 9:08 a.m. EDT October 25, 2014

One of Marek Tyszkiewicz's campaign signs(Photo: Provided )

WASHINGTON Marek Tyszkiewicz always knew he'd face a tough landscape in his bid for Congress, but he didn't think the hurdles would start in his own front yard.

That changed Friday, when the 2nd District candidate got a note from a neighbor demanding he take down his "Tyszkiewicz for Congress" yard sign. Tyszkiewicz, a Democrat, is vying to unseat incumbent GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Columbia-Tusculum.

While his blue-and-white campaign sign might be a staple of American elections, it apparently violates the local housing covenant in Tyszkiewicz's neighborhood Overlook of Ivy Hills, part of Anderson Township.

"Signs are not allowed in our yards except as when used to advertise a home for sale," LeAnn Burke, who lives down the street from Tyszkiewicz, wrote in an email to the House candidate Friday. "Therefore we must ask that you remove any signs from your yard" that do not comply with the rule.

Burke did not immediately respond to voice mail and email messages seeking comment.

But Tyszkiewicz is standing his ground - literally.

"I'm not going to take the sign down," he said. "It's my own name in my own yard."

He said there are democratic principals at stake - not to mention political advantages.

Read more from the original source:
Anderson man's battle for Congress now in his yard

Deirdre Shesgreen, dshesgreen@usatoday.com 4:13 p.m. EDT October 24, 2014

One of Marek Tyszkiewicz's campaign signs(Photo: Provided )

WASHINGTON Marek Tyszkiewicz always knew he'd face a tough landscape in his bid for Congress, but he didn't think the hurdles would start in his own front yard.

That changed Friday, when the 2nd District candidate got a note from a neighbor demanding he take down his "Tyszkiewicz for Congress" yard sign. Tyszkiewicz, a Democrat, is vying to unseat incumbent GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Columbia-Tusculum.

While his blue-and-white campaign sign might be a staple of American elections, it apparently violates the local housing covenant in Tyszkiewicz's neighborhood Overlook of Ivy Hills, part of Anderson Township.

"Signs are not allowed in our yards except as when used to advertise a home for sale," LeAnn Burke, who lives down the street from Tyszkiewicz, wrote in an email to the House candidate Friday. "Therefore we must ask that you remove any signs from your yard" that do not comply with the rule.

Burke did not immediately respond to voice mail and email messages seeking comment.

But Tyszkiewicz is standing his ground - literally.

"I'm not going to take the sign down," he said. "It's my own name in my own yard."

He said there are democratic principals at stake - not to mention political advantages.

More here:
Anderson man's battle for Congress moves to his yard

The typical American home landscape is 80 percent Asian plants. Most are beautiful, and some provide shade, shelter and maybe a little nectar and pollen. But otherwise, they have little to offer indigenous insects, birds, and other wildlife in the local ecosystem.

Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, coauthors of "The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden," aren't suggesting we nuke our nonnative crape myrtles (or roses or tulips). Better to add layers of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines to the mix, "creating landscapes that support life without sacrificing traditional aesthetic values."

Native serviceberry trees are just as pretty as crape myrtle. They also support 124 species of caterpillars, the larvae of butterflies and moths, which birds love.

"So crape myrtle is great," Tallamy says. "Just don't make it the only plant in your yard."

In your newfound native zeal, don't rip up the entire yard all at once. Remove pieces over time, adding diverse plantings as you go.

Buy small plants or grow from seed.

The plants will have plenty of time to root and adapt to weather extremes and soil. "If you're willing to watch plants grow from seed," Tallamy says, "you can have an oak tree for free in not too many years."

Think of all plants as "organic architecture."

Use them "to organize the spaces in your garden," Darke says, "to find refuge, create places to sit, walk, read, play, throw a ball for the dog or the kids."

-- Tribune News Service

Read more:
Book helps you invite the natives to your yard

(PRWEB) October 23, 2014

Winter may be around the corner, but the landscape experts at Southview Design say that this is ideal time to think about the pillars in any landscape design the trees.

The best time to plant trees and shrubs is in the fall, and now is the time to get them in the ground, said Karen Filloon, a landscape designer with Southview Design. The roots just need to get established before the snow flies, Filloon said. Roots can grow in soil as cold as 40 degrees. Even if the air temperature is below 40, the soil is warmer than the air.

The most important consideration in planting a tree is to pick a location that will enable the tree to grow to its full size and offers the requisite conditions sun or shade for that particular plant, Filloon advised. You dont want to have to transplant a tree or a shrub, so plan ahead, she said. Ideally, that tree or shrub is one component of an overall landscape design for your entire yard.

Since its fall, Filloon cautioned against fertilizing trees or shrubs, which can weaken the plant and inhibit root establishment. She also advised against pruning trees and shrubs; pruning promotes new growth which is fine in the spring, but not the fall. However, adding a root hormone, which encourages roots to grow, is definitely a good idea, she said.

A thoughtful landscape design also takes lighting into consideration. Featured trees can set the stage for dramatic nighttime lighting using one of several lighting techniques, such as uplighting, silhouetting and moonlighting. If the tree is big enough at least 15 feet tall it could be a candidate for downlighting or moonlighting, Filloon said. The light fixture is mounted high up in the trunk and branches so it can cast light downward through the branches to create interesting shadows on the ground.

The type of fixture, intensity and color of the bulbs, and spread of the beams can have a huge effect on the character and mood. Lighting is also a great way to brighten the long autumn nights and dress up a home for the holidays.

Since Minnesota has had very little rain this year less than .02 of an inch so far in October its important to thoroughly water your trees and especially the newly-planted ones until the ground freezes, Filloon said. She also suggested hiring an arborist to check the trees for overall health and possible winter/spring pruning.

Southview Design has posted several photos showing moonlighting and other dramatic effects created by lighting trees and landscape features. For outdoor landscaping and lighting ideas, visit http://www.southviewdesign.com.

Link:
Southview Design Offers Hot Landscaping Tips for the Fall

14 hours ago by Paul Schattenberg The second phase of gray water research at the Uvalde center will focus on how gray water affects the performance, growth and aesthetics of landscape plants, as well as the chemical composition of the soil. The trial plot consists of 24 rows of 13 different native, exotic and adaptive landscaping plants.

The second phase of a study on the use of gray water for landscape irrigation will soon be underway and its results may affect how municipalities view gray water as an alternative non-potable water source statewide and beyond, said the Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist leading the study.

Dr. Raul Cabrera, AgriLife Research horticulturist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, said he is now in the process of starting the second phase of his study on the long-term effects of gray water irrigation on the growth, performance and aesthetics of several ornamental plant species.

"Gray water provides a potential alternative, non-potable water source available in practically every home," Cabrera said. "By definition, gray water is simply wastewater, basically soapy water coming primarily from washing machines, showers and bathtubs.

"The research is particularly useful for application in urban areas where as much as 50 percent of household water is used for landscape irrigation."

He said with many parts of the nation facing water restrictions, competition for water resources and drought, it is becoming more necessary to minimize our dependence on potable water supplies.

"Using native and adaptive plants, applying good management practices such as spreading mulch to retain moisture and the wise use of supplemental irrigation are vital in preserving the state's and nation's potable water resources," Cabrera said.

He said gray water accounts for about half of the wastewater from a typical household.

Cabrera said the use of gray water from washing machines alone has the potential for saving a significant amount of the state's potable water supply. He said if gray water from household laundry in Texas could be used for landscape irrigation, it could save about 400,000 acre feet of potable water annually. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

"It is estimated that the average family of four will produce 90 to 100 gallons of gray water per day. That's a lot of non-potable water that could be going toward supplemental landscape irrigation."

Original post:
Gray water trial will help determine feasibility for landscape irrigation

HOUSTON --

Ada Palmer said a sign from the city of Houston appeared in her front yard on Thursday, only to disappear days later. It required her to "cut high grass and weeds" on her property by October 25, or face a fine.

"The main feeling I had is like I was attacked," said Palmer.

The grandmother, who has spent her life running her own lawn service, takes pride in her knowledge of plants and flowers.

"I don't think it's ugly," said Palmer. "Right now, it looks like a weed because it goes to seed in the fall."

The city defines a weed as "a rank and uncultivated growth .. more than 9 inches in height .. or which, regardless of height, is liable to become unwholesome."

Palmer's neighbors don't seem to have any problem with her yard.

"I think it's a natural landscape design, nothing that's uncommon," said neighbor Giovanni Delacruz.

"It's wonderful from my window. It looks nice. I enjoy it," said neighbor Rajesh Garee.

Palmer said she's willing to mow a little for the sake of compromise, but she sure hopes it won't come to that.

Follow this link:
Elderly woman's yard center of neighborhood complaint

HOUSTON --

Ada Palmer said a sign from the city of Houston appeared in her front yard on Thursday, only to disappear days later. It required her to "cut high grass and weeds" on her property by October 25, or face a fine.

"The main feeling I had is like I was attacked," said Palmer.

The grandmother, who has spent her life running her own lawn service, takes pride in her knowledge of plants and flowers.

"I don't think it's ugly," said Palmer. "Right now, it looks like a weed because it goes to seed in the fall."

The city defines a weed as "a rank and uncultivated growth .. more than 9 inches in height .. or which, regardless of height, is liable to become unwholesome."

Palmer's neighbors don't seem to have any problem with her yard.

"I think it's a natural landscape design, nothing that's uncommon," said neighbor Giovanni Delacruz.

"It's wonderful from my window. It looks nice. I enjoy it," said neighbor Rajesh Garee.

Palmer said she's willing to mow a little for the sake of compromise, but she sure hopes it won't come to that.

Read more:
Elderly woman's yard center of complaint

Its that magical time of year when brightly colored yard signs dot the landscape of our neighborhoods, confirming our political suspicions about the neighbors we do not like. One particular set of signs caught our eye over the last week or so and theyre for a candidate we vote for every time we make scrambled eggs.

TexJoys adorable election signs have popped up around Old Town with slogans like My vote is at steak and Yes, we cayenne. They dont lobby for one side or the other; theyre just reminding you to, as the sign reads, Vote 4 flavor.

And to, you know, vote in general.

Early voting started today, so heres a little information to guide you on your magical election adventure. Have fun rocking the vote. (Do people still say that?) Local early voting locations Whats on the Nov. 4 ballot Davis, Abbott divided on SE Texas issues

beth@thecat5.com @BeaumontBeth on Facebook & Twitter

Read more:
Yes we cayenne: TexJoy's election yard signs are adorable

What Plainfield Central started on Friday night along Harvey Rd., the Oswego East football team was able to finish and return in kind.

Yielding several big plays early and trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, the Wolves solidified and saw big plays of their own on the way to a 34-17 win.

Oswego East improved to 2-5, with a 1-4 mark in Southwest Prairie Conference action, and visiting Plainfield Central fell to 0-7, and 0-5 in the SPC landscape.

Helping the winning effort was the triumphant return of senior quarterback Tyler Kennedy, back from a knee injury sustained in the first week and last previous win for the Wolves over Woodstock.

"This is Tyler's second year in the system and he understands what we're trying to do," Oswego East head coach Tyson LeBlanc said.

Also back was senior tight end Noah Mlsna, who was injured in preseason prep.

"Getting Noah back was big, both Tyler and Noah has good games today. When we have Tyler behind center it gives us a little extra confidence," LeBlanc said.

Things got off to a dubious start in gradually chillier temperatures, as Plainfield Central's Jonathon Perez took the opening kickoff down to the 3-yard line where quarterback Marcus Hayes set up from scrimmage and took it in for the touchdown and 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.

Oswego East was able to get the ball moving in its first drive, and Kennedy completed a pass to freshman target I'Shawn Stewart for a 31-yard pickup. The next play went the other way and then some, as Roger Thigpen picked off a Wolves' pass for a 78-yard interception return for a 14-0 lead with 10:05 to go in the first.

The Wildcats would convert on their last drive of the quarter thanks to a 27-yard field goal with 4:39 to go for a daunting 17-0 lead.

Read more:
Snapping the spell

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) October 21, 2014

The Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE) held its annual Excellence in Development Design Awards ceremony on October 14, 2014 at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Cheatham Annex Cottages and Comfort Station team were presented with the top design award, the Jurors Award, and an Award of Excellence for Best Recreation/Entertainment/Hospitality Project.

An excerpt from the judges comments: Despite the modest program and building type, the simple yet inventive detailing elevated the project. We love how the buildings are nestled into the wooded setting. The vernacular form and scale are very appropriate for the use and context.

The Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facility is a $6.5 million, 20-acre campground at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown incorporating 16 cottages with views of Cheatham Pond, 50 RV pads, 20 primitive campsites, and support facilities. Considered a prime spot on the east coast for outdoor recreation for active duty, reserve, and retired military and their dependents, care was taken during design to preserve the natural setting of the mature hardwood forest while restoring areas that had previously been used for a firing range and storage yard. The project was designed to meet LEED Silver certification standards. Timmons Group provided site engineering and planning, landscape architecture, and sustainable design services for the project.

Our design team understands the importance of facilities that develop and encourage biophyllic relationships with nature. We appreciate the judges recognition of this extraordinary project," said LuGay Lanier, Landscape Architecture Principal for Timmons Group.

Project team members included: Owner: National Weapons Station Yorktown/Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation General Contractor: W.M. Jordan Company Architect: PMA Architecture Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect: Timmons Group Mechanical Engineer: Hickman Ambrose, Inc. Structural Engineer: Speight, Marshall & Francis, P.C.

Timmons Group was pleased to be a part of the design-build team and proud to have been a part of such a successful project which provides a place of rest and relaxation for our military families, veterans, surviving spouses, DoD employees, and their guests," said Nicholas Hadiaris, a Site Development Project Manager at Timmons Group. We congratulate all of the team members on receiving this recognition for a truly outstanding project.

HRACRE promotes the commercial real estate industry by educating its members on key issues, monitoring and addressing industry-related legislation, and taking the lead in the industrys evolution within the Hampton Roads region.

About Timmons Group Timmons Group is a multi-disciplined engineering and technology firm recognized for nearly twenty years as one of Engineering News Records (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms in the country. The firm provides economic development, civil engineering, environmental, GIS/geospatial technology, landscape architecture and surveying services to a diverse client base. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Timmons Group has regional offices throughout Virginia and North Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.timmons.com.

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Cheatham Annex Project Wins HRACRE Awards