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The Addams Family (PG) 3 stars For 80 years, The Addams Family have been a pop culture phenomenon, beginning with cartoonist Charles Addams' single-panel comics in The New Yorker magazine in 1938, inspiring the iconic television series from 1964, and then a number of cartoon and feature film reimaginings. This is both a cartoon and a feature film, a new animated feature that owes more to the original comic panels and with some major talent providing the voices. The Addams Family must have been brilliantly anti-establishment in the middle of the last century, however, it is something of a victim of its own success. The family members from the cartoons are delightfully dark, with the boys in the family playing with dynamite for fun, walking their pet octopus, enjoying a charging in the family electric chair. The family butler may or may not be the monster from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Mother Morticia dead-heads roses for the aesthetic pleasure and in one panel reveals a mane of Medusa-like snakes at the hair salon, while children Pugsley and Wednesday send their dolls to an adorable nursery guillotine. Which is to say this is dark, macabre humour. However, from the 1960s TV series onwards, this family has helped slowly warp much contemporary humour and society in its image. Every wannabe Goth, every teen angst over-application of eyeliner owes a debt to Wednesday Addams, from Winona Ryder's Beetlejuice character, to Aubrey Plaza's April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation, to whatever lippy thing your own children said to you last week. Whether they knew it or not, that sneer needs to tip its hat to the Addams Family. I'm getting to a point and it is this - The Addams Family have changed our culture to such a point that being true to its source material, as the new feature by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon is, feels slim and insufficient. They've helped take contemporary comedy to a much darker place, so that this new film version feels adorably twee. Perfectly fine for a pre-teen discovering the material for the first time, not so much for the grown-up driving them to the movies to see it. Something of an origin story, the film meets Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron) before they first arrive in the US. Back in "The old country," they are chased from their wedding ceremony by a posse of angry villagers with lit torches. They flee to the safety of suburban New Jersey, to a former insane asylum with walls that drip blood. Some years later, their son Pugsley (Finn Wolfard from Stranger Things) is studying for a macabre family coming-of-age ceremony. Meanwhile, daughter Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz) questions their isolation from the surrounding community. The family might be living in secure suburban America, but the neighbours still have their lit torches. Here it is self-serving reality TV star and interior decorator Margaux (Allison Janney) and her campaign against the Addams' resistance to a real estate property values-driven neighbourhood beautification program. Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon made the oddly unfunny gross-out adult animation Sausage Party and they do a fine if uninspired job here crafting a cutesy family film. Everybody feels a little isolated, wondering at their difference from those around them, which makes us all side with the Addams Family against normalcy, against the drivel of everyday life. So every attempt to inject a little Addams in our lives should be rewarded.

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REVIEW

December 7 2019 - 5:00AM

For 80 years, The Addams Family have been a pop culture phenomenon, beginning with cartoonist Charles Addams' single-panel comics in The New Yorker magazine in 1938, inspiring the iconic television series from 1964, and then a number of cartoon and feature film reimaginings.

From left, Charlize Theron voices Morticia Addams, Chlo Grace Moretz voices Wednesday Addams, Oscar Isaac voices Gomez Addams, Finn Wolfhard voices Pugsley, and Nick Kroll voices Uncle Fester. Picture: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.

This is both a cartoon and a feature film, a new animated feature that owes more to the original comic panels and with some major talent providing the voices.

The Addams Family must have been brilliantly anti-establishment in the middle of the last century, however, it is something of a victim of its own success.

The family members from the cartoons are delightfully dark, with the boys in the family playing with dynamite for fun, walking their pet octopus, enjoying a charging in the family electric chair.

The family butler may or may not be the monster from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Mother Morticia dead-heads roses for the aesthetic pleasure and in one panel reveals a mane of Medusa-like snakes at the hair salon, while children Pugsley and Wednesday send their dolls to an adorable nursery guillotine. Which is to say this is dark, macabre humour.

However, from the 1960s TV series onwards, this family has helped slowly warp much contemporary humour and society in its image. Every wannabe Goth, every teen angst over-application of eyeliner owes a debt to Wednesday Addams, from Winona Ryder's Beetlejuice character, to Aubrey Plaza's April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation, to whatever lippy thing your own children said to you last week. Whether they knew it or not, that sneer needs to tip its hat to the Addams Family.

I'm getting to a point and it is this - The Addams Family have changed our culture to such a point that being true to its source material, as the new feature by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon is, feels slim and insufficient.

They've helped take contemporary comedy to a much darker place, so that this new film version feels adorably twee. Perfectly fine for a pre-teen discovering the material for the first time, not so much for the grown-up driving them to the movies to see it.

From left, Morticia Addams (voiced by Charlize Theron), Oscar Isaac ( Gomez Addams) and Allison Janney (Margaux Needler) in The Addams Family. Picture: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.

Something of an origin story, the film meets Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron) before they first arrive in the US.

Back in "The old country," they are chased from their wedding ceremony by a posse of angry villagers with lit torches.

They flee to the safety of suburban New Jersey, to a former insane asylum with walls that drip blood.

Some years later, their son Pugsley (Finn Wolfard from Stranger Things) is studying for a macabre family coming-of-age ceremony.

Meanwhile, daughter Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz) questions their isolation from the surrounding community.

The family might be living in secure suburban America, but the neighbours still have their lit torches.

Here it is self-serving reality TV star and interior decorator Margaux (Allison Janney) and her campaign against the Addams' resistance to a real estate property values-driven neighbourhood beautification program.

Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon made the oddly unfunny gross-out adult animation Sausage Party and they do a fine if uninspired job here crafting a cutesy family film.

Everybody feels a little isolated, wondering at their difference from those around them, which makes us all side with the Addams Family against normalcy, against the drivel of everyday life.

So every attempt to inject a little Addams in our lives should be rewarded.

Read more from the original source:
The Addams Family with Oscar Isaac voicing Gomez is adorably twee, not spooky - The Canberra Times

US Countertop Workers Falling Sick from Silica Dust

More and more cases of countertop workers getting sick indicates the hazards are cutting Silestone, a material made of quartz that releases dangerous silica.

United States physicians have identified at least 18 countertop workers with silicosis thus far, and the data shows it might be increasing. Officials worry more cases are out there, given that the countertop fabrication industry in the U.S. has around 100,000 workers.

One case demonstrates the severity of the situation at hand. Ulbester Rodriguez is from Mexico, and he came the United States at age 14. He spoke no English, did not receive a formal education, and worked in restaurant kitchens until changing jobs and working with countertop cutting.

Since 2000, Rodriguez has worked on cutting and polishing slabs of an artificial stone to make kitchen and bathroom countertops. He said the stuff looked a lot like natural granite, but in reality, it was made in a factory from bits of quartz bound together by a resin.

According to NPR, this kind of engineered stone marketed as quartz is now one of the most popular options for kitchen and bathrooms in the United States.

However, this stuff has proven to be a serious hazard, especially when its dust is inhaled. Many workers have gotten sick and even died after cutting this engineered stone and breathing its dust, say public health issues. Some groups are even calling for a ban on selling engineered quartz for countertops.

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US Countertop Workers Falling Sick from Silica Dust - Occupational Health and Safety

Curious just how far your dollar goes in Orlando?

We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to locating apartment rentals in Orlando if you've got a budget of up to $2,500/month.

Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Listed at $2,469/month, this 1,208-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 1711 Jake St.

In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher and hardwood flooring. The building features secured entry and garage parking. Good news for animal lovers: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly.

Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is very walkable, is quite bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

Next, there's this three-bedroom, two-bathroom abode located at 833 Altaloma Ave. It's listed for $2,475/month for its 1,900 square feet.

The building boasts outdoor space. The listing also promises hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, high ceilings and granite countertops in the residence. Pets are not welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is friendly for those on foot, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Take a gander at the complete listing here.)

Here's a 1,191-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 646 W. Smith St. that's going for $2,485/month.

In the unit, you'll find in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and hardwood flooring. The building offers secured entry and garage parking. Pet owners, take heed: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Look out for a $300 pet fee.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Take a look at the full listing here.)

Next, check out this 1,696-square-foot two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom spot that's located at 460 E. Jackson St. It's listed for $2,495/month.

The building offers garage parking. The residence also has hardwood flooring, a balcony, granite countertops, high ceilings and stainless steel appliances. Cats and dogs are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is very walkable, is convenient for biking and has good transit options.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

Located at 5412 Florida'S Tpke North, here's a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom condo that's listed for $2,500/month.

In the condo, which comes furnished, expect to see a dishwasher and hardwood flooring. The building boasts a swimming pool. Good news for pet lovers: The rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental.

According to Walk Score, the area around this address is car-dependent, is quite bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Take a gander at the complete listing here.)

Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Orlando.

This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, read on for five marketing tips for real estate agents to showcase local market expertise.

Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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Apartments for rent in Orlando: What will $2,500 get you? - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando

Its officially cold and flu season, and not even the East family is immune to getting sick. Shawn Johnson East says shes terrified her baby daughter Drew will get sick after both she and husband Andrew developed colds.

"We are all comingdown with colds and I'm absolutely terrified that I'm going to give it to Drew," Johnson East said in a new Instagram story video. "My hands are literally bleeding, I'm washing them so much." Johnson East also asked fans for advice on how to keep her baby daughter safe.

Unfortunately, this is a common problem during cold and flu season.You dont want to give it to your baby and yet this is what happens in families, says Danelle Fisher, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician and vice chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center.

But, if a cold strikes your house, there are a few things you can do to try to keep your baby safe.

The most important thing is hand washing. I encourage people to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least two minutes, says Patricia Garcia, M.D., a pediatrician at Connecticut Childrens.

She also recommends sanitizing areas of your home that get a lot of traffic, like kitchen countertops or the bathroom sink. And, even though its tough, try to keep kissing your baby to a minimum if you're under the weather to avoid spreading germs, Dr. Fisher says.

Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze (in the crook of your arm to keep germs off your hands) can also help, says infectious disease expertAmeshA.Adalja, M.D.,senior scholarat the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. (To protect against the flu, babies who are six months or older should receive theflu vaccine.)

If your baby was premature, it's particularly important to take preventive steps because colds can hit preemies harder, says Dr. Garcia.

You might even consider wearing a face mask around your little one, adds Dr. Adalja, but it can be logistically hard to do you have to keep it on all the time and not touch your face underneath the mask.

If youre breastfeeding, its important to keep on nursing your baby.You spread antibodies to the baby through your breast milk, Dr. Fisher says. Its really protective.

Even if you follow every precaution possible, theres still a chance your baby might get sick.The viruses that cause the common cold are very contagious, and you can be contagious before you even realize you have a cold, Dr. Adalja says.

If your baby does end up catching the cold, she should be okay.Most babies handle it well, Dr. Adalja says. They can be uncomfortable for a couple of days but not something you should worry about too much.

Still, a babys reaction to colds can vary, Dr. Garcia says, which is why its important to talk to your pediatrician if your little one does happen to get sick. It's especially important to get checked if she seems lethargic or is having any difficulty breathing.

In most cases, your baby will do just fine with supportive care, like using asnot sucker to get rid of nasal mucus, using a humidifier and trying to keep her head elevated as much as possible, Dr. Fisher says.

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Shawn Johnson East Is 'Absolutely Terrified' That She's Going to Get Her Baby Sick - What To Expect When You're Expecting

Vincent Moreau, Cincinnatis Branch Leader for MSI, said, Builders, retailers, fabricators, contractors, and interior designers, will have an immersive, customer-focused experience with the full line of MSI products."

ORANGE, Calif. (PRWEB) December 09, 2019

MSI, North Americas Leading Supplier of premium quartz, natural stone, porcelain, ceramic, luxury vinyl tile, and glass surfaces, launched a new showroom and distribution Center in Cincinnati with a full offering of the companys flooring, countertop, decorative mosaic, wall tile, and hardscape products.The showroom is located at 8556 Trade Center Dr. Suite 300 West Chester, OH. The brand new 58,000 square-foot space will also serve residential and commercial markets in Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington area.

Vincent Moreau, Cincinnatis Branch Leader for MSI, said, Builders, retailers, fabricators, contractors, and interior designers, will have an immersive, customer-focused experience with the full line of MSI products. Access to a fully stocked inventory means they will be able to source and select the best surfaces for their projects all under one roof. Dedicated well-lit and climate controlled areas, encourage trade professionals and consumers to make the best product and design decisions.

MSIs Cincinnatis showroom features products for a diverse customer base thats developed around lifestyles, trends, and budgets complete with a state-of-the-art indoor slab area featuring natural stone and Q Premium Natural Quartz; and bestselling products like Everlife LVT and Arterra Porcelain Pavers.

The slab viewing area will include over 130 colors of granite, marble, and other natural stone slabs. A designated quartz gallery houses the industry-leading Q-Premium Natural Quartz collection. The lineup features over ninety colors in an array of sought-after finishes like matte, concrete, and polished.

Due to the breadth of MSI products, the space is built as a trade resource across various business channels: residential remodeling, new home construction, multifamily, and commercial. Vignettes display bestselling products in a real-life setting so that visitors can see the latest innovations in everything from hardscaping to porcelain and ceramic tile to mosaic backsplash tile, said Mr. Moreau.

Rup Shah, President of MSI, said "With our new showroom and distribution center, we have dramatically enhanced our ability to service our customers across Ohio. With a dedicated team of local professionals, local inventory, and a state-of-the-art showroom, we believe we can offer both the broadest selection of hard surfacing products, unparalleled customer service and the strongest distribution capabilities across the region."

The Cincinnati showroom is open six days a week, 8:00am to 5:00pm- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm on Tuesday, and between 9:00am and 12:00pm on Saturday: walk-ins from both consumers and trade professionals are welcome.

About MSI Surfaces Founded in 1975, MSI is the leading supplier of premium surfaces in the U.S. - including flooring, countertops, decorative mosaics, and wall tile, and hardscape products. The company offers an extensive selection of quartz, natural stone, porcelain, ceramic, luxury vinyl tile, and glass, among other materials. Headquartered in Orange, California, MSI has distribution centers across the United States and Canada and maintains over 150 million square feet of inventory, imported from over 36 different countries on six continents. For more information, visitmsisurfaces.com.

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MSI Surfaces Celebrates the Opening of its Cincinnati Showroom - PR Web

Situated in Vaughn Estates, a lovely family-friendly neighborhood in Carver, this multi-level home has been updated to offer hardwood floors, granite countertops and custom tiled showers. In addition to a nice array of interior spaces, an in-ground pool in the backyard provides family fun during the hot summer months.

At a Glance

Address: 37 Bow St., Carver

Company: RE/MAX Spectrum

Website: kimouellette.realtor

Listing agent: Kim Ouellette

Email: kouellette@remaxspectrum.com

Telephone: 508-728-1700

Price: $454,000

Style: Multi-level

Rooms: Eight

Bedrooms: Four

Bathrooms: Three full

Living space: 2,387 square feet

Lot size: .96 acres

Garage: Two-car, attached

Highlights: Situated in Vaughn Estates, a peaceful family-friendly neighborhood in Carver, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has been updated to offer hardwood floors, granite countertops and custom tiled showers. In addition to a nice array of interior spaces, an in-ground pool in the backyard provides family fun during the hot summer months. Multi-level construction, offering six different levels separated by half-flights of stairs, results in both large gathering spaces and private areas that make the home perfect for family living. A huge front-to-back family room offers year-round attraction with a brick wood-burning fireplace that will beckon in the cooler months and a slider out to the fenced backyard and in-ground pool that will entice family members during the summer. Up one level, a spacious dining room with gleaming hardwood oak flooring opens to a cathedral-ceilinged den, which, in turn, connects to a spacious kitchen with granite counters and a slider that opens to a deck overlooking the backyard. Three bedrooms and a full bath are located on an upper level, and the master suite, with a sitting room and updated bathroom, are situated up one level from there, offering a welcome measure of privacy. The uppermost level contains two spacious closets as well as a small room with a single window at the gable end of the home that would be perfect for a home office, a hobby room or a reading retreat.

Taxes: $6,409

For more information about this home, and additional real estate news including this weekends open houses, read the Cranberry Coast Homes section in this weeks newspaper.

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Cranberry Coast Home of the Week: Updated and spacious Carver home is family-friendly - Wicked Local Pembroke

The Quartz Kitchen Countertops Market report gives a purposeful depiction of the area by the practice for research, amalgamation, and review of data taken from various sources. The market analysts have displayed the different sidelines of the area with a point on recognizing the top players (Cosentino Group, Caesarstone, Hanwha L&C, Compac, Vicostone, Dupont, LG Hausys, Cambria, Santa Margherita, Quartz Master, SEIEFFE, Quarella, Samsung Radianz, Technistone, QuartzForm, CR Lawrence, Quarella, Stone Italiana, Granitifiandre, Equs, Diresco, Belenco, QuantumQuartz, Pental, Sage Surfaces (Allen+Roth), Zhongxun, Sinostone, Bitto(Dongguan), OVERLAND, UVIISTONE) of the industry. The Quartz Kitchen Countertops market report correspondingly joins a predefined business market from a SWOT investigation of the real players. Thus, the data summarized out is, no matter how you look at it is, reliable and the result of expansive research.

This report mulls over Quartz Kitchen Countertops showcase on the classification, for instance, application, concords, innovations, income, improvement rate, import, and others (Residential, Commercial) in the estimated time from 20192025 on a global stage. In like manner, the overall Quartz Kitchen Countertops market report reveals knowledge identified with the type of product, its applications, customers, prime players, and various components agreeing with the account. This first data demonstrates critical contenders and their definite picture of the general Quartz Kitchen Countertops market. Other than this, the report further demonstrates expected market power, challenges, and prospects in the Quartz Kitchen Countertops market.

Request for Sample Report @www.intenseresearch.com/market-analysis/global-quartz-kitchen-countertops-market-2018-by-manufacturers.html#request-sample

Types Segment:Press Molding, Casting Molding

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Global Quartz Kitchen Countertops Market report provides a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis. The report also looks at the influential factors that are affecting the development of the Global Automotive Bumpers Market. This statistical report also offers various internal and external driving as well as restraining factors for this research report.

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Essential application areas of Quartz Kitchen Countertops are also measured on the basis of their performance. Market forecasts along with the statistical nuances presented in the report render an insightful view of the Quartz Kitchen Countertops market. The market study on report studies present as well as coming aspects of the Quartz Kitchen Countertops Market mainly based upon factors on which the companies contribute to the market evolution, key trends, and segmentation analysis.

The scope of the report extends from market eventualities to a comparative rating between major players, price, and profit of the required market regions. This makes available the holistic view on competitive analysis of the market. Some of the top players involved in the market are profiled completely in a systematic manner.

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report versions like North America, Europe or Asia.

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Global Quartz Kitchen Countertops Market Analysis by Size, Share, Key Drivers, Growth Opportunities and Global Trends 2025 - Global Industry News...

Everyone thinks of Echo speakers as delivery mechanisms for Alexa, and theres no question that Alexa is the best thing about them. But if you havent actually listened to streaming music lately on an Echo speaker, its definitely time to revisit it and now is the perfect time because its on sale for Green Monday. I was blown away the first time I head Amazons All-new Echo, in fact, and you can snag one right now for $79.99 if you hurry.

Heres the important info from the product page:

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web. Prices subject to change without notice and any coupons mentioned above may be available in limited supply. BGR may receive a commission on orders placed through this article.

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Youre almost out of time to save $20 on Amazons newest Echo, which sounds shockingly good - BGR

Allison Watkins, Special to San Angelo Standard-Times Published 5:05 a.m. CT Dec. 8, 2019

As unpredictable as our weather is, its always a sure bet that summer will be hot and dry.

The crepe myrtle is one of the most versatile landscaping choices in Texas, available as ground cover, shrubs or trees.(Photo: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service)

Thats why fall through winter is the best time of year to plant trees and shrubs, because it gives then time to establish good roots and overcome transplant shock before the harshest season hits.

Of course, an old proverb says that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the next best time is now.

Trees are the most permanent component of the landscape, and shrubs last long as well, so when installing these important foundation plants, do so with careful planning, good design and proper planting technique.

Whether creating a brand-new landscape from scratch, or rejuvenating an old yard, now is a great time to plant. Large shrubs should be reserved for the corners of the home, to help it look wider.

Dont cover windows with tall shrubs, or stagger them between the windows, as that can break up the visual flow across the front of the home and make it look smaller.

Use dwarf shrubs for the front of the home so they dont get too tall and require frequent pruning.

Depending on the specific landscape, a good general rule of thumb is to place trees at 45-degree angles off the front corners of the home not in front, visually dividing the home into sections, but framing it to highlight the home.

The right planting depth is very important only plant trees as deep as the rootball; dont place in a deeper hole that requires soil to be filled in over the root ball. Sometimes nursery trees even have too much soil over the rootball in the container, so check to see if there is loose soil that can be scraped off the top.

Remove excess soil until you see roots matted into soil, and dig the hole as deep as the roots are growing. Very large, heavy trees can even be planted slightly above grade because their weight will cause them to settle in a little deeper over time.

Trees planted too deep will have issues later on the canopies will not be as attractive and the they will be more susceptible to stress.

Improve soil with compost before planting shrubs, but not trees. Only the native soil dug from the hole should be used to fill after planting; trees are too large to amend all the soil their roots will occupy, so choose well-adapted species that do well in the local soil and climate.

Apply a three to four-inch-deep layer of mulch after planting trees and/or shrubs, but dont pile it around the trunk like a volcano that can be stressful to the plants.

Mulch helps trees and shrubs get established faster because it helps keep weed competition under control, moderates soil temperature, and conserves water.

Allison Watkins is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for horticulture in Tom Green County. Contact her at aewatkins@ag.tamu.edu.

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If you're planning to plant trees or shrubs, now's the best time of year - Standard-Times

FOXBORO Tom Brady has the ball. Game on the line. Patriots are in the red zone. First-and-10 at the Chiefs 12-yard line. Down seven with 2:41 to play. Fans chanting his name.

For the GOAT, this scenario has been automatic. Never a doubt. Just chalk it up. He ties the game. Play on.

Only, this isnt the Brady, or the offense, weve been accustomed to seeing for nearly two decades. Its not the same group that kept trading scores with the Chiefs late in the AFC Championship game last season before finally putting them away in overtime, with three long third down conversions, before striking in the red zone.

Brady can no longer will this offense to score points when it has to produce. He can no longer deliver the Patriots when the defense has one bad half, and one good half, as it did against the Chiefs in defending Patrick Mahomes last night.

This offense went 2-for-12 on third down, and 1-for-3 in the red zone during Sundays 23-16 loss to the Chiefs.

Blame the officials all you want, and they certainly deserve blame for botching calls that impacted the outcome.

But the Patriots still had their chances to tie the game, or even win the game, but couldnt put the ball in the end zone.

We got the ball. We moved it. We had some plays there where we could have scored, Brady said, we had some in the red area, we had a couple fourth downs, we just didnt make the plays when we needed to make them.

Its been that way all year. At this point, its hard to see that changing. The Patriots went 2-3 over the toughest part of their schedule with the three losses to AFC opponents (Ravens, Texans, Chiefs) theyre likely to see in the playoffs. All three losses were similar in that the defense couldnt hold the opposing team under 20, while the Patriots offense wasnt capable of bailing them out.

We just got to go out and play better and try to win next weeks game, said Brady, as the Pats are onto Cincinnati. Its disappointing. Were not going to feel sorry for ourselves.

The heart and competitiveness of the 42-year-old quarterback was certainly still there down the stretch, as he took off on a 4th-and-6 from the Chiefs 29, gaining 17 yards to bring the Pats closer to the endzone, and keep their last gasp drive alive.

That was the play that set up first-and-goal from the 12. But then there was an incomplete pass to tight end Matt LaCosse in the end zone. Brady hit Julian Edelman for a nine-yard completion setting up fourth-and-goal from the three.

Again, the expectation was for Brady to deliver. Only, his try for Edelman in the endzone was broken up by KC cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who made a nice play to bat the ball away.

That was the plan. The plan is to always score, but at the end of the day, we didnt, said Phillip Dorsett. We cant say the refs blew the game, because we still had a chance to score and we didnt. Weve got to play better.

The Patriots resorted to trickery once again, to try and inject some life in the offense. On the opening series of the game, they used a flea-flicker, with Brady hitting Edelman for a 37-yard-scoring pass. They also had James White throw a pass to Jakobi Meyers for a 35-yard gain during the final, and futile drive.

Just trying some different things to give us a little spark or momentum, said Brady. You know, we had a couple big ones (Sunday) on the flea flicker and then on the other one with the halfback pass. So, those were good plays, those were good momentum plays. I wish we could have made a few more of the other ones, too.

Brady, who entered the interview room wearing a big bandage around his right throwing elbow, claimed it was nothing to worry about. He said it was the result of a hit, but that he would be fine and ready next Sunday for the Bengals.

Hes been on the injury report with an elbow problem. He didnt seem hampered by the elbow on Sunday, even though his numbers werent very good (19 of 36 for 169 yards with one interception).

Patriot fans actually booed the offense as it left the field for half-time. The Chiefs were in control of the game at the intermission as the offense was still having breakdowns, drops, a lack of protection and bad throws from the quarterback.

But then something happened on the way to completely losing hope that order would be restored within the AFC landscape: the Pats rallied.

With the help of another special teams punt block, the defense standing tall in the second half, Brady & Co. were able to creep back in the game.

With the fans chanting Brady, Brady, Brady for every fourth quarter possession, they felt something great was going to happen in the end. Only, it didnt.

We still had a chance, Brady said. Wish we could have scored there at the end.

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Tom Brady still cant deliver any last-minute heroics with this Patriots offense - Boston Herald