Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) October 27, 2014

The end of daylight savings arrives at 2 a.m. on November 2, 2014, throughout most of the United States and Canada. For many, it's more than just setting the clock back an hour. It can come as a shock to leave work at the usual time, only to return home after the sun has set. Interior and exterior lighting is a great way to offset this sudden shift in light and prepare for the longer evenings to come.

For starters, a comprehensive landscape lighting plan brightens the yard during the winter months, when daylight hours are limited. "Our Super Duty brand of LED landscape lighting was developed specifically to endure the rigors of lighting the yard all year long," explains Dennis Swanson, Lamps Plus founder and CEO. Featuring sturdy construction and energy-efficient LED light sources, this collection includes tall landscape lights and post lights for general outdoor illumination, spot and flood lights for accent lighting, and landscape lighting sets combining a range of types for an all-in-one yard solution. "A variety of flood, spot and tall lights artfully illuminates your property while simultaneously increasing safety and security."

There are a number of other fuss-free ways to light the home's exterior and eliminate the worry of running the electrical bill up too much. Dusk-to-dawn lighting, for instance, uses an internal light sensor to turn the unit off and on with the rising and falling of the sun. For an even more specific option, motion sensor security lights turn on only when they sense movement nearby. Motion sensor lights are best-suited for deterring would-be burglars and illuminating high-traffic locations such as garages and back doors.

Indoors, similar technology makes it easy to keep the lights on during the winter months. Motion sensors can also be installed to trigger lights each time a person enters the room. To avoid returning home to a dark house, consumers can use timers for table and floor lamps. Installed directly into the outlet, these timers can be easily set to turn lamps on and off at regular intervals. And new wireless remotes make it easier than ever to operate lights throughout the home. Able to operate up to three outlets at once, the latest remote control designs allow a person to control lamps and other appliances with the single touch from a handheld remote.

Despite the increased convenience of many new lighting products, longer evenings still require homeowners to keep lights on longer. Luckily LED lighting which is up to 10x times as energy-efficient as standard incandescent lighting can make up for those extra hours on the electrical bill. And it looks great too. "The quality of LED light has increased dramatically over the years," says Swanson. "For the 'warm' look that people used to associate with standard bulbs, consumers should look for LEDs with low color temperatures in the 2700K-3000K range." Higher color temperatures provide a clear and "cool" white light that's ideal for reading and other tasks around the house.

From safety and security in the yard to fresh new style indoors, LED and other new technologies offer easy and energy-efficient ways to keep the home bright all winter long. As a reminder, don't forget to set clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 1st.

About Lamps Plus For more than 30 years, Lamps Plus has been synonymous with excellence in the retail lighting industry. Established in 1976, Lamps Plus is the nation's largest specialty lighting store, with more than 40 superstores throughout the western United States. LampsPlus.com was named a 2014 Top 10 Housewares/Home Furnishings e-tailer and a 2013 Hot 100" world's best retail website by Internet Retailer Magazine. Together with its retail locations, the company serves customers nationwide with the largest selection of functional and decorative lighting fixtures, accessories, furniture and home decor. This selection includes hundreds of products, ranging from traditional chandeliers to the latest in home decor, available exclusively from Lamps Plus. The company also holds several patents for innovative lighting. Services offered include in-home lighting consultations, in-store workshops and installation from expert, licensed electricians. American Lighting Association certified designers are available to offer product recommendations and advice in all our stores, by phone or online at LampsPlus.com. The Lamps Plus family of websites also includes 55 Downing Street, Builders Discount Lighting and Lamps Plus Open Box. Visit the official Lamps Plus website: LampsPlus.com.

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Lighting Tips for Surviving the End of Daylight Savings

And then there were two. Another landscape-altering week of college football leaves Florida State and Mississippi State as the only remaining undefeated teams from Power Five conferences, with Ole Miss' loss to LSU serving to further muddy the Top 25 waters.

The Bulldogs, who had their own scare against Kentucky, and the idle Seminoles remain atop the latest Associated Press rankings. But LSU's upset opens the door for its SEC rivals, as No. 3 Alabama and No. 4 Auburn move into positions of power before the first College Football Playoff rankings are released. Oregon rounds out the Top Five, and the remainder of the Top 10 stayed the same only with reshuffled numbers next to their name.

Here is a look at how the AP Poll played out, along with the B/R Top 25:

AP.org

Ole Miss' drop to No. 7 can at least be partially attributed to poor late-game management. Down 10-7 with the ball at the LSU 25-yard line, Rebels coach Hugh Freeze made the decision to kick a 42-yard field goal too late to cause a delay of game penalty. After LSU called a timeout to ice kickerGary Wunderlich, Freeze made another curious decision, pulling his special teams unit off the field to run a final offensive play.

Bo Wallace forced a wounded duck into double coverage, and LSU safetyRonald Martinpicked the ball off to end the game. While no one will ever know whether Wunderlich would have made the field goal or even if Ole Miss would have won in overtime, it's a decision all involved regret.

"I thought we were plenty clear we were either going to take the flat throw or throw it out of bounds, and then try the field goal," Freeze told reporters. "He must have felt like he had a shot at the touchdown play there...I wish I could do that over, for sure."

LSU, which opened its conference slate with consecutive losses, has now won three straight heading into a Nov. 8 game against Alabama. The third-ranked Crimson Tide are also off next week, but it'll be interesting to see if the transitive property applies when they visit Tiger Stadium.

A majority of the other notable outcomes for Top 25 teams Saturday involved near-upsets. Ohio State needed two overtimes in Happy Valley to take down Penn State, as Joey Bosa sacked Christian Hackenberg on 4th-and-5 to give the Buckeyes their fifth straight win. The struggles against Penn State were a bit of a surprise after Ohio State scored 50-plus points in four consecutive games, but Urban Meyer's team is rounding into form at the right time.

Freshman J.T. Barrett, taking over after Braxton Miller's season-ending injury, has 27 total touchdowns and has quietly been among the nation's best quarterbacks. Barrett struggled at times against a game Nittany Lions secondary but scored twice on the ground in overtime to help seal the deal.

Original post:
AP College Football Poll 2014: Complete Week 10 Rankings Released

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.

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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

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