One man died and another was injured during a bee attack Wednesday in Douglas while the men were cleaning a yard.

A crew of four men who do landscape work through Douglas ARC, an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities, were working at a house in the 1700 block of 21st Street, said Capt. Ray Luzania of the Douglas Fire Department.

While the workers turned on lawn mowers, the crew was "attacked by a swarm of bees," said Luzania. The men ran to a house in the 1800 block of 21st Street for help, and the homeowner called 911.

Firefighters were dispatched shortly before 10:30 a.m. to the house where the men sought refuge, and worked on one man who had collapsed, Luzania said.

The 32-year-old man went into cardiac arrest, and paramedics treated him and took him to Cochise Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead, said Luzania.

"A witness said his face and neck were covered with bees," Luzania said.

The other man, who was stung more than 100 times, was treated at the hospital and released. The other two workers did not require treatment, said Luzania. He said the homeowner who helped the men drove herself to a hospital in Bisbee and was treated and released.

Firefighters went to the house where the landscaping crew was working and assisted an exterminator while he destroyed the hive. It was estimated that the hive had between 300,000 to 800,000 bees, said Luzania.

"The hive was in the eaves of the house and spread into the attic. The hive was 4 feet wide and 6 feet long," Luzania said.

The homeowner, a 90-year-old man who lived alone, was evacuated from the home while the hive was destroyed, Luzania said.

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1 dies, another injured in Douglas bee attack

An advertisement for the Germain Seed & Plant Co., circa 1919.

As we celebrate Sukkot with all its greenery and bounty, its also a good time to remember a couple of Jewish Johnny Appleseeds who added variety and color to the Los Angeles landscape. From the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th, Eugene Germain, along with Manfred Meyberg, supplied the city with a wide range of plants that included poppies and roses, as well as the jacarandas and coral trees we still grow today.

In Southern California, palm fronds are commonly used as sukkah roofs. We buy them on street corners or at flower shops, get them from neighbors or even cut them from trees growing in our own yards.

In 1900, if you wanted to grow a palm tree, you could choose from 10 varieties of seed, including the still-popular Washingtonia or California fan palm ordered from the Germain Seed and Plant Co. store in downtown Los Angeles, or from their catalog.

Looking for something extra growing in your yard to beautify that sukkah? If you find a bird of paradise, then you have Manfred Meyberg (pronounced MY-berg) to thank. Meyberg started working at Germains as an office boy when he was 19 and eventually become the companys president; he was such a promoter of the bird of paradise, he got it declared the City of Angels official flower in 1952.

Although the Germain company was bought out by an English company in 1990, it is still a significant name in agribusiness. Meyberg is commemorated by a waterfall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Yet the two names, important to the development of the citys horticulture, largely have been grown over by the tangle of time.

Fortunately, Harriet Ashby, a great-niece of Eugene Germain, has helped cut through the brush by researching her family roots and writing about them. The family name originally was Bloch, she said in an interview, saying it was changed by Nathan Germain, Eugenes father.

Eugene Germain was born on Nov. 30, 1849, in Moudon, Switzerland, where he was educated in public schools and attended college at Lausanne, Ashby wrote in 1970 for Western States Jewish History. He first went to New York in 1868, then came to Los Angeles in 1870. He married Caroline Sievers in 1872, and together they had five children.

His first L.A. business was a restaurant; then he opened a grocery and poultry store in 1874, at 128 N. Main St., from which he began to package and ship large quantities of fruit and other food items.

By 1884, his business had grown so large that he reorganized, and the Germain Fruit Co. was born. Key to the business was selling seeds, nursery stock and wines, and also running a fruit-packing plant in Santa Ana.

Read this article:
From palm fronds to poppies: The Jews who brought them to L.A.

The ever-shortening days, cooling temperatures and changing landscape of Calaveras County signal the recent arrival of autumn. Fall could be considered the quiet season the perfect lull between the spontaneous activity of summer and the traditions of the upcoming holidays.

Fall is also the season of harvest, beginning with the grape crush and ending with a Thanksgiving feast. The earth, grass and leaves are in the midst of their brilliant transformations. Take time to appreciate all the variations in the seasons tones and textures, and consider how to bring natures beautiful palette into your living spaces.

After removing any last traces of summer accents, begin to introduce new seasonal items in burnt orange, light browns, shades of gold, terra cotta and variations of tan, red and purple. These colors can be added to your interiors in accessories, fabrics and natural materials.

Candles provide a quick and easy change; they immediately convey warmth, comfort and a touch of fall color. Pull out all candlesticks, candelabras or lanterns and group them by material: brass, pewter, wood or iron. Fill them with colorful candles in autumn hues and display in groups of three or five on the sideboard, entry table or mantle. Mix or match colors and materials, depending on your preference. Intertwine the base of your arrangement with small branches of fall leaves, vines or berries.

As the nights become cooler, switch out your bed linens, rugs and window coverings for some with more weight and depth of color. Consider introducing flannel sheets or a down comforter to the bed. Accent pillows, shams and window coverings in rich fabrics like velvet, chenille, tweed or felt can be added now. Change out your towels in the bath and kitchen; add a heavier rug to your entry; fold a quilt at the foot of the bed or a nubby throw over the back of your favorite reading chair.

In the dining area, a tablecloth in fall tones will add warmth and softness, with a nod to the changing season. If you prefer the look of exposed wood, add a warm table runner instead, and top it with a large bowl of apples or persimmons.

Buy a single baby pumpkin, gourd or Indian corn cob each time you visit the produce aisle, and use these fresh seasonal pieces as decorative accents. Gather them together to display on a tabletop or scatter them around the house: a trio of Indian corn on a side table, a gourd used as a bookend or a lone miniature pumpkin on the guest room bedside table.

When doing it up for all, dont forget the yard or garden. Follow the example of Northeasterners, and use this time of year to decorate your yard before the harsh weather comes. Bring fall colors into your landscape with pots of yellow, gold or burgundy mums. Introduce decorative garden art like a rusty sculpture or tall metal sunflowers. Tuck a few pumpkins and other types of squash into planted beds or flower pots. Fill an old wheelbarrow with hay or pumpkins, prop an old rake against the oak tree, and fashion a scarecrow to oversee the area.

Pause and appreciate the relative simplicity of autumn. Revel in the ease and natural bounty that the season provides us and make the most of it in and around your home this fall.

Linda Lawrence is the owner of HouseCalls for Redesign. Contact her at housecalls4redesign@ comcast.net or 728-2732, or visit housecalls4redesign.com.

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House Calls: Autumn touches in the home

EUGENE, Ore. -- Arizona upset Oregon again.

For the second year in a row, the Wildcats stunned the Ducks, with Arizona recording a 31-24 win over the nation's second-ranked team Thursday night at Autzen Stadium.

One year after posting a 42-16 win over the fifth-ranked Ducks at home, the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) went on the road to beat Oregon (4-1, 1-1).

Last year it was really heartwarming because it was the seniors' last home game and it was improbable, of course, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. This one, I don't know if anybody picked us. I don't know how many people were talking about us, but I bet you most of them weren't thinking this was going to happen, not on the road.

Arizona running back Terris Jones-Grigsby scored the winning touchdown a 1-yard run with 2:54 remaining to break a 24-24 tie. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota fumbled at the Ducks' 34-yard line with 2:11 to play, and the Wildcats ran out the clock.

Coach always talks about the best feeling is a winning locker room, and he's right, Jones-Grigsby said.

Arizona freshman quarterback Anu Solomon finished 20-for-31 for 287 yards and a touchdown. Jones-Grigsby gained 115 yards on 27 carries, and running back Nick Wilson added 92 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Wilson also caught a touchdown pass.

Mariota, the Heisman Trophy favorite entering the game, was 20-for-32 for 276 yards and two touchdown passes, and he made a touchdown reception. Freshman wide receiver Devon Allen had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, and running back Royce Freeman gained 85 yards on 19 carries.

First and foremost, give Arizona credit, they played well, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said. They got hot in the second half, and we did not make enough plays to win. We made a lot of uncharacteristic errors.

The Ducks looked like a strong contender to reach the College Football Playoff after an impressive nonconference win over Michigan State last month, but a loss to the unranked Wildcats will hurt their case. A trip to undefeated UCLA is up next.

Read this article:
College football landscape shaken by Oregon's loss to Arizona

After the 2009 derecho, Lorie and Howard Allen's yard grew into a mass of vines and weeds.

"This summer, I decided it was time to get back to the garden and, hopefully, eliminate some mosquitoes along the way," said Lorie, who spent hundreds of hours transforming her yard on West Sycamore Street in Carbondale.

Both Lorie and Howard retired from SIU; Lorie was in workforce education and development, and Howard taught history.

With the help of an SIU zoology student, Lorie removed two dozen truckloads of weeds, vines and sticks. Howard praised them for their efforts, but that was about it. When it comes to gardening, he considers himself a spectator.

"My old garden's structure was revealed. This lovely perennial bed was hidden under weeds and overgrown plants," Lorie said. "It was a surprise to get up on the roof and look out over a much neater landscape."

She said the yard, which sits on six city lots, is home to more than 20 species of birds and several species of frogs and toads, along with snakes and box turtles. Deer and foxes pass through the garden, she added, and red-shouldered hawks soar overhead.

One of Lorie's most unpleasant childhood memories involves removing clover from the grass in her grandmother's yard.

"I vowed then never to worry about grass," Lorie said. "I'd rather pull weeds than mow."

Now, her garden is filled with daffodils, tulips, irises, daylilies and peonies, which seem to keep the oak leaf hydrangeas and azaleas company. Most of her trees are oak, interspersed with holly, cedar, crabapple and witch-hazel.

Small statues -- an alligator, cherub and Buddha -- peek out of the greenery, and stone walkways wind through the backyard. One of Lorie's favorite places is the fire pit.

Original post:
Lorie and Howard Allen's home is a winner and a certified wildlife spot

Photo: Senior Zack Thielk manhandles a DeKalb player during Kanelands 37-34 loss against the Barbs. Photo by Laura Gampfer

Late comeback try falls short in first-ever conference loss to DeKalb KANELANDIt seems like 2014 has the Northern Illinois Big XII Conference upside down.

DeKalb and Yorkville are atop the current landscape, with Kaneland, Sycamore and Morris looking up.

The Knights, after a valiant fourth-quarter comeback and a penchant for matching visiting DeKalbs big plays, had the ball and a chance to at least tie the game with 42 seconds to go, but a Barb interception on the drives second play ended the threat and set the final in DeKalbs favor, 37-34 on Friday.

Thats what we preach to these guys, KHS coach Tom Fedderly said. Weve got to come here and have a chance at the end if we dont make a lot of mistakes. Thats something we really worked on all week. We really had a good week of practice.

Kaneland falls to 2-3, with an 0-2 mark in the Northern Illinois Big XII. It marked the first losing streak in conference play since the NIB-12s 2010 kickoff. The Knights have not had a 2-3 mark in regular season play since the 2007 campaign, after wins over Burlington Central and Batavia, with losses against Marmion Academy, Rochelle and Sycamore.

DeKalb is 5-0 and has already matched its 2013 win total, with meetings against Morris, Rochelle, undefeated Yorkville and undefeated Geneseo still to come.

These guys have been playing for a while. This is their year, and they have a lot of really good seniors and theyve got a pretty good sophomore quarterback, Fedderly said.

Kaneland QB Jake Marczuk was 23-for-36 for 420 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Wideout Connor Fedderly had 294 yards receiving and two touchdown catches, including a 61-yard bomb that brought the game to its final margin. Tyler Paulson had four catches for 69 yards.

DeKalbs Rudy Lopez picked off a tipped pass to end the first drive of the game, and the Barbs converted with a 63-yard scoring scamper by Eriq Torrey. Danny Hammermeister blocked the PAT to make it 6-0 with 8:44 left in the first frame.

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Down to the Barbed Wire

GOSHEN, Ind. -- WNDU surprised Goshen High School teacher Jordan Willsey with the news that he was the winner of this years 16 Curb Appeal Project. He teaches kids to stay in school and set high goals.

Service to me is paying back for what others did for me, said Willsey. I had a lot of stuff done for me in the past. So it's paying it forward to students and future soldiers.

Jordan served two tours in Iraq and is currently a staff sergeant with Grissom Air Reserve base.

He had one request of the landscape makeover: a place where he could fly his flag at his Mishawaka home. A storm took down his flag pole last year.

Mark Linton from Lintons Enchanted Gardens inspected Willseys front yard.

Right now we've got this huge Sycamore in the way, said Linton. It's probably the most ideal place to fly a flag.

The tree came down thanks to the quick work of Big B's Tree Service of Elkhart that donated their work to our 16 Curb Appeal project.

With a clean slate, the Linton crews went to work following exciting blueprints that not only extended the landscaping down the sloping yard, but added stone terraces for beauty and function.

The old front porch landscaping had timbers and tired shrubs. The new look features the stone wall and a flower bed for annuals.

Linton selected pansies for the space.

Link:
16 Curb Appeal: The final reveal

The Lafayette Consolidated Government introduced "Project Front Yard" before a huge audience Monday. An audience that included community leaders, elected officials, residents and business owners. "If this was a cleanup week, I've wouldn't have bothered. This is not about just having cleanup day. It's about changing the way we think," says LCG President Joey Durel.

LCG plans to propose ordinances for both civil and criminal enforcement's to support the beautification effort. Assistant to the City-Parish President Matherine McCormick explains. "We looked at other communities that have made truly cultural shifts and how did they do it? Really it's getting everyone on board and everyone to the table in their own way."

The Lafayette Parish School District plans to be a part of the litter-free initiative. LPSS Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper explained how local businesses have helped to transform aging schools. One high school student said he intends to ask classmates to pitch-in and pickup. "High school [students] inspire the younger generation. We're the leaders and the people they look up to," says Jacob LeMeunier.

LCG Councilman Brandon Shelvin spoke of the possibility of revitalizing the what's called the four corner's area and possibly replacing the hotel "less pay" with a police substation. "The people that have been there for many many years and who have endured the stigmatism of that hotel. It lets the people know that we care. "Our goal is to make Lafayette Parish a more beautiful and pleasing place for when our visitors come to visit and our residents as well."

For more information visit the website projectfrontyard.com.

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"Project Front Yard" to transform Lafayette's landscape

Traffic gets heavy during commuter hours on Route 7 near where a contractors yard is proposed. This is early evening looking south. The proposed development would be on the east side of Route 7, to the left. Macklin Reid photo

A year after Ergotech withdrew plans for a light manufacturing facility on Route 7, bowing out in the face of neighborhood opposition, the three-acre site bordering The Regency at Ridgefield condominium complex has been proposed for development as a facility that contractors could work out of and store construction equipment.

Multi-unit contractors yard is the description of the proposed use in an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission by Larry Leary Development LLC, longtime owner of the site.

Its a base of operations for a contractor, with a place for supplies and equipment, said Town Planner Betty Brosius, describing the plans. Youll get plumbers, electricians, landscape companies and other type of specialty trucks whoever needs a garage space and a little bit of office space and a restroom, and they store the trucks and equipment and apparatus.

The commission accepted the application last week, and scheduled the proposal for a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The commissions usual Tuesday evening meeting is pushed back a day that week, because Nov. 4 is Election Day.

The property is on the east side of Route 7, a little south of the intersection of Route 35, directly across from Little Pond. The development site of a little less than three acres is wedged between Route 7 and the 73-unit Regency complex, which is to the east and north of the commercially zoned Leary property. The Regency condominiums are at a considerably higher elevation than the Route 7 frontage of the site, where development of the contractors yard is planned.

The site improvement includes four buildings containing multiple contractor units and the driving and parking areas to support the four structures, John McCoy of JFM Engineering wrote in the application for Leary Development.

In a pre-submission concept discussion with the commission, Mr. McCoy described the plans as a contractors yard with rental units for equipment and possible outdoor storage for equipment in parking spaces.

Four buildings totaling more than 13,000 square feet and containing a total of 14 units, are described in the application, with a parking area to accommodate 36 cars or trucks.

The development plans show two front buildings off Route 7, each two and one-half stories with three contractors units and 2,887 square feet of space. Behind those are two more buildings, one and one-half stories high, each with four contractors units and 3,841 square feet of space.

Original post:
Contractors yard planned on Route 7

SOUTH Lismore is set to become a home repair hot-spot after Bunnings got the go-ahead for a $5 million improvement to its existing store that will roughly coincide with the opening of a new $11.5 million Masters Home Improvement store, right next door.

The new look Bunnings will have an extended timber trade sales yard and nursery, while the general warehouse will also be expanded to include kitchen and bathroom displays, Bunnings chief operating officer Peter Davis said.

"We have been part of the Lismore community since 2001 and we're looking forward to bringing an even better store," he said.

"As part of the expansion the total store area will grow to almost 10,000 square metres.

"The existing building materials and landscape yard will be fully enclosed to create a weather proof timber trade sales area, a canopy will be added over the nursery and extra covered floor space will allow for a wider range of products," he said.

The expansion is expected to be complete by early 2015 and will include implementation a number of energy and water saving design features.

Bunnings will continue trading through the upgrade period.

Late last year the Council approved a new $11.5 million Masters Home Improvement store, now under construction next to the Bunnings store on Bruxner Highway, south of Three Chain Road.

The Masters store will be 10,000 square metres in size and create more than 250 retail and construction jobs.

The store is due to be open a few months after Xmas.

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Bunnings announces $5m expansion to Lismore hardware store