By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - It's a question Jeb Bush gets often, and will surely get again, over and over.

At a meeting of Republican donors who helped pay for 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign, one wanted to know: How does the former Florida governor plan to distinguish himself from his brother, former President George W. Bush?

"He said we are bound by religious faith and our family's values, but have different interests, strategies and leadership styles," said Craig Duchossois, a Chicago-based investor and GOP donor who was at the meeting.

Others who have attended similar private events with Bush in recent weeks, as he aggressively seeks to raise a pacesetting amount of money before formally launching a 2016 campaign, say Bush has told them the same. His overriding message, although not one yet offered with many specifics: I am my own candidate.

"He dealt with that tough question like a champ," said another donor at the meeting, Terry Graunke. "He said, 'We may have the same principles and values, but everybody in our family is different.'"

Part of Bush's strength in the early days of the 2016 race undoubtedly comes from his family ties, including a robust fundraising network and connections inside the Republican Party built over generations - his father served as president, his grandfather as a member of the Senate.

In public, Bush offers nothing but love and respect for his older brother, a figure who still divides Americans more than six years since leaving office - but less so now than upon his exit from the White House. In private, the younger Bush notes that they differ and see the world differently.

"It's an interesting challenge for me," Jeb Bush told an audience earlier month, offering a public glimpse into his thinking about how the legacy of his family might impact his own campaign.

"If I have any degree of self-awareness, this would be the place where it might want to be applied," he told the Detroit Economic Club, earning a chuckle. "If I was to go beyond the consideration of running, I would have to deal with this and turn this fact into an opportunity to share who I am, to connect on a human level with people."

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Comparisons to brother 'interesting challenge' for Jeb Bush

A British study released Monday suggested that the risk of psychosis was five times higher for regular users of cannabis, adding to a growing body of evidence linking drug use and mental health disorders.

The six-year study published in the medical journal The Lancet reported on 780 people living in south London, 410 of whom were being treated for conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The reports lead author was Marta Di Forti from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at Kings College London, who warned about the growing use of skunk a powerful type of cannabis.

Compared with those who had never tried cannabis, users of high potency skunk-like cannabis had a threefold increase in risk of psychosis, she said.

The risk to those who use every day was even higher a fivefold increase compared to people who never use, she added in a statement.

Psychosis is a mental health problem and the symptoms include hallucinations and delusions.

In England, about one new case of psychosis is diagnosed for every 2,000 people every year.

This paper suggests that we could prevent almost one-quarter of cases of psychosis if no one smoked high potency cannabis, said Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at Kings College London and a senior researcher for the study.

This could save young patients a lot of suffering and the NHS (National Health Service) a lot of money, he said.

The study was based on 410 patients who reported psychosis between 2005 and 2011. A further 370 healthy participants from the same area of south London were included for comparison.

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Pot Smokers 5 Times More Likely To Develop Psychosis

Main bar at Club Med Nusa Dua.

I just got here too, says Tonky. I only arrived at Club Med Bali a couple of hours ago and Tonky, a.k.a. Supriyanto Dermawan, beat me here by just a week. Originally from Jakarta, hes the new the new Club Med Business manager here, but has been with the company since 2008, previously working elsewhere in the Indonesian archipelago at the companys Bintan Island property.

Club Med is a little bit unique, Tonky tells me as we set off on a tour around the resorts 14-hectare site, on the beachfront at Nusa Dua. Hes referring to the fact this is an all-inclusive resort: very nearly everything is included in the price, from meals and most drinks to the kids and teens clubs, sporting activities and airport transfers. (Extras like spa treatments, excursions and the Baby and Petit Club Med, for very small children, are not.)

Im staying in a plush suite thats as big as a decent-sized one-bedroom apartment, but Tonky also shows me a few of the more affordable room options. Some have balconies or terraces, and some interconnect for families with younger children. The resort has about 300 guest rooms, and renovations are currently taking place that will include a refresh to all of these rooms. Other new facilities include the new Baby Club Med and new childrens facilities including a music academy and art studio.

The main attraction here is really whats on offer outside the rooms, and the facilities are extensive.

Club Med is known for its sporting facilities, and includes instruction in various sports in the package price. Guests can take part in water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling at the public beach, and swim in the big family pool or new adults-only Zen Pool. There are five tennis courts, a soccer pitch and squash courts, plus archery targets and a nine-hole golf course. In the undercover sporting area, we find a father and son playing an energetic game of badminton, although this space can also be used for basketball, volleyball and futsal. There are also yoga and other fitness classes, a weights room, and a flying trapeze academy.

For something a little more sedate, the spa offers various treatments including its signature, the four-hands massage with two therapists. Tonky shows me the couples treatment rooms, which are housed in traditional-style thatched lumbungs and look out over the gardens. The spa also has a Quiet Pool with a jacuzzi and shower room, all of which guests can use for free when they come for treatments.

There are also various cultural activities on offer. Tonky shows me the Balinese amphitheatre, used for folklore dance performances, and my visit coincides with the weekly Balinese evening, which means that various local cuisine is on offer in the Agung restaurant, along with a Bahasa Indonesia language class. Theres also a boutique on site, live entertainment every evening, and a nightclub, and staff can organise day trips and outings.

With everything on offer, something about the resort reminds me just a little of a very spacious, very leafy cruise ship. Theres so much to do that you could quite happily spend your whole holiday within the resorts walls. And indeed many guests do just this Australians in particular, apparently.

The resort has a nine-hole golf course.

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Club Med Bali a little unique

Lawn care | Landscape Curb Appeal Make over | Perfect Leaf Management LLC
Welcome To Perfect Leaf Management LLC Would you love to keep your lawn a wonderful place where you can spend momentous times with your family or friends? Would you want to maintain the ...

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Lawn care | Landscape Curb Appeal Make over | Perfect Leaf Management LLC - Video

Trish Robichaud knew something was wrong with her three-year-old daughter Brielle even though a series of tests and visits to doctors and hospital in Red Deer didnt find any problems.

So on Jan. 22, when the registered nurse saw that her daughter had a stiff neck and back, and fearing meningitis, Trish decided to take Bri, as she is known, straight to the Alberta Childrens Hospital in Calgary.

They arrived at 8 a.m. Four hours later, doctors began a six-hour emergency brain surgery on the little girl. It would be the first of four surgeries shes had since arriving at the hospital.

Speaking to me Wednesday, on Day 21 as she called it, and an hour before Bri was to begin 18 months of chemotherapy, Trish said a CT scan and MRI in Calgary led to the discovery of a very large tumour growing in the middle of Bris brain that probably had been growing there for a long time.

Its in a bad spot of her brain, where her optic chiasm and hypothalmus are, and near her pituitary gland, said Trish. Thats all bad but what was even worse than that was the tumour was blocking the pathway of her cerebral spinal fluid ... filling her head with fluid ... which was threatening her life.

Neurosurgeons couldnt remove the tumour safely. It is considered benign but now has to be treated with chemotherapy to keep it from growing. Bri is too young to have radiation.

The location is so scary they have no choice but to treat it, said Trish, who hasnt left the hospital since the day they arrived there. Trish, 35, and husband Nick Robichaud, 36, assistant superintendant at Alberta Springs golf course, have one bed and a lawn chair to sleep in as they stay by her side.

Today were really happy because shes happy, said Trish. They are very glad the surgeries are over. Besides the initial surgery, Bri has also had a drain and shunt implanted, as well as a port that will enable the chemotherapy.

Obviously we have tears. Her and I. We both shed tears every single day and there are things that are very painful but shes such a good kid. Shes so easy-going and so likable. ... Everybody loves her. Shes the nicest little girl. She puts up with so much, a tired-sounding Trish said.

The parents of both Trish and Nick also live in Red Deer and are helping to look after the Robichauds other children sons Xavier, seven, and Taj, five.

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Girl on long road of treatment for brain tumour

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) February 10, 2015

Pest can have a major impact on Colorado landscapes every year. With spring approaching, the damage created by these issues will start to become more apparent, if they have not already.

As Colorados lawn care and tree service experts, we are committed to keeping the community informed on possible threats to Colorado landscapes, so they have the opportunity to make informed decisions about what is best for their landscapes, said Swingle President John Gibson.

Emerald Ash Borer: Emerald ash borer was discovered in Colorado in 2013. EAB is the most destructive urban forest pest - killing any ash tree in its way. The wood-boring pest has infested ash trees in Boulder, resulting in many trees over several city blocks showing symptoms of infestation and eventually dying. The pest has not been found outside of the city. It is suspected EAB has been feeding on ash trees for six years in the affected area. It is believed that over the next 18 months, the borer will be found outside of the City of Boulder and will call for immediate action to be taken in order to save Colorado ash trees. It is best to work with a professional to determine ash trees at risk and hire a licensed applicator to protect trees.

Knowing predictions going into the spring can help homeowners prevent losing their trees or plants by taking proactive measures, says Steve Geist Swingle Senior Consulting Arborist.

Pine Wilt Nematode: States sitting to the east of Colorado have lost thousands of Scots and Austrian pines due to the pine wilt pest. A wood-boring insect (pine sawyer) spreads a tiny worm-like animal called a nematode to healthy pine trees. The nematode will multiply, clogging up water conducting tissues in the tree. Damage of the pine wilt is found in the late summer and fall when trees die rapidly from the pest. Swingle diagnosed a few trees in 2014 with pine wilt, meaning the nematode is still out there. A hot spring could lead to pines dying in the fall of 2015. Any high value tree should be protected. It is recommended to work with a certified professional to discuss treatment options.

Japanese Beetle: Japanese beetles tend to be present during the beginning of July. Japanese beetles need consistent soil moisture to mature especially in the winter. Abundant moisture results in seeing more beetle activity. Japanese beetles feed on plants such as roses, Virginia creeper (vine), linden trees and many other ornamentals. Adult Japanese beetles chew and defoliate plants in the middle of the summer. If the 2015 winter continues with consistent moisture, it is expected the beetles will be present. Spray treatment options are available, yet the treatment will not eradiate the insect but help control them. A licensed applicator can make recommendations on treatment options. As information develops and discoveries are made, the company will provide information about pests in our area and the best treatment options available for protecting Colorado landscapes.

About Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care Founded in Denver in 1947, Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care has grown to be the one of the largest residential and commercial lawn service and tree care companies in Colorado, employing more certified arborists than any other Colorado company. For information please contact Kellie Houghtaling khoughtaling@MySwingle.com (303) 337-6200 or visit http://www.MySwingle.com/contact. ###

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Denver Lawn Care and Tree Service Company Swingle Provides Pest Predictions for Colorado Landscapes

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 11, 2015

Even in the dead of winter, Philadelphia homeowners need to be alert for signs of damage on evergreens by harmful insects like Bagworms, Adelgid, Lacebugs and Borers. Giroud Tree and Lawn explains the warning signs of pest damage and tree service actions Philadelphia homeowners can take to stop pests from destroying valuable trees and shrubs.

Its easy to forget about your trees and shrubs when bitter winter weather keeps us inside, says Lou Giroud, President, Giroud Tree and Lawn and ISA Certified Arborist. Homeowners should bundle up and just stroll the yard to check how the evergreens are looking. The key is to find problems now before further damage is done.

Here are the steps homeowners should take: 1. Check valuable evergreens including: Eastern Hemlock, Arborvitae, Spruce, Pine, Juniper, Azalea and Pieris Japonica. 2. Look for: Discolored leaves/needles, cone-like bags, egg masses or unusual growths on twigs, browning or poor overall color. These are just a few of the warning signs that pests have invaded an evergreen tree or shrub 3. If a problem is discovered, contact a professional tree service company to inspect the tree or shrub.

Once an ISA Certified Arborist confirms the specific pest, treatment should be scheduled at the time of year when the pest is most vulnerable, says Lou Giroud. By catching and treating pest problems early, trees and shrubs have the best chance for long term survival.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, tree removal and lawn care programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal and traditional and 100% organic lawn programs to keep lawns healthy and green . Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award every year since 2005. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area. For more information, visit the company website at https://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

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Pest Damage on Trees Is Visible Now and Giroud Tree and Lawn Explains What Philadelphia Homeowners Need to Look For ...

Potato aficionados will now have their windowsills awash with trays, on which seed potatoes are being 'chitted', encouraging the sprouts to appear before planting begins in earnest.

While many of us have visions of digging up delicious spuds and cooking them immediately the soil's been wiped off them, sometimes in reality we have to tackle a fair few pests and diseases which can leave our potatoes mottled, mouldy or full of holes.

Potato blight is one of the most deadly diseases which can destroy your plants overnight. It's caused by a Phytophthora fungus, P. infestans, which turns the stems brown and the leaves yellow, causing the plant to collapse. It is always fatal although you may save later crops by removing top growth as soon as the blight is spotted.

Blight generally starts from June onwards especially in warm, wet spells. The first signs are brown patches on the leaves. If you have neighbouring tomatoes, they're also likely to be infected. There is no treatment once the disease has taken hold.

To minimise the risk, follow a three or four-year crop rotation, never growing potatoes on the same piece of land more than once every four years, and earth up the plants regularly and deeply to protect the tubers.

Use copper-based fungicides during warm, damp spells as a preventative measure. Alternatively, grow early potatoes which can usually be lifted before blight strikes, or grow resistant cultivars such as 'Sarpo'.

Three of the most common threats to potatoes are pests - potato cyst eelworm, slugs and wireworm. Eelworms are minute worm-like creatures which attack the roots, causing plants to wilt and present reddish-brown cysts on the roots. The lower leaves wither away while upper leaves are pale green and wilt during the day. You'll need to destroy all traces of the affected crop and avoid growing potatoes in that spot for around eight years.

Slugs and snails can be a major problem on heavy, wet soil. Attacks begin in August. Early lifting of maincrops may help reduce damage and slug pellets may help a little, although some slugs live permanently underground. Collect slugs and snails after rain or in the evening on damp nights and dispose of them.

Wireworm is also a serious pest, especially in wet summers as tubers can become riddled with narrow tunnels made by the 3cm (1in) orange shiny larvae. There is no treatment or prevention, as no insecticide for use below ground is available.

Other problems which may affect your crops include scab, a fungal disease in which scabs - flat areas of rough skin pitted with shallow splits - appear. It is worse in light and limy soils but is only skin deep so won't affect your potatoes if you peel them.

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When the chips are down

Time to fertilize your tall fescue lawn. Do not fertilize warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, or zoysiagrass, but do get a soil test if you havent in the past three years. Apply preemergence herbicides to control crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtails from late February to mid-March. If tall fescue was seeded the previous fall, make sure the new seedlings are extensively tillered and the new turf has been mowed at least twice before utilizing a preemergence herbicide. Refer to the turf specific maintenance calendars for detailed information.

Maintenance calendars provide suggested management practices to assist you in seasonal care of home lawns and athletic fields grown in North Carolina. Location, terrain, soil type and condition, age of turf, previous management, and other factors affect turf performance. For these reasons, the management practices and dates found in the following maintenance calendars should be adjusted to suit your particular turf conditions.

Both warm and cool season turfgrasses are grown in North Carolina. Knowing turfgrass growth characteristics and use recommendations is important for maintaining a healthy turfgrass system and minimizing management requirements. Following is a list of turfgrasses commonly grown in North Carolina.

There are over 100 diseases that affect North Carolina turfgrasses. Fortunately, there are only about 18 tufgrass diseases that develop year after year. Following is a list of the most common diseases that affect North Carolina turfgrasses.

Many insects live in or on turf. Some damage turfgrasses by feeding on roots, leaves and stems while others disturb roots by making burrows. Below is a list of the major insects which damage turfgrasses in North Carolina.

Pests that are not insects, diseases, or weeds are included in the catch-all category of "Other Pests" on TurfFiles.

Weeds by definition are any plant(s) that grow where not intended. Whereas some grass species are classified as both turfgrasses and weeds, all broadleaves and sedges are considered weeds within any successful turfgrass program. Following is a list of common weeds found in North Carolina turfgrassess.

In recent discussions with North Carolina sod growers it was apparent that there will be a significant shortage of bermudagrass sod this winter and spring.

This year is proving to be the worst year on record for fall armyworms.

Fall armyworms may soon become a problem.

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TurfFiles - Turfgrass Information for North Carolina

Theft >> Ashley Williams, 21, of the 5400 block of Kingsessing Avenue, Philadelphia, was taken into custody at 4 p.m. Jan. 31 at the King of Prussia Mall, where she is employed, on a Springfield warrant issued Oct. 23, 2014, charging her with theft and receiving stolen property, police said. Williams allegedly stole a cellphone from a break room at the Giant, 1844 Bethlehem Pike, in Springfield, reported June 1, 2014, police said. She was turned over to Springfield, arraigned and taken to Montgomery County Prison in lieu of bail set at $5,000 cash, police said.

Disorderly conduct >> Courtney Miller, 26, of the 1000 block of East Durham Street, Philadelphia, was cited for disorderly conduct following a car stop at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at Bruce and Allison roads, Oreland, police said. Miller was pulled over for having counterfeit inspection and emission stickers and a glassine baggie with a small amount of marijuana was in plain view, police said. He was also cited for the traffic violations and driving with a suspended license, police said.

Aggravated assault >> A 16-year-old Philadelphia male is being petitioned to Montgomery County Juvenile Court on charges of simple and aggravated assault and harassment following an incident at 12:20 p.m. Jan. 28 at Wordsworth Academy, 100 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, police said. A teacher at the school reported being punched in the face in the gym, police said.

Disorderly conduct >> Two 13-year-old male students from Elkins Park, students at Cedarbrook West Middle School, 1331 Ivy Hill Road, Wyndmoor, will be cited for disorderly conduct after allegedly making some threats toward the school at 8:37 a.m. Jan. 29, police said. Parents of students at the school were notified of the threats, police said, and the accused students, who said they were just joking, will also face internal discipline from the school.

DUI >> Lamin Sidibeh, 25, of the 7600 block of Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and careless driving following a one-vehicle accident at 10:47 a.m. Jan. 24 at Paper Mill Road and Cheltenham Avenue, police said. Sidibeh was westbound on Paper Mill when he attempted to turn left onto Cheltenham, but hit the curb and the vehicle vaulted about 19 feet, landing in a yard in the 1400 block of Paper Mill, driving off the lawn and back onto southbound Cheltenham, where it came to an uncontrolled rest, police said. Sidibeh was found semi-conscious behind the wheel with an open bottle of beer next to him and he was transported by Springfield Ambulance to Chestnut Hill Hospital for treatment and a blood test, the results being a 0.29 BAC, police said.

Disorderly conduct >> Courtney Miller, 26, of the 1000 block of East Durham Street, Philadelphia, was cited for disorderly conduct following a car stop at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at Bruce and Allison roads, Oreland, police said. Miller was pulled over for having counterfeit inspection and emission stickers and a glassine baggie with a small amount of marijuana was in plain view, police said. He was also cited for the traffic violations and driving with a suspended license, police said.

Aggravated assault >> A 16-year-old Philadelphia male is being petitioned to Montgomery County Juvenile Court on charges of simple and aggravated assault and harassment following an incident at 12:20 p.m. Jan. 28 at Wordsworth Academy, 100 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, police said. A teacher at the school reported being punched in the face in the gym, police said.

Disorderly conduct >> Two 13-year-old male students from Elkins Park, students at Cedarbrook West Middle School, 1331 Ivy Hill Road, Wyndmoor, will be cited for disorderly conduct after allegedly making some threats toward the school at 8:37 a.m. Jan. 29, police said. Parents of students at the school were notified of the threats, police said, and the accused students, who said they were just joking, will also face internal discipline from the school.

DUI >> Lamin Sidibeh, 25, of the 7600 block of Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and careless driving following a one-vehicle accident at 10:47 a.m. Jan. 24 at Paper Mill Road and Cheltenham Avenue, police said. Sidibeh was westbound on Paper Mill when he attempted to turn left onto Cheltenham, but hit the curb and the vehicle vaulted about 19 feet, landing in a yard in the 1400 block of Paper Mill, driving off the lawn and back onto southbound Cheltenham, where it came to an uncontrolled rest, police said. Sidibeh was found semi-conscious behind the wheel with an open bottle of beer next to him and he was transported by Springfield Ambulance to Chestnut Hill Hospital for treatment and a blood test, the results being a 0.29 BAC, police said.

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Springfield police reports: Week of Feb. 8