BY STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com February 20, 2014 8:42PM

Oak Lawn optometrist Casey Hogan is ready to again take the annual Polar Plunge into Lake Michigan on March 2 to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago. | Steve Metsch~Sun-Times Media

storyidforme: 62404186 tmspicid: 22500318 fileheaderid: 10810826

Updated: February 21, 2014 2:15AM

Casey Hogan is ready to again plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Michigan on the first Sunday of March, just as she has for the past eight years.

Once you do it, youre kind of hooked. When you think of how youre helping the athletes, its a no-brainer, she said.

Hogan, an optometrist who has a practice, Advanced Eye Care Professionals, 10320 Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, is urging co-workers, patients and anyone she meets to do the same.

This years 14th annual Chicago Polar Plunge will raise funds for the Special Olympics, and Hogan, a Tinley Park resident, soon will become the president of the Chicago chapter of the organization.

Ive been on the board now since 05 or 06. ... This year, despite the weather, were not nervous at all. We have our first Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel, doing the plunge, Hogan said.

Last year, (Oak Lawn) Mayor Sandy Bury did it while she was campaigning. She just wanted to support the cause, she said.

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Oak Lawn optometrist urges everyone to take the Polar Plunge

A 66-year-old Port St. Lucie man is in the hospital being treated for serious injuries he got while mowing his lawn.

Philip Ritchie Menard wasnt hurt by the mowers blade, but by an oncoming car that struck him as he finished mowing a line to the street and then stepped into the road to mow back the other way, Port St. Lucie Police spokesman Sgt. Frank Sabol said.

He had ear buds in, so he might not have heard her coming, Sabol said.

Menard was hit about 11:15 a.m. in front of his home in the 1900 block of SE Berkshire Blvd. He was struck by a 2011 Honda CRV driven by Lauretta Findlay, 71, of Fort Pierce, Sabol reported in a written statement.

Menard suffered head injuries and broken bones and was flown to a local trauma center for treatment, Sabol said. Findlay was shaken, but uninjured, Sabol said. No one has been charged as authorities continue to investigate the crash.

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Man, 66, goes out to mow lawn, gets hit by car in Port St. Lucie

Manhattan, KS - infoZine - We run on it. We play on it. And sometimes we lie down and dream on it. Its easy to take that grass underfoot for granted, especially when temperatures are mild and rains are plentiful. A few steps through the year, however, will help fortify the green carpet we call lawns through tough times, according to Kansas State University horticulturist Ward Upham.

Taking the monthly calendar approach to lawn care for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue can help make maintaining a healthy lawn seem more manageable through the year, said Upham, who is director of K-State Research and Extensions Horticulture Rapid Response Center. He provided month-by-month reminders for homeowners regarding how to care for a cool-season lawn.

April - Apply crabgrass preventer in April. If you have redbud trees in your area, take note of when theyre in full bloom. Thats an easy reminder to apply crabgrass preventer. The preventer needs to be watered in before it will start to work. One-quarter inch of water will be enough to water in any of the products mentioned in this calendar. Remember that a good, thick lawn is the best weed prevention and may be all that is needed.

May - Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer if you water your lawn or if you receive enough rainfall that your turf normally doesnt go drought-dormant during the summer. If there are broadleaf weeds, spot treat with a spray or use a fertilizer that includes a weed killer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness of the weed killer, but the fertilizer needs to be watered in. If you are using a product that has both fertilizer and weed killer, wait 24 hours after application before watering in.

June through Mid-July - Apply second round of crabgrass preventer by June 15 unless you have used Dimension (dithiopyr) or Barricade (prodiamine) for the April application. These two products normally provide season-long control with a single application. Remember to water it in. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid during the first half of July. This works to prevent grub damage. It must be watered in before it becomes active.

Late-July through August - If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer that contains Dylox. Imidacloprid is effective against young grubs and may not be effective on late instar grubs. The grub killer containing Dylox must be watered in within 24 hours or effectiveness drops.

September - Fertilize around Labor Day. This is the most important fertilization of the year. Water in the fertilizer.

Fertilize in the Fall for a Healthy Lawn

November - Fertilize. This fertilizer is taken up by the roots, but is not used until the following spring. Water in the fertilizer. Spray for broadleaf weeds even if they are small. Broadleaf weeds are much easier to control in the fall than in the spring. Spray on a day that is at least 50 degrees. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces the effectiveness. Use label rates for all products.

Remember, Upham said, these recommendations are for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Warm season grasses, such as zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss require a different maintenance regime.

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Take the Monthly Calendar Approach to Lawn Care

MANHATTAN, Kan. We run on it. We play on it. And sometimes we lie down and dream on it. Its easy to take that grass underfoot for granted, especially when temperatures are mild and rains are plentiful. A few steps through the year, however, will help fortify the green carpet we call lawns through tough times, according to Kansas State University horticulturist Ward Upham.

Taking the monthly calendar approach to lawn care for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue can help make maintaining a healthy lawn seem more manageable through the year, said Upham, who is director of K-State Research and Extensions Horticulture Rapid Response Center. He provided month-by-month reminders for homeowners regarding how to care for a cool-season lawn.

March - Spot treat broadleaf weeds if necessary. Apply the treatment on a day that is 50 degrees or warmer. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce the treatments effectiveness.

April - Apply crabgrass preventer in April. If you have redbud trees in your area, take note of when theyre in full bloom. Thats an easy reminder to apply crabgrass preventer. The preventer needs to be watered in before it will start to work. One-quarter inch of water will be enough to water in any of the products mentioned in this calendar. Remember that a good, thick lawn is the best weed prevention and may be all that is needed.

May - Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer if you water your lawn or if you receive enough rainfall that your turf normally doesnt go drought-dormant during the summer. If there are broadleaf weeds, spot treat with a spray or use a fertilizer that includes a weed killer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness of the weed killer, but the fertilizer needs to be watered in. If you are using a product that has both fertilizer and weed killer, wait 24 hours after application before watering in.

June through Mid-July - Apply second round of crabgrass preventer by June 15 unless you have used Dimension (dithiopyr) or Barricade (prodiamine) for the April application. These two products normally provide season-long control with a single application. Remember to water it in. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid during the first half of July. This works to prevent grub damage. It must be watered in before it becomes active.

Late-July through August - If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer that contains Dylox. Imidacloprid is effective against young grubs and may not be effective on late instar grubs. The grub killer containing Dylox must be watered in within 24 hours or effectiveness drops.

September - Fertilize around Labor Day. This is the most important fertilization of the year. Water in the fertilizer.

November - Fertilize. This fertilizer is taken up by the roots, but is not used until the following spring. Water in the fertilizer. Spray for broadleaf weeds even if they are small. Broadleaf weeds are much easier to control in the fall than in the spring. Spray on a day that is at least 50 degrees. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces the effectiveness. Use label rates for all products.

Remember, Upham said, these recommendations are for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Warm season grasses, such as zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss require a different maintenance regime.

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Lawn care through the year

By JASMINE BARBERFeb. 17, 2014, 9 p.m.

State-of-the-art travelling facility launched

THE lawn outside the Mount Isa Civic Centre was a hive of activity yesterday for the launch of one of the most innovative health care clinics in the country.

The $5 million Indigenous Diabetes Eyes and Screening project is a travelling van that will return to Mount Isa every four-and-a-half weeks to offer optometry and ophthalmological services to indigenous and non-indigenous residents.

The launch attracted hundreds of community members, including Deadly Choices Ambassador and rugby league legend Scott Prince.

Mr Prince said he was impressed by the travelling facilities and encouraged the indigenous community of his home town to take advantage of the state-of-the-art equipment.

``Being a home-town boy I think it is just great that I can get back out here and help promote healthy lifestyle, getting the check-ups, and just really reinforce how important it is to have a healthy lifestyle,'' he said.

Executive director of Diamond Jubilee Partnerships Lyndall De Marco was on board the IDEAS van for the inaugural trip to Mount Isa and said residents of Mount Isa would no longer be disadvantaged by distance to receive the best treatment in eye care.

``This is about bringing the best facilities in Australia to Mount Isa for eye treatment,'' she said.

``When you bring this sort of equipment and this sort of expertise to Mount Isa, this is closing the gap like you never believe.''

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Innovative IDEAS

TurfSigns.com - BandIt Signs - Lawn Of The Month / Lawn In Progress - UglyWeeds
Affordable, Attractive Lawn Treatment Signs From Turfsigns Posting Signs Chemical Application Signs Custom Lawn Signs Weatherproof Signs Turf Signs -- Inno...

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TurfSigns.com - BandIt Signs - Lawn Of The Month / Lawn In Progress - UglyWeeds - Video

By KATE BURKEFeb. 13, 2014, midnight

LAWN grubs have been a hot topic of discussion among Bathurst's gardening enthusiasts, as the pests have been responsible for destroying some beautiful lawns in recent weeks.

LAWN grubs have been a hot topic of discussion among Bathurst's gardening enthusiasts, as the pests have been responsible for destroying some beautiful lawns in recent weeks.

Bathurst Gardeners' Club president Peter Varman said he had received a number of calls from concerned residents whose lawns had been infested by the grubs.

Mr Varman said the grubs in question were the larvae of the Black Lawn Beetle.

"The black beetle lays its eggs into the ground, and as the larvae grow they eat the roots," he said. "When they eat the roots of the grass, the grass dies."

Mr Varman said that the best way to determine if you had a problem with the lawn grubs was to closely examine any dead patches of grass that appeared.

"One of the things that will really show the problem is if you grab the top of the grass and pull," he said. "If it comes off easy, there is something wrong."

Mr Varman noted that a common mistake was for people to simply attribute dead patches of grass to the dry and hot conditions.

"I've had a couple of calls from people saying that patches of their grass have gone brown, and they think it is because they are not putting enough water on it."

Originally posted here:
Lawn grubs menacing Bathurst gardeners

Kennewick, WA (PRWEB) February 13, 2014

Spring is fast approaching and it is important for homeowners to prepare their yards and trees for the warmer weather. Fortunately, with the proper assistance, this can be done by performing any or all of the following recommendations.

First, lawn core aeration is an important treatment for thatch accumulation and for promoting overall lawn health by giving roots and soil access to air, water and fertilization. It is the best way to reduce a thatch problem by removing plugs of soil, roots, shoots and grass plants. The core is then deposited on to the surface of the lawn and leaves room for air, water and seeds. During the winter, many lawns are susceptible to snow mold which can destroy the grass resulting in a thinning turf.

Another important part of yard care is restarting the sprinkler or irrigation system. Senske advises that homeowners hire a professional technician to restart in-ground irrigation systems if there are concerns after a very cold winter. This could be the key to avoiding any unnecessary and costly repairs as a result of a broken pipe.

In addition, it is also important for homeowners to take the time to clean up yard debris, remove broken branches, or rake up dead leaves. This will allow for new growth and prevent lawn problems when the warmer weather arrives.

Senske has experienced and licensed professional technicians to assist in aeration and irrigation. For more information on preparing yards for spring, visit Senske Services for a free estimate.

See the article here:
Senske Services Releases Its Top Tips for Loving Your Lawn in Preparation for Spring Time

BY FRANCINE KNOWLES Religion Reporter February 11, 2014 8:47PM

Leena Suleiman wears a knit hat and scarf, which cover her hijab a head scarf worn by Muslim women on Tuesday. She found that non-Muslims were friendlier to her when they couldn't see the hijab. | Chandler West/For Sun-Times Media

storyidforme: 61955208 tmspicid: 22368044 fileheaderid: 10678287

Updated: February 12, 2014 2:22AM

A Muslim womans effort to deal with Chicagos brutal cold by covering her head with warm winter gear inadvertently concealing her hijab produced unanticipated and thought-provoking results.

Leena Suleimans online posting about her experience which included suddenly getting more friendly treatment from non-Muslims and getting the cold shoulder by members of her faith was among the top stories Monday morning on website Reddit.coms TrueReddit and Chicago Reddit.

I didnt understand what was happening at first, Suleiman, 25, who works as an architectural designer downtown, said in a post titled I Took Off My Hijab, on her blog, Facetruth, at http://bit.ly/1lza4tH.

Non-Muslim people started talking to me more. Women would speak to me like I knew them since forever. Men looked at me like I was actually approachable. And I was made to feel like I was actually from this planet, she wrote.

Meanwhile, Muslim taxi drivers, who previously typically greeted her warmly and on occasion wouldnt even let her pay, were far less friendly.

Im used to going in [taxis] with my hijab showing, and immediately theyre smiling and asking me where Im from . . . if Im single, she said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. If its an older man, hes very fatherly, very nice . . . we have like a full conversation.

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Muslim woman says people friendlier when hat, scarf cover hijab

Cumming, GA (PRWEB) February 10, 2014

WinLAWN Management, a leading weed control & fertilization lawn care company, is proud to announce the opening of a new operations facility near downtown Cumming, Georgia. The new location is located at 145 Enterprise Dr St E, Cumming GA 30040 and will serve as a home base for employees and technicians to operate out of. WinLAWN is a leading lawn service company providing customers with weed control, fertilizing, aeration, overseeding, pest control, fire ant control, fungicide treatments and much more to customers in dozens of north Georgia towns. We now offer services in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Buckhead, Buford, Canton, Cumming, Duluth, Dunwoody, Holly Springs, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Norcross, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Suwanee, and Woodstock.

"We are very proud to open a new operations facility to better service our growing base of customers in Georgia," said WinLAWN CEO and founder Bill Bramble. "We also plan to open another operations facility in Alpharetta by the end of the year and will be looking to hire lawn service technicians and other employees to better service our customers."

WinLAWN is keenly focused on providing out customers with industry-leading weed control and fertilizing services. Our core programs consists of a yearly cycle of 7 treatments for lawns, trees, and shrubs. To commemorate the opening of the new operations facility, WinLAWN also announced a new seasonal promotion for all new customers who will receive 50% off their first lawn treatment application. Customers can also receive 10% off any lawn overseeding or aeration service.

For more information, please visit: http://www.WinLAWN.com.

About WinLAWN Management:

WinLAWN is a leading lawn services company providing customers with a full suite of lawn care services including weed control, fertilization, aeration, overseeding, pest control, fire ant control, fungicide treatments, and much more. We currently operate in Atlanta, Buckhead, Buford, Canton, Cumming, Duluth, Dunwoody, Holly Springs, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Norcross, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Suwanee, and Woodstock. Customers can reach WinLAWN by calling 678-341-9923.

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WinLAWN Announces Opening of New Operations Facility in Cumming, GA - Weed Control & Fertilization Company Continues ...