The Kingwood Garden Club is proud to select the Kirsch Landscaping and Design Company for the Community Enhancement Award for March 2014.

The Kirsch Landscaping and Design and Mulch Company is situated on a five-acre site off of Mills Branch Drive in Kingwood.

They are a group of small companies that are unique and complementary. Each has its own history, providing different types of customers with customized products and services; Kirsch Landscaping and Design, Kingwood Mulch and Backyard Golf.

The Design Center showcases many of the landscaping options that they provide to their customers, such as lush gardens, walkways, arbors, and outdoor kitchens. They also have a Landscape Showcase where numerous plants, shrubs, and trees are on display to stimulate the imagination. The nursery, only steps away, features plants and trees.

Kirsch Landscaping and Design has an array of landscaping settings which feature walkways, relaxing seating areas, water features, in addition to landscaping lighting ideas to transform a home environment.

As a passerby, their mini landscaping vignettes will whet anyones landscaping appetite.

For more information, visit http://www.kirschlandscape.com.

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Kingwood Garden Club selects Kirsch Landscaping and Design Company for award

Now I know how a snowy owl feels, launching into the darkness from its lofty perch. We both get to soar at high speed on a winter's eve across the mountain valley and past the treetops of old growth forests in the backcountry alpine of Cougar Mountain near Whistler. Except I'm connected to a zip line in search of a nocturnal adrenalin rush, not my supper. One of Whistler's finest eateries has already taken care of that.

My high-flying evening sampling Whistler's newest winter adventure experience, Superfly Ziplines' Dinner Tour, starts with a sunset ride in a heated snowcat up an old logging road to a high altitude yurt that seats a maximum of 10 guests. Once there, a sprinkling of snowsuitclad diners tucks into a gourmet meal of tomato and basil soup, short ribs with wine jus and toffee pudding with maple syrup, courtesy of the legendary Bearfoot Bistro.

Well stuffed, we're then let loose to soar back to the valley below on four side-by side zip lines. One happens to be Canada's longest at nearly a mile from end to end and 600 feet above the valley floor. In the pitch dark I feel like Ray Charles falling into an elevator shaft.

Eerily lit platforms, bridges, walkways and trees line the spooky route, draped in winter inversion fog.

"It's a very Zen-like experience," says my zip-line partner, Kyleen Stanton, an air traffic controller from Vancouver. "The stars overhead, moon shining brightly, wind whipping past your face as you sail into the unknown."

I've journeyed to Whistler to take in the 8th annual Arc'teryx Deep Winter Photo Challenge, a popular professional snow sports photographer's showdown that pits six of the action sports industry's best against the mountains, the elements and the clock in a collective effort to best capture the visual essence of "deep winter."

The photographers are all given the same 72-hour window to shoot inbounds at Whistler Blackcomb, capturing athletes in their natural habitat of powder-filled bowls, glades, and aprs bars.

But somehow along the way to Deep Winter's Saturday evening finale at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, when slide shows of the best images from the three days are shown in front of a live audience and panel of industry professionals, the world's fanciest flying fox has sidetracked me.

Not to mention a crash course on conquering Whistler Blackcomb's steepest and gnarliest chutes and bowls.

While I'm waiting for the Deep Winter show to roll, I decide to face my deepest downhill fears by signing up for one of Extremely Canadian's two-day inbounds Steeps Clinics.

Read more:
Zip lines, steeps and a photographers' challenge is all part of what's on offer at Whistler

The winter that wont end has been creating plenty of traffic problems on the roadways. It hasnt been doing any favors for the post office, either.

The latest snowfall last Thursday jammed everything up pretty good, and that included access to mailboxes.

Since the Chippewa Falls Post Office delivers roughly half of its mail by walking routes, that also means some sidewalks and driveways havent been cleared of ice and snow.

As a result, a few carriers have suffered injuries.

When youre walking youre carrying 25 or 30 pounds, Postmaster Nicholas Lindman said Monday, snow and ice can be a problem.

He asked homeowners to keep walkways cleared, and also steps, particularly painted wood.

Postal carriers who deliver mail in a truck arent in the clear, either. Not only do they have to negotiate roads that have been in poor condition, but they require access to and from mailboxes. That translates into six feet on either side of the mailbox.

Lindman said that his fleet encountered many instances this past week when the vehicle became stuck in the road.

Carriers were getting stuck left and right, and we were sending people to bump them out, he said.

If boxes are blocked, we have to drive right by them. Its tough, because were delivering peoples medication and other items they want. I cant tell you how many complaints Ive gotten about people missing the Big Buck Saver, Lindman said.

See the rest here:
Post office asks for help in clearing path for mail

Neither snow nor rain nor the steep snowy steps in Glen Rock kept postal worker Michelle Rehmeyer from her deliveries in Glen Rock in December. (Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)

Mailboxes are engulfed in snow in front of Ebenezer Mennonite Bible School on York Road near Spring Grove. (Clare Becker - FOR THE DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS)

Most commuters hope that last week's storm that deposited nearly 20 inches of snow in some areas of York County will be the last of its kind, at least for this winter.

However, should Mother Nature see fit to dish out another round of wintery precipitation, York's Postmaster has some advice to those left to shovel.

After the driveway and walkways are cleared, take a few moments to visualize if a vehicle would be able to drive up to the mailbox and deposit a letter through an open window, safely.

"If you can't visualize it, you still have some work to do," said Mike Becker, York's Postmaster.

In the wake of last week's storm, some plows didn't move snow all the way to the edge, leaving a 4 or 5 foot barrier of snow between mailboxes and cleared asphalt, Becker said.

"In many cases, the postal driver can't reach from the window over the plowed snow," he said.

The average postal worker for a mounted route, or curb-side delivery, handles between 500 to 600 deliveries a day. "There isn't time for them to park, get out and walk to every box," Becker said.

Just driving through deep snow in front of mailboxes can be a hazard

Go here to see the original:
Don't forget your mailbox when clearing snow

CITRUS HEIGHTS-

Citrus Heights residents are still trying to digest a massive feasibility study that outlines ways to put 16 miles of paved bike and walkways along the cities major creeks.

Some are looking forward for a way for residents to enjoy the wildlife and rustic setting provided by trickling waterways.

I think its a great idea, I think it would be a lot of fun. I think it would give families and other people things to do, Iza Pedolla said as she held her 11-month-old son.

But those who live along the miles of creeks that wind through the city arent so eager to have strangers walking and biking near their backyards.

Weve already had a break-in. They came through the creek and they left through the creek. We dont need any more of that, Rich Aronson said. His backyard overlooks Arcade Creek.

Hes also concerned about how the creek and the wildlife that lives in the watershed would handle construction of a 10 foot wide paved path through the woods. Some say it would be closer to 14 feet wide with pedestrian aprons on the path.

Jeff Caraska doesnt live on the creek but is concerned none-the-less.

Where ever you have people, you have trash, Caraska said. He is also concerned about increased crime and strangers in the neighborhood.

Critics say they havent been fully informed about the citys plans. Senior city planner Casey Kempenaar disagrees saying numerous public meetings were held and input taken. That includes two meetings with numerous neighborhood associations and two public workshops where the plans were laid out for comment.

View post:
Controversy Flows From Citrus Heights Creek Corridor Project

ENFIELD, CT (WFSB) -

With storm after storm, the snow keeps piling up and Connecticut residents are worried how their homes will stand up against this brutal winter.

Icicles can end up being pretty pricey if an ice dam jams up your gutters and water seeps inside your house.

"Keep the roof clear, keep the gutters clear," said Larry Marino, of Kelly-Fradet in Enfield.

Marino said clearing your roof is just one of the many winter worries homeowners are dealing with thanks to the snow that keeps on coming.

"If you can, get the bottom 3 feet of snow off your roof," Marino said. "If not, when it melts, the ice dam builds up and you'll have water inside your house."

Melton snow hasn't been a problem yet because the weather has been so consistently cold. Marino told Eyewitness News that ice dams could become a big issue later this week when the temperatures go up, the snow starts melting and the water has no place to go.

"As the snow melts and it gets warmer out, the water has no place to go, so it goes back under the shingles," Marino said.

After the wild winter of a few years ago, many people learned their lesson. Marino said his company sold out of roof rakes, and we saw plenty of homes with part of their roofs already cleared.

"We have to be prepared," said Eric Cormier, of Enfield. "Every year since that big snow storm."

View original post here:
Winter damaging homes in Connecticut

Neighbors help neighbors clear their driveways and walkways in Columbia on Thursday after nearly a foot of snow blanketed the area. (Thomas Harrelson/Baltimore Sun Media Group video)

Howard County officials said Thursday that three county men died after suffering heart attacks while outside their homes during the snowstorm, and that two were shoveling snow when they collapsed.

The first incident occurred just after 9:30 a.m., when a witness called an ambulance after seeing a man collapse while shoveling. The man, 56-year-old Richard Tucker of the 1600 block of Woodstock Road in Woodstock, was transported to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to county fire department spokesman Marc Fisher.

The second incident happened just after 10:30 a.m., in the 9700 block of Owen Brown Road in Columbia. According to emergency officials, James Wells, 57, collapsed outside his home. Wells' family and several bystanders called 911, but rescuers were unable to resuscitate him at the scene, officials said.

According to Fisher, the third incident, and the second officials confirmed was related to shoveling, involved Kenneth Frame, 61, in the 5000 block of Southern Star Terrace in Columbia. A witness called 911 after seeing Frame collapse. Frame was taken to Howard County General Hospital shortly after noon, where he was pronounced dead.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman urged county residents to be careful.

"This is deep, heavy snow, and I implore everyone to take it easy," he said. "Please don't over-exert yourself. Clear a little at a time. Or ask a neighbor to help. We need to pitch in as a community during times like these. If you know of a neighbor who could use assistance, please offer to do a little shoveling. We can't prevent all emergencies, but we can take smart steps to be safe and help others."

Dr. Eric Aldrich, the vice president for medical affairs at Howard County General Hospital, offered tips on how to shovel safely.

"In general, there's two kinds of problems that doctors worry our patients can have [while shoveling]," he said. "One has to do with neck and back issues and the other is cardiac. On the cardiac side, if you have any history of cardiac disease, and especially if you are over 40, you shouldn't be doing any sort of physical exertion, shoveling or otherwsie, without consulting a physician."

People who have a history of shortness of breath or discomfort after walking up a flight of stairs should also get checked out, he said. And people with a family history of heart disease and stroke before the age of 60 should have a checkup, even if they feel healthy.

View post:
Three Howard men shoveling snow die from suspected heart attacks, officials say

Neighbors help neighbors clear their driveways and walkways in Columbia on Thursday after nearly a foot of snow blanketed the area. (Thomas Harrelson/Baltimore Sun Media Group video)

Howard County officials said Thursday that three county men died after suffering heart attacks while outside their homes during the snowstorm, and that two were shoveling snow when they collapsed.

The first incident occurred just after 9:30 a.m., when a witness called an ambulance after seeing a man collapse while shoveling. The man, 56-year-old Richard Tucker of the 1600 block of Woodstock Road in Woodstock, was transported to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to county fire department spokesman Marc Fisher.

The second incident happened just after 10:30 a.m., in the 9700 block of Owen Brown Road in Columbia. According to emergency officials, James Wells, 57, collapsed outside his home. Wells' family and several bystanders called 911, but rescuers were unable to resuscitate him at the scene, officials said.

According to Fisher, the third incident, and the second officials confirmed was related to shoveling, involved Kenneth Frame, 61, in the 5000 block of Southern Star Terrace in Columbia. A witness called 911 after seeing Frame collapse. Frame was taken to Howard County General Hospital shortly after noon, where he was pronounced dead.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman urged county residents to be careful.

"This is deep, heavy snow, and I implore everyone to take it easy," he said. "Please don't over-exert yourself. Clear a little at a time. Or ask a neighbor to help. We need to pitch in as a community during times like these. If you know of a neighbor who could use assistance, please offer to do a little shoveling. We can't prevent all emergencies, but we can take smart steps to be safe and help others."

Dr. Eric Aldrich, the vice president for medical affairs at Howard County General Hospital, offered tips on how to shovel safely.

"In general, there's two kinds of problems that doctors worry our patients can have [while shoveling]," he said. "One has to do with neck and back issues and the other is cardiac. On the cardiac side, if you have any history of cardiac disease, and especially if you are over 40, you shouldn't be doing any sort of physical exertion, shoveling or otherwsie, without consulting a physician."

People who have a history of shortness of breath or discomfort after walking up a flight of stairs should also get checked out, he said. And people with a family history of heart disease and stroke before the age of 60 should have a checkup, even if they feel healthy.

Go here to see the original:
Two Howard men shoveling snow die after collapsing

Neighbors help neighbors clear their driveways and walkways in Columbia on Thursday after nearly a foot of snow blanketed the area. (Thomas Harrelson/Baltimore Sun Media Group video)

Howard County officials said Thursday that three county men died after suffering heart attacks while outside their homes during the snowstorm, and that two were shoveling snow when they collapsed.

The first incident occurred just after 9:30 a.m., when a witness called an ambulance after seeing a man collapse while shoveling. The man, 56-year-old Richard Tucker of the 1600 block of Woodstock Road in Woodstock, was transported to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to county fire department spokesman Marc Fisher.

The second incident happened just after 10:30 a.m., in the 9700 block of Owen Brown Road in Columbia. According to emergency officials, James Wells, 57, collapsed outside his home. Wells' family and several bystanders called 911, but rescuers were unable to resuscitate him at the scene, officials said.

According to Fisher, the third incident, and the second officials confirmed was related to shoveling, involved Kenneth Frame, 61, in the 5000 block of Southern Star Terrace in Columbia. A witness called 911 after seeing Frame collapse. Frame was taken to Howard County General Hospital shortly after noon, where he was pronounced dead.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman urged county residents to be careful.

"This is deep, heavy snow, and I implore everyone to take it easy," he said. "Please don't over-exert yourself. Clear a little at a time. Or ask a neighbor to help. We need to pitch in as a community during times like these. If you know of a neighbor who could use assistance, please offer to do a little shoveling. We can't prevent all emergencies, but we can take smart steps to be safe and help others."

Dr. Eric Aldrich, the vice president for medical affairs at Howard County General Hospital, offered tips on how to shovel safely.

"In general, there's two kinds of problems that doctors worry our patients can have [while shoveling]," he said. "One has to do with neck and back issues and the other is cardiac. On the cardiac side, if you have any history of cardiac disease, and especially if you are over 40, you shouldn't be doing any sort of physical exertion, shoveling or otherwsie, without consulting a physician."

People who have a history of shortness of breath or discomfort after walking up a flight of stairs should also get checked out, he said. And people with a family history of heart disease and stroke before the age of 60 should have a checkup, even if they feel healthy.

Read more:
3 in Howard Co. die after shoveling snow

While you're busy shoveling yourself out from mountains of snowmountains, I say!here's a friendly reminder that not all D.C. residents are capable of shoveling snow from their sidewalks and around their property.

As you probably know, it's D.C. law for property owners (residential and commercial) to keep their sidewalks, and other public areas around their property, clear of snow within eight hours after snowfall*. However, not all District residentsparticularly senior citizens and disabled residentsare able to do that. As such, the D.C. government looks to volunteers to join the Citizen Snow Team to help shovel snow.

"We are still in need of volunteers to shovel walkways for seniors and individuals with functional and access needs," Clarence Fluker, Communications and Special Initiatives Director for Serve DC, tells DCist in an email. "There is still a high demand for volunteers in Wards 4 and 7."

If you register to help out, which you can do here, Serve DC will match you based on proximity to those in need, so you won't have to travel too far from home.

*Note: While Serve DC's website says that "the District requires property owners (residential and commercial) to clear the sidewalks surrounding their property within 24 hours after a snowfall," the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency's website says that "D.C. law requires residents to remove snow from sidewalks and steps within eight hours of daylight after the snow stops."

Continued here:
Reminder: D.C. Still Needs Volunteers To Help Shovel Snow For Seniors And Residents With Disabilities