“Mass. House gives initial OK to succession bill - San Francisco Chronicle” plus 4 more

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• Mass. House gives initial OK to succession bill - San Francisco Chronicle
• Appreciate community's help for 'Munda' - Evening Sun
• 2009 Vegetable Garden of the Year Runner-up: Elton DuBose - Memphis Commercial Appeal
• At Home: Get Growing ... garden calendar - Naples Daily News
• Weekend Plantings - The Ledger

Mass. House gives initial OK to succession bill - San Francisco Chronicle Posted: 17 Sep 2009 03:41 PM PDT The House voted 95-58 in favor of the bill. The bill now moves to the state Senate for its consideration. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, a Democrat, said the change is needed to ensure Massachusetts continues to be represented by two senators until voters can choose a replacement during a Jan. 19 special election. "I just want to make sure that Massachusetts has a say ... that Massachusetts has their voice heard on health care, on the environment, on clean energy," DeLeo said. Patrick, a Democrat and ally of President Barack Obama, also supports the change. Republicans, who number just 16 in the House, oppose the bill. They point out that Democrats changed the succession law in 2004 to create a special election and block then-Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, from naming a temporary replacement if Sen. John Kerry had won his presidential bid. To change the law now that there is a Democrat in the governor's office smacks of hypocrisy, they said. "When Senator Kennedy passed away we started (with) the law that was on the books and we shouldn't be changing the law midstream," said House Republican leader Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. "Everything else is ancillary and extraneous to that." Kennedy died of brain cancer on Aug. 25. Rep. Michael Moran, House chairman of the Committee on Election Laws, said lawmakers shouldn't be handcuffed by past votes if they are not in the best interest of the state. "I ask you to focus on the needs of Massachusetts not in 2004, but in 2009," the Boston Democrat said. Other Democratic lawmakers conceded a political motive in the vote, saying they wanted to protect Kennedy's legacy, including his signature issue of expanded health care. "Some people say it's political. Of course it's political," said Rep. Cory Atkins, a Concord Democrat and Kennedy supporter. The bill initially would have required the appointee be from the same party as the person who created the vacancy, a Democrat in the case of Kennedy's successor. That requirement was stripped after critics raised constitutional concerns and noted that more than half of voters in Massachusetts aren't enrolled in any party and would be barred from consideration. Kennedy, in a letter sent to lawmakers before his death, urged the change in law saying "it is vital for this Commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens." The debate is being followed closely in Washington, where Democrats hope to regain a 60-vote, filibuster-proof margin in the U.S. Senate ahead of any debate on President Obama's health care overhaul. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Massachusetts' all-Democratic delegation to the U.S. House also back the change, saying they need all the votes they can to support the health care change. Obama presidential counselor David Axelrod has contacted Massachusetts officials, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. The Massachusetts branch of Obama's political arm, Organizing for America, has sent out e-mails advocating for the change. DeLeo said lawmakers wanted to bar any appointee from also running as a candidate in the special election, but said they could not constitutionally include that provision in the bill. DeLeo said House lawmakers hope to pass a separate resolution stating that it is the intention of the House that an appointee not also run in the special election. Patrick has said he would extract from the appointee a promise not to be a candidate in the special election. The bill was immediately moved to the Massachusetts Senate late Thursday, and leaders called for a formal session at noon Friday. Senate President Therese Murray, a Democrat, has been tightlipped about the bill's chances in that chamber. Senate Republican leader Richard Tisei has vowed to ask that the matter be postponed. Under Senate rules, that could delay any debate and vote until next week. Those said to be under consideration for an interim appointment include former Gov. Michael Dukakis, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul Kirk Jr.; former Massachusetts Senate President Robert Travaglini, former Kennedy staff chief Nick Littlefield, Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree and former state Treasurer Shannon O'Brien. Candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the special election include Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. State Sen. Scott Brown and Canton Selectman Bob Burr are seeking the Republican nomination. Party primaries are scheduled for Dec. 8. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Appreciate community's help for 'Munda' - Evening Sun Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:53 PM PDT Editor: Recently Hanover Home & Garden hosted a fundraiser for a former employee's family member, Armando "Munda" DiIulio, who has a brain tumor. $6,155 was given to Munda. Thanks to these vendors: C&B Collectibles, Faloon's Family Fun Center, Gettysburg Agway, Giant Food Store, Hanover Ice, Hughes Meats, Littlestown Kennie's Market, McDonald's, Minute Man Press, Rita's Italian Ice, Sandoe's Fruit Market, Shultz's Delicatessen, Staples, Subway, Texas Roadhouse, The Famous Hot Weiner, Utz Quality Foods, Weavers Quality Meats of Dover, Wendy's and those who gave anonymously. Special thanks to Amanda and Vickie Heller and PNC co-workers, Barts Centenary United Methodist Church, Bethel Assembly of God, employees of Hanover Home & Garden, Kartesz Family Eyecare, Shari Hofman, Warren and Amy Debnam, vendors of Hanover Home & Garden and all the many friends of Munda and Shauna who volunteered their time. This was truly a humbling outpouring of compassion by our community. Dennis and Karen Axline Hanover Home & Garden This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

2009 Vegetable Garden of the Year Runner-up: Elton DuBose - Memphis Commercial Appeal Posted: 17 Sep 2009 10:22 PM PDT Elton DuBose's neighbors were quite concerned when they saw wolves guarding the vegetable garden at his southeast Memphis home. Kyle Kurlick/The Commercial Appeal "This is my form of exercise, relaxation and enjoyment," said Elton DuBose, a vice president with Juice Plus. His one-third-acre plot won runner-up in the vegetable garden division of this year's Garden of the Year contest. Elton Dubose, Special to The Commercial Appeal Mounded rows improve drainage in the Southeast Memphis garden, where wolf cut-outs (seen here) ward off hungry geese that visit Dubose's pond. DuBose, whose garden was named runner-up vegetable garden for this year's Garden of the Year contest, was quick to allay their fears. The wolves standing sentry around the garden are actually cut-outs on posts designed to frighten off the flocks of wild geese that visit DuBose's pond each day. "When I first planted my corn the last week in April, (it) came up good, then I came in one day and (it was) all gone," said DuBose, a vice president for Juice Plus. DuBose's one-third-acre vegetable garden yielded okra that was 7 feet tall and a larger than usual crop of corn. Apparently the wolves did the trick. "I have to pick it every other day," said DuBose. DuBose is a lifelong gardener who grew up on a farm in Tifton, Ga. He has lived with his wife, Carolyn, at their current home for about 20 years. A co-worker lends a hand in the garden from time to time. "You could tell that (DuBose) was creative and he's been a gardener for a long time," said Donna Olswing, assistant floriculturist for the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, who helped judge this year's contest. "I also loved the way he did his flowers," said Olswing, noting the mounds of orange and yellow marigolds sprouting up at the end of each row. "Besides being decorative, putting the flowers in there draws the bees, which do the pollinating." DuBose had another use for the flowers in mind. "I've heard (marigolds) ward off bugs every year," said DuBose. "It looks good, and it may work." Most of the vegetables are given away to friends, neighbors, and co-workers including DuBose's boss with whom he has a standing vegetable rivalry. This year, he raised two kinds of green beans, corn, peas, butter beans, okra, peanuts, squash, peppers, onions and his favorite, tomatoes. "I put (the vegetables) up on mounded rows and the reason for that is if you have real wet weather, it will dry out quicker and won't drown out your crops," said DuBose pointing out the straight trenches separating each row. The garden backs up to a large pond with a fountain spray in the center and a cozy deck along the edge. "I love to share what I grow," said DuBose. "It's my hobby. This is my form of exercise, relaxation and enjoyment." This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

At Home: Get Growing ... garden calendar - Naples Daily News Posted: 17 Sep 2009 05:57 PM PDT Here is the Get Growing gardent calendar beginning Friday, Sept. 18, 2009: MONDAY Collier Fruit Growers David Brawley with Trademark Water Systems explains the wide range of irrigation equipment for the home orchard and garden for the September meeting of the Collier Fruit Growers. Where: Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway (corner of Sunshine Boulevard), Naples When: 7 p.m. Admission: no charge Information: 530-2383 Collier Fruit Growers' monthly meeting features David Brawley with Trademark Water Systems. David be talking about the wide range of irrigation equipment for the home orchard and garden. SEPT. 26 Florida Yards & Neighborhoods classes Florida Yards & Neighborhood classes will help you get started on your great yard. Each of nine guiding principles will be explained to teach participants to choose the right plant for the right place, irrigate efficiently and mulch effectively and turn their yards into a water-efficient, low-maintenance, economical, Florida-friendly environments. The class is taught by Mike Malloy, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Coordinator, for the University of Florida, Collier County Extension Services. The workshops are free, but advance registration is required at 353-4244. Rain Barrels are available for purchase with an advance request. Where: Collier County Extension Office, 14700 Immokalee Road, Naples When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 Admission: Free Reservations and information: 3534244 ALL MONTH Arbor Day Foundation Florida residents who become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation in September will receive 10 free live oak trees. This is part of the Foundation's Trees for America campaign. The trees will be shipped postpaid between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10. The 6- to 12-nch tall saplings are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Planting instructions are enclosed with each shipment of trees. Follow instructions carefully. It's important to know how far your trees must be other plants and your home's foundation to thrive. New members of the Arbor Day Foundation also receive "The Tree Book," which includes information about tree planting and care. To receive 10 live oak trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Live Oaks, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Sept.30, or join online at www.arborday.org. To include your organization's gardening special event for the public, e-mail information no later than two weeks in advance in the format shown here, to homes@naplesnews.com, or send it to "Get Growing," Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, FL 34110. Please provide a contact telephone number and name for further information. No notices can be accepted by telephone. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Weekend Plantings - The Ledger Posted: 17 Sep 2009 10:22 PM PDT The Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), also called blanket flower, is a short-lived perennial wildflower with gorgeous daisy-like, 2-inch flowers that feature red, yellow-tipped petals surrounding a purplish center. Many named varieties are offered, with a range of flower shapes and colors. Indian blanket plants are generally 1 foot to 2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide, although some delightful dwarf types are only 10 inches tall. Regardless of variety, all Indian blanket plants require full sun and sandy, well-drained sites. This native plant, naturally ranging from North Carolina south through most of Florida, thrives under harsh conditions, since it's frequently found in coastal locations. Propagation is by seed, and established plants often self-sow. The blooming season of Indian blanket can be year-round when winters are mild. Seed packs are sometimes offered locally or can be ordered from Thompson & Morgan by visiting www.tmseeds.com. Elegant Trellis Gazebos, statuary and other ornaments are great, but plants should always be the main features of gardens. That's why the simple trellises manufactured by CableTrellis are so appealing. Offered in both wall-mounted and freestanding models in a range of sizes, these trellises are constructed of attractive coated-aluminum frameworks and stainless-steel cables and rods that provide excellent support for climbing plants. The vines, not the trellises, will be the focal points. For information about CableTrellis kits, including ordering instructions, visit www.feeneyarchitectural.com. Sowing the Seeds The Home Garden Seed Association, an international group of seed producers and sellers, has a new Web site: www.ezfromseed.org. The site, aimed primarily at gardeners new to starting plants from seed, provides helpful information about getting going and growing. Fall Fertilizer Most landscape plants that require fertilizer can be given their last application of the year now, as can turf. But the majority of established trees and shrubs probably don't need any fertilizer, especially shrubs that have a thick, broad layer of mulch maintained around their root zones. Nasturtium Time Among the most delightful cool-season annuals for Central Florida are nasturtiums (Tropaeoleum majus). Offered as vining types that grow up to 6 feet high and as dwarf, bushy varieties, nasturtiums are marvelous for containers or in-ground planting in full or part sun. These plants feature attractive green or variegated foliage and brightly colored flowers in a range of hues. Both foliage and flowers are used as zesty garnishes. Because the large seeds of nasturtiums are easy to handle and germinate so reliably, they're great for getting children involved in gardening. Soak seeds overnight, and sow them about 1/3 inch deep in moist potting soil. Before transplanting into the landscape, improve sites with composted manure or other organic material. Mulching is also recommended. The main pests of nasturtiums are aphids, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap. [ Charles Reynolds, a Winter Haven resident, has an associate's degree in horticulture and is a member of the Garden Writers' Association of America. ] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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