Gardening is sexy, says celebrity landscaper Durie| Reuters

By Miral Fahmy

| SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) - Landscape artist and environmental activist Jamie Durie is on a mission to make gardening sexy -- and to save the planet one backyard at a time.

"Gardening is no longer a granny sport," the Australian gardening celebrity told Reuters during a recent visit to Singapore, where he is landscaping a luxury housing compound.

"Gardens are now a reflection of your personality as much as the rug on your floor or the jewellery around your neck. They are a connection to nature, a sanctuary."

A self-confessed frustrated architect who "paints with plants", Durie is a bit of a pin-up boy for gardening.

A qualified horticulturalist, he is the founder of the award-winning PATIO Landscape Architecture Design (www.patio.com.au) and author of five books on landscaping. He was host to popular Australian TV garden makeover show "Backyard Blitz" and currently hosts long-running American gardening and outdoor show, "The Victory Garden", for U.S. network PBS.



Durie also trained with former U.S. vice president and environmentalist Al Gore to become an environmental ambassador.

Q: How can http://www.american-lawns.com/grasses/bermuda.html landscaping help the environment?

A: Any plants that you can get into the soil will help absorb carbon dioxide emissions, and yes, it is possible to have urban developments and sustain the environment -- that's where landscaping comes in.

Also , if you take care of your own garden, it encourages others to do the same and then we'll be saving the environment one small backyard at a time. That's why I try and make gardens sexy, an evocative space that provides a destination, not just something that you see from behind your kitchen window.

Q: So, is gardening fashionable now?

A: Certainly! People are becoming more creative and they recognize that gardens are as much a part of their decor as their living room. There's also a trend towards going back to nature, towards organic produce because of all the chemicals and hormones and gene splitting... that is more dangerous than actual warfare. Growing organic produce has never been more popular and it will continue to grow. We're in the middle of an organic revolution.

Q: What inspires your designs?

A: Everything. I travel extensively, so I often gain inspiration from the natural landscapes I see. You have to be receptive to your surroundings and keep your https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxCu6cQBMs eyes open. One of my designs was based on a crack in the pavement. The bigger my library of concepts, the more I've got to give.

Q: Creating a beautiful garden can be very expensive and also requires space -- luxuries many people don't have.



A: That is true, but I want the homeowners of today to fast-track to what the older generation have achieved after years of working: the nice house with the big https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxCu6cQBMs garden. See what gardens can do for you! They give you peace and tranquility. My advice would be to look at the value of your property and use that as a benchmark to decide how much to spend on your garden. If you're spending less than 5 percent, that's skimping, you can do better. And if you don't want to do it for you, do it for your kids. Do it for the environment. It's your responsibility.

Q: Do you have any tips for city-dwellers who would love to have a garden but who don't have the time or the space?

A: Go to your local nursery and start taking photos of plants you find attractive. Go to the botanical garden on the weekend and see how plants are arranged. Fall in love with the plants and then take them home. By growing a plant, you're empowering yourself, giving yourself confidence, demystifying nature.

Everyone can have a little patch of paradise, there's no excuse not to.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gardening-jamiedurie-idUSSP18722020071015

Blogs about Residential Fire Sprinklers

Posted by Jason Hugo on 8/12/2016 to https://elberslandscape.com/ Residential Fire Protection





The war on residential fire sprinklers is rooted in misguided information and fought by industry groups with vested interests. This blog compiles the Sprinkler System Installation arguments and dispels the myths. Then it ends with a proposed compromise that will benefit homeowners and the construction industry. Enjoy!

Posted by Jason Hugo on 12/5/2013 to Residential Fire Protection







Tis the season for fireplaces and Christmas trees. Learn best practices to keep you and your family FIRE-safe during the holiday season in today's blog!

Posted by Jason Hugo on 10/8/2013 to Residential Fire Protection




< br>Welcome to National Fire Prevention Week 2013! In honor of this safety campaign we've compiled our top 15 tips for preventing kitchen fires.

Posted by Jason Hugo on 9/17/2013 to Residential Fire Protection





A fire becomes deadly incredibly fast. Within minutes your home or business can be engulfed in flames and filled with toxic smoke. The chances for survival diminish quickly. Walk through a typical fire scenario and learn about flashover and fire department response times in this week's blog.

Posted by Jason Hugo on 4/2/2013 to Residential Fire Protection





Residential fire sprinkler systems pay for themselves through homeowners insurance discounts.

Posted by Jason Hugo on 2/19/2013 Sprinkler Installation Denton to Fire Sprinkler Regulatory





Learn about the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and all the great work they do promotin g the residential fire sprinkler industry.

Posted by Jason Hugo on 1/23/2013 to Residential Fire Protection





Lightweight construction has been the leading cause of death for homeowners and firefighters since the 1960's. Learn how fire sprinklers can help protect your family and firefighters.

Posted by Jason Hugo on 1/17/2013 to Residential Fire Protection





This blog examines the devastating effects of a recent fire in Maryland and the life-saving technology that could have helped prevent it.

http://www.qrfs.com/residential-fire-sprinkler-systems-components-and-why-you-should-have-one

Blooming Corpse Flower Stinks Up DC to the Delight of Tourists

A plant that looks like a specimen straight out of the Sprinkler System 1986 film "Little Shop of Horrors" is bringing delight to visitors at the U.S. Botanic Garden today as it begins to bloom and release its famed rotten stench.

For weeks, tourists have been flocking to the U.S. Botanical Garden to take selfies with the giant plant, but today is the first time visitors will get a whiff of the corpse flower.

A corpse flower started to bloom, Aug. 2, 2016, in Washington.

The Amorphoplallus titanium, or corpse flower, can grow up to 12 feet tall, and once its petals unfurl, the flower releases a scent that's been described as "rotten meat with hints of garlic" and a "steaming dumpster."

While the odor might repulse most humans, the smell actually attracts bugs, which then serve as pollinators for the plant.



Special conditions are required for the corpse flower to bloom and visitors to have the rare olfactory experience. The plant favors the kind of hot and humid conditions found in its native Sumatra, Indonesia, and can take up to 10 years for its first bloom. After that, the plant blooms every three to four years.

The corpse flower blooming http://www.sergioslandscaping.net/ at the U.S. Botanic Garden has more than doubled in size during the past few weeks alone. On July 18, the plant was 34 inches but by Aug. 1, the stylus of the plant had reached 88 inches.

Now the corpse flower has b loomed, it will release the scent Sprinkler System for the next 24 to 48 hours while its petals are open.



The U.S. Botanic Garden will be keeping its doors open late so those with brave enough noses can take a sniff.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/blooming-corpse-flower-stinks-dc-delight-tourists/story?id=41068713

Home Landscaping Design Tips and Resource Blog

Most Sprinkler System Installation traditional landscape management has been based on principles of control rather than cooperation. Historically, gardeners have worked hard to achieve what they considered "natural perfection." Lush, well-tended flower beds and perfectly-shaped shrubs and hedges bordering thick, green lawns.



Of course, all this "perfection and control" takes a terrible toll - on Sprinkler System the gardener and the landscape . Hours of backbreaking labor is needed to weed, prune, water, and tend needy plants that don't really want to be where they're planted. Tons of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers are applied in order to keep everything and everybody in line. As a result, landscapes are all too often ecological nightmares.



Today, it's appropriate to consider https://www.thespruce.com/landscaping-4127779 entering into a new relationship with the natural world. Taking a step away, if you will, from everything that we've collectively (mis)learned about "proper garden care" and how a cultivated landscape should look. Gardens need to be less wasteful and more environmentally benign.

https://www.thegardencontinuum.com/blog

How to landscape on a budget

Eye-pleasing landscaping has the potential to improve the way you feel about your home and make your property more appealing to potential buyers. And your landscaping project doesn't have to set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here are some http://www.rainbird.com/ ways to landscape on a budget.

Have a plan

Visualize the kind of landscaping you want and work on ways to achieve that final result. Examine your financial situation and determine a realistic landscaping budget. Figure out the best way to allocate the money you have set aside for your landscaping project. Remember to steer clear of impulse purchases during the whole project.

Do your research

If it is not in your budget to hire a landscape architect, you may be able to swing a consultation with one for a reduced price. See what kind of fees the professional landscapes charge in your area.

Get inspiration from the Internet and magazines.Ask the people at the local nursery for suggestions. You might even be able to tap ahorticulturalistfrom a local university for advice. Do keep in mind that you have the final say, so Sprinkler System Installation Rockwall make sure you make decisions based on what you want, not just what the person at the garden center was raving about.

Choose the right plants

Mandy Buck Rhoades, who does sales and public relations at Buck & Sons Landscaping Service, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, suggests using plants that are native to your area.

"These will require less water and overall Sprinkler System Rockwall care in general," she says.

Perennial plants come back every year, so you can save both time and money by choosing to plant them over annuals, which need to be replanted every year, Rhoades says.

Before you plant your first seed, test your soil to f ind deficiencies. You should be able to find a home soil test kit at a garden center, and the results will both save you from purchasing unnecessary additives and help you determine the best plants for the present type of soil.

According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, mulch reduces weed growth and conserves water, helping you save money on irrigation and weedkillers. Mulch is often cheaper if you buy it in bulk, too.

Make smart decisions

Know what is worth buying on the cheap and what may end of costing you big bucks in the long-run. Rhoades says that a larger upfront investment may result in spending less on annual maintenance.

"Hire professionals to do the more skilled labor such as hardscaping and paver installation to save headaches and money to fix it later," she suggests.

But don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. If you are confident that something can be done properly and realistically, do it yourself.



See what you can reuse or repurpose. Consider repainting your old lawn furniture with leftover paint from another project. Find new cushions for your lawn chairs, and see if you can find anything inside your house that would add to the overall look of your new landscaping.



http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2012/05/18/how-to-landsca pe-on-budget.html

8 Rooftop Gardens From Around The World (PHOTOS)

Roof gardens and green roofs are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, but the rest of the world definitely seems Sprinkler System Installation Greenville to be planting a fair share of awesome gardens. Gardens on roofs are not just eye candy - they can save energy by significantly lowering the cost of heating and cooling http://gardening.cals.cornell.edu/ in a building.

Have a photos of a cool green roof? Are you growing vegetables or planting shrubs on yours? Send us your photos!

Here's how it works:

Hit the participate button, leave your description and mark the location of the garden by searching for an address in the box on the Sprinkler System Installation Greenville top right of the map, upload your photo and hit submit. Thank you!

Here are 8 great picks for green roofs from across the world. Vote for your favorite.

Roof Gardens Across The World

Roof Gardens Across The World

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore



This is the roof of the five-story School of Art, Design & Media at Nanyang Technological University campus, in Singapore: it was designed by CPG Consultants Pte. Ltd. The roof insulates the building, cools the surrounding air and harvests rainwater for landscape irrigation.

Image courtesy school website

Get HuffPost Green On Facebook and Twitter!



Wake up to the day's most important news.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/31/8-rooftop-gardens-from-ar_n_268573.html

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs... Union Or Non-Union

An important decision to make before pursuing an electrician apprenticeship http://www.sears.com/tools-electricians-tools/b-1219224682 is to figure out whether to affiliate yourself with a union or non-union shop.

This is pretty much a black or white decision that will most likely stay with you for your entire electrical career so... take some time and choose carefully.

Most all of my time spent in the electrical industry was working in non-union or 'open shops'. I did however have the opportunity to work on a couple of union jobs early-on in my electrical career and I have met and talked with quite a few union electricians, foreman, owners as well as union business agents.

Since I've worked in and been exposed to both sides of the union-non-union debate, I'm in a position that allows me to provide you with a comprehensive overview as to the pros and cons of working in each of these two diff erent electrical environments.



Pros and Cons of Working in an Open Electrician Shop

Pros...

Apprentice electrician program is typically high quality

Greater promotion opportunities than in non-union shops

More employment alternatives when work is slow

Less rules to follow

No union dues to pay

Cons...

Lower pay scale than a union shop

Inferior retirement program compared to the union

Inconsistent treatment of electricians between various contractors

Generally, less stringent safet y procedures

Quality of work between different electricians can vary greatly

You will want to do some research to determine how strong the union presence is in your local area. How many big projects are they now working on? That will go along way in determining how busy you can stay as a union electrician over the long term.

Nothing can be more frustrating to be sitting at home and collecting unemployment because there is not enough union work in your town. A union journeyman electrician can always travel to another area to work but if you have a family, that is not always feasible.



If you are younger and plan on a long electrical career, a union shop might be your best choice simply because of the outstanding retirement benefits that they offer.

The main advantage to being in an open shop is that there are many options available to you when work gets slow. Also, if you are otherwise unhappy with your employment situation, you have complete flexibility in changing jobs.

If you are a go-getter and aspire to foreman and superintendent positions, there Electrician Service College Station will generally be more opportunities for you in a non-union shop.

So... Which Way Should You Go?

As with most choices in life, there is usually a trade-off and the electrical industry is no different.

With the union you have great retirement benefits but with the possibility of dealing with more time off work than you would like.

By going non-union you will give Electrician Service up the outstanding benefits they offer for more steady work and greater opportunities for advancement.

These are general statements of course and can vary greatly from area to area, employer to employer and to union shop and non-union shop.

For instance, there can be a non-union electrical contractor that has a retirement or profit sharing program that rivals that of the IBEW.

There are areas that have a long standing union presence with ongoing large government projects where the local union electricians are always busy and rarely get laid off.

Every city is different so I repeat... it is a good idea to do some diligent research before making the decision to go union or non-union.

https://hubpages.com/business/Electrician-Apprenticeship-Union-or-Non-Union

The Klein Law Firm Announces a Class Action Filed on Behalf of Puma Biotechnology, Inc. Shareholders and a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of July 7, 2017

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been

filed on behalf of shareholders of Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:

PBYI) who purchased shares between February 29,

2016 and May 4, 2017. The action,

which was Best Attorney College Station filed in the United States District Court for the Best Attorney Central

District of California, alleges that the Company violated federal

securities laws.

In particular, the complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period,

defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or

failed to disclose that (i) the Company did not anticipate that the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") would ultimately approve PB272 < br>
("neratinib") for the treatment of breast cancer; (ii) as such, Puma

Biotechnology had overstated the drug's approval prospects and/or

commercial viability; and (iii) as a result, Puma Biotechnology's public

statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.



Shareholders have until July 7, 2017 to petition the court for

lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery does not

require that you serve as lead plaintiff. You may choose to be an absent

class member.

If you suffered a loss during the class period and wish to obtain

additional information, please contact Joseph Klein, Esq. by telephone

at 212-616-4899 or visit http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-sa/puma-biotechnology-inc?wire=2.

Joseph http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/attorney-forms Klein, Esq. is an experienced attorney and has also practiced as

a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Klein represents investors and

participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud

throughout the nation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not

guarantee similar outcomes.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170612005903/en/Klein-Law-Firm-Announces-Class-Action-Filed

10 Best Houseplants To De-Stress Your Home And Purify The Air

If you want functional decorations, look no further than the houseplant.

Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten a space but also purify the air -- and they're also helpful in creating a more relaxing, restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels and tension relief. What's more, in a 2008 study, Dutch researchers found that hospital patients with indoor plants in their rooms reported lower stress levels than patients without them.



That's why we've rounded up 10 beautiful houseplants that are easy to take care of and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for cleaner breathing air, some of which even have the NASA stamp of approval. Try adding one to your bedroom or office space for a little dose of zen.

What are your favorite decorative plants? Tell us in the comments below!

The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties. Not only does it soothe skin burns and cuts, it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants' leaves will display brown spots. Just an FYI: It grows best with lots of sun.

NASA scientists listed the English ivy as the number one best air-filtering houseplant, as it is the most effective plant when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde. It's also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable -- try it as a hanging or a floor plant. Grow in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight.



Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The low-maintenance plant is a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier.

The beautiful peace lily plant is a wonderful low-maintenance flower to keep in the home. Peace lilies do well in shade and cooler temperatures, and they can reduce the levels of a number of toxins in the air.

Snake plants don't need much light or water to survive, so they're an easy choice for any corner of your home. The plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (while most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost.

Th e attractive bamboo palm also made NASA's list of top clean-air plants with a purifying score of 8.4. It's also particularly effective at clearing out benzene and trichloroethylene. These need to be well-watered, in shade or indirect sunlight.

The heart-shaped philodendron is a popular plant choice for indoor areas, as they're easy to care for and can grow decorative vines. Like the English ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing xylene. They can also last for http://painters-restaurant.com/2011/ many years when properly cared for. Grow with moderate water and some sunlight and they'll be fine.

One of the most common house plants, spider plants are decorative, easy to grow, and also make the NASA list of the best air-purifying plants. Spider plants are effective at fighting pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.

This beautiful, vibrant plant can grow to be ceiling-height (15-foot dracaenas are common), making it a great plant for decorating and filling up space. It also removes toxins including xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Grows best in sunlight.

The golden pothos makes the NASA list for its ability to clear formaldehyde from the air. Try adding it to your kitchen or living room as a hanging plant, as the leaves will grow down in cascading vines. They grow easily in cool temperatures will low levels of sunlight.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/29/best-houseplants-destress_n_2964013.html

Littler Combines With 170-Lawyer Firm in France

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Littler, the world's largest employment and labor law practice

representing management, has combined with Fromont Briens, one of the

largest labor and employment law firms in Europe. With offices in Paris

and Lyon, France, the Fromont Briens team consists of 170 lawyers that

focus on all areas of labor and employment law. The combination follows

Littler's expansion into Germany and Canada last year, and its

development of a labor and employment practice of unparalleled scope

across Latin America.





"We are excited to welcome Fromont Briens to Littler Global and to

connect our extensive global platform with a firm highly regarded for

counseling multinational and French companies on complex labor and

employment matters," said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing

directors of Littler, in a joint statement. "Alongside our team of

nearly 30 lawyers across four offices in Germany, adding a major

presence in France will significantly expand our footprint in

Continental Europe and further enhance our ability to provide

comprehensive counsel on the myriad employment law issues facing global

employers."

Fromont Briens represents multinational companies based in the United

States, France and throughout Europe in a wide variety of industries,

including energy, technology, retail, manufacturing, financial services,

pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The firm's attorneys counsel and

defend employers in a range of areas, including individual and

collective labor relations, business restructurings, employee benefits

and compensation policies, employee retirement and savings plans, and

social security and pension matters. Fromont Briens also conducts

compliance audits, due diligence reviews and training seminars to help

clients mitigate risk.

"With numerous Fortune Global 500 companies maintaining their

headquarters in France, and Germany and the U.S. serving as major

trading partners to the country, establishing a French presence was an

ideal next step in our continued global expansion," said Peter Susser,

Littler's Global Practice Leader and chair of the firm's International

Employment Law practice. "All Littler Global members have been v ery

impressed with the top-notch services Fromont Briens provides to

clients," added Stephan Swinkels, who served as executive director of

L&E Global, an international alliance of labor and employment law firms,

prior to joining Littler as a shareholder last June. "The https://www.law.csuohio.edu/ firm also

shares our commitment to innovation and using technology to drive

greater efficiency in the delivery of legal services."

Fromont Briens' international team is led by Guillaume Desmoulin and

Sophie Pelicier-Loevenbruck, who counsel national and multinational

companies on such matters as labor relations, social security law and

business restructurings. Grgory Chastagnol, a member of Fromont Briens'

management committee, has been involved in discussions with Littler from

the outset. Additional members of the Fromont Briens management

commi ttee include Cdric Guillon, Gilles Briens, David Calvayrac and

Philippe Clment.

"Littler Global offers an unparalleled ability to help companies

navigate the challenges and considerations that come with managing

employees in various global markets," Guillaume Desmoulin said. "We have

developed strong working relationships with Littler attorneys,

particularly those in Germany, and feel the firm's strategy for global

expansion and client service model is a perfect fit for our practice."

"We are thrilled to join forces with Littler and look forward to

collaborating with our new colleagues across the globe," added Grgory

Chastagnol. "Considering our complex legal environment and major

evolutions over the past few years, operating in France presents unique

issues for employers. Fromont Briens' extensive knowledge of labor and

employment law in France and Littler's position as the world's leading

employment law firm is a powerful combination to service multinational

companies."

Littler's international operations span three continents - North

America, South America and Europe - and include Canada, Colombia, Costa

Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala,

Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The firm's global capabilities also include U.S.-based lawyers with

exceptional international experience, who are dually licensed

practitioners in Australia, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom and South

Africa, among other countries.

"Fromont Briens has developed a well-deserved reputation in France and

throughout Europe for providing counseling, litigation, auditing and

training to employers based on the deep subject matter knowledge of its

attorneys," said Dr. Thomas Griebe, one of the founding partners of

Littler Global member firm vangard. "Having worked with Guillaume and

his colleagues over the years, we are excited to add a strong

neighboring partner that will bring significant value to our global

clients."

As part of the firm's commitment to keeping global companies informed of

labor and employment developments impacting their operations, Littler

will host its inaugural Europe Conference on November 10, 2016 in

Berlin. For more information and to register for the event, please visit http://www.littler.com/events/inaugural-europe-conference-germany.

About Fromont Briens

Founded in 1993, Fromont Briens has grown to 170 lawyers practicing

in Paris and Lyon and representing French and multinational companies in

all areas of labor and employment law. The firm and its attorneys have

been recognized as leaders in labor and employment law in Chambers &

Partners and Legal 500, and has received ISO 9001 certification from the

International Organization of Standardization for developing a strong

quality management system.

About Littler

Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with

more than 1,000 attorneys in over 70 offices worldwide. Littler

represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and

serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer

community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and

innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and

negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor

contracts on record for over 70 years. Littler Global is the collective

trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing entities

of which are separate and distinct professional firms. For more

information visit: www.littler.c om.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161017005375/en/Littler-Combines-170-Lawyer-Firm-France

Organic gardens take root in Canada| Reuters

By Julie Gordon

| TORONTO

TORONTO As climate change makes longer, drier summers a reality in many parts of the world, a new trend in landscaping is taking root in Canada.

In Toronto, where precipitation levels were 52 percent below the seasonal average over the past six months, according to government data, residents are trading in their manicured lawns for environmentally friendly organic landscapes.

"Irrigation is a huge issue as water is such a valuable resource," said Claire Suo-Cockerton of landscaping company Aesthetic Earthworks. "We are trying to plant material that is more appropriate today in our climate."

Organic landscapers use drought resistant plants and shrubs native to the region, which encourage the development micro-organisms in the soil. This attracts birds and insects to act as natural pest and disease control.

A well-managed organic landscape is self-sustaining, whereas a traditional yard needs to be watered at least onc e per week, Suo-Cockerton said.

"It's a drastic lifestyle change for those who incorporate it in their homes," she added.

But the change may be a bit too drastic for average homeowner.

Kevin MacDonald, operations manager of Humber Nurseries near Toronto, said he hasn't seen an increase in the sale of native plants and shrubs. He said the downside to native plants is they are more susceptible to native insects.

"By planting a cultivated variety, that is non-native, you may not end up with diseases and insect problems, simply because the diseases and insects that would traditionally attack that plant are not found in the new location," he said.

Still, the main reason why traditional gardens remain popular may be purely aesthetic.

"In most cases homeowners will have a preference for what looks https://www.bigsprinkler.com/ best," MacDonald sai d.

While the bare shrubs and woodchips of an organic landscape don't quite have the curb appeal of an ornamental garden, commercial and residential buildings looking to go green are picking up on the trend.



"From a developer's standpoint it's a great marketing tool because people are becoming very conscious of Sprinkler System Installation Mckinney the environment," said Melissa Ferrato of the Canada Green Building Council (CGBG).

The CGBG uses the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) standard developed in the United States to measure the "green factor" of a building. Avoiding pesticides, lawnmowers and leafblowers all reduce a building's carbon footprint, contributing to a higher LEED score.

"Native, organic plants is what we're all about," said Ferrato. "We really discourage the use of manicured lawns and pesticides."

While organic landscaping is only now gaining popularity in the private sector, it has long been used by city parks departments.

"We've been moving away from traditional lawns for many years now," said Patricia Landry a liaison officer at the Toronto parks department. "We are using plants able to withstand drought, pollution and the changing climate."

Organic landscaping makes economic sense for urban municipalities, Landry said. Less money is spent on labor and irrigation. And reintroducing native plants provides habitat for birds and small animals.

While efforts to convert Toronto's ornamental flowerbeds to organic gardens were met with public opposition, some of the cultivated annuals were swapped with native plants.

"It's about trying to keep a balance," said Landry. "Finding different ways to keep those areas a little more environmentally friendly."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-landscaping-idUSN2563030420071101

Bone-setting: The new face of Korea

Ever wonder how Korean celebrities have such tiny faces?

Sure, plastic surgery and good genes may account for a great deal, but in Korea, an increasing number of celebrities (and non-celebs) are flocking to aesthetic treatment clinics that feature alternative methods of therapy.

47

Yakson House, a traditional Korean aesthetic company started in 1979, specializes in health, face and body care with a twist.

The House offers "bone therapy," a method of "remodeling" the face and body through alternative massage techniques geared to re-align your bone structure to its original, symmetrical shape.

Instead of feeling like a straightforward massage or a chiropractic therapy, the feeling that one gets from each session is that your bones are being "set" all over your body.

Be warned, it's not for those who desire immediate and dramatic results.Nor is it for those who fear pain.

Custom setting

The House claims to "fix" bodies that have become deformed through bad posture and misuse, and offers programs customized for particular needs.

The "Unequal Face Care" program, which costs ?2,400,000 (approximately US$2,256) for eight sessions, is the most basic.

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Each session in the program involves two hours of therapy, and contrary to what one might expect of a "Face Care" program, the treatment encompasses full on care on the calves, thighs, stomach, back, neck and finally the face.

Although the treatments can be quite painful, it's the type of "refreshing pain" (think boiling baths) that Koreans love.

The treatments have become so popular that the House has branched out not only in Korea, but also overseas. The Cheongdam-dong Yakson House is the original branch. There are currently 69 branches in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Changwon, Daejeon, Busan, Gwangju provinces and Jeju Island.

The first overseas Yakson House opened in 2009 in Shinjuku, Japan. There are also branches in the Philippines and the United States.

Interestingly, the popularity of the programs vary according to customers' nationalities.

"In particular, Japanese like Unequal Face Care, while Filipinos are interested in the care for the lower part of body and American people like Lifting Programs," says Kim Hyoun-sook, t he director of Education at Yakson House.

Kim says Japanese women comprise the largest percentage of foreign visitors, and among the 23 different types of programs offered by Yakson House, the most popular one among Koreans is "Face Reduction Care."

"It is possible to experience the reduction effects as much as 10 percent," says Yakson House public relations manager Choi Hyun-Seong.

Waxing skeptical?

"In the event that there is no effect, or customers are not satisfied with it, we provide the services until the 10% reduction effects are experienced," says Choi confidently.

The guarantee system of providing additional free service until satisfied also applies to the "Curved Legs Care" program (?500,000-?600,000 for 10 sessions) which is geared towards making your knees and ankle bones meet, and also to the "Pelvis Care" program (?500,000 for 10 sessions), geared to make your hips and pelvis symmetrical.

Spreading the word
< br>Yakson runs an academy in Seoul, and offers educational programs for therapists from all over the world who come to learn Yakson's bone therapy techniques.

The techniques are based on guidelines set forth by Julius Wolff, an orthopedic surgeon in Germany, who theorized that calcium absorption rates increase according to the more shocks your bones receive.

???? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????."During the bone therapy process, calcium absorption rates become higher and blood circulation is improved, and so it has a beautifying effect," says Kim. "It's Best Remodeling the same kind of effect that swimming is go od for the bones because of the water pressure."

They must be doing something right, as the word keeps spreading and more and more Hallyu celebrities, includingKoo Hara and Best Remodeling Yoo Ah-in, sign up for treatments.

"Hopefully, bone therapy will be known to the world, and more foreigners will visit Korea, experience it, learn it and spread it to other nations," says Kim.



http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/ play/bone-setting-new-face-korea-365195/