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moverslasvegascom · 6 years

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Moving to Texas

This huge state continues to draw in countless tourists as well as people moving to Texas from all over the country. Texas continues to offer increasing job opportunities, affordable cost of living, diverse metropolitan areas, rich historical influence, mixed culture and abundant tourist destinations.

The Lone Star State is home to three of the biggest cities in the United States, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. Geographically speaking, Texas has over 360 miles of gorgeous coastline and a varying topography that features beaches, mountains, deserts, ranch lands and forested areas. This gives transplants lots of options when it comes to moving to Texas.

Plus, this state is also home to some of the country’s biggest oil reserves, top-notch universities, premium hospitals and medical centers along with world famous tourist spots.

Looking at all of these, moving to Texas is surely something that’s worth considering.

Affordable Cost of Living

Two reasons why a lot of people consider moving to Texas is the low cost of housing plus the absence of state income tax.

Texas has an average cost of living of 90.4, which is 9.60% lower than the U.S average. Furthermore, sales tax rates here range from 6.25% to 8.25%. However, just like in other states with no state income tax, the property tax rates here are slightly higher at 1.94%. According to bestplaces.net, the average home cost in Texas is $184,900. That’s relatively lower if you compare it to New York, which is $282,000.

This continuous increase in housing costs in the other states, combined with the booming employment opportunities in Texas is what makes this state quite appealing to many people, especially for young families, Millenials and retirees.

As a matter of fact, between 2005 and 2013, around 4.8 million people from all over the country have moved to Texas, according to the Texas Demographic Center.

Increasing and Varying Job Opportunities

Because of the size of this state, a great number of industries have started to boom here providing lots of career options for residents as well as transplants. In the past, the primary contributor to this state’s economy is the oil and gas industry and it still is, along with several other industries which include agriculture, aeronautics, IT and computer-related technology, energy and tourism.

Though recently, the slowdown in the petroleum industry has resulted in layoffs and a decreasing growth rate in the current economy, overall, Texas is still a very good state for career growth.

Energy Industry Plays a Major Part in the Economy

The energy sector, particularly the oil and gas industry, is one of the biggest industries here that offer numerous employment opportunities. They provide job seekers with an array of available career options ranging from different fields.

One of the major energy companies here is the Shell Deepwater Development that works with the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas.

The petroleum industry highly affects the state’s economy and because of that, a fluctuation in energy prices may either increase or reduce the growth of the state’s overall economic status.

Favorable Business Environment

Site Selection Magazine has ranked Texas as the most business-friendly state in the U.S back in 2010. Ever since, this state has produced the highest number of company headquarters, which are included in the Fortune 500 list. The Texas A&M University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dairy Queen, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and Dell are just some of them.

Among those in the list, 22 are energy-related. This includes Valero Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum and Cheniere Energy.

In Dallas, you can find the headquarters of telecoms giant AT&T, together with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

An interesting fact: In 2010, this state has produced around 346,000 millionaires, constituting the second-largest population of millionaires in the U.S.

Meanwhile, in 2016, Texas has ranked 4th place among “The List of Best States for Business” by Forbes.

Vibrant Downtown, Serene Suburbs and Growing Lifestyle Communities

Texas has four metropolitan areas that have a population of more than a million. Around two-thirds of all Texans are living in major metropolitan areas such as Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San-Antonio-New Braunfels.

Austin, the state capital, is home to some world-famous museums, performing arts centers, shopping centers, nightlife and wonderful outdoor attractions. According to the U.S News and World Report, for the second year in a row, this city has been named as the number one “Best Place to Live in the United States”. Some of the reasons include affordable housing options, quality of education, diverse job market and convenient commute time.

Furthermore, the cities of Houston, San Antonio and Dallas also have their own unique set of local attractions, urban entertainment and a competitive job market that attracts different people from all over the country.

The reason why Texas is able to provide its residents with affordable housing options is because they have so much empty space that are just waiting to be developed. Fortunately, different community builders are gradually putting up lifestyle neighborhoods in every city and suburbs for people moving to Texas.

These lifestyle communities feature a variety of on-site amenities like a clubhouse, sports courts and social areas where residents can come together. For the active adult home buyers, there are also quite a few age-restricted communities sprouting in every part of the state.

Mild, Varying Climate

Geographically located in the South Central region of the country, Texas intersects with multiple climate zones, giving this state a highly variable weather. Simply put, those areas situated on the east side of I-35 have a subtropical climate while those on the west side of I-35 have a dry and arid desert climate.

In winter, those located within the Panhandle experiences colder winters as compared to those living in North Texas, while those in the Gulf Coast area experiences milder winters. During this season, the average temperature in the entire state ranges between 50°F and 70°F, depending on where you are.

Snow falls multiple times every winter in the Panhandle and the mountainous areas of West Texas. In North Texas on the other hand, snow comes at least once or twice a year, while it rarely snows in the southern parts of San Antonio and along the coastal regions of the state.

Summers are usually hot and is actually getting hotter each year. In fact, a large part of the state experiences temperatures around high 90s °F, especially in August. In the mountains of West Texas, the average temperature ranges from the 80s °F, while in the Rio Grande Valley, it’s around 100°F.

Furthermore, Texas also has a wide rainfall pattern. For example, in El Paso, they experience 8.7 inches of annual rainfall while those in the southeast part experiences 4 inches per year.

The only downside to this varying climate is that storms and hurricanes are quite frequent in some parts of the state, particularly in the Gulf Coast areas. Tornadoes are more common here than in other states.

The Gulf Coast in particular has been hit by several major hurricanes like Harvey in 2017 and Ike in 2008.

In addition, no matter where you are in Texas, dry heat or sticky humidity is normal here so if you’re not used to this kind of weather, this is one thing that you should highly consider before moving to Texas.

Abundant Outdoor Attractions

Texas, is home to a myriad of natural outdoor leisure opportunities, historical and cultural attractions and urban entertainment and nightlife options. Its diverse landscape features desert regions, cave systems, mountainous areas, coastal beaches and canyons which are absolutely stunning and truly one-of-a-kind. Millions of tourists come here every year to see these spectacular natural wonders and visit some of the best tourist destinations in the country.

There are more than enough state and national parks here to keep outdoor enthusiasts happy. Some of the things that you can do there is hiking, camping, boating, swimming and fishing. You can also go shopping, dining, listen to great live music, watch amazing performances and visit a couple of famous historical attractions.

In San Antonio, there’s the River Walk and the historic site Alamo. At the President Kennedy and the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, visitors can learn about the detailed account of the assassination attempt on former President John F. Kennedy along with his legacy. Afterwards, you can also visit the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial, an enormous monument built in honor of the late American president.

Talking about popular tourist hot spots, the Space Center Houston features many exhibits, film shows, a display of moon rock samples, artifacts related to astronauts and so on. This place is perfect for the whole family.

Meanwhile, nature lovers can visit Big Bend National Park, which is located in Far West Texas. First time visitors can take a trip down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to see the picturesque views of the Chihuahuan Desert landscape.

If you’re more of a beach lover, the Gulf Coast offers long miles of sandy beaches which includes Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christ and the South Padre Island near Brownsville.

Authentic Texas BBQ and Live Music

Who doesn’t love Barbecue?

Obviously, barbecue is a big deal in Texas and you’ve gotta love barbecue if your moving to Texas. It’s evident by the number of barbecue restaurants scattered all over the state. As to which barbecue restaurant is the best, there is definitely no correct answer since it’s all about personal choice and preference.

If you’re in Austin, then La Barbecue is the place to go. They serve sausages, tender pork ribs, monster beef ribs, all-natural beef brisket and so on. Because their owner isn’t into anything sweet, you’ll find special blends of salty and savory rubs. Did you know? Guests can actually order their meal at least five days prior so they can skip the long lines outside. They can do this online on their website.

Another famous barbecue place is Terry Black’s Barbecue which has branches in Austin, Lockhart, San Marcos and New Braunfels. Serving customers with their original recipe since 1932, this Texas Barbecue place showcase what traditional Texas barbecue is all about – the smell, flavor and look.

Aside from BBQ, another popular thing to do here is experiencing the rich, musical culture of Texas. Dubbed as the “Live Music Capital of the World”, Austin showcases a number of venues that offer live music on any night. Furthermore, you can visit Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. It’s the oldest dance hall in Texas and also features live music.

For those who’d like to know more about Texas music, you can come here in spring and join the annual Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival, which is held at the Melody Mountain Ranch, only 110 miles away from Dallas.

Convenient Travel Time and Proximity to Major Cities and States

Two major interstate highways cut through the entire state of Texas, dividing it into quarters. The I-10 which runs from east to west – from El Paso eastward to the Louisiana state line and the I-35, which runs from the Oklahoma state line in the north, down to Laredo on the border with Mexico.

Traffic in the major cities of Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth area is heavy, but not as troublesome as compared to the scale of L.A., Chicago or New York.

In addition, some residents would also opt to take in-state flights thanks to a wide range of international and regional airports available. This includes the American Airlines and the Southwest Airlines, which have headquarters here.

An Array of Quality Higher Education Options

Texas has a huge and diverse economic population, which means the quality of education here also differs. In some cities, there are some highly rated school K-12 districts. This makes moving to Texas with children an attractive opportunity.

Two of the best universities in the U.S are found in Texas: The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas A&M University. According to the most recent National University Rankings by the U.S News and World Report, University of Texas is ranked #49th, while the Texas A&M University is ranked #66.

Other top public universities found here is the University of Houston and the Texas State University. As for private universities, there’s the Austin College, Rice, Southern Methodist University and Baylor University.

In addition, there are also many two-year community colleges here with over 700,000 students.

These are just some of the things that you need to know if you’re planning on moving to Texas. If you’ve made up your mind and decided on moving to Texas, its time to hire long distance movers to move to your new home in Texas.

The post Moving to Texas appeared first on Move ON Moving.

source https://www.moveonmoving.com/moving-to-texas/

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theconservativebrief · 6 years

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2018’s wildfires are already proving to be more destructive than last year’s, with the active Carr and Ferguson fires burning more than 200,000 acres and killing eight people in California, as well as wildfires in Oregon and Colorado that have torched more than 250,000 acres collectively. This essay, published during last year’s brutal fire season, tackles many of the same issues as this year’s season.

The mundane days all run together. But those days when I was genuinely unsure if I would make it to the end of my shift intact are the ones that stand out.

I remember fighting a fire on the Angeles National Forest in 2002. Our crew flew onto a ridge in a helicopter. The rotor wash, or wind created by the helicopter blades, flung orange embers into the unburned vegetation — the “green.” Immediately, it started burning.

We jumped out of the helicopter, ran underneath the fire, and started digging. The goal was to quickly create a line free of any vegetation that could burn, called a fireline, which we used to stop fires from growing. Digging fireline is grueling; I often lost myself in the sound of chainsaws and rhythm of my tool hitting the dirt and ignored my physical pain.

Some of us had to run deep into the green and find embers or put out new small fires before they began burning out of control. There were full minutes when I thought, This may be it. We may not make it.

I worked as a wildland firefighter for seven years in the 2000s. And so I’ve been watching the smoky footage on my computer of the fires burning across the West this last month with great unease. Take the La Tuna Fire, which ignited on September 1. It was one of the largest fires Los Angeles has ever seen and burned more than 7,000 acres before it was contained. And it’s the kind of fire that is increasingly common in the age of climate change.

Wildland firefighters are especially attuned to how climate change puts us all at greater risk for destructive fires. We understand how higher temperatures and long-term drought are the perfect conditions for ignition. To us, there’s little controversy that it’s happening, although not everyone believes it’s human caused. I do, and, along with others in the field, I wonder when those in power will take the steps needed to address climate change.

Wildfires currently burning in Northern California have destroyed thousands of acres and homes and resulted in the deaths of 11 people. Counties including Napa and Sonoma have been declared a state of emergency.

It’s been a brutal wildfire season. Last month’s La Tuna Fire in Los Angeles was, I’m sure, one of those fires that seemed uncontainable. In a speech, Ralph Terrazas, the LAFD fire chief, said, “We can handle everything. We have to. We don’t have an option.” He sounded exhausted and less hopeful than his words.

Southern California’s fire season usually lasts in late September and October when hot, strong winds called the Santa Ana blow through the region. I witnessed this. Fires often started on roadsides, ignited by discarded cigarette butts or even a spark from a motorcycle. The La Tuna Fire didn’t bode well for this year’s California fire season, and we’re seeing those effects.

Last month, I spoke with my friend Jesse Moreng, an ex-hotshot — or wildland firefighter — who now works as a multi mission aircraft manager, mapping fires for the firefighters on the ground. When I asked Jesse if he thought this fire season was more severe than most, he said yes, “just in terms of how many places are burning at once.”

The US Fire Service and Department of the Interior reported in September spending more than $2.1 billion on fires this year so far, which is what they spent for the entire fire season in 2015, one of the most devastating fire seasons since 1960. What strikes me most about the report is the predicted length the 2017 fire season. Some predicted containment dates are well into late Autumn. Many of these large fires are under 5 percent contained, with no rain or helpful weather in sight. That’s going to take a lot of resources to stop or contain.

As some fires continue to get worse, air quality will suffer, and more often there may be loss of property and loss of life due to the increasing number of people who live in wooded areas. Most importantly, large fires themselves emit greenhouse gasses, which have been proven to accelerate climate change and burn trees, which are crucial for oxygenating the air. This will inevitably affect the quality of life of most people living in the United States. This isn’t just happening here, but around the world.

As Puerto Rico, Texas, the Caribbean and Florida continue to recover from Hurricanes Maria, Harvey, and Irma, there seems to be an Armageddon-esque dread floating around on the internet. Tubbs and Atlas Fires are carving a path of destruction through Northern California, and 33 active fires burn throughout the state. It will only get worse as the effects of climate change continue.

Climate change will continue to affect fire behavior. According to an article published in PNAS, data from Western North America confirms that human-caused climate change will lead to widespread and more frequent fires. This is because the continual warming trend sets up conditions for a longer burning season — climate change means higher temperatures and more erratic precipitation, which leads to drier fuels ripe for burning.

It’s not hopeless. Although the wildfire news makes it feel as if the end of the world is upon us, it isn’t. Not yet. The USFS motto is “Caring for the land and serving people.” But how can we enforce that when the current administration denies climate change altogether? To keep our forests and air healthy we must be actively educating ourselves and voting for people who will be stewards of the land.

When I was 19, I dropped out of college and a friend suggested I apply at a nearby fire contracting agency in Eugene, Oregon. We were on a fire within two weeks and I loved the job. It was intense and exhausting, but I loved the camaraderie I had with my fellow crew members.

For four years I worked on three different hotshot crews. Hotshots are on the front lines — a crew consists of 18 to 22 members, the bulk of which are seasonal federal employees and the rest permanent government employees.

It’s intensely physical work. The fire season typically lasts May through October, and in a busy season a crew will log over a thousand hours of overtime. On “rolls,” a crew leaves home base for two to three weeks at a time, depending on the fire situation nationally, and will only come home for a couple days before being called out again. Every few years some crews have a slow season, resulting in less pay. Each hotshot gets paid differently due to experience, but most are paid $13 to $17 an hour, plus overtime and hazard pay.

Wildland firefighters are also often looked down upon by city fire departments. We aren’t considered “real” firefighters and seasonals don’t get benefits such as health insurance or retirement that structural firefighters enjoy. A permanent position is not guaranteed and can be hard to find.

In 2002, my crew was called to the Biscuit Fire, historically one of the largest fires in Oregon. It clocked in at over 500,000 acres, or 781 square miles. We spent most of our time fighting the Biscuit Fire using a method called “burning,” using drip torches to burn fuels along old logging roads and new dozer lines. We hoped that when the larger fire reached the burned fuels, it would stop, because there was no more fuel to burn. We spent three weeks fighting the Biscuit Fire. Eventually it crossed the border into California. The fire would not be contained fully for another five months.

Burning, which also can be done using flares or dropping napalm balls from helicopters, is just one method of fighting fire. Another method is fireline, which is when a fire crew or dozer creates a fuel break by removing all vegetation along the edge of the fire so it can burn no further. There’s also the “slurry line” method, where planes and/or helicopters drop fire retardant in a line across the vegetation to slow the burn.

For any of these methods to work, the elements have to be cooperative. Often they aren’t, and firefighters spend weeks implementing these tactics repeatedly, starting over each time they fail. We could only do so much.

Big fires are often unwilling to be contained. One day, while on the Bitterroot Complex, which burned more than 350,000 acres, we were feeling around for embers hiding in roots and stumps when it began to snow. My boss told me stories about how, when the snowy season came, embers would hide for the entire winter underground, only to pop up in the spring and reignite.

Even if we thought we’d have a hard time getting hold of the fire, we worked hard. After the initial frenzy of a new fire, our shifts were pretty regular: 16 hours on the fireline every day. We woke around 5 am and refilled our water, ate, and sharpened our tools in the dark, using the yellow circle of our headlamps. Throughout the day we’d lag and then become reenergized; we’d pour Emergen-C into our mouths, eat crystallized coffee, make tea with the water in our water bottles which was almost always hot.

Sometimes I hated the job; I’d dream of going to a restaurant and eating a steak, taking a shower — something we rarely did while in the field — sleeping in my bed. I wished, sometimes, that I could go swimming in a lake or do other summer activities I often missed out on during fire season. But firefighting was what I knew how to do, so I stayed. I loved working in the woods, where I didn’t have to be part of what I called “real civilization.”

There’s a part of me that misses my days of firefighting. But when I see the ongoing fires in California, Oregon, and Montana, I think about just how intense it was, and how much worse it’s getting every year. There will always be men and women at the forefront of these fires, doing whatever they can to contain the devastating impacts of nature. The politicians in charge of climate change policies need to make these hotshots’ jobs a little easier.

Anastasia Selby grew up in Washington state and spent most of her 20s fighting forest fires. She is now an MFA candidate in fiction at Syracuse University, and looks forward to graduation in 2018, when she can head out West again. Follow her on Twitter here.

First Person is Vox’s home for compelling, provocative narrative essays. Do you have a story to share? Read our submission guidelines, and pitch us at [email protected].

Original Source -> I’m a woman who fought wildfires for 7 years. Climate change is absolutely making them worse.

via The Conservative Brief

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goddessgardener · 7 years

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The Grass is Always Greener…

By Cynthia Brian

“Society is like a lawn where every roughness is smoothed, every bramble eradicated, and where the eye is delighted by the smiling verdure of a velvet surface.” Washington Irving

The cool evenings, warm days, and majestic orange sunsets signal the season of fall. While children will be preparing for the festivities of Halloween, gardeners need to be thinking about greening their lawn costumes. Much to my dismay, throughout the drought our water company encouraged homeowners to dispense with growing grass and either let lawns die or replant with succulents and other drought resistant species. In my humble opinion, this was terrible advice as a healthy lawn offers so many benefits not only to the environment but also to our health and wellbeing. It is also much more expensive to revamp a landscape than it is to maintain it, even minimally. With the drought in our rearview mirror, my email has been blowing up with requests on how to re-install a green lawn.

Thankfully all is not lost as autumn is the perfect time to plant a new lawn or reseed an existing one. Most grass seeds that you scatter in late October or early November will thicken and be well established by spring. Over-seeding a healthy existing lawn works wonders but if you have multiple bare spots, using a grass patch is a super alternative.

“What type of grass should I plant?” you may be thinking. Several readers have asked about UC Verde buffalograss. Although I have never set out plugs of this buffalograss, it is my understanding that this particular grass must be planted in the spring as it goes dormant in the winter, allowing for more weeds to take hold. It is also work intensive as you cannot just toss seeds or plant sod. Plugs need to be planted on a twelve-inch center. Once established, it is resistant to most turf damaging insects and diseases and requires less water than other grasses. Since it is seedless, it produces less seed heads resulting in less pollen, which may be of interest to allergy sufferers.

My personal preferences to obtaining a greener grass is to use seeds from Pearl’s Premium (www.PearlsPremium.com), red or white clover, or plant plugs of isotoma, also known as blue star creeper. Full disclosure, I do not work for, nor have I any affiliation with any of these three favorite lawn alternatives. I recommend them because they work. You can plant just one species for a clean, fresh, green blanket of tactile grass, or you can mix and match as long as you realize that your lawn will resemble a patchwork quilt.

Here’s a run down on my three preferred lawns:

Pearl’s Premium: www.PearlsPremium.com

Although you can start from scratch, I really appreciate being able to over seed my existing lawn with grass seed that grows roots to 20 inches deep, starves out the weeds, and is easy to maintain. Pearl’s Premium is constantly upgrading its seed to be the most effective for creating a beautiful lawn. This past year it added a thin white coating to the seed to help gardeners know where exactly the seed has been tossed. The coating also thwarts our feathered diners, although I suggest putting screens over areas with new lawn seed if you witness birds pecking at the ground. Spread the lawn seed at a rate of 10 pounds per 1000 square feet right over your existing lawn. Add organic fertilizer and top dress with ¼ inch of organic compost. I like to spread the seed right before a rain, but otherwise water twice a day until the grass sprouts then, be attentive to watering needs. In our warmer climate, to maintain the greenest color, you may have to water deeply twice a week, but it will be less than using other grass seeds. Once established, the lawn gets so lush and thick that you may need to adjust your sprinkler heads. Although many people have indicated that they mow once a month, I have found that for the most manicured look, it is necessary to mow at least twice a month, or ideally, once a week at a mower height of 3.5 inches.

Clover At one time clover was systematically eradicated from lawns using pesticides. But as gardeners now realize the importance of organic living, more homeowners are including clover in their grass. As a legume, clover has ability to turn nitrogen into fertilizer using the bacteria in its root system. It stays green all year, even when it is not watered on a regular basis. I love it because it thrives in conditions where other grass seeds struggle. It does fine in the sun or the shade and even in poorly drained soil. My favorite parts of growing clover besides its self-fertilizing system, are the beautiful pink or white flowers that crown the tops of the clover when it is left uncut. Butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects flock to clover. Don’t be afraid of the honeybees as they usually don’t sting when away from their hives. Clover does best when it is mixed with grass seed. I mix mine with Pearl’s Premium. Try incorporating 2 ounces of clover for 1000 square feet of lawn. By planting the two together, you’ll have a minimum care green lawn.

Isotoma—Blue Star Creeper This lawn substitute is best used in small areas or between stepping stones. I like it for its tiny blue star flowers that surface and shine brightly spring through summer. I would only use it in combination with clover and Pearl’s Premium because I have found that in the cold months it has a tendency to look brown and ragged. It likes full sunshine, doesn’t require much water, and sustains immense foot traffic, both human and animal, without damage. It sends out runners and creeps along and is especially good as a ground cover. If you like the idea of a patchwork lawn, buy a flat or two of isotoma and plant the plugs randomly throughout your existing grass as a filler and thriller.

For homeowners who want instant gratification, sod is the answer. The caveat with planting sod is that the roots don’t grow deeply enough and sod has a shorter lifespan. You can lengthen the longevity by over-seeding when bare spots begin appearing. By throwing seed on top of the sod, keeping the grass watered and fed, you’ll be able to have a long lasting green oasis.

Benefits of Maintaining a Lawn

Although many people tend to discourage lawns in landscapes as a water conservation method, I am a firm believer that the humble grass shoot offers benefits to our health and wellbeing. Besides the fact that children and animals enjoy a safe, comfortable place to tumble and toss, lawns contribute to better air quality by trapping dust and smoke particles while cooling the air from the ground up. Our environments are made more habitable by the generation of oxygen absorbing the pollutants of carbon and sulfur dioxide. Lawns clean the air we breathe. Erosion is controlled because water can’t carve deep recesses in a thickly planted lawn. Water filters through turf grass making our ground waters safer and cleaner for the environment. A patch of green soothes the eye in viewing a landscape, offering a resting space between the color explosions of flowers and shrubs. And a huge plus in our fire prone communities, lawns offer a buffer zone for fire prevention.

The grass will only be greener if you maintain it. You’ll be rewarded with better health for you and the environment. Your green grass is your safety zone. May all your roughness be smoothed as you delight in your velvet verdure.

Cynthia Brian’s Mid Month Garden Guide

⎫ FIRE danger is at a high point this month. Be alert. Remove brush, wood, dry grass, and all other flammable materials from around the perimeter of your home. Clear your roof and gutters of leaves. Create 100 feet of defensible space around your home and structures.

⎫ SIGN up for emergency notifications at www.nixle.us. The easiest way is to do it through text messaging on your smart phone. Text 888777. In the message area, type in your zip code. You will get an alert in case of any impending emergency.

⎫ APPLY deer repellent to young trees and shrubs. As winter nears the deer are hungrier and will do damage to saplings causing branch injury and even inviting diseases.

⎫ EAT fresh locally grown figs and grapes.

⎫ CHECK for decay or damage to trees to thwart injury or downing of trees when storms arrive.

⎫ MULCH your landscape to prevent erosion in winter and protect plants from a freeze.

⎫ SWIM a few laps in a garden pool before the cold weather begins.

⎫ ORDER my new gardening book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, from my on-line store and receive extra goodies. 25 % of the sales will benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 helping in disaster relief. http://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store

PRAY for the firefighters, first responders, evacuees, shelter volunteers and everyone that is affected by this most disastrous fire in California history. Napa County is my birthplace and the home of my family, our ranch, and vineyards. We will rise again!

Happy Gardening and Happy Growing!

Read more in the Lamorinda Weekly:https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1117/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian-The-grass-is-always-greener.html

Cynthia Brian

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, raised in the vineyards of Napa County, is a New York Times best selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are1® 501 c3. Please make a donation to help with hurricane disaster relief at www.BetheStarYouAre.org. Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show and order her books at www.StarStyleRadio.com. My new book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, is available at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store.

Available for hire for any gardening project. [email protected] www.GoddessGardener.com

#grape growing wine vintners wineries lamorinda ava bacchus cynthia brian starstyle lamorinda august gardening digging deep vegetables growin

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