Hungry bears visit and destroy bird feeders | Stone Column

Inspired in part by Chicago’s motto, Urbs en Horto, meaning city in a garden, Heiser and Gannon left space for an intimate courtyard between the street-front sections of the two buildings. Inviting people to gather, a massive copper outdoor fireplace is already starting to patina. When the weather allows, Tied House’s sliding glass doors stack away, opening the bar area completely to the courtyard. Read more

This was not a particularly snowy cyclone, but it did create some big drifts on the high plains. Maybe we should start keeping snow drift records. The highest snowfall was 45” on Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado. There was 5-10” on the Colorado plains, and 6-20” in the foothills. The only records for snowfall was 12” in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. That broke the old record there of 9” that had stood since 1913, and 14” in Cheyenne, Wyoming. That broke the old record of 9.3” in 1973. 

^FBN-LEAGUEMEETINGS-RULES:LA—<NFL owners will look this week at expanding instant replay to include some penalties, but not at non-calls — the situation that caused such a stir last season in the NFC championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints.

"Incorporating a replica of the stunning Osaka Castle into our Conservatory allows us the unique opportunity to share a piece of Japanese culture with tens of thousands of visitors each day," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. "We aim to spark conversation and curiosity about this remarkable country and this storied castle."

But this crop at least passes the eye test to a far greater degree. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Montero in spring training, and my knee-jerk reaction was, “This is the guy that everyone’s talking about?” The athleticism and natural talent were just not evident.

Upon entering the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning 30-foot-high Osaka Castle replica stands in the center of the West Bed. Recreated in precise detail, the Edo-era landmark features shining golden trim and is flanked by two Japanese-style stone lanterns, illuminating the path to the castle. Colorful butterflies flutter throughout the bed which includes intricate topiaries made up of 2,000 fresh-cut carnations. Just below the castle, a waterfall flows into a wide pond accented by three lively fountains, a nod to Bellagio's world-renowned water feature along the Las Vegas Strip.

“We’ve been purposely trying to play up that attraction because we are really excited about it,”  Hornick said. “Bloggers and everyone who knows the industry loves RMC coasters. They just deliver.”

But that’s not where a compass aims when it points north. The location of the north magnetic pole is not only at a different location from true north, but also changes rapidly – currently about one degree per 10 years in New England.

As I recycled the copper and converted the wooden parts into kindling, I thought back to all of the birds that had dined at the avian bistro over the years — from the daily northern cardinals to the rare evening grosbeak that appeared late one afternoon out of the blue. 

After a homeowner's garden is nominated or seen during a committee search, the committee will ask the homeowner for their permission to be a Garden of the Month honoree if selected.

One corner will invite visitors to see African fountain grasses growing among a mesquite collection and paloverde (Parkinsonia florida); as well as many varieties of agaves. Venturing into the center of the Global Collection, they will find a tropical rainforest (with a “misting station” just in case it’s not already humid enough) and a subtropical sanctuary with collections of primitive mangaves (agave hybrids) and dyckias (cold-hardy bromeliads).

To ensure the display accurately conveyed the historical and cultural significance of the iconic Osaka Castle, designer Ed Libby and Bellagio's horticulture team collaborated with Japan-based producer Noriko Minai and her team at Dentsu Live Inc. to bring the vision to life with a precise combination of colors and flowers. The creative process included several months of reviewing detailed visual assets and models of the castle to create a masterpiece that was true to life and also uniquely Bellagio.