Business and Finance
Top Five Plants for Modern Drought Tolerant Landscaping in San Diego
Local, long-time landscape designer Steve Letz is raising awareness about maximizing water conservation in San Diego and believes the answer to the problem is xeriscape, a style of landscape design requiring little or no irrigation.
SAN DIEGO, CA, May 21, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Letz Design, a local landscape design company, is spreading the news about drought-tolerant landscaping with up-to-date information on how residents can boost water-saving efforts with drought-tolerant plants.
Water conservation is a pressing issue in San Diego. The limited availability of water and rising costs will likely force homeowners to change the way they view water as it will become the “new gold”. Letz Design believes that the answer to the problem is xeriscape, a style of landscape design requiring little or no irrigation or other maintenance.
Here are the Top Five Xeriscape and Drought-tolerant Plants Recommended by Letz Design for San Diego Gardens
1.) Penstemon ‘margarita BOP’ / Beards Tongue – A long blooming plant that shines with its iridescent purple/fuchsia flowers. It spreads nearly 3 feet across and should be a long-term favorite in your garden.
2.) Pelargonium ‘sidoides’ / Burgundy Geranium – This no-nonsense plant offers burgundy flowers and a grey-green leaf. It requires very little maintenance and will spread some 18 inches or more.
3.) Teucrium ‘azure blue’ / Azure Blue Germander – A shrub-like plant with light blue flowers and gray-green leaves, it is very heat tolerant and adds an unusual color to the garden.
4.) Euphorbia ‘bonfire’ / Bonfire Euphorbia – This plant offers exceptional color and interest, especially with its showy flower. It is also good to defer gophers due to their toxicity and perform well with very low water and little maintenance once established.
5.) Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’ / Fred Ives Graptoveria – This striking succulent plant has a unique dusty rose color and older leaves with a golden hue. As it matures, it can take up over two feet of space as it spreads horizontally, adding a nice texture to a garden.
Letz Design urges homeowners to remove their thirsty lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant plants such as these five varieties listed above – along with decomposed granite, crushed rock, succulents, grasses, and California native plants. By doing so, homeowners can reduce their water consumption within the landscape. To learn more about drought-tolerant landscaping, contact Letz Design at www.letzdesign.com.
The mission of Letz Design is to “Save Water to Ensure Our Future”. Letz Design is committed to helping the community of San Diego address the water crisis by offering creative and sustainable landscape solutions. With their expertise in drought-tolerant landscaping, Letz Design can help San Diego homeowners reduce their water usage while still enjoying a beautiful and vibrant outdoor space.
Source: Letz Design Landscaping
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Money Management: The Importance of Financial Literacy
You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action. When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
Last Updated on May 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action.
Financial literacy in the United States has remained stagnant at generally low levels for several years, according to research from TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center, with even lower levels among Gen Z. Yet greater financial literacy – including key aspects such as goal-setting, budgeting, saving, credit management and investing – is strongly linked to better financial outcomes, including lower rates of debt constraint and financial fragility.
While emboldening yourself to understand financial terms can be a little overwhelming at first, once you have a grasp of basic concepts you can begin to get a handle on your money and make better financial decisions. Simply put: When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
From nonprofit partnerships to volunteer-led programs and fee online resources, Schwab and its employees help millions of people every year build the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their financial futures by serving as board members, mentors, role models and educators.
Because financial health is a lifelong journey, the earlier people learn vital money skills, the better. That’s why the financial advisory services provider develops education programs geared toward kids that continue into adulthood, helping people no matter where they are on their journeys.
Talk Money
It’s never too early to start a conversation about financial literacy. Having teens identify goals that are important to them – such as concert tickets or a first car – can kickstart coversations about money. Working with your child (and a financial advisor, if necessary) on a plan for saving to realize those goals can serve as a jumping off point. After achieving some success, their enthusiasm may grow, which is a powerful motivator to keep saving.
Support School Initiatives and Programs
Outreach programs that empower young people to make smart financial decisions is key to a bright future. Programs like Money Matters – Schwab’s flagship financial education program utilized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – gives young people hands-on experience with all aspects of money and investing.
This example, and others, don’t just include program funding – they build partnerships that create impact and opportunity with national collaborations that reach more than 17 million youth annually, empowering young people with the tools and confidence to make smart financial decisions for life.
Spread the Financial Love
Championing financial literacy empowers everyone – individuals, families and communities. By serving as a board member, mentor, role model or educator to help bring financial literacy to others in your community, you can supply the tools and knowledge to lead programs that focus on giving back, empowering future generations in countless ways.
To learn more about financial literacy and find resources to empower your local community, visit SchwabMoneywise.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
Last Updated on May 9, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Small Business Month
Every May, communities across the United States recognize Small Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, startups, and local shops that help drive the American economy. From neighborhood restaurants to innovative tech startups, small businesses continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, supporting communities, and inspiring innovation.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for millions of jobs nationwide and represent the backbone of local economies. Throughout May, organizations, chambers of commerce, and business leaders host networking events, educational workshops, and promotional campaigns to support entrepreneurs and encourage consumers to shop locally.
One of the highlights of the month is National Small Business Week, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners making a difference in their communities.
For consumers, Small Business Month is also a reminder that supporting local businesses helps strengthen neighborhoods and keeps communities thriving. Whether it’s dining at a local café, shopping at an independent store, or hiring a local service provider, every purchase can make an impact.
Learn more about Small Business Month and related events through the official U.S. Small Business Administrationwebsite.
Related External Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- National Small Business Week – SBA
- SCORE – Mentoring and Resources for Small Businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resources
- Forbes Small Business News and Insights
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
How Hiring Veterans Can Strengthen the Workforce
(Feature Impact) Every year, about 200,000 service members transition from military service into civilian careers, offering employers access to a highly skilled and mission-driven talent pool. As organizations across industries seek dependable employees who can adapt and lead, veterans bring experience that translates directly to business success.
Veterans enter the workforce with a wide range of technical and professional skills. Military occupations span fields such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and health care, many of which align closely with civilian roles. This experience allows veterans to apply their training to roles across industries, from manufacturing to information technology, using their practical knowledge developed during their service.
Beyond technical expertise, veterans are widely recognized for their reliability, adaptability and strong work ethic. Military culture emphasizes responsibility, teamwork and accountability – qualities that can strengthen workplace culture and improve team performance. Additionally, employers that hire veterans with disabilities often qualify for federal tax credits, and many workplace accommodations are available to employers at no cost.
Despite these advantages, veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment still face challenges. One of the most common obstacles is translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. Although more than 80% of military roles have civilian equivalents, differences in job titles and terminology related to responsibilities and accomplishments gained during service may not align neatly with traditional job descriptions, making it difficult for veterans to clearly communicate their qualifications.
To address these challenges, resources aimed at improving the understanding of military experience have grown in recent years. For example, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit organization that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations, their families and survivors, recently released an updated edition of “The Veteran Advantage: DAV’s Hiring Guide for Employers of the Military Community,” a resource designed to help companies better recruit, hire and retain veteran and military spouse employees. The guide is available for free download at davhiringguide.org.
The no-cost guide offers practical information for employers seeking to build veteran-friendly workplaces. It includes guidance on translating military skills into civilian job qualifications, developing hiring initiatives focused on the military community and establishing employee resource groups for veterans and military spouses. It also highlights inclusive hiring practices designed to reduce barriers and better support those who have served.
“Veterans and military spouses consistently demonstrate strong work values, but many still face hurdles when transitioning into civilian careers,” DAV CEO Barry Jesinoski said. “Hiring veterans doesn’t just fill open roles – it strengthens organizations. But employers who don’t understand how to align military experience with business needs might overlook that talent.”
The nonprofit organization also connects employers with veteran job seekers through employment initiatives and outreach efforts. These programs help organizations better understand the value veterans bring to the workforce while supporting successful transitions into civilian careers.
These efforts are especially important as many veterans continue to face barriers to employment. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate in March 2026 was 3.8%, with the rate climbing to 5.4% among veterans with disabilities, underscoring the persistent challenges many encounter when transitioning to the civilian workforce.
For many employers, hiring veterans is not simply about filling open positions. It’s an opportunity to bring experienced leaders and skilled professionals into the workforce – individuals whose service has prepared them to contribute in meaningful ways long after their military careers have ended.
Photos courtesy of DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
SOURCE:
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
