Best of the Blogs: Opinions, Tips and...Ted Nugent?

Each week, Rosemount Patch features the best posts from bloggers that live in our Minnesota communities. Blogging on Patch provides an outlet for many community members to share their knowledge, interests, insights and experiences.

Some of this week's highlights:

- Mary Schier, Northfield Patch

 As gardeners plan what to plant each year, it’s easy to get seduced by the newest and brightest plants. But why not try at least a few “classic” – that is, native – plants in your garden this year.

- Donald Lee, Eagan Patch

The internet is abuzz with warnings about the proposed CISPA legislation - HR 3523.  As with a lot of legislation, this bill is well intentioned, but not helpful.

This particular bill is also emblematic of the confusion and ignorance that pervades conversation about internet issues.

- Jennifer Gale, Inver Grove Heights Patch

Minnesota’s retailers lose business each and every day to online retailers however, not everyone realizes that online retailers do not have to pay sales taxes in states they do business. They must do so only in states where they have a physical presence.  

This means Minnesota retailers of all sizes are at a disadvantage because they must include sales tax in the price. Every day, Minnesota retailers lose business to online sites and Minnesota loses tax revenue due to this uneven playing field.  

- Heidi Keyho, Shakopee Patch

Ted Nugent once sang about Cat Scratch Fever, but I do not think he was talking about felines.

There is a cat scratch disease (CSD), also referred to as cat scratch fever and Bartonellosis, that is a zootonic disease carried by the bacteria bartonella henselae. CSD occurs worldwide but is most prevalent in warm, humid climates. CSD is transmitted to cats by fleas.   

- Sheryl Petrashek, Rosemount Patch

Divorce requires decisions about everything in your life, including the house.  What should we do with the house during a divorce?  Years ago the solution was simple, you either sold the house and split the proceeds or one person refinanced the home into their name only and paid off the other person.

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