California's minimum wage to increase
The California minimum wage will increase by nearly 20% in the next year and a half, according to an agreement announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders in the Calif. Legislature. The increase will raise the wage to $8 an hour from $6.75. The wage will increase 75 cents on Jan. 1, 2007, and will rise an additional 50 cents on Jan. 1, 2008. The jump will make California's minimum wage the 4th-highest in the country.

Big-box banking plans on hold
Last month, the FDIC placed a 6-month moratorium on applications that would allow giant retailers to own banks. The moratorium will expire on Jan. 31. The decision comes after congressional hearings this summer examined a surge in applications for industrial loan charters (ILCs), which allow retail and other non-financial companies to operate state-chartered banks. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have both expressed interest in securing ILCs. Critics say ILCs undermine a longstanding policy to keep commerce and banking apart, setting up a conflict of interest.

Majority of baby boomers online, study shows
Half of all Americans age 60 and older use the Internet, and 80% of all baby boomers go online, according to a report from market research company Focalyst. Nearly one-third of all online boomers -- 21 million people -- have been using the Internet for more than 10 years. More than 7 million people born before 1946 have been online for more than a decade as well. "People associate the Internet and computers with youth, but it was the baby boom generation that had the discretionary income 20 years ago to buy the first personal computers and lead the early adoption of the Internet," said David van Nostrand, Focalyst's chief research officer. Survey respondents said e-mail is their primary activity, but they're also going online to make travel arrangements, check the news, find health information, bank and shop.

Revue presents latest in garden styles
All of the hottest trends in garden attire and accessories will hit the runway Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. during the Garden Revue fashion show. It's part of the activities at Garden Market Expo, Sept. 20 and 21 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Branch-Smith Publishing is the sponsor of Garden Revue.

Home Depot wants to open giant big box
Home Depot is planning a 220,000-sq.-ft. megastore in East Palo Alto, Calif., according to a report in the Mercury News. The company is still hashing out details with the city, but it hopes to open the store Sept. 11, 2008. Home Depot would take over a vacant 93,000-sq.-ft. Expo Design Center next to an existing store and renovate the structures to create the largest Home Depot in the nation.

Worth a visit
Cascading flowers give American yellowwood, Cladrastis kentukea, an enchanting look. GreenBeam.com.