Suburban Heroes

Innovators. Iconoclasts. Pioneers. They asked not what the suburbs could do for them, but what they -- well, you know. Send us your nominees; if they inspire us, we'll add them to our coveted Heroes Hall of Honor.

Joseph Mundy

Drove Power Lawn Mower in Drunken Stupor to Pick Up Munchies

It was late. Near midnight. 2006. He was drunk. He needed chips. He saw the lawn tractor in the driveway. A rare visionary seized the moment. Saw the full potential of...read more

nominated on 09/28/2009

  

Diane Wolfberg

Grandmother, Speed Leaf Raker

In 1998, in a dramatic competition sponsored by the Los Angeles City Council, Grandma Diane swept and cleared leaves off a designated area faster than a professionally operated power leaf blower. The petite grandmother's stunning victory...read more

nominated on 09/25/2009

  

Don Featherstone

Lawn Visionary, Inventor of Pink Lawn Flamingo

Don saw the barren void of thick green lawns and verdant shrubbery; and, in 1957, he created his seminal work--the pink lawn ornament flamingo--to give lawns the necessary "nature's touch" they so obviously lacked on...read more

nominated on 09/17/2009

  

Kent Couch

Lawn Chair Aviation Pioneer

Finally someone who recognized the true calling of lawn chairs -- space flight. It happened July 4 weekend a year ago in Bend, Oregon, when Kent Couch fulfilled a life long dream: Traveling...read more

nominated on 08/22/2009

  

Frances Gabe

Inventor of First (and Only) Fully Self-Cleaning House

Think your self-cleaning oven is good? Try Frances' house. Every room has its own wash, rinse and dry cycle. All furniture is made of water proof materials. And literally all you have to do is...read more

nominated on 08/05/2009