By STEPHANIE HOOPS, Scripps Howard News Service

OXNARD, Calif. -- Joe Lara's cell phone went off Thursday morning like a winning slot machine, belting out "ding, ding, ding, ding, ding." The Oxnard man picked it up and recoiled: He had 56 voice mails.

"I said, Who in the heck is calling me?' "

An African moth capable of devastating agriculture crops has been trapped for the first time on U.S. soil in California.

VENTURA, Calif. -- After more than 16 years of Latin American countries enjoying a leg up on them, California's cut flower growers say they have had enough.

While sitting quietly on the sidelines, they have seen their market share plummet as foreign growers flourished through duty-free access to the United States.

Politics has long been up there with sex, religion and money as a topic to avoid among polite company.

But what about in the office?

With the presidential election in full swing, business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter advises people not to engage in political discussions at work.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- You think your life is difficult during the "stress-mas" season? Try being a gift wrapper.

Behind the retail sales counter, Carole Penberthy has heard every kind of excuse from customers trying to return items.