H&G fall 2014

The Newtown Bee’s

Fall Home & Garden

2014 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEWTOWN BEE - September 19, 2014

2 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

The Hearth is the Heart of Your Home

em - Noovducts 1 r e d pr mb Septe on qualifie

0 ber 3

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Established in 1999, family owned and operated by Al and Brad Lutrus since 2004, Berkshire Hearth & Home specializes in the sale, installation and service of top of the line wood, pellet and gas stoves and inserts, as well as fireplace, fireplace fronts and gas grills. Our selection is outstanding and once you purchase a hearth product from us and become a part of the Berkshire Hearth & Home Family, you can expect exceptional service by a knowledgeable hearth expert for the lifetime of your stove.

Berkshire Hearth & Home invites you to take a look around our website. There is, however, no substitute for seeing our wonderful selection of stoves, fireplaces, inserts, grills and accessories with your own eyes. September 1, 2012 we moved from Danbury, to Newtown to providing our customers with easier access right off Exit 9 on I-84.

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Home & Garden - 3

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Ten Home Décor Trends For Your Rental (StatePoint) — Just because you are a renter does not mean you need to settle for bland, boring décor. You can make more of your space in an inexpensive yet trendy way.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. Here are ten top home decor trends online real estate experts Homes.com and ForRent.com uncovered after surveying more than 140 home design experts across the country on the year’s biggest home trends. *Do-it-Yourself: Do-it-yourself projects save money and allow you to incorporate personality into your decor. For example, distressing old headboards, hutches, benches, and other wood furniture can enrich a room’s appeal. *Paint: Nothing perks up a room like a fresh coat of paint. If your rental property prohibits painting, use temporary techniques to create

a gorgeous visual landscape, such as your own artwork. *Fall in Love with Floral: Make your apartment pop with floral patterns. If that is overwhelming, keep it subtle with an accent pillow in the den or bedroom. *Mix It Up with Metals: Metallic shades are not just for appliance finishes. A great alternative to color, they can be used as accents, picture frames, vases, pillows — essentially anything you are inspired to give a unique look. *Brighten Up: If your space is looking dull, brighten it up with a splash of color. Whether it is the smallest objects or an entire wall, color accents can drastically change a room’s appearance, giving it that pop you have been looking for. This year, it is all about purple — Radiant Orchid, the Pantone color of the year, to be exact. *Organize: The kitchen is often

overlooked when it comes to organization. Storage bins and labels in the pantry keep snacks, condiments, and other food items separate and easily accessible. A command center at the front of your home should include a place to keep keys, mail, sunglasses, and the other things you need most. *Bring the Outside In: Plants add gorgeous depth and texture to a home.

Incorporate different shapes, sizes, and colors for visual appeal. *Classic and Contemporary: If you lean toward a more contemporary style, include vintage pieces for an ultra-updated appearance.

These elements create contrast for a unique look — plus, you can find a lot of classic pieces for great

prices at thrift stores. *Luxurious Lighting: Sometimes rentals can be less than luminous.

Add temporary decorative light fixtures so you are not left in the dark. *Play with Textures: Do not buy all your furnishings from the same place. Instead, mix and match different textures and styles to create an intriguing atmosphere, rather than the cold, uniformed feel of a furniture store.

There is no place like home, so take it from the pros — it is worth the effort to make your rental property a great space. For additional decorating tips, visit the Idea Gallery at Homes.com. If you have your own décor ideas, use #HomeMoments to share them on Twitter.

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4 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

EPA Offers Advice To Homeowners Planning Air-Duct Cleaning

By Andrew Gorosko Modern homes contain a maze of air ducts that generally are hidden above dropped ceilings, below flooring, and behind walls.

Although generally out of sight, the ducts, which carry air used for heating and air conditioning, across time may experience some dust accumulation, depending upon the conditions in which they operate.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homeowners consider having the air

A US Environmental Protection Agency illustration depicts a typical residential heating-and-cooling system.

ducts in their homes cleaned if there is substantial visible mold growth present within metallic ducts or present on the other components of a house’s heating/cooling system.

The EPA advises that because many sections of a heating/cooling system may not be accessible for a visual inspection, a homeowner should ask a duct-cleaning firm to show them any mold that the firm claims is present in the system.

Microbiological tests may be needed to determine whether a substance which appears to be mold actually is mold, or is simply something that resembles mold, according to EPA. If the insulation on insulated air ducts gets wet or moldy, that insulation should be removed and replaced because such insulation cannot be effectively cleaned, according to EPA. Notably, if the conditions in a home which caused mold growth are not corrected, mold growth will occur again, according to an EPA advisory on the subject.

Homeowners should consider having their air ducts cleaned if the ducts are infested with rodents and/or insects, or the ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris, or if dust particles are released into the home from the duct system’s air supply registers.

“Whether or not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to prevent [duct] contamination,” according to the EPA. Reliable Advice The EPA advises that homeowners check the Yellow Pages under the category “duct cleaning” or contact the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) to find companies that provide duct cleaning services.

The EPA recommends that homeowners talk to at least three firms and get written cost estimates before deciding on whether to get air ducts cleaned. Also, when duct cleaners come to a home, they should show the contamination that would justify duct cleaning, according to the EPA. The EPA warns that homeowners should not hire duct

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This comparison photo shows the difference between a clean air-duct filter, right, and a filter that has become clogged with airborne dust. —Bee Photo, Gorosko cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning because such claims are scientifically unsubstantiated.

The agency also warns against hiring firms that claim that duct cleaning should be a “routine” aspect of heating/cooling system maintenance.

Additionally, the EPA urges homeowners to be wary of duct cleaners who claim to have EPA certification. “EPA neither establishes duct-cleaning standards nor certifies, endorses, or approves duct-cleaning companies,” the agency states.

Among many other recommendations, the EPA urges that homeowners check references to ensure that other customers were satisfied and did not experience problems with their heating/cooling systems after duct cleaning by a given firm.

Additionally, the EPA recommends that homeowners check with governmental consumer protection agencies and with the Better Business Bureau to learn if complaints have been lodged against firms under consideration for duct-cleaning work.

For more details on duct cleaning, visit epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html.

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Home & Garden - 5

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

‘Dependable’ Vendor Helps Homeowners With Indoor Air Quality

The control panel for the industrial vacuum which the firm uses to clean air ducts.

Dependable Duct Cleaning of Walnut Tree Hill Road in Sandy Hook cleans air ducts used for heating, air conditioning, and clothes dryers. The firm handles residential and commercial accounts. Staff, from left, includes Jason Nastasia, proprietor Sal Scianna, Mike Scianna, and Sean Holcomb.

—Bee Photos, Gorosko

By Andrew Gorosko People who want the air ducts in their homes or businesses cleaned can consult with several firms in the area to learn about the companies, the specific work they do, and the prices they charge.

One local firm that cleans heating and air conditioning air ducts, as well as exhaust ductwork for clothes dryers, is Dependable Duct Cleaning of Walnut Tree Hill Road in Sandy Hook.

Proprietor Sal Scianna said that about three of every four duct cleaning jobs done by the firm are performed at private homes versus businesses.

Cleaning the ductwork in a Colonial-style house may take three to five hours, he said. Dependable usually has two or three people at a time doing the work, he added.

Mr Scianna said that before any duct cleaning is done at a property, his firm provides a price for the work. Prices vary depending upon the specific work done, he said.

Dependable uses a three-stage industrial vacuum for its duct clean-

ing in seeking to improve a building’s indoor air quality, Mr Scianna said.

Dependable travels widely for duct work, typically doing cleaning projects in Fairfield County and Litchfield County, he said.

The firm is equipped to do duct cleaning in all types of houses, Mr Scianna said.

“It’s the ‘people’ who do the job” that make for effective duct cleaning, he said.

Mr Scianna said he has been in the duct cleaning business for more than ten years.

He explained that most of the work that his company gets is based on “word of mouth” references that customers make about Dependable. Dependable is a family-owned business, he noted.

Besides cleaning ductwork at houses, the firm works at condominium complexes, businesses, and factories, he said.

“It’s all about trust…We do not leave until the job is done,” he said.

“We specialize in just duct cleaning,” he said.

Sal Scianna is the proprietor of Dependable Duct Cleaning of Sandy Hook.

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6 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

New Website, Video Library For Multicultural Real Estate Customers

What To Know About Automating Your Home (StatePoint) — The “connected home” is one of the biggest areas of technical innovation today, with smart appliances, learning thermostats, appdriven lights, and intelligent door locks taking center stage in home improvement stores and magazines. In fact, by 2017, an estimated 36 million homes throughout North America and Europe will be smart.

For some consumers, the concept of a “smart home” can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to keep in mind: The Basics — Home automation gives you remote and automatic control of a wide array of devices in your home; it is ideal for convenience and control, and some devices can help with money savings. Home automation can also alert you to events that you might want to know about while you’re gone, like leaks, kids arriving home, or security breaches.

For your furry family member, your smart home can distribute predetermined amounts of food on a schedule so you don’t have to worry about your pet missing dinner while you are stuck in traffic.

Is it Right for Your Home? — Not everyone is in a place to install a full home automation system — literally and financially — as apartment living, renting, low cash flow, expensive installation fees, and advanced technical setup can all be limitations.

However, with standalone home automation devices and apps, you can make your home smart without integrating a whole-home automation network. For example, smart locks, lighting, irons, coffee makers, security cameras, and refrigerators can all be controlled by smartphones without the need for a fully integrated system.

First Things First — In a recent analyst report from NextMarket, the smart lock market will grow to $3.6 billion worldwide by 2019. With security

and access control leading smart home product adoption, a logical place to start is at your front door. Consider trying Kwikset Kevo, powered by UniKey, which was the first smart lock on the market. It makes it possible to open the door by simply touching the deadbolt — without removing your smartphone from your purse or pocket.

Via the Kevo app, users can grant and revoke access to the house electronically, view a lock history and get notified when someone locks or unlocks the door without connecting to the home network or a power source. Available at many major retailers, it installs easily, within a few minutes, with just a Phillips head screwdriver, making it an excellent example of how one product can usher your home into the era of automation.

From there it is easy to move on to take smarter control of your home appliances and lighting, and you can make as many or as few changes as your budget and imagination allow.

Smart home solutions are granting homeowners access to information and features that were previously unavailable. Bottom line: you do not have to be rich or have a fully connected home to enjoy the benefits. If you are considering getting on board the trend, do your research and find the best technology and products for you.

SANTA ANA, CALIF. — First American Title Insurance Company, a provider of title insurance and settlement services and a subsidiary of First American Financial Corporation, recently launched its new multilingual website and online video library, FirstAmMulticultural.com, to help multicultural consumers pursue home ownership and navigate the title and closing process in the United States.

First American Title developed the website and video library in response to growing demand from multicultural and international communities.

The site provides easy access to educational real estate videos and resources in six languages — English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese — catering to 78 percent of those who speak a language other than English at home.

“The title and closing process in the US is very different than it is in the rest of the world, and many of our multicultural customers desire more familiarity with the process here,” said Maria Valentin, vice president, First American Title. “Multicultural buying power in the US is expected to increase significantly in the next few years.”

Ms Valentin said the multilingual website and video library aims to help bridge cultural, ethnic, and language barriers, and provide a valuable resource for individuals looking for information to help them get closer to attaining their home ownership dreams.

“The six languages in which we currently offer the website were chosen because they represent those most often spoken in US homes where English is not the primary language,” she added.

The in-language website and videos cover the following topics: *Buying or selling a home *What is title insurance? *Ten common title problems *Types of title insurance policies *Cost of title insurance *History of title insurance *What is escrow? *Understanding the Good Faith Estimate *Understanding the HUD-1 Settlement Statement *The title search process *What is a 1031 exchange? *Homestead Act in Texas First American Title provides educational materials in 20 languages to help consumers understand the title and closing process. First American Title’s multicultural services also include interactive workshops on cultural intelligence, designed to educate real estate professionals on how to best serve the real estate closing needs of multicultural communities.

For further information, visit firstam.com/title.

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Home & Garden - 7

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

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8 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

Linden Tree Garden—

Three Decades Of Patience Create A Rare And Artistic Hedge At Hollandia

By Nancy K. Crevier Hedges planted by the typical homeowner include shrubs, flowers, and small trees planted close enough that when mature, the branches entwine with each other tightly enough to create a natural privacy fence, blocking the view from ground level to a height of several feet.

The Linden Garden at Hollandia Nursery on Old Hawleyville Road in Bethel is an unusual sort of hedge, though. Inspired by the linden gardens found in every small town in France that he saw while serving in the US Army, Hans Reelick and business partner Ken Kolwicz have worked for 30 years to develop what Mr Reelick says is one of the few formal linden gardens left today in the world.

“They used to be all over the world,” said Mr Reelick. “They have disappeared because no town can afford to keep them up anymore,” and skilled tree sculptors are as rare as the linden garden itself.

He is aware of only one linden garden at Versailles in France, and one in Toronto. Even private estates hesitate to install a linden garden, he said.

The installation is a practice in patience, as well. When the Hollandia Linden Garden was first planted, the 20 trees that surround the 25-foot by 45-foot brick patio today were just 2-inch saplings. “The trees are supposed to be the focal point of the garden,” Mr Reelick said, but they have embedded a granite Chinese millstone in the center of the patio — an untraditional addition to a linden garden — that served as a focal point for many years, as the small trees grew.

This rare hedge actually starts approximately five feet off the ground, where leafy branches first spread out from each tree trunk. Each tree is strategically trimmed on all four sides to form a perfect square that nestles closely to the trees on either side of it. Left unattended, a linden tree can reach at least 40 feet in height, said Mr Kolwicz, but the Linden Garden trees are topped off at 18 feet.

“We have a tractor with a special bucket in

Business partners Ken Holwicz, left, and Hans Reelick of Hollandia Nursery look over the recent precision shaping of the 20 linden trees that make up the Linden Garden, a rare example of a once-popular European-style garden. Creating an unusual hedge, five feet off the ground, takes teamwork and an artistic eye to keep the trees properly maintained, they say. —Bee Photo, Crevier which a skilled pruner rides. It’s a two- to fourday project,” Mr Kolwicz said, and one that is usually performed in summer. The trimming is all eyeballed, so it is crucial that the guide and trained pruner work together as the tractor is moved from tree to tree. Following along is a crew to clean up the leaves and branches carefully sheared away. More artistic than practical, it takes workers with years of experience to keep the linden trees perfectly shaped, he said.

dens planted outside of the Linden Garden.”

Plantings beneath the trees are purposely kept simple, so as not to detract the eye from the simplicity of the Linden Garden, Mr Reelick said.

The Linden Garden has been planted on the property in such a manner “that everywhere you go in this nursery, you see a little of the garden,” said Mr Reelick. Over the years, the Linden Garden at Hollandia and the gardens surrounding it have become a popular place for local wedding photographs. Wedding par-

The Perfect Hedge When pruning is completed, the tidy square trees form a perfect 12-foot hedge — five feet off the ground. “The idea,” said Mr Kolwicz, “is to look under and through to the other gar-

Requiring less skill and upkeep than the hedge created by a linden tree garden, the quick-growing arbovita is a popular option for a privacy fence in New England.

—Bee Photo, Crevier

ties are asked to register before taking photos there, and the Linden Garden space is not available for rental.

Mr Reelick and Mr Kolwicz are proud of the serene space they have created as a source of enjoyment and beauty for anyone who enters beneath the branches.

“It was a unique project. You don’t see this,” Mr Reelick said. “I’m curious if anyone else has one,” he mused.

While a linden garden hedge may be outside the ken of the average homeowner, it does not mean that other lovely hedges cannot add to the beauty of a property.

Privet, burning bush, hemlock, and the popular deer-resistant boxwood are ideal in this area, said Mr Kolwicz, and trees such as white spruce can also be planted in a manner that creates a hedge. Quick-growing arbovita, a tall, narrow evergreen, is a good option when a natural hedge is needed sooner rather than later. An evergreen, however, is not the best choice for a hedge close to the road in this part of the country, he said. Winter road salt can easily cause salt burn damage to these trees.

“Almost anything can become a hedge,” added Mr Reelick, even tall flowering annuals.

The nice thing about a hedge, he said, is that even a strong storm is not apt to cause damage to any one plant in the row. “Hedges,” he said, “support themselves as they grow together.”

Pruning these other shrubs is far less involved than that of the lindens used to create the Linden Garden, Mr Kolwicz said. With a bit of regular attention, though, an attractive hedge — while not the rare specimen that the Linden Garden is — can be a source of pride.

Nearly any kind of plant or hedge can be grown in a manner to create a handsome hedge. Here, hemlocks create a privacy fence along a roadside. —Bee Photo, Clark

A small privet hedge adds to the sense of privacy in this garden area.

—Bee Photo, Clark

Because of the labor and skill involved in shaping linden trees, this Linden Garden at Hollandia Nursery in Bethel is one of very few worldwide, says Hollandia owner Hans Reelick.

—Bee Photo, Crevier

Home & Garden - 9

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

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10 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

Real Estate

Choose A Professional

Team Perez William Raveis Real Estate Pat and Lou Perez (Team Perez) are sales associates at William Raveis Real Estate. Lou has actively been involved in real estate for four years, with Pat joining him approximately a year and a half ago. Both are trained professionals: Lou is a retired physician and Pat holds a JD and is licensed to practice law in New York as well as Connecticut, although now her primary concentration is to provide the best service possible as a realtor.

Servicing the residential real estate market is now the Perezes’ full-time commitment. They both have a life-time of successful experience in providing exceptional client service in a trustworthy and professional manner. They understand that while buying or selling your home can be a daunting emotional experience, it is also one of the most important business transactions that a family will ever make. The Perezes will work as your partner to ensure that you focus on the business aspects of your housing transaction to effectively accomplish your goals while respecting your emotional attachment to your home, existing or future.

Below is a sampling of client reviews: “Lou and Pat Perez are the best real estate agents that I have ever worked with! They are truly amazing in what they do and had singular focus in getting us the home that we were looking for. They were extremely professional and had deep knowledge of local real estate coupled with home building experience. They were more than agents — they were trusted advisors and true HURCH ILL D collaborators in our home-buying process.”

Lou Perez Patricia Perez lou.perez@raveis.com EWTOWN pat.perez@raveis.com “Dear Pat and Lou: My husband and I want to thank you for your assistance in selling our house. Your knowledge and effort was invaluable in selling our home so quickly. We also appreciated your negotiating recommendations and professionalism throughout the process.

“We highly recommend the Perez Team in handling real estate transactions and plan on utilizing your services again in the near future.”

The Newtown William Raveis office is at 14 Church Hill Road. Pat and Lou Perez can be reached at 970-556-9700.

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14 C N

H R . , CT

Vincent P. Capuano Joins Newtown Office Of BHHS New England Properties Vincent P. Capuano has recently joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) New England Properties as sales executive. The announcement was made by Lisa Hintzen, Newtown office leader.

Mr Capuano will serving the areas of Newtown, Southbury, Middlebury, and lake properties, where he will concentrate on resident real estate sale. He is member of the Newtown Board of Realtors, Connecticut Realtors, and National Association of Realtors. He brings with him more than five years of real estate experience. Prior to his real estate career, he was an executive vice president with a global corporate travel management company in New York for more than a decade. He has also partnered an architectural interior design firm servicing high net worth celebrity residential and commercial clients.

“Vincent shares BHHS New England Properties’ commitment to quality and customer service,” said Ken DelVecchio, regional vice president. “He is exactly the type of sales professional we are seeking, as we continue to find the best people to service our clients.”

“BHHS New England Properties is the right choice for me,” said Mr Capuano. “Its focus on the customers’ goals and providing the highest level of service aligns perfectly with my desire to bring best-in-class service, providing commitment and attention to my customers.”

Mr Capuano can be contacted through the BHHS New England Properties Newtown office, 84 South Main Street, at 203-426-8426 BHHS New England Properties is a full service and locally operated real estate company with 1,500 agents in 52 offices across Connecticut and Rhode Island and is committed to providing the highest quality real estate services possible and making each customer experience on that surpasses all expectations. For more information, visit www.bhhsNEproperties.com.

Vincent Capuano REALTOR

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Christine Fairchild Receives Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite Award Christine Fairchild of Newtown, a sales associate with the local Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office, has been recognized with the Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite award. This distinguished honor is awarded to the top three percent of approximately 85,000 sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system.

Ms Fairchild will be honored in September during a weeklong special Elite Retreat at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., qualifying for this event by achieving a minimum of $360,000 in adjusted gross commission income. Each year, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage recognizes the work of exceptional sales associates and sales teams through its distinguished awards program.

With more than 25 years of experience, Ms Fairchild has been successfully meeting the needs of homebuyers and sellers in Newtown, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Danbury, and Southbury. She has been trained as a Relocation Specialist and Previews Property Specialist. She is also a member of the Newtown Board of Realtors and the Connecticut Association of Realtors.

“Christine has distinguished herself as one of the top real estate professionals in Newtown. She is well respected by colleagues and clients,” said Cathleen Smith, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y. “I am pleased to recognize Christine for her many achievements, and I am confident she will continue to achieve tremendous success in the future.”

The Newtown Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is at 45 South Main Street; Ms Fairchild can be reached there at 203-426-5679.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a leading residential real estate brokerage company in Connecticut and Westchester County, operates approximately 52 offices with more than 2,200 affiliated sales associates serving the communities of Connecticut and Westchester Count. It is part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. For more information, visit ColdwellBankerMoves.com.

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September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

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12 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

BBB Homeowner News: Energy Tax Credits, Lawn Care Concerns WALLINGFORD — Homeowners planning improvements should plan on doing the necessary research to get more bang for your buck, in the form of lower energy bills and tax credits.

According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit covers 30 percent of the cost of alternative energy equipment that is installed on or in your home, including solar water heaters, solar electric equipment and wind turbines. This tax break is available through 2016. A full list of qualifying home improvements is available online at energystar.gov/taxcredits.

The Home Energy Savings Act of 2014 codified the Non-Business Energy Property Credit. It offers property owners tax breaks for eligible home improvements, including insulation, windows, doors, roofs, and heating and air conditioning systems.

In addition, tax credits are available for home modifications for medical purposes, such as the installation of entrance or exit ramps to make homes accessible for consumers with impaired mobility, and other modifications such as the widening of doors and hallways, installation of handrails, and modifications to kitchens and bathrooms.

Before signing a contract for home improvements, BBB recommends consumers: *Check out the marketplace record of a company or contractor at bbb.org. BBB

In 2013, BBB received more than 3,400 complaints against lawn care services. Many of the complaints were about shoddy workmanship, damage to lawns, failure to honor warranties, and billing and collection issues. Another issue is “ghosting,” in which lawn care employees show up, put some signs on the lawn indicating they did work, and simply drive off.

Business Reviews can help you gauge consumer satisfaction, and show you if a business has a pattern of complaints. *Obtain several estimates for projects, and remember that you do not have to use a specific contractor in order to take advantage of the tax credits.

Visit energystar.gov to confirm that the

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products you want to use are eligible for the tax break. Also, consider consulting the IRS website at irs.gov or a tax professional.

Research Lawn Services In related homeowner news from BBB, if taking care of your lawn is taking up too much of your time and you thinking about hiring a company to do the lawn care for you, the bureau has a few tips to keep in mind.

In 2013, BBB received more than 3,400 complaints against lawn care services. Many of the complaints were about shoddy workmanship, damage to lawns, failure to honor warranties, and billing and collection issues.

Another issue is “ghosting,” in which lawn care employees show up, put some signs on the lawn indicating they did work, and simply drive off.

Consumers can avoid most of these problems by researching prospective lawn care companies and keep the following tips in mind: Know what you want — Have in mind the types of services you are seeking (fertilizing, weeding, aerating, mowing). Ask about the products used (seed, fertilizer, weed killer), request a lawn inspection and estimate, and be wary of any company that quotes a price without first seeing your yard.

Understand pricing — While price is cer-

tainly a major factor in any purchasing decision, find out exactly what you are getting.

Do you pay by the mow or by the week?

What happens when it rains? Does mowing include edging? Do they mulch or bag the clippings? Are services performed by employees or subcontracted out?

Check first — Make sure the company has an up-to-date license as required by your jurisdiction, when appropriate. Always check the company’s BBB Business Review at bbb.org. Ask for references and check the company’s affiliation with national franchises or associations.

Scrutinize the contract —Some contracts automatically renew unless you specify otherwise. If you do choose to sign a long-term contract, make sure you get information about cancellation rights in writing, in case you find the services to be unsatisfactory.

Understand the warranties and guarantees — If the service is not to your liking, or the lawn doesn’t look as you anticipated, understand what recourse you may have.

Shop around — Get written estimates from at least three different companies.

Keep in mind that the cheapest estimate is not necessarily the best option. You may have to invest a little more for higher quality products and services.

For additional consumer tips and advice on finding businesses and services you can trust, visit bbb.org.

Are You Ready For FAll Cleaning?

Home & Garden - 13

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Tips To Help Rid Your Home Of Autumn Allergens (StatePoint) — Many people think of allergies as a spring problem, but most sniffle sufferers know that fall can pose its own issues. Mold and ragweed are common fall allergy triggers, as well as dust mites, which are naturally more prevalent in the home during the drier months.

“You can turn your home into a safe haven from fall allergens with regular, strategic cleaning and a few preventive measures,” says Robin Wilson, an interior design expert and an ambassador with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

To help make your home more comfortable this season, Wilson is offering some fall cleaning tips to eliminate allergens and maintain a clean and healthy space: *Wash your bedding. Mattress and pillow protectors will help control dust mites. As an added precaution, wash your bedding in warm or hot water every month and replace pillows every three years. *Check for mold. Moisture breeds mold, so make sure to scan the inside of dishwashers, under the fridge in the water pan, and in sink and bath drains. Change water dispensers and icemaker filters on a regular basis. *Vacuum frequently. Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting, tile or hardwood floors, it is important to eliminate dust and dirt. Vacuum, mop, or steam clean flooring regularly.

“Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air [HEPA] filter, which captures small particles such as allergens, irritants, and pollutants,” says Wilson.

For example, the Panasonic MC-UL429 Vacuum has a HEPA filter and accessories that allow you to be more thorough and get into tight corners. This vacuum also comes with an attachment that pulls pet hair — another potential allergen — out of upholstered surfaces. More information can be found at www.shop.panasonic.com. *Wash or freeze stuffed toys. If your children sleep with their favorite stuffed animals, you should frequently wash or freeze them in a plastic bag for 48 hours. This will lower the level of dust mites that can trigger asthma and allergies. *Use Slipcovers. Slipcovers have come a long way in the last ten years. Since they can be cleaned regularly and more easily than upholstery, consider using them on sofas and other furniture. *Keep ragweed outside. After spending time outside, have your child leave any clothing or sports equipment close to the entrance of the home to avoid tracking irritants throughout rooms.

“Just because the pollen count isn’t through the roof doesn’t mean you can’t fall prey to allergies,” says Wilson. “With regular cleaning, you can manage the irritants in your home and make it a more breathable place.”

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14 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

Top Five Ways Natural Lawns Improve A Community SALEM, ORE. — When most people think about the benefits of natural turf lawns, they think about their value as an attractive setting for outdoor recreation and entertainment for individual homeowners or families. While the value to homeowners is significant, lawns also offer social, environmental, and economic benefits to the entire community.

The turfgrass experts at Grass Seed USA have identified the top five ways in which natural grass lawns improve a community: 1. Lawns bring communities together. Homeowners with lawns spend more time in their yards and interact more with their neighbors. From soccer games for the kids on the block to barbecues for the adults, a lush green lawn provides the perfect location for casual community gatherings.

2. Well-maintained grass reduces crime and discourages littering. In 2009, teams from the Michigan State University turfgrass science program began planting and maintaining grass around abandoned homes and in vacant lots and parks in Flint, Mich. After three years of the program, residents were asked, among other things, whether they felt safer in the neighborhood (47 percent strongly agreed, 21 percent agreed, 16 percent neutral, 5 percent disagreed, 11 percent strongly disagreed), whether they trusted their neighbors more (39 percent strongly agreed, 22 percent agreed, 33 percent neutral, 6 percent disagreed), and whether there was less trash in the neighborhood (63 percent strongly agreed, 37 percent agreed).

3. Turfgrass increases fire safety. For communities adjacent to woodland or brush areas, green grass cover can serve as a firebreak. Studies have shown that due to its low fuel value, turfgrass retards the spread of wildfires. Lawns can also serve as defensible spaces from which firefighters can work to protect homes.

4. Grass provides natural runoff, flood, and erosion control. Turfgrass effectively absorbs rainfall, decreasing storm flow and flooding. As well as protecting homes from flooding, the excellent water retention contributes to groundwater recharge, keeps pollutants from reaching waterways and reduces the need for manufactured water-control structures in urban areas. Grass cover is also an extremely efficient method of stabilizing soil and preventing erosion caused by wind and water.

5. Lawns raise neighborhood home values. A well-maintained lawn can increase a home’s value by up to 15 percent — providing a boost to the entire neighborhood. Potential buyers find lawns appealing because they are aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable to use, and environmentally friendly. According to a Gallup survey, attractive landscaping can provide a 100–200 percent return on investment — much higher than the return provided by many other home improvement projects.

A lush green lawn has long been part of the American dream, and although the accompanying white picket fence may have slid down the priority list, homeowners still appreciate the value of natural grass. That value extends beyond the property boundary, bringing positive impacts to the larger community.

For more information, visit www.weseedamerica.com, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Make Your Home More Peaceful This Fall (StatePoint) — Life is busy and loud. A home used to be a relaxing, calming haven to hide away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

But with televisions in every room and a constant connection to the outside world through tablets, laptops, and smartphones, finding a fortress of solitude, or even a room of quiet, has become a near impossible task.

If you long to create more serenity in your home, consider taking the following steps: *Organize. Just looking at a cluttered room can make one anxious. If you find that even after you organize a space, it is hard to maintain, come up with a daily routine to simplify the process.

For example, sort and process your mail and bills first thing when you get home so papers do not stack up. Once regular organizing becomes a habit, it will be easier, less time-consuming and increase serenity. *Set the mood. Your home is the one place you have complete freedom to set the mood. Different colors can evoke different feelings. So paint your walls in stress-reducing colors, such as something in the blue family, or a muted green or lavender. Use soft lighting and a musical soundtrack to help you reach your happy place. *Insulate. Perhaps the most tangible step you can take to find quiet is to insulate your home’s interior walls, ceilings, and floors to reduce noise transfer between rooms. Look for insulation that provides a high sound absorption against low frequency ranges, which are the most difficult to block.

For example, stone wool insulation, such as Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound, is made from natural stone and recycled content. Resistant to water, rot, mold, mildew, and bacterial growth, it is not only an excellent acoustic

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For example, a sofa that worked in your last home may feel too small in your current living room, making the room feel off-balance.

Nothing beats the tranquility of a peaceful home. Whether you are annoyed by clutter, a snoring family member, fighting children, bagpipe practice, incessant vacuuming, dog barking, or your noisy washing machine, there are small steps you can take to create calm, quiet spaces in your home.

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Home & Garden - 15

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Prompt Attention Stops Common DIY Stains Cold

By Nancy K. Crevier Every do-it-yourselfer, from painter to tiler to plumber, has felt the pain of a stain.

“You try scrubbing them out and soaking them out, and you still come out with ring around the collar.” The phrase from the classic 1970s Wisk Laundry Detergent television ad portrays frustrations still felt 40 years later, when stubborn stains threaten to ruin a favorite piece of clothing.

Whether a sweat stain around the collar or an unfortunate brush with a newly painted railing, the good news is that many stains — with a little elbow grease and the right technique — can be removed.

“Catch it early,” is the advice from Sharon Dougherty of PJ’s Laundromat in Sandy Hook, where they see all kinds of ground-in grime in the clothes they launder. “As soon as you notice the stain, immediately run warm, soapy water over it and gently rub it,” she recommended.

She has found that for most stains, even the grease soiling her own husband’s shirts, using a commercial stain remover such as Shout is the next step.

“Spray it on the stain, and let it soak for a bit,” said Ms Dougherty. Then, an old soft toothbrush is the best tool to grab.

“Give it a good scrubbing, and then wash it as you normally would,” she suggested.

Nine out of ten times, this is successful — even for tough stains like blood or rust, she said.

Before tossing the washed piece in the dryer, though, check it carefully to make sure the stain has totally disappeared.

“This is key. Stains will set if they go into the dryer,” Ms Dougherty cautioned. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process.

Occasionally, even a second treatment may not completely obliterate the stain. “I hate pen ink,” she admitted. “Ninety per-

cent of the time [pen ink stains] will not come out.”

Numerous online sources suggest that ballpoint ink may be removed using rubbing alcohol or hairspray, although both may cause damage to certain fabrics. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the stain, let it sit for several minutes, and blot with a paper towel. Hair spray may work better for stubborn ink stains, but the material is more likely to be damaged in the process.

Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If an ink pen spurts out its contents onto a shirt, hand sanitizer may work as a temporary fix until proper laundering can take place. Rub it in, from the inside out, blot, and rinse the spot in cold water.

Home do-it-yourselfers are not unfamiliar with finding a sleeve or shirt tail spotted with fresh paint, often when doing “just a little touch up.” Rubbing alcohol or hairspray is also suggested as means of removing latex paint from clothing, particularly when used sooner rather than later. Launder as recommended, and repeat the process as necessary.

Time is of the essence when dealing with “Dry Clean Only” clothing that is stained, said Dennis Lennon, manager of One Stop Cleaners, which includes Queen Street Cleaners in Newtown.

“The longer [the stain] stays in, the more set it becomes,” he said. Luckily, a dry cleaner has the knowledge and tools to remove all but the most set-in stains.

It is best if the consumer does not try to remove a stain from a dry cleanable piece of clothing, in most instances, said Mr Lennon. Spot removers, while having advanced in quality over the years, have a water base and will leave a permanent ring on clothes that need dry cleaning.

Two stains can be treated at home before going to the dry cleaner, though, Mr Lennon said. When wine spills onto clothing — and who has not stood back

to admire a finished project, wine glass in hand, and ended up wearing some of it — white vinegar can come to the rescue.

For bloodstains — darn that case cutter — hydrogen peroxide is the temporary antidote for dry cleanable clothes. In both cases, blot the vinegar or peroxide on, removing what comes up easily. Then, without delay, get the piece to the dry cleaner for complete removal of the stain.

The good news for the home handyperson is that with today’s advanced enzymatic cleaners and commercial chemical stain removers, nearly any stain, “Even latex paint,” Mr Lennon said, can be satisfactorily removed when treated promptly.

Of course, added Ms Dougherty, there comes the moment when she has treated her husband’s grime-laden T-shirts one too many times. “The repeat offenders,” she said, “may have to get thrown out!”

A brush with wet latex paint does not have to be the end of a favorite shirt.

Prompt treatment at home and a quick trip to the washing machine can remove paint — and other stains — nearly 100 percent of the time, say experts.

—Bee photo, Crevier

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16 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

How To Make A Welcoming ‘Home’ For Your New

By Eliza Hallabeck Are you looking to bring a new animal into your home for the first time?

From researching the right type of animal for your space to knowing just what supplies to have on hand, Newtown has several experts ready to advise new pet owners about making their home a perfect place for a new puppy, kitten or adopted adult “forever friend.”

Tom Novak of Your Healthy Pet suggested people examine their new pet’s food options, specifically for dogs. Mr Novak said dogs should not eat the same food all of their lives, because doing so can lead to physical problems, like dry skin and itching.

Dog owners, he said, can stock up on food for relatively

long periods. Dry dog food can be stored for up to two years and canned food also typically has two-year expiration date.

At Your Healthy Pet, Mr Novak said, a effort is made to stock only foods that have recognizable and healthy ingredients. He also warned that having a dog on a dry foodonly diet can also lead to problems, like dry skin or ear infections, since dogs need more moisture in their diet.

Dog food should be stored in a cool dry place, Mr Novak said, and not in a damp basement.

If people are looking to bring a puppy into their home, Mr Novak recommended stocking up on “wee pads” or on a product called Nature’s Miracle, a spray that discourages the animal from peeing in a particular spot again.

Tom Novak of Your Healthy Pet offered two examples of gate options for homes with dogs.

—Bee Photos, Hallabeck

Chew On This!

Mr Novak also said he and his wife Mary-Kay Novak are fans of having chews, like tendons, ligaments, and raw bones, to offer a dog. All options are sold at Your Healthy Pet. “When dogs chew, it releases endorphins and they are happy,” said Mr Novak.

Antlers are long-lasting chew options for dogs, Mr Novak said, and are harvested when animals lose their antlers.

Gates and using enclosed spaces are helpful when house training a dog, said Mr Novak.

“You probably want to keep them confined until you are sure they aren’t going to ruin a $1,000 couch or something,” said Mr Novak.

A range of leashes and harnesses can be useful to have on hand, according to Mr Novak, who also recommended having a fenced in yard or area for the dog to roam safely.

Dogs, he said, can be trained not to run away, but until then he warned to be careful when opening or closing doors.

Some dogs also love crates, according to Mr Novak. He said his family once created a “a little house” for one of their dogs by putting a crate in a closet and covering it with a blanket. But simply placing a blanket under a desk or having a dog bed in a well-used room, like a living room, can give a dog a space of its own. Otherwise, Mr Novak also recommended placing blankets or sheets on furniture to cover them.

Other things Mr Novak recommended keeping stocked when owning a dog are shampoo, homeopathic flea and tick treatments, wire mesh or wood safety gates, a brush, and treats.

“When you read a treat, you should be able to understand it,” said Mr Novak.

But his advice came down to one thing.

“The main thing is give them love and feed them well,” he said.

Make A Good Fit Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals veterinary technician Mary Simpson, who also breeds Australian shepherds, said the first thing someone should think about when looking into getting a dog or cat is, “Make sure the pet fits the home.”

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Home & Garden - 17

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Dog Or Cat more space and will require more time to walk and exercise, she said. She also warned that the average pet can do somewhere between $3,000 and $6,000 worth of damage around the home in its first year of life.

Training and crating a dog can cut down on the chance of damage being done to furniture or other parts of the household, according to Ms Simpson.

But before bringing a dog home, Ms Simpson suggested “the most silly thing” to do. Home owners, she said, should get down on their hands and knees and look around. This will show what is on a dog’s level, what things a dog can reach, and what things may look interesting.

Ms Simpson said she is a big advocate of teaching dogs to be crated. Doing so, she said, also prepares dogs for visits to the veterinarian, and that same advice works for cats, too.

When bringing a cat to a home for the first time, she said it is important to start it out in one room of the home.

This will allow the cat to acclimate to the rest of the house slowly.

Before bringing a cat or multiple cats into a home, Ms Simpson warned to make sure there is a enough room for kitty litter pans. On average, she recommended having Your Healthy Pet has a range of chew treats available that can be kept in stock at a home. one-and-a-half to two pans for each cat.

Cats also have more emotional needs than dogs, according to Ms Simpson, who said an unhappy cat may inap- removing things that are easier to knock over and not leav- puppies do not know how to swim, and around fireplaces, propriately urinate around a home. This can mean a cat ing candles lit at a dog’s level. as puppies will not know to not go in. She recommended does not have enough litter pans, or it is not getting along having screens for fireplaces to prevent puppies from burnwith someone in the house, or the cat is generally unhapPuppy Proofing ing themselves. py.

Canine Training Behavior Services Owner Margaret “I think training is essential for any kind of animal,” said If homeowners find themselves dealing with an unhappy Reed, who also offers training through the Newtown Parks Dr Reed. cat, Ms Simpson recommended adding something higher & Recreation Department, also warned about the imporWhen outside, Dr Reed warned against letting puppies for the cat to climb or relax on. Heights make cats happy, tance of puppy-proofing a house. run around, as it is easy for a puppy to escape a space that she said. Tall cat trees, kitty walkways, or kitty shelves by “There are so many things in the house that can cause is not enclosed. She said dog owners should be aware at all window can help make a cat happier. damage to the puppies,” said Dr Reed. time where their dog is located.

“Cats do very well with that,” she said, about higher-up The first thing to look at when puppy-proofing a house, Before bringing a dog home, Dr Reed also recommended objects for cats to walk on.

Dr Reed said, are electric cords. doing research about the breed and finding out where the Cats are also always happier with an escape route, she “Puppies love to chew on anything and everything they dog comes from. If the dog is a rescued animal, which she said, so keeping a room door open instead of closed could can get in their mouths,” said Dr Reed, who also warned said is a great thing, it may come with excess baggage and make a cat happier. that other things around a home — like chocolate, fertiliz- may need more preparation as a result.

Her best advice for someone who wishes to protect their er, house cleaners, antifreeze, soap bars, cigarette butts, Dr Reed recommended everyone thinking about bringhome from the havoc an energetic dog can wreck, is to give and some types of household plants— can be dangerous ing a dog home to really decide whether the animal is a the animal exercise. But she also recommended puppy- for dogs to ingest. good fit for the home and whether they are prepared for proofing a house, similar to baby-proofing a house, but Dr Reed recommended being diligent around a pool, as making a commitment to the animal.

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18 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

Grants Aim To Replace, Remove Inefficient Outdoor Wood Furnaces HARTFORD — As part of an overall effort to address public health and environmental issues raised by the use of outdoor wood-burning furnaces (OWFs), Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced a grant program that offers a financial incentive for the removal or replacement of older, less efficient units.

DEEP said that its new Good Deals for Good Neighbors program will fund up to $4,000 of removal costs — and a total of $7,000 for residents and businesses that remove and replace their current OWF models with newer and more efficient units. This switch can save participants in annual operating costs on their new unit, in addition to the incentive provided through DEEP. The Good Deals for Good Neighbors program is funded with $345,000 made available through the settlement of an interstate air pollution case against American Electric Power Service Corporation. The company, a Midwestern power generator, was found in violation of provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. “This grant program is one of several steps we are taking to address health and environmental risks created through the improper operation of OWFs or by running older and less efficient units,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “This program will provide grants to help home and business owners save money while making their neighborhoods more livable for neighbors and themselves.”

“The settlement we reached with American Electric Power — the country’s largest electric power producer — included a number of provisions aimed at reducing air pollution and improving Connecticut’s air quality,” said Attorney General George Jepsen. “It also included funding for the state to use for pollution mitigation efforts. This incentive program is a great and practical use of settlement funds that will directly benefit Connecticut residents and businesses. Newer outdoor wood-burning furnace models are less polluting and more efficient. I am pleased that this program will result in real reductions in air pollution in our neighborhoods.”

Other steps taken by DEEP concerning OWFs include: *Actively supporting adoption of strong federal emission standards for wood-burning devices by the US Environmental Protection Agency. *Worked for passage of legislation that ensures that Connecticut’s requirements for the siting of

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has launched its new Good Deals for Good Neighbors program to fund up to $4,000 of removal costs — and a total of $7,000 for residents and businesses that remove and replace their current outdoor wood furnace with newer and more efficient units. This switch can save participants in annual operating costs on their new unit, in addition to the incentive provided through DEEP.

OWFs — which include minimum setback from neighboring properties and mandatory heights for chimneys — will remain in place even if federal rules are adopted. Connecticut law also requires OWF operators to use only clean, dry, wood that has not been chemically treated. *In cooperation with Department of Public Health, developed training materials and trained local public health officials on wood burning to increase response times to OWF complaints and ensure proper enforcement of the state requirements. *Exploring the possibility of rules to restrict the use of OWFs on bad air days (days when air quality does not meet federal public health standards), while providing limited exemptions for essential use, especially in the agriculture sector.

Older, less-efficient OWFs emit wood smoke that impacts human health, primarily from breathing

fine particulate matter. These fine particles are associated with serious cardiopulmonary health impacts and are a special concern for young children, asthmatics, persons with respiratory or heart disease, diabetics, and the elderly.

While increased heating costs are leading to increasing popularity of OWFs, some people are being affected by the nearby operation of units that are older, dirtier, improperly operated, or improperly sited. DEEP has received hundreds of complaints about wood smoke, mostly from neighbors of people operating OWFs. Applications for funding are currently being accepted and will continue to be accepted through October 31, 2014. Connecticut residents who are interested in receiving a grant through the Outdoor Wood-fired Furnace Good Neighbor program should visit the Good Deals for Good Neighbors webpage, ct.gov/deep/OWFIP, for specific details.

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Home & Garden - 19

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Five Good Reasons To Replace Your Old AC In Fall

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(StatePoint) — Before you turn off your AC system for the season, consider having it checked out by a certified contractor. If it is older or has been giving you problems, you might want to replace it.

“It may not be top of mind, but fall is actually the ideal time to think about your home’s cooling system,” says Frank Landwehr, VP of marketing at Emerson Climate Technologies.

There are five reasons why consumers who consider this important home upgrade during the off-season often have much better outcomes, say the experts at AC & Heating Connect. *Contractor considerations: Give yourself plenty of time to identify the best AC contractor for your installation. Contractors in between cooling and heating seasons will be more available to help solve your specific problems. *New features: Learn about the latest technology and features available for HVAC systems, as a lot has changed in the past 20 years. Consider systems with features ranging from superior humidity reduction to noise reduction to remote control systems and energy-efficient programmable thermostats. “Dual fuel” heat pumps that can use either electricity or natural gas for heating are another recent innovation to consider. *Zombie heat pump: So-called “zombie” heat pumps appear to be alive and running, but in reality are not performing optimally, or at all. If your air conditioner doubles as a heat pump, fall is the time to have your system checked out for the heating season.

Fall is also a good time to have a conventional furnace checked out by a contractor. If it is older like the AC unit, you might be better off having them both replaced at once. *Recalculations: Have your contractor run new calculations on your home. Changes since that old AC system was installed can affect your needs. For example, if you added insulation, upgraded to more efficient windows, knocked out walls or added a room, you might need a different system size than before — and the wrong system can be problematic.

A system that is too small will not keep up on the hottest days. A system that is too large will cycle too much, causing wide swings in temperature — and will not necessarily remove all the humidity from your home.

Further, if you plan to close the AC vents in seldom-used rooms, look for a system with at least two steps of capacity modulation. Closing room vents and doors effectively makes your house appear smaller to your HVAC system, which could significantly damage the system or cause it to fail prematurely. *Regulations: Know the latest government regulations and rebates before you buy.

New regulations going into effect January 1, 2015, might affect the minimum efficiency standard in your region. Give yourself time to consider whether you want to replace your system ahead of the change.

Replacing HVAC systems in fall can be a smart maneuver. By planning ahead, you can make smarter choices for your home and your comfort.

Check out www.ac-heatingconnect.com for free resources and to learn more about what type of system might be best for your home.

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20 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

Today’s Bathroom Designs Incorporate

Glass tile accents remain a popular way to create visual interest in the bathroom.

Natural ceramic tiles in a neutral palate reflect the timeless look remodelers want today.

—Bee Photo, Crevier

By Nancy K. Crevier An attractive bathroom remodel can add value to a home and be more than utilitarian to the homeowner. It is not an inexpensive project, though, costing on average between $16,000 and $75,000 for a complete redo of a master bath, according to area experts. Those costs reflect the broad range of materials and amenities a homeowner selects. But the cost will be offset by the number of years a welldesigned bathroom functions and pleases the homeowner.

What continues to move the market in the Newtown area, said Connecticut/New York bath designer and builder/owner Anthony Palladino of Southeast Kitchen and Bath, and Barry Miller, president, and Rachel Peterson, operations manager, of Simply Baths and Showcase Kitchens in Monroe, is the use of quality materials with a sense of timelessness.

There are certain aspects of the bathroom that come and go over the years.

Right now, said these experts, people are taking out tubs and Jacuzzi whirlpools from the master bathroom — “Those are long gone,” said Mr Palladino — and going for large, walk-in showers.

Tile remains popular, and the bigger, the better, so far as his clients are concerned, Mr Palladino said. What customers like is that with larger tiles there is less grout, and an ease of cleaning.

Those large ceramic or porcelain tiles, Mr Miller said, range from 18 inches to 39 inches, and are installed in small bathrooms as frequently as they are into large spaces. Tiles fashioned to replicate wooden planks have soared in popularity.

Doorless showers, multiple shower heads, and curb-free showers have become more mainstream, and linear drains that accommodate the use of those

this area, with customers leaning toward brushed and polished nickel.

Ornate cabinetry and scrolled details are out, and forget about the large medicine cabinet jutting out from the wall. New medicine cabinets are sleek and set into the wall, and include outlets or in the rare case, Mr Miller said, a refrigerated medicine cabinet is installed.

By placing the control valve adjacent to the shower doorway, this Southeast Kitchen and Bath design makes it easy to adjust the water flow and temperature without getting wet.

—Anthony Palladino photo very large tiles for the shower floor are being installed more often. Clear glass has replace the closed-in feeling of the old shower.

When it comes to toilets, tubs, and sinks, white is always in fashion, Ms Peterson said. The occasional stainless steel sink comes along, or a vessel-type sink made of natural stone. By and large, white is the color of choice.

Wall color is one place that white has disappeared. What is not tiled is popped with color on the walls or in accents; or in keeping with the subdued theme of the hard fixtures, “Gray is the new white,” Mr Miller said.

Brass fixtures are losing popularity in

Katie Kent of Newtown, who works in the fashion industry, tackled designing and coordinating the remodeling of her master bathroom. A spacious walk-in shower is in keeping with what bath designers see area residents going for when redoing bathrooms, but professionals caution that not everyone has the patience and design sense to go it alone.

—Bee Photo, Crevier

Not commonly requested, but available to homeowners wanting some extras in the master bath, Simply Baths and Showcase Kitchens installed this bidet toilet seat in an area bath, along with heated flooring.

—David Dadekian photo

Whether done consciously or not, a walk-in shower that is curb-free and large enough to accommodate durable medical equipment like a wheelchair, or an assistant is a must-have in numerous recent bath remodels done by Southeast Kitchen & Bath, says owner Anthony Palladino, as an aging population makes changes. Tubs in the master bathroom, he said, are a long-gone fashion, —Anthony Palladino photo

This master bathroom by Simply Baths and Showcase Kitchens has a curb-free, doorless “zero entry” shower. Consumers are seeking multifunctional showers today, such as the double “rain” showerhead, handheld nozzle, and body jets seen here. Less frequently requested is a tub in the master bath, but this freestanding tub, set into an onyx stone deck, acts as a focal point.

—David Dadekian photo

Aging In Place Doorless, curb-free showers are popular “for a number of reasons,” Mr Palladino said. “Our society is getting older,” and an accessible shower may be beneficial should a person need assistance or wheelchair space, he pointed out. Both companies are currently installing showers easily double the size of the old-fashioned 3foot by 3-foot fiberglass or acrylic stalls put in during the 1970s and 1980s.

A tub in a second bathroom takes the place of outing it from the master bath, Mr Miller added. For the customer who desires a bathtub in the master bath, it is frequently placed adjacent to the shower with either no wall or a glass wall between the two fixtures. A freestanding tub that is as much a piece of art as functional is another option.

Along with tubs set into tiled pedestals, tumbled marble, which stains easily, has fallen out of favor, Ms Peterson said. Natural stones such as onyx, quartz, limestone, or granite are the choice, instead.

Equally popular are the many engineered stone products, fabricated from natural stone and resin to create a nonporous, smooth surface.

Acrylic polymer surfaces have fallen by the wayside, said Mr Palladino. Not as durable or easy to care for as originally hoped, customers are replacing them with natural materials that are truly long lasting.

When it comes to style, New Englanders tend to stick with a traditional feel, said both Mr Palladino and Mr Miller. Simply Baths customers, though, will also go for a contemporary look, Mr Miller said, stressing that it is not the same as a Modern look.

Modern is a high-gloss “Manhattan” look, homogenous in color and stark.

Contemporary boasts clean lines, but has more warmth, color, and texture.

A radiant heated floor is a nice option, but not at the top of the list for the majority of their customers, said the experts. Consumers need to be aware of two things, they said. One is that a heated floor does not heat the bathroom — only the floor, cautioned Mr Palladino.

It is also necessary to have a dedicated electrical circuit for a radiant heated floor, Ms Peterson added.

Natural stone is one thing, but environmentally friendly products is another, said Mr Miller and Mr Palladino. “Green” products are not a priority in this area, Mr Miller said.

What deters his customers, Mr Palladino said, is that environmentally friendly materials, such as countertops crafted from cement embedded with recycled glass, are not friendly to the pocket book.

“They like that idea, until they see the price,” he said, regardless of their budgets.

Who will undertake the project is another decision homeowners must make.

How They Did It When Newtown residents Katie and Neal Kent decided last year to update the bathrooms in their 1960s-era home, Ms Kent was confident that she could design both a master and second bathroom, using her natural sense of design. She also used social networks to supplement her own ideas.

“Houzz.com is great for ideas,” said Ms Kent. She found this website helpful in estimating the cost of renovations, as well.

She spent a great deal of time looking through magazines, noting what did and

Home & Garden - 21

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

Modern Features, Timeless Beauty did not appeal to her, and then sought out more ideas on Pinterest, a visual social network. What she kept coming across were bathrooms with a spalike look, and while they were attractive, it was not for her. She gravitated, she said, to the traditional look. “I knew I wanted something simple and not too trendy,” she said, so as not to overimprove for her style and age of home.

Even with a simple design, though, Ms Kent realized that use of different tiles could personalize the rooms. “Luckily, I’m someone who can make decisions easily,” she said, as it would be easy to be overwhelmed by the thousands of tile options in showrooms.

Once she had decided on details of what kinds of fixtures — she opted for white in both rooms, using brushed nickel finishes in the smaller bath and a brushed bronze in the master bath — and where fixtures would be placed, she worked with her contractor. Doing her own design meant traveling to various sources to select items, a time-consuming project, she admitted.

Being flexible in ideas is important for the do-it-yourselfer, said Ms Kent. “My contractor threw in ideas, too,” she said.

And when the contractor was struggling with the window placement in what was to be the master bath, she switched gears.

“I said, why not bump out a closet on the other side of the room and into the hall for the master bath,” with the space originally destined to be the bath instead turning into a large walk-in closet. It was a moment of transformation and the Kents ended up with a large walk-in shower and more space than they would have had, if sticking to the original plan.

“It all takes longer than you think. You have to go with the flow,” Ms Kent said.

There are times when she sees some-

thing that she could have done differently. “A professional designer might have opened my eyes to different ideas,” she said, but nonetheless, they are very happy with the outcome — and they stayed within the budget they set.

Go With A Pro A professional bath designer has huge advantages, said Mr Palladino. It is the one-stop service and years of expertise that brings people through the door, and there is nothing better a homeowner can do than to select a reputable company and quality materials for a happy outcome, he stressed. Ask for references from former and current clients, he said.

Mr Palladino does not hesitate to suggest that people browse Houzz.com. It can make a designer’s job easier, he said, to have a basic idea of what appeals to the customer. Then, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, a professional bath designer is able to guide customers through the jungle of choices.

With 41 years of experience, Mr Palladino is skilled in identifying people’s wants and needs. Most people, he said, are not confident enough to go through with a bath remodel on his or her own. It can also lead to disappointment when it is not apparent to the homeowner that a product is subquality.

“Everybody knocks off everything,” said Ms Peterson, particularly online. What may look like the real deal on the outside may not have name brand workings on the inside.

Consumer education is a large part of the service offered by professionals, on details large and small. Customers do not see construction items that can make or break a bath remodel. Greatly improved rough materials, like wall board and cement board, are available today. Better

Installed by Simply Baths and Showcase Kitchens, this bath features a corner vanity with storage, not medicine cabinets, a wood-look tile floor set in a herringbone pattern, and a makeup desk. The countertop is in a neutral gray palette, a popular color this year, and is made of engineered stone.

—David Dadekian photo levels of rough materials allow even better longevity to a finished bathroom, said these professionals.

A bathroom designed properly and with quality fixtures should last a lifetime, Mr Palladino said. It is aging plumbing or a new homeowner who wants to put a personal stamp on the house that are the two biggest reasons his customers seek a remodel, he said.

“Old age, expensive repairs, and resale” drive clients’ desires to remodel a bathroom, agreed Mr Miller said, who has been in the business more than 30 years.

One-stop shopping is another reason that customers prefer a design house such as Southeast or Simply Baths. Both businesses pride themselves on offering service from initial in-home consultation, to

design, to product, to finished work using in-house contractors.

Working with customers to develop a design that suits each budget and vision is important. “It’s a big investment for people,” Ms Peterson noted, and one that homeowners will live with — if all goes according to plan — for many years.

Southeast Kitchen & Bath is at 101 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, with additional locations at 19 Old Doansburg Road, Brewster, N.Y.; 594 Route 6, Mahopac, N.Y.; and 3 East Main Street, Pawling, N.Y. Visit SoutheastKitchenand Bath.com or call (locally) 203-748-9000.

Simply Baths & Showcase Kitchens is at 630 Main Street in Monroe. Contact info@simplybaths.net or call 203-4452902.

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22 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

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Home & Garden - 23

September 19, 2014 - The Newtown Bee

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HARDWARE/PAINT Newtown Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Stony Hill Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

PLUMBING & HEATING, WELLS & PUMPS Mark D. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Vanasse Plumbing & Heating, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . .22 POWER EQUIPMENT/LAWN TRACTORS Bethel Power Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 L&R Power Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Newtown Power Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 & 17 West End Power Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

HARDWOOD FLOORS Tim Truelove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

REALTORS Capuano, Vincent P., Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fairchild, Christine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Perez, Lou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

CONSTRUCTION Porco Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

HOME DÉCOR Alcher Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Chintz-N-Prints of Newtown, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

REFUSE REMOVAL Associated Refuse Hauler of America . . . . . . . . .12 Pendergast Roll Off & Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

CUSTOM HOMES G. Nevers Carpentry & Bathroom Remodeling . . .15

HEARTH/FIREPLACE/STOVE/GRILLS Berkshire Hearth & Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

SURVEYOR Brautigam Land Surveyors PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

EXCAVATION Yacko & Sons Excavation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

MASONRY/PAVING Ben’s Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 FN Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Mike’s Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Southbury Stone & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

TILING Universal Tile & Marble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

MULCH/LANDSCAPING Southbury Stone & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Walsh Wood Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

TREE SERVICE Tim Wilder Tree Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Yacko & Sons Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FUEL OIL ABC Fuel Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Hometown Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

OUTDOOR HOUSE CLEANING & CARPETS All Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

WINDOW CLEANING/POWER WASHING Solimine Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

FLOORING - CARPET & TILING Alcher Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Courtesy Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

PAINTING CONTRACTOR Mark Svanda Painting, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 William Barlow Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

CARPET CLEANING Red Baron Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

FABRIC & NOTIONS Chintz-N-Prints of Newtown, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 FENCING Addessi Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

TOOL RENTALS Decker Tool Rental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Bethel Power Equipment Sales # Service # Parts

“We sell the BEST and service the rest!”

Fairfield County's Largest Selection of Fall Clean-up Power Equipment!

549

$

New

Model 99170-03-01

Little Wonder Blower C5

150

$

*

OFF

*ALL 9 hp Little Wonder & Billy Goat Blowers

ALL NEW

Little Wonder Pro Vac SP

Come See Our Selection of American CLS Log Splitters!

Shop The Area's Largest Showroom with The Most Models of America's #1 Brands On Display Professional Service For All Makes and Models with The Area's Fastest Turnaround Time

6 Francis J. Clarke Circle, Bethel, CT 06801 (in Bethel’s Clarke Business Park)

FREE Set-up & Delivery

203-790-5889 • www.bethelpower.com

Pick-ups Available

24 - Home & Garden

The Newtown Bee - September 19, 2014

BENEDICT’S HOME & GARDEN autumn harvest

Sale Fun At Benedict’s This Fall!

The fun starts on Saturday, Sept. 20 ~ Hay Maze, Pumpkin Slingshot, Corn Maze, Corn Pit and Weekend Hayrides!

1499

$

Your Choice

5

$ 99 4 Aspen Song $

Fall Decorations Available!Cornstalks, Mini Straw Bales, Pumpkins and Gourds!

3 For $999 6.5" Potted Mums Connecticut grown.

Reg. $3.79 each (88756500)

8" 3 FOR $13.99 Reg. $5.99 each (88750800)

10 Lbs.

Value Blend

Reg. $2.99 each (88756900) 6" $3.99(88756800)

99

Reg. $2.99 each(88714500)

8" 3 FOR $14.99 Reg. $5.99 each (88710900)

LARGE 3 CU. FT. BAGS

10

99

3 Cu. Ft..

Agway Cedar Mulch A 100% natural-coloreddecorative ground cover.

Reg. $3.99 each (89100400)

Your Choice 3 Bags For

1399

$

3 Cu. Ft..

Agway Colored Cedar Mulches Choose from Red, Brown or Black.

Reg. $4.99 each (89100500) (89100900) (89101000)

5,000 Sq. ...Ft. $32.99

95

254cc. Features power steering, powerful SnowKingengine and a standard LED headlight.

Model ST227P (826961930097)

4.5" Potted Kale

$

Assorted 50-Pack Tulips and Daffodil Bulbs

Husqvarna 27" Wide 2 Stage Snowthrower

6 For 15

3 Bags For

Feeds your lawn for up to 12 weeks, preparing for winter while promotingan early spring green-up.

Reg. $16.99(86409700) While Supplies Last.1

999

4" Potted Asters

$

Assorted 10-Pack Tulip, 6-Pack Hyacinth and 5 to 8-Pack Daffodil Bulbs

1999

$

Model ST224 (826961930096)... $799.95

6

179

$

.75 Cu. Ft.

Agway Top Soil For filling holes and levelinglow areas.

Reg. $2.19 (89302200) Limit 10 bags per customer.

31995

$

Husqvarna Model 350BT Backpack Leaf Blower A unique lightweight backpack blower.

50cc mid-sizeblower features a new powerful X-TORQ engine for increased power, better fuel economy and reduced emissions.

(824965877502)

LIME SALE

299

$

50 Lbs.

Ground Lime Corrects soil pH. Fast acting.Boosts nutrients.

Reg. $3.49 (86323200)

50 Lbs.Granular Lime $ .49

3

Reg. $3.99 (86322200)

499

$

Fall Is The Time To Lime!

Take your wood pellets by Sept. 30 and Save!

40 Lbs.

Agway Pelletized Limestone

Visit our website, call us or stop by the store for details.

Allegheny, Instant Heat, Lignetics, Dry Creek or Barefoot

Water-activated pellets willbreak down into finely pelletized limestone and begin working immediately.

Reg. $5.99 (86321100)

Your Choice

49

3 Cu. Ft..

Reg. $39.99 (86409800)

We service what we sell and stock parts!

Your Choice

$

5,000 Sq. Ft.

Agway Greenlawn Fall Fertilizer

$

Attracts juncos, doves, sparrows and more.

Ideal for ground feeding birds. Low cost mix.

Reg. $5.99 (77585700)

6 For $1599

99

9

999

$

Agway Pine Bark Mulches

$

99

Choose from Mulch,Nuggets or Mini-Nuggets.

Reg. $6.99 each (89100100) (89100200) (89100300)

Agway Fast Acting Lime

5,000 Sq. Ft.

Goes to work instantly.

Helps to fix acidic soils, raise pH level and green up lawns. Reg $13.99 (86324500)

109999

$

Generac 7500E Portable Generator

8 gallon steel fuel tank.

Four 120-volt 5-20R outlets and one 120/240-voltL14-30R twist-lock outlet (827GP7500E)

40 Lbs. Deer Corn Mfd. by Cooperative Milling Whole corn coated with molasses.

Reg. $10.99(16210000)

50 Lbs. Whole Corn Reg. $11.99 (16200030)

480 Purdy Hill Road, MONROE, CT 203-268-2537 Fax: 203-261-1224

www.BenedictsGarden.com Fall Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am - 6:00 pm • Sat. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm • Sunday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sale Ends 9/29/14