Home and Garden - Fall Home Guide - 2014

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Fall HomeFall & Garden Home Guide

• 2014

Fall Home Guide & Garden • 2014 Guide• 2014

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Have fun, get ideas, and enjoy some chili Peninsula Home & Remodel Expo Oct. 3-5 at Kitsap County Fairgrounds BREMERTON — At the Peninsula Home & Remodel Expo, you can get great ideas on improving the look and efficiency of your home — and get some fine-tasting chili while you’re at it.

Special features of the annual expo — presented by the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County — include the 2014 Rooms of Inspiration, and the second annual Chili Cook-Off, featuring nine of Kitsap’s best restaurants and caterers.

The Expo is Oct. 3, 2-8 p.m.; Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the pavilion at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Admission is $6 for adults; $5 for teens (ages 13-17), active duty military and senior citizens; and $10 for a threeday pass.

Admission to the seminars is free with your paid Expo admission.

Daily seminars are free with your paid Expo admission. Here’s a list (see page 4 of this guide for more details on each seminar).

Oct. 3: “Bolt It-Brace It-Do It!” with Kevin Bourn and Jim Mattison of Simpson Strong-Tie®; and “Your Life, Your Legacy” with Kevin Sheffield of Miller Woodlawn Funeral Home.

Oct. 4: Second annual Chili Cook-Off (tickets are $3 with your paid Expo admission; “Kitchen Trends” with Molly McCabe of A Kitchen That Works, LLC; “Extending Your Outdoor Season” with Wayne Keffer of WRK Construction; and “Solar for Your Home” with Chris Herman of Sunergy Systems.

Oct. 5: “Rain Gardens” with Teresa Brooks of the Kitsap Conservation District; “Home Owners & Septic Systems” with Taylor Johnatakis of Cleaver Construction.

CHILI COOKOFF The second annual Chili Cook-Off is Oct. 4, 11:30

AT A GLANCE PENINSULA HOME & REMODEL EXPO n Oct. 3, 4, 5 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds n Presented by the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County n Online: www. kitsaphbahomeshow.com a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on the pavilion’s mezzanine level.

A Chili Cook-Off ticket allows guests to enjoy a small taste from each of nine different local restaurants and caterers. You be the judge: Submit your score card and help choose the Peoples Choice winner.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Kitsap Builders Foundation, the charitable non-profit foundation of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County. The Builders Foundation supports several important community services, including the Silverdale Veterans Park, Hang On Kitsap, and Build A Better Christmas.

The association asks that you support the restaurants that support the Kitsap Builders Foundation: Amy’s On The Bay; Central Dock; CJ’s Evergreen General Store & Catering; Green Light Diner; HI-LO’s 15th Street Café; Home Made Café; Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Café; Moon Dogs, Too – Spirits and Fine Grub; and That One Place.

Here’s a closer look at the Expo, courtesy of the Home Builders Association.

ROOMS OF INSPIRATION Expo guests will be able to peruse three spaces decorated by Arnold’s Home

Yes, this can be your bathroom. Go to the Peninsula Home & Remodel Expo and get remodel ideas, meet the experts, and go to some cool seminars.

Getty Images

“[Rooms of Inspiration] will inspire Expo guests as they consider the problems they want to solve in their own small spaces.”

— Home Builders Association of Kitsap County

Furnishings, Eclectic Home Furnishings, and Bainbridge Furnishings.

The spaces, found along the north wall of the pavilion, will display solutions to three different life and style issues.

In one room, view the “Small Bedroom” and get new ideas on how to maximize the space and still have a cozy and relaxing vibe. Another space will show you how to carry our shoreline beauty into

The 2014 Fall Home Guide is a publication of Sound Publishing and is included in the Bainbridge Island Review, Bremerton Patriot, Central Kitsap Reporter, North Kitsap Herald, and Port Orchard Independent.

Total circulation: 65,000 FALL HOME GUIDE Regional publisher: Lori Maxim Regional advertising director: Donna Etchey

your home with a “Beach Cottage” theme. Finally, enjoy the “Luxury Leisure Living” themed space.

These spaces will inspire Expo guests as they visit the show and consider the problems they want to solve in their own small spaces. You don’t need to leave Kitsap to solve your home’s problems.

MASTER GARDENERS AND RAIN GARDENS With fall here and winter nearing, there is still much to be done in your yard and garden. Be sure and visit the people at the Kitsap Rain Gardens and Master Gardeners booths.

Have questions about winterizing? They can help.

Not sure what a rain garden is? They can get you started. Kitsap County’s Surface and Stormwater staff will be on hand to help you understand how you can include a rain garden in your landscape.

Don’t miss the free seminar (included in your

2014 Fall Home Guide

Production manager: Bryon Kempf Cover design: Bryon Kempf

Services we provide in Kitsap County (Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo) • Manage single family houses and Condominiums • Locate and Screen tenants • Collect payments and manage expenses • Provide monthly and year end financial statements • Manage maintenance as required • Weekend and Evening appointments available

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Office administrator: Jodi Blackmore Home Guide editor: Richard Walker

Expo admission) all about rain gardens and other landscaping techniques to return water to Kitsap’s aquifer at noon on Oct. 5.

(And visit the permanent rain garden on the fairgrounds property.)

THE HABITAT STORE Shop for odds and ends at The Habitat Store, Habitat for Humanity’s retail outlet. Bargain hunters should come prepared to buy; The Habitat Store will have some great items for sale.

MEET CONTRACTORS Walk the floor and visit with contractors on every aisle. Develop that rapport so when you begin your project you will have increased confidence in your contractor.

In alphabetical order, here are the remodelers and builders you’ll meet at

the Expo: n A Kitchen That Works, LLC — Booth No. 089 (www.akitchenthatworks.com) n Adair Homes — Booth No. 057 (www.adairhomes.com) n Armstrong Homes of Bremerton — Booth No. 046 (www.armstrong-homes.com) n Choice Construction — Booths No. 038 and 039 (www.choice-construction. com) n Clauson Homes, Inc. — Booth No. 087 n Estes Builders — Booth No. 140 (www.estesbuilders.com n Heritage Builders NW LLC — Booths No. 081 and 082 (www.heritagebuildersnw.com) n Joe Gates Construction Inc. — Booth No. 108 (www.joegates.com) n Pristine Homes — Booths No. 024 and 025 (www.pristinehomesllc. com) n Rainier View Construction & Roofing — Booths No. 048 and 049 (www.rainier-view.com) n Spane Buildings Inc. — Booth No. 142 (www. spane.com) n Ullrich Construction — Booth No. 121 (www. ullrichconstruction.net) n Washington State Kitchen & Bath — Booth No. 151 (www.washingtonstatekitchenbath.com) n Westharbor Homes — Booth No. 62 (www. westharborhomes.com) n Wayne R Keffer Construction — Booth No. 042 (www.wrkco.com) — ONLINE: www.kitsaphba.com

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Expo: Seven seminars (and a cookoff) in three days Daily seminars are free with your paid Expo admission FRIDAY, OCT. 3 n 3 p.m.: Bolt It-Brace It-Do It! Presenters: Kevin Bourn and Jim Mattison of Simpson Strong-Tie®.

Is your home securely fastened to your foundation? Attend this 90-minute seminar and learn how to conduct a home evaluation, navigate the permitting process, properly bolt and plate a home, work safely, and identify the best engineering solutions.

This course is offered as a partnership of Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management, Olympic Peninsula chapter of the ICC, HBA of Kitsap County, Simpson Strong-Tie®, and the building departments of Kitsap County.

Upon completion of this seminar, you will know how to retrofit your

own home or know how to hire a contractor to do it for you. Advanced registration preferred; contact the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management (www. kitsapdem.org or 360-3075870). Space is limited.

All that pre-register will receive a free Expo admission pass for use on Oct. 3 to attend this seminar. n 5:30 p.m.: Your Life, Your Legacy Presenter: Kevin Sheffield, Miller Woodlawn Funeral Home.

Most of us plan for important life events, such as weddings, our children’s education and retirement.

But few of us prepare for the inevitable.

This fast-moving program addresses the importance of making your final arrangements in advance and the steps to take. Many people with concerns and questions about planning feel uncomfortable coming into a funeral home — or don’t

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know they can. This session provides attendees with information on planning as well as resources for learning more.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4 n 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Second annual Chili Cook-Off This tasty Saturday-only event will take place upstairs in the mezzanine.

Nine terrific local chefs will be competing for the People’s Choice and the Judge’s Choice awards.

Tickets are $3 with your

paid Expo admission. n 12:30 p.m.: Kitchen Trends Presenter: Molly McCabe, A Kitchen That Works, LLC. Attend this informative session and get answers to your questions about design and other choices that may be holding you back from moving forward with an updated kitchen.

McCabe is an awardwinning designer/builder and a national speaker.

You will be engaged from

the start and leave with a better idea of the options available to you, how to assess if they are right for your kitchen, and how to make the necessary decisions.

McCabe’s creativity, experience, and depth of product knowledge will combine to make this one of the most valuable seminars you ever attend. n 2 p.m.: Extending Your Outdoor Season Presenter: Wayne Keffer, WRK Construction.

Attend this seminar to learn how valuable your outdoor space can be.

With the popularity of outdoor kitchens, lounge spaces, and spa facilities, the common deck is doing more than it ever used to. With the advent of stamped concrete, pavers, and other design features your outdoor space can be inviting and useful all year long. Keffer will help you see your options using his construction experience See SEMINARS, Page 5

COUPONS FOR 2014 PENINSULA HOME & REMODEL EXPO According to the Home Builders Association website, ticket sellers are not set up to take coupons “electronically” so it is important that you bring a printed coupon with you in order to get the discounted admission price. Cut out the coupons below and present it at the ticket booth.

Fall Home Guide & Garden • 2014 Guide• 2014

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2014 PENINSULA HOME & REMODEL EXPO EXHIBITORS Booth 105-106 089 062 144-145 054 057 134 044-045 046 031 027

Company Name A Better Crawl, Inc. A Kitchen That Works LLC A-1 Roofing, Inc. Achten’s Quality Roofing Acupuncture & Wellness Center Adair Homes ADT Security Services Air Masters Heating Armstrong Homes Bainbridge Heating and Air Banner Bank

Seminars

Continued from page 4 and many informative visual aids. There is still time to improve your outdoor space before the weather turns bad. n 3:30 p.m.: Solar for Your Home Presenter: Chris Herman, Sunergy Systems.

By attending this seminar you will learn about the different types of solar energy systems for: Passive solar space heating, cooling and daylighting;

110-139 050 038-039 092 087 075-076 141 013 112 137 107 084 099-100

Bath Fitter Budget Blinds Choice Construction Christopher & Company Clauson Homes, Inc. CleanSpace Northwest Cleaver Construction Coastal Aire Concepts Collective Visions Art Gallery Connections Unlimited, Corliss Painting Costco Wholesale Creative Countertops, Inc.

electricity production from grid-tied, standalone and hybrid systems; domestic hot water production for homes and pools; federal tax credits + state and utility incentives.

What do they cost?

What do they look like?

How efficient are they in our cloudy climate? What are the common myths?

How feasible are they for your home? These questions will be addressed, and more.

Herman has been instructing since 1987 and is a founding board member

and past president of the Solar Washington Association and the co-founder of the NW Eco-Building Guild. If you’re interested in solar options, this seminar is going to shed a lot of light on the subject.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5 n Noon: Rain Gardens Presenter: Teresa Brooks of Kitsap Conservation District.

Rain gardens, soaker trenches, and other landscaping options designed to maximize the benefit of our local rainfall are all

• Heat Pumps & A/C • Boilers • Electrical Panels • Water Heaters

Creekside Cabinet CSW Electric & HVAC Dana’s Heating & Cooling Dept. of Labor & Industries Economy Hearth & Home Elite Exteriors, Inc. Estes Builders Express Septic First Federal First Investors FlowHawks Septic & Plumbing Gutter Helmet Systems Gutter Solutions NW Habitat for Humanity store

the rage. If you’re curious about installing any of these or other water smart features, Teresa Brooks’ seminar is for you.

There may be ways you can retrofit your current landscape to better stormwater practices. There are some funds available for qualifying projects as well.

Kitsap relies on ground water and the more each resident can do to return as much of it to our aquifer as possible, the better!

By attending this seminar you may be on your way to helping Kitsap

SW corner Hanley Construction 155-156 Harley Exteriors, Inc. 069 Herdman Plumbing 081-082 Heritage Builders NW, LLC 095 Imperial Truck and RV Service 010 InHealth Imaging 009 Invisible Fence Peninsulas 108 Joe Gates Construction Inc. 123 Jose Tech Inspections 028 JR Reding Co. 001-002 Kitchen Craft 008 Kitsap Audio Video 078-079 Kitsap Credit Union 019-020 Kitsap Rain Gardens

improve its water source for generations to come. n 1:30 p.m.: Home Owners & Septic Systems Presenter: Taylor Johnatakis of Cleaver Construction.

While not everyone’s favorite topic, it may be one of the most important aspects of your home: the septic system.

During this seminar, you will become better informed about how to how to take care of your septic system and what type of

typical maintenance it requires.

Does your septic have a pump and alarm? Do you know what to do if the alarm sounds? Are you aware your septic needs to be inspected periodically?

When did you have that done last? Does it matter what type of toilet paper, dish soap, or laundry soap you use?

A septic system is, in fact a system. To keep it working correctly, every home owner not on public sewer should attend this seminar.

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Fall HomeFall & Garden Home Guide

• 2014

Leave some shredded leaves on the lawn to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil. As long as you can see the grass blades through the shredded leaves, your lawn will be fine.

Melinda Myers

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ou can see and feel the change of seasons. Fall color is starting to appear, pansies, mums and asters are in the garden center and your thoughts are turning to preparing your landscape for winter.

Those in warm climates are switching to winter annuals, while those in colder regions are fortifying their landscapes for the cold winter ahead.

No matter where you live, invest some time in preparing your landscape for the change in seasons.

Dedicating some time now will pay off with healthier more beautiful plants next spring. n Continue to mow the lawn high as long as it continues to grow. There’s no need to cut it short unless that is the look you prefer. n Fertilize the grass with a low-nitrogen slow-release fertilizer like Milorganite (milorganite.com). Fall fertilization provides the greatest benefit to your lawn and gives you the best value for the time and money invested.

Those in cooler regions growing bluegrass, fescue and perennial ryegrass should fertilize around Labor Day when temperatures start to cool. Then make a final application between Halloween and Thanksgiving before the ground freezes.

Those in warmer cli-

“No matter where you live or the size of your garden, get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of fall.”

— Melinda Myers

mates growing centipede, Bermuda and zoysia should also fertilize around Labor Day. However, be sure to make the last fall application at least one month prior to the average first killing frost. n Shred leaves as they fall. Leave some on the lawn to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

As long as you can see the grass blades through the shredded leaves your lawn will be fine.

Use the rest of the shredded leaves in your compost pile, as mulch on top of the soil or as a soil amendment. Just dig a twoto three-inch layer into the top 12 inches of annual or new planting beds. These leaves will break down and add organic matter.

By spring, the leaves will decompose and the garden bed will be ready to cultivate and plant. n Plant a few bulbs now for a colorful early spring display.

Incorporate compost, aged manure or other organic matter into the planting area. Add a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer at

the time of planting. In general, plant bulbs two to three times their vertical diameter deep. Follow specific planting and spacing directions on the package or tag.

Select animal-resistant bulbs to avoid squirrels digging up the bulbs and deer and rabbits eating the blooms. Daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths and squills are a few to consider. Little Tommies (Crocus tommasinianus) tend to be more squirrel resistant than other crocus varieties.

Those gardening in mild climates need low-chill bulbs that will thrive and flower after a mild winter.

Or purchase precooled bulbs for winter planting and spring flowering. n Allow disease- and insect-free perennials to stand for winter. This will increase their winter hardiness and your enjoyment. The dried leaves, stems and seedheads provide beauty for you to enjoy, seeds for the birds and overwintering homes for many butterflies and beneficial insects. n Plant trees, shrubs and perennials. The soil is warm and the air is cool — perfect conditions for planting and establishing trees, shrubs and perennials. And for those lucky enough to garden in warm climates, add a few winter annuals. n Continue to water See FALL CARE, Page 7

Fall Home Guide & Garden • 2014 Guide• 2014

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Poulsbo City Hall features a green roof which filters rainwater that ultimately ends up in Liberty Bay. North Kitsap Herald / file photo

Professional rain garden workshop Oct. 16-17 BREMERTON — Learn about rain gardens from leaders in the industry at the 2014 Professional Rain Garden Workshop on Oct. 16-17, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Bremerton.

Workshop fee is $85 per day and $150 for both days.

Box lunch and beverages are included with the price when registration is paid on or before Sept. 29.

To register online, go to http://ext100.wsu. edu/kitsap/professional-rain-garden-workshop/.

For more information, contact Colleen Miko, cmiko@ co.kitsap.wa.us, 360-3074378.

This two-day workshop is designed for green-industry professionals, covering the design and installation of rain gardens.

The workshop will cover

a wide range of topics, including: benefits, regulations, site analysis, hydrologic modeling, materials specifications, maintenance and the latest regulatory updates on these Low Impact Development (LID) features.

This class is in its fourth year and more than 60 professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds have attended, many coming from outside the county to take advantage of this valuable local training.

The class is available for total of 11 (Certified Professional Horticulturist) CPH and (Certified Landscape Technician) CLT credits and is presented by WSU Kitsap Extension. New in 2014: The workshop counts for eco-Pro credits.

A database of businesses that have completed the training is provided to homeowners and small-business owners in Kitsap County who are seeking to hire professional firms for Rain Garden projects. Access it at http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/nrs/rain-garden-program/professional-rain-garden-workshop/ The workshop lineup will feature expert researchers in the field of Low Impact Development (LID), experienced landscape professionals, representatives from local agencies, and others who can answer all your questions on rain gardens — including those on local regulations and permitting requirements.

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Continued from page 6 the landscape as needed throughout the fall. Be sure to water evergreens and new plantings thoroughly before the ground freezes.

No matter where you live or the size of your garden, get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of fall.

And be sure to invest a bit of energy now to insure your landscape is ready for the season ahead.

— Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening” and the “Midwest Gardener’s

Handbook.” She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

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Fall HomeFall & Garden Home Guide

• 2014

A cure for any garden’s winter doldrums

Hamamelis x intermedia ... Every garden, by law, should have at least one Witch Hazel to carry you through the nadir of the winter doldrums.

Dan Hinkley

Hamamelis mollis ... The large and highly fragrant clusters of lemon yellow flowers are crowded along a graceful framework in late December through mid-February.

Dan Hinkley

Wonderful, colorful Witch Hazel I

witch hazel known as Hamamelis virginiana. It is regarded as the last of the deciduous trees or shrubs of the northern temperate region to blossom, presenting its rather small fragrant blossoms of spidery yellow

By DAN HINKLEY

grew up in northern Michigan in, as our village banner read, the

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plentiful in the woodlands due to the plentitude of one of its most important food sources, the common

petals in November and December along stems that were still clad in crispy leaves with no intention of falling until spring.

The common name “witch hazel” is rooted in the fact that this species

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became the wood of choice for the early water witches in the New England states.

The European Hazelnut, Corylus avelana, no longer availed itself to the early colonists, and this newly encountered shrub not only appeared quite similar in foliage, but worked its water-detecting magic with commensurate ability.

Later, a distillate of the sap of this shrub, Extract of Witch Hazel, became an economically important exudate of early American commerce.

The genus Hamamelis is home to only four species worldwide, with two of these from North America.

The Ozark Witch Hazel, Hamamelis vernalis, is similar in appearance to H. virginiana but with flowers that appear in spring rather than winter. (i.e., vernal, get it?). As with its more easterly cousin, the flowers are not particularly showy, however there are some exceptional forms of this species commercially available.

H. vernalis ‘Sandra’ is a striking selection for its autumn foliage, which transitions to sensational colors in shades of burgundies, crimsons and golden yellows, held along upright stems which ultimately form a vase shaped shrub to 10 feet or slightly more.

Japan and China are home to the two other recognized species.

Hamamelis japonica might be considered the Asiatic counterpart to Hamamelis virginiana, though its blossoming time is decidedly See HINKLEY, Page 9

Fall Home & Garden Guide• 2014 2014

Page 9

“ .... the autumn leaf color of the hybrids echoes the identical hues of their winter blossoms:

red, the oranges orange and the yellows will emblazon like that of a gilded torch in late October and November.”

reds are

Hinkley

Continued from page 6 earlier in the season. The rather crinkled blossoms of sulphur-yellow are produced in late February and March, but I do not find it a particularly ornamental species, certainly not when compared to the Chinese Witch Hazel and the hybrids between the two.

Far from lackluster is the Chinese species, Hamamelis mollis. The large and highly fragrant clusters of lemon yellow flowers are crowded along a graceful framework in late December through mid February. It will ultimately form a stately, multi-stemmed shrub with all the proper architectural lines that have propelled this species to classical status. Its only pitfall is an uneven approach to a timely dispatch of its leaves in autumn. Basically,

the genus as a whole has not fully learned how to properly undress itself in autumn and the Chinese Witch Hazel is no exception.

There are superb selections based entirely on Hamamelis mollis as the parent and it is probably those that you will find most available for sale at local nurseries.

Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’ is exceptional, with larger and paler flowers that are freely produced in early winter and the only one to consider growing if you only have room for one.

I have by now spilled the beans on the hybrids between Hamamelis japonica and Hamamelis mollis, and it is these that best exemplify the remarkable variation that now exists within the ranks of this genus. There is available a plenitude of named cultivars in a color range of vibrant yellow through

rusty orange to rich red.

It is too burdensome to consider listing the best, as they all seem the best, at least while they are in blossom.

‘Jelena’ has large flowers, very fragrant, in shades of a rich saffron broth, while ‘Sunburst’ dazzles with large, glowering flowers of broad-daylight-yellow. ‘Ruby Glow’ and ‘Diane’ offer deep red flowers. (Though resplendent in combination with yellow flowering cultivars, or yellow foliaged evergreens, the effects of the red flowering hybrid witch hazels will be swallowed by the shadows if they are not sited properly, i.e. between you and the low angled sun of winter.)

Make a mental note that the autumn leaf color of the hybrids echoes the identical hues of their winter blossoms: reds are red, the oranges orange and the yellows will embla-

zon like that of a gilded torch in late October and November.

Our local and superb garden centers offer a seductively large offering of high quality Witch Hazels waiting to be incorporated into your mixed border or foundation plantings.

If you are tempted, may I offer a couple of suggestions in making a wise decision. n Buy them in blossom, which means going to the nurseries in January to early March (precisely when our local nurseries need your money!). You will have the opportunity to check out the color and fragrance before taking the plunge, WHILE being introduced to a full monty of other winter performers for sale, WHILE being pampered with personal attention (they may ask you in for hot toddies after hours).

Add appeal, save on your remodeling project Tips to make the most of your budget For those who wish to make updates to their home, the kitchen is a great place to begin.

According to the 2013 cost vs. value report from Remodeling magazine, a minor kitchen remodel should recoup up to 75 percent of total remodeling dollars, based on the value of the home increasing.

When focusing on this important part of the house, many homeowners are looking for ways to add luxurious and modern touches without breaking the bank.

“Whether you want to splurge on cabinets, countertops, appliances or floors, homeowners are finding they really can have the kitchen they’ve always wanted by doing their research and learning about the many high-quality, yet cost-effective alternatives that exist in home

A minor kitchen remodel should recoup up to 75 percent of total remodeling dollars, based on the value of the home increasing, according to Remodeling magazine.

Getty Images

remodeling,” said Trisha Schmitt, vice president of VT Industries.

GETTING MORE OUT OF YOUR DOLLARS From small fixes to bigger projects, VT Industries provides these ideas to make kitchen updates without emptying your pocketbook. n Countertops: Serving

as an integral piece of your kitchen space, the addition of new countertops can easily become the priciest part of the remodel project.

Homeowners like the look of granite and real stone, but want a durable and affordable alternative that helps them achieve the look they desire with the budget they have.

As a new alternative for countertops, VT Industries recommends its Capture Collection, which mimics the beauty and strength of stone materials at a fraction of the cost. n Backsplash: To add a sleek and modern touch to your kitchen space, consider adding a new backsplash. Typically made from ceramic, glass or stainless steel tile, a

n The Witch Hazels are biologically obligated to grow as multistemmed shrubs, not as single-stemmed trees. Do not be tempted by a Witch Hazel that has been trained as a tree unless you are ready to wage war with its natural inclinations (it will win). n Plant them in full sun or very bright conditions.

Autumn color and winter flowering will be more enhanced with more direct sun you provide. Any well-draining soil will suffice, however you will have to water regularly for the first two to three summers until they are fully established. n Though you will probably be unsuccessful in your search, at least inquire as to the availability of specimens growing on their own roots, i.e., those that are not grafted on the roots of Hamamelis virginiana.

Grafted plants will result in

a continual need of yearly or bi-yearly removal of the growth from below ground level, referred to as suckering, from the rootstock. You will have to be religious at removing these spouts as they will quickly usurp what you have purchased. n Buy more than one.

Every garden, by law, should have at least one Witch Hazel to carry you through the nadir of the winter doldrums. The best gardens, however, will have an entire collection.

— Dan Hinkley gardens at Windcliff in Indianola with his partner, Robert Jones, and two dogs, Henri and Max. He currently directs Heronswood Garden for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, works as a consultant with Monrovia Growers, designs gardens and travels abroad yearly in search of new plants for American gardens.

backsplash is an affordable option for those who want to add an understated change or a small pop of color as an accent. When compared to other remodeling projects this one is quick and easy. n Hardware: Did you know you can refresh the look of your whole kitchen for as little as $50? If the hardware on your kitchen drawers or cabinets has an outdated appearance, invest in some of the new options available at your local hardware store.

Change out old, brushed

stainless or gold knobs and pulls with the newer, on-trend styles offered in pewter or bronze. n Porcelain tile flooring: If you want the look of stone flooring without the hefty cost, check out the many offerings of porcelain tile. This sturdy, chip-resistant surface is easy on the wallet and can provide long-lasting beauty to your kitchen floors for many years.

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Page 10 10

Fall HomeFall & Garden Home Guide

• 2014

PROFILE: AIR MASTERS, INC.

Giving back while providing top service Left, Air Masters donated 10 fully stocked, football-shaped backpacks to local school children at the South Kitsap Back to School Celebration.

Below, Air Masters sponsored the Lego Building Challenge Contest at the spring Home & Garden Show presented by the Home Builders’ Association.

AIR MASTERS, INC. 3210 SE Mile Hill Drive Port Orchard, WA 98366 360-895-2527 www.airmastersheating.com

By DANNIE OLIVEAUX

doliveaux@soundpublishing.com

W

hile providing quality service to its customers, Air Masters, Inc. is also giving back to the South Kitsap community.

President Mark Timmerman said it’s important to give back because Air Masters is thankful and “we want to show it through our actions.”

“We feel it only makes sense to express our gratitude in ways that are helpful to the most important members of our community — the children,” Timmerman said.

“Without a properly supported, educated and loved generation of young people to come, our own livelihood and the comforts of our community that we so enjoy are at stake.”

He said young people should know that business and entrepreneurship is not the enemy that is often portrayed.

“It’s quite the opposite,” Timmerman said. “We look forward to a strong future for Kitsap, not because of our doing but because of all the people and organizations that give so much so often.”

Lena Price, Air Masters sales marketing manager, said the company donated to several projects and programs this year.

During the South Kitsap Back to School Celebration, Price said the company donated 10 fully stocked backpacks that were raffled at the celebration to raise more funds to support children’s school-supply needs.

“We had a booth at the celebration and we handed out 2,000 South Kitsap Wolves football-shaped backpacks stocked with school supplies at our booth at the celebration,” she said.

Price said the company has an ongoing food drive in the service department

Air Masters

to help support South Kitsap Helpline. The company offers each client a $25 discount on a repair call in exchange for a non-perishable food donation to benefit the food bank.

“We have donated, from the generosity of the Air Masters clients, more than 2,500 pounds of food,” she noted.

The company makes several donations annually to support the school’s sports teams in Kitsap and donates annually to support the Puget Sound Youth Swim Club.

Additionally, last Christmas it sponsored a child at Marcus Whitman Junior High School with a brand new bike and Furby toy through The Shepherds & The Angels Secret Santa Program. The Shepherds & the Angels is a non-profit that is instrumental in providing help to the community.

Air Masters also sponsored the Lego Building Challenge Contest at the spring Home & Garden Show presented by the Home Builders’ Association. Air Masters donates annually to help

support the cost of Hidden Creek’s Youth Camp Colman.

They also participate in and support local organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Home Builders’ Association, Repower Kitsap, Northwest Ductless, and trade allies of Puget Sound Energy, Cascade Natural Gas, Peninsula Light, and Mason County Public Utility District.

In 2013, the company received praise from the Sunnyslope Improvement Association after two employees donated

and installed a new furnace in the Sunnyslope Community Hall.

Also, the company’s employees are big Seahawk fans and show their support by decorating their office windows.

Steve Krecker started Air Masters in 1986. The New York native moved to Kitsap County in 1977 when he was hired at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Krecker’s company merged with Mark Air, which was owned by Timmerman.

Timmerman became president in 2010 and ownership of the company is shared between him and his wife, Rosemarie, and Steve and Susan Krecker.

“As owners and managers, we make a great team and love working together to solve all the challenges of growing a small business here in Kitsap County,” Timmerman said.

Krecker added, “There’s no doubt about it. Our vision statement talks about being the best in the county to retain the best people. I believe that we do that.”

Since merging, the duo has continued to provide quality heating and cooling installation, along with other service to its customers. Residential work could take as little as a cou-

ple of hours, while large commercial jobs can last several months. Krecker said he and his employees are not afraid of accepting challenging jobs.

“I’ve always liked the challenge of thinking outside of the box and coming up with something new, different and innovative,” he said. “The people around me are like-minded.”

Krecker said his employees are “good, reliable people and their hearts are in the right place” and the service and expertise that Air Masters provides is what “separates it from its competitors.”

While prices range because the magnitude of each job varies, Price said the company offers “products to fit everyone’s budget so they can experience energy savings.”

Timmerman said Air Masters is continually implementing new strategies for more growth and higher quality service.

“We plan to be in the community for many years to come and have a staff that is capable of growing and changing with the ever moving landscape of technology and business practices,” he said. “We are a company that welcomes change and new ideas that improve the customer and employee experience.”

Air Masters was named the “Best Heating and Air Company” in the Best of West Sound 2014. The company also earned an “A rating” from Angie’s List, Consumer Checkbook and the Better Business Bureau.

In 2012, it earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award which is bestowed upon the top 5 percent of all companies rated on Angie’s List — a national provider for consumer business reviews.

In the past, Air Masters has received top reviews from Checkbook and West Sound magazines.

For more information about Air Masters, go to www.airmastersheating. com or Air Masters Inc. on Facebook.

— Air Masters: 3210 SE Mile Hill Drive in Port Orchard. 360-895-2527. www.airmastersheating. com.

Fall Home Guide & Garden • 2014 Guide• 2014

Page 11

Fall is a good time to check your emergency preparedness plan Americans who have recently endured a prolonged power outage at home are much more likely to improve their family’s emergency preparation for the future, according to a recent report.

A 2014 survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Briggs & Stratton found almost one in four U.S. adults had endured a power outage lasting 12 hours or more in the last two years. That experience motivated two-thirds of respondents to be more prepared for future incidents, according to the survey.

“The high percentage of respondents who took action to better prepare their families and homes for future emergency situations really underscores the level of frustration a power outage can cause families who aren’t properly prepared,” said Amanda Grandy, with Briggs & Stratton.

PLANNING AHEAD When you have advance warning of a potential loss of power, which is often caused by a strong weather system, there are many steps families can take to minimize the stress it can cause. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you create an emergency preparedness plan with a checklist of items: n Make sure your gas tank is full n Fill plastic bags with water and place them in the freezer n Stop by the bank to ensure you have some cash on hand n Fill prescriptions that are approaching their refill date Disasters, however, don’t always come with prior notice, so having an emergency kit prepared ahead of time is the surest way to protect your family.

Be sure to include items such as: n A three-day supply of non-perishable food n Adequate water (a gallon per person, per day) n First aid supplies n Matches n Battery-powered radio

Preparing now will ensure your family is safe in the event of a power outage or other emergency.

Getty Images Flashlights Extra batteries n Essential toiletry items, such as toothbrush and paste An expanded list of items to consider when packing your emergency supply kit can be found at www.fema.gov.

PORTABLE VS. STANDBY “Beyond preparing an emergency kit, purchasing a portable generator or installing a standby generator is the simplest way to keep the power on and ensure a family stays safe when a strong storm or other emergency knocks utility power offline,” Grandy said.

“Understanding the distinction between these options will help any family determine which is the better choice for their home.” n A portable generator is an immediate, but temporary, solution. A portable gas generator is less n n

expensive than a standby unit and doesn’t require installation time. Its benefits have limits, as it can only power a few home appliances for a few hours before needing refueling. n A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch provides a seamless and permanent backup power solution. It is professionally installed outside the home and can power more of your home’s appliances for long periods of time.

Powered by natural gas or liquid propane, recent power management technology has allowed homes to still receive whole-house backup electricity, but with a smaller, more affordable generator than in years past.

With an emergency kit on hand and the right backup power source available, the frustration of weathering a storm can be greatly lessened.

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Fall HomeFall & Garden Home Guide

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