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Improvement Guide 2014 A PUBLICATION

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A VIEW TO SAVING (NAPSI)—Homeowners can see their way clear to saving on cooling and heating costs, and protecting their skin and home decor from the sun’s damaging UV rays, all thanks to something they can scarcely see at all—window film.

Instead of replacing structurally sound windows, they can turn to a simple yet cost-effective solution: professionally installed window film—a thin layer of polyester film with high-tech coatings that are nearly invisible to the eye.

The International Window Film Association (IWFA) points out that once installed, window film can deliver up to seven times the energy savings per dollar spent.

“Many consumers are looking for ways to improve the curb appeal and efficiency of their homes,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “Window film can reduce energy consumption by reducing solar heat gain and cut cooling costs by as much as 30 percent and at the same time allow you to enjoy natural light without the negative impact of harsh glare and UV exposure,” he added.

JUNE 12-JUNE 18, 2014

Tips And Tools For Your Spring and Summer Cleanup (NAPSI)—There’s good news for homeowners preparing for their first yard work of the season. Investing a little time and effort in selecting the right tools and techniques when it comes to your spring yard cleanup can make the process quicker, easier and greener.

For starters, homeowners should be aware that advances in battery technology are making it possible for the performance of cordless tools to match that of their gas-powered counterparts.

Thanks to a new wave of battery-powered tools, such as the OREGON 40V MAX* Cordless Tool System, homeowners no longer have to sacrifice power for convenience. And because these tools produce zero emissions, battery-powered tools boast a huge environmental benefit over gas-powered tools.

To help make your cleanup easier—and greener—the experts at OREGON offer these tips: • Choose the right tools. For instance, battery-powered tools start instantly, making it easy to tackle any yard task as soon as spring is here. With batterypowered tools, you’ll be ready with a simple charge of the battery.

• Clean up the yard. Remove leaves and winter debris from lawn and shrub planting areas before new growth starts. Inspect trees and shrubs for winter damage, then use a chain saw or pole saw to trim damaged limbs back to the nearest healthy bud. Lightweight, cordless chain saws and pole saws can be excellent tools for this kind of task. They’re also handy to have on hand for cleanup after spring storms.

• Prune trees and shrubs at the right time for maximum leaf growth. Most shrubs and ground covers are best pruned in early spring, before they start to grow.

A pole saw, such as OREGON’s new PS250, makes it easy to trim out-of-reach branches without the use of a ladder.

• Keep grass trimmed to ward off weeds and summer drought. Cut lawns low and re-establish edges along shrub beds, walks and driveways in early spring.

Allow your lawn to grow taller as it enters late spring or summer to improve drought stress. The convenience offered by battery-powered trimmers can help make it easier for homeowners to achieve a well-trimmed lawn.

• Be a better neighbor. Compared to their gas-powered counterparts, cordless tools are low noise and quiet between cuts. And no gas means no pollution-producing exhaust emissions.

CREATE CURB APPEAL WITH FLOWERS (NAPSI)-Flowers are a low-cost way to add curb appeal to your home. They provide a positive first impression. And if you're selling your house, they'll entice prospective buyers to come inside and see more.

"Hot colors such as red, bright pink, yellow, orange and orange-red make distances seem shorter," said Lance Walheim, co-author of "Landscaping for Dummies" and gardening expert for Bayer Advanced™. "Cool colors such as white, blue, purple, deep red and pastels make spaces seem longer."

If you want to make a small yard seem bigger, plant hot colors at the entryway and cool colors at the far end of your yard to create a living watercolor painting.

Take color cues from your house, paving or other blooming plants: You should choose complementary colors with similar shades to create a harmonious landscape with lots of character. You also want to fill empty spots. Need some help? Snap a photo of the area with your smart phone and show it to your local garden center expert.

He or she can give you some great ideas.

Maximize your mulch: Mulch makes your garden look neat and protects your flowers, trees and shrubs. It also helps keep the weeds out. Your options include pine straw, shredded bark and nuggets. Choose one type for consistency throughout your landscape.

If you need a lot of mulch, buy it all at one time to save money on delivery costs.

Protect your flowering investment: Flowers need food. They also need to be protected against insects and diseases. Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Granules (www.BayerAdvanced.com) provides all three. Sprinkle it around the plant, work it into the soil and water it in for six weeks of protection. Always read and follow label directions.

Proper watering will make your landscape a flowering success. Stick your finger a few inches into the soil. If it's dry, it's time to water. If the forecast calls for rain within 24 hours, then Mother Nature will help you save money on your water bill. Otherwise, use a soaker hose to water your flowers, since it's more effective than spraying with your garden hose.

Choose complementary colors with similar shades to create a harmonious landscape.

JUNE 12-JUNE 18, 2014

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Outdoor Kitchens Are What’s In: Top Tips For Creating A Better Outdoor Kitchen

grill replaced and the surrounding counter recut to fit it.”

While Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet is known for its Hybrid Fire Grill—which allows for cooking with gas, charcoal and wood all in one grill—there are many viable options at various price points. Finding one that will enable your cooking capabilities to grow is key.

(NAPSI)—It’s quickly becoming the most popular gathering space in the home.

Avoid Common Mistakes

And why not? It can come complete with pizza ovens, keg tappers, wine chillers and more. It can be the epicenter for home en-

Insufficient lighting and counter space are the two most common mistakes Faulk sees in outdoor kitchens. He said these mistakes greatly limit how well the kitchen works.

tertaining. It can be used to store, prep and serve your favorite dishes.

Of course, “it” is the outdoor kitchen.

According to a survey of residential landscape architects by the American Society of Landscape Architects, 92 percent said outdoor living spaces would be a popular design element in the coming year.

Not only do they add to the quality of life at home, outdoor kitchens can have a return on investment similar to an indoor kitchen remodel.

Outdoor kitchens can range from a grill, some cabinetry and countertop all the way up to something that resembles a backyard sports bar and grill complete with TV, sound system, keg tapper, pizza oven, grill and refrigerators.

With so many options available to homeowners, Russ Faulk, a nationally recognized expert on outdoor kitchen design and vice president of design for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, has several tips to keep in mind when thinking about creating an outdoor kitchen, no matter the budget.

A Better Fire There’s one rule that should never be broken when deciding on appliances for the outdoor kitchen, said Faulk. That rule is “never scrimp on the grill,” he said.

“A grill drives overall satisfaction with the outdoor kitchen.

When choosing a grill, think about the kind of cooking you aspire to, not the kind you do now,” Faulk said. “There are no uniform depths, widths or heights, so if you have a grill built into a countertop and you no longer like it, it may be a serious headache to have the

“Without enough lighting around the grill, it’s hard to cook at night, especially in the spring or fall when night comes earlier,” he said. Faulk recommends placing lighting around or over the grill to see food being cooked, but make sure the lights’ beams are not blocked by the grill hood, causing a shadow to be cast over the cooking surfaces.

“You need space to work, stack and serve,” Faulk said of three major tasks that take place on a countertop. Having enough room in the right places is key to creating an outdoor kitchen that will be functional and enjoyable for years to come. Faulk said there should be several “landing areas”—or uninterrupted space—on the countertop where certain tasks

can be accomplished.

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“A grill should have 24 inches of counter

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space on one side and 12 inches on the other, so the cook can take food from one platter and put it on the grill,” Faulk said. “After the food is done, the cook can take it off the grill and place it on a platter on the other side of the grill.” He said sinks should have 18 inches on either side to give enough room to wash food or stack dirty dishes.

Staying Cold and Dry Not all cabinetry or refrigeration is made the same. Before deciding on a piece of refrigeration, Faulk suggests asking two questions: “Is it rated as food safe?” and “Can it be kept outside all year?”

“Lots of people are surprised to learn about what’s available for outdoor refrigeration— drawers, freezers, beverage chillers and even keg tappers,” said Faulk. “By asking if the refrigeration is rated food safe, you learn that the unit can hold a set interior temperature even when the thermometer rises above 95 degrees outdoors. Food-safe refrigeration means that poultry and other groceries won’t go bad and drinks will stay chilled to the temperature that best suits you.”

Faulk also suggests asking if outdoor refrigeration can be left outdoors all year, even during the winter.

“Several manufacturers suggest bringing the appliances indoors during the winter,” he said. “They’re difficult to remove in the fall and even harder to replace and make level in the spring. It’s just easier on homeowners if they have a unit that can be kept outside all year long.”

While some think a cabinet is a cabinet, Faulk said not all are created equal. “Look for cabinetry that has a way of keeping the elements out, full-extension shelves and all its parts made of stainless steel,” he said.

netic gaskets that create a seal, or rain gutters—which are built into Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet’s cabinetry—that surround the door and drawer openings to channel water away.

Whether you’re adding a grill and counter space to your backyard or building a fullyequipped outdoor kitchen, incorporating design fundamentals is key. It will ensure that your family and friends will have a truly memorable experience—every time, for years to come.

Insider Tips

To protect from rain and the elements, weather-tight cabinetry is another good investment. There are different ways to keep the inside of a cabinet dry, including mag-

The smallest details make a big difference in how an outdoor kitchen works. Here are some of Faulk’s favorite insider tips that

make an outdoor kitchen even better.

On The Edge—A drip edge is a narrow, shallow groove cut into the underside of the countertop. Its purpose is to prevent water from curling under the counter and into cabinets. By cutting a -inch-deep groove that’s just of an inch from the counter edge, a barrier is created that interrupts water from making its journey under the counter and into your cabinets.

BTU-tiful Power—To get the best performance out of the gas appliances in an outdoor kitchen, they have to be fed the proper amount of fuel. That means the pipe sending gas to the appliances has to be the right size. Take into account everything that will be using the supply of gas. For example, do

you have a pool that will be heated off the same pipe that the grill is using? Likewise, do you have a fire pit that will be fed from that pipe? If that is the case, the contractor needs to take all those factors into account.

Then he’ll determine the proper size of the gas line to effectively feed enough power to everything.

Pump It—If it’s going to cost too much to run a water line to the outdoor kitchen, but you still want a sink and running water to wash veggies and other items, use an RV pump. “I know it seems unorthodox, but I have seen where this has been a really economical and efficient solution to having running water without the expense of running a water line,” said Faulk.

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Finding Yard Sale Bargains Just Got Easier (NAPSI)—More than $4 million is generated every week at yard sales, and the number of yard sales continues to increase each year by almost 60 percent. So whether you’re a buyer or a seller, with a yard sale, everybody can be a winner.

For buyers, it can be a chance to enjoy the thrill of the hunt by finding a bargain or vintage item at a greatly reduced price, sometimes as much as 90 percent off retail.

For sellers, it can be an opportunity to generate some cash—either for yourself or a charity. The good news is that thanks to two online resources, managing the world of yard sales just got easier.

The Virtual Yard Sale If you love a good bargain but don’t want to leave your house, there is an online community that makes it possible to have the yard sale experience whenever, wherever you

want, from your computer or mobile device.

Bookoo.com is a free online destination where visitors can buy and sell things within their local community. Sellers post what they have for sale, buyers indicate their interest and they meet and exchange the items for an agreed price. It’s that simple.

No need to wait until the weekends or for peak yard sale season this summer. Bookoo.com features items for sale from toys, furniture and home decor to the more obscure. You never quite know what you will find!

Finding A Yard Sale As a buyer, if you want to venture outdoors and hunt for great deals in person, pick up a Thrifty Nickel Want Ads paper and check for weekly sales. Thrifty Nickels can be picked up at local gas stations and supermarkets. Another option is

(812) 457-9003 Chris Combs

Yardsalesearch.com–a great resource where you can find a list of upcoming yard sales in your area by searching by zip code and date.

If you want to host a yard sale, simply post a free ad on the site using its easy step-by-step instructions, and it’ll be live in minutes.

If you are a newbie to the world of yard sales, the website provides tips for success, from scheduling your yard sale to local advertising to how to display and price the items you have for sale.

For example, items priced under a dollar tend to sell the fastest.

To help buyers prepare for a successful day of shopping, it features useful advice, such as wear comfortable shoes and carry cash in small bills.

To learn more about yard sales in your community, visit www.Bookoo.com and www.Yardsalesearch.com.

Located on the corner of

(812) 477-2869

Burkhardt & Lynch

www.combslandscape.com

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Tips For Enjoyable Warm Weather Entertaining (NAPSI)—Outdoor living, barbecues and the promise of spending more time outside with friends and family are some of the many perks of spring and summer.

However, there can be a downside to warm weather that can ruin even the most perfect get-together: biting insects.

Mar Jennings, home and garden expert and best-selling author of “Life on Mar’s: A Four Season Garden” and “Life on Mar’s: Creating Casual Luxury,” has partnered with Dynatrap® to bring you the hottest tips and trends for summer 2014 entertaining.

• It’s Never Too Early to Prepare: Mosquito populations start hatching when temperatures reach 45 degrees, so start early when it comes to ridding your yard of these pests.

• Make it Magical with Outdoor Lighting: The right lighting can help keep bugs away. Try a fire pit; it provides the perfect amount of light and the smoke naturally repels mosquitoes. Another tip is to change your outdoor bulbs from white to yellow. Yellow bulbs are less visible to most bugs.

• With Color, Lighter Is Better: For key outdoor pieces such as seat cushions, lighter is better. Not only will they stay crisp looking longer, mosquitoes are less attracted to light colors. Jennings likes the Pantone color of the year, bold Radiant Orchid, to use as a featured or accent color this summer.

• Beautify Your Yard: Tidying up the yard before a party will not only impress guests, but cutting the grass and draining sources of stagnant water will also decrease the likelihood of bugs. Include plants like marigolds in your garden as they not only beautify your space, but also help repel mosquitoes.

• Match Your Trap to Your Décor: The Dynatrap® line of insect-trapping products is designed to reduce biting insects without the use of chemicals. They’re available in bronze—exclusively at Frontgate—and black. You can pick the finish most suited for your style.

• Consider the Time of Day: Mosquitoes are most active at dusk. During the prime mosquito months, plan outdoor get-togethers early in the day to avoid the most popular times for mosquitoes to be out and about. If you’re entertaining at night, it’s best to combine multiple bug prevention methods to keep your guests comfortable.

• Feed Your Guests Without Making Them the Meal: For party guests and bugs alike, the food table is usually the most popular spot to gather. Instead of serving buffet-style food, impress your guests with bite-sized treats that will be eaten quickly.

To learn more, visit www.dynatrap.com.

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EASY KITCHEN UPDATES THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK (ARA) - It goes without saying that the kitchen is one of the hardest-working rooms in the home. For most, it’s the heart of family life and usually the one room where everyone gathers together. With so much hustle and bustle, it’s no wonder that the kitchen runs the risk of looking overworked.

A remodeled kitchen not only reinvigorates the space, but the home overall. This isn’t always easy to accomplish though, as a full-blown renovation can be quite expensive and time-consuming. However, even on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to spruce up the room without breaking the bank.

As dirt and grease build up over time, appliances around the kitchen can appear old and dull. The easiest way to rejuvenate those appliances without spending a fortune on new ones is by giving them a thorough cleaning. Since the stove is often used most, it’s a good place to start. Clean the entire surface inside and out using a product that is safe for all surfaces. Try Goo Gone Foaming Kitchen Grease Cleaner to cut through the baked-on grease and stuck-on grime clinging to your stove without needing to scrub. Get into every nook and cranny until it sparkles.

Paint the cabinets - A lackluster room can quickly become re-energized with a vibrant new color. Repaint the cabinets a lively hue to brighten the space or freshen the existing paint color with a new coat.

Update fixtures - Don’t expect that the faucet handles you installed more than 10 years ago will last another 10. In addition to being practical, kitchen fixtures can add style and enhance overall design. Look for fixtures that fit your kitchen motif, whether it’s modern and sleek or shabby chic.

Change existing hardware - Think of hardware as jewelry for the kitchen. Add new glass or metal knobs, or bars to highlight cabinets and enhance the overall style of the room. If using metal hardware, choose one type and stick to it for a clean, uniform look.

Create shelving - Removing cabinet doors to create shelving can provide a sense of openness and additional space. Simply remove cabinet doors and fill in holes with wood filler. Then, sand until smooth and paint as desired. You can also paint the inside of the newly open cabinets as a decorative treatment.

Don’t forget about the floor - Update floors without the significant cost associated with new flooring by simply adding a rug. Find a rug that’s durable to high foot traffic, but also complements your kitchen style.

Complete all the updates, or pick and choose to make a difference even on the smallest budget. This process will certainly work on other areas of the home as well.

Just as with the kitchen, always start with a good cleaning to instantly revitalize the items in your home. To save time and money, use products designed to clean multiple surfaces - including carpeting, upholstery, hard surfaces and more, like Goo Gone Original or Spray Gel formulations. Then, look around to see what can be updated without a complete renovation. Your home will have a fresh appeal in no time.

To learn more about Goo Gone products, as well as cleaning tips to undo your messes and revitalize your home, visit www.googone.com.

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