Fall Lane County Home & Garden Show

Meet Scott Cully GIANT Pumpkin Carver!

Declutter & Organize with Melissa Klug Marie Kondo’s KonMari∏ Professional Organizer

Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel in Action!

Put good on the table.

Natural gas offers better control for better cooking.

The instant heat and precise control of natural gas helps create the cozy comforts of home.

From creating a favorite new meal to filling the home with the scent of an old family recipe. You can depend on the reliability and precision of natural gas, even when the power is out.

Rethink! Remodel! Restyle!

Welcome to the 39th Annual Lane County Home Improvement Show presented by NW Natural!

It’s so nice to be making plans with guests again! And what better place to get your house in order than the Fall Home Improvement Show. We’re excited to present the area’s best contractors, suppliers, retailers and amazing craftspeople to answer your questions and help you get your home and garden projects going.

We’re thrilled to bring in a great line up of entertainment, too! Twiggy returns! Performing all three days! Twiggy was a big hit in 2019 – who can resist that adorable little water skiing squirrel? And, world famous giant pumpkin carver Scott Cully is back with Pumpkin Palooza – carving at a 100 lbs an hour on Saturday!

Get tips on decluttering your home at daily organizing seminars by Melissa Klug, a KonMari® certified master organizer! Plan your visit around 32 home, garden and living presentations by national and local experts. Our remodelers will help demystify the design build process at six kitchen and bath seminars.

Our home and garden events are important to Lane County’s economy, contributing in excess of $18 million in incremental economic impact. The show also serves area homeowners who need to source experts and advice to move forward on major home and garden improvements – and it’s all under one roof!

We hope you can join us at the 39th Annual Lane County Home Improvement Show presented by NW Natural, now the largest fall

Karen Ramus, Show Director and her mother, Helen Berg, Show Founder.

Back by Popular Demand, the Water-Skiing Squirrel!

National Twiggy act promotes water safety

By Jon Bell

Like Cracker Jack boxes, the Lane County Home Improvement Show always includes a fun surprise in its mix of exhibits and entertainment. This fall’s novelty act gets adorable again!

Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel, made famous in movies like “Anchorman” starring Will Ferrell and “Dodgeball” starring Ben Stiller, will be returning to the perform Lane County Home Improvement Show all three days.

Fitted with a wee custom life jacket, she will be skiing 12 times over the three days of the show, Oct. 6-8, on skis behind a remote-controlled boat in a 24-foot pool.

“This is the only water-skiing squirrel act in the world. There is no other one,” says Twiggy’s owner and trainer, Chuck Best Jr. of Florida.

Beyond cute, Twiggy’s all about teaching water-safety lessons to children, and in fact she’s now a mascot for the National Safe Boating Council.

Karen Ramus, Home Show Director, first saw Twiggy perform in the late ‘80s at the Portland Boat Show.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is the most

phenomenal feature I’ve ever seen. Pure joy! Someday I’ll have an opportunity to present it to our guests.”

Ramus finally got her wish by presenting Twiggy at the fall 2019 show. As expected, it was a smash hit with both her exhibitors and attendees.

During the show, families with children will want to arrive early to get up close in front row seating for the best view.

“It’s amazing, the crowds we get,” Best says. “People wait hours just to see Twiggy.”

Following the 15-20 minute shows, children may pet Twiggy (actually there have been 11 Twiggy’s in the show’s 45-year history, and two will be at the home show). “We do a meet-and-greet after the show,” Best says. “The line is always long for Twiggy. I even do pictures with her – all of the good stuff.”

But Twiggy’s heartwarming story includes heartbreak, too.

Family fame out of the blue

After Hurricane David tore through Florida in 1979, the Best family discovered a little bundle of joy blown down from a tree. The orphaned Eastern gray squirrel became

a family pet, especially in the loving hands of Chuck Best Sr.

“Dad was always an animal-lover,” says Chuck Jr. “If there was ever a cat that needed rescue, or a dog, my dad ended up getting it. He was also known for training animals.”

The Best family soon taught Twiggy to ride on their shoulders, even while in the swimming pool. Before long, Best Sr. had the squirrel skiing behind a remote-controlled boat in a pool.

Once media heard about it, Twiggy’s legacy was born. Publicity over the years has ranged from multiple movies to David Letterman to countless news articles. “It was never intended to take off this big,” Best Jr. says.

Twiggy changed Chuck Jr’s life

“My schooling was on the road,” Best Jr. says of traveling with his father and mother, Lou Ann, to Twiggy shows across the United States and Canada.

Then, a great loss: Best Sr. passed away in 1997. He was on a houseboat, and dove into the river/lake to rescue his father-in-law, who had fallen overboard. His father-in-law survived; Best drowned.

Devastated by the loss of her husband, Lou Ann canceled all Twiggy shows. But public pressure for the act continued for about a year.

“She prayed about it, and decided to carry on,” says Best Jr. “She decided the only way to do it would be to put a life jacket on Twiggy (to promote boating safety). That’s what kept her going with the show for the next 19 years.”

Next generation Twiggy

After retiring in 2018, Lou Ann Best entrusted Twiggy to her son, Chuck Best Jr.

Like father, like son: Best has a knack for training animals and has spent years working on a tandem water-skiing act with his fiancé, Toni Tedesco.

It’s finally perfected — the new act of Double Water-Skiing Squirrels! Both Twiggy #10 (Twiglet) and Twiggy #11 (DaBaby) will be water-skiing in tandem at this year’s Lane County Home Improvement Show. This exciting show is a must see for the entire family! “We’ve finally worked out the logistics for this exciting new show!” says Best.

During the performances, Toni will share squirrel training tips. “Once you earn their love and trust, it’s really easy to train them. They are very smart animals,” Toni says.

“Twiggy” will delight show guests with 12 performances at the fall show.

“It’s just like training a dog.”

Sometimes the squirrels jump off their skis, but they know how to swim. Twiggy 11 looks like an otter in the water.

People often look to the Best family for helping with hurt or orphaned squirrels.

“There are so many baby squirrels blown out of nests, year-round. If their nutrition is wrong, or they are injured, they need us to help,” Best says.

Ramus, second-generation producer of the home show, says, “My mother, Helen Berg, our show’s founder, grew up with such fear of drowning in the lake behind the family farm in Minnesota. She never wanted us to be fearful of water, so she enrolled all four of her daughters in Emerald Park swimming lessons before we entered kindergarten.”

Ramus scheduled Twiggy into the fall home show as “edutainment”: Twiggy’s performances teach water safety to children without instilling fear. Kids also will learn about the intelligence of wildlife in their own backyards.

Attracting young families to the show with family-friendly entertainment also benefits the show’s exhibitors. “Our hope is that young families with children, future

homeowners, will learn the value of attending home and garden shows with all the experts, materials and ideas in one central marketplace,” Ramus says.

She adds that it is always rewarding to see hundreds of attendees smiling together.

So, she encourages all showgoers to “GO NUTS” with their home and garden projects, scheduling home maintenance, planning major remodels, and pre-holiday show-time shopping.

The Best family trains rescued Eastern gray squirrels to water-ski behind remote-controlled boats.

Show Speakers

Melissa Klug

KonMari® Master-Certified Professional Organizer & President of Home By Eleven After nearly two decades in the corporate world, Melissa’s life took a turn that led her to study Marie Kondo’s techniques for decluttering and organizing homes and offices. Melissa has now achieved the status of Master in the KonMari® Method training other organizers. She has restored order in hundreds of homes and businesses. In her seminars she shares how to get started to declutter, organize and find happiness again. Melissa also trains professional organizers across North America.

Speaking Friday, Saturday & Sunday!

Melissa will consult with individuals after each talk providing tips to solve specific organizational challenges.

Scott Cully

Master Pumpkin Carver

Scott has been carving large pumpkins for over 30 years, even holding a Guinness World Record for a time! He has traveled internationally displaying his skills, and appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Today Show, and has been featured on NPR. Stop in on Saturday to see Scott in action to get carving tips, selfies, and inspiration to carve an amazing pumpkin this fall! Cully is returning for his fourth year of Pumpkin Palooza at the Lane County Home Improvement Show. Scott is the retired nursery manager of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery – known for their exceptional blueberry plants worldwide.

Carving on Saturday!

Mary-Kate Mackey

Award Winning Garden Writer

Mary-Kate is a lively and engaging speaker who offers great ideas for problem-solving in the garden. She’s an award-winning writer and the recipient of eight GardenComm media writing awards, including a Gold in 2021 for her column, “Rooting for You,” on the Hartley Botanic Greenhouse website. Her byline has appeared in numerous magazines such as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Sunset and This Old House. Mary-Kate’s newest book, co-authored with Kathleen Brenzel, is The Healthy Garden—Simple Steps for a Greener World.

Speaking Saturday & Sunday!

John Fischer, The Relaxed Gardener

Retired Meteorologist, Master Gardener, Radio Host and Garden Writer John’s career as a meteorologist allowed him to share his passion for year-round gardening. Upon his retirement from KEZI-TV, John became a perennial favorite at all three of the Eugene Home Shows. With 70 edible gardening, composting and irrigation talks under his beard, John continues to delight and entertain gardeners with his relaxed organic garden gospel!

Speaking Friday!

PRESENTED

5:30 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

5:30 pm You Too, Can be a Master Food Preserver!

PROJECT by Celeste Percy, OSU Food Preserver

6:00 pm

Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

MAIN by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified KonMari® Professional Organizer

6:30 pm Big Ideas for Bathroom Remodels

PROJECT by Don Delaplain, Revision Design Build

7:00 pm Winter Crops and Lasagna Compost for Next Year

MAIN by John Fischer, “The Relaxed Gardener”

7:00 pm TWIGGY the Water-Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

7:30 pm Kitchen Design + Remodeling

PROJECT by Stefanie Rotella, Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling

8:30 pm TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

Seminars & Entertainment

Main Stage

Room 4-West off South Lobby

Project Stage

Room 4-East off South Hallway

Twiggy Stage

North Hall

12:00 pm Best and Brightest New Plants - Fall is For Planting!

MAIN by Mary-Kate Mackey, Award Winning Garden Writer

Author of The Healthy Garden

12:30 pm

Disaster Kitchens - Awful to Amazing!

PROJECT by Forrest Castile, Castile Kitchen & Bath

1:00 pm

Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

MAIN by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

1:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

1:30 pm

Stunning Fall & Winter Porch Planters

PROJECT - Dressed Up for the Holidays! by Elaine Hartley, Erwin’s Quality Plants

2:00 pm

Bathroom Design + Remodeling

MAIN by Kathy Hanson, Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling

2:30 pm

Native Plants: Creating Habitat for Birds and Pollinators

PROJECT by Andrea Halliday, OSU Master Gardener

3:00 pm

Preparing for a Reno or Downsizing:

MAIN How to Declutter & Organize for a New Space or Home by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

All Day Pumpkin Palooza - Giant Pumpkin Carving - 100 lbs an hour!

NORTH HALL by Scott Cully, World Famous Giant Pumpkin Carver

10:30 am

Living with a Septic System or Well – Tips, Care, Q&A

PROJECT by Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff, OSU Ext. Small Farms Faculty

11:00 am

Preparing for a Reno or Downsizing:

MAIN How to Declutter & Organize for a New Space or Home by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified KonMari® Professional Organizer

11:00 am

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

11:30 am How to Repair & Maintain Common Gardening Tools

PROJECT by Bill Clark / WasteWise Lane County

3:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

3:30 pm Food Preservation 101 - Freezing, PROJECT Dehydrating & Fermentation. Bring Your Questions! by Shirley Betournay, OSU Master Gardener

4:00 pm

Viking Ocean & River Cruises – Bonus for Attendees

MAIN by Gary Smith, TravelPerks, Nation’s #1 Cruise Agent

4:30 pm

Moles, Voles & Gophers - Driving You Crazy?

PROJECT Tips to Regain Your Sanity & Yard! by Grant Williams, Ultimate Pest Control

5:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

5:30 pm Emergency Preparedness:

PROJECT Creating Bug-Out Bags - Essentials for Evacuation by Celeste Percy, OSU Food Preserver

6:00 pm

Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

MAIN by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

12:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

12:30 pm

Stunning Fall & Winter Porch Planters

PROJECT - Dressed Up for the Holidays! by Elaine Hartley, Erwin’s Quality Plants

1:00 pm Preparing for a Reno or Downsizing:

7:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

Sunday, October 8th

MAIN How to Declutter & Organize for a New Space or Home by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

10:30 am

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

10:30 am

Growing Fruit Trees in the South Willamette Valley

PROJECT by Erica Chernoh, OSU Ext. Horticulture Faculty

11:00 am

Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

MAIN by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

11:30 am How to Repair & Maintain Common Gardening Tools

PROJECT by Bill Clark / WasteWise Lane County

12:00 pm

Disaster Bathrooms – Sad to Stunning!

MAIN by Forrest Castile, Castile Kitchen & Bath

1:30 pm

Big Ideas for Kitchen Remodels

PROJECT by Don Delaplain, Revision Design Build

2:00 pm Been There, Killed That - Best NW Plants That Lived

MAIN by Mary-Kate Mackey, Award Winning Garden Writer

Author of The Healthy Garden

2:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

2:30 pm Touring America by Land & by River

PROJECT by Gary Smith, TravelPerks, Nation’s #1 Cruise Agent

3:00 pm Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

MAIN by Melissa Klug, Master-Certified

KonMari® Professional Organizer

4:00 pm

TWIGGY the Water Skiing Squirrel!

NORTH HALL with Chuck & Toni Best, Twiggy, Inc.

The Joy of Tidying Up

By Jon Bell

There was a time when Melissa Klug was a messy, disorganized person.

Just how messy and disorganized?

So much so, that when she decided to straighten up by reading her copy of famous organizer Marie Kondo’s book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” she couldn’t even find it in her house.

“I could not find the book to read it, so I had to buy it again,” says Klug, a married mother of two who spent 20 years in corporate sales and marketing.

She bought another copy and read it but didn’t think the principles would stick. They did, however, and the next thing she knew, Klug was on her way to tidying up and, yes, changing her life.

“It took a couple months, but we ended up getting rid of 60% of the stuff that we owned,” she says. “It felt a little addictive, but it was so good to get it done.”

Fast-forward a few years, and Klug is now a master-certified professional organizer who’s been trained in Kondo’s KonMari∏ Method of organizing. Through her business, Home By Eleven,

she’s helped hundreds of families across the U.S. get themselves in order so they can enjoy the benefits of a tidier life.

What stays, what goes

The KonMari∏ Method starts by having people take inventory of their stuff, not room by room, but category by category –for example, clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items.

“You probably have clothes all over the house, in your bedroom, in your basement,” Klug says. “You have to look anyplace there is clothing all at one time

She once lived a cluttered life. Now Melissa Klug is an organizing pro who helps people learn to live tidier lives.

Certified organizer Melissa Klug shows the way to a less stressful daily life

to evaluate it properly.”

Then, you think about not what you’re going to get rid of, but what gets to stay.

“The thing I like is that Marie Kondo gets you to think about things differently,” Klug says. “It’s not about what you’re getting rid of, but what deserves a place in your house.”

The big payoff

Beyond the decluttering and newfound sense of tidiness, Klug says getting more organized has some pretty significant benefits. For starters, the more organized you are, the less time you’ll spend looking for lost things – think cellphones, car keys or sunglasses. One study, in fact, found that people spend an average of two-and-a-half days looking for things every year, making them late for work or school and costing some $2.7 billion annually in replacements.

Melissa Klug’s Tips for Getting Organized

• Make a commitment to get organized.

• Categorize your stuff.

• Don’t be afraid to let things go.

At the Home Show

Declutter Your Home & Change Your Life

Do you want to declutter and organize your house, but every time you look around, you are completely overwhelmed and have no idea where to start? Melissa has been there and learned life is better when you aren’t overwhelmed by stuff and disorder. She will share a proven method to kick-start organizing your home, office and life.

“You might not know it, but the brain reacts to clutter in a negative way. It’s a lot to process,” Klug says. “(Being tidier) can take some of that decision fatigue out of your brain and calm you and your house life down.”

Friday 6p.m.

Saturday 1p.m. & 6p.m.

Sunday 11a.m. & 3p.m.

Preparing for a Reno or Downsizing: Declutter & Organize for your New Space or Home

“Just on an everyday basis, knowing where your stuff is goes a long way,” Klug says. “There’s not the stress of lost things, you’re able to get out the door more quickly.”

Living a more organized life is also better for the brain.

And the other big benefit to purging material things from your life and getting organized? Realizing what really matters in your life.

“I really see a reduction in the amount of consumption we do,” Klug says. “You realize that stuff isn’t making you happy and what’s important to you.”

Melissa knows how hard cleaning out for a renovation or downsizing can be. First you need to declutter and organize! Take home pointers for transitioning rooms or moving without being overwhelmed by decisions. Transitions can bring freedom and happiness to your entire family!

Saturday 11a.m. & 3p.m.

Sunday 1p.m.

Categorizing your stuff – clothing, books, papers, etc – is a good way to get ready to organize.

Being more organized can help you save time, ease your stress and find out what really matters in your life.

to 800 square feet, though some cities may have their own requirements. They can be entirely custom in design and construction and made to match they style of the primary residence. Many contractors also offer plans for various ADU styles and sizes, giving homeowners options from which to choose.

“The biggest reason we’ve seen for ADUs is family members wanting to live nearby, but they want to have their own space,” says David Cowan, owner of Anchored Tiny Homes Central & Western Oregon, a custom ADU company that’s recently expanded into Oregon. “There are a lot of people who want their elderly parents or their adult children near them, but they may not want to share the kitchen, so ADUs offer a nice solution.”

ADUs can also generate income for a homeowner who rents out the unit. In some cases, homeowners will even move

The Big Benefits of Tiny Homes

Accessory Dwelling Units are becoming more popular with property owners and cities

By Jon Bell

They can be an ideal way to have family members – aging parents or posthigh school kids still trying to find their way, for example – live closer together. They can help generate a little extra income. And they may even be part of the solution to the region’s housing crunch.

They are accessory dwelling units.

Known as ADUs or tiny homes, these standalone or integrated living units have become more popular as homeowners have looked for ways to maximize their living space. Cities and other jurisdictions have also taken a shine to them as a way to increase density and give residents yet another option for housing.

“They are becoming way more popular,” says Jason Kaminski, owner of Kaminski Construction in Eugene. “They’re attractive to people because they provide

more usable space, meet a family’s needs and allow them to live in separate spaces but on the same property, and there’s potential for extra income.”

Close to home

ADUs can either be standalone structures or living spaces attached to an existing home – think a refinished garage or basement with its own entry and amenities.

“Some ADUs are very connected to the dwelling, others want to be more separate,” says Tobin Newburgh, lead designer for Rainbow Valley Design and Construction, a design-build firm based in Eugene. “We also talk to people about what style they’re looking for. Are we matching the existing home or are we creating something unique?”

In general, ADUs in Oregon can be up

into the ADU themselves and rent out their primary residence.

“I’d say about a third of the market is investors who want to maximize the financial possibilities on their lots,” Cowan says. “They may keep living there, but they’re able to offset the mortgage with the rental income. In general, there’s a return on investment even if the ADU is fully financed. The rental income is almost always high enough to make a difference. And ADUs are just a great way to improve the overall value of the property as well.”

Help for housing

Beyond their appeal to property owners, ADUs have also become popular with cities across Oregon looking to increase housing density. As a result,

Rainbow Valley Design and Construction built this charming ADU, which serves as a cigar and bourbon hideaway.

A sleek kitchen inside one of Anchored Tiny Homes’ cozy ADUs.

some cities are incentivizing construction of ADUs by waiving some development fees, offering pre-approved designs to help expedite the permitting process and otherwise making it easier to add an ADU to a property.

Newburgh says that the city of Springfield has waived the systems development charges that typically accompany ADUs, resulting in a cost savings in the thousands. In Springfield, Eugene and elsewhere, cities have also eased restrictions on things like off-street parking, lot setbacks and other requirements in an effort to make construction of ADUs more convenient and easier. The city of Eugene even has a Pre-Approved ADU Program, which offers architectural plans for download or purchase, an expedited building permit process and lower pre-construction fees.

“The city really has made it easier and they’re really working with people on these,” Kaminski says.

Similarly, Lane County commission-

ers recently voted to allow construction of ADUs on properties located in rural residential zones, something that was not permitted before.

probably going to take an average of between eight months to a year from design to construction completion. Costs vary as well, with sources in the industry noting the average price for an ADU in Oregon comes in around $250,000.

It’s also important to consider any unique circumstances on a property, such as overhead powerlines, septic fields or other obstacles that could impact placement or construction of an ADU. Even though many cities have eased restrictions, it’s also good to be familiar with local ordinances, including any restrictions imposed by a homeowners association, early in the process.

What to expect

While every property – and every ADU – is different, homeowners can prepare for a few general expectations. For starters, adding an ADU to a property is

“We really make sure to tackle all the obstacles before we get going too far,” Cowen says. “There are a lot of benefits that come with ADUs. Our goal is to simplify the process, make sure everything is going to work with local ordinances and get everything expedited as soon as possible.”

The airy interior of an ADU from Rainbow Valley Design and Construction.

Exhibitor Directory

Laser engraved grout patterns etched into our beautiful, lifetime-guaranteed acrylic wall surrounds and backed by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Crazy for Carving

World-renowned pumpkin carver Scott Cully’s handiwork will dazzle showgoers again this year

They’re fantastical. They’re fearsome. And they’re just plain fun.

They are the fabulous faces of the giant jack-o’-lanterns that master pumpkin carver Scott Cully creates out of the biggest pumpkins he can find.

A regular face at the Lane County Home Improvement Show, Cully is bringing his gourd goodness back this year.

He’ll be carving up a giant pumpkin throughout the weekend and sharing some of his advice and stories along the way.

“I never know what I’m going to carve at first,” says Cully, who likes to bring out faces that are already present in most

pumpkins. “I’ll have a glass of wine and look at it. The natural face or faces come out to me, and then that’s what I’ll spend the few next hours on.”

Cully first got inspired to carve a giant pumpkin back in 1988 in northwest Connecticut. He and his wife had grown a 400-pounder, and they spent an afternoon sculpting it. They took it to a Halloween party, and it was such a hit that Cully decided to keep carving.

He moved to the Northwest and started carving for casinos, private events, shopping malls and, eventually, big venues around the world.

His pumpkin pastime landed him on programs like “The Tonight Show

with Johnny Carson” and “The Today Show,” and he’s held various Guinness World Records for carving the largest pumpkins. One of his biggest ever was a 2,148-pounder he carved in Stuttgart, Germany, two years ago.

Cully will likely be slicing and dicing up a thousand-pound beast throughout this year’s home show at a rate of about 45 minutes per 100 pounds of pumpkin. Once he’s done, the masterpiece will only last for a few days, so make sure you don’t miss him at the show. And, if you want some of Cully’s insider carving tips: carve in a place where the mess won’t matter; use face paint markers to draw on the face; go big; and have fun.

Pumpkin carver Scott Cully gets creative with big jack-o-lantern faces every year around Halloween.

39th Annual Fall Show Sponsors

NW Natural Presenting Sponsor ..................................................... 332

KEZI-9 - Prize Sponsor .......................................... Convention Center

Entertainment & Headline Speakers

John Fischer “The Relaxed Gardener” MAIN Stage

Mary-Kate Mackey, Author & Garden Writer MAIN Stage

Melissa Klug - Certified KonMari∏ Organizer MAIN Stage

Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel! North Hall

World Famous Pumpkin Sculptor Scott Cully .................. 148 & 155

Information & Show Services

Information Booth Atrium Lobby Lost & Found ............................................................................ Info Booth

Meet Lost People Here Info Booth

Show Office - Convention Center Room 3-East

Prizes Sponsored by KEZI-9

Register to Win KEZI-9 Prizes Lobby

Lava Heat Italia Patio Heater Emerald Pool & Patio

Larson Rocking Leather Recliner ....................... La-Z-Boy of Eugene

Memory Foam Queen Mattress The Mattress Company

Traeger Pro Pellet Grill Emerald Hearth, Spa & Patio

The one kitchen upgrade everyone needs.

Kitchens are truly the heart of every home. No update brings greater a return on your home’s livability – and value – than a kitchen remodel. Whether you’re looking at remodeling or not, you might consider upgrading your ventilation. Regardless of the energy source you use, the right unit can have a huge impact on your cooking experience – and your kitchen’s appearance.

But not all ventilation options are equal. You can evaluate the performance of each unit by comparing Cubic Feet per Minute, or CFM, which is a measurement of how many cubic feet of air the fan can move through a stationary point in one minute. Whether you are cooking on a gas, electric or conduction cooktop, you want a fan that’s powerful enough to remove emissions and odors from your cooking area, but not so loud that it’s disruptive. And when it comes to style, there are three types to consider: Updraft, downdraft, and recirculating.

Updraft Ventilation

The most common and powerful ventilation options are updraft units, which can offer flow rates as high as 2,000 CFM to help more easily remove

emissions right at the stove before they have a chance to mix with the surrounding air. Updraft hoods come in several styles, such as wall-mount hoods, which mount directly to the wall above your range. Wall-mount hoods are available in a number of different finishes and shapes, with either exposed or hidden chimneys.

Island hoods can be installed flush with the ceiling or extend down as a focal point, adding beauty and interest. Since these hoods are mounted to the ceiling, they may require additional reinforcement and duct work. Generally, they offer the greatest CFM, which means you’ll be able to run your hood on a lower – and quieter – setting most of the time.

Microwave hoods are an excellent choice for kitchens with limited space. They usually offer lower CFM than standalone hoods and are available in models that vent to the outside or recirculate the air through a filtration system.

Downdraft Ventilation

If you’re looking for a sleek ventilation option, a downdraft hood is perfect for modern kitchen design. They can be incorporated into your cooktop or installed as a pop-up vent that is only seen when in

use. However, their capture area is limited compared to an overhead unit because it’s easier to vent air headed up rather than re-direct it. Downdraft hoods also have a maximum rating of about 1,000 CFM, which may not meet your needs if you do a lot of cooking.

Recirculating Ventilation

For smaller homes, or for kitchens that may not be able to vent to the outdoors, recirculating hoods are available. These hoods come in a variety of attractive wall-mount, under-cabinet and microwave styles. They use charcoal and aluminum filters to clean the air and are generally quieter since they move less air than ducted models.

No matter what option you choose, a modern ventilation system can bring incredible benefits to your kitchen and your entire home. For the most up-to-date information and for help on choosing the right hood for you, speak with your local appliance retailer.

Wood that Works

Fine woodworking can make a home look – and work – great

By Jon Bell

Handsome

walnut coffee tables. Finegrained kitchen cabinets. Fireplace mantles that simply make a room.

There’s nothing like a little fine woodworking to truly add a little warmth and style to a home. And at this fall’s Lane County Home Improvement Show, some of the Eugene area’s best craftsmen will be showcasing their handiwork and helping homeowners bring their visions to life.

“Everybody wants something different, from earth tones and classics to modern spins,” says Rob Adams, owner of Ministry Construction in Eugene. “There’s just so much we can do with different woods these days.”

Jonathan Fryer, owner of Briteside Woodworks in Eugene, started dabbling in woodworking years ago with cutting

boards and other smaller projects. His ideas and projects grew, and in 2017 he launched his company, which focuses largely on custom furniture and goods along with a smattering of alreadydesigned tables, cabinets and benches. He describes his style as contemporary –“not bulky but aesthetically pleasing.”

“It’s bending toward a modern, clean aesthetic,” Fryer says. “Some people might say mid-century modern.”

Walnut’s been a popular wood lately, but Fryer says he also does a lot of work with white oak, cherry, hickory and maple. People also seem to like “live edges” these days, which are designs that incorporate the natural edge of wood. He says when envisioning custom projects, people need to think not only about how they want it to look, but how it will be used.

“Everything I make is built to last. If you get a dining table from me, you’ll be able to pass it onto your kids, so you have to keep that in mind in terms of design and look,” he says. “It’s kind of like a tattoo – you want to commit to seeing this thing a lot for as long as you’re in your space.

“But you also have to think of what your needs are. You do not need a design degree. People know what they want and what their priorities are. Is it a dining room table for hosting Thanksgiving for 20 people once a year? Or is it something that’s less intrusive to your floorspace. Think about how you’re going to use it and come up with a good way to describe your needs.”

Tim Little, owner of Built To Last Woodworking in Eugene, essentially put himself through college working in a

Briteside Woodworks’ Jonathan Fryer, who built this table, says it’s important to think about how a custom piece will look and function.

cabinet shop and has been in the business since 1991. He does custom furniture and cabinetry and also offers a line of cabinets from Canyon Creek Cabinet Company.

Oftentimes, customers will come to Little with their own wood and ask him to make it into something unique. In one instance, customers brought in white oak

from a tree they had cut down and had Little fashion it into a dining room table.

“Sometimes you get a challenging piece of wood,” he says. “It’s a craft though, and sometimes the wood has to let you know what it will do and what it won’t do. That’s what I enjoy most, is finding the right boards to go in the right spots.”

Adams, of Ministry Construction, says

he enjoys creating extra functionality for drawers and cabinets to help people get the most out of their pieces. That might mean finding ways to utilize every inch of space in a cabinet or adding layers in drawers for better storage of cutlery and other utensils.

“There are all kinds of fun things that will make your cabinets way more functional,” he says.

Adams has also come to specialize in creating mantels and larger cabinets that can accommodate the audio and visual equipment that has come to dominate living rooms everywhere.

He’s custom-made cabinets that essentially hide all the technology –routers, modems, cables and more – so that the piece itself, rather than the cords and blinking lights, commands the attention.

“The last thing you want to look at is all that ugly stuff,” he says.

Adams, Little and Fryer, along with several other woodworkers, will all have booths at this year’s Lane County Home Improvement Show.

A handcrafted black walnut live edge table by Tim Little of Built To Last Woodworking.

CCB#223377

Living large outside

Home show designers, contractors can make outdoor living dreams come true

By Jon Bell Autumn

may be in the air, but that’s no reason to head inside, even here in rainy Oregon.

That’s in part because of a coveted kind of living space that’s only become more popular with homeowners as the innovations have evolved and the desire to extend the gentler seasons has grown. That space? The outdoor living space.

From immaculate outdoor kitchens decked with grills, wine fridges and heaters to keep out the cold to simple decks and backyard patios centered around cozy fire pits, outdoor living spaces continue to please.

“The outdoor living realm has been really big lately,” says Chip Radebaugh, partner and general manager for Rainbow Valley Design and Construction in Eugene. “They’re actually something we specialize in. They’ve just been pretty popular.”

The appeal of outdoor living spaces

stems from multiple directions. For starters, when the weather is pleasant in Oregon, it can be simply glorious to gather outside with friends and family,

be comfortable outside with the right amenities – think a covered area, drop curtains to fend off the elements and any number of outdoor heating options like propane heaters, built-in or portable firepits or natural gas fixtures that have been piped in.

On top of that, outdoor living spaces also allow you to extend the amount of livable square footage your home provides. So a covered area with a comfortable sofa, chairs and table becomes almost a bonus living or family room; an outdoor bar with a sink, grill, music and a T.V. becomes an extra hangout space.

Don’t already have an outdoor living space? It doesn’t have to be hard to create a new one that can tie in seamlessly to your existing home.

fire up the grill for a summertime feast or just sit quietly in contemplation.

When the weather does turn, it can still

“We have one of the largest product selections in the greater Northwest,” says Nathan Wright, creative and marketing director for Western Interlock, a family-

This remodeled patio by Neil Kelly Company allows for four season entertaining with a cover, heating, lighting and an island grill!

Western Interlock’s charcoal pavers create a contemporary aesthetic in this garden.

owned manufacturer of high-quality paver stones and blocks headquartered in Rickreall, Oregon. “Whether your home is a Central Oregon lodge-style or a modern farmhouse, super contemporary or colonial, we have multiple products and colors that will fit your application.” Outdoor living spaces can also be added in unique ways. Stefanie Rotella, a design consultant with Neil Kelly, recently completed an attractive raised deck for a

client who owns a mid-century home in Eugene’s South Hills. The 600-square-foot deck extends from the main level of the house over a concrete patio below and includes a staircase to access the lower area. It also features custom cedar railings and a custom cedar privacy screen.

Another design consultant at Neil Kelly, Kathy Hanson, also works on unique outdoor spaces. One project involved remodeling a back “storage porch” into a

more classic back porch on a home from the 1920s. Before the remodel, the porch was tiny and somewhat funky in design, with what appeared to be two sloping staircases. The remodel expanded the seating area, consolidated into a single new staircase and still incorporated some of the storage area underneath. The remodel, Hanson says, is “much more in keeping with the home’s era.”

A separate project for a home in South Eugene added a cool cable rail system and a covered area that offers some shelter not only from the rain and sun, but from sap dripping down from nearby old-growth trees.

Whatever you may have in mind for an outdoor living space, if you can dream it up, area designers and contractors can probably bring it to life. One client of Rainbow Valley’s wanted an outdoor space that felt like a private spa even though she lived in an urban area. Through the combination of mature bamboo to screen out neighbors, a custom hot tub, outdoor curtains and a unique pergola that lets light in but keeps rain out, the vision became reality.

This Mid-Century addition features a glorious outdoor living space with cedar accents and year-round heating by Neil Kelly Company.

Fix It Yourself and Save!

You’veheard the saying - “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Here’s my new saying. “If it isn’t broken now, it will be, so figure out how to fix it.”

First a confession. I love to fix things. I did even before I turned into an old retired guy. It is satisfying, educational, money-saving, convenient and planetsaving. Because most of you are afraid to even try to fix things (I am just trying to shame you into it), or don’t want to try, let me start at the end of my list.

Environmental savings are huge when you replace a switch or belt instead of the whole appliance. Even when it will cost more to fix than to buy a new one, that is only true in dollars. The subsidized nature of our resource extraction economy makes throwing away and buying new attractive – and destructive. It doesn’t take a brain scientist, or a rocket surgeon to know that replacing the pump on a

washing machine will consume far fewer resources than building a whole new machine. (The pump on my 40-year-old machine was fine, it just had a tiny grandchild sock stuck in it.) Mining, refining, transporting and manufacturing all the parts that are fully functional (is the lid or cabinet worn out?) is very energy and resource intensive. And repairs will be done close to home; a new washer will likely be from another continent.

I recently repaired my 35-year-old deck. About 1% of the boards needed to be replaced, and two joists needed sistering (putting a second joist right next to the first). The vast majority of the wood is fine, and part of a cedar tree thanked me for sparing its life. Next time I will use composites.

The money you save fixing a broken window screen (take out the spline carefully so you can reuse it), replacing a

food processor drive belt (the manufacturer may tell you they don’t make that part anymore, but another company will sell you a functional part for a few dollars –thank you Internet!, or oiling a sluggish fan (you’ll need it again next summer, so get it ready this winter) can be donated (we’re talking about the money we saved, remember?) to the Nature Conservancy, saved for a sunny day or used to buy a new tool so you can fix more things.

One of the biggest money savers is mentally easy – and sometimes physically hard. Simple, or complex, construction projects around your home can have real financial rewards and allow you to get things done now, while local contractors “might have time to get to in April – of 2025.” As an ex-building contractor, I do have a lot of experience, but much of what I have done on homes (mine, children’s, friends’, rentals) have been “first time projects” that involved a few mistakes, and a lot of savings.

Let’s talk about safety. Never use a tool in a way that a slip results in an injury. I have, and will never hold something in my hand and pry on it (with a screwdriver) again. Electricity is dangerous. Unplug your item before you try to fix it, and be aware that some electrical devices have capacitors that hold charge after they are unplugged. Microwaves are particularly dangerous. Don’t open the cabinet.

That said, fixing a broken cord, the bulb socket on a floor lamp, or a faulty switch (it might just be dirty) is safe and easy. A simple voltmeter will make finding bad connections and broken switches easy. Changing a bad element on most older electric stoves is as simple as pulling out the old, testing for continuity (the ohms scale on your meter), and pushing in the new.

Many fixes are really just maintenance. A shower head that doesn’t flow well might have rust particles in it. Remove, disassemble, clean, reattach. The same rust can slow down the fill on your washer. Turn off the supply line, remove the hoses, clean the screens and reattach. Check for leaks. Old faucets have little washers that can be replaced to stop drips.

Getting the cartridge out of a newer faucet requires a specific set of steps –steps you can find on the Internet. Fixing things used to require investigation,

experience and experimentation. If you want a feeling of accomplishment, fix that broken window spring through trial and error. That stick will hold it up. (“Honey, what’s this stick for? Wham!! Tinkle.” Now you can learn how to replace broken double pane glass too – woo hoo !) Or you can look on the Internet and finish before lunch (“Are you done with that already darling?”). Wow! The soup is still hot.

Learning how things work, and why they don’t, is 36% of the fun, but I will pass on five things I figured out of the hard – and sometimes bloody – way.

1. Wear gloves. Thick leather for rock moving, thin rubber for handling splintery wood (all wood has splinters), and latex for painting.

2. Sharp tools and knives are safer. Change the utility knife blade (or sharpen it) when it’s dull. Get a new saw blade (or get it sharpened at a local saw shop) when cutting takes twice as long as it should. Sharpening your own knives, pruners, and chisels is easy and it makes working in the kitchen and shop safer and faster.

3. Get a tool belt, or a bucket to organize your equipment. A list is handy

too. The fewer times you have to go to the store, the fewer times you will have to go to the store. When in doubt, buy both sizes, and return the one you don’t need. “Wow, I didn’t realize there were THREE sizes!”

4. Glue and clamps. Many broken parts can be glued rather than replaced. My favorite part of retirement (besides grandchildren and their little socks, and being able to ski when I want) is gluing things and letting them fully dry before I use them. Twenty-four-hour epoxy (can I recommend J.B. Weld ?) is better than 5-minute or super glue. Waterproof wood glue is best in Oregon. A rope that you twist with a stick will hold chair legs tight while the glue dries (for 24 hours).

5. Right tool. “I bet this knife will work on this screw.” The knife is still broken and the screw head is still stripped. Cordless tools are a gift from DIY heaven. Get a full set of drivers and SHARP drill bits. You don’t need to own every tool. Eugene’s “Tool Box Project” has much of what you might need. A free membership and some minimal fees will cover tool use. There are lots of great rental places in town too. Many tools are not worth

owning for a one time job.

6. (Who’s counting ?) LET’S GET READY TO LEARNNNNNN!! You will be amazed how little you know. I was fixing a leaky washer drain for my in-laws (and eventually the floor, and framing underneath) and they were shocked to see that walls are hollow. There’s always one more screw holding the fan or the back of the computer together. I am putting a new hard drive in my wife’s laptop right now. Ask me how it went if you come to my talk. Prying will probably open it eventually, and then you will also get to practice your gluing skills.

Remember, “If it ain’t broke, a grandchild will break it soon enough.”

John Fischer, “The Relaxed Gardener”

A passionate organic gardener and frequent speaker at the Lane County Home Improvement Show.