Your Place: Cold walls? First, Get an Energy Test
(MCT)—Q: Our home is a brick rancher, built in the early 1960s, and has very poor insulation in the walls. We have had the attic area checked, and we were told that the insulation up there is good.
Our…
Do Your Part: Change Your Oil Change
(MCT)—No matter how you look at it, changing your oil is a downright dirty job. Do Your Part when it’s time for your next oil change to make it as clean as can be, keep your car running smoothly, and…
‘Eco Freak McMansion’ Makes Up for Size with Sustainability
(MCT)—Bill Newman’s kayak buddies love to tease him about his new house in Brooklyn Center, Minn. It’s too big for just one person, they say. It’s a McMansion. And it’s way too nice for him.
Newman just laughs. He…
Mower Maintenance: Mulching Leaves Puts Stress on Machine
(MCT)—That first taste of fall means the beginning of a big run of good-byes: so long to summer vacation, good-bye grilling season and farewell to football-free weekends.
But before you give a hasty send-off to the mowing season, be aware…
Safety Awareness during Crime Prevention Month
More than 13 million Americans become victims of crime every year. While much is done reactively when crimes are committed, Master Lock, an industry leader in safety and security, is encouraging consumers to begin practicing basic daily crime prevention tactics…
Backyard Birding Fun for the Whole Family
(MCT)—If there is one thing I have come to learn over the last few months is that birds make the landscape.The National Butterfly Center has every native plant imaginable for butterflies but the garden would not be as enjoyable without…
Your Place: Plaster Ceilings Peeling after Half a Century
(MCT)—Q: My parents have lived in their house for 48 years. The house is about 54 years old. They have always used good-quality paint.
About three years ago the ceiling began to peel. When a representative from the paint company…
Rock-Solid Beauty: Gravel Is Friendly to Your Budget and the Environment
(MCT)—If you’re looking for solutions to landscaping challenges, decorative rock and gravel just might be the ticket.
Drainage issues? Budget-friendly alternative to a paved patio? Interesting edging for your flower beds? Check, check, check.
The dilemma for Pam Messick…
Bring Your Kitchen out of the Dark with Layers of Light
(MCT)—Lighting is often described as the jewelry of the home. But it’s more critical than that, especially in kitchens, where it’s all about slicing, dicing and reading recipes. So maybe the new catchphrase should be: “Lights are the eyes of…
The Frugal Traveler: How to Save Money on a Beach Getaway
(MCT)—Beach vacations are popular with travelers at any time of year, but often come with a prohibitive price tag. Snorkeling, shelling and reading are some of my favorite ways to unwind at the seashore, and I always make sure I’m…