Does The Fellow Look Familiar? He’s From Spokane
If one of the faces on “Today at Home,” a weekly home- and garden-related show on HGTV, looks familiar, it’s because Spokane freelance writer Leon Frechette is part of the show’s lineup.
Frechette demonstrates tools and offers how-to information on “Today at Home,” which airs at 1 p.m., Fridays. The half-hour program covers wide-ranging topics such as home repairs, pets, gardening, crafts and decorating.
Take a class
Those who have decided to buckle down and tackle some home repairs can put off actually starting a project and take a workshop instead. A series of free workshops will be at HomeBase Stores this weekend. The schedule Saturday: installing a deadbolt, 11 a.m.; installing security/ yard lights, noon; and installing ceramic tile, 1 p.m. Sunday’s schedule: installing an entry door, 11 a.m.; installing a kitchen sink, noon; and texturing walls, 1 p.m.
How ugly is your couch?
The contest was so wildly popular last year that Sure Fit slipcover company is again running an Ugly Couch Contest.
Last year, the company received more than 2,000 entries. The winner this year will receive $2,000 toward a new couch. The dozens of runners-up win slipcovers for their ugly couches.
It’s easy to enter - and free. Just send a color photo of your ugly couch, along with an explanation of why you’d like to cover it, by Oct. 31, to: Lee Barry, Sure Fit, 58 W. 40th St., Second Floor, New York, NY 10018.
And better yet: For every entry received, Sure Fit is donating a dollar to Goodwill Industries.
Bouquet of balloons
Sometimes flowers just aren’t the appropriate party decor. The alternative? Balloons. And not just any balloon you’ve blown up to set quietly on the table. Now there’s a balloon pump that enables you to fill the balloon with gifts, shredded paper or ribbons. Balloons can be themed for Halloween, Christmas or Easter; or how about a wedding balloon? The FABalloon Fantastic Gift Balloon Maker is $29.95, available in major toy stores. It’s recommended for kids age 8 and older. For information on the Web: http://www.world-of-toys.com.
Talk turns to grass
We realize the lawn-mowing season may have just ended, but it soon will be time to look ahead to next summer. The annual Turf, Tree & Landscape Conference will be staged Feb. 6 and 7 at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. There will be workshops in horticulture design and landscape management, weed control for naturalized landscapes, and exhibitors of landscape and nursery products. Registration is $85 before Jan. 20 ($99 after that), $65 for county extension agents, master gardeners and WSU employees ($75 after Jan. 20).
For information: Call WSU Conferences & Institutes at (800) 942-4978 or (509) 335-3530, or e-mail wsuconf@wsu.edu.
Don’t delay too long
Just in case your to-do list isn’t full, here are suggestions for fall chores from The Maids, a professional cleaning service:
Clean out and cover your air conditioner.
Remove dead insects from light fixtures inside and outside the house.
Clean out your outside dryer vent and hose for fire prevention.
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