2011 fallhomes

HOMEimprovementfall ‘11

The RemodelCautious homeowners still want upgrades

Appliance SavvyEnergy savings, quality still remain important to shoppers

Autumn Lawn CareOctober provides time for lawn and garden planting

Sun Sailor

701 Hwy 7 Excelsior MN • 952-474-5605 w w w. e x c e l s i o r c a r p e t o n e . c o m M o n . - F r i . 7 : 3 0 A M - 6 : 3 0 P M • S a t . 9 A M - 5 P M • S u n . 11 A M - 4 P M

Making Your House Your Home... • Carpet • Wood Floors • Paint • Tile • Hunter Douglas Blinds • Window Treatments • Cabinets • Countertops

We’ve Got You Covered!

$200 Off Your carpet or wood flooring order of $999 or more With coupon, must present coupon at time of order. Not good on past orders. Offer Expires 11/30/11

2 Fall Home Improvement – Thursday, September 29, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com In the Community, With the Community, For the Community

CMYK

The Parade of HomesRemodelers Showcase iswhere you’ll find it.See all the latest styles and trends

in home remodeling and fabulous ideas andinspiration for remodeling. Pick up your Guidebookat Holiday StationStores, or visit ParadeofHomes.orgfor more info.

The Parade of Homes...Where dream homes come true.®

ParadeofHomes.org

Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 DON’TMISS

Sponsored by

YourDream Homeis Calling.

3 DaysOnly

Free Guidebooks at

3 WAYS TO GET RID OF YOUR OLD, OUTDATED KITCHEN CABINETS — WITHOUT THE

MESS & EXPENSE OF REPLACING THEM!

1 DAY TUNE-UP Our exclusive process restores and repairs the original finish on wood cabinets. Tuning-Up your cabinets is the easiest and most cost effective way to get a fresh new look, often in only one day!

CABINET REDOORING Changing your doors and drawer fronts will update and brighten your whole kitchen in only 1-2 days! Keep the same color or paint your cabinet boxes.

CABINET REFACING Add new doors, drawers and a new veneer for your cabinet boxes. The transformation is incredible and you get to choose from the largest selection of door styles and finishes available anywhere.

Mess: Almost None Cost: About 90% Less Than a New Kitchen

Mess: We Clean Every Day and You Can Keep Using Your Kitchen Cost: 40-50% Less Than a New Kitchen

Mess: Very Little Cost: 50-60% Less Than a New Kitchen

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

Before Tune-Up

After Tune-Up

Before Refacing

After Refacing

Jesse & Jennifer Swanson ~ Local Owners

1

2

3

843.367.9429 kitchentuneup.com [email protected]

Each franchise independently owned and operated.

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

kitc

hen

tun

eup

.com

Steve LaRose • Local Owner • 952-934-5410 • kitchentuneup.com • [email protected]

Home improvement projects havebecome de rigueur for today’s home-owners. Be it a kitchen remodel or theever-popular man cave project, homeimprovement projects remain a goalfor many homeowners.

As enticing as a home improve-ment project might be, no project canbe successful until a budget has beenestablished. The right budget willkeep homeowners from going deepinto debt when improving theirhomes, ensuring that, upon the pro-ject’s completion, they can fully enjoytheir revamped castles without thespecter of significant debt hangingominously over their heads.

Before beginning a home improve-ment project, homeowners can takethe following things into considera-tion.

• Personal finances: It sounds sim-ple, but homeowners must examinetheir finances before starting a homeimprovement project. Just because abank will loan out money for a projectdoesn’t mean the project is affordable.Homeowners should compare their

monthly expenses with their incomes,and then determine what’s left thatmight be able to go toward a project.Monthly expenses include everythingfrom groceries to mortgage payments.When the comparison between month-ly expenses and monthly income hasbeen made, homeowners can get agrasp of just what they can and can-not afford.

• Credit score: Many homeownersfinance home improvement projectswith loans from the bank. Particularlyin the current economy when banksare being forced to tighten lendingrequirements, securing such loansisn’t easy. Homeowners with signifi-cant credit card debt should eliminatesuch debt before beginning a project.Doing so serves multiple purposes.First and foremost, eliminating out-standing debt will free up more moneyto allocate toward the project.Eliminating debt will also make loanapplicants more attractive to prospec-tive creditors, increasing theirchances of securing a loan and alower interest rate.

• The project’s priority: Budgetinga home improvement project alsoinvolves being honest as to just hownecessary the project is. For example,a man cave might be a dream project,but should it be a priority over otherthings around the house? If wear andtear is taking its toll on the roof, forinstance, the money going toward theman cave should probably be allocatedto replacing the roof instead. •Overrun costs: Not every homeimprovement project will come in ator under budget. Many, in fact, go overbudget due to a host of factors.Homeowners should not be caught offguard when a project goes over budg-et. Instead, plan for the project to goover budget and expect such frustra-tion. Allocate extra money in the orig-inal budget for overrun costs. Thiswill reduce stress and frustration, andif the project comes in under budget,then there’s extra money when theproject is completed.

BUDGETING...BEFORE THE BUILD The Quick Answer?

My kitchen cabinets are dirty, sticky and justplain ugly. Is there anything I can do? Do I haveto replace them?

If you like thecolor and the styleof your cabinetsthen they can justbe restored to theoriginal finish. Manytimes this can bedone in one dayand done for as lowas $600. It doestake some effort onthe part of the do-it-yourselfer, but with some care-ful planning, it can be handled during a normalweekend.

If you do not like the color or style of your cabi-nets, then refacing would be a good option. Thereare many professionals who can provide this serv-ice. It can be done in almost any wood type anddoor style you can imagine. This service usuallytakes less than a week and starts at around$3,500.

Steve LaRose, Kitchen Tune Up

In the Community, With the Community, For the Community www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, September 29, 2011– Fall Home Improvement 3

BY PEGGY BAKKENSUN NEWSPAPERS

Today’s homeowners are watchingtheir budgets, but still want to upgradetheir homes.

There’s a lot more to be gained throughremodeling besides increased functional-ity, new appliances, efficient systems,updated décor, additional space or thepure enjoyment of making your homeyour own. There’s also the increasedvalue your home receives when youmake improvements, according to theNational Association of the RemodelingIndustry (NARI).

Kitchen and bath renovations remainpopular — and for good reason, accord-ing to NARI. Homeowners continue tosee the value in updating areas of thehome that are used frequently and arehigh functioning.

Nicole Durocher, co-owner of AshlannBuilders, Inc. of Minnetonka, sees manyarea residents interested in kitchen andbathroom remodels. Consumers are alsolooking for the practical, too. “We areseeing a lot of homeowners concentrat-ing on what the home needs, mainte-nance more than thinking about theirwish lists.”

Some are looking at partial projects –replacing the shower and tub surroundwith new tile, but not gutting the wholebathroom.

Durocher has seen another trend thatmight surprise you: Remodeling andupgrading garages. “We’ve got a lot ofinterest in garages. We are doing a lot ofthem.”

When renovating a residential garage,sheet rocking or finishing sheet rockingthe garage is par for the course.

Then comes the floor coating system,and custom cabinetry. Garages are outfit-ted floor to ceiling with cabinets thathave four-inch, stainless steel legs tokeep them off the ground and a corre-sponding stainless steel handle.

Extras that might top off a garageremodel are fillers, built-in refrigerators,customize cabinets to hold hockey

sticks/gear, golf gear, snow wear, gardenitems, and general storage. Some garagesget the “man cave” touch with a televi-sion and comfort chair.

Ashlann Builders use a polyasparticpolyurea system (similar to what theyuse for truck bed liners). It is much moresustainable than epoxy, Durocher said. Ithas a very high UV resistance. It does notfade over time. It is resistant to salt, oil,gas and other contaminants. It has a 15-year warranty and can be used in com-mercial areas, laundry rooms and simi-lar high-use rooms.

Women are as interested in the garageupgrades as men, Durocher said. Womenare especially drawn to the expansivestorage that can be created in existingspace. Both are drawn to the added curbappeal.

“There’s the great feeling when youopen the door,” Durocher said. “So manytimes, we meet our friends and neighborsat the front of the house. When thegarage door opens, everyone gets to seethe improvements.”

Ashlann Builders is approaching its

20th anniversary. It is located at 18700South Lane, Minnetonka. Phone: 763-531-0320. Online at tophomeremodel.com.

This garage interior was recently completed by Ashlann Builders of Minnetonka. The steel cabinets have four-inchlegs to keep them up off the floor.

Cautious homeowners still want kitchen and bathroom upgrades — and garages!


The Best Brands. Always Satisfaction Guaranteed.The Best Brands. Always Satisfaction Guaranteed.The Best Brands. Always Satisfaction Guaranteed.


BY SUSAN WEBBER SUN NEWSPAPERS

Most of today’s appliance shoppersare mindful of energy savings, accordingto metro area appliance dealers.

“Almost everybody wants to hearabout energy savings,” said CarlaWarner, director of sales at Warners’Stellian, which has locations in Edina,Maple Grove, Apple Valley and Falcon

Heights.Energy Star has come on quite strong,

Warner said, especially with appliancesthat run constantly, such as a refrigera-tor with a big compressor, or anythingwith water usage, including dishwashersand washing machines.

Energy Star is an international stan-dard for energy-efficient consumer prod-ucts originated in the United States ofAmerica in the 1990s. Appliances carry-

ing the Energy Star logo, generally usebetween 20 and 30 percent less energythan required by federal standards.

“They pay for themselves within thefirst year or two,” Warner said.

Dave Carlson, owner of A.C. CarlsonAppliances in New Hope, agreed thatenergy efficiencies are here to stay.

“It’s getting to be the norm,” he said.“I liken it to light bulbs. Eventually, therewill be no choice.”

Kitchen decorShoppers are still interested in stain-

less steel refrigerators, but many aremoving toward customized, panel-front-ed appliances that will blend in withtheir kitchen décor, Warner said.

“People are fronting refrigeratorswith wood,” she said. “That’s become alot more popular.”

Appliance dealers also are seeingmore of a trend to built-in appliances, aswell as double wall ovens and cooktopsurfaces that offer chefs more capacityfor meal preparation.

Some appliance shoppers opt forinduction cooking, where the cookingvessel generates the heat through fric-tion between the pan and the range sur-face.

“It’s very safe and energy-efficient,”Warner said.

Homeowners who may need to con-serve space are choosing convectionmicrowaves, which offer the choice ofmicrowaving as well as a convectionoven to augment their standard oven.

Outdoor kitchens are growing in pop-ularity, Warner said.

“With the economy, people are stayingin their homes and putting more moneyinto their backyards to make the outsidemore a part of their lives,” Warner said.

Outdoor refrigerators and icemachines are joining outdoor grills inpopularity, she said.

Similarly, some homeowners areremodeling to put more into the lowerlevels of their homes, and then adding

special wine coolers and bar areas, shesaid.

“People who have become more con-servative find that some things can beadded to their homes without a hugeexpense,” Warner said.

A new wrinkle in the laundry room iswashers with an infusion of steam thatpromise to help in removing stains, anddryers with added steam designed to cutthe need for ironing.

Carlson still sees a big interest instainless steel appliances.

In addition, some people are interest-ed in under-counter refrigerators thatcan accommodate as much as 16 bottlesof wine or 60 cans of pop, he said.

“People are going to Costco and load-ing up on vegetables,” Carlson said.“They don’t have room in the refrigera-tor for a lot of extra beverages.”

Trash compactors have waned in pop-ularity, especially since most cities haveactive recycling programs, Carlson said.

One of the biggest changes Carlsonsees is the interest in freestanding dou-ble ovens.

“People who like to entertain like tohave two ovens,” Carlson said.

To homeowners who are remodelingtheir kitchens, Carlson has three wordsof advice: “Measure your space.”

“One in 10 people who come in to buyappliances don’t know how much roomthey’ve got to work with,” Carlson said.“That even goes for contractors anddesigners. There is no standard size forrefrigerators. They weigh 300 to 400pounds, and you still need two men and atruck to move them, so you want to get itright the first time.”

People are interested in efficientappliances, but they’re also interested inquiet appliances, such as dishwashers,Carlson said.

“It’s all about efficiency and quiet;that’s what people want,” he said.

Double wall ovens with a separate cooktop nearby are high on homeowners’“wish list.”

‘One in 10 people who come in to buy appliances don’t knowhow much room they’ve got to work with. There is no standardsize for refrigerators. They weigh 300 to 400 pounds, and youstill need two men and a truck to move them, so you want to getit right the first time.’

Dave CarlsonOwner, A.C. Carlson Appliances

Appliance SavvyEnergy savings, quality remain important to smart shoppers


a .c. carlson APPLIANCES 8901 BASS LAKE RD. NEW HOPE • 1 Block E. Of 169 On Bass Lake Rd.

Open Daily 9am-8pm • Fri & Sat. 9am-5pm • Closed Sun. 763.533.5333

GFWH2400LWW

2 OVENS FOR THE PRICE OF 1

$ 1299

28” Wide, 28” Deep, 64.25” Tall

$ 599

JGB281DER

Forget what the inside of yourhome looks like for just a bit and focuson your home’s exterior.

“The exterior of your home makesa lasting and daily impression onyour friends and family, along withyour neighbors,” says Mark Clement,professional contractor and host ofMyFixItUpLife home improvementradio show. “While the weather isgood, my advice is to get outside andfix up problem areas, work on thelandscaping and invest in productsthat make your home’s exterior notonly look great, but work great.”

Clement, who is in the middle ofan ongoing renovation of his 100-year-old home in Pennsylvania, recom-mends assessing your needs and thendiving in on projects. “On the exteriorof the home there are three big, criti-cal areas I recommend people evalu-ate every year — the roof, the win-dows and the entry door. Those arekey areas because, along with beingvisual focal points of the home, theyhelp protect a house from severeweather. And, if you have problems

with older windows, doors or roofingtiles, you’re looking at higher energybills and growing problems that canaffect your wallet long-term.”

Clement offers these recommenda-tions for keeping your home exteriorin top shape:

Roofing Tips:1. Check your roof yearly (from a

ladder or from a neighbor’s homewith binoculars) to determine thecondition of your roof. Look for prob-lem areas, such as missing or brokenshingles, along with roofing tiles thatmay be “flapping” in the wind. Theseare all indications that a new roofmay be in your future.

2. Don’t forget to check the sides ofyour roof. The southern exposureweathers significantly faster than theother sides of the roof, so make sureto carefully examine this one. Also,shallower pitches weather faster thansteeper pitches. So again, if your roofhas a shallow pitch — like a sheddormer — make certain you can clear-ly see it to get a true indication of the

condition of your roof.3. Since the installation of a new

roof exceeds the capabilities of mosthomeowners, make sure to researchand hire a professional roofer. Checkto make sure your roofer is insured,licensed and certified. Ask for a writ-ten job estimate and references alongwith warranty information for boththe roof you select and his installa-tion services.

Entry Door Tips:1. If you can see light around your

main entry door from the inside, thedoor is hard to close or lock, or thedoor itself is warped, it’s time to con-sider a new door.

2. Even if you can’t see light, airmay be moving through gaps in theweather stripping at a surprisingrate. On a very cold or hot day, holdthe back of your hand an inch or soaway from the bottom and perimeterof your door. If you can feel air mov-ing or a significant cold spot, that’s asignal your existing door could bene-fit from better sealing.

The Quick Answer?

What is the proper way to prepare my mowerfor winter storage to avoid starting and run-ning issues in the spring?

Try to anticipate the last time the machine willbe used for the season so very little fuel is left inthe fuel tank. Stale fuel can producevarnish and plug carburetor orinjector components and affectengine performance.

Add fuel conditioner or sta-bilizer to fresh fuel before fill-ing tank. Mix fresh fuel andfuel stabilizer in separatecontainer. Follows t a b i l i z e rinstructionsfor mixing.Fill fueltank with sta-bilized fuel. Runengine for a few minutes toallow fuel mixture to circulate through carburetoron gas engine or fuel injectors on diesel engine.Filling the fuel tank reduces the amount of air inthe tank and helps reduce deterioration of fuel.

Mark Nordrum, MN Equipment Solutions

Street appeal also important


CMYK

Take a fresh look outside and consider what could be.

PlantsGazebosPorchesLawnsPatios

WalkwaysShrubsGates

VerandasFountains

PoolsFencing

DrivewaysStonework

DecksPonds/Waterfalls

Trees

Pergolas

Flowers

Fire Pits

Gardens

Irrigation

Trellis

Arbors

Sport Courts

Snowmelt Systems

Retaining Walls

Night Lighting

Spas/Hot Tubs

Sculptures

At M|A|Peterson, we see the outside of your home as an extension of the inside,both in the way it looks and how it should function for your family. We believethe front entry of your home should be warm and inviting - the view throughyour windows should look out onto beautiful beds of shape and color - doors tothe outside ought to lead somewhere special - and your backyard should providecomfortable refuge where your family can enjoy fresh air, warm sun and anevening breeze.

You can expect original design, precise installation and superior service. The resultfor you will be a finished exterior that is beautiful, functional and perfect for theway your family wants to live each day.

The opportunities to transform your landscape and extend your living spacebeyond the walls of your house are endless…

www.mapeterson.com I 6161 Wooddale Avenue, Edina 952|925|9455


CMYK

Serving the Entire Metroand Surrounding Areas

for Over 44 Years

www.c-sblacktopping.com

763.428.2225 • 612.328.5534

Find us onFacebook

a “green” paving contractor

FREEEstimates

C&S BLACKTOPPING INCRESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL PAVING CONTRACTORS

SAME DAY SERVICE

Service on ALL Brands

Service Prices Include:Trip, labor & parts. In the Metro area during standard business hours.

WE REPAIRSprings • Cables • Tracks

Photo Eyes • Door AdjustmentsOperators • All Brands

Until 10/14/11

$650 $750 $885

$25500

Exp. 10/14/11

Heavy Duty 1/2 HP Opener

Indoor Environmental Systems Review (HVAC)

$79 &

Special!!

October &November, 2011

Inspection

Evaluation

Reporting

Of all componentsand elements of theHeating, Cooling,Filtration,Humidification,Controls, AirDistribution in yourhome or business.

A Healthy Dose of ComfortEco-Indoor, the Premier provider ofTechnically Superior Indoor EnvironmentalSystems will perform a detailed inspection,Evaluation, and Written Report of thesystem that provides for your comfort andhealth. It is the system with the movingparts, the one that conditions the air youlive in, and influence your health.

We look at every component and sub-system, and provide you with a writtenreport and recommendations. We willprovide proposals on corrective workas selected by you.

www.eco-indoor.comPhone: 952-401-1920

E-mail: [email protected]

Technically Superior Buildings

ANDERSONCOOLING & HEATING


Or visit us 24/7 at www.mnequipmentsolutions.com

FIVE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER

1 Offer valid from 8/2/2011 until 10/28/11. Subject to approved credit on John Deere Financial Insta llment plan. Some restrictions apply, so see your dealer for complete details and other financing op tions. 2 Get $300 off the agreed-upon purchase price of a 3000 Series Compact Utility tractor with the purchase of two or more implements. Attachments and implements sold separately. Offer not available at all locations, see your local Jo hn Deere dealer for details. All attachments and/or implements included in offer are John Deere - and/or Frontier branded. **Offer va lid from 8/2/2011 until 10/28/11. Get $350 off the agreed upon purchase price of any X700 Select Ser ies Tractor. 1 Manufacturers estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/ED. 2 The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower may be less. 3 Th e engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. ***Hour limitations apply and vary by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE COMMERCIAL AND CONS UMER EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com for details. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. ADB03KKCU1A49736-00368625. 1. OFFER VA LID FROM 8/2/11 Til 10/28/11. This offer excludes TX Truf Gators TM and ProGaters TM. 2.9% APR is fo r 60 months only. 2. $300 off on all traditional utility vehicles. Excludes TX Turf Gators and ProGators. 3. Offer valid from 8/2/11 till 10/8/11. 0% APR for 36 months only and excludes TX Turf Gators, Pro Gators and any XUV model Gator. Offer valid from 9/1/11 until 10/29/11. 4. $600 off on the 625i and 866D Gator Utility Vehicles. Sub ject to approved credit on John Deere Financial Revolving Plan, a service of John Deere Financial, f .s.b. For customer use only. No down payment required. Other special rates and terms may be available, including financing for commercial use.

ISANTI COUNTY EQUIPMENT, INC. ISANTI , MN 763-444-8873 SCHARBER & SONS LONG LAKE , MN 952-473-5634 SCHARBER & SONS ROGERS , MN 763-428-4107 SUBURBAN LAWN CENTER HAM LAKE , MN 763-755-2347 WEEKEND FREEDOM SAVAGE , MN 952-890-9242

GEAR UP FOR FALL AT MN EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS

0 % FINANCING 1

AVAILABLE • 25.2 gross engine hp*/18 PTO hp* • Twin touch ™ hydrostatic transmission • High performance light kit for working in low-light conditions

YOU COULD HUNT ALL YEAR AND NOT FIND A BETTER DEAL.

Traditional Gators Include:

3032E & 305 Loader

$ 16 , 995

• 32 hp - Hydro Trans - MFWD • Loader with Bucket • Two hydraulic pumps provide efficient operation

Compact Utility Tractor

ATTEND OUR OPEN HOUSE OCT . 8 TH D URING S TORE H OURS Special One Day Only Discounts On Parts & Merchandise

Ask About Our Fall DiscountNeeding to save on ever-increasingenergy bills or wanting to improvethe look of your home?

We have a lot to like at aLIKEABLE PRICE!

952-292-7267


25252525a complete countertoprefinishing job OR acomplete bathtub & tilerefinishing job through10/31/2011

For a free estimate call 952.564.7639each Miracle Method Franchise Independently owned and operated.

“Yesterday, my counters were ugly.Today, they’re beautiful!”

Sylvester & Sons Established 197665656565656565656565565656565565656565656565656565665656566566655656565656551.111.1.1.111.1..11...111111111.11 444545454545454545454545454545444544545454545444444545444445444444 1.1.1.1.1.11111.1.111.1.11.11..1....8989898989989898989898989898998989898988989898989889899989998989899999999070770707770707077770707070707077707070070707070070777707777777 651.451.8907999999999999907070777707777777770777777907 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww w.w.w.ww.w.w.ww.ww.w.w....w.w.ww.wwwwww.w.w..ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssstrtrttrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrrtrttrtrtrrrrtrtrtrttrtrtrtrttrtt eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.c.c.c.c.cc.c.ccccc.cc.c.c.cccccc.c.comomomomommomomomomomommomommmommmomomommmomommmommomwww.sstree.comwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

mention this ad to receive winter pricing early winter pricing ends October 31, 2011

i hi d i i i iti thi d t i i t i i

Winter is the best time to prune.

BY DAVID PEDERSENCONTRIBUTING WRITER

In this day in age of economic down-turn, it is a good idea to store yourinvestments properly. That includeslawn care and snow removal equipment.

If you take care of vehicles andequipment that are gas or battery pow-ered in the fall, you can avoid a fall-outin the spring.

“Be proactive and get ahead of thegame,” advises Mark Nordstrum fromMinnesota Equipment Solutions, a deal-er for John Deere, Gravely, Stihl andAriens with five locations in the metro.

When equipment sits for an extendedperiod of time, the fuel and oil deterio-rates, clogging parts like fuel injectors,carburetor jets and fuel valves. It is a bigreason why equipment runs poorly ornot at all come spring.

“It goes back to not preparing fuel forwinter storage,” adds Nordstrum,“Check your operator’s manual for theright mix of fuel conditioners or stabi-lizers. Run the tanks dry, and then mixfresh fuel with a stabilizer at the recom-mended rate. A full tank reduces the

amount air and deterioration. If a tankis empty there is no need for a stabiliz-er.”

Nordstrum recommends keepingyour mowing deck clean of rotten grassto help prevent the rusting process. Hesays to especially clean belts, pulleysand bearings.

“We are in a time where we are see-ing the repair business going up consid-erably than before,” said Nordstrum.“Instead of buying new, people are try-ing to keep equipment running longer.The best way is to get into a good habitfor doing routine maintenance.”

There is a benefit in removing batter-ies and storing them in a warm environ-ment. Nordstrum says the cold saps thejuice out of batteries, providing lesscranking capacity. The other benefit isthe cable connections get cleaned whenthe battery gets put back.

To double the life of a battery, there isa little charger called a battery tenderthat you can leave on the battery all win-ter. It will not overcharge the battery,while sensing the level of charge, onlyworking as needed.

Proper winter storage of lawn and snowequipment insures your investment


It’s important to knowwhich species to plantBY MICHAEL RICCISUN NEWSPAPERS

Do you think that yard work season isnow behind you?

Not so fast — October provides ampletime for late-season lawn and gardenplanting.

This subject often raises questions forthose wishing to maintain lawns and gar-dens, so it is important to know whichspecies are most conducive to an Octoberclimate. It’s also important to know whatsteps should be taken to aid in maintain-ing healthy lawns and plantings: flowers,shrubs, and trees.

A common question this time of theyear is what kinds of plants, as well asshrubs and trees, can be added duringthe fall.

Doug Geesaman, landscape managerfor Otten Bros. Garden Center &Landscaping, 2350 W. Wayzata Blvd LongLake, said the best types of flowers to useare mums and pansies. These are annu-als that provide good fall decorative col-oring. Other cool-season annuals includeasters, cabbage, ornamental peppers andkale.

Susie Bachman of Bachman’s FloralGifts & Gardens, which has seven loca-tions throughout the Twin Cities area,said individuals ought to consider fertil-izing during the late-season.

“Use a fall fertilizer now to replenishthe food source in the plant after a stress-ful summer and develop good rootgrowth,” she said.

Bachman commented on the timing ofcool-season planting of trees and shrubs.

“Now is the prefect time to plant newtrees and shrubs because there will beample time for them to develop a strongroot system before winter,” Bachmansaid. “Plus, if you plant maples, euony-mus, and sumac, they’ll add some greatfall color to your yard.”

Geesaman gave more examples oflate-season trees good for planting, suchas maple, oak, linden, locust, and firtrees. He added that the best shrubs areviburnum and euonymus.

“Those two have a good red-to-purplefall color,” he said.

Geesaman, however, indicated thetypes of trees that people may want toavoid during this time of year.

“The trees you don’t want to plant arebirch and willows,” he said. “They don’tdo well late in the year. I’d stay away fromthose.”

Geesaman said that trees and shrubsshould be watered through October, butthey simply don’t need as much inNovember.

And what about lawns? Is this thetime to continue watering, mowing andfertilizing?

According to Bachman, people shouldaerate their lawns with 20 to 40 holes persquare foot at 2 to 3 inches in depth. She

added that individuals should also con-sider reseeding their lawns.

“Do this immediately as it is gettinglater for the grass seed to germinate andestablish itself prior to dormancy,” shesaid. “After seeding, make sure your lawngets at least 1 inch of water each week.”

Bachman continued by saying indi-viduals ought to consider fertilizing dur-ing the late-season.

“Use a fall fertilizer now to replenishthe food source in the plant after a stress-ful summer and develop good rootgrowth,” Bachman said.

Geesaman concurred, saying individ-uals should fertilize late and keep theirlawns mowed until the season is over. He,

too, added that individuals should aerateand fertilize.

For those wondering about their out-door decorative items, such as lawnwaterfalls, Geesaman said any actiondepends on the item itself.

“Some need to be covered and somenot,” he said. “The pumps need to beremoved or they’ll freeze.”

He said those at Otten Bros. have theresources to answer all questions regard-ing these items. He added Otten Bros.carries many types of covers for water-falls, outdoor fountains and bird baths.

For more information, Otten Bros. canbe contacted online at ottenbros.com,while Bachman’s can also be contactedonline at bachmans.com.

Autumn lawn CareOctober provides time for lawn and garden planting

The Quick Answer ?What should I be doing right now formy yard/garden?

Removetired olda n n u a l sand replacethem withthe spec-tacular fallcolor ofm u m s ,a s t e r s ,ornamentalc a b b a g ekale, pan-sies andother falla n n u a l s .Don’t forgeta b o u tbulbs!

Now is the time to plant spring flower-ing bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, daffodils,crocus and alliums. Most deciduousshade trees can be pruned after they’velost their leaves for the year, but keep inmind trees and shrubs that flower early inthe spring, such as a lilac, should bepruned after they are done blooming andnot in the fall.

Cori Johnson, Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping


BY DAVID PEDERSENCONTRIBUTING WRITER

One reason why Gopher State One Call (GSOC) is bet-ter able to help serve and protect homeowners isbecause it takes fewer calls. The E-ticket is a recent newonline service.

Minnesota’s one call center is for the excavatingcommunity, including homeowners and contractorswho would like to dig in the ground. The phone numberis: 800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002. To order online, usewww.gopherstateonecall.org.

The goal since the start in 1988 is to provide the serv-ice of notification of proposed excavation to utilities inan accurate and timely manner in accordance with thelaws governing this process.

As the communication link between the excavatorand the underground facility operator, GSOC hasincreased public safety while decreasing undergroundfacility damage, monetary loss and personal injury bycoordinating the locating of underground facilities.

A customer service representative enters informa-tion pertaining to the excavation site into a computer.The rep then applies that information to an online map-ping system. This system indicates what facilities needto be notified of the excavation. Once the facilities aredetermined, the operator releases all information to thefacilities affected.

You are provided a ticket number as legal proof thatyou have notified Gopher State One Call of your intentto excavate. Retain this ticket number until the work iscompleted.

“The advantage for us to process orders electronical-ly is our operators can process more calls coming viathe phone,” said John Eisele from Gopher State OneCall. “This helps level the load. The free service pre-vents people from making a very costly mistake.”

Because the call center receives millions of requestseach year, Gopher State invests heavily in state-of-the-art One Call technology.

Along with requests for digging, Eisele says there aremany questions about how it all works. He suggest resi-dents submit information about any home excavationproject you are planning, such as planting a tree, build-ing a fence or any other circumstances that include dig-ging in your yard.

“Make sure to call for any project big or smallbecause utility lines can vary in depth,” said Eisele.“This is only for public not private facilities. For exam-ple, it does not include underground sprinkler systemsor lines going from the back side of the meter out tobuildings such as a shed or detached garage.”

Eisele has some reminders for residents who want todig. Allow two business days before you begin digging.You should call by Wednesday for work to be done on theweekend, excluding holidays.

The web service provides a list of private contrac-

tors who can be hired by residents to do work not doneby GSOC, which is a free service. The site also offers acolor code card so residents understand what it allmeans. There are promotional items that can be sentfree of charge, such as magnets and stickers.

Eisele said there is a misnomer that Gopher State

One Call does the locating. The center processes thecall, but the utilities locate their own facilities.

It helps if homeowners can define the area of excava-tion with white paint, stakes or flags “so it is not such aguessing game.”

Gopher State One Call should be at top of list before digging

Minnesota’s one call center is for the excavating community, including homeowners and contractors whowould like to dig in the ground. The phone number is: 800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002. To order online, usewww.gopherstateonecall.org.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?800

252-1166


8745 West Highway 101, Savage, MN 55378Monday-Thursday 10-8 • Friday 10-5 • Saturday 10-4

952-445-9140 • www.thoroughbredcarpets.com

Come meet our designers

Kristi and Jenna

We will BEAT Empire, Lowes &Home Depot’s prices. Come shop

here for your FREE estimate!

Abbey Carpet & FloorsAbbey Carpet & Floors

Free Deluxe 8LBSpillguard Padding

With Full Service InstallationNo further discounts apply. Expires 10/31/11

largeststocking

retailer inthe south

metro

Flooring options seem endless:Carpets in hundreds of patterns, pilesand colors; ceramic tile in all shapes andstyles; stone; laminate and hardwoodfloors made from every imaginablewood.

Despite all of those choices, a newmaterial is creating some big waves inthe flooring industry. This material isrenewable, easy to care for and durable.

What is this brand new flooring mate-rial? Well, it’s not new at all, but theattention it is gettingis new.

It’s CORK.Yes, the same stuff

that lined the walls atyour elementaryschool, filled with pintacks and that week’sart projects.

Today, however,cork comes in a vari-ety of styles and col-ors, and has becomeso popular because ofits many “plus” quali-ties.

Dawn Becker, prin-cipal owner ofInnovative Flooringin Wayzata, is hearingthe buzz about cork asshe talks with con-sumers. “They wantto know more about it, and when theydo, they go ooh,” she said.

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree,which grows in the Mediterranean. Thebark can be harvested every nine years,under strict rules. Cork trees can live for250 years or more.

This “green” factor is a big positivefor consumers, but that’s not all thatcork can offer. Cork has a lot of “give,”making it comfortable under foot. Corkhas a natural resistance to liquids.(Think about how it can seal a wine bot-tle for many years.) It is warm anddurable.

Today’s cork floors offer selection,performance, and beauty and can bemanufactured as tiles, planks, or evensheets in various thicknesses. The corkgoes through a baking process thatincreases its durability, and is thensealed with polyurethane or wax,according to the World Floor Covering

Association.Many of the choices are based in nat-

ural earth tones, but cork can come instained colors and also is available inbright primaries, perhaps for a child’sroom or a preschool classroom, Beckersaid.

Cork is finding its way into commer-cial markets, too. Becker said she hadjust worked with a new bicycle shop,which installed the comfortable corkflooring in its customer showroom.

The Mayo Clinic hasused cork for decades,and now has over200,000 square feet ofcork floors. The floorsdo have to be cleanedand re-coated, butthey’ve held up over theyears.

Cork floor could beused in just about anyroom in the houseexcept for a full bath-room. Kitchens andfamily rooms are idealcork candidates.

The flooring is easyto care for – similar towood floors. Vacuumup the dust, then use aspecialized wood floorcleaner.

The price range issimilar to wood – a cork floor can becompared price-wise to a mid-rangewood floor or mid-range laminate.

Cork can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer if you go with the click andlock system. If you want the tiles thatare glued to the floor base, it’s best tohire a professional, Becker said.

While hardwood floors are still verypopular, many consumers are taking alook at cork.

“There are so many options. It looksdifferent from what people imagine. Butonce people learn about it, they say,that’s pretty cool.”

Learn more about cork flooring at theWorld Floor Coverage Association:wfca.org

Innovative Flooring Design is locatedat 840 Lake St. E., Wayzata. Phone: 952-476-0106. Online at innovativeflooringde-sign.com.

Can you guess:What is the latest trend in flooring?


Call us at

952-471-97003607 Shoreline Dr., Wayzata, MN 55391

Serving Lake Minnetonka Since 1963

A-1Minnetonka

RentalSave money by

renting time saving tools that work for you!!

• Tillers• Back Pack

Blowers• Power Rakes• Aerators

• Trailers• Bobcats• Dingos• Deck Sanders• Pressure Washers

RENT ITwww.a1rentit.com

952-471-3333LakeMinnetonkaPartyRental.com3607 Shoreline Dr., Wayzata, MN 55391

Intimate WeddingsOutdoor Events

Grad Parties

• Chairs • Tables • Tents • Accessories • and More!

“Serving TheLake Minnetonka Area”

CARPET SALE

UNIQUE SELECTIONEXPERIENCED SALES & DESIGNPROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

Wayzata Village Shoppes840 E. Lake Street

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9-6, Friday-Saturday 9-3

952-476-0106

Featuring

www.InnovativeFlooringDesign.com

FREE PAD UPGRADETAKE-UP & RECYCLINGOF EXISTING CARPET & PAD

FREE ESTIMATES & DESIGN CONSULTS

20% SAVINGS PLUS...

CARPET • CORK • LEATHER • HARDWOOD FLOORS • STONE/TILE • CAMBRIA

FREE

Making home improvements doesn’thave to mean compromising environ-mental ideals in the process. There arenumerous jobs that a person can do thatfit with a green lifestyle. While theseimprovements help protect the planet,they’ll also help keep a few extra dollarsin your wallet.

1. Conserve water. Turn off the tapbetween brushing teeth or rinsing offdishes. Better yet, install low-flowfaucets, showerheads and toilets thatreduce the consumption of water in thehousehold.

2. Motion detection: Motion-detectorlights can be installed in different roomsof the home and outdoors. Lights willautomatically turn on and off depend-ing on the activity in the area, reducingthe chances of a light being left on inad-vertently and wasting money and ener-gy.

3. Solar panels: You may have beentoying with the idea of solar panels foryears. They can be installed on the roofor in the yard to power various compo-nents of the household, like lights dur-

ing a traditional power outage or theswimming pool filter. Today it is possibleto buy used solar panels, many of whichstill have a lot of life left to them and areconsiderably cheaper than new ones.

4. Aluminum-clad storm door:Insulate the entryway of your homewith a storm door that will bufferagainst harsh weather conditions. Whileyou’re creating a more air-tight space,caulk around windows and doors.

5. Replace air filters. Your HVAC sys-tem likely has filters inside that trap dirtand contaminants. Replacing the filtersleads to cleaner indoor air and helps theunit run more efficiently.

6. Power strips: Stock up on powerstrips and plug all of your peripheralsand computer equipment into thesestrips. This way when you want to powerdown everything completely, you simplyturn off the power button on the strip.This ensures no devices are drawingpower even in the off position, whichmany do.

7. Install fans. Fans aren’t just usefulin the summer. In the winter, the blades

can be set to rotate in the opposite direc-tion and help draw warm air into theroom, heating more efficiently.

8. Rainwater barrels: Set up rainwa-ter barrels at the downspouts of yourhome’s gutter system. These barrels col-lect water that can be used to waterindoor and outdoor plants, or even washthe car. Some feature a spigot to whichyou can directly connect a garden hose.

9. Plant trees. Trees are good for theenvironment in many ways, producingnecessary oxygen for life and offeringfood and living areas for wildlife. Treescan also shade a home during the warmweather, helping reduce energy con-sumption.

10. Glass fireplace doors: Install glassfireplace doors, which are safer thanfireplace screens. They’ll also help pro-tect against heat loss up the chimneywhen there isn’t a fire lit.

There are a variety of ways to gogreen with home improvements,whether extensive projects or smallfixes.

Save the planet and your wallet?

Should I be painting my home whileI’m pregnant. Is it dangerous for my baby?

According to theAmerican PregnancyAssociation there are cur-rently no studies that docu-ment the effects of householdpainting on pregnancy andthe developing baby.

If you are painting ahome built prior to 1978there is a possibilitythat existing paint con-tains lead. Do notscrape or disturb thispaint as the EPA rec-ommends that preg-nant women shouldavoid exposure to lead.

When you are readyto paint, be sure tochoose a low or no VOC(volatile organic com-pounds) product and make sure the roomis well ventilated for your health and thesafety of your baby. Avoid oil based paints.

Excelsior Paint & Design

The Quick Answer


CMYK

Call for a free estimate(952) 431-9970 or

(612) 850-6335

The Real

Retaining Walls New/Repair

Pride in workmanship and an endur-ing history is at the core of GardnerConstruction’s foundation.

The company’s roots go back to thedays just after World War II when RobGardner’s father started the business.Today, Rob and his brother, Jerry, runtheir own company, specializing infoundation repair, concrete repair, andinstallation for over 30 years. Theirbrother, Richard, is an important part ofthe team. “We repair deteriorating foun-dations, repair or replace walls, installdrain tile systems, repair or replacesteps, garage floors and sidewalks. Weremove and replace floors, driveways,and patios,” Rob said. “We’ve done it along time. We’re a second-generation

repair company, so we’re familiar witholder houses.”

The company has built a solid reputa-tion based on professional craftsman-ship, reliability and outstanding serviceto its customers. The brothers’ exten-sive experience and skill gives cus-tomers confidence that the job is incapable hands and will withstand thetest of time.

Rob and Jerry, as well as their nearly20 employees, are committed to thecompany’s foundation and the satisfac-tion of its customers. The company’steams are cross-trained in constructionskills. Rob added, “Most of our topguys have done it for ten years. Themajority of our employees have fami-

lies of their own. They’re all local peo-ple from the area.”

Rob and Jerry know that, like theircompany’s family groundwork, it’sessential to have employees who under-stand the importance of a strong foun-dation, as well as employees who cus-tomers can trust.

In addition to their good-natured char-acters, the employees of GardnerConstruction are committed to provid-ing customers with upfront and timelyinformation, accommodating the cus-tomer’s schedule. When customers call,someone from Gardner Constructionanswers questions and sets up anappointment for an estimate. “We try tomeet with the customer the same day, if

possible,” Rob said. If GardnerConstruction is hired, they provide adetailed timeline of when the work willbegin and when it will be completed.“Through the years, the company hasgrown due to satisfied customers givingreferrals to their neighbors, friends andfamilies,” Rob said.

With Gardner Construction’s historicbackground, customers can rest assuredthe company isn’t going anywhere. Robexplained, “We’re a small enough com-pany to offer personal service, but bigenough to have strength behind it. Itsets us apart.”

For more information, call612-850-6335 or 952-431-9970. Visitwww.gardnerconstructioninc.com.

Gardner Construction pridesitself on its foundation


CMYK

Living spaces with you in mind...

Specializing in Total Home RemodelingWhether your project is a whole house renovation, small remodel or repair…our

quality craftsmanship and attention to every detail is a constant. We guide you

through the selection process with keeping an eye on the overall budget. Reasonable,

respectful and reliable… Call Ashlann Builders for a free consultation!

• Kitchens• Baths• Master Suites• Basements• Garages• Siding

• Decks• Roofs• Windows• Three-Season

Porches• Room Additions

• Outdoor Living Spaces

• Total Home Renovations

• Tiled Backsplashes

Lic #20062310 • Bonded • Fully Insured

763.531.0320 www.ashlannbuilders.com18700 South Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Voted #1

2011 fallhomes

Documents

new kitchen mess

kitchen cost

new doors

outdated kitchen cabinets

kitchen remodel

wood cabinets

cabinet refacing

new veneer