By Jennifer WingHomeowners today have many

tools at their disposal as they survey potential projects to improve their environment. From the Internet to do-it-yourself shows on television to good, old-fashioned competi-tion among businesses in the home improvement industry, in many ways the homeowner has the upper hand.

Savvy consumers are finding ways to have their homes operate in a smarter way, enabling them to get more bang for their buck. They are looking at the space they own and, instead of adding on, are making that space more flexible and efficient. They are organizing their homes in ways that maximize square footage

and energy efficiency while mini-mizing time and money spent on future maintenance.

The two main trends as we end 2012 and enter into 2013 can be summarized in two words: ease and efficiency.Ease

Many homeowners are now keeping an eye on not only simplify-ing the home improvement project itself, but also keeping future main-tenance needs to a bare minimum.

An example of this is on the home’s exterior, with many con-sumers choosing maintenance-free vinyl siding. Though wood does add character to a house, especially if you look to cedar shingles or other wood grains being used as part of

the décor, vinyl siding will hold up against any kind of weather and does not have the same amount of maintenance that is entailed with wood siding.

Vinyl siding also comes in many different colors and styles nowadays, allowing for the homeowner to personalize their home’s exterior in a way that is more similar to wood siding. Aluminum siding is still popular as well, and is less expensive than vinyl, although it can fade and dent over time, and will thus have to be replaced.

Inside, many homeowners are also planning the surfaces of their homes, whether they be floors or counter tops, with ease of upkeep in mind. Ceramic tile for the kitchen

waveThe of the future?An overview of induction stoves

There are many changes that can take place in a kitchen, but none that impact functionality of the space more than upgrading appliances. Manufacturers include new features on kitchen appliances every year, and those upgrades are aimed at making food preparation and storage easier.

An induction stove is a relatively new innovation that uses mag-netic energy to induce a current and eventually heat food. It works by way of a copper wire that is underneath where you’d place the cooking pot. An alternative electric current then goes through the cop-per wire, creating a magnetic field. This creates an electric current in a ferromagnetic metal pot (one that a magnet would stick to). The current flowing through the pot generates the heat in the pot and the pot alone. The food cooks, but the actual heating element of the stove remains cool to the touch.

Many home cooks prefer cook-ing with gas instead of electric-ity. However, the safety, speed and cooking provided by induction cooking methods may make induc-tion stoves more popular.

Some of the benefits of this method include:It cooks quickly

Heat is transferred directly within the pan’s metal when using an induction stove. That means that little energy is lost between the pan and the heating element as would be the case with other stoves. Pans heated on an induction stove heat up quickly and can cook meals much faster.Safety

Safety is another consideration with induction cooktops. There is no open flame or hot electric ele-ment. This reduces the propensity for burns and there is no chance that an errant towel or other item will catch fire when it is too close to the stove. Also, even if a piece of paper were between the pot and the cook-ing element, heat would only be generated in the pot and not cause the paper to ignite. Should a child touch the heating surface, there would be no risk of burns.It’s environmentally friendly

Because of the concentrated heat delivery, induction stoves waste less energy than their electric and

A FALL GUIDE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS & SERVICES OCTOBER 2012

Home trends:

Ease, efficiency Everyday life reflected in improvements

Free treesJoin foundation and get 10 trees

The Arbor Day Foundation will brighten up your fall by offering 10 free autumn classics trees when you join the organization in October.

The free trees are part of the foundation’s “Trees for America” campaign, a program dedicated to environ-mental stewardship through the planting of trees. Everyone who joins the foundation in October will receive 10 free autumn classics: Two sugar maples, two red maples and one each of scarlet oak, sweetgum, northern red oak, silver maple, white flowering dog-wood and Washington hawthorn.

“Members will especially enjoy these trees during the autumn months because they’ll add abundant, vi-brant color to any yard or landscape for years to come,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Planting instructions will be enclosed with each shipment of trees.

To receive 10 free autumn classics, send a $10 mem-bership contribution to Autumn Classics Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by October 31, 2012, or join online at arborday.org/october.

SEE homE trEndS, pagE 5a

SEE ovEn, pagE 5a

2a home improvement fall OCTOBER 2012

Bob’sTrue Value4805 South Salina St.Syracuse N.Y. 13205

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Choosing a patio

materialCurb appeal can have a dramatic impact on

prospective homebuyers. Landscaping improve-ments and renovations to the outside of the home create a strong first impression on buyers, who often feel a home with an appealing exterior has an equally impressive interior.

A patio is one area of a home that can boost a home’s appeal while also providing a great place for current homeowners to relax outside. Many homeowners waver when choosing a material for their patio because each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A backyard patio is a place where friends and family members can convene in the nice weather to enjoy dining al fresco. In the cooler months, a patio is a great place to gather around a fire pit and warm chilly toes while sipping mugs of hot cocoa.

When designing a patio, homeowners must make a host of decisions, not the least of which is choosing a patio material. Wood, stone, con-crete, paving blocks and tile all can be used to create appealing and functional patios. Because of the widespread availability of concrete, pavers and wood, many patios are constructed of these materials.Concrete

Concrete is one of the more affordable patio materials. With stamped concrete, homeowners can enjoy more colors and designs than ever before, and new technology in tinting and styling enables concrete to look like other expensive stone materials at a fraction of the cost of stone.

For the experienced mason, laying concrete is a relatively easy job. It may be more difficult for the novice do-it-yourselfer because laying concrete requires knowledge of grading and also install-ing spacers correctly to deter cracking. Because concrete is not as labor-intensive as some other materials, homeowners may save some money if they choose concrete.

Concrete is durable, but over time cracking is inevitable. Some concrete requires the application of a sealant every few years to protect coloring and durability. Around pools, concrete can become slippery when wet if an anti-skid agent was not applied.paving stones

Many homeowners gravitate toward paving stones because their varied texture and shapes can create quite an appealing look in a yard. If installed correctly, pavers will not crack and it is

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey indicate that homeowners annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas.

One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are beneficial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and a table and cook for family and friends. Those who simply love being outdoors find decks the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun or idle away the evening hours.

But homeowners who want to build a deck should know a few things before that process begins.

permits are necessary. Unless the deck is going to be especially small, you will

likely need a permit to build it. Before buying any materials or consulting any contractors, make certain you know which permits you need and how to get them. If the proper permits are not secured before the project begins, you might have to tear down the whole project and start all over again.

Decks don’t have to go on the back of the house. If the back of your house sits in the blazing sun all day,

then it’s probably best to build the deck elsewhere, and that’s perfectly all right. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable.

decks don’t have to be made of wood. It’s easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. How-

ever, decks can be made out of a wide variety of materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure treated wood is perhaps the most popular material for decking because it’s not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade

materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoy-ing the deck to wear shoes.

Expect to do some digging. If you’re going to build your own deck, expect to do some

serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the deck’s weight. Just how deep you’ll dig depends on your climate’s specific frost line, but it’s safe to assume you’ll get a workout in when digging.

the deck can have multiple levels. Though many people associate decks with one level, it’s

possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply don’t have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A multi-level deck can break up those long flights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day.

You will want to protect the deck. Decks are a costly investment, and you will want to protect

that investment. If you’re building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the mate-rial. Once you’ve finished painting, apply sealant, whether it’s oil- or water-based.

don’t forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But

not all woods and fasteners are the right fit, as certain woods are only compatible with certain fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fit ahead of time. Because fasteners conceal the screws, they also make it possible to go barefoot on the deck.

All decked out Things the do-it-yourselfer should

know before building a deck

TIPS & tricks

Many homeowners choose paving stones for their yard.

SEE patIo, pagE 3a

A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions.

OCTOBER 2012 home improvement fall 3a

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Visit our New Location:225 Wilkinson Street

Entrance on Leavenworth Ave.(Just West of Downtown Syracuse)

with free parking Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm

Open Til 8pm on Thursday

Traditional, Transitional, Contemporary• Free home trial & delivery• Thousands of rugs in stock• See our new line of Unique Furniture!• We now offer Professional Cleaning!

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Come to Wheeler’s Farm and Home for all your home heating needs

Jacobsen Rugs continues legacy of customer service

Jacobsen Rugs’ new location at 225 Wilkinson St. opened its doors Jan. 2.

by Brian SmithWell versed in both matters, Bruce Gi-

anni much prefers the story of a phoenix rising from the ashes to the fate of the dodo bird, metaphorically speaking.

Gianni and Brent Goodsell co-own Jacobsen Rugs, a fixture for hand-knotted Oriental and area rugs in downtown Syra-cuse since 1924. As the end of their lease in the Learbury Centre approached this past autumn, they were faced with the daunt-ing task of raising enough capital during a recession to move their business. The numbers didn’t look good, and Gianni and Goodsell made the tough decision to close their store, started by the Jacobsen family 88 years ago.

Then, pleas from the customers began.“When we announced we were going to

close, people were coming in and saying, ‘Please don’t close,’” said Gianni, who has worked for Jacobsen Rugs for 33 years, becoming part of the ownership team in 2002. Goodsell, a 35-year employee, also became an owner in 2002. “Our custom-ers were telling us how they ‘grew up’ on our rugs and how sad they would be if we weren’t around any longer. Of course it made us feel good, and it also gave us the drive to make an attempt at keeping the company going.”

A going-out-of-business sale became a

push to pay off debts and generate capital. Space needed to be secured for the new lo-cation, and Jacobsen Rugs was able to turn another negative into a positive.

“There are a lot of empty buildings in Syracuse, but we needed one that would fit our needs of highlighting the features of our rugs,” Gianni said. “It had to be large, but it also had to have an inviting look and feel.”

The old Dietz Lantern Factory at 225 Wilkinson St. was the perfect location. Ja-cobsen Rugs leased 10,000 square feet in the building, and immediately began restoring the space’s original hardwood flooring and exposed beams.

Jacobsen Rugs reopened their doors to the public on Jan. 2, and Gianni said cus-tomer feedback has been great. He added that the size of the location allows them to displays several variations of their rugs, which are imported from all over the world. Numerous large windows allow for plenty of natural light to shine on the inventory, creating a stunning ambience while giving customers a sense of how the rugs would appear in their homes.

“First and foremost, the customers are glad that we made it, and that we’re still in a convenient location in the city,” Gianni said. “We’re still working on getting more inventory into the display space, but things

are going well.“With WCNY building their new studio

close by, and other art spaces and perfor-mance centers springing up, we are thrilled to be part of the next boom area here on the Westside.”

Jacobsen’s carries rugs in various shapes, sized from 2x3 to 12x20. They will work with customers to select the rug best priced and sized for their needs. To learn more, call 422-7832 or visit jacobsenrugs.com for more information.

Don’t forget about getting all of your Husqvarna equip-ment serviced before winter, and stop in to see Wheeler’s Farm and Home Inc. and their lineup of Husqvarna Snow

blowers and snow throwers.Don’t forget to check out Wheeler’s Farm and Home inc.

on Facebook for exclusive offers and all the latest deals.

Wheeler’s Farm and Home Inc. is located at 27 S. Main St. in Jordan.

possible to easily add on to an original design because of the portability of these stones. And because they can be moved, pavers can be repaired from underground and stones can be replaced without any demolition. Homeowners like that pavers can quickly make a yard look high-end.

Although pavers can be installed as a do-it-yourself project, such installation can be labor-intensive. The ground needs to be accurately leveled and prepped before the stones can be placed to help ensure there is no shifting or movement. Polymeric sand should be applied and pushed into the joints between blocks to alleviate shifting. The sand contains a polymer that hardens and locks the blocks in place. Such detailed work is beyond the abilities of many homeowners, who typically pay a substantial amount to have the stones professionally installed.

Though the sand may inhibit weed growth, weeds can still pop up between the blocks, so maintenance is necessary. Also, paving blocks are slightly uneven and they can loosen, which can prove a safety hazard to the elderly or young children who

aren’t surefooted.Wood

Wood is often thought of in a raised deck scenario, but it can also be laid at ground level to create a low-lying patio. A wood patio can be unique and stained or painted in a variety of colors. It also may be less expensive to install than concrete or pavers. If the shape is relatively simple, a do-it-yourselfer also may be able to do the job without hiring a professional.

Though wood is a good choice for many homeowners, it is one of the more maintenance-heavy materials. Wood must be routinely cleaned, stained and sealed. Even with the best care, wood can warp, splinter and chip. When surrounding a pool, wood may deteriorate after coming in contact with chemicals from the pool water. Though most wood is treated, it may be susceptible to boring insects and other pests.

Creating a patio can add value to a home. The hard decision is selecting a patio material that fits your budget and gives your patio the look you desire.

Patio From page 2a

4a home improvement fall OCTOBER 2012

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TODAY!

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Detached Custom-Built GaragesDetached Custom-Built Garages

H. LANGDON STORAGE...Year Round Storage...5x10’s to 10x30’s. 695-7073

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References Available

1847

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HEATING &AIR CONDITIONING, INC.

since 1972

HILLSHEATINGANDAIR.COM

Auburn2121 W. Genesee St.

253-6869

Baldwinsville7852 W. River Rd.

638-2945

SAVE UP TO $420!

ENERGYSAVINGS!

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National Grid Rebate For Up To $420 OffOn High Efficiency Furnaces Ends Soon!

Call HILL’S for RHEEMHeating & Air Conditioning!

Rheem 95% two stage Natural or LP Gas Furnaces

Hill’s asks… ‘Central New Yorkers, should you replace your furnace today?’In 2007, the U.S. Congress

passed the Energy Security and Independence Act (the “2007 Energy Bill”). This bill set a new precedent by allow-ing the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop regional standards for the installation location of heating and cool-ing equipment.

In northern states, high-efficiency furnaces are re-quired after May 1, 2013.

Will this affect You?Those who will be im-

pacted the most by the new regional standards are people that live in the North Region and have a non-condensing gas furnace. The upcom-ing regional standards will require that gas furnaces installed in the North Region have at least 90 percent Annu-al Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, compared to

the current 78 percent AFUE, effectively excluding the use of non-condensing furnaces and requiring the installation of condensing furnaces in the North Region. how Will this Impact You?

If you live in the North Region, you may be looking at costly issues when it comes time to replace your exist-ing furnace. The three main

issues likely to arise when replacing a non-condensing furnace with a condensing furnace:

1. Equipment space con-straints

2. Exhaust venting require-ments

3. Condensate disposalMany homes have limited

space for furnaces, and con-densing furnaces and their different space requirements may not fit in your furnace’s current location. This could mean renovations, knocking down walls, and losing living space. An alternative would be to relocate the equipment, but this brings other issues.

Requirements for venting the exhaust for condensing furnaces differ from those for noncondensing units. What if

the best new venting path for the condensing furnace runs through space that belongs to a neighbor? Also, if the non-condensing unit used a common vent with other appliances, it may be neces-sary to resize the vent if one of the appliances is removed. Finally, the exiting exhaust is designed to be an appropri-ate distance dictated by the building code from features like windows, doors, dryers, vented gas regulators, etc.

The new furnace must also comply with code, and its venting path may require the unit to be moved, even if

there is enough room at the current location!

The third major technical issue would be how to dispose of the water condensate pro-duced by the new furnace. If the current unit is a non-con-densing furnace, there was no condensate. A condensing furnace, however, will re-quire attention to collecting and disposing of condensate before it can freeze and lead to water overflow, which can damage the building.

A solution to some of these issues would be to ‘simply’ move the equipment. Unfor-tunately, that would necessi-tate re-designing and re-sizing the duct system, as well as in-stalling new components. Ad-ditionally, moving the furnace would also require re-routing the gas piping and electrical power. Are you prepared for all these possible (and likely) issues? Is your wallet?

What Will You Do?The new regional stan-

dards will require the installa-tion of condensing furnaces in the North Region starting on May 1, 2013. It may be wise to upgrade your current, older non-condensing gas furnace for a new non-condensing gas furnace before that date. Otherwise, you will likely be required to install a condens-ing furnace and deal with the added complications.

Your HVAC contractor can provide an estimate that in-cludes both furnace options.

For more information con-tact Hill’s Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.; phone: 638-2945; hillsheatingandair.com; or email hillsact@twcny.rr.com.

Will you be affected?See for yourself what the DOE

considers the North Region:

OCTOBER 2012 home improvement fall 5a

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TODAY!

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Must present coupon at time of estimate.Valid on installation only. Not valid on previous services.

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384

gas counterparts. In addition, they will not heat up the kitchen while cooking, which means homeowners or professional chefs do not have to factor cooling systems into their kitchens to combat excessive heat-ing. Almost no ambient heat is generated through induction cooking. Furthermore, you are using less energy, which means lower electric and gas bills.Clean-up is easy

With heat generated inside of the pan or pot, you will not have to worry about spilled-over food burning and sticking to hot cooking ele-ments. Also, there are no grates or grease traps to contend with while cooking. This means that cleaning up after a meal may only require a damp cloth to clean the cooktop surface.

It is important to note that induction stoves can be three to four times more expensive than gas and electric models. That said, hom-eowners will recoup some of those costs thanks to lower energy bills. You also will need to purchase ferrous metal pots in order to cook with the stove. Otherwise, a special ferrous disk will have to be placed between a nonferrous metal pot and the induction cooktop in order to generate the heat.

With fast cooking times, improved safety features and the novelty factor of cooking through magnetic energy, induction stove cooktops have quickly become prized possessions.

and bathroom floors as well as any eat-in areas pro-motes quick cleanup and durability while allowing for the everyday wear-and-tear of working parents and busy children occupying the space.

Hard surfaces like oh-so-trendy marble or granite are popular materials for countertops, and tend to be lifetime fixtures in the busiest gathering areas of the home.

Wallpaper seems to almost be a thing of the past, as homeowners realize that a little paint can go a long way when it comes to personalizing a space from muted, quiet neutrals to vibrant, exciting jewel tones, there is something to be found in a can of paint for every décor and personality.

And… no stripping of wallpaper if you want a change.Efficiency

People are turning more to utilizing what space they have in new ways rather than adding on.

For instance, the days of having a room that is kept like a “museum” and only used for special occasions are at an end. That space is at a premium, now that

home offices, video games and entertainment walls with flat screen TVs have turned homes into multi-media havens.

Parents wanting to keep an eye on their children’s Internet surfing, or wanting to be able to multi-task by folding laundry while watching their favorite show have found that what used to be an “extra” room can be their best bet when trying to do it all.

With game systems needing more space, as they become an outlet for exercising through dance compe-titions or playing controller-free football, these spaces that seemed superfluous now are added to the mix of everyday living.

Homeowners are finding that setting up a desk for their computer/laptop/tablet of choice and a well-placed living room grouping with accent tables can help them to turn that room into a multi-purpose hub of activity that extends their entertaining space and simplifies the crossover from lounging to working at home, whether chores, the job or homework are the duties for the day.

Home trends From page 1aOven From page 1a

6a home improvement fall OCTOBER 2012

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Plank Road Fireplace and Stove Shop provides one-on-one customer attention

Plank Road Fireplace and Stove Shop has been open for 20 years, serving the Central New York Community. We sell American Made fireplaces and we are passionate about supporting local business. Over the years we have seen many things come and go. The tried-and-true philosophy of a solid local business with American products has pulled us through, and has proved to be as vital today as it ever was.

Though we sometimes long for the good old days when choices were limited to either a wood stove with single door or wood stove with a double door, we embrace the modern variety. It can be daunt-ing out there these days just trying to find the right alternative heating source, let alone finding a style that fits your home. We’re here to help you. There’s simply no substitute for the personal one-on-one professional attention our company provides.

A trip to our warm, inviting showroom will bring you back in time to a place where knowledge and ex-pertise is still available to you in a relaxed, neighborly setting. Sit by our cozy fire and chat about your dream fireplace. We’ve sold most all the brands, and we’re familiar with the various ways local builders have put our homes together. There’s always a way to do it right, and we’ll find it.

The three main fireplace brands we sell are Lopi, Avalon, and Fireplace Xtrordinair. They’re all U.S. made in the same factory in Washington State called Travis Industries. These three brands have stood the test of time and beat out every other brand we’ve ever had for reliability, performance, warranty and value. Hands down we can tell you that Travis Industries makes a product that is a cut above the rest. A small, privately-held manufacturing company, their philoso-phy is similar to ours: Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, just do an honest job and be the best you

can be. Sounds simple enough but we all know how complicated it can be out there these days.

If you’re thinking about a new fireplace or stove, do consider what we have to offer you, right here in your hometown. We’ll look forward to seeing you, for some storytelling of your own soon.

Thanks for reading.THE STAFF AT PLANk ROAD FIREPLACE

AND STOVE SHOP

The Cape Cod “Hybrid Fyre” wood stove by LOPI. More than 90 percent efficiency, U.S. made.

Cheap ways to freshen the houseNow that temperatures are dropping and homeowners find themselves spend-

ing more time indoors, those pesky odors that come with everyday living can become more noticeable. Most people want their living spaces to smell clean and fresh. However, pets, aromas from the kitchen, cigarette smoke and other things can make a home smell bad. Here are inexpensive ways to remedy all that.

✓ Find the source of the bad smell and eliminate it. This could be a garbage pail sitting in the sun or sink disposal that's filled with food debris.

✓ Use a chunk of cedar or sandalwood in drawers and closets for a fresh woodsy smell.

✓ Simmer some cinnamon sticks and water in a pot on the stove.✓ Dab a favorite essential oil onto a piece of fabric and stash it wherever

you want a pleasant smell — even in the car.✓ Toss a used dryer sheet in the linen closet to keep sheets and towels

smelling freshly washed.✓ Grow herbs in a window box. When the breeze blows, the fresh smell

of basil or rosemary will come into the home.✓ keep fresh flowers or plants inside the home. They'll filter the air and

provide a pleasant aroma.✓ Use lemons to clean the sink and kitchen surfaces for a fresh, citrus smell.✓ Bake some cookies or another dessert for a wonderful aroma.✓ Place a tray of fallen pine needles on a cookie sheet sprayed with a little

water into a warm oven. The pine scent will fill the house.✓ Open up the windows and let fresh air in.✓ Soak cotton balls in vanilla and stash around

the house.✓ Bathe and groom pets

frequently.✓ Use a favorite-scented

reed diffuser, which will lightly scent the house for weeks.

✓ keep a pot of water with potpourri on a wood-burning stove or radiator for a wonderful scent.

Push cloves into an orange. Hang the clove-studded orange on a string and place in a corner. The orange clove scent will slowly fill the room.

TIPS & tricks

Kitchen Cabinets Kitchen Islands

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Authentic Wood Furniturefor every room in your home.

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TIPS & tricks

Jen’s Spooky Halloween Chili

Ingredients

3 pounds ground beef

2 12 -ounce cans crushed tomatoes

2 12-ounce cans tomato sauce

1 large onion, diced

1 large green pepper chopped

1 Tbsp minced garlic

2 8-ounce cans kidney beans, drained

2 8-ounce cans chili beans, with sauce

Chili powder, amount depending upon desired spici-

ness

directionsCook beef in pan on stove until brown.Remove from heat and drain fat.Combine with crushed tomatoes, sauce, onion, pepper,

garlic and beans in slow cooker/crock pot.Add at least 4 Tbsp. chili powder, more if a hotter chili is

desired.Cover and cook in the slow cooker for six hours on low or

three on high, stirring occasionally.Serve with cheese, sour cream and scallions on the side

for garnish and cornbread or biscuits for dipping.

What a crock!

This recipe is so easy and makes enough for a gath-ering on any cold night, or for your family alone, with enough for yummy leftovers.

Looking for an easy way to whip up a meal ahead of time so that you can concentrate on other activities?

The days of stirring a pot over a hot stove are long gone, thanks to the invention of the slow cooker.

Sometimes generally referred to as a “crock pot,” Crock-pot is actually a brand name for the slow cooker, which is an electric pot that plugs into an elecrical outlet. The cooker comes either with or without a removable ceramic pot for easy storage before the meal is cooked or after it is finished.

There typically are two settings, high and low, and the setting used depends upon the timeframe during which the meal will be cooked.

According to crock-pot.com, the typical slow cooker food loads and their respective cook times are as follows:

Cut Weight Low Cook Time High Cook TimeLarge Pork Roast 6-7 lbs 9 ½ hours 7 ½ hoursPork Loin 3-4 lbs 6 hours 5 hoursPoultry 6 lbs 7 ½ hours 6 ¼ hoursBeef Roast 3-4 lbs 8 hours 5 ¾ hoursStew Meat 3 lbs 6 hours 4 ¾ hoursFish 2 lbs 3 ½ hours 1 ½ hours

All cook times are approximate. Appropriate cook time varies according to specific meat

characteristics for fat content and connective tissue as well as other ingredients added to dish, including liquid, size of meat cubes, type of vegetable, size of vegetable dice, how high slow cooker is filled, etc.

Many recipes can be found on the Internet, and ev-erything from breads to desserts can be made in a slow cooker.

Below is a tried-and-true recipe for chili that has been made many times by Eagle Newspapers Managing Editor Jennifer Wing.

OCTOBER 2012 home improvement fall 7a

8a home improvement fall OCTOBER 2012

1 Car (12x22) $7,7152 Car (20x22) $10,7403 Car (30x22) $14,360

WOOD EXTERIORVINYL & OTHER

SIDING AVAILABLEROOFING SIDING CONCRETE

• Wire Mesh Reinforced 3500 lb. Concrete floor• 2x4 Studs-16” O.C.• Truss roof construction to take heavy snow & eliminate posts & beams inside

• 1/2” Plywood roof sheeting• Quality Overhead doors• Local Quality - Experienced Builder• Custom built not a Prefab• No extra charge within 40 mi.

• All other widths and depths at proportionate cost• Prices include all concrete work, labor, materials (except painting)• No Salesman, Builder will call

REEVE GARAGE BUILDERS INC.

DETACHED CUSTOM BUILT

GARAGES

ASPHALT SHINGLES & STEELTEAR OFF - LAY OVER

ALL TYPESVINYL • STEEL • WOOD

PATIOS • FLOORSSIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS

1849

6

Over35 Years

Experience

$200 off$

REEVE GARAGE BUILDERS, INC.

reeve Garage Builders offers garages and much more

Reeve Garage Builders is starting its 35th year serving the Central New York area, plus customers in Water-town, Ithaca, Rome, Utica, Sodus, Waterloo, Geneva, to name a few.

And as the name implies, Reeve Garage Builders spe-cializes in detached custom-

built garages. They will build a one-car, two-car and three-car garage, in wood exterior, vinyl or other siding, all with quality in mind.

And the secret is now out! Reeve Garage Builders is more than just garages.

They specialize in roof-ing, and do asphalt shingles

and steel, tear off or lay over. They are now booking their summer roofing jobs.

Last year’s mild winter was not rough on area roofs — but if you’ve had problems in the past with ice buildup and water backing up under shingles — it hasn’t gone away. Summer is a great time to replace your roof and Reeve’s low overhead prices are tough to beat.

Call 695-7088 or 695-5052 for a free estimate.

Interested in siding? Reeve Builders does all types — vi-nyl, steel and wood. Siding will add beauty and value to your home — and increase efficiency. Your home will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Many colors are available — maybe now is the time to change the color of your home. And, best of all, you can put the paint brushes away — and that will free up time to enjoy this great sum-mer weather.

Need concrete work done? Need concrete work done on that new inground pool? Need repairs to the concrete around your pool? Patios, floors, sidewalks, driveways — call Reeve today.

So you can see that Reeve Garage Builders, a trusted name for over 35 years, does much more than just build quality garages.

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Helping out: house cleaning can be fun for kidsTIPS & tricks

Here is a list of the top kid-friendly cleaning tips for moms or dads who’d like a helping hand around the house, released by Molly Maid, the nation’s lead-ing residential cleaning company:Window cleaning with streak-free cleaner

Trust your kids with this streak-free solution. Combine 1 gallon of water with 1/2 cup of vinegar,

1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and about two squirts of dish detergent. Pour into a sprayer bottle, soak windows and wipe away, leaving no streaks or smudges.Kid-friendly toilet cleaning

For toilet stains, try a denture cleaning dissolv-ing tablet, which cleans porcelain. Perfect for your

son or daughter to easily drop into the toilet, let it do the job, then flush.Use a microfiber cloth

Give your little one a microfiber cloth that is damp with water. Let them wipe down the coffee table, TV stand, etc. There are no chemicals needed for this job!get rid of car odors

To remove stinky odors from a car, place a few briquettes of charcoal under-neath the seats. The charcoals absorb the stench and keep your car smelling fresh. Just make sure to use charcoal without starting fluid on them or the car will smell like fuel instead!

Molly Maid is one of four service companies under Service Brands International. For more information visit mollymaid.com. Kids can help fold the laundry while chatting with mom or dad.

Reeve Garage Builders will build a one-car, two-car and three-car garage, all with quality in mind.