Take Christmas lights down to avoid fires

NOT only will you annoy your neighbours by keeping up your Christmas lights until July, you may be putting your home in danger. CSA International, a leader in product testing and certification services, commissioned a survey that found 25 per cent . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

GARDENING: It all begins indoors

Starting seeds along their way inside is easy

It's that time of year again! Gardeners from all corners of the Prairies have been nestled up with their favourite seed catalogs, dreaming of the summer to come. Now that spring is approaching, it's time to start planting. Starting seeds indoors . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

How will your garden grow?

Roof and community plantings among 2011's green-thumb trends

Trends in gardening for 2011? It often comes down to whom you talk; everyone has an opinion. The Garden Media Group in Philadelphia, which puts out its list of trends annually, thinks "gardening with a purpose, " as it is manifested . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

CONNIE OLIVER: A woman's touch

Axor's new fixtures benefit from female designer's eye

We've all seen various designer collections of home decor items available in retail shops. From Martha Stewart linens and furniture to accessories and paint colours from Debbie Travis, consumers have a lot of great, affordable choices for their home. While these . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

SOLUTIONS: A new life for your old Christmas lights

QUESTION: Your column is great and covers so many topics. I have been trying to clean out some excess items in my house and have some old (dead) Christmas lights I would like to recycle. I know the copper wire . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

ASK THE INSPECTOR: There's a solution for a leaky stack

QUESTION: I appreciate your articles and as a senior with minimal building skills, I read with intent to monitor potential problems. Your previous article about leaking in the attic helped because I experienced something similar. However, a neighbour assisted me . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

Good reason to buy a new home? Positively!

THERE are a variety of reasons for someone to buy a new home. It might have to do with size of family. It could be proximity to work or school. It might be impacted by social needs and wants. Items such . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

Sold & Offered: Feb. 12-11

SOLD St. James Address: 316 King Edward Asking Price: $164, 900 Sold Price: $161, 000 Taxes: $1, 932.00 Square Footage: 1, 160 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1.5 Lot Size: 42 x 106 Listing Agent: Vijay Guliani, Realty Plus Inc., 897-0800 Margaret Park Address: 290 Margaret Asking Price: $129, 900 Sold Price: $129, 900 Taxes: $1, 145.14 Square . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

Bridgwater delight

Qualico home offers a surprise around every corner

When Qualico Homes signed on to be one of the builders in Bridgwater Forest, the commitment wasn't made without a little trepidation. The reason for that was simple: Brand new architectural controls forced them (along with other builders) to come up . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12

Retirees buying property need a good plan

Even in the beleaguered American housing market, there is one segment of the population in which home ownership rates continue to rise, and that's the over 65s. According to numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau, home ownership among seniors is . . .

Posted: 2011-02-12