What's Happening April 2008
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Headlines
Vision Remodeling Coordinates Efforts With Rebuilding Together to Remodel Guardsman’s Home
When Minnesota National Guardsman Sgt. Jonathon VanderWert and his wife Blake bought a 100-year-old home in New Prague after their recent marriage and merging of two families, they envisioned creating a better living environment for their seven children. Sgt. VanderWert was confident he could remodel the home himself, but that changed after he was called to active duty in Iraq and the home was left in an undesirable state. But the remodeling continued through the support of Rebuilding Together’s Heroes at Home™ program and Sears. Little Canada-based Vision Remodeling oversaw completion of the work, coordinating donated time, goods, and services from more than 50 companies and organizations. An all-volunteer crew finished the project, estimated to have been at least a six-month job, in just three months. Blake and the children were welcomed to their new space in February while Sgt. VanderWert continues to serve overseas. Learn more and see a video of the project at Rebuilding Together’s website.
L&R Suburban Landscaping Looks Back at 2007, Gears Up For 2008
L&R Suburban Landscaping is looking forward to 2008. The company has spent the winter researching the newest trends, materials, and applications of design technology for the upcoming landscaping season. Angie’s List members thinking about landscaping should be sure to check out the positive feedback L&R has received—not surprising, considering 70 percent of L&R’s business comes from referrals. L&R has also completed a full renovation of its website, where you will find a complete 2007 project review with photographs to inspire a landscape of your own this season.
Accolades
BATC Names 2008 Builder, Remodeler, and Associate of the Year
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) awarded its most prestigious honor to three of its members in January. Kathy Trimble Custom Homes was named Builder of the Year; College City Remodeling, Inc., was named Remodeler of the Year; and Designed Cabinets, Inc., was named Associate of the Year. The honor recognized companies that demonstrate the highest level of professionalism in their business, based on evaluations of trust, communication, loyalty, and ethics in business dealings between BATC member companies.
Several Local Firms Earn Regional COTY Honors
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced more than 150 regional Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards earlier this year, including several winners with local ties. Those winners include Burnsville-based New Spaces; Authentic Construction Co., of St. Paul; Holtan Kitchens and Remodeling, Inc., of Minneapolis; Mike Otto Construction, of Champlin; Knight Construction Design, Inc., of Chanhassen; Sylvestre Construction, Inc., of Minneapolis; and Stonehouse Designs, Inc., of Wayzata. Terra Verde Architects, LLC, which has an office in Minneapolis, also earned COTY honors in conjunction with a Boulder, Colo. builder for a project in that state. See the winners listed by category at
www.nari.org/media/releases. Minnesota is in Region III. Regional winners go on to compete at the national level.
See & Do
An Earth Day Design Seminar: Easy Steps to Make Every Home More ‘Green’
Visit Crystal Kitchen Center on Earth Day for a seminar on making your home live green. Presenter Annette Streiff is on the taskforce of the Minnesota GreenStar Remodeling Pilot Program. She will share information that all homeowners can use to become green in their existing homes and detail what green materials and construction methods are available for remodeling and new construction. The seminar is Thursday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at Crystal Kitchen Center in Crystal. Call to reserve a place at this free seminar.
It’s time to Get Growing at Linder’s
Linder’s is marking the return of the growing season with its open house on the weekend of April 12-13. The open house includes many open house specials and bus tours to the Linder’s Lake Elmo Growing Range. Look for more than 46 Linder’s Flower Marts throughout the Twin Cities starting April 18. Find their locations on Linder’s website; there’s sure to be one in your neighborhood. Let Linder’s Landscaping design your backyard for a graduation party, spring barbecue, and family fun. Landscape now and enjoy no interest and payments until January 2009.
Patio Town’s Permeable Pavers: Beautiful For Your Home, Good For the Environment
Permeable pavers can beautify your driveway or walkway and help the environment at the same time by reducing stormwater runoff. Find out more about this green paving solution at
www.patiotown.com/willowcreek_Aqua_Loc.htm.