Home Section
 |
Your oasis awaits Swimming pools are pretty much a staple of southern California life. Many of us have fond memories of frolicking in the water in our backyards as kids, whiling away many a hot summer afternoon in the refreshing coolness with friends and family. The appeal of a pool still holds sway, but many homeowners in the SCV have older, decaying pools that were built in the 1960s, or no pool at all. One reason is that many new home builders have focused on increased home square footage at the expense of usable yard space, especially over the last 20 years. So, ... |
|
|
Tour the roses The Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society will host Rose Garden Tours at the homes of two of its members this Sunday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. These private gardens will be open to the public on this day only (free-of-charge), so bring your friends and family for an enjoyable visit. Light refreshments will be served, but it is suggested that you bring your own lunch to eat along the way. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat. Cameras are welcome. First Garden 9 a.m. - noon Garden of Dave and Kay Miller 29159 Valley Oak ... |
|
|
Password jeopardy Dear Zoe: |
|
|
Holiday Home Tour League hosts fashion show, seeks volunteers The Henry Mayo Holiday Home Tour League is seeking volunteers for its December 2008 event, a tour of three Santa Clarita Valley homes bedecked in the season's finest decor, as well as a sneak preview gala and boutique. This year marks the 28th annual Holiday Home Tour, which has raised an annual average of $40,000 for women's services at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. "This is a nice organization to join for someone who wants to help their community hospital," said Holiday Home Tour League Co-president Julia Hicken. "You can participate without having to give up too much of your ... |
|
|
Is your home germ-free? Home sweet home - our homes are supposed to be a haven from many of the stresses of life. It is there that we find an escape from the noise and traffic of the outside world, and seek refuge from the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Our homes are the setting for hundreds of life's most precious moments and memories. But is your home also a haven for germs? Millions of them can lurk invisibly on doorknobs, countertops, bedsheets and rugs, where they can breed and grow at an astonishing rate if not kept in check. Bacteria ... |
 |
Saving the planet, one CD player at time "Some older televisions have four to eight pounds of lead in them," said Duane Morton. Woah, that's heavy, man. So, the shelves in your garage look like a Smithsonian Institution display on the history of personal computers. Every one you've ever owned - from that old Commodore 64, through the iMac, right up to the ultra-thin laptop you spilled coffee on last year - is stacked there, gathering dust. You just can't bear to part with them because they represent all those decades you'll never get back. And then there's the big drawer in your desk, hosting its own pile ... |
 |
Spring gardening tips Spring is here, the weather is warming up, and your backyard is beckoning. Whether you plan to have a family barbecue, a pool party or just want to spruce up your balcony, a little springtime planting can lift the look of your yard and your mood as well. And, whether you are a gardening fanatic or just a newbie making your first attempts to beautify your property, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and dig into the dirt. Here are some ideas to make the process easier and safer, for yourself, the environment and your budget. Annuals, ... |
 |
Home is where the hearts are There's a sign, of course. If you're looking, it tells you where to turn up the hill to find Trumbo's Welcome Home. But it's nothing much to catch the attention of those who are not looking, as their cars flash past on the lonely reaches of Sierra Highway in far-Canyon Country. However, for those lucky few who were looking - for love, a home and their own place in the world - that sign pointed the way for more than 40 years. Sadly, that will change in a few days. Trumbo's Welcome Home, "A Family Home for the Developmentally Disabled," ... |
 |
How to save money - and your health - when spring cleaning Now that spring has officially come and the weather has started to warm up, the ever-longer days may have started to illuminate those previously-neglected dark, dusty corners of your house. If you can't see your newly-blooming garden through the grime on your windows, it may be time for a thorough spring cleaning. To get your house sparkling clean inside and out, experts advise following some simple advice to make it as easy, safe, and as productive as possible without straining your back, budget or the environment. Gail Tagashira, owner of The Maid Brigade in Valencia, has many years experience cleaning ... |
|
|
House swapping With the economy suffering and the price of everything from gasoline to groceries rising rapidly, a vacation is the last thing many people can afford right now. But what if you could stay for free in your chosen destination? Well you can, if you are willing to stay in someone else's house while they stay in yours. The phenomenon is called "home exchange" or "house swapping," and though it has flown largely under the radar for years, it is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to conventional vacation accommodation. Home exchange got a burst of mainstream exposure in 2006 thanks to ... |
