Remodeling 101 » Special Events

Take Down Christmas Lights Safely

HBA PRO — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:55:40 +0000

Happy New Year! Many people use the first weekend after the new Year to take down Christmas lights. If that is your plan this weekend use these tips to help you do it safely.

Use the Handy Hook to help you get at the hard to reach lights.

Step Ladder safety should be at the top of the list for home skills that everyone should know.

Don’t leave your lights and extension cords in a big mess. Here are some techniques for folding the cords so they are easy to access and prevent wear and tear on the lights.

Follow these light hanging safety tips in reverse when taking lights down.

Merry Christmas

HBA PRO — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:04:10 +0000

Remodeling humor…

Swarovski Unveils Star

HBA PRO — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:41:11 +0000

Swarovski’s new crystal star crowning the 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree sparkles with ground-breaking design and new enhancements.

The star’s 12 rays are now adorned with 720 new LED bulbs on 3’000 feet of wire to create a dazzling light show through customised light sequencing programmed by a complex computer system.

Nine artisans and engineers spent three months employing a unique combination of art, science and technology to complete the new design.

The Swarovski star is comprised of 25’000 crystals, with one million facets, measures 9 ½ feet in diameter and is 1 ½ feet deep. Weighing 550 pounds, it is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts

HBA PRO — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:40:17 +0000

Sarah Josepha Hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the mid-19th century, was also the author of the classic nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys—one fifth of the annual total of 235 million consumed in the United States in 2007—were eaten at Thanksgiving.
In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.
The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.
Originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.
Tony Sarg, a children’s book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.
The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country–the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.

This Old House Pumpkin Carving Contest

HBA PRO — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:15:00 +0000

From Marthastewart.com

I love fall! I love Halloween! And I love Pumpkin Carving! Imagine my delight when I ran by the grocery store this morning and they had a beautiful display of pumpkins in front of the store.

I’m getting my entry ready for the This Old House 2nd annual pumpkin carving contest. Go to youroldhouse.thisoldhouse.com/pumpkincarving to enter as many carvings as you’d like. The contest isn’t limited to new carvings, so go on and give an old masterpiece a shot at glory. There are, of course, faaaaaabulous prizes up for grabs, PLUS winners will be featured in a thisoldhouse.com Halloween day photo gallery.

Builders’ Surplus Sale offers homeowners great loot at low prices

HBA PRO — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:24:14 +0000

Thinking of doing a fall home improvement project? Then the Builders’ Surplus Sale at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show is the place to be. This annual event, put on by the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland’s Professional Remodelers Organization, features new and used surplus merchandise from local building industry professionals at amazingly low prices.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the do-it-yourselfer to get quality materials at great prices,” said Hallie Gentry, manager of the Professional Remodelers Organization. “We have such an incredible selection of items including home lighting, paint, tile and a large selection of doors and windows. There really is something here for everyone.”

Items left at the end of the show will be donated to The Rebuilding Center, the largest non-profit used building materials resource in North America.

WHO: The HBAMP’s Professional Remodelers Organization

WHAT: A garage-sale type of event featuring Portland-area builders and remodelers’ surplus windows, doors, appliances, tile, cabinets, etc.

WHEN: Sept. 10-13 (11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday)

WHERE: In the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show (Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive, Portland, OR 97217)

COST: Free with entrance to the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show. Tickets for the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show are $10 and also gain attendees access to the Fall RV and Van Show and the Fall Boat Sale. Get discount coupons here.

NW Natural Street of Dreams Awards Announced

HBA PRO — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:15:42 +0000

The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland announced the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams award recipients on August 26 during an evening ceremony at NW Natural.

The dream condominium homes earn awards in three categories: Professional’s Choice, which are judged by professional judges who come from outside the Portland area; Realtor’s Choice, selected by licensed realtors who attended the show’s Realtor Day; and, People’s Choice awards submitted by show attendees.

“The 2009 Street of Dreams showcased excellence and innovation,” said HBA CEO Dave Nielsen. “We are proud to produce this annual show, celebrating the latest designs and home ideas. This year’s first-ever urban edition of the Street was a huge success, and I congratulate all those who came together to make this amazing event turn from a dream into a reality.”

This weekend is your last opportunity to see these award-winning homes. The show runs through Sunday, August 30, and tickets are available on-site or online at www.streetofdreamspdx.com. Come be impressed and inspired by the show that Portland is raving about.

Realtor’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937 Condominiums
Best Interior Design: East Village, Block 90
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Home Furnishings: The Manhattan, Block 90

Professional’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Maison, 937
Best Interior Design: Maison, 937
Best Master Suite: An Uncommon Life, The Encore
Best Kitchen: Maison, 937
Best Architecture: 937 Condominiums

People’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937
Best Interior Design:The Manhattan, Block 90/Skywatcher, Waterfront Pearl
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Master Suite: Luster of the Pearl, The Encore

Portland Fall Home & Garden Show is Coming

HBA PRO — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:19:20 +0000

Mark your calendars now for the Fall Home and Garden Show. Get your discount coupons here.

NW Natural Street of Dreams Idea Gallery

HBA PRO — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:36:35 +0000

Sorry about the two posts this week about the Street of Dreams but there really is some cool things going on down there that I thought you might want to know about.

First of all, they have just released a new coupon code “2off” which saves you two dollars off each ticket when you purchase online. Plus, the value of the Pearl Pass just keeps going up. There are now over 100 businesses in the Pearl District supporting the Street of Dreams Pearl Pass and it is valued at $8,200!! WOW!

Next, starting tomorrow August 8, and running each Saturday and Sunday for the next three weeks there will be an Idea Gallery set up in the Street of Dreams Headquarters at 937 NW Glisan. The Idea Gallery is a great place to find ideas and inspiration from the show that you can apply to your home. There will be several remodelers participating in the Idea Gallery so if you want to meet remodelers and speak to them face to face this is your opportunity.

Finally,

Congratulations to Alexis winner of the two Street of Dreams tickets!

NW Natural Street of Dreams Coming Soon!

HBA PRO — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:20:45 +0000

The 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams “Views of the Pearl” opens August 1 and showcases four of Portland’s premiere condominium home developments, featuring nine incredible penthouses ranging in price from $1 to $2.5 million. With a focus on LEED standard and eco-friendly materials, the dream condos include the latest in home innovations and design, including wrap around balconies and hot tubs with a stunning city view.

Viewing the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams is a snap. Simply click on the tickets link to buy your 2009 Street of Dreams Pearl Pass.

Not only will your Pearl Pass provide access to nine gorgeous penthouses, all featuring the latest and greatest in design and sustainability, it will provide you with savings of over $6,500 at local Pearl District businesses, free rides on the street car and discounted parking for the month of August.

Don’t miss the NW Natural Street of Dreams website where you will find ideas and inspiration from the show, descriptions of the featured condos and profiles of the developers and designers.