Beginning in April 2010, a new federal law requires contractors that are hired to perform renovations, repairs, or painting projects in homes, child-care facilities, and schools built before 1978 that will disturb lead-based paint to be certified in lead procedures and to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Loren Schirber, owner of Castle Building & Remodeling, has attained the necessary certification by the Enviromental Protection Agency, which allows Castle to perform renovations in a lead-safe manner and according to the guidelines.

Remodeling is notorious for creating dust, and dust is the main source of lead from existing lead paint in homes. Keep yourself and your family safe – Make sure that your contractor is certified for handling lead per the EPA guidelines.

For more information on lead, call the the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or visit their website at www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm.

Learn How to Save Energy and Money in your Home!

Community Energy Services is a unique residential energy program available to
only select Minneapolis Neighborhoods. At their FREE energy workshops, Waite
Park homeowners will be able to sign up for customized home visits (which
includes a blower door test and materials) worth up to $400 of
materials and services for a co-pay of only $30, however for the first 100 participants
to sign up, the Waite Park Community Council will pay for $10 of your co-pay.
Information about specialized financing, incentives, stimulus funding and
rebates will also be made available to participants. Childcare provided at both
workshops.

Tuesday, May 11th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
OR
Thursday, May 20th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Waite Park Elementary School (1800 34th Ave. NE)

Reserve your spot TODAY!
Call or email Ashley Robertson at
(612)335-5869 or arobertson@mncee.org

FREE green remodeling design consultations from Castle!

Dates:
Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Hours: Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 5pm.

What is “Living Green?”: Living Green means making choices in our day-to-day lives that are healthy for people and the environment. These practices can save us money and time while improving our health and overall quality of life. Castle will have a variety of green remodeling products and materials on display.

Where: State Fairgrounds Grandstand

Booth: U14 (Upper Grandstand)

How: Bring in photos of your home and a rough sketch of the layout and we can share ideas.

Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s Living Green Expo, presented by Windsource® from Xcel Energy, will be held on May1-2 at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. New this year is a focus to help attendees find easy ways to make manageable changes to live healthier and more sustainably. Fresh elements include increased expert involvement to answer questions and help build personal goals, a series of Eco-lounges that discuss issues and green topics, a marketplace with Eco-Artists and local farmers, more than double the local food options and a Gubernatorial Forum that lets attendees hear candidate views on clean water and clean energy.

Featuring more than 250 local exhibitors, workshops, demonstrations, and activities for the family, the event helps people:

· Green the Home
· Grow a Green Thumb
· Explore Transportation Options
· Eat Healthy and Sustainably
· Save Energy and Money
· Learn About Green Building
· Protect and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
· Invest in a Green Future

Admission is free. Secure bike storage is available and Metro Transit offers free rides using the Go Greener Pass. Free Blue Sky Guides will be available to the first 200 visitors each day.

Help spread the word! A PDF of the Expo flyer is available for download on the web site – www.livinggreenexpo.mn along with full details on the event.

When: Homes on this free self-guided tour will be open Saturday, April 24th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 25th, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What and Where: This celebration of city living takes place in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Where: 4815 – 10th Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417

Why: The Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour is coordinated by the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) and the City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development Department, with other corporate and non-profit sponsors. They encourage people to stay in the neighborhoods they love, and to maintain and improve the cities’ housing stock.

Making Two Spaces Into One Creates a Kitchen to Live In while Respecting its Era.

Our 1930’s Tudor-style home boasts a newly remodeled kitchen and a delightful patio. The original kitchen was gutted to the studs and several small walls were reconfigured in order to open up the space. Several doors and windows were replaced with new energy-efficient models, while new custom cherry cabinets were installed with new Cambria countertops. A tile backsplash complements the countertops and adds a touch of our personality to the new space. In order to stay true to the period of the home, we used custom millwork to match the existing. Cork flooring, which we used for its forgiving surface, also adds warmth to the room. Our home is a great example of how existing space can be reconfigured and rooms can be updated without sacrificing the original feel and style of the home.

Visit this home during the Parade of Homes Spring 2010 Remodelers Showcase (sm)!

Find us in the Guidebook – Home #R66

March 26th – March 28th
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

861 Kenneth Street
St. Paul

We invite you to visit us at the Parade of Homes Spring 2010 Remodeler’s Showcase (sm) to see this amazing transformation from tiny 1-story starter home to a 1 1/2 -story dream home. This home, in Highland Village, received a one-story addition off the back to create a larger kitchen and family room. The kitchen features an island that opens up to the family room, which centers on a cozy fireplace. The 1/2-story addition contains a master suite with a sitting area, walk-in closets, and a bathroom with a large shower and dual sinks. To complete this transformation, an open front porch was added to bring out the home’s character and charm.