Andrea’s Thoughts

My guests this week are a mixed bag of fun folks from the home improvement world.

• Christopher Burk, Product Manager of Simonton Windows, sheds a little light on the topic of new windows and government incentives.
• Then Ray Rosewall, President and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes, drops by to chat about hail and fire-resistant roofing materials.
• Lastly my buddy, Mark Chisholm, of Stihl Power Tools cuts in to let everyone know about an important event in honor of Earth Day; Planet Day of Service. Visit www.planetdayofservice.org for more information.

It is always fun being on Fox and this time was no exception. I was asked to showcase some of the latest technology in home rainwater collection. Click here to watch a video of the segment. Here’s some more info:

• Garden Watersaver ($29.99): A nifty product designed to divert water from a downspout to be collected in a rain barrel . Rain water flows from the roof into the gutter downspout and gets captured in the Watersaver reservoir. When the reservoir fills, the water then takes the path of least resistance, which is the unit’s lower exit spout that leads, via a hose, to the rain barrel. When the rain barrel is full, back pressure occurs and the water then exits out of the upper exit spout into the normal drainage system. Available at www.cleanairgardening.com
• RainReserve ($69.99): another product allowing you to divert the flow of rainwater from your gutter into a rain barrel and use it how and when you need it. It is made and packaged in completely sustainable and recycled/recyclable material. The RainReserve Diverter Kits work in tandem with a rain barrel by attaching to a downspout and diverting rainwater from a gutter system into the rain barrel while allowing leaves and other large debris to pass through the diverter and out the downspout. On Sale for $69.99 at www.cleanairgardening.com.
• Raincatcher 4000 ($89.99): Save money and cut down on water usage by collecting up to 54 gallons of rainwater. This is one of the least expensive units in the DFW area. The aluminium mesh screen top filters out leaves, sticks or any other debris while protecting the water inside from mosquitos, varmints or pets. The overflow spigot hooks to tubing to divert excess water. The Raincatcher will be on display at the City of Plano’s Live Green Expo on April 18th. On sale through April 30th at Elliott’s Hardware in Dallas, Mesquite or Plano for $89.99.
• 60 Gallon Recycled Rain Barrel ($119.99): This rain barrel is unique because it actually started out as a food barrel, bringing over olives or peppers from overseas. It’s the ultimate form of recycling by taking this barrel and converting it into a rain barrel. People who really care about both conserving rain water and recycling will really love this barrel. It comes will everything needed to put it together, and all the holes have been drilled, too. (We also have a recycled barrel in grey, terra cotta and blue.) This is also a food grade rain barrel, which is important because it never carried any chemicals. And people should never use a barrel that has contained any type of chemical. Available at www.cleanairgardening.com.
• The Systern from Norseman Plastics ($129.99): a 55-gallon plastic barrel designed for easy installation to collect rainwater during any storm. The product has an overflow hole & tube so that excess water can be directed away from the SYSTERN in the event it fills. Each unit comes with a valve that fits into the unit, at the base, to allow for easy drainage. The SYSTERN can be placed on blocks or a stand so that the water can be emptied into a bucket or watering can or attached to a hose that is placed into a garden bed, to refill a pond, etc. The SYSTERN rain barrel will be on display at the City of Dallas’ EarthFest happening on April 17th. More information is available at www.greendallas.net. Available online at www.naturesharmonyllc.com
• 50 Gallon Rain Barrel Urn ($179.99): This barrel is cool because it blends in really well with just about any house. Although it’s made of plastic, the terra cotta color makes it look like a big pot. It also has a planter on top that keeps it from looking like a random barrel next to your house. It holds 50 gallons of water, and there is a hose that comes with it that attaches to the bottom of the barrel and also to a hook at the top to keep the hose from getting trampled. Available at www.cleanairgardening.com.
• Permeable Pavestone from Whiz Q Stone: Offers a unique alternative to traditional paved patios or driveway with a unique rainwater collection area underneath the pavers. Rain flows through the pavers into the underground storage and is then pumped up to ground level when needed for irrigation, pond use, etc… Available at: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth, 817-429-0822, www.whiz-q.com
• My raincoat and hat were provided by Land’s End (www.landsend.com). Umbrellas by Cheeky Umbrella (www.cheekyumbrella.com) and rain boots by Hatley (www.hatleystore.com).

One of my favorite guests is Ed Del Grande, aka Ed the Plumber from HGTV and DIY. But every time that Ed visits, we never seem to have enough time. So this week, Ed stays for the whole hour, plumbing the depths of do-it-yourself repairs, water-saving ideas and just lots of fun.

• We also chat about Ed’s recent book: Ed Del Grande’s House Call: Foolproof Tricks of the Trade from a Master Contractor.
• Donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity, just for answering a few easy questions online at Kohler’s new water-saving site, SaveWaterAmerica.com. They’ve raised over a million bucks for Habitat. I did it and it’s kinda’ fun. Plus Kohler offers links to water-saving resources in your area.

Drip drip drop little April showers. With April just around the bend, I thought it was about time to dive into water conservation. Plus some cool projects for spring from our Mother Earth! We even chat a bit about a fascinating article in the Washington Post, Greed In the Name Of Green by Monica Hess, on going green without buying more stuff.

• Mark DiMassimo, co-founder of the Tappening Campaign, rushes in with ways to be a responsible “green” manufacturer. Tappening makes a BPA-free, reusable water bottle and encourages everyone to use filtered tap water instead of purchased bottled water, saving our landfills tons of trash each year in disposable plastic bottles.
• Then Troy Griepentrog (GREEP-en-trog) with Mother Earth News, checks in with nifty projects for spring including How to Build a Greenhouse from Used Windows or Storm Doors and Build Easy Backyard Chicken Coops . Don’t you just love Mother Earth?!?
• Troy stays for a few extra minutes to encourage everyone to get involved with Heiffer International, our non-profit of the week.

Indoors or out, my guests for this show have something to keep you busy this spring…

Kay Crinkelmeyer, Designs by K, offers some great projects for couples – from making the master bedroom more romantic to cleaning & organizing your garage (plus how to get him or her to want to do it with you!).

Michael Glassman, an award-winning landscape designer from HGTV and the Discovery Network, winds his way into the show with fabulous outdoor living ideas. His new book, “Getaway Gardens – Havens at Home” is now available at bookstores across the country.

Our non-profit for the week is The National Gardening Association, encouraging all of us to get outside and GROW!

Wooden you know it – my guests for this show just lumbered along…

Spike Carlsen, former editor of Family Handyman Magazine, is a bit of a tree afficianado. His new book, A Splintered History of Wood, explores the past and present of the versatile and sustainable material that we often take for granted, made from trees, trees and more trees!

Louise Niekerk with Bona Kemi Wood Care Products loves wood too, in fact she likes to walk all over it. That’s why Bona Kemi products were made to be tough as nails when it comes to protecting your wood floors. Louise shares some terrific tips for caring for what’s under foot.

Buy a book – plant a tree – help some kids! Our non-profit of the week is the Bomalang’ombe Secondary School. For every copy of Spike Carlson’s book which is purchased, a tree will be planted at the school’s tree farm in central Tanzania. Click here for more info.

Kristine Kahanek, a meteorologist on Dallas-based CBS Channel 11, drops by with the latest forecast on how homeowners can deal with inclement weather this spring. Kristine has written a new book for children who have weather anxiety, Katie and the Magic Umbrella.

Then Annie Mahle and husband, Jon Finger, sail in to share their experiences living on a 1927 wooden schooner, the J&E Riggin, out of Rockland, Maine. The couple also raises their 2 girls on board and they host approx 2 dozen guests each week during the warmer months. I was able to spend a week with them last summer. I gained 10 lbs (due to Annie’s cooking) and immeasurable experiences for life.

Our non-profit for the week is the Association for Maritime Preservation.

With the challenges that many of us are facing in today’s economy, I thought it might be helpful to chat with Dr. Nancy Irwin. She has just written a book about making major career changes after losing one’s job or other life-altering experiences.

Then Michael McGrath, director of the Decide Better Center, shares his new books with us. The first is Decide Better for a Better Life and the second is Decide Better! for College. With a son of my own about to enter  college life, I am especially interested in the second book.

Our non-profit for the week, Children of the Night, was brought to us by Dr. Nancy Irwin.

Hello… Welcome to Ask Andrea, the hip home improvement show. I’m your host Andrea Ridout, and this is my weekly blog.

You can email me anytime at Andrea@askandrea.com