Online Features
Home Improvement
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Keep drafts out and dollars in by weatherizing your home
Many homeowners expect their heating costs to rise as cold weather creeps around the corner. Contrary to popular belief, there are ways to keep your energy costs (and your thermostat) low during the winter.
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When choosing an HVAC system, first consider your space and needs
When you're remodeling your home it seems that there's an endless list of design and decor choices to consider. At the end of the day, your decisions often revolve around helping your home put its best face forward.
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Simple solutions for a ship-shape home
Everyone wants an immaculate home, but not everyone wants to spend their free time scrubbing and straightening. The reality revealed in a recent Good Housekeeping magazine study is that the average homeowner spends roughly 19 hours a week cleaning. Wish you could reclaim some of those precious hours? Follow these simple,...
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Boost your home's value: four projects with the most bang for your buck
No matter if the housing market is up or down, you always want to ensure home remodeling projects are wise investments. Luckily, according to Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value Report 2011-2012, there are several home improvement projects that will provide significant enjoyment to you now - and could recoup a majority ...
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Winterize your home in a weekend
Preparing for Jack Frost's arrival can send a shiver down any homeowner's spine. A long to-do list for getting your home ready can feel overwhelming, leaving you wondering where you'll find the time and resources. But, with some optimism, easy tips and access to a few rental tools, you can winterize your home in just one...
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Why a little fall outdoor maintenance can go a long way
After spending the summer enjoying the outdoors, it can be a little bittersweet to get the deck and yard ready for the cooler days ahead. The good news is getting outdoor areas ready for winter doesn't have to be a time-consuming process.
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Homeowner's guide to spider control and spider bites [infographic]
Nobody enjoys seeing bugs in their homes, but none get a bigger reaction than spiders. Spiders are not insects, but arachnids, more closely related to scorpions, ticks, and mites. However creepy they seem, spiders are generally very beneficial since they keep insect populations under control indoors and outdoors. Even so, these creatures are unwelcome indoors and it is not difficult to keep them, and other insects, out of your home. Knowing more about spiders can help ease your fears and ...
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Winterizing your light sources: Window and skylight tips
Sunshine and summer go together like coconut and pineapple. Yet when winter arrives with shorter days and cooler temperatures, the amount of sun that enters your home can be more important than at any other time of year. It's important to prepare for winter by taking care of the portals that allow natural light into your...
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Simple steps to care for granite, marble and other natural stone
Natural stone is one of the most sought-after upgrades in a home. Providing both versatility and timeless beauty, it's no surprise that granite is the most popular natural stone option. Though very durable, the composition of stone can make it sensitive to damage through daily use. By understanding a few important do's a...
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Making a change - exterior renovations to boost curb appeal
Does your surburban neighborhood consist of mass-produced housing that lacks the originality and architectural appeal of classic styles? Adding personality and curb appeal to your split-level, ranch or colonial may be easier than you think.
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Garage door safety knowledge can protect your whole family
What is likely the largest, heaviest moving object in your home? Answer: It's your garage door. Do you know how to operate and maintain your garage door safely? Do your kids know the potential hazards that a garage door may present? Here are a few things to think about that will help build your knowledge of garage door s...
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Transform your space with unexpected color
For today's homeowners who are seeking easy ways to update their homes on a do-it-yourself budget, nothing transforms the look and feel of a room as quickly and affordably as a fresh coat of colorful paint.
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national news
Boy Scouts of America votes to end century-old ban on gay scouts

Jennifer Tyrrell hugs Pascal Tessier after a resolution passed to allow openly gay scouts in the Boy Scouts in GrapevineBy Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprised of some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the ban, effective January 1, 2014, the group said in a statement. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...


Thu May 23 21:55:35 UTC 2013
Bridge collapses in Washington state, sending cars into river

I-5 Bridge Collapses On Skagit River In WashingtonBy Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over a river in rural Washington state collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and drivers tumbling into the frigid water, authorities said. Two of the three people rescued from the river were hospitalized with hypothermia, said Given Kutz, a spokesman for Skagit County in the northern part of the state. There were apparently no fatalities. "They (rescuers) don't expect anyone else (remains) in the water," he said. ...


Fri May 24 01:53:54 UTC 2013
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the quake was 6 miles northwest of the town of Greenville, and near the smaller community of Canyondam, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Allen Shephard, a hunting and fishing guide at Quail Lodge at Lake Almanor in Canyondam, said the quake knocked him "right off the couch and onto the floor." The floor of the lodge was littered with broken dishware, and cabinets were in disarray, said Shephard, 62. ...
Fri May 24 01:53:09 UTC 2013
Boy Scouts vote to end ban on gay youth members
[Updated at 6:55 p.m. CT] DALLAS – The Boy Scouts of America, one of the country’s largest and oldest youth organizations, decided on Thursday to break 103 years of tradition by allowing openly gay members into its ranks. The controversial move was approved by more than 60 percent of the approximate 1,400 votes cast by [...]
Thu May 23 18:55:38 UTC 2013