OKLA. CITY —
Oklahomans can leave the ordinary behind and get inspired to beautify their spaces this Friday through Sunday by attending the Oklahoma City Home Garden Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. With experts and vendors in landscaping, remodeling, cooking and design, the show offers an attraction for people with a variety of home improvement interests.

The Oklahoma City Home Garden Show will feature more than 500 local and national exhibitors, giving attendees access to ideas and styles for the spring season. Thirty-five Edmond-based vendors will be part of that group, including home builders, Realtors, various home exterior experts and financing companies.

Admission is $11, and children under 12 are free. For a $2 discount, tickets can be purchased online at www.OklahomaCityHomeShow.com or at the customer service desk at Buy for Less stores. Show hours are noon to 9 p.m. Friday,  10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors to the show will find numerous speakers, events and experts to visit with about projects and questions. Some of the highlights of the event include:

• Ahmed Hassan of HGTV DIY Network’s “Yard Crashers” will share his landscape expertise and give advice about going green, gardening on a budget and how to increase home value with landscaping.

• “Treasure Island” Garden by TLC Landscape Design is a garden featuring a 20-foot sunken pirate ship surrounded by a sea of colorful flowers. Other types of foliage that are hardy in Oklahoma weather will be a main component of the exhibit design as well as an outdoor living area.

• “Old Mexico” Landscape is designed by local experts from Tony’s Tree Plantation and will present a themed landscape display featuring a design with fountains, stone columns, authentic Mexican imports such as pottery and metalwork, stone fire pits and exotic plants and flowers.

• People from across the state submitted their best beef recipes for the Oklahoma Beef Cook-Off hosted by the Oklahoma Beef Council and CattleWomen Association. The finalists and grand prize winning recipes will be announced at the Oklahoma City Home Garden show followed by a sampling and a cooking demonstration. Attendees will learn some of Oklahoma’s best beef appetizer recipes and how to buy and prepare beef on a budget. The finalists and grand prize winning recipe will be announced at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Carriage Hall building. The Best of Beef Grand Prize winner will receive $2,000. The winning recipes will be available to the public online at www.oklabeef.org after they are announced at the show.

• An interactive feature allows guests to view and buy products made in Oklahoma. Attendees can learn interesting facts about people, places, events, food and traditions native to the state.

To thank the military for their service and sacrifice, the Oklahoma City Home Garden Show will offer free admission on Friday to anyone currently in the military, fire department or police force. A valid service ID must be presented at the show office in the east entrance of the Cox Pavilion to receive complimentary admission on Friday.

FOR MORE information about the event, visit www.OklahomaCityHomeShow.com or call 800-466-7469, ext. 120.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Experts and exhibitors at the 11th annual Spring Home and Garden Show at The Woodlands will share new ideas and products that can both beautify and add value to your home.

The show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3 at the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel Convention Center at1601 Lake Robbins Drive.

Tony Wood, president of Texwood Shows, Inc. and producer of the event, said this year’s show will have a lot to offer.

“Sometimes a small improvement to a home or yard can make all the difference, and spring is the perfect time of year to spruce things up.”

Wood welcomes Massarelli’s Fountains, to the show for the first time. “They are a top-of-the-line producer of fountains and fine stone garden statuary, with each piece handmade by master craftsmen. Each piece is an original.”

Locals can find Massarelli’s one-of-a-kind products at Spring Home Outdoor, who will feature a 88″ Massarelli fountain with a 8′ fiberglass pool in their booth. They also carry other landscaping water features, such as disappearing fountains, Talavera and other pottery, benches and urns; along with potted arrangements to complement any decor from The Potted Shop.

Wood said attendees can get creative ideas to transform a backyard into an oasis at the feature landscape exhibit by Stewart Land Designs. “Also, the Belgard Hardscapes Mobile Display is one of our new show features and literally is a semi truck filled with ideas to create your own picture-perfect patio,” said Wood.

Brandon Lynch, a certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, will be featuring the Easy Living by Design booth. “Brandon is with Keechi Creek Builders and will share products and ideas on how to update a home to make it more accessible to meet an owner’s changing needs – a trend as baby boomers age,” Wood said. Discover new products such as walk-in tubs and control centers to adjust lighting and make life more comfortable.

Visitors can stop by the Whirlpool Cooking Stage for live cooking demos and quick and easy recipes from a Whirlpool culinary instructor. Also get an update on the latest convection and easy clean ovens and cook tops, all in one, from Whirlpool Corporation.

“And for a special treat, get a sneak peek of the works of Rick Loudermilk, the featured artist of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival 2013,” said Wood.

“We are proud of our lineup of expert speakers. They are enthusiastic, experienced and have what it takes to get you started on the right track with your home improvement projects.”

Aspiring green thumbs can meet Kathy Huber, the Houston Chronicle’s gardening editor and listen to Randy Lemmon, popular host of AM 740 KTRH’s GardenLine, who will broadcast live from the show on Saturday until 1 p.m.

John Ferguson, author and organic gardening expert, will share his knowledge on how to use natural materials to create a greener garden.

Ellen Delap, professional home organizer, will offer tips to help you organize your home and life, while certified color consultant Catherine Falgoust will share the latest in color trends.

LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED certified architect, will give advice for creating a more energy efficient and sustainable home. Mary Scalli, a home staging professional, will share secrets for making homes sell quickly, and John Johnston, president of Designer Kitchens, will provide insight into the latest developments and trends in kitchen design.

“This year’s show is truly a fun event for the entire family – with lots of new ideas to take back home and plenty opportunities to shop,” Wood said.

Click here to read more on WoodlandsOnline.com

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Anyone who has paddled the Sugar River just above Paoli or biked down nearby Range Trail can imagine the possibilities for the adjacent land, soon to be in public ownership.

Dane County officials announced Monday a proposal to preserve nearly three miles of frontage along the Sugar River south of Verona, land currently owned by the Bruce Co. The $3.1 million deal — subject to County Board approval — includes the county buying 340 acres and purchasing development rights on another 126 acres. It may well be the most significant public land acquisition in county history.

“I think public access to the water is the big thing,” said County Executive Joe Parisi in an interview. “The eco-tourism opportunities are there, too.”

The 2.5-mile section of river that flows through the land was once degraded by farming runoff but is now known for its trout fishing. The Sugar was removed from the National Impaired Waters list in 2004.

Initial ideas for the site include developing it into a county park with riverfront camping facilities.

Parisi notes the land has significant archaeological resources and the county will look to coordinate volunteer efforts in the future to assess the significance of the land. The county also hopes to work with other groups like the Natural Heritage Land Trust or Trout Unlimited to secure additional funding.

For the Bruce Co., whose landscaping business was hit hard by the downturn in new home construction, the sale also is beneficial. The company had originally planned to develop a golf course and homes on the land, which stretches from the intersection of Highway 69 and Sunset Lane south to Paoli and east to Range Trail.

But when the real estate market went south, the company put the property up for sale. There were several bites from developers until Dane County stepped in and discussions got serious.

“This has been a great thing for both the Bruce Co. and the county,” says Bliss Nicholson, president of the 60-year-old Middleton-based firm. “It preserves this land so we can all have a park to play in.”

The Bruce Co. will maintain the right to harvest existing nursery stock planted there.

One sharp-penciled member of the County Board, conservative Dennis O’Loughlin of DeForest, says the acquisition seems like a good idea.

“We could use a park down in that part of the county,” says O’Loughlin. “I plan to support it.”

While county land purchases under former County Executive Kathleen Falk had sparked opposition among some conservatives and local talk radio hosts, Parisi says this deal can stand the toughest scrutiny.

“If you look at this in the context of the sprawl that has taken place in Verona, while it may have slowed down, it’s going to come back. Being able to protect something like this for generations to come is a tremendous opportunity,” says Parisi, who is not facing opposition in the spring election.

The county’s largest-ever purchase overall was approximately 1,000 acres in Mazomanie at the Walking Iron Wildlife Area in 2008. That transaction cost approximately $4.3 million. This will be the second-largest amount of acreage purchased.

The Bruce Co. has taken its lumps in the recession and had to reduce its workforce by 20 full-time employees last year. With this land sale the company will still own 700 acres on which to plant and harvest trees or shrubs for its business.

Nicholson says the firm will continue to operate as usual and the sale will have no impact on the company’s viability or staffing going forward.

“I’m a trout fisherman and know the property well,” he says. “I guess I’ll have to give up a little of the privacy but in this case, that’s OK.”

The capital is meanwhile getting ready to welcome the golf stars which include McIlroy, Woods, world number four Justin Rose, number nine Jason Dufner, and Ernie Els, the reigning Open champion for the $2.7 million (Dh9.9 million) 4-day event.

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The 15th annual Austin Home Garden Show kicked off Friday with over 150 vendors at the Palmer Events Center.

The event boasts fresh ideas for home decorating, improvement, building, technology, green living and landscaping.

DIY’s Desert Landscapes and Man Caves celebrity host Jason Cameron was also at this years show holding seminars and QA sessions.

The Austin Home Garden Show was also an opportunity for homeowners and builders to check out the latest trends in kitchen and bath.

Among the excitement, show-goers saw displays featuring pools, spas, sunrooms, windows and doors, interior design, outdoor living, and furniture and bedding. The hottest of topics, green living, was popular this year too.

A joint committee of veterans and county officials have still not come to a resolution over the future of the veterans memorial in Carthage.

The 10-member Veterans Memorial Advisory Council was formed as an outgrowth of a debate veterans had last year with the Moore County commissioners over the future of county-owned land near the memorial off U.S. 15-501. Veterans became concerned when they learned commissioners were discussing the possible sale of land adjacent to the memorial to the Bojangles’ company for a fast-food restaurant.

Friday’s meeting was the first for the full committee since a subcommittee met to discuss how the property would be utilized.

Moore County Social Services Director John Benton said the group was supposed to determine the space needs of the memorial land for the next 50 years.

Benton said that the existing memorial has space for two additional tablets that are capable of holding the names of 720 veterans.

“There are about 11,000 names of discharged military veterans on file with the Register of Deeds,” he said. “Eight thousand are on the memorial now, with the potential for 3,200 to be added. Adding seven new tablets on the existing footprint would provide space for all county veterans to be listed.”

Benton said the veterans office reports an additional 30 new names per year, which he said the subcommittee rounded to 50.

Courtesy/Vince Zucchino

A proposed concept plan for the Moore County Veterans Memorial site in Carthage.

“Fifty names at 50 years is 2,500 names,” he said. “The seven additional tablets would provide space for this growth.”

With expansion of the site considered, Benton said, 31 tablets or 10,440 names could be added.

“The site could expand to 29 gray tablets and two black tablets for MIA/KIA veterans,” he said. “Adding 100 names per year would allow for 104 years of growth beyond current projections.”

County Commissioner and Advisory Council Co-chair Jimmy Melton seemed pleased with the report.

“We’ve got a footprint now,” he said. “The subcommittee accomplished what needed to be done. Our original goal was to protect the memorial, and now we have the information before us to know what we’ve got to do to protect it.”

Committee member and veterans advocate Carolyn Mealing then revealed a plan approved by veterans that encompassed the monument and the additional acreage that veterans are attempting to protect from development.

“Currently, the memorial contains over 8,000 names engraved on 23 gray granite tablets, and there would be room to place 40 additional tablets on the current site if the site were slightly expanded,” said Mealing.

“When special programs are held at the memorial site, the small footprint on which the memorial site is located cannot begin to accommodate the people who come together from all parts of Moore and surrounding counties to honor our veterans. There are no restrooms, storage facilities, cooking facilities, seats, stage or audio equipment. These all have to be brought in and set up each time there is a function.”

Mealing reiterated that the committee “was asked to find a way to bridge the concerns of the Moore County veterans and the county’s concerns with respect to the best use of the property.”

“This concept, designed by landscape architect Vince Zucchino, utilizes the memorial site and the three-plus acres adjacent to it for the Moore County Veterans Memorial Park,” she said. “As a county park, it would preserve and protect the purpose of the Moore County Veterans Memorial, which is the most critical concern of the Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee and other Moore County veterans groups.

“As a park, it would preserve green space, be available for county purposes, county veterans groups, Carthage and other towns and Moore County citizen groups for purposes deemed appropriate by the Moore County Board of Commissioners and would thus serve all Moore County citizens well.”

Mealing said the amenities of the proposed park would include an amphitheater with wheelchair accessibility and restrooms.

“It would initially accommodate 250-plus seats and could easily be enlarged,” she said. “An amphitheater would greatly enhance the park’s usability and function, as it could be used not only for veterans, county and town programs but for other appropriate group functions as well.”

Park benches, picnic tables, a reflecting pool, and walking and biking trails were also listed.

“We envision an open field for various activities, landscaping that would capture and enhance the natural flow of the property and needs of the space, and places for cooking and serving are also included, ”she said. “The park could truly be utilized by all Moore County citizens.”

Mealing said that agreement by the county to continue to provide the insurance and maintenance of that property under joint ownership between the Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee and the county, “as was recommended by Commissioner Larry Caddell on August 7, 2012,” would be “essential” for the proposal to work.

“This is our opportunity to show our appreciation, gratitude and respect for what our veterans have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for us,” she said. “We therefore ask this committee to approve this concept for the Moore County Veterans Memorial Park, and to recommend that the full county board of commissioners approve this proposal as soon as it is practical to do so.

“They fought for us,” she said in conclusion. “Isn’t it our turn to fight for them?”

Melton thanked her for the presentation.

“This is one concept to look at, but I don’t know if this is the final end,” he said.

Moore County Planning Board Chairman Robert Hayer posed several questions to Zucchino that he said “should be in the minutes.”

“I know Vince Zucchino both personally and professionally, and believe his skills are exemplary,” he said. “But I think it is prudent to ask a few technical questions regarding this proposal.”

Hayter asked Zucchino what he believed would be the cost for the project.

“I hesitate to put numbers out there at this point, since we were only coalescing some ideas into a conceptual plan, but I would estimate the cost at up to $1 million.”

“Would you say that there are other equally effective ways to protect or enhance the site, other than what you did?” Hayter asked.

“I have to say yes, that there are other concepts,” Zucchino said. “But our idea was to give as much space to the memorial as possible.”

Raymond Doby, who co-chairs the advisory council with Melton and is also a veterans advocate, said he did not take part in the planning process.

“I don’t know who did what, but I wasn’t involved,” he said. “They did a good job, but I wonder why I wasn’t contacted.”

But committee member Ruby Hendrick said that all were in agreement.

“The Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee unanimously voted to present this for consideration,” she said.

Melton then proposed that the subcommittee develop a “Plan B.”

“Since we’ve established a footprint for future growth, and Mr. Zucchino said that there might be other ways to do this, then I think we should consider all the possibilities,” he said. “If it’s OK with Mr. Doby, we will look at another concept.”

Doby and Benton each agreed with Melton’s proposal.

“There might be a better way to utilize the site,” Benton said. “Mr. Zucchino did a wonderful job, but we might be able to do something different for half a million.”

Moore County Commissioners’ Chairman Nick Picerno, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, reiterated the issue of time as it concerned the memorial.

“This situation became political before my re-election, and the media portrays this as something that has to be done now or something terrible will happen,” he said. “But the truth is, I keep hearing the phrase ‘protect the memorial,’ but it is already protected. The county board has given you that time.

“The right thing to do is to get it done right, not get it done fast. Nothing will happen until a decision is made by this board.”

The subcommittee meets again on Jan. 28 to discuss “Plan B.”

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.

What does a woman who “worked on the development of about every land-line telephone feature there is” and has two patents to her credit do upon retirement?

She bakes bread and plants flowers.

Carol Rice of Springfield chose those creative outlets when she retired from ATT Laboratories three years ago, after a 37-year career.  But first, she turned to experts for guidance, taking classes in culinary arts and landscaping through Lincoln Land Community College’s Community Learning, which will once again be offering non-credit personal enrichment classes this spring.

“It was really something to be able to go out and work in my yard instead of having to get a feature ready all the time,” Rice said.

With skills gained by attending landscaping classes at the Illinois Executive Mansion taught by horticulturist Harry Lewis, Rice has created a flower garden covering much of her 1-1/2-acre property and has earned the distinction of being named a master gardener.

“Harry’s a professional landscaper, and he shares ideas of how to make your own yard beautiful,” said Rice, a member of the Springfield Garden Club.  “I’ve really changed my yard.  I hope to be on the garden walk this year.”

According to Lewis, students in his classes are inspired by the grounds of the mansion.

“We have a good venue here,” he said.  “It’s like a living classroom.”

220 classes

Rice has combined her interest in landscaping with her interest in the culinary arts by creating an outdoor kitchen.

“I’m trying to tie the whole thing together by making my yard an enjoyable place to be when I’m in my outdoor kitchen,” she said.

For the spring semester, Rice is enrolled in landscaping classes taught by Lewis, including one on container gardening, and in baking classes taught by such local experts as chef Denise Perry.

But if having a green thumb and learning new recipes are not your cup of tea, LLCC’s Community Learning has a total of 220 classes this spring covering a wide range of topics, according to Judy Wagenblast, director of community education.  Among them are arts and crafts, computers, dance, finance, ornamental welding, business development, photography, upholstery, coffee making, pets and language studies.

“We try to cover lots of bases,” she said.  “Every semester, about 20 percent of the classes are new classes.  We try to keep aware of what people are interested in and go along with what is hot or trendy.”

Upholstery is one of the hot topics that is being introduced in response to requests from students, according to Wagenblast.

Learn new skill

Most classes are held at LLCC’s Springfield campus, but others are offered at the Beardstown, Jacksonville, Litchfield or Taylorville campuses or at off-campus locations like the Executive Mansion.  Classes range from single two-hour sessions to ones that meet weekly for four weeks, with a minimum fee of $15 and “very few more than $50,” Wagenblast said.

One of the first offerings for the spring semester is designed to help attendees “Start the New Year with a New Attitude,” which is the title of the $15 two-hour class.  It is scheduled for Jan. 23 in Litchfield and Jan. 26 in Springfield.

“It’s based on the concept that attitude is a choice and you can explore and learn techniques that will help you have a good attitude and make you feel good, learn a new skill and, hopefully, have fun,” Wagenblast said.

Also part of the personal enrichment classes for adults are trips ranging from one day to four days, according to Wagenblast.  An example is a Valentine-themed day trip Feb. 9 to St. Louis, where participants will attend a jazz concert and visit a chocolate factory and a flower distributor. The cost per person is $67.

“Travel is a great way to learn history and culture and to refresh your perspective on the world,” she said.

Theresa Schieffer can be reached through the metro desk at 788-1517.

Want to know more?

For a complete list of learning opportunities or for online registration, go to www.llcc.edu/commed.  More information also may be obtained by calling 217-786-2432.  To register by phone, call 217-786-2292.

Having stopped in Ashville, N.C., on last week’s garden tour, let’s head north into Virginia for a stop in Charlottesville. There, you will find the home and gardens of our third President, Thomas Jefferson. Monticello is a testament to the brilliance of the man and the extraordinary efforts to save, restore and maintain such a valuable part or our history.

Monticello was carved out of the top of a mountain, by slave labor, a subject that is fully acknowledged and presented, warts and all. Great care has been taken to ensure that everything here is as accurate as possible to the time when Jefferson built and lived here.

The gardens were all laid out to his specifications, working with the slopes and swales of his mountain. He planted in a way to make the most of the growing season to feed all who lived at Monticello as well as having crops to provide income. Jefferson was man ahead of his time. He brought in seeds and plants from around the world, using his gardens as a laboratory. He kept incredibly detailed records of everything that happened at Monticello — including what he planted, success and failures — and those records helped with the restoration of the home and gardens.

You are going to need more than one day to fully explore all there is to see and do. There are also other Jefferson properties nearby. If you can make time, you should go see them. You will need several hours to explore the Monticello website, www.monticello.org. It grabs you from the home page, pulls you in and won’t let go. You can also purchase historic plants and seeds, some that are known to have been grown at Monticello. Click on the “Shop” tab to learn more.

Two and half hours north and east is Washington, D.C., a history lover’s Nirvana. Throw in a few gardens and you have yourself a vacation.

Start with the U.S. Botanic Garden. George Washington envisioned a botanic garden in our nation’s capitol and in 1820 Congress granted the land. In 1850, the USBG was formally founded and is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Visit their website at www.usbg.gov.

There are three public parts to the USBG. The Conservatory, built in 1933, is just shy of 29,000 square feet of growing space under glass. You will find plant displays covering rare and endangered, medicinal, world deserts, orchids and so very much more.

Outside, the National Gardens are three acres with plantings focused on mid-Atlantic gardens. Those include a rose trial garden, butterfly garden, the First Ladies Water Garden, the lower terrace and amphitheater.

Across the street is Bartholdi Park, named for its stunning cast iron fountain created by the same Auguste Bartholdi who created the Statue of Liberty. That alone is worth seeing, but here you will find demonstration gardens surrounding it, all centered on home landscaping. These beds are all focused on sustainable horticulture, using the principals of Sustainable Sites Initiative’. There will be an article on that forthcoming!

When you are done at USBG, head on over to the Smithsonian and start at the Castle. You’re going to need a map or perhaps the book, “A Guide to the Smithsonian Gardens.” Yes, I have it, and if I get back to D.C., it’s going with me along with a new pair of sneakers. Their gardens include the grounds of the Castle, along the Mall and throughout the city. These include the National Zoo, the Folger Rose Garden, The Heirloom and Victory Garden, The Sculpture Garden and Plaza and The Butterfly Habitat Garden, to name a few. It amazes me to look at a map of this city and realize how many gardens there are. Visit their website, www.si.edu.

If you are fortunate enough to visit some these wonderful locations, especially the historic sites like Monticello, take a moment to thank the people there for what they do and for all that was done by those who came before them, who had the passion, determination and the guts to save these places from destruction. It is because of their devotion that our children and grandchildren will know who and where we come from, and what it took for our country to become the United States of America.

Seating for 18 in the open and casual dining area overlooking the pool.

The master bedroom has a view of the fountain via smart windows that turn clear or opaque with the flip of a switch.

The sleek, functional and ultra modern kitchen has gleaming glass tile, commercial gas range and stainless steel appliances.

Rack ’em up anytime in the spacious game room in the fourth living area.

The home’s living spaces are built around the private, tile-lined swimming pool that has easy access to the canal and boat dock.

One of the living areas adjacent to the kitchen and game room boasts a wet bar and a cozy sitting area.

The second floor features a living room with deck access and water views, offering a great place to relax, stargaze or enjoy a drink from the wet bar.

A jungle-themed chandelier illuminates the entry and first of several living areas in the home.

The second of four art-filled living areas as you make your way through the open floor plan of this Island Moorings canal-front home.

CORPUS CHRISTI —
It’s easy to entertain in a home with four living areas and plenty of windows to take in the views of the Port Aransas waterfront. This resort-style home, with a modern, eclectic feel, offers two master bedrooms, dining space for a crowd and more than 6,000 square feet of living space.

Why do you love your home? The Coast House is a wonderful home for many reasons. Sitting on a canal with a private and covered boat basin, the water is literally right outside the back door. The home has very large and open living spaces which comfortably handles lots of overnight guests.

Why did you decide on this home: We love the Port Aransas area, living on the water and having very easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for offshore fishing.

One thing I’d change about my house: Perhaps having a second dishwasher for large amounts of guests.

Best home project I’ve completed here and why: The tackle room is fantastic room for organizing and working on all of the fishing equipment.

I get ideas/inspiration for my house by: Previous experiences with building other custom homes.

Something no one knows about my home: There is 103 feet of open room (no walls supporting the ceiling) from the front door to the back door. It creates an amazingly open feeling. The home is highly engineered and built to outlast a hurricane.

I save lots of money on my home by: Incorporating significant energy saving features.

A home item I can’t live without: Walking out the back door to see the water is perfect. You never know what you will find. A school of Black Drum or maybe a sea turtle.

Places where I find home furnishings: Stower’s San Antonio.

If my kitchen walls could talk… they would share all the family memories of homemade ice cream on the Fourth of July as well as other family holidays throughout the year. We have very special family traditions that we celebrate here.

What I like most about my home: With all of the glass windows and doors, the tropical landscape is brought inside the home.

My home’s most complimented feature: We cannot settle on just one thing. We are always getting compliments on the fountain, the game room, the 18 person dining area, or the exercise room.

Favorite room: (The) upstairs master bedroom. It has an outdoor balcony that overlooks a canal and you can watch the sunrise.

A funny story about my home: My husband will have his golf buddies over watching sports and in will walk one of our daughters with 10 of her closest friends. Our home welcomes all and we have a lot of fun.

Favorite home-related magazine: Coastal Living. It’s fun to see houses in other coastal areas and how they are decorated.

Unannounced guests would find my home… Inviting, pleasing to the senses, vibrant and continually interesting.

The most I have ever paid for an item in my home: Our resort landscaping and landscape lighting. Absolutely feels like you are arriving at a tropical resort when you pull up to the house.

This item would never make it through the front door: The 18-person dining table.

I can’t believe I put this in my home: A chandelier with monkeys, giraffes and lions.

Three items homeowners definitely need are: From having a home on the coast perspective: A natural gas generator (natural gas is typically not affected by tropical storms), a swimming pool, a pair of binoculars for bird watching (birds of every type are right outside the door in the yard and canals).

Worst home advice I ever received: You must have a fireplace.

Best home advice I ever received: Keep things low maintenance.

I have an impressive collection of… sports memorabilia.

My prized possession is… my grand piano.

My home can never have too many… windows.

Send home nominations to Eddie Seal at eddieseal@gmail.com or 688-0887.

Officials working on the Aliso Viejo “Green City Initiative” told residents at a public meeting last week that it’s time for the City Council to weigh in on their plans.

After two years of public hearings, consultations, and research, the Green City Initiative’s over-100-page planning document will likely come before council in some form on the Feb. 20^th meeting for an up or down vote, said Albert G. Armijo, director of planning services for the city.

If approved, the document will be used to construct a new “green” section in the city’s general plan this year. The Jan. 10 meeting drew about 25 individuals, including Armijo and other members of city staff, consultants working with the city, and curious residents. It was the last of 12 public comment sessions over the past two years on the initiative.

Approved initially in 2010, the initiative called for the preparation of an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, ideas on best practices action items on how to live sustainably, and the creation of a public outreach program. The initiative will also respond to changes in California state law, including amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act that require climate change impact evaluations during reviews of individual projects. City officials have stressed that the initiative is an opt-in program for residents and local businesses.

Armijo said it’s important that the document lead to real changes in city policy.

“The planning department doesn’t want to write a pretty document have it adopted, and have it gather dust on the shelf. So implementing it is really important. So, the way we want to proceed, the principles and the implementation measures that are voluntary now, hopefully will be picked up and implemented and revitalized,” Armijo said.

Specifically, the city could opt for greener policies “through a shuttle service, through drought tolerant landscaping, through LED saving money on lighting, things like that…through a restructured parking situation in town center. In the future, maybe years down the line,” Armijo said.

In addition to these ideas, Armijo said the city could work to make its streets more pedestrian-friendly, by reducing speed limits on major roads, diverting pedestrian traffic to less congested streets nearby, or repainting street lines. Armijo also discussed plans for a community garden in Aliso Viejo Ranch.

Plans for a community garden leave 4-year resident Eric Halverson enthusiastic. He’s already checked out the land the city plans to use as a garden and said it looks pretty good. When asked whether the two-year wait for the plan is cause for concern, Halverson said he’s just glad the city is getting on board with green ideas.

“In general I’m more appreciative of the fact that the city is interested in even having green initiatives and that there’s enough people here interested in doing positive things,” Halverson said.

Any specific changes to city code are much further down the line, but initial approval of the research and ideas so far will likely occur on Feb. 20. at the regular council meeting at 7 p.m., at Aliso Viejo City Hall, 12 Journey.

Contact the writer: 949-366-9473 or kmejdrich@ocregister.com