Question: I am a victim of my own creativity.

Several years ago I put a faux marble finish on my basement floor and covered it with a polyurethane. I would like to repaint it. I tried just floor paint. The paint never dried. I mopped it off several days later.

The paint adviser at Lowe's recommended paint remover or sanding. Do you think epoxy paint would cover it?

All other options seem like a lot of work.

Answer: On the one hand, I like to hear that a product - in this case, the polyurethane - is doing its job by protecting your faux floor.

On the other hand, epoxy paint application in every situation I've examined or heard about requires surface preparation that would involve exactly what the fellow at Lowe's recommended.

Any kind of paint requires a surface to adhere to, and one coated with polyurethane is no exception.

Face down: A few weeks back, during our discussion of detergent, I asked for recommendations on which way utensils should face in the dishwasher.

I reported one vote for up and down to prevent "nesting," but apparently the polls weren't closed in Hawaii.

I received two votes recommending down: One via snail mail from Patricia who writes "always place any pointed utensil down. Children might trip and fall into the open dishwasher. Someone might cut their hand or fingers."

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Repainting faux marble finish on a basement floor

Residents were given the opportunity Sunday afternoon to see the progress that has been made on the remodeling taking place at the city of Coon Rapids Home for Generations project at 11635 Xavis St. N.W.

Kristin DeGrande (right), city of Coon Rapids neighborhood coordinator, talks with John and Anne Davis about the city's Home for Generations project at 11635 Xavis St. N.W. during the mid-construction open house Sunday.

Contractor Darrell Olson of Legacy Homes Inc., who was hired by the Coon Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for the remodeling project, started work in February, following a pre-construction open house.

The mid-construction open house at the home Sunday was to show residents the work that has been done to date.

There have been a lot of changes, said Kristin DeGrande, city of Coon Rapids neighborhood coordinator.

Interior demolition has been completed; the new floor plans for the main level and the basement have been framed; new plumbing, heating and electrical have been roughed in; and the front door and window have been relocated, according to DeGrande.

We are extremely pleased with the progress that has been made and Legacy Homes has been a pleasure to work with, DeGrande said.

The project has been going very smoothly and no problems have been uncovered, she said.

Olson is always open to new ideas and small changes have been made to enhance the project while staying within the $40,000 remodeling budget, DeGrande said.

For example, plans were originally to construct a concrete pathway from the relocated front door, according to DeGrande.

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Mid-construction open house held for Coon Rapids’ Xavis project

May 29, 1935March 15, 2012

James M. May, the founder of Mayco Printing, died Thursday in his Hamburg home. He was 76.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. May attended Burgard Vocational High School and served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956, where he learned to print. He worked in various printing jobs before deciding to head off on his own, starting a small business in the basement of his home.

In 1973, he borrowed $2,000 and opened Mayco Printing on Abbott Road in Buffalo. The business grew, and he eventually moved to Seneca Street, where his son, James R., joined him. Mr. May partially retired in 2002, and his son took over the business.

Mr. May had a number of hobbies, including flowers and a love of animals. At one point, his print shop on Abbott Road looked more like a floral shop. But visitors would have been more surprised to find an 18- foot python named Hugger in the back room. Mr. May had a number of animals through the years, including horses, raccoons, birds and his beloved pug, Buddy, who remained by his side throughout the last years of his life.

His other hobbies included aquariums, terrariums, woodworking and magic. He freelanced as a magician for childrens parties and restaurants. He built bird houses in his basement. His final woodworking project was remodeling a doll house he built in 1990 for his first granddaughter, working countless hours until his death. He also enjoyed going to area casinos.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, Carmela; three daughters, Rosemarie Merk, Annmarie Korbar and Jacqueline Medley; and another son, Ralph.

A memorial service will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Dannys Restaurant, 4300 Abbott Road, Hamburg.

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James M. May, founder of Mayco Printing, veteran

The world's top value investors love it when their best stocks ideas are selling at bargain-basement prices. For those rarified investors, companies offering fire-sale prices become no-brainer buys.

So regular investors like you and me would do well to emulate the masters and look at companies offering a "buy one-get one" sale on their stocks. We'll pair the companies selling at least 50% below their 52-week highs with the insights of the top investors in the Motley Fool CAPS community. When top earthbound investors also like a company's prospects, it may be wise for us to take notice, too.

Stock

CAPS Rating (out of 5)

% Off 12-Month High

Source: Motley Fool CAPS.

Naturally, you'll want to do more due diligence before buying. Low-priced appliances in thedent-and-ding sectionof your home-remodeling superstore might be there for more reasons than just a few scratches on the surface: Real trouble might be lurking below. Same thing here, so make sure there's nothing seriously wrong with the company before you plug it into your portfolio.

Making a connection It might not be the two-bagger-plus some investors are hoping for, but even analysts at BMO Capital see the momentum turning in favor of communications equipment provider Alcatel-Lucent. Continuing its trend of taking share from Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) and Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) , particularly in the router market, and with LTE becoming such an important component of future telecom expansion, the equipment maker should be able to capitalize on its leading position by deploying more of its wireless and optical technology. BMO sees shares hitting $4 a stub, which would represent a 65% gain from current levels.

Previously I noted Alcatel was driving a huge wedge into the market with its small-cell wireless technology that will help telecoms meet the burgeoning demands being placed on their networks. Although other analysts remain concerned about its sale of the Genesys, its call center and videoconferencing software unit, the separation allows Alcatel to focus its energies on its core networking infrastructure and beating Cisco and Juniper in their own backyards. Let the short-sellers target it; they'll be squeezed when the expected collapse doesn't materialize.

CAPS member kferg2 believes the liquidity concerns are overblown and is confident it will be able to successfully generate the cash flows necessary to sustain itself.

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There's a BOGO Sale on These Top Stocks

I received a letter from readers in Hatfield about the failure of a paint they had used on the concrete floor of their basement.

Enclosed was a sample of what was peeling from the floor.

Rather than quote from the letter word for word, I'll give you the gist of what happened:

The couple had bought a washer and dryer that had to go into the basement. A year ago, they went to Lowe's looking for concrete floor paint to pretty the place up.

They told the salesperson what they were doing, and he "highly recommended" Valspar Porch and Floor Paint. They painted the floor and it "looked nice."

The tub into which the washer drains became blocked, and it overflowed all over the floor. They quickly mopped up the water, which was on the floor no more than a few hours.

"The paint had bubbles all over the floor, which started peeling off" everywhere, the couple wrote.

They said they followed the directions. It was not inexpensive paint, was called "high performance" on the label, and now these senior citizens have to clean up all the loose paint before they can paint again.

They won't, however, until I can reassure them that it won't happen again.

Let me talk about my experience. My first rule is no matter what product I use, I assume there's always a chance it will not fully live up to the promise on the container.

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Your Place: Paint on basement floor needs repeat treatment

LAKE OSWEGO, OR (KPTV) -

Lake Oswego firefighters were called to a restaurant that hasn't even opened yet after a small fire broke out in the basement.

It happened Wednesday at the Stickmen Brewery and Skewery on N. State Street, which is in the same building as the Lake Twin Theater.

A worker at the theater said he noticed a smoky haze at around 7:40 p.m. and eventually started searching for the source.

That's when the man told investigators that he looked through the brew pub's window and saw smoke.

About a dozen movie-goers were evacuated from the theater as a precaution when firefighters arrived at the scene.

Crews said they had a tough time getting close to the fire at first because of all the remodeling going on in the building.

Investigators believe sparks and metal slag ended up on the wooden floor earlier in the day when construction workers were still onsite, leading to the fire.

The damage is estimated at just $500 since the area is in the midst of being demolished.

Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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Crews put out fire at Lake Oswego brew pub

DAVID CITY When a basement needed remodeling, some wallboard hung or a new video game conquered, Anthony Palensky was there to help.

If anybody needed anything didnt matter who it was he helped out, William Palensky of Lincoln said of his youngest brother.

Anthony died Thursday while trying to rescue their grandfather, Leonard T. Palensky Sr., from a burning house, William said.

The David City house Anthony shared with his 87-year-old grandfather caught fire just after 2 a.m. Thursday, and the 25-year-old couldnt abandon the older man, family members said.

Anthony was being Anthony, being a hero, said Rachel Johnson of David City, another of Anthonys eight siblings. He wasnt going to leave his grandpa in there.

Firefighters pulled the men from the burning house and took them to the Butler County Health Care Center, where they were pronounced dead of asphyxiation from smoke inhalation, Butler County Attorney Julie L. Reiter said.

Neighbors said someone passing by on the way to Lenten services at St. Marys Catholic Church reported the fire.

Investigators with the state Fire Marshals Office determined the fire started near a brick chimney. The cause remains under investigation.

The family is no stranger to tragedy.

Thursdays deaths came almost five years after a single-vehicle crash near Dwight killed Anthonys 18-year-old sister, Renee Palensky of Linwood.

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Man, 25, dies trying to save grandfather

Extending your living space downstairs to the basement doesn't mean having to lower your design expectations. Proper lighting, well-designed feature details, potentially vibrant colours, and comforts typically associated with above-grade rooms can help transform the sometimes forgotten space below into a place where you and your family will want to spend time. True, there are many challenges inherent in remodeling lower levels low ceilings, dampness, and poor lighting, coupled with the need to preserve storage areas and utility access. But all of these can be overcome with good design, appropriate materials, and a bit of ingenuity.

Function

Most primary living areas kitchen, living room, dining room have a predetermined function. Reclaiming a basement is like discovering real estate you didn't know you owned. It's easy for your plans to overwhelm both you and the space. Start by assessing your needs. An extra bedroom? A home entertainment area? An exercise space? An office? Then ask yourself what that use will require. Insulation to muffle the sound of teenagers or music? A refrigerator or sink for serving food and drinks? Establishing different zones within a large open room is one approach that makes the most of light and sound movement.

Lighten Up

Most likely the single most important factor, lighting is key in creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

If ceilings are dropped, you wont want to extend them anymore by hanging fixtures below ceiling tiles, so opt for recessed pots instead. Layering is also important; have plenty of task lighting, but be sure to include ambient light in the form of table and floor lamps. Make the most of natural light if you can try and keep pathways to basement windows unobstructed to let as much natural sunlight stream in as possible.

Build in a bathroom

Almost all new construction includes a bathroom below ground level; if youre renovating, youll have to call in a contractor, plumber, and electrician for this job. Keep fixtures and colours light and bright for a feeling of maximum airiness, especially if your bathroom doesn't have a window. If youre sitting on the fence about whether or not its worth all the work, consider this: not only will it make living in the house easier, but it will absolutely increase your resale value by thousands of dollars.

Storage Space

Open concepts are great, but youll need to reserve some square footage for storage. For basements with walk-out entries, consider converting some space into a mudroom, with floor-to-ceiling cupboards and shelves for outerwear and shoes, sports equipment and tools. Craft and sewing rooms are quite popular, and can provide not only functional work space, but clever storage as well. Dont forget the so-called wasted space under the stairs: there are manufacturers now that build functional drawers and cupboard units specifically for this area.

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Design Life: Taking your basement to a whole new level

Mild weather has piqued thoughts of remodeling, landscaping and home decor for Marylanders. Green thumbers and do-it-yourselfers will find no shortage of inspiration for spring projects at the Maryland Home & Garden Show, beginning this weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

Designers, contractors, landscapers and suppliers will offer home improvement ideas for everything from decks and patios to kitchens and spas. Here are 10 things not to miss as you tour the show's beautifully landscaped gardens and more than 300 exhibitors.

1. Joey Green The best-selling author and guru of little-known uses for brand-name products will host seminars this weekend, demonstrating how to clean carpets with diapers, soothe neck pain with rice and polish furniture with Spam.

2. Garden reads This year's show theme is "Books in Bloom," with 17 gardens inspired by settings from literature, including "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Use your smartphone to capture QR codes in each garden to see information about the featured titles from the Baltimore County Public Library website.

3. Interior designer Q&A Can't decide between matte and high-gloss interior paint? Bring your design problems to the show as members of the American Society of Interior Designers offer free 20-minute, one-on-one consultations.

4. Ogle orchids Shop for your plants at the Orchid Show & Sale. The show takes place in Horticulture Hall the second weekend of the show, March 9-11.

5. Name that flower Floral designs, horticulture entries and educational exhibits will be showcased by the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland during a mystery-themed flower show March 9-11. Members will also offer secrets to arranging and maintaining long-lasting flower displays.

6. Miniature trees Ready to incorporate harmony, peace and prosperity into your life? The Baltimore Bonsai Club will show how to cultivate and care for miniature trees.

7. Spring decor Spruce up your home with pieces from the Maryland Spring Craft Show, featuring 125 craftspeople offering handmade jewelry, pottery and accessories.

8. Master gardening On March 9, Norman Cohen of Master Gardeners will give tips on keeping your vegetable plants healthy and productive. And on March 10, Valley View Farm's Carrie Engle will talk about which houseplants are best for clean indoor air. You can also stock up on bulbs, plants, flowers and seeds.

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10 things not to miss at the Md. home show

MASON CITY — If the economy is turning around in Mason City home construction, it is because of home additions and remodeling rather than building new homes.

That’s according to figures from the city building department.

The City Council approved a program last year in which residents could receive tax abatements of up to $75,000 on the assessed value of remodeling or on new construction.

Figures from the city building department show permits were issued for 16 new homes in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011. So far in this fiscal year, only five permits have been issued, though that should pick up when good weather returns, building officials say.

“If there’s been an uptick, we haven’t noticed it,” said Jo Ellen Larsen, administrative assistant in the building department.

But there have been 139 permits issued so far in this fiscal year for repairs and alterations of single-family homes. That’s on a pace to top last year’s total of 224.

The latest figures also indicate a higher interest in construction of twin homes. In the last fiscal year, permits were issued for two. So far this fiscal year, with about a half-year to go, three permits have been issued.

Cathy Rottinghaus, head of the Home Loan Center at First Citizens National Bank, said people are talking about home construction but given the time of year it is, it’s just talk at this point.

“But people are optimistic,” she said, a different mood than a year ago.

The bank has experienced more activity in refinancing of existing homes.

“Rates are at historic lows and people are taking advantage of that,” she said.

Tom Quinlan, president of NSB Bank, said his bank’s experience in residential loans bears out what the building permits show.

“It’s been a better year for loans on additions and remodeling than for new home construction,” he said.

“We don’t see as much new home construction as we’d like, particularly with interest rates so low.”

Quinlan said his home loan customers are showing an interest in twin homes, validating what the city figures show.

“We’re seeing some interest in twin homes and also homes on one floor with no basement,” he said. “These are homes that are more convenient for older people.”

“We’re holding our own in home loans but it’s not as good as it could be. The market is becoming steady and that’s a good thing.”

Quinlan said agriculture has been a stabling economic influence in recent years and that has had a rippling effect on other aspects of the economy.

“The farm economy has really held up well,” he said.

“There are a lot of service industries tied to the farm economy so a lot of businesses have benefited from that.”

The city’s tax abatement program applies to work done in calendar year 2011. The city received 42 applications for abatements — four for commercial, 13 for single-family houses, 11 for garages or accessory buildings and 14 for residential remodels.

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Home additions, remodeling increase