Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Someone asked me if bugs will be out early because of the mild weather and what they should do about it.

As I said in a previous column, you should take time to pest-proof your home in the winter before pest activity starts. Inspect your home or business around the outside and seal or screen any openings where bugs as small as ants can enter. Make sure you dont have any tree branches touching your home or business, as insects will use the branches as an avenue to find openings on the roof.

If you have a pest control service, that is fine, but dont let them spray pesticides unless you have a bug infestation. Spraying pesticides to prevent pests is not a good practice and good companies dont do that.

It is a good time to get your home inspected for termites as they are active all year and will be swarming in four or five weeks if the weather doesnt change much. Make sure whoever you use to inspect is familiar with drywood termites and other wood-destroying insects, as well as with subterranean termites. If you get a termite inspection, try to find an inspector who doesnt do treatments so there isnt any conflict of interest.

If you have a commercial business, all you have to do is keep your facility as clean as possible and pest-proof it as you would your home. If you hire a professional, pick one that will inspect your facility but not use any toxic pesticides unless a severe infestation is present. Believe it or not, all commercial establishments can control their own pests if they want to. I know many business owners cant be bothered doing their own pest control work and that is fine. There are several real-good companies out there to help you.

If you want to do some pest work yourself, then keep a pest control company available in case you get a sudden infestation of some pest. In commercial businesses this occasionally happens as vendors can bring in pests, as can unusual weather and other factors. You dont need anyone just coming in and spraying pesticides along the baseboards. That is not good pest management.

With good common sense and a little knowledge, you can safely and effectively manage pests in your facility, even if its a restaurant, without anyone spraying toxic pesticides.

If you have a hotel or motel, you can actually control bed bugs if they show up. You dont need to pay a fortune to have a room sprayed with toxic pesticides.

Some companies use safe products and try to find one of these companies if you want, but you can do it yourself if you prefer. One problem pest companies have is the rules. They are not allowed to use any products, no matter how safe, unless the products are registered with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. They cant use such great products as peppermint essential oil because it isnt technically a pesticide. Or grits, even though grits are great at ant control.

However, homeowners and business owners can use anything they want in their home or business, as they wish. The general public has more options on what they can use to manage pests than the pesticide industry does. The industry is basically restricted to pesticides, while you as a homeowner or business owner can use diatomaceous earth, peppermint essential oils, cedar products, grits and many other safe and effective common products.

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RICHARD FAGERLUND: Home, business owners have many options for managing pests

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Historic charm -- that's the first thought that comes to mind when describing downtown Stillwater along the banks of the St. Croix River. With a closer look, it's clear the river town's tradition mixes well with contemporary finds for anyone spending an afternoon here.

Stillwater not only boasts some of the best antique hunting in the metro, it also is home to trendy apparel and gift stores dotted mostly along Main Street.

With more than 40 stores to choose from, it's best to decide what type of shopping you're in the mood for first. Fine jewelers, antique malls, boutiques as well as home and gift stores abound.

There are plenty of places to dine, as well.

Jim Harris, left, and friend Larry Nelson eat lunch at Marx Fusion Bistro in downtown Stillwater. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

Several places offer apparel. Highlights include Mainstream Boutique, which moved into larger digs in the Brick Alley Building earlier this year. The women's apparel shop with several Twin Cities locations offers a mix of sophisticated clothing and accessories at mid-range prices. In the same building, style mavens will find Betty June's, which recently moved out of its New Richmond, Wis., digs to its current downtown spot. It's worth a stop for the variety of tasteful jewelry, bags and gift items. Note that the front of the store now houses Trade Winds Spice Company, which in the past year moved from a nearby spot.

Continue north to the St. Croix River Exchange Building, where a few more shops await. The designer-inspired Lori's New York Fashions offers a more affordable, fast-fashion version of handbags, jewelry and other accessories seen on runways. The shop is big on pre-packaged matching necklace and earring sets, which makes piecing your outfit together that much easier.

Along Main Street, Urban Violet co-owner Jessamine Elkington arranges a display that includes an alpaca vest and floral skirt. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

In the same building, Jade's Addiction apparel for women and men emphasizes pieces that are upcycled, recycled or produced by local artists. New clothing and accessories are in one room, while consignment items are in another. A few doors down, bargain-hunters should stop at Bronze, which prides itself on the fact that every item in the store costs less than $10. The shop also offers beachwear, but the best steal is the pretty handmade jewelry from India.

Outdoor enthusiasts looking for style won't want to miss 45 Degrees for its quality active wear as well as coveted brands such as Prana clothing and Uggs footwear.

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Day trip: Stillwater, where old-fashioned meets contemporary

TACOMA, Wash. Thomas Edisons first public demonstration of the incandescent light bulb happened 134 years ago Tuesday.

But on Wednesday, the lights dimmed for the incandescent because of federal energy efficiency standards approved in 2007.

As of Jan. 1, companies no longer can import or make 60- and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs the most popular bulb for indoor lighting. Instead, LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent) will replace incandescents as the dominant home fixture.

The new light bulbs reduce energy use and save consumers money. Experts say 90 percent of the electricity used by traditional incandescent light bulbs is radiated in the form of heat, rather than light.

While the bulb ban prevents the manufacture or import of incandescents, shoppers still can find the bulbs on the shelves. Since people have known the ban was coming for some time, there were no last-minute crowds shopping for incandescents Tuesday, Fred Meyer spokeswoman Melinda Merrill said.

Traditional 75- and 100-watt incandescent bulbs were to be phased out at the beginning of 2013. Home Depot stores in some areas of the country have a six-month supply of incandescent bulbs. Merrill said Fred Meyer has a two-month supply of various incandescent bulbs.

The CFLs have become more popular and LEDs have become more popular, she said.

Lighting is no minor matter at the Tacoma Art Museum, where three galleries are lit with ceramic metal halide lamps. That has allowed the museum to reduce the number of fixtures it has and save money at the same time.

One gallery, which houses the museums collection of Chihuly glass, still uses incandescent lighting at Dale Chihulys request, said museum director Stephanie Stebich.

He prefers a warmer, hotter light and it makes the vessels glow, she said.

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With advent of 2014, lights go out on incandescent bulb

REG Architects, founded byRick Gonzalez Jr., received two merit awards in December from the Palm Beach Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. REG was cited for its work in renovating the Cultural Council of Palm Beach Countys headquarters at 601 Lake Ave., Lake Worth.

The building opened in 1940 as a movie theater and later was used to house a contemporary-art collection, a disco and a restaurant. Palm Beach philanthropist Mary Montgomery donated the building to the cultural council. Said Gonzalez, Its a classic example of adaptive reuse.

The work was financed with a $700,000 grant from the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency.

The other merit prize awarded to REG is for a private equestrian center on 60 acres in Wellington. Hedrick Brothers Construction received the Builder of the Year Award for the project.

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Making merry IberiaBank and Arnstein & Lehr LLP partnered for a fourth year to hold the Heartfelt Holiday Toy Drive to benefit children served by the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. More than 700 toys were donated by employees and the public.

Some were distributed on Dec. 18 at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. Santa Claus appeared and handed a toy to each of the 60 children in attendance. They also were treated to a tour of the museum and planetarium.

The toy drive is held in collaboration with the National Arts Institutes Kids Rule the Arts. I wish everyone could see the huge smiles on the childrens faces, said Jennifer Brancaccio, market president for IberiaBank. Steven Daniels, managing partner at Arnstein & Lehr, said the firm is happy to continue the partnership, which ensures that underprivileged children have a memorable holiday.

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PR awards The Gold Coast PR Council, which honors excellence by local public relations and marketing professionals, will host the 10th annual Bernays Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at Boca Dunes Golf & Country Club, 1400 Country Club Drive, Boca Raton.

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Architects honored for Cultural Council renovations

PHOENIX - Right in the heart of the hustle and bustle of downtown Phoenix sits a majestic ruin: Phoenix's historic First Baptist Church.

On the outside it appears to be in great shape, but looks are deceiving. One you walk inside you realize it's just a shell.

"This was finished in 1929, just before the depression. It was a big church; 1,400 or more people were here for services. It was designed for chorale singing and mass choirs," said Terry Goddard, former Arizona Attorney General and the self-proclaimed protector of the church.

After 40 glorious years, hymns were silenced as the congregation packed up and moved out, leaving the structure abandoned. To make matters worse, on a cold February day in 1984 tragedy struck the church: a fire broke out inside the sanctuary. The fire continued to burn for two days, causing the roof to collapse.

Although the charred remains act as a scar of it's dark days, the ruins give off a romantic and charming vibe making the future still very bright.

It was former congregation members and a few notable names that have seen the charming potential contained within the church and halted the demolition.

For the past 20 years, this 40,000-square-foot building has transformed into an open-air sanctuary for thousands of birds and nearly 50,000 honey bees who've made camp within the old rose windows. However, a few local architects have drafted plans to renovate the old building.

For the main sanctuary, architects envision a beautiful garden amongst the angelic ruins or an open-air concert venue beneath the starry Arizona sky.

The hallways are dark and tattered, but there are dozens of abandoned rooms that have the potential to be renovated into office space, high-end residential living or even the addition of a black box theater. These are just a couple ideas that have been suggested.

Deep within the basement sits an abandoned boiler, however, could you imagine turning it into a giant pizza oven?

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Architects seek to renovate PHX church

NEW YORK (AP) Art Garfunkel answered the door to his Manhattan apartment holding a framed black-and-white picture of two smiling men. It was a test.

Correctly identifying Phil and Don Everly in the picture would reveal me as a journalist knowledgeable about music and the roots of Garfunkel's career. Flustered, I failed. It should have been obvious.

The Everly Brothers, who will blend their voices no more following Phil's death at 74 Friday from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were the architects of rock 'n' roll harmony. Simon & Garfunkel were unimaginable without them. John Lennon and Paul McCartney took their cues, too. Their harmonies (and don't forget George Harrison) formed the bedrock of the Beatles' sound.

Like Garfunkel, Phil sang the high notes. He had the lighter colored hair. He would step away from the microphone, like on "Cathy's Clown," to let older brother Don sing a few lines alone and you noticed how unremarkable Don's voice was unadorned. Only when that voice merged with his brother's as a single, new voice did it become special.

Sweet as they sounded, their hits resonated because they taught a huge post-World War II generation as it was growing up that love wasn't all roses, blue skies and candy. "Bye bye love," they sang. "Bye bye happiness. Hello loneliness. I think I'm a-gonna cry."

In the sumptuous "All I Have to Do is Dream," the romance is frustratingly unrequited. "I need you so, that I could die," they sang. "When Will I Be Loved," they wondered. Even success was fraught with worry: the couple in "Wake Up Little Susie" fretted over whether anyone would believe their excuses when they fell asleep watching a movie.

With their two acoustic guitars and a sound that referenced rock and country, the Everlys would be categorized today and be mostly on the country music charts. Thankfully, things were freer when they were young and their music was heard by everyone.

Phil and Don Everly pioneered another rock staple: feuding partners, often brothers, who were never as compelling apart as they were together. Phil famously threw down his guitar and walked offstage during a 1973 gig in California, prompting Don to tell the crowd, "The Everly Brothers died 10 years ago." Ray and Dave Davies of the Kinks carried on that fractious tradition, as did Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis.

Simon & Garfunkel invited the Everly Brothers to be their opening act for a 2003 tour. Paul Simon, often exasperated by his on-again, off-again partner and quite accomplished on his own, couldn't help but be amused by the irony of two partnerships where real-life harmony didn't match what was onstage. Phil and Don hadn't seen each other for three years before meeting in the parking lot before the first show.

Famous fans paid their debts. Simon and Garfunkel could have invited anyone for that 2003 tour. McCartney opened the door for "Phil and Don" in his 1976 hit "Let 'Em In" and wrote the single "On the Wings of a Nightingale" for their 1984 reunion. Rockpile partners Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe recorded an EP of Everly covers and Edmunds produced the "EB 84" album.

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Phil Everly and brother Don were architects of rock 'n' roll harmony