Coastal Home & Garden Fall/Winter 2010 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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Publisher & Editor Patrice Edwards Associate Editor Noel Smith Production Coordinator Rosa Machuca Graphic Artist Josh Knox Sales Representatives Sadie Wittkins Don Beaumont Valerie Young Joyce Marble Contributing Writers Noel Smith ARA Content

Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide Fall/Winter 2010 is a publication of the Times Publishing Group Inc. located at 9601 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA 95003. Entire contents © 2010 by Patrice Edwards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without publisher’s written permission. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 Phone: 831.688.7549 Fax: 831.688.7551

DESIGNED ON A MAC AND PRINTED IN THE USA ON RECYCLED PAPER

To advertise in our Summer/Spring edition of the Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 2011

call (831) 688-7549 Email: sales@cyber-times.com www.coastalhomeandgarden.com www.tpgonlinedaily.com For information on advertising in the next edition visit: www.tpgadservices.com coastalhomeandgarden.com

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going green 26 36

Plant in the Fall Use the Water-Smart Gardening Green Roof Improvements Can Save Money & Environment

in the home 8 12 14 16 20 32 34 38 42

Fast & Economical Fall Fix-Ups Kitchen & Bath Renovations Go Lean & Green Bring the Beach Back With You Creating Cottage Style Divine Deck Design Bathroom Remodeling Less Water & Money Down the Drain Create Versatile Living Spaces Five Keys in a Slow Housing Market Tips for Smooth Sales and Bargain Buys Today's Laminate Floors a 'Real' Wood Alternative Turn a Gourmet Kitchen Into a Chef's Studio

in the kitchen 40

Healthy Ways to Help Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

in the garden 6 10 18 22 28

Fall & Winter Dormant Protection Early Fall Grass Rejuvenation From Summer Wear & Tear Growing Your Own Vegetables As Earth-Friendly as Possible Building Nature Landscaping Inspiration & Emulation Rhododendrons in the Fall

in your health 30

How to Stay Healthy When Traveling

in the directory

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Fall & Winter Dormant Protection Fall & Winter Dormant Spraying

During the fall and winter, deciduous trees and shrubs drop their leaves and suspend growth as a protection against the cold of winter. During this time an insecticide and/or fungicide is applied, a Dormant Spray.

Dormant spraying of fruit and nut trees, roses, deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs is one of the most important garden care practices to improve and prolong the life of the plant. The dormant spray mixture consists of a fungicide (e.g., Lime-sulfur or fixed copper) and an insecticide (e.g., Horticultural Grade Oil, Volck Oil, or Dormant Oil). All of these products are listed by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) as approved for use on Organic Farms. The function of the Copper and Sulfur spray mixtures are to kill overwintering fungal organisms such as Peach Leaf Curl, Powdery Mildew, Rust, Black Spot, Brown Rot, & Anthracnose. Horticultural Oil is used in the spray to kill overwintering insets such as Mites, Aphids, Scale, & their eggs. Horticultural Oils also act as an adhesive (spreader/

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sticker) for the fungicide, to better adhere it to the plant. Dormant spraying of fruit & nut trees requires three applications to ensure good control of pests & diseases.

Pruning of fruit and nut trees should be done now. Clean up any fallen leaves and discard. If there are any leaves left on the tree these will fall after spraying. Spray.

1. Late November

Clean up any fallen leaves and discard. Spray.

2. Late December

3. Late January This is the final time

to spray and the most critical because it is important to time this spraying before the flower or leaf buds show color. Prune and spray roses in late December or early January and spray again within 30 days, before leaf bud break.

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COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL ESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE ROKERAGE & MORTGAGE ORTGAGE SERVICES ERVICES

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(831) 688-6461 7979 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003

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Fast & Economical Fall Fix-Ups

The ebbing sun and dropping mercury in the garden thermometer signal the end of summer. The shorter, cooler days also mean you might be coming back inside from the great outdoors to discover your home could use a little pizazz. After all, you spent the past few months soaking up the rays while you worked and played in your yard rather than inside the house. It takes only a few quick fixes, combined with some creativity and elbow grease, to transform the rooms where you spend most of your time. In a weekend or less, you can make your home go from stale to striking for the fall season ahead.

As you look around the house, ask yourself this, If I could fix only one thing in each room, what would that be? These answers are your quick fixes. Not all

Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide

home decorating ideas require a great deal of time or money but can transform a tired-looking room into something truly eye-catching.

"Sometimes all it takes is one or two small changes to completely transform a space, You'd be surprised how even the tiniest updates really make a difference.

Study your foyer, for starters. It's the first thing guests see when they enter your home. What can you do to make it more inviting? Maybe it needs a little more color. Add a colorful rug to the entry way and maybe a floral arrangement to the console by the front door. Or maybe less clutter? A small storage bench can reduce clutter shoes, school bags and sports equipment to a minimum and add a clean, inviting look to this first-impression space.

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If your house is like any other, the kitchen likely is the other main gathering place for both family and visiting friends. These high-traffic areas usually can use fresh paint more frequently than other rooms. While high-quality paints might cost more upfront, you'll get a solid return on your investment because using a high-quality paint extends the time between repaints and keeps your room looking its best as long as possible. Paint companies have teamed up with your favorite local paint dealers to make color selection nearly effortless. Most dealers now offer hundreds of color strips in sophisticated displays and some even offer actual paint samples - 2-ounce containers of paint tinted in popular colors so you can take it home and try it

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3 Convenient locations to serve you Soquel

425-0123 3711 Soquel Dr, 95073 Just West of 41st. Ave.*Restrictions Apply

Aptos

687-0123 9687 Soquel Dr, 95003 Between Rio Del Mar & Freedom Blvds.

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Next, what about your living room? Is it too austere? Does it sit unused? While it might be out of your budget to change the furniture, you can warm it up and make it a space where people want to sit and visit by getting rid of those formal, outdated window treatments. Dress windows with light blinds or sheer curtains that provide privacy but allow light to filter through. You might also want to rearrange the furniture into a grouping that's less formal and more inviting. Chances are, you and your family think your family room is pretty great, but even your favorite lounging space always can use a little upgrading to keep it modern, fun and welcoming. One easy change for this often-used space is new throw pillows. Add a splash of fresh color to the familiar simply by swapping out pillows on couches and chairs or adding a nook of colorful floor pillows for family

members who prefer to sprawl on the floor to watch TV and play video games. Or, if you feel your sofa looks tired and worn out, maybe you'd rather invest in a new slipcover to bring a fresh look to the room and transform your old sofa into something new and special. New lamps also can update a room almost instantaneously.

When you're doing your fall upgrades, don't forget the bathroom. For a small investment, you can transform the space with some fresh paint and a new faucet. If you're looking for an even bigger change, you can accessorize it further with a mirror in a finish that matches the faucet, as well as coordinating robe hooks and towel bars. Putting a fresh spin on any home's decor doesn't always mean you have to think big. Small changes can easily transform a space from boring to beautiful in less than a weekend, even on the tightest of budgets.

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Early Fall Grass Rejuvenation From Summer Wear & Tear

As summer winds down, heat and drought may have left your grass a little tired. Luckily, because of cooler temperatures and an increase in precipitation, fall is the best time for lawn rescue. With these simple tips, you can ensure an inviting gathering space for next year.

1. Bare and thin spots provide an opportunity for weeds to get a foot-hold on your lawn. To fill in bare patches in a smaller area, apply Scotts EZ Seed, an allin-one seeding mix, fertilizer and mulch. 2. Be sure to feed your grass. Use compost, an organic or conventional lawn food - avoid all-purpose fertilizers labeled for gardening on your grass. Always use fertilizers labeled for grass.

3. In early fall, feeding is a simple step, which can be repeated about a month to six weeks later. Feeding grass with a lawn food like Organic Choice Lawn Food will yield great results for minimum effort.

4. Leaves are your lawn's best friend. Use your lawnmower to "mulch" leaves into dime-sized pieces, then top with winter lawn food. 5. Keep your mower on the highest setting to encourage root growth deep into the soil to lock out weeds. Keep mowing to summer height until grass stops growing.

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Kitchen & Bath

Renovations Remain Tops, But Go Lean & Green When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.

Installing a skylight is one cost-effective, energy-efficient upgrade that's becoming increasingly popular for kitchens and baths. Kitchens and baths are logical candidates for natural lighting and passive ventilation upgrades. Along with laundry rooms, they tend to have higher moisture and humidity levels than other rooms in the home, making them among the most popular locations for venting skylights. Another kitchen- and bath-specific issue that skylights help address is the need for privacy. Skylights admit light from above, but prevent anyone on the outside seeing into rooms where you want privacy. For skylight selection or installation information, visit veluxusa.com.

ARA Content 12

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Bring theCreating Beach Back With You Cottage Style in Your Home Nothing's harder to face than packing up your belongings after a week at a cozy beach house and heading back home to the real world. Sure, it's hard to leave paradise behind, but who says you have to? Why not just transform your own living space to a beach-inspired haven that lets you get away from it all, even if you aren't on vacation? It's easy and inexpensive to do. With some clever use of all those shells, beach glass and driftwood you've picked up during your travels, as well as scenic vacation photos and a little paint, you can transform your home into the ultimate beach cottage, creating an inviting, relaxing haven away from the real world outside your front door. 14

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First, clear out the clutter. Cottage style is clean, bright and fuss-free because, if you think about it, beaches are simple, wideopen spaces - that's where cottage design gets its inspiration. The beach experience is stress-free. Clutter equals stress, and you want to create an atmosphere that's serene and fresh. A massive purging of extraneous clutter will give you a blank palette on which you can apply the true essence of the seashore. Paint is one of the easiest, most costeffective ways to completely change the look of a living space, helping make your beach decor a reality. Just be sure you choose the right colors, so you can be happy with your revamped rooms for years to come.

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"Cottage style is all about taking cues from nature, so think sand, clear skies, sea glass and sparkling water when selecting the ultimate beach-inspired palette," suggests Mary Ward, Dutch Boy Paints' senior product manager. "To create a cottage-ready scheme use pale blues, aquamarines, periwinkles, sea-tinged greens, sandy tans and bright whites reminiscent of ocean foam and fluffy, cottony clouds. All of these colors, in any combination, can work to create a picture of rest and relaxation that's reminiscent of a day at the beach." Serenity rules in walls painted in soft pastels or sandy neutrals with ultra-white trim. It's clean. It's clutter free. It's fresh

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and airy. It says beach house, even if you are miles away from the one of your dreams.

You also can easily add a bit of beach chic to your furniture, further creating a feel of a distant getaway. Slipcovers give any room that easy-living feel that is so important to cottage style. Cover upholstered pieces in slip-on, easy-towash covers made from light canvas, cotton duck or sailcloth. Paint dark furniture white to add a year-round summery glow to the space, or invest in a few inexpensive, fun wicker pieces to lighten up tired rooms. Don't stop here. Keep digging for ideas and inspiration using the vast array of decorating books and websites. One new site, Dutch Boy's Restore My Decor! offers DIY tips and inspiration from professional designers, such as TV design personality Danielle Hirsch, as well as homeowners, all of whom can help you find more ways to add cottage appeal to any restored room in your home.

For example, consider incorporating these other ideas for adding beach-worthy serenity to your living space:

Less is more. Think wooden blinds, plantation shutters or airy sheers.

Window treatments

Natural or painted wood floors with throw rugs are the hallmarks of cottage style. Think basic. Think organic. Think sisal and textures. Or paint your own canvas throw rug with sea-inspired motifs, such as shells and starfish.

Floor coverings

Lighting Think soothing versus overly

bright or dimly lit. Recessed lighting works like magic in any room. If you want to go for a more quirky look and make lighting a focal point, display inexpensive figural lamps in the shape of lighthouses or anchors. Or perhaps find one made from driftwood or shells.

Souvenirs Make use of those shells, sand, beach glass and driftwood you collected during your week away in paradise. Fill decorative bowls and jars with sand and shells. Display beach glass in vases of fresh flowers. Paint driftwood

with beach-inspired images and hang it on the wall as art.

Artwork Make use of those vacation pictures, especially the ones you took of gorgeous ocean sunsets, lighthouses and sailboats. Use existing snapshots and enlarge some of your favorites, framing all to create a collage that not only says beach living, but also reminds you of a great time your family spent together at the seashore. Why buy artwork when you can make use of something that brings back such great memories? "It all comes down to thinking light and breezy in everything you do decor-wise," Ward says. "Use your imagination to create a true feeling of openness that beaches offer. Beach-inspired cottage style is casual, comfortable and fun - and reminds you of vacation, even if you're miles away from the nearest beach." Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Divine Deck Design When it comes to improving outdoor living spaces, decks are a popular choice. If you're thinking about adding a new deck, or even replacing or resurfacing an old deck, there are a lot of things to consider before you get started. These tips from the experts at Fiberon will help you design the right deck for your needs. Determine Deck Use. Think through all the ways you'll be using your deck.

• Will you entertain frequently? If so, how many people will you need space for?

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• What kind of seating will you need patio furniture or built-in benches? • Will you need lighting to entertain at night?

Choose Deck Location. For most people, the size and orientation of your house and property limit possible deck locations to one or two areas. Within those areas, think about things like:

• Climate - If your area gets hot, humid summers, putting a deck in a southern or western location might make it a hot spot

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you'll end up avoiding. Is it windy where you live? Then think about putting the deck where it will get some protection from the house or a screen of trees. • Privacy - Careful placement of your deck can eliminate unwanted views, minimize traffic noise and give you additional privacy.

Select Deck Materials. Here are some

questions to consider when choosing deck materials:

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Deck By Porter Construction

â&#x20AC;˘ What's your budget? When calculating costs, decide the amenities and features you want such as an arbor, fire pit, multiple deck levels, and type of railing. â&#x20AC;˘ How much maintenance are you willing to do? Treated lumber is a common choice for decks. While wood has its advantages, maintenance can become a chore that adds up in terms of time and money. Composite decking is a lower

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maintenance option that more and more homeowners are choosing.

When it comes to the design stage of the process, a new online tool can make it very easy. Fiberon, one of the leading manufacturers of composite decking, railing and fencing and PVC outdoor flooring, offers a Deck Design tool that allows you to select the shape and size of your deck, including the number of levels, stairs, railings - even board widths

and footings in addition to choosing from various colors and styles. Once your design is complete, you can print out your deck plans in full color, including a 3-D rendering & a complete materials list. The addition of a deck is a great way to increase your outdoor living space and add value to your home. Asking the right questions and using the right tools will help you create a deck design that's truly divine.

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Growing Your Own Vegetables As Earth-Friendly as Possible

There was a time when people would go out to pull fresh vegetables from their gardens. Over the years, we moved from homegrown vegetables toward processed foods and microwave dinners. Now consumers are becoming aware of the financial value of growing their own vegetables, and how that can bolster the health of their families and of the earth. Vegetable gardening with its new technologies combined with good oldfashioned growing techniques, can make your garden yield a good crop with less effort than you'd imagine. Here are some tips for a garden that is doubly green.

Water, water everywhere, but not too much â&#x20AC;˘ A fine balance needs to be struck when

it comes to watering your vegetable garden, especially during drought conditions. You want your plants to get adequate moisture, but over watering can be bad for plants and a wasteful use of a precious natural resource. Careful water usage is essential to being a truly green gardener.

spigot. It's a great way to ensure that your plants get the water they need, without wasting or over watering. Watering timers can also make the job of watering even easier. Keep in mind that it's best to water in the early morning, when the sun is lower in the sky, for 30 to 60 minutes, every other day. For more information about watering vegetable gardens, go to www.misterlandscaper.com.

One man's garbage is another's fertilizer â&#x20AC;˘ Ever feel guilty about throwing

out vegetable and fruit peelings, rinds or scraps? Your intuition might just be telling you that there's a better way to handle those leftovers. Composting is a great way to make use of organic matter that might otherwise just get thrown away.

Building a compost heap is relatively easy, and it will keep on giving back to your garden and the environment. The four necessary ingredients for composting, according to California's "CalRecycle" program, are nitrogen (from sources like grass clippings or those throwaway veggie scraps), carbon (from sources like sawdust or twigs), water and air. Once your compost is at the ideal level of decomposition (it will be uniformly dark brown and crumbly), spread it on your garden to give plants a nutrient boost.

Get growing - organically â&#x20AC;˘ From the moment you start planning a

garden, think organic. The most basic and fun - choice of all is deciding which plants you'll grow. Choose organic seeds and starters so that you know you're buying into an earth-friendly business

Installing an irrigation system is a good way to keep water usage at the ideal levels; plus, you don't have to plan a schedule around when you need to water. There are user-friendly, affordable solutions like the new Drip Irrigation systems that connect to your outdoor 18

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venture. There's the added bonus of knowing that your plants won't be tainted with harmful chemicals.

When it comes to maintaining your garden, you'll probably need things other than just compost. Look for products that are recognized as organic by respected organizations like the USDA or the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) - you'll be able to find an evergrowing supply of products like pest repellent or soil amendments.

Growing your own vegetables at home has many benefits: it saves money, allows you to control what your food is exposed to and provides a fun and easy activity that the whole family can participate in. And when you follow these green gardening principles, you'll be doing something good for the earth, too.

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You're ready for a new bathroom, something with style and comfort. You want the room to refresh you in the mornings, and provide you with the opportunity to relax and unwind in the evenings.

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Bathroom Remodeling Today Means Less Water & Money Down the Drain

You want the new bathroom to refresh you in the mornings, and a place to relax and unwind in the evenings.

For your bathroom remodel, you put comfort at the top of your priority list. You want a beautiful shower with superb water pressure that feels oh-so-good in the mornings and a sink that allows you to quickly and efficiently wash your hands and face so you can wake up and get started for the day.

Another item at the top of your list is water efficiency. The standard for bathroom showers, sinks and toilets is high-efficiency. Products with the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense label are high performing, in the

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water-efficient and certified by a third, independent party.

Technology is so improved that you can get the same invigorating stream of water in your morning shower while using less water and most green products don't cost any more than regular showers, sinks or toilets. Toilets are the biggest water users in your home, almost a third of your family's total indoor water consumption. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-efficiency toilets use only 1.28 gallons of water per flush. These EPA WaterSense-labeled toilets create a green, clean flushing system that saves you money, water, and time cleaning the toilet.

As you redesign your bath, you get to choose the style and look. Your taste

might be a large, claw-foot tub that allows you to immerse yourself in a froth of bath bubbles, or you might go for a more modern design with glass shower walls and bold tile colors. Either way, make sure you upgrade your faucet and showerhead.

Conserving water in your newly redesigned bathroom allows you to be green, save money, save time, and be conscientious about the environment without losing the advantage of that great performance you have come to expect. So enjoy the comfort and luxury of your bath space, and reap the money-saving rewards at the same time.

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First Place Residential Estate Jerry Allison Landscaping, Inc

Building Nature Landscaping Inspiration & Emulation When does one realize you are a landscaper? Well, the first step to being a landscaper is to get a license and start a business. But like a doctor, at first you are just practicing. There comes a day when a change occurs in your world view and you realize you are seeing the world through a landscaper’s eyes.

The California Landscape Contractor’s Association of the Central Coast had its 25th annual Beautifications Awards this summer and there are pictures here that

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show the very best work of local contractors. The Central Coast takes in the tri-county area of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Bonito Counties, so it covers a large geographic area. There are a lot of practicing landscapers that work these areas but most of the winners of awards have something extra. To be a landscape contractor one needs to understand and be proficient at every phase of construction - for every aspect is on display in a garden. There is so much to learn, from structural requirements for

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retaining walls to compaction rates for driveways and patios, voltage drop in outdoor lighting, to water requirements for all the various plant species, the list goes on and on. Because there is so much to learn and one has to make a living, there is a long learning curve and many corrected mistakes along the way. When a landscaper reaches the point where he is willing to have his work stand up against any other’s work he has come a long way down a very rough road. A landscaper at this point may actually consider him or

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First Place Design Build Christianson & Associates

Sweeepstakes Award Best of all categories Houle Landscapes Inc. Chris Houle Landscaper

her self a landscaper but still, what does that mean? This is where we look at inspiration and where it comes from. Most landscapes are great students of nature and have stood in awe at nature’s examples. If you’re going to try and make artificial rocks, you must study how rocks look, how they stain over time and how rocks form and relate to one another. If you are building a stream and pond, you need to see and understand the real thing. So you start in the

garden

looking – at everything. Nature is the best teacher and is always there when you are ready to learn. You develop a critical eye for work you would like to emulate and concurrently you hone skills to create what you see. You find craftsmen who can help you realize that vision – that feeling you are trying to invoke in the person who will live in the garden of your creation. You work hard to convince the homeowner that your vision will make a difference in

the way they will enjoy their lives in their new landscape. You work hard to put all of your creativity into a project without spending more money than what you have bid to complete it. And that is no easy matter; particularly once you get excited about seeing your vision realized. Then, once the finishing touches are put in place and you have completed the yard, you reflect on what could have worked better for the next possible project. At times like that, when you have completed an amazing project, there may

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First Place Medium Residential Installation Coastal Evergreen Landscapes

come a realization, a revelation even, of an internal change. You realize you are both cursed and blessed because you now see everything with the eye to replicate. Wherever you travel, you see the plants you use or would like to use and how they grow in their native conditions. You see extraordinary craftsmanship and want to incorporate those constructions into your repertoire. You talk about what you see with everyone you know and point out his or her construct. You learn that natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s randomness is the hardest thing to replicate. You drive everyone around you crazy with your passion for the way you see the world. It is at these times that you know, forever more, you are a landscaper.

First Place Small Residential Maintenance Hill & Dale Landscapes

Call a member of CLCA when you are ready to change your surroundings into a place that gives you the feeling you are glad you live there.

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Plant in the Fall Use the Water-Smart Gardening Website to Get Inspired

Take advantage of the rainy, cool fall weather by planting now for a spring bloom!

Many new plants take a lot of water to get established and well rooted. Since freezing temperatures are minimal in Santa Cruz County, plant them in the fall and winter to save your tap water by using the winter rains to get them going. This is especially a good time to reduce your lawn and reseed with low water use grasses and plants. If you need some

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inspiration for new plants and landscape design check out the new gardening website for Santa Cruz County at www.watersavingtips.org. The plant search tool makes it easy to choose plants that have very low to medium water needs. The website also has inspiring photos of local water-smart gardens to get you excited about gardening. Ron Duncan, the Water Conservation manager at Soquel Creek Water District, said of the many eye-

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catching photos, “that’s what I want my landscape to look like”. The gardens include small cottage gardens to expansive estates and everything in between. There is something for everyone. The gardening tool is broken up into 6 main sections with lots of pretty photos.

Garden Tours

Take virtual tours of local gardens for innovative design ideas.

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Garden Gallery

Review garden spaces (front yards, hillsides) and garden elements (lawn alternatives, permeable surfaces) to help with your garden planning.

Plants

Search a detailed plant database and plant lists for water conserving plants that thrive in Santa Cruz County.

My List

Save and print a list of your favorite plants to take to the nursery and sort them by hydrozone or by name.

Garden Resources

Browse a wide variety of garden related topics such as irrigation systems, mulching and finding California native plants.

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green

Watering Tips

Learn more about irrigation including how long and how often to water your garden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is useful information on this website for the first-time gardener and the gardening professional,â&#x20AC;? says Aerin Martin, from the City of Santa Cruz Water Department and member of the project team. The Water-Smart Gardening in Santa Cruz County website can be found at: www.watersavingtips.org.

Cruz County and local gardening professionals including Master Gardeners, nurserymen, and landscape designers.

Water-Smart Gardening in Santa Cruz County, produced by GardenSoft, was a collaborative project between the Water Conservation Coalition of Santa

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Rhododendrons in the Fall Fall is the time for fall foliage. There is a group of rhododendrons, the deciduous azaleas, such as Rhododendron occidentale, the Western Azalea, which ranges from yellow to brown to red to purple in the fall.

Sonoma Horticultural Nursery (www.sonomahort.com), in Sebastopol, is very likely the best source for Rhododendron occidentale & discoveries by Britt Smith and Frank Mossman, Gene German, and Mike McCullough.

When people think of rhododendrons, one thinks of something that blooms in the spring. There is a family of rhododendrons that bloom throughout the year, namely the vireyas.

Vireyas, like other rhododendrons, like a very loose well draining planting mix which allows the air to get into the soil. A good planting mix is one-third redwood or fir compost, one-third redwood or fir bark, and one-third lava rock. I have used things such as packaging peanuts instead of lava rock, and have used a mixture of half compost and half bark. I have over thirty vireyas growing in one, five, and fifteen-gallon containers.

Many vireya species are epiphytes, as well as terrestrial. Where vireyas are found in

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the wild, they are one of the first colonizers of abandoned farm areas. Vireyas make superb container plants. Vireyas have no set blooming periods, and can be in bloom at various times of the year. According to Bill Moynier, whose garden was landscaped with vireyas, Narnia can be in bloom â&#x20AC;&#x153;thirteen months out of the year.â&#x20AC;? Every time I visited Bill Moynier, Narnia was in bloom.

For the home garden in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas, Christy Hartsell, who grows over 400 vireyas at his garden in Palo Alto, recommends that vireyas are grown in containers, instead of in the ground, in case we have another Arctic Express like we had in the Winter of 2007 - 2008.

On the North side of St. John the Evangelist Church, 65 St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Avenue, San Francisco, is a vireya garden that was established by Peter Sullivan. This survived the winter of 2007 - 2008 and may be the oldest vireya garden in the United States.

There are two outstanding mail order nurseries that specialize in vireyas: Bovees Nursery (www.bovees.com) & Pacific Island Nursery (www.pacificislandnursery.com). The Rhododendron Species

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Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, Christy Hartsell will give a program on vireyas. On Tuesday November 16, 7:00 PM, at the Live Oak Senior Center, Tim Walsh, the Director of District Five of the American Rhododendron Society, and one of the people responsible for the Humboldt Botanical Gardens, located south of Eureka, will be talking about the Botanical Garden, and how to grow various plants, including rhododendrons. http://www.hbgf.org http://www.hbgf.org/garden.htm The Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will be having other meetings and garden tours.

Foundation (www.rhodygarden.org) has vireya species. The plant sales at the Strybing Arboretum (www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/plant_sales/plant_sales.htm) in San Francisco sometimes features vireyas.

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If you would like to find out more about vireya series rhododendrons, on February 15, 2011, 7:00 PM, at the Live Oak Senior Center, 1777 Capitola Road, in Santa Cruz, for the Monterey Bay

Mike McCullough is a Charter Member of the De Anza Chapter, a long time member of the Monterey Bay Chapter, an officer of both Chapters, and is knowledgeable about how to grow rhododendrons.

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By Mike McCullough

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How to Stay Healthy When Traveling The last thing you need when you're traveling is to get sick while on the road. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up a bug along with your souvenirs. Wash Up. Frequent hand washing can significantly reduce your risk of getting ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid spreading germs - at home or on the road. When washing, rub

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and scrub your hands for 20 seconds - it takes that long to dislodge and remove germs. If you can't get to a sink with soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Look for gels or wipes that say "sanitizer" and have at least 70 percent alcohol content. Wipe Down. Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Stomach flu viruses can linger on surfaces for two to four weeks. On the airplane, wipe down your tray table, armrests, seat belt buckle and

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the air/call buttons. You also should use the wipes in your hotel room to sanitize faucets, switches, phones & door knobs.

Drink Safe Water While Traveling. Each year, more than 10 million overseas travelers develop a gastro-intestinal illness often caused by unsafe water. Water systems in many countries, especially developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, do not adequately purify drinking water. Water pipe leaks and contamination are

in your

health

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common. Even bottled water can come from unknown and unregulated sources.

One way to avoid traveler's diarrhea is to use a handheld water purifier like the SteriPEN Traveler or Traveler Mini. They work on any source of fresh water including overseas tap water, bottled water from unknown sources, and river or lake water. The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light, rather than chemicals, to destroy more than 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, household germs and protozoa -

including giardia and cryptosporidium in seconds. Something as simple as brushing your teeth or washing your contact lenses in questionable water could ruin your entire trip. Use only purified water for these tasks. To find out more about safe drinking water, whether you're traveling or simply making sure your emergency kit is up-to-date, visit steripen.com.

Be prepared. Put together a travel health kit that includes an antacid, bandages,

pain relievers such as aspirin, an antihistamine, and your prescription medications.

If you'll be traveling overseas, visit your doctor for a checkup and make sure you have up-to-date immunizations. And be sure to check the CDC travel health page at www.CDC.gov for updates on infectious diseases endemic in outlying destinations.

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Create Versatile Living Spaces for Today's Ever-Changing Families

With the active and bustling lifestyle families lead, it is no surprise that they frequently change the way they interact with, and in, their living spaces. Different stages of life call for different living spaces. Most homes are not equipped to offer this versatility. Outfitted with traditional swinging doors that squander space, standard-width doorways offer limited accessibility and restrictive living areas.

According to a survey on homeowner and home buyer priorities, the ideal home readily adapts to a family's changing room space requirements. For example, the addition, growth and departure of children or elderly relatives create significant demand for flexible floor plans. To make the most of your home, adding new door solutions like Johnson Hardware's ingenious Multi-Pass Pocket Door Hardware can help you optimize existing square footage. A home that is able to evolve with everchanging families has functionality at the

forefront of its design. Johnson's MultiPass Pocket Door application enables up to three 300-pound doors to glide effortlessly into the inside of the wall. Since pocket doors do not swing open or closed, you can reclaim floor space consumed by traditional hinged doors.

Make high traffic areas of your home more accessible with a large entryway that won't inhibit wheelchairs, walkers or foot traffic. Whether it's a play room for the kids or living quarters for an elderly relative, a pocket door's bottom track can be recessed in the floor for easy navigation through the entryway.

With standard Multi-Pass Pocket Door Hardware, you can create up to 12 foot wide doorways, or wider openings with longer custom tracks. Reveal large open areas when the pocket doors slide back inside the wall. Now you have an expansive space for guests to socialize and mingle, an area perfect for family game night or a safe, open area for children to play.

Pull the doors shut and the large space quickly transforms into two cozy and more private settings. Sliding the doors closed allows you to easily create an intimate home theater to watch the latest movie or a comfy, peaceful nook to catch up on your reading. Multi-Pass Pocket Doors give you a level of versatility that standard doors and entryways cannot mimic. To ensure safe, jump-proof operation, choose hardware that is manufactured and tested to exceed ANSI standards and backed with a lifetime guarantee.

If your home needs some updates to accommodate your family's lifestyle, it's easier than ever to make relatively small changes that will have a big impact. For more information, contact Johnson Hardware at 2100 Sterling Ave., Elkhart, Ind. 46516; call (800) 837-5664 or visit www.johnsonhardware.com.

TROPICAL BEACH PARADISE

Hear the sound of ocean waves from this charming home in a highly desirable beach neighborhood. Just five houses from the sand and a short beach walk to the harbor, this 3 br, 2 ba home with office has been completely renovated with vintage flair and features newer vintage style windows and cabinetry, redwood vaulted ceilings, and decks off every room. A pathway leads to an art studio/workshop and a huge prof. landscaped lot with gardens, walnut and fruit trees, and a quaint barnwood potting shed. Property includes a legal income unit with private entry. Offered at $1,545,000

KATHLEEN MANNING Broker Associate, Realtor (LIC#: 00885315)

CELL: 831.566.3127 kathleen.manning@cbnorcal.com http://www.californiamoves.com/Kathleen.Manning

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CHARMING SEASCAPE CONDO

Attractive 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home has many special upgrades including double pane windows and a beautifully appointed kitchen/dining area. Deck off kitchen and patio off downstairs mud room provide great outdoor living and entertaining areas. Reverse floor plan features dramatic high beamed ceilings and a handsome entry stairway. Separation from second unit by 2 one car garages, provides a quiet, private orientation near beach, shopping and restaurants. $465,000

Gail Degnan

Realtor Direct: (831) 662-6537 E-mail: degnan@coldwellbanker.com Website: www.gaildegnan.com DRE License Number: 00771511

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Courtesy of Johnson Hardware

Once Upon a Lifetime

270 QUARTER HORSE LANE

A private gated Spanish style estate located in beautiful Aptos Hills, complete with courtyard entry and fountain, this gracious single-level masterpiece boasts ocean views and a sprawling lawn/garden area. "Casa Paloma" also affords a charming guest house with its own private driveway/entrance, as well as a separate area comprised of 3 Yurts for your creative expression, or just plain fun!! Come see for yourselfâ&#x20AC;Ś

Cara DeSimone, GRI

2140 41st Ave, Suite 100, Capitola, CA 95010 Direct: (831) 465-7029 E-mail: Cara@CaraSellsHomes.com Visual tour available at: CaraSellsHomes.com DRE License Number: 01215427

in the

home

Just steps to the surf & sand at Pleasure Point. Large rooms & commanding ocean views from nearly every room. 3 BR plus a den/office that could be a 4th BR. Formal LR w/marble tiled fireplace & new carpets. Formal DR w/full ocean views. Family room/game room with cathedral ceiling, wet bar & marble tiled FP. Gourmet kitchen w/granite counters, workisland & oversized pantry. Stainless appliances include: Sub Zero refrigerator, dual Thermador wall ovens & Viking Professional Series cook top. Master suite w/spa style bath & dressing area. New Milgard windows, new paint & new carpet. 280 degree ocean views and magical sunsets. www.17Rockview.com

Lauren Spencer (831) 662-6522 (831) 818-3723 lauren@laurenspencer.com DRE: 00925382

MySantaCruzRealEstate.com

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Five Keys in a Slow Housing Market Tips for Smooth Sales and Bargain Buys Standard advice for homebuyers/sellers:

Find a good agent, be aware of local home values, fix up the house you’re selling and research school districts and crime rates where you’re buying. Keep these five themes in mind from the moment you start planning your next move:

1. Dig deeper

In today’s market, some additional homework can pay off. To sell quickly keep a close eye on what other houses are selling for in your neighborhood and stay ahead of the market by pricing yours lower. It’s important to have a heightened awareness of foreclosures, both where you’re selling and buying. Any foreclosures on your street can put a dent in your home’s market value. And if foreclosures are going on in the neighborhood you’re moving to, values could continue to drop after you buy.

2. Be involved

The first 10 days on the market are the

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most critical to selling a home because new listings tend to get the most attention from buyers. Anything a seller can do to get their home ready to sell before putting it on the market would be helpful, including de-cluttering, cleaning, painting if needed, and making the home look spacious and bright. The Internet and social media have opened limitless new strategies. Try Craigslist, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and don’t be shy. When you’re selling, post pictures that show your home at its best and upload a narrated video tour because that’s what you’d want to see as a buyer. At some real estate agencies, a video tour is becoming the new requirement for sellers.

3. Accept a helping hand

Take advantage of services that could help you streamline the buying and selling process. Some cost, such as home “staging” services that can help whip your house into selling shape. Others are free, such as relocation benefits offered by

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some employers, or the military’s Homeowners Assistance Program. Home Circle from USAA provides free home search services on the Web and through an iPhone app that gives you access to the same listing information real estate agents use, driving directions to homes and organization to help you keep track of all the homes you’ve seen. You may qualify for assistance through an employer, the government, or an association you belong to - just ask.

4. Get creative

If you know that a potential buyer is wavering on whether to make an offer on your house, try making a “reverse offer,” where you try to win the sale with an attractive price. Sellers might also sweeten the pot with extra incentives such as money toward closing costs or prepaid homeowner’s dues, but why not set yourself apart by offering a free vacation at a beach resort? If you’re the one buying, ask your agent to look up houses that were recently taken off the market. You might be able to

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request a “one-time showing” and get a bargain price on a house the owners thought they couldn’t sell.

5. Remain flexible

Buyers and sellers should keep their pride in check and be willing to make some concessions in a tough market. Don’t haggle over minor repairs or refuse to leave the chandelier your potential buyer just loves. Factor in the cost of keeping your home for several more months versus accepting a lower selling price today. Even in the most sluggish real estate market, an early start and an open mind are two of the best strategies to make your next move go smoothly.

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Green Roof Improvements That Can Save Money - and the Environment In this economy, you may feel grateful to have a roof over your head. But how much do you really think about your roof? It's one of the most important elements of your home, one that helps protect all the other parts - not to mention the people - under it. And "greening" your roof is a great way to ensure it not only protects your family, but saves you some money and helps the environment at the same time.

Heating, cooling and electricity costs make up the largest chunk of the average household's annual utility bill. Here are some roof upgrades that can help improve a home's energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.

New roof

A damaged or worn out roof cannot protect your home efficiently, and its failure to do so can cause significant damage to other parts of the house, and drive up heating and cooling costs.

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EnergyStar.gov is a good place to start if you want to learn more about energyefficient roofs. Energy Star qualified products reflect more of the sun's rays, lowering the surface temperature of the roof by up to 100 degrees. Energy efficient roofs reduce the amount of heat lost during the winter, and can reduce the energy needed to cool your home by 10 to 15 percent, according to the Energy Star website.

Skylights

A skylight is another way to green your roof and trim utility bills. The abundant natural light a skylight admits into your home can help reduce dependency on artificial light sources and the electricity they consume. Skylights are also a great way to passively vent moisture, fumes and potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improving indoor air quality. Venting skylights let cool breezes in and can help lower cooling

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costs in spring and fall, when indoor temperatures may be too warm for comfort, but not hot enough to warrant turning on the air conditioning.

And one of the most common homeowner concerns about skylights the potential for leaks - no longer prevents green-minded homeowners from installing them. Products like Velux America's No Leak Skylight deliver all the beauty and benefits of a skylight with a guarantee that a properly installed skylight will never leak. When properly installed, Velux skylights are no more prone to leaks than any other properly installed, quality window in your home. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more.

Insulation

Directly beneath your roof is one of the most important weapons in your home's energy efficiency arsenal - attic insulation. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are top energy wasters in most homes, according to the U.S. Department of

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Energy. Poorly insulated attics can allow heat to leak out in winter and fail to repel heat from outside the home in summer all of which means your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system requires more energy to operate.

EnergyStar.gov recommends you add insulation to your attic if the existing insulation is just level with or below the floor joists. If you cannot see the floor joists because they're covered by insulation, you probably have enough insulation and won't gain any energysavings benefit by adding more.

Solar panels

Solar energy has been called the only truly clean power source. Advances in solar technology make it possible for homeowners to harness the power of the sun to heat their water and generate electricity. Low profile rooftop solar panels and the Energy Star-qualified Velux solar water heating system use the sun's energy to heat water and help trim your water heating bill, while lowering your family's carbon footprint. Using solar thermal power to heat water not only lowers the cost of heating water, it can also reduce the high summer nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions that frequent burner startups cause.

going

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Today's Laminate Floors a 'Real' Wood Alternative You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know the floor will take a beating from the kids, dogs and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life.

But you don't have to sacrifice high style looks for boring sensibility when considering a new flooring option in your home - not if you choose laminate, that is.

Today's best laminates combine the realistic grain and texture of wood with high durability & scratch & indentation resistance that "authentic" wood floors don't provide, according to Lisa Sabini, director of Floors Etc. located in Soquel, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring. And not only are

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today's laminates available at a fraction of the cost of real wood floors, but they're right in sync with the latest designs. "There's always a new decorating trend around the corner,"Lisa says. "It's imperative for manufacturers to respond to market demand, keeping up with the most up-to-date trends to ensure consumers are getting the latest in style and design, as well as technology."

One such line is Armstrong's laminate, a durable new collection featuring several of the hottest flooring designs, including Old World-inspired antique-stained planks and soft, hand scraped wood grains. Colors and styles in this line will continually rotate out with new introductions to give homeowners the

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newest, most popular looks in flooring, ultimately providing them with the high style of premium wood floors without the fuss. "That's the beauty of laminate products," Lisa says. "They're the new normal great-looking products that deliver great performance at a great value.

When shopping for laminate products consumers should look for flooring that is engineered with sturdy inner core board layers - preferably ones that deliver high impact resistance (AC3 or better). This type of rating helps provide excellent indentation resistance, and when combined with highly rated top surface protection (AC3 or better) kids and pets can run and play freely on laminate floors

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without making a dent or marring up the surface's good looks. As a result, laminate flooring is so durable versus real wood products that some laminates come with up to a full lifetime warranty.

What's more, creating a laminate flooring transformation in your home is a relatively simple DIY project. Many of today's new laminate floors come in easyto-install planks that simply snap together without the need for messy glue or nails to pound. Laminates can even be used over several types of existing flooring, often eliminating the need for costly sub-floor preparation. "Consumers now have the choice of selecting laminate floor innovations that provide excellent performance and value, while also reflecting and accommodating their changing tastes," Lisa says. "Laminate flooring solutions keep up with their day-to-day life. That's something we know will never go out of style." For more information about the latest trends in laminate flooring, visit floorsetc.brandsource.biz in the

home

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Autumn Frittata Makes 4 servings

Healthy

1 1/2 cups zucchini, thinly sliced 1 cup fresh corn kernels (or one 8ounce can whole kernel corn, well drained) 1/2 cup sweet red peppers, chopped 1/4 cup onion, chopped 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 tablespoon water 4 large Eggland's Best eggs 1/4 cup non-fat milk 1/4 cup (1 ounce) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Ways

to Help Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet may help reduce your risk of breast cancer; however, committing to change your habits is sometimes easier said than done. Here are a few tips that make it easy for women to take care of their bodies & may reduce the risk of breast cancer:

In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, combine vegetables, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and water. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until crisp-tender.

1. Don't be shy about breast health. Talk

to your doctor and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Thoroughly blend eggs and milk. Pour over vegetables. Cook over low heat until eggs are almost set. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil about 6 inches from heat until cheese is melted.

Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes daily to help maintain a healthy body weight.

Cut into wedges and serve from pan or slide from pan onto serving platter.

Make sure that you are performing regular self breast examinations at home, as well as getting yearly mammograms if you are over the age of 40.

Can be prepared as a frittata or as an omelet, with a flatter fold-over shape.

Notes & Suggestions:

Maintain a healthy diet by incorporating the right foods into your daily routine.

One food that is extremely important to include in a healthy diet is eggs, and eggs can help provide several key nutrients most Americans lack in their diet.

"With increased amounts of Vitamin A, B2, B12, D, choline and Omega-3 plus lower saturated fat and cholesterol, eggs are a tasty and convenient nutrient booster," said registered dietitian Julie Upton, MS, RD, co-author of Energy to Burn: The Ultimate Food and Nutrition Guide to Fuel Your Active Life. "As a healthy breakfast or snack, EB eggs provide good nutrition and energy to help you stay nourished and active all day long."

See below for a healthy recipe to get you started on the right track. For additional information and other delicious and healthy recipes, visit www.EgglandsBest.com.

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kitchen

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Turn a Gourmet Kitchen Into a Chef's Studio

Does your kitchen feel more like Julie's than Julia's? No need to be concerned ... if Julie could learn to master the art of cooking in less than a year, you can design your own chef's studio in a fraction of that time. Follow Julie's footsteps and take your lead from those who know kitchens best - professional chefs. While the kitchen is the social center of the home, it's also the place that requires the most functionality. It's where you prep food, cook, serve, eat and clean. That's a lot of activity for a relatively small space.

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Keeping things cool

Any chef will tell you that one of the secrets to cooking like a pro is using fresh ingredients. To keep your produce and meats crisp and moist even longer, consider investing in a professionalgrade refrigerator.

While these may take significantly more floor space than standard refrigerators, professional-grade options feature the ability to store more items in multiple large compartments, and set separate temperatures for the different areas. Some brands offer extreme innovation, with microchip-operated defrost cycles, touch-screen pads and slide-out storage.

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LG even offers the added luxury of a 15inch screen that can handle DVDs. If you're concerned that a professionalgrade refrigerator will put a damper on your kitchen decor - not to worry. Many models, including the GE Monogram AllRefrigerator, can be personalized to match the cabinetry in your kitchen and include your choice of handles.

Over-the-top ovens

Professional-grade cooktops, such as the 48-inch Dacor Epicure Dual-Fuel Range, offer two self-cleaning ovens (both at 21 inches deep), an infrared gas broiler and six gas burners with continuous grates over the top. In addition to sheer capacity,

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professional-grade ranges have burners that can handle everything from slow simmering to high-speed searing, and small pots to large woks. Some cooktops even do the work for you - GE's Monogram Electric Induction Cooktop features a pan size sensor, which automatically adjusts the heating element to the size of the pan.

Faucets for foodies

The workhorse behind any professional kitchen is the faucet - or faucets in many cases. You need a good faucet with a restaurant-style, pulldown or pullout sprayer for cleaning fruits and vegetables, but it's also important for fast and efficient cleanup.

A second faucet to consider in a chefinspired kitchen is a pot filler. These faucets, which are installed over a range, not only provide a distinctly industrial look, but they also are extremely efficient. in the

home

The new ShowHouse Modern Pot Filler offers a quick-fill rate of 5.5 gallons per minute, which enables you to fill a large pot with ease and eliminate having to carry heavy pots of water from sink to stove. Designed with style, utility and safety features, the ShowHouse Modern Pot Filler folds against the wall when not in use and conveniently extends 24 inches, via its double-joint extendable arm, to deliver water to pots from above. For convenience and safety, the Modern Pot Filler features dual shut-offs at the base of the filler and at the spout. Water is first turned on at the base and after the swing arm is positioned over the pot, water can be turned on and off using the handle at the spout - so you don't need to reach over a hot pot or open flame to turn off the pot filler.

Plenty of prep space

Every good chef knows that cooking requires plenty of counter space. In this case "less is more" rule applies here, as you don't want to overcrowd counters with too many small appliances. Choose the most-used items, such as a coffeemaker, toaster, mixer and blender, to have out in the open and place other items and equipment in a nearby pantry or cabinet. Just be sure to keep them easily accessible - and within three or four steps of your primary work station.

It's always good to create a separate area with a prep sink and faucet between the refrigerator and stove. Here, you can rinse and cut food items in close proximity to where you will be using the ingredients next.

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ARAcontent

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SERVICE xxx Antiques

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GEM ANTIQUE & GIFTS 607 Capitola Ave. Capitola 95010 ph 831.464.1446

Located in the Upper Village of Capitola, Gem offers a beautiful & ever-changing collection of decorative antiques perfect for furnishing our coastal homes & businesses. Our collection includes vintage surfboards, maritime antiques, beach style furniture, and accessories.

Service comes first! Central Home Supply offers over 2,500 products; there are over 100 types of natural stone alone! But most importantly, if we don't have it, we can get it! We'll search our extensive databases to locate the unique, the hard-to-find, the unusual....and get it for you.

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Concrete LAS ANIMAS CONCRETE Building Materials 123 Encinal St., Santa Cruz ph 831.425.4084 For Concrete 146 Encinal St., Santa Cruz ph 831.426.7280 499 9th St., Marina ph 831.883.3040

Banking

Locally owned and operated for 45 years, Las Animas Concrete is your go-to for building materials, concrete, & concrete work. Give us a call for all your concrete needs!

BAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ph 831.479.6000 w bayfed.com

Bay Federal Credit Union is a full service, not for profit financial cooperative. We provide personal and business banking services but, unlike a bank, we're owned by our account-holders and members like you! Our goal is to be better than a bank by delivering outstanding service, competitive savings yields, low loan rates, and many low and no-cost services. Our Board of Directors is made up of unpaid volunteers who spend countless hours ensuring the safety and stability of your money in the Credit Union.

Construction & Real Estate JOHN FUCHS PROPERTIES ph 831.688.8008

From our start in 1983, the hallmark of the company has been creative design and planning, coupling uncompromising quality with competitive pricing and personalized service to all our clients. We are a small but full service real estate brokerage. Because of our size, we are able to offer our clients exceptional service. Because we are also builders, we can offer a very unique perspective. We have helped a lot of buyers and sellers through many difficult markets. Let us help you.

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Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide

coastalhomeandgarden.com

BIG CREEK LUMBER 2801 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz ph 831.477.1231

Big Creek Lumber Company has been in business since 1946 & remains one of the few family-owned lumber companies in the area. The McCrary family has lived & worked on the Central Coast for six generations. We currently operate a sawmill & wholesale sales department, five Pro Dealer lumber yards, a forestry department, & a logging operation. Big Creek has a long history of practicing superior forest stewardship - growing, selectively harvesting & milling California redwood and Douglas fir. California redwood is natural, untreated softwood prized for its versatile beauty. It is very workable and is valued for its stability, durability and fire resistance.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

Flooring FLOORS ETC. 3155 Porter Street, Soquel ph 831.462.5586 w floorsetc.brandsource.biz

PORTER CONSTRUCTION 110 Glen Canyon Road Santa Cruz, CA ph 831.426.1681 w jpcsc.com

For the past 20 years, Floors Etc. has been your destination for natural floor products. Wood, bamboo and cork flooring are popular. Also available is Marmoleum made completely from sustainable products including cork and linseed oils. Laminate, hardwood, carpet, vinyl, linoleum, window coverings and sisal rugs are all popular choices. Visit the Floors Etc. large showroom to see their great selection and experience their discount prices.

INTERLITE Skylight, Window, & Door 420 Kennedy Dr., Capitola, CA 95010 ph 831.462.1700 fx 831.462.1400 w InterliteSkylight.com

Interlite is the Central Coast Leader in manufacture and supply of energy-saving skylight windows and doors products. Our licensed crew can install your chosen products and help you realize your dreams. We stand by our products, work, and most importantly, you.

Porter Construction is an established contracting business with 35 years of experience specializing in Retaining Walls, Drainage Systems, Remodels, Foundation Solutions, Waterproofing, Woodwork, Fencing, Decking, Driveways, Erosion Control and much more. Call for an estimate.

Gardening KNOX BOX 46-A El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley ph 831.461.9430 w KnoxGardenBox.com

Knox Garden Boxes are elevated planting boxes made from premium untreated redwood, built in various sizes to eliminate bending & gophers from your garden.

Landscaping CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 1491 River Park Drive, Ste 100 Sacramento ph 916.830.2780 w clca.org

Exterminators THE PIED PIPER EXTERMINATORS 4615 Scotts Valley Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066 ph 831.440.0909 w piedpiper.com

The Pied Piper Exterminators have three quarters of a centuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience in controlling pests. Our proven formulas and professional service can help keep your home and business pest free. We also specialize in keeping your trees, lawn, and ornamentals pest free with seasonal applications. Call today and ask about our Winter Dormant Oil Applications.

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