TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

At Home: Odds And Ends

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

Home Repair Help For Seniors

A new program (read: No waiting list yet!) offers low-income seniors no-interest loans for certain home repairs, from replacing the roof to painting the walls. People with disabilities can borrow, too, to make their homes more accessible.

To qualify, homeowners must be disabled or at least 60 years old with an income of no more than $19,800 a year for a one-person household. They also must own a house (not a mobile home) in unincorporated Hillsborough County, have no more than one mortgage and be up-to-date on their mortgage, taxes, insurance and utility payments.

The Senior Home Improvement Program is administered by The Centre for Women,

a nonprofit organization that provides services to strengthen communities. Call (813) 232-3200.

Fiesta Festa

Collectors of colorful Fiesta dinnerware have yet another new choice for the china

cabinet.

The Homer Laughlin China Co. is getting a big head start on celebrating Fiesta's 75th anniversary (in 2011) by introducing commemorative pieces - three, in 75-week increments.

The first is available through Sept. 1, 2009. It's a set of three nesting baking bowls in the 75th anniversary color, marigold,

as well as scarlet, cobalt, tangerine, sunflower, peacock, shamrock, white and evergreen. The bowls resemble the original pieces from 1936 and are marked with a new, 75th anniversary back-stamp, and cost about $130. Fiesta is available at select department stores locally, including Bealls. Homer Laughlin isn't saying what the other anniversary pieces will be. You'll have to wait till April Fools' Day next year and 2010, when they're introduced.

A Word

To The

Water-Wise

Is your eco-friendly landscaping the envy of your neighbors? Enter it in the annual Community Water-Wise Awards, which recognize the best design and conservation methods that create beautiful landscaping. During dry season, "green" gardens are especially important because they save water. The contest looks for yards that apply conservation techniques such as planting Florida-friendly plants and creating efficient irrigation systems. It's sponsored by Tampa Bay Water.

For information and to submit your winner, go to www.tampabay waterwise.org. Deadline is May 31.

Design A Winner

If you've been harboring the greatest idea in the world for a garden tool, now's the time to unleash it.

Ames True Temper is looking for creative invention concepts for hand lawn and garden tools. Two grand-prize winners stand to win royalty payouts of up to $1 million in Ames' first Design Contest.

To enter, go to www.ames

.com/design contest.htm for an application form and official rules, and get your idea in by July 1.

Penny Carnathan

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT