Spring Builder Home Improvement Guide

Saturday, April 18, 2015 • A Special Supplement to the

Spring Guide…April 18, 2015…

(763) 263-3602 FAX (763) 263-845829 South Lake Street,

Box 276, Big Lake, MN 55309

The West Sherburne Tribune serves as the Official Newspaper for The City of BigLake; the Townships of Big Lake andOrrock; the School District of Big Lake. The Tribune is published every Saturday& delivered within the communities ofBig Lake, Elk River & Monticello by ECMDistribution, 4095 Coon Rapids Blvd.,

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Gary W. MeyerEditor & Publisher

Sue EmberlandAdvertising Sales

Susan NagorskiAdvertising Sales

Mary MayerGraphic Designer

Ken FrancisStaff Writer

Jennifer EdwardsStaff Writer

Chris MeyerAccounting

Gail EvansOffice Manager

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It's nice to know that there are still companies out there that care about their clients. (KGC) knew what our budget was and stayed within it, even under it! All of the employees and sub-contractors were so nice to work with. D.&P. T.

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Find this guide on our website, NOW and ALL through the year!


In This GuideSpring opportunities...Page 4

New home construction...Page 6Straw bale gardening...Page 7Call before you dig...Page 8

5 top improvements...Page 10Save with your roof...Page 11Home energy guide...Page 12

Healthy ecosystem...Page 13Replacing your mower...Page 14

Color underfoot...Page 15Going solar...Page 16

Repair windows & doors...Page 17Gardens from scratch...Page 18Top home upgrades...Page 19

Stories:

Advertiser’s Index:American Family Ins....Page 12

Angells Construction Inc....Page 17Annandale State Bank....Page 11Audio Communications....Page 3

B & D Plumbing....Page 17Becker Sod....Page 11

Big Lake Hardware Hank....Page 5Big Lake Lumber....Page 8

Bitzer Garage Doors....Page 13Bob & Judy’s Farm Market....Page 20C & S Blacktopping, Inc....Page 15

Chuba Company....Page 19Elk River Municipal Utilities....Page 15

Grand Rental Station....Page 11Greenscapes Landscaping....Page 13Hassan Sand & Gravel....Page 11Haus Construction Inc....Page 12

Edina Realty - Heitz Group....Page 8Ken Geroux Construction....Page 2

Lofgren Construction....Page 3

Long & Son....Page 4Merit Drywall, Inc....Page 4

Metro Paving....Page 19Midway Iron & Metal Co....Page 13

MNsota Real Estate....Page 16Omann Brothers Paving Inc....Page 19Plaisted Companies....Pages 7 & 14

Preferred Title, Inc....Page 11Purcell Plumbing & Heating....Page 8

Ray’s Abbey Carpet....Page 12Riverwood Bank....Page 10

Sherburne County Taxes....Page 13 Sherburne County Haz. Waste....Page 9

Spinner landscape....Page 18Veit....Page 18

Vonco....Page 13Wausau Homes....Page 16

WestAir....Page 20Wright Hennepin Security....Page 20

Our StaffGary W. Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Editor & PublisherSue Emberland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Advertising SalesSusan Nagorski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Advertising SalesMary Mayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graphic DesignerKen Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff WriterJennifer Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff WriterChris Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AccountingGail Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Manager

Office: 763-263-3602 • Fax: 763-263-8458e:[email protected] • www.westsherburnetribune.com

On the COver: Judy Wilts of Bob and Judy’s FarmMarket. (Photo by Jennifer edwards) Workers cut and installvinyl siding on a new home under construction byProgressive Builders on truman Street near Co. rd. 81.(Photos by Ken Francis) 3 generations of hardware hankowners. Warren hultman, now retired; son Chuck hultman;Grandson Clayton hultman. (Photo by Gary W. Meyer)

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Spring brings opportunitiesfor home, garden and yard

Jennifer EdwardsStaff Writer

It’s spring in Minnesota.You can tell by the 80ºF days followed

by snowfall.Now is the time to take stock of your

home and garden, to see what damagemight have occurred over the winter andprepare for the coming warmer weather.Big Lake’s Hardware Hank and Rental is

a good place to start preparing for springchores. They offer a wide variety of tools,cleaning supplies, yard and garden equip-ment and helpful suggestions.

It’s time to take down the plastic sealswhich kept out winter’s bitter winds, andcheck the window frames for any signs ofmold caused by condensation. A solution of bleach and water will usu-

ally take care of that. Clean the windows,wash the sill and add a little lubricant,(white lithium grease works well), to thetracks so they will continue to slide openand close easily. Replace torn screens forsummer evenings when it’s nice to sleepwith the windows open.Check the roof for signs of damage and

take a photo of it to keep on file for insur-ance in case the worst happens and the roof is hit hard by a summer storm. Before and after pictures speak for them-selves.Check the siding on the home and buy or

rent a power washer to get rid of the dirtand any mold or insects which may be try-ing to grow on it. Hardware Hank has apaint color match system for any areas thatmay need a little touching up.Now the winter burning season is over, it

is time to clean the fireplace and chimney.It is possible to do this task but given the

potential mess it can cause, investing in aprofessional chimney sweep is a probablya good idea. The fireplace will be ready togo during those frosty fall evenings.This is a good time to replace batteries in

fire alarms and CO2 detectors. It is also agood time to change filters on the furnaceand clean all the air vents in the house out.Clean filters cut down on dust in the homeand lower bills by letting air flow freely. Also check the clothes dryer filter and

clean any remnants of fuzz out of the dryervent for safety and to speed drying time.

Dryer lint is extremely flammable and acommon ignition point for home fires.

OutsideOutside it is time to remove the debris of

last years plants and prepare flower andvegetable beds for the coming season. Landscaping adds curb-appeal and

enhances the value of a home. Steve’sNursery offers help with landscape designin addition to rocks, shrubs, trees and bed-ding plants. They can design a garden forthe home owner to install or complete theinstallation themselves. Steve’s Nursery is also noted for their

annual bare root tree sale, which takesplace about this time of year every spring.Bare root trees are less expensive, lightweight and easier to handle thanball-root trees planted later in the season.Spring Continued On Page 5

CARPET CLEANING 612.701.3140 763.441.2418CARPET • UPHOLSTERY • AREA RUGS • CVT CLEANING & FINISHING

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10% OFF3 GeneratiOnS of hardware hank owners. Warren hultman, now

retired; son Chuck hultman; Grandson Clayton hultman. (Photo by GaryW. Meyer)

Judy Wilts


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Gardening is a healthy way and produc-tive way to exercise and fruits and vegeta-bles grown close to home and picked thesame day are far tastier than the same veg-etables purchased from a store.Landscaping a yard to include a veg-

etable garden is becoming more common,as much for health reasons as for cost sav-ings.Vegetables can be as attractive as manyother plants in a home garden. Raised beds take a little time to install

but have the advantage of being more eas-

ily reachable for seniors or anyone with amobility problem. It makes gardening eas-ier because there is less bending and stoop-ing to control weeds. Big Lake Lumber can help supply

untreated timber to construct raised floweror vegetable beds. An amazing amount offood can be grown in a small space. If space is an issue, there are still many

options. Straw bale gardens can be locatedon a small space. Start a little compostgoing in the bale and plant away. The strawcontinues to compost as the plants grow.

There are plenty of places to buy bed-ding plants around Big Lake. Bob andJudy’s Farm Market on Co. Rd. 14 has agood variety of perennials and offers fresh,locally grown produce all summer long. Beck’s Greenhouse on Hwy. 10 at the

intersection with Co. Rd. 15 also has amagnificent variety of bedding plants andsells fresh, locally grown produce all sum-mer long. Beck’s and Bob and Judy’s also sell

local honey. The bees live on their farmsand help pollinate the crops.

Plant cherry tomatoes and herbs in potsor create a vertical garden by hanging potson a sunny wall or fence.For those who want to garden but have

no space, contact Big Lake Public Worksand apply for a city garden. It costs $25 per season to rent a 10x10

lot close to a water supply. Gardeners arenot limited to growing vegetables either.“If it’s legal, you can grow it here,” said

Public Works Director Mike Goebel.

Spring Continued From Page 4__________________________________________________________________________________________________


New home constructionnumbers continue to grow

By Ken FrancisStaff Writer

A good indicator of how the economy isgoing is by the number of new homesbeing built.The year-end report from the Sherburne

County Planning and Zoning Dept. showsnew home construction continued to climbagain for the third straight year.In 2013 there were 231 total permits

issued for new home construction through-out the county, 113 in townships and 118in cities, plus 38 apartment units.Last year that number increased to 262

permits for single-family homes. Of thattotal, 110 were issued in cities and 152 intownships.The biggest increase happened in the

City of Big Lake, with 42 new single homepermits valued at $7,278,600. That numberwas up from 21 permits in 2013.Big Lake Twp. had almost the same

number of permits (30) as the year before(31). The value of those homes from 2014was $7,455,000.Elk River had the largest

number of new home per-mits with 68. That wasdown from the 2013 totalof 82. Becker Twp. had the

next highest number ofpermits, 20, valued at$5,022,888. Livonia Twp. had 18

new permits, down from23 the year before.Zimmerman had a big

jump in new home con-struction, increasing fromfour permits to 19.Baldwin Twp. saw an

increase from six to 16 newhomes.East St. Cloud had 12

and Orrock Twp. increasedfrom five to 11 permits,valued at $2,168,000.Other totals for new

home permits in 2014include Becker City (9);Palmer Twp. (7); Blue Hill

Twp. (3); Clear Lake Twp. (3); SantiagoTwp. (2) and Clear Lake City (2). HavenTwp. and the City of Princeton had no newhome permits issued in 2014. Back in 2008, the number of new home

permits began to decrease after many yearsof unprecedented home building. Thatyear, permits totalled just 109, comparedwith over 400 each year from 1996 through2005 in the townships alone.In 2009 the county had 87 permits for

new homes, then sank to 85 in 2010 and 73in 2011 (not including apartments.)The economy began to show signs of

improvement in 2012 as the number offoreclosures on the market shrank. Thatyear, the number climbed to 140, and theaverage valuation of new homes alsojumped, from $168,833 to $235,705.The average valuation of new homes in

2014 was slightly lower at $232,780.The number of platted residential lots

also increase for the first time since 2008.There were 10 plats consisting of 18 lots.

WOrKerS CUt anD inStaLL vinyl siding on a new home underconstruction by Progressive Builders on truman Street near Co. rd. 81.(Photos by Ken Francis.)


Try straw bale gardeningJennifer Edwards

Staff WriterA lunchtime lecture drew a crowd of 20

or so gardeners to the Big Lake Library onMinnesota Avenue Monday afternoon, tohear author and originator of straw balegardening Joel Karsten speak.Karsten, who graduated from the

University of Minnesota with a mastersdegree in horticulture, grew up on a dairyfarm five and a half miles south ofWorthington. As a new graduate, he had no money and

was looking for an idea to work on whenhe remembered his life on the farm and anidea was born. When he was a boy hewould help his father bale hay and strawfor the livestock.“It was a big thing to be able to stack the

wagon five bales high because dad didn’twant to make two trips,” he recalled.Inevitably, sometimes a bale would tum-

ble off, usually near the barn door, and getkicked to the side, out of the way. Theintent was to pick it up later, but on a farmthe work never stops.

The fallen bale would get split open andrain would wet it down. Then it was uselessto the farmer. But the biggest thistles any-where on the farm would start growing outof the bales until they were cleared back,out of the way.“The straw was grown on productive soil

and as the bales begin to breakdown, theygive off nutrients suitable for growing pep-pers and tomatoes,” Karsten said. “Strawalso holds water well and if the ideaworked, you could grow things anywhere,even in the desert or on a parking lot,because you wouldn’t need soil.”Karsten shared his idea with a few of his

former professors. “It’s never been tried,” the said, and ref-

ered him to the University of Texas A andM. “They said they had never heard of any-

body trying it either and suggested I con-tact Georgia State. They thought PennState might have tried something like that.I called them and they refered me to the U.of M,” he laughed.With academia failing him, he once

again decided to return to his roots. Hecalled his dad and explained his idea andasked him if he could set up a couple ofbales of hay on the farm to test his theory.When he got there, his father had set aside50.“I had thought about doing one or two,”

Karsten said. They set up 10 test plots with five bales

of hay in each and planted a comparisonvegetable patch in the soil. The plants grew.They rapidly outgrew the plants in the

soil. They produced abundant flowers andfruit. They grew so well, John’s dad gottired of answering questions from neigh-bors, passers-by and even the county sher-iff about what he was doing out there.Karsten wrote a page of notes, explain-

ing the project and put them in a box by therows of bales so people could find outwithout bothering his parents. People tookthe notes and began writing back, askingquestions. Before he knew it, the page became a

Straw Bales Continued On Page 9

StraW BaLe GarDenerand author Joel Karsten spoke at theBig Lake Public Library Mondayafternoon. (Photo by Jenniferedwards).


By Ken FrancisStaff Writer

April is Safe Digging Month inMinnesota.Even though the ground might not befrozen anymore, that doesn’t mean peoplewon’t have problems digging.That’s because digging a hole or trench

in the wrong spot could spell trouble.Every year across the country there are

hundreds of incidents of gas leak emergen-cies from people striking an undergroundgas line.And when spring arrives, those numbers

increase as home construction picks up andhomeowners beginplanting trees andshrubs, buildingfences, installingsprinkler systems andswimming pools. “The reality of it is,

anytime you put any-thing in the ground,even a political sign inyour yard, you shouldhave your utilitieslocated,” says MikeRanum, a service techwith CenterPointEnergy.Gas companies make it simpler to locate

buried gas lines by wrapping the plasticgas line with a tracer wire. That way, thecompany can locate the line without dig-ging up the ground.But there are lots more things that can be

buried on someone’s property. In additionto gas lines, there are electric lines, cablelines, water pipes, sewer pipes and phonelines. Dig a hole and damage one, and you can

be liable for replacement costs.Ranum says about 10 years ago a con-

tractor was boring a trench under a drive-way and hit a gas main. He also hit a

fiberoptic cable and damaged it beyondrepair.“The phone company estimated the cost

at between $500,000 and $1.8 million tofix it,” he said. “You can’t braid or splicefiberoptics. They had to replace about aquarter mile of cable.”And even hand digging with a spade

isn’t always safe. Some utility lines can bejust a few inches below ground.“That’s where you can get into trouble

because the spade is sharp,” says Ranum.“It’s not hard to pierce something.”Ranum says he remembers a few times

when realtors hit gas lines just by pound-ing “For Sale” signsin near a curb.

But these days,there’s no excuse notto know where utili-ties are buried.

The best way toavoid an emergencyor unintentionallystriking an under-ground facility is tocall 811 two businessdays before you digso utility companiescan mark the approx-

imate location of potentially hazardousunderground facilities.The 811 line is a free service and it

allows the experts to make sure whereyou’re digging is safe.Ranum says homeowners should make

the call, even if what they’re planning issmall.“I would much rather over-use a service

than have a problem,” he says, “and it’sfree.” So call 811, or go to the go to the Gopher

State One Call (GSOC) website andrequest underground utilities near the areayou’re digging be marked.

Call beforeyou dig-and it’s freeChuck Heitz

Realtorwww.chuckheitz.com

Shirlee HeitzABR, CRS, GRI

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Products accepted include: Adhesives, Aerosols, Automotive Chemicals (No Motor Oil), Car Batteries, Cleaners, Fuels (Gasoline, Diesel, Etc.), Fluorescent Bulbs (limit 10 bulbs per vehicle), Garden Chemicals, Mercury, Mothballs, Paints, Poison, Pool/Spa Chemicals, Roofing Tar, Sealers, Solvents.

Products not accepted include: Appliances, Asbestos Containing Items, Business Waste, Commercial Waste, Demolition Debris, Drywall Compound, Electronics,Explosives, Furniture, Household Garbage, Medical Waste, Motor Oil, Filters, Anti-Freeze, Pharmaceutical Waste, Tires, Unknown Items, NO DRUMS.

2015 SHERBURNE COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS

For questions or directions, please contact John Exner, Sherburne County Zoning, 763-765-4466 or email [email protected] • www.co.sherburne.mn.us/zoning/sw/hhw.php

Events are FREE for allSherburne County Residents

(I.D. Required)

Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides? Pre-registered farmers may bring their unwanted agricultural pesticides to these collection events for free disposal. For transportation planning purposes, pre-registration is required by calling John Exner at 763-765-4466 to inventory the amount of agricultural pesticides being delivered for disposal.

USED Motor OIL Disposal Used Oil, Oil Filters & Anti-Freeze may be delivered to one of seven disposal locations established throughout the County. Visit www.eastsideoilcompanies.com/recycling/ to find a used oil collection site near you.

April 27th & 28th 3pm-6pm (both days) Sherb. Co. Fairgrounds, Elk River (enter across from YMCA)April 29th 8am-10am Sherburne County Fairgrounds, Elk River (enter across from YMCA)May 11th 11am-1pm Baldwin Township HallMay 11th 3pm - 6pm Public Works Facility, ZimmermanMay 18th 3pm-6pm Public Works Facility, BeckerJune 22nd 11am-1pm Santiago Township HallJune 22nd 3pm-6pm Clear Lake Fire HallSeptember 9th 3pm-6pm KJs Refuge Bar & Grill in OrrockSeptember 22nd & 23rd 3pm-6pm (both days) Sherb. Co. Fairgrounds (enter across from YMCA)September 24th 8am-10am Sherburne County Fairgrounds (enter across from YMCA)

Straw Bales Continued From Page 7___________________________________________________________________________________________pamphlet, then a booklet. He started aFacebook website to share pictures. Thenother people began to share pictures of theirstraw bale garden ideas too. Then came the call from the publishers,

who wanted him to write a real book, StrawBale Gardens. A New York Times writerpicked it up and wrote a full page article,which became their most e-mailed articlefor the next six months. The idea went global. In the first year of

publication, the book was translated into 12languages and is now available in 18 differ-ent translations. It was the best selling gar-den title in the world for two years running. “It has been interesting to see the explo-

sion of interest,” he said. “In the past sevenyears I have been to Europe four times andall over the U. S.”

A Container GardenA straw bale garden is really a container

garden. No soil is added, just water and alittle cheap fertilizer to begin the process ofdecomposition, Karsten explained.“The outside of the bale will dry out and

become hard, like a crust,” he said. “Theinside stays moist and decomposes.”“Mother Nature is the ultimate recycler,

using insects, mold, fungus and bacteria to

turn the straw molecules back into soil,”Karsten said.“After two weeks of prepping the bale,

feeding the bacteria with water and nitro-gen, the bale starts to break down” Karstensaid. In the process, the mid-

dle of the bale becomes hotas the bacteria are replicat-ing at the rate of doubletheir population every 15minutes. (Don’t plant any flowers

or vegetables until theinternal temperature of thebale is down to 105 degreesor less).After two weeks, the

middle of the bale may notlook much like soil, but itis time to begin plantingsmall seedlings. Tomatoesand peppers work well, as do leafy greenslike lettuce and cabbage. “Because the middle of the bale is warm,the plants think it is later in the season thanit really is and start to grow,” Karsten said.“In straw bales there are no seeds so weedsdon’t grow. Their roots find ample

nutrients in the decaying bale.”It is possible to arrange a seed bed for

starting seeds be sprinkling a thin layer ofpotting mix-not soil- on top of the bale.Otherwise no soil is added to the process,which helps the plants avoid fungus and

other soil born diseases.Karsten recommends

putting posts at each end ofthe bales and arranging aclimbing trellis for theplants to help keep them upoff the ground and allow airto circulate under theirleaves, which discouragesinsects.”“You can’t overwater it,”

said Karsten, who estimatesa straw bale will hold threeto five gallons of water. Heprefers to use a soaker hoseand water from the bottom

to keep the leaves dry. As the summer wears on, it will likely be

necessary to water the bale more often.Karsten says he has his soaker hose set upon a timer so he doesn’t have to rememberto do it. “It takes care of itself,” he said.

“Just water it until it starts to drip out ofthe bottom. You don’t want to overwater itbecause it washes the nutrients away, but itwon’t hurt anything.”Compared to an equivalent amount of

soil, straw bales are light weight and trans-portable. They can be set up on pallets ormoved by sliding them around on a plastictarp “... like my grandmother did.” “Since no soil is needed, you can garden

anywhere,” Karsten said. “And there is noneed for crop rotation. I recommend gettinga plastic cover to tent the bales and keep thewarm air in case of frost. It can be quicklybe thrown over the plants and tucked intothe bale strings if need be.”At the end of the season, the straw bales

can be reshaped and used again the follow-ing year for growing root vegetables, car-rots and potatoes.“Just cut the old plants back, don’t try to

remove the roots,” Karsten said. “The balewon’t get warm again but it still has lots ofnutrients.”For more information on straw bale gar-

dening, go to www.strawbalegardens.comThe program was paid for by a Legacy

grant to the Great River Regional LibrarySystem.


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Submitted by StatePointBefore you decide on a home improve-

ment project, it’s a good idea to learnwhich ones will help raise your house’svalue and recoup the most money whenyou decide to sell.From replacing your front door to

adding a deck, there are many midrangeimprovements thatwon’t cost a bundlebut will deliver greatbang for your buck.It’s not about spend-ing the most money;it’s about improve-ments that best holdtheir value.Homeowners can

recoup the highestpercentage of costs onthese five improve-ments: steel entrydoor replacement,installation of manu-factured stone veneeron home exteriors,garage door replace-ments, vinyl sidingreplacement, andwooden deck addi-tions.Making your home stand out from oth-

ers on your block and others on the marketis achievable if you plan wisely when itcomes to remodeling projects. This year’sstatistics indicate that moderately pricedexterior projects can significantly enhancehome resale values.This year’s analysis of top midrange

home improvement projects provided def-inite direction for homeowners:•Steel Entry Door Replacement: The 20-Gauge Steel Entry Door has consistentlydelivered the best return on investment forresale, holding the top spot in themidrange product category since its debutin this report in 2009/2010. The steel entry

door is the only project that, on a nationalbasis, more than pays back its investment,typically recouping 101.8 percent. Forexample, the company’s Legacy SteelEntry Doors are a consistent top sales per-former.•Manufactured Stone Veneer: A new proj-ect on this year's report is the installation

of manufactured stoneveneer on home exteri-ors. This categoryzoomed to the top ofthe midrange list,grabbing second placewith a 92.2 percentcost-value return.Increased productdemand for HeritageStone is a reflection ofthis trend.•Garage DoorReplace-ment: Theinstallation of newfour-section garagedoors on galvanizedsteel tracks proved tobe a valuable projectwith homeownersrecouping 88.4 percentof their costs.•Vinyl Siding

Replace-ment: Replacing a home’s vinylsiding was one of a handful of projectsthat jumped up the list for recoupingimprovement costs. So not only can newvinyl siding beautify a home, it can keep itweatherproof and enhance its resale value.• Deck Addition: Adding a wooden deckcan do more than provide a place to enjoythe great outdoors. When it comes time tosell, you should be able to pocket morethan 80 percent of the cost for thisimprovement.Before you dip into your wallet, learn

which home improvements will best holdtheir value while enhancing curb appeal.

Five top homeimprovements that raise yourhome’s resale value


For more information contactCINDY HEATON

at [email protected]

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763.295.6140

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Submitted ArticleMaking informed choices about home

energy improvements can save money,reduce energy use, and help the environ-ment. The Minnesota Department ofCommerce's Division of EnergyResources' new Home Energy Guide wascreated to help Minnesotans become more‘energy literate’ and determine what needsfixing, upgrading, or replacing in an objec-tive, informative way.The Home Energy Guide provides a

wide range of information—from simpleenergy-saving tasks to more substantialenergy upgrades—to help consumersmake decisions about energy use thatmake sense for their families and theirbudget. Although residents might not be

willing or able to do all of the energyimprovements themselves, the guideinforms readers about the basic processesso they can ask the right questions—andget the best results—from contractors theymight hire.The 67-page guide will help consumers

keep their homes comfortable, safe, andenergy efficient. It features new content onheating, cooling, and ventilating homes aswell as updated material from two previ-ous Commerce publications—HomeEnvelope and Appliances, Lighting,Electronics.The guide begins with the most basic

energy-saving step--the home energyassessment—and goes on to identify aseries of home energy improvements.

MN Commerce publishes new Home Energy Guide

Sealing air leaks and adding insulationare among the most fundamental and cost-effective energy-saving improvementscovered in the guide. Readers will alsolearn when and how to repair windows anddoors and when to replace them. There arehelpful tips on heating, cooling, and venti-lation, with general information about effi-ciency and maintaining or replacing thosesystems. Energy-saving insight on waterheating, thermostats, appliances, lighting,and electronics is also provided. Finally,the guide includes a resources section to

help consumers navigate the road to homeenergy improvements: doing your due dili-gence, selecting a contractor, getting bids,understanding contracts, and more.The Home Energy Guide is available on

the Commerce website. Hard copies can berequested by sending an email [email protected] or calling 651-539-1886 or 800-657-3710.


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REAL ESTATE TAXES ARE DUE MAY 15TH

Sherburne CountyAUDITOR/TREASURER

Diane arnOLD

Sherburne County Auditor/Treasurer Diane Arnold would like to remind taxpayers that the first half of theirReal Estate taxes for 2015 are due on or before Fri. May 15th. Postmarks are due on or before the 15th, buta Penalty will be assessed after that date. There is an after hours drop-box by the WEST entrance (door B) ofthe Government Center. Questions? Call (763) 765-4350 or 1-800-438-0575

Sherburne County Land Records & Property Information On-Line at www.co.sherburne.mn.us• Property Assessment & Tax Searches (by parcel ID or address) • Plats/RLS Search • Print Tax Statement• Maps & Aerial Views • Property Tax Payment Options • County Recorder “Land Title Information” • Zoning “County Ordinances” • Zoning “Building Permits Issued” • Direct Link to “Property/Value & Taxes

The Sherburne County website is continually being updated to give you easy access to awide range of information. Everything you’ve been looking for... right at your fingertips.• Links to State Agency Websites • Links to City & Township Websites • Voting Precinct Boundaries & Polling Places

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By Tresa EricksonIt’s been quite some time since you’ve

bought new carpeting for your home, and itis starting to show. What was once soft andstain free is no longer. It’s time youreplaced the carpeting, and while there aremany factors to consider from pile cut tofiber to performance rating, the one thathas got youstumped iscolor. You knowyou don’t wantwhite or blackcarpeting, butbeyond that, youhave no idea.Carpeting can

be costly, andonce you pur-chase it andarrange to haveit installed,there’s usuallyno turning back.You’re stuckwith the coloryou selected, soit better be right.Here are sometips to help youthrough thecolor dilemma.What is the

size of the space? Generally, lighter colorsopen up a space, while darker colors closeit in, making for a cozier feel. While darkcolored carpeting will hide more stains, itcould make your small spaces appear evensmaller.How much traffic does the space

receive? While lighter colors are more eas-

ily soiled than darker colors; darker colorswill show dust and lint. If the room(s)where you are replacing the carpet receivesa lot of use, you might want to consider acolor in the medium range to minimize theappearance of dust, dirt and lint.What is the purpose of the space?

Bright-colored carpeting might prove areal distractionin a roomintended forwork or relax-ation such as ahome office orbedroom. Itmight do won-ders, however,in a playroomor workoutspace, addingto the ener-getic feel.

H o wis the spacedesigned? Ifyou are satis-fied with thedesign andplan to livewith it for along time tocome, youmight want to

choose carpeting that will enhance it, suchas an Oriental patterned carpet for anAsian-inspired dining room. If, on theother hand, you like to change things up,then you might to opt for a neutral coloredcarpet. That way, you won’t have to worryabout designing around the carpeting. Youcan just add an Oriental rug on top and

switch it out when ready.What kind of flow do you want to create

in the space? Some people want a continu-ous flow from room to room, and flooringis one of the best ways to create this. If youhave wall-to-wall carpeting throughoutyour home and you want to keep the flowcontinuous, stick to one color like tan orgray to create a neutral backdrop. Justmake sure the color you select variessomewhat from that of the walls and furni-ture, else you will end up with one big box.Most importantly, what color do you

like? It won’t matter how attractive thatsilvery gray carpet looks in your home ifyou hate it. Choose a color that appeals toyou that you can live with for a long timeto come. Take home samples and reviewthem at various times of the day in differ-ent types of light to get a real sense of howthey will look in your home. What lookslike an elephant gray at the store may lookmore like a pewter in your home. Knowwhat you are getting and choose the colorof carpeting that will best serve your needstoday and for many tomorrows to come.

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Submitted by StatePointNow is a great time to take stock of

your lawn equipment, and assesswhether your gear can withstandanother season of wear and tear. Ifyou’ve determined it’s time to replaceyour toolshed’s most valuable player -- your lawn mower -- get informed soyou can make a savvy decision, asmower technology has changed a lotin the last several years.Whether this is your first mower,

your old mower is on the fritz oryou’re simplylooking toupgrade, thesetips and consid-erations can helpyou make a deci-sion that’s wisefor you and yourlawn.

BudgetThe first thing

to take intoaccount is yourbudget. Youneed the mostdependable anddurable mowerthat you canafford. However,keep in mind,you may nothave to pay theentire cost of the mower upfront.Some brands offer various financ-

ing options that allow you to makepayments over time. Whether you’reseeking low minimum payments oryou want to minimize interest pay-ments, ask your dealer about youroptions.

Mowing PropertiesTake into account the size of your

property. A smaller lawn requires asmaller machine.For properties under a half acre, a

21- to 36-inch walk-behind mowershould be ideal.

For smaller lawns, consider a 34-inch cutting deck, the mowers requirelittle maintenance and offer fuel econ-omy and durability.If you live on a larger plot of land,

don’t rule out a commercial zero-turnmower, which is more durable, tendsto be more comfortable to operate, andoffers increased productivity withmore professional-looking results.Keep in mind, properties of more thanan acre may warrant a mower with a60- to 72-inch cutting deck. You’ll be

using yourmower a lot, solook for ana d v a n c e de r g o n o m i cdesign whichtakes a scientificapproach toensuring that lessvibration is trans-ferred from theseat to the driver.Mower Engineand Features

A f t e ryou’ve consid-ered your budget,lawn size and ter-rain, you’ll wantto look at theengine and fea-tures offered.

Many models come with a varietyof engine types and configurations,including eco-friendly models thatcan save you money on fuel. Moweraccessories can include mulching,bagging and striping kits. Decidewhat your priorities are and get amodel that’s right for you.By tackling your lawn with a low-

maintenance, durable, easy-to-operatemower, you can save time, money andenergy. So do your research beforemaking a purchase.

What to knowabout replacingyour mower Submitted by StatePoint

This spring season, help promote ahealthy ecosystem by learning to identifyand control damaging plants and insectsin your yard.Information about common invasive

species and backyard invaders is nowbeing offered by Responsible Industry fora Sound Environment (RISE):

Invasive PlantsInvasive weeds can out-compete native

species, changing the local ecosystem.Many varieties, first introduced as flora toplant in gardens, can be confused withsimilar, native varieties. Here are twocommon damaging ones to watch out for:• Purple Loosestrife, native to Europe andAsia, is found in most states. One plantcan produce more than two million seedsannually.• Native to China, the Tree-of-Heavenwas widely planted as an ornamentalplant for many years and is often con-fused with other trees having similarleaves, such as black walnut, butternut,and most sumac.

Invasive InsectsInvasive insects can also have a severe

negative impact on native species by out-competing them for food and resources.Many also cause and carry disease andprey on native species. Two common onesto look out for include:• Emerald Ash Borer, native to Asia, isprominently found across the Northeast,Midwest, and Southeastern United States.

The larvae do the most damage, killingash trees by feeding on the inner bark.• Zebra Mussel, native to lakes in south-ern Russia, is found in hundreds of water-ways throughout the United States. Thespecies commonly clog water intakes,damage boats, and can cause cuts andscrapes if they grow on rocks, swim rafts,and ladders.

Backyard PestsDid you know native plants and insects

can cause damage too?• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease andRocky Mountain spotted fever. Leftuntreated, Lyme disease infects the joints,heart, and nervous system. After timespent outdoors, check for ticks, especiallyin and around your ears, inside your bellybutton, behind your knees, around yourwaist, on your scalp, and in your hair.• Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus.While most people may show few symp-toms, 20 percent of people develop afever along with headaches, body aches,joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash,according to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention.Follow the “five Ds” to protect your-

self: Drain standing water; Stay indoors atDusk and Dawn; Dress in long-sleevesand pants; and use DEET-based mosquitorepellent.• Poison ivy, poison oak, and poisonsumac can lurk in backyards. Almost 85percent of people develop a rash whenthey come into contact with these weeds.

Control poisonous weeds long-term bycarefully digging out the plants whilewearing waterproof gloves or treatingwith a pesticide.Defend your local ecosystem by identi-

fying exotic plants in your garden or yard.Spot invasive weeds and insects in yourarea? Let your county extension officeknow, which may have a monitoring andmanagement program in place.For more lawn and garden tips, visit

www.DebugTheMyths.com.By being aware of invasive species and

other pests in your area, you can help sup-port native species and a healthy ecosys-tem in your own backyard and neighbor-hood.

Create a healthy ecosystem in your yard


Submitted by StatePointNow is a great time to take stock of

your lawn equipment, and assesswhether your gear can withstandanother season of wear and tear. Ifyou’ve determined it’s time to replaceyour toolshed’s most valuable player -- your lawn mower -- get informed soyou can make a savvy decision, asmower technology has changed a lotin the last several years.Whether this is your first mower,

your old mower is on the fritz oryou’re simplylooking toupgrade, thesetips and consid-erations can helpyou make a deci-sion that’s wisefor you and yourlawn.

BudgetThe first thing

to take intoaccount is yourbudget. Youneed the mostdependable anddurable mowerthat you canafford. However,keep in mind,you may nothave to pay theentire cost of the mower upfront.Some brands offer various financ-

ing options that allow you to makepayments over time. Whether you’reseeking low minimum payments oryou want to minimize interest pay-ments, ask your dealer about youroptions.

Mowing PropertiesTake into account the size of your

property. A smaller lawn requires asmaller machine.For properties under a half acre, a

21- to 36-inch walk-behind mowershould be ideal.

For smaller lawns, consider a 34-inch cutting deck, the mowers requirelittle maintenance and offer fuel econ-omy and durability.If you live on a larger plot of land,

don’t rule out a commercial zero-turnmower, which is more durable, tendsto be more comfortable to operate, andoffers increased productivity withmore professional-looking results.Keep in mind, properties of more thanan acre may warrant a mower with a60- to 72-inch cutting deck. You’ll be

using yourmower a lot, solook for ana d v a n c e de r g o n o m i cdesign whichtakes a scientificapproach toensuring that lessvibration is trans-ferred from theseat to the driver.Mower Engineand Features

A f t e ryou’ve consid-ered your budget,lawn size and ter-rain, you’ll wantto look at theengine and fea-tures offered.

Many models come with a varietyof engine types and configurations,including eco-friendly models thatcan save you money on fuel. Moweraccessories can include mulching,bagging and striping kits. Decidewhat your priorities are and get amodel that’s right for you.By tackling your lawn with a low-

maintenance, durable, easy-to-operatemower, you can save time, money andenergy. So do your research beforemaking a purchase.

Submitted by StatePointThis spring season, help promote a

healthy ecosystem by learning to identifyand control damaging plants and insectsin your yard.Information about common invasive

species and backyard invaders is nowbeing offered by Responsible Industry fora Sound Environment (RISE):

Invasive PlantsInvasive weeds can out-compete native

species, changing the local ecosystem.Many varieties, first introduced as flora toplant in gardens, can be confused withsimilar, native varieties. Here are twocommon damaging ones to watch out for:• Purple Loosestrife, native to Europe andAsia, is found in most states. One plantcan produce more than two million seedsannually.• Native to China, the Tree-of-Heavenwas widely planted as an ornamentalplant for many years and is often con-fused with other trees having similarleaves, such as black walnut, butternut,and most sumac.

Invasive InsectsInvasive insects can also have a severe

negative impact on native species by out-competing them for food and resources.Many also cause and carry disease andprey on native species. Two common onesto look out for include:• Emerald Ash Borer, native to Asia, isprominently found across the Northeast,Midwest, and Southeastern United States.

The larvae do the most damage, killingash trees by feeding on the inner bark.• Zebra Mussel, native to lakes in south-ern Russia, is found in hundreds of water-ways throughout the United States. Thespecies commonly clog water intakes,damage boats, and can cause cuts andscrapes if they grow on rocks, swim rafts,and ladders.

Backyard PestsDid you know native plants and insects

can cause damage too?• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease andRocky Mountain spotted fever. Leftuntreated, Lyme disease infects the joints,heart, and nervous system. After timespent outdoors, check for ticks, especiallyin and around your ears, inside your bellybutton, behind your knees, around yourwaist, on your scalp, and in your hair.• Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus.While most people may show few symp-toms, 20 percent of people develop afever along with headaches, body aches,joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash,according to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention.Follow the “five Ds” to protect your-

self: Drain standing water; Stay indoors atDusk and Dawn; Dress in long-sleevesand pants; and use DEET-based mosquitorepellent.• Poison ivy, poison oak, and poisonsumac can lurk in backyards. Almost 85percent of people develop a rash whenthey come into contact with these weeds.

Control poisonous weeds long-term bycarefully digging out the plants whilewearing waterproof gloves or treatingwith a pesticide.Defend your local ecosystem by identi-

fying exotic plants in your garden or yard.Spot invasive weeds and insects in yourarea? Let your county extension officeknow, which may have a monitoring andmanagement program in place.For more lawn and garden tips, visit

www.DebugTheMyths.com.By being aware of invasive species and

other pests in your area, you can help sup-port native species and a healthy ecosys-tem in your own backyard and neighbor-hood.

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Create a healthy ecosystem in your yard


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Submitted ArticleInterested in powering your home with

solar energy but don’t know where to start?Before investing in solar, you should

apply some of the simplest energy-savingimprovements—get an energy audit, sealair leaks, add insulation, maintain orupgrade heating and cooling equipment,use a programmable thermostat. By invest-ing in energy efficiency first, you candecrease your over-all energy demand,reduce the size ofand the investmentneeded for your solarenergy system, andoptimize the returnson your system.Now that you’re

ready to exploresolar. Here are a fewsteps to follow:·Get educated. Solarpower can generateelectricity, heatwater, or help heatyour home. Makingelectricity is themost common appli-cation of solar ener-gy in Minnesotatoday, and solar heat-ing applications areincreasing too. Learnabout solar throughsources such as theClean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs),Minnesota Department of Commerce, andthe U.S. Department of Energy. Take aclass on solar basics. Check the MinnesotaState Colleges & Universities system orcommunity education opportunities in yourarea. Talk to neighbors and friends whohave installed solar.·Plan your system. Find out if your locationis suitable for solar. A Minnesota SolarSuitability App developed by theUniversity of Minnesota can help identifythe solar potential for homes and business-es in Minnesota, but you will need a siteassessment to determine if your locationcan capture enough of the sun’s rays. Athird-party source, such as the MinnesotaRenewable Energy Society, can provide an

independent site assessment.·Learn how to pay for it. The Database ofState Incentives for Renewables &Efficiency provides the most complete listof financial incentives for solar systems. Itincludes information on the 30 percent fed-eral Residential Renewable Energy TaxCredit (good through 2016); incentive pro-grams, rebates, and loans from utilities andstate agencies (including the Made in

Minnesota SolarIncentive Program);and state sales andproperty tax exemp-tions. Your solarcontractor can helpidentify financingoptions.·Get bids. To locateinstallers near you,check lists fromMinnesota SolarEnergy IndustriesA s s o c i a t i o n(MnSEIA), NorthAmerican Board ofCertified EnergyPractitioners (NAB-CEP), and the CleanEnergy ProjectBuilders. Get two orthree bids and makesure you compareapples to apples. Besure each bid speci-fies system type and

size, expected energy production, mainte-nance requirements, warranties, andinstalled cost.·Finalize a contract with a professionalsolar installation company and have yoursystem installed.·Maintain your system and keep track of itsenergy production.If your home is not suitable for a solar

energy system, you can consider subscrib-ing to a community solar garden. CERTsoffers information on Community SolarGardens, an emerging option among sever-al Minnesota electric utilities. Anotheroption for some electricity customers is agreen pricing program.

A little guidancefor going solar


Submitted ArticleWindows, doors and skylights are often a

weak energy link in homes. These spots canaccount for a significant portion of a home’s heatloss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.Because newwindows anddoors are expen-sive, it is impor-tant to deter-mine whenrepairs makesense and whenreplacement isthe right choice.Simple main-

tenance andi n e x p e n s i v erepairs canextend the lifeof windows anddoors and delay the need for replacement. Thefollowing are some common window and doorproblems and fixes to improve the performanceand durability of windows and doors:Damaged components. Cracked or missing

panes of glass in doors and windows are obviouslocations for leakage and energy loss.Replacement is best, but sealing with caulkingcan be a good temporary fix. Older windowsmay use a glazing compound (putty) to hold theglass to the frame.Defective air-sealing. The gap between jamb

and framing may be empty or stuffed with fiber-glass insulation. Gently removing inside trimwill reveal this space, allowing for application ofa window and door spray foam product or caulk-ing. A quick and inexpensive fix for leaky win-dows can be the application of shrink-wrappedfilm on the inside.Loose or missing hardware. Latches, hinges, andthe operating parts for crank-out windows canbecome loose or damaged. Often a simple tight-ening of screws will do the trick.

Improper exterior flashing

Properly installed flashing diverts water to theoutside of the siding, preventing intrusion intothe wall or window/door unit.Worn or damaged weather-stripping. The per-

formance and durability of windows and doors istied closely to weather-stripping. Installingeffective weather-stripping will prevent air infil-tration around windows and doors and conserveenergy. You should weather-strip all doors that

lead to unheatedareas, such as theattic, garage, orunheated base-ment.

You canalso improve theenergy efficiencyof existing win-dows by addingstorm windows,replacing win-dow sashes, andinstalling win-dow treatmentsor coverings.

For more information on repairing and replac-ing windows and doors, see the Home EnergyGuide (pages 21-25). Check out theU.S. Departmentof Energy webpages on windows,doors, and sky-lights. Our nextenergy tip willaddress energyefficiency factorsto look for in newwindows anddoors.

Save Energy!Maintain or repairwindows and doors


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Submitted by StatePointPlanting a garden from scratch can

sound like a daunting task, especially forthose who are new to the hobby. But withthe right knowledge, you can plan a suc-cessful, fruitful green space and expect tohave a great harvest.One way to get a head start on your gar-

den is to start your seedlings indoors andthen transplant them later into an outdoorgarden. This time-tested technique cansave you hundreds of dollars annually, asyoung plants at a nursery can be pricey.Here are some tips and tricks to make themost of this method:•Don’t start your indoor plants too soon.They can grow in about four weeks or lessif you use a high-quality garden starter.

Check seed packages to learn when toplant outdoors in your area, and then startthem indoors one month earlier to yourtransplanting date outdoors.•Consider using a seed-starting system thattakes some of the gardening guesswork outof the equation. For example, theAerogarden Seed Starting system allowsyou to start up to 66 seedlings indoors withno dirt or mess, nurturing seeds with opti-mal amounts of water and nutrients forreliable germination and healthy growth.•Add new nutrients to the seedlings everytwo weeks and keep the water at full level.Feeding your plants more than the recom-mended amount will not make them growfaster. In fact, it could hurt the plants.•Before transplanting, seedlings need to be

DOn’t Start yOUr indoor plants too soon. (Submitted photo.)

How to plant yourgarden from scratch

hardened off. Skipping this step willalmost certainly result in some or all ofyour plants dying. Hardening off seedlingseases their transition to the outdoors, wherethey will be exposed to the elements. Theprocess involves gradually exposing plantsto the outdoors, protecting them from fullsunlight, temperature variations and wind.•Don’t let sprouts get too big before trans-planting them outdoors. Ideally theyshould be about 4-6 inches tall. If possible,wait to plant your seedlings on a cool,cloudy day. If your seedlings get too largebefore weather will allow transplantingoutdoors, transplant them into small pots

with high quality potting soil. Keep fullywatered in a sunny space until weather per-mits transplanting outdoors.•After transplanting seedlings outdoors, besure to water them daily for the first twoweeks, especially if the weather is dry andsunny.•Save and reuse your seed starter tray forthe next season. Once the spring plantshave been transplanted outdoors, you willbe free to get a head start on your summercrop.For true green thumb bragging rights,

grow your garden from scratch. Just besure you know the tricks of the trade.


Top Home Upgrades that offer long-term value

Submitted by StatePointIt’s no secret that home upgrades cost

time and money. But certain projects canactually save you money in key areas andimprove the resale value of your home,while making it more beautiful and livablenow.When it’s time to replace worn-out roof-

ing, doors and trim, ensure you’re gettinggood value on your investment. Here aresome guidelines for making durable, long-lasting upgrades.

RoofingThe roof is an integral part of a house’s

curb appeal. It’s also a vital protective layerbetween the elements and your family.Roofing should be impact-, fire- and severeweather-resistant, as well as beautiful --especially as extreme weather events aregrowing more common and severe acrossAmerica.A new roof can pay off, which cites a 71.6

percent recoup of costs.Skip over bargain-basement priced roofs,

even if you’re on a budget. What’s impor-tant is finding a roof that will be virtuallymaintenance free for years to come. Youmay pay more out of pocket now, but you’llsave big on repairs, inspection and mainte-nance in the long run.Natural slate and shake roofing materials

evoke images of traditional charm and long-standing durability. However they have aninherent tendency to degrade as they age.Check out man-made materials, such as

polymer slate and shake roofing tiles, whichoffer the authentic look of natural materialsbut are more resistant to chipping, flakingand splintering over time. For example,DaVinci Roofscapes offers 50 colors, whichcan help you focus on your home’s 'topdown' curb appeal in order to create a cohe-sive exterior. And some polymer roofingoptions can even help you get a break onhomeowner’s insurance.

TrimBoost curb appeal, as well as interior

style, with millwork, moulding and trim.While these elements don’t always serve afunctional purpose other than to add beautyand value to your home, it’s important thatthey resist humidity, moisture and insectsall the same, so you don’t experience warp-ing or decay.

Windows

Renovating

Design

Build

Siding

Roofing

For a free estimate:763-441-448819276Vernon St.NW #100

Elk River,MN 55330www.chubaco.comLicense #BC628158

New Siding, Roofing & Windows

10% Project DiscountUp to $500 total discount, minimum order of $3,000. Validonly for new roofing, siding and/or window orders placed by May 30. Not valid on new construction or remodeling.

Limit one coupon per household.

“Trusted Local Experts Since 1972”

iF yOU’re GOinG tO the trOUBLe of making homeupgrades, opt for projects with lasting value that can improveyour comfort and safety. (Submitted photo.)

Manufacturers such as Fypon are turn-ing to polyurethane to create varying tex-tures for millwork, from smooth to stoneto woodgrain. These design pieces canhelp emphasize your house’s architecture,reflecting the style of your home and fur-nishings.

EntrywayYour home’s entryway should be wel-

coming, beautiful and energy-efficient. Tobetter insulate against cold and heat, andimprove long-term performance, considerupgrading to a fiberglass door. It’s a cost-effective home improvement project withtrue value. A 72 percent cost recouped ratefor new fiberglass doors and a solid fiber-glass door can be up to four times moreenergy efficient than solid wood.Brands like Therma-Tru carry ENER-

GYSTAR-qualified options to help yousave on utilities, and offer decorative fea-tures, such as privacy glass that is triple-paned to create an exceptional thermaland acoustical barrier. A new app avail-able for Android and Apple, entitledDoorWays, can help you visualize yournew entryway before making any pur-chases.


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Spring Builder Home Improvement Guide

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