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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, December 27, 2007 The Buzz Early warning buzzer: The 20th annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show is set for Feb. 20 to 24 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. This year's show will feature 26 world-class display gardens, 120 how-to seminars and an appearance by Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field, who will speak on the health benefits of gardening. Gardeners can also expect to see top trends explored at the show, including the growing demand for container gardens for condo owners and the emergence of a new breed of gardening enthusiasts. Tickets are $19 for adults. See www.gardenshow.com or call 206-789-5333 for tickets or details. Energy update: Tired of paying energy bills? Well, maybe someday, you won't have to shell out nearly as much. Homes of the future will simply manufacture their own power. That's the dream behind the Zero Energy Idea House, a Bellevue project by Issaquah-based Shirey Contracting. Scheduled to be completed this spring, the 1,700-square-foot home will show how comfortable and stylish an energy-efficient house can be by generating its own solar and wind power, while minimizing energy needs through a vegetated green roof, structural insulated panel construction and other features. Donna Shirey, president of Shirey Contracting and a longtime advocate for green building, hopes to increase awareness of products and systems that can help inspire homeowners to move toward energy independence. Located at Bass Cove just off West Lake Sammamish Boulevard, the Zero Energy Idea House will blend cutting-edge green products and systems with inspiring and modern design elements. Construction is slated to begin in February. Interested parties can watch the progress and learn about new products at www.zeroenergyideahouse.com, where the project will be thoroughly documented. Crack repair: James and Morris Carey offer this advice on fixing settling cracks in a textured ceiling. There are texturing materials in spray form that may match the pattern. They should be available at home improvement centers. However, if you cannot find the matching finish, you may want to hire a professional. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, it will help maintain the quality and value of your home. It's also unlikely to be a very expensive repair. Herald staff and news services

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