Home & Garden

It usually happens in an instant.  A thought comes to your mind and the light bulb goes off in your head- “I think our home needs an update or we should remodel!”
So what do you do? Where do you begin? Naturally, it starts with a plan.  Your first step is to figure out what you would like to do and what areas of your home need remodeling. Remember, it always begins with an idea.

From the Domestic Violence Center of the SCV Board of Directors

These last few years have been very difficult ones for the Valley’s only Domestic Violence Center.  Devastating cuts in state funding, loss of our offices and of our executive director, all within a few short months, have been challenging to say the least.

The Santa Paula Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of From the Classics to Plein Air, an exhibition of art from Ventura artist, Tony Jankowski.  The Museum is located at 117 North 10th Street in historic downtown Santa Paula.  The exhibition will run through August 15.  

From chart-topping pop, R&B and rock classics, to traditional Broadway, opera and mariachi to dance and acrobatics to family matinees and evening cabaret —plus a special Opening Night performance by Grammy Award-winning vocalist Michael Bolton — the 2010-11 season at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons will include something for everyone.

You don’t have to imagine the benefits of bottled water quality from every tap with EcoPur by DuPure International.  It’s all built in!  Imagine, spot free glasses, dishes and silverware from your dishwasher.  You won’t have to imagine your dishwasher operating efficiently with EcoPurby DuPure International.  Just enjoy the efficiency of your dishwasher.

The term “Hybrid” has been used frequently over the last two decades for many things from fruits, vegetables, and farm animals to fertilizers, plastics and automobiles.  Hybrid can be defined as the “offspring of genetically different parents.”  Often, the hybrid product can be more efficient than what it is replacing.  As technology improves, the costs generally go down and quality improves.
Now let us apply this definition to Santa Clarita, Castaic and Stevenson Ranch. 

The flowering cherry tree is a very popular landscape tree. When they are in full bloom, they will surely provide the best aesthetics in any garden.  They can make any yard bloom with the wonderful colors of spring. Cherry trees can have red, black or gray bars.  This can go well with the flowers in white and various shades of pink. The Flowering Almond cherry tree can even have mixed colors on its own.

The City of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park series is one of the most popular summertime traditions year after year. The free annual concert series begins July 10th and runs through August 28, with all shows starting Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Central Park.
The 2010 series will kick off on July 10 with a performance by Incendio. Famous for their invigorating live shows and four critically acclaimed albums, the band showcases an infectious world fusion and Latin guitar sound sure to bring even the most reserved concert attendees to their feet.

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.  So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and comfort.  Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

One of the most important design elements in a beautifully designed home is custom drapery.  Properly designed and fabricated window fashions add beauty, texture and softness to your room.  I always add them to a client’s room design!
Draperies add a vertical element to your room to draw the eye upward and visually increase the space.  With so many hard surfaces used in today’s homes, fabric window fashions add much needed softness and sound absorption.

The foundation of Advantage Tile Stone Design was laid 29 years ago by one man installing ceramic tile to support his family.  That one man, through years of hard work and sweat, built a company that installs tile, fabricates granite, sells and installs carpet and hardwood.  Today, John Gragg is the CEO of Advantage Tile Stone Design, a company created to bring the latest trends and materials to the residents and neighbors of the Santa Clarita Valley. 

Sunny days of summer inspire dreams of enjoying one’s garden, and now is the perfect time to live those dreams.  Your perfect place needs to beckon your escape at the day’s end.  It should bring romance to your garden, and accommodate family and friends in cool comfort.  A beautiful patio with the right choice in quality outdoor furniture will complete your garden, and be your sanctuary.

Ever wondered what it’s like to enjoy your brand new kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of?  With house prices picking back up in this new challenging market, now is the perfect time to invest into your home remodeling project.
There are many options to choose from when looking to remodel your kitchen or bathroom.  Some of those options are custom made cabinets and pre-built cabinet lines. 

First of all, what is all this Green Stuff?  Basically being Green means taking care of our earth, or being a good ecological steward.
Saving our planet’s resources is everyone’s responsibility.  That means not wasting water, electricity, gas, or simply recycling our trash.  We all can be more aware and start if you haven’t already, contribute to the Green purpose.

There is nothing better than enjoying the backyard with good food and great friends.  In order to really enjoy the meal and company, you should have patio furniture that is both comfortable and a reflection of your personal style.  Until recently, indoor furniture was designed to be stylish and elegant, while outdoor furniture was rugged and unattractive.  These days it is hard to tell the difference between indoor and outdoor furniture. 

The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank has honored three non-profit organizations, including the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, for their outstanding commitment to helping the needy in Los Angeles County.  The SCV Food Pantry was presented the Community Spirit Award, which is given to an agency that demonstrates excellence in community service.

On Monday, May 17, 2010, the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association voted in Olga Kaczmar as president. Outgoing president Alice Nelson has moved out of state. “I’m still keeping my post as publicity chair to keep the community posted of all SCAA art events,” says Kaczmar, “to achieve SCAA’s mission statement of Making Visual Art Visible in the community.”