BROWSING:  Special Section

Roy Fields, Founder of EJ’s Garden, wanted to make sure that residents in his North Flint neighborhood never went hungry. In 2006, a grant-funded high tunnel hoop house (greenhouse) was built on a vacant corner lot on Brownell Blvd. An abandoned house on the property was razed in 2009 to create space for an outdoor garden, and a grant was obtained from the Ruth Mott Foundation to drill a well. “Since 2014, we have distributed fresh food throughout the community,” Fields shares. “There is a great need here.”

So, you are remodeling your basement – smart move! According to Redfin’s real estate experts, a basement renovation is one of the top ten ways to maximize your usable square footage and in turn, increase your home’s value.

2023 has revealed a few outdoor design trends, but two of them – mixed materials and bringing the indoors out – have maintained their previous popularity into the new year. New trends landscape designers are anticipating include more interest in sustainability, expanding the use of outdoor spaces and maximizing cutting-edge technology.

The PANTONE® Color Institute™ describes their choice for 2023 Color of the Year as “Vibrating with vim and vigor, rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.”

Ask a few gardeners what they like most about gardening and you’ll probably get a variety of answers. Some like working in the soil, the feel and smell of it. Some garden to enjoy the mood-boosting fresh air and sunshine. It’s a fun and relaxing way to get in touch with nature, and also has plenty of health benefits. Good for both the body and mind, gardening can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s very rewarding to keep plants healthy and alive. Plus, you get to marvel at the beautiful flowers and eat the delicious fruits, veggies and herbs that you grow. No wonder 55% of American households engage in gardening activities!

Think your space is ready for a new look but don’t know where to start? A Delta Faucet product designer shares her timeless kitchen and bathroom trends she’s seeing in real customers’ homes for a fresh look in 2023 that will last for years to come.

The needle drops and the voice rings out. “Dearly Beloved,” it says and you close your eyes as it hits you in perfect clarity, rolling like honey from the speakers. “We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Electric word, life – it means forever and that’s a mighty long time but I’m here to tell you there’s something else …” You continue to listen as you sink back into your most comfortable chair sitting alone in the proverbial acoustic sweet spot and when the beat hits, you let it all go – the stress, the anger, the frustration, and you lose yourself in the music. For a little while, there is nothing else.

Let’s face it: being active throughout one’s life takes work. The temptation to plop into a chair and watch our favorite shows or sporting events for hours on end is strong and even stronger when we are dealing with the natural aches and pains of aging. To further complicate matters, the more we remain sedentary, the harder it is to get up and get moving. Believe it or not, as we age, it’s movement and exercise that – depending on their severity – can help lessen our aches and pains.

If you’re a caregiver for a spouse or other family member at home, you already know how emotionally and physically challenging it can be. When you need to lift, turn or transfer a loved one to or from a wheelchair or bed, it can put added strain on your bones and joints.

I don’t think there is anyone who would disagree that the real estate market over the last few years has been anything but interesting. We watched home prices creep up, bidding wars push offers way above listed prices, houses selling after only hours on the market, and heavy appraisal guarantees covered by buyers because even the appraisers couldn’t provide values high enough to meet their offer prices.

When planning their weddings, many couples feel they have to do things a certain way because it’s just the way you’re “supposed to” do it! While “classic” can be a great go-to (it’s classic for a reason, right?) it’s become much more “okay” to step outside the box and let your personalities guide the vibe of your Big Day. Celebrate in your own way – it’s about YOU!

You’ve been invited to attend a grand wedding and you should feel honored that the happy couple wants to celebrate their marriage in your presence. Huzzah! It’s going to be a great party, but a sophisticated one. To show how much you value their friendship and support their union, follow a few time-honored rules of etiquette and continue being the rockstar friend that you are. Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts: