Show time: Mid-Minnesota Builders Association Home Show
Learning about indoor water quality or Geothermo Heating -things we can't see - to learning about decorating interior floors - things we can see - are the topics at the 28th annual Mid-Minnesota Builders Association's Home Show, March 27-29 at the Brainerd Civic Center.
Back
Cost is $2 for adults, with no charge for children 14 and younger. Spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to donate to the food shelf.
Colleen Faacks, MMBA executive officer, said nearly 5,000 people attended the home show last year, when 725 pounds of food and $97 was collected for the food shelf. Faacks anticipates attendance this year to be as good or better.
"With the warm weather, people are getting hungry to take things (at their homes) to the next level," Faacks said. "They're getting motivated to get their gardens in and to work on fix-up projects around their home. It's an exciting time for the home show."
If you go
What: The 2009 Mid-Minnesota Builders Association Home Show.
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. March 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 28, 1-4 p.m. March 29.
Where: Brainerd Civic Center.
Cost: Adults, $2; children 14 and under free. People are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the food shelf.
Jim Falconer of Radco Truck Accessory Center in Brainerd, the home show committee chair, said that with all the negative news on the housing market and the economy, the home show will offer a relaxing atmosphere to those who attend as well as a variety of information from builders to mortgage lenders.
Also featured will be KARE 11 garden expert Bobby Jensen of "Growing With KARE." Jensen will speak on "Simple Ways to be Green in your Garden" from 1-2 p.m. March 27 and from 4-5 p.m. March 28.
"Bobby Jensen was an exhibitor last year and this year we're tapping into his celebrity status," Faacks said. "I'm a huge fan of his and he works so well with the beginning gardeners on up. He makes people feel so comfortable with him."
The MMBA is bringing back "Big Projects for Little Builders," a popular seminar from last year's home show. Through the program, MMBA builder members partner with children 5 and older to make a bird feeder. Children will take home the bird feeder, along with bird seed, a T-shirt and a coloring book.
Last year, so many children enjoyed building bird feeders at the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association's Home Show that the MMBA is bringing back the program - "Big Projects for Little Builders" - to this year's home show March 27-29 at the Brainerd Civic Center.
The free seminars will be located in the back half of the Gold Medal Arena at the civic center. Falconer said the seminar location was changed to make it more convenient and easy for spectators to get to and because it offers more space and an area for staging.
Seminars for Friday, March 27:
• 11 a.m. to noon: "Storm Water, A Friend or Foe?" presented by Thirty Lakes Watershed District, will look at the downside and the upside of stormwater. The discussion also will include rain barrels and using native vegetation to control and purify stormwater.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m.: "Indoor Air Quality," presented by Mid State Refrigeration, will outline the components needed to have and maintain indoor air quality and its benefits.
• 5-6 p.m.: "Decorative Interior Floors," presented by Polished Concrete Images, will discuss the decorative options available in concrete.
Seminars for Saturday, March 28:
• 11 a.m. to noon: "Big Projects for Little Builders."
Bobby Jensen
• 1-2 p.m.: "Mortgages is today's Market," presented by Rels Title and Lakewood Bank, will provide an overview of the changes in the lending industry due to recent changes in the market.
• 2-3 p.m.: "Why Geothermo heat pump?" presented by Mid-American Energy, will explain the benefits of utilizing the earth's natural temperatures to heat and cool your home.
Seminars for Sunday, March 29:
• 12-1 p.m.: "Structurally Insulated Panels," presented by Simonson Lumber, will teach spectators why SIP-built homes are more energy efficient, stronger structures and environmentally friendly.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.