The Charlotte Observer Home & Garden News

In the past few years, three species of birds have expanded their breeding ranges into the greater Charlotte area. I checked for them recently and was glad to see all have returned.

Swainson's warblers are one of the most sought-after warbler species in North Carolina. They are not too hard to hear in the Coastal Plain and some areas of the mountains, but their occurrence in the Piedmont is limited.

One singing bird has returned to Six Mile Creek Greenway off Marvin Road.

Warbling vireos occur in the lower elevations of the mountains around rivers and lakes, and in just a few scattered locations in the Piedmont. At least one bird has returned to the wetland behind the hhgregg store near Concord Mills.

As many as three birds have been heard there in other years, so there could be more.

Baltimore orioles occur in similar habitats to the warbling vireo in the mountains.

At least two males of this species were seen April 24 acting territorial at the north end of Lake Don T. Howell, west of Kannapolis.

It is encouraging to see some species still able to expand their nesting ranges. Let's all hope they are successful.

A petite 6 inches high and about as wide, chives offer interesting needle-like foliage and globular purple flowers that add a unique dimension. They are most often used as a culinary herb.

In the garden, the purple blossoms of chives are a favorite stop for pollinating bees. Planting clumps of chives with your vegetables can improve pollination.

The flowers, though strongly scented, have a long vase life and when dried hold their color nicely.

Chives are a snap to grow and easily propagated by seed either out of the packet or self sown from a previous blossom that wasn't deadheaded. Young plants are sold in garden centers.

Unlike typical perennial herbs where the crown and roots are divided, the chive plant is a collection of tiny bulbs in a clump. To propagate, gently separate the bulbs into smaller clumps and replant.

Give them full sun, in very well drained soil. They don't tolerate wet soil well as the tiny bulbs may rot, especially in winter.

They are however, tolerant of a wide pH range. To harvest, snip the stems periodically throughout spring and summer. Once the plant begins to flower the stems tend to get tougher.

The fight centers on an unusual agreement reached in March among Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, their federal regulator, and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The agreement took the form of an out-of-court settlement under which Cuomo terminated an investigation of the mortgage finance giants' appraisal practices in exchange for their adoption of a far-reaching “home valuation code of conduct” covering all loans they purchase or securitize.

The code, which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, would shake up the entire appraisal system.

Mortgage brokers, who originate roughly 60 percent of all new loans, no longer would be allowed to select or pay appraisers. That could force some mortgage shoppers to pay for multiple appraisals.

In-house appraisers at banks and mortgage firms no longer would be permitted to do appraisals for loans to be funded by their organizations.

Lenders would not be able to use appraisals generated by management companies – firms that contract with networks of appraisers nationwide – if they have a significant financial stake in the management company.

Under the agreement, Fannie and Freddie would spend $24 million over the next five years to create and staff a new “independent valuation protection institute” to monitor appraisal standards and provide a complaint hotline for appraisers and consumers.

What's the big problem here? Inflated appraisals played a role in at least some of the mess we're seeing in many housing markets.

Prodding Fannie and Freddie to undertake appraisal reform sounds like a good idea, right? But critics say: Not if you look hard at the details.

When the two mortgage companies and Cuomo recently asked for public and industry comment on the settlement, they were inundated with often-angry responses.

Who's not happy? Major financial and banking trade groups, for starters.

In a joint letter, eight groups including the American Bankers Association, Mortgage Bankers Association and the Consumer Mortgage Coalition, called the whole idea “bad policy,” and demanded that Fannie's and Freddie's federal regulator withdraw its support for the agreement.

In their witheringly critical comment letter, the groups said the settlement, sanctioned by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, violated federal statutes and permits one state – New York – “to unlawfully exercise authority that resides exclusively in the federal government.”

Fannie, Freddie and Cuomo say they will look at the critiques and make modifications if necessary. But federally regulated banks and mortgage companies are so angry that they are likely to challenge the legality of the entire settlement in court and demand an injunction.

In the end, after all the smoke clears, there's a shot at an improved, consensus appraisal system: Much tougher penalties for lenders who pressure appraisers, much tougher penalties for appraisers who give in, and more accurate appraisals for the consumers who pay for them.

Q. To cut down on the amount of lawn that has to be mowed and make the front yard look better, I'm going to start preparing some new beds for shrubs and perennials now so I can plant in the fall. I'd like 1 or 2 kinds of shrubs, preferably evergreen, that will stay under 3 or 4 feet or that can be cut back to be that size without spoiling the plants' look. Any suggestions?

You are wise to cut the size of your lawn, and a mixed bed of shrubs and perennials has endless potential for pleasure. Think of these shrubs as a way to help define the shape of this bed. If they will be viewed from two directions, set them through the middle, either as a line swirling gently or in zigzag fashion. That way you can plant both sides of the bed with perennials.

There are many to choose from among shorter evergreens. Otto Luyken laurel rises about 3 feet, but spreads wide, to about 5 feet, and would be a good choice if those beds are quite large. Its shiny deep green leaves make a good background plant for flowers. Indian hawthorn, rising 3 to 4 feet and spreading 4 to 5 feet, makes a lovely flowering shrub, with many varieties on the market. It looks good in mass, especially when the white or pink flowers bloom in spring. In full sun, this is a good alternative to azaleas, though some of the shorter ones could suit your space.

The little gardenias named Radicans are excellent plants for this climate, with lovely scented flower in early summer. The foliage is good looking and plants rise to about 2 feet, spreading to 3 feet. This plant requires patience while it settles down and starts growing, but it is a reliable bloomer and the foliage is lovely.

Hooray for reds, whites and blues

Q. I'd like to do a red, white and blue theme for my yard this summer. I have two extremes. I need flowers for total shade (north side) and full sun (south side).

Naturally there are more to choose from among the annuals for your home's sunny side: petunias in red, white and blue, white or blue angelonia, fluffy white Diamond Frost euphorbia, red salvia, verbena in all three colors and blue or white scaveola.

Since you are looking for summer bedding plants, the shady side of your house has fewer choices, though all are good. Modern New Guinea impatiens include some bright true reds and clear whites that are very fresh looking. Bedding begonias, too, offer good choices in red and white flowers. Together, they will get you going on red and white.

The best blue is one of the torenias, a cute little trailing plant that comes in a range of blues from light to dark as well as violet.

Parade of Homes: Mecklenburg and adjacent counties.

What: Annual Parade of Homes, featuring more than 140 new homes by the Charlotte area's top builders. More homes are furnished this year than ever, and there are more custom homes than ever in the showcase hosted by the Home Builders Association of Charlotte. Many of the homes are furnished; prices range from the $100,000s to more than $3 million.

When: Friday-Sunday, through May 25. Hours are noon-6 p.m. Fridays, 10a.m.-

6p.m. Saturdays, 1-6 p.m. Sundays.

Where: For a map and information, including retailers offering tour booklets, visit www.hbacharlotte.com/parade ofhomes.cfm.

Admission: The self-guided tour is free. You also can pick up tour booklets with floor plans, maps and driving directions at any parade home.

What: Showhouse – actually two elegant condos in The Trust in uptown Charlotte – decorated by members of the Interior Design Society. The Trust is the former Home Federal Savings and Loan Building.

When: Now open Wednesday-Sunday, through May 24. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-5p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Tickets are $15 at the door. Information: www.idscharlotte.com or http://thetrustcharlotte.com thetrustcharlotte.com .

What: Parade of Homes hosted by the Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley, featuring 35 new houses.

When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: The tour is free and self-guided. Map and other details: www.hickory hbaparade.com.

What: 13th annual Home & Garden Tour hosted by Belmont Woman's Club, featuring five homes and an afternoon tea. The Belmont Historical Society also will be open.

When: 1-5 p.m. May 18.

Admission: Tickets $20; available on tour day at the homes or at Stowe Manor.

What: Annual pottery show and sale hosted by Carolina Claymatters Pottery Guild. Work from more than 45 potters includes items from functional to whimsical. Event also features live music and demonstrations.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today. May 10.

Admission: Free. Information: www.caro linaclaymatters.org

What: Tour of eight gardens, along with demonstrations and reception.

When: Next Saturday, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Admission: Tickets are $20 on tour day at Market Hall, 200 Market St. Tickets $17.50 in advance (843-537-2821). Combination garden/carriage ride tickets $27.50.

Allen Norwood

You know you always peek inside your neighbor's home whenever you notice the door is open. And as soon as he catches you, you pretend you weren't looking because you're that nosy, or rather, interested in learning more about the way other Americans live. Flipping through the pages of “America at Home: A Close-Up Look at How We Live” (Running Press; $40; hardcover) by Rick Smolan and Jennifer Erwitt might satisfy your curiosity. The book is a visual presentation of what “home” means to Americans. Photos capture intimate moments, emotions and rituals that take place inside mobile homes, tree houses, tenement houses, ranches, retirement homes and McMansions. Facts and statistics about family life are scattered throughout. Readers can customize the book cover with their own photo by visiting http://myamericaathome.com my

ame

rica

at

home.

com . Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel

It's time again for Therma-Tru's annual Ugly Door contest. A Matthews couple won two years ago, so you know there's a chance that you could win a new door worth up to $5,000. The contest began May 1 and entries will be accepted through July1. To enter, just submit pictures of your ugliest door. Therma-Tru will announce two winners: one in a video category and a second in a written essay category. Both will be announced by Tom Kraeutler of “The Money Pit” radio program. The winners will receive a Therma-Tru fiberglass door system. For more on rules and regulations, and to enter, got to www. my ugly door. com. Allen Norwood

Dogs chew all sorts of stuff around the house (even if they're not Lab puppies). You can protect your cabinets, doors, furniture – and window sills – with a product called Don't Chew Dare. The all-natural product is from Kathy Santo Everyday Pets. The scent repels your dog, the maker says, but not you. Made with essential oils; clary sage, spearmint and rosemary and certified organic herbs; patchouli, sandalwood and peppermint leaf. Available at select pet stores, and online at www.kathysanto .com for $13.95. Available as spray, and as wipes (that can be used to protect your cell phone). -- Observer news services

The maker of the Drill Doctor 350X, a drill bit sharpening tool, is offering a $20 coupon - just in time for Father's Day. An Internet coupon is included in the box, giving the buyer a credit toward the online purchase of supplies and accessories. The DD350X sharpens most popular drill bit types and sizes from 3/32-inch to 1/2-inch. The diamond sharpening wheel replaces easily. The new on-chuck alignment feature simplifies the sharpening process. The Drill Doctor 350X retails for $79.95. Available at Sears. Lowe's, The Home Depot, Ace, True Value and direct at www.drill doctor.com. -- Observer news services

Fix for cold problems with fluorescent lights

Q: I understand that compact fluorescent lights (CFL) don't work in cold weather. So what I am supposed to use in my unheated garage and outdoor light fixtures?

You're right, the starting system or ballast of the average CFL is for indoor use. It won't perform well in low temperatures - generally, the colder it is, the worse it is. The bulb might come on, but might not come up to full light, or it will take a long time to get there.

You'll need to buy a specialty CFL, one fitted with a cold-weather ballast. Called cold cathode technology, these ballasts are similar to what's used in neon lights and they give CFLs a much higher success rate in the cold.

Cold-weather CFls are offered by several manufacturers; check the temperature rating on the label.

They'll cost more than the average CFL, $17 to $25, but will last about 25,000 hours. Be sure to save your receipt. If you don't get the performance stated on the label - for temperature or life expectancy - take the bulb back to the retailer.

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Q: My pool is 20 years old. The deep end looks like it has sunk in the ground some 2 inches over the low end. Currently, the water line is centered on the tile on the low end, and it's three-quarters of the way up the tile on the deep end. How can I level the pool or fix it so it looks level? I was considering hiring a soils engineer to ensure the deep end is stable before proceeding. What should I do?

Before spending any money on a fix, we suggest you find out the cause of the problem. Could there be a leak in the plumbing under or around the shell causing the ground to wash out under the structure? Could you have an area where decaying material (such as a tree stump left) has disintegrated, or has the earth just naturally shifted? It is hard to tell what is happening underground.

The first step is to determine whether your pool is leaking. “The best way to accomplish this is to hire a leak-detection professional to check your pool shell and pressure-test the pool plumbing,” says Steve Bludsworth, owner of All-Pool Service & Supply in Orlando, Fla.

As you mentioned, you will need the expertise of a soils engineer along with a licensed and insured swimming pool contractor who has a separate pool-popping insurance policy. The pool must have the hydraulic pressure around the pool shell and deck stabilized before the pool is emptied to prevent any further shifting of the pool structure.

The soils engineer will inspect, test and determine what is happening to your pool by means of soil samples around the pool-deck perimeter, under the pool deck itself, and the sides and bottom of the shell. This is accomplished by using an auger bit in the dirt outside the deck area and a core drill to obtain soil samples from behind and under the pool structure.

“After obtaining those samples and analyzing them, the soils engineer will give you a written report with the options, costs and recommended repairs,” if repairs can be made, says Tony Caruso, owner of T.C. Water Features in Orlando.

In many cases, pressure grouting is used to stabilize settling pools, as well as homes, buildings and roads. Pressure grouting involves pumping cement under a structure to fill voids and stabilize soil. When the cement hardens, it acts like a footer to help support the pool structure when the soil alone cannot.

It is important to hire a pressure-grouting company that is familiar with stabilizing swimming pools. This type of work is done alongside a licensed swimming pool contractor, who will keep the pool empty and control any ground water so the pressure grouter can perform the repair properly.

Make sure any estimates for the work are in writing and provided by licensed, insured and trained professionals before starting this repair. Interview several pool contractors about your pool, and ask them to recommend a soils engineer they have worked with before. Make sure you select a soils engineer who is state licensed.

As you can see, this is not a do-it-yourself job.

Removing old, unstrippable wallpaper is widely known to be a miserable chore, but we found a technique that made pretty short work of it.

Wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses, peel off the decorative top layer of the old wallpaper to reveal the paper backing that is likely to be stuck stubbornly to the wall.

Fill a spray bottle with hot tap water, then mist a section of paper until you can see drips develop. (If the room is heated, turn down the heat to reduce evaporation so the paper will stay damp longer.) After five minutes, repeat with fresh, piping hot water, then wait again.

Using a large sponge and a dishpan, liberally apply a commercial wallpaper stripping solution. We used a product called M-1 Wallpaper Remover by a company named Jomaps. Give the solution another five minutes to soak in and soften paper and paste.

Take a long-handled scraper with a 4- or 5-inch-wide replaceable blade. Push the scraper away from you, angled to remove paper and paste. The angle is key, and will take some experimenting: Too low an angle and the scraper will not do its job; too high and it will gouge the plaster or drywall surface, which will need to be repaired with spackling compound. Practice in an inconspicuous area until you get the feel for it. A long, strong stroke should remove the paper efficiently.

Change the blade when it begins to lose its edge. An average-sized room may take six to eight blades.

If you reach a stubborn area, repeat the wetting and waiting steps.

Stand back and admire the clean wall you have uncovered, ready for a fresh look.

Heated area: 2,318 square feet Garage: 506 square feet Porches: 672 square feet Deck: 180 square feet Width: 79' Depth: 50'

Informal elegance makes this brick home a haven for gracious living. Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor enhance the spacious feel.

The foyer and family room have soaring sloped ceilings. A charming second floor balcony overlooks them. French doors in the family room and formal dining room open onto the side porches.

The kitchen has an island cook top, a handy pantry plus a large bar separating the work area from the dinette. The screened porch and deck are convenient to the kitchen.

The first-floor master bedroom is large, private and boasts two walk-in closets plus a roomy bath with double vanities. The laundry is adjacent to the master bedroom. The powder room opens from the short hall leading to the double garage.

In the half story are two additional bedrooms, the hall bath, plus access to the unfinished attics over the garage and master bedroom.