Gimme Shelter


GIMME SHELTER- Boring bees: More buzz than bite Published on May 14th, 2009 0 comments Peter WarrenVirginia Cooperative Extension, Agriculture & Natural Resources agentFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: I have large bees buzzing around my house and boring holes in the wood. What...
GIMME SHELTER- Planting a seed: Help kids grow with gardening Published on May 7th, 2009 0 comments Dr. Diane RelfEmeritus Professor, Virginia Tech Department of HorticulturePHOTO COURTESY DIANE RELF Q: Our young children have expressed interesting in helping us garden. They think it would be...
GIMME SHELTER- Fresh eyes: Liven up space with a new look Published on Apr 30th, 2009 0 comments Caroline Andersson-HenriUpstairs-Downstairs InteriorsPHOTO COURTESY CAROLINE-ANDERSSON-HENRI Q: Now that spring is here, I want to spruce up my space. What can I do to liven things up without...
GIMME SHELTER- Pets gone green: Environmental ways to care for critters Published on Apr 2nd, 2009 0 comments Dr. Richard FreedmanV.M.D., Albemarle Veterinary Health Care CenterPHOTO BY LAURA BURNS Q: I feel like we've made a real effort to care for the environment around our home, but I worry about all...
GIMME SHELTER- Cover up: How to prevent clogged drains Published on Mar 26th, 2009 0 comments Kevin BurnsOwner, Blue Ridge RooterPHOTO BY LAURA BURNS Q: My sink drain keeps clogging up, and every once in a while my toilet backs up. How can I prevent blockage in my household drains? A: In...
GIMME SHELTER- Lights out: Store holiday lights for less stress in 2009 Published on Jan 9th, 2009 0 comments Jim HarshawAlbemarle Window Cleaning, Holiday Lighting SpecialistsFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: Every year its such a hassle breaking out our Christmas decorations and lights– they're either...
GIMME SHELTER- Gimme Ten: The 2008 Gimme Shelter Top Ten Published on Dec 25th, 2008 0 comments Every year, dozens of trades people and professional experts in their field, including gardeners, contractors, plumbers, real estate agents, electricians, vets, landscapers, and exterminators, donate...
GIMME SHELTER- Holiday blooms: How to save your poinsettias Published on Nov 27th, 2008 1 comments Peter WarrenAgent, Virginia Cooperative ExtensionPHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: My kids always give me poinsettias for the holidays, but I cannot seem to keep them alive afterwards. What am I doing wrong?...
GIMME SHELTER- Short sights: Can you make money in foreclosures? Published on Nov 20th, 2008 0 comments Ray CaddellCentury 21, Ray Caddell & AssociatesPHOTO COURTESY RAY CADDELL Q: I hear a lot about the increase in foreclosures, both nationally and locally, but I'm confused by all the terminology...
GIMME SHELTER- Energy: Start saving it now! Published on Nov 13th, 2008 0 comments this Week's expert: ERIC GILCHRIST Q: We're not quite ready to spend the money to overall our home to make it more energy efficient, but we'd like to get started. What are some no cost or low cost...
GIMME SHELTER- Wood you? How to install a wood stove Published on Nov 6th, 2008 0 comments Bryan ParleeVP Acme Stove CompanyFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: I don't have a fireplace, but I'd like to save on my heating bill this winter by installing a wood stove. How difficult would it be to...
GIMME SHELTER- Energy audits: Where are your energy $$$ going? Published on Oct 30th, 2008 0 comments Mandi BurbageProject Manager, Charlottesville Community Design CenterFILE PHOTO BY HOOK STAFF Q: We'd like to make sure our home is more energy efficient this winter and in years to come, but where...
GIMME SHELTER- Butchered tree: What to do when magnolia gets limbed Published on Oct 23rd, 2008 0 comments Dave RoseneCertified Arborist & General Manager, Van Yahres Tree CompanyFILE PHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER Q: I hired what I thought was a reputable tree company to trim a few limbs near the base of a...
GIMME SHELTER- Couch cocktail: Apply alcohol, soda to stains Published on Oct 16th, 2008 0 comments Kevin BarnardRudy's Rug & Carpet CleanersPHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: Help! After applying a greasy ointment to a road rash he got in a bike accident, my son plopped down on my upholstered couch....
GIMME SHELTER- Just bulbs: Dreaming of a green Christmas Published on Oct 9th, 2008 0 comments Jim HarshawAlbemarle Window Cleaning & Holiday Lighting Service, 906-9228.PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: Okay, so it might be a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but this year we want to...
GIMME SHELTER- Rock on! Building a wall takes patience Published on Oct 2nd, 2008 0 comments William VlasisIvy Corner Gardening Center & LandscapingPHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: I want to build a simple rock wall in my yard, but I've never done it before. What should I know before I get...
GIMME SHELTER- Eat your yard: A juicy primer on edible landscaping Published on Sep 25th, 2008 1 comments Michael McConkeyEdible Landscaping, website: www.eat-it.com.PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL MCCONKEY Q: I've heard a little bit about "edible landscaping" but would like to know more. What exactly is it? And...
GIMME SHELTER- Web of spiders? Get rid of those other insects! Published on Sep 11th, 2008 5 comments John AshcraftHolistic Pest SolutionsPHOTO COURTESY JOHN ASHCRAFT Q:The are so many spiders setting up shop in the eaves around my house, especially above my outside deck, where I keep walking into...
GIMME SHELTER- When the leaves fall: Choose composting over bagging Published on Sep 11th, 2008 0 comments Norm CarlsonSnow's Garden Center PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: It's almost that time again. So what's the best way to deal with the fall leaves on my lawn? Don't they hurt the grass? And what about...
GIMME SHELTER- Want better bulbs? Get ahead of the game this fall Published on Sep 4th, 2008 3 comments Peter WarrenVirginia Cooperative Extension, Agriculture & Natural ResourcesFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: Isn't fall the best time to plant spring flowering bulbs? If so, I'd like to get ahead of...
GIMME SHELTER- Let's get grillin': How to build a backyard firepit Published on Aug 28th, 2008 0 comments FILE PHOTO BY LUCIE STONE Q: We just moved to town and want to take advantage of the last few days of summer. Any suggestions for building an easy and inexpensive backyard firepit? A: One main...
GIMME SHELTER- House shopping? Choose the right buyer's agent Published on Aug 21st, 2008 0 comments Jim DuncanCentury 21 Manley, realcentralva.comFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: They say its a buyer's market now, and we're thinking of jumping in. Any tips on choosing a buyer's agent? A: Take your...
GIMME SHELTER- Cool it: Tips to keep the temperature down Published on Aug 14th, 2008 0 comments Q: Yikes! I just got my electric bill, and it was through the roof! In these dog days of summer, is there anything that can be done? A: Don't sweat your electric bill– it's usually highest in...
GIMME SHELTER- Ice box blues? Eliminate stinky fridge smells Published on Jul 24th, 2008 1 comments Kate CollierFeast!FILE PHOTO BY JEN FARRIELLO Q: I'd like to make the most of my refrigerator and keep the food in my fridge fresh longer. What do you recommend? A: The keys to keeping your...
GIMME SHELTER-Got junk mail? Opt out and save some trees Published on Jul 17th, 2008 1 comments Sue BattaniCville Concierge & My Recycling ClubPHOTO BY WILL WALKER Q:We are dutiful recyclers, but what can we do to stop the flow of junk mail to our house? It seems like such a waste. A...
GIMME SHELTER- Sting operation: How to shoo yellowjackets Published on Jul 10th, 2008 0 comments Peter WarrenVirginia Cooperative Extension, Agriculture & Natural ResourcesFILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Q: What's up with the yellowjackets? Why are they hanging out at my picnic table, and...
GIMME SHELTER- Fresh air fan? Open a window, keep it moving Published on Jul 3rd, 2008 0 comments Alec CargileLithic ConstructionPHOTO COURTESY ALEC CARGILE Q: What can be done to improve the air quality and air circulation in our house? Will fans do the trick, or should we be thinking about...
GIMME SHELTER- Going green: Conserving water in little ways Published on Jun 26th, 2008 0 comments Tim CottenBenjamin Franklin PlumbingPHOTO COURTESY TIM COTTEN Q: I'm trying to make the "green" movement a way of life, rather than a trend. I've switched to eating local produce and drive a...
GIMME SHELTER- Going green: Conserving water in little ways Published on Jun 26th, 2008 0 comments Tim CottenBenjamin Franklin PlumbingPHOTO COURTESY TIM COTTEN Q: I'm trying to make the "green" movement a way of life, rather than a trend. I've switched to eating local produce and drive a...
GIMME SHELTER- Summer partying: Be creative and chill out Published on Jun 19th, 2008 0 comments Jennifer CarrollJennifer Carroll Events, LLCPHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER CARROLL Q: My wife and I want to throw a party this summer, but with the heat wave we've been having we worry that one on party...