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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Memorial Day BBQ? 8 Money-Saving Tricks (Sponsored)

Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are, you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party.   1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try…

House Hunt

House Hunt: Homes for Sale in Marietta

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

When You Need to Paint the House (Sponsored)

Everything you need to know about painting your house: stripping, powerwashing, fixing damaged wood and choosing paint colors. Sponsored by Home Depot.

It’s that time of year again and you’re outside, enjoying your yard. Then you start nosing around—maybe you’re inspecting your plants, or reviewing the condition of your lawn or setting up your sprinklers—and before you know it, reality hits. You need to paint the house.   A daunting task. An expensive task. A necessary task — because it's not just about how your house looks, it's about your home's value. Neglect is not an option. Take heart, however. Information and resources have never been more easily available to help you through this project. Know Your Options Your options are to either hire a contractor or paint it yourself. Hiring a contractor is an expensive option, but if it's in your budget and you do the necessary research to …

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

New Homes for Sale in Marietta This Week

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More Real Estate Listings >>

Friday, May 10, 2013

Get Out

Weekender: Garden Tour and Plant Sale, Train Day, BBQ Fest

Get out to celebrate National Train Day in Kennesaw, the fourth annual Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival in Acworth, Through the Garden Gate Garden Tour and Plant Sale in Marietta, and "Madagascar 3" in Smyrna.

Celebrate National Train Day in Kennesaw When: Saturday, May 11 from 9:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. Where: Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St NW, Kennesaw, GA Cost: $5 What: The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will celebrate National Train Day with special programs and an admission deal. Visitors must mention National Train Day to receive the discount; no additional discounts apply. Dr. Richard Banz, executive director of the Southern Museum, will give a presentation about the Great Locomotive Chase and the first Medals of Honor. 4th-Annual Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival When: Friday, May 10 from 6 to 10 p.m.and Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Cauble Park, 4425 Beach St, Acworth, GA …

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Spring Lawn Prep: Resources for Earth-Friendly Lawn Care

Want your grass to be greener? Here are some tips from the professionals and a list of local resources to help your lawn grow without harmful chemicals.

 If you want to have a lawn that is easier to take care of, safe to play on and beautiful to look at, then follow these tips from the pros this spring. Ditch The Chemicals Since 1994 Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual and founder of SafeLawns, has helped homeowners get beautiful lawns without harmful chemicals. Tukey became a leader in the natural lawn care industry after becoming sick himself from excessive exposure to pesticides. Tukey says in addition to keeping pets and children safer, “organic lawn care also conserves resources, saves money and ultimately saves time.” Start with the Soil Your first step to a beautiful lawn is a soil test, says Tukey. “Get a soil test and check the most important three factors: Organic …

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Marietta House Hunt, May 1-7

Find homes for sale in Marietta, from our partners at Zillow.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

New Homes For Sale in Marietta This Week

Find homes for sale in Marietta on this page every week, from our partners at Zillow.

More Real Estate Listings >>

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Saving Water: Resources for Homeowners and Families

From simple everyday changes to purchasing water efficient appliances, here's how homeowners and families can save water and protect our local environment.

Did you know only 1 percent of the total water resources on earth are available for human use? It's a fact, according the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Students at the Redmond, WA elementary school Explorer Community School know how to conserve water and protect water quality. They go on field trips to watch salmon returning to nearby rivers to spawn and they learn what not to toss down their drains at home that might hurt water quality and the creatures that live in their local streams and lakes. They also water the school’s garden with their parents in the summer with rainwater caught in two rain barrels. Lead teacher Susan O’Malley says that learning about water conservation from 1st grade on is part of the school’s …

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

20 Ways to Go Green in 2013

Did you make a green New Year's resolution? Check out these 20 tips to help you stick to your plan.

If you want to be kinder to the planet and save some money at the same time, here are 20 ways to go green in 2013. Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments sections below.

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