'Gifting' a new kitchen

'Gifting' a new kitchenDo you have a favorite community group? Maybe it's a food shelf, a youth program or your local firefighters. Many such groups have headquarters that are in need of repair.

Family Handyman invites you to "show your community heroes how much you care" by nominating them in its Rescue Remodel Contest. The winning group will receive a $25,000 Ikea kitchen makeover, customized to the winning group's needs.

To nominate your favorite group, visit www.rescueremodel.com. But do it this week. The deadline for entries is Saturday.

New pop-up shopOmforme Design describes its goods as "Happy vintage for happy people." The online-only dealer (its name is Norwegian for "to transform") has opened a temporary location in the Warehouse District.

Called Pop-Up Shop, the store features midcentury vintage, upcycled and newer pieces, as well as artworks by Drew Beson. A portion of sales will be donated to Smile Network International, an organization that funds surgeries for children with facial defects.

Pop-Up Shop, at 211 N. 1st St., Suite 150, will be open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Saturday. For more information, visit www.omformedesign.com.

KIM PALMER

Helping her cause is a foreword by Robert Redford, who just might be the country's best-known environmentalist.

Koones' book spotlights 32 homes that require little or no energy from utility companies for heating, cooling, lighting and other needs. The homes are varied in size and use an array of prefabrication methods, including modular components, structural insulated panels and steel frames. They also represent a range of styles, from spare modern structures to traditional farmhouses and Craftsman homes.

Koones profiles each house, sharing such specifics as the design challenges the owners faced, the construction details and green features incorporated. Sidebars give more detailed explanations of sustainable features and terminology.

"Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid: Your Path to Building an Energy-Independent Home" is published by Abrams and sells for $24.95 in hardcover.