Trash or treasure
Trying to declutter and pare down your belongings? You may have questions about the value of some of your stuff. At the Declutter and Get Organized Event, the National Association of Professional Organizers will offer appraisals by James Marrinan and Bonnie Lindberg of Appraisal Specialists Midwest. Bring in your heirloom. Appraisals will be limited to the first 25 people to sign up and pay the $45 attendance fee online at napominnesota.com. Due to time limitations, dolls, wristwatches, jewelry, weapons or sports memorabilia will not be allowed. The event will be Oct. 3, with registration and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. followed by a program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants who register ahead for an appraisal must arrive and check in with their item by 6:15 p.m. or their spot will be forfeited. The event will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Park Place Hotel, 1500 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park.
Remodeled in Richfield
The city of Richfield is hosting a free "Renovation Celebration" featuring six remodeled homes. The homes have all undergone significant remodeling projects, demonstrating how their owners transformed their cramped kitchens, dated living spaces and mismatched additions into functional and beautiful homes for modern living.
The six homes will be open for touring from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8. Tour maps and more information are available at cityofrichfield.org/hometour or by calling the city's housing specialist at 612-861-9778.
Artisan design
Learn about creative Minnesota makers at a free event at Room & Board Edina. Rita Mehta, founder of the design blog the American Edit, will lead a conversation with Minnesota-based artisans Jackson Schwartz of Hennepin Made, Jim Bell of Bell Manufacturing and Adam Blitzer of Blue Claw. Guests will get insight into American craftsmanship, and the inspiration behind creating handcrafted products. Light bites and craft cocktails from Lawless Distilling will be served. The event will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, with the conversation beginning at 6 p.m. RSVP at roomand board.com/events/minnesotamakers or call 952-927-8835. Room & Board Edina is located at 7010 France Av. S., Edina.
Family fun
Celebrate fall at Gertens' annual Pumpkin Fest, every Saturday in October. Activities will include hayrides, apple tasting, a spooky maze, face painting, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting and more. Some activities include a small fee. On Oct. 22, there will be a kids costume contest at 11 a.m. with prizes for the winners. Food and beverages will be available every Saturday from Hometown Meat Food Truck and Pinde Tree Apple Orchard. Pumpkin Fest hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gertens is located at 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.
KIM PALMER
Eclectic living
The Luxury Loft, Condo and Apartment Tour covers the gamut from renting an upscale "boutique" apartment in the heart of downtown Minneapolis to buying a villa home on a golf course in the western suburb of Medina. The Midwest Home self-guided tour features nine sites in the metro area, open from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. A VIP Access and After Party is from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7; tickets are $25. Go to luxurylofttour.com.
Remodeling nuts and bolts
Castle Building & Remodeling and Natural Built Home will show off their 12 best remodeling projects from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2. And if you're considering a landscape makeover, visit the three sites designed by Field Outdoor Spaces. Remodeling experts will answer questions about planning, budgeting, trends, eco-friendly products and materials. Guidebooks for the free tour are at castlehometour.com.
Mod, mod tour
Fans of everything midcentury modern can get an inside look at six innovative and creative modern homes across the Twin Cities. Docomomo US/MN Minnesota Modern Tour Day on Oct. 8 celebrates "Modernism in Your Backyard" with a tour of modern architecture ranging from a Ralph Rapson glassed cube in Chanhassen to a Norman Nagle residence in St. Paul. The annual event promotes awareness and appreciation of buildings, interiors and landscapes built during the mid-20th century. West metro homes are open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and east metro homes are open 1 to 3 p.m. An After Party is 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Norman Nagle house. Tickets: $50 ($30 for members), $15 for students with valid ID. Tickets can be bought online or tour day at home locations. Go to http://bit.ly/2d7F0b9.
LYNN UNDERWOOD
