Continued: Do it now

DO IT NOW

Don't give up on your garden. Keep weeding, harvesting and watering. If you can, water early in the morning, before the temperature climbs. (You won't "burn" your plants if you water in midday, but you will lose water to evaporation.) Be sure to water trees and shrubs, too. A hot, dry summer can stress trees just as they're getting ready to head into winter, even though they may not show it.

HOT TICKET

You may go to the Minnesota State Fair to get your mini-doughnut fix, but you can get your home and garden fix there, too. Hit the Ag-Hort building to see the displays of blue-ribbon veggies, visit one of the 30 soothing gardens on the fairgrounds (maps are available at any State Fair info booth) or check out this year's Eco House, a "green" house built inside the Eco Experience outfitted with health-friendly furnishings.

WE SPOTTED IT

Green-living boutique Sunny Day Earth Solutions has added two lines of eco-friendly light bulbs to its Minneapolis retail operation.

Sunny Day said the light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs by Taossunto are made without mercury, save energy and are designed to last at least 30 years. Owner Ramy Selim is also stocking EcoSpirals, a next-generation compact fluorescent bulb that he said uses 67 percent less mercury than standard CFLs and is designed to contain mercury in case of spills.

Both come in several options; the LEDs cost $25 to $135; the EcoSpirals cost $4.50 to $5.25.

Selim said consumers are welcome to drop off used CFL bulbs at the store, 1000 26th Av. SE., for recycling.

WEB WATCH

www.preownedaerons.com

Home Office Solutions, certified to sell Herman Miller Aeron chairs, said it is now certified to sell preowned versions, too, warrantying them for 12 years from the date of purchase of the refurbished product. Company spokeswoman Amy Falk said the used chairs are inspected prior to resale for 29 points by technicians trained by Herman Miller. Site users can plug in options to add features to their chair to build on the basic $549 price.

WINNER'S CIRCLE

"Is your street a Linden Street?" JC Penney's latest contest asks that question. What's a Linden Street, you may ask in return. Well, it's the name of one of their brands, which "represents family life and creating a home environment that is not only cozy and stylish but can be lived in as well."

To be a grand-prize winner (of a $5,000 living room makeover and $5,000 toward a neighborhood party) all you have to do is write an essay that convinces the department store that your family demonstrates goodwill and gives back to the community. Entries are due Sept. 1. Go to www.isyourstreetalindenstreet.com.

CONNIE NELSON, KIM YEAGER

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