It's the time of year for a cleansing paperwork purge

Log beds such as this will be on display at the Log Home and Timber Frame Home Show at RiverCentre in St. Paul.

The Log & Timber Home Show is at the Minneapolis Convention Center this Friday through Sunday.

Last update: January 6, 2009 - 12:27 PM

DO IT NOW

It's the time of year for a cleansing paperwork purge. Gather items that you'll need to prepare your taxes and discard the ones you don't. But don't forget to hold on to your previous returns and paperwork in case they're needed again. Hastings-based Smead Manufacturing has several "one-minute" suggestions for organizing, including tax records, at www.smead.com. Choose the "Organomics" tab, then "One-minute answers."

HOT TICKET

Get an early case of cabin fever at the Log & Timber Home Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center this Friday through Sunday. The annual show features more than 100 exhibitors, including log- and timber-home builders, plus vendors selling supplies and finishing materials, furniture and lighting. There also will be free workshops and books for sale on building, buying and maintaining log homes. Tickets are $15 for adults; ages 18 and under are free. For more information, go to www.the logandtimberhomeshow.com.

WE SPOTTED IT

Tough economic times make one nostalgic for the good old days. These LP Vinyl Coasters hark back to the hot wax, pre-iPod era. Found at Truly, where shoppers can also find an LP "Purple Rain" bowl constructed from one of Prince's iconic hits. Truly, 2175 4th St., White Bear Lake, 651-426-8414; www.trulyonline.com. Coasters: $19.95 for a set of six random, assorted titles; bowl, $27.95.

STARTRIBUNE.COM

If you're tired of snow, remember what the summer looks like at www.startribune.com/gardens, where you can check out photos and video of the pastoral surroundings of previous winners of our annual Beautiful Gardens contest.

WEB WATCH

www.ecohomeresource.com

New to the plethora of sites that help users locate eco-friendly products or services, this one uses official third-party certification programs -- such as Energy Star and Green Seal -- to evaluate the effectiveness of certain products. There's also a nifty finder for the nearest location for dropping off batteries and paint for recycling.

WINNER'S CIRCLE

Fancy a new paint job for your home's exterior this spring? Owners can enter the Spruce Up Your Home contest until Feb. 1 for a chance to win one of eight $5,000 prizes (awarded geographically) to be used toward an exterior paint job, or a grand prize of $12,000 in cash for a paint job and $8,000 for additional home improvements. You need to submit an essay and a photograph; see details and enter at www.paintquality.com/spruceup.

KIM YEAGER, CONNIE NELSON