"Gardener Guy' at Minnesota Arboretum, free landscape workshops

Master gardener Paul James, better known as HGTV's "Gardener Guy," will be at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this week for "An Evening With Paul James." James, who launched the TV program "Gardening by the Yard" in 1995 and is a spokesman for National Public Gardens Day, will answer audience members' garden-related questions.

James' appearance will be 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Oswald Visitor Center's MacMillan Auditorium. The event is free for members; free with gate admission ($12) for nonmembers. Complimentary coffee and lemonade will be available. The arboretum is at 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska.

In a hurry to get going on landscape and garden chores? Here's help. Gertens is offering free workshops on a wide variety of topics, from gardening to hardscape installation to lawn care.

Visitors can learn to "Grow Beautiful Containers" every Saturday in May at 1 p.m. Or learn about growing perennials on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and again on May 17 at 3 p.m. Growing veggies in containers is the topic at 5 p.m. this Thursday, followed by a workshop on growing root vegetables, at 6 p.m.

Other free upcoming workshops include small-space gardening, at 11 a.m. Saturday, and lawn care at 10 a.m. Saturday, repeated the next two Saturdays.

All workshops will be held at Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.

Want to design like a pro? Gabberts is offering a four-part class, taught by Pat Manning-Hanson, to teach interior design principles and techniques that you can use in your own home.

Next weekend is Mother's Day. Whether you're shopping for your mom — or with your mom — you can browse at the Mother's Day Market at the Eden Prairie Dunn Bros Coffee in the historic Smith Douglas More House.

Several dealers will be displaying their wares on Saturday and Sunday (Mother's Day), including old and new home furniture and decor, gifts and botanicals. In honor of Mother's Day and of breast-cancer survivors, artist Emily Hedberg of the Painted Clasp will make a special appearance. Hedberg is a Carver resident who survived breast cancer and started making jewelry as part of her recovery; she incorporates found objects, vintage buttons and beads into her hand-painted designs. For every bracelet she sells at this sale, she will donate a bracelet to a woman undergoing breast-cancer treatment at a Twin Cities hospital. Mimosas and brunch items will be available on Mother's Day.

Market hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 12 at 8107 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie.

Calling all fashionistas! If you love fashion and would like to incorporate its trends into your home decor, you'll find inspiration and ideas at Fashion + Interiors, an event at Lilu Interiors. The event will feature interior vignettes designed to reflect the style of live models outfitted in the latest fashions from local boutiques. This year's event also will include a runway show.

Fashion + Interiors will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Lilu Interiors, Suite 185, in International Market Square, Mpls. The event is free; wine tastings and light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Space is limited. Please RSVP to info@liluinteriors.com.

Mike Holmes' new book helps homeowners remodel their kitchens and bathrooms from the inside out.

Holmes, the builder known for righting construction wrongs on his HGTV shows "Holmes on Homes" and "Holmes Inspection," brings his same do-it-right attitude to "Mike Holmes Kitchens & Bathrooms." In the book, he preaches the importance of focusing first on the unseen parts of a renovation, the things that are under the surfaces or behind the walls.

Holmes helps his readers plan a remodel that fits their needs and is built to last. He explains the options available, advises them on hiring and working with a contractor and guides them on making the best choices. The book is sprinkled with tips and illustrated lavishly with photos to provide ideas and inspiration.

"Mike Holmes Kitchens & Bathrooms" is published by Time Home Entertainment and sells for $21.95 in softcover.

AKRON BEACON JOURNAL