Home Front Home Front (June 10, 2005)

SOLAR HEATING A-Z. . . The City of Palo Alto is offering a series of free workshops focusing on conserving energy, beginning tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon, at Lucie Stern Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Upcoming topics include: June 25, Residential Green Building & Remodeling; July 16, How Much Water Does Your Garden Need?; July 23, Improving Your Home's Energy Efficiency. Tomorrow's workshop is about using solar thermal for heating water, home or pool. For information, call (650) 329-2241.

TIME TO LEARN . . . Summer classes offered through the Palo Alto Adult School include: "Upholstering: Basic Techniques," Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning June 14 or June 16 ($75); "Gardening in Summer," Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, beginning June 15 ($19); and "Woodworking: Mixed Levels," Tuesdays or Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning June 14 or June 15 ($114). For information, call (650) 329-3752 or visit www.paadultschool.org.

WATER-WISE GARDENING . . . Master gardeners David Peterson and Niki Muller will offer a free workshop and plant clinic called "Learn about Mediterranean Plants for Pots and Gardens" tomorrow from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Gamble Garden Center library, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Topics include special plant requirements of California native plants and methods to achieve an almost maintenance-free landscape. For information, call (408) 282-3105 or visit www.gamblegarden.org.

KUDOS TO SUMMERHILL . . . Palo Alto's SummerHill Homes garnered eight awards, including two for its Channing Collection at University Park community, at the recent Pacific Coast Builders Conference. The home at 932 Bryant St. was awarded "Best Renovated or Restored Home" and 919 Ramona St. won "Best Single-Family Detached Home" (3,301-3,600 square feet on a conventional lot). University Park earned five merit awards for 264 Channing Ave. (Best Renovated or Restored Home), Woodmark (Best Attached Housing Project, 18 to 40 units per acre), Weatherly (Best Attached Housing Project, Mid Rise, 4 to 7 stories), plus two for Best Redevelopment, Rehab or Infill Site Plan and Masterplanned Project of the Year.

ANTIQUES GALORE . . . The Antique & Collector's Revival is slated for Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Mateo Expo Center, 2495 South Delaware St., San Mateo. General Admission is $6; Seniors 65+ $5; 12 and under free. For information (and a discount coupon), visit www.pmaantiqueshow.com.

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