Say you have free time and a desire to help your community and its schools, why not start a housing development?   LITTLE FALLS -- Jerry Thomes and Mike Corrow of Little Falls have a hobby that is much more than carving wood.

Easy-to-grow flowering trees   Q. I know you don't like pear trees, but I hope you'll answer this question. I planted a callery pear two years ago that is now 11 feet high. The lowest branch is only 3 1/2 feet from the ground. If I just wait, will those lower branches be higher or should I prune them so that I don't have low branches on a mature tree? Yes, yes, I know I should have planted a crabapple.

Through the roof   CONWAY, Ark. -- Prices of wood products used for home construction and home-remodeling projects have more than doubled in the last several months.

A strong brew at housewares show   CHICAGO -- Each year, the International Home & Housewares show here plugs into what matters most to American consumers: help around the house that works fast, saves space and looks cool.

Housing briefs   BAXTER -- Tami Jacobs joined Optimum Mortgage Services in Baxter.

home tips
 - Stop Eating Yourself Out of a Home Tip
  - Foreclosure Sales Not Weird Tip
  - Challenging Trailer Park Stigma Tip
  - Know Neighborhood Before You Buy Tip
  - Groucho Woulda Hated Association Living Tip
  - Feds Crack Down on Lead-Paint Violators Tip
  - Inspect Before You Buy Tip
  - Fixing to Sell is a Headache Tip
  - Know All the Angles on Corner Lots Tip
  - Home Buyers Dodge the Deluge Tip
 How to Jump Start Home Listing Tip
  - Murphy's Law Hell on Homebuyers Tip
  - Don't Touch the Thermostat! Tip
  - Take the Test Before the Tour Tip
  - Show Me the Garage Tip
  - Elbow Grease Boosts Curb Appeal Tip