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Letter to the editor

Play the if-I-won-the-lottery game

By Times Staff, Wires
Published December 29, 2007

What would buyers do with an extra $10,000 in their construction budget? The Shelton Group, marketers in Knoxville, Tenn., surveyed buyers of new construction, Builder magazine reports, and here's how they'd spend it:

- Granite countertops, 26 percent

- Higher-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, 24 percent

- Energy-efficient kitchen appliances, 21 percent

- Additional tile or hardwood, 21 percent

- Indoor air purification systems, 18 percent

Robotic help outdoors

If you like the Roomba, the robot vacuum cleaner, say hello to the Looj, a remote-controlled cleaner that swirls the leaves and gunk out of your gutters at a rate of 60 feet of gutter in 10 minutes. Could you do it faster? Besides, it's fun to watch the Looj's rotating rubber propeller. It starts at $99. Find details at www.irobot.com.

Home Expo is returning

The Tampa Bay Home Expo is Jan. 25-27 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Hundreds of vendors: remodeling, decorating, building, furnishing, windows, countertops, siding, you know the drill. Tickets: $3. More information: www.tampabayhomeshows.com. We'll have details closer to that weekend.

Calling antiques buffs

The Sunshine City Antiques & Collectibles Show is Jan. 11-13 at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. More than 100 booths, including antique phones rewired for use today, Civil War memorabilia and weapons, and lots more. Professional appraisers will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 12 and 13 to distinguish your trash from treasure ($5 per item). The show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 12 and 13. Tickets, good for all three days, are $6. Free parking.

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 16:27:48]