Historic Renovations Of The White House Print

President's Day Weekend.  Dr. Dean discusses the history of The White House.

The size and cost of the original White House.  Construction was overseen by George Washington.  Part of the overall plan to design a city known as D.C.  First President to live in it.

George Washington as a designer and distillery.  The architect of the White House.  And the contest of turning swampland into what became Washington DC.

After the Revolutionary War, a trade issue with England that led to The War Of 1812 and fire at The White House.  Dolly Madison credited for saving many artifacts that exist today.  Thomas Jefferson's role.  Assassination of President Garfield led to the invention of the air conditioner.  President Truman inherited a White House 'falling apart'.

History of Presidents that put their own personal touches to the White House.  Jackie Kennedy's efforts to preserve and conserve historical artifacts.

Jay Harper discusses gardening 'to do' tips.  Pruning roses and deciduous trees for spring growth.  First fertilization of the year.  Prime time to plant tomato plants and plan for summer vegetables.  

Weed and spurge prevention with pre-emergent.

CALLER:  Has a problem with goathead weeds in lawn.  

Pre-emergent comes in liquid and grandular form.  How to apply it.

TEXT:  Has weeds around ash trees.  How to get rid of it without hurting the tree.

Trimming citrus trees very carefully to shape.  Reminder fruit grows on old wood.

Suggestions on protecting smooth skin trees trunks from sun damage.

Winter lawns usually last thru April.  Tips to keep it going and when to transition to summer lawn.

Discussion of planting new trees.  Which ones grow the fastest and ones that take time.

Jay lists the tomato varities that grow and produce well in this climate.  

You can plant a tomato stem, with the fuzzy hairs, that can root and grow a new plant.

Rosie tells stories of contractors who have done work in The White House.

CALLER:  Removed an old swamp cooler, removed a section of the attic duct and capped it.  Curious if its a good idea to install an industrial type shutter fan in the hole.  Rosie explains why its never good to power ventilate air from the attic.

Story of White House remodeling contractors of working on an original wood floor.  Some of the tools they were not allow to bring.  Plus the intense security present as contractors worked.

CALLER:  Heard a loud cracking noise in the home.  

Arizona Ren Fest Guest Lord Robert Chessman:  The Royal Falconer.

CALLER CONTINUED:  Discovered an 8 foot linear crack in a rafter.  How difficult to repair?

CALLER:  Wanting to stucco a guest house and need to replace the outside electrical panel.  Should you stucco or replace the panel first?

Contractor White House stories on security clearances, working in private living areas and never ever wander off, body cavity searches.

The Pella Windows/White House story.

CALLER:  Needing to replace the glass panel in the front door.  

The latest in toilet technology.  You won't believe the apps available for toilet functions.

CALLER:  Having a problem getting hot water to the kitchen sink.  Looking for solutions.

CALLER:  Looking to replace windows in the home.  Likes Pella windows but curious on a lower budget, what are the next best window suggestions on a tight budget.

Arizona Ren Fest Guest:  Shamus The Insulter.

Our Weekly 'To Do' on loving your water.  How to soften your water for better taste and reducing the amount of scale out of your pipes, fixtures and appliances.  And when considering a water softening system, why Water Quality Association certification is important.

Takeaways from today's show.  Romey talks about a tunnel shaped pillow thats great for cuddling.