Home and Garden

HOME & GARDEN BRIEF

September 22, 2007 - 9:00 pm

Contest to name top do-it-yourselfer

Do-it-yourselfers have a new project to tackle this fall that will prove who is the nation's top home-improvement guru: the True Value "Do-It-Yourself All Star" contest.

The grand prize winner will receive an in-person consultation at the site of his/her next project with Steve Watson, host of HGTV's "Don't Sweat It" and $1,000 to use at a local True Value store.

"Entering the 'Do-It-Yourself All Star' contest will motivate people to start new home-improvement projects or finish ones they've already begun," Watson said. "Everyone needs a bit of inspiration sometimes."

To enter, submit a short essay of 250 words or less on why you or someone you know deserves to be named the "Do-It-Yourself All Star," along with a photo that best shows off that person's do-it-yourself skills.

Entries will be accepted through Oct. 5 at www.StartRightHere.com, which also features a sample entry and home-improvement tips from Watson.

Essays from the top finalists will be posted on the Web site, where visitors can vote on their favorite all-star between Oct. 12 and 22. The grand prize winner will be selected from the four entries that receive the most votes and will be announced in November.

True Value teamed up with Watson to help do-it-yourselfers start projects off right and accomplish them in just a weekend. Watson learned the tools of the trade when he worked in construction as a teenager. Later, he started his own remodeling business focusing on residential home improvement while he pursued a career in the entertainment business. He has worked as an actor and comedian since the 1990s.

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