From no service, to over the top, to just right; read how buying a car taught my family about customer service.

Mold, mildew, insect and vermin infestation, radon intrusion, poor indoor air quality and heat loss are all problems that can be attributed to improperly maintained crawl spaces. A new crawlspace encapsulation product called Neutocrete serves to resolve these problems permanently.

The addition of Neutocrete installation as a new service is prompting Renton-based Permadry Waterproofing to significantly expand its services and service area. Neutocrete Northwest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Permadry Waterproofing is authorized is install Neutocrete in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

By Elizabeth Paulsen

The fading X to the right of the front door tells a bit of the story of the family within - a family that evacuated to Fort Worth, Texas shortly before Katrina hit New Orleans - a family that subsequently returned to their charming home in an older district of the city. The top quadrant of the X records the day the house was checked after the storm. The left quadrant records the group that performed the check. The bottom quadrant is thankfully blank because no one died in this place. The right quadrant is also blank because no pets were left behind from the storm.

By Elizabeth Paulsen

I've had school aged children for over 17 years and will continue to do so for at least another eight years. Based on my past and current experience, I believe there has never been a better time to educate children in our area. The number of educational options is greater and these options are more focussed on individual student interests and needs than ever. In addition, our public schools have many brand new, beautiful facilities like Bow Lake Elementary School which just celebrated its Open House. Our schools offer specialized education for specific needs such as English Language Learners, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Learning Disabilities, Gifted Programs and tutoring in math, reading and writing for those who need extra help. There are many new high schools that focus on specific content areas such as aviation, globalization, health care and the arts. There are also very small schools that allow students to learn through internships and jobs such as Big Picture High School.