By Frank Rizzo, the Hartford Courant, Conn.

Dec. 16--Hear the sizzle? Smell the aroma? Feeling hungry?

There's no denying that Judith Ivey is really cooking on stage in the solo show, "Shirley Valentine" playing through Jan. 2 at Long Wharf Theatre's Stage II in new Haven.

In the first act of the Willy Russell play that centers on a Liverpool housewife in the 1980s who dreams of an escape to Greece, Ivey cooks a meal for her character's off-stage husband. In the realistic kitchen designed by Frank Alberino, Ivey makes "chips" (French fries) and a fried egg and tomato in oil. She washes, peels, cuts and fries the potatoes (as well as an egg and tomato) and finally plates the entire meal, all the while delivering her monologue, and landing the laugh lines, plot points and emotional moments.

For this endeavor, a makeshift kitchen with an electric stove and working faucet was set up starting on the second day of rehearsals with Ivey (who is a fine cook on her own, we are told). A lot of French fries were consumed during the rehearsals, says Steven Scapa, director of marketing and communications.

Director Gordon Edelstein wanted the cooking to be timed perfectly to the script. the potatoes and tomatoes have to be a certain size; the exact amount and temperature of the Wesson oil had to be determined; the right frying pan had to be found; and the timing of the cooking had to be established so it became second nature to the actress.

Most challenging was the cutting of the potatoes with a sharp knife, says Scarpa, with Ivey landing the cuts on certain lines without losing any fingers.

many audience members have talked about the sound of the sizzle during the first act, indicating that real cooking in going on."Gordon likes the sizzle," says Scarpa.

and no, there are no plans to sell French fries at intermission.

Information: 203-787-4282 and longwharf.org.

new Musicals At Goodspeed

A musical about G. Gordon Liddy and Howard Hunt? How about familiar songs from Tin Pan Alley? or a show about a TV reality dating show?

these are the subjects of new shows receiving staged readings at Goodspeed Musicals' 6th annual Goodspeed Festival of new Artists Jan. 14 to 16 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

"Room 16" is about the unlikely friendship between Liddy and Hunt and the events leading to the Watergate break-in in June, 1972. Book is by Andrea Lepcio, with music by Stephen Sislen and lyrics by Sislen and Ben H. Winters (author of the parody novels "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" and "Android Karenina"). the show is presented Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

"Hello! My Baby" is described as a "new-fashioned musical set on the streets of new York in the early 19-teens," using classic Tin Pan Alley songs as it tells a story of "teenage song-pluggers, sweatshop workers, debutantes, gangsters and Whiffenpoofs." the show's book is by Cheri Steinkellner (book to the musical "Sister Act") with musical arrangements by Georgia Stitt. the show is presented Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

"Nobody Loves You" is a romantic comedy set amid a celebrity culture as it tells a story about a philosophy grad student who goes on a reality-TV dating show to win back his ex and finds another love. Music is by Wesleyan grad Gaby Alter ("Band Geeks"), book by Itamar Moses (off-Broadway's "The Four of Us," "Bach at Leipzig") and lyrics by Alter and Moses. the show is presented Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.

There is also a "new artists' cabaret" at 10 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16. There is also a theater symposium -- participants and topics to be named -- at noon on Jan. 15.

Tickets for the shows as well as the symposium are $15; $10 for students.

A $79 festival "package" includes all three shows, the cabarets, symposium, special break-out panels featuring industry leaders Jan. 15, a festival dinner Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m., a Jan. 15 preview at 2:30 p.m. of a workshop of a new musical coming to Goodspeed's Norma Teris Theatre in Chester in 2011, and a meet-the-artists reception Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Information: 860-873-8668 and goodspeed.org.

Sherman To Clip Wing

Howard Sherman, who has had stints at Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Musicals and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, announced he will step down as executive director of the American Theatre Wing in new York, which co-produces the annual Tony Awards, among other theater activities.

Sherman, a new Haven native, says he will leave the job he has held for eight years when his contract expires June 30.

Sherman, 48, says he does not have another job lined up but wants to seek new opportunities.

Theodore S. Chapin of Chester, chairman of the board of the Wing, praised Sherman's contributions to the organization.

Goodspeed Directors Named

the directors and most of the choreographers have been selected for the three 2011 musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

Rob Ruggiero, senior artistic associate at Hartford's TheaterWorks, will stage "Show Boat" running July 1 to Sept. 11 at the theater. Ruggiero directed "Camelot," "1776," "Big River" and "Annie get your Gun " for Goodspeed.

Darko Tresjnak will direct "City of Angels," which will play Sept. 23 tp Nov. 17. Tresnjak staged "Carnival" and "A little Night Music" for Goodspeed.

as previously announced, Ray Roderick will stage the season opener, "My One and Only," set for April 15 to June 25. Roderick directed "Singin' in the Rain" and "42nd Street" for Goodspeed. Choreography will be by Kelli Barclay ("How to Succeed in Business without really Trying").

Peggy Hickey will create the dances for "City of Angels." the "Show Boat" choreographer is still to be named.

Audience Interaction

new Haven's Long Wharf Theater is inviting the audience in on how it puts on a show.

the "SPARK" program, led by associate artistic director Eric Ting, is a series of hands-on events designed to allow theatergoers a chance to observe the specific skills of reading the play, meeting the cast, playwright and creative team and observing acting and technical rehearsals.

the new program will begin with the world premiere of Aditi Brennan Kapil's "Agnes under the Big Top," which will run March 2 to April 2 at the theater's Stage II. Ting directs the new show. the new play explores "the journey of immigrants in new York City."

SPARK events are:"How to Read a Play" on Jan. 12; "First Rehearsal" on Feb. 1; "The Director's Role" on Feb. 16; "Previews: Putting It Together" on March 7.

all events are about an hour long and the entire series costs $15. Space is limited.

Information: 203-787-4282 and longwharf.org.

Read Frank Rizzo's blog on theater, the arts and entertainment at courant.com/curtain . and be the first to know by following Frank on Twitter at Twitter.com/ShowRiz.

To see more of the Hartford Courant, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to courant.com/.

Copyright (c) 2010, the Hartford Courant, Conn.

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<a href="http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/153549205tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/153549205Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:54:49 GMT 00:00">The Hartford Courant, Conn., Frank Rizzo column

it is a granite top. the sink has no flange to drill trough.

how do you mount a undermount sink and vanity top. it came as a package for bathroom?

no question, housing sales have soured. so if this lemon of a market has you involuntarily housebound, why not make lemonade by fixing up your digs?

Bargain basement prices on home renovations are the silver lining of today's horrible real estate market. according to the National Association of Home Builders, bids from contractors are coming in at 10 percent to 40 percent below what they were during the housing boom. and smart consumers have apparently taken notice. A recent American Express survey found 62 percent of homeowners will embark on a home improvement project this year.

They're focusing on do-it-yourself, or DIY, projects, like indoor cosmetic work, and spending an average of $6,200.

With remodeling, your best tool is neither a saw nor a hammer, but rather knowledge. Follow these tips to hone in on home improvement savings.

Gone are the days of lavish renovation projects like adding a second story, with budgets bigger than your average McMansion. Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies found that remodeling expenditures more than doubled from 1995 to 2007, reaching $326 billion. However, they declined by 16 percent by the end of 2008, and the NAHB's Remodeling Market Index slipped in the second quarter of 2010.

With conditions weak, homeowners who have considerably less home equity to finance improvements are bucking for a bargain and prizing the practical, says Scott Duncan, owner of Duncan's Creative

Kitchens in Bradenton, Fla.

"The one major trend I am seeing is `budget-conscious,"' he says. "Everyone is weighing the benefits versus the costs of any upgrade they consider. Practicality is reigning supreme."

Your best bet is to focus on thrifty upgrades that will make you glad you're home. for example, a whirlpool bath you'll never use is money down the drain. Opt instead for a handheld shower head with multiple settings.

Top-of-the-line luxury can be had for a few hundred dollars.

Less is the new more

The crew is you

Before you do anything, ask this question: Who's the boss? Perhaps it should be you. if all your home needs is a little TLC, DIY may be better for your billfold.

"DIY saves a fortune," says Roger Lew, a builder of high-end homes in Sag Harbor, N.Y., noting that labor accounts for up to half the cost of redoing a bathroom. "But you have to have the time and the inclination."

If DIY is how you want to go, get free or cheap help from resources like your local hardware store or home improvement chains. Most offer free information and tutoring. for example, Lowe's Shop Class is a woodworking course taught via video and e-mail. the Home Improver Club offers free in-store workshops that cover painting tips, flooring solutions, cabinet refacing ideas and more. the site will also walk you through projects like "Update your kitchen backsplash for under $300." Female DIYers might want to check out a workshop called Do-It-Herself.

For major jobs, you may need to hire a contractor to oversee the project. if so, nail down the specifics of what you want before hammering out a contract. that means listing details, including costs, about every product down to paint, lighting and brand names of the appliances you expect to be installed.

"You have to do some homework and define what you want, so that when you get bids, you'll be comparing apples and apples," Lew says.

Consumer Reports warns homeowners not to sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials, and ask for a list of previous customers and call them.

Get estimates from at least three contractors, but remember that cheaper isn't necessarily better. They may be using inferior materials or simply low-balling the bid to get the job.

Consumer Reports adds that you should never make the final payment until you have received waivers and releases from all subcontractors and suppliers. that way, you don't get slapped with a lien in the event the general contractor didn't pay them.

When's payback time?

With rehab projects, resale value is on everyone's mind. But the reality is that the payback on renovations has fallen along with home prices, according to a study by Remodeling Magazine. the study found the average return on an upgrade declined from 87 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2009. the study also found that midrange upgrades now bring a better return, percentage-wise, than upscale renovations.

That means be cautious about where you sink money into renovations like a new kitchen, says Duncan. He suggests clients get the single top-grade appliance they really want rather than replacing everything. Most go for super-cool refrigerators. "I have been calling this trend `personalized upgrades,"' Duncan says. "It's kind of the opposite of keeping up with the Joneses."

And you can't knock the value of a good door. according to Remodeling, a door of around $1,200 brought the greatest return - an impressive 128.9 percent.

savers the green light according to a 2008 survey by the NAHB, 72 percent of consumers say energy-efficient features in a home would influence their purchase decision. so what simple things can you do in remodeling to go greener? Use paints with low levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. these are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature, potentially causing health problems, particularly for people with respiratory concerns.

Another green move: Buy appliances that are Energy Star-rated. Energy Star is a designation by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy for energy-efficient products. also, if you're remodeling the bathroom, go with the low-flow when it comes to fixtures such as toilets and faucets.

If it's an option, use the sun to rein in utility bills. A solar water heater system will typically cost more than a conventional system to install, according to the DOE. But it can trim your hot water expenses by 50 percent to 80 percent, so they can pay for themselves within a few years, depending on your usage. Don't forget the 30 percent federal tax credit on the purchase, and check to see if your state and local governments offer incentives. "Most people have enough area on the roof to put in solar panels for a water heater," Lew says.

<a href="http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/ci_16884738tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/ci_16884738Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:16:39 GMT 00:00">In today's housing market, many homeowners turn to home renovation

The bathrooms and laundry room water pressure are normal but very low in kitchen sink.

What causes low water pressure in kitchen faucet and not in other faucets in my house?

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<a href="http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2010/12/03/lights_fixtures_action/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2010/12/03/lights_fixtures_action/Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:54:35 GMT 00:00">Lights, fixtures, action!

Help! the faucet on my kitchen sink is loose at the base and the sealant is no longer there. How can I repair it so it stable again and how do I reseal it. Serious, helpful replies only please.

Need help with kitchen sink repair?

D100353 Tidy up your laundry room and start sporting this 4'' centerset faucet from Danze. this faucet will surely make those laundry days a bit easier. with a hose end adapter at the end of the spout, this faucet is stylish as it is functional. Features : -Chrome finish -ADA compliant -Wristblade handles -Centerset -Three hole mount -8'' low rise tubular spout with aerator -Hose end adapter included -Ceramic disc cartridge included -Drip free -Flow rates: 2.2 GPM @ 60 PSI for more information on this product please view the specification sheets seen below. parts List Specifications Installation Instructions.. Features:

• Ceramic disc valve provides smooth turning action and prevents drips
• 8" low rise tubular spout with aerator
• Hose end adapter included
• 1/2"-14NPS connection
• 2 hole mount

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Danze D100353 Melrose Two Handle Laundry Faucet with Wristblade ...

Suppose a dripping faucet wastes a cup of water if it drips for three minutes. The amount of water wasted varies directly with the amount of time the faucet drips. Find the constant of variation k then write the equation to model the direct variation.

A question about Direct variation?

I visited Japan and was inspired by the sit down showers they have at bath houses. You sit on a stool in front of the the fixture that has the water temperature controls, shower outlet, and faucet outlet all in one, then you go for a nice long soak in the ofuro tub or onsen.

I am having trouble finding these kind of fixtures even online. Can anybody direct me where to look shy of going back to Japan?

Where can I find the kind of shower head they use at Japanese bath houses?

I'm trying to repair the Delta Faucet (Ball type faucet) in my tub/shower and am having a hard time removing the cap & collar around the "guts" of the faucet, I have removed the cap, screw, and plastic ring inside the cap & collar, I have a older home with copper piping, so I'm not really wanting to keep cranking on it, anyone have any suggestions??

How do you remove the cap & Collar on a tub/shower faucet??