I'm late to the game, but wanted to share an idea we're doing this year. We're starting some local, neighborhood-run produce markets. They're technically grey-market - someone will turn a garage or shed into a produce stand. Anyone can drop produce by, and they list inventory on a whiteboard. Payments are handled through Venmo, so shoppers pay growers directly through a mobile app. It's a grassroots thing meant for neighborhoods, but I think if you had a handful of these going in town, a professional growers could drop off a steady supply of produce to each one. The folks who host it get to keep any produce unsold after a couple of days, so there are definite benefits for them. We wrote down the business model, if anyone wants to steal it :) http://www.hackyourhometown.com/the-grassroots-produce-stand-that-runs-itself/

"berryberry," please think whatever you want to off me, but you're apparently misreading. You claim that I wrote "half a dozen times about some darn refrigerator that she bought from Eurostoves and was replaced at her request with a different model that cost $600 less and she is sore about not getting $600 back." The fridge was non-working/damaged on arrival. It was attempted to be fixed many times. In the end, it was leaking water on the floor and the freezer had failed totally (wouldn't cool below 42 degrees). It was replaced with a different model than what I'd paid for, because Jade, the original brand, had gone under/changed hands since the purchase. I was forced to accept a lesser-value exchange OR pay to re-do my cabinets to fit another brand OR wait 12-15 weeks for the Jenn-Air built-to-order through my local dealer. (And to get the buy back, they would have already had to have the other fridge back during that 12-15 week wait. Why they couldn't help my local dealer get the replacement fridge in a reasonable time--so I could buy it from them--I never understood, but it was made clear that wasn't an option.) That's a HUGELY different scenario than "Eurostoves replaced [the fridge with another brand] at her request." The fridge I paid for had features--namely total stainless steel interior, glass shelves and more of them--that I paid that up-charge to get (I had looked at, and decided against, the Jenn-Air in the purchasing process), and now don't have. How is that fair? "berryberry," please think whatever you want to off me, but you're apparently misreading. You claim that I wrote "half a dozen times about some darn refrigerator that she bought from Eurostoves and was replaced at her request with a different model that cost $600 less and she is sore about not getting $600 back." The fridge was non-working/damaged on arrival. It was attempted to be fixed many times. In the end, it was leaking water on the floor and the freezer had failed totally (wouldn't cool below 42 degrees). It was replaced with a different model than what I'd paid for, because Jade, the original brand, had gone under/changed hands since the purchase. I was forced to accept a lesser-value exchange OR pay to re-do my cabinets to fit another brand OR wait 12-15 weeks for the Jenn-Air built-to-order through my local dealer. (And to get the buy back, they would have already had to have the other fridge back during that 12-15 week wait. Why they couldn't help my local dealer get the replacement fridge in a reasonable time--so I could buy it from them--I never understood, but it was made clear that wasn't an option.) That's a HUGELY different scenario than "Eurostoves replaced [the fridge with another brand] at her request." The fridge I paid for had features--namely total stainless steel interior, glass shelves and more of them--that I paid that up-charge to get (I had looked at, and decided against, the Jenn-Air in the purchasing process), and now don't have. How is that fair? "Add to that the multitude of times she has mentioned ordering the 2006 model to save money (based on her estimated house completion time of Jan 07) but when her house was delayed til April she was upset she didn't get the 2007 model." I've NEVER once said I purchased the 2006 Bluestar model to save money. That was Mr. Lawson's claim--that he did me a favor by having me order so early. In fact, we actually spoke--and I have it in writing via email--many times about me not wanting to be stuck with last year's model of anything. (He assured me he would do research and do his best to make sure that didn't happen, though he never guaranteed it.) By the time I ordered my appliances I knew Jan. '07 wasn't likely and I feared I was ordering too early, but again I listened to Mr. Lawson's advice. My point was that, if he hadn't mistakenly shipped my appliances in 10/06, when I didn't need them until 4/07, I would have received the new model AND wouldn't have had to pay extra to move the burners. There was no "savings" at all, despite Mr. Lawson's claim, AND I got an older product. As I said before, you are definitely correct that the fridge has nothing to do with this thread topic. And, again, I was using it only to clarify my problems with Eurostoves and respond to a poster who cited it as an example of why I should be dis-trusted. (Notice I didn't even mention it until MONTHS after the first posts.) "Add to that the multitude of times she has mentioned ordering the 2006 model to save money (based on her estimated house completion time of Jan 07) but when her house was delayed til April she was upset she didn't get the 2007 model." I've NEVER once said I purchased the 2006 Bluestar model to save money. That was Mr. Lawson's claim--that he did me a favor by having me order so early. In fact, we actually spoke--and I have it in writing via email--many times about me not wanting to be stuck with last year's model of anything. (He assured me he would do research and do his best to make sure that didn't happen, though he never guaranteed it.) By the time I ordered my appliances I knew Jan. '07 wasn't likely and I feared I was ordering too early, but again I listened to Mr. Lawson's advice. My point was that, if he hadn't mistakenly shipped my appliances in 10/06, when I didn't need them until 4/07, I would have received the new model AND wouldn't have had to pay extra to move the burners. There was no "savings" at all, despite Mr. Lawson's claim, AND I got an older product. Also, Mr. Lawson is well aware--because he was copied on the emails too; he even forwarded one back to me, just today--that I have emailed Bluestar multiple times and received no response. Because this entire thing has turned into he-said, she-said, I prefer to keep all communication in writing, since I have been, MANY times in this process, promised/told one thing on the phone and then told I was a liar when I repeated it back. If we do everything in writing, that can't happen, on either side. (Also, again contrary to Mr. Lawson's claim, Mr. Trapp never gave me his cell phone number--not that I think he should--but, Mr. Lawson is correct, because of what I said above, I haven't called. I will add that Mr. Trapp has always had my phone number too, and hasn't called me either.) Mr. Lawson also sent me a threatening email today saying he was if I "bite him" one more time, he's "done helping me." Whatever that means. I mean it when I say, I don't care if you agree with me--I respect your right to believe I'm a crackpot--I just can't help but be bothered when what you're saying I said/did just isn't at all accurate. I never once threatened anyone. I didn't say, if you don't do this, I'll post. I said I'd post if he did something good, just to let him know I'd be fair, and because Mr. Lawson has let me know he's hugely invested in what is written here about him and his company. I HAVE posted to try and get him to do the right thing, but only because I learned, the hard way, that unless you "shame him," as he once said to me himself, he doesn't do anything. I did say to Bluestar, when they said they wouldn't get my burners working (this was after months and months of round and round), that if they didn't want to deal with me, they could buy my unit back. (I said this to them directly, not via this forum.) That's not a threat, it's just the truth. It was only after the fridge debacle that I even knew such a thing was possible. From install in April to December 2007 I could only use three burners on my six-burner stovetop, and only one worked 100 percent correctly. We paid to have a gas company come out and make sure the line and pressure was correct (Bluestar insisted it couldn't be, even though they wouldn't check) and, even after that proved out, I had to sign a document saying I would pay Bluestar if the person who came out discovered my burners weren't right because of an "install error." It was NOT an install error, by the way, but I never heard a single word of apology, or anything else from Bluestar. I waited eight months--and wasted hours of my life calling, writing and begging, while they told me it wasn't their problem--for a fix that took about 35 minutes. Instead, after my first post in this thread, I got a nasty email from Mr. Trapp that basically said how dare I say anything negative about his company after they did me a favor by getting my burners working. All I've ever wanted--and I reiterated this to Mr. Lawson today--is the appliances I paid for to work, properly. To receive what I was promised prior to sale. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing special. Anyway, the reason I usually don't read or post here is because the whole thing has been hugely stressful for me and now I'm right back there in that bad place where I walk around all day feeling sick to my stomach, flabbergasted and confused at how people are so angry at me for telling my story--or how they can so totally misunderstand my comments and intentions. It seems like if I keep it simple and just state my broad complaint, I'm slammed for being vague, and if I then go back and explain my issues in detail, I'm told I'm "changing my story." I hope no one ever has to go through ANY of the things I have had to go through, with any vendor or product. -Susan W.

Dave calm down over there. If you perform maintenance and complete the work specified my hat is off to you and it is part of doing business and making a living. It is also part of making more revenue if you have business skills. I worked in a dealership... the lube rack itself did not 'make money' by any means. The service got new oil and filter and all other fluids checked and topped off, tires checked and car vacuumed out for a very reasonable price. Brakes got a glance depending on mileage, ball joints, tie rod ends belts and other items were inspected that might not have been on the 'inspection list'. Other establishments quoted similar service for a similar price and you got new oil and a new filter.. and if you were lucky a splash of washer fluid so next time you hit them something would be sure to hit the windshield and they made money and some either didn't mind it or didn't realize they were getting reamed... probably the latter. My point was for people who read this to make their own decision on how far they can do maintenance and draw the line and have a professional do the rest. First and foremost pull your head out and look at your outside unit that the lawn guys blow the clippings toward as they mow around it... or if you do it... STOP. If it is wrong to help bring to light that there are things that john Q public can do to save energy and be more comfortable like blowing the debris away from their unit with a leaf blower.. I guess I am wrong. I guess I should have been angry at anyone that recommended checking their tire pressure when I had a tire pressure gauge in my tool box. I spent over a decade in the automotive business and another with a utility since you asked. Also I thought this was a forum for people to ask for advice....and it was provided and even I stated that I will get "MAINTENANCE" on my unit but not yearly. I do have one scheduled for next month since my unit was installed last October to make sure all is up to snuff. There is also a lot of revenue that can be generated by a maintenance call especially if you purchase a infrared camera and get a group of subs that do windows insulation and general home sealing and offer to take images of their home while you are there for an evaluation so THEY can see. There is money to be made off the additional service along with money paid from the subs for getting the jobs. Want a book? Think outside the box...and keep pushing forward doing honest work for honest pay and you will be rewarded. hone your skills in home energy auditing and make that a sideline and offer it with the maintenance at a discounted rate. Contact and meet with home owners associations and give the HOA a discount per home that gets audited. Like I said.. think outside of the box..I know someone who turned their business and life around and who has been in business for over 20 years.

I agree with the lists that've already been shared, but I'll add a few things: - Convenient access to the garage or family entrance so that groceries don't have to be carried far. - Place a large doormat on the inside and outside of the garage or family entrance. Taking several steps on these two mats will STOP a great deal of dirt from being tracked into your kitchen. - I don't love tile (makes it easier to break dropped dishes, is hard on the knees and joints), but -- if you go with tile -- choose tile the same color as your dirt. So we Southerners would choose red clay tiles, while beach-dwellers should choose sand color. - Don't neglect to plan a place for your trash can (and recycling), and consider the pathway you'll use to take the trash outside (again, you don't want to carry a potentially drippy trash bag through the house). - Excellent lighting everywhere, including natural light. Light switches at every door. Lights that dim or under-counter lights that could provide a low-level night time light. - Small size -- too big a kitchen attracts clutter. Build a kitchen for every day /not big holidays meals that don't come around often. - A large pantry (preferably walk-in), which provides excellent storage -- and is much less expensive than housing things in expensive cabinets /under store counter tops. - Consider how you typically entertain. Do you need space to set out pot-luck dishes, or do you need space to "stage" dessert, or do you need a space for mixing drinks? - Avoid (or minimize) open shelving, which will need to be kept neat all the time /will collect dust and grease. - Consider an "away spot" where you can keep your coffee pot, cookie jar, bowl of fruit out of the main work area. This could be a butler's pantry or a cabinet run set apart from the main work area. Consider that you'd want people to be able to access these "always outs" without walking through the cook's area. If you're not a heavy microwave user, this might be a good spot for it to be placed too. - Full extension drawers (so you can access the stuff at the back) with heavy-duty hardware (so they'll last). - Drawers that extend to the back of the cabinet (what I mean is, my current cabinets are 24" deep, but the drawers are only 18" deep, and I hate that space is wasted at the back). - Avoid fancy pull-outs for spices, etc. that are "one trick ponies". - Avoid cabinets with deep, decorative groves that will require cleaning. Similarly, avoid overly fancy hardware that'll trap dirt. - If you have barstool seating, consider that little feet may "kick" the back side of your island (or peninsula). Consider tile or easy-to-clean wood for this space. - When choosing cabinet hardware, avoid knobs that may "spin" in place or open-ended pulls that'll "catch" your clothes as you walk by. Consider that larger pulls may double as towel holders. - Glass front cabinets are lovely, but they do require that you keep your dishes nice and neat -- and they require more cleaning. If you're putting glass fronts up high-high (above people's heads), consider using glass fronts instead. Glass front cabinets are also more expensive because they must be "finished" inside and outside. - Wide cabinets give you more storage /waste less space for hardware and edges. A few wide cabinets will cost less than multiple narrow cabinets. - A seating area -- could be a breakfast table, could be a barstool. - A refrigerator that isn't set against a wall -- this means the door can't be fully opened /makes it hard to access for and makes it difficult to get shelves or crisper drawers in and out for cleaning. - Position your dishwasher in such a way that your silverware and glassware are within easy reach -- and place your glassware near your refrigerator. - Choose a simple "one hole" faucet. Less to clean. Consider a farmhouse sink ( or a bumped-out window over the sink), which will give you a few extra inches behind the faucet /will make cleaning that always-cruddy area easier. - A built-in soap squirter at the sink means you don't have to keep the dish soap out all the time. - Plenty of electrical outlets. If you have an island or a peninsula, place an outlet on the back side of it. - Design a spot to store mail OUTSIDE the kitchen -- the kitchen is too busy a place for that kind of clutter. - Do you need a place to store cookbooks? - Choose a place for a fire extinguisher.