First — Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction is about to present its next free monthly “Building a Better Home” workshop for people looking at remodeling or custom homebuilding; they’ll also explain this year’s new EPA lead-paint rules affecting work done on homes built before 1978, as well as energy tax credits. Next Wednesday, 6 pm, at their offices at 5458 California SW – just call 206-932-3009 to RSVP.

Second — We just got word of a workshop the next night – Thursday, Sept. 16, 6-8 pm (with a repeat edition on October 14) – “Ask an Expert: For the Do-It-Yourselfer,” at the West Seattle Tool Library (north side of South Seattle Community College on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge). Read on for the full details on that:

From the announcement sent by Tool Library guru Patrick Dunn of Sustainable West Seattle:

*”Ask an Expert: For the Do-It-Yourselfer”*
*September 16th & October 14th, 6-8 pm*
*Presented at The West Seattle Tool Library*
*Courtesy of Mighty House Construction, Urban Land Army, and EarthsystemsNW*

*”How do I build an eco-friendly kitchen?”*
*”What should I plant after I tear out my lawn?”*
*“How do I harvest my rainwater?”*
*”How do I even use this stupid tool?”*

* *Three West Seattle businesses offer an evening of answers to all questions big and small in order to help you along in any of your home remodeling, water harvesting, or urban gardening projects. Everyone is invited and all questions are welcome. For more complicated questions, feel free to come armed with pictures, drawings, examples, or even the actual project if it’s transportable! Snacks will be provided. For more information, please contact Lacy Malloy at: **lacyj.malloy@gmail.com*

*The West Seattle Tool Library is located in the Chan Building/Garden Center (North Side of Campus) at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave SW. *

*For more information on the Tool Library, contact us at **library@sustainablewestseattle.org* *, or visit our website at sustainablewestseattle.org/tool-library.*