The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is hosting its 25th summit in
Chicago, Illinois on May 20-21, 2012. Leaders from NATO member countries are scheduled to attend the two-day event.  Security and transportation plans for the summit have been developed by a partnership of local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies. This plan provides the general outlines for road closures, vehicular restricted zones, public transportation, charter vehicles and pedestrian routes. Specific questions regarding this transportation plan should be directed to the participating agencies as identified.

Road Closures, Parking and Pedestrian Restrictions
Road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transportation routes and public works services will be necessary during the NATO Summit beginning in a limited capacity at 6 a.m., Sunday, May 13 (parking restrictions only). Additional parking restrictions will go into effect on Tuesday, May 15 in limited areas near McCormick Place. Road closures and pedestrian restrictions will be implemented beginning at midnight, Saturday, May 19 (Friday midnight into Saturday). The affected roadways will open for evening rush hour on Monday, May 21. In addition to the road closures and parking restrictions listed below, there will be intermittent traffic delays and temporary closures on interstate roads and throughout the downtown area beginning on Saturday, May 19, until Monday, May 21, to allow motorcades to travel to and from McCormick Place and other event  sites. The major roadways affected by these intermittent closures include:

• I-90 East & West (Kennedy Expressway) between O’Hare International Airport and
downtown
• Ohio Street from I-90/94 to Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive
• Ontario Street from Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive to I-90/94
• I-90/94 East and West between downtown and I-55
• Roosevelt Road, 18th Street, and Canalport Avenue access from I-94 West (Dan Ryan
Expressway outbound)

McCormick Place
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Street parking will be prohibited beginning at 6 a.m., Sunday, May 13, until 11 p.m. Monday,
May 21, at the following location:
• East and West sides of S. Indiana Avenue between Cermak Road and E. 24th Place
Tuesday, May, 15, 2012
Street parking will be prohibited beginning at 6 a.m., Tuesday, May 15 until 11 p.m., Tuesday,
May 22 at the following locations:
• East and west sides of S. Calumet Avenue between E. Cullerton Street and E. Cermak
Road
• East and west sides of S. Prairie Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
• East and west sides of S. Indiana Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
• North and south sides of E. 21st Street between S. Calumet Avenue and S. Indiana
Avenue
• North and south sides of E. Cermak Road from S. Indiana Avenue and Martin Luther
King Drive
• North and south sides of E. 24th Place between S. Indiana Avenue and S. State Street
• North and south sides of E. 25th Street between S. State Street and Martin Luther King
Drive
• East and west sides of Martin Luther King Drive between E. Cermak Road and E. 26th
Street
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – Monday, May 21, 2012
Road closures and pedestrian restrictions will be implemented beginning at midnight, Saturday,
May 19 (Friday midnight into Saturday). The affected roadways will open for evening rush hour
on Monday, May 21:
• Northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive between E. Balbo Avenue and E. 39th
Street
• Northbound and southbound Interstate 55 between I-90/94 to Lake Shore Drive
• Northbound and southbound S. Columbus Drive at E. Balbo Avenue
• Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Michigan Avenue and Lake
Shore Drive
• Northbound and southbound S. Indiana Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
• Northbound and southbound S. Calumet Avenue between E. Cullerton Street and E.
Cermak Road
- 3 -
• Northbound and southbound S. Prairie Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
• Eastbound and westbound E. 21st Street between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Calumet
Avenue
• Eastbound and westbound E. Cermak Road between S. Michigan Avenue and Martin
Luther King Drive
• Westbound E. 24th Place between Martin Luther King Drive and S. State Street
• Eastbound E. 25th Street between S. State Street and Martin Luther King Drive
• Northbound and southbound S. Wabash Avenue between E. 24th Place and E. 25th Street
• Northbound and southbound Martin Luther King Drive between E. 26th Street and E.
Cermak Road
• Northbound and southbound Moe Drive between E. 31st Street and Mines Drive
• Eastbound and westbound E. 31st Street between S. Cottage Grove and Fort Dearborn
Drive
• Northbound and southbound Fort Dearborn Drive between E. 31st Street and Lakeside
Center

Northern Museum Campus
Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium are scheduled to be open for business with limited parking on Saturday, May 19. Parking lots open on Saturday include the top three floors of Soldier Field North Lot and the Adler Planetarium parking lot. All parking lots will close at 5:30 p.m. following the closure of museums. If vehicles are still in lots they will be towed from the campus to an off-site city lot.  As of 6 p.m. Saturday evening, May 19, the Northern Museum Campus to include Northerly Island will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. All pedestrians and vehicles still on the campus at that time will be permitted to exit at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road. Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium will be closed to the public on Sunday, May 20.  Saturday, May 19, 2012 – 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.  The following roads will be closed:

• Museum Campus Drive between McFetridge Drive and 18th Street
• E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
• 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
• Lake Shore Drive between McFetridge Drive and McCormick Center (Street closure will merge with McCormick Center street closures.)
• Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake
Shore Drive

Street parking will be prohibited at the following locations:
• East and west side of N. Museum Campus Drive between McFetridge Drive and 18th
Street
• North and south side of E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum
Campus Drive
• North and south side of 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus
Drive
• East and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake Shore
Drive

The following parking lots will be closed to museum campus patrons:
• Field Museum east parking lot
• South portion of Adler Planetarium parking lot
• First floor of Soldier Field North Lot
• Waldron Lot and Soldier Field South Lot
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – 6 p.m. until Sunday, May 20 at midnight (Sunday midnight into
Monday)

The following roads will be closed:
• Museum Campus Drive between E. Solidarity Drive and 18th Street
• E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
• 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
• Northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive between E. Balbo Avenue and
McCormick Center (Street closure will merge with McCormick Center street closures)
• E. McFetridge Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
• S. Columbus Drive between E. Balboa Drive and E. McFetridge Drive
• Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake
Shore Drive

Street parking will be prohibited at the following locations:
• East and west side of N. Museum Campus Drive between E. Solidarity Drive and 18th
Street
• North and south side of E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum
Campus Drive
• North and south side of 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus
Drive
• North and south side of McFetridge Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum
Campus Drive
• North and south side of eastbound and westbound Solidarity Drive between Museum
Campus Drive and Adler Planetarium turnabout.
The following parking lots will be closed:
• Field Museum east parking lot
• Adler Planetarium parking lot
• Soldier Field North Lot (all floors)
• Waldron Lot and Soldier Field South Lot

Willis Tower
On Saturday, May 19, 2012, there will be intermittent road closures starting at 6 p.m. at:
• S. Franklin Street between W. Adams Street and W. Jackson Boulevard
• In addition, the street closure that already exists due to construction on W. Adams Street
(north side of Willis Tower) and S. Upper Wacker Drive (west side of Willis Tower) will
be in effect. No street parking will be allowed beginning at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19 until midnight, Sunday, May 20 (Saturday midnight going into Sunday).
• North and south side of Adams Street on north side of Willis Tower
• North and south side of Jackson Boulevard between Franklin and Wacker Drive
• East and west side of Franklin Street between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard

Chicago Cultural Center & Art Institute of Chicago
No street parking will be allowed beginning at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19 until midnight, Sunday, May 20 (Saturday midnight into Sunday):
• East and west sides of Wabash Avenue between Lake Street and Washington Street
• North and south sides of Randolph Street between Michigan Avenue and Wabash
Avenue
• North and south sides of E. Washington Street between Wabash Avenue and Michigan
Avenue
• West side of Michigan Avenue between E. Randolph Street and E. Jackson Drive
• North and south sides of E. Monroe Street between S. Michigan Avenue and S.
Columbus Drive

Beginning at midnight, Sunday, May 20 (Saturday midnight into Sunday) the following road will be closed until 11 p.m.:
• E. Monroe Street between S. Michigan Avenue and S. Columbus Drive
Beginning at 4 p.m, Sunday, May 20, until 11 p.m., the following roads will be closed:
• Garland Court between Madison Street and Randolph Street
On Sunday, May 20, 2012, there will be intermittent road closures starting at 6 p.m.
• Northbound/southbound Michigan Avenue between E. Randolph Street and Jackson
Drive
• Jackson Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive
• S. Columbus Drive between E. Monroe Street and E. Jackson Drive

Airspace Restrictions
An interagency airspace security plan will be implemented to provide secure airspace over the Chicago area during the NATO Summit. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight advisory listing enhanced restrictions was released April 18 (Notice #NOTC3675 -
http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/noticeView.aspx?nid=3675). A Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) with additional details will be published at a later date.  Pilots are strongly encouraged to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area or contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-992-7433 to check for all current NOTAMs. Pilots may also contact FAA Systems Operations Support Center (SOSC) at
202-267-8276 or through the FAA’s website http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/liStreethtml.

Marina/Waterway Restrictions
The public will see an increased U.S. Coast Guard presence on the water during the NATO Summit. The Coast Guard’s initiatives are one of the many layers of increased security during the summit. The Coast Guard will continue to perform its standard missions of search and rescue and law enforcement in addition to their homeland security responsibilities.  The following maritime security zone will be effective and enforced 24 hours a day between 8 a.m. on May 18, 2012, and 8 a.m. on May 22, 2012:

• Security Zone A – Security Zone A encompasses all U.S. navigable waters, facilities, and
shoreline within the arc of a circle with a 2000-yard radius of the Burnham park boat
ramp with its center point located in the approximate position 41º51’37″N,
087º36’44″W.[DATUM: NAD 83].
Security Zones B, C, and D, effective between 8 a.m. on May 18, 2012, and 8 a.m. on May 22, 2012, will have fewer restrictions than Zone A. Commercial and recreational traffic will be allowed access to these areas unless security measures need to be temporarily implemented.

• Security Zone B – Security Zone B encompasses all U.S. navigable waters, facilities, and
shoreline within the arc of a circle with a 2000-yard radius of the outer most tip of the
Chicago lock with its center point located in the approximate position 41º53’19″N,
087º36’17″W.[DATUM: NAD 83].

• Security Zone C – Security Zone C encompasses all U.S. navigable waters of the Chicago River between the Western Gate of the Chicago Controlling Works Lock which is located in approximate position 41º53’18″N, 087º36’28″W. [DATUM: NAD 83] and the juncture of the north and south branches of the Chicago River which is located in approximate position 41º53’11″N, 087º38’15″W. [DATUM: NAD 83]

• Security Zone D – Security Zone D encompasses all U.S. navigable waters of the south
branch of the Chicago River between Mile Markers 245.0 and 276.0. [DATUM: NAD
83]. Concerned maritime traffic can contact the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Representative via VHF-FM Channel 16. All City of Chicago owned or operated bridges over the Main, South and North Branches of the Chicago River will be closed to masted navigation between 7 a.m. on May 18, 2012 through 7 a.m. on May 21, 2012.

Commuter Rail Lines and Public Transit
Commuter rail lines in Chicago will not be closed to riders during the NATO Summit. However, passengers should plan for delays as trains approach and pass through the McCormick Place stop due to necessary security measures.  The McCormick Place stop will be closed on both Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21. Other stations may be closed as needed. Additional information on route changes during the NATO Summit will be available online via Metra at http://www.metrarail.com and the Northern Indiana
Commuter Transportation District at http://www.NICTD.com.  Changes to bus routes within the vehicle and pedestrian restricted areas will be necessary. Information on route changes will be available on the Chicago Transit Authority website at  http://www.TransitChicago.com.

Online Information
The Chicago NATO Host committee will use Notify Chicago as a resource for communicating useful summit related information on street closures, traffic disruptions and more.  Individuals may sign up for Notify Chicago through the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications website to receive message alerts via text message or voicemail related to extreme weather alerts, traffic disruptions, health alerts and major incidents.  The free subscription can be completed in a matter of minutes by visiting http://www.notifychicago.org. This is a free City of Chicago service, though text message rates may apply based on cell phone provider.  Information and updates for the 2012 NATO Summit will be available online through the following websites.

• NATO Host Committee – http://www.chicagonato.org/
• City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications:

http://www.notifychicago.org

• Chicago Police Department: https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath
• Chicago Transit Authority: http://www.TransitChicago.com.
• Chicago Metra http://www.metrarail.com
• Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions – http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
• Illinois Department of Transportation – www.travelmidwest.com
• Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District – http://www.NICTD.com
• U.S. Secret Service – http://www.secretservice.gov

Green City Market Club Sprouts chef demonstrations and cooking classes for children are offered on Wednesdays at 9:30am during the summer from June 22, 2011 to August 24, 2011.

MONDAY

CHICAGO’S DOWNTOWN FARMSTAND

66 E. Randolph

Monday-Friday: 11am-7pm, Saturday: 11am-4pm

Year Round

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

6590 N. Sheridan

June-Sept. 3pm-7pm, Oct. 2:30pm-6:30pm

June 11th-Oct. 15th

TUESDAY

FEDERAL PLAZA

Adams & Dearborn

Tuesdays 7am-3pm

May 19th -Oct. 30th

LINCOLN SQUARE

Lincoln/Leland/Western

Tuesdays: 7am-1pm

June 5th -Oct. 30th

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART/STREETERVILLE

Chicago & Mies van der Rohe Way (on MCA Plaza)

Tuesdays 7am-3pm

June 5th – Oct. 30th

CITY FARM MARKET STAND

1204 N. Clybourn

Tuesday-Friday: 1pm-5:30pm

July 10th -Sept. 28th

WEDNESDAY

GREEN CITY MARKET

1800 block of N. Clark St. in Lincoln Park

Wednesdays and Saturdays 7am-1pm

May 5th -Oct. 31st

THE WHEELER MANSION MARKET

2020 S. Calumet

Wednesdays 4pm-8pm

June 6th -Oct. 31st

SOUTH SHORE

70th and Jeffrey Blvd

Wednesdays 7am-1pm

June 6th -Oct. 31st

ANDERSONVILLE

Berwyn Ave. between Clark & Ashland

Wednesdays

June 13th  – Sept. 5th: 3pm-8pm

Sept.12th-Oct. 17th:  3pm-7pm

THURSDAY

DALEY PLAZA

Washington and Dearborn

Thursdays 7am-3pm

May 24th-Oct. 18th

HYDE PARK

53rd Street & Hyde Park Blvd

Thursdays 7am-1pm

June 7th -Oct. 25th

WILLIS TOWER PLAZA

233 S. Wacker Dr.

Thursdays 7am-3pm

June 14th-Oct. 25th

UPTOWN FARMERS MARKET AT WEISS

4646 N. Marine Drive

Thursdays 7:30am-12:30pm

June 21st -Oct. 25th

LINCOLN SQUARE EVENING MARKET

Dates: Thursdays from June 14 – October 25

Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Municipal Parking Lot @ N. Lincoln and W. Leland (adjacent

SATURDAY

GREEN CITY MARKET

1800 block of N. Clark St. in Lincoln Park

Wednesdays and Saturdays 7am-1pm

May 5th -Oct. 31st

DIVISION STREET

Division and Dearborn

Saturdays 7am-1pm

May 12th -Oct. 27th

LINCOLN PARK

Armitage & Orchard

Saturdays 7am-1pm

May 12th -Oct. 27th

Chicago Nettlehorst French Market

Nettelhorst School, Broadway and Melrose

April 21 through November 3

8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

EDGEWATER

Broadway and Norwood

Saturdays 8am-1pm

June 9th-Oct. 13th

PRINTERS ROW

Dearborn & Polk

Saturdays 7am-1pm

June 9th-Oct. 27th

BRIDGEPORT

35th & Wallace

Saturdays 7am-1pm

June 16th-Oct. 6th

BRONZEVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET

4400 S. Cottage Grove

Saturdays 8am-1pm

June 16th-Oct. 27th

NORTHCENTER

Belle Plaine/Damen/Lincoln

Saturdays 7am-1pm

June 16th -Oct. 27th

SOUTHPORT MARKET

Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace

Saturdays 8am-2pm

June 23rd -Sept.8th

61 ST. MARKET

On 61st between Dorchester & Blackstone

Saturdays 9am-2pm

May 12th-Oct 27th

SUNDAY

BEVERLY

95th & Longwood

Sundays 7am-1pm

May 13th-Oct. 28th

LOGAN SQUARE

Logan Blvd & Milwaukee

Sundays 10am-3pm

June 3rd -Oct. 28th

PILSEN COMMUNITY MARKET

1800 S. Halsted St.

Sundays 9am-3pm

June 3rd-Oct. 28th

WICKER PARK & BUCKTOWN

Wicker Park & Damen (in Wicker Park)

Sundays 8am-2pm

June 3rd – Oct. 28th

Mulling a kitchen remodel but want to keep costs low? You’re au courant with today’s trends that emphasize options and high-tech wizardry at affordable prices.

Trend #1: Remodeling scales back

A new focus on moderation and value has entered the remodeling mind-set. Trends that are likely to show up in your kitchen next year include:

You’ll repair your existing appliances instead of replacing them, extending their life with good maintenance and care. If you’re replacing cabinets, you’re likely to build around your current appliances rather than choosing new models.

You’re scaling back your cabinetry purchases, with an increased emphasis on kitchen storage and functionality over elaborate decoration. For example, rather than stacked crown moldings throughout the kitchen, you’ll put your money into practical roll-out trays and drawer organizers.

Small-scale kitchen projects are big news. Changing out cabinet hardware, replacing a faucet, and refacing your cabinets upgrades your kitchen without major expense.

Trend #2: Simpler, warmer styles dominate

Fussiness and excess have faded away in favor of pared-back looks that present a more timeless, value-conscious style.

Cabinet decoration continues to streamline. For example, massive corbels, once fashionable as undercounter supports, will give way to sleeker countertop supports and cantelivered countertop edges. Stacked moldings will pare back or disappear entirely. Elaborately glazed finishes will yield to simpler paints and stains.

Kitchen finishes will continue to get warmer and darker, and feature natural and stained woods. Walnut especially is growing in popularity.

Laminate countertops will continue to surge in popularity, especially in contemporary design. The latest European-inspired laminates offer more textured and naturalistic finishes than ever before. While exotic wood kitchen cabinets are out of reach for most home owners, glossy, look-alike laminate versions can be had for about one-third the price.

Trend #3: Technology expands its kitchen presence

Many of the techno products and trends that relate to your smartphones and tablets have just started making their way into your local showrooms and home centers.

Appliances will be equipped with USB ports and digital screens so you can display your family photographs and kids’ artwork.

Smart, induction built-in cooktops ($500-$3,000) remember your temperature settings as you move your pans across their entire surface.

One light finger touch is all it takes to open the electronically controlled sliding doors of your kitchen cabinets — a boon to people with limited mobilities. You’ll pay 40% to 70% more for cabinets with electronically controlled doors than standard models.

You’ll be able to use your smart phones and tablets to control lights and appliance settings from anywhere you have a wi-fi connection, as well as to shop for appliances from major manufacturers.

You’ll be opting for LEDs for your recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting and color-changing accent lighting. You’ll see more LED-powered pendants and chandeliers from major manufacturers as inefficient incandescent bulbs continue their march toward extinction.

A wide selection of affordable microwave ovens with convection and even steam features gives owners of smaller kitchen spaces more high-end cooking power.

What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your kitchen this year?

From toilets that double as sound systems to water-conserving spa experiences, here’s what’s trendy for bathroom improvements for 2012.

Trend #1:  Conservation rules

All around the country, water reserves are stressed. In response, regional governments are implementing conservation measures. As a result, there are likely to be new regulations that’ll affect your construction or remodeling plans. Here’s what to watch for:

Your new toilet will have a lower flush-per-gallon rating than the one that’s in there now. Consider a dual-flush version, or any low-flow toilet coming on the market that meets your style preferences. At the very least, your next commode is likely to feature a 1.28 gallon-per-flush rating — better than even the most-recent 1.6 GPF offerings.You’ll find them at home improvement centers from $100 to luxury showroom models for thousands more.

The WaterSense label, launched in 2006 by the Environmental Protection Agency to promote water conservation by plumbing manufacturers and home owners, will become as well-known as Energy Star. You’ll be shopping for low-flow shower heads and faucets with the WaterSense symbol on the box. Just as with Energy Star appliances, there is no cost premium associated with WaterSense savings — there are faucets in every price range. WaterSense shower heads are newer on the market, with a more limited selection today — mostly at more affordable prices.

You’ll start seeing more shower heads — especially rain shower models — using Venturi principles that deliver strong water pressure by adding air, not water, to the mix. They’re available in every price range, from ultra-affordable standard heads to luxury rain showers.

Trend #2: Technology advances

You may not think of your bathroom as a high-tech space, but that’s about to change. Here are some of the trends that can benefit your home:

You’ll be able to create a custom showering experience more affordably than ever. For $300 for simple controllers to $3,500 or more for a complete luxury installation, programmable showers let you digitally set your preferred water temperature, volume, and even massage settings before you step in. To achieve a personalized showering experience, you’ll need a 120-volt power source, and a thermostatic valve and controller in addition to your standard shower head or heads. Luxury models may include a steam system, a wi-fi source for music, multiple body spray outlets, tankless water heater, and a secondary controller to start the system from another room.

Dock your iPhone or MP3 player directly with your speaker-equipped, high-tech toilet so you can entertain yourself on the commode. While you’re not likely to invest $4,000 to $6,000 for a Kohler Numi toilet using this technology today, start looking for competitive models later in the year with lower prices.

Catch up on news and weather while you brush your teeth. Television screens are being integrated into medicine cabinets and vanity mirrors. Cost? Early entries to the market command a premium $2,200 to $2,400 price tag.

Plug your smart phone or MP3 player into your medicine cabinet so you won’t miss a call or song while getting ready for work or bed. A built-in jack keeps your unit charged (and away from wet countertops) and linked into a built-in speaker system.

Trend #3: Aging demographics emphasize safety

It’s not just high-tech that’s bringing an “experience” to the bathroom. Trends in universal design features add comfort, convenience, and safety. But that doesn’t mean your bathroom has to look institutional. Here are some universal design innovations that can factor helpfully (and stylishly) into your 2012 bath remodeling plans:

Sleek, low-profile linear drains are ideal for creating safe, zero-threshold shower designs. Unlike standard round drain covers that are typically mounted near the front end of a shower, these long, straight drains can be installed in different locations to minimize the slope of the shower floor. One popular location is at the outside edge of the shower, creating a wheelchair-friendly curbless shower. More offerings in more finishes — including nearly invisible tile-in channel models that are largely covered by shower floor tile — are becoming the standard for upscale spaces. You’ll spend $500 to $900 for a quality linear drain.

The rapidly-expanding selection of porcelain, glass, and ceramic tiles makes it easy to find slip-resistant, low-maintenance floors that don’t skimp on style. Expect to see faux wood, linen, and uniquely-textured looks for tiled bathroom floors and walls in 2012. The texture adds both visual impact and better traction for wet feet.

The accessible tub is no longer limited to the high-walled, narrow-door format that dominated the market in the last decade. Newer models, such as Kohler’s Elevance ($5,100), employ rising panels in front that give more of a traditional tub look with easier entry and exit. Others use standard hinged, sealed doors, but are increasing door width by several inches for better accessibility and appearance.

What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your bathroom this year?

Be sure you’re walking away with all the money you’re entitled to from the sale of your home.

1. Take services out of your name

Avoid a dispute with the buyers after closing over things like fees for the cable service you forgot to discontinue. Contact every utility and service provider to end or transfer service to your new address as of the closing date.

If you’re on an automatic-fill schedule for heating oil or propane, don’t pay for a pre-closing refill that provides free fuel for the new owner. Contact your insurer to terminate coverage on your old home, get coverage on your new home, and ask whether you’re entitled to a refund of prepaid premium.

2. Spread the word on your change of address

Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks before the closing. Also notify credit card companies, publication subscription departments, friends and family, and your financial institutions of your new address.

3. Manage the movers

Scrutinize your moving company’s estimate. If you’re making a long-distance move, which is often billed according to weight, note the weight of your property and watch so the movers don’t use excessive padding to boost the weight. Also check with your homeowners insurer about coverage for your move. Usually movers cover only what they pack.

4. Do the settlement math

Title company employees are only human, so they can make mistakes. The day before your closing, check the math on your HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

5. Review charges on your settlement statement

Are all mortgages being paid off, and are the payoff amounts correct? If your real estate agent promised you extras—such as a discounted commission or a home warranty policy—make sure that’s included. Also check whether your real estate agent or title company added fees that weren’t disclosed earlier. If any party suggests leaving items off the settlement statement, consult a lawyer about whether that might expose you to legal risk.

6. Search for missing credits

Be sure the settlement company properly credited you for prepaid expenses, such as property taxes and homeowners association fees, if applicable. If you’ve prepaid taxes for the year, you’re entitled to a credit for the time you no longer own the home. Have you been credited for heating oil or propane left in the tank?

7. Don’t leave money in escrow

End your home sale closing with nothing unresolved. Make sure the title company releases money already held in escrow for you, and avoid leaving sales proceeds in a new escrow to be dickered over later.

Other web resources

Closing costs explained

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has survived several closings. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Here’s how to plan a new deck that suits your property, meets your budget, and offers the best return on your investment.

Deciding on the site and size

Your deck will be a popular place, so give careful thought to where it should be located. Begin by working out how to access it from the house. The ever-handy back door to the kitchen probably won’t do the job; it will force traffic toward the cooking area, making a shambles of any large-group entertaining. A better solution is a French door or slider that gives primary access from a living room, dining room, or family room while being handy to the kitchen. If the doorway can also be positioned to offer an expansive view, all the better.

Next, make sure the deck neither swamps your yard, nor becomes lost in it. Your local codes may set standards for how much of your lot can be occupied by a deck, and how close a deck can be to your lot line. Check these limitations early in your planning with your city or county building department.

Decide where to locate stairways off the deck so they provide unobtrusive access to the backyard. Also consider the path of the sun and the location of shade trees; sunlight may be pleasant in the morning but unbearable later in the day–having a shade tree to the west of your deck will help block the harsh late-day sun. Work out how to preserve your privacy and how to screen your deck from prevailing winds.

How much should you spend?

If you’re considering a deck the size of a helipad, with all the bells and whistles imaginable, better think again. According to the 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, simple is best. For example, a medium-size (16 x 20-foot) deck made of pressure-treated wood provides the best return, averaging about 70% nationally. (In the Pacific region, where the outdoor-living season is lengthy, a deck add-on will do even better, earning back about 82% of the initial investment.)

Composite decking (Trex, EverGrain, and TimberTech are some well-known brands) makes great sense from a maintenance point of view but will be more expensive–composites cost about 45% more than pressure-treated wood–and will recoup an average of only 62.8% of your cost. If you own an upscale home, a more elaborate deck may be appropriate to keep pace with the competition, but don’t expect a premium pay back: A two-level, 400-sq. ft. deck with upscale features such as composite decking, decorative railings, and built-in lighting offers only about a 55% pay back.

Hankering for an even higher return? If you’re reasonably handy, you might want to go for the gold and build the deck yourself. Labor costs typically make up more than half the cost of residential construction. That means you can spend as little as $4,000 in materials for a wood deck of mid-range size and come away with a resale value of more than $8,000—a handsome return.

However, plan on spending 4–6 weekends building a 16×20 foot deck yourself. If you choose this route, consider buying a ready-made deck plan. Or, put to use one of the many websites with interactive design aids, such as Lowe’s Deck Designer (registration required), and Deckorators.

Think local

To recoup a good portion of your investment, your deck needs to be right for your market. Appraiser Dick Koestner of Davenport, Iowa, recommends the simply checking out other decks in your area. “Don’t make it too extreme [compared with] what’s typical in your market,” he counsels. “Definitely don’t make it less than what is expected in the market.”

Koestner also emphasizes the importance of obeying local codes. “A lot of potential purchasers are having a home inspection done,” he says. “If the home inspector finds the deck isn’t built to code, most of the purchasers are saying, ‘Hey, fix it.’”

He emphasizes that codes exist not just to preserve property values, but promote safety. For example, railing balusters spaced too far apart can constitute a falling hazard for small children (most codes stipulate 4-inch maximum gap). In addition, a deck inadequately attached to the house can collapse, often during a party when the structure is loaded with the extra weight of many people, creating mayhem like something out of the Poseidon Adventure. So get a permit from your building department and follow their requirements.

Of course, by dint of taking out a building permit your tax assessment will rise, but only to the extent that the value of your property is increased. The effect should be minimal: Decks are considered an outdoor improvement much like a new driveway or upgraded landscaping, not additional living space.

Looking good

Although it’s hard to put a dollar value on aesthetics, looks count. Give thought to how the deck will meld with the architecture of your house. Railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and detail that complements your home. Consider how the deck fits in with your backyard; it should make a smooth transition from the house to the landscape.

Deck Addition: Return on Investment

A high return on investment makes a deck addition a worthwhile home improvement project.

One of the reasons that a deck is such a good investment is because it increases living area at a minimal cost per square foot. The national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000 sq. ft. home is about $85 per sq. ft, according to the National Association of Home Builders, However, the construction costs for a wood deck are less than $35 per sq. ft.

The return on your deck investment will vary according to the region in which you live. In the Pacific West, where construction costs are generally higher than other parts of the country, decks are more expensive to build. However, the return on investment is also higher than other regions. Part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that in many areas of the temperate Pacific West, the outdoor living season is virtually year-round, making a deck a solid investment.

National average cost, 16×20 ft. deck, pressure-treated wood decking:

Job Cost: $10,350
Resale Value: $7,259
Cost recoup: 70.1%

National average cost, 16×20 ft. deck, composite decking:

Job Cost: $15,579
Resale Value: $9,780
Cost recoup: 62.8%

Did you literally put a new roof over your head in 2011? You may be eligible for a $500 energy tax credit for the roof replacement on your 2011 return.

See Energy Star for guidelines on what exactly is covered. It’s your safest bet for information on how to get the credit.

Be warned that not all roofs, not even all roofs with the Energy Star seal, will qualify. Only specially manufactured roofs, as listed on the Energy Star site, are eligible.

Don’t rely solely on contractors who may not know the details or who promise their products will get the credit in order to make a sale.

As of January 2012, the feds haven’t extended the energy tax credit for roofs beyond 2011.

Roof costs and savings

The average cost of an asphalt roof, which should last 20 years, is about $21,200, according to the most recent Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine. Metal roofs are more expensive, but will last for 50 years.

If you hire a contractor, get an itemized bill that breaks out the cost of materials since labor doesn’t count toward the tax credit. Materials should account for about half the bill on standard roofing jobs.

What can you save on your energy bills?

If you live in the hot South or Southwest, expect to save between 7% and 15% on your cooling costs with energy-efficient roofing materials, says Michelle Van Tijen of the Cool Roofs Rating Council.

If you pay $300 a month to cool your home, figure you’ll cut your monthly bill by as much as $45.

Ironically, with roofs there is such a thing as being too energy efficient. In winter months, roofing materials with very high heat-deflecting qualities can increase heating bills. However, you’re more than likely to make up the difference on your air-conditioning costs. That’s especially true if you live in an area where you run your air conditioner much of the year.

Choosing the right roof

Before calling the roofers and spending that $500, know the score:

• You must use either metal or asphalt roofing materials that are designed to reduce heat gain—the amount of heat transferred into a home.

• Metal roofs must have appropriate pigmented coatings.

• Asphalt roofs must have appropriate cooling granules.

• Asphalt materials can be either traditional shingles or modified bitumen (rolled asphalt sheets).

How much roof do you need?

Get an estimate by figuring the square footage of the footprint of your home and adding about one-third more to account for roof pitch, overhangs, dormers, gables, and so on.

Roofing contractors often quote in terms of “squares.” One square equals 100 square feet. So if a roofer says your house is 20 squares, it means it’s roughly 2,000 square feet—20 times 100.

Finding the right roof vendor

Once you’re ready to pick a roof type, Kucharski suggests talking to an area building wholesaler or a company that specializes in roofing materials. Consult with someone who knows what types of materials are appropriate for a given region’s climate. Big-box retailers may not have as wide a selection or knowledgeable staff.

Finding a good roofer entails the same steps as finding any qualified contractor:

• Ask neighbors for recommendations.

• Collect at least three bids.

• Check references.

• Get everything in writing.

Craig Silvertooth, executive director of the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, recommends finding a contractor through the National Roofing Contractors Association, which has about 4,000 members.

Sometimes, replacing a roof isn’t worth it

If your roof is in perfectly good shape, even the savings and tax break may not be good enough reasons to get a new one. Consider other options:

• A roof coating—a material painted over your existing roof that offers insulation and sun reflection, says Silvertooth. Roof coating costs about 75% less than replacing a roof, though it doesn’t qualify for the tax credit.

• Add more insulation to your attic. This home-improvement project can even be tackled by weekend warriors, and it qualifies for a federal tax credit.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

Warren Buffet gives the thumbs-up to homes as an investment, while regulators and legislators debate whether to reduce principal on troubled loans.

Positive signs abound in this week’s headline roundup as billionaire investor Warren Buffet recommends home ownership as a good long-term investment. Buyers must be on the same wavelength as pending home sale contracts rise to their highest level in two years. Still, lending standards remain tight and the acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is resisting White House calls to allow struggling home owners to reduce their loan balances.

CNBC: Warren Buffet: I’d Buy Up ‘A Couple Hundred Thousand’ Single-Family Homes If I Could

Warren Buffett says along with equities, single-family homes are a very attractive investment right now. Appearing live on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Buffett says if held for a long period of time and purchased at low rates, houses are even better than stocks. He advises buyers to take out a 30-year mortgage and refinance if rates go down.

Los Angeles Times: Principal Reduction Isn’t Ideal Fix for Foreclosures, Official Says

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator pushed back against mounting pressure that the mortgage finance giants start reducing the principal owed on troubled loans, insisting the practice could hurt taxpayers and that alternatives were better at avoiding foreclosures. Lawmakers have maintained that the agency needed to direct Fannie and Freddie to write down the mortgage principal on loans that exceeded the value of homes when struggling borrowers were facing foreclosures.

Baltimore Sun: REALTORS® to Rally Against Proposed Change Affecting Md. Mortgage Interest Deduction

In Maryland, REALTORS® have kicked off a campaign to keep legislators from approving a budget proposal that would reduce the amount of itemized deductions higher-income Marylanders could claim on their state taxes, a move they say would effectively cap the mortgage interest deduction. The Maryland Association of REALTORS® says this would effectively limit the mortgage-interest deduction, a big piece of what people typically itemize, as well as deductions for property taxes.

Boston Globe: Contracts for Sales of Homes on Rise

The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.

Washington Post (Wonkblog): Are Creditworthy Americans Having Trouble Getting Mortgages?

Most everyone can agree that mortgage lending standards were too loose during the housing boom and should be tightened to keep people from buying homes they can’t afford. But has the pendulum swung too far in the other direction? In testimony before the House financial services committee this week, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke pointed out that tight standards have yet to unwind even for prime mortgages that are eligible for government guarantees.

Which tax benefits do home owners miss? Will you get audited if you take the home office deduction? Find out the answers to these questions and more before Tax Day.

There are a lot of home ownership tax benefits — if you don’t forget to take them. To make sure you get your due, HouseLogic asked tax expert Abe Schneier, a senior technical manager with the American Institute of CPAs, for tax-filing tips.

HouseLogic: What’s the most common home-related tax deduction or credit claimed by home owners?

Abe Schneier: The mortgage interest deduction, [which can amount to about $3,000 in tax savings for the average itemizing home owner] and [the deduction for] real property taxes.

HL: Which tax provision do home owners often overlook?

AS: You can deduct mortgage insurance premiums [or PMI] if you were required to get PMI as a condition of receiving financing on your home. Some people will overlook that, although it’s typically disclosed on the 1099 that you receive from the bank, along with all the deductible information you need.

HL note: Unless Congress acts this year, the PMI deduction won’t be availabl e for the 2012 tax year.

[Another area of tax-filing confusion is] whether you’ve correctly treated any points you paid if you refinanced. In a new home purchase, the points can be deducted [in the tax year you paid them]. But typically in a refinancing, you have to amortize and deduct any points you paid over the life of the mortgage, and people tend to forget that after a couple of years.

HL: What’s the No. 1 mistake home owners make when filing their taxes?

AS: Because you receive a statement from the bank with details [such as] how much mortgage interest you paid over the year, and how much the bank pays on your behalf in real estate taxes, the number of mistakes has dropped.

But if you’re in a state where you pay the real estate taxes on your own — the bank doesn’t handle it for you — [people] make mistakes because sometimes real estate tax bills include other items besides pure real estate taxes. It could be trash collection fees; it could be snow removal fees that the state or county is assessing on the real estate tax bill. Since the items are included in the same bill, home owners sometimes deduct [those fees] regardless of whether the items are actually taxes.

HL: What’s the single most important piece of advice for people filing their taxes as a first-time home owner?

AS: You have to take a look at your closing statement from when you bought the house. It’s commonly called the HUD-1 form and you receive it at the closing. Occasionally, there are fees such as prepaid taxes or interest at closing that can be deductible.

HL: What tax advice do you have for someone who’s owned their home for 10 or 20 years?

AS: If you’ve been a longtime home owner and you’ve been through refinancings, you have to be careful about how much interest you’ve deducted, especially if you have a home equity loan or equity line. A lot of people who’ve refinanced have sizable equity lines. The maximum outstanding home equity debt that’s deductible is $100,000; the maximum deductible amount of interest paid on mortgage debt is $1 million.

HL: What home improvement-related records should home owners keep?

AS: Absolutely keep your receipts for couple of reasons: Number one, you want to make sure — if there are any warranties attached to the work that was done — that you maintain those records and you have something to go back to the person who did the work in case something doesn’t function properly. Second, if you’ve added value to the home — you’ve added a deck, you’ve added a room, you’ve added something new to house — you’ll need to know what the gain is on that capital improvement when you sell the house.

HL note: Tax rules let you add capital improvement expenses to the cost basis of your home, and a higher cost basis lowers the total profit or capital gain you’re required to pay taxes on. Of course, most home owners are exempted from taxes on the first $500,000 in profit for joint filers ($250,000 for single filers). So it doesn’t  apply to too many people.

HL: How do I tell the difference between a capital improvement and a repair?

AS: Typically a repair is [done] to allow an item, like a home furnace or air conditioner, to continue. But if you were to replace the heating unit, that’s not a repair.

HL: Does taking any home-related tax benefits, such as the home office deduction, make a taxpayer more likely to be audited?

AS: Only if numbers look out of the ordinary — for instance, if one year you were writing off $20,000 in mortgage interest debt and the next year you’re writing off $100,000 in mortgage interest. Taking the home office deduction in and of itself doesn’t usually generate an audit. However, if you claim nominal income and significantly higher expenses in an effort to create artificial losses, the IRS will see that there’s something else going on there.

HL: Now that filing season for tax year 2011 is almost over, when should home owners start thinking about tax year 2012?

AS: Well, hopefully, when you visit your CPA to give information about or pick up your 2011 tax return, your CPA has spoken with you about your plans for 2012: if any major improvements are scheduled, if you’re planning on moving, how to organize any expenditures for fixing up the home before sale. If you’re planning to do any of those things, talk with your CPA so that you’re prepared with documentation and so that the [tax pro] can help minimize your tax situation.

Make spring cleaning less of a chore by following these smarter–and mostly greener–tips for this annual rite of homeownership.

Bathrooms

When it’s time to get down and dirty, many people start with the bathroom. Allen Rathey, founder of The Housekeeping Channel, says removing mineral deposits, rust, and such from toilets doesn’t have to mean chemical warfare. Don rubber gloves and use a pumice stone to erase stubborn stains. If you want more scouring power, Rathey recommends mixing baking soda with acidic vinegar. The concoction is just as effective as conventional cleaners, and there are no toxic fumes to inhale. This approach works equally well on tub and shower stains.

Buy your supplies in bulk to save. A 64-ounce bottle of vinegar costs about $4; a 12-pound bag of baking soda, about $7. Both items can be used throughout the house. For just $1 you can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a 32-ounce spray bottle to make a terrific all-purpose surface cleaner. That’s about $4 cheaper than buying a spray cleaner at the store.

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to extract dirt from porous grouted surfaces. For tile floors use your usual cleaner, but don’t mop. Instead, run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Mopping drives the grime into the grout rather than removing it. According to Rathey, grout can harbor stinky bacteria that leave a bad odor in the bathroom. This technique is more time-consuming than mopping, but it’s worthwhile to do at least once a year.

Kitchens

The kitchen can be a tough room to clean because there’s usually so much stuff in it, says Justin Klosky, founder and creative director of The OCD Experience, an organizational service. Before you break out the broom, go through your cabinets and drawers, and put together a box of items to donate and a box of items to store somewhere besides the kitchen. Clear your countertops of everything except items you use nearly every day.

After you’ve de-cluttered, you can get to work cleaning. Cloud Conrad, vice president of marketing for cleaning company Maid Brigade, says one tool you shouldn’t overlook is an all-purpose microfiber cloth (about $5). These aren’t run-of-the-mill dusting rags. Microfiber is a densely woven synthetic fabric that picks up dirt and greasy deposits without chemicals thanks to its unique composition. You should be able to clean surfaces like countertops, sinks, and stoves with warm water, a microfiber cloth, and a bit of elbow grease, Conrad says.

Since you prepare your food in the kitchen, consider using green commercial products for surfaces, or make your own vinegar/water spray. Conventional cleaners may remove dirt, but they can also harbor some nasty substances you don’t want in your PB&J. Microfiber, vinegar, and baking soda will clean and disinfect almost every kitchen surface at a fraction of the price. Don’t neglect once-a-year chores like vacuuming refrigerator coils (unplug your fridge first), and tossing out expired food from the back of the pantry.

Bedrooms

Since bedrooms are such individual spaces, there’s a lot of diversity in what needs to happen. Most homeowners should at least rotate and flip innerspring mattresses, and store out-of-season sheets and clothing. Also go through your closet, and donate or Freecycle items you haven’t worn in the last 12 months. For carpets and mattresses, consider using a professional cleaning service. Figure a typical mattress will cost about $70-$90 to clean, a bargain considering how much time you spend in bed.

Even if you’re getting your carpet professionally cleaned, you still need to break out the vacuum, says Leslie Reichert, owner of The Cleaning Coach. Use the hose attachment to get to the hidden particles along baseboards, under your bed, and in your curtains, favorite environments of dust mites. If you have a large-capacity dryer, throw curtains in on high heat for good measure to kill the little pests.

Living area

Another surface you should consider getting professionally cleaned is living room upholstery. It can be tricky to know exactly how to deep-clean different types of fabrics, says Rathey, especially if there are stains you can’t quite identify. Costs vary widely depending on the size of the furniture piece and the quality and state of its covering, but a typical sofa might run $70 to $90.

Microfiber cloths are great to use in the living area as well. Make sure you have cloths for each area of the house, though, so you’re not cross-contaminating bathroom, kitchen, and living areas. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down windows, wood, mirrors, the tops of bookshelves, ceiling fan blades, and even the plastic housing of electronics for a quick, chemical-free clean.