Reprint from the Progress Times - April 4, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

18th annual Home and Garden Show goes 'Green'

 

The new McAllen Convention Center will be transformed into a virtual ‘Living Magazine’ as the RGV Home and Garden Show begins its 18th annual weekend run April 4, 5, and 6. There will be a winning combination of over 200 exhibitors, suppliers and vendors offering ideas on how to build a new home or remodel, redecorate or landscape an existing home in an affordable and ‘green’ way.

"Everything you could possibly need will be featured at this show, whether it’s building a new home from the ground up, remodeling, redecorating or landscaping, it’s all here – set in a fun-filled atmosphere. There are ‘going green’ art projects for the kids and hundreds of door prizes. This is a show the whole family will enjoy and we’re expecting over 10,000 visitors to the convention center during the show’s three-day run," according to show owner, Quincy Barnes.

"Everything you’ve ever wanted for your home will be at this show including ‘one-stop shopping’ with over 200 unique vendors, featuring stunning interior design, décor and lighting experts; landscaping, pools and spas; furniture, flooring and window treatments; custom home builders and developers; bricks, blocks, and building materials; appliances, cookware, handy gadgets; and the list goes on!"

A green designer and sustainable lifestyle consultant, Joshua Foss, will be making appearances on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. Foss is at the forefront of the eco-building industry and lives by the motto that being green should not sacrifice style.

A self-proclaimed ‘metro-hippie’, Foss is out to prove that sustainability is an attractive and affordable option. You may recognize the artist and designer as ‘Organic Josh’ from this past season of HGTV’s hit series, ‘Design Star’.

Foss has a unique approach to design. He combines formal education in fine arts, half a dozen years working as a carpenter, a commitment to the environment and experience working as a designer from Seattle and Orlando.

Besides being the head artist and designer of Thrive Design Studio (www.thrive-ds.com), Joshua is very active in both local and national ‘green scenes’. He is contract graphic designer for the U.S. Green Building Council, the foremost green building organization in the U.S.

Foss is also not afraid to share his eco-agenda with the masses. He has made several appearances on television and is making a name for himself as a public speaker.

Foss also maintains another business, Fossdesigns that caters to more of his artistic endeavors, and a blog, which focuses on green design plus lifestyle. Check them out at www.fossdesigns.com.

Going ‘green’ means building green and healthier homes, reduced utility bills and sustaining our environment. The demand is growing for environmentally friendly constructed homes and energy efficient products.

Each year the RGV Home and Garden Show features spectacular giveaways and door prizes; this year is no different. In addition to the hundreds of daily door prizes, two lucky winners will walk away with a $5,000 outdoor kitchen and a $4,000, 40" Runco HDTV at the end of the show.

Barnes added, "This event promises to be our biggest show ever; there is something here for everyone. Bring the whole family out for a good time. If you can’t find what you want at this show, it doesn’t exist."

Looking to go green but not sure who offers the products to help you? Look no further, You’ll find it all here.

Come to the show and learn about eco-friendly, money saving solutions for all your building needs. Show times are Friday, April 4, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, children 12 and under are free.