Consumer Corner
Award-Winning Inspiration for Home Interior Upgrades

(Family Features) With more homeowners choosing to stay put rather than sell their homes, interior space renovations are on the rise, according to the 2023 U.S. Houzz & Home Study. One of the most common desires for homeowners is to create additional space by opening up rooms and changing the layout. Removing walls and partitions allows for better flow between rooms and creates a feeling of more space in smaller homes.
“We are finding homeowners are renovating for the long haul and want to create more living space; specifically, kitchens and baths are top projects,” said Andy Apter, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “Some of the trends we are seeing include extra room for home offices to accommodate remote work and open kitchens where families can gather and entertain.”
If you’re looking for inspiration, these award-winning projects showcase a variety of ideas for home interior projects. A panel of industry experts chose these 2023 NARI National Contractor of the Year (CotY) award winners based on functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty. Find the complete list at remodelingdoneright.nari.org/NARICotYWinners.
Residential Interior Under $100,000
These homeowners desired a modern staircase to open the flow of the main floor, mitigating the staircase’s awkward corner angle and separation from the main living spaces by a load-bearing wall. After condensing the wall into a single column, not only did the flow improve, but the staircase’s window lights up the living room and illuminates the homeowner’s varied mineral and art collection.
Residential Interior $100,000-$250,000
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this client began working from home and realized he needed a designated office space to stay productive. An existing home office was already occupied by another family member. The client wanted the new office to be close to the master suite to make waking up and starting the day’s job more convenient.
Residential Interior $250,000-$500,000
This eclectic ’70s home needed a total remodel in order to modernize its main living areas and open up the downtown views. After redesigning the primary bathroom, moving the kitchen from the back of the house and adding a full wall of windows overlooking the deck where the kitchen was originally located, this home now offers beautiful city sightlines.
Residential Interior Over $500,000
This 1975 colonial home underwent a complete transformation to accommodate the changing needs of this busy family of five. These additions, which included inserting steel beams and relocating plumbing, changed the layout from compartmentalized to an open floor plan. Complete with new floors, windows and color schemes, the interior now makes this home feel brand new.
SOURCE:
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
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holidays
A Guide for the Last-Minute Gifter
Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Rod Washington

(Family Features) If you’ve ever found yourself buying a holiday gift for someone on your list at the last minute, you’re not alone. According to a Walgreens U.S. gift-giving survey, 83% of Americans found themselves getting a gift for someone at the last minute – a trend even more common among Gen Z (90%) and parents (92%). To help keep things merry and bright, consider these tips to help with the last-minute holiday hustle, and visit Walgreens.com or a store near you to find deals and gift inspiration.

SOURCE:
Walgreens
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Automotive
Set Yourself Up for Safe Winter Driving
Set yourself up for safe winter driving with these essential tips: switch to winter tires, check air pressure, protect off-season wheels, and maintain tread depth. Learn how to prepare your car for snow and ice so you can drive with confidence all season.

Set Yourself Up for Safe Winter Driving
(Family Features) Waiting for the first snow or ice storm to hit puts you and your tires behind the curve when it comes time to get behind the wheel. Preparing your vehicle and brushing up on smart winter driving tips helps ensure you arrive at your destination safely, no matter the weather. Consider Winter Tires When temperatures drop below 45 F, winter tires maintain flexibility and road grip, contrary to all-season tires that don’t perform as well in these conditions. Winter tires are designed for better traction and stopping power in ice, slush and snow. Change Out Seasonal Wheels and Rims Swapping summer or all-season tires for winter ones will ensure your vehicle has the best traction possible, but that’s just part of the story. Slippery, wet and icy roads mean vehicles tend to skid and lose control, striking curbs and other objects that scratch, dent and scuff. Snow and winter wheels are a smart way to protect summer rims from snow, ice and road-clearing chemicals like salt. Protect Offseason Tires It’s important to protect your offseason tires from below freezing temperatures, sunlight, moisture and other harsh weather conditions. Consider Discount Tire’s Tire Hotel service, available at select locations, where stores help preserve the condition of tires, handling tire rotations, inspections and maintenance when it’s time to change the winter tires back. Maintain Target Air Pressure The impact changing temperatures have on your tire pressure can create numerous issues, including poor handling, worse gas mileage, excessive wear and overloading. Prevent problems by checking your air pressure at least once a month when your tires are cool and before any long trip. For every 10 F in ambient temperature change, tire air pressure changes 1 PSI (pound per square inch). That means you need to check your tires more frequently as temperatures fluctuate and settle into lower winter levels. Check Tread Depth Regularly Your vehicle’s tread depth plays a vital role in traction, which can affect your safety while driving in winter conditions. To ensure you have ample tread, stick a penny upside-down in a tread groove. It’s time to replace if Lincoln’s head is visible. You can also visit your local Discount Tire store for a free tire safety check. Practice Good Tire Maintenance Taking care of your tires ensures you get the longest life and best wear. Most experts recommend rotating your tires every 6,000 miles. Knowing the age of your tires, which can be found by looking at the DOT number stamped on their sidewalls, is important since tire rubber becomes harder and more brittle as it ages, increasing the risk of failure. Choose Tires Wisely Selecting the tires that are best suited for where you drive, how you drive and what you drive helps protect you and your passengers, ensuring your vehicle is prepared for winter weather. When shopping, consider using an online tire guide like Treadwell, which provides personalized recommendations on the best tires for your driving needs. Find the tool online at DiscountTire.com/Treadwell. Photo courtesy of ShutterstockThe Legacy of the Datsun 510: How a Game-Changing Car Helped Nissan Conquer the US MarketLink: https://stmdailynews.com/the-legacy-of-the-datsun-510-how-a-game-changing-car-helped-nissan-conquer-the-us-market/
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Blog
Glad and Oscar the Grouch Team Up for a Trashy, Toe-Tapping Campaign
Glad teams up with Oscar the Grouch for a playful revival of the “Don’t Get Mad. Get Glad.” campaign, featuring a musical number, limited-edition Oscar-inspired trash bags, and a fresh take on making trash day fun for all ages.
Glad revives its most popular, decades-long, star-studded ad campaign, “Don’t Get Mad. Get Glad.”
A Classic Campaign Gets a Grouchy Remix
Why Oscar? Why Now?
Nostalgia Meets New Audiences
Limited-Edition Oscar Goodies and Where to Find Them
Where to Watch
- Glad revives its most popular, decades-long, star-studded ad campaign, “Don’t Get Mad. Get Glad.”
- Glad revives its most popular, decades-long, star-studded ad campaign, “Don’t Get Mad. Get Glad.”
Bringing the Campaign Home: Phoenix Community Clean-Up
- “Phoenix, let’s get grouchy about litter and Glad about clean streets! Join our community clean-up and share your photos with #GladToCleanPHX.”
- “Spotted: Oscar the Grouch in Phoenix! Grab your Glad bags, clean up your neighborhood, and tag #OscarLovesTrash for a chance to be featured.”
- “Spring cleaning in Phoenix just got a lot more fun—thanks to Glad and Oscar! Who’s joining our next clean-up day? #GladToCleanPHX”
About the Brands
- Glad Products Company
- Sesame Workshop
- PRNewswire
- Press release via Glad, Dec 2, 2025 (based on IRI data, last 52 weeks ending 10/26/2025)
High Demand Marks “Veggies for Veterans” Event Amid SNAP Delays
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