Home and garden

The welcome warmer days of spring, which officially begins this weekend, are a good time to think about improvements around the house. For these folks there is an outstanding opportunity to see all the latest trends up close at the 30th annual Home and Garden Show today through Sunday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

The show, put on by the Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association, features 150 exhibitors that will help you with your projects inside and outside your home.

This year's show also indicates that the economy is picking up. Vendor interest in booth space at the show reveals a good deal of optimism.

"If someone is thinking of building or remodeling, you can come check prices, get your financing in order, find a contractors and buy your supplies all under one room," said Ann Brookman, chairwoman of the home show committee for the home builders association. She ought to know. This is her 21st year for helping out with the show.

The home show's hours are 3 to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. If you're planning any projects around the house this spring, this show is for you.