True Value Kicks Off Search for America's Favorite Home Improvement All Star

True Value Kicks Off Search for America's Favorite Home Improvement All Star

Do-It-Yourselfers Finally Get the Recognition They Deserve!

CHICAGO, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Do-it-yourselfers have a new project to tackle this fall that will prove who is the nation's top home improvement guru: the True Value(R) "Do-It-Yourself All Star" contest. The grand prize winner will receive an in-person consultation at the site of their next project from Steve Watson, host of HGTV's "Don't Sweat It," $1,000 to use at a local True Value store and "bragging rights" around the neighborhood.

(http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070917/AQM052LOGO)

"Entering the 'Do-It-Yourself All Star' contest will motivate people to start new home improvement projects or to finish ones they've already begun," says Steve. "Everyone needs a bit of inspiration sometimes, and True Value provides it with the 'Do-It-Yourself All Star' contest and the tips and tools do-it-yourselfers need to get the job done."

Get Inspired With Fall Project Ideas

To inspire do-it-yourselfers this fall, Steve suggests the following easy-to-do project ideas, as well as tips to ensure they come out great. Take his advice and you'll be a home improvement all star around your house!

Bathroom Facelift
-- Project Idea: Nothing decreases the value and appeal of your home like
an outdated bathroom. With a new vanity, some paint and a little elbow
grease, you can complete a whole new bathroom look in just a weekend!
-- Tip: Don't want to replace your entire vanity? You can still freshen up
your bathroom by hanging a new mirror or by replacing old hardware like
hinges and knobs.

First-Aid for the Roof
-- Project Idea: Fall is the perfect time to give your roof a check-up and
prepare for winter storms. Don't waste money by hiring outside help for
minor roof repairs and leaks; patch them up easily on your own in an
afternoon. Steve says to prevent slips or falls, wait a few days before
getting on the roof after a rainstorm so the surface has time to dry.
-- Tip: Early warning signs of roof leaks include mold on interior walls
and ceilings; peeling paint or wallpaper; and damp odors, especially in
confined spaces such as hallways.

The Perfect Patio
-- Project Idea: Did summer heat leave your lawn dry and brown? A simple
patio is a great way to hide unsightly brown spots in your yard or
provide extra space to entertain outdoors. Use concrete paving stones
to create a patio (in any shape or size) and enjoy season after season.
-- Tip: Don't forget to put down a layer of gravel under the concrete
paving stones to ensure proper drainage.

Choosing the "Do-It-Yourself All Star"

Now through Oct. 5, 2007, visit http://www.startrightstarthere.com/ to submit a short essay and photo that depicts why you or someone you know deserves to be named True Value's "Do-It-Yourself All Star." One grand prize winner will receive ultimate "bragging rights," an in-person consultation at the site of their next project from Steve Watson and $1,000 to use at a local True Value store.

Total entries will be narrowed down to top finalists and people will be able to vote for their favorite all star at http://www.startrightstarthere.com/ from Oct. 12 - 22, 2007. The grand prize winner and "Do-It-Yourself All Star" will be announced in mid-November.

True Value has been a trusted name in home improvement for more than 50 years. With quality products and expert in-store advice, True Value has been there to help people start and complete home improvement projects. With the "Do-It-Yourself All Star" contest, True Value wants to recognize do-it-yourselfers for the hard work and help they've provided.

Visit http://www.startrightstarthere.com/ for a full list of contest rules and regulations. True Value project guides, shopping lists and do-it-yourself tips from Steve Watson are also available.

About Steve Watson and True Value

True Value has teamed up with Steve Watson, the home improvement expert and host of HGTV's hit show "Don't Sweat It," to help do-it-yourselfers start projects off right and accomplish them in just a weekend. Steve learned the tools of the trade when he worked in construction as a teenager. Later he started his own remodeling business focusing on residential home improvement.

About True Value

True Value Company, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world's largest member-owned wholesale hardware cooperatives with sales of approximately $2 billion in annual revenue. The cooperative includes approximately 6,000 independent retailer locations operating under the store identities of True Value, Grand Rental Station, Taylor Rental, Party Central, Home & Garden Showplace and Induserve Supply. Additional information on True Value Company and its retail identities is available at http://www.truevaluecompany.com/.

HGTV's own do-it-yourself all star, Steve Watson, is available for media

interviews.

For more project ideas and how-to's, JPEG images, or to schedule an interview,

contact Teresa Chou at 312-240-2836 or Teresa.Chou@Edelman.com.

Teresa Chou, Edelman for True Value
312-240-2836
Teresa.Chou@Edelman.com

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Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070917/AQM052LOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: True Value Company

CONTACT: Teresa Chou of Edelman, +1-312-240-2836,
Teresa.Chou@Edelman.com, for True Value Company

Web site:

http://www.truevaluecompany.com/
http://www.startrightstarthere.com/

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