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THIS IS THE OFFICIAL PAGE OF THE $16,000 ULTIMATE BACKYARD MAKEOVER GIVEAWAY HOSTED BY BACKYARD GIVEAWAY AND SPONSORED WQ|MAG.SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Please Read The Rules And The Sponsors On This Page.
You must be a WQ|mag Member to Enter. Not A Member? Join By Clicking Here It's Free To Join!

Hosted by Backyard Getaway www.backyardgetaway.net

The Backyard Getaway is a family owned and operated service and retail pond & water garden business that grew from a hobby into a passion. Let us add the peace and tranquility of flowing water to your backyard and enhance your landscape with a unique water feature. Whether you prefer a Koi pond, a water garden with beautiful lilies, pondless waterfall or even a pet friendly pond for your dog, we will create your perfect getaway in your own backyard. We offer pond installation, maintenance & restoration services.
Do-it-yourselfers order your pond equipment & supplies online or call us for local delivery in Manatee & Sarasota Counties. Koi & Aquatic plants are available for viewing by appointment. We carry a full line of pond & water garden products from Liner & Pumps to Filters & UVs. We also carry water treatments, lighting, water lilies, aquatic plants, live Koi & koi food. Our customers are our number one priority & we will be happy to walk you through & show you step by step how to install your water feature.

Ask about our free garden clinics,hands on pond build classes, our annual parade of ponds water garden tour & our Backyard Friends Club. If you would like to see one of our water garden creations contact us & we will be happy to give you an address to visit. Call today for your pond consultation.

Backyard Getaway
Your Complete Pond Source & More..
(941) 752-POND (7663)
www.backyardgetaway.net
[e-mail]
Donating: Water Garden.




Other Sponsors and Contributors:


Your Green Home Resource
[phone]
www.steffm.weebly.com
[e-mail]

Your Green Home Resource educates and coaches families as to what steps they can take and supports them as they begin the journey to reducing their carbon footprint. We do not force anyone into a choice they are not comfortable with, and we do not judge if a family decides they are not ready to take a particular step at this time. It is a learning process, and one action leads to another.
Donating: Complete home consultation


All Phases Welding
2415 10th St. Ct. E.
Ellenton, FL 34222
941-723-6800
www.AllPhasesWeld.com
[e-mail]

All Phases Welding & Fabrication Inc. is a local business based out of Ellenton, FL. in Manatee County. We are a residential and commercial welding company that has over 15 years of experience in all aspects of welding. Our quality workmanship is currently building our reputation as one of Manatee Counties premiere welding contractors and we hope to expand that throughout the state. We specialize in carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. We are portable as well and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency needs.
Donation: two one of a kind solar lamp posts



D & T Handy Girlz
Home Preservation Specialist
941-713-1387
[e-mail]

15 years experience with commercial & residential properties Securing, cleaning & maintaining foreclosed properties. For prompt, dependable & courteous service
call Doris or Terry.
Donating: Landscaping & landscape plantings



HYDRO-STACKER LLC
941-322-9602
www.hydrostacker.com
[e-mail]

HYDRO-STACKER LLC is the original patented inventor and holder of the vertical hydroponic growing system. The HYDRO-STACKER system is water saving (as much as 400 percent over tradidtional growing methods & does not use traditional insecticides or fungicides because of the growing medium that is used. The HYDRO-STACKER system only uses three quarts of water for twenty plants in fourteen square inches of growing area. Production for food can increase over normal growing to 4 to 5 times more food. The HYDRO-STACKER system has a Lifetime Warranty.
Donating: two installed stack automatic feed systems



Premier Video Productions, Inc.
(800)-716-5692
(941)-753-1910
[e-mail]
www.pvvideo.com
Established in 1989 by LaJuana Pruitt, offers full service video production from the conception of your project to finished delivery. We videotape in digital and HD, serving both local & national cliental ranging from the legal & medical communities to fine arts & entertainment.
Donating: video of makeover



Ryland's Rustics
[phone]
[e-mail]
Pat Gormley, Artist
Creating one of a kind wall & garden art using 100% recycled materials
Donating: One of a kind garden art


Historic Sheds
[phone]
www.historicshed.com
[e-mail]
Historic Shed was founded by the historic preservation professionals at to meet the needs of historic-home owners for affordable and attractive additional space that complements and enhances their historic property. We also offer hard to find accessory products for your historic building, including window screens, wood screen, doors, foundation lattice and gates.
Donating: Garden shed



NDC Carpentry
[phone]
[e-mail]
General contractors specializing in custom interiors. Kitchens, Baths, Windows, Doors, Custom trim, Arbors & Decks.
Donating: arbor



Eco Essentials
[phone]
Jodi John
[e-mail]

Offering rain barrels, earth boxes, worm farming & organic Shitake Mushroom buying club.A 1” rainfall generates about half gallon of water per square foot of roof area.
Donating: rain barrel




Tampa Bay Landscape Lighting
By Decorating Elves
(866)-445-6202
www.tampabaylandscapelighting.com
www.decoratingelves.com
Decorating Elves was started as a small business venture by Nick Schriver to help homeowners Avoid the Holiday Hassle. With hard work and dedication Decorating Elves has grown to be the premier outdoor lighting & event decorating company specializing in Christmas lighting & holiday decor.
Donating: Standard Landscape Lighting Package with 10 fixtures and 1 transformer



PAVING CREW, INC
2150 17TH ST,
Sarasota, FL 34234
941-360-0203
FAX [phone] [e-mail]
www.pavingcrew.com
Paving Crew specializes in installation of interlocking brick pavers, old Chicago pavers and retaining walls. We are a licensed and insured company, full staffed to meet the specific requirements for residential and commercial projects. We have in house crews that can handle any kind and any size jobs, knowing that customer service is very important, we schedule all repairs for the very next day. We also offer pressure cleaning and sealing of any paver application already in place.
Donation: Paver patio & retaining wall with seating



FL Native plant nursery
[phone]
www.floridanativeplants.com
Florida Native Plants, Inc.was founded as Florida Scrub Growers, and has committed itself to growing native plants since 1982. The plants we grow originate from seeds and cuttings from Florida and therefore include species that are adapted to our heat, humidity, drought, flooding and frosts.
Donating: Plants for alternative lawn choices & butterfly garden basics



Michelle Donner Photography
[phone]
www.michelledonnerphotography.blogspot.com
[e-mail]
I decided in the beginning of 2009 to live my passion... Now, Michelle Donner Photography has been launched. I will photograph and record your small events Now offering portrait sittings. I love what I do, and would love to make you smile.
Donating: publicity shots/portrait



The Hive Creations &
Anna Mariki Tiki
9908 Gulf Dr. Suite C
Anna Maria, Island Fl. 34216
941.778.7432
www.thehivestore.com
The Hive Creations is a unique place to visit on the north end of Anna Maria Island, FL! Established in 2007, it is filled with hand-carved tiki's and tiki-style decor, one-of-a-kind silk screened American Apparel, handcrafted jewelry, organic candles, beautiful wall pieces, and artwork. Everything in the shop is handmade by artists local and regional.
Donating: Two 3' hand carved Tiki



Shade Sails, Inc.
donated a 12'x12' shade sail. (These are very cool for Florida)



The Gulf Coast Plumeria Society
donating a couple of Plumeria Trees





SPECIFIC RULES FOR THIS CONTEST:
* You Must Be A WQ|mag member to Enter. Not a Member? Join Here It is free to Join.

*Entires must live in Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida.

*Must own your home & be 18 years or older to enter.

*If home is in deed restricted community it is owners responsibility to get permission for makeover from homeowners association.

*Family & employees of participating companies not eligible to enter.

*Maximum area for makeover is 1200 sq. ft. (You can still enter if your yard is larger or smaller but the max area to be made over is 1200sf)

*You must send a photo (Size of photo should be 500 pixels wide or less) & 100 words or less of why you want this makeover. (entries will be judged on originality & humor).

*Backyard Getaway & WQ magazine can not be held responsible for any companies or items that may back out of contest

*Only one entry per person.

*NO purchase necessary

*You can nominate someone else, but all above rules apply.

*Top 10 finalist will be chosen by the host & sponsor

*Finalist will be posted on www.wqmag.com where the winner will be chosen by public voting.

*You can vote once daily during voting period.

Dates to remember


*Entry Dates: August 1st- August 31st, 2009

*Top Ten Finalists Announced: September 3, 2009

*Vote for finalists: September 3 - September 18th, 2009

*Winner Announced: September 23rd, 2009

*Makeover scheduled during the month of October

Please read the General Rules which apply to all Contests, Giveaways and Sweepstakes.



ENTER BY SUBMITTING YOUR INFORMATION IN THE REPLY BOX BELOW

[jessica stevens]

If you could only see our "zero landscape" wasteland of a shell yard you would know how badly we desire a lovely yard! Although we live in paradise, our shell yard simply drives us into the house. We both work long hard hours at our service jobs and come home exhausted and desperate to recharge and recouperate for more the next day. How wonderful would it be to have a gorgeous yard to enjoy! Our outside dog, Mattison, tiptoes around on the sharp shell like she's walking on broken glass. Now that our aging parents are spending more time at our house, we want to offer them a relaxing and beautiful place to enjoy their family. Currently our sparse yard does not offer a warm fuzzy family feeling. Please help us transform the sharp shell wasteland into our own backyard paradise! Thank you! Jessica Stevens ([e-mail])

[marlene cooley]

Hi Lisa,

I know my backyard needs a makeover, photo attached. I actually got the fire pit from my mother-n-law for a smore's camp out w/the kids and my husband was given this wonderful lounge chair from pinepple house collection.

I love to sit outside when I get the opportunity. To spend time outside is something I've always love to do since childhood.

I need a fence for my pet dog and I would love a shed just for my things since my husband has taken full ownership of our garage.

I started a little herb garden on my screen porch which is also our dog house at the time. It's a little hard to keep the dog hair off of everything. I manage it as much as possible.

Need a retreat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marlene Cooley
ps thats my son Caide on my page photo.

[Maria L]

This is my yard, it is a small yard that is not "Sophie Proof". I adopted Sophie a few years ago from a shelter
and most of my work in the yard which was relaxation and
quiet time has now become a reaction to Sophie in the yard.
Every Saturday I fill in the holes Sophie has dug and pick up after her....The stone is a reaction to the size of a hole Sophie dug and the shade from the oak trees on the other side of the fence. There was a time, pre-Sophie,
that I would relax in the shade on the bench and read a book. Now I dream of a paved and placid space to invite friends for Sunday brunch or relax in the shade reading on a cool autumn day. My dreams are filled with a Sophie-resistant clean patio lined with lush plants and beautiful borders. Perhaps my dreams of a happy Sophie and a beautiful yard can come true with WQ.

[Susie Anderson]

Divorced 2+ yrs ago, I inherited the outside/yard maintenance. There were huge berms in my yard & a boyfriend started a project of 'shrinking' them, less for me to take care of. Started 2 yrs ago, boyfriend now gone & I'm still not done. I love working outside, I'd never done it before. I love pruning & shaping most. My health is not great plus I work a full work week managing a title company. There's no way I can do these last items by myself. I just spent $700 just to lay sod (the recent rains were wreaking havoc on my berm turned mud pit) and have a tree trimmed. That's the end of my expenditures (just not in the budget!) I have 2 small dogs & enjoy my yard, but it really could be a Garden of Eden if I had the strength & cash. Susie Anderson

[Julie Trigg]

Yes, I would LOVE to have a backyard makeover. As you can see in this photo, there is a pond in there somewhere! The potato vines, water hyacinths and frogs love the recent rains, Sad to say, but this whole area has been let-go for the past few years.

[Kathy Kelley-Swain]

WHAT A MESS! My husband really tried, but our backyard has turned into a hodgepodge of sheds, portable carports, storage, and just plain STUFF! And to top it off, this area is just outside our doors. As you can see this area is not becoming. A planned layout where we could enjoy the outdoors is just what we need. But we do need your HELP.

[Kathy Kelley-Swain]

Kathy Kelley-Swain said:

WHAT A MESS! My husband really tried, but our backyard has turned into a hodgepodge of sheds, portable carports, storage, and just plain STUFF! And to top it off, this area is just outside our doors. As you can see this area is not becoming. A planned layout where we could enjoy the outdoors is just what we need. But we do need your HELP.

[Dr. ZZ]

We have no children, yet the previous owner’s handmade playhouse dominates our backyard. The large, clumsy playhouse is too cumbersome to pass for lawn sculpture and too small to serve as a rental unit. Furthermore, none of the yard lamps work, and the fence is dilapidated. I’m afraid that, were I to sleepwalk at night, I’d end up in the neighbor's compost pit. We can use trees, plants, paving, artwork, lighting, landscaping, you name it – the whole nine yards. Please choose my backyard for a makeover, and we can give away the playhouse in the next Wqmag contest. Any takers? Dr. Zae Zatoon

[Marsha]

I vote for Gale, she really needs help with that backyard!!!!!!!!!!

Gale said:

Please HELP!!!! I tried a paver outside the back door.But as you can see after alot of blisters and sweating it really needs to be done by a professional.I have a dog and granddaughters who can not use the back yard together,LOTS of sand.I can not seem to get anything to grow except WEEDS!!!!!! We would like to cook out and have friends over,and use the space we have to relax after a hard day at work.Thank you the Valleys on too Much Sunniland St

[StreetAngel23]

Tracey said:

Hi, my name is Moose and I am a very good boy. I like to play, play, play (and play). This is my back yard. You can see it is dry and I have no grass to play in. I also need a tree or two so i can have some shade and somewhere to "you know what." I hate these sunglasses so shade would really be nice. I overheard my humans saying they need an irrigation system plus a pool for me to swim in. I am a very good swimmer and I can dive, too. Thank you. Woof.

Humans: M/M Chuck Starrett; 123 Whispering Oaks Ct., Sarasota, FL 34232; 941-342-1627, [e-mail]

[StreetAngel23]

Its the Tree House ! I love working in the yard but have a severe allergy to poisen ivy which lurks among the other native folige in my yard. Would love to have it cleared out some to be able to garden without the fear. Its all natural and could be a real oasis with some HELP ! Would love to come home to my tranquil little corner of Siesta Key after a long day at the Spa giving massages and facials to the locals and tourists ! Please consider this space for the MAKE OVER THANK YOU ! !

[rachelle belanger]

Well, where shall I begin? Let's start by saying it would sure be nice to actually see outside of my windows into my backyard. It looks like a jungle out there! The bushes have taken over some some while creature. Let my dog or kids out to play? Are you kidding? Who knows what is lurking out there. Seriously, it would be so nice to have a backyard. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachelle Belanger