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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

[Linda Tobin]

When one says they’re "out back", they mean they’re in their backyard. When we use that term it quite literally means we’re in the “Outback” (think Australian desert). Our home has been here 40 years and no owner has planted even one strategic shade plant. My husband has put great effort into improving our “curb-appeal”, but appears he’s "running-out-of-steam" for backyard improvement, while all I do is "get steamed" when pondering this unusable area. Between threadbare grass and peeling concrete patio, it’s a sauna, but then I'm not Finnish. I dream Tuscan Valley, not Death Valley! Backyard-Getaway help me getaway!

[Cathie D. Meyer]

An Ode to My Backyard

Just look at these pictures and you will see
Why the backyard prize should go to me!

We have a nice home that really looks great,
But our backyard terrain would frighten a snake!

Raccoons and dogs hide in our grass,
They jump out and scare us whenever we pass!

We'd love to have a pond or a fountain,
Instead of this dirt that looks like a mountain.

My husband's no help, he's allegic to grass,
He'd rather stay in the house and sit on his chair!!!

[Sarah]

Old Backyard

There is a place not far from here
Hidden by a fence so dear
That shields the neighbor's eyes from drear
Called old backyard

The pedal grass and burs grow free
The snakes and possums play with glee
For nothing human can there be
In old backyard

A sagging bench with rotted pine
A warted branch with strangled vine
One look will make you grab the wine
At old backyard

A place that could be so much more
If only owners weren't so poor
So to the public we implore
Please help our old backyard!

[Rosalie leon]

Rosalie Leon
would love to win!

[kevinmicale]

I am a newlywed with a beautiful new wife and 2 really cute dogs. However, I've got a hideous yard. It has so much potential, but it's downright atrocious. We hope to add to our family in the near future but our yard needs major help before kids and dogs can play out there. I guess the only positive thing about our yard right now is if you want to play in the sand there is no need to go to the beach there is plenty of sand back there. There is also spotty grass, weeds, no shade, too much shade. It's brutal, please help!

[kevinmicale]

kevinmicale said:

I am a newlywed with a beautiful new wife and 2 really cute dogs. However, I've got a hideous yard. It has so much potential, but it's downright atrocious. We hope to add to our family in the near future but our yard needs major help before kids and dogs can play out there. I guess the only positive thing about our yard right now is if you want to play in the sand there is no need to go to the beach there is plenty of sand back there. There is also spotty grass, weeds, no shade, too much shade. It's brutal, please help!

[Barbara Hurley]

While sitting in my favorite chair, I heard something. “Is that my tree?“ I wondered. I kept quiet, listened, and this is what I heard.
“My caretaker is a senior citizen and needs help. She likes to look through her large windows and watch the birds, butterflies, and the wonder of God’s creation. She tries hard to make me look nice, but her “get up and go” has “got up and went.” I am big and strong. Can you please make me more beautiful? A nice waterfall with its bubbling symphony to harmonize with my dancing branches would be fantastic.

[Barbara Hurley]

While sitting in my favorite chair, I heard something. “Is that my tree?“ I wondered. I kept quiet, listened, and this is what I heard.
“My caretaker is a senior citizen and needs help. She likes to look through her large windows and watch the birds, butterflies, and the wonder of God’s creation. She tries hard to make me look nice, but her “get up and go” has “got up and went.” I am big and strong. Can you please make me more beautiful? A nice waterfall with its bubbling symphony to harmonize with my dancing branches would be fantastic.

[Sheryl Chubb]

WE NEED A MAGICIAN! Our backyard is barren except for an old shed and some patio furniture that is falling apart. We would love to transform our backyard into a tranquil oasis where we could entertain family and friends or just enjoy the relaxing sounds of an outdoor waterfall. My husband & I picked up some items including a video at the Backyard Getaway Sale for installing a waterfall pond; however we would love to win the BACKYARD MAKEOVER and have professionals PERFORM THEIR MAGIC.

[Bruce Kamm]

I got "Pinky" hoping my octogenarians (mom & dad) would move from their NY apartment to this cute pink happy house in sunny Bradenton, so I could care for them in "later years". The plan was to fix it, brighten it up, add a garden and entice them to move to Florida.

The plan may finally be working, as they went from we're not leaving our apartment, to maybe we'll come and visit for a week, to we'll think about staying this winter to see if we like it.

So for the past year, I planed on working on the backyard, but can hardly keep up with maintenance, let alone making the backyard into a pleasant outdoor living space.

Now if I could just get them to get on a plane, as my father fears that he will loose his mind from the high altitude.

[Tammy Hogan/Sunshine Baskets]

It all started when my neighbor behind me built a gigantic workshop taller than every house on the street. Then he added a huge covered area behind it. I was so angry every time I went outside. In retaliation I decided to paint my fences in a Key West color scheme. I thought it would brighten up the backyard and distract you from looking at the monstrosity. Well it sure distracts you! Now everyone laughs at my yard! I need your help to make it a beautiful place to enjoy!

[Robin Leonardi]

A Backyard Tale of Woe

Help! The people who own this house are clueless. I overheard them saying that they’ve lived here for 5 years but haven’t spent even an hour enjoying me.
Oh sure, they’ll mow & weed whack, and have tried sprucing me up with lawn chairs, Tiki torches and even a “vintage” hot tub, but sadly, my overall look is still very “early trailer park”.
I have the potential to become a thriving oasis; I simply require Backyard Getaway to transform me from the barren wasteland I am, to the tropical paradise I am waiting to become.