From Kimberly Greenwell, Homebuilders Association of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY - The Home Product Expo presented by Window World and sponsored by The Courier Journal and WAMZ is this weekend, January 12 and 13 at the Paroquet Springs Conference Centre in nearby Shepherdsville. The Home Product Expo offers area residents the chance to speak one on one with local home improvement experts. Shop for items such as cabinets, carpeting, landscaping, countertops, windows, and much more all under one roof. Whether you’re looking to make some improvements in the near future or thinking you might start some projects some day in the distant future, this is an intimate show that will showcase the products and services available by local vendors.

From Tara Brinkmoeller, Home Builders Association of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY - Louisville returns to the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) in November 2012. It is one of 125 markets to make the list, which includes representatives from 38 states including the District of Columbia. The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. Louisville first was placed on the IMI in March of this year and fell off in May.

From Sarah Provancher, Kosair Children's Hospital

LOUISVILLE, KY - The Children’s Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Kosair Children’s Hospital, is raffling off a chance to win a newly built, newly construted house.

The 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Norton Commons is valued at approximately $300,000. The home was constructed by Norton Commons in conjunction with support from suppliers and subcontractors. Only 8,000 raffle tickets will be sold at a value of $100 each.