The front door: St. Paul Art Crawl

More than 350 artists will open their studios and galleries to display their wares for the 26th annual St. Paul Art Crawl, which is expanding its reach to include artists' quarters on Grand, Raymond and University avenues. Artwork runs the gamut from handcrafted pottery, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and paintings to high-tech digital and multimedia installations. New this year: an art vending machine that holds tiny treasures for $5 each. Area restaurants and coffee shops also will showcase some of the Art Crawl creations. The free event is from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For maps and a schedule of events, go to www.artcrawl.org or call 651-292-4373.

Looking for a good deal on a compost bin or rain barrel? You can order one online, at a big discount, and pick it up at the Living Green Expo, May 1-2 at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. The compost bin is a 10-cubic-foot capacity bin (retail $100), available for $55 when you pre-order. There are two styles of rain barrels available, the barrel-style Rain Catcher (retail $180) or the Systern (retail $120), each available for $65. You'll have to act fast; orders are being accepted only until Thursday and while supplies last. To order, go to www.recycleminnesota.org.

Pre-ordered bins and barrels must be picked up May 1 or 2 at the Living Green Expo. While at the expo, you'll find information and demonstrations on green lawn and garden care, such as how to start a vegetable garden, safely control outdoor pests, green roofs and rain gardens. Expo hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. May 1, and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. May 2 in the grandstand. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.livinggreenexpo.mn.

Spring arrived early this year, and so did the lawn care season. If you need to overseed thin areas in your lawn, go ahead and do it now. Be sure to use a rake to rough up the area before you seed, and water regularly after seeding unless we have consistent rains. Don't use a weed killer where you've seeded, unless the product is designed to be used on recently seeded grass. It'll kill your newly sprouted grass along with the weeds.

If you're working out of your home, you're part of the growing "live/work" trend. Home-based workers enjoy flexibility, cost savings and no commute. But there are other challenges, including when and how to turn off work so that you have a life, and how to design your space to maximize productivity and minimize distractions. We look at the different ways people are making live/work work for them.