Radio show goes 'In Your House'

One of the great things about having a local radio station like we have in Sisters with KZSO 94.9 FM, is that the hosts are often our friends and neighbors. With Shawn O'Hern and Thomas Means, co-hosts of "In Your House," you can get your home repair and improvement questions answered on the air and have professional local help available if you need it.

Michael Richards, general manager of KZSO, talked to his friend Thomas Means about doing a show like "Car Talk," but focusing on home repair issues. Means just happened to know a contractor, Shawn O'Hern, who it turned out also knew Richards, and "In Your House" was born. They've done 17 shows, which now also stream live on KZSOradio.org, Saturdays at noon with rebroadcasts on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

The dynamic duo hope to educate homeowners and construction workers about anything to do with building construction inside and out, including energy efficiency, flooring, framing, water heaters, appliance installation, plumbing, frozen pipes, painting, electrical, roofing - the best place to get your supplies and how to take care of your tools.

O'Hern started as a finish carpenter and became a general contractor working on residential and commercial projects for over 20 years in California. He has been in Sisters for 10 years, where he worked on the Timber Creek development and had his own business doing remodels. He was construction manager for Sisters Habitat for Humanity for the past three years and now is once again operating his own business. With one child in college, one at Sisters High School and one at the middle school, he is actively looking for projects.

Means has been a general contractor for 27 years, specializing in design and building, and remodeling high-end kitchens in California and Oregon. He was a building inspector for eight years, is certified in electrical and plumbing, and knows what you need to do to pass inspections. Now retired, he enjoys woodworking, doing segmented wood projects using different types and colors of wood to fashion beautiful bowls and decorative pieces. He also taught jewelry making and produces artistic pieces combining various metals. He still loves to work with his hands.

Means and O'Hern have become very environmentally conscious, and incorporate that into their design and construction ideas. They are all about saving energy, saving water, repurposing and upgrading to save money. They'll let their listeners know about rebates and sales, and where to get the best deals.

Means talks about a tool of the week. Last week it was clamps.

"I always carry all kinds of clamps for all kinds of purposes," he says. "You just never know when they might come in handy."

O'Hern talks about the importance of cords and putting your name on them when you go to a job site.

"It's the only way to get all your cords back at the end of the day," he advises workers.

This Saturday at noon O'Hern and Means will have a special guest, Kris Calvin from Earthwood Homes, and they will be talking about timber framing. Future plans include interviewing local contractors and builders.

In Your House is not yet broadcast live, but hopes are that it will be soon. If you have any questions about home improvements or remodeling, or comments about the show, write to [email protected] or call KZSO at 541-588-6303 and leave a message.