Susan R. Pollack: Welcome Mat

HGTV's Carter comes to Mount Pleasant, last call for Halloween decor and more

HGTV star visits his alma mater

Fans of HGTV's Carter Oosterhouse may want to head to Mount Pleasant on Saturday to see the hunky home improvement guru serving as grand marshal in Central Michigan University's homecoming parade, starting at 9 a.m. Oosterhouse, shown here, grew up in Traverse City (he still has a 100-year-old house with Victorian-style arches there) and graduated in 2000 from CMU, where he played rugby and majored in interpersonal communications. One of HGTV's most popular stars, starting with his stint on "Trading Spaces" nearly a decade ago, the Hermosa Beach, Calif., resident solves carpentry problems on "Carter Can." He also showcases eco-friendly designs and materials on "Red Hot and Green." He will host the special, "American Heroes," part of HGTV's Change the World, Start at Home Campaign, scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Welcome winter at ShowHouse Interiors

Living in Michigan, we're all bracing for winter. Some of us sit back and dread it. Others, like the owners of ShowHouse Interiors in Grosse Pointe Woods, welcome it. The shop, at 20169 Mack Ave., is throwing a party this weekend to unveil "The Winter House," a look at new arrivals in furniture, home accessories and gifts. From 5 to 9 p.m., today, shoppers will be treated to wine and "light fare" as they peruse the showroom, where items reflect three themes: festive family homecomings, the season on the slopes and tranquil fireside reflections. The preview event continues from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (313) 458-8785 or check www.showhouseinteriors.com.

Our Town Art Show and Sale

Nearly 400 pieces of artwork by 193 Michigan artists take center stage at the 24th annual Our Town Art Show and Sale, Thursday through Saturday, at the Community House in Birmingham. Eligible for up to $10,000 in prizes, the art will be judged by Barbara Heller, director and conservator of special projects at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Shown here is "Go Figure," a mixed-media mosaic by Joan Schwartz of Huntington Woods. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free; 35 percent of proceeds benefit the Community House, 380 S. Bates St. For a sneak peak and first chance to buy, benefactors ($200) and friends ($75) may attend Wednesday evening's Our Town Preview. The event, co-sponsored by the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, features a strolling dinner and live music. Check www.communityhouse.com for details.

Tour East English Village homes looking for owners

East English Village will put a different spin on its first home tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday: houses that have lost their owners. Five distinctive, bank-owned homes in the historic eastside Detroit neighborhood will be on display, all within walking distance. Shown here is a home that will star as a showhouse decorated by McLaughlin Furniture, Elegance by Design and Hagopian World of Rugs. Beautifully maintained, occupied homes will serve as check-ins and garden stops. As a highlight, the "Camelot Rug," an antique needlepoint piece that graced the Oval Office during President John F. Kennedy's administration, will be on display at the tour check-in. Participants also may get a glimpse inside the Alger Theater, currently under renovation, on East Warren Avenue at East Outer Drive. The tour is free, followed by an afterglow with featherbowling at the Cadieux Café. To register, call (313) 216-1729 or visit www.eastenglishvillage.org/tour.

Diana McNary

Last call for Halloween décor

Hey, Halloween fans, time is running out. Don't be afraid to scare us, or simply knock our socks off, with your frighteningly fine Halloween handiwork. We're looking for Metro Detroit's best decked-out homes -- inside or out -- for Halloween. Send a photo of your efforts by noon Monday to homestyle@detnews.com. Please include your name, a brief description of the décor and daytime phone number. Look for the best of the bunch in an upcoming issue of Homestyle.