By LEAH WEATHERSBY

One way to learn is, by example, and there may be no better place for North End remodelers to do that than the Phinney Neighborhood Association's annual home tour. The 2001 tour, which was the 13th of its kind, took place on June 10 with 430 and participants viewing eight homes over a five-hour period.

Some looky-loos brought cameras to capture the best examples of Phinney's home improvements, perhaps later to apply them to their own fixer-uppers. Others were drawn by sheer curiosity. Mary Lee Newman, special events director with the PNA, said that their eight-member selection committee found the homes out of an original list of 75 candidates.

"It would take a pretty outgoing person to share their home with the general public," Newman said.

Fortunately for those outgoing homeowners, the PNA takes good care of the houses. A staff of 50 volunteers supervises the event and absolutely no shoes are allowed.

This year, home improvement was profitable for the PNA - the event grossed over $7,000.