Home and Garden Guide Spring 2011

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HOME & GARDEN

Making solar energy affordable for all CHARLEEN EARLEY

Y

ears ago, Ed Cotas and Lala Ignacio went to the same technology institute in the

Philippines, but had no idea that one day they’d end up as partners. It was the high cost of energy that brought them together.

“My PG&E bills were usually around $800 to $900, and when I got a bill for $1,100, that was the trigger!” said Cotas, who racked up 18 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. “I began studying solar energy and stumbled upon a training link; next I thought about the franchise.”

Ignacio’s similar experience in the telecommunications industry, capped by two years in sales – plus their relationship as brotherand sister-in-law – made their partnership a natural fit. SolarUniverse of Brentwood was ON THE COVER: LEBEC, Inc. owners Bob Brockman and Ed Machado can give your house lush landscaping or take care of major projects anywhere around – or even under – your home. For more about the company, see Page 10B.

Photo by Charleen Earley

Ed Cotas of SolarUniverse shows off a solar panel similar to those on the roofs behind him. The company’s new program lets homeowners install the earth-friendly energy savers with no out-of-pocket costs. born in December, one of nearly two-dozen SolarUniverse network locations across the nation.

Also a natural fit for these economically challenging times is solar panels’ ability to help homeowners reduce their energy bill by 30 percent. And through SolarUniverse’s BriteLease program, homeowners can take advantage of free installation for the money-saving, earthfriendly panels. Installation takes from three to

five days.

Typical customers save more, in the long run, than the cost of the solar panels. “With no up-front costs, we’re essentially giving solar energy away!” said Joseph Barghoughi of SolarUniverse’s Livermore headquarters. “It’s $0 down and no installation fees. You lease the panels for up to 15 years with an option to buy.

We’re basically fixing your monthly energy bill for 15 years or longer.”

The federal government’s effort to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy and fossil fuels means that solar energy users receive a 20-percent state cash rebate and a 30-percent federal tax credit. PG&E also buys back energy from SolarUniverse customers, lowering overall energy costs even more.

Cotas said that what makes SolarUniverse of Brentwood outshine other solar companies is the personal touch. He meets with customers in person, measures the roof (when competitors give only a quote based on satellite images) and performs the installations himself.

“This sets us apart from the rest,” he said.

“We want to meet the homeowner and find out what their energy needs are, since every homeowner is different.”

“We want to have a one-on-one relationship with our customers,” added Barghoughi.

“That’s why we have local community members creating value for their fellow homeowners. It costs nothing up front; why would anyone say no?”

They won’t, at least not if things go according to Cotas’ vision. “I want us to be the greenest city in the entire world!” he said.

“When we started out, this was a business – now it’s a dream.”

Visit the SolarUniverse website at www. solaruniverse.com or call 855-832-6768.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

APRIL 29, 2011

HOME & GARDEN

Photo courtesy of State Media

Some improvements, such as this see-through fireplace, can enhance both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Spring is for projects

S

Adding an extension, sanding wood floors or replacing a roof are a lot easier when you’re not worried about the weather and diminished daylight. And contractors are less likely to experience

during winter.

see Spring page 11B

pring’s convenient weather means it’s time to focus on all those home-improvement

projects that would be inconvenient

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HOME & GARDEN

DIG great deals at annual plant sale SAMIE HARTLEY

will eventually melt away in the summer sunshine,

but now is the time to prepare for those sunny days by adding vibrant colors to your front yard. And Delta Informal Gardeners have everything you need to get started.

Members of the garden club, also known as DIG, have been growing and nurturing a plethora of healthy, leafy greens since last fall, and are ready to share their propagated products with East County as part of their annual plant sale on May 7.

“Basically, we have an entire nursery full of plants,” said DIG President Cathy Wolfe. “We typically have 3,000 to 5,000 plants every year and we sell most of them in just a few hours. Over the years, people have come to anticipate this event, and we have such a vast selection that people line up at the gates hours before we open.

We’ve got something for everyone.”

Gates open at 8:30 a.m., but Wolfe said it isn’t surprising to see a line forming

Photo courtesy of Delta Informal Gardeners

Each year Delta Informal Gardeners offer thousands of plants during their annual plant sale. This year’s plant sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. at the gates before dawn. The earlier you get to the sale, the better your chances are to walk away with the most rare and unique plants of this year’s crop. The DIG plant sale, now in its 23rd year, features annuals, perennials, shade plants, roses,

and a host of other flowering plant species to choose from. And even if you don’t have room to plant new things, Wolfe reminds locals that Mother’s Day is coming up, and moms love flowers.

While the variety is impressive, the

prices are what bring people back year after year. A 1-gallon annual sells for $1.50 while a 1-gallon perennial goes for $2.50. A 3-gallon plant is $3.50, and 5-gallon plants are $5.50. Specialty plants vary in prices, but customers are sure to get a deal.

“We’re not in this for the money,” said DIG Plant Manager Steve Hendrickson. “The mission of DIG is to educate and beautify the community.

With these prices, people can come in and pick up a load of plants in the morning and then spend the afternoon planting. I know of a woman who comes to the sale every year early in the morning – she buys her plants, goes home to plant them and then she comes back for a second round.

The sale is a great way to transform your garden or yard in just a few hours.”

Wolfe said DIG, which includes more than 100 local gardeners and “plant nerds,” looks forward to the sale every year because members get to share their gardens with the community. And since members grow and sell their own plants, growers know how to make each plant flourish in East County’s inconsistent soil.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener see DIG page 12B

GO

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ur fickle spring weather

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HOME & GARDEN

It doesn’t take a national sanctuary to protect wildlife.

With a bit of planning and landscaping, you can help keep nature’s creatures safe right in your backyard.

Photo courtesy of State Media

Protect wildlife in your backyard merica has a long history of

A

Gulf oil spill, Americans have shown a

protecting its wildlife heri-

remarkable ability to rally and rescue

tage. From the endangered

species and the habitats they need to

bald eagle in the 1970s to the Kemps

survive.

Ridley turtle threatened by the 2010

see Wildlife page 9B

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HOME & GARDEN

Photo by Rick Lemyre

Wallace Termite and Construction owners Jean and Dave Wallace, far right, along with the rest of their team, have been helping clients in East and Central County with their pest control problems for more than 20 years.

Proactive approach works best with termites RUTH ROBERTS

A

pril showers bring May flowers, but for many homeowners in East

County, spring also heralds the arrival of unwelcome visitors – termites.

“Right after that first heavy spring rain, people will notice termites swarming around their homes,” said Dave Wallace, owner of Wallace Termite and Construction in Antioch. “They live in the ground and the moisture brings them up to the surface. Unfortunately, by the

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3130 Balfour Road, Suite D, Brentwood, CA 94513 Balfour Village Shopping Center (Balfour & Fairview) Phone: 925-513-1750 Fax: 925-513-1759 Monday - Friday: 9a-6p Saturdays: 9a-2p

APRIL 29, 2011

HOME & GARDEN

Female fix-it-yourself revolution underway

F

rom pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes to a surge of female-targeted home-

improvement sites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolution has come for women in the United States.

More empowered females are taking on household problems themselves instead of spending the money to hire a handyman.

Sound familiar? If you’d like to empower yourself and join the fix-it-yourself revolution, here are easy solutions to four common problems: ♦ Unstick sticky windows by opening them and rubbing wax or spraying silicone into the tracks on both sides. Move the window up and down several times to work the wax or silicone lubricant into the frame. ♦ Fix squeaky wood or tile floors by sprinkling baby powder on the surface of the floor that’s squeaking. Then place a chisel between the boards and gently hammer the top to pry up the tile or floorboard.

Sprinkle more baby powder underneath

the board to seal the excess space causing the squeaking. ♦ Mend unsightly holes or tears in your window screens by using a screwdriver to straighten the bends in the mesh and dabbing clear nail polish to seal the hole.

Allow it to dry. Then repeat the polish application until the hole is completely sealed. ♦ A wobbly table leg might seem a hard fix, but it’s surprisingly easy. Just figure out how it’s attached to the seat. Then either screw the leg back into its socket or glue it back into place.

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APRIL 29, 2011

Wildlife from page 5B But you needn’t travel to distant locations to safeguard wildlife. There are many things you can do to help birds, butterflies and squirrels in your own backyard.

Spearheading conservation locally and nationally through the decades has been the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The NWF has played a major role in reviving the country’s diminishing gray wolf population, purchasing land where grizzly bears, wolves and bison can roam freely, and leading efforts to reduce global warming to protect Arctic polar bears.

Like many American movements, the NWF’s efforts have been successful because of the commitment of individuals to support something they love – in this case, our nation’s wildlife. For example, thousands of wildlife enthusiasts have created certified wildlife habitats in their own backyards. Here’s what you can do to create such a habitat: Food sources Planting native plants or hanging feeders for butterflies, hummingbirds and squirrels is an easy way to make your habitat a five-star restaurant for wildlife.

You can also stock feeders and incorporate plants with nuts, berries, nectar, suet or fruits.

Water source Wildlife needs sources of clean water for drinking, bathing and reproduction.

You’ll need one water source in your wildlife habitat, such as a natural pond, lake,

HOME & GARDEN

river or spring, or a human-made feature such as a bird bath, butterfly puddling area or rain garden.

Cover Wildlife need places to hide to feel safe from people, predators and weather.

Native vegetation is a perfect cover for terrestrial wildlife, while structures such as birdhouses can attract specific bird species.

A pond can double as a water source and home for fish and amphibians.

Places to raise young Creating a wildlife habitat is about creating a place for the entire life cycle of a species, from courtship to mating to raising offspring. Many habitat features that serve as cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise their young.

Sustainable gardening Use natural mulch, which conserves water and cuts down on weeds. Reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These and other environmentally friendly practices will be more welcoming to wildlife and better for the planet.

Once you’ve created your habitat, you can have it certified by the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org/ gardenforwildlife, which offers tips to create habitats that welcome wildlife. And in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary, NWF will plant a tree for every yard certified in 2011.

So get started. There’s no time to lose when protecting America’s wildlife for generations to come.

– Courtesy of State Media

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weather-related delays that blow timelines, making spring renovations run more smoothly.

Here are some home improvement projects to consider this season: Replace the roof If your roof is starting to leak or you notice dramatic increases in heating or cooling bills, it might be time to replace it. The best time to do so is when the weather is warm and dry. Keep in mind the U.S. Department of Energy recommends light roofing colors, which will keep down cooling costs and help reduce global warming. For more energy-saving home improvement tips, visit www. energy.gov.

Check the perimeter Inspect your home’s exterior, making sure to check your siding. Mold and cracks can be a sign you need to re-paint or replace boards. Also, now might be a good time to repave your driveway. Asphalt needs certain levels of temperature and moisture to set properly. Better weather leads to better driveways.

Add a fireplace Fireplaces are great focal points to any home, and now homeowners can double their impact by adding see-through fireplaces that can be installed between rooms or even to warm a patio. Versatile fireplaces such as the Montebello SeeThrough by Lennox Hearth Products can be installed between a kitchen and dining room or between a living room and patio,

creating a dramatic effect. You can learn more at www.lennox.com.

“An indoor/outdoor installment is a great way to enjoy your fireplace yearround,” says Bill Wetzel, product manager of Fireplace Systems for Lennox. “After all, who wants to spend money on home improvements you can only use half the year?”

Tinker with plumbing Because bathroom and kitchen renovations often require plumbing changes, the warmer months are best for these projects. Now’s the ideal time to expand that half-bathroom with a shower stall or to upgrade your master bathroom with a whirlpool tub. And you can choose ecofriendly fixtures from such brands as Delta, Kohler, American Standard and others.

Install skylights Longer days and clear, starry nights mean it’s the season for gazing at the sky.

But allergens can make sky gazing difficult for some. Consider installing skylights in your home this season.

Sand the floor Most people think of floor maintenance as a cool-weather activity, but floor sanding kicks up incredible amounts of dust. In warmer weather, you can throw open doors and windows and set up fans to suck the dust outward.

The better weather makes almost all home improvement projects more enjoyable. So take advantage of the season to upgrade your home.

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HOME & GARDEN

DIG from page 4B or a novice who has yet to develop a green thumb, DIG members are more than happy to answer questions and offer suggestions so you make the best purchase for your gardening goals.

Money raised during the event goes toward scholarships for high school students, plus books to be donated to the library. DIG is a nonprofit run completely by volunteers. The group meets monthly to discuss gardening, and guest speakers are often invited to impart their wisdom. The group also takes field trips to Bay Area gardens and garden-related events such as Filoli Gardens in Woodside and the San

Francisco Flower and Garden Show.

New members are always welcome.

Membership is $15 for individuals or $20 for a family. Veteran DIG members host workshops throughout the year to teach members basic propagation and cultivation techniques so members have plenty of plants to offer during sale.

“Active members just love to get their hands dirty,” said Wolfe. “There’s always a lot of excitement surrounding our plant sale because every year offers something different. Some members like to stick with the same plants, but others are adventurous and try new things. We’re such a supportive community, and we like to share each other’s successes and learn

APRIL 29, 2011

from setbacks. It makes us all better. And no matter what, we’re having fun.”

As DIG’s supply of carts and wagons for hauling plants is limited, Wolfe encourages plant sale customers to come with their own. She recommends coming early for the best selection, but if you want to just stroll the area and check out plants, she recommends visiting the sale around 10 a.m. once the initial “frenzy” has died down.

The DIG Plant Sale is held Saturday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Shelly’s Garden, 2192 Chestnut St. in Brentwood. For more information, visit www.deltainformalgardeners.org.

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Photos courtesy of Delta Informal Gardeners