I love learning about green living. So many awesome lifestyle ideas come from our ancestors and yet, thousands of equally marvelous ideas come to fruition everyday from people of my own generation.

Designer Kenneth Cobonpue creates furniture that is just beautiful to look at. I wouldn’t even need to use it – just having it around to marvel at would be enough for me. He uses locally sourced organic materials for his collections, as well as innovative modern techniques to create furniture that is practical and functional. Plus, it’ll become the most interesting art you could possibly have in your home. (more…)

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Photo credit: Diedon Co.

Oakland, CA, is 400,000 people strong, and since its founding in 1852, it — like so many other major cities — has earned its way to the need for urban renewal over many years and chapters of modern history. Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency, with its focus of development and renewal, is forging ahead with many projects despite budgetary constraints related to the general economic climate. Exemplary of many urban renewal programs, projects for Oakland include:

• New housing
• Home rehabilitation
• Expanded retail
• Beautified parks
• Attractive streetscapes
• Refreshed commercial buildings
• New businesses inside once-vacant storefronts
• More opportunities for neighborhoods

Photo credit: JDog Construction

In other words, there’s a whole lotta remodeling and construction goin’ on!

Interspersed throughout this article are photographs of remodeling and construction projects done by a few of the many CalFinder-certified Oakland contractors.

The Redeveloping Oakland Newsletter offers quarterly updates about projects as diverse as the city, with Accomplishments and Goals for large-scale undertakings. Some of these big projects include sub-sections such as: (more…)

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Photo credit: andrewr
A lot of people are asking me what’s so special about Santa Cruz lately, because I’m moving there over the weekend. After living there, in the Santa Cruz mountains, for 20 years, I’ve spent the past 7 years exploring new places — but now I’m moving back. Santa Cruz feels like home; I’ve missed it and look forward to settling there once again.

I suppose the most significant factor in making any place special, as far as where we choose to make ourselves at home, is the people. Friends, family, the culture, and community “vibe” — all these elements are of major importance. Ultimately, those are the things that are drawing me back to Santa Cruz. But what else makes it special? There are lots of things that stand out.

Location, location, location! Santa Cruz is situated on the northern part of Monterey Bay, about 74 miles south of San Francisco and 30 miles from San Jose. Its population is relatively small, at about 60,000 people. It is home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, and about 10% of the land area of the county is devoted to State Parks. The climate is mild, with average highs of 69 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows of 44. Rainfall averages 32 inches per year.

Photo credit: Wonderlane
So much for basic statistics, which give you an idea about the environment, but don’t really tell the tale. The wonders of the place start to come alive when you stand at Pleasure Point and watch the surfers — surfing is a popular pastime in Santa Cruz. There’s also the Boardwalk, the West Coast’s last remaining seaside amusement park. When you drive into town and then to the coast, the festive view of roller coaster, ferris wheel, and flags fluttering in the ocean breezes gives the instant impression of being on holiday. How great is that?!
Photo credit: mk94577

The median price for a home is $600,000, so it’s a pricey place to live. And I’ve heard many stories about the challenges and expense surrounding the whole building code and permit arena. But does any of that stop people? No. The area is thriving, and people come from all over the country to buy houses and land.

It’s such a beautiful place! And so convenient to other great places, too. In addition to easy access to San Jose and San Francisco to the north, when you head south around the Monterey Bay, you have Monterey Bay Peninsula treasures including Carmel, Pebble Beach, and then, further on, Big Sur. The vistas over the Pacific as you drive south are truly incredible. (more…)

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