Coastal Home & Garden Spring/Summer 2010

CH&G-2010 SpringG 4/23/10 4:04 PM Page 1


Publisher & EditorPatrice Edwards

Associate EditorNoel Smith

Production CoordinatorTeresa Cherry

Graphic ArtistJosh Knox

Sales RepresentativesSadie WittkinsDon Beaumont Valerie YoungJoyce Marble

Contributing WritersKathy Bond-BorieMarina Marazzo

Sara GilmoreJosh Fodor

Tom KarwinLydia Corser

Mike McCulloughJeff Talmadge

Noel SmithARA Content

9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003Phone: 831.688.7549

Fax: 831.688.7551

Coastal Home & Garden Resource GuideSpring/Summer 2010 is a publication of theTimes Publishing Group Inc. located at 9601Soquel Dr., Aptos,CA 95003.Entire contents ©2010 by Patrice Edwards. All rights reserved.Reproduction in any form is prohibitedwithout publisher’s written permission.

DESIGNED ON A MAC AND PRINTEDIN THE USA ON RECYCLED PAPER

To advertise in ourFall/Winter edition of the

Coastal Home & GardenResource Guide 2010

call (831) 688-7549

Email: [email protected]

www.tpgonlinedaily.com

For information on advertisingin the next edition visit:

www.tpgadservices.com

CH&G-2010 SpringG 4/26/10 9:34 AM Page 3

going green10 In This Economy, Why Go Green?24 Making your green, dream home

in the home6 Landscaping with retaining walls

12 Dreaming of Spring & Summer?20 Looking for Space? Cottages, Bunkhouses,

Pool Rooms, Garage Conversions26 Your Front Porch Staycation28 At the Beach Décor32 Easy Ways to stage your home for sale34 Designs for a new decade trends for 2010

in the garden8 Five Steps Toward a Water-Smart Landscape

14 Rhododendrons16 Tips for Your Organic Gardening22 Native Lawn Options Central Coast of

California offers many alternatives30 Growing Mint

in your health36 Three Myths About Hearing Loss

37 the foodies44 in the directory


3155 PORTER STREET, SOQUEL | 462-5586 | MON-FRI 9:00-6:00 • SAT 10:00-3:00

THE REPAINT SPECIALISTSInterior & Exterior • Residential & Commercial

• All Work Guaranteed• Personal Supervision• Affordable Quality• Crown Molding &

Baseboard Installation

• Hundreds of References• Free Estimates• Deck Restoration• Texture Matching

Local ReferencesSenior Discounts

All Work GuaranteedCall today for your FREE Design

Consultation & No Obligation Quote

Bonded & Insured PL & PD • Workmans • Compensation • Liability • Insurance • License #681095


The best investment you can make in yourhome - both for your pocketbook and yourpersonal enjoyment - is in landscaping.Real estate experts agree that every dollaryou put into your yard eventually willreturn one to two dollars when you sell.And at a time when home values aresagging, that's something to consider.

With an increasing number of homeownersstaying put rather than selling and movingup, we're seeing a growing trend of peopleadapting their homes to their lifestyle. Thatoften means investing in landscaping tomake better use of what they already own.Segmental retaining wall systems enabletoday's homeowner to bring plenty of curbappeal to their landscape while maximizingthe use of their outdoor environment.

Construction of everything from raised-bedgardens and tiered walls to stairs, columnsand freestanding seatwalls is possible withsegmental retaining wall.What's nice about these systems is that theyappeal to both the do-it-yourselfer and theprofessional landscaper.You can add some amazing features to youryard with a modest amount of skill andlabor. Fire pits with paver patios, retainingwalls, columns, sidewalks and drivewaysall are within the capabilities of most do-it-yourselfers. Or, you can bring your ideas toa professional landscaper and leave thedesign and installation to them, no matterhow complex.In recent years, segmental retaining wallshave become one of the most importanttools in the hands of landscapers.

Your imagination is your only limitationwhen working with these systems, theytransformed virtually unusable back yardsinto stunning outdoor environments usingsegmental retaining wall. Homeowners love it because it'sreadily available in consistentcolors and styles that are easilymatched with existing exteriorsor other landscape elements."It is a favorite among hardscapeinstallers as well. Segmentalretaining wall is especiallydesign-friendly because it usessolid units that can be easily cutor split to fit any application.They're like the building blocks oflandscaping. You can do almost

The versatility of segmental retain-ingwall systems enables the con-struction ofa variety of landscape features, includingfreestanding columns & seatwalls, tieredgardens & stairs.

Landscaping with retaining wallsAdding curb appeal & usability to your home

Continued on page 31

Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide coastalhomeandgarden.com6 in thegarden



Our water supplies will be more limitedand more expensive in the future. Up tohalf of your water use could be outsideyour home, and much of that use could bereduced, so this is a good time to thinkabout reducing your water bill andprotecting the environment.

No single action would be best for allhouseholds, but here are five steps andrelated resources toward water-smartlandscaping.

1. Reduce Your Water NeedsThe first and best action is to use drought-tolerant plants: California natives, otherMediterranean climate plants & succulentplants. Also, reduce the size of your lawn,preferably to zero. Replace turf with alow-growing grass or other ground cover,or perennial plants.

Plants and Landscapes for Summer-DryClimates of the San Francisco Bay Region.Nora Harlow, Editor. East Bay MunicipalUtility District (2004).

2. Irrigate EfficientlyGroup plants according to their waterneeds, and install a drip irrigation systemto control how much water you provideand where you provide it. Study thedesign of drip systems yourself or use aqualified contractor.

Visit www.irrigationtutorials.com/dripguide.htmfor Drip Irrigation Design Guidelines.

3. Develop Alternate Sources of WaterDuring our rainy months, you canharvest a lot of rainwater and store intanks for garden use during dry periods. Visit the online rainwater harvestingcommunity at www.harvesth2o.com formore information.

Also, recycle your gray-water for gardenuse. The water from your washingmachine is easy to recycle, and should beyour first target. To use gray-water onyour plants, avoid bleach and soaps thatcontain sodium salts or boron.

Visit www.watersavingtips.org for a link toThe Graywater Guide.

4. Retain Water in the LandscapeLet water soak into the ground, andminimize evaporation. Retaining wallsand terraces reduce the speed of watermovement, giving time for it to soak in.Also, mixing wood chips or other organicmaterial into the soil helps water topenetrate, and permeable surfaces allowwater to flow to the soil. Mulches help toreduce evaporation and also makegardens more attractive.

The Resource Conservation District ofSanta Cruz County (www.rcdsantacruz.org)offers Slow it, Spread it, Sink it! AHomeowner’s Guide to Greening StormwaterRunoff.

5. Keep Our Watershed CleanWhile retaining water in the landscape, it

Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide coastalhomeandgarden.com8

Five StepsToward a Water-Smart Landscape

is also important to manage the quality ofthe water that leaves the landscape,carrying harmful chemicals and othercontaminants into the watershed andeventually into the ocean. Plants that areappropriate to the local climate and soiltype can be great additions to thelandscape without requiring chemicalsupplements.

When you need to fertilize plants, controlweeds or reduce insect populations,avoid synthetic chemicals. Many environ-mentally friendly options work just aswell and reduce costs too.

The University of California’s hasinformation on Integrated Pest Manage-ment, including the publication, Pests ofthe Garden and Small Farm. Search for itat www.anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/.

Finally, when using potentially harmfulchemicals anywhere on your property,minimize runoff and erosion to keepthem out of the watershed and the ocean.The practices that retain water in thelandscape also will keep harmfulchemicals from leaving the landscape andentering the larger environment.

Visit the Surfrider Foundation’s onlineguide to ocean-friendly gardening:www.surfrider.org/ofg.asp.

When you enlist the services of alandscape contractor, choose a GreenGardener (www.green-gardener.org/). Theyare trained and certified in ecologicallandscaping.

The website of the Water ConservationCoalition of Santa Cruz County (watersav-ingtips.org/) has more information onsaving water in the landscape.

By Tom Karwin

in thegarden


At Coldwell Banker, we view the real estate transaction as somethingmore than just business. It’s about supporting our community, makingfriends and enriching lives. You can count on our agents to support youevery step of the way with a wealth of Coldwell Banker resources at theirdisposal to ensure the purchase of your home is everything you hope for.

COLDWELL BANKERRESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE & MORTGAGE SERVICES

(831) 688-64617979 Soquel DriveAptos, CA 95003

(831) 462-90002140 41st Avenue

Capitola, CA 95010

(831) 469-8000824 B Mission Street

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

COLDWELL BANKERRESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE & MORTGAGE SERVICES

Kathleen Manning831.662.6507

www.californiamoves.com/Kathleen.Manning

Lauren Greene831.688.6461

wwwcaliforniamoves.com/Lauren.Greene

Betty J, Danner831.334.9701

www.camoves.com/betty.danner

Gail Degnan831.662.6537

www.gaildegnan.com

Cara DeSimone831.465-7029

www.carasellshomes.com

Lauren Spensor831.818.3723

www.mysantacruzrealestate.com


In This Economy, Why Go Green?


Many perceive buying and buildinggreen to be a lot more expensive thangoing mainstream. It may surprise you tolearn that there are a multitude of itemsthat are priced the same or even less.Paint is a perfect example, and there aremany cost-effective flooring options aswell. Here is an offering of thoughts torefresh your resolve in shaky times.

The High Cost of Cheap GoodsWhen we purchase inexpensive goods,there are costs that we aren’t paying for atthe cash register. We have become asociety, if not a world, where the healthcosts we suffer from bringing toxic goodsinto our homes, putting them onto andinto our bodies, pets and loved ones isoften overlooked.

There are enormous environmental costsin the form of pollution created by theextraction of ingredients needed to makegoods. These include poisoning of air andgroundwater, which in turn poisonswildlife in present, as well as futuregenerations. That same poisoningthreatens the health of people living inand around areas where toxic extractionand manufacturing take place. It’s easyforget about the people who make thegoods and the environment when we arepresented with an attractively priceditem, because those costs are not listed onthe label, nor included on the price tag.

QualityIt is generally accepted that we pay morefor good quality, also known as, “You getwhat you pay for.” One well-executedpaint project can last several times as longas a poor job, with inexpensive paint forinstance. Truly green goods start at ahigher quality level, and hence pricelevel, because they last much longer,perform better and are made with moreexpensive, higher quality ingredients.Truly green companies are spendingmore to do right.

Shopping LocallyIs a small additional cost worth supportinga small local business to STAY in business?You can think of that difference as making acharitable donation to a thriving localeconomy with local jobs! If there is adifference, is it worth your time andresearch to make sure the item, say flooring,has the quality and features you want, needand deserve for your money?

There is the also the question of doingresearch in brick and mortar stores, andthen finding a “better deal” on-line. Withmany products, it’s impossible to bereassured of quality or even brand sight-unseen. Why not purchase with thebusiness that saved you time, helped youdecide and has to pay for overhead to havethe privilege of doing business with you?

in thehome

Naturally, the on-line business can offer youa better deal, since it’s not nearly as costly tooperate out of a warehouse, with computerand telephone, where no one can check outsamples, touch and feel, compare and beeducated. Who do we hold accountable ifsomething goes wrong? Worse, where willwe touch, feel and research if there are nobrick and mortar stores left to browse in?

As a society we are learning new lessons:living with less, and investing in durablegoods that we know make the least impacton the planet and our health feels great,especially when purchased from friends inbusinesses that care about us, our familiesand our future, and will be around to helpus again. In some ways, we are going backto the future.

Lydia Corser, Owner Eco interiors &greenspace. 1122 Soquel Avenue, SantaCruz, CA 95062 www.greenspacecompany.com831.423.7200 Store, Hours: M-F 9-6, S & S 10-5

By Lydia Corser


2851 41st Ave. Soquel (831) 462-22025267 B Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley (831) 438-1772

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICOCONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICO

Santa Cruz County’s premier retailers of

PITTSBURGPAINTS

Pure Performance.

Environmentally friendly, premiumquality interior water based paint....and it is Green Seal Approved!

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED BETWEEN ALASKA & MEXICO

coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 11



A harsh winter may have manyAmericans dreaming of daffodils, greengrass and open windows welcoming infresh air. How will you celebrate a day ofwarm weather that signifies spring hasarrived? Many people will devote theday to spring cleaning. Cleaningwindows is the most dreaded springcleaning chore for nine out of 10homeowners who intend to take on suchprojects, according to research from PellaWindows & Doors. Second on the list ofleast favorites is clearing out gutters ororganizing the inside of the home andthird is yard work.

Spring into actionNot only will spring bring warmertemperatures and cleaning chores, but alikely wave of remodeling projects.According to Pella's research, 61 percentof homeowners plan to make improve-ments to their current home, while only 6

percent said they would move into ahome that doesn't require upgrades. Asmaller group of consumers plan to buildtheir dream home in 2010.

Spruce up for a new lookInstalling new carpet or flooring isperhaps the most popular homeimprovement slated for the new decade.According to the study, 48 percent ofhomeowners planning to make upgradeshave intentions of replacing carpet orflooring. Updating the interior or exteriorof the home was a close second andplanting a new landscape was the thirdmost popular curb appeal task.

Tranquil colors emergeSo for those pulling up the carpet orpainting their house, what do the expertssay are the latest colors and trends toconsider? This year, the consensus onhome decor and design is "ease."

Tranquil, cool colors fit the notion ofrelaxation and respite, while kitchendesign trends showcase the total diningexperience and blend the kitchen to meldseamlessly into the rest of the home.

Simple solutionsTo create a simple, beautiful space in yourhome, begin by taking a look around atrooms or items that have becomeunattractive or non-functional. Considereverything from your front door (is itattractive and welcoming) to yourwindows and window treatments. Ifwindow cleaning is a dreaded chore,window replacement may be high on thelist, too.

When spring and summer weather hits,make improvements that will give yourhome a breath of fresh air.

ARA content

Dreaming of Spring & Summer?Keep warm weather home improvements on your wish list

in thehome





If you live in Sunset MagazineClimate Zones 15, 16, & 17(www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/),you should have no trouble in growingMaddenii series & Vireya series rhododen-drons. Even if you live in colder areas,such as in Ben Lomond, Maddenii seriesrhododendrons such as Mi Amor, with itshuge fragrant white flowers, can begrown, though you might have bud blastafter a cold winter.

Perhaps the best types of rhododendronsfor Santa Cruz County are rhododen-drons that have been hybridized in thewestern part of the United States,Maddenii series rhododendrons, VireyaSeries rhododendrons, and deciduousazaleas.

When one thinks of hybrid rhododen-drons, what one usually thinks of are theelepidote rhododendrons such as PointDefiance, Tahitian Dawn, Naselle,Sunspray, Queen Nefertiti, SenatorJackson, and Taurus.

Rhododendrons are broken down intotwo types, lepidotes (rhododendronswith scales), and elepidotes (rhododen-drons without scales).

The majority of rhododendrons in thenursery trade are elepidote rhododen-drons, as are Point Defiance, TahitianDawn, Naselle, Sunspray, Queen Nefertiti,Senator Jackson, and Taurus. Maddeniesand Vireyas are lepidotes.

Since the 1940s, many rhododendronhybrids have been created in the western

United States. The flowers of ourrhododendrons are far superior to EastCoast hybrids, English hybrids, andnineteenth century rhododendron hybridswhich many nurseries and garden centerstry to sell.

Maurie and Fran Sumner lived in SanFrancisco. They needed room for theirhybrids and other rhododendrons, sothey bought property in Aptos, and thisbecame the Monte Toyon RhododendronGarden. This garden, now a part of theMonte Toyon Camp and ConferenceCenter operated by United Camps,Conferences and Retreats is very likelythe premier rhododendron garden inSanta Cruz County.

Maurie and Fran Sumner created some of

RhododendronsMost types of rhododendrons grow excellently in Santa Cruz County


the Maddenii series hybrids MarthaWright, Mi Amor, My Guy, My Lady,Owen Pearce, and Saffron Prince.

John Hixson raised FragrantissimumImproved from seed acquired from theAmerican Rhododendron Society Seedexchange in 1982. For many years, JohnHixson had a wholesale rhododendronnursery in Watsonville, and sold a lot ofrhododendrons at the Farmers Market atCabrillo College.

Nancy Ledyard, who lives in Aptos, hascreated many outstanding Maddeniiseries hybrids. Hopefully she will name,some of her creations, and make themavailable to the public. At the urging ofMike McCullough, some of her hybridsare being evaluated at a rhododendrongarden in Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland.There are two good sources of Maddeniiseries rhododendrons: Singing TreeGardens, 5225 Dow's Prairie Road,McKinleyville, California 95519 707-839-8777 www.singtree.com and SonomaHorticultural Nursery, 3970 Azalea

Avenue, Sebastopol California 95472 707-823-6832 www.sonomahort.com

Mike McCullough has also createdMaddenii series hybrids for the AmericanRhododendron Society Seed Exchange.Maddenii series rhododendrons can beseen at the Strybing Arboretum,University of California BotanicalGarden, Lakeside Garden Center,Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden,Humboldt Botanical Garden, and atMonte Toyon.

At the UCSC Arboretum, and at theEnvironmental Horticulture CenterBotanic Gardens at Cabrillo College thereare areas comparable to the StrybingArboretum.

This coming November for the MontereyBay Chapter of the American Rhododen-dron Society, Allan Korth, Jerry Harris,Nancy Ledyard, and Mike McCulloughwill be conducting an “Ask the Experts”panel about how to grow rhododendronssuccessfully in Santa Cruz County.

In January, Steve Hootman of theRhododendron Species Foundation(www.rhodygarden.org) will be presentinga program on species rhododendronswhile in February, Polo de Lorenzo of theSonoma Horticultural Nursery (www.sonomahort.com) will present a program on goodrhododendrons for our area; and inMarch, Christy Hartsell will offer aprogram on Vireya series rhododendrons.

If you would like to find out about superbplants for your garden, please come toone of our meetings.

Contributed by Mike McCullough who is acharter member of the De Anza Chapter ofthe American Rhododendron Society forwhich he has held every office exceptTreasurer. Currently he is the PublicRelations Director. Mike is also a long timemember of the Monterey Bay Chapter, whichmeets in Santa Cruz, and is the Secretary,Newsletter Writer, Publicity Director, &Program Chairman of that Chapter.

coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 15in thegarden



What is Organic gardening? It isn't just gardening without the use ofchemicals. It means working with nature todevelop an ecosystem in your own garden.Organic gardeners only use animal orvegetable fertilizers rather than synthetics. Italso means natural pest control devoid ofindustrial insecticides. It is a philosophy thatstresses increasing the natural health of thesoil, choosing appropriate plants that aresuited to your area, and working with nature toproduce a healthy and productive garden.

Using Bugs to Protect yourGarden and Flower BedsIt’s important to learn about andencourage “good” insects like ladybugs,lacewings, and other predatory bugs tocome into your garden so they controlcommon insect pests. Another efficientpredator is the praying mantis, aremarkable insect with a voraciousappetite. Not only do they eat aphids,crickets & grasshoppers, they are fastenough to catch mosquitoes. How canone do this? You can plant fennel, dill,allyssum, ammi majus, and cumin inyour garden to attract them.

Fennel is an excellent plant for attractingladybugs. The statuesque plants areusually covered in ladybug eggs andlarvae. Set aside a space in your gardenfor this beneficial herb. Keep garlic in

your toolkit. If insect pests like aphidsbecome a nuisance, use the crush thecloves to make your own insect spray.Any garlic that sprouts can be planted inthe garden to help repel other pests.

For the one herb your garden, try fennel.Not only do its leaves & flowers attractbeneficial insects, fennel is a wonderfulherb to use in the kitchen with its sweetanise flavor. A perennial, it's a very easyherb to grow.

Remember, by learning to tolerate somedamage by insects in your garden andflowerbeds, you give something for yourguard bugs to feed on.

Controlling PestsDon't let powdery mildew ruin yourgarden. Control it easily using milk! Mix1 part milk to nine parts water and sprayaffected plants once a week.

Whitefly can cause considerable damageas temperatures rise. Keep their numbersdown by using sticky traps & organicsprays such as pyrethrum or neem.

Spider mites can suddenly become aproblem during the winter months asplants are brought indoors into warm,dry environments. Keep plants wellmisted to increase humidity and keepspider mite numbers down.

Keep an eye on out on houseplants thathave been outdoors all summer and arenow being brought inside. Unwantedstowaways can flourish indoors wherethey have no natural enemies. Keep abottle of soap spray handy to dislodgethem before their numbers multiply.

Natural Fertilizer - CompostAlso, improve your soil to feed yourplants. Add organic matter (Compost) inorder to feed soil organisms that willbreak down this organic matter to feedyour plants. Not only does compostnourish the soil, it makes kitchen andgarden waste into a useful product!

You can compost almost all the organicmatter from your household includinggarden cuttings, vegetable peelings andeven eggshells. A definite no-no for yourheap are meat scraps or dairy products.These will stink and attract rodents.Tealeaves and coffee grounds are greatadditions because they contain caffeine, anatural herbicide.

Growing in ContainersGrowing sprouts indoors is not onlynutritious but also ornamental. Beforestarting your seedlings, make sure yourcontainers are clean. Wash them out withwarm soapy water and sterilize themwith a 10% solution of bleach.

Tips for Your Organic Gardening

in thegarden



AT CABRILLO SAND & GRAVEL

“COME SEE OUR LARGE SELECTION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS”

SANTACRUZ

WATSONVILLE

FREE

DOM BLVD

HWY 1

APTOSLANDSCAPE SUPPLY

ANDCABRILLO

SAND & GRAVEL

• Lawn & Garden Center• Topsoil & Compost• Organic vegetable planting mix• Custom Mixes • Sawdust• Railroad Ties • Boulders• Stepping Stones• Decorative Rock & Bark• Fertilizers• Soil Amendments

• Screened Dirt• Ponds & Pumps• Water Plants• Flagstone• Slate• California Gold• Cobblestone• Wall Blocks

Hours: Mon-Sat • 7:30 - 5:00

688-6211www.aptoslandscapesupply.net

5035 Freedom Blvd • Aptos


Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide coastalhomeandgarden.com18 in thegarden

Seedlings growing indoors will need tobe fed every couple of weeks. Dilute fishfertilizer is a great choice but if you needto keep the smell to a minimum, trymaking a tea of worm casts with noworry about burning your plants.

Any container can be used to sproutwheatgrass. Start seeds in potting mix orcompost and they'll be up in 3-4 days. Toprevent damping off in your seedlings,sprinkle the top of your potting mix withcinnamon, a natural fungicide.

Growing TipsAre the forsythia in bloom? If so, it's safeto plant cool-season crops like peas,cabbage & Asian greens.

If you want to get a jump on plantingpeas, start them indoors. You'll get a farbetter germination rate and yourseedlings will be less susceptible tofungal and pest attack.

Test that old seed before you plant it.Most seed should germinate betweenmoist paper towels so that you can gaugehow much to plant in your gardenwithout wasting time & money.

Keep amaryllis well fed with compost orworm cast tea. Both contain nutrients thathelp build strong roots & bulbs, whichthen lead to larger blooms.

If you want your Christmas cactus tobloom by the holidays, it's time to put itinto a cool, dark place where it gets lessthan 8 hours of light per day. The changein temperature and light levels triggersthe plant to begin bloom production.

Cilantro can be started in late summer forearly fall production. Sow seeds often inshort rows so that you can keep pickingthrough the fall.

Keep tatsoi producing well into the fallby picking individual leaves instead ofharvesting the whole plant. Older leavescan be clipped from the bottom and willencourage a new flush of younger leaves.

If you're having trouble starting yourwinter garden seeds in the heat of thesun, you'll have much better successstarting the seeds indoors where you cankeep an eye on soil moisture. Transplantyour greens outside once you have acouple of sets of leaves.

There is nothing like gardening…organically that is!





Are you wondering how to find morespace in your home? What are you goingto do with all the family and friends thatvisit this summer? Maybe you shouldconsider a cottage or bunkhouse!

Many homes in Santa Cruz are becomingsecond homes for folks who live out ofthe area. When they come to visit their

vacation home, they usually arrive enmasse, with a large number of kids andtheir friends. What if the kids could sleepin the bunkhouse? Wouldn’t that open upsome space for the adult guests?

Imagine your backyard with an outdoorkitchen, maybe a fireplace or pizza ovenalong with a small cottage with bunk beds.

Perhaps you need someplace to get awayfrom it all without leaving home; a quietplace without a phone or noisy television,a place to meditate, practice yoga or playa musical instrument, a place to sip a hotbeverage and read a book in the winter, aplace to meet your significant other for aspicy rendezvous.

Looking for Space? Cottages, Bunkhouses, Pool Rooms, Garage Conversions


coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 21in thehome

If you have a pool or hot tub you mightneed to have some place to go whenyou’re not actually in the water or whereyou can shower or have a sauna withouthaving to go back inside the house. Howabout building a poolroom in that unusedspace under the house or getting a pre-fabricated poolroom and assembling itwith the help of some friends?

If you are having a relative moving in tolive with you or you’re looking for a placefor teenagers that is not too close. Youcould consider converting the garage to aliving space for that relative or the kidswithout too much trouble.

“Sure sounds good, but won’t it bedifficult and expensive?” The answer is -like a lot of things - ‘that depends’...

These types of projects are relatively easy todo & not too expensive, as long as it’s notinstalling a kitchen or bathroom. It’s usuallyfairly easy to get a permit for a garageconversion or a bunkhouse. It’ll be morework to get a permit for a cottage or apoolroom that has a bathroom & a kitchen.

The easiest project is the garageconversion but it gets more expensive asyou add features like a bathroom, afireplace, or removing the garage door

and replacing it with a wall. If you wantto add a kitchen, then you have to qualifyfor an Accessory Dwelling Unit, which isnot easy and inexpensive.

Another possibld project would be thebunkhouse (without bathroom) howeveryou will need a permit for anything over100 square feet in size and build it insidethe setbacks.

We built this structure as a meditationcottage for a client in the 1990’s with amasonry fireplace to warm up those coolnights but without a bath or kitchen. Thecurrent owners, Matt and Kirsti Scott,added an outdoor kitchen to create anentertaining area that feels like a miniTuscan villa. A bathroom is located insidethe copper topped pavilion near the hottub. The space is now the location formonthly Girl Scout meetings among thelively family’s activities and anything butmeditative!

I hope this has inspired some creativethinking. Have fun dreaming about yournew space and then take action!

Jeff Talmadge is a Certified Remodeler, Green BuildingProfessional, Certified Aging in Place Specialist andPresident of Talmadge Construction, Inc.

Photography by John V. Anderson


The Central Coast received a welcomereprieve from the drought with aboveaverage rainfall this winter. This summerwe may not be faced with stringentoutdoor water use restrictions, yet now isa great time to plan for future dry years,which are sure to come. Installing andestablishing drought tolerant landscapesis easiest in good rain years, when plentyof summer irrigation water is available toget your new plantings established.

Reduce your summer water useOne of the best ways to reduce yoursummer water use (and your water bill!)is to replace water thirsty lawns andexotic gardens with California nativegrasses and flowering plants. There is awide range of native plant landscapesstyles to choose from. Whether yourpreference is a relaxed cottage garden or amore formal manicured landscape, thereare good choices for even the mostdiscriminating eye.

Many people who decide to remove theirconventional lawns want to replace themwith a drought tolerant lawn of sometype. There are more options than everfor using native grasses as alternatives totraditional turf. The main considerationsare: 1) what type of native lawn is suitedto your property, 3) what are your userequirements, and 3) what method ofestablishment is the most cost effective?

Choosing your lawn coverThe first point is to determine whatspecies of grass will perform the best and

use the least water at you particularlocation. It is important to match thenative grass species to soil type, drainageand sun exposure. For example, Westernfescue (Festuca occidentalis) is a goodchoice for planting in shaded areas,whereas June grass (Koelaria micrantha)is best for harsh shallow soil and full sun.

Ornamental or play areaThe next point to consider is the intendeduse of the new lawn area. If the lawn areawill be strictly ornamental, red fescue(Festuca rubra) or a grass relative such asBerkeley sedge (Carex tumulicola) aregood choices. Perhaps the lawn will beused for a dining area or for a children’splay area, then bent grass (Agrostispallens) or purple needle grass (Nassellapulchra) will do well. Currently the onlylimitation is for intensive play areas, asnone of the commonly available nativegrasses are suitable heavy traffic.

Seed or sodThe final consideration is which methodto use for establishing a native lawn. Themain options, in order of most to leastexpensive, are: 1) native sod, 2) plugplants, or 3) seeding. Although native sodis more expensive than traditional sod, itis rapidly gaining favor as the preferredmethod because like traditional sod, youroll it out and it is done. Plug planting isa good option for larger ornamentalareas, especially if multiple species are tobe used. Broadcast seeding, of one ormany species, is an economical choice forvery large areas, but the trade off is often

seen in the amount of effort required toget it established. The cost of weedmanagement alone can far out weigh theinstallation cost savings of seed versusnative sod.

Lawn or gardenAnother lawn substitute option is anative habitat garden. Habitat gardensare designed to mimic nearby naturalplant communities, such as meadows,shrub lands or oak woodlands. The mostadaptable plant community for a smallgarden is the native meadow. On thecentral coast, most of the grasses found inmeadows are perennial bunchgrasses.Native bunchgrasses are very droughttolerant and remain green throughout thesummer with little or no water.Bunchgrasses provide a diverse array ofform, texture and color. Interspersed withnative wildflowers, the meadow gardenwill provide year round beauty as wellhas habitat for birdsand butterflies.



ResourcesMany excellent books on Californianative plants and grasses for the gardenhave recently been released; two inparticular are note worthy. The AmericanMeadow Garden: Creating a NaturalAlternative to the Traditional Lawn byJohn Greenley (Timber Press, 2009), and

California Native Plants for the Gardenby C. Bornstein et. al. (Cachuma Press,2005). The possibilities are endless; letyour imagination go wild this spring!Joshua Fodor is the owner of CentralCoast Wilds (www.CentralCoastWilds.com)in Santa Cruz. Central Coast Wilds is a

Californianative plantnursery &licensed landscape contractor special-izing in ecological landscaping andhabitat restoration. He can be reach [email protected].

in thegarden coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 23



The home remodeling industry is boomingcompared to the home building industryas many homeowners choose to upgradetheir homes instead of moving to fulfilltheir desires or needs.

Our weak economy & the increased interestin green building & energy efficiency hasprompted a greater demand for homedesigns & products that meet these criteria.

A home should be planned as a sanctuarythat is comfortable, fashionable, low-maintenance and inexpensive to operate& maintain. The return on your remodelcan include lower utility bills, federal taxcredits & an increase in value that couldbe three to four times your investment

Prioritize your needs to meet yourbudget. For maximum benefit, be aware

of the thermal & structural performancevalues of the materials and designsselected. For a major remodel, be sure tofind an architect that will give you arealistic set of mutually agreed uponplans and a builder that will give you afirm price based on those plans.

When you are remodeling, considerhard-surface flooring rather than carpet

Making Your Green, Dream HomeRemodeling… Making the Old brand New!

FABULOUS VALLEY VIEWSGated Hilltop Estate in Soquel is in a highlydesirable, close-in-country location andoffers: 5 BR, 4BA appx. 3600 sq. ft. w/3+cargarage, a remodeled kitchen w/granite,travertine, wood flooring and old-worldcharm. Master suite has sitting room and 2-way fireplace. Beautifully landscapedusable lot is approx. an acre with used brick patio and paths, outdoorkitchen, bbq, sport crt. and room for a pool.

$1,595,000

KATHLEEN MANNINGBroker Associate, Realtor(LIC#: 00885315)CELL: [email protected]://www.californiamoves.com/Kathleen.Manning


to protect indoor air. However, withcarpeting, you can now find productsthat meet the Carpet and Rug Institute(www.carpet-rug.org) air quality standardsfor low emissions through its GreenLabel program. Carpet manufacturersalso support recycling programs withmany accepting used carpets for recyclingor remanufacture.

You also can request paints that do notuse volatile organic compounds (VOCs)used in paints, lacquers & cleaning supplies.VOCs emit gases with significant healtheffects. Low- or no-VOC paints (& cleaningproducts) are now widely available.

Other common sources of indoor airpollution include cabinetry insulation(formaldehyde), improperly ventedfireplaces and poorly installed ormaintained heating and cooling systems.Remodeling gives you the opportunity toclean up your own environment.

But healthy benefits aren't the only goodfeature of switching to a green homeenvironment. Saving energy saves youmoney and the average household cancut its electricity bill by 50 percentthrough energy efficiency.

in thehome coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 25

BEAUTIFUL SEASCAPE TOWNHOMELovely 2 BR, 2 BA home, neartennis, golf & beach with a brightopen floor plan, expansive wrap-around deck, two charming patiosand no HOA fees. Nicelylandscaped with great curb appeal.

Offered at $499,000Gail DegnanRealtor(DRE #00771511)

DIRECT: 831.662.6537

[email protected]

EXPANSIVE OCEAN VIEWS9 ROCKVIEW DR, Santa Cruz, CA 95062Dramatic ocean views from this ocean front home.enjoy ocean breezes from the crashing surf whilesitting on your newer deck & newer lawn. Floor toceiling windows, marble flrs, granite counters &fresh paint make this the ultimate beach home.one car garage w/guest pkg. gaze at beautifulsunsets as the sky lights up for your pleasure.doesn't get much better than this.

Cara DeSimone, GRI2140 41st Ave, Suite 100, Capitola, CA 95010Direct: (831) 465-7029E-mail: [email protected]: carasellshomes.comDRE License Number:01215427

Here are some tips for saving energy inyour remodel: Replacing incandescentlight bulbs with fluorescent light bulbscan save 75 percent of your lighting costs• Installing faucet aerators and low-flowshower heads can cut water heating costsand water use by 50 percent • Reduce airconditioning costs by installing ceilingfans • Sealing air leaks and addinginsulation can save up to 20 percent onheating and cooling costs • There are alsotax credits for installing energy efficientwindows and doors that expire 2011.

The house shown is in Aptos, California.The owners bought it because of thememories they had from growing up onBeach Drive in the 1940’s through the70,’s. It is one of the first homes on BeachDrive. The historic flagpole in front is oneof those erected in 1949 and has a plaqueto commemorate the event.

The owners hired De Mattei constructionto make sure the original architecture waskept and enhanced with 600 square feetof floor space and balconies added. Theresult, the perfect family beach house!Contact information: De Mattei Construction, Inc.,1794 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, phone: 408-350-4200, website: www.demattei.com.



Invest in your health…Invest in yourselfSince 1988 Endless Pools, Inc has sold thousands of swimming pools in over 70countries. Our Customers enjoy Endless Pools® for swimming, aquatic exercise,therapy, relaxation and family fun. Now discover our complete line of swimmingpools for virtually all budgets or locations, indoors or out. All products feature thesame quality workmanship and small footprint, meaning our pools use less energyand chlorine than traditional swimming pools. As always our pools are easy toinstall, simple to maintain and economical to run year-round.

For a Free DVD & Brochure, call 866.587.2795

We makeit happen!

Monterey Bay Mortgageat our new location 820 Bay Ave Suite 206 Capitola 831-462-3630www.montereybaymortgage.com

Now more than ever, you need a qualified MortgageConsultant who is your advocate when applying fora loan. Monterey Bay Mortgage works with manywholesale lenders to find the right loan for you.Locally owned and Independent, we work on behalfof our customers, not corporate shareholders.CA Dept of Real Estate Lic. # 01316305 /01158290


Whether you are outfitting your porch ona beach house or just want to infuse yourporch with beach style, there are somewonderful beach porch ideas to makegood use of this outdoor space. You'llwant to clear your porch of any clutterand start with a clean slate before you candetermine how to give your porch somebeach style.

Sleeping PorchNothing captures the romance of a beachcottage more than a sleeping porch. Incolder climates, these areas are glassed inand used as sunrooms. If yours isscreened in, you can use it as a shadyplace to nap on a hot afternoon. Set a

comfortable bed with a vintage wroughtiron frame in a sheltered spot on theporch. Paint the frame an antique whiteor a brilliant periwinkle blue. Add aceiling fan and some earthenware potsholding climbing vines for an oasis ofbreezy tranquility.

Deck GardenA beach porch is the perfect setting forintegrating natural finishes. Use furniturewith wood, bamboo, wicker or othernatural materials. Set a rattan outdoormat under an awning for a sandy hue. Fillglass jars and bottles with bright seaglass, small shells and river stones andcreate a beach tableaux with driftwood,

Your Front PorchStaycation

bright coral and sand dollars. Use vintagebuckets, pitchers and vases as well asrepurposed containers for planting wild-flowers, sea grass, native species and, in asunny corner, an arrangement of cacti.

Tropical ColorGive a beach porch a jolt of color andspice with tropical decor. Keep woodensurfaces a rustic, beach-weathered grayand add brightly painted buckets offlowers for visual pop. String party lightsor Chinese paper lanterns above forcontrasting colors and patterns, add Tikitorches for light in the evening hours. Usewhite wicker furniture with floweredcushions for Hawaiian style or lime greenand orange accents for a more contem-porary look. Dress up a bistro table withbamboo place mats and set the table withcocktail glasses outfitted with paperumbrellas and charms. You can add moreTiki style with masks, totems and coconutcups or dedicate a corner of the porch toa Tiki-style bar.

in thehome coastalhomeandgarden.com Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide 27

Luxury Eco-Home in Capitola418 McCormickSILVER LEED rated by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council. Designed to combine thequality of modern luxury with energy efficient& environmentally-friendly buildingpractices, this home features green/ecoattributes not found in standard construction.3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2012 SF on 5358 SF lot. Shortwalk to Capitola Village, Beach, Shops &Restaurants.

Lauren SpencerPhone: (831) 662-6522Cell: (831) 818-3723Email: [email protected]: MySantaCruzRealEstate.comDre License #: 00925382


A beach theme can turn your home into agetaway no matter where it's located.Beach themes can liven up a laundry roomor create an elegant master suite. Drawinspiration from famous beaches allaround the world to decorate your homein a beach theme while still expressingyour personal style.

Nautical Theme DecoratingTypical colors for beach theme decoratingare taupe, navy and white. This colorpalette works well for both genders. Foran updated nautical theme try a palettethat consists of sea foam green, gray, ordark teal. Look for casual furniture madeout of wicker or roughly worn wood. You

might even be able to find a few pieces ofhigh-end outdoor furniture to mixthroughout the space.

Wood tones should be light in color orwhite so it doesn't becomes the focalpoint of the room. Keep your sofa in aneutral cotton fabric so the accessoriespop. Striped curtains might be reminiscent

At the Beach Décor


Own your own piece of Paradise.

Sandy HockmanREALTOR®

22752 E Cliff Dr. First time on the market,this townhouse in small complex, has 3bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms. Ocean view fromthe kitchen, living room, and Loft. Largewindows all around the 2nd floor to let inthe light. Perfect for entertaining on thedeck with stairs to lead to the patio. Directaccess to the beach fromsteps down from thecomplex. 2 car attachedgarage & guest parking.Well maintained complex,with private HOA.Come by and see,call for an appt.

Direct: 831-588-5458E-mail: [email protected]

find many more listings at www.shockmanproperties.com

Ocean Front On West Cliff

Bryan ChambersREALTOR®

Cell: (831) 359-3575Website: www.OceanHomesAgent.comOffice: (831) 426-4100 x435E-mail: [email protected]

Making the process of buying or selling your home easier is my Job!!

Ocean Fronton West Cliff,Santa Cruz, CA.Large 4 bed3.5 bath2 car garage

Don’t miss!Call for price!


of a beach towel to add simple pattern tothe room. Accessorize with a fish net,shells and rope. Glue these items aroundlamp bases, chandelier shades, mirrors orpicture frames. Show off the shells you'vecollected on your travels, or buy yourfavorite faux shells at a craft store. Placethese in a glass jar along with sand for aninexpensive decorative accessory.

Tropical ThemesA tropical theme is reminiscent ofCaribbean beaches and is a sophisticatedway to decorate with a beach theme.

Keep the walls a neutral color such aswhite, taupe or gold. Gauzy white sheerscan work as a canopy or curtains.Accessorize with small palm trees, grassmats and coconut shells. Look forfurniture made from natural materialslike dark stained wood or woven chairs.Artwork can include photographs ofyour favorite white sand beaches ormodern art that is reminiscent of water.

South Beach ThemeThe South Beach style is a more contem-porary and elegant way to decorate in abeach theme. This theme takes its cues

from luxurious beach resorts. Paint yourroom in bright colors such as lime greenor hot pink. Accent the space with artdecor furniture & rich hardwood floors.Bring in beach inspired accessories suchas an elegant capiz shell chandelier.Black-and-white photographs of anautilus shell or the ocean will furtherget the theme across. South Beachdecorating is less literal than other beachthemes so just use one or two high-endaccessories to keep the room from beingoverwhelmed with a beach theme.

Sara Gilmore


find many more listings at www.SuzanneTeixeira.com

REALTOR®

9119 Soquel DrAptos, Ca 95003

831 [email protected]

Suzanne Teixeira

As an active Realtor® and topproducer with 13 years experience,I credit my success to serving theneeds of my clients. As a result, themost satisfying reward is creatinglong term relationships.

Local Knowledge,Real Results


Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide coastalhomeandgarden.com30 Coastal Home & Garden Resource Guide coastalhomeandgarden.com30

The mint family offers a mouthwateringarray of different types, such as pineapplemint, chocolate mint, apple mint, orangemint, not to mention spearmint andpeppermint. With these refreshing scentsand flavors to enhance your cooking, addto beverages, and use in potpourris, mintcan be an indispensable plant.

In addition, bumblebees and otherpollinators are attracted to the delicateflowers that appear in mid- to latesummer. Some varieties even sportvariegated foliage for added interest inthe herb garden.

Mint's only downside is it will take overyour garden if it gets half a chance. Butyou can contain its exuberance and keepit close at hand by growing mint in pots.And I do mean "pots" plural. With thearray of varieties, it can be hard to choosejust one. Or you can confine mint in agarden bed with edging of metal orplastic. Bury the edging to a depth of 14inches around the perimeter of the mintpatch.

A Sampling of Mints for Your Garden Spearmint (Mentha spicata), with itsslightly sweet flavor, makes a refreshingtea, and can be used to highlight flavorsin a fruit salad, or to add to new potatoesor grain pilaf. It's the mint of mint jelly,and is a key ingredient in mint juleps.Plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall, with pale pinkor white blooms appearing in mid to latesummer.

Peppermint (Mentha xpiperita) is morepungent than spear-mint, growing to 3feet tall, with pinkishlavender flowers. It'sa common ingredientin teas, especially forsoothing the stomach.

Corsican mint (Mentharequienii) is a ground-

hugging mint that prefersshade. It drapes over a

container or weaves in betweenstepping-stones or in a stone wall.

Growing and Harvesting Mints Most mints can be started from seed, withthe exception of peppermint, which ispropagated by cuttings. Choose a sunnylocation (except for Corsican mint) withmoderately fertile, humusy soil. Use a lightmulch to retain moisture and keep leavesclean. Most mints are hardy to zone 3 or 4;Corsican mint is hardy to zone 6 so treat itas an annual in colder regions.

Once plants are growing vigorously, youcan harvest young or mature leaves.Don't be afraid to cut the plants backfrequently to promote fresh growth. Use

fresh leaves incooking or dry

mint leaves on traysor by hanging bun-

ched branches upside down in a warm,dark, well-ventilated area.

For more tips and garden information,visit www.garden.org

Kathy Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as agarden writer/editor, including hercurrent role as Horticultural Editor forthe National Gardening Association.

Courtesy of Family Features

Gardening With CharlieKathy Bond-Borie, Guest Columnist

Growing Mint

in thegarden



anything with them, whether you'reinstalling an outdoor kitchen from scratchor putting a new face on an older homewith a front-entry makeover.Segmental retaining wall systems lend them-selves to phased landscaping projects built overa period of years. That's a trend landscapedesigners are seeing more of as homeownershave become more cost-conscious.Some customers have a grand idea of whatthey ultimately want, but may not be able toafford all at once. A master plan is always agood idea, you can start out with one phase,perhaps a circular paver patio withseatwalls and a fire pit in the back yard.And that evolves over a period of years to afull-blown entertainment area, maybe anoutdoor kitchen or bar, along with otherfeatures such as gardens or gazebos.Sustainable, or "green," landscaping, alsorapidly gaining in popularity, can add valueto your home in other ways.Low-rise retaining walls can be used insuch features as rain gardens to signifi-cantly reduce storm water & pollutant

runoff from surface areas. Plantableretaining walls provide earth stabilizationwhile softening the appearance of atraditional retaining wall with vegetation.Plantable wall systems essentially create avertical garden while performing thefunction of a retaining wall. You can getreally creative with the color and textures ofplantings you use in the wall to achievewhatever look you want.

From "lifestyle landscaping" to "greenlandscaping," there's a retaining wall thatcan add appeal and value to your home.Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer orlooking to hire someone, you'll be able toadd a new dimension to your outdoorenviro-nment in time to entertain gueststhis summer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Continued from 6

n

in thegarden

All Realtors Are Not the Same!

REALTOR®

DRE #: 00902643

9119 Soquel DrAptos, Ca 95003

[email protected]

Scott Cheney

A Proven Top Producer for 25 Years. Specializing inResidential Beach properties and Investment properties

throughout the entire Santa Cruz County

Call Scott andMake it Happen!!



EasyWaysto stage yourhome for sale



You've made the decision to sell yourhome. But before you put the "for sale"sign in the yard, make sure it's ready tomake a good impression on prospectivebuyers and clearly stands out among themany other homes on the market.

There are many easy and inexpensiveways to clearly differentiate your homeso that it appeals to a wide range ofbuyers ... and in return, yields a fast andprofitable sale.

To begin, purge.Nothing makes a home look smaller thancluttered countertops, cupboards andclosets. Plus, buyers want to envision ahome with their own possessions - notyours. As you start cleaning, sort items inthree categories: donate, sell or keep.Soon, your home will look neater and youmay add some cash to your wallet or gaina tax write-off.

Fast & Inexpensive ProjectsNext, consider tackling projects that areeasy, fast and inexpensive - but willsignificantly boost your home's appeal.Magazines are a great source ofinspiration, & brands that offer practicaladvice and dozens of projects specificallydesigned to stage your home for sale.

Some indoor and outdoor projects thatare quick, inexpensive and guaranteed toget your home noticed include:

Focus on the lightLighting fixtures are the focal point ofmany rooms - but replacing them can costhundreds of dollars. With a little elbowgrease, $20 and less than two hours, youcan update your existing ones with a new,more attractive and popular stainlesssteel finish. Directions: Cover your work area withnewspaper and disassemble the fixture.Clean the pieces and tape off areas thatdon't need to be painted. Following theinstructions, apply indoor/outdoorprimer followed by the new metallicpaint. Once dry, remove the tape andreassemble the chandelier.

Detail the roomsWhen sprucing up your home for sale,sometimes it's the small details that canmake the biggest impact. Painting dull,dirty or chipped register covers or lightswitch plates can give any room a quickpick-me-up, in less than an hour.Directions: Remove register covers orlight switch plates and place them onnewspaper. Sand the surface lightly and

wipe clean. Clean all pieces to removeany built up dust and grime. Followinginstructions, apply a number of lightcoats of primer, followed by a couplecoats of gloss or metallic spray paint.Once dry, reinstall and enjoy.

Illuminate the exteriorExterior lighting showcases the beauty ofyour home, so make sure that your lightfixtures are just as attractive. Updatefaded, rusty or outdated finishes with afresh new finish for a minimal price andmaximum impact.

Freshen up with flowersThe right landscaping and use of plants &flowers can greatly improve your home'scurb appeal for prospective buyers.Brightening up your flower boxes is aquick and easy way to add some color tothe front of your home in just a few hours.

Directions: Place a clean flower box onnewspaper, sand the exterior to create asmooth surface. Apply several light coatsof indoor/outdoor primer to help wardoff drips. Next, apply a few coats ofindoor/outdoor paint in your favoritecolor. Once dry, the box is ready todisplay your favorite flowers.

ARA content

in thehome

Sandy Hockman831.588.5458

www.shockmanproperties.com

Scott Cheney831.818.0405

www.ScottCheney.com

Jo Ellen Smith831.247.9600

www.joellensmith4homes.com

Bryan Chambers831.359.3575

www.OceanHomesAgent.com


During unsettling economic times, peopletend to get "back to basics" by cocooningmore with their families, avoiding high-ticket expenditures & looking for ways torepurpose and re-use existing items. Nextyear's home decorating trends clearlyreflect this comfort-focused & cost-conscious mentality by emphasizingsoothing color palettes, natural materials,environmentally friendly products, & "oldmade new again" furnishings, wall muralsand textiles.

Color our worldAsk almost any designer, and you'll hearthat gray is the "new brown." gray mixeswell with brown, taupe, light lilac, lightgreen and yellow, and many woodfurnishes now have a gray wash or grayundertone added to them and theresilience of such strong hues as brightorange, bright green and magenta.

Designers also see color being used tobring comfort, harmony and serenity

home. She envisions silver gray, lilac,purples and off-white being especiallypopular in 2010. Inspired by the fashionindustry, they also note endless possibil-ities of metallic bronze, gold and silveraccented with berry rich colors like plum& red-based purples for interior designs.

Let there be lightFor the past few years, consumers haveopted for ultra energy-efficient LEDlighting as a way to save money on

Designs for a new decadeLeading trend experts and interior designers across the country offer these top home decor trends for 2010:



The fabric of our livesTextiles will take their cues fromnatural materials such as felt, corkand even tree bark, predicts Henn.Pattern on pattern will be increas-ingly popular, with home-ownersintentionally mismatching productsto allow endless possibilities ofblends and textures. There also aremore fabrics combining durabilitywith style - once relegated tocrushable chenille & fragile silks -as they become more available inmanmade and natural fabrics foruse in upholstery & drapery-weight materials.

Fabrics will host a "big party" oflarge graphic prints and floralpatterns this year with dark navybackgrounds mixed with boldpatterns in lavender, mint greenand sea foam, as well as plumbackgrounds mixed with strongfloral patterns in red and pink.Turquoise mixed with tangerinewill also be trendy.

Fun, functional furnitureFurniture being comfortable & functional,yet elegant - reflecting consumers'continued need for a refuge in which torelax and escape their busy lives.Furnishings will be a more eclectic mix ofneo-classic, Asian and art deco styles, byincorporating mirrored furniture, chinoi-serie, bamboo, and vintage furniture.Theres a juxtaposition of old-worldformal & casual lifestyle with refurbishedEuropean overstuffed club chairs, armchairs, two-seater settees and ottomansshowing up everywhere from cottages &country homes to urban lofts.

Transitional to contemporary collectionswill still dominate in 2010. Maple andalder will remain popular cost-efficientwood choices, with bamboo appealing toenvironmentally-conscious consumers.Clean lines and classic style will be in;excessive ornamentation will be out.

Go for the greenUnlike Kermit the Frog's song, it is easybeing green as more and more Americansare turning to eco-friendly designoptions. Everything has been going "eco"as more attention is drawn to "green"products. Design will be leaning towardnature in the use of sustainable productssuch as bamboo, as well as fresh productsintroduced using recycled glass, reclai-

med wood & manufacturing byproducts.There is also a trend toward "eco luxury,"blending sophisticated products withenvironmental benefits to create an air ofelegant sustainability.

Au naturelLudwig predicts increased interest inrepurposing items found in nature, suchas using bleached-out branches as artsculptures, an old worn tree stump as acoffee table base or a console table andteak branches assembled as a screen orroom divider. He also foresees baskets,bowls and planters made from blocks orchunks of unusual woods.

Radical rugsEchoing the trend in fabrics, envisionrugs inspired with outrageously largegraphics and bold combinations of colorssuch as aqua, lime, medium greens andwhite. Due to the ongoing popularity ofhardwood floors, Dross also sees acomeback in area rugs, with heavilypatterned rugs with bold prints andgeometric patterns becoming the focuspoint of many living rooms.

ARA Contentenergy-related costs & make their homesmore environmentally friendly. LEDlighting will continue to build in momen-tum, with LED under-cabinet fixturesand LED rail lights will take "beinggreen" to a higher, more stylish level.

Homeowners are making big statementswith simple changes, by investing in eye-catching lighting fixtures such as elon-gated linear chandeliers that complementrectangle-shaped dining room tables,kitchen islands and the long farmhousekitchen tables currently in vogue.

Add "wow" to wallsDue to their versatility and affordability,wall murals will continue to be a popularway to transform the look and feel of anyroom in the house. Fueled by economicconditions that have inspired consumersto use decorative wall murals as a cost-effective way to give their living areas afresh look. These relatively small changescan make huge, personal statements inliving rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms &home offices. Envision bold geometricpatterns, edgy, urban graphics & Asian-inspired prints being especially hot in2010, with nature and travel scenesremaining perennial favorites.




Three MythsAbout Hearing LossDo you:• Have trouble hearing over the telephone?• Often ask people to repeat what they are saying?• Find it hard to follow conversations with two or more people?• Think that others seem to mumble?• Have a problem hearing because of background noise?• Have trouble understanding women & children speaking to you?If you answered yes to three or more of these questions,visit a hearing healthcare professional and get properly tested.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions in the world.Yet there are a number of misperceptions about hearing loss thatlead many to let it go untreated.

The Better Hearing Institute found that only 4 in 10 people withmoderate-to-severe hearing loss use hearing aids. Many waitednearly seven years after learning about their hearing loss andfound their quality of life was being affected.

Hearing loss can create social and emotional barriers for theindividual and the families of those it affects. Research shows

that hearing loss can lead to reducedearning power, disruptions in family lifeand a wide range of other psychologicalproblems.

According to a survey conducted by Hearthe World, the feelings most oftenassociated with untreated hearing losswere frustration (46.8 percent), isolation(45.3 percent), and fear (36.8 percent).

“What I see in my practice is that theunnecessary fear & frustration associatedwith hearing loss and hearing aids isoften accompanied by a lack ofinformation about ways to prevent orsolutions available to treat the condition,”said Dr. Kasper. “This is unfortunategiven that hearing loss is a condition thatcan be treated...”

Myth: Hearing loss only affects the elderly

Fact: Only 35 percent of people withhearing loss are over age 64.

• The number of Americans with hearingloss is more than 34 million-roughly 11percent of the U.S. population.

• In the U.S., over one million school-agedchildren have hearing problems.

• According to the National Institutes ofHealth, 26 million Americans have high-frequency hearing loss caused byexposure to loud noise at work or leisureactivities.

The most-at-risk activities for noise-induced hearing loss include targetshooting, hunting, snowmobile riding,woodworking, playing in a band andattending rock concerts. Harmful devicesoften include lawnmowers, leaf blowers,and shop tools.

Myth: My doctor will tell me.

Fact: A study shows only 15 percent ofphysicians routinely screen for hearingloss during a physical. Without specialtraining, it’s difficult for your doctor tomeasure the extent of hearing loss.Myth: Hearing aids are big & uncomfortable.

Fact: Hearing aid design & technology hasdeveloped significantly in recent years.

“Hearing loss and the solutions availableto treat it have long been misunder-stood,” said Dr. Craig Kasper, chiefaudiology officer of Audio HelpAssociates of Manhattan. “In fact, recent

technology advances have made itpossible for those who need a hearing aidto wear their devices with ease &confidence.”

Today’s hearing aids are equipped withpowerful computer chips, ensuring bettersound quality and modern designs withsmaller dimensions to help users weartheir hearing aids with minimaldetection.

Good hearing plays a crucial part inquality of life. For an online hearing testand to locate a hearing health profes-sional in your area, visit www.hear-the-world.com.

in your

health



The FoodiesEpisode 2

The Foodies Deep Sea CaperWe’re five Foodies who wanted a littlechange from the day today grind in therestaurant business. We decided to take adifferent approach and shake the wholething up. We’ve got Skeeter the Manager,jack-of-all-trades, chef in his own right,“The Eye” of the operation. There’s Paul theBoss, tall with salt & pepper hair,impeccably dressed and no question, theman in charge. Jolie the Hostess lends ahand with her attention to detail, and kindof wild card of the bunch. D.B the Bartenderis young, up beat, funny and looks asnatural behind the bar as he would struttingdown the runway in a fashion show. AndMarina, the Waitress, who’s calm presenceis sometimes what keeps all of these guys inline, she puts you at ease with her goodlooks, gentle charm and warm presence.

We know first hand that there’s a lot morethat goes into a dining experience than sittingdown at a restaurant and enjoying a meal andwe want to show you just what goes into it.So we packed our bags and hit the road,determined to bring a fresh new diningexperience to our friends and fellow Foodies.Here we are in beautiful Northern Californiatraveling the coast to change the way youthink about your food one dish at a time,“From the Earth, To the Pan, To the Table.”

We’re all here, Skeeter, D.B, Jolie and Marinaand we’re at a location of Paul’s choice.We’re at The Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.Overlooking the ocean where surfers ridethe waves in their wet suits and pelicansand sea gulls rest atop the buoys and lightposts you can see The Pier and just beyondit is a long winding row of historic Victorianand Mission Revival mansions lining thecliffs. It’s tempting to spend the day on theroller coasters and playing pinball but onceThe Boss arrives it’ll be all business today sowe grab some cotton candy and salted taffyand decide to pass the time playing somearcade games.

As we’re looking around and talking aboutThe Pier, Jolie remembers that it’s home to aplace called Stagnaro Brothers and she

suggest seafood. Skeeter is quick to add histwo cents and needs no help coming upwith the rest. The dish will be Chinook KingSalmon, with a blueberry salsa, candiedMano De Leon Sea Scallops and a, whitewine sage butter sauce. It will be up to D.Bto choose the wine and a signature cocktail& Marina will be in charge of the fresh produce.

When Paul arrives and finds us amongst thekids playing games and goofing off, it’stime for a new game to begin, one that we’reall familiar with, get to work and beat theclock. Paul plugs a couple tokens into an oldpac man machine and we gather around tolisten carefully to our instructions. Tonightwe’ll serve an eclectic bunch of Foodiesfrom the quaint little town of Aptos.We’re scheduled for dinner at 8:00PM,at Severino’s Grill in the Best WesternSeacliff Inn. We’ll be preparing for 12 VIPguests, which is a breeze compared to oursometimes 100 plus guest list. It’s noon nowand time for our favorite part, venturing outto purchase the freshest ingredients, FromThe Earth.

Jolie doesn’t have far to go she can walkright over to The Pier for the Chinook KingSalmon and Mano De Leon Sea Scallops.

Marina has a couple stops to make, so she’sthe first one out the door and headed to thefarms where she’ll pick her produce.

D.B has picked out the award winning 2007Lindsey Paige Vineyard Chardonnay fromthe Alfaro Family Vineyard. There aren’tmany a people around these parts that don’ttruly enjoy a nice glass wine but for thosewho prefer a cocktail, D.B will provide alovely handmade ginger mint mojito withblueberry garnish.

Skeeter will head straight to Severino’s toscope out the location and plan the best wayto set up.

Jolie enjoys a stroll down The Boardwalk andalong the beach. It’s a sunny Santa Cruz dayand although it’s a lot slower this time of yearon the beach, there are some beach goerspicnicking and walking around. Along thePier are musicians playing for tips andtourists shops filled with postcards and t-shirts. There are plenty of restaurants thatlook good for eating but Jolie has no time forlunch, she arrives at Stagnaro Brothers

We’re scheduled for dinner at 8:00, at Severino’s Grill in the Best Western Seacliff Inn. We’ll be preparing for 12 VIP guests,

The Foodies are on the loosein Northern California bringing a fresh new unconventionalperspective on food, wine & culinary trends to fellow selfproclaimed foodies everywhere.



Seafood Inc. to hand pick the fish. She’spleased to find that amongst the many filletsof fish that lie on top of the tiny crushed icefor you to choose from, the King Salmon andSea Scallops look the best. She’s sure this issome of the freshest seafood around and goesahead and orders enough for 12.

Marina has a lot to do in a short space oftime. She heads first to pick up theasparagus. When arriving at the Ocean MistFarm in Castroville, she’s amazed at howinteresting the farm looks because this isactually primarily an artichoke farm. Whatshe learns is that this family owned farmhas been the largest producer of artichokesin the U.S since 1924. She diligently handpicks the stalks of asparagus and has to hitthe road after this time consuming process.

She turns around and heads north toWatsonville to the Sand Piper Farms. On anyother day, the sweet little berry farm wouldbe the a great place to spend some time butwith still one more stop to make and plentyof ingredients to hand pick, Marina loads abarrel of blueberries into the car and makesher way towards Los Gatos. This is the laststop but also the most amount of work. She’srelieved to get there. It’s nearly 2:00 now andthe clock is ticking. Abounding HarvestMountain Farm is a small family farm,complete with avocado and citrus roves. Themulti colored trees abound the mountainsand fill the air with a sweet smell. The viewfrom the driveway is spectacular. Marinascrambles to gather the grapefruit and redonion and is happy to learn that she can alsopick up some flowers for the centerpieces atSeverinos Grill. She settles on bundles ofKangaroo Paws, Wisterias, Dahlias & PurpleIris’. The car is now filled with NorthernCalifornia’s freshest produce and flowers.Satisfied with her finds, it’s finally time tomeet the rest of the gang at the Sea Cliff Inn.

D.B is the last Foodie on the loose and he’sat the Alfaro Family Vineyard in the SantaCruz Mountains in Corralitos. He’s greetedby Richard Alfaro, bread maker turned

winemaker who acquired the aging 75acre apple farm and turned it into a

vineyard. Richard not only providesenough cases of wine for D.B to haul

off to the restaurant but he gives hima little tour of the 4 Vineyards that

are lovingly name after familymembers and makes sure thatD.B doesn’t leave without tasting

some of his favorite wines. D.B isimpressed with his selection and knowshe’s made another good choice for thissavory seafood dish.

Jolie and Skeeter are the first to arrive at therestaurant and are greeted by Dan Frazer,the Director of Food and Beverage, who iseager to show them around. It’s pretty hardto deny from first glance, this is a premierrestaurant in Aptos. The California, threetiered resort style atmosphere is delightful.Outside there’s a patio surrounded by lushgardens and a Japanese style koi pond,clearly the place to be when weatherpermits. We couldn’t ask for a better place tohost a Foodie party. Jolie works with Dan todetermine what the seating and layoutshould be like and Skeeter hooks up withexecutive chefs Miguel Perez and AntonioGomez to discuss the preparation requiredto begin the anticipated meal. We’re especi-ally excited to hear Antonio Gomez’ outlookon cooking because it blends so perfectlywith our train of thought he says, “the finestingredients create the finest dishes”. This isexactly the frame of mind we’re looking forand we’re even more pleased to learn thatSeverino’s buys all locally grown goods tosupport local businesses.

This is a routine we’re beginning to master,D.B shows up with the wine and cocktailingredients and begins setting up the bar andschooling the staff on how to describe thewine of the evening. Marina hurries to set thetables and arrange the centerpieces just so.

It’s time to get busy in the kitchen and it’seffortless for Skeeter to work with Severino’sExecutive Chefs Miguel and Antonio tobring this dish to life. Together, the three ofthem take on separate tasks to culminate theend result. Antonio is eager to work with thefish and takes on the seasoning of thesalmon and sea scallops. Skeeter, FoodiesKing of Sauces begins on the white winesage butter sauce. Miguel and Antoniograciously open up their kitchen to us andMiguel takes on the mixing of the blueberrysalsa and blanching of the asparagus. As itoften times plays out, once the aroma ofthese signature dishes begin waftingthrough the restaurant, the staff start nosingaround for a taste. After everyone samplesthe dish, we’re confident and ready for theparty to roll in. We’re all anxious to show offhow they will masterfully bring theseNorthern California home grown gifts fromThe Earth, To the Pan.

The bar is stocked, the tables are set, candleslit and the atmosphere at Severino’s Grill ischicly laid back. Skeeter has arranged a lowkey funk band that plays faintly in thebackground and the patio is lit up withtwinkling lights to add that extra specialsomething to this already special place.

D.B. has picked outthe award winning 2007 Lindsey Paige Vineyard Chardonnay from the Alfaro Family Vineyard.

Abounding HarvestMountain Farm

is a small family farm, completewith avocado and citrus groves


Store More Americathe helpful storage store• Locally owned and operated• Staffed to meet your storage needs• Happy to answer all questions• Refer a friend for a $25 credit on your bill• Well lit and secureCall today!

WE BEAT ANY PRICE IN TOWN!

“Storage you can trust with a personal touch”

Soquel

425-01233711 Soquel DriveJust West of 41st. Ave.*Restrictions Apply

Aptos

687-01239687 Soquel DriveBetween Rio Del Mar and Freedom Blvds.

Watsonville

728-0123445 Herman Avenue

Holm Rd. (Off Airport Blvd.)

3 Convenient locations to serve you

www.StoreMoreAmerica.com

www.StoreMoreAmerica.com • U-HAUL TRUCKS NOW AVAILABLE

$20.10*

moves you in!FOR THE FIRST MONTH

EXPIRES 9/30/2010 *Restrictions apply


When the VIP guests begin arriving, thewine is uncorked, the fresh mint muddledfor the handmade ginger mojitos withblueberry and the bands tempo picks up thepace just enough to really loosen up theroom. After some very light fare, the guestsare ready to get to the dish that has everyonetalking and it’s time to bring the delightfulcreation From the Pan, to the Table.

Upon finishing the meal we’re touched bythe warm welcome we’ve received as DanFrazer makes a toast to us. We’re honored tobe here and in turn we toast again, thankingThe Sea Cliff Inn for their participation inanother successfulFoodies party.

Luckily, we’ve pulled it off again and areamongst a group of full and satisfied fellowFoodies. When the evening comes to a close,we all take a long awaited seat and the 5 ofus have our own toast to another job welldone. It’s time for us to enjoy the meal. Untilnext time, happy eating, Fellow Foodies!

ingredients: 4 x, King Salmon Filets Center cut boneless, skinless approximately6 inches each in length12 Fresh Sea ScallopsSalt, pepper & sugar to taste.2 bunches fresh Asparagus1 cup white wine2 sticks unsalted butter2 tbsp. heavy creamJuice from 1 lime1 tbsp. fresh sage2 cups blueberries1/3 cup ruby red grapefruit1/4 cup. Red onion, chopped2 shallots1 jalapeno pepper1/3 cup. Grape seed oil 2 tbsp. olive oil1 tsp. cracked pepper1 tsp. sugarSalt and pepper to taste

Blueberry Salsa2 cups blueberries 1/2 medium red onion, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped 1 Ruby Red grapefruit segments, diced 1/3-cup Grape seed oil1/4 cup lime juice 1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper

White Wine SageButter Sauce2 tablespoons olive oil 2 diced shallot 2 finely chopped garlic cloves 1 cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 sticks cold unsalted butter cut

into 1-inch pieces Salt Freshlyground black pepper

Directions: PAN SEARED KING SALMON WITHBLUEBERRY SALSA CANDIED SEA SCALLOPS ANDWHITE WINE SAGE BUTTER SAUCE.In a medium sized bowl mix the Blueberries, redonion, jalapeno, grapefruit, lime juice, grape seedoil, salt & pepper, cover and let stand for one hourto blend flavors. To prepare the white wine sauce,heat the oil in a medium saucepan. You don't wantthe heat to be too high, then add the shallots andgarlic to the saucepan and cook until soft. (About1 minute) Now add the wine and bring it to a boiland let it cook and reduced by half. Now add thecream and this is the important part, take thebutter and cut it into (1) inch pieces and slowlystart whisking in the cold butter, piece by piece. Itis important that you let the butter melt

completely before you add the next piece.Continue to whisk until the sauce is emulsifiedand strain it into a bowl. Add the fresh choppedsage and season with salt and pepper to taste andkeep warm. Blanch the asparagus in boiling saltedwater until tender, remove and keep warm.Season all sides of the Salmon with salt, pepper,season the scallops with salt, pepper and sugarand cover and set aside. Heat a nonstick sauté panover a high heat, and add a tablespoon of clarifiedbutte (or raw, unsalted butter) and a tablespoon ofvegetable oil. Add fillets and cook, withoutmoving fillets, until pan regains lost heat, about 30seconds. Reduce heat to medium-high; continue tocook until lightly browned and bottom half offillets turns opaque, 4 1/2 minutes. Turn fillets andcook, without moving them, until they are no

longer translucent on the exterior and are firm, butnot hard, when gently squeezed: 3 minutes formedium rare and 3 1/2 minutes for medium.Remove fillets from pan; let stand (1) minute. Addmore oil/butter mixture if needed before you addthe scallops. Place the scallop’s flat side down inthe hot pan until a caramel-colored crust appearson the underside, flip and don’t overcook. Thescallops should be removed from the pan whiletheir centers are still slightly translucent be sure toserve them with the beautiful caramel-coloredcrust facing up! Assemble your plate starting withthe wine sauce, place scallops, layer the asparagus,top with salsa, crown with the salmon filets andfinish with more blueberry salsa. Garnish withfresh sage and sprinkle with a little paprika foradditional color.


Serving Santa Cruz since 1980

Call for a FREE estimate831.212.8704

[email protected] • License #518055

Professional DesignPermit Processing & Building Services

GreenAssociate

Memberof USGBC

'USGBC' and related logo is a trademark owned by theU.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission."

• New Construction • Remodel • Room AdditionsFences • Garages • Decks • & more

Excellent references

GARYLINDEKE

CONSTRUCTION, INC


AntiquesVILLAGE FAIR ANTIQUES417 Trout Gulch Rd, Aptosph 831.688.9883Amercan Oak & Furniture. Vintage, Decorative Art,Watches, Jeewelry & Gemologist, Fine Art, China, Glass,Garden & Architecturals.

Design/BuildingDE MATTEIph 408.350.4200w demattei.comDe Mattei Construction builds more thanhomes. We build relationships withhomeowners like you to create homes ofenduring quality, style and craftsmanship.Since 1985, we've built and remodeled thefinest quality homes in the Bay Area. TrustDe Mattei Construction. We'll partner withyour design-build team to build your home,the home you want.

GARY LINDEKE CONSTRUCTIONph 831.212.8704e [email protected] Lindeke Construction is a ProfessionalDesign company Specializing in greenbuilding since 1980. Member and Greenassociate USGBC. Call for a free estimatefor your remodel or new construction.

PORTER CONSTRUCTION110 Glen Canyon RoadSanta Cruz, CA ph 831.426.1681w jpcsc.comJPCI is an established Contractingbusiness with 35 years of experiencespecializing in Retaining Walls, DrainageSystems, Remodels, Foundation Solutions,Waterproofing, Woodwork, Fencing,Decking, Driveways, Erosion Control andmuch more. Call for an estimate.

TALMADGE CONSTRUCTION8070 Soquel Drive, Aptosph 831.689.9133w talmadgeconstruction.comRemodeling Contractor. Award winning projects, memberNARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry),Certified Remodeler, chosen by Remodeling Magazineas one of the top 50 remodelers in the U.S. Also aStarmark Cabinet Dealer.

Green ProductsGREENSPACE1122 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruzph 831.423.7200w greenspacecompany.comGreenspace is a unique retail showroom and educationcenter specializing in green products for the home andbusiness.

HELIOS/365ph 831.662.3700w helios365.comHelios/365 is a Family Owned and Operated NorthernCalifornia renewable energy systems integrator. Where itcurrently provides photovoltaic solar and wind powerintegration services to the greater San Francisco BayArea, the Central Coast of California and throughout allof Central and Northern California.

HHootteellss && TTrraavveellSANTA CRUZ HOTEL GROUPph 800.535.8350w santacruzhotelgroup.comSanta Cruz Hotel Group is a uniquecollection of distinctive hotels ideallylocated throughout lovely Santa CruzCounty. Whether you're planning abusiness trip, a romantic getaway or afamily excursion, they have the hotel that isuniquely suited to your needs.

Kitchen and BathKITCHEN EXPRESS9073 Soquel Drive, Aptos ph 831.662.3700w kitchenexpress.comSanta Cruz Countys oldest continuouslyowned kitchen & bath showroom. Locatedoff Hwy. 1 at the Rio Del Mar exit in Aptos.Friendly new showroom!


SERVICE



LandscapingAPTOS LANDSCAPE SUPPLY5025 Freddom Blvd, Aptosph 831.688.6211Family owned and maneged, we have been supplyinglandscape materials to the residents of this beautifularea since 1966. we provide friendly service.

CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPECONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION1491 River Park Drive, Ste 100Sacramentoph 916.830.2780w clca.orgThe California Landscape Contractors Association is anon-profit trade organization of licensed landscape andlandscape-related contractors. Included among itsapproximately 3,200 members are landscape suppliers,landscape architects, public officials, educators, andstudents. CLCA's mission is to serve and protect theinterests of its members, promote professionalism, andadvance public awareness of the landscape industry.

CENTRAL HOME SUPPLY808 River Street, Santa Cruz ph 831.423.0763fx 831.423.8613w centralhomesupply.comService comes first! Central Home Supplyoffers over 2,500 products; there are over100 types of natural stone alone! But mostimportantly, if we don't have it, we can getit! We'll search our extensive databases tolocate the unique, the hard-to-find, theunusual....and get it for you.

CENTRAL COAST WILDSECOLOGICAL CONCERNS INC.ph 831.459.0656w CentralCoastWilds.comCentral Coast Wilds (CCW) is a design-grow-buildecological landscape contractor and California nativeplant nursery established in 1992 in Santa Cruz. CCWspecializes in residential and commercial landscapeswith an emphasis on ecological design, green buildingapplications and habitat restoration. Our service area isthe greater Monterey and San Francisco bay areas.

BIG CREEK LUMBER2801 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruzph 831.477.1231Big Creek Lumber Company has been in business since1946 and remains one of the few family-owned lumbercompanies in the area. The McCrary family has livedand worked on the Central Coast for six generations. Wecurrently operate a sawmill and wholesale salesdepartment, five Pro Dealer lumber yards, a forestrydepartment, and a logging operation. Big Creek has along history of practicing superior forest stewardship -growing, selectively harvesting and milling Californiaredwood and Douglas fir. California redwood is natural,untreated softwood prized for its versatile beauty. It isvery workable and is valued for its stability, durability andfire resistance.

Locksmith SecurityAA SAFE&SECURITY712 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruzph 831.423.5415w aasafe.comAA Safe & Security had been in buisness since 1956.It is a Fully license bonded and Insured Company. Wehave 4 fully equippted service vehicles available for onsite instalations. Our highly trained and friendly staff arealso available to consulte, and help our custumerfint thecorrect solution to there lock and security problems. Ourshowroom is open 6 Day a Week M-F at 8-6 and Satat 9:30- 3:30 for your convenien.

PaintBRENT GARVEY PAINTING“THE REPAINT SPECIALISTS”ph 831.688.6913

831.464.6913Brent Garvey Painting has been providing qualitypainting services in the Santa Cruz area for over 19years. We are The Repaint Specialists!

KING’S PAINT AND PAPER2851 41st Avenueph 831.462.220225276-B Scott Valleyph 831.438.1772Conveniently located between Alaska and Mexico,King’s Paint & Paper has been the leading independentretailer of decorating products in the area for 28 years.

Florist & NurseriesCABRILLO PLANTCabrillo College HorticultureDepartment, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos“Top of Campus”ph 831.477.567131th Annual Mother’s Day Plant SaleMay 8, 9, 10 (Mother’s day weekend)Largest annual plant sale on the Central Coast featuringCalifornia natives, salvias, succulents, species fuchsia,cut flowers, veggie stats and more. Friends of theGarden pre-sale and Silent auction on Friday, 3-7 p.m.($25 at the gate). Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun,10a.m. - 2 p.m (free).

SERVICE DIRECTORY

in thedirectory


46

RestaurantsSEVARINO’S BAR AND GRILLBest Western Seacliff Inn7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptosph 831-688-7300Severino's Grill is acclaimed for its appealingatmosphere and delicious food, a favorite with the localsand travelers alike. Severino's bar. has one of the bestHappy Hours around, serving complimentary appetizersfrom 4:30-6:30pm Monday through Friday.

RoofingKNOX ROOFING46 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valleyph 831.461.0634w knoxroofing.comKnox Roofing is built on integrity & quality workmanshipspecializing in residential re-roofing of all types in theSanta Cruz and Monterey Bay areas.

StorageSTORE MORE AMERICA3711 Soquel Drive, Soquelph 831.425.01239687 Soquel Drive, Aptosph 831.687.0123445 Herman Ave, Watsonvilleph 831.728.0123w StoremoreAmerica.comIt is dedication to customer service that has madeSTORE MORE! Self Storage a leader in the industry.Committed to being the most convenient, secure &professional storage solution in your neighborhood.

Swimming Pools & SpasLIFETIME POOLS, INC.ph 831.458.9711e [email protected] Pools has been in business since 1962building swimming pools and spas in the area. We alsoprovide remodeling & updating of existing pools as wellas pool repairs.

PRECISION POOLS1931 BEach Road, Watsonvilleph 831.724.0413Precision Pools had been in business for 35 yearsunder Jack Anderson, & when Jack offered hisbusiness & expertise to Jerry, well, he couldn't pass upthe opportunity. Now Jerry Allison works bothbusinesses and enjoys splitting his time between bothbut prefers combining both disciplines together tocreate complete landscapes. Passion for excellence & ajoy in the process of transforming landscapes has drivenJerry Allison & his crews for 36 years. He would love totalk to you about your dreams & passions. Call & youwill find you'll enjoy the process too.

FlooringBAY AREA FLOORS2617 41st Ave, Soquelph 831.662.3000w bay-area-floors.comBay Area Floors provides the Santa Cruz & MontereyBay areas with distinctive flooring & exceptionalcustomer care. With over 35 years of experience, weoffer a premier level of service and the very best inquality flooring products. From initial design ideasthrough installation & after care you will have the qualityyou need, at affordable prices. Bay Area Floors has awide selection of products & a knowledgeable friendlystaff to help you make the best choices for your homeor business.

in thedirectory

SERVICE DIRECTORY






Documents

Coastal Home & Garden Spring/Summer 2010