Attracting Wild Life in Moraga

Dan Bernie is not lukewarm when it comes to integrated pest management. Yes, the chemical-free methods to maintain the town’s properties is more expansive, and it demands more man-hour, but it works, and it’s healthier for Moragans and their children. An additional benefit to the community is that in researching about natural ways to deal with pests, Bernie, Moraga Public Work Superintendent, has learnt about how to use beneficial wildlife to control pests such as gophers and rats. With the help of an Eagle Scout, Kevin Gustafson, and the support of the Mt Diablo Audubon Society, Moraga is becoming more “owl-happy”. And it is just a beginning, since Bernie has in his files, plans to integrate bats nesting and raptors poles.

The Audubon Society functioned as a facilitator. “Dan (Bernie) wanted barn owl boxes in the Commons for gopher, rat and mouse control. Kevin (Gustafson) was looking for a project. There was wood available from construction of the new Walnut Creek Library and edge braces for the inside of the box available from a Council election campaign signs. Then lumber available from a material recycler for posts to mount the boxes on as well as help available to cut the boxes from the material recycler,” explains Murphy, “so Kevin's job was to assemble all of the resources available for his Eagle Scout project - we just brought the resources to Kevin's attention and he put them together.”

“I didn't really know that much about integrated pest management until I met Mr. Murphy and began the project,” says the Scout, but Gustafson quickly got very interested in a method that permits to deal with pests without the pesticides. “The process allows resident rodents to provide food for breeding barn owls,” explains Murphy. One couple of owls with chicks may consume as many as 1000 rodents by the time the chicks leave the nest. According to the California Council for the Wildlife Rehabilitation, approximately 26 million years ago the first Barn Owl appeared on earth; and since then Barn Owls have reigned supreme as one of the most efficient hunters on wings, and they were the farmer’s best friends when it came to rodent control.

For his project Gustafson worked cooperatively with others. “I was supplied the blueprints by the Audubon society. I then measured and cut the wood. Later my friends, many of whom are fellow boy scouts, and I assembled the boxes,” he says. The boxes will be installed in both Moraga public parks is the coming weeks. “Mr. Bernie and I specifically picked locations that we felt would discourage people from messing with the owl boxes,” says Gustafson, “also the boxes are 12 feet up in the air.”

For Bernie, the owl box project is exemplary of how IPM works. “I learnt about owls in a training session in Walnut Creek and bats in an EBMUD publication,” says the Superintendent, “and that will be one of my next project, getting bats to nest under the pedestrian bridge that connects Moraga Commons to the library.” A brown bat eats its own weight in insect in a night, and they love mosquitoes. They can catch 1,200 of them in an hour. Bats also pollinate many plants, and produce guano, a prized fertilizer.

“The Town of Moraga did the biggest jump of them all, and stand in front of all Contra Costa,” says a proud Bernie refereeing to Moraga’s IPM policy. After the bats, Bernie plans to set raptor poles in strategic places in Moraga so hawks will perch and catch gophers coming out during the day. For these projects he is hoping to enroll Scouts for the completion.

Bernie’s efforts to eliminate all chemical use in public places in Moraga include as well adding mosquitoes eating fishes in Mulholland ponds and switching all the janitorial supplies to “green” chemical free soaps and cleaning supplies. “We will never go back,” concludes the Superintendent.

Budd MacKenzie, A Man Consumed By His Passion For Freedom

From the dangerous zones of Afghanistan to the comfort of his Lamorinda life, Budd MacKenzie is a tireless traveler working for reconstruction and long-term development. He is a man who wants to change to world, or, on a most modest scale, a man who wants to bring permanent development and freedom to men and women living in regions of Afghanistan where an uncommon journey has taken the man who was President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and 2003-2004 Lafayette Citizen of the Year. Over the past 6 years, his non-profit, “Trust in Education” (TIE), has achieved results that would make any international NGO proud.

MacKenzie commitment started with an article he read about Greg Mortenson (Central Asia Institute) and the schools he was sponsoring in Afghanistan. TIE agreed in 2004 with the villagers of Lalander (16 miles south of Kabul) to construct a secular school for boys and girls. Politically engaged, MacKenzie believes that no nation should topple another’s government, without taking on in the reconstruction that follows. “Our commitment is clear,” says MacKenzie, “be part of the rebuilding effort.”

His way of changing the world is “village to village”. First TIE gave funds to pay for teachers ($80 a month per teacher) and build a school including the girls who had been kept out of the education system for years under the Taliban’s regime. MacKenzie’s first cause in Afghanistan was educating the women. “Even now in the villages I cannot talk directly to the women, when I arrive they disappear at the back of the house,” he says. MacKenzie confesses that there is no better way to appreciate women than having to deal only with men. The Afghan government has affirmed its objective of educating women, but in reality, when cuts are made it is to girls’ education. Girls in school are about 1/3 of their male counterparts and most parents don’t see the need for girls’ education past the elementary level, if at all.

In Lalander and neighboring villages now TIE pays for 27 full time teachers, more than half of the 839 students are girls, a new school has been built, with swing sets. All has been done in cooperation and with the support of local leaders and the Afghan Department of Education. “One key to success is to involve the villagers and their leaders in the process and to make the program transparent and verifiable,” says MacKenzie.

The second cause is “food-cloth-shelter”. “Once I got involved and after visiting Afghanistan, there was no pulling back,” said MacKenzie. “Working for education is working for the future,” he adds, “but these people have seen their country devastated, their economy ruined, all has to be rebuilt.” On these issues as well MacKenzie is working in partnership with local experts and authorities, while learning to avoid the risks of corruption.

The results are remarkable. TIE has enabled the plantation of over 22,000 fruit trees, continues to financed the purchase of seeds and fertilizer for 140 farmers, has provided 300 sheep (5 per farmer for 60 farmers) through its microcredit program, has provided 5600 lbs of clothing, blankets and other items, gave the money for the material to build 4 bridges, has transferred the technology of a hydraulic ramp pump that does not require electricity or gas with the help of Solano Community College students, is working on a dam that will prevent the snow run off from flooding land farmed by over 50 families. “The purpose is not to sprinkle emergency help, but to engage in a long term strategy of development that will bring independence to these people,” says MacKenzie.

Along the way MacKenzie and his team decided to support the Aschiana Project, a well organized and controlled program that sponsors Afghan street children and send them back to school. An estimated 60,000 children work on the streets of Kabul, begging, selling gum, looking for scrap metal, shining shoes, and doing whatever it takes to survive. For $20 a month, parents commit to sending their child to school instead of the street. “Our permanent project managers in Kabul help follow up each of every of the kids, making sure they indeed go back to school,” says MacKenzie. This personal one-on-one engagement has been very successful with some of Lamorinda elementary schools that now sponsor one or more children. MacKenzie is even thinking of setting conference call to make the relationship even more personal.

The man needs continuing support. School of all levels are encouraged to pick up the idea and sponsor a number of school age children in Afghanistan. Over the years they will get to know them, and see how they grow up. MacKenzie gives regular talks all over the community to present his results to those who have donated and raise interest of new partners. His next speaking engagement is on September 9th at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church at 8:00 a.m. “I’d like many people to come and hear what has been done,” says MacKenzie, “bring a friend, and ask questions, I’ll be there just for that.” The address of the engagement is 10 Moraga Lane, it’s opened to the public, a $3 breakfast will be served, RSVP to Bob Prindle 631-1142. For more information go to www.trustineducation.org

Bodhi Seed Camp, Awakening Young Minds

For the first time, the Buddha Gate Monastery of Lafayette proposed a camp for children age 5 to 15 where they learnt to meditate, Buddhist values and Chinese culture, mingled with more traditional fun activities. Quite an unusual experience in Lamorinda!

The Buddhist Monastery is nestled on a peaceful property at the northern border of Lafayette. The camp proposed from August 2 to 7 for 80 kids was full. Classes were taught by the Abbess, Master Jian Sheng, herself and many other volunteers. Evan Cushing was the head of the T.A.s. A native of Lafayette, he is a college student majoring in philosophy and religion. “The children were amazing,” he said, “most of them had had no previous experience of meditation and/or Buddhism. Some hated it at first, but they got taken by the Abbess story telling abilities and through her guidance learnt to quiet their bodies and mind. After 2 or 3 days they got the knack of it and loved it.”

The children confirmed, “It is hard to concentrate on nothing,” said Uma who will be attending 6th grade at Stanley Middle School, “you make sure your body is completely still and after I really enjoy the calm.” She plans to continue the practice, especially before tests. “I like to sit still,” added 10 years old Irene.

The young T.A.s enjoyed the camp as well. 15 years old Alan Deaton who will be a Junior at Miramonte had never had any exposure to that culture and practices, he said “Once I was able to do it, it was cool, it felt really relaxing and I was truly focused afterward.” Deaton was interested by the whole camp, and, even if he does not think he would become a vegetarian, enjoyed the values that were taught.

Meditation is a technique that is central to the Buddhist teaching. “Meditation is a way to raise awareness and reveal one’s true nature,” said the Abbess, “in our busy lives our minds get scattered. Meditation helps to re-center inward.” She was very impressed by the children who came to the camp. “They were very active and present,” she said, “they followed guidance and participated eagerly.”

Meditation was just a part of the daily activities of the children. They experienced Tai Chi, Dharma instruments, candle making, mosaic, gymnastics among other activities. The Monastery did not require any payment for the camp. “This is Dana giving,” explains Margaret Goglia a Moraga resident who has been involved with Buddha Gate for 2 years, “one gives without expecting anything in return.”

Parents can make donations, according to what feels right to them or they can help with the camp. Uma’s mother, Lafayette resident Shalini Agrawal expressed her gratitude for the experience, “there is nothing quite comparable in the area,” she said, “the Buddhist teachings are not exactly our culture (her family is Hindu), but the values are universal and very centering.” The mother appreciated the opening to a different culture that the camp offered her daughters.

For the Abbess, the purpose of the camp was to plant a seed. “In Taiwan, our Venerable Master Wei Chueh created a children camp many years ago.” She remembers the story of a student who had been to the camp as a kid, and who, as a young adult met with challenges that drove him close to deep depression. “He was able to draw from the happy memories he had kept from his youth camp to re-center his life and he wrote a beautiful thank you letter to the Monastery,” she remembers, adding, “when a seed is planted you never know when it will mature and flourish.” During the year, the Monastery offers on going classes for children and adults, for more information go to www.buddhagate.org.

New Community Gardens Get Ready To Bloom In Lafayette and Orinda

Father George of Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Orinda has a dream: growing organic vegetables that could be given to the less fortunate of the Bay Area. Janet Thomas and the Eat Local Lafayette group have another dream, open a garden in Lafayette for community members to come an share in the abundance of the land. Both dreams are now taking shape; it just took a few little miracles and a lot of passion.

Fr. George designed his project with the help of many volunteers including Christopher Shein, who has been a Permaculture designer and gardener in the East Bay since 1993, and an instructor at Mills College. Permaculture comes from the terms permanent and agriculture; it’s a method that creates sustainable agriculture that matches local ecosystems. The group put together a budget that was approved by the Church that’s located at 501 Moraga Way.

“We are now ready to start bringing amendments and building the fence,” said Fr. George, “we will be able to start our first summer crop in July.” All the vegetables grown in the garden will be distributed to those in need. “We have two ready distribution centers -- a service that houses families who are homeless and where we have volunteers, and another house in Berkeley for homeless men that we have a standing relation with,” explained Orinda resident Dale Dallas, who has volunteered to be the garden project manager. The Contra Costa Food Bank will gladly take any production as well.

Deva Rajan of the Moraga Gardens was one of George’s mentors. This local figure of organic gardening and community involvement worked with the Lafayette group as well to set it on the right course of sustainability.

The Eat Local Lafayette group includes about 20 Lafayette residents, some currently involved with Lafayette's Environmental Task Force, some part of the community group Sustainable Lafayette and some just interested in local food issues. “The group is exploring the establishment of a community garden somewhere convenient within Lafayette where community members would be able to learn about sustainable gardening and share in the creation of a space where they could grow food,” says Janet Thomas, who has been part of this effort since the beginning in 2008.

The group has met with Lafayette’s Planning Department and determined what space in Lafayette might be available for use. “City staff has been very supportive,” said Thomas, “Ann Merideth, the Community Development Director, who staffs the Environmental task force follows our progress and Niroop Srivatsa, the Planning & Building Services Manager, has helped us identify sites that could be appropriate.”

One of the sites is located in front of the pumping plant across from the reservoir on Mt. Diablo Boulevard. “This site belongs to EBMUD and the agency has graciously offered the town to use it for free,” says Thomas. This site has many positive attributes such as its central location, “some of us are excited at the prospect of transforming the Old Tunnel Road site into a garden,” adds Thomas, “it’s close to a creek and contains many native plants.” However the soil appears to need considerable improvement.

Transforming it into a garden will require amendments and/or construction of raised beds. Another site under review is located in Burton Valley and the main hurdle there is its off center location. Whatever location is chosen garden planners would like the patch to be semi-permanent. The group is aware as well of the financial challenges which come with providing water, electricity, fencing and garden beds and storage buildings for such a project, and is prepared to write grant proposals once a site is chosen and plans are drawn.

The same issues had to be overcome by the Orinda group. According to Fr. George, the dedication and generosity of about 10 early volunteers and the help of the church was invaluable. So far the group has raised half of its budget and is accepting donations in any denomination. “The cost of water is of concern,” said the Father, “so we will be studying the possibility of digging a well that would guarantee our water independence.”

Even if the Lafayette project is still in a planning phase, Thomas expects to be able to plant a cover crop in the chosen site in the fall to prepare the soil. “Many would like to grow food to be donated to those in need, others would like to establish an ‘exchange area’ where others in Lafayette could exchange food they grow in their own backyard gardens with food produced in the community garden,” explains Thomas, “Some would like to see food grown at the community garden offered for sale at a farmers market in Lafayette to help offset garden costs. A number of committee members would like to see the garden used as a demonstration site, with workshops and children's educational activities.”

In Orinda, a patch will be set-aside for the preschoolers who come daily so they can grow their own crops. “I’ve had parents approaching me asking if their teens could be involved in a community service project here, from growing the food to providing it to those in need,” adds Fr. George.

In both cases, altruistic motivations and community spirit are at the roots of the projects, and of course spirituality is never very far. “For those who are so inclined, gardening is an opportunity to integrate their love of God and the Creation with their spiritual practice,” said Fr. George, “and for those who are not so inclined, it’s great fun.”

Lamorinda Entrepreneurs Find Recipes To Beat The Recession.

What is bad news for some is an opportunity for others. In spite of the gloom, entrepreneurs continue to launch new businesses in Lamorinda. From frozen yogurt, to repair shops, to stationary, they are ready to work hard to either benefit from new consuming trends or position themselves to take advantage of the recovery, when it comes.

“It can seem counter-intuitive to open a new stationary store in times like these,” says Andrew Han owner of Elmwood Stationer in Berkeley who will open a second store in Lafayette in July, "but it is a good time to negotiate advantageous terms with property owners, to rationalize business practices, and if we can make it through this difficult time, we will be better positioned when the recovery comes.” Han has been very successful on College avenue selling the beautiful specialty stationary items he loves, such as high quality journals, paper invitations and note card, as well as business supplies. He knew the owner of the previous Lafayette stationary store and was aware of his inventory issues. “With two stores we can transfer inventory back and forth and try new things,” adds Han, “and since we’ll buy larger quantities, we will get bigger discounts.” Han is expecting the new Lafayette location to open on July 13.

The two frozen yogurt places that opened in May in Lafayette are banking on the fact that people want to indulge, but for a reasonable price and possibly in a healthy way. The first one to open is located inside Flippers at 960 Moraga Road, it is a MYO Pure Frozen Yogurt franchise. Molly and Paige Meyer started this business in Walnut Creek. They claim to offer only fresh yogurt with live culture in a wide variety of flavors and toppings that is sold by the weight. “For a few dollars people can get a treat that’s healthy and delicious,” says Paige Meyer. The location close to both an elementary and a middle school has been doing well. A few blocks away at 3518-A Mt. Diablo Blvd, Yogurt Schack that is operating under a similar business model is having a successful take off. The store sells yogurt by the weight with a large choice of toppings. For the Coccimiglio it is a family affair with parents and daughter running franchises in Danville and Lafayette. In all their locations, the mix of healthy and affordable treats is a winning ticket. Last April Time Magazine reported that chocolate sales all over the planet seemed to be immune to recession and continued to grow. A customer summarized the trend that seem to work in Lafayette as well, “We may not be able to buy luxuries any more, but we can still splurge on small pleasures like chocolate," or yogurt!

Repairs is another good niche for tough times. It appeals to people who want to spend less and to those who want to waste less. Three businesses have recently opened or moved to Lamorinda that focus on this market trend. Tick Tock in Moraga is a clock and watch repair shop (see our previous issue for details) and the second store for its owner. Richard Yom on the other hand, repairs cell phones. At 3541 Plaza Way he opened Prostar – Sprint PCS store where he will sell what he believes are the best value network in town and to further serve his clientele he will replace that broken screen on an out of warrantee phone or change a broken port. “I took a special training in phone repairs,” explains the former software engineer, “because I saw that phones were getting more and more expensive and people were in need for repairs.” A Moraga resident, Yom moved his business from Vallejo to Lafayette to work closer to home.

Another repair shop expanded in Lafayette recently, Restoration PIANO by Benjamins Piano Tuning opened a large warehouse at 3434 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette. Steve Benjamins, who owns the business, tunes, repairs, restores, rents and sales piano on consignment. “I can do anything that has to do with a piano,” says the man who can play at events as well. But for him, it is not the repairs that are keeping his business afloat. “It might be that new place where I can warehouse pianos that will save my business,” says Benjamins. He explains that when people are loosing their jobs, their homes, piano are hard to move and that there’s a hemorrhage of free pianos on Craigslist. “The only part of my business that’s growing is the consignment sales,” he says, “I can pick and choose remarkable instruments. For those who have money, it’s a great time to buy a piano.” Hishe large warehouse features baby grand and uprights from different centuries. “This is a tough time for musicians,” admits Benjamins, “but we live in a community with a lot of very talented adult and youth and it will always be my joy to see kids grow and family change because they have found the right piano.”

Lamorinda Gar Forman Named Chicago Bulls General Manager.

Since he was 7 years old Gar Foreman knew that basketball was going to be his life. Born to a Moraga family where no one was tall and where academic pursuit was the norm, the odds didn’t seem to be in his favor. But through unyielding determination, the young man made a name for himself in the professional basketball world and was named in May General Manager of one of the most prestigious NBA franchise, the Chicago Bulls.

“I expected him to become a doctor or a lawyer,” says Gar’s mother, Moraga resident Janet Forman, “I assumed that by the time he’d go to college he’d want that too.” But as the young man grew up, he remained adamant “Gar has an amazing persistence, when he want something, he goes for it” says the mother, “no matter what it takes.” She remembers how he prayed daily to become tall. “No one is tall in our family,” says Janet, “but somehow Gar managed to reach 6’2”.

Forman started playing basketball with LMYA in the second grade, with his father as coach. “Sports was what bonded my father and I and still does to this day,” says Gar. Ken Forman, Gar’s father, remembers these years fondly “he was not a great athlete, but always liked basketball.” Gar confirms, “I knew early on that I wanted my career to be in basketball and that it wouldn’t be as a player, so from the time I was in junior high school I knew that I wanted to be a coach.”

When it came time to choose a college Forman was determined to get into a college team. “He probably wrote to 50 junior colleges and got accepted at Lassen,” remembers Janet. “When I got to Lassen, My dad told the coach I would “make” their team.,” says Gar, “the coach thought it was my dad saying how good I was, but what he was talking about was that I would get some talented players to come play there which is what happened when I recruited Eric Petersen the following year.” Petersen was the best Contra Costa player at the time.

“All his life Gar recruited players,” says his father, “he never deviate, and he was willing to pay the price.” And a price indeed there was since Forman took jobs that sometimes didn’t pay much. “My first 7 years of coaching I made less than 10 thousand dollars a year in places like Logan, Utah, Palm Desert, Ca., Pomona, Ca., and Las Cruces, NM,” says Gar, “but I was willing to go wherever I needed to in order to get experience at the college level.”

For 17 years now Forman has built his reputation recruiting and retaining excellent players that have turn teams around. “To detect talent you look for physical and athletic tools. A skill level and feel for the game. I’ve always been a believer in make-up and character,” says Gar, “then recruiting in college was like any other type of sales – you had to develop a relationship and make it difficult for them to say no.”

His father believes that his excellent reputation is due to the fact that he cares for his players no only on the court but off the floor also, and he remembers the example of Randy Williams, his son’s first big recruit at New Mexico State. “To sign up Randy, Gar went to visit his mother who had to approve of it,” remembers Ken, ““If you take care of my Randy I will sign” she said and Gar promised.” When Randy became a MBA player and bought his mother a house, he took Gar to see the mother and he asked, “so, did I take care of your Randy?”

Forman has now been with the Bulls for 11 years in numerous capacities, first as scout, Special assistant to the VP, Director of Player Personnel and now General Manager. “Over the past six years, Gar Forman has been growing into a more prominent role within the Bulls organization,” said Executive Vice-President John Paxson. “With his help, we have improved the way we conduct business within our Basketball Operations Department, and this promotion is a reflection of his hard work, commitment and contributions to the organization. For Gar, this is long overdue and well deserved.”

Ken and Janet Forman are immensely proud of their son. Janet of course has no regrets about not seeing her son becoming a doctor. “I am a psychotherapist and the turning point for me was when I worked with a couple who were both doctors and whose son was a mechanical genius,” she says. She remembers that the parents were always down on their son, when he was such a beautiful person. “It opened my eyes,” she says, “what we want for our children is to be happy and do what they love. Not respecting their passion is in the end so damaging.”

Mycra Pac Designer Wear creating clothes in Moraga.

When Sharon Huebschwerlen (pronounced “hüb’shɘrlen”) walks around her building in the Rheem center, she makes it a point to greet each and every one of the 21 team members of her “business family”. They are all busy creating and marketing the line of Myra Pac outerwear that’s put Moraga on the Fashion map.

A graduate of Miramonte and UC Berkeley, Huebschwerlen had spent most of her professional life in the fashion industry as a buyer for large companies such as Casual Corner or Macy’s. When the company she belonged to moved its head-quarter to New-York, she decided to stay in the Bay Area and create her own trademark. Her idea was to design a high-end travel-wear line, both elegant, reversible, water-repellant, and wrinkle free. That was Mycra Pac, and the year was 1991.

Since then, Huebschwerlen travels the whole world, studying trends and looking for innovative fabrics. “I create the models, with the team,” says the business woman, “and we can count on our suppliers to produce our exclusive brand.” Mycra Pac’s line is one of the last to be completely manufactured in the US. “20 years ago many brands were made in the U.S.,” says Huebschwerlen, “we continued that tradition because it allows us to be on top of the quality of the products we manufacture.” The colors and prints are made to order by Milliken in North Carolina out of a fabric manufactured by Dupont; the fabric is cut in San Francisco and 11 sewing shops in the Bay Area assemble the garments and accessories.

All in all, it’s 180 jobs that rely on Huebschwerlen’s business acumen. Mycra Pac proposes 5 different lines a year and participate in fashion trade shows in 9 different US locations. Huebschwerlen’s biggest customers are Nordstrom in the US, Holt Renfrew in Canada, Selfridges in England and Isetan in Japan. Mycra Pac can be purchased on line and in a network of smaller specialty stores all over the country.

At this time, Mycra Pac is working on its spring of 2010 line. “We love colors, innovative designs and creative patterns,” says Huebschwerlen as she shows some of her new creations, such as an elegant black faux-fur coat on one side, raincoat on the other, or a shocking pink raincoat, or a feather light polka dots jacket or one of her best selling item, a long liver raincoat with a pleaded hood. Huebschwerlen believes that what makes her brand unique is the mix of quality and creativity of the offering. “When we sell a coat, it is guaranteed for life,” says Huebschwerlen, “we have a few coats coming back every year and we’re happy to replace them. But our quality is such that we can stand by our products and make this kind of promises.”

Like the whole industry, Mycra Pac has now entered the troubled waters of an economy in recession. “The women who buy our products continue to travel and want to do it in style,” says Huebschwerlen, “but our small retail stores are hurt by the credit crunch, they lose their lines of credit and we are concerned with the survival of some of them who have been doing business with us since the beginning.”

Huebschwerlen is not worried about her own firm. The whole team is getting ready for the semi-annual sale that attracts to Moraga customers from all over California. “I do not want to see my production in discount stores,” says Huebschwerlen, “we’d rather sale at a discount our previous season’s items to our neighbors and friends.” This year, the spring sale will start on June 10 for 5 days. 5000 coats and accessories will be offered with a 20 to 60% discount from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 11 to 4 p.m. during the 4 other days. “It is a lot of fun to have people come here every year, the parking at Rheem gets full, and everyone gets super exited.” Huebschwerlen expect to sell most everything this year, like in the years past.

Angel Investors in Lafayette

When Larry Muray went to a Christmas party in Moraga last year he wasn’t expecting that meeting Don Smith there could have a great impact on his business. Smith is a member of Keiretsu Forum, the largest Angel Investor network in the Bay Area with reach in the whole United States and beyond. Muray, co-founder of the Lafayette based start-up NovelX, met the right “angel” at the right time.

Angel Investors (AI) are a prime source of financing for start-ups, filling the gap between family and friends funding and venture capitalists or banks, with investments from $500,000 to $1.5M. AIs often invest before the business is profitable, taking higher risks level, and expecting higher returns. “Banks tend to be reluctant to invest in early stage companies that are not yet profitable,” says Muray, “Angel investors understand the risk, but can also see the upside potential of an investment early on.” John Rossell, President and CEO of the California Bank of Commerce, concurs, “Angel investors complement the work that banks do for businesses that are young. They play a crucial role for the business vitality of the economy.” The Small Business Administration estimates that there are at least 250,000 angels active in the country, funding about 30,000 small companies a year. The total investment from angels is estimated at anywhere from $20 billion to $50 billion as compared to the $3 to $5 billion per year that the formal venture capital community invests.

Some AIs are wealthy individuals investing independently, other organize into groups or networks to share research and pool their investment capital. Randi Williams, founder of Keiretsu Forum, claims his group is the largest network in the world. “In 2000 I had decided to retire early after a successful career in real estate,” he explained, “but when I started to diversify my portfolio, I started to lose money. I decided that I needed to organize a network of people that would be experts in other areas of the economy, so we could make good investment decisions together.” Williams had an already large network of wealthy friends so Keiretsu took off rapidly. Today Keiretsu comprises 750 accredited investor members (by invitation only) throughout eighteen chapters on three continents. Since Keiretsu Forum’s founding in 2000, its members have invested over $180millions in 200 companies in technology, consumer products, healthcare/life sciences, real estate and other segments.

“I joined the network 3 years ago,” says Joao Magalhães, a Moraga resident and investor, “it has opened new worlds for me.” The Bechtel retired executive who knew everything about infrastructure now gets prime knowledge and access to all kinds of new business adventures. “One of the unique aspects of Keiretsu is that members conduct themselves the due-diligence process that leads to investment recommendations,” he says. All of the Forum’s members have extensive business experience, and they have to be able to spend some time as active participants in the screening process. “About 1 to 3 companies are selected for every 50 submissions,” says Williams. Once accepted, the companies introduce themselves to the different chapters to raise the money they need. It’s not Keiretsu that invests, but each individual member who decides to pitch in or not.

For companies that need funding the process is transparent. “In January, we submitted an application and passed through several rounds of screening before we were selected to present at the monthly Keiretsu Forum Meeting – actually four presentations … one at each of their Northern Californian Chapters,” says Muray, “we are currently in the due diligence process.” As any entrepreneur in start-up time, Muray feels that nothing happens as quickly as he would like, but he found the 9-week Keiretsu process was very well organized and thorough. “It touches on all aspects of our business including our business strategy, financial model, IP position, marketing strategy as well as the background and experience of the team.” said Muray before adding that the Keiretsu allocation was $500K of a planned $1.5M round.

The money will be raised by an undisclosed number of the Forum’s members. “There is no minimum investment requirement,” says Williams, “in fact, new members cannot invest during the first 6 months of their membership, they have to participate and learn.” “I have less than 5% of my investment engaged with Keiretsu,” says Magalhães, “and I do not expect a return for 3 to 7 years.” Keiretsu claims an average return on investment of 22% per year. According to a study by Robert Wiltbank (Willamette University) and Warren Boeker (University of Washington) published in November of 2007 “the average return of angel investments is 2.6 times the investment in 3.5 years— approximately 27 percent Internal Rate of Return”. They highlight a wide range of results with 52% of all the angels studied returning less than they had invested and 7% achieving returns of more than ten times the money invested.

Will Native Plants Take Over Front Lawns?

Replacing all or part of the front lawn with native plants was one of the highlights of the May 2nd “Bringing back the natives garden tour”. The different looking style, once scarcely seen, is spreading like weeds in all Lamorinda neighborhoods. But even a native plant advocate like Nora Harlow from EBMUD says, “it’s not an easy endeavor to replace a lawn with native plants,” then she adds, “done right, it’s absolutely gorgeous.” Speaking from experience, local homeowners explain why they’ve made that choice, in spite of the tradition of green grass that has dominated the suburban landscape for decades.

The green lawn is a well-established American tradition. “A smooth, closely shaven surface of green is by far the most essential element of beauty on the grounds of a suburban house,” wrote Frank J. Scott, in The Art of Beautifying Suburban Home Grounds, in 1870. Today, as author Michael Pollan (“The Homnivore Dilemna”) noted "Like the interstate highway system, like fast food chains, like telephone, television and cable, the lawn has served to unify the American landscape." North America now has more than 32 million acres of lawn under cultivation, occupying more land than any single crop, including wheat, corn, or tobacco.
The tradition though does have its roots on this continent. According to American-Lawn.com, green, weed-free lawns so common today didn't exist in America until the late 18th century. Instead, the area just outside the front door of a typical rural home was typically packed dirt or perhaps a cottage garden that contained a mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. In England, however, many of the wealthy had sweeping green lawns across their estates. Americans with enough money to travel overseas returned to the U.S. with images of the English lawn firmly planted in their imaginations. This image of wealth and prosperity swept the country with the selection of the proper crop of grass for golf courses and the spread of two key elements, the garden hose and the lawn mower. Today, the Canadian Center for Architecture goes as far as saying that “the preservation of a two-inch-high verdant pile is at once the common ground between happy neighbors, conforming to an unwritten and unspoken social contract.”
The desire for non-conformity was one of the motivations of Al Kyte when he decided in the early 70’s to remove his Moraga front lawn. More importantly, maintaining grass just didn’t make much sense to him. “My garden has a clay soil with slope and a lot of sun,” he said, “I could just see the water run down the hill.” When the Moraga resident took a class on how to attract birds to his garden by planting native plants he had a revelation, and replaced his grass with a manzinata chaparral and wild flowers. “I haven’t had to water it since the 70’s,” he says, “and it’s beautiful.”
If Al Kyte designed and planted his garden himself, it is not always the case. Shary Rosenbaum and her husband worked with a landscape architect. “We didn’t have the necessary knowledge of plants to create the garden ourselves,” she said. Originally the Rosenbaum had grass and shrubs, but everything died in the last drought, and needed to be taken out, “we wanted a garden that would be low water and low maintenance,” said Rosenbaum, “being different was not a problem.”

Local real estate agent Ben Olsen does not see a risk for the value of a home if one chooses a path of non-conformity. “Any well design native garden will look better than a lawn,” he says, “if there is a backyard lawn for kids to play, a native front garden is a real asset.” Thinking in term of return on investment might be a good idea because native gardens can be costly to install. “It’s horribly expensive,” said Rosenbaum who didn’t want to be more specific, but added, “it’s more than my salary as a lecturer in 2 universities.” Rosenbaum adds that she has no regrets and loves her garden, but that if there were one thing she would do differently, that would be to negotiate better with the landscape company.

If cost can be a barrier to entry in the native garden, lack of knowledge is just as detrimental to its spread. Garth Jacober at Harry’s Nursery does not sell many natives, “people don’t gravitate toward these plants,” he says, “when they think natives, they think ugly.” Kenny Murakami at the Moraga Garden Center agrees, “when they are small, the native plants don’t look very attractive, it takes knowledge and education to buy them, it’s not an impulse buy.” However Murakami reports having seen a dramatic increase in the sales of his native plants department. “Over the years the sales are getting better and better,” he says, “it started even before the drought and it increased dramatically last fall, which is the best time to plant.” Murakami has been getting more variety recently, but he can’t stock large quantities of plant since natives don’t like to live in a pot and require a high turn over. His more popular plants are the many varieties of manzanitas and California wild lilacs.

Barbara Leitner is a botanist, so for her the learning curve was not too steep when she decided to replace the lawn of her Orinda property with a meadow of wild flowers. Leitner went a step further than most, she wanted local native plants in her garden. She started many of the vegetation she used from seeds she collected. “I wanted plants whose ancestors grew here in the wild,” she said, “they are genetically compatible with wild life and will have no impact on natural populations outside the garden.” Leitner still worked with a landscape architect to design her garden, “combining plants in a garden is an art,” she says, “and I’m just a scientist.”

With her local native garden in front, Leitner saved 40% on her water bill last summer, but she does not ostracize the lawns. “Having some green lawn is nice to play games and we have some in the back,” she says, “it’s all about balance.”

Insulated Concrete Forms - Building Innovation

Rica and Gary LaVerda get it all the time, people walking the Moraga-Lafayette trail, passing their home, stopping and asking “what are you guys doing here?” The home they are building does not look anything like the wood frame skeleton we’re used to seeing. The white blocks structure has been drawing so much attention from passers-by that the LaVerda have printed a flyer that explains why they’re using ICFs to build their new home.

ICFs are Insulated Concrete Forms. Imagine hollow polystyrene blocks, interlocking together like Lego pieces, reinforced with steel rebar and filled with concrete, and you’ll have an idea on how to build an ICF wall. The technique was created in the 60’s in Canada and has been used in the United States for about 20 years. “We had been living in our Lafayette house for 30 years,” explained Gary LaVerda, “and when we decided to rebuild it we met with Marty Diefenbach. He introduced us to the concept of ICFs.” The LaVerda were particularly impressed by the durability of the material, its thermal and acoustic insulation performance, and by its safety both from a fire and earthquake points of view.

“These homes made with ICFs are built to last 300 years,” says Marty Diefenbach, partner in Diefenbach and Barrett, the contractor building the Lafayette home, “they are resistant to fire, don’t attract termites, resist to mold, provide superior sound insulation and keep the house cool or warm.” The LaVerda worked with EnergyWise, a consultant specialized in sizing and saving energy for family homes and as a result they ordered heating and cooling equipments sized for a 1200 square feet home, when theirs will be 2800 square feet.

“The insulation rating of a home built with ICF is R60, compared to a R13 for a wood home,” claims Diefenbach. In fact the insulation is so good that a special automatic ventilation system has to be installed to make sure the house is properly ventilated. “That may be one of the disadvantages of the ICFs,” says Chris Avant, President of Canyon Construction a local leader in sustainable construction, “you have to think carefully about your aeration because ICFs are so tight.” Avant thinks that ICF is a good system, especially considering the energy gains over the operating life of the building. The drawback for him is the foam, a petroleum based product that surrounds the concrete. Concrete itself is a material that requires a lot of energy to manufacture. “We recommend the use of at least 30% fly ash in the concrete,” says Bill Juhl, President for the Pacific Region of Amvic, the company that manufactures the ICFs, “70% in weight of the foam of our blocks is made of recycled material and the steel rebar is 100% recycled.” Juhl said that in any green rating system ICF homes get points for thermal performance, ventilation, no emission and use of local material (in the concrete).

Besides the thermal performance, what sold the LaVerda is the safety aspect of this type of construction. “Both wood based homes and our ICF homes are engineered to maximize occupant safety in an earthquake,” says Juhl, “a wood frame will twist and shake but shouldn’t collapse. ICF frame doesn’t twist, it rides the earthquake like a wave and won’t collapse.” According to the Amvic Director both types of homes are safe, but the ICF ones won’t require as much repairs. With fire, he is even more convinced of the advantage of his product. “Our system helps with compliance to the new fire codes,” he said and added that when all the wooden homes burn down, the concrete ones stay up.

If you plan to look at the ICF blocks being installed in Lafayette, you’ll have to hit the trail quickly. Once built and covered with whatever finish they choose the LaVerda’s home will look like everyone else’s. “We’ve chosen a craftman style looking house that will be classic in looks but will incorporate 21st century technology,” said the LaVerdas.