This bungalow designed by TJC is decorated with patriotic bunting

Flag etiquette says that the U.S. flag should not be draped as decoration; we are to let it hang free. So along with flags, we display red, white & blue bunting decorations of all kinds on Independence Day. It seems that we have done so since our flag was made official in 1777. Our second president, John Adams wrote to his wife Abagail urging 4th of July to be remembered. He wrote that the holiday “ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”
On July 4^th, 2009, houses all over the country were covered with patriotic banners and bunting. And so it was in the small town of Spreckels, California,  known for its annual parade of vintage cars and firetrucks. The Boy Scouts were marching, the 4-H Club was selling sodas, and the PTA was roasting hot dogs and hamburgers. It was that special day when Americans of all ages and backgrounds celebrate our nation’s history. We are so grateful for the freedoms and opportunities our nation offers.

-TJC

To learn more about flag etiquette, go to: www.vfw.org.

The headline “Looking for Answers to Fuel Problem” could have been in this morning’s newspaper. But the date on this article is actually 1979. That long haired fellow on the right is me, explaining how a solar room heater works. Those were energizing times when gas lines were long but entrepreneurial spirits were high. I was fabricating prototypes of passive solar panels, designing fliers, and setting up displays at local energy fairs. If sales had matched my expectations, I may not have returned to my architectural trade.

When I toured the booths at the Green Expo in Monterey last year, the enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs reminded me of earlier times. I have to admire their zeal. Opportunities for small and creative entrepreneurs need to be encouraged.

A local program that offers promise is “Step Up 2 Green” which encourages homeowners to go green by taking small steps. They have published a one-page guideline listing ways to “save money by reducing the use of energy and water, and ending up with a healthier indoor environment.” Go to their website at stepup2green.org.

-TJC

Galante Vineyards

The clear and mild weather between rain storms made for a pleasant afternoon last Saturday at Galante Vineyards in Carmel Valley. Jack and Dawn Galante, their family and staff, were gracious hosts at their well attended open house. We tasted several soon-to-be-released bottled wines and barrel samples, plus hors d’oeuvres. Sitting at tables under a tent, we enjoyed the views across the vineyard to snow capped mountains in the distance. A friend had highly recommended their Cabernet Sauvignon and we were certainly not disappointed. They made two available: Red Rose Hill and Blackjack Pasture.

For more info, check out GalanteVineyards.com.

-TJC

Sketch by Leonardo da Vinci

A fascinating display of Renaissance inventions, art and architecture is now showing at the The Tech Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose . The traveling exhibit from Italy, titled “Leonardo: 500 Years into the Future,” will be at The Tech until January 25, 2009. This will be the only U.S. appearance, so do not miss it.
The exhibit features dozens of large wood and cast-iron machines, modeled to scale, showing the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci and Sienese engineers experimenting with geometry and mechanisms. In the fourteenth century, according to the museum guide, there was less distinction between art and science.

I was reminded of architectural history class when I saw the very large wooden model replicating the dome over the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, located in Florence, Italy. It was interesting to hear a tour guide say that the architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, was as proud of the machinery invented for construction as he was for the architectural design.

-TJC

Exercise your freedom in our representative government, be sure to vote on November 4th, 2008.

Sunset Idea House 2008

On a recent field trip, the office staff toured the 2008 Sunset Idea House at Montera, in Monterey, CA. The spacious residence fits nicely into the rustic site. The main hall, lined with impressive wood columns, leads to fold-away wall centered on a majestic oak tree and courtyard. The home displays a wide variety of new products and finishes used in innovative ways. Sustainable features include large solar array, reclaimed wood, mold-resistant framing, and reclaimed water system.

The Idea House is open for tours through December 7, 2008. More information at Sunset Magazine:
Article
Photo Tour

Clean out your closets and help the residents at Sun Street Centers at the same time.

The Salinas Rotary will be accepting clean clothing items that can be worn for interviews and employment on both Tuesday, October 14th and 21st. Drop your items off at 12 noon, at the entrance of the Steinbeck Center. Rotary members will be there to take your clothes and give you a tax-deductible voucher.

For more information on the event, contact Tom Carleton at 831-915-2512. To learn more about Sun Street Centers call 831-753-5135 or visit: www.sunstreetcenters.com

Green building is a popular movement in our industry which aims to reduce the negative impacts a building has on the environment and its occupants. An important aspect of a green building is conserving natural resources. Many legendary structures have been built using beautiful wood elements. Picture the massive beams of The Ahwahnee in Yosemite, Asilomar’s Merrill Hall, or any other example of the great craftsmanship used to create beautiful wood structures throughout history.
A clever way to reduce the impact of new wood in your building and add architectural heritage is to use re-claimed wood. Several companies specialize in collecting wood from older structures and selling it for new uses. Wood can be re-claimed from buildings, bridges, logging rivers, sunken forests, wine barrels and other sources. Re-claimed wood often is from old growth trees which can have superior strength and beauty. It can be used for structural beams, posts, siding, paneling, flooring, decking, cabinetry and more.

-James Carleton, LEED AP

More information:
BuildingGreen.com: Reclaimed Wood
Wikipedia: Reclaimed Wood
Terra Mai Re-claimed Wood
Black’s Farmwood
Crossroads Recycled Wood

Vines & Strings: An evening of Vintage Wine and Vintage Rock
Hosted by Common Ground Monterey County
Good Music, Great Food & Live Auction
Friday, August 8, 2008
Scheid Vineyards

Download the PDF invitation for more info.