City of Pasadena's General Plan Open House

I love the City of Pasadena! It's a combination of its "small town" qualities, strong historic preservation and european feel that keeps me feeling romanced.

This past Saturday I found another reason to love Pasadena.

They have proved to be a city who cares about its community: what they think and want from their city for its future. The City of Pasadena held an Open House to share the City's plans for the future, share feedback to date and gather new community feedback.

The Open House was held on Lake Ave in the Macy's courtyard and featured a very fun and relaxing scenario filled with live entertainment,

interactive exhibits, food booths, model of the city, round table discussions, presentations and community booths.

An indoor area featured various exhibits on presentation boards listing the City's summary of the top issues and concerns in all areas of planning from general to transportation to land use. They provided every participant with the opportunity to vote with colored dots for the areas they were in particular agreement with. In addition, if there was a topic not covered that was important to you, you had the opportunity to create your own topic on a post-it note and others could also vote on your issue or concern.

One of my favorite displays was the Youth Exhibit. They had gathered books from various youth organizations filled with issues and concerns from the city's own future - today's youth. It was interesting to see what issues were important to them as they all provided concerns that leaned toward a more sustainable future noting water conservation, recycling, eco-friendly businesses, more open spaces for people to gather and more pedestrian ways as top on their lists. It was very promising to read them.

I enjoyed meeting representatives from the City who all share a passion for what they do. I spent some time chatting with Irma who is involved with the Solar Energy programs and Alice Sterling a Sr Project Manager and Green City Coordinator who also gave a great presentation on "What Makes a Great City Sustainable".

It was a great event that I was happy to have the opportunity to attend. I left feeling very optimistic about the future of this great city and I look forward to being a part of its growth.

To keep up to date with future happenings for the City, become a fan on Facebook under Pasadena General Plan. You can also check their website for updates.

http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs/General%20plan/GP_Rev_2/Gen_Plan_openhouse.asp

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Pasadena Neighborhood Green Fair

Pasadena celebrated a very "Green" Halloween this past Saturday. Sponsored by Neighborhood Church right next door to the wonderful Gamble House. I was very happy to be a part of such a great event as I met a great deal of dedicated and wonderful people.

There was a number of great green vendors and non-profits participating. For a list of contacts, you can visit the Green Fair website:
http://neighborhoodgreenfair.com/

One of my favorite green shops was in attendance: Organic Rush in South Pasadena - they have great green items for your home and body. Check out their site http://www.organicrush.com/

I also want to promote an important upcoming event in Pasadena: the General Plan Open House. Here is an opportunity for residents to participate in the future design of the city by providing feedback and sharing your issues and thoughts as well as enjoy live entertainment, raffles and more activities. Saturday, November 14, 1pm - 5pm
at 345 N Lake Ave and the North Courtyard of Macy's & the shops. I'll be there!
For more information: http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs/General%20plan/GP_Rev_2/Gen_Plan_openhouse.asp

We also raffled off a free Green Home Makeover and are pleased to announce that the winner is Gillian S. Congratulations!

Lastly, I just had to post the photo of the best "green" costume at the Fair. A costume created by all the plastic bags collected through normal shopping activities in one year and made into a very heavy and shockingly large outfit. Not my idea of green couture. Remember small changes make big differences. Be well!

Project Rincondada Dairy featured in Sunset Magazine

Rinconada Dairy is featured in Sunset Magazine, November 2009 issue under the top 10 "haycations" or rather farm stays. The title states " from rustic to regal, there's no better way to embrace the pleasures of fall then a weekend on the farm.

Rinconada Dairy is listed as "best for lovers of wine and cheese". Having spent quite a bit of time there, I can attest to that. It is surrounded by amazing wineries and excellent, farm fresh food while at the same time, only a short drive into town - San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Templeton.

There's nothing like a stay at a farm to reconnect us to our natural roots. I know the experience working on the "cottage in the barn", has had a lasting impression on me, and I am grateful for it.

Project: "Cottage in the Barn" farm stay at Rinconada Dairy

Last Spring, while visiting a friend in San Luis Obispo, we attended an Earth Day Sustainable Food and Wine Festival in Santa Margarita, CA.

What a memorable day! Every morsel of food we sampled from the best local chefs and restaurants and every sip of award winning wine was amazing. It was very inspiring to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are making a difference maintaining sustainability within the Food & Wine world.

Being true to the cause, they created zero trash, powered the entertainment stage with solar, shuttled 30% of the guests and all held at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch.

Inside the Barn on the Ranch where the tastings were held, happens to be sort of a "barn within a barn". The interior having a great mix of texture from the original stone walls and the new wood framing.

One of the highlights for me included the amazing Olive Oil from Olio Nuevo made from Spanish olives. (Oh how I love Spain!) Olio Nuevo also happens to be owned by Art Kishiyama, an ex-fellow Disney Imagineer. After successful careers in the Air Force and as an Architect, he is now following his passion as a farmer. http://www.olionuevo.com/

Two hours later, after full bellies signaled us to "stop eating", we decided to visit Rinconada Dairy, a local Artisan goat and sheep Cheese farm and aquaintence of my friend. http://www.rinconadadairy.com/

Christine Maguire, owner and cheesemaker, warmly greeted us and happily gave us a tour of the farm and cheese operation.

We met the goats, their kids, the sheep, the lambs, the happy pigs who eat the whey, the chickens, the dogs, the cats and Lance, the dwarf sheep who's mother abandoned him so he decided to hang out with the dogs who did accept him. Have you ever seen a sheep act like a dog?

We did.

He was very sweet and unlike sheep, liked to be pet.

The farm also features an organic garden nurtured by their own compost that co-owner Jim Maguire proudly named "brown gold". They also have a farm stay in their house that is often booked months in advance thanks to a favorable article of their farm and cheeses featured in the Los Angeles Times. http://www.rinconadadairy.com/latimes.htm

y.com/latimes.htm

We were near completion of our tour, and learned about a farm helper who recently moved out of the apartment built in the corner inside the barn structure by the previous owner.

Christine mentioned how the apartment needed some work as it was a little old. After talking and getting a tour of the vacant space, we all looked at each other and realized that we could remodel the space to be an additional accomodation for farm stay guests - a solution to the excess of requests she has been receiving to stay at the farm that she had to regretably turn down. With additional accomodations, she could help sustain her farm with the extra income.

There and then we decided that we would do a sustainable remodel by re-using and re-purposing as many things that we already had around us or could find used; avoid using new resources where possible; and supplement with surplus and recycled building materials. The bulk of the remodel was focused on remodeling the current bathroom configuration to a more private room as the existing one served as a hallway to the kitchen.

Our design goal was to make it as a cozy and comfortable, "cottage-like" space that was family and farm friendly. We were all excited and knew it was going to be a fun and special project. Time frame: 2 month to completion to be ready for high tourist season. Budget: small.

Each project is unique and that is no exception for the “cottage in the barn” at Rinconada Dairy. Fueled by the motivation witnessed by experiencing true farm life and the work ethnic it embodies, the project came together beautifully and on time.

We were fortunate to attract an amazing team of local professionals and even volunteers who helped to meet the tight time schedules; went that extra mile and did it all with enthusiasm. Even visiting farm stay guests were excited to see its completion and even planning their next visit so they can experience the new space. I even met my website designer Lisa Montano their while she was visiting with her husband Jason and then 2 year-old Ingrid. It was so nice to be met with such interest and support.

The “cottage in the barn” gave us a tremendous learning, work and altogether gratifying experience. A project fueled from sharing a common goal- sustainability.

Below are some shots of the completed "cottage in a barn" farm stay.

Some project highlights include: refinish existing oak furniture found in storage in another barn structure on the property, repurposed wood shelves also found in storage, and repurposed bathroom vanity as kitchen counter from Habitat for Humanity.

The Bathroom tile was left over from a local big development project and the beautiful glass tiles judicioulsy used. Even the drywall was left-over from a recent job and avoided being trashed.

The kitchen counter was constructed from

a beautiful product utilizing recycled old wine, beer and sky vodka bottles generously donated by Vetrazzo. Its gorgeous !

http://www.vetrazzo.com/

The project would not have been possible with out the enthusiasm and support of the individuals and resources found below:

Project Team:

Assistant Designer - Lisa Sun

General Contractor - Don Langerman DJ Design

Plumber - Mike Beanway

Tile Artist - Salvador Silva

Electrician - Pat Dyson Coastal Electrical

Handyman / Artist Extraordinaire -Herbert Gonzales

Painter / Artist - Karla Lopez

Resources:

BDC Builders & Developers

* Donation of Building surplus materials

Tom’s Discount Glass & Mirror

Linoleum City

Return Engagement –Upscale Resale* Furniture & Accessories

Habitat for Humanity – ReStore

*Kitchen counter, hardware, Accessories

Craigslist

Hotel Surplus Outlet
* Wicker chairs from old hotel

Green Bargain Save & Re-Use
*Accessories

Salvation Army Antique / Thrift Store
*Accessories & Furniture

Society of St Vincent De Paul Thrift Store
*Accessories

Out of the Closet Thrift Store

Goodwill thrift store
*Furniture & accessories

Welcome to my blog page!

Welcome to my blog page!

I am an interior designer committed to sustainable (Green) design. I am a Certified Green Building Professional with Build it Green in California. I love what I do and find fulfillment knowing I am helping the greater good.

I've created this blog for you so I can share vital information on the importance of Sustainable Building and Design. The more I learn, the more I am propelled to do more and I hope that is true for you too.

Remember that it’s the small changes that make big differences. Be well.