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We were attracted to Sean Desmond’s Bonded Logic display at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco last week because it was full what looked like blue sponges.  The material is a new and natural insulation product, and it gets its color and character from recycled blue jeans.

We may still be selling our old blue jeans in Russia, but brand new scraps and clippings from the manufacture of denim clothing in the United States goes to the Bonded Logic factory, where it is spun, quite literally, into a material that looks like blue cotton candy before it is compressed into a more durable form of insulation—UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation, to be precise.

The insulation comes in sheets, to be cut and put in place—making it an amateur-friendly product for the weekend remodeler.  The recycled product also has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and doesn’t use formaldehyde in its manufacture.  It comes in a number of R-ratings, appropriate for different regions of the country. See www.bondedlogic.com

With July 4th just a week away, it’s time to get in the spirit and do some planning.  There are parades, festivals and fireworks throughout the Bay Area with a variety of activities.  Barbecues, music, crafts—you can find a celebration that includes just about any way to spend a summer day.

The Real Story loves a parade, the more homegrown the better. Marching bands, Scout troops, swim clubs, lawnmower drill teams, majorettes, equestrians—the more the merrier.  Be sure to bring your hat, sun block and water; lawn chairs or blankets are also a good idea for spectators.  Here are our top pix for July 4th parades.

Alameda 10 a.m.
This parade bills itself as the longest Independence Day parade in the nation, with more than 170 floats.  The route starts at Lincoln Ave and Park Street and ends at Lincoln and Webster.

Aptos 10 a.m.
This event claims to be “The World’s Shortest Parade”—perfect for patriots with short attention spans.  The quaint downtown Aptos setting is worth every minute.  A pancake breakfast and Party in the Park will round out your visit.

Danville 9 a.m.
If Alameda hosts the country’s longest parade and Aptos the shortest, Danville’s certainly draws the largest crowd.  Spectators come from far and wide to this hometown event, which takes place along Hartz Avenue and San Ramon Valley Blvd.

Morgan Hill 10 a.m.
This is the 115th year for Morgan Hill’s July 4th celebration parade—and all that practice makes for a great spectacle.  Starts at Monterey Road and makes a big loop through downtown.

Novato 10 a.m.
Classic cars, Irish pipers, equestrian troops and many marching bands are among the more than 100 entrants.  The route begins at Grant and Reichert Avenues.

Photo:  Courtesy of Town of Danville

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The conservation movement is alive and well in Lenora Campos’s test kitchen. Lenora, who serves as public relations manager for Toto USA, represented the firm’s line of residential plumbing products at last week’s Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco.  One of the great pleasures of attending the annual show, now in its 50th year, is the advance viewing of products that consumers haven’t yet seen.

The word from the plumbing front is eco-luxury.  That is the term Lenora uses when discussing a new line of Toto faucets that have been designed for environmental efficiency and a high design aesthetic.  Like many Toto faucets, the eco-luxury line delivers whopping water savings—but this one measures its efficiency at about 0.5 gallons per minute, giving it a 32% edge in water savings over the Federal government’s last recommendations.

With more than 1500 engineers working in Toto’s research and design department, it’s no small wonder that the science behind the products is revolutionary.  Check out the Toto site at: www.totousa.com and take a look at the Eco Power Faucet, which is sensor-operated, built around an internal turbine small enough to fit into a kitchen faucet. It creates a green loop, conserves water and still acts like a high performance water fixture.

The internal combustion engine is not really consistent with green living. But the reality is: most of us in the Bay Area still need our cars. No matter what kind of car you drive, there are ways to reduce its carbon footprint and save water in the way you operate it. Here are five helpful tips:

1. Keep your car clean.

Believe it or not, a buildup of dirt on your car’s exterior will decrease its aerodynamic properties and add drag—which increases fuel consumption.

It’s best to take your car to a professional car wash, as the automated systems use less than half the water than the 80-140 gallons that is typically used washing your car at home. Used water at a car wash is captured and goes into the sewer system where it is treated before it re-enters the water supply. Try to patronize a car wash that is eco-friendly, using biodegradable cleaners and recycled water.

If you must wash you car at home, do not do it on the street or in the driveway, where run-off picks up oily dirt and goes directly into the storm drain and the creeks. Instead, pull your car onto your front lawn and use a minimal amount of water and biodegradable soap. Rinse quickly, turn the hose off, soap up your car, rinse quickly again. Run-off will be absorbed into the grass—a plus during the summer when lawns are thirsty.

There are also commercially available waterless car cleaners available that dry without rinsing.

2.  Check your tire pressure often.

Improperly inflated tires account for 8 billion liters of wasted fuel and more than 55 million prematurely worn-out tires per year. Check your tire pressure frequently, as it fluctuates with wear and temperature.

3. Get rid of the junk in your trunk.

Extra weight translates into increased fuel use. Keep your trunk and back seat cleaned out—leave those tire chains, sporting equipment, toys books and such at home.

4. Avoid commercial products on the car’s interior.

Because the average American spends 400 hours a year in their car, it’s important to minimize the use of harmful chemical irritants. Avoid cleaners altogether if you can. Use a microfiber duster and vacuum frequently. Deal with spots immediately, using mild biodegradable soap and water. Wash windows with a vinegar and water solution.

5. Keep you car tuned up.

A well-tuned engine is key to maximum fuel efficiency. Follow the dealer recommended maintenance schedule.

Resources:
planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/footprint-lowering-car-tips.html
Greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/green-car-care
Greenpaige.com

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If the walls could talk at Mike Wilson’s Restoration Timber, they would tell tales of old barns, mills and factory buildings in the Midwest whose wood is being reclaimed and used in home remodels and custom building all over the country.  Mike’s company (www.restorationtimber.com) was one of the exhibitors at last week’s Pacific Coast Builders Conference at Moscone Center in San Francisco.  Like many of the exhibitors, Restoration Timber has a trade side and a consumer side to its business.

When Mike starts talking about the kinds of wood that is saved from landfills and reclaimed, it is like hearing a foodie rattling off favorite dishes:  hickory, elm, ash.  Hemlock and spruce.  Sycamore, chestnut and white pine.  And he hasn’t even gotten to dessert yet.  These old woods, mostly from barns, have a completely different grain and density than new lumber—and even has a different color when finished.  Even oak, that hardy standby in every California kitchen from the 1980s, has a different look and character.

Because the wood is sold unfinished, environmentally-friendly practices can be put to work, using low VOC (volatile organic compounds) to seal the floors, cabinets or ceiling beams made from these products.

When purchasing a new or resale home, a final walk through is conducted to make sure all of the terms of the sales contract have been satisfied prior to closing.  For example:  the home inspection reveals a rotted windowsill and repair is part of a contingency for sale.  This is your opportunity as a buyer to verify that all of these repairs have been made and that property is in acceptable condition.  A walk through is not required, but it is always a good idea.

Ideally, the walk through should be scheduled for after the current occupant moves out, but a few days before the closing. If the buyer and seller are amicable, the seller should be present. The seller knows all of the home’s history and idiosyncrasies, and will be helpful in getting questions answered quickly.

If the home is vacant, you’ll want to give things an extra close once- over.  Broken windows, clogged drains and left-behind belongings are all more likely in a home that has been vacant for a while.

If you’re buying a foreclosed home, you are buying the property as is.  Inspections and a walkthrough are not part of your process.

At the walk through . . .

•    Bring your contract to use as a checklist to make sure all contingency items have been satisfied.  Here are some additional things to be sure you check on your final walk through:

•    Make sure the house is cleared of trash or debris.  Sometimes moving refuse is still around and should be cleaned out.

•    Look in the attic and the crawlspace.  They should be clean.

•    Go from room to room and turn every light fixture on and off to make sure it works. Bring a surge protector and plug at every outlet to make sure it’s alive and well.

•    Make sure all appliances are clean and in good working condition.  Ask for manuals.

•    Br sure the appliances are the same that were in the house when you made an offer.  It’s not unheard of for a seller to switch out a high-end appliance with a cheaper one.

•    Open and close all doors.  Look in every closet and cabinet.

•    Flush all toilets.  Run water down all drains.  Ask where the main clean out drain is located.

•    Turn the garbage disposal on and off.

•    Inspect ceilings, floors and walls for paint nicks.  Ask if there are cans of paint for touch-ups.  Be sure to look at areas previously hidden by furnishings.

•    Test the heating and air conditioning systems.  Make sure you know the make and model of the units, where they are located and how to change the filters.

•    Open and close all windows.  Inspect for cracked glass that may have been previously hidden by window treatments.

•    Walk around the house and make sure there is no construction debris or unwanted items.  Check the outdoor faucets.

•    Know how the sprinkler system works.

•    Check the garage door opener and make sure the door opens smoothly.

•    Remain business-like and as objective as possible.  If you have any challenges to the condition of the property, calmly discuss them.  Your agent should be able to resolve any issues prior to closing.

Resources:
www.newhomesrealestate.net

homebuying.about.com/od/homeshopping/qt/Walkthrough.htm

www.newhomebuyingblog.com