Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Happy 1st Birthday Wyatt!

Can you believe that it has been a whole year since my darling Wyatt was born? 

Then...


Now...


Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 8/22 - 8/28

New Listings: 37

Price Improvements:  42

Pending:  37 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 16
     $600-800k: 7
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 4
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 23 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 9
     $600-800k: 2
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 7
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn):  26

Back On Market: 4

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 8/15 - 8/21

New Listings: 49

Price Improvements:  58

Pending: 40 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 15
     $600-800k: 8
     $800k-1 million: 7
     $1-2 million: 8
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 25 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 12
     $600-800k: 7
     $800k-1 million: 1
     $1-2 million: 2
     $2-4 million: 3
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn):  27

Back On Market: 10

Thursday, August 18, 2011

August Santa Barbara Green Team Newsletter

Share This:
 
   
IN THIS ISSUE:
 

Monthly Statistics 
 
Village Insight Summer Magazine is Out
 
Bishop Ranch Meeting
 
Green Drinks

Micro-sustainability
 
 Santa Barbara County Planning
 


LATEST & GREATEST...

 
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:
 
July 18 - August 14
 
New Listings: 198
Price Improvements:  189
Pending: 145 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 80
     $600-800k: 23
     $800k-1 million: 12
     $1-2 million: 23
     $2-4 million: 5
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 1
Closed: 113 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 39
     $600-800k: 29
     $800k-1 million: 9
     $1-2 million: 23
     $2-4 million: 8
     $4-8 million: 2
     $8 million+: 2
Off Market:expired,canceled,withdrawn: 90
Back On Market: 42

This is a look at statistics provided through the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing Service over the past month.  They include single family residences and condos, from Carpinteria to Goleta.
 

 
 
INDUSTRY NEWS:
Our Summertime
Edition of the
Village Insight!

(Check out our listing on the cover too!!!)
 
Village Properties is proud to announce its fourth edition of the Village Insight! A gorgeous completely digital magazine, accessible online with just one click.
homes. style. life.
Village Insight has it all. Local stories, people and places. Real estate market news and insights. And lest we forget, a beautiful presentation of hundreds of Village's current listings. Grab the laptop, kick back, and browse through the full double-page layouts and photography. Village Insight is beautiful, fast, and free.

Village Insight is for visitors and locals alike. With original articles and artwork, we're sure everyone will discover something new about Montecito, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez in each issue.
Please click here to view our Summer issue. We hope you enjoy it and share it with all your friends too. It's free!

 
COMMUNITY:  
 
Bishop Ranch Meeting
Thursday August 18, 2011
 
Please attend this meeting and voice your opinion about the proposed development of Bishop Ranch. This project is asking to change the AG zoning designation so this large housing and retail project can move forward.

The first meeting to re-address this issue is August 18th at 6p.m. Meeting about Bishop Ranch at Goleta City Council
 
Location:
City Hall -- Council Chambers
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, California 93117

 
GET INVOLVED:

Always takes place on the third Tuesday of each month...tonight!

 
Green Drinks @ the Ty Warner Sea Center Tuesday, August 16th, 6pm
 
Jean-Michel Cousteau, will be the featured speaker for this exciting opportunity to connect with one of the stalwarts of ocean protection.  As you might know, Mr. Cousteau's Santa Barbara-based non-profit organization, Ocean Futures Society, focuses on inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for the ocean's protection.  Due to his countless accomplishments on behalf of the world's waters, Jean-Michel was recently honored by Santa Barbara's own Environmental Defense Center  as a local environmental hero.   
 
All are welcome. Bring a friend. Ride a bike. Enjoy each other.
 
 

 
VOCABULARY LESSON:

Micro-sustainability:

focuses on the small environmental actions that when calculated collectively result in a large environmental impact. Micro-sustainability centers on individual efforts, behavior modification and creating attitudinal changes, which result in an environmentally conscious individual or community.
 
Micro-sustainability encourages sustainable changes through change agents, which are individuals that are encouraged; and therefore, foster positive environmental action inside their own sphere of influence.
 
Examples of micro-sustainability include recycling, turning off lights when not in use, programming thermostats for efficient use of energy, reducing water usage through conservation, changing driving habits or patterns in order to use less gasoline or modifying buying habits or behaviors in order to reduce waste and consumption.
 

  
Cool Website of the Month:
 
SB County Planning
 
Did you know you don't need a building permit for building extra storage space on your property or an accessory structure.
 
 
A one story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, gazebos, pergolas, and similar structures, provided that the height does not exceed 12 feet, roof area does not exceed 120 square feet, and the structure does not have plumbing or electrical facilities.
 
    Check out the latest permitting and zoning rules at: http://sbcountyplanning.org/pdf/forms/LUDC/CountyLUDC_August2011.pdf
 

  

 

FOR SALE:
 
1419 Wyant Road
Montecito, CA 93108
 
Listed at $5,500,000
 
 
 Ideally situated on a private knoll between the upper and lower villages of Montecito, this unique, warm and inviting gated estate boasts 1.3 acres and offers sweeping mountain views.  Completed in 2004, with incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship, this property features an exceptionally functional indoor / outdoor floor plan with contemporary styling throughout all of the living spaces, including the four spacious bedrooms all complete with custom closet systems, a home office and a state of the art media room. 
 
Green Features
•  Strawbales with earthen plaster scratch coats inside and out and finished of lime (interior) and gypsum (interior).
•  All Non-toxic products.
•  Blue jean insulation in ceilings and between all rooms.
•  Solar PV panels
•  Solar hot water system for domestic and radiant floor heating uses.
•  Required every sub-contractor to provide the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), for any proposed material in the house.
•  Radiant Floor Heating throughout the entire house.  Concrete floors level 1 and repurposed wood on level 2.
•  Rain water catchment system that flows into three 1,700 gallon tanks underground, for landscape use.
•  Gray water system not in use but installed.  Able to bypass.
•  Low Voltage lighting throughout.
•  Full home automation system to reduce energy usage.
•  All wiring run to avoid exposure to EMFs.
•  High content flyash concrete floors
•  Repurposed Jarrah wood used for floors, windows and doors.
•  Repurposed antiques for all bath vanities.
•  Feng Shui design
•  Edible and native landscaping
 
 
 

 
FOR SALE:
 
10 San Marcos Trout Club
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
 
Listed at $829,000
 
Relax and enjoy the views in the San Marcos Trout Club.  This  2/2.5ba 2 story cedar log home was built in 1992. 
 
This property boasts high ceilings, lots of wood, granite countertops, a masonry fireplace and custom cabinets.  The decks and Jacuzzi have sweeping ocean and city views. 
The Trout Club offers acres of community space and access to a creek that flows year round.  All of this and only 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.

 

IN ESCROW!
The real deal this time!!!

Laurel Springs Ranch

2720 Painted Cave Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
 
160 acre, 5 parcels
Turn key property, panoramic views
  lodge that sleeps 30,
yoga studio,
main house, multiple
guest houses, spa,
solar heated pool,
barn, riding arena, pond, hiking trails, plentiful water,
organic garden &
more.
 

 


SOLD:
 
131 La Vereda
Montecito, CA 93108
 
Sold for $1,195,000
 
 Located in the prestigious Montecito Hedgerow and in the Montecito Union Elementary School District attendance area, this single-story Spanish style residence was a great find for a great price.   Inhabited by the same family for many years, the property will shine again with some updating and attention.  Built in 1930, the  bones of the house are incredible and the attention to detail that was put in to the property throughout the years is notable.  

The pie shaped, spacious, level grounds contain mature trees, fountains and ponds as well as a pool and plenty of flat grass to play on.  The estate contains five generous sized bedrooms, along with three full sized bathrooms,  a formal dining room, grand entrance and comfortable living room.  Located just a few blocks from Miramar Beach, this property has a lot of life left in it and my Buyers saw that right away!

SHORT SALE FINALLY APPROVED. (Only 371 days of waiting) LOOK FOR THIS UNDER SOLD NEXT MONTH!
 
328 Loma Vista
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
 
In escrow since August of 2010 with a Short Sale through Bank of America...my Buyers are very patient!

Interested in making some Extra Money from your home while you are away? 
 
Consider renting out your home as a short term vacation rental or as a long term rental. 
 
There is strong demand for renters from all over the world wanting to come enjoy our oceanside paradise. 
 
I have successfully helped several clients and I can help you too.
 
Here are a few current rental websites I manage:
 
Contact DeAnn for more information.  
Elizabeth Wagner & DeAnn Wilson
Village Properties
4050 Calle Real Suite 120 | Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Elizabeth: 805.895.1467 or DeAnn 805.451.7488
www.SantaBarbaraEcoBroker.com and www.GreenHomesSB.com
SantaBarbaraEcoBrokers@gmail.com

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 8/8 - 8/14

New Listings: 50

Price Improvements:  60

Pending: 34 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 18
     $600-800k: 5
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 28 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 12
     $600-800k: 4
     $800k-1 million: 1
     $1-2 million: 7
     $2-4 million: 3
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 1

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 23

Back On Market: 9

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Santa Barbara Real Estate through the end of July 2011

Each month a very generous colleague, Gary Woods compiles all the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing and Cort sales data and provides many of us in the real estate industry with a synopsis of the current market. Thank you Gary, as always your expertise and data is very appreciated!  

For the Home Estate/PUD market of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Carpinteria, Summerland and Goleta July 2011 was a significant month in that it marked the third month in a row that there were 90 or more sales and it was the first month of the year that sales surpassed the 2010 mark. But, while the sales increased to 94 for the month the median sales price declined from $862,500 in June to $827,000 in July. The average sales price remained stable however going from $1,299,018 in June to $1,226,920 in July.

The numbers of escrows declined a bit in July but still came in right around the mid 90s for the month down from 110 in June and the median list price on those escrows went down a little from $797,000 in June to $749,000 in July. But, despite falling from the previous month, escrows remained over 16% ahead of where they were last year at this time. 

The inventory increased in July finishing the month with about 575 Home Estate/PUDs available for purchase from Carpinteria to Goleta and the median list price on that inventory remained stable at about $1.5 median with a $2.8 million average.

The price range break out for sales remained at about the same ratio that we experienced in June with 55 sales below a million in July up from 54 in June and 29 sales from $1 to $2 million up from 25 in June. For the above $2 million range there were10 sales for both months with 3 of those sales topping the $5 million mark.

Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are up 17% from 39 to 46 and the median sales price is up from $675,000 to $716,250. The numbers of escrows are also way up going from 33 to 52 with the median list price on those escrows rising from $625,000 last year to $749,000 this year. 

For Montecito sales are up by 25% going from 79 to 99 with the median sales price dropping from $2.492 million to $2.227 million. Escrows are up 34% going from 87 to 118 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $2.75 million to $2.295 million.
             

East of State St sales are down 1% going from 142 to 140 and the median sales price is down from $975,000 to $915,000. The escrows are up by 12% however going from 152 to 171 with the median list price on those escrows dropping from $995,000 last year to $959,000 this year.
            
 
West of State St sales are up 4% from 112 to 117 but the median sales price is down from $800,000 to $701,000. The numbers of escrows are about equal for both years with 131 in ’10 and 134 in ‘11 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $824,000 to $717,000.
            
 
Hope Ranch sales are up from 11 to 15 but the median sales price is down from $2.975 million to $1.925 million. The numbers of escrows are also up from 10 to 20 and the median list price on those escrows is up from $1.87 million to just under $2 million.  
Goleta South sales are down 39% from 64 to 39 and the median sales price is down $665,000 to $600,000. The numbers of escrows are also down from 60 to 57 with the median list price on those escrows declining from $729,000 to $574,900.
            
 
Goleta North sales are also down from 98 to 90 with the median sales price dropping from $732,448 to $666,000. The numbers of escrows are up however from 104 to 116 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $731,950 to $685,000.
            

With the escrows continuing to mount, the second half of 2011 should see sales push significantly past the numbers that we saw in 2010. The median sales price remains slightly behind the previous year however with about a 2% drop to a $839,950 median down from $857,500 and when you take Montecito and Hope Ranch out of the mix the median sales price drops by about 8% coming in a $728,250 through July 2011 falling from $793,325 July 2010.

For the condo market July marks the 4th month in a row that the numbers of sales have increased. It also marks the highest median sales price that we’ve seen in the last 12 months rising to $551,450 from $439,500 in June and $375,000 in May. The numbers of opened escrows also took a big leap forward with 47 for the month up from 36 in June and only 15 in May. But, the median list price on those opened escrows remained at about the same level we’ve seen in the previous months with a $449,000 median in July, $447,495 in June and $420,000 in May.

At this point in the year escrows are only 8 behind where they were last year but the median list price on those escrows is down from $469,350 in 2010 to $425,000 in 2011. With escrows surging sales still lag significantly dropping from 193 in 2010 to 141 in 2011, but despite the lack of sales the median sales price is down only slightly going from $435,000 last year to $420,000 this year and the average sales price is actually ahead of the previous year rising from $523,548 to $535,272.

That increase in the average sales price is due to condo sales in the upper end starting to move forward particularly in Montecito but there have also been higher priced sales in Carpinteria and both the East and West Sides of Santa Barbara.

Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are down from 39 to 34 with the median sales price falling from $386,500 to $359,950. The numbers of escrows are even however 39 in both years. But, the median list price on those escrows is down from $404,450 to $374,000.

Montecito condo sales are down from 12 to 10 with the median sales price up from $1,062,500 to $1,200,000. But, the numbers of escrows are up from 12 to 15 with the median list price on those escrows up from $1,062,500 to $1,297,000.

East of State St sales are down 47% from 44 to 23 with the median sales price rising from $467,000 to $517,500. The numbers of escrows are also down but only by a little going from 40 to 39 with the median list price on those escrows up from $519,725 last year to $550,000 this year.

West of State St sales are down 31% from 47 to 32 with the median sales price falling from $498,000 to $425,000. The escrows are also down from 55 to 45 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $507,000 to $429,000.

Goleta South sales are up by 14% from 27 to 31 with the median sales price up just a little from $355,000 to $362,000. The numbers of escrows are up 33% from 27 to 36 with the median list price on those escrows up from $339,900 to $355,950.

Goleta North sales are down 30% from 26 to 18 with the median sales price down from $405,000 to $362,000. The escrows are also down from 31 to 22 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $419,000 to $349,500.
            

With Home sales surpassing the numbers we saw last year and condo escrows starting to mount the second half of 2011 looks like it will be strong. I’m particularly encouraged by the increase in the numbers of sales from $1 to $2 million in the home market which will bring the overall median sales price up. Also encouraging is the increase in condo sales that we’ve seen for the last 4 months and when you couple it with the rise in the median sales price of condos things should really start to move forward in that sector.

The questions that remain are first, what is going to happen with interest rates particularly if the US Treasuries get downgraded and second, what about that significant ghost inventory of homes and condos that are either in foreclosure or pre-foreclosure. But, whatever occurs in those areas the Santa Barbara Real Estate market still looks stronger than what’s going on in the rest of the country.
 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

My (actually my Dad's) road to energy sustainability


on Thursday, 04 August 2011.

by Russ Waldrop, Goleta resident

waldrop
Envision a future when your electrical production comes from the "solar garden" on your roof, when you can get around town in a plug-in car powered by clean energy (which the roof system will now support), and when your food production comes from the garden in your back yard. You are guaranteed a reduction in your monthly electrical bills, gasoline bills and food bills.
It's this vision of the future that motivates me on my lifelong journey toward energy sustainability. I have been tapping away at this challenge for more than 40 years and I am on the right path. I visualize my journey in 4 phases:
  • Electricity production – Complete.
    Solar panels and a 10 kW wind generator are all up and running. The electrical portion was quite possibly the most complicated and expensive step. My original estimation was that the monthly savings that I would enjoy, once the system was up and running, would allow me to pay off the initial cost of the system in a little over ten years. With AB 920 becoming available, this time period will be reduced. Check out my bill from April...
  • Transportation – In progress.
    My six year old Prius is a transitional car that has religiously produced a 40 mpg average. I am looking forward to see what the transition to the next generation of electric cars will produce.
  • Food sustainability – In progress.
    My extensive experience with organic gardening and Santa Barbara Heirloom Nursery will greatly assist me in accomplishing this goal.
  • Conservation, awareness, consciousness, education – In progress.
    I remain aware of my energy choices on a daily basis and take action to conserve everywhere I can. We have dual glazed windows and a sod roof in our home; architectural design that maximizes the site location; solar pumps for water well and koi pond. We're also raising children with this energy consciousness as a template.
As food, electricity and gasoline prices continue to go up, I know that my long range plans will be productive and would be productive for anyone. It's really pretty simple and altogether achievable.
Hopefully one day my grandson will look back on all of this and be able to see my vision of the future. He'll know that his family played a small but significant part in promoting sustainability and will do his part to promote it in his own life.
Tags: energy efficient homes, energy smart pro

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 8/1 - 8/7

New Listings: 50

Price Improvements:  38

Pending: 32 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 17
     $600-800k: 6
     $800k-1 million: 2
     $1-2 million: 7
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 26 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 8
     $600-800k: 9
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 2
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 1

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 25

Back On Market: 16

Friday, August 5, 2011

July Santa Barbara Green Team Newsletter (forgot to post in July)

Share This:
   
IN THIS ISSUE:
 

Monthly Statistics 
Making a Thousand Square Feet per Person the New American Standard
Supervalu (locally Albertson's) to Go Zero Waste at 40 Stores
Westside Farmer's Market
Green Drinks

Zero Waste
 
 Isla Vista Loop
 


LATEST & GREATEST...


SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:
 June 20 - July 17

New Listings: 170
Price Improvements: 192
Pending:  123 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 50
     $600-800k: 25
     $800k-1 million: 14 
     $1-2 million:  26
     $2-4 million: 7
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 1
Closed: 106 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 37
     $600-800k: 17
     $800k-1 million: 17
     $1-2 million: 28
     $2-4 million: 6
     $4-8 million: 2
     $8 million+: 0
Off Market:expired,canceled,withdrawn: 103
Back On Market: 30

This is a look at statistics provided through the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing Service over the past month.  They include single family residences and condos, from Carpinteria to Goleta.

 
INDUSTRY NEWS:


Making a Thousand Square Feet per Person the New American Standard
Let’s face it, the Great Recession has not been a plus for the green movement overall. Most ordinary Americans are still sympathetic to the cause, but their willingness to spend even a penny extra for environmentally friendly products has been dampened by four dollar gas, five dollar cereal and loss of equity in their homes.

On the other hand, a positive by-product of all this is a lot less enthusiasm for what used to be part of the American dream: a McMansion of your very own, and the extra cars, boats and even planes that went along with this be-careful-what-you-wish-for icon. I know many successful boomers who are now moping around their 8 to 12,000-foot monuments to capitalism (many of them rendered in classic McMansionesque Tuscan style architecture) wondering what to do with the unused acres of space.

“The Brady Bunch house seems like a shack compared to the dream of the typical middle class homebuyer/builder,” said New York copywriter Jenny Lazar in an email to me on this subject. Indeed, her point is well taken, what used to be considered a large house is of modest dimensions by today’s standards.

This is not meant to pass judgment on a long-standing tradition and part of the American Dream as we used to know it: a large, spacious home featuring huge foyer, high ceilings, many bedrooms and bathrooms, giant dining room and eat-in kitchen, multi-car garage, and more. Instead, this is to point out that perhaps America’s long-standing love affair with this type of — not very green — home has finally run its course?

I can think of a number of successful friends who live in houses of this description. Surprisingly, many of them are empty-nesters or have only one or two children, which is hardly enough to fill a home with six to ten bedrooms. Other than the several times per year that they host major parties, community events and/or charity functions, they just aren’t getting the value out of their super sized abodes. And a lot more often than you’d think, these homeowners are saying, “boy, if I could get out of this place whole, I’d like to sell it and downsize to a smaller house…”
Why do they want out? Usually, it’s not only the unused space, but the carrying costs. Heating, cooling, cleaning and maintaining huge homes is an expensive proposition. Not to mention, the property taxes. The care and feeding of a large home is a big responsibility that seemingly never ends.

Indeed, magazines like DWELL, and websites such as Inhabitat.com — both leaders of architectural style and design – showcase smaller homes for families of up to four members. Usually these are in the 1,000 to 3,000 square foot range, built with fully sustainable materials and state-of-the-art energy efficient HVAC systems. Upon considering this trend versus the longer-standing bigger is better, Sierra Club Green Home.com proposes a new industry standard that balances our longtime desire for lots of space with the current and future need to downsize: one thousand square feet per inhabitant, max. So, a family of four would get up to 4,000 square feet, a childless couple would have 2,000 feet or less, and so on. Sorry, pets don’t count as people (although my personal bias is that having a large dog in a very small space is not healthy for the animal).

No doubt hardcore environmentalists will think this plan is too liberal, but I believe we have to start somewhere and we have to be realistic about the ability to change long-standing philosophies overnight. Perhaps ultimately downsizing should mean 750 or even 500 square feet per inhabitant? For now, however, in this first incantation, I think the 1,000 feet per person proposed by Sierra Club Green Home makes sense.
One small problem presents itself in all this: what do we do with the multitude of huge homes that are on the market now and will be even more plentiful once the downsizing trend catches fire? Indeed, McMansions in most major cities can be bought for hundreds of thousands if not millions less today than at the peak of conspicuous consumption, 2007. This probably won’t change given the dynamics of the market.

Think about it, the older empty nesters increasingly want to voluntarily downsize, for sustainability among other reasons. And to their credit, the new, younger generation of successful people don’t seem to want the huge homes. They are gravitating toward the smaller, hipper, more sustainable structures featured in DWELL and Inhabitat.com. Which is great for sustainability in general, as these younger opinion leaders are setting a new standard for what is considered “making it” in American business.

Overall, too many McMansions on the market could be viewed as a positive. How they will be absorbed by the marketplace overall is an issue, but in general, we see a very real possibility that downsizing may become “the new black” in terms of what’s considered chic, hip, cool AND sustainable. And that’s a good thing overall.

Jennifer Schwab is the Director of Sustainability for Sierra Club Green Home, where this blog post originally appeared. Visit her blog at www.sierraclubgreenhome.com.

COMMUNITY:  

Supervalu (Albertson's) to Go Zero Waste at 40 Stores

Supervalu Inc. and its Albertsons brand of supermarkets have announced that they will move 40 stores to be zero waste by the end of next February, Waste & Recycling News
In November of 2010, two SUPERVALU-owned Albertsons stores in Santa Barbara, Calif. reached “zero waste” classification, making SUPERVALU the first U.S. retail grocer to announce this achievement. Through a combination of innovative recycling programs, a food donation program and a joint organic composting program with the City of Santa Barbara, the two stores now divert all non-contaminated waste from landfills and incinerators.
In total, over 95 percent of all waste products from both stores are recycled, reused or composted –exceeding the 90 percent threshold commonly recognized as zero waste. Together, the stores divert annually on average 2,074,328 pounds of waste from the landfill, including 808,200 pounds of cardboard, 27,524 pounds of plastic and 2,688 pounds of paper. “We are excited that Albertsons, an EPA WasteWise partner, is on the path towards zero waste,” said Viccy Salazar, Materials Management and Stewardship Lead for the EPA’s Seattle Office. “Based on the results Albertsons shared with EPA, their two Santa Barbara stores are beyond the 90% diversion rate that is commonly used to mean zero waste. It takes leadership, commitment and a clear vision to achieve those results.”
Albertsons also partnered with the City of Santa Barbara to establish one of the first citywide composting programs in the United States, which is a key piece of their waste diversion efforts. As a result of this program,
the city will compost 4,000,000 pounds of foodscraps from 120 program participants this year alone. Another key component of the waste diversion program includes donating staple and perishable product that would otherwise go unused for area food banks. Through the Albertsons Fresh Rescue Program, these two stores donate on average a total of 149,598 pounds per year of food to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.
“Over the past several years, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has seen a substantial increase in the variety and volume of product we receive from Albertson's  Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. “The nonprofit organizations and churches who rely on the Foodbank for their food distributions continue to comment on the quality and availability of the product we pick up from Albertsons.”
“As one of the largest generators of organic
materials in the city, Albertsons’ participa-
tion sets a high bar for sustainable waste
management practices on the South Coast,”
said Eric Lohela, Environmental Specialist for
the City of Santa Barbara.

GET INVOLVED:
  

The Harding School Farmers Market.
Every Wednesday, 3:30–7pm
1625 Robbins St. (at Valerio)
The Mobile Cafe Food Truck will be there with delicious food to eat there or take to go:
Grilled Chicken Tacos — $5
Organic Beef Hamburger — $5
Old Fashioned Grilled 3 Cheese Sandwich—$4
Farmers Market Salad w/ Grilled Balsalmic Vegetables —$5
Active Water — $1.50
We need your help to keep this going, please come to the market and bring a friend, lots of friends!
Bring a chair to sit and converse and meet your neighbors.  Get your veggies and fruit while you are there!  Make it a habit! 
Green Drinks @ Soho Restaurant and Music Club

Tonight:
Tuesday, July 19th 6pm

Always takes place on the third Tuesday of each month...tonight!  
  A Green Drinks favorite, Soho will let us take over the patio for full enjoyment of the fine summer weather. Entrance is FREE.
This month's Green Drinks features the Dr. Steven Gaines, Dean of UCSB's Bren School of Environmental Management.  He'll give a brief talk (starting at 7pm) about how the Bren School works, innovative projects by their students and a view into sustainability & higher education.

All are welcome. Bring a friend. Ride a bike. Enjoy each other.

www.greendrinks.org/CA/Santa Barbara

VOCABULARY LESSON:

Zero Waste:

  "Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health."


  
Cool Website of the Month:

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN.  BY GAUCHOS. 
FOR GAUCHOS.

URBAN, UPSCALE LOFT STYLE  APARTMENTS STEPS FROM UC SANTA BARBARA

6533 & 6539 TRIGO ROAD, ISLA VISTA, CALIFORNIA

      
 


FOR SALE:
1419 Wyant Road
Montecito, CA 93108
Listed at $5,500,000
 
 Ideally situated on a private knoll between the upper and lower villages of Montecito, this unique, warm and inviting gated estate boasts 1.3 acres and offers sweeping mountain views.  Completed in 2004, with incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship, this property features an exceptionally functional indoor / outdoor floor plan with contemporary styling throughout all of the living spaces, including the four spacious bedrooms all complete with custom closet systems, a home office and a state of the art media room. 
Green Features
•  Strawbales with earthen plaster scratch coats inside and out and finished of lime (interior) and gypsum (interior).
•  All Non-toxic products.
•  Blue jean insulation in ceilings and between all rooms.
•  Solar PV panels
•  Solar hot water system for domestic and radiant floor heating uses.
•  Required every sub-contractor to provide the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), for any proposed material in the house.
•  Radiant Floor Heating throughout the entire house.  Concrete floors level 1 and repurposed wood on level 2.
•  Rain water catchment system that flows into three 1,700 gallon tanks underground, for landscape use.
•  Gray water system not in use but installed.  Able to bypass.
•  Low Voltage lighting throughout.
•  Full home automation system to reduce energy usage.
•  All wiring run to avoid exposure to EMFs.
•  High content flyash concrete floors
•  Repurposed Jarrah wood used for floors, windows and doors.
•  Repurposed antiques for all bath vanities.
•  Feng Shui design
•  Edible and native landscaping
Please contact Elizabeth or DeAnn for more information and to schedule a showing.

 
FOR SALE:
10 San Marcos Trout Club
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Price Adjusted $829,000
Relax and enjoy the views in the San Marcos Trout Club.  This  2/2.5ba 2 story cedar log home was built in 1992. 
This property boasts high ceilings, lots of wood, granite countertops, a masonry fireplace and custom cabinets.  The decks and Jacuzzi have sweeping ocean and city views. 
The Trout Club offers acres of community space and access to a creek that flows year round.  All of this and only 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.


BACK ON THE MARKET:

Laurel Springs Ranch

2720 Painted Cave Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Price Adjusted Again to $8,000,000

160 acre, 5 parcels
Turn key property, panoramic views
  lodge that sleeps 30,
yoga studio,
main house, multiple
guest houses, spa,
solar heated pool,
barn, riding arena, pond, hiking trails, plentiful water,
organic garden &
more.

 


SOLD:
1605 Villa Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sold for $675,000
   There is lots of love and attention to detail in this lovely Westside cottage located on a two block long street.
Featuring two bedrooms, one light and bright bathroom, hardwood and cork floors throughout, fireplace, remodeled kitchen with Wolf Range, butcher block counter.  There have been lots of upgrades in the home including the electrical and heating systems, new paint, upgraded windows, customized closets and a new sewer line. 
The entire yard uses native landscaping and is low on  water use.  There is a compost bin, garden and fruit trees.  The setting is peaceful with large deck in the back yard and a one car garage that has been converted into a home office. 
Home sweet home for the new buyers!

SOLD:
2345 Skyline Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Sold for $849,000

  Not on the market, ocean view Mesa home.  Comprised of three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a spacious living room, dining room and office, this gem is ready for its new owners! 
The kitchen and dining room blend seamlessly to the large deck which looks out over expansive ocean and island views.  The house is situated next to a hill which makes the setting very private and rests on approximately 1/3 of an acre.  The house has been updated, is beautifully landscaped has a two car garage with storage space.
The location is ideal, just up the street from Monroe Elementary, a short jaunt to Elings Park and the Wilcox Property and all that the Mesa Shopping Center has to offer.  This was a great find and a great price!

Interested in making some Extra Money from your home while you are away? 
Consider renting out your home as a short term vacation rental or as a long term rental. 
There is strong demand for renters from all over the world wanting to come enjoy our oceanside paradise. 
I have successfully helped several clients and I can help you too.
Here are a few current rental websites I manage:
Contact DeAnn for more information.  
Elizabeth Wagner & DeAnn Wilson
Village Properties
4050 Calle Real Suite 120 | Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Elizabeth: 805.895.1467 or DeAnn 805.451.7488
www.SantaBarbaraEcoBroker.com and www.GreenHomesSB.com
SantaBarbaraEcoBrokers@gmail.com

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