Spring Home & Garden 2022

spring 2022

&

home garden

What’s Inside:

• GARDENING • WATER CONSERVATION • LANDSCAPING • TREE CARE • SOLAR • REAL ESTATE • FUTONS • ANTIQUES • PAINT / WALLPAPER • LAMPS & SHADES • HOUSEKEEPING • CARPET • VACATION HOMES • GARAGE/DRIVEWAY FLOORING

The CoasT News Group

THE COAST NEWS THE INLAND EDITION

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Where will San Diego’s short-term rentals go?

By Samantha Nelson

REGION — As San Diego prepares to implement its newly-approved 1% cap on short-term vacation rentals by the beginning of next year, many rental owners will face a choice of either renting out their units longterm, selling their units and cutting their losses, or looking to other cities without limits to start their business fresh.

Now that the California Coastal Commission has approved the cap — with the exception the cap is reviewed after seven years — the plan is for the city to implement the cap nine months following the commission’s March 9 decision.

The new ordinance will cap non-hosted, whole-home units citywide at 1% of San Diego’s homes, which will limit nearly the entire city to about 5,364 short-term vacation rentals. Due to its long history of vacation rentals, Mission Beach is the only exception. The city is implementing a 30% cap on the community or roughly 1,081 short-term rentals, leaving San Diego with about 6,445 short-term rentals altogether.

The cap will not apply to hosted units where the renter lives in the home and rents out a room.

There are an estimated 12,300 short-term rentals currently in San Diego.

With the caps, the city will see a 48% reduction in

IN SEVERAL MONTHS, a new City of San Diego ordinance will cap short-term vacation rentals in the city at 1% (with the exception of Mission Beach), removing thousands of homes from the short-term rental market. Some homeowners may choose to keep their homes for long-term rentals or sell and look for a vacation rental in North County. Courtesy photo

short-term rentals city-wide and a 27% decrease in Mission Beach specifically.

The 1% cap is a substantial change for San Diego, which currently doesn’t require permits or licenses for short-term vacation rentals, let alone a cap on how many are allowed.

With the new cap, renters will need to get permits to operate their units through a lottery system. Units with a history of top performance will be chosen first.

Many residents throughout San Diego have

been waiting for this cap for a long time.

“The city doesn’t like the sheer amount of shortterm vacation rentals because they can create problems like attracting loud partiers in the summer and leaving homes empty in the winter, creating these abandoned-looking neighborhoods,” said Carmel Valley realtor Megan Eskey. “As the number of short-term rentals increase, the livability of a town goes down.”

Eskey noted that with the number of short-term

rentals dropping out of the market, many of those units would most likely be up for rent or sale. That many homes going back to the market is significant, she said.

“The numbers are so low per city in terms of how many houses go on market per month,” she said. “If you suddenly or gradually bring thousands more properties forward for long-term rentals or homeowners, that would make a difference.”

Still, Coastal Commission staff recognized that

it is currently unclear how the cap will affect the city’s housing stock considering that whole-home short-term rentals only take up about 2.5% of the city’s overall housing stock. It was also noted that many homes, particularly those in the coastal areas, would not be considered affordable to rent or buy.

Simon Dang, who lives in Pacific Beach and rents out five units as short-term vacation rentals in neighboring Mission Beach, is skeptical about San Diego’s

new regulations actually working. Instead, he foresees the cap creating negative economic impacts.

“South Mission Beach is thriving because of shortterm rentals,” he said. “If they implement this cap, we’re not going to have as many people visiting, we’re not going to have as many people frequenting the businesses here.”

Dang said he will likely only be able to continue renting out one of his five units as a short-term rental with the new cap and rent out the rest as longterm rentals. He noted this means he will have to cut his cleaning staff’s hours as well.

With so many shortterm rentals being forced out of San Diego, Eskey believes they will likely either sell their homes, rent them out long-term or consider moving to other nearby, desirable coastal cities. They may look to move to North County, where none of the coastal cities currently have a short-term rental cap.

Former Oceanside City Council member Shari Mackin is worried about the possibility of short-term rentals flooding the city following the cap’s implementation, though she applauds the city of San Diego for finally moving forward with it.

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Crest Homes ADU Process 3 Get Acquainted - Phone Introduction 3 ZOOM Meeting with CBYH TEAM 3 Site Evaluation & Drone Flyover

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Beautify your home with new flooring If you are in the market for new flooring check out locally-owned floor-ing company, Oceanside Abbey Carpet & Floor.

They offer high-quality flooring options at very competitive prices.

Whether you're looking for resilient flooring like luxury vinyl or something with timeless design like tile, they help their customers make the right flooring choices.

Their professional installation process provides their customers with quality flooring, expert assistance, free estimates, an incredible selection and above all, personalized customer service.

Many of their products come with a lifetime warranty; from their broadloom carpet collections from Infinity Nylon Carpet Fiber®, Alexander Smith, American Showcase, Softique®, Legendary Beauty and Premier Stainmaster® there's no reason to shop anywhere else!

Start your flooring buying journey anytime on their state-of-the art website where you can view flooring options and get information on how to select a new floor when you want and where you want.

Then come in to their showroom to speak with one of their flooring experts who go through continuous training to understand consumer needs,

PLANT GARDENS includes everything from ferns to fairy gardens, cycads to succulents. Courtesy photo

Gardening skills on display at the San Diego County Fair

By Staff

YOU WILL FIND expert assistance, free estimates, an incredible selection and, above all, personalized customer service at Oceanside Abbey Carpet & Floor. Courtesy photo

recommend the best possible floor choice based on the customer’s needs, lifestyle and budget.

Their expert sales staff can also bring samples to your home and provide assistance in selecting the right flooring.

They have national purchasing power with a local presence – “We live here and know our neighbors,” said Ken Calkin, the store owner. “Our store is locally owned with national buying power to offer our customers unparalleled values, service and selection. We have been here for 63 years pleasing North County residents one

customer at a time.” Calkin went on to say.

“Our customer service is unsurpassed, and it shows in our 5-star Yelp review ranking, our whole team is proud of that.” All of their exclusive carpet brands are manufactured with pride in the United States.

They offer one of the best warranties for your new floor with the Abbey 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If for any reason within sixty (60) days after installation by an Abbey Carpet & Floor installer you decide that your carpet selection is not satisfactory, Abbey Carpet & Floor will

replace the carpet with another carpet of equal value from the same manufacturer. Calkin went on to say, “We stand behind our work and make sure our customers get exactly what they want.”

For more information go online at www.oceanside.abbeycarpet.com or visit their showroom at Oceanside Abbey Carpet & Floor, 4001 Avenida De La Plata, Oceanside, CA 92056.

They are also available by phone at (760) 757- 5033.

Showroom days and hours are Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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DEL MAR — You can display prize-winning gardens of all sizes at the upcoming San Diego County Fair this June.

Show off your green thumb and win cash awards, special recognition and ribbons in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show featuring competitions for large-scale Garden Displays and more compact Container Plants. This exhibit has divisions for professionals, amateurs, garden clubs and students.

LANDSCAPE GARDENS Students, adults and professional landscapers can compete in the Landscape Gardens outdoor garden exhibition, open to all California residents including amateurs, non-profit organizations, businesses, associations and garden clubs in the horticultural, agricultural, or floricultural industry.

Entry information is at sdfair.com/exhibits/gar-

den-show/ and the entry deadline is April 22. Landscape set-up will be May 21 through June 5.

The judging will be June 6 and June 7. Awards will be presented June 8 and exhibit dates are June 8 through July 4. Teardown runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 5 through July 8.

CONTAINER PLANTS Plants contained in small spaces can have a big impact. The competition for Container Plant gardens includes everything from ferns to fairy gardens, cycads to succulents. he Container Plant competition is open to California residents and entry information is at sdfair.com/ exhibits/garden-show/ and entry deadline is May 13.

Entry delivery is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3 and June 4.

Judging: June 6 and June 7.

Awards: 2 p.m. June 8 and exhibit dates are June 8 through July 4. Entry pickup: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 5.

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Reinventing park home communities: Contemporary edition Orbit Homes creates new generation of manufactured homes

By Danielle Nederend

“I never would have imagined living in the mountains by the beach - much less in a beautiful home,” Travis Collings, of Malibu, CA said in disbelief. “Orbit Homes made this possible.”

Upending the manufactured home industry is what Orbit Homes is here to do. Founded in Malibu, bringing over a decade of stick-built and remodeling construction experience, brothers Or and Dror Michaelo created a luxury manufactured home solution for people like Collings, who would have thought living in their most desired location was out of reach.

Orbit Homes presents a new standard of manufactured homes - challenging the norm of the manufactured housing industry with a contemporary design built to the highest standards of the HUD code. They are customizable to homebuyers’ needs, yet sleek in design and turnaround time.

Constructed to adhere to the HUD code in the state of California means that these homes can be purchased and placed on private residential land or in manufactured home communities.

Permitting is needed only to check the foundation and connection to utilities. With the combination of simplicity in process and luxury of style, Orbit Homes has reinvented the possibilities for homeowners in California and ignited new interest in living in park communities.

According to the Manufactured Housing Institute, almost 95,000 new homes were produced in 2020 - accounting for approximately 9% of new, single-family homes.

What are sometimes perceived as lower-end quality, park communities provide a prime opportunity for hopeful homebuyers to create a realistic residential experience in an affordable space. By working with Orbit Homes, residents of park communities beautify their home. Orbit’s contemporary, open floor plan home models completely transform possibilities for contemporary manufactured homes. Fashionably styled with sliding doors and high windows expand the home living area. Park communities also qualify for favorable financing and offer a neighborhood with shared amenities like swimming pools, recreation centers and tennis courts.

ORBIT HOMES is making park community living the new affordable luxury standard. Courtesy photo

Orbit Homes is making park community living the new affordable luxury standard.

By constructing premium, contemporary manufactured homes, Orbit Homes solves the problem for homebuyers in California. Whether currently living in park communities, or looking for an affordable space in an otherwise expensive zip code - Orbit Homes answers to those needs, while surpassing industry standards.

For current park community residents, many manufactured homes are deteriorating. Homeowner

options would be to replace with another model, or undergo construction to renovate. Renovations typically incur more costs than replacing the manufactured homes.

In this case, Orbit Homes offers unprecedented value for these homeowners: quality, contemporary styles featuring front decks and an indoor-outdoor living experience. It’s as simple as selecting your homestyle and colors on the Orbit Homes website - and voila! Your new home is delivered.

For those who are new to considering living in

park communities - Orbit Homes is here to level up the standard of quality.

As San Diego has recently been classified as the least affordable housing market in the nation, a major problem clearly arises for millennials and boomers ages 25-65 hopeful to own a home someday. Covid has only worsened matters - as people more than ever crave outdoor space private to their home or family unit.

Young families have now resorted to buying in mobile home communities, as manufactured homes are considerably more affordable than a single fam-

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The Orbit Homes team members contribute a plethora of diverse life and design experience to create the beauty that is Orbit Homes. Orbit’s team includes a world-traveling surfer, a wellness retreat creator, a regenerative agricultural consultant, and a brand visionary for projects in Tulum, to name a few.

With their colorful backgrounds and a physical environment influencing performance, well-being and inspiration, they thoughtfully integrate beauty, functionality and comfort into every home they deliver.

“We are passionate about challenging the stigma of manufactured homes,” says Or Michaelo, chief visionary officer. “We are actually creating a new generation of manufactured homes.”

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

A new era in smart irrigation Calsense’s Irrigation Management as a Service™ enables full implementation of its “smart,” weather- and sensor-based, irrigation control of the system immediately, under the premise that financial savings from water conservation and better utilization of labor will help fund the system as they go.

This differs from most entities with landscape irrigation that rely on capital budgets to be spread out over the course of several years, resulting in them only achieving a small percentage of the overall conservation target.

Calsense’s original product was a soil moisture sensor, which would terminate irrigation when the moisture content for a given area reached a certain threshold.

President & CEO of Calsense, A.J. van de Ven, explains how the technology has evolved to prevent water waste and maximize landscape potential.

“Today, we still use a variety of on-site devices and sensors, in conjunction with the latest cloud-based high resolution weather data to provide the most accurate, localized weather in the field,” A.J. said. “This allows each controller to apply the right amount of water for each irrigation station based on its physical characteristics, ensuring proper plant growth

‘WORLD OF ORCHIDS’ showcase will feature locally-bred hybrids and rare specimens at the San Diego Botanic Garden.

Courtesy photo

CALSENSE ALLOWS CUSTOMERS to conserve water, manage labor, and save money through its new IMaaS offering. Courtesy photo

while preventing wasteful run-off. This is why for example, you won't see a Calsense-controlled irrigation system running when it's raining or for several days after it’s rained.”

The information is collected and stored on the Calsense app, which is included in all IMaaS deals, providing remote management capabilities, as well as comprehensive reports to show water savings and insights into the performance of the system.

This platform is accessible from any Internet-connected device with a dedicated mobile interface to perform key operations such as field-testing valves.

“It gives IMaaS customers the confidence that they have full visibility over the site and can target field issues as they arise

in real-time, without having to send personnel to the field to ensure the site is operating as expected,” A.J. remarks. Below are a few testimonials from users of Calsense: “Our expertise walks out the door when a couple of us retire in a few years.”

— Voice of customer participant.

“I like that the payment stays constant for the entire ten years.” — Voice of customer participant.

“Being able to pick and choose the services I want is attractive.” — Voice of customer participant.

“Your timing is great.

The industry is ready for this.” — Contractor.

All costs are distributed over a 10-year period, so customers still only pay a fraction of what they would otherwise have paid up-

front had they purchased the equipment with capital dollars.

Each customer’s requirements will be a little different, with some interested in just purchasing the hardware- and software-asa-service, while others are interested in a full turnkey solution with Calsense providing most or all the needed services to get the product installed and fully operational.

Additionally, there are nearly limitless combinations of hardware available, making it difficult to provide an average cost.

Email Calsense and book a consult at info@ calsense.com or visit their headquarters at 2075 Corte del Nogal, Suite P Carlsbad, CA 92011.

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Botanic Garden blooms with orchid show May 7

By Staff

ENCINITAS — San Diego Botanic Garden hosts its second annual spring orchid showcase, World of Orchids, from May 7 through June 12.

The Garden will stage the exhibition, which kicks off Mother’s Day weekend, in its Dickinson Family Education Conservatory, a stateof-the-art, 8,000 square foot, glass-enclosed facility.

“This exhibition invites visitors to enjoy the vibrant colors, elegant shapes and intoxicating scents for which orchids are so well known, but it also surprises visitors with flowers of unexpected sizes, shapes, and scents,” said Ari Novy, president and CEO of the Botanic Garden.

“Orchids comprise one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants in the world. With hundreds of different species and hybrids on display, this show

offers even seasoned collectors the opportunity to discover a strange and delightful new orchid.”

The stunning designs will feature impressive specimens, locally-bred hybrids, and rare species in immersive, artistic displays.

In addition to the many orchids that already grow in the conservatory’s “plant chandeliers.”

The Botanic Garden’s artist-in-residence René van Rems, AIFD, serves as creative director for the exhibit for the second year in a row.

Van Rems will design a new display for each of the five weeks, allowing visitors to experience changing flowers and arrangements across multiple visits.

The San Diego Botanic Garden is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. Members admitted free and non-member admissions range from $12 to $18.

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Customer choice, competitive rates for cleaner power Officially launched in 2021, two community choice aggregators (CCAs) are bringing choice in energy providers and cleaner energy to residents in the region for the first time.

San Diego Community Power (SDCP) and Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) recently joined the 23 other successful programs throughout California, reforming power buying in favor of transparency, accountability, and reliability. CCAs are local energy providers established by state law and managed by local elected officials and community representatives.

For the first time in our region's history, families, businesses, and municipalities in Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Carlsbad (among other cities) have a future-focused choice in energy providers and a clear path to reach 100 percent renewable energy.

Per state law, Encinitas residents will be automatically enrolled in the money and environment saving program with SDCP, with the option to opt out at any time.

Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach have already been enrolled in CEA. Organized as commu-

nity-driven not-for-profits, CCAs are committed to investing in local communities through renewable energy development projects and community aid programs.

While generating revenue in support of shareholder returns drives the local investor-owned utility, both CCAs are focused on clean technology innovation, creating local jobs, and equitable energy programs.

“The launch of CCAs in our region has been a game-changer for customer choice, fighting climate change, and creating healthier and more equitable communities for future generations,” said Joe Mosca, Encinitas Deputy Mayor, and SDCP Board Chair. “We are excited to usher in a new era for our communities and to do our part to reduce the impacts of climate change by providing greener energy options.”

Both CCAs offer customers choices for competitively priced renewable energy ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent renewable compared to the 31 percent offered by SDG&E. The CCAs buy greener energy on behalf of customers and SDG&E continues to

COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY is a rapidly growing alternative to monopoly, profit-driven utilities. Courtesy photo

deliver power, distribute billing, and provide ongoing grid maintenance. The CCA renewable energy portfolios come from wind, solar, and battery storage. Committed to meeting and beating state reliability standards, CCAs also rigorously vet energy

sources and work with the local utility to ensure reliability in the energy delivery infrastructure.

“As a non-profit provider, we are completely focused on providing cleaner energy while investing in our communities,” said Kris-

Why native plants belong in our gardens

By Jonathon Kardos

ENCINITAS — Springtime is the time of year when California native plants like to show off.

The hills come alive with Blue Ceanothus, the bluffs are flush with Coast Sunflowers, and brilliant orange California Poppies are springing up everywhere. Our native plants have been here long before us.

Many of these plants had practical uses for the Kumeyaay and other tribes.

Their beauty can still be appreciated today in nature, and perhaps even in your garden.

California native plants provide food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Native plants are critically important to our local ecosystem, yet are grossly underutilized in

DUDLEYA BRITTONII is a big flowering succulent in an arrangement with non-native succulents all needing similar water and light needs. Photo by Jonathon Kardos

our landscapes.

As more spaces in our community are developed, there is less land for native plants and wildlife to

thrive. As a result, many species are becoming endangered and going extinct.

We have the responsi-

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bility as community members to make a difference in restoring our delicate and fractured local ecosystems.

In addition to being ecologically practical, there are many benefits to planting California native plants. Native gardens use little water, offer an abundance of colors and fragrances, and provide us with a deeper connection to our regional flora.

Native plants add a pop of color and a dash of fragrance to your garden.

Try placing a Cleveland or White Sage by your front door to offer an incredibly soothing smell for yourself or guests when arriving at your home.

In addition, there are many varieties of Ceanothus, Mimulus (Monkeyflower), and Penstemon that are colorful and attract hummingbirds to your garden.

While some other plants brown in the winter, TURN TO NATIVE PLANTS ON A13

ti Becker, chair of the CEA Board of Directors and Solana Beach councilmember.

“CCAs provide the only real path we have to meet our climate goals and ensure vibrant communities today and as a legacy for future generations.”

Community choice energy is a rapidly growing alternative to monopoly, profit-driven utilities. CCAs were enabled by state legislation as part of the solution to the 2001 energy crisis, allowing local communities to control the energy they buy and address constraints on competition that contributed to the problem. Locally elected officials govern CCAs with consistent input from a Community Advisory Council. All decisions on energy procurement, rates, and reinvestment are made at publicly noticed open meetings, giving member city residents and businesses a voice in their energy choices.

There are currently 23 CCAs operating successfully across California and providing reliable service to more than 11 million customers in more than 200 cities and counties.

SDCP Launching Resi-

dential Service in Encinitas April 1 SDCP launched municipal, commercial, and industrial service in 2021 for its five founding cities of Encinitas, San Diego, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and La Mesa. Residential service launched in Imperial Beach in February 2022 and will roll out in Encinitas in April. Nearly 700,000 local residents will be receiving clean power SDCP when enrollment is complete at the end of May. National City and the unincorporated areas of San Diego also recently joined SDCP with service rollouts planned for 2023.

CEA Serves the Residents, Businesses, and Municipalities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Carlsbad CEA began providing clean energy to the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach in May 2021.

With the recent additions of Escondido and San Marcos, CEA is now made up of five associate members. Further expansion is on the horizon as the cities of Oceanside, Vista, and San Clemente consider launching CCA programs and joining CEA.

RENTALS

Mackin also wants to see deed restrictions placed on units along the city’s transit corridors where more affordable housing is to be built. Earlier this year, City Council directed staff to bring forward a code amendment that would prohibit affordable housing projects from being used as short-term rentals.

Though San Diego’s northern coastal cities may appeal to those short-term

CONTINUED FROM A2

has a long history of vacation rentals too, but things have changed over the years with more and more short-term rentals coming into town and seemingly taking over the coastal neighborhoods. Short-term rentals currently take up almost 2% of Oceanside’s housing stock.

Unlike San Diego however, Oceanside has been regulating short-term rentals since 2019. Though there isn’t a cap, the city requires permits for all non-hosted units. The city also has a code enforcement officer specifically designated to short-term rental rule enforcement, which Deputy City Manager Jonathan Borrego said has proven very effective for the city.

Still, Mackin and others believe Oceanside’s short-term rental regulations aren’t enough.

“What we’re lacking is a cap,” Mackin said. “Balance is key, and the only way to find balance is by putting a cap on it.”

As the city continues to monitor the growth of short-term rentals and deliver biannual reports on the number of rentals, complaints and other updates on the program to the Oceanside City Council, Borrego said staff would revisit potentially implementing a cap if there is a significant increase in short-term rentals.

“We haven’t really seen exponential growth in short-term rentals since the ordinance was adopted,” Borrego said. “From the staff's perspective, we’re pretty content with the program and the way it’s been operating.”

SPONSORED CONTENT

Balance is key, and the only way to find balance is by putting a cap on it.”

Shari Mackin Former Oceanside official

vacation renters who are forced out of San Diego, Eskey suggests they look at higher elevations rather than the coastline for new business.

San Diego County is now home to two of only 34 designated International Dark Sky Communities – Borrego Springs and Julian. According to Eskey, more short-term vacation rentals may be welcomed in Julian where astrotourism and stargazing can grow in popularity.

Renters could also make more in Julian during the winter months because of astrotourism’s year-round season. Eskey also noted there would be fewer complaints from residents there due to space and less likelihood of rowdy parties.

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T he C oast News Group - S pring Home & G arden

APRIL 1, 2022

Find, sell your home with John Cabral

OVERGROWN FORESTS like the that on the left are a key contributor to the current wildfire crisis in the West. USDA Forest Service photos by Adam Watts.

Thinned forests are healthy forests

by Joyce El Kouarti, USDA Forest Service Office of Communications

REGION — Overgrown forests are one of the key contributing factors to the current wildfire crisis in the West. The new Forest Service strategy on Confronting the Wildfire Crisis outlines the agency’s plan for increasing fuels and forest health treatments to create healthier forests and reduce the risk to communities. Forest Service science shows that thinning and fuels treatments work.

Historically, many western forests were far less dense and extremely variable. Trees often grew in clusters of two to 20, interspersed with several small gaps. Pacific Southwest Research Station Research Ecologist Eric Knapp studies the ecology of western forests in relation to disturbance, particularly fire. He’s especially interested in landscape changes that have occurred in the absence of fire, in-

cluding how resilient these forests are to drought or wildfire later. As part of this research, he evaluates the results of forest management alternatives designed to reverse some of these changes, including mechanical thinning and prescribed fire.

Ten years ago, Knapp and his colleagues began a study on the Stanislaus-Tuolumne Experimental Forest in California. They thinned some areas in the standard way, with trees spaced relatively evenly.

They also thinned other areas with a new prescription designed to restore variability, mimicking historical forest conditions. Finally, they left other units unthinned. Half of all the units were later treated with prescribed fire. Since then, he and his team have been measuring the trees, understory vegetation, and small mammal populations to evaluate how the different treatments perform over time.

What they found was that during a recent severe drought that killed over 147 million trees statewide, the two thinned treatments came through relatively unscathed, experiencing far less tree mortality than the adjacent unthinned areas.

By reducing competition, the remaining trees had greater access to sunlight, water and the nutrients found in soils. They also found that the addition of prescribed fire is key to a more vibrant and diverse understory plant community, similar to what these forests once contained.

Knapp and his colleagues have shared these findings through field tours for land managers and other stakeholders representing a diversity of interests.

“It has been gratifying to see that many have found the ‘high variability’ thinning idea with prescribed fire to be an example worthy of scaling up to improve forest resilience and habitat value,” he said.

When it comes to experience, not many can say they have over 50 years of it. But when what you do is in your blood, it defines who you are. Such is the case for JOHN CABRAL. He still wakes up every day excited to go to work in the business he loves.

Early on he developed a love of real estate and a love of Arabian horses. His passion for Arabian horses led him to owning, breeding and showing his favorite equine.

From his early start in the real estate business in Los Angeles and Orange counties, John is now celebrating his 33rd year selling real estate in the San Diego Area — 33 years of being one of the Top agents/brokers in San Diego County!

John just moved into a new location in the Covenant Rancho Santa Fe, across from The Inn, between Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Stop by and visit! Another location is opening soon across from Morgan Run at 5535 Cancha De Golf, Suite 102 in Rancho Santa Fe. Solid longevity speaks to the respect he is awarded year after year by his clients.

A family man, he and his wife, Charlotte, and two daughters call Santaluz home, having lived there since its beginning in 2003.

John saw the bright future of the Santaluz development and has become its No. 1 listing and selling agent.

Seeing a need to put

JOHN CABRAL consistently ranks in the top agent/brokers in the Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego County areas. Courtesy photo

builder, developer, buyer and lender together, John developed the “1-2-3 Build to Suit One Time Close Program” and established relationships with the heads of U.S. Bank to simplify the financial aspect of the building process.

This process has become a successful endeavor as his years of expertise and in-depth market knowledge have helped him earn the title “Deal Dun” for putting together real estate transactions for buyers and sellers.

Not only well estab-

lished as the No. 1 agent in Santaluz, John consistently ranks in the Top agent/brokers in the Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego County areas.

As many have said, “Call John, you will be glad you did!”

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Reinventing Park Home Communities:

APRIL 1, 2022

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APRIL 1, 2022

Gardening for good jano’s garden jano nightingale

A

famous chef, David Chang, once said, “We don’t cook just to feed ourselves, we cook to share with others so they can enjoy our food.”

The same could be said of gardening.

As gardeners, we are always planting a vegetable garden with others in mind.

“The reason that I became involved in providing healthy food for my son and his friends for the school lunch program in Encinitas was that I wanted our children to have access to local, fresh produce,” said Mim Michelove, president and CEO of Healthy Day Partners.

“Through our ‘Straight 2 the Plate’ food system we were able to source locally grown produce to 5,400 students in the Encinitas School District.”

So began Mim Michelove’s decade’s long mis-

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hunger and waste in one sweet step. With the help of our volunteers, each week we connect the source of excess produce with the need for food.

FOODIE VOLUNTEERS

Opportunities to volunteer for all or any of the three food recovery venues for ProduceGood takes groups to outdoor locales to work in Backyard Harvests and the Market Share Program.

sion to grow food for others and to find ways to distribute it.

A GROWING RESOURCE

The lofty mission of the Healthy Day Partners is shared by Mim and her staff of volunteers who have devised an innovative and unusual “Donation Station,” to collect fruit and vegetables from local gardeners.

This bright green metal bin standing on three foot legs, stands ready to greet the visitors who visit the San Diego Botanical Garden Conservatory on Sundays.

Mim and her volunteers collect the donations and bring them to the Encinitas Community Center (CRC) where the food will become part of the Food and Nutrition Program located at 650 Second Street in Encinitas and is open daily from 8:30 - 3:30pm. Call (760) 753-8300 for further details about visiting the food pantry.

CRC Nutrition Director, Yanira Alonso explained, ”Some of our volunteers work with Mim at the Encinitas Community Garden, and are now learning how to grow the fresh vegetables we are sharing with the community.

The contributions that

DONATE FOOD CROPS

A BOUNTY of fresh vegetables sits atop a green metal bin ready to greet the visitors who visit the San Diego Botanical Garden Conservatory on Sundays. Courtesy photo

come from the Donation Station are well appreciated and always go quickly!”

Mim and her staff plan to distribute more of the Donation Stations at local libraries and parks in Encinitas. For more information, and to find out about making food donations contact www.healthypartners.org.

Volunteers are also needed for the distribution of their Grab and Grow vegetable seedling program which is being distributed to schools in need of support, such as the National City School District.

The concept of food sharing may seem to be a simple idea at first, but finding a way for gardeners to share the bounty of their own gardens, or food grown in community gardens is not

so easy.

these nutritious fruits and

Another local organization, ProduceGood, which is spearheaded by Nita Kurmins Gilson, and Alexandra and Jerilyn White, has just reached a milestone in their food collection and distribution system.

The group has reached their one million pound milestone of collecting produce from over 600 private homes and orchards in North County and beyond.

“40% of all food is wasted, while 1 in 5 San Diegans struggle with food insecurity, a number that has doubled since 2020,” said Alexandra White, co-executive director of ProduceGood. “We glean the excess produce and provide direct access to

wise go to waste, to those who need it most.”

FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS veggies that would other-

WHAT IS GLEANING?

Gleaning is an ancient process that has been an important form of social welfare for well over 2,000 years.

The Old Testament of the Bible commanded Hebrew farmers to leave a portion of their crops unharvested and allow poor neighbors and strangers onto their land to pick what was left for themselves and their families.

WHY GLEAN FOR OTHERS?

According to Nita,”By sourcing and creating access for those in need, we are solving the problem of

North County citrus growers and private homeowners candonate crops to ProduceGood, by contacting their office at(760)4923467.

Fully trained volunteers will come to the site topick crops and as one grower remarked, “This group comes to ourgrove to pick the oranges, we donate the food to those who needit, and I get a tax deduction!”

For more information aboutbecoming a volunteer or donating crops contact Nita KurminsGilson at info@producegood.org or visit their facebook page.

GARDENERS WHO GIVE

For so many of us in North County who are vegetablegardeners, it is heartwarming to know that if we have too muchwe can give to others. Please contact me, or any of thesecharitable organizations to be part of Gleaning San Diego!

Send me your ideas and local gardening news tojanosgarden@gmail.com.

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Every year there are over twenty thousand chimney / fireplace related house fires in the US alone. Losses to homes as a result of chimney fires, leaks, and wind damage exceeds one hundred million dollars annually in the US. CHIMNEY SWEEPS, INC., one of San Diego’s leading chimney repair and maintenance companies, is here to protect you and your home from losses due to structural damage and chimney fires.

Family owned and operated and having been in business for over 30 years, Chimney Sweeps Inc. is a fully licensed and insured chimney contracting company (License # 976438) and they are certified with the National Fireplace Institute and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

For a limited time, readers of this paper will receive a special discount on our full chimney cleaning and safety inspection package with special attention to chimney water intrusion points in preparation for the rainy season.

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APRIL 1, 2022

Choose renewable resources Eddie Alberton began pursuing solar energy in 2008 while living in Maui.

He opened his first solar power company which he ran successfully for nine years.

In 2011, Eddie brought his business to sunny San Diego to join his wife and begin a new journey and has been doing residential solar power ever since.

Him and his team have upward 12 years of solar industry experience, with the goal of a more sustainable future.

When asked why solar energy was important in this moment, Eddie explained that aside from the pressing environmental ramifications that we face, a more personal and pressing need can be addressed as well. Solar power, according to Eddie is a “financial tool” that people should begin to recognize, rather than viewing solar power and energy as a product.

The focus of Straight Talk Solar’s mission is in the name, straight talk.

According to Eddie, they are not in the business of trying to sell you a prod-

SOME DOCTORS are advising patients to spend more time outdoors, according to recent reports. Courtesy photo

De-stressing in your backyard

STRAIGHT TALK SOLAR’S mission is in the name, straight talk

uct, they are more interested in finding the right plan for your needs so you can begin saving money and avoid a fluctuating monthly bill depending on the warm or cold seasons.

Especially after the collective stress and trauma of COVID-19, there is peace of mind in having a consistent monthly expenditure.

Solar energy is the right choice for anyone seeking a reduction on

your required monthly spend while enjoying a better quality of life. The immediate results of switching to solar energy can be seen in better quality of life and budget ability.

The number one thing you should be searching for in solar is a company or salesperson that you believe is trustworthy.

That is where Straight Talk Solar comes in. “We are not here to sell you a

Courtesy photo

particular item, we are here to analyze what your goals are, analyze your needs, and then really tell you what your options are… We’re here to listen and get the right product for you.”

Call Eddie at 858-2243120 or email: eddie@ s t r a i g h t t a l k s o l a r. c o m .

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More than three quarters of Americans who have a yard say the family yard space is one of the most important parts of their home, according to a new poll commissioned by the TurfMutt Foundation and conducted online by The Harris Poll.

The yard has also become a place to de-stress, with more than two thirds of Americans who have a yard saying doing yard work, such as mowing, trimming or planting, is one of the ways they like to de-stress these days.

This is especially true among parents of kids under 18 as they are more likely than their counterparts without kids under 18 to cite this (76% vs.

65%).

Yards play a vital role

in the health of our environment. But did you know that when you take care of your lawn, it takes care of you as well?

All landscapes, including lawns, gardens and public parks, provide a host of health benefits.

Better Health: People who live within a half mile of green space were found to have a lower incidence of 15 disease.

Healthier Kids: Children in green urban spaces are likely to perform better academically. And children gain attention and working memory benefits when they are exposed to greenery.

Stress Relief: Walking or running in green spaces led to decreased anger, fatigue and feelings of depression.

Tree Doctor wins award two years in a row Since 1985, Russell Bowman has been delighting residents of San Diego County with his plant and tree expertise.

So, it’s no wonder Bowman Plant and Tree Care Specialists have been named the San Diego Union-Tribune Community Press’ “Best of North County” voters’ poll for tree and plant care for a 2nd year in a row!

He is lovingly referred to as the San Diego “tree doctor extraordinaire” by his clients, Bowman is known for transforming sickly trees and gardens into Disneyesque wonderlands.

Using his own proprietary blend of organic biological nutrition, Bowman feeds plants at night — a technique he picked up during his time as a horticulturist at Disneyland.

“When you feed plants at night, they have enough

time to absorb the nutrition, before it is degraded by the sun’s rays,” he said. “That’s why, when most people are winding down their days, eating dinner, and going to bed, we are out feeding plants and trees.”

He’s done more than just care for sick plants and trees, he’s revolutionized both residential and commercial properties by the use of his organic fertilizer tanks that inject his magical formula through your irrigation systems.

This program reduces the households use of water overall by 30%. In a very short time, this program pays back through reduced water bills.

“When you give your body proper nutrition, it affects your overall health and boosts your immunity, so you don’t get sick. The same is true for plants and trees.”

RUSSELL BOWMAN is lovingly referred to as the San Diego “tree doctor extraordinaire.” Courtesy photo

Bowman feeds complete castings to replenish the “nutrition delivery biology” missing healthy soil biology. derived from earthworm This works with a cli-

ent’s current irrigation system so that each time the landscaping is watered, the needed soil biology is replenished.

“This is the secret to keeping your property looking like a five-star resort.”

Russell is quick to point out that healthy plants and trees are also environmentally friendly. A healthy plant will be more efficient at photosynthesizing sunlight into oxygen and the healthy soil/compost helps bring down uses far less water.

He donates his time and expertise for the trees for the Point Loma Association and gardens at the Rock Church in Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, the YMCA, Barnes Tennis Center, Chili’s Restaurants, Stone Brewery in Escondido, and San Diego Botanic Garden. He also

served with the San Diego Rose Society in Balboa Park for 12 years.

“My calling is to beautify the earth, making trees and plants healthy,” The Master Gardener taught me everything I know. I’ve learned that when you love something, it’s not something you have to do; it’s something you want to do.”

To learn more about Bowman and his services, please contact Russell at 858-499-9417.

He provides tree and plant nutritional care as well as ongoing routine garden maintenance.

Russell Bowman abides by all applicable state laws and requirements and does not perform any services that require a licensed contractor. Business license B2017006153.

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APRIL 1, 2022

NATIVE PLANTS CONTINUED FROM A8

A GREAT way to add a punch of color. Courtesy photo

Lamps don’t go out of style, shades do Lampshade Gallery is a family-owned business with three generations in lighting experience. After business made the big leap to San Diego from Des Moines, Iowa, their first San Diego location opened up in La Mesa in 1986. The family business offered an enviable selection of tables and floor lamps, as well as pre-made and custom lamp shades.

They opened a second location in Del Mar in 1990, and this is their location today.

Lampshade Gallery offers over 10,000 lamp shades ensuring that each customer has a plethora of choices that best suits their home décor, personality, and style. According to Kelly, who has been selling and making lampshades since she was 15, there are many factors to consider when embellishing your home.

Factors such as style, shape, texture, size, general ambiance, and color all contribute to picking the best de-

Voted

sign for your home. To make the most out of your visit to the Lampshade Gallery, she recommends bringing in your lamp so that you can compare it against all your options. “Nothing beats seeing it on the lamp so you can be sure you like it just as well with the light on as you do when it’s off. Bringing the lamp saves you time and allows you to explore all shade options.” Kelly’s own home is decorated with lamps that she’s refurbished that were passed down to her from her mother.

Another important note from Kelly? “Lamps do not go out of style, shades do!”

In a world of fast fashion and high turnover, there is something to be said about treasuring family heirlooms and breathing new life into your items and space. Aside from the large variety of lampshades, the gallery also offers a unique collection of quality table and floor lamps within their showroom. Ac-

#1 Landscape Company

cording to Kelly, they have a “great selection of all kinds of lamps from Jade to porcelain…transitional to custom one of a kind. Night Lights to minis. Cordless LED and Task.” Like her lighting business, Kelly’s own home is decorated with refurbished lamps passed down to her by her mother.

The focus of the Lampshade Gallery is personalized service and working with people’s “timeless treasures” to ensure that families can continue to pass down their lamps within each generation, the same way the Lampshade Gallery’s family has passed down their knowledge and experience from each generation. For exceptional service and superior lighting, trust Lampshade Gallery.

Call Kelly 858 793 0701 lampshadegallery@yahoo. com. www.thelampshadegallery.com SPONSORED CONTENT

that are colorful and attract hummingbirds to your garden. While some other plants brown in the winter, natives are even more vibrant this time of year.

Homeowners can enjoy big savings on their water bill by planting natives.

These species can survive on just our rains and look flush with little supplemental irrigation. A lawn guzzles up water (and money) and offers no benefit to local pollinators. Instead of your front lawn, imagine a native meadow. Carex Pansa and Praegracilis are native grasses that can take foot traffic, stay green and don’t even need to be mowed!

You can mix one of those with some narrow-leaf milkweed for Monarch Butterflies, and California Buckwheat to feed the bees. You could even plop down some boulders planted with chalk dudleya (San Diego’s native succulent) and a big Coast Live Oak Tree for shade. A large portion of your front lawn transformation can be funded by programs like the County of SD Waterscape Rebate.

California native plants provide us with a sense of place and a deeper appreciation of our natural landscape. We often see these plants on a hike but don’t stop to take them in.

When highlighted in our landscapes, the flowers seem to shine brighter and we in turn appreciate them

DUDLEYA PACHYPHYTUM is regarded as one of the most attractive and charismatic members of its genus. Photo by

Jonathon Kardos

more when we step back They have grown here into nature. long before us and they deWhenever I take on a serve to be preserved and new landscape project with enjoyed for years to come. my company Homegrown Bounty Gardens, I aim to incorporate San Diego’s Native Plants. Whether it’s an edible or ornamental land- • An average 25 pound bucket of food scape, native species serve waste composted contributes 15 many purposes. pounds of topsoil and draws down The influx of pollina7.5 pounds of carbon. tors is always good for our • Did you know there are multiple veggie gardens, as more composting techniques? Find which pollination means more one works best for your space with production. My clients also free resources on solanacenter.org love the beauty and diver• Learn about the art and science sity that these plants offer of soil by becoming a Master without extra watering. We Composter. always leave space for our Learn more at solanacenter.org. native plants.

COMPOSTING

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From mowing lawns, edging, weeding, pruning, flower beds, tree pruning, irrigation & fertilization, we do it all!

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APRIL 1, 2022

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APRIL 1, 2022

One stop turnkey solution for manufactured BACKYARD HOMES

by Danielle Nederend

Bad news first - but the good news is right behind it.

It seems that San Diego has now monetarily earned the label of ‘America’s Finest City’ - currently sitting as the most expensive city in the country. As more people flood to the perpetually sunny city, home availability has noticeably diminished. The result: homebuilders and investors are now resorting to manufactured homes over traditional site builds.

30% more affordable. Faster to build. Less permitting. Quicker ROI. While demand for these homes increases, so does the demand for service from start to finish, from design to permitting to construction. Homebuilders are experiencing challenges getting contractors with such a tight labor and material supply market.

Enter good news with your local Vista family-owned and operated manufactured home dealer and contractor: Crest Backyard Homes.

“We put the term ‘backyard’ in the ADU industry - it has quickly gone viral,” says founder and owner, John Arendsen. A licensed general and manufactured home contractor, licensed manufactured home dealer, park model dealer and real estate broker, Arendsen wears many badges in order to provide all those services.

But his clients’ testimonials confirm that Crest Backyard Homes is the real deal.

“From day one, he took ownership of the process,” says Dave Duff, new backyard homeowner in Vista.

“They were always there to straighten out county delays. They advised on the project build with potential cost changes. Communication was over the top on all details.”

Arendsen and his family have been in the manufactured home indus-

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F HOMEBUILDERS AND INVESTORS are now resorting to manufactured homes over traditional site builds. 30% more affordable. Courtesy photo

try for 38 years. They designed and installed their first manufactured home in 2002 in Leucadia. Now, his Crest Backyard Homes team features a star-studded cast.

Managing teammate Tim Hipps shares all the hats with Arendsen, and lives by the credo that the ‘Devil’s In The Details’. Jesse Freund, general contractor, recently installed San Diego’s very first 3D printed ADU and handles the site development for the team. Lenska Bracknell, licensed real estate broker and analyst, as well as a licensed drone and fixed wing pilot specializing in real estate photography, brings decades of industry experience. She is always ready to strap on a tool belt and jump into the trenches.

From the first phone chat with founder, John

Arendsen, to a zoom video conference with the team, to an extensive site evaluation with Bracknell, to a site preparation and underground utility intake with Freund, Crest Backyard Homes equips clients with the total one stop turnkey package.

“50% of our clients use the homes as rentals, as they’re a great way to subsidize income,” says Arendsen. For good reason. Building costs for manufactured solutions are roughly 30% less than ground-up construction. Ground-up builds typically cost $300-500/ square foot; whereas backyard homes round out to $200-275/square foot. Turnover time to build a backyard home is much faster than a site built. The faster a project is completed, the sooner rental payments roll in. Crest Backyard Homes

sets investors up to maximize their investment.

Bracknell’s comprehensive site evaluations provide clients with before and after home value and ROI. Crest’s expertise in the backyard industry assures clients of their future financing.

Clients who rely on Crest Backyard Homes for their own residences prove more than satisfied.

“There’s so much to say. Any issues - their team was there,” comments Duff. “The finished product is what my wife wanted - that’s what was important.

They nailed it.”

To get started, call owner John Arendsen at (760) 815-6977.

If he doesn’t pick up, leave a voicemail and he will call you back.

SPONSORED CONTENT

ProduceGood celebrates its million pound milestone

By Staff

SAN DIEGO — A local food recovery nonprofit, ProduceGood, will be celebrating its million-pound milestone on Saturday, March 26, with a yearly Spring Gleaning event at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. “Because the resort has partnered with us for the last three years to recover citrus from the property to feed people, we felt that this was the perfect place to celebrate our achievement on behalf of the community we serve,” said Nita Kurmins Gilson, co-executive director of ProduceGood.

“We are often not able to use all the citrus from our trees and in-

stead of letting it fall to the ground, Rancho Valencia partners with ProduceGood to do our part to combat food waste and food insecurity in the county,” said Simon Harris, food and beverage director at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. “As a luxury resort, in the heart of San Diego, it is important for us to be able to give back to the community.”

With initial food recovery activities launched

by Kurmins Gilson in 2010 as CropSwap Carlsbad, Nita joined forces with mother-daughter team Jerilyn and Alexandra White to incorporate as ProduceGood in 2014.

In eight short years, the nonprofit has become

a vital part of San Diego’s food recovery system, using their decentralized model to prevent massive food waste and to empower communities to feed themselves.

“40% of all food is wasted, while 1 in 3 San Diegans struggles with food insecurity, a number that has doubled since 2020,” says Alexandra White, Co-Executive Director of ProduceGood.

“We glean the excess produce and provide direct access to these nutritious fruits and veggies that would otherwise go to waste, to those who need it most.”

This small but mighty homegrown nonprofit has diverted 500 tons of per-

fectly edible produce from the landfill since 2010.

This one million pounds of produce has been donated by over 600 local farmers and growers with gleaning and collection provided by thousands of volunteers to benefit over 70 feeding partners in San Diego County, all to reduce food waste and hunger while building community.

According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, as of November 2021, more than one million people in San Diego County are facing hunger, including over 284,000 children.

ProduceGood has provided over 3 million servings of fresh produce to these individuals.

or nearly 40 years, southern California homeowners have used epoxy for garage and industrial floor coating projects despite it’s soft and easy to scratch surface, its poor resistance to damage by hot, high performance tires found on most cars in the San Diego area and its notoriously weak warranty.

Today, California homeowners don’t have to settle for epoxy and all of its flaws anymore.

SpartaFlex is an advanced, next generation high solids polyaspartic floor coating that gives your garage a beautiful finish that is 3x – 5x harder than epoxy, resists yellowing while also resisting permanent damage from hot tires.

Perhaps best of all, SpartaFlex has the best residential warranty in the market!

Perkins Custom Coatings and its employee owners have been installing SpartaFlex on local garage floors for over 14 years and has completed nearly 10,000 floors during that period of time.

Its President, Paul Frankel is considered by many to be the most knowledgeable contractor in the local market.

“Unlike many of our competitors, we like to do an on-site assessment and/ or moisture test for every floor coating project we install and instead of using the ‘one size fits all’ approach. That way, we can install a coating solution for your floor that will last for decades not just a few years,” Frankel explained.

Perkins uses the most advanced surface preparation methods available and will either diamond grind or shot blast every floor they install.

Old, failing & yellowed epoxy coatings can also be removed during this same process.

“Many of my competi-

tors will install their coatings right over raw or pressure washed concrete just to save a few bucks – I will never do that. We always do it the right way, not the easy way,” says Paul.

Perkins also offers the largest selection of colors

I would endorse and recommend Perkins Custom Coatings to anyone considering a garage floor in the near future!” and sizes of flakes and materials in the local market assuring that you will find the perfect finish for your new floor.

Frankel has thousands of satisfied customers, such as Laura Sinclair: “I wanted to thank you for the excellent job you and your crew did on my garage floor,” Sinclari said. “They removed my old peeling garage floor and installed a beautiful new Spartaflex garage floor that I absolutely LOVE! I would endorse and recommend Perkins Custom Coatings to anyone considering a garage floor in the near future!”

For more information on the advantages of SpartaFlex over Epoxy, you can call Perkins Custom Coatings, at 866-3301DAY (1329) or visit their informative website at www.perkinscustomcoatings.com.

SpartaFlex comes in a wide variety of solid, chip and quartz colors for you to choose from. “We can even customize a color especially for you!” said Frankel.

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APRIL 1, 2022

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