Eucalyptus Magazine, April 2010

Page 1

april 2010 FREE

bay area Life Vibrant Health Eco-Livingâ€

eucalyptusmagazine.com

the roadster from tesla motors of san carlos

green rides Alternative Transportation in the South Bay

eco-safe pest control

Healthier choices for a bug-free home

working green

Five local businesses get green-certified

los gatos staycation

Discover the charms of this easygoing town



April 2010

On the Cover 28 Greening Your Ride Electric vehicles, car sharing, and ride sharing. By alan lopez

Features

32 Certified Green Cover: The Roadster from Tesla Motors in San Carlos, photograph courtesy of Tesla Motors. This page: Kempton Twilight, Andrew Fuller

Five local businesses make the grade. By alan lopez

35 Bug Off Eco-safe pest control with natural orange oil. By erica goss

Departments 10 Doing Good: Guerrilla Gardening 13 Path to Wellness: Graston Technique 14 Living Smart: Toys That Play Safe 17 Small Steps: Eco-Friendly Flying 18 Healing Foods: Ginger 20 Sandbox Talk: Hiking With Kids 23 Grown Local: Harley Farms 26 Staycation: Los Gatos

In Every Issue 3 Publisher’s Note 4 Calendar of Events 7 Stuff We Like 39 Resource Guide 40 Tidbits

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 1


MISSION Eucalyptus is the San Francisco Bay Area’s resource for green and health-conscious lifestyles. Through our print and online publications, we share knowledge and inspire our readers to celebrate their health, support local businesses and surrounding communities, and protect the environment we live in. In each edition we profile a successful company or individual provider within the health, wellness, and eco-industries, and provide information on local products and services that support healthy and eco-friendly lifestyles. This magazine is named Eucalyptus because we admire the tree’s healing properties. Its leaves and bark have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. We also appreciate its adaptability and hardiness, as evidenced by its ability to thrive despite being transplanted far across the globe from its native home of Australia. ADVERTISE AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS Reach our affluent, well-educated, environmental- and health-conscious readers who are eagerly seeking resources that will improve their health, well-being, and sustainability. For more information, please contact us at 408.335.4778 or advertising@eucalyptusmagazine.com. DISTRIBUTION Eucalyptus Magazine is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers with a wide distribution throughout the Bay Area. To find Eucalyptus Magazine at a location near you, contact us at 408.335.4778 or distribution@ eucalyptusmagazine.com. Let us know if you would like copies placed at your place of business. Please support our advertisers by letting them know you saw them in this publication. In keeping with our concern for the environment, Eucalyptus Magazine is printed on recycled paper using 10% post-consumer waste with soy-based inks.

S

E

ALYPTU UC LOCALLY & OWNED D PRODUCE MA G INE AZ

2 | April 2010

EUCALYPTUS Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder publisher@eucalyptusmagazine.com

EDITORIAL Editor Ann Marie Brown Associate Editor Sue McAllister Contributing Writers Erica Goss, Desiree Hedberg, Jessica Iclisoy, Shannon Johnson, Elizabeth Kang, Alan Lopez, Jennifer Moscatello, Allison Shea Malone Copyeditors Renee Macalino Rutledge, Erin Soto DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Designer Greg Silva Photo Editor and Photographer Lane Johnson Production Manager Diana Russell Contributing Photographers Victoria Alexander, Alison Malone, Robert Marek

chief EXECUTIVE officer Reinald Schneller ADVERTISING SALES Account Executives Robert Crum Jr., Julie Lynn, Rajani Rajan, Cari Ralstin, Jan Rowe, Justine tenZeldam, Katheryne Tobin-James, Cynthia Wehr business manager Cindy Cribbs CONTACT 15559 Union Avenue, Suite 215 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Phone 866.797.6570, Fax 408.877.7303 info@eucalyptusmagazine.com eucalyptusmagazine.com Subscription rate $24.00 per year Advertising rates on request Volume 1, Issue 10 ©2010 by Eucalyptus Magazine. Eucalyptus is a registered trademark in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All rights reserved. Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced with written permission only. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Eucalyptus Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. We do not necessarily endorse products and services advertised. Always consult a professional provider for clarification.


publisher’s note

Growing up

in the Czech Republic, I always used public transportation to get where I needed to go. In fact, there was no other way to get around. A car was considered a luxury, and even the lucky few who owned one would often use public transportation. It just did not make financial sense to drive a car, because public transportation was readily available and so much less expensive. As is true in many countries around the world, the Czech Republic has an excellent public transportation system. You can hop on a bus anywhere and travel to even the most remote locations. The schedules are clearly posted at each station, and for the most part, buses and trains run on schedule. When my husband and I traveled through Central America, I was amazed at how extensive their public transportation system was. It seemed like they had mini-buses everywhere. Riders would hop on and hold on tight to whatever part of the bus they could so they didn’t fall off. In Peru, we boarded a long-distance bus that had the same amenities as an airbus: toilets, televisions, and stewardesses serving tasty meals. In Japan, we were amazed by how fast the Shinkansen, or bullet train, traveled through the countryside. All these modes of public transportation have one thing in common: They got us comfortably from one destination to the next. Yet here in the United States, my office is only 12 miles from my house and it takes about 15 minutes of driving to get there. By comparison, it would take almost two hours to get to my office by public transportation so, of course, I drive. It’s clear that our country’s transportation system has a lot of room for improvement. Our article on page 28 gives some insight into innovative, eco-friendly transportation alternatives that are available right here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I hope you will enjoy reading about them. And please remember to join us for our Earth Day Networking Party on Tuesday, April 13. See page 8 for details. Cheers!

kyle chesser

Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 3


upcoming events

calendar

Saturday, April 3 / 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Workshop: Medicinal Plants of California

Saturday, April 17 / 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Earth Day Cleanup on San Francisco Bay

559 College Ave., Palo Alto 650.493.6072 / commongroundinpaloalto.org

Ravenswood Point, East Palo Alto 408.262.5513 / southbayrestoration.org

Wednesday, April 7 / 12 noon National Start Walking Day Celebration

Wednesday, April 21 / 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lecture: Global Climate Change in the Decades Ahead

San Jose City Hall Rotunda 408.977.4950 / startwalkingnow.org

Friday, April 9 / 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sharing Nature with Children Workshop Ananda Church, 456 College Ave., Palo Alto 650.462.8150 / livingwisdomschool.org

Tuesday, April 13 / 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Harvesting for the Hungry: Help to Pick Fruit 359 N. Fourth Street, San Jose 888.FRUIT.411 / villageharvest.org

Tuesday, April 13 / 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eucalyptus Magazine’s Earth Day Party Bloomingdale’s Stanford, Level 2, Palo Alto 408.335.4778 / rsvp@eucalyptusmagazine.com

Los Altos Library, 13 South San Antonio Rd., Los Altos 650.969.0712 / greentownlosaltos.org

Thursday, April 22 / 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Research Roundtable Luncheon Hyatt Regency, Burlingame 408.977.4950 / americanheart.org

Saturday, April 24 / 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Workshop: Eat Your Landscaping 559 College Ave., Palo Alto 650.493.6072 / commongroundinpaloalto.org

Sunday, May 2 / 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Register in advance for a list of locations 510.236.9558 / bringingbackthenatives.net

4 | April 2010




clockwise from top left: courtesy life without plastic; courtesy G.T.'s kombucha; courtesy gocoffeego; courtesy grandma's secret spot remover; courtesy sak ’n sak

Life without plastic If you’ve had it with buying plastic, whether the products are toys, bottles, insulated lunch bags, food storage containers, or even ice cube trays, there’s an Internet boutique for you: lifewithoutplastic.com. This Canadian-based company offers non-plastic alternatives for many common household items.

Many people believe kombucha comes from a mushroom, but the drink is actually made from a colony of bacteria and yeast, combined with black or green tea and sugar. Organic, fermented, and raw, kombucha is full of B vitamins and enzymes and has a zingy vinegar taste, which you’ll either love or hate. Traditional Chinese medicine asserts that kombucha aids in digestion and many devotees claim that the drink makes them feel alert. Whole Foods and many supermarkets carry G.T.’s Organic Raw Kombucha and G.T.’s Synergy, which is kombucha mixed with fruit juice ($4 for a 16-oz. bottle).

what stuff do you like?

nominate your favorite stuff by e-mailing us at editor@eucalyptusmagazine.com

Bamboo bikes Scientists and engineers at The Earth Institute at Columbia University have figured out how to build a sturdy bike frame out of bamboo, which is more sustainable than steel or aluminum because it can be easily grown without pesticides in mild climates. The goal of the Bamboo Bike Project is to help people in developing countries by teaching them how to make their own bamboo bikes, thus giving them viable transportation and perhaps stimulating a cottage industry. If you want to help, visit bamboobike.org and purchase a Bamboo Bike Project cycling jersey ($75) or T-shirt ($25).

Artful totes Two women in San Jose have found a creative use for Japantown’s old street banners. Under the name Sak 'n Sak, Lydia Uchida-Sakai and Kathy Sakamoto make roomy, waterproof tote bags with the banners’ salvaged canvas. The colorful totes qualify as carry-ons for airline travel, but you could also use them as gym bags, beach bags, grocery bags, or even diaper bags. Available at saknsak.com or Uchida Travel in San Jose, 408.293.3399 ($75-$150).

Out, darn spot! Often we find that old-fashioned trumps newfangled, and such is the case with Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover. Just a drop of this top-secret family recipe will instantly remove most stains from fabric, hard surfaces, and even skin. What’s in it? Only grandma knows for sure, but it is biodegradable, chorine-free, and environmentally friendly. Available at most ACE Hardware stores ($5 for a 2-oz. bottle) or online at grandmassoap.com.

Caffeine obsession Folgers fans can skip over this paragraph. Everyone else, embrace your inner coffee snob at gocoffeego.com, a website for java loyalists who demand their beans be roasted in only the smallest batches. The mail-order website was recently launched by San Franciscans Scott Pritikin and Elise Papazian, making it easy to sample the goods from a dozen artisanal roasters, including Zoka in Seattle, Novo in Denver, Verve in Santa Cruz, and Metropolis in Chicago. Make a one-time purchase or sign up for “auto-ship” of your chosen beans at regular intervals. EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 7

stuff we like

Krazy for Kombucha


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CELEBRATE

Eucalyptus Magazine and Bloomingdale’s Stanford invite you to a special Celebrate Earth Day Party! Tuesday, April 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

R.S.V.P. to rsvp@eucalyptusmagazine.com

FASHION » Featuring a Presentation of Eco-Friendly Style

Delicious Flavors From Sigona’s Farmers Markets

A cooking and tasting demo featuring locally grown, seasonal produce by experimental chef and nutrition aficionado CARMELO SIGONA

Spring 2010 Collections by Eileen Fisher

BLOOMINGDALE’S STANFORD

`

« FOOD

EARTH DAY Culinary / Men’s – Level 2 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto

Enter to Win a Prize by Clarins Skin Spa. You must be present to win. Special thanks to event partners: Bloomingdale’s Stanford, Eucalyptus Magazine, Sigona’s Farmers Markets

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mayor gavin newsom

A dog in frog’s clothing–hilarious. Greenwashing a toxic product–not so much. At Green Festival™, you’ll know that each and every company has been screened using Green America’s environmental and social justice standards. Good for you, good for your dog and much better for the frogs.

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doing good

guerrilla gardening Bringing life to neglected public spaces

/// by kristin carey

Have you heard

to their local streets, fighting urban blight with vegetable crops, daffodils, and sunflowers. Reynolds’ website is packed with information on how to organize your own local guerrilla gardening group. In 2008, he published a book on the subject, On Guerrilla Gardening, which includes information like how to make a “seed bomb” of plant seeds, compost, and water packaged in a biodegradable container, which a guerrilla gardener can throw like a grenade into inaccessible places—even while driving by in a car—and how to deal with vandals who attempt to destroy a newly planted garden. The main opposition guerrilla gardeners encounter is from landowners—both public agencies and private individuals—who don’t want the gardeners trespassing on their land or “stealing” their water to keep plants alive. Guerrilla gardeners in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles have been met with cheers and gratitude in some neighborhoods and legal fights in others. Some gardeners have gotten around the water requirement by planting a garden first, then convincing neighbors to contribute water from their faucets. Others specialize in planting drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and native shrubs. To date, there is no dedicated guerrilla gardening group in the South Bay, although there is certainly no shortage of barren lots and neglected spaces that could use a little greening up. If Earth Day has inspired you to bring a little beauty to your neighborhood, read and research the topic, do your due diligence, and seek permission from landowners. In these days of budget cutbacks, it seems that some public agencies might gladly grant permission to a band of dedicated gardeners who want to turn blighted public spaces into places of beauty. Strategize a plan that does not violate private property rights, plant a few Guerrilla gardeners till the soil in a seeds, and you, too, can beautify some small vacant lot in Long Beach, California. corner of the world.

10 | April 2010

scott bunnell/Socal Guerrilla Gardening

about guerrilla gardening? With increasing momentum, this underground movement is taking hold in places as far as Australia and as near as San Francisco and Berkeley. Guerrilla gardeners are people who plant flowers or vegetable crops in barren public spaces, such as vacant lots, traffic islands, median strips, and the edges of city parking lots, with the goal of turning a neighborhood eyesore into something beautiful. Technically, guerrilla gardening is illegal, because the gardening takes place on land that is not the property of the gardeners, who often tend to their “illicit” business under the cover of darkness. It may just be the most beautiful crime in human history. The term “guerrilla gardening” is believed to have been coined in 1973 when Liz Christy and her Green Guerrillas created a community garden on the corner of Bowery and Houston Streets in New York City. But the movement has roots as far back as 1649, when Gerrard Winstanley founded The Diggers in Surrey, England. And what schoolchild hasn’t learned about Johnny Appleseed, who planted fruit-bearing trees all around Ohio in 1801? Guerrilla gardening’s recent popularity can be largely attributed to Richard Reynolds of London, England. His website guerrillagardening.org has inspired the formation of “troops” across the globe, who have taken the cause of gardening


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Live Healthy Marketplace

The Live Healthy Expo connects people who are interested in making a positive difference both in their lives and in their communities. We bring together local and national natural product companies, alternative practitioners, chiropractors, health food retailers and community non-profit organizations showcasing information about their products and services to thousands of individuals interested in leading a healthy lifestyle.

April 16-18 at the Santa Clara Convention Center

Featured Exhibits Living Green Relaxation & Meditation Interactive Pilates, Yoga, & Mind-Body Exercises Classes Transportation & Energy Nutrition & Healthy Cooking Bookstore sponsored by East West Bookstore Healthy Families Screening

Featured Demonstrations & Presentations Celebrity Fitness Experts Presenting Classes Classes & Workshops Workshops Healthy Cooking Demos Wine and Food Sampling Lectures by Leading Industry Experts Lots of Free Product Samples

12 | April 2010

Friday & Saturday: 11AM-7PM Sunday: 9AM-3PM Tickets $10 per day or $20 for weekend pass Bring 2 non-perishable food items and save $5— donated to local food banks For more presentation schedule & more information go to www.livehealthyexpo.com


lane johnson

Dr. Edward Le Cara utilizes the Graston Technique on a patient who sustained a lumbar disc injury.

healing strains and pains Graston Technique may help you recover from injuries /// by laura wasserman of healing, from immediately following trauma to the remodeling phases when scar tissue is well formed.” The six instruments are shaped differently to treat various parts of the body. “Some are broad to aid treatment of large, flat regions, and others are pointed to maximize treatment between bony areas,” Capobianco says. Professionals trained in the Graston Technique work on injured body parts ranging from patients’ aching backs to the palms, forearms, and hands of those with carpal tunnel syndrome. The frequency of recommended treatments depends on the condition being treated, says Le Cara. “Certain conditions require only one treatment. Chronic conditions can take longer,” he says. Most acute strains require two to four visits, and chronic conditions can require between six and eight visits, he says. Le Cara also noted that research published in The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy in July 2009 demonstrated that instrument-assisted massage hastened healing times. “The patient does have to tolerate a little discomfort during treatment, but when paired with Kinesio taping and rehabilitation exercises, healing is found to be much faster than the traditional ‘wait and see’ method of most soft tissue injuries,” he says. Kinesio taping is a method of applying specialized tape to certain parts of the body to give support and stability to joints and muscles. Not all health professionals agree that the Graston Technique is good medicine, however. One critic is Dr. Harriet Hall, one of the founders of the Science-Based Medicine blog, who wrote that the technique introduces “a controlled amount of microtrauma into an area of excessive scar and/or soft tissue fibrosis, hoping that this will invoke an inflammatory response that will augment the healing process.” In her critique at sciencebasedmedicine.org, Hall questions whether the Graston Technique’s effectiveness has been studied sufficiently. Tools used in the Graston Technique are sold only to those who have been trained to use them. For more information as well as a directory of practitioners, visit grastontechnique.com. EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 13

path to wellness

If you’ve ever

repeatedly strained a muscle or developed scar tissue after surgery, you may know that one common side effect is being less flexible in that injured area while your body heals. That can be a hindrance for athletes and those accustomed to an active lifestyle. To help restore movement, break down scar tissue, and reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medication, many physical therapists, chiropractors, and physicians are turning to the Graston Technique, a method of soft-tissue therapy pioneered in the 1990s by an athlete suffering from a knee injury. “The Graston Technique can be used on any soft tissue condition, [including] acute muscle strains, muscle adhesions from old injuries, and chronic muscular conditions,” says Dr. Edward Le Cara of Sports Plus, a chiropractic practice with offices in Pleasanton and Santa Clara. Health professionals trained in the Graston Technique use a collection of six stainless steel tools to help to identify troubled areas. As the practitioner applies the tools to injured areas of a patient’s body, the tools catch easily on fibrotic tissue (inflamed tissue that has become scarred). The tools are then used to massage the recovering area. This non-invasive therapy stretches connective tissue and increases blood flow to the healing area, practitioners say, which in turn speeds rehabilitation and helps bring patients relief. Dr. Steve Capobianco, of Symmetry Sports Injury and Performance Care in Los Gatos, says the technique “is appropriate during all phases


Eco-friendly, non-toxic toys for kids /// by shannon johnson

Would you

willingly give your child a lead lollipop with PVC coating as a treat? If you haven’t investigated what materials make up the toys scattered around your home, you might have inadvertently done something similar. Believe it or not, the toy industry is highly unregulated. Thanks to what many consumer advocates consider an obsolete law known as the Toxic Substances Control Act—originally approved in 1976 to regulate chemicals in consumer products—many unscrupulous toy manufacturers are able to sell toys containing materials that can be toxic to children and the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that the majority of chemicals used in consumer products, including children’s toys, have not been tested to gauge their effects on health or the environment. In fact, according to The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based non-profit that issues an annual report on harmful chemicals in toys, only 200 of the approximately 80,000 chemicals that are currently used to manufacture consumer products have been tested for their long-term effects. But Stacy Scott who, along with her husband, Dan, owns the toy store Treehouse in the Glen in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, says parents today have many options in environmentally conscious, non-toxic toys. Her store specializes in toys made locally, whenever possible, and of natural materials. “We believe natural materials are safer than materials that are synthesized,” she said. “It’s our responsibility, I think, as parents to make sure our children’s environment is as low-toxin as possible,” she said. 14 | April 2010

lane johnson

living smart

play it safe

Potentially harmful toys are certainly common. A 2009 study conducted by HealthyStuff.org, a project of The Ecology Center, found that 32 percent of the toys the group’s researchers tested contained one or more of these harmful chemicals: lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. Not only can these chemicals work their way in to children’s bodies when toys are handled and/or chewed, they can also leak contaminating chemicals into water supplies long after the toys Sydney Scott, whose parents own have been disposed of. Willow Glen’s Treehouse in the The good news is that more Glen, finds the fun in natural toys. and more manufacturers are committed to providing children with toys that are toxin-free and eco-friendly. This means they contain no harmful chemicals and are manufactured out of sustainable resources such as organic cotton, rubberwood, bamboo, and other types of renewable wood products. Vania Hendratna founded Babycoo, an online retailer of ecofriendly baby clothes and products with a brick-and-mortar shop in Los Gatos, after a career as a food scientist. After her daughter was born, Hendratna said, she began to wonder about all the baby products: “How do they make this and what do they put into it?” By offering customers non-toxic products such as organic cotton soft toys, she said, “Parents have peace of mind knowing (children) are chewing on something that’s okay to chew on.” Many parents avoid plastic toys because of the potential health hazards posed by PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, a common ingredient in plastic. More than 42 percent of plastic toys tested by HealthyStuff in 2009 contained PVC. The material “creates major hazards in its manufacture, product life, and disposal and can contain additives that are dangerous to human health,” according to the group’s most recent report on the chemical safety of toys. Lead and phthalates, which are used to increase the flexibility of plastic and have been linked to hormonal disruption leading to the onset of early puberty, are also widespread in plastic toys. State and federal bans on the sale of toys made with phthalates have been enacted in recent years, reducing the chance that parents will unknowingly buy new toys containing phthalates. Julia Chen, owner of The Playstore in Palo Alto, recommends parents choose toys made of “tried and true” materials such as wood and natural rubber. “These are things that have been in use for generations and have not been harmful to human beings,” she said. For more information HealthyStuff.org has tested more than 5,000 products and has rating lists categorized by which chemicals were detected, “levels of concern” about chemicals present, toy type, and brand. Other websites offering information about eco-friendly and non-toxic toys include babycoo.com (Los Gatos baby boutique), greentoys.com (San Francisco toy manufacturer), playstoretoys.com (Palo Alto toy store), and treehouseintheglen.com.


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small steps

taking flight

from left: Mark Poprocki/istockphoto; courtesy san francisco international airport (2)

You’re ready to go.

You’ve packed your Sherpani bag, made of 67 percent recycled materials, with your hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton clothing. Your boarding pass is printed on recycled paper, and you are driving your hybrid car to the airport. Clearly, you have the environment in mind. But the plane you are about to board is going to leave a yeti-sized carbon footprint. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, aircraft produce about 9 percent of transportation greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. But the EPA also notes that it’s difficult to know the total effect of air travel on global warming. That’s partly because of uncertainty about whether the condensation trails planes create have a greenhouse effect. So, how do you enjoy your plane trip while minimizing the footprint you leave behind? First, choose an airline with a newer fleet of planes, which are more fuel-efficient than older aircraft. Fuel economy has improved an average of 1 to 2 percent per year since the 1950s. Among those airlines with the youngest fleets are Compass Airlines (0.2 years), Virgin America (1 year), and Jet Blue (3.2 years). Visit the website airsafe.com to learn about various airlines’ average fleet age. Choosing only nonstop flights will also help to reduce your travel impact. Nonstop flights generally use the shortest route to your destination, and extra mileage equals extra fuel burned. Nonstop flights also reduce the amount of fuel required for take-offs, landings, and circling at multiple airports. Planes fly quite efficiently

Minimizing your carbon footprint at 30,000 feet /// by carolina moore when they are cruising in mid-air, but they burn the greatest amount of fuel (and create the most CO2) during take-offs and landings. You can encourage more sustainable air travel by spending your flight dollars on airlines that are striving to make a difference. For example, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines uses aerodynamic technology known as “winglets” (the turnedup extensions at the tips of the wings) to increase its planes’ fuel efficiency. Alaska’s newer aircraft are built with winglets; older models are retrofitted. The airline also focuses on weight reduction measures like outfitting its planes with lighter catering carts, saving an estimated 300,000 gallons of fuel each year. In London, British Airways has announced that it will start producing jet fuel from landfill waste in order to reach its goal of 50 percent reduced emissions by 2050. The airline plans to start using the bio-jet fuel by 2014. Lastly, you can help to mitigate the impact of your flight by purchasing a “carbon offset” from terrapass.org or carbonfund.org, thus contributing to clean and renewable energy projects and supporting greenhouse gas reduction programs. If you prefer that your carbon offset money be spent locally, purchase your offset at San Francisco Airport’s Climate Passport kiosks, or at sfo.3degrees.com. Currently, offsetting the carbon footprint of a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas costs $4.33 through Climate Passport. These funds support a California greenhouse gas reduction project, the Garcia River Forest in Mendocino County. Redwood forests store more carbon per acre than any other forest type. In 2008, the Garcia River Forest was verified as a source of greenhouse gas reductions under the protocols of the Climate Action Reserve (climateactionreserve.org), making it one of the first forests to be so designated. Taking the hybrid car for a road trip across the country is not always practical, but with a little planning and a small extra investment, it’s possible to travel by air and still have an eco-conscious journey. EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 17


healing foods

spice of life

Ginger helps ease stomach problems and other ailments /// by elizabeth kang

Revered for its

medicinal properties and slightly sweet and spicy kick, ginger is consumed daily in many parts of the world in fresh, powdered, candied, or pickled form. Although ginger is a natural combatant of many common illnesses, many Americans eat it only a few times a year, often in the form of a holiday cookie with candy eyes and an icing smile. That’s unfortunate, because ginger has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for many ailments. Nutritionist Julia Cox, who recently graduated from San Jose State University and has studied modern-day nutrition extensively, recommends the ancient spice in treating a variety of illnesses, including motion sickness, nausea, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Some anti-nausea medicines may harm a fetus, so pregnant women suffering from morning sickness often choose ginger for relief. Cox says that in March 2000 “an analysis of clinical studies published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia on ginger’s effectiveness in decreasing nausea reported that the studies collectively favored ginger over a placebo.” And in the journal Obstet Gynecol, studies published in 2001 and 2004 concluded that ginger is effective for relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Ginger, the underground stem or rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, is also a remedy for heartburn, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers, Cox says, and is even thought to relieve high blood pressure and lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. Scientists are also researching the use of ginger as a possible cancer inhibitor. 18 | April 2010

“A few preliminary studies have been conducted on preventing the growth and spread of ovarian and colon cancers,” Cox says, noting that further research is needed on the subject. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger has also been used effectively to treat arthritis and other problems caused by inflammation. Used topically, ginger has anti-bacterial benefits and also helps relieve painful joints. One easy way to incorporate ginger into your diet, says Cox, is by making a simple tea. “Just boil a piece of fresh ginger in water and add honey and lemon to taste,” she says. The brew also makes a refreshing iced tea. Although ginger is most potent when fresh, you can still benefit from eating powdered, pickled, and even candied ginger. Ginger ale and ginger beer have long been used to settle upset stomachs, but Cox warns that many ginger ales on the market today don’t actually contain any ginger. Most ginger beers, however, are non-alcoholic and made with real ginger. For those who find the potent bite of ginger too strong, fresh, young ginger may be more tolerable. Commonly found at Asian markets, young ginger has a milder flavor and doesn’t need to be peeled, as the skin is thin and edible. Powdered or dried ginger is easy to find in any supermarket spice aisle, and can be sprinkled in curries, soups, and stir-fry dishes, or incorporated into baked goods. To ensure its potency, be sure to replace powdered ginger every year. Fresh, unpeeled ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month and in the freezer for up to six months.


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sandbox talk

Seeing the world

through your child’s eyes is just one of the joys of being a parent. What better way to introduce them to the wonders of the world than to take them on a hike? You’ll enjoy quality time together as a family while getting fresh air and exercise. Whether your brood is big or small, hiking with kids can be safe and easy. These tips will help keep your family happy and healthy while on the trail: Cut the distance Excursions with kids must be kept short. If your kids are under 6 years old, start out with no more than a one-mile trip, then slowly build up to a distance that fits your family’s fitness levels. Of course, older kids will be able to do more. Be flexible Kids are curious. They’re going to want to stop often to examine the rocks alongside the trail or play in the stream, so plan on plenty of extra time to complete your hike. Remember that when hiking with kids, getting to a certain destination doesn’t matter. Just being out there matters. Make it fun Kids don’t have the attention spans

hiking with kids that adults have, so be creative about keeping them interested. Identify flowers, trees, and plants. Sing songs. Play games such as “I Spy” or “20 Questions.” Encourage your children to explore, touch, and ask questions, but not to destroy or collect. Eat and drink One quart of water every two hours is a good rule of thumb. Skip the sugary drinks or fruit juice; when your kids are exercising, they need water. And don’t forget to pack along a few trail bars, oranges, or other healthy snacks. After only an hour on the trail, your kids may get hungry. Be sun-smart Sunscreen is a must, even when you are hiking on a cloudy day. Choose a protection level of SPF 30-plus. Fragrance-free versions are less likely to attract bugs. Reapply sunscreen every hour or so, because little ones can’t always tell you when they’re getting sunburned. 20 | April 2010

/// by Jessica Iclisoy

Leave of three, let them be Poison oak grows prolifically throughout the Bay Area, and contact with its leaves or stems can result in a nasty, itchy rash. If you don’t know how to identify it, just remember the old Boy Scout rhyme about “leaves of three.” Beat bug bites Your kids will love getting up close and personal with most creepy crawlers they find on the trail. But two insects that nobody likes to meet are mosquitoes and ticks. To avoid them, use a DEET-free insect repellent. Many natural repellents are available, usually made with plant oils such as citronella or eucalyptus. Spring is an especially active time for ticks, so when you’ve completed your hike, check everyone’s skin and clothes for crawling ticks. where to go In the South Bay, check out the Santa Clara County Parks’ website, parkhere.org, for directions to parks and trails near you. If your kids are between 9 and 11 years old, enroll them in the county’s Junior Ranger program (click on the “For Kids” link), and soon they’ll be leading you on hikes.

Jessica Iclisoy is the founder of California Baby, a natural skincare line for babies, kids, and sensitive adults. Visit her website at californiababy.com.

wojciech gajda/istockphoto

Hit the trails safely this spring


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harley farms

The San Mateo Coast’s goat dairy

robert marek

Nestled in the

coastal hills of Pescadero, 12 miles south of Half Moon Bay, Harley Farms is home to 200 American Alpine goats, whose primary task is producing the milk used to create a variety of goat cheeses and other goat milk products. It’s also the home of Deborah (Dee) Harley and her family, who have lived here for 17 years. Originally built as a dairy farm in 1910, the property was dilapidated when the family took over, Harley says, but today the farm is thriving. “It is very satisfying to look out the window and see something productive and real happening,” she says. A regular day on the farm begins at 5:30 a.m. with the milking of the goats. The animals are then let out to graze on the farm’s nine acres of grassland. Harley says that the salt-laden breeze and sea fog play an important role in the flavor of the grass the goats eat,

/// by aparna prakash

which in turn impacts the flavor of the goats’ milk. The goats return in the evening for a second round of milking, bringing the total milk produced each day to about one gallon per goat. At nighttime, they are sent into the safety of the pen, where a treat of grains awaits them. Harley says her farm uses “gentle, traditional farming methods, making it an overall good situation” for the animals that live there. The farm has 11 full-time employees, seven who live on the premises, and all the activities except milking are done by hand. Although Harley is the boss, she says she has worn many hats on the farm. “I have done it all, the milking, birthing, and everything,” she says. Her focus now is on “the vision and development and keeping the farm alive and viable.” Harley says that although her company practices sustainable EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 23

grown local

Babes in their arms: Dee Harley, owner of Harley Farms, is flanked by manager Ryan Andrus (left) and marketing director Annie Rowden (right), each holding one-day-old baby goats.


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farming, she has chosen not to be certified organic and prefers to leave it up to her farm visitors to judge. Sustainable practices are apparent: Two big tanks collect rainwater to distribute to the goats. The machines that are used to cool the goat milk utilize recycled water, running the same 80 gallons through the pipes repeatedly until the water is finally released and used for irrigation. The farm produces four different types of award-winning cheeses: chevre, fromage blanc, feta, and ricotta. Harley’s chevres are easily recognized in any grocery deli case because they are artfully decorated with edible flowers—johnny jump-ups, calendula, and cornflowers—or with bright green chives. In 2009, Harley Farms won first place for their plain chevre log at the American Cheese Society Awards in Austin, Texas. Their fromage blanc landed second place in the “Cultured Products Made from Goat Milk” category. Harley credits the land and the coastal climate for her cheesemaking victories. “You can’t make these cheeses anywhere else,” she says. “The feed and the grass have been the same and all the goats are from the same family… It has been consistent over the years and the cheese has its own flavor, or ‘terroir’ as they say in the wine business.” The farm is often bustling with visitors, typically groups of school children on weekdays and gourmet food aficionados on weekends. The goats seem to enjoy the attention, and they often seek out affection from visitors (beware, they will sometimes chew on loose sleeves or purses). Harley says, “The agro-tourism part of our income has skyrocketed. It has been unbelievable, fascinating… People want a relationship with their food. They want to know where their food comes from.” Farm tours can be scheduled on the Harley Farms website, harleyfarms.com, or visitors can phone ahead at 650.879.0480. Harley Farms also hosts multi-course lunches and dinners featuring the farm’s own vegetables and eggs, as well as goat milk and cheese products. The meals usually sell out far in advance; check the website for a current schedule.

robert marek

Dee Harley cuddles with a baby American Alpine goat


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staycation Fleur de Cocoa

Opa!

26 | April 2010

Fleming Jenkins Winery Tasting Room

victoria alexander

Hotel Los Gatos


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For Sunday strolling or Monday procrastinating, there may be no better South Bay town than Los Gatos, cradled in the foothills off Highway 17. Wide, shaded sidewalks skirt three adjacent streets North Santa Cruz, Main, and University—where boutiques, cafes, and tasting rooms are housed in tidy storefronts spanning the architectural gamut from art deco to mission revival. Those who grow weary of cappuccino-powered browsing can set off on a hike or bike ride to the high dam at Lexington Reservoir. /// by Ann Marie Brown

Poke around Treasure hunters seeking gems from the not-so-

distant past are drawn to Vintages’ eclectic collection of nearly forgotten ephemera. These antiques were once common household objects: tiny silver salt spoons, multicolored rhinestone brooches, silver-plated magnifying glasses, letter openers, 1930s skeleton keys, and handkerchiefs. Crafters and scrapbookers stop in for decorative papers, ribbons by the yard, and handmade trims. 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., 408.399.9090, vintagesantiques.com Sleep green Certified by Santa Clara County as a Bay Area Green

Business, the Mediterranean-style Hotel Los Gatos offers 71 rooms and suites, many boasting fireplaces and balconies. All offer small luxuries like cushy Egyptian cotton linens, down comforters, plush bathrobes and slippers, and access to the on-site Elia Spa. Pets are welcome, too. 210 E. Main St., 408.335.1700, hotellosgatos.com Dine like the gods Opa! serves up traditional Greek favorites— rice-stuffed grape leaves, spinach and feta pie, avgolemono soup,

and succulent gyros—plus a few surprises like pita-based pizzas and feta mac-and-cheese. The cozy dining room holds only about a dozen tables, so avoid peak hours or expect to wait. 27 N. Santa Cruz Ave., 408.399.7417, opawillowglen.com Pretend you’re in Paris Extra-dark chocolate is the key

ingredient in Fleur de Cocoa’s namesake confection, a bittersweet chocolate mousse with dark chocolate sponge cake soaked in Grand Marnier. Not craving chocolate? Nibble on an apple tarte normande, an almond croissant, or a lemon tartelette while musing over the pages of Madame Bovary. 39 N. Santa Cruz Ave., 408.354.3574, fleurdecocoa.com Drink and do good Raise funds for breast cancer research by visiting Fleming Jenkins Winery Tasting Room and buying a bottle of their Victories Rosé. The Fleming name belongs to winery owner Peggy, the famous Olympic ice skater who is also a breast cancer survivor. 45 W. Main St., 408.358.4949, flemingjenkins.com EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 27


greening your ride We all have places we need to go, but driving a gas-powered car is expensive and polluting, and walking, biking, and public transit can only take us so far. Thankfully, transportation alternatives are growing. From car sharing to carpooling to owning your own electric bike or car, from the free-of-charge to the very expensive, numerous transportation options in the South Bay are both innovative and environmentally friendly.

Car Sharing Car sharing programs are sponsored by municipalities, non- profits, and private businesses throughout the United States. Anyone who occasionally needs to use a car can obtain

28 | April 2010

Bay Area residents think outside the Prius by Alan Lopez a membership in a car-sharing service, usually for about $50 per year. When the need arises, he or she reserves a car online or over the phone, choosing options such as what type of car and where and when it will be picked up. An electronic key, provided with each membership, opens the chosen car at the pre-selected time and place. Car share company Zipcar (zipcar.com) has one station in the South Bay, located off Palm Drive on the Santa Clara University campus. Stanford University in Palo Alto has 27 Zipcars on or near campus, making it the largest university program in the United States, says a Zipcar spokesman. Depending on the type of membership, Zipcar charges about $8 per hour or $66 per day, and slightly more on weekends. The


average trip lasts about 30 miles and three to four hours. Members must be at least 21 years old and have a clean driving record. For programs on college campuses, the age prerequisite drops to 18. In general, says Zipcar spokesman John Williams, members save about $600 a month compared to car owners. Car sharing differs from renting a car in several ways. It is not limited to office hours; cars are available 24/7. Cars can be rented by the hour, rather than in 24-hour periods, and the rate includes gas, maintenance, roadside service, and insurance. Once a membership is established, the entire transaction is self-service. On the downside, vehicles are not cleaned and refueled after each use.

Ride Sharing If you’re interested in ride sharing, also known as carpooling, consider signing up with Zimride (zimride.com). Zimride uses the Facebook model of online social networking, but to hook up with rides as well as friends. Zimride focuses primarily on universities. A majority of University of California campuses are signed on to the network, says Zimride co-founder John Zimmer. The company doesn’t release the number of people involved on a regional level, but says it has some 300,000 people signed up nationwide.

A browsing feature allows people to find other users looking for rides in their area, whether they are daytrippers or daily commuters. A recent search found 19 people in the San Jose area looking for rides. Zimride started at Cornell University as a free Facebook application and is now a Silicon Valley start-up with eight employees. Zimmer says he believes the company will have more than 100 schools and corporations signed on for the creation of their own private ridesharing community by the end of this year. The Bay Area’s traffic and transportation resource, 511.org, also offers a ridesharing service to help potential carpoolers find each other. Users log on to ridematch.511.org and create a profile that describes their typical commuting routes and times. Like an online dating service, the system matches them with others who have similar schedules. Matched commuters are able to contact each other by email or phone. For safety reasons, carpoolers are encouraged to meet each other before the first shared trip and talk about the exact route, schedule, and who will be the designated driver. They should also discuss insurance, parking, and even matters of etiquette, such as whether or not it’s okay to eat in the car, wear perfume, talk on cell phones, and the like. A similar service, but with less frills, is Erideshare.com, which

Silver, sexy, and so expensive: The allelectric Tesla Roadster appeals to the ecominded driver for whom money is no object.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 29


has been around since 1999. The car-sharing site charges companies with 200 or more employees for the privilege of having their own web pages, but it’s free for everyone else.

Electric Scooters

For an environmentally conscious ride with more power than the classic bicycle, an electric scooter or bike is a viable option. With two showrooms in the San Jose area, Scooter Land US (scooterlandus.com) offers 12 different models of electric bikes. Riding them does not require a special license because they’re powered by less than one horsepower. The bikes, which cost between $699 and $1,395, can travel up to 35 miles on one 6- to 8-hour charge, and can be ridden on bike lanes. The bikes are stylish and appeal to younger consumers with cute names like Tyala, Mulayo, and Bumble Bee. “One of them, called the Dragon, will go 30 miles per hour,” says Joe Farris, the director of operations for Scooter Land US. “It will give you a 35-mile range.”

Electric Cars Electric cars are also becoming more common, including the Triac EV three-wheel electric car, which has a top speed of 80 miles per hour and a range of 100 miles per charge. At a cost of $24,995, the Triac EV can be driven on freeway carpool lanes and costs about a penny a mile to operate. The Triac

This model of the ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) car, made in Santa Rosa, comes with an optional rooftop solar panel and costs about $9,000. 30 | April 2010

The Bumble Bee from Scooter Land US can hold two riders and has a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.

EV prototype was introduced to the market in April 2008 and includes a lithium-ion battery pack. “It’s the world’s only affordable advanced electric vehicle today under $25,000,” says Lee Edward Colin, the vice president of business development for Green Vehicles, Inc., which produces the vehicles. So far, five of the “early adopter” versions of the Triac EV have been sold, Colin says. About 35 of the vehicles remain, although Salinas-based Green Vehicles Inc. expects to manufacture about 1,000 a year beginning this October. A cheaper electric-vehicle alternative is ZAP (Zero Air Pollution), a Santa Rosa-based company which manufacturers a number of different electric vehicles, including three-wheel sedans and three- and four-wheel vans and trucks. The $9,000 2009 five-door hatchback sedan, which includes an optional solar panel charger on the roof, can go 40 miles on an eight-hour charge. O’Connell Electric, located at 1537 Webster Street in Alameda, has 12 ZAP vehicles in stock, including four scooters and one motorcycle. In 2008, San Jose became the first United States city to offer electric-car charging stations within its existing infrastructure. The stations, which can be found at train stations and outside San Jose’s City Hall, are 110-volt outlets that any electric car owner can plug into, then pay with a credit card. Several South Bay companies have also installed electric-car charging stations in their employee parking lots, including Google and Adobe Systems. Cupertino resident and electric vehicle champion Terry Wilson sounded a note of caution for those looking to use electric vehicles. “They’re somewhat limited in how far you go,” says Wilson, who is also the secretary of the San Jose chapter of the Electric Auto Association. “If you’re using

previous page; courtesy tesla; left, courtesy ZAP; top, courtesy scooterland us; opposite, lane johnson (2)

New Porsche Hybrid In March 2010, Porsche announced its eco-friendly 918 Spyder Hybrid, which gets 78 miles per gallon and has a top speed of 189 miles per hour. The sportscar can also run on electric power only with a range of up to 15 miles.


Terry Wilson, secretary of the San Jose Chapter of the Electric Auto Association, shows off his electric motorcycle made from recycled components. This Scion xB is one of two cars available at the Zipcar location at Santa Clara University.

something locally that’s great … It’s good, useful transportation, but you have to know where you’re going. You can’t plug in really fast and get a fast charge and keep going.” Wilson spent about $2,500 to convert a 1980 gas-powered motorcycle into his own electric vehicle, which can go up to 20 miles on a charge. A hand-built sidecar made out of recycled parts carries the nine rechargeable lead-acid batteries that power the vehicle. “I got a lot of stuff really, really, really cheap,” Wilson says. “It takes time to find all this stuff.” Public transit plays a big part of using his vehicle, Wilson says. If he wants to go to San Francisco, he rides to the station, parks, and boards a train. Ron Freund, the national chair of the Electric Auto Association, drives the now-defunct electric 2002 Toyota RAV4 EV and says he’s able to drive at 60 mph for 100 miles after a five-hour charge. There are no stops at the gas station, maintenance costs virtually nothing, and the vehicle is silent. The vehicle cost him $29,500 after a $13,000 rebate. “The cost per mile is virtually zero,” says Freund, who also powers his home and charges his vehicle using solar energy. Like other electric car enthusiasts, the Los Gatos resident blames politics and big business for prohibiting a mass-market electric car that offers the power and range of gas-powered automobiles.

Looking for a more eco-friendly ride? The following is a list of transportation alternatives. Scooter Land US sells 12 different models of electric bikes. Call 408.888.4999 or go online at scooterlandus.com. O’Connell Electric in Alameda has 12 ZAP electric vehicles in stock. Call sales associate Larry Cerqueira at 510.865.7255. Located in Salinas, Green Vehicles, Inc., is the manufacturer of the electric Triac EV. Call 408.688.1210 or go online

But for those with money and patience, Tesla Motors is expecting to produce as many as 20,000 seven-passenger Model S vehicles by the end of 2013, thanks to a $465 million loan it received from the United States Department of Energy. The Model S will have a range of up to 300 miles and take about 45 minutes to charge. Prices are expected to start at just under $50,000. Since 2008, Tesla Motors has produced 900 electric vehicles in two models, the Roadster and Roaster Sport. The Roadster costs $109,000 while the Roadster Sport accelerates faster, has a more luxurious interior, and costs $128,000. If the price tag seems too steep, Tesla will also lease its Roadsters for $1,658 per month. The three-year, 30,000-mile contract requires more than $12,000 at signing. Is the Tesla worth the price? Doug Cheeseman, a Roadster owner and retired biology professor living in Saratoga, says the car is fun to drive and opens up conversations about environmentalism with people curious about the vehicle. “It’s the most fun car I’ve ever had by far, because of the acceleration and reliability, and it burns so clean,” says Cheeseman, who now conducts worldwide wildlife and environmentalism tours through Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris. Cheeseman, who purchased the vehicle in 2009, says it can go 244 miles per three-hour charge and only needs a 15- or 20-minute charge to go about 30 miles. “I drive a lot around town,” he says. He says he likes the Roadster so much that he plans to purchase a Model S when that vehicle becomes available.

at greenvehicles.com for more information. The Electric Auto Association is a worldwide non-profit organization that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Go online at eaaev.org. The Zipcar car share service has two vehicles at the Santa Clara University campus and many more on or near the Stanford University campus. Go online at zipcar.com. To share rides with local carpoolers, go to zimride.com, erideshare.com, or ridematch.511.org.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 31


Certified

Green

South Bay companies choose eco-conscious business practices By Alan Lopez Photographs by Lane Johnson

Dr. Pedram Malek of Malek Dental in Mountain View


In 2009, when Nam Nguyen opened a new dentist office in what was a barren 1,700-square-foot strip mall on East Fremont Avenue in Sunnyvale, he decided to create the most environmentally friendly space he could. The result is a sleek yet homey office, which is built with recycled materials, has consistently low water and energy usage, and utilizes eco-friendly dentistry tools. Nguyen says he was inspired after he heard about a dental office in Oregon that was the first to be certified as a green building by the standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). He didn’t reach his initial ambition for LEED certification, but his business, Noca Dental Care, was recently certified as a green business by the Bay Area Green Business Program. “Six months before we even started construction inside the space, we designed it to be green,” Nguyen says. “It was conceived on paper to be green; it wasn’t designed after the fact.” Nguyen is one of several Bay Area dentists who have recognized the benefits of being certified as a green business. Another is Dr. Pedram Malek, who opened his eco-friendly dental office in Mountain View in 2008. Some of the practices that made Malek Dental qualify for green business certification include the use of steam-based, non-toxic sterilization procedures; a special filtration system to allow environmentally sound disposal of old mercury fillings; and a computerized chart system to reduce the amount of paper used. Malek also uses new dental technology that reduces the amount of water required when cleaning teeth. He says it was easy for the serene, spa-like office to be certified green. “The way I was operating, it was already set up for a green business,” says Malek, who is a member of the Eco-Dentistry Association. Noca Dental Care and Malek Dental are among some 2,000 businesses in the Bay Area and 470 in Santa Clara County that have been certified through the Bay Area Green Business Program, which is administered at the county level but coordinated regionally through the regional planning group, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Begun in most Bay Area counties in 1996, the program has seen a dramatic increase in participation in the last five years, as the general public becomes more environmentally conscious, says Lisa Rose, who oversees the program for Santa Clara County. While the green business program has been embraced primarily in the Bay Area, there are also programs in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and a fledgling program in Los Angeles, says regional green business coordinator Ceil Scandone.

Husband-and-wife dentists Nam Nguyen and N. Anne Nguyen of Noca Dental Care in the lobby of their greencertified office.

It’s unclear what the environmental impact from the program has been, but efforts are being made to determine that information, Rose says. Several business owners who have become certified say that meeting the industry-specific standards to become green-certified isn’t necessarily difficult, although it can cost thousands of dollars and take considerable time to make the necessary changes. But once the changes are complete, the green-certified business has a new marketing tool, a more environmentally friendly business, and reduced costs. That was the case for Straits Café, a Zagat-rated Singaporean-fusion restaurant, which is the first green-certified restaurant in Palo Alto. Managing partner Louis Leong says the 11-year-old restaurant was certified green at the end of November, nine months after he began looking at ways to improve the business’s energy efficiency. He says the whole process cost about $20,000, although a big chunk of that money was spent upgradEUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 33


Bob (left) and Don (right) Koss of Koss Collision Center in San Jose

ing the restaurant’s heating and cooling systems, which was not required by the Green Business Program. The restaurant also received new energy-efficient lighting and a low-flow toilet, and it now composts about 80 percent of its food waste. The sealers on the refrigerators were upgraded and air curtains were installed so cold air doesn’t escape. Some of the work in getting certified involved training the staff on composting and the treatment of wastewater, as well as on smaller tasks like turning off lights. However, it was worth it, Leong says, since among other things, the restaurant now saves money on its water and garbage bills. “To me it’s very natural to want the business to be energy-efficient and good for the environment,” says Leong, who has a background in marine biology. “You also know it saves money for the business. It’s a win-win situation for the business and the environment. It just takes a little effort to make it work. We encourage all businesses around us to do it, too.” A wide variety of primarily small businesses are getting greencertified, including Koss Collision Center, a San Jose auto-body shop owned by brothers Bob and Don Koss, longtime industry veterans who started the business five years ago. While the brothers say they were always environmentally conscious, they were forced to take a harder look at their green practices to meet new local standards for the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were allowed in their paints. Last February, the Koss brothers switched to water-based paints, which required a three-day training session on how to mix and 34 | April 2010

apply it. While going through that process, they decided to look into becoming a green-certified business. “We contacted the Green Business Program and they kind of walked us through it and told us what we needed to do if we wanted to comply,” says Bob Koss, adding that achieving the certification required some simple changes such as using recycled paper. He also had to replace as much as 60 percent of the shop’s fluorescent lights and switch to ultra-efficient electronic ballasts, which after $4,500 in rebates cost the business $8,000. The rebates were provided through the RightLights program, an energy-efficiency program targeting small- and medium-sized businesses, which is funded by PG&E ratepayers. Because he’s ultimately saving money on his energy costs, Koss says he expects to break even on the lighting expense in about 18 months. Joan Escover, the owner of JP Graphics, an offset printing company with 10 printing presses and 40 employees, says she was happy that it didn’t cost her anything to be green certified. For Escover, the county green certification was easy because she’s in a relatively new building that did not require a lot of upgrades, and the county waived a requirement to install a low-flow toilet. Furthermore, her business, which has been around 11 years, was already environmentally conscious and few changes were needed. “If you already are practicing a green approach to the world,” she says, “you’re going to pass very easily.” Escover contrasted that experience with the approach used by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an environmentally conscious organization that she refuses to join, in part because of the $2,500 cost she says it takes to become certified. Escover says she already uses FSC-certified products because her clients demand it. “I’m not [FSC-certified],” Escover says. “I refuse to pay to do what a client [already] told me to do.” Nam Nguyen, who designed his dentist office to be a green business, also passed the green certification easily. He says he had the office rebuilt, installing cabinets made from recycled wood and reusing the office’s old ceiling tiles. His records are mostly recorded onto a computer, reducing the amount of paper his office uses. As for his dentistry, he uses an advanced X-ray system that requires no toxic chemicals to develop the images, as well as waterless vacuums, which he says conserve 22,000 gallons of water a year. He says the process of greening his dentist office cost about 20 percent more than it would have otherwise, although he considers the greater expense “upfront costs,” and says he may come out ahead financially over the building’s lifetime. In addition, the remodeling work he did took less time than what he had planned to do when he considered having the building LEED-certified. After conferring with his architect, he decided it would take two to three times as long to make the building LEEDcertified. He opted for a local environmental certification instead. Nguyen says even after he went through designing his own building, he learned much from getting his green certification. “I learned a lot from the city and from the county,” he says. “I think every business should find out more. If you can’t get certified right away, you can do one or two things a year to make it happen.” For more information about the Bay Area Green Business Program, call 408.282.3166 or go online at greenbiz.ca.gov


bug off

pest-free without pesticides by erica goss

lane johnson

a

line of ants appears on the kitchen counter. Moths flutter out of a favorite wool sweater. Yellow jackets descend on a playground, scattering children. It’s enough to make most people reach for the bug spray. But no pesticides are completely safe. Most chemicals designed to kill insects have other serious effects. They can lead to the evolution of “superbugs” that have developed resistance to insecticides, kill

Elizabeth and Paul Patterson of San Jose play outside their orange-oil treated home with daughter Elizabeth Grace and son Flynn.

pests’ natural enemies, and harm the health of reptiles, birds, and humans. Even a small amount of pesticide can harm wildlife, says Freddy Howell of Los Gatos Bird Watchers (formerly Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos). “The northern flicker, a relative of the woodpecker, is very prevalent this winter. Ants are its favorite food,” she says. Any pesticide applied to ants will find its way into the flickers’ bodies. Californians used at least 162 million pounds of pesticides in 2008, according to

the state Department of Pesticide Regulation. Use by agriculture and pest-control businesses is included in the numbers, but household and industrial use is not. And while 162 million pounds may sound like an enormous amount, it actually represents a steady decline in overall pesticide use since peak usage of 200 million pounds in 1992. “California experienced another dry winter and spring in 2008,” which decreased the use of fungicides, said MaryAnn Warmerdam, director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 35


Much as they can annoy humans, insects play a vital role in our ecosystems. Fortunately we can reduce and even eliminate most insect pest problems without harming the environment.

The Planet Orange team: Carl Nelson, Greg Hansen, Cory Klausmann, and Patrick Becker strike a pose by one of the company vehicles, a Volkswagen Beetle.

36 | April 2010

agency said fewer pounds of insecticide were used, but more total acres were treated with such chemicals, a change that the agency’s scientists said reflected crop-growers shifting from broad-based insecticides to newer products that are more specific to the pest and less toxic to people and the environment. One such approach to less toxic pest control is Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. IPM practitioners attempt to harness insects’ natural enemies, use specific plants to lure insects away from their favorite foods, and employ chemical pesticides only as a last resort. To combat common Argentine ants indoors, for example, IPM methods say to sponge away ants and their trails with soapy water, plug up their entry points with caulk or petroleum jelly, and remove any ant-infested houseplants as well as any sugary food-spills that may be attracting the insects. “Indoor sprays are not usually necessary,” according to guidelines from the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. For those with pest problems in the house or garden, a solution begins with identifying the pest correctly. If you aren’t sure what kind of insects you’re dealing with, visit the UC’s Integrated Pest Management Program website at ucdavis.edu, or consult your local University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension office (go to ucanr.org to find the location nearest you). Researching the basic facts about the insect’s lifecycle, feeding habits, and environment takes more time than grabbing a can of Raid, but those who do their homework will be able to choose a much less toxic way of controlling pests. Even those who have switched to IPM methods may still have toxic products in their garages and sheds, however. A pamphlet from Audubon called Guide for a Healthy Yard and Beyond advises consumers to check “the stuff on your shelves” for the following pesticides: acephate, bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and dimethoate. Some of these common ingredients carry a toxicity warning from the Environmental Protection Agency, and the federal government is phasing them out. Environmentally friendly alternatives include utilizing “good” insects such as lacewings and ladybugs (available by mail order and at well-equipped garden stores), sticky traps, insecticidal soaps for aphids and caterpillars, and boric acid baits for fleas and cockroaches. Ideally, the first step in dealing with insects in your home consists of keeping them from entering in the first place. Check for openings where insects can enter, and caulk around windows, doors, and air vents. Vacuum often,

top: allison malone; below: lane johnson

Freddy Howell of Los Gatos Bird Watchers says pesticides cause harm to wildlife.


lane johnson (3)

and store food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator. Keep tree limbs pruned away from the house so that they don’t create a bridge for invaders to cross. Nathan Cocozza of Planet Orange, a Bay Area pest control company, says non-toxic pest control is effective even on termites, which are a common plague among California’s woodframed homes. “The state of California is mandating the removal of toxic pesticides,” he says. “Our company uses orange oil left over from crushing oranges for juice. Orange peel has a natural substance that repels insects, but is completely safe for humans and the environment.” Planet Orange’s workers spray the orange oil into infested walls, where it works its way through the house, smothering termites, Cocozza says. To prevent termite infestation, wooden porches, decks, sheds, and decorative elements should not be in direct contact with soil. Concrete footings should be employed, and homeowners should avoid over-watering landscape plants, as wet soil harbors termites. For newer homes, termite shields, mesh barriers, and waterproofing membranes keep termites out. Adding compost and organic material to the soil can help keep termites away from the house, and using termite-repelling plants such as garlic, aloe, and sweet basil can help, too. Frogs, reptiles, birds, bats, and ants are termites’ natural enemies. Mosquitoes, another annoying pest, also can carry diseases such as encephalitis and West Nile virus. Luckily, natural mosquito control is fairly easy. Repellents containing citronella or soybean oil—such as Natrapel or BiteBlocker—are effective, and wearing long sleeves and long pants when spending time outdoors in mosquitoprone areas can help keep bites to a minimum. Homeowners with decorative ponds, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, can obtain mosquito-eating fish from Santa Clara County’s Vector Control District. Those who want to encourage local brown bats to eat their fill of the pesky insects may opt to install wooden bat houses in their yards. The houses should be 10 to 20 feet above the ground so bats can swoop in and out easily. Much as they can annoy humans, insects play a vital role in our ecosystems. Fortunately we can reduce and even eliminate most insect pest problems without harming the environment. For more information from Audubon’s Guide for a Healthy Yard and Beyond, visit Audubon.org, and click on “Audubon at Home,” and then “Creating a Healthy Yard.”

Applicator Sean McBride inserts a scope into the wall to look for termite evidence.

McBride drills small holes in the wall where orange oil will be injected.

Orange oil is applied into the pre-drilled holes.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 37


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Peter G. Shutts A.I.A., Architect

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Sources: The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals; Creative Energy Corp.; EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse at EnergyIdeas.org; HotTubSource.com; MayoClinic.com.

tidbits

hot tubs & spas ˙

Ah, the blissful feel of a soak in hot water under a starry sky. A hot tub of your own can be an indulgent dream come true, or it can be a little-used energyhog that takes up valuable space on your patio—depending on the age of your tub and how often you use it. California leads the nation in the number of hot tubs, with approximately 1,128,893 of them in the state in 2009.

6‚233 hot tub

5-7kWh

hot tub!”

40 | April 2010

and still own a hot tub

George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, in the Seinfeld episode “The Hot Tub”

3-4

A newer, energy-efficient hot tub uses about 5-7 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day, while a poorly insulated, older hot tub may use 12-18 kWh per day.

Advertisers’ Index

How to save energy

“Then I found a way to relax. I've got two words to say to you, George...

lung

The nickname given to a form of pneumonitis sometimes contracted by those who use hot tubs that are prone to mold. The mist that rises from the surface of the bubbly water can be inhaled and inflame tiny air sacs in the lungs.

Weight in pounds of a 500-gallon, seven-person hot tub by manufacturer HotSprings, when filled with water (but not people).

Number of times each year owners should completely drain their hot tubs and refill them.

Invest in a good cover, heat water to 102 degrees or less, and have a timer that allows you to turn down the heat when the tub is not in use.

hot tub vs. spa A hot tub is a self-contained, portable, open-topped tank outdoors. A spa is typically in-ground and built on-site, often as part of a pool/spa combination.

American Heart Association

21

Five Branches University

25

Rivers of Chocolate Festival

6

Arta Vakhshoori, D.D.S.

4

Full Force Fitness

38

Rose of Sharon

39

Balance Yoga Center

21

GreenPoint Rated

11

San Francisco Herb & Natural Food Co. 38

California Baby

C2

Green Festival

9

Sandra Kamiak, M.D.

39

Chiropractic Center of Los Gatos

16

Harrell Remodeling, Inc.

C4

Shannon McQuaide

24

Claire Adalyn Wright, MFT

38

Hayes Mansion

22

Sigmond Beck Construction

22

Confidence Landscaping, Inc.

24

HLD Group Landscape Architecture

11

Silicon Valley Preventative Medicine

4

Deborah Hayes Classical Homeopathy 39

Live Healthy Expo

12

Tomato Thyme

19

Decor Outdoor Living & More

15

Los Gatos Health and Fitness

C3

Vediya Wellness Center

12

Dr. Ann Haiden

16

Nature’s Best Cleaners

25

Vegetarian House

19

Dr. Charles Goodman, Chiropractor

12

Nimbus Salon

21

Watercourse Way

15

Dr. Douglas Larson, D.D.S.

16

Oak Meadow Dental Center

11

We've Got Your Back

22

EcoMetro Guide

38

Peter G. Shutts Architect

39

Whole Foods Market

19

Emanate Design of Interiors

39

Peter Lyon General Contractor

39

Yoga Fitness Iyengar Tradition

15

Eucalyptus Earth Day Party

8

Planet Orange

5

Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear

22


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