SoCal  APLD Assists with the Kids Cancer Connection House

 By Ketti Kupper

This summer an APLD design team of Joan Grabel, Krissy Hoitt, Joe Kleist, Ketti Kupper and Scott McCracken met regularly to develop a new plan for the outdoor living spaces and landscape design at the Kids Cancer Connection House in Woodland Hills. A base map for the site was donated by Precision Property Measurements Andy McFarland.   CLCA contractor Chuck Carr will be installing the design.  The project is an exciting component to the extensive interior remodeling taking place.

The project has had a press conference at the house with several celebrities present.  Entertainment tonight and several TV news stations also participated.  The house will have a state of the art solar system, a hospital quality air cleaning system and a UV water treatment system to provide exceptionally clean water for the visiting children and their families.

Green Building and Landscape Design

By Karen Hunt

We've all heard about the concept of green building, but do we really know how to apply it to the work we do every day?  If not, or if you're thinking there might be more to learn, take advantage of the following opportunity:

Graniterock's Green Building EXPO 2007

Thursday, October 11, 2007

10am - 6pm

Cupertino Design Center

1505 S. DeAnza Blvd.

Cupertino, CA

Graniterock is not only a leading supplier of quality building materials, tools, and supplies, but they're also one of APLD California's premier Silver Sponsors.  So consider setting aside some time that day to attend a highly informative set of workshops that is absolutely free!

Breakout sessions will include experts speaking on topics of interest to Landscape Designers, Architects, Green Building Professionals, Landscapers and Masons:

• What "green" building is all about (John Ancic)
• Graniterock products for building green
• Designing with California Natives (Alrie Middlebrook)
• Erosion Control
• Designing Green (Harrell Remodeling)
• Passive/Active Green Design
• Transforming the Market for Landscape Design
• Solar, Strawbale & Beyond (Dan Smith)
• Demonstration Garden for Ecological Landscaping
• Rock Properties Discussion (Ben Licari)
• Green Design Build (Randy Potter Vox Design Group)

You will come away with the knowledge to do a better job, enhanced skills and the keys to help you be a success!  A limited number of seats are available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.  Follow the link below for more information:

http://www.graniterock.com/greenbuildingexpo.html

You can RSVP by calling Steve Bosco at 408.996.4500 or by e-mailing him at bosco@graniterock.com.

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2008 Sponsorship Drive Kicks off Shortly

By Karen Hunt

Are you ready to help take APLD to the next level?  Do you want to make some contacts that will last your professional lifetime?  This year we are refocusing our Sponsorship efforts to strengthen and solidify our relationships with the sponsors who have so generously supported the work of APLD in California.   We'll still need to make some phone calls to potential new sponsors, but we'll be calling from a much more limited list.  That means fewer "cold calls" for our volunteers to worry about.  Most importantly, we'll be talking to our current sponsors about ways that our local APLD memberships can work more effectively with them, in order to increase opportunities for business relationships to be enhanced in both directions.

The money we raise from the Sponsorship Program is the primary source of revenue for our local district activities.  District allocations from the Sponsorship Program help fund our monthly meetings and all the myriad events that help us to network and share resources - all of which ultimately contributes to increasing the financial bottom line of our individual design businesses.

Thus, we're asking each APLD district to provide several volunteers to assist with the work of the 2008 Sponsorship Program.  If we have 3 or 4 volunteers from each district, each of us would be committing to give a total of maybe 10 hours' worth of time over a period of 3 months, beginning in November and concluding in January 2008.  So if you've been thinking you'd like to get a little more hooked into your local APLD group, this is a great way to start.  You'll have the chance to be in contact with some of our industry's top landscape businesses and you might even make some new friends in your local APLD group.  Interested?  Contact either your APLD District President or Karen Hunt, the 2008 Chapter Sponsorship Committee Chair.  Karen's cell is 650-302-5379; e-mail her at kahunt@speakeasy.net.

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Get on the Bus!

By Karen Hunt

Back by popular demand, the Peninsula District is doing an all-day Resource Field Trip by bus on Wednesday, October 24^th.  And this time we're touring treasures in the East Bay (Berkeley/Richmond) area.    On our "definites" list are tours of American Soil, Annie's Annuals, Urban Farmer, a pottery business, a private garden and a public garden.   More will be added as we get closer to the event. 

And as an end-of-year thank you, this event is absolutely FREE to our APLD members!   The details are still being worked out, but for now we can say the following:

Date: Wed. October 24th

Time:  7:30 am - 6pm

Meet:  Palo Alto Park N Ride at 7:30 AM, bus will leave promptly at 8:00 AM. 

RSVP:  Laura Schaub.  laura@schaubdesigns.com

The Peninsula District Board will provide you with a Continental breakfast (including coffee).  You bring a bag lunch and refreshments for lunch; we will provide water.  And at the end of the day, we'll enjoy an "afterparty" with wine and hors d'ourves in a relaxing and beautiful location.

Peninsula District members have first priority until October 15^th, after which time seats will be opened up to members from our other Districts.  Approximately 50 seats are available.   Based on how much fun last year's field trip was, these spots will go fast, so sign up early!  

Verdance Fine Garden Design wins HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge

John Black will be featured as the winning landscape designer on HGTV's venerable "Landscaper's Challenge" reality television show airing at 9:30 AM on Sunday, October 27, 2007.

Selected by the home owners from three professional landscape designs, John's thoughtful approach transformed a sloping, overgrown back yard into a sophisticated and versatile destination that invites kids, grownups, and wildlife to stay and play.

An existing native Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) provided the launching point for the design, which incorporated seating areas, a new patio, and a habitat garden planted with California native species. With a new baby on the way, the owners also were presented with a play lawn of environmentally friendly "no-mow" grass, as well as apple trees and blueberry bushes to encourage and reward gardeners of all ages.

The naturalistic concept was inspired by the owners' restoration of their turn-of-the-century Craftsman home. In keeping with the home's style, the landscape design eschews ornate materials and designs for reclaimed brick, hand-hewn timbers, and subtle symmetry. Because it nourishes and shelters birds, butterflies, and other desirable species, the yard recently was certified as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat^TM by the National Wildlife Federation.

John Black is the principal of Verdance Fine Garden Design in Palo Alto, CA. For homes throughout the Bay Area, Verdance designs uniquely personal landscapes that improve their environments, invite admiration, and inspire delight. John is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA).

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Beverly Hills Garden and Design Showcase

Joan Grabel of Park Slope Design has been invited to design an exhibition garden for the 2007 Beverly Hills Garden and Design Showcase. The theme is "Green".  The showcase opens October 26th through November 11th and is at the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.  For more information go to

www.beverlyhillsgardenshowcase.org

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Certified Member

Congratulations to our East Bay District member, Shelley Somersett, who just became a Certified APLD member! It is quite an accomplishment and something for all of us to strive towards. 

For more information about the certification process, please go to http://www.apld.org/consumers/certification.asp