We’re getting our project back on track.  We are continuing to working on the roof (so we can install the windows), and also starting to backfill our open trenches (versus digging more trenches).

Agreeing on the Trenching

We wanted to ensure PG&E approved our trenching strategy before digging too much.  Our project coordinator, Nathan, came to the job site and reviewed the electrical conduit that we uncovered.  He saw the water pipe (from San Jose Water Company’s meter, and agreed that it would be ok.

After the City of Monte Sereno inspects the water connection behind the meter, we’ll be able to backfill the trench from the water meter to the cistern trench.  Filling this trench will provide some much-needed real estate.

Identifying the Roof and Floor Penetrations

We can’t put our roof membrane on until we identify and make all of the penetrations through the flat roof.  The penetrations of the roof are for plumbing, dryer vents and exhaust fan vents.  The most complicated are the plumbing vents as we want to limit the number of penetrations of the roof.

Wes Wenger, of Wenger Plumbing, arrived at the job site and walked through the various plumbing fixtures that we will have.  As well, Greg (’G-Man’) went through all of the penetrations with Wes.  Yup, Wes makes the promises and G-Man has to deliver on those promises.  It was good to establish the vents and penetrations.

We (Jo-Anne and Bryan) need to establish where the free-standing bathtub will be located in the Master Bath, as the tub drain needs to be drilled through the concrete floor.

Also, we need to get Kate’s soaking tub as this drain needs to be established, too.

Finishing the Skylight Curbs on the Lower Flat Roof

Francisco and Carlos continued working on the curbs for our Velux skylights.  This was their second day on this task and they were able to finish it off.  Bryan sent the exact locations of the skylight curbs and dimensions to Leo at Johns Manville so he could complete the shop drawings. 

Leo promised an updated layout on Monday morning, with shop drawings by close of business on Monday.

Backfilling and Compacting the Sewage Trench in Front of the Garage

With the pipe that will take the Lifesource Water Filter backwash water to our cistern stubbed out, we could now backfill and compact the sewage trench immediately in front of the garage.  This trench has been particularly irritating since it limits our movement into and out of the garage.  Plus, it looks messy.

This item was completed today.

Hosting a Friday Night Flamingo Event on Vista Avenue

As with other neighborhoods across the U.S., our neighborhood on Vista Avenue (plus Bruce Avenue and Kavin Lane) has a long-standing tradition of ‘Flamingo Nights’.  On the first Flamingo Night of the year, we signed up to host the July 30 Flamingo Night.

Kate, Sierra and Carli worked on decorations, and Jo-Anne and Wendy hung up our Flamingo lights over the garage.

Our project coordinator from PG&E, Nathan Lee, reviewed our trench from the San Jose Water Company meter to our house. He approved the location as the trench did not interfere with the PG&E natural gas or electric lines.

Wes Wenger (left) and Greg ('G-Man') review the plumbing plans while establishing the locations for the plumbing vents in the SIP roof and the coring through the concrete floor (drains, hot and cold water supply, and vents from the lower level).

The completed insulated curb, which will have a sloped cover and support the Velux skylight.

The backfilled and compacted trench in front of our garage. Finally done!

Our table is ready to host the Friday Night Flamingo on Vista Avenue. Note (right to left), Kate, Sierra and Carli are working on the decorations.

Jo-Anne found some excellent Flamingo lights several weeks ago, so Wendy and Jo-Anne strung the lights up for the event.

Jo-Anne and Bryan took Dave Edwards to the USGBC Northern California Chapter Gala Awards 2009 at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.  There were more than 800 attendees at the event, where the USGBC celebrated the awarding of its ‘Super Heroes’ for 2009.

Viewing the Exhibits

Prior to the awards, we were able to walk through the California Academy of Sciences, which was closed to the public.  The Academy is a remarkable building, housing a huge collection of exhibits.  We decided that we need to bring our son and daughter to the museum as we believe they would enjoy the exhibits.

The building was certified Platinum by the USGBC on October 8, 2008.  It is a both a beautiful building and extremely ‘green’.  The building has radiant heating and cooling, and used Uponor products throughout.  Uponor has a case study on this building in YouTube.

Bryan and Jo-Anne reviewing the exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

The museum has radiant heating and cooling, which is exactly what we are putting in our home.

One end of the museum houses a number of exhibits that describe global warming, its importance and consequences, and how to we need to address it.

This exhibit shows, in very real terms, how the amount of CO2 is increasing in the atmosphere.

 2009 Super Hero Awards

The Super Hero Awards, and the recipients, were as follows

Community Award - StopWaste’s Green Building in Alameda County
Green Groundbreaker Award - Integrated Design Associates (IDeAs)
Green Team Award - The David Brower Center
David Gottfried Special Achievement Award - Anthony Bernheim

We have not been to the Integrated Design Associates building in San Jose yet.  It was the first net zero energy, zero carbon commercial building in the U.S.  The mayor of San Jose, Chuck Reed, was at the gala to present the award to David Kaneda, who is the founder and owner of IDeAs.

Dave Edwards, who owns Earth Bound Homes, is the general contractor that is building David Kaneda’s private residence in Cupertino.  Dave drove with us to the gala tonight and, after the awards, introduced us to David Kaneda and his wife, Stephania Wong Kaneda.  Also, Dave introduced us to Bill Leddy, who designed David Kaneda’s house.

After receiving his award, David Kaneda mentioned in his address that his family had moved into their new house that afternoon and would be spending their first night in the house tonight.  Also, David acknowledged that Dave Edwards had built his home, which will be LEED-H Platinum and net zero energy and zero carbon.

After the awards ceremony, John Westly gave the keynote address.  We were surprised and delighted at how elequently John spoke and how inspirational his keynote was.

The awards were presented in the center of the building, which has a stage and screens.

Chuck Reed, Mayor of the City of San Jose, presented the Green Groundbreaker award.

David Kaneda receiving his award and acknowledging and thanking his team.

The room was full for the awards ceremony.

David Gottfried, the founder of the USGBC and owner of the first LEED-H Platinum home in Northern California, describing Anthony Bernheim's accomplishments.

Steve Westly delivers an inspirational keynote at the event.

Dave Edwards (left) congratulating David Kaneda (right) after the awards.

OK, we’re not finished moving the dirt and the conveyors remain in place but we’re hosting our ‘Grand Floor Opening’ celebration regardless!

We did our best to clean up the site and secure it for safety.  It scrubbed up nicely.

Our First Guests Arrive

Our first guest, the Berner family arrived early as they were on their way to San Francisco for another event.  Mikael and his wife, Karen, are starting a project in Los Altos and wanted to see our site so they brought their two girls.

Jo-Anne with the Berner family (very dressy for the construction site!).

Everyone Else Arrives!

A beautiful day for our Grand Floor Opening celebration.

Jo-Anne (left) chatting with Michael Good, who is with Pete Moffat Construction and is building the house at 2180 Bryant Street in Palo Alto.

Our good friends, Pia (left), David and Linnea Staab.

One of the regular attenders at our events, Baby Martin. He has grown since his appearance at the

Enjoying a glass of wine by the atrium.

Jim O'Brien (right) chatting with Carole Murray and Phil Murray, who is holding their daughter.

Phil Knopf, Paul Dodds, and Bonnie Knopf with Jo-Anne (holding our dog, Lucky).

Bryan and Suzanne Muller, in the Wine Dining room.

Wrapping Up the Day

After the event ended, we joined the Fultons for an excellent BBQ.

Dave Cullinane on the grill, with Bill Clyne (on BBQ Quality Control), at the Fulton BBQ.