Blogs

The coastal California gnatcatcher is a small blue-gray songbird that was listed as threatened with extinction in 1993. It once thrived in Southern California’s coastal sage scrub habitat between San Barbara and the Mexico border. (Photo Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 

By JIM STEINBERG | jsteinberg@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun

PUBLISHED: November 2, 2017 at 12:34 pm | UPDATED: November 5, 2017 at 2:35 pm

Seeking to free up about 200,000 acres from Ventura County to San Diego for housing, a group representing property owners, homebuilders and others has filed a lawsuit seeking to loosen the endangered species status for the coastal California gnatcatcher.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, Nov. 2, by the Pacific Legal Foundation, asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a fair review of scientific evidence that has emerged casting doubt on the rarity of the bird.

The evidence comes from DNA findings produced by Robert Zink, a professor of ornithology at the University of Nebraska, and several other biologists.

According to the foundation, the data shows “that the gnatcatcher is not an imperiled subspecies living only in Southern California, but part of a large and healthy species found from Southern California to the southern tip of Baja, Mexico.”

The lawsuit contends federal officials were presented with that information in 2014, but they rejected it two years later.

“Instead of giving Dr. Zink’s peer-reviewed findings the objective analysis required by law, federal bureaucrats used an agenda-driven process that lacked transparency,” the foundation’s senior attorney Damien Schiff said in a statement.

If the bird isn’t rare, developers should be allowed to build on land that’s currently off-limits, the suit argues.

“The gnatcatcher regulations cause significant social harm by blocking the development of needed homes and roadways in many areas of Southern California,” said Bruce Colbert, executive director of the Property Owners Association of Riverside County, one of Pacific Legal Foundation’s clients.

“They create uncertainty for development and reduced property values for landowners,” he said.

In addition to the Property Owners Association of Riverside County, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Center for Environmental Science, Accuracy & Reliability; the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture, and Business; the California Building Industry Association; the National Association of Home Builders of the United States; and the Building Industry Legal Defense Foundation.

Expanded Home Loan and 2nd Look Programs specifically for Builders: http://bit.ly/CMSBuilder_72017

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You’ll get to hear directly from well-known and established experts in the industry, including Ray Brousseau, President of Carrington Mortgage Services as well as Dennis Hueman, SVP Sales for the West and Chad Ruggles, SVP Sales for the East.

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Southern California Builders Safety Alliance (SCBSA) held their 2nd Quarter meeting on July 20th. The committee honored United Production Framing and RND Framing with the 2nd Quarter Safety Awards, and Rod Plunkett, Shea Homes, honored John Ford for his recent retirement from CalOSHA and for outstanding service and dedication to the construction industry.

The photos from the meeting can also be viewed here.

The Parade of Products, or POP @ PCBC, is an awards program designed to honor outstanding achievements in innovation and new product development. Entries are limited to product that have been on the market less than 18 months. If your product is not yet on the market, then it should be commercially available by the fall. Also, each exhibitor has a one entry limit. Representing the best in innovation and new product solutions, fifteen POP @ PCBC award winners were chosen by a panel of industry judges and were rated according to solution base, innovation, practical application and design.

American Standard - Booth #105 ActiClean® Self-Cleaning Toilet The new ActiClean from American Standard is the toilet that cleans itself, combining the power of revolutionary VorMax flushing technology with a fully integrated self-cleaning system. Simply press a button, walk away, and let the toilet do the rest – it’s that easy. ActiClean eliminates the need for after-market add-on cleaning solutions that are unsightly, ineffective and may even damage toilets. No more in-the-bowl or in-the-tank cleaning solutions that may not work effectively with high efficiency, low consumption toilets. This pioneering ActiClean toilet provides the luxury of a toilet that cleans itself – featuring a simplified, user-selected activation system.
AquaTrip (from GSFM) - Booth #655 AquaTrip The AquaTrip is a permanently installed smart meter and valve, that will minimize water loss and mitigate sever water damages caused by leaks and burst or frozen pipes. The AquaTrip monitors the flow of water into a property and will shut off the water supply automatically if a leak is detected. Fully programmable to fit most properties, with no interference of normal water needs or use. Each unit can be programmed to suit whatever continuous water flow times are acceptable to the user, and once the AquaTrip detects flow beyond those parameters, it will interrupt water supply until proper steps have been taken.
BRINC Building Products - Booth #120 ThermalBuck™ High-Performance Window Buck Builders know attaching windows with exterior rigid foam is a challenge. Yet continuous insulation is critical in eliminating the thermal bridge in a wall assembly. ThermalBuck solves the problem by extending the mounting point for windows & doors to create a flush plane for cladding. It integrates with the WRB, handles shear & wind loads, and acts as an air & water barrier. With an R-value range of 4.4 to 11, ThermalBuck insulates the mounting points and limits thermal bridging. Simple to install and easier to flash than a wood buck, it saves builders time & money. ThermalBuck is a true continuous insulation solution for the building envelope.
Carrier - Booth #1425 Cor 7C thermostat The next generation Côr 7C thermostat is demand-response capable and meets the Occupant Controlled Smart Thermostat requirements set by the California Energy Commission. They will also feature compatibility with Amazon Echo, Apple® HomeKit™ and other popular connected home systems. It saves homeowners an estimates 20 percent on their home comfort costs and provides remote access via the innovative mobile app which provides real-time savings estimates based on changes to the climate control.
CityLift Parking - Booth #244 The Hive Parking Structure The first and only fully automated parking garage in the San Francisco Bay Area. Covering only 1,600 square feet, we converted 7 conventional surface parking spaces into 39 parking spaces built on 7 levels. The garage will be fully automated meaning that drivers will drive their car into a bay, and the structure will park the car for them into one of the 39 spaces available.
GuildQuality - Booth #721 GuildQuality Crew GuildQuality Crew - Build better, together. Finding skilled labor within the construction industry isn’t always easy. Fortunately, our brand-new tool, GuildQuality Crew, helps builders, remodelers, contractors, etc., find and connect with other talented industry professionals, and endorse them for their best work. In addition to being a great networking tool, GuildQuality Crew is also an excellent promotional tool. Users can customize their Crew profile page, check-in to projects in real-time, share photos of their work start to finish, promote their greatest achievements, and get the recognition they deserve for their commitment to quality!
Keene Building Products - Booth #1448 EASY-FUR™ Easy-Fur™ is a rollable furring strip that creates a cutting edge rainscreen and venting system behind wood and fiber-cement siding. Easy-Fur’s unique design allows for the fastest installation of any furring strip on the market, because it can be rolled onto the wall and easily cut to length. Creating ventilation behind your siding is the best way to increase the life of the siding, as well as decrease the effects of moisture products in your wall.
Kichler - Booth #1350 Kichler LED Downlight A new alternative to recessed, Horizon is for new construction. Visually appealing; .5" ceiling extension, even light distribution, no hotspots, looks like recessed. Installs in 3 quick steps; 1-affix mounting bracket to j-box, 2-connect wires w/provided wire nuts, 3-snap fixture into mounting bracket. Horizon reduces installation time while j-box placement eliminates worry of soffits, rafters and duct work like recessed. Horizon helps on costs too. Using only a jbox, there are fewer pieces to order, track, lose, etc. Horizon is efficient; 68 lumens/watt and 12.5 watts, 110 degree beam spread provides well distributed overhead/ambient lighting.
Knauf Insulation - Booth #122 Integrated Roof Deck Batt The EcoBatt Integrated Roof Deck Insulation by Knauf Insulation utilizes a state of the art product and installation technique. A Reinforced Moisture Permeable facing is laminated to the batt and installed to the underside of the roof deck using a pneumatic staple gun. This unique fastening technique allows for horizontal insulation installation that exceeds the framing depth. This efficient, safe and cost effective installation method allows for full recovery and maximum thermal performance meeting Title 24 Prescriptive Method for Vented Attics Option B. The R-19 24” X 48” spreads over the top chord of the truss framing creating a seamless layer of insulation across the entire roof deck.
Moen Incorporated - Booth #1037 U by Moen U by Moen™ shower is the only cloud-based, app-driven digital shower on the market. Offering Wi-Fi mobile connectivity and the ultimate personalization, it provides users countless ways to create their ideal shower with the push of a button. Consumers can customize settings directly in the shower and save them with preset buttons. The app enables users to create up to 12 personalized presets including name, temperature, shower timer and notifications. By syncing their smartphone to their shower, users can start and stop remotely. U by Moen features a warm up and pause function, allowing users to save water by having the shower pause once the water has reached the desired temperature.
Pro-Flash Building Products Inc. - Booth #549 Pro-Flash Building Seal Pro-Flash building seals provide a lasting, economical solution to sealing the various penetrations that come through a building's exterior. Pro-Flash seals are flexible and slide over pipe and HVAC penetrations to form an instant weather-tight and bug-tight seal. Each unit also comes conveniently equipped with tear lines to accommodate multiple sizes. The patented central seal is surrounded with a flexible and breathable membrane which easily integrates into any building system. They are available for most if not all pipe sizes and electrical junction boxes. A true game changer for the building industry!
Sky Technologies - Booth #537 SkyPlug™ For over 120 years, the world has had the wall receptacle as simple standard for powering products. This platform impacted our lives immeasurably. The things we connect to these receptacles are countless and have advanced beyond dreams. Sky Technologies’ SkyPlug™ redefines the receptacle making luminaires and ceiling fans Plug & Play for everyday people. The Smart SkyPlug extends Bluetooth BLE 4.0+/ Wi-Fi control to any fixture. In 2017, SkyPlug™ reached the NEC code de facto status, changing the definition of the electrical receptacle in the NEC book after 120 years, which enables builders to qualify for certificate of occupancy (CO), significantly reduce labor and construction cycle time.
Slide Clear Inc. - Booth #511 CLR | Multi Slide minimal door Slide Clears new multi slide door has an exceptionally small frame to maximize views and ensure unobstructed sightlines. It's contemporary styling, minimalist design, integrated handles and stainless steel four wheeled carriers are engineered for the most demanding environments and performance codes. Its triple pane glass helps it achieve extraordinarily low U values and provides outstanding protection from heat or cold. It has thin symmetrical profiles, diverse opening options, up to 16’ tall and 60 ‘ wide, and panels that slide both ways. The CLR | Multi Slide minimal door delivers a distinctive modern look, superb performance, sophistication, clear and open sightlines - Ingenuity Made Simple.
Stonewall Fence - Booth #118 Stonewall Fence Panel The Stonewall Fence panel is a revolutionary new patent pending method of installing a real stone fence. Each panel consists of an exterior veneer of real stone with a 2.5" foam core. The panel measures 6'x8' and is one piece and weighs less than 80 pounds. The post system is vinyl and extremely easy to install. The product is has a high end appearance and is priced competitively to other premium fencing materials. Other features include: sound barrier characteristics, privacy assured, no tradesmen required, no rebar required and continuous trenching required.
Whirlpool Corporation - Booth #2012 Whirlpool® Wall Oven with Scan-to-Cook Technology Ever experience the disappointment of burning a dish right as the family was sitting down to dinner? New Scan-to-Cook technology in the new Whirlpool® Wall Oven, part of the new Fingerprint Resistant Smart Kitchen Suite, will ensure the right settings for every frozen food meal. Just scan the UPC barcode on a food package in the Whirlpool® mobile app* and the Scan-to-Cook technology –an anticipated industry-first – will send the right directions, temperature and cooking time settings straight to the appliance. *Requires WiFi and account creation. App features and functionality subject to change. Subject to Terms of Service available at: www.whirlpool.com/connect. Data rates may apply.

Judges

Jimmy Diffee, VP Creative Director, The Bokka Group
Steve Easley, Owner/Principal, Steve Easley & Associates
Bryce Hall, Principal, KEPHART
Brian Jamison, National Purchasing Director, Pulte Group
Robert Raymer, Senior Engineer/Technical Director, CA Building Industry Association
Larry Sekely, VP of National Accounts, M/I Homes, Inc.

POP Winners Receive These Benefits

• Recognition on our special POP @ PCBC kiosk
• Additional exhibit floor exposure including distinct signage
• Publicity prior to the show through on-line and social media platforms
• Recognition as a POP @ PCBC winner on PCBC.com and in pre-show marketing materials
• Recognition as a POP @ PCBC winner in Exhibit Floor marketing materials during the show
• Possible inclusion in the pre-show issue of Professional Builder Magazine*

*As a partner publication of PCBC, Professional Builder will feature a showcase of selected POP @ PCBC award winners. PCBC exercises no control over editorial content and coverage of winning products is not guaranteed.

In the beginning, there was mud. The earliest human dwellings were constructed of nothing more than mud-and-straw bricks baked in the sun. The ancient Romans were the first to experiment with concrete, mixing lime and volcanic rock to build majestic structures like the Pantheon in Rome, still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world [source: Pruitt].

But what does the future hold for construction technology? Will there come a day when noisy construction crews are replaced by swarms of autonomous nanobots? Will the cracks in concrete foundations one day miraculously heal themselves, or gas stations be replaced by electric cars running on self-charging roads?

Flip through the slide show in order to see all the new technology in construction.

Read the full article in it's entirety on How Stuff Works.

Environmental Affairs Update May 2017--Issues and Regulations Affecting BIASC Members

By Mark Grey, Ph.D., Director of Environmental Affairs

During the first 5 months of 2017, BIASC has been aggressively advocating the homebuilding industry in California, trying to hold back the continual push for more regulations affecting home building, and build in wherever possible flexibility for compliance.  In addition, we’ve been working hard collaborating with our members and their consulting teams, public works agencies, and water supply and distribution utilities to ensure that the largest portfolio of water supply options possible are pursued as we move out of an historic 5-year drought emergency in California.

Here’s a short overview of three important water quality issues affecting BIASC member businesses.

The Southern California Builders Safety Alliance or SCBSA is a regional committee created with the profound importance of worker safety in mind. 

Representatives from many of our region’s top builders including CalAtlantic Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Bros and Warmington Homes have joined together to create a forum for education, hands on training, peer to peer evaluations and quarterly job site safety awards to keep our job sites safe for everyone involved.  

The Alliance is currently seeking participation from additional builders to bolster its effectiveness to improve job site safety across the region.  If you are interested in receiving more information or in participating in the Alliance please contact Denise Kennedy at dkennedy@biasc.org.

Thanks to his NAHB membership, Dave Rauch just saved $1,000 on another new truck.

But that makes it just another day at the office for Rauch, who estimates that he has saved about $12,000 a year for the past four years – and totally worth paying his dues to the BIA of Southern California.

The founder and president of ProTec, which provides construction, repair, plumbing, maintenance programs and inspection services for home owners associations (HOAs) in Southern California and Nevada, Rauch had been mulling whether his BIA membership was a good fit for the company.

ProTec focuses mainly on HOAs, but is also involved in the building industry as the largest provider of HOA maintenance manuals to builders in the United States.

“The GM discount and customer service available through my NAHB membership was enough to decide that my BIA dues are worth it,” he said.

His company has a fleet of 80 vehicles and 20 trailers, and needs to buy an average of one new vehicle a month – making the NAHB Member Advantage discount a money-saver all year, Rauch said.

“I used to be a Ford guy, but now I am only buying GM vehicles,” Rauch said. “I renewed my membership specifically for this GM discount.”

It’s one of many savings NAHB members can take advantage of – and a great perk when added to the advocacy, education and networking programs your HBA, state and national associations provide.

Learn more about the Member Advantage program or contact Christy Ronaldson for details.

Read the original blog post on NAHB's blog here.

As featured in the San Bernardino Sun.

San Bernardino County lost a true reflection of what a good American citizen should be when California State University, San Bernardino President Emeritus Dr. Albert Karnig, who devoted his life and career to inspiring our region and our neighbors to be the best they could be, passed away suddenly last Thursday. This Thursday, his family, associates, friends and many beneficiaries of his remarkable and wide-ranging career will gather at CSUSB’s Coussoulis Arena at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at the CSUSB reflecting pool to celebrate a life that focused on improving all of our lives every day.

NARI offers tips in honor of National Home Improvement Month

In honor of National Home Improvement Month this May, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) advises homeowners of the 10 most important steps to take before the remodeling project starts.

What can a homeowner do to prepare for a remodel? NARI provides a top 10 list of steps homeowners should take before breaking ground on their next remodel.

1. Research your project. Taking time to research projects on the Internet and NARI.org will provide a good sense of what is involved such as price, scope of work, return on investment and new product/material options. Also, research property values in your neighborhood to make sure your project is in line with other homes in the area.

2. Plan project around the long-term. How long do you plan to stay in your home? How might your family structure change over time? Life can change quickly—these questions should be answered early on to ensure your project will fit your lifestyle long after it’s complete.

3. Set your budget. Deciding on a realistic budget and arranging finances to support your project are essential. This number needs to include everything—the project, products, contingencies, etc. Don’t be afraid to share this with your remodeler; professionals are respectful of a client’s budget and will create a plan around it, not over it.

4. Use advanced search for professionals. The online world makes it easy to gather information about strangers. Ask friends, family and neighbors for referrals and then spend time researching that person online. Professional remodelers take their reputation seriously and hold credentials beyond licensing, such as certifications, memberships in trade associations and additional training. Look for examples of press coverage or involvement in industry presentations or events. Check online reviews and social media to see how they interact with past clients and peers.

5. Ask the right questions. Time and cost are important, but getting the right information requires the right questions. Ask your professional remodeler about his educational background, training, specialties or past issues with clients. Ask about how the remodeling process will work.

6. Verify your remodeler. Don’t take their word for it. Check the information given to you such as references, license numbers, insurance information and certifications by calling providers to verify. Request a visit to an active client’s jobsite. Make it known that you are checking on him—a true professional considers that as a positive sign to working with a homeowner.

7. Review contracts word-by-word. A remodeling contract protects you and your remodeler. Homeowners should review this carefully. Professional remodelers have done this before, and know what should go in a contract. Homeowners are not as familiar with remodeling and should ask about terms if they don’t understand. Pay attention to details about change orders, payment, additional fees, timeline and responsibilities. If it’s not in the contract, it doesn’t exist.

8. Keep design in mind. Your design guides the entire project. Think about what you dislike about your current space and the intended use of the new space. Use Websites such as Pinterest.com and Houzz.com to gather design ideas. Make sure you can articulate specifically what you like about that design when talking to your designer. Professionals don’t recreate a photo—they incorporate accessibility, functionality, ease of modification, style and value into your design.

9. Make your selections. Deciding on products and materials is a larger process than most imagine. With so many options to choose from, product selections are one of the primary reasons for project timelines to get extended. Base decisions on quality, function, price, style and availability. Include selections in the contract to lock down pricing and keep your budget intact.

10. Create a communication plan. A common downfall in remodeling is lack of communication between homeowners and remodelers. Your remodeler should lay out a communication plan at the beginning of the project. If not, ask them to do so. This plan should clarify roles of everyone involved, communication methods, availability, and frequency of communication that is expected.

As an industry that struggles with a persistent negative perception of remodeling contractors, these tips serve both the industry and consumers in elevating real professionals from the pack.

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the medium for business development, a platform for advocacy and the principal source for industry intelligence. NARI connects homeowners with its professional members and provides tips and tricks so that the consumer has a positive remodeling experience. NARI is a nationwide network of nearly 6,000 member companies and their employees. Consumers may wish to search www.NARI.org to find a qualified NARI professional or call NARI National at (847) 298-9200.

Representatives from Brookfield Homes, CalAtlantic Homes, CalOSHA, K. Hovnanian Homes, Meritage Homes, Milwaukee Tools, Pardee Homes, Shea Homes, The New Home Company, Toll Bros. and Warmington Homes met to review 1^st quarter accomplishments and to discuss future training on Scaffold Safety.

There were 127 single-family, multifamily, remodeling and community projects honored at the 2016 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) ceremony Wednesday night at the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

That means there were 127 examples of the top design trends that home buyers expect to see over the next several years in your building and remodeling projects. They include:

Benches and nooks. In single-family custom and production homes, architects and designers include benches and nooks because they’re cozy, chic and practical, serving as places to snuggle up with the kids or a good book.

Big showers and tubs. Showers continue to get larger and free-standing tubs more luxurious. Walk-in showers feature wall-to-wall glass and universal design features.

Board and batten. You’ll see a lot of this siding on the exteriors of this year’s winners, and they also add a classic touch to today’s contemporary interiors. Some winners add a unique spin by adjusting the width of the boards, giving homes a more customized, one-of-a-kind feel.

Dark door and window frames. On multifamily, custom and production homes, architects and designers are choosing dark brown or black frames around windows and doors instead of whites. Windows pop on white or light siding, and dark frames add a striking effect from the interior looking out.

Check out the full list on NAHB Now.

Times have changed since McDonald’s chairman Ray Kroc introduced upselling to the masses by directing his employees to ask customers if they wanted fries with their sandwiches. Even 60 years ago, Kroc knew that consumers spend more when they’re already in buying mode, and his directive nearly doubled the company’s sales of french fries.

Home builders long profited from the same approach, selling bare-bones houses standard while pushing a variety of higher-end products as upgrades or options. But 21st-century home buyers are turned off by hard line tactics, say industry experts. In fact, among home buyers and builders, upselling is now practically a dirty word.

“We don’t upsell. The term itself is inappropriate,” says Kira Sterling, chief marketing officer for national home builder Toll Brothers. “The implication is that that’s against customers’ best interests, and this is not what we are doing.”

Instead, associates at Toll Brothers’ 25 design centers throughout the country take a custom approach for every client, Sterling says, getting to know each buyer’s lifestyle and how they intend to live in their homes so presentations and offerings can be tailored to their needs.

In markets across the country, home builders of all sizes are upping their design studio game. Earlier this year, Louisville, Ky.–based Cook Brothers Homes opened what it claims is the most comprehensive design studio in greater Knoxville. In Charlottesville, Va., buyers can preview and select fixtures, appliances, cabinets, and countertops at Southern Development Homes’ new design center. In Southern California, The New Home Co. converts model home garages into customized on-site design centers and highlights all available upgrades, from lighting to landscaping, in its models. In February, McLean, Va.–based Miller & Smith opened a “sales experience center” at its new community One Loudoun in Ashburn, Va., a 1,300-square-foot retail space that allows home buyers to feel and see products.

Read the full article on Builder Magazine.

KTGY Architecture + Planning in Los Angeles has created three new-home designs for Brookfield Residential Properties' Kissing Tree master plan in San Marcos, Tex. The 55+, 3,200-home community is located on 1,332 acres in Central Texas, halfway between San Antonio and Austin in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

“We designed the Colby, Emerson and Clarkson plans to appeal to a wide variety of 55+ consumer preferences," said Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, LEED AP, managing principal of KTGY’s Los Angeles office and head of the firm’s 55+ studio. "Home buyers have lots of options at Kissing Tree -- not only on the inside of the home, but also what they want their home to look like on the outside.”

Read more about the project on Builder Magazine.

Zaha Hadid, one of the most visionary architects of our time, died at age 65 in March 2016.

Over the span of her career, the controversial and uncompromising architect created award-winning museums, condos, stadiums, and pavilions. In her last years, she took on a new challenge: designing a luxury condo complex over the High Line, Manhattan's famed elevated park.

The new condo building will be impressive, with an intricate metal and glass facade sculpted piece by piece. Inside, the high-rise will boast a parking garage with an automatic vallet system and the city's first private 3D IMAX theater.

Developer Related Companies broke ground in 2014. Samantha Zola, a spokesperson for the building, tells Business Insider that the building will open in June 2017. Approximately 50% of the units are in contract, according to StreetEasy.

Since it was Hadid's first NYC building and one of her last designs, it will remain a testament to her legacy.

Hadid, the first woman and Muslim to win the Pritzker Prize (widely considered the Nobel Prize of architecture), changed the industry forever with her futuristic buildings. 520 West 28th Street will serve as a testament to her creative vision. In 2016, Business Insider toured one of the model units.

Check out the rest of those photos here.

An Eagle Scout, professional dancers, and a former hotel manager are among this year’s array of home building superstars picked as 40 Under 40 winners by the editors of Professional Builder. Once again, several honorees cited surviving the great recession as one of their proudest achievements, while many others were notable for not only starting their companies but for also launching and growing more than one business during the recovery. 

In addition to owners and principals, this class includes managers, team leaders, and associates who stood out as innovators because they found creative ways to cut overhead and enhance customer relationships; some even innovated by inventing apps or algorithms to simplify complex functions. Off the clock, these professionals are fighting blight, building homes for disabled veterans, mentoring low-income youth, and giving back to their communities by volunteering their many other services and talents. Listed below are the Californians who made the 40 Under 40 Class for 2017.

Katherine Bardis, 29  President Bardis Homes Sacramento, Calif. Education • BA, Communication Studies, Loyola Marymount University; JD, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Accomplishments • Co-founded her company with cousin Rachel Bardis in 2012 and plans to build 100 new homes a year • Started one of Sacramento’s largest infill housing projects, The Mill at Broadway, which is expected to have more than 1,000 homes • Passed the California bar exam while also starting a business ExtraCurricular • Member of the North State Building Industry Association, Urban Land Institute, and InspireMidtown, a Sacramento community for female professionals • Volunteers for HomeAid and the National Charity League, a nonprofit leadership and service group of mothers and daughters Secret Life • Competed at the Grand Prix level in horse jumping • Family has built more than 45,000 homes over 50 years	Katherine Bardis, 29
Aren Bazzocco, 39  Division President Taylor Morrison Sacramento, Calif. Education • BS, Business Administration, California State University, Sacramento Professional Credentials • Certified public accountant Accomplishments • Guided his division’s survival through the housing recession • Developed and retained a team of more than 75 employees who, based on employee engagement survey results, are among the most satisfied groups in the entire organization • Grew the division’s market share in Sacramento from the eighth largest in 2014 to the second largest in 2016, translating to a unit volume increase of more than 170 percent ExtraCurricular • Board member of the North State Building Industry Association Off the Clock • Founded the Payton Hadley Bazzocco Foundation to support children and families facing health crises Secret Life • Collects ticket stubs	Aren Bazzocco, 39
Brent McCaffrey, 39  President The McCaffrey Group Fresno, Calif. Education • BS, Urban Planning and Development, University of Southern California Accomplishments • Developing more than 60 lots at South Hampton, his first community as construction superintendent • Secured approval for the first two villages with 2,734 residential units in a Madera County master planned community • Grew Building Industry Association (BIA) Fresno/Madera Counties membership and established forums to facilitate discussion between industry experts and the public ExtraCurricular • Chairman, BIA of Fresno/Madera Counties • Urban Land Institute Community Development Council • Catholic Professional and Business Club of Fresno • Young Presidents Organiz­ation of San Joaquin Valley Secret Life • Brent was the USC Trojans football team's MVP offensive lineman in 2000 and his father, Bob, won that honor in 1974 playing center.	Brent McCaffrey, 39
Annjielyn Narvaez, 33  SEC Reporting & Compliance Manager UCP San Jose, Calif. Education • BS, Accounting; MBA, San Jose State University Professional Credentials • Emerging Leaders Certificate Program, California Society of CPAs Accomplishments • Put UCP in the forefront of financial reporting by redesigning filings to be more reader friendly with charts, graphs, and other visuals replacing content previously presented using text and numbers • Streamlined the audit process by redesigning risk-control matrices and critical-process flowcharts for Sarbanes-Oxley Act documentation • Introduced new technology to SEC reporting and compliance, resulting in cost reduction and increased effectiveness Off the Clock • Make-A-Wish • Hot pilates, vinyasa yoga, power yoga Secret Life • Scotch connoisseur	Annjielyn Narvaez, 33

Read the full list here.

Project Team
Architect: Bassenian Lagoni
Builder: Beazer Homes
Interior Designer: Triomphe Design

Palm Springs home buyers value the unique architectural character of their desert oasis and demand that a new home community honor the town’s design heritage. Creating homes that interpret the mid-century modern vernacular in a way that adapts to a production environment requires finesse from the architect and great execution from the builder, not to mention the approval of the city and buy-in from a highly vocal and knowledgeable citizenry.

See more images on the Living Best in America Blog.

February 2017 Meeting | When Cal-OSHA Comes Knockin': Does, Don'ts, and Strategies for Employers  

In this session Safety Alliance members discussed strategies and exposures for employers where they have a Cal-OSHA Inspection including dealing with a serious injury or death at the workplace.  The attendees will learn techniques for interfacing with Cal-OSHA and Cal-OSHA inspectors. The program touched on how to address the applicable California workplace fatality criminal law and best practices when the District Attorney and Cal-OSHA conducts their investigation of fatalities and serious injuries. The session also covered individual and company exposures along with key defense strategies, as well as actual workplace fatality cases to illustrate the issues.

Our guest speaker, Kevin D. Bland, provided us with a wealth of experience in Health and Safety. Before his legal career, Mr. Bland had nearly 20 years of construction, safety, and business experience. In 2000, he launched his legal career after graduating cum laude from Whittier School of Law. Mr. Bland holds a Contractors "A" license and his practice focuses primarily on safety, risk management, Cal-OSHA regulatory rulemaking, and Cal-OSHA citation appeals. He counsels and represents various industries including construction, manufacturing, motion picture and television, and various other general industry clients along with various trade associations, construction contractors, and material suppliers.

Check out the photos from the meeting below.

Go back to the Safety Alliance page here.

In many ways, Palm Springs, California, is an architectural oasis. Located a mere two hours from Los Angeles, the desert city was developed as a mid-century haven for Hollywood’s biggest stars—Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Liz Taylor, and Elvis Presley, to name a few, found themselves in Palm Springs at one time or another.

A half-century later, and the homes they left behind are still adored by many. Every February since 2005, the best of mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and culture are showcased during Palm Springs’ Modernism Week. The 11-day affair is rich with tours of iconic homes, architectural walks, and double-decker bus tours, as well as lecture and film series, among other design-focused events. This year’s show, which runs through February 21, is expected to draw more than 60,000 visitors from around the globe.

Read more about Modernism Week and Modernist Architecture and see more photos of the architecture at Architectural Digest here.

Last week Jamboree Housing celebrated the Grand Opening of their award-winning Clark Commons apartment community.

Clark Commons is a LEED Gold apartment community in the City of Buena Park that will provide homes for 70 families. This project features contemporary design with a large community center, laundry facilities, fitness room, technology amenities, outdoor dining, child play areas, and is adjacent to a one-acre neighborhood park. Clark Commons was recognized at the 2016 Affordable Housing Awards as Development of the Year.  

Developer:  Jamboree Housing

Architect:  Danielian Associates Architecture + Planning

Product Type:  Affordable Housing

Construction: Type V-A Apartments in 3-story & 4-story Levels over Type I Podium

Units: 70      

Density: 35 DU/AC

General Contractor: Portrait Construction, Inc.

Landscape: Summers/Murphy & Partners, Inc.