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Four years ago, a group of GreenTown Los Altos volunteers started canvassing local restaurants to join the GreenTown Co-op in order to offer the more environmentally friendly compostables for take outs and left overs. The idea met with limited success for a variety of reasons.  Mainly, most business owners did not want to change their current practice.  GreenTown’s team realized that until there was a town ban on Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam), the task of changing behavior would be a tough uphill battle. Flash forward to Jan 14, 2014 On Jan. 14, 2014 the Los Altos City Council voted to ban EPS from restaurants, retail shops, and events starting July 4, 2014. The second fourth of July where the Council has shown its forward thinking by enacting policies supporting “freedom” from old school, environmental killing, products. The approval of the EPS Ban marks a great change in behavior within Los Altos.  Already 2/3 of the restaurants do not use EPS in their business operations and the other third just have 1 or 2 products that need to be changed to a compostable product, 6 of the 9 retail establishments sell EPS material on the store shelves and none of them foresee an issue with removing these products. Most vendors at events have anticipated the ban and already have compostable replacements lined up. Within a short period of time, our town is changing behavior regarding environmental issues.  To think single use plastic bags and expanded poly styrene are soon to be relics of the past, opens up a new world of creating sustainable behavior for a better earth.  A change everyone connected with GreenTown Los Altos is happy to see. For more details about the EPS ban, check out the San Jose Mercury News and Los Altos Town Crier articles for related news articles. .

Homeowner Joseph Adler had been in his Cuesta Drive home for a year, when he and his wife toyed with the idea of doing more than just a “standard” energy upgrade of better insulation and installing LED lights. With double pane windows already in place, along with a good furnace, solar panels seemed like the way to go. They chose a company with a unique business model: one that uses volunteers, not employees, for actual installation. The non-profit company, SunWork, uses professional staff for planning, getting permits and managing all aspects of the installation. In addition, a team of volunteers works on the installations. Project manager, Matt Thompson, on the left, with the two volunteers, Hamid Saadat and Tom Kabat. Photo credit: Mike Balma Who are these volunteers? Men and women with better than average mechanical skills who either want on-the-job training, are curious about the process or simply want to be involved with an environmentally conscious company.  Thus, SunWork, a non-profit that works on small systems with an average electric bill of under $130 per month, can pass those savings through to their customers. According to Joseph, his cost was about $3/watt, compared to a more typical price of $4.50/watt.  After the tax credits, Joseph’s cost was closer to $2/watt.  Based on his family’s energy consumption, that means he will have free energy in just 6 years, paying only the PG&E grid connection fee of <$5/month, which is why he insists, “It is irresponsible not to put in solar panels in this area”. Mike Balma, Development Director of SunWork noted, “We have installed 15 solar systems in Los Altos with more on the way.  Los Altos now has the highest number of installations for us.  We recently completed our 100th system and we appreciate the local support from our volunteers and from homeowners in moving to a renewable energy future.” If you have sun on your roof, what are you waiting for? We may have a dearth of water, but the sun is still coming on strong and that translates to savings you can literally bank on.

Drought Declaration : Here’s what you can do. Unless you live under a rock, you know that California is in an unprecedented drought. Gov. Brown has asked for an immediate 20% reduction in water use. The drought is so dismal, that even a miracle March will not affect this year’s supply, which means status quo on water is history and every Californian needs to take action to produce lasting sustainability for our state. Our economy and environment depend on our ability to use this precious resource wisely. In Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, 50-70% of water use is used on irrigation of plants that are not suitable for our environment. The most egregious is turf. “People need to live within their hydrologic reality,” said Barbara Vlamis, of AquAlliance which exists to “defend Northern California waters”. Landscape conversion programs are the best means of water conservation. Santa Clara Valley Water District Directors, Brian Schmidt and Linda LeZotte, recommend doubling water conservation rebates to encourage sustainable behaviors. Residents can receive $4000 or more for replacing turf with more California friendly landscapes and upgrading to efficient irrigation systems. Beautiful pallets of climate suitable plants are possible for replacing lawns. Residents around the state are realizing the multiple advantages of native plants over the monoculture of turf: less water, less maintenance, less creek-polluting fertilizer, greater biodiversity, greater sustainability for all. Don’t be the last water-waster on your street with a lawn. Water supply and treatment is very energy intensive. Over 30% of the energy used in California is specifically to move and treat water. Conserving water results in energy conservation and reduced green house gas emissions. Water Conservation Tips Abound GENERAL Never pour water down the drain when it can be reused (eg: used to water plants or garden or for flushing toilets.) Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers.  One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year. Check all plumbing for leaks and have any leaks repaired by a plumber. Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors. Install an instant hot water heater on your sink, running water until it’s hot wastes water. Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking. Install a water-softening system only when water minerals may damage your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation. Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient. Check your well pump periodically. If the automatic pump turns on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak. Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water or installing ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless they use re-circulated water. Consider rainwater harvesting where practical. Contact your local water provider for information and assistance. Sign up for a Water-Wise House Call to learn more about water conservation. YARD CARE Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Once established, plants adapted to your local climate do not need water as frequently and will survive dry periods without watering. Small plants require less water to become established. Group plants together based on similar water needs. Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use, such as micro and drip irrigation, and soaker hoses. Use subsurface or Netafim systems for lawn areas. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil and keep soil cool. Organic mulch also improves the soil and prevents weeds that compete with landscape plants for water. Check your sprinkler system frequently, adjust so only your landscape is watered, not the house, sidewalk, or street. Repair sprinklers that spray a fine mist. Most misting issues result from a pressure problem, properly regulating pressure in an irrigation system will prevent misting. Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly and do not leak. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture. Plant drought-resistant lawn seed. Reduce or eliminate lawn areas and replace with climate suitable plants. Avoid fertilizing your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Turn irrigation down in fall and off in winter. Water manually in winter only if needed. Invest in a weather-based irrigation controller—or a smart controller. These devices will automatically adjust the watering time and frequency based on soil moisture, rain, wind, and evaporation and transpiration rates. Check with your local water agency to see if there is a rebate available for the purchase of a smart controller. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. You don’t need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn’t need water yet. If your yard requirez watering, do so early morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, your plants will better absorb moisture and avoid runoff. Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk. Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs. POOL Install a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water. Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation of water. BATHROOM Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models. Note: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law. Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow (do not use a brick, it may dissolve and loose pieces may cause damage to the internal parts). Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet. Avoid taking baths—take short showers—turn on water only to get wet, lather, then on again to rinse off. Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving. Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants or flushing toilets. Check for toilet leaks. A drop of dye in the toilet bowl should remain for hours. If the color dissipates, then there is a leak. The seal between the tank and the bowl can degrade in five years. Replace as needed. KITCHEN Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the “light wash” feature, if available, to use less water. Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach. Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap. Reuse that water in the yard or for flushing toilets. Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool. Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or flushing toilets or use the stove or microwave to heat water. Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing) Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate properly). LAUNDRY Operate automatic clothes washers only when fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load. Use a front load model that is water and energy efficient. Install a greywater laundry to landscape system. List adapted from FEMA.

Goodbye Incandescent Bulbs Incandescent light bulbs are essentially being phased out by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.  And, in California, if you do any home remodeling or new residential construction, Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards will affect your lighting choices. So, sooner or later, you will have to face the challenge of what to do about the old lighting in your house. Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs were easy to deal with. If a 60-watt bulb burned out, I just bought a new 60-watt bulb. I had a good sense of how much light that would put out. Manufacturers offered some variations in color such as soft white, bright white, daylight, etc., but these were relatively easy to understand. Hello CFLs…Er, Not so Fast When compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) became widely available in the mid 2000s, they promised greater energy efficiency and overall lower cost. Enticing! But homeowners like me faced frustrating challenges selecting bulbs that performed in a customary fashion. Simply replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs often meant turning your home’s warm, pleasant lighting into what looked like the lighting in a gas station bathroom!  Suddenly, the lighting was too bright, too white, or too blue or it flickered, took too long to light up, did not work in cold temperatures or was not really dimmable. Trial and error along with multiple trips to the hardware store were required to get a satisfying solution. Not only was the purchase process for CFLs more complicated but so was disposal. Fluorescent bulbs contain the toxic chemical mercury. This means that when my frisky cat knocked over the floor lamp and a CFL broke, I faced a hazmat cleanup process. I was supposed to remove people and pets from the room, turn off any forced air heating or AC, open all the windows and clean up the broken pieces while holding my breath and without using a vacuum. The Good News – LEDs to the Rescue When I first discovered LED lights that would fit into the standard E27 base, the price was exorbitant. So, once the price dropped to just under $20, I decided to buy just one to replace the 100 watt bulb in my bedside lamp.  I bought a 10.5 watt, 800 lumen lamp with a pleasing 3000 Kelvin color rating. This is supposedly only as bright as a 60-70 watt incandescent bulb but somehow it provides plenty of light for my middle-aged eyes to read by and only uses 10.5% of the energy used by the bulb it replaced! LED lighting (using light-emitting diodes) is ultra-efficient, can cut energy use by more than 80% and lasts more than 25 times as long as conventional incandescent lights. The good news is that the cost of LED bulbs has fallen by more than 85% since 2008 and is expected to continue to drop, according to Tal Mashhadian, owner of Lite Line Illuminations. Most LED bulbs carry a warranty of at least 5 years. Would LEDs be a better solution than the CFLs? Would I have to replace my ceiling- and wall-mounted light fixtures to use them? What is the lighting really like? So, I was pretty stoked to hear what Tal would have to say about the new LED lighting options at our recent event at the Los Altos Library. His presentation, Q&A and show-and-tell enlightened the inquisitive audience. For those who missed the presentation, here are some of the highlights. How LEDs are Different from Other Bulbs LEDs are more of a “lighting package” than a bulb. LEDs differ from incandescent and fluorescent lights in three very important ways: They are not omnidirectional — Since light output is more focused, the placement of LED chips and the use of reflectors are important parts of the lighting package. LEDs are sensitive to heat – When LEDs get too warm, their light output degrades. A heat sink is needed in order to absorb excess heat and ensure optimal performance. Colors of LEDs are created by phosphors – These phosphors may cover the LEDs themselves or included in the diffuser that is part of the lighting package. Most LEDs do not require special handling for disposal (although you should check their packaging for instructions). How to Choose the Right LEDs There are three main features to consider when selecting LED lighting: 1. Lumens – This refer to the amount of light emitted.  Here is a handy table shared by Tal. 2. Color Temperature (Kelvin) – This is a measure of how “warm” or “cool” a light looks. All light bulb packages sold in the U.S. are required to carry the Lighting Facts label. This carries information on the light output (lumens) and color temperature (Kelvin) but does not require an indication of the CRI. Since color perception is somewhat subjective, Tal recommends testing out the lighting yourself or visiting a showroom where you can judge how colors appear. Do I Have to Replace My Fixtures? To my surprise, it turns out that I don’t have to completely replace my recessed lighting. In some cases, I could just replace the bulb itself. For example, I could choose to replace the MR16 halogen bulbs in recessed fixtures with a 10 watt LED. However, I would have to be careful to choose LEDs that have adequate heat sinks. (Tal recommends products by Soraa). Another option is to screw in a new canister to the existing halogen fixture. For the R30 cans that I had installed 14 years ago (and which now contain dimmable fluorescents), I could leave the housing in place and replace the cans themselves.  This might cost $40-$90 per can. However, I could do it myself and would not have to recut the holes in my ceiling. (Since I have a few dozen of these, I think I’ll wait.) For some of the halogen fixtures in my house — like wall sconces with unusual halogen bulbs — I am going to have to wait for LED replacements. Interesting Innovations and Fun Facts There are new LEDs on the market that have the ability to become warmer in color when they are dimmed.  One manufacturer calls this “sunlight dimming.” LED “light strips” are available and can be purchased by the foot (~$25/foot). These are very cool and can be cut to any length. The smart technology in LEDs makes it possible to integrate all sorts of functionality into lighting systems – e.g. a daylight sensor that could automatically dim or brighten a lighting system. The amount of power used is so little, that it would be technically possible to use Cat 5 wiring (i.e. twisted pair wiring as used in Ethernet cables) instead of standard Romex. LEDs do not emit UV radiation (as do incandescent bulbs) that can fade fabrics. Caveat Emptor Tal advised us to watch out for some potentially misleading information: Tal Mashhadian, owner of Lite Line Illuminations More watts does not necessarily mean brighter light. Lighting efficiency of LEDs is measured differently than with incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.  The correct measure for LEDs is lumens/per watt.  A greater number is more efficient. Be aware that packaging describing watt usage (e.g., “only uses 8 watts”) does not necessarily describe the power used by the LED itself. It could represent power consumed (and possibly wasted) by other components of the lighting package. Lumen output per watt is the correct measure of efficiency. Tal recommends investing in light fixtures and lighting where the specifications have been tested and validated by independent labs. He also pointed out that, if the LED’s heat sink is not adequate, the color of the light can shift over time. LEDs with better heat sinks might be more expensive but it can pay off in the long-term. Time to Say Goodbye to Old-Fashioned, Energy Hog Light Bulbs? Is it time to kiss both your incandescent and fluorescent bulbs goodbye?  You can probably start doing so economically and develop a plan to gradually phase in LEDs. If you are remodeling, you may have no choice but to go with LEDs.  And the good news is that there are many great lighting options out there.  It’s worth visiting your local showroom to check out the solutions.

Good news! The Los Altos City Council unanimously approved the Climate Action Plan at the council meeting Dec. 10, 2013. This culminates a two year effort, but Zach Dahl, Senior Planner, cautioned us, “Now the hard work begins.” It’s official! The plan has over 40 specific measures that will bring the city into compliance with the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), a landmark bill that requires the state to roll greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020.  A good chunk of the reductions will occur because of changes made at the state and federal levels, such as fuel efficiency standards, energy efficiency standards, and an increase in renewable energy produced by our energy suppliers.  That still leaves some work for Los Altos. Multiple benefits The actions Los Altos will take were selected to provide benefit beyond greenhouse gas emission reductions.  The bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure will be expanded.  This will be good for people who want to get out of their cars, provide healthy exercise and produce less greenhouse gases.  Building regulations enhancements will improve energy efficiency and the City will expand its outreach about energy efficiency options.  This will save us money in the long run with lower energy bills and produce less greenhouse gases.  Public charging stations and pre-wiring for electric vehicle (EV) charging will encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, which with zero tail pipe emissions, means cleaner air for us and our children.  Water conservation measures will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (pumping water takes energy) and planting more shade trees will capture carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. Monitoring and reporting The council took an active interest in making sure we meet our target.  They asked for a mid-year report rather than waiting until the end of 2014.  They asked for a detailed progress report after two years, rather than waiting until 2018.  They offered a number of suggested enhancements that will be incorporated in the implementation phase.  The next step according to Mr. Dahl is to assign the measures to the lead departments within the city and the departments will then develop a plan and a schedule.  The Environmental Commission will develop a web site dashboard so everyone can track our progress. Thanks to the Environmental Commission and the City Council for great progress in our fight against global warming! Want to read the Plan?  Here’s the link. For more information, contact Gary Hedden, GreenTown Energy Program Chair at energy@GreenTownLosAltos.org.

Winter is the best time to plan and plant your landscaping. Plants are nearly dormant, their water needs are reduced and they are more likely to survive transplanting. Sustainable landscapes combine intelligent plant choices, smart irrigation methods, and biologically active soil maintenance. Check Santa Clara Valley Water District’s rebates before you start , numerous rebates are available to make water-saving landscape decisions more enticing. Did you miss GreenTown’s October Community meeting? Check out these informative presentations. www.puddle-stompers.com/storage/SmartControllersTalk.pdf www.puddle-stompers.com/storage/Climate-AdaptedPlants.pdf Intelligent Plant Choices Beyond using less water, native plants have another advantage: they provide essential habitat for our native insects, birds, reptiles and mammals. As the human population grows, native habitats decrease. Create islands of hope in your yard for butterflies and birds by selecting plants native to your watershed. Contact Acterra’s nursery or visit other local nurseries for the best choices. Favorite plants in a full sun yard are fragrant Salvias, gorgeous Buckwheats and stunning Manzanitas. Leave room for Milkweed, the only food source for Monarch Butterflies. Need a grassy area? Several low water native grasses, such as bentgrass and red fescue are available in plugs and sod. Alternately choose a soft, walk-able ground cover like Yarrow or Wood Strawberry. See link below for more information. www.puddle-stompers.com/storage/Climate-AdaptedPlants.pdf Smart Irrigation Even native plants need some irrigation, especially the first few years as they dive their roots deep into the soil. There are three main types of irrigation: spray, drip and subsurface. Traditional fine spray irrigation is the most inefficient, losing over 60% of water volume to evaporation. MP Rotators create larger droplets and are more efficient than spray. Subsurface irrigation is most efficient and is best used for flat lawns or areas with ground cover. Use drip irrigation for scrubs; wider tubes with 2 gallon per minute emitters will require the least maintenance. A landscape professional can help you minimize your water usage. Here is the free website tool to get on point with your irrigation scheduling: http://www.etwatergnome.com/ Smart Irrigation Controllers Thanks to the agriculture industry, irrigation controllers now use smart technology to deliver water only when your plants need it. Smart controllers connect to California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) to determine your plants rate of Evapo-Transpiration (ET) that helps determine optimal water needs. See link below for more information. www.puddle-stompers.com/storage/SmartControllersTalk.pdf Healthy Soil Maintenance Drop your store bought fertilizers at a hazardous waste dump day. Your soil and your local creek will thank you. Your soil needs biologically active compost and a thick layer of mulch to thrive. Refresh your yard twice a year with a healthy layer of each. I really like the options at Lyngso. Got a trouble area in your yard? It may just need a generous cup of compost tea. Santa Clara Valley Water District Rebates Want to replace your thirsty, monoculture lawn? Don’t let your lawn die until you research rebates. Your water district will pay you up to $2000 to replace your lawn but they’ll need proof before you start. Rebates also reward you for irrigation and controller upgrades. Coming soon are rebates for greywater systems. Mark your calendar for GreenTown’s Greywater Seminar June 4, 7pm at Los Altos Library. Here is more information on Santa Clara Valley Water District Landscape Rebates: www.valleywater.org/Programs/LandscapeRebateProgram.aspx

GreenTown is always interested in energy efficient homes. A recently completed retrofit in Sunnyvale was featured for International Passive House Days (Nov. 8-10, 2013). The 1957 home was built with typical single pane windows and minimal insulation and was in need of an upgrade. The heat pump uses half the energy of the fridge. The new owners wanted more than a new look, they wanted good looks and energy efficiency. They hired One Sky Homes’ designer and builder Allen Gilliland, and he delivered. It was a “chain saw retrofit,” says Gilliland. By that he meant it wasn’t a tear down, but a lot of lumber was removed. The home got the standard upgrades with new windows, doors and lots of insulation – top, bottom and sides. The flat roof stayed flat, but now with three layers of rigid foam and wrap-around sealing at the edges. With meticulous attention to the sealing of all gaps, the home is snug with no more drafts, no more heat loss and better air quality because it is all filtered air. Take a deep breath, it’s perfect if you suffer from allergies. The 1650 sf home is heated (or cooled in the summer) with a 300-watt heat pump fitted with a heat recovery ventilator. Yes, 300 watts! That’s all this house needs and it keeps it at a steady 72 degrees. With that level of efficiency this “appliance” uses less energy than any of the top six energy-consuming Energy Star appliances in the home. The number one energy hog is the refrigerator at $8 a month – twice the energy cost of the heat pump. The owners have lived in this newly remodeled home for over six months and they love the sleek European styling, the energy efficiency and the comfort. Allen says all of these kinds of efficiency upgrades will add 5-10% to the cost, but the pay back will be fast. Something to consider the next time you remodel. Want more information? Here’s the link: http://www.oneskyhomes.com/valley-forge-passive-house-retrofit Allen Gilliland of One Sky Homes

Packard Foundation: Net Zero is Net Positive For Us All At the Packard Foundation’s open house in June 2012, hopes were high for attaining net zero in terms of energy created versus what was used, by the Platinum Certified building.  Now, one year later the verdict is in: they have the largest LEED Platinum certified net zero energy building in the world. Impressive by any standards. The building has achieved LEED Platinum certification (the highest form of LEED) and this does require that the building meet water stewardship, waste, materials and energy criteria, among other things.  The Net Zero Energy Building Certification is awarded by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).  The building is the largest certified NZE building in the world. This is remarkable because designing NZE buildings is one thing, but actually getting them to operate at NZE is quite another. Credit for creating a design that delivered such results go to EHDD’s team of Scott Shell and John Christiansen. Susan Orr noted, “We want to be kicked off our spot, we want to lose this one in the HP competitive way”, referencing wanting another building to “one up” their stellar rating. The challenge is on! We got that information from Susan Orr, Chair of the Packard Foundation, at the Foundation’s Oct. 17 celebration.  She reported that the foundation has been in the business of supporting families and communities for almost 50 years and they wanted a sustainable and beautiful building as they continue their work. “We want to be kicked out of our spot” noted Susan Orr, “we want to lose this one in the HP competitive way” Many Los Altans came to proudly celebrate the crowning achievement of the Packard Foundation, a memorable moment indeed. We also heard from Carol Larson, President of the Foundation.  She gave us some of the details that allow a building to be LEED net zero:  More than 900 solar panels, 40% less water use than with a comparably sized building, 100% rain water capture, 90% native plants, 95% recycling of the material from the site deconstruction, and much more.  She made the point that they did not use any ground breaking new technologies, so it is within the reach of any new project.  She also made the point that it is so important – climate change puts all of their good work at risk. GreenTown could not agree more.  Well done and congratulations, Packard Foundation!

By Jim Thurber It seems we have created a land – almost literally- littered, with automobiles.  They’re everywhere.  Parking lots are filled, often overflowing. Junkyards of discarded automobiles and assorted parts abound. In a short time, our world has become defined by, and almost addicted to, the automobile. An “addiction” many of us, including me, are reconsidering because a look at cars from another vantage point can yield different realizations. In my case that awareness had me altering my “wheeling” life; literally moving from auto wheels to bike wheels. A few years ago I read Wendell Berry’s poem, “Horses”about days when our lives ebbed and flowed, our work limited by the amount of time we could use an animal before we had to let it rest [Note: Quotes from the poem are in italics] That limit was displaced by tractors (trucks or cars) which ran as long as fuel was in the tank and . . . ”The songs of the world died in our ears as we went within the uproar of the long syllable of the motors. …..But that work, empowered by burning the world’s body (oil) showed us finally the world’s limits and our own. Berry’s phrase, burning the world’s body, perhaps influenced me more than anything. Oil is the world’s body – created over millions and millions of years. We hunted for it, frantically searched for it, even on the bottom of the sea, and burned it. But we were sloppy. And the resulting problems were huge: blowouts, fires, death, destruction, spoiled oceans, destroyed environments, smog, asthma, tuberculosis, cancers… We had created a machine that enabled us to move quickly from one place to another, yet its use wrecked havoc on people, habitats and our environment. So I purchased a bicycle and vowed to use the automobile only when absolutely necessary. Racks and panniers enable me to carry necessities. A good rain jacket and gloves ensure I arrive at my destination warm and mostly dry. Initially riding even a few miles exhausted me but I kept up.  Now I can ride many miles and my health has improved measurably.  Parking is never a problem and the amount of money I spend on gasoline: practically nothing. I still own a car but this past summer, loaned it to a fellow teacher and now it’s gone to a new home in Oregon (my nephew).  I doubt I will ever purchase another automobile. I fully intend to continue to pedal into my 70s and 80s, enjoying the strength and health it has given me, and relishing the smell of the flowers and song of the birds as I ride silently past. We live in a beautiful world.  Let’s keep it that way. There are alternatives to cars that use oil, and I’ve found mine.

News from the Santa Clara Valley Water District Did you know that it takes over 713 gallons of water to produce one cotton T-shirt? That’s equivalent to about 14 bathtubs full of water. The record-breaking dry year we have had is a great reminder that we live in a semi-arid climate, and conservation is essential to meeting our current and future water needs not only during summer months, but also in the fall. Landscaping normally needs only half of the water it does during the summer. This means if you water 48 minutes per week in summer, the same plants only need 24 minutes of watering time in the fall. In December, you may be able to turn off your irrigation system completely until mid-March. In this month’s issue, join us for upcoming board workshops on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, take a virtual tour of the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, learn about the county’s Green Business Program, read about the $30 million grant from the Department of Water Resources, and read more about the recently signed Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan. Finally, if you are out and about in downtown San Jose tomorrow, please join us in launching the “Water 2 Go” program. This important collaborative between the water district, county, and FIRST 5 will make safe, clean and healthful tap water more accessible. As always, we look forward to continuing to provide you with timely information and invite your feedback about water-related issues of importance to you and our county. Sincerely, Teresa Alvarado Deputy Administrative Officer

Conservation? Meet Your Match, Here Comes Treated Water With booming population growth and limited water supply, conservation has been our main means of securing reliable water for California.  Not any more. Santa Clara Valley Water District has taken a bold step into a new option of an Advanced Water Purification Center. In November 2013, the $68M Center will take treated water and produce 8 million gallons a day of clean, purified water. Recycled water, designated in purple pipes, has been available since the 1970s for non-potable uses. This is different. The $68M Center will take treated water and produce 8 million gallons a day of clean, purified water. Initially, the purified water from the new plant will be mixed with recycled water, reducing the dissolved solids of recycled water, and used for irrigation and industry. The intention for this plant is to process potable water from secondary treated water, i.e., waste water that has been filtered. Initially, the plant will produce more recycled water for non-potable uses but eventually, the water output will be for potable uses. The transition will happen after extensive public input. The purified water will be mixed with groundwater and other water sources, reducing our reliance on imported water. Similar water purification plants already employed globally Southern California has several plants that are coming online this year. John Stufflebean, director of Environmental Services for the City of Sunnyvale, said that his community is ready for purified water and is working hard to get their new plant up and flowing. He stressed the dependence of our economic stability on a reliable water supply. Our cycle of droughts and floods, which has been fairly well behaved for the last 80 years, has the ability to cripple our economy. Our cycle of droughts and floods, fairly well behaved for the last 80 years, has the ability to cripple our economy. The technology to produce purified water is similar to nature’s method, only on a faster time scale. Treated water passes through micro filtration, ultraviolet and reverse osmosis. The water is so pure it is highly reactive and corrosive, rendering only stainless steel tanks as suitable for the process. Thanks to my dear friend, Trish, I was part of the first group to tour Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center. Our group of dozen water nerds was composed mostly of professionals from the Department of Water Resources and Regional Water Quality Control Board. Hard hats, leather shoes and safety vests were required as the site is still under construction. There was true excitement and sense that this was a pivotal moment for our community. I highly recommend a tour. More info is here. My water dream is that each house becomes its own water purification center. Yearly rainwater captured, treated, used and reused until the next season. I guess that technology is still a few years off.

GreenTown Los Altos’ next ReCycle Bike Drive is coming SOON! We are seeking support of the community to donate used bikes for redistribution to those in need. Bikes in need of repair are welcome. Santora and McTighe at work Our bike drive is a great example of how the Los Altos and Mountain View community comes together to promote exercise, reduce carbon emissions, recycle used materials, and help those in need. Community activist Kathleen Santora initiated this effort over 17 years ago with a group of her friends. During that time, Santora’s group collected bikes each fall and donated about 600 bikes to Sacred Heart Community Services in San Jose. They then distributed refurbished bikes to those in need during their Christmas Toy Box program.  Two years ago, when Santora first learned about GreenTown, she thought that by working together, we could collect more bikes for those in need. Four times in the past two years, GreenTown has come together with volunteer bike mechanics from Bicycle Outfitters and Chain Reaction to refurbish donated bikes. LAHS students have also pitched in to wash the bikes before distribution. The GreenTown partnership paid off. Over 200 bikes were collected and given to students in our Los Altos/Mountain View community. With help and support of the Bike Exchange in Mountain View, any bikes not placed with local needy students were distributed to community agencies such as the Veterans Administration and the Bill Wilson Center for homeless teens. Volunteer airs tires Volunteers will be on hand at Blach and Egan Middle Schools Sunday November 3 between 10 AM and 1 PM to accept donations. Stop by during that time, at either location, with your underutilized bikes. A needy student will thank you.