Garden Fest Returns to Bakersfield College April 20

March 2013
APRIL 4
Chapter Board/General Membership
Meeting. 11:30 a.m. Don Pericos,
Hageman Road.
APRIL 5 & 6
Landscape Industry Certified testing at
Cuyamaca College, San Diego. For more
details, visit www.clca.org.
APRIL 12
Kern County Chapter Beautification
Awards applications due by 5 p.m. See
story on page 5.
APRIL 19-20
Kern County Chapter Beautification
Awards judging.
APRIL 20
Garden Fest at Bakersfield College.
MAY 2
Chapter Board/General Membership
Meeting. 11:30 a.m. Don Pericos,
Hageman Road.
MAY 23
Chapter Meeting at O. See-em-Bloom
Nursery, 1416 Calloway Dr.
JUNE 6
Chapter Board/General Membership
Meeting. 11:30 a.m. Don Pericos,
Hageman Road.
JUNE 18
Kern County Chapter Beautification
Awards Ceremony at Bakersfield College,
Renegade Park at 6 p.m. Dinner provided
by Bakersfield College Culinary Arts
Programs. Entertainment.
JUNE 19
CLCA KC Water Conservation, Green
Expo and Vendor Fair at Bakersfield
College. 1-4 pm.
JULY 8-12
Summer Extravaganza Baja Cruise. Visit
www.clca.org.
AUGUST
Bowling Night. Details TBA.
Garden Fest Returns to
Bakersfield College April 20
Join us on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for GardenFest at the Bakersfield
College’s Horticultural Gardens, Renegade Park, off of Mount Vernon Ave. north of
Memorial Stadium.
Garden Fest 2013, an open house featuring Bakersfield College’s Environmental
Horticulture and Agriculture programs, has become Bakersfield’s premier spring garden
event for seasoned “greenthumbs” and novice gardeners alike and draws thousands of
visitors annually.
The Country Garden Seminars on the CLCA Country Garden Stage will feature talk
show hosts Dale “Sultan of Sod” Edwards and Lindsay “The Plant Professor” Ono.
Along with Edwards and Ono, industry professionals will provide valuable tips and
information on gardening, floral design, pet care, cooking, and much more. Buck’s
Landscape Materials and Pond Shop will provide the popular “Build-a-Pond” seminar.
There will be booths with student crafts and vendors with information on gardening,
pets, cooking, outdoor leisure, arts & crafts, and environmentally-friendly home improvement ideas, along with the farmer’s market filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Call 661-395-4446, if you want to participate as a vendor. CLCA members are free.
June 19: Water Conservation, Green Expo and Vendor Fair
The CLCA Kern County Chapter will be holding its Biennial Water Conservation,
Green Expo and Vendor Fair on Wednesday, June 19, from 1-4 p.m., at Bakersfield
College, Environmental Horticulture Gardens at Renegade Park (Mt. Vernon Avenue
north of Memorial Stadium, 3974 Mt. Vernon Ave. on Garmin).
This year’s show will include vendors from all sides of the Green Industry, such
as: water conservation, small equipment, large equipment, lighting, fertilizer, rental
yards -- anything and everything to do with the Green Industry.
We welcome vendors and spectators. Vendor Booths are at no cost this year, on a
first come basis. The registration deadline is May 15. Contractors, gardeners, public
works, school districts, water districts and many others will be in attendance. Cold
beverages will be served and there is a raffle giveaway.
2013 Kern County
Chapter Board of Directors
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
WAYNE COX
(661) 589-9516
Century Landscape Inc.
[email protected]
PRESIDENT
OLGA SEE
(661) 330-9010
O. See-Em-Bloom
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT ELECT
RYAN HERDT
(661) 325-9530
Ewing Irrigation Products
[email protected]
VP PROGRAMS/EVENTS
JERRY KOOP
(661) 363-6639
Alpha & Omega Gardening
[email protected]
TREASURER
LARRY JACK
Grass Masters
(661) 834-3661
SECRETARY
MEGAN RIOS
(661) 835-9259
Rios Design Studio
[email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
AARON SHAMBLIN
(661) 343-0461
Ewing Irrigation [email protected]
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
LINDSAY ONO
(661) 395-4938
Bakersfield College
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
DALE EDWARDS
(661) 397-7611
Old River Sod
[email protected]
RESOURCE MNGMT COMMITTEE
TOM JONES
(661) 326-3148
City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks
[email protected]
ASSOCIATE
MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
ANTHONY BLANCO
[email protected]
(661) 664-5200
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
JIM RIOS
(661) 835-9259
Rios Design Studio
[email protected]
AWARDS & VENDOR FAIR COMMITTEE
JAVIER LESACA
(661) 836-0229
Lesaca Landscape Company
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
JERRIE BEARD
(530) 621-1701
Beard & Associates fax (530) 621-2043
[email protected]
The CLCA Kern County Chapter newsletter is published monthly. Copy and advertising deadlines
are the 10th of the month preceding publication.
Materials may be mailed to: Beard & Associates,
PO Box 7, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. Emailed submissions are also welcome at [email protected]. For information on advertising and
rates, contact Jerrie Beard at (530) 621-1701.
CHAPTER WEBSITE
www.clcakerncounty.org
2
• March 2013
CLCA State Headquarters
1491 River Park Drive, Ste. 100
Sacramento CA 95815-8899
(916) 830-2780 • (800) 448-2522
(916) 830-2788 Fax
email: [email protected]
2013 CLCA State
Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Frank Niccoli
(650) 592-9440
The Village Gardener
[email protected]
PRESIDENT ELECT
Chuck Carr
(805) 732-3705
ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Eric Watanabe
(818) 831-1390
Majestic Pools & Landscapes Inc.
[email protected]
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Ted Sandrowski
(530) 345-6101
Sandrowski Landscaping Inc.
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jessica Centeno
(310) 768-4089
Centeno’s Landscaping Company Inc.
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER SERVICES
Richard Sheffield
(661) 245-1147
Antioch Nursery Landscap e& Tree Srvc.
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Eric Briner
(559) 453-2539
Briner and Son Landscape Management
DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION
Pete Dufau, CLT
(805) 642-1239
Dufau Landscape, Inc.
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Steve Jacobs CLP, CLT (760) 945-4321
Nature Designs Landscaping
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Javier Lesaca
(661) 836-0229
Lesaca Landscape Company
[email protected]
DIR. OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Tom Noonan
(916) 652-9530
Ewing Irrigation
[email protected]
CO-DIRECTOR CHAPTER PRES.
COUNCIL SOUTH
Steve Beckstrom
(714) 379-1140
Tierra Verde Landscape Inc.
CO-DIRECTOR CHAPTER PRES.
COUNCIL NORTH
Aaron Huxley
(408) 824-0181
Hunter/FX Luminaire
[email protected]
ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTOR
Rick Zinn
(935) 864-1088
Horizon
From the President:
Olga See, O-See-Em-Bloom
Happy Easter everyone! This is my favorite
time of the year -- the Hope of Easter, fabulous
weather, and busy, busy, busy!
The Spring Home and Garden Show was
very well attended this year. Our chapter
again hosted a booth to educate consumers on
the importance of hiring a LICENSED landscape contractor. We were pleased to find that the word is
getting around! Attendees commented on how attractive our
booth was, and the kids loved the candy, of course.
Wayne Cox, Javier Lesaca, Aaron Shamblin, Megan and Jim
Rios, and I went to Fresno to support the San Joaquin Valley
Chapter at their kick-off meeting. They had a great turnout at
“Five,” a restaurant with a wonderful outdoor patio and terrific service and food. It was a fun evening getting to meet
members in the San Joaquin Valley Chapter.
I hope you were able to join us for our meeting at Buck’s
Landscape Materials and Pond Supplies. They really know
how to throw a party!
Javier Lesaca is once again at the helm of our Chapter
Beautification Awards (see the article on page 5). This is a
great opportunity for you to show off your best work from the
past year. Entries are due April 12, so get to our chapter website (www.clcakerncounty.org), download the form and send
in. Save the date of June 18, for the gala awards presentation
at Renegade Park at Bakersfield College. This is a great time
and a wonderful opportunity to see what your competitors
have been doing.
Bakersfield College will be opening its doors to the public
again on April 20 for GardenFest. This is always a great event
and a good kick-off to spring. Our Garden Guys -- Lindsay
Ono and Dale Edwards -- will be there entertaining guests and
providing gardening advice. Plan to attend.
I am looking forward to our May 23, meeting which will be
held at my nursery. Come out and see what we have been
doing all winter in preparation for spring. There is always
something new and interesting at the nursery.
Wishing you all a wonderful springtime.
Olga
Water Management Certification Program
The California Landscape Contractors Association’s Water
Management Certification Program helps the green industry
reduce landscape water usage by certifying individuals
through performance-based water budgeting. This unique
program carries the WaterSense Label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is also approved for continuing education units by PLANET, Irrigation Association,
the International Association of Arboriculture and American Society of Landscape Architects.
For more information, study guides, test schedules, and
to register, visit http://www.clca.us/water-pro/
www.clcakerncounty.org
It Was a Really BIG Spring
Home and Garden Show!
This year’s Spring Home & Garden Show
at the Kern County Fairgrounds was a
huge success. We had perfect weather,
sunny and cool, and with spring in the
air, the Bakersfield community was ready
to shop! Over 21,000 people attended -the largest crowd in many years.
With more than 300 exhibitors,
Joaquin Rodriguez and Jamie Williams of
G & G Productions (CLCA members and
Bronze Sponsors) were able to open the
arts and crafts building behind Building 3
to accommodate all the exhibitors.
“This was a great year,” said Jamie.
“Friday, we had a much bigger crowd
than in the past. We had RVs lined up
along the east KC Lane and along Main
Street.”
The CLCA Kern County Chapter has
been participating in the Home & Garden
Show for the past two years. This year, we
were located out under the Bolthouse
Tent near the Koi ponds. As in the past,
our chapter was there to promote to the
public and residential consumer the
importance of hiring licensed landscape
contractors. Many of those who stopped
at the booth were happy to get a list of all
the licensed members and associates.
The initial draw to our booth was no
doubt either the Old River Sod Carpeting
or the beautiful plants supplied by O. See
Em Bloom Nursery. In addition, Bakersfield College was essential in providing a
continual video loop showing the beauty
and value brought to a home by landscape
improvements. We also highlighted the
chapter award winners from the 2011
Beautification Awards.
The Board would like to personally
thank the suppliers and decorators of our
booth, Dale Edwards of Old River Sod for
the sod, Lindsay Ono of Bakersfield
College for the backdrop, video projector,
and screen, and O. See Em Bloom Nursery
for the beautiful plants, pots, and garden
bistro set up.
None of this can be accomplished
without the help of those who so generously gave their time to man the booth.
The Board thanks, Larry Jack of Grass
CLCA Kern County Chapter
Masters, Javier Lesaca of Lesaca Landscape Company, Richard Sheffield of
Antioch Landscape and Nursery, Olga
See of O. See Em Bloom Landscape and
Nursery, Mike Henson of Maranatha
Landscape, Megan Rios of Rios Design
Studio, and Stormy Storm of West Coast
Forest & Cinder Products.
“There was a lot of traffic,” said
Stormy. “Many of the people who came
to our booth were seeking business cards
from the landscape contractor members.”
Richard thought it was lots of fun. “I
was there Friday evening,” he said. “Our
aisle was very busy. It was great to see so
many people with questions about landscaping.”
Larry was the first to man the booth
on Friday afternoon. “I was pleasantly
surprised to see such a big crowd,” he
said. “I enjoyed talking to the attendees
and answering their questions.”
“I was surprised about the amount of
people that came by the booth and
showed interest in improving their
yards,” said Mike. “I might consider my
company exhibiting again.”
CLCA Kern County advertised in the
show program. The program included an
article on the importance of hiring a
licensed landscape contractors for any
work installed at one’s residence.
“We really want to expand the show to
include more Garden than just Home in
the future,” said Joaquin Rodriguez. “We
are looking to partner with CLCA to meet
the requests of our attendees. We want to
promote only licensed contractors.”
The Fall Home & Garden show will be
coming in October -- typically the third
weekend of the month. CLCA Kern
County will again participate. If you
would like to take advantage of this
opportunity to meet with potential clients
looking for landscape advice and help,
please contact Megan Rios.
Above: Joaquin Rodriguez of G & G
Productions, a chapter sponsor and
promoter of the Bakersfield Home &
Garden Show.
Top right: Mike Henson of Maranatha
Landscape was impressed by the number
of people stopping by the CLCA booth.
Bottom right: Richard Sheffield and his
wife had fun manning the CLCA booth on
Friday.
March 2013 •
3
Olga See, Ramon Simpson, Megan Rios and a San Joaquin Valley Chapter friend.
SJV Chapter Starting Up Again!
On March 13, five of the Kern County
Chapter Board members attended the
2013 Kick-off Meeting for the CLCA San
Joaquin Valley Chapter. The meeting was
held at the swanky Five Restaurant, an
Italian Eatery in Fresno.
The approximately 40 people in attendance enjoyed a warm and balmy evening
on the patio with a wine bar, plentiful and
tasty heavy appetizers, and a good dose of
socializing.
“It was a perfect evening,” said Olga
See, President of the Kern County chapter
and owner of O. See Em Bloom Nursery
and Landscape. “There were lots of
people, the food and wine were great,
and I had a lot of fun.”
San Joaquin Valley Chapter President
Marcus Fiero of Preferred Landscape
Services started the evening introducing
Fresno City Council Member, Steve Bran-
dau who spoke on promoting the City to
privatization of maintenance of City Parks
and Parkways.
In addition, a representative from the
University of California Central Valley
Friendly Landscaping promoted the next
2013 Landscape Awards for residential
and commercial improvements. A project
qualifies if it meets seven basic landscape
principles which are noted on the web at:
http://ucanr.org/sites/cvlandscape. The
Awards are sponsored by the Cities of
Fresno and Clovis, UC Agricultural and
Master Gardeners Extensions, Fresno
Metropolitan Flood Control District, and
Clovis Botanical Garden. The awards
applications are due in May and awards
are presented in October. The winning
gardens will display a sculpture or plaque
to celebrate their achievement.
There was a generous raffle with many
prizes including: $100 worth of labor and
materials from Horizon Service Center;
two $100 gift certificates to the Five
Restaurant; $150 gift certificate to Ruth
Chris Steakhouse; $150 Visa Gift Card; a
waterfall kit; and a St. Patty’s Day nut and
beer basket from LCIS.
“This is a great beginning,” said
Ramon Simpson of Oak Creek Insurance &
LCIS, Membership Chair. “We had lots of
donations for raffle prizes, and it seemed
like everyone really enjoyed themselves.
We appreciate Kern County Chapter
members coming to support us as well.”
Glen Bennett and Wayne Cox at the CLCA San Joaquin Valley Chapter Kick-off.
Update Your Company
Profile on the State Website
Through CLCA’s Contractor Search at
www.clca.org, potential clients are be able to find
you quickly and easily. Please make sure your
profile is updated. Look under Membership >>
Update Member Information and update your
listing, plus add a brief paragraph about what you
do. Be sure to update your participation points!
4
• March 2013
www.clcakerncounty.org
Thank You to
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors whose
generous support helps make our
events possible. Support those who
support our chapter!
Gold Level
Get Ready to Show Your Best Work
Silver Level
Bronze Level
CLCA Member Benefits
Did you know that your CLCA
membership entitles you to a plethora
of invaluable benefits? Check out this
short list than visit www.clca.org >>
Membership >> Why Join? for the
complete list.
•Group Insurance through LCIS
•Human Resources Hotline
•Certification/Water Management
•Marketing Your Business
•Credit Card Processing
•Attorney on Retainer
•Customizable Employee Handbook
CLCA Kern County Chapter
The Beautification Awards are coming!
The Beautification Awards are coming!
It’s time to go over your project list and
consider which ones you want to enter in
the 2013 Kern County Beautification
Awards.
Remember, only Regular Members can
enter. For those who qualify for membership under the Freshman Program, it’s
just one of the many benefits you receive
for just $100. Other benefits include great
cost effective insurance, updated business
training through classes and affordable
webinars, vendor contacts, meetings and
networking opportunities, as well as,
legislative updates on items that could
affect your business.
The Kern County awards program
presents the opportunity to compete for
the coveted “Award Winning” title which
you can add to your marketing materials
and radio spots.
“I mention I am an award winning
landscape contractor in my radio spots
and on banners at my nursery,” says Olga
See of O. See Em Bloom. “It really makes
a statement to the public that I am an
expert in my industry.”
Javier Lesaca of Lesaca Landscape
Company, and Chairman of the event
says, “I have my plaque in my office and
always mention it to my clients; it the
kind of recognition that really sells.”
This year’s awards program includes
seven installation categories: Residential,
Commercial, Residential Renovation,
Commercial Renovation, Water Feature,
Landscape Lighting, and Xeriscaping.
Under the maintenance categories there
are four divisions: Small Residential,
Small Commercial, Large Residential, and
Large Commercial. The Sweepstakes
Award recognizes the best of the best of
all the entries presented.
The awards committee is looking for
additional sponsors. Hunter Industries
and FX Luminaire, Birch Financing and
Gold Oak Insurance, Ewing Irrigation,
KernTurf Supply, Hydrorain, Old River
Sod, Performance Nursery, and Netafim
are all on board, but we need additional
support. If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please contact Javier.
All winners and sponsors are added to
the PowerPoint presentation which is
shown at the chapter booth at the Spring
and Fall Home & Garden Shows at the
Kern County Fairgrounds.
Applications are due Friday, April 12,
by 5 p.m. No acceptions. Entry forms and
sponsorship forms are available on our
website at www.clcakerncounty.com or
contact Javier Lesaca at 661-836-0229 or
[email protected].
Judging will take place April 19-20, by
impartial CLCA members from other
chapters. Make sure you get permission
from property owners to have judges visit
the site and take pictures.
The Beautification Awards Ceremony
will be held at Bakersfield College, Renegade Park on June 18, at 6 pm. Dinner is
provided by Bakersfield College Culinary
Arts Programs. Be sure to enter early and
often to ensure your bragging rights to
your work!
March 2013 •
5
It’s Time to Think Smart
According to Cal Water Service, it’s time
to think SMART when it comes to outdoor irrigation.
Cal Water Service in Bakersfield is
promoting a new opportunity for homeowners and licensed landscape contractors -- rebates on SMART controllers and
new irrigation heads.
Cal Water is promoting the use of
SMART controllers to conserve water
in the landscape by having irrigation
systems water to the actual needs of
plant material based on real-time weather
conditions. The professional installation
and scheduling of these devices can
create real water savings in the landscape.
In addition, the installation of new
irrigation heads by licensed landscape
contractors can improve the efficiency of
existing irrigation systems and save water.
The Cal Water rebates apply to both
commercial and residential properties
and a broad range of qualified irrigation
products listed on their website.
Residential customers can receive up
to a $125 rebate for a new SMART
controller. Commercial and multi-family
properties can receive a rebate of up to
$25 per station. Rebates are capped at the
purchase price and do not include tax or
shipping. Rebates can be as high as
$50,000 per calendar year, depending on
the property.
Cal Water has partnered with
FreeSprinklerNozzles.com to provide
rebates for upgrading to high efficiency
sprinkler nozzles. Eligible customers can
receive a voucher for free high-efficiency
nozzles at participating locations. Residential customers receive up to 25 free
nozzles. Commercial and multi-family
owners may receive up to the full number
of nozzles needed for their site. Details
are at www.FreeSprinlkerNozzles.com.
The Fine Print
The program is effective in 2013. Projects
expected to yield rebates of $5000 or more
must be pre-qualified to ensure sufficient
budget in each district. Please note: Cal
Water rebates are not available within the
Bakersfield City Water System.
Licensed Landscape Contractors
applying for rebates on a project should
complete a program application including
the customer address and account number
along with proposed quantities of irrigation improvements. You can pre-qualify at
[email protected]. Contractors
may receive labor costs of $8 per installed
head and $12 per installed spray body
with check valves. Tax and shipping costs
are not included. Payment of installation
of equipment and labor will be rebated
after the application is reviewed and
approved. Funds are reserved for a period
of 30 days once confirmation of prequalification is provided.
This is a great way to upgrade your
favorite customers’ projects and even
make new ones. Apply for qualification at
www.calwater.com/conservation/rebates_commercial.php. Applications are
available in writable PDF format or call
888-782-7457.
Take Your Website
MOBILE!
BRUCE CASON
(559) 447-1997 • (888) 800-8483
15390 S. Fowler Ave., Selma CA • http://www.agsod.com
Growers of Quality Fescue & Bermuda Sod
6
• March 2013
Add a mobile-friendly site
to your web presence, and
make it even easier for
clients to find you. We can help.
Jerrie Beard & Associates
530.621.1701
[email protected] • www.beardassociates.com
www.clcakerncounty.org
Bakersfield Life Spotlights
Chapter Members in
Landscape Business Article
The Value of a CLCA
Membership
By Javier Lesaca
Recently, the Home and Garden issue of
Bakersfield Life, a magazine published by
the Bakersfield Californian newspaper,
featured three CLCA Kern County Chapter
board members who were interviewed for
a local Landscape Businessmen article.
Interviewed for “It’s a Guy Thing”
were Dan Monji of Monji Landscape Co.,
Wayne Cox of Century Landscape Inc.,
and Javier Lesaca of Lesaca Landscape
Company -- all local licensed landscape
contractors -- and Jim Rios of Rios Design
Studio, a local Landscape Architect.
Each of the landscape contractors
started in the landscape industry at a
young age with a couple following a
family member who was involved in the
landscape industry. Each discussed the
joys of designing and installing landscapes, as well as, working with nice
clientele.
We are fortunate to have three of these
men as current Board members. The article can be found at: http://bit.ly/XbxZGq
.
http://www.westcoastturf.com
CLCA Kern County Chapter
I first joined CLCA for the insurance
program. I soon realized this association
had more to offer than affordable insurance. I saw they had many programs to
help members become better business
owners. These programs help shorten
your learning curve and help you become
a successful contractor with fewer trials
and errors. These programs include Legal
Forms and Contracts, an Employee Handbook, How to Make Money in a Landscape Business and the Peer Counseling
Service. CLCA members have access to
the California Association of Employers
HR hotline for human resource questions,
and an attorney on retainer. If you use
any of these programs and services you
will definitely see a return on your
membership investment.
Networking Friendships
Networking is defined as “a supportive
system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups with a
common interest.” As a CLCA member,
you can also add “friendship” to the
definition. In my early landscape career, I
would use my local contractor contacts
and vendors as my support system. Then
I began to network with members from
around the state at events such as the LIS
show, Legislative Conference, Summer
Family Extravaganza, Annual Convention
and chapter events. These events provide
an opportunity to meet and talk to landscape contractors from all over the state.
What I found was people willing to share
their knowledge and wisdom.
Behind the Scenes
Larry Rholfes and the legislative committee under the guidance of CLCA’s lobbyist
Parke Terry, are continually working
behind the scenes on Capitol Hill in
Sacramento. Whenever there is a decision
or potential new law that will affect our
members, CLCA is there to ask the right
questions and fight for our interests.
CLCA’s influence in the state legislature is
well known.
CLCA membership has a value beyond
what you pay in dues if you take full
advantage of the programs, services and
new friendships you make.
http://www.kernturfsupply.com
March 2013 •
7
CLCA Kern County Chapter
PO Box 7
Pollock Pines, CA 95726
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED