Please join us on Saturday, June 4, forthe 2011 East Bay ChapterBeautification Awards Banquet.

This year’s event will be held at ZioFraedos Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane,Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (just east of theintersection of Pleasant Hill Road)(925) 933-9091. The evening begins withno host cocktails at 6:30 p.m. followed bydinner and the awards at 7:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you andyour guests. This is our chapter’s biggestannual gala event, so consider bringingfamily members, key employees, entryproperty owners, and your landscapedesigner. Even if you did not enter aproject, this is a great opportunity to mixand mingle with your peers in theindustry and see just what they have beenup to all year. We have some great workbeing performed right here in the EastBay, so don’t miss it!

The cost for the event is $75 per placesetting (Remember: award entrants havealready prepaid for at least 2 with theiraward entry). Please RSVP with paymentby May 21 to: CLCA SFBAE, c/o LauraLeuer, 655 English Oak Court, Brentwood,CA 94513.

This year’s awards chairperson isCalvin Craig with assistance from LauraLeuer who will be administering theevent. For questions or information,contact Calvin at (925) 935-5269 orcalvin@craiglandscaping.com oralternately Laura Leuer at (510) 207-4350or lleuer@comcast.net.

CLCA-SFBAEPO Box 2536Placerville CA 95667

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Calendar of EventsMAY 1Bringing Back the Natives Tour.10:00–5:00. Self-guided tour of 50 gardensthat provide habitat for wildlife, arepesticide-free, conserve water, andcontain 50% or more native plants. Visitwww.bringingbackthenatives.net/MAY 10: TUESDAYChapter board meeting. 4-6 p.m. SweetTomatoes, 40 Crescent Dr., Suite A inPleasant Hill. All welcome.MAY 15Deadline for articles for June InsideScoop. Email jsb@beardassociates.com.MAY 15Bay Friendly Garden Tour, AlamedaCounty. 10 am - 4 pm. Space is limited$10 per guidebook. Register by May 6, atwww. bayfriendlycoalition.org

JUNE 4CLCA East Bay Chapter BeautificationAwards Presentation. See page 1.JUNE 14: TUESDAYChapter board meeting. 4-6 p.m. HunanYuan, 4100-11 Redwood Rd., Oakland. Allmembers welcome.JUNE 18Battle of the Bays: A’s vs. Giants game at7:05 p.m., BBQ sponsored by Ewing at5:00 p.m. See page 1 and flyer inside.JULY 12: TUESDAYChapter board meeting. 4-6 p.m. Cagwin& Dorward, 887 Howe Rd., Ste. A,Martinez. All welcome.JULY 13-16CLCA Summer Family Extravaganza.Oxnard (www.clca.org). Ride the trainwith SFBAE members to the event!JULY

Your Ticket toNew Customers!VENDORS... Here’s your chance tobe introduced to new members of

the CLCA East Bay Chapter.

We are now accepting advertisingand promotional material, coupons,

special offers, and informationabout our vendors to be included inthe welcome packet we provide toall new CLCA East Bay chapter

members.

For more information, contactchapter director of membership,

Peter Rosen (510) 697-2460.

ADMIT ONE

July 13-16 • Oxnardwww.clca.us/summer

MAY 2011

Saturday, June 18 • 5:00-7:00 p.m. BBQ, 7:05 p.m. game

Battle of the Bays: A’s vs. GiantsCome out to the ballpark on Saturday, June 18, and watch the Oakland Athletics hostthe World Champion San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum with yourfriends and colleagues from the CLCA. $45 includes your field level ticket to thegame and our pregame tailgate.

The Saturday, June 18th game starts at 7:05 pm, so get there early and enjoy the foodand beverages provided by our friends at Ewing Irrigation beginning at 5 p.m. Thereare a limited number of tickets, and these tickets are sure to sell out fast, so buy yourtickets ASAP. To reserve your tickets, please email Laura Leurer atlleuer@comcast.net

Place: Oakland Coliseum7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621510.569.2121

Menu: BBQ dinner and drinks

Price: $45/person. Price includes pregameBBQ and field level seats

Date: June 18, 20115:00 – 7:00 PM BBQ • 7:05 PM Game

RSVP: By May 17, to Laura Leuer at(510) 207-4350 or lleuer@comcast.net

Chapter Event

2011 SFBAEBeautificationAwards Banquet

2 • May 2011 CLCA San Francisco Bay Area East Chapter

CLCA SF Bay Area EastChapter Address

PO Box 2176Martinez, CA 94553

2011 SF Bay Area EastChapter Board of Directors

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTNATE SILIN voice (510) 261-1324New Growth Landscape fax (510) 261-1323nates@newgrowthlandscapes.net

PRESIDENTDEEANN SCHUTTISH voice (925) 330-5410Green Life Studios fax (888) 619-6190dschuttish@greenlifestudios.com

PRESIDENT-ELECTCHRIS HECHT (510) 654-9994Chris Hecht Design & LS fax (510) 654-9013chris@chrishechtdesign.com

TREASURERJAKE TAYLOR (707) 975-6513Cagwin & Dorward fax (707) 585-2219jaketaylor@cagwin.com

SECRETARYWARREN LEIBER voice (925) 381-6177Leiber Landscape Services fax (925) 825-8410wleiber@msn.com

DIRECTOR-PROGRAMSDAVID WOLKENHAUER (925) 957-1792Planned Environments fax (925) 957-1874davidw@plannedenvironments.com

DIRECTOR-RESOURCE MANAGEMENTCALVIN CRAIG (925) 935-5269Craig Landscape fax (916) 669-9439calvin@craiglandscaping.com

DIRECTOR-MEMBERSHIPPETER ROSEN (510) 697-2460Dynamic Designspeter@dynamicdesigns.us

DIRECTOR-COMMUNICATIONSGEORGE SCHANDELMIER, JR.George Schandelmier, Jr. L/S (707) 554-2722gschandelmier@aol.com

DIRECTOR-SPONSORSHIPTIM HENDRICKS (800) 891-7710Cagwin & Dorward fax (925) 228-4781timhendricks@cagwin.com

ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPPAUL COLON (925) 978-1201John Deere Landscapes fax (925) 978-1211pcolon@johndeerelandscapes.com

NEWSLETTER EDITORJERRIE BEARD voice (530) 621-1701Jerrie Beard & Associates fax (530) 621-2043jsb@beardassociates.com

SFBAE ChapterMonthly Board Meetings

Board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesdayof the month at 4:00 p.m. (some exceptions).Check the calendar on the back for locations.

The CLCA SFBAE Chapter newsletter is publishedmonthly. Copy and advertising deadlines are the10th of the month preceding publication.Materials may be mailed to: Jerrie Beard &Associates, PO Box 7, Pollock Pines, CA 95726.Emailed submissions are also welcome atjsb@beardassociates.com. For information onadvertising and rates, contact Jerrie Beard at(530) 621-1701.

CLCA State Headquarters

1491 River Park Drive, Ste. 100Sacramento CA 95815-8899(916) 830-2780 • (800) 448-2522(916) 830-2788 Faxemail: hq@clca.org

2011 CLCA StateExecutive Board

PRESIDENTRobert Wade (949) 413-6839Wade Landscape Inc.wli2005@gmail.com

PRESIDENT ELECTEric Watanabe (818) 831-1390Majestic Pools & Landscapes Inc.ewooc@aol.com

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTBill Schnetz (760) 591-3453Schnetz Landscape Inc.bill@schnetzlandscape.com

SECRETARY/TREASURERTed Sandrowski (530) 345-6101Sandrowski Landscaping Inc.TedsandCLCA@aol.com

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONSChuck Carr (818) 300-0176Carr Landscape Management Inc.ccarr@carrlandscape.com

DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER SERVICESKevin Fairchild (714) 541-1000Illumiscapes TLCillumiscapes@sbcglobal.net

DIRECTOR OF EVENTSMichael Hertzer (800) 761-9191Modern Landscaping Inc.mhertzer@modernlandscapinginc.com

DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIONShari Collins (805) 552-9457Verdant Landscapingshari@verdantlandscaping.com

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONSteve Jacobs CLP, CLT (760) 945-4321Nature Designs Landscapingmail@naturedesigns.net

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIPJavier Lesaca (661) 836-0229Lesaca Landscape Companyxabil@aol.com

DIR. OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENTFrank Niccoli (650) 592-9440The Village Gardenerfrank@thevillagegardener.com

CO-DIRECTOR CHAPTER PRES.COUNCIL SOUTHKevin Fairchild (714) 541-1000Illumiscapes TLCillumiscapes@sbcglobal.net

CO-DIRECTOR CHAPTER PRES.COUNCIL NORTHMichael Mitchell (916) 501-5393MJM Lightingmjm@mjmlighitng.com

ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTORTom Noonan (916) 652-9530Ewing Irrigationtnoonan@ewing1.com

2009-10 Nate Silin2007-08 Barry Minor2006 Gregory Wrenn, Rick Martens, CLT2005 Dennis Brewer2003-04 Rick Martens, CLT2000-02 Gregory Wrenn1999 Rob Solomon CLT, CLP1997-98 Dave Wolkenhauer, CLT1996 Diane McNally1995 Dan Berger, CLT1994 Craig Hutchinson1993 Steve Schlitt1992 Matt Schiller1991 Robert Battinich1990 John Redmond1989 Jim Kwiat

1988 Thomas Raeth1986-87 John Nishizawa1985 Thomas A. Adan1984 David Burnley1983 Don Young1982 David Gutru1981 Joe Tanouye1979-80 J. Warren Thurston1979 Peter Rumore1978 Pat Nichols1977 Joe Korematsu1976 Chuck Rich

SF Bay Area East Past Chapter PresidentsPast chapter presidents who are still members of the SFBAE chapter.

SF Bay Area East Life MembersCongratulations and Thank You to the following CLCA San Francisco Bay AreaEast Members for their continued support for over 20 years.Roger Fiske Ken GerlackJeffrey Jones Joe Korematsu

George Sunayama Jack RydmanThomas Raeth

CLCA SFBAE Chapter Contractor’s Honor CodeThe CLCA SFBAE Chapter exists to support Contractor’s AND their employees.To successfully meet this objective, and encourage the involvement of all levelsof the landscape industry, the 2008 Board of Directors is committed tosupporting the following Contractor’s Honor Code:

The solicitation, recruitment of, or attempt to hire anotherContractor’s employees while attending any CLCA function isstrictly prohibited.

SFBAE Inside Scoop Advertising RatesThe Inside Scoop is published 12 times a year and carries information on issues affectingSan Francisco area landscape contractors as well as news from the state level onlegislation and educational programs of interest to the industry. Camera ready black andwhite artwork (85 line screen) should be sent to Jerrie Beard and Associates, 1024 SimonDr., Ste. G, Placerville CA 95667, or jsb@beardassociates.com by the 10th of the monthprior to publication. Publication dates are the first of each month.1/8 page (business card) $ 51.00/issue . . . . . . .$ 612.00/year1/4 page (3-5/8” w x 4-5/8” h) $ 99.75/issue . . . . . . .$1197.00/year1/2 page (7-1/2” w x 4-5/8” h) $188.75/issue . . . . . . .$2265.00/yearFull page (7-1/2” w x 9-1/2” h) $310.00/issue . . . . . . .$3720.00/yearInsert (8.5 x 11 350 required) $283.50/issueInsert (11 x 17 350 required) $420.00/issue

For information or to reserve your space, call Jerrie Beard (530) 621-1701.Please make checks payable to: Jerrie Beard & Associates.

Past CLCA State Presidents from the SF Bay Area East Chapter1996 John Redmond Jr.1986 Roger D. Fiske

1978 Joe Tanouye

WHOLESALE, LLC

JEREMY CRYDERMANTERRITORY MANAGER - EAST BAY/CENTRAL VALLEY

6901 BRADSHAW ROAD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95829916-364-2948 / FAX: 916-366-8817 / 888-779-3941

www.villagenurseries.com / jcryderman@villagenurseries.com

www.clca-sfbae.org May 2011 • 3

Juan Gonzalez 12750 Guard Rd.(209) 810-3992 Lodi CA 95242jgonzalez@agsod.com (800) 588-6882

www.agsod.com

Growers of Quality Bluegrass, Fescue & Bermuda Sod

�The SFBAE Chapter Thanks Our

2011 Sponsors

��SAN FRANCISCO BAYAREA EAST CHAPTER

���

���

GG oolldd -- $$115500 00Two Dinner Tickets to the Beautification Awards Banquet and Sponsor a prestigious Sweepstakes Award ORJudges Award plaque OR choose two alternative categories to sponsor. Four Tickets to the Baseball Event. AFoursome and a Hole Sponsorship at the Golf Tournament. Free Admission to Two Meetings of your choiceduring the year. A large Company Logo on our Sponsorship Banner displayed at all events throughout theyear. Recognition at all events, on the banner, in the newsletter and on the chapter website.

SS ii ll vv eerr -- $$ 1100 00 00Two Dinner Tickets to the Beautification Awards Banquet and Sponsor an Award plaque from one of the 16possible categories. Two Tickets to the Baseball Event. A Foursome at the Golf Tournament. Free Admission toTwo Meetings of your choice during the year. Recognition at all events, on the banner, in the newsletter and onthe chapter website.

BBrroo nnzz ee -- $$7755 00•Sponsor one Beautification Awards Plaque. A Foursome at the Golf Tournament. Free Admission to TwoMeetings of your choice during the year. Recognition at all events, on the banner, in the newsletter and on thechapter website.

For more information, or to become a sponsor, call Laura Leuer at (510) 207-4350.

Like good brakes to a truck driver,so is water to landscapers, right?Without it, we’re toast! Right?Score!

Wait a minute. Right now,most of our company’s business iscoming from people seeking lowwater plants for their landscape.Is less water becoming the nextwave of profitability? Does thereason my friend Patrick Craisnamed his irrigation companyBlue Watchdog escape you? When I contemplate –from anyangle– this low-water plant“demand vs. supply”phenomenon, I wonder why it isthat one of my beloved contractor

friends pulled the Purple Rockrose out ofmy design before installing it? He says he’snever had any luck with it. It always dies.And it’s expensive to go back and replace aplant. Of course! If not just for the cost ofthe plant, but for the time to go out andreplace it, the cost of the gas to get there,and the loss of credibility with a customerwho might bring you a new referral.

Could it be that lower water isRockrose’s meal ticket? Could it be thelandscaper’s as well? San Diegans seem to

have lost their love affair with palms andthe tropical landscape. Palms are sonumerous there, every 10th exurb dwellingseems to have a palm nursery in thebackyard. There are (no lie) 100’s of mini-plantations filled with unsold palms, whileevery 20th commercial business boasts apalm on its logo. But most of our landscapecustomers in San Diego are yanking palmsout. It’s their idea. Is this trend occurring inSouth Spain too? Is there anyone inMarbella reading this who can tell me?

Driving back to Oakland from SanDiego, I witness a long parade of tall yellowdaisies lining Highway 78. Next, Californiapoppies and blue lupine greet me whilepassing through Oceanside. Just beyondthat, blooming Monkey Flower Bushes dotthe bankside, like observant dogs sittingquietly on their haunches. Then, guesswhat? Purple Rockrose gently waving theirpink-purplefaces at me withcheerfulabandon, sameas they did lastyear, at theBorder Patrolstation nearCamp

Pendleton. If British entrepreneur, Richard Branson

–the Baby Boomer who started his career asa boot-strapped owner of a record shop,and is now CEO of more than 400companies, including Virgin Mobile, VirginRecords and Virgin Airways—if he were alandscaper, what would he do? Imagine:Plant Rockrose everywhere, adapt hisamendment and irrigation practices, andsell the features and benefits of PurpleRockrose like he were the only landscaperable to do it.

Now maybe it’s time for landscapers torock the low-water world in their ownbackyards, learn what works and whatdoesn’t in this new era of profitability.Once you own a working low water, ornative, landscape, aren’t you as good asalesperson as that happy customer? Okay. It’s time for me to go plant a fewRockrose.

4 • May 2011 CLCA San Francisco Bay Area East Chapter

president’s m

essage

The Plight of the Rockrose“What Would Richard Branson Do?”By DeeAnn Schuttish, Green Life Studios, CLCA East Bay Chapter President

• Aaron Marinocci, Wireless Matrix13645 Dulles Technology Dr., #100Herndon, VA (703) 262-0380

• Lara Wilson, Bountiful Botanicals LLC433 37th St., Oakland (510) 891-9163

• Jim Germino, Dreamscapes1191 Benicia Rd., Vallejo(707) 332-5496

• Ethan Autrey, TQB Inc.20823 Grapevine Dr., Patterson(510) 416-9229

New Members

www.clca-sfbae.org May 2011 • 5

John Deere Landscapes, in conjunction withEldorado Stone, sponsored our OutdoorKitchen Seminar on March 17, at their storein Antioch. Twenty-one members were inattendance for this educational seminar.Jeff Soares from Eldorado Stone gave agreat demo on their modular outdoorproducts.

The Hands-on demonstration was agreat way to show just how fast and simpleinstalling an outdoor kitchen can be. GaryEubanks of Roxy Designs cut the box to fitthe BBQ and Stephen Capper of Wild RoseGardens & Ponds assisted in demonstratinghow to properly install the veneer onto thebox. Jeff also shared tips for success thatincluded; mixing small amounts of mortarto begin your project, starting the bricks atthe top to prevent mortar from drippingonto the stone below and going left to rightthen right to left so you have a nicevariation of stone spacing. Additionally herecommended making sure to cover the

entire brick with mortar forming a peakdown the middle to ensure a tight seal tothe box.

A great tool for demonstrating theoutdoor kitchens to prospective clients isthe online design tool on the EldoradoStone website: www.eldoradostone.com.Your clients will love seeing their vision oftheir outdoor kitchen come to life in fullcolor on your laptop. Asyou walk them through theprocess, you can easilymake changes to the designplan to accommodate theirdesires.

John Deere, in additionto providing the venue alsodonated a deliciousChinese dinner for all theparticipants. To concludethe evening, we held araffle. Roxana Wolosenkoof Roxy Designs was the

happy winner of a spectacular Twin Birdsbarbeque and Eldorado Outdoor Cabinet.This $1500 barbeque, also available at JohnDeere, was donated by them.

Thank you Paul Colon and John DeereLandscapes for making the Hands-on BBQinstallation demonstration a huge successfor the East Bay chapter! We appreciate thedemonstration, the dinner and we areconfident that Roxy will enjoy her barbequefor years to come!

Above: Gary Eubanks of Roxy Designs cuts the box for the BBQ to fit in.

BBQ Installation Seminar is

By David Wolkenhauer

Below top: Stephen Capper of Wild RoseGardens & Ponds lays the stone over the box.

Below bottom: Paul Colon of John DeereLandscapes presents Roxy Wolosenko of RoxyDesigns with her new BBQ.

On April 11th, CLCA held its annualLeislative Grass Roots Training session atthe Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.The Construction Industry LegislativeCouncil held its “Day at the Capitol”session on the following day.

Attending the Grass Roots Training wereCLCA members from around the state. Iwas able to represent the Kern Countychapter. This was the second time I haveattended the event.

Larry Rohlfes, CLCA Assistant ExecutiveDirector, did an excellent job coordinatingthe Grass Roots Training session. We alsomet and heard insights from CLCA’slegislative advocate, Mr. Parke Terry.

The purpose of the session was to goover some key legislative bills that affect thegreen industry and California businesses ingeneral. The main issues discussed were:

1. AB 397- This bill would require, at thetime of renewal, an active contractorlicensee with an exemption fromworker’s compensation insurance on filewith the State License Board to either re-certify the licensee’s exemption or toprovide a current and valid Certificate ofWorkers’ Compensation Insurance orCertificate of Self-Insurance.

2. AB 1354- This bill would delete therequirement that 5% of the contract pricebe withheld until final completion andacceptance of a public works project andinstead prohibit the retention of anyamount with regard to all contractsbetween a public entity and a contractorand all subcontractors there underrelating to construction of any work ofimprovement.

Also joining us at the Grass Roots Training

session was Assembly Member KristinOlsen (R-Modesto). She fielded questionsand gave us her thoughts on how toeffectively lobby for or against issues withour representatives. In addition, she spokeabout a bill that she authored, AB 830. Thisbill would permit an individual nonexemptemployee to request an employee-selectedflexible work schedule providing forworkdays up to 10 hours per day within a40 hour workweek. This bill is a voluntaryand employee driven process.

Following the afternoon session, wereconvened at Frank Fat’s, a local Chineserestaurant, to have dinner. This was a greattime to relax, have a glass of wine and getto know other CLCA members. As wedined, we were joined by Assemblymembers Bill Berryhill (R- Ceres), DianeHarkey (R-Oceanside), David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Senator Tony Strickland (R-Santa Barbara). Assembly membersBerryhill and Harkey took a few minutes tospeak about what is going on at the Capitoland with California’s water supply. Diane

6 • May 2011 CLCA San Francisco Bay Area East Chapter www.clca-sfbae.org May 2011 • 7

Legislative Update

Legislative Conference InformativeBy Jim Rios, Rios Design Studio, Legislative Chair Kern County Chapter

PresentNate Silin, Secretary Warren Leiber,President Deeann Schuttish, Awards ChairCalvin Craig, Sponsorship Director TimHendricks, Treasurer Jake Taylor, PresidentElect Chris Hecht, Membership DirectorPeter Rosen, Events Director DavidWolkenhauer, Billy Montesclaros, ChristineHawkins, and AM Rep Paul Colon

Secretary’s ReportApproval of the minutes from the Februarymeeting will be postponed until the nextmeeting.

Treasurer’s ReportA motion to approve the Treasurer’s reportwas made by Tim and seconded by Peter.Jake reported that the account balance has

improved due to sponsorships as well asthe profitablity of the events.

Sponsorship ReportSponsorship Director Tim Hendricks gavean update on the program, which had avery positive outlook. New sponsor LeiberLandscape Services, will sponsor thesustainability award. Twelve awards arenow sponsored.

Events•Our next event, the third in our BusinessDevelopment Seminar series, will be heldat John Deere in Antioch. The event isbeing coordinated by John DeereLandscapes and will take place on March17th, 2011 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm and willinclude a barbeque.

•Billy gave a report on the A’s gamescheduled for June 18. We have 100 ticketsreserved and the NEW start time for thegame is 7:05 pm. A discussion ensuedregarding the lack of availability of theparking lot for a tailgate BBQ. Billy, Daveand Christina will each work on possible

venues for the pre-game BBQ. It wasdecided to charge at least $45 for thetickets. Peter will do an article for theInside Scoop.

•Calvin gave a report on the BeautificationAwards Ceremony and Banquet on June4th. A discussion followed regarding ascheduling conflict with the San FranciscoChapter awards program, but it wasdecided to keep it at the same date. Thedeadline for submissions was extended toApril 8. The article for the Scoop and theJudges tour was discussed.

•Our chapter has been invited to help manthe CLCA booth at the San FranciscoFlower and Garden show between March23-26th.

•Nate gave a presentation on a newproposed format for the event planningform and requirements.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 10at Sweet Tomatoes, 40 Crescent Dr., Suite Ain Pleasant Hill. All members are welcomeand encouraged to join us for the meeting.

BOARD MINUTESMarch 8, 20114 p.m. • TwilightSounds, 1875 OlympicBlvd., Ste. 105, WalnutCreek

8 • May 2011 CLCA San Francisco Bay Area East Chapter

Harkey indicated that she would like to seethe Central Valley increase its water storagecapacity, thus reducing dependency onNorthern California water. All four of theattending legislators graciously spent timeanswering questions.

The following morning the CILC held itsconference. In addition to CLCA members,this conference was attended by membersfrom the plumbing, heating and cooling,masonry, roofing and painting industries.Speakers discussed legislative andregulatory issues that affect the constructionindustry.

The “Underground Economy” wasaddressed by a panel of speakers. Theydiscussed progress that has been made andpossible methods to further enforce currentlaws requiring the licensing of contractorsand proof of Worker’s CompensationInsurance. CLCA member Catherine Greerwas a panel member, and as such presentedDavid Fogt, Chief of Enforcement with the

CSLB, an award for his efforts in crackingdown on noncompliant businesses. As thenew “Sheriff in Town”, he was awarded acowboy hat and tool belt (aka holster).

Mike Cohen, Chief Deputy Director forthe Department of Finance, spokeregarding the current problems thatCalifornia faces in dealing with the budgetdeficit. He gave a brief overview of howCalifornia’s revenue is spent:•Education K-12 gets approximately 40% •Health/Medicare and Social Services getsapproximately 30%

•The remaining 30% goes to everythingelse. The following speaker was Marty Keller,

Deputy Director- Small Business Advocate.He spoke about the regulations that thestate imposes on businesses and theresulting exodus of businesses from thestate. He indicated that there are 3.5 millionsmall business owners in the State ofCalifornia and that their biggest

impediment to having their voice heardwas the lack of organization. He noted thatsmall businesses would benefit fromforming a “coalition” to be more affective inswaying legislators to vote on issues in amore “business friendly” manner. Uniongroups currently benefit greatly from theirorganized structure, lobbying efforts andcontributions.

Assembly member Tim Donnelly (SanBernardino) spoke on AB 26, which heauthored, a bill designed to deal with theissue of illegal immigration. He spoke aboutsupporting the need for a guest workerprogram. However, he recognizes that ourFederal government has neglected its dutiesin enforcing the border as required byArticle IV, Section IV of the Constitution.

Following the conference, we walked afew blocks over to the Capitol building tomeet at our appointed times withrepresentatives from our district. I had anappointment to meet with Senator Jean

www.clca-sfbae.org May 2011 • 9

Fuller, however, a change in her scheduleprevented her from meeting with me inperson. I instead met with her legislativedirector, Todd Moffit. Todd was cordial andreceptive as he listened to the issues Iwanted the Senator to support.

A week prior to my trip to Sacramento, Iwas contacted by AssemblywomanShannon Grove’s office to announce thatshe would not be available to meet on the“Day at the Capitol” date. However, sheoffered to meet with me at her Districtoffice. Several other chapter membersvoiced an interest in joining me at thismeeting. I welcomed the larger group as itshowed that our chapter is well representedby quality professionals. In addition, itshowed the variety of business typesaffected by landscape related issues. Ourgroup had representatives from thelandscape design, installation, maintenanceand equipment supply sectors of theindustry.

After our meeting with Shannon Grove,it was evident that she is a sharp womanknowledgeable about what businesses dealwith on a day to day basis. We thanked herfor her pro-business stance on the issues.She assured us that she will always do whatis good for businesses in this district andthe rest of the state.

I extended to both the Senator’s officeand the Assemblywoman’s office, the offerthat our CLCA chapter members wouldwelcome providing our input on issues thataffect the green industry, if they wanted togather information from local landscapeindustry professionals prior to taking astance. Both offices were receptive andthanked us for the offer.

This experience was very positive. I wasable to meet some great folks, share a fewlaughs and discuss issues that affect ourindustry with fellow professionals. I leftfeeling as though the political climate ischanging and that we might be able to

make some head way in having the voicefrom the Central Valley heard. You’ve heardthe expression “The squeaky wheel gets thegrease.” Well, it is true, so speak up and bea squeaky wheel. The survival of our statedepends upon making our concerns notonly heard, but dealt with. There is strengthin numbers. I encourage our members tocommunicate with our representatives so asto influence their votes. We have two greatrepresentatives in Senator Jean Fuller andAssemblywoman Shannon Grove who arewilling to meet and listen to theirconstituents. NOTE: CLCA is watching an impressive list ofbills that could affect the green industry and theway you do business. If you would like tobecome more involved in following these billsand formulating CLCA’s response to them, jointhe state’s legislative committee by calling LarryRohlfes at state HQ. Members of our chapterwould greatly benefit from having a liason onthe state legislative committee.

10 • May 2011 CLCA San Francisco Bay Area East Chapter

CLCA Family Funin Oxnard in July Once the picnics and family gatheringssurrounding Memorial Day and July 4 areover, what will you do for the rest of thesummer? Bring your family to Oxnard forthe 2011 Summer Family Extravaganza!

In addition to two top-notch speakers —Burt Sperber, chair of ValleyCrest LandscapeCompanies, and Eric Rood, assistant chief atthe California Labor Commissioners Office— networking and family fun abound.

Preparing for retirement is more thanchecking out the local golf courses orfishing holes. What do I do with my stuffand employees? How do I value my

company? How do I transfer power to a keyemployee? Do I want to sell my company —or acquire a company whose owner isretiring? Green Industry visionary BurtSperber has answers, and can help prepareyou and your business for that day.

Do you have a question for Burt? Emailyour question to askburt@clca.org. He'llreview all submissions and pick the best forhis presentation at the SFX.

Our second speaker is Eric Rood,assistant chief at the California LaborCommissioner’s Office. In his featurepresentation, “Labor Law Enforcement andCalifornia's Underground ConstructionEconomy,” Eric will update landscapingcontractors about state labor laws andprovide an avenue to report those who maybe participating in the undergroundeconomy.

Connect with other CLCA members andattendees at the Woman's Auxiliary AnnualFundraiser. Join the Auxiliary for a night of

family fun and mystery aboard the OrientExpress. Embark on an evening train ridewith an excellent dinner, hearty laughs andsome less-than-serious sleuthing. This year,we will be raising funds for the LandscapeEducational Advancement Foundationthrough a silent Chinese Auction.

Make sure you bring the kids as theSummer Family Extravaganza is for thewhole family! Plan on having some funwith your family on the beach, or at thesoftball game and BBQ. Enjoy mini-golf andthe arcade or the great pool area at theEmbassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort.

Hotel InformationEmbassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort2101 Mandalay Beach Rd., Oxnardwww.embassymandalay.comFor Reservations Call: 1.800.EMBASSYHotel Reservation DEADLINE — 6/21/11

Information/RegistrationVisit www.clca.us/summer.

www.clca-sfbae.org May 2011 • 11