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Evan T. Little - EcoBroker®

A New Life for Shipping Containers



From the moment I was first introduced to the idea of using shipping containers for real estate development, it made a whole lot of sense. I caught some "green" home or living show on TV that featured LA architect, Peter Demaria of Demaria Design. So when I heard about Larry Pokras' new firm, LNP Design, in Costa Mesa, I was thrilled to have a local design firm centered around shipping container development. With the Port of Long Beach just miles away, this is something for any real estate investor or developer to seriously consider getting into.



The aesthetic appeal of using modern modular units from developers like Living Homes and shipping container projects has overwhelmingly been proven to be a success around the world so why not in Orange County? With building and land prices as high as they are, this seems to me like a very lucrative opportunity for anyone able to obtain construction financing. Especially anyone sitting around with monopoly money in the bank. The possibilities are nearly endless with what creative developers can do with shipping containers.

LNP Container Homes


L.N.P. Design & Architecture
575 West 19th Street, Suite 228
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
www.LNPDesigns.net
714.713.0981

Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Going "Green" in Orange County
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA

SolarCity Solar Seminars in Orange County this June

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Event is scheduled from 7-8:30pm

Come and learn about how solar electric systems work and what it takes to get one.

SolarCity is one of the leading solar installers and has a strong presence here in Orange County. They're also the first solar installation company, that I know of, to partner with an electric vehicle company, Tesla Motors.
www.solarcity.com

Plug in America will also be present during the event.
Plug In America is a coalition of RAV4-EV drivers, former lessees of Honda EV+, GM EV1, and Ford Th!nk City electric cars, and advocates of clean air and energy independence. Prior to 2008, we functioned as a loose network of individuals organized around websites of various names (like dontcrush.com and saveEV1.com) and then coalesced as a chapter of the Electric Auto Association. On January 2, 2008 Plug In America became a separate California Non-Profit Corporation. We have applied to the IRS for tax deductible status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which is pending.
www.pluginamerica.org

Solar Seminars from SolarCity Scheduled:

June 11th - Costa Mesa

June 19th - Mission Viejo

June 25th - Irvine



pia_logo sc_logo


Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Going "Green" in Orange County
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA

Best Green Blogs Green Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Blog Directory - Blogged blog search directory Blog Directory & Search engine Directory of Environment Blogs My Zimbio Technorati ActiveRain Real Estate View Evan Little's profile on LinkedIn view Evan T Little's Myspace profile view Evan T Little's Facebook profile view Evan T Little's Yelp profile


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Critical Mass in Costa Mesa, CA

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criticalmassCM




I just recently heard of Critical Mass, an event that is typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets in mass. The groups seem to have little to no centralized organization and pride themselves on their autonomy. I appreciate the simplistic approach to the idea of getting together in mass to celebrate bicycling. Of course the underlying message of alternative transportation and lifestyle that is conveyed to those who wittiness a Critic Mass group, whether on purpose or not, is a definite step in the right direction.

The Costa Mesa Critical Mass group meets at Rooster Cafe at 6pm on the last Friday of each month.

Rooster Cafe
750 Saint Clair Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

OTHER WEEKLY COSTA MESA RIDES:

Margaritaville Mondays:
Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 630, leave whenever, end at taco mesa for amazing mexican food and 50¢ margaritas. this ride is for everyone, but please, keep the drinking to 21+

Wednesday night social:
Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 630, leave whenever. this ride takes us down the newport peninsula and across the ferry to balboa island where we stop for ferry beers. after we ride through balboa and through the back bay loop we stop at cafe blanc for some gelato, then it's off to tacos & tacos for.. tacos. after tacos, DETROIT BAR for some good music and $1 beers. if you're thinking, "man, this ride has a lot of stops," that is why it is called the social ride. bring $2 cash for the ferry, more if you want food and stuff.

Sausage Saturdays:
Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 1130AM, leave whenever. take pch down to corona del mar, and end up at the rooster cafe for delicious sandwiches and/or the tin lizzy for delicious FREE bbq. yes, i said free.

A few more Youtube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMD-EA5VIRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1PxiquVPN0

Critical Mass Directory:
http://critical-mass.info



Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Going "Green" in Orange County
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA

Best Green Blogs Green Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Blog Directory - Blogged blog search directory Blog Directory & Search engine Directory of Environment Blogs My Zimbio Technorati ActiveRain Real Estate View Evan Little's profile on LinkedIn view Evan T Little's Myspace profile view Evan T Little's Facebook profile view Evan T Little's Yelp profile



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Community Gardens around Orange County, CA

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170 Del Mar at 50percent


Some months ago I accidentally drove bye one of two community gardens in Costa Mesa. I'd seen community gardens on TV shows before, but didn't realize that such a resource existed outside of larger, urban cities like Chicago or New York.

After a little asking around I was directed to speak with Ruth A. Raheb, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Costa Mesa. She's quick to return phone calls and awfully friendly when discussing community gardens. So finally! I got all the answers as to how these community gardens work.

Financial cost to members:
Currently, both Costa Mesa Residents and Non-residents may apply for a gardening parcel. The cost, as of May 2008, is $30 for Costa Mesa Residents and $60 for Non Costa Mesa Residents. There is also a $20 key deposit and Community Garden Bylaws that must be followed.

Rules and regulations:
The City of Costa Mesa provides a water source, gate key, parking area, port-a-potty and trash containers as needed. Everything else must be provided by yourself. Best of all the bylaws is that NO CHEMICALS OR CHEMICAL PRODUCTS are allowed.

There are many other rules that must be followed. Such as all crops grown are for personal consumption or gifts, no illegal plants, etc, etc...

CM garden 25percent CM garden 1 25percent

O.C. Community Garden locations I'm aware of:
  • 170 Del Mar Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
  • 523 Hamilton Street, Costa Mesa, CA
  • Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano, CA
I've added both Costa Mesa Community Garden locations to my OC GREEN MAP and will search other Orange County Cities as time allows. Please post a comment on this blog or contact me if you're aware of any others.

If you already have a community garden parcel or are thinking of getting one and would be interested in organizing edible garden or native plant workshop(s) to help educate your community, please contact me.

Contact your City and see if one exists, how to join or what it would take to get one started!


Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Going "Green" in Orange County
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA

Best Green Blogs Green Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Blog Directory - Blogged blog search directory Blog Directory & Search engine Directory of Environment Blogs My Zimbio Technorati ActiveRain Real Estate View Evan Little's profile on LinkedIn view Evan T Little's Myspace profile view Evan T Little's Facebook profile view Evan T Little's Yelp profile


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Costa Mesa, CA Encourages "Green" Building

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CITY OF COSTA MESA
P.O.BOX 1200
CALIFORNIA 92626-1200

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER


PRESS RELEASE


January 9, 2008

“Green” Fee Waivers Currently Available Through June 30, 2008

The City of Costa Mesa is currently offering fee waivers for green installation and express Planning and Building Division Plan checks through June 30, 2008. Under the City’s Build Green Incentive Program, all or a portion of the fees will be waived for green installations of solar panels, skylights, domestic tankless water heaters, grey water systems, and similar conservation technology. A rebate may also be offered for green certification. Build Green plans will also be given priority in processing along with the option of preferred morning or afternoon inspections.

The Build Green Incentive Program encourages the elements of green building, which include site design, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and material selection. A green certified building has 50% less negative impact on the environment than a standard building.

Authorized on September 4, 2007, the Build Green Incentive Program is part of City Council’s adopted Sustainable Municipal Green Policy, aimed at increasing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, promoting a healthy work environment and environmental responsibility.

For further information on the Build Green Incentive Program, “Green Building FAQs” brochures are available at www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us and at the Development Services Department counter, or please contact Building Official Khanh Nguyen at (714) 754-5277.



Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Going "Green" in Orange County
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA

Best Green Blogs Green Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Blog Directory - Blogged blog search directory Blog Directory & Search engine Directory of Environment Blogs My Zimbio Technorati ActiveRain Real Estate View Evan Little's profile on LinkedIn view Evan T Little's Myspace profile view Evan T Little's Facebook profile view Evan T Little's Yelp profile


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