Keith's Blog

Whisky – Real Slow Food

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:15:01 -0600

Before the recent Whisky Fest in San Francisco, a select group gathered for a whisky tasting of the Bowmore whisky which in itself should be deemed a special treat especially when sipping on the 25 year Bowmore single malt and the 44 year old (older than most us in the room) Bowmore Gold, which up until that moment had only been savored by a few ones in the U.S. Toss in the fact that we sampled this whiskey at the classic power lunch spot meets oh la la One Market and everything seemed to be going as smooth as the and Bowmore 12 and the Tombo Tuna (we hope wild caught).

But of course, being in San Fran, we struck up the whole Green thing as far as Bowmore and whisky production. The Bowmore crew being from Scotland aren’t exactly strangers when it comes to Green or sustainable practices. After all, we would have to say that whisky might be one of the ultimate slow foods. A few tastes later only spurred the spirited dialogue. The fact that Bowmore came in second in the Green Apple award a few years ago impressed us. We even liked the fact that they got downright innovative in the fact that they use the waste heat generated from the stills plant to not only dry the barley but heat the local public swimming pool as well. They also use the generated hot water to pre-heat the facility that works like a form of radiant heating.

Now we can’t over look the fact that the distillery runs on petroleum and they do emit healthy amounts of peat burning smoke into the air but each year they maintain stricter CO2 emissions than the government targets.

The mention of organics caused another stir. Not that organics represents the be all and end all of whisky ingredients but the topic opened up another barrel of whisky that we will post shortly. Where does the barrel wood originate? Are there GMOs in whisky?

We’re not going to mess with 200 plus years of tradition and think that whisky distilleries will change green overnight. Meanwhile, we got back to the task at hand. We need to savor the Bowmore Gold and the pear dumpling with brown butter caramel sauce.

Big Important Speeches and Little Breakout Groups at BSR

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:58:13 -0600

No matter who attends the BSR conference, we always seem to find a balance between the people who legitimately wish to improve sustainability, not just for their company but the planet, and those who set out to further their profits by subtle or blatant greenwashing.

During the Thursday morning breakfast, Zhang Yue, chairman and CEO of China-based Broad Air Conditioning woke the crowd up as he spoke through an interpreter. A few minutes before that, I found myself asking a colleague “Who is this guy?” After 10 minutes, I changed my mind. More people should listen to this guy. True, I haven’t done due diligence on his company but if his company does half the things that he says they do then I’m on board. Yue created China’s first “non-electric chiller” and insists on showing consumers how triple paned windows will reduce their need to use air conditioners. Consider that their business revolves around making air conditioners.

Even the fact that his sustainable company philosophy has dropped his income from the top five richest people in China to the top 500 doesn’t bother him. He’d rather save the planet and make slightly less. Although he became the first CEO to fly regularly on a private corporate jet, he soon realized how detrimental his private jet trips were on the environment, so he changed his corporate jet policy to use it only in special situations and now he normally flies commercial. Maybe the Big 3 (or is it Big 2?) CEOs can get a clue.

The conference not only offers big speeches but interactivity as well. One Thursday morning session tackled the topic of Sustainability of a Budget: Sharing Cost (and Risk) through Government Partnerships and included a diverse panel including Shari Berenbach of Calvert Social Investment Foundation, Sanjay Raman of Howcast Media and Michael de Soyza of Dialog Telekom. After some eye-opening discussion about how PPPs can combine with private companies can increase their impact on social and environmental issues, the attendees broke into groups. We then brainstormed in breakout groups (our group contained people from Visa, ESPN, USAid) about how to create a partnership with various issues and tasks. It’s surprising how many dynamic ideas can be created in 15 minutes.

BSR 2009 - Biodegradable Lanyards and Microsoft Sustainability

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:10:11 -0500

Ah, it feels good to have the BSR conference back in San Francisco. Even though the economy has gone to hell, it is good see that probably close to 1000 attendees hit the conference so the sour economy has not killed the whole notion of notion of sustainability and companies.

Good start -- as we walked in and registered the staff handed me a recyclable, biodegradable, compostable lanyard.

The theme for this year’s conference - Sustainability in a Reset World

After admiring our lanyards and breakfast we jumped into packed conversation with Pamela Passman of Microsoft. Of course we considered today’s launch of Windows 7.

The discussion centered on the sustainability of Microsoft. Now, most people will admit that the technology business isn’t the least sustainable or “dirtiest” business. But that doesn't mean that they don't press a heavy carbon footprint. Passman discussed that companies need software to track their own carbon footprint.Microsoft may have many ideas for other comanies but they need to look in the mirror as well.

She admitted the two most pressing issues that Microsoft needs to improve in so far as reducing their carbon footprint that includes:

1- Traveling (lots of it)

2 – Data centers --- The data centers continue to be electric and water intensive.
Microsoft claims to be attempting reduce the footprint of these data centers.

Besides environmental sustainability the talk shifted to information and human rights. Besides the separate Gates Foundation, Microsoft creates technological literacy for various NGOs and donates much money to various create technological literacy for people who don’t have educational/technological access. However, when discussing human rights and technology Pressman seemed to get a little defensive when discussing China, privacy issues, and human rights in other counties where the masses often don’t get access to certain technology.

Like so much of the conference, often we need to read between the lines to determine who or what companies enact true sustainability controls or who just spin fancy greenwashing, or maybe a combination.

Sustianability at the Outside Lands festival

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:16:28 -0500

As an onslaught of crowds hit Golden Gate Park for Pearljam and other notable bands last week, I, along with other Green minions checked out the Ouside Lands Green scene just as West Indian Girl hit one of the numerous stages.

Don't say that we didn't warn you but those who are short on cash should consider the Global Inheritance sponsored recycle booth in the Eco Lands section. They offered a similar booth last year but not many people seemed aware of it. The deal here is that anyone who wants nifty Outside Lands shirt (for free) just needs to bring 75 empty cans or bottles to the booth. For 250 bottles you can snag a pair of Loomstate organic jeans and 150 gets a recycled record vinyl clock. Those not as inspired can get some Fuel TV sunscreen (and boy is sunscreen mandatory today) for just eight bottles.

On the food front, we like the local and/or organic slant on food. The chow lineup includes local faves like El Huarache Loco, Eos Wine Bar, Fated Calf, Hog Island Oyster Co among some of the tasty local purveyors. They even offer fresh organic fruit from local farmers markets. Think anyone will miss the fried corn dogs and dried out, mass market chicken sandwiches? We think not.

The Refillable Water Program marked the most curious thing (so far) that we spotted. Simple enough that people can refill their reusable water containers for $1 with water sourced from the large five gallon bottles. Yes, we people could just go to the park fountains and get the good old Hetch Hechy H20 but no biggie. The curious thing is that at the same booth they sell plastic bottles of Sprite and Coke. We understand that everyone has to make a buck but if you're trying to make a point then make it. Don't go half way.

More Green and Sustainable action from Outside Lands to come.

Two to Tango – All Electric, Way Fast, But Pricey

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:06:54 -0500

It was a one in 20 chance encounter. I felt like a paparazzi who got a chance to spy a celebrity but in this instance my camera caught a shot of the Tango, the car that makes look the Smart Car look like a Lincoln Continental. Only about 10-20 Tangos exists which makes the sighting more special. Actually my neighbor (a solar guy who already drives an EV-4) had the thing in his driveway in the Lower Haight and a crowd of passersby, tourists, and green auto enthusiasts formed around this electric only car.

As they say, looks can be deceiving. My neighbor said that the Tango can beat a Tesla in terms of acceleration. The Tango can accelerate from zero to over 130 mph in one gear. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 4 seconds. We say Zoom to that.

Don’t think that just because this little guy is small that it isn’t safe. Okay, relatively safe. It contains a crash tested roll cage (like they use for race cars). More importantly is comfort. You’d think that anyone sitting in the back would be subjected to eating their knees but the back seat allows more room than one might guess with the running boards for legroom.

The little guy offers two main downsides. One of which is the charging radius which goes about 50 miles give or take. Okay for a big city (except LA) but not a cross country trip. The only thing- like the Tesla– the price tag on this sustainable bolt of energy isn’t exactly suited for everyone – think six figures.

Hopefully, the in future these little bad boys will have a lower price tag and more acceptance. How about some cross promotion with some of those power forwards in the NBA?

Documentary Movie The Cove – Shallow Water. Deep Secret.

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:32:11 -0500

A seemingly paranoid, ex-dolphin trainer slowly drives through a foreign land while being pursued by police and other locals may appear to be the start of a riveting spy thriller and in some cases that’s exactly what this film is but instead of drawing from the mind of Robert Ludlum, this situation comes from a real life deep dark cover up. Four years in the making, The Cove, surrounds the slaughter of thousands of dolphins in Taiji, Japan instantly thrusts viewers into a sort of Flipper espionage that not only rivets the audience but sends them on an emotional and educational rollercoaster.

The Cove refers to a sea inlet of the coast of Taiji where on the surface the town seems to embrace dolphins but in reality some of the local politicos as well as a handful of fisherman keep the dolphin slaughter a secret to not only most locals but the rest of Japan as well.

The Cove not only captures disturbing, bloody footage of the carnage (via various stealthily hidden high-tech cameras, lenses and sound equipment) but uses former TV show Flipper trainer Richard O’Barry as an emotional through line. Director Louie Psihoyos, co-founder of the Oceanic Preservation Society, and his crew expose the local fisherman slaughtering dolphins but they also show how the government allows mercury filled dolphin meat to be mislabeled and sold in Japanese markets, and for a time allowed local school children to eat the toxic dolphin as part of the school lunch program. The film also delves into utter bureaucracy, toothlessness and corruption of the International Whaling Commission (picture a watered down UN council meeting) to regulate or offer any solutions to the ongoing dolphin slaughter.

As the original trainer for various bottlenose dolphins who played Flipper, O’Barry blames himself for the dolphin craze (dolphin theme parks, shows) where all over the world dolphins suffer in confined conditions. Blaming himself for the dolphin demise, O’ Barry risks personal well being in an effort to tear off the veil of secrecy that this one area of Japan has covered up (and continues to hide) for many years.

The Cove captures not only startling footage of the dolphins (although one of the producers admits that they could have shown more gruesome scenes) but cleverly swims through various meetings (many with hidden cameras) and old TV footage to not just entertain but to thrill and enrage anyone who watches it.

People interested in more information or campaigning against the dolphin slaughter can visit TakePart.com/TheCove

Social Networking and High Tech at Inman Connect 2009

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:30:10 -0500

It's kind of exciting to be around some of the top bloggers, social media giants, and computer media gurus at the 2009 Inman Connect. It would be silly to search for significant Green aspects within this conference, but the as they say it’s about people, planet, profit. Of course, the real estate industry here remains about profit but much of the new innovation deals with people.

Being a green blogger, the location of the grand old Palace Hotel doesn’t exactly scream Green, and curiously the conference did offer actual glasses for the Blogger Connect but for the main conference downstairs the hotel dragged out the paper cups.

Lot’s of buzz surrounded the social media mix. Many different sites and start-ups will integrate things like social rental search, local community, and other forms of social networking, and company culture. Several companies at the IC displayed how they treat people well (such as Zappos.com) which equates to social justice, something that many companies lack.

Some of the conference speakers actually brought ideas outside of the normal technology, real estate and economic gain realm. San Francisco’s own Craig Newmark (the Craig's List founder and consumer service guru) started his presentation by showing a little bird in the back yard of his home near Sutro Forest. Craig mentioned, “I like nature when it is convenient.” He also mentioned that he Twitters a lot but that much of it is related to nature. Craig talked about his big push to help the returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have been shortchanged on their education benefits. You can get the full scoop at the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, IAVA.org.

A lot of people, including us, learned that it isn't about competetion. The words that stuck with many people and that other speakers referred to are the wise words of Craig Newmark, “If we don’t collaborate, we’re dead.”

Scrap - Source for the Resourceful

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:42:43 -0500

For some people the act of walking in to a shopping mall during a huge sale makes them sort of shake like they are on crack and for me and my friend Mouse, walking into Scrap for the first time, it caused a similar reaction. How could I not have known about this place? True, the location could not be less in the middle of nowhere and in San Francisco that is quite a trick. But still, I have no excuse.

Scrap, which their pamphlet calls “a creative reuse center and workshop space” came about in 1976, way before recycling and Green became trendy, as a resource for artists and teachers. Scrap also set out to promote environmental awareness and creative reuse.

The non-profit Scrap, receives numerous donations from business, individuals, and various groups in their warehouse space. The groups not only keep these items from the landfill but they receive tax credits. This source for the resourceful also draws numerous artists, burners, and other just looking to re-use materials at a discount. Who needs some office warehouse when you can pick up a ream of freshly donated paper for about $3? Need envelopes, frames, textiles, flooring, jewelry at a discount then this place will serve for many, like me, as a shopping heaven.

Scrap also offers classes and workshops where people lean to reduce, reuse and recycle in various media and techniques. Apparently, New York City has there own version of Scrap. But with all of the waste and overflowing landfills, it would seem a no brainer to open Scrap like places in other cities. My idea - Scrap, the non-profit franchise. Shop on!

Green Thinking Builds 500 Days of Summer

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:18:57 -0500

The new flick 500 Days of Summer, which generated much buzz as the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, rolls out in limited release today. Lot’s of people are talking about it as a romantic comedy meets Momento which in film terms means that those with ADD or short attention spans might be confused by this rambunctious romantic romp. But for us, the buzz doesn’t just lie in the zigzagging sex talk but rather in the architecture talk. Even more specifically in the Green architecture talk.

Now Tom Hansen, (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) isn’t exactly Howard Roark but his some of the film’s core revolves around Hansen’s progressive architecture thinking. Even more he talks about density in Los Angeles as he admires Pershing square. Density in Los Angeles of all places. We can hardly stand it.

Even later in the film after the romances goes South, Hansen picks up a Green architecture book and delves into it. Maybe this film won’t be an LA Story or When Harry Met Harry film for the ages but now we have sustainable architecture thinking sneaking into progressively solid romantic comedies. For us, that’s better than a tub of organic popcorn and a soda without high fructose corn syrup.

Free Federal Tax Incentive Green Decoder

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:42:20 -0500

Did you know that if you install a Biomass Stove – wood, pellets, etc. that you can nab a 30% tax credit ($1,500 max) up until 2010? Who knows that homeowners can get a 30% tax break for installing Solar Hot Water Heating until 2016? Maybe the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which was signed into law by President Obama in February 2009 isn’t as complicated as the IRS tax code but does anyone really want to delve into the 400 pages of legislation to figure all the ins and outs about how to qualify for the green tax credits available to homeowners?

In a Cliff’s Notes version of the myriad incentives, rebates, and tax incentives GREENandSAVE has created a Federal Tax Incentive Decoder and condensed the material to 11 bite sized pages. Best of all, this resource does not cost a dime and can be downloaded at: http://www.greenandsave.com/homecheckup/free_federal_tax_incentive_decoder

We ploughed through some of the well organized and highly useful guide and discovered that beyond the tax credits, homeowners can save even more money through rebates as well as a breakdown to many money and environment friendly loans for energy efficient home improvements. One loan that we like is the Energy Star Loan which homeowners can use for installation of qualifying improvements that are Energy Star rated or meet program standards.

Here are some of the details:
The Loan Amount: $1,000-$15,000
Rate and Term: 6.99%
Fixed Rate; 3, 5, or 10 year term.
ii. Unsecured, no lien.
iii. No Fees or closing costs.
iv. No pre-payment penalty.

Not too shabby.

Finally, the politicians have created some far reaching incentives to truly get on us on the Green road to recovery. This downloadable decoder makes it easy to navigate down that Green road.

$10K Tax Credit Ending Soon

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:46:44 -0500

Time is running out. No, that isn’t another car sell or a joke to keep GM in business but if you want to have your hand out to receive the $10,000 tax credit for purchasing a hopefully green new construction property (or even a condo in a dirty building) then you better do so soon.

That mammoth amount of cash that the state provided to steer buyers to the dormant new construction market has dwindled to only $12 million. May proved to be a boon for buyers taking advantage of the tax credit as buyers claimed approximately $30 million. The California Franchise Tax Board speculates that the $100 million fund will be "wiped out by August 2009 and the incentive will not be extended."

Buildings such as San Francisco’s Arterra (which is on target to receive a LEED Silver up from LEED-NC which we previously had been informed) does offer some unique Green attributes.

Don’t get too bent out of shape if the tax credit disappears as a good agent should be able to negotiate more than a $10K credit (and maybe more sustainable offerings) if you play your cards right.

Virtually Waterless Laundry Washing Machine

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:54:49 -0500

At one point, it seems as though virtually everyone has sat in front of washing machine and watched the soaked clothes tumble through the suds. That tradition may be a thing of the past if a new “virtually waterless” laundry machine finds its way to the mainstream.

Although only in prototype stage, this new machine may be able to save up to 90% of water compared to a conventional machine and will also cut carbon emissions. Created by Xeros, this machine replaces the old school idea of cleaning clothes. The technology goes with full on chemistry advances by replacing the majority of the water with reusable nylon polymer beads, the machine can clean clothes in less time than traditional machines, and we see these waterless wonders then you can thank Professor Stephen Burkinshaw, from the University of Leeds who made the discovery that certain types of polymer beads could be used for cleaning.

We’re even more impressed that these machines will use significantly less detergent than normally required, and that the electricity savings can be increased further by reducing the need to tumble dry, assuming that all the happy homemakers out there don’t already hang their clothes on a line and dry them the old fashioned way.

No, we haven’t taken this new “waterless” bad boy for a spin (yet) but we’re impressed that Xeros commissioned an independent Life Cycle Assessment from URS Corporation. The report found that the process has the potential to display a significantly smaller carbon footprint than that of a conventional wash.

Xeros aims to have a commercially viable product in production by the end of 2010. Although we hate to get too lathered up about this “potential” it does seem like a product that we can get fired up about. Hopefully this won't be a full load of greenwashing because we don’t want to be taken for a spin.

Now if only this washer can do something about those missing socks.

Green and Greenwashing at PCBC 2009

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:31:56 -0500

It wasn’t exactly a quite hush that settled over the San Francisco’s Moscone Center for the 50th PCBC convention but the crowds and exhibitors for this annual builders convention came in about one-half of last year. Nonetheless, in this era of minimalism and slimming down the show offered an array of notable speakers and some innovative products. Now of course, with the slogan “The New Age of Innovation” we hoped for more progressive Green products and not just in a marketing sense.

On the creatively intriguing side, we walked into the Icynene Inc. display booth only knowing that they create their Icynene LD-R-50 spray foam insulation partially from Castor oil. Honestly, we didn’t exactly know the origin of Castor oil. Castor oil comes from Castor beans (not true beans from Castor plant) and don’t serve a normal food source, so not food for insulation here. Castor crops don’t require pesticides or fungicides or even water to grow and are rapidly renewable. For this insulation, they use 15 percent castor oil (and unfortunately 85 percent polyglycol, which in our eyes is like using B15 biodiesel. Fifteen percent is better than zero percent but still a long way to go. This product helps eliminate dust, pollen and contains no VOCs as it is water blown. Most traditional cellulose insulation comes from 80% newspaper (up to100% post-consumer recycled) and 20% binders and fire-retardants, commonly borax, boric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonium sulfates and/or other chemical compounds. Smell the goodness.

One of the most disappointing aspects of PCBC would be the continual greenwashing that some organizations and companies wish to convey to the public and trade. The SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) had booth and lots of literature about how they which on the surface seems on the track to be doing the right thing with their Green certification but if you check below the tree cover it might not seem so verdant.

Most Green people would be disillusioned with the fact that SFI finds its roots firmly planted with the lumber companies which of course offers no value. Then they somewhat cleaned up their legitimacy a few years ago by creating third party certification, publicly available standards and a more transparent process.

We met the Director of Green Building for SFI at the PCBC booth where he did the hard sell offering such info that they continue to push the USGBC to include SFI certified wood in the LEED standard. To us, it seems like a lot of lobbying and less to do with the legitimacy of the certification.

When it comes down to it, the SFI wants people to think that they reign superior or even equal to FSC certification but take a look at some of the comparisons where SFI allows:

-use of genetically modified trees

-logging close to rivers and streams that harms water supplies

-use of toxic chemicals while FSC does not allow these in the forests

And we can go on and on but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words so check out the SFI versus FSC forest land photo courtesy of heartofgreen.

‘nuff said.

Food, Inc. Documentary Movie Removes Shroud of Secrecy

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:50:06 -0500

For those in America who have yet to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Fast Food Nation or even The Jungle, the new docu pic Food, Inc. smoothly stirs the boiling pot of food production controversy while allowing those not familiar with the dark secrets of the food production industry to enjoy a film in bite size nuggets.

With Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser a co-producers and Omnivore’s Dilemma writer Michael Pollen one of the consultants (in addition to being on-screen participants) the film offers a solid, well presented structure that offers not only scary, gut wrenching even stomach turning scenes in meatpacking plants, chicken coops and but offers a silver lining into the future of food.

Producer/Director Robert Kenner weaves the film through the various food landscapes from the cramped chicken coops of Maryland to the aerial CAFO vistas to the open grasslands of Polyface Farms. Inside one of the chicken coops live chickens that wallow in their own filth and barely have room to move. Factory farm shots show downer cows being uplifted by forklifts to be transported to the slaughterhouse. The film makes a point of showing people how dangerous and unregulated our food system remains.

Besides showing the torturously nauseating animal conditions, the film doesn’t forget the human factor and the social justice issues. Food, Inc. follows undocumented factory farm workers being arrested while making the point that the huge company that they work for should be the ones under the squad car lights. Kenner also captures the human element in the case of one California family that must decide between fast food hamburgers and broccoli as a result of economic hardship. (Guess which they choose?) Food, Inc displays the bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, and even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but also shows the new strains of e coli—and the deadly results.

But the film is not all about “dishonest food” and the “ugly truth” as Kenner captures lively footage of environmentally progressive owners such as Stonyfield Farms’ Gary Hirschberg and Polyface Farms’ Joe Salatin who both proudly declare and demonstrate how food can be produced honestly and without a wall of secrecy. Like The Wizard of Oz, Food, Inc. reveals that cow behind the curtain.

Already this docu pic has several large food conglomerates just a tad worried with companies like Monsanto and the American Meat Institute creating their own websites in response to the film. It’s curious why it took till now to get a response from these food giants because according to the filmmakers representatives from Monsanto, Tyson, Perdue and Smithfield, declined to be interviewed for the movie.

Food, Inc. comes off less like a documentary and more like a food based 1984 where the food conglomerates act like Big Brother. Parts of this film appear to be as scary as any recent horror film. But consider, most horror films are works of fiction while this film deals with stuff that sits on your dinner plate.

David Brower Center - Green to the bones

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:02:13 -0500

Even in a Greencentric city like Berkeley, locals and Bay Area visitors would be Green with envy when they see the just opened David Brower Center. It feels healthy just to walk through the Green down-to-the-bones building which combines advanced technology along with simple recycled materials.

When entering for their housewarming party we had a difficult time not noticing the soaring concrete walls which made us think more dot com than gallery. The fact that in creating a building with an oh- so-feathery carbon footprint (when compared to most structures) Principal Architect, Daniel Solomon included up to 70 percent slag in those walls.

Just like people, what Green buildings have on the inside can be the key. Anyone (or any building) can have a great exterior but look at the Brower Center’s guts and soul. We love the radiant heating and cooling that runs through the floors, as well as the water catchment system and giant cistern that significantly reduce the building’s water use. The building even employs small aspects like the zinc siding and photovoltaic panels that double as sun-shades. The zinc siding will last numerous years without being treated.

The designers and builders designed the edifice be 40 percent more energy-efficient than conventional ones, which includes a day lighting program that uses high-efficiency lighting with automatic controls limit use when daylight is adequate. Normally we don’t get to excited heading to the restroom (no jokes please) but we definitely got giddy with the Icestone countertops, waterless urinals and high powered hand dryer. We’re talking ten seconds max to dry hands.

Besides the physical structure the Brower Center works on the social justice level as it houses various NGOs and ecologically minded companies such as: Center for Ecoliteracy, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and the Earth Island Institute. We can’t speak for all the staff and workers but having the Brower Center as your office would actually inspire someone to want to come to work.

San Francisco Debuts First EcoMap

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:02:10 -0500

In the continued effort for San Francisco to stay ahead of the green curve as well as the technology curve, the San Francisco EcoMap comes to a computer near you.

The EcoMap gives San Franciscans the ability to see the collective results of their individual footprint but also offers up nifty comparison of other zip codes so we can all spy on how Pac Heights compares to Potrero Hill. How many of the Marina crowd pours CO2 into the air from transportation, energy and waste versus their Russian Hill neighbors? With this map it’s easy to check out the various carbon footprints of the various ‘hoods.

The EcoMap gives people incentives to improve as it displays progress toward meeting greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. It also serves up healthy does of useful, locally available tools and resources for anyone wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.

EcoMap amasses information on a neighborhood level, organized by zip codes through Discover Your City’s Neighborhoods and Take Climate Actions, both of which offer interesting and useful info to educate and motivate (not to mention how to spy on our neighbors’ carbon footprint.

This pilot project brings together the resources and efforts of Cisco and the City and County of San Francisco. And of course SF Mayor Gavin Newsom likes to mention that, “Cities are the world’s major source of greenhouse gas emissions, consuming 75 percent of the world’s energy,” so he’s practically beaming that SF represents the first city in the world to launch an EcoMap that can reverse that trend.

We pretty excited to see full blown release. And we’d like to eventually see more complete data for other cities and zip codes which squarely reside behind the green eight ball. I don’t know how sustainable the 90210 is but here’s hoping that the 94117 rocks the sustainable world.

The Age of Stupid at the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:27:20 -0500

Things must be getting serious. At least for the planet and the environment. What else would explain the plethora of eco documentaries hitting the film festival circuit or that will hit mainstream theaters in the near future? Many of these green docu films cast a waving finger along with charts and graphs about what will happen to the planet in the future if we don’t act now. The Age of Stupid works a bit in reverse.

The Age of Stupid takes place in the year 2055 with a man called the Archivist (Pete Postlethwaite) sitting in a Noah’s Ark type storage tower with a collection of famous art, pairs of animals, and enough computer servers to make Google envious. The tower exists because the world has turned into a fiery, and flood ridden disaster area. The Archivist searches through archived video footage to see where man went wrong after having the opportunity to change things. The film takes futuristic standpoint of looking at the present (like right now).

Instead of following one narrative, director Franny Armstrong takes a Traffic style approach with six different narratives. Instead of the drug trade, this film cleverly looks at the climate change.

Armstrong weaves the film’s central climate change core through various through lines, among others, transportation, war, consumerism, natural disaster, and alt energy and ties them together with intense and striking visuals. One story follows a local New Orleans hero Alvin DuVernay who rescued about 200 people and animals after hurricane Katrina hit but later we find out that he has worked for Shell for 30 years. Another narrative highlights Jeh Wadia who launches a discount Indian airline and honestly believes that he’s aiding the poor masses with cheap fares and thinks that the environmental aspect of flying an airline will just work itself out. The film smoothly displays how each of the characters has their own justification for doing something or their own hypocrisy toward climate change.

Like any multiple story line film, some characters and stories offer more connection, insight, emotion and education than others. On a creative level, for a low budget film, this pop-style documentary offers high production values with its spirited animation sequences and an often high charged music score. It also offers a clever way of telling the cautionary climate change tale that has been seemingly uttered countless times in recent years. Armstrong obviously created this film as a two-minute warning leading up to the Copenhagen treaty in December 2009 and although the film isn’t perfect hopefully she will be able to make a sequel called the Age of Smart.

Anyone know of a green agent in the Pullman, WA area for a possible referral?

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:33:15 -0500

Hey Eco All Stars,

Anyone know of a green agent who knows the Pullman, WA area (and thereabouts) for a possible buyer referral?

Please let me know.

Best Regards,

Keith Rockmael

REO Specialist, Business Opportunities, Green Real Estate
Meridian Creek Properties
Office: (800) 694-6922
FAX: (877) 783-8304
Direct: (415) 994-1322
Greenerati.com, GreenOptions.com

Crude Documentary shows at 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:26:06 -0500

A documentary or any feature film, like a good dessert, needs good texture. Some docs offer light delicate flavors, while others serve up crisp tawdry offerings but Crude, the latest feature documentary from director Joe Berlinger (Brother’s Keeper, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster) brings a feel so viscous its some wonder that the film and the emotions within it don't just ooze into the theater.

And why wouldn’t the film be viscous with center of the film swirling around a legal case about the black gold being pumped out of the jungles of Ecuador. Some have called the case the “Amazon Chernobyl” but whatever the name, Berlinger delves head first into this the David versus Goliath story that circles around one of the longest and most controversial legal (not to mention environmental and human rights) cases ever.

Crude aptly gives a balanced view of the various sides involved in the case which pits plaintiffs (30,000 indigenous and colonial rainforest dwellers) versus U.S. oil giant Chevron. The plaintiffs claim that Texaco – which later merged with Chevron – systemically contaminated an area the size of Rhode Island over a period of three decades. The plaintiffs allege that the contamination has led to numerous birth defects, increased rates of cancer leukemia, not to mention deaths.

Shot in cinéma vérité style Crude brings together various elements that one might not expect from a single documentary including: high stakes legal motions, backroom legal maneuvering, global politics, environmental causes, social justice, media frenzies, celebrity activism, multinational corporate power, and disappearing culture.

With so many layers, the film could have easily been bogged down (like the over 10 year still on going trial) but Berlinger keeps much of the film out of the courtrooms and in and around the alleged contamination sites where both the judge and attorneys for both sides trudge through the sludge and jungle to the various inspection sites. Crude deftly moves from the jungle to health clinics to the celebrity scene where rainforest advocates Trudie Styler and Sting helped bring attention to the case.

Crude come off like a war documentary shot in the trenches but instead of offering a dry, matter-of-fact 60 Minutes style Berlinger, makes the film personal. Looking at the smaller picture includes heartbreaking scenes with local ingenious people who have suffered through various illnesses, tragedies and deaths. But the doc also captures the lawyers and scientists and their opinions not to mention their polarized philosophies. Berlinger doesn’t set out to take sides but it’s easy to tell from the various on-screen quotes about who offers sincerity versus others who “hang themselves” with their own words.

Although Crude could have delved deeper in the minutiae, the 101 running time severs as a reminder about not only how powerful film making can be but how important and informative the subject can be as well.

Sea Change Screens at 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:28:30 -0500

While most people continue to look upward (into the air) as far as CO2 emissions, many people have overlooked looking down (into the oceans) but they won’t make that mistake after seeing the interesting, informative yet personal enviro-doc Sea Change. Unlike so many other “green” films and documentaries that hit people over the head with stats and charts not to mention fire and brimstone, director Barbara Ettinger ("Independent Lens" - Two Square Miles) takes a more personal approach (aided by having her on-screen husband Sven Huseby) to explore the causes behind the rapid rate of ocean acidification. And rapid it is.

As a former college professor and current grandfather, Sven serves as a genteel informant/host/interviewer willing to learn and listen rather than comment and direct. He offers the natural ability to teach and engage in conversation. Even non-greenies can admire his feelings and interest as a grandfather intested in educating himself and others about the dangerous status of the ocean life for the sake of his grandson.

Shot in a soft tone (the filmmakers never used location lights to cut down on their carbon footprint) the Sea Change uses just a sprinkling of numbers and stats to make their points, and instead uses interviews with various scientists, artists and writers to bring home the points. Ettinger makes solid use of comparing the Exxon Valdez footage and spill catastrophe to demonstrate what will happen to communities should ocean acidification continue - devastation.

The film lacks the scolding element so common in other green films. It creates more of subtle quality to emphasize the important aspects of what continues to happen to our oceans. It’s easy to ignore something that you don’t see like garbage going to a dump or meat coming from a factory farm.

Sea Change creates a climate where we can think of the ocean acidy issue now like the threat of nuclear war back in the 50s, it is that serious just less political. If this film doesn’t get your fish sticks shaking then nothing else might.

Screens at 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival April 30

Battle For Terra at 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:32:11 -0500

Although the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival didn’t set out to program Green films, it may be no coincidence that several environment related or themed features and docs snuck their way into the diverse programming.

One of those films, first time director Aristomenis Tsirbas’s lushly animated Battle for Terra spotlights the peaceful planet of Terra where these wide-eyed tadpole looking denizens live. The Terrareans share the landscape (and skyscape) with sucking plants (a la Fantastic Planet) and flying whales in a healthy, peaceful environment - until the aliens attack. Only this time, humans represent the invaders complete with a jingoistic and aggressive mentality. The thing is that the humans used up all their resources back on Earth so then they decided to try their luck next door - Mars and Venus. Soon after colonizing the virgin neighbors, the three planets got into a battle royal and blew each other up so now the humans (in the form of Earth Force) need to take over the unspoiled Terra.

This environmental Star Wars attempts to create ethical and moral dilemmas but really only creates a green-handed (or green heavy handed) story that creates black and white distinctions between the exploitative humans and the passive Terrareans.

Tsirbas must have watched a lot of films before he took to directing because aside from the other films mentioned previously, he borrows heavily from Planet of the Apes, Starship Troopers, 1984 and other dystopian film worlds. Offering a nod or wink to a film can be cool if used subtly but here the homage borders on film plagiarism.

Environmental films will no doubt become more of a focal point in the coming years and hopefully the other Green films in the festival will offer a more intriguing and thought provoking slant.

Battle For Terra screens: April 25, 29

San Fran's Orchard Hotel Nabs LEED-EB Certification

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:39:39 -0500

If it works for one San Fran hotel then it must work for another. No, we’re not talking about more upscale mini bar items but Greening a hotel. In this case, the Orchard Garden Hotel’s (which garnered LEED-NC certification) sister property the Orchard Hotel just nabbed LEED-EB certification. The Orchard represents San Francisco’s only hotel to earn this honor, the Orchard Hotel is the second hotel in California and fourth hotel in the world with this certification.

The inspiration from these green hotels comes from its 85-year-old owner, Mrs. S.C. Huang, who has pushed her environmental agenda and created more environmentally safe and sustainable hotels after the untimely cancer-related deaths of three family members.

We know that points don’t represent everything but for those strictly into the numbers the hotel achieved 35 out of a possible 36 points on the LEED-EB scorecard.

Those not familiar with LEED-EB shouldn’t expect alt energy (but it would be nice), large scale green building materials (foundations, roofs, etc) and other large ticket green building attributes. Here the sustainable aspects come more in the form of interior and service. We like the fact that the hotel is Energy Star rated and 90% more energy efficient than comparable hotels. It also contains a plate and frame heat exchanger installed on the rooftop which decreases power needed for climate control and cooling.

At night, guests can sleep (or whatever they else they do in bed) better knowing that the mattress covers are made from organic and naturally anti-microbial fibers, and the wood in guest room bed bases comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sustainably harvested forests.

The hotel even took over the formerly Vignette restaurant (now christened Daffodil) and changed the menu to consist of mostly local ingredients and organic produce and meats from small California farms however we have yet to dig our forks into the new fare so we’ll have to see about that Green aspect later. After all, fares fair.

Sustainability at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:02:47 -0500

Clint Eastwood's iconic Dirty Harry character uttered “A man's got to know his limitations” but can say the same thing about the Green progress of a company? In the case of the smaller and less capitalized Lake Tahoe ski resort Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort we looked at skied, snowboarded, walked, and peeked around at what Green goings on here at this resort. Like all ski reports they should be concerned about their carbon footprint and global warming because with no snow they have no business.

Sierra, unlike some of the larger resorts like Heavenly, don’t have as much capital to spend on LEED certified buildings, high output photovoltaic systems or biodiesal powered snow-cats but then again they have a smaller footprint in terms of actual buildings (LEED or otherwise) or the amount of high energy snow making machines.

In truthfulness Sierra’s green initiatives don’t have that “wow” factor but that doesn’t mean that they ignore the green philosophy. Under there PROJECT: GREEN SIERRA they have instituted many educational, community and environmental programs. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort works local school children to collect plastic bottle tops in exchange for a free day of skiing and snowboarding. The collected plastic tops will be recycled into new bottle tops by Aveda™ in their Caps Recycling Program.

In terms of using the green thumb for building, Sierra “saved” their sister ski area Northstar from creating more landfill when they rescued the doors and installed them at the Grandview and Base lodge. They also used recycled material to rebuild the roof-top decks above their main lodge and above Grandview Lodge. On the below side, they replaced carpet in the main lodge with a carpet that is 25% recycled and contains 100% recycled backing. We have to like that carpet has Cradle-to-Cradle certification.

Speaking of recycling, Sierra makes a point to use 100% eco-friendly disposable products for all their restaurants. All plates, bowls, cups and flatware come from renewable sources such as sugar cane, potato starch and corn resin. When trying to be somewhat progressive with their recycling program unexpected things occurred. Next to their blue recycling bins they labeled their garbage bins “landfill” because that’s where it ends up. Skiers and riders, feeling guilty by not wanting to create more landfill, started tossing everything into the recycle bins. We had to laugh too. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. People in this region just need to be educated that a half eaten chili burger can’t be recycled. Now, Sierra needs to look at compost bins.

A lot of times it comes down to what you don’t do that can be classified as Green. Sierra only uses four snow guns which use a ton of energy and they have no condos. Their changes might seem small scale to many but at least the changes continue. We hope that soon Sierra will implement some major alt energy source, change their menu to more organic local based cuisine (although they do offer free Wednesday wine tasting from three local winemakers), and work on their water conservation efforts. When they accomplish some of sustainable ideas then it will really “Make my day”.

Girl Scouts cookies - Courage, Confidence, Character & Corn Syrup

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:28:55 -0500

The economy may be in the toilet but ones things for sure this time of year the Girl Scouts will be out in whatever city or rural town selling their cookies. Yes, they have expanded their selection from the basic chocolate chip to such flavors as Dulce de Leche but for $4 a box the economy would have to get real bad for people not to support the Girl Scouts and buy a box or two.

Here’s the thing that gets us. What then heck are these baked goods made from? These little morsels hardly come from just flour and sugar like cookies should be. Instead these little baked treats contain ingredients that would make Michael Pollen cringe. When little girls (or boys for that matter) hardly learn to bake they hardly reach for Palm Oil and TBHQ or Anhydrous Dextrose.

If the Girl Scouts are going to promote their cookies to adults and especially other kids wouldn’t it make sense for them to teach kids to eat healthy or at least healthier? It’s not that cookies are the most nutritious things on the planet but at least they could stop peddling Yellow #5 Lake and Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil.

The Girl Scouts promote courage, confidence, character not Corn Syrup and Cottonseed Oil. Maybe the Girl Scouts should consider using their grandmothers’ cookie recipes and what went into them. Perhaps they could use that knowledge to encourage other kids to eat Girl Scout cookies made from better stuff. Future GS cookies don’t have to be made from organic ingredients but kids and others shouldn’t think that the wholesome Girl Scout cookies come from the same ingredients as stale store bought croutons.

Clean Coal Cohen Brothers Classic

Keith Rockmael (Intero Real Estate Services) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:49:58 -0500

When notable oxymorons come to mind the classic ones inevitably rise to the top (military intelligence, jumbo shrimp) but we have a new Green one to toss on the heap – Clean Coal. That term seems to have been bandied about recently but at this point it really can be seen as more than smoke (dirty polluting smoke) and mirrors.

Speaking of smoke and mirrors, the Oscars occurred a few weeks ago and if the Hollywood set gave out a Green award for the best short satire it would be the recently released Clean Coal commercial directed by the Cohen Brothers. In general, we like the dark satirical direction of their films (mostly their early stuff like Fargo, Miller’s Crossing) but not so much with their latest work (Burn After Reading).

Watch the 31 seconds of satirical bliss at ThisIsReality.org Just because something has the work “clean” or “green” or “eco” doesn’t mean it’s true. A lot of products and companies lie (oh wait that’s called greenwashing). Wake up and smell the CO2 people and enjoy the comedy.

For the sequel, maybe “the Dude” can make a pitch for eliminating GMOs in our food chain.