the next event sfv/ci installation dinner · 2018-01-19 · sfv clca valleyscape january 2018 3...
TRANSCRIPT
California Landscape Contractors AssociationSan Fernando Valley Chapter
Volume 36, Number 1January 2018
Valleyscape is now available online! www.eldoradocommunicationspublications.info
THE NEXT EVENT
SFV/CI Installation Dinner • January 25, 6:30 p.m• Buca di Beppo Restaurant, Encino• Story on page 4
Leadership Conference • Tuesday, January 30
Ontario Convention Center
• All Chapter Board Members encouraged to attend
Don’t Miss CLCA’s LIS Show
JAN 31–FEB 1Ontario Convention Center
SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
COVER PHOTO: The Ontario Convention Center will once again be the site of the Landscape Industry Show (LIS).
2 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
Business Management
GETTING INVOLVED in the Chapter in a big way as Treasurer, Ken Millius (right) is welcomed to the Board and the Holiday
celebration by Steven Kinzler.
LEGISLATION GURU and Past State President Mickey Strauss and wife Cindy enjoy doing some Holiday networking with Channel
Islands VIP Sarah Corbin.
PAST STATE PRESIDENT and CLCA Ambassador Charles Nunley enjoys the
Holiday event with wife Karen and lots of friends, old and new.
PRESIDENTIAL DO’S & DON’T’S will hopefully be passed on from experienced leader Steven Kinzler (center) to incoming
CI President John Hernandez and 2018 SFV President Julio Lopez.
PHOTOGRAPHER Adam Colvin enjoys the party while greeting his mom Leslie’s long-time
Chapter friends.
WARMING UP in front of the Kinzler’s outdoor fireplace are SFV Associate Member Rep
Ted Sirkin and wife Darlena. The Holiday Party was outstanding and a great way to cap off
the SFV CLCA year.
WELCOMING Channel Islands Past President Sarah Corbin (center) to the festivities are
Leslie and Nelson Colvin.
INCOMING SFV PRESIDENT Julio Lopez and Peggy Panossian enjoy chatting with
Past SFV and State President Chuck Carr and Angie Pedro.
CHAPTER PHILOSOPHER Dave Junod with wife Maria enjoy a Kodak moment with
Cindy Strauss (center).
2017 FIRST COUPLE Steven and Debilyn Kinzler opened their lovely Northridge home to
the SFV Chapter and friends on December 15 in celebration of the Holidays. Great party!
SFV TREASURER Ken Millius and wife Joanne enjoy networking with members and friends at
this informal, but very special gathering.
PAST SFV PRESIDENT Ken Bragar and wife Iris celebrate with President Steven Kinzler and
with Greg and Carol Sullivan.
SFV Celebrates the Holidays at the Kinzlers
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 3
Coming Events, Contact Numbers & More
Subject to Change – Check with Chapter Office FirstJan 25 SFV & CI Board Installation Dinner, Buca di
Beppo Restaurant, 17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 6:30 p.m. Email Jan Veis: [email protected] or call (818) 772-7233 to RSVP; $35 per person
30 Leadership Conference for Chapter Board Members, Ontario Convention Center
31 Landscape Industry Show DAY ONE, Ontario Convention Center Feb 1 Landscape Industry Show DAY TWO,
Ontario Convention Center 5 MONDAY Board Meeting, Denny’s Restaurant,
9001 Tampa Ave., Northridge, 7:30 a.m.
Board Meetings are held the 1st Thursday, 7:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.; locations vary. Dinner Meetings are 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Steven Kinzler
S K Landscape Design, Inc. 818-345-0492
818-345-0494 fax 818-266-3828 cell
VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAMS Francisco Salazar
The Salazar Landscape Company 818-768-8594
VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP John Hernandez 626-965-5015
626-715-1757 cell [email protected]
SECRETARY Luis Casas
Luis Casas Tree Service 818-618-7703
TREASURER Ken Millius
KRM Garden Management 818-768-3324
AMO REP Ted Sirkin
Valvette Systems 818-887-1866
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nelson Colvin Life Member
818-400-9674 [email protected]
Rene Emeterio Specialized Landscape
Management Services Inc. 805-520-7590
805-823-5603 cell [email protected]
Tommy Endres Hollywood West Electric
800-314-3756 / 818-735-0564 805-910-5949 cell
Mickey Strauss MSM Landscape Services, Inc.
818-402-4500 818-341-9236 fax
VALLEYSCAPE PUBLISHER John Hernandez
626-715-1757 cell 626-965-5015
19055 Abdera St. Rowland Heights, CA 91748 [email protected]
FAX 866-591-5093
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ ART DIRECTOR
Jerry Robin 626-644-4239 [email protected]
San Fernando Valley Chapter
2018 Board of DirectorsPRESIDENT
Julio Lopez Cadre Landscape
818-808-7417 [email protected]
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER Jan Veis, Executive Secretary
16350 Ventura Blvd. Suite D#367, Encino, CA 91436 818-772-7233 • [email protected]
www.clcasfv.org
Nor Cal Show Set for February 15• San Mateo Expo Center to Host,
Co-Sponsored by CLCA
Green Industry Landscapers and Suppliers: Want to reach customers or knowledgeable supplier representatives?
Then join thousands of industry professionals at the Nor Cal Landscape & Nursery Show February 15, 2018. This show is the place to kick-off your selling and buying season.
Taking place in the San Mateo Expo Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo, the Nor Cal Show is the best one-day show and attracts Green Industry Professionals from all over California as well as other western states. It is a gathering place for industry leaders, and the perfect place to network with suppliers and buyers. Nor Cal gives you the opportunity to shake hands with customers and peers in a one-day informative and interesting Green Industry Show.
Here are a few facts about Nor CalThis show has it all!• 38 years of bringing Green Industry professionals together.• One easy day of move-in for suppliers, one easy day of seeing all
the products you’ll need to have a successful landscaping year.• Free move-in and move-out with fork lift service for suppliers
who need it.• Free parking on set-up day and only $12 to park on show day.
(Bring cash – no credit cards or debit).• One dynamic show day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Hours!• Meet and greet buyers and sellers from California, Oregon,
Washington, Nevada and Arizona.
Questions or more information? Contact Margo Cheuvront - [email protected], 530-660-5250 fax or call 530-458-3190.
Looking forward to welcoming you to Nor Cal!
4 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
Finding ‘Fresh Eyes’ on Your Team
Where does a leader find the right people with the most effective
“Fresh Eyes” perspective? Just look around…they’re all over.
Some leaders tend to have a narrow circle of employees and/or CLCA Members they go to when trying to tackle a problem. While comfortable, that misses the fact that there are many others who can provide their unique insight into
how the business (or Chapter) should be managed, or a problem solved. If consulted, their views and ideas could shed new light on what things are going well, and what things need to be changed.
It’s always helpful to reach out to a diverse group of team members and others, to gain new insights and possible solutions from fresh perspectives. The leader’s job is to work through all of these suggestions and determine the best path forward based on this broader input.
This is where you, as a CLCA Member come in! As your new SFV President, I am asking you to get involved and share your ideas
and insight with your new Board. As Uncle Sam used to say, “We need you!”
It’s really important to note that these Fresh Eyes don’t always come from the management team or their associates. I have had amazing experiences learning from other CLCA members from throughout the state, from salespeople, clerks, and entry-level people in my company. Many of these individuals often want to share their ideas and thoughts…they just need an outlet for them to be voiced. By opening up in a friendly conversation with your fellow CLCA members, employees and others, you will reap the benefits of their unique and valuable insights. This works in your business, in your Chapter…and at home as well.
So, I am opening up to you. Those of you who are already involved in CLCA, let’s get to know one another and learn from one another. If you are not involved yet, get involved – as you are missing most of the benefits this organization and this Chapter have to offer. And, we are missing your Fresh Eyes to help guide us through the New Year. – Julio
President’s Message
JULIO LOPEZ SFV President
Cadre Landscape
SFV & CI Installation Dinner Set for Thursday, January 25• 2018 Board to be Installed at Bucca di Beppo
in Encino
• Incoming CLCA State President Aaron Huxley to Officiate
The 2018 San Fernando Valley Chapter Board, under the direction of incoming President Julio Lopez, is set to be
installed Thursday, January 25 at Bucca di Beppo Italian Restaurant, 17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino (818) 995-3288). The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is $35 per person.
Also being installed at the event will be the Channel Islands Chapter Board led by incoming President John Hernandez.
The Installing Officer for this prestigious event will be Aaron Huxley, the 2018 CLCA State President. The delicious Italian food will be from Bucca di Beppo’s famous party menu which should go well with the festive spirit of the evening.
The Installation Dinner gives attendees the opportunity to thank the outgoing Board Members under the leadership of 2017 SFV President Steven Kinzler – and 2017 CI President Dan Dvorak – for their outstanding work in support of their respective Chapters throughout the year.
To RSVP or for more information, please call Jan Veis at 818-772-7233, or email Jan at [email protected].
Landscape Industry Show Set for January 31–February 1 in Ontario
The Landscape Industry Show will once again take place January 31–February 1 at the Ontario Convention Center. The LIS
Show is jam-packed with high-energy exhibitors, award-winning booths and thousands of your peers. You’ll see demo gardens, water features, the newest in stone and rock work – plus a huge variety of plants, trees, shrubs, vehicles and equipment.
Explore the latest and greatest products and technology the Green Industry has to offer. Grow professionally by learning and earning continuing education units! Build relationships with industry experts! And discover the solutions you need to make your business better!
Advance your career and your business by earning CEUS: APLD, CLT, CLP, DPR, IA, ISA, QWEL
Subjects include everything from Landscape Lighting to Immigration Update; from How to Read, Understand and Follow a Pesticide Label, to theLandscape Industry Certified Technician Written Test…and much, much more. There is also a C27 Prep Course in both English and Spanish. See CLCA.org for a complete listing of all the courses being offered.
For more information and to register visit CLCA.org, or call Show Manager Micheyl Barnett at 916-830-2780.
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 5
Call Our Advertisers First!A-G Sod Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Birch Equipment Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BrightView Tree Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CLCA Advantage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CLCA Insurance Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 8
Coastline Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, Back Cover
DIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Green Thumb Super Garden Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gro-Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Kurapia Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Landscape Contractors Insurance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 6
Netafim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Nor Cal Landscape & Nursery Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Smith Pipe & Supply, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Southland Sod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
TOR Insurance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tyent Water for Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
West Coast Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advertising Index
Bill DeebleSales [email protected]
Toll Free # 1-855-662-2522 (CLCA)Fax # 1-530-662-1710
Tree Company
• 800+ acres of growing grounds• #15 gallon through 96”
nursery-grown trees• Premium quality with focus on root and crown architecture• Certified arborists on staff• Contract growing services
Nursery Division
Nursery Division - South (805) 524-3939 Fax (805) 524-4354
Nursery Division - North (209) 886-5511 Fax (209) 866-5508
Specimen Relocation & Preservation (818) 951-5500 Fax (818) 951-8106
Tree Company
• 800+ acres of growing grounds• #15 gallon through 96”
nursery-grown trees• Premium quality with focus on root and crown architecture• Certified arborists on staff• Contract growing services
Nursery Division
Nursery Division - South (805) 524-3939 Fax (805) 524-4354
Nursery Division - North (209) 886-5511 Fax (209) 866-5508
Specimen Relocation & Preservation (818) 951-5500 Fax (818) 951-8106Nursery Division - South (805) 524-3939 Fax (818) 524-4254
Nursery Division - North (209) 886-5511 Fax (209) 866-5508
Specimen Relocation & Preservation (818) 951-5500 Fax (818) 951-8106
Nursery Division - South (805) 524-3939 Fax (805) 524-4354
Nursery Division - North (209) 886-5511 Fax (209) 866-5508
Specimen Relocation & Preservation (818) 951-5500 Fax (818) 951-8106
Specimen Preservation and Relocation
• Worldwide tree preservation and relocation services• Certified arborists on staff• Nursery with unique, one-of-a-kind, mature specimen trees through box size of 120”
Growers of Quality Sod Since 1969
Jeff TuesburgSales RepresentativeE-mail: [email protected]: (661) 965-2865
41120 40th St. EastPalmdale, CA 93552
Phone: (661) 274-9192Toll Free: (800) 669-4763
Fax: (661) 274-2168
6 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
WC X-MOD DemystifiedLEAF Fund News
LEAF Announces Candy Fiske Honorarium Fund By Marianne Estournes, LEAF Board Member
Since 1977 the Auxiliary of CLCA has been devoted to the promotion of higher education for landscape professionals.
Through the changes over time, from the Grass Widows to the Women’s Auxiliary to the current name, Auxiliary, its members have paved the way to create a vehicle to collect, store and distribute money for students interested in pursuing education to become a professional in the Landscape Industry. This vehicle was named the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation, or LEAF.
Beginning in 1986, Candy Fiske was the leader of a group of dedicated individuals who had the vision of a foundation that would protect money obtained from chapter donations, members and families of contractors. Each chapter could establish a scholar-ship and memorial funds for revered members who had passed could be created in their name. The awards to students would come from the yearly earnings of each fund and the principle would remain in the Foundation in perpetuity. In 1988 she saw its fruition in LEAF.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the establishment and ongoing success and growth of LEAF, the Auxiliary is announcing the creation of the Candy Fiske Honorarium Fund. Candy had the vision and the skill to pursue the 501C status, draw up the legal papers and bylaws, establish a Board of Trustees and market to all
of the chapters encouraging them to create their scholarship fund. This was an enormous undertaking but one that she welcomed with her determination, tenacity, skills with the efforts of a group of individuals from all arms of CLCA assisting her in the process.
Candy was also President of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Auxiliary and State Auxiliary. She and her husband, Roger, have
been active for many years in CLCA leadership and activities.
In the past 30 years LEAF has given out $523,175.00 in scholarships to 579 students attending junior college and university programs. The Board of Trustees is actively involved in the management of the funds and the Selection Committee carefully reviews each scholarship appli-cation and selects qualifying students who want to pursue careers in Landscape Contracting and the Green Industry.
Auxiliary has served as the fundraising arm for LEAF, with the full support of CLCA members, and through donations to the Chapter and
Memorial and Honorarium Funds. Thanks to the fundraising efforts and the generosity of our CLCA and Auxiliary members LEAF has recently reached the million dollar mark. This money is protected and will continue to grow and help students reach their goals. Thank you to everyone who has helped LEAF grow over the years.
Auxiliary has donated $1,000.00 to establish this Honorarium for Candy. We are excited about this and hope that members will join us in donating to help this fund grow to $5,000.00 and beyond. It is a great tribute to a distinguished member who left an important legacy to our association and to the education of our future profes-sionals.
Donations can be made to: “LEAF” with a notation on the check that it is for the “Candy Fiske Honorarium Fund.” Checks can be sent to: CLCA Headquarters, 1491 River Park Dr. Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95815.
LEAF remains committed to Candy’s vision and hope you will all join us in celebrating her and her contribution to CLCA.
CANDY FISKE
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 7
Eight Tricks to Turn Boredom into Productivity From an article by Brittany Ritcher of Soultiply; submitted by Peter Mehit
What if we could use our boredom to actually help us become more productive? It might seem counter intuitive at first.
Boredom is the feeling that you get when you feel disengaged and unable to focus. Oftentimes we feel unsure of what we can even do to make the feeling go away.
Productivity, on the other hand, is the ability to take concentrated action and feel a sense of progress based on your efforts. It’s about getting things done that give you a sense of pride or accomplishment. You might have scrolled through 100 updates on Facebook, but does that make you productive? More likely, it means that you are bored! All behaviors are not created equal. To be productive, you have to find value in your action.
Here are eight ways to transform your boredom into a productivity booster:
Slow down and acknowledge the boredomWe will oftentimes try anything possible to escape boredom. Have you ever sat down in front of the TV and had a snack, even if you were not hungry? Before you know it, you’ve eaten a full bag of chips. People eat, drink, and engage in all different types of activities out of boredom. By slowing down and recog-nizing your boredom, you can choose more productive behavior.
Don’t let filler activities overwhelm youOftentimes when we are bored, we can fall into patterns of behavior associated with filler activity, otherwise known as “busy work.” We send text messages, browse social media sites, or pace back and forth. We are physically doing something, but it’s usually a distraction and the behavior does not provide true value to our lives. Ask yourself, “Is my behavior productive? What am I trying to accomplish through this task?” Productive behavior will always be in service to an end goal.
Figure out why you are boredNow it’s time to get to the root cause of the feeling. What is causing the boredom? Perhaps you don’t know what you want to do or accomplish. Or maybe you do have an idea, but your current job or circumstance doesn’t allow you the time or ability, and your boredom stems from that frustration. It could also be the task at hand that could be causing your boredom. Tasks that are repetitive, too easy, or out of your control can sometimes feel dull! Whatever the reason, label it and move on.
Move toward valued action and noveltyNow that you know what is causing your boredom, you can do something about it and become productive again. What do you
need to change about your current environment, circumstance or mindset that will allow you to engage in behavior that will feel valuable to you? If you find yourself bored at your current job, what type of career would make you feel excited and motivated to go to work every day? What actions could you take right now to make that switch?
Twist the boring part to add spice to itIf it’s a particular task that has you feeling bored (like data entry or
another small office nuisance), what could you add to the process to make it feel more fun or
enjoyable? Perhaps you could make the task into a game. In this example, you could challenge yourself to complete 100 entries within the next hour. Attach small rewards (like a 10-minute walk or a sweet treat) to the outcome of the game.
Some Apps Actually HelpRemove the impulse to revert back to the
boredom-triggered “busy work.” There are tons of apps and programs (such as Freedom) that can block Facebook, Reddit, or other distracting
websites that you might find yourself visiting to escape the boredom. It’s a habit that you’ll have to break.
Productivity is a muscle that you will need to flex again and again in order to gain strength.
Turn to the more boring tasksWhat is the one thing that you’ve been putting off for a while? Perhaps it’s doing laundry or cleaning the restroom. Start tackling some of those not-so-fun
chores. Either A) You will complete them and feel a sense of relief and productivity now that you’ve finished them, or B) You will have a better idea of what you would prefer to do instead.
Look for your genuine motivationIf you do desire to be more productive, you’ll have to tap into your hidden source of motivation in order to take action. Try to make a list of the benefits: Who would be proud of you if you took action? Who could you be if you left boredom behind and became productive? Paint that picture in your mind. How would you feel? Jot down these ideas in as much detail as possible, and see if they motivate you enough to take deliberate action.
By using your boredom as a springboard towards productive action, you’ll gain a sense of clarity around how you want to spend your time. Doing this work will align your actions with your goals and will give you a sense of control over your time and life.
Brittany Ritcher is the founder of Soultiply, a site where driven millennials can learn how to translate their dreams into actionable to-dos.
Productivity
8 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
WC X-MOD DemystifiedLIS News
LIS Seminars to be Offered in Spanish!• Advance Your Career and Your Business • Earn CEUS: APLD, CLT, CLP, DPR, IA, ISA, QWEL
Fundamentals, Installation Guidelines & Troubleshooting Techniques for Two-Wire SystemsLANGUAGE: Class taught in SpanishPRESENTER: Toni Monzon, Bilingual Training InstituteTIME: 10:30 a.m. – noon; 1:00– 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31CEUs: 3 CLT 3 IA 3 QWEL [pending]FEE: $50
This class will provide a clear understanding of two-wire systems, including installation guidelines and troubleshooting techniques. Proper grounding techniques will be thoroughly discussed as well. The attendees will participate in several hands-on demon-strations in order to increase their confidence and knowledge of two-wire systems. The ultimate goal of this class is to ensure the proper operation of two-wire systems and to minimize unnecessary equipment failure. Includes one-hour lunch break.
Since January 1993, Toni has been the director of the Bilingual Training Institute (BTI), organization that specializes in providing consulting services and irrigation training to the landscape industry. In 1997, Toni became a bilingual instructor for the Fullerton College Horticulture Department. During two years, she developed and taught various soils and irrigation classes.
C27 Prep Course: Get Licensed (Spanish)LANGUAGE: Class taught in Spanish
(This class is also offered in English)PRESENTERS: Steve Jacobs, CLT, CWM, CLP & Lindsay OnoTIME: 2:30 – 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31FEE: $25
Learn what you need to know to pass the C27 license exam. This session will focus on the aspects that prove most challenging to test takers: legal and business practices.
Steve Jacobs is the owner of San Diego’s Nature Designs Landscaping and a past president of the CLCA. He is a Certified Landscape Professional, Certified Landscape Technician and a Certified Arborist. Steve has been teaching the Landscape Contracting class at Cuyamaca College since 2003.
Lindsay Ono has been around plants his entire life. The son of a land-scaper, his 35+ years of horticultural experience started at Evergreen Nursery, a family business. After receiving his degrees from Bakersfield College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in Ornamental Horticulture, he entered the family landscape and nursery business. After his father retired, Ono worked as an agri-cultural laboratory research technician growing Roses for Jackson and Perkins Roses and later began his teaching career. Today he is a Professor of Environmental Horticulture for Bakersfield College and past Agriculture Department Chair.
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 9
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Water 101
Simple Water Saving Tips By Richard Restuccia, Jain Irrigation
Water conservation for landscapes does not have to be compli-cated. The majority of irrigation systems I evaluate have lots
of room for improvement. Often the first enhancements can be made, with minor costs. As a result, the return on the investment is achieved quickly. It’s similar to beginning golf. At first breaking 100 is relatively easy and doesn’t take much of a time invest-ment. As scores get lower and lower, it takes more to improve. Unfortunately, most irrigation systems are an equivalent of shooting over 100 in golf.
Take time to evaluate your system. Find items to change or adjust with minimal time and effort, creating an immediate return on investment for the property. Have a professional inspect the irrigation system and evaluate how it performs. An irrigation auditor accomplishes this with an irrigation evaluation or water audit. You will discover areas to make improvements simply by taking time to evaluate a system and the only investment is time.
As I travel around the country, I like to ask, “How often are your controllers programmed?” A common answer is, “Four times a year, corresponding to the seasons.” On some occasions I get a response, “Monthly,” but when probing, I often learn it’s actually monthly during the hot parts of the year, and spring and fall don’t get much attention. There is the rare occasion when the response is “Weekly.”
Significant gains in water management can be made with weekly adjustments to your controllers. Talk to your landscaper about the cost of having additional periodic adjustments made to the
controllers. Better yet, an investment in a smart controller will save significant amounts of water because the controller automati-cally adjusts 365 days a year. This requires an investment in the controller, but my experience has shown that many times the payback in water savings will offset the cost of the controller in less than 24 months.
One simple but effective way to save water is to cap non-essential sprinklers. This sounds basic, but I am always surprised at how many times emission devices are duplicated.
Establishing and knowing your emergency response program will save water and money. Murphy’s Law of Water Management states: The three or four day weekend has a high probability for disaster for the irrigation system. Simply knowing who to call, and making the information available to people on site when there is a water emergency, and how to shut the water off, can save thousands of gallons of wasted water.
Finally, reducing plant density will make significant gains. Many properties are overplanted at construction stage because owners want lush landscaping immediately. But, as plants grow, they become too large for the space and not only use too much water, but can also block proper irrigation resulting in water waste.
Please view these suggestions as a start. There is much more that can be done, but I find addressing these items first will make significant gains in reducing water waste.
10 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
WC X-MOD DemystifiedGoal Setting
How to Set Goals That Matter and Make Them Happen From an article by Meredith Wood https://www.fundera.com
Congratulations, gym rats everywhere! The buzz of the New Year is wearing off,
and the crowd of new members who don’t know how to re-rack their weights is dying down.
Unfortunately, nonprofits across the country are also watching their recent swell in eager volunteers disappear. And that bump in your savings account balance? Let’s just assume it was shorter lived than you’d hoped.
Why is it that most of our New Year’s resolutions don’t survive past Valentine’s Day? Well, we’d argue that it’s a crisis of both the goals we set and how we pursue them. If you’re looking to turn around this post-New Year’s rut, try a different approach to goal setting for big strides in life and in business.
Figure Out What You (Really) WantThis process might be split up into several steps – but this first one is important. Achieving big goals requires big sacrifice. It requires time and energy and a ton of hard work. That’s time and energy that could be spent on other, valuable things.
If you’re setting goals that don’t really, truly matter to you in the depths of your soul, you won’t muster up what it takes to make them happen. The distractions will win every time. Searching your heart to figure out what you really want your life and business to look like is an overwhelming process to be sure. In fact, if it’s not scary, you’re likely doing it wrong. But knowing what you truly want, at the core of who you are, is the beginning and end of setting goals that turn into actions.
Find Your WhyIt’s not that exercising, volunteering, or saving money are inherently bad goals. They’re not – if you’re pursuing them for the right reasons. Any goal can be valuable and worth pursuing if it aligns with who you are and what you want out of life. If you can connect your goal to a purpose that truly matters to you, you’re more likely to do the work to make it happen.
Write Out Your GoalsCommitting pen to paper is what turns
dreams into plans. Make a date with yourself and just write down everything that you want in your heart of hearts to achieve. It may help you to organize these goals by timeline, into long-term and short-term goals. What do you want to achieve in the next six months? Two years? Ten years? The sky’s the limit, and the exact deadlines are up to you. But choose both big, life goals and incremental milestones you want to reach along the way.
Set a few goals for yourself that feel like a big stretch, but then also grow your confi-dence with a few more easily (and quickly) achievable ambitions.
Determine Your Action StepsIf writing out your goals is the equivalent of deciding where you’re going, then your actions steps are plotting the course for how you’ll get there. Unless you happen to be named Samantha Stephens, you’re not going to achieve your goals with a simple wiggle of the nose. You’ll have to do the work to get what you want.
What exactly should you do to achieve your goals? Well, first, take a breath. This process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As the saying goes, “The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” Simply break your goal down into bite sized daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that will lead you along the way to achieving your ambitions. Add those tasks to your to do list and check them off one by one.
Little by little, the baby steps of checking off these minuscule tasks will translate to giant leaps toward achieving your dreams.
Know What to CutYou’re busy. You’re exhausted. Every hour of every day is filled with some kind of task or appointment. That means as you add baby steps to work toward your newfound goal, something’s gotta give.
As important as determining the steps to take to achieve your goal, you should give equal weight to determining what parts of your life or business you’ll let go of in order to make room. Take several minutes and write down everything – yes, everything – you do in an average day. Be painstakingly detailed. How much time do you spend
sleeping? Eating? Showering? Or playing Trivia Crack?
When you add up all the “have to’s” of your life, how much time is left? Anything? What will you say “no” to in order to make time for action steps toward your goal? If you try to cut sleep or recreation time to an unhealthy level, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Be realistic about what you’re capable of.
Schedule for SuccessOnce you’ve opened up time for your action steps, schedule them. Quite literally, create time in your calendar to work toward your goals the same way you would schedule a meeting or a doctor’s appoint-ment. Blocking out that time as a first priority will make you less likely to let other distractions bleed the time you’ve dedicated toward your goals.
Reboot OftenLife happens. Things get busy, and priori-ties change. So it’s important to check in with yourself often to recognize how you’re proceeding towards your goals, and even how your goals may have changed – either just slightly or even dramatically.
Ideally, you should check in with yourself monthly for a “progress report.” Review how you’ve done at completing your action steps, and determine what, if any, changes you need to make in the coming month to make room for continued progress. Then, every six months or so, you’ll want to start from the top again. Reflect on how your life has changed, and how your priorities may have shifted.
Ask yourself are your goals exactly the same as they were six months ago? How do you want to change directions? How should you adjust your action steps to reflect your new endgame?
Remember, there is no shame in changing your mind or deciding based on new infor-mation that where you were headed no longer aligns with what you want.
You’re much better off admitting early to having changed your mind than continuing on in a direction that you don’t actually want to go.
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 11
Continued on Page 12
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It’s the Law!
How Do Recreational Marijuana Laws Affect the Workplace?• California is among eight states that have legalized recreational use, and more may follow in 2018
By Lisa Nagele-PIazza, SHRM-SCP, J.D.
Since 2012, recreational marijuana laws have passed in eight states and Washington, D.C., but none of those laws allow
residents to get high whenever and wherever they want, particu-larly not in the workplace.
Every state that has passed a recreational marijuana law strictly regulates use of the drug by, for example, banning its use in public, regulating where it can be purchased and limiting how much can be grown at home. Importantly, no state law forces employers to tolerate on-the-job use.
“Just as employers are ill-advised to permit alcohol use at the workplace, so too with recreational marijuana,” said Jill Cohen, an attorney with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott in Princeton, N.J.
“Official retail sales for recreational use in California started on Jan. 1, but the rules are still in flux,” said Rachel Schumacher, an attorney with Akerman in Los Angeles. She noted that different cities have different regulations. For example, cities in the state can opt to be “dry towns.”
Employers, however, have to be prepared for the fact that it is now much easier to obtain marijuana – and in new forms, such as oils, creams, brownies and infused butter. How are employers going to know if that’s just a regular brownie? Employers have to start being more mindful of changes in performance and indicators of intoxication.
Employer PointsRecreational marijuana should be treated like recreational alcohol, with the additional understanding that unlike alcohol, marijuana is still illegal under federal law, Cohen said. “Therefore, as a general premise, employers should consider maintaining drug-free workplace policies.”
Employers don’t have to tolerate on-the-job intoxication even if a worker is using marijuana for medical reasons, so accommoda-tions might include additional time off or a leave of absence for the period the worker needs to use the drug. Workplace policies should clearly state that employees can’t be drunk or high at work.
12 January 2018 SFV CLCA Valleyscape
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When it comes to hiring the best and brightest talent, there are safeguards that should be in place (you should recognize them) so that you’re more likely to get it right.
How to Hire the Best and Brightest Talent for Your Small Business By Miguel Salcido, HR Specialist
For your business to reach and exceed expectations, it is important that each and every candidate coming through your
door for a job interview has the qualifications – and then some – to help your business excel. That being the case, what are you doing to make sure that all prospective employees are ones who you would feel 100 percent confident and comfortable with hiring?
When it comes to hiring the best and brightest talent, there are safeguards that should be in place (you should recognize them) so that you’re more likely to get it right.
Talent Comes in Different FormsTo ensure you’re only hiring the very best talent for your organization, look for these qualities:
Personality – Experience is very important when considering anyone for a job, but their personality, and whether it is a plus or minus, simply can’t be taken for granted. For instance, you could hire the brightest talent in the world (see more below), someone who knows all the ins-and-outs of their job responsibilities. But
what if he or she is simply not a good fit when it comes to office camaraderie? The importance of being a team player can never be overlooked, so make sure the candidate has a winning personality (yes, that is not always easy to tell in just an interview or two) above all else.
Talents – When it comes to a candidate’s talent, you need to thoroughly research their background and experience. Don’t automati-cally assume the candidate who has lesser experience is automatically one to discount. A job applicant may be hesitant to go into detail about an internship, figuring you won’t be interested in it. As it stands, that intern-ship could have provided the candidate with great experience, experience that was much more hands-on than the experience of a candidate who was supervising others within a department.
Be clear in your job description and when you meet with candi-dates about the talents you’re looking for. However, if one candidate seems really good for the job, yet is missing one of your
Continued on Page 13
SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 13
How to Hire the Best, continued from Page 12
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HR Management
key talent requirements, should you hire them and train them in the one area they lack? This is another thought for consideration that you need to work out before offering someone a position.
Drive – Another major area of emphasis should be a candidate’s drive. It can be difficult in just one interview or two to tell if a future employee is going to give you 100 percent each and every day they come to work. That said, you can’t hire employees who will essentially sleepwalk through their jobs, especially if they will be dealing with customers on a daily basis.
The ideal situation is hiring those individuals willing to go above and beyond what you ask of them. This could be as simple as staying late at the office when needed, pitching in to help coworkers who are in a jam, or actively contributing at company meetings. The productivity of your employees can oftentimes mean the difference between you having an average business and one that is far and above whatever the competition has to offer.
Be PreparedIn your quest to hire only the best and brightest talent, be sure to review your hiring procedures on a regular basis. Doing so will allow you to be better prepared each and every time someone walks through those doors for an interview. Remember, any one of those individuals could be the next person added to your payroll, so get it right the first time around.
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Three Reasons Why You Need to Water Trees in Winter From an article by Richard Restuccia, Jain Irrigation
As the pressure to conserve water increases the threat to our urban forest also grows because of the tendency to (especially
for trees) cut the water back dramatically in the winter. Trees are the most valuable asset in most landscapes. Keeping your invest-ment healthy and thriving improves the value of your real estate. Below are five excellent reasons you should water your trees responsibly, and in this case respon-sibly does not mean not at all.
Trees go dormant in the winter. This means nutrients and water are not trans-ported from the soil to the canopy of the tree. Instead, the water and nutrients are held in the roots for growth and storage. Tree roots grow best when soil tempera-tures are between 32 and 41 degrees. If you want your roots to thrive you need to be sure they have the appropriate amount of water and nutrients.
Often normal rainfall or snowfall is enough to cover the water requirements for your trees. However, in years like this one when we have seen little rain or snow in California, supplemental water is necessary.
In addition to lack of rain and snowfall, we have seen much warmer temperatures across California this winter. If temperatures are warmer than normal you will have to pay more attention to the amount of water your trees receive. The basics of ET do not
change just because its winter, and you don’t want to starve your trees of water and nutrients.
Another complication to properly watering trees is often the trees are part of a turf landscape and watered with the same irrigation system as the turf. Tree rings or emitter line around trees can do much to solve this problem.
Often trees are the most valuable part of our landscapes. According to the USDA Forest Service, healthy mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value. Having to replace a tree is costly
and it often takes years to replace the full value. Paying attention to the specific water needs of trees can pay healthy returns to a property. This means paying attention to trees in the winter too.
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SFV CLCA Valleyscape January 2018 15
Ever Changing, Yet Never Changing
Welcome to the New Year 2018. This time, again, is set to be another fantastic year yet to come. As our Creator is timeless
and unchanging, so is the continuity and conclusion of a year’s worth of seasons. Each is different, yet they balance out one another each year in perfect harmony, ushered in each day with a new sunrise each morning. No one but God could pack so much beauty into a single year.
No two sunrises are ever alike, but always magnifi-cent in their splendor. Like leaves on a tree, no two alike, yet together they demonstrate their splendor individually and collectively as a whole. This is like what our Creator has given to us – individualiza-tion to embrace all the glorious cycles in our lives. The ending of one cycle or season marks the beginning of greater beauty yet to be.
We all stand at the threshold of a New Year with confidence that we are endowed with the qualities each of us needs for our success in every season. To this I say, “Top of the day to all of us” as we close the door to what has been and look forward to what is yet to be. We work with clear intensions to excel personally and profes-sionally. It is always a terrific feeling when each achievement is lifted to brilliant and satisfying accomplishment.
I believe we mostly love what we do using the creativity we’ve been given in landscape and design. Not only are we inspired, but our colleagues are as well,
bringing creative purpose to each undertaking.
We all give thanks for love shared, the blessings received, and the lessons learned – with clarity of purpose and with love as the motivating force of our excellence. We all prepare to co-create our futures. I believe our thoughts are most assuredly creative and our words are life-enhancing. May all our actions be a blessing
to our world experiences.
The God that each of us knows in our own way is the changeless reality in every season. Now you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets, for no two are exactly alike. And, as it was so brilliantly put by Brandi Snyder:
“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
May 2018 be your best year ever. – Dave
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