The Voice of East Bay Living

This week, Berkeley rotary hosted an executive from Tesla - the largest employer of the automotive industry California.  Priced at $75,000, these highly coveted electric cars are manufactured in California in the Toyota factory located in Fremont. The Tesla model X is an SUV car and can hold up to seven people.The battery life lasts for 250 to 270 miles. The cost is about $8 to $10 for electricity to drive 270 miles. There are Tesla charger stations that have been set up across United States (207 stations across America and 420 stations throughout the world). The charger stations are conveniently located near 24 hour stores where you can shop or eat while you're waiting. It takes 30 minutes to charge your car battery and it is free.  The  mission of Tesla motors is to accelerate the world to sustainable transportation. The goal of the company is to have an affordable car by 2017 for $35,000.  You can schedule a test drive locally in Walnut Creek...

(Fragile by William Buffett) In California, this summer we are dealing with a drought. In many countries throughout the world people have been experiencing serious drought for many years. In Ethiopia for example, 8 million of the country's 60 million people are at immediate risk due to drought. A few weeks ago Berkeley Rotary had an amazing guest speaker, Angela Mason ,who works with the World Vision Organization. She is especially focused on those countries who do not have enough water. She believes  that the future wars of the world will not be fought over oil but rather over  water. In most parts of the world, there are no hot showers, no clean water and no flush toilets. There are actually more cell phones in the world than toilets. Across the world, women spend two hundred million hours per day collecting water. In fact, most women around the world get up at midnight and walk all night to get water for their families. Angela has worked tirelessly collecting funds t...

Today the Grubb Company visited the only Leed Platinum home in Piedmont.  The owner  is very involved in eco-friendly living environments-health of family, health of environment and cost effective. Here are some examples. Water from all sinks, showers and tubs is collected in a sub-surface wetland and used to irrigate the property. Nine thousand gallons of rain water is collected from the roof drainage and used for six months for laundry and dishes. There are several living walls of plants that filter air of pollutants and produce extra oxygen. The standing seam metal roof with solar panels reduces energy costs by at least 50 per cent. Lastly, an iPad in the kitchen shows water use per day allowing the family  to monitor their daily foot print on the planet. 

Enjoy this podcast about buying & selling homes. This is an interview with Judith Glass & Sheila Sabine with Joan Kenley , international podcast specialist. Click on the link "Listen Now" when you are redirected.

One of my favorite streets in Rockridge is 63rd street which runs off of College Ave. This street is really close to wonderful edibles on College Ave. such as Wood Tavern, La Farine, and much more. In the midst of these urban delights ,328 63rd. St. stands out as a wonderful example of an eco-friendly home. It's proud owner, David Gottfield, put his philosophy into realty. Every inch of this charming craftsman home is totally green-water heater that is solar operated, nine fifty gallon water storage tanks that encircle the house used to flush toilets, water gardens, etc.. ,recycled wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council,cellulose insulation blown into the walls and a solar shed in his back yard. David founded and sits on the board of the World Green Building Council,one of the world's fastest growing non-profit organizations. He will be giving a tour of his home this Saturday from 2-4. Don't miss it. This home is currently listed by Ann Van Dyke of the ...