A cozy, crackling fire has long been a symbol of home – warmth, comfort, and even added property value. But a decade ago, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), responsible for protecting air quality across nine counties, began a controversial effort to regulate wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. So, it shouldn’t have come as
Worried about earthquakes? If you live in California, the answer is probably a resounding "yes!" And there is good reason to be concerned. There is a greater than 99 percent chance that California will experience a quake of a magnitude 6.7 or greater. For reference, that was the size of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which
No, not that kind of grass – the lawn kind of grass. Many homeowners and even commercial businesses in Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties maintain significant areas of lush green lawns and grassy areas. If you live in Marin County, you can cash in on this offer through Marin Water’s Rebate and receive funds for
This post first ran in 2018. Many people think of an architect as someone who designs large, important buildings – a visionary who dreams up new and bold designs, like New York’s Guggenheim Museum (Frank Lloyd Wright) or Chicago’s Aqua tower (Jeanne Gang). And of course, architects do that. But an architect does much more
Have you ever considered what architects, contractors and builders bring to novels and films? The choice of a setting is crucial to storytelling. Novels and movies often happen in a town or city that takes on the essence of a featured character. The Big Apple plays a role in so many novels in a variety
Every year, the debate rages about the clock switching ritual of daylight saving time as we chase the sunlight. We recently experienced the Spring Forward, with all its morning grogginess, sleep deprivation and for some people, the increased likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. That certainly can get us thinking about the effect sunlight has
While estimates vary, it is safe to say that if your hot water heater is more than 10 to 12 years old, it could be time to replace it. If you don’t know the age of your current hot water heater, the newer models may show the date on the installation label. If not, you
The lack of affordable housing is a nationwide issue. No state is immune Yet, some states face a larger challenge than others. According to various sources from U.S. News and World Report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to World Population Review, the top five states with the highest number of homeless
Current Situation Client: Woman about to retire Need: Current and future income; future living space Budget Level: Medium The client is a single woman who is planning to retire in two to three years. She would like to realize a moderate increase in income during her remaining working years with the possibility of further increasing
New laws impacting the creation of ADUs A number of new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) laws went into effect in January 2025 that are meant to create more affordable housing. There was a time, not that long ago, when permits for the conversion of a garage into a “mother-in-law”
