Real remodeling

One of the problems with the explosion of remodeling shows in recent years is that these shows tease homeowners with total fantasy disinformation. They show only a Hollywood face to these projects and claim you can do your own remodel in some ridiculously short time frame and for a budget that is less than it will really cost for your building permit alone. Here is a link to one of the few shows I follow by an actual builder doing real projects. If you are interested in real information, here is one place that is actually useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFGL0JkAE08

This particular video blog follows a real middle class home and real life requirements, rather than some unlimited budget remodel of a magazine cover house, or some “lipstick remodel” that is just a cosmetic made-for-TV soundbite.

Homes for fire fighters

With the onset of the Sherpa Fire on the Gaviota Coast, thoughts go to support of the fire fighters and the Gaviota community of ranches and parks.  Still looking for funding is a fabulous project I worked on for the Showgrounds Foundation, made up of equestrian people.  They had an idea for covered arenas at Earl Warren Showgrounds, which would provide several things for Santa Barbara.  One of those things would be a large scale shelter which can be used as a fire fighting base camp.  It provides parking for over 60 engines and shaded tent space for their crews.  I hope this project can be funded someday, as it will be an appreciated multi-use structure year round.