Posts Tagged ‘Calif.’

Urban ‘green’ spaces may contribute to global warming

Turfgrass management can create more greenhouse gas than plants remove from atmosphere
Dispelling the notion that urban “green” spaces help counteract greenhouse gas emissions, new research has found – in Southern California at least that total emissions might be lower if lawns did not exist. milfs

Turfgrass lawns help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it as organic carbon in soil, making them important “carbon sinks.” However, greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production, mowing, leaf blowing and other lawn management practices are similar to or greater than the amount of carbon stored by ornamental grass in parks, a UC Irvine study shows.
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Top 10 Expert Tips for Buying a Luxury Home

From a brand-new Trump condo and a historic Newport estate to a golf course community in the South, there’s a plethora of choices in high-end homes. Consider these tips from luxury home market pros before buying your dream home.
1. Learn the search process.
“Many luxury homes go unlisted to protect a seller’s privacy. These properties are often found through the Realtor’s personal connections as opposed to the MLS.” Virginia Cook, Virginia Cook Realtors, Dallas
“You may need to go to more online sources as not everything is on the large search engines.” Ronald Phipps, Phipps Realty, Warwick, R.I.
2. Go beyond the photos. Read the rest of this entry »

Get That Small-Town Feeling Near a Big City

New urbanist communities’ accessibility recall the best of the past

If you want a traditional small-town feel without moving to the middle of nowhere, consider a place like Promenade in the city of Hercules, Calif.

Built near the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay and about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco, the houses have a historical look with Victorian, Craftsman or Italianate design. All have front porches to encourage neighborliness, are built close together and garages are, in many cases, located in the back of the houses or accessible by alleyways. Streets are narrow to slow down traffic. Read the rest of this entry »