Efficient Home Earns Pasadena Resident Acclaim

Pasadena resident Donna Sider didn't have fame in mind when she began restoring her 1920s bungalow in East Pasadena. She was glad to have a chance to share her story when her home was featured as a model of "green living" in the Los Angeles Times.

With a modest budget and rebates from Pasadena Water and Power, she is steadily restoring her two-bedroom home while championing the environment and reducing her utility bills along the way.

Since 1999, she has made over her front yard with drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation and shade trees. Cotton-fiber insulation and energy-efficient, dual-pane windows help keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer. Inside, she switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs, a dual-flush toilet and an Energy Star refrigerator.

On the roof are 12 low-profile solar panels that help power her home. With a rebate from Pasadena Water and Power and a $2,000 federal tax credit, she paid about half the retail price. Any excess energy that her system generates registers on her meter as credit, which she uses at night or on a cloudy day.

You can make a difference by going green! Visit www.pwpweb.com or call the
PWP AnswerLine at (626) 744-6970 for rebate information and tips for greening
your own home.

Water Awareness 101: Lawn Care

Water supplies are tight throughout Southern California. Pasadena's mayor has asked all residents to use 10 percent less water, which is easier than you think when you follow these simple lawn care tips from Pasadena Water and Power:

• If you have a sprinkler system, fix leaks, broken heads or blocked sprays to save up to 500 gallons every month.

• Check for sprinkler overspray on sidewalks and patios, which can waste up to 25 gallons daily.

• Time your watering for the early morning or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation.

• Allow time for water to seep into the ground. Rotating spray heads can help apply water more slowly and evenly.

• Consider investing in a smart irrigation controller, which automatically adjusts your watering schedule based on plant needs and weather conditions.

• Don't over-water! Experts say many of us over-water by 50 percent, which suffocates the lawn and promotes shallow root growth and less hardy turf.

Visit www.pwpweb.com for more tips and rebates on water-saving equipment for
the home

Longer Days Add Up to Less Energy Use

If you get the feeling that the sun has been setting later longer this year, you're right! The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks, beginning in 2007. DST now begins the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.

The California Energy Commission explains that with fewer hours between sunset and bedtime, we're able to keep our lights off longer. And with longer daylight hours and beautiful sunsets to enjoy, we're more likely to head out for evening walks, barbecues and sporting events, leaving no one home to use lights, TVs and other appliances. While you may not see a big difference on your own electric bill, the energy saved throughout the community, the state and the nation adds up.

Community Pride Blooms at Arlington Garden

Pasadena is renowned for its botanical gems. As we reported last year in Pasadena In Focus, Arlington Garden is a water-wise demonstration garden planted and nurtured with love by local residents.

Located near Pasadena Avenue and Arlington Drive, the Caltrans-owned property lay vacant for more than 40 years before neighbors worked together to transform the lot. Today, thanks to a city lease agreement, a $5,000 grant from Metropolitan Water District and a huge volunteer effort spearheaded by Charles and Betty McKenney, the lot is planted with more than 2,000 California-friendly plants, shrubs and trees including an orange grove, stately palms, an olive allιe, fragrant lavender, trellised roses, bougainvillea and lemon trees.

Inviting chairs, tables, benches and umbrellas have been installed using donated funds, and a solar-powered fountain is soon to come. More plans are in the works including plant identification signage and brochures plus an efficient irrigation system.

Supporters include Pasadena Water and Power, the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the Pasadena Public Works Department, Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, the Mediterranean Garden Society and several local businesses. Donations are welcomed, payable to the non-profit Arlington Garden in Pasadena, 295 Arlington Dr. Pasadena 91105. The garden is open for self-guided tours from dawn to dusk. To volunteer, call 441-4478.