Michael Received Green Building Professional Certification

04/26/09 - This past week, I have been at Northstar, Lake Tahoe, participating in the Green Building Professional Certification training and testing, and I'm proud to now be a Certified Green Building Professional.

The coursework, presenters, and organization of the event were truly impressive.

Build It Green really is emerging as the ‘point man’ organization in this rapidly growing movement. And with so many laws and codes being changed later this year, what was once a feel-good option is rapidly becoming mandatory. So it’s good to have a bit of a leg-up on the process.

The coursework included historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of Green Building. For example, we learned about types of heat transfer (conductive, convective, and radiant), thermodynamic law, entropy, et al. And of course, much time was devoted to learning about green building techniques and materials in both new construction and remodel applications.

There were over 100 attendees - ranging from Building Contractors like myself, architects, landscape designers, developers, et al.

Some of the topics covered included:
Energy (conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy as it applies to framing, insulation, windows, water heating, appliances, heating/cooling and lighting)
Resource Conservation (jobsite waste/recycling, landscaping, water conservation, efficient framing, durability, and materials choices)
Indoor Air Quality (VOCs, finish materials, ventilation, filtration, mold, and IAQ construction practices)

I look forward to implimenting more of these kinds of practices in our work in addition to the 'Green' orientation we've had from the beginning, 15 years ago. My great thanks to the good folks at Build It Green for an outstanding training event. And although the test was tough, it was well written, and very fair. Having had the choice of taking the training in either Oakland or Tahoe, I think I made the right choice...

Cypress Crew Softball Team 2009!

04/09 - The Cypress Construction Softball team kicked off its season on Monday, 4/6/09 and played its second game last night. It was a balmy, Spring evening at Ramsay field in Watsonville, with the bright lights of the ballfield highlighting the excitement as the players took the field.
By the end of the 2nd inning, CCS was leading the game 6-4. Everyone was doing their best as the runs came in one after the other. Here, Levi hits a long fly ball to left field, just inches from being a home run, but the left fielder had other ideas...

Until the 3rd inning the CCS team held the other team in check. But in a sudden burst of energy, the other team scored 11 runs in a single inning.

Although the other team took the game, CCS continues to improve, and had great fun in spite of it all! Thanks for your good playing, guys!

Upcoming schedule is as follows:

Monday 4/27 - 6:30pm

Monday 5/4 - 9:00 pm

Monday 5/11 - 7:45pm

Monday 5/18 - 9:00pm

Monday 6/1 - 6:30pm

Monday 6/8 - 9:00pm

Monday 6/15 - 6:30pm

Monday 6/29 - 6:30pm

Cypress Remodelling 303 Water

In recent years, we've been doing more commercial remodels - both Tenant Improvements (TI's) and Interior/Exterior remodels for the building owner. Presently we have the pleasure of working on an extensive interior and exterior remodel at 303 Water St in Santa Cruz. This 2-story, circa 1960's office building was recently purchased by The Encina Group in Campbell. The principal, Lou Barbaccia, has been one of the most professional, ambitious, yet easygoing and friendly customers we've ever worked with. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Fred Antaki and Elizabeth Hefner of Mainstreet Realtors in Soquel, for recommending us to this job, and for their steady support throughout the process.

The project started on the drawing board of the local architect, Bill Kempf. His creativity and exacting standards set the stage for the sweeping changes the new owners wanted to bring to this building.

Then, for the icing (and filling) on the cake, local designer Lorri Kershner was brought on board. Lorri's extensive experience, not only with commercial and residential design, her knowledge of available materials, fixtures, and building products, combines with her "sustainable/green" sensibilities, have made her the perfect partner in this project.

One of the first noticeable changes was the removal and replacement of the old "lipstick" window and door trim, and the installation of the beautiful Eldorado Stone - expertly installed by Gary Cloud and his crew at Alpha Landscape Construction.

Painting - inside and out - is being provided by the professionals at Walls Painting.

Inside, a complete bathroom replacement is underway. The new layouts will not only represent a substantial aesthetic upgrade, but bring the rooms into ADA compliance. Plumbing layout is being done by the competent crew of Santa Cruz Plumbing.

Cypress is doing the interior framing, sheetrock, acoustical ceiling, electrical, HVAC, bathroom fixtures, etc.

Tile is being installed by our long-term, "A-list" tile installation crew at Brian Schuller Tile. They've got a great website, and do great work.

Interior wall covering, wainscoting in a linen-like material is being installed by Randy Hond of Coast Installation, with countertops fabricated and installed by John Wallis Woodworks.
New carpet will be supplied and installed by another "A-list"-er, Lou Versman at Warehouse Direct here in Santa Cruz.

The finishing touches - a beautiful, wrought-iron railing is being fabricated especially for this project, and exquisite doors from Viking Door are soon to be delivered and installed.

Last, but not least, our heartfelt thanks goes out to the tenants of the building - the Probation Department, et al - who have been patiently putting up with our dust, noise, and everyone's favorite restroom trailer out back (a 20' walk in the rain lately...).

Looking forward to sharing the finished pictures of this one!

Cypress Christmas Party 2008

Whew! We made it. After a year like we've all been through, a Christmas celebration together was long overdue. Things were so dismal last year, that we ended up cancelling our party. So, we more than made up for it this year.

We had a beautifully decorated banquet room at Peachwoods (at Pasatiempo). They took such good care of us - I highly recommend them for your next party!

Once everyone was there, I gave my typically long-winded, but heartfelt year-end speech to the guys.

And congratulated them on the good work they do, how much they've learned, and how fortunate we are to be working steadily in an economy like we've got now.

Lucky for them, I was cut short by the food coming in...!

Afterwards, in our annual awards ceremony, four awards were given out. Although each one of the guys deserved one, the top four honors went to:

Jose Garcia - Most Improved Employee

Levi Barnard - Most Valuable "Rookie"

Tom Frank - Most Valuable "Part-timer"

Juan Acosta - MVP award - Most Valuable Employee

Congratulations, guys!

Then our annual game of "Great Moments in Cypress History!" I make two identical sets of cards with a brief description of a "memorable" job from this year and its address. We pass out one set of cards, and put the other in a bowl. Each employee reads his card, and the others try to guess what job it was. Then at the end, someone picks a card from the bowl, and the employee who has the matching card/job, wins the raffle prize! Lots of fun, and a good way to put 2008 behind us...

Finally, our "Secret Santa" gift exchange. I'm so impressed with how creative and resourceful some of the guys can be when limited to a $10 gift...

So, thanks again to all our valued customers and friends, and we WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Michael Does Interview on Bloomberg & CNN Money

OK, so I’m no “Joe the Plumber” but well…
Bloomberg, a major cable news channel and satellite radio station did a 7-minute live radio interview with me this Thursday, about small business, credit, and the economy.
Here it is on YouTube:


Well, it all started with an innocent comment I left on a CNN article on small business, then they contacted me and did a little story on CNN.com, and somehow Bloomberg saw that and called me on Tuesday, and asked if I would do the interview on Thursday. I was a little friggin nervous –for a phone interview!. I have new respect for those presidential candidates, standing up in front of 60 million people unscripted.




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News Markets Technology Personal Finance Small Business CNN.com

Small biz credit crunch: In their own words

Michael Downey - Rejected, but bouncing back

Michael Downey

• iReport: How's your business faring?

Owner, Cypress Construction Services
Santa Cruz, Calif.

My construction company has grown from a one-man show to 14 employees, grossing $1 million annually. Last year, the phone stopped ringing - nothing was coming in. I tried bank loans but got nothing.

Then I tried the "receivables loan" people, who promised a great package that would just skim off my credit card sales for repayment. After 2 months of endless document requests, phone calls and e-mails, I was turned down by all of them. The reason? Too much fluctuation in my credit card receivables. One month, $20,000. The next, $2,000. They want a business like a restaurant that has very little fluctuation in their credit card receipts.

As a footnote, we've had the best year ever in 2008, and, knock on wood, have had no need to be soliciting loans.

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Cypress at ECHO Fall Seminar

9/20/08 - Cypress Construction is proud to be a member of ECHO - the Executive Council of Homeowners. ECHO is a nonprofit membership corporation dedicated to assisting California homeowners associations (HOAs), and twice annually have these informative and interesting seminars at the Seacliff Inn in Aptos.

Because so much of our business is serving HOA's, it's important to me to not only network within the HOA communities, but to learn as much as possible about the legal, logistical, and maintenance issues that HOAs face. Every Seminar has a cadre of speakers on a given topic, and during breaks, attendees can visit the 9 or 10 vendor booths and learn about HOA-related banking, maintenance, property managers, etc.

This Seminar's theme was Legal Issues facing HOAs in 2008. With excellent speakers and powerpoint presentations, attendees learned from recent HOA-related Case Laws, Funding and Delinquent Issues, and Dealing with Difficult Residents.

For me, it's always a pleasure to be out there meeting new folks, old friends, and sometimes getting to meet customers in person that I'd only dealt with on the phone! Cypress Construction Services has a Trade Show booth that we take to these Seminars.
Of course, one of the great attractions is the raffle prizes that we vendors give way in the raffle drawing at the end of the Seminar. We gave away "Dinner and a Movie in Santa Cruz"- a $30 Gift Certificate from Benten Japanese Restaurant and a $30 Gift Card for the Del Mar or Nickelodeon Theaters.

Thanks to all who attended, and the the good folks at ECHO, who make these Seminars possible.

Cypress Crew Soccer Team 2008!

I have to admit, when the crew came to me and asked me to sponsor their soccer team, I thought "what a great way to get some exercise, get that 'team spirit' going...". I didn't realize they were actually REALLY GOOD!

The opening game was Friday night, 9/5/08, at the Soccer Central Indoor Soccer Arena at Ramsey Park in Watsonville. Before the game, the crew seemed a little unsure, but...cautiously optimisitic. They kicked a ball around, talked about strategy, and got pumped up for the game. And then, the BUZZER SOUNDED!...

Wasting no time in establishing just who wore the pants, er...shorts on the field, the Cypress Crew scored the first goal within the first minute or two.

Our team was expertly coached by Lauro, a veteran soccer player (and expert carpenter...) with a little help from Javier who yelled instructions and cat-calls from the stands.

At the end of the first quarter, the Cypress Crew led the "red team" 6-to-1!!!

Top scorers for Cypress were Andres, with 4 goals, and Jose, who knocked in 2. Kudos to our excellent goalie, who worked miracles at times - keeping the relentless 'red team' from scoring more than they did.

The second quarter proved more challenging for our boys in orange, as the 'red team' came from behind with 3 more goals. But Cypress was not to be bested, and kept them contained. And by the end of the game, Cypress emerged VICTORIOUS with the final score 6-to-4.

I'm so proud of these guys, not just for winning, but for getting out there and DOING IT! It's a tough sport that you have to be in good shape for - with all the running, the balance, coordination, quick thinking, and team spirit involved.

Here's to a great 2008 season for the CYPRESS CREW!!!

FALL SCHEDULE - All games at Soccer Central Indoor Soccer Arena at Ramsey Park in Watsonville

8:55 PM
9/5/2008

8:45 PM
9/8/2008

8:55pm
9/15/2008

9:40pm
9/22/2008

7:05 PM
9/29/2008

7:50 PM
10/6/2008

6:10 PM
10/13/2008

6:55 PM
10/20/2008