January 2023

Bay Breeze

In This Issue

From the President

Juan Carlos Esparza, Urban Scapes

You have received this message in a new format—welcome to the online version of the Bay Breeze. In addition to the Bay Breeze appearing at the start of the month, you will also be sent a mid-month email blast with more information about chapter events. This is part of the Board of Director’s commitment to move into the digital age and make better use of social media to promote the chapter and our members.

The SFBA Board of Directors is working hard to make 2023 a successful year for our members and stay relevant in the rapidly evolving landscape industry. The website is currently being redesigned to accomplish two things: first, we want navigation on the website to be more intuitive; second, we want the website to become a place where the public can find landscape businesses and vendors with ease. I would be remiss not to thank Andrew Tuckman who has been tirelessly working with SFBA Chapter Board members to implement these changes.

The chapter ended 2022 on a high note with a wonderful holiday party on December 8th at the Sequoia Yacht Club in Redwood City. Lesley Peters and the auxiliary members did their usual fine job of organizing the event. With a fine yacht club staff, a great location, and much better than average buffet food selections, everyone had a good time.

Our next event will be on January 19th at Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos. Join us for an evening of good food, good conversation, and a bit of friendly competition on the bocce ball courts.

All of us in the industry are watching to see how the ban on gas engines that comes into effect in 2024 is going to affect us. If the drought continues, that is going to be a major concern this year even more than in the past two years. We will keep you updated on these and other relevant topics in the Bay Breeze.

We look forward to seeing you at Campo di Bocce on January 19^th.

Landscape Contractors Insurance Services, Inc.

Upcoming Events

Connect, Collaborate & Cheers

with the 2025 CLCA SFBA Board!

October 23rd @ 4:30pm-6pm

Fieldwork Brewing
3030 South Delaware St.
San Mateo

Join us for a casual evening of networking, idea-sharing, and great company over a refreshing drink!

What to Expect

Meet the 2025 CLCA SFBA Board
Share your ideas for future events and chapter initiatives
Connect with fellow members and industry professionals
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great brews and great conversations

Get Involved & Make an Impact

Now is the perfect time to:

Contribute fresh ideas
Explore opportunities to participate and lead
Shape the future of CLCA SFBA
Expand your network and strengthen our community

Whether you’re a long-time member or brand new, your voice matters. Let’s come together to talk about the future of our chapter — focusing on growth, collaboration, and success.

RSVP Encouraged, Not Required

We’d love to know you’re coming, but walk-ins are always welcome!

RSVP today to help us plan and be part of the conversation.

Auxiliary Report

Happy New Year to everyone in the SFBA Chapter! I hope you were able to celebrate with family and friends. The new year is the time to take stock and evaluate what you want to accomplish during the year. I won’t say resolutions, as they can be difficult to achieve and maintain. But I for one will be looking to make changes this year.

The Christmas Party on December 8 at the Sequoia Yacht Club was a terrific event. Thank you to Alice Domine and Charlene Ott for putting together a fun party. I’m glad everyone felt comfortable attending and I hope everyone had fun seeing old friends and getting to know new friends. Thank you to Alice, Charlene and Leo for putting together photos of Christmas parties of the past, and for decorating the tables with holiday greenery and ornaments. Girvin had the same tie on that night that he has worn apparently for quite a few years. I must investigate a new one! Thank you to Mark Takeda for helping run the show and providing festive music throughout the evening. Thank you to Juan Carlos Esparza for the lovely glass President’s Award. I appreciate the recognition.

The Auxiliary had an appreciation raffle and the winners were:

Andrew Tuckman won a bottle of eggnog, made by Mary Cohen
Mary Cohen won a basket by Rick Camin
Ian Harris won a basket by Vicky Parrott

Thank you to Mary, Vicky and Rick for providing our raffle prizes and congratulations to the winners. It was a lovely evening and I loved seeing friends, old and new.

Thank you again to our Auxiliary board (Vice President Girvin Peters, Treasurer Rick Camin, and Secretary Vicky Parrott) for continuing on in their Auxiliary roles. I appreciate your continued support. We welcome anyone who is interested in joining the Auxiliary and finding more out about who we are and what we do. The Auxiliary will have a meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the home of Mary Cohen. I would love to see a lot of new faces at this meeting. I look forward to everything the new year has in store…except Covid!

Lesley Peters
Garden Designer
650-444-4580
gpland@sbcglobal.net

SFBA Chapter Holiday Festivities

Thank you to those that joined San Francisco Bay Area Chapter members for some holiday cheer at the Sequoia Yacht Club in Redwood City on Thursday, December 8th.

2022 President’s Award

Congratulations Lesley Peters for being honored with the 2022 President’s Award at the Holiday Dinner.

The President’s Award is chosen and awarded by the Chapter President to a person who has consistently served and contributed to the benefit of the chapter. Lesley has been the Auxiliary President for years and is on the Achievement Awards Committee.

Bringing the CLCA SF Chapter
into the Next Phase!

Andrew Tuckman and Juan Carlos Esparza

For the last eight months, Andrew Tuckman (SiteOne Landscape Supply) and Juan Carlos Esparza (Urban Scapes Landscape) have been meeting regularly to develop plans for a new era of chapter history. They have been instrumental in getting implemented the new electronic newsletter, a mid-month eblast, a new calendar of events and a complete overhaul of the SFBA Chapter website. The Board of Directors hired Laura A. Leuer (an industry executive with other CLCA chapters as well as the ASLA-NCC) to handle all the back-end business and communications. With her assistance and TrevNet Web Design, the team is making sure the SFBA chapter stays relevant and chapter members are informed with timely information.

Andrew & Juan Carlos have been taking over Panera Bread’s Hamilton Avenue corner booth on many Friday afternoons to discuss and plan the chapter’s future. This has been a busy time for them implementing 2023 procedures and new processes for the group. With over twenty-five hours logged, Andrew & Juan Carlos are dedicated to advancing the chapter more effectively. They couldn’t do it without the help of the Board of Directors. Thank you to the SFBA board who has been working tirelessly to complete this complicated process, balance the budget and make sure the CLCA brand maintains its strength in the industry.

Look for all the new improvements within the chapter in the coming months!

We welcome your feedback! Have a great year! See you all at the Nor Cal Landscape Nursery Show on February 9^th!

Partners for Success: 2023 Opportunity

Greetings, happy holidays and a very sincere thank you to our 2022 Partners for Success. The last twelve months were great being able to meet in person again. We look forward to having the green industry back for another prosperous year with our Partners and chapter members.

In 2023 we will continue with the previous improvements made to the Partners Program. A new electronic newsletter, mid-month eblast about events and a website overhaul add increased value for our chapter Partners. We have made it easier to understand the Partners Menu. Most levels of the program include the cost to attend all six (6) General Membership dinner meetings. Flex Points means “flexible”. The Flex Points Program allows you to bring a guest(s) to an event or to attend additional events depending on your Partner level.

Thank you in advance for the continued support of the SFBA Chapter CLCA! Please mail your payment so that it is received by Tuesday, January the 31st, 2023.

CLICK HERE for the Partners for Success Menu.

You may mail a check to the CLCA-SFBA to the Attention of Marin Villalpando at 675 Los Esteros Rd., San Jose, CA 95134 or CLICK HERE to pay with a credit card.

Diamond Partners