What I did on my Winter Vacation

My sister moved to Saint Helena last year. We managed to get up there for a couple of weekends in December. The first weekend I was up there my niece, Lilli, started telling me about a project she had to do. She was studying the Egyptians, and had to do some kind of presentation about something she had learned.

I could tell she was hoping I'd give her a hand, so I took her to the art store, got some supplies and we went to work on a models of two different types of Egyptian dwellings. The one we're working on in these pictures is for the upper class. We built another, smaller one that represented the regular folk.

We went on a walk, and gathered moss and small twigs to make trees and bushes for the diorama.

...Then back to the shop to wrap up some "Four Aces Record Frames" before the holiday.

We had a couple more free days so we built a ladder and staircase for the tree house at my father-in-law's. A couple more details and a fresh coat of paint and we'll be ready for final photos.

Last week my Sister came down to Ventura for a visit. Here's a picture of my lovely wife and niece.

New years day, California style. It was in the mid-70's.

Then a long fun day at Disneyland. The usual crew plus my Sister on the left.

Happy New Year. It's half time. Steelers are down.

Able And Baker at the Emmys

We recently had the opportunity to contribute some things to the Emmys this year. Among our contributions was one of Jen Zahigian's photos in our exclusive ABLE & BAKER 13 Ply Maple Frame. Each celebrity, or whoever handles their stuff, received one in their gift bag. Hopefully they appreciate it, or at least give it to someone who does.

Each frame is:

+ Made with FSC (Forestry Stewardship) certified ply
+ Hand Finished with an Organic Beeswax blend, revealing a naturally rich wood grain
+ Includes Framer's Grade Acrylic and felt bumpers
+ Handcrafted in our woodshop

We make the frame stock in our Ventura, California woodshop, but the actual frames are assembled by Jesus and Manor at Worldview Pictures, also in Ventura.

Our Wood-Ply frames are now available in our online shop
(This week enter Autumn30 at checkout to get 30% Off!)

Want to order a large quantity, or Need a Custom Size? Let us know.

(Thanks to Janeen at ecofirstart.com for inviting us to participate)

Did we mention PINE CONES? I mean Solar.

Hey there! Yeah you.
Did I hear you say you want the money-saving, environmentally friendly advantage of Solar Energy but don't want to make your beautiful Tuscany style roof look like a Coleco-vision?

Well friend, look no further! Discover Solar Pergola!
The great new way to accomplish all those things I just said!

(pictured above, 15' x 15' x 60' Pergola with Solar Panels)

We build Solar Pergola from scratch with only the finest ingredients.

We begin with a structural frame made from 100% Ground Contact Pressure Treated Douglas Fir. Then we cover each piece of lumber with heavy duty Maintenance Free UV Resistant Vinyl.


The whole thing gets bolted together with Heavy Duty Hot Dip Galvanized nuts, bolts & hardware. Finally, we cover your new pergola with Solar Panels, providing enough power to easily pay for itself.


As if that weren't enough, when you build your Pergola as a Solar Structure, you get to take advantage of the 30% Solar Tax Credit, and apply it to the cost of the Pergola as well! For more information, give us a call, or call our partners at Solar Universe!

Meet our construction photo models...Isidro, Josh, and Jason.

Beverly Hills Cops

I'm so behind. That should be the title of my book. This show came and went already, and I never mentioned it. Anyhow, I had my room divider in this cool show in Beverly Hills, sponsored by EcoFirstArt, Elle Decor Magazine, and Country Floors. There was some great stuff.

Here's the flyer (above).

By now I'm sure you're all familiar with my room divider, but just in case, here's some more photos from the show:

Incidently, a funny thing happened on the way to pick up my room divider.

I'm driving through Beverly Hills, minding my own business, when all of the sudden this cop (in a truck bigger than mine) tries to squeeze between me and the curb to make a right turn. Apparently he's usually on a bike because he didn't make it.
BAM!!... Mirror tag.
I look over to see a genuinely shocked cop, giving me the "Are You Okay?" gesture. I couldn't help but laugh, and I waved him on, with the "I'm Okay" gesture.
He gestured back "I'm pulling over".
I couldn't believe it. I'd been waiting for this moment since I passed my first driving test. We pulled around the corner and to the curb. I sat in my truck as the officer approached my door.

"License and Registration please", I said. He laughed, thankfully.

"Are you Okay?", he said, as his partner looked over my broken mirror.
"I'm fine", (still laughing a little) "and my mirror was already broken."
"Are you sure? Do you want somebody to take a look at this?" he asked.
"No. Don't worry about it. I'm gonna let you off with a warning this time." He laughed again.
Then I said, "Here's what you can do... Remember me. Remember my truck. If something ever goes down in Beverly Hills, and I need help, I'm calling you."
He laughed again, and said "You got it."

Cops are so much better in my adult life, now that I wear grown-up clothes and I no longer look like I'm up to something (which I'm not).

Finally, check out this video from EcoFirstArt:

Dahlia's Beauty Salon

We just did a little work at the new location for Dahlia's Beauty Salon, which just opened last week.
They seem like real good people, so I thought we'd give them a plug.


They're at 1021 B State Street, in Santa Barbara. It's a little tricky to find at first, because they actually face the parking lot on the backside of the building, just outside of Saks Fifth Avenue. If you see the SUBWAY on State Street near Figueroa, just make you're way around to the back. There's plenty of parking, and a nice sunny patio.

California Home + Design

Here's another cool piece of press. People seem to love this thing.
I owe Ron Dack some thanks for this one.
If he didn't actually come up with the idea, he at least inspired it
(although I like getting all the credit).