
March/April 2011 Newsletter
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Bi-Monthly Newsletter with news of upcoming meetings, seminars, events and opportunities for members and future members to improve their businesses.
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Whats New:
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Golf Tournament - June 29th at Rooster Run Golf Course in Petaluma.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Current News:
Welcome to our new REPHCC member Dry Down
Dry Down specializes in water damage and mold remediation services. They serve California from San Deigo to the Bay Area with representatives in the Redwood Empire.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Recent Events:
PHCC of the Redwood Empire Plumbing Code Course finished on March 13th. The customer service & sales class will most likely will be the next class offered.
Updated: April 20, 2012
Upcoming Meetings
REPHCC - Next Monthly Meeting
May 18, 2011
Topic: 2010 IAPMO Green Plumbing & Mechanical Code Overview
Location: Wild Fox
225 Alameda Del Prado, Novato
Board Meeting: 5-6 pm
No Host Cocktails / Networking: 6 – 6-30
Dinner/Program: 6:30
RSVP by Friday – May 13th
Upcoming Classes
Continuing Education – IAPMO Seminars: 2011 CA Plumbing & Mechanical Code Changes in Sacramento For more information about the seminars click here
Upcoming Events
April 27‐30 PHCC‐West Convention in Seattle, Washington
Get your registration and sponsorship packet and sign up here!
June 10th - PHCC of the Redwood Empire Golf Tournament - Rooster Run in Petaluma - for all the details click here.
September 21-24 PHCC/QSC National Convention - Connect 2011 Minneapolis, Minnesota Hilton Hotel More information here.
2011 PHCC National Association Calendar of Major Events Here's the list.
President's Message
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From Paul Ongaro
Get Your Updated Plumbing Code Books!
The 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code, the 2009 Uniform Mechanical Code and the 2010 California State Plumbing Code are now in effect. “This is really important – everyone needs to have the code books – these codes are now the standard”, says Paul Ongaro, who along with Gene Burch traveled to Sacramento recently to attend an eight hour IAMPO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)course covering plumbing and mechanical code changes. The classes were held April 14-15. |
| “The UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) book comes out every three years and the 2009 book just went into effect in January”, says Ongaro, “and the 2010 California Plumbing Code book also went into effect in January.” Along with those changes there is also the Green Plumbing & Mechanical Code Supplement. The GPMCS is the first and only one publication that spells out the best sustainable plumbing and mechanical building practices in simple, straightforward code language. |
The Green Supplement is not a "greener" version of the Uniform Codes, but rather a separate document establishing requirements for green building and water efficiency applicable to plumbing and mechanical systems. “This class was a great experience, which I highly recommend to contractors and suppliers”, says Ongaro. “Suppliers need to know about these code changes becoming the new standard, as well as contractors. There were huge changes last year and there are even more this year.” “Out of the 20 students in this class only two were contractors and the rest were inspectors”, says Ongaro. “It was interesting to get a feel for the inspector’s view on codes – as opposed to the way contractors look at codes, which is quite different.” Gene Burch, of the PHCC of the Redwood Empire, will be giving a class on code changes in the fall, locally – stay tuned for when and where. The IAMPO Online Book Store has the code books and CD-ROM versions for sale. |
Welcome to Our New Member!
SERVPRO of NAPA COUNTY
SERVPRO® of Napa County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. SERVPRO® of Napa County can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business. Dave Ahlberg has owned and operated this franchise since 2001.
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Cheryl James, Marketing Representative at SERVPRO® of Napa County, has extensive background in the insurance industry and is experienced in working with property management companies. When you see her at PHCC meetings and functions, introduce yourself and say hello. | ||
Cheryl James |
PHCC of California Leadership Conference in Paso Robles
The Leadership Conference took place on the weekend of April 1 & 2 in Paso Robles. REPHCC Board Members Tom LeDuc and Ed O'Connell attended and LeDuc had this to say about the "takeaways" from the event. "PHCC National, who put on the event for state leadership, has an incredible amount of resources to help local chapters get new members.
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"PHCC also has programs for local members like mentoring - where an existing member shadows a new member to guide and help them with their PHCC experience as it relates to their business. They even have guidelines for writing minutes for chapter meetings to minimize liability." | ||
Tom LeDuc |
"This was a marvelous way to reconnect with what we have, as PHCC members, and I hope we have more participation from our local chapter next year."
Just for Fun
John Zak has a new hobby - copper sculpture. "My kids are grown and gone and I don't want to sit around and watch TV at night, so I started tinkering around in my shop with copper scraps that I cut into ovals and solder together", says Zak, who owns and operates Zak Plumbing in Mill Valley. "Copper water pipe and HVAC scraps have come in handy."
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John Zak with Chelsea, the 7-foot giraffe (click on photo for larger view) |
Cherly, the 4-foot Blue Heron (click on photo for larger view) |
Chelsea, the 7-foot giraffe took John 82 hours to sculpt. Cherly, the 4-foot Blue Heron took less than half that time. What's next? "For the Marin County Fair in June I'm going to build a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge. Hopefully, it won't be big enough to jump off.
Send your photos and "Just for Fun" stories to Wendy Cramer for future newsletter publications - hey, it's just for fun... got fun?



















