Featured Speakers
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| Steve Yvasks Antique Appraiser Read his bio See his schedule | Bring out your small collectables for FREE ANTIQUE APPRAISALS Friday & Saturday 12p - 3p | |
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| Directory of Featured Speakers A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Find a speaker, past or present, by clicking on a letter above. | |||
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David Baeza Woodenbridge, Inc. Woodenbridge of San Jose specializes in creating cabinetry, custom kitchens and fine joinery and offers complete design, build, finish and installation services. Chief designer David Baeza grew up in a family of woodworkers and started custom cabinetry work at the age of ten. Today, he builds custom, high-end cabinetry for homes and businesses throughout the Bay Area. "We communicate with our customers on a very personal level, and keep them involved in all phases of the design, build and installation process. We want to know what you are thinking, what you have on your mind. And especially we want to know if there is anything you are not happy with! At the end of the day we want to leave knowing you won't hesitate to call on us again" If you can dream it Woodenbridge can build it! | ||
 | Bill Carr Boise Cascade | ||
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Kevin Capps You won't often hear a custom builder refer to his finished projects as his "creations", but the proprietor of K.C. Customs, Inc proudly does just that. The "KC" is Kevin Capps, who from an early age, dreamed of owning his own business, and his hard work and ambition have payed off. Kevin's 14 years of experience started as a carpenter and progressed into a project supervisor building homes throughout the bay area.
Working with a trusted team of subcontractors, K.C. Customs, Inc. is able to keep costs in check. Our clients get daily updates on the progress being made on their homes. Kevin is always in the field working one-on-one with clients and making certain their needs are being met and each project is going forward smoothly. K.C. Customs, Inc. use some of the finest materials such as marble and granite surfaces, custom wood cabinets, hand scraped walnut flooring, hand distressed beams, smart house systems and multimedia rooms. At the onset of a project, Kevin encourages clients to assemble a simple binder to catalog the many fixtures, flooring, colors and other components they envision for each room of their custom home. Attention to detail and personal service set K.C. Customs, Inc apart, ensuring your new home will be "cerated", not just constructed. | ||
| Jesse Cool Dedicated to sustainable agriculture and cuisine for over 35 years, Jesse is an advocate for local, sustainable, organic food production and these farmers, to whom she warmly refers as her heroes, she considers to be the first real environmental pioneers. Jesse's work in the food business supports her politics and philosophy and has now expanded from her local community to The creative force behind five unique restaurants, three of which she owns today, Jesse has also authored seven cookbooks, | ||
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Ricky Critchfield Ricky Critchfield is the President of Critchfield Construction, Inc. and author of the soon to be released book “Green Building Made Simple - Incorporating Green Building techniques as applied common sense”. A must read book for anyone considering improving their home! | ||
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Tony Dariano
Bay Area Build-It-Green A. Dariano Construction's family has been serving the Bay Area since 1936. Anthony (Tony), the owner, started working in the construction industry with his father and grandfather at the age of 12. His father was an "old school" contractor, whose main focus was on superior craftsmanship at an affordable price. Tony learned the construction trade from the best and has spent the last couple of decades perfecting his father's building techniques. A. Dariano Construction is a design | build contractor utilizing Green Building standards; so from the start, we work with our customer's ideas, our design team, and our architects to ensure that our customer's dreams become reality and at the same time conserving our precious resources . Living by his father's example, Tony is not only the owner, but the superintendent on all of the projects. He works closely with our construction crew and customers to ensure that projects are completed with the highest quality of craftsmanship, on time, within budget and exactly how our customers envisioned. Most recently Tony has become a Green Certified Builder, HERS Rater, and Green Point Rater. A. Dariano Construction is community oriented. That is why we have designated 1% of all our net profits to be donated back into our community. We donate to select organizations which help families and businesses in our area. | ||
 | Ryan Ellis Ryan is part of a new breed of entrapraneaurs who are producing sustainable organic food products that can help families grow over 250,000lbs of fresh food at home in 2012 Back to the Roots was founded by Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora during their last semester at UC Berkeley in 2009. Two months away from graduation, and heading into the corporate world of investment banking & consulting, they came across the idea during a class lecture of being able to potentially grow gourmet mushrooms entirely on recycled coffee grounds. Inspired by the idea of turning waste into wages & fresh, local food, they experimented in Alex's fraternity kitchen, ultimately growing one test bucket of tasty oyster mushrooms on recycled coffee grounds. With that one bucket, some initial interest from Whole Foods & Chez Panisse and a $5,000 grant from the UC Berkeley Chancellor for social innovation, they decided to forget the corporate route, and instead, become full-time urban mushroom farmers! Inspired by the idea of producing local, fresh food from what was an urban waste stream, Back to the Roots has since grown to create the Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden which lets anyone, across the country, grow their own gourmet mushrooms at home as well! | ||
| John Fraine John would like to talk with you about “How to Save Money on Your Remodeling Project". His seminars offer very timely information in this challenging economic market where many homeowners are thinking about staying where they are and upgrading their homes. | ||
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Doug Frenandez Fernandez Desings & Builders, Inc. Fernandez Designs & Builders Inc. is an Architectural and Building Company that started back in 1985. Specializing in residential architectural designs, using auto cad computerize system and construction of homes, additions and commercial buildings.
Since then Doug has strived to perfect the art of unique and one of the kind home building, through a work force of over 120 personnel, over 40 different specialty sub-contractors, hundreds of different manufacturing vendors and a management saff located in its company owned 6000 square foot commercial building. Doug has been a long standing member of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and has been awarded for projects his company has created. Fernandez Designs & Builders Inc. was given a prestigous "COTY" award: Contractor of the Year, recognized by the building industries and his colleagues. | ||
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Dimone Gabler R.W. Gabler Design / Build / Remodel, Inc. Dimone Gablers' career began as an Executive Secretary, Real Estate Agent, Property Manager and later as a Mortgage Broker. In 1990 Dimone joined her husbands company, R.W. Gabler Design/Build/Remodel and quickly discovered that many of their clients had either a bad previous remodeling experience or knew of someone whose remodel became their worst nightmare. The 3 most common elements in their collective experiences were: 1-They had no idea what to expect from the remodeling experience. 2-They failed to check the reputation/references of the General Contractor. 3-They failed to go look at the quality of the General Contractor's previous work. This is where Dimone began her journey on Educating Homeowners. Thus, "The Contractor's Wife" was born. Dimone began presenting at the local Home & Garden Shows throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, An entertaining seminar on Home Remodeling - an informational and interactive discussion for homeowners based on what they need to know before getting started on any remodeling project. From what happens on a jobsite and how to handle things as the project progresses, to the wrap up when the project is completed and ready to enjoy. She answers all "10 Questions To Ask a Contractor ... Before You Hire One!" R.W. Gabler Design/Build/Remodel is a full service construction company established in 1979 and specializing in residential renovations, additions, architectural restorations and construction of fine quality residences. We are involved in the project from design concepts and building plans, to moving into the construction process, working with our homeowners every step of the way. We help homeowners achieve their dreams with our professional and courteous service and our superior workmanship. | ||
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Rib Hillis Actor/Designer on ABC TV's Extreme Makeover Home Edition Rib first got his start on the ABC soap opera Port Charles and has since appeared in dozens of television shows, such as Ugly Betty, Two and a Half Men, CSI, America’s Next Top Model, and CSI: Miami. He also has a starring role in the feature film Propiedad Ajena, a dramatic movie shot on location in Mexico, and the lead in the independent film, TAOS, a recent “Best of” award winner at the Santa Fe Film Festival. Rib is no stranger to sharing his knowledge of home improvement/building having worked on two shows, Model Citizen and Get a Grip, giving him the chance to combine his ease in front of the camera with his joy in working with his hands. Rib is also featured on AOL’s Minute Fixes giving homeowners solutions to common household issues. Since college, he's been a much sought-after model, working in Milan, Paris, Barcelona, London, Sydney, New York, Miami and Los Angeles for such publications as Uomo Vogue, GQ, Esquire and Men's Health, as well as countless national and international commercials. Born in Suffern, NY and raised in Newton, MA, Rib’s joy in working with his hands was instilled in him by his dad, a self-reliant man who'd rather re-roof his house than have someone do it for him. While in college, Rib framed houses and did demolition and construction work. He has also had a successful handyman business, but had to put it on hold due to the increasing demands of his acting/modeling career. His passion for acting is second only to his passion for family. Rib is the proud father of boy/girl twins and when not working he enjoys chasing them around the Southern California surf. His other passions/hobbies include bull riding, rock climbing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, cooking, motorcycles, and studying classical Greek history. Rib likes to also keep busy volunteering and working with several charities including the Red Cross and Be The Match (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program). | ||
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 | Nickolas Sosa S3 Design Group Home Improvement & Design Inspiration | ||
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Denise D. Stansfield Design Denise was the stage set designer for Dr. John Gray’s Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, the Broadway Show, Life On Earth, and the national, live broadcast of Marriage Day. Denise has designed and produced for her clients the themes for numerous trade shows, openings, receptions and private parties. Denise understands it is essential to plan creatively and be resourceful with any budget. Whether you choose ala carte or the full event platter, Denise offers everything from initial consultation and design ideas to planning and producing every detail for your next event. | ||
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Chef Tyler Stone Tyler Stone is one of America's rising stars in the next generation of chefs. From the time he was 4 years old, Tyler Stone has had a full-blown passion for the culinary arts and has accomplished much in his short career. He graduated a culinary academy at the age of thirteen and a half with a student degree in restaraunt management and culinary arts. He has cooked for many notable individuals and celebrities such as Joe and Gavin Maloof of the Sacramento Kings and Palms Casino Resort, John Tesh, and the Doobie Brothers. He also had the opportunity to prepare a special dinner for Vice President and Mrs. Cheney at the Naval Observatory in Washinton D.C. He has worked with the former executive chef of the White House, Walter Scheib, and the Culinary Olympic Team California. His expertise allows him to prepare a variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts, though he really enjoys multi-course meals best because of the attention to detail and his ability to be extremely creative. He published his first cookbook, The Kid's Cooking, at the age of eighteen. You can check out Chef Tyler at www.ChefTylerStone.com | ||
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Lisa Quinn, "House Doctor" | ||
 | David Siddiqui David is a sustainability consultant with a passion for making tangible improvements to human and environmental health. He has been working on sustainability issues since 2000. David is an experienced energy auditor and enjoys finding ways to improve the built environment. David loves sharing his knowledge with others and appears regularly in speaking engagements and video productions | ||
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Steven Wayne Yvaska Born in Boston, Steven Wayne Yvaska has been collecting since he was 9 years old. He graduated cum laude from Syracuse University where he began to seriously study the decorative arts. Yvaska went on to receive his Master's degree in Environmental Science - also at Syracuse - where he studied with nationally recognized authorities including Dr. Charles Ryder Dibble, Sally Kinsey, Edward C. Fricke and Bruce Havens. It was during that time Steven developed an interest in American silver. In fact, the topic of his graduate thesis concerned the use of Egyptian motifs used on silver fashioned in the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries. Since the mid-1970s, Steven has been a frequent speaker at historical societies, study groups, museums and antiques clubs. He speaks about topics as varied as American art pottery, Halloween collectibles, sterling silver, World Fair souvenirs, and postcards. Steven has taught classes on antiques for the Morgan Hill Adult Education program and at the San Jose Southside Community Center. He has also presented guest lectures at several colleges and universities. Yvaska is perhaps best-known for his column, "The Seasoned Collector”, which appears regularly in the House and Home section of the San Jose Mercury News. Over the years, his work has been reprinted in newsletters, journals and bulletins. Several years ago, Steven began appearing at the Home & Garden Shows to long lines of visitors. He offers visitors what he calls "informal evaluations'' of their heirlooms or newly found treasures. Yvaska enjoys telling people how to care for their goods, as well as their history and value. Yvaska is involved with many community and civic groups. He is an honorary member of the Assistance League of Los Gatos/Saratoga and the Los Altos Glass and Decorative Arts Club. Over the years, he has helped numerous charities with annual fundraising efforts. In 2004, Yvaska won "The Children's Champion Award" for his continued help raising funds for the San Jose Thrift Box which supports the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. | ||
