End of the Eastenson Era

I have been trying for the last few weeks to write a blog about my fellow co-worker and estimator, Nancy Eastensons retirement.  For whatever reason every time I sit down to write about it I get writers block.  This is fairly unusual for me so I got to thinking about what the reason might be for this block and sheer unwillingness to write about this topic.

Could it be that I can't find a perfect way to begin Nancy's story at Stripe 'N' Seal.  I can't find the right words to describe how she started out here in 1984, a new mom, bringing her baby boy to work with her most days.  How she quickly won the hearts of everyone. How she started out as our bookkeeper and gradually worked her way into estimating. 

Could it be I can't find the words to describe the way she was always thinking of our customers needs above anything else. The way she would never make a promise she couldn't keep and never, well, say never. If a customer had a need Nancy had a way of figuring out how to help.  Her ideas and suggestions might not have always been the easiest or most conventional but she always found a way to make it work.

Could it be that I can't paint an appropriate picture of how Nancy could always make everyone feel at ease.  Whether dealing with our customers or other members of the Stripe 'N' Seal family, she had a way of making everyone feel special, everyone feel important and everyone feel like part of a team.  The compassion and caring she brought to each person she came in contact with was infectious.  Nancy's usual customers would wait weeks or months if they had to just to get to work with her again.  That says a lot.  She helped to make the face of Stripe 'N' Seal more than just that of another contractor. The way she interacted with people helped to paint the picture of this organization.  She helped make our mark on northern California as being a customer oriented, friendly, trust worthy place to do business with. 

Could it be that I can't effectively explain how above all Nancy was an educator. She was not just out there trying to sell work and close jobs.  It was important to her that her customers know the whys, whens and hows of asphalt maintenance.  As a person who was trained by Nancy I can say that this need to teach was natural to her and something she was darn good at.

Could it be its much more simple that any of these things.  Could it be that by writing about her retirement on June 1st I am finally admitting that she is gone. That she will no longer be just a few offices down to get advice from, and chat with and laugh with. By writing it down I am admitting that a major chapter of this company has come to a close.  After all a chapter that spans from 1984-2012 is not an easy one to close or get over.  Nancy spent a great, long 28 years with this company and we all hope that she spends the next 28+ doing whatever makes her happy and hope for nothing but smooth sailing and calm seas as she embarks on whatever the next chapters have to bring.

- Shaunda

Here's to more days like this one!

Casual, Quiet office "See You Later" Party for Nancy. Panda Express and Bijoux cupcakes - her faves

Red Velvet Cupcakes from Bijoux in Petaluma.  One of Nancys favorites

Nancy back in the day. 

What things were like in 1984, the year Nancy started at Stripe 'N' Seal

Opening her gifts

Three Ladies and a Skid Steer

Think way back to the days when you were just a school-aged child.  Remember those days you woke up, fully expecting to go have a typical, normal day of school and then once you got there you learned you would be treated to a special movie, a special field day or a special presentation.  Suddenly this ordinary day is a little more extraordinary and a little more fun.  Well, the ladies in our office had one of these days today.

At the start of this season we acquired two new Caterpillar Skid Steer Loaders.  A Skid Steer is a small, front-end loader first developed in 1957.  It gets its name because it is steered by powering wheels on one side while breaking on the other so it can skid in a pivot around its own axis.  Hence the name "Skid Steer".  Many operators will attest that if it can't be done by a skid steer, it can't be done at all.  Being small and maneuverable these machines can easily get in and out of most places.  A wide range and variety of attachments are also available to get the job done.  This type of machine is used to push, carry and load materials.

Today, Laurie (Bookkeeper), Stephanie (Operations Administrator) and myself (Shaunda - Operations Manager) were given the opportunity to get a lesson and take a turn driving one of the new skid steers before they go out in the field.  Tio, our sealcoat/slurry foreman probably didn’t wake up this morning and think he was going to be teaching some ladies from the office how to do this but he sure was a good sport, a good teacher and I think he got a good laugh out of it too.

We each got a turn backing, turning, and driving the machine and then loading and unloading both sand and rock.  We were all hesitant at first but once we got on and started to figure it out it was nothing but smiles.  Laurie really got a hang of it and I think if she gets tired of being the bookkeeper she could probably move right on over to skid steer operator. It was interesting to get a little taste of what the crew goes through and how we get our jobs done.  Sitting in this machine really gives you perspective on how powerful it is and also how safety minded you must be when operating it.  Also – it was a fun break from the usual day-to-day work we are accustomed too.  Now if we can just convince Dan that Stripe 'N' Seal needs a race-car.  That’s a test drive I think we would all like to take! Check out our Facebook page for additional photos.

Shaunda

Stephanie, Laurie & Shaunda

Tio the Brave

Stephanie

Laurie

Shaunda

PDI gets our "Seal" of approval

Stripe 'N' Seal has been located in beautiful Sonoma County since 1971.  We take great pride in the work we do, the people we work with and the community we work for. Recently we came in contact with a wonderful group in our community called PDI. PDI is a non-profit community based organization and dental surgery center that treats children with severe tooth decay under general anesthesia.

Since their inception in 2008, PDI has treated more than 4,800 patients through out California.  Most of the children they treat are under age 7 and have more than 8 cavities. Treating kids is only half the battle.  Through preventative education and community outreach efforts they hope to reduce the needs for surgery in the first place.

As part of their strategy to create a comfortable environment for children, PDI lets each child pick a special stuffed friend to accompany them through surgery and recovery.  The child then gets to take the special friend home when its all over.  This week Stripe 'N' Seal donated a box of special stuffed seal friends to future patients of PDI.  The Center needs around 150 "special friends" for new patients each month.  Our donation was no where near that amount but we look forward to donating more to this great cause in the future. 

To learn more about this wonderful organization, visit them on the web at www.pedidental.org.  While you are there consider donating time, money or new stuffed animals for the patients.  Lets show this great community organization how much we appreciate and applaud what they do! 

Julie ( PDI Nurse Director), Gordon (Stripe 'N' Seal) and Viveka (PDI CEO)

Adventures in Playground Striping

I wear many hats here at Stripe 'N' Seal, one of which is that of an estimator.  Mostly I look at plans and bid jobs off of "The Builders Exchange" which is an online plan room.  I enjoy bidding jobs this way because it gives me the opportunity to look at jobs all over Northern California without ever having to leave my desk.  Earlier this year I began looking at a school project in Mill Valley.  This particular job really sparked an interest in me because of the extensive amount of colors and games they were proposing to paint on the playground.  I bid the job and we got it!  When I got the contract for Old Mill Elementary in the mail I remember feeling excited, anxious and nervous all at once.  This was going to be an interesting job!

Most playgrounds that we stripe have between one and three total colors used.  Old Mill had a grand total of 12 different colors.  It was up to me to pick out the colors for architects approval.  I must say, it felt pretty neat to be picking out the colors that the kids would be looking at and playing on for years to come.  We had to special order some stencils for the animal court which included an elk, raccoon, fox, squirrel, opossum and the footprints of each.  Last week the big day arrived and we started work at the school.  I decided to go with our striping crew one day so I could help out and hopefully learn a little something.

We worked at Old Mill a total of three days.  The first day was spent laying out the games off of the plans.  This is a very tedious task involving a calculator, a tape measure, some chalk and string line.  Victor - the striping foreman on the job would measure out the dimensions of the games on the asphalt and then snap in lines using the chalk and string line.  I only helped layout a couple of games but I could see how draining it could be, especially if the plans aren't great and the sizes don't match. After that Victor handed me a paint roller and a bucket of green paint and put me to work.  I spent 90 % of my time at the school that day painting.  I painted the first coat on everything that was green and got the second coat on everything except the compass and one four square.  In the process I also ruined a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a pair  of Converse, mine of course.  I had a great time helping, learning and seeing what its like for the striping crew.  I  must say I learned some interesting things and spending the day actually working in the field really made me feel even more proud of where I work and the quality job we do.

The day after my big adventure in playground striping my legs were killing me and my right arm was so sore that I had to use both hands to operate my stapler. I had a blast and it was fun to hear all the people and kids walking by and getting excited about what we were doing.  One little boy got so excited he stood at the fence jumping up and down and giggling about how he couldn't wait to get back to school so he could play on a green game - yes, I felt proud.  For me this was more than a day at the office, it was an opportunity to learn a little more about our company, a little more about our crew, a little more about what we do and even a little more about myself.  If the opportunity ever comes for me to help the striping crew again you can bet I'll take it!

PS - Check out our Facebook page for more photos

Written by:  Shaunda McCreary

Before

After

Jump Rope Games laid out with chalk

Completed Jump Rope

Checkerboard

Completed Compass

Four Square with Running Track going through

Maze Game

Number Circle

Tetherball

Shape Circle

8.5' tall Elk

3.5' tall Raccoon

3' tall Opposum

5' tall Coyote

5' tall Fox

CALM DOWN! .....your traffic

There are many factors that contribute to a safe and highly functional parking lot.  Clearly marked stalls ensure drivers know where to go and how to park.  Well maintained asphalt free of potholes, protruding tree roots and other possible trip hazards prevent personal injury from trips and falls and minimizes possible damage to vehicles.  In parking lots with heavy pedestrian traffic - like shopping centers, and parking lots with children present - like at an apartment complex,  it might be necessary to install traffic calming devices to help protect those on foot.

The most common traffic calming device is called a speed bump. Speed bumps are raised features added to the existing asphalt in order to slow traffic and reduce through traffic.  Most commonly speed bumps are asphalt but in recent times recycled rubber bumps have become somewhat popular.

Asphalt speed bumps are durable, require very little maintenance and are very effective.  Asphalt speed bumps are more expensive than rubber ones because they require a trained crew, like ours, to install.  Recycled rubber bumps are relatively inexpensive, easy for any handy person to install, made from recycled materials and easily removed when they are no longer wanted.  An important downside to the recycled rubber bumps is that they do require maintenance.  They are not as durable as their asphalt counterparts and will break, crack and fade quickly.  The fact that they are so easily removed is also a potential problem because any annoyed tenant or resident could remove them if they wanted.

We recently began installing a new type of traffic calming device called rumble bars.  Rumble bars are made of  high performance thermoplastic material.  The material is placed on the asphalt in various patterns based on traffic and use of lot.  When a vehicle drives over the rumble bars they produce both an auditory and vibratory signal.  The driver both hears and feels the device.  These rumble strips easily conform to the surface and are flexible.  This added flexibility eliminates the breakage that can be associated with rigid types of traffic calming  devices like recycled rubber speed bumps.  These rumble bars can be cut to fit any size needed and come in a variety of colors.  They are lead free, contain no heavy metals and are non-hazardous.  Rumble bars require little maintenance.

If you  find that you need some type of traffic calming device to  help  improve safety and functionality of your parking lot, Stripe 'N' Seal, Inc can help.  We will help you find a solution based on your needs, conditions and budget.  Whether the appropriate solution is an asphalt speed bump, thermoplastic rumble bars or somewhere in between we are here to help!

Black Rumble Bars on a road



Black Rumble Bars installed on the asphalt



White Rumble Bars

                         



Stripe 'N' Seal LOVES a good "Sticky Situation"

Asphalt is dirty.  The tiny rocks and sandy sentiment that builds up in the grooves of your tires eventually ends up in the parking lots of good 'ol Sonoma County.  In addition, the flowers and trees that bloom in the landscaping planters gladly share their dirt all over the edges of the parking lot.  This is one of the reasons that sealcoat can fail to stick to the surface of your asphalt.

It is important to properly clean all surfaces of the asphalt that require sealer.  This can be achieved in most parking lots by using wire brooms, backpack blowers and power sweeping machines.  Sometimes, if the asphalt is really dirty it will need to be power washed first.  If the crevasses and holes within your asphalt are brown with dust and dirt, then some type of water washing will need to occur in order for the sealcoat to properly bond to or "stick" to the asphalt.

Stripe 'N' Seal takes pride in the word PREPARATION.  We strive to clean every square foot of asphalt that is to be sealed, by any means necessary.  In order for sealcoat to stick well to your asphalt it needs to be cleaned and prepared properly before hand.  Sealcoat that has been applied to dirty asphalt will flake off in pieces.  Once the sealer has flaked off it is gone for good, and your maintenance dollars have been wasted.  Knowing how to properly prepare your asphalt before it is sealed is key to getting a good, long lasting job.  After all, sealcoat can serve its purpose under the right sticky situation!

- Gordon

Using backpack blowers and scrapers to remove debris from the asphalt

Cleaning dirt from cracks in the asphalt

Power broom scrubbing the asphalt and a crew member preparing utility lids

An example of Sealcoat that is flaking up from the asphalt

SHARE THE ROAD SAFELY

For the last six years or so I have had the opportunity to work near and around a lot of different big trucks.  By big I mean trucks that require a Class A or B license to drive.  After riding along in these big trucks a few times I have a huge respect for them and their drivers.  It takes a lot to maneuver these large, long, heavy trucks and the loads they are pulling. Add traffic, weather, and ever changing road conditions to the mix and I really don't know how they do it!  The big truck drivers at Stripe 'N' Seal and Aaron Paving are trained, tested and expected to be safe drivers.  For folks like myself that only ever find themselves behind the wheel of a passenger vehicle, there are some things we can do to help the drivers of these big trucks stay safe.

        SAFE DRIVING TIPS:

• Follow  big trucks with caution - Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the big truck.  It is recommended that passenger vehicles keep a distance of 20 car lengths behind the big trucks. 
• Larger trucks = Larger Blind Spots.  Try to stay out of the blind spots - a good rule of thumb is if you can't see the big truck driver's mirrors, they probably can't see you
• Always pass a big truck on the left.  Don't complete the pass until you can see the healdlights of the big truck in your rear view mirror
• Allow big trucks plenty of space to turn safely.  Big trucks making right turns will often need to swing to the left first,  trucks turning left will often need to swing to the right first. 
• Don't cut in front of big trucks.  The driver is leaving enough room to stop safely.  A passenger vehicle going 55 MPH takes about 140' to come to a stop, a big truck going 55 MPH takes 400' to come to a stop
• If you are stopped on an incline behind a big truck leave plenty of space between - big trucks can roll backwards up to 20' when accelerating off an inclined stop

Here's a little perspective for you on the size difference between a passenger vehicle (the Subaru) and one of our big trucks pulling an asphalt grinder.  Its pretty easy to see why both drivers need to use extreme caution on the road!

   

STATISTICS INVOLVING PASSENGER VEHICLES -vs- BIG TRUCKS

• Of multi-vehicle crashes involving big trucks 71% of fatalities are caused by the passenger vehicle

• Of fatal collisions involving passenger vehicles and big trucks, 98% of the deaths involve passenger vehicle   

Whether you are driving a passenger vehicle or a big truck, drive as safely and as responsibly as possible.  If we all look out for each other no matter how big or how small our vehicles are, we decrease our likelihood of becoming a statistic.  Drive safe and get home safe!  For more tips on driving safely around big trucks go to www.sharetheroadsafely.org

www.sharetheroadsafely.org

 Written by:  Shaunda