mobile

Upwardly

The Magazine of Mobile, Manufactured and Modular Home Living

Wine Country
Living in Paso
Frank Lloyd Wright:
Pre-Fab, Modular
and Mobile
At Home in Paradise
Award-Winning
Container Home Design
 A B
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Steve Schaecher
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 The Magazine Of Mobile,
Manufactured And Modular
Home Living

Publisher & Editor

Toni Gump

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Are you looking to purchase or refinance a MIRIAM HOSPODAR
mobile home? Community West Bank has
Sales Associate
multiple programs to fit your needs. Call Amy Dresser
Clay, Dave, or Nancie today!
Design & Production
• Competitive fixed interest rates City Creative Group
• Cash-out refinancing
• No pre-payment penalties
Contributors
C. William Dahlin
• Direct lender making local approvals
and funding for faster response time Leslie Dinaberg
• No income verification loans
Betsy L. Edwards
Andrea Estrada
Miriam Hospodar
Steve Kostechko
Onna Roll
Stephen T. Vessels
Leslie Westbrook
Clay Dickens Photography
Vice President, Mortgage Viktor Budnik
445 Pine Avenue Scott Gibson
Brent Winebrenner
Goleta, CA 93117
art & illustration
Patricia Chidlaw
John cushing
Marc Lumer
Christina Rivera

Dave Weinhold office manager

Senior Loan Consultant Georgeanne stewart
1463 South Victoria Avenue COPY EDITING
Ventura, CA 93003 SKONA BRITTAIN
KAT LA FRANCE
805.650.8855
dweinhold@communitywestbank.com
Upwardly Mobile: The Magazine Of Mobile, Manufactured
And Modular Home Living is published quarterly by
Upwardly Mobile Home Magazine, and single copies

Nancie Irvine
are provided free of charge. Unless otherwise noted, all
photographs, artwork, and designs printed in Upwardly
Sales Manager Mobile are the sole property of Upwardly Mobile Home
Magazine and may not be duplicated or reprinted

2615 S. Miller Street without express written permission. Upwardly Mobile

is not liable for typographical or production errors or
Santa Maria, CA 93455 the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or
writers. Readers should verify advertised information
with the advertisers. Upwardly Mobile reserves the
805.934.4556 ofc right to refuse any advertising. Upwardly Mobile® is
a registered trademark of Upwardly Mobile Home
805.345.6534 cell Magazine, Copyright © 2008. All inquiries may be sent
to: Upwardly Mobile, 1187 Coast Village Road, Ste.
nirvine@communitywestbank.com 1-394, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, or info@umhmag.
com or visit our website at: www.umhmag.com.

4 upwardlymobile.indd 1 4/16/2008 11:00:54 AM Upw a rdly M ob i l e

 Planters

Tiles
miniature planter changing lanes

Features
Water
Stu
dio
04
nested fountain

About Studio04
Studio04 is a Design House focused on juxtaposing
contemporary modern materials with organic elements and
dedicated to creating and manufacturing an original product
line of Planters, Water Features, Tiles and other Outdoor
Accessories for use in gardens, residences or work spaces.

Beyond the Studio

T 818 907 9373 ■ F 818 986 1750
Studio04 also offers unique, on-site installations featuring custom
sizes and variations of our own designs, as well as customer www.studio04la.com
designs including Water Features, Planters and Fire Pits. emma@studio04la.com
CONTENTS

16

ON THE COVER

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

An Active Paso Robles Family Live in Stylish, Triple-Wide Comfort
on their Central California Farm...........................................................................................................................................................................16

R O U N DA B O U T

At Home in Paradise
Look no further than Malibu’s Paradise Cove for a version of heaven on earth............................................24

6 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 30 24

34 42 12

D E PAR T M E N T S
UP FRONT Letter from the Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
OVER THE FENCE I’ve got issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ENTERTAINING Colin Cowie knows how to Wow! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPEED BUMPS San Clemente is a hot spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
MODULATIONS Award-Winning Container Home Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
TIME TRAVELS Frank Lloyd Wright: Pre-Fab, Modular and Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
UPSCALING Don’t trash that trailer! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
UPGRADES Protect your home from the heat of summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
HIGH SOCIETY Famous architects take on the mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
TRAILER TALES Keeping an eye on the park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
THE BACKYARD Water-wise gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
THE LAW The Landlord’s Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
DRESSING UP Great solutions to the problem of sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
LAST LOOK Art from Patricia Chidlaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 7
UPFRONT
Oil Painting by John Cushing titled
“A Little Bit o’ Heaven.” John lives and works
in Carpinteria, CA. He is currently working on
paintings of ocean liners and can be reach at
johncushing.com
8 Upw a rdly
W
elcome to the premier issue
of Upwardly Mobile, the first
magazine devoted to mobile,
manufactured, and modular
home living. People living
the mobile way are on the forefront of many
of the latest trends: consciously creating more
with less, by living in compact spaces, with
green, environmentally sustainable housing
and furnishings, while experiencing the joys
of community-building in mobile home parks.
We at Upwardly Mobile are very excited about
bringing news, new ideas, and ways to enhance
the choice you have made to have a mobile
or manufactured home, be it your permanent
residence, a vacation home, or something you
use for occasional trips.
In this issue you’ll meet the Cherrys, a
family who lives in a triple-wide near their
winery and restaurant in the wine-growing
region of Paso Robles. You’ll take a private tour
of a palatial renovated home in Paradise Cove,
the luxury park in Malibu with its own beach.
Noisy neighbors can be a headache in the close
quarters of a mobile home park, and “I‘ve Got
Issues” shows you how to diplomatically solve
the pesky problem. You’ll find an ahead-of-its-
time design for a mobile home by the Frank
Lloyd Wright Foundation, and a light-hearted
look at how other famous architects might have
designed mobile homes.
We’ve greatly enjoyed anticipating what you
would like to read about. We are also thrilled to
present beautiful photographs and graphics to
echo the forward-looking aesthetics of the new
mobile, modular, and manufactured homes.
You have demanded that the bar be raised
for mobile homes to be attractive, modern,
comfortable, environmentally sustainable, and
cost-effective—yet luxurious. Now you have a
magazine to match.
Toni Gump
Toni Gump
Publisher
M ob i l e
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F O U N DA T I O N S
I’ve Got
Issues
By Leslie Dinaberg
I
t’s summertime and the living is
easy. The wine is perfectly chilled,
the steaks are on the grill, and you’re
admiring the sunset with your loved
one. All of a sudden your neighbor
screeches to a stop, rock music blaring,
and starts unloading kegs, chips, and
fireworks from his car—for the fourth
time that week.
Neighbors: love them or hate them,
you have no choice but to deal with
them, especially in the close quarters
of a mobile home park. Here are some
strategies to help minimize conflicts
with your neighbors and make your
summertime go just a little bit easier.
The key to a stress-free summer
is anticipating problems before they
happen.
Introduce yourself. You’d be
surprised how many people don’t know
their neighbors these days. Don’t wait
until you have a problem to meet the
people next door. Bring over a bottle
of wine or some fresh strawberries from
the Farmers Market and just say hello. If
a problem has already occurred, try to
get to know them at least a little before
making a complaint.
Be a good communicator. Keep
your neighbors informed before you do
something that might affect them, such
as hosting a big party or getting a new
dog. Informing your neighbors ahead of
time allows them to make plans or tell
you how your project will affect them.
Getting their input in advance allows
you to act in a way that will help avoid
problems. Also, if your neighbor does
10
something you like, tell them you noticed
the yard work or the new paint job. Later,
it will be easier to talk with them, if they
do something you don’t like.
Follow the Golden Rule. Treat your
neighbors the way you would like to be
treated. Be considerate about noise from
vehicles, tools, stereos, group activities,
and pets. Don’t forget to consider the
view from your neighbor’s yard. Those
extra dead vines they can see may not
bother you, but your neighbor may not
like looking at them.
If there is a problem, track it. Note
the date, what occurs, and anything else
you think might be helpful. It’s possible
the problem (such as late night noise)
may not occur as often as you think it
does. In any event, clear documentation
will help you talk to your neighbor and
help make your case to the park manager
if it comes to that.
Your neighbors can’t resolve a
problem if they don’t know about it.
Neighbors are not always aware that their
actions are negatively affecting others.
If your neighbor does something that
irritates you, don’t assume it was done
on purpose; instead operate under the
assumption the neighbor doesn’t know
their three a.m. party kept you awake.
Don’t let your irritation fester. Focus
on the issue at hand. By communicating
early, in a calm and pleasant manner,
you take a big step toward resolving
the problem. Don’t wait until a minor
irritation becomes a major issue making it
difficult to discuss. Separating the person
from the problem will allow you take care
of the problem while maintaining your
relationship with your neighbor.
Stay calm and listen thoughtfully.
You don’t have to agree with them or
justify your behavior, but if you can listen
and not react defensively, their anger will
likely subside and there is a good chance
of working things out. Try to understand
how your neighbor feels about an issue
and why. For example, people can
become very defensive when they think
their pets—or their children—are being
maligned. Understanding their position
will increase the likelihood of a solution
that works for you both. If you need to,
take a break to calm down and think
about what you and your neighbor have
discussed. Arrange a time to finish the
conversation later. Don’t try to problem
solve when you are having a heated
discussion.
Always keep in mind: talking things
over directly is the best way to handle
problems. If you must go to the park
manager with a complaint, take it in
writing, as they can’t help you if it isn’t
documented. Turning to outsiders to
resolve your neighbor issues should be a
last resort.
Leslie Dinaberg is a Santa Barbara-based
writer. Her weekly columns are featured
in the Santa Barbara Daily Sound,
ParentClick.com and its 20 affiliates sites,
and Noozhawk.com. She is a frequent
Illustration by Marc Lumer
contributor to Santa Barbara Magazine
and Coastal Woman Magazine, as well as
a variety of other publications.
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Affordable Home Solutions.

WHY PAY RETAIL WHEN YOU CAN BUY WHOLESALE PRICE?

Discount, affordable modular and factory built “State of the Art” manufactured homes.
Wide selection of models, sizes and floor plan-including options.
On your land site, or in pre-existing lots.

Visit: Manufactured
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or call (805) 963-6487
Home Guru
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 11
E NTE RTAI N I N G
COLIN’S
CHIC
BUFFET
By TONI GUMP
W
hether entertaining in your home or in the
clubhouse, a potluck or created by you on
the premises, a buffet allows more time with
your guests. The well known entertaining
personality Colin Cowie suggests that one of
the most important aspects to entertaining is to make a plan: jot
down a schedule, make lists of everything you need to buy and
do, and keep to a simple and well tried menu. He encourages
washing, chopping, peeling, slicing and dicing and setting the
buffet table with sticky notes the day before or at least several
hours ahead. The labels help anyone helping know what goes
where and when. Parties are about creating memories not
about how much money or time or ability you display, he says.
All this will allow you to relax and enjoy
your own party.
Colin Cowie is renowned for his
style. He is a favorite with the stars. He
is also known for his well-designed and
affordable tableware. In his new book
Colin Cowie Chic, he gives this advice:
SETTING A BUFFET TABLE
(Reprinted from Colin Cowie Chic)
Buffets work for both small and large
gatherings, particularly the latter. They’re
casual, easy, and give you the opportunity
to showcase your creativity and sense of
theatre.
A buffet should look abundant! If the
table is large, group everything together
12
rather than spreading out the food. At the other end of the
table, place florals or set up a bar or coffee and desert. Instant
celebration!
A well-balanced buffet should offer a vegetable, a protein,
a salad, a grain based dish, and a bread. For summertime, set
out a platter of poached salmon, a cucumber sauce, a plate
of poached asparagus, a crispy salad, potatoes or rice, and a
crunchy baguette-and call it a day!
For a more lavish buffet, offer multiples of each category.
If you are serving both meats and fishes, keep them on
separate buffets so their sauces don’t mix. I have never been
a lover os “surf and turf ”; however, if space is limited and
you have to have both on the same table, set the fish with the
salad and rice at one side of the buffet,
a centerpiece in the middle, and the
meat, salad and potatoes on the other
side. Place your plates, napkins, and
silverware at each end.
Put clean plates at the beginning of
your buffet, followed by cold items. Next
come the hot entrees. Last should be the
silverware and napkins (so your guests
won’t be juggling napkins, fork, knives
and spoons while they fill their plates).
If you have enough room, set a bar at
the other end of the table, with bottles
of wine and glasses waiting for guests to
Photos courtesy Colin Cowie
help themselves.
At outdoor buffets, keep the food
covered until you’re ready to dine, and
set out enough citronella candles to keep
bugs at bay.
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Colin’s designs are
available at Home
Shopping Network.
Opposite: Sticky notes
help party organization.

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 13
SPEEDBUMPS

Discovering
SAN CLEMENTE

S
an Clemente is a charming, refurbished tile-roof
hideaway between San Diego and Los Angeles
with (as the NY Times says) “cliffside trails
along sandy beaches.” Those who have moved
here call it a real community. Ole Hansen discovered it
when passing through by train and eventually bought it,
building the Spanish-style homes and swim club in the
1920s. Avenida del Mar, the main street, is the center of
activity, with shops, restaurants and art galleries.

14 Upw a rdly M ob i l e

MOBILE HOME PARKS
Capistrano Shores Inc
1880 N. El Camino Real
(714) 492-6616
Palm Beach Park
101 Palm Drive
(714) 492-3344
Shorecliffs Mobile HomeS
3000 Calle Nuevo
(714) 492-8736
Where to lodge
San Clemente BeachcomBer
Motel is 1 min. from the pier
with views from every room.
Many other chain hotels can be
found here. Also, San Clemente
Campground and RV Park.
What to do
Surfing, fishing, ice skating,
visiting the Nixon western
White House or Casa
Romantica Cultural Center
and Gardens or San Clemente
Historical Society Museum.
WHERE TO DINE
Beach Garden Café
at the Pier
Start your day watching the
waves from the outdoor patio.
Photos courtesy San Clemente Visitors Bureau
618-1/2 Avenida Victoria, San
Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-8145
Beachfire Bar & Grill
Celebrate the SoCal lifestyle
with great atmosphere and
excellent food.
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
S D
L E
S
A
I
I
G
R
N
E
T
I D
M A
E A S
G
204 Avenida Del Mar, Suite D R S
San Clemente, CA 92672 E N
EN IO
(949) 366.3232 S O L UT
Gordon James Grill & Bar
Serving fine steaks and seafood
in the historical heart of town
110 N. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-9100
Iva Lee’s
Southern and Creole classic
cuisine from New Orleans
555 N. El Camino Real Healthy Products U Better Design
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 361-2855
La Siesta
The area’s best kept secret for
fresh, authentic Mexican food Montecito:
920 N. El Camino Real 1275 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara,
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-309 CA 93108 (805) 565-4103
Pizza Port Brewing Co.
Unique dining and drinking Santa Barbara:
301 N. El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA 92672 218 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara,
(949) 940-0005 CA 93101 (866) 966-1319
Sonny’s Pizza & Pasta
Authentic Italian food served
with Southern California flair Los Angeles:
429 N. El Camino Real
10000 Culver Blvd.,Culver City,
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949)498-2540 CA 90232 (310) 838-8442
FOR MORE INFO
www.sanclemente.com
www.san-clemente.org Mon.–Sat. 10–5
www.scchamber.com www.livingreen.com info@livingreen.com
15
 A BOWL
of Cherries
An Active Paso Robles Family Live in Stylish,
Triple-Wide Comfort on their Central California Farm

By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Photos by BRENT WINEBRENNER

16 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Below left: The upgraded bath
includes a clawfooted tub
Top right: The stone surrond
for the fireplace adds
to the character of the room.

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 17

Top: The Cherry’s delightful kitchen and
diningroom with cozy couch make for
relaxed entertaining.
Opposite: The bold and expansive porch
adds even more room for entertaining
outdoors.
18
Home sweet home for winemaker/
restaurateur Cris Cherry, his wife JoAnn,
and their two children, Camille and
Henri, is a triple wide manufactured
house. The stylish three bedroom, two
bath house is neatly tucked into Peachy
Canyon, located between the famous
Hearst Castle on California’s central
coast and the evolving region of Paso
Robles. It is an area noted for its natural
hot springs, agricultural heritage,
and present day booming wine and
tourism industry, as well as some of the
friendliest folks in the state.
They are not alone.
The Cherrys share their house and
land—rolling hills dotted with walnut
orchards and a winemaking facility—
with three dogs: Rocco, Fanny and
Izze, eight cats and kittens, chickens
named Isabella, E2, Puffhead and Mary
Poppins and a duck known as Doodle.
Not to be forgotten are goats Roxy
and Sunny (their milk is used to make
cheese during the spring months),
as well as house pets Sparky (Henri’s
bearded dragon) and Linea (Camille’s
bald python). There’s an organic
garden to tend and protect from deer.
To top it off, in a winemaking facility
just a short stroll from the house,
grapes are crushed in the fall and the
juice collected, stored and aged in
American, French, and Hungarian oak
barrels. The winery features a tasting
room, and the wine is also sold in the
couple’s fine restaurant, Villa Creek
(www.villacreek.com), located on the
square in downtown Paso Robles.
But back to the house.
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 “When we bought the property
and looked at the cost of building a
conventional home versus the cost of
manufactured housing, we realized
that not only could we have a home for
about one third the cost (fifty dollars
per square foot vs. one hundred fifty
dollars per square foot), but with the
leftover savings we could incorporate
upgrades,” the couple reported.
With their budget, they had
a choice of a 1,300 square foot
traditional or “stick” house, or a 2,000
square foot manufactured house. They
chose the latter with more square
footage and had money left over for
improvements.
Upgrade they did, with more style
than budget. Many of the cabinets,
both in the kitchen and bathrooms,
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
came from Ikea, as did the linen
curtains and pull-out shelves for
storage used in the children’s rooms.
The state-of-the-art, working
kitchen features an island with stools
on one side, a six-burner range with
a travertine marble tile backsplash
and a stainless steel refrigerator. The
dining area, incorporated into the
kitchen, has a large wooden farm
table flanked by a couch against one
wall, which adds comfort, as well as
the ability to seat more guests than
chairs might allow.
The “real” dining room functions
as an office for their winery, which
shares the same name as their
restaurant, Villa Creek, in downtown
Paso Robles.
The couple also upgraded the
structure by incorporating oak floors
(glued down with the help of the
bartenders from their restaurant),
and by adding a wraparound wooden
deck along the front and one side of
the structure for lounging, barbecues,
and entertaining, as well as providing
a favorite spot for the cats and dogs
to lounge.
Cris and JoAnn purchased their
home from Champion Homes in
Paso Robles and even encouraged a
number of friends to follow suit; half
a dozen of their friends, couples and
families now have modular houses on
nearby ranches.
French doors were part of the
factory model, as were the shutters,
which JoAnn painted a cheerful
salmon color.
19
20 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 “I like to change things frequently,” she admitted. Her great
color sense comes from a background in advertising, graphic,
interior, and set design, “I’m already thinking about what color
to choose next.”
Corners of the manufactured building, “A dead giveaway,”
notes JoAnn, were hidden and softened with greenery, Virginia
Creeper in this case. JoAnn also enjoys “playing in the garden,”
where she has planted olive trees so she can cure her own olives,
a patch of grass for the kids to play on, roses for the house, plenty
of purple wisteria that blooms twice a year and a veggie garden
full of healthy things to eat. Artichokes and fruit, including figs,
apples, and pears all find their way to the bounty of the well-used
kitchen.
The couple plans to build a conventional house on the
property one day. But for the time being, their triple wide
serves them well and may eventually be converted to a bed and
breakfast or rental. They continue their upwardly mobile lifestyle
in a classic Airstream trailer parked on the land for impromptu
family camping trips to nearby Big Sur.
The wine business is a big part of family life, especially at
harvest time. The first vintage of the Cherry’s Rhone-based
blends—primarily syrah, genanche, mouvedre and a little
temparillo varietals—under the Villa Creek label, such as High
Road, Mas de Maha and Pink, a lovely light rose, came in 2001.
“Being a winemaker just kind of evolved naturally,” admits
Cris, who obviously has soaked up the atmosphere of the region.
His great grandparents were Swiss-Italian dairy farmers who had
a ranch called Villa Creek in the nearby coastal town of Cayucos.
The next time you take a sip of California central coast wine
made by the Cherry family, just remember the makers are living
happily—if not forever, at least for the time being— in a really
cool triple wide.

Above: The Cherrys enjoying a quiet evening with

their favorite wine from their own vineyard.

Left: The airy and inviting bedroom.

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 21
22 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Paso Robles
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the city of Paso Robles has a
national award-winning Main Street area. The Cherry’s restaurant is one of several on the
Main Street Square.
Originally named El Paso De Robles (the Pass of the Oaks), PR is in Wine Country, since
the Franciscan missionaries introduced wine grapes back in 1797. In March and May, there are
special Wine Festivals, but 100 wine tasting rooms are open year round, some right downtown
and others off the beaten path. Both guided and self-guided wine tours are available. There
is also olive oil tasting and a lavender farm in PR.
Wine Country RV Resort is an RV Park right in PR, off Highway 46 East. There are also
many bed-and- breakfasts inns, and some ranches and farms offer guest quarters. Just
outside of town is the Rancho Paso MH Park, an own-your-own land park for seniors, with
lots of green space beautifully landscaped with mature trees, and next door to a family park.
Further away is Quail Run, a gated senior MH park with many new homes. And just down the
road from the Rancho Paso MH Park is the Hampton Inn, which takes dogs, is outfitted for the
disabled, and serves a large breakfast.
“Hot” activities to try during your visit include Hot Air Ballooning and the Hot Springs at
the Paso Robles Inn. Or you can visit one of the historical Missions nearby or go on a bald
eagle photo shoot. Hearst Castle and the beach town of Cayucos are just over the rolling hills
to the west.
Amtrak offers 3-day tours to PR and Hearst Castle from LA.
For more info, see www.visitpaso.com.

Windrose Farms Tomato

and Mint Pesto Risotto
Courtesy Tom Fundaro at Villa Creek

Mint pesto 1 Cup white wine

2 Cups loose packed mint leaves
1/2 Cup loose packed parsley leaves
3 Cloves garlic
4 Tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 Cup grated parmesean cheese
1/2 Cup virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Using a blender or food processor, blend
all ingredients except olive oil. With
Top photo: istockphoto.com; courtesy visitpaso.com
2 Quarts chicken or veg stock (warm)
1/4 Cup grated parmesean cheese
3 Cups assorted tomatoes (i.e. Green
Zebras, Aunt Rubies, Cherokee
Purple, Valencia, etc.)
1/2 Cup mint pesto (recipe above)
In a sauce pot, saute onion and garlic
in olive oil on low until onions are
transluscent. Then add rice and increase
heat to medium high, cook for 3 minutes

blender running add olive oil in a slow
steady stream until mixture is
A bright green and blended well.
Risotto
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups nanno vialone rice
1/2 Yellow onion (diced)
1 Clove garlic (sliced)
stirring frequently. Add white wine and
stir until wine is almost evaporated.
Reduce heat to medium and slowly add
the warmed stock 4-6 ounces at a time
Until rice is creamy and aldente.
Fold in tomatoes, pesto and parmesean
cheese.
Serve on individual plates, or family
style and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 23
24 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
AT HOME IN
PARADISE
By Miriam Hospodar
Photos by BRENT WINEBRENNER

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 25
26 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
B
ob Dylan once sang, “Don’t
go mistaking paradise for
that home across the road.”
However, denizens of the
mobile home park in Malibu’s
Paradise Cove, near what was once Dylan’s
estate, need look no further than their own
front doors for a version of heaven on earth.
Down the path, they have their own beach.
Residents John and Sandy Bell renovate old
mobile homes and upgrade new, unfinished
models into luxurious living spaces. John is a
contractor while Sandy does the decorating.
John started renovating mobile homes ten
years ago. “I moved into the park and fixed
mine up, and then began remodeling them
for other people. I’ve remodeled twenty
homes in Paradise Cove and the Point Dume
Club. We sometimes live in the homes we
renovate for up to five years before we sell
them and start work on another one.” When
the Bells buy a new mobile home, it contains
only a finished kitchen and bathroom. “Even
then, we take out the cabinets and put our
own in, made by Oasis Imports.”
“Either the clients go to architects for
a design, or I work with them to design the
homes. They sometimes bring pictures from
magazines of what they want. I send those
clients to a park resident, who graduated
from architecture school, to draw up the
plans. Then they have to be engineered. We
take everything to the Park management
to sign off on, and from there it goes to
the Department of Housing and Urban
Development for approval. We start building
after they approve it.”
“The new mobile homes are built just
like conventional houses; I’m just dealing
with smaller spaces. I put in extra piers
because it becomes heavier when we put in
drywall.”
John Bell showed us through an
exquisite 1963 mobile home he and Sandy
recently totally renovated. Bell added a 500
square foot cabana to a double wide. “As long
as you keep within seventy-five percent of the
land, you can add on. There’s one mobile
home that’s 3,200 square feet —made from
a double wide that was originally 1,200 feet!”
The deck has glass walls to preserve a total
view of the ocean and add to the feeling of
spaciousness. The hardwood floors, showing

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 27

traces of hand-finishing, express
casual elegance. Built-in cabinetry
throughout, and a built-in Murphy
bed in the smaller bedroom, preserve
space and give the entire home
an airy and roomy feel. Hardware
from Baldwin and sinks and shower
fixtures from Newport Brass continue
the oceanside nautical theme. A pool
table, a cozy dining area, and an
outdoor built-in grill await the guests
of what is sure to be a delighted new
owner.
Paradise Cove folks use their
mobile homes as vacation residences
or for year-round living. Often
several generations of a family will
live in the park. Located on a bluff
overlooking the ocean, the park is
divided into three levels: the lower
level is comprised of beach cottage-
style mobile homes; there is a family
section; and the upper section
includes palatial digs with craftsman-
style, colonial, Spanish-style and
glass-and-chrome contemporary
28
This page: So much space that even a pool table fits easily.
Opposite top: This first home is another triple-wide John
brought in and remodeled. Bottom left: The cabinetry and
model add to the nautical look. Bottom right: John Bell
looks out onto the sea above the private beach
down the path
sensibilities. Some residents have
added whimsical sculptures and bird
houses to the public areas near their
homes. There is a clubhouse, but
most people entertain each other
at home. A friendly, neighborhood
atmosphere permeates the park. One
couple put out a taco stand for the
kids on Halloween. And there’s always
the nearby private beach for surfing:
paradise down the road, indeed.
Note: Every city, county and
mobile home park has varying building
requirements. Check with the appropriate
offices before planning a remodel.
Miriam Hospodar is the author of two
cookbooks, Heaven’s Banquet (Dutton,
1999 and Plume, 2001) and The Age
of Enlightenment Cookbook (Arco,
1991). She has written extensively for
magazines such as Gastronomia, Yoga
Journal, and Food & Home. Hospodar
is currently writing a book about the music
of the 1960s and how it reflected the values
and culture of the era.
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 29
 By Stephen T. Vessels

ART
Photos by Scott Gibson

for Life’s Sake

30 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Kim Yasuda and the UCSB Container Project

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 31
The site on campus of UCSB.
Opposite: Kim Yasuda works on a new design.
The word “alternative” gets tossed
around a lot. Alternative energy,
alternative medicine, alternative
lifestyle – overwork a word and it can
lose meaning. Applied to the shipping
container project of Kim Yasuda and her
students at UCSB, “alternative” acquires
meaning, characterizing an increase of
possibilities that can alter the norm.
“Open Container”, as the project is
called, is in part a response to the loss
of twenty undergraduate art studios
on UCSB’s west campus where an old
building was deemed no longer usable.
The goal was to design a model for
its replacement. Yasuda invited her
intermediate sculpture students to
convert two 8’ x 20’ shipping containers
into a habitable workspace. In part to
address the inevitable realities of post-
graduate life, she sought to present
them with alternatives to conventional
exhibition practices, demonstrating,
thereby, an emergent strategy among
32
contemporary artists to treat creating
venues and fostering community as
aspects of making art. In Fall of 2006,
Jorgen Staal, whose company sells the
containers, donated two for the project.
He also loaned a third for use as an
experimental mobile studio. Among
other manifestations, the latter has
seen use, in partnership with the Santa
Barbara Museum of Art, as a satellite
exhibition space and micro-cinema.
Over the last two years, Yasuda and her
students modified and furnished the
donated containers, creating a 300 square
foot functional sculpture cum dwelling/
art studio that reflects an incorporation
of ecological and social dimensions into
the artistic process. port cities around the world because it is
Yasuda is a professor of spatial
studies in the UCSB art department
and co-director of the U.C. Institute
for Research in the Arts, through which
she launched the container project.
Her exhibition credits include the New
Museum of Contemporary Art in New
York, and she is a recipient of a fellowship
from the National Endowment for the
Arts. Throughout her career she has
been interested in the civic dimension
of artistic action. Among her public
commissions is a bus shelter facility
and station design for the Metropolitan
Transit Authority of Los Angeles.
The shipping container, developed
by Malcolm McLean in 1956,
revolutionized the shipping industry, and
was a prime factor in the proliferation of
global trade. For all its benefits, it has
produced a host of problematic side-
effects, not least the gargantuan surplus
of empty containers that accumulate in
more economical to buy a new container
than send a used one back empty.
Between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008,
approximately 4,400,000 containers
entered the Port of Los Angeles and only
1,600,000 were shipped out. Such build-
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
ups spurred a movement to develop
architectural applications for the surplus,
particularly for low-income housing, as
the containers can be purchased and
transported cheaply. J Staal sells used
containers for between $1,500 to $1,900
each. Containers have been used as
emergency shelters in disaster areas,
transformed into mobile medical labs,
and architects such as Peter de Maria
and Adam Kalkin have incorporated
them into designs for both luxury and
affordable homes.
It is not groundbreaking to seek a
new building application for shipping
containers. What is unusual about
Yasuda and her students’ project is that
they approached the matter as sculptors.
They cut triangular wedges from opposite
ends of the two containers, joined the
containers in an asymmetric v-shape,
and re-attached the triangular segments
transposed to break the corridor effect.
They faced many unfamiliar problems
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
and learned by doing, working with
local professionals who donated time
as consultants. They also had to learn
to work together, which, as developing
artists seeking to distinguish themselves
individually, proved a challenge in its
own right. Those who stayed with it,
Yasuda feels, emerged as a “different
breed” of students, who view themselves
as part of a social network.
The sculpture currently resides in the
art department’s sculpture yard – the next
task is to install it on the aforementioned
west campus property. Some portions of
the exterior are painted, enhanced with
a fanciful applique of stylized plants and
animals, and others are clear-coated to
leave the scars of transport visible. Upon
entering, the collaboration of many
hands and minds is immediately evident.
An irregular array of rectangular cut-outs
forms a cluster of windows. A plexiglass
channel in the floor exposes electrical
conduits.
I lingered awhile, imagining what
it would be like to live there. Most of
the furnishings – counters, benches, a
murphy bed – are built in, reminiscent
of post World War II utilitarian visions
for future pre-fab habitats. The effect
is both nostalgic, in recalling a bygone
confidence in industrial idealism, and
ironic, in the undisguised incorporation
of waste; the entertainment center is
constructed of discarded cafeteria serving
trays. But it is an attractive and inviting
space, possessed of an artful spirit.
The optimism of the project prevails,
for more than anything it reflects the
human ability to adapt, and to translate
worrisome circumstances into heartening
alternatives.
Stephen T. Vessels is a professional
freelance writer and editor who has lived in
Santa Barbara for 20 years.  He is a regular
contributor of art and music reviews to the
Santa Barbara Independent.
33
T I M E T RA V E L S
Frank Lloyd Wright:
Pre-Fab, Modular, and Mobile
By Andrea Estrada
I
n the history of modern architecture perhaps no design
concepts span the physical and socioeconomic landscape as
broadly as those of Frank Lloyd Wright. Considered one of the
greatest architect of the 20th century, Wright is responsible
for monumental structures such as the Guggenheim
Museum in New York City, the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and
a host of palatial residences. But even as he completed these
high-end commissions, ever present in his mind was the idea of
creating modestly priced yet aesthetically pleasing designs for
middle class homes. These included prefabricated and modular
structures, and even mobile homes.
Prefabicated homes are made from components
manufactured in a factory and assembled at the building site.
Modular structures are shipped on a chassis and put in place
at the building site. Mobile homes, as the name implies, have
permanently attached wheels that allow them to move easily
from one site to another.
“He never actually designed any mobile homes, but
he did design a mobile home park in Paradise Valley in the
Phoenix area in the early 1950s,” said Arnold Roy, an architect
34
who studied with Wright at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona,
Wright’s winter home and school of architecture from 1937
until his death in 1959. “It wasn’t ever built, though.”
According to Roy, Wright envisioned mobile home
communities with individual units arranged, not in a linear
fashion as we often see today, but in staggered patterns with
plenty of breathing room between the units. In his mind, the
landscape of the site would inform the lines and angles of the
mobile home so home and land existed as extensions of one
another. In addition, Wright-designed mobile home parks
Renderings courtesy the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
would feature clubhouses that served as gathering places for
residents. Although his ideas for parks never came to fruition, a
gated community called Pinnacle Park West north of Scottsdale
does boast a Frank Lloyd Wright clubhouse that is, as Roy
described it, “the centerpiece of the park.”
“It has a translucent overhead. The structure is in the
shape of a big hexagon and the roof is sort of like a geodesic
dome—well, Frank Lloyd Wright’s interpretation of it. He
wanted to show that it was possible to have something other
than the trite designs that were being trotted out.”
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 In addition to separating mobile
homes and designing each in such a
way that it is integrated with the natural
environment, Wright advocated removing
the wheels from mobile homes once they
reached their intended destinations.
Lowered to the ground, he reasoned,
they’d have the appearance of a more
permanent residence.
Following Wright’s design
sensibilities, Taliesin architects devised a
series of plans for manufactured homes
that were to be created in the early 1970s
in partnership with a company called
National Homes. The partnership never
got off the ground, but the architect’s
innovative and artful renderings feature
fold-out window and wall units, gently
sloping walls, stacked units and platform
terraces.
“The manufactured designs had a
lot of flexibility because you didn’t know
where they were going to end up,” said
Roy. “They could be on a flat piece of
land or on a slope.”
Wright’s ideas for mobile, prefab,
and modular homes matched those for
the larger residences he designed. The
main living areas were relatively large
because people spent most of their time
there, and bedrooms, bathrooms, and
kitchens were small but made efficient
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
and aesthetic use of space.
In 1911, Wright collaborated with
the Richards Company in Wisconsin
to develop a series of prefabricated
housing designs marketed under the
name American System-Built Houses.
Eliminating the need for skilled carpentry,
the single-family homes took advantage
of pre-milled, machine manufactured
materials. Unfortunately, Wright’s short-
lived venture with the Richards Company
was interrupted by World War I. It
consisted only of four duplex apartment
units and two bungalows.
Two decades later, Wright’s
attention still leaned toward homes that
would be affordable for the average
American. He created a new construction
system based on repeated sections that
would fit together to form a whole.
These houses were called Usonian, an
abbreviation for Unites States of North
America; the architecture grew out of
Wright’s earlier Prairie style homes.
“The original Usonian houses
were designed with board-and-batten
wall systems that would be very expensive
now because of the millwork,” said Roy.
“The walls were designed such that they
were built in a factory and then put
together on-site, like erector sets.”
Usonian houses featured low
roofs and open living areas, and made
abundant use of brick, wood, and other
natural material. They were single story
structures set on concrete slabs, and
boasted carports in place of garages.
In the 1950s, Wright conceived of
the Usonian Automatic, which made the
house a do-it-yourself project.
“The automatic part was the
client,” continued Roy. “The house was
all concrete block and the client was
to make the forms and blocks to build
the house. The problem was that most
people didn’t have the talent to do that,
so they hired contractors. And then the
whole thing became too expensive.”
[Santa BarbaraTowbes Foundation has
recently purchased Wright’s Usonian house
from the Sara and Melvyn Maxwell Smith
trust.]
Andrea Estrada is a freelance writer living
and working in Santa Barbara.
35
U P S C AL I N G

Don’t That Trailer

If you are living in a mobile home from the 1970s you may be dreaming of replacing it with a new one. There are many wonderful choices to choose from.
However, what if you do not have the resources to do so at this time? One solution is to resurface your existing home and porch/ This is less of a strain on
your pocketbook because you can do it a little at a time. There may be building service people in your neighborhood to help you if you are hesitant about
doing it by yourself. Here are some illustrations with a few ideas, plus one for you to draw on with your ideas.

In the 1960s many people added shingles to the exteriors. However, natural wood siding works just as well. Here,
it gives the home a western look by adding natural wood posts with corbels, wood railings, and tin sheeting on
the porch roof.

Renderings by Christina Rivera

This home is lengthened by adding a window to the shed, making it look like part of the house. The addition of
shutters also makes it look wider. Bright colors and a palm tree give it a sense of fun and a Jamaican feel.
36 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Here are some real surprises: the roof has been edged with Spanish roofing tiles. The grape stake slats and rock
veneer siding continue to define the home’s character, while the door with a grill and a tiled patio finish the look. It
is popular to re-face modern-style homes with stucco; here it is used to enhance the Mexican flavor of the look.

Here is a design for you to finish. You can use tracing paper to try several designs, or just color on this
one. Have fun! There are many practical ways to re-face your home and totally change its look. Look
at the Frank Lloyd Wright house and our other articles for inspiration — and these only touch the
surface! Be sure to check with your park management and with building codes before you start any
building project. —Toni Gump

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 37
U P G RAD E S
Reflecting on Summer Heat
By Steve Kostechko
R 2
eflective roof coatings are an easy
and inexpensive way of saving
energy by hindering the sun’s rays
from heating up a mobile home’s
roof and keeping the inside temperature
more moderate. The first step in
applying a reflective coating is to read
the instructions! Most manufacturers list
an 800 number on the can for questions
and assistance. Different brands require
different applications, although most
brands have similar preparation steps:
1
Wash the exterior, preferably
pressure wash. You can rent
a pressure washer, but there
are many affordable ones on
the market. 100 psi models
cost around $150 and are very handy. A
yearly or twice yearly cleaning prolongs
paint life.
38
Bleach away any mold or moss Cool, not foggy, summer days are the
with a mixture of two parts ideal time to complete the project; as
water to one part household when the temperature rises metal roof
bleach. Be sure to sand off temperature rises exponentially. The
any rust. Wash off bleach and primer and paint will not adhere as well
sanding dust. Allow to dry thoroughly. to hot metal and they are more difficult
3
to apply. Besides, nobody likes being “a
Apply the manufacturer’s cat on a hot tin roof.”
recommended primer. I
suggest not thinning the Steve Kostechko learned all phases of
primer, as it affects the construction working for a remodeler and
paint’s performance. A roller attended the Art Institute of Southern
generally works well for application. California.
Allow to dry and check for any missed
spots. Touch these up before applying
the finish coat.
4
Apply the finish coat. Allow
to cure and apply a second
coat. And make sure to save
leftover paint and primer for
future projects.
City Creative/istockphoto.com
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Mr. Build Ace Awning, Inc.
has been serving satisfied
customers since 1969.
We are family owned and
operated. We specialize in
all mobile home exterior
work that includes patio
rooms, windows, siding,
skirting, carports and more.

Visit our warehouse

11182 Azahar St.
Ventura
or call for a free estimate:

805-647-0856

Paradise Cove,
Malibu
This newly renovated 2
bedroom, 2 bath, 1,350 sq.
ft. home lists for $520,000.
Just steps from the sand
and surf in the private beach
enclave of Paradise Cove.
Affordable prices starting
at $300,000 for smaller
second homes, to upwards
of $2,000,000 for the
ultimate ocean view bluff
locations.

Pritchett-Rapf Realtors
Check them out at
MalibuMobileHomes.com

Sales Agent
David Carter 310.980.4434
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 39
HIGH SOCIETY
Mobile Homes by Famous Architects
Book by Steve Schaecher, Pomegranate Communications, 2002
I
n the whimsical book, Mobile Homes by Famous Architects, written
as a send-up of a scholarly tome and masterfully illustrated
with architectural renderings, Steve Schaecher presents
fanciful mobile homes as they might have been rendered
by ancient builders and the luminaries of contemporary
architecture. There is an ancient Egyptian “mobilisk,” as well
as Greek, Roman, Gothic, and Italian Renaissance-style mobile
homes. Schaecher goes on to imagine mobile homes in the
styles of Greene and Greene, Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and
Frank Gehry, each accompanied by an erudite essay about its
history, design features, a brief biography of the architect and
discussion of his philosophy of architecture.
40
For Le Corbusier’s “contribution,” Schaecher conjurs up
Le Motor Dame du Haut, based on the master’s famous church
in Ronchamp, France. He explains Le Corbusier cited the
automobile industry as the model for his new architecture, and
that he tried to capture all of his theories in the one project.
Furthermore, the conveyance proves that “Le Corbusier’s wheels
were always turning towards a new architecture.” The front and
back pages of the book feature old-fashioned blueprints of Le
Motor Dame du Haut.
Home and Garden Magazine enthused, “[This] farce on
architects is an entertaining read.” We concur wholeheartedly.
—Miriam Hospodar
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 T RA I L E R T AL E S

Episode
One
D
oris sits on her porch in a wicker
rocking chair most days smoking
Sherman cigarettes and drinking
weak coffee. She knows what’s
going on in the Mobile Home
park. She knows who’s been to Wal-
Mart lately and she certainly knows who
is having an affair with whom. A retired
beauty salon owner, she is a skilled gossip
artist, wringing secrets out of neighbors
like she used to wring the shampoo from
her client’s hair. She’s been around the
block but has the air of a beauty queen
and a heart of gold. You would never
guess that she is the grandmother of
eight. She’ll invite “the Ladies” of the
park over for coffee or a glass of wine
on occasion to keep them in the loop.
After all, it’s hard to keep everything to
oneself in a place like this.
“Space 50 is for sale again.”, starts
Doris. It’s in that part of the park the
Management calls ‘the problem area.’”
“Yeah. Their problem!”, Pearl scoffs
as she accepts another cup of coffee.
She stirs in some non-dairy creamer as
she explains to Marge, the newest of the
Ladies, that she’s lactose intolerant.
The Ladies are on Doris’s porch “Ya know, we sit here and solve the Onna Roll is a graduate of California
dissecting the mobile home park’s latest problems of the world!”, says Pearl to Institute of the Arts. Her poetry has been
Newsletter. Marge with a wink. published in Sentenial.
“Can you believe they expect us all The Ladies are quiet as the assistant
to go out and buy those biodegradable manager whizzes by on his golf cart. A
cleaning products?” laughs Marge. “And few seconds later he is followed by the
who’s gonna pay for all that? Don’t they manager in her new SUV. “Everything should be made
know we’re on Social Security? What are “There goes Zippy!”, jokes Marge. as simple as possible,
Illustration by Marc Lumer

we, Royalty?” And the three of them
glance up and down the street from the
prefab castle, nodding to one another
in agreement.
“And his latest.”, whispers Doris.
“Haven’t you two heard about them?
but not one bit simpler.”
—Albert Einstein
This I’ve got to tell you, but let me go
get you some more coffee first.”

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 41
T H E B A C K YARD

WATER-WISE
GARDENING

Statice Gray Santolina

42 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Bougainvillea
Get the most out of your garden space—with no water worries
W
hile contemplating the beauty of the plants in my
garden, I’ve come to realize that the environment is
calling to me to be more wise about my use of water.
At the same time, a garden that requires less watering
means less maintenance: a boon to busy people like
myself who still want to be surrounded by greenery and flowers.
There are some simple steps you can take to help your garden
utilize water more effectively, and a number of plants that thrive
with a minimum of irrigation.
Use a drip system to water your plants. Make sure you
have someone to check the system when you are out of town to
avoid waste. Cover exposed soil with mulch or rocks to cut down
on evaporation.
Replace your lawn and water-loving plants with varieties
Photos Brent Winebrenner, City Creative
that love not to be watered. Victor of Inside Outside Style suggests
that you buy plants that are locally grown, so that they are already
acclimated to your area. Most drought-resistant plants thrive in
full sun, although some of them do just as well in partial shade.
Lantana, rosemary and lavender are wonderful choices for our
coastal area, with its climate that resembles the Mediterranean.
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
Mexican Sage
They attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and rosemary and
lavender also serve as aromatic cooking herbs, and can be dried
and added to bathwater for luxurious aromatherapy soaks.
Yarrow also attracts butterflies, and the abundant varieties of
sage call out to hummingbirds. Artemisia, dusty miller, santolina
and sea lavender also require very little water. 
There need be no shortage of color in a water wise
garden: wisteria often blooms more bountifully when “drought-
stressed,” and brilliant bougainvillea needs very little water
once it is established. California irises and ceanothus are other
colorful choices. Turn to cacti and succulents for dramatic
impact, such as agave, yucca and sedum. Ice plant, both the
common variety and the blue, shaded senecio mandraliscae are
terrific replacements for grass for water-conserving ground
covers.
Once you have made the switch to a garden that reflects
water wisdom in its plants and irrigation methods, you can
relax in it amidst the hummingbirds and butterflies, knowing
that you and your garden and enriching your environment with
brains as well as beauty. —Miriam Hospodar
43
T H E LAW
The Landlord’s Obligation to Protect Residents
By C. William Dahlin, Esq.
A
landlord has an obligation to his
residents to take reasonable actions
to protect them from reasonably
foreseeable conduct of third parties.
But what does that mean? And what
should a landlord do in order to avoid
such criminal activity?
The California Court of Appeal
recently looked into this issue in
Castaneda v. Olsher. The Court of
Appeal explained that landlords have
an obligation to maintain land in their
possession and control in a “reasonably
safe condition.” The scope of this
obligation is determined by a balancing
test. Courts will look at the likeliness of
harm (foreseeability) as weighed against
the burdensomeness and effectiveness of
proposed protection (which in this case
are additional security measures). The
greater the burden on a landlord, the
higher the foreseeability must be. For
instance, the burden of providing more
lighting is less than providing 24-hour
security guards.
When determining whether certain
criminal acts are foreseeable, courts will
look to whether there were:
• Prior similar incidents of violent
crime; or
• “Other indications of a reasonably
foreseeable risk of violent
criminal assaults in that location.”
IN THE NEWS
“I do not ask for anything other than your support to
an advocacy group such as CoMO-CAL, GSMOL or
CMRAA….If you do not organize, join an advocacy
group, get involved with others that share your
same concerns and they have the knowledge and
the where with all to assist you, then you will lose….
We can do so much for each other if we UNITE,
COMMUNICATE and EDUCATE.” —From COALITION
OF MOBILE HOME OWNERS by Bob Hite
We, too, strongly recommend that all home
owners and park owners become active members
44
The Court of Appeal determined
that “other indications” included similar
violent crime occurring at nearby
and substantially similar business
establishments or properties.
The California Supreme Court
granted review of Castaneda earlier
this year, likely because of the huge
ramifications such a ruling has on
property owners. While Castaneda puts
such a large obligation on property
owners to protect their residents, the
Mobilehome Residency Law, Civil Code
§ 798, et seq., (“MRL”) makes it difficult
for mobilehome park owners to do
so. The MRL limits the reasons a park
tenant may be evicted. For instance, a
tenant may not be evicted just because
that tenant belongs to a gang. And even
if the tenant is a gang member and
violates some park rule, the MRL makes
it difficult for the tenant to be evicted.
Even though the California
Supreme Court has granted review
of Castaneda, the lesson to be learned
from Castaneda is that a landlord has
an obligation to take steps to increase
security if prior criminal acts have taken
place on the landlord’s property (such as
assaults or robbery). If the landlord knows
of criminal activity, such as drug sales,
assaults or even graffiti, that landlord
may have an increased obligation to
in these organizations that keep you up-to-date
about pending legislations affecting mobile homes.
Here are the website URLS.
Mobile home park owners advocacy group:
wma.org
Mobile home owners advocacy groups:
comocal.org
cmraa.org
gsmol.org
protect the residents against criminal
activity. In order to take appropriate
steps to fulfill a landlord’s obligation, the
landlord should consider:
• Improving lighting;
• Creation of a Neighborhood Watch
Program;
• Notifying residents of the existence
of a gang problem;
• Imposing and enforcing strict rules
regarding resident conduct;
• Increasing the presence of
security guards.
To determine how much of a burden
a landlord must take on, one must look
at what type of criminal activity has
occurred in the past on the property and
around the property. In order to do this,
landlords must focus on whether or why
the residents might be at risk and pay
attention to what the residents do and who
they keep company with that could cause
injury. The greater the potential criminal
activity in terms of dangerousness and
number of occurrences, the greater the
burden the landlord could be held would
be reasonable to undertake.
Bill Dahlin is a partner with Hart, King &
Coldren who specializes in property rights and
the California MRL. He can be reached at
bdahlin@hkclaw.com or (714) 432.8700.
“’Think simple’” as
my old master used
to say—meaning
reduce the whole
of its parts into the
simplest terms,
getting back to first
principles.”
—Frank Lloyd Wright
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
SOLUTIONS
Quiet on the Set
ARTICLE AND SKETCHES By BETSY EDWARDS
A
coustics often create issues when
living in close quarters. Living
spaces with shared walls, such as
condos, apartments, and rooms next
to each other in a home need noise
buffering. This also applies to separate
dwellings in spatially close neighborhoods
such as cottage, modular, or mobile home
communities. Resolving these issues adds
value and creates peace in one’s space.
Many noise-reducing solutions also
alleviate cold weather drafts and serve
as radiant sun insulation during summer
months. Here are a few tricks that have
worked wonders for me. Many come
from chic restaurants, European castles,
and Hollywood stage sets.
Window coverings always add a
warm, finished feeling to a room. Best for
sound attenuation are those that are lined
and even inner-lined. For the drapes
themselves, heavy fabrics such as velvet,
wool, and even duck or twill cottons are
excellent. Even though they are heavier
in weight, the colors can be very light and
airy in feeling.
Hang the draperies from the highest
point of the wall just below the ceiling
line. This gives the room the illusion
of height and volume and helps the
acoustics by softening interior sound and
blocking out exterior noise.
I like very full drapery and always
have the drapes double the width of
the window. If you are buying ready-
made panels you can always double up
46
and have four panels instead of two per
window. They fit together perfectly and
greatly enhance a window’s appearance.
If you have small windows, a great
architectural trick is to extend the rod
out, up to six inches, past the frame
on each side of the window. This gives
more weight to the wall and allows for
more drapery fabric stacked back off the
window.
Another option is to use window
shades. They are lovely hung along with
drapery at the drapery rod installation
point. These will help elongate shorter
windows. They are readily available in a
variety of great fabrics, natural bamboo,
reeds, or woven materials. Canvas shades
used alone work wonders, especially in
bathrooms and other small spaces. They
add finesse, create privacy, and give a
room a crisp, clean polish. Shades are
easily adjusted and add a layer of softness
in hard-surfaced rooms.
If you are experiencing echoes in
your bath space you might try a heavier-
weight fabric shower curtain and liner.
Outer curtains of quilted matelasse or
terry cloth should do the trick. Also, hang
plush towels on the towel bars, use bath
rugs, and even hang a robe on the back
of the door or a wall hook to help absorb
sound and create a heightened sense of
privacy, renewal, and respite.
Upholstered headboards are a good
way to soften a bedroom. An upholstered
fabric or tapestry screen in the room,
or hung on the wall above a chest or
headboard, creates a marvelous romantic
effect while enhancing the room’s sound
quality.
To create drama while buffering
sound, hang drapes across the entire wall
behind a bed. You can also completely
drape a wall containing windows, aligning
the panel openings with the window
centers. You can pull back the fabric in a
variety of ways.
Tapestries and wall hangings are
interesting and aesthetically pleasing
sound buffers that work well in living,
dining, and family rooms. They soften
and enrich the sounds from television,
conversation, and music alike. My
favorites at the moment are African Kuba
cloth and Uzbekistan Suzanis. Other
terrific options are antique rugs and
beautiful quilts.
Another trick I love is “plantscaping”
the exterior of a home with seasonal
blooming trees and shrubs. They filter
out sounds coming from outside your
home, soften window views, and create
privacy. Indoor plants create similar
effects; they make rooms friendlier,
not to mention healthier. Large plants
placed near windows soften exterior
views and create another layer of interest
and privacy.
Betsy Edwards has designed interiors for
homes, hotels, and clubs in Atlanta, California
and many places all over the world.
Upw a rdly M ob i l e
U p w a r d l y M o b i l e
 Dear Readers,
This is your magazine and we warmly welcome your participation. Send us your favorite anecdotes,
pictures and stories about mobile homes and the mobile home lifestyle: photographs, jokes, stories, poetry,
artwork, quotations, reminiscences, and tips for gardening, decorating and remodeling. We also welcome
community-building ideas for mobile home parks: anything from tips for throwing the best holiday
party to suggestions for fostering good relations with the park manager. If we select your submission for
publication we will send you $100.

Send your submissions by email to:

toni@umhmag.com
or mail to:

Upwardly Mobile Magazine

1187 Coast Village Road
Suite1-394
Santa Barbara, Ca, 93108

(Sorry, we cannot return any submitted material.)

Also, look for exciting contests in future issues. We’ll be calling

for the most beautifully remodeled mobile homes, the loveliest
Photo by Viktor Budnik

gardens, the best retirement homes, the most creatively constructed

homes for people with disabilities, and other categories that
highlight the many ways that you, the readers, are making your
mobile homes creative, comfortable and classy.

48 Upw a rdly M ob i l e
 Many mobile home parks along the coast are
located near beaches, with many just across
the street. These are perfect sites for enjoying a
picnic while watching the sunset over the endless
sweep of the Pacific Ocean.

U p w a r d l y M o b i l e 49
LA S T L O O K

“Blue Skies, Dusk”

Artist Patricia Chidlaw was born in San Francisco. She studied at U.C.
Santa Barbara and currently lives in Santa Barbara. She is represented
by Terrence Rogers Fine Art, 1231 Fifth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-4999 www.trogart.com

50 Upw a rdly M ob i l e