Entries by Andy Verzea

Construction Update: January 6, 2015

After weeks of rainy weather and a typical holiday slowdown, it’s full speed ahead again at the Phoenix Commons construction site. The second floor is getting a coat of steel rebar (Pic. 1) in anticipation of the cement pour. This podium level will offer numerous gathering spaces for community members in an interior courtyard, while […]

Construction Update: December 22, 2014

Things are moving along according to plan at the Phoenix Commons construction site, with the entire garage now covered (Pic. 1). The second floor, also called the podium level, is buzzing with activity as crews continue to prepare for the cement pour (Pic. 2). There will be plenty of common areas on this podium level, […]

Future Neighbors Celebrate the Holidays Together

One of the best things about cohousing is that you get to celebrate all kinds of holidays, milestones, and special occasions with your neighbor-friends. Even though the building is still under construction, that didn’t stop the members of Phoenix Commons from getting together for some good ole’ holiday fun! After an abbreviated business meeting, over […]

Construction Update: December 10, 2014

Despite the seemingly endless – yet necessary! – rain that we’ve been blessed with in the Bay Area these past weeks, crews have been making progress at the Phoenix Commons construction site. With all the garage walls now set in concrete, work on the podium level is being extended to most of the second floor […]

Construction Update: November 26, 2014

It felt more like summer today at the Phoenix Commons construction site, with the imposing concrete walls providing relief from the warm sunlight. Most of the work right now is centered around the future garage, its wooden wall molds completing the building’s perimeter at the northeast end of the building (Pic. 1). Inside, crews are […]

To Live Longer and Healthier, Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day can bring out a lot of positive feelings and emotions in people, and they’re induced by much more than just turkey! In a recent article in LiveScience, Tia Ghose examines the wealth of scientific literature linking gratitude with improved health and wellbeing. Some of the benefits of expressing gratitude include: Improved sleep quality […]

Construction Update: November 18, 2014

There is so much activity at the Phoenix Commons construction site these days, one could walk around for hours and not get bored! The view from the bridge (Pic. 1) shows work now commencing on the podium level, which will be a big slab of concrete separating the ground floor common areas from the wood-framed […]

Construction Update: November 12, 2014

Work continues on schedule at the Phoenix Commons construction site, and the waterfront side of the ground floor is now covered with the beginnings of a ceiling. At the other end, the cement pour went off without a problem and crews are busy framing wooden molds with rebar to create more concrete walls. For more […]

Construction Update: November 4, 2014

With each week, the Phoenix Commons construction site takes on a new character. The northern end is a sea of steel just waiting to be smothered with cement, and the concrete walls on the southern end are seeing glimpses of a ceiling. The first photo gives a sense of how high the ceilings will be […]