Los Angeles Football Club

On August 23, 2016, The Los Angeles Football Club broke ground in preparation for a brand new, state of the art Exposition Park Stadium. Earlier this year, the arena was closed after 56 years of enjoyment. Fans won't be seeing the MLS team take the field until later this year. This work of art stadium will be the center of a popular entertainment complex that features shopping, dining and of course entertainment.  

Credit: Gensler/Los Angeles Football Club

What better way to celebrate the groundbreaking of a sports entertainment complex than with a basketball Hall of Famer and a world-class funnyman keeping the public fixated. Check out Magic Johnson and Will Ferrel make the most out of this momentous occasion for Los Angeles Soccer Fans.  Performance Utility Supply is excited to join in the fun when it's time for us to start trucking in materials that will be used for several components of the project. 

Sycamore to Peñasquitos 230-kV Transmission Line

San Diegans will soon be able to enjoy the offset benefits of imported renewable energy, thanks to SDG&E's new transmission line project. Construction has begun on a new 230-kilovolt transmission line that will run from Sycamore Canyon in Poway, all the way to the Peñasquitos Substation in Torrey Hills.

The new transmission line will help improve power distribution reliability and will also integrate more renewable energy into the system in an effort to meet new state-mandated goals.

Of course, the project did not make it to this point without a few hiccups along the way. SDG&E was forced to make alterations to the original design and scope of the project after the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission. The letter pointed out certain environmental risks that the project could impose on the community along with impacts that construction would have on local residents and businesses. After all was said and done, SDG&E chose to follow an alternative plan for the project that avoided significant aesthetic impacts to the community and biological resource impacts to the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. The alternative project design would underground a double circuit 69-kV power line under Carmel Mountain Road and East Ocean Air Drive and reroute new towers leaving the existing wooden H Frame structures in place but de-energized. The alternative plan triggered a 7 month delay on project completion while increasing overall costs significantly.  

Performance Utility Supply is proud to be a part of this ongoing project which broke ground on January 4, 2017. During the construction process, PUS is assisting SDG&E underground a portion of the overhead power lines along the transmission path. We are also providing logistics and transportation services for equipment and necessary construction materials. The materials provided included a complete sub-structure package for the transmission lines, custom fittings. sweeps, and risers. 

We're privileged to be working with SDG&E and Source Power on this project that will eventually help alleviate the problems energy demand could impose on San Diego County.

For more detailed information on the Sycamore to Peñasquitos Transmission line project, check out the State of California Public Utilities Commission's full description right here. You can also get current construction updates to see how the project's ongoing construction may affect you from SDG&E's website here.

23rd Annual Neal Golf Tournament

View fullsize

On September 23, we started the day bright and early in order to prepare a booth for the much anticipated 2016 Neal Electric Golf Tournament. Performance Utility Supply was there in style with a selection of cigars and delicious spirits for all the competitors to start the day off right.

View fullsize

San Marcos, CA provided the perfect weather for the PUS team as we hosted our friends from Neal Electric down on the 7th hole at the Twin Oaks Golf Course. We also had the opportunity to become acquainted with the wonderful golfers from Select Electric, United Rentals, and Siemens. 

View fullsize

As the day progressed and the shots were flowing, the fun and laughter were always present. Even some of the swings improved!

Performance Utility Supply is extremely grateful to be able to take part in such an outstanding event, and we hope to be invited back next year!

Neal Electric Golf Tournament

PUS ladies Cat and Shelby had an amazing time hosting hole #5 at the 22nd Annual Neal Electric Golf Tournament held October 2nd. The cigars were a smash like many of the golf swings and the shots down the fairway were packed with a punch as some got better with Fireball and Patron.

our fun at twin Oaks Golf Course

Starting around 8 AM, the tournament was played shot gun style, so our tent was always full of golfers. We spent all morning laughing and getting to know Neal Electric employees as well as their clients. 

It was a sad time around 2 PM as we greeted our last team of golfers. Soon after the tournament had ended, we headed to the country club and spent some time eating and conversing with more of the players. A raffle shortly followed, where PUS gladly donated some gifts. One of those gifts was an awesome drone that players were in awe over. We finished the lunch and said our goodbyes.

It was an outstanding time with a phenomenal group of people. We hope to join the fun again next year. Big shoutout and thanks to Dan Zupp and Bob Garoutte.

SR-91 HOV Project

Construction beginning westbound at 14th street
photo courtesy: Project website

Traffic concerns on the 91 freeway have led the Riverside County Transportation Committee to partner with Caltrans in providing commuters with an added Carpool/HOV lane.

This extra driving lane will start at Adams Street and continue to the Riverside Interchange (60-91-215).

This project will benefit vehicles using this route daily, and hopefully clear some of the congestion.

TRAFFIC WEST OF THE 60 INTERCHANGE QUICKLY BUILDS UP
PHOTO COURTESY: RCTC

The overall result will be a state of the art transportation thorough way that serves motorists by adding capacity while easing access to and from the community which better serves businesses, employers and local residents. 

The task project should create 1,500 jobs while they widen 6 miles of the freeway in both directions. Of this project, Performance Utility Supply is excited to announce their participation by providing underground supplies to this large undertaking.

Contracted by Select Electric, assistance has been requested as they too take on the task. PUS will be providing the underground sub-structure materials. 

Beginning in 2012, this job is estimated to continue through the end of 2017. As Caltrans finishes up their work, Select and PUS is just beginning.

For frequent commuters, make sure to check the project lane closures before driving on the 91, as the safety of Caltrans workers’ is top priority.

Project and PUS's partnering with Select Electric solidifies that there is no project they can't handle.

See you on the road...

Neal Electric Golf Tournament

Cat and Diane with Bob Garoutte from Neal Electric

Every year, Neal Electric organizes an annual golf tournament. This year was particularly special because they are celebrating their 30th year in business! It was our first invite to attend, so how could we resist? Cat and Diane packed up a car full of necessities and headed down to North County San Diego to support the Neal Electric 21st Annual Golf Tournament. 

The Performance Utility Supply tent was located at hole #6 at the San Marcos Twin Oaks Golf Course, where Cat and Diane were armed and ready with shots, cigars, and of course, P.U.S. energy drinks!

Cat said, "This was our first time attending and we hope we get invited every year! Everyone was having a blast playing and laughing!"

For Diane, it was an chance to catch up with old friends and form new relationships. “I had a great time seeing former co-workers and old friends, plus getting to meet a lot of Neal Electric employees. I also met some of their general contractors and sub contractors - it was a fun networking opportunity.”

For over 30 years, Neal Electric has been providing electrical services to customers throughout Southern California. Their union shop has grown from a family business to a larger corporation and they continue to provide value through innovative technologies and reliable performance. Neal’s reputation of high quality work product and unparalleled customer service is built from training and growing their best employees from within and keeping all aspects of their work in house. 

Performance Utility Supply is proud of the working relationship we have with Neal Electric. The golf tournament was an excellent day and we appreciated the invite. We hope to see everyone again next year!

For more P.U.S. news and pics, follow us on Facebook.

The Root 66 Community Garden

San Bernardino County has some of the worst access to healthy food options than anywhere else in the State of California, so it's not surprising that a new study this year found Inland Empire residents overall fatter and unhealthier than the average Californian. But a group of concerned locals are trying to change this.

The mission of the non-profit Root 66 Community Garden is to educate local citizens of all ages about the healthful benefits of gardening, while strengthening and building the community. Its intent is to improve the quality of life and access to healthy food options in the Inland Empire region of San Bernardino County. Some of the ways this non-profit will help is by:

• Providing garden plots to anyone with an interest in growing their own food
• Helping low-income families with children
• Donating food to local food banks and homebound seniors
• Revitalizing the local viticulture heritage
• Education in gardening and food production
• Establishing a Farmer's Market

The Root 66 Community Garden Project rests on about 15 acres next to a water channel and electric easement south of Day Creek and Foothill boulevards, south of Victoria Gardens. 

The land, upon which the garden lies, was deeded to the Upland-based Restorative Justice Center of the Inland Empire, a nonprofit that will oversee the community garden's revenue and upkeep. The Restorative Justice Center was founded in 2000 with a mission to find better ways to repair harm when injustices occur.  The lack of access to healthy food within our community is one of those injustices that can be alleviated by this community garden.  Dee Matreyek, the founder of the Root 66 Garden, has a Ph.D in political science from the Claremont Graduate University.  She has worked as a mediator (juvenile victim offender mediation) and trainer of conflict resolution at the California Institute for Woman, Loma Linda University, Chapman University, and in Kenya.  She is a member of and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cucamonga, which has adopted the Root 66 Garden as one of its partnership projects.

Korey was approached through some friends to participate in the Root 66 project and he was immediately intrigued by the vision. Korey understands the struggles in today's society and how people often judge others without taking a hard look in the mirror.  He is adamant about giving back to programs that help enrich and rehabilitate the lives of others that normally would not be given the chance.

"I am excited to participate in this endeavor with Dee and the team of people she has put together," said Korey. "It will be a great setting to show kids and families things they just may never see, touch or feel."

Korey Chirkanian working the Backhoe and Zach Chirkanian, Gary Lyttle, Jacob Lyttle and Dillion Lyttle laying pipe

As Performance Utility Supply set to help out the project, Korey experienced this exact situation first-hand when his own child expressed an interest in helping. Korey took his son Zach and Zach's friend Jacob to the site and had them work with the team all day, installing the water and power infrastructure. They carried 20' pieces of 4" PVC pipe - well over 100 yards worth. They laid over 400+ feet, glued caps and pushed pipe into the trenches - and all of this in sweltering 99˚ temperatures.

"When we ended the day and got in the truck, Zach looked at me and said 'Dad, that was fricken' miserable!  But, I feel like I got something done." My response was 'Welcome to the real world son. You did a great job working your butt off and I am proud of you'."

Getting the well pump station in place.

The community garden will rely on volunteers of all ages. You can learn more about the garden, plus check out opportunities to donate time or money, on the Root 66 website. Also, follow them on social media to stay up to date with the latest news:

WEBSITE: http://theroot66garden.org/
FACEBOOK: The Root 66 Community Garden
TWITTER: @TheRoot66Garden

Performance Utility Supply Sponsors Funco Motorsports

I think it's safe to say that a lot of us at Performance Utility Supply are dirt heads. We spend a good majority of our weekends at the dunes or at the race track. Going out to Glamis is more than an escape from the stresses of the work week, it becomes a way of life. That's why we are excited to be a sponsor of Funco Motorsports. They work, build, eat, and breathe sand cars. More importantly, they are a family owned and operated business where you will find three generations working side-by-side. 

With exclusive design features, the Funco sand cars are the best of the best. Don't even think about buying a buggy until you take a test ride in one of their cars. They have several models, including specialty cars, which you can check out on the Funco website.

No one understands the Glamis culture better than Garrett George and Chad George. From the sand dunes to the race track, these guys are unstoppable. Last April, a few of us at P.U.S. were able to see Chad take home 1st place BOTH nights in the pro buggy division at the Lucas Oil Off-Road So-Cal Shootout, with his cousin Garrett finishing right behind him both nights in 4th place.

Image courtesy @funco_motosports on Instagram

Image courtesy Lucas Off Road

Funco has a YouTube series, "Dirt Sand Glory" that chronicles their adventures this year, from the dunes in Imperial Valley to the race tracks in the Inland Empire. We are highlighting their latest video, but you can catch up with the rest of the series on the Funco YouTube Channel.

Check out episode 5 of Dirt Sand Glory as the Funco Boys go out to Glamis sand dunes to test the new Funco GTU series sand cars then head to battle it out at Glen Helen Raceway for rounds 9 and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series.

Follow along with the Funco team on Instagram, they are constantly posting extreme awesomeness.

JM Eagle and Performance Utility Supply

Cities everywhere are facing serious challenges to the quality of their drinking water. One of the biggest problems? Corroded iron pipe. JM Eagle, one of the largest PVC Manufacturer's in the world, has launched a national marketing campaign centered around the benefits of JM Eagle plastic pipe for American infrastructure as well as American homes. Performance Utility Supply is aligned as one of JM Eagle's premiere distributors on the West Coast.

JM Eagle's non-corroding plastic pipe has a lifespan of a 100 years or more, with a guarantee of 50 years. Using this pipe can save cities and taxpayers up to 70% on infrastructure costs, while complying with EPA standards.  

JM Eagle and Performance Utility Supply stand behind this revolutionary, American-made plastic pipe that safeguards the quality of clean drinking water.

Kaiser Permantente San Diego Central Hospital

Kaiser Permanente has begun construction in Kearny Mesa on it's first new hospital in San Diego in 40 years. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans, serving approximately 9.3 million members. With 528,000 San Diego County members, Kaiser is one of the region's largest health providers.

“Kaiser Permanente’s new central hospital will be a high tech hospital of the future,” said Mary Ann Barnes, senior vice president and executive director for Kaiser Permanente San Diego. “From green design to the latest technology, it will have all the tools to provide our members with the highest quality care in a beautiful, healing and nurturing environment.” 

The 565,000 square feet facility will be built on 19 acres of land with a 1,400 space parking structure, wrap around healing garden and gourmet cafeteria. Inside the seven-story building will be 450 patient rooms which will feature sophisticated technology in telehealth, digital way-finding, clinical informatics and communication. Some of the technology includes patient remote-controlled room environments for blinds, lights, and temperature, plus an interactive entertainment wall for internet, movies, and video chats.

GOING GREEN
The central hospital will be the first in California to earn the LEED Gold health care hospital certification. Besides energy-efficient electrical, air, and plumbing, it will be the first hospital in the nation to use all LED lighting throughout. They will take advantage of natural lighting, a solar photovoltaic system, and active chilled beams in patient rooms. The use of reclaimed water will be for landscaping and the cooling towers.

Working with electrical contractor Morrow-Meadows, Performance Utility Supply has been delivering materials to the Kaiser Permanente jobsite since February 2014.

MATERIALS INCLUDE:
Various sizes on SCH40 conduit, fittings, bends, segments
Glue, empty quart cans and rollers

Korey took a trip to the jobsite in May and you can see the progress on the P.U.S. Instagram.

All Images copyright CO Architects