San Diego Federal Courthouse Annex

Summer 2014

Info You Can Use

Focus on Wellness Now days everyone carries a cell phone and every wireless handset emits a certain level of radio frequencies (RFs). Although studies continue to assess potential health effects of mobile phone use, the World health Organization has classified RF Energy as a possible carcinogen. If you are concerned about the potential health effects from cell phone RF Energy, you can decrease your exposure by increasing the distance from your phone by using a headset, using the speakerphone (hold it at least a foot away from your body) or text instead. You can also reduce the number and length of calls and turn off your cell phone when not in use. Developing brains and thinner skulls lead to higher absorption in children so limit cell phone use by children (peak bones mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys).

Feds Feed Families

Federal Food Drive

The Edward Schwartz Cafeteria is open daily from 7:00am-3:00pm. Daily grill specials, sandwiches, soup of the

day as well as bountiful breakfast are all available at the cafeteria. Newly added to the menu are a variety of grab and go items: Pre-made salads and sandwiches of all varieties are available. When you are pressed for time, these grab and go selections will help you to get a great meal while maintaining your busy schedule. Free Wi-fi: JoysCafe Password: 0123456789

This summer, the General Services Administration will once again lead the Feds Feed Families campaign with the support of our agency partners. The food drive officially begins on June 2 and will run through August 22, 2014. Since the campaign began in 2009, Federal workers have donated and collected 24.1 million pounds of food and other non-perishable items to

support families across America

Last year we collected 621 pounds of food, and are asking agencies this year to help us beat our previous best! We know that Federal employees will answer the call to help their neighbors and we are relying on you to help collect

more food than ever!

The items needed most are:

Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken) Dry or Canned Beans Cereal, Rice, Pasta Nuts and Seeds Peanut Butter Canned Soup, Vegetables Canned or Dried Fruit Powdered Milk

We will also accept baby food, formula, diapers, wipes and other personal hygiene items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) No perishable items, glass containers or

homemade items.

All agencies, including field components, are asked to participate in the campaign. This year, we have something new to help those who would rather donate virtually. The San Diego Food Bank has set up a Virtual Food Drive site that will allow individuals to purchase food items securely on line with a bank or debit card. The link to

the virtual drive is located here:

http://bit.ly/gsafood

If you’d prefer to do it the old fashioned way, you can bring non-perishable food items and place them into a designated collection box located through-out the

Federal campus.

Thank you for the work that you do to

help your neighbors. We are looking

forward to another exciting and

successful FFF campaign.

Message from GSA’s Pacific Rim Regional Administrator Ruth Cox “Making a More Sustainable Government” is one of the GSA’s top priorities. In fact, our agency plays a pivotal role in the federal government’s implementation of the Administration’s environmental and energy policies. We design, build, and maintain a vast portion of the government’s building portfolio; we manage the supply chain and vehicle fleet used by other federal agencies; and we transform workplaces and are positioned to assist other federal agencies in meeting their sustainability goals. An important aspect of our sustainability mission is water conservation. As a Region with many local climates prone to drought, the Pacific Rim has historically been committed to sustainable water management and consumption. We published a regional sustainability plan and have identified several water conservation goals and strategies for our building portfolio. By 2020, all building projects will contribute to a reduction in potable water use of 26 percent over the 2007 baseline

levels, and the Region will also cut industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water use by at least 20 percent below levels of consumption in 2010. We recently established a more aggressive goal of 37 percent reduction, which would yield an annual savings of more than 125 million gallons of water over the baseline year. Establishing our water reduction goals was just the first step. We now need to turn policy into practice to meet or exceed those goals. That’s where we need your help. This issue of our tenant newsletter highlights our new Water Adaptation Plan and provides tips for conserving water in both the home and the office. With various levels of drought or abnormally dry conditions in many parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii, each one of us has a role to play in protecting this critical resource. We look forward to working with you as we implement the new water adaptation measures.

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Follow us to learn more

www.gsa.gov/r9 www.facebook.com/gsapacificrimregion

www.twitter.com/US_GSAR9

Calendar of Events

R9 GSA Develops Water Adaptation Plan According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Drought Monitor, 70% of the American West is experiencing some level of drought. In response, GSA Region 9 has developed a Water Adaptation Plan to address and mitigate the impact of regional drought conditions in our building portfolio. By improving operations to achieve more efficient water conservation, the Federal Government will do its part to reduce its water consumption and be good environmental stewards. Region 9 GSA’s plan provides the framework for increasing water efficiency in our buildings by

addressing landscape irrigation, custodial practices, heating and cooling equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, plumbing fixtures and alternative water sources. Each Field Office will have a designated Water Efficiency Coordinator who will develop a building water efficiency plan and implement low-cost water-saving measures. However, these measures alone do not ensure the plan’s success. The power to meet our water sustainability goals resides within you and your building. The everyday choices you make will have a real impact on saving water at work and at home.

Quick Facts

3,000 gallons Amount of water wasted per year from a leaky faucet dripping at a rate of 1 drip per second. That is enough water for 180 showers!

60%

Tenant Newsletter - Summer 2014

Percentage of a typical household’s water footprint that is used on lawn and garden maintenance.

JUNE D-Day (June 6)

Elevator Inspections (June 11-17) Flag Day (June 14)

Father’s Day (June 15) Summer Begins (June 21)

JULY Independence Day (July 4)

AUGUST Women’s Equality Day (August 26)

Recycling - Quarterly

Tips For Being Water Wise With unprecedented drought conditions expanding and worsening across western states, it has become more essential to conserve water. Here are just a few tips to help you save water: At Work: 1. Report any leaks or drips for repair - Your

building services staff is ready to respond and fix any leaky fixtures.

2. Turn off faucets - A dripping faucet or showerhead can waste a lot of water. Please twist the handle completely to ensure that the fixture is fully shut off.

At Home: 1. Turn off the faucet - You can save up to 2

gallons per minute if you shut the faucet when you are brushing your teeth, shaving or doing the dishes.

2. Limit Baths & Take Shorter Showers - The average bathtub takes 42 gallons to fill up. By taking short 5 minute showers

you will be consuming less water. Each minute you cut saves about 2.5 gallons.

3. Install a high-efficiency showerhead - Typically costing about $15, these new efficient showerheads are easy to install and can save you money while you conserve water.

4. Run full loads only - By operating your clothes and dishwashers with full loads, you’ll be reducing your workload and saving water.

5. Use a broom to clean sidewalks, driveways and pavement instead of a hose - It wastes less water and does a better job.

6. Find and fix leaks - Most leaks go unnoticed and are one of the biggest sources of water waste.

7. Native and drought tolerant plants - By switching to plants that don’t require much water and are native to your area, you can beautify your home and reduce your garden’s water footprint.

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SUSTAINABILITY CORNER - BUILDING METRICS

Water Usage - Base & Current Year

Energy Usage - Base & Current Year Building Sustainability—By the Numbers Executive order 13514 set sustainability goals for Federal agencies to improve their environmental and energy performance by 2020. This includes improvements in water efficiency (26%), energy efficiency (37.5%) and recycling (50%). With your help we can meet this challenge by making simple and conscientious everyday sustainable decisions.

65% Percentage change in water usage from last quarter.

45% Percentage point change in waste diversion rates from last quarter.

N/A Percentage change in energy usage from last quarter.

Data Currently Unavailable for

this Building

Message from the Property Manager Parking Policy Reminder All parking spaces are reserved 24/7 365.

Personnel with assigned spaces should

only park in spaces that have been

assigned for you. Violators of the parking

policies are subject to a citation and/or

having their vehicles towed at the owners

expense. If someone has illegally parked in

a parking space assigned to you, you must

find alternative parking outside. You are

not allowed to park in another parking

space. Please come to the GSA Office,

Suite 4236 and fill out a parking complaint.

GSA and FPS will handle the situation

appropriately.

Parking at Trash Compactor Please do not park in front of the trash compactor or trash bin. This area must be kept clear for the waste disposal truck to have access. If your vehicle is parked in an unauthorized location, it is subject to being cited or towed at the owner or operators expense

Energy Conservation: Electrical Appliances

All agencies must comply with energy conservation guidelines set forth in Code of Federal Regulations 10, Part 436 and shall observe the energy conservation policies identified in the Federal Property Management Regulations and Executive Order 13423. Agencies should ensure all lights and equipment not in use is turned off, and that ventilation is not blocked or impeded. Employee-furnished appliances such as coffee pots, crock pots, hot plates, toaster ovens, microwaves and refrigerators are prohibited unless in a shared break room. Portable convenience items such as space heaters, fans and other such devices are prohibited in Government controlled facilities unless authorized by the building manager.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Peter Watson- Property Manager Phone: (619) 557-5337

Email: pete.watson@gsa.gov

Jason Kayne- Deputy Property Manager Phone: (619) 557-2632

Email: Jason.ayne@gsa.gov

Regina Willis- Building Manager Phone: (619) 557-6557

Email: regina.willis@gsa.gov

Chelsea Astruc - Building Manager Phone: (619) 696-2810

Email: Chelsea.astruc@gsa.gov

Jeremy Sawicki- Building Management Specialist Phone: (619) 557-2957

Email: Jeremy.sawicki@gsa.gov

GSA Trouble Desk Phone: (619) 557-6564

FPS Denver Federal Megacenter Line

Phone: 1 (877) 437-7411

Around the building

Schwartz Escalator Removal Project

Yes, it’s still going to happen. It’s taken quite a while to get this project going, but we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel...or is that at the top of the stairs. The GSA Project Manager, Kory Swanson has been meeting with the contractor and the steel fabricator to iron out some of the final details so this project can get underway. Though the actual start date is not yet solidified, we know when its finished, it will be a grand addition to the Schwartz.

Federal Employees Blood Drive It's Time For You to Save a Life!

Shortly after his birth, Waylon underwent

two surgeries and received 50 blood

transfusions for respiratory distress. By

donating today, you can help Waylon and

patients like him, whose lives depend on

it.

Donate at our upcoming blood drive.

Blood Mobile Parked on E Street

Federal Building 880 Front Street

San Diego, CA, 92101

Thursday Jun 5, 2014

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sponsor Code: FEDT

Click here to make an appointment

Please eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood. All donors must show picture identification.

Appointments honored first.

Walk-ins are welcome. Thank you for donating at our drive!

Lives Depend on You!

Future Blood Drive Dates:

August 7, October 2, December 4

Tenant Newsletter - Summer 2014