The Crossing Anaheim is an eco-friendly apartment community–something you most likely know if you live here. We’re smoke-free, we use dimmer lights and so much more. We could talk about it all day, but we’re happy to report that we’ve received some surprising recognition for being a green community.

Our apartments are now LEED certified and we received a gold level certificate from the United States Green Building Council. Why is this so great? Because we only expected to be recognized at the silver level.

The Crossing Anaheim is healthier for our residents and better for the environment.

The following items were highlighted in our application:

• commuter-friendly location
• the urban infill / reuse site selection
• the use of green building materials
• the 94-percent diversion rate by which 7,952 tons of demolition and construction waste was recycled
• the donation of excavated sandy soils to the city for improvements made to the nearby Santa Ana River bed
• policies aimed at promoting better health

We’re very excited about this news, and hope continue with our sustainable efforts.

The Crossing Anaheim residents, you can help bring thousands of dollars for important projects to our city. How? By nominating Anaheim for Reader’s Digest’s “We Hear You America” promotion.

Right now, people are using their website to cheer for ideas they think will make their cities better. To participate, you must enter your information and submit something you think Anaheim needs.

A total of ten municipal prizes will be awarded to nominated towns or cities. All winning municipalities will appear in the May issue of Reader’s Digest, and will become a stop on the Reader’s Digest RV tour. First place prize is $40,000; second place prize is $25,000; four runner up prizes of $10,000; four category based runner up prizes of $10,000 each.

Right now cities in Michigan, Missouri, Colorado and Illinois are winning. We need our apartment residents to go vote, perhaps for something that applies to sustainable community living, which we value. Or other green living ideals. What are your ideas? Tell us on Facebook.

Photo Credit: SD Dirk

Some residents here at The Crossing Anaheim have noticed our beautiful and edible plants in our courtyard.

Here is the official list of what you’ll find in our apartment community gardens:

Plants in Our Raised Planters

1. Mexican Thornless Lime. This is the standard lime used in beverages and cooking. It is a small, rounded yellow-green fruit that has an aromatic, acidic flesh.
2. Pineapple Guava. The flowers are edible and can be added to fruit salads or used in jams and jellies. The fruit has soft sweet to bland pulp with flavor somewhat like pineapple.
3. Dwarf Tree Strawberry. Red fruit is edible but can be mealy and bland in flavor. Certain plants may produce tasty fruit.
4. Sweet Bay. Leathery, aromatic leaves. The traditional leaves of cooking.
5. Tuscan Blue Rosemary. Leaves are widely used as seasoning. Flowers are also edible. You can add them to salads or use them as garnish.
6. Crimson Seedless Grape. Seedless red grape with excellent flavor.

Plants Within Our Planter Pots

1. “Meiwa” Kumquat. Eat fruit whole and unpeeled. The spongy rind is sweet; the pulp is tangy.
2. Peppermint Geranium. Use fresh leaves for flavoring jelly and iced drinks. Use dry leaves in potpourri and sachets.
3. Strawberry. Eat fruit fresh or use in jam or jelly.
4. Oregano. Fresh or dried leaves can be used for seasoning.
5. Thyme. Fresh or dried leaves can be used for seasoning.
6. Pomegranate. Juicy sags surround seeds. Drink juice fresh or use in jams, jellies or sauces.
7. Peppermint. Use leaves for flavoring foods and drinks.

Photo Credit: (1) Sandy Austin (2) RBerteig

The number of local markets grew 16 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to the USDA. Our state, California, has the most farmers markets in the U.S. in 2010.

Why Should I Shop at a Farmers Market?

• You can find fresher produce with more variety.
• You can meet the farmers, growers and creators of the products you choose to buy.
• The farmers receive more money when you buy from them directly.
• The local economy is supported.
• It reduces your carbon footprint.
• It’s a great opportunity to meet other people in the community.
• It supports sustainable community living–something we at The Crossing Anaheim value.

2 Farmers Markets in Anaheim, California

1. Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market
   - A certified California farmers market.
   - Open Thursdays noon to 7 p.m.
   - Located on Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street in Downtown Anaheim.
   - live music every week. See who’s performing this week.
   - craft fair, as well.
   - food trucks.
2. Euclid Farmers Market
   - open seven days a week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
   - established in 2009
   - 525 S. Euclid Ave.
   - offer samples, according to a user on Yelp
   - items are averagely priced, according to Yelp
   - list hot items/deals on their website

1 Farmers Market near The Crossing Apartments

Henry’s Farmers Market is another option that is not actually in Anaheim, but is only 5 miles away from our new apartments. The closest one is in Fullerton. These stores can be seen throughout the entire state. They provide ocean-fresh seafood, natural beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Also, bulk bins, a full-service deli and natural and organic body products can be found.

Which one of these options have you been to?

Photo Credit:Ben

SARES-REGIS Group was honored to receive the award of “Green Construction Business of the Year” for The Crossing Apartments in Anaheim from the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.

The recognition came as part of the chamber’s 2009 Anaheim Business Awards Program. SRG is the leading, privately owned developer of sustainable apartments in Southern California.

The Anaheim business chamber was impressed with SRG’s sustainable development and construction program for The Crossing apartment development, being built to pass United States Building Council standards for LEED certification.

The company achieved a 94% landfill diversion rate during demolition and a 75% recycling rate during construction. The apartments also have separate chutes for recyclables for resident use.

To find out more about our green building features, visit the Green Living section of our new website. The first phase of apartments have been released and available for immediate move-in.

Call us toll-free at 877-719-4818 to schedule a tour today.

Above is a recent aerial photo of The Crossing Apartments. We have almost completed the preleasing for the first building, comprised of eight townhomes. Our next phase of apartments will be released in mid-November, so hurry in to get on the reservation list.

The most notable item in the photo is the white roofing material. The building’s white roof membrane is highly reflective and reduces heat island effect by reducing heat gain and increasing exterior envelope performance. The cool roof material keeps the building cooler while lessening the HVAC load for the residences, resulting in lower energy use and reduced energy bills for residents.

The white roof is just one of the reasons why The Crossing is “green” by design and makes the building eligible for LEED Silver certification. Be sure to check back for more information on our LEED credits obtained and how Sares-Regis Group is committed to developing sustainable communities.