September 18, 2005 — Press Release

The Greenest Building in Silicon Valley Opens Its Doors
Sister Patricia Mulpetgers, PVBM, Executive Director
Mary Muff mcCollough, Associate Director

"The ‘Greenest’ Building in Silicon Valley Opens It’s Doors"
See how sunflower seeds, old blue jeans, and bales of straw come together in 10, 000+ square feet of beautiful, state of the art, and environmentally sensitive architecture!

• On Monday, September 26th, at 3:30pm, the press and public is invited to the dedication and official opening of Presentation Retreat & Conference Center’s new, sustainable, Welcoming Center and Dining Facility.
• Built to LEED* Gold Standard, it features a record number of sustainable features under one roof, many of which people can use in their own homes and workplaces to drastically save energy, water and their own health.
• Ceremony presided over by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose.

Reception, tours, and press availability with key staff & architect following.

More About the ‘Green’ Building: Daniel Smith & Associates of Berkeley, Architect:
Solar heating and power reduces carbon dioxide emissions up to two tons per year. A living roof of native grasses and flowers replaces the natural footprint of the building. The state of the art kitchen is fed by an organic garden tended by the master gardeners of the University of California.

The straw-bale construction maintains even temperatures, is a renewable, biodegradable resource that will stand for at least 100 years. It will take more than a big, bad wolf to blow this building down!!

While building green at this level adds 10 to 15 percent to construction costs, over time this $6 million sustainable construction will save up to 50% on energy use and 30% in water needs.

It will now welcome and serve up to 200 people in three separate dining/meeting rooms, house our bookstore and environmental learning corner, and stand as a teacher of sustainable building practices.

*About LEED Certification: The United States Green Building Council puts Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria forth as a voluntary standard for developing high performance sustainable buildings.

About Presentation Center:
Presentation Center is a historic 67-acre retreat and conference center in the stunning natural setting of the hills above Los Gatos…just 20 minutes from downtown San Jose.
Sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation, a Catholic religious congregation, it is open to gatherings of all faiths, the arts, professional groups and associations, as well as individuals and couples.

The Sisters and staff offer warm hospitality in beautiful, peaceful surroundings for everyone seeking respite, reflection, and renewal of mind, body and spirit.

In keeping with our commitment to environmental justice and education, we invite all our guests to reflect on their need to revere and preserve the earth and their responsibility to work toward a just and sustainable future for all creation.

To Get To Us:
Take the Bear Creek Road exit off Highway 17 (near Lexington Reservoir). Follow Bear Creek Road up and west approximately 2 miles. Presentation Center will be on your left.

19480 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033-9519
Phone: (408) 354-2346 Fax: (408) 354-5226
www.presentationcenter.org