BeeBusinessDesk's blog

Frito-Lay held a big media event on Earth Day to celebrate the unveiling of its new solar collector farm in Modesto. But behind the scenes, there were a few less-than-earth-friendly practices.

For starters, Gov. Schwarzenegger flew in for the event on a jet that had just come from another Earth Day event in Southern California.

Then there were the large gas-powered passenger vans that were used to transport the media and government officials from the main plant to the solar site. The vans came from a professional transportation service hired for the day – from Sacramento. The drivers made the 180-mile round trip journey in empty vans.

And Frito-Lay folks were happy to give out information touting the company’s pro-environment policies.

One problem with that: The conduits for those policies were dozens of wallet-sized plastic cards. Most which are probably on their way to landfills as you read this.

Here's what's being considered for Friday's edition of The Modesto Bee from the business staff and business wires:

SILVERLINING – W/ART -- There’s a silver lining to the current housing crisis: Plummeting property prices are providing purchasing opportunities for non-profit groups that help low-income and disabled people find homes. Houses and apartment complexes are cheaper to buy, and so are construction materials. Building contractors are eager to offer competitive bids, and landlords are more willing to rent to those with special needs, according several Modesto housing-related charities. SBRANTI

FOR FRI W&M SECTION: (REAL ESTATE)

CENTERPACKAGE: QUILT – W/ART -- R. Lily Stem Quilts is closing because of retirement, and judging by a 20-deep line outside, plenty of people will miss it. While the quilting crowd said many of the same fabrics are available online, they’ll miss the community, classes and friendliness at R. Lily. VAN DER MEER

More than 2,500 homes have been repossessed by lenders since January in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Many of those properties have been abandoned, creating problems in even the most prestigious neighborhoods.

Abandoned homes can pose fire, safety and health hazards as weeds grow, trees die and untreated pools become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests. Often unsecured, vacant homes also attract vandals and vagrants. After foreclosure, government officials charged cleaning up the mess find it extremely difficult to track down the legal owners and convince them to properly maintain the property.

If you have an abandoned house in your neighborhoods that posing health and safety risks, we would like to here about it. Tell us where the home is, what caused it to fall into disrepair and what efforts you’ve made, if any, to get officials to clean it up. If you frustrated, this is the time and place to let it all go and just vent. – David W. Hill, Bee business editor