| Midtown News Updates |
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MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
The Midtown Residents Steering Committee has a special request for you to consider: We would like you to consider applying to serve on the Steering Committee. This is a great way to make an important contribution to our neighborhood. It involves 1 meeting a month (11 months, plus participating on a committee - emergency preparedness, communications, traffic, zoning, parks, public art etc). If you're interested, just reply to this link, or if you know a friend or neighbor you think would be a good candidate, please cajole them into volunteering or tell us who we should contact!
SHOP MIDTOWN:
** UPS Midtown Store: Store Hours Christmas Week; Mon-Tue 8:30 AM - 6 PM; Wed, Christmas Eve 8:30 AM - 2 PM. Closed Christmas Day; Fri 9 AM - 6 PM; Sat 10 AM - 5 PM
** Still space in Parents Night Out at MyGym 5:30 - 8:30PM tonight December 17th. Call 330-1760.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SHOPPING LOCAL PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS: Extracted from College Terrace News from the November 28 editorial in the Palo Alto Weekly, entitled "Shopping local pays big dividends":
"The (San Francisco) study found that local businesses buy more local goods and services and employ more people per unit of sales than chains." A 2004 study in Chicago concluded that "Every $100 spent at a neighborhood business created $68 in local economic activity compared to just $43 from spending the same amount at a chain store." "The conclusion should be clear to anyone who cares about preserving a vibrant local community in our Palo Alto area: This holiday season, starting today, spend more of your shopping and dining dollars at locally owned businesses. You will help our entire community weather the economic turbulence of 2008."
Full text:www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=9999
Let me know of other businesses you suggest as worthy of mention.
GREER PARK: We need your feedback. The variations proposed by the consultant can be found via Midtown Home page or on the city web site at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/news/details.asp?NewsID=109&TargetID=14.
Just reply to this link.
Dr. Nitza Broide-Miller ,a clinical Psychologist will lead a workshop for PARENTS focused on "TRANSFORMING ANGER". The workshop will take place in Palo Alto and will last 8 Tuesday evenings at 7.30 - 9.30PM. The dates are: February 3, 10, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2009.The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Registration fee is $320 per person or $240 per person if paid by Jan 15th, 2009 For more information call Dr. Broide-Miller at 328-3808 To sign up, mail check to: Dr. Nitza Broide-Miller , 415 Cambridge Avenue Suite 22, Palo Alto, 94306.
CRIME WATCH: Criminal apprehended due to vigilant Palo Altan: On December 10, an alert Palo Alto citizen recorded the license plate number of a suspicious vehicle seen in the 300 block of Homer. The citizen believed the vehicle’s occupant had just committed an auto burglary. Two auto burglaries were later reported. PAPD Detectives determined that the vehicle was recently purchased by a subject on active Santa Clara probation. On 12/16/08, Palo Alto Police contacted 29 year old Tizoc Loredo at a residence in Alviso. A probation search of the suspect’s room and vehicle yielded stolen property from multiple auto burglaries in Palo Alto, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Jose. Some of the recovered property was reported stolen to San Mateo Police three hours prior to the probation search. Police also recovered a 22 caliber handgun located beneath the driver seat of the suspect vehicle, the same vehicle seen in Palo Alto on 12/10/08. The weapon had a loaded magazine and additional ammunition was hidden in the vehicle’s ash tray. Loredo was arrested for a probation violation and an outstanding warrant. Upon the conclusion of this investigation, Loredo will face numerous charges related to burglary, weapons violations, and fraudulent credit card use. A second subject, 23 year old Mario Soria, was also contacted at the residence. This subject was arrested for an outstanding robbery warrant and will face charges for his involvement in the San Mateo auto burglary.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
There is a vacancy on the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission position which was created by the resignation of Paula Sandas. The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM on January 5, 2009. Regular meetings are at 7:00 PM on the second and last Wednesdays of each month. Appointment information and application forms are available from the City Clerk's Office 329-2571) or may be obtained on the website at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/clerk/planning.html.
CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 10: City Council retreat to discuss 2009 priorities at Lucie Stern.
JANUARY 26: NOTE CHANGED DATE. The City Council will consider the Tentative Map and the Site & Design Review of Alma Plaza.
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY NEXT CLASS
Next class is Feb. 25 – April 15. Applications are being accepted and are downloadable from our website: www.papd.org (Community Involvement) or contact Susie Ord for more information: Susie.Ord@cityofpaloalto.org.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
HAVE A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!
TIPS
ONE SIMPLE GREEN HOLIDAY STEP -- JETTISON JUNK MAIL: Do the planet and the recycler in your family a favor and take the easy step to get your name off direct mail lists. Around 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used to send junk mail to Americans every year, according to http://greendimes.com. You can stop 75% of unsolicited mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS (for a fee of $1). Within 90 days, most unsolicited mail will stop.
More info and a free option: http://www.greendimes.com/greendimes/HowItWorks.
Personal testimony: One of my all time favorite holiday gifts! The difference between last year's pile of unwanted catalogues and credit card solicitations compared to the drastically lower volume this year is simply amazing!
More green gift ideas:
Last Minute gift idea: Canopy suggests - plant a tree in someone's honor. Your honoree will receive a card with your personalized message and the gift will be recognized in the Canopy Annual Report. You may choose to give one or several Canopy Tree Planting Gifts for $50 each or one or several Canopy Tree Planting and Care Gifts for $100 each. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by the law, Tax ID #01-0565752. Canopy, 964-6110 x2 (please leave a message); 3921 E. Bayshore Rd Suite 110; Palo Alto, CA 94303.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
GREER PARK
Thanks to everyone who came to the Greer Park meeting to review the 2 improvements for the park.
* Landscaping of the last 1.5 acres
* Children's playground improvements
We need your feedback. The variations proposed by the consultant can be found via Midtown Home page or on the city web site at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/news/details.asp?NewsID=109&TargetID=14.
We would like any comments that you might have.
VIRUS WARNING: You should be on the alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. As reported by the Urban Legend site: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp
UPDATE: Eric writes that the virus warning will not wipe out your hard drive. One quote: "Although the postcard virus is real, it isn't a "Big Virus Coming". It has been around in multiple forms for a long time. It will not burn out the whole hard disk of your computer."
For those concerned (as I am) about viruses, please read the entire message. Also a good time to remind you to backup your files.
SHOP MIDTOWN: Midtown's The UPS Store - Extended Holiday Hours December 8-20; Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM; Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM; Dec 19 (Friday) Last day for guaranteed (3D, 2DA, NDA only) UPS delivery before Christmas. They offer packing services and shipping to ease your holiday stress. Ship early!
SHOP LOCALLY: Butterfly Life of Palo Alto and Beautifull! food team up to bring you healthy living and choices. Butterfly Life of Palo Alto will host an OPEN HOUSE and ORGANIC FOOD TASTING Tuesday, December 16 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Come and try Beautifull! food. Beautifull! provides you with the convenience of fully prepared meals that are fresh (never frozen!), healthy and nutritious adhering to your specific caloric needs. You can order online and have your order delivered to your home. You can pick up your $25 off first order coupon when you drop by to sample the food, OR you can have your online order delivered to Butterfly Life of Palo Alto free of charge. For more information call 566-0100 or drop by on Tuesday at Butterfly Life of Palo Alto, Midtown Shopping Center.
NOT QUITE Midtown but a worthy cause. Great Holiday Gift of Preparedness: American Red Cross will send you a Vintage Red Cross bag with a contribution of $100. See http://tinyurl.com/5jqkw9
MIDTOWN RESIDENT reaches 90! Bob sends this on: "Her many friends and colleagues may wish to send Frances O. Nitzberg of Tasso Street best wishes for her upcoming 90th birthday."
Dr. Nitza Broide-Miller, a clinical Psychologist will lead a workshop for PARENTS focused on "TRANSFORMING ANGER". The workshop will take place in Palo Alto and will last 8 Tuesday evenings at 7.30 - 9.30PM. The dates are: February 3, 10, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2009.The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Registration fee is $320 per person or $240 per person if paid by Jan 15th, 2009. For more information call Dr. Broide-Miller at : 328-3808 To sign up, mail check to: Dr. Nitza Broide-Miller, 415 Cambridge Avenue Suite 22, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
There is a vacancy on the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission position which was created by the resignation of Paula Sandas. The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM on January 5, 2009. Regular meetings are at 7:00 PM on the second and last Wednesdays of each month. Appointment information and application forms are available from the City Clerk's Office 329-2571) or may be obtained on the website at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/clerk/planning.html.
CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 15: Composting at Byxbee Park.
JANUARY 10: City Council retreat to discuss 2009 priorities at Lucie Stern.
JANUARY 26: NOTE CHANGED DATE. The City Council will consider the Tentative Map and the Site & Design Review of Alma Plaza.
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY NEXT CLASS
Next class is Feb. 25 – April 15. Applications are being accepted and are downloadable from our website: www.papd.org (Community Involvement) or contact Susie Ord for more information: Susie.Ord@cityofpaloalto.org.
DECEMBER 13: SANDBAG DAY at the Municipal Services Center at 3201 E. Bayshore Road, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Palo Alto community members are needed to help make and deliver sandbags to their neighbors who cannot do the work themselves. Join them if you can!
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=10085
To volunteer call Barbara Cimino at 617-3164. Two hour shifts are from 10 AM - 12 Noon, 12 Noon - 2 PM or 2 - 4 PM.
Volunteers may perform one of two tasks: filling sandbags or assisting fellow residents who are unable to get sandbags to their homes. If you need assistance, there will be volunteers there willing to help after 11 AM. The City's yellow sandbagging machine will be in operation so gloves, hard hats and safety goggles are required & will be provided as needed.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
NEW BOOK & DOCUMENTARY: The Santa Clara Valley Historical Association has recently published a history book "Silicon Valley: 110 Year Renaissance" which chronicles the founding of Stanford University to the present. The emphasis is on how Silicon Valley became a mecca of high technology. The co-authors are the late Ward Winslow, John McLaughlin and Leigh Weimers. The 196 page hardcover book is available in at local bookstores. A companion documentary, "Silicon Valley: 110 Year Renaissance", narrated by Leonard Nimoy, has just been released on DVD. The 60 minute program chronicles early Silicon Valley through the dot com boom, bust and its reinvention; parallels with the European Renaissance are also explored. Purchase both at: http://siliconvalley.bigcartel.com with free delivery.
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY BOOKSALE THIS WEEKEND. See http://www.friendspaloaltolib.org/
DECEMBER 11: Helping our Children Thrive: 6:30pm-6:45pm at El Carmelo Elementary School, 3024 Bryant StreetPot-Luck Dinner, Everyone Welcome! NOTE: free on-site child care. Also, this is an informal event, so everyone will understand if you need to head home at any time. Come for whatever part works best for you and your family. For those who can't make it tonight, the same event Will Be Held at Fairmeadow Elementary School on February 26. More info at www.paloaltopta.org or www.info.paloaltopta.org
DECEMBER 20: Barron Park Holiday Party & Donkey Caroling 2:30PM at Bol Park (Corner of Laguna & Matadero). After Singing procession through the neighborhood, refreshments will be served at the Barron Park Elementary School. The Gunn High School Chamber Singers will perform.
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TIPS
HOLIDAY CARDS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS: Here's a suggestion from College Terrace News.: When you are writing your holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to one of the young men and women who have made real sacrifices. Address card to: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center; 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW, Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
Council Woman Kishimoto sends a note about SPARE THE AIR: Wood smoke is a major source of wintertime air pollution in the Bay Area and contains harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, as well as toxins such as dioxin, which is linked to increased cancer rates in adults. In the winter, wood smoke from the 1.4 million fireplaces and wood stoves in the Bay Area contributes about one-third of the harmful fine particulate pollution. Under the new rule, through the end of February 2009, those who burn wood, pellets, or manufactured firelogs during Winter Spare the Air Alerts will receive a written warning for their first violation. A second violation could result in fines that range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the infraction. People who burn wood as their sole source of heat are exempt from the regulation. The new rule also bans the sale of non-EPA-certified wood-burning devices in the Bay Area, and forbids the installation of such devices in new housing construction or re-models. It places year-round prohibitions on dirty chimney smoke, and on the burning of garbage and other harmful materials in fireplaces and woodstoves.
For more information about the rule, see www.baaqmd.gov and www.sparetheair.org. The daily air-quality status and details on exemptions from the Wood Burning Rule can be found on the Air District Web sites: www.www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org or 877-4-NO-BURN.
To sign up for AirAlerts at www.sparetheair.org or by calling 800-430-1515.
HAPPY SHOPPING: Bag Some Great Deals on Reusable Bags: The Zero Waste Program and local stores are partnering to bring you a deal on reusable bags. If you are a Palo Alto resident, you will find a coupon in your December utility bill insert or a coupon can be downloaded at www.cityofpaloalto.org/byobag. The coupon is good through January 31, 2009. You don't have to be a Palo Alto resident to use the coupon. Here's what participating Palo Alto stores are offering:
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
CONTINUING TRAINING FOR BLOCK PREPAREDNESS COORDINATORS: DECEMBER 10:
Foothill Middlefield Campus (at Cubberley) Building One, Auditorium IA.
Directions: http://www.foothill.edu/mid/map.php
6: 30 PM "Introduction to the Palo Alto Neighborhoods Block Preparedness Coordinator Program (BPC)": See overview of BPC program at www.paneighborhoods.org/ep. This program is sponsored by the Palo Alto Neighborhoods and the City of Palo Alto.
7:45 PM "Communications during an Emergency Disaster": This one hour class will be held at 7:45PM after the BPC training. It will discuss the use of FRS radios during an emergency/disaster. Instruction and practice in the units will be given. Please bring a FRS radio if possible. RSVPs are strongly requested for the class; since we need to be able to provide sufficient materials and units for training.
RSVP or questions to epvolunteer@paneighborhoods.org.
If you would like to purchase your own unit before the class, Big Five always has a deal. Other possible places to purchase are COSTco, REI, Walmart. Instructor, Palo Alto Police Officer, Ken Dueker, recommends the following for FRS radios for BPCs/NPCs. Brand: Motorola, Battery Type: must take AA batteries; most "rechargeable" versions can remove the rechargeable battery pack and insert regular AA batteries; Channels: 22; Privacy Tones / Subchannels (PL): 38 (standard)
SHOP LOCALLY: Put your money where your house is!
For instance, Peninsula Hardware is a treasure trove for holiday shoppers. Stop in and see how much more than nuts and bolts you can find here. Light up the holidays with all kinds of specialty lights, including one that clamps onto the barbecue! And speaking of barbecue, there are other goodies for your favorite chef: chimney charcoal starters, and all the tools of the trade. In fact, there are tools for every purpose, from the garden to the kitchen, to the workshop. Find clever kitchen gadgets, and nifty containers to organize it all. There is a hook for every purpose - decorative, functional, and fun. Even keys can be fun and funky, to help you remember what each one opens. Make Peninsula Hardware your one-stop gift shop. And save time by visiting our local gem first, not after you've searched in vain everywhere else.
Midtown resident and author of "Taking Aim at the President"History you won't find anywhere else: Geri Spieler graduated from the "Member" pages of Red Room to the "Author" page. Red Room, if you don't know, is a wonderful site for all writers. If you are not familiar with it, I encourage you to check it out. You don't have to be published to join. http://www.redroom.com
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
Latest update of the Planning and Transportation Division’s activities and projects, at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85.
DECEMBER 8th - 9 am to noon: Hazardous Waste Day: Take old paints and chemicals to Water Quality Control Plant, 2501 Embarcadero Way
CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 8 at about 7:30 PM: The City Council will continue its discussion about projected housing needs for the Stanford developments. Also Policy and Services Committee Recommendation to Approve Staff’s Recommendation Regarding City Oversight of the Palo Alto Airport. Study session at 6 PM to view Tom Friedman’s Speech on Understanding U.S. and GlobalEconomies
JANUARY 10: City Council retreat to discuss 2009 priorities at Lucie Stern.
JANUARY 12: The City Council will consider the Tentative Map and the Site & Design Review of Alma Plaza in the City Council Chambers . This is the last stop on the train. More closer to date.
DECEMBER 9: Mountain View Council Chambers, 500 Castro Street at 6:30 PM will consider Amendments to the Master plan and Planned Community Permits for Toll Brothers project for approximately 450 housing units along San Antonio Road.
DECEMBER 10: Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission will consider the 801 Alma Street Affordable Housing Project: The PTC will consider the initiation of a Planned Community (PC) zone at the former Alma Substation site to accommodate a mixed use project comprising 50 affordable family residential units and 51 affordable senior rental units, along with a relocated Palo Alto Hardware store.If recommended, the project would then proceed to the Architectural Review Board for design review, prior to further review by the Commission and final action by the City Council. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared for the project. PLUS 200 San Antonio Avenue- a recommendation to approve Map for a 45 unit townhome development
DECEMBER 13: SANDBAG DAY at the Municipal Services Center at 3201 E. Bayshore Road, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Palo Alto community members are needed to help make and deliver sandbags to their neighbors who cannot do the work themselves. Join them if you can!
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=10085
To volunteer call Barbara Cimino at 617-3164. Two hour shifts are from 10 AM - 12 Noon, 12 Noon - 2 PM or 2 - 4 PM.
Volunteers may perform one of two tasks: filling sandbags or assisting fellow residents who are unable to get sandbags to their homes. If you need assistance, there will be volunteers there willing to help after 11 AM. The City's yellow sandbagging machine will be in operation so gloves, hard hats and safety goggles are required & will be provided as needed.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
Debbie writes: Free at Last, the drug/alcohol rehab program in East Palo Alto has opened up a new women's home and need household items... if you can contribute some of the needed things, call Cheryl Smothers who is Director of the Residential Program at 444-1939.
DECEMBER 5: Nutcracker PJ Party for children between the ages of 3-7. This Nutcracker story time will be held in our L5 studio at 7:00 PM & will run 30 minutes. This free event is a wonderful preparation for children who will be attending our Nutcracker performances the following weekend. There will be a story time rendition of our ballet. Some of the characters from the ballet will be there to visit with the children, talk about dancing, and show some little steps from their dances. Children should come dressed in their PJ's. See www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com
DECEMBER 6: Palo Alto Philharmonic will present an evening of late Romantic masterpieces and operatic arias at Cubberley Theatre at 8PM:Under the direction of Thomas Shoebotham, the Philharmonic plays the Russian Easter Overture (1881) by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a work that interprets the ancient chants and harmonies of the Orthodox Church. Also on the program is a later example of European romantic nationalism, Ottorino Respighi’s Pines of Rome (1924), which captures a dreamy mood of enchantment with the beauties of nature. FEE:$17 general admission, $15 seniors, and $8 students, available through www.paphil.org. Tickets may be available at door.
DECEMBER 6: Virtuoso Violinist Daniel Shindarov in Concert at 7:00 PM at Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. FEE: $15 Members and Seniors; $18 Non-members
DECEMBER 7 at 2 PM: A PROGRAM OF PERSONAL MEMORIES OF PALO ALTO: A program of personal memories will be presented by the Palo Alto Historical Association at a free public meeting at Lucie Stern Community Center. Karen Holman, executive director for the Palo Alto History Museum Project, will serve again as the emcee for the annual holiday meeting,"Palo Alto Vignettes," which brings forth fond reminiscences from volunteer speakers.
DECEMBER 7: Woodside Band Concert at 3 PM at Woodside Church on Woodside Road (take Woodside Road exit off Highway 280). Parking available at Woodside Elementary School across the street. Program includes: Songs from Oklahoma!, Gustaf Holst's First Military Suite for Band, and medleys of traditional (German, Scottish, English) and modern (Irving Berlin) holiday tunes. Refreshments will be served after the concert.
DECEMBER 11: Gunn High School Brass Choir; Juliette McDonald Carolers; Sing a Song with Passion; Addison Noon Chorus; MSU Orchestra, Celtic Rose, Dragon Theatre's improv group; Girl Scouts #60652 and Palo Alto Children's Theatre with an excerpt from their latest production, A Christmas Carol.
DECEMBER 12-14: Nutcracker Ballet will be performed at Friday December 12 at 7:00 PM, Saturday December 13 at 2:00PM and 7:00 PM, and Sunday, December 14 at 3:00PM. All performances at the Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High School. Tickets are reserved seating, and are available in advance at www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com and also at the door prior to each performance.
DECEMBER 13: Holiday in the Garden ~ Greens Sale on Saturday, from 9:00 AM - noon at Gamble Garden
DECEMBER 14: Winter Solstice celebration, featuring the music of Joan McMillen, will be held at 7:30 - 8:30 PM at the Palo Alto Unitarian Church, 505 Charleston Ave. Please come -- bring a candle (and a small donation of cash to help pay for the room if you like.)
DECEMBER 16: Midpeninsula Professional Alliance presents: Marketing your Business in a Down Economy -- 3 Proven Strategiesat 7:30 -9:00 AM at Scotts Restaurant at Town and Country. FEE: $26.95. See https://www.123signup.com/register?id=trnfm
DECEMBER 18th: Steven Geary, guitarist; Keys School Choir; All Girls Band; Cathryn-Michael Murray; Richard Arp, Balloonist; Frances Anchetta; Girl Scouts #60626; Monks Band; Miena Woo and The Quarter Tones.
NOTE ON DOWNTOWN WONDERLAND. Midtown's CELTIC ROSE will be performing in front of Bell’s Book Store (536 Emerson) from 6:00-8:00 PM on December 18. Questions? Call Caroline at 322-6297. See below for more on Winter Wonderland.
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RED CROSS JOBS
Jobs - Paid and Unpaid. The merger of the two chapters has created a variety of opportunities, both paid and unpaid (volunteer). The paid positions (one full time, two part time) are posted on the Santa Clara Valley Website http://www.usa.redcross.org.
TIPS
Pat writes: With stories about the nation's slowing economy on the front page every day, and talk about how consumers are cutting back on expenses, you might be very surprised to hear that this is a great time to remodel your home. Whether you plan small improvements and updates, or major changes or additions, builders are now more competitive, their pricing and schedules are more flexible and labor costs are often lower. My husband and I are building a new home. When we tell people we're enjoying the process, they look at us like we're crazy. Most people have nothing but horror stories about construction. But we have a fantastic builder, who also did a remodel for us several years ago. He's a fourth-generation contractor, focused on "green" building, honest, reliable and wonderful to deal with! Chris Donatelli at www.dcbuild.com. Feel free to contact Pat for details and references: 858-0591
Mary writes: Are you getting a new TV? If so, take the box to the dump yourself, and do not leave it by the curb to be picked up. That's a big notice you have a new TV.
Ken Dueker from PAPD writes: Keep the Holiday Celebration bright by remembering to include safety and security into your festive activities. Many crimes involve some degree of opportunity. A holiday vacation or shopping trip can provide opportunities for thieves - So read the tips below for a safe and joyous holiday season.Holiday Safety Tips: Here are some highlights with a few important tips on preventing crimes that usually happen more frequently during the holiday season.
Pickpocketing & Strong-Arm Robbery
** Only carry a limited amount of cash and few credit cards on you.
** Keep valuables, like keys, cell phone, & money in separate pockets.
** Stay in well-lit, well-traveled areas.
** Be aware of your surroundings and suspicious persons, especially in parking garages, public transportation, or in crowded places.
Auto Break-ins
** Keep your car locked at all times; never leave your car running, even "just for a minute".
** Do not leave anything visible in your car.
** If you place shopping bags in your car trunk, do so before parking or move your car to a different location.
Home Burglaries
** Keep all windows and doors locked at all times.
** If going on vacation, have a trusted neighbor watch your house, stop your mail and newspaper deliveries, use a timed light, and an alarm if you have one.
Merchant Safety
** Train your employees on observing and reporting suspicious activities.
** Consider having more than one employee open & close the business.
** Ensure that alarms and video surveillance are working properly.
** Learn to identify fraud - checks, credit cards & cash!
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