Thursday, December 9, 2010

GET READY NOW!

We don't have the disaster seasons like the rest of the country..ie. Hurricanes, Flooding, etc... Mother nature adlibs now and then so we must always be prepared. In light of this, I offer the following:

In a major-mega disaster-emergency, be prepared to shelter-in-place for two weeks or longer. The old 3 day rule is not reality, only an arbitrary mark chosen by who knows whom. Be prepared with water, food, first aid supplies, birth and new baby equipment and supplies for a newborn and mother if someone is pregnant, medicines/prescriptions, shelter, lights and extra batteries, portable radio with extra batteries, etc. Water quantity should be 1 gallon per person per day, but in the summer desert heat, quantity should be 2 gallons per person per day. OK, this may be overkill but nearby your bed have a flashlight, sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, whistle and work gloves. Foot injuries and cuts are the most reported injuries in an earthquake. Do not step on glass after you have come from under your pillow when the shaking stops. Make sure you are o.k. first, so you can then help others. The first priority is you, then your family, then your home and then your neighbors; aBe a good scout! - Be preparedlso, be prepared in your vehicle and work place. When the Southern end of the San Andreas fault has a mega rupture it will be devastating. History shows that the Southern end has had a rupture every 150 years, except for the last 300 years. We are now 150 years overdue for a catastrophic earthquake. The Big One, an earthquake of about a magnitude 8.0, on the Southern end of the San Andreas Fault, will devastate a wide area of Southern California, including Coachella Valley. First Responders will be overwhelmed by such an event with major assistance coming from outside the region. Make a plan, build a kit and get trained. THE BIG ONE WILL HAVE A BIG BITE, DON’T GET BITTEN. The Southern end starts in the Salton Sea area and runs Northwest crossing the I-10 in the Indio area, through the Coachella Valley/Riverside County into San Bernadino County and Los Angeles County, crossing the I-5 in the Tejon Pass/Gorman area and then into the San Joaquin Valley heading to San Francisco. The Pacific Plate will slide North along the North American Plate for a distance that could be about 20 feet in areas. DARE TO PREPARE, DARE TO SURVIVE. WHEN YOU ARE PREPARED YOU ARE IN CONTROL. 10% OF LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU. 90% OF LIFE IS HOW YOU REACT TO IT.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

How green are you?

We can never discuss this topic too often. Just how much water do you see washing down the streets from irrigation systems set improperly. Are you trying to show you have money to burn or just rather have landscaper set it and not be bothered (The landscaper is not paying the bill). There really is no reason to set watering for 3-6 intervals a day. Get a grip on you utilization of our most precious natural resource and take heed of these excellent tips shared on Rismedia. Tip # 1 contains the best one, in my eyes, after you re-adjust your watering times....use the footprint test.

Keep the faith........

RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010--Soon, summer will be on its way out and the rains may even slow. Still, it's more important that ever to conserve water. From checking the kitchen faucet to watching your laundry loads, there's plenty we can all do to save water.

Here are some tips from Pennsylvania American Water (effective in any part of the country) on how you can conserve water and reduce the environmental impact of water consumption both indoors and outside the home:

1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. An easy test to tell if your lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If you leave footprints, it's time to water. (An added benefit of watering less often is that fewer, deep-soaking waterings encourage deep root growth and stronger turf.)

2. Water in the early morning. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during midday.

3. Set your lawn mower one notch higher to make your lawn more drought-tolerant.

4. Use drip irrigation hoses to water plants, and water in the early morning or evening.

5. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway, or patio.

6. Forego the hose and wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead. According to EPA WaterSense, a hose left running can waste as much as six gallons per minute while a bucket and sponge uses only a few gallons to do the job.

7. Keep a bottle of cold tap water in the refrigerator. You'll avoid the cost and environmental impact of bottled water and you'll have cold water available in the summer without running the faucet.

8. Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.

9. Adjust the water level of your clothes washer, so that it matches your load size.

10. Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks and have them fixed promptly. An easy test for toilet leaks from EPA WaterSense: Place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color tints the water in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

What your Burgular will not tell you.....

Here are some notes taken from the September 2009 Reader’s Digest issue about burglars, which came from the book “Burglars On The Job” by criminology professor Richard T. Wright. Another resource is “crimedoctor.com”. 1) OF COURSE I LOOK FAMILIAR. I cleaned your carpets, painted your home or delivered your new refrigerator. 2) THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME USE YOUR BATHROOM WHILE I WAS WORKING AROUND YOUR HOME. I unlatched the window to make my return easier. 3) LOVE YOUR FLOWERS AND THE NICE KID’S TOYS THAT ARE LEFT OUT. Makes me wonder what nice things are in the house and the types of computer gaming systems are there. 4) MIGHT LEAVE A PIZZA FLYER IN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU TO REMOVE IT. 5) THANKS FOR HAVING YOUR ALARM SYSTEM CONTROL PAD IN VIEW OF A WINDOW. Now I can see if it is on or off before I break in. 6) I DO NOT TAKE A DAY OFF BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER. 7) I ALWAYS CHECK THE DRESSER DRAWERS, BEDSIDE TABLES AND THE MEDICINE CABINET. 8) I ALWAYS KNOCK FIRST. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions or offer some yard service work (doesn't matter if you do not take me up on it). 9) I WON’T HAVE TIME TO BREAK INTO YOUR SAFE. But, if it small enough and not bolted down, I am taking it with me. 10) LEAVING A RADIO ON MIGHT DETER ME. 11) THANKS FOR LEAVING YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPEN ENOUGH TO SLIDE UNDER IT, I COULDN'T FIT BUT MY FRIEND IS SMALL. 12) I DO NOT WANT YOU TO CHECK http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/article-8-more-things-a-burglar-wont-tell-you/article156681.html FOR MORE THINGS I WON’T TELL YOU.

These are tips worthy of reading and implementing. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but make it easy on yourself-study hard... and

Keep the faith!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Water rates are rising just when use is maximized .....

There is no time like the present to start training yourself to conserve water and save some money. Water is the lifeblood of the desert and brown lawns aren't the worst of a prolonged drought or rationing. We all need to take an active part in the custodianship of our natural resources. Step one: WATER

Now is the time to establish some basic water conservation measures to not only help save water, but also to cut down on the associated costs. A drought can occur at any time, although in many areas, the effects are greatest in the summer. It's estimated that every household could easily save 100-150 gallons of water each day if the following suggestions were implemented:


Don’t let faucets run continuously. Letting the water run when shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing the dishes is common practice, but an open faucet can allow 5 gallons to pass in as little as 2 minutes;

Use water-saving showerheads and faucets. High-flow showerheads can provide a water flow of 5 or more gallons a minute. Flow restriction devices can cut flow in half or more without reducing the water pressure;

Water your lawn and plants early in the day. Using a deep watering technique once a day will train your lawn and plants to be drought-resistant. Watering your lawn 5 or 6 times a day, even if it's for just a few minutes, is a waste in the long run. You might as well water the driveway. A deep-watering technique will reduce the loss of water due to evaporation; and late watering is also effective in reducing evaporation. If you don't already, water your plants slowly and infrequently, especially in the summer. Consider drip irrigation for garden areas to add water just where it is needed;

Check for drips and leaks. A dripping faucet can allow up to two gallons per hour to be wasted. Toilets are also prime suspects. To check a toilet, simply drop some food coloring into the tank (not the bowl) and wait 15 minutes before flushing. If colored water shows up in the bowl, you have a leak from the tank to the bowl;

Replace your old toilet. If your home was built before 1992 and the toilet has never been replaced, then it is very likely that you do not have a water-efficient 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. You can check the age of your toilets by looking at the date stamp inside the tank. Lift the lid and look at the back of the tank cover for the manufacturer's imprint of the make, model and date of manufacture. Old toilets are the largest water users in many homes, typically using 3 or more gallons per flush. In addition, you might want to consider a two-button toilet; and

Finally, replace old clothes washers. Next to old toilets, an old washing machine generally is the next largest water user in a home. New Energy Star™ rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. You’ll have an upfront cost but a modern, energy efficient unit saves money on both water and energy bills. Be sure to use the manufacturer's recommended detergent to ensure proper operation.

Stay tuned and........ Keep the faith!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Summertime and the living is easy ......

The snowbirds have gone home, the lines at Costco and Walmart are shorter, there's parking nearly everywhere (but little shade), the kids are out of school and ..... Did I mention there's little shade anywhere?

Things can be fairly peaceful when schools close for the summer. Vacations can start, kids go to camp or the beach, etc.; however... not everyone can get away. Boredom can set in quickly when there's little to do and no money to do it with ..... which reminds me of this quote "If the Devil finds a man idle, he'll set him at work - J. Kelly - Scottish Proverbs 1721.

Don't be a victim - Keep Alert !!! and keep your garage door closed or at least only open enough so that no one can get under it, especially a small unattended child. Considering that heat rises, there may be no significant benefit anyway. You'd be better off installing a vent high above the existing vent(s) in your garage to allow a flow of air, getting an attic fan or whole house fan.

Watering tip to save money, save water and make your landscape drought resistant: Water once in the morning, a good soak so the water goes deep and the roots will follow. Watering 3-5 times a day, might make you think you're being nice to your landscape but a lot of water hits the sidewalk and gutter 3-5 times a day taking your money with it. There's 3-5 times as much evaporation - wasted water and money; and finally, the roots remain close to the surface where they are subject to higher temperatures and if subjected to severe conditions or a REAL drought came, they have no chance. Additionally, consider a smart irrigation controller from CVWD.

Stay tuned for more coming soon and .......... Keep the faith!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

SUMMER IS NEARING and that means .........

Kids will be getting out of school and have a lot of time on their hands. I don't mean that the kids in our area are going to be running rampant but kids in general will have a lot of time on their hands. Long, hot summer days with not a lot to do can bring out the worst in some so Neighborhood Watch is even more important these days.....along with taking better precaution ourselves.

Keep an eye and an ear out for the neighbor's dog and don't just shrug it off. Look out the window or over the fence. Hear something breaking....Check it out. It's hot and a lot of people crack their garage doors but kids can squeeze into the smallest of spaces so if you do crack your garage door....remember that it doesn't need to be over an inch or two to be effective. At that, you should keep out unwanted visitors, including a roadrunner but I make no promises on crickets, etc....

Keep the faith!!!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Solicitors get the green light - well maybe

In the past a comment or two has been made about what to do when a solicitor comes to the door...

1) Without opening the door...Tell them to go away !!! and if you consider opening the door......
2) Look out through a window first... determine the safety factor in opening the door
3) Ask them to show their permit from the City of La Quinta allowing them to solicit door to door....

WELL... that's changed now...

You still must be very careful whenever you open the door, however, the City of La Quinta is not currently enforcing the code to require solicitors to acquire a permit, which used to include going through a background/fingerprint check. In the past, only religious organizations were exempt from this code. The City has indicated that said permits will not be required meaning that anyone can come to your door now unless you have a 'No Solicitors' sign on your door (Sure, they could have come in the past but would have been required to go through the process that is no longer required). So, go to Lowe's, Ace, Home Depot or your computer and get/make a sign for your peace of mind and security.

Keep the faith!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

More security tips for 2010

Being involved with a Neighborhood Watch is one of the best ways of staying on top of what's happening in the neighborhood. They say that the one with the most information usually wins. Here's your chance to be a winner. There is no prize. There is no test. If we each challenge ourselves to be a better neighbor....we all win.

When leaving or returning home, occasionally take a slow tour of an extra street or two to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for us all. Remember, we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – AVOID (confrontation) - REPORT (to law enforcement). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.

Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement. In an emergency, dial 911. The non-emergency number is (760) 836-3215 Extension #5. If in doubt, call 911. When calling in to the non-emergency number, you can make your call anonymous but if you would like a report of the outcome, give the operator all the information asked for. Be prepared to describe what you saw....What...Where...WHen...Who....What they looked like...Where they went...How did they leave... In the near future, you'll be receiving a notebook with the following information to keep next to the phone for just such an emergency...

Desert Pride Neighborhood Watch
Police: Non-Emergency (760) 836-3215 #5
http://DesertPrideNeighborhoodWatch.blogspot.com
http://home.rr.com/desertpride
email: desertpride@dc.rr.com

Keep the faith!

Monday, February 8, 2010

La Quinta's finest keep on giving.....

Recently I was asked to obtain statistics relevant to nefarious activities in our quiet, little development '4OC1' (Four Oh Charlie One) also known as Desert Pride to many. I contacted La Quinta's finest and ... Presto! Here it is...

Burglary -- Includes residential, open/unlocked garage and/or any other structure on the property.
2008 -- 3
2009 -- 10

Burglary Vehicle -- Reminder, if a vehicle is unlocked and/or a window is left down the incident is reported as a theft and not a burglary.
2008 -- 10
2009 -- 2

Obviously, the total number is nearly the same for 2008 -vs- 2009, however, running through the glovebox and console for CD's and loose change is a little different from ransacking a home. The economy has likely played a part in the reversal of fortune which means we need to stick together even more so. Use those eyes and ears, write down what you see/saw and then use those phones.

Keep the faith!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

LA Police Dept. writes excellent article

La Quinta Police Department Flyer and information in La Quinta GEM (Feb 2010)

OPEN GARAGE DOORS AN OPEN INVITATION TO CRIME

Your open garage door, perhaps more than any other feature of your home, is perceived by a criminal as an open invitation to commit a crime. An open garage door not only serves to facilitate a crime, but actually encourages it. The simple reason is ease of access. What could be easier than unhindered access to a darkened garage to “help yourself” to whatever you find or to gain immediate access to the interior of your home?

So what can you do to protect yourself?

• First and foremost—CLOSE YOUR GARAGE DOOR! Develop the habit of keeping your garage door closed. Teach and train every family member to do the same.
• Get to know your neighbors and once a trust is developed, consider asking them to close your garage door if you forget.
• Install a deadbolt on all doors that lead from the garage to the interior of the residence. Keep all doors locked even if the garage door is closed.
• Deactivate your automatic garage door opener and manually lock your garage door anytime you are going to be away overnight.
• Remove the key and lock the doors of a vehicle parked in the garage even if the garage door is closed.

These are simple yet effective steps you can take to minimize the potential that you will become the victim of a crime. Remember, criminals are looking for an easy crime. When you leave your garage door open you are making it even easier for them.

If you have any further questions please call Officer Fowler at 760-777-7376.

Keep the faith!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Automobile safety

Getting away from the neighborhood for just a moment....Here's a new resolution for you...in addition to preparedness in and about the house for anything up to and including earthquakes, etc....Take a moment to consider how you can best be prepared in the family auto in the event something happened. It may be a little different for everyone, but I offer this info for your consideration.....

In the event of an accident or other significant occurrence, be prepared to record an accurate account of an emergency event for the police and your insurance company. Keep a pen and notebook along with a disposable camera in the same location you store your proof of insurance and registration

First-aid kit
Gloves (both latex and work)
Hand tools
Pocket knife
Flares (warning triangles or reflectors)
Blanket
White flag or cloth
Bottled water
Flashlight with extra batteries
Jumper cables

Saturday, January 9, 2010

#1 Resolution for 2010 Neighborhood Watch

Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement, unless you know who and what is going on, it must be suspicious. Grab a pad and pen and write down anything you can see or that you remember... number of people, descriptions, kind of car(s), color, license number (even a portion) anything else that stands out, a limp, a hat, a sports jersey, fancy shoes....anything and everything but don't spend too much time because you can continue writing after you call the police.

In an emergency call 911 BUT if you don't feel it's an emergency...All you have to do is call the non-emergency phone number (760) 836-3215 and press 5 - Just tell the operator that you have seen something that strikes you as out of the norm and would they please send an Officer to investigate. Make sure you give an address and nearest cross street so they can reference the area quickly. If you remember, tell them you are in 4OC1 (Four Oh Charlie One is what they call our subdivision).

Please be safe in your viewing and reporting and Thank You for watching...I, too, will be watching for you. I hope you enjoy a Safe and Secure New Year.

Keep the faith!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

This year I resolve ... to be a 'great' neighbor

Well, the New Year is upon us and according to Nostradamus, we have 2 years left as the world is going to end in 2012 so let's make it worthwhile... LOL

I know your schedule keeps you busy and you've added resolutions to the mix; however, just one more...

Try something new...When leaving or returning to your home, take a slightly different route each time so that you begin to know the neighborhood, even if that means a slightly longer trip to the store. Taking a slow tour of some extra streets you might keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for you, too! Remember we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – REPORT (to law enforcement) – AVOID (confrontation). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.

Happy New Year - hopefully a safe and secure one. Keep the faith!