United Neighbors Caring - December 14, 2011
From the United Neighbors Caring Newsletter Sent December 14, 2011
COYOTE ALERT!
WATCH COMMANDER REQUESTS YOU CALL 714 754-5252 (non-emergency communications number) WHEN YOU SEE A COYOTE HELP POLICE KEEP TRACK OF WHERE COYOTES ARE! ***
DON’T LET A HOUSE FIRE RUIN YOUR HOLIDAYS
Just before 8 PM on the day after Thanksgiving, someone driving on the freeway noticed smoke coming from the back of a home in the 1200 block of Londonderry St. The driver got off the freeway, drove into the tract and knocked on the door. They found no one home, but they called 911 and CM firefighters were battling the fire shortly thereafter. Neighbors reached the owner to call her back home. The owner had bought the home 4 months ago. It was her dream home, in beautiful condition. She had left her home about 7 that evening, but she always left on the recessed ceiling lights because of her dogs in the house. The investigation is ongoing and the official cause has not yet been determined, but it is thought the fire may have started because the insulation had burned away around the recessed lights and the resulting sparks may have ignited a bouquet of dried branches below the lights. The fire caused major damage and there was so much smoke, everything inside the home is black. The homeowner will not be able to live in the home for several months while the structure is gutted and rebuilt. The dogs were given oxygen and taken to a vet and will survive, but the beloved cat died in the incident. The owner has hired a public adjustor to give her a second opinion to add to that of the insurance adjustor and preliminary estimates indicate the repairs will cost over $150,000. As you prepare for Christmas, remember the standard cautions:
- Watch open flames of any kind and keep them away from and out from under anything that might burn.
- Don’t overload electrical circuits or extension cords
- Don’t allow hot light bulbs be near anything flammable
- Don’t leave electrical cords where someone could trip on or pull them loose and move any lights out of position.
- Install more than one smoke detector and be sure the batteries are good.
Add this caution from our neighbor on Londonderry:Check all your regular light sockets and fixtures. Be sure the insulation is OK and there are no bare wires or faulty connections that could spark or short out. ***
YOLANDA SAYS LANDLORDS WILL FIND OUT ABOUT PETS
"We have to give him up because our landlord found out. We can't have pets and I didn't think they would find out". If I had a quarter for every time I heard this excuse from people, especially young adults who thought they could outsmart their landlords, I'd have a lot of money. Read your rental or lease agreement carefully. If your landlord says "no pets", they mean exactly that. Landlords find out about pets being on the property in several ways. One example is the pet owner who decided it would be okay to walk the pet outside the complex because the landlord was gone for the day and tossed in not putting their dog on a leash. The dog ran off, bit someone or attacked another tenant's pet. Another way is tenants throwing caution to the wind and leaving their pet at home alone for the weekend thinking everything would work out. Their pet got bored, barked and the next thing you see is a note on the door of the unit saying 'NO PETS ALLOWED - you have to get rid of your pet". Who loses in this case....the animal, because now they have to be taken to a shelter because of human irresponsibility, therefore adding to the pet over-population problem and becoming one more animal that may be euthanized. Keep in mind landlords will find out and your pet will lose if they are not allowed on the property in the first place. ***
YOLANDA SAYS THINK BEFORE YOU ADOPT - IT'S A LIFETIME COMMITMENT
It's that time of year where kids are doing their chores and working hard to earn those good grades in hopes of finding a new puppy or kitten under the tree on Christmas eve or morning. Please know that every year, usually within two weeks to six months after that "christmas puppy or kitten" is brought home, they are returned to a local shelter or pet rescues, because the kids have grown tired of the newness and parents cannot make the time to take over with the care and training. If you are set in getting a puppy, think of it as raising a baby, it takes a lot of time, patience and money. Are you truly ready for that as well as making it a true member of the family for the next 10 - 15 years? If not, don't adopt. If you really think you can take over when the kids get tired, go to your local shelter or rescue group and adopt a puppy or kitten. Do not overlook the older cat or dog. I have written many times that older animals are a nice loving package all ready to become a member of your family. They may need to be fine tuned a tad, but other than that, they are good to go. They are grateful and want to be with you for a lifetime. Do not buy from pet stores or backyard breeders. If you are set in adopting a purebred puppy, contact the American Kennel Club [AKC] for a list of reputable breeders. Do not overlook the mixes, they deserve love and happiness too. ADOPTION IS A LIFETIME COMMITTMENT...................
Did you Know Mesa Water is an Award-Winning Public Agency?
In fact, they have recently won several awards. The press release is posted online here -- http://www.mesawater.org/
UPDATE ON MESA WATER COLORED WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Immediate neighbors were invited to an update presentation 11/20. Presenters showed a really interesting time lapse video of the construction project as it has progressed. You may find it interesting as well. Click on the link below. The video is the first listing under the photo. The Mesa Consolidated Water District (Mesa Water) Board of Directors has assembled a team of industry-leading experts for the District’s Colored Water Treatment Facility (CWTF) Improvements Project. The improvements will increase the CWTF’s treatment capacity by 50 percent, and will allow Mesa Water to achieve its long-standing goal of 100 percent reliance on local water supplies. More information is on Mesa Water’s website here -- http://www.mesawater.org/