Moving Oakland Forward Together

   What we had planned a busy but quiet week of cleaning out our offices, cleaning up our website, and catching up on literally thousands of emails from neighborhood list servs turned out to be much more. Garbage complaints are reduced but continue service catches up. (See #3)

   We are helping city staff implement our new Retrofit Program. Sue Piper, who works full-time, but is only paid part-time continues had the pleasure of shepherding a steady stream of applicants through the process. We are planning outreach to realtors, community groups, and workshops on retrofitting. (See #5)
    Our campaign to retrofit Oakland homes comes with the backdrop of the Minneapolis bridge collapse. 70,000 bridges around the nation are considered defective. Our failure to invest in public infrastructure means our parent's legacy has not been maintained; aging public buildings, highways, and water/sewer systems are a national crisis according to federal GAO reports. In Oakland our aging libraries, parks, streets, storm drains and sewers are part of our 154 year legacy.

    Also this week, Jennifer Crawford takes the lead in helping with arrangements for block parties in our district. We have 20 containers of ice cream, 1000 whistles, and leaflets prepared for Tuesday's National Night Out. We're looking forward to seeing everyone. (See #2)

Pharoah Sanders at last week's Port Fest.

Over the next months Oakland celebrates outside. The variety of festivals, street fairs, park events, outside movies, art shows, and concerts are amazing. There are events for celebration, reflection, and action. On Sunday we'll be at the Montclair Farmers Market for Office Hours, 9 am- 1 pm. Put on your sunscreen and join us.

Council President Pro Tem

1. This Weekend: Health Care Rally, Band Concert at the Lake, Office Hours at Sunday Montclair Market, Library Fun, Saturn

League of Women Voters Rally for Universal Health Care Supporting Senate Bill 840 today Saturday, August 4th, 1:30 pm at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall. If you've seen Michael Moore's "Sicko" you'll know why the League and two out of two doctors in my family support the Kuehl Health Care Bill co-authored by our own Assemblywoman Loni Hancock:

Cooking the African Way: Learn about Nigerian Food and Make a Delicious Dish: Martin L. King Jr. Library, 6833 International Blvd, 1-2:30 pm. Contact: Ajoke Kokodoko 615-5728.

Chabot Telescopes, Fridays & Saturdays, Dusk to 10:30 pm: The only research-level telescopes in the Western U.S. regularly

open for public viewing. Chabot's biggest telescope, a 36-inch refractor named "Nellie," is open for viewing after extensive refurbishing. In our 124-year tradition, Chabot's telescopes are free to the public on Friday's and Saturday's. Clear skies predicted for tonight.

Join Us at Montclair Farmer's Market Sunday: Sue Piper and I will be staffing our booth at the Montclair Farmer's Market from 9 am until 1 pm on Sunday, August 5. In good weather this is where we hold our monthly Montclair Office Hours. Please stop by to ask questions, pick up information about local events and city services, or just to say hello.

Oakland Municipal Band Concert, August 5 -- a free concert featuring an array of jazz, contemporary, big band, international, classical, marches and show tunes at 1 and 3 pm at the Lakeside Park Bandstand.

Lanterns float by Cathedral ruins that mark the Atomic Bomb's epicenter in Hiroshima 2005.

Floating Lanterns Offer Prayers for Hiroshima Victims and Peace Sunday, August 5, 6:30 pm, west end of Addison Street, one block south of University Avenue at the Aquatic Park lagoon in Berkeley: Over 140,000 civilians died on August 6, 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped. To commemorate the event, prayers for the dead and wishes for peace are floated on Lanterns down the river past the epicenter Hiroshima. For more information on our local commemoration.

Summer Jazz on Sundays, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave, 3-6 pm: Friends of Golden Gate Library presents featured artist, Herb Mimms, 3-4 p.m. The History of Jazz with Randy Moore follows 4:30-5 pm. There will be an Open Jam Session 5-6 p.m. Contact Jamie Turbak 597-5029.

2. Join One of 79 D4 National Night Out Parties Tuesday Night !

District 4 leads the city again with 79 National Night Out Parties this Tuesday night! Current list of District 4 National Night Out Parties. That means my staff and I will be moving quickly as we try to visit each party with "door prizes" and hand outs. City staff will be distributing energy efficient light bulbs donated by PG&E.
We'll be bringing safety tip hand-outs and these new whistles with the Police Emergency number for cell phones printed on them. (Dialing 911 on a cell phone in Oakland puts you through to the regional California Highway Patrol Dispatcher, who then has to reroute your call to Oakland. This number 777-3211 should be programmed into your cell phone for a direct line to Oakland emergency dispatchers.) Put the whistle on your key chain for emergencies (to alert neighbors, search and rescue, to attract attention).

We want to show our support of dedicated neighbors who are working together on emergency preparedness, crime reduction and just good old-fashioned neighborliness -- the first defense against crime. We know of potlucks, BBQ's, ice cream parties, walks, and treasure hunts; join a gathering near you. Please email Jennifer Crawford to let her know the location of your block party if you are not on the list.

3. WM-Teamster Contract Settles, Call In Service Problems!

We continued to get complaints about service this week, please continue to report problems to both Waste Management and to the City at 238-SAVE or recycling@oaklandnet.com We also have noticed dumping that got "lost" in the mess. Please call the the PWA Call Center at 615-5566 if you notice any illegal dumping on the streets.

Legal Actions Not Yet Settled: Media reports were confusing this week. While our attempt to get Waste Management found in contempt of court for failing to pick up our garbage as contracted is now moot; liquidated damages for failing to fullfil the contract are not settled and may be substantial. The Council is expected to make decisions about these issues when we return in September.

Should You Pay Your Bill? Waste Management placed ads in the newspapers promising not to charge for missed pick-ups. Most residents received bills for the next 3 months of service due in September. The City will not impose any liens for failure to pay for the month of July. Additionally, City continues to work with WM on their promise to not charge people for failure of service. The City Attorney's Office hopes to have a more specific answers to how that will work by the end of the month.

Before the lock-out Oakland had reached an estimated 60 percent in trash diversion from landfills, please help us reach our 75 percent goal by 2010. Put food and food soiled paper into the Green carts with vegetation for composting; recycle everything you can, and consider a smaller, cheaper mini can if can reduce what's left for your brown can.

Find more information on our Oakland Recycles webpage and at StopWaste.org

4. More Green News: Reusable Shopping Bag Contest

Send us a picture of your favorite reusable bag, tell us why it's your favorite, and get a chance to win a $100 in shopping certificates from Oakland stores! The Oakland ordinance to ban plastic bags, authored by Council Member Nadel and I, is effective in January 2008. We and San Francisco had originally considered adding a small fee like 5 cents, but the plastics industry circumvented local laws late last year by passing a state law preventing them for six years. Such fees have reduced plastic bag use by 90 percent in Ireland, the first European nation to pass such laws. What they found is that most people have switched to reusable bags. We hope Oakland shoppers will switch to reusable bags, too. I've started a collection of reusable bags. I picked up these two large bags at Costco(2 for $1.87), the store that doesn't provide either plastic nor paper bags. They are much larger than the reusable bags that many stores are beginning to sell and because they are much wider at the bottom, they don't tip over when put down. Also, the longer handles fit over your shoulder.

5. Retrofit Program Starts, Earthquake Preparedness

<<Association of Bay Area Governments Director Henry Gardner, Jean, and Steve Edrington announce new retrofit process at City's Permit desk.

New applications for retrofitting under the City's new program are coming in. Have you considered retrofitting your older home? Our Retrofit Program, just approved by the City Council, institutes a $250 flat retrofit permit fee and a New Homeowner Voluntary Seismic Strengthening Reimbursement Incentive Program for New Homeowners, who apply for the program within 60 days of finalizing the purchase. They have one year in which to complete the retrofit and may receive up to $5,000 back from their transfer taxes. Call the City's Building Department at 238-3891 for details or contact John Oakley by email. For information about workshops and educational materials about the program contact Sue Piper in our office.

For Frequently Asked Questions About Our Retrofit Program

More Simple Steps to Prepare for Earthquakes:

Join or start a CORE group on your block--first step is to get to know each other and share contact information. Learn more at the City's website for Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE).

If you are already CORE trained, consider taking additional trainings through CORE or the American Red Cross.

Consider the following CORE courses -- all require advanced registration:

Invest in an automatic gas shut off or gas interrupt valve. Fires from broken gas lines are a high risk following a major earthquake. Know where your gas meter is located and how to shut if off manually, if you don't have an automatic shut off valve.

Bolt bookcases, other tall, heavy items to the wall--injuries following a major earthquake are primarily due to falling and flying objects. A great resource is 72hours.org

Even if you have retrofitted your home, you might want to consider a professional inspection. Some studies suggest that as many as two thirds of retrofitted homes in Oakland do not meet today's standards. Some earthquake insurance companies offer discounts to homes that have been retrofitted.

Earthquake Fault and Liquefaction Maps and other information

6. Community Policing News: Abandoned Autos, Volunteers for Police Screening Needed

Abandoned Autos: It is illegal for auto to sit on a public street for more than 72 hours without moving. If you suspect an auto has been abandoned on your street

call 238-6030 or email abandonedauto@oaklandnet.com Provide the exact address, description, and license if available. Car theft is a rising crime in Oakland and the whole Bay Area. If you suspect the car was stolen (broken windows, vandalism) call the non-emergency police number immediately 777-3333.

Most stolen cars in Oakland are used for "joy riding" and are found within a few days within half mile from where they are stolen. If you own one of the more commonly stolen cars, generally older cars especially Toyota's or Honda's, consider using a "club device," park in a garage or driveway or near a motion detector light. Some neighborhood alert groups have successfully bought "club" devices as a group at discount to discourage potential car thieves from their area.

Volunteers Still Needed to Assist with Police Oral Examinations: The Oakland Police Department needs citizens to serve on the Oral Examination Boards for new police cadets. The Boards usually occur once a month at City Hall and can be one, two, or three days, usually from 8 am-5 pm. There is a short introductory training session; breakfast and lunch are provided. This is a great way to help OPD, learn about the Officer hiring process, and meet officers and command staff. Contact Cee Belue, Police Personnel, at 238-3339 or cbelue@oaklandnet.com

How to file a Police Report: Police use crime reports to plan patrols and follow crime trends. Commanders determine their priorities based on the number and severity of crimes reported. You don't have to rely on the police to actually make the report; for non-urgent crimes such as auto break-ins or after the fact home break-ins you can download a citizen's crime report from the city's website.

For a complete list of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils in District 4.

7. Bike Memorial Ride, Skyline Safety Plans

About a hundred bicyclists and family joined in a memorial ride and short program last Sunday at the five street intersection at Skyline and Manzanita where Ed Weiss, local resident killed last year in a collision with a motorcyclist. Skyline has become a major attraction for both groups in recent years. Our office is working with neighbors to improve safety on Skyline including improved signage and other traffic calming devices. We have asked for and received some additional traffic enforcement. In the fall we are planning a meeting at the nearby Chabot Science Center to discuss these issues. (Above) Sunday's memorial for Ed Weiss.

8. Lucky's Again

In my four and a half years as Council Member the former Albertson's chain stores in the Laurel and Montclair have had four owners. The new owners, a California based chain, have changed the name back to Lucky's. Our office worked with constituents lobbying for this name. The Laurel store rolled out the name change on Friday with a ribbon cutting and special sales all weekend after closing for cleaning and sign changes. The Montclair store follows this week. <<Greg Ross, manager of the Laurel store and District 4 resident.

9. Wood or Metal Skills Needed for Labor of Love at Brewer

I tease Hayward Blake by calling him our "fairy godgardener." He's the guy who started planting bulbs in the Park Blvd median long before my colleague Ignacio Delafuente's generous donation to the current landscaping. Soon others followed. When I was a school board member and the city hadn't passed any bonds for nearly three decades to maintain our schools, he led efforts to save and improve the gardens at Glenview and Brewer Middle Schools, bringing beauty and love to our school kids. If you haven't walked by the beautiful gardens at Brewer Middle School, take a look at the front and inside quad. Now Hayward, with eye to perfection, is looking for help in restoring the iron gate in front of the school:

"There are some great looking finials atop the wrought iron fence at Brewer School. Said fence is now being painted and repaired. One of the Russian looking finials got chopped off decades ago and the pipe it sat on was capped with a 5 inch semi-flat top. Since the cap is welded to the pipe I want to see if we can shape a copy (albeit a little bigger of these little domes. While trying to locate a metal worker to advise me in this matter I learned that 20 years ago the Brewer finials were copied and installed at the Cameron-Stanford House near the 12th and Fallon area. Be a part of history, help out."

If you can help, contact us. We can help pay for materials.

10. Summer Office Schedule

Now that the Council is on break, members of our office will be taking summer vacations as well. Richard Cowan, our chief of staff, has left for China and will return August 17. During this time, we will not be staffing our usual Thursday office hours at the Police Substation at the Dimond Safeway. We continue our regular Laurel office hours (4173 MacArthur Blvd, 2nd floor) on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 pm or Saturdays from 10 am to Noon.

We will be hosting our usual booth at the Montclair Farmer's Market tomorrow Sunday, August 5 from 9 until 1 pm.

We also bring our booth or table to many community events during the summer. Look for us at Brookdale Park in the morning and the Laurel World Music Festival in the afternoon on Saturday, August 11.

<< Police tech provides children's fingerprints for parent records at our City booths at last year's Laurel Music Festival.

11. Draft Regional Rail Plan Workshops

Track the Bay Area's rail future at a public meeting on the Draft Regional Rail Plan. After 18 months of analysis and stakeholder involvement, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission is unveling a blueprint for expanding the region's network of rail lines. The Draft Regional Rail Plan identifies potential rail passanger and rail freight improvements for the near, intermediate and long term. Oakland workshop dates:

Wednesday, August 15
- Session One: 3-5 pm
- Session Two 6 - 8 pm
- Open house first half hour followed by presentation/disccusion

Joseph Bort MetroCenter, Lawrence D. Dahms Auditorium, 101 Eighth Street, Oakland
For details... (Above) The C.L. Dellums Train Station at Jack London Square.

12. School &Youth News: School Starts August 27, Principal Survey, Movies in the Park

<< Remember school starts before Labor Day again this year, August 27th. New school sign funded by our Office's Capital fund grants for Laurel School.

Help Our Children Prepare for School: For several years now generous Oaklanders have prepared backpacks filled with school supplies for low income Oakland students. Maxwell Park NCPC activist is helping organize this effort which will benefit several Oakland schools including our own Allendale School. Volunteers to stuff the backpacks are needed on Saturday, August 25th at 8105 Capwell Drive, 10:00 am to approximately 2:00 pm. Distribution to youth at Allendale will take place Monday, August 27th. We are in need of volunteers. If you would like to participate, please let Barbara Taylor 436-5253.

The Artist's Retreat for the Non-Artist Educator - 3 days at CCA: Three-day art-making intensive workshop for teachers, August 8 through Augutst 10 at the California College of the Arts in Oakland. Contact Jennifer Stuart or call 594-3710.

Special Meeting to Prepare for Recruiting of New Principals at Joaquin Miller and Montera Schools attracts 150 staff and parents this week: After many years of devoted leadership, Joaquin Miller Elementary's principal Linda Lu and Montera Middle School's principal Cheryl Rodby have retired from the OUSD. The District is now about to launch a hiring process to find new principals for these two Montclair schools. Parents and community members interested in sharing ideas about what they'd like to see in new principals should fill out this survey, or to participate in the interview process should contact Joel Baum, Manager of Leadership Development at OUSD, at 879-4620.

Free Moonlight Movies in the Park -- The 1st Annual Moonlight Movies in the Park. Free-to-the-Public Outdoor Film Festival in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department, runs from July 24 - August 18. Fridays at Redwood Heights Recreation Center, 3883 Alison Avenue (Redwood Road & Highway 13). Free popcorn this week.Face painting at 7:30 pm, movies about 8:30 pm. Bring blankets, chairs, and warm clothes. If you have any questions, please call the center 482-7827 or email Center Director Breht Clark.

Visit the website www.moonlightmovies-inthepark.com for information about this event and movies in the park at other sites.

Practical Wisdom for Parents: Demystifying the Preschool Years at GGP in Montclair: Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum will be visiting a Great Good Place for Books on Thursday, August 16 at 7 pm to discuss their new book of the above title. The directors fo the 92nd Street Y Nursery School in New York City, they draw on their fifty years of combined experience as educators, admissions directors, parents and respected leaders in early education to give parents of children between the ages of 3 and 5 the guidance they feel they need.

Last Chance for PAL Trout Fishing for Kids - July 31-August 10 - The Police Activities league will be conducting their second session of trout fishing at McCrea Park.

Thinking Ahead -- Donate to Your Neighborhood School through Safeway 10% Program -- Safeway is once again doing it's 10% Back to Schools campaign for Safeway Club Card and eScrip shoppers. Schools usually receive a 1-2% rebate, but during this special promotion, Safeway shoppers can rebate 10% to their favorite school by shopping at Safeway between July 18 and September 4. If you are not enrolled in the Safeway e-scrip program, click here. Supporters of Redwood Heights Elementary who are not enrolled are encouraged to bring in their receipts to the school office in the fall. The receipt's redemption code helps the school claim the value of the purchases.

13. More Community News: Free Wizard of Oz Tickets for Kids

<< Following the Yellow Brick Road are (L to R) Greg Carlson as the Cowardly Lion, John Tichenor as the Scarecrow, Rachel Wagner as Dorothy, and Robert Moorhead as the Tin Man. "The Wizard of Oz" runs August 10-19 at Woodminster Amphitheater in Oakland's Joaquin Miller Park.

The Wizard of Oz at Woodminster Amphitheater: August 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19th-- all shows begin at 8 pm. Tickets are $23-$36 Chevron was increased its subsidy of free tickets for kids. On each night EXCEPT SATURDAYS an adult may bring two kids 16 or younger free with each adult ticket purchased. On Saturdays it is one free kid with each adult. ($2 discount seniors). Twenty three dollars for a family of three is cheaper than the movies! For details, call 531-9597.

Save the Date, Saturday, August 11, 11 am-2pm, Dedication of Brookdale Park as a Park for Peace: As part of the Community Spirit Project and Project Mosaic, Brookdale Park will be one of 12 Oakland parks declared drug free and designated for supporting and fostering positive lives and life-giving activities for youth and their families. Volunteers are needed to assist with events that day: peace pole planting, spoken word, music and Ribbons for Peace Project. Contact Michael Foster at 535-5632.

Silence the Violence with the Athletics: Attend the Wednesday, August 15 Oakland A's game against the Chicago White Sox and $2 of every ticket sold will go directly to the Silence the Violence Youth Academy. Pre-game activities start at 6:45 pm, first pitch at 7:05 pm. Sponsored by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the Oakland A's and the Oakland Mayor's Office. To order tickets,428-3939 x400.

Meet the Moon Man at GGP on August 17: Who owns the moon? In 1971, Berkeley resident Barry McArdle claimed he did. He then spent the next 10 years crisscrossing America, in silver "moon costume" convincing over 100,000 people to "Take a chance on lunacy, support individuality, and creativity. Buy an acre of land on the moon!".Great Good Place for Books at 6120 La Salle Avenue in Montclair on Friday, August 17 at 7 pm.

Neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine reads at GGP on Wednesday, August 22: the author of The Female Brain reades from her book on Wednesday, August 22 at 7 pm at a Great Good Place for Books, 6120 La Salle Avenue in Montclair.

Monthly Outdoor Movie Series Continues Saturday, August 18: The highly successful Old Oakland Outdoor cinema series continues for a fourth season with Little Miss Sunshine on August 18; The Day the Earth Stood Still on September 15, and Babe on October 20. The series transforms Ninth Street between Broadway and Washington into an outdoor cinema with movies beginning at dusk. Limited seating is available: filmgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. For more information, call 238-4734.

Total Lunar Eclipse--"Once in a Red Moon", Monday, August 27-Tuesday, August 28: Early bird special through August 15 $10 for adults ($7 youth /senior/ student) after August 15 (13 for adults ($10 youth/senior/student). Purchase advance tickets by calling 336-7373.

14. Save the Date: Summer Street Fairs & Festivals

Laurel World Festival, Saturday, August 11: Join us between the arches in the Laurel Business District along MacArthur Blvd, 35th Ave to High St, in the Heart of Oakland for food, music, & booths. We'll be there with our booth filled with City and StopWaste.org information, demonstrating a CarShare vehicle, giving away energy efficient light bulbs from PG&E, and raffling off our new City Shopping bags.

Other Highlights:

The World Music Stage, located on MacArthur @ 38^th Avenue, will feature performances by CV-1, L.A.E. Live Audio Explosion, Native Elements, Sila and the Afrofunk Experience and Wadi Gad, a local reggae legend.

The Community Stage sponsored by City Walk and located at 35^th Ave & MacArthur is produced and hosted by Tres Santos, a multicultural, multigenerational, and multigender poetry ensemble that will feature spoken word, with music and dance performances that reflect the spirit of the Laurel community. Tres Santos performs spoken word at World Ground Café on the first Tuesdays of every month.

The Street Fair, with over 100 vendors and artisans, will showcase a wide variety of clothing, jewelry, toys, books, and tapestries all available for sale and gourmet food booths featuring a wide range of ethnic cuisines.

The Beverage Tent is hosted by Velvet, a new woman's lounge in the Laurel.

Kid's World family fun area, sponsored by Oakland Veterinary Hospital, will be located in the Hollywood Video parking lot, and will feature free activities from the Golden State Warriors, an exhibit from Chabot Science Center, a free petting zoo with rescued farm animals, pony rides, and cool arcade games and Bumber Bikes from Komodo Toys.

Contact the Laurel District Association for booths and other information.

Melrose NCPC's Annual Block Party - August 25.

Maxwell Park's Annual Day in the Park, September 15 -- from Noon to 5 pm. Lots of food, fun, entertainment and children and youth activities. If you've got a business and you'd like to share it with the rest of Maxwell Park at the upcoming Day in the Park event on September 15, for just $25 you can have a table at the event so that you can show others what you do! Contact Krista Gulbranson, Event Corodinator, at 304-3575. Deadline for booth sign ups is August 15.

Allendale Park NCPC Picnic - September 19.

Save the Dates --Sundays in the Redwoods: Here's the perfect way to build community and have a great time. Organize a pot luck with friends and neighbors at one of the upcoming free concerts at the Woodminster Amphitheater:

Sunday, September 23, Oakland East Bay Symphony

Sunday, September 30, World Music

Sunday, October 7, Gospel

Sunday, October 14, Jazz/Neo-Soul

(Above) Sunset from Woodminster Theater at last year's Sundays in the Redwoods.

15. First-hand Look at the Angora Fire from the Chair of the WPAD

Robert Sieben, MD, chair of the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District, shared his thoughts upon visiting the Angora fire zone at Lake Tahoe, on the North Hills Phoenix Association list serv. We thought it was worth passing on to District 4 residents:

I toured the area of the Angora fire at southwest Lake Tahoe on my way up to Tahoe Saturday. This was a random tour without a guide. I was struck by how many homes survived the fire unscathed in the midst of many that did not. It is hard to make a judgment about homes that burned to the ground so I concentrated on the survivors. I was impressed that each of these homes had identifiable defensible space, often a lot of it. This was usually a combination of a lawn, a garden, a field of mule ears (yellow flowering plants), little brush, and paved driveways, parking areas or patios. The most dramatic example, of which I took an entire roll of film and talked to homeowners, consisted of six homes in a cluster in the midst of near total devastation. Five of these homeowners had cooperated in establishing a good fire safe zone. There were wide expanses of watered lawn, cleared underbrush, and no pines adjacent to the homes. They had planted some aspens to replace them. There was a long wall of large boulders stacked about four feet high downhill of the homes on more of a slope. The fire burned right up to this wall and no further. One homeowner did not cooperate in any way, even leaving pine needles on his roof. His home burned to the ground. I asked a nearby homeowner whose house survived totally unscathed why he and his wife were so smart. He said his parents had lost their home in the Oakland Firestorm. The wives played a quite active role in seeing that they had adequate defensible space.

Admittedly, there are differences in this area. It is relatively flat and criss-crossed with streets of adequate width. I presume the winds are not nearly as strong as we experience. The homes tend to be
farther apart. The pines are quite tall and dense. They seemed to burn more where there was more underbrush. Many, of course, had been cut down with chain saws. Yet there were many burnt ones still standing within 20 feet of houses that survived. The survivors seemed to be fairly close to fire hydrants.

Based on my own admittedly limited observations, defensible space made a big difference. Not only did it help a home survive, it likely guided the firefighters toward concentrating their efforts on saving a
house they had a better chance of saving. The stark reality is that they must practice triage in a situation like this.

The take home message is that there are no guarantees you can protect your home from a wildland fire but you can sure improve the odds of it surviving and of being defended.

Fire Inspections Continue Over Next Few Weeks--Fire Inspectors continue to make the founds of homes in the Wildfire Prevention District. When they complete an inspection, they leave behind a door hanger encased in a plastic sleeve so that you know whether you passed or what you need to work on. It's going a bit more slowly this year because they are focusing on homes that need a bit more vegetation management work, and are taking the time to speak with homeowners while on the premises. Questions? Call 238-7388.