Time to Clean the Gutters!!

Your Home – Fall Maintenance

Now that we’re preparing for fall and winter, it’s a great time to make sure that you are performing the routine maintenance on your home before the winter weather sets in. By regularly performing these simple maintenance tips on your home, you can avoid costly repairs down the road. If you own a second home or vacation home, don’t forget that it can be even more important to perform this maintenance to avoid any water or heating damage from happening when you’re not there.

· Be sure to clean your windows and check your window seals to ensure they are free of dirt and debris. Dirty seals can cause drafts in your home and lead to higher energy bills.

· Make sure you inspect your furnace before the colder weather sets in. Make sure the filters are clean and replace them if necessary. If you have not had your heating unit inspected this year, you may want to hire a professional to come inspect your unit before you use it.

· If you are concerned with frost and colder weather, be sure to insulate your pipes. · Inspect your rain gutters to ensure that they are free of debris (you should clean your gutters every spring and fall to avoid costly water damage).

· Check your smoke detector batteries while you’re at it to ensure they are working properly. By performing these regular maintenance activities you can avoid costly water damage to your home and make the holiday season free of unanticipated stress.

Take care of your house, and it will take care of YOU!

Bob

Ban the Ban III - Will They Never Learn!!

Well the City Council is at it again.

The Police Chief said we don't need it; the Mayor said I don't want it; but the City Council insists on taking away the rights' of 99.99% of the citizens to try and police the 0.01% who cause trouble.

How can that make sense??

Yes, the remaining law abiding citizens will follow your new law, but the trouble makers who are already breaking several laws to cause trouble, will not be impressed with your newest proclamation. You need to "police" the situation and you will solve the problem. Yes, it costs money. When you attract a Quarter Million people to the beach, 6 million per year, you need to provide services at the 'event.' Use the same ratios you would require of the X Games; or a Concert. Hold yourself accountable to get the job done!!! Don't take the easy way out.

And don't tell me it's just a one year test. There is nothing more permanent than a temporary law!

Will there be a referendum?? We will see.

Bob

What You Need to Bring When Evacuating the San Diego Fires

If You Need to Evacuate ... What to Bring.

If you need to evacuate from a Fire Zone in San Diego County ... the following are the key items to pack and bring according to the Burn Institute. You can link to them using this link: Burn Institute

Here is the list:

Burn Institute NewsOctober 22, 2007Contact:Diane Sparacino858.541.2277

WILDFIRE EVACUATION INFORMATION

WHAT The San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Burn Institute recommend the following Wildfire Evacuation Tips for residents of San Diego County:

EVACUATION PLANNING TIPS

(#1) MAKE A LIST OF IMPORTANT ITEMS Always keep sturdy boxes handy and make a list of important items you need to take with you during an evacuation:

• Prescriptions, medications

• Eyeglasses

• Important financial docs, tax records, photos, etc.

• Homeowner’s/Renter’s insurance policies

• Jewelry

• Pet, pet food, leash (and carrier, if possible)• Child’s favorite toy

(#2) PREPARE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT If you have time, assemble an Emergency Supply Kit that includes items you’ll need in the case of an evacuation:

• Three-day water supply (1-gallon per person per day)

• Three-day food supply

• Change of clothing and shoes

• Blanket and sleeping bag

• First aid kit

• Battery-powered flashlight, radio, batteries

(#3) ESCAPE TIPS

• Close all windows and doors in the house.

• Leave exterior lights on to help firefighters find your house through the smoke.

• Do not leave garden sprinklers on – it wastes critical water pressure.

• Park your vehicle facing out so you have the best visibility when you have to leave and drive

with your headlights on.

• Designate one emergency meeting place outside the home and one outside the neighborhood where family members can all meet.

• If fire overtakes you, you are much safer inside the car than out.

**The keys to surviving a Wildfire are:
Defensible Space, Defensible Homes and Evacuation Planning.

SPECIAL NOTE: James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director is available for interviews to discuss wildfire evacuation protocol and related wildfire information. To schedule a phone or on-camera interview, contact Diane Sparacino at the number above.

© Burn Institute.
Posted by Bob Glaser at 12:28 PM
Labels: Emergency Suggestions, Evacuation List, Fire Evacuation, San Diego Fire, What to Bring when You Evacuate

Support the OB Town Council!!

You have GOT to go to this event!! You get all you can eat pancakes while dining on the Ocean Beach Pier.
What a great way to start the day. Come for the cakes, stay for the beach. You can get ticket in advance, but not to worry if you don't have the time. You can pay at the door!!!
Your donation helps support the Ocean Beach Christmas Food and Toy Drive. What could be better. You get the warm fuzzy of donating to a great cause ... PLUS the warm fuzzy of some of the best pancakes anywhere.
There might even be an adult beverage floating around!!
Bring your friends, bring your kids, bring your friends kids and be a real hero!
See you Sunday morning on the Pier!!!
Bob

Oktoberfest!!

It's time ... time for OKTOBERFEST!!!

Here in San Diego County our best Oktoberfest is in La Mesa. Wow. The Beer Gardens are rock'n and the suds are flowing.

Now if only we could import a few of these Beer Garden waitresses. And look at the size of those MUGS!!

The only think better would be if the Padres were in the National League Championship. But no, bad call at the plate and now all we have is the beer to cry in!

The Chargers have turned it around on the field, but still no hope for a new stadium. It now appears that the power plant operating on the Chula Vista site that the Chargers are interested in will not be shutting down soon. Tough to play football in the middle of a power plant.

I have heard that the power plant staying put is just an SDG&E ploy to generate more support for the Sunrise Power link they are pushing in East County. Now the Feds want to step in and take over the permitting process to save the project. Yeah the Feds were a big help protecting us from the Power Rape that happened years ago. I trust them ... to screw us!

Oh, all the more reason to get back to the beer!

Bob

The Southern California Lifestyle!

Do we have a "right" to a cold beer on the beach. Well maybe not a "right", but if you have grown up in Southern California, you sure do think it is a right.

Now, for the third time, come the citizens who think they need to protect us from ourselves. They oppose many things, but right now they are focused on stopping all drinking on a beach.

Why? Well the truth be told they really want to stop ALL drinking!! They have various reasons, and many are good reasons why an individual needs to learn self control and their own limits. But as their logic goes, "if we just make it illegal in the first place then you won't have the temptation." Well that sure thoughtful of them, wanting to protect me from myself, but no thanks.

Now do they stand up and state their reasons directly? No, they wait until they have some "event" to point to and then go off on, "if we ban all alcohol, then this will never happen!" Pollyanna would be proud.

The problem is, its just not true. The recent event, an unruly mob at the beach on a holiday, is both their example and mine. Oh could this be true?? Well they say there was some drinking going on, so (now hold on to your seat, this happens fast as their are no steps to their logic, just right to the solution) ban all alcohol. That's it. Simple clean and their hidden agenda is pushed a little farther forward.

Problem is the facts don't support this conclusion. I know, don't let the facts get in the way of a good political solution. But stop for a moment and think about it: It was illegal to be "drunk in public"; it was illegal to assault an office or other people; it was illegal for many to be drinking at all since they were under age; it was illegal to have a bottle at the beach; it was already illegal for every action that took place. And they police made arrests because their actions were already illegal.

According to the supporters of a ban, "if we just had ONE MORE LAW to outlaw all drinking, these kids would have never started in the first place." Right. That would have been the law that scared them straight. Look if you oppose alcohol because it is destructive in general, all right, that's honest. But don't tell me this ban is to "prevent teens from drinking and causing problems," because that is just hypocritical. What's more, its not going to stop these kids from acting out. Only maturity will change their actions.

Meanwhile, back in the real world ... 99.999% of all the law abiding adults who sometimes have a cold beer or glass (plastic cup) of wine at the beach have had their "right" to the Southern California lifestyle stripped away. They did nothing wrong, and they are probably the only adults who will follow this new, pointless, law. Because they are law abiding citizens.

Is it a "right" to drink at the beach? No, but it is a privilege we have earned here in San Diego. One we expect as part of our lifestyle. One we will fight for, again, if need be. So what is an honest solution???

Consider this: If you were to apply for a permit to hold a concert, the City of San Diego would require so many police per thousand for the event. Moreover they would require bathrooms, medical services and other safety requirements. Well the City is in the "business" of selling the Beach Lifestyle nationwide. To bring conventions, to bring visitors and to bring other business. Come for the Convention, Stay for the Vacation" the banners downtown proclaim. And that vacation includes the beach as the biggest lure.

So millions of visitors come to the beach (Pacific Beach, Mission Beach & Ocean Beach) every year. What services are provided by the City??? Nothing. Nothing more than those which the neighborhoods qualify for on their own. Where are all the extra police officers, medical services, restrooms, etc. They City is quick to take in the extra sales tax from stores, the room tax for nearby hotel rooms, and other fees; but they provide no service. Here is the problem.

Treat the beaches like the economic engine that they are!!! Keep them clean and safe to continue to bring in the tourists and all their money. Set safety and security at a high standard, and provide restrooms and medical services for aid and comfort. In other words, do your job.

Use room taxes from local hotels in a "special account" to supplement police and other services. Stay in control of the beaches from the beginning and the "kids" will not have the chance to get out of control. They will already be arrested with the laws that are already on the books.

Don't go down the path of, "its cheaper to just take away everyone's rights and privileges, than to police the beach."

Now I am going to go have a cold beer (in a can) on the sand (where it is still legal) and watch the sunset (not yet regulated) next to a campfire (of stated regulation height and burning acceptable materials) and enjoying what is left of this lifestyle!!!

Bob

Padres Lose ... All Is Lost!!!

OK, maybe I am a little over dramatic. But when you are starting the Cy Young winner Jake Pevey and you fight to a 2 run lead in the 13th with future Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman on the mound, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WIN!!!!

Oh well ... its not my life and its not my wife. Say hey Willie. We will win it all next year!!

OK, back to real life.

The world of politics is so interesting. We have tribes with new compacts, and tribes opposed to those tribes trying to stop them. So much for ethnic solidarity. The new compacts look like a great deal for the tribes who stepped up and negotiated a solution. And they are great for the state ... so why all the drama???

I say support the new compacts. Support the tribes who were willing to put up more ca$h for the state, we need it. Let's not spend millions on a election just to start over with the negotiations. Support Indian Gaming ... Do NOT sign the Referendums!!!

Bob

Welcome to The La Jolla Group's Blog

As my first post to The La Jolla Group blog, this will be short. So much is going on in politics today, that I hardly know where to start. How about a list of active projects:

1. Fair Share Initiative to support the Governor's Gaming Compacts

2. Chula Vista Height Limit Petition

3. Chula Vista Elected City Attorney Petition

4. Several statewide petitions

and coming soon ...

5. San Diego Charter Amendment (strengthen the Mayor's office)

6. Alcohol Ban Referendum, "Ban the Ban III" (will they never stop taking our rights!)

We have several candidates for next year, who are not ready to announce.

And of course my volunteer work as the Chair of the San Diego Community College District's Citizen Oversight Committee. This work is a passion of love, as Mesa College gave me my start in education and politics.

So more soon on each of these subjects and so much more.

Bob