Community Service
23845 Summit Rd. 408-353-2847 Building Blocks is a high quality and highly affordable parent-cooperative preschool established by and for the mountain community. Our program – Parenting the Preschooler – is an Adult Education program sponsored by the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department and Adult Education, Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District.
The program is multi-sensory and looks to engage children both in the world around them and in their own particular interests. Art, science, dancing, theater, music, books, field trips and community visitors, and both large movement, and fine motor activities are components of our school curriculum. Children play and learn in both small and whole-class groups - learning to communicate, collaborate, and handle conflict through our classroom activities, developing social skills, friendships, and cognitive skills as they go. Kindergarten-readiness skills are also emphasized for the 4 & 5-yr. old children. The head teacher for the program is Karen Venegas. Karen received her B.A. from UCLA, her Early Childhood Education Certification from Cabrillo College, and her Adult Education Credential from San Jose State. For more information or to enroll your child, please contact Alexis King at Building Blocks 408-353-2847. |
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Santa Clara County does not allow any residential burning. Bona fide agricultural businesses are allowed to burn materials that are byproducts of their businesses with a permit from their local fire department. Permits may be obtained by calling Central Fire in Redwood Estates at 408-378-4010 or CAL FIRE in Morgan Hill at 408-779-5136. Once a permit is obtained, you are still required to call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at 800-792-0787 to see if it is a burn day.
Santa Cruz County permits backyard agricultural burns during burn season, December 1st to April 30. First and foremost, you must call 800-CAL-BURN for the burn status report, and then it is very important that you call your local fire station to let them know that you will be burning, in case your neighbors call to report a fire. www.baaqmd.gov/ You may only burn brush and yard trimmings grown on your property around a single or two family residence that was removed for fire protection. The material must be dry and free from household rubbish and other debris. Small brush and branches (2” in diameter and less) need 30 days to dry. Larger trees and branches (over 2” in diameter) need 60 days to dry. Poison oak should not be burned as the smoke can be deadly. Your pile should be in open space not more than 4’ x 4’ x 4’. Ground winds should be calm. You should have hand tools on site, along with a good hose that reaches well around your pile. You should only burn during daylight hours. Marshmallows are optional. www.mbuapcd.org/ ALERT: If you see smoke bellowing from your neighbors land between December 1 and April 30, please make sure it’s a fire and not a burn pile before alerting the fire department! Thanks to Guy Denues for his assistance. |
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CHARITABLE DONATIONS |
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The California Department of Consumer Affairs suggests checking out charities before giving. The California Attorney Generals Office provides information on charities at http://ag.ca.gov/charities and the Better Business Bureau gives tips for giving at www.give.org . |
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American Red Cross Goodwill Industries Resource Area For Teachers InnVision |
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At-The Well Ministries
Non Profit/Inter Denominational Christ Centered Providing opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth. Men and Women’s Bible Studies-Weekly Monthly Fellowship Group (Men & Women)
Christ Child Church Roman Catholic-Monterey Diocese www.christchild.org 23230 Summit Rd. 408-353-2210 Pastor: Eugenio Aramburo Fax 408-353-8680 FrEugenio@christchild.org Confessions: On Request Masses: Sundays: 10:00 AM Tuesdays: 9:00 AM Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00am Saturday: 5:00 PM Religious Instruction: K thru 8 Sundays 9-10am Sr. Youth Group: Sundays 7pm Wenesdays: 1:30- 3:00pm - "Kids Club" at Loma Prieta School
Skyland Community Church, United Church of Christ A Christian fellowship whose members and friends form a sharing and caring extended family. We offer membership, fellowship, and ministry to all. 25100 Skyland Rd. www.skylandchurch.com 408-353-1310 Mailing address: PO Box 245, Los Gatos, 95031 Minister: Stephen Glauz-Todrank sglauztodrank@gmail.com Sunday Service: 10:30AM Sunday School for Grades 1 through 5 July - 5/10K Run and Walk September - Harvest Festival |
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| Alcoholics Anonymous Mon. 8 PM Skyland Church 408-353-1310 | ||||||||||
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| Boy Scout Council http://www.scccbsa.org/ 408-638-8300 | ||||||||||
| CASA (Community Against Substance Abuse) www.casalgca.org | ||||||||||
| CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) cert@lomaprietafire.org | ||||||||||
| Equine Evacuation Kenneth and Susan Coale 831-429-9604 |
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| 4-H Santa Clara County http://cesantaclara.ucanr.edu/Youth_Development/ 408-282-3116 | ||||||||||
| Girl Scouts - Santa Clara County www.girlscoutsnorcal.org/ 408-287-4170 | ||||||||||
| Girl Scouts - Monterey Bay www.girlscoutsccc.org/ 800-624-4757 | ||||||||||
| Large Animal Rescue-Felton Fire call 911 to activate Bus 831-335-4422 | ||||||||||
| LGS Recreation, Young Rec. Center, 123 E. Main St. 408-354-8700 | ||||||||||
| www.lgsrecreation.org Adult Rec. Center 208 E. Main St. 408-207-4904 | ||||||||||
| Loma Prieta Amateur Radio Club www.lparc.org David Katinsky 408-353-2264 | ||||||||||
| Loma Prieta Club Christal Cordes 408-353-3448 | ||||||||||
| Loma Prieta Community Foundation www.lpcf.net 408-834-7765 | ||||||||||
| Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire www.lomaprietafire.org 408-353-3529 | ||||||||||
| Los Gatos Little League www.lgll.org | ||||||||||
| LGS Recreation 408-354-8700 | ||||||||||
| Los Gatos United Soccer www.lgusl.org | ||||||||||
| MERC (Mountain Emergency Response Corps) Bill 408-341-9023 | ||||||||||
| Mountain Area 55 Plus Program 408-207-4920 | ||||||||||
| Qi Gong Movement Marcy Reynolds www.wildcoastqigong.com 831-512-9331 | ||||||||||
| Red Cross Bill Rose 408-341-9023 |
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| Summit Riders Horseman’s Assn. Sally Francy 408-353-2908 | ||||||||||
| Theatre in the Mountains www.theatreinthemountains.org 408-384-8465 | ||||||||||
Volunteering can be exciting and rewarding. There are many opportunities from the local school, church, or non-profit organizations, to state and international organizations. Involvement can range from a one time occasion for a few hours, to a continuing commitment. Look around your own community, or branch out to get involved. Community service can be fulfilling. It’s a good way to meet people, or even that special someone. www.volunteerinfo.org |
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| Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Mike Wasserman District 1 www.sccgov.org/portal/site/d1 408-299-5010 County Offices 70 W. Hedding Street, S. J. 95110 408-299-5000 www.sccgov.org/portal/site/scc League of Woman Voters 408-867-8683 Registrar of Voters www.smartvoter.org 408-299-8302 Absentee Ballets 408-299-8640 San Jose Animal Care Center www.sanjoseanimals.com 408-578-7297 www.svaca.com Road Maintenance 408-366-3100 Off Hours 408-299-2507 Sheriff www.sccsheriff.org 408-299-2311 Traffic Advisories & Road Closures 408-494-1382 http://cad.chp.ca.gov/
Santa Cruz County www.scanimalshelter.org/ Board of Supervisors 408-252-2124 Santa Cruz # 831-454-2200 www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Government/BoardofSupervisors.aspx Supervisor - John Leopold, District 1 831-454-2200 john.leopold@co.santa-cruz.ca.us www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Government/BoardofSupervisors/District1.aspx Supervisor - Bruce McPherson, District 5 831-454-2200 bruce.mcpherson@co.santa-cruz.ca.us www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Government/BoardofSupervisors/District5.aspx Government Center 701 Ocean St. S. Cruz 95060 Los Gatos # 408-252-2124 Santa Cruz # 831-454-2000 League of Woman Voters 831-426-8683 Registrar of Voters 831-454-2060 Road Maintenance 831-477-3999 Sheriff (Non-Emergency Sheriff Requested) Los Gatos # 408-866-8166 Santa Cruz # 831-471-1121 Business Office 408-866-7704 Traffic Conditions 817-1717 Traffic Advisories & Road Closures |
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Skill is required when driving in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Narrow one-lane, two-way mountainous roads are hard to negotiate, sometimes necessitating the need to back up to allow another vehicle to pass. The vehicle going up-hill always has the right of way. This means that the vehicle coming down, must back up the hill. Besides driving at a safe speed for conditions, proper driving on Highway 17 increases every one’s safety. Shift your automatic transmission into third when driving downhill. This will allow you more control, while decreasing your need to brake. Your brakes are more efficient on a straight-away, since all the tires touch the ground with an equal amount of weight. Therefore, slow down before you reach a curve, coast through the curve, and accelerate as you exit the curve. Raising your visual horizon allows you to drive more defensively. Look as far ahead as possible. The traffic often stops abruptly, so looking past the car ahead of you gives you more time to react. We sometimes have dense fog on our mountain resulting in limited visibility. Slow down and use your low beams in heavy fog. Use the painted lines as your guide and listen for traffic you can’t see. Don’t change lanes, unless necessary and remember that your perception of speed can be affected by the fog. Look at your speedometer to make sure that you are going slow. When weather conditions are poor, SLOW DOWN. You will only lose a few seconds, and please pull over for emergency vehicles (this included per request of the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire Dept.). It could be you or your loved one in need of help! |
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Emergency Communications Notification (Reverse 911) is an emergency notification system which can be used to send important messages to residents and businesses within either Santa Clara or Santa Cruz Counties. The system has the capability of sending thousands of messages in a very short time based on geographic location of the incident. Examples of uses may be: Request for community assistance in locating missing children Evacuation notices due to emergency situations Be-on-the-lookout notices for dangerous criminals in your area Landline phone numbers have been uploaded into the system but cell phone numbers require individual registration. |
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To register your cell phone: Santa Clara County www.AlertSCC.com Santa Cruz County www.sccecc.org/ |
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| President Barack H. Obama 202-456-1414 and Vice President Joe Biden Fax 202-456-2461 The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Wash. D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov president@whitehouse.gov vice.president@whitehouse.gov FEMA- Disaster Information Help Line 800-525-0321 www.fema.gov/ Senator - Barbara Boxer Dem. CA. 415-403-0100 1700 Montgomery St.#240, S.F. 94111 Fax 415-956-6701 senator@boxer.senator.gov www.senate.gov/~boxer/ Senator Dianne Feinstein Dem. CA. 415-393-0707 One Post St. #2450,S.F. 94104 Fax 415-393-0710 senator@feinstein.senator.gov www.senate.gov/~feinstein Santa Clara County Congressman – Mike Honda Rep. District 15 408-558-8085 1999 S. Bascom Ave., #815, Campbell 95008 Fax 408-558-8086 mike.honda@mail.house.gov www.hondahouse.gov/ Post Office - Los Gatos 800-275-8777 408-395-8936 Post Office - Redwood Estates 408-353-1667 Santa Cruz County Congresswoman – Anna Eshoo Dem. District 14 408-245-2339 698 Emerson St. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Fax 650-323-3498 anna.eshoo@mail.house.gov www.eshoo.house.gov Post Office - Capitola 800-275-8777 Scotts Valley 800-275-8777 Soquel 800-275-8777 |
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Feng Shui is the Chinese method of aligning the energy or Chi flow in your home. The Chinese believe that having good energy movement in your home is vital to your health and well being. Keeping your home clean, uncluttered, and in good repair will produce harmony and balance in your life. Arranging your furniture with consideration as to how the Chi (also spelled “Qi”) flows throughout your home is one of the fundamental principals of Yin and Yang. Qi Gong is the method of controlling the energy or Chi in the most important house you own, your body. Feng Shui, acupuncture, and Ti Chi were derived from Qi Gong. In basic terms, Qi Gong is stretching and breathing exercises, that puts you into a meditative state. When done with intention and awareness, it is beneficial for self healing, mental relaxation, and general good health. In a healthy body, chi flows freely along invisible paths called meridians. Adverse medical conditions or emotional tension causes blockages which lead to disease. Qi Gong improves blood circulation and bolsters the immune system. Circulating Chi within the body helps you overcome imbalances or blockages while prolonging life, vitality, and well-being. Practitioners experience increased stamina, better digestion, improved circulation, more restful sleep, balanced internal energy, reduced stress and anxiety, while enhancing resistance to disease. Currently there are drop in classes on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 am, with a Wild Goose practice class from 9:45 to 10:15 at the Skyland Church. On Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 am there is a student run practice class. Call Marcy Reynolds at 831-512-9331 or visit the website at www.wildcoastqigong.com for more information. |
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Defensible Space is the area between your home and the oncoming fire where the vegetation has been trimmed back to reduce the wildfire threat and provide an opportunity for firemen to defend your home. 100 feet clearance around your home is required by law. This means 30 feet cleared well with large trees being limbed up 10 feet from the ground. The remaining 70% depends on the steepness and vegetation. Create horizontal and vertical spacing between trees, and remove the “fire ladder” beneath large trees. Remove needles and leaves from roof and gutters and keep limbs trimmed 10 feet back from chimneys. Remove all dead vegetation. |
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Chipper Program
www.firesafecouncil.org Santa Clara County dschip@SCCFireSafe.org 408-975-9591 Santa Cruz County ed@SCCFireSafe.org 831-335-6794 Soquel thadyne@soquelfiresafe.org 831-600-8503 South Skyland schwindr@yahoo.com 408-867-9422 |
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| CAL FIRE | ||||||||||
| www.fire.ca.gov/ | ||||||||||
| Santa Clara County Fire Department Redwood Estates 408-378-4010 Department of Forestry Alma Forest Fire Station 408-354-5050 Burrell Fire Station 408-353-1022 Saratoga Summit Fire Station 408-867-3625 Soquel Fire Station 831-475-3234 Soquel Demonstration State Forest 831-475-8643 http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_soquel.php Volunteer Fire Departments Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire Dept. 17445 Old Summit Road 408-353-3529 Ormsby Fire Brigade Reid Wilburn 831-588-4083 Zayante Fire District 15585 Upper East Zayante 408-353-5051 |
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| Firewood is sold in a measurement called a “cord”. A cord equals 128 cubic feet. Stack the wood neatly by placing the wood in a row with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, making sure that the wood is compact and has as few gaps as possible. The width, times the height, times the length, should equal 128 cubic feet. A cord, like other measurements, is defined by law. A seller may not legitimately use terms such as “truckload”, “face cord”, “rack”, or “pile”. When you buy firewood make sure that you get a receipt with the seller’s name, address, and phone number, as well as the price, amount and kind of wood purchased. If possible, write down the license plate number of the delivery vehicle. If you have been short changed and the seller can’t or won’t correct the problem, contact your county Weights and Measures office. |
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Santa Clara County Weights and Measures 408-918-4601 |
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The above information has been provided by The National Conference on Weights and Measures.
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| Generators are definitely a plus in the Santa Cruz Mountains where we have frequent interruptions in our electricity. Although convenient, generators can be dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced homeowner. First off, you must call PG&E at 800-743-5000 to inform them that you will be using a generator. This law is to protect your property and the lives of PG&E linemen who may be trying to repair the power outage. Permanent standby generators must be installed properly. You are responsible to make sure that the electricity from your unit cannot flow into PG&E’s power lines. If your generator is permanently connected to your home wiring, you must install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch. This not only protects PG&E’s equipment, it keeps PG&E’s power from re-energizing your house wiring, while your generator is running. A transfer switch must be installed in a weather-proof enclosure between PG&E’s meter and your circuit breaker panel. Make sure you follow all codes. Portable generators are designed to be connected to specific appliances. These generators should never be connected directly to your home’s wiring. Be careful not to exceed the manufacturer’s load rating. Make sure that your extension cords are properly sized for the load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires or damage to equipment. Never fill the tank while the generator is running, or even hot. Let it cool down before refilling. The greater the load, the more gas you will use. Never run a generator inside your home or in any enclosed area. Since generators are not waterproof, it is recommended that you build a little house over your generator. Allow a two minute warm up before plugging in extension cords or equipment and unplug items before shutting down. Plug the items that draw the most power first. You should drain the fuel and run the tank dry before storage (gasoline has a short storage life). Thanks to PG&E for their assistance. |
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GIRLS ON THE RUN |
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Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls stay out of the “Girl Box” – a place where girls are valued more for their outward appearance than their inside character. For girls in 3rd-8th grade, the program targets those years when girls’ self images are being developed. Using running and fun games as teaching tools, the curricula addresses all aspects of a girl’s development by combining training for a 3.1 mile running event with lessons designed to promote physical, emotional and social development. |
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For more information, visit their website at www.girlsontherun-sv.org or contact Kathleen Nestler at (408)406-8406 or kathleen@gotrsv.org |
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INTERNET |
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The Santa Cruz Mountain Alliance is trying and succeeding in bringing Comcast to the mountain. Verizon DSL is also available to some homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Call your land-line phone company to see if you are eligible. |
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LANDSCAPING |
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DEER RESISTANT SHRUBS* Drought Resistant DEER RESISTANT TREES DEER RESISTANT SHRUBS DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS DEER RESISTANT GRASSES DEER RESISTANT VINES/GROUNDCOVERS |
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Large Animal Rescue (LAR), a division of the Felton Fire Protection District, was formed in 1996 to assist with animal rescues in Santa Cruz County, as well as surrounding counties. Equipped with the proper gear and training, they average about 10 to 12 rescues per year, but that number can raise dramatically with a disaster. A response to extricate or assist a large animal is activated by a call to 9-1-1. |
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Felton Fire Protection District, 131 Kirby St., Felton, CA 95018 |
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831-335-4422 www.feltonfire.com |
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Their staff are firefighters with Felton Fire Protection District’s LAR Unit. They offer LAR training that is certified by the California State Fire Marshall to emergency responders, veterinarians and large animal owners. |
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831-335-3473 |
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Santa Cruz County Equine Evacuation Unit is ready to assist horse owners in moving animals to designated sites if evacuation is needed
due to fire, flood, earthquake, etc. |
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Contact Lyn Hood at 831-475-3323 lyhood@cabrillo.edu |
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www.lgsrecreation |408-354-8700 |
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Los Gatos Public Library
110 E. Main St. L.G. 408-354-6891 Children’s Room 408-354-6893 Reference Desk 408-354-6896 Hours: Monday & Tuesday 11AM to 8PM Wednesday & Friday 10AM to 6PM Saturday 10PM to 5PM Sunday 12PM to 5PM http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?NID=42 All residents of California may obtain a library card at no charge. http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?NID=42 Santa Clara County Library System A resident in the State of California may obtain a library card at any public library in the State of California at no cost. Bookmobile services are offered by Santa Clara County and all the libraries on both sides are for your use with a library card. Santa Clara County Bookmobile - every other Thurs- Jan. 3,17, etc. 408-293-2326 Hours: Lakeside School 10:30 - 12:15 x3060 Loma Prieta School 2:00 - 3:30 Redwood Estates Pavilion 4:00 – 5:30 800-471-0991
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library 408-808-2000 150 E. San Fernando Ave, (at 4 th St.) San Jose 95112 http://library.sjsu.edu/ A collaboration between San Jose State University and the City of San Jose, this is one of the largest libraries in the country with over 1.9 million items. Santa Cruz Public Libraries, A City-County System Residents of Santa Cruz County are allowed to use any of the libraries in the city and county. www.santacruzpl.org 831-420-5600 |
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The Loma Prieta Club originated in 1905 as the Santa Cruz Mountain Social and Improvement Club. The ladies met twice a month to plan entertainment for the community. By 1912 the club had grown into a more community service oriented club doing good works for local families. During World War II the ladies showed their support for the troops by making bandages for the Red Cross and they customarily have helped with a scholarship for a deserving student. In the 1930’s the name was changed to the “Loma Prieta Club”. Presently, the club meets once a month for a luncheon and to discuss business. They sponsor a yearly fundraiser, a luncheon at the Radonich Packing House on a Wednesday in May. In addition to the social aspects of the club, they raise funds to help support community needs through the local churches, the Loma Prieta School District, and the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Membership is by invitation only. Thanks to the Loma Prieta Club for providing the above information |
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23800 Summit Road www.lpcf.net 408-834-7765 The Loma Prieta Community Foundation is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to building and supporting a strong sense of community in the Summit area by providing educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for mountain residents. Founded in 1983 for the purpose of building the Loma Prieta Community Center, the foundation continued to play an important role, initiating and supporting community programs and activities until two years ago. They were paramount in procuring grants totaling over one million dollars from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, covered by a bond issue passed by the voters of this district, for the purpose of building a community center. The school donated a parcel of land worth $125,000. Unfortunately, the school district has taken over the Community Center building, so it is no longer a community building. It is a school building and groups can rent the facilities only when the school is not using them. The foundation still manages Theatre in the Mountains, which has fallen on hard times in the last couple of years. Grants that carried them since their inception are no longer being obtained so they must rely on revenues and the foundation for their survival. The foundation office is in the Community Center. |
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Since 1962, the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue has served in support of the California Division of Forestry to protect the forest, farms, homes and above all the families along the Santa Cruz-Santa Clara County line in the Summit area South of Los Gatos. Please join us on the first Sunday in June at 11:00 am for our annual BBQ fundraiser at the Gazebo in the park across the street from the school. A mountain tradition, the firefighters BBQ raises the much needed operating funds for Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue. We have an action packed day planned for all that attend. One of our biggest needs is not equipment, but personnel. Maintaining a force large enough to respond day in and day out is not easy. Not everybody can respond at all times. In order for a modern volunteer force to survive it requires a balance of young career bound firefighters and those who have their roots deep in the community. We welcome all comers, male and female. You must live in the response area and be at least 18 years of age. There are a series of classes and training you must attend to be able to respond on calls. All required training is available through CDF, which will put you through a Volunteer Academy, First Responder /EMT(medical training), Safety Orientation, Hazardous Materials and Confined Space training. There is no cost for the training |
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www.lomaprietafire.org |
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El Camino Hospital of LG. 815 Pollard Rd., L.G. 408-378-6131 Emergency 408-866-4040 www.elcaminohospital.org/ Santa Clara County Good Samaritan Hospital 2425 Samaritan Dr. S.J. 408-559-2011 Emergency 408-559-2552 www.goodsamsanjose.com Santa Cruz County Dominican Hospital 1555 Soquel Dr. Santa Cruz 831-462-7700 Emergency 831-462-7710 www.dominicanhospital.org Poison Center 24 Hr. Hotline 800-662-9886 |
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| Just outside the Town of Los Gatos, on either side of Lexington Reservoir, sit the District’s two southernmost preserves, Sierra Azul (“ Blue Range”) and Bear Creek Redwoods. These Preserves contain over a combined 18,600 acres and are the focus of a public planning process to develop a Master Plan that will serve as a guiding vision for the land. The Master Plan will define the desired future use, direct resource and land management efforts, and outline public access opportunities at these two Preserves. With the successful procurement of outside funding to clean the Mt. Umunhum summit, the demolition contractor was issued a Notice to Proceed in November 2012. Site clearing, setup, and tree removal are expected to commence in February 2013. Structural demolition will likely occur from March to June 2013.
Thanks to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. |
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This program is offered in partnership with LGS Recreation, Loma Prieta Community Foundation & Santa Cruz County |
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SHARE THE BOUNTY FROM YOUR GARDEN. On days that we meet at the Loma Prieta Community Center, we invite you to bring the surplus from your garden to share with neighbors. |
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MOUNTAIN RESIDENT VEHICLE STICKER |
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| The Santa Clara County Mountain Residents Vehicle Identification Sticker is for identification purposes for all residents who reside in the 95033 zip code. Placement of the sticker in the left lower corner of your vehicle’s windshield allows CHP officers to recognize you as a mountain resident in the event of a closure of Highway 17. This is not only for major disasters; this system is used for all closers. We have been plagued by closures on Highway 17 since it was built. In 1989, the road was closed for several months after the earthquake. Since then, on several occasions, the road has been closed due to various types of accidents. The stickers provide quick ID so that long delays at roadblocks will not form while driver’s licenses are being checked. Redwood Estates Service Association is now handling this project. Mail a copy of your registration to RESA-Mtn. Sticker Program, PO Box 591, Redwood Estates, 95044 or drop in their office at 21450 Madrone Dr. They are open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9-2PM. The cost is $4 per sticker. You are under no obligation to participate. |
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San Jose Mercury News 408-920-5000 Classified 800-287-7878 or 408-920-5111 Circulation 800-870-NEWS (6397) www.mercurynews.com/ Santa Cruz Sentinel 831-423-4242 Classified 831-426-8000 Circulation 831-458-0111 www.santacruzsentinel.com/ Los Gatos Weekly Times (Tues) Los Gatos Weekender (Fri) 408-200-1000 Fax 408-200-1013 Classified 408-200-1025 www.svcn.com/los_gatos/ |
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| Why recycle? Do you know how long it takes for trash to decompose? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| There is a FREE recycling movement in the mountains. It is a Yahoo Group open to anyone who wants to reduce, reuse, and recycle. With over 500 members, it is a great way to get rid of still useable, unwanted items. |
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Composting Most organic materials, when chopped or shredded into smaller pieces, will decompose simply and quickly if kept moist and occasionally exposed to air by “stirring.” Composting organic wastes can reduce your household “garbage” by as much as one third. Compost is a good source of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, all of which are essential for plant growth. Compost has a large capacity to hold water, which helps hold the soil together, and prevents erosion. Santa Clara County Rotline: 408-918-4640 www.reducewaste.org Santa Cruz County Rotline: 831-423-4327 www.compostsantacruzcounty.org Junk Mail Reduction We use over 50 million trees and about 25 billion gallons of water to produce one year’s worth of junk mail in this country. This creates over 4 million tons of unnecessary waste. The average American receives over 40 pounds of junk mail each year, which almost half of it being unread and sent directly to the garbage. We typically receive catalogs and promotional mail from companies that we never contacted, and wonder how we got on their mailing list. Various companies, including the USPS, sell or rent their mailing lists to other groups. To reduce unwanted mail, call the 1-800 numbers listed on each mailing and request to be taken off their list. This takes time, but will reduce the unwanted mail you receive each week. A new and innovative way to stop unwanted mail is through services on the internet. These services may charge a fee, but do all of the work for you. The following websites offer tips and services for helping to reduce junk mail: www.donotmail.org www.stopthejunkmail.com Recycling Appliances P,G, & E has a recycling program for large appliances and they even pay you for them. Most stores offer recycling of your old appliance when you purchase and they deliver your new appliance. P,G,& E 800-299-7573 Recycling Electronics The number of TV’s, computers, and other electronics becoming obsolete or replaced each year is significantly increasing and creating a need for recycling consumer electronics. The EPA estimates that millions of pounds of old computers and other hardware are trashed in the United States each year. Most, if not all of the materials that make up these items are recyclable and have resale value. There are also small amounts of materials that may be hazardous if not disposed of properly, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. Many recycling opportunities occur throughout the year as various non-profit groups have recycling drop off days. Grey Bears www.greybears.org 831-479-1055 2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz 8AM to 3:30PM Daily Computers, monitors, TV’s, printers and all electronic devices w/ electrical cord |
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Environmental Websites America Recycles Day www.americarecyclesday.org Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition www.bayarearecycling.org EPA Teachers Link www.epa.gov/recyclecity Grass Roots Recycling Network www.grrn.org International Association of Electronics Recyclers www.iaer.org National Arbor Day Foundation www.arborday.org Online Environmental Community www.envirolink.org Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org Water Education & Awareness www.usewaterwisely.com World Wildlife Fund www.panda.org |
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Various local mountain groups use the facility for meetings and events including the Cub Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Redwood Estates Community Club, and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Recreation Department. The Redwood Estates Pavilion is also used annually for many community events, including the Childrens Easter Egg Hunt, Adult Halloween Dance and the Childrens Holiday Party. The Redwood Mutual Water Co. (Now Redwood Esates Services Association) and Loma Prieta Commuity Foundation held the first annual "Mountain Residents Night Out” here in August 2001 and it is now held here every other year. The Pavilion has come a long way since originally being built in 1927, and then rebuilt in 1999 after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. A brick BBQ and exterior deck grace the outside with beautiful groves of redwoods and oaks to view. The front of the building has a memorial bench and flagpole, dedicated to the memory of a former mountain resident, Mark Bingham, who was a passenger on Flight 93 and a victim of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Pavilion is managed by the Redwood Estates Services Association (RESA) |
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| REDWOOD ESTATES CENTER Central Fire Station 408-378-4010 21452 Madrone Dr. 408-353-2612 Nonno’s 408-353-5633 Pizza, Barbeque, Marianne’s Ice Cream, Gourmet cheeses. An Extensive Selection of Fine Wines from around The World. ATM. Free wireless internet. Call For Hours. Conference/meeting room. Redwood Store |
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| Our goal is to notify the community about relevant issues and to assist in community based projects when needed. To this end, the Santa Cruz Mountain Alliance is building a community-wide email system to inform our mountain residents about important local issues. We are also creating a set of shared tools and processes to aid community projects. The Alliance is a group of volunteers, who have worked on local projects, learned from the experience and are now organizing as a 501(c)(4) Public Benefit Corporation under the name, Santa Cruz Mountain Alliance. |
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SCHOOLS |
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| LAKESIDE JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT Lakeside Elementary School (Grades K-6) www.lakesidelosgatos.org 19621 Black Rd. 408-354-2372 Superintendent – Elizabeth Bozzo Secretary – Susan Ady Lakeside School was started in 1881 near Black & Thompson Roads. In 1912, the Red School House was built and Lakeside School moved and consolidated with Central School, which was on Black and Skyline. They moved into the present building in 1967, serving Kindergarten through fifth grade. Located off Highway 17, from San Jose, drive towards Santa Cruz past the Los Gatos exits and make a right on the Bear Creek Road exit. Stay on the Frontage Road crossing Bear Creek Road, then take a left on Black Road. Lakeside School is 1.5 miles from Hwy. 17. Clubhouse 408-395-5125 Before and after school child care for students at Lakeside School. Rolling Hills Middle School 408-364-4235 http://rollinghills.campbellusd.org 1585 More Ave., Los Gatos, 95032 Principal – Cynthia Dodd 408-341-700x5155 Secretary – Sue Odom 408-341-700x5151 Rolling Hills, although located in the town of Los Gatos, is in the Campbell Union School District. They agreed to accept the Lakeside kids when Fisher outgrew its campus. LOMA PRIETA JOINT UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT www.loma.k12.ca.us 23800 Summit Rd. 408-353-1101 Superintendent –Corey Kidwell Fax 408-353-8051 Secretary – Eileen Bevans The Loma Prieta School District is located on the Summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Originally, there were four one room schools that consolidated in 1952. The elementary school was rebuilt across Summit Road after the earthquake of 1989 and the middle school was recently rebuilt. Loma Prieta Elementary School (Grades K – 5) http://www.loma.k12.ca.us/LPS/ 23800 Summit Rd. 408-353-1106 Principal – Denee Signorelli Fax 408-353-3274 Secretary – Raquel Marin C.T. English Middle School (Grades 6 - 8) http://www.loma.k12.ca.us/CTE/index.html 23800 Summit Rd. 408-353-1123 Principal – Denee Signorelli Fax 408-353-5024 Secretary –Julie Bourque Kids and Company 408-353-5437 Before & after school care for children attending Loma Prieta School. LOS GATOS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT www.lgusd.k12.ca.us/ 17010 Roberts Road, 95032 408-335-2000 Superintendent – Diana Abbati Fax 408-395-6481 Secretary – Nancy Jones R.J. Fisher Middle School www.rjfisher.lgusd.k12.ca.us 19195 Fisher Rd. 95032 408-335-2300 Principal – Lisa Fraser Attendance Line 408-335-2385 Secretary – Jane Babb Fisher opened in 1961 as a Junior High for seventh and eighth graders. In 1989, the name was changed to Fisher Middle School and sixth graders were added. Major reconstruction has recently been completed. Lexington Elementary School www.lex.lgusd.k12.ca.us/ 19700 Old Santa Cruz Highway 408-335-2150 Principal - Susan von Felton Fax 408-354-2014 Secretary – Jill Mayo Opened on August 2, 1859 in the town of Lexington, it was the only school between San Jose and Santa Cruz. In 1911, it was moved to its present location. It started as a one room school house and has grown to its present size, serving Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Driving directions, Take exit towards Bear Creek Road. Turn right at the stop sign and drive towards the reservoir. Turn right onto Old Santa Cruz Highway, which is the frontage road along the Lexington Reservoir side. Drive approximately .5 mile. You will drive past the CDF station on the left. Turn right onto Lexington School Road. Clubhouse 408-395-3321 After school child care for students of Lexington. LOS GATOS-SARATOGA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT www.lgsuhsd.org District Office - 17421 Farley Rd West 95030 408-354-2520 Superintendent –Bob Mistele Fax 408-354-7875 Secretary - Jane Marashian Los Gatos High School www.lghs.net 20 High School Court 95030 408-354-2730 Principal –Markus Autrey Fax 408-354-3742 Secretary - Mariellen Furia Asst. Principal- Kristina Grasty- House 1 (A-G) Asst. Principal- Kevin Rogers- House 2 (I-O) Asst. Principal- Amy Drolette- House 3(P-Z) The main building was built in 1887. The majority of mountain teens attend this high school. Saratoga High School www.saratogahigh.org 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga 95070 408-867-3411 Principal – Paul Robinson x204 Fax 408-867-3577 Secretary – Sue Dini x201 Asst. Principal –Kerry Mohnike x208 Asst. Principal –Kevin Mount x210 Asst. Principal – Brian Safine x209 SCOTTS VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT www.svusd.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ 4444 Scotts Valley Dr.,#5B, Scotts Valley, 95066 831-438-1820 Superintendent –Penny Weaver Fax 831-438-2314 Assistant – Brenda Spalding Vine Hill Elementary School www.vinehill.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ 151 Vine Hill Rd, Scotts Valley 95066 831-438-1090 Principal - Michelle Stewart Fax 831-438-4087 Secretary – Mallorie Brooks Located at the base of the mountain off of Highway 17, children in the Glenwood area, along with interdistrict transfers from the mountain attend grades K through five. Scotts Valley Middle School 831-438-0610 www.svms.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ 8 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley, 95066 Principal – Mary Lonhart Secretary – Peggy Duckett Scotts Valley Middle School services some of the mountain sixth thru eight graders who reside above town. Scotts Valley High School www.svhs.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ 555 Glenwood Dr. Scotts Valley 95066 831-439-9555 Principal – Valerie Bariteau Asst. Principal – Daniel Denton Secretary –Pam Morrison This school opened in the fall of 1998 in portable trailers while construction continued until students were able to move into permanent classrooms. SANTA CRUZ CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT OFFICE www.sccs.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ 405 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, 95073 831-429-3410 Superintendent – Gary Bloom Fax 831-429-3439 Assistant –Nancy Lentz Soquel High School www.soquelhs.net 401 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel 95073 831-429-3909 Principal- Ken Lawrence-Emanuel x123 Secretary- Viyada Weng x124 Soquel High is located on the hill above the town of Soquel. The forty-acre campus has 1234 students in attendance, Freshman through Senior. Some of the mountain kids on the Santa Cruz County side attend this school. |
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Redwood Estates Substation 408-299-2311 In Emergency Dial 911 |
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SHERIFF’S SUBSTATION |
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Summit Office 408-353-9581 23800 Summit Rd. Fax 408-353-9681 (Located in the Community Center) Santa Cruz County Dispatch Los Gatos # 408-866-8166 Santa Cruz # 831-471-1121 Santa Cruz County Sheriff Business Office Los Gatos # 408-866-7704 Santa Cruz # 831-454-2414 The Summit office is staffed by volunteers when volunteers are available. www.scsheriff.com/ In Emergency Dial 911 |
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| Solar power photovoltaic (PV) systems independently convert the sun’s light into electricity. This electricity can be used directly from the sun, stored in batteries for later use or fed into PG&E’s system. A southern exposure is required and the more square footage of roof available, the larger the system that can be installed. Solar Silicon wafers placed on the roof capture photons from sunlight, turn them into DC power, which is then transformed into 120 volt AC power, that is connected to your existing electrical system. Therefore, the more sun the more energy produced. Although a new system is pricy, rebates bring the cost down substantially, so savings can be seen in only a few years. You will still pay the basis charge of $5 per month to PG&E, but obtaining a second on your house makes the cost reasonable as it is spread over a period of time. There are several solar contractors who work in these mountains, find them under “Solar Contractors.” |
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www.ca.gov/ Santa Cruz CountyAssemblymember Mark Stone (Dem. District 29) 831-425-1503 |
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| Summit Riders Horseman’s Association is a family-oriented club that is dedicated to promoting knowledge and enjoyment of horses and horsemanship. SRHA offers its members a variety of benefits and activities including a monthly newsletter, campouts, guest speakers, organized trail rides, horse shows, play days and training clinics - all in the Santa Cruz Mountains. SRHA…Come ride with us! | ||
For membership information, contact: Sally Francy 408-353-2908 |
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TELEVISION |
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In 2004, Congress passed the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act. This legislation requires the satellite providers to use zipcode data from Nielsen Media Research, Inc. to define the network broadcast TV market. Nielsen Media research has defined our market as Monterey-Salinas, however some residents in Santa Clara County are able to get broadcast TV from San Francisco. Dish Network is offering San Francisco Broadcast TV through an agreement with All American Direct, which offers broadcast TV from San Francisco and New York, allowing the watcher to view in the Westcoast time zone, or the Eastcoast time zone. Contact your local satellite dealer for more information. As well, file complaints with:
Senator Barbara Boxer Dem. CA. 415-403-0100
1700 Montgomery St.#240, S.F. 94111 Fax 415-956-6701
senator@boxer.senator.gov www.senate.gov/~boxer/ Senator Dianne Feinstein Dem. CA. 415-393-0707 One Post St. #2450,S.F. 94104 Fax 415-393-0710
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Termites are a fact of life living in the mountains where we are always trying to beat back the forest. They were here first and our houses are just another fertile ground for them to eat and live in. We are blessed with three different types of termites here in our mountains, drywood termites, dampwood termites, and subterranean termites. All of them damage our homes and must be eradicated. There are several ways to tell if you have termites. Piles of droppings or pellets are an indication of drywood termites. They also swarm on warm days, leaving the nest to breed more termites to damage your home further. Subterranean termites are ground dwellers that build mud tubes, and they swarm in the spring. Termites have wings that are twice as long as the insect and are tear shaped. On a swarm day, there could be 50 million termites in the air. You can avoid termite infestations by keeping a good coat of paint on your home and maintaining caulking cracks and wood separations on the exterior trim. Cover the attic vents with window screen, as the standard mesh netting is good for birds and rodents, but not termites. Avoid earth-to-wood contacts under, around, and near the main structure, including decks and patios. If you should find a termite infestation, call a termite specialist immediately. There are several different treatments, including several types of spot treatments, or tenting the entire house and decks for three days while a gas is pumped into the house, killing all of the termites you found and those hidden deep within your walls. You do have to remove all food, plants, personal hygiene items and medicine, as well as all of the people and animals from the home for the three day period. |
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There are many ways to damage a mature native oak. Examples of most of these tree damage procedures can be seen whenever motorized-wheeled equipment is used near mature trees. One must understand that the great majority of roots are in the top three feet of soil, and that the only parts which absorb water and minerals will be where the best balance of oxygen and water is, which is usually in the top 6-inches of soil. These roots will reach laterally to an area at least 50% larger than the trees foliage canopy. A portion of these can be removed without causing permanent harm but that should not amount to more than 15% of the total. As a result, digging a septic system leach field 6-feet from an oak with a 40-foot canopy will sever 30% or more of the root system. Making a 3-foot cut, 3-feet from a 2-foot diameter tree trunk, to install a retaining wall severs too large a portion of the large roots to leave enough structural support and too many absorbing roots for the tree to continue to feed itself. Slow (10 to 12 year) decline often follows. The opposite problem is often created when a roadway is cut on one side and fill is placed against the tree trunk on the other side. Many absorbing roots are cut and others filled over and suffocated, leaving the tree susceptible to Armillaria mellea, oak root fungus, which takes 10-15 years to kill the tree. Irrigating beneath the canopy or uphill from a native oak almost certainly will result in root collar infections 5-15 years later. By Barrie Coate, Consulting Arborist |
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A plant disease commonly called Sudden Oak Death is threatening coastal forests in California and Oregon. Currently found in coastal California counties from Monterey to Humboldt and in a small portion of southwest Oregon, the disease is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum (pronounced Fi-TOFF-thor-ra ra-MOR-um). Sudden Oak Death has resulted in the death of millions of tanoak and coast live oak trees. In addition, more than 35 other plant species are susceptible to the pathogen, yet most of these species suffer only minor damage, limited to leaf spots or twig dieback.
Though Sudden Oak Death is a forest disease, it is common in urban wildland interface areas, so it presents many challenges for homeowners. Because P. ramorum may be spread through the movement of infested soil and plant materials, State and federal regulations are in place to control the potential spread of the pathogen to uninfested areas. P. ramorum host species plant material is regulated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). Quarantine regulations are in place for the infested counties, and before moving susceptible plant material out of the regulated area, you must contact your Agricultural Commissioner for a permit. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation approved a special registration for Agri-Fos fungicide in October 2003. It is currently the only chemical treatment approved by the State for use against Phytophthora ramorum infections on oaks and tanoaks. The compound is best used as a preventative measure and is NOT A CURE, but it can help protect trees from getting infected, as well as suppress disease progression in very early infections. If oaks dominate the site and are the preferred species, consider removing California bay laurels within 15 feet of the trunks of valued oaks, as CA bay laurels greatly contribute to disease spread. More information can be found at www.suddenoakdeath.org. |
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From a seed no bigger than one from a tomato, California's coast redwood (Sequoia semperviren) can grow to a height of 367 feet (122 m) and have a width of 22 feet (7 m) at its base. A combination of longitude, climate, and elevation limits the redwoods' range to a few hundred miles along the northern coast of California. The cool, moist air created by the Pacific Ocean keeps the trees continually damp, even during summer droughts. Resistance to natural enemies such as insects and fire are built-in features of a coast redwood. Diseases are virtually unknown and insect damage insignificant thanks to the high tannin content of the wood. Thick bark and foliage that rests high above the ground provides protection from all but the hottest fires. Undoubtedly the most important environmental influence upon the coast redwood is its own biotic community. The complex soils on the forest floor contribute not only to the redwoods' growth, but also to a verdant array of greenery, fungi, and other trees. A healthy redwood forest usually includes massive Douglas-firs, tanoaks, madrones, and other trees. Among the ferns and leafy redwood sorrels, mosses and mushrooms help to regenerate the soils. And of course, the redwoods themselves eventually fall to the floor where they can be returned to the soil. The North Coast is often gray with a thick layer of fog, especially during summer. When inland temperatures are high, the fog is drawn in from over the ocean. This natural cooling and moistening system is beneficial to the redwoods near the coast. Fog precipitates onto the forest greenery and then drips to the forest floor, providing a small bit of moisture during summer dry periods. Although redwoods do not depend upon fog for their survival, their range would probably be reduced without it. The roots only go down 10 to 13 feet (3-4 m) deep before spreading outward 60 to 80 feet (20-27 m).Large redwoods move hundreds of gallons of water daily along their trunks from roots to crown. (A 10” diameter tree requires 200 gallons a month) This water transpires into the atmosphere through the trees' foliage, powered by the leaves' diffusion of water, water-to-water molecular bonds in the trees' sapwood drags the moisture upwards.The redwoods go back 20 million years in their present range. |
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| Santa Clara County Landfills/Recycling Centers Guadalupe Landfill (Waste Management) 408-268-1670 15999 Guadalupe Mines Rd, San Jose Hours: 8AM to 4:45 PM DailY Zanker Road Landfill 408-263-2385 675 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, Ca 95134 Hours: Mon.-Fri., 6:00-5:45 Sat.-Sun., 8:00-3:45 Garbage Service/Recycling Green Waste Recovery 408-283-4800 www.greenwaste.com Santa Cruz County Landfills/Recycling Centers Ben Lomond Transfer Station 831-336-3951 9835 Newell Creek Rd., Ben Lomond Hours: 7:30AM to 3:30 PM Daily Buena Vista Landfill 1231 Buena Vista Drive, Watsonville 831-454-5153 Hours: 7:30AM to 3:30PM Daily Grey Bears www.greybears.org 831-479-1055 2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz 2nd location at the Buena Vista Landfill 3 rd week in April & Oct. free to dump recyclables that usually have a fee. Garbage Service/Recycling Green Waste Recovery 800-665-2209 www.greenwaste.com Recycling Services Hotline 831-454-2430 Recycle Info Line 831-454-2333 Both Counties Electrical Services- P.G.&E. 800-743-5000 Propane Amerigas Santa Cruz Co. 800-464-8558 Santa Clara Co. 800-660-1252 Coast Gas - Northern Energy 831-724-3200 Northern Energy - Coast Gas 800-683-0773 Pacific Propane 831-633-5020 Propane by Nonno’s 408-353-5633 Suburban 831-438-2004 Telephone Service Verizon www.verizon.com Residential Line 800-483-3000 Business Line 800-483-5000 A.T & T www.att.com Residential Line 800-310-2355 Business Line 888-944-0447 |
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We live in what is known as a low-yield well area. What this means to property owners here on the hill is that most of the wells in this area cannot produce enough water to pump continuously into the house without interruption. Therefore most properties have storage tanks to collect the water in sufficient amounts to ensure a constant flow year round. After collecting the water, it must be pressurized to 40-60 lbs in order to take a shower. Normally, this requires a pressure pump and a pressure tank, unless your storage tank can be elevated high enough above the house to produce a gravity flow. The equipment all has to be maintained, fed with electricity, repaired and replaced periodically. The water drawn from low-yield well areas frequently presents water users with mineral-rich water, which at the very least is unpalatable, and often does damage to fixtures, pipes and clothes, when they are washed. A partial list of these minerals and related problems in this area would include: iron, iron bacteria, manganese, hydrogen-sulfide, low pH, hardness, high TDS, color, smell, and coliform bacteria. The good news is, all of these problems can be solved with a well-designed water-treatment system utilizing filters, ion-exchange filters, softeners, ozone, and chemicals. The bad news is that it all costs money to install and maintain. The water is here, but it’s a long way from free. |
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| Some plants introduced into western gardens have jumped the garden fence. Uncontrolled by the pests from their native habitats, they threaten native landscapes and should be eradicated. It takes several years of removal before compete eradication can be achieved.
The above information was found in the Sunset Western Garden Book Scotch and French Broom (Cytisus) is an extremely invasive and fire-prone weed characterized by brightly colored yellow flowers. Indigenous to the Canary Islands, it is ineffective in controlling erosion on hillsides because it produces a single tap-root rather than an extensive, soil stabilizing root system. The single tap system makes them easy to pull up, as opposed to cutting and using pesticides. It is recommended that you pull them out before the seeds form, in the spring when the ground is softened by the rains. Judata Grass (Cortaderia jubata), a cousin of pampas grass has become a serious problem along the California coast. Each plant is a cluster of long grassy leaves with tall skinny plumes rising high above the foliage. The beautiful plumes can range from “snow-white” to a “deep-purple”. Unfortunately, it seeds freely and chokes out native plants. Blackberry spreads rapidly by underground runners and birds eat the berries, scattering the seeds. It is best to pull out the young plants in spring before the feeder roots develop. Characterized by thorny long runners, heavy gloves are a must, as is using a pick and shovel to dig out as many roots as possible. |
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