Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY MI WUK BLOG READERS AND FRIENDS

It's been a wild and crazy year for the Klipple household but we're finally slowing down for a day or two to relax and enjoy a little Christmas coziness.

I want to wish you all a Very Merry ChristmasThanks for following our blog, offering ideas and incident updates, and just being good neighbors!



Saturday, December 24, 2011

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS!


The following was posted by Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine and Sonora Fire Fighter of the Year, Neil Gamez on the Mi Wuk Fire Protection District FaceBook home page.  Just put Mi Wuk Sugar Pine F.P.D in the FB search box and click to "add as a friend".  Neil is always posting good information for all of our benefits.
If you are thinking of burning gift wrap paper, ribbons, cardboard boxes, scrap lumber in your fireplace DON'T. 
Christmas tree can create excessively large and hot fires, which can damage fireplaces and chimneys—or suddenly flare out of control. Each year, people lose their homes to these unexpected, fast-moving fires. 
Burning improper items can also create embers that bypass missing or damaged spark arresters. These embers cause roof and attic fires that can destroy your home and everything in it. Burning improper items in a fireplace can also create fumes that make people ill and harm the environment, according to the fire department. 
The winter holiday season is also time to pay special attention and care to the lighting, placement and disposal of candles. Leaving lit candles inside a home packed with flammable items and holiday decorations is an invitation to disaster. Anyone or anything can knock over a candle—including a pet, a wayward toy, or a distracted adult.
Have a very Merry Christmas everyone.  Be safe.  Ask for snow for Christmas (yeah, really).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

WHEN IS IT A BURN / NO BURN DAY?

From our FireFighter of the year, Neil Gamez:


The number to call for Burn Day information is Air Pollution Control 209-533-5598. Also please remember that the county has not seen rain in some time now.  We need to be very careful about keeping an eye on burn piles and making sure they are completely out before we leaving them unattended. Also if you are going to discard your fire place ashes, make sure they are in a metal container and not a paper bag or other flammable container. The department has been to a number of structure fires with that being the cause. 
 
Keep Safe!   Thanks Neil!  :)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

WINTER'S COMING

And with that flash bit of information, here is a paraphrase of a comment Fire Fighter Neil Gamez, this year's fire fighter of the year,  posted on FaceBook today:

With the up coming snow season now would be a great time to check the batteries in your flashlights, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

Also with the high volume of fire calls lately it is a good time to get your chimney cleaned and checked and clear all leaf litter from gutters and roof.

Have a safe holiday season from the Staff of the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District.

Good advice for sure!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MI WUK COMMUNITY HOLIDAY GATHERING ON SATURDAY!!!

Mi Wuk 
Area Homeowners' 
Association

      Holiday Gathering
      2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
       Mi Wuk Community Center
(aka Library)
       
** Bring an appetizer or dessert to share**

Coffee, cider and Punch will be provided . . . and Door Prizes!

Don't forget a canned item or two to donate to Interfaith's Food Bank.

     Come, join your neighbors and be festive!

Even if you're just up for the weekend, stop by and say HI!  I know I'd love to meet "my" blog readers and we'd just like to have you stop in.
See you 
on Saturday!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

MORE WIND RELATED PHOTOS

No 'events' in our area, equals nothing of interest to report.  No news is no news!  But, when we have news it's not always good for the homeowners.

These are photos of the house on Lama-Tamalin Road in Mi Wuk which has been damaged by the very recent wind storm:




I'm not sure what portion of the tree went into the house but it's obvious that something did.  If the owner happens to read this blog, it would be great if you could or would update us on what you have found inside.

A tree also fell across two roofs of the Mi Wuk Mutual Water Company, their warehouse and another (I don't remember which it was).  There was not a lot of damage and no one was injured.

Again, please let me know (blythek@mac.com) if you have any interesting photos or incidents where you live.  If you have a question about your property, ask me and I'll try my best to check it out.

the Klipples are still without power.  It's a little over 36 hours and counting.  PG&E says some areas could be restored later tonight and the others maybe tomorrow afternoon.   Hmmmm, what will it be for "Section 5" of the Village?  I think we're the Mi Wuk Heights Water Company area.

At any time, if you have something you'd like me to post here on this blog, please let me know.  When the BLOG is quiet it's because I have nothing of community interest to share. Right now, there's lots to post about.

Have a great weekend!


Saturday, December 3, 2011

STILL NO POWER

Just a little FYI that there is still no power in the Lama-Hisum, and further along the road, area of Mi Wuk Village. 

PG&E's next suggested time to call for an update:  11 p.m. tonight, Saturday.  In case you want to call for your location:  1-800-743-5002. 

HOW ABOUT A NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

I started this post on the day after Thanksgiving and just realized I hadn't actually sent it!  Does that explain a bit about how my 'mind' sometimes works???

After that big meal yesterday are you all heading out to get that Christmas shopping underway----or even finished?  Think about this before you hit the stores.   I received the thoughts below in three separate emails and deem it great food for thought.



"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse ......that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

"It's time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

"Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

"Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

"Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

"Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

"There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

"How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

"Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

"My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

"OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

"Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater.

"Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

"Honestly, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

"You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas.  Spread the Christmas cheer!"


Friday, December 2, 2011

HIGH WINDS AND NO POWER IN THE MOTHERLODE

As I drove home late Thursday afternoon I dealt with strong winds all the way from Dublin.  Once in Mi Wuk I saw one home on Lama Tamalin Road with a gaping hole in its roof and accompanying power lines dangling low over the road.  They had already been marked with streamers so that tall trucks (like maybe PG&E?) would see them.

With the help of our generator we saw this on the evening news:

This is the Twain Harte Family Dentistry Office which was sliced in half (!!) by a falling tree.  Miraculously and thankfully, although the tree fell within inches of a patient, Dr. Grossman reported that no one was injured! I think my husband's upcoming appointment will be moved back a few weeks.  Can you imagine???

Check out this link to a FOX 40 (all I could find on line) video review of the office.  You'll have to get beyond a commercial (ugh) to get to 'the news'.  Just stick with it.  And if you're using WildBlue Satellite internet it'll be a slow connection.

Let me know if you had some damage or an interesting story on your property that can be shared here.  Although the trees are still swaying, it's not nearly as bad as yesterday.

The report from the 1-800-743-5002 PG&E Information Line is that:  be expecting an "extended outage" with no end date mentioned.  Wanna take bets???  Fortunately I had been at my daughter's at a Wildtree Party, packing up ten 'pre-packaged' meals, so our dinner prepping needs are d-o-n-e.  Pull out the baggie of choice,  add a veggie and a starch and we're good to go.  Last night it was Spanish Style Garlic Shrimp; tonight Chipotle Lime Fajitas.  

Three cheers for a generator and a fireplace.  At 8.45 a.m., it's still only 57 in the house.  Should be up to 73 by the time we go to bed tonight.  Remember---we had lots of practice perfecting this warming skill in February---this time without snow.

I wish you all a great day.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES AND EVENTS

Coming up in the month of December:

December 6th:  Fire Fighters Appreciation Dinner at the resurrected Kelly's Kitchen.  Pre-purchased ticket.  Sorry I neglected to get this posted earlier. 

December 10th:  Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Holiday Gathering at the Mi Wuk Community Center and Little Library in the Pines.  2-4 p.m.  Please bring an appetizer, sweet or savory (dessert-ish or dip/chip/protein-ish)

December HOLIDAY Library Hours:
     December 21, 21, 28, 29:  1 p.m. - 4 p.m. WEATHER PERMITTING   (smile now)

If any other events come to mind, I'll post them.  If I've omitted YOURS, please send me an email and I'll get it posted.

WELL FOLKS, the trees are playing tag with each other this morning!!!  Do you know what a "head fake" is???  One tree will sway to the left and the tree behind it is swaying to the right!  Hmmmm.  How do they do that?

Yes, the wind this morning is an attention grabber.

By the way, remember last Thanksgiving and early December with the oak tree leaves weighted down by the snow?  Well this year, thankfully, because of the wind and Mother Nature, there are only a few leaves (countable) on the oak trees so we won't have "oak tree LEAF branch" damage when the snows fall.

Also, at least our part of Mi Wuk Village is experiencing "an extended power outage" according to the 'plastic lady' on the PGE call-in line.  Who knows what that means!!

Have a great day in the wind.  I'm in Dublin and will be driving home shortly.  My husband Russ is holding the fort.