ACNA October 2010 Newsletter

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Alpine Community Neighbourhood

Association

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 1 of 6

Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 [email protected]

Alpine CommunityNeighbourhood

Association

oct2010.inddR091910

ACNA NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2010contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 [email protected] http://alpine-cna.blogspot.com


Association

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association - Who Are We? If you are new to the neighbourhood,

you may not know about us. We are the neighbourhood association for this area. Our boundaries are

Block Line Road, Homer Watson Blvd, Strasburg Road and Ottawa Street. Anybody who lives within

these boundaries is welcome to join. We hold monthly meetings during the school year on the 1st Tues-

day of each month. These meetings are held at Alpine School library from 7 pm to 9 pm. We want to

work together to protect and ensure a better social, economic and business climate in the neighbourhood.

A neighbourhood association like ours may produce a neighbourhood newsletter, organize events/pic-nics/recreation activities, clean up a neighbourhood park or focus on problems in the neighbourhood.

For further information, contact Colleen Coulson at 519-749-1424.

Outdoor Fireplaces in Kitchener Outdoor replaces and re pits are permitted in back-

yards in the City of Kitchener. However, there are rules

regarding their placement and use. From the brochure

"Your city rules - Answers to common questions around

city bylaws and enforcement" comes the following...

"An outdoor replace may be operated without a permit

between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. provided there are at least

ve (5) metres of distance between the replace and

any structure, property line, fence, tree, roadway, over-

head wires or any combustible material; the re does

not create a nuisance; and a portable re extinguisher

or operable water hose is available."

"Outdoor res must be supervised by the owner or

occupant of the property who is at least 18 years of

age. Even though the back yard re may comply with

all other regulations, it cannot interfere with or create a

nuisance to neighbouring residents. If this occurs, you

may be requested to extinguish it."

Other regulations are:

- Fires are not permitted during a smog alert or advi-

sory.

- Outdoor replaces have to be located on a non-com-

bustible surface extending beyond the unit to a dimen-

sion equal to the height of the unit.

- Fires in outdoor re pits have to be fully contained

and controlled within the pit and not exceed more

than 0.5 metres (20 inches) in height.

- Fire pits have to be contained by a distinctive,

raised, non-combustible barrier that completely

surrounds the re pit to separate it from the sur-

rounding area.

- There is no combustible ground cover within 1

metre (3.2 feet) of the re pit.

- No material other than brush material including

tree limbs, branches and bush trimmings or manu-

factured logs specically designed for replaces/

re pits shall be burned in any outdoor replace/

re pit.




Association



Good Neighbour's Corner:

This summer we had a problem with some young people breaking into cars on our street. A neighbour of mine happened to

be up in the middle of the night because he could not sleep. He heard kids and chased them away. He was nice enough to

warn his neighbours that this had happened, so we could make sure to lock our cars. Thank you Mike for keeping an eye out

for us.

According to our neighbourhood liason ofcer Lisa Nyusa, if you have something like this happen to you, please report it.

They need this information to track problem areas and increase surveillance to catch these individuals. Grafti and other

property damage should also be reported. If you have been graftied, it is important that you clean it up, as the new bylaws

mandate this and you can incur a ne if you don't.

Presidents Note:

We would like to hear from you. If you have anything to contribute to our newsletter please do.

It can be about:

- story about a good neighbour

- recyle info

- neighbourhood interests

- favourite recipe

- word teaser or puzzle or clean joke

If you would like to get more involved in your neighbourhood, we would love to have you join us. If you can't make our

meetings, but could help with delivering newsletters or one of our events, that would be great. You can contact me or check

out our facebook page or blog.

Colleen Coulson

ACNA president

ACNA Food Drive - We Pick Up At Your Home!In 2008 and 2009, ACNA volunteers have gone door-to-door on Hallow-

een Night, requesting donations to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Once again this year, we will come to you to accept your food donations.

First, during the month of October, we will come to your home in the

ACNA area to get your donation if you call 519-578-9603 and let usknow you want a pick-up. We will arrange a convenient time for the

pick-up.

Then, on Halloween night, we will also be going around parts of the

neighborhood door-to-door to collect even more food for the Food Bank.

This has been very successful, as we have collected almost 1000 pounds

of food over the past two years.

Volunteers Appreciated

We are looking for volunteers to help us on Halloween night. One to

three hours of your time starting around 6:00 p.m. on October 31st. Call

519-578-9603 and let us know that you can help. You may also email usat [email protected]. We are happy to answer any questions you

may have about this event.




Association



ACNA Chooses Best Garden Winner (August 2010)

Recently, a couple of ACNA members walked around the neighbourhood, re-

viewed all the front gardens visible from the street, and selected the best front

garden in our neighbourhood. The winning property is at 6 Lucerne Drive,

with its beautiful display of owers, as well as the marvellous planter boxes in

the upper windows of the house. More photos on our website.




Association



What can you do to get more involved in your neighbourhood?

• Come out to our monthly meetings. See rst page.

• What would you like to see in your ACNA newsletter?

• We’d like to have your input: anything new or noteworthy that happened?

• Like to pay tribute to a special neighbour?

• Got an interesting story you’d like to share?

Some important numbers

If there are problems at the schools:

Alpine School: Bestel Services Security Service: 519-749-3838

Our Lady of Grace School: 519-749-3869

Police: 519-653-7700

By Law: 519-741-2330

ACNA is on Facebook. Look for our group under the name “Alpine Community Neighbourhood Asso-

ciation” and join up. The group page will provide notication of upcoming events and provide a link to

our blog, where you can learn more about ACNA and our neighbourhood.

ACNA Christmas Lights CompetitionFor the third year, Alpine Community Neighborhood Association members will be go-

ing around the neighbourhood in mid-December to choose the best display of Christmas

lights in the neighbourhood. Our policy is to choose a new winner each year, who will

be featured in the newsletter and on the blog. Each year, there are many colorful sea-

sonal displays, enjoyed and appreciated by your neighbours. We hope that this year you

will help our community brighten up the cold winter evenings.

The City of Kitchener has completely updated its internet website in terms of the information provided

and for ease of use. Before the update, it was difcult to nd information on the City site, and much of

it was out-of-date. Now, while there are far fewer web pages, the information is easier to nd, as it isdesigned to be more intuitive for users, and uses less bureaucratic terms and jargon. There are also many

more photographs, and a cleaner, more colorful look.

Access it at http://www.kitchener.ca




Association



Preventing Burglaries at Your HomeA recent Waterloo Region Police presentation offered tips on

home burglary prevention.

Here are some highlights from the advice that was offered:

Don't confront thieves

r The typical home burglary happens during the day, when the residents are not home. Thieves prefer having nobody home.

r If you are home and someone rings the doorbell, answer it. A wide-angle peephole installed in the door can help you iden-tify the caller. You don't need to open the door, but let whoever is there know you are present and nd out what they want. If

they look or act suspicious, you can help the police by calling their non-emergency number 519-653-7700 and providing a

description.

r If you come home and you think someone is in the house, do not enter and confront them. Call 911 and stay outside.

r Don't just rely on your neighbors to keep an eye out. They aren't looking all the time, and a home burglary can be com-

pleted in less than two minutes.

Increase the visibility of your home

r Limit dark and hidden areas around your property.

r Have proper outdoor lighting at night, but don't keep these lights on during the day.

rWhile tall solid wood fences are popular, chain link fences increase visibility.

Prevent thieves from getting in

r Lock your doors, even when you are at home. Some thieves are good at snatching items from near the front door - keys,

purses, jackets - when residents are away from the front of the house.

r The same applies to your car, even at home. Recently, a number of people in the Region were charged with the crime of

entering unlocked cars and stealing items.

r Keep your tool shed locked. Your tools can be used to break into your house. Ladders and patio furniture can be used to

access the second oor.

r Don't hide door keys outside in obvious places e.g. under the mat, or in the BBQ.

Windows and doors

rMany doors are easy to kick in. You are better off having a solid metal or wood door. Deadbolt locks, securely fastened

with long screws, help.

rWindows can often be better protected, with proper latches or with special plastic lm that prevents shattering.r Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Adding screws along the top of the door can prevent someone from lifting the door out

of its rails.

Hide your stuff

r There are obvious places where thieves look. Keep your best jewelry out of your jewelry box or dresser drawers. Hide

it creatively, but remember where it is. Or rent a safe deposit box at the bank. Home safes will be taken if not hidden or

securely attached.

If you are away for a while

rMake the house look occupied. Have someone drop by to remove yers, cut the grass. Ask someone to park their car in

your driveway.

Call 911 only when...rA crime is in progress, there is a re or a serious medical situation. If the thieves are already gone when you get home, call

519-653-7700 to report the crime.

For more information you can access the Waterloo Region Police Services website, specically:

http://www.wrps.on.ca/community-safety/home-security-audit.htm

http://www.wrps.on.ca/images/stories/Community_Resources/tipstoprotectyourproperty.pdf




Association



This should be hanging on the wall of every repair shop and garage!

Drill Press A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching at metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks

you in the chest and ings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the

corner where nothing could get to it.

Wire Wheel Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also

removes ngerprints and hard-earned calluses from ngers in about the time it takes you to say, "Oh, &%$#@!"

Skill Saw A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.Pliers Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of bloodblisters.

Belt Sander An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major renishing jobs.

Hacksaw One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked,

unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to inuence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

Vise Grips Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used

to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

Oxyacetylene Torch Used almost entirely for lighting various ammable objects in your shop on re. Also handy for

igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

Table Saw A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

Hydraulic Floor Jack Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes,

trapping the jack handle rmly under the bumper.

Band Saw A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that

more easily t into the trash can after you have made your cuts on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

Two Ton Engine Hoist A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

Phillips Screwdriver Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans

and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

Straight Screwdriver A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-remov-

able screws, and often butchering your palms.

Pry Bar A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50

cent part.

Hose Cutter A tool used to make hoses too short.

Hammer Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the

most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit, usually smashing the thumb that is holding the object that youare trying to pound into whatever it is that you are working on - effectively eliminating the need for manicure care on that

thumbnail for weeks.

Utility Knife Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works

particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and

rubber or plastic parts. It is especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

HOW TO SAY "I LOVE YOU" IN 9 LANGUAGES

English: I Love You

Spanish: Te Amo

French: Je T'aime

German: Ich Liebe Dich

Japanese: Ai Shite Imasu

Italian: Ti Amo

Chinese: Wo Ai Ni

Swedish: Jag Alskar Dig

Lithuanian: As Tave Meliu

We thank Graham Jeffery, Colleen

Coulson, Dennis Haid,

Constables Lisa Nyusa and MarkKoiter, and everyone else I forgot to

mention here for their contributions

to this newsletter.

Documents

ACNA October 2010 Newsletter