LTWCA Newsletter - August/September 2005

Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy...at the Picnics

Vista Verde Picnic - It's summer time again and VVCA invites its LTW and Blue Oaks neighbors to its annual picnic, Saturday, August 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pony Tracks Ranch. Take a train ride and tour Jacques's tank collection.  We will provide the BBQ and condiments, and you provide your own grilling foods and a dish for 8 to share with the community (A-I bring appetizer, J-R bring salad, S-Z bring dessert).  Because of the large attendance at last year's picnic, VVCA needs to limit the attendees to household members and house guests.  Please pre-register so that we get a sense of numbers.  Please e-mail your information to Claudia Mazzetti at claudia@rjswan.com by August 24.

Submitted by Claudia Mazzetti

Los Trancos Woods Annual Picnic is set for Sunday, 18 Sept., from 3-6 p.m.  Get ready for a packed, fun time with your neighbors!  Woodside Fire Department will be there for a talk and a fire truck tour.  Have your wallet handy, dues are due, $30 for the next two years.  Elect your Board for the next two year term.  Turn in a mercury thermometer for recycling and receive a FREE digital thermometer.  The food will be delicious, the location new and unique.  Look for the flyer in Sept.

NO Butts About It

Cigarette litter is a fire hazard, not biodegradable, a pain in the butt (pun intended) to clean up, and it is toxic to wildlife. 

Cigarettes contain numerous chemical additives and when smoked, these are captured in the filters.  If these filters (butts) are then discarded on the ground, scientific studies have shown that the chemicals leach into the water.  Just one butt can contaminate 2 gallons of water. It can be lethal to fish, crustaceans, zooplankton and other aquatic organisms, and nicotine is also a powerful pesticide.  Once thrown on the ground discarded cigarettes can be washed into storm drains, Los Trancos Creek, and ultimately our Bay.  Since they do not break down, filters are made out of cellulose acetate, a form of plastic, butts have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine animals who have mistaken them for food. 

On top of all this is the fire danger that lit cigarettes pose to our community.  This time of year we have to be especially vigilant.  Californians Against Waste report that “cigarette butts are the most common item collected in community litter cleanups, accounting for more that 20% of items collected.”  What can we do?  Get the word out!  During the course of a year we all have visitors or workers who come to our house and are smokers.  Most of them are concerned about the environment and welcome your comments on proper disposal of cigarettes in the garbage.  Do not be shy.  This is our community and we have to live with the consequences of their actions and our actions. 

Submitted by Linda Drey-Nightingale

Emergency Preparedness News

The LTW emergency preparedness team is turning its attention to the next drill, which will be an earthquake simulation on Saturday, October 15.  As always, we welcome volunteers, both for the day of the drill and for ongoing preparedness projects.  If you're interested, please stop by the preparedness table at the neighborhood picnic, or contact Arthur Nielsen at 851-9152 or at arthur_nielsen@sbcglobal.net.

To further prepare yourself or your family attend one of these training classes put on by CERPP:

20 Aug.          CPR Class               10 a.m. - 4 p.m.     Woodside Fire Station

17 Sept.          First Aid Class               10 a.m. - 3 p.m.     Woodside Fire Station

15 Oct.          Earthquake Exercise          9 a.m. - 11 a.m.     Your Neighborhood

For more information or to sign up contact Gaylynne Mann at 851-1594 or gmann@woodsidefire.org

Submitted by Arthur Nielsen, Emergency Preparedness Team Coordinator

Sewer News

Finally, after years of hard work the sewer project is set to move into its final stage!  In July San Mateo County (LAFCo) approved the annexation of the 60 homes requesting sewer into West Bay Sanitary District, based on financing being secured via a bond issuance later this summer.   West Bay Sanitary District will then take over the construction management.  They are planning to put the bid out this winter and target the actual construction for spring 2006 when the rains cease.  Within 6 months of breaking ground the 60 households who signed on should be able to hook up.

Submitted by Marc Levaggi

Water Board News

The transition to Cal Water appears to have gone very smoothly although there were a couple of significant leaks that they had to deal with in the week or two after the transfer. The rebate program is getting off to a slow start due to some programming difficulties in the CWS billing system. Originally we had hoped to have things started by the beginning of August. It now looks like at least one more month will be required to get the program in place. 

At the next Water Board Meeting on Thurs., Aug. 18th, 8 p.m., at 455 Old Spanish Trail the Board will be discussing the future of Water Board owned property.  Call 1-2 days ahead to verify meeting and agenda.  All meetings are open to the residents or you can call any Board member for questions and comments.

Submitted by Stan Gage, Los Trancos County Water District Board

District II News

Alexia and Andy Moore are keeping VERY busy following the birth of their twins, Andrew Joseph Jr. and Eva Liliana, who were born 20 May 2005.  Congratulations and welcome, Andrew and Eva!

Submitted by Julie Duncan

Neighborhood Notes

-- Neighborhood Multi-household Garage Sale on Saturday, August 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. coordinated by Mary McDonald.  Advertising will go on Craigslist, the Almanac, and the Palo Alto Weekly.   Contact Mary at 851-2614 or e-mail her at girlnerd@hotmail.com to get your address on the flyer that will be distributed on the day.  Cash contributions for newspaper ads are appreciated.

     Submitted by Mary McDonald

- Hazardous Waste Drop-Off - Drop off household hazardous waste free of charge on Sat., 13 Aug.  Make an appointment by calling 363-4718 or visiting www.smhealth.org/hhw/appt.  Items accepted include paint, thinners, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, drain openers and cleaning supplies.

- Board Volunteer - A great way to become part of the neighborhood is to volunteer for a two year term on the Board.  Sign up with your Rep. or at the picnic.  Needed Dist. 1, 2, 3 Reps. and Rep.-at-Large.

Next Meeting -  7:00 p.m., 14 Sept., 1074 Los Trancos Rd.   Agenda includes annual picnic, emergency preparedness, and Blue Oaks BMR’s.  For minutes of the last meeting, please see the LTWCA Web Site or your District Rep.

Los Trancos Woods (LTWCA) Web Site

The web site address is:                    The group e-mail list is:

http://lostrancoswoods.org/                    ltwca@yahoogroups.com

Thanks to Jerry Jensen for maintaining this site        AND        Thanks to Alex Kostrikin for copying our newsletter.