Community Safety
HO, HO . . . O-NO !?! By Aaron “Wally” Barger, Resident since 2012
T
he Holidays are truly a wonderful time of the year. This is especially true if you are able to get away to visit friends, family, or to go skiing.
One security concern we all face during this time of the year involves your home while you are away. Whether you are planning to take a long or short trip away from home, there are prudent security steps that you should consider prior to your departure. Typically, a homeowner will tell a neighbor that they will be gone for a period of time. This type of notice usually includes confirmation of your destination, phone numbers, and, possibly, a message regarding the housekeeper or gardener. For some of us, this may be sufficient; however, in addition to the standard security services offered by our police department and HOA, other surveillance services are available. The most practical is the Vacation Home Check, which can be found on the Blackhawk website. This is a personal surveillance program provided by the Blackhawk Police Department in cooperation with the Blackhawk HOA’s security personnel. All Blackhawk residents are eligible to use the service. Accessing the website is very simple and secure. To begin, open the website at www.blackhawk-hoa.com. Once on the home page click-on the Blackhawk Police logo (it is on the right side of the page), look for and click on the Vacation House Check form. Complete the information on the form. Make sure to answer all of the questions as completely, as possible. If additional information is required, an officer will contact you. The questionnaire is not very long, but it helps the officer if your answers are as complete as possible. Here are a few suggestions to assist you: 1. Include Emergency Contact(s) by listing their name, home phone, cell phone, and email address. 2. Make sure to include specific information, such as, phone numbers, email addresses, and any other related information regarding service people who will have access to your home or lot. This list may include friends and family members, if appropriate, on your Vacation Home Check form. 3. Indicate dates and times that each individual is scheduled to be at your home. If you have any questions, call the Blackhawk Police Department at 925-646-2441. If you or any of your neighbors are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch Program, you can contact me by email at aaron.barger@yahoo. com. You can, also, contact the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Crime Prevention Unit, and ask for Christina Lind-Winters at 925-313-2682 for additional information or to schedule an orientation meeting to form a Neighborhood Watch program in your area.
Blackhawk Bloomers Garden Club By Kim Chandler, Resident since 2012
Come join the Blackhawk Bloomers at our
Holiday Luncheon & Gift Exchange on Wednesday, December 12th at 11:15am in the Blackhawk Country Club Ballroom for
Social Time with Music Bring a $20 Garden Related Holiday Unwrapped Gift for the Gift Exchange Game! In the Spirit of Giving (Optional donation) You can make a difference by donating to Shepherd’s Gate located in Livermore with any of the following items: Gift card to any grocery store Gift card to Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, CVS, etc. BART Tickets New women’s pajamas and/or robes (size:s-xxl) New women’s slippers or socks If you don’t have time to shop, we are always happy to accept monetary donations-checks payable to Shepherd’s Gate. Shepherd’s Gate is a 501 © (3). They receive no government or state funding, which means they rely completely on the faithful partnership of individuals, corporations, foundations, churches and civic organizations to reach out to women and children in desperate need. Each donated item gets you one ticket towards a drawing to win a holiday gift.
Don’t Miss Out – Join now!
It’s easy to join Blackhawk Bloomers Garden Club. If you belong to the Blackhawk Country Club or are a resident in the Blackhawk Community then we’d love to have you join. Blackhawk Bloomers Garden Club Membership is $50 annually. You can pay either charging the $50 annual membership dues to your Blackhawk Member number or mail a $50 check payable to “Blackhawk Bloomers”, to the VP Membership: Pat Jenkins, 72 Blackhills Place, Danville, CA 94506. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Jenkins at 736-7654.. SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, January 23 at Lakeside Ballroom for Bloomers Luncheon presented by Joan Morris, East Bay Times Columnist “Living with Wildlife” SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, February 27 for the Bloomers Luncheon presented by Elaine Friedman from Covid Connection “Birds in the Garden” BLACKHAWK LIVING 29
