Westwood Volunteer Resources

OUR VOLUNTEER BLOG SITE HAS MOVED!

2007-11-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your understanding during the 'construction' phase of our Westwood Volunteer Crew Blogsite. This site is my first attempt at a BLOG; because I discovered another program that enables the reader to search and reference older posts more easily, I have imported all of the contents of this BLOG to another site. The new BLOG address is:

http://westwoodvolunteercrews.wordpress.com/

I believe this new site will make it a bit easier to scan information, and while this humble "Blogger" site has been functional, the new BLOG site behaves faster. As soon as I learn more about it, the new site may also have the ability for adding live feed.

Thank you for your patience. The goal of our BLOG is to enable our community to access important information as quickly as possible so many thanks for your understanding regarding this change midstream.

Sincerely,

Patti McClurg

WESTWOOD VOLUNTEER DONATION STORE

2007-11-10T22:52:00.001-08:00

OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Westwood

Urgent Needs Requested:
NEED Volunteers/Donations

CURRENTLY LOW ON FOOD
Bring Donations Directly to Store
NEW CLOTHING ONLY

Poway Unified Instrument Drive

2007-11-10T22:41:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in donating an instrument, know of someone who might, or might have connections in the music industry, please contact me either by email or phone (858-679-1360).

Help Providing Home-Cooked Meals

2007-11-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Meals Assistance Groups

Contacts for Helping Get Meals to Fire Displaced Families

Lotsahelpinghands.com

november@ingredientz.com
(Offering Turkey Dinner Specials)

MORE AVAILABLE SERVICES TO FIRE VICTIMS

2007-11-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

SDSU Alumni to Replace Lost School items
Contact alumni@sdsu.edu

or (619) 594-ALUM

FREE VISION CORRECTION SURGERY
Gordon Binder and Weiss Vision Institute
Provided for Fire Victims
ON Saturday, 12-08-07

Apply or nominate someone

Contact Hollie King

858-455-6800

http://www.gbwvision.com/

800-639-8474

Buddhist Congregation Donations

Relief Funds to Fire Families

As long as Funds Available

Awarded $500 to Cedar Fire Families

Must present Photo ID

FREE Women's Fire Victim Support Group

Meets Every Wednesday 7-9 pm

Meetings begin 11/07/07

Pamela Underwood's Art Studio

Located in Poway

Request Property Reassessment

San Diego County Tax Assessor

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/

Call (858) 505-6262

AVAILABLE RENTAL UNITS FOR FIRE VICTIMS

ccappello@sunrisemgmt.com

Sunrise Mgmt Company

Contact Camille Cappello

http://www.fbs-pm.org/

Fjellestad, Barrett & Short

Property Management

Furniture Donations/Discounts

2007-11-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Fashion Furniture Rental of San Diego is providing discounts and services to fire-displaced families and is also designating some furniture to be donated on a case by case basis to individuals/families that did not have insurance.

Individuals or families in need of furniture donations are encouraged to contact Melissa Miller, Residential Account Executive, Fashion Furniture Rental at their showroom at (858) 300-4200 or (619) 733-4875 (cell) for assistance through the donation process.

Property Tax Reassessment Info

2007-11-05T13:06:00.000-08:00

This information is provided courtesy of Merrilee Boyack, Deputy Mayor of Poway, and a Cedar Fire Survivor, following a discussion with the County Assessors's Office.

She cautions, in the words of President Ronald Reagan "Trust but verify".
The following link will provide more detailed information:
http://www.sdarcc.com/
(not to be confused with the Red Cross site at sdarc.org)

IF YOU FILE THE CALAMITY CLAIM FORM (check above website as well as City of Poway site at http://www.poway.org/)

Your tax payment is placed on hold and penalities will be assessed. Your property will then be reassessed (form will trigger it--you don't need to do anything else). Tax Collector will then send out an adjusted tax bill for you to pay. You will pay the lower, adjusted amount.

When you acquire a permit to rebuild your house, the County Assessor is notified, and your property will again be reassessed.

IF YOU BUILD A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR HOUSE, your tax assessment will be the same as it was under full Proposition 13 protection.

IF YOU BUILD A SMALLER HOME, it will be the lesser of the previous assessed value or the full market value-- whichever is LESS.

IF YOU BUILD A BIGGER HOME, you will have the same assessment as you did before PLUS the additional square footage of the enlargement is reassessed and added.

For example, if you previously were assessed on a 2,000 sq. ft. home and built a 3,000 sq. ft. home, your new assessment would include the previous assessment value of the 2,000 sq. ft. home, plus the added assessment for the 1,000 sq. ft. increase.

It is important to submit the Calamity Claim Form as soon as possible.

FREE NEW MUNIRE CRIBS FOR FIRE VICTIMS

2007-11-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

USA Baby has generously made arrangements with a top crib manufacturer, Munire, to make available at least 100 FREE new Munire cribs to recent San Diego fire victims.

USA Baby will also make available other special packages and deals for San Diego fire victims.

To make arrangements for your free or discounted crib call USA Baby at
(858) 578-3334

Disclaimer: Verification and proof of loss of home is required, USA Baby reserves the right to limit this offer to ONLY individuals that can show proof of their loss and hardship. See store for details.Valid only at this store location: 9262 Miramar Road San Diego, CA 92126 858.578.3334

THANK YOU!

2007-11-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

Our Westwood neighborhood wishes to thank the many who worked so hard to hold the front line in protecting our community. Our hearts are extended to our neighbors who lost their homes as the fire entered Westwood, and our gratitude to those personnel who held the fire back from consuming many more.

So thank you to:

Our local Rancho Bernardo Fire Station 33

California Department of Forestry (CDF)

Our Military Forces, Navy, and National Guard

San Diego Police and County Sheriffs

Thousands of Firefighters from throughout California,

as well as Mexico,

and Councilman Brian Maienschein and his staff for their personal service in walking the streets to get word to us about our homes, and their continued help in the recovery process.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE FOR VICTIMS

2007-11-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

kehumberstone@hotmail.com

FREE PHOTO RESTORATION-FIRE LOSS

2007-11-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

Lori Neumann Family Photography
http://www.photographybyloribus.com/
loribus-4art@yahoo.com
(858) 335-1421

FREE SCHOOL PHOTO REPRINTS

2007-11-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

The Impressionist Photography
Contact School Secretary

Affected Poway Schools:

Painted Rock - Spring; Turtleback - Fall/Spring; Poway High - Fall; Sundance - Spring; Deer Canyon - Spring; Midlan - Fall 07; Garden Road - Fall 07

FREE Family Portraits

2007-11-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

For Fire Displaced Families
See Participating Photographers
www.projectheirloom.com/

FREE Sealy Mattress Set from Living Spaces Furniture

2007-11-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

Fire victims are being offered the choice between twin, double, queen, or California Mattress sets (one FREE set per household) which much be picked up at one of Living Spaces Furniture's two locations in the Los Angeles area.

This offer is valid through December 2008, and recipients must provide FEMA award or insurance verification with address that matches driver's license. Call 1-877-266-7300 for more information.

Chaplain Services

2007-11-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

Christian Chaplain
Hospital and Seniors Experience
Contact vsquare@san.rr.com

Prayer Support Also Available for San Rafael Parishoners. Guardian Angels assigned to fire families upon request.
Contact Beth Siebel @ 673-1040

Toys Donated by San Diego Center for Play Therapy

2007-11-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Child/Family Counseling of Rancho Bernardo

Wishes to replace toy of child's request

http://www.sdplay.org/

Amy Wickstrom awickstrom@sdplay.org

Call (858) 675-9600 X-1

FREE Dumpster Delivery

2007-11-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

FREE Delivery and Pick Up
Dr. Demo Demolitoin Svcs
Attn: Ricky Montanez

187 Mace Street, #B2
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 420-3366

Must clarify in writing
Prior to dumpster delivery on site
Call Dr. Demo (CA Lic #764287)

St. Bart's THRIFT SHOP

2007-11-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

Received 10 boxes of Women's Professional Clthg
See Merrilee's BLOG

WELCOME TO OUR RB BLOG

2007-11-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

In order to accommodate the "running start" undertaken by Westwood's Volunteer Coordinator, Valerie Brown, this BLOG has been established to help expedite and facilitate the process of matching the specific need requests of those displaced by the recent fires with the many willing volunteers of our Westwood community wanting to help in rebuilding the neighborhood.

We sincerely hope it aids in getting the word out to the community, and wish to especially thank Valerie Brown for stepping forward to coordinate such an immense array of resources and needs into an efficient Volunteer Crew. Also check the Westwood Club website http://www.rbwestwoodclub.com/ for more updates and details, as efforts progress.

PACE TEAM WORK for 11-10-07

2007-11-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Team
The pace has been incredible and so has the success of our team in providing assistance and support to families who have lost their homes, families that suffered extreme water damage and those families that experienced a lot of exterior damage to their property. Here are some opportunities coming up this weekend that you can help with:

#1 - Saturday, a home off of Highland Valley road did not burn but had
extreme smoke damage and potential erosion issues. Help is needed removing all the items out of the house, placing sand bags and erosion snakes throughout the property. 8:30am to 4:00pm Need approx 10-15 volunteers

#2 - Saturday, a home in RB needs help placing sand bags to bank behind house to prevent erosion issues. 1:30pm to 4:00pm. Need approx 10-15 volunteers

#3 - Saturday, a home in RB needs debris removal and areas sifted for family valuables that hopefully survived the fire. 8:30am to 4:00pm. Need 20-2 volunteers

#4 - Saturday, a home in Ramona needs debris removal and areas sifted for family valuables. 8:30am to 4:00pm. Need 20-25 volunteers

#5 - Any Day, Sand Bag filling at the Recovery Center in RB and 4 locations in Poway. The Poway locations are identified on the following site www.ci.poway.ca.us/index.aspx?page=867 8:30am to 4:00pm. Need 50-60 volunteers.

#6 - Friday or Saturday, Nov 9 or 10, helping a family in RB who lost their apartment move into new location. Need 5-8 volunteers

#7 - Saturday, La Jolla Indian Reservation, a home on the reservation needs debris removal and areas sifted for family valuables. 8:30am to 4:00pm. Need 20-25 volunteers

E-mail me back and let me know which opportunity you want to sign up for. Go to our website at http://www.ffcc-sd.org/ for what to wear and what to bring.

We are still looking for donations for meals to put in gift baskets that we will be delivering to families who lost their homes and to continue each
month until they get back in their homes. Please help us get the word out.

Look forward to hearing from you. I'm sure there will be changes between now and Saturday so stay light on your feet. Much help is needed so get the word out and let's go make history this weekend.

Remember, no food packaging event this weekend Nov 11. This has been rescheduled to Dec 2nd. Come and help us put together 50,000 meals for local families in need and families in Tanzania, Africa. Go to our web-site for more information.

Thanks
Phil Harris

Valuable Blog from a Cedar Fire Survivor

2007-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Merrilee Boyack is a survivor of the Cedar Fire, and has a webpage and BLOG that provide some valuable information and tips for fire victims, to ease the process ahead. She covers many details and provide helpful links to aid with the paperwork process as well.

You may access her Fire Relief Info page at:

http://merrileeboyack.com/

Thanks Merrilee!

HOW DO I SIGN UP TO HELP?

2007-11-01T00:50:00.000-07:00

Volunteer Questionnaires are available for Childcare (requires Megan's Law Clearance), the Volunteer Donation Store, and whatever other variety of skills you wish to offer in the way of assistance. E-mail
pmcclurg@ucsd.edu to receive these information forms, or complete them online through the new website http://www.rebuildrb.com/. Forms may be e-mailed as attachments to pmcclurg@ucsd.edu.

Once this information is received and sorted, you may be contacted about expressed community needs that match your talents.

Many thanks in advance for your desire to help our community move forward!

Support for San Rafael Parishoners

2007-10-29T23:49:00.000-07:00

San Rafael Parish has begun a Guardian Angel Program for the 65 families whose homes were destroyed.

If you are one of those 65 families and would like to have a family assigned as Guardian to your family, contact Beth Siesel at sieselb@sbcglobal.net or 673-1040 (note corrected phone number).

A guardian angel family will pray for you, offer support, and be your liaison to express needs to the parish during the upcoming year.

If your home was not completely destroyed and you still have needs, please contact Tom Hanson at thanson@san.rr.com or 699-5847, and he will begin to send the correct resources.

God Bless you all,

Beverly Leis Rossio, Ph.D.
Coordinator of San Rafael Fire Relief

LOCAL Merchant Sales (Not Confirmed)

2007-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Poway's Fire Response Team shared some upcoming sales being offered on behalf of fire victims. These are not verified. Mervyn's is offering 15% off to fire survivors; Big 5 has a sale on metal detectors. At Home with Laurie Ann is offering a sale on November 15 & 16 called "Deals and Steals" where all the items are going to be sold a dirt cheap prices ($3 ;$9). They have furniture from dining room tables to one of a kind sofas, hutches, etc. They are closing up their 8,000 square-foot location on 16779 Bernardo Center Drive. The SALE will take place at this location and a Poway location ot 14149 Twin Peaks Road (Plaza at the junction of Espola/Twin Peaks). Prior to this big scheduled "Deals and Steals" SALE they are willing to give discounts to fire families on an individual basis, in the same way they did four years ago following the Cedar Fire. No needs have been established so far; For more information call (858( 592-0412.

Musical Instrument Replacement

2007-10-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Like many others, I am involved in the fire relief efforts. My task is locating musical instruments for those students of Poway Unified School District (I am hoping to include Ramona Unified in this) who lost their instrument in the fires (Insurance will cover most instruments, but you will have losses that there is not insurance). Right now, Poway USD is taking an inventory of the instruments lost in the fires. Hopefully, we will be able to fill the needs of the students. The plan is that the instruments would be donated directly to Poway USD, which would then provide a receipt for tax purposes. I won’t know exactly what is needed until the School District provides me their list.
If you are interested in donating an instrument, know of someone who might, or might have connections in the music industry, please contact me either by email or phone (858-679-1360).
I am working with Cindy Hicks of Poway USD and her contact information is:
chicks@powayusd.com
858- 668-4040
Regards,
Roger C. Covalt
powayfiremusicrelief@cox.net

Westwood Volunteer Crew

2007-10-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Many willing hearts and skill sets will eagerly be engaged to help our Westwood neighbors who were displaced by the fires begin the rebuilding process. If you have the desire to volunteer, you may contact Westwood's Volunteer Coordinator, Valerie Brown at vsquare@san.rr.com, who will be organizing our extensive community task force!

There are plans for a Volunteer Donation Store, a Childcare Center (to simplify business errands for displaced families), and a variety of other areas of assistance as requested needs and volunteer skills are matched. Watch for upcoming information soon on both the Westwood Club website http://www.rbwestwoodclub.com/ or the new website focused on the rebuilding of RB at http://www.ReBuildRB.com/. Volunteer information forms are available on the ReBuildRB website or by e-mail requests to pmcclurg@ucsd.edu

Rental Search Assistance

2007-10-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

ART Rental Location's President, Jeff Reich, has offered a FREE locator service to find rental properties for fire impacted families. They are located at 3760 Convoy Street, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92111. Call (858) 279-2787 for more information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate of Rancho Bernardo is offering space in their office to facilitate the search for temporary housing. Visit the office during regular business hours (may utilize Parks and Recreation childcare), and receive a list of area property managers/landlords with current available rentals. While Coldwell Banker is only providing the means to connect fire victims with landlorads, they are offering the use of their phones. The address is 16363 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92127. Call (858) 487-3333 for more information.