Chilton Chats

Benefits of Rosemary

2020-04-12T09:22:00.001-07:00

For those of us who are ignorant of the benefits of herbs such as rosemary, this article from Prevention Magazine is a good introduction: Natural Benefits of Rosemary. And as a neighbor, you can test it out yourself with a generous supply, as mentioned in an earlier post: How Does Your Garden Grow? And did I mention it smells so nice? Just crumple it up and leave it lying around... Happy Easter 2020!

Remembering How To Post

2020-04-03T08:38:00.001-07:00

If you're a blog member, it may be such a long time since you've written to the blog that you forgot how to post! Well, have no fear, it's easy to do. Way back when we began this blog, in 2006, there are several blog posts showing how to join the blog and how to post to the blog. I found this visual demonstration posted in April of 2006: https://djnmarti.com/neighbors/blog/howToPost/index.htm
I wonder if it still works this way?!!

Another problem you may have is figuring out how to access your own blogger account. Well, it's pretty easy (I think!). Go to Google.com and sign in with your Google account email and password. If you forgot your password, click "Forgot password" and Google will email you a link to set up another one! Once logged in, in the upper right corner, near the icon or image for your account, is a 9-dot menu selector - click it, and scroll down until you see "Blogger". Click that to go to your Google blogs, one of which should be Chilton Chats. If you have several blogs, choose "View Blogs" on the top left. If in doubt - call me!

Garden Life

2020-04-02T16:34:00.001-07:00

So thankful we have some outdoor space to hang out in....things are starting to come alive after a heavy winter pruning.....

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2020-03-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

Since we're all spending many more hours at home these days, I'm wondering if that includes more garden time for you? It certainly has for me. I'd love to see what's growing in your backyard! Here's what ours looks like:

It turns out we have a bumper crop of rosemary, so if any of you want some, let us know and we'll put some out front, or let you harvest your own! And thanks to neighbors Paul and Maureen, our gardening partners!!

Shopping for Seniors

2020-03-24T16:16:00.001-07:00

Walter sent this chart about the special shopping hours for seniors:

Let's Flatten the Curve!

2020-03-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Are you in crisis mode with COVID-19? What can we do about it? Here's two videos that may help.

Firstly, we can help "flatten the curve". What's that you ask? Here's a video that shows what it is, and why fighting Coronavirus depends on each of us: https://youtu.be/dSQztKXR6k0

Secondly, we can wash our hands! Why? Well, this second video shows how just a little bit of soap, for 20 seconds, will kill the virus germs.

https://youtu.be/-LKVUarhtvE

Thanks to Doug for this timely share of video resources. Do you have anything to add? Comment on this post, or write a post yourself! Need an invitation to become an author for this neighborhood blog? Write me! Need help remembering (or learning for the first time) how to write a blog post? Just ask - it's easy to do!

Maybe It's Time

2020-03-19T06:19:00.002-07:00

Maybe it's time to revive our neighborhood blog. Or maybe it's time to try something new. Lately I've been using Slack, an instant messaging tool with capabilities far beyond what that description implies. Tied together with Zoom video sharing and Google Drive online storage, it facilities community building for groups of various sizes. And now may be just the time for us to try it. If interested, drop me a line - you know who I am and how to do it! If not, suggest others ways to get together!

Glen Park Holiday Party

2012-11-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

The Glen Park Association invites all of us to the annual Holiday Gathering at Sunnyside Conservatory. The event takes place Sunday, Decemter 9th, from 3-6 pm. The address is 236 Monterey Boulevard, between Baden and Congo Streets. See you there!

Welcome, newcomers!

2012-10-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Are you new to the neighborhood? New to this blog? Welcome! This blog is not listed on search engines, nor is it "searchable". However, if you've been invited to join the blog, it's easy to do! Just click on the link that was sent you, set up a Google account (if you don't have one already), and follow the directions. If you need help, write or call any of the other blog members. If you want to share the blog or postings with friends, feel free to send a link - you don't have to join to be able to read or view the blog. You can even make comments without being a full participant (though comments may be moderated)! Once you get the swing of things - share whatever you wish your neighbors to know! This is one more way we can stay connected even when we're not next door or in the neighborhood By the way - did you see the shuttle when it flew right over GP? What a thrill!

Hetch Hetchy Upgrades

2010-12-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

Here's an update from SFPUC on pipeline upgrades from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. It's nice to know what the workmen and women are doing!

Be Informed

2010-06-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

Step 3 in disaster preparedness is: Be Informed! Here again, Ready America from Ready.gov includes information about many, many emergencies that we might face. As they say, "There are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them." So, whether it's earthquakes, fires, or floods that concern you, this site has information that will help. And if you have special needs, there are pamphlets for elders, pet owners, and persons with disabilities. Hope this helps!

Make a Plan

2010-06-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Step 2 in preparing for emergencies is: Make a Plan. Ready.gov has an online tool that creates a Family Emergency Plan, and one for each family member. It takes just a few minutes, and results in in form to carry with you. You can save the info, and you can revise your plan as often as you wish.

Get a Kit

2010-06-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

The first of 3 steps in preparing for an emergency is: Get a Kit! Here's a list of supplies recommended by Ready.gov - pdf format or html format.

Be Prepared!

2010-06-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here's an app for emergency assistance - haven't tried it out, but it seemed worth posting! Let me know how it is...

Meeting 1-25-10

2010-04-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

On January 25th of 2010, 6 neighbors met and discussed neighborhood news, tools and cars, and disaster preparedness. Here is the report:

Neighborhood News and News of Neighbors:
• Peter and Lucy are selling their house; they’ve moved to San Jose, across from their daughter; grandson Jeffrey and his girlfriend have moved out
• Neil bought Joe’s house, and is rebuilding it
• Dots on Glen Park sidewalks signal the need for repair. What do the different colors mean? If the owner does not fix the sidewalk, the city will fix it, and charge the homeowner.

Tools to Share: It’s been suggested we should have a list of tools neighbors have that might be shared, i.e., chain saw, table saw, power washer, tree trimmer. Would you like to participate? Do you have anything to share?

Car Sharing: The insurance aspect of sharing was brought home, as one neighbor reported an accident with another neighbor’s car. The question remains - how can we insure and protect ourselves & possessions, yet enable sharing among trusted neighbors?

Disaster Preparedness: The recent earthquake in Haiti reminds us that we must be prepared for our own earthquake. Are you ready? What precautions have you taken? What still needs to be done? Many ideas were discussed, and it was decided there is a need to prepare as a neighborhood. This topic will be continued at future meetings, as we work up the Chilton Ave Plan for emergency responses. Among the issues raised were:
• Generator – should we pool our money and purchase one for the block? What’s the best type? Where to store it? What’s it used for?
• Gas – Do we know how to turn ours off? Do we have fuel for cars/stoves/etc?
• Water – Will we have enough for an extended period? Purchase a rain barrel?
• Medicines – What should we have available? Where?
• Money – What happens when ATMs stop working? Are we ready?
• Tents – Where will we pitch them? In the backyards? How do we get to the street? Do we know our backyard neighbors? Will fences need to come down?
• Supplies – radios, batteries, shovels, picks, ax, food and water…
• How safe are we on Chilton Ave? Is everyone’s house bolted to the foundation?
• Earthquake insurance – Does it pay? How would you know?
• Skills – Who knows what? NERT – Shauna; Mary J; CPR – Doug and Mai; structural engineering – Henry; construction – Neil

• Helpful websites for emergency preparedness - Mary:
o http://72hours.org/
o http://www.sf-fire.org/index.aspx?page=859
o http://www.qrcenter.com/
o http://beprepared.com/
o http://www.rureadysupply.com/cart/
o http://www.alertsf.org

• The NERT manual contains detailed information on what to do in an emergency. Email Mary if you would like the NERT manual in PDF form.

Next regular meeting: Meetings are quarterly and the next is scheduled for Monday, April 26th. Who would like to host it? Contact Kevin!

Quake Reminders

2010-04-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

At our last meeting, we discussed earthquake preparedness. Today's news reminds us that it's better to be prepared!

Strong quake kills 2 in Mexico, rattles US states

Should we continue this topic at our next meeting? We're scheduled to meet on Monday, April 26, at 7:30 pm. However, we still need a host, and an agenda. You decide, and then let Kevin know!

CA Democracy Act

2010-04-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

There is one week to go to sign the CA Democracy Act. Click HERE to download a petition to sign to make sure this legislation is on the upcoming ballot.

Why does it matter? For too long, the California legislature has been handicapped by arcane rules that prohibit it from making smart financial decisions. The result is this - the minority controls the majority! How can that be? At present, all financial decisions require a 2/3 majority, so all it takes is 1/3 of the voters to block a budget or revenue decision of the majority.

The California Democracy Act, a non-partisan constitutional amendment authored by UC Berkeley Professor George Lakoff, consists in its entirety of a mere 14 words:

"All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote."

Please download, sign, and send the petition NOW!

Glen Park Community Plan

2010-02-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Glen Park Community Plan has been in process for a long time. Does anyone know what the status of it is?

Get Ready!

2010-02-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

Are we ready for the next earthquake? This was the topic at our January 25, 2010 meeting. A summary of the meeting will be posted "soon". In the meanwhile - get ready!

Rain Barrel System

2010-02-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here's another PUC "classic" - Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin show us how to make a Rain Barrel System - what fun!

History of SF Water

2010-02-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a great video by PUC on the history of the SF water system:

Santa Sightings!!

2008-12-03T08:17:00.001-08:00

Did you see Santa last night? If not, you missed a really good show!

Don't worry - he'll be back again next year...

Santa Arrives Tonight!

2008-12-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Santa Claus is coming to town!! Don't miss this once-a-year visitation by Chilton Ave's very own Santa Claus. He'll be in the Village at Modern Past from 5-8 pm tonight, Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Don't miss him! Bring the kids and the cameras - there'll be sights and delights for all ages.

Remember when Santa came in 2006? If not, here's a blast-to-the-past: Santa Is Here! Thanks, Mary, for this alerting us. You must have a connection with the elves, to get this news to us so speedily. Or do they have e-mail too?

PUC Goodies

2008-11-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

The PUC gives out free water-saving devices M-F between 8-5 at 1155 Market Street, 1st floor. Or you can schedule a water-wise consult, during which you can get the devices.

They offer: a new flap for toilet tank; aerator for kitchen sink; low-flow showerhead; toilet tank dye tablets to suss out leaks; plumbing handbook; water meter for garden hose; spray nozzle for garden hose.

You can all see this free stuff at SF Water.

Information submitted by Mary Danielle

Meet Your Neighbors!

2008-11-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Have you met your neighbors lately? In particular, have you met the animals amongst us, our furry and feathered friends? Send any photos of your pets to MailLady Martha, and she will post them here online for all your neighbors to see. Better yet - post them yourselves! It's easy to do. If you need a refresher course, ask Doug or Martha, and we'll be happy to help out...