notes from our dbcna president, jack nixon€¦ · creating defensible space on your property will...

NOTES FROM OUR DBCNA PRESIDENT, JACK NIXON

No playbook exists for dealing with the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, so we try to approach this upheaval in our lives with as much equanimity as possible, avoiding giving credibility to the opinions of both the doomsayers and those who suggest the problems will disappear of their own accord. Somewhere in between may be where we land, but regardless, our neighborhood still must prepare for the probability of another risk, that of fire, specifically wildfire, for the simple reason that another severe fire season is upon us.

In the western states, wildfires are “probable” rather than just “possible”, so once again we are faced with a major concern as summer approaches. This is especially true in Northern California, where last year’s winter was exceptionally dry. This in turn means a potentially frightening wildfire season. To make matters worse, many of the preparations needed to manage the risk have been disrupted by the pandemic.

Recognizing all this, your Association asks that the residents of the 950 homes of the Dominican/Black Canyon neighborhood, take action now to “harden” your homes against the real possibility of a fire that can rage out-of-control because of the dry conditions. One of the most effective measures that a resident can take is a reduction of the fuel that feeds a fire which is why we are asking each resident to focus once again on significant fuel reduction around their own home. (Please read “The Threat of Wildfires Continues” on page 2).

“Compounding our concern is the potential erosion of the firefighter work force. States have canceled or postponed training for wild land firefighters. Many are emergency medical workers who are needed for Covid-19 emergencies. Other firefighter crews are made up of state-prison inmates; their ranks have been thinned by early release related to the pandemic. In addition, there is the risk that camps crowded with firefighters could spread the virus.”

Wildfire prevention is akin to fighting a pandemic. The entire community takes part: prevention works best if all participate. Creating defensible space on your property will help protect neighbors. The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is as true for containing a wildfire as it is for containing a pandemic. Making your home and community safe from wildfires will save lives and livelihoods. (Chris Field and Eric Appel. Letter. New York Times. May 14, 2020).

Your Association continues to direct its activities to the purposes stated in its Bylaws. Such activities include organizing the ice cream social, preparing a newsletter twice a year, organizing and executing an evacuation drill, and holding the successful “Cocktail Party” at the Marin Tennis Club last February. However, our overriding concern for the next six months is the threat of wildfire and the ability of our community to prepare.

Respectfully submitted, Jack Nixon [email protected] or (415) 518 3183

DOMINICAN AREA SPRING 2020 NEWSLETTER

www.dominicanareanews.com


The Threat of Wildfires Continues Given the publicity devoted to the threat of the COVID-19 virus, it is easy to forget the annual

threat of wildfires. But the threat is still there. Storms last winter provided only about 50% of our

normal rainfall and vegetation will be drier than normal. This is the time for homeowners to

increase defensible space and harden their homes.

What the County plans on doing Passage of Measure C last November created the Marin Wildfire Protection Authority (MWPA)

and is anticipated to bring in $20 million annually for wildfire prevention. Much of the initial

spending will focus on vegetation management in the open space regions near existing

homes. In addition there will probably be some funding for local chipper days.

What the Neighborhood Association plans on doing The FireSafe Committee of the Neighborhood Association is working with the San Rafael Fire

Department on having a Chipper Day later this Spring. Details are still pending. However

because of the pandemic and the need for social distancing, we hope to have a mobile

chipper and professional crew that will chip curb-side brush piles in front of homes.

In addition, the Committee plans to have a Zoom presentation and Q & A session featuring a

panel of fire-prevention and home-hardening experts at the annual meeting of your

Association scheduled for the Saturday morning of June 20.

What YOU need to do Educate yourself and take responsibility for your safety and your home's survival.

• Work on vegetation management around the home. This does not need to result in a desert wasteland. You can have beautiful landscaping and still be fire safe. Check out the following website for useful hints: http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/

• Find landscaping and fire-reduction contractors. FireSafeMarin has a list of those contractors. Check out their website: https://firesafemarin.org/ and search for contractors.

• Look to see how you can make your house more fire safe. Check out the following website: https://www.firesafemarin.org/home-hardening

The threat continues and so should your efforts to reduce that threat!



Secretary’s Report

By Becky Gayman

Unusual times are upon us, especially at

home. We hope the content of our

newsletter assists you and your family to feel

connected to and supported in our slice of

the world. There is much we can do as

neighbors and within our families to support

and care for one another as we all navigate

sheltering in place and practicing physical

distancing. Stay well, be safe and remain

healthy.

Please visit DominicanAreaNews.com to

learn more and find helpful resources.

REMINDER TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS Please complete your US Census form.

This important information helps funding for all of Marin County.

2020census.gov

How to Secure Your Home While Vacationing

Even though the virus may still be with us

this summer, folks may plan to “get away”

for a few days, making home burglaries a

possibility even in the best of times. So we

offer these ideas which may seem obvious

but which are easily overlooked when

rushing to “get out of town.”

! Do not advertise that you will be on

vacation.

! Do not hide a house key on the

property. Instead, consider giving one to

a trusted neighbor.

! Ask that your neighbor be vigilant while

you are away.

! Secure valuable outdoor items, such as

BBQs, etc. in your locked garage.

! If your garage has an exterior entry door

with a window, use curtains to obscure

the valuables inside.

! If your garage door has a glass window,

insure that the inside locking mechanism

is at least 40 inches from the window,

thus preventing the thief from reaching

in and accessing the lock.

! Disconnect the electric garage door

opener from the power source.

! If you plan to be away for an extended

period, contact the SRPD to arrange for

a periodic drive-by of your premises.

It’s important that we all look out for each

other. Vacations or not, we should always

be vigilant for our neighbors. If there is any

doubt or question as to the security of your

neighbor’s home, say something, do

something.



TREASURER’S REPORT

This year’s neighborhood association budget is $9,700. Membership dues are the primary income source – with an anticipated 285 household memberships providing $30 per household in annual dues. A small portion of the funds collected through PayPal is deducted from the amount we receive for

the use of PayPal services. We receive additional income each year from much-appreciated donations – which members can pay when renewing or joining. In addition, we received a $500 grant this year to support our neighborhood fire safety activities..

These funds support the various activities described in the newsletter, with the greatest amount supporting the Firewise Neighborhood Activities. Other major Association expenses include the printing of two newsletters per year and our two social events – the Cocktail Party in February and the family Summer Scoop ice cream social in September. Board members are all volunteers, and do not receive any compensation for their work. Volunteers also hand deliver newsletters and event announcements, saving us close to $1,500 each year.

You can join or renew using a credit card on our website: Dominicanareanews.com. Thank you, Bonnie Marks, Treasurer

SAVE THE DATE!! - June 20th

Annual Neighborhood Meeting Via Zoom Conference

The annual meeting of the Dominican Black Canyon Neighborhood Association will take place via Zoom Conferencing. We will have a brief business meeting, with election of officers and Board members where terms have expired and a quick treasurer's report.

Our guest speakers for the meeting are Vice-Mayor Kate Colin and Fire Chief Darin White. They will be open to Q&A from the audience, as well as sharing some important updates about San Rafael.

Check out the DBCNA website and watch Enews for log in details and password.



Future Dominican Black Canyon Newsletters The coronavirus pandemic, with its attendant challenges, has caused your Neighborhood

Association to rethink how best the twice-a-year newsletter should be distributed. For the most

logical method, volunteers have offered to compile an online mailing list (email addresses) of

all Dominican Black Canyon residents to use to send the newsletters. In addition, we are

considering an improved website to give greater information to the neighborhood residents.

It will be most helpful if you can add your email address to the dues envelope so we can build

an updated and comprehensive email list. Thank you very much. ~ The Board

A Quiet Shout-out!

• A big congratulations and thank you to Jim Koger, who, with the help of many equally

tenacious neighbors, was successful in getting the duplex at corner of Belle and Irwin

cleaned up after an illegal occupancy.

• A special welcome to a new neighbor, Kathy Burwell, who will become a member of

our board in June.

• A hearty thanks to our diligent FireSafe committee members Jay Hubert (board

member), John Contini (board member), Belle Cole and Paul Minault.

• Plaudits to John Contini for writing the application, which brought us a grant of $500

from the National Fire Protection Association and State Farm. In response to their

request and as a one-time action, the Board in turn donated $500 to the Corte Mesa

Condominium Homeowners Assn. to help defray this spring’s cost of clearing fire fuel

from their property and adjacent open space.

• A special note of appreciation to Jackie Cormier who twice a year enlists and

organizes some twenty volunteers to deliver our newsletters to 950 homes.

Landscaping Ideas: Creating a Fire-smart Garden

While numerous resources have been created to help those of us in Marin prepare for fire season, the UCCE Marin Master Gardeners have focused on applying fire-safe principles to their own area of expertise – home gardens.

They have created a new on-line resource on Fire-smart Landscaping. It’s posted on the Marin Master Gardeners public website at: http://bit.ly/fire-smart .

While providing some basic information about the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and planning for defensible space – the main focus of the resources is to help gardeners plan and maintain a Fire-smart garden. The site contains recommendations on choosing plants and spacing them and the use of hardscape and non-combustible mulches. In addition it features examples of Fire-smart home garden designs. Maintenance tips focus on clean up, the importance of appropriate watering, pruning, and seasonal maintenance.



NEW Playground/Park at

Trinity Community Church has completed their 4-year remodel, but still continue to fundraise for the beautiful neighborhood playground for children (ages 5-12). We welcome our neighbors to visit.

This neighborhood playground cost approx. $50,000. Your contributions are appreciated. • Navigate a web browser to

http://tinyurl.com/Give2Trinity and select “PLAYGROUND.”

• Check to Trinity Community Church, 1675 Grand Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901. Please write “playground” in the memo line.

• Contact Pastor Will Nelken. 415-456-1795 or [email protected]

Coleman News You may have noticed our new fencing up. We usually love having kids and families play on

campus when we're not in session, but considering we are all trying to promote physical distancing, we made the choice to fence and lock up the campus.

If you notice anything odd, out of place, or anyone on campus who shouldn't be there, please call the San Rafael Non-Emergency Police number to report. While we won't have our annual Coleman Festival this year, we are making tentative plans to host some type of welcome-back festival come the start of school. When the time comes, we all look forward to celebrating with our neighbors!

Michael Taylor, Principal Coleman Elementary School Follow us @ColemanTigers www.coleman.srcs.org

Marin Ballet

Come dance with me.....

Marin Ballet hopes all of the Black Canyon Communityis staying safe and secure during these unusual times.

We are pleased to offer classesonline now and through thesummer!

visit marinballet.orgfor details!

Come dance with us!



…board members

Jack Nixon, President Robert So, Communications John Contini, Member Herb Ancell, Treasurer Marty Wickenheiser, Member Pauline Ancell, Member Becky Gayman, Secretary Bonnie Marks, Past Treasurer Kathy Burwell, Member Jay Hubert, Vice President Monica McMillan, Member

HOW TO STAY INVOLVED! DBCNA Membership Meetings are held at 7 pm on the Second Wednesday of the following months: April, July, October and January. Currently being held via Zoom. Contact Jack for Zoom log in details. (415) 518 3183 or [email protected] Are you on the Dominican/Black Canyon EMAIL list? We usually send out 1-2 emails a month with local information or invitations to events. We NEVER share our email list with other groups. If you unsubscribed at some point, and want to Re-subscribe, send as an email and we’ll re-invite you. [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook Search for Dominican Area News and LIKE us!

Dominican University is working towards a goal of bringing students back to campus for the fall semester, following guidance from the state and county.

We've established a task force to explore how to meet that goal in a way that is safe for our students, faculty, staff and neighbors. We'll provide updates as they become available.

We ask that when our neighbors visit our campus, they abide by Marin County Public Health orders and recommendations - please maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance and wear a facial covering. ALL dogs must be on a leash.

Thank you!

⇒ Reminder to neighbors:

The Dominican University has beautiful grounds. PLEASE pick up your trash or animal waste and dispose of it properly.



MEMBERSHIP: EVERYONE BENEFITS

The membership is growing. Of the approximately 950 Dominican/Black Canyon neighborhood homes, 282 are currently members which means our Association is nearing our objective of 320 households by the end of the year. The shelter-in-place orders have only strengthened and solidified your Board’s philosophy that we must all care for and look out for each other. Monica McMillan and Marty Wickenheiser, membership co-chairs and appointees by the Board to Kate Colin’s Street Angels program held a Zoom meeting with Kate last month to learn more about her program and found it well-researched and presented. They will report again as the programs gains momentum in the hope that involvement will aid our membership campaign this year. Access our website and use the PayPal or credit card feature! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call or text me at 415-654-1711. Marty Wickenheiser, Membership. Contact us at [email protected].

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DBCNA Annual Neighborhood Membership Dues

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Is this a new email? Yes No

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________ Cell: __________________________________________

I’d like to help with events! I’d like to help in general! - call me.

Enclose a check for $30 payable to Dominican/Black Canyon Neighborhood Association

Mail to: PO Box 151702, San Rafael, CA 94915

COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP FORM

OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT: DOMINICANAREANEWS.COM

notes from our dbcna president, jack nixon€¦ · creating defensible space on your property will...

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