Fourth of July -Pet Reminders!

Hi friends,

Just wanted to remind you to be really careful with your animals this upcoming holiday and make sure they are secure and safe. The animal shelters get filled every 4th with animals that panic and run because of the fireworks surrounding our Independence Day. Please share this little reminder with friends and neighbors and have a safe and happy 4th of July!

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips

Pit Bull Puppy found-Pease help us find her owners!

Greetings all,

Here is a note from the neighbor who found this pup on 3/10/2014:

I was running my Schweitzer Elementary School (Stollwood and Glenridge) this morning at about 10am when this pit bull puppy found me and followed me all the way back to my house, nearly 2 miles!  I tried to get her to stay where she was, but was unsuccessful.  No owners in sight.  

Took her to the vet. No microchip.  No dog tags, just a black and white collar.  Estimated to be between 4-5 months old.  Very friendly.  Will whimper and howl for attention.  

Will you please forward this to all other neighborhood associations?  Hopefully, we can re-unite her with her family.  :)

If you have any information about her owners, please contact Carmen here at the blog or Olivia Magana and we'll put you in contact with the neighbors who found her. Let's help this poor little thing get home safe!

Missing pup seen in our area

The veterinary assistant from Blue Cross Pet Hospital has been going door-to-door tonight passing out fliers regarding the small lost dog in the attached flyer.  The owner was in the hospital and the dog got out when a family member was house sitting.  The reason they are concerned as there have been sightings in the last week behind Barrett school, on Maple Lane and Rustic and near O'Donnell Park.  His name is Tino and he is a miniature greyhound so PLEASE DO NOT CHASE.

Dates to Remember, Neighbor Alert, Deer Alert, Crime Report 8/30/13

Good morning all,

Just sharing some important dates coming up, a local neighborhood alert from one of our street coordinators, a reminder that we still have large game wildlife in our area to be aware of, and the crime report from https://www.crimereports.com/

Dates to Remember:

9/17/2013- Carmichael Community Sheriff's Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Don't forget to get out to meet with the Sheriff's Dept. and our POP officer on September 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Del Campo High School Library. All your questions and concerns can for our neighborhood and surrounding areas can be discussed there, and it's a great way to make a personal connection with our local law enforcement friends.

9/14/2013- It's our Adopt-A-Park Day! 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

We really need to get folks out to remember that cleaning up our park is a wonderful way for us to give back to our community and to keep our open space beautiful for everyone. Please come out Saturday morning and lend a helping hand for a few hours. I'll make sure to have some coffee, tea, and water available, and any donations would be much appreciated. The Carmichael Recreation and Parks District so appreciates our help in maintaining the park, and we rely on their support to respond to our needs when there are problems or concerns. For more information about the Adopt-A-Park program, check out their website at http://carmichaelpark.com/volunteer-adopt-a-park/

This is a short video on Youtube from the CRPD showing off Adopt-A-Park program start in O'Donnell park. Let's show O'Donnell we have neighborhood spirit too!!





Neighborhood Alert:

Just an FYI, last week on garbage/recycling day, one of the residents on Stoney Way had a large number of recyclables stolen from the bed of her pickup.  She estimated she had about $100 worth of cans in bags ready to take to the recycling center.  Someone took them either the night before or morning of garbage day.  No description of suspect(s).

Wildlife Alert:

The female deer we have seen throughout the summer in our area is still here, and was sighted on Lincoln Avenue a few nights ago. Please be extremely careful when driving at night!

Preventive Techniques

• The two most important ways to avoid a deer-vehicle collision are: slow down and SLOW DOWN. If you are driving through an area known for high deer populations, slow down and observe the speed limit. The more conservative you are with your speed, the more time you will have to brake if an animal darts into your path.
• Always wear a seatbelt. The most severe injuries in deer-vehicle collisions usually result from failure to use a seatbelt.
• Watch for the shine of eyes along the roadside and immediately begin to slow.
• Use your high beams whenever the road is free of oncoming traffic. This will increase your visibility and give you more time to react.
• Deer can become mesmerized by steady, bright lights so if you see one frozen on the road, slow down and flash your lights. Some experts recommend one long blast of the horn to scare them out of the road, as well. 
• Pay close attention to caution signs indicating deer or other large animals. These signs are specifically placed in high-traffic areas where road crossings are frequent. 
• If you're on a multi-lane road, drive in the center lane to give as much space to grazing deer as possible.

Encountering a Deer

• Never swerve to avoid a deer in the road. Swerving can confuse the deer on where to run. Swerving can also cause a head-on collision with oncoming vehicles, take you off the roadway into a tree or a ditch, and greatly increase the chances of serious injuries.
• Deer are unpredictable creatures, and one that is calmly standing by the side of the road may suddenly leap into the roadway without warning. Slowing down when you spot a deer is the best way to avoid a collision. However, if one does move into your path, maintain control and do your best to brake and give the deer time to get out of your way.
• Don't rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer. These have not been proven to work.
• If you do collide with a deer (or large animal), call emergency services if injuries are involved, or the local police if no one is injured, but damage has been caused to your property or someone else's. Never touch an animal that is in the roadway. Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Unlike that fictional driver from the car commercial, knowing what to do when you encounter a large animal on or near the roadway can be a life-saver. Keeping calm and driving smart improve your chances of avoiding a collision and staying safe on the road. Safe travels!

Crime Report:

• Theft from Vehicle
  08/20/2013
  5900 Block CAMRAY CIR
  
  
• Theft from Vehicle
  08/21/2013
  5900 Block CAMRAY CIR
  
  
• Theft from Vehicle
  08/22/2013
  5700 Block WINDMILL WAY
  
  
• Robbery
  08/23/2013
  4100 Block MANZANITA AVE

Neighbor Reports

Good morning everyone,

We've had a few recent reports to share with you all:

Report #1: Deer Update:

It was reported at the end of last week that the fawn who was traveling with it's mother back and forth across Lincoln this summer was found dead on the side of the road, apparently hit by a car. This is a troubling report and does not mean the doe has moved on. Please slow down and be aware of our large mammal friends we are sharing our neighborhood with. We are likely to be enjoying their company for years to come.

Deer Safety: Tips for Avoiding a Collision

By Dawn McCaslin

Like a scene straight out of a sports car commercial, you're driving along a winding road in the dead of night, the eerie glow from your headlights meeting the narrow asphalt, when suddenly, two green eyes flash in the darkness ahead – and a deer steps onto the roadway.

Unlike the television ad when the driver swerves wildly around the animal and then speeds off carelessly into the blackness, encountering a deer while you're on the road can be dangerous and scary. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle collisions resulted in an average of 187 fatalities in recent years.

So, what can you do to stay safe during deer season?

Read on to learn the latest statistics and a few tips for making your drive through deer country as safe as possible.

Deer Statistics

• Dawn and dusk are the times you are most likely to encounter deer along the roadside.
• Deer breeding season runs from October through early January, and during this time they are highly active and on the move. This is when deer-vehicle collisions are at their peak.
• Though deer may wander into suburban neighborhoods, they are most frequently found on the outskirts of town and in heavily wooded areas.
• As pack animals, deer almost never travel alone. If you see one deer, you can bet that there are others nearby.

Preventive Techniques

• The two most important ways to avoid a deer-vehicle collision are: slow down and SLOW DOWN. If you are driving through an area known for high deer populations, slow down and observe the speed limit. The more conservative you are with your speed, the more time you will have to brake if an animal darts into your path.
• Always wear a seatbelt. The most severe injuries in deer-vehicle collisions usually result from failure to use a seatbelt.
• Watch for the shine of eyes along the roadside and immediately begin to slow.
• Use your high beams whenever the road is free of oncoming traffic. This will increase your visibility and give you more time to react.
• Deer can become mesmerized by steady, bright lights so if you see one frozen on the road, slow down and flash your lights. Some experts recommend one long blast of the horn to scare them out of the road, as well. 
• Pay close attention to caution signs indicating deer or other large animals. These signs are specifically placed in high-traffic areas where road crossings are frequent. 
• If you're on a multi-lane road, drive in the center lane to give as much space to grazing deer as possible.

Encountering a Deer

• Never swerve to avoid a deer in the road. Swerving can confuse the deer on where to run. Swerving can also cause a head-on collision with oncoming vehicles, take you off the roadway into a tree or a ditch, and greatly increase the chances of serious injuries.
• Deer are unpredictable creatures, and one that is calmly standing by the side of the road may suddenly leap into the roadway without warning. Slowing down when you spot a deer is the best way to avoid a collision. However, if one does move into your path, maintain control and do your best to brake and give the deer time to get out of your way.
• Don't rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer. These have not been proven to work.
• If you do collide with a deer (or large animal), call emergency services if injuries are involved, or the local police if no one is injured, but damage has been caused to your property or someone else's. Never touch an animal that is in the roadway. Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Unlike that fictional driver from the car commercial, knowing what to do when you encounter a large animal on or near the roadway can be a life-saver. Keeping calm and driving smart improve your chances of avoiding a collision and staying safe on the road. Safe travels!

Report #2: Recycling Thieves

8/21/13 Early a.m.- neighbor confronted couple who were rummaging through recycling bins on Rollingrock. The couple were described as black slender build male with short hair on a bicycle carrying a black garbage bag, and a white female with a ruddy complexion and brown curly shoulder length hair also on a bicycle with a baby compartment attached to the rear. 

Report #3: Casing Homes

8/20/13 8:15 a.m. - Suspicious behaving woman-shorter (5 ft 2 inches approximately), blonder hair in ponytail driving an older car- right rear hubcap missing and rear right small window missing-oxidized paint. Rang doorbell on Jan Drive holding a clipboard. Walked around to Rollingrock, then drove off down California followed directly by a newer white Toyota Tundra truck.

What You Can Do:

If you see these individuals, please call the Sheriff's non-emergency line. I know many people are reticent to call the Sheriff's Dept.. but they can't do anything to help us or increase presence in our area if they don't know the problems we are facing, and don't have calls recorded. People rummaging through garbage and recycling aren't just stealing money from the County, this is a very common way of compiling information to carry out identification fraud (one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.) Suspicious behavior like this can be a sign of someone casing a property to see what times people are in and out, determining if dogs are present or alarms are on the doors/windows, and planning for potential burglary events at a later date. We see reports of this sort of "scoping out" behavior after theft has occurred and want to make sure we report it early and consistently to law enforcement so we can stop the crimes before they happen. Protect yourself and your neighborhood-don't be afraid to make that call to 916-874-5115!

National Night Out Tomorrow and Driving Safety with Deer

Greetings folks!

Just a short reminder to check in with your local street coordinator and get out to celebrate National Night Out with your neighbors on August 6th! The West Loop of Jan Drive group has had to cancel their plans for this year, but Marble and Rampart should be out in full force and showing their local neighborhood pride. Stop by tomorrow evening and cheer their supportive street groups on :)

Deer Sightings

We have had several sightings of a doe and fawns on and near Lincoln Avenue, between Manzanita and Barrett Road.



View Larger Map

Taken from a GEICO website, here is some excellent information on sharing the road with deer and keeping you and your family safe.  http://www.geico.com/information/publications/newsletter/2009/deer-safety/

Most importantly, drive SLOWLY.

Deer Safety: Tips for Avoiding a Collision

By Dawn McCaslin

Like a scene straight out of a sports car commercial, you're driving along a winding road in the dead of night, the eerie glow from your headlights meeting the narrow asphalt, when suddenly, two green eyes flash in the darkness ahead – and a deer steps onto the roadway.

Unlike the television ad when the driver swerves wildly around the animal and then speeds off carelessly into the blackness, encountering a deer while you're on the road can be dangerous and scary. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle collisions resulted in an average of 187 fatalities in recent years.

So, what can you do to stay safe during deer season?

Read on to learn the latest statistics and a few tips for making your drive through deer country as safe as possible.

Deer Statistics

• Dawn and dusk are the times you are most likely to encounter deer along the roadside.
• Deer breeding season runs from October through early January, and during this time they are highly active and on the move. This is when deer-vehicle collisions are at their peak.
• Though deer may wander into suburban neighborhoods, they are most frequently found on the outskirts of town and in heavily wooded areas.
• As pack animals, deer almost never travel alone. If you see one deer, you can bet that there are others nearby.

Preventive Techniques

• The two most important ways to avoid a deer-vehicle collision are: slow down and SLOW DOWN. If you are driving through an area known for high deer populations, slow down and observe the speed limit. The more conservative you are with your speed, the more time you will have to brake if an animal darts into your path.
• Always wear a seatbelt. The most severe injuries in deer-vehicle collisions usually result from failure to use a seatbelt.
• Watch for the shine of eyes along the roadside and immediately begin to slow.
• Use your high beams whenever the road is free of oncoming traffic. This will increase your visibility and give you more time to react.
• Deer can become mesmerized by steady, bright lights so if you see one frozen on the road, slow down and flash your lights. Some experts recommend one long blast of the horn to scare them out of the road, as well. 
• Pay close attention to caution signs indicating deer or other large animals. These signs are specifically placed in high-traffic areas where road crossings are frequent. 
• If you're on a multi-lane road, drive in the center lane to give as much space to grazing deer as possible.

Encountering a Deer

• Never swerve to avoid a deer in the road. Swerving can confuse the deer on where to run. Swerving can also cause a head-on collision with oncoming vehicles, take you off the roadway into a tree or a ditch, and greatly increase the chances of serious injuries.
• Deer are unpredictable creatures, and one that is calmly standing by the side of the road may suddenly leap into the roadway without warning. Slowing down when you spot a deer is the best way to avoid a collision. However, if one does move into your path, maintain control and do your best to brake and give the deer time to get out of your way.
• Don't rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer. These have not been proven to work.
• If you do collide with a deer (or large animal), call emergency services if injuries are involved, or the local police if no one is injured, but damage has been caused to your property or someone else's. Never touch an animal that is in the roadway. Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Unlike that fictional driver from the car commercial, knowing what to do when you encounter a large animal on or near the roadway can be a life-saver. Keeping calm and driving smart improve your chances of avoiding a collision and staying safe on the road. Safe travels!

Fire in the park and Deer Sightings

Good morning all,

We just wanted to let everyone know that a brush fire had emergency response crews out here yesterday early evening around 6 p.m. Thanks to the quick and effective communication of neighbors in the area, firefighters were out to put out the flames quickly. The flames stayed low and burned slowly due to all the hard work our Park District crews and volunteers from around the neighborhood have done to keep the brush levels under control throughout the park, particularly around walkways, roadsides, and near the playground. We're so thankful for the help of our local fire crews, the Carmichael Recreation and Park District, and neighbors like you. As an added bonus, because the fire burned in such a controlled manner, look to this area next spring to see some spectacular wildflower blooms, since the native plants of the Sacramento Valley are well adapted to fire, and actually thrive best in spaces where the non-natives are removed through natural means like low temp brush fires.

As a serious reminder, please be very very careful with smoking in the park, and don't be afraid to let others know how easy it is for fires to start from a discarded cigarette. We're all responsible for the safety of our community, and fire is a serious danger we can learn more about how to prevent. For more info on fire safety, visit Calfire's website at http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_outsidehome.php

We still have beautiful large mammal wildlife visitors in the park and are being asked by our local Fish and Wildlife officials to be very careful in maintaining our distance, keeping all dogs on a leash, and appreciating our local fauna by driving slowly in the area, and being mindful of their presence. A doe and her two fawns were recently spotted around noon off of Lincoln Ave. so please be very careful when driving through the neighborhood.

Gleaned Safety Info from Susan Peters News Bulletin

Just a few reminders from Susan Peters News Bulletin about safety on the water, the Sheriff's Vaction Watch program, alcohol bans on the American River, and keeping your animals safe for the 4th. Stay safe and stay cool!

PROTECT YOUR PETS

Remember fireworks can be very stressful for your pet possibly causing fear and anxiety.  The volume of missing pets significantly increases during the Fourth of July holiday.

Leaving a pet outside unattended even in a fenced yard or on a chain can lead to disastrous consequences. With fireworks occurring, in their fear, pets who normally would not leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.  Also please make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so if they become lost, they can be returned home promptly. 

And to help reunite lost pets and their owners, the Department of Animal Care and Regulation is posting every 30 minutes on its twitter feed, SacLostPet, a link to a photo of all stray animals that come into the shelter.   Additionally, the department now updates its websiteevery 30 minutes where you can see all of the stray and available pets for adoption. 

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SHERIFF’S VACATION WATCH PROGRAM

Summer is a time when many of us leave town and travel on vacation which means our homes are unoccupied and vulnerable.  For residents of the unincorporated area, you can arrange to have your home be subject to regular security checks while you are gone through a special program operated by the Sheriff’s Department. 

Volunteers In Partnership with the Sheriff – VIPS -- are trained, dedicated and trusted volunteers who perform vacation watch assignments for the Sheriff’s Department.  In addition to having completed the required orientation and training, each VIP possess a clear criminal history and has passed a required background investigation as well as demonstrated good moral character and reputation.

Since 1993, the Sheriff’s Department has relied on these volunteers to assist with many various needs.  The Vacation Watch Program is just one and you can utilize that service by letting VIPS perform regular security checks on your home while you are away.

To participate, please contact Neighborhood Community Service Center, at 2500 Marconi Ave Suite 100, which is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or call 876-5700.

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KIDS DON’T FLOAT

Please practice water safety when around our area’s rivers this summer.  Local ordinances require all children under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket. 

Through a donation by The American River Parkway Foundation, the free life jacket loaner program will continue this summer. If you need a life jacket for a child during a visit to the river, there are several stations along the Parkway where you can borrow one and return it afterwards: Howe Avenue, Watt Avenue, Ancil Hoffman Park, River Bend Park, two sites within Discovery Park, Negro Bar, Folsom Point, Nimbus and Sunrise.

PARKWAY ALCOHOL BAN

This Fourth of July through July 7 there will be a complete ban on alcohol consumption and possession both on land and in the water within the American River Parkway between Hazel and Watt avenues.  An exception exists for Ancil Hoffman Golf Course. 

In past years summer holiday weekends had become major problems along the American River making the parkway less of a family friendly outing because of fights, public nudity, profanity and littering.  The problem was very apparent Fourth of July in 2006 when hundreds of rafters and partygoers consuming excessive amounts of alcohol created what one observer called a “chaotic scene” along a portion of the parkway -- one person filmed the goings-on and posted a video on myspace.com depicting half naked women and men wrestling in the mud.

The Board of Supervisors restored decorum beginning with the 2006 Labor Day weekend and the ban is also applicable for Independence Day as well as Memorial Day.  In addition, the Board last year delegated authority to the Director of Regional Parks in consultation with the County Executive the ability to prohibit alcohol in the Parkway on any additional days between Memorial Day and Labor Day when such a ban is needed to maintain order to address excessive alcohol consumption encouraged by social media.

Since the restriction has taken effect, families I have talked to have expressed appreciation for making these holiday weekends once again a time for everyone to enjoy the American River Parkway.

Deer sightings on Lincoln -doe with fawns- please drive carefully!

Just wanted to share with all of you that we are continuing to see deer within the neighborhood, and ask that you please help our local wildlife by driving carefully, keep your dogs on leashes, and do not approach or interfere with these animals. Deer with babies can become aggressive to protect their young, and their hooves are very powerful. It is also illegal in the state of California to feed large game mammals, or to allow harassment (including chasing) by dogs without permits, during the off season, and without proper hunting licenses. Please spread the word and help us keep your families and our local fauna safe!

These deer were seen off Clover Knoll in the afternoon last week.

Update on black-tailed deer in Jan Park

(previous title was altered since black-tailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer found in the Pacific Northwest)

Greetings all,

I am working to make contact with the correct agencies and make sure that we are doing everything we can to help the female deer currently residing in Jan Park, however the current information we are receiving is that unless the deer is showing aggression towards humans or pets, or is causing structural damage to property, California Fish and Wildlife will not relocate the animal due to the potential stress on the animal.

To this end, it's extremely important that we educate everyone in our area in how best to handle living peacefully with a wild animal.

First and foremost, it is extremely important to never engage or approach a wild animal, or allow your pets to do so by allowing them off leash. Close proximity puts you, your loved ones, and the animal in significant danger, and is illegal according to fish and game code Div 4. 3960. It also illegal in the state of California to feed mule deer, so please do not under any circumstances try to feed this animal, even in a passive manner. 

The following information is from the CAFWS website http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/deer.html:

When you attract deer to your property, you may also be attracting mountain lions. More than half of California is considered deer habitat. And where there are deer, there are mountain lions. That’s because deer are the mountain lion’s primary prey. Allowing deer access to your garden and landscaping, or intentionally feeding deer, can be deadly. Wild animals naturally fear people, keep a distance, and will not bother you, so long as they remain truly wild. But if they become accustomed to humans, their natural ways are ruined. Their normal wildlife and fear of humans is lost. That’s when conflict occur. Never intentionally feed deer. Landscape with deer-resistant plants. Enclose gardens with eight-foot fencing or use deer-proof fencing. Pick up fallen tree fruit. Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house and garden. Consider using commercially prepared deer repellents (available at garden supply stores.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are doing our best to make sure the Carmichael Recreation and Park District are aware of the deer's presence, and to continue to report to the CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife any changes in the deer's location or behavior, so please report any unusual behavior by the animal to California Fish and Wildlife Service Northern Central Region  Main Office    1701 Nimbus Road    Rancho Cordova, CA 95670    (916) 358-2900    FAX: (916) 358-2912 Sales Hours    8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.    Monday - Friday Email the North Central Region Regional Manager: Tina Bartlett Please be safe and spread the word. Wild animals should be left wild!

Deer in Jan Park-Please Do Not Approach

Greetings all,

We have had a sighting of a doe in Jan Park this morning, most likely foraging for food and following the water sources in this intense heat. Animal control has been called but cannot respond till at the earliest Monday so please, do not approach the animal or engage her in any way and make sure to keep your dogs on a leash in the park so as not to unnecessarily spook her. We will keep you updated about her conditions, but for now, let's be kind stewards to the local wildlife and watch her from afar. Please contact the County if you happen to see her outside of the park at 875-5000.

Stay cool today!

Found Dog- Please Help Us Get Her Home! UPDATE-FOUND HER OWNERS

UPDATE: We are very happy to report that thanks to responsible pet owners who microchipped their dog and the Blue Cross Vet Hospital for checking for it, we were able to reunite this sweet old girl with her family quickly! I'm so glad to live in a neighborhood like this where people care and stop to help animals in need :) Thanks again all!

Hi neighbors,

Would you please do us a huge favor and get the word spread around that a neighbor found a trained and well behaved golden retriever female (who ran right into her garage) this afternoon, 5/21/13, near the corner of Jan Drive and California Avenue. She has grayish/whitish hairs on her muzzle which makes us think she's an older dog and she is currently wearing a collar, but with no tags. Please share these pictures and let us know if you know who her family is-she is obviously a well loved friend!

Please contact me through email to share any news of her rightful owners or tips.

 Thank you so much for your help, it is sincerely appreciated!!