Sycamore Village/Brookhollow Neighborhood

07/10/2019

This pup was stolen out of its backyard off the Avenue, near Shell Road on July 8th. Please keep an eye out for her. She can't walk so someone may be holding her. Thank you. 🙏

06/16/2018

VPD Neighborhood Watch Administrator, Ventura Police Department

AGENCY Crime Alert: Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts in Ventura County

There has been an increase of reported catalytic converters thefts in Ventura County. There have been 8 reported in the City of Ventura since January 1, 2018. With an increase in the County please be sure to review the following tips to help protect your property:

Parking in your garage and in well-lit areas at night: to avoid being an easy target for a criminal… If you must park your vehicle in the driveway, motion detector lights or continuous lights illuminating your driveway may be a deterrent. Also, getting a vehicle motion detector alarm might help.

Park near entrances of buildings or near an access road when at work or at a shopping center: areas where there will be lots of traffic. More people present will decrease the chance of someone stealing your converter.

Look for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood: If you see a suspicious person under a vehicle, chances are they are attempting to steal the catalytic converter. Get the suspects’ vehicle description if possible. Write down the license plate of a suspicious vehicle if you can safely. If crime is in progress call 911.

Etched Vehicle ID number or license plate # to converter: may prevent thieves from stealing it and taking it to a scrap yard… because many scrap yards are required by either local or state law to ask for identification before buying a used converter. Most catalytic converters do not come with identifying markers.

Have extra metal welded to your exhaust system: Muffler shops wire cage around the converter, and bolt and weld it to the frame.

Install a Catalytic Converter Protection Device: will securely clamp around the converter. More expensive then welding.

Share this information with your friends and neighbors: they can be a look out too.

Call the Ventura Police 24/7 nonemergency number at 805-650-8010 to report anything suspicious.

06/11/2018

I’ve seen several reports of rattlesnakes in the area. Keep your eyes open and pets safe.

03/20/2018

Updated 3/19/18 at 4:00PM Weather Summary A strong storm system continues to develop off the California coast, tapping into a large plume of subtropical moisture. As a result, a very wet and long duration storm event has been forecasted for Southwest California, with some areas likely to receive the...

12/20/2017

12/19/2017

Preparing For Rain After A Wildfire
Dec 14, 2017 | Rain Ready
Wildfires dramatically alter the natural landscape by removing vegetation and exposing soil to wind and rain. These changes substantially increase the risk of flash floods and debris flows, even in areas not usually prone to these hazards.

Normally, grasses, shrubs and trees slow rainfall and improve soil absorption. Leaf litter further protects the soil from erosive rainfall. Wildfires burn vegetation and leaf litter to ash, leaving the soil exposed and less able to absorb rain. The result is increased runoff which can produce flash floods and debris or mudflows. Creeks and streams can be easily overwhelmed by these flows, as can streets and homes located below hillsides. The increased flood risk may last five years or more until the vegetation is restored.

Properly installed erosion control along slopes, or the installation of small diversion berms, can slow or redirect flows away from homes and streets. Planting or seeding areas which supported native vegetation does not increase the vegetation recovery rate. In non-native R E A D Y the most effective way to protect your property against flooding is to prepare before it rains. Preparations can consist of very simple home maintenance but, depending on your circumstances, may involve the construction of permanent drainage systems, walls or other measures to divert water, mud or debris. For more information on flooding and flood landscaped areas, property owners may replace vegetation with appropriate fire-resistant, non-invasive plants. A local landscape professional can make recommendations for your particular area.

HOW TO GET READY

If you live in a flood-prone area, consider making permanent changes to your home such as constructing retaining walls and raising your furnace and electrical panel above potential flood levels.

Assemble an emergency supply kit as recommended by the American Red Cross.
Register your phone number(s) at www.vcalert.org so you can receive emergency messages.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Many homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage.
Create a list of items to take with you if you are asked to evacuate. In addition to your emergency supplies, consider items such as: keys, cash and credit cards; photos; insurance papers; computers; prescriptions; and pet supplies.
Clear debris from roof gutters, downspouts and drains so water can flow and drain properly.
Have a supply of sandbags and other flood prevention materials such as plastic sheeting, plywood and tarps.
Check the roof for leaks or damage and pay special attention to areas where separation could occur, such as around the chimney.
HOW TO GET SET

Gather emergency supplies, evacuation items and review evacuation routes in case you are asked to evacuate.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur during periods of heavy or extended rain. If there is any possibility of a flash flood in your area, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
Fill the gas tanks in your vehicles.
Bring in outside furniture that could be carried away by floodwaters.
Move furniture and other valuables to high points – upper floors if possible – in your home.
Fill and place sandbags if necessary.
Monitor gutters, drains and other areas that could cause flooding. Clear away debris immediately to prevent clogging or damming.
DURING A FLOOD

Remember to take your emergency supplies and valuables.

When asked to leave, evacuate to higher ground.
Stay out of floodwaters and avoid moving water. Do not try to walk, swim or drive through moving water. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Two feet of water is enough to carry away a passenger vehicle.
Stay away from downed power lines and piles of debris.
Constantly monitor the news media and other information outlets for weather and emergency updates.
When evacuating, be aware of stream channels, drain channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods in these areas can occur without warning.
Avoid parking or camping near streams, rivers or creeks. The water may rise very quickly.
Use a secondary evacuation route if your primary route is blocked by water.


FLOOD TERMINOLOGY:

FLOOD WATCH: Flooding is possible in your area.

FLOOD WARNING: Flooding in your area is imminent or already occurring.

FLASH FLOOD: A sudden, violent flood. Flash floods often come as a wave.



AFTER THE FLOOD

Stay away from areas damaged by floodwaters, mud or debris flows.
Continue to monitor the media and other sources of information. Additional flooding could occur.
Do not drive around barriers. Roadways may have been washed out, undermined or otherwise damaged by floodwaters.
Stay on firm ground. If forced to walk through mud-covered areas, use a stick to gauge the depth of the mud in front of you.
Avoid standing water. It may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or sewage, or electrically charged by underground or downed power lines.
Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters can erode roads and walkways. The area may be very slippery and make walking difficult. Flood debris may hide animals, broken glass or other dangerous items.
Use extreme caution when entering any buildings that were subjected to floodwaters, mud or debris. Floodwaters may have caused hidden damage, affected electrical systems or undermined the foundation.
Remove wet contents immediately. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet and safely discard anything that actually absorbed flood water.
Throw out any food items that have come in contact with floodwater.
Assume that drinking water is unsafe until you are told otherwise by authorities.
Take photos of damage for insurance claims.
Look for fire hazards: broken gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, etc.
Cover broken windows, holes in the roof, etc. to prevent further damage.
READY

The most effective way to protect your property against flooding is to prepare before it rains. Preparations can consist of very simple home maintenance but, depending on your circumstances, may involve the construction of permanent drainage systems, walls or other measures to divert water, mud or debris.

SET

When heavy rain has been forecast – or when heavy, steady rain is falling – monitor the news media, websites and social media sites for updated weather conditions. Practice “situational awareness.” Know and understand what is going on around you so that if conditions worsen you can take the necessary actions to protect your home and family.

GO

If flooding occurs, you are safest staying in your home if it is not being affected by floodwaters, mud or debris. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately and proceed to higher ground or an established evacuation center. If the water rises suddenly and you cannot evacuate, move to the second floor or, if necessary, the roof.



FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

Ventura County Watershed Protection District • 800 S. Victoria Ave. • Ventura, CA 93009-1600

805-654-2001

http://www.ready.gov/floods VC Alert

http://www.vcalert.org

http://vcfd.org/images/ready-set-go/RSG_Flood-Preparation_web.pdf

805-648-9283

[email protected]

National Weather Service

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/?mystation=KCMA Ready Ventura County

http://www.readyventuracounty.org

Ready Ventura County

12/12/2017

Please share these links:

As our families and school communities begin to recover from the impacts of the Thomas fire, we are providing these resources for our community.

Incident Information
• Ventura County: www.readyventuracounty.org
• City of Ventura: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1254/Thomas-Fire

Air Quality
• Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) air quality forecast
• VCAPCD Twitter feed
• AirNow - search by ZIP code
• Air Quality Precautions for School Sites from Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth

Recovery Resources
• Ventura County Recovers: www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Students' Rights
• What School District Administrators Should Know About the Educational Rights of Children and Youth Displaced by Disasters
• "You Can Enroll in School" poster from the California Department of Education
English | Spanish | Other Languages

Emotional Support and Counseling
• Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for Parents and Teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists
English | Spanish
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
English | Spanish
• Helping Children Cope (categorized by age group) from Ready.gov
• Listen, Protect, Connect - Psychological First Aid from Ready.gov
o For Students and Teachers | Quick Reference for Teachers | Full Teacher Guidelines
o For Children and Parents
o Family to Family, Neighbor to Neighbor
• Help Kids Cope App from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Free phone counseling is available from the Optum Health Critical Incident Response Services at 866-342-6892

Assistance for School Employees
• California Teachers Association Disaster Relief Fund

How to Help Fire Victims
• Donate to the United Way of Ventura County at this link or by texting UWVC to 41444 (you’ll receive a link that lets you enter an amount). 100% of the donations go directly to a fund created for victims of the Thomas fire.
• Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer

Ready Ventura County

12/12/2017

Passing this information on:

Lots of questions about ash. This is from the California Air Resource Board: Safe Cleanup of Fire Ash
The recent fires have deposited large amounts of ash on indoor and outdoor surfaces in areas near the
fire. Questions have been raised about possible dangers from contact with the ash and safe disposal
procedures. The ash deposited by forest fires is relatively nontoxic and similar to ash that might be
found in your fireplace. However, any ash will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals.
In addition, fire ash may be irritating to the skin, especially to those with sensitive skin. If the ash is
breathed, it can be irritating to the nose and throat and may cause coughing. Exposure to ash in air
might trigger asthmatic attacks in people who already have asthma. Therefore, in order to avoid
possible health problems the following is recommended.
• Do not allow children to play in the ash.
• Wash ash off children’s toys before children play with them.
• Clean ash off house pets.
• Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants and avoid skin contact.
• If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
• If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly before
eating them.
• Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers or take other
actions that will put ash into the air.
• Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles, but rather
blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be breathed. The use of shop
vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums
could be used, if available.
• Well fitting dust masks may provide some protection during cleanup. A mask rated N-95 or
P-100 will be more effective than simpler dust or surgical masks in blocking particles from
ash. In general, many ash particles are larger than those found in smoke; thus, wearing a
dust mask can significantly reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of particles
inhaled.
• Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician before using a mask during
post-fire cleanup.
• Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best
procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly
dusted areas.
• The Regional Water Control Quality Board has asked the public to avoid washing ash into
storm drains whenever possible.
• If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible.
• Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or
other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.
Ash and debris inside burned structures may contain more toxic substances than forest fire ash
because of the many synthetic and other materials present in buildings. Older buildings in particular
may contain asbestos and lead. A more cautious approach should be taken in the removal of ash and
other debris from inside burned structures.

12/09/2017

S: VC Alert- Mandatory Evacuation Order Lifted for Avenue North Main Street to Canada Larga
This is an emergency update from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and the City of Ventura. The mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for the Ventura Avenue area north of Main Street to Canada Larga Road. For more information, please visit www.readyventuracounty.org or call the incident hotline at 805-465-6650. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ready Ventura County

12/08/2017

Passing this important information on:

People are knocking on doors telling home owners to evacuate, pretending to be Edison employees once you leave they will come back and loot your home, please be safe .

12/07/2017

First Things First: Staying Safe During a Wildfire

When fire threatens your home and community, your first priority is obviously your family’s safety. Pay attention to public health messages from local radio and news stations, and if they recommend you evacuate, go.

However, the radius of affected households typically extends well beyond the immediate path of the flames. Smoke from fires throws air quality into havoc, creating toxic conditions that can make you or your family members very, very sick. Although healthy adults can typically handle limited exposure, people who suffer from asthma, cardiovascular problems, or lung disease may be significantly harmed by smoke inhalation. Young children are also especially vulnerable—according to the CDC, since children’s lungs are still developing, they tend to take in more air per pound than adults.

To get a sense of the air quality in your area, check out the EPA’s Air Quality Index Forecast, which lets you view at a glance at-risk locations. If their read-out for your home looks bad, follow these precautions:

Stay Indoors As Much As Possible. Especially don’t go out if local advisories recommend that you stay inside.
Wear Protective Gear Outside. If you do have to go out, wear a protective N95 or P100 respirator mask—don’t rely on paper masks, since these don’t really filter out smoke.
Keep Windows and Doors Shut. As much as possible, try to maintain the air quality inside (more on that to follow) by keeping openings secured. Don’t smoke, burn candles, vacuum, or use your oven—these activities will just exacerbate the problem.

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Improving Indoor Air Quality Using Your Home’s Cooling Systems

When the air quality outside keeps you stuck in your home, you may be able to effectively use your home’s air conditioning and filtration system to improve the air your breathe indoors.

Change Air Filters. The first thing you can do is change all your HVAC air filters. Although you may have closed your windows and doors, fine particles can still filter in through roof vents or small gaps in windows and doors, and of course, pose a risk any time you have to go outside. A clean filter will be able to handle the increase in particulate matter in the air. An air purifier with an HEPA filter may also help, if you have one. Some more advanced units even have air quality ratings to let you know how well the air is doing in your home.
Turn on Your Air Conditioning, But Close the Fresh Air Intake. Running your AC will circulate air in your home through your unit’s filters, effectively purifying the air (this is why clean filters are so important). However, many units have fresh air intakes. Usually, these small filtered vents help improve air quality, since the air outside is typically fresher than the air inside. But during a wildfire, they can pour unhealthy air into your home’s interiors. To keep smoky air outside, close the intake using the damper. Typically, the fresh air intake will be located in your attic or ducted to the return side of the home’s central air handler.
Keep Bathroom Fans and Window Units Turned Off. Bathroom fans and window box fans commonly pull outside air into your home, so they should be shut off during a fire advisory.
With any luck, you’ll never need to use this advice, but if a fire advisory should come down on your community, using your HVAC unit effectively can filter out a large amount of particulate matter in the air. Until then, stay safe out there!

12/05/2017

Anyone know how our homes are doing in Sycamore Village?