Archive through October 31, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: California Fires: Archive through October 31, 2003

Whoami

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just came back after watching ER. I guess I'll catch ya when you come back.

Abby7

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
who, hope the tv shows were good for you. talk to you later. abby.

Whoami

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I was just watching TV. Survivor, then CSI, then ER. In fact, I also taped Without a Trace, and I guess I should go see if Mom wants to watch that. I guess I'm just being a couch tater tonight.

Abby7

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
well, i'm not even sure about my personal posts to you tonight...hope you enjoyed watching tv tonight.

Abby7

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
who, whatever...hope you enjoy your tv shows.

lol! (dh and i are laughing about how pathetic i am (he's home and read the previous posts i typed..he's laughing at me and i am laughing at myself...lol).

good-bye!

Abby7

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 09:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
back to the fires:

I'm listening to the news. Right now, all the fires in Simi Valley (SR) area under control.

The loss in San Diego area and Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear is still devastating.

I have not posted about these areas.

There is more loss here than in Weinermr and Moonie's area. Just so you know. Not to make less OF ANY LOSS .

just so you know, the loss is much, much worse in other areas, areas i never posted about..i know you know about this...but just wanted to mention that i know how much we love the TVCH members here..we can't help but personally mentiond them.

I know you understand this...your prayers are still with everyone not only at TVCH but all of southern california.


Whoami

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 10:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Nothing wrong about personal posts. I like carrying on a conversation. Its kind of a nice wind down from the intensity of this thread the last few days.

Of course, we all know that for those experiencing this first hand, there will be no wind down for a very long time. There are still fires burning, still people and property in danger. And, even when it's finally over fire wise, the rebuilding efforts will be astronomical. Even for those whose homes were spared. The devastation around them will be reminders for a long time.

Commercial over. Back later.

Abby7

Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 10:06 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
sorry about the commercial.

anyway, goodnight. good health to you and your mom.

Seamonkey

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 12:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Sounds like Weiner's sister's partner's family had huge losses, as did Z-mom's aunts..

Anyway.. off to bed for me.. I potatoed tonight too, after making survivor picks today and creating a few new folders for our new posters in the Starting Over area. Watched ER, Extreme Makeover, Survivor, taped CSI.

And soon: l

Kaili

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 08:56 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi everyone! What's the status today? Any significant improvement?

Carolshelly

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 10:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Just a quick update. I live in San Dimas allong the San Gabriel Mts. About 30 miles east of LA & 30 miles west of San Bernardino. Right in between the fire zones. The weather here is now misty and light rain. It will really help in putting out the fire and keep it from spreading in the really bad areas.

Tabbyking

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 10:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
keep on raining!! i hope it just pours buckets in southern california!!
i wish central california could send their rain down to your part of the state. it has been raining pretty steadily all morning and the cotton is not all in yet. our farmers could really have used another 4 or 5 days without rain! it's also pretty cool here and only 2 days ago, it was still high 80's during the day! maybe it will snow in the mountain areas down south?

Seamonkey

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Where I am, Orange County, near the coast, the air is nippy and fall-like, the breeze is back to onshore, sky is blue, over the mountains an optimist would say storm clouds, realist hopes it is more storm cloud than smoke cloud.. no rain at this point.

Tabbyking

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 11:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
please rain down south. please rain down south...
you all know i can't dance, but i can chant!

Bobbie_552001

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 12:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm so happy that its raining...but I have another concern. If it rains too much, with the trees and the brush being burnt....will there be mud slides?? You're dealing with a flat lands Ohio gal....just remember!!

Wargod

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 12:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Tabby, weather was the same here earlier this week. Tuesday the kids wore shorts and sandals, yesterday it got downright cold. Lots of storm clouds up here, but no rain yet. Also getting hit hard with wind. Usually I'm the first to complain about cold weather and rain, but this week I've been praying for it.

Mygetaway

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 01:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Still checking in and sending out good vibes and thoughts. I'm glad the weather is helping, I wish it would have come sooner. Really hoping that the more southern areas gain control now.

Whoami

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 01:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Still checking in here too and sending out good vibes and thoughts.

Moonie, did we ever get an update on Pops? I hope you are getting a chance to really relax now.

Weiner, hoping you are recovering from all the stress too.

Just cause this is looking like the fires are on the downswing, doesn't mean that we aren't still thinking of you all out there. Now comes the next wave....the wave of emotions, rebuilding, etc. I saw some report on one of those news shows where they interviewed a couple who'd lost thier home from a previous wildfire, and all the BS they went through with their insurance carrier. I remember one of the comments from the insurance was something along the line of hesitating to pay off cause they had stockholders to be concerned with.

I'll tell ya right here, right now. If ANY of you hear of such BS with insurance carriers, I want to know about it. There is no way I will ever do business with any carrier that would even think to give any victim of this last week any grief.

Cjr

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 02:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Weinermr. I am glad you are home safely! I am very sad to hear about your sister's partner's mom and brother. That is horrible news. Were they both in San Bernardino? If they need anything they can email me.

I am posting this email I received at work today about FELAC, a new Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center. Please pass the information to anyone who may need it.

County establishes one-stop help center for fire victims---

In cooperation with federal, state, and city agencies, the County of San Bernardino is establishing the Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center (FELAC) at San Bernardino International Airport to provide an array of government services in a central location to victims of the ongoing deadly wildfires.

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dennis Hansberger signed the order creating the center.

“Every service victims of these fires will need, from financial assistance to counseling, will be located in this center. Our goal is for people to be able to walk into this center and walk out with everything they need to put their lives back together,” Chairman Hansberger said.

The center will be located at San Bernardino International Airport (formerly Norton Air Force Base) at 105 N. Leland Norton Way in San Bernardino. FEMA will begin setting up operations at the center on Friday, October 31. It will open for the first time from 12 noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2. It will then be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Childcare for children age 3 and up will be available at the center.

Chairman Hansberger will host Congressmen Jerry Lewis and Joe Baca at the FELAC’s public opening at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The FELAC will feature 30 to 40 informational and referral booths staffed by people from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the following San Bernardino County agencies: Assessor, Building and Safety, Public Health, Behavioral Health, Social Services, Fire Department, Solid waste, Jobs and Employment Services, Auditor/Controller-Recorder; and the following state agencies: Employment Development Department, Victim’s Compensation Board, Franchise Tax Board, Department of Motor Vehicles, Vital Statistics, State Department of Social Services, and the State Department of Insurance.

The FELAC is a cooperative effort between the County of San Bernardino, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and all affected cities within the County of San Bernardino. The City of San Bernardino will be a major participant at the center with several information and referral booths.

Once the FELAC opens, it can be reached by calling toll-free 1-866-854-3700. People seeking assistance from FEMA must register by phone in advance by calling toll-free 1-800-621-3362.

The FELAC is one of several measures the County of San Bernardino is taking to assist victims of the fire.

While County Fire Department Crews have battled the blazes, County Sheriff’s deputies have conducted evacuations and led the search for the arsonist responsible for the Old Fire. The County created a $50,000 reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist, and Stater Bros. has added $50,000 to that fund.

Public Health nurses have staffed evacuation centers, and the County’s Public Health Officer has provided residents with a steady flow of information on the health effects of smoke.

Crews from the Assessor’s Office, Code Enforcement, and Building & Safety are surveying and documenting the damage. The Treasurer-Tax Collector is assisting the owners of damaged and destroyed properties receive the reassessments and tax bill postponements to which they are entitled.

Several county agencies are working on a systematic re-entry plan to allow evacuated residents to return safely to their homes.

The County’s Behavioral Health Department has staffed all evaluation centers with counselors and other staff, and the department has arranged for assistance from Riverside and Orange counties for other San Bernardino County residents who will need help.

The Registrar of Voters is establishing emergency voting sites at evacuation centers and polls at the Registrar’s office in San Bernardino for the November 4 elections. Information is available at www.sbcrov.com <http://www.sbcrov.com> or by calling 1-800-881-8683.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney is protecting fire victims from possible scam artists, and has produced a brochure on how to identify and avoid scams.

-30-

Tabbyking

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 02:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
you know, one thing we did after we lost our house years ago was start a 'grab and go' file. it had photocopies of all our birth certificates, insurance papers, vaccination records, my parents marriage certificate, credit card numbers, etc. we kept a metal locking box in a decorative painted 'boot box' near the front door. we lived in the mountains and earthquakes and fires were a very real danger, and if we needed to go, it was often immediately. you don't even realize how the smallest things are all a nightmare to replace--(unless you have lost a wallet, and then you understand part of it!) my mom also had a photo album or two in the box.
another thing i have done for years is keep a sleeping bag or two or blankets, roll of tp, bottled water and snack foods in my cars. i rotate the food and water out. i also have a twenty-dollar bill hidden in my cars' fuse boxes LOL

how awful to have to put out information on scam artists, but it does happen...especially to desperate or elderly people.

Moondance

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 02:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Very smart Tabby!

Misty and drops of rain here and there... cold too! I will still work on that raindance so it does a bit more but not too much, we don't need mudslides.

Update on Pops... he is still in his house along side his neighbors. He is being checked on by the Sherriff daily.

Egbok

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 03:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I heard from my firefighter friend, Chris, today. He's actually at home and trying to recoup from being with his unit since the beginning of the fires in the Claremont area. He told me this was the very worst fire he has ever, ever worked and he's been a firefighter for the last 20 years.

I didn't even ask about containment...totally forgot. The convo was all about Chris and my concern for him. I'll be seeing him in about 2 weeks and greeting him with a great big hug and kiss!!

I'm glad this cool Fall weather is upon us. I hear it's a little showery in some areas and I hope these showers will help to put out all the fires.

I'm glad that Moonie, Cjr, Weinermr and all friends associated with TVCH are doing better today. It sure was a stressful week, huh?

Take care everyone and thanks for participating in this thread as it was so helpful to me while I was at work and unable to get any updates.

Whoami

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 04:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Eggie, please give your firefighter friend Chris a huge hug from me as well.

Weinermr

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 04:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Eg,

I just sent you an email asking about Chris, and about your family. I should have come here first. LOL I'm glad to hear he's home and safe. Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend.

Grannyg

Friday, October 31, 2003 - 04:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Weinermr, how is the clean up gonna be? Want me to call "ServiceMaster" to show up on your door steps? Or how about "Merry Maids"?