Good Bye

What a lovely neighborhood!  So many wonderful friends. Such a great climate.  But it is time to say goodbye. This is my last post.

I admit I have been relatively inactive on the blog this year, but that was largely in response to my disgust at how the email list was being abused this year along with other pettiness.  There are so few people that are inconsiderate in this area, but that email exchange and the subsequent nastiness put me over the top.  I'm about community, and living by our agreements.  I can't quite hack the VERY few people who want to make it about themselves at the cost of the majority.  So I wish you well and hope the majority of folks are able to maintain a neighborhood that is as wonderful as this was while we lived here.

I do have one last request.  That request is to respect one another. When you disagree, don't resort to pettiness or name calling.  You are a neighborhood. Watch out for one another.  Even if you disagree you can be respectful and caring.  You needn't assign motives to other people.  Let them speak for themselves and listen to what they have to say. Then say your piece calmly and with patience.  Both parties need to listen to one another if there is to be communication. Don't turn off your listener by making
accusations.

Other than that, I wish you all well as I retreat to the Nevada mountains... and avoid the California taxes!

Security Issues

I recently herd of one of our neighbors getting their identity stolen. That knowledge combined with several other recent events has inspired me to post the following information:

JAVA Warning:  Just in case you missed it, there has been a security warning regarding JAVA on computers.  You can find the warning on page A9 of the 1/12/13 edition of the Santa Cruz Sentinel or see http://www.zdnet.com/homeland-security-warns-to-disable-java-amid-zero-day-flaw-7000009713/ for the article.

Solicitors:  Remember, solicitation is not permitted in the Seascape Uplands.  Recently there was a man who was going door-to-door selling a cleaning product in our neighborhood.  While I cannot confirm he was running a scam, I did check on the product he was selling and looked for complaints regarding the parent company.  It was less than encouraging, with some of the complaints approaching frightening.  In addition, the salesperson used several social engineering techniques to try to persuade me to buy his product. (e.g. claims of testimonials from neighbors, showing me the corner of a neighbor's check, inaccurate information.)  If your gut feels like something is wrong, its probably worth listening to!

Scam:  Here's a message and follow up from a neighboring neighborhood watch I received yesterday:

Hi All

I hope you are staying warm!I got a phone call today from our neighbor Gayle Jensen, at 555 Cuesta,saying that yesterday she hired someone named Sonny Costello to clean her roof and dosome other chores at her home. Today, Sonny returned to her home asking formore work and more money.Gayle just wanted to warn other neighbors - she is not sure if he is "legitimate" ornot, but she was concerned.And, remember, as Sgt. Ramos says, if it does not feel right - it probably isn't!Thank you Gayle for watching out for all of us!Jeanine~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jeanine Sande831-684-1847jeanine@jeaninesande.comHi AllEarlier today, I emailed you about our dear 95 year old neighbor,Gayle Jensen, who was concerned about a worker. This eveningI got a call from Gayle's neighbor Larry Goodman (thank you Larry!!)who is helping to watch out for her. Turns out it is much more serious than I thought! Please read this email from herdaughter. The worker's name was Sonny Costello. Of course, when Larrycalled Gayle's bank, the check had been cashed. Larry will phonethe DA on Monday.Paul - is there anything you can do to help here? Extra patrols?Any info on Sonny Costello??Let's all watch out for Gayle. Ohhhh - this just makes me so mad!(reminder Gayle lives at 555 Cuesta)Thanks, Jeanine

From: "Carolyn Monday" <cmonday@socal.rr.com>Date: January 11, 2013 1:36:14 PM PST

Subject: Gayle JensenI am Gayle Jensen's oldest daughter, Carolyn Monday. Yesterday Mother was victim of a scam. While the regular yard cleanup people were there some other workman came by claiming they had an appointment to do roof repair. Mother let them up on the roof. When they finished doing God only knows what they wanted$3000 cash. Mother refused and gave them a check.They gave no receipt and left no paperwork. Today they were back stating they found a bigger problem and wanted $7000 to fix it. Mother refused. They evidently said they would return Monday.My sisters and I are worried and fearful about what would happen if they return. What can Neighborhood watch do?I have called the Sheriff who told me to call the DA. I called the DA who said "Robin" handles these problems and she is out of the office until Monday.Any suggestions are welcome.Carolyn Monday
668 252-2127 

Personal Opinion:  I've been told that the Seascape Uplands doesn't want a neighborhood watch because "we don't want people paying attention to our business".  Personally, I think that is a mistake because neighborhood watches are not about being nosy, they are about protecting one another from security threats.

Sorry, I could not resist adding that personal opinion.  I've seen neighborhood watches in action.  They can be very helpful.  I've even seen a person breaking into a car caught and used to break a theft ring due to the actions of neighborhood watches.  Regardless, if the Uplands doesn't want neighborhood watches, so be it.  I'm still keeping my eyes open, and if I see anything suspicious I will follow up appropriately.