Mail Delivery

My neighbor happened to take something out to his mail box and saw our mail carrier coming down the street and he waited to get his mail. He asked her, the carrier, what she did when access to the mail box is blocked - her answer is they don't deliver the mail that day. Lesson -- If a car is parked in front of the mail box, then mail delivery is delayed.

Keep Watching!

We have a few people who are walkers during the day, especially in the mornings, who can keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and people. I know that we have a few evening/night time walkers, and if you know any night time walkers here, please ask them to also keep their eyes open for suspicious vehicles and people, carry cell phones with them, and call 911 immediately if they should encounter either situation.

The same applies to any daytime walkers you know. We can use these as our crime prevention "foot patrols". The Hoover Police say to just make the call and let them worry about false alarms.

Also, anytime you are out in your vehicle at night, make it a point to make a "sweep patrol" of the entire subdivision before you put your vehicle in your garage. If you see any suspicious activity call 911 and report it.

The following are facts from a police report filed just recently on a theft in The Sanctuary:

Crossings View 5600 block, residence, November 29, 1-8am, one credit card, two debit cards, checkbook, business checks, wallet, driver's license, Social Security Administration card stolen.

Please NEVER leave anything of value inside your vehicle in plain sight. If you must leave valuables in your car, lock them in your trunk and lock the vehicle doors as well. Advise your visitors to do the same. If possible, park your vehicle inside your garage rather than on the street or in the driveway.

Deer Candy

If you are like me, you received an unpleasant surprise one morning recently when you went out to get the newspaper. About half of my beautiful pansies I just finished planting last week were gone! I had planted white ones with blue centers mixed with deep purple ones, and all the white and blue ones were gone; just the purple ones remained. I guess deer don’t like purple pansies.

Dadgum! That patch of pansies cost me around 20 bucks (no pun intended), not to mention a couple of hours on my hands and knees.

My neighbor said that wild rabbits got theirs, but after asking a friend who is a horticulturist, I was asked if I lived near a wooded area, (yes I do) and I was told that deer were the culprit. Buzz Williams’ stealth camera caught these night visitors on film around Lake Sanctuary. It seems that deer love pansies almost as well as they love honeysuckle, and pansies are “deer candy” to them.

I have seen small groups of bucks, does, and fawns on several occasions within the adjacent O’Neal property. I saw deer tracks last week on vacant lot 401 on Crossings Lake Circle

I asked my friend about a remedy to deter deer for feeding on my expensive pansies, and she said that a deer repellant spray is available in hardware stores that you can douse your annuals with that might work, and also that planting rosemary or sage around the pansies might work as well.

I believe I’ll try the method of least work first, i.e., the deer repellant spray. Tune in next week for the rest of the story.

Tom De Shazo

Update from Neighborhood Watch - Credit Card Scam

Snopes.com says this is true. See this site - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

This one is pretty slick since the perpetrator provides YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

One of my friend’s employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and my friend was called on Thursday from 'Master Card'. The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?

'When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?

'You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security.

'You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'... He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?' After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after my friend was called on Wednesday, he called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Was he glad he did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to his card.

Long story - short – my friend made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing him a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation.

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

Lawn Care Water & Sewer Expense Reduction

The current cost of water passed through the Hoover sewer system is billed to residents at about $5.39 per 100 cubic feet. This is 268 percent of the cost of that same water as billed to residents by the Birmingham Water Works at about $2.01 per 100 cubic feet.

Perhaps some Sanctuary residents who have a lawn irrigation system installed are not aware that a credit can be filed with the City of Hoover for that non-sewer water use, providing you have a separate water meter installed on your irrigation system.

Those of you who do not have such separate water meters installed on your irrigation system may want to consider having a separate meter installed to take advantage of the cost savings available from filing for credit for non-sewer water used in irrigating your lawns and landscaping.

Application forms ‘non-sewer for water use credit’ are available from Lisa Lindsey, City of Hoover, and only require that you read, record and file by mail your irrigation system water usage at whatever interval is convenient for you; monthly, quarterly, or annually.

You can even file your water meter reading report by fax or e-mail at your option. The credit is then deducted from your current monthly water bill.

Veterans Day in Birmingham

Did you know that Veterans Day is a Birmingham Creation?

Originally, the holiday was called Armistice Day, which celebrated the symbolic end of World War I, when an armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918. Raymond Weeks, from Birmingham, thought that the day should honor all veterans, not just those from World War I. In 1947, Birmingham first locally celebrated Veterans Day. In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day, and Veterans Day became a national holiday.

Birmingham is home to the oldest and largest Veterans Day parade in the nation, one of the most unique memorial parks in the country and a new national cemetery. So, on Veterans Day, take your children to one of the many Birmingham-area events and parks, tell them about this locally-created holiday and teach them about the sacrifices that military personnel made in the past and are making today to ensure the liberty that we enjoy every day.

-Birmingham Parent Magazine, November 2008

Local Events:

Sunday, November 9th, 1:30pm Veterans Memorial Park, near Liberty Park off I-459 Special events for Veterans Day, impersonations of characters and events from children and adults from 1900 to the present.

3:30pm Patriotic ceremony featuring members of the Howlin’ Mad Smith Detachment of the Marine Corps League reenacting the famous Joe Rosenthal photo taken on Iwo Jima.

Monday, November 10th, Annual Veterans Day dinner and presentation of the National Veterans Day award. This year’s recipient is Lt. General Ron Christmas and the speaker is Raymond Dempsey.

Tuesday, November 11th, 1:30pm Veterans Day Parade, beginning at the intersection of 19th Street North & 8th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham

Tuesday, November 11th ALL DAY – Military Free Day at The Birmingham Zoo Active military and their immediate family dependents and retired military will receive free admission to the zoo with valid military ID.

American Flag Etiquette

Thanks to all our neighbors who have been faithful in flying our country’s flag. Your action in showing your patriotism in this way, especially in these trying times, has really set a good example and has been an inspiration to us all.

We all need to be aware of proper etiquette when displaying our flag, and a couple of variances seem to be reoccurring which need correcting.

1. Faded or tattered flags should not be displayed, and should be replaced with new flags. Such flags should be retired and properly disposed of by burning in an appropriate ceremony. The Boy Scouts will be glad to handle this for you. Please contact Troop 5 at Christ Church United Methodist or Troop 254 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

2. Flags should not be displayed after dusk unless properly illuminated. It is
O. K. to display flags for 24 hours if properly illuminated at night, otherwise they should be taken down daily at dusk.

Thank you, and God bless America

Political Campaign Signs

Election coming up next Tuesday, November 4th, so be sure to get out and vote! Remember that political campaign signs posted in yards of residents within The Sanctuary are specifically prohibited by the Covenants. If you see any, please advise your neighbors to remove them.

Wildlife in The Sanctuary

The deer photos above were taken at The Sanctuary Lake. If you have any photos of wildlife in The Sanctuary send them in!

Book Signing this Friday

Friday, October 24, 2008

12:00-1:00pm

Little Professor Books & Cafe

The New Science of Sustainability

Building a Foundation for Great Change

Sally J. Goerner, Robert G. Dyck, and Dorothy Lagerroos

You are invited to come participate in the Friday book signing for The New Science of Sustainability: Building a Foundation for Great Change at the Little Professor book store in Homewood from noon until 1pm with Bob Dyck.

Robert G. Dyck is a resident of The Sanctuary and is Emeritus Professor of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. His career and publications have focused on the problems of disenfranchisement and poverty in America and throughout the world. In this book he develops new systems approaches for sustainable politics and economics, based on evolution and fractal geometries, to advance democracy, economic equity, and social justice.

If you are unable to attend the book signing, click on the Post title above, "Book Signing this Friday", and you will be redirected to a site in which you may purchase the book.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Notice & Ballot for Election of Board of Directors

October 17, 2008

To: All Members

From: Dan Murchison, President, Board of Directors

Subject: Notice and Ballot for Election of Board of Directors

In accordance with the Bylaws, an election for Board of Directors will be held November 18, 2008 from 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Media Room of Spain Park High School.

The terms of the first eight Directors and one replacement Director will expire on January 1, 2008. All these current Directors have been nominated for re-election by the Nominations Committee in accordance with the terms of the Bylaws, each for the term of office indicated by the name.

Click on "Notice & Ballot for Election of Board of Directors" above to view and print out ballot.

Please indicate your vote by marking “X” for any or all of the nominations in the space provided adjacent to the name, or write in the names of other persons not so nominated in the space on the ballot also provided. Sign your ballot and bring it with you to the election meeting for submittal to the Secretary. Ballots will be counted and the results of the election announced at the meeting.

Club Families

Share your travels and memories with the Club! Email your pictures to sanctuaryatcc@gmail.com and we will post on our blog.

Pictures from Buzz & Carol Williams on their trip to Yellowstone in September can be found now in the left margin....just click on "Trip to Yellowstone in September".

Cherry Dream Cake

Thanksgiving, a time for family, fellowship and friends, and a time to reflect on our countless blessings. When you need a desert recipe, try this one which was submitted by Carol Williams.

"Cherry Dream Cake"

1 Prepared Angel Food cake

1 12 oz. Container of Cool Whip

1 8 oz. Container of soft cream cheese

1/2 Cup sugar

1 Can chery pie filling

Cut angel food cake into two layers.

Combine Cool Whip, cream cheese and sugar.

Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.

Place the bottom layer of cake on the plate.

Spread cream cheese mixture over the top.

Drizzle 1/3 of the chery pie filling over the mixture.

Place top layer.

Spread remainder of cream cheese mixture over top and sides.

Drizzle remainder of cherry pie filling on top and sides.

Implementation of Neighborhood Watch

Dear Neighbor:

As some of you know, last evening the Sanctuary Club, Inc. voted to implement a Neighborhood Watch program. With the help of the Hover Police Department, We will be installing Neighborhood Watch Protection signs at the two entrances to The Sanctuary soon.

A major component of this program is the awareness of the our residents of the possibility of crime occurring in our neighborhood and becoming knowledgeable of home security measures that will go far in preventing crime here.

Hopefully, all of you have previously received the material sent by the Club covering Operation Identification and Identity Theft Prevention measures, have read the material, and are taking appropriate steps accordingly to protect your families. If you did not receive the material, e-mail me, and I'll send it to you.

Your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain for your area will be contacting you soon to get our "Telephone Tree" information database rolling. This of course is vital to the success of our Neighborhood Watch. Your Block Captain is also the Area Director of The Sanctuary Club, Inc. Membership is of course encouraged for the obvious benefits, but is not mandatory to participate in the Neighborhood Watch.

Your Block Captains are:
Buzz Williams Area Director (Lots 496 – 513)
Henry Hager Area Director (Lots 478 – 495)
Brent Overby Area Director (Lots 459 – 477)
Phillip Inman Area Director (Lots 438 – 458)
Bill Panter Area Director (Lots 418 – 437)
Marcus Lawrence Area Director (Lots 401 – 417)

Please contact them for any questions and assistance.

Sincerely,

Tom De Shazo
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

Operation Identification

Operation Identification is a crime prevention program where identifying numbers are placed on selected valuables for identification purposes in case the property is stolen. By recording information such as make, model, and serial number you will have a much better chance of recovering stolen items since the information can be entered into a nationwide database available to law enforcement. Items that you do not want to mark, such as jewelry, should be photographed in detail. Keep a copy of the list in a safety deposit box, safe, or in a plastic bag in your freezer (it acts as a fire-resistant container).

Contact Officer Bryan Foreman with questions - Hoover Police Department at 444-7700 or email Foremanr@ci.hoover.al.us

And remember Officer Foreman will speak at our upcoming Neighborhood Watch meeting on September 30th (see details below).

Neighborhood Watch Meeting

It is Time To Stop!
Burglary Break-Ins Vandalism

The Sanctuary Club, Inc.
Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Where: Spain Park High School Auditorium

When: Tuesday September 30, 2008

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Officer Brian Foreman of the Hoover Police Department will conduct a presentation on security for our homes and discuss how we can protect our homes and our neighbors’ homes.

At the conclusion of the presentation, we will vote on proceeding with implementation of the Neighborhood Watch.

It Takes All Of Us To Work Together On this Project!
Please Make Your Plans To Attend!

For Questions Contact Tom De Shazo
Phone: 981-2510

Identity Theft Prevention

Identity Theft – the fastest growing crime in the United States

10 Ways to Protect Your Identity

Your Social Security Number is the key to your identity. Never give it out over the phone, internet, mail, or in person unless you have initiated the contact. (No matter whom they claim to be.

Have your mail sent to a Post Office Box.

Buy a home shredder. Shred all paperwork, old checks, pre-approved credit cards, etc.

Cancel all credit cards you have not used in the past 6 months.

Avoid opening “Instant Credit” accounts at local stores.

Never leave a purse in your vehicle or a shopping buggy, no matter how well hidden.

Keep Social Security Cards at home, not in your wallet or purse.

Have your Social Security Number removed from your driver’s license and leave your phone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, and driver’s license number off of your checks.

Run a credit check on yourself every 6 months.

Report any suspected fraud to your local police, major credit bureaus, and the Federal Trade Commission.

What to do if you are a victim of Identity Theft?

File a report with the police. Get a copy of the report in case your bank, Credit Card Company, or insurance company needs proof of the crime.

Immediately contact the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a fraud alert on your account. That way Creditors must then contact you before any new accounts are opened in your name.

Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline,
1-877-ID-THEFT.

For additional crime prevention information, see the following web sites:

National Crime Prevention Council – http://www.ncpc.org/
National Sheriffs Association – http://www.usaonwatch.org/
Hoover PD web site – http://www.hooverpd.com/

Neighborhood Watch

In the last newsletter we mentioned that the Board of Directors of The Sanctuary Club was considering initiating a Neighborhood Watch for The Sanctuary as a priority.

As a result of participating in a special meeting on August 25th, at which a comprehensive Neighborhood Watch presentation was conducted, the Board unanimously voted to initiate the program.

The following is a brief of what Neighborhood Watch is all about.

Across the nation crime is of concern to citizens everywhere.

Increasingly, citizens and law enforcement professionals realize that neither one can eradicate crime working separately, however neighbors working cooperatively with law enforcement, can have a positive effect.

Home burglaries, in particular, can be minimized when community residents take steps to make their homes less attractive and vulnerable to burglars.

Burglary, the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft, is generally considered a crime against property. It has, however, a high potential for death or injury to the victim who comes into surprise contact with the intruder.

Through the well-recognized concept of Neighborhood Watch, a community-based program supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association since 1972, residents of thousands of communities across the nation have discovered that they can make a difference in preventing crime.

Since its establishment, Neighborhood Watch has developed thousands of such local residential crime prevention programs in which individual citizens work to:
1) Make their own homes and families less inviting targets for crime.
2) Cooperate with law enforcement through block and neighborhood groups to control crime throughout the community.

The next step for us is to have a meeting of all the residents in The Sanctuary at which a Neighborhood Watch presentation will be made by the City of Hoover Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, after which implementation of the program will begin. We are now looking at late-September to early-October as the date for the meeting.

We will announce the meeting schedule, including time,date, and place as the details are made available to us on “The Sanctuary Club blogspot.”

Welcome to The Sanctuary Club, Inc.

The Sancturay Club, during the month of August has published and distributed Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and a Neighborhood Listing & Telephone Directory for their residents.

A temporary Board of Directors for this non - profit organization has been formed by the residents until "The Sanctuary Club" members nominate and elect their officers in November (see listing below).

A newsletter announcing the formation and purposes of the Club has been sent to all the residents to encourage membership and participation. The newsletter also stated that The Sanctuary Club will be giving priority to organizing a Neighborhood Watch very soon.

Important dates:

An ice cream social is planned. If you would like to find out more about "The Sanctuary Club," please join us for an ice cream social in the Crossings Parkway cul-de-sac on Sunday,
September 7 at 7:00 PM. The Board of Directors will be there to answer any questions.


To join The Sanctuary Club, we ask that residents in the Sanctuary please send $10 (annual fee per household) to The Sanctuary Club, Inc. at 5173 Crossings Parkway; Hoover, AL 35242.

Feel free to call your Area Director listed below to discuss "The Sanctuary Club."