Alpine Community Alpine Community

Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood
Association

Association
ACNA NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2010
contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com http://alpine-cna.blogspot.com

Alpine Alpine
Community Neighbourhood Association - Who Are We? If you are new to the neighbourhood,
Community
you may not know about us. We are the neighbourhood association for this area. Our boundaries are
Neighbourhood
Block Line Road, Homer Watson Blvd, Strasburg Road and Ottawa Street. Anybody who lives within
Association
these boundaries is welcome to join. We hold monthly meetings during the school year on the 1st Tues-
day of each month. These meetings are held at Alpine School library from 7 pm to 9 pm. We want to
work together to protect and ensure a better social, economic and business climate in the neighbourhood.
A neighbourhood association like ours may produce a neighbourhood newsletter, organize events/pic-
nics/recreation activities, clean up a neighbourhood park or focus on problems in the neighbourhood.
For further information, contact Colleen Coulson at 519-749-1424.

Outdoor Fireplaces in Kitchener
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are permitted in back-
yards in the City of Kitchener. However, there are rules
regarding their placement and use. From the brochure
"Your city rules - Answers to common questions around
city bylaws and enforcement" comes the following...
"An outdoor fireplace may be operated without a permit
between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. provided there are at least
five (5) metres of distance between the fireplace and
any structure, property line, fence, tree, roadway, over-
head wires or any combustible material; the fire does
not create a nuisance; and a portable fire extinguisher
or operable water hose is available."
"Outdoor fires must be supervised by the owner or
occupant of the property who is at least 18 years of
age. Even though the back yard fire may comply with
all other regulations, it cannot interfere with or create a
nuisance to neighbouring residents. If this occurs, you
may be requested to extinguish it."
and controlled within the pit and not exceed more
than 0.5 metres (20 inches) in height.
- Fire pits have to be contained by a distinctive,
raised, non-combustible barrier that completely
surrounds the fire pit to separate it from the sur-
rounding area.
- There is no combustible ground cover within 1
metre (3.2 feet) of the fire pit.
- No material other than brush material including
tree limbs, branches and bush trimmings or manu-
factured logs specifically designed for fireplaces/
fire pits shall be burned in any outdoor fireplace/
fire pit.

Other regulations are:

- Fires are not permitted during a smog alert or advi-
sory.

- Outdoor fireplaces have to be located on a non-com-

bustible surface extending beyond the unit to a dimen-
sion equal to the height of the unit.

- Fires in outdoor fire pits have to be fully contained oct2010.inddR091910

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 1 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
Good Neighbour's Corner:
This summer we had a problem with some young people breaking into cars on our street. A neighbour of mine happened to
be up in the middle of the night because he could not sleep. He heard kids and chased them away. He was nice enough to
warn his neighbours that this had happened, so we could make sure to lock our cars. Thank you Mike for keeping an eye out
for us.
According to our neighbourhood liason officer Lisa Nyusa, if you have something like this happen to you, please report it.
They need this information to track problem areas and increase surveillance to catch these individuals. Graffiti and other
property damage should also be reported. If you have been graffitied, it is important that you clean it up, as the new bylaws
mandate this and you can incur a fine if you don't.

Presidents Note:
We would like to hear from you. If you have anything to contribute to our newsletter please do.
It can be about:
- story about a good neighbour
- recyle info
- neighbourhood interests
- favourite recipe
- word teaser or puzzle or clean joke

If you would like to get more involved in your neighbourhood, we would love to have you join us. If you can't make our
meetings, but could help with delivering newsletters or one of our events, that would be great. You can contact me or check
out our facebook page or blog.

Colleen Coulson
ACNA president

ACNA Food Drive - We Pick Up At Your Home!


In 2008 and 2009, ACNA volunteers have gone door-to-door on Hallow-
een Night, requesting donations to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Once again this year, we will come to you to accept your food donations.
First, during the month of October, we will come to your home in the
ACNA area to get your donation if you call 519-578-9603 and let us
know you want a pick-up. We will arrange a convenient time for the
pick-up.
Then, on Halloween night, we will also be going around parts of the
neighborhood door-to-door to collect even more food for the Food Bank.
This has been very successful, as we have collected almost 1000 pounds
of food over the past two years.

Volunteers Appreciated
We are looking for volunteers to help us on Halloween night. One to
three hours of your time starting around 6:00 p.m. on October 31st. Call
519-578-9603 and let us know that you can help. You may also email us
at gwjeffery@rogers.com. We are happy to answer any questions you
may have about this event.

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 2 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
ACNA Chooses Best Garden Winner (August 2010)
Recently, a couple of ACNA members walked around the neighbourhood, re-
viewed all the front gardens visible from the street, and selected the best front
garden in our neighbourhood. The winning property is at 6 Lucerne Drive,
with its beautiful display of flowers, as well as the marvellous planter boxes in
the upper windows of the house. More photos on our website.

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 3 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
 What can you do to get more involved in your neighbourhood?
• Come out to our monthly meetings. See first page.
• What would you like to see in your ACNA newsletter?
• We’d like to have your input: anything new or noteworthy that happened?
• Like to pay tribute to a special neighbour?
• Got an interesting story you’d like to share?

Some important numbers

If there are problems at the schools:

Alpine School: Bestel Services Security Service: 519-749-3838

Our Lady of Grace School: 519-749-3869

Police: 519-653-7700
By Law: 519-741-2330

ACNA is on Facebook. Look for our group under the name “Alpine Community Neighbourhood Asso-
ciation” and join up. The group page will provide notification of upcoming events and provide a link to
our blog, where you can learn more about ACNA and our neighbourhood.

ACNA Christmas Lights Competition

For the third year, Alpine Community Neighborhood Association members will be go-
ing around the neighbourhood in mid-December to choose the best display of Christmas
lights in the neighbourhood. Our policy is to choose a new winner each year, who will
be featured in the newsletter and on the blog. Each year, there are many colorful sea-
sonal displays, enjoyed and appreciated by your neighbours. We hope that this year you
will help our community brighten up the cold winter evenings.

The City of Kitchener has completely updated its internet website in terms of the information provided
and for ease of use. Before the update, it was difficult to find information on the City site, and much of
it was out-of-date. Now, while there are far fewer web pages, the information is easier to find, as it is
designed to be more intuitive for users, and uses less bureaucratic terms and jargon. There are also many
more photographs, and a cleaner, more colorful look.
Access it at http://www.kitchener.ca

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 4 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
 Preventing Burglaries at Your Home
A recent Waterloo Region Police presentation offered tips on
home burglary prevention.
Here are some highlights from the advice that was offered:
Don't confront thieves
r The typical home burglary happens during the day, when the residents are not home. Thieves prefer having nobody home.
r If you are home and someone rings the doorbell, answer it. A wide-angle peephole installed in the door can help you iden-
tify the caller. You don't need to open the door, but let whoever is there know you are present and find out what they want. If
they look or act suspicious, you can help the police by calling their non-emergency number 519-653-7700 and providing a
description.
r If you come home and you think someone is in the house, do not enter and confront them. Call 911 and stay outside.
r Don't just rely on your neighbors to keep an eye out. They aren't looking all the time, and a home burglary can be com-
pleted in less than two minutes.

Increase the visibility of your home

r Limit dark and hidden areas around your property.
r Have proper outdoor lighting at night, but don't keep these lights on during the day.
r While tall solid wood fences are popular, chain link fences increase visibility.

Prevent thieves from getting in

r Lock your doors, even when you are at home. Some thieves are good at snatching items from near the front door - keys,
purses, jackets - when residents are away from the front of the house.
r The same applies to your car, even at home. Recently, a number of people in the Region were charged with the crime of
entering unlocked cars and stealing items.
r Keep your tool shed locked. Your tools can be used to break into your house. Ladders and patio furniture can be used to
access the second floor.
r Don't hide door keys outside in obvious places e.g. under the mat, or in the BBQ.

Windows and doors

r Many doors are easy to kick in. You are better off having a solid metal or wood door. Deadbolt locks, securely fastened
with long screws, help.
r Windows can often be better protected, with proper latches or with special plastic film that prevents shattering.
r Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Adding screws along the top of the door can prevent someone from lifting the door out
of its rails.

Hide your stuff

r There are obvious places where thieves look. Keep your best jewelry out of your jewelry box or dresser drawers. Hide
it creatively, but remember where it is. Or rent a safe deposit box at the bank. Home safes will be taken if not hidden or
securely attached.

If you are away for a while

r Make the house look occupied. Have someone drop by to remove flyers, cut the grass. Ask someone to park their car in
your driveway.

Call 911 only when...

r A crime is in progress, there is a fire or a serious medical situation. If the thieves are already gone when you get home, call
519-653-7700 to report the crime.

For more information you can access the Waterloo Region Police Services website, specifically:
http://www.wrps.on.ca/community-safety/home-security-audit.htm
http://www.wrps.on.ca/images/stories/Community_Resources/tipstoprotectyourproperty.pdf

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 5 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
 This should be hanging on the wall of every repair shop and garage!

Drill Press A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks
you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the
corner where nothing could get to it.
Wire Wheel Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also
removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, "Oh, &%$#@!"
Skill Saw A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.
Pliers Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of bloodblisters.
Belt Sander An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.
Hacksaw One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked,
unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
Vise Grips Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used
to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
Oxyacetylene Torch Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for
igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.
Table Saw A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.
Hydraulic Floor Jack Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes,
trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.
Band Saw A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that
more easily fit into the trash can after you have made your cuts on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.
Two Ton Engine Hoist A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.
Phillips Screwdriver Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans
and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
Straight Screwdriver A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-remov-
able screws, and often butchering your palms.
Pry Bar A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50
cent part.
Hose Cutter A tool used to make hoses too short.
Hammer Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the
most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit, usually smashing the thumb that is holding the object that you
are trying to pound into whatever it is that you are working on - effectively eliminating the need for manicure care on that
thumbnail for weeks.
Utility Knife Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works
particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and
rubber or plastic parts. It is especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

HOW TO SAY "I LOVE YOU" IN 9 LANGUAGES

English: I Love You
We thank Graham Jeffery, Colleen
Spanish: Te Amo
Coulson, Dennis Haid,
French: Je T'aime
Constables Lisa Nyusa and Mark
German: Ich Liebe Dich
Koiter, and everyone else I forgot to
Japanese: Ai Shite Imasu
mention here for their contributions
Italian: Ti Amo
to this newsletter.
Chinese: Wo Ai Ni
Swedish: Jag Alskar Dig
Lithuanian: As Tave Meliu

Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter October 2010 Page 6 of 6

Alpine Community
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association