Recycle Column

Collecting compostables

Rossmoor is a great place to live. I've found, in working with both the management and residents, that, for the most part, they care and are engaged in the community.

Recently, a resident got in touch with me to express some concerns he has about potential contamination of the residential recyclables. He has noticed that, in some cases, residents are collecting compostable materials in plastic bags and placing them in the recycling carts.

Although composting is a truly worthwhile effort, unfortunately, Rossmoor's residential recycling program does not accommodate compostable materials. Food scraps, pizza boxes, paper towels and plates and plant trimmings all need to go into the large blue garbage Dumpsters.

But for those residents who have an incurable hankering to get your hands dirty and make your own fertilizer for house plants and such, I have an idea. The Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority recently purchased a small indoor composting machine as a demonstration project.

The staff here was really reticent about potential issues such as smells, inconvenience and quality of the end-product. But we have been very pleasantly surprised by how well this low-maintenance contraption works. All you have to do is make sure your food waste pieces are small enough to be processed (about two inches). And in about two weeks' time, voila, you have really great plant fertilizer!

NatureMill's indoor composter is 20 inches high by 20 inches deep by 12 inches wide and is made out of recycled content polypropylene. Some of the cool features include a small metal attachment to mix the material; an air pump to provide oxygen for faster decomposition; and a carbon filter for complete odor elimination. Its compact size also makes this unit perfect for a kitchen or garage. You can purchase one at Smith and Hawken in downtown Walnut Creek, or on the Web at www.naturemill.com.

On another note, now that summer is here and the weather is heating up, you really need to “keep-the-lid-on” both your garbage and recycling containers. That way smells are kept to a minimum and pesky critters won't be tempted to get their next meal from your castoffs.

Have a great summer and keep recycling!

With the 2010 budget preparation around the corner, GRF Board sets parameters

Looking forward to the end of summer 2010 budget preparation, the GRF Board spent considerable time discussing budget principles at its June 25 regular meeting. The principles, which originated with CEO Warren Salmons last year for the 2009 budget, lay the foundation for the process to come.

A full program is set for this year's Fourth of July celebration

Residents, their families and friends are invited to the Fourth of July events that will be held at Dollar Clubhouse and picnic grounds on Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Board Actions

Following are the actions taken by the GRF Board meeting on June 25:

Emergency response systems save lives

What would you do if you had a fall or realized that you were having a stroke or heart attack and were unable to get to the telephone?

Facebook group starting in Rossmoor

Rossmoor residents who have a page on Facebook are invited to join the new group called 4Rossmoor.

Fourth of July schedule of events

Fourth of July schedule of events

It's golf tournament season, so walking on courses is restricted some Mondays

It's tournament season on the golf course, which means that one or both of the courses may be closed to walkers on Mondays in the coming months. If the tournament starts at noon, then walkers can still use the course in the morning. If the tournament is on the Dollar Ranch Course, then walkers can still use the Creekside Course. Here is the schedule of upcoming tournaments:

Meeting Dates

BOARD, MUTUAL AND COMMITTEE

News has early deadline in July

Since Rossmoor staff will be celebrating the Fourth of July holiday on July 3, the News will have an early deadline for the July 8 issue.

Recycle Column

Collecting compostables

Republican Club hosts UC Berkeley political science professor

The Republican Club Program Committee has secured the talents of Professor Jack Citrin, director of the Institute of Government Studies at UC Berkeley, to speak at the monthly Republican Club dinner meeting on Wednesday, July 8, in the Fireside Room at Gateway Clubhouse.

Residents get energy-saving tips at RRA meeting

Residents learned how they can be more energy efficient, reduce their PG&E and water bills and realize a quick savings of $700 in the process.

Residents hope to graze goats for fire control on Skycrest Drive

At the top of Skycrest Drive, the views are spectacular due to the elevation and the steep terrain that goes with it. At this time of year residents take preventive steps to maintain the recommended 100 feet of defensible space between the tall, dry grasses in the steep canyons right below their manors.

Rossmoor buses operate on weekend schedule for Independence Day

On the Independence Day holiday weekend of Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, the Rossmoor buses will be operating on Sunday schedule all weekend.

Rotary Club seeks donations of entertainment equipment for veterans

The Rotary Club seeks donations of entertainment equipment for the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Martinez. An earlier donation drive was such a morale booster that VA therapists asked for the club's help again.

RREPO to meet Monday

The Rossmoor Resident Emergency Preparedness Organization (RREPO) will meet on Monday, July 6, at 9:30 a.m. at Dollar Clubhouse. Residents are invited and should come prepared with paper and pencil.

Security Reports

The following incidents were reported to Securitas, Rossmoor's security service provider. They appear here as they were initially reported to Securitas. After investigation, details of a case may indicate a lesser or different incident description. If the case warrants it, the News will do a follow-up story.

Sixty-year-old female building contractor has been in construction since college days

When you think of a building contractor, you probably envision a “him.” Right? Well, in this case, he is a she. And “she,” namely Maria Sol, lives in Rossmoor. The surprisingly petite 60-year-old stresses, though, that nowadays most people are accepting of women building contractors, which is a far cry from when she started out.

Stompy Jones Band headlines Fourth of July festivities

The Stompy Jones Band will be the spotlight entertainers for the Fourth of July festivities at the Dollar picnic grounds on Saturday, July 4, from approximately 12:45 p.m. to 1: 45 p.m.

The second phase of corporation yard construction begins this week

The second phase (Site A) of the work at the corporation yard officially began this week. The contractor, William G. McCullough Co., was expected to begin site preparation on June 29. Official ground-breaking will take place on July 6.

Trainers go the distance and qualify as medical exercise specialists

Fitness training is often rigorous for the trainee. But what about for the trainer?

What's an Evac Pac and where can a resident get one?

Every Rossmoor manor should have an Evac Pac. This is a small, red fabric drawstring bag in which to put information and medications that might be needed in an emergency - be it medical or otherwise.