Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1404338
4 | OHCC LIVING | SEPTEMBER 2021 | By John Slayton, SERT Club President THANK YOU TO THE LEATHERNECK OF LEMNOS If you will recall, the SERT article in the August edition of OHCC Living was dedicated to the first community-wide fund-raising effort. I would like to provide you with an update as to how close we are to our goal of $16,000 but I don't know! You see – this article (for September) must be submitted to the editorial staff in early August, just a few days after the August edition announcing the fundraiser was distributed. What I do know is that the first person to make a donation (via the Go Fund Me App) is our community Devil Dog – the Leatherneck of Lemnos, Sid Zimman (photo at right). Just as he did so many years ago to support his country, Sid stepped forward to support the SERT Club – and his community. I salute his service and thank him for his generous donation. I'll keep you updated in future articles but keep in mind we accept checks (drop off at Clubhouse desk or contact us at ohccsert@gmail.com for tube pickup) or by donating online via the link found at the SERT website (www.tinyurl.com/ohccsert), then select "SERT Club" followed by "Donate to SERT". You can also use these links to notify us to pick-up a check from your tube. While you're on the SERT website, I invite you to review its various emergency preparedness and response information. For you newer residents, (and for those of us who have not yet finalized our family emergency preparedness plan), I especially recommend you select the "TRAINING" Tab, followed by "Listos Material," then scroll down to the "Disaster Ready Guide." You can complete the form on-line and either save it to your computer, or better yet – you can print it and keep it with your "Go Bag," or with your Shelter-In-Place emergency supplies. Paper copies of the Plan are also available – free of charge from the SERT Club; just send us an email and we'll deliver one to your tube. August has been a tough month for California; statewide drought, northern California wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures. The governor has asked that we conserve our water use by 15 percent. That may be an unrealistic goal for a lot of us because most of our front area has been (or is currently being) designed for drought tolerant landscaping, but I'm sure we'll all do our part. As mentioned in previous articles the HOA and SERT are working with the Oceanside Fire Department and its consultant to develop an evacuation traffic plan for our community in the event that a wildfire encroaches on our community (highly unlikely – but have I mentioned "emergency preparedness" recently?) The original goal was to have a draft plan by this month, so look for information soon. Finally, the heat! If you're like my household, a major expense is electricity – especially if I run the air conditioning. May I suggest that you call one of your neighbors or community friends and go to our Clubhouse for a visit. Take an iced tea and maybe a light snack and make an afternoon out of it. I was there in mid- August, and it was extremely comfortable inside, and virtually empty. Until next month – please stay safe.