More Rancho Bernardan block captains showed up for the first Northeastern picnic at Carmel Mountain Ranch’s Community Park recently than any other community in the NE division. The food was good, the prizes were terrific (I think everyone got at least one), Mother Nature was kind - a cloud cover for most of the picnic, and some great block captains were honored with certificates. We’ve got pictures of you all with Captain Cox. Call 538-8148 if you want copies.

I’d like to mention the award recipients again. By the way, they all showed up, had a great lunch and proved that Rancho Bernardo is really concerned with safety and security issues. The RB "Excellence" Award - defined as a ‘random act of kindness’ was given to Marci and Dana Clark of Westwood and signed by the Chief of Police. By the way, the recipient of their kindness (and honesty) was me. Ask me for details any time.

The three outstanding Rancho Bernardo Block Captain Awards were given to: Leona des Plantes-Janis of Seven Oaks; Vincent Lane of Oaks North; and Evelyn Dobson of High Country West. Block Captain Lee Lang of Seven Oaks and Area Coordinator Ken Root of Bernardo Heights were presented with the monthly RB Coco’s award ( two free lunches) for their terrific work.

The three Neighborhood Watch Coordinators who received special Appreciation plaques from the San Diego Police Department, Northeastern Division, were: Jewell Williams and Jo Ann Skalka from Diamond Gateway (Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Mountain Ranch and Sabre Springs) and Jacquie Nelson from Rancho Bernardo.

We would like to thank the donors of the terrific prizes: Souplantation, Oscars, SD Ice Arena, Home Depots in Carmel Mountain Ranch and Mira Mesa, Sav-On in RB, RB Emergency Preparedness, RB Neighborhood Watch, D.A.R.E., McDonalds on Scripps Poway Parkway, San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres, Papa John’s Pizza, Labianca Appraisal Services and the MEA (Municipal Employee Association).

Our thanks to Paddy Keovoravongsa, SDPD Community Service Officer in Mira Mesa, who initiated and planned the affair with volunteer help; Captain Harold Cox who was Master of Ceremonies as well as chief Chef; Officers Marty Guerra and Bob Adauto; Bob Tarango and Jim Hearn, RSVP members from Mira Mesa, who did the lion’s share of setting up, lugging, and cleaning up, and RSVP balloon man, Jim Creswell. Can’t forget to thank the McGruff teams - Stan Gingold and Jean Richmond from RB; Ken and Judy Olinger from Mira Mesa; RB Citizen Band radio operators Frank Terschan, Bob Showalter and Bob Fritz. Photographers Patricia Potter and Judy Olinger from Mira Mesa helped with lasting memories. It was a great group.

Donations to Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness are slowly coming in, and we thank all donors. We appreciate any help you can give us. Please make out checks to ‘San Diego Foundation’ and mail to Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness fundraising, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego 92128. Help us make Rancho Bernardo an even safer place to live, and a place which can be prepared for any emergency.