Three years ago, an announcement was made by Manager Andrew Place that Coco’s Café and Bakery in Rancho Bernardo, newly renovated and ready for business, would become partners with Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness in Rancho Bernardo.

Amy Spiegel, the current manager, is continuing this successful partnership as follows: Coco’s is offering two free lunches (for two people) per month for outstanding volunteers from those organizations, as well as cookies for the Neighborhood Watch Annual Recognition Party. Their continued civic generosity and pride in RB is gratefully acknowledged. Our thanks to a great family restaurant in a great community.

The new December, 2002 recipients are Min Wells, Block Captain in Eastview and Pat Wascher, Block Captain in Seven Oaks.

We are very pleased to list the Coco’s Recipients for the last year. They are all volunteers who have helped Rancho Bernardo Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness, donating their time and expertise to improve the safety and security of our community. They are staff leaders, emergency preparedness leaders, district coordinators, area coordinators, block captains, and dedicated citizens. They are listed in the order of their awards from January to December 2002: Paul Garfield, William Johnson, Lavonne Upton, Anne-Laure LeReverend, Page Roberts, Bob Fritz,Ken Barnes, Bob Hartnett SDFD, Leine Williams, Joe Dirks, Carrie Griffith, Helen Garner, Micah Czigan, Everett Harris, Marika Murch, Dawn Burwell, Al Young, Peter Berkos, Roy & Linda Stuart, Flo Logsdon, Carol Sliwa, Mohammed Kasbati, Alethea Altenbern and Sandy Jancic.

Thank you to these helpful volunteers and to Cocos for recognizing them!

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1. Never mail anything from the mailbox in front of your house, especially with the red "come and get me" flag up.

2. Make your checks out in ink and fill in all the blanks.

3. Canceled checks can also be "washed", so maybe you should take advantage of the check-storage service many banks offer free.

4. Check your bank balance at least once a week, easily available via ATMs, phone-in banking, or Internet banking. If someone is abusing your account, it can take a couple of extra days for the bank to notify you.

5. Call your bank - set limits on your checking amounts.

6. Never put your driver's license or social security number on your checks.

7. If you are going away, even for the weekend, stop your mail and newspaper.

8. Have RSVP check your home if you are gone from 5-30 days. 538-8146.