SD Update

So as I sit in my apartment, transfixed on my television and watching the conflagrations that are destroying my beautiful city, I just can't seem to process the fact that this is all happening about 15 miles away from me! The fires just seem to be growing and growing, and don't seem to be able to get contained. I guess the weather is part of the problem - it's dry, hot, and the wind is blowing like crazy (in one location, 70+mph!)... Hopefully the winds die down and stop facilitating the growth of these fires!! Some rain might be nice - Houston, New Orleans, could you please send us some???

For any SD peeps that might be reading this, please drop me a line if I can help you with a safe place to stay, or if you need help with your pet - Baci and I would be glad to help. Otherwise, someone just sent me a list of places that are offering free boarding:

VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital

Phone: 619-299-7387

Fax: 619-299-7396

http://www.VCAHillcrest.com

246 West Washington Street

San Diego, CA 92103

VCA Angel Animal Hospital

Phone: 619-291-0042

Fax: 619-291-0239

http://www.VCAAngel.com

3537 30th Street

San Diego, CA 92104

VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Ctr.

Phone: 619-299-2400

Fax: 619-299-0413

http://www.VCAEmergency.com

2317 Hotel Circle South

San Diego, CA 92108

VCA Main Street Animal Hospital

Phone: 619-232-7401

Fax: 619-232-7034

http://www.VCAMainStreet.com

2773 Main Street

San Diego, CA 92113

VCA West Bernardo Animal Hospital

Phone: 858-485-7570

Fax: 858-485-5781

http://www.VCAWestBernardo.com

11605 Duenda Road, Suite D

San Diego, CA 92127

I dropped off some things at Qualcomm last night and am just about to help Urban Kitchen deliver about 300 sandwiches to Escondido High School, a Red Cross evacuation spot. I can't encourage all of my pals in SD enough (who aren't adversely affected by this tragedy) to use your time and energy to help out our neighbors. For places to volunteer, please check out these opportunities:

1) 2-1-1 is seeking volunteers to help in the next 72 hours to take calls and/or fill other roles at 2-1-1 should that be needed. Shifts are about four hours and training is available. If interested, email Meg Storer at mstorer@211sandiego.orgwith your name, phone number where you can be reached, your email address, and the dates/times that work best with your schedule. A 2-1-1 person will contact you directly once you send that information.

2) Individuals who wish to volunteer can go to the Red Cross Spontaneous Volunteer Center at Horizon Christian Fellowship, 5331 Mt. Alifan Drive (one block south of Balboa and Genesee) in the Clairemont area. Center hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until further notice. Individuals can also call and leave contact information at 858-309-1261. Over 600 new volunteers were processed through the center Monday so you should probably call first. PLEASE DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO ANY OF THE EVACUATION SITES, they are not staffed to accept new volunteers at this time as they help evacuees.

3) Visit the Red Cross and Volunteer San Diego websites for updates and more ways to help. www.sdarc.org and www.volunteersandiego.org

Gotta go. Please continue to keep the fire victims in your thoughts!! Mer