A costume contest at Chapman Park (pets welcome)

Hi neighbor,

This summer a lot of you came out to Chapman Park for ice cream, and what we kept talking about on the drive home was how many of you have lived here for decades and know this neighborhood better than any map could. So we started this. The Park Bench is a short note every week or two with what's happening around the park, a neighbor or local business worth knowing, and a few quick things to check on your house that month. You won't find listings in here, and if it ever stops being useful, the unsubscribe link is at the bottom and we won't take it personally.

Paws, Claws & Little Ghosts is Saturday, October 24. We're hosting two costume contests at Chapman Park, one for kids and one for pets, and the pet contest is open to all kinds of pets: dogs, cats, birds, turtles, pigs, and yes, snails. The pet costume parade runs from 8 to 9:30 AM and the kids' contest runs from 10 to 11:30 AM. At noon we'll announce every winner in three categories: Cutest, Spookiest, and Most Creative. There will be gift bags and refreshments too, while they last. Please register by Saturday, October 17, so we know how many treats to bring.

This month at your house. Three October checks, and none of them take longer than a cup of coffee.

Test your smoke alarms. Fire Prevention Week runs October 4 through 10, so press the test button on each alarm until it beeps, then check the date printed on the back. Alarms are meant to be replaced every 10 years, so anything dated 2016 or earlier is due. If a high ceiling is the hard part, the American Red Cross in Southern California runs a free smoke alarm installation program, and you can request a visit here.

Clear the gutters before the Santa Ana winds and the first rain. Leaves packed into a gutter turn the first real storm into a waterfall down the side of your house. If you'd rather stay off the ladder, two local companies come recommended. Ever Clean is a Fullerton company with 20 years of gutter, window, and solar panel cleaning: 714-643-1526. Mr. Gutter OC is a women-owned, family-operated gutter company in Anaheim (CA Lic. #1049970): 949-791-7308.

Check the seals around your windows. Tiffany here. The first thing I noticed about this neighborhood was the tall, angled mid-century windows on so many of the homes around the park. They're gorgeous, and many of them are custom, which makes them hard to repair. Run a finger along the caulk this month and patch any cracks before the rain finds them. If yours need more than a little caulk, neighbors around the park recommend Dan Ego for window repair, replacement, glass, and the wood trim around it (CA Lic. #827557): 714-271-4999. Dan calls himself a bit of a dinosaur, so if he doesn't pick up, leave a voicemail and he'll call you back.

We don't receive referral fees for any recommendation. Please get a couple of bids and check licenses at cslb.ca.gov.

One small thing. We're starting the Ten-Year Club, for neighbors who've lived here 10 years or more and the local spots that have been around at least that long. If that's you, or you know the place, hit reply and tell us. With your OK, we'll feature a few in upcoming issues.

See you at the park, Amy & Tiffany

P.S. From Tiffany: the strangest thing I ever learned in a fire prevention class is that Doritos burn like kindling. Keep the chip bag away from the stove this Halloween.