Who Knew?

CitiScaper Honored with Earl White Lifetime Achievement Award!

Lola Whittle, CitiScape's Director of Residential Services, will be given the Earl White Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Juneteenth Business Award Luncheon held by the San Francisco chapter of the African American Chamber of Commerce.

The event, "Determining Our Future...Beyond Business Survival", will be held Thursday, June 16th, so stay tuned for event coverage, pix, etc.

Lola, congratulations! We are all very proud of you!

Nice to meet you, Jasmine!

Nice to meet you, Jasmine!

Meet Jasmine Del Chiaro, CitiScape’s Business Development Manager, who works behind the scenes on the “look and feel” of CitiScape and keeps us up-to-date with the goings-on around the office and the community with the CitiScape Scoop…

I’m most inspired by…
•Successful entrepreneurs, people that take risks with their ideas and keep at it until it happens.
•Old cars, I’d love to roll a 1966 GTO. Seems like cars nowadays have no personality and are made of plastic!
•Typography. Some of my favorite typefaces are Georgia and Futura.
•Graphic design (duh!). I see design in everything.
•Color.


The five things I love/can’t live without…
•My Green Clover & Aloe Shower Gel; I love the fresh, clean scent.
•Jewelry – I'm a sucker for bangles and chunky, substantial bracelets!
•A nice, clean manicure and pedicure.
•Starbucks (non-fat latte, extra hot).
•My DVR.

My creative outlet is… My 8 month old baby girl!

I read…(Reading? These days, I barely have time to shower!) I'd have to say my Brazilian Portuguese dictionary since I'm trying to learn the language.

What I like about my job…The creativity – who knew that Property Management had a fun and creative side?

When I need creative inspiration…I browse my favorite design magazines, websites and blogs, like design*sponge, qbn.com, Lonny Magazine and my stash of Blueprint Magazines. I also like to listen to Thievery Corporation, local Bay Area rap/hip-hop and SOMAfm.com’s “Secret Agent” radio station to get the creative ideas moving.


When I’m not at work, you can find me…Walking around Lake Merced, pushing a stroller!

My favorite place in San Francisco/Bay Area… Besides my house, I’d have to say Twin Peaks. I love the view and I’m obsessed with Sutro Tower.

If I could live any other place I’d live… In Italy…not sure where exactly, though.

My favorite CitiScape moment…Has to be our 10th anniversary party – that was a memorable and really fun celebration for sure.

This Just In: SF Giants' Cody Ross is Newest Member of CitiScape's Accounting Team

Just kidding. Here's CitiScape's Jose Cruz (left) with World Champion SF Giants' Outfielder Cody Ross.

Dressed to Impress

Knock 'em dead, guys!
(left to right: Ed Dale, Kevin Wiley, Robert Simms and Wayne Lee)

Get the Lowdown on High-Efficiency Toilets

High-Efficiency Toilets — Key to Water Conservation

Efficient plumbing fixtures will continue to play an important role in the SFPUC’s
plans to meet conservation requirements and deliver a reliable water supply for future generations. Rebate incentives are available for the purchase of high efficiency toilets which use 60-80% less water than older water-guzzling models.

Effective July 1, only the most efficient toilet models (1.28 gallons per flush) will meet local plumbing code for installation or replacement in San Francisco. Look for the WaterSense label when you shop, or visit sfwater.org for details.

Visit the new “SFPUC Delivers” web site where you’ll find exciting facts like recent rainfall amounts, how much water we have in storage and how our customers are using our Hetch Hetchy water, power and sewer services.

The SFPUC’s new partnership with the EPA’s WaterSense program provides product testing to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency.

An excerpt from currents, a digital newsletter of the san francisco public utilities commission

Water Damage - Six Helpful Tips

Water damage is not the only issue that can cause unanticipated maintenance and big repair bills. In condominiums, it is the leading cause of interior damages.

Whether it’s water leaking in from the outside through windows, siding or old roofs or the result of a plumbing problem, water travels. The further it goes, the more damage it does.

Report any dampness, water-staining or mildew smells to management immediately. Check your own plumbing fixtures once or twice a year to ensure they aren’t leaking. Bathroom tile and grout are additional areas of maintenance that require occasional maintenance and replacement. Avoid sink overflows by not putting grease or food down the drain. Most often overlooked and also the chief culprit of the worst water damage are plastic or rubber water lines to the laundry machine and the refrigerator. Rubber and plastic water lines crack and leak as they age and become brittle. Check these lines every six months and, where possible, replace the plastic lines with braided stainless steel hoses which rarely leak.

If you’ve had a water leak, report it to your Property Manager immediately. CitiScape has an after-hours hotline for maintenance emergencies, 415-487-3697. Water damage restoration companies operate 24-7 and can dispatch a team to respond to your water damage related issue immediately.

Keep these 6 tips handy:

1. Carry adequate homeowners insurance with both liability and property coverage.
2. Check ceilings, windows and floors regularly for dampness and staining during the rainy months.
3. Do not put anything down the sink drain that might cause a back-up.
4. Maintain and replace bathroom tile grout and caulking that shows signs of wear, perforation or separation.
5. Monitor plastic water lines to laundry and refrigerator and replace with stainless steel hoses for added protection.
6. Report all leaks to management immediately when discovered.

Nice to meet you, Patricia!

Nice to meet you, Patricia!

CitiScape fans, meet Patricia Prado. She’s CitiScape’s Director of First Impressions (aka Front Desk) warmly welcoming everyone who passes through our doors and expeditiously answering and routing client calls.

I’m most inspired by…Having a dream and watching my dream turn into reality.

The five things I love/can’t live without…
• Music♫…without it there is no me
• Food
• Family
• Camera…I always love to capture a moment
• Laughter

My creative outlet is…I love to go out to certain landmarks and take pictures, as well as portraits of people. Its fun capturing moments in life that are most likely never to happen again. It’s true, a picture does last a lifetime.

I read…Whatever catches my attention, usually inspiring stories.

What I like about my job…Being able to learn more and more everyday and using my skills to their utmost ability and being able to put a smile on someone’s face.

When I’m not at work, you can find me…at Chabot College getting my education on & SF Giants Games (WHOOO)!

My favorite place in San Francisco…Twin Peaks. Overlooking the beautiful city and feeling like you’re on top of the world never gets old.

If I could live any other place, I’d live in… Hawaii. I love the whole tropical feel and having warm weather the majority of the time is usually a plus. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hang on the beach every day? Haha exactly!

My favorite CitiScape moment…There’s never a dull moment here at CitiScape. Every moment I would have to say is a memorable moment.

Thanks, Patty!

CondoCompare.com - Condo Building Information: Museum Parc

CondoCompare.com - Condo Building Information: Museum Parc

Food for Thought: CitiScape's Monthly Brown Bag Lunch Meetings

Did you know that CitiScape holds monthly Property Manager Meetings? Brown Bag Lunch meetings (or "BBL" as we call it 'round these parts) provide an opportunity to meet with fellow Managers around topics of mutual interest and are a great avenue for sharing information. The philosophy at CitiScape is that we are all a team, working hard to ensure the success of the company - and one another. The Managers talk about their properties, hot industry topics, share ideas and brainstorm, and get input on ways to standardize procedures. With these monthly meetings, CitiScape can ensure continuity and accountability to our community associations and the company, too.

At CitiScape, we believe that teamwork makes the dream work and that when ideas evolve, problems are solved!

Heading to Haiti

On June 13th, one of CitiScape's employees (she would like to remain anonymous) will be heading to Haiti to work with an organization called European Disaster Relief (EDR) to build schools for orphaned children of the 2010 earthquake, teach English and work to create jobs for the local population. It has been just over a year and the situation on the ground is still tenuous at best. There are many still living in tents and numerous children living without clean water, sufficient food and a place to learn.

Please feel free to have a peak at some of the impressive work EDR, http://www.edvolunteers.org has been up to since the devastating blow of the January 2010 earthquake. EDR’s mission is to empower the Haitian people and leave in their stead, a foundation they can build on.

CitiScape is working to put together items to send with our Haiti-bound CitiScaper that tend to be a challenge to obtain in Haiti. If you may have a tool or two, computer or any number of other items on featured on the EDR Wish List that may be laying around that you no longer need or just simply wish to donate to a good cause, we would appreciate it. If there is nothing on this list in your possession, but are moved to help, please feel free to write a check out to European Disaster Relief. Your money will go to building schools for deserving children.

If you are so inclined, please feel free to drop donations at the Citiscape office.

Thank you for your time as a CitiScaper and thank you for being so selfless and giving back. We will miss you and we wish you the best! Please check in with us from time to time - we'd love to hear how you and the EDR team are doing!

EDR Wish List

Thanks so much for your interest in EDV and helping Haitian Earthquake survivors.
If you’d like to make an in kind donation there are various bits and bobs we always need. We’ve listed those here. Starred items (*) are our highest priority.
If you have an item that you think might be useful but it isn’t on this list, just email volunteer.haiti@EDVolunteers.org to find out if we can use it.

Office supplies including:
1. Ink for an HP DeskJet 1000. That ink has the following details: HP 61 (black or color) and is available for around $13 in Walmart (for US citizens)
2. Printer Paper
3. Notebooks
4. Money / Rent receipt book (which make 2-part receipts)*
5. Punched pockets/Plastic sleeves for ring binders
6. Blank CDs
7. USB memory sticks
8. Compressed air for cleaning computers and keyboards
9. Computer cleaning wipes

Children’s and Educational Items:
1. Used Laptops which can access the internet * (Best if they come with office installed)
2. Portable CD player (used to play English audio CDs in classes)
1. School supplies including
1. Notebooks
2. Folders
3. Any basic school supplies you can think of – recall your school days!
2. Projector *
3. Children’s vitamins
4. Children’s shoes
5. Books in French, French English dictionaries
6. Supplies useful for teaching English (E.G. flash cards, English language children’s books)
7. Footballs

Tools and Work Supplies:
Note: Second hand okay!! Removing packaging to make packing easier is also encouraged!

1. Climbing rope - the thin and strong one. Between 4-7mm thick. As much as possible (we’re using it to build playgrounds)
1. 1 ¼”, 1 ½”, 2 ½”, 3” and 4” Number 8 screws with Phillips or Square 2 heads. (even if you can just bring a few boxes!)***************
2. Screw tips for impact drivers/drills (Phillips head, No. 2, any length)
3. Gloves
4. Safety glasses
5. Rechargeable Batteries (For lanterns. Size D)
6. Rachet Tie Down (Home Depot Model: 04106)
7. 10 / 12 inch chopsaw (sliding / radial arm)
8. Good quality footpumps (non-electrical, for car tyres/wheelbarrow tyres; for air mattresses)
9. 4-ton Come-Along Cable Puller (Home Depot Model: TR8041)
10. Hammer Carpet Stapler (Home Depot Model: 501870W) and matching staples
11. Stanley 3-1/4 in. Line Level (Home Depot Model: 42-287) (at least 6 would be great!)
12. Polyseamseal 10 oz. Tub and Tile Sealant (Home Depot Model: 1422141) (at least 6 would be great!)
13. 20 or 22 inch hardpoint woodsaws

Things for our lovely new house (used or new, any styles or colours!)
1. Hammock
2. Large French Press for coffee in the morning**** - our big one broke recently :-(
3. flat sheets, pillows and pillowcases
4. Bathmats
5. Tupperware or other sealed containers, any seizes and shapes
6. Spare towels

Save the Date: Field of Dreams 2011 - Monday, September 5th

Save the Date: Field of Dreams 2011 - Monday, September 5, 2011

CitiScape is a proud sponsor of Juma Ventures' "Field of Dreams 2011"! Spend Monday, September 5th with Juma Ventures at AT&T Park! Perfect your swing with pro coaches, take a turn at bat, practice your fast pitch, and tour the dugout and locker rooms. For younger fans, there are pictures with mascot Lou Seal, balloons, face painting, and more, plus food and drink for everyone.

Tickets benefit Juma Ventures' award-winning program that integrates employment, college preparation and financial education to empower low-income youth to gain admission to college and complete a four-year degree.

Click here for more information and to buy tickets...