*Greet all customers with respect. Friendly and courteous service is good for business and may prevent unnecessary confrontations.
*Don't start, escalate, or prolong a disagreement with a customer.
*Establish friendly relationships with merchants adjacent to and across the street from your store. Watch and report the activities in and around their stores and ask them to do the same for you.
*Get to know the police officers that patrol the area where your store is located.
*Don't cover the storefront windows with advertising posters. Use window tint film or awnings to reduce the sun's heat and glare.
*Storefront windows at street level and facing sidewalk foot traffic should provide a clear view of activities within the store.
*The interior and exterior of the store should have a good lighting design to eliminate any dark areas.
*Parking lots should have strong lighting and bushes or hedges should be minimal and kept to a height of three feet or less.
*Install a loud but pleasant announcement sound and motion detector for alerting when someone enters or leaves the store.
*Install large curved security mirrors to see behind shelving. Install a television surveillance camera with off-site recording.
*Don't allow a build-up of cash in the store or cash registers; make bank deposits as often as necessary.
*Immediately report threats or extortion attempts to the police.

Nationwide Celebration Will Promote Recycling

by David Assmann
S.F. Recycling Program

November 15th, 1997 has been designated as America Recycles Day--a nationwide celebration of recycling designed to promote recycling and the purchase of recycled products. The idea behind America Recycles Day--which is sponsored by a wide range of organizations and agencies around the country--is to build on the success of recycling and to raise awareness about the need to purchase recycled products to support recycling.

Recycling doesn't end with putting your recyclables out on the curb or in your apartment recycling bin. In order for there to be a market for collected recyclables, manufacturers need to use recycled materials in products that are sold to consumers. And consumers. And consumers need to search out products with recycled content to support recycling.

That's why it's important, whenever you're making a purchase, to look for recycled content.
For example, many paper products, including writing paper, paper towels, toilet paper, and greeting cards, are available with and without recycled content. By buying paper products with recycled content, you're able to help support your curbside recycling program.

A number of activities will be held in San Francisco to celebrate America Recycles Day. Norcal Waste Systems will be conducting tours to show residents what happens to their recyclables after they are collected, and there will be drawings with prizes. Residents can also fill out cards pledging to buy recycled and increase recycling. By pledging, residents will become eligible to win the American Green Dream House in a random drawing.

You can make your pledge electronically on the Internet at www.carmdz.org/ca-recycles, by calling 1-800-YES-1-CAN (1-800-937-1226), or by filling out the America Recycles Day Pledge Card that you'll find in the San Francisco Recycling Program ad in this paper.

For more information about America Recycles Day activities in San Francisco, call our 24-hour hotline at 554-RECYCLE (7329).

And while we're on the topic of special days, November 20th, 1997 will be the third anniversary of Use Less Stuff Day, a national day dedicated to encouraging people to use less during the holidays. According to the organizers of Use Less Stuff Day, an additional one million tons of waste per week is created nationwide between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Use Less Stuff Day is sponsored by more than 270 organizations, including the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Keep America Beautiful.

Taking waste prevention one step further, November 28th is International Buy Nothing Day. Last year, organizations in 10 countries, including the United States, used this day to encourage consumers to buy nothing on the busiest shopping day of the year.

There are many ways to reduce waste during the holidays. One step you can take now is to reduce some of the junk mail you receive. Changes to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act took effect Sept. 30, 1997 and under one provision of the new law, consumers can call toll-free numbers to remove themselves from lists used by credit card companies and some direct marketers to solicit them by mail. Consumers need call only one of the three major national credit bureaus to get off all such lists. The special opt-out numbers are:
*Equifax: 1-800-556-4711
*Experian (formerly TRW): 1-800-353-0809
*Trans Union: 1-800-680-7293

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "Consumers gain protections against unsolicited credit and insurance offers, including the multiple credit card offers that many consumers receive on a daily basis. Under the old law, creditors and insurers were able to use the credit reporting agencies' file information as a basis for developing lists of consumers to whom they send offers. Under the new law, consumers can follow a simple procedure to opt-out of inclusion on future lists. They can call a toll-free number that each bureau has established (that will appear prominently on each offer), and have their name removed from these lists for two years. If they request, they will be sent a form that will allow them to take their names off of these credit bureau lists permanently."

If you would like additional waste prevention tips, call our hotline at 554-7329 and we'll send you a free copy of our Eco Holiday Waste Reduction Guide.

Recycling Volunteer Meeting

S.F. Recycling Program offers volunteers opportunities to participate in waste prevention with the Recycling and Hazardous Waste Programs. Areas of opportunity exist in web page publication, graphic design, research, and document translation. Volunteer meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m., 1145 Market St., Ste. 401 (in-between 7th and 8th Streets/Civic Center exit BART and Muni) in San Francisco. Next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 3. For more information, call 554-3404.

Parents Can Help Students Get the Most
Out of Their Educational Experience

by James Combes Wogan
VVMS Child Counselor

Hello from Visitacion Valley Middle School! Throughout the year, we hope to offer some insights into the concerns that parents typically have about children during middle school years. Although our focus is on middle school children, we see all parents and the community as part of our team that is committed to making sure children like school and benefit from their education. This article contains a few ideas on how to make this a successful school year.

FIRST OF ALL, GET READY FOR CHANGES
During middle school, pre-teenagers go through many changes; their bodies change, their relationships change, and, believe it or not, their thinking becomes more sophisticated. Physical growth, hormonal changes, and new perspectives all contribute to the ways children relate to their friends and family during the middle school years. Although they do not always show it with their words or actions, young adolescents are still strongly influenced by their families.

COME TO SCHOOL!
When parents participate in their children's education, students are more confident, perform better academically, like school more, and have better family relationships. Too often, parents only become involved at school when there is an academic or behavioral problem. Generally, as children get older, parents are less involved with school or after-school activities. As much as possible, parents should participate in school activities and organizations, help in the classroom or on the playground, and make personal contact with the faculty and staff at school. Go to each parent night. Family involvement happens at home as well as at school. When parents set homework times and bedtimes, pack lunches, or help children get ready for school in the morning, they are taking an active role in the child's education.

It's important to make contact with your child's teachers and other parents and to show your child that you are interested and committed to his or her education throughout the school year. If you have educational concerns, contact the school. Parents who talk to us about their children have been really helpful. Again, the more parents are involved with their children's education, the better the children feel and the more they benefit from their education. Translators are often available during school hours.

Attendance: Students need to be here. Excessive absence and lateness affects motivation and achievement. If they are late or absent, students will need to stay after school to make up work and there is no re-creating the classroom setting. Please help your child get to school on time each day. Rushing in late for class can be stressful and good friendships are often made on the playground before school starts. If you leave home before your child, check with the attendance office (467-4702) to make sure your child is arriving on time. If you pick up your child after school, call if you are going to be late.

Homework: Although assigned by teachers, parents need to be involved with their children's homework. You do not have to know more than your child to help with homework! Most students have homework every night. Homework time should not occur late in the evening or immediately after watching TV. At the same time, if students are told they can play or watch TV after all of their homework is done, they are often sloppy or rush through their work. Help your child get into the routine of reading, writing or working on projects for at least an hour and a half each night.

Chose a regular time with your child and help him or her to start and stop at the same time each night. This year, a seventh grader reads or writes from 7 until 8:30 p.m. (with a 10 minute break), whether or not he has any homework. Now that he's used to the routine, his grades have gone from Ds to Bs! It helps if you also read or write at the same time that your child is doing his work. Ideally, each student will have a place to work with good lighting and few distractions. You will need to take a look to see what they are doing, particularly if they are easily frustrated or sloppy. Some students complete assignments but forget to turn them in. When it's time to do homework, it's best if students take all of their books out of their bookbag and place them in a stack to the left of their desk. Place the empty bookbag to the right of the desk and work on one subject at a time. When the homework from each subject is complete, place it back in the bookbag. When all assignments are complete, place the bag near the door and be sure it goes to school with your child when she leaves in the morning.

Helping: You can help! Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a good breakfast. Routines and predictable schedules make a difference. Turn off the TV yourself or you may need to ask 100 times! Bring them to museums, bookstores, and libraries. Quiz them before tests. Read to them or have them read to you! Do not do their projects for them. Take the time to help them do their work on their own. Talk about the day. Don't obsess about grades, but ask about what's confusing. Don't compare your kids with siblings or your friends' kids. Praise their efforts. Try to avoid asking the negative question, "Why did you do that?" Being positive goes a long way. About 80 percent of what you say to your child should be positive. If it's not, take advantage of the YMCA parent/kid groups offered at VVMS on Thursday evenings (Melissa Roth, 674-0886) or the parenting workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. The Visitacion Valley Community Beacon (452-4907) located on the first floor of VVMS offers tutoring, after-school activities, and all sorts of fun for everyone.

Problems: Tears, irritability, and sudden changes in mood are part of the preteen years and generally, preteens don't like it any more than you do. Try to keep your senses, it will offer a sense of stability to your child. If your child is upset about something that occurred at school, stay calm, listen, and ak questions. When possible, help your child to figure out the answers to her own problems. After talking with your child, if you feel it is warranted, make contact with the school. If it involves one teacher, contact that teacher. If the incident occurred in the general school setting, call the school office. In addition to our devoted teachers and staff, we have three vice-principals, learning specialists, school counselors, and social workers at VVMS. Communicate. School and parents are a team focused on the child. Teams need to work together. If you are not satisfied, be persistent. Respond to teachers' notes and phone calls. Middle school children are undergoing tremendous developmental changes. Don't be surprised if old ways of relating to your child need to be set aside or changed this year.

Finally, take care of yourself and your children will follow your lead!
If you would like more information, please contact the pupil services department at VVMS (469-4590). If we don't have the answers, we probably know somebody nearby who does.

Five Years Ago in the Grapevine

 NOVEMBER 1992

*S.F. Muni announced a meeting to discuss possible rerouting of the 56 Rutland line.

*The Neighborhood Empowerment Program of the S.F. Mayor's Office held a workshop Nov. 5 at Geneva Towers.

*Work was commenced on Tuntex Corporation's S.F. Executive Park Crescent Hill, a large condominium project adjacent to Candlestick Park.

*Friends gathered for a Paint Day project at Visitacion Valley Elementary School.

*Tuntex also purchased 500 acres to the east of Bayshore Blvd. for possible retail or industrial use.

*Koyuse Camp Fire leader Anne Kaartunen left the helm of the local chapter after more than seven years as its director.

*Valley Baptist Church hosted a banquet for Seniors on Nov. 25 at Geneva Towers.

Historic Proportions

Match clues to answers.

1961
1. On May 5, he's the first man in space for the U.S.
2. He hits his 61st season homer on Oct. 1.
3. They're the NBA champs.
4. And they won the World Series.
5. Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Apr. 17.
6. Volunteer organization got its start on Mar. 1.
7. He was singing about his Runaway.
8. Top money-making movie.
9. Starting Oct. 1, he'll only talk to Wilbur.
10. On Mar. 29, the 23rd Amendment gives them the vote in presidential elections.
11. Starting Sept. 28, she's the nosy maid.
12. They're the NFL champs.
13. On Nov. 29, a chimp orbits the earth twice in a space capsule.
14. He's president on Jan. 20.
15. First mention of this music.
16. He was the Absent Minded Professor.
17. Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
18. Beginning Jan. 27, you could sing along with him.

A. Del Shannon
B. Hazel
C. Washington, D.C.
D. John F. Kennedy
E. Mr. Ed
F. Fred MacMurray
G. The Apartment
H. Roger Maris
I. Soul
J. Enos
K. Moon River
L. Mitch Miller
M. Peace Corps
N. The Guns of Navarone
O. New York Yankees
P. Alan Shepard
Q. Boston Celtics
R. Green Bay Packers

Answers: 1-P; 2-H; 3-Q; 4-O; 5-G; 6-M; 7-A; 8-N; 9-E; 10-C; 11-B; 12-R; 13-J; 14-D; 15-I; 16-F; 17-K; 18-L.

Sez Who?

Match quotes to speakers.
1. "Life is what happens while you are making other plans."
2. "It was so cold, I almost got married."
3. "There are no good girls gone wrong, just bad girls found out."
4. "You're not a star until they can spell your name in Karachi."
5. "Finishing second in the Olympics gets you silver. Finishing second in politics gets you oblivion."
6. "It is always the unreadable that occurs."
7. "Life is like a B-movie. You don't want to leave in the middle of it but you don't want to see it again."
8. "The real leader has no need to lead--he is content to point the way."
9. "If a man owns land, the land owns him."
A. Shelley Winters
B. Henry Miller
C. Humphrey Bogart
D. Ralph Waldo Emerson
E. Mae West
F. Ted Turner
G. John Lennon
H. Richard Nixon
I. Oscar Wilde

Answers: 1-G; 2-A; 3-E; 4-C; 5-H; 6-I; 7-F; 8-B; 9-D.