When forest fires swept over 1 / 4 on the outskirts of Los Angeles in January 2025, stories about residents that helped their neighbors and completely strangers spread on social media.

Reports from Hollywood stars The evacuation of roads for the passage of emergency vehicles and the donation collection for fire victims were widespread. But there have been many other examples of less famous people Help older neighbors to safetyAnd even with appearing Followers to evacuate horses.

Company, including Fitness centeropened their facilities in order that evacuated showers might be charged or charged their phones. Organizations that work routinely and quickly with homeless people mobilized their members to assist Make sure that individuals who survive the road and in camps can get to protected places away from the fires Dangerous air quality.

Disasters, by definitionThe local resources overwhelm and make civilian emergency services essential. Sixty years of research on Disaster research center of the University of Delaware And others who examine the social facets of disasters have repeatedly shown that effective disaster management requires mobilization of community resources that go far beyond official channels.

The response is commonly carried out by local groups, which form in response to a transparent need locally and with common skills and interests. And that's exactly what we experience in Los Angeles.

The variety of helping civilians often goes into 1000’s

The variety of those that provide help with disasters varies depending on the event, but may be enormous.

After the 1995 bomb attack on Oklahoma CityOver 6,800 volunteers worked with the Red Cross on the response. In the identical 12 months, volunteers who reacted after the earthquake in Kobe in Japan greater than 1 million personal days activityA measure of the number of individuals multiplied by the hours you will have done.

In an in depth study on September 11, 2001 Attacks on the World Trade CenterWe interviewed residents who pumped water for the firefighters on Ground Zero with their decommissioned fire extinguishing boat. Operators of tugs, ferries and tour boats in and around New York City immediately reacted and evacuated 500,000 people in the realm from the danger zone. In fact, it was nearly all of the boats involved heard private firms. Other volunteers put the evacuates in a queue and arranged supplies and trips to bring people home.

More than 900 people, of whom most unofficial functions have held, were awarded medals or ribbons solely for his or her use in naval use after the attack on the World Trade Center.

A resident survey After the earthquake in Mexico City in 1985 found that just about 10 % of residents voluntarily reported to the response in the primary three weeks. After the 1989 earthquake in Loma PrietaIn California, a survey amongst residents of the districts of Santa Cruz and San Francisco showed that two thirds of the population were involved in aid measures.

However, a big a part of the work of the residents during and after disasters just isn’t taken under consideration in official reports.

There is not any mechanism to quantify the total extent wherein a neighbor or a totally stranger helps someone to flee from danger. But when people sit within the trap and count minutes, examinations show that they’re family, friends and neighbors who’re already on site and are also more than likely save lives. Often it’s normal residents who’re also involved immediately Tasks similar to removing dirt. The provision of a telephone, a automobile, a spot for laundry the laundry or a little bit help can close a niche and firefighters and other formal emergency services make it possible to focus on critical inserts.

Bring the suitable help to where it is required

Every examination of a big disaster carried out by the Disaster Research Center has resulted in a certain quantity of upcoming, informal aid behavior.

The lack of public understanding of the massive variety of residents already affected, including often the disaster victims themselves, can result in an influx of outsiders. Your arrival can actually be a challenge for disaster relief.

When too many individuals appear or when people attempt to operate Outside of their subject areayou’ll be able to expose yourself and others to an additional risk. Communities often need supplies, but Unsaminated were incorrectly sent within the flawed way or on the flawed time may create much more problems When they loosen.

So what are you able to do to support these local efforts in the perfect possible way?

A financial donation to a trustworthy disaster aid or an area organization could make a big contribution to truly offering the communities the support they need. Organizations similar to the American Red Cross or Feeding America or local people -based groups that work often within the region are sometimes best suited to assist where it’s most needed.

In the long run, qualified assistance is required

Also do not forget that disasters don’t end when the emergency is over. Survivors of the fires within the Los Angeles area stand ago There are frustrating recovery tasks in front of them.

It is just as necessary to supply help after the immediate threat is over-in particular qualified help, similar to experience in construction or expertise in coping with insurance and feman documents.

For example after the fires in 1970 Destroyed tons of of homes within the Area of ​​San DiegoLocal architects, engineers and constructing contractors donated their time and skills to assist people rebuild. Your work was Coordinated by an area architect and member of the Chamber of Commerce to be certain that projects are assigned to serious volunteers.

Since we realize how necessary it’s that neighbors and strangers have helped their fellow human beings, the broader community can support the victims of forest fires by offering the suitable help if needed. Almost every ability that is beneficial in quiet times will likely be needed in the approaching difficult months and years.

As wildfires swept through neighborhoods on the outskirts of Los Angeles in January 2025, stories spread on social media about residents helping their neighbors and complete strangers.

Reports from Hollywood stars Clearing roads to permit emergency vehicles to go through and fundraising for fire victims were widespread. But there have been many other examples of less famous people helping older neighbors stay secureand even show up Trailer for evacuation of horses.

corporations, including Fitness centeropened their facilities so evacuees could shower or charge their phones. Organizations that work routinely and quickly with homeless people mobilized their members to assist Make sure people living on the streets and in camps can get to secure places away from fires dangerous air quality.

disasters, by definitionoverwhelm local resources and make civilian emergency services like these essential. Sixty years of research University of Delaware Disaster Research Center and others who study the social features of disasters have repeatedly shown that effective disaster management requires the mobilization of community resources that reach well beyond official channels.

The response is commonly through local groups that form in response to a transparent need in the neighborhood and with shared skills and interests. And that's exactly what we're experiencing in Los Angeles.

The variety of civilians helping is commonly within the hundreds

The number of people that provide assistance during disasters varies depending on the event, but may be enormous.

Following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombingOver 6,800 volunteers worked with the Red Cross on the response. That same 12 months, volunteers responded to the Kobe earthquake in Japan greater than 1 million person-days of activitya measure of the number of individuals multiplied by the hours they worked.

In an in depth study of September 11, 2001 Attacks on the World Trade Centerwe interviewed residents who pumped water for the firefighters at Ground Zero with their decommissioned fireboat. Operators of tugboats, ferries and tour boats in and around New York City responded immediately and quickly evacuated 500,000 people in the realm out of harm's way. In fact, this was nearly all of the boats involved belonged to non-public corporations. Other volunteers lined up evacuees and arranged supplies and rides to get people home.

More than 900 people, most of whom held unofficial positions, were awarded medals or ribbons solely for his or her service in naval operations following the attack on the World Trade Center.

A resident survey after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake found that almost 10% of residents volunteered in the primary three weeks of the response. Following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquakeIn California, a survey of residents in Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties found that two-thirds of the population were involved in relief efforts.

However, much of the work of local residents during and after disasters stays unaccounted for in official reports.

There isn’t any mechanism to quantify the complete extent to which a neighbor or complete stranger will help someone escape danger. But when individuals are trapped and counting minutes, research shows that it’s family, friends and neighbors who’re already there and are most probably save lives. Often it’s peculiar residents who become involved immediately Tasks similar to removing dirt. Providing a phone, a automobile, a spot to do laundry or just a little help can fill a niche and permit firefighters and other formal responders to deal with critical operations.

Bringing the correct help to where it is required

Every study of a significant disaster conducted by the Disaster Research Center has found some level of emergent, informal helping behavior.

The lack of public understanding of the big variety of residents already affected, including often the disaster victims themselves, can result in an influx of outsiders willing to assist. Their arrival can actually pose a challenge to disaster relief efforts.

When too many individuals show up or when people attempt to operate outside their area of ​​expertiseThey can put themselves and others at further risk. Communities often need supplies, but Unsolicited goods of the mistaken type or sent on the mistaken time may create much more problems as they solve.

So what are you able to do to best support these local efforts?

A financial donation to a trusted disaster relief agency or local organization can go a good distance toward actually providing communities the support they need. Organizations similar to the American Red Cross or Feeding America, or local community-based groups that work often in the realm, are sometimes best suited to supply assistance where it is required most.

Qualified help is required in the long run

Also do not forget that disasters don't end when the emergency is over. Survivors of the Los Angeles area fires face years of confusing and confusing events There are frustrating recovery tasks ahead.

It's equally vital to supply help after the immediate threat has passed – especially qualified help, similar to construction experience or expertise in coping with insurance and FEMA documents.

For example after the fires in 1970 destroyed tons of of homes within the San Diego areaLocal architects, engineers and contractors donated their time and skills to assist people rebuild. Her work was coordinated by an area architect and Chamber of Commerce member to make sure projects are assigned to reputable volunteers.

Recognizing the importance of neighbors and strangers helping those around them, the broader community can support wildfire victims by offering the correct help when needed. Almost every skill that is beneficial in quiet times will likely be needed within the difficult months and years ahead.

We came upon that her driveway is being renovated. The men we saw with our neighbor were in an unmarked truck and will not have been skilled concrete employees.

I told my husband that in the event that they began jackhammering into the driveway without calling the utility company to have the underground utilities marked, I’d call the utility company. My husband said I wasn't allowed to do this. He insists that I counsel nobody and let the neighbor face the implications of what might occur.

My husband said I used to be too curious. I said I wasn't curious, just apprehensive. If they hit a gas line, it could impact many homes within the neighborhood. So am I being too curious or justifiably apprehensive?

Better paved: Your concern is legitimate; The consequences of a collision with a utility line would likely impact greater than just your neighbor if employees don't exercise their due care. But waiting for the jackhammer to come back to life is just too late. The nationwide “Call Before You Dig” number is 811. The emphasis here is on “before.”

When you call the number or visit Call811.com, you will likely be connected to your state's 811 center website. However, you need to do that a number of business days before excavation begins in order that they’ve time to get out and mark buried utilities. It's higher that they call since the callers also have to know what sort of project it’s and where exactly on the property the employees plan to dig.

Reminding your neighbors and their employees upfront of the importance of doing this, even on small projects, may show you how to ward off your husband's “nosy” accusations (which, for my part, are unfounded). Besides, it's the law.

Dear Eric: At the Thanksgiving family gathering, my father-in-law's girlfriend was asked to pass me my drink. Instead of grasping the cup from the skin, she placed one finger on the within and one finger on the skin to lift it up—which made me cringe in disgust because I can be sharing her germs if I drank on that side.

This woman is only a horrible, disgusting person on the whole. She could probably be diagnosed as a narcissist. She is a hoarder, neglects her animals and is incredibly unpopular with all members of the family except my father-in-law. Honestly, she doesn't deserve any kindness.

So why didn't I confront her about defiling my cup? Why did I pretend not to note, casually take a sip that I knew she wouldn't touch, and never drink from that cup again?

If she is so blatantly rude to all of us at family gatherings regularly, why can't I find the words to say how disgusting that was and that she shouldn't hand someone a cup like that? Why did I decide to be polite quite than say what I felt inside?

Everyone was sitting or standing across the table when this happened, but I don’t know who saw it. Aside from the shame that I didn't rise up for myself, I'm also embarrassed that others might find me just as disgusting for acting like I didn't care that she did that. I wish I had the precise words at the precise time.

Dear human: I'm sorry that happened – yuck. And I'm sorry that it led to such a spiral.

Although I do know that you already know that I cannot inform you why you probably did this stuff, I wanted to reply to your letter because there appear to be two potentially conflicting aspects at play here and I hope you may untangle them.

You don't like your father-in-law's girlfriend, that's of course. But most of your letter was about what other people take into consideration your behavior – being kinder to your girlfriend than you desired to be, after which worrying that your loved ones thinks you're gross.

People almost never take into consideration us as much as we expect. No, scratch that. People never take into consideration us as much as we expect.

So it is advisable to discuss with a friend or counselor about what you would like from other people's approval and the way you may achieve it in other ways.

Ultimately, consent must come from inside. But in case your primary focus is ensuring everyone else likes what you do, your individual judgment will all the time come second. This results in the form of regret and self-flagellation described in your letter, and the cycle begins again. I hope you’ll work on this stuff.

And next time, possibly ask another person to pass you your drink.

A developer has proposed an ambitious high-rise project north of Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair — at 14 and 17 stories, far taller than any nearby constructing — but not without significant opposition from San Jose and Santa Clara residents who may fear the groundbreaking development change the character of their neighborhood.

VCI Cos. has filed for a general plan amendment to understand its vision of replacing a vacant, dilapidated office constructing near the corner of Winchester Boulevard and West Hedding Street with a high-rise consisting of two towers connected by a skyway.

However, residents have banded together to oppose the project, which could reach a maximum height of 197 feet, calling it “a monstrosity,” “ugly, ugly, ugly” and “an attempt to “to bring the city center into our neighborhood.” .

“These 17- and 14-story buildings are not suitable for an established single-family neighborhood,” said resident Kevin Golden. “This project will not benefit the Cory neighborhood or our neighbors in Santa Clara. The developers are the only ones who benefit while negatively changing the Cory neighborhood forever.”

Several developers have made improvements to the 0.6-acre office site at 826 N. Winchester Blvd. which is covered in graffiti and has been the scene of several fires and criminal activity.

But before the previous owner broke ground, VCI purchased the property last year for more than $6.5 million after lenders foreclosed on the property.

Kelly Erardi, director of entitlements for VCI Cos., said the proposed 135-unit project would consist of 70 one-bedroom units and 65 two-bedroom units. Twenty of the units would be reserved for inclusive, affordable housing.

Erardi said that in addition to the residential component, the developer is also eyeing 15,000 square feet of privately owned retail space and 18,800 square feet of public open space, which it would design with community feedback.

But dozens of residents — many of whom have lived in the single-family home neighborhood adjacent to the property for several years — spoke out against the proposal due to traffic, safety and parking issues, as well as the sheer size of the buildings towering over their homes.

“There isn’t the infrastructure to support a 17-story building with such a high density of housing,” Michelle Olmstead said of the neighborhood where her family has lived for several decades.

Critics of the project also noted that parking became an increasing problem in the area after Santana Row began charging parking fees, leading to an influx of cars on residential streets.

Current zoning at the site limits height to 35 feet in some parts of the property while allowing up to 50 feet in other parts.

While the developer has sought to transform the area into a transit residential district, which would allow for increased building height and density, planning staff noted the proposal was still inconsistent with several cities' policies.

With the exception of one resident, the only positive comments came from housing advocates, who called the project transformative and vital for the city to meet its state housing targets, which call for a plan of 62,200 units by 2031.

“The city needs 60,000 new housing units over the next eight years and this is a fantastic opportunity to get closer to that goal,” said Alex Shoor, managing director of Catalyze SV. “Dozens of my friends and family have left this area because they can no longer afford to live in this community. There is nothing more important to a community than keeping the people they love in the community.”

But Stefan Ewald, who lives on the Santa Clara side of the neighborhood, said he was troubled that housing advocates and developers who don't live in their neighborhood were talking about the community's needs instead of listening to what the Residents told them about their concerns or what they wanted.

“You talked a lot about community, and yes, that will actually bring about change — but not in a positive way,” Ewald said.

San Jose is gathering input for an environmental impact report that might be released by the top of the third quarter of 2025. City staff said that based on that schedule, Planning Commission and City Council hearings would occur in late 2025 or early 2026.

Despite the strong opposition, Erardi said the developer will likely hold additional community meetings in hopes of addressing neighborhood concerns.

“We are here to listen and we are not particularly surprised by some of the things we have heard. We will do our best to address some of these points and see what we come up with,” said Erardi.

Originally published: December 27, 2024 at 1:13 pm PST

By Judith Graham, KFF Health News

Donald Hammen, 80, and his longtime south Minneapolis neighbor, Julie McMahon, have an agreement. Every morning she checks to see if he has raised the blinds on his dining room window. If not, she calls Hammen or lets herself into his house to see what's happening.

If McMahon finds Hammen unwell, she plans to contact his sister-in-law, who lives in a Des Moines suburb. This is his closest relative. Hammen never married or had any children, and his younger brother died in 2022.

Although Hammen lives alone, a network of relationships connects him to his city and community – neighbors, friends, former colleagues, fellow volunteers at a senior advocacy group, and fellow members of a bunch of solo travelers. McMahon is an emergency contact, as is a former colleague. When Hammen was hit by a automobile in February 2019, one other neighbor was doing his laundry. A friend got here over to maintain him company. Other people walked with Hammen as he got back on his feet.

These connections are definitely sustainable. But Hammen has no idea who would care for him if he were now not in a position to take care of himself.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there,” he told me.

These are fundamental questions for older adults who live alone: ​​Who shall be there for them, in matters big and small? Who will help them navigate and advocate for the increasingly complex healthcare system? Who will take out the trash if it's too heavy to hold? Who shovels the snow when a winter storm blows?

American society assumes that families care for themselves. But 15 million Americans ages 50 and older didn’t have close family—spouses, partners, or children—in 2015, essentially the most recent 12 months for which reliable estimates can be found. Most lived alone. By 2060, this number is anticipated to rise to 21 million.

In addition, tens of millions of seniors living alone usually are not physically near adult children or other members of the family. Or they’ve difficult, strained relationships that prevent them from asking for support.

These older adults must seek help from other agencies when needed. They often turn to neighbors, friends, church members or community groups – or paid help in the event that they can afford it.

And often they simply go without, leaving them vulnerable to isolation, depression and declining health.

Can non-family helpers be an adequate alternative if seniors living alone haven’t any close relatives? This has not been well studied.

“We are just beginning to better understand that people have a variety of connections outside of their family that are essential to their well-being,” said Sarah Patterson, a demographer and sociologist on the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

The takeaway from a remarkable one Study published by researchers at Emory University, Johns Hopkins University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Many seniors adjust to living alone by connecting local social networks of friends, neighbors, nieces and nephews, and siblings (if any can be found). ) to support their independence.

Still, it's not all the time easy to search out reliable local connections. And non-family caregivers is probably not willing or in a position to provide consistent, intensive, hands-on care when needed.

When AARP asked People it calls “loners.” In 2022, only 25% said they may count on someone to assist them with cooking, cleansing, shopping, or other household tasks when needed. Only 38% said they knew someone who could help them manage ongoing care needs. (AARP defined solo travelers as those age 50 or older who usually are not married, haven’t any living children, and live alone.)

Linda Camp, 73, a former administrator for town of St. Paul, Minnesota, who never married or had children, did so wrote several reports for the Citizens League in St. Paul about growing old alone. Still, she was surprised at how much help she needed this summer when she had cataract surgery on each eyes.

A former colleague accompanied Camp to the surgery center twice and waited until the procedures were accomplished. A comparatively latest friend took her to a follow-up appointment. An 81-year-old downstairs neighbor agreed to come back upstairs if Camp needed anything. Other friends and neighbors also helped.

Camp was lucky – she has a big network of former colleagues, neighbors and friends. “What I tell people when I talk about solos is that all kinds of connections have value,” she said.

Michelle Wallace, 75, a former technology project manager, lives alone in a single-family home in Broomfield, Colorado. She has worked hard to construct a neighborhood support network. Wallace has been divorced for nearly three many years and has no children. Although she has two sisters and a brother, they live distant.

Wallace describes himself as completely happy with out a partner. “Coupling isn’t for me,” she told me after we first spoke. “I need my space and privacy too much.”

Instead, she maintains relationships with several people she met through local solo travel groups. Many have grow to be her close friends. Two of them, each of their 70s, were “like sisters,” Wallace said. Another who lives just a couple of blocks away has agreed to grow to be a “We Help Each Other When Needed” partner.

“In our 70s, solo travelers are looking for support systems. And the worst thing is not having any friends around,” Wallace told me. “It’s the local network that’s really important.”

Gardner Stern, 96, who lives alone on the twenty fourth floor of the Carl Sandburg Village apartment complex north of downtown Chicago, was far less premeditated. He never planned for his care needs as he aged. He just assumed it will work.

They did, but not in the way in which Stern predicted.

The one that helps him essentially the most is his third wife, Jobie Stern, 75. The couple divorced acrimoniously in 1985, but now she goes to all his doctor's appointments, goes shopping with him and drives him to physical therapy twice every week Stop by every afternoon to speak for an hour or so.

She can be Gardner's neighbor – she lives ten floors above him in the identical constructing.

Why is she doing this? “I guess because I moved into the building and he's really old and a really good guy and we have a kid together,” she told me. “I’m happy knowing he’s doing as well as he can.”

For a few years, she said, she and Gardner put their differences aside.

“I never expected that from Jobie,” Gardner told me. “I think time heals all wounds.”

Gardner's other necessary local contacts include Joy Loverde, 72, an writer of elder care books, and her 79-year-old husband, who continue to exist the twenty eighth floor. Gardner calls Loverde his “tell it like it is” friend – the one who helped him resolve it was time to stop driving, the one who persuaded him to have a walk-in shower in his bathroom Bench will play Scrabble with him every week and provides practical advice at any time when he has an issue.

“I think without her I would be in an assisted living facility,” Gardner said.

There can be family: 4 children, all based in Los Angeles, eight grandchildren, mostly in LA, and nine great-grandchildren. Gardner sees most members of this prolonged clan about annually and speaks with them often, but he cannot depend on them for his each day needs.

Loverde and Jobie are only an elevator ride away. “I have these wonderful people overseeing my existence and a big-screen TV and a freezer full of good frozen meals,” Gardner said. “That’s all I need.”

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©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Originally published: November 20, 2024 at 9:57 am PST

SANTA CRUZ – A strawberry tree within the car parking zone of a Santa Cruz office constructing was spared after residents of a neighboring constructing protested its planned cutting down – with one man climbing the tree and occupying it.

“I've always considered myself an activist,” said neighbor Brett Garrett, who climbed the tree Tuesday morning. “And I like trees in general, but I didn't consider myself a tree activist until last week.”

The strawberry tree, believed to have been planted about 10 years ago, towers over a patio within the neighboring Walnut Commons, an apartment complex. One of the office constructing's tenants – the nonprofit Ecology Action – had planned to remove it on Tuesday to make room for a shed to store electric bikes.

According to Heather Henricks of Ecology Action, the situation of the shed had been planned for a yr and the tree's welfare had been taken under consideration, however the nonprofit's leadership saw its existence as a possible nuisance to neighbors.

“We gave a lot of thought to the location and whether to remove the tree,” Henricks told the Sentinel. “Until last week, we were under the impression that the residents of Walnut Commons would welcome the tree's removal, as they had complained about its tree debris on their patios and the possibility that thieves could use it to climb over the dividing wall between our properties.”

But about every week ago, some Walnut Commons residents on the patio overheard the office constructing's property manager discussing the tree's removal. Word quickly spread to other residents, including Garrett, who has lived within the constructing because it was built nearly 10 years ago.

“The news spread like wildfire throughout the building and everyone was really concerned that we might lose this tree,” Garrett said. “It's right next to our patio and feels like a part of our environment even though it's on their property.”

Neighbors put together a petition against the removal of the strawberry tree, and nearly every resident within the constructing signed it — 23 signatures. Garrett said he and his neighbors thought the tree's removal was supported by Cruzio Internet, one other tenant within the constructing, and were surprised to search out out it was Ecology Action. After residents created the petition, they reached out to the nonprofit.

“As the climate crisis worsens, we need passionate environmental advocates more than ever,” Henricks said. “We were deeply touched to learn that our neighbors felt a strong connection to the strawberry tree and felt compelled to ask us to adapt the plan.”

As of Monday afternoon, the tree was still scheduled to be cut down. But Garrett, who is often involved in environmental issues akin to clean energy and transportation, decided he needed to take drastic motion. At around 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, he climbed the tree – inspired partly by Julia Butterfly Hill, who lived in an old Humboldt County redwood tree for greater than two years within the late Nineties to forestall it from being cut down.

“I don't know how many weeks she spent up in that tree,” Garrett said. “I was prepared to spend a few hours.”

Garrett said climbing the tree was an empowering experience and that he felt peaceful as he sat there Tuesday morning. After about two hours, Chuck Tremper, chief operating officer of Ecology Action, gave him some excellent news.

“He pulled into the parking lot, noticed me in the tree, came over and said he wanted to know the tree wasn't going to be cut down,” Garrett said. “I was very relieved.”

Garrett mentioned that an activist's actions don’t at all times produce the specified end result and that he was thrilled that the neighbors' efforts saved the tree.

“As an activist, you're usually working on things and banging on walls and nothing ever changes,” Garrett said. “It was really satisfying to just work on it for a couple of days with a good group of other people and actually save the tree. It shows me that activism is really worthwhile and you can really make a difference.”

After Garrett safely descended the strawberry tree and returned home on Tuesday, Tremper sent a message to the residents of Walnut Commons.

“All of us at Ecology Action are touched by how many people in our neighborhood have come to love and appreciate the tree – and feel moved to protect it. And we want to protect it,” Tremper wrote. “After some late-night brainstorming and drawing, we've found a way to do just that. While we'll need to further reduce our parking and make some other adjustments that will increase our team's workload, we're proposing to move our bike storage building farther from the southern property line so the tree can stay.”