Squirrel Housing

This is what our neighbor Larry Harrison saw out his window recently. Seemed odd to see a rodent-like face lounging in a bird house....so he kept watching and after a while he shot this one, with the suspect exiting.














Note the screws. He had installed a new face on the bird house when he had noticed an earlier hole which he though might have been a flicker. Now we know.

Notes on Different Stuff

This is a shot from an outfit at Turtle Bay in Redding which offers guided tours around the Arboretum and along the (newly paved) Sacramento River Trail. Their website is www.shastaglidenride.com if you'd like more info or call 242-1150. The gadgets they are riding are called Segways, electric two-wheel devices which are self-balancing and ideal for the trails along the Sacramento River and arboretum at the Sundial Bridge.

Sally and I plan to do their one hour run around the Garden which is north of the bridge, a (again, paved) walk which we have done before, for my birthday. The tour will be followed by a disgusting Shrimp Fest lunch at Red Lobster and then a five-cheese mac and cheese dinner when get home. It's a good thing you only get one birthday each year.

On a different topic, Jason Robinson from Way Out Recycling dropped by to announce that they are now accepting styrofoam along with their newly-announced glass collection. This is important so start saving up your egg cartons and take-out containers. The next pickup is Monday May 3. Remember, it's the first and third Monday of each month and all you need do is bag or box up your plastic, glass, and styrofoam and leave it by the street on Sunday night (they come by early on Monday).

Entertaining and informative film by Michael Moore about the economic mess we're in: Capitalism; A Love Story. This guy loves to corner flustered executives and nail them to the wall with embarassing questions on their roles in the financial meltdown on Wall Street and the insider deals that made them rich. 2 hours, from Netflix.

Watch for this month's Lake Shastina News. We inserted a detailed map of Lake Shastina with all the lot and unit numbers and on the reverse, a color map of Siskiyou County. If you don't get the LSN or want extra copies, call us.

Glass Now Being Picked Up

Jason Robinson, owner of this new company just messaged that they are beginning to also pick up glass for recycling. They operate here in Lake Shastina in the early mornings of the first and third Mondays of each month so Monday May 3rd is the next pickup run.

Call Jason at 938-9967 to sign up or email him at wayoutrecycling@yahoo.com.

May Events in Lake Shastina

(Sent in by Julie Pontoni at LSPOA)

May is on the way! Here is your calendar of events for May, as well as some information about future events.

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" ~ Robin Williams

LAKE SHASTINA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
LAKE SHASTINA PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

MAY 2010

Calendar of Events


May 1 - Burn Site Open – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
May 4 - Fire Safe Council Meeting – 6:00 p.m. (Administration Building)
May 5 - ECC Meeting – 9:30 a.m. (Administration Building)
May 9 - Happy Mother’s Day!
May 12 - Property Owners Association Meeting – 5:00 p.m. (Administration Building)
May 15 - Burn Site Open – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
May 19 - ECC Meeting – 9:30 a.m. (Administration Building)
May 19 - Community Services District Meeting – 5:00 p.m. (Administration Building)
May 31 - Memorial Day – Administration Office Closed



Scheduled Events at the Community Center Building

May 22 – Hot Rods by the Lake Car Show, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

HIGH DESERT GARDENERS: meets on the last Thursday of each month 3:00 p.m.
QUILTERS BY THE LAKE: meets each Monday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TAI CHI: meets each Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
YOGA GROUP: meets each Monday 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Scheduled Events at Hoy Park

May 8 – LSCFI-sponsored Vendor’s Day

Lake Shastina residents are welcome to come join in the festivities at the Community Center. It is a beautiful location for any activity and keep in mind that the Community Center is available to individuals that may wish to rent the building for a family function, wedding, party, etc. Check for availability at the front counter at the Administration Office, 938-3281.

FUTURE EVENTS:


Scott Valley Bank Summer Concert Series at Hoy Park
On Friday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a concert at Hoy Park, featuring The Cheeseburgers. This concert is sponsored by Lake Shastina Property Owner's Association; Lake Shastina Community Services District; Meyer Irrigation Specialists; Lake Shastina Family Medicine; Golden West Realty; and Scott Valley Bank. There is no admission fee for this event. Lake Shastina is just hoping for a fantastic turnout to kick off the summer with a bang and show off the fabulous improvements happening at Hoy Park. If you have any questions regarding this event, please call 938-3281


This information can also be found at www.lakeshastina.com

Master Gardener Spring Fair This Weekend

For the 31st straight year Oregon State University's Master Gardening extension program is sponsoring this two-day event at the Jackson County Fairgrounds (the one you see from eye 5 on the right north of Medford at Central Point). Admission is cheap ($3), there are six free gardening classes each day, plenty of food vendors for lunch, and lots of plants and books to buy.

Rather than go through too much detail, go to www.extension.oregonstate.edu/mg which is the Master Gardening's spot on OSU's website. On the right side under Upcoming Events click on the third one down and the show information will appear.

Maybe we'll see some of you there!

B17 & B24 Flights Coming Soon

This group came to Redding and Medford a couple years back with the B-24 and the B-17 so a friend and I bought a ride which was one of those once in a lifetime things that you never will forget. This season they apparently are also bringing along their two-seat Mustang and the Me-262, the first jet fighter ever built.

As you can see the schedule this time seems to be central and southern Cal but with a chance for a P-51 ride or a bombing run in the Liberator it might be worth the drive to Stocton on June 2nd. Of course the $2,200 cost of a half hour in the Mustang and the $3,900 for the simulated bombing mission in the Liberator is not for everyone. But $425 for a short ride in the 24 or 17 I can tell you from experience is well worth it.




PS: If you can't make out some of the info in the picture give me a call and I'll read it off to you from the original postcard.

Lake Shastina's New Website

Congratulations to the LSPOA staff and webmaster for the new website design (go to www.lakeshastina.com to view the entire page). Not only more concise but more inviting, with such new features as Announcements, current weather, and even a spot (underneath Announcements) to sign up for email notifications of upcoming events.

Nice job folks!

A Community Perspective

By Will Bullington, CC&R Compliance Officer

May 2010

Proposed Architectural Rules

In May of 2009 I wrote in this same paper about the ballot proposal to amend the CC&Rs. The total votes needed to vote yes to amend, or 51% of the owners of lots were 1,613. We were about 300 votes short of that number after numerous mailings and extensions by the Board. Of those that did vote, surveys, and town hall meetings showed approximately 80% wanted to see changes to three areas of the minimum construction standards: fences (to be more private), outbuildings or sheds and eaves.

Our CC&Rs spell out that the Environmental Control Committee (ECC) may with the Board’s approval create architectural rules that will define, clarify, “guidelines for architectural design, placement of any work of Improvement….” (Article V, Section 5.4).

Based on this the ECC has proposed architectural rules in these three areas. These are areas that have seen the most variance requests and are the most challenged by owners that live here. They are also for some reason an area that out of area owners don’t seem to care about, hence the reason that we were short on getting the vote to amend those CC&Rs. The perspective is that once you build a home on your property your develop a need for a fence to keep in your kids and dogs, you outgrow your garage and need an outbuilding to store your property, and the overhang/eave requirement needed clarification as to what part of the roof counts for “overall overhang.” This same rule needed more definition as to how the eighteen inches was measured: from outside of finished siding to where? At what angle?

You will see in this paper the proposed architectural rules, the hearing dates by the Board and the proposed effective dates. This is your opportunity to still express your opinion to the Board as a property owner.

One of the downsides to living in Lake Shastina is our distance from many of the businesses and services offered by cities. Living in Mt.Shasta and Yreka I remember how easy it was for my kids to take fiddle lessons, take martial arts and to participate in school sports. Living here, our kids have to travel to Mt.Shasta or Yreka, and in the winter time that is really a nightmare. Just turn right onto highway 97 and the snow switch is on clear into Weed. We have found that our younger kids are being deprived somewhat of those extra- curricular activities of our older kids.






Lake Shastina Barter Guild


I remember taking my older son up to Ashland when I lived in Yreka for fiddle lessons and the teacher was part of a local guild that traded or bartered for services. She would teach a dentists’ child music lessons and the dentist would fix her child’s teeth in exchange. (I’m sure there is a proper way to report this stuff to the IRS so please doesn’t bombard me with the tax code).

What if we developed a similar guild in Lake Shastina? What if a 15 year old mowed a retired person’s lawn in exchange for music or art lessons? Even in the worst of our winter storms this year Lake Shastina just got the old “banana belt” skiff of snow. Many parents that have kids in our local schools: Big Springs and Butteville have the same issues with transporting youth up to Yreka or down to Mt.Shasta for some type of culture, art or sport. Many local parents have some type of professional skills to offer that maybe could help fellow Lake Shastina residents in exchange for music or art lessons, tutor a student that needs help in math, etc. Maybe the student could do yard work or help with other chores.

If these ideas interest you and you would like to help form our own Lake Shastina Barter Guild then give me a call at 938-3281 ext. 101 or e-mail me at will@lakeshastina.com. Check out the internet on “barter guilds” and you will see them out there. Portland Barter Guild is on Facebook, amazing.

ANNUAL CHILI DUMP - April 24, 2010

The eighth annual Chili Dump will be held at 6:00 p.m. on April 24 at the Lake Shastina Community Center. The event will feature samples of award-winning chili, door prizes and drawings, musical entertainement by Al Sosa, and time to visit with friends and neighbors.

This event is open to the general public, but the chili contest is limited to the first 12 who apply. For more information about this event, or to make a reservation, please contact Marvin Zeman at 938-1612.

Volunteer helpers for this event are welcome and needed.

California won't tax forgiven home debt

By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 7B
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Monday to spare thousands of Californians big tax bills on mortgage debt forgiven in 2009.

The bill, signed days before Thursday's tax filing deadline, will eliminate state taxes on forgiven mortgage debt from 2009 through the end of 2012. The U.S. government has already done the same.

"We're elated because we were waiting to send in our statements," said Daniel Diaz of Whittier. He had forgiven mortgage debt from selling his house in a short sale last year. "Obviously, its a big relief, and finally, something good coming out of Sacramento."

State lawmakers had approved the bill on Thursday.

The signing Monday means many affected Californians won't have to file extensions for their tax returns this week.

The bill, SB 401, by Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, relieves state tax obligations on many people struggling after foreclosures, short sales and loan modifications.

It bans state taxes on up to $500,000 in forgiven mortgage debt, and also prevents the state from taxing federal stimulus funds as additional business income when steered to renewable energy firms.

In a statement Monday, Schwarzenegger said, "It is important that we continue to provide all possible assistance to homeowners who were negatively impacted by the mortgage crisis … and protect them from thousands of dollars in unfair taxes."

Wolk said those affected "can now rest a little easier, knowing they won't be hit with a large state tax bill after already being forced to sell their home at a huge loss."

Mortgage debt is typically considered forgiven by lenders – and eligible for taxation as extra income – during a foreclosure or a short sale. In short sales, lenders accept a price below what's owed to avoid higher costs of foreclosing. The difference is the forgiven debt.

The state Franchise Tax Board estimates about 100,000 Californians will be spared from $34 million in state taxes through 2012 as a result of the new law.

The tax relief plan applies only to people who lost homes in which they lived. Investors are not affected and still owe, says the FTB. State officials say qualified taxpayers don't have to do anything to get the tax break. Those who qualify for federal relief will automatically get the state relief.


Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/13/2674065/california-wont-tax-forgiven-home.html#mi_rss=State%20Politics#ixzz0l5PyLIHc

Free Yoga Class

A free beginners' yoga class is offered at the Lake Shastina Community Center, 15244 Driftwood Lane, on Mondays from 10 am - 11.15 am. The class is designed so that anybody can safely participate at their level of comfort, no prior experience is needed.



What can yoga do for you? The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures and breathing exercises makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Regardless of an individual's level of experience, each class is an opportunity to leave stress and worry behind while giving each student a chance to restore mental and physical well-being.

Yoga removes the stiffness and inertia from the body. It promotes balance between strength and flexibility, building endurance, and developing self-awareness through precise movement, posture and breath. It improves posture, stimulates the immune system, creates a sense of well-being and calm and has the ability to slow down and reverse the aging process.

Annie, the instructor, has been living in Lake Shastina for the last ten years. She is a long-time yoga practitioner and completed her yoga teacher training last year. For more information call her at 938-3599.

It's Adding Up

After several sessions with the evening news it seems the following conclusion is inescapable: business in this country has gotten big enough to control our government. Automobile, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, insurance, mining, banking . . . they all have grown so massive that they can influence and direct the governments (not just the Fed but state and regional, too) whom we elected to protect us.

What else can explain why governmental bailouts seem to disappear into thin air and the consumer on Main Street who uses a company's product (car, food, drugs, mortgage) sees absolutely no change in his or her plight? The phrase "corporate arrogance" was coined to fit times like these, when company giants pretty much write the rules they operate by. Their Golden Rule is to maximize their net profits.

Many of the watchdog agencies that were created to protect our public health and safety are staffed and led by people retired from the same banking, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries they are charged with regulating. Talk about conflict of interest.

Which is how a coal mine can still be operating with 122 safety violations this year alone. And why a car company can continue in business after hiding safety defects.

What's to be done?

State Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended

On March 25 Governor Schwartznegger signed Assembly Bill 183 into law. This new legislation provides $200 million for home buyer tax credits; $100 million for qualified first-time buyers of existing homes (meaning they've been lived in) and $100 million for buyers of new homes (never been occupied).

You have to buy between May 1st and Dec. 31st this year to get the credit which is the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000 payable in equal installments over three years. (The reason it's May 1 is because the $8,000 federal tax credit program ends on April 30 and they don't want people double-dipping).

You must live in the home as your primary residence for at least two years to keep the credit. Also "first-time" means that you haven't owned a home in the last three years, it does not mean that you've never owned one.

According to our state Realtor association, nearly 40% of first-time home buyers said they bought a home only because of last year's federal tax credit so this new law is important.

Last year's state tax credit program was $8,000 and so successful that it ran out of money in June, a full eight months before it was due to expire. The 2009 bill was aimed at sales of new homes because there was such a large inventory of them. Unlike that tax credit last year however, this new one adds not only $2,000 to the tax credit amount but also dedicates half of the $200 million to EXISTING homes.

If you are looking at the classic buyers' market that we are in right now (especially here in Lake Shastina) check with your lender or mortgage broker for details and if you qualify. If you do it's like taking $10,000 off the price of a home. But don't wait too long. This program is likely to be far more popular than last year's because it includes older homes and is $2,000 more in tax credits. Remember how they ran out of money last year so get your application in early this time.